Steve Ferrero (USCF 1892) - Ari Minkov (USCF 1943), Westfield NJ Quad 9/9/2007
1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 e6 3.e3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Nf6 6.Ne2 Be7 7.d3 c5 8.c4 Nbc6 9.O-O O-O
This position is equal. Occasionally I play Larsen's Opening, but I prefer a reverse Dutch formation with pawn on f4 and knight on f3. Instead of a kingside fianchetto, I usually keep my king bishop on the f1-a6 diagonal.
10.a3 dxc4 11.dxc4 Qc7 12.Qc2 Nd7 13.Nbc3 a6 14.Ne4 Nce5 15.Nd2 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Qc6+ 17.Qe4 Qc7
The game is still equal. Black declines the offer to exchange queens, probably because he is higher rated and wants to retain winning chances.
18.Rfd1 f5 19.Qc2 Qc6+ 20.Kg1
White should have played 20.f3.
20...Rad8 21.Nf4 g5 22.Nd3 Nxd3 23.Qxd3 Ne5 24.Qe2 Nd3?!
Black wins after 24...Rxd2! 25.Rxd2 Nf3+ 26.Kf1 Nd4!!, attacking the queen and threatening mate.
25.Bc3 Rd7 26.Nf3 g4 27.Ne5 Nxe5 28.Bxe5 Rfd8 29.Bc3 Qe4 30.Rxd7 Rxd7 31.Rd1 Qc6 32.a4 h5 33.Rxd7 Qxd7
Thanks to careless play by his opponent in an advantageous position, White has managed to equalize.
34.h4 Kf7 35.Kf1 Bf6 36.Bxf6 Kxf6 37.Qb2+ e5 38.Ke2 Qc6 39.Qd2, draw.
