Sign of the Cross

The following game is more representative of play at the A level. My opponent was rated 1997 at the time. We played the same opening as in the previous game (but he is not the same opponent).

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 dc4 6.Qc4 O-O 7.e4 a6 8.a4 (live and learn) ...Nbd7 9.Be2 Nb6 10.Qb3 c6 11.a5 Nbd7 12.O-O c5 13.e5 Ne8 14.e6 fe6 15.Qe6+ Kh8 16.dc5 Nc5 17.Qc4 Ne6 .18Rd1 Nd6 19.Qh4 Bf6 20.Qb4 Bd7 21.Nd5 Rc8 22.Nf6 Rf6 23.Bd2 Kg8 24.Qb3 Kf8 25.Ne5 Rc5 26.Nd7+ Qd7 27.Bh6+ Ke8 28.Be3 Rcf5 29.Bb6 Nc5? 30.Qg8+ Rf8 31.Qh7 R5f7 32.Qg6 Nce4 33.Bc4 Nf6 34.Bf7+ Rf7 35.Rac1 Qb5 36.Rc8+ Kd7 37.Qf7 Kc8 38.Qe7 1-0

I used the common sign for 'check' (+) in this game whereas I avoided doing so in the previous game because the CCI did not use that sign (of the cross). I also used the exclamation points provided by the CCI in the previous game. Whether the CCI motive in not using the 'check' sign (+) was brevity and compactness, or whether it was in deference to the many Jews who play chess - or both - is unknown.

The back of my scoresheet reads, 'Sweet Revenge!' This player had defeated me in our last encounter.