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[Event "Fierce Queen is no chess machine..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017-09-07"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "nandrew"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2157"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz"] [WhiteElo "2001"] { The fond readers of my annotations, already know that I have a deep crushon blitz chess. To me, there is no cleaner form of chess to be found thanan on the board game, where any form of cheating is simply not possible.In correspondence chess, that is always the killer: we can just pick upsome book, or query some database to see what we might do next. We havevast records of every chess game of any importance, played anywhere inthe world at any time nowadays. All of this dissipates into thin air, ina real game against a real person; with limited time... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 h6 4. c3 a6 5. O-O Nf6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Be7 8. e5 dxe5 9. dxe5 { this is what it looks like, if you end up on the wrong side of a randomPhilidor defense; there are a lot of strong players, that use ancient openingslike this, just to get by. Only few of them, know the real intricacies...Black is about to embark on a very unpleasant tour... } 9... Nfd7 { better wouldhave been Qxd1, Rxd1, Ne4, Be3, Bc5, Nd4, Nd7, and set up some decent defense...this gives White the chance to play out a simple and dangerous move... } 10. e6 { even stronger, would have been postponing this strong move withsomething like Qc2, or even Qb3; but in these kind of blitz games - 3 +10 - you simply do not have the time to work all that out... you make aplan, and you stick to it... } 10... fxe6 11. Bxe6 { the plan is clear: if Nd7buckles, we trade Queens in a better position for White... on top of that,Black cannot castle for a while; the White LSB has a nice square on b3... } 11... Nc6 12. Re1 Nf6 13. Qxd8+ Nxd8 14. Bb3 { certainly not the best continuationfor both players, but who is to judge? White held some advantage, aftertrading Queens...but now, Black is embarking on a really dangerous tour... } 14... Bd7 15. Nc3 { already winning is Nh4!, with the potent threat of Ng6; notvery much, Black can do about it... } 15... Nc6 16. Bf4 Bg4 17. Bxc7 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nd4 19. Bd6 { there is no doubt, that both players could have donebetter in the past few moves; but anyhow, White succeeded in gaining awinning edge... Be7 is all but gone... } 19... Nxf3+ 20. Kg2 Nxe1+ 21. Rxe1 { 20.Kf1, had been stronger, but Whites' advantage still holds... } 21... Nh5 { already,Black is breaking: after Kd7, Bxe7, Rae8, Ba4+, b5, there were still fightingchances... but I underestimated the threat of Nh5-f4+... } 22. Rxe7+ Kd8 { Kf8, Re5 is mate... } 23. Rxb7 { absolutely winning is Nd5, followed byRxb7, but I did not find it... } 23... Rc8 24. Be7+ Ke8 25. Ba4+ { it is alwayshard, to find the win in a winning position; Ne4!, is leading straightto mate, after Nd6+... } 25... Kf7 26. Bh4+ Ke6 27. Bd7+ Kd6 28. Ne4+ Ke5 { bynow, I was surprised by how many chances the Black King had left; and gotintimidated... } 29. f3 { still winning, but after a simple Bxc8, Rxc8, Re7+,we have it all... } 29... Rc2+ { Nf4+, would have been more cumbersome; and I goteven more intimidated... none off this would have happened, if I had played20. Kf1... } 30. Kh3 { after simply Bf2, Nf4+, Kg3, White has nothing toworry... this is bad... } 30... Rf8 { missing Nf4+, Kg4 (Kg3, Rg2 is mate), h5+(Rg2+, Ng3/Bg3+ solves all), Kg5, Rg2+, with lots of complications forWhite... } 31. Bg4 { following the wrong plan: still easily winning was Bg3+,Nxg3, Kxg3; suddenly, White is losing... } 31... Nf4+ 32. Kg3 Ne2+ { Rg2 mates,but Black misses it: Divine Justice? } 33. Kf2 Nf4+ 34. Ke1 { still holdingsome advantage, was Kf1, Rc1+, Be1, h5, Re7+, Kd5, Bd7; after this, theposition is totally equal... } 34... Nd3+ { after Ng2+, Kd1, Ne3+, Black reachesperpetual check... } 35. Kd1 Rg2 { too late for Black, to count blessings;best is probably Rxb2, and make the most of it... now, its Whites' turn... } 36. Bg3+ { directly winning is Rd7!, Nxb2+ (forced), Kc1, Rc8+, Kb1!... } 36... Kd4 37. Rd7+ Ke3 38. Re7 Nxb2+ 39. Kc1 { as planned? } 39... Rd8 { planning on Rd1mate; best was Nd3+, Kb1, Kd4, and get out of the line of fire... } 40. Nc3+ { still holding advantage: winning was Nc5+, Kd4, Ne6+... } 40... Kd3 { Blackis reaching the end of his tether; after just Be5, Rc2+, Kb1, there isnothing left to play... but I could not find it... } 41. Bf5+ { a terriblemove, totally equalizing all threats... } 41... Kxc3 42. Be5+ { the move, I wascounting on; but it means nothing... } 42... Kb4 { there must be a heaven for blitzplayers: after Rd4!, White has to fight against mating threats; best isRxg7, Rf2, Bxd4+, Kxd4, Bc2, for a fairly equal position... } 43. Rb7+ Ka3 { running right into trouble: after Kc4, Rc7+, Kb5!, Bxb2, g5!, Black canfight on... } 44. Bxb2+ { now, after Rxb2, Rxb2, Rd1+, Kxd1, Kxb2, Be6, thefight would be over; but not lost by a long shot, because we are stillplaying on time... but Black was starting to suffer lack of time... } 44... Kxa2 { a terrible move: Bb1 mates at once... but I failed to find it; weary fromthe fight... } 45. Be6+ { but I found this one: after Rd5 - the only one- Bxd5 mates; in this position, Black ran out of time: White still had4:04 on the clock... I truly believe, there is a heaven for blitz... } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from geniusacamel"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.11.01"] [Round "-"] [White "jkarp"] [Black "geniusacamel"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2352"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1275"] 1. e4 { So, I'll open up with the most typical move. } 1... e5 { This time, insteadof French, he'll do something different which I'm very used to. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Yes, the anticipated Ruy Lopez. } 3... a6 { Of course. A move thatyou typically see from masters and grandmasters, as Jack told me. } 4. Bxc6 { So, I take. While not so bad, as it's toward the center, my idea is tostill double his pawns. Since he cannot take back with his Q, I did notsee how this would strengthen his structure. Plus, as this is a similarinstince, that happened in my game against Jack, that if I played 4.Ba4,once 4...b5, I'd lose my B since it would be locked with my pawns. However,the oversight and paradox is that 5.Bb3 would be an option. The differencewith Jack is that the N was pinned, and a pawn was already on the fifthrank. So, when he attacked it, I played a similar move. Not sure, butlet's suppose it was, like this so, Ba4, then he played ...b5, so sincethe pawn was on a5, once I played ...Bb3, he was able to win a piece fora pawn after the immediate a4. So, that where I miscalculated by mixingconcepts which is something you don't want to do. Instead, the best move,here, was 4.Ba4 as it's conventional since most master and GM's play that. } 4... dxc6 { Conventional. } 5. O-O { So, I waste no time in deciding to castle. The idea castle early and often and get that K to safety. } 5... Bg4 { To pinmy N. But, of course I won't do anything about that, right away, becauseit is a nuisance and nothing serious. } 6. Nc3 { So, instead, I'll use thattime to continue with development. } 6... Qf6 { I knew there was a plan behindthis, but wasn't sure how he'd do that by bringing the Q out before completingdevelopment before, but there is a well known orchestrated because whatfollows is something similar to what Jack did, and afterward, he had aslight advantage, already. } 7. d3 { The DSB needs to come out, one way oranother to complete development. But, I decided on this move, rather then,a fianchetto because this is a center pawn needed to control the center. If I fianchettoed, it would be a wasted move, when the time needs to beused to contest the center, which is the decision behind this. Plus, Idon't lose anything and am not forced to waste time since my LSB is nolonger around. } 7... Ne7 { While that DSB is crammed still a good way to develop,and white still have some really good idea. } 8. Bg5 { ? Mistake as the computershows, and that's because this move loses a pawn, no matter what I do. What the computer, for the next few moves is exactly what gets played. With that, the computer says that best was 8.Qe2, with the idea of 8...0-0-09.Be3, Bxf3 10.Qxf3, Qxf3 11.gxf3, Ng6 12.Kh1, Be7 13.Rg1, Rd7 14.a4, Rhd815.a5, h5 16.Rad1 I agree. } 8... Bxf3 9. Bxf6 { There was another option thatI looked at, which wouldn't lose material. That is, 9.Qxf3??, but theproblem then is that he has 9...Qxf3, and after 10.gxf3, my K is exposed,which I was not going to allow, so this was the best move. In fact, thisQ exchange very similar to what happened in a game against Jack, wherewe exchanged with other pieces, but when he did this, like wise, he alsohad a slight advantage, and it was due to a miscalculation. } 9... Bxd1 10. Bxe7 { The only other move that came to mind was 10.Rxd1?? to prevent losingthe pawn, or so I thought. But, I looked at it and realized that thisis bad because I wind up a piece down, after 10...gxf6 which I was notgoing to do. } 10... Bxc2 11. Bxf8 { The analysis, here, is completely wrong asthey say that with my previous, 11.Rae1 would be indirectly. That's nottrue, and that move would be a blunder, as I'd be more then a piece down. This was best to prevent that. } 11... Rxf8 { Of course. But, now, I looked athow the pawn could be defended, and there is no way to do that, which meansthat I lose another. } 12. Rae1 { ?! The idea is to attack the center because,as I learned in the Deeper Chess Theory Club, attacking the center is away to control the center. This, however, is an inaccuracy because itloses another pawn. Instead, better was 12.f4 and then pawns are exchanged,instead. After that comes, 12...exf4 13.d4, 0-0-0 14.Rxf4, Rxd4 15.Raf1,Rd7 16.e5, Bg6 17.e6, Re7 18.exf7, Rfxf7 19.Rxf7, Bxf7 20.Rd1, Rd7 21.Re1 } 12... Bxd3 13. Ne2 O-O-O 14. f3 { Now, the computer says that the continuationis 14.f4, but I disagree with it. First, that that allows black to liquidatewith 14...exf4, when down material. Plus, this achieves a solid pawn chain. Remember when I disagreed over pawn structures and said what I would've,well this is the kind of thing I was alluding to. Here, it's no blunderbecause it also improves the mobility of my f R, which has the pressureof his LSB, due to this half pin against my N. } 14... Bb5 { However, I do notknow why he played this. } 15. Rf2 { But, this was also my plan behind 14.f3,is that the R is now mobile, and my N is no longer half pin so that I'mnow free to move it, without the loss of material which was the idea. } 15... Rd2 { He is deciding to apply the pressure. } 16. Nc3 { But, I have waysaround it, especially given that the N is not pinned, as noted above. } 16... Rfd8 { Doubling up and putting pressure. And, now I've got no idea whatto do, in this position. } 17. Rxd2 { Generally speaking, I don't like liquidation,when down material, even if less then a piece. But, here there was nochoice because of that LSB, so if I didn't take, while not right away,he would've won more material, which, I was not going to allow. } 17... Rxd2 { So,now it boils down to what to do next. } 18. b3 { Ok, the idea here was thesame, for the most part, pawn chains. But, unlike before, it's not a gooduse of that. Instead, best was 18.Nd1 keeping the pawn protecting, whilst,putting pressure on the R. } 18... Rc2 { So, now I'm forced to exchange pieces,which is the last thing I wanted. Anything else would lose the a pawn. } 19. Nxb5 { With that being said, my original instinct was to play 19.a4,but then, he plays captures the pawn, and when I take back, he gets myR. So, this is best. } 19... cxb5 { Of course. } 20. a3 { The idea was to preventthe loss of another pawn. But, he still wins it, with the next move, andwith it, 20.Ra1 was best. } 20... Ra2 { Yes, and like I said, he gets another pawn,no matter what I do. } 21. a4 { Not knowing what to do, I go after the pawn. Of course, I still don't like exchanging, but that's only with pieces. With pawns, however, I don't have a problem doing so, especially whenit strengthens my position, a little, after what I lost. } 21... bxa4 { Of course. } 22. bxa4 { But, I'm not going to go easy. } 22... Rxa4 { As I calculated there. } 23. Rc1 { Ok, since I'm down material, I try to come up with a plan to winback a pawn. It's good that I'm thinking ahead, but the plan is quitebad, as we're about to see. The idea is to maneuver that R, get it onthe seventh rank, and nab a pawn there. } 23... Ra2 { To put pressure on the firstrank, and the plan there is to get a passed pawn and promote. } 24. Rc5 { ? The idea is win a pawn, but as the computer says, this is a mistake. And, that's because it gives black a passed pawn after 24...b5!! Instead,best was 24.f4, exf4 25.Rf1, Kd7 26.Rxf4, Ke6 27.Rf3, h6 28.Rg3, g6 29.Rh3,Re2 30.Rxh6, Rxe4 31.Rh7, Rd4 32.Kf2, Rd2+ 33.Kf3 } 24... b5 25. Rxe5 { ?? As partof the plan. Now, for a while I've been debating, when, 'To take is amistake' This happened in my game easy19, where I took the R, and overlookeda mate threat. But, in my game against archduke_piccolo and could andought to have taken his R, though, not right away. So, I figured thiswas a similar situation, especially since I didn't see any immediate matethreats. But, there was most, certainly, a threat that I overlooked. And, taking was a terrible idea, this time as it loses very quickly. Thatpawn will promote, and black will do damage. And, in fact, the promotionswill happen earlier. So, as noted, based on what the computer, best was25.Rd5. And, actually I disagree with the computer about 25.Rd5, as bestbecause the result would be the same with black's next move. Instead,that R had to remain on c5. } 25... b4 { And, this pawn is going to promote, andwhen it does, I'm in big trouble. Acutally, similar to what happened inmy game against angellis, as I won the R, the same way, with a promotion,but this time, unlike with Jack, with no miscalculation. } 26. Rc5 { But,I'm not quite ready to use my K as a weapon, so this what I decide to play. The idea is that I'm going right after the P, though, with the last, moveit's too little, too late to stop from the promotion. If the R hadn'tmove, I could've prevented that from occurring, which is why taking wasa big mistake. } 26... b3 { Still making it's way. } 27. Rc3 { To temporarly delayit, seeing what I could do to stop it. } 27... b2 { But, there's no way aroundit. } 28. Rb3 { Still doing what I can, however. I actually wanted to playand was thinking about 28.Rc2, but black would immediately mate, after28...b1=Q# Worth noting is the fact, that in the past, I've missed thatmate. But, that's where I remember easy19's advice to, 'Be a spectatorof your game, which I emphasize to my students. In one respect, usingas a teaching tool, with a move which overlooked mate, and I deliveredit, teaching that same thing. So, another way to say that I used whatFred said, to teach others, in my first loss against him. } 28... Ra1+ { Guaranteeingthe promotion, because if black did so immediately with 28...b1=Q+, thistime, he would lose a pawn, after 29.Rxb1. But, this prevents that. And,as we know, and like I calculated, black is not going to underestimatebecause he knows what my R can really do, if he doesn't do something, rightaway, as he did here. } 29. Kf2 { Forced. } 29... b1=Q { As I talked about. } 30. Rxb1 { But, now despite the loss, I had to do something because anythingelse would lead to mate, shortly after 30...Qe1+ } 30... Rxb1 31. Ke3 { So, now'sthe time where I decide to use my K as a weapon. And, now I'm going toattempt to make use of the opposition anyway. However, as I discover shortlyafter, it's of no use and more or less, irrelevant due to what's happened. } 31... a5 { But, now, he's going to promote. } 32. Kf4 { I did consider 32.Kd4to stop this, but it's useless because that R, effectively prevents myK from reaching the b file, when it would have to take on the a file, tostop that pawn. Plus, now I also see a potential mating sequence whichI know can not be stopped. With best play, I can delay it but not forlong. Of course, I'll just keep playing. } 32... a4 { Making it's way, but tothis time, a Q, and then some, as noted above. } 33. Ke3 { Still trying todelay by getting my K towards, and when you're lost like this, and youhave the K as a main source, it's generally a good idea to get it rightin the center, and move it back and try to do what you can to last longer. } 33... a3 { Making it's way. } 34. Kd2 { ?? Still seeing what I can do, but as itturns out, this is a blunder because it allows black to mate that muchquicker. Instead, best was 34.Kf4 and even after 34...a2 35.h4, a1=Q 36.h5,Rb5 37.Kg4, Qh1 38.Kg3, Rg5+ 39.Kf2, Qxg2+ 40.Ke3, Rxh5 41.Kd4, Qxf3 } 34... a2 { Going to promote, but this time, with no way to stop it. And, it is alsoan example, of where the pawn chain is actually a good idea. That's whyI emphasized in previous annotations, but as I learned only recently withJack by not making the mistake, it's not always a good idea to think thatway. } 35. Kc2 { So, I'll keep my K as a weapon, and try to make it difficult,is the only way to describe, but it just makes it that much easier forblack. } 35... a1=Q 36. Kd3 { To prevent immediate, as the worry, was the blackcould use his R to check me on the first rank and mate, I played this. But, it's not going to make a difference one way or another. } 36... Rb3+ { Itstarts with this. } 37. Kc4 { I had other options, but bringing the K onthe second rank, would immediately mean mate either with the Q or R. Thismove, however, delays, but only for one more move. } 37... Qc3+ { Like I said,even with a move longer, it's not any more difficult for black. } 38. Kd5 { Forced. } 38... Rb5# { The only move that I did not calculate. I thought hisnext move would be 38...Qa5+, in which I have a three options, but no matterhe would have a mate in one. But, I just did not realize that it was mateimmediately. Interesting game, but what I learned there is more involvedof when taking is actually mistake, not just for immediate mate threats,but also about pawn promotions. And, it's important to calcaulate butdoing so accurately is important. So, what I learned is one way to dothat is by not mixing too many concept and while thinking ahead is important,don't overthink things. Actually, in some cases, thinking about too manythings like the strategy behind taking the pawn, or getting the K on c2,which was a mistake. It's easy to follow what a lot of people say, butsometimes, there are limits and you can't do too much at one time, as that'swhere you start making mistakes. And, thinking about too many things,in any position, can also cause problems, it's overthinking things, whichin chess and life the idea is think, but then, let those thoughts go toavoid cramming, so that you can still concentrate on the position. } 0-1

[Event "Yahoo Chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2008.01.27"] [Round "-"] [White "NN"] [Black "Ratão"] [Result "0-1"] { C01: French: Exchange Variation } 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Be2 Bd6 6. O-O O-O 7. c4 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. Nc3 Nb6 10. Bb3 { lastbook move } 10... h6 { Covers g5 } 11. Be3 Re8 12. Qc2 Bg4 13. Nd2 { Alternativevariation: 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. Qg6+ Kh8 15. Qxh6+ Nh7 $11 } 13... c6 { Consolidatesb5+d5 } 14. Nc4 Bc7 15. h3 { Alternative variation: 15. Rfe1 Nxc4 16. Bxc4Qd7 $15 } 15... Bh5 { Alternative variation: 15... Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Qd6 $19 } 16. a4 { Alternative variation: 16. Ne5 [was possible] Nbd5 17. Rae1 $11 } 16... Nxc4 17. Bxc4 Qd6 18. g3 Rxe3 { Decoy: e3 } 19. fxe3 Qxg3+ 20. Qg2 Qxe3+ 21. Kh1 Qxd4 22. Bb3 Re8 23. Rf2 { Alternative variation: 23. Rae1 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 Qh4 $19 } 23... Re5 { Alternative variation: 23... Re3 [and Black takes homethe point] 24. Rg1 g5 25. Rgf1 $19 } 24. Rxf6 Rg5 25. Qf2 { Alternativevariation: 25. Rxf7 Bxf7 26. Bxf7+ Kxf7 27. Qe2 $19 } 25... gxf6 26. Qxd4 { Alternativevariation: 26. Rf1 [no good, but what else?] Qd7 27. Qe3 $19 } 26... Bf3# 0-1

[Event "wuzzie's mini-tournament XVIII"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.04.09"] [Round "-"] [White "a50tango"] [Black "fafa"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1734"] [TimeControl "7d+3d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1814"] 1. e4 { (C89) Marshall Attack } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 { Spoiler Alert:4.Bxc6. Fear not players of the Black pieces as you can spice this variationup too. No risk no reward. } 4... Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 { 6.Bxc6 is a grind toface.... } 6... b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 { Lots of anti-Marshall's out there including8.a4 } 8... d5 { The start position of the game from the thematic tournament. When I went through the CHESS OPENINGS link on GK's front page I foundabsolutely no annotated Spanish Game: Marshall Attacks to reference asI prepared to start games in two separate thematic tournaments on the site. So....I will remedy that to a degree. Not saying these are necessarilyoutstanding examples of the Marshall, but they are indicative of the tacticalnature of the line. } 9. exd5 { 9.d4 is seen from time to time. My takeon things is the Marshall is more likely to occur in correspondence (server)play than in high level otb games. } 9... Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 Bb7 { MilosPavlovic in 'Fighting the Ruy Lopez' (Everyman Chess, 2009), on page 12,calls 11...Bb7 one Black's strongest replies. More common are 11...c6and the 'original Marshall' 11...Nf6. } 12. Qf3 c6 { Both Pavlovic and DavidVigorito in 'Understanding the Marshall Attack' (Gambit, 2010), p. 6, prefer12...Bd6. There is probably nothing wrong with the overprotection, butit does greatly limit the scope of the Bishop in an attacking system. My gut feeling is White benefits more from the overprotection of the d5Knight than Black... Of course after I wrote all this and plugged theposition into Stockfish 7 the silicon beast says 12...c6 and 12...Bd6 areBlack's two best choices at a depth of 21. At 22. the move 12....Bd6 isslightly favored at 0.25 to 0.32. No real edge to White there! } 13. Bxd5 cxd5 14. d4 { I would not be surprised if this is a main line of the 12.Bxd5cxd5 variation arrived at via transposition. } 14... Bf6 { Note that ...Bf6 followsd4 at move 12 (alternative line) also. } 15. Re1 b4 { The Q-side minorityattack often associated with the Queen's Gambit Declined is also seen inthe Marshall Attack! } 16. c4 { I believe I made a blunder here. Betterwas 16.Bf4. } 16... Bxd4 { Materialy even now as I have blundered back the gambitpawn. And now Black's Bishops are well placed for an attack! } 17. Nd2 Qb6 { More pressure on f2. } 18. Qg3 { A safe square before the Queen is forcedto run. Perhaps the seeds of a counter attack after a future Bg6. } 18... Rae8 19. Rxe8 { Not quite forced, but darn near... } 19... Rxe8 20. Nf1 Re1 { A HUGEblunder in a winning position. Just about any other move retains Black'swinning edge. Evidently 20...dxc4, 20...h6, 20...g6 all seem to fit thebill. } 21. Qb8+ { All roads lead to mate. I was definitely more lucky thangood.... } 1-0

[Event "Henry survives a Sharp Opening"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "29-Jun-08"] [Round "-"] [White "dmaestro"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1689"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1647"] 1. c4 f5 { 1. ............. f5 - the Anglo-Dutch Defense. This could leadto a very sharp opening and it does. } 2. e4 fxe4 { 2. ......... fxe4 - agambit, eh? Can I hold on to the extra pawn? Time will tell. } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { 3. ........... Nf6 - develops a piece and defends the advanced e pawn. } 4. d3 { 4. d3 - opens up the white dsb's diagonal but gives me an opportunityto swap off the advanced e pawn enabling me to be a clear pawn up. I amtempted to swap off at once but the database recommends e5 as the bestmove - it does enable me to get my own dsb out. } 4... e5 5. g4 { 5. g4 - a typeof delayed Grob Opening - that pawn is about to land on g5 forcing my knightback to g8. I develop my dsb by pinning his knight on c3 to the whiteking. } 5... Bb4 6. g5 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 { 7. bxc3 - the black knight must now retreatto g8 but not before I leave him with a shattered queenside pawn structure. } 7... Ng8 8. Qh5+ { 8. Qh5 , here comes the Wicked Witch of the West! I decideto block her out with g6. } 8... g6 9. Qh4 exd3 10. Bxd3 { 10. Bxd3 - I now findI have enough time to exchange pawns on d3 and so remain a clear pawn up,but will I pay for my retarded development? } 10... Ne7 { 10. ......... Ne7 - thisredevelopment to e7 is very necessary as white threatens Bxg6 winning theexchange as the h pawn is pinned to the rook on h8. } 11. Qh6 { 11. Qh6,nasty, nasty. The Wicked Witch of the West is threatening to come to g7and take either the h8 rook or the h7 pawn. I can prevent this howeverwith d6 so that if white plays Qg7, Henry can move to d7 opening up a linefor his wife Glenda to defend the rook on h8. } 11... d6 12. Qg7 Kd7 13. Qh6 Qf8 { 13. ........... Qf8. Glenda now fronts the Wicked Witch of the West. White has the option of either leaving his queen where it is, taking myqueen - either option results in a queen trade disarming white's matingattack or retreating it. White takes the latter option by checking onh3. Henry goes back to his home square. } 14. Qh3+ Ke8 15. Qg2 Nbc6 16. Ne2 Bf5 { 16. ........... Bf5 - out comes the wood. Now I have to manoeuvremy king into a castle by hand. I choose the queenside as there is morepawn cover. I might think about either a kingside or queenside matingattack on the white king wherever he chooses to go. Both kingside andqueenside is looking mega draughty. } 17. Be4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 Kd7 19. f4 Qf5 { 19. ........................ Qf5 this queen move controls quite a fewsquares and offers up a queen trade. White declines the trade and movesthe queen back to g2. I now move my queen rook to f8, doubling up on thehalf-open f file and preparing to put my king on c8 achieving the plannedCastle By Hand. However .......... } 20. Qg2 Raf8 { ..........................I do not get to carry out my castle by hand plan because my opponent throwsin the sponge on the grounds of Impending Ruinous Loss of Material! Heresigned because he felt he had no play for the pawn minus, and indeedhis shattered queenside pawn structure could be a very vulnerable targetresulting in further loss of material. As in a previous note, where isthe safest place for the white king? All in all I think that black certainlyhas a clear advantage. This game was unrated so I did not win any points. However, I am very pleased to have survived an opening onslaught by theWicked Witch of the West in such a sharp opening and to turn the tableson my opponent. Very encouraging. } 0-1

[Event "Bury St Edmunds Rapidplay - Old Matey Strikes!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "17.9.96"] [Round "-"] [White "Joanne Stevens"] [Black "Tony Malindine"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "Under 1400"] [TimeControl "25 minutes per side"] [WhiteElo "1240"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone, this Rapidplay which took place on 17 September 1996was the Bury St Edmund's Jamboree where each participant played 3 gamesof 25 minutes per side. It was a traditional opener to the Bury League,where various teams in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk would play one another. There would then be four against four in the Bury League but that is anotherstory. I won one out of my 3 games and this is the one that I won. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { 3. ................. Nf6 - this is the Two KnightsDefense. Bc5 would be the Guicco Piano. } 4. d4 { 4. d4 - and here is theMax Lange attack, challenging black's control of the centre. This triggersoff a plethora of exchanges with me getting a positional advantage. } 4... exd4 5. Nxd4 Bc5 6. Nxc6 dxc6 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 { 7. ................ Kxd8 - hereis the end of the sequence. I decide to back up my e pawn with f3. } 8. f3 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 { 9. Bd2 - I answer black's check by developing a piece. Sets up a nice little discovery here should I choose to castle long. If BxB then NxB clearing the way for queenside castling which I think ismore appropriate now that the queens are off the board. } 9... Bc5 10. Bxf7 { 10.Bxf7 - black eschews the bishop exchange but drops a pawn. } 10... Rf8 11. Bc4 Re8 12. Nc3 { 12. Nc3 - develops and bolsters the pinned pawn on e4. } 12... h5 13. O-O-O Rb8 { 13. ....................... Rb8 - misses a tactical shot,ready ................. steady ........ } 14. Be3+ { 14. Be3 - GO!! - Ithas to be said that black could have saved his piece by interposing ond6 but he made another serious error - he blocks it with the knight andI grab the bishop - nice! } 14... Nd7 15. Bxc5 b6 16. Bf2 b5 17. Bh4+ { 17. Bh4!! - black must now drop a whole rook - his rook must interpose, blackis almost smothered mated!! } 17... Re7 18. Bxe7+ Kxe7 19. Be2 { 19. Be2 - thebishop must now dodge the b pawn's stab. } 19... b4 20. Nb1 c5 21. f4 { 21. f4- threatening to win a pawn by Bxh4. } 21... Nf6 22. Bf3 b3 23. cxb3 { 23. cxb3- what is doubled pawns when you are a whole rook up? } 23... Rb6 24. h3 g6 25. e5 Nd7 26. g4 hxg4 27. hxg4 { 27. hxg4 - these pawn exchanges open up theh file and this will prove lethal to the black king. } 27... Rb4 { 27. ...................Rb4 - tries to counter-attack by threatening my f pawn, but my king rookhas other ideas. } 28. Rh7+ Ke6 29. Bd5# { 29. Bd5# - and now Frere Leblancis the executioner here. Nice to deliver mate with something other thanthe queen or the castle. } 1-0

[Event "bigpeta's mini-tournament I, http://gameknot.com/chess.pl?b"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.05.12"] [Round "-"] [White "bigpeta"] [Black "efc8"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1412"] [WhiteElo "2080"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. e3 c5 6. Bd2 O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. Rc1 Nd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. dxc5 Ndxc5 12. Bd4 Bg4 { Blundersimply giving away the N on c5. Correct was Ne6 } 13. Bxc5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nxc5 15. Rxc5 { Leaving black with an isolated central pawn and no developedpieces } 15... Qe7 16. Rxd5 Rad8 17. Bg2 Rxd5 { When you are behind in materialand development it is not a good idea to swap of pieces } 18. Qxd5 Rd8 19. Qe4 Qd7 { back rank mate threat which is easily avoided by 0-0 } 20. O-O Re8 21. Bh3 Qd8 22. Qxb7 Re7 { This constant harrying of the Q achievesonly a further exchange of pieces } 23. Qc8 Qxc8 24. Bxc8 h6 25. Rc1 { ThreateningBf5 Rc8 mate } 25... a5 26. b4 axb4 27. axb4 { Giving white a passed b-pawn } 27... Re5 28. Bd7 Rg5+ 29. Kh1 Rd5 30. Rc8+ Kh7 31. Bc6 { Setting up the shieldwhich will allow the b-pawn to Q } 31... Rd6 { Probaly the worst place to putthe R. Now it cannot even get to a position to sac itself for the new Q } 32. b5 h5 { Aseeming pointless move but one which could catch the unawareout } 33. b6 h4 34. b7 h3 { Now if white gets tunnel vision on the Q promotionit would be possible to miss the back rank mate Rd1 } 35. Rh8+ { The R issafe as if KxR then b8=Q+ and the R is lost } 35... Kg6 36. Be4+ { At this point black asked if i was toying with him. But no i still had to stop Rd1 } 36... f5 37. Bc2 Rd2 38. b8=Q Rxc2 39. Qd6+ Kf7 40. Rf8# { The lesson from thisgame is keep an eye on the whole board or you may miss something important. } *

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "23-Sep-08"] [Round "-"] [White "ceco72"] [Black "veracitus"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1570"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1587"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. a3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Nc3 exd5 6. cxd5 Bf5 { It's notclear yet what is the best square for this bishop, so better to continuewith the development of the kingside with ...g6. Here's a game with a similaropening: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.a3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 g6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.e4d6 8.Bd3 0-0 9.Nge2 Re8 10.0-0 a6 11.f3 Nbd7 12.b4 cxb4 13.axb4 Qb6 14.Kh1Ne5 15.Na4 Qd8 16.Be3 Bd7 17.Nb6 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 Bb5 19.Qc2 Rb8 20.Ra3 Nd721.Nxd7 Qxd7 22.Re1 Rbc8 23.Qd2 Bxe2 24.Qxe2 f5 25.Bf4 fxe4 26.fxe4 Bc327.Rxc3 Rxc3 28.e5 dxe5 29.Qd2 Rc4 30.Bxe5 Qf5 31.Bg3 Rxe1 32.Qxe1 Qe40-1 Laengl,M-Horvath,G/Cattolica 1992 Line } 7. e3 a6 { Unnecessary.Better to continue with your development. } 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 g6 10. e4 Bg7 11. Bg5 O-O 12. f4 { Very aggressive, but also risky with his king soexposed. } 12... Nbd7 13. Nf3 Qb6 { Good! If White is allowed to castle, he willhave the advantage. } 14. Rb1 { There were better ways to defend the pawn. } 14... Ng4 { ...Re8 was also good. } 15. h3 c4 16. Qc2 Ne3 17. Qd2 h6 { 17...Re8and 17...Bxc3 are more to the point, but this turns out very well! } 18. Be7 { Not a good place for the bishop, since 19.Bxd6 is not playable. } 18... Rfe8 19. Na4 { Ke2 was slightly better, but Black should still win comfortably. } 19... Qb3 { Black now wins a piece and the game. } 20. Bxd6 Rxe4 21. Kf2 Qxa4 22. Rhe1 Rae8 23. Be5 Bxe5 0-1

[Event "Family game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "'Jesse'"] [Black "Hellion"] [Result "0-1"] { It's the holiday season... which means weekends with family members younever see the other 11 months of the year. Luckily, my extended familyis actually pretty cool. Over the weekend, my brother-in-law 'Jesse' andI played a chess game, and this is the result. Neither one of us is aboutto become a grandmaster, and he was half-drunk. } 1. b4 e5 2. Ba3 d5 { 'Jesse'may be half-drunk, but I'm not. I take advantage of his odd opening toform an ideal center. } 3. c3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 5. Be2 { I really didn't expecthim to overlook the threat to the Q, but let's just say I thought it wasworth trying. Besides, it's not like 4... B-N5 weakened my position. } 5... h5 6. d4 Nbd7 { I considered 6... P-K5, but decided it would leave me moreoptions if I kept the center flexible. } 7. Nd2 c6 8. Qc2 Qc7 { Both of usare ready to castle now, although I'm still considering castling K-side. } 9. O-O-O Be7 10. Kb1 O-O { With the Kings on opposite sides, I can attack'Jesse''s King without exposing my own too much. } 11. Rc1 a5 { Trying toopen some Q-side lines. } 12. Bd1 axb4 13. Bxb4 { Forced [13 PxNP loses theQB.] } 13... Qb6 { With the threat of 14... BxB 15 PxB QxP ch. } 14. a3 { Tryingto defend the threat by adding a guard to the B. But... } 14... Rxa3 { ...I simplyremove the guard. BxR is impossible becuase of the pin. } 15. h3 { Probablya frustration move. } 15... Bxb4 16. cxb4 Qxb4+ { I follow up with my plan. } 17. Nb3 { Twice guarded, the Knight looks safe. But... } 17... Bxd1 { Removing a guard.Whether the recapture is with the Rook or the Queen, either way the Knighton N3 falls. } 18. Rxd1 { I choose to capture with the Q, forcing the exchangeof Queens and a won ending. } 18... Qxb3+ 19. Qxb3 Rxb3+ { 'Jesse' could have resignedhere, but he let me have the honor of checkmating. I don't know whetherhe actually didn't see it, being half-drunk, or whether he chose to letme win a won game with a mate. } 20. Ka1 Ra8# { After this, we tossed arounda football and a Frisbee with the kids, in spite of inclement weather.Thankfully, the backyard of 'Jesse''s house is covered... it's part ofa housing complex, and they have a covered play area for rainy days. } 0-1

[Event "League division D1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.19"] [Round "-"] [White "vl007"] [Black "stylas"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1752"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1632"] 1. d4 { This game is interesting if only for the queen sacrifice that forcescheckmate. Most comments are useful for non-experts and there are no commentsabout opening strategies. } 1... Nf6 { Prevents white getting control of the centreof the board with e4 } 2. a3 { This seems like a pointless move at this stage. Neither important for defence nor does it develop any pieces } 2... g6 { Enablesdevelopment of bishop and black to castle quickly } 3. b4 { Still white hasnot developed any pieces and seems to be weakening his defence } 3... Bg7 { Developsbishop and is now ready to castle } 4. Bb2 { This move protects white’s rookfrom the potential threat of black’s g7 bishop. (It would only take blackto force a move from the a4 pawn to leave a knight move uncovering an attackwith possibility that the knight could simultaneously attack or take anotherpiece.) } 4... d5 { Allows the c8 bishop to develop and prevents the a4 pawn advancingwhich would have prevented black’s b8 knight from moving to c6. } 5. e3 { Defends the a4 pawn and allows white to develop f1 bishop } 5... O-O { Usuallya good idea to castle early without letting the opposition gain controlof the centre of the board. } 6. g3 { Although this gives the bishop optionsit seems a slightly wasteful move – is it not better to develop the knightsor at least pieces of value (i.e. the other bishop) – so far out of 6 moves5 have been pawns! } 6... a6 { This allows the night to move to c6 without gettingattacked by the bishop } 7. h3 { Yet another pawn move without developingany pieces! This is really weakening white’s defence without showing anysigns of an attack } 7... Bf5 { Bold if not pointless move! Why didn’t blackjust develop the knight? Black thinks if the white pawn attacks the bishopit doesn’t matter because he can then attack the white rook on h1 } 8. g4 { As expected } 8... Be4 { as planned } 9. f3 { Black had not planned for this asthere’s no way of preventing loss of the bishop. On the plus side, white’sdefence and pawn formation is a shambles with the king wide open and nowhereto develop pieces! This is whites 9th move and the 8th pawn move! } 9... Qd6 { Not worried about losing the bishop - this puts the queen within 1 moveof forcing the white king to move without castling. Also Nxe4 would bea big threat. The only way black could prevent this with Ne2 but thiswould mean black could do Bxf3 } 10. Qe2 { useful move because it enablesfxe4 without leaving too much of a threat from Nxe4 after Qg3+ } 10... Qg3+ 11. Kd1 Nbd7 { white still wants 12 fxe4 followed by Nxe4 so develops the finalknight which is better placed back up the knight on e4 } 12. Nd2 { whitemakes a well judged choice not to take the bishop with the pawn for reasonspreviously explained and instead attacks the bishop with the knight. Abetter move was Nc3 because it means that after 12... Bxc2 13 Qxc2 is possible } 12... Bxc2+ { black is best off taking the pawn forcing the white king to moveand preventing both develoment of the g file knight if Bxf3 } 13. Kxc2 { onlymove } 13... Qd6 { queen moves back in order to enable an attack on the king } 14. Qd3 Nb6 { an attempt to move the knight to a4 - a threatening position } 15. Ne2 { finally moves the second knight in an attempt to help defend theking } 15... Na4 { as planned } 16. Nb3 c6 17. Nc3 { this forces the black knightto either retreat or take a piece. } 17... Nxb2 { black opts to take the bishopbecause it forces the king to move into a position that could potentiallybe attacked by the g7 bishop - a tactic that paid off - wait and see! } 18. Kxb2 b6 { this prevents the knight from moving to a5 and enables eitherthe a or c pawn to advance } 19. Na4 Rfb8 { needed to protect the b6 pawn- black chose not to advance the b pawn because he wanted to move the aor c pawn forward } 20. Rc1 { this puts the rook in a powerful position andprevents the c pawn from advancing successfully, the pawn is defended bythe black queen } 20... a5 { as planned } 21. b5 { taking the pawn would have leftthe white king in trouble so the best move under the circumstances } 21... c5 { Very good move - it may leave black a pawn down but remember the bishopon g6 and the position of the black king } 22. dxc5 { this is exactly whatblack wanted } 22... bxc5 23. Nbxc5 { may have been better to use the rook to takethe pawn and certainly would have been better to move the king to safetybut white was worried about the c pawn advancing again and attacking thequeen } 23... Nxg4+ { white in serious trouble and about to lose a rook for nothingand probably wishes the f1 bishop had moved } 24. Ka2 Nf2 { the knight simultaneouslyattacks the queen and the rook and the queen is unable to protect the unprotectedrook } 25. Qc2 { probably the best possible move under the circumstances- attacking the black knight (who isn't bothered) } 25... Nxh1 { why wait? } 26. f4 { white needs to bring the bishop into the game but first decides tomove a pawn... who knows why? } 26... Ng3 { time to bring the knight back intothe game and into safety } 27. Bg2 { bad move! the bishop was protectingthe pawn on b5 } 27... Rxb5 { the b5 pawn is gone } 28. Qd1 { attacks the d5 pawnwith bishop and queen which is only protected by the black queen } 28... Rab8 { black hopes white takes the d5 pawn so that 29... Rb2+, 30 Nxb2, Rxb2+,31 Ka1, Rd2+ wins black the white queen for a rook } 29. Nd3 { good move!white is wise to the threat of Rb2 } 29... Nf5 { attacks e3 pawn and hopes whitemoves e4 so that he can move the knight to d4 } 30. e4 { hooray white didwhat black wanted } 30... dxe4 31. Bxe4 Nd4 { as planned - enables Rb3 to be followedby Qxa3 checkmate. Rb3 previously would enable white to swap queen for2 rooks (2 rooks are worth more than a queen) } 32. Nac5 { Excellent defensivemove. Puts a stop to blacks plan... now how can black go back to the originalplan of Rb2? } 32... Qxf4 { This is not a blunder - black wants white to take thequeen with the knight and it's game over! } 33. Nxf4 { Woohoo! } 33... Rb2+ 34. Ka1 { only possible move } 34... Nc2+ { whatever piece white chooses to take theknight with loses the game } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.05"] [Round "-"] [White "sbmr"] [Black "porcho"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1089"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1069"] { I decided to annotate it because first it seemed like I'd win, then itseemed like he'd win and then finally I got a checkmate. I won a knightearly on due to oversight on his part, but somehow he managed to queena pawn and I had to trade a rook for it. Then, I got a queen checkmate. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 { All standard so far } 3. c3 { Hmm, I don't think thismove is a mistake but I don't usually see it. It could transpose into aGuicio piano. } 3... Nf6 { But I decided instead to take advantage of the factthat his QN can't defend the pawn. } 4. d3 { So now his LSB is blocked in } 4... Be7 { I thought this was the best square. d6 not only blocks in the d pawnbut doesn't have much scope. On c5 it would just get chased away. } 5. d4 { A mistake that loses a pawn } 5... exd4 6. cxd4 Nxe4 { So I take it } 7. d5 { I'mnot sure this is great. Sure it pokes my knight but it overextends thepawn so that it's harder to defend. } 7... Nb4 { A rather awkward square but theonly other safe one was a5. } 8. a3 Na6 { It probably would have been betterto go to a5 in the first place } 9. Bxa6 bxa6 { my queen side pawn structureis busted } 10. O-O d6 11. Qd4 Bf5 12. Nc3 { I don't want to exchange mycentrally placed knight, but it looks like I have to. } 12... Nxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14. Nh4 { ?? This is the blunder. I guess he didn't realize I had two piecesattacking it. } 14... Bxh4 15. Be3 { I might have considered fianchettoing it,lining up the bishop and queen so that if the c pawn is moved checkmateis threatened. } 15... Qf6 16. Qf4 Bg5 17. Qc4 Bxe3 { While this move does exchangematerial, I'm not sure it was so wonderful. Taking back opens up the filefor the rook and pins my LSB. } 18. fxe3 Qg6 { I unpin it } 19. Qxc7 { ...Butlose the pawn } 19... Be4 { Forks mate and the d5 pawn } 20. g3 Bd3 { ??? If I hadtaken the pawn it would never have promoted. } 21. Rf2 Qg4 22. Qxd6 { Theregoes another pawn and suddenly whites d pawn becomes a threat. } 22... Qh3 { Maneuverscloser to the WK } 23. Qf4 { Clears the way for the pawn to advance... } 23... Rad8 { Impeding the pawn } 24. d6 Rfe8 25. Rd1 { Forces the bishop out of the wayso the rook can support the pawn } 25... Bg6 26. Rfd2 { The pawn can now advancesafely } 26... h6 { With all those pieces lined up I was a little worried abouta back rank mate } 27. d7 { It advances } 27... Re4 { At least I can make the queenmove } 28. Qc7 { ...But it just pushed the queen where it wanted to go } 28... Ra8 29. d8=Q+ Rxd8 { No other reasonable choice } 30. Qxd8+ { And I was reallyglad I created some space for my king } 30... Kh7 31. Re1 { Defends the pawn } 31... Rc4 { Goes for a different one } 32. Qa5 { Nope } 32... Rc6 33. Rd8 Be4 { Threatens mate } 34. Re2 { But he sees it. Oh well, I didn't really expect it to work } 34... Rb6 { Thinking about playing Rb6b1+ } 35. Rd1 { He stops it, but runs into a skewer } 35... Bf3 36. Kf2 { ?? I guess he wanted to get my bishop in exchange, but nowit's mate in two } 36... Qg2+ 37. Ke1 Qxe2# { ...And MATE! As always, please commentif you notice something } 0-1

[Event "Blitz: Curtains for White..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.07.21"] [Round "-"] [White "pawnbrain"] [Black "kitrich_omar"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "Blitz"] 1. e3 { I was unaccustomed to this unconventional opening... } 1... e5 2. d3 d5 { Already I am worried about my commitment to a large pawn center... } 3. h3 Nc6 4. g3 { A very defensive setup from white. I debate whether to proceedwith natural development or grab more space... } 4... Nge7 5. Bg2 f6 6. b3 { Perhapsthis is some type of 'hedgehog' setup... } 6... Bf5 { Perhaps placing the bishophere will prove too committal... } 7. a3 { Yes, I believe this is a hedgehog. } 7... d4 { I decide to try and open some lines. I am not finished with development,but I am much farther along than white... } 8. Bb2 Nd5 { A bad blunder thatsets the stage for the rest of the game. Falling behind in material meansI have to play for his king. } 9. e4 Ne3 { I wanted to damage his kingsidepawn structure in order to prevent the king from castling. His queensidepawns are already a bit loose, and I doubted he wanted to castle there. } 10. fxe3 Be6 11. exd4 Nxd4 { I had exd, which would keep more material onthe board, but the idea here was to exchange off his dark-squared bishop,as his light-squared bishop looks like it might be bad... } 12. Nf3 { Hewants to hang on to the bishop... } 12... c5 13. Nbd2 Nxb3 { Another move calculatedto damage his pawns...After nxb3 I am down 5 points in material, and thegame will be a write-off unless I can quickly stir up an attack... } 14. Nxb3 Be7 15. Qd2 c4 { A pawn sac. I am trying to open lines and make useof the semi-open b-file... } 16. dxc4 Qb6 17. Rd1 { Better would have beenrb1...This allows me to gain a tempo on his queen... } 17... Rd8 18. Nfd4 { Offeringmaterial back...but after exd and bxd4 he is regaining the initiative... } 18... O-O 19. Qf2 exd4 20. Bxd4 Qa6 { My attack seems to be waning, the queenhaving been driven to a seemingly weak square... } 21. Nc5 { Threateningnxe6 and then winning the exchange. } 21... Qa5+ 22. c3 Bxc5 { White's knight movehas allowed my queen back into the game... } 23. Bxc5 Qxc3+ 24. Rd2 Qc1+ 25. Ke2 { A forced move...White cannot play rd1 because of qxd1#. } 25... Bxc4+ 26. Kf3 Qc3+ 27. Be3 { White appears to have warded off the attack. Willf5 be to slow? } 27... f5 28. Bf1 { Vacating g2 for the king. Perhaps white isbetter with exf... } 28... fxe4+ { Winning the queen, I am now massively up inmaterial... } 29. Kg2 Rxf2+ 30. Rxf2 { His e3 bishop is en pris. White isnow losing this... } 30... Bxf1+ 31. Rhxf1 Qxe3 32. Kg1 Qxg3+ 33. Rg2 Qe3+ 34. Rgf2 { A useful pin that allows me to swing the rook into action withoutthreats of rf8# } 34... Rd6 35. Kg2 Rg6+ { It's going to be curtains for white... } 36. Kh2 Qg3+ 37. Kh1 Qxh3+ 38. Rh2 Qxf1# { This was an exciting game inwhich I used the initiative to overcome a substantial material deficit. } 0-1

[Event "How not to play the From Gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "08-Aug-06"] [Round "-"] [White "NN"] [Black "paranoidyoshi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1388"] [TimeControl "none"] 1. f4 { Henry Bird's opening. } 1... e5 { The classic From Gambit. Other strategiesagainst the Bird don't work as well (especially 1...d5, the Reversed Dutch.) } 2. g4 { A suicidal move (what else could it be?). } 2... Qh4# { Checkmate in twomoves. How saddening. This is why I didn't say who white was. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.09.14"] [Round "-"] [White "auuuu"] [Black "levoxine100"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1372"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1388"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 { 3. Con d4 en lugar de d3 se iniciaríael extremadamente complicado e inestable ataque de Max Lange. Aquí sigootra línea de ataque... } 4... Bc5 5. Nc3 O-O { The blacks are checking the whites' preference for gaining time in attacking development given that the center is closed and the king, for now, is well-protected. } 6. Bg5 { Why did the blacks neglect this movement which is the key to the victory of the whites? I suppose the reasoning of levoxine100 would be to protect the horse with the queen to avoid opening the line g with the knight on g7. } 6... a6 7. a3 b5 8. Bd5 Bb7 9. Nxe5 Na5 { Blacks have played the chess move C x C, but in principle, the blacks' strategy was more orthodox since taking the white horse b7 would mean losing the bishop b7, and given that white had a material advantage, it was best to avoid the exchange of pieces (leaving the white's attack mortal). Up to here, the outcome is unpredictable. } 10. b3 { 10.b3 instead of b4! I can't explain this slip (perhaps the only one, but enough for white's perfect game). The intention was clear: the double attack knight and bishop, with a loss of one of the two pieces. I thought I had played b4 instead of b3, which is an exciting move, but upon reviewing the game I find that bug... which demonstrates that the mind is not always at 100%, but instead experiences oscillations on the attention curve, and when you get caught in a valley, you make a mistake. } 10... Bxd5 11. Nxd5 d6 12. Ng4 Bxf2+ { After the bug b3 did not succeed: the funny thing is that the blackreacted as if White had played b4, taking the black bishop on f2. Perhapsthe explanation is in a deeper analysis of the black, to try his hand waitingfor the white king take the bishop, which seems reasonable since the horsewas well positioned g4. In this case auuu was prudent and began a quick'Analyze Board', discovering that with the king at f2 Black could playC x e4 +, what white should play d3 x e4, ie Black exchanges the horsenailed from the principle for a pawn... but the black lady would takethe bishop on g5. This would end the black white initiative, and even acquirematerial advantage of a pawn. } 13. Nxf2 h6 14. Nxf6+ { Here begins a more deceptive sequence, since white had two pieces threatened... Moraleja: always analyze, even to the most obvious. } 14... gxf6 15. Bxh6 Re8 16. Qg4+ Kh7 17. Qg7# 1-0

[Event "Dynamics of the Pirc: delayed Lion's Defence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05-Aug-08"] [Round "-"] [White "sandsaver"] [Black "freeman8201"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1653"] [WhiteElo "1789"] 1. e4 d6 { Pirc } 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bc4 Bg7 5. f3 { And this is calledthe Lion's defense: Lion's Jaw. The e pawn double protected by the knightand f3 pawn. This mirrors the Saemisch in King's Indian games. } 5... Nc6 { Continuallyplaying the Pirc I have learn, from experience, it is not always best tocastle when you can. } 6. Nge2 Nd7 { I believe, considering the g2, f3, e4pawn chain, the f6 knight had no future role on f6. } 7. d5 { unsound } 7... Na5 { The bishop is indeed misplaced, Furthermore the pawn chain restricts itsscope } 8. Bb3 { The bishop is doing nothing and there is no reason to takeit } 8... O-O 9. Bg5 { !? This seems like a attack coming from a Saemisch player } 9... h6 { It does not work! } 10. Be3 { This should have been his move in the firstplace } 10... Ne5 { The knights are going to coordinate with one another! if whiteplays Qd2: I'll play (either N) Nc4! } 11. Qc1 { Preventing white from castlingqueenside } 11... e6 { I try to set up a trap } 12. O-O Kh7 { s } 13. Kh1 c5 { Boththe bishops are useless } 14. dxe6 Nxb3 15. axb3 fxe6 16. Rd1 { And the tideshifts } 16... Qe7 { Getting out of the line of fire. Also, notice his next movecould have been Bxc5 } 17. Nb5 { I spent a couple hours looking at this position.An hour on the gameknot analyse program and another hour or so via printedcopy. I could have defended further by playing 16...Nf7 or 16...Rd8 Butthat would allow counter play along the a file with his rook and knight. } 17... d5 { It was best to attack! } 18. exd5 exd5 19. Rxd5 { Now the center isopen! } 19... b6 20. Nf4 g5 { it was best to rid the knight on f4. } 21. Ne2 { wastinga move! } 21... Nxf3 { A sound sacrifice } 22. Nec3 Bb7 23. gxf3 Rxf3 24. Kg1 Rxe3 25. Qd2 Qe6 26. Nc7 Qg4+ 27. Qg2 Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 Bxc3 29. bxc3 Re7 30. Kg3 Bxd5 { This was a very bad trade. I look at the screen for 10 seconds andsaid to myself,'woo woo, take the rook. Better take the rook.' Better wasto capture the knight for free. } 31. Nxd5 Re2 32. Nxb6 { And I made anotherblunder. White had better endgame skills than I. } 32... Rf8 { Instead of pawnchasin', I decide to make a mating net with my two rooks, pawns and myking. } 33. Rxa7+ Kg6 34. Nd7 Rfe8 { two connected rooks! } 35. Ra6+ Kg7 36. h4 gxh4+ 37. Kg4 { ?! } 37... R2e4+ 38. Kf5 Re1 { !! } 39. Rg6+ Kf7 40. Rxh6 Rf1+ 41. Kg5 Rg8+ { I opted for a sideways mate } 42. Kh5 { The h pawn is poison } 42... h3 { The march to 8 rank! } 43. Ne5+ Ke7 44. Rh7+ Ke6 45. Ng4 h2 { !! } 46. Rh6+ Kf7 47. Rh7+ Kf8 48. Nxh2 Rh1 { white resign } 0-1

