[Event "Rated Classical game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/eWhsET1t"] [Date "2018.03.09"] [Round "-"] [White "SebastianJL"] [Black "arbisto"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2038"] [BlackElo "1956"] [TimeControl "2700+45"] [Termination "Normal"] [Annotator "lichess.org"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D45"] [Opening "Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation, Shabalov Attack"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/5wYcdjXQ/pu1L1ian"] [Orientation "white"] { Semi-Slav. A very exciting attacking game where black eventually succumbs to the pressure. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 { The Shabalov Attack! I love this move! White sets a very aggressive tone to an otherwise solid game. Here is a video featuring Jonathan Schrantz, but this line is so fun that I prefer keeping my innocence :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjOQdWxBkpE } 7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 e5 9. Bd2 (9. g5 { is the obvious move to me (being the point of g4), but the move in-game is still theory. }) 9... exd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Be2 Nexg4 12. h3 Ne5 13. O-O-O { Both players noted that they were out of theory at this point, but the moves are logical enough that they follow it for a bit longer. } 13... O-O 14. f4 Ng6 15. h4 (15. f5 { is a move I like a lot. It does shut down the b1-h7 diagonal for attack, but it cements white's space advantage on the kingside and removes black's knight from the g-file. Some calculation exists, but it's too superficial to include here. }) 15... Bg4 { This developing move turns out to be a positional blunder, though it's not easy to see. It accelerates white's attack. } 16. h5 Ne7 17. Rdg1 (17. Bxg4 Nxg4 18. Rdg1 { scores an extra tempo that becomes a decisive advantage. To continue, } 18... Nf6 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. Qxe4 Qd7 21. Bc3 { and all of white's pieces fly into play. }) 17... Qd7 (17... Bxe2 18. Ncxe2 c5 { affords black some time to start some counterattacking ideas. }) 18. Rg2 (18. Bxg4 Nxg4 19. Ne4 { still exists. }) 18... Bxe2 19. Ndxe2 Rae8 20. e4 { A very powerful move playing in the center. The natural threat is to push it again. } 20... Bc7 { A bit too passive for my liking, but not a bad move. } (20... Bb4 { is thematic in the opening and has a little bit more energy. }) 21. e5 Nfd5 22. Rhg1 g6 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Ne4 Bb6 25. Rh1 { At first glance, I rejected this move. But it's hard to reject after realizing both rooks are on highways towards black's king. } (25. Nc5 Qf5 { and with a trade of queens the attack loses its sting. }) 25... Nf5 26. Qb3 { White sidesteps Ne3 tactics but misses a more spectacular option. } (26. Ng5 { directly targets the weak h7-pawn. } 26... Nfe3 27. Bxe3 Nxe3 28. Rxh7 { is the point. } 28... Nxc2 29. Rxd7 Ne3 30. Rh2) 26... Be3 27. Rgh2 Bxd2+ 28. Kxd2 { The most terrifying move in the game for both colors. As white, I'm petrified my king is in the middle of the board. As black, I'm mortified my opponent is confident enough to do this. } 28... Rf7 29. Kc1 Nde3 (29... Kh8 { would have kept the game going. }) 30. Nf6+ { Missing a devastating tactic, black resigned. Both players deserve applause for playing such an exciting opening and working through the numerous complications, giving the fans an exceedingly entertaining game. 1-0. } 1-0