2 January 2020 - Swale Club Championship - Round Eight

Swale Club Chess Championship - Round Eight

Thursday 2 January 2020

White: Keith Nevols (157) - Black: Nick Pollard

Philidor's Defence

After a month's break, the first game of 2020.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 Nc6

An unusual set-up. White could force the exchange of queens with 4. dxe5, but, coming to this game with only a win and a draw out of my last four games,  I wanted a clear victory.

4. Bb5 a6?

4. ..... exd4 or 4. .. Bd7 is essential.

5. Bxc6+ bxc6
6. dxe5 

Winning a pawn straight away.

6. .......Bg4
7. O-O d5
8. exd5 cxd5
9. h3 Bxf3
10. Qxf3 

Some early satisfaction. I am a pawn up and the queen is in an active spot. Black needs to get castled and developed as soon as possible.

10. ..... Bc5

11. Qg3 g6

Sacrificing the pawn with 11. .. Ne7 might be interesting. I am not sure I would have taken the pawn but 12. Qxg7 Rg8 13. Qxh7 Qd7 with queenside castling and suddenly Black, three pawns down, might have an attack on the White king.

12. Qc3 Qe7??

Black had to retreat the bishop. Now I can force the win of material.

13. b4 Bxb4
14. Qc6+ Qd7
15. Qxa8+ Qd8
16. Qxa6 

Now I am a rook and pawn ahead.

16. ........ Ne7??

And the bishop goes too.

17. Qb5+ c6
18. Qxb4 

The rest of the moves are just for completion. My opponent has not played chess for long.

18. ......... O-O
19. Bg5 f6
20. Bxf6 Kf7
21. Bxe7 Qxe7
22. Qxe7+ Kxe7
23. Nd2 Rf5
24. Nf3 g5
25. a4 g4
26. hxg4 Rf4
27. a5 Rxg4
28. a6 h5
29. a7 Rg8
30. a8 (Q) Rxa8
31. Rxa8 Ke6
32. Rb1 Kf5
33. Rb4 c5
34. Rh4 Ke6
35. Rxh5 Ke7
36. Rh6 Kf7
37. Ra7+ Kf8
38. Rh8 mate