[Event "Premum International A"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.11.23"] [Round "2.7"] [White "Nemeth, Z."] [Black "Yip, M."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D00"] [WhiteElo "2275"] [BlackElo "1973"] [Annotator "Yip"] [PlyCount "87"] [SourceVersionDate "2004.05.16"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bf5 {Not the right time for a Grunfeld} 4. c4 c6 { Sticking to solid normal play} 5. cxd5 ({Relevant:} 5. Nc3 e6 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. c5 Qa6) 5... cxd5 6. Qb3 Nc6 7. Nf3 (7. Qxb7 Nxd4) 7... e6 (7... Qb6 8. Qxb6 axb6 9. Nc3 e6) 8. O-O Qb6 {A queen trade gives a sterile endgame equality} (8... Rb8 {In hindsight, this makes the most sense to me} 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. e3 O-O 12. Nbd2 Rfc8 {Black can prepare to advance on the queenside and consider ..Na5-c4 with good play}) (8... a6 9. Bg5 Rb8 ) 9. Qxb6 axb6 10. Nc3 (10. Be3 Ne4) 10... h6 {The simple idea of keeping Bf5 is not particularly challenging} (10... Bb4 {Puts more pressure on White but I was too concerned with playing a safe position} 11. Be3 (11. Bd2 Ne4) (11. Nh4 {is of course not possible} Nxd4) 11... Bxc3 12. bxc3 h6) 11. Bf4 Be7 {Sticking to normal play} (11... Bb4 {Is more complicated and is also satisfactory} 12. Rfc1 Bxc3 (12... O-O 13. Nb5 Ra5 14. a4 Rc8 15. Bc7 Ra6) 13. Rxc3 Ke7 14. Ne5 (14. Bc7 {Does not achieve much} Nd7) 14... Rhc8 15. Nxc6+ Rxc6 16. Rxc6 bxc6 17. f3) 12. Bc7 { White starts to probe around on the queenside, hoping to make something from the doubled b-pawns. However, a deeper look at the position shows this to be a suspicious plan as winning the b-pawn really does not help White} (12. Nb5 O-O 13. Rfc1 Rfc8) 12... Bd8 { This seems clever but is not very good. I played this quickly as it seemed obvious that Black should guard the b6-pawn but this was a faulty assumption which was not based on deep analysis} ({ Predecessor:} 12... Ra6 13. Nb5 (13. a3 Kd7 14. Bf4 {1-0 (42)} Ne4) 13... Ne4 14. Rfd1 O-O 15. Ne5 f6 16. Nd7 Rc8 17. a4 Bb4 18. Bxb6 {Wins the b-pawn but Nd7 is vulnerable and play in a dynamic equilibrium} e5 19. Nc7 { A tactical sequence follows but neither side makes much progress} Rxc7 20. Bxc7 Bxd7 21. dxe5 Be6 22. exf6 Nxf6 23. Bf1 Ra8 24. a5 Rc8 25. Bb6 Nd7 26. Bg2 Nxb6 27. axb6 Rd8) (12... O-O {Dropping the b6-pawn is quite acceptable but is only possible with deep supporting analysis and a much better understanding of the position. For example:} 13. Nb5 (13. Bxb6 {Taking the pawn is risky but needs some deep calculation to appreciate} Nd7 {The Bb6 is actually unstable} 14. Bc7 Rfc8 15. Bf4 {Retreating the bishop leaves the queenside vulnerable} ( 15. Nb5 {Black has more satisfactory response if White supports the bishop} Na7 {Attacking the supporting knight} ({or} 15... Be4 {Indirectly pressures d4 by threatening ..Bxf3} 16. Bf4 Ra4 {Going after d4} 17. a3 Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Nxd4 19. Nxd4 Rxd4 20. b3 {Trying to prevent ..Rdc4} Bg5 21. