J. Andrews-Brill

Sicilian Defense, Narjdorf Variation

I was at my best playing postal chess, where you weren't limited with what you could see with a chess clock ticking. After hours of analysis, I could gain a deeper understanding of the positions and have a much better chance of finding the best move.

Here's a game where I outplayed a master (at that time, the postal chess rating system didn't correspond to the standard over-the-board rating system) and zoomed in for the kill. I was playing the Narjdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense, an opening I love to play as white or black.

I submitted the annotated game to The Chess Correspondent Magazine for their Game of the Month. It didn't win the award, but they did publish it.

1. e4, c5; 2. Nf3, d6; 3. d4, cxd4; 4. Nxd4, Nf6; 5. Nc3, a6;

The long-popular Narjdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense, sharp and complex, with chances for both sides.

6. Be3

A rarely-played line at the time, to get me out of the books.

6...e5;

(6...e6 is a good alternative.)

7. Nf3

More active is 7. Nb3, aiming for an eventual f4. Blocking the f-pawn limits white's options.

7...b5?;

(7...Be7 is better, but with White's N on f3, I thought I could play more aggressively.)

8. a3?

White plays too passively for the Sicilian. Better is 8. a4!, b5; 9. Nd5, eventually winning the pawn on b4.

8...Bb7; =

9. Bd3

The bishop on d3 seems no better than a pawn. It also blocks White's only semi-open file. Protecting the e-pawn with Nd2, followed by Be2 and an eventual f4 seemed more aggressive to me, although the position is still equal.

9...Nbd7; 10. 0-0, Be7; 11. Re1,

(11. Nh4 is also good.)

11...0-0; 12. h3

(Here 12. Nh4 is definitely the better move.)

12... h6;

(12...Nc5 is slightly better.)

13. Nd2

The knight should have gone here on move 9.

13...d5?!

Having completed his development, Black strikes a blow against the center, opening up the game and seizing the newly opened lines. In general, it's very good for black if he can play d5 in the Sicilian. Neverthless. 13...Nc5 is better, when his well-placed pieces and pressure on the c-file gives Black the edge.

14. exd5, Nxd5; 15. Nxd5, Bxd5; 16. b4?

Stopping black's pawns from advancing on the Queenside, but creating a backwards pawn and weaknesses on the half-open C-file. Both players missed 16. c4!, bringing White's pieces to life and giving him the edge.

16...Rb8?

(16...Nf6, 17. f3=, or 17. Bf5=)

17. Nf1?

Threatening 18. Bb5!, but again, 17. c4! gives White the advantage, with an attack on the queenside. Now the position is equal yet again.

17...Be6; 18. Bc1?

18. Qh5! maintains equality.

17... f5!

Now Black has the advantage as his central pawn-roller advances.

19. Bb2, Bf6?!;

(19...e4! continues the attack.)

20.Ng3?

(20. f3 or 20. a4 leaves Black with just the edge.)

20... e4; 21. Bxf6, Nf6; 22. Be2, Qc7

Now Black's pressure on the c-file gives him the advantage.

23. c3?

This makes a bad situation worse. 23. a4 is better.

23... Rfd8; 24. Qc2?24..., e3!