White: Ivor Smith
Black: Keith Escott, Warwickshire
Event: Ward-Higgs 2002
ECO B21
Annotations: Ivor Smith

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 Nc6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bc4 a6 7. O-O Nge7

For some time the 7...Nge7 line was considered to be the refutation of the Morra. However, it has been shown that with accurate play (leaving the rook on f1 and playing Nd4 followed by f5 and f5) White has every chance of success.

8. Bg5 f6

9. Be3 Ng6

If 9... b5 10. Bb3 Na5 White should continue 11. Nd4 followed by f4.

10. Nd4 Nge5 11. Bb3 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Nc6 13. Be3 b5 14. f4 Be715. f5 O-O

Regaining the pawn by 16. fxe6 dxe6 17. Nd5 exd5 18. Bxd5+ is not in White's interest. The attack continues.

16. Rf3 Qe8 17. Rh3 g5 18. fxg6 hxg6 19. Nd5!

A theme that is often seen in the Morra. 19... exd5 is not an option here for 20. Bxd5+ Rf7 (20... Kg7 21. Bh6+ mates) 21. Qe1 g5 22. Bxg5 fxg5 23. Qc3 and the threat of mate via Qh8 is conclusive.

19... Bd8

19... Qf7 20. Nb6 Rb8 21. Nxc8 Rfxc8 22. Qxd7 Nd8 23. Rd1 +-

20. Qe1

20...Qf7

20... f5 prevents 21 Qh8 but loses immediately to 21. Qc3! threatening 21 Qh8+ and Rh7#. (20... g5 is no better in view of 21. Bxg5! fxg5 22. Qc3 etc.

21. Qh4 Qg7 22. Bh6 Qh7 23. Qg3

But not 23. Bxf8 for after23... Qxh4 24. Rxh4 Kxf8 Black has enough compensation for the exchange.

23... Re8 24. Rf1

24...exd5

If 24... Qf7 25. Bg5 exd5 26. Qh4 Qg7 27. Bxd5+ Re6 28. Rxf6 Bb6+ 29. Kh1 Bd4 30. Rxe6 dxe6 31. Bxc6 +-

25. Bxd5+ Re6 26. Qd6

The Qf8# threat means the win of a piece.

26...Qe7

26... Ne7 27. Bxe6+ dxe6 28. Qxd8+ mates.

27. Bxe6+ dxe6 28. Qxc6 Bb7 29. Qc2 Rc8 30. Qd3 e5

31. Rg3 Kh7 32. Be3 Bc6 33. Rh3+ Kg7 34. Qb3 g5 35. Bxg5 Qc5+

35... fxg5 loses to 36. Rf7+ Qxf7 37. Rh7+.

36. Be3

36. Kh1 is more accurate, eg 36... Qc4 37. Bxf6+ Bxf6 38. Qg3+ Kf7 39. Rh7+ etc.

36... Qc4 37. Rg3+ Kf7 38. Qd1 Qxe4 39. Qh5+ Ke6

If 39... Ke7 40. Rxf6!

40. Qh3+ f5 41. Qh8 f4 42. Qg8+ Kd6 43. Rd1+ Bd5

44. Rxd5+ 1-0

If 44...Qxd5 45 Rg6+ wins the queen. If 44...K moves, mate soon follows.