White: FM Seth Homa
Black: Matt Trujillo
Matt's notes are in ( ) - the editor's notes are not.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. e4 d6
5. f3 0-0
6. Be3 c5
7. Nge2 cxd4
8. Nxd4 Nc6
9. Be2 Qb6
(This move seemed obvious to me because I play a
very similar line in the hyper-accelerated dragon, but surprisingly my database
has only 2 games from this position…both wins for black.)
10. Nxc6 Qxc6
11. 0-0 Be6
(I left book theory with this move, b6 and Nd7 has been
tried previously)
12. Nd5 Bxd5
13. cxd5 Qd7
14. Rc1
Taking open files. Matt says, “Not so fast pilgrim.”
14. ….. Rfc8
15. Qb3 Rxc1
16. Rxc1 Rc8
17. Rc4 Rc7
18. Qc2 Ne8
Trading for equality is not a bad strategy against a
superior player, but Matt is following the old adage “To take is a mistake”. If
Black takes first, Seth (White) has control of the c-file. Both are angling for
pawn steals (b3 and a7).
19. b3 Rxc4
20. Qxc4 b6
21. a4 Qc7
22. Qb5 Nf6
Black has the c-file but White’s bishops together like that
almost act like another Queen, keeping Matt’s queen out of nice squares on the
c-file.
23. b4 h5
24. Qc6 Qb8
Obviously trading queens gives white a passed pawn on the
c-file. But Seth still plans on getting it done. The pieces are even but
White’s space and piece activity difference is all the edge Seth needs. This is
the work of a master chess player.
25. Ba6 Ne8
26. b5 Nc7
27. h3 Kf8
28. Kh1 Ne8
29. Bb7 Qc7
30. Bc8 Qb8
31. Bd7 Nc7
32. Qc1 Qd8
33. Bc6
33. ….. e6
34. a5 exd5
35. axb6 axb6
36. exd5 Qb8
37. Qg1 Na8
(You know your position sucks when the knight
ends up here). White is using the fact that Black’s bishop is not
participating. It’s like Black is missing a piece and Seth weakens the Black
squares on the side of the board Black’s dark squared bishop can’t reach.
38. f4 Bc3
39. Qf2 Qd8
40. f5 g5
41. Qa2 Ba5
White is “overloading” Black’s queen with defensive duties.
Talk about an overworked housewife – guarding a8, b6, d6 and g5!
42. Bxa8 Qe8
43. Qa3 Qxa8
44. Qxd6+ Kg8
(It is very interesting the line Seth chose because
obviously he could have won a piece but he was more concerned about simplifying
and not letting me have any counter play whatsoever. Now he has an easily won
endgame.) Never letting your opponent from getting back in the game is the
important lesson here. If you get him down, don’t let him up!
45. Bxg5 Qe8
46. Qd8 Qxd8
47. Bxd8 Kf8
48. Bf6 Be1
49. Bd4 Ba5
50. Kh2 Ke7
51. Be5 Bb4
52. Kg3 Be1+
53. Kf4 Bd2+
54. Ke4 Kd7
55. Bd4 Kc7
56. Ke5 Bg5
57. d6+ Kb7
58. g4 hxg4
Taking off the rest of Black’s pawns, giving him no chance
to come back.
59. hxg4 Bd8
60. Be3 Kc8
61. g5
This pawn can queen on g8 – a white square Black’s bishop
can’t touch. Another consideration in an endgame. What color is that queening
square and does your opponent have a bishop for that? No? Then that’s a good
thing.
Thanks Matt for the notes and the well played game.
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