[Event "Grader gets a goin over!!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-Apr-08"] [Round "-"] [White "daveyr18"] [Black "graderguy"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1504"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1426"] 1. c4 { Another opening i like to use sometimes, i'm facing a tougher opponentso i don't wanna start making silly mistakes and using openings i'm notused to... } 1... Nf6 { Something i'm not used to.... } 2. Nc3 { I carry on as ifnothing has happened, and it hasn't... } 2... g6 { Finnachetto bishop (or whateverit is) is coming.... } 3. Nf3 { Another blinder or is it blunder? time willtell.... } 3... c5 { Up comes the c pawn...... } 4. e3 { In retaliation, i may god4 next depending on what Grader does.... } 4... Nc6 { Threatens d4... } 5. a3 { Stops Nb4... } 5... Bg7 { I was right on the finnachetto thing!! } 6. Be2 { I favoura different route... } 6... d5 { I don't wanna take that just yet so i radio forbackup.... } 7. b3 d4 { He waltz's right passed..... } 8. Na4 d3 { It did takeme a moment to realise the queen was backing up the bishop here so...... } 9. Bf1 { Annoying!!.. } 9... Ne4 { it's what he was aiming for! } 10. Ra2 { I spottedthe sneaky Bg7 threat on Ra1....just! } 10... O-O { Naturally..... } 11. Nb2 { Ihave to get rid of that pawn, i focus all my attention on it so i hopeit's the right thing to do.... } 11... Bf5 { Well ok but that is too little tolate for the pawn.... } 12. Nxd3 { Now hopefully i can carry on developingand castling and quick!! } 12... Qd7 { Allwing the rook link up..... } 13. Qc2 { Itwas a choice between h3 or this i couldn't allow Nc3 so this won.... } 13... Bg4 { That's why h3 was an option.... } 14. Be2 { I'm ok with an exchange if that'swhat's comming but also i've cleared the way to castling... } 14... Rab8 { Obviouslyplanning some form of pawn assault... } 15. h3 { So i start assaulting myself,that sounds wrong, i didn't start assaulting myself......but i threatenwith h3 you can see.... } 15... Bxf3 { rather than a weak back off he goes forthe jugular... } 16. Bxf3 { I willingly oblige.... } 16... Ng5 17. Nxc5 { At leasta managed a pawn grab out of that, hope it doesn't come back to bite meon the bum.... } 17... Nxf3+ { Annoying!! now i have to double my pawn right wherei want to castle, Grader sure knows how to ruin your day... } 18. gxf3 { ican't afford to go behind in material if i havn't got a plan, and i havn'tright now.....I also remember against diesel this open file was his downfallso watch out!! } 18... Qc7 19. d4 { I didn't want to back off just yet and i likethis pawn move it stops any e5 ideas and i'm sure grader was going forthe double threat next move, Nd4 threatening both knight and queen so thatstops that in it's tracks... } 19... Nd8 { He didn't want an exchange then....?I guess that knight has some kind of role in graders plans, i'll keep aneye on that little scamp!... } 20. a4 { You may think this is an odd movebut it's in preperation for Ba3 then, play allowing, Qe4 then Bxe7, that'sthe plan, lets see what happens, that's what i love about chess, the plancan change in the blink of an eye, it's so fluid. Yes i am wasted!! } 20... Ne6 { That stops my plan a little, gonna have to reposition c5 to Nd3 then onto d5 via b4, then carry on as before, yeah right...... } 21. Nd3 { off igo..... } 21... Qd7 { I guess this all heads toward a d4 meltdown, so in preperation...... } 22. Ba3 { I aim this little beauty somewhere useful, i hope.... } 22... Ng5 { Andhe starts to make inroads toward my king. Well if thats the case..... } 23. Ke2 { I'll go meet him personally...... } 23... Rfd8 { Erk!! extra back up forthe queen and her d file (well, almost hers, but not quite).... } 24. Nc5 { I couldn't risk putting my knight on e5 cos the last thing i want isan exchange on that square and open up the d file good and proper! no thanks!..Itwould be nice if he moves to d6 and then i have a discovered attack soi could potentially go a piece up if he makes the wrong move 24.... Qd6,25.Ne4 Qd7, 26.Nxg5...in a perfect world it would happen like this..........butthe world is far from perfect..... } 24... Qc8 { As i said, far from perfect........ } 25. h4 { I continue to annoy him and i need that knight out of there ifi am to continue with my plan, i need my queen on e4 to carry on though.... } 25... Ne6 { So he backs off which is ok but i now have to decide if i want toexchange or do i still need my knight...? } 26. Rg1 { I decide to leave itup to him and assert my rook on the g file... } 26... b6 { obviously he didn'twant to exchange then... } 27. Ne4 { Well nor do i yet, so i back off..... } 27... Rd7 { This puts the brakes on Bxe7 so i look for something else..... } 28. h5 { I decide the best course of action would be to smash the kings pawnguard to smithereens...... } 28... Bxd4 { Ah, annoying as i can't take the bishopbecause of the imminent fork Nxd5 ouch!! So, again i have to search elsewhere..... } 29. f4 { To try and disslodge that knight once and for all.... } 29... Bg7 { he backs off having failed miserably to lure me into his web of lies,although i have lost a pawn and a valuable file has been opened, i justhope i have enough time to do what i need to...... } 30. f5 { So i ploughon with my pawn attack, i'm in real bad shape and i need to keep pressureon my opponent or i fear the worst for my gallant army... } 30... Nf8 { A pleasantsight, the retreat of an enemy knight....... } 31. fxg6 { I gotta make thispawn rush count for something or i may be in for a shock.... } 31... hxg6 { ............ } 32. hxg6 { now his king will be just as exposed as mine and it may be acase of who gets in there first.... } 32... Nxg6 { I did expect the knight to takeso i have a little something in reserve... } 33. f4 { Ha ha, i'm coming foryou knight, i'm coming for ya!! I need that knight out of the way so ican exert pressure on the g7 bishop with Bb2. He cant move f6 yet as itwould leave his knight en prise... } 33... Qc6 { Under pressure, i have the Queensong running through my inner dialogue, 'under pressure da da da.....' } 34. f5 { So i move in to exert some, all i can say is i hope this works!! } 34... Ne5 { So that's good, he's out the way but i have to choose my next movecarefully.....do i go Bb2 or f6 or something else. Decisions decisions..... } 35. Bb2 { I plump for the Bb2 it felt right and i know i have the forceflowing through my viens or is it 10 year old smack?..... } 35... f6 { This wasthe reason i was um-ing and ah-ing about if i should go f6 or bb2 i thoughthe would probably move the pawn forward to protect the knight so..... } 36. Bd4 { I decide to block the d file for now and it also adds supportto the c4 pawn which i will have to move forward at some point in the nearfuture.... } 36... Kf7 { This un pins his bishop..... } 37. c5 { That pawn move iwas talking about....... } 37... Rc8 { ......... } 38. Bxe5 { That knight was causingto many problems for me logistically so it had to go..... } 38... fxe5 { the expectedresponse..... } 39. Ng5+ { I wasn't sure if i should go Qc4 or make thismove, this one won.....With that queen and those rooks so close togetherhe has to be careful not to set up a fork for me to take advantage of,good luck Grader.... } 39... Kf6 { Wriggling out of check...... } 40. Ne6 { I figurei have to keep the pressure on him and somehow manouvere my pieces intoa decent position to launch an effective attack, i have work to do!.... } 40... Kf7 { What?? Well if he wants to give me his pieces...... } 41. Rxg7+ { Iwas debating to take with the knight or rook both have their merits buti went with the rook in the end... } 41... Kf6 { And i'm glad i did... } 42. Rg6+ { That bitch is mine he can only go to f7 in which case my next move isNg5 and there she is, his queen down the barrel of my shotgun and i'mtaking her fucking head off!! Lovely little discovered attack!! } 42... Kf7 { Asi said, the only available square.... } 43. Nd8+ { I thought instead of Nf4i'de be greedy and see if i could get away with losing only 1 piece.... } 43... Rdxd8 { That's what you get for being greedy.... } 44. Rxc6 { Now i'm in myelement i'm on a roll and nothing can slow me down now!! } 44... Rxc6 { The expectedresponse..... } 45. Qc4+ { I want him on the back rank if possible..... } 45... Ke8 { Beautiful, it's all over for the G man now.... } 46. Qg8+ { He can onlyturn his tail and run like, i was gonna say the wind, but he's a big fatking and he's outta breath in one square... } 46... Kd7 { And there it is, at thispoint Grader resigned nowing only too well the crushing fate he has instore should he continue. Good game. Lesson from this game, i think itwas my very active pawns that won that game for me. He never had a chanceto coordinate his forces into any kind of meaningful attack. By keepinghim busy with very irritating play pawn wise, i managed to bully myselfinto a winning position. I enjoyed this game it showed the power of thelittle people, nice!! } *

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "starlite551"] [Black "Zarn"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1899"] [TimeControl "5:30"] [WhiteElo "1644"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Opening with Sicilian Najdorf } 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 Be7 8. f3 { Normal Development } 8... d5 { BlackTrying to gain control of vital d5 Square! } 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. exd5 cxd5 { Black Succeeds in Controlling d5! But the game is still not over for white.. } 11. Bd4 { To Stop e5,.. } 11... O-O { Taking King to safety. } 12. Qd3 { Developingthe queen as well as opening two possibilities for white to castle. } 12... Re8 { King in the center so launching the attack immediately on the opposingking..! } 13. O-O-O { Its High time so castled Queen side bcoz there areless pawns on the queen side to launch an immediate attack on the whiteking also queen rook comes into play and attacks center. } 13... Bd7 { Preparinga violent attack from queen side against white..! } 14. g4 { Counter Attackby g4.. } 14... Bd6 { Preparing e5 pawn thrust to control center and increase mobilityfor black bishop. } 15. g5 { Bf4+ would be defended by Be3 on exchange ofbishops black would retreat his Knight to safer square then white wouldlaunch his attack on black king by using pawn thrust h4 or Rdg1.. } 15... Nh5 { Defending the Knight at the same time attacking the pawn with an opportunityto fork queen and bishop if white saves the pawn. Clearly Black has theupper hand over here I admit that black could have easily won by takingmy light colored Bishop on e2. Again with two Bishops advantage over Knightand a Bishop along with good center control...!! } 16. Rdg1 { No other optionbut to guard the falling g-pawn. Rdg1 and not h4 since g3 then becomesvulnerable point for white where black's Knight can easily exploit. } 16... Nf4 { As expected! } 17. Qd2 { Played purposely to invite Black to pin the Knightafter e5 thrust.. idea (e5-Bf2 Bb4-Qd1 Nxe2 Nxe2.. Followed by Kb1 andNc1)with defense for white king. } 17... e5 { As anticipated.. } 18. Bf2 Bb4 19. Qd1 d4 { Slight alteration to black's move He played d4 which is not a goodmove since it gives White Knight an Outpost on e4! and did not take myBishop on e2 which was again wrong option. } 20. Ne4 { White is slowly butsteadily coming back into the game and there is a hope to save the gameby a draw! } 20... Be6 { Threatening Qa5,,.. } 21. Kb1 Bf5 22. Bc4 Qc7 23. Bb3 { Solidifying the defense for white king.. } 23... Be6 { Trade offer.. ;) I willtake it but in a different way I will offer another Bishop instead.. Haha..that would really confuse the opponent.. and it worked.. } 24. Be1 Bxb3 25. Bxb4 Bd5 26. Qe1 { Trying to prevent an isolated e4 pawn.. } 26... Qc4 27. b3 Qc6 28. Rg4 { Attempt to double the rooks and prepare h4 thrust..alsowith a threat of Nf6+ active.. } 28... d3 { Attacking the undefended c2 pawn withd3! } 29. c4 { c4!! Since now black cannot take it by enpass and Bishop hasto retreat or take the Knight and then after exchanging the queens tryto play for a draw,.. } 29... Be6 { Defending Bishop and attacking the rook atthe same time! } 30. Rxf4 { Rxf4! I thought Knight on f4 was the active piecefor Black which was attacking and defending the position at the same timeso eliminating the active piece at once.. again Nf6+ is still ON.. } 30... exf4 { takes the rook with winning confidence.. White is a piece down! } 31. Qh4 { Qh4! again with brilliant attacking combination and a tactical move againstBlack's King.. Idea Nf6+ followed by Bc3 and Qh6 with Mate Net.. } 31... Bf5 { Tryingto eliminate the knight.. If Knight moves d2+ is ON. But still its problemfor black to save the King-side from strong attack by Knight Rook Queenand Bishop since all the white pieces are actively attacking the black'sking. Time for an attack!! } 32. Nf6+ { Perfect Move in the tough situation.Pawn takes Knight is forced since white can equalize the situation withNxe8.. } 32... gxf6 33. gxf6 { Threat is Qh6! and Qg7#.. Can Black Stop it?? Answeris NO he can't! } 33... d2+ { Desperation since he cannot stop the mate tryingfor a counter play.. } 34. Kb2 Qxf3 { At this point Black should have resigned.. } 35. Rg1+ { Worsens the situation for Black! only good move is Bg6.. } 35... Bg6 36. Qh6 { Qh6!! Final Nail to the coffin for black!! Mate cannot be stopped...;) Hope you enjoyed the game! Cheers!! :D } 1-0

[Event "Sicilian training spree (part 4 and final)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "24-jul-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "opponent4"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2000-"] [TimeControl "no limits"] [WhiteElo "2059"] { three down, one to go: I am doing very well in this small competition;I get to play my favourite opening, the Sicilian: and I get the chanceto battle it... } 1. e4 c5 2. f4 d6 { way too early, to make a decision likethis: one of the tricks in the Sicilian is to not cover c5; d6, is usuallyplayed after e4, c5, Nc3, d6... } 3. Nf3 a6 4. c3 b5 { true to the Sicilian,Black starts to conquer the Queens' wing... } 5. g3 Nf6 6. d3 Bb7 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. Be3 Qb6 { not too accurate: maybe better Ng4 first... } 9. O-O O-O-O { you do not see this often: Black castling long, in the Sicilian; but whynot? } 10. h3 { take out Ng4... } 10... g6 { clever, but a bit late... } 11. Nbd2 Bg7 12. Qc2 { both players have completed development: White - as always- has reached a Grand Prix Attack setup; Blacks' position is solid, butthere still has a lot of work to be done... } 12... h6 { avoiding Ng5... } 13. g4 { relentless... } 13... e6 { preparing d5: a direct d5, would fail on e5; this isnot much better... } 14. Bf2 g5 15. e5 { time to break some tensions... } 15... dxe5 16. fxe5 Nd5 17. Bg3 { avoiding Nf4... } 17... c4+ 18. d4 Ne3 { these are thebreaks... } 19. Qe4 Nxf1 20. Nxf1 Nb4 21. Qe2 Bd5 22. Ne3 f6 23. exf6 Bxf6 24. Nxd5 Nxd5 25. Ne5 { the move, White was waiting for: now, Nf7 is a veryunwelcome move... } 25... Bxe5 26. Bxe5 Rh7 27. Bxd5 Rxd5 { building, on the pinover d4: but that will not hold long... } 28. Rf1 { here is a problem... } 28... Rd8 29. Qe4 Rhd7 30. Rf6 Rd5 31. Rxh6 Rxe5 32. Qxe5 { a clear miscalculationfrom Black: he was loosely counting on Qa8+, Kd7, Rh7+, Kd6, Qf3, Re1+,Kf2, Rb1, Qg3+, Kd5, Qe5+, Kc6, Qxe6+, Rd6, and Whites' attack will nothold with a piece behind... } 32... Rd5 { Black is still building on the pin overd4: and at least, he is saving g5... } 33. Rh8+ Kd7 { a tough decision: afterRd8, Rxd8+, Black has made no progress... } 34. Qg7+ Kc6 35. Rc8+ Kd6 36. Qf8+ Kd7 37. Rd8+ Kc6 38. Rxd5 exd5 39. Qf6+ Kc7 40. Qxg5 Qe6 { just aboutthe only move for Black... } 41. Kf2 { the winning move: from now on, Whitewill try and trade Queens - for instance: Qf7+, Qf5; after that, the freepawns on the Kings' wing are decisive: so Black resigned... } 1-0

[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.02.06"] [Round "-"] [White "coolistdude"] [Black "luckylee"] [Result "1-0"] { Quicky game. Bought a Chromebook and decided to play Gameknot Blitz withit after getting slaughtered by a high rated player. This game has a nicetactical sacrifice/poisoned knight. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 { My openingseems a bit too passive. I'm a bit inexperienced in this line. } 3... Bg7 4. Nbd2 d6 5. e4 c5 { Trying to open up the diagonal of black's dark squaredbishop. } 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. cxd4 Nbd7 8. O-O { +- I like white's position betteras he seems to have more opportunity, but the diagonal is a weakness thatwill need to be addressed in the future especially as pressure on d4 continues. } 8... O-O 9. Nb3 Re8 { Black is a bit cramped. } 10. e5 { ?! Maybe I felt threatenedor wanted to eat some of his clock. I don't think this move is necessarythough. } 10... dxe5 11. dxe5 Nd5 12. e6 { !? blocks black's e pawn in. } 12... fxe6 13. Re1 { Bxg6 is not possible since the pawn protects the d5 knight. } 13... Qb6 14. Ng5 Rf8 { Threatening Qxf2+ } 15. Be3 { Better than Qe2? I'll let you decide!Huzzah! } 15... Nxe3 16. Rxe3 Bxb2 { ? I don't like this move. Although it maintainsthe extra pawn and clears black's doubled pawns, it creates a discoveredthreat for white and removes black's threat on the diagonal. } 17. Rb1 Bd4 18. Rxe6 { I believe this is better than taking the bishop as that allowsblack's queen to get close white's king. } 18... Bxf2+ 19. Kh1 Qd8 20. Nxh7 { !regaining the pawn in an awesome manner } 20... Nb6 { ? Kxh7 is of course instantdeath. 20. ... Kxh7 21. Qh5+ Kg8 22. Qxg6 Kh8 23. Qh7#. 20. Nf6 is betteras Nb6 allows me to do this... } 21. Rxg6+ Kh8 { ?? Kf7 seems to allow aglimmer of hope } 22. Qh5 Bg4 { 22. ... Qd5 fails to Ng5# } 23. Rxg4 { Qxg4is a mistake as Qxd3 gives black a chance. After 23. ... Qe8 24. Qh3 blackhas no way to escape checkmate } 1-0

[Event "A smothered mate in fourteen moves"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "29-Aug-07"] [Round "-"] [White "yotta"] [Black "claespiper"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1522"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1448"] { This game features reactions to phantom threats, a big black center anda blunder that leads to a smothered mate. } 1. e4 { This game is taken froma themed mini-tournament and real play starts with blacks sixth move. Myproper comments will start at move six. Since publication lighttotherighthave commented on a few occasions where my analysis haven't been correct.I have introduced these corrections to the annotation and marked whichare lighttotherights. } 1... e6 { The french defence. Not my favorite but it wasthe theme... } 2. d4 { Standard response. Grab the center while you can... } 2... d5 { Challenge the center. } 3. Nc3 { Bolstering the center. } 3... Nf6 { GivingWhite the choice to defend och stretch... } 4. Bg5 { Choosing to first pinthe knight. } 4... Be7 { Promptly unpinning the knight as well as clearing forcastling. } 5. e5 { Stretching the pawn chain... } 5... Nfd7 { Retreating. } 6. h4 { ... and here the opening gets the name Alekhine-Chatard version of theFrench defence. The general idea is to sacrifice the h-pawn to get a swiftattack going on the king side. White is hoping for BxB, pxB, Qxp and theneither Nh3 or Nf3 forcing the queen to retreat. White now have a half openh-file and can play either Bd3 or Qg4 as a continuation of the attack. } 6... c5 { But Black has other ideas. Challenge the center! This is my first move,but it's still a book move. } 7. Nf3 { White defends the pawn. } 7... Qb6 { Blackhas no plan (at this point) of taking d4 with the pawn. Black instead putmore pressure on d4 hoping to intice white to the exchange pxp, Nxp puttingthe the Black knight on a good square (c5) near the center as well as clearingd7 for the White bishop. } 8. Rb1 { White wastes a move. Black has no intentiontaking on b2. I was surprised to see White react to this phantom threat.In this opening White usually castles queen side as he has more or lesscommitted to a king side attack. Although not a bad move (lighttotherightanalysis), moving the rook takes queen side castling away. } 8... Nc6 { Developinga piece and putting more pressure on d4 (and e5 mind you :-) . I feel confidentat this point knowing I will have a good game. White have reacted to mymoves and have forgot about his king side attack. } 9. b3 { White loosesanother tempo. If he wanted to protect the pawn he should have played thismove directly. Better might have been 9. Bxe7 or 9. Na4 (lighttotherightsanalysis). The king still have two sides on his coffin... } 9... cxd4 { BAM! Isee that I can remove a pawn for free and gladly take it. [Annotation correctedafter lighttotherights comment]. } 10. Ne2 { The coffin now has three sides...Better would have been 10. Bxe7, Na4 or Nb5 (lighttotheright analysis) } 10... Bc5 { The black bishop was marked for destruction, only waiting to be takenon e7 (usually the case in the french defence), forcing the king to guardduty and preventing him from castling. Now the bishop guards d4 AND formsa deadly battery along the g1-a7 diagonal. } 11. h5 { The king side thrustis too little and too late. I rebuff it with... } 11... h6 { ... a pawn stab thatforces the bishop to retreat... } 12. Bh4 { ... to the wrong square. e5 isunder-protected. } 12... Ndxe5 { The knight strikes the free pawn and I proclaimthe center as black territory! :-) } 13. Nd2 { The lid is on the coffin...And I have a knight and a bishop ready for Nd3# or Bxf2# if the opportunityarises! } 13... O-O { I wanted to play d3 trying to force the issue, but couldnot find a good continuation (if you can see one, please comment and helpme improve my game). I choose a waiting move wishing White to move eitherc och g-pawn but expecting 14. Nf4. Any move by the c-pawn allows me toplay Nd3#. Playing 14. g3 allows me to win a piece with 14...d3!. Withthe threat of a smothered mate with Bxf2# White is forced to drop the knight. } 14. c4 { Remind me to use my power of wishing more often :-) d3 is unguarded! } 14... Nd3# { The knight nails the coffin shut! Hope you enjoyed the game. } 0-1

[Event "Trying to Survive vs. a Much Better Opponent"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.08.01"] [Round "-"] [White "hscer"] [Black "hanzelpeter"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2310"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1746"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. Rc1 c6 { A very typical Queen's Gambit position where Black is waiting for Whiteto move the bishop before playing ...dxc4. } 8. Qc2 h6 9. Bh4 Re8 10. a3 a6 { All these moves are common ones in that waiting game over White's LSB. } 11. c5 { White is running out of useful moves in the waiting game, butthis move to end that struggle seems a little fishy. Either 11.Bd3 or 11.cxd5would be better. } 11... e5 { A natural break in the center. } 12. Be2 exd4 13. exd4 Nf8 14. O-O Ne4 15. Bg3 { This felt pretty much forced. If 15.Bxe7Qxe7 Black has the immediate threat of 16...Nxc3 winning a piece. } 15... Nxg3 16. fxg3 { Without the e-pawn to worry about defending, this capture awayfrom the center made sense to open the f-file for the rook. } 16... Bf6 17. Kh1 { Black's last move appears to target the d-pawn, which can be attackeda second time with ...Ne6. Nudging the king over prevents ...Bxd4 frombeing a check, which could end up very useful tactically for Black. (Soperhaps recapturing with the f-pawn wasn't a great idea.) } 17... Rb8 { I wasexpecting continued targeting of the d-pawn with 17...Bg4. I thought maybethe point of this move was to try hit at the b-pawn, although it can simplyadvance at the moment if the b-file were to open. Perhaps Black just wantsto weaken White's queenside pawns generally. } 18. Rcd1 { First I lookedat 18.Bd3 Bg4 19.Qf2 Bxf3 20.Qxf3 Bxd4 21.Qxf7+ Kh8 22.Ne2 Bxb2 23.Nf4Re7 (23...Bxc1?? 24.Ng6+ will win for White) 24.Ng6+ Nxg6 25. Qxg6 Qg826.Rc2 and now both 26...Bf6 and 26...Bxa3 are good for Black. So it startsoff awfully tempting to trade the d4 pawn for the f7 pawn, but Black isnot obliged to do that and seems to be fine even if he plays every expectedmove in the variation. Then I considered 18.Rf2 to double rooks, but ifWhite recaptures on f3 with a rook, a knight capture on d4 becomes bothersome.Then I considered 18.Qd2 to defend the d-pawn, but now ...Bg4 also opensup skewers with ...Bg5. What about 18.h3 which prevents ...Bg4 and couldallow White to liquidate the doubled pawn with g3-g4-g5? It leaves thedark squares around the white king weak and White is already missing theDSB. So I ended up playing 18.Rd1, which also defends the d-pawn and isa slower way to double rooks, but it could still be done if desired. } 18... Bg4 { So Black does play ...Bg4 now and what 18.Rcd1 really means is thatWhite has committed himself to passive defense of the d-pawn. } 19. Ng1 { Since it's now too late to meet the threats on d4 with a counterattackat f7, this knight becomes more important than the LSB. Black's only consistentreply is to give up the two bishops with 19...Bxe2, otherwise I just putthe knight back on f3. 20.Ngxe2 will be forced (20.Ncxe2 Qe7), and Blackhas quite a few options for his 20th move, including 20...Ne6, 20...Qe7,and 20...b6. Those moves are useful at some point no matter what White's19th move; trying to predict what he will do now, at the expense of theknight, seemed unwise. } 19... Be6 { Instead, Black prefers to keep the two bishops. } 20. Nf3 { The knight prefers to be on f3, but it's also worth a shot tooffer a repeat position, even though it's unlikely to be accepted givenour difference in rating. } 20... Bg4 { But there's ...Bg4 again for the secondoccurrence of this position. It could well be Black has no plans to drawand is using a psychological ploy, but there's no reason the same logicfrom White's 19th move would not apply on the 21st move. } 21. Ng1 { Still,I set 21...Bxe2 22.Ngxe2 as a conditional move to let my opponent knowI wasn't expecting the draw. } 21... Bxe2 22. Ngxe2 { Which is what happened.(The conditional moves, not the draw!) } 22... Ne6 { With the d-pawn adequatelydefended (at least for now), White has some opportunity for active undertakings.The queen and the knight on c3 in particular could be put to better use,perhaps the queen on f5 or the knight on a4. A possible point to 23.Qf5would be dropping it to f2 and reinforce the d-pawn and freeing the e2-knightfor another action. If 23.Na4 Black could try to stop the knight from continuingto b6 with 23...Qa5 (24.Nb6 Bd8 and 25.Nd7 Rc8 26.Ne5 fails to 26...Nxd4),but 24.b4, a move that is probably going to be played at some point anyway,would change that. Even from a4, while on the rim, the knight would stillfreeze Black's queenside pawns. However, it weakens e4. } 23. Na4 { Butthe more I looked at it, the more 23...b6 seemed like a strong move worthpreventing. The move Qf5 could come later. But this was the first moveI reconsidered after making but before Black's reply. } 23... Qe7 { Threatening...Nxc5 not only winning a pawn but potentially making a 7th rank invasion--threatsonly possible because of White's previous move. The good news is, withBlack's queen now on e7, I didn't hate ...b6, so moving the knight backfelt okay even though it gives up tempi. (But like I said, I began regretting23.Na4 before Black replied.) } 24. Nac3 Qc7 { Here I became really temptedby 25.Rxf6, even getting to the point of deciding 26.Qf5 would be the bestfollow-up, but decided there wouldn't be enough compensation for the exchange.It would destroy his kingside pawn structure, remove an attacker of d4,and make f5 a nice-looking square for a knight. However, White's piecesare not in very good spots to take advantage of these factors. For instance,the quickest way to get a knight to f5 is to advance the g-pawn (allowingNe2-g3-f5), but the half-open g-file gives Black counterplay against thatpawn. Black also keeps his counterplay down the b-file. Trying to set upthe sacrifice with 25.Qd2 was also considered but found wanting and Blackcould also reply 25...Bg5. White just doesn't have a strong enough positionto sacrifice material. } 25. Na4 { Then I began looking at playing Na4 again.Black's last move seemed to indicate that a ...b6 break was indeed in hisplans, taking his eye off e2 in the process. } 25... Re7 { I thought Black mighttry to double his rooks. The knight on a4 will move back to c3, but Whitehas a move to work with before then. Is it of any use? } 26. Rxf6 { Despiteall my qualms about this sacrifice, I went for it now since Black's queenhas a harder time defending the kingside with a rook on e7. So I went forit instead of passively defending a hopeless position. I wasn't even sureif I would continue 27.g4 or 27.Qf5 or some other way. Hopefully the computercould tell me where I went wrong before this point, even if it was justthe 11.c5 move and maybe the Na4 moves. } 26... gxf6 27. Qf5 { Chose this becauseafter 27.g4 it's much harder for White to protect the king from back rankthreats. If I can last just 10 more moves, this game is a moral victoryfor me. } 27... Ng7 { And already 10 moves was looking wildly optimistic. Thiswas not a move I was expecting, although perhaps it should have been, withWhite's queen and knight attacked simultaneously. } 28. Qf3 Rbe8 29. Nac3 { Having the knight on a4 actually become one reason I went for the sacrifice,because being able to jump to b6 was useful in lines where Black allowsWhite's queen to start checking and tries to escape a draw by running tothe queenside. But it was already time to give up that pipe dream. If Whitecan get to an endgame, perhaps the slightly better pawn structure givesdrawing chances (yeah, right). } 29... Qd7 30. Ng1 Re1 31. h3 Qf5 32. a4 Qxf3 33. gxf3 { Now my pawn structure is a *LOT* better than Black's! } 33... Rxd1 34. Nxd1 Nf5 { White resigns. So I made it 7 more moves after the exchangesacrifice instead of 10. Close enough! } 0-1

[Event "An instructive R&K vs K ending"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.07.05"] [Round "-"] [White "chiefbuffaloo"] [Black "halfairchild"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1609"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1578"] 1. e4 { My opponent played well, but in the end played for a draw when awin was inevitable for White in a R&K vs. K ending. The strategy willbe explained when we get down to R&K vs. K. As a B/C player, I stick toa few openings, only experimenting when playing against players that Iknow I dominate. Here, I chose my standard Scandinavian. The idea isto challenge White from the very first move. } 1... d5 2. exd5 { Black is apawn down, but gets a little lead in development. The gambit of the pawnis temporary. } 2... Nf6 { The Modern Variation. Jack Peters, the IM and LA TimesChess columnist, taught me this opening in a series of private lessons. } 3. Bb5+ { White develops with check. It is a book move. } 3... Bd7 4. Bxd7+ { This, though, is bad. White has made two moves with a piece that is nowabout to vanish from play. A waste of time. After Black retakes, he'llhave two pieces developed to White's none. } 4... Nbxd7 5. Nc3 Nb6 6. d3 { I'mpretty sure a master would find fault with these moves. But Black is wantingto recapture the piece and control the center. Black also worries a bitabout getting castled. } 6... Nbxd5 7. Nf3 Nxc3 { Black makes this move to givehis opponent an ugly pawn formation. The isolated a pawn and the doubledc pawns are liabilities that can provide dividends in the end game. } 8. bxc3 e6 9. O-O Bd6 10. h3 { This looks like a wasted move. 'Every tempicounts!' Jack Peters would say. Black had no threat to occupy g4. } 10... O-O { And Black is comfortable with a lead in development and a better pawnstructure. } 11. Re1 Nd5 { Nice spot for the Knight, if he can rest therea while. } 12. Bd2 Rc8 13. c4 Nf6 { Now maybe it is Black who has wasteda few moves. } 14. Bg5 Be7 { I like this move. Comments anyone? } 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 { I didn't like White's move. } 16. Rb1 b6 17. Qd2 c5 { Black fixes theWhite pawns. } 18. Re4 Rc7 19. Rbe1 Rd7 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21. Rxe5 Rd4 22. R1e3 Rxc4 { Black takes advantage of White's mistake, and grabs a pawn. } 23. Rg3 Rh4 { I don't remember my thinking here. Maybe it was to add a defenderto the Kside? } 24. Reg5 g6 25. Qc3 Rd4 26. Qd2 Rd5 { Black is happy to exchangeto an endgame. } 27. R3g4 h5 28. Rxd5 Qxd5 29. Rh4 Qxa2 30. Qg5 Qa1+ 31. Kh2 Qg7 32. Qe7 Qe5+ 33. g3 Qe2 34. Kg2 Qxc2 { White is playing poorly. } 35. Rxh5 Qxd3 { Black sees that if 35...gxh (PxR), White plays Qg5 and mightdraw by perpetual check. } 36. Rh4 Qd5+ 37. Kh2 Qd8 38. Qxa7 Qb8 39. Qa1 { White threatens mate at h8. } 39... f6 40. Qb1 Kg7 41. Qb5 Rd8 42. Qb1 Qd6 43. Rg4 f5 44. Qb2+ e5 45. Ra4 Rd7 46. Ra8 Rb7 47. Qa2 { It's never easy. } 47... Rf7 48. Qa4 f4 49. Qe4 fxg3+ 50. Kxg3 Qf6 51. f3 Qg5+ 52. Kf2 Qd2+ 53. Qe2 Qxe2+ 54. Kxe2 { It's an easy endgame. } 54... Rb7 55. Rc8 Kf7 56. Rc6 g5 57. Ke3 b5 58. Rxc5 Ke6 59. Ke4 b4 60. Rxe5+ Kf6 61. Rc5 b3 62. Rc6+ Kg7 63. Rc1 b2 64. Rb1 Kf6 65. Ke3 Rb3+ 66. Kf2 Ke5 67. Kg3 Kf5 68. h4 gxh4+ 69. Kxh4 Kf4 70. Kh3 Kxf3 71. Kh4 Ke2 72. Kg4 Kd2 73. Kf4 Kc2 74. Rf1 b1=Q 75. Rxb1 Rxb1 { Here White should have resigned. But he thought he couldget a draw by perpetual check or the 50 move rule. Knowing how to closeout an ending like this is chess 201. (Chess goes all the way to infinity.) The idea is to close off the King's squares, push him to the edge, getyour own King in opposition. As follows. } 76. Ke5 Rb4 { White can no longermove to ranks 1-4. Important to note: Black did not try for a check. } 77. Kd5 Kd3 { The Black King takes 'the opposition' against the White King. When the Kings are one rank apart, and on squares of the same color, asabove, we have 'Opposition.' The King that now has to move is at a bigdisadvantage, because retreat is the only move. } 78. Ke5 Rd4 { This remandsthe White King to 1/4 of the board. } 79. Kf5 Re4 80. Kf6 Kd4 81. Kf5 Kd5 82. Kf6 Re5 { Squeezing. } 83. Kf7 Re6 84. Kf8 Kd6 85. Kf7 Kd7 86. Kf8 Re7 { The desired position. The White King is pinned against the edge of theboard. Any edge will do. Now the finish is very easy. } 87. Kg8 Ke6 88. Kf8 Kf6 89. Kg8 Rf7 90. Kh8 Kg6 91. Kg8 Rf6 { and mate next move. } *

[Event "e4-e5...Nd4 variation..i don't know the name of this variation."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "crielio_criel"] [Black "random player"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "0000"] [TimeControl "blitz game engine at GK"] [WhiteElo "1476"] { this game is one of my most beautiful one.i have this in the GK blitzgame engine,10min...e4-e5 opening. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nd4 { 3.... Nd4!? last time when i have encountered this variation i have beentrapped.. and i lost the game.. } 4. Nxe5 Qg5 { 4. ... Qg5!? very nice attempto destroy my king side..but i counter attack at his king side having acheck at Bxf7!! } 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. Qh5 { 6. Qh5!! here i have challenge himto a queen to queen to defense my horse from the attack his queen..buthe refuse, instead he attack my Qg2!? to have a piece advantage. } 6... Qxg2 7. Rf1 { see here..he have nothing to do.. } 7... Nf6 { 7. ... Nf6?? should takethe 7. ... Qxe4 to have a piece advantage. as have comment by: heinzkat (2202) on 19-Feb-08: I think you somehow missed 7. ... Qxe4 with AT LEAST a perpetual check for Black already. Maybe even more...via 8. Kd1 Qxc2 9. Ke1 Qe4 it's a draw; via 9. Ke1 Qxc1 10. Qd1 Nc2 Black should be winning. } 8. Qh4 Nxc2+ 9. Ke2 Nxa1 10. Nc3 { 10. Nc3!?is a good move to prepare for a check in d5..and probably have a mate inthe later game. } 10... Nc2 11. Nd5+ Kd6 12. Qf4 Qxe4+ 13. Qxe4 Nxe4 14. Nc4+ Kc5 15. Ne5 Kd6 16. f4 Nd4+ 17. Ke3 Kc5 18. Kxe4 d6 19. Nd3+ Kc4 { herehe wants to save his horse..but not quite..because he will be trapped. } 20. Nxc7+ { this position was very brilliant.. } 20... Ne6 21. b3# { as i was sayingthat it is a brilliant position!!! thanks for viewing my annotation! } 1-0

[Event "[R] Fast Ladder"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.02.04"] [Round "-"] [White "tomlib"] [Black "voske"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1241"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<3d"] [WhiteElo "1487"] { This is a Queen's Gambit Declined in which my opponent dropped a Knightearly in the game and I managed to capitilize by capturing pawn after pawneventually arriving in an end game with a huge pawn majority and my opponentresigned rather than wait for me to advance down the board. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Bg5 { I'm not sure why I played 3. Bg5 so early as here butI guess sometimes I like to try out other move orders as an experiment } 3... Be7 { I suspect this is weaker than 3. ... Bb4+ as the pin is not particularlydangerous at this time } 4. e3 d5 5. Nc3 Ne4 { A second move with the Knightforces me to be trade dark square Bishops but I've found that is usuallygood for White in the QGD. } 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Nxe4 { Now if Black recaptureshe has doubled pawns and White a good strong center } 7... O-O { My opponent getshis moves out of sequence here. I'm guessing thinking that the game iscurrently even rather than being down a piece. } 8. Nc3 Qb4 { Without thedark square Bishop this is an impotent threat easily refuted } 9. Qb3 Qxb3 { Up a piece I'm not hesitant to trade Queens but Black's alternatives werenot good. A retreat of the Queen leaves his b-pawn weak and pins the Bishopin place for at least a move or two. } 10. axb3 dxc4 { Now Black allows meto get my pawn structure in order in addition to total dominance of thecenter and a piece to the advantage. I think 10. ... Nc6 is better } 11. bxc4 Nc6 12. Nf3 Bd7 13. Bd3 Rad8 { Black is trying to activate his piecesbut he has one less and a cramped position because of my strong center } 14. O-O Nb4 { An attempt at being active. } 15. Bb1 { I've been watching someof GM games and am less afraid of moves like this now. I didn't want totrade off my Bishop with something like 15. Rfd1 Nxd3 16. Rxd3. This keepsmy Bishop on the potential dangerous b1-h7 diagonal but also makes thea2-g8 diagonal an option down the road. } 15... Bc6 { Again playing actively hopingto double my pawns and weaken my Kingside structure } 16. Ne5 { But, my Knighthas a very nice square and now I'm attacking both the Bishop and the danglinga-pawn } 16... f6 { This move is probably the worst choice as it does not dealwith either of the threats. The only safe square for the Bishop is e8 andmy opponent likely did not want to disconnect his rooks but this doubleshis pawns and loses a pawn as well. Probably better was either 16. ...Be8 or 16. ... a6 } 17. Nxc6 Nxc6 18. Nb5 { Down a piece Black must maintainhis pawns hoping for a storm at the end of the game to gain a draw butnow the pawns are under assault } 18... a6 19. Nxc7 { One gone } 19... Rf7 { Attemptingto trap my Knight but there really are no good moves at this stage. 9.... Rd7 20. c5 is no good. 19. ... e5 20. Ne6 forks the Rooks } 20. Nxe6 { Another pawn } 20... Re8 21. Nc5 Nb4 { Again Black tries to activate but thismove essentially traps the Knight as it can only retreat back to the c6square } 22. Ne4 { Looking at more forks with 23. Nd6 } 22... Rd8 23. c5 { My pawnchain is ridiculously strong } 23... f5 24. Nd6 { A spectacular square from whichmy Knight will be extremely difficult to remove } 24... Rf6 { An empty threat andgiving away yet another pawn. 24. ... Rc7 is probably bettter but thoseRooks are going to have an almost impossible task in getting past my pawnchain } 25. Nxb7 Rd7 26. Nd6 { Back to the womb as it were } 26... g6 { Even theforward Knight doesn't have any attacking prospects at this stage and Blackmust feel strangled } 27. Ba2+ { My plan was something like 27. ... Kf8 28.Bc4 Ra7 29. Ra4 Nc6 30. Rfa1 snatching the a-pawn and clearing the wayfor a storm } 27... Nxa2 { My opponent trades off his attacking Knight } 28. Rxa2 Kf8 { Gives away the a-pawn but after 28. ... Ra7 29. Rfa1 it is gone anyway } 29. Rxa6 Ke7 { While this allows me to trade off one of the Rooks what elsedoes Black really have? } 30. Nc8+ Kf7 31. Rxf6+ Kxf6 32. b4 Rb7 33. Rb1 Rc7 34. Nd6 { Mama, I'm home } 34... h5 35. b5 Ke6 36. b6 { My opponent resignedat this stage as there is no stopping my b-pawn once I get the Rook onthe a-file. Best for Black might be trading his Rook for my Knight anda pawn but it is hopeless. This was a methodical win on my part and I wasparticularly pleased with 15. Bb1 because it is the sort of move I neverwould have made in the past although I'm not sure it was integral to thisvictory. } 1-0

[Event "Pitting Computer vs. Computer"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Clubhouse Games computer"] [Black "GameKnot computer"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1600"] [WhiteElo "hard"] { Today I pitted computer versus computer: I turned on my Nintendo DS withClubhouse Games and loaded the 'Chess' app, and let its CPU play white.Then I went on GameKnot's 'Play Vs. Computer' and I let the CPU play black.Feel free to comment } 1. e4 { White starts with the King Pawn opening (1e4)... } 1... Nf6 { ...and black responds with the Alekhine defense (1 ... Nf6). } 2. Bd3 { This move is not considered a GK opening, but was in the db with2 ... Nc6 as a 100% win for black (2 ... d6 has equal results includingdraw chances, and 2 ... e5 wins for black 63% of the time, with 27% winfor white and 9% draw)... } 2... d5 { ...but this black move was not in the db. } 3. e5 Ng4 { Bringing the KN closer to white's kingside while also attackinge5 } 4. f4 { Pawn push supports e5 } 4... Nc6 { Other N development } 5. h3 { Harassesthe KN } 5... Nh6 6. Bb5 { White, seriously? Playing this four moves ago wouldhave given you more tempo. } 6... e6 { Allows development of the KB } 7. Qh5 { Bringingthe Q out now... } 7... g6 { ...only to be harassed by this... } 8. Qg5 { ...butwhite wants a queen trade. } 8... Qxg5 9. fxg5 { Queen trade occurs now } 9... Nf5 { Accordingto black, this is a good outpost for the KN } 10. Ba4 { Prevents harassmentby ... a6 } 10... Ng3 { Now targeting the h1 rook, what does white do, move itor sac it? } 11. Rh2 { White decides to move it } 11... Bd7 { Allowing a Q-side castle } 12. Ne2 { And now a N trade? } 12... Nxe2 { And black accepts } 13. Kxe2 { But thisallows... } 13... Nd4+ { First Check of the game } 14. Kd3 Bxa4 { B takes B } 15. b3 { Taunting ... Bb5+ } 15... Nxb3 16. axb3 { Pawn for Knight } 16... Bb5+ { Now the BCheck } 17. c4 { And white intercepts } 17... dxc4+ { Not 17 ... Bxc4 18 bxc4 losingthe bishop } 18. Kc3 { King here allows... } 18... Bg7 { ...the fianchetto to g7 } 19. Kd4 { This move looks like a mistake, better is 19 bxc4 eliminatingthe threat of a passed pawn, now black can play 19 ... cxb3 easily andfreely. } 19... cxb3 20. d3 O-O-O+ { Q-side castle for Check } 21. Ke3 Bxe5 { Bishopnow takes pawn freely } 22. Rxa7 { But white now has an active rook } 22... Rxd3+ { A series of Checks that eventually leads to a Checkmate, unless whitedoes something about it } 23. Ke4 Bxh2 { Free rook! } 24. Ra8+ { White wantsthat rook back! } 24... Kd7 25. Re8 { This is a blunder! Best was simply 25 Rxh8 } 25... Rxe8 { Now black's mate is easier } 26. Be3 Rd1 27. Nd2 { Nice try, white,can you do better? } 27... b2 { Passed pawn easily queened if not for the N... } 28. Bc5 { Blunder, now... } 28... Rxd2 { Takes knight, and... } 29. Bf8 { And thislooks like white's 'sporty' way to resign... } 29... b1=Q+ { Queened for Check... } 30. Kf3 Qf5+ { Check... } 31. Ke3 Qf4# { Checkmate! } 0-1

[Event "Australia Day Weekender"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Michael D'Arcy"] [Black "Justin Tan"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2037"] [TimeControl "90 mins + 30 sec/move"] [WhiteElo "1193"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. Nf1 Bf8 14. Ng3 g6 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bd2 { This is all theory. I am used to 16...Bg7 herebut the text makes sense. I am not sure whether of not I should play d4-d5or try to keep the central pawns adjacent } 16... exd4 17. cxd4 c5 18. Qc1 h5 19. Bg5 cxd4 20. Qd2 Qb6 21. Qxd4 Qxd4 22. Nxd4 Bg7 23. Rad1 Rac8 24. Bb1 Nc5 25. f3 Nh7 26. Be3 Na4 { now i am getting pushed around the board. there is no good way to get rid of this knight } 27. Rd2 d5 28. Bf2 Ng5 29. h4 Ne6 30. Kf1 Nxd4 31. Bxd4 Bxd4 32. Rxd4 Nxb2 { I was quite annoyedhere, as I had missed that I can't grab the d pawn due to 33...Rxe1, 34.Kxe1,Rc1+, when the knight controls d1 where I had planned to move the rook! } 33. e5 Rc4 34. Rxc4 bxc4 { now this is very winning for black } 35. f4 c3 { ?? (!). Now the pawns lose their support and coordination } 36. Ne2 Rc8 37. Rc1 Na4 38. Bc2 Nc5 39. Bb1 Na4 40. Bc2 { draw offer } 40... Nb2 41. Bb1 Nc4 42. Kf2 Na3 43. Bd3 c2 44. Ke1 d4 { now i think i should have just takenthe pawns } 45. Kd2 Rd8 46. g3 a5 47. Rf1 Bc6 48. f5 Ba4 49. fxg6 fxg6 50. Rf6 Be8 { Check the computer here, but I think 51.Nf4 should hold. definitelybetter than the move i played } 51. Bxg6 Bxg6 52. Rxg6+ Kh7 { now the rookhas nowhere to go and i can't stop the pawns. 30 seconds left } 53. Rc6 d3 54. Ke3 d2 55. Rc7+ Kg8 { 0-1 } 0-1

[Event "trachess's Leningrad Dutch"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.02.16"] [Round "-"] [White "karatekid"] [Black "slygal"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1645"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1514"] 1. d4 { This game was part of 'trachess's Leningrad Dutch' mini-tournament.The first 4 moves are predetermined to give us a staring position. I wantedto annotate this game to show the resilience of my opponent and how itis possible to maintain a serious attack even after loosing material. } 1... f5 2. g3 d6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 { First 4 moves was preset by trachess'smini-tournament with Leningrad Dutch opening. The game starts with move5. } 5. Bg5 c6 6. d5 { Mistake from karatekid, opening the diagonal for mybishop. So I tell myself, 'That's all I need to win this game! ( or isit? ) } 6... Bxb2 7. Nbd2 Bxa1 8. Qxa1 { I've got a 3 point piece advantage atthis point but... his queen has taken control over my bishop for the longdiagonal. And that positional advantage will disturb me until the endgame. } 8... Nf6 { Only move possible to protect my Rook. ( Don't even think about e5because : 9. dxe6 e.p. ) } 9. dxc6 Nxc6 10. Bh6 { My next move will be amistake, but I want to prevent ... Bg7 } 10... Kf7 11. Ng5+ { Aie! I didn't seethat coming. But It's part of Leningrad weakness for black (Ng5). I'velearn from this mistake. The fact that my Bishop isn't there anymore andthat the white Bishop is occupying h6, I couldn't do h6 as defencive move.Now, he's giving in real pressure on my King side. } 11... Kg8 12. g4 e6 13. gxf5 gxf5 { The pawn I chose for the exchange here is crucial for future defenseagainst his Queen diagonal. I need to keep my pawn on the e column. } 14. Nge4 { This puts more pressure on his Queen diagonal. As you can see, ifhe can clear the diagonal, it's mate with Qg7. } 14... fxe4 15. Nxe4 e5 { Now youcan see the importance of having my pawn to protect the diagonal. } 16. Bg5 Qa5+ { Finally, I feel the pressure going down a little and I got outof having my Knight pinned in front of my Queen by putting him in check. } 17. Nc3 Kf7 18. O-O Rg8 { His King is in a fragile position with his pawnon g missing. } 19. h4 Bf5 20. f4 { More pressure! With this move, he forcesme to weaken my defense of the diagonal and he adds a pressure coming fromhis Rook. } 20... e4 { I couldn't let him have the clear way for his Rook on thef column. But by advancing my pawn, he regains access to the diagonal withhis Queen. } 21. Bxf6 { Nice move! He gains my Knight because I can't takehis Bishop back. If I do... : 21. ... Kxf6 22. Nxe4+ (double check).Wherever I place my King, he comes in with his Queen at Qf6+ which putsme in a very uncomfortable position. } 21... Rg6 { This is an attempt to regaincontrol over the g7 and f6 square to prevent an attack from his Queen. } 22. Bg5 h6 { So, would you say his Bishop is trapped? Let's see... } 23. Nxe4 { If I take his Bishop, he can finally open the f column fxg5 and thatwould pin my Bishop against my King. I would also loose access to the gcolumn for my Rook. And his pawn structure is solidified. } 23... Bxe4 24. Bxe4 Re6 25. f5 Re5 { I can't take his bishop right now because of Qf6+. Fromthere, he can force a threefold draw. } 26. Bxh6 Rg8+ 27. Bg5 { Now thatI'm occupying the g column with my Rook, I can take the Bishop. } 27... Rxe4 28. Qf6+ Ke8 { As you can see, he can't really push his attack further now thatI've placed my pieces at the right place. } 29. Kh1 { I can see he triedto remove the pin on his Bishop. But this Finally gives me an opportunityto attack. } 29... Rxh4+ { Rook sacrifice! (That move opens up the diagonal onhis King) If he takes it, I've got a mate sequence. If he doesn't takeit, he is sure to have some material loss. } 30. Bxh4 { He decides to takeit. Mate in 5 } 30... Qd5+ 31. Rf3 Qd1+ 32. Kh2 Qg1+ 33. Kh3 Qg2# { It's been areal challenge to play karatekid. I had to be very vigilant to avoid histraps. This game was really exiting!!! } 0-1

[Event "I am getting better (Owned!)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "aug 28"] [Round "-"] [White "terris87"] [Black "Bufordtjustice"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "5mins"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 { A game that shows that I am greatly improving, thanks to practiceand a lot of help from comments on my past annotated games. Thanks alland thanks L-d-j for all the help and working with me. This is a very quickgame that ends in resign. } 1... e5 { Back to back king pawns opening } 2. Nf3 { Knight to f3 } 2... Nc6 { black moves knight to c6 } 3. c3 { I prepare to movemy pawn to d4 and also free up the diagonal for my queen. } 3... g6 { I thinkhe is preparing to fianchetto bishop. } 4. Bc4 { I move bishop to c4 afterI notice black's weakness in the middle so I eye down f7 with lsb. } 4... Nf6 { black moves knight to f6 } 5. d4 { I know that I am leaving e4 pawn vulnerablewith this move but my plan is to move knight or bishop to g5 which is badbecause then if ne4 then the knight will be defending g5. which is whatwill happen } 5... exd4 { black pawn take on d4 } 6. cxd4 { I take back on d4 withmy pawn } 6... Nxe4 { Then of course knight takes pawn on e4 } 7. O-O { I castle } 7... Bd6 { black bishop to d6 . Getting ready to castle. Black is desperatelytrying to keep the knight from getting pinned and the king checked thathe is leaving his knight undefended. } 8. Re1 { So I go for the knight withmy rook still pinning the knight. } 8... O-O { Black castle's } 9. Rxe4 { My rooktakes knight on e4 } 9... Re8 { Black moves rook to e8 to take my rook on e4. } 10. Qe1 { I move queen to e file to defend. } 10... Nb4 { I think this is anok move considering the move that would follow. but also a bad move. betterwould be to finish developing black's pieces. } 11. Bg5 { I believe thisis a great move trapping the queen. black's queen can't take bishop obviouslybecause of the f3 knight defending. } 11... Re7 { black rook to e7..I think a bettermove for black would have been pawn to f6. but black had not many options } 12. Bxe7 { I take with my bishop. } 12... Qe8 { Black saves his queen by movingto e8. } 13. Bxd6 { I take black's bishop at the same time threatning black'squeen. } 13... Qd8 { Black moves queen back to d8 } 14. Be7 { I move my bishop backtrying again. } 14... Qe8 { Black does the same. } 15. Bxb4 { So I take black's otherknight. } 15... Qf8 { black queen f8. bad move again. I could take here with mybishop. But I don't know if I missed this or I saw a better move but... } 16. Re8 { I think rook to e8 was a better move. } 16... Qxe8 { queen takes my rook. } 17. Qxe8+ { and I retake with my queen also checking black's king. } 17... Kg7 { Black's king is on the run. It's pretty much lost from here as I thinkof ways to checkmate. } 18. Qxf7+ Kh6 19. Bd2+ Kh5 20. Qd5+ Kg4 21. h3# 1-0

[Event "48th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-Aug-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jornj"] [Black "fletch22"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1380"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1330"] 1. d4 f5 { Bird's. } 2. h3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 { I enjoy this opening. I am oftensuccessful with it. } 4. a3 { I think it is not frequently used and is difficultto attack. } 4... Be7 5. e3 O-O { Mainly because of the quick and efficient opportunityto castle. } 6. Be2 b6 7. Nf3 Bb7 { Fianchetto. } 8. Bb5 c6 9. Ba4 b5 10. Bb3 { His pawn structure is depressingly miserable. (yawn) } 10... Qa5 { 1st waveled by the queen. } 11. O-O b4 12. Ne2 { Immobilizing. } 12... Ne4 { 2nd wave withthe knight. } 13. a4 d5 14. Ne5 Ba6 { Third prong with the bishop. } 15. Re1 Bxe2 16. Qxe2 Bd6 17. Bd2 c5 18. dxc5 { Leaves his knight hanging. } 18... Bxe5 19. Rab1 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 Qxc5 { Retreats with his queen. } 21. Qc1 Nc6 22. Ra1 { He loses a lot of time doing God knows what with his rook. } 22... g5 23. Ra2 a5 24. Qd2 { More lost time with his queen. } 24... Rad8 25. Qe2 h6 26. Rc1 { Again, lost time. } 26... f4 27. Qb5 { Had I not had superior position on theboard my next move could've cost me the game. I was unaware that my queenwas undefended. } 27... fxe3 28. Qxc5 { Ouch. However, my lead pawn is ready tomake white very uncomfortable. } 28... exf2+ 29. Kh1 f1=Q+ 30. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 31. Qg1 Rdf8 32. Ra1 Rxg1+ 33. Kxg1 Nd4 34. Rb1 Nxb3 { Trading away. } 35. cxb3 Rc8 36. Kf1 Rc2 37. Re1 Bxb2 38. Rxe6 Rc1+ 39. Kf2 Bd4+ 40. Kf3 { All overnow. } 40... Rc3+ 41. Kg4 Bg7 42. Rd6 Rxb3 43. Rxd5 Ra3 44. Rxa5 b3 45. Rb5 b2 { Forcing a sacrifice. } 46. Kh5 Ra1 47. Rb8+ Kh7 48. Rxb2 Bxb2 49. g4 Rh1 50. h4 Rxh4# { Toast. } 0-1

