Spanton (1919) - Jan Vidar Vestly (2027)
French Exchange
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Qe2+!?
A rare continuation. Normal are 6.c5 and especially 6.Nc3.
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| How should Black reply? |
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6...Qe7
Stockfish171. and Dragon1 suggest 6...Be7!?, the idea being presumably to show White's queen is misplaced.
7.c5 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Be7 9.Nc3!?
This may be a novelty. The engines prefer it over the known 9.Bf4.
9...b6?!
This is a thematic response to an early c5 in positions with pawns on d4 and d5 (just as b3 is a thematic response to an early ...c4 in such positions). However, here it is doubtful because it allows White an expansive but apparently sound continuation. Instead of the text, the engines suggest 9...c6 or 9...0-0, but award White a slight edge.
10.Bf4
Even stronger, according to the engines, is 10.Nb5 Na6 11.c6!?
Even stronger, according to the engines, is 10.Nb5 Na6 11.c6!?
10...c6
The engines give 10...bxc5 11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.Bxc7, claiming a slight edge for White.
11.b4 a5 12.b5!? bxc5
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| White to play and gain a large advantage |
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13.0-0?!
Almost certainly too slow. Instead 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.0-0 gives at least the upper hand, according to the engines, which reckon Black has to play 14... cxb5!? 15.Bxb5+ Ke7!?, which gives White tremendous compensation for a pawn. But even stronger seems to be 13.Na4!?, threatening 14.Nb6. Black can defend with 13...Nfd7!?, but 14.dxc5!? is very hard to meet, eg 14...Bxc5 15.0-0 Be7 16.Rac1 leaves White with a winning position, according to the engines. Perhaps Black should prefer 14...0-0, but 15.Nd4 is good, eg 15...cxb5 16.Nxb5 Nc6 17.Rc1, when material is equal, but the engines again reckon White is winning. At move 13, rather than meet 13.Na4!? with 13...Nfd7, Dragon1 suggests 13...Bd8, but 14.dxc5 restores material equality, leaving White with a large lead in development.
13...c4!
Establishing a protected passed pawn and interfering with the ability of White's light-square bishop to play on the queenside.
14.Na4
This is still Dragon1's top choice. Stockfish17.1 suggests 14.a3 or 14.a4.
14...Nfd7?!
Probably better is getting on with development with 14...Bf5.
15.Rab1
15.Rab1
The engines suggest 15.b6 or 15.Rfe1.
15...0-0 16.Bxb8!?
This may be best.
16...Nxb8
Not 16...Rxb8? 17.bxc6.
17.bxc6?
This gives Black too many options. Correct is 17.Nb6 Ra7 18.bxc6, when 18...Nxc6?! allows 19.Nxd5, after which White may even be slightly better. However, Black has 18...Be6 19.Ne5, with an unclear position, but one that seems to favour Black, eg 19...Rd8 20.Bf3 (Dragon1 likes the piece sacrifice 20.Bxc4!?, but it is far from clear it works) Na6 21.Rfd1 g6!?, when the engines give Black the upper hand.
17...Nxc6 18.Nb6 Bf5!? 19.Nxa8 Bxb1 20.Rxb1 Rxa8
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| Complications are over, and Black has emerged a protected passed pawn to the good |
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Not only that, but d4 is weak, and opposite-colour bishops favour Black.
21.Rb6 Rc8 22.Kf1?!
Probably better is 22.Bd1, but 22...c3!?, with the threat of ...Nb4, decides matters.
22...Nb4 23.a3 c3!? 0-1
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| Crucifix near Eichwald |
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| Close-up of an accompanying display of local stuffed birds |
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