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natetsang

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fishgpt

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[Event "League division D1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.03.05"] [Round "-"] [White "rjacobs"] [Black "grogygrmln"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1544"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1513"] 1. e4 { Here's a kingside attack that actually worked! My games recentlyhave been littered with the other sort, hence my plummeting rating. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 { I revert to an old favourite,not actually considered a cutting edge response to the Najdorf these days. } 6... e6 7. Bb3 { I play this in order that if Black advances his d-pawn, I don'thave to attend immediately to the bishop's safety. From b3 it still drillsthrough to f7, traditionally Black's weak point on the kingside. } 7... Be7 8. f4 { This is more aggressive than, and statistically slightly superior to,8. 0-0, if my memory serves me correctly. } 8... Qc7 9. f5 { White hastens toattack while Black's king is still in the centre. } 9... e5 { The natural response,counter-attacking White's central knight but leaving a slight hole at d5. } 10. Nde2 { From here, the N can move to c3 to support the other N when ithas gone to d5. Alternatively it can go to g3 to defend e4 and, potentially,go via h5 to g7 or f6. These options seem more flexible than those arisingfrom 10. Nf3. } 10... Qc5 { Black occupies White's weakest diagonal, preventingcastling. } 11. Na4 { So White harasses the enemy queen immediately. } 11... Qa5+ 12. Bd2 { The check has helped White to develop his remaining minor piece. } 12... Qc7 13. O-O { At last White can castle. The main advantage of this manoeuvreis to develop the rook, as the king doesn't look much safer on g1 thanon e1, given that gaping diagonal. } 13... b5 { The N was controlling b6 and c5,so Black's pawn thrust is very pertinent, especially as the QB can nowdevelop to b7. } 14. Nac3 Bb7 15. Ng3 Nbd7 { Black opens up his castlingoptions, developing his final minor piece. } 16. Kh1 { Before launching anattack, White puts his king on a less exposed square. I'd be interestedin opinions as to whether this move, in this position, is a necessary prophylacticmove or a waste of tempo. } 16... O-O { Black makes his choice. Now White knowswhere to concentrate his fire. His pieces are reasonably well placed foraction on either wing at this point but the bishops exploit their longrange potential in the direction of the kingside. So a kingside attackit is... } 17. Rc1 { First, White shifts the QR to c1 to oppose the enemyQueen and support the c-pawn in the event its other defenders desert it. Possibly another wasted move or proper completion of development beforeundertaking decisive action? } 17... Nb6 { This N appears to be heading for c4or supporting an advance to d5. } 18. Nh5 { The first aggressive gestureon the kingside, aimed at removing a key defender, the Nf6. } 18... Nxe4 { Blackseizes the abandoned e-pawn. } 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 { Black is a pawn up and hasa powerful looking central bishop. In return, White nearly has controlof f6 and an attack on g7. } 20. Qg4 { White threatens mate in 1. } 20... g6 { Thethreat has provoked a weakness in Black's defensive position. } 21. fxg6 { An interesting choice. The other option was 21. f6, after which Whitehas to single-mindedly manoeuvre his Q via g5 and h6 to g7 to deliver mate. Black has to prevent the manoeuvre at all costs. } 21... Bxg6 { Black's powerfulbishop assumes the role of a pawn. } 22. Bh6 { White's QB attacks the defendingrook and the g7 square. } 22... Rfe8 23. Bxf7+ { Now f7 falls. The B on g6 cannotrecapture because of the pin by the Q. Te K can't capture because of theRf1. All White's pieces except his QR are involved in the attack and mateis inevitable: 23....Kh8 24. Bg7++ } 1-0

[Event "Sicilian lesson in 3+10 blitz..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-jul-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "mistercharlie"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "UR"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz..."] [WhiteElo "2059"] { many players have accused me of cheating: they claim, I can actually lookinto the future or even into their minds; they may be right... } 1. e4 c5 2. f4 { as always... } 2... d5 { not very wrong: an early outbreak of d5... } 3. e5 { also exd5, is an option: but after Nf6, White is enjoying no picknick... } 3... h5 4. Nf3 Bf5 5. c3 { way ahead of the game: after Nc6, the Knight willhave no moves... } 5... e6 6. d4 { time to break formation... } 6... Nc6 7. Bd3 { developingand attacking: that is the way to go... } 7... Bxd3 8. Qxd3 c4 9. Qc2 b5 { thelogical way to go, in the Sicilian... } 10. Be3 Nh6 { aiming for Nf5, andBe3... } 11. h3 { at least no Ng4: that would spoil a lot... } 11... Be7 12. Nbd2 Nf5 13. Bf2 { also preventing Ng3... } 13... O-O { castling into trouble: in myhumble opinion... } 14. O-O-O { indigenous in some White play against theSicilian: castling long... } 14... a5 15. g4 hxg4 16. hxg4 Nh6 17. Bh4 b4 { Blackis all wrong here: the play is not on the Queens' wing... } 18. g5 Nf5 19. Rdg1 { taking the venom, out of Ne3... } 19... g6 20. Bf2 { and again, Whites' DSBrestores the order... } 20... bxc3 21. bxc3 Ba3+ 22. Kd1 Qb6 23. Rh2 { preparingmate, after Rgh1, followed by Rh8+, Kg7, R1h7... } 23... Ng7 24. Rgh1 f5 { afterNh5?!, Rxh5, gxh5, Rxh5, things are getting very unclear: Qc2-h7 is threateningmate; this is not better... } 25. Rh8+ Kf7 26. Rxf8+ Rxf8 27. Nb1 Be7 28. Ke2 { bringing the King to safety... } 28... Rb8 29. Be3 Qb2 30. Kd2 Nh5 { timeto disrupt Blacks' illusions... } 31. Qxb2 Rxb2+ 32. Kc1 Rxa2 33. Nh4 Re2 34. Bd2 { shutting off, Re2... } 34... a4 35. Kd1 Ng3 36. Rg1 Rxd2+ { maybe thebest trade for Black... } 37. Nxd2 a3 38. Kc2 Ne4 39. Nhf3 Na5 40. Ra1 Nf2 41. Nb1 Nb3 42. Ra2 { losing the toss in tempo... } 42... Nd3 43. Nxa3 Nxf4 44. Nb5 Nh3 45. Ra7 Kf8 46. Nc7 { threatening Nxe6+: a simple Kf7 could do thetrick... } 46... Nxg5 { greed, before the fall... } 47. Nxg5 Bxg5 48. Nxe6+ { 1-0... } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.11.05"] [Round "-"] [White "lindyt"] [Black "shosanna"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1107"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1091"] 1. e4 g6 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Qf3 d6 4. Qb3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. exd5 b6 7. dxe6 fxe6 8. Nf3 { White has Pe6. BxPe6, BxBe6, QxBe6. } 8... Nc6 { BxPe6 is even betteras Nc6 is undefended. } 9. Bg5 Bb4+ 10. c3 Bd6 11. h4 Rf8 12. O-O Qd7 13. Re1 Qf7 14. Ne5 Bxe5 15. dxe5 Ne4 { Interesting sacrifice. } 16. Rxe4 Qxf2+ 17. Kh2 Qf5 { NxPe5 also works, as RxPe5 can be followed by Qf4+, givingblack the rook and pawn for two knights. 6/6 makes up the knight. } 18. Bd3 Bd7 19. Qd1 Kf7 20. g4 Qf2+ 21. Kh1 Kg8 { QxPb2 is another possibility. Black follows up with QxNa3 (where white gives up the knight to protectthe rook with the white queen). The drawback is that white picks up momentum. } 22. Qg1 Rf3 23. Qxf2 Rxf2 24. Na3 Raf8 25. h5 R8f3 26. Rf1 { Black netsa bishop in this exchange. } 26... Rxf1+ 27. Bxf1 Rxf1+ 28. Kg2 Ra1 { ...and apawn. } 29. Nc2 { Nc4 would protect Pb5, briefly. } 29... Rxa2 30. Nb4 Rxb2+ 31. Kg3 a5 32. Na6 b5 33. Nc5 Bc8 34. hxg6 hxg6 35. Na6 { ? A bishop attacksthat square. } 35... Bxa6 36. Rf4 Rb3 37. Re4 { Rf3 would defend Pc3, briefly. Black wants even trades now, however. } 37... Rxc3+ 38. Kf2 b4 39. Kg1 a4 40. Bd2 Rb3 { The knight was protecting Pb4. Rc4 gives black Pg4, unless whitetrades rooks. } 41. g5 a3 42. Rc4 { Oops. The bishop that took Na6 willlikely take Rc4. } 42... Bxc4 43. Bf4 { White has no way to stop Pa1=Q now. } 43... a2 44. Kf2 a1=Q 45. Be3 Qf1+ 46. Kg3 Rxe3+ 47. Kg4 Nxe5+ 48. Kh4 Qh3# 0-1

[Event "defensa hungara "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "???"] [Black "???"] [Result "*"] 1. e4 { Peon cuatro rey o peon a e4 . es una apertura clasica } 1... e5 { Contestacon peon e5, se igualan las fuerzas y opone el peon al dominio del centro } 2. Nf3 { amenazo comer el peon } 2... Nc6 { defiende el peon } 3. Bc4 { Le amenazocon el alfil el punto en f7 } 3... Be7 { I believe this is the Hungarian Defence, but from what I can see it didn't seem to yield much success. } 4. d4 { esto es para abrirlela columna a mi dama } 4... Nf6 { This move of the horse was a very serious mistake because it exposed it to the taking of the pawn by the blacks. This great error allowed the white to open the horse's column while gaining time by threatening the opposite horse and forcing it to move. } 5. dxe5 Nxe4 { Stephen made a serious mistake by leaving his horse exposed and also exposing two weak points at the same time - e4 horse and f7 point. } 6. Qd5 { This move by the knight takes the opponent's horse and checkmates them on f7. } 6... Nb4 { This move is bad because it leaves the point unprotected on f7. } 7. Qxf7# { termino el partico } *

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "23-May-07"] [Round "-"] [White "roochess"] [Black "gazdvez"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1640"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1614"] 1. e4 c6 2. Bc4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bb3 { Winning a tempo. } 4... Nf6 5. h3 h6 { Make place for the Bishop after Bf5. } 6. Nf3 a6 { To prevent any attackagainst my king, because my king will stand on its' place for long. } 7. O-O Bf5 8. d3 e6 { Open diagonal for the Bishop and for 0-0. } 9. Ne5 { Losesanother tempo. The pieces on the Queenside is very closed. } 9... Bd6 10. Re1 { d4 is better. Now I develop the N with tempo. } 10... Bxe5 11. Rxe5 Nc6 12. Re1 Nd4 { To worse the pawnstructure with exchange. } 13. Nd2 O-O { For securethe king and wait, what will do white with the N on d2, what blokades hisown bishop. } 14. Nf3 Nxb3 15. axb3 Rc8 { c2 is seems to be weak. } 16. Nd4 Bh7 17. Be3 { ? Then on f4 stands it better. } 17... e5 { Winning territory withtempos. } 18. Ne2 d4 19. Bd2 { Maybe better on c1. Now blokades the Queen. } 19... Qd7 { Try an attack on h3 after Bf5. Whites' pieces seems to be very unmobile. } 20. Ng3 Rc6 { Try to move over the other side - oversee the e5 pawn. } 21. Rc1 { He was afraid of Rc8 and so didnot take my e5. } 21... Re8 22. Ne4 Nxe4 { Toopen the f-file and to put with tempo my bad-bishop on f5 with attack onh3 and Rg6, Ree6 if it is necessary. } 23. dxe4 f5 24. exf5 Bxf5 25. g4 Rg6 { Attack with tempo. } 26. Kh2 Bxg4 { A sacrifice for open the positionof whites' king and to win. Because of the bad position whites' pieces. } 27. hxg4 Rxg4 { It is the end. Kh3-Rg6 -Kh2orh4-Qf5 and Ree6. Black is betteranyway. } 28. Rg1 { Blunder in bad position, but if I would exchange, whitecould be better. } 28... Rh4+ { White resigns because of Qh3# } 0-1

