|
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c3
|
attempting to strengthen the center against future punches at it, the main drawback is neglecting my development. |

|
|
|
3... d6 4. Nf3
|
Prefering to take a more solid approach than the more aggressive f4 |

|
|
|
4... Nf6 5. Bd3
|
leaving me with the option as to what to do with my dark square bishop and my queens knight. Na3 is interesting in some positions |

|
|
|
5... O-O 6. O-O
|
Na3 or Nbd2 also seem playable. I decided that i should wait and see how black would respond. With a mobile centre i prefer to castle early. |

|
|
|
6... Nbd7
|
preparing e5 to contest my centre. |

|
|
|
7. Re1
|
in reply to threatened e5. after a possible exd4 by black the rook will be well positioned |

|
|
|
7... a6
|
black decides to march on the queen side, if he does not this might be regarded as a loss of tempo. It seems a bit dubious to march on the queenside without clarifying the center. |

|
|
|
8. Nbd2
|
What to do here? i was thinking about a4 in respons to the threatened b5, but there again i welcomed blacks flank play. Also my dark square bishop is a bit of a problem. Bf4 e5 doesnt seem to good for white. Nor did i feel like Bg5 was accomplishing anything significant. Nbd2 seemed my best bet. with possibilities of moving it to f1,b3 or c4 depending on the demands of the position |

|
|
|
8... b5
|
black should strike in the centre. c5 looks better putting pressure on my centre, b5 allows the annoying reply a4 |

|
|
|
9. a4 c6
|
a blunder, but what to do here? taking on a4 doesnt look any good. Rb8 gives black the a file, and a awquard queenside pawn formation |

|
|
|
10. axb5 cxb5 11. Bxb5
|
black looses an important pawn that he wanted to use to break open the queenside |

|
|
|
11... Bb7 12. Bd3 Re8
|
getting ready to blast open the center. blacks bishops have more potential in this position if he can open the center to activate them. |

|
|
|
13. Nf1 e6
|
not quite sure why black didnt play e5 here. He might have disliked the reply Ne3 eyeing the weakened white squares c4 d5 |

|
|
|
14. Ng3 e5 15. h4
|
wanting to get a kingside attack going. I wonder if piece play with Qb3 isnt objectively stronger. It is probably better to clarify the center before attacking on the kingside |

|
|
|
15... Qb6
|
i think d5 was better. following the old axiom about countering flank play with center play. |

|
|
|
16. h5 Nxh5 17. Nxh5 gxh5 18. Be3
|
proving the poor placement of the black queen. Qxb2?? Rb1 wins a piece. |

|
|
|
18... Qc7 19. Nh4 Nf6 20. Nf5 Nxe4 21. Qxh5
|
threatening Bh6 and Ngx7 Kxg7..Qg4 |

|
|
|
21... Re6
|
defends against Nxg7 but doesnt solve Bh6 |

|
|
|
22. Bh6
|
Rxh6 23. Nxh6 Bxh6 24 Rxe4 looks decisive. either the rook joins in the attack or white gets a massive attack with opposite colored bishops. |

|
|