Nimzo-Indian
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Bd2
White scores very poorly with this move in ChessBase's 2020 Mega database. But breaking a pin is logical, and the move has served me well in limited duty over 17 years, having scored +9=1-3 with it. In those games my average elo (Fide or converted ECF) was 1976, and I performed to a rating of 2046. That is a rating-plus of 70pts - exactly double White's normal rating-plus (based on database computer analysis by IM - now GM - Larry Kaufman).
4...0-0
The main reply. There is no need for Black to immediately commit to a plan of action.
5.Nf3 b6
Nimzowitsch preferred 5...d6 in a 1923 game, but switched to the text four years later. He won both games, but they were against lesser opposition.
6.e3 Bb7 7.Bd3 d6
Black is prepared to give up his dark-square bishop as long as he is ready to fight for the central dark squares with his pawns.
8.0-0 Nbd7 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 Ne4 11.Rc1
Tony Miles played Stockfish10's choice, 11.Bxe4!?, in a 1996 win over Ivan Morovic Fernandez (2575) at the Capablanca Memorial in Cuba.
11...f5 12.b4 Qf6?!
I expected 12...Nxc3 13.Rxc3, when Stockfish10 and Komodo10 reckon Black is at least equal.
13.Ba1 Qg6 14.Ne1
Planning f3. The engines prefer 14.d5!? e5 (14...exd5?! 15.cxd5 Bxd5? 16.Rxc7 is good for White),when Stockfish10 gives 15.Nh4 Qg5 16.g3!? g6 17.f4 with a large edge for White, although Komodo10 is much-less impressed.
14...c5?
This loses a pawn. The engines quite like the prophylactic retreat 14...Nef6!?, albeit preferring White.
15.Bxe4 fxe4 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Qxd6 Rfd8?
Black gets into more trouble after this, but the engines' 17...Qe8 leaves White well on top.
18.Qc7 Rab8 19.Rd1 Qe8?
Better was 19...Qf7, but it is easy to come up with bad moves in a bad position.
20.Nc2 e5 21.b5 Nb6?
The engines suggest 21...Ba8 or 21...Bc8, but in each case with a winning advantage for White.
22.Bxe5 Nd7 23.Bc3?!
Even stronger is 23.Rxd7 Rxd7 24.Qxb8 Qxb8 25.Bxb8, and if 25...Rd2, then 26.Na1 leaves White a piece up and winning on the queenside.
23...Ba8 24.Qxa7 Rb7 25.Qa4 Nb6 26.Qb3 Rd3 27.Rxd3?
White is still much better after this, but the move gives Black unnecessary counterplay.
27...exd3 28.Ne1?
Better is the engines' 28.Nd4! cxd4 29.Bxd4, when White has four pawns for a knight, and is about to win the d3 pawn.
28...Rd7 29.Bd2 Qe4 30.Nf3?
30.Qc3 keeps an edge as 30...Qxc4? loses to 31.Qe5, when Black has too many loose pieces, while 30...Nxc4? runs into 31.f3 Qd5 32.Rf2, when White has more-or-less consolidated a two-pawn advantage.
30...Nxc4
It was only after moving that I saw the strength of 30...Rf7!? White's best seems to be 31.Ne1 Nxc4 32.Qc3 Nxd2 33.Qxd2, but after 33...Rd7 Black has lots of pressure, despite being two pawns down. The engines reckon 30...Rd6!? is also strong.
31.Rc1?!
31.Rd1 looks stronger.
31...Bd5 32.Qc3 Qg4?!
Stockfish10's 32...Ra7 and Komodo10's 32...Qg6 seem to give Black good counterplay.
33.h3 Qg6
Black offered a draw.
34.Ne1 Ra7 35.Ra1 Qf6?
White is only a little better after 35...Nxd2 36.Qxd2 c4 37.Qb4, according to Komodo10, although Stockfish10 has White winning.
 |
| White to make his 36th move |
*****
*****
*****
*****
36.Qxd3! Qxa1?
Better is 36...Nb6, but White is three pawns up and out of danger after 37.Bc3.
37.Qxd5+ Kf8 38.Qxc4 Qxa3 39.Nf3 (1-0, 90 moves)
No comments:
Post a Comment