[Event "Time rush in 55 moves,"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.08.12"] [Round "-"] [White "damafi"] [Black "devon_rodgers"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1587"] [TimeControl "300+5"] [WhiteElo "1444"] { A 'strong' opponent deserves a good game. So a lot of thinking, and inblitz this causes time pressure in the end... for both of us. The firstwho blunders, loses... and it's very, very easy to blunder in an open boardwith several pieces... Let's see! } 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nbd2 c5 { I consider this to be the best for black. } 5. c3 { My preferred line.Giving up c4 saves white from a lot of troubles, since I'm planning tocastle queenside. } 5... Nc6 { As black, I would go for cxd5 for sure, but forsome reason nobody plays it. I know there is a lot of theory behind... } 6. e3 { Now I am so solid... } 6... Qb6 { I have plenty of ways to defend, butI'm glad in seeing that black is doing his homework, applying pressurewhere he should. } 7. Qb3 { b3 or Qc2 where options. In case of QxQ, axQ,and if c5, I'll go QxQ, axQ, Bc7, and if g6, b3 compensates... maybe. } 7... Qa5 { Interesting choice. Now, c5 is annoying. } 8. Qb5 { I thought Bb5 didn'twork because of c5!, BxN+, bxB, and my Q needs to retire. If c5!, Qa4 QxQ, BxQ, Bd7 and black is safe, I got nothing out of all this. } 8... Bd7 { Iwas blinded thinking that Qxb7 was 'poisoned'. Not really, because of thedsb... I still thought it was risky, so I went for the ugly... } 9. Qxa5 Nxa5 10. Ne5 { Threatening to exchange black's lsb. The game looks prettyequal, so it's a matter of subtleties, now... } 10... cxd4 { Harmless... } 11. exd4 Bd6 { Well... Nxf7 comes to mind, and if BxB, NxR. But this N will be agoner, and I'll have no compensation for the exchange. } 12. Nxd7 { ...butthis is different. Now I have NxN+, so black has to take defending hislsb, } 12... Kxd7 13. Bb5+ { I wish his N was not there, but I couldn't see a forceable to pevent him putting it there. Now, I think maybe Bd3 was more onthe idea, answering Bf5+ if ever e5 was attempted. } 13... Nc6 { [%clk 0:04:15] } 14. Be3 { I see no point in exchange my B. If Ng5, o-o-o and the B willbe exchanged for a good reason. } 14... a6 { Expected. } 15. Be2 { ? Better thand3 because it prevents Ng5, but it does allow e5 by black!! } 15... Rab8 { Preparingfor a queenside attack. Very bookish. } 16. g4 { I have no time to lose.I have to grab what's mine. } 16... h6 { Reaction! I have to add pressure... how? } 17. f4 { [%clk 0:04:01] Until here, I spent a minute of my time. Not bad. } 17... b5 { So did him. And now, the attack. I can defend with a3, but it'san old story, and I know how it ends... and it doesn't please me at all! } 18. g5 { No doubt! Now or never! I know it is not wise, since it opens theh column for him, but it was my only possible reaction, as I saw it. } 18... hxg5 { [%clk 0:04:03] } 19. fxg5 { [%clk 0:03:59] } 19... Nh5 { ...with a nastythreat of Ng3. Solution? A counterthreat: } 20. Rf1 { Any h move opens toodangerously the g3 square. It screams 'danger'! } 20... Ke7 { Defending... anddid I think on Nf3, defending the pawn? Not at all! } 21. Rf2 { It givesme time to defend h2 and hopefully Ra will land on f1. g6 was not goodafter f6. } 21... f5 { Threatens f4, I have to prevent it... } 22. gxf6+ gxf6 23. O-O-O { A couple of R on f... and struggling for surviving! } 23... b4 { Here hecomes from the other flank! I know by hart that if b2 is removed, I'm lost.But I have a N in my sleeve... } 24. Nb1 { [%clk 0:02:57] This is an uglysquare for my N, but it was doing nohing anyway. His Destiny on g6 (viah5) shall wait for another reencarnation... } 24... Ng7 25. c4 { [%clk 0:02:42]I had to accept the loss of h2, and I tried to become more active. Thisintroduces some complications for my opponent, since d5 is threatened,stopping black's attack. However, I underestimated the black's next's... } 25... Nf5 { [Ouch! N is either exchanging my dsb, take d4 or h2... and c5 doesn'tsave me. It's the beginning of the fall... it was nice to play you, goodbye... } 26. Kd2 { [%clk 0:01:38] After a long time. 26 tense moves, now I'm finallycrushing, and I found this way to kind of compensate... } 26... dxc4 { [%clk 0:02:05]Nxe5, either, were better for sure! } 27. Bxc4 { [%clk 0:01:37] FinallyI get some activity! I'm even threatening Bxa6... and NxB, KxN, Rh3+ doesn'tlook unbearable. } 27... Ncxd4 { Winning a battle, but not the war. From nowon, my position is very delicate and I struggle to find a way out, avoidingall the traps with the two knights... } 28. Re1 { [%clk 0:01:19] Not stillin a good position to use my pressure on d6, but look: RxNf5, NxR, Ba7,and if Rb7, Rxe6+, saving the B. } 28... Be5 { More and more complicated, andthe timer is running... } 29. Bxd4 { [%clk 0:01:00] I can't wait too long.I assumed that if Bxa6, Rxh2, so no point in it. } 29... Nxd4 { My B pair isgone for nothing... sigh! } 30. Re3 { [%clk 0:00:15] At least preventingRh3, but I'm planless now... } 30... Nf5 { R3-e2 was sensible... } 31. Re4 { [%clk0:00:14] ...but I went for this purposeless one. See I'm only 14 secondsleft from now on. 30 tense moves, and I'm still in troubles, and no timeto go. } 31... Rbd8+ { quickly, the best place... Kc1... } 32. Ke2 { ? Allows } 32... a5 { [%clk 0:01:02] ? Rd5 was the start of my fall. } 33. Nd2 { [%clk0:00:16] Nf3 in sight. } 33... Rxh2 { [%clk 0:00:55] ? Finally taking the 'dued'pawn... but it was a mistake! } 34. Rxh2 Bxh2 35. Rxe6+ { [%clk 0:00:21]I got some seconds and a very nice outpost, and a pawn more than he! } 35... Kd7 36. Rxf6 { It is not only safe, but dued (Nd4+) } 36... Re8+ { [%clk 0:00:48] Kd1,Ne3+ wins, so... } 37. Kf3 { Allowing... } 37... Re3+ 38. Kg4 { I'm pretty sureI can be mated, but it is not so easy. Problem-like position... } 38... Ne7 { Materialis 0, and forces are balanced. Both K are exposed, tree loose pieces onthe board, a lot of forks possible... and just 20 seconds to play! } 39. Bb5+ Kc7 { Here, Rf2 was interesting, but I only saw... } 40. Nc4 { Threateninga5. } 40... Rg3+ 41. Kh4 { My pieces are far, his pieces binded. } 41... Ng6+ 42. Kh5 Ne7 { [%clk 0:00:07] I don't have much time... } 43. Nxa5 { [%clk 0:00:23]...but my opponent is using his, too... we are about 10 secs a move maximum,now. } 43... Rh3+ 44. Kg4 Rg3+ 45. Kh4 { All this just to make black clear hehas no break in. } 45... Rg2 { [%clk 0:00:13] Another plan for black! } 46. Rf7 { ? Blunder, as Kb6 and I don't welcome exchanges. } 46... Kd6 { At least my b2is defended now (Nc5+) } 47. Nc4+ { Wasting the effect of it. } 47... Ke6 48. Rf3 { Defending and going out of danger. } 48... Nf5+ 49. Kh3 { Please, please, am Ioverlookng some mate or tactic? No? } 49... Rc2 { Will it never stop? This wasone of most nerve consuming blitz ever! } 50. Ne3 { I have to exchange -but safely! } 50... Nxe3 { Well, one less! } 51. Rxe3+ { [%clk 0:00:29] } 51... Kd5 { [%clk0:00:19] } 52. Rd3+ { ? Rb3 was correct. If now Kc5, I'll lose the advantage. } 52... Ke4 { ? } 53. Rb3 { [%clk 0:00:22] Finally! } 53... Be5 { ?? Bd3+ wins, but Ididn't see it. The game was probably a draw. } 54. Rxb4+ { ?? when you overlookssomething, you lose the chance to get it forever, unless... } 54... Kf5 { ?? youropponent is so kind to offer you it again! } 55. Bd3+ { ...and that's allfolks! I hope you've enjoyed it! } 1-0

[Event "OTB WTW Coaching Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "8/10/18"] [Round "-"] [White "Joe"] [Black "Stanley"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "85 minutes"] [WhiteElo "1319"] { This was similar to very shortly after I reinstated into this club. AsI did a lot of talking the talk in the WTWLTR club. So, I know that fromcyperspace, on the pacific trail, easy19 is going to be proud of this.And, I sense that there was a moment where he was really hoping that I'dget another OTB WTW game since I exploded into activity last month in theclub. That moment came against the runner, Nathan A Resika. It was alsosimilar to what happens with the master mater. As Stanley challenged meto this game since there were other games ongoing, and I accepted his challengeright away. And, similar to with Fred, the goal was to last at least 25moves. It didn't happen with Nathan, although, I gave him a run for hismoney which was a plus. But, I surpassed 25 moves here. To be exact, itwent on for 27 moves. And, with best play, I might have even gotten anexpert draw. However, I made one mistake which forced me to resign, ashe has a mate in 2. So, what happened? } 1. e4 { I start off with my usualbut wasn't sure how Stanley was going to respond. Afterall, he usuallyplays as white. And, his first move is usually 1.d4 which later becomesthe QGD-Slav Defense. But, I played the move that I'm most used to. } 1... e5 { And, Stanley plays along with that. } 2. Nf3 { So, I continue with my usualbut wasn't sure how Stanley was going to respond. } 2... Nf6 { I was not surprisedto see him play the Petrov Defense. However, I knew what to do since Istudied it in a mini tournament. And, I know that capturing the pawn one5 is most common. Likewise, black responds with 3...d6 The reason that3...Nxe5 is unusual is the fact that white often attacks it with 4.Qe2. But, 3...d6 wins back a pawn, as it will here. } 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4 Nxe4 5. Bd3 { Not sure what else to do now, I decided to attack Stanley's Knight. The only issue is that this blocks the center. But, I looked at 5.Qe2and decided against it since he'd answer with 5...Qe7 and let me stay behindin development. 5.d3 also came into consideration, but this would've limitedthe mobility of my Bd3. So, after careful consideration, I thought thatthis was the best move available for white. Part of the reason is thatit also enables me to castle when Stanley retreats. } 5... Nf6 6. O-O Be7 { Meanwhile,Stanley continues with his development and prepares to castle. } 7. Re1 { And, knowing that this was his only square for the Bishop, I pin whichStanley answers by castling at once. I, however, had planned that outbecause this will allow me to continue developing, at once. } 7... O-O 8. Nc3 Nc6 { But, Stanley has the same thing, in mind. } 9. Be2 { To prevent Stanleyfrom attacking my LSB, as well as, opening up the d pawn, I retreat. Bettermight have been 9.Bf1 to keep some pressure on the center, but I didn'twant to undevelop, either. } 9... d5 { Meanwhile, Stanley goes after my N. } 10. Na3 { And, I protect. Believe it or not, I had considered 10.Ne3?? sinceother options lose it right away. The idea being is that I don't likehaving to place my N on the rim, but there's no choice because bringingit to e3 allows him to fork and win it for only a pawn, after 10...d4! } 10... d4 { But, Stanley attacks anyway. And, I am forced to undevelop since 11.Nce5??loses the Knight to 11...a6! } 11. Ncb1 Bf5 { Putting pressure d3 since Stanleyalso has his d4 pawn. } 12. d3 { But, I put a stop to that. } 12... Re8 { Centralizinghis Rook. } 13. Bg5 { And, I bring out another piece and put pressure bytrying to tie down either Stanley's Nf6 or Be7. } 13... Bd6 { But, Stanley willhave none of that. } 14. Nc4 { So, I threaten to exchange B for N. } 14... Re6 { But,I have second thoughts about that when Stanley plays this move. As afterexchanging, ...Qe5 becomes an option, with which, I'd be worried aboutmy Be2 since that gets attacked a second time. } 15. Nbd2 { Therefore, withI complete my development since the plan here is Nb3. } 15... Qe7 { Although, theBishop is attacked again which makes me ready to exchange, at this point. } 16. Bf3 Rxe1+ 17. Qxe1 Qxe1+ 18. Rxe1 Bb4 { And, Stanley answers by pinningmy Nd2. I was thinking about what to do but decide to exchange his Nf6first. Be it note that it takes me a lot to exchange N for B. But, thereason for doing it now is that it will mess up his King side pawn structures. Once that's done, I will break the pin. } 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Re2 Kf8 { Idon't know why Stanley played this since I can't place him in check rightaway. The only real threat was 21.Bh5, I don't see a good continuation,afterwards. } 21. a3 { Having said all of that, I go right on the attack. Stanley answers by exchanging, which I have no problem doing since it'shis B for my N. } 21... Bxd2 22. Nxd2 Ne5 { Trying to exchange my B for N. I waswondering what to do, until I saw that Stanley's b7 pawn is hanging andtake advantage of that. } 23. Bxb7 Rb8 { Of course, this move was to be expected. } 24. Be4 { ?? So, I go right after Stanley's B. I thought that exchangingfavors me since I'm now up a pawn. Plus, I have a plan for when he exchanges. But, I overlooked one move, 25...Rxb2 winning back a pawn. In fact, althoughit would be very difficult to win, this loses because it will allow Stanleyto pick up an additional pawn on c2 since a back rank mate is also threatened. And, with that one extra pawn, it's still a win with best from black. However, there would be nothing easy about the win. Later on is whereI really go wrong. } 24... Bxe4 25. Nxe4 Rxb2 26. f4 { Giving my King room to escapeto prevent a back rank mate, whilst going after the N. However, Stanley'sN is going to become very important on his next move. } 26... Nxd3 27. Nxf6 { ??Of course, I couldn't take on d3 since this would lose my R. But, thiswas the final blunder, as it guarantees Stanley an instant win. 27.g3was essential because of what's about to unfold. } 27... Rb1+ { At first, I thoughtthat I'm fine after 28.Kf2, but it's illegal. This only leaves me withone option, 28.Re1, but 28...Rxe1# is mate. I thought that the threat wasgone since there was the window out of a back rank mate, with just theR. I completely forgot that the Knight was a monster, as well. We analyzedit, and 27.g3 was the only move. After, 27...Kg7, it looked like a possibledraw with best play from white. However, black would still have a wongame after something like 28.Nd5 Rxc2 with that extra pawn. As now, blackhas an unstoppable passed pawn that would, eventually, promote. But, itwould have been very difficult for Stanley to find the winning continuation. Getting impulsive and going right after one of the doubled pawns is whatlost, at once. The problem was me forgetting that Stanley had more thenone threat against my back rank. } 0-1

[Event "Mini-tournement"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "06-Dec-07"] [Round "-"] [White "wouter357"] [Black "isaiahmillman"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1132"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1325"] 1. e4 { My classic opening } 1... e5 { classic response } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f6 { Thismove I hadn't expect creates a 'gap' in black's defence and blocks hisqueen } 4. Nc3 a6 { black's blocking the withe bishop } 5. O-O { castling } 5... g5 { Now his king is very exposed to attacks } 6. d3 { I want to use my bishop } 6... h5 { Another pawn move from black } 7. Nxg5 { This move will result in mate.It seems as I sacrifice a knight but I don't } 7... fxg5 { He captures this ensuresmy victory a little bit more } 8. Bxg8 { Exhanging my bishop for his knightand undoing the defence of h5 } 8... Rxg8 9. Qxh5+ { Because black no longer defendsh5 the white queen can give checkon h5 } 9... Ke7 10. Bxg5+ { He has to capturemy bisop with his rook or he loses his queen } 10... Rxg5 11. Qxg5+ { Giving checkagain } 11... Ke8 12. Qg6+ Ke7 { Only possible move } 13. Nd5# { And mate. Victoryin 13 moves } 1-0

[Event "4th White Horse Shield"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20-Apr-08"] [Round "-"] [White "toolmaker"] [Black "alexchavez666"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1056"] [TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1101"] 1. e4 { I think that i'll call this game Discovered attack madness. I hadallot of fun with this game because i usually dont get to be so creativewith my games. I have noticed that they have been real strait forwardlately and with this game it was very fun. } 1... e5 2. Qh5 { 2. Qh5 made me thinkright away that one either he doesnt know what he is doing or two he thinksthat i'm a chump. I lost almost 200 points in one week because of timeouts so with this game i was bellow 1100. 1336 being my highest ratingso far. } 2... Nf6 { MOVE bitch! (bitch a.k.a Queen) } 3. Qxe5+ { thats two queenmoves out of three, bad idea I think. } 3... Be7 4. g4 { Here i dont know whyhe didnt reinforce his central e pawn so that he can if he wants to usethe queen for some sort of a more use full job. } 4... Nc6 { MOVE bitch!! } 5. Qc3 { again MOVE bitch!! } 5... Nxe4 6. Qxg7 { I cant help it.... MOVE bitch!! } 6... Bf6 7. Qh6 Qe7 { I want to start my attack and get ready to castle. } 8. Qe3 Bd4 { MOVE bitch!! } 9. Qd3 Nxf2+ { MOVE bitch!!!!!! } 10. Qe2 { Thats eightQueen moves in the first 10. he has developed his queen and two pawns. I know that with that he does have a good chance of spreading out my forcessince they are chasing her but I unleash the power of the discovered attackwith not remorse. } 10... Ne5 11. Bg2 { gotta protect the rook. } 11... Qh4 12. Nf3 { Hewants to mess with my Bitch, here take a double!!! } 12... Nd3+ { very nice discovered. } 13. Kf1 Qf6 14. cxd3 { I trade my knight for your doubled pawns, thats cool. } 14... d6 { I need to castle and finish development of my pieces. } 15. Ke1 Bxg4 16. Qe4 { his queen and bishop are in line at my b pawn but I have an idea. } 16... O-O-O 17. Nxd4 { still halfway through the game I have all but one piecein the fight and he is using two. } 17... Rhe8 { I see so many ways of creatingthose discovered and he doesnt really have a big punch coming. } 18. Qxb7+ { o.k. saw that coming but he runs out of fuel fast. } 18... Kd7 19. Bc6+ { thereis nothing to that check but loss. } 19... Nxc6+ { another discovered check!! I love it. } 20. Ne2 { Take another! } 20... Rxe2+ { that set up yet another discovered,crazy! } 21. Kd1 Rxh2+ { BOW bye bye rook. } 22. Kc2 Rxh1 { Now I want hisqueen, and i figured it out!! very exciting!! } 23. d4 Rb8 { right there,i think that he should have taken my rook since his queen is lost. butI guess he didnt see what was next. } 24. Qa6 { Killer Fork!! } 24... Nb4+ { POW } 25. Kc3 Nxa6 { now I need to lant the final blow, I thought long about howto finish with a cool ending. then I found it. } 26. Kc2 Bd1+ { I need youback down there sir. } 27. Kc3 d5 { his possible moves are fading away. } 28. d3 Rh2 29. Na3 { I'm coming for you!! } 29... Rb4 { I saw a very nice rook sacrificeto end with. } 30. Rb1 Qc6+ 31. Nc4 { Here eat my rook, EAT IT!! } 31... Rxc4+ 32. dxc4 Qxc4# { I loved this game and I hope you enjoy it too who evertakes the time. ROCK ON!! } 0-1

