Jessie Gilbert (White) vs. Tanja Rantanen (Black)

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Jessie Gilbert (White) vs. Tanja Rantanen (Black)

37th Chess Olympiad, Turin

This is another of Jessie’s games from the Olympiad she played earlier this year. Jessie was Board 2 for her country.

1. d4 d5

2. c4 c6

3. Nf3 Nf6

4. e3 Bf5

5. cxd5 cxd5

6. Qb3 Qc8

In this line White tries immediately to exploit the early 4. Bf5. Black is rather passive, 6. Qc7 is better not fearing a later Nb5 when the queen can simply run away.

7. Bd2 a6

A6 creates what turns out to be a serious weakness – Nc6 was right immediately.

8. Nc3 e6

9. Rc1 Nc6

10. Na4 Rb8

This 10. Nd7 11. Ne5 is very nasty because 11. Ndxe5 is met by 12. Nb6 so although this allows a combination it may already be relatively best.

11. Bxa6 Bd6

Losing on the spot. Instead 11. bxa6 12. Rxc6 Qd8 13. Rb6 Nd7 sheds a pawn but Black can still fight.

12. Rxc6 bxc6

Of course if 12. Qxc6 13. Bb5

13. Bxc8 Rxb3

14. axb3 Bd3

15. Ne5 Bxe5

16. dxe5 Ng4

17. Nc5 Bb5

18. Bc3 Resigns

White win

Annotations from the Guardian article (06/08/2006) by Jonathon Speelman

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