Exploring the rare Flohr Variation of the Sicilian Counter Attack !!!
The Socratic saying, “Know thyself” will work wonders to any chess player who wants to improve every facet of their game. Understanding ones own weaknesses and shortcomings could also avoid heartbreaking future losses.
Here’s a Sicilian game between two local Masters, where all the elements of attack, counterattack, defence, initiative and central tension made it a sparkling gem !
NM Paul David Stainthorpe - NM Ruben Ondangan
April 21, 2013 Antelope Valley CC Sunday Swiss
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cd4 4.Nxd4 Qc7 !? (The Sicilian Flohr Variation. It’s a good idea to play “sound” sidelines to take your opponent out of their comfort zone. Who knows you might benefit from the instant shock and surprise it can cause your opponent ! 😁)
5.Nc3 (If White is well prepared expect the Knight sally 5.Nb5 when 5... Qb8 6.c4 Nf6 7.Nc3 e6 is a line that resembles a Maroczy Bind where White is enjoying a space advantage but Black’s position is sturdy.)
5... e6 (After a couple of detours, the game simply went back to common channels of the Taimanov Variation. Well except that my opponent already spent ample time wondering what’s going on ! 😂)
6.a3 a6 7.Be3 Nf6 8.Be2 b5 ! (My University of Manila coach NM Erwin Carag, (may his soul Rest In Peace!) explained to me years ago how on the Black side of the Sicilian that one needs to mobilize his queenside forces asap ... and it works !)
9.0-0 Bb7 10.Kh1 Be7 (I strongly believe that White’s coming f2-f4 will be too strong and so 10... Na5 ! should be played with an attack on e4. At least, the f4 idea will be stalled for the time being !)
11.f4 ! d6 12.Bf3 Rc8 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.g4 !? (White is in the mood for an assault and thematic flank attack because his center is secured ... or so it seems ?)
14... Qb7 ! 15.Qb3 Nd7 ?! (Studying too much Petrosian games ... most backward moves were designed to regroup. Here, as a rule of thumb, keeping the knight on f6 to pressure e4 is the order of the day. Hence, 15... h6 ! is required and demanded by the position.)
16.Bf2 ?! (NM Stainthorphe had his chance and could’ve easily confused the issue and create complications of all sort with 16. Nd5 !)
16... Nb6 17.Bd4 ?! (This prelate is quite unsure on what to do with it’s current calling ... 😔)
17... 0-0 18.Rae1 Rfe8 19.b3 d5 ?! (An excellent move in most Sicilian battles but not here ! 19... Nd7 with the idea of e6-e5 and fight for central squares is the way to go !)
20.e5 Bxa3 21.f5 Bb4 22.Re2 Bf8 23.Bg2 ? (The losing move. White could’ve maintained some balance after 23.fe6 ! fe6 24.g5 ! with the idea of Bg4 and Qh3 and a dangerous attack !)
23... b4 - + 24.Nd1 Bb5 25.Qf3 Bxe2 26.Qxe2 Bc5 27.Bb2 Nd7 28.f6 Qb5 29.Qf3 g6 30.Qf4 Bf8 31.Ne3 Nc5 32.h4 h6 33.Bf3 Ne4 34.Bxe4 de4 35.Nc4 Rxc4 ! (The game is not yet over until it’s really over ! Black needs to return some materials back to make sure no tricky knight moves might show up in the ensuing time trouble.)
36.bc4 Qxc4 37.Rf2 Rd8 38.Kh2 a5 39. Kg3 Rd1 40.Qe3 Bc5 ! 41.Qxh6 (Threatening mate in 1 !)
41... Bxf2+ 42.Kxf2
0 - 1 White resigned since it’s Mate in 3 !