1.e4
Expecting a Dragon, perhaps.
1...a6
Excuse me. Against Karpov?
2.d4
b5
Miles has succeeded in avoiding Karpov's well known preparation. Miles writes: "By this time, the spectators' laughing was becomiong embarrassing."
3.Nf3
Bb7
"It's only 1...b6 with a bit more space really."
4.Bd3
Surely white is very fine after Qe2, c3, Nd2-f1, etc.
4...Nf6
5.Qe2
e6
6.a4
Placing tremendous pressure upon the advanced b-pawn, though c3 is an obvious alternative.
6...c5
Threatening c5-c4
7.dxc5
Bxc5
8.Nbd2
[8.axb5
axb5
9.Rxa8
Bxa8
when the pressure on the white e-pawn holds the b-pawn 10.e5
Ng4
11.Bxb5
Bxf2+
]
8...b4
9.e5
Nd5
10.Ne4
threatening Nxc5 and, in many lines, Nd6
10...Be7
11.0-0
Nc6
A very sicilian-like position has emerged. Miles dares not ...0-0, but he has generated some pressure on the queenside thanks to the advanced Nd5 outpost
12.Bd2
Qc7
13.c4
bxc3
14.Nxc3
Nxc3
15.Bxc3
White retains an obviousadvantage thanks to the e5-stronghold. The white rooks will soon be placed on c1 and d1
15...Nb4
16.Bxb4
Better, I think, to blunt the power of the Bb7 with Be4
16...Bxb4
White's advantage remains pronounced, but black now has the two bishops in an open board.
17.Rac1
Qb6
18.Be4
Perhaps Rfd1 or Ng5.
18...0-0
Having exchanged two minor pieces, Miles is comfortable enough to castle. Perhaps reacting to the demands of the audience, Karpov presses ahead
19.Ng5
h6
20.Bh7+
Kh8
21.Bb1
Be7
[21...hxg5
22.Qh5+
Kg8
23.Qh7#
]
22.Ne4
Rac8
23.Qd3?!
Diagram The threat is a cheapo mate, but black has resources.
23...Rxc1
24.Rxc1
Qxb2
Calling Karpov's bluff. The threat of Qxc1 stops all mating tries
25.Re1
[25.Rc7
Bc6
]
25...Qxe5
Show me, says Miles
26.Qxd7
Bb4
The black bishops are alive
27.Re3
Qd5
With his own mating threats down the diagonal. ...Qb2 may have been better, but the exchange of queens is too tempting.
28.Qxd5
Bxd5
The rest is instructive but not needing much comment.
29.Nc3
Rc8
30.Ne2
[30.Nxd5
Rc1+
31.Re1
Rxe1#
]
30...g5
31.h4
Kg7
32.hxg5
hxg5
33.Bd3
a5
34.Rg3
Kf6
35.Rg4
Bd6
36.Kf1
Be5
37.Ke1
Rh8
38.f4
gxf4
39.Nxf4
Bc6
40.Ne2
Rh1+
41.Kd2
Rh2
42.g3
Bf3
43.Rg8
Rg2
44.Ke1
Bxe2
45.Bxe2
Rxg3
46.Ra8
Bc7
0-1