[Event "Champions League"]
[Site ""]
[Date "2025.03.20"]
[Round ""]
[White "E Manning"]
[Black "J Blackmore"]
[Result "1-0"]
[EventDate "2025.03.20"]
1.e4 c5 2.a3 Nc6 3.b4 cxb4 4.axb4 Nxb4 {A variation of the Sicilian Wing
Gambit where white gives up a pawn for central control and quick
development.} 5.c3 Nc6 6.d4 d5 7.exd5 Qxd5 8.Na3 e5 {It's understandable
that Josh wants to get his pieces out but this move gives Ellis a
significant advantage.} 9.Nb5 Bd6 ( 9...Kd8 {was the best of a bad bunch.}
) 10.Bc4! {A clever tactic.} 10...Qe4+ {Of course, if } ( 10...Qxc4 11.
Nxd6+ {wins the game.} ) 11.Ne2 Bb8 12.Qb3 Qg6 13.O-O Nge7 14.d5 Nd8 15.
Ba3 {Look at the difference in activity between the two sets of pieces.
White is fully developed, castled and has rooks connected, whereas black
has 5 pieces on the back rank. This wing gambit has worked a treat!} 15...
a6 16.Bxe7 Kxe7 17.Nf4!? {A sacrifice to open the e-file. Very brave but
maybe not quite correct.} ( 17.Rfe1 {was the safer route.} ) 17...exf4 18.
Rfe1+ Kf6 19.Qb4 Be5 ( 19...Kg5! {is the move which casts doubt on the
sacrifice. Black hopes to hide his king on h6.eg} 20.Qc5 Bf5 21.Nc7 Ra7
22.d6 Kh6 23.Re5 Be4 {and black has a fierce counterattack.} ) 20.Rxe5! {
Now it all works. Black must lose his queen and Ellis keeps the attack
going. He hunts down Josh's king relentlessly.} 20...Kxe5 21.Re1+ Qe4 22.
Rxe4+ Kxe4 23.Qe7+ Kf5 24.Bd3+ Kg4 25.h3+ Kh5 26.g4+ fxg3 27.fxg3 f5 28.
Nd6 Rg8 29.Nxf5 Bxf5 30.Bxf5 g5 31.Qxh7# {Excellent enterprising play from
Ellis. } 1-0