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ANNOTATED GAME

A Simple plan
elyhim (2517) vs. conde7 (2503)
Annotated by: elyhim (1200)
Chess opening: Sicilian (B90), Najdorf, Byrne (English) attack
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Pages: 12
In the Sicilian the advantage is often given to the one who can get their attack going first. In the game, I employ a simple tried and tested attack method in the English-Bryne system. This attack succeeds because I am able to utilize my opening pluses of piece superior, developmental advantage and space. Which transforms into endgame advantages of space, central dominance and superior pawn structure.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
Sicilian Najdorf which is a very robust defensive system that is a very tough nut to crack.

 
6. Be3
The English-Bryne attack which is white's most active and most popular system against the Najdorf
1 comment
 
6... Qc7 7. f3
Defending e4 and preparing for a quick attack via g4-g5

 
7... e5 8. Nb3
White is doing well so far he has a lead in development, a superior DSB and nice knights on the queen side.

 
8... Be6
One of the nice features of the Najdorf is the simplicity of formation. Black aims to setup a flexible defensive structure with bishops on e7 and e6, knights on d7 and f6 and Queen on c7 with rooks on c8 and d8. After that he plans to play b7-b5-b4 or d6-d5 for counter play.

 
9. g4
Not everyone is a fan of this move as it is double edged. In the Sicilian, if you can not find the right balance between structure and activity you end up losing.
2 comments
 
9... h6 10. Qd2
opens up queen side castling and supports further expansion via g4-g5.

 
10... Nbd7
I do think Nc6 is better but Nbd7 does give black the option of placing a knight on b6 or c5.
1 comment
 
11. h4
continuing with the simple plan of overrunning on kingside.

 
11... Be7
develops a piece and prevents g4-g5.

 
12. Rh2
I suspect that black wants to play d5 so I prepare to make it easy to double rooks on the d-file. So when it does open the d-file is mine
1 comment
 
12... O-O-O 13. O-O-O
I am now prepared for ...d5
2 comments
 
13... d5
As I expected!
1 comment
 
14. exd5
Black can not capture the pawn because of the weak pawn on f7. Not only that, the deflection of the e-pawn away from the king side considerably weakens the advancing of the king pawns.

 
14... Nf8 15. dxe6 Rxd2 16. Rhxd2
double pad stack. White stands well here his king pawns are still in play, doubled rooks on the d-file and two open bishops! Theoretically black is already busted.
2 comments
 
16... fxe6
?! ...Nxe6 is met with the powerful 17.g5! I think conde7 had plans of attacking f3 via Rf8 and Qc6.

 
17. Kb1 Ng6
I think this is the decisive mistake as black thinks that attacking the h4 pawn is a good idea. Instead he pokes a sleeping bear.

 
18. g5
! This liquidates the h4 weakness and creates a powerful g5 pawn.

 
18... hxg5 19. hxg5
Black is forced to exchange knights and creates a two pawn wall in the center. However, the pawns are weak and are easy targets. for the rook and bishop pairs!

 
19... Nd5 20. Nxd5 exd5 21. Rd2xd5 Rh1
only move as black can not allow the bishop pair to roam free as well
1 comment
 

Pages: 12