Living in the Now

Everything before does not matter. All that matters is what lies at the board, finding the best move in this position in front of you.

 

That is the most important lesson I take away from analysing this game I played with White in a thematic Sveshnikov Sicilian where I won.

 

The critical moment came when my opponent played 21. ... Qg6 threatening 22. ... Bd3

 

 

I had two candidate moves to choose from. 22. Rad1 and 22. Rfe1.

 

I explored 22. Rad1 and saw that after 22. ... Bc2 (threatening Bd3 the next move) 23. Nc7 would lead to a risk free position for White.

 

What I didn't like the look of was 22. ... Bd8. I admit I didn't work harder enough from here, not exploring further Nc4 and thus lazily chose 22. Rfe1 by elimination, accepting my opponent can force a draw by repetition with 22. ... Bd3 23. Qd1 Bc2 24. Qe2 Bd2.

 

Forgetting all that came beforehand ...

 

 

My opponent refused the draw and played 22. ... Rbe8. Instantly I was releived, as now I had the chance to force the exchange of Black's light squared Bishop that cause me much grief. What I failed to see was Black's b-pawn is hanging. After 23. Bxb7 Bd3 24. Be4 White is a clear pawn up.

 

I was blinded because I took into consideration the preceding position, not thinking with a fresh set of eyes.

 

The real lesson for me is to be objective, as though I had just walked up to the position and am seeing it for the first time.

 

 

 

I was happy to find 33. Qc4 forcing the win of the pawn. My opponent missed crucial exchanges with 31. ... Rxd5 and continued to weaken himself