[Event "Australian Masters"] [Site "Melbourne"] [Date "2005.07.05"] [Round "6"] [White "FM Sales, Jesse Noel"] [Black "FM Depasquale, Chris"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D34"] [WhiteElo "2340"] [BlackElo "2337"] [PlyCount "77"] [GameId "284826053206"] [EventDate "2005.06.29"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "AUS"] [EventCategory "1"] [SourceTitle "CBM 107 Extra"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2005.09.01"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2005.09.01"] [SourceQuality "1"] {[%evp 0,77,19,29,55,19,7,23,76,-7,45,27,27,14,8,9,40,31,46,27,55,24,28,30,41,20,55,16,0,-29,-46,-34,-41,-63,-66,-40,-40,-34,23,26,24,25,106,252,292,294,394,388,391,398,398,411,406,398,438,375,431,450,434,449,449,455,482,430,449,476,532,530,570,576,576,495,515,534,552,549,657,685,752,850]} {While waiting for my permanent visa application for Australia to be approved, I was invited by FM Chris Depasquale to participate in the 2005 Australian Masters. Despite arriving in Australia two games late, which required me to play catch-up matches on weekends, I am thrilled to be part of such a distinguished event and am deeply thankful for the chance. My gratitude extends to my former employer David Cordover and FM Chris Depasquale for their support and generous help during my time in Melbourne..} 1. Nf3 {[#] I play 1. Nf3 for obvious reasons, as World Champion Vladimir Kramnik has consistently found success in his matches with this solid yet flexible opening for White.} c5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 {I was aware of Black's response and had considerable experience playing against it.} 4. d4 e6 {Indeed, Black has reached the fundamental position of the Tarrasch Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined.} 5. cxd5 exd5 6. g3 {[#] The optimal strategy for White aligns with the strategic goal of positioning the bishop on g2, aiming to target the d5 pawn whenever the opportunity arises.} Nc6 7. Bg2 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg5 h6 11. Be3 {The bishop is a crucial piece currently, and exchanging it would be a mistake.} Re8 12. h3 {Necessary, preventing Ng4.} Na5 13. Nc2 Be6 14. Kh2 Nc4 15. Bc1 Rc8 16. b3 Nd6 17. Bb2 {[#] Finally, the bishop has settled on b2, aiming to control or exert pressure along the a1-h8 diagonal.} Qa5 18. Qe1 Kf8 19. Nd4 Qb4 20. e3 Nc4 21. a3 {[#] FM Depasquale missed the tactic that allowed the knight on c4 to be taken by bxc4. Additionally, the bishop on b2 cannot be captured by the queen, unfortunately.} Qb6 22. bxc4 Qxb2 23. Na4 {[#] The queen is trapped and now compelled to capture the Rook at a1, receiving minimal compensation in return.} Qxa1 24. Qxa1 Rxc4 {Now, White needs to consolidate its forces to neutralize the position and then maximize the power of the queen.} 25. Nb2 Rc3 26. Nb5 Rc2 27. a4 Rec8 28. Nxa7 R8c3 29. Nb5 Rb3 30. Nd1 Rc4 31. e4 {[#] The e3 square serves as a strategic position for a knight, facilitating its advancement into more complex stages of the game.} dxe4 32. Ne3 Rc8 33. Nd4 Ra3 34. Nxe6+ fxe6 35. Qb1 Rxa4 36. Qxb7 Rc5 37. h4 Kf7 38. Bh3 g5 39. Bxe6+ {[#] Defeating your future boss may not be an easy feeling but impressing him is certainly the better approach. I'm grateful to FM Chris Depasquale and Boss David Cordover for all the opportunities. May God bless you both with peace, good health, and prosperity.} 1-0