[Event "Casual Game, http://www.itsyourturn.com"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.10.13"] [Round "-"] [White "rravanne"] [Black "John Coffey, Chess Player at Lar"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. g3 { Having an extra openingfor the bishop is really unnecessary. } 5... Nc6 { More usual for me would beBd6. } 6. c3 Bd6 7. Bg5 { This costs valuable time when white needsto castle. } 7... O-O 8. Bg2 Re8+ 9. Be3 Ng4 10. Qd2 Nxe3 11. fxe3 { This backwardpawn will be white's undoing. } 11... Ne7 { Obviously better than Na5 12. b3. } 12. O-O Nf5 13. Re1 h5 { Since Black's pieces are aimed toward the kingside,this makes sense. } 14. Qd3 c5 { 14. ... h4 is also good. 15. g4 h3 16.Bxh3 Nh4 with threats and complications. 17. Nxh4?? Qxh4 forks two pieces. 18. e4 dxe4 19. Rxe4 Rxe4 20. Qxe4 Qh4 with powerful threats. } 15. c4 { A tactical blunder. } 15... dxc4 { Now white should try to hang on with Qd2. } 16. Qxc4 { Qd2 was better. } 16... Nxe3 17. Qe2 { 17. Qc3 is just slightly betterbecause black would like to be able to play cxd4 followed by Bc5. } 17... Bd7 { Bf5, Bg4 and cxd4 are also good. } 18. Nc3 { This is the wrong square becauseafter cxd4 threatening the knight, white's options are more limited. Nbd2is better. } 18... cxd4 19. Nxd4 Bc5 { Suddenly things are horrid for white. Now 20. Nb3?? Nxg2+ 21. Kxg2 Bc6+. If instead 21. Nxc5 Rxe2 22. Rxe2Qb6 will eventually win because the pins and material advantage. } 20. Qd3 { 20. Qd2 doesn't seem to be any better after Nxg2. } 20... Nxg2 { Now if 21.Kxg2 Bc6+ 22. Kf1 Qd7! puts white in a world of hurt. } 21. Rxe8+ Bxe8 22. Kxg2 { 22. Nce2 might prolong the agony longer. } 22... Bc6+ 23. Ne4 Qxd4 24. Qxd4 Bxd4 25. Kf3 { If 25. Re1 then Re8. } 25... Re8 0-1

[Event "Blitz: King's Gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.11.13"] [Round "-"] [White "romcyte54"] [Black "bwaa"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "5m + 10s"] 1. e4 { Hey all! Just a quick annotation over lunch; nothing too in-depthbut I thought this would be an enjoyable game to take a look at. Many thanksto my opponent! } 1... e5 2. f4 { The King's Gambit! One of my favorite openingson both sides of the board. It's very rare to see a dull game in this opening. } 2... exf4 { 'The refutation of any gambit begins by accepting it.' Not that Iintend to refute the KG, but at least Mr. Fischer agrees with me that 2...exf4is best. } 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 Bg7 5. d4 { All very by-the-book. I should mentionthat I played several games against this opponent; this was one of thelater ones and the opening was played quite rapidly as we'd already playedit out a couple of times at this point. } 5... h6 { Bolstering g5 in preparationfor developing the KN. This is still standard play in lines where Blackseeks to hold on to the gambit pawn. } 6. Nc3 d6 7. h3 { The first game weplayed, White played 7.Bxf7+?! in this position. I ended up with a crushinglead, and I think this time he was feeling somewhat too cautious. Morecommon are 7.h4, 7.g3, or simply 7.O-O. } 7... Ne7 { Ready to deploy to g6, f5,or maybe c6, depending on how things unfold. } 8. e5 { I probably would havecastled first, but this is still fine. It does make f5 an enticing spotfor Black's Knight, however. } 8... d5 9. Bb5+ { I'm not sure how to feel aboutthis. On the one hand, it invites Black to bottle up his forces with 9...c6,making development slightly more difficult. On the other hand, it doesn'taccomplish a whole lot, and Black's QN frequently ends up aiding on thekingside via d7 anyway, so this check may not accomplish much of anything. } 9... c6 10. Ba4 O-O { I always feel especially daring castling kingside in thisopening. } 11. Bd2 { This Bishop doesn't have many prospects--one of thereasons White usually tries to break up Black's kingside pawn chain earlierthan this. } 11... a5 12. a3 { Preventing the Bishop from getting trapped (by 12...b513.Bb3 a4). } 12... Be6 { This is an ugly spot for the Bishop, but Black intendsto reposition it after dealing with the e-pawn. For now, the Bishop servesmerely as a blockade. } 13. Qe2 { Preparing for queenside castling. } 13... Nf5 { Finally arriving on this comfortable outpost--with the threat of leapingto g3 and winning a crucial exchange as the game heats up and lines beginto open. } 14. O-O-O { ? Overlooking Black's threat. } 14... Ng3 15. Qf2 Nxh1 16. Rxh1 Nd7 { Intending to assist pushed on f6 or c5. } 17. h4 f6 18. hxg5 fxg5 19. Ne2 { Transferring forces to the kingside. White is firmly behind now,so he has to see if he can make Black pay for his overextended kingsidepawns. } 19... b5 { Black responds with a queenside counter. } 20. Bb3 c5 { ?! Questionableat best, but Black really wants to break up White's center and let hisBishops get into the action. } 21. c3 cxd4 { ? Probably 21...Rc8 or 21...c4were better. Remember, this is blitz, and both players are starting torun low on time, but the text gives White some real equalizing chances. } 22. Nexd4 Bf7 { ? Black miscalculates his resources, thinking to respondto 23.e6 with ...Bxd4 and ...Bxe6, but that simply does not work. } 23. e6 Bxd4 24. Nxd4 Bg6 { White has just about equalized. After 25.exd7 Qxd726.Rxh6, White will be in quite good shape. } 25. Bxd5 { ...but time pressuremakes fools of us all. This looks strong--grabbing a pawn and compoundingthe threats against Black's position by striking at the Rook and threatening26.e7+! winning the BQ as well. But Black has a little more time on theclock--enough to find an effective resource. 25.exd7 etc was better andsimpler. } 25... Ne5 { In the face of the multiple threats on the table, this moveisn't obvious--until you notice that the Bd5 is undefended. That fact largelyneutralizes the available threats, and while White will still come outbetter than he was, it's nowhere near the strong position he would havehad by just taking the Knight. Now, not only is Black threatening the Bishop,but his Knight also leers down at d3, ready for a royal fork if given theopportunity. } 26. e7+ { This is still White's best option, I think. } 26... Qxd5 27. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 { At this point, the players are basically equal in materialand have less than a minute on their clocks, but Black's positional advantagesare huge, he's still threatening ...Nd3+, and the WK is suddenly lookingpretty exposed. What is White to do? } 28. Qe2 { Innocuous-looking, but Ithink this actually loses due to the WK's perilous positioning. White hadto deal with the potential fork, but I think the right way to go aboutit was by hiking the King back towards the kingside with 28.Kd1. Certainlyhe's still in some serious trouble, but (time pressure aside) he mightbe able to play to a draw from here if he's careful and gets some goodcounterplay on the kingside. As it stands, I don't see a direct win, butBlack certainly has a strong play... } 28... Qa2 { 0-1. Here White timed out lookingfor a response. The best move looks to be 29.Kd1, where I think White hasenough outstanding threats to keep Black from clamping down on a mate,thanks largely to the heroic Nd4. There are several variations after 29.Kd1,but the gist of them all is that as long as the Nd4 controls b3 and c2,Black can't finish the mate, and he'll have to back off after maybe winninga pawn or two in order to defend his own King. Many thanks to romcyte54for some very enjoyable games; I only regret we didn't get to see thisone through to the end. Comments are much appreciated, and thanks for reading! } 0-1

[Event "Sicilian Dragon"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "14-Nov-06"] [Round "-"] [White "moppa"] [Black "newbrad"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1850"] [TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1774"] 1. e4 { This game was played in Sicilian Dragon mini-tournament, which Ifounded in order to learn something of this opening. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 { This was the initial position of the tournament. } 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 { White chooses a sharp continuation, the Yugoslav Attack. } 7... Nc6 { Black can play 0-0, but my opponent had something different in hismind. } 8. Qd2 Ne5 { !? This is by no means a 'book-move' (as far as I know!).It seems a little suspicious to move queen's knight second time when kingis still in centre and queen bishop in his original square. In my view,the best part of this move is that it should take the game out of well-studiedtheory of the Dragon. } 9. h4 { White's standard plan is to play h4-h5xg6and Bh6, so this move is necessary in many cases. Maybe solid 0-0-0 wouldhave been slightly more accurate, but in this game it would've came sownin exactly the same thing. } 9... a6 { Preparing to advance b-pawn and denyingb5-square from white pieces. Maybe black is trying to keep white's light-squaredbishop out of a2-g8 diagonal, so in case of castling and white playingh4-h5xg6 black can take back with f-pawn, keeping a-file closed. However,I think black should've castled or moved his bishop, since now he dropsbehind in developement. } 10. O-O-O Bd7 11. g4 { White doesn't want to commithis king bishop yet and continues the pawn-storm. } 11... Rc8 { With this naturalmove black shows that he isn't afraid of white's pawn storm and tries tomake nonsense of it by keeping his king in the centre. } 12. h5 { Chancingplan in this stage would make no sense at all } 12... Nc4 { ?! This is a bad move,and I'd like to think that the whole game is just showing how much loseof two tempi effects in the Dragon. After this move, the game transposesin a sharp line of Yugoslav attack with 9.Bc4, with white having two extratempi and black having played h6 instead of 0-0. In the line with 9.Bc4,black often want's to exchange it by ...Ne5 and after white had playedBb3 only then force the exchange with ...Nc4. } 13. Bxc4 { White is happyto part with his king bishop, since he gets quite an attack as compensation. } 13... Rxc4 14. hxg6 fxg6 { Black now hopes to get to castle, move his queen andplay Rc8 } 15. e5 { ! But he never gets the time. White hits in the centreand all of a sudden, black king isn't feeling very safe at all } 15... Nxg4 { Blackobviously can't play 15...dxe5 in view of 16.Ne6, but this sacrifice justcan't give him enough compensation. The alternative ...Ng8 would hardlybe satisfying either. } 16. fxg4 { white has no reason not to take the knight } 16... Bxe5 { 16...Bxg4 would not have frustrated white's plan, although it mayhave been slightly stronger. Now it seems that black gets three pawnsfor the piece and try to exchange pieces and advance his kingside pawns.I felt that although black had sacrificed, I shouldn't give him the initiativefor free, and decided to play actively instead of going passive with 17.Rdg1or something. } 17. Qd3 { This move looks quite modest, but is actually quitegood, since it improves queen with tempo. } 17... Qc8 { Black isn't willing toretreat his active rook, but maybe 17...Qc7 would have been bit safer. } 18. Rxh7 { ! This is what I was planning when I played my last move. } 18... Rxh7 { Black has nothing better } 19. Qxg6+ Rf7 20. Rf1 Bxd4 { A blunder,but black was lost anyway. 20...Bf6 and white has a pleasant choise between21.Ne4 and 21.g5 (I think Ne4 is bit stronger). The problem is, for black,that he just can't step out of the pin and his rook is gone: 20...Kf6 21.Bh6; 20...Bf6 21.Ne4 and white has too much threats, for example Rxf6 followedby Nxd6 pocketing the queen. } 21. Qg8+ { It's mate next move. } 1-0

[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.09.21"] [Round "-"] [White "brettbevans"] [Black "porygon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1606"] [TimeControl "3min"] [WhiteElo "2411"] { Copying the opponent leads to a tactical game like chess 960. And thendouble queen blunders leads to a draw. } 1. Nf3 Nf6 { I always mirror myopponent's nf3 with my nf6 and wait for white to decide the center. } 2. g3 g6 { I don't like to commit to g6 when white hasn't committed to a queenpawn opening, but I decide to mirror white to take them into less familiarterritory. } 3. d4 { and that works out as g6 - bg6 is my main defense inthe queens pawn game. } 3... d5 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O 6. c3 c6 7. Bf4 Bf5 8. Nh4 Nh5 9. Nxf5 Nxf4 10. Nxg7 Nxg2 11. Kxg2 Kxg7 12. Qc2 Qc7 13. Nd2 Nd7 14. e4 e5 15. exd5 exd4 16. dxc6 { and here, 16 automatic moves in, is themoment when I must stop copying to prevent hanging my queen. } 16... Ne5 { Notentirely sure why I choose this over bxc6, but I may of felt c6 was a deadcause and re positioning the knight would be a better option. } 17. cxd4 Ng4 { Down 2 pawns for the position of an odd placed 4th rank knight doesn'tseem worth it. } 18. Rac1 Rac8 19. Nf3 Rfd8 20. h3 Nf6 21. Rfd1 Nd5 22. Ne5 Rd6 23. f4 { I didn't see the fork now available at e3. } 23... bxc6 { so Ichoose a lousy pawn. } 24. h4 { but white didn't see it either, so I gotmy second chance. } 24... Ne3+ 25. Kf3 Nxc2 26. Rxc2 Qa5 27. Rdc1 Qxa2 28. Ke3 Qxb2 { I panicked under the pressure and captured the pawn out of order. } 29. Rxb2 { Everything after this leads to a draw, but taught me that blundersoccur in top levels just the same. } 29... f6 30. Rbc2 fxe5 31. dxe5 Re6 32. Ke4 Kf7 33. g4 Ke7 34. f5 gxf5+ 35. gxf5 Rh6 36. e6 Rxh4+ 37. Ke5 Ra4 38. Rxc6 Ra5+ 39. Kf4 Rxc6 40. Rxc6 Kf6 41. Rc7 Rxf5+ 42. Kg4 Kxe6 43. Rxa7 h5+ 44. Kh4 Kf6 45. Ra6+ Kg7 46. Ra7+ Kh6 47. Ra6+ Kh7 48. Ra7+ Kg8 49. Kg3 Kf8 50. Kh4 Ke8 51. Ra8+ Kd7 52. Rh8 Kc6 53. Rxh5 Rxh5+ 54. Kxh5 1/2-1/2

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "19-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "cognomen"] [Black "kirbde"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1390"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1409"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. d3 Bg4 7. Na4 Bd4 8. Be3 Bxe3 9. fxe3 Bxf3 { There is no reason to capture the knight. Youshould maintain the pin until White plays h3 and then retreat it to d7.Later you might consider Qc8 and Bxh3! } 10. Qxf3 h5 { You should only playthis move if there is a pawn or piece on g3 to attack. Alternatively, itcan support the advance of your knight to g4, but that wouldn't achieveanything in this position. The best move was 0-0, or, if you were feelingadventurous, 10...Qd7 followed by 0-0-0. } 11. d4 { If White had a rook ond1 this would be a good move! } 11... exd4 { If that rook had been on d1, it wouldbe better not to capture. } 12. exd4 Nxd4 13. Qd3 c5 { This is the move thatlost you the game! It weakens your d-pawn, providing an easy target forWhite's heavy pieces. Better to move the knight immediately. } 14. c3 Nc6 15. Qg3 { Targeting both your weak pawns. } 15... g6 { 15...0-0 may be better, butthat weak pawn on d6 is still a problem. Try to avoid backward pawns onopen files. } 16. Rad1 Nxe4 { You could have tried 16...0-0 or 16...Qe7,but I think White is winning whatever you do. } 17. Bxf7+ Ke7 18. Qxg6 b5 19. Qxe4+ Ne5 20. Nxc5 Rf8 21. Ne6 Qb6+ 22. Kh1 Rxf7 23. Qxa8 Rxf1+ 24. Rxf1 Kxe6 25. Qe8+ Kd5 26. Rd1+ Nd3 27. Qxh5+ Ke4 28. Qg6+ Ke3 29. Qxd3+ Kf2 30. Rd2+ Ke1 31. Qe2# 1-0

[Event "1974 Washington Open"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "January 74"] [Round "-"] [White "P Michael"] [Black "R Miller"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1700+"] [WhiteElo "Unrated"] { This was my first ever tournament. I was in the military at the timeand soon to be discharged. I had performed well on base in a simultaneouscompetition and several people encourged me to participate in this tourney. The entry fee was steep (for someone in my financial condition) but Imanaged it ( and no, I did not win a darn thing - although if memory servesI did score 2.5 or 3.0 for the tourney (5 round swiss).) } 1. e4 c5 { AmericanChess had reached new popularity in those days bolstered no doubt by BobbyFischer's triumph at Reykjavik in 1972. However, truthfully, I had toyedwith game while I was in college at Purdue, but I really never played itwith any compassion until I learned that it could help pass the time awayin Southeast Asia. My chess buddy there was from the Phillipines and taughtme a great deal about openings and tactics. } 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 { The poisoned pawn varaition had become ratherwell known by this time, still I thought maybe that that was where my opponentwas heading. } 7... Be7 { Sorry, not this time!! Still a slight sigh of relief,he was using a variation I was somewhat familiar with albeit from the otherside of the board. } 8. Qf3 e5 { Opps, perhaps I spoke too soon. More common(at least at that time) is 8. -----, Qc7 (and it was certainly most familiarto me.) } 9. Nf5 { Ne2 and Nb3 were also available, but I opted for somethingI felt was more aggressive. } 9... Bxf5 { 9. -----, 0-0; 10. Nxe7 ch, Qxe7; 11.0-0-0, ef (11. ----, Be6; 12. f5); 12. Nd5 } 10. exf5 Nc6 11. O-O-O { I generallydo not castle on the Queenside but will not hestitate to do so when I believethe position warrants it. } 11... Qb6 12. g4 Nd4 13. Qg2 { I had intended to putmy King's Bishop here when the time was right. } 13... Rc8 14. fxe5 { This probablywas not the right move, but I wanted to open a line back to the Queensidefor my g5 Bishop. The drawback is that it also lets Black open a lineto my Queenside for his dark squared Bishop. But then, I was also hopingthat I could do something on the Kingside before he did something on theQueenside. } 14... dxe5 15. Bd3 { While this provides additional protection formy c2 square, it also blocks the file for my Rook at d1. } 15... h6 { Forcing theBishop to do what it was going to do anyhow - withdraw to a more usefulposition. } 16. Be3 { While the pin looks attractive, providing additionalsupport to the c3 Knight with Bd2 may have been better, but I thought Iwould be able to take my Queen to the d2 square. } 16... Ba3 17. Na4 { I felt that17. bxa3, Rxc3 would leave me with more problems than I wanted. } 17... Qb4 18. Bxd4 { Exchanging off potential attacking units is sometimes the best defensiveoption. } 18... exd4 { 18. -----, Qxd4?; 19. Bb5 ch or 18. -----, Qxa4; 19.Bxe5 } 19. Rhe1+ Kf8 20. bxa3 { My Knight really had no place to go so exchangingit for the a3 Bishop made sense to me. } 20... Qxa4 21. Qxb7 Qxa3+ 22. Kb1 { Thed file just did not appear attractive to me at the time. Besides I hadno wish to give away a pawn. } 22... Qc5 23. Re5 { This move apparently came asa surprise to my opponent as he now spent a considerable amount of hisclock deciding what to do. As for myself, I was just trying to survive; I knew that if he ever got his Rooks connected I would likely be deadmeat. I briefly considered 23. Qxa6, Nxg4 or 23. Bxa6, Qxc2 ch but I neverexplored these any further at the time, perhaps White has some resourcesavailable after these moves. } 23... Qxe5 { On 23. -----, Qc6 (or Qc7) then 24.Qb4 ch, Kg1; 25. Qxd4 or 23. -----, Qc3; 24. Re7 } 24. Qxc8+ Ne8 25. Bxa6 Kg8 26. Bd3 Kh7 27. h4 Nf6 28. Qc4 Nd5 { 28. -----, Nxg4; 29. Qxf7, Nf6;30. Qg6 ch, Kg8; 31. Bc4 ch, Nd5; 32. f6. And besides my King is on theQueenside. } 29. f6+ g6 30. g5 h5 { 30. -----, hg; 31. h5, Rb1 ch; 32. Ka1with hg to follow or 30. -----, Nc6 ch; 31. Ka1, Nxd1; 32. Qxf7 mate. The text creates a box canyon which will be very important later. } 31. Ka1 Rb8 32. Rb1 Rxb1+ 33. Kxb1 Nc3+ 34. Kc1 { Russell now undertakes a seriesof checks most likely intended to help him address his time control issues- and who knows, maybe White will make a mistake. } 34... Qe1+ 35. Kb2 Qb1+ 36. Ka3 Qc1+ 37. Kb4 Qb2+ 38. Kc5 Qxa2 { Russell takes a pawn and defends againstthe mate at the same time. } 39. Qxa2 Nxa2 40. Kxd4 { I removed his advancedpawn from the board and regained my pawn's superiority. } 40... Nb4 { WHile timecontrol is no longer an issue for Black, his position on the board is. } 41. Kc5 { Played to chase the Knight back from whence it came or forcingit to capture while simultaneously moving my King closer to where it needsto be. } 41... Nxd3+ 42. cxd3 { And the race is on!! } 42... Kg8 { Black may have beenhoping for d4 when his King might have escaped the canyon. } 43. Kd6 Kf8 44. Kd7 { And Black resigns. } 1-0

[Event "A tight game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.05.19"] [Round "-"] [White "cyrano"] [Black "akjoltoy"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2699"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2603"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! GM Cyrano (Afro) asked me to annotate this game andanother against his opponent, Akjoltoy who needs just one rating pointto get to 2700 - wow! I will give the commentary and hopefully somebodycan provide a little deeper analysis, so here goes. Afro opens with 1.e4 and his opponent responds with e6 which is the French Defense. } 1... e6 2. d4 { 3. d4 - pretty standard follow up. } 2... d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 { 4. e5. Thispawn advance is often played by white in the French Defense to exert acramp on black's game. However, black does find some ingenious ways ofgetting round the cramp! } 4... c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 { 6. bxc3 - B for N tradewhich busts up white's queenside pawns. } 6... Ne7 { 6. .... Ne7 - this is theway black usually develops the knight. It then sometimes goes to g6. } 7. Qg4 { 7. Qg4 - with a black bishop not defending g7 white usually attacksit with his queen to try and provoke a weakness in black's castled positionby an impromptu g6. } 7... cxd4 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 { 9. Qxh7 - black has neitherplayed g6 or castled and allowed the WQ to inflict mayhem on his position. It will be interesting to see what counterplay black has to this. } 9... Qc7 10. Ne2 { 10. Ne2 - Afro develops his knight to this square to prevent anasty queen check on c3. } 10... Nbc6 11. f4 dxc3 { 11. .... dxc3 - recovers pawnloss and puts a crimp on Afro's queenside. } 12. Qd3 { 12. Qd3 - back comeshis queen and now that c3 pawn is starting to look vulnerable. } 12... d4 13. Ng3 { 13. Ng3 - clears the way for Afro's white square bishop to develop. } 13... Bd7 14. Rb1 O-O-O 15. Be2 Nf5 16. Nxf5 exf5 17. Bf3 { 17. Bf3- Afro hasstill not yet castled. Instead, after a knight trade he elects to improvethe position of his lsb. } 17... Be6 18. Kf2 { 18. Kf2 - hmm, with the queens stillon he keeps his king in the centre. Interesting. } 18... Qd7 19. g3 Bd5 20. Bxd5 Qxd5 21. Re1 Rd7 22. h4 { 22. h4 - Afro advances his h pawn in order toavoid a rook attack. } 22... Qa2 { 22. .... Qa2 - invasion! } 23. Rb3 Na5 24. Rb4 b6 25. h5 { 25. h5 - Afro pushes on his passed pawn, but he could be leavingit vulnerable to attack. } 25... Kb8 26. h6 Nb7 27. h7 Rgd8 { 27. ...... Rgd8 -instead of tying his KR down to preventing pawn promotion, black electsto double his rooks on the queenside. } 28. Rc4 Rh8 29. Qxf5 { 29. Qxf5 -Black's foremost f pawn drops off and now his rook is en prise. Afro'spasser is now defended by his queen. Hmm, Glenda is often pressed intodefending the peonage during my own games! } 29... Rdd8 30. Qd3 Rxh7 31. Qxh7 Qxc4 { 31. ..... Qxc4 - an interesting trade off and Afro loses his passer. } 32. f5 d3 { 32. ..... d3 and a draw offer. Hmm, at the moment, those twoadvanced black pawns on d3 and c3 are suddenly beginning to look a bitmore menacing than Afro's passers. However, I may be missing something. I hope the Inquest Jury will enlighten me. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "mythosellipseal8's Sicilian, Stiletto Attack CXXI"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2019.09.27"] [Round "-"] [White "rvpop"] [Black "dumbartonbluebir"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1323"] [TimeControl "3d+3d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1133"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Qa5 { The stilleto attack. Dubious reputation } 3. c3 { Preparingd4 } 3... d6 4. a4 Bg4 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. b4 { Blundering a pawn. After 6.... cxb47. cxb4 Qxb4 white has nothing, and still has to defend the pawn on e4 } 6... Qc7 { ? } 7. h3 { Quite unnecessary. Perhaps 0-0 should have been considered,with d4 in mind } 7... Bxb5 8. axb5 cxb4 9. Qb3 a6 10. Qxb4 a5 11. Qd4 Nf6 12. b6 { Look how fast it gets crazy. Should have castled!! } 12... Qc6 13. d3 e5 { Theantipositional thrust e5, a move that has not been refuted to date in theseSicilian type positions } 14. Qe3 a4 { What is the idea behind this move?Perhaps sanity was better with Be7 and 0-0 } 15. g4 { White responds aggressively } 15... Ra6 { Black wants to munch pawns at the expense of his development } 16. Nbd2 { Hanging the pawn on c3 } 16... Rxb6 17. Nc4 Ra6 18. Ba3 { White's developmentis almost complete } 18... d5 { Black breaking in the centre while his developmentis incomplete.....what a recipe! } 19. Ncxe5 { Blunder, as black shows } 19... Qxc3+ 20. Ke2 { No castling now for white. Black should aim to get his king awayfrom the centre quickly } 20... dxe4 21. dxe4 Qc2+ 22. Nd2 { He disregards thisprinciple } 22... Re6 23. Rhc1 Qxe4 { And blunders the queen lol! What does hehave after Nxe4? Yeah....you got that right.... precisely NOTHING!! } 24. Nxe4 Rxe5 25. Rc8+ Kd7 26. Rxb8 Rxe4 27. Rxb7+ Ke6 28. Rb6+ Bd6 29. Rxd6+ Ke5 30. f4# 1-0

[Event "157th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.01.22"] [Round "-"] [White "e4newman"] [Black "colorman"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1533"] [TimeControl "1/172800"] [WhiteElo "1589"] 1. e4 { Matus SLO 34 - 5.0 in Round #1. I need these wins for Round #2because horsekis is moving up. Accelerated dragon Maroczy bind... latershown to be completely faulty. Yuck what a terrible position I get myselfinto. I was lucky to win. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. Be3 { Can't remember why the rush to play 7.Be3 because Be2looks better in hindsight. Must have been worried about that N on d4. Was it ...Nxd4 .Qxd4 Nxe4 or ...Qb6 or ...e5. Even 7.h3 or f3 work outbetter than the text. Maybe I thought I could capture Qxg4 but that leavesmy d4 N unprotected (...Nxd4 9.Qd1 Nc6 and I have initiative plus saved byDSB). Hmmmm, might be better than the mess I got into. So 7...Ng4 isa good move. At least after 10.O-O my R is on an open file. } 7... Ng4 8. Be2 Nxe3 9. fxe3 O-O 10. O-O b6 11. Nxc6 { Again, 11.Nxc6 allows his fianchettoB too much range. Computer says black already has an advantage. Better11.Nf3 or Nb3 to keep control of central squares. After the text playsout to 13.Rad1 I control 7 vs his 5 so 12.Qc2 would have been better. I need threats. } 11... dxc6 12. Qxd8 Rxd8 13. Rad1 { 13.Rad1 maybe this was abad idea. I have too many pawns hanging. His 13...Ba6 proves this becausenow my LSB is protecting a pawn. } 13... Ba6 14. h4 Bxc3 15. bxc3 { Game note:'15.bxc3 now there's a pretty picture'... ending in the uglier 20.e5 lol } 15... Bb7 16. a3 c5 17. Bf3 Ba6 18. Be2 Rab8 19. g4 Bb7 { Game note '19...Bb7 nottoo sure. He really needs f6.' } 20. e5 Rf8 21. g5 { Game note: '21.Rd7would also be strong at some point but I’m finishing off my plan first.' Computer says I blew it because he could have played ...Bc6. Luckily hedidn’t so I jumped on it by move 22.Rd7 and now I start to re-gain equalityof some sort. } 21... Ba6 22. Rd7 Rb7 23. Rxb7 Bxb7 24. Rd1 Bc6 25. h5 { Game note:'25.h5 I control 5 in the centre vs his 3. And 25...Ba4 leaves me morecontrol so I don't find that to be a good move. Especially if he's thinking...Bxc4. His dark squares are weak.' } 25... Ba4 26. Rd2 Bb3 27. h6 { Game note:'So 27.h6 with R lift to come soon. He needs to open his f-file for hisR. But how do I land the final blow?' } 27... f6 28. exf6 { 28.exf6 post gameanalysis computer shows the immediate Rd7 to be much better. Even gxf6followed by Rd7 is better. Anyway, I had the idea of moving my R up soI’m oK. } 28... exf6 29. gxf6 Rxf6 30. Rd8+ Rf8 { Game note: '30...Rf8 I just learnedI need 1 of 2 points from this 2 game match vs colorman in order to tiefor first in this 2nd round. Sadly, I can't figure out a plan to get pastthe current position. I thought advancing my R was the answer, but nowwhat?' } 31. Rd7 Rf7 32. Rd8+ Rf8 33. Rd7 Re8 { Game note: '33...Re8 he breaksthe cat and mouse. I'm not looking for 3 move repetition just can’t figurehow to move forward.' } 34. Rg7+ Kh8 35. Rxa7 { Game note: '35.Rxa7 so I’llgrab this for now.' } 35... Kg8 36. Rg7+ Kf8 { Game note: '36...Kf8 he goofed up.' } 37. Rxh7 Rxe3 38. Kf2 Rxc3 { 38...Rxc3 post game play through and I don’tsee much value in my c3 pawn so he should have considered ...Rh3 ...Kg8. } 39. Rh8+ Kf7 40. Rb8 { 40.Rb8 looking after the game and computer prefers Bf3which I never would have considered but it’s brilliant with the potentialfor c4-f7 fork or 40...Bxc4 41.Rb8 and the h-pawn promotes due to his R beingblocked out. } 40... Bxc4 { 40...Bxc4? He really needed ...Rh3 because my re-captureputs him in check. } 41. Bxc4+ Rxc4 42. h7 Rc2+ 43. Ke1 { 43.Ke1 I almostblew it. Needed to protect the h-file, but it’s a lost cause anyway Iend up with the R advantage. } 43... Rh2 44. h8=Q Rxh8 45. Rxh8 Ke6 46. Rd8 { Gamenote: '46.Rd8 cut off the board so he can’t get over to his Q-side pawns.' } 46... Kf5 47. Rd6 g5 48. Rxb6 g4 49. Rb5 g3 { 49...g3 the computer thinks it seesa mate in 14 lmao. Let’s hope I can win before 14 more moves. } 50. Rxc5+ Kf4 51. a4 Kf3 52. Kf1 { Game note: '52.Kf1 surely he sees it's over.' } 52... g2+ 53. Kg1 Kg3 54. a5 { He resigns 1-0 and I secure at least a tie in thisround of the tournament. Getting ready for round 3!! If I can win theother game against him I take clear first place. } 1-0

[Event "A Dubious Dutch Stonewall"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Anonymous"] [Black "CheapShotFail"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1914"] [TimeControl "40/90; SD/30; I/30"] [WhiteElo "1907"] { So, this is my last-round game from the US Open in Las Vegas. I had justlost 3 winning positions due to time-trouble and lost 1 better positionfor the same reason, so I was itching for a win. My opponent, like me,was playing up, but it seems this may have been the wrong section for them(whereas I came out knowing that I can out-think and out-play expert levelplayers). Anyways enjoy, and hopefully you'll learn or reinforce somethingyou already knew. } 1. d4 d5 { I am currently a fan of the Dutch Stonewallagainst 1. d4, but I've found many anti-Dutch variations annoying, forexample the Staunton gambit, so now I transpose via QGD - Semi Slav - Stonewall. } 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 { Should White have proceeded with 3. cxd5!? Black can simplyrecapture with a nice Rubenstein pawn structure. } 3... c6 4. Nf3 { This was White'sonly chance to keep Black out of the Dutch (should they know I want toplay it or just should they play the variation themselves). 4. e4 keepsthe game a Semi-Slav, but is perfectly fine for Black after 4...dxc4. } 4... f5 { And finally my Stonewall is constructed. Now against cxd5 I respondwith cxd5 (or exd5!? if I'm looking for a risky game for a fast win). White'snext moves demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of the Stonewallposition. } 5. Qc2 { Perhaps 5. Bg5, 5. Bf4, or 5. g3 are superior. It isunclear where the queen belongs at the moment and White is still two stepsaway from castling. } 5... Nf6 6. e3 { A slight bit dubious. Hemming in the DSBis only thematic when the queenside knight is still on b1 and the queenis on d1, that way Ba3 can be organized with b3 and if Qe7 then Bb2 andQc1. Here it just seems like White's DSB is simply inferior. } 6... Bd6 7. b3 O-O { And I have finished my obvious developing moves. Next I must decidewhether I want to continue to develop towards the center or towards oneof the sides of the board. } 8. Bb2 { The only decent square for the DSB,but once again White should consider trying to castle with 8. Bd3 or 8.Be2. Castling queenside is risky since all 3 B to D pawns have moved andBlack can exploit the king rather quickly. } 8... a6 { Playing for 9...b5, a thematicattack to open the c-file, which is better since it is where the queencurrently lies (as well as a pin-able knight). Also discourages cxd5 asNb5 is no longer an option afterwards. } 9. a4 { Stopping b5 but I thinkWhite is overstretching. The b4 hole is hard to deal with, and the multitudeof pawn breaks makes castling queenside impossible (or at least poorlyadvised). } 9... Qe7 { Developing the queen to a natural location as well aspreventing 10. Ba3. Although the 2-Tempo bishop would be technically agood trade for the 1-Tempo bishop, I want to keep my DSB with my pawn structureas it is, especially since his structure is weak on the queenside darksquares. Stockfish recommends 9...a5, but as it doesn't threaten anythingimmediately and makes a future b5 push harder, I opted against it. I alreadyhave plenty of control of b4, and want to respond to cxd5 with cxd5. } 10. Ne5 { First technical mistake of the game. White loses his opening advantagewith this dubious move. The knight move is a prime example of over-stretching:White should be focused on castling and finishing his development. Thismove makes the knight a weakness, and even if he should retreat the knightlater I will have gained a few tempos on his knight moves and have a bettergrip on future e5 maneuvers. } 10... Nbd7 { The obvious reply. Putting scrutinyon the knight on e5 while developing to a completely natural square. } 11. Ne2 { Horribly dubious. White neglects all opening principles with this(and the last) move: don't move a piece twice in the opening, don't retreatunless there is a clear advantage, etc. White once again has left his king2 moves from castling to safety, and this time it's too late. } 11... Bb4+ { Whenyour opponent plays odd moves or passively, you must find a swift tacticalblow. In this case, Black's development is complete aside from the LSBand the a8 rook, so it is here where you must calculate how to punish White'splay. This is the critical position where you must spend time to calculate:I spent about 10-15 minutes ensuring that I had found the best move. Inthis case, the weakness on b4, specifically the a5-e1 diagonal comes backto haunt White. Now he must tread carefully in order to not be crushedquickly. Stockfish eval (-1.1) Depth 23 } 12. Bc3 { White should have considered12. Nc3, allowing the pawn to drop on e5 with hopes that the DSB will becomeactive on the diagonal after Bd3 and 0-0. 12. Bc3 is equally bad, but leavesBlack with some nice positional trump cards even with correct play. } 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Ne4 14. f3 { Here White needed to avoid creating more weaknesses,and although this move does so it is still difficult to recommend anythingbetter. If White does not force the knight to move it is unclear how hewill finish his development, let alone save the e5 pawn. } 14... Nxc3 { Snaggingthe bishop-pair and a pawn. } 15. Nxc3 Qc5 { The punishing move. Here I targetall 3 of White's weaknesses: the e5 pawn, the e3 pawn (thanks to 14. f3),and the c3 knight (indirectly). As they say, loose pieces drop off, andone of those will drop off on the next move. } 16. Qd3 { Allowing Qxe3 wouldbe horrible, so either Qd3 or Qd2 is necessary. } 16... dxc4 17. bxc4 { Not fallingfor 17. Qxc4? Bxc3+ where White can resign with a clear conscience. } 17... Qxe5 { An improper pawn grab. 17...Qa5 was superior, threatening Rd8 followedby Qxe5 where the e3 pawn is falling off soon after. However this movedoes have its perks. Black will be able to secure a space advantage andbeautiful center, all the while keeping White's queenside under question.White is still much worse here. } 18. Rc1 { Forced. 18. Kd2 is just terrible. } 18... Qa5 19. Be2 Rd8 20. Qc2 Qc5 { And now e3 comes under scrutiny again. Insteadof taking on c3 and a4 (20...Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Qxa4) where it is unclear whetherBlack can do anything with the extra pawn as White can calmly castle kingsideand apply pressure to the A and B pawns (Benko gambit-esque). } 21. Kf2 e5 { Creativity at full power: 21. e5! Although it may seem like a naturalmove to simply develop the LSB to e6 and connect the rooks, there is adeeper, more devious purpose to this push: 22...Qxe3! is now being threatened,after which Black wins decisively even if the king retreats: [Dummy move22. a5] 22...Qxe3 (23. Kxe3?? Bc5#)(23. Kf1 Rd2!-+) 23. Ke1 - and blackcan proceed with several plans: 23...b5 to open the queenside, 23...e4to open the center, 23...Be6 to develop and threaten c4, etc. It's alllosing for White. } 22. Rhd1 { My opponent played this move quite quickly:maybe a natural developing move, maybe a response to my threat on e3. Eitherway it stops 22...Qxe3, so I will assume that my opponent was aware ofmy intentions. } 22... Be6 { Unfortunately, I must go with Plan B: develop normallyand win from a superior position. } 23. Bd3 { Dubious, but why?! } 23... g6 { Dubiousmyself?! I calculated the correct continuation, and still kick myself overmissing it: 23...e4! [24. fxe4 f4! 25. Qe2 fxe3+ (-+) and the queen cannotrecapture or it will be won via deflection: 26. Qxe3? Rf8+ 27. Ke2 Bg4+].23. g6 does not lose any advantage but does not gain anything either. Itactually probably slows down any potential kingside play in the future.Either way, you learn from your mistakes. } 24. Qe2 { Logical move to defende3 to allow the White king to flee to safety. } 24... Qe7 { A useful centralizingmove. Allows the queen access to any side of the board and prepares todouble rooks more effectively. } 25. Kg1 { Necessary. 25...Bc5 can now bemet with Kh1. } 25... Bc5 { Played anyways. The bishop cannot be kicked from c5and the weakness on e3 will not be going anywhere without creating furtherweaknesses. } 26. Kh1 Rd7 { Calmly doubling rooks. When it is unclear howto continue the attack, many lower-rated players lash out, but expertsand masters just improve their position. All of White's pieces are optimallydeveloped, and there is no clear plan for White to do anything to attack.I'll just simply improve my last piece and begin the vice-grip. } 27. e4 { Like I said about lower-rated players, White lashes out, violating manyrules (keep pawns on the opposite color as your bishop, advancing pawnscreates weaknesses that cannot be repaired, etc.) and allowing Black tocomplete his vice-grip faster. } 27... f4 { Now Black has a space advantage inthe center and on the kingside. The LSB can support g5-g4 or h5-h4-h3,or itself go to h3 should the g2-pawn move. Be3 is now a powerful ideato increase my grip on the d-file. White is now in, cue the music, direstraits. } 28. g3 { And another mistake of lashing out. g3 does nothingrealistically to help White, but it creates targets for Black to exploit. } 28... Be3 { An important tempo-gainer to allow gxf4 to be met with Bxf4, as wellas to emphasize the weakness of the dark squares in White's position. } 29. Rb1 Rad8 { And calmly finishing development. White, now facing threatson the queenside, kingside, and down the center, attempts to simplify,but it is too late. } 30. Bc2 { 30. Bc2? loses on the spot. Black needs notcapture on d1. } 30... Rd2 { And a piece is lost, thanks to the Bishop on e3. Andas if losing a piece wasn't bad enough, the lasting grip on the White kingis easily losing. Stockfish eval (-8.3) } 31. Qe1 { Wanting to avoid anyunnecessary simplification. At least he follow the rule that when down,try not to trade: it leaves more winning chances. } 31... Rxc2 { Winning the piece.Now 32...Bh3 is threatened. } 32. Rxd8+ { And as quickly as White followsthe rules, he breaks them again: lashing out to simplify. Perhaps he thoughthe would win the pawn on b7, but after 32...Qxd8 33. Rxb7?? Rc1 crushesall hope. Frankly the position is already resignable. } 32... Qxd8 33. Rd1 { Nowseeing the refutation to the pawn-grab, White futily attempts to gain atempo on Black's queen, in lieu of any actual threats. I never know whyplayers like to play these kinds of positions out, it seems absolutelyhopeless and no fun at all. It frankly is disrespectful to a degree (atleast OTB) as it is basically saying that your opponent's time is not valuableand that you think they could mess up a position this winning (Stockfisheval -16.5). At class C or below maybe it would be acceptable, but certainlynot in the Expert section. } 33... Qa5 { Forcing simplification. Slightly betterwas 33...Qg5, but not by much. } 34. Nb1 { Stockfish recommends Ne2 instead,but it's all losing now. } 34... Qxe1+ { I had foreseen the winning combination,so I played it quickly and without mercy. } 35. Rxe1 Bh3 36. Rg1 Bxg1 { Aninaccuracy, a mistake or blunder even. Slowing down would have helped mesee 36...Bg2+! mating by force (37. Rxg2 Rc1+ 38. Rg1 Rxg1#), but to befair this wins quickly as well. } 37. Kxg1 Rc1+ { And my opponent resigned,finally facing the inevitability of their loss. An informative game ofhow to play high-precision chess against a strong but inaccurate opponent.Hope you got something out of this game, and thanks for reading! } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-Jul-07"] [Round "-"] [White "luke666"] [Black "edderball"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1589"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1602"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h4 { Well, I don�t know. Sometimesit�s better a waiting until we have more pieces on the table. } 5... Nbd7 6. Be2 O-O { Black would be confortable with a more desirable 6...e5 and if7.d5 Nc5 wouldmake some room to counter attack white�s structure } 7. h5 { Off course you have to go with your plan, that�s the way } 7... c5 8. hxg6 { Thereis a problem of perspective here, seems like we are eroding black�s structure,but at the same time we are opening some lines for the opponent, like thef column, to win the h column, but the clearvoyance would fail before makinga clear advantage. When there is not a certain perspective sometimes weprefer moves like 8.h6 to stay straight the path of the plan and wait fora psicological result. I don�t say that 8.hxg6 it�s not a good move, infact it�s a good one, but as I said is a perspective view. } 8... fxg6 9. Nf3 { Oh my gosh. Changing plans in middle of the battle would be incongruentwith the soul of chess, but with the human spirit. It seems like 9.d5 isa move with a few more chances, obviously you give the e5 point, but retaine6 and e7 and can try with f4, Nh3 and Qd3 to exploit the king side, andat last the f column is blocked before 0-0-0 } 9... cxd4 { Off course! It doesn�tmatter that there is a three pawn islands, but this position is more desirableto defend the e6 and e7 points } 10. Nxd4 { What kind of openning is thisone? There�s not an easy answer to this question, just one thing remains:one move can change our life... } 10... Ne5 { ... but I don�t think very good thinkingsabout this move. I would like 10...Nc5 against e4 and try to make a freeworld to the beasts living in g7 and c8. At last the white can�t move theb pawn without hazardous results. } 11. Bf4 { What kind of competition weare seeing! It�s like you are saying: 'No, I do the bad move-. No, I dothe worst move-'. For Jesus! Did not see that after 11...Ne4 12.Ne4 Rf4there is no a doubt about the more posible winner } 11... Qc7 { Yesss! Oh gosh!It�s like the football team against us failing a penalty! After this movewhite can reorder the pieces with Ndb5 and Be3 or Bd2 to regain control } 12. Qb3 { Looks very aggresive, but with 12...Ne4 (again) there is an openf column and a weak g7-d4 diagonal to exploit } 12... Qc5 { Well white, as chessplayer, you are a good poker player ;), because black did think that youhad a joker underwear with c5. Now, in this instance, recover power with13.Be3 and the queen has to fly quickly } 13. O-O-O { All right white I�masking you: Do you like that queen in c5? } 13... Nc6 14. Be3 { Ufff! How it�spossible to lose here? Not in this world! } 14... Qe5 { I will call this queen,the Nomad Queen. Because 15.Nf3 and 16.Ng5 she is helping our best attackposition } 15. Nf3 Qe6 16. Ng5 Qe5 { Well Luke, all the planets are aligned,as your head astrologist I say you will destroy some castles. At this timethe a2-g8 diagonal belongs to white } 17. Nd5 { Hey luke, please don�t abandonyour plan in the middle of the battle!! The best of the best of the bestmove is 17.c5! o even the magnificent 17.f4! and the Nomad Queen wouldgo to 17...Qa4, and after 18.c5! there is no time to cry for black. 17.Nd5is not bad, only close our beloved a2-g8 diagonal } 17... Nxd5 18. cxd5 { I like18.Rd5 because leave the hot move c5 alive, and remember the Nomad Queenhas to walk. Off course 18.cxd5 leaves open the c column to the remaininga8 tower } 18... Na5 { Yep, black has the right to give back one punch } 19. Qb4 b6 20. Rxh7 { 20.Nxh7! and keep the attack } 20... Rxf2 { After this move I justonly have to say THANK YOU BLACK! Why are you so comprensive? I did waitfor this moment since the beginning of the times! And the moment of glorycomes when white play 21.Rxg7! How many pieces are very important for black?How many are in good shape? Just the Nomad Queen and the terrible beastin g7. Then, at this moment I say: get out of here black bishop and thanksfor the rook in f2 } 21. Qd2 { What�s up man? Are you crazy? What kind ofdemons did you see? Or it was just a moment of incredible weakness? } 21... Rxg2 { Off course 21...Nc4 would be deffinitive } 22. Nf3 { Noooo, fellow, youstill had 22.Rg7 to rescue some of the board } 22... Qxb2+ { I don�t know aboutyour football club, but, well, it�s like to see Manchester United losingagainst Aston Villa by 0-1 in the last minute, and the last words in ourhead is: 'How I did not see?' } 0-1

[Event "Worcestershire v Shropshire"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "16/11/2019"] [Round "-"] [White "Charles L Higgie"] [Black "Stephen Mellor"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "ECF175"] [TimeControl "40 in 1 Hr 50 + 25 mins + 10 secs"] [WhiteElo "ECF171"] 1. d4 { This was the first Shropshire match in the county championship foryears! I was lucky as my opponent had an 'off' day, after playing the openingbadly he mistakenly grabs a pawn that he would be better advised leavingalone, and pay a heavy price very quickly! } 1... Nf6 { My first match for Shropshirein the County Championships. I was board 5. } 2. c4 { Conventional so far. } 2... c5 { Heading for Benoni type structures. } 3. d5 { I advance. } 3... b5 { He playsthe Benko Gambit. } 4. cxb5 { I take. } 4... a6 { he offers the second pawn. } 5. Nc3 { I protect the pawn. } 5... axb5 { He takes. } 6. Nxb5 { I take back. } 6... Qa5+ { I think this is inaccurate. More usual is Ba6 7. Nc3 transposing intomain lines (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3)reaches exactly the same position. } 7. Nc3 { Forced. } 7... Bb7 { I prefer Ba6here, taking control of the f1-a6 diagonal } 8. Bd2 { Indirectly protectingd5. } 8... e6 { Attacking it again. } 9. e4 { Protecting it again, and developing. } 9... Qc7 { Qb6 is the usual move here, preventing white's next. } 10. Qb3 { Protectingd5 and also eyeing Bb7 } 10... exd5 { He takes } 11. exd5 { I take back. } 11... Qe5+ { Hethrows in a check. } 12. Be2 { I block. } 12... Bxd5 { He takes. } 13. Nxd5 { I takeback. } 13... Nxd5 { Of course, if he takes with the queen, I exchange queens thenBf3 wins. } 14. Nf3 { I develop with tempo } 14... Qe6 { The queen drops back - ofcourse it has to continue to protect the Nd5. } 15. Ng5 { I attack the queenagain. } 15... Qe5 { Queen comes forward. } 16. f4 { Fritz prefers 0-0, but by thisstage white is winning easily - plus 3 after 0-0 or plus 2.88 after 16.f4. } 16... Qd6 { Queen drops back. } 17. Bf3 { Now the Nd5 is doubly pinned! } 17... Qe7+ { He throws in a check. } 18. Kd1 { Now with the threat of Re1 as well asthe threat to his Nd5 he resigns. Fritz prefers 18. Kf1(+5.25) to thismove (+5.13) but it is rather academic. I avoided 18. Kf2? as then blackcan escape with 'only' losing a pawn and exchange with 18.....c4 and if19. Qxc4 Qc5+ 20. Qxc5 Bxc5+, but better is 19. Qb7(+4.81 according toFritz). Many thanks for reading, please leave a comment or two, and ratethe annotation on the star system. Until next time dear reader! } 1-0

[Event "Trapped!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.06.16"] [Round "-"] [White "ryanyu10"] [Black "???"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "???"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "???"] { So, this is a game I played on Gameknot that I only really got the advantagenear the end. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 { The Scotch Game/Gambit, you'veall seen this before. For me, this is my favorite opening. } 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 { Ah, This isn't a really good move. It brings the queen out, and thequeen also has no threat, which means white technically takes the centerright out of blacks hands. Better would be d6 or Nf6. } 5. Qxd4 d6 { Thismove takes back some center control, but not that whole lot. It also stopswhite from playing e5, which almost completely traps the DSB, stops blackfrom even doing the slightest to take back control of the center and alsostops the knight from going to f6. } 6. Bc4 { This is just a simple movewhich develops my LSB, allowing me to castle and also attacking the weakf-pawn. } 6... Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 { Okay, maybe not the best trade-off, but theking is exposed now! } 8. O-O Nf6 9. Bg5 { I'm not letting this knight goany further. Also, I'm almost done with my development. } 9... Be7 10. Nc3 { Yeah,I'm done with my development. This position is fairly equal. I think. } 10... O-O 11. e5 { Ok, this is a fairly offensive move, isn't it? If you can seeI am aiming to land my Queen on e6, forcing the King into a corner, orpinning the rook. } 11... dxe5 { The system marked this as a mistake, dunno why. } 12. Qxe5 Qd6 { Only move to prevent Qxe6. I really don't like Queen trades,for some reason. } 13. Qe2 Qb6 { Now, the Queen eyes down the undefendedb-pawn while giving a small threat to f2. } 14. Rab1 Rad8 15. a4 { The computeranalysis said that we were at a completely equal position. I guess I'dexpect that much. } 15... h6 { Alright, Now he chases my bishop away? It wouldhave been more effective earlier } 16. Be3 Qc6 { Now the Queen is attackingthe g2 square, though leaving the h-pawn wide open. } 17. Rfd1 { I am gettingbored, so I try to enforce a rook exchange. } 17... Rxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Rd8 { Anotherexchange? I guess he had some troubles with rooks in past games. } 19. Rxd8+ Bxd8 20. Bd4 { I don't know what else to do! } 20... Be7 21. Qe5 { The only placeBlack can move his knight is h5, and it is always bad to put knights onthe edges. } 21... a6 { Didn't really get this move, maybe just now he realizedhis pawn was in danger. } 22. f3 { The king always needs a bit of space.Plus, this removes from the pressure given by the queen to g2. } 22... Qd6 { Again,trying to do a queen exchange. I have 3 options here, capture, move toe3 or don't bother with the queen and let it be captured, still enforcingthe exchange but also moving the DSB to e5. } 23. Qe3 { As I mentioned before,I hate Queen exchanges, so I decide to bring my Queen back. The score withthe system stands at +0.01 for me, apparently. } 23... c5 { ... This move forcesme to either take a pawn and gain a slightly worse position or threatenthe Queen, so this really isn't that good. } 24. Be5 Qb6 { Attacking my B-pawnagain, apparently. } 25. Ne2 { Well, That move allowed my knight to actuallymove again so think something better could have been played. } 25... Kf7 26. Kf2 { Yes, I did mirror my opponents move because I really didn't want to thinkat the time I moved. } 26... Bd6 { I don't care, if he wants to exchange, go ahead. } 27. Nf4 Bxe5 28. Qxe5 { At this point in the game, I really started despisingthe Black Queen. If it were somewhere else, I would have been able to captureon e6. } 28... c4+ 29. Kg3 { The system said that this was inaccuracy. I don'tsee anything wrong with this move... Also, this was the only time in thewhole game that I went to negative anything, according to what the analysissaid. } 29... Qc6 { This was also marked as inaccuracy. I don't see anything beneficialto my opponent here... Better would have been g5. } 30. h4 { Pushing pawns! } 30... b6 31. b4 cxb3 32. cxb3 { I really thought that this game would end ina draw at this point. } 32... b5 33. a5 Qd7 34. b4 Nd5 { Now, my opponent goesonto the offensive. } 35. Nd3 Qe7 { Looking at this, what do you think thebest move is? It may not seem like it, but there is a trap here to lurethe opponent into a losing state. } 36. Nc5 { You probably figured this trapout already. It's very thinly hidden, so it should be easy to see. To behonest, I thought a player with a higher rating than mine wouldn't fallfor this trap... } 36... Nxb4 { But they did. This is a really bad blunder. } 37. Qf4+ { A pawn for a knight. } 37... Kg6 38. Qxb4 { This was actually marked as amistake... Well, I guess Qe4+ could be considered better. } 38... Qd6+ 39. f4 e5 { At this point I thought there was no way I could win, only draw, despitethe fact I was a knight up. I needed to eliminate the Queen. Then, I thoughtof something. } 40. f5+ { Since my opponent had been greedy enough to takethe extra pawn and fall into my trap before, I considered he would thistime as well. } 40... Kxf5 { And he did! Taking the pawn was a blunder, makinghim lose his queen. This was a bit more concealed than the last trap. } 41. Qg4+ { This is the finishing move, In which Black's king is forced tomove back to f6, and then with Ne4+, his Queen is gone. He promptly resigned.I hope you enjoyed this! } 41... Kf6 42. Ne4+ Ke7 43. Qxg7+ Ke6 44. Qxh6+ Kd5 45. Nxd6 { Basic continuation. } 1-0

