Alekhine's DefenseB05

Restepo, Albeiro
Garcia, GM Gildardo

NB Simul
2003


1. e4 Nf6 The Alekhine Defense seems to be a favorite of Gildardo in simuls though I have never seen him play it in tournaments. 2. e5 Nd5 3. Nf3 This unusual move order transposes back the to the main line. 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 3... d6 4. d4 Bg4 5. Bc4 5. Be2 is more common. 5... dxe5 6. dxe5 e6 7. O-O Be7 This solid move equalizes, but Black can go for more with pressure on e5 and the possibillity of queenside castling: 7... c6 8. Re1 Nd7 9. Nbd2 Qc7 10. Qe2 O-O-O 8. Re1 O-O 9. Bxd5 This unforced error cedes the opening battle to Black. 9... exd5 10. Nc3 c6 11. h3 Bh5 12. g4 White sacrifices some pawn structure for active pieces. 12... Bg6 13. Bf4 Nd7 14. Nd4 Nc5 15. Bg3 f6 This mistake turns the tables. Black's guard of e6 is too shaky. He could have keep a slight edge with either. 15... Qb6 15... Bh4 16. b4 This wins the exchange. 16... fxe5 17. Bxe5 Ne4 18. Ne6 18. Nxe4 is safer and would eliminate the next zwissenzug possibillity. 18... Qb6 18... Nxf2 would have put Black back on top. 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Nxf8 Rxf8 21. Bd4 Whites shaky king gives Black all the compensation he needs. 21... Qxb4 22. Rb1 Qd6 23. Rxb7 c5 24. Ba1 24. Bxg7 Albeiro 24... Rxf2 (24... Kxg7 25. Rxe4) 25. Kxf2 Qh2+ 26. Ke3 Bg5# 24... Qf4 This move allows White to consolidate. 24... Rxf2 wins for Black since 25. Kxf2 Qh2+ 26. Ke3 Bg5# 25. Qe2 Rf7 26. Rxa7 26. Qe3 is more solid. 26... Bd6 27. Ra8+ Rf8 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Qe3 Qh2+ 30. Kf1 Qg2+ 30... Bg2+ 31. Ke2 31. Ke2 d4 32. Qa3 d3+ 33. cxd3 Qf3+ 34. Kd2 Qxf2+ 34... Bf4+ 35. Kc2 Qxf2+ 36. Kb3 Bd5+ 37. Ka4 Qxe1 38. Qxc5+ Ke8 39. Qxd5 Qxa1 may be the best path for Black. 35. Re2 Bf4+ 36. Kc3 Qd4+ 36... Be5+ 37. Kd2 (37. Kb3 Bd5+ 38. Ka4 Qxe2) 37... Bf4+ 38. Kc3 is a draw by repetition, which Black should have taken at this point. 37. Kc2 Qc4+ 38. Kd1 Qxd3+ Now the counterplay is gone and White easily makes the exchange count. 39. Qxd3 Bxd3 40. Rf2 g5 41. Be5 Ke7 42. Bxf4 gxf4 43. Rxf4 Kd6 44. Kd2 Bg6 45. Rf6+ Kd5 46. Ke3 1-0 [Bauer,R]