First match of the new year, and my first game in some time it seemed. Only slightly late (obligatory call from Paul as I was bounding up the stairs) and a rematch against Richard Desmedt, whom I played in my second competitive 'comeback' game in July 2006. I'd managed to win that one...but that was a long time ago and Richard has played a lot more chess than me in the meantime.. .
1.e4
d5
2.exd5
Nf6
3.d4
Nxd5
4.c4
Nb6
5.Nc3
e5
6.dxe5
It would appear that 6. Nf3 is better here. Or even 6. d5.
6...Qxd1+
7.Nxd1
Nc6
8.f4
Be6
9.Ne3
Bb4+
10.Kf2
Bc5
11.b3?
A blunder, but not a catastrophic one. As usual, I saw Richard's response once I'd made my move.
11...Bd4
12.Rb1
Bf5
13.Rb2
Bxb2
14.Bxb2
So I'm slightly down in the exchange - R vs B+P. However, I've still got the bishop pair so I felt like I might be able to hold out.
14...Bb1
15.a3
a5
16.Nd5
Nxd5
17.cxd5
Na7
The dust has settled somewhat - and Fritz scores the position at +0.44 for White. So I'm still doing OK.
18.g4
Fritz is not keen on this at all - however, my intention was to create a phalanx of pawns and try to blast through the kingside. It means giving up my white-squared bishop, but I felt that was a sacrifice worth making.
18...Be4
19.Bg2
Bxg2
20.Kxg2
0-0-0
21.e6
fxe6
22.Bxg7
Rhg8
23.Bf6
Rxd5
24.g5
Rd3
Now I'm in a spot of bother - so I thought I would increase my pawn army on the kingside and protect the a-pawn at the same time.
25.h4
Rxb3
26.Rh3
Rxh3
27.Kxh3
Nb5
28.Bb2
Rd8
29.h5
Rd3+
30.Kh4
[30.Kg4?
Rd2
31.Be5
Rg2+
32.Kf3
Rxg1
]
30...Nxa3
31.g6
hxg6
32.h6
I felt this was a key move (though Fritz still doesn't believe this equalises the position at this point). If I recaptured on g6, then the promotion square on g8 would not be covered. Here, h8 is and there's no way for Richard to prevent having to give up his rook for the h-pawn.
32...Nc4
33.h7
Rd8
34.Bf6
I'm in no rush to cash in. I might have other tricks...
34...Re8
35.Kg5
Nd6
36.Kxg6
Kd7
37.Nf3
About time I moved this piece.
37...Ne4
38.Ne5+
Kd6
39.Nf7+
And now I'm carrying all the threats.
39...Kd5
40.Be5
Apparently 40. Bg7 is winning. [40.Bg7
a4
41.Nh6
e5
42.Ng8
Re6+
]
40...Ng3
The only move.
41.Nh6
And now I'm threatening Ng8, followed by pawn promotion.
41...Nf5
42.Kf7??
A horrible, horrible blunder. So focused on trying to queen my pawn, I missed the obvious response. Looking at the game afterwards, Jeremy suggested 42. Nxf5 is winning...however, Fritz disagrees and scores the position as level. So at least I didn't blunder away the fullpoint!
42...Re7+
Whichever way I go, the game is up.
43.Kg6
Rxh7?
43. .. Nh4+ and I lose the pawn for nothing; and, of course, the game.
44.Kxh7
Nxh6
45.Bxc7
At this point, I'm still completely lost. I felt it was important to prevent Richard having 3 passed, joined pawns - more important than capturing a knight as you can't win a game with K+N.
45...Ke4
This doesn't look right. My pawn is no immediate threat and Richard has two pieces en prise.
46.Bxa5
Kxf4
47.Kxh6
b5
48.Kg6
At this point I offered Richard a draw. He declined - but the position is unwinnable from here. I will get to his e-pawn (or pin it to his king if he moves it) and I have enough time after that to cut off the b-pawn as well.
48...Ke5
49.Bc7+
Kd5
50.Kf6
b4
51.Be5
b3
52.Bb2
And a draw was agreed. More of an escape than I realised at the time - but nevertheless a valuable half point which helped us seal the match. No wins in 5 games now though so it would be nice to convert a full point in my next match! 1/2-1/2