(692) Heaton,Robert (2132) - Foster,James J (2081) [C00]
4NCL/Div3/SCS-SLO2 West Bromwich (10.3), 25.05.2003
[Annotations by Charlie Linford]

1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.g3 Nc6 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.f4 Be7 7.Ngf3 Qb6 8.c3 Bd7 9.0-0 dxe4?! This central exchange is a prelude to a kingside attack, but objectively black should have either castled or played another waiting move, as Fritz's silicon eyes light up at this move. 10.dxe4 c4+ 11.Kh1 Qb5?! Foster has an imaginative plan in mind, but the Fritz evaluation profile is gradually rising with every move - thankfully, Robert Heaton does not qualify as Fritz... 11...Qc5 was probably a better way to carry out the plan. 12.Qe2 Ng4 An imaginative defence of the extended c-pawn, combining mate threats on the h-file with a probing of the dark squares that were weakened earlier in the game. 13.h3 13.e5! is probably an easier way to demonstrate that black is asking too much of the position. 13...h5 Fritz does not have the annotation !??!, but this move definetly qualifies. With all the action taking place on the kingside, it is easy to miss a move like 14.a4!, which would leave black just busted. 14.Qxc4?! Tempting, but black is back in the game after this, as his queen becomes strong on the a7-g1 diagonal. 14...Qb6 15.hxg4? hxg4+ Diagram

Taking the offered piece is just what one would expect from Heaton, but opening the h-file is asking for trouble. Even Fritz, materialistic though it is, now evaluates the position as equal (it was at +2.17 just a move or so ago!) 16.Nh2 0-0-0 17.Qe2 Or the black queen will invade on e3. 17...Rxh2+ 18.Kxh2 Rh8+ 19.Bh3 f5 20.Rh1 gxh3 Fritz is crying out for 20...Rxh3+ 21.Kg2 Rxh1 22.Kh1 Qc7!?, followed by the further softening up of the kingside with ...g5, which may be enough to create sufficient counterplay for black. Foster has a kingside blockade in mind, however, which might negate his exchange disadvantage. 21.e5 g5 22.b4 g4 The closing of the kingside, combined with the passed pawn on h3, will secure black a pleasant ending, but only if he can get that far. Now that Heaton does not have to worry about his kingside, he can set about the black king again. 23.Nc4 Qc7 24.Be3 Kd8 Foster tries to run the kingside which he has just lovingly blocked, but white catches him in the centre. 25.Rhd1 Ke8 26.Nd6+ Bxd6 27.Rxd6 b6 Creating more weaknesses, but black is busted here anyway. 28.Rad1 Bc8 28...Rh7 29.Qc4 is the end as well. 29.Qc4 Bb7 30.Qxe6+ Kf8 31.Qf6+ Kg8 32.Qg6+ Fritz announces mate in two, and Foster's internal Fritz tells him to give up the ghost. 1-0

1
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws