1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
Nc6
6.Bc4
e6
7.Be3
a6
8.Qe2
Be7
9.0-0-0
0-0
10.Bb3
Qc7
The starting point for the main line of the Velimirovic variation of the Sicilian Sozin which is one of the sharpest openings possible. I had not studied this for many many years now (maybe 20!) while I recall there was some interesting ideas deveoped in the 1990s leading among these was Shirov and indeed when I checked I found he had 7 wins out of 7 from this position. All with Black.
11.Rhg1
I think this has become the most popular move, but during the game I was trying hard to remember as much as I could about the various tactical considerations. I was unsure of the most exact or best order of moves.
11...b5
12.g4
Nxd4
13.Bxd4
Nd7
I started to use up a lot of time trying to understand and remember this position, and how best to proceed
14.g5
Nc5
15.Qh5
This is a standard idea but during the game I had thought that somehow the variation in which White re-captures on d4 with the rook instead of the bishop was more accurate and I rather liked Blacks chances in this line.
15...Bb7
It is vital for Black to control the d5 square
16.Rg4
Nxb3+
17.axb3
e5
The problem for Black with this position is that he has find plenty of only moves or risks getting mated. The problem for White is that this line of play is objectively fine for Black and White can soon run out of pieces with which to attack with.
18.Rh4
h6
It is amazing how such a simple move, which is a standard defense in this type of position, is so effective.
19.Rg1
\white goes for broke with this move
19...exd4!
20.gxh6
g6
21.Rxg6+
Kh8
22.Rg7
Qd7
So incredibly I discovered after the game that this has all been played before! I was busy telling my young oppoent that this whole position was just winning for Black from a good few critical moves back. Yet as it happens this position has been played before and ended in a draw between two very strong IM players. [22...Qc5?
23.Nd5
Bxd5
24.Qf5
Bxe4
25.Rh7+
Kg8
26.Rg4+
]
23.Rhg4?!
Here is the point at which David deviates, but although it is an understandable move it does nothing to help White avoid being much worse or lost. [23.Rf4
dxc3
24.h7
Bxe4
(24...cxb2+!?
25.Kb1
Bf6
26.Rg1
(26.Rg8+=
) 26...Bc3
27.Rfg4
Qxg4
28.Qxg4
a5
Looks good for Black 29.Rg3
b4
(29...Bd4
) ; 24...Bf6
25.Rg8+
Rxg8
26.hxg8Q+
Kxg8
27.Rxf6
cxb2+
28.Kb1=
) 25.Rg8+
Rxg8
26.hxg8Q+
Kxg8
27.Rxe4
cxb2+
28.Kb1
Bf6
29.Rg4+
Bg7?
Allows a draw (29...Kf8
30.Qh6+
Ke7
31.Re4+
Be5
32.f4
Qf5
33.Qh4+
f6
34.fxe5
dxe5
Should win for Black) 30.Rxg7+
Kxg7
31.Qg5+
Kh7
1/2-1/2 Nedev,T-Relange,E/Pula 1997/CBM 057 ext]
23...Bf6
24.Nd5
Bxd5
25.exd5
Qe7
26.Kb1
I now had about 5 minutes left and was expecting that I could wrap thngs up without too much trouble but I had to watch for some tactics. I nearly feel into trap here as I was thinking that I could end the game with Qe1 Qa5 followed my Rae8 and mate on e1. The problem is that I get mated myself!
26...Qe1+
[26...Qe5
This was the most direct and quickest way to to win. 27.Qh3
Qe1+
28.Ka2
Qa5+
29.Kb1
Rae8
Because White queen does not have immediate access to f5 30.Re4
Rxe4
31.Rh7+
Kg8!
]
27.Ka2
Qa5+
28.Kb1
Qe1+
[28...Rae8??
29.Rh7+
Kxh7
30.Qf5+
Kh8
31.Qxf6+
]
29.Ka2
Qe5
Black is still winning easily enough but the White king is a bit safer on A2 and Black now has just over three minutes left on the clock.
30.Qh3
d3
31.c3
Qxd5
I was now very worried about how little time I had now but somehow could not see White lasting much longer.
32.Rd4
A sign if desperation but all that matters now is to try distract Black
32...Bxd4
33.Qxd3
f5
34.Qg3
With the threat of Qg6 which is easily met.
34...Qe6
[34...Rg8!
This would have been the way to win easily even though Black had so little time now [about 2 minutes I think]]
35.cxd4
I had been thinking of playing Rf6 now and noticed that it even losses to Rh7 and g7 mate. so with now seconds to spare I rashly decided to take this pawn off the board for good. A big mistake and the only actual mistake by Black in the whole game.
35...Qxh6??
[35...Rg8!
Again this would have secured a winning position in which White could hardly survive for too much longer.; 35...Rf6
36.Rh7+
Kxh7
37.Qg7#
]
36.Rg6
Now the position is equal And I only have about a half a minute left!
36...Qh7??
Another error which even losses [36...Qh5
37.Qxd6?
(37.Rg5
Qh6
38.Rg6
Qh5
39.Rg5=
) 37...Kh7
38.Re6
Rf7
]
37.Qxd6
Rae8
38.Rh6
a5
And Black lost on time. An amazing reversal! 1-0