[Event "Pleasant Dreams"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.03.20"] [Round "-"] [White "jivko"] [Black "blake84120"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1772"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1643"] 1. e4 c5 { Team Match, I'm playing black and reply with the Sicilian towhite's Open Game. Interesting note, I finished this game and my othermatch game against this same opponent within minutes of each other - Iplayed my final move as white in that other game, then switched to thisgame and entered a series of conditional moves. By the time I was done,my opponent had resigned in the other game and logged out, so I went tobed and woke up find this game had concluded while I slept. I like winningwhile I sleep; I think it sends me pleasant dreams... } 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { Open Sicilian, very ordinary. } 5. Nc3 a6 { Najdorf Variation,very popular for black. The pawn on a6 prevents white from playing Bb5+,a strong move for white. } 6. Be2 e5 { 6. Be2 is certainly playable for white,but not as popular as 6. Be3, the English Attack, or 6. Bg5. As played,white is choosing a quieter, less aggressive alternative. Black stays withthe main line of the Najdorf. } 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 O-O { Just developing now,since I'm out of reference on the Sicilian. } 9. Qd2 Qc7 { White seems tobe ahead in development, but black's pawns offset that somewhat by restrictingmuch of white's mobility. } 10. O-O-O b5 11. f3 Nbd7 { Trying to catch upin development. } 12. g4 b4 { Trying to mix it up a little. } 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Qxd5 Rb8 { The black rook on a8 was en prise and needed to be saved,though in retrospect 14. ... Bb2 feels more powerful. I think I decidedagainst it because I believed white would retreat the queen with a threatagainst the queenside pawns, so I preferred to make sure to cover themboth. } 15. Kb1 Nc5 16. Nxc5 dxc5 { Getting a third pawn into the mix. Theavalanche begins. Well, I guess it has already begun, but this gives itmore credibility. } 17. Qd2 c4 18. b3 c3 { This move, 18. ... c3, made menervous. I really feel overextended here, but I didn't see any immediatedanger so it seemed like a good way to bind the white queenside. Truthis, a pawn avalanche against a castled king can be very powerful, but I'verarely used it. Playing this move, and the other pawn moves that follow,and not just seeing it in action but actually working it out and puttingit in action myself, taught me a lot about this kind of strategy. } 19. Qc1 Ra8 { Time to bring in the final pawn and let loose the hounds of war. } 20. f4 Bb7 { Maybe a time waster. I don't think black gained anything herewith this move. } 21. Bf3 a5 { Back on track. } 22. f5 a4 { Now if white plays23. bxa4?, black replies with 23. ... Rxa4 and then moves like Qa5 andrfa1 line up a powerful attack against white's king - an attack that Idon't think white could survive. } 23. Rd3 Ba6 { Wasting time again. } 24. Rd5 Bb7 25. Rd3 Rfc8 { This move is to put more focus on c2, as the upcomingmoves will demonstrate. } 26. h4 axb3 { White tries his own pawn avalanche,but it's too late. If 27. axb3, then black plays 27. ... Qa5 28. Qb2 (forced)bxb2 29. Kxb2 Qa3+ 30. Kb1 Qa7# (white can delay with stuff like Rd8+ andBa7 to throw away pieces to slow down black's checkmate). If 27. Rxc3,then black plays 27. ... Qxc3 still has forced mating lines beginning with28. ... bxa2+ (28. Qb2 bxc2+ 29. Qxc2 Qxc2# or 29. Kc1 Qxe3# or 29. Ka1Rxa2+ 30. Kxa2 Ra8+ 31. Ba7 Rxa7+ 32. Qa3 Rxa3#). } 27. cxb3 c2+ { Blackannounces checkmate in 4 beginning with 27. ... c2+. If 28. Qxc2 then 28.... Qxc2+ 29. Ka1 Rxa1#. If 28. Ka1 or 28. Kb2 then 28. ... Rxa2+ 29. Kxa2Qh5+ 30. Kb2 Qh7# or 30. Qa3 Qxa3#. } 28. Kb2 Rxa2+ { Maybe white hoped blackwouldn't see the rook sacrifice and might give white time to regroup, butafter 28. ... Rxa2+, white is faced with mate in two and chose to resign. } 0-1

[Event "Oswestry A v Newport A"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "17-1-2019"] [Round "-"] [White "Ian Jamieson"] [Black "Charles L Higgie"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "ECF173"] [TimeControl "75mins + 15 secs a move"] [WhiteElo "ECF182"] 1. f4 { This was a very lucky win by me! } 1... d5 { As far as I can remember,this was the third game between us. I won the first, he won the secondand I won this, the third, } 2. Nf3 { For him, this is relatively normal.He sometimes opens with 1. b3 or 1. b4. } 2... g6 { I decide to fianchetto mybishop. } 3. e3 { He prepares to develop his. } 3... Bg7 { I complete the fianchetto } 4. Be2 { He develops his. } 4... Nc6 { With a 'threat' of e7-e5. } 5. d4 { Whichhe stops. } 5... Nh6 { With a plan of f7-f6, Nf7 and e7-e5 in due course, butit is far too slow and white can always hit the black centre with c2-c4.Simply Nf6 is better. } 6. h4 { And this is a mistake. } 6... Bg4 { Now my bishopcan't be attacked by h2-h3 } 7. c4 { He attacks my centre. } 7... e6 { I defend. } 8. Nc3 { He attacks again. } 8... Qd7 { I prepare to castle. } 9. cxd5 { He takes. } 9... exd5 { I take back. } 10. Qb3 { Attacking d5 and b7 } 10... O-O-O { Protecting both. } 11. Na4 { Threat 12. Na4-c5 } 11... Bf8 { To stop the knight. I wasn't sure of thismove at the time, but Fritz thinks it best and gives advantage of 0.44to black. } 12. Bd2 { He develops his bishop at last. } 12... Nf5 { Fritz also likesthis move. } 13. Bb5 { I should have played Bxf3 here, but I changed by mindand played.... } 13... Qe6 14. Bxc6 { Clever move. If I take back with the queen,he has 14. Ne5 Qe6 15. Nxg4. That is not the end of the story - I can thenplay 15....Ng3 attacking both Rh1 and Ng4, but he has 16. Nf2 meeting 16....Nxh1with 17. Nxh1 and he has two minor pieces for the rook. I think I can thenpick up a pawn, starting with 17....Qg4, but I think in the long run thetwo minor pieces are better than rook and pawn - besides I am losing mybest pieces... Any views dear reader? } 14... bxc6 { So I took this way. } 15. Ne5 { Attacking my bishop. } 15... Ng3 { Defending and attacking. } 16. Nd3 { Great move!Now the threat is Nc5 attacking both my queen and threatening mate. } 16... Re8 { Giving a flight square to my king, and also in some variations the rookaction down the e file is crucial. } 17. Nac5 { So the knight comes in. } 17... Bxc5 { I take. } 18. Nxc5 { He takes back. } 18... Qd6 { Now I am threatening boththe rook on h1 and the pawn on f4, due to the pin on the e file by my rook. } 19. Kf2 { So I have the chance to win the exchange with 19...Nxh1+ 20. Rxh1.But then what? It is hard for me to untangle my pieces. I eventually decidednot to take the rook. I was glad when I annotated this, and found thatFritz at first favours 19.....Nxh1 but eventually after thinking for severalminutes decides on the move I played.... } 19... Ne4+ { This move. } 20. Nxe4 { Hetakes. } 20... Rxe4 { I take back. } 21. Rac1 { He starts ganging up on my queenside weaknesses. } 21... h5 { Played to prevent his h pawn advancing. Frizt prefers21...h6. I was hoping for 22. Bb4? Rxf4!+ with advantage, but he is awaketo that. } 22. Rc5 { He starts to double rooks on the c file. } 22... f6 { I needto break through on the king side. } 23. Rhc1 { Threatening c6 } 23... Bd7 { So mybishop comes back to protect. } 24. Qd3 { The queen is about to come in withdeadly effect. Fritz now likes 24....Kd8 now with plus 2 to white. WhatI played is probably the best practical chance. } 24... g5 { This advance. } 25. Qa6+ { He throws in a check. } 25... Kd8 { Of course my king is a sitting duck ifit stays on the queen-side. Plus 4.25 to white now, according to Fritz. } 26. Rxc6 { A fairly obvious exchange sacrifice. } 26... Bxc6 { I take. } 27. Rxc6 { He takes back. } 27... Qe7 { Fritz prefers Qd7, but it is a bit academic, objectivelyblack is lost. } 28. Ba5 gxf4 { The best chance. My opponent, not 100% surethat taking on c7 led to a won ending, decided to make everything safeby playing.... } 29. exf4 { Oops! } 29... Rxf4+ { White resigns, it is mate in 2.https://gameknot.com/chess-puzzle.pl?pz=218519 Many thanks for reading.Please rate this annotation on the star system, and leave a comment ittwo to let me know how I am doing. Until next time dear reader! } 0-1

[Event "KID attack"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.02.18"] [Round "-"] [White "bjornjh"] [Black "drchopper"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "5min+20"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 { Here I am playing black with the King'sIndian Defense in a blitz game. } 4... d6 { To prevent an immediate e5 and todo e5 later. } 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 { Well it's not the best continuation butit's still fine. Be2 or h3 are more popular and have more success. } 6... Nbd7 { Preparing e5 or c5. The knight block the way of the bishop but most ofthe time it's better to let him at c8 since he already facing a free diagonal. } 7. Be3 e5 8. d5 { It's most of the time better to close the position forwhite since it blocks the way for the bishop on g6 and black has less spaceto move his pieces. } 8... c6 { The idea of c6 is to block Nb5, making a way formy queen and the possibility to free white's dominance on the center. Thef5 push for black is not a good strategy because light square bishop ison d3 at the moment. } 9. O-O Nc5 { The knight on c5 is a very classicalposition for black and most of the time black make a5 before to preventb5. Here the knight threats e4 and d3. } 10. Rc1 { ?! White should have kepthis bishop. } 10... Nxd3 11. Qxd3 Ng4 12. h3 Nxe3 { To have the two bishops issometime a must in the endgame since bishops cover more space and movefaster. } 13. Qxe3 f5 { Attacking the king side and making room for my pieces. } 14. Qd3 Qe7 { Ready for Rd8 to cover d6 if white do dxc6 and Rd1. } 15. Nd2 Bh6 { The bishop covers a better line and pins the knight. } 16. f3 { ?! Whiteshould have moved his rook to remove the pin. } 16... Qg5 { The queen threats Qxd2and face the king, giving the possibility of a future Bxh3. } 17. Rcd1 { Necessary. } 17... c5 { ! It was important to close the position at this time because if whiteopens the d line black's game is over. } 18. f4 { White lose a pawn but finda way to block the attack. } 18... exf4 19. Nf3 Qf6 20. Rde1 Re8 21. exf5 { ? Whiteshould have done Re2 then Rfe1. Now black have an open line for an attack. } 21... Bxf5 22. Qd2 Re3 { ! Not wasting time. The two bishop have the strenghtto keep the pawn if white take the rook. White will have a hard time toremove that pawn out of the way and to keep his structure. } 23. Rxe3 { ?g4 was way better. } 23... fxe3 24. Qe2 Re8 25. Nd1 { My bishop on f5 seems tobe pinned but the knight on the f file have no good move. } 25... a6 { Took a lotof time to find that move, I couldn't find a better continuation than toattack on the queen side while white is struggling. The queen and the bishopshave too much a dominant position to get out of these files. A better movewould have been an immediate b5! } 26. Nh2 { ?? Now black can continue topush easily. Nc3 was better. } 26... Qd4 27. Nf3 Qd3 { No turning back! Now blackhas an easy end game. } 28. Nc3 Qxe2 29. Nxe2 Bd3 { White cannot both defendthe pawn and the knight. } 30. Re1 Bxc4 31. Nc3 b5 32. b3 Bd3 33. Nd1 c4 34. bxc4 Bxc4 35. Nc3 b4 { The game is over. White cannot stop both thee pawn and those on the queen side. One of my most straight forward andaccurate game, strategy wise, in a blitz game. } 0-1

[Event "OTB game #4"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "February 22 2019"] [Round "-"] [White "Jacob"] [Black "Eric"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "black"] [TimeControl "25 mins"] [WhiteElo "white"] 1. e4 { My opponent starts regular with king pawn opening. } 1... e6 { French defence,my usual reply. } 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 { Standard continuation. } 3... dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nf6 { Knight trade? } 6. Nxf6+ { Sure } 6... Qxf6 { Of course, gxf6 ruinsthe kingside. } 7. Be2 { Interesting, c4 is better. } 7... Bd6 { Development. } 8. Bg5 { Attack. } 8... Qg6 { Probably best. } 9. Qd3 { Queen trade? } 9... O-O 10. Qxg6 { Whitelost a tempo } 10... fxg6 11. O-O b6 12. g3 { ?? Never be a copycat like this one. } 12... Bb7 13. Rae1 Nb4 { Triple fork(f3, c2, a2). } 14. Ne5 Bxe5 15. dxe5 Nxc2 { Teehee } 16. Rc1 Nd4 17. Bc4 { Not Rxc7 due to Nxe2# } 17... Nf3+ 18. Kg2 Nxg5+ 19. f3 Bxf3+ { Winning badly } 20. Kf2 Bg4+ { Discovered checks for life } 21. Ke1 Rxf1+ 22. Kxf1 { I think Bxf1 would have been better } 22... Rf8+ 23. Ke1 Nf3+ 24. Ke2 Nxe5+ 25. Ke3 Nxc4+ { Trades } 26. Rxc4 Bf5 27. g4 b5 { Sacrificinga pawn } 28. Rxc7 Bxg4 29. Rxa7 Rf3+ 30. Ke4 Rf2 31. Ke5 h6 { Just in case } 32. Kd6 Rxb2 33. Ke7 Rf2 { !! } 34. Ra8+ Kh7 35. h4 Rh2 { Note that Kf7 failsto Rf2+ } 36. Ra7 h5 37. Kf8 Rf2+ 38. Ke7 g5 { Sacrifice } 39. hxg5 Kg6 40. Ra5 Kxg5 41. Rxb5+ Bf5 42. a4 h4 { Hoaxing Jacob to move the h pawn } 43. a5 h3 44. a6 Ra2 { !! } 45. Rb1 { ???? } 45... Bxb1 { Yum yum, black has to be carefulfor stalemate } 46. Kf7 Rxa6 47. Kxg7 Ra7+ 48. Kg8 Kf6 49. Kf8 Ra8# { CheckmateI win } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.09.25"] [Round "-"] [White "mrp800"] [Black "bagboy"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "925"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "968"] 1. c4 { English opening. Provides the queen access to the field, and allthe major responses look favorable to white. } 1... b6 2. e4 Bb7 { White doesok with Nc3 here. } 3. d3 { Pd3, however, seems to favor black in the database. } 3... a5 { Pa5 is not in the database. Black seems to do ok with Pe5 instead,but not many games with this variation are recorded in the database yet. } 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Ng8 { Generally speaking returning a piece does not promotedevelopment. Black would have been better off with Pe6 or Pe7 here, whichlets the queen protect the knight. Let white trade--white drops behindin development when the black queen advances into the field. } 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 g4 9. Be2 { Uh, no. Nd2 or even better, Ne5. Be2 allowsPxNf3. } 9... Bg7 { Ok, Ne5 is out, but Nd2 remains viable. } 10. Nh4 { ...or Nh4. Actually, this is probably better than Nd2. I like it. Black can playPd6 to attack the knight with the queen--but with the bishop protectingit the attack is pretty weak. } 10... e6 { Now the white h knight has nowhere tomove, and the bishop is stuck protecting it, which prevents Pg3. On theother hand--free pawn. Bxg4 is looking great! } 11. Bxg4 { Yeehaw! } 11... f5 { Whitehas all kinds of power on f5. Pawn, knight, bishop. I recommend Pxf5. } 12. exf5 e5 { I'm getting a thrill thinking about Ng6. Rh7 protects theblack rook, followed by NxPe5. White's black bishop protects the knight,and white gains yet another pawn point. } 13. O-O { This could have waited. As Archduke_Piccolo noted in the comments, Bh5+ forces Ke7 or Kf8, eitherof which white replies with Ng6+ and then picks off Rh8. } 13... Nf6 { Ng6 stilllooks good, but as AP notes Bh5+ remains perfectly viable. NxB, QxN+ followedby Ke7 or Kf8--either of which Ng6+ and the black rook falls. } 14. Nd5 { Black has two pieces protecting that square. White ends up losing a pawnpoint in this exchange. Better would be Re1. White might also think BxPe5. NxBg4, QxN, BxB. We see black comes out ahead of white seizes that waywardpawn. } 14... Nxg4 { Wrong piece. Although QxN, BxN, PxB leaves white's pawnsdoubled. } 15. Qxg4 c6 { QxB looks good here. Black will have to move therook, Rf8, and white can move in one of the knights. Things begin lookinggrim for black. } 16. Ne3 { Oh no, QxB was SO much better. That knight wasfine where it was. The bishop was free! } 16... b5 { QxB! QxB! } 17. cxb5 { Noone ever listens to me. } 17... cxb5 { That bishop isn't going to sit there forever. } 18. Qxg7 { Finally! :) } 18... Rf8 { Ok, white likes Ng6 here. Though BxP isn'tterrible. Or QxP+. } 19. Qxe5+ { I liked the knight move best. Rf7 blackthreatens the queen, but it is an empty threat because Qg8+ and black cannotmove Ke7 while Ng6 was played. Black interposes the rook, QxRf8#. Game. Set. Match. 11 love. Here Qe7, QxQ+, KxQ, Rfe1... Fun, but now thegame moves on past 20 moves. } 19... Kf7 20. Qxb5 Bc8 { Oops. Better would havebeen Qc7. Now white can play Qd5+ and take Ra8. } 21. Qd5+ { Just like that. } 21... Kg7 22. Be5+ { QxRa8 can wait. } 22... Kh7 23. Ng6 *

