[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[Site "Oswestry"]
[Date "2025.02.06"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[White "Bryant, Richard BE"]
[Black "Slegg, Gary"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Slegg,Gary"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "1904"]
[BlackElo "1573"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[GameId "2142429696241677"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]

{[%evp 12,61,-5,-19,-17,-28,-16,-16,-9,-41,-33,-110,-51,-86,-35,-219,-58,-116,-11,-125,-105,-152,-146,-196,-143,-155,-144,-173,88,77,349,342,498,273,346,288,312,274,310,308,445,295,266,245,324,262,333,296,784,732,1451,862] B23: Closed Sicilian: Lines without g3} 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Nd4 6. O-O a6 7. Bd3 b5 (7... d6 {Kotronias & Lakdawala}) (7... e6 {main lines-vk}) (7... Nh6 8. Nxd4 cxd4 9. Ne2 d5 10. e5 f6 {King 2024:159, Wh} 11. exf6 Bxf6 12. b3 Bf5 {King 2024:160, 3 draws} (12... O-O {9 draws, 2 Bl wins-vk})) 8. Nxd4 cxd4 {scores better for Bl than the other capture-vk} (8... Bxd4+ {vk-given as best by Jones, despite} 9. Kh1 Bb7 10. e5 Ra7 11. Be4 Bxc3 12. Bxb7 Bxb2 13. Bxb2 Rxb7 14. f5 Nh6 15. Qf3 Qb6 16. e6 f6 17. fxg6 hxg6 18. Bxf6 exf6 19. Qxf6 Rg8 20. Rae1 d5 21. Qg5 Re7 22. Qxh6 Qa5 23. Rf6 Qxa2 24. Rxg6 Rf8 25. Qxf8+ {1-0 Jones,G (2526)-Van Wely,L (2680) Staunton Memorial 5th London 2007 (10)}) 9. Ne2 Bb7 {The position is equal.} 10. Ng3 $146 {[%eval -41,19] yet cf below Butanaev-Kravshenko,Abaza 2012,1-0-vk} (10. Qe1 $11 {[%eval -9,19]}) (10. b3 Qb6 11. Kh1 (11. Bb2 d6 12. Ng3 Nf6 13. Qe2 h5 14. h4 Ng4 15. Nh1 e5 16. Nf2 Bc8 17. Nxg4 Bxg4 18. Qf2 f5 19. a4 O-O 20. g3 d5 21. axb5 fxe4 22. Be2 Bxe2 23. Qxe2 exf4 24. d3 f3 25. Qd1 Qe6 {Keely,L (1923)-Wells,P (2364) Bridgend WLS 2024 0-1 (32)}) 11... h5 12. Bb2 h4 13. h3 d6 14. f5 g5 15. Qe1 d5 16. exd5 Bxd5 17. Qf2 g4 18. Nf4 Bb7 19. Rae1 O-O-O 20. Be4 gxh3 21. Nxh3 Nf6 22. Bxb7+ Qxb7 23. Qf3 Rd7 24. Qxb7+ Kxb7 {Burke,M (2001)-Bryant,H (1951) Huddersfield ENG 2025 0-1 (36)}) (10. c3 dxc3 11. dxc3 d6 12. Be3 Nf6 13. Bd4 O-O 14. Ng3 h5 15. Qf3 Qc7 16. f5 e5 17. fxe6 fxe6 18. Bxf6 Rxf6 19. Qe3 Qc5 20. Qxc5 dxc5 21. e5 Rxf1+ 22. Rxf1 h4 23. Ne4 c4 24. Bc2 Bxe5 {Wippermann,T (2366)-Ivanisevic,I (2555) Dos Hermanas 2003 0-1 (39)}) (10. a4 Qb6 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8+ Bxa8 13. b3 d6 14. Ng3 h5 15. Qe2 h4 16. Nh1 h3 17. g4 Nf6 18. Qf3 Nd7 19. Nf2 Nc5 20. b4 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Qc6 22. Ba3 Qc2 23. Qd1 Qxd1 24. Rxd1 Kd7 {Docampo Beltran,D (2371)-Horcajuelo Rocamora,M (2295) Mutxamel ESP 2024 0-1 (46)}) 10... Qb6 (10... h5 $17 {SF17-game added in by vk} 11. e5 Qb6 (11... h4 12. Ne4 h3 $17 {SF17}) 12. Qe2 e6 13. b3 Ne7 14. Ba3 Nf5 15. Ne4 Rc8 16. Qf2 h4 17. Ng5 Rh5 18. Bb2 Rxg5 19. fxg5 Bxe5 20. Rae1 Qd6 21. Rxe5 Qxe5 22. Re1 Qd5 23. Be4 Qxe4 24. Rxe4 Bxe4 25. d3 Bd5 26. Qd2 e5 27. c4 bxc4 28. bxc4 Bc6 29. g4 Ne3 30. Qf2 Rb8 31. Qe2 Nd1 32. Qxe5+ {1-0 Butanaev,V (1908)-Kravshenko,K (2134) Abaza op 2012 (3)}) 11. Kh1 {[%eval -110,19]} (11. Qe2 $15 {[%eval -33,19]}) 11... Rc8 {[%eval -51,20]} (11... h5 $1 $17 {[%eval -110,19][%cal Rh5h4]} 12. Ne2 Nf6 (12... h4 $19 {SF17} 13. h3 Nf6 14. e5 Nh5 15. a4 g5 {SF17- vk})) 12. c3 {[%eval -86,21]} (12. a4 $15 {[%eval -51,20]}) 12... Nf6 {[%eval -35,19]} (12... h5 $1 $17 {[%eval -86,21][%cal Rh5h4] ...h4 is the strong threat.} 13. h3 h4 (13... f5 14. exf5 h4 15. Ne2 gxf5 16. Bxf5 Qc6 17. Rf3 Nh6 18. Bc2 Qd6 19. Qf1 O-O $19 {SF17-vk})) 13. f5 $2 {[%eval -219,20] [#]} (13. Qf3 $15 {[%eval -35,19]}) 13... O-O $2 {[%eval -58,19]} (13... h5 $1 $19 {[%eval -219,20] aiming for ...h4.} 14. Qf3 e6 (14... h4 15. Ne2 gxf5 16. Qxf5 h3 17. Rf2 (17. cxd4 hxg2+ 18. Kxg2 Rh4 $19) 17... Rc5 18. Qf4 Bh6 19. Qb8+ Rc8 20. Qe5 dxc3 21. Rxf6 Qxf6 22. Qxf6 exf6 $19 {SF17-vk}) 15. fxg6 fxg6) 14. Qe2 {[%eval -116,21]} (14. e5 $15 {[%eval -58,19]} Nd5 15. Qe2) 14... Rc5 {[%eval -11,20]} (14... h5 $17 {[%eval -116,21] Threatens to win with ...h4.} 15. a4 (15. Qe1 e5 16. Bc2 h4 17. Ne2 d3 18. Bxd3 h3 19. Ng3 d5 $19 {SF17-vk}) 15... h4) 15. a4 {[%eval -125,22]} (15. cxd4 $11 {[%eval -11,20] remains equal.