1.g3 Nf6 2.Bg2 d5 3.Nf3 c6 4.0-0 Bf5
A good solid reply
to White's restrained and subtle flank opening. Black sensibly sets up
a bulwark of pawns in the centre.
5.d3 e6 6.Nbd2
h6
To provide a
retreat for his queen's bishop against the possibility of Nh4.
7.Qe1
Trying to force
through the central push, e4. White could of course, also continue
with 7.b3 plus Bb2 and c4. This would be a good alternative way of
developing his pieces and attacking the centre.
7...Be7 8.e4
Bh7 9.Qe2 0-0 10.b3 a5
A splendid method
of gaining queenside counterplay. White's best antidote to block
Black's advance is probably 11.a3 a4 12.b4.
11.a4
I do not like that
because it weakens the b4-square which can be occupied by a black knight.
11...Na6
Promptly heading for the weak square.
12.Bb2 Nb4 13.Ne1 b5
Continuing his theme of a vigorous queenside counter offensive.
14.exd5
This
capture looks suspect since it enhances the power of Black's queen-bishop
lurking on h7. I would probably have played 14.Kh1 and then tried to advance
my kingside pawn in order to whip up tactical chances in conjunction with
the fianchettoed queen's bishop.
14...exd5
15.Ndf3 Re8
If 15. ... bxa4,
then 16. Rxa4 looks playable for White.
16.Qd2 Bd6
17.Nd4 Qb6
18.Nef3
Here it was
essential to play 18.axb5 cxb5 ( if 18. ...c5? 10.Nc6!) 19.Bh3!
Analysis Diagram: after 19.Bh3!
...followed by
20.Nef3. In that case the white knights would mask the weakness on c2
and White would enjoy excellent control of the central squares.
18...bxa4
19.bxa4
If now 19.Rxa4 then 19. ...c5!
19...Nd7
20.Rfb1
If he moves the
queen rook then the pawn on e4 becomes weak.
20...Qc7 21.Qc3
Very artificial.
The threat against g7 is transparent
and White's pieces are getting onto an ugly angle.
21...Ne5 22.Nh4 f6
Blocking
the diagonal of White queen and bishop and squashing any hopes Mile may
have harboured of a swindle based on Qxg7.
23.Bh3
By leaving f3 unprotected,
White invites a possibly unpleasant future knight check on that square. Maybe
Ba3!? instead was a better idea.
23...Rab8 24.Nhf5 Bf8
25.Ne3 Qf7
The threat is
...c5 and ...d4.
26.Nb3 c5
Things are out of
control for White, since 27.Nxc5 d4 28.Qxd4 Nf3+ is hopeless.
27.d4
Desperation.
27...Nf3+
28.Kf1
Now Short uncorks
a crushing combination which knocks White's whole position out of joint.
28...Nxc2
29.Nxc5
29.Nxc2 Rxb3 30.Qxb3 Nd2+
winning the queen.
29...Nxa1
30.Rxa1 Bxc5
White resigned.
Both 31.Qxc5 Rxb2 and
31.dxc5 d4! are murderous.
0-1
Final Position
