1.e4
c5
2.c3
Sicilian Alapin.
2...d6
Suitable responses to the Alapin are 2...Nf6, 2...d5 or 2...e6. [The 2...Nf6 variation could have gone something like this. 2...Nf6
3.e5
Nd5
4.d4
cxd4
5.Nf3
Nc6
6.Bb5
]
3.d4
cxd4
4.cxd4
White controls the center.
4...e6
5.Nf3
Nf6
6.Nc3
a6
7.Bg5
Be7
8.e5
Nfd7
9.Bxe7
Qxe7
10.Bd3
Nc6
11.Be2
0-0
12.Qd2
dxe5
13.dxe5
Ndxe5
Wins a pawn.
14.Ne4
Nxf3+
And Black takes control of the game.
15.Bxf3
Rd8
16.Qe3
Qb4+
17.Nc3
Nd4
I thought long and hard about this move. I had 17...Qxb2 and 17...Qd4, offering the trade of Queens, which was quite passive even though I was up one pawn at this time. Rybka likes the text move, but I mishandled the upcoming threats White made to the d4 knight. [17...Qd4
18.Rd1
Qxe3+
19.fxe3
Rxd1+
20.Kxd1
]
18.0-0-0
I had not thought about this response.
18...h6
I was worried about my back rank weakness.
19.Rd3
Rb8??
I needed to add another defender to d5 with 19...Qc5. [Rybka 2.3.1 32-bit : 19...Qc5
20.Re1
f6
21.Kb1
e5
22.Rc1
Qa5
23.Rcd1
Rd6
-1.06/12 ]
20.Rhd1
e5??
A pointless move made out of desperation.
21.Qxe5
Be6
I need to develop the bishop or the Queen takes the b8 rook.
22.Rxd4
I lose the poorly defended knight.
22...Qe7
23.Kb1??
Losing the Queen to the bishop sacrifice.
23...Bxa2+
24.Kxa2
Qxe5
25.Rxd8+
Rxd8
26.Rxd8+
Kh7
27.Be4+
f5
28.Rd5
Qxh2
29.Rxf5
Kg8
30.Bd5+
Kh7
31.Be4
Kg8
32.Nd5
Qh4
33.Nf4
g6??
Removing a solid defender. [Rybka 2.3.1 32-bit : 33...Qe7
34.Bd5+
Kh7
35.Kb3
a5
36.Nd3
Qd7
37.g4
Qc8
38.Bc4
b6
39.Kc3
Qc6
1.40/15 ]
34.Bd5+
Kh7
35.Rf7+
Kg8
36.Rxb7+
Black resigns. Lessons Learned:1. If you have a pawn winning move, play it unless you have something better. 2. address threats against your pieces by defending them as many times as they are attacked, or by creating a bigger threat against your opponent. 3. Look for the best move in losing positions and don't play moves (33...g6??) out of desperation. 1-0