1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 Bf5 4. O-O c6 5. d3 e6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Re1 e5 8. e4 dxe4 9. dxe4 Bg4 10. Nc4 Ke7 11. Ncxe5 Bxe5 12. Qxd8+ Rxd8 13. Nxe5 Bd1 14. c3 Bc2 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxf6+ Kxf6 17. Rac1 Ba4 18. f4 Nd7 19. Nxd7+ Rxd7 20. b3 Bb5 21. c4 Ba6 22. Rcd1 Rad8 23. Rxd7 Rxd7 24. e5+ Ke7 25. h4 Rd2 26. f5 Rxa2 27. e6 Ra3 28. Re3 Bxc4 29. exf7+ Kxf7 30. Bf3 Rxb3 31. Bh5+ Kf6 0-1

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4 dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Qd2 e6 9. h3 Be7 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Nc3 f6 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. O-O-O Qe7 14. g4 Qb4 14... Bg6 15. g5 Bxd4 16. Nxd4 Ne5 15. gxf5 exf5 *

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 c5 7. e4 d4 8. e5 Nd5 9. Re1 Nc6 10. a4 Qc7 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Bxd5 Bxe5 13. c3 Nf5 14. Nc4 Bg7 15. Bf4 Nd6 16. Nxd6 exd6 17. Qd2 Bd7 18. Re7 Rae8 19. Rae1 Bf6 20. Rxe8 20. Bxf7+ Rxf7 21. Rxe8+ Bxe8 22. Rxe8+ Rf8 20... Rxe8 21. Rxe8+ Bxe8 22. Qe2 Bxa4 23. Qe4 Bc6 24. Bxc6 bxc6 25. Qe8+ Kg7 26. h4 Be5 27. Be3 h5 28. Kg2 Qb7 29. Bxc5 Qxb2 30. Bxa7 Qxc3 31. Bb6 Bd4 32. Bxd4+ Qxd4 33. Qxc6 Qxd3 34. Qf3 Qxf3+ 35. Kxf3 Kf6 36. Ke4 Ke6 37. f3 d5+ 38. Kd4 Kd6 39. g4 Ke6 40. gxh5 gxh5 41. f4 Kf5 0-1

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. Be2 Be6 7. Nxd5 Bxd5 8. O-O Nc6 9. Re1 Be7 10. c3 O-O 11. d4 Bd6 12. Bd3 Qf6 13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Rxe4 Rfe8 15. Qe2 Rxe4 16. Qxe4 Qe7 17. Qxe7 Nxe7 18. Bd2 Re8 19. Re1 Kf8 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21. Rxe5 Ng6 22. Rxe8+ Kxe8 23. Kf2 Ke7 24. Kf3 Kf6 25. Bxf4 Nxf4 26. Kxf4 g5+ 27. Ke4 h5 28. d5 h4 29. c4 b6 30. b4 Kg6 31. c5 f5+ 32. Ke5 g4 33. d6 cxd6+ 34. cxd6 Kf7 35. Kxf5 Ke8 36. Kxg4 Kd7 37. Kxh4 Kxd6 38. g4 Ke7 39. Kg5 Kf7 40. h4 Kg7 41. Kf5 Kf7 42. g5 Kg7 43. h5 Kh7 44. Kf6 Kh8 45. g6 Kg8 46. b5 Kh8 47. g7+ Kg8 48. h6 Kh7 49. Kf7 1-0

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bc4 a6 7. Bf4 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. Qe2 Nf6 10. Rfd1 O-O 11. e5 Ne8 12. exd6 Nxd6 12... Bf6 13. Ne4 e5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxe5 Re8 16. Bxd6 Bxd6 17. Bxf7+ 17. Rxd6 17... Kxf7 18. Nxd6+ 18. Qf3+ Kg8 19. Nxd6 Re7 20. Nxb7 18... Qxd6 19. Qxe8+ Kxe8 20. Rxd6 Bf5 21. Rc1 Ke7 22. Rd4 b5 23. Rc7+ Kf6 24. f4 Re8 25. Kf2 Re7 26. Rc6+ Re6 27. Rdd6 Rxd6 28. Rxd6+ 1-0

