The last round had come, and it is fair to say that my game would mean little in terms of the leading places. Still, it managed to produce an interesting game, one of the few times black gains play on the kingside in a French.
1.e4
e6
2.d4
d5
3.Nc3
dxe4
More popular is [3...Nf6
However this allows 4.e5, introducing the Steinitz Variation, which I preferred to avoid with black for this game. 3...dxe4 leads to a Rubinstein or Burn]
4.Nxe4
Nd7
5.Nf3
Ngf6
6.Nxf6+
Nxf6
7.Bd3
White opts for the Rubinstein. [7.Bg5
is an alternative, known as the Burn variation]
7...c5
8.0-0
[8.dxc5
Bxc5
9.0-0
0-0
10.Qe2
Qc7=
is the main line]
8...cxd4
9.Nxd4
Bc5
10.Nb3
Bd6
11.Re1N
Developing the Rook, though its purpose on e1 is unclear. Black does not try to play e5 in this variation, and his King will soon dissapear from the centre. White had several other options. [11.Bg5
Qc7
12.h3=
leads to an interesting game for both sides; 11.Bb5+
Bd7
12.Qxd6
Bxb5
13.Qxd8+
Rxd8
14.Re1=
creates an endgame that will almost definitely end in a draw.]
11...Qc7
12.h3
Bd7
Black is preparing to put his bishop on c6 and castle queenside, leading to a double edged game where neither King is safe.
13.c4
0-0-0
[13...Bc6
straight away would allow 14.Nd4+/=
]
14.Be3
Kb8
15.Qe2
Rhg8
Putting the rook on a file against the white king, and preparing g5.
16.c5
Bh2+!
an intermediate move which puts White's king on the h1-a8 diagonal, where he will come under fire once black places his bishop on c6. Because of this white is forced to lose a tempo later in the game.
17.Kh1
Bf4
18.Bxf4
Qxf4
19.Rac1
g5
Now it is a race to the Kings.
20.Rc4
[20.Na5
g4=/+
and black's attack is underway first]
20...Qc7
21.Qf3
White's attack is slower, so he is forced to play for an endgame.
21...Bc6
22.Qxf6
Rxd3
Now the idea of 16...Bh2+ forced White to waste a move, as his h3 pawn is threatened due to the pin on his g2 pawn.
23.Kg1
Bd5
24.Rd4
Rxd4
25.Qxd4
Qf4=/+
Diagram
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