This game best exemplifies how to be tactically alert even in apparently quiet positions. Killian first wins a pawn on an open board, then transforms down to a won endgame, both with simple tactics.
White: Killian Delaney – Black: David Goggins
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1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. c3
After 5.c3
More common is: 5. O-O O-O 6. Re1 d6 7. a4
5…O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nbd2 Again, Killian chooses a rare move. More common is 7. Bb3 Na5 8. Bc2
7… Na5 8. Bb3
Alternatively: 8. Bb5 a6 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Re1 transposes into a Ruy Lopez Chigorin-type game, but without h3
8… Nxb3 Normally, white’s white-squared bishop is his best piece in these kind of positions. So black has got a small advantage here.
9. Qxb3 c5 10. d4 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qc7 12. Re1 Be6 13. d5 Bd7 14. Nf1 Nh5 15. Bd2 Rab8 16. Qa3 f5?
After 16…f5?
A mistake because he allows the following simple combination.
17. Nxe5! fxe4 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Rxe4 Nf6 20. Re6 (Or 20. Re2 Nxd5 21. Qb3)
20… Kh8?
After Kh8?
Better might be 20…Nxd5 21. Rae1 Rf5 (21… Bf6 22. Rxd6 Qf7 23. Qf3 Nc7 24. b3) 22. Qd3 Re5 23. R1xe5 dxe5 24. Rxe7 Qxe7 25. Qxd5+)
21. Rae1 Rbe8 22. Qd3 Ng4 23. Qg3 Ne5 24. Bc3 Bf6 25. f4 Ng6 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Rxe8 (27. R6e3) 27… Rxe8 28. Rxe8+ Qxe8 29. Qc3 Qd8 30. Qd4 Kg7 31. g3 a6 32. Ne3 Ne7 (32… Qd7 33. Qe4 Ne7 34. g4 h6) 33. Qe4 Qd7?
After 33 …Qd7
Allows another simple combination. Killian misses it at first! But sees it one move later…
34. g4 h6 35. Qxe7+! Simplifies into a very-easily won endgame. 35… Qxe7 36. Nf5+ Kf7 37. Nxe7 Kxe7 38. Kf2 1-0
