Winning Without Castling

Last updated 2 May 2002

Gurtovoi,N - Melderis,U [A02]
18th Latvian CC Championship, 1994
[Notes by Nickolai Gurtovoi]

1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.exd6 Bxd6 4.Nf3 Nf6 [My opponent declined 4... g5 (Lasker's Attack) because of my publication in the magazine Baltic Chess 7-8 (1992), where my four opponents capitulated quickly.]

5.d3 0-0?! [5... Nc6 or 5... Bg4 were better.]

6.g3 Ng4 7.Bg2 Re8 8.e4 Bc5 [Black undertakes an illusory attack.]

9.Qe2 f5 10.Nc3 Bf2+ [All on the same illusory lines.]

11.Kd1 Bb6 12.Rf1 Nc6 13.Bd2 Qd6 14.Nd5 Be6 15.Nxb6 axb6 16.h3! [This is the start of the attack.]

16...fxe4 17.Ng5! exd3 18.Qe4! dxc2+ [If (a) 18... g6 19.hxg4! +- or (b) 18... Ne3+ 19.Bxe3! dxc2+ 20.Kc1! +-]

19.Kc1! Nf6 20.Rxf6 gxf6 21.Qxh7+ Kf8 22.Ne4! [The only winning move. White has double threats of 23.Nxd6 and 23.Bh6#, but if 22... Qxd2+ 23.Nxd2! +-] 1-0