(1012) Ibragimov,I (2700) - Bauer,R (2250) [D45] Conn. Ch. (4.1), 07.04.2002 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd2 [ 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 is the Meran Variation, and the main line here.] 6...Bd6 7.Bd3 But here Bd3 is a surprise. 6.Bd2 is usually combined with Qc2, O-O-O and a violent attack on the kingside featuring g4-g5. 7...0-0 8.0-0 Re8 9.Qc2 e5?! I thought that this thrust would be justified by the exposure of White&aposs queen on the c-file should he isolate my pawn. As things turn out, however, it is White who benefits from the c-file. 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Nb5 Bb8 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 Draw? With dreams of sacrifice on h2, I thought my position looked strong enough to make an offer here. His reply squelches my hopes in more ways than one. 14.f4 Bb8 15.Bc3 Ne4 16.Rad1 Bf5 17.Bd4 And this move was really discouraging. White squelches all play against e3, creates a good retreat for his knight and keeps pressure on the c-file. My next few moves play into his hand, but I still can&apost find much better. 17...a6 18.Nc3 Nxc3 19.Qxc3 Bxd3 20.Rxd3 f6 21.Qb3! This wins a pawn. 21...Qd7 22.Bb6 Ba7 23.Rxd5 Qf7 24.Bxa7 Rxa7 25.Rd7!? Active pieces more than compensate the doubled pawns. 25...Qxb3 26.axb3 Rea8 27.Kf2 b5 28.Rxa7 Rxa7 29.Rc1 Kf7 I try to activate my king. My opponent pointed out that I should have instead activated my rook with... [ 29...Rd7 30.Ke2 Rd6 ] 30.Rc6 Ke7 31.Kf3 Kd7 32.Rb6 Kc7 33.Re6 Kd7 34.f5 ! anchoring the Re6. White shows that his kingside majority is not compromised by this. 34...a5 35.g4 b4 [ 35...a4 36.b4 a3 37.bxa3 Rxa3 38.Rb6+- ] 36.h4 h6 37.Kf4 Rc7? This attempt for counterplay was mistimed. Better... [ 37...Ra8 38.g5 hxg5+ 39.hxg5 fxg5+ 40.Kxg5 Rc8 ] 38.Ra6 Rc2 39.Rxa5 Rxb2 40.Ra7+ Kd6 41.Rxg7 Rxb3 42.Rf7 Ra3 43.Rxf6+ Kc5 44.Rf8! [ 44.Rxh6? b3 45.Rh8 Ra6 46.Rc8+ Rc6 47.Rb8 Rb6 allows Black to draw.] 44...b3 45.Rc8+ Kb4 46.Rb8+ Kc3 47.f6 b2 48.Rxb2 Kxb2 49.g5 hxg5+ 50.hxg5 The black rook is clearly overmatched. 1-0