In round 7 I was black against Richard Wang, one of the top U12 players in the country. The game was a Classical Dutch, but this time I played 7...Ne4 instead of 7...a5, like I had played against Friedel, in order to avoid Richard's preparation. One of the reasons I like the Classical Dutch is that as early as move 7 black has 4 alternatives to choose from, and each one leads to a different type of game.
The position after 11.c5 is shown below:
This is a critical opening position. Black must decide how to react in the centre. I spent a considerable amount of time here, but I think I came up with the correct response.
11...fxe4! 12. Qxe4 d5 13. Qe2 e4 14. Nd2 Bf6
Besides being a good square for the bishop, placing the bishop on f6 at this point prevents white from playing the natural f3 due to Nxd4!
15.Nb3 Bf5 16. Be3 Qd7 17. Rae1 Bg4 18. Qd2 Bf3 19. Bf4 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Ne7 21. f3 exf3+ 22. Rxf3 Ng6 23. Nc1 Qg4!
After this move it is clear that black has the initiative. The threat is Nh4+
24. Rf2 Rae8 25. Rxe8 Rxe8 26. Nd3 c6 27. Kf1
A critical middlegame position has been reached, and unfortunately, even though I considered the move that exploits black's advantage, I rejected it because I could press with "simpler means". Black should play 27...h5! intending h4 when the white kingside comes under pressure. After the move played in the game, white is able to withstand the attack and the game fizzles out to a draw.
27...Nxf4 28. Nxf4 Bg5 29. Qd3 Bxf4 30. Rxf4 Qh3+ 31. Kg1 Qe6 32. Kg2 Qe2+ 1/2-1/2
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