[Event "Rated Rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/1yxCF5t0"] [Date "2022.08.05"] [White "arunava5"] [Black "kyrongriffith"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2280"] [BlackElo "2477"] [BlackTitle "IM"] [TimeControl "900+5"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "A56"] [Opening "Benoni Defense: Czech Benoni Defense"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/kyrongriffith"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/xwQfc1Sh/TQ4N0pth"] [Orientation "black"] { In this round 2 game I faced Arunava Bhattacharjee of Google, playing the white pieces. } 1. d4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 1... Nf6 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2... c5 { [%clk 0:15:03] } 3. d5 { [%clk 0:15:02] } 3... e5 { The Czech-Benoni is an opening that is not well regarded by theoreticians and Stockfish alike. While the engine already gives a +1.6 advantage for white, I think that this is quite overzealous, especially in a practical game. } { [%clk 0:15:07] } 4. Nc3 { [%clk 0:15:01] } 4... d6 { [%clk 0:15:11] } 5. e4 { [%clk 0:14:45] } 5... Be7 { [%clk 0:15:15] } 6. Nf3 { Not a mistake, but most players on the white side prefer not to allow black to trade the light-squared bishop off. } { [%clk 0:14:02] } (6. g3 O-O 7. Bg2) (6. Bd3 O-O 7. h3 { are more common alternatives, hindering black's light squared bishop }) 6... Bg4 { Black is cramped and is happy to trade a pair of minor pieces from a strategic point of view } { [%clk 0:14:50] } 7. Be2 { [%clk 0:13:53] } 7... Bxf3 { I capture unprovoked because I want to guarantee that I remove white's knight and leave my opponent with a bad bishop } { [%clk 0:14:54] } (7... Nbd7?! { is a strategic mistake because it allows white to trade off the bishop instead } 8. Nd2! { and white trades off their worst piece }) 8. Bxf3 { [%clk 0:13:55] } 8... Nbd7 { [%clk 0:14:50] } 9. Be3 { [%clk 0:13:20] } 9... a6 { I decide to delay castling as I want to see my opponent's intentions first } { [%clk 0:14:51] } 10. Qd2 { [%clk 0:12:43] } 10... Rb8 { [%clk 0:14:41] } 11. a4 { [%clk 0:12:34] } 11... Qa5 { A typical maneuver in this sort of position. The queen physically blocks white from playing a5 while also supporting black's b5 push and sometimes even threatening to sneak into white's position via b4 } { [%csl Gb4] [%clk 0:14:36] } 12. g4!? { an interesting move! White simply wants to push g5 then h4 and Bg4. Black cannot sit back and allow this } { [%clk 0:12:22] } 12... h5 { [%clk 0:13:32] } 13. g5 { [%clk 0:12:12] } 13... Ng4 { [%clk 0:13:31] } 14. Bxg4 { [%clk 0:12:09] } 14... hxg4 { [%clk 0:13:36] } 15. g6!? { Not best by the engine's standards, but not bad practically. For white's investment, I now will have permanent light squared weaknesses and an unsafe king } { [%clk 0:11:36] } 15... fxg6 { [%clk 0:13:20] } 16. Qe2 { [%clk 0:10:55] } 16... Nf6 { [%clk 0:12:03] } 17. Bg5 { I spent about 7 minutes here, most of my remaining time, calculating some interesting variations: } { [%clk 0:10:54] } 17... b5 { [%clk 0:05:21] } (17... Nxe4?? { simply loses to } 18. Qxe4 Bxg5 19. Qxg6+ Kd7 20. Qxg5) (17... Nxd5?! { actually does win a pawn but is incredibly risky: } 18. exd5 Bxg5 19. Qxg4 { I did not want to play this position at all even if the computer says it's equal } { [%cal Gc3e4] }) (17... Qb4 18. a5! { was my concern and now I don't see how I stop white from playing Ra4 and Ra3 with a draw at least }) (17... O-O! { is the engine suggestion. Honestly I hadn't even considered this move for a moment }) 18. Bxf6 { [%clk 0:07:47] } 18... gxf6 { [%clk 0:05:27] } 19. Qxg4 { [%clk 0:07:15] } 19... bxc4 { [%clk 0:05:26] } 20. Qxg6+ { [%clk 0:06:49] } 20... Kd8 { [%clk 0:05:28] } 21. O-O! { [%clk 0:04:08] } (21. Ra2? { actually loses to } 21... Rxb2! 22. Rxb2 Qxc3+ 23. Rd2 Qf3 24. Rg1 c3! { and white is unable to effectively stop the c-pawn! }) 21... Rxb2 { [%clk 0:04:38] } 22. Nd1! { A great maneuver - the knight is now headed to e3 and either f5 or c4. I was very worried about my position at this point } { [%clk 0:04:01] } 22... Rb3 { [%clk 0:01:41] } 23. Ne3 { [%clk 0:03:50] } 23... Qd2 { Active counterplay is often the best defense. Now Rxe3 is the threat. } { [%clk 0:01:34] } 24. Qg7 { [%clk 0:02:41] } 24... Re8 { [%clk 0:01:25] } (24... Rh5 { is possible but gives white the option of a draw: } 25. Qg8+ Kc7 26. Qe6 Rh7 27. Qg8 Rh5) 25. Nxc4 { [%clk 0:02:18] } 25... Qb4?? { [%clk 0:01:19] } (25... Qf4 { staying active was key, although this was quite scary to me to cede the b-file }) 26. Ne3?? { In time pressure and after playing a great game, my opponent finally slips up which unfortunately leads directly to a lost position for white } { [%clk 0:01:57] } (26. Rfc1! { is actually a huge problem for black who has no means of active counterplay. The engine even suggests an outright pawn sacrifice to get some play started. } 26... f5 27. exf5 Rf8 28. Nxe5!! dxe5 29. d6 Bxd6 30. Rd1 { is a very tough variation to see for white }) 26... Qxe4 { [%clk 0:01:21] } 27. Rfc1 { [%clk 0:01:08] } 27... f5 { [%cal Gf5f4] [%clk 0:01:18] } 28. Nc4 { [%clk 0:00:38] } 28... Qxd5 { [%cal Ge8g8] [%clk 0:01:20] } 29. Kf1 { [%clk 0:00:21] } 29... Rg8 { [%clk 0:01:17] } 30. Qh7 { [%clk 0:00:24] } 30... Qd3+ { [%clk 0:01:12] } 31. Ke1 { [%clk 0:00:23] } 31... Rg1# { 0-1 Black wins by checkmate. } { [%clk 0:01:12] } 0-1