[Event "Rated Correspondence game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/3MiACz4j"] [Date "2019.06.02"] [Round "-"] [White "Locke79"] [Black "unfaded"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "1798"] [BlackElo "1708"] [TimeControl "-"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D13"] [Opening "Slav Defense: Exchange Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Locke79"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/mFYA2gIK/D9auyZhM"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 { The exchange from here on is my go to reply to the Slav. } 3... cxd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Ne4!? { This is an uncommon reply, it moves the Knight again and only looks to threaten my c3 Knight which would be recaptured by the pawn strengthening the chain. } 6. Qc2! { Qc2 is an interesting move for multiple reasons. If Nc3xNe4 dxe4 then Qxe4 or the more threatening Nxd5! Qxd5 Qxc8+ } (6. e3 Nxc3 7. bxc3) 6... f5? { There is a tactical threat here of Nxd5 now. } { [%cal Gc3d5,Gc2c8,Rd8d5] } 7. Nxd5!! { Here the only way to pick the Knight up is to capture with the Queen, this leaves the Bishop undefended and allows a capture with check. } { [%cal Gc2c8,Rd8d5] } 7... Qxd5?? (7... Nc6 { This was the better alternative, to accept the pawn loss and look to develop while protecting the c8 Bishop. }) 8. Qxc8+ Qd8 { Black offering a Queen trade doesn't seem bad, weak Queen side, no castle options but taking one of these hanging pawns is better and keeps the attack alive once the Bishop and Rook are in play. } { [%cal Gc8f5,Gc8b7] } (8... Kf7 9. Bd2 g6 10. e3) 9. Qxb7 { [%cal Gb7a8] } 9... Nd7 10. e3 { Very solid position for White, Black is still a way from castling. } 10... Qc8 11. Qxc8+ Rxc8 12. Bb5 { Pinning and clearing the castle. } { [%cal Gb5d7] } 12... Rd8!? (12... e6 13. O-O (13. Ne5 Bb4+ 14. Ke2 Rc2+ 15. Kd3 Rc7 { Crazy computer line, 0-0 is way more sensible than this. }) 13... Bd6 { Prevents the Knight from jumping in and adding an attacker to d7. } { [%csl Re5][%cal Gf3e5,Rd6e5] }) 13. O-O e6 14. b3 Bd6 { [%cal Gc1b2,Ga1c1] } 15. Bb2 O-O 16. Rac1 { The only open file is under my control. } { [%cal Gc1c8] } 16... Nb6 17. Rfd1 { All my pieces are in the game and active, Black's are as well but a less coordinated. } 17... Nd5 { This is the best move but the Knight really accomplishes nothing, all forward squares are under control. } { [%cal Rd5c3,Rd5b4,Rd5f4,Ga2a3] } 18. Nd2 { A trade benefits me, no trade and I take on e4 forcing Black to stack pawns and weaken the center. } { [%cal Gd2e4,Rf5e4] } 18... Bb4 19. Nxe4 fxe4 { This is going to be a target and liability later, Black doesn't have a light bishop or pawn to defend it which means a Rook will be tied to it. } { [%csl Ge6] } 20. Rc6 { [%cal Gc6e6] } 20... Rb8 21. Bc4 Rfe8 { Missed a nice tactic here. } 22. a3 { Kick around Blacks pieces, I expected Ba4 b4 and then Bb6 } (22. Rxe6!! Rxe6 23. Bxd5 { Pinning the Rook to the King. } { [%cal Gd5g8] }) 22... Bc3?? (22... Ba5 23. b4 Bb6 { It feels a little more solid for Black here. } { [%cal Rd5b6,Rb6a7] }) 23. Bxc3 Nxc3 { Trading down in this end game is a terrible idea, especially with the threat of losing another pawn. } { [%cal Gc6e6,Gc4e6] } 24. Rc1 { Blacks Knight doesn't have anywhere good to go in this position. } { [%csl Re2,Ra2,Rd5,Rb5,Rb1,Rd1,Ra4,Re4] } 24... Nd5 (24... Na2 25. Rxe6 Rxe6 26. Bxe6+ Kf8 27. Rc2) 25. b4 a6 { I think Black hoped I would take and they would play Ra8 pinning the Bishop to the a pawn. } 26. Bxd5 { 1-0 Black resigns. } { Black is going to lose the a6 pawn and I have a Rook controlling the only open file, being down this many pawns is a sure loss. } { [%cal Gc6a6] } (26. Bxa6 Ra8 { Pins the Bishop for now, could cause issues at some point. } { [%cal Ga8a3] }) 1-0