FM Nicholas Chan Vs IM Mas Hafizul

 

[Event "Malaysian Masters Final"]
[Site "Kompleks Wiyalah"]
[Date "19/12/2009"]
[Round "2"]
[White "FM Nicholas Chan"]
[Black "IM Mas Hafizul”]
[Result "*"]
 

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bb4 4. Qb3 Nc6 5. Bg2 Nd4 6. Qd1 O-O 7. e3 *

Now I begin to wonder how White’s bishop on c1 is going to develop. Can someone suggest?

7…Bxc3 8.bxc3

Black’s pawn structure is better but White has bishop pair. I prefer Black after 8…Nc6

8…Ne6

I don’t like the text move as Knight on e6 is heading nowhere furthermore it blocks Bc8.

9.e4

what? I really don’t understand 9.e4 simply 9.Ne2 and 10.d4 is much better. Someone tells me why 9.e4?

9…Qe7

I like 9…Nc5 more, but the text move is a safer option. I like Black now.

10.Ne2 Nc5 11.d3 Qd6? 12.d4

Black 11…Qd6 looks like a computer-move. At first look, it looks like Black can’t win a pawn, but after 12…exd4 13.cxd4 Nxe4 14.f3 Qb4 and 15…Nd6 won a pawn. Let’s see what will happen next. sorry I overlook 13.e5!

Mas might end up putting the Knight on a6. Let’s guess what’s Mas’ next move?

I guess Mas will think for another 1 hour. No favourable moves here.

12…Ncxe4

According to my comp 13.f3 is slightly better for Black, but I think White is better.

13.Qc2

According to comp, this is the best move. Nicholas is playing like a comp :)

Mas’ …Qd6 reminds me of Nicholas’ …exf4 in the first game. What do you think?

Time:  1:12  - 0:26

Mas is low on time

Looks like it’s going to be 1-1 today.

13…Nxf2 14.Kxf2 Ng4+ 15.Ke1

15…Re8

It’s no easy to play when low on time.

Time:-     1:08  -  0:23

White should drive the Knight back with Bf3 and then think of what to do next.

16.Qf5

Time:    0:53 – 0:22

16…exd4 17.Bd5?

This looks like a mistake to me. After …Nf6, Black looks fine.

17…Nf6

Only move.

If Mas can overcome his time-trouble, he might be even winning or at least draw from now on.

Time:-   0:44 – 18.53

18.cxd4 c6!

Black is better now. Bravo Mas!

19.Bf3 Qxd4 20.Rb1

20…Qxc4

time:-  0:32 – 13.57

I like Black’s pawn mass

21.Bb2 d5 22.Qf4 Ne4 23.Rc1 Qxa2

Black’s Queen is like the pac man swallowed all the pawns. White has no compensation now.

24.Bh5?

After 24…g6, Black should get back the piece.

24…Be6

time:-    0:25 – 8.12

24.Rf1 Qxb2

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