18 January 2020 - County U-160s - Middlesex v Kent

County Under-160s match - Middlesex v Kent

Saturday 18 January 2020

White: Keith Nevols (157) - Black: S Walsh (158)

Sicilian Defence

A long drive over to Brent for this one but, although I made it on time, my intended opponent did not. After an hour there was no show. It was the same for my team mate on a neighbouring board and so the two captains agreed that I would play his opponent.

1. e4 c5
2. Nc3 

Another outing for my favourite closed Sicilian.

2. .........Nc6

3. f4 e6
4. Nf3 d5
5. Be2 

5. Bb5 threatening to double the black c-pawns is an alternative. I was attracted by the more modest bishop development with which I have had some good games.

5. ......dxe4
6. Nxe4 Be7
7. O-O Nf6
8. d3 O-O

The opening is over and now that Black has decided where to put the King, I can open up an initiative.

9. Qe1 Nd4
10. Bd1 b6
11. Ne5 Bb7
12. c3?! 

This is the cause of White's later problems - the loose pawn on d3. Although I later regretted it, the engine states it is the best move. 12. a4 holding up Black's queenside play is offered as an alternative.

12. ....Nc6

13. Bf3 Rc8
14. Qe2 

Overprotecting the pawn. My concern was for a Black d-file initiative.

14. ......Qc7

15. Nxf6+? 

Reducing the tension in the centre by some exchanges but easing Black's task to equalise. The best move might be the calm 15. Bd2 followed by Rae1. I did not see that Black could not take the pawn on e5 because it would leave his Bishop on b7 undefended,

For example, 15. Bd2 Nxe5 16. fxe5 and then 16. .......Qxe5?? 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. Qxe5 Bxe5 19. Bxb7 or 16. ....Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 and the game is equal

15. .......Bxf6
16. Nxc6 Bxc6
17. Bxc6 Qxc6

Some smoke has cleared. Black now tidies up on the kingside and then starts his d-file initiative.

18. Qg4 g6
19. Be3 Bg7
20. Rad1Rcd8!
21. Rd2 Rd6
22. Rfd1 Rfd8
23. Bf2 Qd5
24. a3 h5!
25. Qe2 Qf5

The last few moves has put Black in a dominant position.

26. Be3 Bh6
27. Qf1? 

27. g3 is obvious and better. If Black had followed up with 27. .. h4 then simply 28. g4.

27. ...........e5

And of course now White cannot take on e5 as he has removed the defence of the bishop.

28. g3 h4
29. Kg2 hxg3
30. hxg3 exf4

Now it is Black's turn to relieve some tension, but his aim is to liquidate to a winning ending. 30. ... Re6 is an interesting suggestion preparing to control the e-file.

31. Bxf4 Bxf4

32. gxf4? 

32. Qxf4 is a stiffer defence. Black has a pleasant choice of ways to win. 32. ... Qg4+ is one way and another is .... 

32. ....Kg7!

33. Qf3 Rh8
34. Rh1 Rxh1
35. Kxh1 Rd8
36. Kg1 Rh8
37. Rh2 Rxh2
38. Kxh2 g5!

The point of Black's play. He will now win a pawn.

39. Kg3 gxf4
40. Qxf4? 

40. Kf2 is better, keeping the d3 pawn.

40. ....... Qxd3+

41. Kg4 

I later thought that perhaps I should have played 41. Kf2 moving away from the Black king. My only hope is with some sort of perpetual but keeping the King in the open gives Black better chances of finding cross checks to force off the queens - as he does now.

41. ...   Qg6+

42. Kf3 Qf6
43. Ke4 Qxf4
44. Kxf4 Kf6!
45. b4 Ke6
46. c4 a5
47. bxa5 bxa5
48. a4 f5
49. Resigns

An easy win for Black. It was uncomfortable at how easily I was outplayed and my mood was worsened by getting stuck in traffic on the long journey home.