Game reviewed at the Dayton Chess Club on June 19th, 2013.  G/15, names removed.  Game commentary and analysis by:  M. Kellie

1.  e4                     c5

2.  f4                      f5?!

Position Look:  So, we have a Sicilian to start, looking like a Grand Prix (2.  f4) and then this strange looking move of 2. …f5?!  What is the idea here?  Black seeks to confuse the White player by transposing the position.  White’s Grand Prix pawn (f4) is now blocked, which also blocks the c1 -h6 diagonal of the White queen bishop past f4!  This f5 move also invites the e-pawn to advance to e5; or, to capture, thus exchanging a inner center pawn for an outer one.  White has numerous branches which could be played; for example, d3, Nc3, Qf3, Nf3, Bc4, etc, etc.  So, is the f5 move good or bad?  The answer lays with what the White player does, so, how should White proceed?

3.  e5                                     …White selects the ‘gain space’ branch with 3.  e5  What are some drawbacks to this move?  And strengths?

3.                       …e6

Position Look:  Black opens the dark squared Bishop, likely in prep for King side castling.  However, his light squared bishop in locked in on the c8 – h3 diagonal (bad bishop).  The position has now transposed to a form of a “Dutch” defense, a position with many ‘holes’ due to the opposing pawn structure.

4.  Nf3                   Be7

5.  Nc3                   Nc6

6.  Bb5                   Qb6

Position Look:  Black’s move choices in the opening stage of this game are more limited than White’s.  With 6. …Qb6, Black seeks control of the a7 – g1 diagonal while placing some pressure on White’s last move choice.  However, after Qb6, how does Black complete his opening development?

7.  Bxc6                 Qxc6      …better is 7.  …bxc6, opening the a6 – f1 or b7-h1 diagonals to the ‘bad bishop’.

8.  O-O                  b6

9.  Qe2                  Bb7

10.  Qb5                Qc7

11.  b3                   Nh6

12.  Bb2                O-O        …better perhaps may be 12. …O-O-O!

13.  Rae1              a5!          …a direct threat (Ba6), perhaps the idea behind 12. …O-O

14.  Qe2                Ba6

15.  d3                   b5

16.  Ng5                c4

Position Look:  Black’s position has seemingly, …come to life!  White’s on the other hand, seemingly is going nowhere as the dark squared bishop might as well be a pawn; also, what offensive path to victory is there for White?  White is stalled behind his pieces so, coming up with innovative ideas must, out of necessity, be the pathway to victory.

17.  dxc4               bxc4

18.  b4?!                               Temporary blocking the a6 – f1 diagonal is the ‘idea’ here.

18.                     …axb4

19.  Qh5!

Position Look:  Yes, another sacrifice.  The idea here is to stop Black’s queen side play, activate the bishop on b2, and place power pieces on or towards the enemy king!  So how will this idea be furthered?

19.                     …bxc3

20.  Bxc3               d6           …Black seeks to give the exchange in order to weaken White’s attack.

21.  Nxe6             Qb6+

22.  Bd4!               Qc6

23.  exd6              Bf6         …Black seeks to stop the strong White bishop.  White seems stymied.

24.  Re5!?            Ng4        If 24. …Qxd6 then 25.  Bc5!

25.  Nxf8              Rxf8

26.  Qxf5              Bxe5      …c3 here is an interesting branch with many possibilities.

27.  Qe6+             Kh8

28.  fxe5!!            Rxf1+

29.  Kxf1               c3+

30.  Kg1                 Qc4?      …loses immediately to Qxc4, and yet, White wants to push through the idea!

31.  Qe8+             Qg8

32.  d7!                 Resigns