} Rcc8 16. b3) 15... Re5 $17 {[%cal Of6e4]} 16. a5 {[%eval -152,23] [#]} (16. axb5 $142 {[%eval -105,21]} axb5 17. Qf2) 16... Qa7 $1 17. Qf2 {[%eval -196,22]} (17. b3 $17 {[%eval -146,23]}) 17... Nxe4 {[%eval -143,24]} (17... Bxe4 $19 {[%eval -196,22]} 18. Qxd4 Qxd4 19. cxd4 Bxd3 20. dxe5 Ng4) 18. Bxe4 Bxe4 19. cxd4 Rd5 {[%eval 88,24]} (19... Rxf5 $1 $19 {[%eval -173,23]} 20. Nxf5 Bxf5) 20. Nxe4 Bxd4 {[%eval 349,22][%mdl 8192]} (20... Rxf5 $16 {[%eval 77,23]} 21. Qe2 Rxf1+ 22. Qxf1 Qxd4) 21. Qh4 $18 Re5 {[%eval 498,23]} (21... Bg7 {[%eval 342,22] was necessary.} 22. d3 Qd4 23. Qxe7 Rxf5) 22. Ng5 {[%eval 273,5]} (22. d3 $142 {[%eval 498,23]}) 22... h5 23. d3 Bf2 24. Qh3 Rxf5 25. Ne4 d5 {[%eval 445,24]} (25... Qd4 $142 {[%eval 308,26]} 26. Bd2 (26. Rxf2 Rxf2 27. Nxf2 Qxf2 $16) 26... b4) 26. Ng3 ({Less strong is} 26. Nxf2 Rxf2 27. Be3 Rxf1+ 28. Rxf1 d4 $18) 26... Re5 27. Bh6 {[%cal Bc1h6,Bh6f4,Bf4e5][%mdl 32] And now Rac1 would win.} Re8 28. Bf4 Bxg3 29. Qxg3 ({Resist} 29. Bxg3 Re3 30. Rae1 Rxe1 31. Rxe1 Rd8 $18) 29... Re2 {[%eval 784,25]} (29... Rf5 {[%eval 296,23]} 30. Bg5 Qd7) 30. Qf3 {[%csl Bd5,Be2]} Rxb2 31. Be5 {Weighted Error Value: White=0.55/Black=0.81} 1-0

[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[White "Loe, Alex"]
[Black "Van Kemenade, R."]
[Site "?"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[Annotator "Van Kemenade,Rudy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.12.19"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "1461"]
[BlackElo "1896"]
[PlyCount "140"]
[GameId "2124847848341538"]
[EventDate "2024.12.20"]

{[%evp 0,11,17,17,-5,20,-5,21,20,-16,5,-13,1,-9]} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. d3 (4. Bc4) (4. Nxe5 {main lines}) 4... d6 (4... d5 {main}) 5. h3 c6 (5... h6 {main}) 6. Bd2 Nbd7 7. Be2 Nf8 {It is a Ruy Lopez reversed, with the centre closed Bl can afford to to rearrange pieces, aiming at f4} 8. a3 (8. O-O h6 9. Nh2 g5 10. Ng4 Ng6 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. Bg4 Nf4 {Cresswell-Van Kemenade, 4NCL 2024,1/2-1/2}) 8... Ba5 9. Na4 $146 (9. b4 Bc7 {1-3 Van Kemenade, internet games}) (9. O-O h6 {3-19 Van Kemenade}) 9... Bc7 {reserves the B till later} 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 Ng6 $17 13. Nd2 h5 (13... Nf4 14. Bf3 h5 (14... Be6 {Sf17})) 14. Nf3 h4 15. Bh2 Nh5 $5 {hoping to catch the K in the middle, but based on a slight miscalculation} 16. Nxh4 $2 (16. Nxe5 {expected} Ngf4 17. Bxh5 {seen by Bl after playing Nh5} dxe5 18. Bf3 b5 19. Nc3 Be6 {Bl has some compensation for the pawn}) 16... Nxh4 17. Bxh5 Nxg2+ (17... b5 $1 {SF17} 18. g3 (18. Nc3 Nxg2+ 19. Kf1 Bxh3 20. Kg1 g4 21. Bxg4 Rg8 22. Bg3 Bxg4 23. Qd2 Nf4 $19) 18... Ng2+ 19. Kd2 bxa4 20. Qf3 Qe7 21. Bg4 Bxg4 22. hxg4 Ba5+ 23. c3 Rb8 24. Rab1 Qe6 25. Qxg2 Qa2 $19 {SF17}) 18. Kf1 (18. Kd2 g4 19. Bxg4 Qg5+ 20. Kc3 b5 $19 {SF17}) 18... Bxh3 19. Kg1 g4 $1 (19... Qd7 {keeping the extra pawn and ready to ..0-0-0, afterthought}) (19... Qf6 {pm suggestion} 20. Bg4 Bxg4 21. Qxg4 Nf4 22. Bxf4 Rxh1+ 23. Kxh1 Qxf4 24. Qxf4 exf4 $19 {SF17}) 20. Bxg4 Qg5 {Bl was hoping for a quick win here} (20... Rg8 {is an alternative, when SF17 gives up the Q as best} 21. Bxh3 (21. Qf3 Bxg4 (21... Nf4 22. Bxf4 Bxg4 23. Qg2 exf4 (23... Qf6 24. Bg3 Bf3 25. Rh6 Qxh6 26. Qxf3 Qh3 $19) 24. f3 Qf6 25. fxg4 Qd4+ 26. Kf1 Qxa4 $19 {SF17}) 22. Qxg2 Qf6 23. c4 O-O-O $19 {SF17}) 21... Ne3+ 22. Bg3 Nxd1 23. Rxd1 Qg5 24. Kg2 Ke7 25. Bf5 Rh8 $19 {SF17}) 21. Qf3 {missed by Bl} (21. Bg3 Bxg4 22. Rxh8+ Kd7 23. Rxa8 Bxd1 24. Rxd1 Nf4 $19 {calculated by Bl} (24... Ne3 $1 {SF17})) 21... Qxg4 (21... Ne3 $1 {considered by Bl and pm analysis} 22. fxe3 (22. Qxe3 Qxg4+ 23. Qg3 Qh5 $19) 22... Bxg4 23. Qg3 b5 {SF17} (23... Rh3 {this idea missed as the B was occupying this square earlier} 24. Qg2 Qxe3+ 25. Qf2 Qh6 26. Rf1 Bf3 $19) 24. Nc3 Rh3 (24... Bb6 25. Nd1 Rh3) 25. Qg2 Qxe3+ 26. Qf2 Qg5 $19 {SF17 and Bl has too many threats}) (21... Bxg4 22. Qxg2 Kd7 23. c4 Rag8 24. Bg3 Rxh1+ 25. Qxh1 Qf6 26. Qh4 Qxh4 27. Bxh4 Bd1+ 28. Bg3 Bxa4 $19 {SF17}) (21... Ne1 {considered briefly by Bl, 3rd line of SF17} 22. Rxe1 Bxg4 23. Qg2 b5 24. Nc3 O-O-O 25. d4 Qh5 26. Bg3 Qxh1+ 27. Qxh1 Rxh1+ 28. Kxh1 Bf3+ 29. Kg1 Rh8 30. Bh2 exd4 $19 {SF17}) 22. Qxg4 Bxg4 23. Kxg2 Bh3+ 24. Kf3 $15 Ke7 (24... O-O-O) (24... b5 25. Nc3 Kd7 $15 {SF17}) 25. Rag1 Raf8 (25... b5 26. Nc3 a5 $11 {SF17, but Bl does have two Bs and Wh still has to disentangle the K side}) 26. Rg3 $2 {leaves a K looking at a R and a loose R on h1 as well} (26. Ke2 f5 27. exf5 Bxf5 28. Bg3 b5 29. Nc3 Bb6 30. Rh4 $11 {SF17, but there is still a lot of play left}) 26... f5 $19 (26... Rh7 27. Nc3 Be6 28. Kg2 Rfh8 29. Nd1 b5 30. Ne3 Bb6 $19 {SF17- the Wh pieces are uncoordinated, but Bl still has to work for the win}) 27. exf5 Bxf5 28. Ke3 (28. Kg2) (28. Ke2 {both look safer, however it is similar to the text}) 28... Rh4 29. Nc3 d5 (29... Bb6+ {considered by Bl} 30. Ke2 Bg4+ 31. f3 Rxf3 $1 {SF17} 32. Rxf3 Rh3 33. Rhf1 Rxh2+ 34. Kd1 (34. Ke1 Bxf3 35. Rxf3 Rxc2) 34... Rh3 35. Ke2 d5 $19 {SF17}) 30. Rg7+ Rf7 {simplest} (30... Kd8 31. Rxc7 d4+ 32. Ke2 dxc3 33. Rxb7 Bg4+ 34. Ke1 Bc8 35. Rb8 Rfh8 36. bxc3 Rxh2 $19 {SF17}) 31. Rxf7+ Kxf7 32. Ne2 Bb6+ 33. Kd2 (33. Kf3 e4+ 34. Kg2 (34. Kg3 Rg4+ 35. Kh3 Rg8+ 36. Kh4 Bd8+ 37. Kh5 Rh8# {SF17- partially seen in pm analysis})) (33. d4 Bxc2 (33... Bxd4+) (33... exd4+)) 33... Bxf2 $19 34. c3 Bg4 35. b4 Bf3 36. Bg3 {Bl paused for thought and again got into confusion} Bxg3 {given as best by SF17} (36... Bxh1 37. Bxf2 Rh2 38. Bg1 Rh3 {3rd line - the exchange and extra pawn must win}) (36... Rxh1 37. Bxf2 Bxe2 38. Kxe2 Ra1 (38... Rh2 39. Kf3 Rxf2+ 40. Kxf2 Kf6 {is a winning K & P ending}) 39. Bxa7 Rxa3 $19 {SF17} 40. Bb8 Ke6 41. c4 dxc4 42. dxc4 Rc3 $19) 37. Rf1 e4 $2 {forgetting about the other B} (37... Bf4+ {This had actually featured in Bl's calculations} 38. Nxf4 Rxf4 $19) 38. dxe4 dxe4 39. Nxg3 Ke6 40. Ke3 Kd5 (40... Ke5 {should still be winning as the B R can aim at the c3 pawn, and the Wh N is kept on a leash} 41. Ne2 (41. Rf2 Rh3 42. Nf1 Bg4+ 43. Kd2 Rd3+ 44. Kc2 e3 $1 {SF17} 45. Nxe3 Rxe3 $19) (41. Rc1 Rh2 42. a4 Rg2 {and its mateif the N moves}) 41... Rh3 42. Nf4 Rg3 43. Ne2 Bxe2+ 44. Kxe2 Rxc3 $19 {SF17}) 41. Nf5 Rh2 (41... Rh3 $1 {endgames are quite frequently full of tactics, but they still need to be found.} 42. Kf4 (42. Kd2 Ke5 (42... Kc4 43. Nd6+ Kd5 (43... Kb3 44. Nxb7 e3+ 45. Kd3 e2 46. Nc5+ Kxa3 47. Re1 Kb2 48. Kd2 $11) 44. Nxb7 Rh2+ 45. Ke3 Ke5 46. Re1 Rc2 47. c4 Ra2 48. Nc5 Rxa3+ 49. Kf2 Rc3 $19)) 42... Kc4 43. Nd6+ Kd3 44. Nxb7 Ke2 45. Rb1 Rh4+ 46. Ke5 e3 $19 {SF17}) 42. Nd4 Ra2 {missing that the Wh K can get back to d3 in this sequence} (42... Kc4 {keeps the R in reserve} 43. Nxf3 exf3 44. Rxf3 Kxc3 45. Ke4+ Kb2 46. Rf7 b5 47. Rxa7 Rh3 48. Ra6 Rxa3 49. Rxc6 Kb3 50. Kd3 Ra2 $1 $19 {SF17-and the Wh K is prevented from getting in front of the last pawn}) (42... Rh3 {SF17} 43. Kf4 (43. Kd2 e3+ 44. Kc2 Ke4 $19 (44... Be4+ 45. Kb3 Bd3 46. Rf7 Bc4+ 47. Kb2 Rh2+ 48. Kc1 Bd3 49. Rf4 Rh1+ 50. Kb2 Rb1+ 51. Ka2 Rf1 $19 {SF17})) 43... Kc4 $19 {SF17}) 43. Nxf3 exf3 44. Rxf3 Kc4 (44... Rxa3 45. Kd3 {with all the pawns on the same side should be drawn- unusual in that it is almost all the time that this kind of postion happens on the k side}) 45. Rf7 Rxa3 (45... Kxc3 46. Rxb7 (46. Rc7 Rxa3 47. Rxb7 {transposes})) 46. Rxb7 Rxc3+ (46... Kxc3 47. Rc7 (47. Rb8 Kc4+ 48. Kd2 a5 49. bxa5 Rxa5 50. Rh8 $11 {with the K able to get in front it is a standard draw, provided that Wh knows that the R belongs on the third rank , keeping the Bl K away from there}) 47... Kxb4+ 48. Kd4 Kb5 {is better for Bl but is still a book draw}) 47. Kd2 Ra3 48. Kc2 Ra2+ 49. Kb1 Ra4 50. Kc2 Ra2+ 51. Kb1 Ra3 52. Kc2 Rc3+ 53. Kb2 {any K move draws} Rb3+ 54. Kc2 a5 55. Rc7 (55. Rb6 {is a simpler way to draw} a4 56. Rxc6+ Kxb4 57. Rb6+ Ka3 58. Ra6 {though with any other than a R's pawn this position would be a win for Bl}) 55... Rc3+ 56. Kb2 Kxb4 57. Rb7+ Kc4 {This is generally drawn , but as Muller & Lamprecht 2001:201 point out " much depends on how far advanced the white pawns are" and further " However if he starts from a normal position,the attacker usually cannot confine the defending king to the back rank" 202. Fine 1941:323 cites the famous Marshall-Rubinsten San Sebastian 1911, 1/2-1/2 as his example. There is a lot of play left and the player with the two pawns can play on hopefully for a long time- Keres 1973 spends pages 142-146 on various strategies for both sides.} 58. Ra7 Rb3+ 59. Kc2 (59. Ka2 {may be easier to defend- if Bl gives up the a pawn to keep the K cut off, then the Wh K is on the short side of the pawn, which will limit the amount of times the Bl R can check the K without being driven away by that K}) 59... Rb5 60. Ra6 c5 61. Ra7 Kb4 62. Rh7 {Bl though the Wh R would best be to stay behind the pawns, but it is still ok to return} c4 63. Rh4 $2 (63. Rg7 $11) (63. Kb2 $11 {Hooper 1970 : 151 gives as advice that the K should stay on this square until forcibly driven away}) (63. Rh8 $11 {best square for the R- Hooper}) 63... Rg5 $19 64. Kb2 (64. Rh2 a4 65. Kb2 a3+ 66. Ka2 Rg4 67. Rf2 c3 68. Rf7 c2 69. Rb7+ Kc3 70. Rc7+ Rc4 {Syzygy Endgame tablebases}) 64... Rg2+ (64... a4 {also}) 65. Kb1 a4 {Syzygy} (65... Kb3 {SF17}) 66. Ka1 Rd2 (66... Kb3) (66... a3) 67. Rh8 c3 68. Rb8+ Ka3 {Syzygy} (68... Kc4 69. Rc8+ Kb3 70. Rb8+ Kc2 {SF17}) 69. Rb7 (69. Kb1 Rb2+ 70. Ka1 Rb4 71. Rc8 Kb3 72. Kb1 a3 73. Ra8 c2+ 74. Kc1 a2) 69... Rd1+ 70. Rb1 c2 0-1

