The Eye of the Needle

Simone De Filomeno – Doriano Tocchioni
47th Italian Team Chess Championship; Civitanova Marche, April 30, 2015
Nimzo-Indian Defence E35

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 0-0 7. e3 Nbd7 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bh4 c5 10. Ne2 c4 11. Bf5 Nb6 12. 0-0 Bxf5 13. Qxf5 Qd7 14. Ng3!? Just an improvisation – as they say, a theoretical novelty. The “book” line 14. Qf3 Nh7! also does not worry Black, Comas Fabregó – Oll, Santa Bàrbara 1991. 14. ... Qxf5 15. Nxf5 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Ne4 17. Rfc1 g5 18. Bg3 Kh7?! This looks like a superfluous move as after the straightforward 18. ... Na4 19. Nxh6+ Kh7 Black would regain his Pawn with interest. 19. f3 Nxg3 20. hxg3 Kg6 21. g4 h5 22. a4! White’s advantage is here quite manifest. In such a position Tocchioni will find it very difficult to defend. 22. ... hxg4 23. fxg4 Rad8 24. Kf2 Nc8 25. Rcb1! This subtle Rook reculer pour mieux sauter is indeed a striking move and a very hard one to find! Another tempting way to go right (obviously on the left!) might have been 25. Rh1 Rh8 26. Rxh8 Rxh8 27. Rb1 b6 28. Rb5 and White’s position is imposing as well. 25. ... b6 26. Kf3 Kf6? Also after 26. ... Nd6 27. a5! White gets on top, but there is nothing better to recommend. 27. a5 Ke6 28. axb6 axb6 29. Rb5 f6 30. Ra8 Rf7? Allows De Filomeno to liquidate into a won endgame. Tocchioni ought to play 30. ... Rh8, although after 31. Ra6 White retains his dominant position.

31. Rxc8! A captivating and brilliant solution. The finish is neat and quick. 31. ... Rxc8 32. Rxb6+ Kd7 33. Nd6 Rb8 34. Rxb8 Kxd6 35. Rb6+ Kc7 36. Ra6 Rf8 37. e4 dxe4+ 38. Kxe4 Re8+ 39. Kd5 Re2 40. Rxf6 Rxg2 41. Kxc4 Rxg4 42. Kc5 1 : 0.

Simone De Filomeno vs. Doriano Tocchioni
Photo: Giordano Macellari