1.e4
c5
2.d4
cxd4
3.c3
Nf6
rejecting the sharp lines of the Smith-Morra Gambit in favour of a c3 Sicilian.
4.e5
Nd5
5.Bc4
Nb6
6.Bb3
d6
7.Qf3
e6
8.cxd4
dxe5
9.dxe5=/+
Nc6
10.Qe2
Bd7?!
[10...Qc7
would have been sharper - Black has threats based around the undeveloped White Q-side and the weak e-pawn. 11.Nc3
Qxe5-/+
]
11.Nf3
Be7
12.0-0
0-0
13.Nc3
Rc8
14.Bf4
Nb4
15.Bg3
Bc6
16.a3
N4d5
17.Ne4
Qd7
18.Nd6
Bxd6
19.exd6
Bb5
20.Qe5
Bxf1
21.Rxf1
Nc4
22.Qd4
Nxd6
23.Ng5
Nf5
24.Qd3
Nf6?
[24...Rfd8
]
25.Qxd7
Nxd7
26.Nxe6!
Nxg3?
failing to evaluate the position correctly [26...fxe6!
27.Bxe6+
Rf7
]
27.fxg3
fxe6
28.Bxe6+
Kh8
29.Rxf8+
Rxf8
30.Bxd7
Rd8
31.Bg4
Rd2
32.b3
g5?!
[32...b5!
is vastly superior - aiming to weaken the white Q-side pawns and attack them with the rook. 33.b4
Ra2
34.Bd7
a6
35.Bc8
Rxa3
]
33.Be6
Kg7
34.a4
a5
35.Bc4
Kf6
the continuance of a faulty plan which ultimately leads to a draw.
36.h3
Ke5
37.Bg8
h6
38.h4
Kd4
39.Kh2
Kc3
40.hxg5
hxg5
41.Kh3
Rb2
42.Kg4
Rxb3
43.Bxb3
Kxb3
44.Kxg5
Kxa4
45.Kf4
Kb4
46.g4
a4
47.g5
a3
48.g6
a2
49.g7
a1Q
50.g8Q
1/2-1/2