ETCETERA / Chess

ENGLAND's newest International Master goes back two centuries in search of inspiration.

White: Ali Mortazavi Black: Tony Miles Lloyds Bank Masters 1994 It is difficult enough playing one of the super-grandmasters rated over 2,600, but when you are a piece down after only six moves, you are either going to be a hero or a fool. In this game, I did at least gain some satisfaction in watching my opponent think for over 50 minutes on move seven.

1. e4 Nc6 2. Nc3 e5 3. f4 exf4 4. Nf3 g5 5. d4 g4 6. Bc4 My preparation for this game was a two-minute phone call to a friend who had previously played Tony Miles. He had prepared this gambit, but was unable to use it when Miles played 1 . . . Nf6.

6 . . . gxf3 7. Qxf3 According to the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, this was last played in the 1800s. Their analysis gives Black a clear advantage after some ridiculous variation.

7 . . . d5?] Here ended my preparation. My opening guru on the 'phone had mentioned only 7 . . . Nxd4 when White can draw with 8. Bxf7+ Kxf7 9. Qh5+ Kg7 10. Qg4+ or play for more with 10. 0-0. Tony had his 50-minute think here and I obliged with a one-hour think on my next move.

8. Nxd5 Nxd4 9. Qxf4 Bd6 I didn't really analyse the wild complications of 9 . . . Nxc2+ 10. Kd1 Nxa1 11. Bd2, but trusted that White's development would ensure enough play.

10. Qf2] The tempting 10. e5? is a clear mistake after 10 . . . Bc5 followed by Be6 when the knight on d5 can no longer be supported.

10 . . . Nc6 11. Bf4 Ne5 12. 0-0?] I was hell-bent on getting immediate compensation for my piece, but the quiet 12. Bb3] followed by 0-0-0 would have caused Black numerous problems with his king.

12 . . . Nxc4 13. Qd4 f6 14. Qxc4 Bxf4?

White's sacrifice would have been difficult to justify after the superior 14 . . . c6] 15. Nxf4 c6 16. e5]] (see diagram) Now 16 . . . fxe5 loses to 17. Ng6] with the threat of Qf7 mate.

16 . . . f5 17. Rad1 Qe7 18. Qc3 Nh6 19. Qh3?

Instead 19. Rd6] Nf7 20. e6 Nxd6 21. Qxh8+ Qf8 22. Qxh7 gives White a winning position.

19 . . . Qg5 20. Rd6 Ng4] 21. Rg6 My attack has lost all momentum and his knight on g4 is very strong. The rest is of little interest.

21 . . . Qe7 22. Qh5 hxg6 23. Qxh8+ Kd7 24. Nxg6 Qc5+ 25. Kh1 Kc7 26. h3 Ne3 27. Re1 Qxc2 28. Rg1 Qe4 29. Qf6 b5 30. Qd6+ Kb6 31 Qd8+ Ka6 32. Qc7 Bb7 33.

Ne7 Rh8 34. Kh2 Qf4+ 35. Kh1 Qe4 36. Kh2 Ng4+ 37. Kh1 Rxh3 mate.

(Graphic omitted)