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[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "DDW"] [Black "JLK"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Bc5 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 h6 { Pretty standardup to here } 7. Be3 b6 8. Bxc5 bxc5 9. Bd5 Bb7 10. Bxc6 Bxc6 11. Nxe5 Bb7 12. f4 d6 13. Nc4 Qd7 14. e5 { I thought this wasn't the best move for white. } 14... dxe5 15. fxe5 Qd4+ { White is on the run } 16. Kh1 Ng4 17. Qe2 { White regainsmomentum } 17... Rfe8 18. Nb5 Qd7 19. Nxc7 { White tries to remove the queens supportfrom that pesky knight. } 19... Nxh2 { Black goes for an exchange } 20. Nxe8 Nxf1 21. Nf6+ gxf6 { Black has to sacrifice the increased defence. } 22. Rxf1 Re8 { Black beefs up the defence a bit } 23. Qh5 { White goes on the attack } 23... Qd5 24. Ne3 { Now what? } 24... Qxe5 { Ouch. Wrong move. } 25. Nf5 { White takes advantage. } 25... Bc8 26. Nxh6+ Kg7 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 { White now threatens either Rxf6 or (possiblymore deadly) Qg6. } 28. Qg6 { And it's the Queen } 28... Rf8 29. Nf7+ Rxf7 30. Qxf7 Bf5 31. Qh5+ Bh7 32. Qxe5 fxe5 33. Rf7 a5 34. Rxh7+ { Black forfeits } 34... Kxh7 1-0

[Event "nurfaza's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "14-Mar-07"] [Round "-"] [White "johnb221"] [Black "pdqsport"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1516"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1498"] 1. c4 { I'll try the Reti Opening } 1... Nf6 { he's not committing.. } 2. Nf3 { maybed4 would have been better... } 2... g6 { he's going to put his bishop on g7 andcastle } 3. g3 { I'll match that on the other diagonal } 3... Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O { justas I thought } 5. d4 { If he doesn't want the center, I'll take it! } 5... c6 { Iwish I knew how to play better against weak opening moves } 6. Bg2 d5 { nowhe challenges for the center } 7. cxd5 { I decide to swap the pawns } 7... Nxd5 { I'm not interested in trading the knights... it's time to castle } 8. O-O Nd7 { I guess he doesn't want my knight either } 9. Bg5 { it just seemed likethe thing to do } 9... Nxc3 { now he wants to trade knights... } 10. bxc3 { I'mok with it, it strengthens my d4 pawn } 10... h6 { he drives away my bishop } 11. Bf4 { I only back up 1 square, hoping to lure his pawns further out } 11... g5 { it works! } 12. Be5 { now I want to get his dark-squared bishop } 12... Nxe5 { hemust want to keep it... } 13. Nxe5 { so I trade bishop for knight } 13... Bxe5 { oh,there's my bishop! } 14. dxe5 { got it! } 14... Qxd1 { I guess he doesn't like queens } 15. Rfxd1 { I'll trade them if forced } 15... Bg4 { putting pressure on a pawn? } 16. f3 { I run the 'girly-man' off } 16... Bh5 17. Rd7 { I've always heard thata rook on the 7th rank is cause for great distress, so I go there } 17... b5 { onepawn escapes... } 18. Rxe7 { one does not } 18... Rfd8 { oops! pawn snatching costme the open file (should have doubled the rooks first) } 19. e3 { I'm hopingto undouble my e-file pawns by trading pawns } 19... Rd3 { he thwarts my plans } 20. a4 { I try to eliminate the pawn imbalance on the Queen-side } 20... Rxe3 { hetakes a duck } 21. g4 { a diversion } 21... Bg6 22. axb5 { we trade pawns } 22... cxb5 23. Raxa7 { and now I double rooks on the 7th rank } 23... Rxa7 { well, ok, it was temporary } 24. Rxa7 { I'm feeling good about my position } 24... Rxe5 { well, back to even } 25. Rb7 { I thimk this pawn is mine... } 25... Bd3 26. Rd7 Bc4 27. Rd4 Re1+ 28. Kf2 { he's just out-playing me now... I need to work on my endgame } 28... Rc1 29. f4 Rxc3 30. fxg5 hxg5 31. Rd8+ Kg7 32. Rb8 Rc2+ 33. Kg3 Rb2 34. Bc6 b4 35. Bb5 Be6 36. Bc6 b3 37. h4 gxh4+ 38. Kxh4 Kg6 39. Rb6 Re2 40. Bf3 Rf2 41. Be4+ Kf6 42. Bf5 b2 43. Bxe6 fxe6 44. g5+ Kf5 45. Rb5+ e5 46. Rb4 Rf4+ 47. Rxf4+ exf4 48. Kh5 b1=Q 0-1

[Event "Utter crap"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "johnpbro"] [Black "HiTax"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1011"] [WhiteElo "1041"] { I would call this game 'Sloppiness Personified,' except that I came upwith something at the end that saves it. It still comes close. } 1. e4 { My favorite first move, personally, although 1. d4 gives White statisticallybetter results. } 1... e5 { Not a bad response, avoiding the Sicilian. } 2. Bc4 { The Bishop's Opening - uncommon but a favorite of Bent Larsen, among others. I use this to avoid Petrov's Defense, which I deplore, Ruy Lopez, whichI've never had good luck with, and the Scotch Game, which I enjoy immenselybut tend to play badly with. } 2... Nh6 { A truly bizarre move which unnervesWhite a bit. } 3. Nf3 { A normal move, attacking Black's hanging e-pawn. } 3... Bc5 { Black makes this move to get his bishop out but is leaving the pawnundefended and giving up the center - what can he be planning? } 4. Nxe5 { White takes what he's been given. } 4... Nc6 { Perhaps Black has no master plan- as it is this is not a bad move though. } 5. Nxc6 { White's first realmistake. Yes, it forces Black into doubled pawns, but takes White's powerfulknight off the board. Suspect. } 5... bxc6 { Both captures (this one and dxc6)can be derided as bad moves. This one leaves the queenside weak, and 5...dxc6basically surrenders the center. One of them, of course, must be made,and Black picks this one. } 6. c3 { Setting up, evidently, for 7. d4, withcontrol of the center. } 6... Qe7 { The queen's out, and she's now attacking thee-pawn. Time to retool White's defensive strategy. } 7. f3 { White stillhas plans for his d-pawn and is looking good right now. } 7... f5 { A good move,on the whole - White's pawn is pinned and thus can't take the f-pawn. White must defend. } 8. d3 { White's hopes for twin pawns on the fourth rankwill have to wait. } 8... d5 { Uh oh. The e-pawn is looking bad. But the bishopis also attacked, and White has his priorities. } 9. Bb3 { Overall not thebest move - White should have dealt with the loss of the bishop insteadof the impending loss of the center. } 9... dxe4 { The opening salvo. } 10. Kf1 { White is without all that many good moves, to be honest. This is nota good one but there really aren't any. Note the rapid momentum shift. } 10... exf3 { Continuing his one-man wrecking ball, the pawn keeps wreaking havocon White's formation. } 11. Qxf3 { White has had enough and is not goingto leave an isolated f-pawn. The queen had better take after her counterpartand get going. } 11... a5 { Calculated to get the rook out, maybe? This move isdifficult and unorthodox. } 12. Qxc6+ { A good move. The queen sees a weaknessin Black's doubled pawns (this is part of the reason we caution againstthem) and attacks it. } 12... Qd7 { Black sees the vicious fork White has in placeand decides to trade queens to take care of it. } 13. Qxd7+ { If White goeswith 13.Qxa8, the Black queen has 13...Qxd3+, a devastating move. Whitewon't have that and decides to accept the trade offer. } 13... Bxd7 { Black stillwants to castle and thus captures with the bishop. } 14. d4 { White has seenthe weakness of his d-pawn and strengthens it by attacking the bishop,though his queenside logjam of pieces, as well as his fenced-in rook onthe h-file, make for an ugly formation. } 14... Bb6 { A simple retreat. } 15. Kf2 { Really a bizarre move, as Ke2 would have let the rook out and kept theking out of the line of fire. } 15... O-O-O { Gets a rook involved and the kingout of the way; a good castle. } 16. Re1 { Gets the rook out. White's positionis looking more and more awkward by the move. Black's is also a bit weird. A bizarre game, to put it mildly. } 16... c5 { An attempt to start an attack onthe White king. } 17. Be3 { White's got to defend. } 17... f4 { Here we are - White'sin for it. } 18. Bxf4 { White has really no choice. } 18... cxd4 { White is aheadon material but not in momentum, tempo, or attack. } 19. Kg3 { White is scramblingand making one bad move after another. } 19... Nf5+ { A good check, Black has agood attack going here. } 20. Kh3 { The only move, really - White is in abad spot here but were he to move anywhere else it would be worse. } 20... dxc3 { Black misses a discovered check opportunity by moving the knight on f5but figures he may as well force some movement with the pawns. } 21. Nxc3 { Better than bxc3, as it gets the knight involved, finally, and lets therook move out. } 21... Bf2 { Black is setting White up to lose his rook, if he'sstupid. } 22. Rf1 { And he is. } 22... Ne3+ { This move gets White's rook. Well done. } 23. g4 { Forced. } 23... Nxf1 { Better at this point might have been 23... Nxg3,allowing for a capture of the pawn and another discovered check. But noworries with the rook gone. } 24. Rxf1 { No other sensible move. } 24... Bd4 { Blackis now trying to exploit his numerous advantages, and has missed what Whitewill pull next. (In fairness, White did too. They are both patzers, asevidenced by their ratings.) } 25. Bc4 { My favorite chess game is an underrated,less-known game called the 'Peruvian Immortal' by Esteban Canal. It wasplayed at a simultaneous exhibition in Budapest in 1934 against an unknownopponent. (It is analyzed on this site as well.) It has been comparedfavorably to Anderssen's 'Immortal Game,' since Canal played this at asimultaneous exhibition and may have spent about five minutes thinkingabout this. It features, after 13 moves, White (Canal) having sacrificedboth rooks and his queen. He then pulls Boden's Mate on the 14th move. I all of a sudden saw Black's king in a suitable formation and half ofthe bishop formation already set up for me, and thought of the surpriseending to that game. I decided on this move in order to set up the matein the next move, and pray that Black didn't see it. } 25... h5 { He didn't. } 26. Ba6# { I am sure that I made numerous mistakes, as obviously did Black. It was a sloppy and awkward game, and outside of the last two moves Iam not proud of it. But here we go. } 1-0

[Event "King's Indian B v B & pawns endgame"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "gastanf"] [Black "freeman8201"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1625"] [TimeControl "playing for a draw?"] [WhiteElo "1568"] 1. d4 Nf6 { This game comes from King Inidan Defense mini-tournament } 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 { King's Indian. I am more a Pirc player than King's Indian } 4. e4 d6 5. f3 { Saemisch } 5... O-O 6. Be3 c5 { The c5 break! It is a gambit,if you will. I play 6...c5 against the Saemisch 100% of the time. } 7. Nge2 Qa5 { I am unsure what better move there is. (the point of these publicannotated games) White did not push his pawn to d5. } 8. Qd2 Nc6 { how woulde5 do!? } 9. d5 Ne5 10. Ng3 a6 { queen side attack } 11. Bd3 { ?? } 11... Nxd3+ { Handingme the bishop } 12. Qxd3 Nd7 { ?? this was a bad move on my part. Betterwould be 12...b5 with another gambit (cxb...axb; Nxb...Ba6) Then I wouldattack on a & b files withe my two rooks, then play Nd7 opening up thelong diagonal for my dark square bishop. Attacking in the Benko gambitfashion } 13. f4 Bxc3+ { ?? } 14. bxc3 b5 15. O-O bxc4 16. Qxc4 Nb6 17. Qd3 Bb7 { ?? Now I am stuck with a inactive bishop for most of the game. I gotthe Bb7 idea from playing too many Pirc games. That unblock c pawn reallymakes a difference. } 18. Rfb1 Rab8 19. Bd2 Nd7 { Now my pieces are cramp } 20. c4 Qa4 21. Ne2 Ba8 { ?? what else is there } 22. Nc3 Rxb1+ 23. Rxb1 Qa5 24. h3 { ?? } 24... h5 { !? } 25. e5 { !? uh oh! Now I am starting to feel the shadowof defeat } 25... Qc7 { I begin to regroup } 26. e6 { !? } 26... Nf6 27. exf7+ Kxf7 28. f5 Rg8 29. Rf1 Bb7 { I here my bishop becomes active! Taking step #1 Thestart of his Zig Zag journey } 30. fxg6+ Rxg6 31. Qf5 Kg7 32. Ne4 Bc8 { Step#2 } 33. Qf3 Qd7 { I was prepared to exchange pieces now. I believe my opponentdid not see the reason behind Qd7 back up by the bishop. The Zig Zag motionby my bishop saved me from defeat. Yes white can capture the h pawn butit is bait! Once we exchange pieces we'll have opposite color bishop's } 34. Nxf6 Rxf6 { !! This is one of the reason why I play Kxf7 earlier, asto let my rook maneuver about here and fro } 35. Qxh5 { ?! } 35... Rxf1+ 36. Kxf1 Qf5+ { !! } 37. Qxf5 Bxf5 { At last my bishop is free! Now we have a theoreticaldraw. Bishops of opposite color tend to be drawish. I offer my opponenta draw but he decline. (sigh) } 38. Ke2 { If anybody can calculate a winfor either side please, leave a comment. } 38... Bb1 39. g4 { ?! } 39... Bxa2 { !! } 40. Kd3 Bb1+ 41. Kc3 { ?? } 41... a5 { !! } 42. Kb2 Bd3 43. Kc3 { The king is toilingand struggling } 43... Be2 { 43...Bf1? } 44. g5 a4 { !! a passed pawn } 45. h4 a3 { I do not know if I should have played a3 or something else } 46. Kb3 Kf7 47. Bc3 a2 48. Bb2 e6 49. dxe6+ Kxe6 50. Kxa2 Bxc4+ 51. Kb1 Be2 52. Kc2 Kf5 53. Bf6 d5 { draw agreed } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Analyzed Games"] [Site "ChessDoctor.com"] [Date "?.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "W41"] [Black "B41"] [Result "?"] [ECO "?"] {00041.6.04 Analyzed by Candidate Master Daniel Waite} 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 {Interesting idea to play 4.d4. Bb5 and Bc4 are also possible here. Black heads into the "Little Center." Several idea to attack this center would be to get in f5, Bxe6, Nxe6, Nd5. The move e5 can also be disruptive to the Black center. Another common idea for attacking this set up is to play c4. There are two essential elements here. First, prevent Black from freeing himself with ...d5. Second, play the KB to the a2 - g8 diagonal (Bobby Fischer). This opportunistic diagonal has paid rich rewards to many players. Key squares for White are d5 and e6. White tends to attack on the Kingside, while Black aims at the Queenside. Control these and win. Black meanwhile wants to pressure the pawn at e4 (and support ...d5). Black's main strategy tends to be to head to the endgame as soon as possible (the pawn structure favors Black in the endgame). All this would fit into the idea of playing 4.d4} 5.Nxd4 d6 6.Be2 Be7 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Bg5 0-0 9.Qd2 Qb6 {9...Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Bxg5 12. Qxd6 Be7 should give Black a safe comfortable game after 13. Qxd8 Rxd8. Meanwhile 13. Qg3 Qb6 gives Black persistent pressure thanks to the Bishop pair.} 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Rab1 Rd8 12.Rfd1 Qc7 13.Qf4 h6 {Also worth considering is 13. Bf3.} 14.Bh4 g5 {14...g5?? Ouch. Black risks opening the Kingside.} 15.Bxg5 hxg5 {An idea for Black would be 15...e5. But, I'm not sure this gains much over the game.} 16.Qxg5+ Kh8 17.e5 {Sweet. This is one of those killer positional ideas that few young players would consider. If you keep up with the positional excellence... Anyway, White blocks Black's ability to defend the Kingside. Either there will be doubled e - pawns or black will have to give up material.} 17...dxe5 18.Rxd8+ Bxd8 19.Rd1 Bb7 20.Bd3 {Ouch. A common idea after the g and h pawns have vanished is to get a Rook to the one of the files. The "perfect" move is to play 20. Rd3. After this I don't think that Black can defend himself. For instance, Black has two moves that make sense 20...Nh7 and 20...Qe7. On 20...Nh7 21. Qh5 c5 22. Rh3 f5 23. Qe8+ Kg7 24. Qxe6 shatters Blacks pawns and exposes Black to all sorts of interesting things. On 20...Qe7 21.Rg3 Black is in serious trouble. 21...Ng4 22. Rh3+ Nh6 23. Rxh6# or 21...Qf8 22. Bd3 e4 23. Rh3+ Nh7 24. Qh5 Qg7 25.Nxe4. Then there is 22..Nh7 23. Qxe5+ f6 24. Qxe6. From this point on White's game begins to deteriorate. Black must have been very happy at this point.} 20...c5 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Qg5+ Kf8 23.Qh6+ Ke7 24.Qg7 e4 25.Bc4 Qe5 26.Nb5 Bc7 {Also working is 26...e3. Stronger is 26...Bd5 27. Be2 e3} 27.g3 {Your strength, in this game, is a strong positional feel that is rare in young players. You seem to have two weaknesses. First, you do not demonstrate a willingness to attack, even though you had positional justification. This tends to come from lack of experience and lack of knowing basic attacking motifs. Second, you don't seem to understand the idea of the opening. (Very few do, in OTB. Play postal and you will learn the ideas very quickly or lose badly, quickly.) I would suggest that you switch to the Queen's Gambit to capitalize on your positional awareness. Work on the common tactical ideas, learn patterns. Maybe one thing that will help you in the area of attack is to pick up a gambit as a "change up" style (what you pull out for fun or when you've been scouted at a tourney). This will add spice (not to mention confusion) to your opponent's life. If you want to work on your positional understanding, study the games of Karpov - who just happens to be creative attacker. (I can hear the laughter of those who have never studied his games.) Also read Silman's "How to Reassess" book, if you haven't done so already. When all else fails, I'm looking for new students! (LOL)} 27...e3 0-1

[Event "Assaulting the King"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Pierre99"] [Black "Unknown"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1681"] [TimeControl "3 min + 10 sec"] [WhiteElo "1200"] { This game was a 3 minute 10 second blitz game. No mention of the opponent'sname, because his rating and what happened at the end might be a littleembarassing. } 1. e4 { As white, I open with the e pawn nearly all the time. } 1... d5 { I know this is the Scandinavian Defense. It has been played at thehighest levels, with some success. I don't know if it's in favor now, butthis much I do know: I've never respected black's first move. Because tome, he invariably has to waste a tempo in repositioning the black queen.Now the flexibility in the opening, with opportunites for transitions tome has never been worth the tempo. Since I pay little attention to variationsof basic openings, I just develop normally and play the board. That's probablywhy I'll never be a really really good chess player. But I have beatensome really good chess players! Go figure. Anyways, I just distrust anythingthat to me seems not so efficient. There, diatribe all done. ;) } 2. exd5 Qxd5 { As white, my play is likely too passive, but I'll explain my reasonsfor the moves I choose. } 3. Nc3 Qa5 { This I have seen countless times aswhite, so I assume this is all book. But from this point, I have no ideawhat is or is not book. I've seen enough to know that black can get a kingsideattack that I don't like as white, so I do something a little odd. Hereis the thing for me: It's a given that black is going to reposition thequeen. SO why chase it? It's going to move anyways, so I'd rather spendthe extra move to do something a little odd with one of my own pieces... } 4. Be2 { Perhaps it's passive, but I'm going to take two moves to do somethingwith my bishop here. } 4... Nf6 5. Bf3 { Not exactly the safest place for thebishop, but it does a few things I want it to do. } 5... c6 { I think Black mustbe following book moves here, because he's created as usual a place forhis Queen to escape to. But from this point on, I am simply going to develop,and invite black to attack my kingside. Now, with this pawn structure,I would think black would wish to castle kingside. As I said, I don't knowthe book lines. But in the game, that's not what black ultimately does. } 6. Nge2 { Just developing. Not the best place for the knight, I know, butyou'll understand what I will do in a bit. } 6... Bf5 { Looks like good developingmove for black. } 7. d3 { Freeing up the dark-squared bishop, and controllingc4 and e4, for the moment. I have no plan yet, just developing and castlingsoon. } 7... e6 { I kind of expected that. I've seen that, and ...Nd7 a numberof times in this position. } 8. O-O { So now the white Kingside has a nicebig target painted on it. } 8... Nbd7 { Yeah, yeah. What is black's plan now?I am still not sure. So let's make a few moves to find out. } 9. Nd4 { Thisis a probe. The knight is heading to b3, but I want to see if black wishesto hang onto his white bishop. It's an empty threat, really. But it willtell me something. Also, black could play an immediate Ne5 which wouldresult in the loss of the white bishop. He probably should have done that. } 9... Bd6 { Wow. He's really ready to give up the white bishop. Is that in thebook moves? Problem is, I don't want to take it with this knight even thoughit would remove some of the current pressure on white's king. Because Iplayed passively, my pawn structure is more cramped, and for the earlymidgame, I want to hold onto my knights longer, especially since I've invitedblack to attack on the kingside. I don't need another pawn over there comingdown. (Nxf5 pxf5) If black wishes to crash down on my kingside, he's goingto need a bit more umphh, and I'm not going to help him do it. } 10. Nb3 { Well other than taking the bishop, which some of you will say I shouldhave (fine, I know, I know) I instead put it here, because I am going towant to control d4. } 10... Qc7 { Now I recently played a game where my opponentignored such a threat, and he paid for it. I won't do the same thing. } 11. h3 { Black should consider a sacrifice now to open the King side up,and pressure my King. Despite my knights way on the other side of the board,I wonder if such an attack right now, which was not made, whether it wouldhave had me scrambling the rest of the game. I'll never know now, unlessone of you choose to analyze this position for black. } 11... O-O-O { Looks likeblack will attack on the Kingside. Wow, look at all those pieces bearingdown on my kingside, or about to. And the pawns will join in, with rooksbehind them. RIGHT now black needs to aggressively go for it. But, he doesnot. } 12. Be3 { Ha, I don't want a7. That will just lose the bishop, andI'd say despite my knights, black could defend the loss of the pawns. Butin a while, I'll sacrifice a knight against those black queenside pawns.A little analysis here would have been interesting to see if after Bxa7b6 Bxb6 and black recaptures with the knight, if there would be anythingwhite could do to take advantage of the lack of pawns there. InstinctivelyI think not; but again, I don't have a computer to do any analysis with.Anyone out there that wishes to do that, you're welcome to. } 12... Kb8 { So, Idon't have a computer chess program to tell me if black could have justleft his King safely where it was, and used this tempo to get his own attackrolling. He's been reacting, and perhaps he just doesn't have a plan. Someonesaid on one of their games that a bad plan is better than no plan, andthat's right, especially for amateurs, because it's how we get better atit. } 13. Qe2 { Partially prophylactic. That rook on d8 is no longer targettingmy queen indirectly after this. Remember, that's a half open file, forblack. Later on tactics could have been unpleasant with my queen on d2,hence my move. Also, this allows my queen to be on a more useful diagonaland connects the rooks. I need to keep supporting the bishop too. For allof those reasons, that is why I made this move. Now, perhaps the betterplayers would have already had a plan moves ago, but I waited to make aplan until black castled. If I learned the openings better, I'd be ableto make my plans sooner. Do I really think of all this stuff while I play?Most times, yes. I seldom calculate. Yeah. I'm lazy. ;) } 13... Bh2+ { Okay, Idon't understand black's thinking here. Why does he want my King on h1?I don't see any obvious threats right now. It's like giving me a free move,after he retreats his bishop. At this point, I don't fear his knights,and now the black bishop can't check me again. The only thing I would notlike right now is is if black could crash his pawns down on the kingsidewith his rooks beind them. It's worth noting that black could have playedNe5 for several moves now, getting rid of my white bishop. Because he didn't,it comes back to haunt him. } 14. Kh1 Bd6 { That made no sense to me. Insteadof it being black's turn, now it's my turn again, in this same positionsave the white king is on h1 instead of g1. I think this was a wasted move,especially since those kingside black pawns have a long way to go beforethey contribute to pressuring my kingside. } 15. a4 { Now at this point,my plan was to get the b pawn rolling too. And perhaps use one of thosetwo knights to open up black's queenside. Here is a basic lesson: mostchess books advocate countering in the middle or other wing, when one'sopponent launches an attack on one side of the board. The reason for thisis because one's counter play, and own attacking chances can cause youropponent to leave off from his attack to defend. But in this position,black doesn't do this. Instead, he tries to oppose what I will do. } 15... a5 { I am suspicious of this move. Perhaps black doesn't like all my piecespointing his way; but if so, why didn't he try to trade some off earlier?You know what, and I bet you'll say the same thing: when we lose games,it's often because our opponent beats us to the punch. Now, in order forme to achieve my goal, what square do you think it is that I want to control?If you guessed b4, you're right. Because if I have b4, then further pusheswill become very possible and very uncomfortable for black. } 16. Bd2 { Preparingfor launching those pawns and knights. } 16... b6 { This is positionally very badin my opinion. It loosens up black's king's safety, and black has not forseenyet that I'll let a knight jump up there regardless of the extra protectionfor a5.... Black ought to get rid of that white bishop in this positionbut instead... } 17. Na2 { And now I am prepared to sacrifice the knight.There are a lot of tactics involving c6 in play now. I'm not sure whatblack has been thinking about this all. } 17... h5 { Black finally begins to assaultthe white king, but... } 18. Nxa5 { He has to deal now with his kingside. } 18... bxa5 { And so now it's the b pawn's turn. } 19. b4 { This position is lookingbad for black now; white has torn open black's king pawn with his help.I think accurate defense can still save black, but it wasn't to be. } 19... axb4 { Now, I have a choice: knight or bishop. I wanted to keep the knight becauseof the forks; but at this point I thought, well, the knight will pry theposition open because of the threats, and the bishop won't necessarily.Surely black would take the white knight with his black bishop, becauseof the danger. And I wanted that, so my rooks could harass that king soonerrather than later. But black had other ideas. } 20. Nxb4 { Black MUST takewith the black bishop, because of the dual threat here; Nb6+ forking thequeen and Nxc6 forking the rook. Ne5 fails now due to the first fork; blackcan only stop both by taking with the bishop. But by this point I had overfive minutes, and black was under a minute on his time. He got confusedtrying to keep all the lines straight, and sadly, made this unfortunatemove: } 20... Qa7 { Well he resigned after white's next move. } 21. Nxc6+ { And hewasn't rated that low. This is why I don't mention his name. We all blunder,it's part of the game. I blunder. More important to me here is I reallywish I could have seen the bishop take, my bishop take, and then the scrambleby black to defend the King as I brought my rooks into play. Would I beable to get enough material back after the knight sacrifice? Because itlooks like black's king will escape to safety. I wish I had a chess computerso I could look more closely at 20. ...Bxb4. But except for the last blunder,and a few miscues, black played well. I could have made better moves too.But that's what makes chess FUN! ;) Hope you enjoyed this one. } 1-0

[Event "87th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.11.07"] [Round "-"] [White "kaspanatola"] [Black "dgrandman"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1710"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1850"] 1. d4 { My opponent soon had his queen cornered after a few repeated moveswith it, I pushed a pawn in a speculative hunt to the queen, but then myopponent blundered and eventually lost his queen, his uncoordinated piecesallowed me to sacrifice my queen to force a promotion in a better positionand proceeded to mate his exposed king... forcing his resignation } 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 { King's Indian defence, 3.Nc3 } 3... c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 Bg7 6. h3 { I have mores space and black's light squares bishop is out of playbut on the other hand his dark squares bishop is in a great diagonal, Imust be careful with it at all time } 6... Qa5 7. Bd2 Qb6 { N we were followingthe game Belotelov Dmitriy (RUS) - Farago Sandor (HUN), Budapest (Hungary),1999, 1/2-1/2, but black chose to diverge from it } 8. Qc2 { to defend b2and e4 } 8... O-O 9. Nf3 { develops and adds some control to d4 and e5 } 9... e6 { ?!I have my doubts about this move, at this time, as it weakens d6, althoughchallenges my centre, also black's dark squares arround his king are nowalso weaker than before e6, black needs a6 to prevent Nb5, so to sum thingsup black is not better after e6 } 10. Bd3 { continues development and addanother defender to e4 freeing both my knight and my queen to other tasks } 10... exd5 11. cxd5 { I prefer an asymmetric structure for lesser chances of drawing,My assessment of this position as equal, although I have more space, blackhas a great outpost on d4 in case it can be occupied, a hard task due tomy pawns set-up, Black needs Na6-c7-b5-d4 to do it, also his dark squaresbishop has an open diagonal almost free, but on the other hand the lightsquares bishop is a bit out of play, it might even became exchanged, whitehas some piece play, and the initiative, plus a promising e5 pawn break,a king side pawn storm, or a minority attack on the queen's wing } 11... Na6 12. a3 { denying black's knight the access to b4, the idea now is to play Na4to remove the queen from the defence of the knight and then maybe Bxa6to disrupt black's pawn structure } 12... Bd7 { Na4 not possible for now } 13. O-O Rac8 14. Be3 { pinning c5 to avoid black's temptation to push it foreword } 14... Qa5 { removes the pin so maybe that push b4 was black's idea } 15. Qe2 { threatening to get the knight and disrupting black's pawn structure whenblack recaptures } 15... Nc7 { ? blocks the queen, and allows some tactics } 16. b4 cxb4 17. axb4 Qxb4 18. Rxa7 { now if Qxc3 white has Bd4 attacking thequeen, Queen moves to the b column, and Rb1 wins it } 18... Na6 { ! blocks myrook } 19. Na2 { to remove the knight from danger with tempo } 19... Qb3 { ? betterwas Ra3 or Ra4, the played move allows white to get his f rook to the bcolumn with tempo } 20. Rb1 Qa3 21. Rbxb7 { doubles rooks on the 7th rank,a promising strategic theme } 21... Ra8 22. Bxa6 { wining some material, blackleft hanging } 22... Rxa7 23. Rxa7 { and now threatens Bc4 wining the queen } 23... Ba4 { ?? loses another piece } 24. Bb5 { the bishop is pinned so is captured bythis simple tactics } 24... Bxb5 { ? } 25. Qxb5 { and the queen is finally trapped } 25... Qxa7 26. Bxa7 Nxe4 27. Bd4 { being a piece and Q vs R up, now I'll try toexchange as many pieces as I can } 27... f6 28. Qd7 { to get to e7 threateningNe4 and d6 } 28... Kh8 29. Qe7 { now the knight is going to be exchanged anyway } 29... Nc5 30. Bxc5 { and I'll get the d pawn as well, and then I'll regroup myknights so they can be easily defended } 30... dxc5 31. Qxc5 h6 32. Nb4 { to achievebetter coordination and promote my d pawn I'll regroup my pieces in thecentre board } 32... Ra8 33. d6 { blocks the threat Bf8, due to Bf8 Nc6 Rc8 d7Bxc5 dxc8=Q+ and the queen reappears on c8 } 33... Bf8 34. Nc6 { blocks the ccolumn and protects the promotion square, while threatening Ne7 } 34... Ra1+ { thisis just desperation as it achieves nothing... Rd1 Nd4 blocks the rook } 35. Kh2 Rd1 36. Nfd4 { blocks the rook of the d8 promotion square } 36... Rd2 37. d7 { !! and now sacrifices the queen to promote with check } 37... Bxc5 38. d8=Q+ Kh7 39. Qd7+ { now black can't avoid mate, it's just a question of how...my moves are Qd7+ Qe8+ (or QxBe7+ Qf8 Ne6) Ne6+ and mate can only be delayedby giving up pieces } 39... Kh8 40. Qe8+ { Black can: - block with Bf8 to loseyet another piece Qxf8+ Kh7 Ne7 h5 the most stubborn Qg8+ Kh6 Ne6 Rd8 Qg7++- move the king, Kg7 Ne6+ Kh7 Qf7+ Kh8 Qg7++ - move the king, Kh7 Qf7+Kh8 Ne6 Rd7 Qxd7 Kg8 Qe8+ Bf8 Qxf8+ Kh7 Qg7++ } 40... Kh7 41. Qf7+ Kh8 42. Ne6 { bringing in the knight for the kill } 42... Bd6+ { a delaying move } 43. f4 { afterseveral conditional moves, my opponent found the one I didn't cover, toturn things a little more interesting, I've now made 24 conditionals ofabout 40 possible one (I decided to delete a few, to test if he can findwhich are the ones I didn't cover now)... it will be mate soon, or willhe resign? } 1-0

[Event "Kind of reversed Sicilian, squeezed MidG"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.06.19"] [Round "-"] [White "j0st"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1759"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1624"] 1. c4 { I don't know really how to play against an English opening, so Iwent for a standard developement plan, exploiting the black diagonal witha fianchetto. } 1... Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O { Being the c pawn stillin c7, it is not difficult to control the white's lsb. } 5. e4 d6 { Preventingan early e5, that can be annoying. c6 makes sense, too, fighting for thecenter (e6, d5). But I didn't want to keep my pieces undeveloped becauseof f4 and a possible early attack on my kingside. } 6. Nge2 { Clearly aimingto f4. } 6... c5 { White doesn't seem to want to play e4, so it's time to getsome control of the center. } 7. O-O Nc6 8. d3 Bd7 { Standard moves rightnow. I hate to develop bishops on d7 or e7, since they seem very inactive,there. But I had no choice. I don't want to play e6 because I don't wantto trap my own bishop, so unless it becomes unavoidable, I won't do it. } 9. h3 { Just a profilactic move, nobody is taking initiative. I don'tsee a real plan. White still has f4, but probably he is waiting for meto go somewhere so he can play the knight or the bishop to f4, instead. But in doing so, he is weakening the kingside, unnecessarily, since neitherthe knight or the bishop are doing anything in g4... } 9... Qc8 { The normal developementwould have been Qc7, but I eyed something against the weak h3 - } 10. Kh2 { now, with the white king in h2, white must think about attacking quickly,or I'll do. } 10... a6 { It was difficult for me to go on. Maybe h5 would havebeen the right attacking move. With the played move, I was looking fora surprising future b5, but in doing so, I left the white knight a wonderfuloutpost on a4-b6. } 11. Be3 { White doesn't seem to want to take advantageof it, so the game proceeds in a - not clear what to do fashion, and beginsto be 'squeezed'. } 11... Ne5 { I am trying to bring my pieces over the kingside,and preparing b5. Now, if white plays f4, I can try Ng5 as a dubious sac,or he wins two tempoes. } 12. Bf4 { As suspected, white is not consideringinteresting pawn in f4 - a mistake, I think. } 12... h5 { Ok, I must do 'something'...let's attack, then! } 13. Bg5 { Despite all my good intentions, I couldn'tsee a good sac yet. Not without a rook on h1. And no way to get there easily. Bxh3 (BxB, Nf3+ and...?), or Ng5+, hxN... what? Maybe Qxg5 could havegiven me something, but in order to play it I must have taken the bishopout of the way... White's move IS a loss of tempo, after Bf4 (?) } 13... Bc6 { This is useless, just a loss of tempo. Since I didn't dare to sac, I hadto proceed somehow. } 14. Nf4 { I think white should have played f5 here.If I don't have a break, he must search for it. } 14... b5 { This move is justto gain some space, but my aim is to use the inactive a rook in order todefend the e7 pawn. I don't want to move the pawn because I want to keepthe diagonal free for my queen as long as possible, but Nf6 is 'blocked'because Bxe7, then Bxd6 would be nasty moves. And Re8 seems weird, sincesooner or later the f column will play a role in all this, for sure. } 15. cxb5 axb5 { Not Bxb5 because of Nxb5. I don't want to lose my bishopbecause I feel it has a lot of squares to be useful. } 16. a3 { As foresee,and I have tempo to play... } 16... Ra7 { Now a trap is set for white, involvingthe unfortunate position of the dsb. But he didn't see it. } 17. Re1 { Asad decision. Probably white is thinking about d4 - a good option to openthe game a little. But it didn't consider the tactic I have. } 17... Nh7 { Now,the only way not to lose a piece seems: h4, but f6. Then 19. Bh3, Ng5+(queen is threatened)... you see, a little tactic here. But white playsthe other move, that just plainly loses a piece. } 18. Bh4 g5 19. Nxh5 { I didn't see anything clearly dangerous in Qxa5, but I think it wouldhave been stronger - at least the white queen would be into the fight. } 19... gxh4 20. gxh4 { I think NxB and Rg1 are clearly better. Now, I am only+1, but white pawns on the h column are sad. Anyway: be careful, becausethe g column is open to him, and my king is just behind. I don't havea clear win just now, but I knew I didn't want to lose my dsb, and Bh8is really dangerous. So... } 20... Bh6 { Controlling the knight and a good longdiagonal. } 21. Ne2 { White position needed aggressivenes, this kind ofpassive move has its purposes, but is just slow. Ok, it supports f4 orNf4. But Rg1, or d4... I don't know, really :-) } 21... Ng6 { Fightin for f4, butmost of all threatening h4... } 22. Kg3 { Lose h4 would have been better.But it is easy to say it now. } 22... f5 { I realized I had to open the game,since my pieces were lacking freedom. With the white king exposed, it mustbe good for me anyway. } 23. Nef4 { Looking for exchanges in order to loosenthe position. } 23... Nxf4 24. Nxf4 e5 { This is very nice. Because now my a7rook is coming into the game! } 25. Nd5 { I thought about BxN, exB, Bf4+.It souds very strong, because the king cannot go to h2. Kf6, e4+... ok,but I didn't see a clear win, so I decided that to open the f column willbe the key (remember my comment about the importance of the f column). } 25... Rg7+ 26. Kh2 fxe4 27. dxe4 { Rxe4, BxN, and Bxe4, Rxf2+, then Qxh3 (yousee, not to play e6 was a good decision...) } 27... Rxf2 { Rooks are raining... } 28. Rg1 Bf4+ { If NxB, the correct move to win is Bxe5! } 29. Kh1 { It allowsa simple but spectacular tactic } 29... Qxh3+ 30. Bxh3 Rh2# 0-1

[Event "St. Christopher traning game asf04 vs. ihalimi"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "asf04"] [Black "ihalimi"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "4 days"] 1. Nf3 { Reti Opening, maintaining White's options. } 1... d6 { Wade defense (orPhilidor's defense by transposition), quite a passive and conservativechoice of a defense by Black. } 2. e4 e5 { Black must have went for equalopportunity with 2.Bg4 (preferable line). } 3. d4 { Expected by white (afterreaching Philidor's defense, by transposition) } 3... Nc6 { 3...Nd7 was a betterchoice } 4. dxe5 { Threatening queen trade if Black recaptures 4...dxe5 } 4... Qe7 { 4...Qe7, avoiding the queen trade, closes the path of the black bishopat f8. } 5. Nc3 dxe5 6. Bb5 Bd7 { Opens the way for queen-side castling. } 7. Bg5 { White is soliciting positional clarity on Black's side. } 7... f6 8. Be3 a6 9. Bc4 O-O-O { This is almost the latest that Black could have delayedhis castling. } 10. Qe2 { Activating the queen, and opening way for castlingin both directions. } 10... Bg4 11. O-O { White could easily go for a draw 11.Bxa6(draw forced in about 10 moves unless Black chooses to lose material).Black's queen-side is exposed. } 11... g5 { Serves no purpose (neither tacticalnor for positional play). Black should rethink this move. Playing it meansthat Black did not have a total appreciation of the position on the table. } 12. h3 Bh5 13. Rfd1 Nd4 { Black still has not done anything to relieve theimmediate danger on the queen-side!!! note: Black seems to be playing movesTOO FAST! } 14. Bxd4 exd4 { A miscalculation. Black should have recapturedby the rook not the pawn (in which case the pawn is lost). } 15. Nd5 Qc5 16. g4 Be8 { 16...Bg5 or 16...Bf7 were the better moves! } 17. Nxd4 Rd6 { NotBlack's best move in this position. } 18. b4 Qa7 19. e5 { Shedding more lightthat Black should have played 17...Bd7. } 19... Rxd5 { Big blunder. NO explanationfor this move!!! } 20. Bxd5 { Creating immense pressure on Black's king.Black does not seem to have much hope at this point. } 20... h5 { Again, not verymeaningful positionally. Black should have activated the queen (with 20...Qb6)instead of keeping it without purpose on the queen-side. It is obviousthat White has now an overwhelming attack on the king-side. } 21. exf6 Nxf6 { Another big blunder. It was time Black plays ...Bd7. Now Black will losehis knight with 22.Qe6 and 23.Qxf6 } 22. Qe6+ Bd7 { TOO LATE!!! } 23. Qxf6 { Black resigns } 1-0

[Event "League division D2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "21-Aug-08"] [Round "-"] [White "tounaboa"] [Black "topazg"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1513"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1296"] 1. e4 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 b6 4. d3 Bb7 5. e5 { I'm not very keen on thismove, as it is quite hard to defend the e5 pawn now. I can play g6 andBg7 on one side, and Qc7 on the other - so in three moves I can get threeseparate pieces attacking the pawn, of which g6 and Bg7 are natural developingmoves anyway. You don't want to have to tie up your pieces to defendingpawns this early on. } 5... g6 6. Qe2 e6 7. g3 { This is definitely a mistake.Because of my bishop already on the diagonal, Nd4 will force you to capturewith your knight as there is a double attack on your knight, your queenis threatened and there is a threat of a following Nc2 instead of capturing. } 7... Nd4 8. Nxd4 cxd4 { I decided to go with this instead of Bxh1 because a)I wanted to keep the diagonal, and b) It would still stop you from castling.In hindsight it was a mistake because I lost the diagonal after Rg1 andBg2. I should have just captured the rook. } 9. Rg1 Bg7 10. f4 Ne7 11. Bg2 Bxg2 12. Rxg2 d6 13. b3 { I think you had to play exd6 here. You have noreal risk after I capture with the queen. } 13... dxe5 14. Qe4 { I would certainlyhave played fxe5 now. It's hard to see how to keep hold of the pawn butasking me to take another is simply a free pawn lost. } 14... O-O 15. Rf2 exf4 16. Rxf4 { Bxf4 much stronger - it gets more pieces off the back rank anddoesn't allow the unpleasant bishop -> rook pin at Bg6 } 16... Bh6 17. Na3 Bxf4 18. Bxf4 Nf5 19. O-O-O Qd7 20. Nb5 Rac8 21. Bd6 { Final blunder, simplysacrificing a bishop and leaving black up by a rook. Many thanks for thegame :) } 21... Nxd6 22. Qxd4 Rfd8 23. Qxd6 Qxd6 24. Nxd6 Rxd6 25. d4 Rcd8 26. d5 exd5 0-1

[Event "Queens gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "yesterday"] [Round "-"] [White "Chazwazeld"] [Black "I am bad at chess"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1"] [TimeControl "1 day"] [WhiteElo "999999999"] 1. e4 { THE QUEENS GAMBIT. Start with KP4. } 1... e5 { if they respond with thisthen i recommend using the queens gambit on them. read on to find out how. } 2. Qh5 { this is the beginning of the queens gambit it is a risky but goodmove. if they move pawn G7 to G6 thin take pawn E5 with the queen and youhave affectively forked their rook. } 2... Nc6 { this is one of the correct countersfor the queens gambit. you can also move the bishop or pawn to D6. Or movethe queen to E7. The porpoise of these moves are to defend the pawn onE5. } 3. Bc4 { If they do this then they leave the threat of checkmate.You need to back up the pawn on F7. } 3... b6 { if you fail to do this as demonstrated... } 4. Qxf7# { CHECKMATE! } 1-0

[Event "Breaking myself in..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.06.20"] [Round "-"] [White "x-machine"] [Black "vslavov"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1471"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1424"] 1. e4 { Been a long time since I've played actively in chess because ofexams and real life but I'm getting myself back into the game slowly. Itwill take awhile for me to reclaim the 1600+ rating I lost through timeouts,especially isnce it will take a fair few games for me to really get backinto the game! With this game...well, nothing special, basically I getcrushed! :P } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Ba4 { Fairly standard moves of the Two Knight's Defenceso far } 8... Bc5 9. O-O O-O { Castling on both sides - it ought to be safe forWhite I think with correct play but I can safely say that after this gameI don't know as much about this opening than I need to! } 10. a3 { Eyeingb4 - I think this is where things start to go wrong for me. I become obsessedwith that pawn fork when really it was never going to work in the firstplace! } 10... Qd4 { The pressure on f2 will be highly significant later on! } 11. Nc3 e4 { Advancing e4, which basically leaves my g5 knight stranded... } 12. b4 { ? Re1/d3 was better. There are key problems with my position Iam already missing - such as how the queen attacks a4 should the b4 pawnbe moved and the pin on the knight protecting it - in short my pawn forkreally threatens nothing! } 12... h6 { ! Of course... } 13. Ngxe4 { Instead of Nh3which would allow Black to weaken my kingside I attack the pawn... } 13... Nxe4 14. Nxe4 { My rook is unguarded of course but White still has a game after14...Qxa1 15.Nxc5 Nc4 16.Bxc6 Rb8 17.d3 } 14... Qxe4 { Black chooses this moveinstead } 15. Re1 { I think I ought to have taken the bishop at this point- Black would be winning in the resulting positing but I would still havehad reason to play on! Instead, I'm thinking that I can be clever here.... } 15... Qd4 { ....famous last words! } 16. c3 { ?? Bad! Very bad! I think I can survivethe attack on f2 - that Black has nothing that can exploit the weakenedposition that will come and that I can easily drive the queen away... } 16... Qxf2+ { Queens...funny you should mention them... } 17. Kh1 Bg4 { !! GoodnightWhite! If I want to play on I play without my queen - 18.Bc2 Bxd1 is bestbut of course completely losing! I resign after my next move after spendingabout 15 minutes considering how Re8 after Qxg4 leads to my doom whileoverlooking the obvious move! } 18. Qxg4 { The computer analysis I have forthis game hasn't been completed yet but when it does I suspect that it'llidentify my first inaccuracy back at move 10 - if not, move 12! All thesame, it is clear I need to know more about this particular opening aswell as sharpen up my tactics in general! Still, watch this space - gonnabe getting my rating back some way or another! :) } 0-1

[Event "First time with the Bird Opening"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.03.28"] [Round "-"] [White "drchopper"] [Black "thefarmer"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "5min+"] 1. f4 { Here playing white with the Bird Opening. It's an opening rarelyused, but still very fine who can surprise the oponent. Moving the f pawnright in the beginning look to break the defense but give later anotherpiece ready to pierce the defense of the oponent. It looklike a wild openingbut with a correct defense, it's just create a very balanced game as thebishop opening. } 1... e6 { Threating right in the beginning Qh4. } 2. Nf3 { Protectingh4 and developing the king side for a quick castling. } 2... Nf6 3. e3 { Protectingthe f pawn and giving space for my bishop. g3 is possible like the leningradvariation of the dutch opening, but it would have been too much recklessI think. } 3... Be7 { Thinking about to still pierce h4. I find this move prettymuch passive. } 4. b3 O-O 5. Bb2 { Nicely positionned to reach the king.White follow the book. } 5... Nd5 { ? A lose of tempo. Black should try to controlthe middle or developping his queen side. The guardian of the king leaveshis position too early. } 6. a3 { I was thinking about to do Bd3, so I preventNb4. It look as a lost of tempo, but my position gonna be better after.There is no hurry, my position is safe right now. } 6... Bf6 { ?! My tower lookweak but it is not. Black is losing too much tempo. } 7. Nc3 { Protectingthe Bishop and continue to develop. } 7... Nxc3 8. dxc3 { I'm gonna do c4 at theright time, there is no hurry. It's better to keep the bishop right now. } 8... Bh4+ { ? Black waste his time. He is too much low developped to make thiskind of attack. } 9. g3 { I'm thinking about to castle at the queen sideand to attack on the king side. } 9... Bf6 10. Bd3 { Now I have a very strongposition. Two of my bishop are in the direction of the king while Blackhave not an accurate defense and is very low developped. } 10... d6 { Well I don'tsee how black can strenghten his position at this time. } 11. h4 { Takingthe initiative, anyway black doesn't have the weapons right now to stopmy attack. } 11... h6 12. Qd2 { A normal continuation, but this move gonna be thekey of my attack. } 12... Nc6 13. O-O-O { Now my position is just too much great! } 13... a6 14. g4 e5 15. g5 { Piercing black defense. } 15... hxg5 16. hxg5 { Black is lostat this point. I don't see anything to secure his position. } 16... Be7 17. Bh7+ { Played quickly, it was a blitz game after all. A faster mating combinationwould have been: 17.Rh8+! Kxh8 18.Qh2+ Kg8 19.Qh7#. } 17... Kh8 18. Qh2 { Blackresigned here. } 1-0

