Mashafizul - Andreas Strunski annotated game.

FM Andreas Strunsli (2394) vs IM Mashafizul (2416)

Banick Kahanec, Round 5, 8.9.09

Analysed by Hairulov and Rybka 3

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 Mas (photo right) choose The Benko Gambit. Black sac a pawn for long term initiative and active play. 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bxa6 7. Nf3 d6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 Nbd7 10. Rb1 Nb6 11. b3 Bc8 12. Nh4 h6 13. Qc2 Qd7 14. Bb2 g5 15. Nf3 Qf5 16. e4 Qg6 17. O-O O-O

A typical Beko Gambit position. Black is a pawn down but he got active play as shown in this game. 18. Rfd1 Bg4 19. h3 Bxf3 20. Bxf3 h5 21. a4 g4 22. hxg4 hxg4 23. Bg2 Rfc8 24. Ra1 Ra5 25. Qd2 Nfd7 Black's knight eyeing for the actractive post at e5 square. 26.

Ne2 Rca8 27. Nf4 Qh6 28. Bxg7 Qxg7 29. Bf1 Ne5 29... c4!? Is an interesting idea for e.g 30. bxc4 Rxa4 31. Rxa4 Nxa4 and black pairs of knight will use the c5 and e5 square to dance around. 30. Be2 c4 31. Qb4 Nbd7 32. bxc4 Probably white should just take the pawn offer with the bishop. For e.g 32. Bxc4 Nf3+ 33. Kf1 Qh7 34. Bb5 Nc5 35. Bc6 R8a7 36. Ke2 Qxe4+ 37. Qxe4 Nxe4 38. Ke3 Nc3 39. Rdc1 32... Nc5

Black pairs of knight on c5 and e5 show an anchor performance!. Now the e4 pawn is in danger 33. Kg2 Qh7! is better to take the pawn with the queen compare to the knight as

33... Nxe4 34. Rh1 34. Rh1 Qxe4+ White position start to look shacky 35. Kg1 f6 Probably taking the pawn straight away with 35... Rxa4! is stronger 36. Rh4 White can also choose to hold the a4 pawn sttubornly with 36. Bd1 !? 36... Rxa4 37. Rxa4 Rxa4 38. Qb2 38. Qb8+ also lost for e.g 38... Kf7 39. Ng2 39... Ra1+ 40. Kh2 Ncd3 38... Rxc4 Mas can choose a fancy finish with 38... Nb3! 39. Qxb3 Ra1+ 40. Bd1 Nf3+

39. Rxg4+? a desperate measure. White can choose to defend a painful position with 39.Kh 39...Nxg4 40. Bxc4 Qxc4 Black is simply a piece up 41. Qb8+ Kf7 42. Qh8 Ne5 43. Qh5+ Kg7 44. Qe8 Nf3+ 45. Kg2 Ne1+ 46. Kh3 46. Kg1 Qe4 46... Qe4 47. Nh5+ Kh6 48. Qh8+ Qh7 And white has seen enough 0-1 Bravo Mas !

Mas photo from www.Novoborsky