Today I learned the sad news that Andrew had passed away. By way of a tribute here's a game Andrew played in 2009. He had a very fine feeling for Black systems based around ...c6. The notes are Andrews, the exclamation marks mine.
White : PT Taylor
Black: A Lowndes
Marple V Stockport 15/10/2009
1d4 Nf6
2Nf3 c6
3Nbd2 d5
4e3 Bg4
5Be2 Nbd7
6c3 Qc7!
7h3 Bf3:
8Bf3: e5! (White has allowed Black the opportunity to play both d5 and e5!)
9de: Ne5:
10Be2 Be7
11Qc2 0-0
12Nf3 (Now White allows Black a strongly posted Knight)
12...Ne4
130-0 Rac8
14b3 f5
15Bb2 Nf3:+
16Bf3: (At this point I wanted to move a Rook to g6 but it could easily be driven off by Bh5 so I opted for the following Queen manoeuvre)
16...Qd6
17Rad1 Qg6
18Be4: (My opponent thought for a long time over this move but the exchange helps Black)
18...fe4:
19Qe2 (Too slow. I felt that I had some initiative here and looked for a forceful continuation. White still needs to spend a tempo to activate his b2 Bishop. I didn't want White to play Qg4 to exchange Queens, nor did I want him to advance his f pawn when he would be better able to defend along the second rank, so after a few seconds thought I played:)
19...Rf3!! (The Rook is obviously immune from capture, but I could see that it would remain so no matter what continuation. The rest of the game plays itself, really)
20Kh1 (To break the pin, if 20Kh2 then Bd6+ 21Kh1 or 21g3 the Rook on f3 is still safe)
20..Qh5 (Threatens Rh3:+ followed by winning the Queen; If 21 gf3: then Qh3:22Kg1 ef3: and White has to give up his Queen to avoid mate)
21Rd2 Bd6 (Renews the threat of ...Rh3:+ with 22..Rh3:+ 23gh3: Qh3:+ 24Kg1 Qh2#)
22g3 Qh3:+
23Kg1 Rcf8! (Bringing up the reserves - it is important to block the f file)
24Rdd1 Bg3:
25fg3: Rg3: (With mate next move)
0-1
A lovely game played by a lovely man - RIP.
Glenn.
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