Eric DeMund (1588) vs Mike Splane (2229) 1-17-2008

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bd3

I thought this was a rare sideline, but when I checked Chesslab.com’s database I found 85 games with this opening in 2007 alone. Black had a slight plus score, 38-31 with 18 draws.

3. … g6

I learned afterwards that 4. … e5 is the main line but I didn’t know that. Because I want to fianchetto and castle kingside whatever happens, I did this first. Before I decide on the right pawn structure I’d like to see what White plays and then choose. Some ideas I thought about playing were

…e5,

…c5,

…b6 with …Bb7,

…c6 with …d5,

…c6 with …b5.

The right idea, combining … e5 with … d5, occurred to me later on during the game.

4. c3 Bg7

After 4.c3 I’m aiming now for a classical King’s Indian Defense where White’s plan is the rapid advance of the c pawn. After 4. c3 he’s a tempo down.

5. Nf3 0-0 6. Bg5 h6

Another idea is 6. … c6 7. Qd3 d5 8. e5 Ne4 9. Be4 de when his knight has no good square.

7. Be3 Nbd7

Flexible. I’m still waiting to see what he does with his king and minor pieces before I decide on which pawn structure to adopt.

8. Qc2 Ng4

Trying to provoke h2-h3 when White will be in trouble if he castles kingside. Black brings his knight to the f4 square and threatens captures on h3.

9. Bc1 e5 10. h3 Nf6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Nbd2?

If he wants to keep the center closed he should trade pawns on e5.

12. … d5

I didn’t see the idea of combining … e5 with … d5 until this point in the game. After the game I learned from chesslab.com that this is the right way to attack the e4, d4, c3 pawn structure. Black is better now no matter what White plays.

13. 0-0-0 ed 14. cd

If he recaptured with a piece, I planned …c5, …c4 and … b5 with a strong attack.

14. … de 15. Ne4 Ne4 16. Be4 Nf6

For a couple of minutes I thought he could play 17. Bg6 fg 18. Qg6 threatening 19. Bh6 but I can defend with 18. … Re6 19. Bh6 Ne8.

17. Bd3 Nd5

As hard as it seems to believe, I think White is already lost. He has no way to defend against Black’s queenside attack. …c5 is going to open both the long diagonal and the c file. Black’s position is super solid, so White has no counter-play.

18. Bd2

Passive. I was expecting 18. Bc4 Be6 19. Qb3

18. … Be6

18. … Re6 was tempting, but then 19 Ne5 stops 19… Rc6. 18. … Be6 is slower, but I didn’t see how he would be able to stop the plan of …Rc8, …c5 and … cd.

19. Ne5?

Loses a piece.

19. … c5 20. a3 cd

If 21. Bg6 I win two pieces with 21. … fg 22. Qg6 Qc7+.

If 21. Nc4 b5 22. Na5 Rc8 23. Nc6 Qb6 is also hopeless.

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