Game of the Week

     1. e4 {This game fell on my   birthday, I mentioned that preparation was the last thing on my mind but I   expected the Najdorf. I was given the expert advice of don't worry just 'wing   it' so here goes} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 {   White has so many options but I think that this is the easiest, prepare to   castle queenside and throw the kingside pawns forward} e6 7. f3 {Defending e4   and getting ready for g4} Be7 8. Qd2 O-O 9. g4 b5 10. O-O-O Bb7 {I expect that   this is theory both sides seek an attack on opposite flanks, an exciting game   is guaranteed} 11. h4 d5 12. g5 {Countering a central push with a flank thrust}   Nh5 13. Bh3 {The best diagonal in these positions, the Bishop can attack the   Knight on h5 and also hints at a sacrifice on e6} dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nc6 {Black   finally develops his last minor piece but there is a storm brewing on the   kingside} 15. Bg4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 f5 {The position was difficult but this is a   mistake as now the g file is opened} 17. gxf6 Nxf6 {The only move to not lose   a piece but White wins a pawn and has big threats against the King} 18. Bxe6+   Kh8 19. Ng5 {Looking at f7} Qe8 20. Qd3 {Now the target is h7} Qh5 21. Kb1 {   This move is thematic in opposite side castling positions} Bxf3 {Bold but   Black does not get enough compensation for the piece} 22. Nxf3 {Keeping Queens   on the board as it is White attacking} Rad8 23. Ng5 Bc5 24. Bxc5 {objectively   c3 is better but I couldn't resist a Queen sac} Rxd3 25. cxd3 {Taking with the   pawn stops any future back row mate blunders, the pawn also has a very rapid   route to d8!} Rb8 26. Nf7+ Kg8 27. Ne5+ Kh8 28. d4 g6 29. Rhf1 Ne4 {If 29 ...   Qxh4 30. Nxg6+ is very strong} 30. Nf7+ Kg7 31. Ng5 Nf6 {Black can't allow the   Rook to penetrate 31. ..Re8 32. Rf7+ is a winning attack} 32. Bd6 Re8 33. Be5   Rf8 34. Ne4 {The pressure on f6 is too much} Qxh4 35. Nxf6 Rxf6 36. Bxf6+ 1-0