1 August 2019 - Rochester Championship - Round Two

Rochester Championship - Round Two

Thursday 1 August 2019

White: Tyrone Jefferies (113) - Black: Keith Nevols (157)
Dutch Defence

1. d4 f5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Bf4 e6
4. Nbd2 Be7
5. e3 O-O
6. Bc4

Bf4 against the Dutch seems to be quite popular. It supports an attack down the c-file with c4 and Rc1 and targeting the c7 square. 

White's set up here adding Nbd2 and Bc4 is also interesting but reduces White's potential for a queenside attack. I go by the principle that if White does not develop his bishop on the a1-h8 diagonal, then Black ought to do so.

6. ..... b6
7. c3 Bb7
8. O-O

If 8. .... c5 then, according to the engine, the game is equal.

8. ......  Ne4?!

White can take the initiative 9. Nxe4 fxe4 10. Ne5! with options of Qg4-Qh5, Rd1 and/or d5.

9. a4 a5

Better 9. .. d5 to rule out a d5 break for White. 10. Bb3 g5 then gives an initiative to Black.

10. Re1?!

The purpose of this move is revealed by the next .Again 10.Nxe4 would be an improvement, or 10. h3 to provide a retreat square for the f4 bishop. Black now wakes up and takes the initiative and material advantage.

10. ...... d5
11. Bf1 g5
12. Bg3

12. Be5 is well answered by 12. .. Nd7 and then g4.

12. ..... f4

I thought I was winning a piece, but Black can get sufficient compensation. So 12. .. Nxg3 13. hxg3 Nd7 is considered to be a more accurate way to play the position. Nevertheless, I am always reluctant to turn down the possibility of material. My logic is that, if I am going to have to defend grimly (which, more often than not, is the case) then I might as well have something for it.

13. exf4 gxf4

White must now play 14. Bd3! fxg3 15. hxg3. The point is that, for the piece, White has one pawn and is about to get a second with pressure down the e-file. 15. .. Nd7 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Rxe4 Rf6 19. Qe2 Nf8. The e6 pawn is quite weak. Or if 15. .. Nxd2? 16. Qxd2 Rf6 17. Ng5 and Black is in big trouble.

Fortunately for me, White tries a different way to get compensation.

14. Ne5 fxg3
15. Qg4+ Kh8
16. Nxe4 gxh2+
17. Kh1 dxe4
18. Qxe6 Bd5

This had been my planned defence, although the computer prefers 18. .. Qd6 19. Nf7+ Rxf7 20. Qxf7 Nd7 with Rf8 to come. Black, in this situation, would have two pieces for the rook. But giving up an exchange is never a good idea to me.

19. Qh6 Qd6

With f7 covered, it is now safe to seek the exchange of queens.

20. Qh5 Qf6

Nothing wrong with 20. .. Nd7. I need to develop that knight and rook to help with the defence.

21. Ng4 Qg5
22. Qxg5 Bxg5
23. Kxh2 Nd7

The queens have gone and I am a piece for a pawn ahead. I need to keep that e-pawn in there and activate the other pieces.

24. c4 Bb7

24. .. Be6 would have forced more exchanges. I did not want to lose the e-pawn to 25. Rxe4 but overlooked 25. .. Bf5.

25. d5 Nc5
26. Kg1 Rae8

The e-pawn is now safe.

27. Ra3 Bc8
28. Ne3 Bd7

Hitting the a-pawn and forcing White's next cutting off the a3 rook.

29. b3 Bxe3
30. Rxe3 Rf6

Now a few moves adjusting my pieces to better squares, while White can do little.

31. Ra2 Ref8
32. Rd2 Be8
33. Rb2 Bg6
34. Rd2 Nd7
35. Rc3 Ne5
36. c5

White's only chance is to get a passed pawn on the d-file. I thought I had enough to defend this.

36. ...... Ng4
37. cxb6 cxb6
38. d6 e3!

Exploiting the pin down the f-file.

39. Rd4 exf2+
40. Kh1 Bf5
41. d7 Rd8
42. Bb5

The very attractive 42. .. Bd3! would have been a lovely way to finish. 

If 43. Bxd3 Rh6 mate. 

If 43. Rxg4 Rh6 will mate next move. 

If 43. Rxd3 f1(Q) mate.

42. ......  Bxd7

The only way to stop mate is 43. Rxg4 but then 43. .. Bxb5 and the f-pawn will queen next move. If 43. g3 Rh6+ also forces mate.

43. Rc7 Rh6++