31 October 2019 - Swale Club Championship - Round Six

Swale Club Chess Championship - Round Six

Thursday 31 October 2019

White: Keith Nevols (157) - Black: Rob Woolacott (141)

Caro Kann Defence

Last season, Rob had beaten me twice - he is a dangerous player - so I was keen for revenge.

1. e4 c6

Already a surprise - in our last game, Black had answered 1. e4 with 1. .. d6 and we went into the Pirc Defence. This was my third chance to try Ne2 with the pawn sacrifice idea which had already got me two good victories.

2. Ne2 d5
3. e5 Bf5
4. Ng3 Bg6
5. h4 h6
6. h5 Bh7
7. e6 

And here it is. I had discovered this sacrifice in a Chessbase video while trying to find something to play against the Caro Kann.

7. ...... fxe6

8. d4 

The point is that, in return for the pawn, Black will have difficulties developing the kingside. The pawn on h5 holds up the g-pawn, and the e7 pawn is blocked by its brother, which itself is restricted by the White pawn on d4, and so Black's king bishop will struggle to develop as will the Black king's rook.

In both the previous two games Black played 8. .. Qd6 which I answered with 9. f4 and 9. Bd3. Here Black plays what I thought might be the best way to play - and that is to give the pawn straight back.

8. ...... e5
9. dxe5 e6

Now the bishop can develop. White however still has more space.

10. Bd3 Bxd3
11. Qxd3 Ne7

11. ... Qc7 might have been more accurate, because now the bishop is blocked again. Black can answer 12. Qg6+ with 12. .. Qf7 and the game is even.

12. Nc3 Nd7
13. f4 Qc7
14. Be3 

Preparing to castle queenside and then Na4-c5 or Rdf1 and f5, or whatever else I can think of.

14. .....Nxe5!?

A surprise! Black sacrifices a piece to dissolve the White centre. Quite an imaginative idea.

After some thought, I decide to take the sacrifice as I think I can get the king to safety.

15. fxe5 Qxe5

16. Nge2 Nf5
17. Bf4 Qf6
18. O-O-O 

This was the position I had foreseen when taking the knight. Black has two pawns for the knight but could be dangerous if he gets co-ordinated. The e-pawn could be troublesome if it advances. 

On the other hand, White's king is now in a safer position and Black's king is still in the centre, so I need to act fast.

18. ......Bc5
19. g4 

I did not see the remarkable 19. Ne4!? dxe4 20. Qd7+ Kf8 21. Qxb7 but my move is safe enough.

19. ...... Nd6

20. Na4 

Keeping the initiative but 20. Rhf1! is stronger. Moving the queen would allow Qg6+ but there are two combinations that I did not see (and almost certainly would not have played). 

If 20. .. e5 then 21, Nxd5! cxd5 22. Qxd5 exf4 23. Qxc5 - White has given back the piece for two pawns but has either Nxf4 or Rxf4 coming and the black king will fall in the centre - or if 20 ... Nf7 21. Ne4! dxe4 22. Qd7+ Kf8 23. Bd6+ Nxd6 24. Rxf6+ gxf6 25. Rxd6 Bxd6 26. Qxd6+ - White has a queen and knight in exchange for two rooks and two pawns.

The computer recommends 20. Bxd6 Bxd6 21. Ne4! removing some pieces.

20. ..... Ne4

20. .. Nc4 is interesting (21. Nxc5??? Qb2 mate) and perhaps forcing 21. Qg6+.

21. Nxc5 Nxc5
22. Qe3 Qe7
23. Ng3 

I was concerned about the black knight planting itself on e4 and so decided to prevent it.

23. ..... Nd7

24. Rde1 Nc5?

Castling and giving up the e-pawn would have lasted longer.

25. Nf5 Qf8
26. Bd6

Winning further material so Black decided to call it a day and resigned.