[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[White "Bailey, Adrian"]
[Black "Cosens, Paul"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[Annotator "Van Kemenade,Rudy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.12.19"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "1761"]
[BlackElo "1737"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[GameId "2124935408509214"]
[EventDate "2024.12.20"]

{[%evp 0,67,11,41,14,19,23,12,26,11,28,25,24,20,18,31,89,56,88,84,78,85,73,36,-74,89,92,66,-13,30,92,49,66,-65,55,58,69,48,41,-16,58,99,87,99,89,78,97,79,105,-9,135,144,127,139,239,129,348,338,353,249,339,278,310,299,420,339,462,238,333,299]} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 {main} (4. Bg5 Bb7 5. e3 h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Nbd2 c5 $15 {Smith-Cosens, Oswestry ch rd1 2024,0-1}) 4... Bb7 (4... Ba6 {This has become more popular than the original Bb7}) 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 {main} (7. d5 exd5 8. Nh4 (8. Nd4 {is an interesting sacrifice line})) 7... c5 (7... Ne4 {main}) (7... d5) 8. d5 {After this Bl suffers from a space disadvantage with the QB shut out of the game; 73% for Wh} exd5 9. cxd5 d6 10. e4 Nbd7 11. Nd2 (11. Re1 $16 {main}) (11. e5 $16 {scores better but perhaps too early a break}) 11... Re8 (11... Ba6 {Cloud Engines} 12. Re1 Ne5 13. a4 $16 {SF17} (13. f4 Nd3 14. Re3 Nxc1 15. Rxc1 $16 {1 game each})) 12. f4 a6 13. Re1 Bf8 14. a4 Qc7 15. Nf3 (15. Nc4 $16 {is the main idea behind Nd2- from here the N stifles Q side play by Bl as well as supporting a potential e5 break( and leaves the wh B diagonal open}) 15... Rad8 (15... c4 $11 {SF17}) 16. Qc2 (16. b3 $16 {SF17}) 16... c4 17. Be3 Nc5 18. Bxc5 $6 {weakens the bl squares} (18. Nd2 Nd3 19. Re2 Ng4 20. Bd4 Be7 21. Kh1 Bf6 22. Bg1 $16 {SF17}) 18... Qxc5+ 19. Kh1 (19. Qf2 Rc8 20. Qxc5 Rxc5 $11 {SF17}) 19... b5 {but this advance costs a pawn} (19... g6 20. Qd2 Bg7 21. h3 Nd7 $15 {SF17- Wh's pawn centre could become weak since there is no clear way to getting it to advance}) 20. axb5 axb5 21. Ra5 Ng4 22. h3 (22. Rxb5 Qa7 (22... Nf2+ 23. Kg1 $18) 23. Re2 $18 {SF17}) 22... Nf2+ 23. Kh2 Nd3 24. Re2 (24. Rb1 $14) 24... f5 (24... Qc7 $11 {Sf17} 25. Rxb5 Ba6 26. Nd4 Bxb5 27. Ncxb5 Qc5 28. b3 Rc8 29. bxc4 Qxc4 30. Qd1 Nb4 31. Rb2 $11) 25. Rxb5 $18 (25. Ng5 $18 {SF17}) 25... Qc7 26. Nd4 Bc8 27. Nc6 (27. Ne6 Bxe6 28. dxe6 Rxe6 29. exf5 $18 {SF17}) (27. exf5 $18 {SF17}) 27... Rd7 28. exf5 (28. b3) 28... Rxe2 29. Qxe2 (29. Nxe2 {SF17-sends the N to e6}) 29... Rf7 30. Ne4 Rxf5 (30... h6) 31. Ng5 Rf6 32. Ra5 (32. Rb8 {SF17}) 32... Qb6 33. Ra7 (33. Qe8 Qc7 34. Ra8 $18 {SF17}) 33... Bb7 34. Qe4 (34. Ne7+ Bxe7 35. Qxe7 Nc5 36. Ne6 $1 Nxe6 37. Rxb7 $18 {SF17}) 34... g6 35. Qxc4 Nxb2 36. Qa2 (36. Qc3 Rf5 37. Qd4 Qxd4 38. Nxd4 $18 {SF17}) 36... Nd3 37. Ne6 (37. Qa1 Bg7 38. Qa5 $18 {SF17}) 37... Rf7 38. Ned8 Rd7 39. Ne6 Nc5 40. Nxf8 (40. Ra8 Bxa8 41. Qxa8 Rf7 42. Ne7+ Kh8 43. Nxf8 Kg7 44. Qa1+ Kxf8 45. Nc8 $18 {SF17- meanwhile Wh's B on g2 has done an excellent job of safeguarding the K}) 40... Kxf8 41. Qa1 Kg8 42. Ra2 Bxc6 {accerates the end, but the Bl pieces have been passive for quite some time- except for the N which has been on a longish odyssey all on its own} 43. dxc6 Rg7 44. Bd5+ $1 1-0

[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[Site "Gresford Trust Memorial Hall"]
[Date "2025.01.21"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[White "Sadler, Paul"]
[Black "Fisher, Peter S"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Van Kemenade,Rudy"]
[ECO "B93"]
[WhiteElo "1575"]
[BlackElo "1600"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[GameId "2136865124137312"]
[EventDate "2025.01.21"]

