Doktor-Faustus-M15 - Me! https://lichess.org/SW16Qj6S/black#0
1.Nf3 d5
2.g3 g6
3.d4 Nh6!?
White has chosen a solid system that can be played almost universally against many of Black's replies. With Black, I found playing symmetric positions boring and stressful (if anybody is better in a symmetric position, it is likely to be the player who has the advantage of the move). Nh6 may seem a strange move at first, but the knight is heading towards f5. From there, it will pressure the pawn d4 making it harder for White to play e2-e4 or c2-c4, because then the knight, the bishop in g7, and the queen in d8 will attack the pawn in d4. This move is a bit eccentric but does not lack logic. Unfortunately, it is a bit too slow, as White will complete his development faster than Black.
4.Bg2 Nf5
5.0-0 Bg7
6.c3 h5!?
7.h4 b6!?
After h7-h5 and h2-h4, Black has secured the f5 square to his knight. Now, he has to figure out where to develop his light-square bishop. 7...b6 seems to be reasonable.
8.e4!?
My opponent tries to exploit the fact that Black is behind in development. It looks like a very sensitive approach, and I am glad that after all the fuss is cleared, the position is just assessed as +0.3 by the engine.
8...dxe4
9.Ng5 Bb7
10.Nxe4 Qc8
11.Re1 0-0
12.Bg5 Re8
13.Nbd2 Nd7
14.Qb3 a5
15.a4 e5
Probably, 14...c5 would have been an easier way to completely equalise. My solution seems also fine, but perhaps it is more risky.
16.dxe5 Rxe5
17.Bf4 Re8?! (17.Re7 was better. Now White can get the initiative).
18.Ng5! Rf8 (passive, but what else?)
Now 19.Nde4 could have been very strong; with the idea of sacrificing one knight to f7 and then playing Ng5 again. Instead, my opponent released the tension of the position.
19.Bxb7?! Qxb7
20.Re2 Nc5
21.Qc2 Rfe8
22.Rae1
Now, Black can exploit the weakness in a4 to simplify the position.
22...Rxe2
23.Rxe2 Qc6!
24.b3 Re8
The position is now equal.
25.Nc4? Rxe2
26.Qxe2 Nxb3
27.Ne5
White has probably overlooked Black's reply, which solves elegantly his dangers and brings him to a better endgame.
27...Bxe5!
28.Qxe5 f6
29.Qe6+ Qxe6
30.Nxe6
White probably did not expect that Black could give away his strong bishop. However, the follow-up justifies it, as the simplified endgame is won for Black. But he should play carefully.
30...c6!
31.Nd8 b5
32.Nxc6 bxa4
0-1
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