[Event "BCCC 2018"]
[Site "Mechanics Institute"]
[Date "2018-06-28"]
[White "Patrick Cook"]
[Black "Robert Bailey"]
[WhiteElo "1657"]
[BlackElo "1481"]
[Result "0-1"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 {At first, I was intending to play a simple Nimzo-Indian and obtain a playable position similar to our club championship game from 2014. After Pat played Nf3, I changed my mind and went for a Benoni (with memories of the blunder in a winning game from 2011!) (RB)} 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.Bf4 a6 8.a4 Bg7 9.e4 O-O 10.h3 Re8 11.Be2? {This surprised me; had to double check to see I wasn't walking into anything...(RB)} Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Qd2 Qf6 14.Bg3 Qxb2 15.Qxb2 Bxb2 16.Ra2 Bc3+ 17.Kd1 Nd7 {This move took me the longest to decide upon. I think Bd7 is probably better (going for a4) but I wanted the knight active and saw I could give the d6 pawn away. (RB)} 18.Bxd6 Nb6 19.Bxc5 Nxd5 20.Bd3 Re8 21.Bc4 Be6 22.Rc2 Rad8 23.Kc1 Bg7 24.Nd4?! {After the game, Rob told me he considered offering a draw around here! (P.C.) Yes indeed. I was getting tired and a bit anxious about the feeling that I might ruin this position. After finding 25...Nb4 and the exchanging idea, I felt confident enough to continue. (RB)} Bxd4 25.Bxd4 Nb4 26.Bxe6 Nxc2 27.Bf6 Rd6 28.Kxc2 Rdxe6 29.Bd4 Re2+ 30.Kb3 R2e4 31.Be3 f5 32.g3 Rxe3+!? {Not really necessary, but simplifies to a winning ending. (P.C.)} 33.fxe3 Rxe3+ 34.Kb4 Rxg3 35.Rd1 f4 36.Rd8+ Kg7 37.Rd7+ Kh6 38.Rxb7 Rg1 39.Ka5 Ra1 40.Rb4 Kg5 41.Kxa6 f3 42.h4+ Kf5 43.Rb2 Rxa4+ 44.Kb5 Rxh4 45.Kc5 Rf4 46.Rf2 Ke4 {As Pat noted at the conclusion of the game, this was my first ever win against him in a club championship setting! There have been several draws and I've spoiled positions here and there, but ultimately he has won most of our encounters dating back to around 2001. His polished controlling positional style has always made him a difficult opponent for me. Thus, a pleasing result to end a highly competitive championship. (RB)} {#R}