More Closed Sicilian Hacks

The Closed Sicilian seems to be paying off for me recently, as I have scored 3 brutal wins with it in the last few weeks. Part of the reason why it has been working is that my opponents seem to be choosing systems involving an early Nf6, which make the g4-g5 push all the more dangerous. At the same time the temptation to target my queenside pawns often leaves their pieces on the wrong side to defend.
My most recent win was might be termed a 'flawed' brilliancy. Certainly it looks good, as I sacrificed a knight, then a few pawns (although I got the piece back), then the exchange and finally my queen. However I missed one crushing move (26.Rxf6!) and my opponent missed one good defensive move (28. ... Qb7!). But given part of my rationale behind the attack was to force him the find the correct defensive moves, I'm going to take it as a very pleasing victory.


Press,Shaun - Hosking,Ian [B24]
Belconnen CC, 11.06.2013

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. d3 d5 6. f4 d4 7. Nce2 Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. O-O b5 10. h3 Qb6 11. g4 Rd8 12. Ng3 Ba6 13. g5 Ne8 14. Qe1 c4 15. f5 cxd3 16. cxd3 Nb4 17. Qe2 Rac8 18. Ne5 f6 19. Qh5 fxe5 20. f6 Bxf6 21. gxf6 Nxf6 22. Rxf6 gxf6 23. Bh6 Rd7 24. Rf1 Rf7 25. Qg4+ Kh8 26. Nh5 Rg8 27. Rxf6 Rxg4 28. Rxf7 Rg6 29. Rf8+ Rg8 30. Bg7# 1-0