2017 Summer Party Round 5 Anton Taylor, 2026 - Connor Zhang, 1558 Spanish/Ruy Lopez: Caro Variation (C70)

2017 Summer Party Round 5
Anton Taylor, 2026 - Connor Zhang, 1558
Spanish/Ruy Lopez: Caro Variation (C70)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. c3 O-O 8. Re1 Bb7 9. d4 d6 10. Nbd2 Na5 This is the first real divergence from common theory. Yes, this move is thrown in at times but not normally in this position. More interesting alternatives are Re8 and Nd7. 11. Bc2 Nd7 12. Nf1 Rc8 c5 is the right move order. 13. Ng3 Nb6 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Bd6 16. Nf3 f6 17. Qd3 Be5 18. Nxe5 fxe5 19. Qe2 Qf6 20. Nf5 Nac4 21. b3 Nd6 22. Ng3 Nd7 23. a4 Nc5 24. Ba3 Ne6 25. f3 Nf4 26. Qf2 Rfd8 27. Rad1 bxa4 28. bxa4 Nc4?? Up to here black has made several innaccuracies but I think this one might be the most useful. When your f-pawn is gone your king becomes vulnerable along the long diagonal. 29. Bb3 Quick solution. Qf7?? It was better to move the king off the diagonal. now he loses the piece and gives me an extra move because the king will have to move anyway to prevent the queen getting pinned. 30. Qc5 Nd3 31. Rxd3 Kh8 32. Bxc4 Qe8 33. Red1 Rxd3 34. Rxd3 Qxa4 35. Nf5 Qe8 36. Ne7 Rd8 37. Qxe5 h6 38. Qf5 Ng6+ is a faster mate but a harder pattern for me to see. 38. ... Rxd3 39. Ng6+ Kh7 40. Nf8+ Kh8 41. Qh7# 1-0