[Event "Rated Classical game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/o5viDXUw"] [Date "2020.11.28"] [White "axel_muller"] [Black "JRWright"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "1967"] [WhiteTitle "NM"] [BlackElo "1757"] [TimeControl "3600+10"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D17"] [Opening "Slav Defense: Czech Variation, Bled Attack"] [StudyName "Steinitz Round 5"] [ChapterName "NM axel_muller - JRWright"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/DHcNtdh0/VTuXGs3Z"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/axel_muller"] [Orientation "white"] 1. Nf3 { [%clk 1:00:00] } 1... d5 { [%clk 1:00:00] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:59:42] } 2... c6 { [%clk 0:59:52] } 3. d4 { [%clk 0:59:37] } 3... Nf6 { [%clk 0:59:57] } 4. Nc3 { [%clk 0:59:43] } 4... dxc4 { In our last game John went for } { [%clk 1:00:03] } (4... e6 { but in this game John sticks to the Slav. }) 5. a4 { [%clk 0:59:50] } 5... Bf5 { [%clk 1:00:07] } 6. Nh4 { A side line that is not without its merits. The main moves are } { [%clk 0:59:57] } (6. Ne5 { Which is probably the most principled reply. Black has a couple of different options here: } 6... e6 { Usually played with the idea to sacrifice a piece. } (6... Nbd7 { is a quieter option } 7. Nxc4 Nb6!? 8. Ne5 a5 9. f3 Nfd7 { with a complex fight ahead. }) 7. f3 Bb4 8. e4 Bxe4 9. fxe4 Nxe4 10. Bd2 Qxd4 11. Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12. Qe2 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Qd5+ 14. Kc2 { White's piece tends to be better than black's pawns. }) (6. e3 { A time trusted solid approach. White recaptures on c4 and tries to get e4 in at some point. }) 6... e6 { usually played with the idea to sacrifice a piece. } { [%clk 1:00:00] } (6... Bc8 { That's the main alternative to the move played in the game }) 7. Nxf5 { [%clk 1:00:04] } 7... exf5 { [%clk 1:00:07] } 8. e3 { [%clk 1:00:12] } 8... Bb4 { From here the bishop limits white's activity. } { [%clk 1:00:10] } 9. Bxc4 { [%clk 1:00:19] } 9... O-O { [%clk 1:00:07] } 10. Qc2 { [%clk 1:00:26] } 10... Ne4? { [%clk 0:55:43] } (10... g6 { was necessary. }) 11. O-O { [%clk 0:59:50] } 11... Qe7 { This allows white a dangerous initiative. Black's position is already very suspect. } { [%clk 0:51:53] } 12. f3 { [%clk 0:55:32] } 12... Nd6 { [%clk 0:51:57] } 13. Bd3 { [%clk 0:55:39] } 13... g6 { Now, this move is no longer good. The dark squares on the kingside are weak and black lost a lot of time with the knight and queen moves. } { [%clk 0:51:48] } (13... Na6 { Is the computer's suggestion. White can just ignore the pawn and continue with e4 with a great position. But taking the pawn on f5 is also not bad. }) 14. e4 { [%clk 0:53:49] } 14... fxe4?! { opening the f-file for white's rook is suicidal. } { [%clk 0:48:31] } 15. fxe4 { [%clk 0:53:50] } 15... f6? { This gives white some extra possibilities based on the loose bishop on b4 and the open a2-g8 diagonal. } { [%clk 0:47:47] } 16. e5 { [%clk 0:47:17] } 16... fxe5 { [%clk 0:47:40] } 17. Qb3+ { [%clk 0:42:32] } 17... Nf7 { [%clk 0:47:38] } 18. Bh6 { is quite natural, it stops black from unpinning the knight. } { [%clk 0:40:36] } (18. Ne4 { was, according to the computer, even stronger than the game continuation. }) 18... Bxc3 { [%clk 0:47:31] } 19. bxc3 { I didn't want to complicate things too much here. But } { [%clk 0:39:58] } (19. Bxf8 { was stronger, after } 19... Bxd4+ { white just plays } 20. Kh1 Kxf8 { and white also picks up the knight on f7 } 21. Bc4) 19... Nd7 { [%clk 0:45:31] } 20. Bc4 { [%clk 0:38:06] } 20... Nf6 { [%clk 0:44:34] } (20... Nb6 { Wouldn't have changed the result either. } 21. Bxf8 Rxf8 22. Bxf7+ Rxf7 23. Qxf7+ (23. Rab1 { White can increase his advantage before liquidating on f7. }) 23... Qxf7 24. Rxf7 Kxf7 { I had this position in mind when I played Bh6 and didn't look for anything better. }) 21. Bg5 { 1-0 Black resigns. } { [%clk 0:35:17] } 1-0