GAME OF THE MONTH

Since Bob hasn't updated this page in years, I decided to take over. 

-Andrew Latham

Andrew Latham - Kellen Cross

Kansas City Cup

February 23, 2008

Round 2

E76: King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack: 6. Nf3

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 g6

3. Nc3 Bg7

4. e4 d6

5. f4 0-0

6. Nf3 e5

7. d5 Ne8

All the moves up until this point have been standard of the King's Indian Defense.  Kellen's novelty unfortunately places his knight in a poor position and does nothing to challenge my center.

8. Be2 f5

9. e5 dxe5

10. fxe5 Qc7

White has now achieved the creation of an ideal center, which black will have a hard time breaking down.

11. Bf4 Nd7

Black clearly shows that he plans to capture the e-pawn. 

12. Qd2 Nxe5

I could have held onto the pawn by Nb5; however, I saw that after moving the queen and castling I would have developed all my pieces and be fully prepared for an attack.  Well worth the pawn, in my opinion.

13. 0-0-0 Nxf3

14. Bxf3 Bxc3

15. bxc3 Qa5

White now has a strongly placed bishop pair, while black's pieces are uncoordinated and weak.  Notice how my bishops restrict black's a-rook.  The pawn structure looks awkward, but my strong bishop pair can potentially control any squares black would want to use to organize an attack, especially after the push d5-d6.

16. hRe1 b5?

This move is a blunder because it does nothing to prevent white's invasion down the center files.  This also does not free up black's rook, since my bishop covers the b8 square.  Basically, the main problem with this move is that it is a waste of time.  Black could have kept relative equality with Rf7.

17. cxb5 Qxb5

18. Rxe7 Nf6

The goal of the open file is to provide the rook with a road to the seventh and eighth ranks - now my rook is very powerfully placed, and material is even.

19. Qb2 Qc4

I offer a queen trade so that I can use my advantage without fear of counter-attack.  Black declines the trade and attacks my bishop.  Trading was much better for black, since on his next move he will have to move the queen again or risk losing it.

20. g3 Rd8??

This loses the queen.

21. Be2 Qa4

There is no other open square.

22. Bb5 Qxd1+

If Qa5, Bc7 is the end.

23. Kxd1 Rxd5+

24. Kc2 Bd7

25. Bxd7 Nxd7

26. Qb7 Rd8

With two heavy pieces on the seventh rank and no real opposition, material gain or checkmate is inevitable.

27. Qxd5 Kh8

28. Be5+ Nxe5

29. Qxe5+ Kg8

Qxd8++ would have mated one move quicker.

30. Qg7++