The previous game I published by Dave Finnerman had some doubtful points. This victory from the second round is far more clearly a dominating win by Mr. Finnerman over the quickly improving scholastic player Calderone.
Calderone, Zachary - Finnerman, David [B07]
133d NYS Champ U1800 Albany, NY, 07.09.2011
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f3,..
Typically played to avoid a Pirc player’s preparation in the well studied lines of the Austrian (4 f4), the Classical (4 Nf3) and the Bishop move variations (4 Bc4 & 4 Bg5). Black has several ways to achieve an acceptable middle game including the Old Indian (a quick e5 and ..,Be7) and an early (3..., d5;) looking to transpose into a French Defense if Black does not play ..,g7-g6 early. Taking up the standard Pirc setup also works as in the game.
4..., Bg7 5.Be3 0–0 6.Qd2 e5 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.0–0–0 Qe7!?
The Grandmasters prefer 8..., Qxd2+; aiming for equality. Mr. Finnerman wants more.
9.Bg5?!,..
The basic moving-a-piece-twice opening error. Logical are; 9 g4, or 9 h4, getting on with the K-side pawn assault. Also reasonable are the prophylactic 9 Qf2, 9 Bd3 and 9 Kb1. If White wants to develop straight forwardly he can try 9 Bc4. The text has the virtue of setting the possibility of elimination of the Nf6, but the cost of a tempo that can be better used and the disappearance of the better of the White Bishops is too great a price.
9..., Be6 10.Bd3 c5?!
Likely this move is just too risky for Black. Better 10..., Rd8.
11.Nd5,..
A worthy alternative here is 11 f4, then 11..., Qd7 12 Nf3 exf4 13 Qxf4 Nh5 14 Qd2 Nc6 15 a3, and the battle is undecided. Both sides retain chances to try for the advantage.
11..., Bxd5 12.exd5 Qd6 13.Bxf6?,..
This move is illogical, and it changes a unclear but dynamically balanced position into one that is promising for Black. The fundamental reason is the dark squared Bishop is useful for White. Remaining on g5 it stifles its Black counterpart. White may have been concerned that the Nf6 could travel Ne8/Nd6 taking up a good blockading post, but that regrouping of pieces takes several moves since the Black Queen will have to move away. The text is also contrary to the essence of the position. Opposite side castling most often signals sacrificial attacks with the result turning on who gets there first. As in the game, Black should probably think about giving the a & b-pawns to obtain open lines on the White King.
13..., Qxf6 14.c4 Nd7
Here Black could play 14..., b4; right away, and if 15 cxb4 c4 16 Bxc4? Rc8; is promising.
15.Ne2 b5 16.cxb5 c4 17.Bb1 a6
White now sees that things are going wrong with his position.
18.bxa6 Rfb8 19.Nc3 Rxa6 20.Qe2?,..
In a tough situation Mr. Calderone errs. It should be said the game is very close to being lost no matter what White plays. The text however lets Black finish up with a flourish. With 20 Rhe1 Rxa6 21 Re4 Rxb2 22 Qxb2 Rxb2 23 Kxb2 Qa6; Black has a winning edge, but White can fight on for awhile.
20..., Bh6+
The dormant Bishop springs to life becoming part of a neat mating combination.
21.Kc2 Qb6 22.Qxc4 Qxb2+ 23.Kd3 e4+ 24.Kxe4 f5+ 25.Kd4 Qf2+ 26.Kd3 0–1
White played his last move and resigned seeing 26..., Ne5; mate. I very much like the combination that ends the game. White misunderstood the opening ideas and Black took a chance in the opening provoking an error by White. Black recognized the basic requirement in opposite side castling positions; speedy attacking is crucial and brought home the point with the mating combination. A good performance by the winner of the Under 1800 Section of the State Championship.
More soon.
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