[Event "Casual Blitz Game, Coffee Club Chess Club"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2008.03.26"] [Round "-"] [White "C Player"] [Black "Coffey, John"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1950"] [WhiteElo "1500"] 1. e4 c5 2. d4 { White to play. This is the beginning of the Smith-MorraGambit. } 2... cxd4 3. c3 d5 { Black isn't interested in the gambit. } 4. Qxd4 { Bringing the Queen out early violates opening principles. } 4... Nf6 { Stockfishprefers 4... dxe4. Now if 5. exd5 Qxd5. } 5. e5 Nc6 6. Bb5 Nd7 { Blackis trying to entice the vulnerable Queen forward. Technically better is6... Ng8. } 7. Qxd5 e6 8. Qe4 Nc5 { Black is playing actively. Maybe betteris 8... Qb6. } 9. Bxc6+ { This loses. } 9... bxc6 10. Qxc6+ { White is actuallydoomed. } 10... Bd7 11. Qf3 { Black to play and win. } 11... Bb5 { The key move, whichcontrols squares around the White king. } 12. Ne2 { White can do betterwith 12. Nd2. } 12... Nd3+ { If 13. Kd2 Nxe5+. If 13. Kd1 Nxb2+ 14. Kc2 Ba4+ 15.Kxb2 Qb6#. White resigns. Suppose play were to continue ... } 13. Kf1 Nxc1 { If 14. Nd2 Bxe2+. If 14. Qh3 Qd1#. } 14. Ke1 Nd3+ 15. Kf1 Nxe5 16. Qxa8 Qxa8 0-1

[Event "Fantastic mating combination"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Madthinker"] [Black "Joseph King"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 Na6 { Unusual. White has to decide whether to give up his bishop(usually slightly stronger than the knight), in return for doubling blackspawns. } 2. Bxa6 bxa6 3. d4 c5 { Taking doesn't seem to do much good, soBe3 pretty much forces the swap off, whilst centralising the bishop. } 4. Be3 cxd4 5. Bxd4 Qa5+ 6. c3 e6 7. a4 { Getting pawns to a5 and b4 seemsto lock down the dark squares. } 7... Qc7 8. Qh5 Ne7 9. Nf3 Qc4 10. Na3 { Ne5should have been played. Now black could take on a4, but risks a discoveredattack, and his own a-pawns are weak. } 10... Qc7 11. a5 Ng6 12. O-O Ne7 { Ng5would be best, but white tries to force the issue. } 13. Bc5 Qb8 14. Ra2 { An idle threat dealt with, now black continues to dally around to getrid of the bishop. } 14... Ng8 15. Bd6 { Unsound, but white thought he would havechances over the board by bringing in Na3 whilst keeping the tempo. } 15... Qxd6 16. Nc4 Qc6 { Mistake. } 17. Nfe5 Qc5 18. Qxf7+ Kd8 19. Rd1 Ne7 20. b4 Qb5 21. Rad2 Rb8 { There was no good way out, but this move allows a brilliantmate in 6 - can you see it? } 22. Qe8+ { !! } 22... Kxe8 23. Nd6+ Kd8 { White couldrecapture the queen, but he has something better. } 24. Nef7+ Kc7 25. Ne8+ { Infiltration behind enemy lines! } 25... Kb7 26. Nd8+ { An aesthetically pleasingposition. } 26... Ka8 27. Nc7# { And mate. White's Knights seem to have dancedaround with impunity. } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.11.08"] [Round "-"] [White "franscois"] [Black "lionade2005"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "917"] 1. e4 { A solid move. } 1... e5 { Good Response. } 2. Nf3 { Nice Developement. } 2... Nc6 { Shaping to be a Ruy Lopez. } 3. Bb5 { Ruy Lopez. } 3... a6 { 3. Bb5 a6(4. Ba4 Nf6,5. d3 d6, 6. O-O Be7, 7. Re1 O-O.) } 4. Bxc6 { 4.Bxc6 (4. BxN bxc6, 5.Nc3 Nf6, 6. o-o Bc5, (7. d3 d6, 8. Re1 o-o.) or (7. d4 Bb6) } 4... bxc6 5. Nxe5 { 5. Nxe5!? maybe a blunder. I think : 5. d4 is better. } 5... Qf6 { 5.Nxe5 Qf6 is a solid move for Black. (5. Nxe5 Nf6, might be slightlybetter. } 6. d4 Ne7 { Blacks trying to get the Knight on g6 to trade offKnights and is protecting the d5 square. } 7. h4 { White's trying to bringthe dark square Bishop into play and attack the Queen/Knight Diagonal. } 7... d6 { Black goes with a play of their own. Freeing up the white Bishop andattacking the Knight on e5. } 8. Bg5 Qe6 9. Ng4 { Ng4?? Blunder. } 9... Qxe4+ { Check. } 10. Ne3 Nf5 { Nf5 puts some pressure on the Knight on e3. } 11. Nc3 { Attackingthe Queen. } 11... Nxe3 { Nxe3!! } 12. Bxe3 Qxg2 13. Rf1 Bg4 14. f3 Qg3+ { Check. } 15. Kd2 { 15. Kd2!? better might be 15. Rf2. } 15... Be6 { Getting the Bishop outof harms way. } 16. h5 d5 17. Rg1 Qh2+ { Check. } 18. Ne2 Qxh5 19. Rg5 Qxf3 20. c3 h5 21. Qa4 Bd7 22. Ng1 Qe4 23. Qb3 f6 24. Rg3 h4 { 24. --- h4!, attackingthe Rook. } 25. Rf3 h3 { 25. --- h3!!. The pawn's going to Queen, but... } 26. Nxh3 { Nxh3??, the Rook is gone. White can resign here. } 26... Qxf3 27. Qb7 { Last chance for white. } 27... Rc8 { White Resigns. } 0-1

[Event "Berserker Pawn - Part 2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.01.14"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "aticus"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1658"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1768"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! This game went on pretty quietly until my opponentallowed a tactical shot, beginning with en passant which won me a pawn. My opponent gave me a speculative bishop sac on h3. Unfortunately forhim it backfired on him. Again I ended up with a rook for two pawn advantageand an overwhelming position. This time my opponent did wave the whiteflag. Here is an analysis of the game:- http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=15199128&rnd=0.23705641508714392 } 1... g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 { 3. Nc3 - the opening moves have been the usual RobatschDefense, which is g6 in response to e4. Similar to the Sicilian Dragon,the black dsb rakes down on the a1-h8 diagonal. I remember playing againstthe Robatsch against Coach Ion and getting floored by this bishop. Hereis the game. http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=10814415&rnd=0.5266001888457518 } 3... d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Be2 { 5. Be2 - conservative development and I am not talkingabout David Cameron here! } 5... O-O 6. O-O c6 7. a4 { 7. a4 - this pawn willbe the berserker but at the moment it is pretty innocuous. This move wasrecommended in the DB as advantageous to white. It does hold up the advance,b5, so I can see why it was recommended. } 7... Nbd7 8. a5 Qc7 9. h3 e5 10. Be3 { 10. Be3 - development. } 10... Re8 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Qd2 { 12. Qd2 - preparinga possible forced exchange of dark square bishops to weaken the black castledposition. } 12... Nf8 13. Rfd1 { 13. Rfd1 - preventing, for the moment, Rd8. } 13... Nh5 14. Bc5 Nf4 15. Qd6 Qxd6 16. Bxd6 { 16. Bxd6 - queen trade. } 16... b5 17. axb6 { 17. axb6 e.p - I very nearly forgot the en passant rule and moved FouLeblanc to f1. Luckily this time, before I pressed the submit button Iremembered the rule and clicked reset and then took on b6. Note that thea7 pawn is pinned against the a1 rook so I have won a pawn in broad daylight! } 17... Bxh3 18. b7 { 18. b7 - on the previous move black made a speculative sacrificeof his bishop on h3. Before taking the bishop I saw that I would be ableto win a whole rook by forcing black to give up his rook for Glenda andFou Lenoir. After Fou Lenoir gets removed from the board I then take onh3. That little pawn on a4 really has gone berserk. Here goes...... } 18... Rad8 19. b8=Q Rxb8 20. Bxb8 Rxb8 21. gxh3 Nxh3+ 22. Kf1 Rxb2 { 22. ....Rxb2 - I had to allow a black rook to go on my second rank. However, Iam not fazed by this as my own rook will either force an exchange of remainingrook or chase it off. He goes for Plan B. } 23. Ra2 Rb7 24. Rd8 { 24. Rd8- I now try and turn the screw. All my pieces are so well defended thatblack cannot take full advantage of the open lines available for a counter-attack. } 24... Rc7 25. Ra8 { 25. Ra8 - the black pawn on a7 will be picked off by one ofthe rooks and then my rooks will try and corall the c pawn. Although Ido not have many pawns on the board myself, remember, an extra rook isenough to win in an endgame. My opponent decided that it was now timeto wave the white flag. I came sooo close to another missed opportunity. I just hope I can continue to cash in. Anyhow, another 6 rating pointsin the bag for me and a good day at the office - hope you have had a goodread. Bye for now. Joanne } 1-0

[Event "Final shot"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.10.25"] [Round "-"] [White "damalfi"] [Black "Big Asb"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "3/10"] { Interesting blitz with a +1800 player. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 { One of thebest countering my usual attack. } 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. c3 { My intention is notto play c4, contrary to the normal play. But I had no need to compromiseto it right now. Nd4, preparing e4 (if d5 is not payed) would have beena slightly better. } 4... O-O { Giving me a second chance to try e4. } 5. Nbd2 { I go for it. Now he can stop me with d5. He can also exchange my dsbby Ng5. } 5... c5 { A good player will do the right thing. This is a very good move. I don't think taking the pawn will be good. I won't be able to stope5, later. } 6. e3 { I'm not forced to play e4. I have attack lines fromhere too. } 6... cxd4 7. exd4 { He is a move behind using the white squares,but I can. Of course, If I'd studied theory, all this must find familiar.I'm not on the GK db, and to look around is something I rarely allow myselfto spend time on. I'm not a good student, I know :-) } 7... d6 { Black doesn'tbo for d5. Is he planning to fianchetto the lsb? } 8. Qb3 { I think the onlysensible move for black is Nc6, preparing Na5 in case of Bc4-Ng5. } 8... Nh5 { Hard decision. Be3 seems good, but this will allow e5 and the Bg7 willbe very strong. } 9. Bg3 { Maybe wrong. I planned to live with NxB, hxN. } 9... e5 { I though that after dxe5, dxe5, Nxe5, black had Re8, and it was difficultto be sure I could save it. This was blitz. } 10. Bh4 { So I decided tocome with this surprise. Black can't interpose a piece, ot it will be pinnedfor a move. He must move the Q. } 10... Qc7 { Good, defending f7 and threateningto open too soon the c column (before I castle). } 11. d5 { I intended toplay a surprise move. I'm giving up the useful pin on the f pawn, and nowhe can play a pawn storm on my kingside. But this considerably losens thestrenght of his dsb. The pin model is still on: if black plays e4, andI dare Nxe4, Re8 will lose me a minor piece. } 11... Nd7 { I'd say '?'. He shouldhave definitely played e4. } 12. Be2 { A weak move I discarded earlier becauseof Nf4, forcing me back to f1. } 12... Nf4 { I have a strategy, that is to tryto make mistakes appear as intentional. This sometimes lead to good sacs.But this time, I just sensed that I could find no advantage by it, andthe best was to admit my mistake, and humbling defend. } 13. Bf1 { Ugly.And I am aware I will suffer now a strong attack against d3. I have toopen a 'zen umbrella'. } 13... Nc5 14. Qc2 { ? Just inviting Bf4 (Edit: Bf5). } 14... Bf5 15. Qd1 { A tempo lost. Still, black has to prove his win. } 15... Ncd3+ { The idea could be to allow Qc4 at some point. Otherwise, the attack isjust premature. } 16. Bxd3 { I lose control of the white squares, but hisQ is not in yet. } 16... Nxd3+ 17. Ke2 { Ok, let's play around. You've won a pawn,ok. You can't play Qc4. You can play Bg5, but h3 and the exchage helpsme to losen the pressure. Black has still work to do. } 17... Nxb2 18. Qb3 { AcceptingBd3+, Ke1. The 'zen' defence. } 18... Nd3 { This, instead, surprised me. f2 isdefended, and my dsb is safe. It is guarding against any Bh6 black ideauntil the Nf3 supports it, and if e4, Ng5 and it still has Ne6 stoppingf6 and in case of h6, Nxe4. Not bad... } 19. Rhd1 { I thought about Ra-b1,pressing b7, but I felt that I must be prepared to retreat the K on f1without being closing in my own R. So I put it here, with a shadow of apressure on 3 that will help later. } 19... Rac8 { Black threatens c3, and I can'tdefend it. I didn't see it coming, I admit it. On the other side, it wasdifficult to find something better. But I had to defend. The 'zen defence'was called for again... } 20. Nb1 { Squeezed but not squashed! :-) } 20... Nf4+ { Oh, yes, as you desire, sir... } 21. Kf1 { Now, what? My K can run up toh1, f2 as a bodyguard, and yes, d3 is weak, so come on, get me! } 21... Qc4+ { That'sall? You do want to use your pressure to close me in, and win the endgame?Ok, let's prove it! } 22. Qxc4 { I was playing with a 1800+. I was almostsure that allowing the Q to survive would have brought me some mate withN, Q and B. I wasn't sure then, and I won't be sure until the game willbe published, so I'll see it through the board. I just decided not to riskand hold the storm. } 22... Rxc4 23. Be7 { Ok, I played this last card I had.My lsb's weird position at last found some justification. } 23... Rfc8 { It isobvious that black want to play e4, but I have to accept the loss of c3(as long my a1 R is not trapped in by the Bdsb). I have a nice compensation,though... } 24. Bxd6 { Maybe not the best, but I have now a d runner. IfI can hold, this will play at my favour. } 24... Bd3+ { Yessir, come in. Let'ssee how you will harm now. } 25. Kg1 { Ne2+ Nxc3 would have been the logicalfollowing. My position would have collapsed. } 25... Bxb1 { Right, taking c3,but offering another pawn in compensation. I still think black could havewon by playing e4, and if BxNf4, exNf3, winning. } 26. Raxb1 { e4 now isstill good, but white can escape via Ne5, and Rxb7 is threatened, so thereis still game to go. Black should have considered the strenght of his pawn'smayority on the Kside and play f6. White doesn't have any lsb to harm troughthe white squares, and c3 can't be defended, so there is no hurry in takingit. } 26... Rxc3 { Now I have two chances of compensate the pawn. e5 is the moredangerous by far (note that the black diagonal is now empty, so black'dsb is half that powerful. Still, e4 can be annoying. On the other side,Rxb7 offers a very nice control of the 7th. Black will have the same controlof the second row in any case. I shouldhave palyed a defensive move, likeRd2, but I felt far more important... } 27. Nxe5 { Ok, right pawn... rightpiece? I didn't really want to force the dsb's exchange anymore. Now mineis stronger than his (I could consider myself a very good defender, anda very nice strategist... :-). I thought in threatening Nxf7, without seeingNe2+ as the in-between saving move for black. This is the sad truth! } 27... b6 { As I hoped, black took care of his weakness, but Rc2 at once would havebeen far more aggressive and better. } 28. Nxf7 { ?? Nc6 was far better!!!!Now I realize. Black must save the N on f4 and the fork check on e7. Ne2+,Kf1 and nothing changes. I just lost my chanche. } 28... Ne2+ 29. Kf1 Kxf7 30. Kxe2 { I am not down, ok, but I exposed my K for a pawn, when a piece wasgiven to me. } 30... Rc2+ { Now the punishment. } 31. Kf1 { I calculated that withBg3 I had the good condition to push the d pawn. I knew it won't have beeneasy, though... Anyway, this move is better than the tempting Rd2. I haveto be aware that this R is guaranteeing me the Bg3 retirement by defendingthe d pawn. It can't be compromised in an exchance, or d - and the game- will be lost. So this apparently bad move I think was sound. } 31... Rxa2 32. Bg3 Rd8 33. Rbc1 { Black is winning with his a and b pawns, now. So I haveto play at the best my d pawn. And quickly. As for the pawn's defence,my R are now misplaced. d1 and e1 would have been their best places, butthe reasons that lead me to bring Rh1 into the game were valid, I think. } 33... Rd7 { Stopping Rc2+ (Edit: Rc7). } 34. d6 { He can't attack with Bf8, becauseof Rc7. } 34... b5 { ? Based on the fact the situation on the d column is stalled,but it is not! } 35. f4 { What is this for? You'll see. } 35... Bf8 36. Rc7 { Musthe defend the R with the K? He has Rc2 to block the promotion... } 36... Ke6 { Andthis seems to win the pawn for free. BUT... } 37. f5+ { A pawn's sac. Thisis the winning tempo I need. I uncover the black diagonal, preventing theK from taking on d6 if Rd moves... and it will do! } 37... gxf5 { If Kxf, RxR. } 38. Re1+ { ...but now black can't avoid the loss of a full R. My opponentresigned here. I think that I made a lot of mistakes, but I had a decentdefence, and as a prize, a nice intuition - not really calculated, justinstinctive - that gave me the win. I felt exacly like David Ferrer againstJohnson, today (Saturday 25th)... :-D } 1-0

