Darlington Round Four

AFTER taking a half-point bye in the morning's third round, I faced an Irishman.

Spanton (1931 ECF/1980 Fide) - Nicholas Webb (1906 ECF/1816 Fide)

Sicilian ..e6/Maróczy Bind

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Nxc6 bxc6 8.Bd3

How should Black proceed?

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8...d5!?

This is second in popularity, albeit way behind 8...e5, in ChessBase's 2024 Mega database.

9.exd5!? Qa5?!

The mainline in Mega24 runs 9...exd5 10.0-0 0-0 and either 11.cxd5 or 11.Bg5, with at best a slight edge for White, according to Stockfish16.1 and Dragon1.

10.0-0

Even stronger, according to the engines, is 10.Bd2.

10...0-0?

Better is 10...cxd5.

11.Ne4?

White is winning after 11.dxc6 or 11.Bg5, according to the engines.

11...Nxe4 12.Bxe4 cxd5 13.cxd5 Bb7 14.Be3 Rfd8 15.a3 Bf8 16.b4 Qb5 17.Qc2 Rac8?!

Probably 17...f5!? is better.

18.Bxh7+ Kh8

How should White proceed?

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19.Bd3??

This loses, whereas 19.Qd3 gives White at least the upper hand, according to the engines.

19...Qxd5 20.Be4 Rxc2 21.Bxd5 Rxd5 22.Bxa7 g6 23.Rfd1 Bg7 24.Rab1 Ra2 25.h3 Rxa3 (0-1, 39 moves)