[Event "The Knights Coaching Project"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.03.16"] [Round "-"] [White "ariaraman"] [Black "jbravo58d"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1408"] [TimeControl "5d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1593"] 1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Bg4 6. Qxg4 Nxg4 { Again,start from the sac position. Till 9. Bxg4 is a routine play. } 7. Bxf7+ Kd7 8. Be6+ Kc6 9. Bxg4 e6 10. Nc3 { Developing queen side. } 10... Na6 11. a3 { Attacking b4 square, to protect c2 square to avoid a fork of king androok by the knight. } 11... Qf6 { Attacking pawn at f4 and protecting black pawnat e6. } 12. O-O { Castle king side, moves the king to safety and also protectsthe f pawn. } 12... h5 { Attacking the bishop at g4. } 13. Bxe6 { Capturing blackpawn and also moving to safety. } 13... Nc7 { Moving the knight out of the edgeand attacking white bishop at e6. } 14. Bh3 { Moves to safety. f5 and g4were not safe, so h3. } 14... Be7 { I assume trying to open the rank for connectingthe rooks. } 15. Ngxe4 { Capturing the black pawn at e4 and attacking blackqueen. } 15... Qd4+ { Move to safety and also check white king. } 16. Kh1 { Moveout of check. } 16... Rag8 17. d3 { Opening a diagonal for bishop and also extraprotection for knight at e4. } 17... Nd5 { Attacking white knight at c3. } 18. Be6 { Forking black knight and rook. } 18... Nxc3 { Maybe 18. ... Ne3 was better!? } 19. bxc3 { Attacking black queen and covering the center. Also it opensa file for rook. } 19... Qd8 20. Be3 { Developing the bishop and also opens therank to connect the rooks. } 20... b6 { Protecting the pawn at c5 } 21. c4 { Blockingthe pawn at c5. } 21... Rf8 { Move the rook to safety. It seems that black losttempo by doing 16. ... Rag8. It could be played as 16. ... Raf8 instead. } 22. f5 { Advancing the passed pawn } 22... h4 { Advance the pawn } 23. Bd5+ Kd7 24. c3 { Trying to advance the pawns. } 24... Bf6 { Attacking c3 pawn and pinning itto the rook at a1. Also blocking the f5 pawn. } 25. Rac1 { Protecting thec3 pawn and releasing it from the pin. } 25... Qe7 { Pinning the knight to thebishop. } 26. Bf4 { Releasing the knight from the pin. } 26... Be5 { Offering exchangeof bishops. I think this was the biggest error of black. } 27. Be6+ { Protectsthe bishop at f4 and also forks black king and bishop. } 27... Kc6 28. Bxe5 { Capturingblack bishop, but pinning the white bishop to DSB. Also pinning black pawnat g7 to the rook. } 28... g6 { Attacking the pawn at f5. However, offering theexchange of rook with bishop. But remember, don't cash in quickly. Alsodon't open files. } 29. Bd5+ { Checking the black king and gaining tempoto move the DSB to safety. } 29... Kd7 30. Bd6 { Move to safety and also attacksand skewers black queen. Now the white knight and two bishops located perfectly.This deadly position of these pieces made the black situation too fragile.As you can see, the black king cannot move forward and is somewhat trapped. } 30... Qg7 { White could take black rook, but again 'don't cash in too soon' } 31. f6 { Pushing the passed pawn at f6 and attacking black queen. } 31... Qh6 32. d4 { Attacking pawn at c5 } 32... cxd4 { Not sure, but think that black shouldn't takethat pawn. Anyhow, I cannot find a better move for black. } 33. cxd4 { Capturingblack pawn and creating a passed pawn at d4. } 33... Qe3 { Moving behind the defenseforce of white and attacking pawn at d4. a3 pawn is protected by DSB. } 34. c5 { If black took d4 pawn with queen, the next move would be 35. c6+ } 34... bxc5 35. dxc5 Qd4 { Attacking bishop at d5. From now on, the mate is certain. } 36. c6+ { Pushing the passed pawn and check black king. } 36... Kd8 { Maybe 36.... Ke8 was better. However, I can smell mate in any moves! } 37. Be6 Qxd6 { Black has to sacrifice its queen, to postpone the mate. Forking pawnat a3 and bishop at e6. } 38. Nxd6 { Capturing black queen. Actually takingthe black queen, made me to play without thinking. Maybe 38. c7+ was abetter move! } 38... Kc7 { Attacking white knight. } 39. Ne4 { Move the knight tosafety. Again, maybe 39. Nb5+ was a better move! } 39... Rh5 { It was better ifblack took control of the opened file at d8 or at least pinned the bishopto knight at e6. So either plays 39. ... Re8 or Rd8 was better than thismove, I think! } 40. Rfd1 { Taking control of open file and planning to checkthe king at d7. } 40... Re5 { Forking knight and bishop. } 41. Rd7+ { Check the blackking. } 41... Kb6 42. Rb7+ Ka5 { 42. ... Ka6 was better. } 43. Rcb1 Rxe6 { Maybe43. ... Ra8 could postpone the mate. } 44. Rxa7# { And so it ends. I shouldconfess that it was the best game that I have ever played, I really enjoyedit. Thanks id=jbravo58d for a nice and fair game. } 1-0

[Event "A nice sudden death."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.10.21"] [Round "-"] [White "damalfi"] [Black ""] [Result "1-0"] 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 { NOt recommended in this defence. } 4. e3 Bf5 5. c3 e6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Ne5 Ne4 8. Qh5 { The first outburst. } 8... g6 { Ofcourse. } 9. Qf3 { Not Qh6, Bf8. } 9... Nxd2 10. Kxd2 { NO prob. My king is safein the center right now. } 10... h5 { It's ok... } 11. Bb5 Bxe5 12. Bxe5 Rf8 { Maybef6 was better after all. Now it starts an interesting battle for the winningof the bishops, with a delicate equilibrium between threats that make thebishop's issue untargetable... probably I should have lost the bishop,but it was very fun to play. } 13. Qf4 { Forcing into defence, but settingthe f6 bishop's self trapping. } 13... Rc8 14. h3 { If now f6, I will follow withg4. My real target is just to open columns for my rooks. } 14... a6 15. Bxc6+ bxc6 { This makes my b pawn weak. I'm aware, but I have to attack. } 16. g4 hxg4 { I still see f6 here for black. } 17. hxg4 g5 18. Qg3 { Who willwin the bishop? } 18... Bg6 { I don't have a square to retire, so I have to improvise.Fortunately, I have a lot of ways to attack. } 19. f4 f6 { At this point,it seems my bishop will fall. But I wanted to experiment with... } 20. f5 exf5 21. Rh6 fxe5 { Qxe was easy, then I recover the bishop. But it didn'tsatisfied me. } 22. Rxg6 f4 23. exf4 { First obstacle against the enemy'sking removed. } 23... exf4 { ? The wrong pawn! A pity. The obvious Re1 doesn'tprovide the win, but... (can you see that? :-). Having black played thecorrect one, gxf, my answer would have been Qh3, or d3. } 24. Qe1+ { Toavoid mate, black has to lose the queen for a rook, as a minimum. } 24... Kf7 25. Qe6# 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.04.08"] [Round "-"] [White "sah_2008"] [Black "mr_zapp"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1798"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1667"] 1. e4 c5 { Sicilian Defence is my favorite. Because of it I play 1.d4 -don't want to switch sides. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { There are a lot of possibilitieshere. I usually prefer Nc6 because want to keep pressure on d4. It is notguarantee something - just I used to play like this. For example, I alsoprefer Nimzo-Indian Defence or Grünfeld Defence- always keep pressure onwhite position. } 3. d4 { I am very happy when people play this variation.Bb5 and c3 are more boring. } 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { Keeping pressure. } 5. Nc3 e5 { I love this variation. } 6. Nf3 { Usually white play Ndb5. Take alook on position. Whites spent three moves on jumping of knight. Only problemthat blacks have is what to do with 'd' pawn. } 6... Bb4 { Very annoying forwhites. Need to do something to save e4 pawn. } 7. Bd3 { After that I alreadycould hit on c3 and in the future put rock on c8 - pressure on c line isvery powerful. } 7... d5 { Basically almost all variations of Sicilian Defencefor blacks is about putting pawn on d5: 1. Pawn d is no longer weak -it can be exchanged or be annoying for whites. 2. After exchanging pawnon e5 becomes very powerful - it is always a threat to move it on e4. 3. After exchanging whites have no active pawns. } 8. exd5 Nxd5 { Pressureon c3. Need to do something. } 9. Bd2 O-O 10. O-O Bxc3 { Blacks need to getsomething from their advantage. Doubled pawns will be enough. } 11. bxc3 { Maybe whites want to keep both bishops. They are very powerful but youneed to put it on active positions. Now only bishop on d3 actually attacksomething. But it useless without support. } 11... Nf6 { On d5 knight is useless- c3 pawn is weak but covered and you need to think about new threats.Now it is all about e4. } 12. Bg5 Re8 { Again - blacks want put pawn on e4no matter what. } 13. Re1 h6 { Bishop on g5 is annoying and I thought itis good to exchange it. If whites put it on h4 - at least blacks get h6for free. } 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. h3 { Whites afraid of Bg4. } 15... Bf5 { Bishop ond3 is strong - need to do something with it. But exchange on d3 is stupid- want to achieve the goal by keeping pressure on e4. } 16. Be4 Bxe4 17. Rxe4 Rad8 { Basically now rock is active for free - white queen on e2 isnot much better than on d1. } 18. Qe2 Qe6 { Need to do something with blockingrock. f5 is only way to do it. Small bonus - pawn on a2 is under attack. } 19. Re1 { Take a look at position again - whites have only pressure on e5pawn but all their forces is not enough. } 19... f5 20. Rc4 { You need to putrock somewhere but here it is under attack. It means queen is not free. I counted on something like Nd4. } 20... Qf7 { Rock on the same line with oppositequeen - it's always nice. Also rock on c4 and pawn on a2 is under attack. } 21. Ra4 { Admitting that previous move was a mistake. But it also useless. } 21... a6 { Now knight is free to move and rock is still useless. } 22. Qc4 Rd5 { Maybe if it was live game I would think about exchanging and go to hteending with advantage (line d, doubled pawns, weak white rocks). But itis not interesting. } 23. Qb3 { Basically whites is right - they need sometargets, otherwise - no chances. } 23... Red8 24. Kh2 e4 { Finally. } 25. Ng1 Qc7+ { If whites provide a possibility to regroup queen for free blacksshould do it. } 26. Kh1 Na5 { Basically blacks need to do something aboutpin - for example, by moving the king. But in this case blacks can moveknight on c4 where it is very active. } 27. Qb2 { I like this position -now every white chessman doing absolutely nothing. } 27... Rd2 { It is time tocollect something. } 28. Qb4 { Does not help. } 28... Rxf2 29. Qxa5 Qg3 { Oops.Game over. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.12"] [Round "-"] [White "carlovian"] [Black "mmoody95"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1794"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1495"] 1. e4 b6 2. Nc3 Bb7 3. Bc4 { I was interested in trying a random openingso that I could learn how to play different positions. } 3... Bxe4 4. Bxf7+ { I'mnot sure why this was done. After Nxe4 and d5, White is not bad off.- } 4... Kxf7 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. d4 e6 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Nf3 Re8 10. Ne5+ Kg8 { Black has now castled manually. } 11. Qf3 Rf8 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Qg3 Bxe5 14. dxe5 a6 { Preventing the N from jumping into the position. If the positionis stable, Black is a piece ahead. } 15. O-O Nc6 16. Ne2 Qe7 17. a3 Rae8 18. Rad1 Rf5 19. f4 Ref8 20. b4 Qf7 21. Qd3 Nxe5 { Hits the Q, and the f4pawn is pinned. } 22. Qxa6 { Now White has placed the Q offsides. } 22... Nc4 { Sealingthe Q in and threatening to fork the Rs. } 23. Rde1 e5 24. g3 exf4 25. Nxf4 g5 { Exploiting the pin on the N. } 26. Qb5 gxf4 27. g4 Qg7 28. Re8 Rxe8 29. Qxe8+ Rf8 30. Qe6+ Qf7 31. Qh6 Qg6 32. Qh4 Nxa3 33. c3 Nc4 34. h3 Nd2 35. Rf2 Ne4 36. Rf3 Ng3 37. g5 Qb1+ { White is in grave danger here. Checkmatenext move. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.05.23"] [Round "-"] [White "superandy"] [Black "apeevy"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1100"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "979"] 1. e4 d5 { Elephant Gambit? f3 is a move i hate because capturing the epawn and recapturing creats a hole in kingside } 2. Bb5+ c6 3. Ba4 b5 { Queenside castling is bad for black } 4. Bb3 a5 { a4 makes the bishop trapped.i know that } 5. exd5 cxd5 6. Qh5 Nf6 { Queen attacked } 7. Qf3 Bg4 8. Qc3 a4 { forgot that threat, need to defend bishop, but i cant, best move ithink is capturing the pawn to lose 2 points instead of 3 } 9. Bxa4 Rxa4 10. d4 { Bishop has an open line } 10... Ne4 11. Qb3 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 { Queen attacked } 12... b4 13. Nf3 g5 { This is what i call a complicated position. Castling wouldbe nice. } 14. Ne5 Bf5 15. O-O Qb5 { Even more complicated. Rook is defendedby king } 16. f3 Nxd2 17. Nxd2 Bg7 { Black repaired the king side hole } 18. Ng4 Bxd4+ 19. Nf2 Be3 { Fork, but ones defended so its safe } 20. Qxe3 { ohya and that too } 20... Bxc2 21. Rfc1 Bf5 22. Qxg5 { Free pawn, fork if 22. Rc8 } 22... e6 23. Rc8+ Kd7 24. Rxh8 { Free rook, king is exposed, nearing the beginningof the endgame } 24... Nc6 25. Qg8 Kd6 26. Qxf7 Ra7 { Rook defended } 27. Qf8+ Ke5 28. Ng4+ Kd4 29. Nb3+ { Checking spree is starting } 29... Kd3 30. Nc1+ Kc2 31. Ne3+ Kxb2 { Fork! } 32. Nxf5 { Capturing the bishop is what i wanted to dothe whole time!!!! I should win, but it was timed out. } 1-0

[Event "- - Lucky Win--The Traxler Variation Annotation- -"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.11.23"] [Round "-"] [White "dmaestro"] [Black "cheeky_knight"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1674"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1503"] { Another win against the Traxler. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 { The thematic position. } 5. Bxf7+ Ke7 6. Bb3 Qe8 { An interesting try. } 7. d3 d6 8. Nc3 h6 9. Nf3 Bg4 { This pin gives Black pressure. } 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 { White wants to free the N from the pin. } 11... Bf7 12. Na4 { Be3 isoften played. This is an attempt to try something different. } 12... Bb6 13. c3 Bxb3 { Not clear why Black exchanges now, opening the a file. } 14. axb3 Rf8 15. Nxb6 { White decides to simplify. } 15... axb6 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. O-O Qe8 18. Be3 Kd7 19. Nh4 { White looks for a better square for the N and possibleto push the f pawn. } 19... Ne7 20. f4 { ? But not now. White should first playNf5. } 20... exf4 { Of course! White can't retake because of the fork. } 21. Bf2 g5 22. Nf3 Ng6 23. Nd4 Ne5 24. Nf5 { White does manuever to get to f5, hopingthat a slightly more mobile center will offer prospects. } 24... Qg6 25. d4 Nf7 26. Qd3 c6 27. c4 { White continues a central pawn occupation, hoping forsome edge. } 27... h5 { It would seem now that Black has a strong position, quitepossibly better. But... } 28. e5 { ! This move exploits the position of theBlack King. } 28... Ne8 29. gxh5 { ! White sees a tactical opportunity. } 29... Qxh5 30. e6+ { ! This surprising move turns the tables. } 30... Kxe6 { Otherwise thepiece is lost. } 31. Qe4+ Kf6 32. Qe7+ { The point! } 32... Kg6 33. Qxf8 { Blackresigns. } 1-0

[Event "'The Bishop Pair'"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "09/03/12"] [Round "-"] [White "celentes"] [Black "oakmentre6"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "4 days"] 1. e4 { Not many people play e5 now. } 1... c5 { Yes, the origanal is c5 or e5 } 2. c4 { A very nervous hedgehog system (English) } 2... Nc6 { Is this the correctknight? } 3. Nc3 d6 { I don't like d6/d3 if the bishop is not out, otherwiseits fine. } 4. Nf3 { White quite likes developing. } 4... g6 { Black is alreadystarting to weaken his kingside if he ever castles kingside (O-O) } 5. d4 { This move is fine but the is a little scent of danger/pressure. } 5... f5 { Blackis simply starting to rot his kingside. } 6. dxc5 { Now White's structureis a little bit better. } 6... fxe4 { Well, now white can reply with Nxe4, alsoprotecting his c5 pawn. Whatever black does, white will be a pawn up. } 7. Nxe4 { Exactly. } 7... Nf6 { This sounds strange. } 8. Nxf6+ { Now black has gota weak castling side whichever way he castles, he will end up in a weakside, } 8... exf6 { Now black has two weak pawns (or 3). } 9. cxd6 { I would thinkwhite needs to capture.But Qe2+ is maybe better. } 9... Qxd6 { If a player isstronger than you, I think it is good to exchange queens. White shouldnot exchange queens just yet and keep attacking. } 10. Qe2+ { That seemsjust right. } 10... Qe7 { I knew it. Black wants to exchange. } 11. c5 { ??/!? Whymake this move while White has other brilliant attacking plans like Be3/f4? } 11... Qxe2+ { ? Now white can capture with Bxe2 and then White will win a tempowith O-O } 12. Bxe2 Bxc5 { See. Now the pieces are equal. } 13. O-O { But blackhas terrible shape on the kingside. } 13... Bg4 { I usally agree that knights areweaker than bishops (hearing the words of 'Knight after Bishops) so I thinkit is best to ignore. } 14. Re1 { !! Now that is good! After Bxf3, Bxf3+and white wins. } 14... Bxf3 { Uh-oh for Black. Either Bxf3+ Be7 Bxc6+, King movesout of check, or Bxf3+ Ne7 Bxb7 and white wins. } 15. Bxf3+ { Yes. And itis good to keep track of checks } 15... Ne7 { ?! Not so good } 16. Bxb7 { A Fineattack but then Rb8 changes nothing. } 16... Rb8 { As expected. } 17. Bc6+ { Wherethe knight would've been. } 17... Kf7 { Now the knight is free to capture the bishopcuz the knight's not pinned anymore. } 18. Bf3 { What a waste of moves. } 18... Rhe8 19. Re2 { Yes. Getting rid of the risk that Bxf2+ might happen. } 19... h6 { !? } 20. Bf4 { Tackling the rook. } 20... Rb4 21. Bd2 { Now it looks quite fine. } 21... Rc4 { Bad square. Terrible. } 22. Rxe7+ { !! There was the sacrificethat was brillaint. Whichever way black accepts it, white will always wina piece. Can you guess how? } 22... Rxe7 { Ah. That's one way of escaping. } 23. Bd5+ { Yes, of course. The nifty, rare bishop fork that never really occours.Well played for White. We never often have bishop forks, only Queen & KnightForks. } 23... Kf8 { Common square for castlers. } 24. Bxc4 { And now white swoopsin a piece ahead. } 24... Re5 { ? Black is being careless. } 25. Bxh6+ Ke7 26. Kf1 { ?! } 26... Bb4 { ?! Also A dubious carless move. Not thinking what white wouldplay next. } 27. f4 { What has changed? Yes, white has unpinned the f2 pawnand sent it flying towards f4. Attacking the lonley rook. } 27... Ra5 28. a3 { Chasingaway the bishop } 28... Bc5 29. Re1+ { Getting the rook out. } 29... Kd7 30. Be6+ { Addinganother piece. } 30... Kd6 31. f5 { A good sacrifice. } 31... gxf5 { But that could bedeclined. g5 solves the problem. } 32. Bf4+ { That was the aim of the pawnsacrifice. } 32... Ke7 33. Bxf5+ { White is five points up but we cannot be sureif he is going to win or not. } 33... Kf8 34. Bd7 Bd4 { Silly, Silly, Silly move. } 35. Bh6+ { I understand. } 35... Kg8 36. Re4 { That is not the real aim. } 36... Bxb2 37. Rg4+ Kh7 38. Bd2 { Again, not the real aim. } 38... Rxa3 39. Bf5+ { Now white isa whole bishop up. } 39... Kh8 40. Bb4 Ra1+ 41. Kf2 Ba3 { ?/?! Bad but also dubious. } 42. Bc3 { Aiming for mate. } 42... Ra2+ { Good move. } 43. Kg3 Rxg2+ { Forced sacrificeto escape mate. } 44. Kxg2 Bb2 { What's the point of the sacrifice. Muchbetter was Be6. } 45. Bxb2 { Easy } 45... a6 46. Bxf6# { Checkmate. Sorry, Black. } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.16"] [Round "-"] [White "elwoos"] [Black "stateline"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1457"] [TimeControl "10 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1481"] 1. d4 { This started as a fairly ordinary game. For me it is after a longslide in my rating which has plummeted more than 100 points. } 1... d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 b5 4. Nc3 a6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 { All fairly standard so farthough black has made no development on the kings side and I am able tocastle next move. This turns into a significant factor fairly quickly } 6... e6 { Allows the dsb a chance to escape however it also blocks some of theretreat lines of the lsb } 7. O-O h6 { preventing Bg5 } 8. b3 { Now my kingis safely tucked away I look at busting the black queenside pawn structure } 8... cxb3 9. Qxb3 { Although this may seem premature I preferred it to axb3.It raises the future possibility of Bc4 if only I can get rid of the blackb pawn and I wanted to keep my options open for my dsb } 9... Nf6 10. a4 { Thisis a poor move from me, better perhaps would be to develop my dsb or evena3, my intention was to get that black pawn out of my way } 10... b4 { Insteadblack now has a passed pawn and he can bring up further reinforcementswith Nc6 or a5 and there isn't a lot I can do about it } 11. Ne5 { I decidedto place the knight here as if it stays there it will be difficult to attackand it is restricting blacks movement. I'm not clear I have any betteroptions at this point } 11... Bxe2 12. Nxe2 { At this point I am starting to forma nice little plan. If I can get my knight to f4 I think I can cause blacka lot of problems with a little knight fork on f7 } 12... Nxe4 { grabs materialbut I think black should have been looking to castle } 13. Nf4 { The whitesquares around the black king are weak and I am hoping to take advantageof this } 13... Bd6 { Black can now castle though its too late } 14. Nxf7 { Thereis my little fork, black can't take the knight due to Kxf7, Qxe6+, Kf8,Ng6#. Blacks e pawn is now completely isolated and undefended from my queen } 14... Qf6 15. Nxh8 { I really wasn't sure about this move, although it gains materialthe knight could be considered to be very poorly placed, though it is attackingone of the squares around the black king and I have the option of Ng6 againclosing the king down. I was also tempted with Nxd6+, cxd6 (or Nxd6), Qxb4getting rid of that passer } 15... Bxf4 { I'm not sure this is the best move fromblack as it takes another defender away from the king which is alreadypretty exposed. } 16. Bxf4 { This is my bait to draw the queen away fromthe defence of the e pawn } 16... Qxf4 { Black takes the bait } 17. Qxe6+ { So Itake full advantage. Kf8 gives Ng6# } 17... Kd8 { Pretty much forced } 18. Nf7+ Qxf7 { Again forced } 19. Qxf7 Nd6 20. Qf8+ { and black resigned. Many thanksfor reading please feel free to comment and suggest better moves } 1-0

[Event "unspecified event, Posen"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1862.??.??"] [Round "-"] [White "Zukertort Johannes"] [Black "Unknown"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 { Ah, the King's Gambit. And in this linewhite develops while black futzes around with his pawns, making kingsideweaknesses. } 4. Bc4 g4 5. O-O { This is why I posted this. It just ticklesme pink. A pawn for a knight. A second pawn is coming, but this justwent from a gambit to a GAMBIT. } 5... gxf3 6. Qxf3 Qe7 7. d4 { Because it'sthe bishop that's meant to re-capture the advanced f pawn, naturally. } 7... Nc6 8. c3 Ne5 { An interesting idea. Black offers the choice of regainingthe material with the cost of both a pawn and the sweet center structurewhile gaining an isolani OR losing the powerful white-square bishop. } 9. Qe2 Nxc4 { And Zukertort chooses strong pawns. } 10. Qxc4 c6 11. Bxf4 Qxe4 { While I can understand wanting to do some damage to white's center,this is emphatically NOT the piece to do it with at this time. } 12. Bg3 { Secures the bishop, freeing the rook, threatening the pin... Oh, and threatensQxb7. Still, better is Nd2. } 12... Qd5 { And a multi-purpose attacking movedeserves a multi-purpose defensive move. } 13. Re1+ { Wow. I bet you didn'tsee that one coming. } 13... Ne7 14. Qe2 Kd8 { Trying to run away? But how'sthat gonna happen without d6? So why not d6 now? } 15. Bh4 Qd6 { Whatelse is there? Not much. } 16. Na3 { A knight on the rim... is about toopen up a can of woop-a$$. } 16... b5 17. Rad1 { Ok, let's take stock. White hasfour thousand pieces pointed at e7. They're mostly coordinating well. He has two pawn islands and he's down a whole piece. Black has a pieceand an awkward position. All the force on e7 guarantees that the kingcan't be extracted without losing that piece. Not fun for Black. } 17... Bb7 18. Rd3 f6 { Black's trying to do what he can to get breathing room andto develop the rest of his pieces. One can't fault him for trying -- butZukertort has it all covered. } 19. Rf3 Bg7 { ...removing one of the defendersof e7, but there's one less attacker. However, that blocked attacker cando more elsewhere. } 20. Bg3 Qe6 21. Re3 { Ugh. } 21... Qf7 22. Rxe7 Qg6 23. Nxb5 { Saccing the knight to get the Queen into a position from which shecan mate. } 23... Ba6 { And Black wants none of that. } 24. Rxd7+ { But there arejust too many ways for black to die. The g3 bishop holds c7 and that makesthe rook sac possible -- king gets mated on c8. } 1-0

[Event "major upset "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.07.20"] [Round "-"] [White "kitrich_omar"] [Black "martineli"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1889"] [TimeControl "blitz"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. d4 { martineli was rated 1889 and I wanted to play solidly...it was ablitz game } 1... d5 2. Nf3 { i was hoping to transpose into a london system-typesetup } 2... Bg4 { here i should have played e3 I believe. instead, i developedthe 'london bishop' which would play a significant role as the game went... } 3. Bf4 Bxf3 4. gxf3 { i was thinking bh3 looked very nice } 4... e6 5. Nd2 { ideasof the c4 break } 5... h6 6. Bh3 { a bad blunder; i was too enamored of how nicethe bishop would be parked on h3 } 6... Nc6 { here again i miss the chance toward off the nasty qh4 } 7. c3 Qh4 8. Bxc7 { i figured that since I was goingto drop material, i needed some kind of sudden, aggressive attack if iwas to have any chance of a sporting game } 8... Qxh3 9. Qb3 b6 10. Qb5 { withobvious threats of qxc6 } 10... Ne7 11. Qa6 { ideas of qb7 or bxb6 } 11... e5 12. Bxb6 { ...perhaps qb7 was stronger } 12... Qc8 { down by about a pawn, I am happy toget the queens off. } 13. Qxc8+ Nxc8 14. Bc7 exd4 15. cxd4 Nxd4 16. Kd1 { awkward but the only way to defend both e2 and c2 } 16... Nb5 17. Bf4 Bd6 18. Bxd6 { if bishop e3 then d4 } 18... Ncxd6 19. Rc1 O-O 20. Rc5 { rc6 may have beenstronger } 20... d4 21. Rg1 Rac8 22. Rd5 { ideas of a4 } 22... a6 23. a4 Rfd8 { he thoughtfor a long while prior to this move. there may have been a better continuationbut i was going to be happy to equalize } 24. axb5 axb5 25. Rg4 Nc4 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Nxc4 bxc4 { white has equalized and both sides are even inmaterial in this pawn-and-rook ending. } 28. Kc2 { his pawns looked menacingand i wanted to encourage d3+, afterwards picking up the c pawn } 28... d3+ 29. exd3 cxd3+ 30. Kd2 g5 { a possible mistake? rb8 looked more threatening... } 31. Rb4 Kg7 32. Rb3 Rd4 33. Rxd3 Rh4 34. Ke2 { already the b-pawn is lookinglike a runner... } 34... Rxh2 35. b4 Rh4 36. Rb3 Rc4 37. Kd3 Rc6 38. b5 Rb6 39. Kc4 h5 40. Kc5 Rb8 41. b6 Rc8+ 42. Kd6 h4 43. b7 Rb8 44. Kc7 Rxb7+ 45. Rxb7 { perhaps capturing with my king would have been better. white ismaterial up in the endgame, but i wasn't sure if i could convert the win(nor was he...) } 45... Kg6 46. Kd6 f6 47. Rb1 f5 48. Rg1 Kh5 49. Ke5 { i thinkthis is a strong move. black is lost } 49... f4 50. Kf5 { the final move of thegame, threatening rxg5+. thus concluded my greatest upset victory. } 1-0

[Event "fiercequeen, demonstrating the Grand Prix Attack..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "22-sep-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "blazeup"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "UR"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz"] [WhiteElo "2059"] { If I had one important lesson, to share with you all, it would be this:learn, how to play against the Sicilian; this 3+10 blitz game demonstrateshow... } 1. e4 c5 2. f4 { it all starts with this: mainly preparing Nf3,and supporting an eventual e4-e5; we ingnore c5 as a whole... } 2... d6 { onlyjustifiable after Nc3: Nc6 is the best move; contest d2-d4... } 3. Nf3 e6 { also too slow... } 4. c3 { mainly against Nb8-c6-b4/d4: which is not happeningat all... } 4... d5 { normally, d5 is a winning move in the Sicilian: not here... } 5. e5 c4 6. d4 { no second thoughts: cxd3ep is not good... } 6... Nc6 7. Be3 { animportant move, in the GPA: this keeps the White King out of checks, aftercastling... } 7... Be7 8. g3 { preparing Bg2... } 8... f6 9. Bg2 Qb6 10. Qc2 { also partof the GPA: covering for b2; in some cases - against a strong Sicilian- this could lead to check on g1: but certainly not here... } 10... Nh6 { fishingin murky waters... } 11. h3 { against Ng4: after Nf5, Bf2... } 11... Bd7 12. O-O Rc8 { castling long, might have been an option: I don't know... } 13. Nbd2 { finishing development, and the full GPA setup: now let's play chess... } 13... Nb4 { right: this was unexpected... } 14. cxb4 c3 { this too: Bxb4, wouldhave been more convincing... } 15. Nb3 { I fail to see Blacks' point... } 15... cxb2 { so does Black... } 16. Qxb2 fxe5 { of course, pawn b4 is poisonous:but this is not much better... } 17. Nxe5 { making castling short impossible... } 17... Bb5 18. Rfc1 { taking over, the c-file... } 18... Rd8 19. g4 { nothing special:just avoiding Blacks' last free move Nf5; however, Black resigned... } 1-0

[Event "The Wrong Way to Promote"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "01-Jan-09"] [Round "-"] [White "blake84120"] [Black "remohgramps"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1115"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1429"] 1. e4 { An unrated game against a friend. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Ruy Lopez.Because I like to attack. } 3... Bc5 4. c3 { The classical defense, and the standardresponse by white. } 4... d6 5. d4 { Black's 4. ... d6 wasn't a recommended movein the defense. Better might have been 4. ... Nf6 threatening the pawnat e4 and preparing to castle. I'm not sure my 5. d4 was the best moveavailable, but like I said, I like to attack and this felt like an attack. } 5... exd4 6. cxd4 { 5. ... Pxe4 was very nearly a forced move. 5. ... Bb6 wouldhave allowed 6. d5 capturing the pinned knight at c6. } 6... Bb4+ 7. Bd2 { Niceplay by black, it gives him time to unpin his knight, say with Bd7. } 7... Bxd2+ 8. Qxd2 Qf6 9. d5 { Black didn't save his pinned knight so I decided togo try to eat it. Black's queen threatens my pawn at b2 (and then my rookat a1) so I have to be careful to keep an eye on that. } 9... a6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. dxc6 { Evidently black didn't want me to eat his knight so I had tosettle for eating his knight's pawn instead. Had I played 10. Ba4, thenblack would have replied with 10. ... b5 and I would lose my chance towin the knight entirely. } 11... Ne7 12. Nd4 { The brave little pawn on c6 is allalone up there. He needs a little protection, but the pawn at b2 is pinnedand cannot rush to his aid quite yet. } 12... O-O 13. O-O a5 14. Nc3 { Black played13. ... a5 to bring his rook to a6 to bear pressure on my pawn on c6. Thisknight move lets me defend the pawn much more aggresively than the passiveRc1 would have. } 14... Ra6 15. Nd5 { Now I fork his queen and his undefended pawnat c7. He can't really save them both unless he trades knights. However,15. ... Qg6 to pressure the white pawn on e4 and to threaten 16. ... Bh3had some interesting lines for black, but I felt I could adequately refuteall the threats and come out ahead. } 15... Nxd5 16. exd5 { And now my pawn atc6 is fairly secure (once I see to the safety of the d5 pawn). } 16... Qe5 17. Nb5 { Defends my pawn and puts pressure on black's pawn on c7. } 17... Qe7 18. Rfe1 { Black didn't have much to save his pawn. But now white is drivingthe black queen back to her starting square and relegating her to the tragicrole of a pawn's only defender. } 18... Qd8 19. Re4 { Planning Ra-e1 followed byRe7. } 19... Bf5 20. Ra4 { Black changed my plans a bit, so I decided on a differentapproach. } 20... h6 21. Rxa5 { Not 21. ... Rxa5 because then 22 Qxa5 and whitewins the pawn at c7. And if 21. ... Rb5 white cannot play 22. Ra7 for thenblack plays 22. ... Rxb5. So much better for white is 22. a5 to protectthe knight, and if black replies with 22. ... f6, 23 Ra7 Rf7, 24 Qa5 andnow black is in trouble again (after 25. Nxc7 Rxc7, 26 Qxb6 wins black'srook and pawn for just a knight). } 21... Qg5 22. Qxg5 { And all of that planningwas cast aside when black decided to trade queens. Apparently he forgothis rook at a6 was still en prise. } 22... hxg5 23. Rxa6 Rb8 24. Nxc7 { Sure, nowblack can have my pawn at b2, but I'm much more interested in promotingmy c-pawn than saving the pawn at b2. Besides, it's an even trade, pawnfor pawn, so I am not even losing material. } 24... Rxb2 25. Ra8+ { Primarily todefend c8. } 25... Kh7 26. Na6 { What was I thinking? This was a horrible move.I had to play 26. Rc1! but I blew it. } 26... Rc2 27. c7 { The pawn is just onesquare away from heaven, but it cannot quite reach it because of my lastfoolish move. Now black has two defenders on c8 and there is little I cando about it. I'm considering driving the bishop back to d7 with a couplepawn moves, then attacking it with my knight from b8 (which then blocksmy rook, so this isn't quite a great plan yet). Maybe I would be betteroff just marching my king over to d1 so I can play Rc1, but then blackhas an all you can eat pawn buffet with my king-side pawns, and I stillcouldn't promote my c-pawn due to black's Bxc8 after I promote. I reallyshould have played 26. Rc1. Really. } 27... Bd3 28. c8=Q { But black did the unexpected.He abandoned c8 in favor of attacking my knight on a6. Fine with me, I'llgladly trade knight pawn for black's last rook. I'm expecting 28. ... Rxc8,29. Rxc8 Bxa6, 30. Rd8 to win the pawn at d6 and begin the promotion processall over again on the d-file with no black rook to foil my plans, expectingthe bishop to sacrifice himself at d7 to prevent the promotion, at whichtime the pawn at a2 becomes the next candidate for promotion, with my rookto keep black's king away and guarantee I will finally get a queen offof one of these pawns. But black decided he had had enough. } 1-0

[Event "Cheddleton 3 v Holmes Chapel, 4NCL"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1-5-2016"] [Round "-"] [White "Roger Edwards"] [Black "Charles L Higgie"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1869"] [TimeControl "40 in 1h 40+30 secs a move"] [WhiteElo "1757"] 1. e4 { This was played in the National League - 4NCL, Division 3 North,Pool D. } 1... c5 { A Sicilian. } 2. Nc3 { He opts for a closed variation. } 2... Nc6 { Keeping my options open... } 3. Bb5 { Signalling that he is playing a GrandPrix attack sort of set-up. I think I should have played Nd4 here attackingthe Bishop. It was played out of habit - I normally I meet this move after2. Nf3 and if Nd4 white can exchange knights. } 3... e6 { This is what I played,as I play it in the variation 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. } 4. f4 { Whitemissed the chance to play Bxc6, with a good game. } 4... Nge7 { This is fine forblack now. } 5. Nf3 { The normal developing move. } 5... a6 { The logical follow-upto my previous moves. } 6. Bxc6 { He takes. } 6... Nxc6 { I take back. } 7. O-O { Theusual place to put his king in this variation. } 7... d6 { I see that 7...Be7is more usual } 8. d3 { He prepares to develop Bc1. } 8... g6 { Be7 is more common,but this seems playable. } 9. Ne2 { I think white is planning on puttinghis pawns on black squares, c3 and d4, to give his Bc1 more scope and torestrict the movements of my Bg7. It is not a bad plan, although Qe1 seemsto be the only move for white in my opening database. } 9... Bg7 { The usual squarefor this bishop } 10. c3 { Continuing with his plan. } 10... f5 { Played to stopwhite from playing f4-f5, and also, by attacking e4, making it harder forhim to play d3-d4. } 11. Ng3 { So he protects e4 again. } 11... O-O { I finally castle. } 12. exf5 { He takes. } 12... exf5 { I take back. } 13. Re1 { He grabs the open file. } 13... Qb6 { Making d3-d4 harder, and also, by attacking b2, making it harder forhim to develop his Bc1. } 14. Ng5 { Threatening Ne6, exchanging off his knightfor one of my bishops. My bishops are better than his knights, as it isan open position. } 14... Bf6 { Now Ne6 is simply met by Re8. } 15. Nf3 { So theknight simply retreats, with loss of time. } 15... Bd7 { I at last develop my Bc8and connect my rooks. } 16. Rb1 { Preparing to develop his Bc1. I miss atactic here, I could have simply played Bxc3! If he takes my bishop, Itake his rook. } 16... Rae8 { Instead I just developed. } 17. Bd2 { And he finallydevelops his Bc1. } 17... Rxe1+ { I take. } 18. Bxe1 { he takes back. } 18... Be6 { I hita2. I am trying to keep his occupied, to prevent him from playing d3-d4. } 19. b3 { He simply has everything protected now, and putting another pawnon a white square increases his potential for his black squared bishop. } 19... Kg7 { Played to give my Be6 a retreat square on g8, should he play Ng5 again.Computer prefers Re8. } 20. Ne2 { Going back to the d3-d4 idea. } 20... Bd5 { bythreatening to take on f3, I delay d3-d4. } 21. Bf2 { But he puts anotherpiece on d4. } 21... Re8 { I miss yet another opportunity. I should have takenon f3 to weaken his king-side pawns. } 22. Ne1 { And now it is too late! } 22... Re7 { I develop the plan of bringing the queen back and doubling on thee file. Computer prefers Qa5 and I tend to think that is what I shouldhave played. } 23. Nc2 { Yet another support for d3-d4. Computer prefersc3-c4 followed by b3-b4. } 23... Qd8 { I carry on with my plan, but again, thecomputer doesn't like this move. } 24. c4 { I wasn't expecting this, it isa good move, driving my bishop from its powerful post. } 24... Bf7 { So the bishopretreats. } 25. d4 { And he at last advances. } 25... Qe8 { I threaten his knight. } 26. Kf1 { King protects the knight. } 26... g5 { With the threat of Bh5. I thinkthis is a mistake. My computer thinks the advantage now switches from blackto white with this move. Computer prefers d6-d5 and I now agree - it blowsthe centre open for my two bishops. It is just a move I didn't considerat the board. } 27. Qd3 { This seems a strong reply, although computer prefersNg3. } 27... b6 { I simply protect c5 again. Compute prefers g5xf4. } 28. d5 { Gaininga tempo attacking my knight, putting another pawn on a white square, andnow because the position is blocked it is no longer clear that my bishopsare better than his knights. I think this is getting grim for black. } 28... Nd8 { Probably the best square for it. } 29. Re1 { White contests the e file. } 29... Bg6 { But that gives me a chance to protect f5. } 30. Qg3 { Attacking g5 again. } 30... g4 { Rather blocking everything up. Computer likes Nf7 here. } 31. h3 { Threateningto take on g4 } 31... h5 { So I protect, with a threat of h5-h4. } 32. h4 { And heblocks it up again. } 32... b5 { So I try to open the position on the queen-side. } 33. Qd3 { His queen comes back over. } 33... bxc4 { I take. } 34. bxc4 { He takesback. Computer now gives black an microscopic edge. } 34... Qa4 { I try to attackon the queen-side. } 35. Nc3 { He protects and attacks my queen. } 35... Qa5 { Queendrops back. } 36. Rxe7+ { He takes my rook. } 36... Bxe7 { He takes back. } 37. Be1 { In some variations now he is threatening to move Nc3 and have a discoveredattack on my queen. } 37... Bf6 { I return to take control of this lovely longdiagonal. } 38. g3 { He stabilises his king-side pawn formation. if 38. Ne4,with a discovered attack on my queen, simply fxe4 and I am attacking hisqueen too! } 38... Nf7 { I am brinign my knight to h6 to free my Bf6. } 39. a3 { Playedso he can move his Nc3 without losing his a2 pawn. } 39... Nh6 { I complete myplan. } 40. Qd2 { Not sure why he played this. } 40... Be8 { Carrying on with myplan to mobilise my white squared bishop. } 41. Qe3 { Now he is attackingmy Be8 and threatening Ne4, so my move is virtually forced. } 41... Qd8 { Whichis this. } 42. Qd2 { And now drawn on white's suggestion. One of my teammates thought black is winning this. Computer does give a slight advantageto black, but I think it is hard to convert to a win, if white plays properly.As our team had already won the match, I accepted. Many thanks for reading,please rate this annotation on the star system, and leave a comment ortwo to let me know how I am doing! } 1/2-1/2

[Event "League match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.10.06"] [Round "-"] [White "eric2jin"] [Black "kleinemax"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1453"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1325"] 1. d4 { I am white queen pawn } 1... d5 { Yep } 2. c4 { QueensGambit! } 2... e6 { Declined } 3. Nc3 { Oof } 3... Nf6 { Oh } 4. Bg5 { Pin } 4... Be7 { Standard } 5. Bxf6 { Bye bye.?! } 5... Bxf6 { Oof } 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 { Well } 7... Nc6 8. Nf3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 { Lost tempo,average position } 9... Bd7 10. O-O Na5 11. Bd3 { Loss of tempi... } 11... Nc6 { Lossof tempo too! } 12. Bb1 { Kay } 12... Re8 13. Qd3 Nb4 { Well } 14. Qxh7+ Kf8 15. e4 { Oof } 15... Ke7 16. e5 { Well } 16... Rh8 17. Qe4 Bc6 { What } 18. Qe2 Bxf3 19. Qxf3 Bg5 20. a3 Nc6 21. d5 { Yeehaw! } 21... exd5 { Ooh } 22. Nxd5+ { Oof } 22... Kf8 { Not the best } 23. Ba2 { ! } 23... Ne7 { ? } 24. Nb6 { !!!! } 24... f6 { Stopping mate, no stopping nextmove } 25. Nxa8 { Yah! } 25... Qxa8 { Oh } 26. Qb3 { There mate } 26... Qe8 { Guarding f7 } 27. Rad1 { !! } 27... fxe5 { Oops } 28. Rd8 { !!! Black resigns! } 1-0

[Event "Deixron Trap"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "fycorsia"] [Black "deixron"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1635"] [WhiteElo "1276"] { This game is demonstrating a trap that I almost fell into recently duringone of those lucky moments when I was able to play someone with a muchhigher rating then myself. I'm annotating it here in order to furthercement this trap into my memory so that I might use it against someoneelse one day. ;) For those that are reading this that may be about toplay me or currently playing me, I believe in teaching and educating youropponents so that they might give you a better challenge. ;) In this game,I played white. } 1. e4 { The main reason I believe that this is a good trapto commit to memory is because many of the moves I made may not have beenthe best moves but to me were perfectly logical to me at the time and Ibelieve relaively sound (save a select few) and there is a very good chancethat players of all ratings below 1800 might make similar moves. Again,just my inexperianced thoughts. this was my first move.. I think it'spretty popular. ;) } 1... e5 { Keep in mind that this is a trap you can set ifyou play black and the great thing about it is that it involves prettynormal looking moves to set up. Like this one. } 2. Nf3 { Nothing unusualhere. } 2... Nc6 { Or here. } 3. Bc4 { For now, I usually stay with the Epine Dorsalefor my 3rd move. The main thing to remember is that so far no unusualmoves have been made. } 3... Nf6 { again not unusual, but this is the key pieceto this trap and it happens so early in the game that it's likely to beforgotten about, which is what almost happened to me. } 4. Nc3 { I'm notany sort of expert on chess openings, but this seemed to me to be a goodtime to bring out my other Knight creating something that looked like a4 Knights Defence I know now, after doing some research for this annotationthat my opponent was playing the Two Knights Defence and I actually repliedwith a transposition into the Italian For Knights. (yay for me!) ;) Themain point here is that so far, we haven't deviated that far from thingsyou could possibly see in actual play. Even though I found out that thismove is actually an inferior move to many other choices. } 4... b6 { It's suggestedthat Ktxe4 is a better move because it leads to: KtxKt .. Pd5 (which forksWhite's Bishop and Knight). This tends to go the path of: Bd3 .. PxKtBxP .. Bd6 0-0 .. 0-0 Which ends up with equality, but with good playblack probably has the advantage. However, considering that the standardseries of moves leads to equality the following series of moves could workout to be even better. This is the one move that I don't quite understand...one explination is probably that Black was not thinking of the 'trap' atthis point. He is most likely getting ready to fiancetto his Light Bishop. } 5. d4 { This also is not that uncommon of a move. It makes sense for Whitebecause it will help him get control of the center. } 5... exd4 { Black appearsto have taken the bait and white is confident that he will gain controlof the center. The expected exchanges take place. } 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 Bc5 { A solid and inconspicuous move by black. It's real purpose is toherd White's Queen into position. } 8. Qe5+ { White makes a reasonable moveand takes the oppurtunity to check Black's King, perhaps hoping to makehim move his King and lose tempo. } 8... Qe7 { black chooses instead to blockthe attack with his Queen. } 9. Bf4 { Also not a totally crazy move and somethingyou might encounter white doing in this situation. At the moment Whitehas Black's Queen pinned and now has his own Queen protected. Black can'tcastle without losing his Queen so it's reasonable for White to assumethat he might be able to get an advantage in the future. } 9... Bxf2+ { This isthe only move in the whole series that would possibly tip White off thatsomething was strange. I did think this was weird and so took a momentto think about the situation and saw Black's dubious plan } 10. Kxf2 { ThankfullyI did not take the bait (although in the actual game I ended up losinganyway) Had I taken the bishop sacrifice... } 10... Ng4+ { ouch! My King andQueen are forked What follows is some random moves that could have happened. Basically White is severly crippled after falling for this trap. I wouldbe interested in any thoughts some more experienced players have on thistrap including, but no limited to variations on how to get there, and perhapsmaybe some ways that White could get out of this trap at move 10. Goodluck and have fun! } 11. Kf3 Nxe5+ 12. Bxe5 Qxe5 0-1

[Event "45th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "28-May-08"] [Round "-"] [White "veracitus"] [Black "groogroo"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1352"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1395"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 { Black normally waits until aroundmove 9 before playing this, but it probably doesn't make any difference. } 5. Bxf6 { Nothing wrong with this, but I would prefer Bh4, hoping to enticeBlack into playing ...g5 and weakening his kingside. } 5... gxf6 { Interesting!The only reason Black would play this is to get an open file for an attackon White's king. But since he has no pieces developed, White needn't worryfor a while! } 6. cxd5 { Good - further weakens Black's pawn structure. } 6... exd5 7. Qb3 { I think developing the kingside is a higher priority. I'malso not convinced this is the best square for the queen. } 7... c6 8. e4 { Alittle too bold! White should get his king to safety before opening thecentre. } 8... Qe7 { Developing a piece with a threat is always good. } 9. Bd3 { 9.Qc2 was the only move. } 9... Be6 { Black should take the pawn. If White recaptures,Black wins a piece by ...f5. } 10. Qc2 Nd7 11. Nge2 h5 12. O-O { The kingwas safe enough on e1. 12.exd5 cxd5 13.Nb5 wins at least a pawn. } 12... Bh6 13. exd5 { Opening the e-file must be good for White. } 13... cxd5 14. Rfe1 O-O { Probablybetter than leaving it on the open file. } 15. Ng3 f5 { There was no goodmove here. } 16. Nxf5 { 16.Nxd5 and 16.Bxf5 are even stronger. } 16... Qg5 17. Nxh6+ Qxh6 18. Bf5 Bxf5 19. Qxf5 Nf6 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 b6 22. Re5 Kg7 23. Rxh5 1-0