[Event "Exploiting the Two Bishops"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "16-Dec-06"] [Round "-"] [White "mmafighter"] [Black "bluber53"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1204"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. d4 { For this game annotation, I am assuming viewers understand basicopenings and the reason those 'book' moves are played. If you have anyquestions about any opening or certain moves in an opening... feel freeto message me. } 1... d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 { 4.Nf3 is sometimes playedso as to delay the commitment of the QB . However, the moves (4.Nf3 & 4.Bg5)are usually both played one way or another. The battle is revolving aroundthe d5 pawn and with that... the control of e4. } 4... Nc6 { This move caughtme off gaurd. A little reminescent of Chigorins Defense but, it is a littlelate for that. Still, I see no way to win the d5 pawn since an immediate5.Bxf6 Qxf6 leaves me having to defend my d4 pawn instead of winning thed5 pawn. } 5. Nf3 h6 { This move only helps White decide what to do. DoublingBlacks pawns on f6 (6.Bxf6) was a threat since recapturing with the Q losesthe d5 pawn i.e. 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.cxd exd 8.Nxd5! but, it is too early toknow if the Bg5 will be missed. After 5 ...h6, White doesn't have muchchoice. } 6. Bxf6 gxf6 { As previously noted... 6 ...Qxf6 loses a pawn ond5 } 7. e3 { I decided at this point, because Black has the 2Bishops, I wouldlike to close it up as much as possible and limit his 2B as much as possibleespecially with that open g file his Rooks conviently have against my eventualO-O. Playing in the Center with 7.e4 or 7.dxc will leave me with bettercontrol of the Center but, it will just open up the position for his 2Bwhich I feel, I did not want to allow. My plan at this point is to closeup with ...c5 and follow up with an eventual b2-b4-b5 & a2-a4. } 7... Bd6 8. c5 Be7 9. Be2 f5 { I think Black might be beginning to feel the predictamenthis 2B are in but, with that in mind... maybe 9 ...e5 would be better.It's hard to prove but, I just wouldnt feel comfortable giving up e5 &g5 to Whites Knights. I suppose Black can shore up the defense of e5 byplaying his doubled f pawn to f6 but then his dark Bishop is locked inagain AND his light Bishop now has TWO pawns blocking him instead of justone. } 10. O-O { It is important to play this position slowly. Black madethe mistake of losing control of e5 with 9 ...f5 but, this is a strategicgame, nobody is going anywhere. The e5 square isnt going anywhere. I didnot want to put my Knight on e5, start some attack on the Queenside onlyto have to pause to castle because Black played a well-timed ...Rg8!! attackingmy undefended g pawn. Castling first does allow Black to cover up the e5square with 10 ...f6 but, my previous note explains why that would justmake things worse for his 2B. } 10... h5 { I think Black is best to try openingup the position. Even at the cost of a pawn with 10 ...e5?! 11.Nxe5 (11.dxeBxc5 12.Nxd5 Be6 13.Nc3 Bd6 and despite being a pawn dow, I feel the the2B and the open g file give Black the better game) 11 ...Nxe5 12.dxe c6!followed up with 13 ...f6 opens up the position for Blacks Bishops. } 11. Ne5 { This is the problem with 9 ...f5 since Black cannot capture with 11...Nxe5 allowing a further cramping of his position with 12.dxe Bxc5 13.Qd2f6 14.f4 followed by Nb5-d5! } 11... Rg8 { I did not capture the h5 pawn becauseI was still convinced that I would focus on the Queenside and Black wouldhave no counterplay elsewhere on the board. I was afraid that giving Blackanother open file on the kingside would help him find counterplay on thatside of the board later when I have all my pieces committed on the Queenside.To me, that was not worth the pawn. I would rather just slowly squeezethe position rather than win a pawn and possibly allow some counterplay. } 12. Nxc6 { If my Knight was not on e5. I would rather gain momentum on theQS with the traditional order of moves i.e.12.Rb1 a5 13.b3! followed by14.a3 then 15.b4! & b5! (IF 13.a3? THEN 13 ...a4! & White would never accomplishthe b4 push). However, with my Ne5, obtaining b2-b4-b5 loses importancesince Blacks Nc6 has somewhere to go (...Nxe5) so, I decided to createa new target on the Queenside... } 12... bxc6 { The c6 pawn will be my new targetand, unlike the last target (Nc6)... this target is immobile making itan easier target. } 13. Qa4 { Attacking c6 with b2-b4-b5 is no longer optimalsince not only can Black attack the b pawn directly down the b file but,once I obtain b5 (If I ever do), Blacks c6 pawn can simply bite back withcxb!! something the previous target (Nc6) could not do. With this in mind,it is best to attack c6 with long range pieces and manuevering a Knightto a5. } 13... Bd7 { I was thinking 13 ...Qd7 so that I could try & find some activitywith ...a5 & ...Ba6. } 14. Bxh5 { There is a reason why I made this movebut, to state it here would be irrelevant so, I will only explain it tobluber53 or anyone else who just wants to know just so they can know. } 14... Rb8 15. b4 Rg5 16. Be2 { This is where I feel the Bishop needs to be inorder to help over on the Queenside although I am hesitant on removingit completly away from the Kingside squares which I am worried may sooncome under some pressure due to the open g & h files. All Black may needto do is ...Bf6 & ...Ke7 in order to clear the way so that the Q and otherRook can swing over to those open files. } 16... Rb7 { Black is a pawn down andhas 2 Dead Bishops. I think it is time to get aggressive and play the strategyI mentioned in my last note. My attack on the Queenside is quicker thanBlacks Kingside attack but, Black is attacking my King which makes hisattack a bit more dangerous. } 17. Ba6 Rb6 { This move surprised me. I'mnot sure if Black had a plan or if this is just a mistake? } 18. cxb6 cxb6 { I was beginning to believe that Black might have a plan for the sacrificedRook after all, although if its worth a whole Rook..... ? } 19. Qc2 { Hereinlies my dilema. After 18 ...cxb my gut tells me I have to get my Bishopoff of a6 before it is entombed with 19 ...b5 so, I was going to play 19.Be2.Then I noticed by leaving my Queen on a4 (after 19.Be2) Black can get aprotected passed pawn with 19 ...c5! 20.Qc2 c4! & Black has managed tonot only neutralize the Queenside BUT... has an endgame trump card withthe protected passed pawn on c4. If that isnt enough... now he can proceedwith his Kingside play without any worries. Is that scenario worth a wholeRook? I dont know and I dont want to find out so, I decided to leave theBa6 to their fate. } 19... Qc7 { Yes, this is a good idea since this facilitatesattacks against my Kingside but, i think Black should immobilize my Ba6first with 19 ...b5. It became very clear to me that Blacks Rook sacrificetotally snubbed my Queenside play leaving him with his Kingside attack.The only thing I have is my material advantage and my passed h pawn. Thisis where I changed my plans in order to accomadate those two advantages. } 20. Be2 { Because I felt i had nothing more over on the Queenside & becauseI feel this Bishop was doing nothing on a6, I wanted to reposition it overtowards the Kingside. My general plan was to use it to help advance mypassed h pawn. } 20... Bd6 { I must admit, I really thought Black would take theb pawn if, for no other reason but to close the material gap. This is agood position to demonstrate the importance of Pawns & how they can effectBishops. Imagine if Black's e6 pawn was on e4 & Black's f5 pawn was onf4! Black's Bishops and their threats against my King would compensatefor the material loss. } 21. f4 { The reason for this move was not to protecth2 (21.h4 could have done that & also further my plan) but, rather to continueto keep Black's 2Bishops under lock and key. Once things started to rollon the Kingside, I did not want Black's Q B to have such easy access tomy King's position. Coincidently... I seem to remember regretting the weaknessI cause to g3. } 21... Rg6 22. h4 { More salt on my wounds. As strategically savvyas I like to THINK I am... I was not suspecting the g3 weakness would causeme minor problems. Hey! Just because I'm annotating a game doesn't meanI can play well. } 22... Bxf4 { While I dont think this is a correct sacrifice,it does cause me some distress in a couple moves. In light of my plan (promotethe hpawn), I think Black should be re-deploying this Bishop to f6 OR...to h4 to keep my pieces off of e1-f2-g3. Another plan might be ...Ke7 withthe idea Qc7-d8-g8(or h8) with the follow up being ...f6 & ...Bd7-e8-h5. } 23. exf4 Rg3 { & here is the thorn in my side that Black's 22 ...Bxf4 causesme: My plan is to promote the h pawn. However, Mr. hpawn wont survivemuch further than h5 without a Rook backing him up. I had a simple planto play my King to f2 and allow my Rooks to swing over but, if I did thatnow... 24.Kf2? THEN 24 ...Qxf4 followed by ...Qxh4. Nor can I play 24.Rf3since after 24 ...Rxf3 25.Bxf3 Black's Q still infiltrates with 25 ...Qxf4 How about the weakness of g3? How does that play a part? Imagine if Ihad a pawn on h2 then, obviously Black would not be able to play 23 ...Rg3here. Why does 23 ...Rg3 bother me? Well, one way I wanted to get the Rooksover to the h file without allowing Black's Queen to capture on f4 is (onlyshowing White's moves) 24.Rf3, 25.Raf1, 26.h4 (remember, we put the h pawnback on h2), & 27.Rh3 Problem solved. However, since Black is able to coverthe f3 square BEFORE I play my Rook there, I can no longer use that plan. *NOTE: All my Stress I was having here on this position is really unneccesarysince I am actually winning the game on material. Any exchanges actuallyhelp me so, in reality... 24.Rf3 is a good move but, my inability to veeraway from my plan made it impossible to find that move. Be sure to alwayskeep a flexible thought process & do not be afraid to change, modify ordelete your plans and ideas. } 24. Kh2 { My 'NEW' plan is to chase the offendingRook off my property (24.Kh2), protect the f4 pawn (25.g3) & move off theh file (26.Kg2) so my Rook can play to h1 to make room for the other Rook.But, I sure did hesitate putting my King in line with Black's Queen. Nomatter hom many pieces stand in the way... always be a little wary whenyour King is in a direct path of an enemy piece. } 24... Rg6 25. g3 e5 { ? Thisseriously weakens d5 thanks to the undefended Queen on c7. However, ifi played an immediate 26.Nxd5 then what to do after 26 ...Qd6 Hmmm? Therefore,I chose to capture on e5 first so that to limit Black's Queen moves. Twolessons: 1) Undefended pieces are usually a good signpost indicating thata tactic is present!!! The real trick is finding it. 2) It does no goodjust to go around blindly attacking pieces. This is Chess not Checkers,these pieces are mobile!! One would do better by making the enemy piecesas immobile as possible before attacking them. } 26. dxe5 { 26.fxe is suicidefor g3 i.e. 26 ...f6! and, I would not be able to keep b8-h2 diagonalclosed A) 27.e6? Qxg3 28.Kh1 Qg2# B) 27.exf? Qxg3 28.Kh1 Qg2# C) 27.Bd3fxe 28.dxe Qxe5 & g3 becomes a burden... again. } 26... f6 27. Nxd5 { The c6 pawncannot capture my Knight since this would allow 28.Qxc7! } 27... cxd5 { I am notcertain if Black did not see this or if, he simply gave up? } 28. Qxc7 { Andwhat is it the REAL GM annotators Love to say here?? Oh yeah... and therest is just cleaning up so, no further annotation is neccesary. IF ANYONEHAS ANY SUGGESTIONS ON MY ANNOTATIONS, PLEASE MESSAGE ME. I WISH TO IMPROVEON MY GAME ANNOTATIONS SO AS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO FOLLOW. I WELCOME BOTHGOOD AND BAD CRITICISM, NO MATTER HOW GOOD OR BAD. Thank you, Michael } 28... Ke7 29. Qd6+ Kf7 30. Qxd7+ Kg8 31. e6 Rg7 32. Qxg7+ Kxg7 33. h5 a5 34. h6+ Kxh6 35. e7 axb4 36. e8=Q b3 37. Bh5 b2 38. Qg6# { The End. } 1-0

