1.d4
d5
2.c4
e6
3.Nf3
c6
4.Bf4
Nf6
5.e3
Nbd7
6.Bd3
Be7
7.0-0
0-0
8.Nbd2
b6
Rumata: "Black is trying to find a place for QB, but this weakens c6."
Well, let's not go too far. As the old saying goes, a weakness is only a weakness if it can be attacked. With a bishop on b7 protecting the c6 pawn, how can White bring any force against it? More importantly, this pawn dreams of c5 after Black finishes developing and he has to get the bishop out of the way to play a rook to c8.
Except for the white bishop on f4 instead of g5, this position after ..b6 is very similar to one of the most popular lines of the Queen's Gambit Declined, the Tartakower variation. The bishop on b7 can be a powerful piece if the center opens. Black's problem comes on move 10, not here.
9.Qc2
Bb7
Rumata: This locks QB Bishop in.
True, but the bishop wasn't better on c8 and it has a future! And that square is for a rook. Black's set-up is fine. [ 9...c5
10.cxd5
exd5
]
10.cxd5
cxd5??
This move is the reason we selected this game for analysis. It's a little harsh to give two question marks to a move that doesn't blunder a piece, but this is a monumental positional mistake that ruins Black's position completely.
Look at Black's position now and ask yourself how he can make progress. He has no control over the center and the move ..e5 is totally out of the question. The only open file is the c-file and White has the lead there. The b7 bishop has no hope of entering the game because the d5 pawn is frozen solid. The same is true of the d7 knight. The only hope for Black to get any freedom is with ..Ne4 at some point.
All of this doom and gloom is in stark contrast to the position after the correct 10...exd5. There Black's position is full of dynamic potential based on the move ..c5 and other action on the queenside. Unlike ..e5, the ..c5 break is clearly possible thanks to the support of the b6 pawn, the e7 bishop, the d7 knight, and a rook that will play to c8. Just about every black piece is prepared for ..c5!
Figuring this out doesn't require knowing a lot about the Queen's Gambit or openings at all. It's about "the breaks" we have discussed in White Belt before. (#32 "Analyze This" in particular.) That is, the pawn breaks in the position. After 10...cxd5?? Black doesn't have any and to play without any pawn breaks means you had better have advantages with your pieces (and he doesn't have them here).
Black probably agreed with Ramata's comments above and saw the capture as a way to remove the c-pawn "weakness." It's true that the pawn on c6 looks vulnerable with the c-file open for White. This confirms that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Black eliminated a weak pawn on principle but he also eliminated every shred of play in his position! [ 10...exd5
]
11.Rac1
The logical move. The c-file is the main strategic item on the board and White has control of it. In the face of this Black now proceeds to self-destruct completely. It was already a tough position, admittedly, but you can't ignore the problems in the position, you have to combat them.
11...Nb8?
Rumata: "Black undevelops his knight in order to defend his QB on a6."
Terrible and bizarre, giving White the c-file without a fight and losing time to do it. There isn't much Black can do to save the game after this so we won't add many more notes. White finishes him off convincingly. [ 11...Rc8
12.Qa4
a5
13.Rc2
Rumata: "And Rfc1 next move taking over c file."
? This is a little too direct. Black captures the rook and gains some time to regroup. Better is to keep putting pressure on with moves like Bb5 and Ne5.]
12.Qc7
Ba6
[ 12...Qxc7?
13.Rxc7
Rumata: And Black loses one of his bishops]
13.Bxa6
Nxa6
14.Qb7
Nb4
Rumata: forced
15.Rc7
Rumata: Threatening to win the bishop
15...Bd6
Rumata: "Forced."
Not at all! It was better to give up a pawn now with ..Rb8! [ 15...Rb8!
This pawn sacrifice was the best chance to confuse the issue. The rook will be protected by the queen on b8 so the Rxf7 trick won't be possible. 16.Qxa7
Bd6
17.Rfc1
Bxf4
18.exf4
Nd3
]
16.Bxd6
Qxd6
17.Rxf7!
A nice tactical shot. Domination of the seventh rank always pays dividends. [ 17.Rfc1
Nxa2
( 17...Rfb8
18.Rc8+
Rxc8
19.Rxc8+
Rxc8
20.Qxc8+
Qf8
21.Qc7
Nxa2
22.Qxa7
Nb4
23.Qxb6+-
) 18.R1c6
Qb4
19.Rxf7
Qxb2
20.Rcc7+-
]
17...Rab8?
[ 17...Rxf7
18.Qxa8+
Qf8
19.Qxf8+
Rxf8
20.Rc1!
Developing a piece and dominating the open file is more important than the a2 pawn. White has a pawn but the control of the c-file is critical. The black rook is relegated to defensive duty because of the Rc7 threat.]
18.Rxf8+?!
Rumata: "Didn't risk to take 2 pawns in fear of queen being trapped."
Excellent logic. A winning position you are sure of is better than complications that are probably stronger but that you aren't sure of. Spending a lot of time to work out details and risking a mistake can get you into trouble. You don't have to play perfectly or finish every game spectacularly. [ 18.Rxg7+
Kh8
19.Qxa7
Ra8
20.Qe7
Qxe7
21.Rxe7
Rxa2
22.Rxe6
]
18...Rxf8
19.Qxa7
[ 19.Ne5
]
19...Nd3
20.Qa6
Nb4
[ 20...Nxb2??
21.Qb5
Nc4
( 21...Qa3
22.Qxb6
Qxa2
23.Rb1
) 22.Nxc4
dxc4
23.Qxc4
]
21.Qa3!
Rumata: Pinning the knight
21...Rc8
22.Ne5
Rumata: Heading to d3 in order to win the knight on b4
22...Rc2
23.Rd1
Qf8
24.Qb3
Ne4?
25.Nxe4
dxe4
26.Qxe6+
Kh8
27.Nf7+
Kg8
28.Ng5+
Kh8
29.Qxe4
Rumata: Mate is inevitable. ..Qxf2+ 30. Kh1 g6 31. Qb7! and 32. Qxh7# 1-0