French Defense, Classical - Burn Variation

VESELIN TOPALOV vs. EVGENY BAREEV
Linares, 1994

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, Nf6
4. Bg5, dxe4

The Burn Variation of the Classical French Defense.  See a similar game.

5. Nxe4, Be7
6. Bxf6, Bxf6
7. c3, Nd7
8. Qc2, e5
9. dxe5, Nxe5
10. f4, Ng5
11. g3, 0-0
12. Bd3, Qd5!

Black pins the Knight as threat against the Rook on h1.

13. a3, Nxf4
14. Nxf6 ....

If 14....gxf4, 15. Bh4+ Kf1, 16. f4 Black gets to compensate the sacrifice.

14. .... gxf6
15. Bxh7+, Kg7
16. Qe4, Re8

If 16....Qxe4, 17. Bxe4 Re8, 18. 0-0-0 Rxe4, 19. gxf4 Rxf4, 20. Ne2 White would be able to secure his King and mobilize his pieces.

17. Qxe8, Bf5

Black sets a trap.  

18. Qxa8 ....

White falls into the trap. Black now spins a mating web.

18. .... Qe4+
19. Kf2 ....

If 19. Kd1 or Kd2, Black replies with Qe2+ followed by Qc2 mate.

If 19. Kf1, then 19....Bh3+, 20. Nxh3 Qe2+, 21. Kg1 Qg2 mate.

19. .... Qg2+
20. Ke3 ....

If 20.....Ke1, 21. Nd3+ Kd1, 22. Bf4 mate.

20. .... Nd5+
21. Kd4, Qd2+
22. Kc5 ....

If 22. Kc4 Nb6+, 23. Kb3 Be6+, 23. Kb4 Qxb2+ followed by Qxc3; and mate follows shortly thereafter.

22. .... Qe3+
23. Kc4 ....

If 23. Kxd5, then 23....Be6 mate.

23. .... Nb6+

White resigns, as the mating web is too much to handle.  If 24. Kb4, then ....Qe4+, 25. Kb3 Bb6+ and mate follows after.

If 24. Kb3, then ....Qe6+, 25. Kb4 Qc4+, 26. Ka5 Qc5 mate.

UnBareevable!