[Event "A long, drawn out ....... victory!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.16"] [Round "-"] [White "dragons3000"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1779"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1659"] 1. d4 { Hi everyone! This is my longest game, albeit by just one move (surpassingthat epic draw against the Master Mater), this time against a fellow ClassB player. Out of a QP opening I went into the middlegame and my positionseemed fairly passive yet again. However, a late pawn push eventuallyproved decisive in my favour. My opponent allowed me to retain one ofmy promoted pawns and played the game out to mate. Gameknot analysis isprovided as follows:- http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=15585965&rnd=0.366394555896965 } 1... d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 { 3. Bf4 - this is actually a themed MT which coversthe Mason's Opening. } 3... c5 4. c3 Qb6 5. Qb3 { 5. Qb3 - offering a queen tradeof which the database suggests it is best to decline. } 5... c4 6. Qc2 Nc6 7. Nbd2 Bg4 { 7. ...... Bg4 - development. } 8. h3 Bh5 9. Ne5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 { 10. Bxe5 - knight trade. } 10... Qc6 11. e3 Bg6 12. Qd1 Nd7 13. Bg3 { 13. Bg3- avoiding N for B trade. } 13... e6 14. Be2 Bd6 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 { 15. ...... Qxd6- after Fou Lenoir emerges a trade of dsbs follows and I am now ready tocastle. } 16. b3 cxb3 17. axb3 { 17. axb3 - pawn trade - I then decided totuck Henry away on the kingside. } 17... O-O 18. O-O { 18. 0-0 - and white followssuite. } 18... a6 19. c4 dxc4 20. bxc4 { 20. bxc4 - another pawn trade. Whitenow has a very strong pawn centre - how on earth does he lose from here? Read on. } 20... b6 21. Bf3 Ra7 22. Qb3 a5 { 22. ..... a5 - however, I do havea passer on the queenside and passed pawns must be pushed! } 23. Be4 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 { 24. Nxe4 - bishop trade. } 24... Qc7 25. Qb5 h6 26. Rfc1 Rc8 27. Rab1 f5 { 27. ..... f5 - after the build up of a lot of pressure on the b andc columns I decide to start a kingside pawn push with this move. } 28. Ng3 Qc6 29. Qb3 { 29. Qb3 - white declines a queen trade and the Wicked Witchof the West lines up on the a2-g1 diagonal, of which Henry is sitting on! } 29... Rac7 30. Ne2 Qd6 31. Nf4 g5 { 31. ..... g5 - another pawn push - must becareful though, it is still the middlegame and Henry is getting ratherdraughty - time for those Medieval Stockings, Glenda! } 32. Nd3 Kf8 33. Rc2 Qe7 { 33. ...... Qe7 - but Glenda decides to snuggle up to him instead,aaah! } 34. Rbc1 h5 35. Qb2 g4 { 35. ...... g4 - the pawn push carries onand now follows a pawn trade. } 36. hxg4 hxg4 37. d5 e5 38. Kf1 Kf7 { 38...... Kf7 - Henry makes room for a black rook to land on the h column. } 39. Rc3 Rh8 40. Ke2 Rh2 { 40. ..... Rh2 - suddenly, a black attack fromnowhere. } 41. g3 f4 42. gxf4 exf4 43. Nxf4 { 43. Nxf4 - a pawn sac but thisdoes open white up a bit and I try to take full advantage of the rook pinon the f2 pawn. } 43... g3 { 43. ...... g3 - like this. } 44. Rf1 Qh4 { 44. ....qh4 - and here comes Glenda! } 45. Qb1 Qg4+ 46. Kd2 gxf2 { 46. ..... gxf2- I now recover my pawn deficit. } 47. Qe4 Nc5 { 47. ..... Nc5 - and nowmy passively placed knight moves to an active square and menaces the WickedWitch of the West. } 48. Qe5 Re7 49. Ne6 Rg2 50. Qf4+ Qxf4 { 50. ..... Qxf4- queen trade, but it does prove advantageous to me. } 51. Nxf4 Ne4+ { 51...... Ne4+ - in between move which puts pressure on white. } 52. Kd3 Rg3 53. Ra3 Nd6 54. Ke2 Nxc4 { 54. .... Nxc4 - the f2 pawn is doomed but atleast I will trade it off for white's c4 pawn, breaking up white's queensidepawns. In fact white has no queenside pawns, only the two centre pawnsare standing and that will not be for long either! } 55. Kxf2 Rgxe3 56. Rxe3 Nxe3 57. Rb1 Nc4 { 57. ..... Nc4 - now that the dust has settled Iam a pawn up and white only has his passed d4 pawn, but white still hasa strong knight so he is still in the game. } 58. Kg3 Rb7 59. Rh1 Kf6 60. Rh6+ Ke5 { 60. ...... Ke5 - Henry makes for the queenside where the twopassers are. } 61. Re6+ Kd4 62. Re1 a4 { 62. ..... a4 - my a pawn, standingon a5 for many moves makes one tentative step towards Glendadom. } 63. Rd1+ Kc5 64. Ne6+ Kd6 { 64. ..... Kd6 - Henry deftly avoids the annoying checksfrom white's rook and knight by hiding behind the white pawn on d5. Sometimesenemy pawns can be very useful shields for kings as the enemy cannot capturetheir own pawns! } 65. Ng5 Ne3 66. Rd3 Nxd5 { 66. .... Nxd5 - I do take offthe d5 pawn and now white has nothing to promote. Meanwhile I am now aclear two pawns up and determined to make it count. } 67. Ra3 b5 68. Ne4+ Kc6 { 68. .... Kc6 - a point worth mentioning here. If you do not wantyour king to be checked by a knight, move him two squares diagonally fromit. You could also put the king one square adjacent but NOT diagonallyadjacent to the knight. It will take a few moves for the knight to manouevreitself to check your king. } 69. Kf3 Ra7 70. Ke2 b4 { 70. .... b4 - the twoblack pawnies now get involved in a race to Glendadom. } 71. Ra1 b3 72. Kd2 a3 { 72. .... a3 - neck and neck! } 73. Kd1 b2 74. Rb1 a2 { 74. .... a2- white must now give up ruinous amounts of material to avoid dealing withGlenda. } 75. Kc2 axb1=Q+ 76. Kxb1 Rb7 77. Nd2 { 77. Nd2 - trying to stopmy remaining pawn from crowning but even if he does, a rook is sufficientto force checkmate. } 77... Nc3+ 78. Kc2 b1=Q+ 79. Kxc3 { 79. Kxc3 - interesting,he keeps the knight on the board but allows Glenda to breathe. She willgive him cause to regret this. } 79... Qb2+ 80. Kd3 Rd7+ 81. Ke4 Qxd2 { 81. ....Qxd2 - white is left with just his king. Now I must avoid the wrong kindof mate! } 82. Ke5 Qd4+ 83. Kf5 Kd5 { 83. .... Kd5 - Henry helps in the drivingback process. The WK will be driven to the h column. } 84. Kg6 Ke5 85. Kg5 Qf4+ { 85. .... Qf4+ - closer and closer. } 86. Kh5 Qg3 87. Kh6 Kf6 { 87....... Kf6 - Henry plays his part well. White was hoping for Qg4 stalemate. Not a chance. White now cops old Matey next move. Both Glenda and therook have a bit of a stand-off about who will deliver the Coup De Grace. Henry plays referee and commands that it is the rook's turn for this royalhonour. Whew, what a marathon! Hope you have had a good read. Bye fornow - Joanne } 88. Kh5 Rh7# 0-1

[Event "Latvian Gambit 6"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.07.05"] [Round "-"] [White "bertinator"] [Black "bwaa"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1666"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1431"] { Hi all! This is just a quick league game in my Latvian Gambit series--Whitedeclines to take either of the proffered pawns, and Black's resulting spatialadvantage on the kingside quickly turns into a monstrous attack. Enjoy! } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 { ?! The key move of the controversial Latvian Gambit.Very rarely seen at high levels, Black gives up a pawn (and usually muchmore) for a lead in space and development. } 3. d3 { Personally, I don'tthink White can safely decline this gambit, especially with such a passivemove. That said, I see this all the time. More widely accepted are 3.Nxe5,3.Bc4 and 3.exf5. } 3... Nc6 { Essentially a waiting move. Black develops andwaits for White to commit to an attack... or not. } 4. Nc3 Bb4 { White isplaying passively, so Black goes immediately on the offensive. } 5. Bd2 Nf6 6. Qe2 { Preparing to castle long. White should be looking for a wayto develop his KB soon, probably to g2 or maybe h3 at this point. } 6... d6 7. O-O-O Qe7 { Black is also looking to castle queenside, to make use of hiskingside spatial advantage. } 8. a3 Bc5 { Black would have nothing to gainby trading off this Bishop on c3 right now. } 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Nd5 { This isan interesting idea, but I still think White should be dealing with hiswoefully undeveloped kingside. } 10... Qf7 11. Bxf6 { ? This gives up the bishop-pair,opens the g-file for Black's Rook, and gives Black doubled f-pawns thatare more of a strength than a weakness. I don't see any justification forthis move--g2-g3 followed by Bh3 is stronger, I think. } 11... gxf6 12. c4 { Blackwas technically threatening to win a pawn on d5, but I think retreatingthe Knight or even giving up the pawn to clear some space would have beenbetter. } 12... O-O-O 13. Qc2 { ? I don't know what this is intended to accomplish.Perhaps White is trying to play Be2 and make some action on the kingside?Even if so, I think he would be better served by playing h3 and g4. Hisposition is hopelessly disjointed right now. } 13... Nd4 { Trading off White'skingside protection and opening c6 for a pawn kick. } 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. Kb1 { The center is in danger of being blasted wide open, and getting theKing off the c-file is good--but putting him on a diagonal with his Queenisn't much better, and White should have other priorities right now! } 15... c6 16. Ne3 { This blocks the Bishop's attack on f2, but I was expecting Nc3at the time--on e3, it will be easily-harassed. White wants to defend hiskingside, but on e3, he will be hard-pressed to defend his actual King! } 16... fxe4 17. Be2 { ? Of all the times to move the Bishop... } 17... exd3 18. Qxd3 f5 { White didn't deal with it early when he had the chance, and now Black'spawn center is formidable. } 19. Rhf1 { White is preoccupied with defendinghis kingside pawns, and they are certainly weak--but Black, for the moment,is not aimed that way. } 19... f4 { After 20.Nc2 Bf5 21.Qd2 Rhg8 White's positionis looking fragile indeed. } 20. Ng4 { ?? White overlooks the royal pin,and will lose in short order. } 20... Bf5 21. Qxf5+ Qxf5+ 22. Ka2 d5 23. cxd5 Rxd5 24. Bc4 Ra5 { ? Here I overlooked the direct route with 24...Qc2 andmate to follow. } 25. f3 Qc2 26. Be6+ Kc7 27. Nxe5 { ?? Not that it matters,but White could have dragged it on a bit longer with 27.Rb1 or 27.Rxd4. } 27... Qxb2# { Many thanks to bertinator for the game! Declining the Latvian Gambitcan have brutal consequences without some very active play--White's forceswere scattered and ineffective throughout the game. Comments on the analysisor the game itself are much appreciated. If you leave a rating, pleasealso comment to let me know what I did well or how I can improve. Thanksfor reading! } 0-1

[Event "Old Indian defence, critical mistake at 25"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "08-Dec-06"] [Round "-"] [White "ssth"] [Black "rpilaud"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1449"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1542"] 1. d4 { When you see d4, you should probably expect c4 as the second move. One of these days, I might learn to recognize all these openings. } 1... Nf6 { Fisher for black. } 2. c4 d6 { The early d6 makes this the Old Indian defense,but it all goes to the same place. } 3. Nc3 g6 4. e3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 { What I like about this opening is that it gives you a lotof options. You can attack with the e pawn, or the c pawn, or you canstay closed and develop the b pawn. Against a weak opponent, this openingseems to work well. In this case, this was not a weak opponent. } 8. Re1 c5 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. Na4 e4 12. Be2 Qxd1 { Sometimes, againsta stronger player, it seems logical to take the queen. But, then again,it simplifies the game for the stronger player, too, and this isn't necessarilygood. I reminded myself to watch the c6 pawn with this note: 13. Bxd1b6 } 13. Rxd1 b6 14. Rb1 Bd7 15. Nc3 Rab8 { I don't think I had a coherentplan in this game. This move seems like a waste, but I suppose, now lookingback, that I wanted to attack the c4 pawn. } 16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. cxd5 f5 18. b3 b5 19. Bb2 Bxb2 20. Rxb2 Rbd8 21. Rc2 { No clear plan, and I waste moves. } 21... Rc8 { 22. Rd-c1 f4 23. Rc2xc5 fxe3 24. Rc5xc8 Rxc8 25. Rxc8 Bxc8 26. fxe3a6 (-1) } 22. f3 exf3 23. gxf3 Rfe8 24. Kf2 b4 25. d6 Re6 { This would beat least the first mistake that causes me to lose. I allow a diagonallystacked rook and king in white squares with the white bishop on the board. Foolish. } 26. Bc4 { He's a good player; he sees it. } 26... Kf8 27. Bxe6 Bxe6 28. e4 fxe4 { I expected him to stack his rooks in the d file. 29. fxe4Ke8 30. Rc-d2 Kd7 } 29. fxe4 Ke8 30. e5 { Instead, he strengthened his dpawn. } 30... Kd7 31. Rdc1 { ... and stacks his rooks in the c file. } 31... Rf8+ 32. Ke3 Bd5 { 33. Rc2xc5 Ke6 34. Rd1 Rf3 35. Kd4 Rf4 36. Ke3 Re4 } 33. Rxc5 Ke6 34. Rd1 Rf3+ 35. Ke2 Be4 36. d7 Rd3 { Desperation: 37. d8=Q Rxd8 38.Rxd8 Kf5 } 37. d8=Q Rxd8 38. Rxd8 Kf5 39. Rd6 Kf4 40. e6 g5 41. e7 Bb1 42. e8=Q Bxa2 43. Rd4# 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.01.21"] [Round "-"] [White "pasha582"] [Black "braavio"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1424"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1575"] 1. e4 c5 2. d3 Nc6 3. Bd2 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. g4 Bg6 7. Nh4 e5 8. Nxg6 { White doubles up black's pawns. } 8... hxg6 9. Nc3 Nge7 10. a3 Qb6 11. b3 Nd4 12. Be3 O-O-O 13. Bg2 f5 14. Bg5 Re8 15. exf5 gxf5 { Undoubled. } 16. Bxe7 { The bishop/knight exchange relieves the knight's defense of d5,where white can push the black queen around a little, and maybe bring somepower down on the king's pawn fortress. } 16... Bxe7 17. Nd5 Qa5+ 18. b4 cxb4 19. axb4 { Now the black pawn at a7 is defenseless. } 19... Qd8 20. Rxa7 Nc6 21. Ra8+ { The rook will keep black's knight pinned until black moves his king. White is only up one pawn at this moment, but it will be easier to traderooks from here. Every even exchange makes white's one pawn more valuable. Finally, black's queen is really boxed in as well. Qd7 is blocked byNb6+. Black will have to spend several moves getting material off theback row--moves white will exploit taking pawns or setting up other costlytrades. } 21... Nb8 22. gxf5 Kd7 { NxB will be followed by BxPb7, or Qg4. Qg4sets up discovered check with Pf6 against whichever piece snapped up theknight. } 23. Nxe7 { White is only ahead two points after the exchange. QxN opens up Qg5. White's undefended bishop could move to e4 to protectthe undefended pawn. Most scenarios look pretty good for white at thispoint. } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.12.02"] [Round "-"] [White "bearwits"] [Black "bogota"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1598"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1528"] 1. e4 { This one saw me wrap up my 1400th win on the best chess site. GameKnot.Bearwits, thank you ! Standard e4, c5. d3, Nc6 opening. My c5 reply I feelgives me options ! } 1... c5 { The Sicilian defence a fav of many former greatplayers. Myself who is a massive fan of it. } 2. d3 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Be2 g6 { I think this is called fianchetto, perhaps those of superior chessknowledge will comment. Any's having the dark squared bishop here is threatening. } 5. O-O Bg7 6. c3 e6 7. h3 Nge7 { Nge7 supports nc6, getting the Knightsworking together can be deadly ! } 8. Bd2 O-O 9. a3 Qb6 { Qb6 ?? Thoughtso myself on reflection. Leaves d6 hanging, do I have a plan ? } 10. b4 cxb4 11. axb4 { Nxb4 ! White can't take or Bxa1, leading to an advantagein piece material. } 11... Nxb4 12. Na3 Nbc6 13. Nc4 Qc7 14. Qc1 { Qc1 ? ThreatingBh3 ! } 14... Re8 { Re1 ! Having my Rook pinned doesn't benefit me ! } 15. Nh2 b6 16. f4 Bb7 { Bb7 ! Both bishops playing a role from afar ! } 17. Qa3 { Qa3?? Move baffled me as does this help white's momentum ? } 17... Red8 18. Rac1 b5 { b5, that Knight was bugging me. Also saw an opportunity for a possibletwo passed pawns. Was I already getting greedy. With the Bishop on g7.White's queenside is looking vacant ! } 19. Ne3 a5 20. d4 Qb6 { White hasto bring a piece over on queenside ! } 21. Rb1 { White has two pieces hanging!! } 21... Ba6 { I'd say time to launch an attack on one of them hanging pieces.I'm sure it say's in books, protect your pieces at all times ?? } 22. Nc4 { knc4 ?? Interesting move, gains what ? } 22... Qc7 23. Ne3 b4 { b4 weaken's white'scentre (attack's the White Queen, although those three musketeers are battlehardened. Open's the door for Bxe2 } 24. Qb3 Bxe2 { Piece advantage ! Bd3coming right up ! } 25. Rfe1 Bd3 26. Rbc1 Bxe4 { Now the threat of white'srook on the e file ain't much of a threat. } 27. Neg4 a4 28. Qc4 Bd5 29. Qf1 { b3 leads to c4 ! light squared bishop then has limited options, Ifeel. } 29... bxc3 30. Bxc3 Nf5 { There's a possible pin that I'm aware of. Rc1on knc6, so that stays put. kne7 tof5 ! Double pronged attack. e6 ! & h4,threatens g2. I'm sure white is feeling somewhat pressurised. } 31. Nf3 a3 32. Ra1 Bxf3 { Ganging up on a piece at times is a smokescreen ! } 33. Qxf3 Ncxd4 34. Rec1 { Blunder !! What is white thinking ? } 34... Qb6 { Missedmove on my part ! Or not ! Checkmate is a possiblity with my two warriorknights ! } 35. Qf2 Ne2+ { At this point white resigns. As kn(5)g3 leadsto significant damage to whites cause. } 36. Kh1 Nfg3+ 37. Qxg3 Nxg3+ 0-1

[Event "Challenge from paul_nicholls"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "27-Aug-06"] [Round "-"] [White "paul_nicholls"] [Black "michael_seymour"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1334"] { My first gameknot.com game with a friend who introduced me to the site. We have played many games in the past and this site will make it easierfor us to play more often! Also my first attempt to annotate a game! } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 { fairly standard type of opening - attacking my pawn anddeveloping a piece. } 2... Nc6 { I could have used the queen's pawn to defendbut chose to develop my Knight instead. } 3. d3 { securing white's King'spawn and opening a diagonal for the black square bishop } 3... d6 { respond inkind } 4. h3 { ? questionable (slow) move. It's only merit is it createsan escape square for the king should he castle on his side. Too earlyto really need that though. Better to developthe queen's knight or oneof his bishops. } 4... Nf6 { I continue to develop my pieces. This gives me bettercoverage of the centre of the board. } 5. Bd2 { still a very conservativedeveloping move for his bishop - only one square. } 5... Be6 { Taking advantageof white's hesitancy I push for more room - usually black does not havethis luxury. } 6. Be2 { Another conservative developing move. } 6... d5 { I decideto press early to try and achieve dominance over the centre. } 7. Nc3 { Atlast the knight comes out. } 7... dxe4 { I go for the pawn exchange. Note thatif white re-captures with his knight it will be unsupported by a pawn whichmakes it vulnerable. } 8. dxe4 Bb4 { Pin that knight to a bishop (and potentiallyhis king). } 9. Nd5 { ??? after being so timid white advances his knightagressively with only a pawn supporting it. It does unmask an attack bythe bishop as well as attacking with his knight. My bishop only has onedefender so I must either retreat, exchange or protect it eg with a pawn. } 9... Bxd2+ { ! I exchange. Note that I have my eye on his lone pawn in the centre. It is also his only support for his knight. Moving a piece into dangerunnecessarily is only wise if you believe you can force the play to youradvantage. } 10. Qxd2 { White completes the exchange but note his lone pawnis now vulnerable to my knight. This wins a pawn and attacks his queenwhilst his advanced knight is vulnerable. One must go! } 10... Nxe4 { I go upby a pawn with more to come. } 11. Qe3 { He counter attacks with his queen,but my bishop can take his knight an then protect mine. } 11... Bxd5 { Up by apawn plus knight. My aim now is to continue to pressurce white now thathe is down. Forcing exchanges until I can queen a pawn is my aim. } 12. Rd1 { White attacks the bishop with a more powerful piece. As long as thebishop has some support (eg my queen) then it is ok (better would be toattack it with a pawn on c4). White has, however, pinned my bishop tomy queen. Note that white's queen side pawns are left quite exposednow. } 12... f5 { I provide more support for my advanced knight with a pawn (thebest support). This relieves my bishop from his defensive role. Firststep in consolidating my advantage. Note that this clears space on f6for my knight to retreat without leaving my centre pawn unsupportable byanother pawn. } 13. g3 { ? weakening pawn move. much better to castle, givinghis rook support and providing some defense given white is down by 4 points. } 13... Nf6 { I decide to use the extra time to extricate my queen from the pin. I first protect my bishop. Note that I could have done so with a knighton b4 but that would be vulnerable to a pawn attack and I would preferwhite leave those pawns unmoved at this stage. } 14. O-O { finally whitegets his defenses in order. } 14... Qe7 { My queen is free! I rejoice! } 15. Qg5 { ?? White decides to pin my knight to my queen, but with the worst possiblepiece. His queen is too valuable for such tasks. Also he is at risk ofbeing cut off and maybe losing his queen altogether. } 15... f4 { I threaten white'salready weakened pawn defense and also trap his queen - the net is notcomplete though. } 16. g4 { ? white attempts to avoid exchanges but thisfurther restricts his queen's potential movements. } 16... O-O-O { queenside castlegets my king away from danger. Also provides added protection for my bishop. I can use this to force exchanges of pieces. } 17. c4 { Finally a pawn attackon the bishop. This should have been done to start with. } 17... Bxf3 { I go forexchanges. Maybe better would have been to retreat to e6 and place furtherpressure on white's queen. The reason I took this approach is the f3 isa perfect spot for a knight (forks king and queen!). } 18. Bxf3 { white retakes. } 18... Nd4 { I now move my knight into position, threatening his bishop. NoteI ensured my knight has pawn support. } 19. Bh1 { White retreats his bishop. It is now going to be very difficult to lure his bishop away from defendingthis square (he has no other diagonals to move away from. } 19... Rhe8 { I providesupport for my queen in case of the need for an exchange. } 20. Rfe1 { pinspawn to queen, but the pawn is unlikely to move off this file. } 20... Ne2+ { !If white captures with his rook (an easy mistake) then black can take white'srook on d1 I had given up on the king/queen fork given the position ofwhite's remaining bishop. } 21. Kf1 Rxd1 { I use this opportunity to forceexchange of rooks. } 22. Rxd1 { white retakes. Note the positioning of white'sbishop, king and rook. His pawn on f2 defends two possible knight forksquares on e3 and g3. } 22... Nd4 { Black's knight retreats to his pawn support. } 23. a3 { pawn move? White should be more concerned about his queen. } 23... Ng8 { Black forces a queen exchange. Any space that the queen can move to isbeing attacked except h5. If Q-h5 then p-g6 wins the queen. This couldbe an easy mistake to make if white were to try and retain his queen andsome chance of a win. } 24. Qxe7 Nxe7 { retake with the knight, not the rookas it leaves the back rank unprotected. } 25. b4 { a pawn push. White maybe attempting to knock down black's kings pawns. } 25... Nc2 { fork of two pawns. Not a big threat in itself but it's a case of continuing to put on pressureand retain the initiative. } 26. Rd3 { A rook is not the best piece to usefor defense. It and the queen are best suited to offense (the rook froma distance). } 26... Rd8 { attack the rook! } 27. Be4 { White then has to commitanother piece to a defensive role. With fewer pieces remaining this willinevitably fail unless black makes a mistake. } 27... Rxd3 { exchange the rookswhich will leave the pawn on a3 undefended. } 28. Bxd3 Nxa3 { and the pawnfalls. } 29. c5 { White is moving the pawn away from danger so his bishopis free to attack the pawn on h7 - a chance to take some initiative. Whitemay not have realised this yet though. } 29... a6 { ? Black has missed the unprotectedpawn and has started a pawn advance with the aim of promotion to a queen. } 30. c6 { ?? White hasn't taken the pawn yet and has offered up his pawnfor naught. Black at this point realises he has the unprotected pawn. } 30... Nxc6 { ! Black is happy to take with his Knight and also force the lossof the white's pawn on b4 in exchange for one pawn on h7 ending up anotherpawn up instead of a pawn down. } 31. Bxh7 Nxb4 32. Bf5+ { White attemptsto take the initiative with an easily evaded checking move. } 32... Kd8 33. Be4 { And now attacks the unprotected pawn. } 33... b5 { which can easily move to safety. Bishops and Knights are nowhere near as useful as rooks in the end gamebecause they are much poorer at protecting or attacking a pawn that isattempting to promote. } 34. h4 { white attempts his own pawn advance onthe other side. Perhaps his last chance. } 34... Nc4 { Black spots the risk andcommits a Knight to the cause. Black is keeping his king free to helpwith pawn promotion, confident that he can manage the g and h pawns withthe knight. } 35. Ke2 { White starts to move his king into action given thereduced risk of mate now. Pawn promotion has clearly become both sidesgoal. } 35... a5 { Until white moves his pawns further black is pursuing promotionas far from the enemy king as possible. } 36. h5 { Here comes white's attempt. } 36... Nd6 { and black's knight is moved into position to block. This also threatenswhite's bishop. } 37. Bg2 { If instead of the bishop fleeing, 37 p-g5 then37 .... Nxe4 38 p-h6 then 38 ... pxh6 39 pxh6 N-f6 still prevents thepawn promoting. If 38 p-g6 then 38 ... K-e8 39 p-h6 pxh6 40 p-h7 K-f2and black's pawn promotion fails again. } 37... a4 38. g5 { white now moves forward. } 38... Nf7 { Black's Knight is moved into position for defense. } 39. g6 Nh6 { Pawnsare easily blocked and with white's bishop on white squares unless hisking can attack the pawn on g7 he is powerless. } 40. f3 { ? White shouldhave moved his King to attempt to prevent the pawn promotion. If he canget his king into the square formed by a4, a1, d1 and d4 then he can stopthe a4 pawn promotion (except for interference from black's knight andother pawn. Alternatively B-h3 then to e6 may stop the advance temporarily. } 40... a3 { Promotion is now inevitable. } 41. Bh3 { White sees a chance to use hisbishop for defense but it will arrive one move too late. } 41... a2 42. Be6 a1=Q { and the pawn is promoted to a queen. } 43. Kf2 Nd3+ 44. Kg2 Qb2+ 45. Kh3 { white continues to retreat } 45... Nf2+ 46. Kh4 Qe2 47. Kg5 { White's king isnow heading towards a trap - it can't retreat any further. } 47... Nh3+ { ?? inan attempt to force an end to the game black makes a mistake. } 48. Bxh3 Qxf3 { Black's capture of the pawn is just an easy way to get to g3 - amating square. } 49. Kh4 { white attempts to protect his bishop with hisking but it is too late. } 49... Qg3# { game over. I hope you enjoyed this annotatedgame. } 0-1

[Event "- - The Stone Wall Project - - Stronger Fortress, But No Such Luck"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.06.13"] [Round "-"] [White "x-machine"] [Black "easy19"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2202"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1467"] { This time around, I was able to hold Freddy off for a lot longer, notgiving anything up until move 23 (a pawn.) However, after losing a secondpawn, things fell apart for me rapidly... } 1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nd2 Be7 5. f4 c5 6. c3 O-O 7. Ngf3 c4 8. Bc2 Nc6 { Once again we cometo the starting position of the tournament's Stonewall games } 9. O-O { Whitecastles, not committing himself into anything too aggressive... } 9... Ng4 { NowBlack, on the other hand... my knee-jerk response of h3 would have beencatastrophic because of Nxe3!, forking White's Queen and Rook. Somethingneeds to be done about that... } 10. Qe1 { Defending the e-pawn. I chosethis over Qe2 because I envisioned the usage of the queen breaking outthrough the short diagonal } 10... f5 { This pawn move was the same move thatlost for me when I played Black, but I can't take advantage of it likeFreddy did... I wonder if he remembered that too when he played this move...:) } 11. h3 { White would prefer that knight to back off... } 11... Nf6 { ...whichhe does. } 12. Ne5 { White heads for his usual knight outpost on e5, oneyou may see a lot in the Stonewall... } 12... Ne4 { ...So why can't Black do thesame? This was the point of Freddy's 10...f5, as the knight is well supported- White can't gain a pawn } 13. Nxe4 { Nevertheless, White decides to getrid of the knight straight away - my main reason being that it stoppedmy Queen going anywhere along the little diagonal that it occupies. Also,I know Freddy has a way of pulling off nasty surprises, and I didn't wantthat. I chose the knight capture over the bishop capture because if I capturedwith the bishop, the knight would have no good place to go! } 13... fxe4 { Thismove keeps the chain from e6 to c4 strong. } 14. Bd2 { I was planning g4next move, to get a pawn storm rolling. Right now 14.g4 Bh4! doesn't lookto appealing, so I prepare to do something about that; 14.Bd2 b5 [not thetext move, however] 15.g5 Bh4 16.Qe2 a5 17.Be1... But it seems too slow,this plan... } 14... Nxe5 15. fxe5 { Freddy initiates a knight exchange, and bothsides have the bishop pair in a not-so-open position (the strongest bishopon the board is the Black dark-square bishop) dxe5 seems to have its meritsas well (White can still have a strong pawn storm kingside) but then Blackcan play d4!, netting him a passed pawn. Besides, this move looks righton account of the b2-e5 pawn chain. } 15... Rxf1+ { This move also opens up thef-file... } 16. Qxf1 { ...and my focus, for just a little bit, was thisf-file. } 16... Bd7 { By the look of it, Freddy seems to be planning the samething (is that the case, though?) } 17. Qe2 { This move prepares Rf1 nextmove - maybe White can make use of the f-file? } 17... Qb6 { Freddy couldn't careless about that f-file! This move targets the b2 pawn, and White needsto do something about it (I've noticed that Black gets more space queensidethan White does kingside... I'm undecided as to which side I would preferwith a Stonewall) } 18. b4 { The most natural way to defend the pawn, andif Black doesn't take en passant White need not worry about that b-pawn... } 18... a5 { ! An unexpected move for me, which I had given no thought to whatsoever- though the plan is simple - Freddy wants his rook in the action, andthere's no way for White to stop that. Also, it allows the c4 pawn to bepassed (a3 wouldn't stop this because it would then get pinned to the a1rook) I had a good long think about this move... and i could see nothingbut passivity. Where can my bishops go, for one - they are a lot worseoff than Freddy's! I had considered Bxe4 here, but I'll end up more thana pawn down; 19.Bxe4? dxe4 20.Qxe4 axb4 21.cxb4 Ra4!; and the b-pawn falls(if Rb1, Rxa2... and a3 doesn't work as the pawn is still pinned to therook) } 19. Kh2 { Then again, allowing the exchange doesn't result in agame-ending combination, so I play a waiting move. Were there better, though?If I knew the problems I would face here, I would have played a3 here...it probably was the better move anyway [by the way, White is in no dangerof losing material, despite Black having higher pressure on b4; 19...axb420.cxb4 Bxb4? 21.Rb1!, and the pin results in the loss of the bishop...okay, Freddy isn't likely to fall for that but you never know! :)] } 19... axb4 20. cxb4 Ra3 { Comment from easy19; 'Time to ramp up the pressure' Thatcomment had me worried, as you could imagine. The rook can't do any damageon a3, and after White's next move Freddy has to retreat it... } 21. Bc1 { ?! But I have the feeling that this was exactly what Freddy wanted. Icommented that he must have some sort of trick up his sleeve, and Freddyreplied 'the trick is you think I have a trick.' Not until I started annotatingthis game did I realise what this meant - White drives away the rook ashe isn't comfortable with where it is, but this move (unless I've missedsomething) loses a pawn... a brilliant move psychologically! So - whatcould I have played instead? Perhaps Bb1... } 21... Ra6 { Freddy retreats therook... though you may have noticed that it wasn't to its original square... } 22. Bd2 { This, and a queen move were the only ones that could have savedb4... } 22... Qa7 { ! But a2 is doomed! There's no use trying to prevent the lossof a pawn, no matter how hard White tries; 23.Bb1 Ra4 24.Qe1 Qb6 25.a3Qa6 26.Bc1 Bxb4 [oh, that cursed pin on the a-pawn!] So now it's a matterof how Black wants to lose his pawn... } 23. Bxe4 { !? Make that how tolose his point! That bishop really wasn't doing much for me anyway, soI decided to take the time to be rid of it, and Freddy's passed pawn. Thismove was also influenced by my thinking earlier, where I had consideredthis sac. After this move was played, Freddy suggested an alternative linestarting with 23.a4 [though the line was lost in the comments... I rememberit ended with White's rook on f1 and Black's rook on a1... but it doesgive up the a-pawn, which remains a target of Black's attack] } 23... dxe4 24. Qxc4 b5 { Freddy wastes no time in attacking the queen... } 25. Qb3 Ra3 { And once again... } 26. Qc2 { It was a choice between this and Qb2 to me.I chose this one for two reasons; a) It targets the e4 pawn and b) Thewhite queen might have counter-attacking opportunities along teh c-file. } 26... Qa8 { Another option would have been Rd3, and that was the move that Iwas expecting... } 27. Bc3 { ? Perhaps that was why I went with this move.I saw that Freddy may have the idea of Bc6-Bd5... } 27... Bc6 28. Bb2 { And itdoes prevent the loss of the a2 pawn - 28...Rxa2?? 29.Rxa2 Qxa2 30.Qxc6Qxb2 31.Qxe6+ and suddenly White has counterplay... but what about thee3 pawn? } 28... Rxe3 { oops... } 29. a3 { at the very least, I can try to keepthe rook contained so that it can't do any more damage... } 29... Bh4 { With somuch action going on queenside, Freddy switches tricks and goes after thekingside, where my king is... } 30. Qc5 { White must have some sort of counterplay,surely! Actually, this turns out to be the last aggressive move that Imake... } 30... Bg3+ { I saw this move... } 31. Kg1 Re2 { but I didn't see thismove - I guessed Freddy would play Re1+, forcing off the rooks, but thisturns out to be a lot more effective... } 32. Rb1 { Ra2 and Bc2 both leadto Re1 mate, and I preferred this move over Bc3, which blocks an escaperoute for my queen. Though I have saved my bishop... } 32... e3 { ! I'm aboutto lose my king - mate is now unavoidable whatever White does. The mainline would be 33.a4 Rxg2+ 34.Kh1 Rh2+ 35.Kg1 Rh1#. There is a puzzle onthis position, but I removed my queen as there were too many variationsand the mate in 5 turned into a mate in 4... My first quick look in theposition showed 33...Rxg2+ 34.Kh1 Rxb2+ 35.Kg1 Rxb1#... } 33. Bc1 { so Iplayed this to block the mating route after Rxb1, but it allows a quickermate... not that it matters, the end result is still the same... } 33... Re1# { Overall, an interesting game and I did hold out for quite a bit beforeI got Freddied :) } 0-1

[Event "How to win against offbeat defenses"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.30"] [Round "-"] [White "nyctalop"] [Black "rocowo"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1673"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1798"] { This game features the Fajarowicz, an obscure line in the Budapest Gambit.The gambit itself might not be as sound as other gambits, like the Benkoor the Staunton Gambit but up to a certain level it's playable, especiallysince Black will be the better prepared player, having played it much moreoften than White. } 1. d4 { In my OTB experience, I have played exclusively1.e4. I like open position with attacking prospects and I don't mind givingcounter-chances as long as there is lively piece play. Closed games arevery much different. It's much harder to organize an early attack againstthe Black King in case Black plays something wrong and very often mostof your play will be on the Q-side. That's just not my style but in correspondence,it's much easier and a lot better to have a wider opening repertoire sinceit will be difficult for opponents to prepare special lines against you. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e5 { I think this was my first serious game in the Budapest. Theonly previous knowledge I had of the line was some NiC articles and a fewblitz games with a club mate. } 3. dxe5 { Not taking the pawn gives Blacka very easy game. } 3... Ne4 { 3...Ng4 is the main move, hitting both the e5 pawnand f2. This is less critical and gives White extra options to limit Black'searly initiative. } 4. a3 { Preventing a very disruptive check on b4. Sincethe e5 pawn isn't under direct threat, White can play this quiet move.Also in case the Black Bishop should come to c5, b4 could be played withtempo to drive it back from the good diagonal, provided that f2 is defended,of course. } 4... Qh4 { Threatening mate in one. Still such kind of empty attacksdon't justify sacrificing a pawn, especially since the Queen is ratherexposed now and can provided 'free' moves for any White piece that attacksit. } 5. g3 { The other move was 5.Nh3 but that would leave the e5 pawn withouta good defender. } 5... Qh5 6. Qd5 { I couldn't find this move in GK databasebut I did find it in my own database. It's less played than 6.Bg2, whichgives back the pawn for initiative. It scored 90% in 5 games, just slightlybellow 6.Bg2. Needless to say I like it more because of aesthetics. A Queenin the center is very powerful, even in the opening, if it is on a securespot that can't be attacked by the enemy pieces. } 6... Qf5 { Black moves hisQueen again, to protect the Ne4 and to threaten f2 once more. Three consecutiveQueen moves in the opening can't promise anything good. } 7. f4 { Bolsteringe5 and shutting the Queen off from any more threats. There is a drawbackto this move and Black exploits it at once. } 7... Bc5 { Not much of a threatnow since at best Black can give a check to uncastle the White King ortrade two light pieces for a Rook, which is a bad trade even if you'renot a pawn down. } 8. Bg2 { Protecting the Rh1 and attacking the Ne4. Sinceg3 was played this is a nice cosy place to put the Bishop. } 8... Nf2 { Blackcould have also played 8...Bf2+ 9.Kf1 Nc5 10.Kxf2 Nb3, trying to exploitWhite's 4th and capture the unprotected Rook. But White can use again theprecarious position of the Qf5 and play 11.Be4 Qe6 12.Be3 Nxa1 13.Nd2 andthe Knight is going to be captured soon. } 9. Qxc5 Nxh1 10. Bxh1 { Black'slittle flurry of activity is over and he is material down and undeveloped. } 10... d6 { Using the pin on the fifth rank to gain a tempo on the White Queenand undermine e5. } 11. Qe3 { I didn't want to play 11.Qxc7, although objectivelyit might be the strongest move because I didn't want to sharpen the positionany further since I was material up. } 11... O-O 12. Be4 { Blocking the e-fileand targeting h7. } 12... Qh5 13. Nf3 dxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxh2 { I was happy to tradea pawn for development and especially a pawn on a file that could be usedfor a castle assault. } 15. Nc3 c6 { Blocking the long white diagonal andcontrolling d5. } 16. f5 { Trying to take advantage of my advanced pawn towedge the Bishop in, since now that c6 is played, it doesn't have any activesquare to develop. The f5 pawn could also serve as a kamikaze against thecastled position of the Black King. I'm also preparing to bring my Bc1into play. } 16... Re8 { Perhaps 16...f6 would have been slightly better but Blackwanted to play something more active. } 17. Ng4 { The poor Black Queen seemstranded on the K-side not really attacking anything just lost in a seaof White pieces. } 17... Qh5 18. Qf4 Nd7 19. Be3 { I was hurrying to castle longand missed the best move, 19.Bf3! trapping the stranded damsel on the h-file. } 19... Nb6 { Besides the material deficit, Black has a very cramped position andis having serious problems just completing normal development. } 20. O-O-O { Now that the Rook can come to h1, Black has to make room for his ladyto rejoin the main bulk of the remaining army. } 20... f6 21. Rh1 { Finally punishingBlack for taking the h-pawn. } 21... Qf7 { But now the Queen is in another perilousspot, on the same diagonal with the King. } 22. Bxb6 { So I execute a shortcombination to give material back to have a direct attack on the King. } 22... axb6 23. Nd5 { Black must have seen this is coming after 22.Nxb6 but therewasn't much he could do about it. The Knight is untouchable because ofthe subsequent pin on the Queen. } 23... Rxe4 { Better was 23...Kh8 but that wouldonly prolong resistance. } 24. Ndxf6+ { An intermediate move to destroy thepawn shelter of the Black monarch. } 24... gxf6 25. Qxe4 { Black's two remainingpieces are still on their starting squares after 25 moves, his King's castleis full of holes and on top of it all a Queen for is threatened. } 25... Qg7 { Savesthe Queen but allows a forced mate. } 26. Qe8+ Qf8 27. Nxf6+ { The forcedmate line runs like this 27...Kg7 (27...Kh8 28.Qxf8#) 28.Rxh7+ Kxf6 29.Qxf8+Ke5 (29...Kg5 30.Rg7+ and 31.Qh8#) 30.Qe7+ Kxf5 (30...Kd4 31.Rh4#; 30...Be631.Qxe6+ Kd4 32.Rh4+ Kc5 33.Qe7#) 31.Rh5+ Kg6 (31...Kg4 32.Qh4#) 32.Rg5+Kh6 33.Qg7#. The first game I won with White where I didn't move my e-pawn. } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.07.21"] [Round "-"] [White "danielekan"] [Black "lucasaba"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Nf5 d6 7. Bg5 Qb6 8. Rb1 { ([15:-0.10] 8. Rb1 Nxe4 9. Nxg7+ Bxg7 10. Nxe4 Qb4+ 11. Nc3 Nd412. Be3 O-O 13. a3 Qc5 14. Bd3 f5 15. Nb5 e4 16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Bxd4 Qxd4=) ([15:+0.99] 8. Bxf6 Bxf5 9. exf5 gxf6 10. Nd5 Qa5+ 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 O-O-O 13. Bd3 h5 14. Kc3 Rg8 15. Be4 Be7 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 +/-) } 8... Nxe4 9. Nxg7+ Bxg7 10. Nxe4 Qb4+ 11. Nd2 Be6 { ([15:+1.03] 11. ... Be6 12. c3Qg4 13. Qxg4 Bxg4 14. Ne4 d5 15. Nd6+ Kd7 16. Nxb7 Rab8 17. Nc5+ Kd6 18.Be3 Bf5 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Nxd3 +/-) ([15:-0.23] 11. ... h6 12. c3 Qg4 13.Qxg4 Bxg4 14. Bh4 d5 15. Bd3 e4 16. Bb5 O-O 17. O-O =) } 12. c3 Qb6 13. Nc4 Qc5 { ([15:+2.56] 13. ... Qc5 14. b4 Qd5 15. Nxd6+ Kf8 16. Qxd5 Bxd517. c4 Be6 18. Nxb7 h6 19. Be3 Ke7 20. Nc5 Rad8 21. Bd3 +-) ([15:+1.25]13. ... Bxc4 14. Bxc4 Qc7 15. O-O Qd7 16. Re1 f6 17. Qh5+ Kd8 18. Bh4 Kc719. Bf7 Rac8 20. Bd5 Kb8 21. Re4 +/-) } 14. Nxd6+ Kf8 15. Ne4 Qd5 16. Qc2 Qxa2 17. Bd3 Bf5 18. O-O h6 19. Bh4 f6 { ([13:+2.77] 19. ... f6 20. Nxf6Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Qe6 22. Nh5 Qg4 23. Qd6+ Kf7 24. Qc7+ Kg6 25. Qxg7+ Kxh526. Qxb7 Rab8 27. Qxc6 Kxh4 +-) ([13:+1.71] 19. ... Qa5 20. Nd6 Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Qc7 22. f4 Kg8 23. fxe5 Bxe5 24. Bg3 Qxd6 25. Qxd6 Bxd6 26. Bxd6 +-) } 20. Nxf6 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Qe6 22. Ne4 Kf7 { ([13:+6.81] 22. ... Kf7 23. f4Rhe8 24. f5 Qb3 25. f6 Qb6+ 26. Bf2 Qd8 27. Nd6+ Kf8 28. fxg7+ Kxg7 29.Nxe8+ Qxe8 30. Qd6 Rd8 +-) ([13:+3.54] 22. ... Qf7 23. Nd6 Qe6 24. Nxb7Kg8 25. Qe4 Rf8 26. Nc5 Qd6 27. Qc4+ Kh7 28. Rbd1 Qg6 29. Qe4 Qxe4 30.Nxe4 +-) } 23. Nd6+ { ([13:+3.25] 23. Nd6+ Kg8 24. Nxb7 Bf8 25. Rfd1 Rh726. Qb5 Rb8 27. Nd8 Rxb5 28. Nxe6 Rbb7 29. Nxf8 Kxf8 +-) ([13:+6.98] 23.f4 Kg8 24. Nf6+ Kf8 25. fxe5 Nxe5 26. Nd5+ Kg8 27. Ne7+ Qxe7 28. Qd5+ Qf729. Rxf7 Nxf7 30. Qxb7 Re8 31. Qxa7 +-) } 23... Kg8 24. Qc4 { ([15:+2.25] 24. Qc4Qxc4 25. Nxc4 Kh7 26. Rbd1 Rhf8 27. Nd6 Rab8 28. Rfe1 a5 29. Rd5 Bf6 30.Bg3 Rbd8 31. Red1 +-) ([15:+3.26] 24. Nxb7 Bf8 25. Rfd1 Rh7 26. Nd6 Rb827. Ne4 Rf7 28. Kh1 a5 29. Rd2 Bg7 30. Qd5 Qxd5 31. Rxd5 +-) } 24... Qxc4 25. Nxc4 Kh7 26. Rfe1 Rhe8 27. Nd6 Re6 28. Nxb7 Bf8 29. b4 Rb8 30. Na5 Nxa5 31. bxa5 Rxb1 32. Rxb1 Kg6 33. f3 Bc5+ 34. Bf2 Bxf2+ 35. Kxf2 Rc6 36. Rb7 Ra6 37. Rb5 Kf6 38. g4 Rc6 39. Rb3 Rc5 40. Ra3 h5 41. Ke3 hxg4 42. fxg4 Rc4 43. Kf3 Kg5 44. h3 Kh4 45. Kg2 e4 46. a6 Rc5 47. c4 { ([18:+0.89] 47.c4 Rxc4 48. Kf2 Rc2+ 49. Ke3 Kxh3 50. Kf4+ Kh4 51. Rb3 Rf2+ 52. Kxe4 Ra253. Rb7 Rxa6 54. Rg7 Ra4+ 55. Kf5 Ra5+ 56. Kf6 Ra6+ 57. Ke5 Ra5+ 58. Ke6Rg5 59. Rxg5 Kxg5 +/-) ([18:+2.30] 47. Ra4 Rxc3 48. Rxe4 Rg3+ 49. Kf2 Ra350. Re6 Kxh3 51. g5 Ra2+ 52. Kf3 Ra3+ 53. Kf4 Ra4+ 54. Kf5 Ra5+ 55. Kf6Kg4 56. g6 Rf5+ 57. Kg7 Kf4 58. Re8 Rg5 +-) } 47... Rxc4 48. Re3 Rd4 49. Kf2 Ra4 50. Ke2 Rxa6 51. Rxe4 Rg6 { ([16:+1.24] 51. ... Rg6 52. Re3 Rd6 53.Rd3 Ra6 54. Rb3 Rd6 55. Ra3 a6 56. Rd3 Rb6 57. Re3 +/-) ([16:-0.01] 51.... Kxh3 52. g5 Kg3 53. Re7 Rg6 54. Rxa7 Rxg5 55. Rf7 Rg4 56. Rh7 Re4+57. Kd2 Ra4 58. Rd7 Kh2 59. Rh7+ Kg3 =) } 52. Re3 Rg7 *

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.03.31"] [Round "-"] [White "buboy"] [Black "mirkonitto"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1664"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1572"] 1. c4 { Some kind of English I annotate this game because I've requesteda draw several times, playing with blacks. My opponent declined and finallyI won the endgame. } 1... e5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 h5 { 3. ... h5 !? first time Iplayed that move, my main strategy was to confuse my opponent. I cannotsay I've managed in my intention but nothing bad for the blacks. Closedpositional game avoiding any surprises. } 4. Nc3 f5 { 4. ... f5 !? same song } 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nge2 d6 7. a3 Bd7 8. b4 a6 9. Bb2 g6 10. Qc2 Bg7 11. Rd1 O-O 12. d4 e4 13. O-O Rc8 { I think blacks plan turned out. Not bad positionand even the initiative into the black's hands } 14. Nf4 Qe8 15. Ncd5 { it'saction time } 15... Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Ne7 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Qb3 c5 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. Bxg7 Qxg7 21. bxc5 Bc6 { minus a pawn, but in strong position } 22. Rd6 Rfd8 23. Rfd1 Rxd6 24. cxd6 Qd7 25. c5+ Kh7 26. Rc1 Ba4 { I think I offereda draw first in here, ok - minus a pawn but let us see what the whiteswere able to do } 27. Qd5 Bb5 28. Bf1 Bc6 29. Qb3 Ba4 30. Qb4 Qc6 31. Be2 Qd7 32. Rb1 Bc6 33. Bc4 Ba4 34. Qxb7 { Queens exchange didn't help muchto the whites } 34... Rxc5 35. Qxd7+ Bxd7 36. Rb7 Rxc4 37. Rxd7+ Kh6 38. Ra7 Kg5 { I stopped my draw offers here and started desire the triumph } 39. d7 Rc1+ 40. Kg2 Rd1 41. f3 { And the whites made their fatal mistake 41.f3 ? } 41... Rd2+ { 41. ... Rd2+ ! } 42. Kf1 exf3 { so now we have another story.It's not only the pawns revenge, it's all over } 43. h3 { nothing helps } 43... h4 { 43. ... h4! rush attack } 44. gxh4+ Kxh4 45. Rxa6 { 45. Rxa6 ! preventingthe mate ... for a moment } 45... g5 { 45. ... g5! my soldiers desired the crucialbattle } 46. Ke1 Rxd7 { all white's hopes crushed here } 47. Kf2 g4 { 47.... g4! do you respect the pawns now } 48. hxg4 fxg4 49. Rh6+ { nothing helps } 49... Kg5 50. Ra6 Rd2+ { 50. ... Rd2! let's rock } 51. Ke1 Re2+ 52. Kf1 g3 53. Ra8 g2+ { who said it was a pawn ? } 54. Kg1 Re1+ 55. Kf2 g1=Q+ 56. Kxf3 Rxe3# { a mortal kiss } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "14-May-07"] [Round "-"] [White "mustafa_ogr"] [Black "renttu"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1558"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1503"] 1. d3 { Hi... i nice defence again... Watch after 25th moves... } 1... d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. b3 e5 4. Bb2 d4 5. c3 Nf6 6. cxd4 exd4 7. a3 Bc5 8. g3 O-O 9. Bg2 Re8 10. O-O Rb8 11. Qd2 Ne5 12. a4 Nxf3+ 13. Bxf3 Be7 14. Bg2 c5 15. Ba3 b6 16. b4 Nd5 17. bxc5 bxc5 18. e3 Bg5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. e4 Bxd2 21. exd5 Bb4 22. Bxb4 Rxb4 23. Ra3 Bb7 24. Rc1 Rc8 25. Nd2 { positions lookequal.. } 25... Bxd5 26. f3 c4 { time for cleanning... } 27. dxc4 Bxc4 28. Nxc4 Rbxc4 29. Rxc4 Rxc4 30. Kf2 Kf8 31. Ke2 Ke7 32. h4 Kd6 33. Kd3 Kc5 34. Rb3 Rb4 35. Ra3 Kb6 36. g4 Ka5 { i made a mistake... pawn is him.. } 37. f4 Rxa4 38. Rxa4+ Kxa4 39. Kxd4 { is game going to him? } 39... Kb4 40. Kd3 Kb3 41. Kd2 Kb2 { i tried to not to check, when he changed him pawn to queen.. } 42. f5 a5 43. g5 a4 44. h5 { may i win a queen? yes i can.. watch } 44... a3 45. g6 fxg6 46. h6 gxh6 47. f6 a2 48. f7 a1=Q 49. f8=Q { now i must be careful... } 49... Qc1+ 50. Kd3 Qc3+ 51. Ke2 h5 { he made a mistake, he would not give me chance... } 52. Qb8+ Qb3 53. Qe5+ Qc3 54. Qb5+ Ka3 55. Qa6+ Kb4 56. Qb6+ Kc4 { he istrying to move to him pawns... but he can't } 57. Qe6+ Kd4 58. Qf6+ Kc4 59. Qc6+ Kb3 60. Qb6+ Qb4 61. Qe3+ Qc3 { � - � he offered draw... } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Do Pesky Pawngrabbers Prosper?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Tomwhufc"] [Black "unknown"] [Result "*"] { I recently played a blitz game here on GK but i can't remember who itwas against, this is a pretty bad performance by Black so i don't thinkthe player who played Black would dare own up! This game shows how pawngrabbing in gambit situations is not a good idea, especially when White(me!) is building up an invisible attack! } 1. e4 { This is my norm opening,I decided not to change this as it is my fave. Those of you who know meis I don't like boring openings which in my opinion is almost everythingapart from 1.e4. After 1.e4 there are loads of fun and wild gambits! Inthi game you'll see one of them. } 1... e5 { This is my favourite response asit lets me play my fave opening, which you will see. There are many otherresponses, 1...e6 (yawn) 1.c6 (solid and I sometimes play it but it isboring) 1...c5 Sicilian well if this happens I'll play the Smith morraGambit. } 2. Nf3 { Standard. } 2... Nc6 { Standard. } 3. Bc4 { The Italian game. Anold opening that is now thought to be rather dull and boring. Black nowhas two main options here 3....Bc5 the Giuoco Piano or 3... Nf6 The TwoKnight's Defence. The Italian game can evolve into the romantic Evans Gambitif 3...Bc5 then 4. b4!?(This is a very nice gambit which I have a few annotatedgames of 'Naval Intelligence' a very nice little game!.) } 3... Bc5 { The GuiccoPiano. This is less agressive than the Two Knight's defence. I now hasthe chance to play my fave as I have already mentioned, the Evan's Gambit4.b4!? } 4. b4 { This is the Evans Gambit. This romantic gambit has provento be greatly resilient to modern technology, while it is not generallythought of as a path to advantage it hasn't been refuted(correct me ifI'm wrong).The idea of this opening is to gain momentum while opening thecentre., this is often at the expense of a pawn or two.For this reasonthis line of the Guoco Piano has often attracted attention from more aggressiveplayers and and will probably continue to do so in the future. Even GarryKasparov found the opening worth playing a few times. He even used itto beat none other than ANAND! Pretty good surprise weapon,no? } 4... Bxb4 { Itis often said that the way to refute a gambit is to accept it. Black grabsa pawn so as to have the option of uploading it in a later stage in thegame in order to neutralize whites resulting initiative. } 5. c3 { This isthe plan of giving away the b4 pawn to gain tempo by forcing black to movehis bishop repetitively while he gains momentum in the centre.. } 5... Ba5 { This retreat is probably the most natural responce to the Evans Gambit.Thee1-a5 diagonal, pinning the c3 and d2 pawns for the momentand, more importantlyis not in any kind of trouble on a5. or instance it would be in dangeron c5 because of d4. Or 5.Be7 which is solid yet deemed passive. On theother side though white will be able to put pressure on blacks positionwith Ba3 later on. Black's plan to meet this is with d2-d3. } 6. d4 { Whiteseizes space in the centre. Alternatives here are the imediate 6.0-0 whichis not so popular or 6.Qb3!? which starts an immediate atack. These movesare interchangeable though and are normally played at some stage of thegame. I recommend my chosen move. } 6... d6 { As I said. Again logical solidifyingthe e5 pawn and also stopping the danger of Ba3. An adequate and more commonalternative is 6...exd4. } 7. O-O { I castle to get my king into safety before start my attack. This move also breaks the pin on the c3 pawn. } 7... exd4 { Blacktakes the pawn a common effective move. } 8. cxd4 { I recapture buildingup my space advantage in the centre. } 8... Bb6 { Now we have reached a very commonposition from the Evan's Gambit. There are two main options I can take.I can aim for long term compensation with 9.d5 which Anderssen preffered.Many games with 9.d5 continue like 9...Na5 10.Bb2 Ne7 11. Bd3 0-0 12.Nc3Ng6 13. Ne2 c5 14.Qd2 f6 15. Kh1 Rb8 16.Ng3. This would be the strategicpositional approach with less attacking chances wich doesn't suit my style..I prefer Morphy's more tactical and logical developing move 9.Nc3, whenI maintain possibilities of advancing either of my two central pawns accordingto Black's moves. This is obviously a more dynamic approach. } 9. Nc3 { !I decide Morphy's dynamic logical approach. It is often thought by beginnersthat when you have gambited a pawn you need to attack and mate as soonas possible with out developing there pieces, this often results in a failedattack. Morphy believed that all pieces should be involved in an attack.This seems subtle and lets Black off the hook because it is too quiet butit builds up my forces for my attack. } 9... Nf6 { ? This move looks like a gooddeveloping move however it is one of the traps of Morphy's continuation.This leaves Black in trouble, this will show you why. People really stopfalling for this trap against me because whenever they play this horriblemove they always lose. } 10. e5 { ! Immediately putting pressure on Black'sposition and attacking the Black Knight. } 10... dxe5 { Black does exactly whatIwanted him to do. he opens the a3-f8 diagonal for my bishop to attack. } 11. Ba3 { ! This builds up pressure on the Kingside and prevents castling. } 11... exd4 { ?This is a poor move. Amarg tried 11.e4?? which failed miserableas this move did! Pawn grabbing doesn't pay. } 12. Re1+ { I' keep the attackgoing. You'd think I did this so the pawn couldn't take my knight on c3but I'm gonna sac it so I don't really care about that! } 12... Be6 { ?? This failscompletely as you will see, however this move is the only move possible. } 13. Qb3 { ! I build up the pressure! } 13... dxc3 { ?? Not again! Black should bedoing something that defends his King. Instead he just takes material.'Goodbye horsey seeya in Hell!' } 14. Bxe6 { This wins a pawn and ultimateleyresults in mate. } 14... fxe6 15. Qxe6+ { Check. } 15... Ne7 16. Rad1 { ! I now have fullcontrol of the central files. } 16... Bxf2+ { ? think this was a poor attemt atan interference move. As you will see it doesn't interfere with my invisibleattack for long! } 17. Kxf2 Ng4+ { Well if this was the whole point of 16...Bxf2 then i'm really scared! Lol! } 18. Kg1 { I retreat the King. } 18... c5 { Nothingcan prolong mate now. 'Hahahahahhahahhahahh' sorry did i do that outloud? } 19. Rxd8+ Kxd8 20. Qd6+ Kc8 21. Rxe7 Nxh2 22. Qc7# { Checkmate! This gameshows the effectiveness of gambits especiaklly in Blitz games where Blackoften seems to get disorientated in the wild position and goes pawn grabbing.The answer to my question 'Do Pesky Pawngrabbers Prosper?' Answer: 'No!!!!!!!!!!'I hope you liked this game. I'm happy for positive and negative feedbackaslong as its constructive criticism! and feel free to leave comments.Thanks to the player i played this game, i couldn't of done it withoutyou! One thing I would like you to do is before you rate this game pleasethink honestly and think how I can improve on it and leave comments andPM me with them. Don't just give one and a half stars and not tell me why.Thanks Tom } *

