Spider Light

Martin Brown – Michael Adams
103rd British Chess Championship; Bournemouth, August 5, 2016
Scotch Game C45

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Nb6 9. Nc3 Qe6 10. Qe4 g6 11. Bd3 Bg7 12. f4 0-0 13. 0-0 f5!? 14. exf6? Maybe the punctuation is exaggerated, but I think that this is the point in which White should look for an improvement. It would be sad if he had nothing better than 14. Qe2 d6 where Black has at least equalized. 14. ... Qxf6 15. Bd2? Thus White falls into bad waters. The reference book contemplates 15. Qe2 Ba6 which is better but not satisfactory, V. Schneider – Fejzullahu, 7th IMB2, Mariánské Lázně 2008. 15. ... d5 16. Qe2. Not 16. cxd5?? Bf5 losing a clear piece. 16. ... Ba6. Now White is forced to “sacrifice” a Pawn. 17. Rae1 Bxc4 18. Bxc4 Nxc4 19. Bc1 a5 20. Qc2 Rae8 21. Qa4? As they say, “There are only bad moves in bad positions” – and here Black has (had) a Pawn more and a dominating position. After the text he also will be able to mount an irresistible attack.

21. ... Qd4+ 22. Kh1 Rxe1 23. Rxe1 Qf2 24. Rg1. On 24. Qd1 Nxb2 Black gains material. 24. ... Bd4 25. Rd1. Or 25. Qd1 Qxg1+ winning the exchange and the game. 25. ... Re8 26. h3. 26. Bd2 Qxd2! allows an even prettier finish. 26. ... Re1+ 27. Kh2 Qg1+ 28. Kg3 Ne3 0 : 1. Thus Adams won the British Championship with the impressive score of 10/11!