LoveThatJoker: This game made a big impression on me. I therefore took the time to analyze it myself with no computer assistance. If you spot a mistake, feel free to say so. 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Bg4 3. Bg2 Nd7 4. c4 e6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. O-O c6 7. d3 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. Qc2 Ne7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. e4! <Perfectly timed>
11...f6?! <So as to take away squares from White's N and DSB, while giving his own LSB some breathing room. The problem is that it weakens the a2-g8 diagonal while the center pawn tension remains unresolved. Therefore it seems positionally unsound>
12. Nh4 Bf7 13. f4! <In King's Indian fashion: grabbing space on the K-side so as to lay the groundwork for a Kingside attack.>
13...Qc7 14. Nf3 a6 <Good move as it prepares the freeing break 15...c5. If 14...g5?! 15 fxg5! Bxg3 16. gxf6 Nxf6 17. Bh6 gains a tempo on the R, and when the R moves 18. Ng5 is extremely powerful.>
15. Bd2 c5 16. Rac1 Rac8 17. Kh1 <Practical prophylaxis.>
17...b5 <17...c4 should come into consideration here as with 17...b5 Black's b-pawn becomes a major target as we shall soon see.>
18. Qd1 dxe4 19. dxe4 c4? <Bad move. The idea behind this move is ...Nc5 and ...Nd3, but it comes up against a tactical refutation.>
20. b4! <The aforesaid tactical refutation of 19...c4 as 20...Bxb4? 21. Nxb5! regains the pawn with the initiative and a positional advantage to boot!>
20...Rfd8 21. a3 Nc6? <Bad move and overall positional blunder. It surrenders the d5 square with loss of time as the Q is going to get hit by 22. Nd5. 21...Qb8! was much better.>
22. Nd5 Qb8 <Now the Qb8 move is forced! On 22...Bxd5 23. exd5 and Black has the long term problem of dealing with the light squares in his camp; while at some point, White can consider a N manoeuvre such as Nd4-e6/c6>
23. Bc3 <Creating harmony in his own camp and furthering the plan of putting his Rooks on the e-file. Therefore, much better than 23. Be3.>
23...Nb6 24. Nh4 <Strengthening d5 and targeting f5>
24...Nxd5 25. exd5 Ne7 <A necessary retreat indicating the failure of his 21st move.>
26. Rc2 Rc7 27. Re1 Rcd7 28. Rce2 Kf8 <So as to keep e7 buttressed, but...>
29. Re6!! <Tactical shot! 29...Bxe6 30. dxe6 Ra7 21. Qh5 and Lucy's got some 'splaining to do.>
29...Bc7 30. Qg4 <Getting awaing from the influence of Black's Rooks along the d-file, while still keeping powerful threats at hand against Black's K.>
30...Nxd5 31. Bxd5! <The start of a tremendously powerful and attractive combination with a mating intent.>
31...Rxd5 32. Rxf6!! <Great vision, for if 32...gxf6 33. Bxf6 and 34 Qg7#!>
32...R5d7 33. Rd6! <Still threatening mate on g7 while attracting the attention of Black's R on d7 which is the primary defender of g7.>
33...Bd5+ 34. Rxd5 <Crushing! As the first kibitzer on this game said, this R is on a warpath!>
34...Qb7 35. Qf5+ Rf7 <Allowing White to gain a tempo yet again with 36. Qxh7 (Threat: 37. Qh8#), but 35...Kg8 allows 36. Re8+ Rxe8 37. Qxd7 with a piece to the good and the threat of Qxg7# still at hand.>
36. Qxh7 Qxd5+ 37. Kh2! <Good practical move keeping the N available for the attack>
37...Rf6 <Preventing Ng6 and allowing Black's Q access to the g8 square. 37...Re7 38. Ng6+ and 39. Rxe7#; 37...Rd7 38. Ng6+ Kf7 39. Qxg7#>
38. Bxf6 Qd2+ 39. Ng2 <Black resigns due to 39...gxf6 40. Re7> 1-0
LTJ
Kibitzing
sac: 36.Qxh7
