1.Nf3Nf62.d4g63.c4Bg74.Nc3d55.Bf4...Getting Andrew out of prep but
knowing it's not ideal set up for me. At least it's more of a chess game now.5....O-O6.e3c57.Be2Nc68.h3dxc49.d5!?Na510.O-O...the start of my
woes.10.e4!helps consolidate the centre and pressures the f6 knight. I
didn't mind giving up a pawn as I have an active position with well placed
pieces and central pawn control.10....b5!protecting the c4 pawn but
threatening to undermine my protection of the d5 pawn.11.Bg5?!...not
effective enough11.d6Qb612.dxe7Re813.a4b414.Nb5Rxe715.Bc7Rxc716.Qd8+Bf817.Qxc7Nd518.Qxb6Nxb619.Rad1with a dynamic balanced
position11....b4!12.Bxf6Bxf613.Na4Bd714.Nxc5...regaining my lost
material but at what cost?14....Rc815.Nxd7Qxd716.e4?!...the computer
doesn't like it but at the time I thought it gave me the best chance at
complicating the position for Black and giving me a chance for counterplay.16....Bxb217.Rb1c318.Qc2...this is what I had aimed for. The bishop is out
of the game and if I can maintain a blockade of the queenside pawns while also
activating my h pawn in combination with my remaining pieces I might be able
to obtain some pressure on the enemy king and the weakened dark squares.18....Nc4??Hallelujah, my prayers have been answered.18...Qc719.Rfd1Nc420.Bxc4Qxc421.Rd4Qb519.Bxc4!Rxc420.Ne5...Unfortunately Andrew
had a blind spot on e5 and realises he is losing the exchange.20....Qc7And
then in a split second I see I can take the bishop and then the rook because
I'll have two pieces attacking it.21.Rxb2??Qxe5Oops, unfortunately I
didn't see that move until after I'd taken the Bishop. Waiting for Andrew to
play it felt agonisingly long. Disgusted with myself, it was time to end the
misery there and then.0-1