Annotated chess game: Quick Checkmate on D5

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ANNOTATED GAME

Quick Checkmate on D5
dmaestro (1532) vs. NN (1530)
Annotated by: dmaestro

(1665)
Chess opening: Sicilian (B32), Labourdonnais-Loewenthal (Kalashnikov) variation

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1. e4	A short Sicilian game with an interesting checkmate at the end,



1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5	Strongest response.



5... a6 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7. Qxd6 Qf6 8. Qd3	One of many alternatives in a fairly common position, with a better winning percentage for White. Black must play carefully.
	1 comment concordborn (1200) on 02-Jun-10: Inaccurate play from black by not playing 5...d6 In both mainline e5 sicilian systems (Sveshnikov and Kalashnikov) the d6 move is key.


8... Nh6	?! An innovation which did not turn out well for Black. It leaves the d5 hole weak and the threat of ...Ng4 is easily parried.



9. Nc3	Since Black has decided not to defend d5, White will control it.



9... Rb8	Preparing for a push down the b file and protecting the rook from Nc7+, but White gets a dangerous initiative here and Black's developmental advantage is suffering. Black was probably concerned that after the more natural ...0-0, 10 Nd5 Qd8 that Bxh6 would leave his K exposed.
	2 comments excile (1200) on 02-Jun-10: but then black wont play Qd8. he can play something like Qg6 but then he has to act quickly because white will get the light squared bishop after Nb6 nuntar (1702) on 11-Dec-10: Why would White swap the good knight for an inactive bishop?


10. Nd5	White must strike quickly before Black can regroup, occupying d5 and preparing a quick attack



10... Qd6	?! This aggressive response exposes Black's queen to tactical threats and makes development harder. Better is the more patient 10 ...Qd8.



11. Bg5	!! I rarely give this rating to my own moves but this is a very subtle but diabolical move with a hidden sting made possible by Black's inaccurate Q move, which is also very difficult to meet effectively. The immediate threat is the somewhat subtle 12 Nf6+! Ke7 (otherwise the Q is lost) 13 Ng4+ f6 14 QxQ+ KxQ 15 NxN PxN 16 BxP with an easily won game. And the natural looking 11 ...0-0? is now met by Ne7+! winning the Q.
	2 comments nuntar (1702) on 01-Jun-10: After 12. Nf6+ Ke7 I prefer 13. Ng8++ Ke6 13. Qc4+ Qd5 14. Qxd5# dmaestro (1665) on 01-Jun-10: That works even better, since the line was never played and analysis is limited in the interactive mode I did not fully explore all options. White clearly has multiple ways to win.


11... f6	?? Wants to drive off the Bishop and probably play 0-0 next move, and is willing to accept Bxh6 doubling and weakening the K side pawns, but misses the primary threat and so loses even more quickly. Black's best move was probably the defensive retreat ...Ng8! and patient defense, although White retains a clear edge.



12. Nxf6+	! Fairly obvious now but exposing the hidden threat.



12... Ke7	Otherwise the Q is lost.



13. Ng4+	Forces the K to e6 with check if Black wants to defend the exposed Q.



13... Ke6 14. Qc4+	And my opponent resigns, since checkmate follows after the forced ...Qd5, 15 QxQ#.