Annotated Game

Lassila, T. - Marek, P. (B46 - Sicilian, Taimanov)

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6

The Taimanov Variation - I've also played this defense, although with a different move order. It has a reputation for being "positional". Go figure. Nowadays I opt for sharper Sicilians, mainly because the Taimanov produces few losses but also few wins. Trying to get into a sharp Sicilian with White is usually not a problem, as we're about to see here.

6. Be3!? e6

Transposing into mainline Taimanov (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nf6). White could also have played 6. Nxc6 bxc6 (6...dxc6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. Bf4 Nd7 9. O-O-O Ke8 lets White have all the fun) 7. e5 Ng8 8. Bc4 e6 9. O-O with good chances. However, we will soon depart to far different play.

7. Qd2!? Be7

If Black plays 7...d6, then 8. Be2 Be7 9. O-O enters a Scheveningen structure.

8. f3 O-O
9. g4 b5

The typical mutual pawn rush has begun. 9...Bb4 10. O-O-O Ne5 11. g5 Nh5 +/=.

10. g5 Ne8

Somewhat passive. 10...Nh5 11. Rg1 b4 12. Na4 Qa5 13. b3 Bb7 looks to provide more counterplay.

11. h4 f6?!

This pawn push weakens the king and practically forces the response g5-g6. Instead 11...Nxd4 12. Bxd4 d5 13. O-O-O b4 14. Na4 Qa5 15. Nb6 Rb8 16. Nxc8 Rxc8 17. Kb1 with equality.

12. g6 Ne5

Black doesn't like 12...hxg6 13. h5 with an attack. Also possible was 12. Nxc6 dxc6 13. Qxd8 Bxd8 14. O-O-O Be7 15. f4 with some initiative.

13. gxh7 Kxh7

The black king is temporarily safe as the h-file remains closed. However...

Position after 13...Kxh7

14. O-O-O Bb7

Or 14. Qg2 Nc4 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Rg1 Rb8 +/=. Now if 14...b4 then 15. Na4 Qa5 15. b3 and the attack continues. The position is already very difficult. I now had the idea to exploit the weakness of e6 and the rook on the d-file. 14. h5 b4 15. h6 g6 16. Na4 d5! doesn't seem to gain ground.

15. Qg2 Rc8?

Dropping material. Black could have tried 15...Qc7 16. h5 Bb4 17. h6 g6 18. f4 Nf7. Or 15...Bc5 16. h5 Qc7 (16...Bxd4 17. Rxd4 Nf7 18. Qg6+ Kg8 19. h6 is hopeless)17. h6 g6 18. Rg1 Rg8. Both appear to defend adequately for now.

16. Nxe6 Qa5
17. Nxf8+ Bxf8

Black hopes his coming attack will compensate for the hopeless material deficit. But White still has more active pieces and should logically parry the attack. This is the theme for the remainder of the game - Black attacks, White defends and threatens a constant counterattack.

Position after 17...Bxf8

18. f4? b4

Black could draw with 18...Rxc3! 19. bxc3 Qxc3 20. Bd4 Ba3+ 21. Kb1 Qb4+ 22. Ka1 Nd3! 23. c4 (23. cxd3 Qxd4+ 24. Kb1 Qb4+ 25. Ka1 =) Qxc4 24. Bxf6 Nxf6 25. Bxd3 Qd4+ 26. Kb1 Qb4 =. Better is 18. h5 b4 19. h6 g6 20. Nb1 Qxa2 21. f4 +-, when 18...Rxc3? fails to 19. h6 g6 20. bxc3 Qxc3 21. Bd4 Ba3+ 22. Kb1 Qb4+ 23. Ka1 Nd3 24. c4! Qxc4 25. Bb2 +-.

19. Nd5 b3
20. axb3 Qa1+
21. Kd2 Qxb2

Black forges on, but the perpetual is not there any longer.

22. Rc1 Bxd5

Or 22...Ba3 23. Kd1 and Black must retreat the knight.

23. exd5 Ba3

23...Qc3+ 24. Ke2 would go nowhere.

Position after 23...Ba3

24. Bd3+!? Nxd3

24. Kd1 +-.

25. Qe4+ Kg8
26. Qxd3 Bb4+

A little trick that further slows down the attack. In addition to being down material with a dwindling attack, Black must now worry about his queen getting trapped. Black had to play 26...Qa2 27. Ra1 Bb4+ 28. Ke2 Qxc2+ 29. Qxc2 Rxc2+ 30. Kf3 Rc3 31. Rab1 and escape to a bad endgame.

27. Ke2 Rc3?

The final mistake, allowing the white queen to force resignation.

28. Qe4 1-0