B42: Sicilian: Kan Variation: 5 Bd3 Third round buzz, where I now face the up and coming WGM Rusudan Goletiani. With the white pieces I play 6.c3!? in the 5. Bd3 Kan Sicilian. I was inspired abstractly by Larry Christiansen's recent novelty of the year in a slightly related Nc3 variation against the Kan where Bf2+ is allowed. However, in this game, I was able to clarify this inspiration by offering an exchange of a pawn for control of the dark squares and the gain of one tempi (moves 6-9). It seems to me that the correct result of this game would be a draw except for the fact that after declining my draw offer on move 19, my opponent tried to win as if I would easily make the mistake in an even position. In the end, I improved my pieces tremendously with a temporary pawn sacrifice followed by an exchange sacrifice. On each occasion, my opponent incorrectly tried to hold on to material, but in the end found that it was painful to do so. The winning tactical sequence begins on move 33 but after move 34 Black loses in all variations. As simple as it is to understand the last move after some review, it is difficult for most to see in a game situation. It should suffice to say that the solution 35. Bf7!! appeared like a lightning bolt in my mind and when played, like thunder to my opponent.

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5

6. c3 Qb6 7. Nd2 Nc6 8. Nc4 Qa7 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. O-O b5 11. Ne5 Qc7 12. Qh5 Bd6 13. f4 Nf6 14. Qg5 O-O 15. Nf3 e5 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. fxe5 Ng4 18. Qf4 Nxe5 19. Qg3 Be6 20. Bf4 f6 21. Be2 Rad8 22. b3 Rd7 23. Rac1 Rfd8 24. Rc2 Bf7 25. Re1 Bg6 26. Bf1 Rd1 27. Rc1 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Bxe4 29. Re1 Qb6+ 30. Be3 Qa5 31. Bd4 Bg6 32. Rxe5 fxe5 33. Qxe5 Rd7?? 34. Bc4+! Kh8 35. Bf7!!

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