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bc4 h6 7. h3 Nbd7 8. e5 Nh7 9. Be3 Nb6 10. Bb3 e6 11. Qd2 Re8 12. O-O-O Nf8 13. g4 d5 14. h4 f5 14... Nc4 15. Bxc4 dxc4 16. h5 b5 17. hxg6 fxg6 15. gxf5 exf5 16. h5 Be6 17. hxg6 Nxg6 18. Rdg1 Bf7 19. Qg2 Re7 20. Nh4 Re6 21. Nxf5 Kh7 22. Nxh6 Bxh6 23. f5 Nh4 24. Qh3 Bxe3+ 25. Qxe3 Rh6 26. f6 Qd7 27. Rg7+ 1-0

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. d4 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. a3 a5 9. Rb1 exd4 10. Nxd4 c6 11. Bf4 Nc5 12. Nxc6 bxc6 13. Bxd6 Qb6 14. Bxf8 Bxf8 15. Qd4 Bf5 16. Qxf6 Bg7 17. Qxc6 Qxc6 18. Bxc6 Rc8 19. Bd5 Bxb1 20. Rxb1 Nb3 21. Rd1 Bf8 22. Ne4 Bg7 23. e3 Rb8 24. Nc3 Kf8 25. Kf1 Nc5 26. Ne4 Nb3 27. c5 f5 28. Bxb3 fxe4 29. Bd5 Rxb2 30. c6 Be5 31. Bxe4 1-0

1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Qh4+ 4. Kf1 d6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Nc3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 c6 8. d4 g5 9. g3 Qh3+ 10. Kg1 Bg7 11. Be3 Nh6 12. Bf2 fxg3 13. hxg3 Qg4 14. Qg2 Qd7 15. Rh5 f6 16. e5 Ng4 17. exf6 Bxf6 18. Qe4+ Be5 19. dxe5 Nxf2 19... d5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Nxd5 20. Kxf2 d5 21. Bxd5 cxd5 22. Nxd5 O-O+ 23. Nf6+ Rxf6+ 24. exf6 Nc6 25. Re1 Qd4+ 26. Qxd4 Nxd4 27. Re7 h6 28. Rxh6 Nf5 29. Rg6+ Kf8 30. Rxb7 Rc8 31. c3 and White won. 1-0

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. c4 O-O 5. Bg2 c5 6. d5 d6 7. O-O e6 8. dxe6 fxe6 9. Nc3 d5 10. Qc2 Nc6 11. Rd1 d4 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 e5 14. Bg5 Qb6 15. Qc2 Bf5 16. Qc1 Rae8 17. Ne1 e4 18. Bh6 e3 19. Bf4 exf2+ 20. Kxf2 d3 21. Bd5+ Kh8 22. Nxd3 Bxd3 23. Rxd3 Bxb2 24. Qe1 Nd4 25. Rxd4 Bxd4+ 26. Kg2 Qb2 27. Qf1 Rxe2+ 28. Kh3 Rxh2+ 29. Kg4 Qxa1 29... h5+ 30. Kg5 (30. Kf3 Rxf4+ (30... Rf2+ 31. Ke4 Qc2+ 32. Qd3 Re2+) ) 30... Bf6+ 31. Kxg6 Qc2+ 32. Qd3 Qxd3+ 33. Be4 Qxe4+ 34. Kh6 Qh7# 29... Qe2+ 30. Qxe2 Rxe2 30. Be5+ Rf6 31. Qxf6# 1-0

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. a3 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. f3 h6 12. Be3 Rc8 13. O-O d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Rad1 Qc7 17. Bf4 Bc5+ 18. Kh1 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Rfe1 Qc7 21. Qb4 Qc5 22. Qg4 Ke7 23. Qh4+ f6 24. Qg4 g5 25. Rd2 Qd6 26. Be4 h5 27. Qh3 g4 28. fxg4 hxg4 29. Qxg4 29. Rxd5 gxh3 30. Rxd6 hxg2+ 31. Bxg2 Kxd6 29... Qxh2# 0-1

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. a3 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. f3 h6 12. Be3 Rc8 13. O-O d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Rad1 Qc7 17. Bf4 Bc5+ 18. Kh1 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Rfe1 Qc7 21. Qb4 Qc5 22. Qg4 Ke7 23. Qh4+ f6 24. Qg4 g5 25. Rd2 Qd6 26. Be4 h5 27. Qh3 g4 28. fxg4 hxg4 29. Qxg4 29. Rxd5 gxh3 30. Rxd6 hxg2+ 31. Bxg2 Kxd6 29... Qxh2# 0-1

