1.e4
c5
2.d4
cxd4
3.c3
dxc3
4.Nxc3
d6
5.Nf3
Nc6
6.Bc4
a6
This is the focus on Taylor's book. Black refrains from playing the normal e7-e6, and is ready to respond to Qe2 with Bc8-g4 and to Bf4 with e7-e5.
7.Bg5
A move mentioned only briefly by Taylor in the last game in the book.
7...Nf6
[7...h6??
8.Qb3!+-
hxg5
9.Bxf7+
Kd7
10.Bxg8
]
8.Bxf6
gxf6
9.0-0
e6
Black remains up a pawn, and the extra pawn is on d6.
10.Nd4
Bd7
11.Nxc6
bxc6
A Hedgehog player's delight. Black has all possible white pawn advances under observation.
12.Qe2
Two attacks on the isolated a-pawn.
12...Qa5
Defending the a6-pawn but ready to transfer to the g- and h-files.
13.Rfd1
h5
With the center under observation, black aims to weaken the white kingside with Qg5 and Rg8
14.Qf3
Qg5
15.Rac1
Diagram
15...a5
With the idea of a4-a3, but also activating the Ra8-a5-e5 or g5
16.Rc2
a4
17.Rcd2
Be7
18.h3
To prevent Qg4
18...0-0
8 years ago... surely Rg8 was better
19.Rxd6
Bxd6
20.Rxd6
Bc8
21.Rxc6
Rd8
22.Be2
Ra5
23.Bd1
Bb7
24.Rb6
Ba8
25.Bxa4
Restoring material equality, but black's pieces are at least as active as white's, the Kg8 is safe, and white's pawns are not yet rolling.
25...f5
26.Bc6
To exchange the active Ba8
26...Bxc6
27.Rxc6
fxe4
28.Nxe4
Qe5
Diagram
29.g4
Nc3 would aim for equality. White wants more.
29...hxg4
30.Qxg4+
Kf8
31.Nc3
Rd4
But black emerges with more active play, and now the white king is compromised
32.Rc8+
Ke7
33.Qg3
Qxg3+
34.fxg3
Rd2
Taking the 7th rank, which matters more when two rooks can connect there
35.Rc7+
Kf8
36.Rb7
Defending the b-pawn
36...Re5
threatening mate
37.Kf1
Re3
38.a4
The kingside pawns are hopeless, but perhaps white can queen?
38...Rxg3
39.a5
Rxh3
40.Kg1
[40.a6
Rh1#
]
40...Rhh2
41.a6
Rdg2+
42.Kf1
Rc2
Threatening mate in two different ways
43.Ne2
Rd2
Renewing the threat
44.Kg1
I suspect that Rick resigned around through here, but my notes do not reflect when.
44...Rhxe2
45.Kf1
Rf2+
46.Kg1
Rg2+
47.Kf1
Rh2
48.Kg1
Rdg2+
49.Kf1
Rc2
50.Kg1
Rhd2
0-1