1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Bc5 I've always felt that 3Nxe4 was better. Moreover, analysis with Kathy after the game showed my knowledge of the theory in this line to be woeful, with most of my suggestions resulting in immediate material loss. However, prospective opponents should note that I have since reminded myself how to play the line. 4. d3 d6 5. f4? This move is utter rubbish due to 5..Ng4 5... c6 6. Nf3 b5 7. Bb3 Qe7 8. Qe2 Be6?! White has two main plans in these positions: exchange pawns on e5 and apply pressure down the f-file, or push f5 and advance the kingside pawns. I tend to prefer the latter, and so this move allows me to implement my preferred plan with gain of tempo. This move sets the tone for the whole of the game - Black never makes any really bad mistakes, but allows White to keep control of the position and have it all his own way. 9. Bxe6 Qxe6 10. f5 Qe7 11. h3 a5 12. g4 Nfd7 13. Bg5 This may appear to lose a tempo, but in fact the idea is to provoke f6. This will make it easier to open the kingside after an eventual g5 by White. The bishop retreats to d2, rather than e3, so as to keep what is potentially a strong attacking piece on the board. 13... f6 14. Bd2 Na6 15. Kf1?! The idea is to play Kg2-h2 to connect the rooks before continuing with the kingside push. However, this plan may not be suitable in all cases, and so it would have been better to play 15. h4 and continue as in the game, only without committing the king. The point is that White may still be able to castle long, either if Black goes long himself or if Black goes short and White can open up the kingsidequickly 15... Nc7 16. h4 d5 Black appears to be taking control of the centre, but since he is unable to exert serious pressure on e4 this does not worry White. A subsequent d4 is well met by Nd1-f2, when the centre is closed and white has a free hand on the kingside, whereas dxe4 dxe4 allows the white queen access to the queenside. 17. Rh3 O-O-O?! Obviously castling short is a bad idea for Black here, but castling long is also unwise. White now succeeds in closing the queenside - Black has to keep it closed so as to avoid exposing his king- and White can then take all the time he needs on the queenside. 18. Nd1 Bb6 19. a4 b4 20. c3 c5? This makes White's life easy, since the queenside now closes and Black has no hope of counterplay. I think Black's best is 20/Nc5 - Black may have been worried about 21. cxb4 Nb3 22. bxa5 Nxa1 23. axb6, but with White's pieces awkwardly placed on the kingside he cannot trap Black's knight or launch a quick attack on Black's exposed queenside. I would therefore have met 20Nc5 with 21. Be1 N5a6 22.Kg2, when I still think White is better, but the more fluid state of the centre makes progress more difficult than in the game. 21. Ne3 d4 After 21Nb8, 22. Rc1 is awkward for Black, since the natural 22Kb7 runs into 23. Nxd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Rxd5 26. Qe4, winning a rook. 22. Nc4 Ne8 23. Rc1 Kb7 24. Kg2 Nd6 25. Nxd6+ Qxd6 26. c4 The queenside blockade is now complete. White can now arrange his pieces exactly as he wants before opening the kingside. 26... Rdg8 27. Kf2 Bd8 28. b3 Qf8 29. Rg1 Be7 30. Ke1 Kc6 31. Rhg3 Kd6 32. Qg2 Qf7 33. g5 fxg5 34. hxg5 Qf8 35. Rh1 Qf7 36. Rgh3 g6 37. f6 Bd8 If 37Bf8 (to prevent 38. Rh6) 38. Qh2 h5 39. gxh6 Qxf6 40. Ng5, and Black cannot prevent unpleasant things happening on f7. 38. Rh6 Bc7 I was rather hoping for 38Nf8, allowing 39. Nxe5! Kxe5 40. Bf4+! mating. 39. Qh2 Nxf6 40. Qxe5+ 1-0