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 e6 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bb5 a6 8. Ba4 Bd7 9. O-O Be7 10. a3 O-O 11. Bc2 e5 12. Ne2 Bg4 13. Kh1 Qc7 14. Be3 Rac8 15. Rc1 Qd7 The more ambitious 15... d5! 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. exd5 Qd6= destroys White's center. 16. d5 Nb8 17. Nfg1 Bh5 18. f3 a5 19. Ng3 Bg6 20. Bb1 A slow move. White ought to be trying to keep the pressure on with something like 20. Qd2 20... Na6 21. f4 Ng4 22. Bd2 exf4 23. Bxf4 Bf6 White's reticent play has allowed Black to freely improve the position of his pieces. 24. b3 Ne5 24... Bb2 seems a bit better, provoking 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. a4 , giving Black control of the c-file and White a backward pawn on b3. 25. Nf3 Nxf3 26. Qxf3 Bb2 27. Rce1?! 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Bd2 Bxa3 29. Bxa5 Bb2= 27... f6 And now it is Black who declines to pursue an advantage. There's nothing wrong with 27... Bxa3 , grabbing an extra pawn. 28. a4 Be5 29. h4 Rc3 30. Re3 Rxe3 31. Qxe3?! The Queen should stay put and cover g4. 31... Qg4 32. Bxe5 fxe5?! 32... Qxh4+ is the obvious intermezzo. 33. Rxf8+ Kxf8 34. Qf3+ Qxf3 35. gxf3 Nc5 36. Bc2 Kf7?? 36... h5= was a good chance to save the game 37. h5 Bxh5 38. Nxh5 Kg6 38... g6 39. Ng3 39. Ng3 Kg5 39... b6 does not help much 40. Nf5 Nb7 41. Kh2 40. Nf5 Kf4 41. Kg2 g5 42. Bd1 42. Kf2 might be the shorter path 42... g4 43. fxg4 Nd7 42... h5 Black prepares the advance g4 42... g4 is not much help 43. Nxd6 gxf3+ 44. Bxf3 43. Nxd6 g4 44. Nf5 44. fxg4!? seems even better 44... hxg4 45. b4 axb4 44... gxf3+ 45. Bxf3 Nxb3 46. Nd6 Nc5 47. Bxh5 Nxa4 47... b5 is not the saving move 48. axb5 a4 49. Be2 48. Bg6 48. Nxb7!? and White can already relax 48... Nb6 49. d6 Kxe4 48... Nc5 49. Kf2 Kg5 50. Bf5 Kf6 51. Ke2 Ke7 52. Nc4 a4 53. Na3 Nb3 53... b6 doesn't do any good 54. Kd2 54. Kd3 Nd4 55. Nc2 55. Kc4 makes it even easier for White 55... Kd6 55... Nb3 55... Nxc2 56. Kxc2 b5 56. Kc4 Kd6 57. Kb4 Nc5 57... Nd4 cannot change what is in store for ? 58. Na3 b5 59. Bh3 (59. Nxb5+?! Nxb5 60. Kxa4 Nc3+ 61. Ka5 Nxd5=) 58. Na3 Na6+ 59. Kxa4 Nc7 59... Kc5 is one last hope 60. Nb5 Nb8 60. Kb4 60. Nb5+ Ke7 61. d6+ Kf7 62. dxc7 b6 63. c8=Q Ke7 64. Qe6+ Kf8 65. Qh6+ Ke8 66. Qg7 Kd8 67. Qd7# 60... Nxd5+ 1/2-1/2 [Fritz 9 (120s)]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 c6 3. a3 d5 4. d4 a6 5. h3 b5!? From past experience, I know that nobody would accuse Mike of playing normal openings. 