Israeli Championship 2002
1. e4, c5
2. Nc3 ....
The Closed Variation of the Sicilian Defense. This variations avoids the early exchange cxd4 and instead promotes solid central pawn structure.
2. .... Nc6
3. Nf3, e5
4. Bc4, d6
5. d3, Be7
6. 0-0, Nf6
7. Ng5, 0-0
8. f4, exf4
9. Bxf4, h6
10. Nf3, Be6
11. Nd5, Bxd5
12. exd5, Na5
13. Nh4, b5
If 13....Nxd5, then 14. Bxd5 Bxh4, 15. Qh5 Bg5, 16. Bg3 and White has a good attack on f7.
14. Nf5 ....
If 14. Bxb5 Nxd5, Black relieves tension in the center and maintains pressure on White's pieces.
14. .... bxc4
15. Bxh6! ....
The reason behind White's sacrifice. Black's kingside defense is destroyed.
15. .... gxh6
16. Nxh6+, Kh7
17. Nf5, cxd3?
This move only enhances White's position. White's Queen would now be able to control the d3-h7 diagonal.
18. Qxd3, Kh8
19. Rae1 ....
If 19. Qh3+, Black defends with 19.....Nh7.
19. .... Qb6
Totally abandoning the Bishop. But Black has nothing better. If 19.....Re8, then White continues the attack with 20. Qc3! making a pin on the f6 Knight while attacking the other Knight. The game may continue 20....Bf8, 21. Rxe8 Qxe8, 22. Qxf6+ Kg8, 23. Qg5+ Kh7, 24. Qh4+ Kg8, 25. Qg3+ Kh7, 26. Rf4! ....
20. Qh3+, Nh7
21. Rxe7, c4+
22. Kh1, Qxb2
Black beats White to the control of b2-h8 diagonal.
23. Re4!! Rg8
24. Qxh7+, Resigns
Caught by surprise, Black realizes that mate is inevitable after 24.... Kxh7, 25. Rh4+ Kg6, 26. Rh6+ Kg5, 27. h4+ Kg4, 28. Ne3+ Kg3, 29. Rf3 mate.
A brilliant Queen sacrifice!
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