1.e4
e6
2.d4
d5
3.Nd2
The Tarrasch variation of the French Defense. No pressure on the d5-pawn, but holding open the option of c3
3...Nc6
[ 3...c5
; 3...Nf6
]
4.Ngf3
Nf6
5.e5
The usual pawn chain in the French, sealing in the Black Bc8
5...Nd7
6.Nb3
Over-protecting d4 and frustrating c7-c5
6...a5
7.a4
Securing the Nb3
7...b6
To exchange the Bc8-a6
8.Bf4
Stopping counter-play with ...f6 or f5 (exf6) with play against the weak e6-pawn.
8...Be7
9.c3
Securing the long pawn chain
9...Ba6
10.Bxa6
Rxa6
Black has succeeded in exchanging his bad light-squared bishop, but now the Ra6 is misplaced.
11.Nc1
Ncb8
12.h4
c5
13.Rh3
Another typical manoeuver against the French, idea Rg3
13...Nc6
14.Rg3
g6
Weakening the dark squares on f6 and h6
15.h5
A common attacking motif. On gxh5 Rg7
15...Ra7
Trying to defend the 7th rank laterally
16.Ne2
The right square, leaving Qd3-f3 for the queen.
16...Rb7
Initiating a queenside countr-attak with b6-b5
17.Kf1
Walking the king to safety before the attack begins.
17...Qa8
Activating the queen via a6
18.Kg1
Avoiding pins on the a6-f1 diagonal
18...Qa6
19.Ng5
b5
20.Qd3
Developing the queen during the brief moment that Black cannot exchange them.
20...c4
21.Qf3
Eyeing the f7 square
21...bxa4
threat Rxb2
22.Rh3
[ 22.Bc1
]
22...Bxg5
Diagram Expecting white to re-capture with Bg5, but white has his sights set on the black king
23.hxg6!?
Bxf4
Surely white will re-capture with Qxf4 or Nxf4
24.Rxh7!
Threatening Rxh8, and on Rxh7 gxh7, white will gain a second queen.
24...Rf8
25.g7
Threat gxf8(q)
25...Rg8
Surely white will now re-capture on f4
26.Rh8
Threat Rxg8
26...Ne7
Defending the Rg8
27.Qh5
White hasa one-track mind... idea Qh7
27...Bxe5
The unappreciated bishop becomes a marauder.
28.dxe5
Rb8
29.Qh7
Qc8
[ 29...Qa8
30.Rxg8+
Nxg8
31.Qxg8+
Ke7
32.Qh7
Nxe5
33.Nd4~~
]
30.f4
Nc5
31.Rxg8+
Nxg8
32.Qxg8+
Ke7
33.Qh7
Material is even, but white's positional superiority remains obvious
33...Qg8
34.Qh6
Eyeing the f6 square
34...Rxb2
35.Ng3
Ne4
[ 35...Kd7
36.Nh5+-
]
36.Nxe4
dxe4
37.Rd1
Threat Qf6, Rd8 [ 37.Rd1
Rb8
38.f5
idea 39.f6 Ke8 40.Qh8 38...Ke8
39.Qh8
exf5
40.Qxg8+
Ke7
41.Qxb8
] 1-0