MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION

Analysis by

Don Vandivier

D. Vandivier (1911) - A. Levi (2134)
[B73/02] Sicilian: Classical Dragon
1999 Michigan Open (3)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.0-0 Nc6 8.Be3 0-0 9.f4 Qb6 10.Na4 Qa5 11.Nc3

The point being that Black can’t play 11...Qb4? because of 12.a3! (12...Qxb2?? drops the queen).

11...Qb6 12.Na4

This is good against a stronger opponent who can not take a draw.

12...Qb4

Inferior! Better was 12...Qc7.

13.c3 Qa5 14.b4 Qc7 15.Nb5

I couldn’t help being sadistic here...<grin>.

15...Qb8 16.Bf3 Bd7 17.Nd4 e5 18.Nxc6

Only move to maintain a superior position.

18...Bxc6 19.fxe5 dxe5 20.Qc2 Qc8

Black is threatening both 21...Bxa4 (followed by 22...Qxc3) as well as 21...Ng4 going after White’s dark-squared bishop.

21.Rac1 Ng4 22.Bc5 Re8 23.h3 Nf6 24.Nb2

Much better is 24.c4! then b6 25.Be3 Qb7 26.Nc3 and White has all the winning chances.

24...b6

Now White sees the error of his ways... he can’t play 25.Be3? because 25...Qb7 will win the e-pawn.

25.Be3

White finds amazing resources.

25...Qb7 26.Bg5! Bxe4?

A typical example of miscalculation. Black is assuming White will save his queen.

27.Bxf6!

The reality of the situation is Black just dropeed a piece!

27...Bxc2 28.Bxb7 Rab8 29.Rxc2 Rxb7 30.Bxg7 Kxg7 31.Rd1!

White must grab the open file before Black can.

31...Rc7 32.c4 e4 33.Kf2 f5 34.Ke3 g5 35.g3

No reason to give Black two connected passed pawns.

35...Rf7

Black trys to get force the position for two connected passed pawns which would tie White down.

36.Rf2

Simple and to the point - stops all play for Black.

36...Re6 37.Rd5

Now that Black has no play White shows him how he’s going to win the game - it’s resignable here.

37...Kg6 38.c5 bxc5 39.bxc5 Rff6 40.Nc4 Ra6 41.g4

Better than 41.Rd6.

41...f4+ 42.Kxe4 Ra4 43.Kd3 Rb4 44.c6 Rxc4 45.Kxc4 Rxc6+ 46.Kb5 Rc3 47.Rd6+ Kf7 48.Rd7+ Ke6

Because after 48...Kg8 or even 48...Kg6 Black’s caught in a mating net by the other rook.

49.Rxh7 Kd5 50.Rh5 Ke4 51.Rxg5 Rxh3 52.Rf5 f3 53.R5xf3

Everything wins.

53...Rxf3 54.Rxf3 Kxf3 55.g5 1-0.

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