1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
g6
6.f3
Bg7
7.Be3
Bd7
8.Qd2
Nc6
9.g4!?
a rare move but once played by Nigel Short against Mestel to good effect.
9...0-0!?
John decides to take the challenge to White. [ 9...Rc8
10.0-0-0
Ne5
11.h4
h5
12.g5
Nh7+-
With a crushing position. Short-Mestel, BCF Swansea 1987]
10.0-0-0
a6
11.Bh6?
[ White has plenty of time to get his pawns uyp the board before swapping pieces. 11.h4
h5
12.gxh5
Nxh5
13.Be2+/-
for example.]
11...Nxd4!
well spotted.
12.Bxg7
Nxf3
13.Qe3
Kxg7
14.g5
Nxe4
[ 14...Nxg5
15.Qxg5
h6
16.Qg3
Rc8
17.e5
dxe5
18.Qxe5
Qc7
19.Qxe7
Qf4+
20.Kb1
Bg4-/+
forces Queens off.]
15.Nxe4
Ne5
16.Be2?!
[ 16.Bg2
puts pressure on the long diagonal.]
16...Qa5!
17.Kb1
Be6
18.Nc3
Rac8
19.a3
Rc7
20.Rd4
Rfc8
John has been allowed to activate every piece without hinderance from Black.
21.Ra4
the pressure finally tolled.
21...Rxc3!
0-1