[Event "New South Wales-ch"] [Site "Sydney"] [Date "2008.08.07"] [Round "1"] [White "Bjelobrk, Igor"] [Black "Sales, Jesse Noel"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "D30"] [WhiteElo "2381"] [BlackElo "2299"] [PlyCount "62"] [GameId "284826858309"] [EventDate "2008.08.07"] [EventType "tourn"] [EventRounds "9"] [EventCountry "AUS"] [SourceTitle "EXT 2010"] [Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2010.11.25"] [SourceVersion "1"] [SourceVersionDate "2010.11.25"] [SourceQuality "1"] {[%evp 0,62,19,31,19,0,26,26,26,11,43,36,34,34,53,56,68,63,62,58,59,50,47,53,69,34,37,-1,15,9,27,8,19,-32,-5,0,-42,-88,-7,12,36,-87,-12,-104,-95,-170,-178,-143,-138,-241,-241,-418,-404,-405,-470,-548,-648,-648,-648,-660,-667,-697,-706,-29991,-29992]} {Playing against IM Igor Bjelobrk is always a formidable challenge. His expert grasp of chess opening theory and extensive tournament experience make him a formidable opponent. Thus, a gesture to play solid and not to overextend to make sure it is safe in all aspects of the game.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 {The Slav defense considered one of the most flexible opening against 1.d4 due to several other opening transpositions. He beat me on our first encounter, I won the 2nd and this is the 3rd encounter.} 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 {It is essential to play solidly when facing an opponent whose extensive knowledge of openings makes them challenging to outmaneuver in the early stages of the game.} 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Qc7 8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 10. Bxe4 Nf6 11. Bc2 {If you're playing as black, where would you choose to castle in this situation?} b6 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Re1 O-O-O {Indeed, I am hesitant to castle kingside because white's pieces are aimed at black's kingside accordingly.} 14. Qe2 Rhe8 15. a3 h6 16. Bd2 c5 {Indeed, I need to clear the path for the bishop at b7, while also targeting white's center.} 17. Ba4 Rf8 18. Rad1 Ne4 {The current middlegame position necessitates this move, along with expanding pawns on the kingside to create pressure.} 19. Be3 Bd6 20. Rc1 g5 {The wait is over; it's time to take a risk for the opportunity to succeed.} 21. g3 f5 {This move, we call it in Filipino language is "Shoot sa balde"...} 22. d5 exd5 23. cxd5 f4 {It seems that Black has the advantage, strategically positioned to dismantle White's defensive formation.} 24. Bxc5 Bxc5 25. Qxe4 fxg3 26. Red1 gxf2+ 27. Kg2 Rf4 28. Qe6+ Kb8 29. Bc6 Bc8 {Timely indeed...} 30. Qxh6 Rxf3 {It is time to eliminate king's defender.} 31. Kxf3 Qf4+ {With just a few more moves, checkmate is imminent. It's rewarding to clinch a victory against IM Bjelobrk by employing a wait-and-see strategy. Often, comprehending a chess player's style is crucial to grasping their tactics, which can lead to maintaining self-composure.} 0-1