Horsham Club Championship 2010-11: Cannon – Mansson

   [Event "Horsham Club Championship"]  [Site "Horsham"]  [Date "2011.05.31"]  [White "Cannon, L John"]  [Black "Mansson, James"]  [Result "1/2-1/2"]  [ECO "B90"]   1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6 3.Nf3 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.a4 Nc6 { The idea of this flexible move is that the knight belongs on c6 after a4, but it is not clear whether Black should play ...e5 or ...e6 until after White's next move.} 7.f4 e6 8.Nxc6 { This (in conjunction with the follow up) is frequently a dubious idea in the Sicilian, as it can just leave White with some weaknesses. Black on the other hand, will have the open b-file, while if he does end up with a pawn on c6, this controls useful squares. } bxc6 9.e5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 cxd5 11.exd6 Bxd6 12.Be3 O-O { Black should have played a more aggressively here, attacking the weak pawn on f4 with 12...Qc7 13.g3 Bb7 14.Bd4 O-O } 13.Bd3 Bb7 14.O-O g6 {Black has failed to take any advantage of White's play, and the position is probably balanced now.}  15.Qg4 f5 {This is not necessary; it just gives Black additional weaknesses to defend. Now White works up some pressure.} 16.Qg3 Qc7 { 16...Qf6 17.c3 e5 18.fxe5 Bxe5 19.Bf4 leaves Black with an isolated pawn.} 17.Bd4 Bc5 18.Qe3 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 Rac8 20.Rfe1 Kf7 21.Re2 Qc5 22.Qxc5 Rxc5 23.Rae1 {23.b4 looked strong, but my opponent was in a peaceful mood, and offered a draw.} 1/2-1/2