[Event "1993 North American Open"] [Site "Las Vegas"] [Date "1993.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "FM Sales, Jesse Noel"] [Black "GM Shabalov, Alexander"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D41"] [PlyCount "39"] [EventDate "1993.??.??"] [EventType "swiss"] [EventCountry "USA"] {The struggle to build-up chess knowledge is daunting. Of course, most masters do the same, but whoever has more tools and gathered information are advantageous. I was at the 1993 North American Open, Las Vegas but the first round pairing was not yet posted. Therefore, I went browsing books at a nearby chess shop and I got hooked by the latest Chess Informant, so I did not hesitate to buy it. By then, (Current) 1993 US Champion GM Alexander Shabalov was also checking books, since I like his playing style and approached him for an autograph. He graciously signed the book and I was so thankful. After a few hours, the 1st round pairing was posted, I was shocked when I saw my 1st round opponent was US Champ GM Alexander Shabalov, the GM I asked for an autograph. I regrouped my emotions and did something. There was still 30 minutes before the game started. But I was aware that GM Shabalov was a very strong Slav Defense player. What I did was get back to the chess shop and look for something substantive. I found-out that he also plays the Caro-Kann. I checked on the latest New In Chess Yearbook about Caro-Kann (Pannov Botvinnik) latest variations and found the novelty 13. Bb5!?. What happened then, Let's find out.} 1. e4 {I skipped my favorite 1. d4, was scared of GM Shabalov's Slav Defense.} c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 {The Panov-Botvinnik Attack, an aggressive method against the Caro-Kann Defense.} Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nf3 e6 7. cxd5 {Having an isolated pawn in the opening stage is not a weakness at all.} Nxd5 8. Bc4 Be7 9. O-O ({Sensible, although the greedy line appears playable} 9. Bxd5 exd5 10. Qb3 Be6 11. Qxb7) 9... O-O 10. a3 b6 11. Re1 Bb7 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bb5 {[#] This was the novelty move I found and was able to apply it.} Bd6 {Either 13...a6 or 13...Rc8 is adequate, but dull.} 14. Bg5 $1 Qd7 {Awkward} ({Other options are:} 14... f6 15. Bd2 Rc8 16. h3 Qd7 17. Rc1 a6 18. Bd3) 15. Qd2 Rfc8 16. Bf4 Bf8 ({Other options are:} 16... a6 17. Bd3 a5 18. Rad1 Re8 19. Bb5) ({Other options are:} 16... Bxf4 17. Qxf4 Re8 18. Ne5 Qc7 19. Qg3) 17. Rac1 f6 18. Qd3 Qf7 19. Bd2 Nd8 20. Be8 {[#] Black Resigned. US Champ Alexander Shabalov was my first GM win at that time and very much hungry to play against GMs, in that way, you increase your level of play, experience and confidence. I hope you enjoyed it... cheers.} 1-0