Skating on thin ice

My idea of the Petrov's Defense (Russian Defense as it sometimes called) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 was that it was not compicated (I have not played it as black, and as white I rarely encounter it). However, Petrov's Defense/Steinitz variation (ECO C43) turned out to be a different animal! After following the main line complications started piling up from  the 10th move (I had to explore all branches at this point for a day using databases and my "notepad" analysis). We were both following the "book" till 12th move (I conveyed that in the chat session), when opponent became too hasty to win the exchange, slipped. He captured the rook with the knight but forgetting to keep a way back for the knight with his bishop! So instead of becoming the exchange up (getting a rook for a knight) he ended with the exchange down (giving a bishop and knight for a rook) This was probably his only mistake - he gave accurate and brilliant moves in the middle and endgames. There were particularly two moves (18th and 36th) which I have flagged with double !! - they were resourceful, innovative, and trappy - I praised him for them in the chat! It was definite there would be NO draw - either I win, or if I slip, he would (by queening his pawn)! However, it was only a matter of technique, and he could not save the game.

Good catch, Tonydal!

cool

Interesting creative game.