1.e4
c5
2.Nc3
d6
3.Bc4
Nc6
4.Nge2
Nf6
5.0-0
e6
6.d4
cxd4
7.Nxd4
All these transpositions have now led to a Sozin Sicilian. This was Fischer's favorite line against the Sicilian, and Nigel has even used it to try to make life difficult for Black against Kasparov.
7...Be7
8.a3
With this innocent looking little move Nigel tries to avoid a theoretical battle. The move in itself is not stupid at all, he wants to keep his Sozin bishop. But of course Black is given extra time to finish his development.
8...0-0
9.Ba2
Bd7
10.Re1
a6
11.Be3
Rc8
Zahar is now ready for Ne5-c4. If he could then protect this wonderful knight with b5, Black would be fine.
12.f4!?
The exclamation mark is for the courage. But Nigel is weakening his king. For me it looks a bit strange to combine Rfe1 and f4.
12...Nxd4
13.Bxd4
e5!
14.fxe5
dxe5
15.Bxe5
Bc5+
16.Kh1
Unfortunately 16.Bd4 does not work. Black has 16...Bg4 with a double attack.
16...Ng4
Black is now winning the exchange.
17.Bg3
Bf2
18.Qf3
Bxe1!
Brave! If Zahar had less selfconfidence, he could have gone for [18...Bxg3
which leads to a draw. After 19.Qxg3
Black has 19...Qb6
20.Nd5
Nf2+
21.Kg1
Nh3+
22.Kh1
Nf2+
with a perpetual.]
19.Rxe1
Qg5
20.Bf4
Qg6
21.Bd5
[It was safer to try 21.h3
Nf6
22.Be5
Rfe8
23.Bxf6
Qxf6
24.Qxf6
gxf6
25.Bd5
Rc7
26.Rf1
White has chances to get away with a draw. But he would have to suffer.]
21...Bc6
22.e5?!
My engines do not like this move at all. But Nigel wanted to prevent Sf6.
22...Rfe8
23.Bxc6
bxc6!?
[It was also possible to play 23...Rxc6
Zahar probably did not like 24.h3
Nf6?!
(but 24...Nh6!
is playable with a solid advantage.) 25.Rd1
and the knight suddenly has no good squares.]
24.h3
Nf6
25.Rd1
Nd5
26.Nxd5
cxd5
27.c3
Qe4!
The rest is easy for Black. White needs Bd4 for more resistance, but he will of course never get this.
28.Qf2
Rc4
29.Bg3
d4
30.Rxd4
Rxd4!
This is a well-known method. After winning the exchange, you should always try to exchange your opponents last rook.
31.cxd4
[31.Qxd4
was also hopeless. After 31...Qb1+
32.Kh2
Qxb2
White has no compensation at all.]
31...Rd8
32.Qf1
Rxd4
33.Qxa6
h5
34.e6
fxe6
35.Qb5
Rd5
36.Qe8+
Kh7
37.Kh2
h4
38.Bc7
Rg5
This brutal move is winning the house. A perfect start for Zahar, who played very well today. 0-1