R DBerry vs D Roberts

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[Event "R DuBerry vs D Roberts: Chapter 1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/uDXREkyQ/wT6NPb0R"]
[Result "*"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.25"]
[UTCTime "19:15:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A43"]
[Opening "Benoni Defense: Old Benoni, Mujannah Formation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NIgal"]

1. d4 c5 2. d5 f5!? { The idea of this is to mix it. I have played similar formations as White in the past, but as Black, the nature of the encounter is often sharper. I don't honestly know whether it is completely sound, but in practice I have had good results with it, and indeed it has been played by certain Magnus Carlsen, in blitz, at least. } 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 { So far, the play follows Master Games, but White's 5th move takes us into new territory. Analysis suggests a slight advantage for White from the opening. } 5. Bg5 Nbd7 { I considered this and 5. ... Ne4 here, they both appear to have similar assessments. } 6. Nf3 g6 { This is the idea to play a Dutch structure where the early ... f5 can be a benefit as often in King's Indian type positions the Black knights are often required to 'tango', before getting an ... f5 in. A more critical variation for White would be 6. Nh3 with the idea of a subsequent Nf4, but I had intended meeting it with Ne5 after White's Knight arrived on f4. } 7. e3 { e3 is perfectly good, but Black is less challenged in these variations and is now moving closer to equality. } 7... Bg7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. h4 a6 { The game is equal here. White appear to go through a period where he lacks strategic direction and mixes plans somewhat, was my feeling at the time, but he is just fine until later. } 10. a4 Ne5 { Ne5 appeared sensible to me, but 10. ... Nh5 is probably better. After the move played, White again has a slight plus. } 11. Nxe5 dxe5 { White plays in a principled manner. He appeared confident, but I felt OK here as there is play for both sides, though objectively it is still a slight White plus. } 12. Be2 h6 { White seems a little lost for a plan, after 12. e4 he would maintain a slight advantage, now we are back level. } 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 { It looks like 13. ... Rf6 was better. White should now have tried h5, presumably with a follow up of g4 with the idea of opening up against the White King. He would have had some advantage. } 14. Qd2 e4! { White drifts a little planless and the initiative now moves slightly to Black. } 15. Rd1 Qd6 { It appeared to me at the time that Black was mixing his plans and did not really have enough play on either side, and potentially an exposed King later. } 16. a5 Bd7 { White has probably crossed the line here and now for the first time the Black advantage is significant. His pieces are not sufficiently co-ordinated for play on both sides. } 17. h5 g5 18. O-O b6 { Another possibility was to go straight at the King with 18. ... Be5, but this is also good, and I couldn't resist the opportunity to get a Benko Gambit style position with level material even. } 19. axb6 Rfb8 { Rab8 was another similar idea } 20. Ra1 Rxb6 21. Ra2 Rab8 22. Rfa1 Be5 { The moves since 14. ... e4 have been accurate and the evaluation of a Black advantage has remained stable. My idea now was to see can I attack the White King as White is pretty tied down to the protection of b2. My idea was to combine pressure on this weakness with threats against the King. } 23. f3? exf3 { White cracks. 23. Bd1 is indicated but is getting tough. After the moved played it should be simply indefensible. } 24. Bxf3 g4 { The dark squares around the Black King are indefensible. If 24. gxf3 then 24. ... Bc3 25. Qxc3 Qg3+ is going to prove terminal with either an f4 or g4 subsequently to fatally expose the King } 25. Be2 { Bd1 was slightly better, but it is beyond salvation now. } 25... Qf6 26. Bd3 { g3 would have held a little better } 26... Qh4 27. Bf1 { allowing a standard but mating theme } 27... Bh2+ { in view of 28. Kh1 Bg3+ 29. Kg1 Qh2# mate, Black resigned.
All told, I was pleased with my play here, some inaccuracy around the early middle game but otherwise there were some nice themes. } *






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