00040.6.03 Analyzed by Expert Tim Smith

1. d4 f5?!

The Dutch defense is becoming less and less used in masterplay due to

evolving opening theory and refuting ideas. Much stronger is the classic

King’s Indian with 1…Nf6 or Queen’s Pawn game with 1…d5.

2. c4 Bb4+?

Unnecessarily restrictive. The simple 2…Nf6 was called for or setting up the

stonewall formationwith 2…d5 with 3…c6 to follow. TheStonewall is

well-known as an “Anti-computer” defense because the positionstend to be

reliant on long term positional maneuvering and not quick tacticalflares..

This allows white a free handin the center to push to e4 and increase his

spatial advantage and to openlines to use his superior development. The text

is easily refuted with 3. Nc3 where any exchange on c3 can onlybenefit white.

3. Bd2 (A playable alternative) Bxd2?!

Not the best continuation here either. Much more logical is 3…Qe7, when 4.

g3 Nf65. Bg2 0-0 6. 0-0 and only now Bxd2 where black doesn’t stand nearly

asbadly. The text relinquishes Black’scontrol of the center as well as speed

in development.

4. Nxd2 Nc6?!

Another dubious move. Better is 4…Nf6 5. e3 b6 6. Bd3 c5 7. 0-0 and then

7…Nc6 when Blackdoesn’t stand as badly. Black isn’tgiving White much to

think about.

5. e4!?

A good decision. Tobe considered as stronger, however, is 5. g3 with a

kingside fianchettogradually building up the position. Attempts to retain the

initiative with 5. d5 Nce7 6. dxe6 dxe6 onlysucceed in helping black

mobilize. Opening the position early like this without the development to

back itup can lead to disaster.

5…fxe4 6. Nxe4 d5?

The first blunder. The e-file was already white’s avenue of attack as long as

the blackking is in the center. Weakening thee-file for white even further

does not help matters. Not only is the e-pawn weak, but the king is weak!

Much better was the obvious 7…Nf6 with acastle kingside.

7. Nc5?!

A questionable move. Certainly the knight cannot establish himself here. It

would seem as though this warrior wouldlike to fight on black’s weak side of

the board, the kingside. 7. Ng3 would be begging to be played. Now, Black

can solidify with 7…Nge7!

7…b6?!

7…Nge7 kept things together in excellent order for blackwith the idea of 0-0

and Nf5 followed by Qd6 solidifying with chances. Also, eventual e5 advances

would begin to become feasible. There’s no reason to immediately chase

theknight away from its post.

8. Nb3 Bb7?

A blunder. Black mayfeel obligated to play that move because of b6, however

it is imperative thathe castle as soon as possible. Therefore, 8…Nge7! with

the idea of 0-0 Nf5 and Nce7 would be indicatedfor Black. Another possible

move, evenmore aggressive perhaps, is 8…Qf6!? threatening Nge7 with even

stronger forceas the ideas dxc4 followed by Nd5 are now possible. After the

text white can pick which side of the board to play on(queenside, center,

kingside) as he has prospects in each area.

9. Qd2?

White could choose to play in the center which would revolvearound attacking

the e-pawn and controlling the e-file most like starting withideas like 9.

Qe2. White could chooseto play on the queenside (now that black played b6)

because of the ideainvolved with 9. c5! (making the b7 bishop look pretty

ridiculous) and Rc1, a strongidea, with invasion on the c-file. Lastly, the

kingside where black’s king remains open. Moves such as 9. Bd3 come to

mind.

D2 is a poor square for the queen as she is not involved inany real plan and

she’s exposed to attack on this square (Ng8-f6-e4) etc. Passivity resembles

this move. Black still does have to deal with thesomewhat distant threat of

Bd3 followed by Ng5 with a fork on the h and epawns. However, intending Ng5

so theknight can be protected from the queen at d2 is a poor reason to play

themove. With correct play, Black could’vepounced on this.

9…dxc4?

Allows white to develop with tempo with subsequent pressureon the new

isolated e-pawn. It’s toobig of a trade-off between all these cons and the

one and only pro of morebishop activity. 9…Nf6! was the indicatedmove.

10. Bxc4

Here, it doesn’t take a Garry Kasparov or Vishy Anand to seethat white is

well ahead in position. Space advantage, more piece mobility, a lead in

development, attackingchances, the list could go on and on. The main trump

black holds is the long diagonal and the d-file. But use of these means

doesn’t leave as goodof impression as White’s.

10…Bc8?

In an inferior position, Black picks the worst way possibleto defend the

pawn. 10…Qf6 would’vebeen indicated.

11. Ng5!

I personally would’ve castled kingside first to increasepressure with Re1 as

well, but one can hardly call the text an error.

11…Na5??

A game-losing blunder. If Black intended to sacrifice the isolated e-pawn, he

should’ve done sowith 11…Nf6. Now the position becomeswide open and tactics

loom left and right. Only the better developed, fully-mobilized side can

profit from this.

12. Nxa5! bxa5 13. Nxe6 Bxe6 14. Bxe6 Qe7 15. d5?!

Much superior to the text is of course, 15. 0-0.

15…Nf6!?

Not bad at all. Thelong awaited Nf6! However, here thecapture on e6

would’ve been a stronger preparatory combination to the text.

16. 0-0

Of course, this can’t be an error, however consider thestronger 16. 0-0-0!

with the strong threat of d6!.

16…a4??

Another game-losing blunder. This has nothing to do with the position.

Black needed to liquidate with 16…Bxe6 nodoubt about it. Now 17. Rae1! wins

the game.

17. Bb5+?!

White doesn’t take the quickest win. 17. Rae1! creates winning threats out

thewazoo.

17…Bd7??

Reinstating the previous possibility. After the forced 17…Kf7 18. Bxa4 and

Blackcan once again liquidate with 18…Bxe6.

18. Bxd7?!

Once again, missing the quick win, 18. Rae1.

18…Qxd7 19. Rfe1

Good, but 19. Qg5! is more to the point increasing the strengthof the text.

19…Kf7 20. Ng5+

More to the point is 20. Qg5 once again.

20…Kg6?! (This just speeds up the inevitable loss) 21. Rad1

Even stronger is 21. Nf3! with the idea of Qg5+.

21…Rae8 22. Ne6 Qd6??

22…Kf7 was forced in order for black to stay in thegame. This falls into the

forced matingnet.

23. Qg5+ Kf7 24. Qxg7 1-0

Good game by both sides. Remember to keep your king safe by castling early.

Also, remember to utilize your advantageswhile minimizing the drawbacks of

your position.