[Event "Dorset Rapidplay 2022"] [Site "lichess.org"] [Date "2022.03.06"] [Round "?"] [White "Hampton, Paul"] [Black "Stout, Nicholas"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A03"] [WhiteElo "2167"] [BlackElo "1818"] [Annotator "peter"] [PlyCount "97"] [EventDate "2022.??.??"] [EventType "rapid"] [SourceVersionDate "2019.03.01"] [TimeControl "900+3"] {A classic Bird's Opening from Paul in which he shows good alertness to win material at a critical point.} 1. f4 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bf5 4. Bb2 e6 5. e3 Be7 6. Be2 c5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d3 Qb6 9. Nc3 d4 (9... c4 {is another reasonable choice, leading to quite a different structure}) 10. Na4 Qd8 11. e4 Bg4 12. Bc1 {A dual purpose move. It creates an escape square for the knight which was in danger from b5 and puts the bishop on a better diagonal for a kingside attack} b5 13. Nb2 O-O 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Rc8 16. g4 Na5 {a logical move, trying to force through c4 but it meets with a strong reply} 17. a4 a6 18. Qe1 {now axb5 followed by Rxa5 is threatened.} c4 (18... Nc6 {was best, when the position is about level.}) 19. axb5 c3 20. Nc4 Nxc4 21. bxc4 axb5 22. cxb5 {now Black's plan is to target the b5 pawn. It is just a question of doing it the most accurate way.} (22. e5 Nd7 23. cxb5 {limits Black's options and keeps the extra pawn}) 22... Rb8 {perhaps most natural} (22... Rc5 {is an improvement, the key point being that after} 23. Rb1 Qa5 24. e5 Nd5 {is possible without messing up Black's pawns}) 23. Rb1 Qd7 24. g5 Ne8 25. b6 Bc5 26. e5 {intending b7 when the pawn is protected and causes Black real a problem, and at the same time setting a little trap which Black falls into} (26. f5 $16 {leaves Black with a choice of two unpleasant options} e5 {Black will be able to recover the pawn on b6 but will face a ferocious attack} (26... exf5 27. exf5 Qxf5 28. b7 { leaves White with a monster pawn on b7 and free piece play since} Qxh3 { is strongly met by} 29. Bf4)) 26... Rxb6 (26... Nc7 $1 {Using the pin on the b-file to activate his pieces. Black will recover his pawn and is OK.}) 27. Rxb6 Bxb6 28. Ba3 {The rook on f8 cannot be saved.} Qa4 29. Qc1 g6 30. Bxf8 Kxf8 31. Qb1 Qa7 32. Qb3 Ng7 33. Rb1 Bd8 34. Qb8 Qxb8 35. Rxb8 Ke7 36. Rb7+ Kf8 37. Bg4 Nf5 38. Bxf5 gxf5 39. Rb4 Kg7 40. Kg2 Be7 41. Rxd4 Bc5 42. Rc4 Be3 43. Kf3 Bd2 44. Rc8 Be1 45. d4 Kg6 46. Rg8+ Kh5 47. Rg7 Bd2 48. Rxf7 Kg6 49. Rf6+ { This game helped Paul secure 5.5 points and a share of second place.} 1-0