This game was played in the last round of the 1985 World Open, where I started slowly and then through a series of wins was positioned to tie for first provided I could pull off a last round win. This set the stage for an uncompromising struggle. The opening came directly from some of John Nunn's inventive play on the black side of the Kings Indian.
Black chooses an old variation against the Saemisch.
7. Qd2 c5 8. d5 Ne5 9. Bg5White's plan is to advance on the king-side (h3, g4, f4).
9... Nh5!?Black wants to provoke White for an imediate attack.
10. g4!?White accepts the challenge.
10... Nf6 11. h3 a6 12. f4 Ned7 13. Nf3!?This might be too early. Black decides not to wait, and sacrifices a pawn immediately.
Black needs to hurry with his attack before White can consolidate and start an attack in the centre.
17. O-O Ne8 18. e5?!Both of Black's knights are now pointing at d5.
21. Re1!Forcing Black to leave the d-file locked.
21... f6 22. exf6 exf6 23. Bh4 Qa8?!This move is one of the causes of Black's loss. Black should not have put all efforts into regaining the lost pawn.
24. f5!Black regained the pawn, but now his king is in danger.
25. Ne4! Nc4 26. Qd3 Nce3After this move, White wins material, but other moves did not promise better positions.
27. Nxd6! Rd8 28. Bg3Black's knights are stuck together in the middle of the board.
28... Bf8 29. Nc4 Nxc4 30. Qxc4 Kg7 31. fxg6 hxg6 32. g5!Opening up the black king's position.
32... Bd6 33. gxf6+ Nxf6 34. Bxd6 Qxf3 35. Re7+ Kh8 36. Qf4A queen exchange favours White.
36... Qd1+ 37. Kf2 Ne4+ 38. Rxe4 Qxd6 39. Qxd6 Rxd6The endgame is lost for Black, which White nicely demonstrates.
40. b4! c4!?Making White's work a bit harder, though not changing the final result.
41. Rxc4 Rb6 42. Rc5 Kg7 43. Ke3 Kf7 44. Kd4 Rf6 45. Re5 1-0