Exposed King

In a game of speed chess at chessgames.com, I managed to destroy the pawn shield around the enemy king and expose him to an overwhelming attack. My opponent was Rajantnr87 of India who played black. Here are the moves of the game along with my commentary:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. Bc4 h6

Black makes an unnecessary move. Be7 and Nf6 are better moves.

4. h3 a6

I prevent Bg4.

5. a4 Nc6

I prevent b5.

6. d4 exd
7. Nxd4 Ne5
8. Bb3 Nf6
9. Nc3 Be7
10. 0-0 0-0
11. Bxh6 gxh6

I sacrifice my bishop to destroy the pawn shield around the black king.

12. Qd2 Kh7
13. f4 Ng6
14. Nf5 Rh8

Black makes a bad move.

15. Bxf7 Bxf5
16. exf5 Nf8

Black has four pieces on the back rank.

17. Rf3 Kg7
18. Bg6 N8d7
19. Rg3 Kf8

I place my rook on an open file.

20. Re1 c6

Black prevents Nd5.

21. Ne4 Qb6+
22. Kh1 Bd8

Black makes another bad move.

23. Qxd6+ Be7
24. Qe6

Black resigns. At the moment of resignation, black has an extra piece but three fewer pawns. The material count is even but black is helpless to prevent mate. I have control of f7. The only way for black to delay mate is to play Rh7 but I can then play Bxh7. With the realization that he cannot save the game, black decides to resign.

The keys to victory in this game are the exposed black king, the lack of coordination of the black pieces and my control of the light squares. Though black has one more piece, his pieces are very passive. He never manages to activate his rooks. For these reasons, he decides to resign on his 24th move.