[Event "The petulant Pawn"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Paula's side"] [Black "The other lot"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] { 'When can I be a queen daddy?' Paula was daughter of the. As the king'spawn she normally got to start every game. But she was getting fed up ofnever becoming queen. } 1. e4 { 'When I get a chance to promote you dear,now just concentrate on the game.' } 1... e6 2. c4 { 'Daddy that is not right.You are meant to play d4.' 'I wanted to try something else Paula.' } 2... Nc6 3. Nf3 e5 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nxe5 { 'Oh goody, you have got rid of that pawnwhich was blocking me....' } 5... Nxe5 6. d4 Bd6 7. c5 Be7 8. dxe5 { 'Dad! Nowthere is another pawn in the way.' 'Good grief! Now I know what Nimzowitchwas on about, and how pawns have a lust to expand!' } 8... Bxc5 9. Bc4 Ne7 { 'Justbe patient and count your blessings Paula. It is a great honour to be partof the team. And look at the education you are getting. 'Oh dad I knowabout backward pawns, isolated pawns, passed pawns, capturing pawns enpassant. When do I get to be a queen?' } 10. O-O O-O 11. Na4 d6 12. Nxc5 dxc5 { 'Dad! You had the chance to get rid of the pawn which is in my way.' 'I know, but I felt it more important to double his pawns.' } 13. Be3 b6 14. Qb3 Nc6 15. e6 { 'Bravo! The pawn in the way is going!' } 15... fxe6 16. Bxe6+ { 'And now I am a passed pawn. I am going to win this game for you daddy.' } 16... Kh8 17. Rad1 Qf6 18. Bxc8 Raxc8 { 'I think you need a bit more support firstPaula' } 19. f4 Rce8 20. e5 { 'Here we go here we go.... } 20... Qg6 21. Qd3 { 'That'sright, get those queens off. I want to be the only queen on the board,when I get to the other side.' } 21... Rd8 22. Qxg6 hxg6 23. h4 { 'Good move dad!that stops him from playing g5 and removing my support.' } 23... Nd4 24. Rd2 Nf5 25. Kf2 Nd4 26. g4 { 'mmmm we are on the march again, and his stupid knightcan't go back to f5 again....' } 26... Rd5 27. Kg2 c6 28. b4 Ne6 { 'Dad! He isblockading me again, and with the best blockader, his knight.' 'Don'tworry Paula, it is all under control.' } 29. bxc5 Rxd2+ 30. Bxd2 Nxc5 31. Bb4 Rd8 32. Bxc5 bxc5 { 'Ha ha, all his pawns are doubled and/or isolated.We are going to win this, and I am going to win it for us!' } 33. Rc1 Rd2+ 34. Kf3 Rxa2 35. e6 { 'One step closer. Nearly there now.' } 35... Kg8 { 'If onlyit wasn't for that big bad black king.' } 36. Rxc5 Kf8 37. Rxc6 { 'We area pawn up now.... one-nil one-nil.....' } 37... Ke7 { 'Don't let him stop me daddy!' } 38. f5 { 'good more support, that is what I need' } 38... gxf5 39. gxf5 Ra3+ { 'hehas gone mad. He is driving us up the board to just where you want to bedaddy.' } 40. Kg4 { 'That's right, come and help me daddy!' } 40... Kf6 41. Rc8 Ra4+ 42. Kh5 Kxf5 43. e7 { 'Nearly there now. He can't stop me!' } 43... g6+ { mmmonly one move here..... } 44. Kh6 Kf6 45. e8=N+ { 'Oh daddy you PROMISED!Why only a knight, why can't I be a queen daddy?' 'Because he wins withRxh4 if you become a queen.' 'Oh yeh' } 45... Kf5 { I'm going to check him, I'mgoing to check him... } 46. Nd6+ Kg4 47. Kxg6 Kxh4 { Draw agreed. 'But whydid you agree a draw daddy?' 'Because dearest daughter with only knightand rook against rook and king I cannot win, even if I win his a pawn.I have run out of pawns to queen!' And with that Paula was quickly putback in her box and the lid was firmly shut before she could ask any moreannoying questions. } 1/2-1/2

[Event " A different Two Knights"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "8.16.22"] [Round "-"] [White "jmd1952"] [Black "akendal"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "3 min + 10 sec"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { Two Knights defense } 4. Ng5 { Very Tacticalbut fun! } 4... d5 5. exd5 b5 6. Bxb5 { I don't see this very often Na5 is moreusual. } 6... Qxd5 7. Bxc6+ Qxc6 8. Qf3 { The queen is pinned with the Rook behindit so the 'c' pawn is temporarily safe. If black plays 8. ..., Qxc2 then9. Na3, Bxa3 10. Qxa1 and black has two bishops that are threatened. } 8... e4 9. Qc3 { Queen trade? } 9... Qb6 { I felt like the black pawn on e4 really crampedany possible development so ... } 10. Qe5+ Be7 11. Nxe4 { Now its just amatter of surviving! } 11... Be6 { Black's development looks very dangerous tome. } 12. O-O Qc6 13. Nbc3 { I got one piece out! } 13... Bd6 { Ok Here it comes,Black will now try to crush the white king position. } 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Qxf6 Rg8 { Mate on g2 is the threat! } 16. f3 Kd7 { 16. ..., Bh3 looks stronghere but 17. Re1ch would have solved whites problems. } 17. Qh4 { PreventsBh3 and prepares to defend the king. } 17... Rg6 { Black will double Rooks. There'snothing white can do about it. } 18. d4 { Blocks the g1-a7 diagonal sowhite can play Rf2 when needed. } 18... Rag8 19. g3 { 19. Rf2 was originally theplan but I wanted to play Bf4 next and in a 3 minute game minds changequickly. } 19... Bxg3 20. hxg3 { The sac looks like a natural but White might gettoo much for it } 20... Rxg3+ 21. Kh2 { 21. ..., Rh3 wins the Queen for two bishopsand a rook. And the question is can white survive. } 21... Rg2+ { Black didn'tgo for the exchange and maybe there are ways to win the queen. } 22. Kh1 R8g3 { So now Rh3 looks like a winner but there is a way out! } 23. d5 Bxd5 24. Nxd5 Qxd5 25. Bf4 { Black has two problems, the threatened rook andthe potential pin of the queen. } 25... Rg6 26. Rad1 c6 27. Rxd5+ cxd5 28. Qh3+ { Time to clear off the board } 28... Kd8 29. Qxg2 Rxg2 30. Kxg2 { Black resigns. } 1-0

[Event "Beginner chess: Queen's Gambit Accepted"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.11.20"] [Round "-"] [White "c1pe"] [Black "morid"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. d4 { I am offering up this game annotation for two guys I've been tryingto help out in learning to play chess. } 1... d5 2. c4 dxc4 { Queen's Gambit Accepted. It can sometimes lead to very exciting play. } 3. e3 { A more aggressiveresponse is e4, making a more strategic push for the center, but this moveopen up the bishop going after the c4 pawn for early equalization. } 3... Nf6 { This move doesn't seek to capitalize on the early pawn movement but doesget your knight into the game. } 4. Bxc4 { A bit premature perhaps? Anothergood option is Nf3, but there is nothing wrong with this move. } 4... Bg4 { Earlyaggressive. Unless you want to castle queenside, I would focus on lessaggressive development. I think e6 is a good response. It blunts anylight squared bishop attacks and allow the black squared bishop a pathto development. } 5. Nf3 { I think that this is the best response. } 5... e6 { Gooddevelopment so far. } 6. Nc3 { I like h3 here better, but good for knightdev. Also consider Nbd2. } 6... Nc6 { A fairly routine development on both sidesnow. } 7. e4 { I would have chosen to castle here. Get out of any potentialdanger. This move is a mistake as it allows Black to win a center pawn. Bxf3, Qxf3, Nxd4, threatening White's Q or what Black chose to do andNxd4. } 7... Nxd4 8. Qa4+ c6 { Now white has to be careful about b5 pawn fork. } 9. Ne5 { I am uncertain how good this move is, considering the threat ofb5, you really need to hope black doesn't see it and that you can get yourking to safety quickly. } 9... Qd6 { I think I would have played Bd6 instead,as it achieves the same goal and develops the bishop, allowing Black tocastle kingside. } 10. Nxg4 Nc2+ { Mistake. In order to do this move youneed to remove the defending queen first. Much better is b5! or equalizingplay with Nxg4. } 11. Qxc2 Nxg4 12. O-O { HUGE BLUNDER! Qxh2 is mate (1)! } 12... Nxh2 { Black does not have their eyes on the prize and missed a turn 12Mate(1). } 13. Rd1 Be7 { Much better to Q to c7. Now you are trading a Queenfor a Rook. } 14. Rxd6 Bxd6 15. g3 { Good to get rid of pesky knight. } 15... Ng4 { Also consider Nf3+ for a free move. } 16. Bg5 Bc5 17. Rd1 Bxf2+ 18. Kg2 Bb6 19. Qd2 { Building pressure to threaten mate. } 19... O-O { only move for safety. } 20. Kf3 { Mistake allowing free Bishop on c4. } 20... Ne5+ 21. Kg2 Nxc4 22. Qd7 { Very aggressive, how will Black respond? } 22... Ne3+ 23. Bxe3 Bxe3 { When you'redown, trade pawns and not pieces. Better to bring the bishop in first(if this is your play) to leave the knight. } 24. Qxb7 Rab8 25. Qxc6 Rxb2+ { Now, as they say, things are getting interesting. } 26. Kf3 Rb6 { Betterto put Bb6 and then try to pin his knight against the queen. } 27. Qc7 Bg5 28. Qxa7 Bd8 { Big mistake. Better to double rooks. } 29. Na4 { Mistake fromWhite. Rxd8 wins the Bishop for free. } 29... Rb4 30. Qa8 { Mistake. Black canresponse with Be7 to force White away. } 30... f5 { Missed opportunity for sureas Black now cedes the game. } 31. Rxd8 Rb3+ { Besides giving up a rook forfree, the best answer is that Black now has to exchange rooks on the backrow. } 32. axb3 Kf7 { Much better Rxd8 } 33. Rxf8+ Kg6 34. exf5+ exf5 35. Kf4 Kh5 36. Rh8 { Better is Rxf5+, leading to mate in 2. Either 1.Rxf5+Kh6 2.Qh1+Kg6 3.Qc6# or 1.Rxf5+g5+ 2.Rxg5+Kh6 3.Qa6# } 36... g5+ 37. Kxf5 Kh6 38. Qc6+ Kg7 39. Qf6# 1-0

[Event "Blitz: Midgame Tactics"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.11.21"] [Round "-"] [White "bwaa"] [Black "tony111"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "Blitz"] 1. b3 { Hi all! Just a quick blitz from last month in an opening that doesn'tget enough attention, in my opinion. This is Larsen's Opening. Enjoy! } 1... d5 { 1...e5 is a more modern approach, but this is the classical variation.This can become a sort of reversed Indian defense with Nf3. } 2. Bb2 Nc6 { I think 2...Nf6 is probably better, but this is fine. I just prefer tomaintain the option of playing ...c5 at some point in the near future. } 3. Nf3 { The points of contention are, of course, those that White's Bishopoverlooks--d4 and e5. } 3... e6 { ...e7-e5 is too difficult to play for now, soBlack settles for a more passive pose and will attempt a break in the midgame. } 4. e3 Nf6 5. Nc3 { Now that the White Bishop is no longer pinning the g7pawn, it's all right to close it off temporarily for the sake of development. } 5... Be7 { 5...Bd6 was better. This Bishop threatens nothing from e7, nor arethere any threats for it to defend against. If a piece, placed in a certainspot, will have to be relocated before it can be of any use, it shouldnot be placed in that spot in the first place! } 6. Bb5 { The best placefor White's LSB. Be2 would be too passive (like Black's ...Be7), and Bd3blocks an important pawn. } 6... a6 { Asking the question, to which there is onlyone good answer. I think maybe ...Bd7 should have been played first toavoid disrupting Black's queenside pawns so much, but then again this willallow ...Bb7 and give Black a central cluster that might be put to gooduse. } 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. O-O Bb7 { With the doubled c-pawns and this Bishopmove, Black is prepared to switch plans entirely. He no longer has a realneed to play ...e5; he can push c5 instead. } 9. a4 { ? I cannot think ofa reason for playing this move. Surely 9.Ne5 was better. } 9... c5 10. Ne5 { ?!Played now, this move allows Black to play 10...d4 11.exd4 cxd4 and Whitemust retreat his Nc3 to a suboptimal spot, probably e2. Then it's up toBlack to prove that he can hang on to the advanced pawn and make use ofhis extra space, but his position looks pretty strong. } 10... Bd6 11. f4 { Thispawn move is of course the reasoning behind White's previous move. It strengthenshis Bishop's diagonal and may open the f-file against Black's uncastledKing. } 11... Nd7 { Black doubles up on the e5 square, as well as freeing f6 fora possible supporting pawn. If White retreats his Knight to f3, 12...e5is inevitable, and a firestorm begins. (13.fxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.Qh5!?Bf6 with a pin on the Nc3 and control of d4 for Black and huge kingsidepressure for White.) } 12. Qh5 { ? This is an outright mistake; I missedthe obvious reply. 12.Ne2 was probably better, using the Bishop to defendthe Knight rather than the easily-harassed Queen. } 12... g6 { Of course. } 13. Nxg6 { ! Making the best of the situation, getting a pawn for the Knightand busting up Black's castle. Now White just has to prove he can do somethingwith it. } 13... fxg6 14. Qh3 { Poisonous. If Black advances the e-pawn, he opensthe f-file for White's artillery. On the other hand, defending the pawnwith 14...Qe7 loses material: 15.Nxd5! exd5 16.Bxh8. Black can hold with14...Qf6 or 14...Nf8, but neither of those are very enticing options. } 14... Nf6 { ?! Right idea, I think (not defending e6), but I kind of liked theKnight on d7. On f6 it may prove a vulnerability, especially with a Rookon h8. I liked 14...d4! here, with advantageous lines for Black arisingafter 15.Qxe6+ Qe7 16.Qxe7+ Bxe7 17.Ne2. } 15. Qxe6+ Qe7 { The reason I liked14...d4 was that it forces White to make this exchange when it comes around.Now, White is able to happily retreat his Queen, where she can continueto make threats. } 16. Qh3 Bc8 17. Qf3 Bg4 { ..or be threatened, I suppose.This was a well-executed re-positioning of the Bishop by Black, but I don'tthink it needed to be done. The Bishop was strong on b7. } 18. Qg3 Bf5 { Aimingat the weak c-pawn as well as supporting e4 for a Knight. Unfortunately,I think this move is just too wasteful, as the threats are unimportantand it doesn't prevent White from carrying out his own plans. Black hada number of interesting options here, among them ...d4, ...O-O-O and ...g5,but the text is not good enough to prevent the combination that comes next. } 19. Nxd5 { ! White removes the threat of ...d4 once and for all, threatensnow to win the Nf6 with check, activates the Bishop with a mighty pin,and boots the BQ all at once! } 19... Ne4 { ! This is the best response, I think.Black is still losing material, but now he can do so on his terms, andbesides--it's blitz and this is the showy, aggressive move. In the heatof the game, who knows which player has calculated correctly? } 20. Qe1 { White avoids the outright Queen trade, because his Knight has an intermezzoavailable and he doesn't want to have to trade away his strong Bishop forthe Black Rook, which he of course would after 20.Nxe7 Nxg3 21.hxg3 Kxe722.Bxh8 Rxh8. } 20... Qe6 21. Nxc7+ { There is only one response to the fork, andWhite has accomplished his goal: trading the Knight for the Rook, insteadof the Bishop that actually makes the capture. } 21... Bxc7 22. Bxh8 Kf7 23. Be5 { Now ahead in material but lacking badly in activity, White needs to openlines so he offers a trade, and a pawn as a poisoned incentive... } 23... Bxe5 24. fxe5 { Now Black should play his King off the open f-file, probablyg7 is best, and then follow up by constricting White's available optionsuntil he can perhaps win material back or force a draw. } 24... Qxe5 { ?? But thisis Blitz chess, and if there's one place nasty traps thrive more than anywhereelse, it's here. Black takes the bait pawn, and now all White must do isclose the trap. } 25. g4 { 1-0. After the exchange, Black will have a Knightfor a Rook and two pawns, and huge positional weaknesses to boot, so heunderstandably resigns. Many thanks to tony111 for a very fun game, andthanks to all of you for reading. Comments are appreciated! } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "17-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "suvigenije"] [Black "cheewai"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1659"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1729"] 1. e4 c5 2. f4 { Grand Prix attack. } 2... g6 { 'textbook' response to the GPAappears to be d5 instead. As is evidenced by subsequent moves, my linecaused me many many problems. } 3. Bc4 Bg7 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. O-O d6 6. d3 e6 7. Nc3 Nge7 8. Ng5 O-O { I sleepwalked right into this. A seemingly safeposition but I believe the GPA actually wants black to castle right intothe attack. A better move might have been d5. } 9. f5 exf5 { again, whatseemed safe simply isn't so. gxf5 does not seem any better either. He haspieces gunned on my f7 pawn. } 10. Nxf7 Rxf7 11. Bxf7+ Kxf7 12. exf5 { onebig ouch. } 12... Bxf5 { Again, I believed it was safe, not realizing the rookpin. 12. ...,gxf5 13. Qh5 , Kg8 leads to a rather complicated position(on hindsight) that is pretty ugly for black, but probably no more so thanwhat was to follow. } 13. g4 Bd4+ { Desperation move. The white bishop waslost, I'd rather spend time moving pieces into an attacking position againsta semi-exposed king while trying to move my own king into the safety ofthe queen-side. In all probability, I've lost this game unless my opponentblunders. Time to gun for a draw if possible. } 14. Kh1 Ke8 15. gxf5 Nxf5 16. Re1+ Ne5 { I chose to block and possibly move the knight into a positionfor attack rather than merely running away with 16. ...,Kd2. Moving theking also has the disadvantage of exposing the e-file to his rook's domination. } 17. Nd5 { A worrying development. My queen covers most of the knight's subsequentattacking positions, but it is a horrible way to use a queen and it certainlywill not last long if he starts putting pieces into play. A hypothesisinto his intentions: perhaps he thinks I might play Bxc3 at some point,but that only plays into his advantage. Personally, I would have played17. Bf4, ... and then maybe 18. Qe2 (speculative because of a possiblefork from g3) to put additional pressure on that knight while the kingis still being pinned. } 17... Kd7 { My priority was king safety, so I had to getthe king away from that pin. A constant worry is the fact that the opponent'sknight has two positions from which to check the king on the next move. } 18. c3 Bf2 { I had planned to move the bishop eventually, so I'm forcedto do so somewhat prematurely. } 19. Rf1 Qh4 { The start of a rather desperateattack on his semi-exposed king. This is a highly complex position ...at this point, there seems to be so many options, whether to try winninga rook or to find a possibility of a mate. } 20. Bf4 { Deters Ng3 and thefork. Still seemed hopeful, but I think I looked 4-5 moves deep and thingsbecame a whole lot less promising with lots of my pieces under attack atthe same time. } 20... Ng4 { I felt this was my best move. Secures the bishop atf2, threatens the pawn at h2 and prepares for Ng3 which also happens toblock his bishop from guarding his pawn while securing h2 for the queen'sattack should the king runs (which was not possible in the earlier scenario). } 21. Qf3 Rf8 { My opponent's previous move puts even more pressure againstNg3 while threatening a very bad exchange of bishop knight for a rook(which for him is easy to replace since his a-rook is simply standing by).Also threatens a very deadly attack on my king via Qxb7 were his knightto simply move away (either for a check or to threaten some other piece). Rf8 was meant to allow me to play Nfe3. I can't quite remember exactlywhat my main threats at that point was, but many of the lines results inmate. } 22. Kg2 { The refutation. Now I am in a bind because I am committedto the attack (no way to extract myself even if I wanted to). My job nowwas to find a way to gain the best exchange possible from this scenario.Many of the lines lead to a very clear loss in material for me. } 22... Nfe3+ 23. Nxe3 Nxe3+ 24. Bxe3 Rxf3 25. Kxf3 Bxe3 26. Kxe3 { A queen vs 2 rooks.My main advantage is the exposed king, a single pass pawn (actually 2,since I planned on taking away his h-pawn) and remnants of a pawn structureto hide my king from rook attacks (once he doubles his rooks, I cannothope to do anything to him with my queen). There's a tiny chance I couldforce a draw through perpetual check but it is clear his king has an escapepath to the queen-side. Another possibility was to tear his pawn formationon the queen side but that is pretty dangerous because it generates openfields which enables his rooks to become more powerful and also leavesmy 2 pass pawns (my only remaining hope for a win) exposed to attack. } 26... Qxh2 27. Rf2 Qg3+ { The dance begins. The nice thing about close-contactchecking against a rook king is the acquisition of tempo to move my pass-pawnsthrough every other check should he choose to block or run. } 28. Ke2 h5 29. Rf7+ Kc6 30. Raf1 { An uh-oh situation. Both him and myself have tobe very careful now ... I will attempt to catch his rooks when they separateand he will attempt to move his doubled-rooks in a fashion that will catchmy pawns, queen or king off-guard. I recognize early on that the two passpawns have to remain in close support of one another because the queenalone cannot support a lone pawn against 2 rooks. Fortunately, 2 rookscan only direct an effective attack on a single pawn with queen supportwhich takes 2 moves, so I can read in advance a possible attack on a specificpawn and then move the targeted pawn into safety or the other pawn intoa support position while making sure the queen is also in position to protectthe targeted pawn. } 30... h4 { A safe move for now. One worry is Rh7 followedby Rh1 which is countered by g5. The other scenario I am trying to preventis my opponent moving both rooks behind my pawns. The current scenariowith the split rooks allows my queen to attempt to threaten one in isolationof the other. The nightmare scenario is if I lose this 'tool' (so he neverhas to worry and hence lose tempo). } 31. R1f3 Qg2+ 32. Rf2 Qg4+ 33. Kd2 { Rf3 would have tied one rook up due to a pin. } 33... g5 34. Rh7 Qg3 35. Rff7 { Was my second uh-oh moment. Rc7 or Rxb7 are obvious follow-up moves.They are inevitable (I cannot prevent them) so I use this as an additionalopportunity to move my pawns. Subsequent actions that involve my king runninggrants me safety for 1 turn anyways. } 35... h3 36. Rc7+ Kd5 37. Rhe7 { A matetrap I had not expected. I am very glad he did not choose to take the bpawn first, although that might have bought me enough time to queen thepawn (which may or may not be useful depending on how serious the matetrap is). } 37... b5 { The only reasonable response I can make I believe. To continuewith the mate trap, he would need to push his b-pawn forward afterwhichQf2 could potentially drive his king back to the 1st rank and deprivehim the defense of his pawn at d3 which is essential for the completionof the trap. } 38. b3 Qf2+ 39. Re2 Qf4+ 40. Kc2 { not quite what I had expectedbut now my queen has gotten to a position where I could potentially promotemy h pawn after a sacrifice of the queen were he to pursue the mate trap.I am just amazed at how complex this position is still ... } 40... g4 { I thinkI had to ... to allow the h pawn a chance to promote. I cannot rememberthe line where his rooks could combine to maul that pawn ... unless I wassadly mistaken in my analysis. } 41. Re4 { Back into the mate trap position. } 41... Qf2+ { Now, I drive his king back to the 1st rank with an option to takethe a pawn for a draw position or to keep him there for a potential mateif my h pawn promotes. From what I could see, he had an option of forcinga queen-for-rook exchange which would normally be devastating for me ifnot for the fact that my two pass pawns are now at the 'event horizon'.Against a single rook, one of those 2 pawns *will* promote. } 42. Kc1 { Adraw was offered at this point. I was tempted to take it but I could notin good conscience do so because I felt (but not 100% sure) I had a decentwinning chance. I decided to decline and push on and would have been perfectlyhappy to be proven wrong and lose instead. } 42... c4 { The idea was to force theexchange to happen to buy time for the h-pawn's promotion. Notice his d-pawnis now prevented from participating in the exchange or he'd lose his rook:43. bxc4, bxc4 44. Rcxc4,h2 or 44. Rexc4,h2 45. Rh7,g3. } 43. Rxg4 { Thiswas unexpected and caused me to panic (see next comment). } 43... cxd3 { Terribleterrible move for 2 reasons ... one, I had not realized the refutation44. Rd4 . Second, 43. Rxg4, Qe1 44. ..., Qe2 wins the rook. I even thoughtI had studied this position well and did not realize Rxg4 was a bad moveon his part. The motivations for this move of mine was to threaten Qc2#.I considered his options like c4 etc ... } 44. Rd4+ { At this point, I thoughtI had lost, having made that terrible blunder. I stayed calm though andthought about my remaining options. } 44... Ke6 { I had initially considered Ke5but it potentially allowed my king to be chased by his c-rook to a pointwhere my queen would have to be given away and hence a loss. This scenarioforced me to evaluate King-Queen combos that had advantages against 2 rooks,even if they are doubled. Close-contact appeared to be key (I believe rooksfare poorly in close-contact scenarios against King-Queen because theyhave to split-up in order to mount an effective attack) as well as diagonaldomination of key rook-attack squares. Of course, I would prefer scenarioswhere his rooks were not doubled ... but that's not my call. At the sametime, I considered how I was going to promote the h-pawn for the win ... } 45. Rxd3 { Inevitable and his best move, actually. } 45... Qf5 { I believe thisis my best reply. Attacks his rook, prevents Rh7 and keeps my pawn temporarilysafe. He now has to move his rook away or 46. Kc2 to protect it (but getsinto a pinned-rook scenario). } 46. Re3+ Kf6 { The fact that I can do thisnow is because I chose 44. ...,Ke6 instead of 44. ...,Ke5. } 47. Rxa7 { Again,an unexpected move. My original plan was to push the h-pawn, but now thanksto my earlier blunder, I recognized another opportunity ... Qg5 pins therook *and* threatens it, forcing his king to move up to protect it (andbeautifully, still forced to endure the pin) or forcing his rook to doubleup along the e-file. Normally, the doubled rooks would mean a draw atleast (for him) due to perpetual check. However, my trusty d pawn (whichhas incidentally served as my king's bodyguard over the last 20 moves)prevents that! This means, after a certain point, he loses steam in theattack and allows me to (finally) promote my h-pawn. So, he needs 2 moves... Kd2 and Re7 (in any order, I think) to secure his weak rook. This allowsme, regardless of his options, to make the h2 move. } 47... Qg5 48. Re7 h2 { Ithought he still had a possible game at this point ... one of the linesI thought about reduced this to a Rook-vs-Queen game but with a massivepawn advantage (*and* King support) on the queen side. I was not 100% sureat this point if my lone queen and my remaining pawns could stop it (Ishould be, but was not sure). This is definitely the best chess game I'veplayed so far, even if I had lost. See-saw scenarios with nail-biting movesthat were reduced to single-tempo advantages. } *

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.05.13"] [Round "-"] [White "eekan"] [Black "amirss"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2111"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2147"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 { ıt look variation of (Ruy lopez) spanish } 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O { white attack allows to play white for rock and weakthe black left side. } 5... Nc6 6. d3 g6 7. Re1 Bg7 8. c3 Nf6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 { The importance of these attack is middle control.İt looks Black hasadvantage but it is not.Two pawn of the middle is allow the set up a goodgame for white and also in future the black bishop also lock down in g7 } 10... d5 11. e5 Ne4 12. Nbd2 Nxd2 13. Bxd2 O-O 14. Qb3 Rac8 15. Rac1 h6 16. Rc2 Rc7 17. Rec1 Rfc8 { After these game set up white is highly advantage becauseblack knight pin and game play is getting weaker. } 18. h3 Kh7 19. Rc3 Qe6 20. Rc5 Rd8 21. Qa4 Rdd7 22. b4 a6 23. Qb3 b6 24. R5c2 { after that moveblack position is very bad situation and knight not protected by pawn anymore. } 24... Rc8 25. Qa4 Rdc7 { a6 pawn not protected because of knight c6. } 26. Qxa6 { qxa6 is very dangerous for black defend side. } 26... Nxb4 { this move is alsobad for black because the defence of black already collapse. } 27. Qxc8 Rxc8 28. Rxc8 Nxa2 { wrong move Knigt a6 should be better. } 29. R1c7 b5 30. Re8 { After that Black defence side totally collapse.There is nothingto do. } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.26"] [Round "-"] [White "cdlpro"] [Black "germu"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1629"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1282"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 { Well it seem new, but well playedits good for white } 4... Nc6 5. Qd1 { here Ab5 was the theoretical now I am ok. } 5... Nf6 6. Nc3 Bg4 7. Bb5 g6 8. h3 Bxf3 { otherwise white has the iniciative. } 9. Qxf3 Rc8 { On 0-0 Axc6 bxc6 e5!! } 10. Bg5 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Na4 Nd4 14. Qd3 Qa5 15. Nc3 Rxc3 16. bxc3 Nxb5 17. Rab1 Nxc3 18. Rxb7 Qxa2 19. Re1 Rc8 20. e5 dxe5 21. Qd7 Qc4 22. Re3 { Maybe Txa7 Kb5 Tb7 Kd4Tb2was too complicated Now black can activate a power full Pawn!! } 22... a5 23. Ra7 a4 24. f3 Qc5 { Decicive!! } 25. Kf2 Nd1+ { Ag5 also win!! } 26. Qxd1 Qxa7 27. Ke2 a3 28. Rd3 a2 { On Qa1 e4, If Td8+ Txd8 Qxd8 Kg7 white is helpless. } 29. Qa1 e4 30. fxe4 Bxa1 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "16-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "cheewai"] [Black "feyerheb"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1360"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ { Decided to try the Moscow variation againstthe Semi-Slav defense. } 3... Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 e5 { I believe this deniesme the Marcozy bind. } 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. d3 a6 { prevents Nb5 from targetinghis d pawn. I wasn't really looking at that though, was eyeing the niced5 perch for my knight. } 8. Bg5 { And so I try to drive that knight of hisaway. } 8... Be7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 { took the exchange because it allows me that perch. } 10. Nd5 Bd8 { A good position for his bishop to be ... for a long time,this bishop would prove to be a key factor keeping my knight at d5. } 11. a3 { I think this was to attempt b4 to dislodge his annoying c pawn. } 11... b5 12. b3 { b3 instead of b4 because I did not wish to break my pawn structurein the center and because if the exchange took place, my rook was in abetter position to control the b file. } 12... O-O 13. O-O { I castled as wellas a 'wait and see' option. } 13... Nc6 14. Nd2 { I think my intention was to pushf4 to force the e pawn off and control the f file using my rook. } 14... h6 15. f4 Nd4 { This was what I was afraid of when I moved my knight from f3. Whilemy queen currently prevents that knight (in the same way his bishop isplaced) from causing any trouble, I do not want the queen to be inactivebecause of that. } 16. fxe5 { Sticking to the plan. } 16... dxe5 17. Nf3 { Aimingto remove that possibly dangerous knight from play. } 17... f6 { While it was trueI threatened the e pawn, that was not really my main goal. } 18. Nxd4 cxd4 { probably superior to exd4, as it does not expose his king-side to a possiblepass-pawn. } 19. c5 { I had to remove the danger of bxc4 as that gives himsufficient tempo to bring his rook to control the c file. } 19... Rc8 20. b4 { thatseals up the queen-side for a while. a5 simply buys me a tempo for it isfar to my advantage for me to move axb4 than bxa5. Now my attention (andworries) have to be directed at the f file. f5 followed by fxe4 would sinkmy knight. } 20... f5 21. Qf3 { My only reasonable defense I believe. 21. ... fxe4, 22. Qxe4 exposes his weaker rook to my stronger doubled rook. At the sametime my knight is kept alive by the queen, but just barely. I believe myplan was to do Nb6 for the bishop-knight exchange if it looked like hecould pressure my queen. 22. Qxe4, Rf4 would force a rook exchange thatprobably gives me a stronger positional advantage. } 21... f4 { This was troubling.22. ..., Rf5 could mean penetration of my defenses. } 22. Qh5 { Not surewhy I did this ... I think it was to attack the pawn on the e file (helpingto secure the f pawn) but it almost got my queen trapped without hope.I believe 22. g4, ... 23. h3 would have served me better. } 22... Qe6 { Noticemy queen is almost trapped. } 23. Rf3 { I certainly did not notice that atthe time. My obsession was to double the rook on the f file for the attack. } 23... Rc6 24. Raf1 { Still oblivious to the danger my queen was in. } 24... Bg5 { Thismove woke me up. 24 ..., g6 loses me the game. My original plan of 24.g3 to force an advantages pawn exchange would have trapped my queen beyondrescue. For now, the queen is safe if my g pawn stayed where it was, butI had very little room for error and very few options if I kept the g pawnin place. } 25. g4 { Which led to this. The plan was to pull the queen tothe safety of h3 in response to g6 and then back-off to g2 so I could pushh3 to shore up my defenses. This, of course, leaves me vulnerable to h5which could lead to an exchange where I have a rather weak pawn on theg file. } 25... Kh7 26. Rh3 { moving his king gave me an opportunity for an attack.Qxg5 wins a free bishop if he does nothing about it. } 26... Qg6 27. Kg2 { Thiswas starting to get uncomfortably dangerous. } 27... Qxh5 28. Rxh5 { The queenexchange might have been a blunder on his part. Made things somewhat saferfor me. The h rook is still in the same danger of g6 though, which winshim a tempo since i would have to withdraw. } 28... Rcc8 { not sure I understoodthe intent of this move. } 29. Kf3 { I prefered Kf3 instead of Rf3 becauseI sensed that if he did Ra8, I could respond with Ra1 in order to supportthe a pawn in the event of a5 ... axb4 ... Nxb4 (axb4 would be a terriblemove on my part). } 29... g6 30. Rh3 Bd8 { Back to the annoying position for hisbishop. } 31. Ke2 { This is to allow Rhf3, continuing to block the pawn whilefreeing both my h rook and the h pawn. } 31... g5 32. Rhf3 Ra8 { He takes advantageof my rush to clear my congested position to pursue an attack on the afile. } 33. c6 { I looked at my options and this was the only good one, imho.I threaten Rc1 which supports a very dangerous pass-pawn while openingsquares for a possible rook attack on his rear pawn structure. } 33... Rf7 { Herecognizes the need to prevent my pawn from going further. } 34. Rc1 Rc8 { At this point, I noticed how I can tie 3 of his pieces up using just 2of my pieces. If I could move my other rook into play, that c pawn wouldbe devastating. } 35. Rf2 { Rf1 would take too long. Rf2 followed by Kf3is the desired shortcut that simultaneously allows my king to physicallyblock his f pawn. } 35... a5 36. Kf3 axb4 37. axb4 { After I made the exchangethinking it was safe, I realized a sequence which could have caused mepotentially serious problems in my rear - 37. axb4, Ra7 38. Rfc2, Ra3. } 37... Be7 { Possibly his first blunder. Nxe7 would not be good for me, but thismove simply gives me the extra time for Rfc2 (which was what I intendedin the first place). At the same time, the bishop now blocks his f rookfrom doing anything useful in that constricted position. } 38. Rfc2 Bd6 { Not sure this move buys him much, other than freeing the 7th rank forhis rook. } 39. c7 { The goal is to allow Rc6. In this cramped position dominatedby my knight, he has few means of preventing the rook from penetratinghis defenses. My goal was to get rid of his extremely weak and indefensibleb pawn. Of course, because his bishop will be forced away from d6 by thismove, my c pawn remains secure even after I move the rook off the fileto attack his b pawn. } 39... Kg6 { His 2nd and most critical blunder i believe.He just walked his king into a position where his bishop would be pinnedby my rook (where I wanted to go in the first place). } 40. Rc6 Rd7 { Hisonly option of holding everything together. Unfortunately, it opens hisrooks up for a fork by the knight. } 41. Nb6 Rdxc7 { I believe this is hisfinal blunder. 41. Nb6, Rcxc7 would have been a far better move. It wouldstill have resulted in pretty much a lost position though. } 42. Nxc8 Rxc6 43. Rxc6 1-0

[Event "League division D1, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.12.12"] [Round "-"] [White "proudlypinoy"] [Black "drabanten"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1548"] [WhiteElo "1674"] 1. e4 { One of my early games at GK which won the Game of the Month forDecember } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { Being a newbie I was happy it was GiuocoPiano } 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 O-O 8. e5 Bxd2+ 9. Nbxd2 Ne8 10. d5 { Instead of castling, I tried to attack...even risking myselfby over extending my pawn. Post game analysis recommends that I shouldhave castled } 10... Ne7 11. Qb3 { Post game analysis again tells me that I shouldhave castled. But then, his position is already cramped and this was theperfect time for me to launch an attack } 11... d6 12. e6 fxe6 13. dxe6 Nf6 14. Ng5 d5 15. Bd3 Qd6 16. O-O c5 17. Qc2 Bxe6 { Indeed I over extended my epawn. } 18. Nxh7 { but his greediness gives me an opportunity to attackhis kingside } 18... Rf7 19. Ng5 Rff8 20. Bh7+ Kh8 21. Rfe1 Bg8 { By this time,it took me a day to calculate my next move } 22. Bxg8 Kxg8 23. Re6 Qc7 24. Rae1 { I was pretending to attack the knight } 24... Rae8 { and he responded byprotecting it } 25. Rxf6 { ...but then all i wanted was to sacrifice my rookto renew the kingside attack } 25... Ng6 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Qxg6 Re1+ { a desperatemove } 28. Nf1 { ...and he resigned. } 1-0

[Event "Analyzed Games"] [Site "ChessDoctor.com"] [Date "?.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "W24"] [Black "B24"] [Result "?"] [ECO "?"] {00024.5.08 Analyzed by National Master Corey Russell} 1. d4 {Personally, I don't recommend my students playing 1.d4 until they are about class "A" strength. 1.d4 very often leads to strategic play, and 1.e4 is often direct and tactical. The problem is, there are more strategical concepts than tactical in chess, so 1.d4 is harder to play well. I know some players avoid 1.e4 because of the theory involved, but once you understand positions resulting of 1.e4, it really does help understanding 1.d4. This was true for myself.} 1... d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 {Already a strategical miscue happens. Because of black's inaccurate move 2, white can get nice central control and space with 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. e4 Nb6 5. Nf3. The pawns on d4 and e4 are called the "ideal" pawn center.} 3... e6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 {Unfortunately, this is one of those positions where the fianchetto of the bishop isn't very effective. White's bishop is blocked by the black d-pawn, and there is no way to dislodge it except by an eventual e4. But if white does that, then white will be obliged to recapture with a piece, and this leaves white's d-pawn isolated. See all the strategical concepts I was talking about? In this position, much more promising is quick development with 5. Bg5, then a later e3, Bd3, Nf3, etc. The text should give black a nice game.} 5... Bb4 6. Bd2 {Unnecessarily passive. Quick king-side castling is white's best chance for an advantage. Therefore 6. Bg2 is the best chance. 6. ... Ne4 is not really a threat, because 7. Qb3 defends against the threat and counter-attacks. This kind of defense-counterattack tactic is fairly common in 1.e4.} 6... Bxc3 {Black shouldn't have released the pressure. Simply O-O is logical and strong. Black could then follow it up with ...Re8, ...c6, ...Bf5, ...Nbd7, with a nice game because of the clamp on the central e4 square. Only if white wastes a tempo with a3 should black capture the knight at c3.} 7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Bg2 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Be6 10. e4 {?! Definitely dubious. White is opening up the center before he's completed development. Luckily for white, black didn't play the most active line.} 10... dxe4 11. Bxe4 c6 {Stops white threat on b7, but much more interesting was 11. ... O-O!? 12 Bxb7 Bd5! 13. Bxa8 Re8+ 14. Ne2 Bxa8, with a clear advantage for black! Note that if white tries 15. O-O, then white will be extremely weak on the light squares. Otherwise, 15. Rg1?? loses to 15. ... Bf3. This line just illustrates the dangers of opening up the center too early.} 12. Ne2 Nd7 13. Bg2 Nf6 14. Nf4 {Not good. 14. ... Bc4! would pose white some tough problems ...this would prevent white from castling, and threatens ...O-O and ...Re8, which would be devestating.} 14... O-O 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. O-O h6 17. Qb3 Qd7 18. Rfe1 Rae8 19. Bh3 Nd5 20. c4 Nb6 21. d5 cxd5 22. cxd5 Nxd5 23. Rad1 Qc6 24. Rc1 Qd7 25. Rc5 b6 {The losing move for black. Of course 25. ... Kh8 would leave black in a tenetable position.} 26. Rxd5 Qxd5 27. Bxe6+ {Nice tactic! The rest of the game wasn't the most accurate, but was sufficient to convert the point.} 27... Qxe6 28. Rxe6 Rxe6 29. Qxe6+ Kh7 30. Qe7 Rc8 31. Qxa7 Rc1+ 32. Kg2 b5 33. Qb7 Rc5 34. Qe7 Rc4 35. Qe2 Rb4 36. a3 Rc4 37. Qe5 b4 38. Qf5+ Kg8 39.Qe6+ Kh7 40. Qxc4 bxa3 41. Qd3+ Kg8 42. Qxa3 Kf7 43. Qb3+ Kf6 44. f4 Ke7 {Since white already has mating material, simply going for mate is sufficient. Therefore, cutting off black's king is logical, with either Qb6 or Qd5, and simply advancing white's king.} 45. f5 Kd6 46. Qe6+ Kc5 47. Kf3 Kd4 48. Kf4 Kc5 49. Ke4 Kb4 50. Qc6 Kb3 51. Qc5 g5 52. Kd3 g4 53. Qc4+ Kb2 54. Qc3+ Ka2 55. Kc2 h5 56. Qb2# 1-0

[Event "Challenge from jack46"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.18"] [Round "-"] [White "jack46"] [Black "blikblok"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1379"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1657"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Qf6 { Yikes. This just invites trouble. } 4. Nc3 { Obviously threatening 5. Nd5. } 4... Bc5 5. Nd5 Qd6 { Pretty much the only move. } 6. c3 { 6. 0-0 was possible too. } 6... a6 7. d4 { Mixing things up. If 7... axb5,8. dxb5, Black's Queen must move away from the defense of c7. } 7... exd4 8. Bf4 { This may be 'book' or not, but I found it on my own. Now Black losesc7. } 8... Qg6 { If 8... Qe6?, Nxc7+ wins the Queen. This was his only move, incidentallyeyeballing White's g2 and e4, although to take either would be to invitemore trouble. } 9. Nxc7+ Kf8 { Here, 9... Kd8 was better, I think. } 10. Bxc6 { I thought about Bd3, but Black gains time that way with 10... dxc3, 11.e5?!, Qxb2, 12. Rf1, and Black has survived. } 10... bxc6 { This is probably theright recapture, reserving the possibility of ...d6, blocking off the Bishop'sprotection of the Knight at c7. Black also now has the b-file for his QR. } 11. O-O Ra7 { Here, 11... Qxe4 was not possible because of 12. Re1!, Qxf4,13. Re8=. } 12. Nxd4 d6 { The previous note applies here too. Now White mustthink about how to defend the Knight at c7. } 13. Nb3 { This handles it fornow. If 13... Rxc7, 14. Nxc5. Now Black should try 13... Bg4, 14. Qd3!(not 14. Qd2, Bf6!++), Nh6, 15. h3. White still has the edge, since theBishop has no good retreat, and the other Bishop can't move from c5 withoutgiving the d-pawn. } 13... Qxe4 { Hoping, perhaps, for 14. Re1, Bxf2+, 15. Kxf2,Qxf4+, 16. Kg1, Rxc7, winning. } 14. Bxd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6+ Qe7 16. Rfe1 { Samestory with the mate threat at e8. The White Queen is taboo. } 16... Be6 { Goodmove, except for the tiny detail that White can capture with check, gaininga move and saving his pieces that appear en prise. } 17. Nxe6+ fxe6 18. Rxe6 { Entering an endgame two pawns ahead. } 18... Qxd6 19. Rxd6 Rc7 20. Nd4 c5 21. Ne6+ { Good enough to force a Rook exchange. } 21... Ke7 22. Rad1 { But first...morepieces in play! } 22... Ra7 23. Nxc5 Nf6 24. Re6+ { Just a nudge before takingthe a-pawn. } 24... Kf7 25. Rxa6 Re7 26. Kf1 h5 27. f3 g5 28. Rdd6 Ne8 29. Rd7 { Forcing more exchanges, now that the pawn majority is overwhelming. } 29... g4 30. Rxe7+ Kxe7 31. Re6+ Kf7 32. fxg4 { I might have held onto my 4-pawnedge, but Black's Rook will not really pose a danger at h2. Still, 32.f4 might have been better here. } 32... hxg4 33. Re4 Rxh2 34. Kg1 { If 34. Rxg4,Rh1+, 35. Kf2, Rb1 and White must defend his Q-side pawns. } 34... Rh5 { If instead34... Rh4, 35. Nd3, Nf6, 36. Rf4, Kg7, 37. g3, Rh6, 38. Ne5+. } 35. Rf4+ Nf6 { This allows the exchange of the remaining pieces, giving White anunstoppable pawn storm. } 36. Ne4 Rh6 37. Rxf6+ Rxf6 38. Nxf6 Kxf6 39. Kf2 Ke5 40. a4 1-0

[Event "A big win from a small advantage!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.11.02"] [Round "-"] [White "blitzkov"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1853"] [TimeControl "5d+5d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1897"] 1. Nf3 { Hi everyone! Pawns are the soul of chess! They are certainlynot to be taken lightly. They are potential queens. If you are able tokeep a one pawn advantage all the way through it can therefore be decisive. It certainly was in this game! For the want of three rating points Iwould have clocked up only my third near-Expert Victory. All the same,it was a big win because William absolutely Blitzed me (pun intended!)in my first game as white against him. In the second, I got away witha Houdini-Style draw. In this game, however, the position looked evenuntil I somehow managed to win a pawn in the middlegame. God only knowshow I managed to hold on to this precious one point advantage but I did. Pieces were exchanged and I ended up in a Q & P ending with an outsidepasser. Even in such an advantageous position, Glenda just could not stopdefending, right to the end. However, she was nursing my a pawn throughto becoming Glenda2. William could not stop this promotion and resignedon the grounds of Ruinous Loss of Material. So, how did this all happen? Well, let us start with the Reti Opening, which is 1. Nf3. } 1... Nf6 { 1. ......Nf6 - mirror image! } 2. c4 g6 3. b3 Bg7 { 3. ...... Bb7 - I get my fianchettoin first! } 4. Bb2 O-O 5. e3 c5 { 5. ....... c5 - this has more or less transposedinto the English Opening. } 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O d5 { 7. ...... d5 - after bothkings have been tucked away, a strike from Yours Truly in the centre. } 8. d4 cxd4 9. exd4 { 9. exd4 - pawn trade. } 9... Bf5 10. Na3 dxc4 11. bxc4 { 11.bxc4 - another pawn trade. } 11... Ne4 12. Nc2 Nc5 { 12. ....... Nc5 - for onemoment it looks as though I am hanging my knight. But look further, thatd4 pawn is pinned! I will leave you, the Inquest Jury to spot the unitthat that pawn is pinned to. } 13. Rb1 Bxc2 14. Qxc2 Bxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Qxd4 { 16. ...... Qxd4 - wheew! What a plethora of exchanges! Incredibly, under my board the material count registers plus one to me! Also, just look where Glenda is! That is not her usual location in themiddlegame against Class A oppo. and above. She is usually defending somethingon the first or second rank. Can Glenda stay aggressive and keep me onthat Yellow Brick Road to Expertdom? Or will The Wicked Witch of the Weststand in my way? We shall see. } 17. Rfd1 Qf6 18. Bf3 Rab8 { 18. ..... Rab8- Glenda has been driven back and I am now having to defend my b pawn. I need to hang on, grimly! } 19. Rd5 b6 20. a4 a5 { 20. .....a5 - to preventWilliam from playing a5 himself and undermining my b pawn's protectionof the knight on c5. } 21. h3 Rfd8 22. Qd1 Rxd5 23. Bxd5 { 23. Bxd5 - rooktrade. } 23... Kf8 24. Bf3 Qc3 { 24. ..... Qc3 - whoo-hoo! Glenda hops on herbroomstick and flies right into the heart of enemy territory. She hasher beady eye on catching those queenside p(r)awns for her better half'stable! } 25. Rxb6 Rxb6 26. Qd8+ { 28. Qd8+ - it looks as though William isgonna get his pawn back. However, I have something up my sleeve! } 26... Kg7 27. Qxb6 Nxa4 { 27. ..... Nxa4 - now, here is that outside passer I am talkingabout. The Witch is now en prise. That vital precious pawn on a5 cannotbe taken free of charge by the Witch because Glenda is defending it! } 28. Qb5 Qb4 { 28. ..... Qb4 - offering up a queen trade of which William declines. } 29. Qe5+ f6 30. Qe6 { 30. Qe6 - The Witch tries to get as close to Henryas possible. However, her only means of support is that lsb on f3. Thankfully,I will ensure that a line-up of those pieces along the a2-g8 diagonal isnot an issue for me. } 30... Qd6 { 30. ...... Qd6 - again offering up a queen tradeand again William declines. } 31. Qe1 Qc5 32. Bd5 Nb6 { 32. ..... Nb6 - thisis the move that will thwart that line up! } 33. Kh1 Nxd5 34. cxd5 { 34.cxd5 - we are now in a Q & P ending after my knight and William's lsb havebeen traded off. I am tempted to take that nice juicy pawn on d5, butI eschew it. Do you the Inquest Jury see why? } 34... a4 35. Qa1 a3 { 35. .....a3 - pawn push! } 36. f3 Qb4 { 36. ...... Qb4 - Glenda now has her beadyeye on b2. She knows she could perish on that square. However, as William'sking is soooo far away, resurrection is at hand! } 37. Kh2 Qb2 38. Qd1 { 38.Qd1 - William declines a queen trade. However, I do not know how Williamis gonna stop a two against one here! } 38... a2 { 38. ..... a2 - the final pushand William waves the white flag. There is absolutely no way he can stopGlenda2 from appearing on the board. He can trade his queen for the pawnbut that still leaves Glenda on the board. Either way, William will bea queen to the bad and Old Matey isn't too far away. Thankfully my gameslevel is gradually reducing and I am able to spend more time analysingmy games and getting into a 'Freeze Funk' less and less and I am havingmore time to make my moves. Anyhow, I hope you all have had a lovely weekend! Bye for now - Joanne } 0-1

[Event "Fierce Queen teaching another lesson..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20-Feb-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "rama38"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2090"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz"] [WhiteElo "2059"] { Some opponents, I can never get enough of: for some reason, they can neverget the better of you; not sure why: this bloke, I battled before and wonfairly easy; despite his strength: 2090 is no joke to reach... again, 3+10blitz is on the menu... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { Giuoco Piano itwill be: one of my favourites with White... } 4. O-O Nf6 5. c3 { no fearfor Nxe4: after Re1, White will set things straight... } 5... O-O 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Be7 { White has already castled, so Bb4 is of no use anymore... } 8. d5 { White is already ahead in tempo... } 8... Nb8 9. Nc3 d6 10. h3 { takingaway Bg4... } 10... h6 11. Bf4 a6 12. e5 dxe5 13. Nxe5 Bd6 14. Bh2 Nbd7 15. f4 { White is conquering the center... } 15... Nc5 16. b4 Nce4 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Qd3 Nf6 19. g4 { keeping up the pressure... } 19... Bxb4 20. a3 Bc5+ 21. Kg2 { Blackis not getting any grip, on the White position... } 21... Nh7 22. Qb3 { settingup a change of scenery... } 22... Bd6 23. Rad1 b5 24. Bd3 Bb7 25. Bxh7+ Kxh7 26. Qd3+ { mission accomplished... } 26... Kg8 27. Bg3 Bxe5 { Black needs to releasesome tensions... } 28. fxe5 Re8 29. Qf5 { although it might be too late forBlack... } 29... Qc8 { chess blindness, no doubt: Black should have tried Bxd5+;but the pin over Qd8 might prove lethal... } 30. Qxf7+ { and Black resigned:probably fed up, with his own play.. } 1-0

