Notes by ECF-Accredited Chess Coach Ron Franklin.
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This was Nikhil Sanghani's Round 1 game in the Essex Junior Chess Association's (EJCA's) Under-14 Grand Prix event, held at Chingford on 7th July 2008. The EJCA provided a DGT Sensory Board and this was used by both players to record the moves. The game doesn't last long!
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1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bc4
It looks like Nikhil will play against the Giuoco Piano Opening or the Two Knights' Defence, depending on Black's next move.
3...Nf6
Black plays the Two Knights' Defence 3...Nf6, presumably without too much thought. The Giuoco Piano, with 3...Bc5, is better.
4.Ng5!
This move gives White the advantage. Beginners are normally told not to make more than one move with the same piece in the opening, to the detriment of developing the other pieces. But there are exceptions to this rule, and this is one such exception. The attack on the f7 pawn is far too important to ignore! However, Black should "only" lose a pawn here (if he knows the best line to play).
4...Qe7?
Definitely not the best! Black is now in trouble. [Black's best line here is 4...d5
then if 5.exd5
Na5
(if 5...Nxd5
White can play the sacrifice 6.Nxf7?!
Kxf7
7.Qf3+
Ke6
8.Nc3
Ncb4
9.Nxd5
(9.Qe4
is also an interesting line for White.) 9...Nxd5
10.d4
with good attacking chances for White.) 6.Bb5+
c6
7.dxc6
bxc6
8.Qf3
with advantage, plus extra pawn, to White. ]
5.Bxf7+
The obvious move and also the best. White wins a pawn whilst at the same time giving check (you can't get much better than that!).
5...Kd8
Black prefers this to the alternative, which is to give up his Queen!
6.Bc4
White returns the Bishop to its previous square, and threatens 7.Nf7+ Ke8 8.Nxh8 winning the exchange.
6...Qc5
Black plays for the counterattack, and also gives his King another flight square (should White play 7.Nf7+). However, Black's top priority here should be the development of his pieces (and not counterattack).
7.d3
Also good is 7.Nf7+ Ke8 8.d3, but the move played is probably more accurate as 8.Nf7+ is still threatened (and as everybody knows "In chess the threat is worse than the execution!").
7...d6?
Again Black plays a poor move which does not take into account White's threats. Much better was 7...Ke8 (although even this would not save Black). [After 7...Ke8
play could proceed 8.0-0
h6
9.Be3
Qe7
10.Nf3
and White is in control.]
8.Nf7+
Earlier it was the Bishop that gave check on the f7 square (thereby picking up a pawn). This time the Knight gives check on the f7 square (and then picks up the exchange!).
8...Kd7
8...Ke8 was better.
9.Nxh8
Ke8
Black now plays the move he should have played on move 8, thereby losing a tempo. The idea is to try and trap the h8 Knight (and also open up the diagonal for the c8 Bishop).
10.Be3
Qb4+
11.Nc3
Ng4
With this move Black loses very quickly. [He could have tried 11...Qxb2
which at least wins back a pawn. However, after 12.Nb5
Black is struggling.]
12.Bf7+
Kd7?
Both the alternatives (ie 12...Kd8 or 12...Ke7) were better than this!
13.Qxg4+
Black must have overlooked this move. It wins the g4 Knight, which is now unprotected (and it also checks the King).
13...Ke7
This allows White a mate in one move. By now Black must have been thoroughly demoralised, but at least he has a quick end! [The alternative is 13...Kd8
. Now there are many ways to win, but I like the variation 14.Be6
, and if Black plays 14...Qxb2
White can play the double Rook sacrifice 15.Nd5
Qxa1+
16.Kd2
Qxh1
17.Nf7+
Ke8
18.Nxc7+
Ke7
19.Qg5#
]
14.Bg5#
There is something rather satisfying about checkmating your opponent's King on (or around) his original central square on the first rank.
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For Nikhil this brevity was a warm-up for harder games to follow. It could not have been more one-sided. Black was never really in it, and his errors were eagerly seized upon by Nikhil. 1-0