1.e4
e6
2.d4
d5
3.exd5
exd5
4.Bd3
Bd6
5.Ne2=
Ne7
6.0-0
0-0
7.Bf4
Nbc6
Trying to break up the symmetry
8.Bxd6
Qxd6
9.c3
Bf5
Challenging on the diagonal is the idea, if black allows Qc2 uncontested, it will be tough to gain the space back.
10.Ng3
Bxd3
11.Qxd3
a6
A odd move, perhaps begging the question of why not? There are better ideas here however. [11...Nd8
12.Nd2
Ne6
13.Rae1
Rfe8
14.Re3
Nf4
15.Qb5
a6
16.Qb3=
(16.Qxb7
Reb8
17.Nde4!
Qd8!
18.Qxa8
Rxa8-+
) ]
12.Nd2
Qg6
13.Qxg6
Nxg6
14.f4!
Finding the right idea, the variation isn't crushing, but it is definitely the correct way to seal a draw.
14...f5
15.Rae1
Nh4
Just a miscalculation, the idea being a challenge on the e-file, but the Knight is misplaced at best. [15...Rae8!
At first glance, this idea looks to lose the f-pawn but black has threats too.. 16.Rxe8
Rxe8
17.Nxf5
Re2!
18.Rf2
Nxf4!=
Black has successfully challenged the file, and maintains the draw. 19.Rxf4
Rxd2
20.Ne3
Ne7
21.Rf2
Rxf2
22.Kxf2
Kf7=
]
16.Nf3?
Not a mistake, but it validates Nh4 completely, Nb3 was more compelling. White believes he will retain the e-file but it will be challenged [16.Nb3
b6
(16...Rae8
17.Nc5
) 17.Re6
]
16...Nxf3+
17.Rxf3
g6
18.Rfe3
Kf7
Preparing to challenge.
19.Nf1
Rfe8=
20.Nd2
Rxe3
[20...Re7
]
21.Rxe3
Re8
22.Kf2
Na7
A little misgui ded, Nd8 is more direct, instead of playing each knight to their respected posts, with Nd8 black protects against white's infiltration.
23.Nf3
Rxe3
24.Kxe3
Ke7
Its pretty equal after this move. [24...Kf6
25.Ne5
Nb5
26.Nd7+
Ke7
27.Nc5
Nd6
; 24...h6
Weakening move that will end up being an issue. 25.Ne5+
Kg7
(25...Kf6
26.Nd7+
Ke7
27.Nc5+/-
) 26.Nd3
Nc6
27.Nc5
Nd8
]
25.h3
Nc8
26.g4
Nd6=
Draw Offered
27.Nd2
A slip that might be punished.
27...fxg4
28.hxg4
h5
29.gxh5?
[29.f5
hxg4
30.fxg6
Kf6
31.Kf4
Kxg6
32.Kxg4
b5=
]
29...gxh5
30.Kf3
Nc4
31.Nxc4
dxc4
Gotta play this area precise and white draws.
32.b3?
[32.Kf2
Kf6
33.Kf3
(33.Kg3
Kf5
34.Kf3
h4
; 33.Kg2
Kf5
) 33...Kf5
]
32...b5!
White is in more trouble than he can handle.
33.bxc4
bxc4
34.f5
[34.a3
Kf6
35.Ke4
h4
; 34.a4
Kf6
]
34...Kf6
35.Kf4
h4
36.Kg4
h3
37.Kxh3
Kxf5
38.Kg3
Ke4
39.Kf2
Kd3
40.Ke1
Kxc3
41.Kd1
Kb2
42.Kd2
c3+
A great game that was pretty drawish, it comes down to endgame play. 0-1