[Event "Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.05.01"] [Round "-"] [White "rickypr18"] [Black "results"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1846"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1795"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 { The starting point of the AcceleratedDragon. } 5. c4 { I opt for a Maróczy Bind, which takes control of the d5square and pretty much prevents the d7-d5 move that black hopes for inthe Accelerated Dragon. } 5... Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be2 d6 9. O-O { Thisall seems normal up to now. } 9... Bd7 10. f3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Nh5 { I do not thinkthis was a wise move, trading the g7 bishop with that kind of pawn formationcan be detrimental to king safety. } 12. Bxg7 Nxg7 13. Kh1 { I guess I didthis to prevent any surprise forks/double attacks with check, maybe I wasthinking of a possible pawn storm. } 13... Bc6 14. Qd2 f5 15. Qh6 { Getting myqueen into an aggressive square. } 15... e6 16. Rfd1 { I like my position up untilnow. } 16... Qe7 17. Rd3 { Planning to double rooks on this file and control thecenter. } 17... Nh5 { Not sure what this was for. } 18. exf5 Qh4 { I guess Nh5 wasto prepare this move. } 19. Kg1 { Preventing a discovered attack which wouldend up in the loss of my queen. } 19... exf5 20. Rxd6 { And I'm a pawn ahead. Ilike my position to be honest. A pawn ahead, my rook is on an open (central)file, my queen is on an aggressive square, and my king is safe. } 20... Rad8 { Offersthe rook for control of the file. Here, I have several options. I can retreatmy queen to d2, I can place my other rook on the same file and put someuse to it, and I can trade rooks in order to simplify since I'm ahead inmaterial. I like retreating my queen to d2 or placing the other rook onthe same file the best. Trading rooks here might seem to favor the sidethat's ahead on material, but I think that giving him that open file mightbe a bad idea. } 21. c5 { So I chose c5. Let me explain. I defend my rook,while at the same time opening the possibility for my e2 bishop to checkhis king and put him in a precarious position. What I failed to noticeis that I cannot actually check his king since his queen would take mybishop, and that I've just given the pawn back due to a tactic. But ifhe took the pawn back, I'd be able to get my bishop where I had planned. } 21... Rxd6 22. cxd6 Qd4+ { And here's the tactic. } 23. Kf1 Qxd6 24. Bc4+ { Thisis what I had planned, but now what? } 24... Kh8 25. Re1 { I did this to try toplace my rook on e6 after and possibly distract the queen from it's defenceof f8. } 25... Qc5 { He attacks my bishop. } 26. Bb3 { I retreat to a safe square. } 26... f4 { This is a blunder. How do I capitalize? } 27. Re5 { There we go. He can'ttake the rook because he'd get mated in 1 by way of Qxf8, so now he mustmove to a square where he defends the rook on f8. There's only two options.Qd6 and Qb4. } 27... Qd6 { He chose Qd6. } 28. Ne4 { And I chose to blunder rightback, with the idea of sending my knight to g5 afterwards and attackinghis king. The problem is that I had a move that would win a piece, attackhis king, and kept my king pretty safe. I should have followed up the firstbrilliant tactic with another brilliant tactic. I should have played 28.Rxh5. The g pawn was pinned to the queen, so he couldn't take the rookunless he wanted to lose the queen. And his queen was defending the f8rook, so even if he checked me, he would have had to find a way for himto defend both the mate on h7 and the mate on Qxf8 after the check, andeven if he could, I would be a piece ahead. I think 28. Rxh5 would havewon instantly. } 28... Qd3+ { And now will follow a myriad of checks until he winsa pawn and gets tired of checking my king. } 29. Kg1 Qb1+ 30. Kf2 Qxb2+ { Wins the pawn and now is a pawn up. } 31. Ke1 Qc1+ 32. Ke2 Qe3+ 33. Kf1 Qd3+ 34. Ke1 Rd8 { And now I do not like my king safety. } 35. Rxh5 { I lookedat this move a bit too late, and a bit erroneously as well. I thought hecouldn't take the rook because of Qf6#, but he surprised me with anothercheck which defended the f6 square and allowed him to win the exchange. } 35... Qb1+ 36. Ke2 Qb2+ 37. Ke1 gxh5 { This was starting to look quite grim forme. } 38. Qxf4 { I take the f pawn since doubled pawns are easier to attack.I was thinking that I could still pull a victory out somehow, but the nextmove was pretty forcing. } 38... Bb5 39. Qf6+ { I believe I was forced to do this,or else I'd lose a lot of material, or get checkmated, or get into a reallyuncomfortable position after 39. Qe3. So I chose to trade queens, hopingthat his doubled pawns on the h file will be a target and I'll find a wayto draw the game. } 39... Qxf6 40. Nxf6 h4 { Protects his pawn. } 41. Ne4 { I wasplanning some weird knight moves to win the h4 pawn. Maybe I should havefocused more on advancing my kingside pawn majority. } 41... a5 { Now he beganto get his queenside pawns rolling. } 42. Nc3 { Attacking the bishop. Only3 more knight moves away from attacking the h4 pawn. Might have been abit too hopeful for that. Forgetting that his queenside pawn majority couldbe my downfall. } 42... Bc6 43. Ke2 { Trying to get my king involved. } 43... b5 44. a3 { I'm not sure that this was the right way to proceed. Maybe I could haveplayed a4. Suggestions? } 44... b4 45. axb4 axb4 46. Ne4 Bb5+ 47. Ke1 { I can'tgo up as I'd like to because of Rd3+, winning my bishop, and the game. } 47... Rd3 { He goes to d3 anyway, only in this case I don't lose a piece. } 48. Bc2 Ra3 { Preparing an advance to b3. } 49. Nd2 { Preventing the immediateadvance. } 49... Kg7 { Finally bringing his king out of inactivity. } 50. Nb1 { PerhapsI should have tried g3 here. This move allows the advance of the pawn aftera useful check on e3. } 50... Re3+ 51. Kd1 { If Kf2 I lose a piece, if Kd2 I losethe g pawn. } 51... b3 52. Be4 { Saving the bishop and limiting the rook's movement. } 52... h6 { I suppose he wanted to move his king without losing that pawn. } 53. Nd2 Ba4 54. Nb1 Bb5 55. g3 { I finally play g3, not sure if it was too late. } 55... hxg3 56. hxg3 Kf6 { His king is getting closer. } 57. Kd2 Re2+ 58. Kd1 Ra2 59. Nc3 Ra1+ 60. Kd2 Bc4 61. Ke3 { Trying to get my king involved somehow. } 61... b2 62. Bb1 { And this is the final, decisive blunder. Try to find the nextmove for black. I should have played Kd2, but maybe that would have lostas well. } 62... Ba2 63. Bxa2 Rxa2 64. Nb1 Ra1 65. Nd2 b1=Q 66. Nxb1 Rxb1 { Andhere it is clear that I cannot win. } 67. f4 { The next few moves I playedquickly and without much thought. } 67... Kf5 68. Kf3 Rb3+ 69. Kg2 { And I surrendered.His king was going to g4 next, winning my final two pawns, and relinquishingall my hopes. } 0-1

[Event "Blunderwall"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.08.18"] [Round "-"] [White "porcho"] [Black "jimrocks22"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1266"] [TimeControl "10 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1348"] { I was pretty happy to beat my opponent as I have a bad record againsthim, I've drawn one game, won one (Two now) and lost six. The name comesfrom the name comes from my opponent s the last three games have been decidedby blunders. In fact, the move that finally had my opponent resign wasa blunder so... } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 { Normal. } 4... Nbd7 5. Nf3 Be7 6. e3 c6 7. Bd3 { Still normal. } 7... Qc7 8. O-O Bd6 9. Bxf6 Nxf6 { Imight have considered taking with the g pawn, as that would give him theg file to play with. } 10. Qc2 Ng4 { Adds a third attacker to h2. I'm startingto feel a little pressure. } 11. g3 h5 12. Rfe1 h4 { ? I suppose he didn'tnotice I could capture with my knight. If I couldn't have taken with myknight this would have been very strong. } 13. Nxh4 Be7 14. Nf3 e5 { Hisattack has now fizzled out, while he h file is half open he doesn't haveany good way to get his queen over to it. } 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. f4 Qh5 18. h4 Qg4 { Bxh4 looked like a tempting sac, but I don't thinkit would have accomplished much. } 19. Qg2 Bxh4 { Now he plays it, and althoughhe does get a bit of an attack, it doesn't really work because I can justtrade queens. } 20. gxh4 Rxh4 { ?? He really needed to take with his queenas that might have left him with a bit of an attack, this lets my exchangeout of it. } 21. Qxg4 Bxg4 22. Be2 f5 23. Bxg4 Rxg4+ 24. Kf2 O-O-O 25. cxd5 cxd5 26. Rad1 Rh8 27. Nxd5 { Up be three, but he begins his third and lastattack now. } 27... Rh2+ 28. Kf3 Rgh4 { Threatens mate, but I have a neat way todeal with it and win a pawn at the same time. } 29. Ne7+ { ! } 29... Kc7 30. Nxf5 { Stops the mate. } 30... Rh7 31. Rc1+ Kb6 32. Red1 R7h3+ 33. Ke4 g6 34. Rd6+ { NowI begin my first and only attack. } 34... Kb5 35. Nd4+ Kb4 36. a3+ Ka5 37. Rc5+ Ka4 38. Rc4+ { If I didn't play this attack accurately, I would appreciatecomments showing me how I went wrong. } 38... Ka5 39. Nb3+ Kb5 40. Kd4 { Quietmove. } 40... Rxb2 41. Rd5+ Kb6 42. Rb4+ Kc6 { ?? Ka6 would allow mate, this allowsme to win his rook. Kc7 might have held on a little longer but he was reallydoomed. } 43. Na5+ { And he resigns. Please comment and rate. } 1-0

[Event "Party in the Black King's Court"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.05"] [Round "-"] [White "bwaa"] [Black "mandinko"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1616"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1696"] 1. c4 { Hey all! This is the second game from this terrific league match.This time, I hold the White pieces, and very quickly offer an ill-conceivedsacrifice. I try to cover my tracks by throwing more material at the problemin a desperate bid to expose the Black King before I run out of forces.Enjoy! } 1... Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 { Very standard Anglo-Indian. } 3. e4 { Now we're veeringtoward a standard King's Indian with 3...Bg7 4.d4 d6. } 3... Bg7 4. e5 { !? Whiteavoids the classic King's Indian lines with this aggressive option. Blackmust accept the thorny pawn for now, but the question remains whether Whitecan hold onto it so far afield. } 4... Ng8 5. d4 e6 { More common are 5...c6 or5...d6. The text makes f6 a dangerous hole just to allow ...Ne7; it's probablybetter to develop the Knight to f5 via h6 instead. } 6. Nf3 Ne7 7. Bg5 { Takingadvantage of the weakened dark squares. } 7... O-O 8. Qd2 d6 9. h4 { ?! This iswhere, as White, I decided to make a big, unsound sacrifice, but reallythe choice isn't made until next move. With correct play from here, Whiteshould retain a solid, excellent position, though 9.O-O-O would have beensmoother and much more comfortable. See my next note... } 9... dxe5 { All right.Now, there are two lines that I see that look good for White. The firstis the simple one; 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.dxe5 and once White castles he shouldbe in good shape, though he'll still probably have a tough time holdingthe e-pawn. The other line is much sharper and rather unclear: 10.dxe5?!!Qxd2+ 11.Kxd2?! Nec6 (say) 12.Bf6 and White has far better development,offset by his awkwardly-centralized King. White should be able to pickup the d-file soon because of Black's queenside lack of development, andmay be able to use his greater activity to transition into a strong endgame.While this isn't the way the game went, I'd be very interested to see howthat line would have played out! } 10. Nxe5 { ? Honestly, this is a mistake.The lines I gave above are simply better. The text loses a piece for apawn in a wildly speculative attempt to break into the Black kingside. } 10... f6 11. Nxg6 hxg6 { Taking the Bishop would have allowed White to open theh-file for his Rook. } 12. Be3 Nf5 13. Bd3 Nc6 { Piling up on the d-pawn. } 14. g4 { ?! The d-pawn is pretty much indefensible, so White goes on theoffensive instead, forcing Black to take with the f-Knight rather thanthe c-Knight. } 14... Nfxd4 15. O-O-O { 15.Bxg6 was a strong consideration, butthe Bishop seems likely to get trapped back there, and might even giveBlack an excuse to free his own LSB (via a trade on f5). Instead, Whiteaccepts the loss of a pawn to activate his other Rook and get his Kingto a somewhat safer spot. } 15... f5 { Locking one White Bishop out while allowingthe other one in--I think I like 15...e5 better (although considering howmuch trouble this pawn caused me down the road...) } 16. h5 Kf7 { 16...Ne7was definitely worth a look. The problem is that now after 17.hxg6+, Blackreally ought not to recapture with the King, as the g-file can open anysecond and White has sacrificed material to get another Rook ready to occupyit. } 17. hxg6+ Kxg6 { ? This has got to be a mistake, though even here Idon't see a forced conclusion, or even a decisive combination, for White. } 18. gxf5+ exf5 19. Rdg1+ Kf7 20. Rh7 { Forcing Black to pull some piecesback to defend. Notice how strong White looks despite being a full piecebehind. As long as White can remain the aggressor, he has a chance to regainequilibrium with his activity advantage. } 20... Rg8 21. Be2 { I thought for along time on this move. White's problems are the pawns on c4 and f5, preventingthis Bishop from getting into the action. His other thorn is the nastyNd4, ready to leap into action with a killer fork on f3 if given the chanceand bottling up White's pieces with its mere presence. I'm loathe to exchangewhile a full piece behind, this move is the best option I found for White--ifBlack leaves the Bishop alone, White can renew his attack with a checkon h5. If Black takes it, the Knight is gone and the Queen will move toa much more useful location on e2. Essentially, this is throwing anotherpiece at the problem to hope it goes away, but at least it's a relativelyweak piece compared to Black's strong Knight. } 21... Nxe2+ { This is a naturalmove, and exchanging while ahead is generally good, and Black certainlywants to avoid giving this Bishop a line to his King, but I think thisgives up too much. 21...Be6 or simple 21...Kf8 were both worth a look inmy opinion. } 22. Qxe2 Ne5 { ? This feels like a perfectly reasonable, rationalmove, but in fact this inaccuracy tosses the game, or at least lets Whiterecover with advantage. I think the correct play was 22...Ne7, instead(or perhaps the more daring 22...Nd4?!). The critical factor is White'sBishop, prepared to jump to either g5 or c5 at a moment's notice, so thatafter 23.Qh5+, Black's only response must be 23...Ke6, whereupon Whitecan pick up at least the Bishop at his leisure. Other King moves all loseinstantly to the powerful White Bishop: 23...Kf6 or 23...Ke7 are met with24.Bg5+, skewering through to win at least the Queen, and 23...Kf8 faresno better, as 24.Bc5+ forces Black to give up his Queen to prevent mate. } 23. Qh5+ Kf8 { ?? As I mentioned above, this is deadly; correct was 23...Ke6.The rest is just an elegant mating net. } 24. Bc5+ Qd6 { Forced (24...Qe7is certainly no better). Black soldiers on for a few more turns, but defeatis now inevitable. } 25. Bxd6+ cxd6 26. Rhxg7 Rxg7 27. Qh8+ Ke7 28. Nd5+ { 1-0. It's mate in three (28...Kd7 29.Rxg7+ Nf7 30.Rxf7+ Kc6 31.Rc7#);Black sees it and throws in the towel after a hard-fought battle. Manythanks to mandinko for a great game!Comments are much appreciated on thegame and/or the analysis. Thanks for reading! } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.28"] [Round "-"] [White "chaosdreamer"] [Black "blackymate"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1291"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. d4 e6 2. c4 Qh4 { The Queen is a powerful piece but bringing it out prematurelywill help white develop his forces while gaining tempos, leaving blackin a bad spot once the opening is done with. Better is 2 .. d5 or 2 ...Nf6 which would of been a standard response to 2. c4 } 3. Nf3 { Developingwhile making black waste another turn by moving his Queen again. } 3... Qe4 4. a3 { I did this to stop Bb4 but I should of just kept developing with 4Nc3 } 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 { Another free move to get my Knight out since he will haveto move his Queen rather then bring out more of his pieces. } 5... Qf5 6. e3 Ne4 { He is trading off one of the few developed pieces he has better wouldof been 6 ... d5 } 7. Nxe4 Qxe4 8. Bd3 Qg4 { This is the 5th time he hashad to move his Queen in the opening. It is ideal to move a piece justonce during your development. } 9. O-O { 0-0 is a solid move but interestingwould of been 9. h3 if 9... Qxg2? 10 Rh2! and black would lose his queen. } 9... Nc6 { Better is 9 ... Be7. 9 ... Nc6 followed by 10 d5 making his knightgo to the edge of the board or cramping his position making him lose moretime in getting his pieces active. I ended up missing the d5 move in thegame though. } 10. h3 { I did this because I didn't like his queen staringdown at my king but this move just wasted my time. } 10... Qh5 11. b4 { Gettingspace and planning a home for my dark square bishop on the a1-h8 diagonal } 11... f5 { 11 ... d6 would of been better. I am far more developed then himand now he is starting to weaken his king side. } 12. e4 { My response tof5 since he is starting to weaken his king side I wish to open it up asmuch as I can to put pressure on it. } 12... Be7 13. exf5 exf5 14. Re1 { Gettingmy rook active on the open file. } 14... O-O { This is a big mistake as he willlose material after 15. b5! now black will either lose his bishop or aknight. } 15. b5 Na5 { Black is in a bad spot no mater what but a bettermove would of been 15 ... Qf7 } 16. Rxe7 b6 17. Bd2 { I did this becauseI would rather his Knight be placed on the b7 square then his bishop. Butdue to 17... a6 I believe 17 Bf4 would of been slightly better. } 17... Nb7 18. Qc2 { I did this to line up my queen and bishop on the b1 h7 diagonal but18 Qe2 would of been more of a threat. } 18... d6 { This hangs the c7 pawn. WhichI do notice but i like where my rook is right now and taking the pawn rightaway I believe will slow down my progress. } 19. Rae1 f4 { 19... Rf7 wouldof been better. } 20. Bxf4 { Better is 20 Rxc7 due to 20... Bxh3 which Iashame to admit that I did not see. Note that with 20 Bxf4 if blackdoes 20... Rxf4 following will be 21 Re8+ Rf8 22. Bxh7 Qxh7 23. Qxh7+ Kxh724 Rxf8 } 20... g6 { I guess he did this out in hopes of being able to later takemy bishop on f4 but this just weakens his king side even more he shouldof just done 20... Bxh3 } 21. Re8 { Better is 21. Be4 which leads to nastytrade down of his knight and rook for my bishop and pawn. The only reasonI could find 21 Be4 was by having the game analysis afterwards by a chessengine the thought never even occur to me ingame. 21.Be4 Bxh3 22.bxb7Rad8 23.Bd5+ Kh8 24.Qd2 Bg4 25.Bh6 Rg8 26.Bxg8 Rxg8 } 21... Bxh3 { This the onlysurprise I had during the game I should of saw it coming but I didn't.Lucky for me it was simple to remove the threats he had made since hisKnight is on b7 unprotected } 22. Rxf8+ { Better would of been if I did Rxa8,it would of made his rook less active. Since I took his rook this waynow when he retakes he will also be putting pressure on the f file } 22... Rxf8 23. Qd2 Qg4 { Threatens checkmate by Qxg2++ } 24. g3 Qxf3 { 24... Qd7 wouldof been better due to 25. Be4 } 25. Be4 Qg4 26. Bxb7 h5 { He is trying tocreate a counter atk but this just weakens his king side yet again. Thismove is the final nail in his coffin. } 27. Bd5+ Kh7 28. Re7+ Kh8 29. Bh6 { I still have a forced win here but faster would of been 29 Be5+ followby Qh6++ checkmate } 29... Qc8 30. Bxf8 Qxf8 31. Rf7 Qg8 32. Qh6+ { And black resignsnext would of been 32... Qh7 33 Rxh7++ check mate } 1-0

[Event "Blitz Chess Game."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "georgeo1991"] [Black "sandcastle2"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1575"] [WhiteElo "1040"] 1. Nf3 { Thought I'd start out a little bit different as to my usual. } 1... h6 { Hmm? Different I guess. } 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 { Trying to gain a keyhold of the middle. } 4... Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. Bc4 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 { Bringmy queen into play instead of doubling up of pawns. } 8... dxe5 9. d5 Qf6 10. dxe6 Qxf3 11. gxf3 { Don't like doubling up my pawns but had no choice atthis point. } 11... fxe6 12. Bxe6 Bb4 13. f4 Bxc3+ { Great another forced doubleup! } 14. bxc3 Ke7 15. Bxd7 Nxd7 16. Ba3+ c5 17. O-O { Wanted to get bothrooks into play. } 17... exf4 18. Rfe1+ Kd8 19. Rad1 b6 20. Re4 g5 21. h4 { Offeringan exchange in pawns. } 21... Kc7 { Declined. } 22. Re7 gxh4 23. Rdxd7+ Kc6 24. Bb2 { Trying to attack his rook on h8. } 24... Rag8+ 25. Kf1 h3 26. c4 h2 27. Bxh8 h1=Q+ { I personally would have taken the bishop and upgraded pawn nextmove. Major mistake on his behalf as the bishop ends up winning the gamefor me. } 28. Ke2 Rg6 { Don't know what this move was about?! } 29. Be5 { Nextmove checkmate. } 29... Qe4+ { Must have seen it! } 30. Kd2 f3 { Or not! } 31. Rc7# 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.05.11"] [Round "-"] [White "psycho422"] [Black "scotlandthebrave"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1131"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1030"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 { King's Knight Opening. } 2... Qf6 { Greco Defense. } 3. d4 Nc6 4. dxe5 Nxe5 5. Ng5 d6 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Nc3 Ng4 { Ok, QxN is perfectly legithere. The black bishop is not defending the knight since it is protectingthe king. Also, before taking the knight, white could take the bishop,stopping black's ability to castle. Then QxN+. } 8. O-O { Uh, no. Thoughthis does prevent QxPf2#. } 8... c6 9. Be2 Ne5 10. b3 h5 11. Ba3 { White is probablyright to bypass BxPh5, as this opens black's rook file on white's castle.While this moves leaves the white knight undefended, white can counterwith a pawn fork. White's castle pawns suffer, and white doubles pawns,but also attacks the d6 pawn. } 11... Qxg5 { White essentially trades a knightand pawn for a knight. Pd6 will end up at e5 where black can protect itand exert control over the center. } 12. f4 Nf3+ { Well, black ends up withwhite's f4 pawn instead. } 13. Rxf3 { ...or not. Excellent response by white. } 13... Qxg2+ { ? Trading the queen for a pawn seems questionable. Qg6 works. Qf6 threatens Nc3. Pe5, PxPe5, Pf4xPe5, QxPe5... Lots of options betterthan this one. } 14. Kxg2 Bg4 15. Rd3 O-O-O { Every trade now plays to white'sadvantage. } 16. Bxg4+ hxg4 17. e5 { Oh, I like QxPg4+ better. But thismove is ok. } 17... d5 18. Bxf8 { Excellent. RxB, QxPg4+, black cannot block (interpose)so must move the king. White follows with QxPg7 forking black's rooks. The carnage continues. } 18... Rxf8 19. Qxg4+ Kc7 { Qxg7 is actually not thatgreat, as black can defend with Ne7 and white must move the king or queenor suffer a pin. Better yet is Na4, or Rd4. 20. Qxg7, Nf7. 21. Qf6Ng6 or black must defend the knight with a rook. Or check white's king. } *

[Event "bigpeta's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.05.11"] [Round "-"] [White "hogfysshe"] [Black "snowman100"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1618"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1826"] 1. e4 { A Big Peta Students club Mini-Tournament game. Excellent defendingby black and a few mistakes by white led to a long close game. Wantingto gauge my assessment, I requested computer analysis -after- completingthe annotation. } 1... d6 { 1. ...d6, apparently the Pirc defense. I have neverplayed it or played against it. } 2. d4 { 2. d4 gives white some spaceto work with early and hinders black by controlling his fourth rank. Perhapsa disadvantage of the Pirc? } 2... g6 { 2. ...g6 lays some groundwork to challengethe center. } 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. f4 { 4. f4. I come to like and regret this moveequally, the main downside being that several squares (e4, g3, g4, andf3) are weakened. Benefits similar to d4. } 4... f6 { 4. f6. A strange moveby black. Seems to put delays on the N and B getting in to play. Probablysetting up e5? If white develops an advantage, it may be traceable to1. ...d6 and 4. ...f6. [computer agrees, prefers 4. ...Nf6. computer doesnot mind 1. ...d6] } 5. Nf3 Nc6 { 5. ...Nc6. Following a lot of early pawnmoves on both sides, minor pieces are getting in to the game. } 6. Be3 e5 { 6. ...e5 as expected. An exchange here favors black, so... } 7. Qd2 { Whiteplays 7. Qd2 preparing to castle. Black also passes on a capture, andplays... } 7... Bg4 { 7. ...Bg4, clearing off some of his back rank. Still anedge in development for white. } 8. Be2 f5 { 8. ...f5. Hmm, it's gettingcrowded. All pieces and all pawns still on the board. Still unhappy withthe prospects of an exchange... } 9. d5 { ...white keeps things a bit closedin the center while opening up some diagonals with several pieces pointingtoward where black may be intending to castle. } 9... Nce7 { ...and forcing theknight to move. [computer prefers 9. ...Bxf3] } 10. O-O-O { 10. O-O-O addsa rook to the pressure on the center, ...perhaps useful if thing open up. Black's king and queen are starting to look like targets. Perhaps anidea around which to build a plan (the plan to this point having been totake advantage of the space advantage gained with those early pawn movesby placing my pieces to greatest advantage). Other than the B on g4, I'mreasonably happy with the position here. } 10... fxe4 { 10. ...fxe4, the firstcapture of the game. } 11. Nxe4 { 11. NxP. } 11... Bxf3 { 11. ...Bxf3. B for N probablyfavors white, ... } 12. Bxf3 { ...and white still has one knight that cango to g5, which is a stepping stone to e6. } 12... Qd7 { 12. ...Qd7. The queenand king are both still potential targets. And now I'm thinking it mightalso be useful to prevent black from castling, thereby delaying his rooksgetting into the game while also keeping his king from getting to a safelocation. } 13. Ng5 { 13. Ng5 as mentioned. Bishop on g7 under some pressure. } 13... Bh6 { Black plays 13. ...Bh6. } 14. Ne6 { 14. Ne6 prevents castling. [computersuggests 14. fxe5]. Now g4 looks like a very good square for a bishop. But black manages to put some brakes on white's plans... } 14... Nf5 { 14. ...Nf5. } 15. Bf2 { I conserve my B and keep the pressure on black's queenside. } 15... Ng7 { Aha! Black may feel the knight on e6 has overstayed. A very good move. } 16. Qb4 { 16. Qb4 opening up a new set of possibilities. The queen andking being aligned is certainly of interest. } 16... Nxe6 { 16. NxN. Hey! I wasenjoying that spot! Looking on the bright side, perhaps this opens upthe center where some of my pieces are pointed. Hmm, black does have somestrong pawns... } 17. dxe6 { 17. dxe6 } 17... Bxf4+ { BxP with check puts off dealingwith the attack on the queen. I'm down a pawn. } 18. Kb1 { He sidestepped his opponent. } 18... Qxe6 { 18. ...Qxe6. Now here I make a mistake, or rather I misevaluate. To capturewith Q or B? Hmm, I am picturing capturing the b-pawn pawn and then alsothe c-pawn, overlooking that the Q defends c8 (meaning the R can live there). This is a significant oversight as capturing that c-pawn is key to myplan and keeping it is key to a strong defensive position for black. } 19. Qxb7 { 19. Qxb7. } 19... Rc8 { 19. Rc8. Drat!, ...as discussed. White stillhas greater mobility and also has a safer king. Well, in addition to beingstrong in general, those three pawns will provide some safety for the blackking. } 20. g3 { 20. g3 prepares to bring my second rook across. } 20... Bg5 { 20....Bg5 } 21. Bd5 { If white can just knock the queen off that diagonal, hecan capture the rook. } 21... Qf5 { 21. ...Qf5 } 22. Rhf1 { 22. Rhf1 setting up adiscovered attack on the queen. [computer calls this a blunder and suggests22. g4. not sure I follow. why not then 22. ...Qxg4? comments?] } 22... Ne7 { Oof! This move by black kills white's offense. Interestingly, it is itscoverage of c8 that is the most exasperating. For example, the queen cannow recapture on g5! Very inconvenient for white. This knight move makesit impossible to find a combination where white comes out ahead. Aargh! } 23. Bxa7 { Captures pawn (equalizing pawn lost at 17) and attacks queen. } 23... Qd7 { 23. Qd7. A taunting move, that blasted knight insuring that the alignmentof Q & K can not be exploited!!! Excellent strong defensive position byblack!!! } 24. Bf7+ { 24. Bf7+. Unfortunately, I know this isn't reallygoing to go anywhere. But I did want to conserve the B and the alternate,24. Rf7, did not seem as good. } 24... Kd8 25. Bc5 { Black's best move in responseto this is the move he plays!... } 25... Qc6 { 25. ...Qc6. [computer suggests 25....Nc6]. The game is even in terms of material and black has gained somepotential mobility. I ALMOST played the interesting 25.Bc5Qc6 26.Bxd6Qxb7 27.Bxe5+Nd5 28.Bxd5Qb5 29.Bxh8 here,but I didn't have the nerveto leave black with his queen and me without mine. Instead played... } 26. Qxc6 { the frustrating QxQ!!! [computer suggests 26. Qb4 and shows white'sadvantage deteriorating] } 26... Nxc6 { recaptures 26. ...NxQ. } 27. Bd5 { Recognizingthe strength of his pawns, black does not take the bait (does not playdxc5)... } 27... Ne7 { and puts that infernal knight back on e7!!!!!! } 28. Be6 { 28. Be6 protects the bishop. } 28... Rb8 29. Bxd6 { That's it! White takes drasticmeasures and trades the B for two pawns. Somewhat nervy this far along.[computer really dislikes this move and call the game even, white havinghad an advantage for the last 25 moves!] } 29... cxd6 30. Rxd6+ { 30. RxP. Thegame is turning in to an epic. } 30... Ke8 31. Bf7+ { 31. Bf7+ } 31... Kf8 { 31. ...Kf8gives white some interesting tactical options. BUT... } 32. h4 { This isan error. [computer calls it minor]. I had thought I could play Bxg6+or h4 in any order (my target is the knight, pushing the bishop aside isrequired). But I missed black's response which reveals Bxg6 had to be playedfirst. I believe this mistake causes the game to extend longer than ifI had made the correct move. } 32... Nf5 { Ugh! The knight is now safe and twoof white's pieces are now under attack! } 33. Bxg6 { Solution: anotherexchange of a bishop for two pawns! Yikes! } 33... hxg6 34. Rxg6 { Ok, one morepawn to go. Knight can not be saved. } 34... Bh6 { 34. Bh6 [computer dislikesthis move and returns advantage to white. suggested line seems odd tome] } 35. Rxf5+ { RxN, with sights on the final pawn (white has apparentlyforgotten the object of the game). This capture makes up for the bishopexchanges, B+B for P+P+P+P+N. } 35... Ke7 36. Rxe5+ { A complete set. This isonly the second time I've collected all of an opponent's pawns. Blackis plenty dangerous with his R+R+B vs my R+R+pawns. } 36... Kf7 { 36. ...Kf7.leads toward another mistake by white. Keep an eye on b2. } 37. h5 { Preferableto Rge6 (which endangers b2) or Ree6 (which is uninteresting). So I AMpaying attention to b2! } 37... Bg7 { 37. ...Bg7 [computer strongly prefers ...Rbg8] } 38. Rf5+ { 38. Rf5+ and black must play ...Kg8 or lose the B. } 38... Kg8 { I'veoften thought of this strange situation. That bishop is pinned and soCAN NOT go to b2!!!! And yet... } 39. Rfg5 { had I been thinking, I wouldhave protected the b-pawn. Another mistake. [computer does not dislikethis move] } 39... Rxb2+ { A strange property of chess that a pinned piece stillprovides support to other pieces and still cuts off access to the opposingking. This is the first time I've been tripped up like this. Perhapsthe game will end in a draw. [computer actually slightly increases advantageto white here, though offers no alternative for black] } 40. Kc1 Rxa2 41. Rxg7+ { RxB and white regains an edge, though with far fewer pawns thanhe should have. } 41... Kf8 42. Kd2 Rxh5 { 42. ...Rxh5, another excellent moveby black. On the other hand, it relieves white from having to do too muchthinking. } 43. Rxh5 { RxR } 43... Kxg7 { QxR and black creates a situation wherewhite will have plenty of chances to blunder in to a draw. } 44. Re5 { Whitehowever plays a decent endgame. } 44... Kf6 45. Re3 Kf5 46. Kd3 Kg4 47. c4 Ra4 48. Kd4 Ra8 49. c5 { I've never been in a situation where I played out theLucena position in a game. However, I have studied and practiced it alittle. Several of the remaining moves borrow from techniques relatedto this study. For example, if I am going to push the rook to where itis no longer dangerous, the pawn needs to be on c5, not c4. I was nervousI wouldn't be able to pull the needed points out of my memory. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXtT0StMqKQfor more info. VERY useful! And should be reviewed and practiced a fewtimes a year. } 49... Rd8+ 50. Kc4 Rc8 51. Kb5 { 51. Kb5 } 51... Rb8+ 52. Kc6 { Moves 52through 54 are similar to the 'bridge' technique used when playing fromthe Lucena position, except in reverse. } 52... Rc8+ 53. Kb6 Rb8+ 54. Kc7 { Displacesthe rook. } 54... Rb1 55. c6 Rc1 56. Rd3 { I believe I could have played Kb7 orKd7 here. But I think I had to create a shelter on d or B or black couldcontinue to harass my K from my home rank. Forces him to a flank. } 56... Rh1 57. Kc8 Rh8+ 58. Kb7 Rh7+ 59. c7 { black resigns. Quite a game! [all inall, computer notes problems with white 10 times and with black 12 times]. Thank you to The Snowman for playing. Comments welcome. } 1-0

[Event "Southern Chess Fall Invitational 2006"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "26-Nov-06"] [Round "-"] [White "tag1153"] [Black "longinus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1901"] [TimeControl "5d+1d, 6d max"] [WhiteElo "1385"] { This is a GREAT game played by Thomas (tag1153) against a much higherrated opponent. When he took a draw, he actually had winning chances earlierin the game, but, I think, was happy with such a result against such anawesome player. It just goes to show, every game of chess starts out thesame, and anything can happen... } 1. d4 { Thomas always plays 1. d4 as white... } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 { And what will black choose? The Bogo-Indian (Bb4)? The QGD (d5)? } 3... b6 { No, it's the Queen's Indian Defense. I'm prettysure Thomas is unfamiliar with this, but he played some solid developingmoves over the next few. } 4. Bg5 { Sound and aggressive, pinning the knightand trying to force the bishop to develop weakly to e7. } 4... Bb7 { I like thisbetter than Ba6, which is also playable. } 5. e3 h6 { Since this is white's'bad bishop' (all his pawns on the same color), Thomas is happy to giveit up for the knight. } 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 { Much better than recapturing withthe pawn. White must be careful, as black now has the two bishops andhas some pressure against the white kingside. } 7. Be2 { I think this isthe best move. } 7... d6 { Preparing to develop the knight to d7, but this makeshis hard for black to use his dark-squared bishop. I would prefer d5 inthis position, I think, challenging the center and opening a line for mydark bishop as well. } 8. O-O { Solid. } 8... Nd7 9. Nbd2 { I first thought Nc3would have been stronger (supporting a d5 push -- if black won't take it,why not white?), but I like this square for the knight, as it helps defendthe kingside. } 9... c5 { Having been stymied on the kingside, black tries tomake something happen on the queenside. } 10. Qc2 { I didn't see the pointof this move initially, but at least this puts the queen on an active diagonaland connects the rooks. In a closed position, tempi aren't as importantas on an open board. } 10... Be7 { There really is no better square for this bishopat this point, and black is ready to get his king out of the center. Itlooks like the lines are drawn, and the battle will take place on the queenside. } 11. Rfd1 { ! The d-file will be at least half-opened at white's leisure,and white assesses (correctly) that a second rook will be better placedon c1 than e1. } 11... O-O 12. dxc5 { Now the point of Qc2 is clear -- it defendsthe b2 pawn. } 12... Nxc5 13. b4 { 10. Qc2 also prevents the knight from infiltratingat e4 on this move. I have to wonder if white saw all this when playinghis 10th? } 13... Na6 { ?! I'm not sure about this, as, while it forces whiteto defend b4, it takes the knight away from the action. I think blackmay be better served by retreating to d7, where he can fight for the centerwith Ne5. } 14. a3 Rfc8 { Black loads up on the half-open c-file... } 15. Rac1 { As does white. But notice how white's second rook is much betterplaced than black's. Still, white has to be careful about the possibilityof a d5 break... } 15... d5 { ! This looks pretty good for black to me. } 16. Qb3 { A good move, and I like it better than Qd3, which blocks the white bishopin. } 16... dxc4 17. Rxc4 { Did white recapture with the wrong piece? } 17... Bd5 { ? At first glance, this looks like a bad pin, but 'check' is such a powerfulthing... } 18. Rxc8+ Rxc8 19. Qa4 { This wins white a pawn. But black willget something for it... white's queen will be out of position. } 19... Nc7 { Nowthe folly of 13. ... Na6 is clear. } 20. e4 { People often love in-betweenmoves, but this one isn't so strong. } 20... b5 { A good move! After Qxa7, black'sb-pawn is safe now. } 21. Qxa7 Ba8 { Of course, black must save the bishop. } 22. e5 { The one benefit to having played e4 earlier -- white can harassthe queen and prevent black's dark-squared bishop from roosting on d6. } 22... Qf5 { Although there wasn't much choice, leaving the Be7 undefended let'swhite set up a nice tactic! } 23. Bxb5 { Sacrifice the bishop for a pawn... } 23... Nxb5 24. Qxe7 { Take the Bishop on e7... } 24... Qc2 25. Re1 { Defend against checkmate,although it's worth noting that the rook can remain anywhere on the backrank and do that, as white can always defend by playing Nf1! } 25... Nxa3 { Andalthough black has some pressure, white not only is up a pawn, but he isup a PASSED pawn. } 26. Qa7 { Driving the knight back. } 26... Nb5 27. Qa6 { Thissquare threatens a lot of things... plus it sets up a trap. If black playsNd4, then the following (not forced line) wins for white: 28. Nxd4 Qxd229. Qxc8 Kh7 30. Rc1 (*not* 30. Nf3? Bxf3! with a big plus to black) Qxd431. Qxa7 Qxb4, and white is up a rook. } 27... Qc6 { Sidestepping the trap, butletting white go to an endgame with a big plus. } 28. Qxc6 Rxc6 29. Ra1 { I don't like this move -- it accomplishes little for white unless he plansto follow it up with Ra5 -- which he can't because his back rank is weak. } 29... Bb7 30. Nb3 { Allowing the black rook to penetrate. Maybe Ne4 offered morewinning chances? } 30... Rc3 31. Nfd4 { Allowing the b4 pawn to fall. } 31... Nxd4 32. Nxd4 { Now, black will play Rc4, winning back the b-pawn. This leads toa dead-even endgame, so both players accept a draw. Just goes to showthat when you step onto a chessboard, everyone starts with the same 16men, (err, 15 men and one lady), and anything can happen! } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Double Double Check"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.07.31"] [Round "-"] [White "NN"] [Black "dmaestro"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1594"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<3d"] [WhiteElo "1160"] { This quick game ends with an unusual sequence of 2 double checks followedby checkmate. } 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nd7 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qd5 { !? Unusualand loses time. } 5... Ngf6 6. Qd3 Be7 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Nd5 { ? White needs to develop. } 8... Nxd5 9. exd5 Re8 10. Qf5 { ? White needs to prevent the pawn for, but thissimply aids Black's attack. } 10... Nf6 { ! Black is not concerned about the epawn since the White K is on the file and can't 0-0. } 11. Qxe5 { ?? Ofcourse, this loses the White Q after it is pinned. But the question is,can Black get more? } 11... Nxd5 { Looking for a rapid checkmate and not just awinning the Q for a rook due to the pin. If W moves the Q, the discoveredcheck is deadly. } 12. Qg3 { White's best try was something like Be2, stillgiving up the Q but avoiding mate. } 12... Bd6+ 13. Ne5 { ? Not only loses theN but sets up the checkmate/ } 13... Bxe5 14. Qf3 { Now White can be mated--doyou see it? } 14... Bc3+ { ! Double Check, forcing Kd1, followed by Ne3 DoubleCheck, and Qd8 Checkmate. } 0-1

[Event "Candidates Vancouver (3), 21.05.1971"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Mark Taimanov"] [Black "Robert Fischer"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2740"] [WhiteElo "2620"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 { Annotated by Mark Taimanov in March 2004, nearly 33 years afterthe match. My idea of presenting it here is for the lessons we can learnfrom this game. 'I had no doubts that this position will appear in ourmatch, and probably my opponent had similar expectations. Both of us belongedto a category of polemists of principle, ready to assert our belief inthe King’s Indian ‘tableau’, which was always a favorite weapon for mewith White and for Fischer with Black. But who would have the first opportunityto present a prepared surprise?' } 9. Bd2 { Fischer might have expectedhere 9.Ne1, 9.Nd2, or 9.b4, which had repeatedly featured in my games. I worked out with my second especially for this match this calm developingmove with the Bishop, which has the goal of prompt mobilization of forcesof the queenside. } 9... Ne8 { Fischer was always most versed in opening subtletiesof his favorite systems. He certainly knew that a conventional maneuver9...Nh5 here is inexpedient in view of 10.g3 f5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.Ng5 Nf613.g4 Bd7 14.Nge4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4. } 10. Rc1 { The move 10.b4 has been frequentlytested here, however I rejected it as superfluous to the scheme I had prepared. } 10... f5 { This position was already essayed in our first game of the match. There I played 11.exf5 and then 11...gxf5 12.Ng5 h6 13.Ne6 Bxe6 14.dxe6Qc8 15.Qb3 c6 led to a double-edged position with mutual chances. Thatgame proceeded fascinatingly, the scales inclined to one side then theother several times. I was the last to make a mistake in time troubleand lost the game, but it was obvious that the opening conversation hadnot been exhausted, and that the discussion would be continued. So, ithappened. } 11. Qb3 { My innovation comes first! This follows my preparationfor the duel! The main idea from the first game remains: transfer theknight to e6 followed by opening the center, but the text sharply enlivensthe tactical set-up. The Queen from b3 'X-rays' the Black King, and simultaneously'looks' at the b7-pawn, which could be vulnerable to capture after an eventualexchange of the bishop for the e6-knight. The theoretical dispute withFischer has found a new impulse! } 11... b6 { Fischer thought on this reply fora long time (which testifies to the advantage obtained by his opponent'shome preparation) and probably came to the conclusion of the necessityof first stopping the advance c4-c5, which promotes White's chances toopen the strategically important c-file. Subsequently analysts put forwardalternative ideas of merit - 11. f4 (I. Boleslavsky) and 11... Kh8 (M.Tal). } 12. exf5 gxf5 { It is always basic with Fischer. With 12... Nxf5or 12... Bxf5, White's possession of the outpost e4 ensures a stable positionaladvantage } 13. Ng5 { The general plan in operation – the knight is aimingat e6 } 13... Nf6 { In case of 13...h6 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 Qc8 (or 15...c6 16.Bh5!)a highly advantageous continuation for White is 16.Nd5 Qxe6 17.Nxe7+ Qxe718.c5+ Kh8 19.cxd6 Nxd6 (or 19...cxd6 20.Rfd1) 20.Rc6!, confirmed by mygame with M. Tseitlin played two years later. } 14. f4 { An important partof the preconceived plan, whose value Fischer apparently underestimated... } 14... h6 { Fischer trusts in the reliability of Black's formation and bravelyenters uncompromising conflict. More circumspect, but also more 'yielding'would have been 14...e4. However in this case White gains obvious positionaladvantages by way of 15.Nd1 h6 16.Nh3 followed by Ne3, Nf2 and Bc3. Suchconformism is alien to Fischer and he never opted for such passive continuations. } 15. fxe5 dxe5 { Certainly Fischer must not have liked the continuation 15...hxg516.exf6 Bxf6 17.Bh5. } 16. c5 { But I think this blow turned out to be anunexpected and distressing surprise for Fischer. The battery of whitepieces has come into action! However, had I been in a less martial mood,I might have contented myself with the quiet 16.Nf3, maintaining White'sdoubtless positional plusses. (My humble comment: This move is the causeof rapid deterioration of White's advantage. 16.Nf3 as Taimanov notes isthe correct move to maintain White's advantage. Here the psychology ofTaimanov is revealed! He was in an aggressive mood and relied on attackand ignored the requirements of the position. Have we all also fallen preyto such emotions in our games? Sure we did. It is part of the learningin this game. Chess logic overrides emotions and player strengths. We haveto play according to the requirements of the position. ) } 16... Nfxd5 { It isobvious that the alternative 16...hxg5 17.d6+ Kh8 18.dxe7 Qxe7 19.cxb6axb6 20.Bxg5 was quite unattractive, as well as the reply 16...Kh8 in viewof 17.d6! Hand-to-hand fighting begins where courageous imagination, exactcalculation and ... strong nerves are required. By the way, in this game,nerves 'played pranks' on both players. } 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. cxb6 axb6 { Certainlythe continuation 18...hxg5 19.Bxg5 Qd6 20.b7 Bxb7 21.Qxb7 is not advantageousfor Black. } 19. Rc6 { The 'Salt' of the large-scale tactical operation begunby White nine moves back! All White's pieces have occupied threateningpositions, and the threat of eventually supplementing the attack with theaddition of a bishop at c4 throws my opponent into emergency mode. } 19... Kh8 { Perhaps the only means of defense. In case of 19...hxg5 20.Bc4 Kh8 21.Bxd5f4 (or 21...g4) 22.Rc3! with the double threat of 23. Rh3+ and 23. Bxa8,which is impossible to prevent. I do not stint on one more diagram asit not only reflects both the culmination and turning-point of this game,but the match as a whole. Fischer himself later recognized it: 'It wasthe turning point of the match. Taimanov missed a win by 20. Qh3.' Itadditionally serves as a reference point to all the subsequent and unpredictabledramatic peripeteias [ed. philosophical self-questioning, Aristotle] whichbefell me. I remember that at that moment I felt a veritable ecstasy fromthe struggle - I estimated the position as rather advantageous. I trustedin success, pleased at my good luck employing my opening preparation, andin the idea of rapid development of the initiative -and the maneuver 20.Qh3, for example. Was it was possible to anticipate that all this wouldturn to ashes?! Disappointment began from the moment when I, cheerfullyhaving estimated the position, began to concretely calculate variations. It was obvious that after 20.Qh3 Black in view of the threat 21. Rxh6+has only two defenses - 20...Nf6 and 20...Rf6. I began to examine themin the happy belief that any attempt to cover the gaping approaches tothe Black King would be impossible. The move 20...Nf6 really did not shakemy optimism. Variations found without any special work are: 20.Qh3 Nf621.Bc3 f4 ( other continuations are worse. For example, 21...Bd7 22.Ne6Bxe6 23.Rxe6; or 21...Ng4 22.Rg6! Rf6 23.Qh5) 22.Qh4 Bb7 ( 22...Qe8 23.Bf3!)23.Rd1 Qe7 24.Re6 Qc5+ 25.Kh1 are obviously developments to White's benefit. But I couldn’t find any decisive continuation on 20...Rf6 in any continuation. First it seemed to me that good is 21.Qh5, but in testing it I didn’tlike 21...Bd7! 22.Rxf6 Qxf6 23.Nf7+ Kh7 24.Nxh6 Bxh6 25.Bxh6 Qg6!. Theidea of 21.Nf7+ Rxf7 22.Bxh6 was entertained, but I found a refutationat once in 22...Bf6. At last I found the best plan: 21.Bc4! when really,in view of 21...Rxc6 22.Nf7+, the White rook is impregnable. Now 22.Rxf6is simply threatened, and both replies 21...Bd7 22.Bxd5 and 21...Bb7 22.Rxf6Qxf6 23.Rxf5 are poor. It would seem that the required decision has heldup to scrutiny, but is complicated by the response 21... f4. To everythingthat I have here examined, alas, there was an objection: On 22.Qh5 possiblewas 22...Bb7 23.Bxd5 (or 23.Rxf6 Qxf6) 23...Qxd5; On 22.Qh4 - Bb7 23.Ne6Qd7; On 22.Qd3 - 22...hxg5 23.Rxf6 Bxf6; And finally on 22.Qf3!? - Bb7!23.Rxf6 (23.Ne6 Qd7! 24.Bxd5 Rxe6!) 23...Nxf6! 24.Nf7+ Kh7 25.Qxb7 (25.Bd3+Kg8!) 25...Qxd2 26.Qxa8 Qd4+ 27.Kh1 Qxc4. In all variations Fischer emergesin the clear. It was amazing! All my understanding of chess, all my experienceand flair convinced me this position should be won, but concrete ways tovictory did not appear. Disappointed in 20. Qh3!, I began to evaluateother ideas - 20. Rd1, 20. Bc4, but } 20. Nf3 { The capitulation...(My humbleaddition, Emmanuel Lasker said, 'The difficult part of chess is to wina won game'. How prophetic!!! It is no wonder that Lasker is called 'Thinkerof chess'. It is amazing that Fischer himself thought that 20. Qh3! wouldwin for White and probably would have psychologically surrendered the game.Finally, 20. Qh3 is in fact the best move here although it does not winagainst accurate play. Who knows what would have happened if that movewas played. Was it destiny favoring Fischer? :) } 20... Bb7 21. Rg6 Nf4 { A magnificentidea. By exchanging the opponent's dark-squared bishop, Fischer deprivesWhite of any further illusions. } 22. Bxf4 exf4 { At the cost of a deteriorationin the central pawn structure, Fischer opens the game and the bishops findtheir invincible power. It is one more example of his favorite methodof transformation of one kind of advantage to another. } 23. Rd1 Qe7 24. Re6 Qc5+ 25. Kf1 Rfd8 { Fischer is in his element. Intercepting the initiative,he develops offensive potential all over the board with irrepressible energy. First of all he threatens 26... Bd5. } 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Qa4 { A hope tosimplify the defense by eventual rook exchanges turned out to be in vain. } 27... Qc1+ 28. Kf2 { Better is 28.Ne1 } 28... Bf8 { A universal maneuver - it preventssimplifications, (29.Re8?? Bc6) and creates a terrible threat: 29... Bc5+ } 29. b4 Be4 { Black's attack develops itself, and his doubled pawns provideimportant outposts for his pieces. } 30. Re8 { The evidence of hopelessnessand confusion. In any case more persistent would be 30.Qb5 so that inthe event of 30...Qe3+ 31.Kf1 Rd1+, to be protected by the move 32.Ne1. Alas, at this moment I no longer owned my nerves...(My humble observation:Look at that comment !! 'I no longer owned my nerves' A Grandmaster isreduced to nothing!) } 30... Bc6 31. Qxc6 { Nothing changes by 31.Rxd8 Bxa4 32.Rxf8+Kg7 } 31... Qxc6 32. Rxd8 Qf6 { The rest is clear and simple without need of comment. } 33. Rc8 Qe7 34. Kf1 Kh7 35. Nd4 Bg7 36. Nb5 Be5 37. a3 Qd7 38. Ra8 f3 39. gxf3 Bxh2 40. Kg2 Qg7+ 41. Kxh2 Qe5+ 42. Kg1 Qxb5 { In this position thegame was adjourned and, certainly, I resigned without resuming play. Perhaps,it is the most bitter game of my life. I felt it sharply at first, thenpainfully for many years... (My humble comments: Lessons I have learntfrom this famous game are given below: 1. Positional assessment is difficultfor even the top players including Fischer. So play carefully trying toassess the position as the moves unfold. 2. When your idea fails, don'tstart brooding, accept the position and play for a draw at least. 3. Expectthe unexpected! 4. Take it as only a game. Don't get psychologicallywrecked by one game. Mark Taimanov's contributions to opening theory arewell respected in Benoni, King's Indian defence and Sicilian. So afterall it is a game, enjoy it!!!) } 0-1

[Event "A classic defence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.08.27"] [Round "-"] [White "psychomath2"] [Black "damafi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1497"] [TimeControl "300+5"] [WhiteElo "1529"] { In this game I won with a passive defence, very out of my usual style.I could say that I waited calmly and I saw a single weak point in my opponent'sposition, and exploited it very nicely. But surely I missed many linesand made several mistakes. } 1. c4 Nf6 { If my opponent plays d4, I canstill play e5 and fall into my known lines. } 2. Nc3 { He doesn't. He playsa classical English, I almost never face. So I can't decide easily amongthe several possibilities. e5 seems natural, but it leads far away frommy known paths. } 2... e5 3. e4 c6 { This was made with the intention to challengethe center as soon as possible, and stop any N jump ideas. I know thatI will suffer for e5. } 4. Nf3 d6 { I have to delay the d5 break due tomy bad idea. Still, I can play patiently and 'just develop'. It may begood, sometimes. } 5. g3 { Well, this means that I can delay my d5 breakplan... forever. It opens g4 for a pin, but I sensed it was whorthless,now, since I am not planning to occupy d4 right now. I can't prevent d4(otherwise, I should have played c5). } 5... Nbd7 { This N will go though f8to g6 or something like this. } 6. Bg2 Be7 { I hate to castle kingside,but in this position it is the best I can do, foreseeing an f5 break sooneror later. } 7. d3 { My opponent is... very classic, too. IMO, d4 was muchbetter. } 7... O-O 8. Be3 Re8 { This is to make f8 free for my N. But it wasa mistake, since my plan was f5, with my R behind. It is Nf6 who has togo to h7 after h7 is played. } 9. Qd2 { Still building... nothing. Now,I have to be careful: moves like h6, now, would inspire dangerous sacrifices. } 9... Nf8 10. h3 Kh8 { Making room for Ng8, and f5. A weird way to proceed, butmy opponent is not taking advantage of my passive game. } 11. Ng5 { Threateningf7! The only way to come out of this fork without admitting I simply overlookedit is... } 11... Be6 { I'll lose my nice lsb. Ok. That's all. In return, I willcontrol forever the center (with a pawn in e6). } 12. Nxe6 { Still, I thougtit was wiser to use my N for it! } 12... Nxe6 13. f4 { Now: I'm squeezed, whichmeans I have to play with great care. If I exchange, I'll give him theB's pair power. But any attack discovers weak points. I found white's. } 13... Nh5 { If he plays g4, exf4 will be good for me. The correct way to defendwould be Ne2. I can exchange and accept the opening of the g column forhim. } 14. f5 { White tempts me into Ng5, and avoids the loss of a pawn onf4. } 14... Nd4 15. Qf2 { ...and white thinks he has parried all threats and threatsd4. But here, I had a Caissan inspiration... } 15... Nxg3 { ! Allow me the self-indulgingcomment. If QxN, Bh4 forks his royal couple. } 16. Rg1 Bh4 { Has white away out? I thought castling was ok, but Nxe4 is looming anyway. } 17. Kd2 { ? After o-o-o, Nxe4, white had Qf1, and my edge is not so big. Now, Iwin his Q. Ok. This is not a 'gimmy' as you may think. } 17... Nxe4+ 18. Nxe4 Bxf2 19. Bxf2 Qa5+ 20. Nc3 Qb4 21. b3 Nxf5 { I can force the game with Qa3,but Rb2 would stop me. So I gave him the initiative. This proved to bevery harder to win that appears for the material advantage. } 22. Be4 g6 { I accepted to scramble my pawns, but I overlooked the resource I wouldhave used, if white. } 23. Bxf5 gxf5 24. Bh4 { Threatening mate! } 24... Re6 25. Raf1 f4 26. Kc2 Rg8 { After the exchanges, I'm done. Almost. } 27. Ne4 { Hestill threats many things, and my Q is virtually out of the game! } 27... Rxg1 28. Rxg1 Rg6 29. Bf6+ Kg8 30. Bg5 { Now he threats h4-h5. He is threateningNf6+, too. I just have to stay calm, don't lose my cool blood, and defend. } 30... Kf8 31. Nf6 Qa5 { Qb6 (threatening R) could be an alternative, but thisforces a4 at some point. } 32. Nxh7+ Kg7 { ...and now, white must lose material! } 33. Nf6 Rxf6 34. Bxf6+ Kxf6 { Wonderful! Now it IS a gimme! } 35. a4 Qc5 36. Rg2 Qe3 37. h4 Qh3 { The last 'finesse'. White can't defend his lastchance. } 38. Rg8 Qxh4 39. Rb8 Qf2+ 40. Kc3 Qd4+ 41. Kd2 e4 0-1

