Annotated Chess Game 12532578

6.Nc3 BB4 7, Bd3 was popular in eighties and Gligoric unfortunately was victim many times in this classical line. Classical, because it was almost identical with the position from last Reykjavik-game and very first game of Steinitz-Zuckertort match!

!? Everyone plays 6. ...Qe7, but I wanted to explore road less traveled. Without ...Ba6!

!? It looks patzerish "never miss a chance for check" but in fact it forces White to put his pieces in awkward places.

!? Funny and unorthodox way to prevent white Bishop from developing!

?! Maybe field g6 was better, since I would get opportunity to put my white-coloured Bishop on g4.

?! Too ambitious. I believed to my opponent and played ...g6, but I should have ruined his pawns with ...Bxe3

? Mistake

?? Actually I didn't devote much time to this position, and I should have. It was good preparation for an OTB game in Scotch game. I reasoned schematicaly that borh diagonals of mine would be "woulnerable" if I played 18. ...fxg6. But 18. ...fxg6 was only good move and my King would have been safe. I only needed to spend a bit time to this position. White King is also exposed! After 18. ...fxg6 19. h4 isn't dangerous because I play simple 19...Qe7 and white Pe5 is under attack and I can move ...Qf7 and put white Pc4 in jeopardy. I was afraid of e6 and Rhae1 but if you look at the position, you would find that Black can calmly play ...Qf7 and everything is okay. Never succumb to optical illusions!

This threatens check-mate. I oversaw it! Too many games. But 19. ...f6 gives defense albeit in difficult position. Optically, black is under dangerous attack, but in fact White must find move Qc2 and then Rd3 with an idea Rh3 to continue attack. Nothing would have been over yet!