Guildford 2 v Wimbledon 2, Surrey League Division 3 (Ellam Trophy).
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 c5
With this move, Black indicates a willingness to defend the QGD Tarrasch with its isolated d-pawn structure. History has frowned upon this strategy. It's better than it looks – as long as Black plays actively.
5.cxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nbd7
The first sign that Black is unfamiliar with the opening. This knight belongs on the more active square c6. From d7 it blocks the bishop on c8 and stops the queen on d8 defending the d-pawn. Also it doesn't put any pressure on the centre.
7.O-O Be7 8.Nc3 O-O 9.dxc5
I played this to stop Black playing …c4, and also to open a line against the d5 pawn. The idea is to bring the rook on f1 to d1. But it may not be best as it relieves the pressure on Black's position, bringing the d7 knight to a more active square and releasing the bishop on c8. With hindsight it might have been better to retain the tension and continue developing, eg with Bf4.
9…Nxc5 10.Nd4 Nce4 11.Qc2 Bc5
Attacking the knight on d4. But I was going to bring a rook to the d-file anyway. And the exposed position of the bishop on c5 creates tactical opportunities.
12.Rd1 Bxd4
Safest. Otherwise Black risks losing material.
A: 12...Ng4 13.Nxe4 Bxd4 (13...dxe4 14.Qxc5 wins a piece) 14.Rxd4 also wins a piece.
B: 12...Qb6 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Qxe4 wins a pawn.
13.Rxd4 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Be6 15.Qb3
I wanted to play 15.Bg5 but was concerned about the fork. However, 15...Ne4 16.Bxe4 (not 16.Bxd8 Nxc3 17.bxc3 Raxd8 when White's pawn structure is weakened) 16...Qxg5 17.Bf3 works out similarly to the game. The move I played removes the White queen from the reach of the knight on f6, retains the pressure on d5, and also attacks the b7 pawn.
15...Qe7
Black wants to defend b7 and also bring a rook to d8 to defend the d5 pawn, but this queen move allows a forcing sequence resulting in the loss of the pawn.
16.Bg5 h6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6 18.Rad1
Defending the rook on d4 and also increasing the pressure on the d5 pawn, which Black can no longer defend.
18...b6 19.Bxd5 Rfe8
A: 19...Rad8 pins the bishop but does not contain a threat. I was going to respond with e4 maintaining the bishop in the centre.
B: 19...Bxd5 20.Rxd5 is no better: White controls the centre and is a safe pawn up.
20.Bxe6 Rxe6 21.e3 Rc8 22.Qd3 Rec6
Understandably Black is looking for counterplay, but this allows me to exchange off some of the pieces to reach a very favourable rook and pawn ending.
23.Rd8+ Rxd8 24.Qxd8+ Kh7
Better than 24...Qxd8 25.Rxd8+ Kh7 26.Rd7 Rc2 27.Rxf7 Rxb2 28.Rxa7 when White has won a second pawn.
25.Qxf6 Rxf6 26.Kf1
Good enough, but it would have been more exact to play Rd7 first, maximising the rook's activity. Not that it matters because the ending is winning for White with correct play.
26...Kg6 27.Ke2 a5 28.e4 Kg5 29.h3
I wanted to keep the Black king away from the kingside pawns. But actually stronger was 29.f4+ Kg4 30.e5 Rf5 31.Kf2 Kh3 32.Kf3 and Black is very passive.
29...Re6 30.Ke3 Rc6 31.a3 Kf6
31...Rc2 looks active but loses a pawn: 32.Rd5+ Kg6 33.Rd6+ Kh7 34.Rxb6.
32.f4 Ke6 33.Rd5 Rc1 34.Rb5 Rc6 35.g4 Kd7 36.Rb3 Ke6 37.Rc3 Rd6
Black can't allow the exchange of rooks as 37...Rxc3+ 38.bxc3 is a winning king and pawn ending.
38.e5 Rd1 39.Rc6+ Kd7 40.Rxb6
I realised that Black would get my h3 pawn after this, but I'm still a pawn up with a much more active position and I can create a passed pawn on the queenside.
40...Rh1 41.Rb7+
It's good practice to push the Black king back to the last rank before picking off the a5 pawn.
41...Ke8 42.Ra7 Rxh3+ 43.Ke4 Rb3 44.Rxa5 Rxb2 45.Ra7
This is also good enough, but 45.f5 Re2+ 46.Kf3 Re1 47.a4 would have reduced Black's activity.
45...g6 46.f5 gxf5+ 47.gxf5 Re2+ 48.Kf4 Rf2+ 49.Kg4 Rg2+ 50.Kf3 Rc2 51.a4 Rc3+ 52.Ke4 h5
Hoping to create a diversion. But White's a-pawn is faster.
53.a5 h4 54.a6 h3 55.Ra8+ Ke7 56.f6+ Ke6 57.Re8+ Kd7 58.Re7+ Kc6 59.Rxf7
Winning a second pawn.
59...h2 60.Rh7 Rc2 61.a7 Ra2 62.f7
Everything wins but I thought this was the most artistic. Black can't stop both pawns.
62...Rxa7 63.Rh6+ Kb5 64.f8=Q 1-0