[Event "Beginner's course in discovered attack... and politeness"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.02.19"] [Round "-"] [White "BLANKED"] [Black "Cpt.Blackbeard"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1850"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] { I got a challenge from this guy rated lower than me. And it was quitea surprising experience in that solid and forceful moves were played andI kind of tossed away the middle game into drawish channels. What turnedout to become quite a decent endgame with equal chances was thrown awayby my opponent by ignoring the basic tactic called 'discovered attack'TWICE. After my puzzled reply whether he is aware of the notion of 'discoveredattack' he quited the game and tried to insult me in my own language. SoI dub this game 'Beginner's course in discovered attack... and politeness'.Enjoy! } 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nc6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Re1 e6 7. d4 { I expected a closed sicilian. } 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Be7 9. Nxc6 { Releasingthe tention immediately. This likely leads to a tame sicilian. But onewhere black is cramped and I actually was longing for a tactical game againstmy lower rated opponent. } 9... bxc6 { Regarding my previous comment, I may shouldhave played ...Bxc6 to be less cramped. Still I wanted to keep as muchpieces on the board as possible avoiding drawish tendencies. Now I havea solid center without need to spend time on ...a6. } 10. Ba4 O-O 11. Bb3 { I regard this a waste of time and would have let the bishop on d7 boundto it's mundane task to keep an eye on c6. I was expecting a kingside attackby f4, g4, g5 etc. } 11... Qc7 { A somewhat tame move but I guess a neccessitybecause my knight will be under attack soon and the bishop on e7 is indoubled duty of defending Nf6 and Pd6. } 12. Qd3 { Yes, a good square forthe queen. My opponent plays this as a positional game alltogether. Quitein alliance with his 9th move. The goal seems to increase pressure on myd-pawn forcing it to move thereby making e5 possible. } 12... Rab8 { I am not thathappy with this move anymore. There is an open file so I seize it, wasmy motiv. The b-pawn could become a target in the long run. } 13. h3 { Sowhite doesn't want to abandon the idea of a kingside pawn storm completely.By 12. Qd3 a possible g4 lacks support. } 13... Rfd8 { Further backing of the d-pawn. } 14. Bg5 { Finally some pressure against my knight. I have been under waymore pressure with black in sicilian positions, so I thought the game tobe level right now already. } 14... h6 15. Bh4 c5 { This is to give my light squaredbishop a good post on c6 and it bounds the queen to the protection of c4. } 16. Rad1 a5 { I got lured into positional thinking, ...completely dreaming.Though strategically desireable, this blunderes away my d-pawn. } 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 { With the h-pawn on h6 I did not want to take back with my g-pawn. } 18. Qxd6 Qxd6 { My blunder has had another negative side effect: Beingdown in material I wanted to steer the game into drawish channels as soonas possible. Exchanging queens seemed to fit the bill. But now I see 18....Da7, 19. Qg3 a4, 20. Bc4 Rxb2 was a better option. I was afraid of theaggressive image of white given after 21. e5 Be7 and then 22. Ne4! } 19. Rxd6 Be5 { Please leave and don't play f4. } 20. Ra6 { He naturally goes formy pawns. } 20... c4 { Luckily I can go for his as well. After b2 falls, c2 willbe next. } 21. Bxc4 Rxb2 { The point is white needs to spend a tempo on savingis attacked knight. } 22. Ne2 a4 { One of the pawns on c2 and a2 is doomedanyway. So I invest a tempo to save my a-pawn. A draw is within reach. } 23. Rd1 { This seemingly terrifying pin had to be checked beforehand, ofcourse. (Note that Ra7 would be lethal.) } 23... Rc8 { But my play does work forthe attackable bishop on c4, plus his second rank is more vulnerable thanmine. } 24. Bd3 { He reacts reasonable. } 24... Rxa2 { So material is even again.I often complain about the phenomenon in chess that you can seemingly gainan advantage in the early middlegame that turns out to be a disadvantagesome tens of moves later. (And I will do so in my next annotations ;) Butthis is one of the few times I was in favour of this curiosity: All ofa sudden my pieces are somewhat more active than his. } 25. f4 { The obviousmove. } 25... Bb2 { The not so obvious reply. My idea here is to keep control overa1 in order to exchange rooks. } 26. Kh2 { With the pieces in a nearly funnykind of stalemate it's time for king moves positioning for the endgame. } 26... Kf8 { Sneaking towards e7. Frankly I wasn't seeing something better thanto fortify my weak center squares on my second rank. } 27. Ra7 { He had accessover my second rank since a couple of moves but now decides to eventuallyseize the control. Maybe my king move was drawing his attention? } 27... Be8 { Everythingelse looked too dangerous to me with the rook on d1 eyeing through hisbishop. } 28. Ba6 { Time to get active again ending the hibernate. } 28... Rb8 { Theonly square. And not a bad one. I was having visions of doubled rooks onthe second rank myself. } 29. Bc4 { That vision might have occured to himas well. So he forces my rook off that rank. } 29... Ra3 { Actually I was preparedto swap rooks along the way (...Ra1), but with the bishop off d3 I checkedanother path. Maybe he doesn't notice? After Bd3 there is no future forthe rook on a3 and I would have exchanged it on a1 in the long run whatsoever. } 30. Rb1 { Luckily he didn't notice. I can boldly place my rook to an unexpectedsquare. His move looks natural, but it was mandatory to prevent... } 30... Re3 { This looks to be a vulnerable square for the rook. But all my variationson my chess board confirmed me it was save, so I thought. I figured whitecan't approach the rook with the king for a nasty tactic. } 31. Bd3 { Verynaturally locking the rook and defending the pawn. White lusts for my rook. } 31... Rb4 { This move allows ...a3 which would not have been possible otherwise:...a3 fails to Rxa3 with the rook on b8. } 32. Ra8 { Immediately seizingthe opportunity to pin my bishop along the eighth rank. I guess this isbest. } 32... a3 { Mission accomplished! (Yeah, this has a bad sound, I know.)My rook on b4 is free to move. } 33. Kg1 { I came home, checked GameKnotand spotted this a terrible blunder within 3 seconds. The rook can onlybe approached by g3, Kg2 and finally Kf2. This could only be counteredby giving the rook for bishop and pawn: ...Rexe4, Bxe4, ...Rxe4. The whiteking must not set foot on dark squares for the 'discovered attack' setup by the Bb2 and Rb4 against the undefended Rook on b1. This is beginner'slevel. } 33... Rxe2 { I simply win a piece. I could not help but to inform myopponent about the basic 'discovered attack' pattern. I thought he tookit quite well and actually expected the game to be over, but was... } 34. Bxe2 { ...totally surprised that he insisted in going on. } 34... Bd4+ { Check withthe rook en prise. } 35. Kh2 Rxb1 36. Rxa3 { I guess, by winning this bothersomepawn and having a passed pawn on his own he still sensed some chances. } 36... Re1 37. Bg4 { Puzzled. I can only explain this further present of a pawnthat he was getting tired of making solid but passive moves. This is equalto resignation. } 37... Rxe4 38. c4 { So he is putting all his hopes on his passedpawn and measures tempo over material. Alas this doesn't work here. } 38... Rxf4 { Since the passed pawn is too little supported I can savely take all materialoffered. } 39. Ra5 { Well, the rook belongs behind the passed pawn. } 39... Bf2 40. g3 { I guess, he has morally given up and this is just a hasty blunder. } 40... Rxc4 41. Kg2 Rc2 { Regardless of his totally lost position he clinges onhoping for a miracle. My annotations could end here but there is a funnyaftermath to this. } 42. Bd1 { This is a further and last blunder that loosesanother pawn. And again by disobeying the rules of 'discovered attack'.This superficial move is counterattacked by... } 42... Rd2 { Now it was mandatoryto get his rook off the dark squares. But my opponent misses this yet againand decides he can save his pawn by... } 43. g4 { Now the rook is lost, ofcourse. } 43... Bb6+ { Seeing him making the same mistake of unrecognizing thepattern of discovered attack more than once, I couldn't help but ask himwhether he knows about this tactic. The answer was to resign the game anda message in my message box trying to insult me in my language. It literallysays: 'Your comment show that you a prick'. I found that funnny. Needlessto mention I am ignored now. } 0-1

[Event "Najdorf for fast players"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.10.28"] [Round "-"] [White "edler"] [Black "thitho"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1790"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1536"] 1. e4 { another game with edler that could have been shorter... } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { I begin to know this opening, hellonajdorf } 6. Bg5 { and here is the end of the themes. This is the last gameof this tournament, i finished 4th. } 6... e6 { my favorite defence } 7. f4 { themost aggressive, i guess } 7... Be7 { maybe safer is Nbd7, but I wanted to trythis one } 8. Bd3 Nbd7 { a big bowl in the centre of my defence... Najdorfis not very safe for black defence. I learned that you have to be veryprecautionous. This tournament learned me a lot of stuff. } 9. f5 e5 10. Nf3 h6 11. Bh4 { here i studied carefully the next 10 moves... And I decidedI was up one pawn. } 11... Nxe4 12. Bxe7 { 12 Nxe4 loses the bishop with a check:... Bxh4+ 13 Nxh4 Qxh4+ and the queen can come back to protect the pawnif necessary. } 12... Nxc3 { and here go the queens. } 13. Bxd8 Nxd1 { the option13 bxc3 Qxe7 is really worse for white as it isolate two pawns on c-column,which is open for black. } 14. Bc7 Nxb2 15. Bxd6 Nxd3+ 16. cxd3 f6 { onepawn ahead and a much better structure. I think that at a good level, whiteshould already resign. Here edler is right to continue: I am not a goodplayer. } 17. O-O Nb6 { continuing the development and threatening f5, whichmeans gaining another tempo } 18. Nh4 { the knight is out for the battlefor a good while, as we'll see. } 18... Kf7 { a fake casling. I am sort of proudin a humble way for these 2-3 movements here, after the exchanges. } 19. Rad1 { Now white try to diminish his structure's weaknesses, for exampleby exchanging a bad pawn against a good one. } 19... Nd5 { but I found out howto refuse the exchange. } 20. Rde1 { white's hesitations. } 20... Re8 { preparingthe eventual d4. } 21. Rc1 { what will I do, says white... } 21... Bd7 22. Rc5 { ah,finally... but this is pointless. } 22... Bc6 { a very good option, as it threatens,if necessary, Rad8 and Ne3. So black has to find a way out for his bishop. } 23. d4 { one option. Not mine. I would have played Rcc1. } 23... e4 { and here ismy past pawn... brave soldier is going to win my esteem. } 24. Re1 Rad8 { go away, you fool. } 25. Bg3 Nb4 { overprotecting e4, but also threateningNd3... So white has to retreat on c3 and loses his pawn d4. } 26. Bf2 { buthe prefers to keep the pawn... } 26... Nd3 27. Rxc6 bxc6 { I am not sure I playedthe best move here. But I already have a quality and a pawn. } 28. Rb1 Nxf2 { once again, maybe not the best move... I should have consider more carefullye3. } 29. Kxf2 Rxd4 { so finally white will exchange the bad pawn... } 30. Rb6 { ... against my own bad pawn :-) So i agree } 30... e3+ { step by step... } 31. Ke2 { maybe Ke1 was better } 31... Rd2+ { have you seen what I missed??? } 32. Ke1 Rxa2 { but ok, I am still well ahead... } 33. Rxc6 a5 { the second soldieris on his way... what left has white? Wouldn't you have resigned for along time? edler wouldn't... } 34. Rc7+ Re7 35. Rc1 { exhcange is of courseexcluded for white. } 35... a4 36. Ng6 { finally the knigt awakes (well, I shouldhave killed him a few moves ago, but... ok) } 36... a3 { Is it a mistake? No, Isaid to myself: if you want to take the quality back, it is ok for me:my 2 pawns are ready to make some better improvements. } 37. Nh8+ { but whitehas a final trick in mind!!!! } 37... Ke8 { of course not Kg8 => 38 Rc8 Kh7 forced39 Ng6 is lethal. And Kf8 leads to repeating moves. } 38. Ng6 Rd7 { wellnow, I disconsider the exchange :-) } 39. Nf4 Rb2 { pass, my dear boy. } 40. Ne6 { last last last trick? } 40... a2 41. Rc8+ Ke7 42. Rc1 { it really was 'pourla galerie'. } 42... Rb1 { and white finally resigns... :-( } 0-1

[Event "157th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.12.27"] [Round "-"] [White "horsekis"] [Black "e4newman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1583"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1472"] 1. e4 { Opponent from Serbia. Scored 6.0 in Round #1 Intermediate. Hebeat me in the other half of our match. Closed Sicilian. I noticed inhis other games he loves swinging his Q around. } 1... c5 2. Bc4 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Bb5 a6 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Bg5 Be7 10. h4 { What? And then with 11.Nh2 he leaves the h-pawn unprotected. } 10... O-O 11. Nh2 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Qd3 Bxh4 14. O-O-O d5 15. Ng4 { Or g3 } 15... Qg5+ 16. f4 Qxg4 17. Qf1 Bg3 18. Ne2 a5 { Attack on the other flank } 19. Nxg3 Qxg3 20. Rd3 { Puts the R and Q on the same diagonal. } 20... Qg6 21. f5 Qg5+ 22. Kb1 Qf6 23. g4 Ba6 24. g5 Qxg5 25. Rg1 { Nope } 25... Bxd3 26. cxd3 Qf6 27. Rg2 Rab8 28. Qc1 Rb6 29. Qc5 Rfb8 30. Qa3 Qh4 { Eyeing up the back rank } 31. Rc2 Qe1+ 32. Rc1 Qd2 33. b3 Qxd3+ 34. Ka1 h5 { Can't quite figure out howto finish him so push that passed pawn. } 35. fxe6 fxe6 36. Qb2 a4 37. Rg1 R6b7 38. b4 Qxe4 0-1

[Event "Tournament Game, Vienna 1926"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Spielmann"] [Black "Wahle"] [Result "1-0"] { Away from the chessboard, Rudolph Spielmann was a bald, short, pudgy,timid, good-natured man who enjoyed a glass of beer. Put him in front ofa chessboard and the tiger in him came out, as he made the pieces indulgein a combinatorical firework show! } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. exd5 { This variation frees Black's game and is therefore usually not adopted.However, with Spielmann sitting at the board... } 4... exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 { Unpinningand clearing the way to castle. } 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Nb4 { If anything, itis Wahle's position that looks more aggressive. } 8. Ng3 Nxd3+ { Removingthe KB, usually a vital piece for White in a French Defense attack. } 9. Qxd3 { Centralizing his Q with the recapture. } 9... g6 { This may well be thelosing move! It severely weakens the K-side, especially the black squares. } 10. O-O c6 11. Rae1 { Spielmann begins concentrating his forces on the K-side. } 11... O-O { If Black had not played 9 P-KN3?? this would secure the King behinda solid defensive wall. } 12. Rxe7 { To create a pin. } 12... Qxe7 { Forced. Nowthe Knight is not only pinned, but it lacks Pawn protection thanks to 9P-KN3?? } 13. Qf3 { Applying more pressure to the pinned and helpless Knight. } 13... Kg7 { The only move to avoid losing the piece. } 14. Nce4 { Tightening thescrews. } 14... dxe4 { Black has no choice. } 15. Nxe4 { The Knight must fall, asit cannot be guarded a 3rd time. 15... QxN? falls to 16 QxN ch! K-N1 17B-R6! } 15... Qe6 { The Queen must stay near the action. } 16. Bxf6+ { Forcing theKing back. } 16... Kg8 { Black's game, like an archaeologist's career, is in ruins.If 16... K-R3, 17 Q-B4 ch and mate in 1. } 17. Qf4 { Black resigns, as hehas no good way to stop 18 Q-R6. } 1-0

[Event "Mentoring Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.12.09"] [Round "-"] [White "jkarp"] [Black "perrinnn"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "951"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1275"] { After a team match between perinn and hiredgun112 (Jason), hiredgun annotatedboth games. But, I view those annotations as extremely disrespectful sincehe, in my opinion, implied that his opponent is a weak player, which isn'ttrue. And, after other games, Jason didn't annotate other games the wayhe did, so I believe that he attacked that team. And, that's a team thatmy team is very good friends with. So, I decided to help perrinn by offeringhim a mentoring game which he was glad I did. And, I enjoyed working withhim and he played very well. I would say about 150 points north of hisrating, and I see potential for him to become much stronger player soonerthen he knows. In fact, he's rating has already climbed which shows that,unlike what the others have said about me, that I can teach chess. So,how did this game unfold. } 1. e4 { The usual. } 1... e5 { Although, I respondwith the Siclian, I don't teach that since it's hard to learn. So, instead,unlike what isaiah11 (Andrew) once said that the Siclian is more common,well, this turns out to be the most common response to 1.e4 as I learnedfrom easy19 Yes, we are in the King's Pawn Game, and I say that becauseperrinn asked if this was what it was called and I said yes. That 1.e4is the King's Pawn Opening, and with the move played, we're now in theKPG. In fact, before the game we messaged each other because I wantedto know which color he wanted. The reason I gave him black was to learnmore about defenses which is what he told me. So, in the game, I said,You said you wanted to learn more about defenses, which often happens whenplaying as black. Yes, this is the most common move, and now you have theKing's Pawn Game. } 2. Nf3 Nf6 { Pretty common. But, I still disagree withIsaiah's assessment. So, what I told perrinn is, Most common, in thisposition is 2...Nc3 which can lead to interesting variations such as theRuy Lopez, Guaco Piano, or Four Knights Opening. So, there are more variations,but there is nothing wrong this move since it develops a piece and getsyou ready to control the center. Now, I could capture and exchange rightaway. But, instead I do something else. } 3. d4 { The thing is that whenyou're up against a stronger player, if material is even, you want to exchangeearly, so I didn't want to give that as an option. Therefore, I decidedto advance my central pawn since it is another developing move. It get'sthe other B ready to come up by opening up a line, and it brings me onestep closer to controlling the center. } 3... Nc6 { According to the analysis,this is an inaccuracy. Best was to exchange on e4, so that would be 3...Nxe4,and then I'd respond with NXP, but I disagree with the analysis becauseit doesn't lose material. In fact, I like this move better as since itdoesn't lose anything, black doesn't move the same twice in the opening,which presents more opportunities to get the other pieces into play. } 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Bd3 { It was a hard decision between 5.Bc4 and this move. But, the only reason I would even consider playing 5.Bc4 is a cheapo tactic,which black would see and I'd be much worse. So, what would be the intention. Well, after 5.Bc4, the idea would be to follow up with 6.Qd5, which aswe know, mate can be driven off and if he found the right response, I mightbe in trouble. And, as we know, and a reminder from what I recently readin an article by GM Susan Polgar, cheapo tactics because you must assumethat the opponent will find the best move, and when he or she does, you'rein trouble. So, I decided on this move as now there is a lot I can andwill do. In addition, there's a very different tactic which I will do. The idea is to castle and continue development. } 5... d5 { ! Best. Anythingelse would lose tempo since that N would have to retreat. } 6. O-O Bc5 { Continuingto develop. } 7. Bxe4 { However, while it doesn't appear so, I've studiedsimilar positions with Jack, and actually went wrong in a game with himand before during a team game. You have to be weary of a N, when it'sthat close to the home square. So, with it, I gave perrinn the first HWassignment, which as you know, you frequently get HW with a mentor, asit's part of training. In fact, even a coach will give it but won't announce. For example, the idea with stopping a passed pawn with a R, that was HWthat Jack indirectly gave me by making me study which I now use to teach. However, I admit that I did so with a small typo. So, I said, As withany mentoring session, there's generally. So, this will be the first question.Of course, I didn't have to take. There were other options, like pinningthe N. However, this was the best move, in this position. The HW is toanswer why this is the best move. Of course, I could tell how difficultit was, so I gave it time by saying. I'll hold off, until the question.That is, unless time is almost out. But, the idea is that it soaks in gradually,as that's how you learn. It's about processing information. So, he respondedby saying, 'Silly me I was not looking at my chat. Er... not usually thisstunted...Paying close attention to everything now. I looked up the fournights,ruy lopez, and guaco piano. Definitely have relied on these fordefense. I do have some issue deciding if the knights should move out firstor I alternatively will bring center pawns out then bishobs tucked intothe 3rd line followed by the knights just above the king and queen. Eachof these seems to work but I think 4 knights covers more of the board.' So, my response was, It is good that you are seeing them. Ok, the solution.If I let the N stay on e4, ...Bxf2+ was being threatened. I would've losta pawn because I'd be forced to play Kh1 If I took the B with Rxf2, youwin the R after ...Bxf2 } 7... Qe7 { ? I understand why he played this, though,and it shows that he is thinking ahead which is important. The idea wasto compensate by winning back a pawn, this time it would be a central neededfor center control. However, he overlooked the N which is protecting thee pawn. So, as I also told him, that better was 7...dxe4, because thismove loses a pawn. However, I forgot something important, this move losesa piece because if he took with 7...dxe4, and I played 8.Qxd8+, he cantake back and exchange Q's with 8...Nxd8+, so I'd have a slight edge asI'd be a little ahead in development. But, material would be even. Withmy next move, however, black loses his P and B. Then, I corrected myselfby saying, BTW, after 7.Bxe4, best was 7...dxe4, as it becomes an evenexchange, even when the Q's are exchanged. But, the move after, 7...Qe7lost a piece. So, the idea was that black lost a piece and pawn with thismove. } 8. Bxd5 Bg4 { Deciding to pin the Q. Actually, I like black's intentiona lot, and this is what I used to do. However, as I recently learned inthe consulation game with geniusacamel from, I believe ptitroque, I believeit was, in general, you don't want to do that because the opponent willoften sac material for a win. I never saw how, but this is what they said. But, this is what I used to play to, with the idea being, especially afterwhat I mentioned about how dangerous the N's get to pin them. } 9. Bxc6+ { since 9.Be2 wasn't an option, I normally would break it then with 9.h3,and if 9...Bh5, I'd have 10.g4, forcing 10...h5 to prevent him from a losinga piece, which btw, is a very common continuation, that you'll see fromGM's. But, this time, I wasn't going to do it. Since I'm ahead, I decideto liquidate his N for my B's, since the idea is exchange pawns, not pieceswhen you're down. In fact, I said later on, Forgot to note that 8...Bg4appeared good and does develop. But, the problem is that it resulted inliquidation which is an exchange when down a piece. So, when you are downmaterial, exchanging pawns, doesn't make a difference, but you don't wantto exchange pieces, though. Doing that gives you less to defend with. } 9... bxc6 { So, he said, 'ok ill try not to do that' So, my response was yesthat is important. In fact, although I was at a disadvantage, I lost soonerby liquidating one of my pieces, when I was down by two pawns. Then, hesaid, 'You know, historically my pawns have been under-appreciated. I tryby best to move them out of the way so I can execute my assault. I alwaysfeel like moving a pawn takes an entire move and the opponent will usethat move to strike. I am riveted to see how this goes.' I actually likedthis response because it shows how hard he is thinking, studying the board,and trying to absorb and process what he's saying. So, I said, Opponentsdo. Yes, and I'm glad you brought that up because it's an important concept.They don't attack material for the thrill of it because the opponent willfind the best response, in which you'd be worse off. There is generallya strategy behind attacking the pawns, like winning material getting furtherin development. So, what's important is to ask yourself why the opponentmade that move. And, then to figure out the reason by using analyze theboard. I always emphasize to use that feature because that's where youfigure out your opponents plan. It's walking through the process, as Icall it, which is also known as doing HW. Using that and studying the positionand the entire board will help you become a better player. In fact, a mentoron this site gave me HW questions which is how I learned how importantthat is. But, in order to do that HW, I needed to use the Analyze the Boardfeature to get the answer correct. } 10. Bg5 { I go after the Q, but theidea isn't to attack this, as might appear so. Otherwise, I wouldn't playit since I don't do things just for thrill of attacking it because therealways has to be a plan behind it. In this case, it involves a threatthat's very difficult to drive off. The idea is that on his next move,when going after my B and pawns are exchanged, the idea is to pin thatQ. However, this was not quite as difficult as it appears and was nearlya cheapo tactic. In fact, it is hope chess, if you go by Dan Hein's definitionsince there was something that I overlooked. } 10... f6 11. exf6 gxf6 12. Re1 Be6 { ! His, LSB. Therefore, I told him that this was best as anythingelse would've lose his Q since it was pinned. So, in order to preventgetting in trouble since with that definition you can get in trouble, nowI have to do real chess in a difficult situation to prevent him from gettingall of his advantages back. As we know with WB's Q sac, and what JackStockel about not underestimating, the idea is that just because you havean advantage, you can't get overly confident. You still have to calculateand plan ahead, or you could wind up in trouble. So, I have to think anddisplay real chess to. } 13. Qe2 { The best way is to think like a GM. And,I say that because typically the GM's will often bring their Q in frontof the R. I never understood why until recently. In fact, this is thegame where I was, finally, able to apply the concept from GM Judit Polgar,in her game against Anand. The idea is that you're adding a defender. So, now, black can take my B, but then I would take back, and would pinthat Q by liquidation. } 13... Bd6 { At this point, he said, 'I have a bunch ofunused analyze the game features so if you find one of our games worthkeeping let me know I think i see your attack forming so I am moving myrooks in to the center and changing as much as possible in the time I haveso your attack will have to adjust to the moves.' Maybe, but first, alwaysexpect your opponents to find the best moves. Though, this was good forthe same reasons that he was thinking about adjusting, but your opponentsplans are just as important as your own, so one needs to be weary of whatthe opponent will do. The idea is expecting him or her to find the bestmoves and not assume anything. Now, I wasn't going to say anything becauseno matter what black played, I was still going to take his LSB, even ifhe took my DSB, but this moral, in general, however, is very importantand can make a big difference in his or her games. But, this move, however,loses a piece. Best, here, was 13...fxg5, and after 14.Qxe6, althoughit's liquidation it's still an even exchange as there was no other wayto avoid the loss of another piece. } 14. Qxe6 { Believe it or not, Iwas thinking of a different position and gave him HW of why 13...Kf7, or13...Kd7 was better and how the piece was protected before the solution. But, @perrinn: This time, I was wrong none of them would've helped orprevented the loss of another piece. I was thinking of a position lateron and kind of got mixed up where I was, which happens a little more oftenthe it appears. So, best was what I noted a move earlier, that is 13...fxg5 } 14... Bb4 { ?? I understand the intention, though, which is to win that R fora B, in compensation. That is generally a good idea when behind, and Iremember playing like this. And, it is good to be aggressive, but in situationslike this, one must think, defensively, as opposed to, offensively. ThatB should've remained, or if he played ...c5 earlier, this move would'vebeen safe. But, the problem is that now I will play my next move, as ifblack had played the Domino Defense and took the N, but in a much worseconcept. And, that's because move loses another P and his Q for a R becauseafter I take his pawn, that Q is directly pinned by my R. Now, I actuallyapplied this concept from the Domino plus my last game with jstevens1 andone from ubermensch43 where they won by getting that pin on my Q. But,I am very glad that perrinn does not resign, so he does have the rightapproach. The idea is, 'Fight til the End', as mentioned in my last annotation. } 15. Qxc6+ Kf7 16. Rxe7+ Bxe7 17. Bf4 { However, I am not going to givinghim a chance of counterplay, though. So, I am going to keep what I havewon, unless I have a reason for giving something away. Actually, in thisposition, I remembered the mistake I made against superandy, where I wasup material, but wasn't careful and lost my Q. Despite that swindle, it'sgenerally not a good idea to make that mistake against someone that you'retraining as the idea becomes getting a second chance, which is not a goodmoral as I learned from the realjimfriar in the WTWLTR club. } 17... Rad8 { Atthis point, perrinn smiled. But, I know why, and in the past, I used tomiss this threat. But, he is threatening a Back Rank mate, which wouldbe the reason to give away that pawn. In other words, the idea was lettingme have that pawn, and if I took, he would mate. But, after the mistakethat Jack made by taking my pawn after I was lost, with a R+2 pawns down,and 2 passed pawns, one which nearly promoted, like that game with archduke_piccolobut then losing right away by taking another pawn, I was not going to makethat mistake. So, I told him that I see and know his intentions, but Idon't have to allow mate because, as noted, the idea is expecting youropponent to find the best move. Now, there are ways that I can get outof it with good moves like opening up. But, this time, and I going bywhat I read from GM Susan Polgar outlined, as opposed to what Isaiah hadto say or anything else but have known for a while and always teach mystudents, anyway, when you see a good move, look for something better. } 18. Nc3 { So, I prevent mate with this move. And, the reason I played this,as opposed to, opening up is that this move completes development. } 18... Rhg8 { I don't why he played this, but my guess is to put pressure on the K. } 19. Qc4+ { But, this time, I'm not going to take right away. Yes, Ihad to assume that he'd find the best move. However, I was quizzing himto see if he would find the right response, for if he did, then I wouldtake with 20.Qxc7 } 19... Ke8 { ?? Unfortunately, he did not pass the test. Now,do you remember where I quizzed him about moving the K, and inadvertentlygave him the HW for move 13. Well, it was actually meant for this move,and better was 19...Kg7 or 19...Kf8, as this move loses a R. I actuallytold him that those two were better moves. } 20. Qxg8+ Bf8 { ? The idea wasto intercete a piece, rather then move the K in an uncomfortable. And,Jack has told me that, in general, you want to intercede pieces to getout of check, rather then move the K where it would be exposed, but theK should've moves and the reason being is that his c pawn was still hanging. So, this move loses another pawn. The only other move was 20...Kd7 andthat would've been better as there would be another defender to c7. Therefore,this loses a pawn. } 21. Bxc7 Ke7 { Not completely sure why he played, butunfortunately, I hate to say this, but there aren't any good moves forblack, at this point. So, he is doing what he can and staying in untilthe end. Now, most people would get angry and say that he should resign. But, I disagree with that. In fact, his attitude is very good, and I'mglad he is playing on. @perrinn: Doing what you are here, in general,believe it or not, might allow you to pull swindles, win or draw lost positions,should the opponent make a mistake. And, by staying in, you are learningmore. } 22. Bxd8+ { Meanwhile, I waste no time in grabbing his other R. Now, in the past I would miss this opportunity, paradoxically. But, thatis where I went wrong in my epic and historic game against Jack, whereI was way ahead, and had even won a Q for his R, like I did here. And,towards the end, but not as much ahead, this was the exchange, well notexactly in the same situation, but the kind of exchange I missed, thatis, R for B, where I could've grabbed his R. By doing that, he was ableto gain all of his advantages and pull a swindle against me where he wonwith passed pawn. The reason why that was epic was that's where I discoveredhow important chess is in life, that you must think and plan ahead. Theidea is that when liquidating, you are planning ahead because it's abouthow to keep your advantages and do further damages, until you have an overwhelmingadvantage. So, this time, unlike that game, I was not going to make thesame mistake, so I took. } 22... Ke8 { ?? I think the idea was getting the K backto it's comfortable square. But, best was 22...Kxd8, yes he'd still losea R for B, but with this move, that R is free. } 23. Rd1 { So, this ishow I protect, and the idea is that instead of retreating, I will put pressureright on his K. I have studied a bit of GM games, and what I see mostof them, when a position like this happens, and you have an advantage,instead of moving the attacked piece, they put pressure right on the attacker. From that, I figured out that it is, in general, the quickest way to win. I know because I analyzed this move, and it does more then just protect. With that pressure on the K, I now have a mate in 3, no matter what blackdoes, this time. And, that's because his K is and DSB are pinned. Well,technically, the K isn't pinned, but the reason I say so, what I allude,is by the general definition of a pin since that the K can't move, andin order to avoid mate, it would have to do so. And, were the B not pinned,he would be able to prevent an immediate mate with 23...Be7, but sinceboth are pinned, there's no way out. } 23... h5 { Might as well, protect the pawn. It's like with Jack, when I had and did mate him, no matter what. So,he took a piece, but he said, 'I might as well since I can't do anything,anyway.' And, I still like his willingness to continue and his effort. } 24. Qe6+ Be7 25. Qxe7# { Overall, perrinn played extremely well. In fact,about 150 points north of his rating, so like an 1100 rated player. But,the morals as I told him are, to expect that your opponent will find thebest move and not make any assumptions, ask yourself if there is a threatlike checkmate or lost of material, and how by doing HW with Analyze theBoard, which btw, is why teachers will often give those HW assignmentsbecause it's good practice. In addition, this is also the reason thatwhy is the most common chess question. It's about theory because that'swhere you analyze what move works or doesn't and why, such as what I notedabout the threats. To look at everything and study the position very carefully,the same way, as you evaluate the threats, so part of the same thing. When you find a good move, look for something better. Also, when evaluating,and you have plans remembering that your opponents plans are just as importantas your own. Last but not least, when you have an opportunity, like gettinga piece back, as it was with the B early, take advantage of it while it'saround. That's because opportunites don't last that long, and if you don'ttake advantage early, you might wind up in trouble. @perrinn: You're ratingwill improve before you know it, but if you can remember these morals,I think your rating will reach 1100 in about 6 months. } 1-0

[Event "Club MT: Toe-to-toe."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "23 May 2015"] [Round "-"] [White "archduke_piccolo"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1812"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "2070"] { Normally one doesn't expect much in the way of fireworks from an EnglishOpening, but this one exploded into wild, free-wheeling action all overthe board as both sides took up the other's challenge. A particular featureof this game is the 'double attack' or 'fork' motif. Take a look. } 1. c4 { English Opening - so far at least. The thing can transpose into all sortsof other openings, yet retains an independent significance of its own. For years it was my favourite OTB (over-the-board) opening move. } 1... c5 { SymmetricalEnglish. Often leads to slow, positional manoeuvring. Yeah. Right. } 2. Nf3 { On other occasions I've played 2.Nc3 or 2.g3, both popular andplayable lines. } 2... Nc6 { Played about as often as 2...Nf6. Also playableis 2...g6, and even 3...b6 has been tried several times. } 3. d4 { (!?) Adeparture from my usual modus operandi. Normally I would play 3.Nc3 or3.g3, but today I thought I'd play something a bit different. This thrustis as popular as the alternatives. } 3... cxd4 { Almost a 'gimme'. On rare occasionsother moves have been tried, with some success, but there seems to be noreason not to take White's centre pawn for a centre-flank one. } 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { Also playable is 4...g6, and 4...e6 is worth considering. Quite afew other moves have been tried here, with varying success: ...Qb6!?, ...e5!?,even ...f5, among others even more obscure. } 5. Nc3 { Normal. Also playableis 5...g3. You might have noted that my comments so far have been fairlyrepetitive. What this shows is that there is plenty to select from inthis opening. It is very flexible, and, may I say, forgiving. } 5... e6 { Probablysafest. Had Black played 5...g6, I would almost certainly have replied6.e4, transposing the game into a type of Sicilian Defence with a MoroczyBind - where White's c- and e-pawns put a crimp in Black's counter-actionsin the centre and Q-side. } 6. g3 { Still 'Book'. Also playable here wasthe more aggressive and adventurous 6.Ndb5, seeking to exploit the darksquare weaknesses that have appeared at d6 and c7. Something like thismight have occurred: 6.Ndb5 d5 7.Bf4 e5 8.cxd5 exf4 9.dxc6 bxc6 10.Qxd8chKxd8 11.Rd1ch (or 0-0-0ch) with a game hard to call. But keep this knightmove in mind...! +++++ Also possible was 6.a3, which has been tried, presumablyto inhibit ...Bb4, and maybe with an idea, somewhere down the track, ofa general advance on the Q-side. } 6... Qb6 { Quite a popular move here. Alsoplayable are [A] 6...Bc5, attacking the d4-knight and indirectly, f2: 7.Nb3 Bb4 8.Bg2, OR [B] 6... Bb4 7.Bg2. In neither line does White concernhimself overmuch about the possibility of ...Bxc3, doubling and isolatingthe c-pawns. I suspect the central squares under their control would bethe more significant positional factor, at least early in the middle game. } 7. Ndb5 { Issuing a challenge. Less popular than the more supple 7.Nb3,it is much the more aggressive line. You might recall that this move wasplayable earlier. } 7... Bc5 { Challenge accepted! Now we're for it. The moveattacks f2, and although 8.e3 would mask the weak spot, the weakened lightsquares and shut-in Queen's bishop would be a high price to pay. So whatshould White do? } 8. Bg2 { [!] White ignores the threat. It so happensthere was an alternative defence: 8.Nd6ch Ke7 9.Nde4 Nxe4 10.Nxd4 withan OK game for White. But I still prefer the fighting text move! } 8... Bxf2+ { Interesting! At this point the GK engine calls the game dead even. TheGK World database has 10 examples of this line up to White's 8th move,but only one in which Black played this checking capture. The other trieswere: 8...a6 (6); 8...d5 (2); 8.Ne5 (1 - though this probably transposedinto something else in the database). } 9. Kf1 { There was nothing attractiveabout 9.Kd2. } 9... Ng4 { Homing in upon f2, and looking at e3 and h2 as well. Among other nastinesses, I was now faced with the possibility of ...Nxh2+;Rxh2 Bxg3 with the rook attacked and mate in one threatened. What to do? } 10. Qd6 { Counter-attack! - but a dual-purpose move, too. White threatensa fork (double attack) by Nc7ch, but at the same time defends the g3 square. This puts paid to 10...Nxh2ch, which would simply lose a piece. } 10... Kd8 { Stops White's Nc7ch threat. Now a battle rages for the initiative. Forthe moment Black's attack has stalled, but White has to take energeticmeasures to seize and keep the initiative. } 11. Na4 { Driving the Queenfrom the critical diagonal seems a good place to start. } 11... Qa5 { [?] Up tohere, this game has been played before: A Greenfeld (2530) vs V. Yemelin(2485), 1998. Here Black played 11.Qa6 12.h3 Qxa4 13.hxg4 ..., and thegame was eventually drawn. Had I played 12.h3 now, we would simply havetransposed into that game - for a while, at any rate. It is possible thatJo thought her move was a refinement that kept c7 covered. But the GKengine calls this a mistake, suggesting instead 11...Ne3ch 12.Bxe3 Qxe3though after 13.Rd1, White can contrive pressure down the d-file. It seemsas though that White would have got only the smallest of edges in thisline. } 12. Bg5+ { [!] A really subtle move, made possible by Black's 11thmove (as you will discover), and whose import becomes clear only afteranother four moves. This is why all threats, however easily defended,must be taken seriously. With her response, Black bats the bishop awaywith ease, but in so doing weakens the defence of her e-pawn. Why thatis significant, you will see. } 12... f6 { Forced! But it looks pretty effective! } 13. Bd2 { Back to d2, to attack the Queen and draw the Queen on to the a4-square...Of course, White could have played this a move earlier, but then e6 wouldhave been rock solid... Either way, the difference between 11...Qa6 and11...Qa5 is revealed. With the Black Queen on a6, this move would nothave been available, and White would probably have had to choose between 12.h3 and 12.Nc7 (i.e. instead of Bg5ch). } 13... Qxa4 { Wins a piece... for thetime being... } 14. b3 { Suddenly the Black Queen is being squeezed, withfew available squares - right now, precisely one! } 14... Qa6 15. Nc7 { And nowthe double attack is against Queen and Rook... } 15... Qb6 16. Nxe6+ { But in factit was a triple attack - a trident! Here is the point of White's 12thmove. Nor can Black escape another 'fork'... } 16... Ke8 17. Nc7+ Kf7 { Probablybest. The d8-square has not been comfortable lodgings for the Black King! } 18. Nxa8 { I did spend a lot of tine looking at 18.Bd5ch here, but nothingseemed to come of it. I decided it could wait for a more opportune time. Taking the rook is pretty much the end point of White's combination, andnow would have been the moment for Black to see about picking up the initiative. That her Queen was under immediate attack, however, rather limited heroptions. } 18... Qd8 { [?] This crucial mistake was the turning point of the game. Instead. 18...Ne3ch 19.Bxe3 Qxe3 20.Bf3 Ne5 21.Nc7 Nxf3 22.Qd5ch Kg6 23.exf3 ... would have kept Black in the fight, the exchange down, sure,but still with an active game. } 19. Bd5+ { Now was the time to drive theenemy King into the open... } 19... Kg6 { 19...Ke8?? 20.Nc7ch, winning the Queen. } 20. Qf4 { [?!] I thought long and hard about this move, lookingfor a forcing King Hunt sequence that wasn't there. The GK engine callsthis a mistake, but White retains a winning edge, even so (+5.19 went downto +3.31). Instead 20.h3 would have won a piece after 20...Be3 21.hxg4Bxd2 22.Be4ch Kf7 23.Qd5ch Ke7 24.Qxd2. } 20... h5 { (?) Returning the compliment. Instead, 20...d6 would have 'saved' the piece, by picking up the knightat a8 in exchange for one of the advance pieces. } 21. h3 Bd4 { Hoping thatthe counter-attack against the a1-rook will save the knight? } 22. hxg4 { No. } 22... Bxa1 { Overlooking ... or else probably figuring that anything elsewas equally hopeless... } 23. Qf5# { An abrupt end to a real toe-to-toe battle. A strange feature of this game is that none of the rooks voluntarily stirredfrom its home square. } 1-0

[Event "Maintain the tension"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2007.10.07"] [Round "-"] [White "vbotond"] [Black "jeor"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1294"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2063"] { Stay cool and calm } 1. e4 { This was my 5th game here on GameKnot, thattime I had a rating of 1200. Though I won this game my opponent shouldreceive full credits, he played well and he made it an exciting game forwhat I am grateful!! } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { Najdorf(Sicilian) - a sharp weapon of many Super Grand Masters. As nearly allthe weapons mankind has ever invented, this is double-edged. It is sharpand puts a huge pressure on White when played precisely but otherwise itbackfires and Black practically commits a suicide. } 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f4 Qc7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. f5 { There were many alternatives.. like ensuringHis Highness' safety (10.Kh1) or playing the so Sicilian-like 10.Be3. Whatis the target of 10.f5 then? Maintaining the tension and making Black loosehis nerves. } 10... Bxb3 { And here we go. After the cold blooded 10... Bc4 11.Bg5(11.Bxc4 Qxc4) Be7 12.Rf3 h6 13.Be3 Ng4 the situation is hazy, no clearattacks. Though 10... Bxb3 was a logical answer with the idea of simplifyingthe game without loosing tempo and penetrating the white pawn structure..it misses the chance by exchanging a bishop on an opening board and givingthe half-open a-file (and the queen-side with it) to White. } 11. axb3 b5 { A clear mistake as it turns out soon enough. Looses a pawn for nothingand gives a good developing opportunity for White. After 11... Qb6+ 12.Kh1Be7 there was nothing really souting out at White. } 12. Bxb5 { From nowon Black has two tasks to deal with. Securing his king and keeping thewhite knight out of d5 since that could give a full-scale attack to Whitewith a solid centre and tied-up Black forces. } 12... Be7 13. Bg5 { Here I wasthinking about 13.Kh1 but decided to make it later when (if ever) gettingforced to do so. 13.Qe2 also crossed my mind with the idea of 13... 0-014.Rxa6! Rxa6 15.Bxa6 Rb8 16.Rd1.. most probably it was better then 13.Bg5anyway. However, found these moves too delicate, too slow. I was in a rushto win the game. } 13... O-O { One of the tasks has been completed successfully! } 14. Bxd7 { Withdrawing that bishop to d3 might have been better but hereI was to get rid of the only valuable black bishop. } 14... Qxd7 15. Bxf6 { Sacrificingthat bishop here was a bold move. I did in full confidence of winning thegame with a breakthrough my opponent has no chance to stop... when failingto go on with it this exchange could have proven itself to be a key error.However, there are some circumstences that save the situation and givea good ground for this move. Black cannot take back with the g-pawn becausethat closes up his own bishop badly. Moreover after 16.Bxf6 he has to makeanother move to make that bishop active and to give way to his f-pawn.What else then? 15.Qe2 for attacking a6 while giving way to the king-rookto occupy the d-file... or 15.Kh1 doing the inevitable. } 15... Bxf6 16. Rf3 { Headingtowards the d-file: 16... Bg5 17.Rd3. Maybe 16.Nd5 was better: 16... Qa7+17.Kh1 Qd4 18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Qh4 but I missed it having somethingelse, something slower and safer in mind. } 16... Qa7+ 17. Kf1 { Inaccuracy.. Thoughtit was time to put the king on the field. Foolish idea till the black queengets eliminated. Naturally enough 17.Kh1 was the proper move here. } 17... Rfd8 18. Rh3 h6 19. Qg4 Qd4 { My opponent here had something in mind I have nevermanaged to figure out. In my opinion although this error costed the gamein the end. 19... Bg5 is what I think here to be logical though I doubtthat could have saved the situation. } 20. Rd1 Qb6 { White can play Nd5 withgaining a tempo. 20... Qa7 was more fortunate though the battle has alreadybeen lost. } 21. Nd5 Qc6 22. Rxh6 Kf8 23. Rh8# 1-0

[Event "Ruy Lopez"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "September 09"] [Round "-"] [White "Karjakin (Ukraine)"] [Black "Grischuk (Russia)"] [Result "1-0"] { Played in Bilbao, Spain at the Grand Slam Masters. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 { All this sofar is the main line in the Ruy Lopez. } 8... O-O 9. h3 { To allow Nh2 later on. } 9... Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 { This knight is heading for f1 and then g3. (Acommon motif for white in the Ruy Lopez.) } 11... Bf8 { Looks a bit strange buta useful strengthening of g7 and h6. } 12. a3 { I don't see the point ofthis move (unless it is to prevent ...Nb4 if white chooses to play c4). } 12... h6 13. d5 Nb8 { Black is cramped and hopes to open lines on the queenside. } 14. Nh2 { An interesting move. Makes room for the queen and prepares forNg4. } 14... Nbd7 15. Qf3 Qc8 { Black wants to capture back on c6 with the queen. } 16. Ndf1 c6 17. dxc6 Qxc6 { Now black has more space but white's kingsideattack looks scary. (Note the two white bishops ready to make sacrificialcaptures on f7 and/or h6. And there are the two knights ready to advance.) } 18. Ng4 Re7 { Black defends f7 because soon the king might have to leaveg8. } 19. Ng3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Nf5 { White intensifies the kingside pressure. } 21... Re6 22. Qg3 Kh8 { Black's king doesn't want to share the g file with thewhite queen. } 23. Be3 { Finally white connects the rooks. } 23... h5 { Weakens black'sposition. (Later white will use g5 for the queen.) } 24. Rad1 Nxe3 { Blackdoesn't play ...hxg4 because of the refutation 25 Bxd5 (forking queen androok). } 25. Ngxe3 Rg6 26. Qh2 Rf6 27. Bd5 { Harassing the black queen. } 27... Qc8 28. Qg3 g6 29. Qg5 Bg7 { If 29 ...gxf5 30 Bxb7 Qxb7 31 Rxd7 Qxd7 32Qxf6+, then white has a clear advantage. } 30. Ne7 { Now e7 is un-guardedand the white knight can be powerfully posted there. } 30... Qc7 { The queen hasto stay on guard duty of b7. } 31. Ng4 { A dramatic move. } 31... Rf4 { If ...hxg4,then 32 Qh4+ Bh6 33 Qxh6#. } 32. Nh6 Rf8 33. Nxf7+ { White makes the firstsacrifice (to weaken g6). } 33... R4xf7 34. Nxg6+ Kh7 35. Qxh5+ Bh6 { 35 ...Kg8is no good because of 36 Ne7#. } 36. Bxf7 Rxf7 37. Rxd7 { Another sacrifice(to take away the guard from f8 so the knight can go there). } 37... Rxd7 { Not...Qxd7, Nxe5 (forking queen and rook). } 38. Nf8+ Kg7 { Keeping guard ofthe bishop on h6. } 39. Ne6+ { Royal fork and black resigns. (Thanks toChris Depasquale for informed commentary.) } 1-0

[Event "31st GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Jul-06"] [Round "-"] [White "poder_yaqui"] [Black "ciprus"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1560"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1280"] 1. e4 { 'Best by test' Bobby Fisher } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 { �The berlin? } 4. O-O Bc5 { 4.-...Nxe4 5.-d4 Nd6 6.-Bxc6 dxc6 7.-dxe5 Nf5 8.-Qxd8 Kxd8Its the so called Berlin Defense; a variation long time favorite of Kramink. } 5. c3 O-O { When playing Bc5 in the spanish its preferible to delay castlein order of playing d6, so may the usual Bg5 move may have no effect dueto h6 and g5, and black's king has not yet castle and may go to the queenside. } 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bd6 { Black its lost, altough Bb6, 8.-e5 Ne8 9.-d5 Nb8would be lost too, but less lost. } 8. e5 Bxe5 9. dxe5 Ne8 { Ng4 its moreof the same medicine. } 10. Bg5 f6 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bh4 Qe8 14. Re1 Qh5 15. Bxf6 Rxf6 16. Qd5+ { A piece up white simplifies to an easyending } 16... Qxd5 17. Nxd5 Rf8 18. Bxc6 { Exchanges pieces } 18... bxc6 19. Ne7+ Kh7 20. Nxc8 { Keeps exchanging and obtains the seventh rank } 20... Raxc8 21. Re7 d5 22. Rae1 a5 23. Rd7 a4 { 23.-...Rfe8 was required. } 24. Ree7 Ra8 { Allowswhite a forced mate in 3. The only move was Rg8 } 25. Rxg7+ Kh8 26. Rh7+ Kg8 27. Rdg7# 1-0

