[Event "Rated Rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/zPtc3tDj"] [Date "2021.10.22"] [White "skgrandh"] [Black "esp44"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "1801"] [BlackElo "2123"] [TimeControl "900+5"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B40"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: French Variation"] [StudyName "NACCL Season 3 Week 3"] [ChapterName "skgrandh - esp44"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/fkphTAJq/bWoAzCyv"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Giannatos"] [Orientation "white"] { Satish Grandhi (Qualcomm) vs Ella Papanek (Susquehanna International Group) } 1. e4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 1... c5 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2. Nf3 { [%clk 0:14:58] } 2... e6 { [%clk 0:15:04] } 3. Be2 { [%clk 0:15:01] } 3... a6 { [%clk 0:15:08] } 4. d4 { [%clk 0:15:05] } 4... cxd4 { [%clk 0:15:11] } 5. Nxd4 { [%clk 0:15:08] } 5... Qc7 { The Sicilian Kan is not the most popular branch of the Sicilian, but it is a strategically rich opening which often leads to a "hedgehog" pawn structure. White has many possible setups against the Kan. } { [%clk 0:15:16] } 6. O-O { [%clk 0:15:11] } 6... Nf6 { [%clk 0:15:19] } 7. Nc3 { [%clk 0:15:13] } 7... Bb4 { One of the important questions in the Kan is whether to leave the bishop on e7 and set up the hedgehog with ...d7-d6, or to play ...Bb4. On one hand, Black's dark squared bishop is very valuable as they have moved their pawns on light squares, but the potential damage to White's pawn structure after ...Bxc3 is also an important consideration. } { [%clk 0:15:22] } 8. Qd3 { [%clk 0:15:08] } 8... Nc6 { [%clk 0:15:23] } 9. Nxc6 { [%clk 0:15:11] } 9... bxc6 { [%clk 0:15:26] } 10. Bf3 { [%clk 0:15:14] } 10... Bb7 { [%clk 0:15:27] } 11. a3 { [%clk 0:15:17] } 11... Bd6 { [%clk 0:15:26] } 12. h3 { [%clk 0:15:18] } 12... Bc5 { [%clk 0:15:27] } 13. Bg5 { [%clk 0:15:20] } (13. Na4! { Chasing down this important bishop. } 13... Ba7 (13... Be7 14. Be3 { [%csl Gb6,Gc5] }) 14. Be3) 13... Qe5 { [%clk 0:15:16] } 14. Bxf6 { [%clk 0:15:16] } 14... Qxf6 { [%clk 0:15:15] } 15. Rfe1 { [%clk 0:15:20] } 15... Qe5 { [%clk 0:15:12] } 16. b4 { [%clk 0:15:13] } 16... Ba7 { The position is dynamically equal. White appears to have a strong center and good development, but upon a closer look, the Bishop on f3 does not have great scope, and Black's bishops have strong potential against White's kingside. Once Black coordinates and castles, their position should be more than acceptable. } { [%clk 0:15:12] } 17. Ne2 { [%clk 0:15:14] } 17... Rd8 { [%clk 0:14:55] } 18. Rad1 { [%clk 0:15:16] } 18... O-O { [%clk 0:14:58] } 19. c4 { [%clk 0:15:20] } 19... Bb8 { [%clk 0:14:38] } 20. Ng3 { [%clk 0:15:21] } 20... Ba7 { [%clk 0:14:34] } 21. c5 { [%clk 0:15:25] } 21... d6! { Black tries desperately to open the d8-Rook and a7-Bishop. } { [%clk 0:14:29] } 22. cxd6?? { Although this looks like it wins a pawn (which becomes a protected passed pawn), this is a big blunder which opens up Black's a7-bishop. White had more time than they started with (15:21), so this move was clearly made in haste without understanding the repercussions. } { [%clk 0:15:22] } 22... Qxg3! { taking advantage of the pin on the f2 pawn. White loses a pieces and has little to show for it. } { [%cal Ga7g1] [%clk 0:14:30] } 23. Rf1 { [%clk 0:15:18] } (23. Re2 { It is much more natural to protect the f2-pawn from the side, but White is still going to struggle here. }) 23... Rd7 { [%clk 0:14:25] } 24. Rd2 { [%clk 0:15:15] } 24... Rfd8! { Black alertly plans to take the d6-pawn, White's only source of potential counterplay. } { [%clk 0:14:25] } 25. Kh1 { [%clk 0:15:16] } 25... Qxd6 { This forces liquidations as White has too many pieces under attack on the d-file. Black will be up an entire Bishop in the endgame, so White calls it quits after trading. } { [%clk 0:14:26] } 26. Qxd6 { [%clk 0:15:17] } 26... Rxd6 { 0-1 White resigns. } { [%clk 0:14:30] } 0-1