[Event "B&DCL Div 1"] [Site "?"] [Date "2008.02.04"] [Round "?"] [White "Taylor-Bowd, Phil (167)"] [Black "Braun, Walter (186)"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B00"] [Annotator "Phil Taylor-Bowd"] [PlyCount "27"] [EventDate "2008.??.??"] [WhiteTeam "Wimborne A"] [BlackTeam "Southbourne A"] {This game is brilliant and takes us back to the swashbuckling chess that used to be played pre chess engines! Phil demonstrates he too can play the Santa Claus part by giving away his two rooks as presents but there is a sting in the tale! - Martin. Notes by the winner} 1. e4 Nc6 {The Nimzowitsch Defence - already an unwelcome surprise, since I had prepared well for Walter's usual Alekhine Defence.} 2. Nf3 Nf6 {and this was another surprise. I like to think I have a fairly extensive knowledge of opening theory for an amateur, but after two moves I have a position which I had never seen before in my life! My game plan to try and play quickly to avoid being too far down on the clock for the quickplay finish was in ruins.} 3. e5 Ng4 4. d4 d6 5. h3 Nh6 6. Bxh6 gxh6 7. Bb5 {I had already used oodles of time, whilst Walter was playing each move instantly, and it was clear that I had walked into his preparation.} dxe5 $2 $146 {This move was also prepared by Walter and played instantly, but as the game shows, it is simply bad.} (7... a6 {is the only move that has been played here before.}) 8. Nxe5 Qd5 {The Black queen attacks both the Bb5 and g2, and it seems Bxc6 is forced. Fortunately I was inspired to find a much better alternative.} 9. Nc3 $3 {as we shall see, the point here is not just to sacrifice one pawn on g2. White goes all-in to use his big lead in development for an assault on Black's King. By now I had already used over half my allotted time, but I had calculated that I had at least a perpetual if Walter got greedy.} (9. Bxc6+ $2 {was what Walter had expected, and he showed me the following line he had prepared.} bxc6 10. O-O Bxh3 $1 11. gxh3 Rg8+ 12. Ng4 h5 $17 {and this position would be very tough to hold for White.}) 9... Qxg2 10. Qh5 $1 {this is the point, White launches his Queen into the attack, prepared to sacrifice both Rooks in the style of the classic games of the 19th century.} Qxh1+ $2 {as it transpires, taking even the first Rook leads to a lost position for Black.} ({Necessary was} 10... Be6 {but White then just castles and Black's position is a shambles} 11. O-O-O $18) 11. Kd2 Qg2 {Walter tries to return his Queen to the defence, but it's already too late.} (11... Qxh3 { was the defensive try where I wasn't sure I had a win} 12. Qxf7+ Kd8 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Nxc6+ Kd7 15. Ne5+ Kd8 16. Qd5+ (16. Nc6+ Kd7 17. Ne5+ Kd8 18. Nc6+ { was my safety net draw I had seen before embarking upon this adventure. However having got here I like to think I would have found the win.}) 16... Bd7 (16... Ke8 17. Nb5 {is crushing}) 17. Qxa8+ Bc8 18. Qd5+ Bd7 19. Nb5 Qe6 20. Qa8+ Bc8 21. Nxa7 $18) (11... Qxa1 $2 {taking the second Rook leads to a quick demise} 12. Qxf7+ Kd8 13. Qd5+ Ke8 14. Bxc6+ bxc6 15. Qxc6+ Kd8 16. Nf7#) 12. Qxf7+ Kd8 13. Rg1 $1 {of course the Rook is offered again to deflect the Queen from the defence of c6. (That's the third offer a Rook. What a nice generous person Phil is, ideal for Christmas! - Martin)} Nxe5 $4 {missing a rather important detail of White's attack!} ({but not much better is} 13... Qxh3 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Nxc6+ Kd7 16. Ne5+ Kd8 17. Qd5+ Bd7 18. Qxa8+ Bc8 19. Qd5+ Bd7 20. Nb5 (20. Rg4 {is also cute!}) 20... Qe6 21. Nf7+ $18) ({or} 13... Be6 14. Rxg2 Bxf7 15. Nxf7+ $18) (13... Qxg1 14. Qd5+ Ke8 15. Bxc6+ bxc6 16. Qxc6+ Kd8 17. Nf7#) 14. Qe8# {Exceptionally well played Phil. This game is at the very top of the Christmas tree! (Martin)} 1-0