[Event "82nd GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.23"] [Round "-"] [White "richard1234567"] [Black "takenoprisoner"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1450"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1414"] 1. e4 { Pirc Defense } 1... d6 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Be3 Nxe4 { Ifi take e4 then he will move d5 forking( For all the people confused aboutthis move) } 6. Bxf7+ { I give up my light squared bishop in an attempt todislodge his king. } 6... Kxf7 7. Nxe4 Rf8 8. Nf3 Kg8 9. O-O Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. gxf3 d5 12. Ng5 Qd7 13. Qd3 Bf6 14. Kh2 e5 15. c3 Kg7 16. Rg1 Nc6 17. Rg3 { This was when i thought i was a mating chance with Nxh7! } 17... Ne7 18. f4 e4 { My knight will fall with h6 and my queen has lost it's attackingdiagonals. } 19. Nxe4 Nf5 { He lets my knight live? } 20. Nc5 { Perhaps hethought he would win the exchange but it wouldn't be too good since i alsohad a pawn. I also thought his knight wasn't valuable and getting rid ofhis central pawn would allow me to rip open his kingside with f5 etc..I believe Nc5 is a great multi purpose move. It attack the queen, It threatensto remove a defense of the f5 knight, it attacks b7 and prepares for ae6 fork. He can't defends against all these threats at once. } 20... Qc6 21. Qxf5 Rae8 22. Qd7+ { Forcing the exchange of queens } 22... Qxd7 23. Nxd7 Rf7 24. Nxf6 Rxf6 25. Rc1 Kf7 26. Rc2 a5 27. Re2 Rfe6 28. Kg1 b5 29. Kf1 Ra8 30. Bd2 Rf6 31. Re5 Re8 32. Rxe8 Kxe8 33. Rg5 h6 34. Rxd5 c6 35. Re5+ Kd7 36. Ke2 a4 37. Be3 h5 38. f3 Kd6 39. Kd3 Rf5 40. Rxf5 { He allowed the exchangeof rooks. } 40... gxf5 41. a3 Kd5 42. h4 Kd6 { My bishop isn't really doing anythingso I just counted myself aas having 1 extra pawn on d4 since my pawns weredoubled. } 43. c4 bxc4+ 44. Kxc4 Kc7 45. Kc5 Kd7 46. d5 cxd5 { Activatingmy king and dark squared bishop although it's not going to have much use. } 47. Kxd5 Ke7 48. Kc4 Kd6 49. Kb4 Kc6 50. Kxa4 Kb7 51. b4 Ka6 52. b5+ Kb7 53. Ka5 Ka8 54. Bc1 Kb7 55. b6 Ka8 56. Ka6 Kb8 57. b7 { He resigned in thisposition as i would promote and checkmate ihm } 1-0

[Event "Tournament game, Karlsbad, 1929"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Friedrich Saemisch"] [Black "Ernst Gruenfeld"] [Result "1-0"] { Notes by R. N. Coles. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 d6 6. f3 { Cutting across Black's normal play on the white squares withthe idea of establishing a dynamic position in the center. } 6... O-O 7. e4 e5 { Denied access to the white squares, he has to make what he can of theblack. } 8. Bd3 Nc6 { Inviting P-Q5 when the weakness of the doubled pawnswould be emphasized and his access to the black squares would be increased.White resists the bait. } 9. Ne2 Nd7 10. O-O b6 11. Be3 Ba6 12. Ng3 Na5 13. Qe2 Qe8 14. f4 { The energy in White's center begins to make itselffelt. } 14... f6 15. Rf3 Kh8 16. Raf1 Qf7 { Forcing White at last to admit thethreat to his doubled pawn. } 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. d5 Nb7 { At once shiftinghis focus onto the weakened black squares. } 19. Nf5 Nd6 20. Rh3 g6 { Takingsteps against White's outpost, but the maneuver gives White further weaknessesto exploit. } 21. Nh6 Qg7 22. g4 g5 { He is once more forced to concede theoutpost square and has a weak KB pawn into the bargain. } 23. Rh5 Nc5 24. Bxc5 bxc5 { Preventing any frontal attack on White's doubled pawns and leavingBlack also with doubled pawns. } 25. Rf3 Qe7 26. Rfh3 Bc8 27. Qf2 Ne8 28. Rf3 Ng7 29. Rhh3 { Not 29 RxNP B-Q2 and the Rook is trapped. } 29... Bd7 30. Rhg3 { Preparing the advance of his KR pawn. } 30... Be8 31. h4 gxh4 32. Rg2 h3 { Thepawn cannot be held, and giving it up this way interferes with White'sbuild-up against the KB pawn. } 33. Rxh3 Bg6 34. Rf3 Rab8 { Having establishedhis defensive position, Black prepares to counterattack on the Q side. } 35. Qh4 Rb3 36. Rgf2 Rxc3 { Black has won the doubled pawn after all, butat the cost of allowing White a devastating attack. } 37. g5 Ne8 38. gxf6 Qd8 { If 38... Q-Q3, 39 P-B7 N-N2 40 R-B6 increases the pressure. } 39. Ng4 Rxd3 { If ...Q-Q2, 40 Q-N5 still wins the KP. } 40. Rxd3 Bxe4 41. Re3 Nd6 42. Nxe5 Bf5 { Hoping to win the dangerous White KB pawn at last, but adrastic finish follows. Black no doubt thought the Bishop was taboo becauseof the resulting fork. } 43. Rxf5 Nxf5 44. Ng6+ Kg8 45. Re7 { A beautifulmove. If 45... NxQ, 46 R-N7 mate. If 45... PxN, 46 Q-R7 mate. If 45 ...NxR, 46 PxN Q-K1 47 PxR (Q) ch wins easily. } 45... Rf7 46. Rxf7 Kxf7 47. Ne5+ Kf8 48. Qxh7 { Black resigns. If 48.. QxBP to stop 49 Q-R8 mate, 49 N-Q7ch wins the Q. } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.09.19"] [Round "-"] [White "frriedel"] [Black "joeyarminio"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1467"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1410"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { Two knight's defense. } 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Ng5 d6 7. h3 h6 8. Nxf7 { White trades a knight and bishop (six points)for a rook and pawn (six points). } 8... Rxf7 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. d3 Nd4 11. a3 { ...and this move is not in the database. } 11... c6 12. b4 Bb6 13. a4 Be6 14. a5 Bc7 15. Be3 d5 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18. Nxd5 Qxd5 19. c4 Qd6 20. c5 Qd5 21. Qg6 Ne2+ 22. Kh1 Rf8 23. Bxh6 Qd7 24. Be3 Qd5 25. Kh2 e4+ 26. g3 exd3 27. Rad1 Bf5 { Black's designs on the white queen require anotherfive moves to reach fruition, but her struggle appears to begin here. } 28. Qh5 g6 29. Qh6 { Qh4 would permit Be3 to g5 to protect the queen, thoughburying her. } 29... Rf7 30. Qg5 Bd8 { And this move appears to seal the whitequeen's fate. } 31. Qh6 Rh7 32. Qxh7+ Kxh7 33. Rd2 Be6 34. Rfd1 Qh5 35. h4 Qg4 36. Rxd3 { White ignores the looming mate, which is forced at thispoint anyway. } 36... Qh3# 0-1

[Event "Human Shield"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.05.29"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "xenophon98"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1774"] [TimeControl "5d+1d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1876"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! This game was part of the Sicilian Pelikan themedMT started by Concordborn. It was a victory against an opponent with anoptimum rating of 1903. This is a long game spanning 69 moves. I managedto be a pawn up in a Q & P ending and to shepherd my extra pawn to Glendadom. Meanwhile, Henry had to run the gauntlet from the Wicked Witch of theWest. He did this by using an enemy pawn as a Human Shield. After that,his two wives then covered him, aaaah! Once the checks ran out my opponentwaved the white flag. Here is how it happened, folks - firstly here isthe Gameknot Analysis. http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=17526707&rnd=0.10930306846589815 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 { 4. Nxd4 - the standard pawn trade. } 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 { 7. Bg5 - pin. This threatens BxN forcingPxB because if QxB?? then Nc7+. } 7... a6 8. Na3 b5 { 8....... b5 - threateningb4 forking the two knights. } 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 { 10. .... Bxf6 -B for N trade. } 11. c3 Bg5 12. Nc2 O-O 13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 { 14. Rxa4 -pawn trade. This pawn trade gives black a weak pawn on a6. Such a tradehappened in my game against Concordborn called Breakthrough which I wenton to win. } 14... Bb7 15. Bc4 Kh8 16. h4 Bf6 17. Nxf6 Qxf6 { 17. ...... Qxf6- N for B trade. } 18. Qg4 Ne7 19. f3 d5 20. exd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5 Bxd5 { 21....... Bxd5 - another set of minor pieces plus a pawn have been traded. Will black's bishop be better than my knight? We shall see. } 22. Ne3 Be6 23. Qg3 Rfd8 24. O-O { 24. 0-0 - I remember castling late in the Concordborngame in which Coach Ion said that in this variation white was too busyto castle. It is certainly time to get a rook into play, particularlywith a BR controlling the d column. } 24... Rd3 25. Ng4 Bxg4 26. Rxg4 { 26. Rxg4- the minor pieces have been traded off and I now have pressure on theg column. } 26... Qb6+ 27. Kh1 Qf6 28. Re1 { 28. Re1 - and now the e5 pawn comesunder the hammer. } 28... Re8 29. Rge4 { 29. Rge4 - pile on. } 29... Rd5 30. f4 Qb6 31. b4 f6 { 31. ..... f6 - black tries to save his pawn but to no avail. } 32. fxe5 fxe5 33. Rxe5 Rexe5 34. Rxe5 Rd1+ 35. Re1 { 35. Re1 - blocking thecheck. Black now backs up his rook and covers his back row. } 35... Qd8 36. Rxd1 Qxd1+ { 36. ..... Qxd1+ - now the rooks have been traded off we have a Qand P ending but with me a pawn up, I will win this but boy I am gonnabe in for the long haul. } 37. Kh2 h6 38. Qb8+ Kh7 39. Qb6 Qe1 40. Qd4 { 40.Qd4 - and even in this endgame, Glenda is put to do a lot of defending- poor put upon lady! } 40... Qe2 41. c4 { 41. c4 - it will be this pawn that willcrown, however. Only another 4 squares to go, but they will be tortuoussteps. } 41... Qc2 42. c5 { 42. c5 - make that 3. } 42... Qc1 43. Qe4+ Kh8 44. c6 { 44.c6 - only 2 to go. } 44... Qc3 45. Kg1 Qc1+ 46. Kf2 { 46. Kf2 - Henry is eyeingup the top of the board. He intends to seek shelter there against anychecks from the Wicked Witch. } 46... Kg8 47. Qd5+ Kh7 48. Qd3+ Kh8 49. Qd8+ Kh7 50. c7 { 50. c7 - a series of queen checks enables my pawn to be just onesquare from Glendadom. But now Henry must run the gauntlet from the WickedWitch of the West. } 50... Qf4+ 51. Kg1 Qe3+ 52. Kh2 Qf4+ 53. Kh3 Qf5+ 54. Kg3 { 54. Kg3 - Henry hatches his escape plan. } 54... Qe5+ 55. Kf3 Qc3+ 56. Ke2 Qe5+ 57. Kd3 { 57. Kd3 - Henry makes towards his queenside footman but will thisbe shelter enough? } 57... Qb5+ 58. Kc3 Qe5+ 59. Kc4 Qb5+ 60. Kb3 { 60. Kb3 - whew- at last Henry has found some refuge as the Witch has no checking linesavailable. Any non checking move will allow my c7 pawn to crown. } 60... a5 61. c8=Q { 61. c8/Q - Voila! } 61... Qxb4+ 62. Kc2 { 62. Kc2 - Henry must run the gauntletyet again. At least with two queens on the board, it will be easier tocover Henry as more squares will be controlled by both these ladies. Ijust hope I can engineer a cross-check which will force off the Witch. } 62... Qa4+ 63. Kd3 Qd1+ 64. Kc4 { 64. Kc4 - with both queens defending each other,Henry has no fear of running into a skewer. } 64... Qc1+ 65. Kb5 Qb2+ 66. Ka6 { 66. Ka6! - Henry was really tempted to gobble up that nice, tasty, juicyp(r)awn on a5. But he restrains himself from this because he realisesthat he can use this pawn as a human shield to shelter behind. Black cannotnow check Henry from the front, so he must now find another way. } 66... Qe2+ 67. Ka7 Qf2+ 68. Qb6 { 68. Qb6 - After being on this square for many moves,Glenda is finally able to cover her other half. } 68... Qf7+ 69. Qcb7 { 69. Qcb7- and so does her clone, Henry is sooo lucky, having those two ladies tosnuggle up to. My opponent acknowledges that Henry is now safe and allI have to do is to plonk a queen on the b1 to a7 diagonal when the Witchmoves off her second rank and I will either force an exchange of queensor if black dodges this exchange he can cop Old Matey. This acknowledgementcomes in the form of the white flag. This puts me back to my optimum ratingof 1883 just 17 points short of 1900. Be really lurvely to get there. But for now, that's all folks, bye for now - Joanne } 1-0