[Event "Challenge from cmtyler"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05-Jun-08"] [Round "-"] [White "cmtyler"] [Black "jugador7mejor"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1841"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1490"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Nc3 { (9:35:18 PM) babar: openingstandard (9:35:27 PM) babar: 5nc3 i am not familiar with (9:35:42 PM) CafeConPiedras:yeah i don't study openings much (9:35:48 PM) CafeConPiedras: i guess thisis ruy lopez (9:35:50 PM) babar: i mean in general (9:35:55 PM) babar:the ruy is a setup where (9:36:02 PM) babar: u bring that N over to kingside(9:36:03 PM) CafeConPiedras: what do you call it when you decline the bishoptrade (9:36:04 PM) babar: via d2 (9:36:11 PM) CafeConPiedras: oh (9:36:15PM) CafeConPiedras: i thought 3 Bb5 (9:36:16 PM) babar: but that comeslater (9:36:26 PM) babar: right i mean e4 e5 N, N, bb5 (9:36:26 PM) babar:is ruy (9:36:34 PM) babar: but later on the plan is usually get that Nover to kingside (9:36:40 PM) CafeConPiedras: via Nd2? (9:36:41 PM) babar:and try and set him on f5 where he's a pain (9:37:04 PM) babar: yea Nd2Nf1 Ng3 (9:37:08 PM) babar: after castling and Re1 (9:37:21 PM) babar:u can do it thru Nc3 e2 g3 also (9:37:28 PM) babar: anyway it's not a bigdeal (9:37:37 PM) babar: 21 i dunno } 5... b5 { (9:37:52 PM) CafeConPiedras: wellb5-b4 looks pretty good for you (9:37:56 PM) babar: it let me run my bpawn up and attack ur guys (9:37:59 PM) CafeConPiedras: i guess i shouldhave just played Ne2 after that? (9:38:13 PM) babar: nah Ne2 just (9:38:15PM) babar: loses a pawn (9:38:17 PM) CafeConPiedras: right (9:38:18 PM)babar: you're fine w/ur move (9:38:20 PM) babar: actually (9:38:21 PM)CafeConPiedras: i don't get to do the Q trick (9:38:26 PM) babar: u justdidnt continue right (9:38:29 PM) CafeConPiedras: heh (9:38:30 PM) babar:but the game is still even imo } 6. Bb3 b4 7. Nd5 Nxe4 8. Qe2 Nd6 { (10:38:47PM) CafeConPiedras: so why play 8 ...Nd6 (10:38:59 PM) CafeConPiedras:you obv didn't like it post mortem (10:39:02 PM) babar: ya (10:39:03 PM)CafeConPiedras: why not Nf6? (10:39:07 PM) babar: i played b4 (10:39:09PM) babar: too fast (10:39:18 PM) babar: then i was like (10:39:20 PM)babar: omg got ur pawn (10:39:23 PM) babar: then i was like meh (10:39:35PM) babar: i dont see (10:39:38 PM) babar: a better alternative (10:39:44PM) babar: basically (10:39:51 PM) CafeConPiedras: why not Nf6? (10:40:00PM) babar: Nxf6 (10:40:09 PM) babar: then (10:40:13 PM) babar: i can eithergx (10:40:14 PM) babar: or Qxc (10:40:16 PM) babar: Qx (10:40:25 PM) babar:then u can (10:40:27 PM) babar: d4 (10:40:30 PM) babar: and pin on m yK (10:40:43 PM) babar: if i gx, my kside already destroyed (10:40:47 PM)babar: so prob Qx is better (10:40:53 PM) babar: d4 (10:41:02 PM) babar:d6 (10:41:08 PM) babar: dx dx (10:41:12 PM) babar: Bf4 (10:41:13 PM) babar:i dunno (10:41:18 PM) babar: u get constant attack/pins/development (10:41:23PM) babar: i didn't like the way it was goin } 9. Nxe5 Nd4 10. Qd3 Nxb3 11. Qxb3 { (9:39:22 PM) babar: by lik emove 11 (9:39:25 PM) babar: we'reeven in material (9:39:26 PM) babar: and (9:39:30 PM) babar: my d6 N sucks(9:39:37 PM) babar: blocks in both my bishops (9:39:48 PM) babar: you havethe advantage (9:40:05 PM) CafeConPiedras: yeah a lead in devel (9:40:10PM) babar: ya } 11... Bb7 12. O-O { (10:33:14 PM) CafeConPiedras: should i havejust played 12 Nxb4 and been done with it? (10:33:51 PM) babar: no, 12nxb4bxg2 (10:35:54 PM) CafeConPiedras: 13 Kxg2 Qg5 and wins the e5 knight (10:34:04 PM) babar: qxb4 bxd5 doesn't work either } 12... Bxd5 13. Qxd5 Be7 14. b3 O-O 15. Bb2 c6 16. Qd4 f6 17. Nd3 { (9:41:01 PM) babar: i didnt reallylike your Nd3 (9:41:03 PM) babar: on move 17 (9:41:05 PM) babar: for u(9:41:12 PM) babar: it blocks your d pawn and it's an awkward spot (9:41:26PM) babar: it's a one move attack on my pawn but i am happy trading thatpawn off which is what's gonna happen (9:41:40 PM) babar: so it gives mea free opportunity to untangle my N and B (9:42:21 PM) babar: i thoughtnf3 was better and also nc4 isn't bad bc altho it frees me up some u alsoget a tempo with the check (9:46:38 PM) CafeConPiedras: i agree Nd3 isawkward (9:46:43 PM) CafeConPiedras: not sure what i hoped to accomplish(9:46:51 PM) babar: well you're attackingn my pawn (9:46:54 PM) CafeConPiedras:sure (9:46:57 PM) babar: but i'm happy to trade that pawn off (9:47:01PM) babar: since it's weak (9:47:08 PM) CafeConPiedras: for no compensation?(9:47:09 PM) babar: so i think u'd be better served just gettin all urpieces out (9:47:12 PM) babar: and onto good squares (9:47:18 PM) CafeConPiedras:i mean you get an attack on my knight (9:47:20 PM) babar: well it's a farawaypawn by itself (9:47:28 PM) babar: that i have to spend resources defending(9:47:43 PM) CafeConPiedras: if that were really true you would have justlet me have it (9:47:47 PM) CafeConPiedras: but a5 is obviously strong(9:47:50 PM) babar: well no but (9:47:53 PM) babar: u know what i mena(9:47:57 PM) CafeConPiedras: sure (9:47:57 PM) babar: it's not going anywhere(9:48:03 PM) babar: u have p and fianchettod b (9:48:05 PM) babar: behindit (9:48:13 PM) babar: and it can become a weakness u can focus all urd00ds on (9:49:07 PM) babar: passed pawns are nice if they can (9:49:09PM) babar: attack and (9:49:13 PM) babar: u can combine off em to makethreats (9:49:14 PM) babar: etc (9:49:23 PM) babar: but that guy didn'tseem like that to me } 17... a5 18. a4 { my note: 18 maybe a4? a3 looks likebad news with the placement of his dark bishop and stuff. (9:53:50 PM)babar: um, a4 let me (9:53:54 PM) babar: exchange off a lot (9:54:24 PM)babar: i would just leave on a2 (9:54:28 PM) babar: and get rooks intogame (9:54:29 PM) babar: if i were u (9:54:34 PM) babar: i cant attackany of it (9:54:42 PM) babar: and if i a4 (9:55:06 PM) babar: then u justtake b4 (9:55:45 PM) babar: also (9:55:52 PM) babar: my f6 blunts yourQ B battery so (9:56:01 PM) babar: finding a new spot for Q (9:56:03 PM)babar: could be good (9:56:22 PM) babar: in the middle it doesnt do alot and can be attacked gaining me time devel (9:56:49 PM) babar: sayon move 18 for u (9:56:55 PM) babar: plan of double rooks on e file (9:57:07PM) babar: get queen somewhere happy (9:57:07 PM) CafeConPiedras: yeahi guess i overreacted to ...a4 ...axb3 (9:57:08 PM) babar: etc (9:57:16PM) babar: well a4 lets u take my b4 (9:57:17 PM) babar: right away (9:57:43PM) CafeConPiedras: plus gets knight onto better square i guess (9:57:48PM) CafeConPiedras: after Nxb4 (9:57:50 PM) babar: yea i mean (9:57:53PM) babar: it just drops a pawn (9:57:54 PM) babar: for me (9:57:58 PM)CafeConPiedras: yeah (9:58:10 PM) CafeConPiedras: ok so let's see whereto put the Q (9:58:10 PM) babar: after u a5d (9:58:12 PM) babar: i wasgonna leave it (9:58:17 PM) babar: but then i saw the big exchange with(9:58:24 PM) babar: Nb5 etc (9:58:27 PM) babar: and queens come off (9:58:36PM) babar: and even tho ur queen is not great (9:58:40 PM) babar: mineis super suck way in the back (9:58:44 PM) babar: so i'm happy to do thattrade (9:58:50 PM) babar: ur queen is ok i guess (9:58:53 PM) babar: it'snot 'bad' at all (9:59:05 PM) babar: but at some point im gonna get d andc pawns out and then (9:59:06 PM) CafeConPiedras: controls a7-g2 diagonal(9:59:11 PM) babar% } 18... bxa3 19. Bxa3 Nb5 20. Bxe7 Nxd4 21. Bxd8 Rfxd8 22. Ra2 { (10:11:47 PM) babar: yea your whole (10:11:51 PM) babar: rooks onB plan (10:11:52 PM) babar: i hate (10:11:57 PM) CafeConPiedras: yeah thatwasn't the plan (10:11:58 PM) babar: give them the open E file (10:12:01PM) CafeConPiedras: but there were tactical concerns (10:12:03 PM) babar:or A file (10:12:04 PM) CafeConPiedras: involving a4 (10:12:12 PM) CafeConPiedras:and the pressure on my c-pawn (10:12:17 PM) babar: well (10:12:18 PM) babar:22 (10:12:25 PM) babar: do (10:12:31 PM) babar: Rfc1? (10:12:37 PM) babar:then u can Rab1 (10:12:41 PM) babar: and kick my N with c3 (10:12:46 PM)babar: and then get goin again (10:13:11 PM) babar: puttin both rooks on2 ties em down puts u voluntarily on defensive (10:13:19 PM) CafeConPiedras:indeed (10:13:31 PM) CafeConPiedras: i was actively trying to avoid Rc1because that rook would be stuck on defense (10:13:41 PM) babar: well maybe(10:13:43 PM) babar: only for a few moves (10:13:45 PM) babar: if u cankick my N (10:13:49 PM) babar: ur rooks are free again (10:14:00 PM) CafeConPiedras:yes (10:14:06 PM) CafeConPiedras: anyway my plan (10:14:12 PM) CafeConPiedras:was Ra2 (10:14:12 PM) babar: 22 um (10:14:16 PM) babar: 22 Rfc1 (10:14:18PM) CafeConPiedras: then following up with Rfa1 (10:14:26 PM) babar: icould d6 (10:14:32 PM) babar: 23 Rab1 (10:14:40 PM) babar: i could a4 andwe trade and (10:14:48 PM) babar: then u can kick N on 25 (10:15:11 PM)CafeConPiedras: that plan allows you to trade off isolated pawn (10:15:16PM) babar: ok u wanted to double on A (10:15:18 PM) babar: that's fine(10:15:22 PM) babar: why didn't that work out (10:15:23 PM) CafeConPiedras:yeah with pressure on iso pawn (10:15:43 PM) CafeConPiedras: uh cuz i playedRb1 instead (10:15:44 PM) CafeConPiedras: hmm (10:16:02 PM) CafeConPiedras:i think i wanted to play c3 (10:16:11 PM) babar: ya (10:16:18 PM) babar:i guess the game bears out that (10:16:23 PM) b } 22... Re8 23. Rb1 Reb8 24. Rbb2 d6 { (10:18:15 PM) babar: ok 24 ...d6 (10:18:17 PM) babar: i liked fo rme(10:18:19 PM) babar: restricts ur N (10:18:36 PM) babar: my bad N becamegood and urs bad } 25. Nc1 { (10:19:17 PM) babar: 25 Nc1 is bad (10:19:22PM) babar: rim dim, etc } 25... a4 26. h3 Re8 27. Kf1 axb3 28. Rxa8 Rxa8 29. Nxb3 Rb8 { (10:20:15 PM) babar: then i get material on 29 finally (10:20:19 PM)babar: with pin on rook, n, etv (10:21:02 PM) babar: once rooks come offit's won for me i think (10:22:40 PM) CafeConPiedras: yeah my K is toofar from the K-side (10:22:48 PM) CafeConPiedras: after the trade (10:23:04PM) CafeConPiedras: i just couldn't find anything else so i figured doublingyour pawns was a reasonable thing to try (10:23:10 PM) babar: yea i mean(10:23:15 PM) babar: i can get to ur Kside panws (10:23:16 PM) babar: so(10:23:20 PM) babar: Qside i dont care about (10:23:30 PM) CafeConPiedras:right (10:23:38 PM) CafeConPiedras: i'm interested if there was a way icould have saved the position (10:23:42 PM) CafeConPiedras: after the pin(10:23:45 PM) babar: afte rooks come off (10:23:47 PM) babar: i dont thinkso (10:23:48 PM) babar: after pin (10:23:49 PM) babar: hm (10:23:59 PM)babar: well (10:24:04 PM) babar: u can NxN any time (10:24:07 PM) babar:and get out down an exchanged (10:24:10 PM) babar: e* (10:24:35 PM) babar:i think (10:24:45 PM) babar: NxN was bad (10:24:48 PM) babar: o n35 (10:25:20PM) CafeConPiedras: the way i saw it was (10:25:22 PM) CafeConPiedras:i had to do something then (10:25:23 PM) babar: i dont see a way to geteven, no (10:25:29 PM) CafeConPiedras: because otherwise you just marchinto my kside and eat my pawns (10:25:30 PM) babar: i think it's prob lostthen (10:26:05 PM) CafeConPiedras: so you think after 29 ...Rb8 (10:26:08PM) CafeConPiedras: it's over (10:27:18 PM) babar: um (10:27:52 PM) babar:i think so } 30. Ke1 c5 31. d3 Nxc2+ 32. Kd2 Nd4 33. Kc3 Kf7 34. f4 Kg6 35. Nxd4 cxd4+ 36. Kc2 Rxb2+ 37. Kxb2 Kf5 38. g3 h5 39. Kc2 h4 40. gxh4 Kxf4 0-1

[Event "SC Rematch"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "19-Jul-06"] [Round "-"] [White "tag1153"] [Black "ritt"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1298"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1460"] { A game vs. one of my teammates.....enjoy:) } 1. d4 { For those that knowme, this is no suprise........ } 1... f5 { Dutch defense.... } 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 { A little unusual. The Leningrad variation 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 is muchmore common. } 3... d6 4. Bg5 { Trying to find an early way to further weakenblack's kingside. I'm not extremely familiar with the Dutch, so I decidedthat I should at try to act as if I knew what I was doing:) } 4... g6 5. e3 Bg7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Nge2 Nbd7 8. O-O { All logical developing moves by both sidesso far.... } 8... e5 { Hoping I'll take so his knight can re-take. } 9. f3 { Inferior.....myidea was to support a later e4, but I then realized that with black's darksquared bishop and queen still on the board, I had inadvertently openedup a diagonal to my king. Yikes! } 9... Re8 10. Re1 e4 11. fxe4 b6 { fxe4 wasthe play........ } 12. exf5 gxf5 { Now black has an isolated pawn on an alreadyweakened kingside. I just gotta punish this..... } 13. Bxf5 h6 14. Bh4 { Preservingthe pin on black's queen. } 14... Rxe3 { This take by black was expected. It actuallyhelped my cause, as I can now make a play myself on the e file. } 15. Qd2 Re7 16. Nf4 { Willing to exchange rooks, while throwing more gas on thefire that is black's weakened kingside. } 16... Rxe1+ 17. Rxe1 Bb7 18. Ng6 { AndI can see a possible mate delivered on h7. } 18... Nf8 19. Ne7+ Kh8 { 19...Kf720. Be6 KxN 21. Bd5 saves the game, but loses the Bb7. The end is nownear.... } 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qxh6+ Nh7 22. Qxh7# { A pretty little attack.This game reinforced my disdain for playing the Dutch when I have the blackpieces, as I am far too conservative defender. Good game ritt:) } 1-0

[Event "French def. winaw. pois. pawn (W)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.21"] [Round "-"] [White "ptitroque"] [Black "micfel"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1639"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1642"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 { This openingfavorise both attacks with semi open files and diagonals. } 6... Ne7 7. Qg4 { Menacinga king side attack } 7... Qa5 8. Bd2 { Some defense is necessary before attackingseriously the black king. } 8... O-O 9. a4 { Move not given in the database, butit seems efficient, obliging the queen to retreat. } 9... c4 { Black prefers notto retreat his queen but this move suits me as well, blocking the queensideas I anyway planned to attack kingside and e file. } 10. Nf3 { preparingthe short castle } 10... b5 11. Be2 { I hesitated long but if black takes a4, I'llhave one pawn late but the a black pawn will block the file as good asmine and anyway, I'll attack within two or three moves, so that it won'thave time to be a queen. If I fail my attack, the game will be lost anywaybut with queen, knight, two bishop and one rook on e file, my attack shouldsucceed. } 11... f6 { Not a good move, it weakens the king } 12. O-O bxa4 13. exf6 { Black must take with the rook and it will be vulnerable } 13... Rxf6 14. Bg5 { Now the rook or the knight are doomed } 14... Rg6 { Black prefer to loose therook } 15. Ne5 Rxg5 16. Qxg5 { Menacing the knight that can be easily protected. } 16... Nbc6 { Protecting the e knight and aiming at the center } 17. Rfe1 { Whiteneed the rooks on line 1 to defend against the queen but one rook can alsosupport the attack. The e file will be the crucial place. } 17... Qxc3 { Blackunderrates white's attack possibilities } 18. Qf4 { I thought that blackwould have plaid Nxe5 then Qxe5 menacing the e pawn and permiting Bg4 orBh5 } 18... Nxd4 { Black chooses to carry on attacking. White has a mate in 3 moves. } 19. Qf7+ { one } 19... Kh8 20. Qf8+ Ng8 21. Nf7# 1-0

[Event "Another tight game!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.05.19"] [Round "-"] [White "akjoltoy"] [Black "cyrano"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2610"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2685"] 1. c4 { Hi again everyone, It is time for round two. In the red corneris our WTW&LR Champion, GM Cyrano. In the blue corner is the GameknotChampion akjoltoy who starts off with an English Opening. 1. c4. } 1... Nf6 2. Nc3 { 2. Nc3 - one pair of knights is developed. } 2... g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4 { 4.d4 - in response to Afro's hypermodern style of defense (putting pawnson g6 and d6 and preparing to fianchetto his KB at g7), The Champ putsup an impressive pawn wall on d4,d4 and c4. Will Afro be cramped for style? We shall see. } 4... Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 { 6. ..... e5 - After fianchettoinghis bishop and then castling kingside he now tries to puncture the pawnwall with e5. } 7. O-O { 7. 0-0 - The Champ eschews dxe5 and also bringshis king to safety. } 7... Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 { 8. .... Ne7 - starting to get a littlebit like a jstevens1 midgame position (cramped for style) but can Afrofind a way round this and prevent passivitis seeping in? We shall see. } 9. Ne1 { 9. Ne1 - interesting retreat - preparing an eventual f4 perhaps. } 9... Nd7 10. Be3 f5 { 10. ...... f5 - but it is Afro who suddenly finds a wayto break out. If exf5 then Afro's previous move (Ne7) enables Afro torecapture the pawn with a knight and not weaken his castling position toavoid being a pawn down. } 11. f3 f4 { 11. ...... f4 - now Afro tries todrive back The Champ's dsb. } 12. Bf2 g5 13. Rc1 Ng6 14. Nb5 { 14. Nb5 -pressure on c7. } 14... b6 15. b4 a6 16. Nc3 Rf7 { 16. ..... Rf7 - The Champ'sknight has been driven back and Afro is now able to develop his lsb ontob7 and clear the back row decks. Over the next few moves Afro appearsto weaken his castled position by moving pawns up the board but on theother hand he does bring his pieces over to defend his king from a whitecounter-attack. } 17. Nd3 h5 18. c5 Bf8 19. Kh1 Rg7 20. cxb6 cxb6 { 20. .....cxb6 - an opening of the c column. } 21. Nb2 Rb8 22. Nc4 Nf6 { 22. .... Nf6- continuing to move pieces over to the kingside and over-protecting d6. } 23. Qa4 g4 24. Nxb6 g3 { 24. ..... g3 - Afro cannot recapture on b6 buthe does have a way out and that is to deflect The Champ's dsb off the f1-a7diagonal so that the recapture is possible. } 25. Nxc8 gxf2 26. Bxa6 Ng4 { 26. .... Ng4 - allo, allo, allo, a knight sac after being two pawns down,whatever is going on here? } 27. fxg4 hxg4 28. Rxf2 Rh7 29. g3 { 29. g3 -after being 5 material points up, The Champ offers Afro a draw! Afro accepts. Afro can get one material point back by playing fxg3 forking rook andpawn on h2 (which is pinned) and he can also bring his queen to h4 andsuddenly Old Matey hangs over the champ so he may need to bring his piecesback and defend against it so it is High Draw honours to Afro - well playedthere! } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Challenge from bigpeta, http://gameknot.com/chess.pl?b"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.12.28"] [Round "-"] [White "kepplersteve"] [Black "bigpeta"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1960"] [TimeControl "1/432000:0"] [WhiteElo "1444"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. f3 { Would be interested to know the reasoning for this weakmove standard is Nf3 or c4 } 2... d5 3. c4 { And now one of the cruelties ofchess. What was correct last move is wrong this move!! Either Nc3 or havinggone with f3 continue with e4 } 3... c5 4. dxc5 { taking this way gives up thecentre to white. better was cxd5 } 4... e5 { slightly better for me was e6 protectingd5 } 5. b4 { too many pawn moves without developing your pieces cxd5 undoublesyour pawns } 5... a5 6. Qa4+ { It is no use attacking with oe piece which caneasily be defended. again cxd5 was correct } 6... Bd7 7. b5 Bxc5 8. cxd5 { whatwas the correct move now becomes the game losing move. It allows Bd4 threateningto win the R Better was to withdraw the Q to c2 for defensive purposes } 8... Bd4 9. Qxd4 { And now to give up your Q to save a R is game over } 9... exd4 10. e4 dxe3 11. Bc4 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 Qh4+ 13. g3 Qb4+ 14. Nd2 exd2+ 15. Bxd2 Qd4 16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17. Rd1 Bxb5 18. Ne2 Re8 *

[Event "Winter Open '14 PCC"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "V. D."] [Black "freeman"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "40/2 hrs 30 SD"] [WhiteElo "1127"] 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 c6 { Prevents Nd5 } 5. e3 Bg7 6. b3 O-O 7. Bb2 a5 { aahh...It was a waiting move...can say much other than the standardd6 move should have been played..... } 8. Be2 { Bd3 places more control overe4 } 8... Ne4 9. O-O Nxc3 10. Bxc3 { Here I though of c5 but that seem like acheap trick } 10... d5 11. Qc2 Nd7 { Na6-b4 looked reasonable... } 12. Rfd1 Nf6 13. a3 h6 { winning move!!! } 14. b4 axb4 15. axb4 Be6 16. c5 Qc7 17. Ne5 Ne4 18. Nxg6 Rfb8 19. Bb2 Bf7 20. Nf4 e5 21. Nh5 Bxh5 22. Bxh5 Rxa1 { ! } 23. Rxa1 Rf8 { !! } 24. Bf3 Ng5 { Notice how the rook protects the f-pawn } 25. Be2 e4 { !! } 26. b5 f4 { !! } 27. Rf1 { ? a poor choice } 27... f3 { !! hahaha } 28. Bd1 Qd7 29. Kh1 fxg2+ { To keep the attack going this was forced allother moves allow White to mount a defense. } 30. Kxg2 Qh3+ 31. Kg1 Rf3 { !!! the rook blocks communication and prevents f4 } 32. Be2 Nh7 { !!! preparingNf6-g4 } 33. Kh1 Nf6 34. Rg1 Rxf2 { White resigned } 0-1

[Event "revange"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "23-Jun-06"] [Round "-"] [White "sjakedakus"] [Black "noes"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1272"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1102"] 1. Nf3 f5 2. g3 c5 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Qd3 d5 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Bf4 d4 8. Ne5 dxc3 9. Qxc3 Ne4 10. Qc4 Nxe5 { the offer, white accepted it, butcould not foresee the consequences. } 11. Bxe5 Qd2# { The end. The whiteknight had to move in order to get this square uncovered. } 0-1

[Event "Kings Indian Mainline"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.04.12"] [Round "-"] [White "thitho"] [Black "ataka"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1516"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1700"] 1. c4 { hi this is an interesting game which, though I happened not to winan apparent winning game, gave me the opportunity to win my first tournament. } 1... Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 Bg7 4. d4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 { scheme of the tournament } 9. b4 { my favorite attack... I should thinkabout developing it when I play someone who does not know me, but findout another scheme with people who know me. } 9... Nd7 { preparing the classicf5 } 10. a4 { queen-side full horror } 10... f5 { classic counter-attack on the kingside. } 11. Ba3 Nf6 12. Nd2 { retiring from the battlefield to compose onthe other side. We'll see my knights played a good part here. } 12... g5 13. f3 { trying to blockade the king side. } 13... Bd7 14. c5 { entering. } 14... Ng6 { negatethe threat, continuing its own plan. I don't blame ataka: i'd do the samewith black. } 15. g3 { computer considers this as an inaccuracy and proposes 15 c6 bxc6 16 dxc6 Bxc6 17 exf which seems better, but was totally outof my plans. } 15... f4 { I think this gave me the opportunity to block this sidefor a while. I'd pose this as a first mistake from black } 16. g4 Qe7 17. h3 { just in case black is inspired by a sacrifice or a h5 move. I consideredI had a little time to continue my own attack. Who said that: 'first defense,then attack'? } 17... h5 { bingo! } 18. Nc4 { now, i consider my own attack. } 18... hxg4 19. hxg4 { h-column didn't seem to dangerous for now, since I consideredmy own attack as faster than the eventual movements rook-king to occupatethe free corridor. } 19... Kf7 { But... black considered it... And this is thesecond mistake here, as the knights are very naughty pieces... computersproposes: 20.b5dxc5 21.d6cxd6 22.Nxd6+Kg8 23.Nxb7Rac8 24.Bc4+Kh7 25.Nd5Nxd5 26.Qxd5Kh6 27.Bxc5, but is black forced to play dxc5? } 20. cxd6 { anyway, my continuation seems very strong. } 20... cxd6 21. b5 { we arenow both on d6... Black should play Ne8, thought after that I had someplan to continue my attack. } 21... Rh8 { ?! } 22. Nxd6+ { and check, and a pawn. } 22... Kg8 23. Nxb7 { and a second pawn... but i was now arrived at my own peak...and I did not know it. } 23... Qe8 24. Nc5 { I thought about various other continuations,but did not see any one winning including light black bishop. from now,black will be on the lead, but I still don't know it. computer proposes24.Nd6Qd8 25.Nf5Rh7 26.Rf2Bf8 27.d6Kh8 28.Rc1Rc8 29.Nd5Rxc1 30.Bxc1Nxd5 31.Qxd5 but once again, is blac forced to play all thesemoves? } 24... Rh3 { logical, without panicking, ataka leads its own attack. } 25. Qb3 { impressive, no? I thought it was... bishop and queen seem to be ableto consider an attack on the king. } 25... Rg3+ 26. Kf2 { king is comfortableto flee, here. } 26... Nh4 27. Ke1 Ng2+ { these 2 pieces seem busy. I have to admitthat I considered to late the importance of the e3 square. } 28. Kd2 Rc8 29. Kc1 { dangerous choice, but I was scared of a Ne3-Rg2 continuation.Though the computer estimates this is my first mistake and proposes: 29.d6+ Kh8 30.Rh1+Nh4 31.Kc2Rg2 32.Rag1Rf2 33.Kc1Qg6 34.Nxd7Nxd735.Re1Bf6 36.Rh3 this time, i have to admit that I really did not playwell... maybe this was the turn of the game. } 29... Bf8 30. Nxd7 { maybe shouldhave done this for a long time. } 30... Nxd7 { black knigts are also very activetonight. } 31. Kb2 Ne3 32. Rf2 { preferring this to any other solution, irealized my rooks were blocked to defense. But I still got scared of Rg2. } 32... Nb6 { and now the dangerous spot is c4. I started to consider the draw,now, though I was 2 pawns ahead. Computers play Nxg4! I have to admit... } 33. Bxf8 { forced, as a Nc4 position would lead to a double attack on mybishop. } 33... Qxf8 34. Rc1 Nbc4+ 35. Bxc4 Nxc4+ { we can consider the knightshave beem much more agressive than the bishop in this game. For both sides. } 36. Ka1 { I should have played Ka2 here... } 36... Rxf3 { gosh, this is a beauty!Congratulations to ataka. } 37. Rxf3 { thought I saw everything that followed,I had to take. } 37... Nd2 38. Qd1 { I considered for a moment Qa2, but I thoughtit does not lead to nothing and the f-pawn is too dangerous. Actually,it was the best shot } 38... Nxf3 { Here black proposed the draw. I accepted. 39 Qxf4 would lead to Qa3 and a solid draw. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Simultaneous exhibition"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Sammy Reshevsky"] [Black "Amateur"] [Result "0-1"] { Reshevsky was not at his best in this game, played in 1958. He makes ahorrible error that allows a mate, and his opponent pounces. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 { Book opening so far. } 3. Nc3 Bb4 { The amateur plays a sharp variation. } 4. e3 { Reshevsky is unworried and simply continues developing. } 4... c5 { Tryingto break the center apart. } 5. Ne2 { Now capturing the White QN will notdouble White's Pawns. } 5... Nc6 { Development proceeds apace. } 6. a3 { Puttingthe question. } 6... Qa5 { Freezing the Bishop in place, but also playing fora trap: PxB?? would now be answerd by ...QxR! } 7. Bd2 { Adding support andbreaking the pin. } 7... e5 { Leaving the Bishop en prise. } 8. axb4 { Reshevskypounces, winng the Bishop and attacking the Queen. } 8... Nxb4 { Indirectly guardingthe Queen by means of a trap... } 9. Rxa5 { ...which Reshevsky falls straightinto. Now the lightning bolt strikes. } 9... Nd3# { Game, set and match! } 0-1

[Event "Brutal attack"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.11.26"] [Round "-"] [White "drchopper"] [Black "exray2012"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1520"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1611"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 { Here playing white on a Caro-Kann game. } 2... e6 { Generally,black go directly with d5, but it still fine. } 3. f4 { ?! Well I wasn'tsure about what to play. I didn't like the idea to play c4 or Bc4. Nf3could have been fine but I wanted a sharp opening. Computer analysis:Inaccuracy: +0.12 » 3. f4 d5 4. e5 Nh6 5. Nf3 Na6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Bxa6 bxa68. O-O O-O 9. a3 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Best: +0.88 » 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e5Ne7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Bd7 10. Qe2 } 3... Ne7 { ?! Weird manoeuverbecause the knight blocks the bishop; it's important if you want to castleas quick as possible. I think d5 was far more better, taking the centerand giving space to develop the other pieces. Computer analysis: Inaccuracy:+0.75 » ... Ne7 4. Nc3 Ng6 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bd3 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. f5 exf5 9.exf5 Nh4 10. Nxh4 Bxh4 Best: -0.01 » ... d5 4. exd5 cxd5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bd3Nc6 7. O-O Bd6 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Be3 Nb4 10. Bb5 } 4. Nf3 d6 { Fine, but d5 helpto take the center. Black seems to have a preference for slow games. } 5. Bd3 { I wanted to castle as quick as possible to be able to advance my pawns.Bc4 could have been fine too, but after d5 6.dxd5 cxd5 7.Bd3, I think blackhave a stonger center and a lot of space to develop his pieces. } 5... Qc7 6. Nc3 Nd7 { ?! Black block the other bishop. No choice to move a pawn in thenext move if he want to castle. I don't like black position at all, I thinkhe has wasted some tempo in the opening and now he is going to have a hardtime to keep developing his pieces. Seems like e5 is going to be black'snext move. } 7. e5 { The idea here was to block black to have the e5 squareand to give the possibility for my bishop to attack h7. Now I can makea fine attack on the king side and black gonna have a bad time to protectit since most of his pieces are in the queen side. } 7... Nd5 8. Nxd5 exd5 { Ithink cxd5 would have been better here because it would have done a blockadeto my pawns in the center. } 9. O-O { Now I can continue to push my pawnswithout problems. Black is so much under developed. } 9... dxe5 10. fxe5 Be7 11. e6 { ! The key move. } 11... fxe6 12. Ng5 { Black will not be able to castleon this side. I'm going into a very sharp position. } 12... Nf6 { ! The only finedefense. } 13. Nxh7 { Taking back my lost pawn and giving access to my bishopor my queen to attack threats the king. If Nxh7 then 14.Qh5+ and I cantake back with my bishop. It's a very sharp position. Bxh7 would have beenmore accurate. Computer analysis: Mistake: +0.23 » 13. Nxh7 Kd7 14. Nxf6+Bxf6 15. Bf4 Qb6 16. c3 Qxb2 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 a5 19. Bg3 Rf8 20. Rae1b5 Best: +1.25 » 13. Bxh7 Bd6 14. Bg6+ Kd7 15. h3 Rf8 16. c3 Bh2+ 17.Kh1 Bg3 18. Nf7 Bh2 19. Bg5 Qg3 20. Bxf6 Qxg6 } 13... Bd6 { ?! Computer analysis:Inaccuracy: +1.20 » ... Bd6 14. h3 Qb6 15. Bg6+ Kd7 16. Ng5 Rf8 17. Nf7 e518. c3 Kc7 19. Nxd6 Kxd6 20. Rf2 exd4 Best: +0.21 » ... Kd7 14. Nxf6+ Bxf615. Bf4 Qb6 16. c3 Qxb2 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 g5 19. Bb8 Rxb8 20. Rxf6Ke7 } 14. Bg5 Bd7 { ? Waste of tempo. Black don't have time to think aboutcastling. Computer analysis. Blunder: +6.88 » ... Bd7 15. Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Bg6+ Kd8 17. Bxf6+ Kc8 18. Bxh8 Bxh2+ 19. Kh1 b6 20. Rf7 Bf4 21. Qh5 Bd622. Be5 Kb7 23. Bxd6 Qxd6 24. Raf1 Best: +0.84 » ... Bxh2+ 15. Kh1 Bg3 16.Rxf6 Rxh7+ 17. Bxh7 gxf6 18. Qh5+ Kd7 19. Rf1 c5 20. Rxf6 Kd6 21. Rf7 Qa522. dxc5+ Kxc5 23. Be3+ Kb5 24. Bd3+ Ka4 } 15. Qh5+ { ?! The queen enterthe battlefield, I can now moving my other rook. Black can't take it becauseof Bg6#. Computer analysis: Mistake: +5.25 » 15. Qh5+ Kd8 16. Rxf6 Bxh2+17. Kh1 gxf6 18. Bxf6+ Kc8 19. Bxh8 Bd6 20. Nf6 Qd8 21. Bg7 Kc7 22. Qf7Rc8 23. Nxd7 Qxd7 24. Qxd7+ Kxd7 Best: +6.49 » 15. Nxf6+ gxf6 16. Bg6+Kd8 17. Bxf6+ Kc8 18. Bxh8 Bxh2+ 19. Kh1 b6 20. Qh5 Kb7 21. Qxh2 Qxh2+22. Kxh2 Rxh8+ 23. Kg3 Kc7 24. Bd3 Kd6 25. Kf3 } 15... Ke7 { ? Very hard to playaccurately in this kind of position. Now white have the possibility tomake black in 8 moves. I didn't calculate all the variations but I knewI have an enormous advantage with a lot of chances to mate very quickly. Computer analysis: Blunder: +Mate(8) » ... Ke7 16. Rxf6 Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 Qe518. Rxe6+ Kxe6 19. Qg6+ Qf6 20. Nxf6 Be5+ 21. Nh7+ Bf6 22. Re1+ Kd6 23.Bf4# Best: +5.25 » ... Kd8 16. Rxf6 Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 gxf6 18. Bxf6+ Kc8 19.Bxh8 Bd6 20. Nf6 Qd8 21. Bg7 Bf8 22. Bxf8 Qxf6 23. Bc5 Kd8 24. Qh2 } 16. Rxf6 { ! If gxf6 then Bxf6#. } 16... Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 { My queen seems to be in a verybad position but there is nothing to fear because my knight is too wellprotected and my attack is just too much strong at this point. } 17... Qg3 { Blackis in a very desperate situation and have no choice to sacrifice his queenif he want to survive longer. If gxf6 then 18.Bxg6+ Kd6 19.Qxh2+ e5 20.Qxe5#.If Rxh7 18.Rf7+ Ke8 (Kd6 19.Bf6#) 19.Re7+ Kf8 (Kd8 20.Re8#) 20.Qxh7 followedby Qh8#. The only way for black to survive longer with perfect play:Qe5 18. Rxe6+ Kxe6 19. Qg6+ Qf6 20. Nxf6 Be5+ 21. Nh7+ Bf6 22. Re1+ Kd623. Bf4#, but I didn't really calculate this variation. } 18. Rf3+ { ? Idon't know how I missed this mate in 2: 18. Rxe6+ Kxe6 19. Qg6#. The truthis that i have checked already variations with Rxe6+ but I don't know,I didn't see the simple Qg6#. Anyway, black queen is lost. Computeranalysis: Blunder: +14.33 » 18. Rf3+ Kd6 19. Rxg3 Bxg3 20. Qg4 Be5 21.dxe5+ Kc7 22. Rf1 Rag8 23. Rf7 Kc8 24. Be3 a6 25. Rxg7 Rxg7 26. Qxg7 Re827. Bb6 Best: +Mate(2) » 18. Rxe6+ Kxe6 19. Qg6# } 18... Qxg5 { ? Well black couldhave waited longer so he would have lost only his queen for a rook. Nowhe's going to lose both his queen and his bishop for a bishop. Computeranalysis: Blunder: +20.13 » ... Qxg5 19. Qxg5+ Kd6 20. Kxh2 Kc7 21. Qe5+Kb6 22. Qd6 a6 23. Qxd7 Rad8 24. Qxg7 Rhg8 25. Qe7 Rge8 26. Qc5+ Kc7 27.Bg6 Rh8 28. Rf7+ Kb8 Best: +15.04 » ... Kd6 19. Rxg3 Bxg3 20. Qg4 Be5 21.dxe5+ Kc7 22. Rf1 a5 23. Rf7 Rae8 24. Rxg7 Reg8 25. Rf7 Re8 26. Be7 Kc827. Bg6 b6 } 19. Qxg5+ Kd6 20. Kxh2 { Well I didn't got the mate but nowmy advantage is pretty big. I don't know why black want to still play. } 20... Kc7 21. Qe5+ Kb6 22. a4 { ?! Threatening a5#. Computer analysis: Blunder:+19.25 » 22. a4 a6 23. Rf7 Bc8 24. Qc7+ Ka7 25. Qxc6 g5 26. Qxa6+ Kb8 27.Qd6+ Ka7 28. Qc5+ Kb8 29. Rg7 Ra7 30. Kg3 g4 31. Kxg4 e5+ 32. Bf5 Best:+Mate(9) » 22. Be2 Rxh7+ 23. Kg3 Rh3+ 24. gxh3 Rc8 25. Rb3+ Ka5 26. Rxb7c5 27. dxc5 Rxc5 28. Rxa7+ Kb6 29. Qb8+ Kc6 30. Qc7# } 22... a5 { Computer analysis:Blunder: +25.45 » ... a5 23. Rf7 Rac8 24. Rxd7 Rhd8 25. Rxg7 Rg8 26. Rf7Rg4 27. Ra3 Ka7 28. Rb3 Rxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Rb8 30. Qxe6 Ka8 31. Bg6 Best:+19.25 » ... a6 23. Rf7 Bc8 24. Qc7+ Ka7 25. Qxc6 g5 26. Qxa6+ Kb8 27. Qd6+Ka7 28. Qc5+ Kb8 29. Rg7 Ra7 30. Kg3 g4 31. Kxg4 e5+ 32. Bf5 Bxf5+ } 23. Qxg7 { ?! I did see Rd8 20.Rf7 but not the followed move Rhg8! Computeranalysis: Blunder: +20.58 » 23. Qxg7 Rad8 24. Rf7 Rhg8 25. Qe5 Bc8 26.Qc7+ Ka7 27. Qxa5+ Kb8 28. Qc7+ Ka7 29. Bb5 Rd7 30. Rxd7 Bxd7 31. Qxd7Kb8 32. Qxe6 Rd8 33. Bxc6 Best: +25.73 » 23. Rf7 Rac8 24. Rxd7 Rhd8 25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26. Ra3 Ka7 27. Qc7 Rd7 28. Qxd7 g6 29. Qd8 b6 30. Qc7+ Ka8 31.Qxc6+ Ka7 32. Qc7+ Ka8 33. Qxb6 } 23... e5 { ? Black think about to fork my bishopand my rook in compensation of his bishop, but it's just a very bad idea. Computer analysis: Blunder: +Mate(10) » ... e5 24. Qxd7 Rad8 25. Qe7 Rhe826. Qc5+ Kc7 27. Rf7+ Rd7 28. Rxd7+ Kxd7 29. Nf6+ Kc7 30. Nxe8+ Kb8 31.Ba6 Kc8 32. Qd6 bxa6 33. Qc7# Best: +20.58 » ... Rad8 24. Rf7 Rhg8 25. Qe5Bc8 26. Qc7+ Ka7 27. Qxa5+ Kb8 28. Qc7+ Ka7 29. Bb5 Rd7 30. Rxd7 Bxd7 31.Qxd7 Kb8 32. Qxe6 Rd8 33. Bxc6 bxc6 } 24. Qxd7 Rad8 25. Qf7 { I'm offeringmy queen for the 2 rooks, I really don't care. Computer analysis: Blunder:+21.14 » 25. Qf7 Rdf8 26. Qg7 Rhg8 27. Qxe5 Rxf3 28. gxf3 Ra8 29. Qe7 Rg830. Qc5+ Kc7 31. Qxa5+ Kb8 32. Qc5 Re8 Best: +Mate(9) » 25. Qe7 Rhe8 26.Qc5+ Kc7 27. Qxa5+ Kc8 28. Rf7 Rd7 29. Bf5 Red8 30. Bxd7+ Kb8 31. Qxd8+Ka7 32. Qa5+ Kb8 33. Rf8# } 25... e4 { Computer analysis: Blunder: +Mate(7) » ...e4 26. Bxe4 Rxh7+ 27. Bxh7 Rb8 28. Rb3+ Ka6 29. Qc7 b6 30. Qxb8 b5 31.Bd3 c5 32. axb5# Best: +23.88 » ... Rdf8 26. Qe7 Rxf3 27. gxf3 Ka7 28. Ra3Ka8 29. Rb3 Rb8 30. Qc7 b5 31. dxe5 Rb7 32. Qxc6 b4 33. Qxd5 } 26. Bxe4 { ! } 26... dxe4 27. Rb3+ { Black resigned here because of Qxb7#. We both have madea lot of mistakes but it was very fun anyway. } 1-0

[Event "Myevilluck vs. IM Klaus: Najdorf Challenge Collaboration Annotation"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.23"] [Round "-"] [White "myevilluck"] [Black "klauno"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2415"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2252"] { Klaus and I decided to play a couple of Najdorf openings for the membersin the Walking the Walking Club. These are the comments, and the way thegame transpired. } 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { The Najdorf. Probably the most common opening you'll run into playingas white with 1. e4. } 6. Bg5 e6 { Klaus: We choose this Opening, becauseit is a modern Variation with good Chances of both Sides ! } 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 { Myevilluck: I play Qf3 because it goes with the overall theme ofwhite to attack the kingside. Supporting a f-pawn push eventually and allowingme to castle long. Other moves don't accomplish this accurately. I couldtechnically probably move 8. Be2 and castle kingside, but it isn't in thespirit, and I don't like creating new plans. Moving the LSB anywhere elsewould be an inaccuracy because of him having moves like 8. ... Qc7 or Qb6. Klaus:If White did not play Qf3 in the 8th Move, forexample he play 8.Qd2, black could play immediately b5 ! This opens blacksome good Counter Chances in the early stadium of the game. } 8... Nbd7 { Klaus:Nbd7 to have a look at the square e5. } 9. O-O-O { Sicilian Defense: NajdorfVariation, Main Line (B99) } 9... h6 { Klaus: h6 is a move over that grandmastersdiscuss in different ways. Every pawn move of the kingsside (the side whereyou castled) is weakening, but i prefer this move, because White will playg5 later and i will exchange the pawns to get a more active defense overthe line 6 and 7. Coincidentally the pieces of these lines should attackthe opponents king side. } 10. Bh4 { Myevilluck: I play 10. Bh4 becauseA.) I'm a bishop w**** and love keeping them around. B.) With him playing9. ...h6 I didn't like the idea of g5 being contested and having his DSBon f6 ready to attack me. } 10... Qc7 { ptitroque asked us why 10. d5 or e5 isnot possible. Myevilluck: e5 would unprotect very importantsquares f5 and d5. Allowing both my knights to move to them. Nf5 Bc4 Nd5.You know all those cool moves. (My Knight going to f5 can kill his e7 bishopand allow me to exploit the pin I just saved with bh4) 10. ...e5 11. Nf5!Bf8 12. Rxd6 Bxd6 13. Nxd6+ Ke7 14. Nd5+ Kxd6 15. Qa3+ Kc6 16. fxe5 Nxe517. Qc3+ Kd6 18. Be2 Nxd5 19. Qa3+ Kc6 20. Bxd8 Klaus:On d5 the following notation is possible : 11.exd5 Nxd5 12.Bxe7 Bxe7 13.Bc4 Qb6 (you have to protect e6 ) 14. Rhe1 Nc5 15.f5 0-0 16.f6 with verybest chances to win the game ! } 11. Be2 { Myevilluck: Connecting my rooksand allowing me options to protect e4 later. I've had trouble in the pastwith my LSB getting in the way of my kingside attack, so I just move itnow. } 11... O-O 12. Qg3 { Myevilluck: 12. Qg3 is basically a move anticipating12. Nc5. I can get my LSB on f3 instead to protect my e4 pawn rather thantie up my queen. I also like waving at his king on the g-file. (It stopsb5 for now because he has to open his bishop on its line to protect f5as a knight could get there as said earlier, and with the Q on g3 thatwould be devastating.) } 12... Nc5 { Elyhim even got in on the explanations: Basedupon my analysis I get the sense that white's only real trump card is thecentre and space. However, even though the e4 and f4-pawn are crampingmy style they are over extended, especially, e4! Another reason to attacke4 immediately is to break up white's centre before he has a chance toconsolidate. Therefore, I would choose 12. ...Nc5-> now white has two mainreplies: Best line 13.Bf3 e5!(attacking the d4-knight and forcing white to give up the spaceadvantage) 14. fxe5 dxe5(black's pawn structure is better and white hasan isolani e-pawn) 15. Now white has a to make a choice does he play 15. Nf5 or 15. Bxf6. 15. Bxf6!? give black thebishop pair but now white can use the d5 strong point for his knight. 15.Nxf5!? gives black free reign on the queenside. } 13. Bf3 e5 14. fxe5 { Brigadecommandergave an alternative to this move: My idea was based on 14.Nf5 not fxe5.That is a direct attack on the black king is it not? Does Black then haveto play 14....Bxf5 ?. And White then would play 15.exf5 correct?. Now blacksd-pawn is still backward, Whites LSB is released and aimed right at d5,andd6 is under attack. By 14.fxe5 white un/cramps Blacks position for him. Klaus: on 14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.exf5 Rac8 white has to playfxe5 to get Power to my e pawn and in the center. After dxe5 we have thesame position. Myevilluck: I didn't play 14. Nf5 becauseI didn't like the way it started to look. My line was something like:14. Nf5 Bxf4 15. exf5 Rfc8 16. Rhe1 e4 17. Bxf6 Bxf6 18. Bxe4 Rab8 It'sstill very drawish, but I figured the other way gave me a shot of him beinga little inaccurate. } 14... dxe5 { Forced } 15. Nf5 { Myevilluck: I decided black'sQueenside attack wasn't strong enough, and I like trying to keep my bishoppair for a hopeful advantage in the endgame. } 15... Bxf5 { Forced } 16. exf5 Rac8 { Klaus: Rac8 was played from me, to start my attack on the queenside, tomake the c-Linie sure for me and to plan Na4 ! I expect Rhe1 as White'sAnswer, to make power to my e pawn, which is a free pawn and in the endgame it can decide ! } 17. Rhe1 Na4 18. Rd3 { Klaus: myevilluck will protectfirst, my e-Pawn will fall soon ! } 18... b5 { Klaus: Now this position is verydifficult for me. Difficult because of i have to decide between two moves.b5 or Rfd8 ! on b5 followingis possible : 18...b5 19. Qxe5 (Rxe5 will bring black advantage after Nxb2)19....Qxc4 20.Qxe7 Nxc3 21.Rxc3 Qxh4 22.Rxc8 Rxc8 23.Rd1 Qxh2 with = Positionand nearly draw. on Rfd8following is possible : 18...Rfd8 19.Qxe5 Bd6 20. Qe2 Bf4+ 21.Kb1 Rxd322. Qxd3 Nxc3 23.Qxc3 Qxc3 24.bxc3 Rxc3 25.Bxb7 with better white position! While I analyses thisI decide to play the draw variation with b5 ! No other way is possiblefor me ! } 19. Qxe5 Qc4 20. Rd4 { Myevilluck: I made this move because Irealized there was only one right move and like to put my opponents tothese test. Qxe7 is too easy of a line for black. I would never expectKlaus to make a mistake, however, so let's end it with a bang. There is only one right movein this position for Black. Can you find it? Better yet both of our next8 moves were completely forced and lost if not made. Ready? } 20... Ba3 { Klaus:I'll try to explain this move ! First we look for alternates to this : 20...Qc5 21. Qxc5 Bxc5 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23.Rg4+Kh7 24.Nxa4 bxa4 25.Rxa4 ----black is 2 pawns behind and the position isclear lost ! 20...Qc721.Qxe7 Qxe7 22.Rxe7----Black is a Piece behind, The same applies to allother black moves !!! Now we saw that the alternates are all lost for black, so let us have alook at this 20...Ba3 ! elyhim already posted the line, but did anybodyunderstand the reason why ? So....20...Ba3 Answersfrom White : 21. bxa3 Qxc3 (Black threats Mate) 22.Re2 Qa1+ 23.Kd2 Rxc224.Kxc2 Rc8+ 25.Ke2 Qc3 26.Kd2 Qc1++ and Mate. White losses this game .if white did not take on a3,black plays on every move Bxb2 ! so...21.Rxc4 Bxb2+ 22.Kd1 Rxc4 23. Bxf6 (on other moves blackwould play Nxc3 Kd2 Rd8+ Ke3 Re8 with getting the Queen back and blackis one piece better) 23.Bxf6 Bxc3 24.Qd6 Bxf6 25. Ke2 (on other moves it works Rd8 for black) Rxc2 26.Kf1 Rd8 27. Qxa6 Bd4 28.Re2 Rc1+ with 3 times same position draw! } 21. Rxc4 Bxb2+ 22. Kd1 Rxc4 23. Bxf6 Bxc3 24. Qd6 Bxf6 25. Ke2 Rxc2+ 26. Kf1 Rd8 27. Qxa6 Bd4 28. Re2 Rc1+ 29. Re1 Rc2 30. Re2 Rc1+ 31. Re1 Rc2 32. Re2 Rc1+ { And there you have it. A beautiful draw by Klaus. Pleaserate and comment. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.06.28"] [Round "-"] [White "vales10"] [Black "otakumadness"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "961"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "936"] 1. a4 d5 2. d3 e5 3. e4 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. b3 Nf6 6. c3 Bc5 7. Ba3 Bxa3 8. Nxa3 { Trading bishops } 8... dxc3 { Taking the unprotected pawn } 9. Qc2 Bg4 10. Nxe5 { White goes for my pawn forgetting that my knight is ready to revengekill } 10... Nxe5 { Gaining a knight advantage } 11. f3 Be6 12. Qxc3 { Queen takesmy unprotected pawn } 12... Qd6 13. Nc4 Nxc4 14. dxc4 { Trading knights } 14... O-O-O 15. g4 h5 16. h3 g6 { I accidentally leave my knight unprotected but theQueen is the only thing preventing a checkmate by Black } 17. Qxf6 { Queentakes the knight } 17... Qd2# { White king is trapped on the f row by the bishop.I think White's mistake in this game was that he was focused simply ontaking pieces rather than looking at the overall picture. } 0-1