6. g4? And perhaps this is why. Sometimes, the opponent will attempt to match your eccentricity. 6... bxc4 7. Nf3 e6 8. Bf4 Bd6 9. Be5 9. Bxd6 - just get rid of the bad Bishop. 9... Qc7 9... Bxe5 10. Nxe5 Nfd7 intending ...c5. 10. g5 Nh5?! 11. e4 Nd7 12. Bh2? A waste of time that will be followed up by misplacing a piece on h2. 12... Bxh2 13. Nxh2 Nf4 14. e5? White has mistaken himself for someone in control of the position. This move only strengthens the effect of Black's inevitable ...c5 push. 14... Nxe5 14... c5! gives Black a dominant position without any need for fireworks. 15. Qd2 Ng6 16. f4 cxd4 17. Qxd4 Rb8 15. dxe5 Qxe5+ 16. Be2 Qxg5 17. Nf3 Qf6 18. Qd4 Qxd4 19. Nxd4 Bd7 20. Kd2?! e5 21. Nf3 f6 22. h4 22. Rag1 does not solve anything 22... O-O 23. Bf1 Rab8 22... Rb8 23. Ra2 Kf7 24. Na4 24. Bd1 doesn't get the bull off the ice 24... c5 25. Bc2 Be6 24... Rb5 24... Nxe2 keeps an even firmer grip 25. Kxe2 Bg4 26. Rg1 25. Rd1 25. Nc3 doesn't change anything anymore 25... Rb7 26. Rc1 Rhb8 25... Bf5 25... Nxe2!? makes it even easier for Black 26. Kxe2 Bg4 27. Nc3 26. Ne1 Rhb8 27. Bf1 Rb3 28. Kc1 Bd3 28... Ne6 and the rest is a matter of technique 28... Bg4 secures the win 29. Rd2 Bh3 29. Nxd3 Nxd3+ 30. Bxd3 cxd3 31. Nc5 d2+ 31... R3b5!? 32. Nxd3 a5 32. Rxd2= Rh3 Black threatens to win material: Rh3xh4 33. b4 Black has a new backward pawn: c6 33... Rb6 34. Nd7 34. Rdc2!? is worth looking at 34... Rxh4 35. Na4= 34... Rb5 35. Rdc2 White threatens to win material: Rc2xc6 35. Nc5 a5 36. h5 Rxh5 37. bxa5 Rxa5 38. Rab2 Rh4 39. Rb7+ Ke8 40. Rxg7 Rxa3 41. Kb2 Ra5 42. Ne6 Rb4+ 43. Kc1 h5 35... Ke7 Black threatens to win material: Ke7xd7 36. Nc5 A beautiful square! 36... a5 37. h5? 37. bxa5!? should be considered 37... Rxa5 38. a4 37... Rxh5 37... Kd6!? 38. Na6 38. bxa5 Rxa5 39. Rab2 Rh4?? allows the opponent back into the game 39... Rb5 40. Rb7+ Ke8 41. Rxg7 Rxa3?? cause more grief 41... Rc4 42. Rxc4 dxc4 42. Kb2 White threatens to win material: Kb2xa3 42. Rb2 Rh1+ 43. Kd2 42... Ra5 43. Ne6 Rb4+ 44. Kc1 h5 45. Rxc6 Rc4+ 46. Rxc4 White has a mate threat 46... dxc4 White wins a piece. 47. Kb2 h4 48. Rh7 1/2-1/2 [RM/Fritz 9 (120s)]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 g6 6. Nbd2 Bg7 7. e4 dxe4 8. dxe4 O-O 9. c3 Qc7 10. Qe2 e5 11. a4 Bd7 12. Nc4 a6 13. a5 Be6 14. Nfd2 Nd7 15. Rd1 b5 16. axb6 Nxb6 17. Nxb6 Qxb6 18. Nc4 Qb5 19. Bf1 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Qxc4 21. Bxc4 a5 22. Bd5 Rfd8 23. Be3 Ra6 24. Bxc6 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxc6 26. Rd8+ Bf8 27. Bh6 Rc8 28. Rxc8 f5 29. Rxf8# 1-0

