1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4

In the Kenilworth Chess Club Championship this year, Mark played 7. Bf4?!

 

7... Ne4

Steve's favorite Lasker Defense.

 

8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Nxe4!? dxe4 10. Nd2 e5! 11. d5 f5 12. Qc2

12. g4!?

 

12... Nd7 13. Be2!?

Steve thought this had the idea of Pg4 13. O-O-O

 

13... Nf6

Stopping what Steve thinks is White's idea. But White may have planned to castle kingside. E.g.: 13... Nc5 14. O-O! a5 15. f4!~~

 

14. O-O-O c6?!

Better 14... Rd8!? or 14... a5

 

15. dxc6?!

White misses 15. d6! Qxd6 16. Nxe4

 

15... bxc6 16. c5 Be6 17. Ba6?!

17. g4!?

 

17... Rab8 18. a3 Nd5 19. b4?

Typical of Mark's style, he has no regard for his King's safety.

 

19... Rxb4!!

A powerful move and fitting punishment for White's crazy pawn advance!

 

20. axb4 Nxb4 21. Qa4

21. Qc3?? Na2+

 

21... Qxc5+ 22. Kb1

Better 22. Kb2!? but that won't survive either.

 

22... Rb8-+

There is no good defense.

 

23. Nb3? Qc2+ 24. Ka1 Qc3+ 25. Kb1 Bxb3 and Black forces checkmate. 0-1