This was not a perfect game by any means. But for sure it was exciting, and maybe even worth a couple of lines of explanation. Let me start off by saying that Larry and I have played quite a lot. First we played, many years ago, in these so-called Banter games on the World Chess Network. At the time I was not even an IM, and Larry got the better of it though I won what we could call my 'fair share'. Later on, WCN organized a match between the American and Canadian champion, and I was out of form and lost a lot of games without a fight. We have since played countless blitz games on ICC, and it's a pretty tough match. In any case, I have to say preparing for a game with Larry is the easiest thing I have ever done. I create a tree in chessbase, I see he plays every move imaginable, and I'm done.
1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
g6
This is my big surprise. I have had three games out of 4 with Black so far, and they have all reached this position. Okay, it's still a bit of a surprise because I have played lots of other things too.
6.Be2
Larry avoids the main complications. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to play it sharp.
6...Bg7
7.0-0
0-0
8.Nb3
I was unfamiliar with this move order, normally White waits until ...Nc6 (putting pressure on d4 or aiming for a trade) before going this way.
8...a6
An interesting move, I was still considering putting my Knight on d7, and the inclusion of a6 a4 can be useful for Black in some lines (for example, the main line with Nc6, Be6, white plays f4 and Be3, and Black plays . ..Na5-c4, well in this line (I hope I'm being clear!!) this favors Black.
9.a4
Nc6
I decided to revert to the normal path.
10.Bg5
Only to be slightly surprised by Larry's choice. Bg5 is a common idea though, White often plays Re1, Bf1, Nd5, and the Bishop puts pressure on f6 and e7.
10...b6
Not the only scheme of development but a logical one.
11.f4
Re1, with Bf1 is also possible, but I believe Black is OK in that type of position. This move is more unusual and aggressive.
11...Bb7
12.Bf3
And here I could not decide whether e4-e5 was really threatened or not and decided that it was not.
12...Rc8
13.Re1
Larry prepares e5 [13.e5
dxe5
14.fxe5
Nd7
15.e6
fxe6
16.Bg4
Rxf1+
17.Qxf1
Nf8
And I thought Black was doing well here (and I still think so).]
13...b5?
This was based on a miscalculation (and trying to be unnecessarily fancy). [13...Nd7
is the solid move and should be about equal. White has Nd5 but it does not create much of a threat, and Black's position is harmonious enough.]
14.axb5
axb5
15.e5
Qb6+
[15...b4
was my original intention, with the idea: 16.exf6
(16.Na4
However, this move ends my fun: 16...dxe5
17.fxe5
Nd7
18.e6
And I am ready to resign here!) 16...exf6
and Black is OK.]
16.Kh1
dxe5
17.fxe5
Rfd8
I had decided to sacrifice a piece here, because I thought it was my best practical chance.
18.Qe2
Nxe5
I heard that people thought this was a mouseslip...well, I confess that it wasn't!
19.Bxb7
Qxb7
[19...Neg4
20.h3
offers no hope]
20.Qxe5
b4
Of course I think White should be winning here somehow (how bad was b5!), but the problems to solve are still there.
21.Na5
[21.Qb5
was suggested but is it so clear? 21...Qxb5
22.Nxb5
Rxc2
(22...Rd5
23.Na7
Rxc2
24.Rac1
Rxc1
25.Bxc1
) 23.Rxe7
Rxb2
and Fritz etc. like White a lot, but in practice I think you're a bit afraid Black might give you problems in something like this.]
21...Qa8!
22.Qxe7?
After this move nothing is clear.
22...bxc3
23.Nb7
Re8!
Maybe Larry missed this idea. You always want to find ways to fight in team matches, and so I was happy to have this 'trap' and saw it as a way to thank my teammates for having good positions.
24.Rxa8
Rxa8
25.Qxe8+
[25.Bxf6
Rxe7
26.Bxe7
cxb2
with Ra1 could also be what White missed when assessing Qxe7.]
25...Nxe8
I preferred to keep Rooks as I thought I could give White problems defending their c-pawns with the Rooks on the board. Of course this is a drawn endgame, but Larry felt obliged to try to win as Boston was trailing 2-0.
26.bxc3
Bxc3
27.Rd1
Nc7
28.Nc5
Ne6
29.Nxe6
fxe6
30.g3
Ra5
31.Bh6
Bf6
I love to play this, with dreams of playing g5 and eating the Bishop on h6 for a late game snack.
32.Rd6
Kf7
33.Rc6
g5
White is getting in some trouble here.
34.Kg2
Ra8
I am getting closer to the time of my snack.
35.h4
gxh4
36.g4
[36.gxh4
keeps excellent drawing chances, but Larry still had hopes to win.]
36...Ra4
with the idea 37. g5 Bxg5
37.c4
[37.g5
was still the best chance. I played this part quite carelessly, as I knew my team would win. On the other hand, I would not take a draw here as I had a risk free position, it's just kind of hard to play these well, but we all know tiebreaks might matter later on.]
37...Ra2+
38.Kf3
h3
39.Rb6
h2
40.Rb1
Bd4
Threatening to play Bg1
41.Rh1
e5
42.Bg5
Ke6
43.Bh4
Bg1
now the Rook is jailed.
44.Bg3
Rc2
45.c5
Kd5
46.g5
e4+
47.Kf4
e3
this is fine but easier was [47...Bxc5
]
48.Bxh2
Bxh2+
49.Kxe3
Kxc5
50.Kd3
Rg2
Now there are technical problems to keep the Pawns on the board, although I have had lots of success winning (and losing) R+B vs R.
51.Ke4
Kd6
52.Kf3
Rb2
53.Kg4
Ke6
54.Kh5
Kf7
55.Rd1
Rb7
56.Kh6
Ke6
57.Rf1
Be5
58.g6
hxg6
59.Kxg6
Rg7+
60.Kh5
Bf6
I think White can still set up a drawn position here, but it's not the easiest case.
61.Re1+
Kf7
62.Re4?
This allows a pretty finish, because the Rook is badly placed on the fourth.
62...Rg5+
63.Kh6
Rf5!
And the only way to stop Bg7+ and Rh5 mate is:
64.Rg4
Rf1
When the Rook gets in the way. 0-1