Showdown...the battle of the big 2...clash of the titans. All phrases I wouldn't use as the basement duo of ourselves and Clay Cross came to blows on Tuesday. I was up against Alex Webster on board 5 - a new opponent for me from CC.
1.e4
e6
A-ha... The French Defence, so a chance for the old Wing Gambit to get an airing...
2.Nf3
d5
3.e5
c5
4.b4
c4
5 minutes thinking time gone (I don't think he's seen this before!).
5.a3
Forgot the proper response (which is 5. c3). This isn't as strong and I think 5. ... d4 would cause me some problems here.
5...Bd7
6.d4
cxd3
7.cxd3
a5
My queenside is pretty open now...but that's OK. It's all part of the plan... ish.
8.bxa5
Qxa5+
9.Bd2
Qb6
10.d4
Nc6
11.Bc3
Nh6
12.Bd3
Nb4
I spent a minute fretting about what to do with my white-squared bishop...then remembered that I'd seen this variation and it's actually just a blunder because my a1 rook is protected by the bishop on c3.
13.axb4
[13.Bxb4
Bxb4+
14.axb4??
Rxa1
]
13...Rxa1
14.Bxa1
Bxb4+
15.Bc3
Bxc3+
16.Nxc3
Qb2
17.Nb1
I didn't want to exchange queens just yet.
17...0-0
18.0-0
Rc8
19.Re1
b5
20.Re2
Rc1
I'd seen this exchange - it seems to work out well for me as I get the queens off and pressure on Alex's passed pawn - sufficient to win it and effectively remove his one remaining threat.
21.Rxb2
Rxd1+
22.Bf1
g5
23.Nc3
Forking the rook and passed pawn and effectively putting me a piece and a pawn up, with the g-pawn now loose.
23...Ra1
24.Nxg5
Ng4
25.Nf3
h5
26.g3
A blunder, as Haidar helpfully pointed out afterwards - in fact, I think he managed to point out blunders in three of our wins on the night. Note to self - must visit his board more often during the game and try to spot somemistakes!
26...Kg7
[26...Ra3
27.Nxb5
Rxf3
]
27.Kg2
Ra8
28.h3
Nh6
29.Nxb5
Bxb5
30.Rxb5
Ra3
31.Rb7
Kg6
32.Nh4+
Kg7
[32...Kg5??
33.f4#
]
33.Rb4
To prevent any pressure on my d-pawn.
33...Ra2
34.Kf3
Ra3+
35.Kf4
Ra2
36.Ke3
This seemed better than 36. f3, when my h-pawn starts to feel the draught somewhat.
36...Ra3+
37.Bd3
Ng8
38.Rb7
To prevent the knight getting out. And now, of course, my d-pawn is covered by the king.
38...Nh6
39.Nf3
Nf5+
40.Kd2
Ra2+
41.Bc2
Kg8
42.Kc3
Slowly edging over towards Alex's rook....
42...Nh6
43.Nd2
With the long term plan of Nf3-d2-b3-c4-d7-f6xh5. Seriously.
43...Kg7
44.Nb3
Ng8
45.Nc5
Ra1
And the roof caves in.
46.Nxe6+
Kh6
47.Rxf7
Ra3+
48.Kb4
And Alex resigned at this point. 1-0