The last post with a win by Saratoga’s Taylor from Matt Katrein and a loss by Saratoga’s Lee Battes left the match even. Boards three and four were then the focus of the spectators. On board three two tough Experts were debating the merits of the Bird’s System.
CDCL Match Albany v Saratoga A, Board 1
White: Jon Leisner, Albany
Black: Gordon Magat, Saratoga A
Date: 24 June, 2010
1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Be2 c5 5.d3 Nc6 6.e4 dxe4 7.dxe4 Qxd1+ 8.Bxd1 e5 9.c3 Nge7 10.Be3 b6 11.0–0 Ba6 12.Re1 0–0 13.Be2 Bxe2 14.Rxe2 Rad8 15.Na3 f5
The game has been even to this point. If we apply the standard that White begins with a one-half pawn (+0.50 in computer speak) advantage, Black has done well to even up the game. If another more practical standard is used; the goal of any opening should be to obtain a playable position that you like and fits your style, then White is not unhappy with the outcome. There are two other possibilities that Black likely considered; 15..., Rd7; and 15..., Nc8. Both feature interesting maneuvering, and both leave Black with just a slight edge because it is almost inevitable that White will have a slightly worse pawn structure; an isolated e-pawn and three pawn islands for White to two for Black.
The game move heads the game towards complications. White could play 16 exf5, trying to avoid the isolation of his e-pawn, then if 15..., Rxe5 16 fxe5 the central tension dissolves. Although there is quite a bit of play left in the position the simplified situation suggests a draw is likely. Another possibility is 15 g4, where after 15..., Rff8 16 Nxe5 Nxe5 17 fxe5 and Black can not play 17..., Bxe5 for 18 Bg5 wins at least the Exchange. In this line White has the isolated e-pawn but it is an extra pawn. However hanging on to it is doubtful after 17.. Rde8.
The game move is typical of Gordon’s style. He is unafraid of complications believing his skill at calculation and good sight of the board will see him through. The one problem this approach brings with it is potential time trouble when Gordon has to work out difficult positions.
16.fxe5 f4 17.Bf2 Nxe5 18.Nxe5
Also possible is 18 Bh4 Rd7 19 Bxe7 Rxe7 20 Nxe5 Rxe5 21 Rd1 leading to a double Rook ending where Black bears down on the e-pawn, and White will give it up to get his free Rook to an active role on the 7th rank betting he will clip a pawn eventually.
18..., Bxe5 19.Bh4 Rd7 20.Rf1 Nc6
Black could take a somewhat different route with 20..., h6; here keeping the Bishop out of g5.
21.Bg5 Kg7 22.Nc4
While watching the game I wondered if 22 Nb5 might not be a better choice. With Rybka’s help it seems that 22.Nb5 Rdf7 23.Red2 h6 24 Bh4 g5 favors Black.
22...Rdf7 23.Ref2
White could have played 23 Nxe5, then 23..., Nxe5 24 Ref2 when either 24..., f3; or 24..., Nd3; lead to even games after some rather exciting endgame tactics. Non-grandmaster humans would have a hard time making such judgments. The game move looks logical so why does the computer want something else? Why think about esoteric alternatives?
23..., h6?
This hands White the advantage even though it is the expected move. If Black had played 23..., Bc7; he would have obtained a solid advantage, maybe not quite enough to win, but substantial. The suggested move holds the pawn on f5, and that pawn takes away squares from White’s Bishop and cramps his game. Now the f-pawn falls. That is why alternatives had to be sought.
24.Nxe5 Nxe5 25.Bxf4 Nd3?
Things are bad for Black. He is down a full pawn. The text move overlooks a tactical shot that changes a poor game into a dead loss. Better is 25..., Ng4; but Black still has the worst of it. Play could continue; 26 Rf3 g5 27 Bd6 Rxf3 28 gxf3 Rd8 29 Bxc5 bxc5 30 fxg4 Re8 31 Rf5 Rxe4 32 Kf2 Rxg4 33 Rxc5, and the game would be a technical win for White, but Black can make the winning process long. With the sudden-death time control in effect, that is a reasonable approach for Black to take.
26.Bxh6+!..
White wins material and Black has fewer obstacles he can put is White’s path than if he had played 25..., Ng4.
26..., Kxh6 27.Rxf7 Re8 28.R7f3..
While it does not change the outcome, the text is a bit less cogent than 28 R1f3, seeking the maximum activity for his pieces. Gordon Magat fell into time trouble during the preceding moves. Leisner managed his time well and had plenty of minutes to finish off the game.
28..., Nxb2 29.Re1 Nc4 30.e5 Rxe5 31.Rxe5 Nxe5 32.Re3 Nc4 33.Re7 a6 34.Kf2 Kg5 35.h4+ Kf6
Of course 35..., Kxh4? Loses to 36 Re4+.
36.Ra7 b5 37.Kg3 a5 38.Rc7 b4 39 Rxc5 Nd2 40 cxb4, and the fork at e4 recovers the Exchange but leaves the pawn ending entirely lost for Black, so Black resigned.
The final game and final league standings will be in tomorrow’s post.
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