Mystery game #71: Startling shot wins miniature Master duel

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  • Mystery game #71: Startling shot wins miniature Master duel

    Here is the text of an interesting game. You can discuss the game, variations, era, format, player strengths, time controls, and so on. I will provide all data in a few days. Enjoy!!

    1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Nf3 a6 6.a4 Nc6 7.O-O Rb8 8.b3 cxb3 9.Qxb3 Be7 10.Bf4 Nd5 11.Rd1 O-O 12.Na3 Bd7 13.Rac1 Na5 14.Qc2 Qe8 15.Qd3 Bxa4 16.Re1 Nb3, 0-1.

  • #2
    NM John Armstrong (2247) -- FM Gordon Taylor (2442), Kingston Open 1996 (4). Catalan, E04. Played 1996-02-11. Time controls 30/90', SD/60'. Organizer/TD: Larry Bevand, assistant Frank Dixon.

    White chooses a rare line with 6.a4 in the Open Catalan; statistics favour Black. The main moves are 6.O-O and 6.Ne5; both favour White narrowly. White makes a real gambit out of it with 8.b3!?, this seems new, and Black accepts the pawn and the challenge. At move 7, we have two GM examples: Gulko -- Bronstein, Vilnius zt 1975 saw 7...Na5 (drawn in 22); Sosonko -- Donner, Wijk aan Zee 1974 had 7...Be7 (drawn in 18). White obtains some space and development compensation for his pawn, but Black's position is solid. He develops very efficiently, avoiding pawn moves, preferring instead 12...Bd7, 13...Na5, and 14...Qe8, all excellent moves. Black picks up the a-pawn, and then wins the game with the elegant 16...Nb3!!, cutting the queen's protection of the N/a3. It is rare to see a Master lose in only 16 moves!

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