This week's GOTW features an explosive game played in Quebec City. Black had a terrible opening and seemed to be doomed to a painful loss, but continued fighting and soon managed to turn the tables...
[Event "Montcalm I 2014-15"]
[Site "Quebec CAN"]
[Date "2014.09.18"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Ripoll, Arthur"]
[Black "Pelletier, Daniel"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B44"]
[WhiteElo "1733"]
[BlackElo "1362"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2014.09.04"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "CAN"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 a6 $2 {Perhaps Black thought
a6 was possible, as in the Lowenthal variation. This variation arises when
Black plays e5 instead of e6. White then plays 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7. Qxd6 Qf6. But
since Black instead played e6, Qf6 is not as strong anymore.} 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7.
Qxd6 Qe7 {Black has very little compensation for the Bishop pair.} 8. Qg3 {
Another drawback of having played e6 instead of e5 : White can retreat his
queen in g3 instead of in d1,d2 or d3.} Qf6 $2 {This is a big loss of tempo.
Not only is this the natural square of the knight, but the Black queen could
quickly be under attack.} 9. Nc3 h6 $6 (9... Qg6 {Was probably the best way to
continue, although White is undeniably better at this point.}) 10. Bd3 Ne5 $2 {
Again, Qg6 was probably necessary. Playing the knight in e5 does not help
Black at all, especially considering the f4-e5 threat.} 11. Be2 Ne7 12. f4 N5g6
$2 {Playing with fire... N5c6 would have been much wiser, as Black could now
retreat his queen in g6 if it is attacked.} 13. Qf2 $5 {A good plan. Black's
queen has very little space left and White will try to trap it.} d6 14. e5 $6 {
This move unfortunately allows Black to breathe a little bit, as White has no
way to trap Black's queen.} (14. Be3 O-O (14... e5 15. f5) 15. O-O-O) 14...
dxe5 15. Ne4 Qh4 16. g3 Qh3 17. Nd6+ Kd7 $2 (17... Kf8 $1 18. fxe5 Nxe5 19. Bf4
N5g6 20. O-O-O {And White is clearly better, but Black can definitely put up a
fight.}) 18. fxe5 Nf5 19. Qc5 $6 {This move works, but can lead to some
complicated variations. Between two winning moves, it is often wise to choose
the simpler one.} (19. Bf4 Nxd6 20. O-O-O {And the game is over}) 19... Nxg3
20. Bf3 $4 {White absolutely had to give the rook.} (20. Be3 Nxh1 21. O-O-O $18
) 20... Nxh1 21. Be3 Qxf3 22. Rd1 Nf4 $2 {Missing the only winning move :} (
22... Ne7 23. Nc4+ Nd5 $19) 23. Nf5+ Nd5 $4 {Giving White a mate in two...
Instead, Black could still have kept an advantage :} (23... Qxd1+ $1 24. Kxd1
exf5 25. Bxf4 Rd8 $17) 24. Qd6+ Ke8 25. Nxg7# 1-0
