Ulster Chess Union Yearbook

More usual is 5...Bd7 6.Qh4 Bc6 7.Qd4 f6 but after our previous game in Limerick '95 I knew White knew this variation inside out.

Up to here this is all theory, though I did not realise this at the time. White had already fallen noticeably behind on the clock so I assume Brian rarely comes upon this line.

White had fallen still further behind on the clock and this move appeared to signify impatience on his part. Its immediate consequence is to allow black to gain more tempi.

Black looks to keep his control of the white squares. Only his knight needs to be activated; the bishop would be better on b6.

Better was Bb6.

Feeling the pinch! White is sensitive about g2.

Now, very short of time, white is making one move threats.

Black is moving quickly to the keep pressure on. Possibly white expected 35...Ne4 36.Bf5+ Qxf5 37.Nxf5 Nf2+ 38.Kg1 Nd3+ 39.Qd4! Ne5 with advantage to Black. But a quiet move can cause panic in severe time pressure.

Black has waited half the game to play this move, and White's position collapsed quickly.

Colm played the Caro-Kann in our last encounter and beat me quickly in an advance variation where I played 4.Nc3 and 5.g4. This time I'll try something less aggressive and more in tune with my style.

A move I've never encountered. 6...Nf6 or Bg7 are more common.

If 7.Qd2 to stop Nh6 then either Bg7 or just e5 could be played.

I feel this must be played before Colm gets in e5. The move looks strange since it invites Nb4, but when compared to similar situations from other openings it seems to work.

Okay here it is but at least I've got some claim to the centre as well.

If 12...dxe5? only helps free the black squared bishop.

If 12...exf4 13.dxc6 bxc6 with the idea of g4-g5 with a kingside attack. Although White can then play 14.Qc2 or 14.Bc4 and Nh2

If 13...exd4 14.Bc4 and 15.Nxd4.

Finally developing my last minor piece.

Maintaining the pin on the d-file but not helping development by blocking the back rank. However the alternatives are not any better e.g. 15...Qa5 16.Qc4 and b4 gaining space on the queenside; 15...Qd6 16.Nb5 or 16.Rad1 Bf5 17.Qb5 with pressure on e5.

Pinning the knight with pressure on e5.

A good plan to complete development of the queenside. the only other move 16...exd4 merely accentuates white's lead in development and open lines after 17.Nxd4.

Maybe 18...Bd5 19.Qe2 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 fxe5 with the idea of Qb6 and or Kh8 with possible discovered attack on the queen down the f-file.

Hold that pin!

The queen gets in the way 21...Qb6 is better e.g. a) 22.Bxe5? Bxe5 23.Rxe5 a6 24.Nc3 Qxb3 25.axb3 Nxe5 wins or b) 22.Rd7 a6 23.Nc3 [23.Nd6 Qxb3 24.axb3 Nxd6 25.Rxd6 Rxf3 with equal play] Qxb3 24.axb3 Ng5 equal. After Colm's move I felt I was winning.

Finally the knight is unpinned but it's too late.

Trading black's potentially strong knight.

Giving Colm chances to draw. 26.Qa3! is stronger e.g. a) 26...Bxb2 27.Qxa7 Ra8 28.Qe7 Qh6 [28...Qxe7 29.Rxe7 Rxa2 30.Rdd7 looks good or 28...Qh5 29.Rd7 Rxf3 30.Rd8+ Rxd8 31.Qxd8+ Kg7 32.Re7+ Rf7 33.Rxf7+ Kxf7 34.Qc7+ winning the Black bishop in two moves] 29.Rd7 wins or b) 26...Rxb2 27.Qxa7 Rxf3 28.Re8+ Bf8 [28...Rf8? 29.Rxf8+ Bxf8 30.Qd4+ Bg7 31.Rd8+ wins] 29.Qd4+ Kg8 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8 31.Qh8+ Kf7 32.Rd7+ Ke6 33.Qe8+ Kf5 34.Qe5 mate.

Exchanging queens is better with good drawing chances 26...Qxe3 27.Rxe3 Rxb2 28.a3 Rb7 29.Kg2: Is black holding? I must exchange rooks, push my h-pawn to either weaken g6 or get a passed f-pawn to have a chance but it would take the technique of Karpov to win this. Colm probably figured that because I'm behind on time to keep the queens on with some attacking chances.

If 27...Qxh3 28.Bxg7+ Kxg7 29.Qxa7+ and the connected passed pawns will win.

If 32...Qxf6 I was going to trade queens since I was short of time, and it seems all rook endings win for me. Colm however found the neat 33.f4+!! which mates after Kxf4 34.Qe4+ Kg5 35.Qg4 mate.

Now the end is clear.

I have enough pawns to win.

The last remaining moves of the game were blitzed out.