[Event "League division D1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.03.08"] [Round "-"] [White "aghori"] [Black "rjacobs"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1575"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1651"] 1. e3 { The Van't Kruijs Opening. It's very non-committal at this stage,so I reply with something equally non-committal and flexible. } 1... Nf6 2. b3 { According to the database on 365Chess.com, which I've looked up for thepurpose of this annotation, this is one of 17 continuations that has beenplayed by White. It's joint favourite with 2. f4. This looks like a typicalBent Larsen opening. } 2... g6 { Heading for my usual King's Indian formationwhich should work quite nicely with White having already eschewed e4. } 3. Bb2 Bg7 4. Nf3 O-O 5. Nc3 c6 { I'm first to deviate from 'the book',if you can call it that. 365Chess.com gives 5...d6 and 5...d5. The textmove prepares ...d5 and gives Black's Q options on the d8-a5 diagonal. Unfortunately, it also deprives Black's QN of its best square but I suspectI'd already decided to develop it to d7 anyway, to support the Nf6 } 6. Be2 { White has a sort of reverse Queen's Indian formation but Black isnot as committed in the centre as White would be if this were a normalQueen's Indian. We're both developing very slowly and carefully here. } 6... d5 7. O-O Nbd7 { This shuts in Black's wsb but I didn't see this as a problembecause it had nowhere sensible to go anyway: g4 is a poor square for thewsb when Black has fianchettoed and f5 doesn't look much better. e6 wouldjust hem in the e-pawn } 8. h3 { A mysterious waiting move, since I had nointention of moving anything onto g4. } 8... e5 { The first sign of serious aggressiveintent in the game } 9. Nh2 { in the face of which, White retreats his Ninto the newly created hole on h2. Perhaps 8. h3 was not a 'waiting move'after all. Presumably White wants to advance his f-pawn or maybe playNg4 or deploy his B along the d1-h5 diagonal. I decide I need to contestg4... } 9... Nc5 { Clearing the Bishop's way to g4 and also claiming control ofe4 } 10. Ng4 Nxg4 11. Bxg4 Bxg4 12. Qxg4 { The series of exchanges has ridme of my bad wsb for his slightly better wsb and got rid of both our kingsideNs, and left his Q somewhat exposed, so I lash out with a standard KI move } 12... f5 13. Qb4 { and the Q switches to the Q-side, attacking my undefended Nand my b7 pawn, which will be undefended if my N moves. } 13... b6 { Black hasan impressive looking wall of central pawns just waiting for White to snipeat it. } 14. Na4 { swinging to the rim to attack my N again and expose Black'se-pawn to the fianchettoed dsb } 14... Nd7 { Black's centralised N looks much betterthan White's peripheral one. } 15. Qd6 { White spots an unprotected squarein the heart of Black's position and pounces. The immediate threat isto the c6 pawn but that threat is easily met by ... Rc8. More worryingfor Black is the disruption that the intruder can cause to his plans andits proximity to Black's K, so Black defends the c-pawn with a more aggressiveRook move, which temporarily cuts off his B from his e-pawn but does tellthe Q to buzz off straightaway. } 15... Rf6 16. Qa3 { White's adventures have lefthis Q looking rather silly. With all those White pieces bunched on backwardQ-side squars, now would be the time to launch a kingside attack. } 16... Qc7 { This move defends the e-pawn but also prepares for it to move forwards,when the time is right, exposing a Q attack on h2, and allows Black todouble his Rooks on the f-file. Black can also look to shut White's piecesin by advancing his c-pawn. } 17. f4 { a thematic advance by White, attackinge5 and blocking Black's own f-pawn } 17... Re6 { e5 is now well over-defended! } 18. c4 { White's assault on Black's centre proceeds swiftly. } 18... b5 { pushingthe N back so that it will block the B. Even if White diverts the c-pawnfrom its attack on the centre, the N will still have to move after Blackrecaptures on b5 } 19. cxb5 cxb5 20. Nc3 { forking Black's d and b pawns,so ... } 20... Qc6 21. Bc1 { presumably preparing a retreat for the Q. This moveundevelops the B and disconnects White's Rooks, so there had better bea good reason for it! White's d-pawn is now tied to the defence of hisN, which is a further disadvantage of this move. } 21... Bf8 { I'm not sure aboutthis move. White was presumably planning to retreat the Q to b2 anyway,so there's not much point attacking it. g7 was a better square for theB than f8, though there is an opportunity to redevelop it to d6 or c5,whence it can attack the K directly. } 22. Qb2 a5 { Not sure about this either. I seem to have become determined to attack on the q-side, where all White'spieces are, rather than the k-side where they weren't. Doesn't seem logicalin retrospect. White is gradually re-centralising his pieces while Blackgains space on the q-side. } 23. fxe5 { odd timing... } 23... Nxe5 { Black's N looksvery pretty :-) } 24. d4 Nd3 { such a tempting square, forking the Q andB } 25. Qd2 { The Black N is stranded out on a limb, so White attacks it } 25... Nxc1 { and as Black can't defend it, he has to swap it for White's bad B(retreating to b4 and then getting chased to a6 does not seem attractive). So I'm not convinced of the rectitude of my play over the last few moves. This does, however, leave me with a strong, unopposed dsb. I rememberreading somewhere that it is more important to consider what is left onthe board after an exchange than what is being given up in the exchange(eg good N for bad B doesn't matter if afterwards Black's good B is evenbetter). } 26. Raxc1 { Now White develops his R with tempo by threateningBlack's Q } 26... b4 { Pinning the N with ...Bb4 might have been a worthy alternative. The text move fixes White's q-side pawns and creates another square forBlack's Q. } 27. Ne4 { ? White exploits the revealed attack on Black's Qto redeploy the N via a square it couldn't otherwise have used. In viewof Black's reply, this move, while looking clever, is, in fact, a mistake. } 27... Qe8 { ! skewering the N to the backward e-pawn } 28. Ng5 Rxe3 { a breakthrough! Black is a clear pawn ahead } 29. Rc7 { but White has bought time to counter-attack. A Rook on the seventh rank is always handy and h7 is under immediate attack. } 29... Re2 { Rather than defend h7, Black counter-attacks as well, skewering theWhite Q to the pawn on a2 } 30. Qf4 Rc8 { completing Black's developmenton move 30! If the White R takes on h7, Black plans to double on his seventhrank. } 31. Rf2 Re1+ 32. Kh2 h6 33. Nh7 { ? 33. Nf3 would have been better } 33... Bg7 { trapping the N } 34. Nf6+ Bxf6 { Now Black has added a whole piece tohis pawn advantage } 35. Rxc8 { but White swaps Rooks anyway. There mustbe a tactical denouement coming up ... } 35... Qxc8 36. Qxh6 Qe8 37. Rc2 Bxd4 38. Qd2 { skewering B and p } 38... Be5+ { seems odd. I must have looked at Bg1+and rejected it. It looks strong, chasing White's K into the open eg 38...Bg1+39. Kg3 Qe5+ 40. Qf4 Bh2+! 41. Kxh2 Qxf4+ wins. White could, however,have retreated to h1 when 39 ... Be3 with discovered check wouldn't haveworked because the B would cut off Black's Q from defence of the Re1, soWhite could calmly respond with 40. Qxe1 } 39. g3 Bc3 { a powerful squarefor the B but the passed d-pawn is not going to live any longer } 40. Qxd5+ Kh8 41. Qc4 { appears to prepare to swap White's R for a B and a p, or perhapsprepare an attempt at perpetual with Qh4+. I think White should have grabbedthe a-pawn while it was going. } 41... Re4 42. Qa6 { forking a-pawn and g-pawn } 42... Re5 { but the g-pawn was already defended so only the a-pawn needed to bedefended on this move } 43. h4 { luft for the K, so that White isn't tiedto the defence of e2. It also restrains Black's k-side pawns } 43... Rd5 { Threateningto force a swap on d2 } 44. a3 Rd2+ 45. Rxd2 Bxd2 46. Qxa5 Qe2+ 47. Kh3 Qg4+ 48. Kh2 Be1 { Threatening g3 but exposing the B to a fork in a coupleof moves time } 49. Qd8+ Kh7 50. Qe7+ Kh6 51. Qxe1 bxa3 { So Black has losthis extra B but gained a remote passed pawn in compensation. Can he forceit home? } 52. Qd2+ Kh5 53. Qa2 { White blocks the pawn at the expense ofimmobilising his Q } 53... f4 { Rather than tying his Q to the defence of the remotepawn, Black seeks to create another passer } 54. gxf4 Qxf4+ { There now followsa long series of checks while Black tries to solve the problem of how tokeep the passed pawn, win one of White's pawns and retain the initiative. There's also the possibility of skewering K and Q if White is carelessand Black spots the opportunity at the right time. Alternatively, a checkfrom b2 will win it for Black. I think it took me a while to realise thisduring the game. } 55. Kg2 Qg4+ 56. Kf1 Qh3+ 57. Kg1 Qe3+ 58. Kg2 Qe4+ 59. Kg1 Qg4+ 60. Kf1 Qf3+ 61. Kg1 Qd1+ 62. Kf2 Qd6 { 62...Qd4+ followed by ...Qb2would have been quicker } 63. Ke3 Kxh4 64. b4 Qxb4 65. Qf2+ { Now it's White'sturn to play a series of checks } 65... Kg4 66. Qg2+ Kf5 67. Qd5+ Kf6 68. Qc6+ Kf5 69. Qc8+ Kg5 70. Qd8+ Kf5 71. Qd3+ { I couldn't understand why Whitewas spurning opportunities to repeat position and get a draw. } 71... Kg5 72. Qd5+ Kh6 73. Qh1+ Kg7 74. Qa1+ Qb2 { ! } 75. Qxb2+ axb2 { White resigned ashe couldn't prevent the pawn from queening. } 0-1

[Event "Q-Chess Open section"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "Sep. 3"] [Round "-"] [White "Issac G."] [Black "Grant N."] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1670"] [TimeControl "G30"] [WhiteElo "1960"] { This game is all about the famous Marshall Gambit in the Ruy Lopez. TheGambit, introduced by marshall , allows black to quickly attack the whiteking for the price of a pawn. This game shows how the game can become anendgame where black has good drawing and even winning chances. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { This is the Ruy , known for it's ability to maintainlongterm pressure on the black position. } 3... a6 { Known to be the best reply, after Bxc6 black will play dxc6 and after Nxe4 black will regain thepawn with Qd4 and an equal position. } 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O { The only replyto try to retain the advantage as after Nc3 Black will play Bc5 with aneasy game. } 5... b5 6. Bb3 Be7 7. Re1 { Another idea is a4 trying to underminethe extended queenside. } 7... O-O 8. c3 { Known as the classical ruy, this moveallows the marshall gambit to be played. If someone wishes to avoid thegambit again a4 is the key. That is known as the antimarshall variation. } 8... d5 { !? Black sacrifices a pawn due to white's weak development. Thegambit must be accepted as black gets all the advantages of the gambiteven without white taking on e5. } 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 { A key move as this cements the knight on the great d5 square. } 12. d4 Bd6 { Gaining time while attacking the rook. } 13. Re1 Qh4 { Blck leaps tothe attack and now 14.h3 looks very dangerous due to Bxh3 so g3 is virtuallyforced. But after g3 the light squares around the white king are very weakso black will have good play for the sacrificed pawn. } 14. g3 Qh3 15. Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 { A little trick in the marshall is when the queen moves toany other square other than d3 and black's plays Bf3 when mate can't beavoided on g2. } 16... Rae8 { Now Bf3 loses time to Qf1 . } 17. Qf1 Qh5 { Decliningthe exchange as this would kill black's intiative. } 18. Nd2 Re6 { A commonmove in the marshall which prepares a rook swing to g6 or h6. Another ideais f5. } 19. Bxd5 cxd5 { White eliminates the powerful knight and takessupport away from the b5 pawn. } 20. a4 f5 { Black ignores the threats tothe queenside as winning another pawn doesn't help white with his kingsideproblems. } 21. f3 Bh3 22. Qf2 g5 { Black prepares an eventual f4 push whichwould rip apart the kingside. } 23. f4 { Stopping f4 but , pinning in thedark squared bishop; probably the best move. } 23... Rg6 { Black goes for the allout kingside attack and also avoids the exchange of rooks that would happenif the e- file opened. Black will then play Qg4 and gxf4 with a big attack. } 24. fxg5 { A move that wins a second pawn but allows a flury of tacticsto arise to which are in black's favor . Still , it's hard to see a constructiveplan for white. } 24... f4 { !The key move as this blasts open the kingside. } 25. Bxf4 Bxf4 26. gxf4 Rxg5+ { ?! a move which wins a queen for two rooksbut Rxf4 was better. After Rxf4 , if Qxf4 Rxg5 and the white king hasto go to h1 as Kf2... Rf5 wins the queen and after Kh1 ...Bg2 Kh1 Bh3 Qxg5Qxg5 Kh1 Qxd2 black wins a piece } 27. fxg5 Rxf2 28. Kxf2 Qh4+ { AvoidingQxg5 Rg1 winning the queen. } 29. Ke2 Bg4+ 30. Nf3 Qxh2+ 31. Ke3 Qxb2 32. Rac1 Bxf3 33. Kxf3 bxa4 34. Kf4 a3 { White runs out of time. This is a veryinteresting game from the marshall and shows how a gambit ties down thedefenders resources and makes it hard to find active plans. } 0-1

[Event "War of Attrition (Queen sacrifice to win) comments appreciated."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.05.14"] [Round "-"] [White "trixstermtl"] [Black "peter_perf"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1657"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1500"] 1. e4 { Hello those who like to follow annotated games I'm hoping to getgood comments on this one. } 1... e5 { in my passed annotations i started at 1350elo and ive been steadily climbing with some bumps here and there, andas i climb i always like facing tougher opponents. this is my third opponentin the 1700 range since my return and this also happens to be a revengematch in a tourny we are playing together, } 2. Bc4 { my classic LSB exit, This was our 2nd game where i lost the first after playing 43 moves evenand then just straight out blundering to lose, } 2... Nf6 { the nf6 i face mostoften } 3. Nc3 { previously i went d3 here but i had annotated i prefer togo nc3 when the opponent goes nc6 and we will get to see why, i told myselfim coming out hard vs this guy and making it a pawn war and i will notbe looking for a checkmate early unless some blunderous option appears. } 3... Bc5 { and like i previously noted ive learnt the blacks like to park theirDSB on c5 so i dont need to do a2 that i love to do lol, } 4. Nge2 { andmy response to this is ne2 with a quick d4 depending on what my opponentplays next } 4... b6 { oppurtunity appears for d4 i love it } 5. d4 Bxd4 { curiouslyhe decides to swap out his DSB this is the scenario i prefer when i playd4 } 6. Nxd4 { natural replies ensue } 6... exd4 7. Qxd4 Bb7 { i saw the fianchettocoming this delighted me cause some nice antics are coming } 8. e5 { if heretreats back to the backline he delays his castling and its what i sometimesexpect. when they go to h5 is when i love it } 8... Nh5 { he went to h5 perfect! } 9. Qg4 { force the pawn development and then i can develop my DSB } 9... g6 10. Bg5 { attack on the queen unless he wants to lose pieces he has to moveher to c8 } 10... Qc8 11. Bh6 { and i prevent his castling getting ready to castlemyself i was maybe looking to queen side castle, i like the set up i haveat the moment and hence why i like to play d4 if allowed over d3 earlyon, it can offer many antics and a fun game, but this is far from overmy opponent will not lie down and just surrender politely } 11... Nc6 { unexpectedreply sorta even if he doesnt really have many other choices. but i didntthink he would block his LSB, hes now attacking my beacon of hope pawni must defend him } 12. Qe4 Ne7 { i can see hes heading for my DSB i seethis as a opening to get a pawn up high and disrupt his castle still ifhe goes as planned } 13. Nd5 { cant let my queen die and i have to hold onto my LSB longer than my knight if he decides to swap out his LSB } 13... Nf5 { i can see hes going for my dsb i will let him take it as planned } 14. g4 { so i attack both knight to equalize } 14... Nxh6 15. gxh5 Nf5 { here i wonderif it wouldve been better for him to take my pawn but it played into whati wanted } 16. Nf6+ Ke7 17. Bd5 c6 { he didnt want to swap out with my queenso high with a knight and pawn close to his king } 18. Bb3 { i didnt wanthim to possibly expand another pawn to b5 and it costing me another bishopmove so i thought moving him here was wiser } 18... b5 { ah ha! the b5! } 19. O-O-O { i can finally queen side castle at this stage i was still surprised mypawn on h5 was still standing } 19... Rd8 { hes playing highly defensively i lovesthis move and saw it as an oppurtunity to grab a pawn } 20. Nxh7 c5 { hedecides to try to budge my queen i will offer lsb exchange to maintaina high guard lol } 21. Bd5 Rb8 { hes forced to reinforce the lsb or swapthem out, he opted to reinforce it } 22. h6 { here i decided to pass my pawnit was safe, if he takes it with knight i queen check on h4 and he wouldfind himself in a difficult position } 22... Bxd5 { he finally decides to swapout LSB's, i guess it was to relieve pressure } 23. Qxd5 { here if he takesmy pawn with his knight i believe its checkmate with 23... nxh6, 24 Qd6+,ke8 24, Qf8# i guess my opponent considered this and tried to see if iwould trade out queens or possibly push mine away. } 23... Qc6 { this delightedme i needed my queen do be on a dark square. and to keep covering thatpawn now on h6 } 24. Qd2 { i think this reply really froze my opponent causeof the possible queen check on g5 } 24... Ke8 { this move i think he did to tryto relieve stress but it delighted me cause it was either wasted time andi could move my pawn higher and maybe he will make a mistake and blockit off with his king } 25. Nf6+ { get the check } 25... Ke7 { he comes back tohis previous state } 26. h7 { and now its getting dangerous for him. i candefinately count one of his rooks as pinned behind that pawn for a whilei have to start looking for simplification to head into end game. } 26... Rh8 { and he seals that rooks fate for a while. but looking at the board andthe fact i control the open lanes i can see i will be able to get a queenbut it will be difficult. } 27. Qxd7+ { my opponent went on vacation asi played this move looking to simplify into end game. i think there weresome nice lines to be played if i took with the knight though (i analysedduring the week he was away lol). i did not want to give me opponent timeto recover though. i felt i had been controlling tempo all game long andwanted to keep doing so } 27... Qxd7 { forced to swap out queens. i looked to retakewith the rook but then i looked farther down the line and if i want tobe able to queen safely i have to bring my king over to the right sideof my D file rook, so double stacking now would not be wise cause of thatknight could come down and be very dangerous. } 28. Nxd7 { i decided totake with knight to force him to play his rook or i was hoping he wouldtake my pawn lol in a rook sacrifice } 28... Rbc8 { hmm un anticipated reply.i thought he would go to d8 } 29. Nf6 { have to reprotect my pawn } 29... Ke6 30. f4 { reinforce with pawn because i do not want to pin one of my rooks behindthe e pawn and since i didnt send my rook to d7 earlier i can still preventhis knight from coming down and place himself in a good position } 30... a5 { hedecides to start crunching my king. i forsaw this and hence why i needto get my king to the other side } 31. Rd7 { decide to block off the pathso my king can pass. if he offers his rook ill trade out and get kickedto the other side on his recapture } 31... Nd4 32. Re1 { i dont want him to takemy f pawn and if he goes to f3 i can double stack } 32... a4 33. c3 { invitedhim to go to f3 but to my surprise he retreated back } 33... Nf5 34. Kd2 { timeto pass my king, now im controlling all the exits to his knight too. thisgame had been very thoughtful. my opponent would play 1-3 moves max a dayi had to keep staying atleast 5-8 moves ahead } 34... Rcd8 { he offers the anticipatedrook exchange } 35. Rxd8 Rxd8+ 36. Ke2 { and kicks my king across on therecapture i was happy. but it still wasnt over. } 36... Rh8 { hes forced to backto h8 or else i play ng8 and he cant prevent queen } 37. Rd1 { i had seeni could get my queen when we still both had our queens, i could see itwould be an even trade in material but i would rather have a queen vs arook and knight end game and focus moving only 2 pieces, queen and king } 37... b4 { hmmm im curious if he thinks i will take. id rather he take c3 andi recapture blocking off both his pawns or that he moves forward and iplay a3 in reply. since i plan on getting a queen id rather not let anyof his pawns have a chance to pass. } 38. Rd8 { force to exchanges to getmy queen } 38... Rxd8 { natural replies. maybe there was something else he coulddo left side. i didnt look into it but i thought this is how it would playout for the next 3 moves } 39. Ng8 Ne7 40. h8=Q Nxg8 { cant obviously doa check on f6 he recaptures with knight, } 41. Qh3+ Ke7 42. c4 { and denythe passing for the pawns, I thought this choke point would make it alotharder for his rook to get by } 42... Kf8 { he has to gain space to get his knightback into play. i plan on getting my queen back over the pawn line } 43. Qe3 Rc8 { force him to defend his pawn } 44. Qd3 { take control of the fileand i can now get my queen up there } 44... Ne7 { anticipated reply } 45. Qd7 { andhere comes the queen! } 45... Re8 { hmmm this move really delighted me i anticipatedhim to go to a8 and had planned many different responses to that affectlol. i was happy he left a pawn hanging } 46. Qxa4 Nf5 47. Kf3 { decidedto try to get my king to the right side as a time controller. i have tobe careful if i go after his d5 pawn or when i attack with a3 and he replieswith b3, i can see hes setting up a fork on d4 with his knight when myqueen would be on b3 after taking his pawn } 47... Rd8 { here i saw i have a dangerouscheckmate on myself if im not careful with my king and place him too highlike the g4 square } 48. a3 { go on with my attack } 48... b3 { anticipated reply } 49. Qa5 { i decide to attack his c5 pawn i had seen his fork attempt! } 49... Rc8 { he reinforces and it prevented any schemes on my king i was happy. thisfight i looking better and better as the moves go by, but winning 3 pointshas taken me almost 50 moves! } 50. Kf2 { decide to relieve fork stresseson my king i plan on running up my a pawn and i can see he will come forit with his knight. so i play ahead and see i can give him my A pawn andwill be able to get his b and c pawns in return. } 50... Nd4 { gets his knightcloser to the action and defends his b pawn } 51. Qa6 { i attack his rookto get my queen in a spot thats farther from my king. that knight is scaringme lol } 51... Rc6 { anticipated reply defended by knight } 52. Qb7 { and i get myqueen out of the A file pawns way } 52... Ke8 { he doesnt have many choices ofmoves at this stage. hes congested his knight into protecting his rookand pawn so that piece is now sleeping } 53. Kg3 { i decided to bring hisking back or else my king will be able to eat his pawns } 53... Kf8 { and he pullshis king back } 54. Kg4 Kg7 55. a4 { time to climb the A file } 55... Re6 { i hadseen this scenario earlier and having placed my queen on b7 this is hisonly playable square for his rook } 56. a5 Nc6 { his knight reply to comeafter the A pawn and i will get my 2 pawns for 1 } 57. Qxb3 Nxa5 58. Qb5 Nc6 59. Qxc5 Ne7 { now i was proud with myself this looked almost in thebag, but not time to blunder like last game } 60. b4 { off to the races! } 60... Nf5 { i looked at the e3 check my queen was safe so was my e pawn if i dontmove my queen } 61. b5 Nh6+ { hmm unanticipated reply this is ok. he broughthis knight away and i can just focus left side now } 62. Kh3 { so i decideto place my king in a place where he cant check him with his knight again } 62... Ng8 { after this reply i took a long time to calculate something. and afterplaying what i think every possible play through due to his knight andkings position i thought this next move to be epic! } 63. Qd6 { bam! if hetakes my queen with his rook he cannot stop me from re queening. my opponentplayed 1-3 moves a day with easily 1 hour to 5 hours Minimum between eachmove, although here he played within 3 minutes of me playing this } 63... Rxd6 { i was like wow the only move i dont think he thought through of the entiregame was the winning one, was this a real sacrifice this time Ion? hehe } 64. exd6 Nf6 { he plays the next 2-3 moves still i told him i think i calculatedmy queen sacrifice properly } 65. c5 { there is a very important order tothe pawn movements here. it would take forever to type it all out its funto explore to see if you can queen as black and prevent it as white. } 65... Kf8 66. c6 Ke8 67. b6 { and after this state of game my opponent realised itwas impossible for him to prevent queen and resigned. this had been agreat revenge match to make it 1-1 in the tournament and i hope you allenjoyed the game. all Comments appreciated! } 1-0

[Event "nearly a smothered"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "opponent"] [Black "thereaper1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1072"] [WhiteElo "1448"] { a recent club game. The game shows the power of a queen and knight workingtogether and just what they can achieve with a little coordination. Onceagain I am playing a stronger opponent and as a matter of fact this paticularopponent has a gameKnot rating of 1755. } 1. e4 Nf6 { I wasn't sure whatI wanted to play against this paticular opponent. I didn't want to playmy usual 1... c5 and I dislike the king pawn oppenings. So what did thatleave me with. I dont like the Scandinavian or something like the modern.It came doen to to options. Either I would play the French But then I figuredwhy not try the Alkhine? } 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5. f4 { The fourpawn attack. I wasn't the only one playing out a little differently tohow we normaly play. My opponent normally plays the modern. } 5... dxe5 6. fxe5 Nc6 7. Be3 Bf5 8. Nf3 e6 9. Nc3 g6 { ?! I wasnt sure if this was very goodat all to be honest. The problem is my LSB. It has very few squares togo to and is not really doing much at the moment. I concerned myself atthis point weather my opponent might try Bg5!? } 10. Be2 { No he didn'tplay Bg5 which was what I half expected. } 10... Bg7 11. O-O O-O { I wanted tobegin to undermine whites centre but I figured I may as well tuck my kingaway before I begin those operations. } 12. Qd2 h5 { I was very temptedto play 12...h6?! witht the idea that if white plays 13.Bxh6 Nxd4 leadsto some interesting sharp play. however there were plaenty of other optionsat whites disposal. Including h3 with the idea of trapping blacks LSB.That woul;d force me to play h5 anyway so I decided rather than waste atempo I wpuld play h7-h5 in one go. } 13. Bh6 { ? I had wondered if whitemight try this. I had calculated that this was a mistake though. this tacticaloversight cost white two pawns. } 13... Nxd4 { ! The key was to play this firstand follow up with Bxh6. } 14. Nxd4 { forced. } 14... Bxh6 15. Qxh6 { Again forced. } 15... Qxd4+ 16. Kh1 Qxe5 { I had a bit of a decsision here. Which pawn to take?I went with this one as it seemed less complicated than trying to takec4. } 17. Rae1 Qg7 { I decided I would hunker down and prepare for a longhard game. I was hoping for a queen trade but figured there was no waywhite would oblige. still though. I figured it was worth having my queenhere for protection of my king side even if there were more active optionsavailable. } 18. Qe3 c6 { probably a waste of ttime, it doesn't gain a wholelot but it does have it's points. } 19. b3 Nd7 20. Ne4 Bxe4 { My bishophas been nothing but a pain most of the game. I wanted to simplify whereverpossible. } 21. Qxe4 Rad8 22. Rf3 Nf6 23. Qf4 Ng4 { Means a trades are pracrticallyimpossible to avoid. } 24. Rg3 Qf6 { ?! Forces a trade of queens or pieces.but perhaps this was the wrong idea, after all my knight is quite usefullright now so perhaps trading it for the bishop was the wrong move. The point is that on the surface Rxe4!? seems to win a piece but if youlook deeper it becomes apparent that it is only a piece trade. 25.Rxe4Qc3 16.Rc1 Qb2 and white needs to give back the bishop to save the rook. Possibly whitemight have tried Qf1!? I suspect that that would regaina pawn. } 25. Qc7 { ?? But in his eagerness to avoid trades white makesthis game losing blunder. At first Qf2 seems interesting but Qa5 and itshard to see what black gains. However black has a winning move at his disposal. } 25... Nf2+ { !! this should win at least a rook or a lot more if white is notcarefull. } 26. Kg1 Qd4 { The best follow up by far. This threatns the infamoussmothered mate with Nh3+ Kh1 Qg1+ Rxg1 Nf2# there are only two defencesto mate in this position. 1. h4 which losses two rooks. and gives whitea horrific position. 2.h3 which is probably whites best reply. It loosesa rook for a pawn or two which is obviously dead lost for white but ismost stubborn. and the reply white played in the game. } 27. Kf1 Ne4 { However!! this wins the queen. The point is black thretns mate on both d2 andf2 and the only way to prevent it is giving up the queen for the knight.Faced with the loss of his queen white resigned this position. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.12.05"] [Round "-"] [White "thedog"] [Black "attack13"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1521"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1456"] 1. Nc3 d5 2. d4 f5 3. Bf4 c6 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bd3 e6 6. Be5 Be7 7. Nf3 Nbd7 8. Ng5 Nxe5 9. dxe5 Ng4 { That e pawn needs to go } 10. Nf3 Qc7 11. Be2 Nxe5 12. Nd4 O-O 13. f4 Nf7 14. a3 e5 15. fxe5 Nxe5 16. Qd2 Bg5 17. Nf3 Nxf3+ 18. gxf3 Bd7 19. O-O-O Be6 20. f4 Bf6 21. Na2 d4 22. b3 c5 { His pawns lookmuch less good here } 23. Bd3 Rfd8 24. e4 fxe4 25. Bxe4 Rab8 26. Bd3 b5 27. Qe2 Qc8 28. Bxb5 Bg4 29. Qc4+ Be6 30. Qa4 Qc7 31. Rdf1 Bc8 32. f5 Rb6 33. Bd3 Bg5+ 34. Kb2 Bb7 35. h4 { Not sure about this sacrifice } 35... Bxh1 36. Rxh1 Bf6 37. h5 Qb7 38. Qc4+ Qd5 39. Qxd5+ Rxd5 { Oops } 40. Bc4 Rd6 41. Re1 Kf8 42. Bxd5 Rxd5 43. Rf1 d3+ { Lovely move, never saw this but putshim in all sort of trouble } 44. Kc1 d2+ 45. Kd1 Bg5 46. Nc3 Re5 47. a4 a6 48. Ne2 Ke7 49. Ng1 Kf6 50. Ne2 Rxf5 51. Rxf5+ Kxf5 { Swap of rooks worksbetter for you } 52. Nc3 Kg4 53. Ne4 Be3 54. Nc3 Kxh5 55. Ke2 Bg5 56. Ne4 Kg4 57. Nxc5 h5 58. Nd3 h4 59. Ne5+ Kg3 60. Nf3 d1=Q+ 61. Kxd1 Kxf3 { there'sthe problem of knights against bishops, although he did well to snafflea few pawns in the meantime } 62. c4 Kf2 63. c5 Bf4 64. Kc2 h3 65. b4 h2 66. b5 h1=Q 67. Kb3 axb5 68. axb5 Qd5+ 69. Kb4 Qb7 70. c6 Qb6 71. Kc4 g5 { That's a bit cruel, do you need so many queens?!! } 72. Kb4 g4 73. Kc4 g3 74. Kb4 g2 0-1

[Event "Knife-edged attack"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.08.24"] [Round "-"] [White "damalfi"] [Black "bratwurst"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "5/10"] { Somentimes it's nice to see that intuition works over calulation. Thiswas a blitz game. Light annotation... } 1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 b6 3. Bf4 { My favourite. } 3... Bb7 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. e3 { Here, as black, I would have gone for my dsb withNh5. } 5... c5 6. c3 { This scheme provides me with nice settings, much less 'attacheable'than c4 ones. } 6... Nc6 7. h3 { I've seen my opponen is not fond with the Nh5idea, but this is not to provide my bishop of a square to hide as to preparea pawn storm. } 7... Be7 8. g4 O-O { Thank you, just where I wanted you to be. } 9. Rg1 { This is to unpin the f3 knight and to prepare h4. } 9... cxd4 10. exd4 { My queenside keeps closed. It is supposed to be the shield for my king,after o-o-o. } 10... Rc8 { Good, preventing Qc2 (Nb4) } 11. h4 { Just wait for me...:-) } 11... Nd5 12. Bh2 { A little trap. } 12... Bxh4 { He falls in it. This just helpsme, opening the h column. } 13. Bd6 { ...but this move was too juicy todelay. } 13... Re8 { Now, the trap clicks. } 14. g5 { He cannot save the bishop,but my king is becoming very exposed, and castling appears very far. } 14... Ne3 { Nice attempt. } 15. Qb1 { It was important for me to keep the queenactive, and I needed it looking to h7. } 15... Nxf1 16. Kxf1 { Not with the rook,and not with the knight, because of Nf3 needs protection. This also keepsmy king out of the Re8's action (as black, I would have played e5, probably). } 16... Ba6+ { I considered to shield with c4, but I didn't like b5. } 17. Ke1 { Well, back to the e column. I thought that now e5 was almost the onlyblack chance. } 17... Bxf2+ 18. Kxf2 { Well, THIS is an exposed king. I am luckythe Bd6 is untouchable, and cramps him a lot. } 18... f6 { No, the f column shouldnot be opened! } 19. Rh1 g6 { I thought Rxh7, and if KxR, Qh1+, followedby Qh6. But I wasn't sure it was enough. } 20. Ne4 { Bringing more firepowerto the enemy's field. } 20... fxg5 21. Nexg5 { He can now attack the f column,but without much effect. } 21... Re7 { Intelligent. Returning the exchange inorder to free his position. Now I have to be very 'osé', if I want to keepmy attack. } 22. Nxh7 { The Nf6+ threat is very dangerous for black. Hisbest answer is Rg7, IMO. } 22... Rxh7 { But he went greedy, and this is almostmortal. I could have gone RxR, KxR, Qh1+, but after Kg7 I couldn't seea clear win. } 23. Qxg6+ { My queen returns! ...at the cost of a piece,but the presence of the First Lady into the king whorts it. } 23... Rg7 24. Qh5 { Qh8+ is not checkmate, though. } 24... Qe8 25. Qh8+ Kf7 { Again, I have to playvery strong to make my attack successful. } 26. Ng5+ { The nice one. Tempois all in chess. } 26... Rxg5 27. Rh7+ Kg6 { I was in doubt if to follow withthe queen or the rook. Now, with more time, I realize that Rh6+, Kf5 (Kf7,Qf6+, Kg8, Rh8#), Qf6+, Kg4, Rg1#, but on the spot I didn't. Pity. } 28. Rg7+ Kf5 { Kf6, Rg8+ and I win. Now, I had to bring in the other rook, andget rid of defensive forces, so... } 29. Rxg5+ Kxg5 { Tempo is all. } 30. Rg1+ { It is funny how long my queen keeps 'en prise' undisturbed.- } 30... Kf5 31. Qh7+ Kf6 32. Qh6+ { Kf7 loses to Rg7#. } 32... Kf5 33. Qf4# { So it worked,for once :-) } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.10.27"] [Round "-"] [White "corpagent"] [Black "hyderabadkadon"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1249"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Qe2 { Alternatively, you could have pushedthe pawn which would force the knight to move again. A great follow upwould then be to defend the e5 pawn with Pd4, but black's pawn at c5 mightresult in a trade. But your queen move here is probably better in thelong run. } 4... d5 5. d4 { Oh, here would have gone with Pe5 instead, becausePxe4 forces you to move your knight, and black wreaks more havoc with Pc5. } 5... Nc6 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Na3 Qf6 8. Nb5 { :) Going for the king/rook fork. Nice. } 8... Bd6 { Parried. } 9. Nxd6+ { ...or so black thought. I don't know howI overlooked that obvious move--good job. Hope you snag the bishop too. } 9... Ke7 10. Nxc8+ { Right on! } 10... Raxc8 { Oh! Oh! You've got his queen! Bg5 pinsthe old biddy against the black king. Sweet! } 11. Bg5 { Righteous! } 11... Qxg5 { Yep. Black is better off trading. } 12. Nxg5 f6 13. Qxe6+ { Nice move! Press your advantage. } 13... Kd8 { Oh, now fork the king and rook on the rightside. } 14. O-O-O { WTH? Weren't you listening? Kf7+ gives you black'srook. As a bonus you could even force the king out to b6, or pick offthe undefended knight at d5 at your leisure. Yeah, black was right toresign. } 1-0

[Event "The Annotation Project II - A late on massacre!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.12.21"] [Round "-"] [White "untateve"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1776"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1759"] 1. f4 { Hi everyone! I haven't produced a game for annotation from TheAnnotation Project Part 2 for a long long time. Here is another game againstmy buddy Steve - we seem to be quite evenly matched although he is currentlyleading me 7-5 at the moment. This is one of my 3 wins against him. Oneof my other two wins against him was when I was black in the AnnotationProject Part 1. The other was in the game which I annotated as Ouch! Wellin this game it looked anybody's game until late on in the middlegame whenit became a massacre in my favour! We fast forward to move 9 where I decidedto put Fou Lenoir on g7. } 1... d5 2. Nf3 g6 3. e4 dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Bg4 6. Bxf7+ Kd7 7. Qxg4+ Nxg4 8. Be6+ Kc6 9. Bxg4 Bg7 10. Ne6 { 10. Ne6 - thestandard cramp. Now Glenda must hide herself on g8 for a while. } 10... Qg8 11. d4 exd3 { 11. ...... exd3 e.p. Later on I was to try something similaragainst 8ballphoenix but Henry got himself into a mating net. Luckilyfor me in that game, http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/the-annotation-project-ii?gm=28260,though my opponent merely thought he had a perpetual so I escaped witha Low Draw - had my opponent been Easy19 I would have been Freddied forsure! } 12. c3 h5 13. Bh3 b6 14. a4 a5 { 14. ...... a5 - over the past fewmoves I have been attempting to create a Hidey Hole for Henry. This moveis to ensure that Steve does not cross my plans via the a column. } 15. g3 Kb7 { 15. ...... Kb7 - voila, now if Bg2+ the c6 pawn can now block it! } 16. Be3 Na6 17. O-O h4 { 17. ...... h4 - I try a pawn roll a la Freddy tobreak up Steve's castled position. If I do this then look what is on theg and h columns - Glenda and a rook! And what is sitting on g1 - Steve'sking! } 18. gxh4 Rxh4 19. Bg2+ c6 { 19. ...... c6 - thank heaven for littlepawns! } 20. Nd4 Bxd4 21. Bxd4 { 21. Bxd4 - I had no choice but to tradebishop for knight here, the c6 pawn was under fire from the bishop on g2and that pesky knight. At least my position looks a little less cramped. } 21... Qh7 22. h3 { 22. h3 - to stop Rxh2. } 22... Rf8 23. Nd2 { 23. Nd2 - my d3 pawn,just two squares away from Glendadom is momentarily blockaded, but he willget there. } 23... Rhxf4 24. b4 Rxf1+ 25. Nxf1 { 25. Nxf1 - rook trade. } 25... axb4 26. c4 Rd8 27. Bf2 { 27. Bf2 - suddenly the d3 pawn is protected. Can Stevestop it? } 27... Qg7 28. Rd1 Qc3 { 28. ....... Qc3 - say Hello to Glenda, Steve! } 29. Ne3 d2 { 29. ...... d2 - make that 1 square from Glendadom. } 30. Rb1 Qc1+ 31. Rxc1 dxc1=Q+ { 31. ........ dxc1/Q+ - Glenda disappears in a puffof smoke but next move she reappears on c1 giving check and at the sametime she has relieved Steve of his rook. } 32. Kh2 b3 { 32. ..... b3 - what'sthis, another black pawn two squares away from Glendadom. Will there bea second queen here? } 33. Nd5 cxd5 34. cxd5 b2 { 34. ...... b2 - I see adiscovered check but I decided to ignore it - onward to Glendadom littlepawn! } 35. d6+ Ka7 36. a5 { 36. a5 - I expected dxe7 here but my rook canquite happily sacrifice himself if necessary for that pawn. With the textI can get rid of that d pawn at once. Steve now waves the white flag. I think, with the 7-5 lead he has over me (his wins are 5-3 in his favour,the remaining matches were draws) that Steve's rating should be in the1800s so I was glad to get a win like this one out of him. I just hopehe gets to 1800. I hope you have had a good read. Bye for now, Joanne } 36... Rxd6 0-1

[Event "Dutch defense"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05-Aug-07"] [Round "-"] [White "luqman"] [Black "appelflap"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1605"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1636"] { For this game my team captain has inducted me in the 'order of shammah',for he thought this is a beautiful game. It is not a team game, but I knewhe likes this such of games, so I had sended a message about this game.I was very very suprised and very pleasured with the inducting i got. Asthanksgiving for the inducting I make this annotating. I hope you thinkit is useful. } 1. d4 { very common... } 1... f5 { I should not do f5, but Nf6,but this was a thematic game(minitournament) and so I had no choiche. } 2. c4 Nf6 { This 2 moves are very common(the first moves when you look inthe chess database) } 3. Nf3 { relatively not common, 212 out of 1872 inthe chess database. I cant good explain why I did. } 3... e6 { very common move(chessdatabase) You get a strong row of pawns(the pawn at f6 is defended better)and you have a better defending against the pawns who stand at d4 and c4. And it is the preparation for my attack in move 5. Until this move itis the Dutch defense(it was also the theme of the minitournament, so itis very logical) } 4. d5 { Now he does something very uncommon. Until theprevious move it is played nearly 500 times on GK, but nobody has playedthis move!! NOBODY out of nearly 500!! Maybe he wanted delete my pawnat e6, that was defending my pawn et f5?? Maybe he wanted to clean theboard a little?? Maybe he did something?? Maybe it was a very smart move,maybe it was a blunder. I dont know exactly, to be honest. But it is curious,that nobody out of 500 did this, and he did. } 4... exd5 { In every case, I takehis pawn, I accept the offer. } 5. cxd5 { Of course he took my pawn back. } 5... Bb4+ { Due to move 3 I have space to move my bishop out of the line. NowI attack the king, what nearly always is advantageful, I make possibilitiesto make the rochade, and I am more active now. } 6. Nc3 { He must move apiece between my bishop and his king, and in this way he is defending hispaqn better too. } 6... O-O { I use the possibilities I created a move ago andI make the rochade. } 7. Bd2 { Euh, I think he makes the defending of theking stronger and the defending of the knight too. And he could make therochade, if he moved the queen too. } 7... Qe7 { defending the bishop.... } 8. g3 { to make space for the bishop.... } 8... Qc5 9. Bg2 { moving the bishop awayto make possibilities for the rochade } 9... Bxc3 { give a bishop for a knight. } 10. Bxc3 { of course he takes the knight back. } 10... Nxd5 { attacks the bishopfor the second time, for persuading him, that we can attack the king again,with the queen. } 11. Bd2 { the bishop is running away } 11... Nc6 { That knightgives support to the other knight and the queen } 12. O-O { For the prevention,he makes the rochade. } 12... f4 { give a pawn for a pawn and create more spaceon the board... } 13. Rc1 { attack the not defended queen } 13... Qb5 { I run awaywith my queen } 14. Bc3 { The bishop comes back. } 14... fxg3 { I take the paqn } 15. hxg3 { he takes the pawn back } 15... Nxc3 { Take the bishop... } 16. Rxc3 { andgive my knight } 16... Qxb2 { take the undefended pawn and attack the now undefendedrook. } 17. Ng5 { He forgets that the rook is undefended maybe and he ispreparing an attack(which I didnt see that moment) } 17... Qxc3 { Of course I takethe undefended rook. } 18. Be4 { preparing the attack } 18... g6 { trying to preventthe attack of the bishop } 19. Qd5+ { attack } 19... Kg7 { of course running awaywith my king } 20. Kg2 { This must have a reason, but I dont know. } 20... Nb4 { makea fork between queen and pawn } 21. Qa5 { defending the pawn and attackingthe knight and make a penning(the dutch word, I dont know the english word)with the knight and the queen. } 21... b6 { attacking the queen } 22. Qa4 { run awaywithout loose the defending of the pawn and the attacking of the knight.Damagaful for him, he has loosed the penning. } 22... d5 { attacking the bishop,which is frusttrating me } 23. Bf3 { he is running away, without loosingthe defending of the knight. } 23... Rf5 { attacking the knight and the bishop,however they both are defended, and make the rook active, and make a betterdefence of the king. } 24. a3 { the pawn who is long been under attack, isnow running away and attacks my knight. } 24... Nc6 { so I must run away } 25. Qh4 { Now he is preparing a great attack. It could be fatal for me. I let yousee. Now first look good. } 25... h6 { attacking the knight, to make he movesaway } 26. Rh1 { more preparations for the big attack } 26... h5 { make a betterdefence against the queen and the rook } 27. Bxh5 { this move is deletinghis chanche to the win. I dont know anymore the possibilitie I saw thatmoment, but that moment I saw a possibilitie for him to win in a coupleof moves. And by this move that possibilitie is deleted. } 27... gxh5 { take thebishop back, material gain of 2 } 28. Qxh5 { the queen takes the pawn back } 28... Kf8 { run away with the king } 29. Nh7+ { attacks the king } 29... Ke7 { run away } 30. Ng5 Qxa3 { I take the pawn } 31. Qh7+ { attacks my king } 31... Kd8 { run away } 32. Nf7+ { attacks again } 32... Rxf7 { I take the knight back } 33. Qxf7 { he takesmy rook back, material loss of 2 points } 33... Ne7 { preparation for my runawayin the next move, without this move he should mate me in the next move. } 34. Rh8+ { Look for a while. When I didnt move my knight in the previousmove I had lost the game now. But I am very hurtable now. } 34... Kd7 { The onlypossible move } 35. Qe8+ { attacks my king } 35... Ke6 { running away } 36. Rh6+ { attacksagain } 36... Ke5 { running away again } 37. f4+ { attacks again, now gives the pawnsupport } 37... Kd4 { running away for the very much th time } 38. Qh8+ { attackingagain } 38... Kc4 { running away, that is good for his condition, even for theking is running a sport that is good for your healthy :P } 39. Rh1 { I dontknow exactly why this move } 39... Bb7 { better defending of the bishop and therook } 40. Qe5 { new attack, not on my king } 40... d4+ { dont know anymore why Idid } 41. e4 { dont know why } 41... dxe3+ { I take the pawn en passant and havea pawn that cant be tooken by other pawns(we call that a free pawn) } 42. Kg1 { I attacked him with the bishop and he is running away of course } 42... Qc1+ { attacking him again and preparing checkmate. His only possibilitie isKh2 and then I should do Qh1 and it is checkmate!! He saw that too, I think,for he resigned at this moment. } 0-1

[Event "51st GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.02.21"] [Round "-"] [White "kmadison"] [Black "span"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1586"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1452"] { A well played game on both sides...except for 1 major mistake for black. } 1. e4 c5 { Book opening: Sicilian defense... } 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 { I like togo after the center early, so I usually will end up pushing both e4 andd4; although I open myself up, most players don't capitalize on this opportunity } 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. O-O { I figure my piecesare well developed for the most part, So now I'll castle. (Plus the rookwill solidify my hold on the center. } 8... e5 9. Nf3 Bg4 { Classical mechanism.Easily prevented by h3(?!) but chose not to risk opening up my king } 10. Be2 O-O 11. Bxf6 { Things are pretty stale, I figure I'd better get someaction going before one of us is bored to death. Plus, I weaken the powerof the bishop on g4. } 11... Bxf6 12. Nd5 { I'm just making myself out to be theaggressor here, and make him risk his king's position; Also delaying pawnto d5 push. } 12... Nc6 13. Nxf6+ { Probably could have delayed this, but chosenot to. It works out eventually } 13... Qxf6 14. Nd2 { I want him to take the bishop(keep the action going, and show that I don't have to be the aggressorfor the entire game). The knight adds protection to e4 pawn. } 14... Bxe2 15. Qxe2 Nd4 { Saw this coming, but not worried } 16. Qd1 b5 17. Nb3 { I'm purposelytaking the risk of losing the e4 pawn to allow me to activate a rook. Icould have done c3, but I'm a gambler, and I like to have fun as I playthis game } 17... Nxb3 18. axb3 Rfe8 19. Rb1 { Just in case he pushes d5 } 19... b4 { NowI switch from being the aggressor to the strategist. } 20. c3 bxc3 21. bxc3 a5 22. Re1 { refortify the center just in case of a counter-strike. } 22... Reb8 { interesting decision; trying to step up as the aggressor, let's see wherethis leads... } 23. Re3 Rb7 24. Rd3 { We are trying to catch one anotheroff guard by switching roles. } 24... Rd7 25. c4 Ra6 26. b4 { ? (maybe not thebest idea...) } 26... a4 27. b5 Ra5 28. Qc1 Qd8 29. b6 Rc5 30. b7 { I'm not reallytrying to get a 2nd queen, I'm just trying to create an open lane for therook } 30... Qb8 31. Ra3 { ...and get this 'problem' taken care of,,, } 31... Rxb7 32. Rxb7 Qxb7 33. Rxa4 h6 { possibly a wasted move? Unless he thought i wouldsacrifice my queen to back-rank him. } 34. Qc2 d5 { ?:hmm...probably notwise to push this now... } 35. exd5 { !!The better choice as Black's kingis still blocked in } 35... Qxd5 { ! interesting. Wonder if considering a rooktrade? } 36. Rb4 { Don't wanna lose a pawn in this tight game, but has biggerthings in mind... } 36... Qd4 { ?? The big mistake. Qd8 would prevent the nextmove and still save the queen! } 37. Rb8+ { A well played game by both parties.1 big mistake for black cost him. It's a shame such a wonderful game cameto such a tragic end... } 1-0

[Event "68th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.05.06"] [Round "-"] [White "excile"] [Black "wissem"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2110"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1579"] 1. e4 { I Annotate this game for two reasons: 1: I won for the first timeover a 2110 rated guy 2: I kinda feel like Mikhail Tal and all of thosegrand masters who sacrifice in this game. you will see what I mean lateron. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { So it's a Ruy Lopez. } 3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 { Once black plays d6 it is a classical variation. Iknow some players who are as high rated as this guy who don't like to playblack in this position because they feel like a target to white. But thisposition has been played by the best players in the world so it's nothingwrong with this position for black. } 8. c3 Na5 { This is the chigorin'svariation. Nb8 is Keres i think. } 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 { He played Qc7.It is a playable move. There are other moves in this position as well. } 11. h3 { Just preventing the Bishop to come to g4 pinning the knight andputting pressure on d4. } 11... O-O 12. Nbd2 { Well here i wasn't sure how to playso i decided Nd2. I have seen games where white tries to put the b-knightall the way to g3 in this position so that's pretty much what i did. } 12... g6 { this is a common way to play with black in this position: g6,Re8,Bf8,Bg7. } 13. Nf1 { Just preparing to move my knight to g3. } 13... Re8 14. Ng3 { I believeI played wrong here since i changed my mind afterwards. i wanted to playg4 instead so i was thinking to move the knight,play g4 and then move theknight back. But that would loose time. However,then again i dont see anyflaws with Ng3,it's not a bad move. } 14... Bf8 15. d5 { Here i decided to pushon with the pawn and block his Light squared bishop. I was thinking thatto much pressure was on d4 since i was planning to ignore that pawn sopushing on lets me concentrate on other stuff,like how to proceed a kingside attack or something. } 15... Bg7 16. Bd2 { well as you see this move loosestime... } 16... Nc4 17. Bc1 Nb6 18. Bd2 { I decided that i really wanted to developthe bishop somehow even if it cost me putting his knight on a better square.I was really thinking on moving the queen to c1 and have controll overthe c1-h6 diagonal. } 18... h6 { He probably knew that i was planning to move myqueen behind my bishop and play Bh6 which could be dangerous for him. } 19. Qc1 { And i did it. } 19... Kh7 { this was the point of h6. now two pieces protectsh6 and if he feels threaten, Ng8 for more protection. } 20. Ne2 { Here,likei said earlier, i decided to withdraw my knight,play g4 and then play itback again to g3. it can be dangerous for black. } 20... Nc4 { he moves back hisknight. Now he wins my dark squared bishop. I didn't see that move comingand exchanging a rather passive knight for a potential dangerous dark squaredbishop is a good thing i believe. Even tho black mostly plays somethinglike Nbd7,c4,Nc5. } 21. Kh2 { well i couldn't do anything about Nxd2 so idecided to prepare g4. if i play g4 immediately then h5 and the h3 pawnwould be hanging. } 21... Nxd2 22. Qxd2 Bd7 { This move connect his rooks. } 23. Rg1 { I wanted to prepare g4 more now that i had the chance. Rooks are bestbehind pawns is what Dr. Tarrach said i think. } 23... Ng8 { Over protecting hisstrong point and he might play f5 in the future which can tricky to meet. } 24. g4 { Now i had to play g4 stopping f5 and being aggressive. } 24... Qc8 { ifI advance my g-pawn then he'll take my h-pawn. } 25. Rg2 { I wasn't surehow to play here so i decided that doubling the rooks makes it better forwhite since the a1-rook isn't doing anything anyways. } 25... g5 { stopping theg-pawn from advancing. } 26. Rag1 f6 { Now this looks very solid for black.I wasn't sure what to play here,maybe Ng3,Nh5 would be ok to play. } 27. h4 { I decided to exchange defenders, it might be easier for a break throughin this position. } 27... Kg6 { Well this is simply over protecting again. } 28. hxg5 fxg5 { Now black can get very nasty in the f-file. He can seize it,triplehis rooks+queen and maybe have a winning chance here. I wasn't sure howto play here either because Ng3 would be met by Bxg4.That's why the pawnexchange i did was probably a bad one. Some people would prefer black inthis position because of the f-file. However Now I decided to take action... } 29. Nh4+ { This is a surprising move i made. I think black can defend himselfagainst this knight sacrifice but not doing anything and just wait forblack to take the f-file was not an option for me. I am very proud of thismove and most of the moves black makes leads to a win for me. I kinda feellike grand masters who make sacrifices like this when i played this move. } 29... gxh4 30. g5 { g5, advancing the pawn attacking the g-file. this is the pointof the last move i made. } 30... h5 { now black stops white from taking the g-file.the position is closed and the question is how white should proceed withhis attack. } 31. f4 { i have seen in attacks and learned to try to openas many files as possible. besides i looked at other moves and thoughtthis was the best move to play. } 31... Bg4 { now came bishop g4. That nasty bishopcan be very annoying here, This outpost is a strong one and the questionis how white shall proceed with that move. } 32. Rxg4 { A second sacrificeby me! i decided that the bishop was annoying where it was placed and eventho i am a rook down i am confident that i will win. } 32... hxg4 33. f5+ { Thisis probably the best move in this position,now i can simply take his twopawns and with seizing the h-file and two united passed pawns,i can havea winning chance in this position. } 33... Kf7 { well 33. ... Kh5 trying to protecthis g-pawn would loose after the third sacrifice 34. Ng3+ hxg3 35. Kxg3followed by Rh1#. } 34. Rxg4 { Now with f5 i cut off his queen making iteasy to take his pawns. } 34... c4 { giving him more space } 35. Rxh4 Qc5 { Now ihad to do something because Qf2+ can be draw or a loosing move in the future(due to material losses) } 36. Ng3 { moving my knight. Now my knight willparticipate in the battle against his king as well. } 36... Rab8 { I think he wasfocusing on a counter attack,forcing me to think about the Queen side. } 37. Rh7 { I refused to think about the queen side,i could have played a3but i guess it wouldn't make a difference after a5. } 37... b4 38. f6 { i had toattack his king somehow. I analyzed the latest 10 moves carefully of courseand i figured this move (f6) is the best of all the moves in order to matehim. } 38... Nxf6 { well that's one way to do it. 38. bxc3 would be met by 39.Rxg7+ Kf8 40.g6 Nxf6 41. Rf7+ Kg8 42. Qh6. } 39. gxf6 { Taking Knight. } 39... Kxf6 { Now this position might be considered a little tricky. the king side isopen and very dangerous for black. } 40. Nh5+ { The best move here,winningthe bishop. } 40... Kg6 { Blunder! 40. ... Kf7 would be at least a draw after 41.Rxg7+ Kf8 42. Rg8+ Kf7 43. Rg7+ etc. and if he tries to run after 40. Nh5+with 40. ... Ke7?? then 41. Rxg7+ Kd8 42. Qg5+ Kc8 43. Qf5+ Kd8 44. Qd7# } 41. Rxg7+ Kxh5 42. Qg5# { Yeah! my first victory against a high rated player.probably the highest victory i even have had. I am not sure if the knightsacrifice was a good one but it made me win and i am proud of it! } 1-0

