Modern Sicilian

Here is a game that went pretty well. I played positional, but it opened to certain positional pitfalls in the end. I slowly gain space by a pawn storm on the queen side, hinders black pieces and :) wins. I am pleased because the oponent did not make any obvious errors, it is the strategy that wins the game.

this is the actual game:

Here is the game, with variations.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6

3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5

Here it turns into something like a Sveshnikov Variation. The natural thing is to withdraw the knight to Nb3 or Nf3, but I want to try something else and play 5.Bb5+

Sometimes the oponent blocks by Nb6, but I didn't count on that with a strong player. It is a combination to be aware of.

He correctly played Bd7 and we simplify the game.

5. ... Bd7 6.Bxd7+ Nxd7 7.Nf5 Nb6 8.Nc3 Nf6

Now I want an outpost on d5. The battle for d5 is an issue for most of the e5 variations. I start by taking out one of the defenders.

9.Bg5 h6

h6 compels the bishop to either withdraw or commit. It is ineffective because I want to take it out, now I save one tempo. Perhaps g6 would have been better...

Instead the defender is eliminated.

10.Bxf6 Qxf6
 11.O-O O-O-O By castling on the queenside, he defends the pawn at d6 and brings his king into position to defend the pawns on the queen side. It would have been difficult to castle on the king side, anyway, because when the bishop falls, a break through in the centre is an real danger. Castling on the queen side is much better, although castling on oposite sides often leads to a mating race.

12.a4 g6 13.Ne3 Qe6 14.Ned5?!

this is the first inaccurate move in the game. a5!? would have been more offensive (removing the last guard of an possible outpost and looking into this:

Here not only the outpost would have been into place, but there is pretty hot around black king as well. I didn't do that, well well.

14. ... Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Kb8 16.a5 a6?! This stops the advance, but it makes it possible to move the knight into b6. Besides. Look at the bishop. It is almost impossible to activate with the outpost in place. It actually stays there for the rest of the game. It is not easy to play with one piece less...

Another move that would have been stronger, and also is thematic for the e4-variations of the sicilian defence if f5. It would compromise the outpost in this game.

With the bishop parked, the assault can start.

17.b4 Rc8 18.Qd3?! This aimed at supporting the pawn advance, but Rybka found a better way to remove the king's cover:

The rest is just the continuance of the plan.

... Be7 19.b5 axb5 20.a6 Qd7
 21.a7+ 1-0 White resigs, facing mate in the next move.