1.d4
d5
2.c4
c6
3.Nf3
Nf6
4.g3!?
Matt has played this against me in offhand games. I told him it was junk. Before this game he hinted that he would play this way again and I again told him what I thought of the variation. I even paraphrased a famous Kasparov quote. After a game in a Najdorf Sicilian, where his opponent(Leko I think) played an early h3 and a3, a journalist asked him if he had studied this variation. Kasparov said 'If I spent time analysing h3 and a3 I wouldn't have time to study real openings!'. Long story short, I had a lot of trash talking to back up!
4...Bf5
and Black has equalized, was my general assessment.
5.Nc3
e6
[5...dxc4!
is a drawback to g3 with an early Nc3. White can't regain the pawn and continue with his programmed development.]
6.Nh4
Bg6
[6...dxc4
7.Nxf5
exf5
is a better way to play.]
7.Qb3
Qb6
8.Nxg6
hxg6
9.c5
Qxb3
10.axb3+/=
White has the two bishops and a space advantage. Maybe I should have studied this variation. I realized that White has a simple plan of pushing his b-pawn down the board to create weaknesses in Black's pawn structure. I decided I needed to create some kind of counterplay quickly.
10...e5
11.e3
[I was hoping for 11.dxe5
Nfd7
12.b4
Nxe5
when I get use of the half open e-file and some queenside squares.]
11...Be7
12.b4
Nbd7
13.b5
0-0
14.bxc6
bxc6
15.Ra6
exd4
16.exd4
Rfe8
Ok. I get to use the e-file anyways. As for those queenside squares? Maybe next time.
17.Be2
During the game I thought that there must be some way to take advantage of the pin on the e-file. Unfortunately, All my efforts centered on 17...Nxc5, which doesn't work.
17...Nb8
[17...Bxc5!
This is the move I missed. Really not too difficult to find. 18.dxc5
d4
19.Na4
d3
20.Be3
dxe2
21.Kxe2
Ne5
and Black can be happy. The position is roughly equal.]
18.Ra4!
protecting d4. Now the idea in the previous note doesn't work.
18...a5!?
In poker this is called a semi bluff. I pretend I'm not concerned about White playing b4(Maybe I can win the pawn back). In truth, if White is allowed to play b4 Black is doomed. Well Black is probably doomed anyway but this is the best chance.
19.b4!
Matt calls my bluff.
19...Bd8
20.0-0
Ne4?!
[a better move is 20...Na6
21.Bxa6
Rxa6
22.b5
cxb5
23.Nxb5+/-
but even here Black is in trouble.The difference between the passed pawns is the most significant factor in the position.]
21.Nxe4
Rxe4
22.Be3+-
'How do you like your crow Mr. Nichols?'
22...Nd7
23.Bd3
Re7
24.Rfa1
White is ready to take the a-pawn. I look for counterplay against his d-pawn.
24...Nf8
The idea is ...Ne6 and ...Bf6.
25.Bg5
Matt thought I could blockade the a-pawn if he took. [25.bxa5
Rea7
26.a6
Rb8
It's true. The a-pawn is blockaded but White's position is overwhelming. Black can do absolutely nothing but wait for the execution.]
25...f6
26.Bf4
Rea7
27.b5
cxb5
28.Bxb5
Rc8
29.Re1
g5
30.Bd2
Kf7
31.Be8+
Kg8
32.Bb5
Kf7
Here I offered Matt a draw. He was low on time and I wasn't sure if he was winning anymore. I guess he thought the same and accepted my offer. That was a close call. If I had lost that game I would have never heard the end of it. As Matt and I walked out of the playing area I said 'Just like I told you, that varation is harmless'. 1/2-1/2