20MB, Fritz7.ctg, Palmer_A
1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
e6
3.Nc3
Bb4
4.f3
Bill specializes in this line for White.
4...c5
5.d5
Bxc3+
Trading Bishop for Knight before White can defend the Nc3 with Qc2 or Bd2, thus doubling the c Pawns.
6.bxc3
d6
[6...Qa5
7.Bd2
d6
8.e4
0-0
9.Bd3
Nbd7
10.Ne2
Ne5
11.Bg5
Nfd7
Korchnoi-Lisitsin, Kiev 1954 and Black won.]
7.e4
e5
This is the Kmoch Variation of the Nimzo-Indian. [7...Qe7
8.Bd3
Nbd7
9.Ne2
Ne5
10.0-0
Nxd3
11.Qxd3
e5
12.f4
Radjabov-Hoeksema (Corus, 2001) was better for White who won the endgame.]
8.Bd3
h6
[8...Nbd7
9.Ne2
h6
10.Ng3
Nf8
11.Rb1
Qc7
Seirawan-Andersson (Indonesia, 1983) with chances for both sides.]
9.Ne2
Qe7
10.Be3
Nbd7
11.0-0
g5!?
Fritz has always hated this move (11 ... Nh5 12. Rb1 +/=), mostly because of the permanent holes on f5 & h5. Yet I often maneuver a Knight to g7 covering those squares while preparing f7-f5.
12.Qd2
Nh5
13.g3
Ndf6
14.Rf2
Rg8
15.Nc1
Rg6
A Rook lift to cover the Ph6 if I ever advance g5-g4.
16.Nb3
Ng7
17.Kf1
Ng8
18.Ke1
Black's Kingside looks clunky, but I must be doing something right if White's King is off and running. =)
18...f5
19.exf5
Bxf5
[19...Nxf5?!
20.g4
and White wins the exchange, which Fritz agrees is better for White.]
20.Qc2
Qf7
21.Nd2
Bxd3
No way around this trade, yet it undermines the primary defender of the Pc4 which can sometimes be won later. This also deflects the Queen from any checks at b5.
22.Qxd3
Nf5
23.Kd1
Nxe3+
[23...Nge7
24.Rb1
a6
25.Rb6
with a slight edge to Black per Fritz 7.]
24.Qxe3
0-0-0
Late castling!
25.Kc2
Qd7
26.Rb1
Qa4+
A Queen sortie to hit White's Pawns at a2 & c4.
27.Kb2
Rg7
28.Qd3
Rf7
29.Qc2
The Queen trade leads to a drawish RRN vs RRN endgame.
29...Qxc2+
30.Kxc2
Nf6
31.Kd3
Rdf8
32.Rbf1
Kc7
33.Ne4
Nd7
34.Ke3
Nb6
35.Nd2
Nd7
36.Ne4
Bill suggested that Black might try 36 ... a6 & 37 ... b5 to make inroads on the Queenside, but I considered that too risky, so our game was drawn. 1/2-1/2