Gerard MacElligott, 1988 - Daire McMahon, 2092

Armstrong, R2, Elm Mount-Crumlin, board 2. Notes by Gerry.

Games are not always won by great play. It often comes down to which player can
hold his nerve!
1.Nf3,Nf6; 2.g3, b6; 3.Bg2, Bb7; 4.0-0, e6; 5.d3, d5; 6.Nbd2, c5;
7.Re1, Be7; 8.e4, Nc6; (8...de4; 9.Ng5) 9.e5 (is this premature 'cos he
hasn't castled!?)
9...Nd7; 10.Nf1, Qc7; 11.Qe2, h6; 12.c3!?,g5; 13.h3, 0-0-0; (there will be no
prisoners in this game!) 14.d4, Rdg8; 15.Be3, h5; 16.a3, Kb8; 17.b4, c4;
18.N(f3)h2, Qd8; 19. a4Qf8; 20.Nd2, Nd8; (can't make this out! Allows my next,
fixing P on b6. With the horse on c6 then b5 can be met with Na5
blockading. He was worried about a5. But this can be met by b5, however he didn't like the look of this.)
21.b5, Bc8; 22.a5, Nb7; 23.ab6, ab6; (now it is time for action! Otherwise I will
get rolled up on my right flank) 24.Nc4, dc4; 25.Qc4, Bd8?? (allows a cheapo.
Better to play Qd8 When white will mobilize the pawns with Qa4, c4 etc. The
Black position is difficult to hold in practice but might have chances)
26. Ra8+! (easy isn't it?),Ka8; 27 Qc8+, 1-0
Gerard.