MAKSAK 2008 - Blunder and Brilliancies

I'm planning to show some of blunders , brilliancies and miss opportunity happen in MAKSAK 2008 games. But before i criticise others game, let me first critic my own game. It is my game against Selangor 4th board Azmi Othman (photo right) . Azmi won the game and later win the best board price for the 4th board. Azmi is a teacher in Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Manggis, Banting, Selangor.

(correction- Azmi is a teacher in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Manggis - tq mie for your info)

Azmi Othman ( Selangor) - Hairulov (Kuala Lumpur) [B21]

MAKSAK 2008, 02.08.2008

1.e4 d5 2.e5 This move looks like a sily move but it's not easy to exploit it, especially if you don't know how. I my self use it succesfully against NM Kamal Ariffin before. I remember former strong Terengganu player - Ghalam Sani once said that this move is not a losing move for white but " hitam equalise dengan mudah" - black equalize easily. 2...c5 3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bf5

In our team preparation for the tournament, my teammate NM Kamal Ariffin said that 4...Bg4 is the correct way to develop the light square bishop because at f5 it will be blunt if white replay with d3. I remember it but i still prefer to put my bishop at f5. I just don't know why ?! Anyway black has the better version of French or Caro Kann defense. A French with active bishop on f5 or g4 . A good Caro Kann with black playing ...c5 in one move! 5.Be2 e6 6.0–0 Be7 7.d3 Qb6 8.Kh1 h5 My idea is to play h4-h3 to open white h1–a8 diaganol. 9.Nc3 h4 10.Ng1 White has difficulties to find a good plan so he just wait black to make a mistake. 10...Nh6 11.h3? This move create a serious weakness on g3, but i was so obsess with the idea of castle queenside followed by putting my rooks on g and h file to support pawn storm on the kingside. 11...0–0–0 11...Bg6! is correct as what my teammate Rizal Ahmad Kamal suggest. Black must immedietly exploit the g3 square. 12.Nf3 Nf5 the knight is heading to g3! 12.a4 f6 13.Nf3 Nf7 14.Bd2 fxe5 15.fxe5

15...g5?! I like to attack and never considered defensive move like 15...a6! which actually will avoid black from having strong counterplay as happen in the game. 16.a5 Qc7 17.Nb5 Qb8 I was so confident that my attack on the kingside will succes. Further more, white e5 pawn is weak. 18.a6!? A clever try by white. 18...b6? actually i should have just take the pawn with 18...bxa6 19.Nd6+ Nxd6 20.exd6 Rxd6 21.Rxa6 Rg8 19.c3 g4? 20.hxg4 Bxg4

21.Nfd4! In time pressure I completly missed this move. Credit to my opponent for finding the brilliant move. 21...Bxe2 My problem is the knight on f7 is en prise. 21...Nxd4 22.Bxg4 Nxb5 23.Bxe6+ 22.Nxc6 Bxd1 23.Nxb8 This move is qood enough to win but white can play Ala Shirov with 23.Rxf7!! Qa8 24.Rxd1 Rd7 25.Nxe7+ Kd8 26.Rdf1! Rxe7? 27.Bg5 Rhe8 28.Rxe7 Rxe7 29.Rf8+ 23...Nxe5 23...Bh5 24.Nc6 Rd7 24.Raxd1 Kxb8 my team mate suggest 24...h3 but white still have the upperhand after 25.g3 Kxb8 26.Bf4 Bf6 27.d4 winning the knight 25.Bf4 Rh5
26.Bxe5+? I was confused why Azmi didn't play 26.d4 simply winning the knight. I would resign immedietly if he play that move. 26...Rxe5 27.Rf7 unfortunately i forgot what i play starting from here. But in time trouble i misplay the position and lost the game. Credit for Azmi who defend patiently and punish my mistake. 1–0