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 22. Rxc1 Bxf4 23. gxf4 g5 24. e3 Rd2 25. fxg5 hxg5 26. Rc7 Ne5 27. Bh5 b5 28. f4 gxf4 29. exf4 Ng6 30. Bxg6 fxg6 31. a4 bxa4 32. bxa4 Ra2 {A draw is likely with Ra2 being excellently placed}) 16. Bd6 Nxb5 17. Bxe7 Rc2 18. e3 Nb6 19. a4 Rxa4 20. Bc5 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Nd7 22. b4 Nc3 {Black is very active with good chances} 23. h3 (23. Ra8+ Kh7 24. Ra1 (24. Rd8 {Abandoning the king to chase material loses} Rc1+ 25. Bf1 Bh3) 24... Rb2) 23... Be4) 15... Nb6 {Black's looming queenside activity will easily regain the pawn} 16. a3 Nc4 $1 17. Ra2 Bf6 18. Nd2 Nxd2 19. Bxd2 Bxd4) (13. Rfc1 Nb4 14. Bxb6 Nc2 15. Rab1 Nd7 16. Bc7 Nb4 17. Ra1 Rfc8 18. Be5 {is relatively best} (18. Bf4 g5 19. Bd2 (19. Be3 Nc2) 19... Nc2 20. Rab1 Nb6 21. a3 Nc4)) 13... Ra6 14. Bd6 Bxd6 15. Nxd6 Ne4 16. Nxf5 (16. Nxb7 Ra7) (16. Nb5 Na7 17. Nxa7 Rxa7 18. Rfc1 b5 19. h3 Rfa8) 16... exf5 17. a3 b5 18. e3 Rfa8 19. Rac1 b4 {Black gets nice queenside counterplay} 20. axb4 Rb6 21. Ne5 Nxe5 22. dxe5 Rxb4 23. Rc2 Rc4 24. Re2 {This depth of analysis would not be possible in a practical game though}) 13. Bd6 { Keeping the active bishop is a mistake} (13. Bxd8 {Simpliying gives Black easy equality} Kxd8 14. e3 Ke7) 13... Be7 {Continuing to challenge the bishop is not best and was a lazy response. I failed to notice a critical moment and missed a chance for concrete play} (13... Ne4 {This obvious move escaped my attention as I was too focused on remaining equal and managing my clock. I was much too happy with equal play and did not look very hard for more ambitious moves. This is an attitude/ambition problem rather than poor calculation/endgame skill} 14. Nxe4 {Removing the strong knight rather than allow ..Nxc3} (14. Bf4 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Ra4 {Black has fresh targets and is in control}) (14. Nb5 f6 { /\xe5 takes away a key central square and White's pieces turn out to be targets for restriction play with ..g5 already a possibility} 15. Bf4 {Best is to retreat the bishop to safety} (15. Rfd1 Kd7 16. Bf4 g5 17. Bd2 Be7 18. Be1 Na5 19. b3 Rhc8 {The doubled b-pawns continue to be a non-factor}) 15... g5 16. Be3 Kd7) 14... Bxe4 {Threatening ..Bxf3 and the d-pawn} 15. Rfd1 f6 16. Ne1 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Kd7 18. Bf4 Be7 19. Nc2 g5 20. Bd2 Rhc8 ({or} 20... b5 21. e3 h5) 21. a3 h5 {Aggressive pawn play gives Black the initiative} ( 21... Na5 {/\..Nc4,..b5 etc}) 22. e3 (22. h3 Na5) 22... Bd6) 14. Nb5 (14. Bxe7 Kxe7) 14... Ra5 {Black is up to the task and easily handles the Nc7+ threat} 15. a4 Ne4 {Centralizing and attacking Bd6} (15... Bc2 $132 {Attacking the a-pawn is quite challenging and is possibly better but I did not consider it at all} 16. Ne5 (16. Bc7 {Going after the b-pawn is ineffective} Ra6 17. Nc3 (17. Ne5 {Is pointless} O-O {Black can bring the Rf8 into play quickly and the a4-pawn is in serious danger} 18. Rfc1 Bxa4 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Nc3 Rc8 21. Rxa4 Rxa4 22. Nxa4 b5 23. Nc5 Rxc7) 17... O-O) 16... Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Bxd6 18. b4 Ra8 19. Nc4 {Complex play ultimately fizzles out to equality} dxc4 20. Nxc2 Nd5 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Rfd1 Be5 23. Ra2 d4 24. Nxd4 Rd8 25. e3 Bxd4 ({or} 25... Ke7) 26. exd4 (26. Rxd4 Rxd4 27. exd4 Ke7 {The king gets to d5 to support the c-pawn} 28. Kf1 Kd6 29. Ke2 Kd5 ) 26... Ra8 27. Rc2 Kd7 28. Rxc4 Rhc8 29. Rxc8 Rxc8 30. Kg2 Rc4 31. Rb1 b5 32. axb5 Rxd4) 16. Bc7 Ra6 17. Rfc1 f6 {A useful move to prepare kingside expansion and take away e5 from White's pieces} (17... O-O 18. Ne5 Nd2 19. g4 Bh7 20. Rc3 Bb4 21. Nxc6 bxc6 22. Rxc6 Nb3 23. Rf1 Rxa4) 18. Bf4 { It is time to retreat and admit the plan of attacking the b6-pawn is unproductive} Kd7 {Normal king play to get the Rh8 into action} (18... g5 $5 {Harassing the Bf4 is more ambitious} 19. Nc7+ {The fork is best but is only equal} (19. Bd2 Kd7 {Black is quite active with ..Rfa8 possible while the b-pawns are not weak at all}) (19. Be3 Kd7) 19... Kd7 20. Nxa6 gxf4 { The Na6 is trapped} 21. Rxc6 Kxc6 (21... bxc6 {Keeps the pawns intact} 22. a5 bxa5 (22... b5 23. Nh4 fxg3 24. hxg3 Ra8 25. Bxe4 Bxe4 26. Nc5+ Bxc5 27. dxc5 b4 {else b2-b4} 28. f3 Bc2 29. Kf2 e5 30. g4 d4) 23. Rxa5 Rg8) 22. Rc1+ Kd6 23. Nc7 {The knight manages to escape} Kd7 24. Nb5 Ra8 25. Nh4 Rxa4 26. Nxf5 exf5 27. Bh3 Nd6 28. Nxd6 Kxd6 29. e3 fxe3 30. fxe3 Rb4 31. Bxf5 Rxb2) (18... O-O {Castling takes the king too far from the centre but is still ok}) 19. Nd2 Nd6 {Challenging the active Nb5 was made on general considerations and I failed to check the concrete central advance} (19... Nxd2 {Simplifcation is best but I did not like giving up the strong Ne4 for such a passive piece} 20. Bxd2 Bg6 {Black keeps control of e4 and the position stays closed} ({or} 20... Rha8)) 20. Bf1 {The xray against Ra6 is too clever and White loses his chance to gain an advantage} (20. Bxd6 {Preparing the energetic e4 break to catch the Kd7 did not occur to me} Bxd6 21. e4 { Opens the position favorably and the Kd7 is embarassed} dxe4 22. Nxe4 {Black does not have a good way to meet d4-d5} Bxe4 (22... Be7 23. Nec3 {The big threat is d4-d5 to catch the vulnerable Kd7}) (22... Bb4 23. Nec3) 23. Bxe4 Rd8 24. b3 Raa8 25. Rab1 g5 26. d5 exd5 27. Bxd5 Be5 28. Rc4 {Black's poor queenside structure makes a difference now}) (20. b3 {Is also good} e5 ( 20... Rd8 21. Bxd6 Bxd6 22. e4 dxe4 23. Nxe4 Bb4 24. Rc4 Ke7 25. f4) 21. e4 $1 exf4 22. exf5 Ra5 23. Nc3 Nb4 24. Bf1 fxg3 25. hxg3) 20... Raa8 { The full retreat is passive but equal} (20... Ra5 21. e3 g5 22. Nxd6 Bxd6 23. Bxd6 Kxd6 24. f3) 21. f3 {Taking control of e4 and allowing Kf2 or possibly a later e4 central expansion} (21. Bg2) 21... Rhc8 {I really misunderstood the needs of the position and missed the following advance} ( 21... e5 22. e4 exf4 23. exf5 fxg3 24. hxg3 h5 (24... Nxb5 25. Bxb5 Bb4 26. Nf1 h5)) 22. e4 Bh7 {Black is forced to retreat as taking on e4 is tactically flawed} (22... dxe4 23. Nxd6 {This intermediate capture to allow taking on e4 was the tactical point that I missed} (23. fxe4 Nxe4 24. Nc4) ({or} 23. Bxd6) 23... Bxd6 24. Bxd6 Kxd6 25. fxe4 Bg6 26. Nc4+ Kc7 27. d5 {Game over}) 23. Bh3 {The xray on the c8-h3 diagonal is something I did not consider but after some thought I calculated in a