Here's one of the most interesting games from this year's CYCC. Both players seemed to be constantly looking for the most complicated variations, but the advantage kept switching side.
[Event "CYCC U16/18 w"]
[Site "Montreal CAN"]
[Date "2014.07.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Li, Kristen"]
[Black "Ma, Indy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B81"]
[WhiteElo "1674"]
[BlackElo "1631"]
[Annotator "Doe,John"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2014.07.15"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. h3 {The h3 variation,
played by Fischer and praised in his book "My 60 memorable games" is a
dangerous weapon for White but is still rarely seen.} e6 7. g4 h5 $2 {This
does nothing to prevent White's plan, besides losing a tempo. Playing d5 or b5
would have been more logical and would have helped Black seizing more space.}
8. g5 Nfd7 9. h4 Nc6 10. f4 $2 {This move only weakens White's position. The
g5 pawn didn't need to be reinforced and playing f4 does not prevent Black
from playing e5. Now, White king is still in the center and could quickly be
in danger.} (10. Be3 {And White has a small advantage.}) 10... Qb6 $6 (10... e5
11. Nb3 exf4 12. Bxf4 Nde5 {Could have given Black better chances.}) 11. Nce2
$2 {White had to retreat his knight. Instead, it now blocks his f1 bishop and
does not do anything useful besides defending.} Nc5 (11... e5 $5 {Also seems
very promising.}) 12. Bg2 $6 (12. Nxc6 {Releases the pression in the center.}
bxc6 13. Qd4) 12... e5 13. Nxc6 Qxc6 $6 (13... bxc6 {Taking with the b pawn is
usually a better idea, as it puts pressure on the b file and consolidates the
center.}) 14. Nc3 f5 $2 {It's hard to explain what Black had in mind. She had
a relatively solid position and a strong center. Developping her bishop would
guarantee her a great game. Instead, she takes huges risks and creates huge
weaknesses in her position.} 15. gxf6 $1 gxf6 16. f5 $2 {This is as hard to
explain. White need to keep the pressure in the center. Instead, she should
have played Nd5 with a very good position.} Bxf5 17. Qf3 Bg4 $2 (17... Be6 {
The bishop does a much better job at protecting the Black king.}) 18. Qxf6 Rg8
19. Bg5 $2 (19. Rf1 Qd7 20. Bg5 $18) 19... Nd7 $1 20. Qf2 Qb6 $2 21. Nd5 $1 {
Allowing White to go in a superior ending.} Qxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Rc8 23. Rac1 Rg7 24.
Bh3 {This move might not seem to bad at first glance, but the e4 pawn is not
protected anymore and might be attacked in the future...} Rf7+ 25. Kg3 Rf3+ 26.
Kg2 Rxh3 27. Rxh3 Bxh3+ 28. Kxh3 Rc4 $6 (28... Nc5 29. Re1 Bg7 {And Black
might be able to hold on.}) 29. b3 Rxe4 $4 {The decisive mistake. The move
seems logical, but White has a nice tactic. Can you see it?} 30. Rf1 $1 {With
the threat of Nc7 mate. Black must give a piece to prevent it.} Rf4 {And the
game is now over...} 31. Nxf4 exf4 32. Rxf4 Bg7 33. Re4+ Ne5 34. Bf4 Kd7 35.
Bxe5 dxe5 36. Kg3 Kd6 37. Kf3 Kd5 38. Ke3 Bh6+ 39. Kd3 Bf4 40. Rb4 b5 41. c4+
Kc5 42. a3 Bg3 43. cxb5 axb5 44. Re4 Kd5 45. a4 bxa4 46. bxa4 Bf2 47. a5 Ba7
48. a6 Kd6 49. Rb4 Kc6 50. Ke4 1-0
