[Event "4NCL Open"]
[Site "Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa"]
[Date "2022.07.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Sanders, Aron (2055)"]
[Black "Davies, Nigel R (2441)"]
[Result "0-1"]
[EventDate "????.??.??"]
[ECO "C07"]
[PlyCount "94"]

{This was my second 4NCL Congress and I must say that the venue was superb.
Factoring in the great organization and I was left with little excuse for my
lacklustre performance (one win followed by four draws). I can say that it was
not through lack of trying, and I hope that by continually beating my head
against the wall I will eventually break through and become a shadow of my
former self.

Here is my first round game, a win against a very polite young man who I hope
will go far.} 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 {Probably Black's most solid
option against the Tarrasch (3.Nd2).} 5.Ngf3 cxd4 6.Bc4 Qd6 7.O-O Nf6 8.Nb3 Nc6 
9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Qxd4 {This has the reputation of being a drawing line, but
there's still lots of play left in the position.} ( 10.Nxd4 {is the standard
move.} ) 10...Bd7 11.Bf4 Qxd4 12.Nxd4 Rc8 13.Bb3 Bc5 14.Nf3 Ke7 15.Rfe1 Rhd8 
16.Ne5 Be8 17.h3 h6 18.g4 $6 {This weakens the kingside and gives Black
chances.} 18...Nd7 19.Rad1 g5 20.Bg3 Nxe5 21.Bxe5 Bc6 {Suddenly Black wants to
play 22...Bf3 to take control of the d-file.} 22.Bc3 Bf3 23.Rxd8 Rxd8 24.Bc4 h5 
$6 {Apparently a mistake.} ( {Black should play} 24...Bd4 25.Bxd4 Rxd4 {, with
slightly the more comfortable game.} ) 25.Be2 $6 ( {The engine points out that
White could play} 25.gxh5 {after which} 25...Bxh5 26.Re5 Bd4 27.Rxg5 Bg6 
28.Bxd4 Rxd4 29.Bd3 Bxd3 30.cxd3 Rxd3 {would be a draw. Black can do slightly
better with 25...Bd4, but it's not much for him.} ) 25...hxg4 26.hxg4 Be4 
27.Rd1 Rc8 ( {And not} 27...Bxc2 {because of} 28.Bf6+ {.} ) 28.Bb5 Bd5 29.Rd2 
Bd6 {Suddenly White is in serious trouble because of the possibility of Black
bringing his rook to the h-file.} 30.Bd4 $6 Bf4 31.Be3 Rh8 32.Rxd5 
{Understandable desperation.} ( 32.Kf1 a6 {leaves White without a good move,
retreating to either a4 or f3 allows 33...Bf3.} ) 32...exd5 33.Bxf4 ( 33.Bxa7 
Kd6 {should also be winning for Black, though it might have been more
difficult.} ) 33...gxf4 34.Kg2 Kf6 35.Bd3 Kg5 36.Bf5 Re8 37.Kf3 Re1 38.a4 a5 
39.b3 Re7 40.Bd3 Re6 41.Bb5 Rh6 42.Bd7 Rh3+ 43.Kg2 Rc3 44.Bf5 Kf6 {Black's king
is heading for the queenside, and the newly weakened dark squares.} 45.f3 Ke5 
46.Kf2 Kd4 47.Ke2 Re3+ 0-1

