Spanish Cozio
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.c3
This is second in popularity to 4.0-0, which is the choice of Stockfish17.1 and Dragon1, along with 4.Nc3.
4...g6
More popular is 4...a6, which is also liked by the engines, but Stockfish17.1's top choice is 4...d5, and Dragon1's top choice is the rare 4...f6!?
5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4!?
The mainline in ChessBase's 2025 Mega database runs 6.cxd4 d5 7.exd5 Nxd5 8.0-0, with a slight edge for White, according to the engines.
6...Bg7 7.Bg5
The engines prefer 7.Nxc6 or 7.Be3.
7...0-0 8.Nxc6!?
Apparently a novelty, and marginally preferred by the engines over the known move 8.0-0.
8...bxc6 9.Be2!?
Probably not 9.Bxc6?! as after 9...dxc6 10.Qxd8 Rxd8 11.Bxe7 Black has 11...Re8, when Black is getting back the pawn and emerging with the bishop-pair and a lead in development, albeit with a smashed queenside.
9...Rb8 10.Qc1!? d5 11.exd5
The engines suggest 11.f3!? or 11.Nd2.
11...cxd5 12.0-0
 |
| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position? |
*****
*****
*****
*****
Black has a slight lead in development, and the only pawn on the two central files, giving a slight edge, according to the engines, despite Black also having an extra pawn island.
12...Bf5 13.Rd1 Re8 14.Nd2 c5 15.Nb3 c4?
Black is better after 15...Qb6, according to the engines, eg 16.Bf3 a5!? 17.Re1 Be6 18.Bxe7 Rxe7 19.Bxd5 a4 20.Bxe6 Rxe6 21.Rxe6 fxe6 22.Nd2 Qxb2.
16.Bxc4!
Winning one pawn, and threatening another.
16...Qc8 17.Bxd5!?
The engines prefer the more circumspect 17.Bf1.
The problem with the text is that after ...
17...Nxd5 18.Rxd5 Be4
... Black gets practical attacking chances in return for being two pawns down.
19.Rc5!?
The only move to keep an advantage, according to the engines, eg 19.Rd1?? Qg4 20.f3 Bxf3 is hopeless for White.
19...Qg4 20.Qf1 Be5 21.Be3 Rbd8?
The engines strongly dislike this, suggesting 21...Qe6, 21...Bd6 or 21...Ba8, albeit agreeing White is much better.
22.Nd4?
Missing the strength of 22.f3, when both 22...Qh4 and 22...Qh5 can be met by 23.Rxe5!, which is not the only winning move.
22...Qh4!?
Retreating the queen to d7, either immediately or after 22...Bd6 23.Ra5, is better, according to the engines, but Black has little to show for two pawns.
23.g3?!
The engines reckon best is 23.h5.
23...Qf6
 |
| White's king is no longer in imminent danger, but White's light-square weaknesses give Black long-term compensation |
*****
*****
*****
*****
24.f3 Bb7 25.Qf2 h5 26.Kg2!? g5?!
Probably more weakening than attacking. The engines reckon Black is fine after 26...Qe7.
27.Kg1 Kh8?
Better is 27...h4, when White still has difficulties.
28.Rf1 h4
A move too late.
29.f4!
29.f4!
The best continuation in a sharp position.
29...hxg3 30.hxg3?!
Capturing with the queen is almost certainly superior.
30...gxf4?
Better is 30...Qh6, when White has to find 31.Rc6! Bxc6 32.Nxc6 Qxc6 33.fxe5, and Black in turn needs to find 33...Rxe5! 34.Bd4 Rxd4 35.cxd4 Re7, after which 36.d5! gives White an edge, according to the engines, but no more.
31.Bxf4
 |
| White remains two pawns up, and with the much safer king |
*****
*****
*****
*****
31...Bxd4
Perhaps best is 31...Rd5 32.Rxd5 Bxd5, but 33.Re1 Kg7 34.Bxe5 Rxe5 35.Qxf6+! Kxf6 36.Rxe5 Kxe5 37.b3 leaves White with a comfortably winning minor-piece ending.
32.Rh5+ Kg8 33.cxd4 Qc6?
This makes it easy for White, but 33...Qxd4 34.Qxd4 Rxd4 35.Be5 forces Black to give up the exchange.
The game finished:
34.Be5 f6 35.Bxf6 Rd6 36.Rh8+ Kf7 37.Rh7+ Kg8 38.Rg7+ Kf8 39.Be5+ Rf6 40.Qxf6+ Qxf6 41.Bxf6 Re2 42.Rxb7 1-0
No comments:
Post a Comment