{[%evp 0,39,15,20,13,13,25,10,18,15,22,23,24,3,37,60,59,44,42,63,106,118,133,133,133,135,120,112,75,107,118,77,136,63,108,25,22,22,8,24,20,59]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 (2. Nc3 d6 3. f4 e6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 7. d3 g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. f5 {Sadler-Evans, Oswestry ch rd1,2024,1-0}) 2... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 (6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 b5 9. a3 Bb7 10. f3 O-O 11. Qe1 Qc7 12. Qg3 Re8 13. Bh6 Bf8 14. Bg5 Be7 $11 {Hirst-Fisher, N Wales Congress 2019,1-0}) (6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. e5 Nd5 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Bd3 dxe5 13. fxe5 Qb4 (13... Qh4+ $11) 14. O-O O-O 15. Rae1 Qxb2 16. Nxd5 (16. Qh3 $16) 16... exd5 17. Qh5 g6 18. Qh6 Bg4 (18... Ra7 $15) 19. Rf4 $11 {McLean-Fisher, 4NCL 2024,1-0}) 6... Bg4 (6... e5 7. Nf3 Nbd7 {main}) 7. Be2 Bxe2 (7... e5 $5 {Cloud Engines, 1 game each}) 8. Qxe2 e6 (8... g6 {Cloud Engines} 9. Be3 $16 {2-0}) 9. Be3 Be7 10. O-O-O $18 (10. O-O $14 {3-1}) 10... Qc7 11. g4 Nc6 12. g5 Nd7 13. f5 $6 {[%eval 64,14]} (13. Rhg1 {[%eval 104,14]} Nc5 14. f5 Ne5 15. Qh5 g6 16. Qe2 gxf5 17. exf5 O-O-O 18. Kb1 Kb8 19. Bf4 Rhg8 20. h4 Rc8) 13... Nxd4 14. Rxd4 Ne5 15. h4 b5 16. a3 (16. fxe6 fxe6 17. Qh5+ g6 18. Qd1 $11 {Poschmann-Schanzenbach}) (16. Kb1 $18 {SF17}) 16... Rc8 17. Rhd1 $6 {[%eval 0,18]} (17. Rf1 {[%eval 56,14]} Qa5 18. Na2 (18. Kb1 $18 {SF17}) 18... Nc4 19. fxe6 fxe6 20. Rdd1 (20. Rd3 $16 {SF17}) 20... Nxe3 {[Qxe3 definite plus for Wh-SF17]} (20... b4 21. Rd3 bxa3 22. b4 Qb5 $17 {SF17})) 17... Nc4 18. R4d3 Ne5 (18... Qb7 $11 {SF17}) 19. R3d2 (19. Bd4 $1 Nxd3+ 20. Rxd3 O-O 21. f6 Bd8 22. fxg7 Re8 23. Kb1 $16 {SF17, but looks risky to human eye}) 19... Nc4 20. Rd3 1/2-1/2


[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[White "Van Kemenade, J."]
[Black "Atherton, Marcus"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[Annotator "Van Kemenade,Rudy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2025.01.09"]
[ECO "B23"]
[WhiteElo "1636"]
[BlackElo "1538"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[GameId "2132416789822885"]
[EventDate "2025.??.??"]
[SourceVersionDate "2025.01.10"]

{[%evp 0,15,24,12,25,0,25,14,9,7,1,0,44,27,56,61,67,14]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4 g6 (3... Nc6 4. Bb5 Bd7 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. O-O a6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. d3 g6 9. Kh1 Bg7 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Rb1 O-O 12. Nd2 Nd7 13. Rf3 {Bryant-Atherton, Oswestry ch rd1, 2024,1-0}) 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 Nd7 {6.5-0.5} (5... Nc6 {main, 7553}) 6. d3 Ngf6 7. O-O Nb6 $146 (7... O-O 8. Qe1 $16 {2-0}) 8. Bb5+ (8. Bb3 O-O $16 {3-1}) (8. e5 {SF17} Ng4 (8... dxe5 9. fxe5 Ng4 10. Bf4 O-O (10... Nxc4 11. dxc4 Qxd1 12. Raxd1 Be6 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. Rxd5 b6 15. h3 Nh6 16. Rfd1 O-O 17. Rd7 $18 {SF17})) 9. Bb3 dxe5 10. h3 e4 11. Nxe4 Nh6 (11... Nf6 12. Nxc5) 12. c3 Qc7 13. Be3 Nd7 14. Nh4 O-O 15. f5 $18 {SF17}) 8... Bd7 (8... Nfd7 9. a4 a6 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. Qe1 b6 12. Bd2 Bb7 13. Qh4 e5 14. Qf2 Qe7 15. h4 O-O (15... O-O-O 16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 f5 18. Ng5 $16) 16. h5 $14 {SF17}) 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 (9... Nbxd7 10. Qe1 O-O 11. Qh4 e6 12. Qh3 $16 {SF17}) 10. Ne2 (10. Qe1 O-O 11. a4 $16 {SF17}) 10... O-O-O {usually riskier than 0-0, as there is more empty space to defend and here is no exception. in addition Bl would be happier with a N on c6, rather than a target on b6} 11. c3 (11. a4 $1 $18 {SF17} Na8 12. a5 Nc7 13. Rb1 Kb8 14. b4 c4 15. Bb2 Rhg8 16. Kh1 Rc8 17. Bxf6 (17. Bd4) 17... Bxf6 18. dxc4 $18 {the Wh pawns will open up the Bl K position}) 11... Kb8 12. a4 Ne8 13. a5 Na8 (13... Nc8 {looks a little better, but} 14. b4 {SF17} cxb4 15. Rb1 bxc3 16. Be3 a6 17. Nfd4 Nf6 18. Nxc3 Ng4 19. Rxb7+ Qxb7 (19... Kxb7 20. Qb3+ Ka8 21. Rb1 Na7 22. Qd5+ Nc6 23. Rb6 $18 {SF17}) 20. Qxg4 $18 {SF17 The open file will decide as Wh has all pieces aimed at the K, while Bl's Rs are not taking part}) 14. Rb1 (14. a6 {SF17, but then shows how Bl can dig in} b6 15. d4 Nac7 16. Qb3 Rf8 17. Rd1 Qb5 18. Qc2 Nxa6 19. dxc5 bxc5 20. Be3 Rd7 21. Ra4 Rb7 22. b3 Nec7 23. Nc1 Kc8 $14) 14... Qb5 {trying to hold up the pawn advance, but Qs are not good blockaders as they become targets