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Bd7 8. Kh1 Nc6 9. f4 Be7 10. Be3 b5 11. a3 Qc7 12. Bf3 Rc8 13. e5 Innocuous. 13. Nb3 13... dxe5= 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Bxc6+ Qxc6 16. fxe5 Nd7? 16... Nd5 is right, keeping White busy in the center. 17. Qg4 Bf8 18. Qf4 18. Bd4 prevents Black's upcoming freeing move. 18... f6 19. exf6 Nxf6 20. Qg5 20. Bd4 Be7 21. Rae1 attacks the weak e-pawn before Black has the chance to get castled. 20... Be7! Black has kept his head admirably in a tough situation. 21. Rf3 21. Qxg7?? is not possible, due to 21... Rg8 . 21... Rg8? 21... O-O is a viable option 22. Bd4 Rf7= 22. Raf1 22. Bd4!? Kd7 23. Rd1 Kc7 24. Nxb5+ Kb7 22... Kd7 23. Qe5 Ke8 24. Bg5 Rf8 25. Bxf6 Bxf6 26. Qh5+ 26. Qe3!? Kf7 27. Ne4 Kg8 28. Nxf6+ Rxf6 29. Rxf6 gxf6 30. Rxf6 Qxc2 31. Qxe6+ Kh8 26... Ke7 27. Re1 Bxc3 28. Rxc3 Inferior is 28. bxc3 Rxf3 29. gxf3 Qxc3 28... Qd7? 28... Qe8 29. Qh3 Rf6 30. Rf3 29. Rxc8 29. Rd3 makes it even easier for White 29... Qe8 30. Qxh7 29... Qxc8 30. Qxh7 Rf7 31. Qh4+ 31. h3 Qc4 32. Rg1 Qd4 31... Ke8 31... Rf6 32. c3 32. Qh8+ Kd7 33. Qxc8+ Kxc8 34. Kg1 Kd7 35. Rf1 Re7 36. Rf8 Kc6 37. Kf2 e5 38. Ke3 Rd7 39. Ra8 Kb7 40. Re8 Rd1 41. Rxe5 Rb1 41... g6 42. Re7+ Kc8 43. Rg7 42. b4 Ra1 43. Re7+ Kb6 44. Rxg7 Rxa3+ 45. Kd4 Kc6 45... Ra2 cannot undo what has already been done 46. Rg6+ Kb7 47. c3 Rd2+ 48. Ke4 Re2+ 49. Kd3 46. h4 Ra1 46... a5 does not help much 47. bxa5 Rxa5 48. Rg6+ Kd7 49. h5 Ra4+ 50. Kc3 47. h5 Rh1 47... Rd1+ doesn't change the outcome of the game 48. Ke4 Re1+ 49. Kf4 Rf1+ 50. Kg5 48. Rg6+ Kb7 48... Kd7 hardly improves anything 49. h6 49. g4 Rc1 50. c3 Rd1+ 50... Kc7 a fruitless try to alter the course of the game 51. h6 51. Ke3 51. Kc5 Rd7 52. h6 Rd3 53. Rg7+ Ka8 54. g5 Rd2 55. h7 Rd8 56. Rg8 Rb8 57. Rxb8+ Kxb8 58. h8=Q+ Kc7 59. Qg7+ Kd8 60. Kd6 a5 61. Qd7# 51... Re1+ 52. Kd2 Re7 52... Rh1 does not win a prize 53. h6 53. h6 Rd7+ 53... Re8 doesn't change the outcome of the game 54. h7 Rd8+ 55. Kc2 54. Kc2 Kc8 1-0 [RM/Fritz 9 (120s)]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Nc6 7. Be3 e6 8. Bc4 d5 9. Nxc6 Now Black gets more pawns in the center. 9. exd5 9... bxc6 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Bg5 Be7 12. e5 Nd7 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. f4 O-O 15. a3 What does this move do? 15... c5 16. Qe2 d4 This advance gives squares (Bc4, Ne4) to the enemy minor pieces; 16... c4 does not. 17. Ne4 Nb6 18. Nd6 Bd5 19. Bxd5 Nxd5 20. g3 Ne3 21. c3? Necessary is 21. Rg1 with the point that 21... f6 22. Nc4 Qb7 no longer hits a Rook on h1. Luckily, Black misses this chance. 21... Qc7 22. Kf2? 22. Rc1 Qc6 23. Rg1 22... Qc6?? White king safety dropped. letting the wind out of his own sails 22... f6 Black clearly has the better chances 23. Rac1 fxe5 24. cxd4 exd4 (24... Qxd6?! 25. dxe5 Qxe5 26. Qxe3 Qxb2+ 27. Qe2 Qxa3 28. Qxe6+ Kh8 29. Rhe1) (24... exf4 25. dxc5 Qc6 26. gxf4 Rxf4+ 27. Kxe3) 23. Qf3 White threatens to win material: Qf3xc6 23... Qa4 24. b4? 24. Rhc1 Nd5 25. Kg1 Rab8= 24... Qc2+ Black forks: f2+c3 24... cxb4!? 25. axb4 Qc2+ 26. Qe2 Qxc3 25. Qe2= Qxc3 26. Rhc1 Qb3 27. bxc5 Ra7 28. c6 Is this a dangerous pawn? 28... Rc7 29. Qxa6?? there were better ways to keep up the pressure 29. Rab1 Qd5 30. Qf3 Qa2+ 31. Qe2 Qxa3= 29... Nd5?? weakening the position 29... Ng4+ 30. Ke1 Nxh2 30. Qc4 White threatens to win material: Qc4xb3 30... Qe3+ 31. Kg2 g5 Black threatens to win material: g5xf4 32. Re1 Qd2+ 32... gxf4!? should be investigated more closely 33. Nb5 fxg3 34. hxg3 Qd2+ 35. Kh1 Qh6+ 36. Kg1 Qg5 33. Qe2 Qxe2+ 34. Rxe2 Rxc6 35. fxg5 Ne3+ 36. Kf3 Rc3 36... h6!? is noteworthy 37. Nb5 Rc4 38. Nxd4! the knock-out blow. 38... Rxd4 39. Kxe3 39. Rxe3 Ra8 39... Rfd8 39... Rg4 40. h4 40. Kf2 Kg7 41. a4 41. h4!? Ra4 41... Ra8 42. Rea2 Ra5 43. Ke3 White threatens to win material: Ke3xd4 43... Rdd5 44. h4 Rxe5+ 45. Kf2 Kg6 46. Re2 Kf5 46... Rec5!? 47. Rxe5+ Kxe5 48. Ke3 Kd5 49. Rf1 Rxa4?? simply worsens the situation. . 49... Ra7 50. Rxf7 Ra3+ 51. Kf2 51. Kf4 seems even better 51... e5+ 52. Kg4 51... Ke5?? the pressure is too much, Black crumbles 51... Ke4 52. h5 Ra2+ 53. Kf3 Ra3+ 54. Kg4 Ra4+ 55. Rf4 55. Kh3 seems even better 55... Ra8 56. Rxh7 Kf5 55... Ra7 55... Ra8 does not improve anything 56. h6 Ra7 57. Rf8 56. g6 hxg6 57. hxg6 Kd6 58. Rf7 58. Kh5 and White has it in the bag 58... Rxf7= 59. gxf7 A pawn endgame occurred 59... Ke7 60. f8=Q+ Kxf8 61. Kf4 Kf7 62. Ke5 Kg6 63. Kxe6 1/2-1/2 [Fritz 9 (120s)]

