1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Nbd7 9.f3 Be7 10.g4 0-0 11.0-0-0 Qc7 12.Kb1



The respective flank attacks progress at a rather modest pace in this particular variation of the Najdorf, and the main reason for this is that Black has played e5. The black e-pawn stops White from getting in f4-f5 (f4 will be answered with exf4), but the hole on d5 will always give White the option of relieving some pressure on the queenside with Nc3-d5.

12...Rfc8 13.g5 Nh5 14.Nd5 Bxd5 15.exd5 Nb6 16.Rg1 a5 17.a3 a4

Black should probably have prepared this advance with Bd8.



18.Nc5! dxc5

White enjoys excellent compensation for the pawn after 18...Nxd5 19.Qxd5 dxc5 20.Bc4, but this may have been the lesser evil.

19.d6 Bxd6 20.Qxd6 Nf4 21.Bxf4 exf4 22.Bb5

Threatening Qxc7 and Rd6, trapping the knight!

22...g6?

Black needed to make a square for the knight with 22...Rab8



23.Rge1!

Simple and strong. The primary threat is Re8+.

23...Ra5

23...Kg7 runs into 24.Qf6+ Kg8 25.Re7, and White wins the ending after 23...Qxd6 24.Rxd6 Rc6 25.Bxc6 bxc6 26.Rxc6.



24.Re8+ Rxe8 25.Qxc7 Rxb5 26.Qxb7 resigns.

1-0