Summer KO – Gary’s game

Earlier this month Tynedale won at Gosforth in Round 1 of the NCA 2023 Summer KO

This is Gary’s fine game against Murray Pollock, comments are Gary’s

Gary Bosworth (Tynedale) v Murray Pollock (Gosforth Centurions) 12th June 2023, Summer Cup.

e4 c5

d4 cxd4

c3 e5 (declining the Albin Counter Gambit with a standard continuation)

Nf3 Nc6

Bc4 Nf6

Ng5 d5

exd5 Na5

0-0 a6 (preventing Qa4 to recapture the Knight after Nxc4)

b3 b5 (b3 looks odd, but other defences of the bishop lose any initiative that white may have)

Re1 bxc4

Rxe5+ Be7

Ba3 Nxd5 (I overlooked this continuation,initially hoping to play d6 but after Qxd6,the rook on e5 hangs so Rxa5 seems to be the only

option, giving white a strong kingside attack.)

Qf3 Be6

Rxe6? 0-0?? (perhaps the pressure was telling? Although fxe6 followed by one of Nxe6, Nxf7 or Qxf7 look threatening, there doesn’t seem to be

enough compensation for the piece)

Bxe7! Nxe7 (occupying the kings possible escape square in 2 moves time)

Qh5 Re8 (if h6, Rxh6, gxh6, Qxh6 mates)

Rxe7 (to prevent Ng8 blocking a checkmate on h8 after Qxh7+ and ensuring the king cannot get to e7 if the rook is recaptured)

Black resigns

Although, …Qd5 offers some hope for a continuation with the threat of mate on e1. For example, after Qxh7+, Kf8, white cannot play Rxf7+

because after Qxf7, Re1++.