1. d4 d6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e4 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. Nge2 Nc6 7. O-O Nb4 The book move 7... e5 is more logical, staking a claim to the center. 8. Bb1 c6 9. a3 Na6 10. h3 e5 11. d5 cxd5 12. cxd5 Qb6 A true King's Indian player wouldn't be able to resist 12... Nh5 and ...f5. 13. b4 Bd7 14. Be3 Qc7 15. f4?! Why open the long diagonal for Black's Bishop? 15... exf4 16. Bxf4 Nxe4?! But this is too eager. 17. Bxe4 White could also play 17. Nxe4!? Bxa1 18. Bxd6 Qb6+ 19. Kh1 Rfc8 20. Be7 and White's passed pawn and better placed pieces give him more than enough for the exchange. 17... Bxc3 18. Nxc3 Qxc3 19. Rf3 Qc7 20. Rc1 Qb6+ 21. Be3 Qd8 22. Qd4 f5 23. Bd3 Qf6 24. Re1 24. Qxf6 Rxf6 25. Be2! is a deliciously subtle move found by Fritz. The point is not apparent until one finds 25... Rc8 26. Rxc8+ Bxc8 27. Bxa7 Nc7 and now, with the 3rd rank clear, White has 28. Rc3! The verdict? Black can't contest the c-file on move 25. 24... Qxd4 25. Bxd4 Nc7 26. Re7 Rfd8?? In fairness, it's not easy to see why this is a blunder. 26... Rf7 is a must. 27. Rfe3 27. Bxf5! is a vicious blow. 27... Bxf5 (27... gxf5?? 28. Rg3+ Kf8 29. Rxh7 is too dangerous) 28. Rg7+! Kf8 29. Rxc7 and Black can't even get his other Bishop out of the pin. 27... Nxd5? Worsening the situation, although 27... Ne8 28. g4! fxg4 29. hxg4 Bxg4 30. Bb5 is anything but pleasant. 28. Bc4 Bc6 29. Rg7+ 29. b5 undermines the hapless horse. 29... Kf8 30. Bxd5? And in continued fairness, this line looks good, at first, for White. 30. Re6 Re8 31. Rxe8+ Rxe8 32. b5 30... Bxd5 31. Ree7 It's hard to believe, but doubling Rooks on the 7th can be an inferior move! The problem is that they have only one insignificant target (Ph7) to attack. 31... Re8! 32. Bf6 32. Rxe8+ Rxe8 33. Rxh7 Re2 and 32. Rd7 Re1+ 33. Kh2 Re2 both favor Black. 32... Rxe7 33. Rxe7 Bc6 33... Rc8 34. Rxh7 Re8 35. Kf2 Kg8?! 36. Rc7 White can get away with 36. Rg7+! Kf8 37. Rxg6 Kf7 38. Rh6 Re6 39. Bg5= . 36... Re6 37. Rg7+ Kf8 38. Rxg6?? But it doesn't work a tempo down. 38... Kf7 39. Rg5 Kxf6 40. h4 40. Rg8 doesn't change anything anymore 40... Re8 41. Rg3 Be4 40... d5 40... Re4 and Black can already relax 41. Kg3 41. Rg8 41. g4 doesn't change the outcome of the game 41... fxg4 42. Rxg4 Re4 41... d4 42. h5 Kf7 43. Rd8 Re4 44. g3 44. b5 doesn't improve anything 44... Bxb5 45. h6 Kg6 46. Rd6+ Kh7 44... Bb5 44... Ke7 45. b5 Kxd8 46. h6 Bxb5 47. g4 fxg4 48. Kg2 d3 49. h7 Re8 50. Kf1 d2+ 51. Kg2 d1=Q 52. Kg3 Qd6+ 53. Kh4 Qf6+ 54. Kxg4 Be2+ 55. Kg3 Re3+ 56. Kh2 Qf2+ 57. Kh1 Rh3# 45. Rd5 45. h6 is one last hope 45... Kg6 46. Rd6+ Kh7 47. Rf6 Re2+ 48. Kf3 45... Ke6 46. Rxb5 46. Rd8 praying for a miracle 46... Re2+ 47. Kf1 46... d3 47. h6 47. Ra5 hardly improves anything 47... d2 48. g4 d1=Q 49. gxf5+ Kf6 50. Ra6+ bxa6 51. h6 Qe2+ 52. Kg1 Rg4+ 53. Kh1 Qg2# 47... d2 48. h7 48. Rd5 doesn't get the cat off the tree 48... Kxd5 49. g4 d1=Q 50. Kg2 Qc2+ 51. Kg3 Qd3+ 52. Kh2 Re2+ 53. Kg1 Qd1# 48... d1=Q 49. h8=Q 49. Re5+ is no salvation 49... Rxe5 50. g4 Re2+ 51. Kf3 Qd3+ 52. Kf4 Qe3# 49... Re2+ 50. Kf3 Qf1# 0-1 [Fritz 9 (120s)]

