[Event "World Open"]
[Site "Philadelphia, PA"]
[Date "2003.07.06"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Muhammad, Stephen"]
[Black "Christiansen, Larry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E16"]
[WhiteElo "2421"]
[BlackElo "2633"]
[Annotator "Muhammad, Stephen"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2003.07.06"]

{Overcoming Obstacles - The 2003 World Open was a big success for me. I tied
for 1st place under 2450 in the Super-Tough Open section. In addition, I was
able to overcome an obstacle in my quest for the title of Grand Master. I
defeated the 2002 United States Chess Champion GM Larry Christiansen in the
seventh round. I missed a GM norm at the U.S. championship because of a loss
to him and suffered a crushing defeat by him at a GM invitational in New York.
This victory was very satisfying and was my best game of the event.} 1. d4 e6
2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ {This opening is known as the Bogolyubov Indian Defense,
or the Bogo-Indian. It's related to the Nimzo-Indian and Queen's Indian.} 4.
Bd2 a5 {I think this line is one of the more timid choices at black's disposal.
} ({Other trys are} 4... Qe7 {and}) (4... Bxd2+) 5. g3 b6 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. O-O O-O
8. Nc3 Bxc3 $6 {One of the less successful continuations according to my
database. A better way to continue from here is 8...d6 and 9...Qe7 with an
eventual e5.} 9. Bxc3 Be4 {I decided to simply continue my development and
deal with black's Bishop when the time was ripe.} 10. Rc1 {
The game is now out of book according to my database.} 10... d5 11. b3 $5 {
With this move, white ensures that the position will remain dynamic, which is
essential for the advantage of the two Bishops to be realized.} 11... Nc6 12.
Bb2 $1 {
The Bishop is placed where it will be more useful and out of harm's way.} 12...
Rc8 $6 {
A strange looking move indeed! Black is counting on the opening of the c-file.}
(12... a4 {This move keeps the game level.}) 13. Qd2 Qd6 {I felt my opponent
was trying to entice me into playing c5. After a very short analysis, I
realized that the move c5 would justify black's 12th move and decrease the
activity of my dark-squared Bishop.} 14. Rfd1 {Sticking to my plan.} 14... Rfd8
$2 {Diagram # The first mistake. Black underestimated to power of my next move.
} 15. Ne5 $1 Bxg2 $4 (15... dxc4 16. Nxc4 Qe7 17. f3 Bd5 18. Ne3 Nb8 19. Nf1 {
With a nice plus for white.}) 16. c5 $1 {
My opponent stared at the position for about 20 minutes and played:} 16... bxc5
17. dxc5 Qxe5 ({Rather than face certain defeat after:} 17... Qf8 18. Nxc6 Be4
19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Nxd8 Qxd8 21. f3 Bg6 22. e4 {
my opponent chose a line where he could possibly setup a fortress.}) 18. Bxe5
Nxe5 19. Kxg2 Nc6 {I felt a sense of urgency here. I knew that black would be
able to setup a rock solid fortress if I didn't find a way into his position
right away.} 20. a3 Rb8 21. Rb1 Rb5 22. Qd3 $1 (22. b4 $5 Rdb8 {
This makes white's task more difficult because the Rook's are now active.})
22... Rdb8 {Diagram #} 23. a4 $1 R5b7 24. Qa6 {I'm in the house!} 24... Nb4 25.
Qxa5 Ne4 26. Rbc1 c6 {
Forced, else white would play 27. c6 with a very strong position.} 27. Rd4 $1 {
Preparing for the first exchange sacrifice.} 27... h6 28. Rxb4 Rxb4 29. Qc7
Rxb3 30. Qxc6 {The passers will paralyze the Rooks.} 30... R3b7 31. a5 Ra7 32.
a6 Rba8 33. Ra1 Nf6 {Diagram #} 34. Qb7 $3 {Pacifying all the black pieces.}
34... Ne8 35. c6 h5 36. Kf3 {
A head fake. It's way too early for any King strolls.} 36... Kh7 37. h3 Nd6 38.
Qb4 $1 Nc4 39. Kg2 f5 40. Rc1 $6 ({Much stronger is:} 40. Qc5 Rc7 41. a7) 40...
Rxa6 41. Rxc4 dxc4 42. Qxc4 Ra5 $6 ({Black may be able to hold after:} 42...
R6a7 43. Qxe6 Rc7 44. Qxf5+ g6 45. Qe5 Rac8 46. f4 Rxc6) 43. Qxe6 R8a7 44. Kf3
{The King is not joking this time! It will join the game with decisive effect.}
44... g6 45. Kf4 Kh6 46. Qd6 Ra4+ 47. Ke5 Ra8 48. Kf6 R4a6 49. g4 (49. Qf4+ Kh7
50. Qc7+ Kh6 51. Qg7# {was more direct.}) 1-0

