1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4

A sharp move which leads to a double edged game, normal is 6. Be2.

6... Nc6 7. g5 Nd7 8. Be3 Be7 9. h4

9. Qd2 is more solid.

9... a6 10. Be2 Qc7 11. h5

Threatening to split the K-side with Rg1 and g6.

11... b5! 12. Rg1 g6

12... Nc5 is better.

13. Rh1! Rg8 14. hxg6 hxg6 15. f4 Nc5 16. a3 Rb8 17. b4 Nd7

If 17... Na4, then 18. Ncxb5 axb5 19. Bxb5 Nc3 20. Bxc6+ and wins.

18. Ndxb5

[RR The simpler 18. Qd2 Bb7 19. O-O-O was also possible, and perhaps better.]

18... axb5 19. Nxb5 Qb7 20. Nxd6+ Bxd6 21. Qxd6 Ra8

Threatening ... Nxb4.

[RR ?. Better 21... Ne7.]

22. Kf2!

[RR Missing 22. O-O-O!, e.g. 22... Rxa3 23. b5 Na5 24. Bc5. ]

22... Ne7 23. Rhd1

[RR Better 23. Bd3.]

23... Qc6

[RR Better 23... Qxe4=, e.g. 24. Bf3 Qxc2+ 25. Rd2 Qc3 26. Bxa8 Nf5! (26... Qxa1? 27. Bc5 Nf5 28. Qc7) 27. Qd3 Qxa1 28. Bc6 Kf8 29. Bxd7 Rh8=.]

24. c4

Better is 24. Bf3.

[RR 24. Qxc6 (24. Bf3 e5!) 24... Nxc6 25. Bb5.]

24... Rh8

[RR Better 24... Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Rh8.]

25. Qxc6 Nxc6 26. Bf3

[RR 26. Rh1!.]

26... Kd8

[RR A losing move. It was essential to play 26... e5!, with only a small advantage to White.]

27. e5

[RR Now White has an overwhelming position.]

27... Bb7 28. Rd6

[RR ?!. 28. b5 Na5 29. Bxb7 Nxb7 30. c5 is much more direct.]

28... Kc7 29. Rad1

[RR ?; this grants Black a reprieve. 29. b5 Ncxe5 30. fxe5 Nxe5 31. Bxb7 Kxb7 32. Bd4 and White is probably still winning.]

29... Ndb8

[RR ?. 29... Ncb8! and it is questionable whether White has any meaningful advantage, e.g. 30. Bxb7 Kxb7 31. c5 Rh2+ 32. Ke1 Rxa3 33. c6+ Nxc6 34. Rxd7+ Kc8 35. Bc5 Rh1+ 36. Kf2 Rh2+ 37. Kg1 Rb2=.]

30. b5 Rxa3

If 30... Na5 31. Bb6+ Kc8 32. Rd8+ and mate.

31. bxc6 Bxc6 32. Bxc6 Nxc6 33. Rd7+ Kc8 34. Bb6

[RR ?. Better 34. Rxf7.]

34... Rh2+ 35. Kg1 Rb2

[RR ??; the final twist; Black is now lost. 35... Rah3 36. Kf1 Rh1+ 37. Ke2 R1h2+ 38. Bf2 Rc3.]

36. Rc7+ Kb8 37. Rxc6 Rg3+ 38. Kf1 Rf3+ 39. Ke1 Rh3 40. Bg1 Kb7 41. Rcd6 Rg3 42. Bf2 Rh3 43. R6d2

1-0

Annotator(s): Tom Ireton (see Source).

Source(s): Evening Echo, June 19, 1973 p. 14.

Event information: Wexford, Irish Chess History (ed. David McAlister).

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