foggy haze to find the right solution} (23. exd5 {Is also good} exd5 24. Bxd6 Bxd6 25. Bh3+ f5 26. Nf1) 23... Nxb5 {This intemediate capture wins} 24. exd5 Nbxd4 ({or} 24... Ncxd4 25. dxe6+ Kd8 26. Rxc8+ Kxc8 27. Nc4 Kd8 28. Nxb6 Ra5 29. Kg2 Bc2 30. Bd2 Ra6 31. Rc1 Na7 32. Bc3 Nac6 {Black remains up a piece} ) 25. dxc6+ bxc6 {This should be enough to win but I could not see the difference between the recaptures on c6} (25... Rxc6 {Was even stronger} 26. Rxc6 bxc6 {Black suceeds in removing a pair of rook which reduces passible counterplay} 27. Nc4 Bc5 28. Be3 Bd3 29. Bf1 Nxf3+ 30. Kg2 Bxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Bxe3 32. Kxf3 Bc5) 26. Rd1 {The d-file xray is a cause for concern but some simple calcuation was all that was needed to ensure the win. The Nd4 was floating and White has possible threats on the h3-c8 diagonal} (26. Nc4 { Threatens Nxb6 but this is easily prevented} Bd8 27. Kf2 c5) 26... c5 $17 {Imprecise as Black lets the win slip and is only clearly better now. This is clearly poor technique and poor calculation skill that costs the win} (26... Ke8 {Getting the king off the d-file was an easy solution} 27. Kf2 Nc2 28. Rac1 Bc5+ 29. Kg2 Rd8 30. Bxe6 Ne3+ 31. Bxe3 Bxe3 32. Rxc6 Rxd2+ 33. Rxd2 Bxd2 34. Rxb6 Ke7 {This should be an easy win}) (26... Ne2+ {I saw the checking line first but did not want to clear the d-file} 27. Kf2 {Black has winning tactical play that should have been calculated to the finish} Nxf4 {White has no useful discovered check. I got a bit lazy and sought an easy path} 28. gxf4 (28. Nc4+ Nd3+ {The Bh7 gives handy long range support} (28... Nd5) 29. Ke2 Bc5 30. Rxd3+ (30. b4 b5 31. Nb2 Bd4 32. Nxd3 Bxa1 33. Nc5+ Ke7 34. Rxa1 bxa4) 30... Bxd3+ 31. Kxd3 b5 32. Nd2 Rxa4) (28. Ne4+ Nd5 { The knight escapes attack and blocks the check}) 28... Bc2 {This intermediate move I missed} 29. Nc4+ Kc7 {Best is preventing the Nxb6+ fork} ( 29... Bxd1 {Also wins but is less convincing} 30. Nxb6+ Ke8 31. Nxc8 Bc5+ 32. Kg3 Bb3 33. Rc1 Ra5 {The Nc8 remains trapped}) 30. Bxe6 (30. Rd2 Bc5+ 31. Kg3 Rxa4 32. Rxa4 Bxa4) 30... Bxd1 31. Bxc8 Bb3 32. Nd2 Bd5 33. Bf5 $19) 27. Nb3 {} Bc2 {Quickly played but lets White off completely. This time the problem was laziness at the sight of a move that only looked good} ( 27... Ke8 {Getting the king off the hot d-file still gives Black a clear advantage} 28. Nxd4 cxd4 29. Bxe6 (29. Rxd4 Bc5) 29... Rc2) 28. Nxd4 cxd4 (28... Bxd1 {My original idea fails miserably to a tactical shot} 29. Nxe6 {I missed this during and after the game while explaining to everyone that I could have won if only ...} (29. Rxd1 cxd4 30. Rxd4+ Ke8 { Was my idea but White does not have to be so helpful}) 29... Bxa4 (29... Bb3 30. Nxc5+) 30. b3 (30. Rxa4 Rxa4 31. Nxc5+ {The discovered check is the point} Kc6 32. Nxa4 {Wins a piece}) 30... Bxb3 31. Nc7+ {Scoops up winning material} (31. Nxc5+ {Is only equal} Kc6 32. Nxb3 Rxa1+ 33. Nxa1 Bc5+ 34. Kf1 Rd8) 31... Kc6 32. Nxa8 Rd8 33. Bf5) 29. Rxd4+ Ke8 { The game starts again and I managed to lose} 30. Rd2 (30. Bd6 Rd8 31. Rc4 Bxd6 32. Rxc2 f5) 30... Bb3 {Taking the a-pawn is only equal as White can win