1971: Switching the attack

Game Lee,RA - Hitchcock,R, Exeter Club Championship, 1971

Switching the attack

This was the final win which clinched the Club Championship of 1971-72. I needed the full point to finish clear of MJ Gilhespie. — RAL

< Queen's Gambit Declined, Exchange Variation

strong>1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. cxd5

Black's last move prepares the Cambridge Springs, but White enters a version of the Exchange Variation where Black has blocked his QB. 

5...exd5 6. e3 c6 7. Bd3 Qc7 8. Qc2 Bd6 9. Nf3 O-O 10. O-O a6 11. Rab1 h6 12. Bh4 Kh8 13. b4

+-----------------+
|r+b+.4.i|
|+p1n+p0.|
|p+pg.h.0|
|+.+p+.+.|
|.).).+.G|
|+.HB)N+.|
|P+Q+.)P)|
|+R+.+RI.|
+-----------------+

Embarking on the Minority Attack, which is typical of this line. 

13...Rg8 14. a4 b6 15. Rfc1 g5 16. Bg3 Bxg3 17. hxg3 g4

+-----------------+
|r+b+.+ri|
|+.1n+p+.|
|p0p+.h.0|
|+.+p+.+.|
|P).).+p+|
|+.HB)N).|
|.+Q+.)P+|
|+R$.+.I.|
+-----------------+

Black attacks on the King's-side before White can get going on the Queen's-side.  However, White can swing over and use openings there also. 

18. Nh4 Nf8 19. Ne2 Bb7 20. b5 axb5 21. axb5 c5 22. dxc5 Qxc5 23. Qb2

+-----------------+
|r+.+.hri|
|+b+.+p+.|
|.0.+.h.0|
|+P1p+.+.|
|.+.+.+pH|
|+.+B).).|
|.!.+N)P+|
|+R$.+.I.|
+-----------------+

Winning a Pawn by QxQ is no longer enough. 

23...Qd6 24. Nf5 Qe6 25. Nf4

The N on f6 can not be defended and mate follows.  1-0

[Notes by Bob Lee]

Legacy nid: 

429