Spanton (2019 ECF/1804 Fide) - Joseph McGrath Williams (*)
Veresov
1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bg5 Nbd7 4.Qd3!?
This relatively modern move, with the idea of getting in a quick e4, is not liked by the analysis engines Stockfish14.1 and Komodo12.1.1, which reckon Black already has a slight edge (Stockfish14.1) or is at least equal (Komodo12.1.1).
4...c5 5.Nf3
Stockfish14.1 gives 5.e4 cxd4 6.Qxd4 e5 7.Qd2 d4 8.Nd5 Be7 9.Nxe7 Qxe7, when White has gained the bishop-pair but Black has more space. The engine still gives Black an edge, albeit smaller than it earlier reckoned.
Komodo12.1.1 flits between 5.0-0-0!?, 5.dxc5!?, 5.e3, 5.e4 and the text, in each case evaluating the game as roughly equal.
5...cxd4
The engines prefer 5...c4!?
6.Qxd4 e6 7.e4 Qa5?!
The obvious 7...Bc5 is probably better, which the engines reckon should be met with 8.Qa4, when Stockfish14.1 prefers White but Komodo12.1.1 reckons the position is equal.
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| How should White proceed? |
*****
*****
*****
*****
8.Bxf6!
This somewhat surprising capture seeks to take advantage of White's pressure against d5 and what turns out to be the exposed state of the black king.
8...Nxf6?!
This probably the worst of Black's options, although both 8...Bc5!? 9.Qa4 Qxa4 10.Nxa4 gxf6 11.exd5 and 8...gxf6 9.exd5 are good for White.
9.exd5?
Much stronger is 10.Bb5+, eg 10...Bd7 11.Bxd7+ Nxd7 12.exd5.
9...Bb4
This prevents Bb5+ and puts pressure on White's set-up.
10.0-0-0!? Bxc3 11.bxc3!?
Possibly better is 11.Qxc3 Qxc3 (11...Qxa2? 12.Bb5+ is winning for White) 12.Bb5+ Kf8!? 13.bxc3 exd5 with a roughly equal position.
11...0-0 12.Bc4?
The engines give 12.Qb4 Qxb4 13.cxb4, after which Black gets back the pawn with equal chances.
12...b5?!
Almost certainly stronger is 12...exd5, eg 13.Bb3 Qa3+ 14.Kb1 a5 15.Qa4 Qxa4 16.Bxa4 b5!, or 13.Bd3 Qxa2.
13.Bb3 Rd8
The engines give 13...Qa3+!? 14.Kb1 a5 15.dxe6 a4 16.exf7+ Kh8 17.Bd5 Nxd5 18.Qxd5 b4, when White is three pawns up but the complications appear to favour Black, eg 19.Qxa8 bxc3 20.Qb8 Be6 21.Qxf8+ Qxf8, or 19.Qc5 Be6 20.c4 Rac8. However, neither line is completely clear.
A simpler alternative is 13...Nxd5 14.Bxd5 exd5, when Black may have an edge.
14.Qb4 Qxb4 15.cxb4 exd5
Black has regained the pawn but White gets an initiative with:
16.Nd4.
 |
| How should Black proceed? |
*****
*****
*****
*****
16...Ne4?
This attempt at counterplay is mistaken. However, after 16...a6 the engines reckon 17.f3 leaves White better.
17.Nc6
Also very strong is 17.Nxb5 Nxf2 18.Rxd5 Rxd5 19.Bxd5 Rb8 20.Re1, although 17...Bb7!? 18.Rhe1 Nxf2 19.Rd4 Ne4 20.Nc7 Rab8 21.Nxd5 Nc3 22.Ne7+ Kf8 slightly complicates matters.
17...Nxf2?
Better, but still good for White, is 17...Re8 18.Bxd5 Nc3 (18...Nxf2? 19.Rhf1 Nxd1 20.Bxf7+ Kh8 21.Bxe8) 19.Ne7+! Rxe7 20.Bxa8 Nxd1 21.Rxd1.
18.Nxd8 Nxh1 19.Rxh1 1-0
*No over-the-board rating but an ECF online standard rating of 2078.
*No over-the-board rating but an ECF online standard rating of 2078.
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