1.e4
c5
2.Nc3
Nc6
3.f4
The Grand Prix attack is quite popular with players rated 2000-2400. The opening is so named, due to the fact that its popularity began in the UK, when many players used it on the "Grand Prix" circuit.
3...d6
4.Nf3
Nf6!?
Black has two main plans versus the Grand Prix.
(A) Play e6 and d5
(B) Play g6, Bg7, and then decide what to do with the center pawns and Ng8
4...Nf6 does not really fit well with either plan.
5.Bb5
e6
6.d3
White could also play 6.e5
a move earlier than the actual game. Black does not see the danger of his potentially bad pawn structure.
6...Be7
7.e5
dxe5
8.Bxc6+
White now has a big advantage due to Black's messed up pawn structure.
8...bxc6
9.Nxe5
Bb7
10.0-0
0-0
11.Kh1
Nd5
12.Na4?!
Bd6!?
Black should try to kick out White's knights with f6 and Nb6.
13.Nc4
Nb6!
14.Nxd6
Qxd6
15.Nxb6?
This helps out Black's pawn structure. White tries to justify his earlier 12.Na4?!, but, he should simply admit his mistake with 15.Nc3
15...axb6
16.Bd2
Ba6
17.b3
Qd4?!
This just gets kicked out later and loses tempi.
18.Qe1
Rfd8
19.Bc3
Qd6
20.Qg3
Qf8
21.f5!
White seizes the initiative and once again has a clear advantage.
21...exf5
22.Rxf5
Rd6!
The best defense, as the rook is well placed on g6 to stop White's attack.
23.Raf1
Rg6
24.Qc7!
Black has defended his king well, so White attacks f7 and b6!
24...f6
25.Qxb6
Bc8
26.Rxc5
Rxa2
27.Bb4
27.Qxc6+-
27...Ra6
28.Qc7
Qe8
29.Re1
Be6
29...Qd7
30.Qxd7
Bxd7
31.h3+-
30.Ra5?!
Black's Ra6 was very passive. Better was 30.h3
to make luft.
30...Rxa5
31.Bxa5
f5
32.Qd8?
This is simply terrible. White needs to maintain pressure, and, instead, he trades away his best pieces. Now Black has real drawing chances.
32...Qxd8
33.Bxd8
Bd5
34.Re2
f4
35.Rf2
Re6
36.h3
Re1+
37.Kh2
Rc1?
[37...h6!
38.Rxf4?
Re2=
]
38.Bg5
I can only assume Black was in time trouble, and missed this move. Now, once again, White is winning!
38...h6
39.Bxf4
Re1
40.Bd2
Re8
41.g4
g5
42.Kg3
Kh7
43.Rh2?!
The start of a bad plan. White overlooks a nice tactic, and Black gets real drawing chances.
43...Rd8
44.h4?
Bxb3!
45.Ba5
Rd5?!
45...gxh4+!
46.Kxh4
Rd5+/-
46.hxg5!
Bxc2
47.Rxc2
Rxa5
48.gxh6+-
c5?
This makes things easy for White, although, Black was losing in any case.
49.g5
Kg6
50.Kf4
50.Rh2
50...Ra4+
51.Rc4
Ra3
52.Rxc5
Rxd3
53.Rc6+
Kh7
54.Re6
Rd5
55.Re5
Rd1
56.Re7+
Kg8
57.Kf5
Rd5+
58.Kf6
Rd6+
59.Re6
Rd8
60.Kg6
60.g6!
Kh8
(60...Ra8
61.h7+
Kh8
62.Kg5
Ra5+
63.Kh6
) 61.h7
Rb8
62.Kg5
Rb5+
63.Kh6
Rh5+
64.Kxh5
Kg7
65.Kg5
Kh8
66.Re8+
Kg7
67.h8Q#
60...Ra8
61.h7+?
Kh8
62.Kh6??
White misses Black's last trick. Now a nice stalemate allows Black to draw. The win was already problematical, due to 61.h7+?
62...Ra6!
Now White has to stalemate Black one of three ways!
(A) 63.Rxa6
stalemate.
(B) 63.Rg6
Rxg6+
64.Kxg6
stalemate.
(C) 63.Rf6
Rxf6+
64.gxf6
stalemate.
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