(1) W,Jeff (1087) - RookVanWinkle (956) [A23]
1.c4
The English Opening. There ends my knowledge of it. 1...e5
I'm proceeding on general principles now. 2.Nc3
Nf6
3.g3
Bc5
4.e3
c6
preparing 5... d5 with hopes of a later e4 to prevent Nf3. 5.Bg2
d5
6.cxd5
cxd5
7.Nge2
e4
I'm REALLY happy with this position. I got my e4 in and the e4- d5 pawn structure can be supported solidly as White has no c-pawn to attack with and can't push his f-pawn too safely. Better yet, my other goal has been achieved - White's activity is really going to be confined to the Queenside, so I am going to push a Kingside attack ASAP - especially nice will be the two bishops that can work the h3-c8 and h2-b8 diagonals. 8.d4
No problem. The pawn structure is locked pretty solid now and I want that Bishop on the h2-b8 diagonal. 8...Bd6
9.0-0
0-0
I was sorely tempted NOT to castle because I REALLY want the Rook on the h-file for the King-side attack I'm planning. But, after losing a tournament game earlier in the day against my opponent, in which I foolishly did not castle, I decide to play it safe. Also, since he just castled himself there are no tempo issues to worry about. 10.Qb3
It is essential I keep the d5 pawn locked in place - and I have more defenders than White has attackers. 10...Bc7
Allowing the Queen to defend d5 and keeping the black Bishop on the useful h2-b8 diagonal. 11.Nb5
I'd like to keep that black Bishop - but if White exchanges it off for the Knight I still have enough material to mount an attack. 11...Na6
I made this move simply to defend the Bishop twice. Doing this analysis, I see that moving my Knight allows for Bb8 - preserving the black Bishop perhaps. I wish I had thought of that idea DURING the game, as White did not take. 12.Bd2
Ng4
A nice outpost. For some reason I feel that White won't attempt to push it away. 13.Rac1
Having done 11...Na6 I have two defenders against two attackers. And I have been wiling to exchange or sacrifice that Bishop for a couple moves now. 13...h5
Here we go! 14.h4
This was totally unexpected. For some reason I thought sure White would do h3 here and I had never even considered h4. 14...g5
I soon realize h4 falls in quite nicely with g5. White will have to take otherwise 15... gxh4 and if 16.gxh4 then 16...Qxh4 (fatal for White) or if 16. White does something else 16...hxg3 or 16...h3 maybe? 15.hxg5
Qxg5
I was really pleased with this move. My plan is to maneuver the f1 Rook to h1 advance the h pawn and then bring the Queen onto the h-file for the mating attack. However, it is still essential not to let that d5 pawn fall - and my Queen move allows me to keep defending it! 16.Rxc7
At this point I can't see White doing any critical damage on the Queenside - and I don't want to spare a single tempo in
bothering with the recapture and then having to move the Queenside Rook after 16...Nxc7 17.Nxc7 Rb8. 16...h4
Let's march forward and try to pry things open a bit. I'm golden if I can clear the h-file. 17.Bh3
hxg3
I'm fully expecting 18.fxg3. I'm a little nervous about that because with the f-file open the Rook can
maneuver and my f7 pawn becomes a target which will force 18...Nxc7. 18.Bxg4
[18.fxg3
Nxc7
19.Nxc7
and things look REALLY complicated from there.] 18...g2
Whew! I'm glad he did not take with the pawn. This looks good. White has to deal with the losing the Bishop or his Rook. Either is unpleasant - and if I can get that Rook to the h-file... 19.Kxg2
Bxg4!
I had thought of 19. ..Qxg4+ but 20.Ng3 ended that. Plus I see after 19...Bxg4 the Bishop will be decisive on f3 supported by the e4 pawn! 20.Ng3
Bf3+
21.Kg1
Kg7
Finally! Next move the Rook goes to h8 and then h1 mate (thanks to the fact the Knight is pinned by my Queen). I'm convinced the game is over for White now - he can bring no additional forces over to the Kingside to defend! 22.Rxb7
White can take what he wants over there on the Queenside - I don't care. 22...Rh8!
What can White do now? I have to give credit to my opponent because he still has some tricks up his sleeve! 23.Rxf7+
I can't let myself get into any kind of perpetual check situation here. I think I'm totally safe though thanks to my Queen defending d5 once again! 23...Kxf7
24.Nd6+
Ke6
I sigh of relief on my part - I'm defending d5 twice now because I cannot afford to let the pin on the g3 Knight elapse if White captures d5 with his Queen. 25.Qxd5+
Kxd5
26.Nf7
An attack that can be ignored. 26...Rh1#
I have to give White credit for throwing everything but the kitchen sink at me in order to prevent the mate. What a game! 0-1
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