[Event "Quick Victory"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2007.08.03"] [Round "-"] [White "sarasani"] [Black "kldr"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1355"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] { This game lasted only some 45 min. I had the white pieces and felt prettyconfident, having checked out some previous games of my opponent. (whenyour rating is 1200, obviously most higher rated people don't take yourchallenge.) } 1. d4 { My favorite first move as white, as I'm more familiarwith Queen's Gambit type situations. } 1... d5 2. c4 dxc4 { Queen's gambit accepted. } 3. e4 { 3.e3 or 3.Nf3 are often played also. } 3... c6 { Ofcourse 3...Nf6 or 3...b5are options here. } 4. Bxc4 { Taking back the pawn. } 4... e6 5. Nc3 h6 { ?? Thismove weakens the kingside pawn structure for no reason. At this point Iallready saw a potential bishop sacrifice on h6. } 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. O-O { Developingand bringing my king to a safer spot. } 7... b5 8. Bd3 { This bishop needs togo to d3 anyway, now it's like an x-ray aim on h7 and soon I'll play e5to unleash it's full potential. } 8... Be7 9. Bf4 { I want to double up on thisdiagonal with my queen, so I have to move my bishop first. } 9... Nbd7 10. Qd2 { Voila.. } 10... O-O { Ok, here it comes... } 11. e5 { First get the knight out ofthe way and simultaneously clear the diagonal for my light squared bishop! } 11... Nh5 12. Bxh6 { ! Nice move! It's also nice to see how all the white piecesare active in the attack. (the knight on c3 will jump to e4 in some linesto assist.) } 12... gxh6 { It might be better not to take the bishop here...butwhite is obviously better. } 13. Qxh6 { Threatening mate on h7 ofcourse. } 13... Ndf6 { 13...f5 14.exf6 Ndxf6 also looks good for white. } 14. Rae1 { I likethis move..I've been reading this book called 'Excelling at Chess calculation'by Jacob Aagaard, a great book by the way, where he speaks of finding 'candidatemoves'. Ofcourse taking the knight wins back material, but I decided tolook a bit further and found this move! It doesn't threaten anything fornow, but black should really feel the pressure on the kingside buildingup. } 14... Re8 { ? This move loses instantly, but it's hard to find good movesfor black. } 15. exf6 { Mate is inevitable now! } 15... Nxf6 { 15...Bxf6 leads toforced mate after 16.Bh7 Kh8 17.Bg6 Kg8 18.Qh7 Kf8 19.Qxf7# } 16. Ng5 { ! } 16... e5 { There's no defence. Now it's mate in three. } 17. Bh7+ Nxh7 18. Qxh7+ Kf8 19. Qxf7# { Checkmate! Hope you enjoyed the game. } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "11-Sep-08"] [Round "-"] [White "saagent"] [Black "chuckbo"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1826"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1831"] 1. d4 { Here's a game I think's pretty exciting. Hope you enjoy it. I joinedGameKnot to especially get practice against d4, so I'm glad to get thistest. } 1... f5 { I experimented with the Leningrad Dutch maybe ten years agoin a couple of tournament games, got scared, and put it aside. Recently,I tried to give it another try, and I got a book on the Dutch (the ClassicalDutch, the Leningrad, and the Stonewall). And thanks to brMichael who letme experiment with something wild, I felt comfortable enough to try itin a match. Am I crazy, or what? Will our captain shoot me for learninga defense in a match? We'll see. } 2. Nf3 Nf6 { I've always been drawn tof5 defenses for Black. They feel edgy, slightly unsound, but dangerousfor White, too. } 3. e3 e6 { I made the decision to try the Classical Dutchin this game. I think I'm going to gravitate to the Leningrad, but thebook recommends being familiar with all three main variations. } 4. Bd3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 d6 { This is the Classical Dutch, with pawns on d6and e6. The Stonewall would put pawns on d5 and c6 (not fun for Black'sQB, but not easy for White to break through. The Leningrad plays g6 andfianchettoes the bishop. } 7. b3 { This looked like a major mistake to me.If he fianchettoes that bishop, it won't get to participate at all on thekingside, and that's where the action is in the Dutch. } 7... d5 { And with thatin mind, I decided to switch to the Stonewall. The book I read stronglyrecommended that it's important in the Dutch to be able to recognize whenit's time to liquidate the pawn structure and shift it to something else.If he really wants that bishop on b2, I want to lock his pawn on d4. AndI felt comfortable switching to the Stonewall because I had just finishedthat practice game with brmichael where I played the Stonewall, tried somethingwild, he beat my unsound attack, but I felt I gained some intuition intothe defense. (So brmichael gets an assist if I win this game!) } 8. Bb2 Ne4 { And the book also recommends that if in doubt, Ne4 is always a goodmove for Black. I think c6 would be the natural move here to complete theStonewall, but he's playing passively. I figure in every game, at leastone person has to be attacking, and if my opponent wants to be passive,then it must be me who should be doing the attacking. (Don't worry, he'llpunch back soon enough.) I don't remember which pawn I was planning totake back with if he captures the knight. Maybe I hadn't decided, becausethere's things I like about both. I like giving my rook a half-open filewith fxe4. But I also like the threat of moving the pawn to f4. Yeah, I'dprobably recapture with the d-pawn for that reason. But I don't think hewants to trade off that bishop for the knight, so I didn't think I'd haveto face that choice, and he can't take with the knight because my pawnforks his knight & bishop. } 9. Ne5 { No real surprise there. I already knewwhat I'd do about that. } 9... Nd7 10. f4 { I thought that was possible. I didn'tthink he'd trade knights. My bishop's pretty week, but then I can thinkabout getting it to e8 and out to the kingside. I don't remember for sure,but I seem to remember thinking he might play Ndf3 so he could recapturewith his other knight if I trade. } 10... Nxe5 { You'd better believe I'll do thattrade! He has to take back with a pawn instead of the knight. If I'd givenhim time to play Ndf3, he could recapture with a knight, and the only wayI'd ever get rid of the knight from that outpost would be to trade offmy strong bishop. The way it stands now, he'll have a pawn on e5, and thesquare won't be of any value for his knight. } 11. fxe5 { That was nice ofhim! I think I was expecting him to use the d-pawn. It gives his bishopon b2 a little more scope and keeps the kingside a little bottled up. Iwant to open the kingside, because I don't think his pieces, especiallythe bishop on b2, are well placed to defend. And they certainly don't scareme as an attacking force. } 11... Bd7 { Maybe the bishop will go over to the kingsideat some point. This also lets my QR into the game. I'm looking to bringthe queen out along the h5-e8 diagonal, then bringing the bishop to g5,and looking for opportunities to play f4. } 12. Qe2 Qe8 13. c4 { I'm hopinghe wants to attack on the queenside, so his pieces will stay focused thatdirection. Does he underestimate how strong my kingside attack can be? } 13... c6 { I finally completed the Stonewall. } 14. Nf3 { Where's it going? Or isjust defending the black squares that my bishop would like to go to? } 14... Qg6 { You can ask me if I have a plan yet ... not really. I've described topeople that I play a kind of chess that relies on serendipity. I put mypieces on good squares and then expect good things to happen. If your piecesare on better squares than your opponent, then you'll have better opportunitiesthan he does. And I also saw a quote from Karpov a few weeks ago in a gameI was showing my students. He said if you aren't sure what to do, findyour piece that's on the worst square and move it to a better square. } 15. Kh1 { That encourages me. I feel like he's nervous about my attack andmore worried about defending against it than he is counter-attacking anywhere. } 15... Qh6 { Now I do have a plan. My queen's putting pressure on the e-pawn thatdoesn't have a pawn to defend it, and the bishop that could protect itis out of play. Oh, yeah, the threat Ng3 is mean. I win a rook or queenon the fork because his pawn is pinned and wouldn't be able to take theknight. } 16. Bxe4 { I knew that was coming eventually. That knight was justtoo strong sitting on e4, and no pawn could chase it away. } 16... fxe4 { So whichside would you rather have? We're even in material, and we both have thesame funky pawn structure in the center with a weak e-pawn. He's attackingmy d-pawn, but I don't see that he gains anything if he trades (I'd haveto decide whether to give him a passed pawn by playing exd5 and keepingthe c-file blocked, but I think I'd prefer to play cxd5. My bad bishopfeels better than his bad bishop. Overall, I feel like I've got more initiativethan he does, more opportunities to do something. } 17. Ng1 { Really? I guesshe wants to keep it on the kingside -- he's conceding that I have the initiativeand he can't afford to move any more pieces away from the kingside, andmaybe he plans to use it to block on h3 or go to e2 and f4 after he movesthe queen. The second plan worries me more because then he's attackinge6, so I don't want to give him time for that long reshuffling of pieces. } 17... Bg5 { I told you that was a weak pawn, didn't I? } 18. Rxf8+ Rxf8 19. Re1 { I love it! His two most powerful pieces are busy protecting a pawn. So how can I take advantage of it? } 19... Bh4 { I like that move a lot. For onething, it supports a rook invasion on f2, and then after he moves the queen,the rook gets the bishop on b2. But if he plays Rf1, I can trade rooksand then the queen captures on e3. And g3 doesn't stop me, because I canjust take it -- that pawn on h2 is pinned. I told you that I liked my Qh6move; all I did was put it on a better square, and it keeps on paying dividends. } 20. Rb1 { He had to go protect that bishop, but now his rook's not participating. } 20... Rf2 { I'm not sure what the rook will get to do down there, but I know it'sbetter there than it is on f8. I'd really like to find a way to attackhis e-pawn from behind. } 21. Qg4 Rd2 { Do you notice that, in a way, I'vegot like three of his pieces pinned. I already mentioned the pawn on h2,but also his bishop. If the bishop moves, I get the pawn on a2. And ifthe bishop's pinned, then so's the rook. Even if I don't know what allI'll do yet, I know I have more options than he does. } 22. Nh3 { I'm thinkingthat he's looking for a way to counterattack my pawn on e6. I've got towatch out for letting his queen can recapture there. } 22... Bf2 { I want thatpawn! I think I also looked briefly at Rd3, but I liked my rook on thatrow. I wish I could remember what I planned to do if he played Nxf2. } 23. Ba3 { I'm annotating the game and wondering: why didn't he take the bishop.Maybe he's thinking that his trap here is stronger than it really is. Itmay be that he sees that if I have a rook on the f-file, he no longer hasany threats at f8. And after I take back with the rook, that pawn on e3will still ultimately fall. Now I've got to be concerned about him gettinghis queen or rook to f8. } 23... Qxe3 { I thought about it and decided I couldhold off his attack. What I also like about this capture is that I havea passed pawn that's immediately part of the attack and threatening him. } 24. Rf1 Qd3 { That's kind of my sneaky move. He can't take the bishop withthe knight because Qxf1#. If he takes it with the rook and I take his rook,he can't play Nxf2 because of Qxf1#. And he can't leave the rook whereit is because of Qxf1#. And if he moves the rook like to c1 or b1 or a1,I get to play e3, and that just looks like it causes all kinds of problemsfor him. From e3, it guards the bishop and lets my rook do other things. } 25. Rxf2 Rxf2 26. Qh4 { For the rest of the game, I've got to deal withhis threats of checking me on the back row, maybe winning my bishop andpicking off my queen pawns, ... } 26... Rf1+ 27. Ng1 { So now I've got a toughdecision. I'm looking at Qe3, threatening to take the knight with mate. But I'm real worried about giving him a chance to play 28. Qd8 . ThenI'm looking at 28. ... Kf7; 29. Qxd7 Kg6; 30. Qxe6 . I remember playingout scenarios where he gets the bishop to check me and can use his pawnsand he would either get a checkmate or a stalemate. So, I took a deep breathand decided that whoever can give check keeps the initiative. } 27... Rxg1+ 28. Kxg1 Qxd4+ 29. Kf1 Qd1+ 30. Kf2 Qd2+ 31. Kf1 { I'd like to find a way tocheck him with the pawn advance. } 31... Qd3+ 32. Kf2 e3+ 33. Kf3 e2+ 34. Kf2 { Here's where I looked for awhile and didn't find any way to queen thatpawn successfully. So I trade it for another one that causes me problems. } 34... Qf5+ 35. Kxe2 Qxe5+ 36. Kd3 Qf5+ 37. Kd2 Qf6 { That's a move I didn't liketo make. I was certain he would trade queens, and even though I'm up twopawns, I played through lots of scenarios and found that his bishop canprobably hold off my two pawns because my bishop's on the opposite color.In fact, later on, I would be looking at cases where I was ahead by 3 pawnsand he still would be able to hold me off with that bishop. } 38. Qg3 { Sighof relief. He's looking at his deficit in pawns and doesn't want to tradequeens. I'll remember that, and that suggests to me that he'll be reluctantto block a check with his queen. Seriously, given a choice, what I wantto trade off are bishops, not queens. } 38... Qd4+ 39. Kc2 Qe4+ 40. Kd2 e5 { Thiswas a key position for me. I was in the Netherlands for training. I didn'tget out of training and back to the hotel until about 9 or 9:30, and Iordered room service (way too expensive for way too little food), and Istarted analyzing this position. No family around, so why not. In fact,you'll appreciate this ... I had internet access, so I tuned in to www.kjic.org('King Jesus is Coming', a Southern Gospel station I've been listeningto since April in the car that broadcasts from south of Houston). I builta decision tree until about 1 or 1:30 in the morning looking at about twodozen lines. I was hoping for Bb2, because I'd get to play d4. If I gotto that point, I could trade queens and win that endgame despite oppositecolor bishops. Every line I looked at won for me except for one, Qf3, becauseI'd have to trade queens, I felt, and then I didn't see a way to forcea win in the endgame. My bishop's been patient the entire game, watchingthe rest of his army do the fighting, but he's going to participate whenit counts! } 41. Qg5 { Thank you. I'd spent a lot of time looking at thisvariation, because I'd felt it was the most dangerous to me, but I hadplayed through a lot of lines and didn't find anything that stopped mefrom winning. Now, I knew I could get him. } 41... Bf5 42. Qd8+ Kf7 43. Bf8 { Waita second, hold everything. I looked at Qe7 , Qc7 , and Qf8 at this point.I hadn't looked at Bf8. My heart jumped for a moment because of the threatof Qe7 and Qxg7 . I'd already given away an easier win, I felt, in theother game (a draw) and was suddenly afraid of blowing both of my games.I remember sending a comment to saagent that I felt if I ever stopped checkinghim, I was in trouble. He replied that he suspected there was probablya mate in there -- by then, I'd found it. } 43... Qd3+ 44. Ke1 { That's his onlymove. } 44... Qc3+ 45. Kf2 { He's trying to stay off white squares so I can't repositionthe bishop with a check. } 45... Qd2+ 46. Kf3 Be4+ 47. Kg4 Qf4+ 48. Kh3 Bf5+ 49. g4 Qxg4# 0-1

[Event "Opening shots in the KGA Bishop's gambit (3. ... Bc5)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.12.29"] [Round "-"] [White "oogklep"] [Black "stromokocur"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1366"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1700"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 { My second annotated game with the Bishop'sgambit. } 3... Bc5 { This is not a move I have seen before and the game showswhy. } 4. Bxf7+ Kf8 { If Kxf7 then Qxh5 picks up Bc5. It is not clear tome which is better. } 5. Qh5 { I think this is forced since retreating thebishop meets with Qh4+ and horribleness for white } 5... Qe7 { Eyeing both thebishop and e4 with check. } 6. Bxg8 { Forced since retreating the bishopallows black to play Nf6 chasing the Queen off and gaining the initiativeand probably the advantage. } 6... Qxe4+ { A somewhat logical move since the pawnis taken with check, but after the knight covers the king black can notboth take my bishop and protect his own. Better is simply taking 6. ...Kxg8 and after 7.d3 aim to play g6, d6 and trying to defend the position. } 7. Ne2 Kxg8 8. Qxc5 Qxg2 { Black has no time for pawn-grabbing, howevertempting. Black needs to develop desperately, so 9. ... Nc6 seems logical. } 9. Rg1 { A lot of white's moves are nearly forced and good at the sametime. This forces black to retreat } 9... Qxh2 { The pawn that broke the camel'sback; black grabs another pawn overlooking the Queen trap: Qd5+ followedby Rh1. } 10. Qd5+ Kf8 11. Rh1 c6 { Probably hoping for RxQh2 } 12. Qd6+ { Andnow the queen is lost and black resigned. } 1-0

[Event "gamerman003's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.11.24"] [Round "-"] [White "demadone"] [Black "savsams"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1667"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1556"] 1. e4 { A game won from almost a zero situation. I thought I could get opinionson what else could have transpired. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 a6 7. Bd3 Bd7 8. f4 { Move targetting . e5 dxe5 fxe5but of course that is wishful thinking. } 8... h6 9. Bh4 Be7 10. f5 Nxe4 11. Bxe7 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Qxe7 13. fxe6 Bxe6 { Black gains a pawn in the exchange. } 14. O-O { White's rook has an open flange which is often a good position. } 14... O-O 15. Qf3 { An attack on black's b pawn. } 15... d5 16. Rae1 { If an opening occursthen white will capture black's f rook. } 16... Nd7 17. Qg3 Qc5 { Black is actuallyattacking the c3 pawn but it is quite a poisoned piece. } 18. Kh1 { No attemptto move the white bishop. } 18... Rae8 19. Nf3 { It would seem that the poisonedpawn is now safe to capture. But I was looking there when making this moveand hoping black thought so too. } 19... Qxc3 { Well, he did. } 20. Ng5 { As is clear,it was a mistake. } 20... Qc6 21. Nh7 { Bishop exchange would have made less sense. } 21... Nc5 22. Nxf8 Nxd3 { A sure mistake by white in not capturing the knightstraight away. } 23. Nxe6 Rxe6 24. Rxe6 fxe6 25. Qxd3 b5 26. Qg6 Qd7 27. h3 a5 28. Re1 e5 29. Rxe5 { Black resigns. } 1-0

[Event "Walking the Walk and Learning to Run Welcome MT #1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.05"] [Round "-"] [White "hogfysshe"] [Black "bigpeta"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2070"] [TimeControl "5d+5d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1749"] 1. e4 { Dundee vs St. Andrews - round 3. The third game between bigpetaand myself. I have now been added to Pete's growing list of players he'sbeaten playing the Latvian Gambit. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 f5 { 2. ...f5, completes theLatvian Gambit setup. Both sides played fine through move 27. So I'llskip ahead. But as it is fun and unusual, here is the game if you'd liketo click through http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=18747532 [won'tcreate a link, so please copy & paste]. Many alternatives from 3 through27; so comments on this section are of course welcome. } 3. Nxe5 Qf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Nc3 Qf7 7. Be2 Nf6 8. Bg5 Nbd7 9. O-O h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. Bg3 h5 12. f3 h4 13. Be1 exf3 14. Rxf3 h3 15. g3 b6 16. Re3+ Kd8 17. Bf3 Rb8 18. b3 g4 19. Bc6 Bb7 20. Bxb7 Rxb7 21. Qd3 Qh7 22. Rd1 Bh6 23. Re2 Qxd3 24. Rxd3 Re8 25. Rxe8+ Kxe8 26. Bd2 Bg7 27. Bf4 { 27. Bf4. Hereis the final position before I let myself be provoked into an interestingbut unwise move. Material is even. My pawns being intact, I reason thatexchanging a minor piece for two pawns may be worth the investment. Onthe other hand, given that both sides are somewhat depleted, N (or B) forP+P may not be a very good idea. } 27... b5 { 27. ...b5, provokes... } 28. Nxb5 { 28. Nxb5. Perhaps too much focus on the 'damage black's pawns' idea. But since white can still gain two pawns for the N, why not? } 28... Rxb5 { RxB. } 29. Bxd6 { 29. Bxd6. Grabbing the second pawn. The question becomes, canwhite's three pieces and strong pawns overcome the master player's fourpieces. } 29... Nb6 { Recapture being too pricey, bigpeta tempts white to giveup yet another piece and let black's pawns regroup AND threatens to damagewhite's pawns. } 30. Re3+ { 30. Re3+. Allows white to move B and N to lessproblematic locations. } 30... Kd8 31. Be7+ { 31. Be7+ } 31... Kd7 { 31. ...Kd7. A keypoint in the game. I spent quite a bit of time weighing options. Decidedagainst BxN due to the pawn on d4 being in danger afterward, instead playing... } 32. Na3 { 32. Na3. Unfortunately, during the latter part of my evaluating,I had let go of black possibly responding with Nd5. Not a fatal oversight,but I was caught off guard when black played... } 32... Nfd5 { 32. ...Nfd5. Now,both sides threaten an opposing rook. But I regret not having extendedmy evaluation a bit further. Perhaps should have played 32. Bxf6. Comments? } 33. Re4 { 33. Re4. Here again, my evaluation doesn't extend quite far enough. While I think 33. ...Nc3 could be followed by RxP threatening RxB, blackwould actually land a checkmate with 33.Re4Nc3, 34.Rxg4Ne2+, 35.Kh1Rf5, 36.Rxg7Rf1# (though white could avoid # with Kf1 or Kf2 which arenot uninteresting). Regardless, I have now placed pieces based on badevaluation, in effect wasting some amount of time over the past few moves. GK computer agrees this was not a good move, preferring 33. Rd3. } 33... Nc3 { 33. Nc3, one move from landing a check that would preserve his knight(which I fear), so... } 34. Nxb5 { NxR. Eliminates a powerful piece, butat the cost of my rook. } 34... Nxe4 { NxR. Still, I hope to be able to make somethingof this. White has not gone down beyond the one pawn value lost with theexchange at 28 & 29, ...though has not gained either. And I do know Peteis very strong in the endgame, ...gulp? } 35. Bc5 { 35. Bc5. Annoyinglylimited options for the B to retreat to. } 35... a6 { 35. ...a6, protecting thea pawn and kicking out the knight. } 36. Na3 { 36. Na3. } 36... Kc6 { 36. ...Kc6. } 37. Kf1 { Not paying attention, I hope to get the king in to the actionwith 37. Kf1. Immediately repelled with... } 37... Nd2+ { 37. ...Nd2+ (I've wastedanother move!). } 38. Kg1 { 38. Kg1. } 38... Nd7 { 38. Nd7. Beginning a beautifularc wherein this knight come to team up with the other to win. } 39. Bb4 { 39. Bb4. The first move in a plan to edge a pawn toward promotion justahead of black queening a pawn. But it is a delicate plan which blackquickly foils. [The flimsy plan: 39.Bb4Nf3+ 40.Kh1Bxd4 41.Be7Bg142.Nc4Bxh2 43.Na5+Kb5 44.b4Ka4 45.a3Kxa3 46.b5+; and white canpromote the a pawn a few moves later] } 39... Nf3+ { 39. ...Nf3+, and white mustchoose from poor options. I reason that black will not be able to checkmateme before my counter threats distract him. But it is a big commitmentto lock myself away with... } 40. Kh1 { 40. Kh1. I'll admit that even thoughI knew the danger of two knights, I thought black would bring the B down,heading toward Bxh2. } 40... Bxd4 { 40. ...Bxd4. } 41. Nc4 { 41. Nc4 } 41... Nf6 { 41. ...Nf6.Hmm. Looks like I had to play 42. Ba3, here! Double Hmm. } 42. Na5+ { 42.Na5+ } 42... Kb5 43. c3 { 43. c3. } 43... Ne4 { 43. ...Ne4. oof! One move to checkmate. Live and learn. Psychological blunder. That knight seemed WAY back inblack's territory. I dismissed its ACTUAL threat and so did not plan forwhat it could ACTUALLY do. A slow piece but not that slow! See annotationat 41. } 44. a4+ { 44. a4+. Could have resigned here but set the final movesas conditionals instead. } 44... Kb6 { 44. ...Kb6 } 45. Nc4+ { 45. Nc4+ } 45... Ka7 { Kingnow out of reach and no way for white to defend f2! } 46. cxd4 { PxB. } 46... Nf2# { 46. ...Nf2#. A fun and interesting game. Thank you to bigpeta for introducingme to the Latvian and for another good game. } 0-1

[Event "Training game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "12-9-18"] [Round "-"] [White "Oliver Haugh"] [Black "Graeme Campbell"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "ECF26"] [TimeControl "None"] 1. e4 { This was a training game. Graeme divides his time between Malpas,Cheshire and Spain. When he is here he plays bottom board for my team inDivision 4 of the Wirral Chess League http://www.wirralchessleague.uk/results.php?club=Malpas_Oswestry&team=2Oliver is a young 18 year old student who has just joined my club, andI wanted to see how he would fare against a regular member of the side. } 1... e5 { So it starts conventionally enough. } 2. Nf3 { White attacks pawn one5. } 2... Nc6 { Black protects e5. } 3. Bb5 { White attacks the knight. The RuyLopez, otherwise call The Spanish Opening. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruy_Lopez } 3... Bc5 { Black puts his hopes on development. } 4. O-O { White develops. } 4... Nf6 { As does black, attacking e4. } 5. d3 { White protects e4. } 5... O-O { Black castles. } 6. Bxc6 { White sees the chance to win a pawn and takes it. } 6... bxc6 { I preferrecapturing with the d pawn and opening up the c8-h3 diagonal for the Bc8,but this move is also playable. Fritz prefers taking with the b pawn. } 7. Nxe5 { So white takes the pawn. } 7... Bb7 { Playable, but better was Re8 ord5, opening up the position. } 8. Bg5 { White pins the knight. } 8... d6 { Blackdrives the knight to the square it wants to go. Better 8...B7 to reliefthe pin. } 9. Ng4 { White now has a massive initiative. Fritz puts whiteas at least plus 2. } 9... Bd4 { Black tries to protect f6. I thought white couldnow just drive the black bishop off the diagonal with 10. c2-c3 attackingthe bishop, as 10....Be5 is met with 11. d3-d4 or 11. f2-f4. However Fritzpoints out to me that black can avoid the worse with meeting 10. c2-c3with 10....Qd7! counter attacking g4. Best for both sides is then 11. Bxf6Bxf6 12. Nxf6 gxf6 13. Qf3 and as well as being a pawn up, black's pawnformation is very weak. Fritz still thinks that 10. c2-c3 is the bext movefor white though. } 10. Bxf6 { Instead, white hurries to exchange. } 10... Bxf6 { Black takes back. } 11. Nd2 { Setting a little trap for black. 11...Bxb2Rb1 and black loses a bishop. } 11... Re8 { So black just develops. } 12. Qe2 { Improvingthe position of the queen. } 12... Ba6 { Improving the position of the bishop. } 13. e5 { White just throws away his extra pawn. } 13... dxe5 { Better to take withthe bishop and keep the e file open for the black rook. } 14. Ne4 { Whiteis threatening again to double black's f pawns. } 14... Bg5 { Which black avoids. } 15. Nxg5 { So white takes. } 15... Qxg5 { Black takes back. } 16. Rfe1 { White develops. } 16... e4 { A very clever move by black. Of course white can't take with the dpawn due to the pin by the bishop on a6. } 17. Ne3 { Knight drops back toblock the attack on the e file. } 17... exd3 { Black correctly takes. } 18. cxd3 { White takes back. } 18... Rad8 { Black attacks the d pawn again. } 19. Qc2 { Whiteshould protect d3 again with Ra-d1. Black should just take on d3 now. } 19... Re6 { I am not sure why black played this. } 20. Nc4 { This is one way ofprotecting the d pawn, by shielding the attack from the Ba6. } 20... Qf5 { Blackattacks d3 again. } 21. Ne3 { White again leaves the d pawn en prise. Blackshould just take the pawn with the queen. } 21... Qg6 { Black just drops the queenback. } 22. d4 { White advances the pawn. Black should just take the d pawnwith his rook. } 22... Qxc2 { But black takes here instead. } 23. Nxc2 { White takesback with his knight, protecting d4 now. } 23... Bc4 { Bishop attacks a2. } 24. b3 { Counter attacking. } 24... Bd3 { Black correctly attacks the knight protectingthe pawn on d4. } 25. Nb4 { Knight attacks bishop! } 25... Rxd4 { Black wins a pawn.White could easily win it back, by exchanging on e6 and then taking onc6, but white doesn't seem to realise this. } 26. Nxd3 { Instead white takeshere. } 26... Rxd3 { Rook takes back. } 27. Rad1 { White contests the d file. } 27... Rxd1 { Black takes. } 28. Rxd1 { White takes back. } 28... g6 { Black wants to avoid backrank mates, but 28. ... Rd6 or 28. ....Kf8 are stronger. } 29. g3 { Whitetoo, doesn't want to fall to a back-rank mate. } 29... Re7 { Black doesn't wantthe white rook penetrating to the 7th rank, but instead he lets the rookinto the 8th rank. Rd6 or Kf8 again were better moves. } 30. Rd8+ { Whitethrows in a check. } 30... Kg7 { Forced! } 31. Ra8 { Now white is winning the usefula pawn. } 31... Re2 { Black counter-attacks. } 32. Rxa7 { The a pawn goes. } 32... Re1+ { Black throws in a check. } 33. Kg2 { Forced! } 33... Ra1 { Black goes behind thepawn. } 34. a4 { The pawn advances. } 34... Rb1 { Black goes after the b pawn. } 35. Rxc7 { a pawn goes. } 35... Rxb3 { And another. } 36. Rxc6 { And another. } 36... Ra3 { Rookcorrectly goes behind the pawn. } 37. Ra6 { As does white. } 37... h5 { I am notsure what black is trying to do. } 38. h4 { I would have been tempted justto push the a pawn. } 38... Kh6 { What else? } 39. a5 { At last the a pawn advances. } 39... f5 { Black continues to mess about on the king-side. } 40. Ra8 { Rook to the8th. White plays the ending of this game well. } 40... Kg7 { King drops back. } 41. a6 { pawn comes forward again. } 41... Kf7 { Black is just marking time. } 42. a7 { pawn goes forward again. } 42... Kg7 { Back again. I thought at this stagethat black knew the correct defence, i.e. moving the king between g7 andh7. } 43. f3 { Not sure of the point of this move either. } 43... Kf7 { The fatallast mistake! } 44. Rh8 { Of course! } 44... Rxa7 { Otherwise the pawn queens. } 45. Rh7+ { But it fails to this. } 45... Kg8 { Nothing better. } 46. Rxa7 { And blackresigned. 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 "Challenge from knightrider62"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.06.02"] [Round "-"] [White "knightrider62"] [Black "vesper2"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "898"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "933"] { In general, when I annotate a game, it's someone I've coached, a gameby one of my students, but more often then not, GM games and games whereI've been coached, in the OTB WTW games. But, this is the second annotation,in which I have trained both students. I mentored in knightrider62, abouta year ago in what was Chess Coaches and Mentors. And, about a month ago,I coached vesper2 when he joined my team, Teachers and Learners. Bothplayers have improved since I've trained as I'm known to be a good teacher. And, I promised to annotate another game by Sue. Now, I have been latelybusy, and despite things still being crazy, I decided to take time to followthrough on my promise. So, I am essentially analyzing this game by bothplayers. Both players overlooked a move. But, black missed one more threat,and the final threat is what sealed his fate, as white was able to delivermate. So, how did this game unfold? } 1. e4 { While I can't completelyremember the game chat, what I remember the most in my training games withwhite was telling Sue that 1.e4 In it, I told her that the way to rememberis what Bobby Fischer has said which is, 'Best by Test.' So, when youthink of that phrase, remember, 1.e4 She did an excellent job rememberingthat. Now, @knightrider62: another lesson to learn, as vesper plays itand you see it a lot is that 1.d4 is also common. Some people also referto that as best by test. But, the reason that 1.e4 is better to learnis that the common lines do not require as much complications, so it'seasier to remember. As key technique, as I learned from Susan Polgar isthat the one thing you don't want to do with openings is to memorize them. So, after that lesson, I replied and told Susan that I agreed. That,for example, I had to do that with the Siclian Defense as he made me practicethe Open Variation until I memorized that by heart, and it took a lot longerand was much more complicated. And, this was before my rating reached900. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 { I am already impressed with Sue. Not only has she improved,but she also remembered this line without needing to memorize anything,which is a plus. All I said was that after 1...e5, 2.Nf3 was the mostcommon response as it can lead to things like the Ruy Lopez or two KnightsDefense. In part, because 2.Nf3, starts developing very early, and aswe know, one of the important things; even when exceptions to guidelinesdo occur is that, you want to develop your pieces, control the center,and get the K to safety. This is such an important moral because, evenGM's have lost by failing to do that. } 2... Nf6 { Now, I also told Sue thatinteresting things could happen here. For example, if 2...Nc3, we couldget into the well known Ruy Lopez with 3.Bb5 or the Guaco Piano with 3.Bc4. But, she played this against me, and I told her it was fine as there arestill plenty of variations, and it still develops. She also rememberedthat. } 3. Nc3 { In that game, she was black and I was white, that was thesecond. The first, was me as black and her as white. In both instancesthis move was played, and I told her that it was solid for the same reason. } 3... Nc6 { This was also played in both our games, and I told her that now, wehave the Four Knights Openings since it involves the e pawn and both Knights. } 4. d4 { This is also well known because now we go into the exchange variation. } 4... Nxd4 { ? But, this is a mistake. @vesper2: Better was 4...exd4 Then wouldcome 5.Nxd4, Nxd4 6.Qxd4, and it's still even. Yes, this is a time whereyou'd deviate and bring the Q out early to avoid the loss of a piece fora pawn. In fact, that line has been played in several of my games againstJack Stockel. } 5. Nxd4 { ?? On the other hand, this is a blunder. Thereason being is that white could've won a pawn. But, now black can wina piece, in return. With that being said, @knightrider62: Better was 5.Nxe5,no you might think that it doesn't win a pawn because of 5...Nxe4??, butdue to your N on c3 it would be a blunder, as now, you'd win a piece inreturn with 6.Nxe4. The reason why this is a blunder, however, is thatblack can win your N for his e pawn, as we're about to see. } 5... Bb4 { ?? Waistingno time at all, black pins the N. It looks good, but @vesper2: when youthink you see a good move, look for something better. With that beingsaid, best was 5...exd4 6.Qxd4, and you would've won back a piece for apawn, and things would be level. But, with this move, it's no longer possible. So, you will wind up behind, when all is said and done. } 6. Nf5 { ! That'sbecause white sees the threat. Well done, Sue! } 6... Nxe4 { However, black getdoes gets a pawn back since the N is pinned. } 7. Bd2 { ! But, white breaksa nasty pin. In our training session I told her that bringing the B outlike this is the most common way to break the pin. The reason why youdon't break it with the pawn is that then you'd wind up with doubled pawn,after ...BXN, followed by PXN, which you often don't want, and it usuallyhappens around the K which would destroy the pawn structures around it. In this position, however, he could still double up her pawns, but I amproud that Sue remembers what I've taught her. Yes, as you might guess,it makes the teacher very proud. And, this pin happened to be quite badas black was threatening to win another pawn. So, white found a way out. } 7... g6 { Very understandable, as the plan is the gain of tempo. But, as noted,black could still double her pawns. With that being said, @vesper2: Bestwas 7...Nxc3 8.Bxc3, Bxc3 9.bxc3 and white's pawn structures are weakened. And, being that the DSB is a bad bishop, and her good bishop isn't developed,yet, it would be very difficult to compensate for this. } 8. Ng3 { Makingwhat I mentioned earlier impossible because now if 8...Bxc3, white cananswer with 9.Nxe4, and if then 9...Bxd2, white can respond with 10.Qxd2or 10.Nxd2 and remain ahead with a very solid pawn structure. } 8... f5 { ? Yes,it does protect black from the loss of a piece. However, Sue is goingto win another pawn, though. With that being said, @vesper2: Better was8...Nd6, better was 8...Nf6, as now, you wouldn't lose anything else. } 9. Ngxe4 fxe4 10. Nxe4 a5 { Adding protection to his DSB. But, @vesper2:In this position, it's better to retreat. The reason being is that whitecan now force an exchange. Might not seem bad since it's even, but theproblem is that your behind which becomes liquidation. Liquidation=anexchange when behind, and it's not so bad with pawns. However, the lastthing you want to do is exchange pieces when down because this will giveyou less to defend with, in the endgame. That's why it's well known thatmany players will go for liquidation when ahead, and several players havewon. In fact, I lost two games by making mistakes that resulted in liquidationwhen behind. } 11. a3 { Putting pressure on the B. But, in this position,I would've played 11.Bxb4, for the reason outlined above. } 11... Bxd2+ { ?! @vesper2:For that very same reason, this was not a good choice. Better would'vebeen to retreat it. } 12. Qxd2 d5 { Trying to get immediate compensation. I know because back in the day, this is the kind of thing I used to doafter losing material. } 13. Ng3 { But, white doesn't allow it. } 13... Rf8 { Puttingpressure on the f file. But, @vesper2: I would've played 13.0-0 here becauseK safety is very important. The idea in the openings are to develop yourpieces, control the center, and get the K to safety. Getting the K tosafety=castling. } 14. O-O-O { With that being said, Sue follows advice thatI've previously given her and does that. Usually, though, castling K sideis better so that pawn structures aren't open around the K which leavethe monarch safer. But, in this position, there's nothing wrong with themove played as the monarch is very well protected. } 14... h5 { This time, I haveno idea why Gus played this. But, I would have developed my final piecehere. } 15. h4 { ! For white, however, it is a different story and Sue madethe right choice. The idea was to prevent to the immediate 15...h5 And,this is the time where one must deviate. If she brought her LSB out, andblack played 15...h5, her N would have no good squares, except for Ne2. Therefore, 16.Ne2 would be the only option. But, this time, it wouldbe crammed. And, by crammed, I mean that there would no other outposts. Despite being ahead, this is certainly a way to go wrong. For example,I went wrong against a much stronger player by allowing him to attack myN in such a way that it was forced to go back to the second rank, withoutany other outpost. That soon led to this happening with my other N. Rightafter being forced to cram both N's, things went downhill, but that iswhere I went wrong. In other words, that was what sealed my fate, in thelong run. } 15... c5 { Why does he continue pushing pawns, when the time couldbe used to develop his remaining piece? } 16. Qc3 { ? This exploits a weaknessthat black just created for himself due to this, potential fork. However,it is a mistake as black can win back a pawn. Unlike before, I am notsure what the best move was. } 16... Qd6 { Very understandable as this protectsboth pawns. But, @vesper2: Best was 16...d4 as you'd gain tempo, in returnbecause if the Q moves anywhere but d2, you have 17...Rxf2 With neededtime, there just might be a way to compensate on something. When behind,one thing you want to do is get that needed time. } 17. f3 { To protect herf pawn. } 17... d4 { But, now he plays this. However, this would've been bettera move earlier, as now, white can and will protect, without the loss oftime. } 18. Qc4 { Not exactly sure why she played this, but I would've played18.Bb5+ to expose black's K and leave it vulnerable. In this case, anexposed K can make a big difference. } 18... Be6 { ? Trying to gain time with thismove. And, I understand it quite well. } 19. Qd3 { But, the last move wasa mistake because white is the one that gains time since black must protectg6. And, after that, white will go right after his Q and should win anotherpawn from there. } 19... Rg8 20. Ne4 Qd5 21. Qb5+ { If this were the B, it'd beunderstandable and would, indirectly lose time after exchanging B's. But,by checking with the Q, black gets time because of his next move. However,tempo gain is of little to no benefit for black due to his position. } 21... Bd7 22. Qd3 { Adding protection to her N, and putting pressure right on thecenter. However, @knightrider62: Best was, believe it or not, 22.Qxc5as this would've won another pawn. You might be thinking that if I did,he'd win the Q with 22...Qxc5, but you would then be able to respond with23.Nxc5, which not only wins something but becomes liquidation afterwards,since Q's would be exchanges. And, when behind, the main thing one doesnot want is to have his or her Q exchanged since it's the most valuablepiece. } 22... b5 { ?? I am not sure why black played this, but my guess is toget a pawn chain which is generally a good strategy. But, this is an outrightblunder, as white now has an opportunity to get a family fork and win hisQ. @vesper2: Better was 22...Qe6 or 22...Ra6 } 23. Kb1 { I am also not surewhy white played this, but best was 23.Nf6+ for the reasons outlined before. } 23... b4 { ?? With the idea of messing up her pawn structures around the K. However,white is not going to overlook 24.Nf6+ @vesper2: For that reason andwhat I mentioned above, best was, still, to bring the Q to e6 or the Rto a6. } 24. Nf6+ Kf7 25. Nxd7 { With the idea to liquidate. But, @knightrider62:an important lesson to learn is when you think you've found a good move,look for something better. That is well known. With that being said,best was 25.Nxd5! Afterall, why liquidate, when you can win his Q forfree? } 25... Qxd7 26. Be2 { Developing her remaining piece. The only issue isthat the remaining piece is her bad bishop since her pawns block it in,but Sue is ahead which compensates for that. } 26... Ke7 { I am not sure why hemoved here, but I would've played 26...Ke8 to give the K some protection. As now, he might wind up in bigger trouble. } 27. Qc4 { It starts with thismove as there is pressure on the c pawn. This doesn't just threaten towin a pawn, but if white did this, black would have isolated pawns whichis also ominous, since we're nearing the endgame. In general, you don'twant isolated pawns in the endgames, as pawn structures and pawn chainsplay a big role then. } 27... Qc7 { So, black protects. } 28. f4 { In this position,seeing what she plays next, Sue is trying to get a passed pawn. The ideabeing that if 28...exf4 (to prevent this) 29.Bd3, with the idea of placingblack in check on e1, during the move after. And, if black doesn't capturewhich happens, then white brings the R behind the pawn, adding protection. And, if nothing happens, the strategy would be to get a passer which couldbe quite dangerous. My strategy would simply be the nasty check on e1,and from there, I'd look for a mating sequence. For example, black wouldlose material after 28...exf4, 29.Bf3, Ra7 30.Rhe1+, Kf8 31.Bd5, Rg7 32.Qb5,and black must give up his Q to avoid mate. } 28... Rg7 { I am not sure why blackplayed since he is not going to double up with 28...Rag8. } 29. Rdf1 { ?But, as noted above, it's evident that white wants a passed pawn. Theonly problem is that with his e pawn that isn't possible. It doesn't appearthat this will become possible with his Q, but you never know, as thingscan change. A perfect example of this happened in a game against JackStockel, approximately two years ago. It was a time where things werelevel, and no one won anything for a while. Plus, we were nearing theendgame. So, I offered Jack a draw. But, he declined, in it asking mewhy. And, I told him the reason which is what I stated. Then, he saidthat I had to play it out first. That's because as he directly told meme, 'Anything can happen, as we know.' Well, as it turned out, I blunderedin the very win and wound up losing. The reason being is that with mistakefrom my side, I resigned as he had an unstoppable passed pawn. And, itwas before I learned that just because things were level, doesn't meanthat it's even. In this case, it was that, but Jack had a slight advantagedue to a very small inaccuracy I made, early on. So, what it boils downto is don't count eggs, before they hatch. However, this is a mistakebecause black wins back a pawn. For that reason, @knightrider62: Bestwas 29.Qb3, and now if he takes with 29...bxa3, you can take back withoutallowing a nasty threat by black with 30.Qxa3 } 29... bxa3 30. Ka2 { ! Whileit might not seem so, this is the right choice by white. In this position,black was threatening 30...Qb7 or 30...Rb8, and with his a3 pawn, matebecomes a big threat. And, if 30.bxa3, black would still have the threat. For example, 30...bxa3 31.bxa3, Rb8+ 32.Kc1, Qb3 33.Qa2, Ke8 Or, 32.Ka1,Qb6 33.Qa2, Ke8 If, however, 32.Ka2, black plays 32...Qb6. so no matterhow you look at it, there are threats on b2 that white had to be carefulabout. } 30... Rb8 { But, this is no longer a threat, for now. } 31. fxe5 { ?? Thewrong capture as the threat is back. It's different but powerful, as blackthreatens a passed which would Q, and then would end up behind. For example,31...axb2 32.Rb1, Qb6, with an overwhelming amount of pressure againstthe R on b1. Something like that happened in a game against Mr. Stockel. } 31... Qxe5 { Although black recaptures, I would've played 31...axb2, for the reasonoutlined above. } 32. Bd3 { Adding protection to her Q. } 32... Rb4 { ?? Puttingpressure on her Q. I am not sure what the best move here was, but thisshould lose material. } 33. Qa6 { But, white finds a way out. However, @knightrider62:Best was to pin his Q with 33.Re1 And, after 33...Rxc4, 34.Rxe5+ not onlyhave you liquidated, but you win his R as this will allow 35.Bxc4 whenhe gets out of check. } 33... Qd5+ { Preventing the nasty pin that I mentioned. } 34. Ka1 { Although, black will regain the other pawn and level back, thisis still the best. That's because if, instead, 34.b3?? black would matevery quickly, 34...Qxb3+. 35.Ka1 (forced), Qxb2# } 34... axb2+ 35. Kb1 { Like theline I gave, this is still forced, but now, there is no mate in sight. } 35... Rf7 { ! Best. Although white wins a pawn without compensation, she wasthreatening to win the g7 R starting with 36.Qf6+, but this eliminatesthat possibility. } 36. Re1+ { I like this move a lot, but @knightrider62:Best was 36.Qa7+, and black winds up in serious trouble, when he gets outof check. For example, 36.Qa7+, Ka8, and now 39.Re1+, and how can blacksave the game. } 36... Kf8 37. Bxg6 { As noted earlier, even after 35...Rf7, whitewas still going to win that pawn. } 37... Kg7 { ?? Trying to win the B, but thisis a blunder, as now, white is going to win a R for B. @vesper2: You hadto retreat the R, so that it would no longer be in harm's way. } 38. Bxf7 Kxf7 { ?? In addition, 'To take is a mistake.' Sure, he does get a B inreturn, but with this move, white can and will mate. @vesper2: Therefore,38...Kf8 was needed, as anything would've mated sooner. That's becausethe K is confined to the seventh and eighth ranks, which is also a verybad sign. So, the only other option, aside from taking, or ...Kf8 was38...Kh8, but then, white would immediately play 39.Qh6# But, on f8, despitethe loss of a R without compensation, your K is better protected. So,you would've lasted even longer. The important thing to learn, as cplusplus11points out is, 'You need to be aware of all threats, checks, and captures.' This is a perfect, as you overlooked the mate that is going to come. } 39. Rhf1+ Kg7 40. Qf6+ Kg8 41. Qf8+ Kh7 42. Re7+ Kg6 43. Qf6# { Overall,this was an interesting game, but the morals to learn is that K safetyis important. For example, Sue did this, but Gus did not. That gave Suean advantage. Also when you think you've found a good move, look for somethingbetter. For example, after getting a powerful family, white exchangedN for B. But, she could've won his Q. And, she also could've pinned wonthe R, by pinning in the Q. Likewise, on the 31st move, black could putan overwhelming amount pressure against white, had he played ...axb2+ And, despite being ahead, this might have allowed black to pull a swindleand win the game. In addition, while 5...Bb4 appeared good, black could'veequalized and might not have wounded up in trouble, had he responded with5...exd4 Also being aware of all the threats is very important. Forinstance, in the last few moves, black made a similar mistake, that I made,not that long ago. And, yes charleshiggie annotated a similar game. Insteadof running back to f8 with his K, black got greedy and immediately retook. Doing that allowed white to deliver this checkmate. @knightrider62 andvesper2: Remembering this information will help you make further improvementand at a quicker speed. I had to remember this to become, as good as,I am, today. } 1-0

[Event "Accelerated Dragon"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "5/7/21"] [Round "-"] [White "fidji"] [Black "Jmd1952"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1594"] [TimeControl "3 min + 10 sec"] [WhiteElo "1852"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 { Standard first 4 moves of theaccelerated dragon. } 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Nxc6 bxc6 { This exchange should benefitblack. White spent three tempi to blacks one and brought the 'b' pawn towardthe center where it can support a d5 advance. } 7. Bd2 { By blocking thequeen d5 looks easier all the time and this is the natural break for blackin this opening. } 7... Qc7 { To focus on e5 and to make Nf6 possible withoutthe reply e5. } 8. Bc4 Nf6 9. Qe2 d6 { With some thoughts about preventinge5 and perhaps posting a piece on g4. } 10. O-O-O O-O 11. h4 { With developmentcomplete white starts the normal attack down the rook file. } 11... Rd8 { Blackwants to play d5. } 12. f3 { I don't think the 'e' pawn needed supportinghere. Be3 would have prevented d5 and perhaps have allowed white to playQd2 and use ideas from the Yugoslav attack. } 12... d5 13. Bb3 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 { If white takes with the 'f' pawn the black will play h5 and perhapsplay Bg4 which will chase the rook off d1. Still this leaves the queenexposed and black has the only center pawn. } 15... Bf5 16. Qf4 { If we exchangequeens here I thought it would be drawish and I wasn't sure who had anyadvantage. } 16... Be5 17. Qc4 Be6 18. Qe4 Bxb3 19. axb3 { Seems like white's attackshould hit first but black tries to catch up. } 19... a5 20. Rhe1 { I thought h5would be better - you open the h file and swing the Queen to h4 } 20... Bf6 { Protectthe e pawn and keep the queen off h4 maybe } 21. g4 { White wants the pawnon e7 and black will let him have it! It would have been possible to takethe pawn on h4 but 22. Rh1, Bf6 23. Qe3 and white's attack along the hfile looks very dangerous. } 21... a4 22. g5 axb3 { The threat is mate on a1. There is really only one move. } 23. cxb3 { So now White get the e pawn. } 23... Bg7 24. Qxe7 Qb6 { But black wants to attack and so keeps the queens } 25. Qe3 { Defending the pawn on b3 and again trying to trade queens. } 25... Qa6 { Againmate is threatened. 26. ..., Qa1ch, 27. Kc2, Qxb2 mate } 26. Bc3 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 { 27. Rxd8 was better in order to eliminate the mate threat. Withoutthe exchange of rooks the Queen had to capture otherwise black gets tomate in two. } 27... Rxd1+ { Best is probably 28. Kxd1 after any check by blackthe king will be reasonably safe on c2. At least I couldn't find any mate.BUT... } 28. Rxd1 Qe2 { Black gets to threaten mate again and there is reallyonly one answer. } 29. Rd2 Qe1+ 30. Kc2 { With the White Queen on c3 theblack rook must stay on the back rank. } 30... Qxh4 31. Qxc6 Rf8 { White is apawn up but his king is still a long way from safe and capturing the c6pawn actually can work in black's favor. } 32. Qf6 { White seems to guardhis pawns and keep a critical diagonal. } 32... Rc8+ { Black gets to use the openc file. 33. Kd1 may lead to a perpetual ( we were both short on time )I couldn't find anything better although it looks like there should be. 33. Kb1 allows mate in four with white giving up the rook and queen. } 33. Kd3 Qh3 34. Ke3 { Ke2 was better allowing a retreat to d1. } 34... Re8+ 35. Kd3 Qd7+ 36. Qd4 Qf5+ 37. Kc3 Rc8+ 38. Kb4 Rb8+ 39. Ka3 Ra8+ 40. Kb4 Qa5+ 41. Kc4 Rc8+ 42. Kd3 Rd8 { White resigns. I hope you enjoyed the game pleaserate and help me out with comments. } 0-1

