Nimzo-Indian Leningrad Variation tried by Sophie

Sophie tried the Leningrad Variation (Bg5) against the Nimzo-Indian in the 7th round of the European Chess Championships. Her Lithuanian opponent advanced quickly on the king side and the game became incredibly complicated with both kings unable to castle.

After missed chances by both sides, it looked like Black had wrestled the advantage by drawing Sophie's king forward to d4 and gaining the bishop pair. Sophie held on though and found a consolidating tactic, but unfortunately she blundered on move 36 (36. Nc6 was correct) and the game was effectively over.

After a rest day yesterday, Sophie plays her 8th round today.

Sophie Seeber - Kristina Apanaviciute, European Championships, Rd. 7
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 c5 5. d5 d6 6. Rc1 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 e5 9. f3 h5 10. h4 g4 11. a3 Ba5 12. b4 cxb4 13. axb4 Bb6 14. Qd3 Rg8 15. c5 gxf3 16. Qxf3 dxc5 17. bxc5

{ (-0.43) -0.07 17. Bxe5 Ng4 18. Bg3 Rg6 19. Na4 cxb4 20. Qe4 Kf8 21. Qxb4 Kg8 }

17. ... Bxc5 18. Bxe5 Ng4 19. Bg3 Qe7

{ (+0.15) +0.70 19... Nd7 20. Qe4 Kf8 21. Nf3 Ndf6 22. Qc4 Be3 23. Rc2 }

20. Qe4?

{ (-1.04) -0.15 20. e4 Bd7 21. Rb1 Bb4 22. Nge2 Na6 23. Bf4 }

20. ... Qxe4

{ (+0.76) +1.04 20... Ne3 21. Qxe7 Kxe7 }

21. Nxe4 Bb4+ 22. Nd2 Bf5 23. e4 Bd7?

{ (-0.36) +0.51 23... Nf6 24. exf5 Rxg3 25. Ngf3 Nbd7 26. Kf2 Bd6 27. Nc4 Ng4 }

24. Rb1

{ (0.00) +0.36 24. Bf4 Na6 25. Bxa6 bxa6 26. Ngf3 Bb5 27. Rc7 Rg6 28. Nd4 }

24 ... a5 25. Nf3

{ (-0.16) +0.11 25. Bf4 Nf6 26. Ne2 b6 27. g3 Ke7 28. Bg2 Na6 }

25. ... Na6 26. Bd3

{ (-0.67)-0.03 26. Bf4 Nc5 27. e5 Bf5 28. Bb5 Ke7 29. Bg5 Kf8 30. Rc1 Nd3 }

26. ... Nc5 27. Ke2 Nxd3

{ (+0.89) +1.63 27... Nf6 }

28. Kxd3 Bb5+ 29. Kd4 Rc8

{ (+0.26) +0.69 29... Ne3 30. Kxe3 Rxg3 31. Kf2 Rg4 32. Rbc1 a4 33. e5 }

30. Rhc1 Kd7 31. Nb3

{(-0.67) -0.17 31. e5 Nh6 32. Bf4 Nf5 33. Ke4 Rxc1 34. Rxc1 Ng3 35. Bxg3 Rxg3 36. Nd4 Bxd2 }

31. ... b6 32. Be1 Ba3 33. Rxc8 Rxc8 34. Nxa5 Bc5+ 35. Kc3 Be3+ (see diagram) 36. Kb4??

{ (-3.71) -0.11 36. Nc6 Bxc6 37. dxc6 Kxc6 38. Rd1 b5 39. Kb3 Re8 40. Rd5 Rxe4 41. Rxh5 }

36. ...Bd3 37. Rb3 bxa5+ 38. Ka3 Bc1+ 39. Ka4 Bc2 40. Nd4 Rc4+ 41. Kxa5 Bxb3 42. Nxb3 Be3 0-1