1. e4 Nf6 The last time I lost a competitive game with white was against George Vikanis at The Kidlington Tournament against Nf6. Fortunately for me I was able to get revenge within a week when Witney travelled to play Banbury and sitting waiting for me was George. Whenever you lose against someone you thing you should beat it is always nice to put the record straight as early as possible. Now I face what all players face at times after a defeat in a opening you know little about. Do I play conservatively with 2.Nc3 or play what I know is right and play 2.e5 After a few moments thought I play what I know is right and trust my instinct 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 Again a moment of choice; do I play solid 4. Nf3 or play the same variation that I did against George which was fine until I lost the thread of the position. Again trust your instinct 4. c4 Nb6 5. exd6 exd6 6. b3 Mr T said this is too early 6... Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Bd3 Bf6 9. Ne2 Bg4 10. O-O Nc6 11. f3 Bh5 12. Nd2 Stage one is complete as all my pieces are out 12... Bg5 13. f4 and now to get my army ready to attack on the kingside 13... Bf6 14. Nf3 Re8 15. Kh1 No real reason for this move except I was worried about the check on d4 so by moving my king h1 would prevent the check and maybe gain a tempo 15... Qd7 16. Ng3 Bxf3 Not sure about this as I thought he should keep the bishop on. Bg4 would probably have been better 17. Rxf3 g6 18. Ne4 Bg7 19. f5 played without much thought 19... gxf5 I was a little surprised at this it opens up the position which is worth a pawn to me 20. Ng3 Ne7 21. Nh5 I am not interested in the pawn it is the bishop I want particularly as I got my bishop ready to spring into action 21... d5 22. Qd2 f6 trying to block the position 23. Raf1 Nbc8 24. Rg3 Ng6 25. Bxf5 Qf7 26. cxd5 Nd6? 27. Be6 Rxe6 28. dxe6 Qxe6 29. Nxg7 Kxg7 30. d5 Now my sleepy bishop comes to life 30... Ne4 31. dxe6 Nxd2 32. Rxf6 Kg8 33. Rf7 Ne4 34. Rg7+ 1-0 (Dave Hackett)