The Lost Series, Number 2

Just another game that could have gone the other way. Read on...




1. d4 g6 - classified as Modern (or Robatsch) Defence. The idea is that white will overextend itself early, and Black can exploit. The fianchetto is sure to be a prominent fixture here.

2. Nf3 Bg7 - White's 2nd and 3rd move are considered interchanged in terms of "acceptable" move.
3. e4 e6 - Black's move is not preferred over d6, which will allow freedom for Bc8 and counter an e5 of White.

4. Be2 d5

5. e5 Nc6 - instead of clearing up the center, I decided to hem things in for now, mostly because I was thinking that he wanted the center cleared up and played against expectations.

6. Bb5 Bd7 7. Ng5 a6 8. Bxc6 Bxc6 9. Qf3 Qe7 10. O-O Nh6 11. Nc3 Nf5 12. Be3 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Qxg514. Rae1 O-O-O 15. Qxf7 Bh6 16. Qxe6+ Kb8 17. Be3 Qh5 18. Bxh6 Qxh6 19. Qg4 Qg7 20. f4 h5 21. Qg3 Rde8 22. Qd3 Qd7 23. Qxg6 Reg8 24. Qd3 h4 25. e6 Qg7 26. f5 Qxg2#Black Win

The momentum of white is there (in my opinion) throughout the game, but it was abruptly ended by the mistake. I guess the greatest lesson is the most obvious one.