AMONG MY MEMORABLE GAMES

White: Rizal A Kamal (unrated)(NUSA MAHKOTA)

Black: Ng Ek Teong (2200)(PUBLIC BANK)

[B77] Sicilian accelerated Dragon

Merdeka Team (7), 1998

[Annotated by: Rizal,Ahmad Kamal]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6

Onced, I used to study and employ the offbeat system 3. Bb5, but then, I decided to return to the main line of the Sicilian as in the text for reasons;-1. I had used a lot of hours studying all kind of Sicilian with numeours variations. Therefore, all the energy spent and effort made should not be wasted.2. I found that 3.Bb5 does not really give white any advantage, and in fact, I had used it without success.

3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6

The acelerated Fianchettoe, or Acceleratd Dragon, or Simagin, call it as you please. But one thing for sure is, it is damn more dangerous than the normal Sicilian dragon.

5.Nc3

5.c4 is recommended by John Nunn in his BTS3. During this encounter, I did not choose it here for personal preference on the text. But, indeed, later on, I begin to prefer the Marockzy bind after learning it strength from practical experience.

5...Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4

In the normal Sicilian dragon, currently, I prefer to keep this Bishop at f1 and go for quick Queenside castling. But in this specific line, this is impossible, because the pawn break (d5) must be stopped only because it is played at a go!

7...0–0 8.Bb3!

This cuts out many cheap tricks available, but it confirms a target for black on the Queenside, and therefore, it is logical for white not to castle there.

8...d6 9.f3 Bd7 10.Qd2

We have achieved a normal Yugoslav attack in the Sicilian dragon, but with a different, the Bishop is already at b3 (instead of c4) and the h-pawn is still at h2 (instead of h4.The issue is, what is the significant of these differences? (Note: these diferences are actually insignificant at all.)

10...a6?!

The first error or at least a dubious choice. [10...Qa5 is the normal move; 10...Rc8 is also possible]

11.h4 h5 12.0–0–0

Over the board, I was very certain that, after black's 10th move, which was an error, in my opinion I could safely follow the normal Sicilian dragon Yugoslav attack's theory.

12...Kh7?

I could still vividly recall that, I had been telling myself, that white had wasted two moves, and must be punished!

13.Kb1!

A high class waiting move, inspired by my close friend at chess, Hairulov. This typical move is not new in the Sicilian dragon. I had watched (by reading of course!) Fischer and Karpov had used the same thematic idea. Over the board, I felt that, I must avoid the possibilty Bh6 as the black King now is at h7.

13...Rc8 14.g4!

There are two Kasparov's famous comments about this.1. On Nigel Short,"against sicilian he has only one idea, play the g4"2. On Anand, "Against the Sicilian dragon he must play g4 to try to breach black's...". [14.Bg5 is not really good as black has Nxd4 and white has to retake with the Queen.]

14...hxg4 15.h5!

My team mates (This game was played on board 1 in inter-team event), especially Aziz Shukor who were playing on board 2, told me after the game, "I had been impressed by all the sacrifices you made". Well, when I played 14.g4! this is the only logical and consistent continuation. Otherwise, white's attack will be halted.

15...Nxh5 16.Nf5!

This unexpected sacrifice was found over the board.

16...Bxf5

[16...gxf5 17.Rxh5+ Kg8 18.Bh6! Threatening Q or Rg5 which is decisive]

17.exf5 Ne5 18.Qg2 gxf3 19.fxg6+?!

[19.Qg5!!

This is the most precise move order as it avoids the posibility of a brilliant defensive resource on black's 21st move. 19...e6 20.Rxh5+ gxh5 21.Qxh5+ Kg8 22.Rh1 Re8 23.Bg5! Qb6 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.f6! The last finesse.]

19...fxg6

At first, I thought this had to be the winning move until I found out 20...e6!! later on, which transposes to the note under subvariation move number 21]

20...gxh5 21.Qg5

21... Rf6?

I was relieved when seeing this weak defensive move been played. It was actually in line with my calculation when sacrificing the Rook. Before this move was played I suddenly saw.. 21...e6!!

a brilliant defensive resource I had completely overlooked when sacrificing the Rook 22.Qxh5+ Kg8 23.Bxe6+ Rf7 (23...Nf7?? 24.Rh1 Bh6 25.Qg6+ (25.Qxh6) 25...Kh8 26.Rxh6+ Nxh6 27.Qxh6#) 24.Ne4 (24.Bxf7+ Nxf7 25.Qxf3² White has a miniscule advantage but no real winning chances whatsoever, can be offered) ]

22.Qxh5+

[22.Ne4 Rh6 23.Qf5+ Kh8 (23...Rg6 24.Ng5+ Kh8 (24...Kh6 25.Nf7+ Kh7 26.Nxd8) 25.Nf7+! Nxf7 26.Qxg6+-) 24.Bxh6 Bxh6 25.Qxh5 Qf8 26.Rh1+-]

22...Bh6

[22...Rh6 23.Bxh6 Bxh6 24.Be6! An important move 24...Qf8™ Otherwise, f5+ wins 25.Bf5+ Kg7 (25...Kh8 26.Bxc8) 26.Rg1+ Kf6 27.Bxc8 Qxc8 28.Qxh6+ Kf5 (28...Kf7 29.Rg7+ Ke8 30.Rg8+ Kd7 31.Qh3+!+-) 29.Qh3+!]

23.Ne4!

Bringing a new piece for the attack

23... Rg6 24.Rh1 Qf8

Just as I had calculated The defence has reached its climax. Now it is time to breach in black's sanctuary

25.Ng5+! Kh8 26.Ne6 f2!?

Black went all out seeking counterplay, but I had forseen all the winning continuation [26...Qf6 also loses, as 27.Bxh6 Rxh6 28.Qxh6+ Qxh6 29.Rxh6+ Kg8 30.Nd4+! Kg7 (30...Kf8 31.Nf5 Ke8 32.Be6 Kd8 33.Rh8+ Kc7 34.Rxc8+ Kb6 35.Ne3) 31.Nf5+ Kf8 32.Rh8# ]

27.Nxf8!

So, I chopped off the Queen!

27...Rxf8 28.Bxh6 f1Q+ 29.Bc1+!

Defending a check with a countercheck... and there is no answer.

[Of course not 29.Rxf1?? Rxf1+ 30.Bc1+ Kg7 31.Qh3 Rgg1 32.Qe3 Rxc1+ 33.Qxc1 Rxc1+ 34.Kxc1;

On 29.Bc1+ after 29...Kg7 30.Qh7+ Kf6 31.Rxf1+ Nf3 32.Rxf3+ Ke5 33.Rxf8 its a massacre] 1–0

© Rizal Ahmad Kamal 22.11.2007