themselves} (14... Nac7 15. b4 Ka8 16. Qb3 cxb4 17. Qxb4 Na6 18. Qb3 f5 19. Be3 Rb8 20. c4 $18 {the Bl pieces are uncoordinated, with the h R offside}) 15. b4 c4 $5 {keeps the B file closed for the moment, but Wh will return down it eventually} 16. Nfd4 Qh5 (16... Qa6 17. b5 Qxa5 18. Be3 Nb6 19. Ra1 {the a file will be just as dangerous} Bxd4 20. Bxd4 $1 (20. Rxa5 Bxe3+ 21. Kh1 $18 {less powerful}) 20... Qxb5 21. dxc4 Qxc4 22. Bxh8 f6 23. Nd4 Rc8 24. e5 $18) 17. Nf3 (17. dxc4 {prevents the Q return to the Q side} Nf6 {Ng4 is no real threat} 18. a6 $18 e5 (18... Nxe4 19. axb7 Kxb7 20. Qd3 Nf6 21. f5 $18) 19. axb7 exd4 20. bxa8=Q+ Kxa8 21. Ra1) 17... Nf6 18. Ng3 (18. h3 {SF17} Nc7 19. e5 dxe5 20. Ng3 Qh6 21. fxe5 g5 22. Bxg5 Qg6 23. exf6 $18) 18... Qb5 19. Nd4 Qd7 (19... Qa6 20. Be3 (20. Qa4 b5 21. Qxb5+ (21. Nxb5 Nb6 22. Qa2 Qxb5 23. axb6 Qxb6+ 24. d4 $18 {but not the best}) 21... Qxb5 22. Nxb5 cxd3 23. Nd4 Rc8 24. b5 Rc4 25. Nc6+ Kc8 26. Rd1 Nxe4 27. Nxe4 Rxe4 28. Rxd3 Nc7 29. Be3 $18) 20... Nd7 21. Qa4 Bxd4 22. Bxd4 b5 23. Qa2 e5 24. fxe5 dxe5 25. Be3 Qe6 26. dxc4 Qxc4 27. Qxc4 bxc4 28. Rxf7 $18) 20. dxc4 $18 (20. b5 Rc8 21. dxc4 Rxc4 22. e5 Nd5 23. Nc6+ Rxc6 24. Qxd5 Rcc8 25. b6 $18 {SF17}) 20... h5 21. Re1 (21. b5 h4 22. Nc6+ (22. e5 hxg3 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Nc6+) 22... Kc7 (22... Kc8 23. Nxa7+ Kc7 24. e5 dxe5 25. b6+ Kb8 26. Qxd7 Nxd7 27. Ne4 exf4 28. c5 Bh6 29. c6 $18) 23. Nxd8 Kxd8 24. e5 dxe5 25. fxe5 Ng4 26. e6 Qxd1 27. Rxd1+ Kc8 28. Ne4 fxe6 29. b6 $18 {SF17}) 21... h4 22. Nf1 e5 23. Nb5 (23. Nf3 h3 24. fxe5 hxg2 25. Ne3 dxe5 26. Qxd7 Rxd7 27. Nd5 Nxd5 28. exd5 f6 29. Be3 $18 {Sf17}) 23... a6 (23... Nc7 24. Qxd6 Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Rxd6 26. fxe5 Rd3 27. exf6 Bxf6 28. e5 Bg7 29. Bd2 h3 30. g3 Rhd8 31. Re2 $18 {SF17}) 24. Na3 (24. Qxd6+ Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Rxd6 26. fxe5 Rd3 27. exf6 Bxf6 28. Bf4+ Kc8 29. e5 Bg7 30. Rbd1 Rxc3 31. Nd2 Rf8 32. Ne4 Rc2 33. Nd6+ Kb8 34. Nf5 $1 {the followup is rather tricky to calculate though} gxf5 35. e6+ Kc8 36. exf7 Nc7 37. Re7 Rxc4 38. Bxc7 Bf6 39. Re8+ $18 {SF17}) 24... Qc6 (24... h3 25. g3 Nc7 26. b5 Ka8 27. bxa6 Nxa6 28. Nb5 $18 {SF17}) 25. Qe2 (25. Qf3 {is shown to be a better square in the continuation}) (25. b5 $1 axb5 (25... Qc5+ 26. Be3 $1 Qxa3 27. bxa6 Rd7 28. axb7 Rxb7 29. Ra1 Qb3 30. Qxd6+ Kc8 31. Qc6+ Nc7 32. a6 $18 {Bl's K side pieces are not taking part}) 26. Nxb5 Nxe4 27. a6 Nb6 28. Rxe4 Qxe4 29. a7+ Kc8 (29... Ka8 30. Nc7+ Kxa7 31. Be3 Kb8 32. Bxb6 $18) 30. Qxd6 Rxd6 31. Nxd6+ Kc7 32. Nxe4 $18 {SF17}) (25. Be3 Nxe4 26. b5 axb5 27. Nxb5 (27. cxb5 Qd7 28. a6 b6 29. Qd3 f5 30. Nc2 exf4 31. Bxf4 Nc7 32. Nb4 Ka8 (32... Qxb5) (32... Nxb5 33. Nd5 $18) 33. Ne3 Qxb5 34. Nc4 $18 {SF17})) 25... exf4 26. Bxf4 Rhe8 27. Be3 (27. b5 $1 axb5 (27... Qc5+ 28. Be3 Qxa3 29. bxa6 Rxe4 (29... Re7 30. e5 dxe5 31. Qf3 e4 32. Qf2 Ng4 33. Qxh4 $18)) 28. Nxb5 Nxe4 29. a6 Nb6 30. Be3 Nc5 31. Nd4 Qc7 32. Qf3 $18 {SF17}) 27... Nxe4 28. b5 Qd7 (28... axb5 29. Nxb5 Nc7 30. Bb6 Nxc3 31. Bxc7+ Qxc7 32. Qxe8 Qxa5 33. Nxc3 Bxc3 (33... Rxe8 34. Rxe8+ Kc7 35. Nd5+ Kc6 36. Re7 Kc5 37. Rc7+ Kd4 38. Rd1+ Ke4 39. Nd2+ Ke5 40. Nf3+ {mating}) 34. Qxf7 $18 {SF17}) 29. bxa6 Nxc3 30. Qf3 Nxb1 31. Rxb1 b6 32. axb6 Rxe3 (32... d5 33. b7 Rxe3 34. Qxe3 Qe8 35. Qc5 $18) 33. a7+ (33. a7+ Qxa7 (33... Kc8 34. Qxa8#) 34. bxa7+ Kc7 35. Qb7#) 1-0

[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[White "Smith, Jonathan"]
[Black "Grice, Keith"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[Annotator "Van Kemenade,Rudy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Date "2024.11.28"]
[ECO "D53"]
[WhiteElo "1552"]
[BlackElo "1447"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[GameId "2117256594907656"]
[EventDate "2024.11.29"]

