1.e4
e5
2.Bc4
Nf6
3.d4
This move is designed to provoke 3. ...exd4 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qxd4 where white has aggressive play for the pawn but, in reality, black rarely goes in for this sharp line.
3...Nc6
4.Nf3
d6
Also side-stepping transposition into the sharp Max Lange attack which typically starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O Bc5 6. e5 d5.
5.h3
Be7
6.0-0
0-0
Again unprepared to face the complications arising from 6. ...Nxe4.
7.Re1
Nxd4
8.Nxd4
exd4
9.Qxd4
Nd7
Continuing a passive approach to the position.
10.Nc3
Bf6
11.Qd1
The queen will need to be redeployed as it will be in the way of the black-squared bishop on d2 or e3.
11...Bxc3
Destroying my q-side pawn structure but leaving me with the bishop pair and plenty of attacking prospects.
12.bxc3
Ne5
13.Bf1
Biding my time. 13. Bb3 allows ...Be6 exhanging a pair of bishops.
13...Qf6
14.f4
Nc6
15.Qf3
Aggressive defence of the weak c3 pawn.
15...Bd7
16.Rb1
Rab8
17.a4
Na5
Lured by the siren-call of my weak a-pawn.
18.e5
If 18. ...dxe5 19. Qd5! wins a piece.
18...Qe6
19.Ba3
Threatening 20. exd6.
19...c5
20.Rbd1
Bc6
21.Qg3
Qa2
Black's position is rapidly unravelling and so he attempts to gain compensation by picking up weak q-side pawns. They are, however, far from vital in this position...
22.Bc1
An enjoyable second retreat to play! The bishop has done its work on the a3-f8 diagonal and is now redeployed to prepare for a k-side attack on the dark squares.
22...Bxa4
23.f5
Qxc2
24.Bd3
To prevent the move f6 from being met by ...Qg6.
24...Qxc3
25.f6
g6
26.Qg5
Bxd1
I am quite happy to let my rooks go as I am about to mate black on g7. The beauty here is that if black attempts the traditional defence in this type of position with 26. ...Kh8 I have the stylish finish 27. Qh6 Rg8 28. Re4! Bxd1 29. Qxh7+!! Kxh7 30. Rh4+ Bh5 31. Rxh5 mate! - a line perfected in post-match analysis with Kev and Gordon Stables. [26...Kh8
27.Qh6
Rg8
28.Re4
Bxd1
29.Qxh7+
Kxh7
30.Rh4+
Bh5
31.Rxh5#
]
27.Qh6
Qxe1+
28.Bf1
The final insult - 28. Kh2?? allows ...Qxe5+ followed by ...Qxf6. 1-0