Here is an interesting game in which Black finally accepts White's
offer to transpose from a Modern to a Sicilian, but Black's pieces
turn out to be poorly posted in the resulting more open position.
Short,Nigel - Chernin,Alexander [B07] Pula, Croatia
1997
1.e4 d6
Alexander Chernin is the type of player who likes to know
"everything" about the defenses that he plays. In recent years, he has
switched over from the French to the Pirc/Modern.
2.Nc3 g6 3.Bc4
In Semi-Open games (1 e4 openings where Black has not replied with
1 ... e5), White often has to be careful about placing the bishop on
c4 lest it be shut out by ... e7-e6. This is not a problem where Black
has already committed himself with ... g7-g6.
Bg7 4.f4
Inviting Black to transpose into the Grand Prix Attack against the
Sicilian after 4 ... c5, a variation in which Short crushed Gelfand in
their 1993 Candidates Match.
e6
A less radical reaction for Black was 4 ... c6 followed by 5 ...
Nf6; then the knight would have a home on d5 if White ever tries
e4-e5.
5.Nf3 Ne7 6.Bb3
This retreat enables White to avoid an exchange of pawns if Black
advances with 6 ... d5 and instead gain space with 7 e5.
c5
Finally Chernin accedes to a transposition to the Sicilian, which
Short has been offering since move 2! Otherwise, Black has been
hoodwinked into adopting a hedgehog formation for no benefit.
7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 0-0 9.0-0 a6 10.Kh1 Nbc6 11.Be3 Na5
The aggressive 11 ... b5 would have invited problems on the d-file
after 12 Nxc6 Nxc6 13 Qd2; then on 13 ... Qe7 14 Rad1 Rd8 15 f5 is
strong.
12.a4 Qc7
White is also better if Black tries to clear the air with 12 ... e5
13 Nf3 Nxb3 14 axb3 Bg4 15 h3.
13.Qd3 Nec6
A problematic maneuver. But simple development with 13 ... b6 14
Rad1 Bb7 would again lead to the spike 14 f5.
14.Rad1 Rd8 15.f5 Ne5
Black cannot pursue a pawn grab with 15 ... Nxd4? 16 Bxd4 Nxb3 17
axb3 exf5 18 Bxg7 Kxg7 19 Nd5 with a monstrous attack.
16.Qe2 Nac4 17.Bc1
White has definitely won the opening battle. While Black has posted
his knights impressively, the kingside wedge White has established
with his pawn on f5 is not going away.
Bd7 18.Qe1
Moving towards the elimination of Black's dark-squared bishop.
Rdc8 19.Qh4 Qd8 20.Bg5 Qe8 21.f6 Bh8?!
Chosen over 21 ... Bf8, because on h8 the bishop is not subject to
exchange. However, 21 ... Bf8 was certainly more resilient tactically.
For example, 22 Bh6 Bxh6 23 Qxh6 Qf8 does not accomplish anything for
White. Probably best for White after 21 ... Bf8 is the quiet 22 Bxc4
Rxc4 23 Nf3, still with a sizable edge.
22.Nf3! Nxb2 23.Rxd6 Nbc4 24.Rd4
Artfully and without wasting time, Short is subjecting Black's
principal defenders, his knights, to liquidation.
Nxf3 25.Rxf3 Ne5 26.Rh3 h5 27.Ne2
There is very little that can be done about the knight's trip to h5
to destroy the Black kingside.
Rc5
On 27 ... Ng4 28 Nf4! e5 29 Nxg6 will win - one route is 29 ...
exd4 30 Ne7+ Kf8 31 Qxh5 (clearer than 31 Qxg4!? Bxf6!) Nf2+ 32 Kg1
Nxh3+ 33 gxh3 and Black is finished. And Black cannot get out of the
box with 27 ... Qf8 (intending 28 Nf4 Qc5), as suddenly White can pick
off one of the undefended pieces with 28 Bf4!
28.Nf4 Ng4 29.Nxh5 Rxg5
If 29 ... Nf2+ first, then 30 Qxf2 Rxg5 31 Qd2 Rxh5 32 Rxh5 gxh5 33
Qg5+ Kf8 34 Qh6+ Kg8 35 Rd3 h4 36 Qxh4 and White wins.
30.Qxg5 Nf2+ 31.Kg1 Nxh3+ 32.gxh3 Bc6 33.Nf4 Kh7
33 ... Rd8 would lose to 34 Nxg6! fxg6 (or 34 ... Rxd4 35 Ne7+
followed by mate) 35 Rxd8 Qxd8 36 Bxe6+ Kf8 37 Qh6+.
34.e5
Now the threat is 35 Nxg6 fxg6 36 Rh4+ Kg8 37 Rxh8+ Kxh8 38 Qh6+.
Bf3 35.Kf2 Qc6 36.Rc4
1-0