[Event "Rated Rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/n9FuRB9C"] [Date "2021.05.20"] [White "ThingsChange"] [Black "friday_night_jets"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2229"] [BlackElo "2363"] [TimeControl "900+5"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "A61"] [Opening "Benoni Defense"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Giannatos"] [StudyName "NACCL S2 W3"] [ChapterName "ThingsChange - friday_night_jets"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/uQpWw3vj/FQOhbVd6"] [Orientation "white"] { Round 5 - NM Kevin Bu (Peak6 Investments) vs NM Saumil Padhya (Deloitte) } 1. d4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 1... Nf6 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2... c5 { [%clk 0:14:47] } 3. d5 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 3... e6 { [%clk 0:14:50] } 4. Nc3 { [%clk 0:15:01] } 4... exd5 { [%clk 0:14:54] } 5. cxd5 { [%clk 0:15:06] } 5... g6 { [%clk 0:14:56] } 6. Nf3 { [%clk 0:15:07] } 6... d6 { The Benoni, a fighting opening which usually promises a rich, strategic fight. } { [%clk 0:14:59] } 7. Qa4+ { Kevin Bu, rated 2204, chooses a relative sideline. If Black blocks the check with the Bishop as in the game, completing development can be a bit awkward if White is able to play Bf4, attacking the d6 pawn. } { [%clk 0:15:05] } 7... Bd7 { [%clk 0:12:10] } 8. Qb3 { [%clk 0:15:06] } 8... Qc7 { [%clk 0:12:13] } 9. Bf4 { [%clk 0:15:07] } (9. e4 Bg7) 9... Nh5 { [%clk 0:11:38] } 10. Bd2 { [%clk 0:13:52] } 10... Bg7 { [%clk 0:11:36] } 11. e4 { [%clk 0:13:16] } 11... O-O { [%clk 0:11:22] } 12. Be2 { [%clk 0:11:57] } 12... Re8 { [%clk 0:10:01] } 13. O-O { [%clk 0:11:47] } 13... a6 { [%clk 0:09:53] } 14. a4 { [%clk 0:11:42] } 14... Bg4 { [%clk 0:07:05] } 15. h3 { We have a typical Benoni position. Here Black would normally capture on f3, ceding the Bishop pair but trading a set of minor pieces, which is a good idea when you have less space. } { [%clk 0:11:33] } 15... Bc8?! { Very atypical by Saumil Padhya - keeping more pieces on and hoping to fight, but if you play ...Bg4 and your opponent responds with h3, ...Bc8 seems like a strange response. } { [%clk 0:06:42] } 16. Rfe1 { [%clk 0:10:47] } (16. e5! { A common break against the Benoni, catching Black off-guard. This is a positional pawn sacrifice in which White will get excellent play and good squares for his minor pieces. } 16... dxe5 17. Bc4 $18 { White has a decisive positional advantage and lots of tactical potential. } { [%cal Gd5d6,Gc3e4] }) 16... Nd7 { [%clk 0:06:43] } 17. a5 { [%clk 0:10:32] } 17... Rb8 { [%clk 0:06:37] } 18. Qc2 { [%clk 0:08:54] } 18... b5 { Black goes for the typical Benoni break. Black's a6 pawn will be weak, but he will open the b-file for his Rook and have some long-term pressure on the b2 pawn. } { [%clk 0:05:53] } 19. axb6 { [%clk 0:08:59] } 19... Rxb6 { [%clk 0:05:39] } 20. Nd1 { [%clk 0:08:57] } 20... Rb8 { [%clk 0:04:41] } 21. Bc3 { [%clk 0:07:50] } 21... Nf4 { [%clk 0:02:45] } 22. Bf1 { [%clk 0:07:45] } 22... Ne5 { [%clk 0:02:28] } 23. Nxe5 { [%clk 0:07:39] } 23... Bxe5 { [%clk 0:02:33] } 24. Ne3 { [%clk 0:07:17] } 24... Qe7 { [%clk 0:01:26] } 25. Nc4 { [%clk 0:07:09] } 25... Qg5 { [%clk 0:00:37] } 26. Kh1 { [%clk 0:07:12] } 26... h5 { [%clk 0:00:11] } 27. Re3 { [%clk 0:06:10] } 27... h4 { [%clk 0:00:07] } 28. Ra2 { [%clk 0:04:52] } 28... Bd7 { [%clk 0:00:10] } 29. Nxe5 { [%clk 0:04:39] } 29... dxe5 { The game has proceeded relatively normally. White has a large advantage in the long term, and should be able to convert it to a win. However, he must play carefully, as Black does have "potential energy" on the kingside. } { [%clk 0:00:15] } 30. Rxa6?? { An unfortunate and game-deciding blunder. Understandable as it was a rapid game, however NM Bu will likely regret that he lost a game where he had a big advantage on the clock and on the board. } { [%clk 0:04:43] } 30... Bb5! { Taking advantage of the fact that White's f1 Bishop is stuck defending the mate on g2. This will cost White at least a full piece, which is more than enough material at the master level. } { [%clk 0:00:19] } 31. g3 { [%clk 0:03:39] } 31... Bxf1 { [%clk 0:00:22] } 32. Ra1 { [%clk 0:03:43] } 32... Bxh3 { White's kingside is in shreds and he is down a piece. Black converts quite handily. } { [%clk 0:00:20] } 33. Rg1 { [%clk 0:03:12] } 33... hxg3 { [%clk 0:00:23] } 34. fxg3 { [%clk 0:03:15] } 34... Nh5 { [%clk 0:00:16] } 35. Bd2 { [%clk 0:03:18] } 35... Bd7 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 36. Rf3 { [%clk 0:02:16] } 36... Qg4 { [%clk 0:00:16] } 37. Kg2 { [%clk 0:02:20] } 37... Kg7 { [%clk 0:00:16] } 38. Rgf1 { [%clk 0:02:06] } 38... f5 { [%clk 0:00:19] } 39. exf5 { [%clk 0:01:22] } 39... Bxf5 { [%clk 0:00:19] } 40. Qxc5 { [%clk 0:01:26] } 40... Be4 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 41. Qc7+ { [%clk 0:00:45] } 41... Kh8 { [%clk 0:00:16] } 42. Bc3 { [%clk 0:00:47] } 42... Qxg3+ { [%clk 0:00:18] } 43. Kh1 { [%clk 0:00:51] } 43... Bxf3+ { [%clk 0:00:22] } 44. Rxf3 { [%clk 0:00:56] } 44... Qxf3+ { [%clk 0:00:26] } 45. Kh2 { 0-1 White resigns. } { [%clk 0:01:01] } 0-1