[Event "Seeker"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.05"] [Round "-"] [White "phoenixflame"] [Black "thehellion"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1262"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1322"] { This was a very long game. I offered a draw on the 20th move or so, butmy opponennt dragged out the game for about 45 more moves before acceeding. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 { I always like Morphy's defense against theRuy Lopez. It gives Black the best chance to fight on. } 4. Bxc6 dxc6 { Iwas somewhat surprised by this. White doesn't often play the Exchange variation. } 5. d3 Bd6 6. b3 Bg4 7. h3 Bh5 8. g4 { This also came as a surprise. I didn'tthink White would weaken his K-side Pawns when he wants to castle there. } 8... Bg6 9. O-O Qd7 10. Nh4 { White wins back the minor exchange. } 10... Ne7 11. Nxg6 Nxg6 12. Nd2 O-O { The opening is completed now, as both sides have castled.I didn't see much in this position for either side. } 13. Nc4 Bb4 14. a3 Bc3 { I was trying to avoid exchanging my remaining Bishop for White's Knight. } 15. Rb1 Nf4 { I'm trying to keep White from gaining a space advantage. HisPawns, especially on the K-side, are positioned well for that strategy. } 16. Bd2 Bxd2 17. Qxd2 { Another exchange, and now with the wood reducedeven if he gains a space advantage I have nothing to be cramped. } 17... f6 18. Qe3 b6 { I'm solidifying my Pawn position against any attacks. } 19. Kh2 Rfe8 20. Nd2 Rad8 { At this point, a draw would be in order. Neither sidehas any real attacking chances. But I seem to be one of the very few peopleon GK who's comfortable with a draw... everyone else has to be dragoonedinto one. } 21. Nf3 Qd6 22. b4 Qe6 23. Rb2 Kh8 24. Nh4 g6 { As it turnedout, this move was very important later in the game. At the time, I wasjust trying to restrict my opponent's space and force him into acceptinga draw. } 25. Ng2 Nxg2 26. Kxg2 { The last minor pieces vanish. } 26... Kg7 27. f4 Qd6 28. fxe5 Qxe5 { Position is still very even. } 29. Rfb1 Rf8 30. a4 Rb8 31. c4 { I was hoping somewhere along the line White would play P-QN5?,enabling me to undouble my Pawns. } 31... Rfd8 32. Rd2 Rd7 33. d4 Qe6 34. Rc1 Qe7 { Slow maneuvering. Neither side seems willing to force the pace hereabouts... } 35. c5 b5 36. axb5 axb5 { The QR file is now open. But the position is stillstagnant. Now I'm hoping for White to play P-Q5?, again enabling me toundouble my Pawns. } 37. Ra1 Rdd8 38. Ra6 Qe8 39. Qf4 Rbc8 { Now White zeroesin on the doubled QB-pawns. I defend, but at this point losing one of thedoubled Pawns won't affect my position much, as they don't have the effectof more than a single Pawn anyway. } 40. Ra7 Rd7 41. e5 { White gives upon the doubled Pawns for a moment and instead aims to create a passed Kpawn. } 41... fxe5 42. dxe5 Rxd2+ { He gets his passed Pawn, but at the cost ofvaporizing a pair of Rooks. } 43. Qxd2 Kh8 44. Qf4 Qe7 { I have effectivelyblockaded the position. Even if White wins the P on my QB3, the Q-sidePawns will remain obstructed. } 45. Qf6+ Qxf6 46. exf6 { The Queens are nextto fall. Now the importance of ...P-KN3 becomes clear. White cannot supporthis KB pawn's further advance with P-KN6, and thus the KB pawn cannot reachthe 7th rank safely. } 46... Kg8 47. g5 Kf7 { The Pawn is blockaded again. Whitewill be unable to break through. } 48. Ra6 Rd8 49. Rxc6 Rc8 50. Ra6 c6 { Ilet the doubled Pawn fall, as it is now irrelevant. Unless White can gethis K in a position to support the KBP, he has no winning chances at all. } 51. Ra7+ Kg8 52. Re7 Rf8 { With only the Rook in support, the Pawn is frozenon KB6. } 53. Re6 Rc8 54. Kf3 { White finally tries to bring his King forward.But the P on KN3 cuts off the K-side entry squares. } 54... Kf7 55. Re1 Rd8 56. Re7+ Kg8 57. Rc7 Rd4 58. Rxc6 Rxb4 { White exchanges a pair of Q-side Pawns,simplifying the game but not making any progress. } 59. Rb6 Kf7 60. Kg2 Rb3 61. c6 Rc3 { Inviting White to exchange the last of the Q-side Pawns. } 62. Rxb5 Rxc6 { He accepts. } 63. Rb3 Rc5 { I aim to remove the supportingPawn on KN5 and capture White's KBP. } 64. Rb7+ Kg8 65. Rg7+ Kf8 { Whiteis out of checks. I'm more than willing to trade my KRP for his KNP. } 66. Rxh7 Rxg5+ { Now I have the initiative because of the check, which willenable me to capture the KBP. } 67. Kh2 Rf5 { It's all over but the shouting. } 68. f7 Rxf7 { Draw finally agreed. My opponent could have taken it muchearlier, but apparently he's allergic to draws. A long and hard-foughtgame. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Overload Tactics and Sacrifices"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.01.23"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "daverundle"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2373"] [TimeControl "7d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1795"] 1. c4 { Hi everyone! When you look at your position, do you think, afterplaying every move, that you have covered all bases. Think again becauseyet again, Henry and I end up being conquered by a Master with a ratingnorth of 2300. This time it is against my buddy Dave Rundle. How didthis happen? Well, the title gives you a clue! You can also follow gameknotanalysis as follows:- http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=16902271&rnd=0.048996459985547636 Back to the game - I start off with a rarity by my standards - 1.c4 which is the English Opening. } 1... e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 { 3. .... Nf6 -development. } 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 a6 6. Qc2 { 6. Qc2 - Glenda moves onto thissquare because she has the square h7 in her sights. If Dave castles kingsidethere are thoughts of the possibility of Glenda hopping on her broomstickonto that very square if Dave is unaware! } 6... c5 7. cxd5 exd5 { 7. ..... exd5- pawn trade. } 8. Be2 cxd4 9. exd4 { 9. exd4 - another pawn trade. } 9... Nc6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Rd1 { 12. 0-0 - both sides castle kingside after this move. } 11... O-O 12. O-O Be6 13. a3 { 13. a3 - stopping Nb4. } 13... h6 14. Be3 { 14. Be3 - anOK move at this time but it will be the start of an unwanted overload setup. } 14... Bd6 15. h3 Rc8 16. Qb1 { 16. Qb1 - I decided to keep Glenda on theb1-h7 diagonal but I thought it wise to move her out of the line of therook on c8. } 16... Re8 17. Rfe1 Qd7 { 17. ..... Qd7 - I think black is lookingfor a sac on h3. } 18. Bf1 Bf5 19. Bd3 { 19. Bd3? - Dave pointed out thatthis was a bad mistake because it did allow a sac on h3. I really didwant to keep Glenda on that diagonal and I did not want Dave's lsb to getcomplete control of the b1-h7 diagonal. } 19... Bxh3 20. g3 Bg4 21. Kg2 { 21. Kg2- I decided to move Henry to this square because I had a BxRP sac ideaof my own. I also had big ideas of piling up with my major pieces on theh file. Unfortunately, Dave unleashes his own deadly plan. } 21... Rcd8 22. Rh1 { 22. Rh1 - carrying out the first stage of my plan but alas, this is howfar I get. } 22... Bxf3+ 23. Kxf3 { 23. Kxf3 - Henry is drawn out into the openand into a check by the Wicked Witch of the West! } 23... Qg4+ 24. Kg2 { 24. Kg2- only move. } 24... Rxe3 { 24. ..... Rxe3!! - this is the move which takes advantageof the overloaded piece. This piece happens to be the pawn on f2 whichis defending both Fou Lenoir and the pawn on g3. I have to recapture butthe pawn on g3 is hanging to deadly effect. } 25. fxe3 Qxg3+ 26. Kf1 Ng4 { 26. ..... Ng4 - threatening Qf2#. } 27. Rd2 { 27. Rd2?? - stops one matebut allows another. Gameknot Analysis showed that if I had played Bh7+then I would have stopped the mate but ended up 9 material points down- ruinous. So, yet again, Old Matey descends on Henry ..... } 27... Nxe3+ 28. Ke2 Nxd4# { 28. ..... Nxd4 MATE!! ...... with a cadaverous knight! } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "06-Nov-07"] [Round "-"] [White "alexjones85"] [Black "omejas"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1555"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1382"] 1. e4 c5 2. e5 Nc6 3. Nf3 Qc7 4. Qe2 d6 5. exd6 { probably not the bestmove by me there } 5... Qxd6 6. b3 e5 7. Bb2 Bg4 { good move, but he doesn't anticipateme swapping queens } 8. Bxe5 Nxe5 9. Qxe5+ Qxe5+ 10. Nxe5 { that rendersthe bishop move useless, gains me an extra pawn and now i'm attacking thebishop } 10... Bf5 11. Bb5+ { that all left his king wide open } 11... Ke7 12. Nc3 Nf6 13. O-O-O { preparing to move rook in line with black king } 13... Ng4 { lookingfor the fork or trying to remove my knight from the attacking position } 14. Rde1 Nxe5 15. Rxe5+ Kf6 { seems like a strange move not to move back } 16. Rhe1 Bd6 17. Nd5+ { i don't want to play defensive by simply movingmy rook out of danger } 17... Kg5 18. h4+ { if i continue to attack his king hewill have to leave the bishop free to take } 18... Kg6 19. h5+ Kg5 20. f4+ Kxh5 21. Rxf5+ { now i have an extra knight on him with my two rooks in a veryattacking position. his rooks are yet to move, his king is now extremelyvulnerable and he has no way of bringing my king into check quickly } 21... Kh4 22. Rh1+ { now begins the attack on the king, i'm hoping to be able to catchhim check mate without swapping anymore pieces } 22... Kg3 23. Rh3+ { i thoughti had him now but i neglected to see he can simply take my pawn } 23... Kxg2 24. Rd3 { opening up an attack on his bishop } 24... a6 25. Ne3+ { would've been goodto go a bit further but black doesn't really have much of a chance now.please leave some comments and tell me what you think. and check out myother annotated game with otherj, which is probably a bit more interestingthan this game. cheers. Alex } *

[Event "Game 1 vs. unumchess: an arduous mating assault "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.01.31"] [Round "-"] [White "unumchess"] [Black "theancientbeast"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1305"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1259"] { This was the first of two games I played against unum in a team match.These were very enjoyable. Thank you, unum, for this great game! } 1. Nc3 { The Dunst (Sleipner, Heinrichsen) opening (A00). I didn't know any repliesto this opening, so I play g6. } 1... g6 2. d4 Bg7 { Attacking the center witha fianchetto. } 3. Nf3 { Pulls out the rest of his cavalry. } 3... Nf6 4. Bf4 O-O { I have castled in 4 moves, while he is developing. Needless to say, itseems as though I'm doomed to defense. } 5. e4 d5 { I lash out to confrontis strong center. } 6. e5 Ne4 7. Nxe4 dxe4 8. Ng1 { ? Right back where itcame from. Surely, even h4 would have been better. } 8... Nc6 9. d5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Bxe5 { Now the tables have turned: not only do I have a superior defensiveposition, but a strong center, too. } 11. Rb1 { Stopping Bxb2. } 11... e6 12. dxe6 Bxe6 { Developing my last minor piece. Here is one of White's bigger blunders:b3. } 13. b3 { ? This allows a long mating assault. QxQ would have been better. } 13... Bc3+ { Now poor Henry must begin the trek to the middle. This follows oneof the chess proverbs: target a centered King. } 14. Ke2 Bg4+ 15. f3 exf3+ 16. Nxf3 { I expected gxf5. } 16... Bxf3+ 17. gxf3 Re8+ { Better than Qe8. } 18. Kf2 Qh4+ 19. Kg1 Re5 20. Be2 Bd4+ 21. Qxd4 { Only option. } 21... Qxd4+ 22. Kg2 Rxe2+ 23. Kg3 Qe5+ 24. Kg4 h5+ { Here he resigned, since mate is unavoidable.Thank you, once again, for this great game, unum! And thank you, reader,for reading. Please R&C! } 0-1

[Event "Game 3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.09.04"] [Round "-"] [White "onebelo"] [Black "uros23"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1766"] [TimeControl "1/604800"] [WhiteElo "1875"] 1. e4 { This game is from a team match. } 1... e6 { The French Defense has beensomewhat of a favourite of mine lately. } 2. d4 { As white I like to play2.d3 and transpose into the King's Indian Attack (Nd2, Ngf3, g3, Bg2, O-O,and so on). } 2... d5 3. Nc3 { 3.Nd2 (Tarrasch Variation) or 3.e5 (Advance Variation)are other possible replies. } 3... Bb4 { The Winawer Variation. Other possibilitiesare 3...Nf6 (Classical Variation) and 3...dxe4 (Rubinstein Variation). } 4. exd5 { Not the most ambitious reply, but not bad by any means. 4.e5 or4.Bd3 are other possibilities. } 4... exd5 5. a3 Be7 { Normally black will tradehis dark-squared bishop in the Winawer, but that's after 4.e5 c5 5.a3 andnow Bxc3+ (5...Ba5 is possible). Here, however, I saw no reason to relinquishthe two bishops, so that's the reason for this retreat. } 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 { Keeping the pin, eventually black might play Bg6 tooffer a trade of bishops. } 9. Bf4 O-O 10. O-O c6 11. Re1 Nbd7 12. g4 { I'mnot sure about this move, it seems weakening. The pin was annoying andwhite decided to break it. } 12... Bg6 13. Qe2 Re8 14. Qd2 { Black was threateninga discovered attack. } 14... Nf8 { I wasn't sure this was best at the time. I wantedto reposition my knight (to e6 or g6) but I've given up control of thee5 square temporarily. I wasn't afraid of 15.Ne5 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Ne6 (or Ng6,trying to simplify), but I thought I might have had better. 14...Bxd3 15.Qxd3Nf8 (Qb6!?) also seemed a bit uninspiring. But the truth of the positionseems to be I didn't really have a good active plan and I just had to waitfor white to show his cards and only then react accordingly. } 15. g5 { (?!)This just seems to further weaken white's kingside. Possible alternativesmay be 15.Ne5 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 as mentioned in the previous comment, or 15.Kg2Ne6 16.Bg3. 15.Nh4 may have been the best try, I'd probably have replied15...Bxd3 (15...Bd6!?) 16.Qxd3 g6, preventing the knight from hopping tof5, but also creating some dark square weaknesses. } 15... Nh5 16. Bh2 Qd7 { Attackingh3. } 17. Bf1 { White must also lose a pawn after 17.Kg2 Bxd3 18.Ne5 Qf519.Qxd3 Qxg5+. Even 18.Qxd3 isn't much better: 18...Ng6 19.Ne2 f6! 20.gxf6Bxf6 21.Kh1 (otherwise 21...Rxe2 wins) Qxh3. } 17... Qf5 { Attacking both f3 andc2. } 18. Bg2 { 18.Re5!? Qxf3 19.Bg2 Bxg5 (the only move to save the queen,freeing f6) 20.Qxg5 Qf6 } 18... Qxc2 { I went for the most obvious move. 18...Ne6was also possible, but even there after 19.Re5 black would play 19...Qxc2. } 19. Qxc2 Bxc2 20. Rac1 Bf5 21. Re5 Be6 { Closing the e-file so Rce1 wouldn'tbe so effective. } 22. Re3 Ng6 23. Ne2 { Preventing Nf4. } 23... Bf8 { Getting thebishop out of the way to challenge the e-file and starting a manoeuvreto possibly bring the bishop to h6 (with f6 and if gxf6 gxf6 Bh6, or asin the game f6 h4 h6 etc.) } 24. Rb3 Bc8 25. Kf1 f6 { Undermining g5, takingthe e5 square away from white's pieces and starting what I described at23...Bf8. } 26. h4 { The pawn on g5 is cramping up black's kingside, so whitetries to preserve it, gxf6 wouldn't be so good. } 26... a5 { The rook on a8 isdoing nothing, so I began to slowly try to activate it. It's not easy tounbind on the queenside, however. I thought of a slightly strange planhere, which took some time and might not be best, but I also saw whitedoesn't have much to do himself. So, first of all I will play a5 (and latera4 to fixate the weakness on b2), enabling Ra6 (protecting the c6-pawn),then b5, Bd7 (again protecting c6), and only now the rook back to a8. } 27. Bc7 { 27.Rb6 would stop my intended Ra6. I don't know if I would havebeen able to resist 27...Rxe2 here, with 28.Kxe2 Ngf4+ 29.Kf1 (29.Bxf4Nxf4+ 30.Kf1 Bf5! inviting 31.Rxb7?? Bd3+) Kf7 30.Re1 where white is slightlybetter. 27...a4 28.Bc7 Re7 29.Bd6 Rf7 would be better, or 27...Re7 rightaway. } 27... Ra6 28. Re3 Rxe3 { I also considered 28...Kf7, so black still hasthe f4 square for the knights. However, the e3-pawn is now weak and isa potential target for my other rook on e8 and bishop on h6 (see 23...Bf8and 26...a5). } 29. fxe3 b5 30. Kg1 { Maybe 30.Kf2 right away, or even 30.Ng3.I guess white didn't find a good plan here and decided to wait and seeon what black does. } 30... Bd7 31. Kf1 { Again, 31.Kf2 or 31.Ng3. } 31... a4 { I didn'tlike 31...b4 32.a4. } 32. Kf2 Ra8 33. Nc3 Re8 { Finishing what I describedunder 26...a5. } 34. Bh2 Kf7 35. Bc7 h6 36. gxh6 { Maybe white could waitwith 36.Rd1 as in the game? } 36... gxh6 37. Rd1 Ng7 { To play h5, freeing h6 forthe bishop. } 38. Rh1 { Threatening h5, but it can easily be countered. } 38... h5 39. Rc1 { As it turned out, c1 wasn't the best place for the rook. Maybe39.Re1 Nf5 40.Bh3 was more resilient. } 39... Nf5 40. Bh3 { Indirectly defendinge3 and h4 because of the pin on the knight on f5. 40.Re1 N(either)xh4 41.Nxh4Nxh4. } 40... Bh6 { Piling up on e3. This is probably the decisive move already. } 41. Nd1 { 41.Re1 Bxe3+ 42.Kf1 Bc8 } 41... Rxe3 { (!) The start of an exchangingcombination that will leave black with a decisive material advantage. } 42. Bxf5 { Of course not 42.Nxe3?? Bxe3+ and Bxc1. } 42... Rxf3+ { (!) } 43. Kxf3 Nxh4+ 44. Kf2 Nxf5 { And not 44...Bxc1?? 45.Bxd7. Now black has three pawnsfor the exchange and d4 will also fall. } 45. Rc3 Nxd4 { Black is winninghere. He must now try and limit white's counterplay, if possible not givingthe rook open lines and possible targets to attack. I tend to resign earlyand would probably throw in the towel here as white. } 46. Bb6 Ne6 47. Rh3 Kg6 48. Ne3 Nf4 49. Rg3+ Bg5 50. Nf1 h4 51. Rc3 Kh5 52. Be3 Ng6 { A tradeon g5 would be good for black, so the two passed pawns can be connected. } 53. Kg2 Ne5 54. Bxg5 fxg5 55. b4 { Getting rid of the b2 weakness, but creatinganother on a3. } 55... Nc4 56. Kh2 g4 57. Kg1 Bf5 58. Ne3 Be4 59. Nxc4 bxc4 { Blackis easily winning here. } 60. Kh2 g3+ 61. Kh3 Bf5+ 62. Kg2 Kg4 63. Kg1 h3 64. Re3 Be4 65. Re2 c3 66. Ra2 c2 67. Rxc2 Bxc2 68. Kf1 h2 69. Ke2 h1=Q 70. Kd2 Qd1+ 71. Kc3 Qd3+ 72. Kb2 Bb3 73. Ka1 Qc2 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.09"] [Round "-"] [White "victor_ssr"] [Black "francescor68"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1181"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 { started as philidor } 3. d4 Nc6 { then changed to scotch...i wanted to be that way } 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+ { then finally it turnedas 21 centre: queen swap lines my advantage is his king is going to bein the center and he castle... } 5... Kxd8 6. Bg5+ { with this check, i hopedthat black would response with f6 but i was ready for the bishop exchangeat e7 } 6... Be7 7. Bxe7+ Ngxe7 8. Nc3 { developed the knight } 8... a6 9. Bc4 { attackon the undefended f7 pawn } 9... Be6 { an exchange here can make the pawn structerof the black player to collapse on the k side } 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Ng5 { afork attack see f7 and e6 } *