A41: 1 d4 d6: Tartakower System and Modern Defence

1. d4 d6 2. Bg5 Nd7 3. e3 h6 4. Bh4 Ngf6 5. Nf3 last book move 5... e5 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Nbd2 Be7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O c6 Prevents intrusion on b5 10. Ne4?? a transit from better to worse 10. Bg3 Qc7 10... Qc7?? with this move Black loses his initiative 10... Nxe4 Black had this great chance 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Bxe4 Nf6 11. c3 Covers b4 11... g5 Black threatens to win material: g5xh4 12. Nfxg5 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. Bg3 12... Nxe4?? gives the opponent new chances 12... hxg5 13. Bxg5 12... hxg5 and Black is still in the game 13. Bxg5 Qd8= 13. Nxe4 Bxh4 14. Qg4+ Kh7?? Black crumbles in face of a dire situation 14... Bg5 15. Nxg5 Nf6 15. Qxh4 15. Ng5+! and White has reached his goal 15... Kg8 16. Ne6+ Bg5 17. Nxc7 Rb8 15... f5 15... Kg7 the last chance for counterplay 16. Qg4+ Kh8 16. Ng5+ Kg6 17. Ne6 Qd6 18. Nxf8+ 18. Qg3+ and White takes home the point 18... Kf7 19. Bc4 Qxe6 20. Bxe6+ Kxe6 21. Qg7 18... Nxf8 19. Rad1 Qe6 19... Qf6 cannot change destiny 20. Qb4 a5 21. Qb6 20. Be2 20. Bc4 might be the shorter path 20... Qf6 21. Qg3+ Qg5 22. Rd6+ Kh7 23. Qxe5 f4 20... Bd7 20... Qf6 there is nothing else anyway 21. Qh5+ Kh7 21. Bc4 Qe8 21... Qf6 does not help much 22. Qg3+ Qg5 23. Qxe5 22. Qg3+ 22. e4 Kg7 23. Rd6 Be6 24. Bxe6 Qg6 25. Qe7+ Kh8 26. Qxb7 Re8 27. exf5 Qg7 28. Qxc6 Rb8 22... Kh7 22... Kf6 what else? 23. e4 Be6 23. Qg8# 1-0 [Fritz 9 (120s)-]

