Kassis,Antoine (2219) – Hussein,HA (2366)
Our hero today is Antoine Kassis. In preparation for this article, I was hesitated if I should presented one of the couple of draws that Kassis made against the strong Grand Masters Korneev and Nikolov during the recent Istanboul Olympiad. Then I decided to present to our readers his win in his game with the Iraqi International Master Hussein Hussein, which was played during the Arab Inter-Club championship in Amman 2008. In the end, a win is a win!
1.e4 e6
2.d4 d5
3.Nc3 dxe4
4.Nxe4 Nd7
5.Nf3 Be7 6.g3
A rare move. Most common is 6. Bd3 or 6. Bc4. Kassis knows how to put his opponent out of his (book).
6…Ngf6
7.Nxf6+ Bxf6
8.Bg2 0–0
9.0–0 c5
A thematic advance, typical in the French Defense. The pawn is putting some pressure on the d4 pawn, and clearing the a5-d8 diagonal for the black queen. Still, the c8-bishop remains undeveloped, keeping the rook on a8 in a passive status, feeling the heat of the laser the g2-bishop is emitting.
10.c3 cxd4
11.Nxd4 Nc5
12.Be3 Qe7
[12...Bxd4?! 13.Bxd4 Qc7 14.Qh5 Nd7 15.Rfe1 shows that Black's position remains difficult, as his development problems remain, and White is enjoying the 2 bishops , smoother activities with potential for a kingside attack. Black wishes that the e6 pawn can be thrown away (earlier) from the board, as it blocks the way of his c8-bishop, and can't profit from the d5 square in order to release some pressure.]
13.b4 Na6
14.Qf3
Do you feel the pressure? I think the Black is starting hating his position.
14…Rd8
15.Rad1 Nc7
16.a3
A plausible move from Kassis. I think he was enjoying his position to a certain extend that he doesn’t want to change anything. It was better to play 16. Nb3, offering the exchange of the d8-rook, then take contol of that unique open file with a perfect domination.
16…Nd5
16. …a5 was more energetic; at least it could give the a8-rook some air, plus a bonus: pressure on the b-pawn.
17.c4 Nxe3
18.Qxe3 a5?!
Black missed the opportunity to play 18…Qd7! After 19.Nb5, he could exchange his queen for the 2 white rooks, and nearly all his problems were solved. Psychologically, it is very difficult to block by your own hand the exit of the c8-bishop.
19.c5 axb4
[Now, on 19...Qd7 Tony will play 20.c6! with a clear advantage.]
20.axb4 e5
21.Nb5
A strong outpost on d6 was created for the knight, engraving the domination of the white pieces on the light squares.
21…Rxd1
22.Rxd1 Bg4
Freedom !! but …
23.Re1 Qd7
24.Nd6 Ra4
25.Nxb7
[25.Bxb7 Rxb4 26.Bc8!! I like this esthetic move very much. 26...Qc6 27.Bxg4 Rxg4 28.Rb1 h6 29.Rb8+ Kh7 30.Qd3+ e4 31.Qe2 Rg5 32.Rc8 or immediately 32. Qxe4 was quicker to collect the point. ]
25…Rxb4
26.c6 Qc7
27.Qa3 Be7
28.Qa8+ Bf8
29.Qe8 Rb5
30.h3
Give me back my d-file please.
30…Bf5
31.Rd1 Rb1
32.Rxb1 Bxb1
33.Bd5 Bg6
34.Nd8
The final position deserves a diagram. After a mass of exchanges on f7, a new white queen will appear on c8.A nice positional game by Kassis.
1–0