the e-pawn} (30... Bc5+ {Is best} 31. Kg2 Bb3 32. Rc1 (32. Rd3 { Chasing the loose bishop ultimately fails} Bc4 33. Rd2 g5 {The Bf4 has no useful retreat} 34. Rc2 {Clears an escape route with tempo} b5 35. Bd2 Bb3 { The fork at the end wins a pawn} 36. Rc3 bxa4) 32... f5) (30... Bxa4 31. Bxe6 Bb5 32. Rxa8 Rxa8) (30... Rxa4 31. Rxa4 Bxa4 32. Bxe6 Rc1+ 33. Kg2 g5 34. Be3 Re1 35. Kf2 Rh1 36. Bh3 Bc5 (36... Bb5) 37. Bxc5 bxc5 38. Kg2 Re1 39. Kf2 Rc1) 31. Be3 Rc6 {Passive defence loses some of the advantage} (31... b5 {Exploiting the a-file pin is best} 32. a5 Bb4 33. Bf1 Bxd2 34. Bxb5+ Kd8 35. Bxd2 Rab8 36. Bf1 Bc4) 32. Bf1 {} Kf7 { This safe move loses the advantage} (32... Rxa4 {Black should simply take the a-pawn and there is really no excuse for missing this} 33. Rxa4 (33. Bb5 Rxa1+ $19 34. Kf2 Ba4 35. Bxc6+ Bxc6) 33... Bxa4 {Stops the Bb5 pin and keeps a P+}) 33. Bb5 Rcc8 34. Rd7 {White takes the initiative now thanks to my careless play} Rc2 {Black is too intent on active defence and starts to give the game away} (34... Bd5 35. Bxb6 Bxf3 36. a5 Kf8 37. Kf2 Be4) (34... Rab8 {Passive defence should hold} 35. Ba6 (35. Ra3 Bd5 36. f4 Rb7 37. Rxb7 Bxb7 38. Rd3 Bd5 {Black has good chances for a sucessful defence}) (35. f4 Kf8 36. Rd3 Bc2 37. Rc3 Rxc3 38. bxc3 Bd6) 35... Rc6 (35... Rc2 36. Bd3 Rcc8) 36. Bb5 (36. h4) 36... Rc2 37. Bd3 Rcc8 38. Ra7 Kf8 39. Kf2 { The Ra7 is not really so dangerous} Rd8 {Is slightly risky} (39... Bc4 { Is another plausible defence} 40. Bxc4 (40. Bg6 Bd5) 40... Rxc4 41. Re1 g5 $11 (41... h5)) 40. Ke2 Bd6 {Black has a holdable but unpleasant position} 41. h4 Bd5 42. Rc1 Ra8 (42... h5) 43. Rxa8 Rxa8 44. Ra1 Rb8 45. g4 Bc5 46. h5 Ke7 {White can keep pressing but Black is ok}) 35. Bxb6 Rac8 {Superficial activity follows as Black hurries to the loss} (35... Bd5 36. Ra3 Rb8 37. Bd4) 36. Bd4 {Gives Black a chance to get back into the game} (36. a5 {Is simpler}) 36... e5 {Seizing the moment} (36... Bd5 37. Rf1 Kf8 38. Rf2 Bb4) 37. Bc3 {} Ke6 {Centralizing the king and getting out of the 7th rank pin is a mistake but at least an understandable one} (37... Be6 $1 {Is the right way to deal with the strong rook} 38. Ra7 (38. Rb7 Bd5 39. Rd7 Bxf3) 38... Kf8 {Threatening ..Bc5+ and White is forced to part with the exchange} 39. Rxe7 (39. a5 Bc5+) 39... Kxe7 {Black has a tough defence but manages to hold} 40. a5 {Black can hang on against the passers by with a final light square blockade} Bc4 41. Ba4 Re2 42. Bd1 Re3 43. a6 Ra8 44. a7 Rd3 45. Bb4+ Kd8 46. Bc2 Rd7 47. Bc5 Bd3 48. Bd1 Kc7 49. b4 Kb7 {With a sucessful light square blockade} 50. f4 Rd5 51. fxe5 Rxe5 52. Bd4 Ree8 53. Bh5 (53. b5 Be4 54. b6) 53... g6 54. Bf3+ Be4 55. Be2 Rad8 56. Bxf6 Rd2 57. Bf1 Ka8) 38. Rdd1 Bc5+ 39. Kh1 Rc7 {In explicable how I missed the obvious} (39... Rxc3 40. bxc3 Bxd1 41. Rxd1 {Blackhas good chances for a sucessful blockade}) 40. Rdc1 Rxc1+ 41. Rxc1 f5 {Loses quickly now} ( 41... Bd4 42. a5 Bd5 43. Be2 Bxc3 44. Rxc3 Rb7) 42. Ba5 Bd5 43. Kg2 Ra7 44. Rxc5 {This was the most mysterious and disappointing game of the tournament as I got everything I wanted and still managed to find a way to lose.} 1-0