1.e4
c5
Probably not the wisest defence against a NZ Master. His previous opponent Paul Spiller played 1...e5. I did consider something safer, but didn't want to be remembered as the one who was slowly strangled to death.
2.Nc3
Avoiding the Alapin 2.c3, as Leonard guessed that I was well booked up - I had spent all week on it.
2...d6
3.f4
Nc6
4.Nf3
Nf6
5.g3
The standard move is 5.Bb5.
5...Bg4
Signalling that I came to fight. The alternative was 5...d5.
6.h3
Bxf3
7.Qxf3
Nd4
8.Qd1
e6
(!) Now is the time to commit to a pawn formation.
9.Bg2
Another plan is 9.Rb1 and b4 to dislodge the N on d4 and combine with Bg2 to hit at b7. Also scares Black from playing ...Qb6.
9...Qc7
I had considered 9...Nh5!? and Mr Fritz seems to like it. It forces 10.Kf2 which can be embarrassing. If 10.Qxh5? Nxc2+.
10.d3
Rc8
11.0-0
b5
12.Be3
Another plan is 12.a4 to open the "a" file.
12...b4
13.Ne2
Nxe2+
14.Qxe2
Be7
15.g4
Alternative is 15.a3.
15...0-0
16.g5
Nd7
(!) The B on e7 is safe from discovered attack by the B on e3. The N is headed for b6 to counter-attack with ...d5, which must be played before ...Ra8 to challenge the a file when it opens.
17.h4
I thought the thematic Closed Sicilian move 17.f5! and so does Mr Fritz. It will mean the N will have to stay resident on d7 to guard f6, until Qh5 when ...g6 and f5xg6 f7xg6 will allow the N to go to e5 or b6. Mr Fritz gives the amazing line 17.f5! exf5 18. exf5 d5! 19. Bxd5? Qg3+ 20. Bg2 Bxg5 21. Bxg5 Qxg5 and Black is cruising.
17...f5
This is a thematic Sicilian move, to prevent being overrun by the pawn storm. Mr Fritz thought the double pawn sac 17...c4 18.dxc4 Nb6 19.b3 d5 20. exd5 exd5 21. cxd5 Bc5 to crack open the centre, but I would have played 18...Qxc4 to force simplification.
18.h5
Rce8
19.a3
! Time to open the "a" file.
19...a5
(=) Draw offer, as the White attack has been halted, and Black looks comfortable.
20.axb4
axb4
21.b3
?! Mr Fritz says 21.Ra2 to double rooks and threaten Ra7.
21...Nb6
! Here comes the counter-attack.
22.Ra6
d5
23.Kh1
Too slow. 23.exd5 is better.
23...Ra8
24.Rxa8
Rxa8
25.exf5
exf5
26.Bc1
? White's advantage evaporates. 26.d4 to contest the dark squares is better says Mr Fritz.
26...Qd7
27.Bb2
?! I thought 27.Re1 to take control of the "e" file was better.
27...Bd6
28.d4
Re8
29.Qa6
Qc7
30.dxc5
Bxc5
31.Qd3
Qf7
! Defence and counter-attack. The White K is looking a bit exposed.
32.Bd4
?! 32.Bf3 was essential. I don't think it was an oversight, as the Q is still attacking the N after the re-capture. He is going after my Q side.
32...Qxh5+
33.Kg1
Bxd4+
34.Qxd4
Qg6
35.Ra1
Qe6
! White dare not play 36. Ra6, as 36...Qe1+ is at worst a draw.
36.Kh2
Qg6
(=) Draw offer, as the White K can't hide - it is very exposed behind those advanced White pawns.
37.Bf3
h6
! Here I come. The White K has nowhere to go. The longer Black survives after a White pawn storm, the more likely he is to win the ending with a better pawn formation.
38.Rg1
?! 38.Qxb4 may be better if you are Mr Fritz, but I seem to agree with Leonard, that danger lurks on the K side.
38...hxg5
? A mistake, in too much of a hurry to expose the White K. Mr Fritz says 38...Qd6! with the idea of switching the R to the "h" file via e6. Now Black's advantage evaporates.
39.Rxg5
Qh6+
40.Kg2
Re1
40...Rc8! if you are a computer, but I don't want a pawn when I can see a K. My natural instinct tells me the bigger prize should determine my move.
41.Bxd5+
?! Panic sets in. Both in time trouble, and both driving on instinct now. Better was 41.Kg3 according to Mr Fritz.
41...Kh8
This move is my insurance policy - it starts a forcing sequence to guarantee a draw. I could have gone for the natural 41...Nxd5 and Mr Fritz reckons I have a clear advantage, as White's K can't hide. But I saw this cunning move, which doesn't allow White any checks. And we both have only minutes on the clock.
42.Kf2
Qh4+
43.Rg3
Qh2+
44.Rg2
44.Kxe1 loses, as 44...Qxg3+ 45.Kd1 Nxd5 46.Qxd5 Qxf4 and Black has an extra pawn which is connected and passed - one of them will get home after a lot of White checks. After 44.Rg2 White needs to be careful, as he can be mated. And Black must keep checking, otherwise he gets mated. So, the Black Q will swing from h2 to h4 and back. The B can't go to g2, otherwise the White Q falls with ...Qg1+. Agreed Drawn, a fair result. 1/2-1/2