D12: Slav Defence: 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Be2 Nbd7 7. O-O h6 8. b3 Bd6 9. h3 O-O 10. Bb2 Ne4 last book move 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Rc1 Ndf6 13. Nd2 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Ne5 Qb6 13... Nxd2 14. Qxd2 Bb4 15. a3 15. Bd3!?= 15... Ne4 Black threatens to win material: Ne4xd2 16. Qd1 16. Qe1 Nxc3 17. axb4 Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 16... Be7 16... Nxc3!? 17. Bxc3 Bxa3 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Bd3 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Qd7 20. Rc3 Rfc8 21. Rfc1 Rxc3 22. Rxc3 Instead of 22. Bxc3 Bxa3 23. Ra1 Bd6 22... Rc8 23. Qc2 Rxc3 24. Qxc3 Bd6 25. b4 Qc6 25... Qa4!? must definitely be considered 26. Qd2 b5 26. Qxc6 bxc6 A bishop endgame occured 27. Kf1 Kf8 28. Ke2 Ke7 29. Kd3 Bc7 30. a4 a6 31. Ba3 Kd7 32. f3 h5 33. g4 hxg4 34. hxg4 Bd6 35. e4 a5 Black threatens to win material: a5xb4 36. Kc3 Kc7 37. Kb3 axb4 38. Bxb4 White has a new passed pawn: a4. 38... Bf4 A valuable piece 39. Bc5 e5 40. a5 Kb7 41. Bd6 White threatens to win material: Bd6xe5 41... Ka6? 41... f6 42. Bf8 Bh6 43. Kc3= 42. Ka4 42. exd5 cxd5 43. Bxe5 Be3 44. Bxg7 Kxa5 42... g5? 42... f6= 43. Bc7?? what a pity, victory was in sight 43. exd5 cxd5 44. Bxe5 Bd2 43... exd4?? throws away a nice position 43... dxe4 makes it even easier for Black 44. fxe4 exd4 45. Bb6 44. Bb6?? throwing away the advantage 44. Bxf4 this is the best way to fight back 44... dxe4 45. Be5 44... d3 45. Kb3 Be5 45... dxe4!? keeps an even firmer grip 46. fxe4 Bd2 47. Bc5 Bxa5 48. Be7 46. Be3 Kb5 46... d4 47. Bxg5 Kb5 47. Bd2?? leads to further unpleasantness 47. a6 Kxa6 48. exd5 cxd5 49. Bxg5 47... f6 47... c5 48. Bxg5 c4+ 49. Ka2 Kxa5 50. Bd2+ c3 51. Bxc3+ Bxc3 52. Kb3 48. exd5? 48. a6 Kxa6 49. exd5 cxd5 48... cxd5 48... c5 makes it even easier for Black 49. Be1 49. Bc3?? terrible, but the game is lost in any case 49. Bb4 Bc7 49... d4 49... Bxc3 and the result of the game is clear: Black will win 50. Kxc3 Kxa5 51. Kxd3 Kb6 50. Bd2 Bf4 51. a6 Kxa6 51... Bxd2?? Black must not take the bishop, otherwise he will bring himself grief 52. a7 52. Kc4?? but even a better move would not have saved the game 52. Bb4 52... Bxd2 53. Kxd4 Bf4 54. Kxd3 Kb6 55. Ke4 Kc6 56. Kf5 Be5 57. Ke4 Kd6 58. Kd3 Kd5 59. Ke3 59. Ke2 hoping against hope 59... Kd4 60. Kd2 59... Bd6 59... Bc7 60. Kd3 Ke5 61. Kc4 Kf4 62. Kb3 Ba5 63. Ka3 Kxf3 64. Kb3 Kxg4 65. Kb2 f5 66. Ka2 f4 67. Kb3 f3 68. Ka3 f2 69. Ka4 Bd2 70. Kb5 f1=Q+ 71. Kc5 Qf5+ 72. Kc6 Ba5 73. Kd6 Bb4+ 74. Kc7 Qc5+ 75. Kb7 Ba5 76. Kb8 Qc6 77. Ka7 Bb6+ 78. Kb8 Qc7+ 79. Ka8 Qc8# 60. Kd3 Ke5 and Black won 60... Ke5 61. Kc4 Kf4 62. Kb5 Kxf3 63. Kb6 Kxg4 64. Kb5 f5 65. Ka5 f4 66. Kb6 f3 67. Kb5 f2 68. Kc6 Bf8 69. Kd5 f1=Q 70. Kc6 Qc4+ 71. Kb7 Bd6 72. Ka7 Qb5 73. Ka8 Qa6# 0-1 [Fritz 9 (120s)]