Grabbing it all

Last sunday, my opponent tried to eat all the pawns that were offered to him – but nearly choked of indigestion.

Guido De Bouver . Marc Moors
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4 Qxd4 9.Be3 Qd7 (diagram)
A rather strange retreat. With the pawn on c6, d7 seemed liked the perfect spot for the knight.

10.Rd1

Not the strongest move. 10.Bd3 followed by queenside castling is stronger.

10…Qc7 11.g5 Nd5

11…Nfd7 also seems possible.

12.Rxd5 ?! (diagram)

I was throwing it all in here. 12.Nxd5 was certainly better and leads to an equal position

 12…cxd5 13.Nxd5 Qd6 ??

Leads to disaster, 13…Qd7 was the only way for black to take the advantage.

14.Bb5+

Unfortunately, I missed the tactical shot with 14.Nb6 axb6 15.Qxb7 with a clear white advantage and the game ended in a draw.

But let’s return to white’s best continuation after 9…Qd7, 10.Bd3 (diagram)

a/ 10…e6 11.000

…a1/ 11…Be7 12.Rhf1 (+=)

…a2/ 11…Bd6 12.g5 Nd5 13.Bd4 (=)

…a3/ 11…Bb4 12.Bh6 (=)

…a4/ 11…Nd5 12.Bd4 (=)

b/ 10...Nd5 11.000

...b1/ 11...e6 12.Bd4 (=)

...b2/ 11...Nxc3 12.Bc4 (+=)

...b3/ 11...Nxe3 12.Bf5 (+=)

c/ 10...h6 11.000 e6 12.Ne4 (=)

So we see black has to be carefull and certainly cannot force an advantage, despite being two pawns up.