[Event "Rated Rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/z7xB3kTx"] [Date "2022.03.04"] [White "krusta80"] [Black "Syrnick"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "1992"] [BlackElo "1755"] [TimeControl "900+5"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "A20"] [Opening "English Opening: King's English Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Giannatos"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/d52sNAIR/bPxqCn5F"] [Orientation "white"] { John Gruska (Google) vs Alexander Sorokin (Airtable) } 1. c4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 1... e5 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2. g3 { [%clk 0:14:59] } 2... Nf6 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 3. Bg2 { [%clk 0:15:02] } 3... d5 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 4. cxd5 { [%clk 0:15:04] } 4... Nxd5 { [%clk 0:15:03] } 5. Nc3 { This is a reverse Sicilian Dragon structure which can often arise from the English opening. } { [%clk 0:15:07] } 5... c6?! { This leads to slightly awkward development, as c6 is where the b8-Knight belongs. } { [%clk 0:14:56] } (5... Nb6 { is the non-obvious best move. Black actually has more space here, and does not want to trade pieces. }) 6. Nf3 { [%clk 0:14:53] } 6... Bd6 { [%clk 0:14:39] } 7. O-O { [%clk 0:14:45] } 7... Be6 { [%clk 0:14:23] } 8. d4 { [%clk 0:13:31] } 8... f6? { This move creates a lot of weaknesses. } { [%clk 0:13:48] } (8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 Nd7 { is a more solid way to defend e5. White still has a pleasant position. }) 9. e4 { [%clk 0:12:57] } 9... Ne7 { [%clk 0:13:22] } 10. dxe5! { White correctly opens up the center, as Black's position is a bit awkward, and they are still uncastled. } { [%clk 0:12:12] } 10... fxe5 { [%clk 0:13:08] } 11. Bg5 { [%clk 0:11:02] } 11... h6 { [%clk 0:13:06] } 12. Be3 { [%clk 0:10:30] } 12... Na6 { [%clk 0:12:18] } 13. Nxe5! { Strong tactical eye by White. } { [%clk 0:10:00] } 13... Bxe5 { [%clk 0:12:03] } 14. Qh5+ { [%clk 0:10:00] } 14... Ng6 { [%clk 0:10:28] } 15. Qxg6+ { [%clk 0:09:55] } 15... Bf7 { [%clk 0:10:31] } 16. Qg4 { [%clk 0:09:46] } 16... Qf6 { [%clk 0:10:10] } (16... O-O 17. Bxh6 { was what Black was afraid of if they castled. }) 17. Rad1 { [%clk 0:09:16] } 17... Be6 { [%clk 0:09:46] } 18. Qe2 { [%clk 0:08:58] } 18... b5? { Black absolutely should have taken the opportunity to castle. This move is also bad because it does not work out tactically. } { [%clk 0:09:21] } 19. Nxb5! { [%clk 0:08:08] } 19... Bxa2 { [%clk 0:08:27] } (19... cxb5 20. Qxb5+ Kf7 21. Qxa6 { White is up several pawns and with a much safer King, has a completely winning position. }) 20. Nc3 { [%clk 0:07:46] } 20... Bb3 { [%clk 0:08:13] } 21. Qxa6 { [%clk 0:07:16] } 21... Bxd1 { [%clk 0:07:46] } 22. Rxd1 { [%clk 0:07:21] } 22... O-O { Black finally castles, but White has a strong material advantage, with 2 pieces and a pawn for a Rook. } { [%clk 0:07:49] } 23. Qc4+ { [%clk 0:07:14] } 23... Kh7 { [%clk 0:07:47] } 24. f4 { [%clk 0:07:10] } 24... Bc7 { [%clk 0:06:52] } 25. Bd4 { [%clk 0:06:41] } 25... Bb6 { Black's Queen is temporarily immune. } { [%cal Gb6g1] [%clk 0:06:50] } 26. e5 { [%clk 0:05:57] } 26... Qd8 { [%cal Gd8d1] [%clk 0:06:07] } 27. e6 { [%clk 0:04:35] } 27... Bxd4+ { [%clk 0:05:27] } 28. Rxd4 { A good recapture. } { [%clk 0:04:17] } (28. Qxd4 Qxd4+ 29. Rxd4 { is also completely winning for White, but White should not play an endgame when they can play for more. }) 28... Qb6 { [%clk 0:05:30] } 29. Na4 { [%clk 0:03:59] } 29... Qa5 { [%clk 0:05:15] } 30. Nc3 { [%clk 0:03:44] } 30... Qa1+ { [%clk 0:03:59] } 31. Nd1 { [%clk 0:03:39] } 31... Rad8? { The final blunder. } { [%clk 0:03:51] } 32. Qd3+! { Picking up a Rook and forcing a quick resignation. A strong effort by White. } { [%clk 0:03:39] } 32... g6 { [%clk 0:03:51] } 33. Rxd8 { [%clk 0:03:43] } 33... Rxd8 { [%clk 0:03:33] } 34. Qxd8 { 1-0 Black resigns. } { [%clk 0:03:48] } 1-0