I HAD intended this week to give the full list of prize winners in the recent Bermuda Open, which includes several local names. Unfortunately, I do not have that information at hand, so I shall just show one of the games. I’m afraid that it is one of my own, for the simple reason that nobody else has put forward any of their efforts for publication, but as always anyone who has played an interesting game is encouraged to pass it on.

This one was played on Saturday morning (not always the best time for chess) in round two. My opponent, International Master Avram Abreu, had spent the previous two weeks at the Harmony Club working as the second of the top Cuban player, Lenier Dominguez, and was now keen to play some chess himself.

White: A. Abreu

Black<$>: N. Faulks

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6

There is some confusion over the correct name for this version of the Sicilian Defence. It has for years been called the Paulsen Variation, but that seems to cover a number of different lines, and in England at least it is now known as the Kan Variation.

5. Bd3<$>

The other popular choice is 5. Nc3.

Bc5 6. Nb3 Ba7<$>

This bishop controls a marvellous diagonal, and White must take steps to get rid of it.

7. Qe2 Nc6 8. Nc3

A plan involving 8. c4, clamping down on the centre, was also possible, but Black has resources there too.

d6 9. Be3 Nf6 10. Bxa7 Rxa7 11. f4 b5 12. g4!?<$>

See diagram 1. One of the reasons why I have taken up the Kan is that these wild kingside attacks don’t seem to happen quite as regularly as in most other Sicilians. But nowadays you have to be prepared for anything. Anyway, after some initial shock I satisfied myself that Black’s defences look fine.

h6!?<$>

Numerous moves were playable, although not 12. . . . Qc7? 13. Bxb5!

13. 0-0-0 b4! 14. Na4

Watch this knight, it proves to be surprisingly exposed on a4. In fact, the retrograde 14. Nb1 might have worked out better.

Qc7 15. h4 h5

All according to plan, now I can answer 16. g5 with 16. . . . Ng4, a very solid post for the knight.

16. gxh5 e5 17. f5 Bd7<$>

Finally back to the business of winning the stray knight.

18. Qf2 Rb7 19. Rhg1 Nb8 and it’s done.

20. Nac5 dxc5 21. Nxc5<$>

See diagram 2. White clearly has some compensation for the knight, but I don’t think it’s enough.

Rb6 22. Rxg7 Rc6 23. Nb3 Nxh5 24. Rg4 Nf6

I felt that I had to prevent him from pushing his pawn to f6, but the obvious 24. . . . Nf4 looks very strong.

25. Rg7 Qb6 26. Qg3 Kf8 27. Rg1 Ne8 28. Rg4 Rf6 29. Nd2 Bb5 30. Kb1 Nc6 31. Nc4

See diagram 3. Things have been progressing quite well for Black, and since I had foreseen this position I played my next move quickly. With a bit more thought I might have preferred 31. . . . Bxc4!, since after 32. Rg8+, Rxg8 33. Qxg8, Ke7 34. Bxc4 Qf2! White is in a lot of trouble.

Qd4? 32. Ne3!

This solves all of his problems.

Bxd3 33. Rg8+ Rxg8 34. Qxg8+ Ke7 35. Nd5+ Kd6 36. Qf8+ Kd7 37. Nxf6+ Nxf6 38. Rd1

See diagram 4.

Qd6?<$>

The final mistake. I thought my position after 38. . . . Qxe4 39. Qxf7+, Kc8 Qe6+ was completely lost, but in fact I still seem to be in the game.

39. Rxd3 Nd4 40. Qxd6+ Kxd6 41. c3<$>

Having reached the time control, Black resigned.

At the Bermuda Chess Club, last Tuesday saw the first round of the qualifying tournament for the coming Bermuda Closed Championship, which is planned to be our first internationally rated event. There was an encouraging turnout, but several well-known faces were missing.

Anyone who would like to join in the second round with a half point bye should call me on 238-2313 to be included in the draw.