Annotated chess game: Attack of the Minor Pieces

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ANNOTATED GAME

Attack of the Minor Pieces
bwaa (1657) vs. mgwili (1757)
Annotated by: bwaa

(1897)
Chess opening: English (A30), symmetrical variation

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16... Qc6

Here Black does the same thing: the BQ is no longer threatened and White's e-pawn is now hanging.

17. Qe2

Probably 17.Qc2 was better, but the text shows that the WQ is headed for e3, to provide support for the f-pawn.

17... Bg4

Of course.

18. Qe3 Nd7

Threatening the Bb6 as well as a possible ...f5, as well as setting up a rather complex combination. What started out as a somewhat flavorless game is only going to get more twisted from here on out.

19. Rac1

White lines up on the c-file with the BQ, getting his Rook out of the corner, and inviting Black's next move, for better or for worse...

19... exf4

Black tears the game wide open. Now White either sacrifices the integrity of his kingside even further with 20.gxf4, or accepts an isolated d-pawn and the loss of an exchange by retaking some other way. Take a broad look at the position here: White has a definite spatial advantage but Black should have decent counterplay against the White King. Remember this feeling for a few moves.

20. Rxf4

??! I looked at this move for a long time trying to work out all the variations, and then decided to simply go for it. Take a few minutes reviewing this position: White is sacrificing material for positional gains, in theory, but the situation is very complex. The main things to notice are: Black has a three-piece shishkabob lined up for him along the c1-g5 diagonal; White has a discovered attack ready to go against the Black Queen, and Black's LSB is unguarded. What happens now?

20... Bg5

I actually think 20...Bh5 was better. Since White has three major pieces on the vulnerable diagonal, Black can win an exchange even if he plays ...Bg5 a move later. So, he might as well get his LSB to safety.

21. e5

White unleashes an attack on the BQ. Note that Black could delay his response to it with 21...Bxf4 22.Qxf4 Qc8, since White would be unwise to attempt to double-down: 21...Bxf4 22.Bxc6?? Bxe3 23.Bxb7 Bxc1 24.Bxa8 Rxa8 25.exd6 leaves White with far too little for his material.

21... Qc8

The only safe square! Suddenly b7 looks vulnerable, and d6 is undefended.

22. exd6

White ties up a loose end and gives himself a powerful pawn spike in Black's territory.

22... Re8

! Gaining a tempo to reposition the Rook.

23. Qd4

White's Queen must not stop defending f4.

23... Bxf4 24. Qxf4

Remember how you felt a few moves ago, that White had a small spatial advantage but Black should have counterplay? Compare that with the position now. White has only a Bishop and a pawn for his Rook, but his positional advantages are now huge.

24... Ne5

Black brings his Knight up to a more useful position and defends his LSB--guarding the critical d1 square. Of course ...Nxb6 wouldn't get anything useful done, since it just invites White to fork the Black Queen and Rook.

25. Bd5

White can't get his Rook on the d-file easily, so he picks an easier target: f7. First he pins the pawn so it can't escape.

25... Bh5 26. Rf1

Not yet an overwhelming attack, but White is keeping the initiative by forcing Black to defend himself.

26... Qg4

!? I think this might be Black's best shot in the position. White has a massive attack rolling down the board, spearheaded by the passed d-pawn. A Queen exchange could lessen Black's defensive burdens. However, he does give up another pawn, making White's center that much stronger...

27. Bxb7

! Of course there's no reason to take the Queen right away.

27... Rab8

The only safe square!

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