1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
c5
3.d5
b5
4.cxb5
a6
5.Nc3
The Zaitsev Variation of the Benko Gambit. White aims for an early e4
5...axb5
6.e4
b4
7.Nb5
And here's the point. The Nb5 has an advanced outpost that whiote can hold, and the e-pawn is immune
7...d6
Materials is even, but both players can lay claim to active ideas. Black will develop the dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal and the Ra8 has its open file. But white has the makings of a strong attack with a quick e4-e5. [7...Nxe4
8.Qe2
f5
(8...Nf6
9.Nd6#
) 9.f3+-
]
8.Bc4
Bf4 and Nf3 are more common. Bc4 overprotects d5 and carries the idea of e4-e5-e6
8...Nbd7
...g6 is also playable, but this seems to be the critical idea, challenging e4-e5.
9.Nf3
To support e5
9...Nb6!
10.Qe2
Perhaps already the decisive mistake
10...Bg4
The white queen is burdened
11.h3
Bxf3
12.gxf3
Not Qxf3 Nxc4
12...g6
13.Bf4
Nh5
opening the long diagonal and of course threatening Nxf5
14.Bh2
Bg7
With coverage of the key e5-square
15.e5
dxe5
16.Bxe5
Bxe5
17.Qxe5
Threat Qxh8
17...0-0
The black kingside is perfectly safe. Black is threatening Nxc4 and Qa5
18.Rc1
[18.b3
better]
18...Nxc4
19.Rxc4
Qa5
threatening Qxa2 and b3 with a powerful discovered check
20.Rxc5
b3+
This way, the pawn captures on a2... and the white king is stuck in the center for the rest of the game [20...Rfc8
also very strong 21.Rxc8+
Rxc8
22.0-0
Qxb5
]
21.Ke2
Kd1?? bxa2
21...bxa2
22.Ra1
The Ra1 remains out of play
22...Rab8
[22...Rfb8!
]
23.d6
desparately seeking counterplay, but this opens the e-file for black's rooks
23...exd6
24.Nxd6
Qa6+
preventing the king from running to safety with f1-g2 [24...Rxb2+!
25.Qxb2
Qxc5
26.Ne4
Qc4+
27.Ke1
Re8
28.Qxa2
Qxa2
29.Rxa2
f5-+
]
25.Ke1
Qd3
into the entry square
26.Rd5
Diagram
26...Nf4!
27.Qxf4
[27.Rxd3
Nxd3+-+
]
27...Qxd5
28.Ne4
Qd3
29.Nf6+
Kg7
30.Qe5
With has set up a nice discovered check and possible mate, but it is black to move!
30...Qb1+!
31.Kd2
Qxb2+
32.Qxb2
Rxb2+
[32...Rxb2+
33.Kc3
Rb1
34.Rxa2
Kxf6
] 0-1