After reviewing some of my opponents games beforehand, I opened this game with the intention of trying to prevent him from playing his pet Sicilian lines.  My thinking at the time was that I might benefit by forcing him to play in unfamiliar territory. 

Unfortunately, my plan backfired pretty early and by move 27 I found myself in real trouble.  It was clear that if I didn't take drastic action the game was lost.  As you'll see, most of my pieces were horribly placed and immobile as a result of defensive responsibilities.  Of special concern was my extremely weak e-pawn; I knew that if (or when) it fell things would get really ugly, really fast. 

Seeing no other way forward, I initiated an Exchange Sacrifice that my opponent duly accepted and within just a few moves the game was utterly transformed.

Nicely played (in the end), but it was definitely a mistake on the part of black to take that rook.

Very impressive game!

I agree with you about the Nc4 move.  I had always intended to make that move, the position was screaming for it to happen, but as is often the case in difficult games it just seemed like I never had the time to make it a reality.  There just always seemed to be a more pressing move that needed to be made....

Ironically, it was black's a6 move that ultimately led me to the g3 move.  As soon as I realized he was preparing b5 and I wasn't going to be able to move Nc4 like I had always intended, alarm bells started going off in my head.

Very nice game but you shouldn't have drawn. your position was winning and after Nb6 and Bc3 you would almost be unstoppable!

Good game though beyond most that we see online!

PaulMurphy wrote:

Very nice game but you shouldn't have drawn. your position was winning and after Nb6 and Bc3 you would almost be unstoppable!

Good game though beyond most that we see online!

Thank you.  I considered Nb6 but I was worried about Rc2, which I thought very well could lead to an outright loss.  I really can't see any way forward but perhaps I'm missing something.  Can you point to a line you think had good winning chances?

It's a shame this drew.

woodencardboard wrote:

It's a shame this drew.

How so?  Not to be rude, but if you're going to insinuate that the game could have been won, the burden of proof is on you to present evidence that backs up your claim.  I said this before, but I see no way forward for either player but it's certainly possible that I've overlooked something.

Why ?  Nb6 and Ac3 on time and the game is over, becouse the black bishop is bad and the queen pawn is strong.

great!

Nb6 at what move?  I already stated that I thought 35.Nb6 fails because of 35...Rc2.  Maybe you are thinking about a different move number?  Please be specific and post a complete line.

I love how people are posting Nb6 and Bc3 as if black doesn't have the chance to move in between those two moves.  You can't expect that black will do nothing thus letting me do whatever it is that I want to do.  I maintain that Rc2 refutes Nb6 and weakens my position considerably.

After Black plays 36... Rd8 you can play 37. Bc3; then Nb6 next turn

PaulMurphy wrote:

After Black plays 36... Rd8 you can play 37. Bc3; then Nb6 next turn

It still doesn't work: 37.Bc3 Rc5 Nb6 Rb5 and the game is either lost or drawn.

It still doesn't work: 37.Bc3 Rc5 Nb6 Rb5 and the game is either lost or drawn.

 after Rb5 Nxd7 and oops! There goes a rook!

There's no Rook on d7 anymore so both Rooks are still in the game.  You stipulated that black moved 36...Rd8.

I'm ready to put this one to bed.  I'm confident that the game was drawn for the reasons I posted above.  I was happy for the draw after being in a losing position and frankly, this thread is driving me crazy.  Thanks for the comments.

Youre welcome. Nice draw!

I didn't mean that I have a line that would have won. I meant that it was a shame for such a great comeback to just end a draw. It would've been nice to see you win.

woodencardboard wrote:

I didn't mean that I have a line that would have won. I meant that it was a shame for such a great comeback to just end a draw. It would've been nice to see you win.

Thank you.

this game is an obvious draw. white cannot allow Rc2, which loses f4 in short order.