{[%evp 0,18,22,19,17,14,15,73,21,8,17,27,34,28,51,60,54,69,81,68,66]} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 c5 {a little risky this early} (6... O-O) (6... c6) (6... h6 {main lines}) 7. cxd5 {73% for Wh} exd5 (7... Nxd5 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Nxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Qxc5 11. Qd4 {9-3-0}) 8. dxc5 Bxc5 (8... Nxc5 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. O-O {7-5-3}) 9. Bb5 (9. Nxd5 Qa5+ 10. Nc3 Bb4 (10... Ne4 11. Qc2 Nxc3 12. bxc3 $16 {0-1}) (10... Ba3 11. Qb3 $18 {1-0}) 11. Qc2 {1-0}) 9... O-O (9... a6 10. Bxd7+ Bxd7 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Qxd5 {1-0}) 10. Nxd5 (10. O-O $16 Qb6 11. Bxd7 Bxd7 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Qxd5 Bc6 (13... Be6) 14. Qf5 h6 15. Bh4 Rfe8 16. Ne5 $18 {Izzo-Zechini,Milan Carnevale op 2015,1-0}) 10... Qa5+ 11. Nc3 Bb4 $11 12. Bxd7 Nxd7 (12... Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 Qxc3+ 14. Nd2 Bxd7 15. O-O $11 {expected by Wh}) 13. Qd2 (13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Ne5 15. Bf4 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qxc3 $11 {SF17}) 13... Nc5 14. O-O $2 {rather late} (14. Be7 $1 Re8 15. Bxc5 Bxc5 16. O-O Bb4 17. Rfc1 Bg4 18. Nd4 Qg5 19. Qc2 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rac8 21. Rab1 b6 $14 {SF17- pawn movements will be difficult in such an open board, so Wh's extra one is not easy to exploit, especially since it's a centre pawn}) 14... Ne6 (14... Ne4 $1 {seen by vk- wins material as the B on g5 is loose} 15. Nxe4 (15. Qd5 Nxc3 16. Qb3 Ne4 17. Bf4 Be6 $19) 15... Bxd2 16. Nexd2 Qb6 17. b3 h6 $19 {SF17}) 15. a3 (15. Bh4 Bxc3 16. Qxc3 Qxc3 17. bxc3 f6 18. Nd4 Bd7 19. Rfd1 Nc5 $14 {Bl has a bit of play against the split Wh Q side pawns, also with the opposite colour Bs on the board}) 15... Bxc3 (15... Nxg5 $1 16. axb4 (16. Nxg5 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxg5 $19) 16... Nxf3+ 17. gxf3 Qxb4 18. Rfd1 Be6 $11 {SF17}) 16. Qxc3 Qf5 {Bl should force the pawn weakness} (16... Qxc3 17. bxc3 f6 18. Bh4 Bd7 $11 {as in note to move 15; SF17 being given more time to examine now regards the position as being equal}) 17. Be7 Re8 18. Bb4 $16 (18. Bd6 $16) 18... Bd7 19. Nd4 (19. Qe5 $16) 19... Nxd4 20. Qxd4 Bc6 $14 {Bl has a lot of counterplay} (20... Re4 $14) 21. f3 a6 22. Bc3 Qg6 23. e4 Rad8 24. Qf2 Re6 25. Rad1 Rde8 (25... Rxd1 26. Rxd1 Rd6 27. Re1 (27. Rxd6 Qxd6 {frees the Bl Q for multiple chances}) 27... h6 $14 {SF17}) 26. Rfe1 (26. h4 $16) 26... Qh5 27. Re3 (27. Rd4 Qg6 28. h4 $16) 27... g5 (27... Bxe4 $5 {tries to exploit the loose R, but Wh has a tactical reply} 28. g4 Qg6 29. fxe4 Qxg4+ 30. Qg3 Qxd1+ 31. Re1 Qxe1+ 32. Qxe1 Rxe4 33. Qg3 f6 34. a4 $18 {SF17}) 28. g4 (28. h3 $18 {SF17- keeps the pawn structure a little better, for moving pawns up later}) 28... Qg6 29. Red3 $18 f6 30. Rd8 h5 31. Rxe8+ (31. h3) 31... Rxe8 32. gxh5 (32. Rd6 Rf8 33. h3 $18 {SF17}) 32... Qxh5 33. Rd6 $18 (33. Bxf6 Rxe4 34. Qg3 Re8 35. Kf2 Rf8 36. Rd8 Rxd8 37. Bxd8 Kf7 38. Bxg5 Qh8 $14 {SF17- the Wh K has to be protected with care}) 33... f5 34. Qd4 $1 Qh7 (34... Re7 35. Rd8+ Be8 36. Qf6 Qh7 37. Bb4 {SF17- and Bl loses material as the pieces are all bunched up}) 35. Qc4+ {this should be mating according to SF17} Kf8 (35... Qf7 36. Rg6+ Kf8 37. Qc5+ Re7 38. Rh6 Ke8 39. Qd6 Qg8 40. Bb4 Rh7 41. Qb8+ Kf7 42. Qc7+ Ke8 43. Qc8+ Kf7 44. Qe6+ Kg7 45. Qf6# {SF17 longest variation}) 36. Rf6+ Ke7 (36... Kg7 37. Qf7+ Kh8 38. Re6+ Qg7 39. Qxg7#) 37. Qe6+ Kd8 38. Qd6+ {allows the K to keep running} (38. Ba5+ {ends everything} b6 39. Bxb6+ Qc7 40. Qd6+ Bd7 41. Qxc7+ Ke7 42. Qd6#) 38... Kc8 (38... Qd7 39. Qb8+ Ke7 (39... Qc8 40. Ba5+ Ke7 41. Qd6#) 40. Qe5+ Kd8 41. Qa5+ Kc8 42. Qxf5 {SF17-winning with the extra pawns}) 39. Rh6 (39. Be5 {wins the exchange and exposes the K- vk & SF17} Rxe5 40. Qxe5 Qg8 41. Qe7 $18) 39... Qd7 40. exf5 (40. Qxd7+ Bxd7 (40... Kxd7 41. exf5 Bxf3 42. Rg6 g4 43. f6 Bd5 44. Rg7+ Ke6 45. Rxg4 $18) 41. e5 $18 {SF17-but it will take a while-Wh should avoid a R exchange unless it wins another pawn}) 40... Qxf5 {and suddenly Bl has got some attacking chances [Draw?]} 41. Be5 $2 {Wh replies with a blunder} (41. Rf6 Qd7 42. Qxd7+ Kxd7 43. Kf2 Rg8 $11 {SF17}) 41... Qxe5 $19 42. Qxe5 Rxe5 43. Rh8+ (43. Rf6 {Wh's chs just help the Bl K enter the game}) 43... Kd7 44. Rh7+ Kd6 45. Kf2 Rf5 46. Rh3 g4 47. Rh6+ Kd5 (47... Ke5) 48. h4 Rxf3+ 49. Ke2 Bb5+ 50. Kd2 Ke5 51. Rg6 g3 (51... Kf4 {helps the pawn advance}) 52. h5 Bd3 53. Rg5+ Kf6 (53... Kf4 54. Rg7 Be4 55. Rf7+ Kg4 56. Rg7+ Kxh5 57. Ke2 Rb3) 54. Rg4 Bh7 (54... Bf5 55. Rg8 (55. Rh4 g2) 55... Ke5 56. Re8+ Kf4 57. Rg8 Rf2+ 58. Kc3 Rh2 59. b4 g2 60. Rxg2 (60. h6 Bg4) 60... Rxg2 $19 {SF17}) 55. Ke2 Rb3 56. Rf4+ Kg7 (56... Ke5 57. Rf3 g2 {SF17}) (56... Kg5 {vk}) 57. Rg4+ Kh6 58. Rb4 Rxb4 59. axb4 Kxh5 0-1

[Event "Club Championship 2024/5"]
[White "Grocott-James, Al"]
[Black "Evans, Alf"]
[Site "?"]
