Petroff’s Defence, one of the safest defenses for Black against 1.e4. Black’s second move counter’s White’s threat with a threat of his own.

This is a move that Rowe brought back from the Olympiad in Turkey. Personally I think he should send it back and ask for a refund! It is at best interesting. It inhibits the development of the c1 bishop. It allows Black the option of grabbing central squares with his pawns. Because White intends to play c3 in order to place the bishop at c2, it hinders the development of the Knight at b1.

Protecting the centralized Knight at e5 and releasing the Bishop at c8.

Better was 6.Qe2, after which Black will play 6...Be7, giving up a pawn for the Bishop pair and greater piece mobility.

Though White would have done well to play 8.Be2, this move would have proven that 5.Bd3 was at best interesting.

Because of Black’s preponderance in the centre with the two Knights and the f and d pawns, White now seeks to deflect one of the controlling pieces.

Improving the position of the dark square Bishop and preparing a square for the c6 Knight after the inevitable b5 pawn push. Of course Black welcomes the b5 pawn push as it gives him the opportunity to eventually play a6, which will inevitable result in the opening up of the a-file in his favour.

White needed to look about rectifying his severely underdeveloped queenside. 14.c4, with Nc3 and Bb2 would have brought White back into the game.

This move, though the best move at this juncture, leaves the Knight at g6 unprotected and weakens Black’s Kingside and would come back to haunt Black twice at moves 31 and 34.

Here Black had to make 12 moves in 1 minute. Realizing this, White quickly put together a nice swindle here, in the hope that Black would falter in the time pressure. Black did not waste time in playing the wrong move.