07/03/2012 - C.Sreeves vs A.Burnett

[Clement Sreeves]

1.c4 e5
2.g3 Nc6
3.Nc3 g6
4.Bg2 Bg7
5.d3 d6
6.e4 h5
7.h4 Nd4
8.Nce2 Ne6
9.Nf3 Nf6
10.0-0 a5
11.b3 0-0
12.a3 c6
13.Bb2 c5
14.Bc3 Nd4
15.Nexd4



Spoiler here>> Ok, so last move I wasn't expecting c5 at all, but then I realised that it definitely makes sense, since my bishop now looks a bit stupid on b2. The most obvious move was 14.Nc3, but after something like 14...Nd4 15.Nxd4 cxd4 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.cxd5 (or exd5) Qb6, I wasn't a fan of my position. Both my bishops are terrible, and I have a weak pawn on b3.

Then I turned my attention to trying to play b4. 14.Qd2 was my first thought, but then 14...Ng4 followed by Bh6 and f5 looked a bit worrying. Which was how I decided on 14.Bc3- not only does it prepare b4, but also after 14...Nd4 (as played in the game) I can get rid of my terrible knight on e2, and regroup the bishop to d2, a much better square. To be honest I was a bit surprised he played Nd4 so quickly, but at the same time I didn't think too hard about what he could have done instead, that's his job after all!

Now whichever way he recaptures, I will play Bd2, with b4 coming soon. I think I like my position now. <<Spoiler here