| Here is a game where I go from worse, to much worse,
to slightly worse, to winning, then to drawing. It’s an interesting
game nonetheless. |
|
Paschall (2440) - Ashton
(2230)
[A57/21] Benko Gambit: Half-Accepted
Chicago Open (5)
|
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.b6 e6
| Tal Shaked once told me that he analyzed 5.b6 all
night with Shirov concluding that 5...e6 is the equilizing move and other
moves should lead to an advantage for White. After studying the opening
more closely, I agree with Shaked and Shirov. I also agree with the
fact that Shirov is a Super GM, Shaked is a GM, and I’m an NM, so I shouldn’t
have to conduct further research. I do, however, feel that the e6-systems
lend to positions which Benko players aren’t looking for, and I can see
why most Benko players like the non-e6-systems. Even I will stop
playing ...e6, despite the fact that it’s the best move. So take
that Shirov and Shaked! |
| I didn’t know the line well during the game, so
I played this 9...Bb7 move. Even though 9...Bb7 has been played many
times before, 9...Rb8 is the best move, and the main line. The idea
is to recapture the b6-pawn with the rook, and eventually play ...d6 and
...Be6. |
| Paschall later suggested that castling queenside
is a possibility instead of 11...Nd8. I agree with his statement
that it’s hard to attack the black king on the queenside, but I don’t think
Black has compensation after Qxf7. I also admit that Black quickly
stands worse after 11...Nd8. |
| Guarding the d-pawn so Black can castle. |
|
| White will now try to generate attacking chances
along the a1-h8 diagonal and also nullify the pressure on the b-file. |
| Trying to get some counterplay against the e-pawn,
and having the possibility of guarding g7 with ...Bf8. |
| Also good was 17.Nxc6 where White has a long term
positional advantage, such as the control of the d5 square, the bishop
pair, and the fact that Black’s pieces are worse than pawns. It’s
hard to say what’s better, 17.Ng4 or 17.Nxc6. They’re both very good. |
| Paschall told me that when playing 18.Bxe6, he overlooked
that after 18...fxe6 19.Nh6+ gxh6 20.Qg3+ I had 20...Bg5. Even though
White will regain his piece after 21.h4, the game turns into a mess with
chances for both sides. 18.Qg3! and White’s attack is stronger than what
happened in the game. |
| Now Black has good defensive resources. |
| Fritz 5 gives this position as [+=]. |
| Taking the knight on h6 is suicidal, due to the
obvious 22.fxe5. |
| Planning to block the bishop on b2 with the d4 pawn
push. |
| White’s attack is coming to an end. |
| Planning to guard along the 7th rank and also to
play Qc7! |
| Now White is forced to trade queens and go into
a worse endgame. |
| White will now lose the e-pawn by force. |
| 34...Rxf4? 35.Nxe6 Rxf1+ 36.Kxf1 and Black now stands
worse. |
| Ben Finegold told me that I should always repeat
the position before moving on if I can. Also note that all minor piece
endgames are perfectly fine for White. |
| I should simply play 40..d3, and White has no counterplay.
White can try to blockade the d-pawn, but he is probably losing.
40.Nxd4? Re1+ 41.Rf1 Bh2+ 42.Kxh2 Rxf1 43.Bxc5 Rf2 44.a4 Be4 [-+]. |
| It’s probably a draw now. |
|
|
|
