Sunday, 16 September 2018

Mating!

IT was my turn to deliver mate in this afternoon's round-five game from the Bradford U171.
Siefaldin Holi (151) - Spanton (167)
French Advance
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Bd7
Not as popular as 4...Nc6 or 4...Qb6, but with an interesting idea.
5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Be2 Bb5
The point of Black's play is to ease the cramp in his position by exchanging his bad bishop for White's good one. It was a favourite system of Bob Wade in the 1950s.
7.0-0 cxd4
The immediate 7...Bxe2 is seen much more frequently.
8.Bxb5!?
This seems rather cooperative, but it was played by Jovanka Houska in a win at the 1998 girls' world championship.
8...Qxb5 9.cxd4
JH preferred 9.Nxd4!?
9...Ne7
Played partly so my queen can drop back to d7 after White's next move.
10.Nc3 Qd7 11.Bf4 Nbc6 12.a4?!
Leaving a hole at b4 does not feel right.
12...Ng6 13.Bg3 Bb4 14.Ng5 Qe7 15.Rc1??
Judging by his body language, SH saw this dropped a piece as soon as he picked up the rook.
No game was ever won by resigning, but eventually we reached the following position:
White has just played the forced 61.Kh6-h7, and I replied 61...Rh5#

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