Fool’s Gold

By | July 29, 2012

Sometimes it makes sense to settle for a draw instead of reaching for the gold ring of victory.  In the game below Greed betrays White ‘s hope and brings a quick decision for black.

Played June 30, 2012  RPI #1, Rd 3

White: McManus, Brother John (1599) – Black:Sells, Philip (2035)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nb3 e6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. Bc4 a6 9. 0-0 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Kh1 0-0 12. Qd2 b4 13. Ne2 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Bxg5 15. f4 Bf6 16. Bxc6 Bxc6 17. Qxb4 a5 18. Qc4 Rc8 19.  Qd3 Bxb2 20.  Rad1 Qb6 21. Qxd6 Qb7 22. Rf2 Qa7  23.  Kg1 Bf6 24.  Qa3 Bd8 25. Nbd4 Be8 26. c3 Bb6 27. Kh1 Bc5 28. Qb3 Rb8 29. Qc2 Bd7 30. Rf3 Rfc8 31. Rh3 g6 32. Rg3 a4 33. h4 a3 34. Qd3 Ba4 35. Rd2 Rb2 36. h5 Rxd2 37. Qxd2 Qb7 38. hxg6 Qb1+ 39. Kh2 hxg6 40. Qe3 Qxa2 41. Qe5 Qd5 42. Qf6 Qd8 43. Rxg6+ fxg6 44. Qxg6+ Kh8 45.Nxe6 Qh4#  (0-1)