Last night, I won a hard-fought game in the club championship against Phil Stimpson. This put me into the joint lead with 5.5 points out of 7. Two rounds remain, and I have played all the leading players, which puts me in a good position.
I was White and the game developed into a Semi-Slav. The featured a slightly unusual line for White. Following some inaccuracies on both sides, I emerged with a definite advantage in a complicated queenless middlegame. I managed to maintain the pressure until my opponent started to make some inaccuracies, which led to me gaining first a clear advantage, then a decisive one. Despite starting to run short of time and despite my opponent’s determined resistance, I maintained my advantage and was able in the end to convert it to a win.
I give the game below with some notes.