1.e4
Annotations by IM Eugene Perelshteyn of the Boston Blitz.
1...c5
2.Nf3
e6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
a6
5.Nc3
Qc7
6.g3
Bb4
7.Bd2
Nc6
Diagram [7...Nf6
8.Bg2
Nc6
is normally the move order here]
8.Nb3
Be7
Preparing d6 [8...Nf6
9.Bg2
transposes to main line]
9.Bg2
[9.f4
stops Ne5, followed by 10.Bg2. However, I didn't regard Ne5-c4 as a dangerous threat.]
9...Ne5
10.0-0
d6
[10...Nc4
is met by 11.Bc1
followed by Nd4 and b3]
11.Nd4!
activating the knight and at the same time preparing b3, a4
11...Nf6
12.b3
Bd7
13.a4
Rc8
14.a5
0-0
15.Na4
Nc6
16.Nxc6
Bxc6
17.Nb6
Rcd8
18.Qe2
d5?
Black probably missed 19.Bf4! [Correct was 18...Nd7
19.c4
where White has a slight edge]
19.Bf4!
Now black is forced to play e5, after which his Q-side collapses
19...e5
20.exd5
exf4
21.dxc6
bxc6
22.Qxa6
fxg3
23.hxg3
Bc5
24.Na4!
Ba7
25.Nb6
I decided to give up the pawn eliminating black's counter-play
25...Rb8
26.Qc4
Bxb6
27.axb6
Rxb6
28.Rfe1
White is clearly better
28...c5
29.Qc3
[29.Ra5
Re6
and black is holding on]
29...h5?!
creates an additional weakness
30.Re5
c4
[30...Rc8
31.Bh3
]
31.bxc4
[31.Ra4
felt as an even stronger move, yet weakening of the first rank seemed dangerous]
31...Rfb8
32.Rae1
Rb1
33.Bf3
Rxe1+
34.Rxe1
Rc8
It seems as black almost equalized, but
35.Rd1!
holds on to the extra pawn
35...Qc5
[35...Qxc4?
36.Rd8+
]
36.Kg2
Qf5
37.Rd4
Qg5
38.Qd3
Qa5
39.Bd5
aiming directly an the king, white's pieces start the offensive
39...Re8
40.Rf4
with idea Rxf6 and Qg6+ with mate
40...Qa1
[40...Qb6
41.c5!
Qd8
(41...Qxc5
42.Rxf6!
and etc.) 42.c4
and white is dominating]
41.c3
Qa6
42.Qd4
[42.Qg6
is met by 42...Re7
]
42...Re1
43.Qc5
Qa1
44.Qc7
It turns out that black really has no threats along 1st rank
44...Qxc3
45.Qxf7+
Kh7
46.Rf5
Kh6
47.Bf3!
simple and strong
47...Re5
48.Bxh5!
Kh7
49.Rxf6
Rg5
50.Rf5
1-0