Annotated chess game: Nimzo-Indian Defense mini-tournament

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ANNOTATED GAME

Nimzo-Indian Defense mini-tournament
last_archimedean (1341) vs. rob44nyc (1268)
Annotated by: last_archimedean

(1564)
Chess opening: Nimzo-Indian defence (E20)

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A themed mini-tournament. I love themed minis, and this is about the 40th or so I've created, with just about that number of different openings.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7	All the games start from this position, with White to move. I had never done a Nimzo-Indian theme before this tournament, but know it's a very popular defense.
	3 comments hscer (1774) on 31-Dec-12: The Nimzo-Indian starts with 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 - the position after three moves here is a Queen's Gambit Declined last_archimedean (1564) on 31-Dec-12: According to the Game DB, you are mistaken l-d-j (1747) on 01-Jan-13: @last_archimedean: no, he is right. It's a QGD by transposition, but the game DB doesn't understand transpositions. If you put in the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 you will see the game DB show 'Queen's Gambit Declined'.


9. O-O Bb4 10. e4	Now that I've castled, I can initiate complications.



10... O-O	My opponent, likewise, castles before plunging towards the middle game.



11. e5	A Knight on KB3, according to Fine and Znosko-Borovsky, is the best single piece available to protect a King that has castled King-side. So naturally, I drive it away while I have the opportunity.
	2 comments blake78613 (1200) on 31-Dec-12: Larsen was of the opinion that a knight on f8 made King-side castled King pretty secure. mking30 (1281) on 01-Jan-13: not much of a match. short,simple, semi-sweet-equal...


11... Ne8	The best available square. N-R4 would leave it exposed and vulnerable.



12. Be3	Naturally, development must be completed!
	2 comments l-d-j (1747) on 01-Jan-13: I like 11.Qc2, creating a weakness in Black's castled position because ...h6 or ...g6 is forced. blake78613 (1200) on 02-Jan-13: The bishop is a long range piece and pretty well developed on c1.


12... f6	An attempt to negate my central wedge.



13. Qc2	I double along the diagonal.



13... Ba5	A move seemingly without a purpose. According to Fine, it is better to have a bad plan than not to have a plan at all. Every move should have some purpose.



14. Bxh7+	I naturally take the free Pawn, a move that also exposes Black's King somewhat.



14... Kh8	K-B2 would leave the King closer to his allies, although I'm not sure it would have made a huge difference.



15. Qg6	Naturally, I press forward with the Q. My Knight is also ready to join, and the Black King is momentarily denuded of defensive help.



15... fxe5	An attempt to reduce the pressure.



16. Ng5	Bringing forward another attacking piece.
	1 comment l-d-j (1747) on 01-Jan-13: Very good move!


16... Qf6	Black's previous move cleared this square. Needless to say, I have no intention of exchanging Queens!



17. Qh5	Threatening a deadly discovered check.



17... e4	The correct move was 17... Q-R3, interrupting the potential discovery. Now I have a mate.
	2 comments l-d-j (1747) on 01-Jan-13: Yes, but after 17...Q-R3 (17...Qh6), 18.Nf7+ (18.N-B7ch) wins the queen. last_archimedean (1564) on 01-Jan-13: 17... Q-R3 18 N-B7 ch RxN 19 QxR KxB 20 QxN(Q7)seems to leave Black OK [for the moment]


18. Bg6+	Black has but one move...



18... Kg8	...and this is it.



19. Qh7#	Fin.