1.e4
c5
The Sicilian Defense
2.Nf3
e6
my favorite approach, heading toward a Kan, Paulsen, or Hedgehog
3.d4
The usual try on move three for white. Slow systems with d3 place no pressure on black.
3...cxd4
4.Nxd4
a6
The advantages for black: White cannot safely develop the Bf1 to b5 or c4 in this line.
5.c4
Not the best move... Bd3 is more challenging, preserving the option of playing c4. The idea here for white is to inhibit counterplay with b7-b5 and d7-d5
5...Bc5
A modern treatment... force the Nd4 to move before playing Be7
6.Nb3
Be7
Is the Nb3 well placed? Time will tell... Nb3-d4 at some point only justifies black's approach.
7.Nc3
d6
With the idea of preventing e5 and developing the Nb8-d7
8.Be3
Nf6
9.Be2
Nbd7
The correct square for the knight, which aims at Nc5 and Ne5, depending upon white's set-up.
10.0-0
b6
There's the Hedgehog, with Bb7 and Qc7 to follow
11.Rc1
Bb7
Two attacks upon the e-pawn, and Nc5 can make it three if white refused to play f3
12.f3
0-0
13.Qd2
Qc7
An alternative idea is Rc8-c7, and Qa8 directly
14.Kh1
Rfe8
15.Nd4
And black has gained a tempo with the early Bc5-e7 manoeuver.
15...Rac8
All standard stuff, aiming for a queen tuck to b8
16.Rc2
Qb8
Next steps often involve Bf8, g6, and Bg7, a late fianchetto so long as white places no pressure upon the key d6-pawn.
17.Rb1
Preparing b4, an unusual and dangerous idea for both sides.
17...Bf8
18.b4
The plan appears to be Nb3, Na4, and c5. Can black survive?
18...Qa8
Removing the queen from the danderous b-file and intensifying the pressure down the long diagonal
19.Na4
Two attacks upon b6 and with the idea of c4-c5
19...h6
20.Nb3
threatening Nxb6
20...Rb8
21.c5
There's a critical square... imagine calculating this over-the-board! [21.Nxb6
Nxb6
22.Bxb6
Bxe4
23.fxe4
Rxb6
24.Bf3
Reb8
25.c5
dxc5
with chances for both sides]
21...bxc5
22.bxc5
dxc5
So often in the Hedgehog, the board opens up after exchanges to black's satisfaction
23.Naxc5
Nxc5
24.Nxc5
Bxc5
25.Rxc5
Diagram [25.Bxc5
Nxe4
26.fxe4
Bxe4
27.Rxb8
Bxg2+
28.Kg1
Rxb8~~
]
25...Bxe4
NIcely played... battling toe to toe
26.Rxb8
[26.fxe4
Rxb1+
]
26...Qxb8
[26...Rxb8!?
]
27.fxe4
Nxe4
28.Qa5
Nxc5
29.Qxc5
The smoke has cleared... Black has an active rook and two pawns for the two bishops...
29...Rc8
30.Qa5
Rc6
31.h3
Qd6
32.a4
f5
Putting the extra pawns in motion
33.Qe1
e5
34.a5
e4
35.Bb6
f4
36.Qb1
[36.Bxa6
e3
37.Be2
Qd2-/+
]
36...e3
37.Bf3
Rc8
[37...Rc3
38.Qe4
]
38.Qe4
Kh8
39.Bd4
Rf8
40.Be5
Qe7
41.Qd4
[41.Be2!
]
41...e2!
42.Bxe2
Re8
winning a piece
43.Bxf4
Qxe2
44.Bxh6
Qe1+
45.Kh2
Qe5+
46.Qxe5
Rxe5
With excellent winning chances
47.Bd2
Rd5
48.Be1
Rd3
49.h4
Kh7
50.g3
Kg6
51.Kh3
Kf5
52.Bf2
g6
53.Bb6
Rc3
54.Ba7
Rc8
55.Bb6
Rh8
56.Bc5
Rh7
57.Bb4
Rd7
58.Bc5
Rd1
59.Bb6
Rc1
60.g4+
Kf4
61.h5
g5
62.Bd4
Rh1+
63.Kg2
Rh4
64.Bg7
Rxg4+
65.Kf2
Kf5
0-1