Niranjan Reddy v Terence, ICA Individual Round #3 [4th March 2005], Siclian Defence

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 ...

It came to this position
White: P-a3, b4, c2, e5, f4, g4, B-e2, N-d2, R-a1, g3, Q-d3, K-d1
Black: a7, b7, d4, e6, f7, h3, B-d5, g7, R-d8, h8, Q-b6, K-c8
White to play


Presently, black has a strong set of piece postings. His queen controls the crucial d4 square while anchoring the b-file and covering most dark squares on his queenside. The black pawn on g7 is covering the f1 and h1 squares in the heart of whites kingside. It cannot be captured at present. Although there is no apparent way to promote, the potential keeps the white rook tied to g3. At worst, white will have to spend some time trying to capture this pawn. The black bishop at d5 is in an excellent position covering all squares accessible to the white knight on d2. The black rook on d8 is strongly placed to utilize the d-file and is aligned on the white queen, a cause for discomfort. This prevents white from freeing his c-pawn by playing c2-c4 or c2-c3. This would result in dxc3 opening the way for g8[Q] and later Rxd3/Rxd2.
1. Nf3 - blocking the bishops defence of g2.
Here, white wants to take the g2 pawn quickly. Black can play calmly to open his g7 bishop via f6. Blacks play becomes irrepressible as there are several weaknesses in white's position.
1. The central location of white's king
2. The alignment of black rook with white's queen
3. The alignment of the black queen and the queening square of the g2 pawn.
4. Blcak's coverage of the dark squares on the queenside
5. Black's inevitable activation of his dark squared bishop
Black to play
In the current position,
The decisive mistake -
1.. Qc6?? and the whole thing cracks
2. Nxd4
Lesson learned - you have to convert a win. Initiative is only the start of a possible win.
On the whole, a very satisfying game. One in which I took calculated risks and benefitted.