(1) Curdo,J - Rizzitano,J [B28]
Boston Havana, 1981

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 a6 Curdo is known for playing 2...d6 3.Bb5.a6 stops that variation, but also has some sting after 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5.

3.c3 [3.c4 ]

3...b5 All the rage in the wake of Miles victory the year before with 1...a6 and 2...b5

4.d4 e6 5.a4 Bb7 6.d5 Aiming for central control after black's wing excursions.

6...Qb6 7.axb5 axb5 8.Rxa8 Bxa8 9.Na3 The Na3 is headed to c2 unless ...b4 Nc4

9...Nf6 10.Bxb5 [Rizzitano gives 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.e5 Ng4 12.Bf4+/- ]

10...Nxe4 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.0-0 Be7 13.Qa4 forcing play by white, here with the threat of Qxa8, but black's position is strong.

13...Bd5 14.Nc4 Qc7 15.Nce5 Nd6 Well placed! White no longer has central pawns to combat these outposts for Black's minor pieces.

16.Bd3 c4 17.Be2 0-0 18.Qd1 Perhaps Nd4

18...Rf5 19.Qd4? [19.Re1 ; 19.Re1 ]

19...Bf6-+ Diagram

20.g4 Rxe5 [20...Bxf3 21.Bxf3 (21.gxf5 Bxe2-+ ) 21...Rxf3 ]

21.Nxe5 Nc6 strong, but black has several paths to victory [21...Nb5 22.Qe3 Bxe5 ; 21...Ne4-+ 22.f4 d6 ]

22.Qd1 Nxe5 23.f4 Qb6+ 24.Rf2 Ne4 0-1