[Event "Deacons"] [Site ""] [Date "2020.03.20"] [Round ""] [White " P Brooks"] [Black "T Thynne"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "160"] [BlackElo "158"] [EventDate "2020.03.19"] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 {This variation of the Slav is slightly unusual. Paul builds up slowly and discourages black from playing the natural 4...Bf5.} 4...g6 5.Bf4 Bg7 6.e3 O-O 7.Nc3 {We have reached a position which looks like the Schlechter variation of the Slav (except white's queen's bishop is developed slightly more actively than usual outside the pawn chain). Trefor's next move is quite committal.} 7...a6 8. c5 {White closes the centre, and hopes to generate play against the pawns and the weak black squares on the queen's side. Black should look for counterplay in the centre and on the king's side.} 8...Bf5 9.Qb3 Ra7 {This looks odd, but probably Trefor was worried that, after the natural alternative 9....Qc8, Paul would play 10.Na4 threatening an awkward knight fork on b6.} 10.h3 {To guard against Trefor swapping off the important f4-bishop by ...Nh5.} 10...h5 11.Be2 Ne4 12.O-O Nd7 13.Bh2 Ndf6 {This move was a surprise to Paul. He expected Trefor to prepare ...e5 by playing 13....Re8.} 14.Na4 Bh6 {This moves shows that Trefor is going for a king's side attack, by advancing his pawns.} 15.Rad1 {Paul was forced to play this slightly uncomfortable move, so his f3-knight can move without allowing a knight-fork on d2.} 15...g5 16.Ne5 g4 {The computer likes exploding the position with 17.f3, but it seemed too dangerous to Paul.} 17.hxg4 hxg4 18.Bf4 Ng5 $2 {Trefor should have swapped off the bishop, as it later turns out to be very influential in preventing black from defending the queen's side. The position would then be about equal.} 19. Qb6 $1 {After this move, which Trefor underestimated, the initiative passes to white.} 19...Qxb6 20.cxb6 Raa8 21.Nc5 {Paul's knights dominate the board, and Trefor is forced to make a passive move.} 21...Bc8 22.Rc1 Kg7 {To defend the h6-bishop} 23.Nxc6 $1 {This temporary sacrifice exposes black's weak pawns.} 23...bxc6 24.b7 Bxb7 25.Nxb7 Rfc8 26.Be5 {To guard against the bishop's exchange and threaten the g-pawn.} 26...Kg6 27.Nc5 { Paul decides to focus his attack on the queen's side.} 27...a5 28.Ba6 { White's bishops dominate the position, so Trefor decides to sacrifice.} 28...Rxa6 ( 28...Rg8 29.Bb7 Ra7 30.Bxc6 {is also winning for white.} ) 29.Nxa6 Nfe4 30.Rc2 Ne6 31.Rfc1 g3 $5 {A tricky move. Trefor is fighting hard. The pawn can't be taken because the bishop check will win the exchange.} 32.f4 f6 33.Rxc6 Rh8 {A final gamble. Trefor hopes Paul will allow a mate on h1.} 34.Rxe6 Nf2 35.Rcc6 Bxf4 $1 {Here's the threat!} 36.Rxf6+ $1 {But the tactics work for Paul.} 36...exf6 37. Rxf6+ Kg5 38.Bxf4+ $1 Kg4 ( 38...Kxf6 39.Be5+ {skewering the king and rook is a key idea.} ) 39.Rg6+ Kf5 40.Rg5+ {Trefor resigned. 40....Ke4 41.Nc5 would have been a pretty mate. After the game, we agreed that Trefor's attack was not a bad idea but it failed because he couldn't get the major pieces to join in.} 1-0