[Event "2005 ANU Open"]
[Site "Canberra"]
[Date "2005.07.24"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Bjelobrk, Igor"]
[Black "Sales, Jesse Noel"]
[Result "0-1"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2005.??.??"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "AUS"]
{I jokingly offered a draw to IM Bjelobrk before the 4th round began, but he turned me down. He had defeated my favorite Nimzowitsch Defense the last time we played in Sydney. This was our second encounter, and I was playing with the black pieces again. I had studied his games on chessbase and I thought I had a chance with the Nimzo-Indian, since he usually played the 4. f3 variation. He probably expected to beat me once more, but I believed that surprises could be a powerful psychological weapon.} 1. c4 {The English Opening is a flexible and solid opening.} Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 {[#] The Nimzo-Indian Defense.} 4. f3 {I anticipated his move, so I decided to play aggressively and hope for the best.} c5 {In this set-up, black's position is similar to the Snake Benoni.} 5. d5 exd5 6. cxd5 O-O {A quick way to secure the king is one of the advantages of the Nimzo-Indian Defense.} 7. e4 {Black's offense and unpredictability are my strengths, despite white's advantage in the center of the board.} d6 8. Nge2 {IM Bjelobrk plays solidly and tenaciously, with skills in counter-attacking.} Nbd7 9. Ng3 {His knight on g3 has a strong position, so I need to gain more space on the queenside and then challenge white's central control by playing Re8 later.} a6 10. Be2 b5 {He let my pawns advance on the queenside, where the knight and bishop could create some problems with their mobility.} 11. Be3 c4 12. Qd2 Bc5 13. Bxc5 Nxc5 {[#] The knight enjoys a strong outpost, whereas the pawns have the potential to create a dangerous passer in case of an endgame.} 14. O-O Re8 15. Rfb1 {Feeling the pressure at the queenside, White plans to ease it.} Bd7 {Surprises in opening preparation can be very effective. I have gained an advantage in this position.} 16. b4 cxb3 17. axb3 b4 {This move is essential, as my knight on c5 is currently the strongest piece I have.} 18. Nd1 a5 19. Ne3 h5 {[#] This move might weaken White's kingside, as I expect the knight on e3 to move to c4 and cause trouble. However, my bishop on d7 can deal with that threat.} 20. Nc4 h4 21. Nf1 Qc7 22. Qf4 {The queen's targets are the pawn at d6 and h4, but capturing the d5 pawn seems my best shot.} Nxd5 {[#]} 23. exd5 Rxe2 24. Qxh4 Bb5 {Whenever possible, capture your opponent's valuable pieces.} 25. Ng3 Bxc4 26. bxc4 Qe7 {[#] Timely and purposeful.} 27. Qxe7 Rxe7 28. Nf5 {At first glance, white looks much better, but black has a potential to promote one of the queenside pawns.} Re2 29. Rxb4 axb4 30. Rxa8+ Kh7 31. Rb8 b3 32. Kf1 Rd2 33. Nxd6 b2 {[#] Black is obviously winning,} 34. Ne4 Nxe4 35. fxe4 Rd1+ 36. Ke2 b1=Q 37. Rxb1 Rxb1 {[#] With the king at h7, black neutralized white's passed pawns, which seemed threatening at this position. White had no way to exert pressure anymore.} 38. d6 Kg8 39. c5 ({IF} 39. d7 Rb8 40. c5 Kf8 41. c6 Ke7 42. c7 Rb2+ 43. Kd3 Kxd7) 39... Kf8 40. Kd3 Ke8 41. Kc4 Kd7 {[#] I achieved a one-point lead over the rest of the competitors with this victory. A draw in the final round was enough for me to secure the win, and I managed to do that. I am grateful to the organizers and players for giving me this chance. I believe God always takes care of me.} 0-1