Keverel Chess

The British Championships start in Torquay 4 weeks tomorrow, with an unprecedented number of Devon players in the top section. At the time of going to press, of the 48 entrants 9 are either resident in, or born in the county. These are: Keith Arkell and Gary Lane (both Paignton); Alan Brusey, Dom Mackle, Steve Homer & Robert Thompson (all Newton Abbot); Jack Rudd (Bideford) and John Stephens (Exmouth). Steve Dilleigh is Plymouth-born but has been a Bristol resident for many years, as is Dave Collier, Tyson Mordue and Simon Greely, all playing in the top section.

However, the chances are that Gawain Jones will retain his title. This won last year’s Best Game prize.

White: G. Jones (2655). Black: J. Hawkins (2499).

Nimzo-Indian Defence – Reshevsky Variation [E46].

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 0–0 5.Nge2 Reshevsky’s plan to counter Black’s dangerous opening line. 5…d5 6.a3 Be7 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Nf4 c6 9.Bd3 Re8 10.0–0 Bd6 11.f3 Qc7 12.Qd2 This looks odd as it blocks in his own bishop, but he is actually preparing to play e4 without moving his knight on f4. 12…Bxf4 13.exf4 b6 14.b4 White wishes to preserve his bishop pair, and fears …Ba6. 14…Ba6 15.b5 cxb5 16.Nxb5 Qd7 17.a4 Nc6 18.Rb1 Na5 19.f5 Nc4 20.Qf2 h6 21.g4 Committing to a pawn storm. 21…Nh7 22.Bf4 Na3 23.Rb3 Nc4 24.h4 Rac8 25.g5 h5 26.Kh2 Opening up the g-file. There is no hurry to press the attack as Black has no counter-play. 26…Rc6 27.f6 g6 28.Rbb1 Nf8 29.Rfe1 Rxe1 30.Rxe1 Ne6 31.Bg3 Nd6 32.Re5 Very strong was 32.Bxd6! after which there follows 32…Bxb5 33.axb5 Qxd6+ 34.Qg3 Qxg3+ 35.Kxg3 Rc3 36.Bxg6 and Black can’t retake with 36…Nxd4 because of 37.Re8#. 32…Nc4 33.Re2 Nd6 34.Re5 Nc4 35.Re2 Nd6 36.Qe1 Nf5 37.Bxf5 gxf5 38.Qb1 Rc4 39.Qxf5 Rxa4 40.g6 Bxb5 41.Qxh5 fxg6 42.Qxg6+ Kf8 43.Bf4! Nxf4 Black is now 2 pieces up with a check on h3 threatened, but it’s White’s move. If 43…Bxe2 44.Bh6+ Ng7 45.Bxg7+ Kg8 46.Bh6+ Kh8 47.f7 Qc7+ 48.f4. 44.Re8+! Black is forced to take the rook, an act that merely prevents his king’s escape route. 44…Qxe8 45.Qg7# 1–0

In last week’s position, White won a pawn after 1.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Qd3+ winning one of Black’s bishops, a net gain of one pawn – not much, but enough to lead to a win.

This position was reached by Cornishman Andrew Greet in a 2008 rapidplay game. He actually played 1.g3? which lost to 1…Qc2. Afterwards, he found the winning move he should have played. Can you spot something better than 1.g3?

Find a winning combination for White.