1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
e5
6.Ndb5
a6
7.Na3
Be7
8.Bg5
Be6
9.Bxf6
Bxf6
10.Nc4
The fight is around the d5 square. I would've liked to exchange the light squared bishops with Bc4, but Black doesn't take on c4. And if I take on e6, fxe6, covering d5.
10...Be7
11.Be2
0-0
12.Ne3
[12.a4
Not allowing Nd7 for now was probably better (pawn on d6 has to be defended by the queen), but i wanted to prevent f5, not that it is terribly good for black.]
12...Nd7
13.a4
Rc8
14.0-0
Nf6
15.Qd3
Preventing a possible exchange sac on c3.
15...Rc5
16.Rfd1
[16.b4
was probably better, because later it took a considerable effort to make this move. 16...Rc7
17.Ncd5
Nxd5
18.Nxd5
Bxd5
19.exd5
]
16...Qc7
17.Ra3
With the idea of playing b4 if Black plays Rd8, preparing the d5 breakthrough.
17...Rc8
18.Bf3
Qb6
19.Rb1
Qc7
Black's activity on the c-file compensates the weakness of d5.
20.h3
h6
21.Ne2
Bc4?!
I think exchanging the bishop was a mistake, I had been planning to do that myself.
22.Qd2
Bxe2
23.Qxe2
Now if I can neutralize Back's initiative on the c-file, I have the potentially better bishop.
23...Bf8
24.c3
Qc6
25.Qd3
Ra5
26.Rba1
Rc5
27.Rc1!
Qe8
[The idea of 27.Rc1 was 27...Ra5
28.Qc2
and b4 is the threat. 28...b5
29.axb5
Rxb5
30.b4
]
28.b4
We stopped recording at this moment. The game was a roller coaster after this.
28...R5c7
29.Bd1?!
I wanted to get my bishop to the nice a2-g8 diagonal, but in doing so didn't exercise any caution. [29.Rb1
a5
30.bxa5
d5
31.Rab3
; 29.a5
d5
30.Nxd5
Nxd5
31.exd5
Bxb4
32.Rb3
Bd6
33.Rcb1
]
29...a5!
30.b5?
[30.Rb1
Be7
31.Bb3!
the point is Black cannot take on c3 because of bishop check on f7. White's bishop is much better than Black's. 31...axb4
32.cxb4
Kf8
33.Nd5
Nxd5
34.Qxd5+/=
]
30...d5
31.Rb3
d4?
Let's White right back into the game. Why not just take the pawn on e4?
32.Nd5
Nxd5
33.exd5
Bb4
[33...e4
34.Qxd4
Bc5
35.Qd2
e3
]
34.c4
I don't know if I remembered the moves correctly after this move , but the moves are correct again after 45.Qe4.
34...Bc5
35.Bg4
Rd8
36.Re1
Bd6
37.Rbb1
Qf8
38.Kh1
Re8
39.Re2
Bb4
Tho position looks drawn, but i started to seek adventure.
40.f4
Qd6
41.fxe5
Rxe5
42.Rc1
[42.Rd1
Rxe2
43.Bxe2
b6
44.Qxd4
Bc5
45.Qe4
Re7
46.Qf3
Re3
47.Qg4
Qe5
48.Bf1
Qb2
49.Qc8+
Kh7
]
42...Rxe2
43.Bxe2
b6
44.Qxd4
Bc5
45.Qe4
I had probably 30 seconds left and started losing the thread of the game.
45...Re7
46.Qf3?!
giving black a tempo [46.Qg4
Qe5
47.Bd3
Bd6
48.g3
Qe3
49.Rd1
Bxg3
50.Rg1
]
46...Re3
47.Qg4?
[47.Qf1
Was the only move. But it is hard to retreat when you are fighting for the initiaative.]
47...Qe5
48.Bf1
Qb2?
Giving White a chance to draw the game.
49.Rd1??
[49.Qc8+
Kh7
50.Qf5+
Kg8
51.Qc8+
Bf8
52.Rd1=
]
49...Qf2!
Takes control of the f5 square and prepares to mate on g1.
50.Qc8+
Kh7
51.Qg4
Diagram # Here I had about 8 seconds left and Ratko had 38. We both saw the idea of the rook sacrifice and I prevented that but the position is lost.
51...Rxh3+??
[51...f5
or as Ratko suggested after the game; 51...Re1
wins.]
52.gxh3!
the g1 square is covered, there's no mate! [52.Qxh3?
Qg1#
]
52...Qc2
not even sure if this move was played in the game or in analysis, with 8 seconds on the clock one might start having visions.
53.Bd3+
Black resigned 1-0