This week's game is a fascinating Najdorf variation of the Sicilian defense. As it is often the case in these positions, both players were clearly winning at some point, but lost control over the position because of inaccuracies.
[Event "2015 North American Junior Ch"]
[Site "Kitchener"]
[Date "2015.07.29"]
[Round "7.7"]
[White "Zhang, Yuanchen"]
[Black "Song, Guannan Terry"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B86"]
[WhiteElo "2295"]
[BlackElo "1988"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2015.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {The Najdorf variation of
the Sicilian defense, a favourite of many great players such as Fischer and
Kasparov.} 6. Bc4 e6 {White decides to go for the Fischer-Sozin attack, which
as its name suggests often leads to extremely wild sacrifices.} 7. Bb3 Nbd7 8.
f4 Nc5 9. e5 (9. f5 {Is also often seen.} Be7 10. Qf3 O-O) 9... Nfd7 10. exd6
Nf6 11. Qe2 Bxd6 12. Nf5 O-O 13. Nxd6 Qxd6 {There is a few games in the
database with this position, so it seems quite possible that this line was
prepared. In any case, it's a good time to stop and analyze the position,
looking for plans. White has not yet castled, but has potentially strong
bishops and some threats of pushing the f pawn. Meanwhile, Black has a solid
position, although its bishop is not doing much for now.} 14. O-O b5 15. Be3
Nxb3 {It makes sense for Black to do the exchange, as the b3 bishop could
become a big threat if White pushes f5.} 16. cxb3 Bb7 17. Rfd1 Qe7 18. Bd4 Rfe8
19. Qe5 {The position may seem better for White at first glance, and it
certainly could soon be if Black played inaccurately, but Black is actually
doing fine.} Rac8 20. Rd3 Qc7 21. Qg5 h6 $1 22. Qh4 Ne4 23. Re1 Nd6 24. Rg3 Nf5
25. Qf6 {Black has played with an incredible accuracy. However, now is the
critical moment of the game.} Kf8 $2 {Throwing away the game!} (25... e5 26.
Qxf5 (26. Bxe5 Qc5+ $19) 26... exd4 27. Rxe8+ Rxe8 $17) 26. Rxg7 Nxg7 27. Qxg7+
Ke7 {Now White is clearly winning, but some precision is still required.} 28.
Bf6+ Kd7 29. Qxf7+ $2 {While White should still be winning, there was actually
a much better move.} (29. Rd1+ Kc6 (29... Bd5 30. Nxd5 exd5 31. Qxf7+ Kc6 32.
Qxd5+) 30. Rc1 {And Black has no way to defend.}) 29... Kc6 30. Qg6 Qxf4 31.
Be5 (31. Ne4 {Was the only move keeping a considerable advantage, freeing the
c column and bringing the knight in the action.} Rf8 32. Bh4 Qe5) 31... Qf5 32.
Qxh6 Rcd8 $2 {This innocent-looking move is actually losing!} (32... Rf8 33.
Bg3) 33. Qh4 $2 (33. Nd5 $3 Kxd5 34. Qd2+ Kc6 35. Rc1+ Kb6 36. Qe3+ Ka5 37.
Bc7+ Kb4 38. a3#) 33... Rg8 {The position is now pretty much balanced. The
winner will most likely be the player making the less mistakes!} 34. Na4 {And
White, probably still in the winning mood, makes a huge blunder. There was no
quick win for him and he had to play more solidly, but it's often hard to do
that just a few moves after having a crushing position.} Qc2 $1 (34... Rd2 {
Also does the job, removing any Rc1+ threats.}) 35. Bg3 Rd1 36. Qb4 bxa4 37.
Qxa4+ Kb6 38. Bf2+ Kc7 {There is nothing to do. Black just went from a dead
lost position to a win.} 0-1
