Last weekend was the Illinois Open in Oakbrook, IL and I entered relaxed.  I was joking with Mark and Tony about getting paired with a GM in round 1. I said I will play 20 moves and let that guy off the hook with a draw because he is a professional chess player.  

Well I was half-right I got the GM in round 1 with the White pieces and we played the Moscow variation of the Sicillian.  I got to the drawn position on move 47 and lost on move 48.    I let a golden opportunity get a way as always I welcome analysis and commentary and then I will post detailed notes on this game at a later date.  I am still working on this game and checking current improvements and innovations.  

The time control was Game in 2hrs plus 30seconds added after every move.

a loss to be proud of! ; - )

On move 9.Bg5 what was wrong with  playing 9.f4  and on 18 why didn't you play 18.Rd3 on 23.I think you should have exchanged your rook's first and instead of playing 33.Ne2 what was wrong with 33.Nd5 (just my opinion).  

That was a very close game, next time you'll win

The expereince is what will be remembered in my opinion.  You held your own against a GM in a major tourney.  How many of us would have lasted as long as you did.  Congrats.

 I was never going to play f4?! because this move weakens my king's position and my knight on e5 will be in real danger. 19. Rd3 is correct and winning but 18. Rd3 is not as good because it allows the d-pawn to be defended. from 22-28 according to fritz 11 and shreddar 10 was the number 1 listed move. 33. Nd5 Rc2! winning 2 pawns and  the game.  33. Ne2 guards my pawn by threatening to trade off minor pieces and I have the more active rook.

Well done.

Not that I could have done as well but in the early game you did not seem to have a real plan. On move 19 Rh3 you lost tempo. Moving it back to the better square on the next move. What was your plan with Rh3?

After running it through Hiarcs I figured I would post it here for all.

I got similar evaluations from fritz but they disagree about the ending.  Thank you I am still doing my own analysis with help of a few masters I have at my disposal because the number evaluations varies from the different software.  Rybka put me up +1.06 in the position where hiarcs put me at -.43.  I just want their evlauation in terms of human practical play and ideas.

Thanks again,  These variations were very helpful.

 actually the first 15 moves was new in chess scripted theory in that line and John Watson speaks on it on chess publishing (a website that many of today's chess authors/GMs use) and move 19. Rh3 I was trying to remember if I can get away with 20. Rxh6!? but 19...Qc7 stopped the idea because of the double attack on the knight.

here is the anaylsis from crafty.  I need to work on this opening and I am also trying to work through the theory as well as put my own personal flare to this opening because it yeilds me the best chances vs. higher rated players in over the board players.  I therefore will not offer my original analysis of this game (however flawed it maybe)  Just click thourgh the game once more and the analysis will be displayed in the box below the game. The sidelines have to be viewed next to the game notation.   Thank you all and be sure to post your favorite games of the week somewhere in our group so that we can all learn, imporve and enjoy.

Ahh. I see it now. A good idea. I am sure others will not see Qc7 as easily. Best of luck.

hello

Very nice game!