[Event "An Expert Lesson in Pawn Majorities"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "13-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "therealjimfriar"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2048"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1739"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone, just to say that I am annotating my final two remaininggames in Beafyness' tournament. These two are against a strong Expertcalled therealjimfriar. Jim has recently beaten an international masterso I was pleased to come away with half a point out of my two games withhim. I think I will give you the bad news first with this game which startedoff as a Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 { 5. ......... Bg4 - this is recommended as the strongestresponse to the standard book 5. 0-0. It is trappy. You try to driveblack's lsb away with h3, but wait, black plays h5. You really have tobe careful about when you take that bishop because you as white may copOld Matey on the open h file after the Wicked Witch of the West comes toh4! } 6. h3 h5 7. d3 { 7. d3 - opens up Frere Lenoir's diagonal. } 7... Qf6 8. Nbd2 Ne7 9. Re1 Ng6 10. d4 { 10. d4 - counters in the centre. I just wonderif I should have taken on e5 at an opportune moment. } 10... Bd6 11. hxg4 hxg4 12. Nh2 Rxh2 13. Qxg4 Qh4 14. Qxh4 Rxh4 { 14. ........ Rxh4 - this plethoraof exchanges gives some relief to white down the h file but there couldstill be a doubling of the rooks to contend with. My next move, Nf3 clearsFere Lenoir's diagonal and puts the question to the black rook. } 15. Nf3 Rh5 16. Be3 { 16. Bf3 - develops my last piece - in the world database itdoes have a good percentage rating in favour of white. } 16... f6 17. g3 { 17.g3 - still following the sequence in the database and creating g2 for Henryto bolster a rook challenge on the h file but I wonder whether I shouldhave exchanged on e5 here. } 17... Kf7 18. Kg2 Re8 19. Rad1 exd4 20. Bxd4 c5 { 20.......... c5 - and here Jim takes me out of the database and starts thepawns rolling. In order to avoid dropping a pawn here I must retreat FrereLenoir to c3. } 21. Bc3 b5 22. a3 Ke6 23. Rh1 Rxh1 24. Rxh1 b4 25. axb4 cxb4 26. Bd2 { 26. Bd2 - Jim has achieved a lot in his last few moves. He now gets the pawn majority on the queenside. I move the rook to a1but would Rh7 have been a better try here, hitting at the g7 pawn and tyingdown one of black's pieces to it and then using one of my minor piecesto deal with the queenside pawn roll. } 26... a5 27. Ra1 Ra8 28. c3 c5 29. cxb4 cxb4 30. Be3 a4 { 30. ........ a4 - deadly. } 31. Bd4 Ne5 32. Ne1 { 32. Ne1- I eschew exchanges on e5 to try and get my knight to take over defensiveduties of a1 - Jim does not give me the chance to do this, however. } 32... Nc6 { 32. ........ Nc6 - gains a tempo by attacking Frere Lenoir who retreatsto e3. } 33. Be3 a3 34. bxa3 bxa3 { 34. ......... bxa3 - Jim's mission isaccomplished. One deadly passer on the a file. } 35. Bc1 a2 36. Bb2 { 36.Bb2 - to try and prevent the enemy dsb from controlling that a1-h8 diagonal. Jim forces a trade of bishops on his next move. } 36... Be5 37. Bxe5 Kxe5 { 37......... Kxe5 - recaptures with the king - this king is making his waydown to b2. } 38. f3 Kd4 { 38. .......... Kd4. There is no way I can stopJim's king from getting to b2. Henry is too far away to help and neitherhe nor his steed can stop Jim's plan so I wave the white flag. On to mynext annotation - now for the good news .................. } 0-1

[Event "An Expert Lesson in How Not to Play against Owen's Defense"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-May-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "paolo"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2149"] [TimeControl "9d+5d, 15d max"] [WhiteElo "1615"] 1. e4 b6 { 1.......... b6 - this is Owen's Defense, the purpose of thismove is for the black lsb to be fianchettoed on b7 hitting out at e4 andultimately g2 and a1. So there is a counter in the centre that way. Iam warning you guys and dolls that I will be on the wrong end of a routhere, but as Owen's Defense is not well known then I hope this game willenlighten you! } 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. Bd3 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O Ne7 7. Be3 Nbc6 { 7. ........... Ncb6 - here I concentrate on developing my piecesquickly and to what I think are the best squares, but, things may be notquite what they seem. } 8. a3 { 8. a3 - to prevent a knight incursion onb4 and to preserve my lsb - unfortunately, quite a few moves down the lineI will be forced to trade this piece in for one of Paolo's knights afterall. } 8... O-O 9. e5 { 9. e5? - I think this is where my position goes down south. I would appreciate some feedback from the floor here as to:- a. Is thequestion mark too harsh, i.e. could white have played better further onin the game and saved it, or b. if that is not the case then any suggestions? They will be much appreciated. Cheers. Joanne } 9... d6 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Be4 f5 12. Bxc6 Bxc6 13. Ne2 Bxf3 { 13. ........ Bxf3 - here I am forcedto allow my castled position to be broken up after the aforementioned exchangeof bishop for knight. } 14. gxf3 f4 15. Bxf4 Rxf4 16. Nxf4 Qxf4 17. c3 { 17.c3 - at long last, that wretched d pawn which was the cause of the earliertrouble is now protected. I manage to get a R P for the two pieces butPaolo's subsequent mating attack will be only too overwhelming. } 17... Nf5 18. Qe2 Nh4 19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Qh3 { 20. Qh3?! - would, say, Rfd1 have been abetter try here, allowing the WK to run for the hills? } 20... Nxf3+ 21. Kh1 Rf8 22. Qg3 { 22. Qg3 - hoping for a queen swap but black has other ideas. } 22... Qe4 23. Rg1 Nh4+ 24. Rg2 Rf3 { 24. ...... Rf3 and piling on the agony!! } 25. Qxc7 Nxg2 { 25. ......... Nxg2 - I grab a pawn, hoping I will get aback rank checkmate, but no chance here as the rook controls the f file. I decide that as I am 4 material points down and facing a mating attackto wave the white flag here. } 0-1

[Event "League division D2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.10.26"] [Round "-"] [White "elwoos"] [Black "eaglewing"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1425"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1524"] 1. e4 { I decided to annotate this game because it has an ending that Ilike, it shows you need to keep a careful eye on your opponent and notto be distracted by specific areas of the board. } 1... e5 2. f4 { I recentlyplayed in a Kings Gambit tournament and really enjoyed it, this is an attemptto continue my experimentation with the various lines. } 2... d6 3. Nf3 Bg4 4. Bc4 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 exf4 6. Qxf4 Qf6 7. O-O Qxf4 8. Rxf4 f6 { This move takesus out of the Gameknot database (where Nc3 is preferred), most likely becauseit opens a nice line for my lsb and means that black cannot castle kingside. } 9. d4 { Claiming the centre and making room to develop my dsb. My broadplan is to harass blacks attempts to castle and to double my rooks on thehalf open f file } 9... Nc6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Bb5+ c6 12. dxc6 bxc6 13. Ba4 Nh6 14. Be3 Be7 15. Bb3 Nhf7 16. Nd2 O-O 17. Raf1 Ng6 18. R4f3 Kh8 19. a4 { Ican't recall why I made this move it seems a bit pointless } 19... Nfe5 { Althoughblack had clearly planned for this move it makes my lsb much more powerful.Also notice that the black king can't move and it won't be easy to makespace without creating weaknesses } 20. Rh3 { My new plan is to double rookson h and if needed, sacrifice a piece to break open the black kings position } 20... a6 21. Rf5 Nf7 22. Rfh5 { The only thorn in my side is black's knight ong6 and I can't see a way of moving it. The threat is Rxh7 of course } 22... h6 23. Bxf7 Rxf7 24. Bxh6 { The sacrifice I mentioned earlier, though withhindsight I am not sure it was sound } 24... gxh6 25. Rxh6+ Kg7 26. Rh7+ Kg8 27. R7h6 Rg7 28. Nf3 { heading for h4 } 28... Kf7 29. Rh7 Rxh7 30. Rxh7+ Ke6 { blackwisely retreats however he is forced to stay behind his pawn wall whichmy rook is staring down } 31. c4 Rb8 32. Nd4+ Kd7 { is Ke5 better? } 33. b3 c5 34. Nf5 Rxb3 35. h4 { This move served two purposes, firstly the pawnis passed and so should be pushed but also it is threatening h5 to removethe defender of the black dsb } 35... Rb8 36. h5 Nf4 37. Rxe7+ Kc6 38. h6 Rh8 { I'm not sure this move was neccessary, it certainly in no way preventsh7, my only problem is how to extricate the black rook } 39. a5 { The purposeof this move was to keep the black king hemmed in behind his pawns butas we will see it turns out to be more useful than that } 39... Ne2+ { This doesn'treally achieve anything other than allowing me to move my king up the board } 40. Kf2 Nc3 41. Ra7 { I had a plan to shuffle my knight about and get itto g8 however it was then I realised that the black king couldn't actuallymove and therefore the threat was Ne7# } 41... Nxe4+ 42. Ke3 { preventing furtherchecks } 42... Ng5 { d5 seems to me to be called for, Re8 tempts h7 } 43. Ne7# { Thepassed h pawn served as a distraction from the state of the king and soblack overlooked the threat to the kings safety Thanks for reading pleasecomment } 1-0

[Event "Modern defense, jail for bishop, jail for king !"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.10.30"] [Round "-"] [White "tysia"] [Black "31415"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1442"] [TimeControl "blitz"] [WhiteElo "1600"] 1. e4 { I cant realize if this game was good or not. Did i play nicely ordid i just be lucky to play with weak challenger ? so i diced to exposethis game in order to know what do you think about. I'mnot a club player,so this is not a real anotation game, there is nothing to teach or to learn.I wont show you any killing secret variation, i just whould appreciateto read your coments. } 1... g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 { i will play the modern defense, notto much theory, starts with those few moves, i'm jazz player so i likewhen there is enought space for improvisation and freedom. } 3. Bc4 { i hatesacrifice of bishop like now i could be 3. Bc4 ... 4. Bxf4+?! it happensa lot in blitz and after a hard day working, i'm not in such conditionto play this aggressive kind of game. So i just will prevent it with e6 } 3... e6 4. d4 { white occupate the center } 4... a6 { in order to move b5 and kick thebishop. this time i will find a interesting variation that will lock upthe LSB } 5. a4 { good response, prevent from b5. I will have to get ridof the bishop in a other way... } 5... c6 { this will be the good way : afterd5, iwill control e4 and c4, and the LSB will become useless for a while } 6. b4 d5 7. exd5 exd5 { normaly i play cxd5, this time my intuition telme to take back with e6, i dont know wy, maybe to stay stronger on queenside ? } 8. Bb3 { ok, so this is what i have called 'the first jail', bishopjail. He will stay there, useless, untill the end of the game ! } 8... Nf6 { nowi can go on developping and castleing } 9. h3 { preventing nailing Bg4 } 9... O-O { i feel better now.But i still have to make an attack plan. What whouldyou attempt from this position ? } 10. O-O Be6 { the idea is to sacrificethe bishop Bxh3 but before preparing the queen in c8. i loose a piece butwin 2 pawns and destroy the white kingcastle., alway funny in blitz ! } 11. Nc3 Qc8 12. Kh2 { my challenger is not going to let me doit ! i haveto find a another plan again, .... } 12... Nbd7 { bringing the second knight inthe game } 13. Bf4 { i dont understand the reason of this move ? } 13... Nh5 14. Bg3 { is this a trapp ? i feel that if i exchange it is in my advantage.because DSB is dangerous with a g6 castle, and 2 pawns g2 g3 is not verygood for white } 14... Nxg3 15. fxg3 { so this is the seconf jail, the king jail.For the moment, it will help white covering the king, but in 15 moves itwill be a deadly jail ! } 15... Nf6 16. Ng5 { i need this bishop } 16... Bf5 17. Ne2 h6 { now the plan is 18. Nf3Qc7 in order to attack the king with Qxg3+ butstill will have to move the e2 knight first. the plan is not easy but ineed anyway to have goal.... } 18. Nf3 Qc7 { preparing attack to g3 } 19. Nh4 Be4 { protecting the bishop } 20. c4 { i have to win tempo } 20... Nh5 21. Rc1 g5 { kicking the knight but ignoring the treat with the discovered attackon my queen, this could be dangerous } 22. Nf5 Bxf5 23. Rxf5 { this rookis not protected, a interesting weakness } 23... Qd7 24. Qf1 { i can deflect theprotector taking the e2 knight } 24... Rae8 25. cxd5 { becoming dangerous for me,but i have a surprise ... } 25... Rxe2 { Rxe2! now i win +2 ... } 26. Qxe2 Qxf5 { ...but not for long ! Qxf5 ... } 27. Qxh5 cxd5 { the game stabilizes, arewe going to play a final ? } 28. Rc7 { very dangerous, occupong the line7, and maybe freeing the diagonal b3 f7 in a while, treathing f7. } 28... Qf2 { but i have plan, and this time, it's a good one ! do you see it ? ...Bxd4!...Qg1++ } 29. Bxd5 { white is carried away by his initiative } 29... Bxd4 { beeing hot forwhite ! } 30. h4 { this door is not enought, i will have a very bad surprisefor the king if he whant to escape going to g4...f5+! and this will bethe end of the game } 30... Qg1+ { first... } 31. Kh3 Qh1+ { second... } 32. Kg4 Qd1+ { third... } 33. Bf3 f5+ { and that all, the game is over for white, 34. Kh3Qh1++. Thanks for comments, i'd like to know. } 34. Kh3 0-1

[Event "Analyzed Games"] [Site "ChessDoctor.com"] [Date "?.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "W16"] [Black "B16"] [Result "?"] [ECO "?"] {00016,4,23 Analyzed by National Master Corey Russell} 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 {This position is known as the Center Counter, or Scandinavian defense. While objectively sound for black, I don't recommend it as this early queen sortie, as it doesn't help black's central control much, plus black always has to be careful where he moves his queen again, as the monarch is always pushed around by White with an eventual Nc3 or c4. If black isn't careful, he could lose his queen easily, as this game demonstrates.} 3. d4 Nc6 {A good move by black. He gets his knight out, while at the same time puts pressure on White by threatening to capture on d4.} 4. Nf3 Nf6 {Natural, but inaccurate. An aggressive ...Bg4! followed by castling queenside could really put the pressure on White's center. For example, if ...Bg4 5. c4?? Qe4+ 6. Be2 Bxf3 7. gxf3 Qxd4 leaves black up a pawn! This is one reason why it's common for white to boot black's queen from the center as soon as possible by playing Nc3 move 2. As it stands, white gets a free hand to push black around.} 5. c4 Qa5+ {? This only forces white to develop his bishop with a gain of time. Black has to accept the fact his only reasonable posts for her is d6 or d8.} 6. Bd2 Qb6 7. c5 {?? The key blunder. Like it or not, black had to play 7. ... Qf5. After this, White has a won game, and you played well to convert it.} 7... Qxb2 8. Bc3 Qxa1 9. Bxa1 Bg4 10. Be2 {A little passive, but of course a reasonable move. Instead Bb5, followed by Nbd2, Qa4 would really put the pressure on black.} 10... e6 11. h3 Bf5 12. Bb5 Rb8 13. O-O {Again, sound, but Nbd2, followed by Bxc6, and Qa4 and/or Ne5 would make black resign soon.} 13... a6 14. Ba4 Be7 15. Re1 O-O 16. Bc2 {Why not 16. Nbd2? Then Bxc6 and Qa4 would pick up some of black's pawns for sure. There are many ways to win at this point.} 16... Bxc2 17. Qxc2 h6 18. Ne5 {Good. When up material (such as a Queen for a rook in your case), trade pieces. This makes the your material advantage more effective.} 18... Nb4 19. Qc4 Nbd5 20. Nc3 Rfd8 21. Ne4 c6 22. Nxf6+ Nxf6 23. Ng6 {This is okay, but if black replied 23. ... Bf8! 24. Nxf8 Kxf8, with the idea of not moving his pawns and establishing a blockade, it would make it more difficult for white to win. With the text, black opens lines in White's favor.} 23... Bxc5 {?} 24. dxc5 fxg6 25. Qxe6+ Kh7 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Qf7+ Kh8 28. Qxf6+ Kg8 29. Re7 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2019.08.07"] [Round "-"] [White "acehinor"] [Black "flclhokie4"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1830"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1638"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bc5 { Often 4... Nxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 isplayed. For this reason d3 is usually played before Nc3. But I opted forthe quieter Bc5 this time. } 5. d3 { The Giuoco Pianissimo. } 5... h6 { A prophylaxesagainst Bg5 or Ng5- I have immediately played d6 in the past, but I preferthis line. } 6. O-O O-O 7. a3 d6 8. b4 { This puts us out of book- the computerrecommends 7...a6 to give the dark squared bishop a cubby-hole. } 8... Bb6 9. Bb2 Bg4 10. Na4 Re8 11. Nxb6 axb6 12. h3 Bh5 13. g4 Nxg4 { ! Black is only-.5 here, but the play gets sharp from here and white must tread carefully.A similar game was played between MVL and Aronian at the St. Louis Blitzand Rapid tournament this year, only with the roles reversed. } 14. Bxf7+ { ?? An outright blunder. I suppose the expected response was 14... Bxf7.Better is 14.hxg4 Bxg4 15.Kg2 Qf6 16.Rh1 -0.8 -+ } 14... Kxf7 15. hxg4 { Allowingblack to follow through with his attack. b5 is the correct salvaging move,at least for the time being. } 15... Bxg4 16. Kg2 Qf6 17. Qe2 Nd4 18. Bxd4 exd4 19. Rh1 Kg8 { With Rf8 to come, white has climbed too deep into black'sattack. -6.6 } 20. Rag1 { ? Sac-ing the exchange with Rh3 is the best hopehere. } 20... Rf8 { And white resigns. Continuation is likely 21. Rh3 Bxh3+ 22.Kxh3 Qxf3+ 23. Qxf3 Rxf3+ 24. Kg2 Raf8 -9.7 with black up a rook and apassed h-pawn. } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.05.31"] [Round "-"] [White "hvalsoe"] [Black "zeropage"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1885"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1885"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 Qc7 5. O-O d5 { Vienna game - a littleearly to open the center, but ok I guess. } 6. exd5 cxd5 7. Bb3 { Not Bb5+as this will only force him to develop a pice. } 7... Be7 { Not sure this is good,I was expecting Bg4 to keep the pressure. } 8. Re1 Nc6 9. Nxe5 { White wina pawn due to the problems black have after Bf4. } 9... Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 { Iwould have played Bd6 to remove the pressure from the Queen, but then hehas the problem with the king - I believe that 5.-,d5 was a little toofast. } 11. d4 f6 12. Nc3 { Always keep the pressure if possible, there isno reason to take the night yet if you can get more. } 12... Bb4 { Mistake, blackhad to move the Queen out of the line, Bd6 would still loose, but not sofast. } 13. dxe5 Bxc3 { Loosing the queen, but 13.-,fxe5 was not much betterdue to 14.Nxd5. } 14. exf6+ Bxe1 15. Bxc7 Bb4 { I guess black just wannafinish - this is a mate in 3, but why even consider to defend himself. } 16. Qxd5 { Black resigned, there is a mate on f7, max 3 moves left, i.e.16.-,Rf8 17.Qe6+,Be7 18.Qxe7# } 1-0

[Event "Campionato URSS, Mosca 1976"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1976"] [Round "-"] [White "Petrosian"] [Black "Kupreichik"] [Result "1-0"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 { This will not be the case. } 3... cxd5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 e6 { The black piece prefers to break the symmetry. } 7. e3 Bd6 8. Bg3 Ne4 { Un seguito poco usato. Più solida è 8... O-O } 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Nd2 Bxg3 { The most commonly used move before 10... f5 had not yielded good results. } 11. hxg3 e5 { At move 11... f5, the black would be put in a difficult position after 12. Dh5+. } 12. dxe5 Qa5 13. Qb3 Qxe5 14. Be2 Qe7 { It was better to defend immediately even if the white had a good positional advantage. } 15. Rc1 O-O { White was losing, but they still obtained a considerable advantage in position. } 16. Nxe4 { It appears that this sacrifice will lead to a draw... but it only seems to be. } 16... Qxe4 17. Bd3 Qb4+ { Some commentators have argued that black could have saved himself with 17... De5, however, the white plays to win after 18. Axh7+ Rh8 19. Ag6+ Rg8 20. Th5! } 18. Qxb4 Nxb4 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 { It appears that the white side must now content itself with the repetition of moves... } 20. Bb1+ Kg8 21. Rc4 { Sorpresa! } 21... a5 22. Bh7+ Kh8 23. Bf5+ { White wins by preventing the black pawn from promoting in f5. Let's see: 23...Rg8 24. Tch4 a) 24... f6 b) 24... g6 25. Th8+ Rg7 26. T1h7+ Rf6 27. Txf8 and white wins. } 1-0

[Event "Lasker Memorial"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "08-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "knazmi"] [Black "j0nasp"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1764"] [TimeControl "7d+1d, 8d max"] [WhiteElo "1679"] { December 2008 Kay'N Candidate Game } 1. e4 { Apa khabar? Another interestinggame of mine. } 1... e6 { 1. e4 e6 Leads to French Defence. with normal continuation2. d4 d5 which lead to early fight of center square and pursuation of flankattack between two wielder. Usually, the outcome of the game can be aninteresting feature of a closed game. } 2. d3 { 2. d3 ;) King Indian Attackagainst French Defence is nice. Among user of this repertoire includingFischer, Kasparov and many others in their early years. Some say nuisanceof playing this move as it not directly motivating on controlling the centrebut they need to know, white motive here is to strengthen e4 and to pursuepawns march toward kingside. } 2... d5 3. Nd2 Bb4 { 3. ... Bb4?! Wow. My opponentis a Winawer Variation wielder. In normal french (Advance), winawer isa quite a weapon for black. But in this game I don't think it was appropriateas it lost tempo. It seem to be a dubious move. } 4. c3 { 4. c3! } 4... Bc5 { 4.... Bc5?! Another dubious move. My opponent try to trick into closing thecenter by force. I'm gladly doing that. } 5. d4 { 5. d4! } 5... Bb6 6. Qg4 { 6.Qg4! Holding advancement of e-pawn for an attack. } 6... Qf6 7. e5 Qg6 8. Qxg6 fxg6 { 8. ... fxg6?! My opponent feeling good on 3 pawn island as resultof immediate attack on f-file but I don't see an advantage either. } 9. f4 { 9. f4! As on previous game (Annotated game http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/team-match-http-gameknot-com.pl?gm=20238) I play tactically. But in this game, I try to demonstrate my positionalunderstanding. 9. f4 is simply to gain the space advantage and in caseblack having to castling kingside, kingside pawns march is nice way ofattack. } 9... Ne7 10. g4 { 10. g4 :) Avoiding the knight to march to appetizingf5 square. Meantime g4 put pressure on black kingside. } 10... O-O 11. Ndf3 c5 12. Ne2 Nbc6 13. Be3 cxd4 14. Nexd4 Nxd4 15. cxd4 { SOP in French! } 15... Bd7 16. Bd3 Ba5+ 17. Kf2 a6 18. h4 { 18. h4. Here I saw white to play 18. ...Bb4, thus it take me time to play either a4 or h4. At the end, I feel thata4 is nuisance. I should concentrate on Kingside attack as the positionpersist. } 18... Nc6 19. a3 { Hold the potential interruption. } 19... Rf7 { 19 . ... Rf7Preparing for organizing attack via c-file or f-file. } 20. Kg3 Bb6 { 6.... Bb6 Giving way for Knight to b3 via a5. } 21. Rh2 { :D Preparing Attack } 21... Ne7 { My opponent thinking twice on trying to attack via c-file and preferto defence. but Ne7 seem to be dubious as black should try to attack. } 22. h5 { ;) 22. h5! If 22. ... gxh5 23 Rxh5 h6 24. Rh1 } 22... Bb5 { Bb5!? Niceinterruption and trying to confuse the position. } 23. hxg6 { 23. hxg6! Ifnow 23. ... Nxg6 24. Bxg6 hxg6 25. Ng5! } 23... hxg6 24. Bxb5 axb5 25. Ng5 { ;)Rook already gone. } 25... Kf8 26. Rh8+ Ng8 27. Nxf7 { Overlooked strong move 27.Bd2! } 27... Kxf7 28. Rc1 { 1-0 after here is SOP of ending play which is tremendouslya winning for white. } 28... Ke7 29. Rc3 Kd7 30. Rh7 Ke8 31. Rxg7 Ne7 32. Rh7 Kd7 33. Rb3 Ra5 34. Bd2 Ra4 35. Bb4 Bd8 36. Kf3 { 36. Bxe7! Bxe7 37. Rxb5Rxd4 38. Rb7 taking another piece. In which I accidently overlook. :( Anyway, still black is already losing in this position. The rook was notactive at a4, Knight cannot move due to pin, Bishop is defending the e5square, King can only move to e8, pawns already scattered and not active.What can be worse? White is winning here. 36. Kf3 just buying time. :p } 36... b6 37. Ke3 Ke8 38. Bxe7 Bxe7 39. Rxb5 Bd8 40. Rg7 Rc4 41. Rxg6 Ke7 42. Rg8 Rc1 43. Ke2 Rc2+ 44. Kd1 Rf2 45. f5 exf5 46. gxf5 Rxf5 47. Rxd5 Rf1+ { 47. ... Rf1 ?? } 48. Ke2 Rc1 49. Rgxd8 Rc2+ 50. Kd3 { 50. Ke3 Rxb2 51.Kc3 Rxx 52. R8d7 Kxx } 1-0

[Event "coming back to win after being so far behind"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.11.01"] [Round "-"] [White "reachforgoals"] [Black "jessie49"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "769"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "695"] 1. e4 { normal } 1... c5 { what kind of opening is this } 2. Bc4 { minior } 2... e6 { pawn } 3. Nf3 { knight } 3... d5 { pawn wall } 4. exd5 { +1 } 4... exd5 { back to 0 } 5. Bxd5 { bishop } 5... Qxd5 { -2 } 6. O-O { castle } 6... Bf5 { black king is in the wide open } 7. Nc3 { got my knights out } 7... Qc4 { queen } 8. Re1+ { check } 8... Be7 { safe } 9. b3 { pawn } 9... Qb4 { queen } 10. a3 { pawn } 10... Qa5 { queen } 11. b4 { pawn } 11... cxb4 { -3 } 12. a4 { pawn } 12... Nc6 { knight } 13. d4 { pawn } 13... Nf6 { black is a head of me ingetting all minior pieces out } 14. d5 { pawn } 14... Nd8 { knight } 15. Ng5 { knight } 15... bxc3 { -6 } 16. Rb1 { rook } 16... Ng4 { kight } 17. Rxb7 { rook } 17... Nxb7 { -10 } 18. Nf3 { knight } 18... O-O { castle } 19. Qd3 { queen I am going to loose this game } 19... Nc5 { knight } 20. d6 { bad move . I should of moved the queen } 20... Qxa4 { I am doomed } 21. dxe7 { pawn } 21... Rfe8 { rook } 22. Qxf5 { the tide of the game is startingto turn } 22... Rxe7 { rook } 23. Qxc5 { queen } 23... Qa1 { queen } 24. Qxe7 { back on theplus side } 24... h5 { pawn } 25. Qh4 { queen } 25... a5 { pawn } 26. Qxh5 { next move i canget the knight } 26... Rb8 { rook } 27. Qxg4 { +6 } 27... a4 { pawn } 28. Nd2 { did I putmy knight in harms way } 28... Rb1 { rook i better stay calm } 29. Qc8+ { check } 29... Kh7 { king } 30. Nxb1 { +11 the only power piece black has left is the queen } 30... Qxb1 { how can protect my king with the queen keeps on moving forward acrossthe board? } 31. Qxc3 { +9 } 31... Qb6 { at least the queen is not on my tail naymore } 32. Be3 { bishop } 32... Qg6 { queen I think black is want doing somethingwith that queen to get near my king } 33. Qc4 { queen } 33... f5 { pawn keeping myeye on the queen } 34. Qxa4 { +10 } 34... f4 { pawn } 35. Bxf4 { +11 is black waitingfor perfect time to drop his queen from g6 to g2 } 35... Qh5 { black can go h5to h2 now } 36. Be5 { what did i do that forward } 36... g5 { pawn } 37. c4 { pawn } 37... g4 { pawn } 38. Bg3 { blocks pawn to go } 38... Kh6 { king } 39. c5 { pawn } 39... Qxc5 { queentakes pawn } 40. Qxg4 { queen takes pawn only the queen to worry about } 40... Qc2 { not over yet } 41. Qh4+ { check } 41... Kg7 { safe } 42. Be5+ { check } 42... Kf7 { safe } 43. Qh7+ { on my next move i can get rid of the queen } 43... Ke6 { chec } 44. Qxc2 { +20 black resigned. thAT WAS A NAIL BITTING TO THE END } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.10.14"] [Round "-"] [White "zwitscher-tron"] [Black "kaspanatola"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1311"] 1. e4 { .White mishandled the opening phase, and allowed me to get sometargets to attack while improving my position, I managed to win a piece,and finally sacrificed my queen to get a nice mate attack } 1... e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 { So we will have a main line French defence, I'll be attacking thequeen side } 3... Bb4 { Immediately putting pressure on the white queen's wing } 4. f3 { ?! to defend e pawn, is maybe the idea here, but fails because itweakens the e1-h4 diagonal, e5 is the main line to pressure against thef6 square } 4... dxe4 { As fxe4 leads to Qh4+, and as the knight is pinned thee4 pawn falls } 5. Be3 Nf6 { develops and protects the e4 pawn in the future } 6. a3 Bxc3+ { no point in playing Bb4 instead you are not prepared to exchangeit for the bishop } 7. bxc3 { degrading white's pawn structure and creatingtwo strategic targets the c4 square and the c3 pawn } 7... O-O { protecting theking first of all } 8. Bc4 { ? the bishop does nothing in the a2-g8 diagonal,better was Bg5 pinning the knight } 8... c5 { the c pawn thematic break in theFrench defence, creates tension, as dxc5 allows Nc6 blocking all white'sc pawns } 9. f4 { fxe4 is better followed by Ne2 to open the f column forwhite's rook, maybe the idea is to open the d1-h5 diagonal and threateningf5 in the future } 9... cxd4 { the idea is Bxd4 Nc6 Bxf6 Qxf6 preparing Rd8, orcxd4 b5 Bxb5? Qa5+ wining the bishop, any way black is much better dueto a better pawn structure and the castled king } 10. Qxd4 { now if I exchangedqueens white would undouble his pawns and had a bishop pair with some counter-play } 10... Nc6 { develops with tempo, Qxd8 leads to Rxd8 to place a rook on the opencolumn } 11. Qc5 Qc7 { Tying the Be3 to the defence of the pawn or forcingsome kind of overprotection on it. } 12. Nh3 { here it is the overprotectionwith the knight on the edge of the board } 12... b6 { chasing white's queen outof the 5th and prepares Bb7 } 13. Qg5 h6 14. Qg3 { here she is, back at home,now white will lose a bishop or a rook to a discovered attack } 14... Ne7 { discoversan attack on the c4 bishop and prepares the relocation of the knight atf5 (with a double attack on the queen and bishop) or d5 eyeing Be3 andthe c3 pawn) with tempo by attacking the Bishop or c3 (and thus winningthe a rook with a double attack) if the bishop escapes. } 15. O-O-O { losesa piece } 15... Qxc4 16. Kb2 { needed to prevent Qa2 } 16... Nf5 { attacks both white'squeen and bishop } 17. Qe1 { forced, as Qf2?? loses the bishop to Ng4 } 17... Bb7 { the idea is to get the bishop to d5 to block the d column and supportthe queen's invasion, it also connects my rooks in case i want to challengethe d column for my rook preventing the escape of white's king via d2 } 18. Bg1 { ?! removes the bishop from the threatened square, but closes inthe h rook, but I don't see any better move either Bf2 meets Ng4 } 18... Bd5 { nowrenewing white's threat of Qa2+ } 19. Ra1 Rac8 { increasing pressure overc3 } 20. a4 Rc7 { creating space for Rfc8 } 21. a5 { ? allow black to openthe b column } 21... bxa5 { opens the b column Rb8 follows } 22. Rxa5 Rb8+ { andwhite is doomed } 23. Kc1 Rcb7 { doubling rooks to launch a final attack } 24. Rc5 Rb1+ { Mate in 2: 25.Kd2 only move 25...Qd3+ sacrificing the queento open the 2nd line 26.cxd3 forced 26...R8c2++ } 25. Kd2 Qd3+ 26. cxd3 R8b2# { a forced final sequence. Some bad connection between white's piecesand leaving a piece hanging allowed a fast win for black. } 0-1

[Event "raynes_gold's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.03.06"] [Round "-"] [White "frnz571"] [Black "trixstermtl"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1380"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1304"] 1. d4 { The pawn dash! } 1... d5 2. e3 Nc6 3. c4 Bf5 4. a3 e5 5. Ne2 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 { i dont usually like trade offs but i wanted to keep my bishop onf5 } 7. Qxd4 c5 8. Qe5+ Ne7 9. Nc3 f6 10. Qg3 d4 11. Ne2 { i was expectingexd4 here and to my surprise he went } 11... d3 { the important bishop f5 fromearlier, protects and will now buy me the 2 turns to get my knight in forthe killer blow } 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. f3 Na5 14. e4 Nb3 { no one likes losinga Rook and this time he did as expected. and i did not need my bishop anymorebut i don't think he saw that. } 15. Rb1 d2+ 16. Ke2 dxc1=Q 17. Nd5 { i thinkhe gave up here. Rxc1 also results in Mate i think his only option wasf4 to buy him some time or heavy losses, or my knight was just too devastatingto him and i think he was expecting me to use it to eat a piece insteadof being cover for my attacks. } 17... Qd2# { hope you enjoyed the nice doublequeen on board finish within 17 moves >< } 0-1

[Event "rcpickrell's mini-tournament XIX"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.19"] [Round "-"] [White "pawnstar2010"] [Black "nono_goms"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1503"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1462"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 e6 { I know it is playable, but I don'tlike to trap my own bishop. } 5. Bf4 Nf6 { I am not a fan of 'rules', butblack has started developing the first piece just now, against 3 well placedpieces by white... } 6. e3 Bg7 7. Bd3 { It is well known that dxc4 makesonly an apparent waste of tempo for white. } 7... O-O 8. Ne5 Nbd7 9. c5 { This'squeezes' black's position a lot. But white hasn't got anything concretely,yet. } 9... b6 { A big mistake, but black has almost no moves to play. Though,he must have taken the knight and played Nh5 in order to release the position. } 10. Nxc6 Qe8 11. Bd6 { And a quality is gone for black. } 11... bxc5 12. dxc5 { Correctly. Another choice was Ne7+, Kh8, NxB, black retakes, BxR. Thisway white cashes. } 12... Bb7 { Not possible now, but white has more aces in hissleeve. } 13. Bb5 a6 14. Ba4 Bxc6 { Realizing that Ne7+ is a winning threat. } 15. Bxc6 Qc8 { This just loses another quality. A better try for black couldhave been Ne4, posing threats on the black diagonal. } 16. Bxa8 Qxa8 { Thisproves the previous move was a waste of tempo. But it is also setting anice tactic... } 17. Bxf8 Bxf8 { White should have castled here, even losinga pawn and freeing black's pieces. } 18. b4 d4 19. exd4 { You would saywhite 'saw' everyting that is about to happen, and decided he could survivethe storm. } 19... Qxg2 20. Ke2 Ng4 21. Rf1 { Qf1. Black cannot exchange the queensdue to his material. } 21... Nxh2 22. Rh1 { The storm get worse. If black playsBh6, is threatening mate at once. White must play something like Qd3, butblack is near to make white sweat... } 22... Qf3+ 23. Kd2 Qxf2+ 24. Ne2 { Whitemust look to exchange queens here, even if he doesn't like it. } 24... Bh6+ 25. Kc3 Qf3+ 26. Qd3 { Which he finally does. But he could have played the king,if it wanted to avoid the exchange. } 26... Qh5 { The storm is over. } 27. Qg3 { Or Ng3. Now it is forced. } 27... Qxe2 28. Rxh2 Qe3+ 29. Qxe3 Bxe3 30. Kc4 { Rah1was pointless. } 30... f5 { Black's only chance are the pawns... } 31. b5 { butunfortunately, white has pawns too. Anyway, maybe c6 was better. } 31... axb5+ 32. Kxb5 Bxd4 33. c6 { Of course, if black takes the rook, c7 (an not cxN) } 33... Nb6 34. a4 { If black takes the rook now, KxN but white has a harder timecrowning his pawns. } 34... Nc8 35. Rd1 { Best for black is e5, supporting theB with the pawn. White can play RxB, winning, of course, but it would havebeen harder. This way, black sets the position for another material loss. } 35... Be5 36. Re2 Bg3 { The last mistake. I thought the previous move was playedin order to go to c7, preventing the rook to check. } 37. Rd8+ Kf7 38. Rxc8 { What else? Black has no time to move his pawns. } 38... h5 39. a5 h4 40. a6 h3 41. a7 h2 42. Rh8 f4 43. a8=Q { Game over... } 43... Kf6 44. Qd8+ Kf5 45. Qe7 f3 46. Qxe6+ Kg5 47. Qe3+ Bf4 48. Qxf3 1-0

[Event "How to lose at chess pt5"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.06.26"] [Round "-"] [White "marros"] [Black "elwoos"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1442"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1387"] 1. f4 { Though this isn't technically a loss it's certainly a game I couldhave won and for that reason I have decided to annotate it. This is amini tournament game where this is the starting position } 1... d5 2. d3 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. d4 { wastes a tempo and seems to achieve little } 5... O-O 6. e3 { Creates a hole at e4 which is tempting for my knight } 6... Bf5 7. h3 Nc6 8. a3 Ne4 9. g4 Nxc3 { This was primarily to open up whites positionand to make castling difficult for him } 10. bxc3 Be4 11. Bg2 e6 12. g5 Qe7 { Joining the rooks } 13. O-O a5 14. Ne5 Nxe5 15. dxe5 { I think whitewould have been better with fxe5 as he gains control over a half open ffile } 15... Bxg2 16. Kxg2 c5 17. h4 h6 18. Rh1 { trying to tempt gxh6 Bxh6 asthen whites h pawn gets in the way of his rook, notice also that his dsbhas very limited scope as most of his pawns are on black squares } 18... h5 { closingthe area around the black king } 19. Qe2 c4 20. a4 Rfb8 21. Ba3 Qd7 22. Bd6 { The bishop here is an irritation but not much more. I was trying tofigure out how to open up the position so I could get at whites exposedking } 22... Rc8 23. Rhb1 Bf8 24. Rd1 Bxd6 25. exd6 Qxd6 26. Kg3 e5 27. Rd2 Re8 28. Rad1 exf4+ 29. Kf3 fxe3 { I don't know what I was thinking of here,Rxe3+ is surely the move } 30. Rxd5 { This is no real threat } 30... Qc6 { The rooksare now stifled and something like Rad8 will cause problems for white } 31. Kg2 { I don't understand this move at all, I was expecting somethinglike Kg3 which would at least break the pin on the rook } 31... Re5 32. Qf3 e2 { I would be happy to exchange queens as I am so close to promoting } 33. Rd8+ Rxd8 34. Rxd8+ Kg7 35. Kh3 { another unexpected move as it leaves whitesqueen completely exposed } 35... Qxf3+ 36. Kh2 e1=Q { I was thinking about underpromoting to a knight, with hindsight it may have been wise as this isthe move that meant I couldn't win } 37. Rg8+ { A very nice move from marrosguarantees him a draw due to Kh7 Rh8+ .... leading to a draw by repitition } 37... Kxg8 { sadly for me it was only after my greed overcame me that I realisedthat the position was a stalemate, if only I had underpromoted. Well doneto Marros. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "A Benko gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Opponent"] [Black "Me "] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1413"] [WhiteElo "1552"] { My opponent was a talented 14-15 year old. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 { One of my favourites } 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 { This is the most accuratemove order for black since white can go for a specific set up involvingb3 and g3 that solves many problems early if black captures the pawn immediately.I think the point with this move order is that if white goes for the setup, the black LSB may prove to be more useful on the c8-h3 diagonal. } 6. Nf3 Bxa6 { I'm not sure that this was correct, I think it would have beenmore accurate to delay the capture further until white had played Nc3.As it is, this sort of defeats the purpose of playing... G6 first. } 7. g3 d6 { Just to avoid any pawn sacrifices that may occur. } 8. Bg2 Bg7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Re1 Ng4 { A thematic idea in the benko gambit.theknight reroutes so that he can have extra control over e5 and he can thenlook to play there and have a pair of knights exchanged, but since whitehas moved the rook away from f1 I figured I would leave my knight wherehe is, until he gets kicked away, since quite often the pressure againstf2 can come in useful and whilst the knight is here my bishop has a cleardiagonal. } 12. Qc2 Qa5 { Sometimes I come to b6, but this is a more commonsquare for my queen and I figured I should probably aim to stay withinestablished norms. } 13. Bd2 { Indirectly hitting my queen and also connectingthe rooks and adding protection to the knight. I was not worried aboutit though, since I had already decided there are no useful discovered attacksagainst my queen. } 13... Rfb8 14. b3 { This weakens the long diagonal, I thinkif I were white I would have first played h3 and only then look to geta timely b3 in. } 14... c4 { !? Getting in this pawn advance is one of blacks keyideas in this opening, usually it's purpose involves getting a knight tothe d3 which isn't the case here since white has still not moved the epawn. However this advance often has dynamic purposes and sometimes aimsto free the c5 square for the pieces. I couldn't help but feeling thiswas too soon, but every line I looked at seemed promising, so I just playedit. The purpose is to get the queen to c5 which hits f2 and by initiatingcontact between the pawns I'm sure to induce a weakness, also I'm now hittingd5 } 15. Rab1 { White gets his rook out of the pin, however black now getsa brief burst of initive } 15... Qc5 { Starting with this attack against f2 } 16. Ne4 { During the game I thought this would lead to all sorts of troublefor white, however it turns out to probably be best. } 16... cxb3 { I thoughtthis would be decisive, I didn't put much calculation to it though, thinkingmy passed pawn was just going to be strong, and he'll, it 'looked strong'incidentally I never even considered ...Qxd5 which was probably best. } 17. Nxc5 bxc2 18. Rxb8+ { I thought about ways I could sac a piece to makesomething of my pawn, but I couldn't find anything that worked which meantthat it turns out black is simply slightly worse since I have to make myknight bad and white will get back the pawn without trouble. } 18... Nxb8 19. Nxa6 Rxa6 20. Rc1 Rxa2 21. Ne1 { I probably should have started to playfor a draw now, but I decided to still try to win, so I though for a whileand decided the best way to mix things up was to use the tempo white spendregaining the pawn, to reposition my g knight, that is susceptible to attacksby the white LSB } 21... Ne5 { Heading for c4 } 22. Nxc2 { The better recapture tobe running with. White is a little better here. } 22... Nc4 23. Bg5 Bb2 24. Rb1 f6 { My pieces are a little tied up, but everything is hanging together. } 25. Nb4 { ?! This was a miscalculation on my opponents part, he thoughtthat he could respond to 25...Ra4 with 26.Nd3 however that losses to 26...Fxg5 27.Nxb2 Rb4 winning material. Best would have been Bc1 } 25... Ra4 { I washoping that white would fool for 26.Bd2?? Now since ...Nxd2 27.Rxb2 Ra1+wins a piece however even though white has two pieces enprise, there isstill a defence, one that keeps whites edge. } 26. Nc6 { I had been hopingwhite would miss this. } 26... fxg5 27. Nxb8 g4 { Cramping whites king and pawns,and also preventing the bishop coming into play via h3 where it will eyethe e6 square. I also could have exchanged bishops now with ...Nd2 butthe exchange would only have favoured white, this is a better move. } 28. Nc6 Kf7 29. h3 h5 { I want to keep a pawn on g4 } 30. hxg4 hxg4 31. Be4 Ra1 { Finally realising that I have no winning chances whatsoever I decide Ihave to exchange rooks and play to draw. } 32. Rxa1 Bxa1 33. Bd3 Ne5 34. Bb5 { Ba6 seems better looking to redeploy to c8 where the bishop wouldhit e6 and g4 } 34... Kf6 { I would have liked to get in ...e6 but that just dropsa pawn. } 35. Ba6 Bc3 36. Bc8 Bb2 37. Nxe5 Kxe5 { And now we agreed on adraw since its an opposite coloured bishop ending, thus shouldn't be toodifficult to hold. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Crushed by the Light Brigade"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.21"] [Round "-"] [White "dmaestro"] [Black "brigadecommander"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2226"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1572"] 1. e4 { This is an unrated game with Brigade Commander. Although I had theadvantage at various points, the game was extremely sharp and I lost myway in the complications. } 1... e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4 Nc6 { This is one of thestrongest replies. Black retains the option of Qh4+ while developing. } 4. d4 { An alternative is Nf3 Nf6 Nd3 Bg5 and Black stands well. This lineproduces more complications. } 4... Qh4+ 5. Kf1 Nf6 6. Nf3 { White needs to drivethe Q back with tempo. } 6... Qh6 { This is a good spot for the Q. } 7. Nc3 Be7 { Here ...Bb5 is probably slightly more active. But Black has a good game. } 8. e5 { Necessary to try and get some sort of attack going. } 8... Nh5 9. Nd5 { ! This is the only active move otherwise Black simply consolidates. } 9... Bd8 10. Rg1 { Again, white must play actively. } 10... g5 11. g4 { This is necessaryto maintain the initiative. } 11... fxg3 12. hxg3 d6 { !? Black wants to breakup the pawns. However the GK computer suggests Rg8 13. Ke1 Na5 14. Bd3d6 15. g4 Be6 16. Nxc7+ Bxc7 17. gxh5 dxe5 18. Rxg5 Rxg5 19. Bxg5. } 13. g4 { I thought this was stronger than Nxg5. I analyzed it and thought thatI was trading 2 pcs for Rook and pawn. However, the GK computer considersthat the best move: 13. Nxg5 Bxg5 14. Nxc7+ Ke7 15. Nxa8 Bxc1 16. Qxc1Qxc1+ 17. Rxc1 Bh3+ 18. Kf2 Rxa8 19. exd6+ Kxd6 20. Rh1 Bg4 21. Bxf7. } 13... Nf4 14. Nxf4 { I did not want to exchange the advanced N but at least Idouble the Black pawns. } 14... gxf4 15. exd6 { ?! White must open lines. Howeverg5! as suggested by BC seems better. After say Qh6+ Kf2 White has goodprospects. } 15... Qxd6 16. Qd2 { At this point I thought I had a good game. } 16... h5 { The GK computer does not favor this move, but I am forced to take.It prefers ... Bf6 17. d5 Ne5 18. Qe2 Qe7 19. Bxf4 Bxg4 20. Bb5+ c6 21. dxc6Bh3+ 22. Kf2 Nxc6 23. Bxc6+ bxc6 24. Be5 Be6 25. Bxf6 Qxf6, with only atiny advantage for White. } 17. gxh5 Bf6 18. c3 { I thought this was best,because I feared Qxf4 Qxf4 Bxf4 Nxd5. The GK computer prefers that linebut seems to overlook that the Q exchange is good for Black. } 18... Be6 { At thispoint I think I have a good game. GK computer considers Bh3 stronger, ...Bh3+ 19. Kf2 O-O-O 20. Qxf4 Rxh5 21. Qxd6 Rxd6 22. Ng5 Bxg5 23. Bxg5 Be624. Bxe6+ Rxe6 25. Bf4 Kd7 with an even game. } 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Qxf4 { HereWhite is better. } 20... O-O-O 21. Ng5 { ? This is where I go astray, missingthe possibility of a sac on d5. As BC pointed out, after 21. h6! (GK givesBe7 22. Kf2 Bd6 23. Qg4 f5 24. Qg6 Qd7 25. Qg7 f4 26. Qxd7+ Rxd7 27. Rg6Re7) White is much better. } 21... Qc4+ 22. Kf2 { This seems best. } 22... Bxd4+ { Crunch!Nxd5 would work as well, White's king is now exposed and Black gains andadvantage. } 23. cxd4 Nxd4 24. Qg4+ { ?? This is the losing blunder, I simplymissed that f5 is possible. After the more patient 24. Re1 Qc2+ 25. Qd2Rxh5 26. Qxc2 Nxc2 27. Bf4 Rg8 28. Ne4 Nxa1 29. Rxa1 Rf5 30. Kf3 Rd5 (GKComputer) White can hold on. } 24... f5 { At this point I realized it was timeto resign, but I decided to play on for a couple moves. } 25. Qf4 Qe2+ 26. Kg3 Rxh5 27. Rg2 Qe1+ 28. Rf2 { ? Allows mate or even Ne7+ forking K andQ. The mate is 28. Rf2 Qg1+ 29. Rg2 Ne2+ 30. Kf3 Qf1+ 31. Ke3 Nxf4 32.Rf2 Ng2+ 33. Kf3 Rd3+ 34. Be3 Rxe3# } 28... Qg1+ { White resigns. } 0-1