[Round "Rd 3"]
[Annotator "Van Kemenade,Rudy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Date "2024.11.28"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "1431"]
[BlackElo "1391"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[GameId "2117236267487572"]
[EventDate "2024.11.29"]

{[%evp 0,19,11,25,14,23,25,15,15,7,13,-2,-5,-39,15,2,22,21,47,6,36,28]} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 {a line designed to keep the Q in a strong central position, even if it means giving up the two Bs} (4. Nxd4 {main}) 4... Nf6 (4... Nc6 5. Bb5) 5. Bg5 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. Nc3 e5 $16 {71% for Wh, chases Q but leaves the Bl position more static. and static positions tend to favour Ns} (8... e6 $11 {main, 53% for Wh, leaves Bl a bit more flexible in ways of using both Bs}) 9. Qd3 Be7 10. h3 (10. O-O-O {main}) (10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. O-O-O {Cloud Engines}) 10... O-O (10... Nxe4 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Nxe4 d5 13. Ned2 e4 14. Qe3 exf3 15. Qxe7+ Kxe7 16. Nxf3 a5 $11 {SF17- relying on its defensive capacities, but Bl will have difficulties in practice with an isolated QP , and a bad B}) 11. O-O-O h6 12. Be3 {with the centre static, Wh aims for a pawnstorm on the flank} (12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Kb1 (13. Qxd6 Qxd6 14. Rxd6 Be7 15. Rd3 f5 16. Re1 $14) 13... Qb6 14. Qe2 $14 {SF17}) 12... a6 (12... b5 $1 {is more energetic- Bl can attack Wh's slightly more exposed Q side castling}) 13. Nh4 (13. g4 b5 (13... Bb5) 14. g5 hxg5 15. Bxg5 (15. Nxg5) 15... b4 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 (16... bxc3 $1 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Rhg1 Qb7 19. Qxc3 Bxe4 $17 {SF17}) 17. Nd5 Bb5 (17... Bxd5 18. Qxd5 Qb6 19. h4 $11 {SF17}) 18. Qe3 $16 {Kornath-Klemm, Berlin Unicorn op, 2007,1-0} (18. Qd2 $14 {Cabrera Piedra-Acosta, Jose Marti Memorial Jaguey Grande 2007,1-0})) 13... Qc7 $6 {Bl is too slow to react} (13... Nxe4 $1 {usually the best response to a side attack is to openup the middle} 14. Nxe4 Bxh4 15. Nxd6 Qf6 16. Qf5 Bxg2 $1 {looks dangerous, but engines are good at defending vigourously} 17. Rhg1 Bf3 18. Rd3 Rfd8 19. Qxf6 Bxf6 20. Bxh6 e4 21. Rd2 Be5 22. Nc4 (22. Nxb7 Rxd2 23. Bxd2 e3) 22... Rxd2 23. Nxd2 f5 24. Nxf3 exf3 25. Bd2 Kf7 $15 {SF17- a messy position, it seems that Wh's pawns on f2 and h3 are vulnerable}) 14. g4 $2 {it is always tricky leaving pieces hanging in mid air} (14. Nf5 Rfd8 15. g4 $16 {is the correct move order, when Wh has a very powerful attack} d5 16. Bb6 Qxb6 17. Nxe7+ Kh8 18. exd5 Rd7 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. d6 Qxf2 21. Rhf1 Qh4 22. Qe3 $16 {SF17}) 14... g5 $2 {and it is very dubious making unforced pawn moves when under attack, especially in the K position} (14... Nxe4 $1 $19 {SF17-makes use of the power of the two Bs} 15. Nd5 (15. Nxe4 Bxh4 16. g5 hxg5 17. Rhg1 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 f5 19. Qd5+ Rf7 20. Bxg5 Bxf2 21. Rgf1 Qc5 {SF17- the Bl pieces are far more active plus an extra pawn or two}) (15. Nf5 Nxc3 16. Qxc3 Rfc8 17. Rhg1 Bf8 $19 {SF17- Bl has a mobile centre and an extra pawn}) 15... Bxd5 16. Qxd5 Nc3 17. bxc3 Bxh4 18. Rd3 Rac8 19. Kd2 b5 $19 20. Qxd6 Qa5 21. Qb4 Qxa2 {SF17}) 15. Nf5 $18 Kh7 16. f3 (16. h4 {also}) 16... Rfd8 17. h4 Kg6 {suicidal, but Bl's K side is collapsing} (17... Bf8 18. hxg5 Ng8 19. Nd5 Qa5 20. Nf6+ Kh8 21. g6 fxg6 22. Bxh6 Nxf6 23. Bxf8+ (23. Bd2+) 23... Kg8 24. Qe3 {mating- the Bl K is too exposed and the Bl pieces are on the wrong side of the board}) 18. hxg5 hxg5 (18... Ng8 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5 {fails to defend}) 19. Rh6# 1-0