S. Muhammed (2400) - A.J. Goldsby I (2220) 
[E73]
The Pensacola Quarterly, Microtel Inn; 
Pensacola, FL, 06.05.2000

  [A.J.G.]  

1.d4 Nf6; 2.c4 g6; 3.Nc3 Bg7; 4. e4 d6; 

5.Be2 0-0; 6. Bg5 Na6!?;  The best, according to current theory.

7.Nf3!?,  Less than best, according to theory. 

[ Best is: 7.Qd2. This is the Main Line of the Averbakh Variation. ]

7...h6!;  Normally denied this option, Black takes advantage of the opportunity that is presented to him.

8.Be3 e5;  ("=") 
The position is already equal, according to Nunn. [See Nunn's Chess Openings.].

9.d5 Ng4; 10.Bc1 f5; 11.exf5 gxf5; 12.h3 Nf6;

13.Qc2!? c5!; 14.g3!? Bd7; 15.Nh4 Nh7!; 16.Bd2 Ng5;

17.0-0-0 Rb8!;  To open the b-file.

18.f4 exf4; 19.Bxf4!? Qf6!;  One battery is pointed at the White King, 
I will soon have two.

20.a3 Nc7!; 21.Bd3 b5!;  22.Rd2 bxc4; 

23.Bxc4 Rb6!; Black quickly doubles on the b-file.

24.Qd3 Rfb8; 25.Bxg5!? hxg5; 26.Nf3 Nb5!; 27.Bxb5 Bxb5;

28.Qe3 Bd7!!; A very deep sacrifice which I calculated for over 30 minutes. 

29.Rhh2, 
[29.Qxg5?? Qxg5; 30.Nxg5 Bxc3; 31.bxc3 Rb1+; 32.Kc2 R8b2+; 
33.Kd3 Rxd2+; 34.Kxd2 Rxh1, "-/+" ]

29...f4!; 30.gxf4 gxf4;

31.Qg1 Bf5!;  Now both Black Bishops are pointed at the White King. 
I also have the threat of ...Rb3; ...Rxc3; and then ...Rb1 mate.

32.Kd1 Rb3!;  With the threat of ...Rxc3 and Rb1+; winning White's Queen.

33.Qg5 Qxg5; 34.Nxg5 Bxc3; 

35.bxc3 Rxc3;  White has managed to get the Queens off the board. 
White hopes for chances in the extremely simplified ending. But Black's attack continues, despite the reduced material.

36.Rhg2 Kf8;

37.Rgf2??, White - who is quite lost - blunders in time pressure. 
[The computers give the defense - 37.Rb2 Rxb2; 38.Rxb2 Rxa3; 
39.h4 , (39.Rb7 Ke8! "-/+").  39...a5; "-/+" But White is still totally lost. ]

37...Rb1+; 38. Ke2 Re3#;  White is CHECKMATED. 0-1 

The "Epaullette Mate," is always pleasing. It is also very important to see this pattern and recognize its possibility of occurring as soon as the chance arises on the chessboard. 

One of my best-ever games.  

  0 - 1  

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© A.J. Goldsby, 1999-2003.  © A.J. Goldsby I, 2004.  
  The writings and annotations are the property of the author, and may not be reproduced without my express, written permission.  

  Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby, 2004.  All rights reserved.  

  Copyright A.J. Goldsby I.  © A.J. Goldsby, 1983-2005. 

    Copyright (©) A.J. Goldsby, 2006.  All rights reserved.