1. e4 e6 Ah the French. I'll play my usual to confuse him. 2. e5 d5 3. exd6 cxd6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 d5 Oh dear, this is starting to look like a standard French except he's only lost his QBP rather than KP. 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bg5 h6 I want to keep the pin. After the game, my opponent said this was crucial. 8. Bh4 Be7 9. Bd3 I am setting a trap here. I am hoping for Qb6 by him, then Nxd4 by him, then Nxd4 Qxd4, Bb5ch winning the queen. 9... Qb6 10. b3 Bd7 Dash it all! He saw the trap. Now I've got to be careful. My queen's pawn is en prise, and he's also threatening Bb4. 11. Na4 I have worked out that Qa5 Qd2, Bb4 c3 and variations should be ok. 11... Qd8 He thought a long time over this. He obviously doesn't want to take risks, but now I have the initiative. 12. O-O O-O 13. Nc3 Although I have better development for once, I couldn't see a brilliant way to continue, so I thought I'd prevent any pins on the knight, possibly doubling my pawns on the a file. Also might eventually get this knight active on the k side. That's where his king is, so that's where I want to hit him. 13... Nb4 I think this is a slight mistake. I have been trying to think of ways of getting to e5 with my knight. 14. Ne5 Nxd3 15. Qxd3 a6 I suppose he's aiming for b5. I don't think it works. 16. a4 He nodded now. Does this mean he has anticipated this move and has the perfect answer, or he has appreciated what a brilliant move it is? 16... Rc8 17. Ne2 I'm not happy with this, but what else? My d pawn is now overprotected in case the queen has to move, and again the knight might eventually get to the k side. 17... b5 I had seen this, and I don't think it works. e.g. axb Bxb5, c4 seems to save me. Therefore keep my nerve - prove it! 18. axb5 axb5 19. Ra7 I think this is winning. Immediate threat is Bxf6 B(or p) xf6, Nxd7 winning a piece. 19... Rc7 20. Rfa1 Rxa7 21. Rxa7 Qb8 I should win at least a piece now. 22. Rxd7 Nxd7 Possibly in hindsight, Bxe7 was best now, but what I played won anyway (just). 23. Nxd7 Qa7 This was the move I missed. Back rank mate on, and two pieces en prise. I gave this next move quite a bit of thought. 24. Bxe7 Qa1+ 25. Nc1 Qxc1+ 26. Qf1 Qxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Ra8 I had anticipated all that. I still think I'm winning. 28. Nc5 Ra2 I hadn't realised I would lose a pawn. I had counted on c3, but then he just plays Rc2. 29. Ke2 Rxc2+ 30. Ke3 Rc1 31. b4 Rc2 32. h4 I'm trying to keep my king near the middle of the board while keeping the k-side pawns safe. 32... f6 This is another trap. If I take the pawn, Kf7 wins a piece. I was also looking at Nb7..Nd6 to win the b-pawn. Luckily I noticed Rc7 winning a piece again. 33. Bd6 This is the start of a manouevre to unravel my pieces and win the b-pawn. I am a bit worried about checks, possibly leading to a perpetual or winning a pawn. 33... Kf7 34. Nb7 Rc1 35. Bc5 Phew! Now my knight is free to roam, and pick up pawns. 35... e5 36. Nd6+ Ke6 37. Nxb5 exd4+ 38. Nxd4+ This should be a won game now, so long as I'm careful 38... Ke5 39. f4# I apologised to my opponent as I made this move. He didn't deserve to lose like that. It could have gone on a lot longer. White mates 1-0