I played this game with Charlie Bouzoukis at the 2004 Delaware Open. As usual, we met in the last round, with the state title on the line. We were a half point ahead of the field, so a win would create a sole state champion, while a draw would guarantee us at least a tie for the title.
The result was a 12-move draw. I offer this game as evidence that not every 12-move, last-round, title clinching draw is free of excitement.
Charlie and I have played so often (with him nearly always white), we look for ways to surprise each other in the opening.
1.Nb1-c3
That was a surprise, all right! Fortunately, I'd just read an article in New in Chess magazine about a way to meet this move.
1...d7-d5
2.e2-e4
d5xe4
3.Nc3xe4
Nb8-c6
That was the recommended move. Unfortunately, my memory of the article ended here, so we were both on our own after just three moves!
4.Ng1-f3
Bc8-f5
5.Ne4-g3
Bf5-g6
6.d2-d4?!
A natural and innocuous move, with a small tactical problem.
6...Nc6-b4
Charlie hadn't overlooked that obvious reply, but he had missed a weakness in the normal response to it.
7.Bf1-b5+
c7-c6
8.Bb5-a4
Qd8-a5!
By threatening to take his Bishop or give a winning discovered check, I force him to play a move that allows a penetrating check.
9.c2-c3
Nb4-d3+
10.Ke1-f1
I'm happy so far; I have the initiative and have forced him to move his King. But what now? Given a couple of moves to develop, he could put his space advantage to good use.
10...Ng8-f6
11.Ba4-c2
The aforementioned article cited a game that reached this position. Black
played 11. /\ Nxc1, supposedly leaving him "slightly better." That
didn't look especially strong to me. Neither did 11. Nxb2 12. Bxb2 Qb5+
13. Kg1 Qxb2 14. Rb1 followed by Rxb7. However, the move I chose (after 20
minutes
of thought) was no great shakes either.
11...Qa5-a6
After the game, Charlie mentioned 12. Qe2, which seems promising for him. Instead, after pondering for about 15 minutes, he opted to trade my Knight immediately. [11...Nd3xc1
; 11...Nd3xb2
12.Bc1xb2
Qa5-b5+
13.Kf1-g1
Qb5xb2
14.Ra1-b1
]
12.Bc2xd3
[12.Qd1-e2
Nf6-g4
13.h2-h3
Ng4xf2
]
Feeling as if any advantage had disappeared, I decided to offer a Queen trade and a draw. Charlie considered the former and accepted the latter.
12...Qa6xd3+
1/2-1/2
A high school student named Chase Butler won his last game and thereby joined us in our tie for the title. So Delaware currently has three co-champions /\ until the next state tourney