Miniatures 33

IN this occasional series I am going through my decisive games of 20 moves or fewer.

Spanton (147 BCF) - N Foster (200 BCF)

Barbican (London) Rapid1990

Nimzowitsch Defence

1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.g3!?

The main continuations in ChessBase's 2026 Mega database are 5.c3 and especially 5.Bd3.

5...f6!?

This immediate attack on the white centre is a rare continuation but is liked by Stockfish17.1 and Dragon1.

6.exf6 Qxf6!?

How should White proceed?

*****

*****

*****

*****

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7.Bg5?

The engines suggest 7.c3 or 7.Bg2, with what they reckon is equality.

7...Bxc2! 8.Qe2

Or 8.Bxf6 Bxd1 9.Kxd1 (forced) gxf6, when Black is a sound pawn up.

8...Qf5 9.Nc3?

Better is 9,Nbd2, developing and protecting the king's knight.

9...Bb4?

Missing the strength of 9...Be4.

10.h4?

The bishop should be moved, probably to e3.

10...Be4 11.Bg2 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Qxf3 13.Bxf3 Nxd4

Winning a second healthy pawn.

14.Bd1 Nf6 15.0-0 0-0 16.Rc1 c6 17.a3 Bd6 18.Be3 Nf5 19.Re1?! 0-1

LESSON: success against a much higher-rated opponent is made infinitely harder if basic tactical mistakes are committed while still in the opening.