Shixuan Xue v Theo Slade World Under 16 Olympiad (Chongqing) |
Notes by Theo Slade
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4
I'm quite comfortable in the MacCutcheon Variation as I understand the structures that emerge from this opening
My opponent was using a lot of time on these opening moves and her last proves that she is inexperienced in this line. 7.bxc3 is the main move and 7...Ne4 8.Qg4 g6 9.Bd3 Nxd2 10.Kxd2 is what usually follows.
7...Ne4 8.Nf3 c5 9.Nd2 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Qa5
My last highlights the weakness on c3. Usually White has a well-placed King on d2 to accommodate for that.
I spent about twenty minutes on this move and I'm not sure it is best.
I'm sure my opponent also missed the amazing tactical shot 12.Bxc4 dxc4 13.Nxc4 Qc7 14.Nd6+ Kf8 15.0-0
The awkwardness of this retreat shows the lack of harmony among the White pieces.
14...Qa3 15.0-0 Qb2 16.Rb1 Qxa2
Although this manoeuvre wasn't completely necessary, it does add one more defender to the Kingside which is useful in some lines.
My counterplay doesn't seem like much but the coming shot finishes my opponent off.
21.g5 was a lot better, getting on with it straight away. 21...hxg5 22.Qh5 g4
21...a3 22.g5 Qxb1 23.Nxb1 a2 24.Nd2 a1Q 25.gxh6
White's counterplay looks to have made progress but in reality nothing has been achieved.
26.Kg2 Qxd2+ is obviously worse for White.
28...Kxh7 29.Rh3+ Kg7 30.Qh4 Qh5 31.Qf6+ Kh7 32.Rxh5+ gxh5 33.Qxe7
This move underlines the weaknesses of the White Kingside at the critical moment. Now White will fall victim to many tactics.
30.Kh2 Qe2+ 31.Kh3 Rxf1 32.Rxf1 Qxf1+
I hasten to add that I did see 32...Qxg4+ 33.Kxg4 Ne3+ but turned it down due to mating opportunities (and for the sake of simplicity).
34...Rh8 with a forced mate in 7, my silicon friend tells me!
35.Qxh4 Nxh4 36.Kxh4 Kxh7 37.Kg5 Bd7 38.Kf6 Ra8 39.Kxf7 Ra2 40.Ke7 Bc8 41.Kd8 Rxc2 42.Kxc8 Rxc3 43.Kd7 Re3 44.Kxe6 c3 45.Kxd5 c2 46.e6 c1Q 47.Kd6 Qc6+ 48.Ke7 Rxe6+ 49.Kf8 Qe8#
As you can probably tell, I am very particular in the way I finish off games and I always like to find the fastest mate or the most aesthetically pleasing. I hope you enjoyed my game and my conversion of Queenside pressure.
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