I am replacing FM Louie Jiang this week in order to analyze a game from the WYCC. The choice was difficult, as Team Canada had quite a lot of nice victories. This game, although rather short, shows how some of Canada's players do not fear to take risks in order to bring home a medal, but also how risks can end up costing too much.
[Event "2013 WYCC"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2013.12.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Shi, Diwen"]
[Black "Song, Edward"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2136"]
[BlackElo "2333"]
[Annotator "Doe,John"]
[PlyCount "54"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 {This move might seem strange at first glance, but it is
definitely playable. All Closed Sicilian players should definitely be prepared against it. Some might even remember the game between FM Marc
Ghannoum from Montreal and GM Kasparov. The former World Champion used this
opening and obtained a good position. Video here : http://bit.ly/19Y1HjS} 3. g3 b5 {Black's plan is quite simple : take as much
space as possible on the Queen's side, while contesting the center and adding
pressure on the e4 pawn.} 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. Nge2 {5.d3 is more common, but 5.Nge2
has been played a few times} e6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. O-O b4 9. Nd5 $2 {
This move is actually extremely interesting, but it turns out not be working.
White was expecting to add pressure on the e-file and send Black's king in f8,
but Black played with accuracy and refuted White's idea. 9. Na4 would have
maintained a dynamic position.} exd5 10. exd5 Bc5 11. Re1+ Kf8 12. Nf5 h6 13.
Bf4 d6 14. Qd2 Bc8 15. Nxh6 $4 {A huge mistake. While White was clearly in a
difficult position, it could still hope for a mistake by Black. However, Black
has a simple way to win after 15.Nxh6. Can you spot it?} (15. Ne7 {Could have
lead to interesting complications for White, even though Black seems to
maintain an edge.} Ng4 16. Nxc8 Bxf2+ 17. Kh1 Bxe1 18. Rxe1 Qxc8 19. Bxd6+ Kg8
20. Bxb4 {White pieces are extremely active and the d5 pawn is a huge threat,
but Black's extra rook should be enough to secure a win.}) 15... Nh5 $1 {An
excellent move.} (15... gxh6 $4 16. Bxh6+ Rxh6 17. Qxh6+ {And it's now Black
that would have to fight for a draw.}) 16. Bg5 f6 17. Bf3 fxg5 18. Bxh5 gxh6
19. Re8+ Qxe8 20. Bxe8 Kxe8 {Black now has 3 pieces and a rook for the Queen,
which is more than enough.} 21. Re1+ Kd8 22. a3 Rf8 23. Re2 a5 24. axb4 axb4
25. h4 Ba6 26. hxg5 Bxe2 27. Qxe2 Ra1+ 0-1
