Game reviewed at the Dayton Chess Club on September 4th, 2013.  G/15, names removed.  Game commentary and analysis by:  M. Kellie

1.  e4                    c5           (Sicilian defence)

2.  f4                     e6           …IMO, d5 should be played immediately instead of e6; e6 is passive.

3.  d4                    cxd4

Position look:  Black has exchanged an outer center pawn for an inner one, normally a good thing to do.  However, in this position, who controls more key center squares?  (White)

4.  Qxd4               Nc6

5.  Qd3                 d6

6.  Nf3                  g6

7.  Be2                  Bg7

8.  c3                    Nge7

9.  Be3                  O-O

10.  O-O               Qc7

11.  Na3!             a6

Position look:  With this strange Na3 move, White has achieved the middle game (rooks are connected) before Black.  Also, this Na3 move has provoked Black to respond with a6 which creates a ‘hole’ on the “b6” square and gives White very fertile ‘ground’ to till…perhaps, due to the Black response here, White has even already won the game!  Students, how should White proceed?

12.  Rad1             Rd8

Position look:  At this stage of the game, Black is simply trying to parry White’s threats; in other words, the initiative and therefore the attack currently rests with White!  Students, how should White proceed?

13.  Nc4               d5

14.  Bb6               dxc4

15.  Qxd8+!         Nxd8

16.  Bxc7              Ndc6

17.  Bb6               f5

Position look:  White has prevented the reinforcement of the pawn on c4 while also getting the Bishop to a better square (b6) from which to launch future dark squared operations.  Black has not yet completed the opening development, is an exchange down and now, out of desperation, strikes forth with this “f5” move; which, serves only to further weaken his position.  Black’s current position is…bad.  Students, how should White proceed?

18.  Bxc4!            fxe4

19.  Ng5               h6

20.  Nxe4             Kf7?       This is an outright mistake; …Nd5 is to be preferred here.

21.  Nc5               Nf5?      Again, Nd5 should be played here (to free the Black Queenside)

22.  Rfe1              Bf8         Desperation by Black, for ‘hog-tied’ is he…almost in zugzwang!

23.  Nxe6             Bxe6

24.  Rxe6             Kg7        What else can Black do?

25.  Rd7+             Kh8

Position look:  Perhaps Black should attempt to create a fortress around his King (Nfe7 or Nce7) here instead of running his King to the corner?  Either path, (fortress or running) seems good for White and bad for the second player.  Students, which pawn should White capture here?

26.  Rxg6             Nce7

27.  g4!                Rc8        Black spurns the ‘offer’ and finally activates his rook.

28.  Bb3               Nh4

Position look:  White’s attack seems to be stalled…how should he proceed?  Rxe7 is winning, should we just go for the simple win or, is there something more amazing,…more special, even beautiful to be had here?

29.  Bd4+             Kh7

30.  Rg8!!            Nf3+

31.  Kf2                Nxd4

32.  cxd4              Re8        What else?  Threat was Rxe7+  Bxe7, then Rxc8

33.  f5!!                Resigns…for Zugzwang it is!