1.e4
c5
2.Nc3
Nc6
My favourite Sicilian set-up is the Najdorf but against the Closed Sicilian I leave the pawn on d7 in case I get the chance to play it to d5 in one move.
3.g3
g6
4.Bg2
Bg7
5.Nge2
This seems a bit passive to me. If white is thinking of playing f4 at some point then why not play it early and follow up with Nf3?
5...e6
6.0-0
Nge7
Placing the King's Knight here helps dissuade White from playing f4 and f5 and, more pertinent to this game, helps to prepare d5.
7.d3
d5
White has played the opening cautiously and I was very happy to be able to play this move. Unusually for the Black side of the Sicilian, I have a slight space advantage.
8.exd5
exd5
9.Bf4
a6
10.a4
A wasted move. I played a6 to deny White's Knight access to b5, not to prepare b7-b5 myself.
10...Be6
Further development and reinforcement of my pawn centre.
11.Qd2
h6
12.Rae1
g5
I have trapped the Bishop.
13.Bxg5
No castling short for me then! White wins two pawns for the Bishop but his Kingside is left wide open.
13...hxg5
14.Qxg5
I played this instead of Rh7 as I wanted to answer Nf4 with Bxf4. This would preserve my light-squared bishop and my long-term idea of Qd7 and Bh3.
14...Bh6
15.Qf6
Rh7
16.Nf4
Bxf4
17.Qxf4
Qd7
18.Qg5
0-0-0
19.h4
Nd4
20.Qc1
Bh3
A bad mistake that let my opponent right back into the game. I lose a Bishop and Knight for a Rook and my pressure against his King disappears for now. I suppose this is true for everyone, but I would be a far better chess player if I could avoid simple errors like this.
21.Rxe7
Qxe7
22.Bxh3+
f5
23.Qe3
Qf6
24.Bg2
I was glad to see this move instead of Qf4. My f pawn is released from the pin and I advanced it immediately.
24...f4
25.Qd2
[25.Qxf4
Qxf4
26.gxf4
Rg8
This is the line which prompted me to play f4. White has to counter the threat of Nf3+ and mate on the h file. The threats aren't as deadly as I thought but White is under some pressure.]
25...Rg8
26.Nxd5
Qxh4
Excellent - a completely sound Queen sacrifice!
27.f3
My opponent could have made me work harder for the win but, whatever he played, the point should be mine.
27...Qh2+
28.Kf2
Qxg3+
I am about to win a Bishop and I may even have spotted the mate in five. My opponent didn't wait for any of this and resigned, giving me joint third place in the Minor section of the tournament! 0-1