[Event "Bishop for a knight is not often the best option!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.05.01"] [Round "-"] [White "stephenf"] [Black "go4broke"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1638"] [WhiteElo "1556"] 1. e4 c5 { Sicilian Defense, black's most common and highest scoring reply.Known both for its dynamic games and high following among top players,the Sicilian is often the defense for people who love aggressive games,and don't mind studying a lot of theory } 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 { The most commonmoves here are 3. d4 (The Open Sicilian), and moves like 3. Bb5+ (The MoscowVariation), however my opponent played this Bc4 move. I always see thismove, yet I feel it's basically handing Black equalization, as Black canusually build up a nice center with ...e6 and ...d5 to follow (which wouldalso kick the c4 bishop with tempo). } 3... Nf6 { My standard response, preparing...e6 and ...d5, plus developing. } 4. Nc3 Nc6 { I could have played e6 here,but I usually prefer to develop my Queen's Knight first. } 5. d3 e6 { Andmy plan starts to take action. } 6. Bb5 { Perhaps he noticed d5 was comingand just evacuated early, but this is the loss of tempo I described earlier. } 6... a6 { I decided to make him move one more time, and I welcome the exchangesince the doubled pawns will only bolster the center I am about to erect,plus it opens up a b-file that will be great for my rook. } 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. Bg5 { Again wanting to trade off bishop for knight, maybe my opponentloves his horses. } 8... d5 { I ignore it this time, and finally play ...d5 } 9. Bxf6 Qxf6 10. exd5 cxd5 { After the smoke clears, I no longer have doubledpawns, but a very strong center, an semi-open b file, and the bishop pair. } 11. O-O Bd6 { Developing, and pointing straight towards the king's castledposition. } 12. Re1 O-O 13. d4 Rb8 { I was debating whether I should do thismove, or wait until the c-file opened up and use that instead. I chosethis in the end because I would have another rook to come over to the c-file,and the control of both half-open files. Along with the bishop pair inan open position, I figured I would serve extremely well. } 14. b3 cxd4 { Opening up the c file, and the position in general. This is always goodwhen you have the bishop pair, as bishops thrive in open positions, whereasknights love closed positions. } 15. Qxd4 Qxd4 { I played this partly becausethis was a timed game and I couldn't think of any great squares to movemy Queen to on the spot. Besides, I figured the prospects I already hadshould serve me well enough. } 16. Nxd4 Bd7 { Connecting the rooks, and preparingRfc8 } 17. Nf3 { ?! I wasn't sure of this move, it seems as if it's justwasting tempo. Maybe my opponent was preparing to redirect his knight toe5 and try to exchange the knight for my bishop? } 17... Rfc8 { Enacting my plan,and also attacking the undefended c3 knight. If I can get this knight tomove, I win a pawn on c2. } 18. Re3 Bb4 { Attacking the knight once again,it has to move now. } 19. Ne2 Rxc2 { There goes the pawn. } 20. Nfd4 { Funnyhow the same knight comes right back to d4 anyway. } 20... Rc7 { I chose c7 andnot c8 since I wanted to double rooks on the now fully open c-file anyway,so going back to c8 just to come to c7 made no sense. } 21. a3 Bc5 22. b4 Ba7 { My bishop got kicked around a bit, however it came at the cost ofweakening his queenside. I also managed to keep my sights on the a7-g1diagonal, meaning the knight on d4 needs to stay put or else my opponentwill be down the exchange. } 23. Rf3 Bb5 { My LSB wasn't finding any goodsquares, and so I don't mind trading it off for his knight. } 24. Nxb5 axb5 25. h4 { ? White needs to turn his full attention to the queenside or elsehe'll simply get steamrolled. } 25... Rc2 { Rooks on the 7th rank are happy rooks.This move also comes with tempo, since the knight can't go to d4 withoutit's twin knight protecting it. } 26. Nf4 Rbc8 { Doubled rooks on the onlyfully open file, soon enough I will storm into White's camp and gobbleup all he's good for. } 27. Kh2 { Perhaps trying to avoid trading rooks after27.--- 27...Rc1+, but this option just drops a pawn } 27... Rxf2 28. Rxf2 Bxf2 { The bishop hiding on a7 jumps back into action. } 29. Kh3 Rc4 { Comparethe pieces here. My rook is active, on an open file and attacking pieces.Meanwhile White's is currently staring at a brick wall on a3. My bishophas a lot of movement through my pawns, and a lot of pawns of White's toattack. Meanwhile, White's knight isn't doing a whole lot, and it doesn'treally have anywhere good to go. } 30. g3 Bd4 31. Rf1 Bb2 { White's a andb pawns were going to fall, and I would then have 3 passed pawns to runto queening squares. Due to all of this, my opponent resigned in this position.I hope you enjoyed my commentary, please comment with any lines I may havemissed, or any improvements in general! } 0-1

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "lake-bay"] [Black "footloooose"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1437"] [TimeControl "blitz 3:00 + 10"] [WhiteElo "1424"] 1. e4 { This is almost always my first opening move. } 1... e6 { I hate the FrenchDefense. } 2. d4 d6 { This is a mistake as it hems in black's DSB. } 3. c4 Bd7 4. Nc3 c6 { What is the deal with all these little pawn moves? } 5. f4 Na6 6. Nf3 { I didn't fear Nb4 because of Qb3. } 6... Be7 7. Bd3 { I prepare forcastling. } 7... Bh4+ 8. g3 { Sending this guy back home. } 8... Bf6 9. e5 { I jump onmy opportunity to expand. } 9... dxe5 10. dxe5 Be7 11. a3 { To prevent Bb4. } 11... Nc5 12. Be3 { I don't mind trading off. } 12... Nxd3+ 13. Qxd3 g6 { A waste of time. } 14. Na4 { Preparing to go to C5... } 14... Qc7 15. Nc5 Bxc5 16. Bxc5 { Completingthe trade. } 16... b6 { Wow, he is asking for it! } 17. Bd6 { ! } 17... Qc8 18. O-O-O { Doublingon the D-file. } 18... Nh6 { Ne7 might have been better... } 19. Nh4 { To preventNf5 which trades off my active bishop. } 19... Nf5 20. Nxf5 gxf5 21. Rd2 { Preparingto triple... } 21... Qb7 22. Rhd1 Rd8 23. b4 { I switch tactics. } 23... Qc8 { Pointless... } 24. a4 c5 25. b5 { Can't afford to open the B-file. } 25... Bxb5 { What for? } 26. axb5 { I oblige. } 26... Rd7 { I don't know how doubling is going to help him. } 27. h3 { Attack from the other flank. } 27... h6 28. g4 Rh7 { Is he planning toopen the seventh rank? } 29. gxf5 f6 { ????? } 30. fxe6 Rdg7 31. exf6 { I ripthe game open and suddenly his King is a bit exposed... } 31... Rb7 32. f7+ { Heresigned. Taking it would leave him too far down in material, and Kd8is answered by F8=R Mate! Thanks for looking! } 1-0

[Event "Traxler Variation Tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10 Dec 2009"] [Round "-"] [White "nuntar"] [Black "ionadowman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2113"] [TimeControl "3+3<5 days"] [WhiteElo "1678"] { This game, though short, had in my view the potential to have become the'game of the tournament' - a slugfest with the outcome in doubt right tothe end. However, just one slight slip upset the balance and led to aquick and decisive result. The game is from the Traxler Variation Mini-Tournamentorganised by id=easy19. We begin, as so many games do, with the e-pawn'sadvance... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { So far a Two Knights' Defence- almost a guarantee of an exciting game whatever happens... } 4. Ng5 { Acontroversial advance by the knight in order to place pressure upon thef7-pawn. As it transpires, Black does find certain contortions are neededto stay on level terms. For instance, 4...d5 5.exd5 Nxd5?! 6.Nxf7! andBlack is already fighting for his life. Usual, then is to let the pawngo (5...Na5) after which Black gets a very active game. } 4... Bc5 { But thismove - the signature move of the Traxler Variation (a.k.a. the Wilkes-Barre)- allows White to conquer f7, and even win the h8-rook if he so chooses,with a view to obtaining a powerful counterattack. } 5. Bxf7+ { Self-restraint. White is content with the small gain of a pawn plus disruption to theBlack king. The knight capture 5.Nxf7 Qe7 6.Nxh8 has a tendency to bringon the storm: 6...Bxf2+ and it's all on. White can also hold back eithercapture for the moment by playing 5.d4, hoping a more opportune momentwill occur. } 5... Ke7 { The generally preferred retreat, allowing the rook toreach f8. Instead, 5...Kf8 has been tried (against me) in order to keepopen the Queen's diagonal d8-h4. } 6. Bd5 { One of the two usual retreats,the other being 6.Bb3. For some reason, the books are silent on 6.Bc4,nor is it much played. } 6... Rf8 { The most usual, obviating the fork altogetherat f7. If instead, 6...h6, then 7.Nf7 Qf8? 8.Nxh8 Nxd5?? 9.Ng6+, forkingK and Q. Nor has 6...d6 much to recommend it after 7.c3! (though Whitemight be tempted into 7.Nf7?! Qf8 8.Nxh8 Nxd5 and the knight is strandedat h8) 7...Rf8 8.d4 exd4 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.o-o! h6 11.cxd4 Bb6 12.e5 and Whitehas a slight edge, according to Yakov Estrin. } 7. O-O { The most usual here. For a while, 7.Nf3 became popular after the game Belov vs Matsukevic (1962)in which Black responded 7.(Nf3) d6 8.c3 Bg4 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.d4 Bb6 11.Qd3exd4 12.cxd4 Kd7 13.Be3 and White seems to have the better of it. Nordid moving the Q to e8 help in the 1959 game Elpidinsky vs Shkurovich-Hazin:7.Nf3 d6 8.c3 Qe8 9.d4 exd4 10.cxd4 Bb4+ 11.Nc3 Nxd5 12.exd5 Kf7+ 13.Be3Ne7 14.Qb3 Ba5 15.0-0 is also good for White. Much more promising forBlack is: 7.Nf3 Nd5!? and if 8.Nxe5 Nxd5 9.exd5 d6 with dangerous threats. Instead 7.Nf7 Nd5!? 8.Nxd4 Bxd4 9.0-0 Nxd5 10.exd5 and White retains theadvantage according to Estrin. After 10...Kf7 11.c3 Bc5 12.d3! ... (Notthe risky 12.Qh5+ Kg8 13.Qxe5 Qh4! and Black has the initiative) 12...Kg813.Nd2 'Black had no compensation for his pawn' in the game Jovcic vs Sapundzhiev(1969). However, I followed this exact line with Black in a correspondencegame in about 1974-5, and went on to win with a piece, followed by a doublerook sacrifice in a King hunt(unfortunately, I don't have a score of thatgame). } 7... d6 { Instead 7...h6 could transpose into the game line, but Whitecould improve after 8.Nf3 d6 9.h3! Qe8 10.c3 with this possible continuation:10...Qh5 11.d4 and [a] 11...Bb6 12.Be3 Nd8 13.dxe5 or [b] 11...Bxh3 12.Bxc6!bxc6 13.gxh3 - neither line looking very good for Black. } 8. h3 { Playable,according to Estrin, but he gives 8.c3 as the more energetic. ProbablyI ought to have played here 8...h6, but... } 8... Qe8 { This has been played before. Instead, 8...h6 leads to 9.Nf3 Qe8 10.d3 Qh5 11.Nh2! White stops the attackafter 11...Qh4!? 12.Be3 Bb6 13.Nc3 and Black's attack looks to be peteringout. } 9. c3 { Readying the central pawn break d2-d4. } 9... h6 { Drives back theknight. This might seem to constitute a loss of time for White, but ithas been well invested in the disruption caused by the Black King's centrallocation. } 10. Nf3 Qg6 { This leads to a huge clash of arms. More circumspect,perhaps, was 10...Bb6. } 11. d4 { Getting in the first punch. For the nextseveral moves, the game takes on the look of two pugilists standing toeto toe in the centre of the ring and raining blows upon each other. } 11... exd4 { Again, Black could have retreated the bishop, but he's not backing off! } 12. cxd4 { Also possible is 12.Bxc6. } 12... Nxd4 { Black is willing to take a shotin order to deliver one... } 13. Nxd4 Nxd5 14. exd5 { There's no reason notto take. White is now a piece ahead... } 14... Bxh3 { Black had to take a blowto the body to get in this one-two to the head. } 15. Re1+ { Counterpunching,forcing Black to retreat a little, allowing White to slide out from theropes... } 15... Kd7 { Staying on rank 7 to allow the inactive rook to enter thegame. About here, though, I began to apprehend the likelihood of Qa4+at some point, forcing the K to the back rank. Too bad: it couldn't behelped. } 16. g3 { Blocking the knock-out blow... } 16... Qf7 { ...but Black getsanother shot in, at the f2-square just now left unguarded by the rook -as it were trading a guard to get in a counter-punch (15.Re1+), but alsoaiming a right hook by ...Qxd5-g2#. Can White defend? } 17. Be3 { (?) Hardlines! This attempted block fails whereat White gets battered to the canvas. There were two possible defences here. One was to force himself off theropes by 17.Kh2!? Qxf2+ 18.Kxh3 Bxd4 19.Nd2 (19.Nc3 and 19.Qg4+ also deserveconsideration) 19...Qf5+ 20.Qg4 Rae8 (still smacking each other in theteeth) 21.Rxe8 Kxe8 22.Qxf5 Rxf5 with a roughly even game, but plenty ofplay left. The other was by delivering a left hook of his own: 17.Qa4+!(I think this might be the best line - it was the one I was expecting)17...Kc8 (I hadn't quite yet made up my mind whether to play to d8 or c8,but the latter seems safest) 18.Bf4 (18.f4 Qg6 19.Kh2 Qh5) 18...Bxd4 19.Qxd4g5 20.Re4 gxf4 21.Rxf4 Bf5 and it still seems to be anyone's game. } 17... Qxd5 { A staggering right hook... } 18. f3 { There's really nothing else. Whitehas to cover g2, and as this defence is swept aside, conjure up furtherdefences along the vacated rank 2. The blow 18.Qa4+ is easily parriednow by 18...c6. } 18... Bxd4 { What a peculiarly geometric picture the board presents! Black wants to batter though White's defences. White can not retake ond4 with the Queen (19.Qxd4 Qxf3 20.Qxg7+ Rf7)... } 19. Bxd4 { ...but maybehe could have staggered on after 19.Nc3 Bxe3+! 20.Rxe3 Qxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Be6though the two pawns extra would have been near on a winning advantagefor Black. } 19... Rxf3 20. Bf2 { A doomed attempt to defend g3. I think, though,that my opponent had already read the writing on the wall. It's mate intwo. He sportingly plays it out. } 20... Rxg3+ { (!) } 21. Bxg3 Qg2# { White's 17thwas the turning point of the whole game. After playing 16...Qf7 I thoughtwe might have been heading for a very entertaining draw... } 0-1

[Event "Festival Arica 2010"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Mamani, Héctor"] [Black "Chepillo, Carlos"] [Result "*"] 1. e4 { Carlos Chepillo is an organized player, but sometimes this tendency to be passive, so from the beginning, he sought a game that gave him opportunities for attack. } 1... e6 { Aps, una defensa francesa } 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 { la 'mal llamada' variante Tarrasch } 3... dxe4 { It appears that we will be taking calmer paths than I had hoped, perhaps it was better to use the variation of advance or the variation of change. } 4. Nxe4 Be7 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. Nf3 Nbd7 { Threatening to change everything... although it is perfectly possible (one obtains the control of 'e5' for a while) I prefer to keep the pieces on the board. } 7. Ng3 b6 { Ya me dieron ganas de realizar algo en el flancode dama... las casillas blancas, como en la memorable Capablanca - Nimzovitch. } 8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 { Pointing to the previously mentioned white squares and preparing the way for the knight on 'd1'. Of course, all this had already been played, but in that moment he didn't know it. } 9... Bb7 10. Rd1 Qc8 { Rayos... mi invasión tendrá que esperar, por otro lado, estrategicamente hablando, el alfil de 'e7' está quieto en el aire... veo venir un Cf5. Evaluar que, si lo hago inmediatamente, seguiría 11 Cf5, ef; 12 De7, Af3; 13 gf, Te8; 14 Da3 y no me convencería la posición de las blancas. ¿Puedo llevar las piezas al centro? } 11. Ne5 { 11 c3 con idea de Ag5 y Ce5 se había jugado en 1920(!!) } 11... c5 { ¡Chepi está vivo! y reacciona en el centro } 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Nf5 { Thinking that I will be better off in all cases, but there will be certain complications. 13 Dh5 is also a viable option. The problem is that the whites have more pieces participating in the flank, but they lack weaknesses. } 13... exf5 14. Qxe7 Nf6 { Defending f5 and not allowing my queen to leave the king's side. Now he had the option of taking on c5 or developing the knight first on e2-g4. It appears that the black does not have any options or they are remote, of carrying out something powerful along the h1-a8 diagonal. } 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Be3 { In the end, I decided to do both. } 16... c4 17. Bxf5 { Ok, up to this point I had calculated, but I had forgotten that the black pawn on 'c' was on 4 and not 5. That is, after Df5; 18 Db7, Dc2 I do not have the move Tac1 and Tc5. Clearly, the position still offers a fight, but it will be by force, not by much attention. If I could not eliminate the pawn on 'c' my majority in the knight's side would not bear fruit. However, Carlos Chepillo realized... } 17... Qc6 18. f3 Nd5 { In this line I was thinking of playing dc5, but I saw.. } 19. Qh4 { y piensoque las blancas están bien. } 19... g6 20. Be4 Rad8 { Now it is possible to checkmate the last man on the side of the queen: 21 Aa7. I was about to play it, but something crossed my mind, of course, the black squares are weak; Ah6 took some time, because it threatens to win quality, then, the only thing that remains is to move the queen from 'c6' to make it possible an unstoppable mate. 21 Ad5, Td5 22 Td5, Dd5; 23 Ah6 Te8?; 24 Df6 lo consumes, but it is better 23.., Tad8 to give a check in d4 and change the queens. Tozudo, try. } 21. Bh6 Rfe8 22. Bxd5 { With the idea of 22.., Td5?; 23 Td5, Dd5; 24 Df6 :D The black defense is simply giving a check in b6, maintaining the knight on the sixth rank and taking the bishop on d5. What would have happened if the first move was a tower? It's the same, only that there is a detail: 22 Td5, Db6?; 23 Tc5! Dc5; 24 Rh1 winning! That is what I calculate in the moment, but it is true, because, simply, the blacks give a check in d4, supported by the tower on d8, changing the knights... this is proof of my bad calculation... } 22... Qb6+ { Now, the queen is taking b2. I can exchange queens with Df2, forget about the king's flank, and then make further changes, my king controls the entry of the tower to 'e2'. The problem is that the resulting endgame is of opposite colors, in equal positions. Not very attractive this alternative. The other option is to sacrifice pieces, at the cost of losing b2, but still keeping the queens. Dangerous... } 23. Rd4 Rxd5 24. Rd1 { Another demonstration of my abysmal state in calculation, I thought that Te8 loses, by 25 De8 (??) simply, the blacks take, 26.. Td8 and their tower is stuck. Moreover, you can take the dame by 26.. Dd8 and still have one dame less. } 24... Rxd4 { Ok, I had seen it before, but I thought the change of queens was imminent; that is, I wanted to enter into stalemate by moving the black bishop to b2 and maintaining my pieces. But here I cannot take a pawn. Frustrated by the constant mistakes, I resorted to analyzing the only option. } 25. Rxd4 Qxb2 { En parte, se llegó a lo que esperaba. Si pestañeo pierdolos peones del flanco de dama y el de 'c' se convertirá en un peligrosoverdugo. Mmm, pero las debilidades en el flanco de rey de las negras continuan... } 26. Rd1 { La idea es que si la dama sale de la diagonal negra (a1 - h8)viene 27 Dd4 y por fin hay mate en g7. } 26... Qc3 { White is defending c4 and maintaining control of the critical diagonal. I have the time to simplify... be careful! If 27 Td8, then Da1 and the blacks win! We need to give it our all! } 27. h3 Qe5 28. Rd8 { Ahora sí } 28... Bc6 29. Rxe8+ Bxe8 30. Qxc4 { Clearly, my knight creates threats. Is it necessary to create a second weakness? In order to progress, the black pieces are tied. Perhaps the pawn of passage 'c'. There is a need to be careful with the jacks of the queen, but since they are in black squares, I will have the possibility to block with my knight. } 30... Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qe5+ 32. f4 Qd6 { The knight is attentive, any slip I allow to play Dd4 or Dc3 and give mate. The queen now remains on the sixth and allows the game of block 'f6'. Now I evaluate 33 Dc3, f6 34 Dc4, to force the king to go to the bottom of the board, 34.., Rh8. (not 34.., Af7?; 35 Dc1 and mate is unavoidable) } 33. Qc3 f6 { Aquí me apareció otra opción, o nuevamenteme apareció la opción ¡de acabar con el peón de a7! Mi intuición me decíaque mi alfil de h6 estaba quedando encerrado... pero con dos peones libres... } 34. Qe3 Kf7 35. Qxa7+ Ke6 { Something curious happened at that moment, with the silence of the chess game room. It seemed that my rival's stomach was growling, so it was time for lunch. That's why Chepi played so bravely. It was impossible not to remember Nigel Short's game, with a king that was walking until it finally mated. } 36. Qxh7 Kf5 37. Qa7 { You are in a tight spot of time, only thinking of weaving a mate. The idea, D3. } 37... Bc6 38. Qe3 { I noticed the changes, but I was too late. } 38... g5 39. Qg3 Qxf4 40. Bf8 { My knight finally moved and the situation became a bit clearer for the white side. The passed pawns, although separated, can be defended by the white king. One could think that if the blacks maintain the pieces in the same position, there is no way to advance, but the whites will force the change with Ad6 in some moment. } 40... Qxg3+ 41. Kxg3 { This probably ends in a draw, keeping the white knight on the diagonal a4-e8. However, with a few minutes left on the clock, things can still change. } 41... Be4 42. c4 Bc6 43. Kf2 Ke4 44. g4 f5 45. gxf5 Kxf5 46. Kg3 { Al final conseguí pasar el peón de h (!!) forzando alalfil de casillas blancas a la sobrecarga clásica de las dos diagonalesy gané en el filo de la caída de bandera. } *

[Event "101st GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.24"] [Round "-"] [White "wasilix"] [Black "pollogus"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1691"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1635"] 1. e4 { I decided to annotate my games of 101st tournament as part of analysis.Please feel free to comment me and point out any mistakes or inaccuracies.I'm sorry for any typos or lack of grammar knowledge in this annotation,English is not native language to me but I do my best. Thank you. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 { Basically the only move here. } 4. d4 { Scotch opening.Or as GK opening database says 'Four knights opening. Scotch variation'.In this opening whites try to gain small positional advantage } 4... exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 { Main line of blacks defense } 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O Bxc3 { ?! Actually doubtful move. Double c-pawns won't be weak, whites pawn centerwill be significantly enhanced by LS bishop and blacks have just given2 bishops to whites. As long as position will most likely remain opened2 bishops will give whites good stable advantage. } 9. bxc3 Qe7 10. Re1 d6 11. f4 { Standard attempt to capture space in center exploiting oppositionof black queen to white rook. } 11... Bg4 12. Qd2 Nd7 { ? It's probably a blunder.Black knight has cut the black bishop off the camp and now it can be trappedsince black knight doesn't have any tempo-winning moves. } 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15. f5 Ne5 16. Qf2 { ? Well, that's basically a mistake, that couldcost quite a lot. The point is that I've moved my queen to f-file whichundoubtedly will be opened after capture at g6. Actually quite stupid moveand blacks could save their bishop by a simple answer 16... h6 Now if17. fg?! fg 18. Qg3 Rf3 (18... Nf3?+ returns some material, but it seemsrather weak, since blacks attack will weaken without a knight) with threatQh4 so white will have to play precisely just not to lose in few moves.19. Qg2 (19. Qh2? Qh4 with threat of Rxh3 followed by Nf3+) Qh4 20. Re3Raf8 -+ white pieces are paralyzed, while black keep threats Rg3 and Rf2 Thus whites would have to refuse to capture the black bishop to maintainsignificant advantage (+/- black bishop will be off game basically), soi wouldn't definitely say that 16... h6 was a better choice. Sometimesit's better to go into mathematically worse variation, but giving somecounter-play and practical chances to save/win the game. Let's say both16... h6 and 16... Re8 deserve consideration (!?). } 16... Rae8 { I've given myopinion about this move little above. } 17. Qg3 { Admission of a mistakeat 16th move. Now after capture at g6 whites will have one crucial tempo. } 17... d5 18. fxg6 fxg6 19. Bf4 { This move finishing development solves problemwith hanging rook at e1. Position is technically won by white, with tinypractical chance for black somehow force perpetual check. } 19... Qc5+ 20. Kh2 Qxc3 21. Bxe5 Rxe5 22. exd5 cxd5 { Another bitter blunder... Anyway thanksto my opponent for the game, and thanks everyone for reading my first annotationhere. } 1-0

[Event "50th World Open U1800 Round 3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "7.1.2022"] [Round "-"] [White "freeman-82"] [Black "Dennis"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1687"] [TimeControl "40/90 min 30 min SD +30s"] [WhiteElo "1439"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. b3 { Colle Zukertort. } 5... cxd4 6. exd4 Nc6 7. O-O Bd6 8. Bb2 O-O 9. Ne5 { All standard moves and all partof the mainline. } 9... Nb4 10. Be2 { Time remaining 88/90 minutes. } 10... Qc7 { Timeremaining 72/90 minutes. } 11. c3 { Made Briskly and only saw it was amistake til I moved it. I didn't check for Checks, Captures and threatsas I should have. } 11... Bxe5 12. cxb4 Bxh2+ 13. Kh1 Ne4 14. Nd2 Nxd2 15. Qxd2 { Time remaining 55/90 minutes. } 15... Bf4 { Time remaining 56/90 minutes. } 16. Qd3 f5 { Black is gaining space King-side and threatening a rook lift. } 17. Rac1 { ?? not my best Colle game } 17... Bxc1 18. Rxc1 Qf4 19. Kg1 Rf6 20. Qb5 { Time remaining 50/90 minutes. } 20... Qd6 { Time remaining 45/90 minutes. } 21. a3 a6 22. Qd3 Rh6 23. g3 f4 24. Kg2 Bd7 { I made the next few movesfast to end the game. White is lost. } 25. Rg1 fxg3 26. fxg3 Rf8 27. Qe3 e5 28. dxe5 Bh3+ 29. Kh1 Bf1+ { I resigned. } 0-1

[Event "'When using databases...'"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "DW"] [Black "archduke_piccolo"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2172"] { ... I find myself looking not only at the moves, but how often played,who plays them (the average ELO rating) and their success rate. I don'talways select the most popular; nor always even the most successful. OccasionallyI'll choose a line simply because I like it such as the Bronstein Variationof the King's Indian Defence I played against charleshiggie last year.That line involves Black giving up the queen for two minor pieces and twopawns, GM Bronstein introduced the line against GM Boris Spassky in the1950s, as i discovered when I first read about the line in a chess anthologywith which the names Martin Beheim and Leonard Barden were associated.The concept I found intriguing, but until last year, never thought I'deven get the chance to try it out. I rather suspect Cherles had a fairidea I might go in for that line. In our recent Ruy Lopez game, I wonderif he played the Worrall Attack to avoid the Marshall I was planning. Actually,I hadn't yet made up my mind to play the Marshall at all, but it was onmy mind. I did near as a toucher play a Schliemann Defence - somethingof a favourite of mine: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5!? Check it out onthe Gameknot World DB. Here is a casual game played against a strong opponentin 1992 on the giant chessboard in the Christchurch Cathedral Square: } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5 { Check out the position! I've never really been able to resistthis sort of tactical freewheeling You may object that Black has no developmentto speak of, and you would be right. Black is playing early tactics, andtaking a big risk in so doing. But it will be the tactics that will keephim in the game. Note that the queen was attacked on d8, but 7...bxc6 wasscarcely playable on account of 8.Bxc6ch Bd2 and now 9.Bxa8 Qxa8 10.Qe2... and I don't see Black holding his e-pawn; or, better, 9.Qh5ch! Ke2(9...g6 10.Qe5ch tsk tsk) 10.Qe5ch Be6 11.Bxa8... The line has been tried,though. } 8. Qe2 { Defending the attacked bishop } 8... Nf6 { Developing anddefending the e-pawn. } 9. f4 Qh4+ { Instead, 9...Qxf4 is far more popular,more successful and played by players of the same rating as those who triedthe check. i suspect, then, that 9...Qxf4 is the better line. But the texthas its points... } 10. g3 Qh3 11. d4 { ?? This turns out to be a mistakethat I completely fumbled. Much better would have been 11.Ne5ch or Nxa7ch. } 11... a6 12. Ba4 b5 { ?? Returning the compliment. The right move was 12...Bd7,which would have won a piece. } 13. Bb3 Bg4 { Black is probably losing,now, but the game is getting complicated. Anything could happen. } 14. Qf1 Qh5 15. Be3 Bf3 16. Ne5 { ! Threatens 17.Bf7ch winning Queen for twominor pieces. } 16... O-O-O { ? This should have lost. But it so happens thatBlack had an amazing move available that might have contained the damageto his position: 16...Ng4!! The idea is this: 17.Bf7ch Qxf7 18.Nxf7 Nxe3!19.Qf2 Kxf7 20.Qxe3 Bxh1 The game would probably have been good for a drawfor Black, at least. However, White could have avoided that and played17.Nxg4 and retained an edge. Wow! } 17. Nxf3 { Winning would have been17.a4. White lights on that idea later on, with interesting results. } 17... exf3 18. a4 { ? It is remarkable how a move can be winning at one moment,and a move later, losing. } 18... Bb4+ { ! Obvious - completing Black's development- and strong } 19. c3 Rhe8 20. Kd2 { ! } 20... Rxe3 { !? Over sanguine. Even duringthe game I thought 20...Ne4 would be good. I just thought this exchangesac might be better. It isn't. But it should be good enough to hold. } 21. Kxe3 Re8+ 22. Kd2 Re2+ 23. Kc1 Ne4 { ? Wrong. The right move ought tohave leapt to the eye: 23...f2! But the fact is, I already had this knightinvasion lined up, and wasn't looking for alternatives. Let that be a lesson! } 24. cxb4 { ? During the game I thought he would play 24.Be6ch! first. } 24... Nf2 25. Bc2 Nxh1 26. axb5 { White lights upon a remarkable idea for counterattack.Unfortunately, is isn't quite good enough. Better was 26.Bd1 when maybeWhite can hold out for a draw. } 26... Qxh2 { ? Instead 26...f2 was winning. } 27. Bf5+ Kd8 { ! Instead, 27...Kb8 might well have lost! The game continuationshould give the clue how that would have come about. } 28. bxa6 { Withthe Black King on b8, it would have been threatened with 29.a7ch. I didn'tnotice at the time that 28...Ka7 would have been an adequate defence. Nevermind: the retreat to d8 was good enough. } 28... Nxg3 29. a7 Nxf1 { White hasgiven away a cubic yard of material for the counterattack promoting a pawn,but there is no checkmate. } 30. a8=Q+ Ke7 { White resigned: There is nosaving the King unless the queen gives up her life: 31.Qe4ch Rxe4 etc. Full of mistakes, yes, but a whole lot of fun! Try the Schliemann: butbe prepared to exercise your imagination! } 0-1

[Event "Fast Ladder"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.02.05"] [Round "-"] [White "tomlib"] [Black "antoni2u"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1215"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<3d"] [WhiteElo "1485"] { This is a Queen's Gambit Declined where I gained an early pawn advantageand eventually picked up several more pawns before finding a nice mate. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 { This is considered an inaccuracy althoughI did not play the appropriate moves to take advantage. Generally Whiteshould play 4. a3 Bxc3 or 4. Qa4+ Nc6 which both give White a strong game. } 4. Nf3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 { The book considers Bxc3+ generally not such a greatidea because White fairly easily undoubles the pawns and often ends upwith the Bishop pair } 5... f6 { This move puzzled me. It seems to block of theKingside Knight and weaken that side of board in general } 6. e3 { I probablyshould have played 6. cxd5 to undouble the pawns immediately } 6... Ne7 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 { This wastes a Bishop move which could have been avoided withcxd5 earlier } 8... c6 { Blocking off the other knight from easy development } 9. O-O O-O { With my light squared Bishop and Queen on the board, Black'sking seem awfully exposed to attack after the castle } 10. Qb3 b5 { My opponentoverlooks the natural attack } 11. Bxe6+ Bxe6 12. Qxe6+ Kh8 13. e4 { I'mjust trying to get pieces out now and find an attack later } 13... Ng6 { Reallythe only place to develop the Knight although I thought offering a Queentrade with 13. ... Qd7 14. Qxd7 Nxd7 wasn't bad for Black at all althoughWhite isn't forced to trade and probably should not } 14. Qh3 { I'm lookingat pushing the e-pawn and probably the f-pawn to make an attack } 14... Qc7 15. g3 { This prevents 15. ... Nf4 threatening the Queen and then 16. ... Ne2+ } 15... Nd7 16. Nh4 { Clearing the path for the f-pawn if needed and getting ridof the pesky defender } 16... Nxh4 17. Qxh4 Qd6 { I'm not sure this was a usefulmove. Perhaps 17. ... c5 18. d5 Qa5 is better } 18. a4 { My opponent gaveme an opportunity with 17. ... Qd6 and so I played this instead of pushingthe f-pawn } 18... Qe6 { Avoiding 19. Ba3 which wins an exchange } 19. axb5 { Bothgetting rid of my isolated pawn and opening the file for the Rook } 19... Qc4 { Thinking perhaps 20. bxc6 Qxc3 puts White in danger but I have 21. Ba3which leaves both Black's Rook and Knight under attack } 20. bxc6 Qxc6 21. Bd2 { Protecting the c-pawn without exposing the Bishop on the open b-file } 21... Qe6 22. Qf4 g5 { Chasing the Queen around but opening the a1-h8 diagonalfor eventual penetration by the Bishop } 23. Qe3 Rg8 24. Rfb1 Rab8 { Thisgives away another pawn but Black is not in such a great position } 25. Rxb8 Rxb8 26. Rxa7 { Snatching another pawn and placing a Rook on the alwaysdangerous 7th Rank } 26... Rb1+ 27. Kg2 Nf8 28. d5 { This was a good move I thought.It starts to open the long diagonal for my Bishop and forces Black to movehis Queen } 28... Qd6 29. c4 Qb6 { Up three pawns a Queen trade is good for White } 30. Qxb6 Rxb6 31. Bc3 { Finally on that inviting diagonal } 31... Kg8 32. c5 { Mypawn advantage is telling at this point of the game. Black doesn't havemany options } 32... Rb8 33. Bxf6 g4 { Black just doesn't have many moves. TheRook cannot interfere with the coming mate. The best move is probably 33.... h6 which loses more slowly to 34. Rg7+ Kh8 35. Rb7+ Kg7 36. Rxb8 } 34. Rg7+ Kh8 35. Rxg4# { I was not particularly pleased with my play in thisgame upon analyzation because I could have done more when my opponent playedthe early 3. ... Bb4. Still, I managed to make some good moves and slowlygain an overwhelming advantage. } 1-0

[Event "41st GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "23-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "getsirius21"] [Black "smartmoves"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1337"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1459"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bc4 { White transposes the 4N openingto 2Ns, as he avoids playing the usual 4.Bb5, instead prefers 4.Bc4. Buttext allows } 4... Nxe4 { 4....,Bc5!? would have moved into Guico pianoso line;Here Black sacs the piece as he is bound to recover it. } 5. Nxe4 { Hereif 5.Bxf7 is met with 5...,Kxf7; 6.Nxe4, then 6...,d5! is weak for white. Also 5.0-0 is insufficient due to 5...,Nxc3; 6.dxc3,f6; 7.Nh4,g6; 8.f4,f5;9.Nf3,Bc5 ; 10.Kh1,e4; 11.Ng5,Qe7; 12.b4,Bb3; 13.a4,a5 (Ursell-Pachman1949) } 5... d5 { forks & here white prefers playing } 6. Bxd5 { Better was 6.Bd3keeping the B; but now Black gets B pair advantage. } 6... Qxd5 { Now whitese4N is threatened & white defends it with } 7. d3 Be7 { Black prepares forshort castle with the text } 8. c4 { Better was 8.Nc3 dropping the N & nothurting the p-structure. Text weakens the d3-p badly. Now Black has choicebetween ...,Qe6 & ...Qd8, black prefers } 8... Qd8 9. Nfg5 { Why this N thrust?Maybe he will come down with f4, anyway Black castles short } 9... O-O { Getshis K to safety & activates his ks-R } 10. Nxh7 { Is White drunk or what?Sacrificing his piece for a p. Black captures the N & is curious how whitewill generate attack ... } 10... Kxh7 11. Qf3 { waste of tempo, If at all Q hadto be played, better was Qh5 . Black now takes the initiative with } 11... Nd4 { attacks the Q & simultaneously threatens the fork on c2, picking the R. } 12. Qh5+ { A move which was possible in one is done in 2. This move orQe1 was the only way to save both the Q & R } 12... Kg8 { The only flee squareavailable } 13. O-O { castles & thus avoids the fork. } 13... Bf5 { Develops hislast minor piece, defending the weak h7 square & may exchange it for theN if needed. But strong was 13...,f5!? followed by 14...,Qe8 trying totrade the Qs. } 14. Ng3 { White drops down his N (& thus also avoids theexchange, if black decided) & counters the B, but this drops the d3-p } 14... Bxd3 { Captures the p & counters the f1R. Now white decides to play } 15. Rd1 { The only good square but still vulnerable. 15.Re1 would have met withfork from c2, when black will be complete R up. Now Black grabs littlegreedy & grabs the c4-p. } 15... Bxc4 { Text tough not bad, but I missed the strongone 15...,Be2! (forking) & now 16.Nxe2 (interference) forced else whitelooses the R if Q moves; & there follows 16...,Nf3 !(discovered); 17.gxf3,(17.Qxf3??,Qxd1 # - Backrank mate); 17...,Qxd1 ; 18.Kg2,Qxe2 - black recovershis both pieces & R being up, whites position collapses. This shows whathappens when one plays mechanically or in overconfidence! } 16. b3 { Drivesoff the B & white plans fiancheotto of his DSB. Black now decides to placehis B on e6. White can't capture the e5-p as he then drops his d1R to ...Nf3 & ...,Qxd1 . Better was 16.Be3 avoidng the backrank problem. } 16... Be6 { whata waste of good opportunity presented, as here 17...,Be2! still works } 17. Bb2 { At last connects his Rs & now threatens to x the e5-p, so } 17... Bf6 { defends the e5-p via f6 & this also challenges the b2-B when time comes! } 18. Rd3 { I expected immediate 18.Ne4, but white prefers to either doublethe Rs or swing the R on kside for attack } 18... g6 { Kicks off whites aggressivelyposted Q } 19. Qd1 c5 { keeps firm control on well posted N on d4 square } 20. Ne4 { threatens the c5p. Now Black has the option of defending the c5-pwith ...,Rd8 this activates the R; ...,Qe7- unpins the N; ...,b6!? & Iprefer } 20... b6 { Cements the c5-p } 21. Rc1 Bg7 { After white activates his qs-R, I decide to drop down the B to g7 & clears the path of my Q to h4 square. } 22. Rg3 { Swings the R to g-file & may thrust the N to g5 } 22... Bh6 { I relocatethe B on the c1-h6 square, which attacks the R on c1 & takes the controlof g5 square } 23. Rcc3 { White lifts the R, but this makes the backrank& the Q on the backrank is vulnerable! eg: Now I had 23...,Nxc3 (pickingthe b3-p with impunity) & if 24.axb3? then 24...,Qxd1 # (backrank #) orif white inserts 24.Qxd8, then Black plays 24...,aRxd8; 25.axb3?,Rd1 #(backrank #)or another insertion 24.Rd1?! is met with 24...,Nd4 blocking& black has grabbed another p with no risk but black prefers } 23... Qh4 { playsas planned. Now threatens whites e4N & will follow it up with ....,Bf4 } 24. Nd6 { N starts wandering! Better was 24.Qe1 } 24... Rad8 { Activates his q-sideR & hits the N. } 25. Nb7 { Better was Nc4, but text is ? as the wandereris now going to be trapped after } 25... Rd7 { Traps the N & white now loosesthe 2nd piece } 26. Nxc5 { with nothing better, white sacs his N for 2 ps } 26... bxc5 27. Rxc5 Qe4 { Here black has lot of good choices 27...,Nxb3! grabbingthe p & threatening the Q; or 27....,Rf-d8 sets R battery on the d-filebut this drops the central e5-p; or 27...,Bf4 attacking the g3-R or asplayed in the game. Text defends the central e5-p; creates a threat offork on whites g3R; ties down whites Q to backrank; & now ...Bd5 is inthe air, after ....,Bf4. Here white decides he had enough for the day &resigns } 0-1

[Event "Autumn 2021"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2021.12.17"] [Round "-"] [White "jk1970"] [Black "charleshiggie"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2085"] [TimeControl "9d+5d<15d"] [WhiteElo "2542"] 1. d4 { I was privileged and honoured to be able to play the beautiful andtalented young player, Women International Master, Priyanka K in a gamerecently. I have asked for Gameknot to give a computer analysis on thisgame, and I will use that analysis in my annotations. As we shall see,Gameknot thinks that I made two errors. But for my opponent, Gameknot thinksshe played a faultless game, an amazing achievement! } 1... Nf6 { So naturallyI opt for an Indian Defence. } 2. c4 { She replies with the most popularmove. } 2... e6 { I play this rather than my usual Grünfeld Defence with this.There are far more games with this on the opening databases, and the openingdatabases give e6 a higher rating. } 3. Nf3 { An invitation to the Queen'sIndian Defence with 3....b6 She plays what I usually play as white in thisposition. } 3... d5 { But I transpose into a Queens Gambit Declined. } 4. Nc3 { Themost commonly played move at this point. } 4... c6 { And again I play the mostcommonly played move in this position. } 5. Bg5 { The sort of move I'd play. } 5... h6 { I attack the bishop } 6. Bxf6 { She takes. } 6... Qxf6 { I take back. } 7. e3 { Sensible developing move. } 7... Nd7 { I am still sticking with my policy ofchoosing the most popular moves. } 8. Be2 { She develops } 8... dxc4 { White oftentakes here, after white has moved the Bishop from f1 as when white recaptures,white has to move the Bishop again. } 9. O-O { White calmly castles. } 9... Qd8 { Maybe I should have tried b5 instead, holding onto the pawn, at leastfor a little while. I wanted to complete my development as soon as possible. } 10. Bxc4 { So now she takes back. Gameknot already gives her a small advantage. } 10... Be7 { I continue to develop. } 11. a3 { So that the bishop can drop back toa2. } 11... O-O { I finally castle. } 12. Qc2 { Continuing with her development. } 12... b6 { Planning on developing my Bc8 } 13. Ba2 { The bishop drops back. } 13... Bb7 { I develop my bishop. } 14. Rad1 { And her rook comes into play. Gameknotput her advantage as plus 0.84 now. } 14... Rc8 { Good development, I may be ableto use the fact that her queen and my rook are on the same file at somepoint. } 15. Bb1 { Threatening mate on h7! } 15... g6 { So I stop that. } 16. e4 { Andshe seizes control of the centre. } 16... c5 { I try and fight back against thecentre. } 17. d5 { And she pushes on, creating a pawn structure similar toa Benoni.I dare not take, inviting her knight to come to d5 or she couldalso take back with the pawn, opening up the b1-h7 diagonal again, andI dare not allow her to play d5xe6, opening up the d file against my queen.That left only one option, attempt to block everything up with this move } 17... e5 18. Nb5 { So having struck against my king-side and then in the centre,she now strikes on the queen-side. But surely if her knight wanders intoa7 then it is trapped there? } 18... a6 { So I tried this, which Gameknot givesas an inaccuracy, and says that Ba6 would have restricted her lead to just1.3 where now her lead is about 2. Gameknot says the best continuationfor both sides is Ba6 19. Nxa7 Bxf1 20. Kxf1 b5 21. Qd2 Kg7 22. d6 Bf623. Nxc8 Qxc8 24. h4 h5 25. g3 Qa6 26. Bd3 c4 27. Be2 Rc8 28. Kg1 Qc6 29.Qd5 Qxd5 30. Rxd5 Rc5 31. Rd1 Kf8 32. Ne1 Ke8 33. Nc2 Bg7 34. Ne3 Bf8 35.a4 bxa4 36. Bxc4 Rc6 37. Bb5 Rxd6 } 19. Na7 { She jumps in. Now if Ra8 thenNc6 and I can't take it, as after she takes back with the pawn my knightis pinned against my queen with her rook. } 19... Rc7 { So this is the better move. } 20. d6 { But she has this clever fork of bishop and rook. } 20... Bxd6 { So I take.I lose bishop for pawn, but what of it, isn't she losing her knight ona7 for a pawn also? } 21. Rxd6 { She takes back. } 21... Qe7 { I attack the rook } 22. Qd2 { She protects the rook, but not only that her queen is attackingmy pawn on h6. } 22... Ra8 { I go after the knight. } 23. Rd1 { This move frees upthe queen, so that it can take on h6. She is also threatening to take myknight on d7 } 23... Nf8 { So I move the knight. } 24. Qxh6 { The pawn goes. } 24... c4 { According to Gameknot, this is my other mistake in the game. I was motivatedby a desire to stop her bishop from returning to a2, pinning my f pawn,with threats of Rxg6+ Nxg6 Qxg6+ Gameknot gives the best continuation forboth sides as Rxa7 25. Rxb6 Rc6 26. Rb3 Bc8 27. Rc1 Rd6 28. Bd3 Rb7 29.Rbc3 Rxb2 30. Rxc5 Rxd3 31. Rxc8 Rd8 32. h3 Qa7 33. Qh4 Rxc8 34. Rxc8 Rb835. Rc6 Rb1+ 36. Kh2 Rb2 37. Nxe5 Qxf2 38. Qxf2 Rxf2 39. Kg3 Re2 40. Kf3Ra2 41. Rxa6 Ne6 42. Ra7 Nd4+ 43. Kg3 Ne2+ 44. Kg4 Nc3 with plus 1.91 towhite. } 25. h4 { But now her king-side attack gains momentum. } 25... Rxa7 { I finallytake the knight. } 26. h5 { But my king-side is being torn to shreds. } 26... Bc6 { With ideas of playing Bc6-e8 to add to the king-side protection. } 27. hxg6 { But I don't get a chance, she tears into my king-side. } 27... fxg6 { I takeback. } 28. Rxg6+ { This brilliant sacrifice wins easily. } 28... Nxg6 { I take. } 29. Qxg6+ { She takes back. } 29... Kh8 { King into the corner. } 30. Qh5+ { Queencheck. } 30... Kg8 { King back. I am at her mercy, my resistance is low. } 31. Qg6+ { She checks again. } 31... Kh8 { King back. } 32. Qh5+ { Check again. She is toyingwith me! } 32... Kg8 { I was hoping for a repetition, but... } 33. Nxe5 { She bringsinto the attack another piece. } 33... Be8 { Bishop finally drops back. } 34. Qg4+ { Another check } 34... Kh8 { King back into the corner. } 35. Qh3+ { Another check } 35... Kg8 { Another king move. } 36. Ng4 { Getting out of the way of the e pawnadvance } 36... Rc6 { Hoping to bring the rook over to protect my king-side } 37. e5 { Unleashing the bishop. } 37... Qg5 { Stopping knight checks on h6 } 38. Be4 { Attacking my rook } 38... Re6 { Although this drops the exchange, it is the bestmove. } 39. Bd5 { White gets the exchange back to be left two pawns up, but,aside from that, black's king is still wide open. Time to call it a dayI think. Gameknot agrees, and puts white 7.94 up. Many thanks for reading,please rate this annotation on the star system and leave a comment or towto let me know how I am doing. Until next time dear reader! } 1-0

[Event "League division D3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.01.23"] [Round "-"] [White "plasfodor"] [Black "chekof"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1256"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1329"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 { Petrov's defence (C42), för att undvika Ruy Lopez. } 3. Nxe5 { Petrov's (C42) French attack is statistically detrimental to Black. } 3... d6 { Följer grundlinjen i Petrov (C42), French attack. Till vits fördelmed 43% fast med 19% remipotential. } 4. Nf3 Nxe4 { The French attack is still beneficial despite the standards. } 5. d3 { Här är det nog bäst attbacka hem med S, och standardsvaret i Petrov (C42), French attack är ocksåmycket lämpligt 5.Nf6. } 5... Nf6 { I am protecting both myself and my king from a dangerous opponent. } 6. Nc3 { Nu ser statistiken bättre ut för Petrov (C42), French attack,och svart vinner tempo genom att gå med L till e7. } 6... Be7 7. Bf4 { Här lämnarvit standardlinjen för Petrov (C42), French attack, där 7.Bg5 hade variti den linjen. } 7... Nc6 8. a3 O-O 9. h3 h6 { Säkrar g5 mot framtida attacker. } 10. d4 Bf5 { Development and we have sk 'Italian runners'. Good for D as it can secure itself in the side-line if white attacks with S and L towards c7. } 11. d5 Ne5 { Playing actively and avoiding backing down with S. Here has created at least a little future exchange. } 12. Nxe5 dxe5 13. Bxe5 Bd6 { Snabbautväxlingar, men i längden är det bättre att röja undan hoten. Risken finnsannars att vit kan mobilisera kombinationer med S, L och D. } 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 { Slår med D för att komma igång med lite kombinationer. Vits S kan förvissohota på b5, men då behåller jag skyddet mot c2 och schackar på e5. } 15. Bc4 { Ser en kombination som kan ge mig hans L. Börjar med att schacka efterhans parering med S går jag med D till f4. Parerar han istället med L såförlorar han tempo av att gå jo-jo med L. Då går jag med T till e5. } 15... Rae8+ { Då får vi se vad han gör. } 16. Kf1 { He had no opportunity to counterattack, which was a little unexpected. Then I block his b5 move in case he wants to track my d5 with s. } 16... a6 17. Qf3 { It is best to play defensively -but actively- and secure the pawn with T on e5. } 17... Re5 18. Bb3 Ne4 { Förder said he prefers an offensive game, and he wins faster by advancing and exchanging pieces. A more positional player would have retreated to d7 and then went on to c5. This takes much longer, and it requires more positional skill than he has. } 19. Re1 { I have a nice bishop on d7 between K and his D paired with L on b3. Such occasions should always be exploited. } 19... Nd2+ { This is a dangerous game for white, and it will almost be easy to checkmate him. } 20. Kg1 { Slår jag med T mot hans på e1, så är matten definitiv. Min D på d6täcker flyktrutan h2, och det är godnatt för vit. Mer utmanande är attvänta med matten och knipa hans D istället, för att samtidigt få lite rutinpå dammanövrer. } 20... Nxf3+ { Mattläget kvarstår ännu, och slår han min S medg-bonden så slår jag hans T på e1 och mattar. Undviker att matta för spänningensskull och schackar med D på g6 istället. } 21. gxf3 Qg6+ { Sådärja, nu harjag endast materiellt övertag. Positionellt står vit i potentiell remikapacitet.Det ska bli intressant att öva på dammanövrer nu. } 22. Kh2 { He has two queens left, and that goes him quite dangerous. Furthermore, my t-pawn stands too bad, so an exchange is clearly justified. } 22... Rxe1 23. Rxe1 { Vit har ett T kvar,en S och en L samt sex bönder. Farligast är hans L som har direkt diagonalmot min K, så vi utväxlar L på c2. Hoppas han inte går till c4. } 23... Bxc2 24. Bxc2 Qxc2 { He should have taken the opportunity. } 25. Re2 { He is reloading in order to launch a new attack. } 25... Qf5 26. Kg2 Qg5+ { Behåller initiativetgenom att schacka, och behåller även tempot. } 27. Kh2 { I am activating the T, and at the same time blocking the d-file. } 27... Rd8 28. b4 { Han lämnar skyddetav sin S, så vi går ner med D till c1 och stressar. } 28... Qc1 29. Re3 { OK, hanförsvarar S men hans bonde på a4 står en prise. } 29... Qxa3 30. b5 { He doesn't like the idea of giving his opponent's S-pawn a chance to escape by playing axb5, instead he bypasses it to a5. Then he can blockade his opponent's b-pawn with his own d-pawn. } 30... a5 31. f4 { He creates stress by advancing his pieces, but I have the gavel with my D on b2. This forces us to defend the queen's flight statically, while he must act dynamically on the king's flight. } 31... Qb2 32. Kg3 { I must block b5 before he becomes dangerous as a promoter. } 32... b6 { Gafflarhan med S på a4, så slår jag b-bonden med D. } 33. f5 { Han stressar framfler bönder, och stormar lite på min planhalva. Blockerar direkt, så jagslipper tänka på dom. } 33... f6 34. f4 { He is blocking his own king, and this can be exploited with his D. } 34... Qc2 { He can't parry with T pa g a double-edged sword. } 35. Kg4 { He is defending f5 with the knight, but it only costs him more entrance. } 35... Qf2 { Försvarar han med S till d1, så schackar jag på h5. Det gör jag ivilket fall som helst, för nu är hans K avskuren från att backa hem. } 36. Rf3 { Då sckackar vi och sedan ryker hans T. } 36... h5+ 37. Kxh5 Qxf3+ { Nu ärvit bekvämt inträngd på h-filen, och han kan endast agera desperat i försvar. } 38. Kh4 Qxf4+ { My bishop is properly placed, and together with him we can knock down our opponent's king in the next move. } 39. Kh5 { Den här gången får haningen frist, utan nu sätter vi in nådastöten } 39... Qg5# { There sat he. } 0-1