[Event "A Spectacular Combination"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Jeff Lowther"] [Black "Michael Hosford"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1784"] [TimeControl "40/2, SD/1"] [WhiteElo "1875"] { 2006 Washington Open - Premier Section U2000 Everett, WA May 29, 2006Round 6 Nimzowitsch Defense If there was ever a game where I cheated myselfout of a spectacular combinational finish to a nice miniature and a capto a solid tournament performance filled with strong attacking chess, thenthis is definitely it. I kick myself for not winning this game in at leastsome mundane fashion. What you're about to see is one of my most incredibletournament games of all time, a recent game which could have been, andperhaps should have been, but wasn't. I had the Black pieces and threwaway an attacking player's dream position. We have all had our disappointments,but for some reason this game struck a chord with me. Now then, I haveno intention of boring readers with the mediocre main line, which onlyled to a totally lost position for Black in the actual game. Instead,I would like to focus on a specific line which demonstrates the correctmethod of handling the attack. Although I give credit to my opponent forthe recorded result, I would like to present this line as if it were actuallyplayed. The final bone-crushing combination is instructional and veryelegant. Enjoy! } 1. e4 { I was paired with Jeff Lowther in the last roundof the same tournament four years earlier. I lost quickly in an old stodgyItalian Game position. Here again, in the 6th and final round, I am aboutto lose to Jeff a second time in pretty much the same fashion. I do, however,last a little longer, choking in 20 moves instead of 19. Only this timeI come much closer to victory with correct strategy! } 1... Nc6 { The NimzowitschDefense } 2. d4 { Controlling the center with two pawns is natural, and isreally the acid test of 1.e4 Nc6. The alternate 2.Nf3 is played frequentlyby strong players, intending to either switch back into known Double KPtheory or simply get a slightly better position with more space after 2...d63.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3, followed by White developing naturally behind his pawncenter. After 2.d4, Black must decide immediately on a central pawn break:2...d5 or 2...e5. } 2... d5 { Although Black is fine in the locked center positionsresulting from 2...e5 3.d5, White can transpose into Scotch territory after2...e5 3.Nf3. Recalling Jeff's splendid play in a normal Double KP positionfrom our previous encounter in 2002, I did not wish to give him that optionand instead chose Nimzowitsch's original idea of 2...d5. } 3. e5 { Grabbingspace and denying Black the f6 square for his Knight. So far so good forWhite. Other theoretical choices include the critical 3.Nc3 and 3.exd5. } 3... Bf5 { Black can play 3...f6, another strong choice. But I prefer good oldfashion development, leaving the ...f6 break in reserve. } 4. c3 { Obviouslyconcerned about a possible ...Nb4 at some point, White chooses to bluntthe Queen Knight and at the same time nail down the d4 pawn, creating acramping pawn chain. The c3 pawn can later be used to launch a queensidepawn storm with b2-b4, if Black castles long. } 4... Qd7 { Although we're stillin theory, there is something aesthetically pleasing when, after only 4moves, you have 3 pieces developed and your opponent has zero! } 5. Nf3 f6 { Hitting at the front of the pawn chain, since the base is unassailable. Here it's even more effective, since the early Nf3 blocks the f-pawn. Ideally White would like to support e5 with f2-f4, but often White makesthis concession for the sake of rapid kingside development. Black's 5...f6is well-timed here. } 6. exf6 { Giving up the space-gaining e5 pawn, whichcramps Black's kingside, is a strategic error and a serious loss of timein a now semi-open position. 6.Bf4 and 6.Bb5 are theoretically acceptablecontinuations that maintain tension and concentrate on development. } 6... exf6 { Exclam! Black does not recapture toward the center with 6...gxf6, norwith the KN, leaving a hole on e5. Instead Black captures away from thecenter, opens the e-file and leaves the kingside pawns connected. Whitehas already lost the opening battle, stumbling into a French Exchange positionwhere Black is up two tempi. } 7. Bf4 { Black wants to play 7...Bd6, so Whitewill swap dark-squared Bishops if that happens. The down side of 7.Bf4is the coming ...g5 (with tempo), followed by the rolling of the kingsidepawn mass. } 7... O-O-O 8. Be2 { White does not allow the menacing ...Re8 check. } 8... Re8 9. O-O { White's King is safe for the moment, but Black has a super-chargedkingside attack that is difficult for White to thwart due to the acceleratednature of the position. } 9... g5 10. Bg3 h5 { One can already feel the speedof Black's kingside pawn storm. In a normal French Exchange opposite-sidecastling position, White counters with standard queenside expansion viathe pawn pushes b2-b4 and a2-a4, keeping Black on his toes. Here, insteadof counterattacking, White must play careful defense as a consequence ofhis mistake on Move 6. } 11. h4 { Attempting to slow down Black's onslaughtof pawns. This move buys White some precious time. } 11... Bg4 { Black's secondexclam move of the game! It took me some time to find it over the board,as it moves a piece twice before finishing development. But the Bishopnow creates an annoying pin on the f3 Knight and sets up potential tactics,so its second movement is fully justified. } 12. hxg5 { A horrible blunder! White was obviously anticipating 12...fxg5, so he could mount his Knighton e5, trade some pieces, and try to neutralize the attack. But this captureonly fuels the fire, allowing the h-pawn to roll. Resistance is NOT futileafter 12.Re1, which unpins the Knight and aids development. Now the attackis unstoppable. Realizing his mistake, White sighed and shook his headas I played... } 12... h4 { Exclam number three! The second tempo hit on the Bishopis costly for White. The attack is coming full speed and White still haspieces sitting on the bench. Black has a winning game at this point. } 13. Bf4 { Trying to keep the Bishop active is natural. If the Bishop retreatsto h2, then 13...h3! White will then need to decide whether to allow hisKing's position to be ripped open, or to entomb his dark-squared Bishopwith 14.g3. Both choices seem undesirable. } 13... h3 { In the actual game I played13...Re4?, which puts the Rook on a vulnerable square and does not assistin opening up White's King. In a few moves I went ape with an unsoundexchange sacrifice, along with dropping two pawns. Black was left withdust in the wind and was forced to resign on Move 20. But what if thetext move (13...h3!) had actually been played? It seems like such a naturalway to continue the attack. In opposite-side castling positions, use yourpawns! How many times have I heard that? The only reason I did not play...h3 immediately was because I visualized White bypassing with the g-pawnand sliding his King under the h-pawn for defense. But the text is definitelyBlack's strongest continuation. Let's see what could have happened. } 14. g3 { Another plausible move, keeping the h-file closed, if only by definition. I don't think White would even consider signing his own death warrantwith the move 14.gxh3. } 14... h2+ { Black tries to sink the h-pawn in the cornerpocket! Objectively White's best here is 15.Kg2, allowing the 15...Bh3 skewer. 15.Nxh2 is obviously worse on account of 15...Bxe2, winning thehouse. But the move that most players would probably choose here is thenatural 15.Kh1, blocking and using the h-pawn as a shield. And now... } 15. Kh1 { The moment of truth has arrived. Black has a nice triple-saccombination which essentially ends the game. The combination involves6 key players, all of which are perfectly aligned: 1) The c6 Knight, 2)The g4 Bishop, 3) The Black Queen, 4) The Rook on e8, 5) The Rook on h8,and 6) The macho h2 Pawn. Black will now show White the true meaning ofthe Dark Side of The Force! } 15... Rxe2 { Sac 1: The Exchange! } 16. Qxe2 Nxd4 { Sac 2: The Knight!! } 17. cxd4 Qb5 { Sac 3: The Queen!!! The quiet Queenpseudo-sacrifice ends it all, as White cannot accept due to 18...Bxf3#. The White Queen is overworked and skewered! For the record, 18.Qd1 failsto 18...Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Qxf1#, as does 18.Re1 because of 18...Qxe2 19.Rxe2Bxf3#. White must lose the Queen or get checkmated. Anyway, this is howit should have ended. 8-) 0-1 } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-Jun-07"] [Round "-"] [White "raphaello52"] [Black "dillers"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1049"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ { The correct move is 3.d4 } 3... c6 4. Bc4 Nf6 { 4.....d5drops the e5 pawn. } 5. Nc3 Ng4 { Bad move, black should instead develophis pieces. } 6. Qe2 Qh4 { Blunder!!! } 7. g3 { A worse blunder!!! 7.Nxh4 } 7... Qh3 { Depriving white from immediate castling, but this is a bad move hereas black is too far behind in development. } 8. b3 { I prefer 8.d3 } 8... Qg2 { Again, black should develop. } 9. Rg1 Qh3 10. Bb2 Nxh2 11. O-O-O a6 { Blunder,Rh1 wins the knight. To be continued. } 12. Ng5 Qh6 13. Nxf7 *

[Event "Chess miniature in 3+10 blitz..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-jul-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "mrsunshinepants"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "UR"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz..."] [WhiteElo "2059"] 1. e4 d6 { the French defense: a strong drawing weapon for Black; in theright hands, that is... } 2. f4 { I am starting to like this move: in thecenter, it has the same effect as d4; but this also activates Whites' piecesrapidly... } 2... Nf6 3. e5 dxe5 4. fxe5 Ng4 5. Nf3 c5 { Black is switching toa Sicilian setup... } 6. h3 Nh6 7. g4 Nc6 8. c3 e6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 { Idid not like the prospect of cxd4, Qa5+, Bd2, Qb6, with Nc6 still on theboard: after Nxe5, Bxh6, or even g4-g5... } 10... Ng8 { you tell me... } 11. Bb5 { time to put this Knight on a short leash... } 11... Bd7 12. O-O Nge7 13. Bg5 { Black is getting in trouble... } 13... Qb6 14. Bxc6 bxc6 { not really a blunder:let's just say, there were better moves... } 15. Qf3 { for instance: 14.... Bxc6 would have prevented this (Nd4 is pinned)... } 15... f6 { this is losingfast: after 0-0-0, Blacks' position might be cramped; but it would hold... } 16. exf6 gxf6 { after Nd5, fxg7, Bxg7, Qf7+... } 17. Bxf6 Rg8 18. Bxe7 { Blacks'position is beyond repair... } 18... Bxe7 19. Qf7+ { Black resigned: after Kd8,Qxg8+, Kc7, Qg7 (Nd4 needs to be covered), Black is losing... } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from derlis"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.09.05"] [Round "-"] [White "derlis"] [Black "wattenhofer"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1171"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1646"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 { Black's knight to F6 this is the second move for blackin the Bishop Openning Berlin defence book. } 2... d6 3. Qf3 f6 { F6 ? betteris knight to F6, white's knight to E2 in order to castle! but because F6black's move } 4. Qb3 { I Queen to b3 in order to perturb, alarm :-) g8,f7,instead Knight to H6! went knight E7 } 4... Ne7 { so! F7 is not guard! whichI } 5. Bf7+ { Check in! bishop F7 Check } 5... Kd7 6. Nf3 { Nf3 to castle! } 6... c6 { I thought that castle, making this certain move Black's will bring hisKnight to a6 (the expected move ) but he didn't, so chose D4 } 7. d4 Kc7 { Black's King to C7 is good move! and good move for me is Knight to c3in order to free my piece, giving air, but I } 8. dxe5 { D x E5 and D xE5 Black. } 8... dxe5 { I released my Bishop in order to a final attack! for meKnight to c3 is out of order! } 9. Be3 Qd7 10. Qa4 { A6 ? Knight F5 bettermove, you're planing your check mate way as well black!. actually leavingwhite bishop at f7 for Black's Queen to take it, threaten Bishop at e3! } 10... a6 11. Qa5+ Kd6 12. Qc5+ Kc7 13. Qb6+ { surrender! } 1-0

[Event "Quarter Final Candidates Match, Italy 1977"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1977"] [Round "-"] [White "T Petrosian"] [Black "V Korchnoi"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "?"] [TimeControl "?"] [WhiteElo "?"] { I have decided to annotate this game due to its important ending whichis critical for many players to look at as it contains some valuable chessplay. It was played between Tigran Petrosian and Victor Korchnoi in the1977 Candidates Match and was a very anticipated match with the aggresivestyle of Korchnoi against Petrosian's defensive/positional play. However,in this game the risky opening chosen by Korchnoi allowed Petrosian togain control of the board and show that given the chance, he too can playa very aggressive game. The opening in this game is the Semi-Tarraschdefence which is a risky yet a reasonable defence if employed effectively.In general, the Semi-Tarrasch defence is similar to the Tarrasch Defenceexcept that instead of accepting an isolated d pawn, black accepts spacedefeciency. } 1. d4 { A Petrosian patent. Most if not all of Petrosianschess games as white are opened with either d4 or c4. However, just forthe beginners out there it is important to note that neither e4, d4 norc4 (and Nf3 and g3) are all equal openings with neither one being moreeffective than the other. It is only a matter of preference. } 1... d5 { Korchnoiresponds with d5 which is slightly odd for his style of play as most ofthe time (86% of the time in fact) Korchnoi replies to 1.d4 with Nf6 andeither a Gruenfeld or an Indian. So with d5 Korchnoi might have somethingprepared... On 1...d5 Black is simply mimicking white's move. This canlead to the many variations in the Queens Gambit Declined such as the Slav,Tarrasch, Semi-Tarrasch Defence as well as the Torre Attack and other uncommonopening variations. It is a perfectly logical and playable move. } 2. Nf3 { Less common then c4 but perfectly playable. } 2... Nf6 { Once again mimickingwhites move. White now has two main choices c4 which leads to the QGD orBg5 which may become a Torre Attack depending on other moves played. } 3. c4 e6 { Accepting the 'gambit' pawn is playable but white can easily winback the pawn. (4.Qa4 or 4.e3 b5 5.a4 c6 6.axb cxb 7. b3!) } 4. Nc3 { Wehave now reached the main line of the Queens gambit declined which is usuallyreached after the move order 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 (Although4.Bg5 is more common.) Now after 4...Be7 and 5.Bg5 play continues as normalbut with blacks next move he introduces the Tarrasch Defence. } 4... c5 { Herewe are at the Tarrasch Defence. Usually in the QGD blacks main goalsare e5 or c5. Here with the Tarrasch Defence black achieves this goal earlyhowever, it can lead to a slight strategic advantage to white. } 5. cxd5 { By far the best and most common move. If 5...exd then the Tarrasch Defenceis introduced or if 5...Nxd5 then the Semi-Tarrasch is introduced. Withthe Tarrasch Defence black accepts an isolated d pawn for smooth developmentand plenty of space. Many GM's have played the Tarrasch Defence now andagain including former World Champion Garry Kasparov until Karpov withthe white pieces outplayed him in the World Championship match. In thisdefence white plays against black's isolated pawn while black tries touse his piece mobility to lauch an attack. Unlike it's cousin, the Semi-TarraschDefence does not give black an islolated d-pawn but instead allows whiteto build a strong center. (See game) } 5... Nxd5 { After a slightly uncommon moveorder we reach the Semi-Tarrasch Defence. As said before white obtainsan advantage after the following moves. } 6. e4 { Logical and in my opinionthe best move. Black is voluntarily allowing his knight to be driven aroundthe board there is no reason why white should not do just that. } 6... Nxc3 { Theonly correct move as it gains tempi and trades off pieces to lessen a futureattack. However the disadvantages are obvious as white's b pawn has nowbeen converted to a c pawn increasing white's centeral majority. } 7. bxc3 cxd4 { A critical point in the opening. Black has allowed white to obtaina large central space advantage and with 3 minor pieces on the board heshould be looking to trade off pieces to lessen a future attack of white's.This is exactly what this move and Bb4 accomplish. } 8. cxd4 Bb4+ { As mentionedthis is played to trade off the minor pieces however after the trade blackwill be left with a very passive white bishop compared to white's activebishop. Therefore other ways of reaching equality have been tried suchas Nc6 9. Bc4 b5! as played by Fischer against Spassky as Bxb5 loses toQa5 . } 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 { Although black has suceeded in exchangingtwo sets of minor pieces white doesn't really mind as his two minor piecesare very well placed. } 10... O-O { Now that the position has simplified we cananalyse the position. There are only two sets of minor pieces on the boardbut white's bishop can come into play actively unlike black's white bishopwhile white's knight is also actively placed. White also has a large centeralmajority and although the king looks awkward in the center its is perfectlysafe. Because of his small centeral majority, black's chances are onthe queenside with his 2-1 pawn majority on the left wing. However, itwill only be towards the endgame when black can exploit this and he mustbe content with developing and defending himself for now. White on theother hand is looking for the d5 advance to create a passed pawn and evenif it is not queened it will draw blacks forces away from his king whereupon white will lauch an attack. } 11. Bc4 { The best spot for the bishopas it helps the d5 advance. Furthermore, Bd3 and Be2 block the e and dfiles which white will want to place his rooks on. } 11... Nc6 { At first sightthis is a simply logical move as it develops the knight to the 'best' square.However, if white can get the d5 advance in black will be forced to losetime moving his knight a second time. Therefore there is alot to be saidabout Nd7. So, blacks move is completely in contrary with what is requiredand there is nothing wrong however it should be noted that Nd7 should alsobe considered as a possible move. } 12. O-O { White needs his rooks on theopen files to break through. Also after the coming d5 exd exd the e-filewill be open and white's king could be vulnerable. } 12... b6 { Blacks best move.He prepares the fianchetto which will activate his trapped bishop. } 13. Rfe1 { Whites rooks mobolise as quickly as possible. Another possible moveis Rfd1 when the a-rook goes to c1 however the prospects for the e-fileopening are very good. Furthermore, white needs a protector of e4 as afterBb7 black might have nasty discoveries on the unprotected pawn. } 13... Bb7 { Logicalfollow up. } 14. Rad1 { White has now completed his objective and has mobilisedhis rooks and is ready to play d5. } 14... Ne7 { With this move black anticipatesthe coming d5 advance and although it is too late to stop the pawn, afterd5 exd exd black has Nf5 and Nd6 to blockade the pawn. } 15. d5 { ! Withall white's forces ready he breaks through. Now he must watch for the Nd6blockading maneuvre as mentioned previously. } 15... exd5 { It is necessary toexchange pawns to free the f5 square. } 16. exd5 { White has now obtainedwhat he wants, a passed pawn but he must now work on trying to queen thepawn. } 16... Nf5 { With the idea of Nd6 blockading the pawn but Petrosian hasan excellent move. } 17. Ne5 { ! This is in my opinion an excellent movebecause it prepares to bring the knight to c6 where it will either causemuch annoyance for black if he leaves it there or he will have to exchangeit for his white bishop turning the passed d pawn into a passed c pawnmeaning the blockading move Nd6 is useless. } 17... Nd6 { So black blocks the passedpawn but with the Nc6! move coming he brings a little trouble about himself. } 18. Nc6 { ! Now black has 3 choices 1. trade the bishop for the knight (Seegame) 2. Attempt to ignore the knight by Qf6 after which white will protectthe bishop and black will have to endure a awful middle game due to thewell placed knight. 3. An attempt to win a piece with 18...Nxc4 when after19.Nxd8 Nxd2 20.Nxb7 Rab8 21.Na5!! bxa5 Rxd2 he is left with 2 doubledA pawns which have no chance of becoming passed while white still has thepassed d pawn. } 18... Bxc6 { ? From all the alternatives mentioned, this is theworst continuation although it temporarily wins a piece black has no wayto block the future passed c pawn and with less pieces on the board white'spassed pawn is increasing in power and this ultimately leads to blacksdownfall. } 19. dxc6 { So now white's passed pawn has turned from d - c meaningthe Nd6 is completely pointless therefore black exchanges it for white'sbishop. } 19... Nxc4 20. Qf4 { ! Winning back the piece as there is a discoveredattack on the queen. Wrong is Qxd8? when Raxd8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22.c7 losesto Rf8! (eg 23. Rd1 b5! 24.Rd8 Nb6!.) So black must now give back the piece. } 20... Nd6 21. Rxd6 { ! White keeps the queens on the board (instead of Qxd6) whichallows him to attack on the K-side while blacks pieces are tied down todefending the passed c-pawn. This move also gains a tempi which will helpwhite. } 21... Qc7 { With the sensible and logical idea of blockading the pawn. } 22. g3 { Petrosian realises that black has no winning prospects and cannotdo anything as his pawn majority on the left wing is of no value in comparisonto white's passed pawn. Therefore he takes his time, firstly by givinghis king some 'luft' so that the Re1 is free to maneuvre if necessary. } 22... h6 { Black wants to give his king some luft to prevent back rank mates asthere could be many threats to the back rank to come. However, perhapssuch a weakening of the kings position mightnt be necessary at this pointin time as white has no direct threats against the back rank. } 23. Qe5 { ! With this move (and the next) White demonstrates his complete superiorityover black as he can take his time to maneuvre since black cannot do anythingproductive. Rae8 loses to 24.Qxe8! Rxe8 25. Rxe8 Kh7 26.Red8 since thepassed pawn is too strong. } 23... Rac8 { With nothing to do, black hopes to atleast prevent white from queening the pawn with all his forces. However,this allows white to launch an attack. } 24. Qd5 { ! Petrosian protectshis pawn again while centeralising his queen to the best square possible.White is completely dominating and the only thing which remains to be givena useful job is the rook. } 24... Kh7 { Black is simply bidding his time howeverI think this is a psycological surrender as Petrosian with his next moverealises blacks 'surrender' and plans an attack. } 25. Re4 { Instead of theRd7 which can be played anytime, Petrosian plans the attack. Now his rookcan come to f4, g4, and h4. } 25... Kg8 { Bidding time. } 26. Kg2 { ! With black'sforces distracted by the passed pawn white advances his king as well asthe g pawn which will be used to break into black's king. This move becomesmore apparent after black's 31st move as it also prevents any checks onthe back rank. } 26... a6 { Preparing b5 to give some hopeful counterplay but rightnow black is quite lost. } 27. h4 { Black can do nothing against this slowbut steady advance of the pawns. } 27... b5 28. g4 { White is now preparing theg5 break. Just watch how Petrosian calmly maneuvers his pieces. } 28... Kh7 29. Re2 { ! A very flexible move. The reason behind this move is that when whiteplays g5 black might block the position with h5 and g6 when the hole onf6 will become a weakness. Re2 allows the queen to come to f3 so that ifthe h5 g6 maneuvre is played, the queen can exploit the hole on f6. Furthermore,the rook is better positioned here as it can come to the c-file or d-fileif necessary where as on e4 it cannot come to c4. It sometimes seems unecessaryto do this move and if black had certain threats/counterplay it probablywould be a waste of a move. However black do anything productive so whitecan afford to take his time. } 29... Kh8 { Black is still bidding his time... } 30. g5 { !! Finally the g5 break. If hxg hxg black will lose quickly dueto the open h-file. } 30... h5 { Blacks best move. He blocks the position aroundthe king but as mentioned, when the queen comes to f3 he will have a holeon f6. } 31. Rd2 { White protects the rook so enabling his queen to cometo f3. He doesn't mind giving up the e-file as it is of no use to him. } 31... Rfe8 { Black takes control of the e-file but this comes too late. Only nowcan one appreciate the importance of the 26.Kg2! move as if it were ong1 black would have drawing chances with Re1 and Rc1. } 32. Qf3 { Whitefinally achieves his goal. Although there is no weakness on the f6 squareyet, blacks next move is forced to protect the h pawn. } 32... g6 { The only moveto protect the h-pawn but now the f6 square will be a permanant weakness. } 33. R2d5 Rf8 { Black's f pawn is also a weakness and since the rook is doingnothing useful on the e-file he bolsters the pawn. } 34. Rf6 { ! Makingfull use of the weakness and applying more pressure to the f-pawn. Furthermorehe threatens the decisive Rd7! } 34... Qe7 { A final mistake. The point of thismove was so that after Rd7 Qe8 the queen protects the f-pawn however, Korchnoiunder time pressure misses the following combination. } 35. Rd7 Qe8 36. Rxg6 { !! A very pretty move as fxg allows Qc3 followed by mate. } 36... Qe5 { ??Blunder due to time pressure but black was lost anyways. } 37. Qxh5# { Anextremely complex game showing some ideas in the Semi-Tarrasch Defence,the importance of recognising a completely dominating position and takingyour time to unleash the killer blow as well as how to set goals (suchas the penetration of the weak f6 square) and work towards them. } 1-0

[Event "Rook sac declined = ??"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.05.29"] [Round "-"] [White "theancientbeast"] [Black "'noone'"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "760"] { When I saw the level of my opponent, I thought 'Hey this should be aneasy win!' Boy, was I ever wrong! Thank you, dear opponent, for this game! } 1. e4 { I was playing White. } 1... d5 2. Nc3 { Bad move on my part. Allows hispawn to penetrate with d4. } 2... d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. c3 { I need to remove the pawn. } 4... Nc6 5. cxd4 Nxd4 6. Qa4+ c6 7. Nf3 Bc5 { He must have thought that I wasgoing for the Knight! Nah, I'll take free pawns! } 8. Nxe5 Nxe2 9. Qc4 { Threatening mate on f7. } 9... Qe7 { Not any more! } 10. Bxe2 Be6 11. Qd3 Nf6 12. O-O O-O 13. b3 { Fianchetto Bishop. } 13... Rad8 14. Qf3 Bxb3 { ! I didn'tsee This move. I can't take because I would lose a pawn. } 15. Bb2 Bd4 16. Bxd4 Rxd4 17. Ng4 Nxg4 18. Qxg4 Rxe4 19. Qf3 Rxe2 { Forgot his Rook wassafe. } 20. axb3 Re8 21. h3 Rxd2 22. Rae1 { I probably should have takenhis a pawn. But then again, it would have weakened my back rank. } 22... Re2 23. Rd1 h6 24. Qc3 Qe5 25. Qc1 Re4 26. Qb1 Qg5 27. Rde1 R4e6 28. Qd1 Kh7 29. f4 Qh4 { Yes, I did see this coming. } 30. Rxe6 Rxe6 31. Qd7 Re7 32. Qd3+ g6 33. f5 { I got this! } 33... Qe4 34. fxg6+ { 'Please take with pawn!' I prayed.I could win the Queen with a Rook check/sack. } 34... Kxg6 { No such luck. } 35. Qg3+ Kh7 36. Qb8 Qe3+ { Checks and protects a-pawn. } 37. Rf2 a5 38. Qd6 Qe5 { Can you find the game winning move? } 39. Rxf7+ { !! Did you find it?If he takes the Rook, he loses his Queen. If he doesn't take, Qg6+ or Qxh6+both lead to mate. } 39... Kg8 40. Qg6+ { Here, my opponent left the game (we werein blitz), but the game would have been over anyway. Thank you for watching!Please R&C! } 1-0

[Event "Chigorin Defence : direct path into the endgame"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "21-Mar-08"] [Round "-"] [White "giaguaro57"] [Black "ifuinsist"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1731"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1668"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 { This is the starting position of the Tchigorin Defence.Revived lastly by the top GM Alexander Morozevich. Much less explored thanthe Slav 2...c6, Queen's Gambit Accepted 2...dxc4 or Orthodox Systems beginningwith 2...e6. I very much like the development of the Nc6 here as it isquite justified by the c2-c4 pawn advance wich make possible immediatepressure on Pawn d4. One drawback of this method is the obligatory investmentof Black's pair of Bishops to maintain his opening goals, but Knights arepleasant beasts also in combat. } 3. cxd5 Qxd5 { For the moment, the Queenis not to be dislodged from d5 as 3.Nc3 loses the d Pawn. } 4. e3 e5 { Blackshould not fear to make such clear pawn pushes in the Tchigorin Defence,his play must stay active, clear-cut and strategical if he wants to makethe most of his journey. } 5. Nc3 Bb4 { The pin is almost obligatory, compensationfor the future exchange on c3 lies also in quick development. } 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Nge7 { Taking on d4 to saddle White with an Isolani was anillusion, because if 7..exd4 instead White plays the subtle 8.Ne2 withan interesting battle ahead. But wait... this is the move advised by theory! What is this 7...Nge7 for ? First, 7...Nge7 is loosing a pawn but acceleratesdevelopment. Second, should Black recover the e5 pawn, White in the meantimecould have made significant positional progresses to take the advantage.In short this is on these kind of imbalance that new theoritical pathsare growing until the initial question is more or less solved, or not... } 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Qxd5 Nxd5 { Ok here we are : Black is threatening to takeon c3 and then regaining his pawn on e5 with good prospects. } 10. Bb5 { Amost natural move. 10.Nf3 is also to be analyzed. } 10... Ke7 { Excellent or crazymove, I do not know, on the one hand trivialy escaping the pin and connectingRooks, on the other hand apparently sacrificing another pawn. } 11. Bxc6 Nxc3 12. Bxb7 Rab8 13. bxc3 Rxb7 14. Nf3 Bxa2 { In fact, the pawn investedby 10...Ke7 is immediately regained due to the Rb1 trick that threatensthe h1 Rook, but not any kind of pawn, the only one that could oppose tothe a file runner : a7. } 15. Nd4 Ra8 { Each time in the ending that youcan put a waiting Rook behind a passed pawn, do it immediately... it isalmost every time the best move at hand, even if the computer analysisater the game actually says 'no'. Now Black has two compensations for thelost pawn in the opening : a minor one, Bishop tends to coordinate betterwith Rooks, and a major one, a very dangerous passed a Pawn assisted byRook and Bishop. Position assesment now, should be 'unclear' } 16. O-O { Whitemust seek rapid development and coordination for his pieces because Blackis ready to push a5. Castling king-side is merely forced as 16.Ke2 Rb2 is not good. } 16... Rb2 { Taking space inside White's camp and making difficultfor White pieces to come into play. } 17. Nc6+ Ke8 18. f3 { Best choice,White will disentangle himself by playing Rf2. 18.f4 was not precise becauseof 18...a5 19.Rf2 Rb1 20.Rxb1 Bb1 21.Rf1 Be4 and White Bishop is magnificentlyposted. } 18... a5 { Everything is in order. Now is the time to push the a pawn. } 19. Rf2 { The logical continuation of 18.f3 } 19... Rb1+ 20. Rxb1 Bxb1 21. Rf1 { Perhaps not 21.Rb2 because this Rook will end on the a-file and the firstRank is preferable as on square a1 the Bishop will not gain time becausethe Rook cannot be attacked there. } 21... Bd3 22. Ra1 { Not 22.Rd1 as it willsimply loose time to place the Black Bishop to the superb c4 square. } 22... a4 { Push again. } 23. Nb4 Bc4 24. Nc2 { Well played White manoeuvre, the Knightis now posted between attack (d4) and defence (a3). } 24... Kd7 { I had the feelingthat Black could not increase the pressure by his pieces alone, so I activatedmy King. } 25. Kf2 Ke6 26. f4 { Securing e5 Pawn but at the cost of givingmore freedom of action to Black Bishop and King. } 26... c5 { Profiting from aPawn move, to make another Pawn move that restricts White Knight jumpingspots. It can be said also that c5 pawn could be equally dangerous to pawna if the c3 pawn falls. } 27. Na3 Bd3 28. Rd1 c4 { This move looks potentiallyvery static, but the point is that my Bishop here is blocking d and b filefor the White Rook, which is not the case for the Black one, which hasthe b-file. } 29. Nb5 Ra5 { Alas, after 29...Rb1 the penetration of Black'sRook is not decisive and the a pawn is quite in danger. For the moment,supporting the pawn on the a-file is stronger. } 30. Nd4+ { White is alsoplaying for a win. My opponent could have put me in front of quite a problem,if he had just returned the Knight by 30.Na3, I would have had the choicebetween a draw by move repetition (30.Na3 Ra8 31.Nb5 etc.), or trying tofind a better alternative. As I said in the previous note, it is too earlyto seize the b-file. This is perhaps some kind of backfiring of Black'sstatic 28th move. Anyway, a draw would have been a perfectly reasonableoutcome, because my opponent has not made the slightest mistake and producedgood moves. } 30... Kd5 31. g3 Ra8 { Reason of this subtle move is quite obscurebut I think valid. First, I cannot play 31...a3 immediately since 32.e4! and the pawn is untouchable : 32...Bxe4?? 33.Nb3 and the Rook on a5is lost ; 32...Kxe4? 33.e6! with a dangerous passed pawn since 33...fxe6?33. Re1 loses material. I needed a good waiting move, renewing the threatof the 'a pawn' push : 31...Ra8 was perfect, because there the Rook stayedbest away Knight forking tricks. } 32. Nf5 { White continue to play fora win, 32.Ra1 a3 33.Nb5 Rb8 and even if Black's Rook enter White's campthrough the b-file, chances of drawing are quite good. } 32... a3 { Now White'sRook will be trapped on a8 and the battle will be decided between White'sKnight vs Black's Rook. } 33. Nxg7 a2 34. Ra1 Bb1 { Trapped it is. } 35. Ke2 Ra3 { If Black's Rook can pass behind the White pawns before they can provedangerous the game will soon be over for White.The idea is accessing secondRank by the manoeuvre Ra3-b3-b2. } 36. Kd2 Rb3 37. Ne8 Rb2+ 38. Kc1 Rxh2 39. Nd6 { Technically I believe the game is won now, the fact that c3 pawnsfall is just icing on the cake. } 39... Rc2+ 40. Kd1 Rxc3 { White's pawn are helplessand c4 pawn is another threat. } 41. Ke2 Rb3 42. e4+ Kd4 43. e6 fxe6 44. Nxc4 { Or the c pawn queens... } 44... Kxc4 45. Kf2 Kd4 46. e5 Ke4 { From now onthe game continued until mate. } 47. Rxa2 Bxa2 48. f5 Kxf5 49. Kf1 Rb2 50. Ke1 Bb3 51. Kf1 Kg4 52. Ke1 Kf3 53. g4 h6 54. g5 hxg5 55. Kf1 Rb1# { Mate...The Black pawn sacrifices brought sufficient compensation for a dangerousBlackgame, as White played purposefully the opening, but it seems no morethan that as White had opportunities of drawing the endgame around move30. Nice, tense and strategical game... } 0-1

[Event "Speculative piece sac that fails."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.14"] [Round "-"] [White "cracae"] [Black "fkohn"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1808"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1765"] 1. e4 { Playing for the loss } 1... e5 { Returning the favor } 2. Nf3 Nf6 { My standardreply } 3. d4 { I think this is slightly better than Nxe5 } 3... Nxe4 4. dxe5 { Ratherunusual. I think Bd3 is stronger } 4... d5 5. exd6 { This allows Black easy equality } 5... Bxd6 6. Bc4 O-O 7. O-O Bg4 { A blunder. I had some kind of optical illusionthat 8.Bd5 doesn't work here for White, but clearly after ...Nc5 Whitecan play b4 and win material. 8... Bxh2+ doesn't work because of 9.Kh1!Nxf2+ 10.Rxf2 c6 11.Bxf7+ } 8. Be3 Nf6 { A waste of time. I was still worriedabout Bd6, but I should have just gone ahead and developed with ... Nc6. } 9. Nbd2 Nc6 10. a3 { Apparently he was worried about ... Na5 but I thinkthis was a waste of time. } 10... Re8 11. c3 Ne5 12. Ba2 c6 13. Re1 Qc7 14. h3 Bh5 15. g4 { This loosening move really surprised me. } 15... Bg6 16. Nxe5 Bxe5 17. Nf3 Bf4 18. Qe2 { This surprised me as well as it saddles White withan isolated pawn and further loosens the Kingside. } 18... Bxe3 19. fxe3 Be4 20. Ng5 Qg3+ 21. Kf1 Bd5 22. c4 Qh4 { In retrospect this was probably impatient....Bh1 or even ...Be6 would have worked better. } 23. cxd5 Nxd5 { I had thissac in mind already when I played my 22nd move. Now White must lose theh pawn as well. } 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Nf3 Qxh3+ 26. Qg2 Qh6 27. g5 { White'sKingside is incredibly loose, but the g pawn ends up being a thorn in Black'sside. } 27... Qb6 28. Re2 Rac8 { ... Rxe3 was better but I didn't want the simplificationthat would follow } 29. Nd4 Re4 30. Qh3 Rce8 31. Kf2 Qg6 32. Rg1 R4e5 33. Nf3 R5e7 34. Nh4 Qb6 35. b4 { White is having trouble making progress butthis simply weakens the a pawn } 35... Qa6 36. Nf5 Re5 37. Rg3 Qg6 38. Rf3 d4 { Black takes the opportunity to get rid of his weak d pawn and also removethe annoying White g pawn } 39. Nxd4 Rxg5 { The wrong way! I should havetaken with the Queen. Now Black loses. } 40. Qd7 { Caught me by surprise.I didn't think White could allow the Rook check. } 40... Rg2+ 41. Ke1 Qb1+ 42. Kd2 Qb2+ 43. Kd3 Qxa3+ 44. Kc4 Qa6+ 45. b5 Qa4+ 46. Kc3 Qa1+ 47. Kb4 a5+ { This loses. But if Black plays an immediate ...Qb1+, then 48. Kc4 Qc1+49. Nc2 and Black is out of checks } 48. bxa6 Qb1+ 49. Nb3 Qe4+ 50. Ka3 Re7 51. axb7 { Defeated at last by a lowly pawn. } 1-0

[Event "League division E1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.09.19"] [Round "-"] [White "laird0fmaxwell"] [Black "bharryb"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1156"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "997"] 1. Nc3 d5 2. Nh3 e5 3. Nb5 c6 4. Nc3 f5 5. e3 e4 6. Qh5+ g6 7. Qe2 Be6 { After 7 moves, I lack mobility, but have a nice little fort to hide behind. } 8. Na4 b5 9. d4 bxa4 10. Ng5 Qxg5 11. Bd2 Na6 12. Qxa6 Ne7 13. Qxa4 Bh6 14. Bb4 O-O { Move 14, both sides made silly mistakes, but I believe I amin the better position. } 15. Qa3 Rfe8 16. h4 Qf6 17. h5 g5 18. O-O-O g4 19. g3 Kf7 20. f4 Reb8 21. Ba5 Rb7 22. Ba6 Rbb8 23. Bb4 Re8 24. Bd6 Nc8 25. Be5 Qe7 26. Qa4 Qd7 { After much back and forth move 26 ends with abishop in my 'fort' } 27. Qb4 Kg8 28. Bb7 { I stupidly lose a rook tryingto make a pin } 28... Rb8 { As seen in these two } 29. Bxb8 { .. } 29... Ne7 30. Bd6 Nc8 31. Be5 Nb6 32. Bd6 Qxb7 33. a4 Bf8 34. h6 Rd8 35. Bc5 Rb8 { I move intothis position } 36. Rh5 Nxa4 { Nxa4 makes it unwise for white to take theknight, as it leaves me open for Qxb7 and an attack on the king } 37. c3 { White moves to protect the queen } 37... Nxc5 { I take the bishop with my knight,once again white can not play Qxc5, however, niether can he play dxc5,as then that would be followed by Bxc4, either forcing white to lose hisqueen, or be checkmated. } 38. Rd2 { White plays Rd2?! } 38... Nd3+ { I fork theking and queen with Nd6, white is free to take the knight, but I will thenplay Bxb4 } 39. Kd1 { Kd1?! Is white panicing? } 39... Nxb4 { Nxb6, game remainsunresolved. One of my best sequence of moves to date:D...Despite whitemaking mistakes at end, if better moves were made, my plan would have stillworked:) } 40. cxb4 Qxb4 41. Rg5+ Kh8 42. Ke2 Bxh6 43. Rh5 Bg7 44. Rh1 Qc4+ 45. Kd1 Rb3 46. Rc2 Qa4 47. Rch2 Qa1+ 48. Kc2 Qxb2+ 49. Kd1 Qb1+ 50. Ke2 Qc2+ 51. Kf1 Qd1+ 52. Kg2 Rb2# 0-1

[Event "Fairly good...?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.09.11"] [Round "-"] [White "damafi"] [Black "chessbell"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1608"] [TimeControl "300+5"] [WhiteElo "1523"] { 1600 is not a great rating, but still it feels good when you can makeit for a win against a superior opponent. } 1. d4 b6 2. Bf4 Bb7 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 h6 { Passive play by black allows me... } 5. e4 g5 6. Bg3 { It's interestingto see what I'll play against g4... maybe Bh4 and Ng1? But he went for... } 6... Bg7 7. c3 Nf6 { Here, my e4 pawn is threatened, and Bd3 seems the most naturalmove. Instead, I went for something else. } 8. h4 { This is a mistake, sinceafter g4, Nh2 I'll be squeezed by black pieces. But he played... } 8... Bxe4 { ...that was exactly what I thought he'd have done. So... } 9. hxg5 hxg5 10. Rxh8+ Bxh8 11. Nxg5 { ...and I'm fairly satisfied. The lsb is threatened,and maybe d5 was the better move. Still, black can now hardly defend hiskingside, and if Nf6 is used in the exchanges, Qh5 will be very annoyingfor black. } 11... Bg6 { Here, I envisaged a plan to catch the Nf6. Let's see ifit works: } 12. Qf3 { Threatening Ra8, so I have a tempo. } 12... Nc6 13. Bh4 { Thisis the key move: now, after Ng-e4, black loses a piece. } 13... Qe7 14. Nge4 { Gotit! Black's N is pinned and attacked 3 times... } 14... Bxe4 15. Nxe4 { ...allthe same. } 15... Nxd4 { Good try. Now, he wants to put me in trouble with hisQ's check. I considered it and accepted it, since after Ne4xNf6+, I winthe Ra8 with check. But I'm not so good at this, so I played... } 16. cxd4 { ?? } 16... Qb4+ 17. Nc3 { Allows Qxb2, but QxRa8+ is also coming. I won't haveplayed it, nevertheless: 17... Qxb2, 18. QxRa8+, Ke7, 19. QxBh8, QxRa1+,20. Kd2 etc. and he can get some annoying series of checks with the Q.Still, I'll be up and threatening BxNf6#. } 17... Nd5 { It won't be a nice gameif my opponent wouldn't play the best moves. Now my best answer is... } 18. O-O-O { ! He can still play Bxd4, and probably it was winning! It isa little complicated to me to figure out how the game could have gone. } 18... Rc8 { Still dreaming of an attack... } 19. Nxd5 exd5 { Qe3+ comes to mind,but then I couldn't see the winning sequence, so I went for... } 20. Qxd5 c5 { ...since I saw a nice move here: } 21. Bc4 { ! ... Qxf7#, so the attackfollowing cxd4 was not good enough. Moreover, this move prevents BQ todefend e7. } 21... Qxc4+ { Only move. } 22. Qxc4 Rc6 { Best move now was d5. I played,naively... } 23. Re1+ { If Re6, RxR and the game is over. Still, to preventit with d5 was more accurate. } 23... Kf8 { Not rushing into Be7+, Kg8... } 24. d5 Rg6 25. Be7+ Kg8 26. g3 { Black is busted, of course. } 26... Bd4 { Attackingmy f2 pawn? Seriously? } 27. Bh4 { Opening the way to my R. } 27... Bxf2 { ? It wasmore difficult for me to win after Kf8, looking for a repetition. } 28. Re8+ Kh7 29. Re7 Kg8 30. Qf4 { ...and here he threw the towel. Thank youfor reading! } 1-0

