Annotated Game

N.N. - Lassila, T.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Nf6

This is quite common among class players. The closed variations that usually follow are not very intimidating for either side.

4.d3 e6

Once White has permanently invested in the closed variations without d4, it's no longer necessary to hold back the e-pawn. Otherwise e5 might have come handy if the knight ever jumps on d4.

5.Bg5 Be7 6.c3 a6

Very Alapin-like. White plans to bring back his bishop to c2 through b3. Meanwhile Black wants to grab space with a6 and b5.

7.a4 O-O

Nc6 right away is no worse.

8.O-O Nc6 9.Nbd2 d5

The center must be broken down at some point.

10.exd5 exd5

Or 10.Bb3 dxe4 11.dxe4 +/=

11.Bb3 Re8 12.Re1 Be6

12...Bf5 13.Ne5! Nxe5 14.Rxe5 Bxd3? loses to 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Rxd5 +-

13.d4 c4

Perhaps unnecessary, Black looks pretty solid but he would certainly like to obtain counterplay as well.

14.Bc2 Nd7 15.Bf4 Nf8

My engine likes 15...g5!?? but this isn't skittles for goodness sake! Instead we follow the good old Bent Larsen maxim: "With a knight on f8, you can't get mated!"

16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Bd6

Offering to trade down simply to free my cramped pieces.

18.Qh5 Bxe5 19.Rxe5 Qc7 20.Nf3 h6

Position after 20...h6

21.g4? Nd7

White has initiative but it quickly falls apart after this untimely pawn push that amounts to nothing more than a sacrifice with little compensation. The risky 21.Rxd5!? Bxd5 22.Qxd5 Re2 23.Be4 Rxb2 24.Ne5 certainly looks active as White has the center but not much more of an attack. Instead he should have brought the other rook in play and kept building slowly with 21. Rae1 Nd7 22. R5e3 Nf6 23. Qh4.

22.Re2 Nf6

Or 22...Qf4 23. Ne5! Nxe5 24. Rxe5 -/+

23.Qe5 Qxe5 24.Nxe5 Nxg4

24. dxe5 is met by 24...Bxg4!

25.Nxg4 Bxg4

25. Bxg4 would leave the white knight on e5 strong plus the black knight has no good squares at its disposal.

26.Re3 Rxe3 27.fxe3

Position after 27. fxe3

27...Re8 28.Kf2 a5!

Fixing the weakness and preventing the white bishop from travelling through a4.

29.Re1 Bd7

Now Black's plan of survival must hinge on playing b3 and making a passer in the center.

30.b3 cxb3 31.Bxb3 Bc6 32.c4? dxc4

Dropping another pawn, maybe White thought his passer would give sufficient counterplay. Not so.

33.Bxc4 Bxa4 34.Ra1 b5

34. Rc1 trying to control the c-file was better.

35.Bd5 Rc8 36.Kf3 Kf8 37.Be4 Ke7

White wastes time, instead 37. Kf4 and it's not clear how Black is going to break through.

38.h4 f6 39.Bb7 Rc7 40.Be4 Kd6 41.Ra2 Bd1+

Allowing the bishop to improve its position.

42.Kf4 a4 43.Bd3 Bb3 44.Rb2 Bc4 45.Bxc4 bxc4

The exchange is probably forced because of a3 coming next. White is now dead lost.

46.e4 c3 47.Rc2 a3 48.Ke3 a2

Or if 48.Rc1 then 48...a2 49.Ke3 Rb7! 50.Ra1 c2 51.Kd2 Rb1 etc.

49.Rxa2 c2 50.Ra6+ Kd7 51.Ra1 c1=Q+ 52.Rxc1 Rxc1 53.Kf4 Rf1+ 54.Kg4 Ke6 55.d5+ Ke5 56.h5 Rf4+ 0-1