Firstly, commiserations to Mike, who is a fine player. His current grade is based on more than 70 games in local leagues, and congresses, and he has played the best in the country. He simply had "a bad day at the office". My comments on the game are not based on extensive computer analysis, but reflect the thoughts of a player of my own modest standard. I am not here to crow about the win, but our Chairman felt that the game would be of interest to Alwoodley club members.

The game went as follows:-

1. Nf3 f5 2. d3 This is probably an error allowing black an early initiative. Maybe it reflects that nobody had ever responded in this manner to Mike's Nf3 ... 2... Nf6 3. e4 d6 4. exf5 Bxf5 5. Nc3 e5 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Bg5 c6 9. Re1 Nbd7 10. g3 This was a complete mystery to me... 10... d5 11. Nh4 Be6 12. Bf3 Qc7 13. d4 Bd6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bg2 Rae8 16. Nf3 At this point Mike offered me a draw. I declined for several reasons. Firstly a strong player never offers a draw unless he thinks he is losing. Secondly, although it would seem a good result for me, I was not content to turn out for a mere 14 moves of chess. Thirdly the position looked solid and promising. Mike was not surprised at the draw refusal. 16... Bg4 17. Re3 Bc5 Now it appears that retreat of the rook will lose material. ( For example 18 Re1 Bxf3 19 Bxf3 Nxf3 20 Qxf3 Ne4 ) Accordingly, Mike settles for loss of the exchange 18. h3 Bxe3 19. Bxe3 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 Ne4 22. Bf4 Qb6 23. Nxe4 Rxe4 24. Qh5 Now I think that Mike has really "lost the plot", as he leaves b2 completely undefended... 24... Qxb2 25. Rf1 This rook will not move for 22 moves as Mike tries to conduct an attack with only queen and bishop... 25... Qxc2 26. Bd6 Rfe8 27. Qf5 Qb2 28. Qd7 R4e6 29. Bf4 R6e7 30. Qd6 Qxa2 The four linked passed pawns look most impressive, and against Hebden or Gormally, whom Mike has played ,he would have resigned long ago. But, facing a weaker player, there is always the strong possibility that there will be a major blunder. Let me tell you I was concentrating very hard. 31. h4 Qb2 32. Bg5 Re6 33. Qd7 h6 34. Bf4 Qb4 35. Qc7 Qe7 36. Qa5 b6 Now the pawns start rolling. 37. Qa4 b5 38. Qc2 a5 39. Kg2 Qb7 40. Qc5 Qe7 41. Qc2 c5 42. Qd3 Qb7 43. Kh2 c4 44. Qf5 Rf6 45. Qh5 Qf7 46. Qg4 b4 47. Ra1 (At last ) 47... Ra6 48. Be3 c3 49. Bd4 a4 50. Kg2 c2 51. Bb2 a3 52. Bd4 Rc6 53. Be3 Rc4 54. Bf4 b3 55. Rxa3 c1=Q 56. Rxb3 Qc2 57. Rf3 Qcf5 Resigns at last Phew ! 0-1 [Mike Dow]