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ANNOTATED GAME

British Over 50s Championship Round 2
Donald J Mason (2129) vs. Charles Higgie (1915)
Annotated by: charleshiggie (2211)
Chess opening: Sicilian (B24), closed, Smyslov variation
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Pages: 12
1. e4
Just to explain the time limit - it was 40 moves in 90 minutes each, after which 30 minutes is added the first time a player runs out of time. There is also a 30 second increment per move.

 
1... c5
This time I couldn't really prepare as he sometimes plays 1. d4 or 1. c4.

 
2. Nc3
He opts for a Closed Sicilian.
1 comment
 
2... Nc6
The most popular reply.
1 comment
 
3. g3
Quite a common way to handle this. I am already thinking a few minutes on my reply.
1 comment
 
3... g6
I opt for this.
3 comments
 
4. Bg2
He completes the fianchetto.

 
4... Bg7
As do I.

 
5. d3
He continues to develop.

 
5... e6
More common is d6, but this is perfectly playable.
2 comments
 
6. Be3
He attacks my c pawn.

 
6... b6
6... d6 planning a6 and b7-b5 is more normal, but this got him thinking!

 
7. Nf3
He decides to open up the game.

 
7... Nge7
I develop.

 
8. d4
And he does his central thrust. I was quite surprised here that in previous games in this position, black had simply castled. I am not sure why white can't just take twice on c5 in that case. I was also afraid of allowing d4-d5 so I took!
1 comment
 
8... cxd4
Like so.
2 comments
 
9. Nxd4
And he took back.

 
9... a6
I was afraid of him playing Nd4-b5 threatening to go to d6.
2 comments
 
10. Nxc6
He takes.

 
10... Nxc6
I have to take back this way. If I take with the queen he exchanges queens and then takes on b6.

 

Pages: 12