White wins against Philidor's Defence

During my latest club match I was fortunate that my opponent went to sleep and allowed me to win the exchange easily. On the other hand they had to take a very defensive stance throughout the entire game after playing Philidor's Defence as Black. Just when I thought it might get a little 'stalematey', I realised that all I had to to was break open the pawns around the enemy King. This is more of a strategic aim than a tactical one ... However as you can see from the game it proved quite effective!!

Like in a boxing match when you inflict a flesh wound, the opponent becomes a little intimidated and this is when they are at their most vulnerable ... When they start to lose their balance you can knock them out! I wasn't obliged to write the moves down due to being within my last 5 minutes, but I managed to Queen my 'a' pawn and eventually checkmate my opponent with just over 1 minute to spare ...

As usual, any comments welcome ...

Philidor's Defence

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nc6 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Bc4 f6 7. O-O Bd6 8. Nc3 Nge7 9. Be3 a6 10. a3 Bg4 11. Nd2 h6 12. Nb3 b6 13. f3 Bh5 14. Rad1 Kd7 15. Nd2 Rhf8 16. Ba2 g5 17. Nc4 Rab8 18. Nxd6 cxd6 19. Na4 Nc8 20. h3 Bg6 21. Rd2 f5 22. exf5 Bxf5 23. Rfd1 Rf6 24. c3 Nc6e7 25. Bb1 Bxb1 I wanted to exchange Blacks best piece 26. Rxb1 Kc6 in an attempt to trap the knight! 27. c4 Nf5 28. Bf2 h5 29. Nc3 h4 30. Nd5! Re6? 31. b4 b5 32. Rc1 right on the money and as I planned it! 32...  bxc4 33. Rxc4+ Kd7 34. Nc7 Ke7? opponent loses concentration here 35. Nxe6 Kxe6 36. Rdc2 Nce7 37. Rc7 Nd5 38. Ra7 Nfe3 39. Bxe3 Nxe3 40. Rc1 d5 41. Rxa6+ Kf5 42. Rc1c6 Kf4 43. Rf6+ Nf5 44. Kf2 Rd8 45. Rf7 e4 46. Raf6 e3+ 47. Ke2 Kg3 48. Rxf5 d4 49. Rxg5+ Kh2 50. Re7 1-0

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