ScotchC44

Adrian Skelton
Kieran Greer

Ulster Trophy
2004


1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6. Nxc3 Nge7 7. Ng5

Can still prove tricky though it is theoretically not the best.

7... Ne5 8. Bb3

Better was 8. Qb3

8... h6 9. f4 hxg5 10. fxe5 O-O?

It is likely that this is the losing move and all White's remaining moves now target the half open 'h' file. After the correct 10... Nc6 Black will win the 'e' pawn and it is doubtful if White's lead in development is sufficient compensation.

11. Qh5 d6 12. Bxg5 Be6

After 12... dxe5 13. Rd1 Qe8 14. O-O Be6 (14... Bxc3 15. Rxf7! wins quickly) 15. Rd3 Bxb3 16. Rh3 Bc5+ 17. Kh1 f5 18. Qh7+ Kf7 19. Rh6 is winning.

13. O-O-O Bxb3

Planning to ease the pressure, but the simplifications are already too late.

14. axb3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Qe8

Hoping to play 16...f6 but..

16. Bf6!

After 16. Bf6 there are no good answers to the main threat of Rd3 h3 16... Ng6 (16... Qc6 17. Rd3 Ng6 18. Rh3 Rfe8 19. Qh7+ wins) (16... dxe5 17. Rd3 Qc8 18. g4 with Rh3 to follow also wins) 17. Rd3 Nf4 18. Qg5 Nxd3+ (18... Ng6 19. Rh3 Qd7 20. Rh8+!) 19. Kd2

1-0 [Skelton]

Game(s) in PGN