[Event "Muttit - coaching game..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "06-Dec-07"] [Round "-"] [White "muttit"] [Black "yellowlab"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1926"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1620"] 1. e4 { 1. e4 Bobby Fischer once wrote that 1. e4 was 'best by test.' } 1... c5 { The Sicilian Defense is one of the most popular responses to 1. e4. Itsignals a willingness to do battle, because it avoids symmetry. } 2. Nf3 { Developing and centralizing. The knight benefits more than any pieceby its proximity to the center. } 2... g6 { The Accelerated Dragon. Black isgoing to fianchetto his king's bishop and try to obtain counterplay alongthe dark squares. } 3. d4 { The principled continuation. White will tryto develop rapidly and attack black's position. } 3... cxd4 { Exchanging a wingpawn for a center pawn, which is a plus for black. Look, however at theopen lines for the white bishops. Black cannot develop as quickly as white. } 4. Nxd4 { The knight moves twice, but the loss of time is compensated bythe fact that material equilibrium is reestablished, and the knight iswell placed in the center of the board. } 4... Nc6 { Developing and centralizing. } 5. Nxc6 { Playable, but it is the third move of the knight, and it exchancesit for a piece that has moved only once. White's advantage in developmentis somewhat mitigated now. } 5... bxc6 { 5. ...dxc6 would allow the exchange ofqueens and black would forfeit the right to castle. } 6. Bd3 { The bishopis more active on c4. A piece's power is tied to its mobility. The Bishopon d3 is restricted by the pawns on c2 and e4. } 6... Bg7 { The bishop rakes thelong diagonal. Compare its mobility to the white bishop on d3. } 7. O-O { Castling is usually good. It secures the king and prepares to activatethe rook. } 7... d6 { With the dark square bishop actively posted, Black wantsto do the same with the bishop on c8. } 8. Nd2 { 8. Nc3 is probably better. White's most active idea is to proceed with development and then playf4-f5. } 8... Nf6 { Black's pawn structure is sound, and he wants to completehis development. } 9. c3 { Perhaps not the best use of time. Every moveis precious and ought to be optimized. } 9... O-O { Black has caught up in development. } 10. Nf3 { Blocking the f-pawn. White now has no active plan of attack. } 10... c5 { Black decides to activate the c8 bishop along the other long diagonal,but this might not be the best decision. } 11. Bg5 { Another idea is to play11. h3, Be3, and Qd2 followed by Bh6. Exchanging the dark square bishopsis in white's best interest. } 11... Bb7 { Attacking the e-pawn, and developingthe last of his minor pieces. } 12. Bxf6 { 12. Re1 defending the e-pawn,was better. The bishop, which has moved twice is exchanged for a knightthat has only moved once. Black is now left with the advantage of the'two bishops.' } 12... Bxf6 { Restoring material equality, while preserving hispawn structure. } 13. Re1 { Activating the rook and preparing for a possiblepush e4-e5. } 13... Qb6 { Hitting the b2 pawn and clearing the back rank for therooks. Notice that the b-pawn cannot move or the c-pawn would be lost. } 14. Qc2 { Developing and defending at the same time. } 14... Rab8 { Black intendsto increase the pressure along the half-open b-file. } 15. e5 { Just aboutthe only hope for activity. } 15... Bg7 { Black wants to keep the two bishops. Capturing on e5 would only allow white to activate his knight. 15. ...Bxf316. exf6 is better for white. } 16. exd6 { 16. e6 was also to be considered. } 16... exd6 { Again, taking on f3 is bad. 16. ...Bxf3 17. dxe7! } 17. Rab1 { Defendingthe b-pawn, but allowing black to ruin white's pawn structure. } 17... Rfe8 { Objectively,17. ...Bxf3 is correct. } 18. Rxe8+ { Black welcomes exchanges, because thepower of the bishops increases the closer we get to an endgame. } 18... Rxe8 { Forced. } 19. Re1 { Black is again happy to exchange. Players often think that exchangeslead to draws, and that is sometimes the case. Strong players sometimessay they got 'Hoovered into a draw.' They mean that their opponent vacuumedoff all the pieces leaving them with no winning chances. However, if youhave an endgame edge, exchanges are to be welcomed, not avoided. } 19... Rxe1+ 20. Nxe1 d5 { Black would ideally like to exchange queens. His next objectiveis to obtain a past pawn. The bishops are superior to a knight when thereare pawns on both sides of the board. } 21. b3 { White is tired of defendingthe b-pawn, but now the c-pawn must be defended. Notice that, if white'sc-pawn advances, Black's bishop on g7 gets even stronger. } 21... Qe6 { Movingto the only open file. } 22. Kf1 { The king is in no danger and wants tobe active, if the queens come off the board. However, there is a tacticaldrawback to this move. } 22... Qe5 { This is a tactic called a double attack. The h-pawn and the c-pawn are both threatened. } 23. Nf3 { White can onlysave one of the pawns. } 23... Qxc3 { Establishing material superiority. Blacknow has a technically won game. } 24. Qxc3 { White has little choice butto exchange queens now. Otherwise, Black would go into attack mode. } 24... Bxc3 { Bllack is up one pawn, and still has the two bishops. } 25. g3 { I'm notcertain why white played this move. } 25... Kg7 { 25. ...c4 was a consideration,but white holds after 26. bxc4 dxc4 27. Be2. Better was the immediatef7-f6. } 26. Ke2 { Activating the king. } 26... f6 { One of the keys for playingagainst knights is to rob them of the squares they want to move to. } 27. h4 { White wishes to exchange pawns. } 27... Kf7 { Activating the king. } 28. Nd2 { The knight has no good square to move to. } 28... Ke6 { Continuing to activatethe king. The king is a fighting piece in the endgame. } 29. Nb1 { Blackis not troubled by this attack. The bishops can move out of the knight'srange relatively easily. } 29... Ba5 { The bishop is no worse off on a5 than c3,and the knight is certainly not better on b1. } 30. Ke3 { Activating theking. } 30... Ke5 { Ditto. } 31. f4+ { This drives the king from the e5 square, butnow white's kingside pawns may become vulnerable. } 31... Kd6 { The king provokedthe pawn advance and retreats to the next best square. } 32. f5 { White wantsto initiate pawn exchanges, but now the kingside pawns become weakened. Notice also that the e5 square is once again available for Black's king. } 32... g5 { Black is expecting 33. hxg5 fxg5 34. g4 Ke5 with advantage. } 33. hxg5 { Best. } 33... fxg5 { Forced. } 34. f6 { 34. g4 was much better. Black still hasthe better game, but now the material advantage becomes decisive. } 34... h6 { Thef-pawn is no danger, so Black moves the h-pawn away from danger. } 35. Bf5 { White will try to make it hard for black to win the f-pawn, but it isdoomed. } 35... Bd8 { A direct attack. } 36. f7 { Forced. } 36... Be7 { The bishop securesthe queening square and white is basically helpless. } 37. Bg6 { There isn'tany good plan at this stage. } 37... Ke5 { Heading for f6. } 38. Kf3 Kf6 39. Bh5 d4+ 40. Ke2 Bd5 { The f-pawn is going to fall and a two pawn advantage isgenerally decisive. } 41. Nd2 Bxf7 42. Bxf7 Kxf7 43. Ne4 h5 { The d-pawnis already a protected passed pawn. Black wishes to create another passedpawn. The knight will have trouble being in two places at once. } 44. Nf2 Ke6 { Patience is a virtue in endgames. Black once again activates theking. } 45. Nd3 Kd5 46. Kd2 { Oops. A tactical oversight. White neededto keep an eye on the g-pawn. } 46... Bd6 { A direct attack. } 47. g4 { The bestoption, but black is now three pawns to the good. } 47... hxg4 48. Ke2 c4 { Breakingopen a second front. } 49. bxc4+ Kxc4 50. Ne1 g3 51. Ng2 Bf4 { 0-1 Believeit or not the key to the game, was White's unforced decision to exchangebishop for knight. Black was happy to trade material and the advantageof the two bishops grew more and more evident as the endgame approached. One of the more difficult concepts to master in chess is the art of exchangingpieces. } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.07.04"] [Round "-"] [White "anand91"] [Black "mistergo"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1707"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1707"] 1. d4 { I analyzed this game with Stockfish 1.8.0. 25 seconds per move.I'll also put my own comments. } 1... d6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 dxe5 4. Qxd8+ Kxd8 5. Nc3 { With only 4 moves played queens are already traded. With queensoff board inability to castle is not a big problem. } 5... Bb4 6. Bg5+ f6 7. Rd1+ Bd7 8. Bd2 Nc6 9. e3 Nge7 10. Nf3 Nf5 11. a3 Be7 { Stockfish 1.8 JA64bit: Analysis reports blunder, with score change from/to: +0.32 / +0.88( 11...Bxc3 12.Bxc3 Nd6 13.Nd2 a6 14.Bd3 Be8 15.Ne4 Ke7 16.Nxd6 cxd6 17.Be2Bg6 18.Rd2 a5 19.O-O a4 20.Rd5 b6 21.Rc1 Rhb8 22.Rd2 Be4 = ) I shouldhave traded the pieces. Now my bishop is very passive. } 12. g4 { Stockfish1.8 JA 64bit: Analysis reports blunder, with score change from/to: +0.88/ +0.04 ( 12.b4 Be6 13.Bd3 a5 14.Bc1 Ke8 15.Nd5 axb4 16.Nxc7+ Kf7 17.Nxa8Rxa8 18.axb4 Nxb4 19.Be4 Nd6 20.Bxh7 Bxc4 += ) Missing the opportunity. } 12... Nd6 13. h3 b6 14. Be2 { Stockfish 1.8 JA 64bit: Analysis reports blunder,with score change from/to: +0.12 / -0.64 ( 14.b4 h5 15.gxh5 e4 16.Nd4Nxd4 17.exd4 a5 18.c5 Nf5 19.h6 gxh6 20.Bg2 axb4 21.axb4 Nxd4 22.cxb6 cxb623.Bxe4 Ra3 24.Nd5 = ) This loses a pawn. } 14... Na5 15. b4 { Stockfish 1.8JA 64bit: Analysis reports blunder, with score change from/to: -0.76 /-1.61 ( 15.c5 bxc5 16.Nd5 Nb3 17.Bc3 Ne4 18.Nh4 Rb8 19.Bd3 Nxc3 20.bxc3Bd6 21.Nf5 h5 22.Ke2 Be6 23.c4 hxg4 24.hxg4 Kd7 25.Rxh8 Rxh8 26.Be4 Na5=+ ) The pawn is already lost so white should have tried to double blackpawns with c5 } 15... Naxc4 16. Bxc4 { Giving black bishop pair and extra space.Bc1 gave white better chances but it is psychologically difficult movethat looks passive at glance. } 16... Nxc4 17. Ra1 { Stockfish 1.8 JA 64bit: Analysisreports blunder, with score change from/to: -2.50 / -3.51 ( 17.Bc1 a518.Nd5 axb4 19.axb4 Ra2 20.Nh4 c6 21.Nxe7 Kxe7 22.f4 Rha8 23.O-O c5 24.bxc5bxc5 25.Rd5 Rc2 26.Rfd1 Nb6 27.R5d2 -/+ ) Sub-optimal but white is alreadylosing. Look at the board. There position is somewhat symmetrical. Blackhas bishops on e7 and d7, rooks on a8 and h8. White has knights on f3 andc3, rooks on a1 and h1, pawns on a3 and h3, b4 and g4. } 17... h5 { I consideredtwo symmetrical moves: a5 and h5. At the end I decided to play h5 causeI felt I will always be able to play a5 later. Computer analysis showsthat a5 was better. } 18. gxh5 { Stockfish 1.8 JA 64bit: Analysis reportsblunder, with score change from/to: -3.11 / -3.95 ( 18.g5 a5 19.gxf6 gxf620.Ke2 Be6 21.e4 Kd7 22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.exd5 Nxd2 24.Nxd2 axb4 25.axb4 Kd626.f3 Kxd5 27.b5 h4 28.Rac1 Bc5 29.Ne4 Ra2+ 30.Kd3 -+ ) This is losingmore quickly. } 18... Rxh5 19. h4 { Stockfish 1.8 JA 64bit: Analysis reports blunder,with score change from/to: -3.91 / -5.05 ( 19.Nd5 Bd6 20.e4 Bg4 21.Ng1a5 22.bxa5 Nxd2 23.Kxd2 Rxa5 24.Ne3 Be6 25.a4 Bd7 26.Ne2 Rxa4 27.Rxa4 Bxa428.h4 Bc6 29.Nd5 Bc5 30.f4 Kd7 31.fxe5 -+ ) } 19... Bg4 20. Ke2 { A final blunder.Even if white plays optimally instead of this blunder heavy loses are unavoidable. } 20... Nxd2 { Winning a piece. } 0-1

[Event "Request: Dealing With Mistakes"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.02.08"] [Round "-"] [White "chicoboy"] [Black "chrisforbes21"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1166"] [TimeControl "5d+5d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1251"] 1. e4 { Hi all! This is a game from the Walking the Walk Mini-TournamentGroup 4 that I'm annotating on chicoboy's request. Enjoy! } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 { White avoids the Ruy Lopez (3.Bb5) and chooses the Scotch Game instead.This opening is characterized by the open center and usually White's strongcentral presence. } 3... exd4 { This is best. There's no good way for Black tomaintain his pawn on e5, and taking with the Knight (3...Nxd4 4.Nxd4 exd45.Qxd4) leaves White's Queen on a very strong central square without aneasy way to drive her away. } 4. Nxd4 Qf6 { 4...Bc5 or 4...Nf6 are far andaway more popular, and safer. This is too early to bring out the BQ, andfurthermore she's blocking the King Knight's best square. } 5. Be3 { A gooddeveloping move, defending both the Knight and the f2 pawn. } 5... Bc5 { Blackpiles up on the Knight. } 6. c3 { White still has adequate defenses, thoughhe's forced to take the c3 square away from his QN. } 6... Nxd4 { ? Black hasnothing to gain from this exchange. At best, he'll give White a formidablecenter and a developmental edge (7.Bxd4 Bxd4 8.Qxd4 Qxd4 9.cxd4). Betterchoices would have been 6...d6 or 6...Ne7, to simply continue development. } 7. Bxd4 { White recaptures. } 7... Bb6 { ?? Hugely, Black overlooks the threatto his Queen. } 8. Bxf6 { White wastes no time. } 8... Nxf6 9. Bd3 { Black couldresign, with a mere Bishop for his Queen, but chooses to fight on--it'sstill early in the game, and there's plenty of time for White to make mistakes. } 9... d6 10. O-O O-O { Both players get their Kings to safety. } 11. Nd2 g6 { ?I simply don't see a purpose to this move. It needlessly weakens the BlackKing's position, when Black *should* be focusing on getting all his piecesout. When you're behind in material, it is absolutely critical to makeevery move count, and make more use of the pieces you *do* have. } 12. Re1 { White is playing soundly, just developing and solidifying his advantage. } 12... Kh8 { ? Again, there's no reason for this move. All the King-related movementsuggests that Black is feeling how far behind he is and panicking as aresult. } 13. Nf3 { White prepares e4-e5. } 13... Rg8 { I guess this is the pointof Black's last move--but what is he going to do with his Rook over here?He should be developing and making active counterplay, not this passiverepositioning with no apparent purpose. This Rook belongs on e8 anyway,to contest White's pawn advance. } 14. e5 dxe5 15. Nxe5 Be6 { Finally, Blackstarts to pay attention to his other pieces. } 16. Qf3 { White forks theKnight and b7 pawn. } 16... Kg7 { This is probably the best response Black hasto offer. 16...Nd5 would defend b7 momentarily, but loses to a tacticalshot because weak Black castle is so vulnerable. (e.g. 16...Nd5? 17.Nxf7+Bxf7 18.Qxf7 c6 19.c4 and now the Black Knight falls, since moving wouldallow 20.Re7 and mate soon to follow. } 17. Bc4 { ! White stays the course,continuing to hammer at Black's weak King by pointing more pieces at f7. } 17... h5 { ? It's not clear what Black is planning, but it sure isn't 'keepinghis King safe'. This lets White force the exchange on e6 and further growhis advantage. } 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Qg3 { Threatening a mate in two (20.Qxg6+Kh8 21.Nf7#). But, it's easily defended. } 19... Kh7 { Black gets his King outof the way, letting the Rook defend the g-pawn. Bear in mind that it onlyneeds defending because of all the weakening moves Black made in the firstplace! } 20. Qf3 { Back to the fork. } 20... Raf8 { Black defends his Knight, andbegins to put some indirect pressure on f2. } 21. Qd3 { Now it looks likeit's White who can't decide what he wants to do! } 21... Ng4 { Not great. You shouldtry to avoid piece trades when so far behind, since they just give theother player (White) a bigger advantage. } 22. Nxg4 hxg4 23. Rf1 { Defendingf2. } 23... Rg7 { Black prepares to double. } 24. h3 { This may not be ideal, butI like it--White gives his King an escape square and threatens to openthe h-file for use against the Black King. } 24... gxh3 { Ooh, not good. This losesa pawn to 24.Qxh3+ Kg8 25.Qxe6+. Not to mention, it opens the h-file. } 25. Qxh3+ Kg8 26. Qxe6+ Rgf7 { The Rooks are doubled now... but pinned. } 27. Kh1 { ? There was no need for this. Now the WK is on the open file.White ought to have simply picked up another free pawn while maintaininghis checks: 27.Qxg6+ Rg7 28.Qe6+ } 27... Kh8 { Unpinning the Rf7... } 28. f3 { ??White wants to release his Rook from guard duty, but it would have beeneasier to simply give up the pawn. This allows the Bishop to cut off theKing's only escape route... } 28... Rh7+ { ! Black finds his opening. White hasonly one response. } 29. Qh3 Rxh3+ 30. gxh3 { White still has the advantage,but obviously it is much less pronounced. } 30... Kg7 31. Rae1 { This Rook shouldhave been developed fifteen moves ago. } 31... Rh8 32. Kg2 c5 { ? Loses a pawnto 33.Re7+. Black should be trying to get his King into the game with ...Kf6-f5. } 33. c4 { White locks up the Bishop instead of grabbing the free pawn. } 33... Ba5 34. Re7+ Kh6 35. Kg3 { Fine, though I would have played 35.Rxb7. } 35... Kh5 { Blackis apparently unconcerned about his queenside pawns. To be fair, Whitedoesn't seem to care about them either. } 36. Re5+ g5 37. Rxc5 Bb6 38. Rf5 Bc7+ 39. Kg2 { Better was 39.f4 (Black can't capture it since his g-pawnis pinned). } 39... Re8 40. Rf2 { 40.f4 was still better. White should be pressuring(and therefore winning) the g-pawn. } 40... Kh4 { ?? For some reason, Black isintent on putting his King in the most dangerous corner he can find. Itlooks like he wants to play ...Bg3 to threaten White's Rook... but why?That doesn't actually accomplish anything. Black should be focused on gettinghis King to an active square, not back here where it can't escape fromanything. 40...Kg6 was far better. } 41. Rf7 { Threatening mate thanks tothe BK's ugly location. } 41... Bg3 { ?? Black overlooks the mate threat. 41...g4was called for. } 42. Rh7# { Well-spotted by White. This was a game, I think,about dealing with mistakes. Black gave up his Queen early and seemed topanic as a result, making a lot of useless moves and unable to come upwith a plan. White gave his Queen up to a nice tactic later, but didn'tget nearly so flustered, and continued to simply look for a victory withhis other pieces. It's a good lesson to learn. } 1-0

[Event "World Championship Match, Game 1, New York"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1894"] [Round "-"] [White "Lasker"] [Black "Steinitz"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 { Lasker: Steinitz's well-known defense. Steinitz: The revival of this defense met with much opposition, but I haveseen nothing as yet to vitiate the equalizing effect, which, in my opinion,it possess. } 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nge7 { Steinitz: An important key move tothis defense which I first adopted in my match against Gunsberg. } 6. Bc4 { Lasker: Apparently loss of time, but the good position of that bishopseems ample compensation } 6... Nxd4 7. Nxd4 exd4 8. Qxd4 Nc6 9. Qe3 Ne5 10. Bb3 c6 11. Qg3 Ng6 { Steinitz: Of doubtful merit. 11...Be7 at once was preferable. } 12. h4 { Lasker: 12.Be3 was strong enough in this position. However, thetext move embarrasses Black's development of pieces. } 12... Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Bg5 Be7 15. O-O-O e5 16. Be3 O-O { Lasker: If 16...Bxh4 17.Qg4, andnow Black cannot play 17...Qc8, as 18.Rxh4 would follow, and he cannotstir the bishop on account of 18.Rxh7. Steinitz: If 16...Bxh4 17.Qg4 Be718.Rxh7, and should win. } 17. Ne2 Rf7 { Steinitz: Again Black would exposehimself to great danger by 17...Bxh4 18.Qg4, followed soon by Qh5. } 18. h5 { Lasker: It would have been risky to leave the pawn on its fourth, andto proceed with an attack by means of 18.Kb1. It might, however, have beenpromising enough. } 18... Nf4 19. Bxf4 exf4 20. Qf3 { Steinitz: Obviously if 20.Nxf4Rxf4, and the queen dare not retake. } 20... Qa5 21. Kb1 Qe5 22. Nd4 Bf6 23. c3 Re8 24. Rhe1 Bd8 25. Qg4 Bc7 26. Nf3 Qf6 27. Nd2 Rfe7 28. f3 d5 29. Rh1 { Steinitz: 29...Qf7 was by far better. } 29... Re5 30. g3 { Steinitz: A masterlycoup, which relieves his position on the kingside, no matter what Blackreply. } 30... Rg5 { Lasker: Of course if 30...fxg3 31.f4, and Black would do bestto sacrifice the exchange. } 31. Qd7 Qf7 32. Qxf7+ Kxf7 33. g4 Bb6 { Steinitz:Inferior to 33...Rge5. } 34. exd5 cxd5 { Steinitz: 34...Rxd5 is preferable,leading to a natural draw position, with which I should have been contentunder the circumstances. } 35. Nb3 Re6 36. Rhf1 Rge5 37. Nc1 { Lasker: Thisforces the win of a pawn. } 37... Bc7 38. Nd3 Rg5 39. Nb4 Ree5 40. Rd4 Bb6 { Lasker:A very fine move, which nearly would have turned the tables. } 41. Rxf4+ Kg8 42. Nd3 { Steinitz: Much inferior to 42.Nc2, which wins easily. } 42... Re2 43. Rd1 Be3 44. Rb4 b6 45. Ra4 a5 46. b4 { Steinitz: This gives Black achance for a counter-attack, which I believe should have equalized thegame at least. } 46... d4 47. c4 { Lasker: White has nothing better as 47.cxd4would be neutralized with 47...Rb5. } 47... Bd2 48. b5 Bc3 49. Rg1 Rd2 { Lasker:Black intends to sacrifice his exchange and very nearly succeeds in scoringthe game thereby. As will be seen by the subsequent play, Black excelsin detecting means of attack, which could only be met by a series of difficultand forced moves on the part of his antagonist. Steinitz: Ill-judged.49...Kf7 seems better, with the following probable continuation: 50.f4Rc5 51.Nxc5 bxc5, with better drawing chances. } 50. f4 Rxg4 { (Adjourned) } 51. Rxg4 Rxd3 52. c5 { Steinitz: Black cannot recover from the effects ofthis splendid move. } 52... Re3 { Steinitz: If 52...Rd1+ 53.Kc2 Rd2+ 54.Kb3 (54.Kb1drives by 54...d3) 54... bxc5 55.Kc4, and wins. } 53. Rc4 d3 54. Rg1 d2 55. Rd1 bxc5 56. b6 Bd4 57. b7 Re8 58. Kc2 Rb8 59. Rb1 Kf7 60. Ra4 { 1-0 } 1-0

[Event "Go! Greco Go!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "??????"] [Round "-"] [White "Guicchino Greco"] [Black "NN"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "N/A"] [WhiteElo "N/A"] 1. e4 { Gioachino Greco, also known as Il Calabrese, was born around 1600in Celico, Italy near Cosenza in Calabria. In 1619, Greco started keepinga notebook of tactics and games, and he took up the custom of giving copiesof his manuscripts to his wealthy patrons. In 1621 Greco took off to testhimself against the rest of Europe, visiting Paris and later, London. Hespent the last years of his life at King Philipp IV's court and died inthe West Indies, seemingly from a disease that he contracted there around1634. This is one of his exciting games that includes a queen sacrifice.The moral of this chess game is dont be materialistic. } 1... b6 { ? Owens Defence.This is an old defence which is now considered dubious. This obviouslyprepares to fianchetto the light squared bishop. This move is still howeverpopular against the English(1.c4) where it is far more effective. An earlyfianchetto by Black shows a willingness to defend against a big pawn center,picking away at it from the wings. In ceding so much territory, Black mustbe on constant guard against direct attacks on the King, as this game illustrates:) } 2. d4 { This grabs more central space. } 2... Bb7 { Logical threatening thee4 pawn. } 3. Bd3 { Defending the e4 pawn. Greco often preferred developinghis bishop to d3 for some reason, rather than c4 or b5. As this game progresses,you will see that this piece is perfectly placed. } 3... f5 { !This move triesto undermine the center at the expense of the pawn, but this move alsoundermines the safety of his own king as you will see, because he is openingthe dangerous h5-e8 daigonal. } 4. exf5 { Greco seizes the pawn, and thefireworks begin. } 4... Bxg2 { Oh no Greco has fallen for this childish trap orhas NN just fallen for a silly trap? You'll see. } 5. Qh5+ { ! The onlypossible defensive move now is 5. g6. } 5... g6 { It is interesting that hundredsof years after this game was played, all of the moves so far are stillactually considered 'book.' If you weren't aware of the date, you mightbelieve that this game was from the Hypermodern movement of the early 20thcentury. } 6. fxg6 Nf6 { Threatening the queen, but black is to greedy andloses immediately. The typical continuation is 6...Bg7 7.gxh7 Kf8 8.hxg8=Q Kxg8 9.Qg6 (or Qg4) Bxh1 and Black has a reasonable game. } 7. gxh7+ { Grecosays who gives a damn! I don't need no Queen. } 7... Nxh5 { Black greedily acceptsthe material, like a rabbit in headlights or a kid in a candy store. } 8. Bg6# { Checkmate! A beautiful queen sacrifice. Go Greco! Absolutely great!This is an instructive game espeially for beginner playing stronger players' If you see that your opponent is offering you a piece for what seemslike nothing check it and then check it again, don't grab, don't be materialistic!'I hope you liked this game. I'm happy for positive and negative feedbackaslong as its constructive criticism! and feel free to leave comments.One thing I would like you to do is before you rate this game please thinkhonestly and think how I can improve on it and leave comments and PM mewith them. Don't just give one and a half stars and not tell me why. ThanksTom } 1-0

[Event "Frenzy #1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.06.20"] [Round "-"] [White "chesskingdom64"] [Black "harzer"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "837"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1049"] { Another epic ending; only 17 moves?! You are always welcome to post suggestions,comments, and corrections. } 1. e4 c5 { My favorite opening; the SicilianDefence. I am rather disappointed that the next move does not comply withany variation of this opening. } 2. Bc4 { I am not sure what I was thinkingwith this move. Maybe I was trying to prevent 2...c4, which Black wouldnever do. This is a critical mistake in an opening in my opinion. } 2... Nc6 { Black was expecting 3.d4, a very sorrowful mistake. Better safe than sorrybecause as White, I would never think of playing that move. } 3. Nc3 { Blackobserved this move for a while, and he probably realized that I put a thirdattacker for d5. Black, apparently, had a mind of his own. } 3... e5 { This gameis really out of control. Both me and my opponent were trying to take overthe middle d squares. } 4. Nf3 Nf6 { Black looks like he is lagging in theopening a bit. } 5. Bd5 { I am not sure whether I, if I wanted a piece ond5, should have done 5.Nd5, or this move. Maybe I should have forgottenabout the d5 square and instead play 5.d3. } 5... Nd4 { Breakthrough for Black,but not accurate enough. } 6. Nxe5 { Black left his pawn in boiling soup,and the burner was not turned off! I shocked Black with this move. } 6... Bd6 { Blind Black decides to ignore my Bishop and attack my knight. Big mistake. } 7. Nxf7 { Black looked at this sensational move that I performed. It wonhis rook AND won the game. } 7... Qe7 8. Nxh8 { UCM (unidentied crushing move)coming after this. } 8... Qe5 { Black is not yet close to pulverizing my highlyguarded center. } 9. g3 { Even though I missed 9.Nd7, I looked at the opportunityto weaken Black. } 9... Nf3+ { That's basically why I played 9.g3!?. } 10. Qxf3 { Now my Queen leaps into action, and I don't have much time to waste. } 10... g6 { What was the purpose of this move. } 11. Nf7 { Here it is finally, myUCM! } 11... Qd4 { You can't bomb a central attack unless you really want to seewhat will happen to your position. } 12. Nxd6+ Kd8 { 12...Ke7 was betterplay for Black. } 13. Nf7+ Ke7 { Now, I change my mind about 12...Ke7 andeven playing it right now! } 14. e5 { ! Forces the Black knight to triggerthe trap; by taking my Bishop! } 14... Nxd5 15. Nxd5+ Ke8 { Now, it's White tomove and forced mate in two. } 16. Nd6+ Kd8 17. Qf8# { Good game, Black.Black played several mistakes that add up to five words: holding on touseless gains. Black tries too hard to hang on to his pieces, resultingin a collapsing position. } 1-0

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "abdalmoneem"] [Black "Player B"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1200"] [WhiteElo "1200"] { this was a team match on another site. } 1. e4 Nc6 { this is called Nimzovichdefence. } 2. d4 d5 3. e5 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nf3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 f6 7. Bd3 Bd7 8. O-O Qe7 9. a4 O-O-O 10. Qe2 b6 { 10....b6?? } 11. Bd2 a5 { 11....a5? blackdestroyed his queenside and his king will be easily exposed to danger. } 12. Rfb1 fxe5 13. dxe5 Na7 { waste of time instead of making a defensingmove. } 14. Bg5 { 14.Bg5! very nice move.now black will sacrifice his rookor knight. } 14... Nf6 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Be3 e5 17. Rb2 { i wanted to double myrooks on the B-file. } 17... e4 18. Ba6+ Kb8 19. Bxb6 cxb6 { if instead 19....exf6??20.Qxe7 or 20.Bc5+ then 21.Qxe7. } 20. Rxb6+ Ka8 { if 20....Kc7? then 21.Rb7+.Anyway,Black'sposition is hopeless. } 21. Bb7+ Kb8 22. Bxd5+ Kc8 { 22....Kc8??? black shouldhave played 22....Kc7 to avoid quick mate. } 23. Qa6+ Kc7 { forced. } 24. Qb7# 1-0

[Event "Blunders and Recoveries Rd. 1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "11/11/17"] [Round "-"] [White "Opponent"] [Black "Myself"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1550 USCF"] [TimeControl "G45/D5"] [WhiteElo "1050 USCF"] { Welcome to the first round of the 10th SCC Extravaganza, where we shallsee how I can blunder and yet come back to win the game! } 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. c3 d6 5. d3 { Pretty simple stuff so far. I respond accordingto the development that my opponent makes. But d3 is a waste of tempo forwhite. c3 was played to open the opportunity of d4, but by playing d3,my opponent wasted the last move. } 5... Bg4 6. O-O Nge7 { This is an interestingblunder, I missed a combination I should be used to by now. 7.Bxf7+ Kxf78.Ng5+ Kg8 8.Qxg4 I have played moves like these as white many times, andI guess I need to look out this opportunity for my opponent as well. } 7. Bd2 Qd7 8. Re1 Ng6 { My opponent missed the combination, and next move myqueen miraculously covers the bishop on g4! Ideas that should have beenrunning around in my opponents head are b4 and h3, to push those nice bishopsback to their own battle lines. } 9. Be3 Nh4 10. Nbd2 f5 11. exf5 Qxf5 { Thisis my GRAVE blunder of the game. I noticed as soon as I let go of the piece,12.Nxh4 Bxg4 13.Nxf5 and I am down a whole knight! And I would have hada bad position to boot!! } 12. d4 Nxf3+ { I was so relieved that my opponentmissed this, that I immediately traded off that knight hardly thing aboutmy move. } 13. Nxf3 Bb6 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bd4 { Here, Qa4+ was better, sothe knight would be free to capture on e5. } 15... O-O-O 16. Bxe5 dxe5 17. Qb3 Rhe8 18. Bd5 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 e4 { I should have played e4 first, but I caughtthe right idea. I want that bishop gone, so I can smash into the castledking and make use of my super active rooks! } 20. Qc2 Rd3 21. Bxe4 Rxe4 { My opponent missed 21. Qxd3!! I don't know what I was thinking, allowingthat to happen would have been truly tragic, since two rooks are betterthan my queen. But happily again, my blunders are not noticed, and I getto redeem the position. My x-ray tactic here prevents 22.Qxd3, since Rxe1+23.Rxe1 Qxf2 and I have in essence won. Gotta love those x-rays! } 22. Rf1 Rf4 23. c4 Rd8 24. Qxf5+ Rxf5 { These moves are chock full of inaccuracies.However, I did make moves that did not lose too much of my winning potential,and at this point I proudly maintain my Bishop for a pawn advantage. } 25. b4 c5 26. a3 cxb4 27. axb4 a6 28. c5 Bc7 { I figured, heck, why not tradesome pieces? My advantage is not going anywhere, even if it isn't the bestmove. This will also give my opponent room to blunder some more ;) } 29. Rab1 Rd2 30. Rb3 Rc2 31. Rbb1 b6 32. cxb6 Bxb6 33. Rbe1 { My opponent justshuffles the pieces, which gives me an opportunity to improve my position.33.Rbe1 Big Blunder! Here I have Rfxf2, and my opponent is forced to capturewith rook, unless they want to get checkmated. Then I have Bxf2+ whichmakes me up a rook for a pawn!!! } 33... Rcxf2 34. Rc1+ Rc2+ { I missed that specificline, but if I had taken the time to analyze the position then, I believeI could have found it. However, when I see a combination I like, I sometimesrush my moves and miss an even better combination. 34...Rc2+ I love revealedchecks with attacks thrown in! } 35. Kh1 Rxf1+ 36. Rxf1 Rf2 { At this pointI stopped notating, because my opponent had less than 5 minutes left onthe clock, and I wanted to blitz. In the end, my opponent ended up flagging,after my pawn promotion to a queen! This was my first flag EVER in my historyof chess tournaments! And as it turns out, not the only one in this tournament.Get ready for round 2! An even bigger blunder! A tactical endgame! } 0-1

[Event "League division D1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.12.20"] [Round "-"] [White "archenon"] [Black "myevilluck"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2035"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1604"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 { I prefer to play the slower4. ...Nd7 but the classical is just as good. } 5. Bd3 { ? loses the majord-pawn } 5... Qxd4 { This is just not the a pawn but the catalysis for most ofwhite's attacks. The only real bummer is that White dies develop quitewell of the queen. But the pawn is gone and that is all that matters. } 6. Nf3 Qb6 { ? It is best not to give your opponent opportunity to developat your expense. Better is ...Qd8 returning with the spoils. } 7. Be3 Qc7 { ? Normally, this is the best square for black but here is the exceptionto the rule. Because of the open d-file white can play to exploit. Ifblack had one weakness in the caro-kann it would be the light squares andthe open d-file. Black must be always on the lookout for tactical tricks.This move is } 8. O-O { ?? best is 8. Neg5! Can you see what white is uptoo? } 8... Nd7 9. Qd2 { ? again 9. Neg5 is very good here } 9... e6 10. Rad1 { 10. Bf4is met with 10. ...e5 } 10... Bxe4 { This is a good trade that seriously limitswhite's attacking chances. } 11. Bxe4 Ngf6 12. Bd3 Bd6 13. h3 Ne5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. c3 Nd5 { This destroys white because of all the fire power aimingat f4 } 16. Be4 O-O-O 17. Qe2 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 Kb8 19. a3 g6 { Isn't 19. ...Re8more useful? } 20. f4 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Bxf4 { nice combo } 22. Qf3 f5 23. Bc2 e5 24. g3 Bh6 25. b4 e4 26. Qg2 Qe5 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.01.06"] [Round "-"] [White "ombrzeenamaha"] [Black "skippert"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1127"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1227"] 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 { huh are you serious? } 2... Nc6 { best option to defend thisopening trap is to go on with normal moves and ignore his attack } 3. Bc4 g6 4. Qf3 Nf6 { Looks solid but black has to watch out for his black squares } 5. Nh3 Nd4 { Queen move number 300 out of 6 moves.. nice :P } 6. Qd3 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Bxd5 { buh bye strong bisschop } 8... Qxd5 9. f3 Bf5 { well playdby black } 10. c4 Nc2+ { hmm now black is waisting material. White can takethe black queen on d5. To do so he has to take the knight on c2 with hisqueen, and pick up the queen after. } 11. Ke2 { Sorry to say it but, blackgaved away his winning position. One move later white blunders the queen. } 11... Bxd3+ 12. Kf2 Qd4+ 13. Kg3 Be7 14. Nc3 Bh4# { :) I do like the wayblack took advantage of white using an opening trap. Black playd aggresiveand earned the win :) } 0-1

[Event "King's Indian Defense mini-tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.04"] [Round "-"] [White "solascriptura"] [Black "last_archimedean"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1377"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1319"] { A game played in a King's Indian mini. You don't see this defense veryoften anymore, but I felt it still had a bit of mileage left on its tires,so I brought it out of storage. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. Nge2 e5 8. O-O Re8 { The starting position forall the games. } 9. d5 c6 { I decide to lessen White's Pawn center. } 10. Rb1 cxd5 { After this exchange, White will only have two strong centralPawns and not three, plus his Pawns will be fixed. } 11. cxd5 a5 { To securethe outpost on QB4 for my Knight. } 12. f4 Nc5 { I occupy said outpost. } 13. Be3 b6 { Adding support. Now I can recapture with the QNP in case ofBxN and not give White a passed QP on the recapture. } 14. Nb5 Ng4 { Lookingto rid White of his 'good' Bishop. His KB is blocked off by his own centralPawns. } 15. Qd2 Nxe3 { I initiate an exchange of minors. } 16. Qxe3 Ba6 { Sincemy position is somewhat cramped, I look to swap off more pieces. } 17. Nbc3 Bxe2 { I initate another exchange. The less wood on the board, the lessserious my cramped state [aside from the one good Knight] becomes. } 18. Qxe2 { White finishes the exchange. } 18... Rc8 { I plant my Rook on the only openfile. } 19. Rbc1 { White plants *his* Rook on the same file to match me. } 19... f5 { Time to claim a little bit of space on the K side. } 20. b3 { Counteringby slowing any Q side ambitions I might have. } 20... fxe4 { Opening up the K side. } 21. Bxe4 { White naturally recaptures. } 21... exf4 { Clearing out more space. } 22. Rxf4 { The natural play. But... } 22... Nxe4 { ...this tactical shot wins apiece. [23 NxN RxR or 23 RxN BxN.] White resigns at once. } 0-1

[Event "Sicilian wing gambit (w)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.12.02"] [Round "-"] [White "ptitroque"] [Black "ultramind"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1746"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1814"] 1. e4 c5 2. b4 { Sicilian wing gambit that Stalhandske showed me. The firsttime I use it. } 2... cxb4 3. a3 Nf6 { Developping } 4. e5 { i found this aggressiveand strange move in the Database. As I'm experimenting, I'll try it. } 4... Nd5 5. axb4 { Gambit } 5... Nxb4 { Black has little reason not to take. } 6. c3 { tofire the black knight and devellop } 6... N4c6 { menacing white's central pawn. } 7. d4 { logical move. } 7... d6 { attacking white's center } 8. exd6 { trading } 8... Qxd6 9. Nf3 { Only available move I saw } 9... Bg4 { Pinning the knight, knowing thatthe brave Lancelot won't sacrify his true love and queen. } 10. h3 { To firethe evil bishop } 10... Bxf3 { lancelot dies. } 11. Qxf3 { Now that there is no moreblack LSB, I estimatte that it's not a bad place for the queen. } 11... e5 { Challengingthe d soldier. } 12. Bc4 { the archer counterattacks with a mating menace. } 12... Qd7 { To prevent 13. Qf7+ mate } 13. O-O { So that King Arthur can hide inhis castle. } 13... exd4 { Black wins another pawn but his king his naked and whitehas plenty of attacking possibilities (it seems to be the advantage ofthis gambit). } 14. Re1+ { 'Send the war machines against the ennemy king' } 14... Kd8 { ... who hides behind his wife. } 15. Bxf7 { Black is in trouble andhis d pawn is almost pinned. } 15... Be7 { preventing 16. Re8 } 16. Be6 { ... Sothat white attacks her black majesty } 16... Qd6 { ... who prudently hides } 17. Bf4 { developping and pressing } 17... Qc5 18. cxd4 { Time to liquidate black'scentral heroïcal soldier. } 18... Qb6 { If 18. ... Qxd4 19. Rd1 If 18. ... Nxd419. Qxb7 with mating menace. } 19. Qd5+ { Carrying on the pressing. } 19... Ke8 { Forced move } 20. Bf7+ { Black has only one move. } 20... Kf8 { Forced move butI do not see how to carry on. } 21. Bd6 { Pressing } 21... Na6 { developping } 22. Nc3 { Finally, black manages to develop. Most of his troops are regroupedin the corner but I do not see ho to carry on attacking, so that I decideto call for reserves. Perceval saddle his warhorse and rides to the battle. } 22... Nab4 { Huh Huh ! Very good move. } 23. Qe4 { I had a lot of difficulties tofind this move. I tried many other lines but they were all bad for white. } 23... Bxd6 { 'My king, we lost our archering company but our position still givesus an advantage' ' Carry on, brave soldiers but be carefull now.' } 24. Rad1 { Protecting the d pawn so that black cannot settle on the center. } 24... Ne7 { Probably to prevent d5 but it doesn't seem a great move. } 25. Qf3 { Menacing check 'à découverte' with mate to follow. } 25... g6 { Black has littleother choice. } 26. Bxg6+ { Mating menace. } 26... Kg7 { Only move. } 27. Qf7+ { Theblack king will have to flee near the right edge where he'll be trapped. } 27... Kh6 { No choice } 28. Bh5 { Beginning of the mating sequence } 28... Raf8 { Blackbrings reinforcement. } 29. Re6+ { Forced mate in 6 } 29... Ng6 { Another possibilitywas 29. ... Kg5 30. Qg7+ with mating sequence to follow (white has to bringhis knight on e4) } 30. Rxg6+ { Black has no choice. } 30... Kxh5 { If 30. ... hxg631. Qxg6+mate } 31. g4+ { From now on, all of black's moves are forced. } 31... Kh4 32. Rh6+ { The black king goes back on g5 } 32... Kg5 { Forced } 33. Qg7+ { Blackhas only one move. } 33... Kf4 { Forced } 34. Rf6+ { rook sacrifice } 34... Rxf6 35. Qxf6# { Mate. } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from michael333"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.10.08"] [Round "-"] [White "michael333"] [Black "charleshiggie"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2111"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1274"] 1. e4 { I have been asked to annotate this game, which is quite interesting.I play a sacrifice, which may not be the best move in the position, butit throws my opponent off track. He doesn't find the best defence and losesquickly, in just 17 moves. } 1... c5 { So my trusted Sicilian Defence } 2. Nf3 { The usual reply } 2... Nc6 { and the same from me. } 3. Bc4 { 3. d4 is more common,but this is often played by players of Michael's standard } 3... e6 { So I bluntthe scope of his Bc4 } 4. Nc3 { He continues to develop } 4... a6 { I threaten todrive the Bc4 back. This is actually given as a mistake by the post-matchcomputer, but it is the most common move. } 5. a4 { He wisely prevents this. } 5... Nf6 { So I continue to develop } 6. Bd3 { This is a mistake. You shouldn'tmove pieces twice in the opening without a good reason. It is not givenas a mistkae by the post-match computer, although its assessment of theposition changes from slight advantage for white to slight advantage toblack. } 6... d5 { So I advance in the centre. } 7. exd5 exd5 { he takes } 8. O-O { I take back } 8... Be7 { he castles, I develop } 9. Re1 { He develops } 9... O-O { andso do I. He now needs to develop his queen side, maybe with b3 followedby Bb2, but he plays..... } 10. Ne5 { This exchanges off his best protectorof the white king side. } 10... Nxe5 { So I take } 11. Rxe5 { He takes back } 11... Bd6 { I improve the position of my bishop } 12. Re1 { he retreats } 12... Bxh2+ { andI sac. I am not sure that this is the best move, but I was very certainmy opponent would not find the best reply. } 13. Kxh2 { Taking is the bestchance } 13... Ng4+ { I continue to attack } 14. Kg3 { Although this looks daft,it may well be the best chance } 14... Qd6+ { Post-match computer analysis givesthis as a mistake and gives the line... h5 15. Rh1 Qd6+ 16. f4 g5 17. Ne2h4+ 18. Kf3 c4 19. Bh7+ Kxh7 20. fxg5 Nh2+ 21. Kf2 Bg4 22. Kg1 Bxe2 23.Qxe2. Is Qd6 really a mistake? What do you think dear reader? } 15. f4 { Best } 15... g5 { Continuing to attack } 16. Rf1 { This is a mistake, computer gives16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. Qf3 gxf4+ 18. Qxf4 Qh5 19. b3 f6 20. Bb2 Qh2+ 21. Kf3Ne5+ 22. Ke3 Ng4+ 23. Kf3 as fairly even } 16... h5 { so I continue to attack } 17. Kh3 { and he plays a dreadful move and then resigns. Thanks for reading,please rate my annotation, and leave a comment or two! } 0-1

[Event "Pen-y-Ffordd KO vs Malpas & Oswestry KO"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20-12-2017"] [Round "-"] [White "Dewi Jones"] [Black "Steve Rush"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "ECF143"] [TimeControl "35 in 1 Hour 15 minutes"] [WhiteElo "ECF127"] 1. e4 { Steve was playing on board 6 for us in the Wirral League knock-outcup. http://www.wirralchessleague.uk/results.php?comp=Knock+Out His commentsare in inverted commas. } 1... c5 { 'Sicilian again' } 2. Nc3 { White plays a closedvariation. } 2... e6 { I prefer 2....Nc6 keeping options open. } 3. f4 { ' (theGrand Prix Attack). I have been doing a great deal of studying on the Blackside of this line recently so put this to the test. Danny Gormally andSimon Williams have done analysis on this in the recent past. I have producedmy own system i.e. to constrict the White position by careful move orderand piece placement thereafter.......3......a6 (a useful move in most Sicilians)' } 3... a6 { 'A useful move in most Sicilians.' } 4. a3 { 'a bit of a waste oftempo' } 4... Nc6 { 'controlling the key Queenside and d4 squares' } 5. Bc4 { Tome white's set-up seems poor. White is surrendering too many tempi. } 5... b5 { 'the point is to make this Bishop a bad one if possible which works atreat in this game' } 6. Ba2 { Bishop retreats again. } 6... c4 { 'Restricting theBishop'. This move seems weak to me, as white can just play d3 and b3 andforce the removal of the blockage. Black would be better advised to geton with development. } 7. Nf3 { But white develops instead. } 7... d5 { 'Maintainingthe bind' } 8. exd5 { White takes. Fritz prefers d3 undermining c4 } 8... exd5 { Black takes back. } 9. Qe2+ { White correctly throws in a check. } 9... Be7 { Blackblocks. } 10. O-O { White castles. Fritz prefers d3 undermining c4 or d4. } 10... Nf6 { Black makes the logical devlopment. } 11. Ne5 { 'a bit ambitious....maybebetter to try to activate the dormant pieces'. Fritz prefers d4 or Rd1. } 11... Nd4 { 'Maybe 0-0 was better first'. Fritz likes this move. } 12. Qd1 { 'adifficult choice'. In fact the only way to save the queen and protect c2.Fritz agrees it is best. } 12... Qb6 { 'I had many options here but chose to getmy pieces active and solid at the same time'. Fritz prefers Bb7 or 0-0. } 13. Kh1 { 'necessary due to all the veiled threats...now my time to getfully developed so castles now felt best......' } 13... O-O { Black castles. } 14. d3 { White starts to undermine c4 at last. } 14... Nf5 { 'gives many options forlater'. Fritz agrees this is best. } 15. dxc4 { White takes. Fritz prefersQf3 or b3. } 15... dxc4 { 'Bishops still out of play and also the Ra1 trapped intoo. Black must be much better now.' After a think, Fritz puts black'sadvantage as over plus 1. } 16. Nd5 { 'forcing the trade but this seems tohelp Black coordinate' } 16... Nxd5 { Black correctly takes. Fritz gives blackat more than plus 2 now. } 17. Qxd5 { White takes back. } 17... Be6 { Steve givesthis move an exclamation mark, but Fritz prefers both Bb7 with plus 5 oreven Bc5. } 18. Nd7 { 'After 25 minutes thought Dewi played the losing move...hisposition is really though now due to the three bad pieces and he's tryingto attack without his full army. This leaves many gaps at the back as weshall see.' Fritz gives black as only plus 1 after Qf3 or Qc6. } 18... Qc7 { Stevecorrectly gives himself an exclamation mark. Fritz says black is up plus4 now. } 19. Qf3 { 'losing the piece but attacking still......' Fritz givesthis as best. } 19... Bxd7 { Fritz prefers queen takes. } 20. Qe4 { 'dubious atbest!' Clearly a mistake, losing yet more time. Development was need. } 20... Bf6 { 'protecting my potentially loose piece' Fritz doesn't like this move. } 21. Rf3 { 'Final blunder' } 21... Rae8 { 'attacks the Queen and if the Queen movesit's mate in 1 so Dewi resigned. Really pleased to win so easily. My systemworked. I now have a 3-1 score to him against him. A good scalp as he alwayshas had the better of our games years ago....but now I am the improvedme! Thanks again for analysing if you have time.' I have seen Dewi playa lot better than this, and I think Black's system worked as white failedto find the right plan against it, rather than its intrinsic merits. Havingsaid that, Black took his opportunities offered well, and didn't make anyout-and-out blunders. } 0-1

[Event "0-1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05-Mar-08"] [Round "-"] [White "bosnia81"] [Black "agentsparrow"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1466"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1357"] 1. Nc3 { A passive first move for white. } 1... e5 { This move will probably transposethe opening into an open game. } 2. e4 Nc6 { Nf6 would have been a littlemore aggressive. After ...Bb4 I could've put pressure on the middle. Butinstead I decide to keep this calm game as such. } 3. d3 { White is keepingthings very passive here. } 3... h6 { Stopping a Knight or Bishop move to g5. } 4. Nf3 Bb4 { Usually white puts the pressure on one of black's knights,so I decide to flip it around. I've made two defensive moves so far, timefor some offense. } 5. Bd2 d6 { This move opens up my white-squared bishopand is great timing since my black-squared bishop is already in front. } 6. h3 { Stopping ...Bg4. } 6... Nf6 7. a3 Ba5 { I decided against the trade hereas I felt my bishop's presence and pressure from the queen-side was worthpreserving. } 8. b4 Bb6 9. b5 { I felt this pawn move brought white's frontline too far forward and I would gain tempo from attacks behind the pawns. } 9... Nd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 { An even exchange, and I like where my bishop ended up. } 11. a4 { Losing tempo to protect the b5 pawn. } 11... c6 { Opening a lane for myqueen. } 12. Ra3 { White saw the ...Qa5 move so decided to double protectthe knight at c3 early. } 12... Qb6 { Putting pressure on f2. } 13. Qf3 { I understandthe reasoning to go all the way to f3. More open lines for the queen andleaving a spot for Be2. But I still think Qe2 would have been better. Protectingthe bishop at d2 as well as the f2 pawn and keeping closer to the king.White is in defense mode now and needs to overprotect in order to gaina tempo for any kind of counter attack. } 13... Be6 { My first thought was Qc5forcing his rook to b3 and then ...Be6 forcing his rook to abandon theknight at c3 losing a minor piece. I then thought I could trap the rookby first doing Be6. After I moved I realized I was better off followingmy first plan as it gauranteed a minor piece. White is still in big troublehere though. } 14. Be3 { A better move here would have been to retreat theknight to d1. White is desparate and trying to counter attack somehow. } 14... Qc5 { Adding more pressure. } 15. Bxd4 { White felt trapped here so triedto trade off some pieces. A better move would be Nb1 to protect the rookat a3 and the c3 square. } 15... Qxa3 { Winning the exchange. } 16. Nd5 { This wasnot a good move after losing the exchange. I owned the d5 square. } 16... Qc1+ { I wanted to trade queens so that when I took the knight at d5 with mypawn, I could take white's pawn after exd5. } 17. Qd1 Qxd1+ 18. Kxd1 cxd5 19. exd5 Bxd5 { Attack complete and I am up a whole rook. I have total controlof the game at this point. } 20. Bc3 O-O 21. f3 Rac8 22. Bb4 Rfd8 23. a5 Be6 24. g4 Nd5 { Time for another attack. This move will win me the pawnat c2. } 25. Ba3 Ne3+ 26. Kd2 Nxc2 27. Bb2 Rc5 { Once you are up in pieces,eliminate the opposing pawns. They are the only pieces that can win thegame for white at this point, if one can manage to clear the end of theboard. } 28. Bc3 { Trying to cut off access to my knight. } 28... Rdc8 29. Kxc2 { This trade was not in white's best interests. It may save a pawn but tworooks bearing down on the king all alone is not a good situation. } 29... Rxc3+ 30. Kd2 { White has few choices at this point. Only a certain path of retreatcan stave off checkmate. } 30... Rc2+ 31. Ke3 Rc1 32. Rg1 Re1+ 33. Kf2 Rcc1 34. Rh1 Bd5 35. h4 Bxf3 { This move will end up trading bishops and rooks whilewinning another pawn. } 36. Kxf3 Rxf1+ 37. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 38. Ke2 Rf4 { The gameis basically over at this point. A rook and two pawns down is 0-1. } 39. g5 Rxh4 40. gxh6 Rxh6 41. Kd2 g5 42. Kc3 g4 43. Kc4 g3 44. a6 bxa6 45. bxa6 g2 46. Kb5 g1=Q 47. Kc6 d5+ 48. Kxd5 Qd4# *

[Event "Game 2 alexalma vs porcho"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.08.17"] [Round "-"] [White "alexalma"] [Black "porcho"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1340"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1197"] { This is a quick game between me and Porcho where he loses his rook anddecides to resign a few moves later. He played a great game besides theone blunder. I hope you guys enjoy, thanks for watching. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 { queens gambit accepted } 3. e4 { standard } 3... e5 { interesting, i likewhen people play this because I like to push d4-d5, then take on c4 givingme good control over the center } 4. d5 c6 { interesting } 5. Bxc4 { this addsanother defender to the pawn } 5... Nf6 { another attacker } 6. Nc3 { another defender } 6... Bb4 7. Bd2 { defends the pin and if he plays Bxc3 Bxc3 Nxe4 Ill play Bxe5 } 7... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 cxd5 { trading pawns but I don't think he should do it becauseit puts my bishop in a powerful position } 9. Bxd5 { taking back as wellas defending my pawn } 9... Qd6 { defending his pawn } 10. Nf3 { adding anotherattacker and he won't be able to defend the pawn } 10... Be6 { This was his onlymajor mistake losing him a rook } 11. Bxb7 { and now he pretty much has lost } 11... Qxd1+ { ? trading down while losing } 12. Kxd1 O-O 13. Bxa8 { taking his rookwhile always defending e4 I can take e5 because I have 2 attackers andhe has no defenders } 13... Rd8+ { no reason for him to check } 14. Kc2 { I feltthis was the best place to move } 14... Rc8 { pinning my bishop } 15. Nxe5 { I takehis pawn and am up seven points, he probably won't come back, thanks forwatching and great game by Porcho. } 1-0