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.07.17"] [Round "-"] [White "leo22_7twin19"] [Black "eric2jin"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1220"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1211"] { I thought I had him, but apparently not. This is a team match with a slimchance of the draw achieved. } 1. Nf3 Nc6 { I am black } 2. d4 d5 3. e3 { !?Letting one bishop go and trapping the other! } 3... Nf6 4. Nc3 Bf5 5. Bd3 e6 6. Ne5 Bb4 7. Bd2 Bxd3 8. cxd3 O-O 9. a3 Ba5 10. b4 Bb6 11. O-O Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. d4 { Pawn } 13... f6 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. f3 Nh5 { Lots of knight movement } 16. g4 Qg5 17. h3 Ng3 18. Rf2 Qh4 19. Rh2 c6 20. a4 Bc7 21. a5 Nh5 { Badbut good } 22. gxh5 Qg3+ { ? } 23. Rg2 Qxh3 24. f4 b6 25. axb6 Bxb6 26. Qg4 { Threatening mate and queen trade } 26... Qxg4 { Solved } 27. Rxg4 Rf5 28. Kf2 Rxh5 29. Rag1 g6 30. Na4 Bd8 31. Nc5 Bh4+ 32. Kf3 g5 33. Be1 Bxe1 34. Rxe1 Rh3+ 35. Rg3 { Blaocked } 35... Rxg3+ 36. Kf2 { ?? Surprising move. } 36... Rh3 37. Nxe6 g4 38. Ng5 Rh6 39. Rg1 Rh2+ 40. Kg3 Rb2 41. Rg2 Rxb4 42. Kxg4 h6 43. Ne6 Kh7 44. Kh5 Rg8 45. Rxg8 Kxg8 46. Nd8 Rb3 47. Nxc6 Rxe3 48. Nxa7 Rh3+ 49. Kg4 Ra3 50. Nc6 Ra6 51. Nb4 Rg6+ 52. Kf5 Rg7 53. Nxd5 h5 54. Ne3 h4 55. Nf1 h3 56. d5 Rh7 57. d6 Rh5+ 58. Ke6 h2 { Trying... } 59. Nxh2 { Nope! } 59... Rxh2 60. d7 { Urge to promote for leo22_7twin19 } 60... Rh6+ 61. Ke7 Rh7+ 62. Ke8 Rh8 { Last chance! } 63. d8=Q { Promote } 63... Kg7+ { Attack! } 64. Ke7 Rxd8 65. Kxd8 Kf6 { Clearly a draw, I sent a draw offer and it was over. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Team match England v Croatian Knights"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "18-Feb-08"] [Round "-"] [White "charleshiggie"] [Black "chorba"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1677"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1792"] 1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 { Of course we have now reached the standard positionin The French Defence, which is normally reached via 1. e4 } 3. Nc3 { TheFrench Defence happens to be the only opening I have a book on, and thereis a rather nice story behind it. I am a supply teacher - what our Americancousins would call a substitute teacher. I go round all sorts of schoolsand colleges. I was in a staff room, browsing at this book, and someonesaid that the owner of the book had left, so if I wanted I could have it.At that time my girlfriend lived in London, and phoned her and mentionedthat I had been given a book on The French Defence. The football worldcup finals had just started and she said 'Isn't there anything about theFrench midfield or the French attack?' She shared by love of football,but not of chess! } 3... Nf6 { The book in question is 'The French Defence' byGligoric, Uhlmann, Botvinnik & Karpov, 1975. They comment on black's thirdmove 'The oldest method of play in the French defence has been somewhatneglected of late. Perhaps the reason for this is that black cannot avoidconcrete variations which tend to favour White, as practical results haveshown. I agree, Bb4 or dxe are probably stronger. } 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 { White can at this stage play 6. h4, with a pawn sac which is perfectlysound, but has been analyzed to a draw. My book devotes a chapter to this.The move I preferred exchanges White's bad bishop which has limited mobilitydue to the pawns on d4 and e5 in return for Black's good Bishop. Whitehas a slight edge. } 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. f4 O-O 8. Nf3 a6 { The book recommends8.... c5 immediately and doesn't consider 8.... a6, although some of thedatabases I use show that the move has been played before. } 9. Bd3 h6 { Whitewas threatening a standard sacrifice with Bxh7 and if Kxh7, Ng5ch and Qto h5 or g4 depending on how Black plays gives White either a winning attack,or, if the bishop is declined, at least an extra pawn. This does need tobe defended against, but f5 or f6 are more common replies, indeed h6 wasnot on any of the databases I use. I had to think for myself from now on! } 10. Ne2 { With my Black squared bishop gone, I am not afraid to put anotherpawn on a black square, c3, to support d4 and allow my bishop to drop backto c2 or maybe even b1. } 10... c5 { c5 is the standard way of counter-attackingagainst the White centre in the French Defence, although here I have itcovered well. } 11. c3 cxd4 12. Nexd4 { I was of course tempted to take backwith the pawn, but this looks stronger, moving my knight from a poor backwardsquare on e2 to a lovely attacking post on d4. } 12... Nc6 13. h4 { Played nowwith the additional bonus that if Black takes my knight on d4 I can recapturewith my other knight without fear of a check from the Black queen on h4 } 13... Nc5 14. Bc2 Bd7 15. Qe2 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 f6 { At last attacking the White centre,but in this case, because h6 was played earlier, it leaves weak white squaresaround the Black king. } 17. g3 fxe5 18. Qxe5 { Now my pawns on d4 and e5have been replaced by pieces which are powerfully placed. Perhaps Blackshould try and exchange them with say 18.... Qf6? White will always havepositional trumps in this sort of position if he plays carefully, as theBlack e pawn is now a backward pawn on a semi-open file, (i.e. White canattack it with rook and/or queen down the e file), and the Black bishopis bad. It is to improve this bishop that my opponent tries next. } 18... Bb5 19. O-O-O Bc4 20. b3 Bb5 21. Rhe1 Rae8 22. f5 { White wisely ignored thetemptation just to fling all the king's side pawns forward and insteadconcentrates on the weak e pawn. It must fall now, leaving the d pawn weaktoo. } 22... Qd8 23. fxe6 Rf6 24. e7 { passed pawns must be pushed! } 24... Qd7 25. Bf5 { I was a little surprised at the resignation, but Black's position is difficult,he is a pawn down, without any compensation, the d pawn is dropping too(Be6 check and Bxd5 is in the air) } 1-0

[Event "Taking on a friend"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Hellion"] [Black "an old friend"] [Result "1-0"] { I was digging through some old papers and came across some hand-writtenlogs of chess games I played in high school... I'll post this one, it'sshort and the game does not have a high standard of play but it is interesting.We were both 16. All annotations by me are in Descriptive, I hate algebraicnotation! } 1. e4 e5 2. f4 f6 { A bad move. Opens up the potential for Q-R5ch. } 3. Nh3 { I move my Knight to R3 to keep open the line for the Queen. } 3... Bb4 4. Nc3 b6 { Haphazard. 2 16-year-olds with little skill, so... } 5. Bc4 Bb7 6. fxe5 fxe5 7. O-O { The threat is obvious... at least to me. } 7... a5 { Notto my opponent. Now Q-R5 ch is coming. } 8. Qh5+ Ke7 9. d4 { Sacrificinga Pawn to open the line for B-N5ch. } 9... exd4 10. Bg5+ Kd6 11. Bf4+ Ke7 12. Qe5+ Kf8 13. Bg5+ { Discoveries are always powerful... } 13... Nf6 14. Rxf6+ gxf6 15. Bxf6 Qc8 16. Bxh8 { Winning back the sacrificed material. } 16... dxc3 { Thisequalizes the material but allows a mate. Black's best hope was 16... B-Q2.If he can follow up with 17... Q-Q1, he'll at least have a couple of pieceshe can use to help defend his exposed King. } 17. Qf6+ Ke8 18. Qf7+ Kd8 19. Bf6+ Be7 20. Bxe7# { I definitely exploited some major mistakes by myopponent, like not developing quickly and opening files where he was weak. } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from strayshift"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.05.31"] [Round "-"] [White "strayshift"] [Black "newbrad"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1837"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1903"] 1. c4 { I chose to annotate this game because it shows the strengths ofthe Botvinnik system of the English (and a weakness of it also). } 1... Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. Nc3 O-O 5. d3 c6 6. e4 { Botvinnik's variation of theEnglish - I like it because Black often tries to play a 'standard QueensPawn defence strategy. However, obviously there is no target pawn on d4and e&c4 are supported. The d4 square is a 'hole' admittedly but this isusually adequately covered by pieces (potentially both Knights and thequeens bishop) and Black can become quite fixated with it. White also hasthe option to play flexibly advancing on the queenside, kingside or thecentre. } 6... a6 7. f4 d6 8. h3 b5 { Black attacks on the queenside, whichis one of the best ways to play against this system in my experience. } 9. Nge2 b4 { I wasn't too worried about this as it eases the threat to mycentre (the Knight can't currently hop into d5 so forcing me to redeployit wasn't a big issue). } 10. Nb1 Bd7 11. O-O e5 12. Qe1 { Beginning to lookat the queenside AND the kingside - again illustrates the systems flexibility. } 12... c5 { Black fixes the centre which means I can focus on a kingside attack. } 13. f5 Qc8 14. g4 Nc6 { A big error which I think decides the game, notthe first time this has happened for me either. } 15. g5 Nh5 16. f6 { Whiteis in effect now a piece up and has a simple plan: exchange pieces andwin the endgame. } 16... Bh8 17. Qh4 Rb8 18. Kh2 b3 19. a3 { Far better than invitingpressure against my centre and queenside with the capture. } 19... Nd4 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. Bf3 Nf4 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Qxf4 Bxh3 { Another error as now I canmate along the h file. } 24. Rh1 d5 25. Kg3 Bd7 26. Qh4 Qc7+ 27. Kg2 h5 28. Bxh5 { Black can only delay the mate by losing material - queen andbishops. } 1-0

[Event "Snap Mate - Part 3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "02-Nov-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "NN"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1596"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1739"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! Here is the third game in a series of 3 called SnapMate. Here my opponent, who has a rating of nearly 1600 falls into a snapmate after only 16 moves played. } 1... e5 2. Nc3 { 2. Nc3 - I try another Vienna. I dabbled in one with Coach Ion and lost that game. Instead of f4 I tryNf3. } 2... Nf6 3. Nf3 d6 { 3. ........ d6 - this is almost transposing into aPhilidor. } 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 c5 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 8. Nf5 { 8.Nf5 - after an exchange of bishops on d7 I move my knight to an aggressivesquare putting pressure on the backward d pawn. } 8... Ne5 { 8. ......... Ne5- and black centralises her knight. } 9. Bg5 g6 { 9. .......... g6 - triesto drive the f5 knight away but ....... } 10. Nd5 { 10. Nd5 - piling up onthe pinned f6 knight and threatening a nasty bishop fork on f6 should thef5 knight be taken. Black tries to wriggle out with a queen check on a5. } 10... Qa5+ 11. b4 cxb4 12. Bxf6 b3+ 13. c3 b2 14. Rb1 Rg8 { 14. ........... Rg8- up to here I have been following the database. However, I look at thesquare f6 and my gut instinct tells me to analyse the board. I thereforedecide to exchange bishop for knight at e5. This protects the c3 pawnfor just one move. I could have rounded up the pawn immediately but Ithink this is an improvement. When playing through the analysis I noticedsomething else - the bishop taking on e5 also frees up the f6 square formy knight and bang we get a knight fork winning the g8 rook. That is whatwill happen if black takes the f5 knight. However, I also noticed thatwhen I played out dxe5, Nf6 - the checkmate detector came on! Wow, I thought. I then set up conditional moves for both possible captures. You can guesswhat black chose here, can't you? } 15. Bxe5 { The database game went likethis in the game between phildo (1660) vs. ioaniuga (1712) in a gameknotteam match:- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3c5 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. Bxd7 Nbxd7 8. Nf5 Ne5 9. Bg5 g6 10. Nd5 Qa5 11. b4 cxb4 12. Bxf6 b3 13. c3 b2 14. Rb1 Rg8 15. Rxb2 gxf5 16. Rxb7 Rc8 17. Bxe5 Rg6 18. exf5 Rh6 (black resigns) Is 15.Bxe5 really stronger than the above, you the jury decide. } 15... dxe5 16. Nf6# { 16. Nf6# - yup, it is mate! The pawn move onto the e file has openedup the d file for Glenda to control with fatal consequences for black! A knight checkmate - cool! } 1-0

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "Sept 9 2018"] [Round "-"] [White "linusinsulins"] [Black "eric2jin"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "black"] [TimeControl "None"] [WhiteElo "white"] { linusinsulins vs eric2jin } 1. e4 { I am black } 1... e6 { French defence } 2. d4 { Yup! } 2... d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4 { ! } 4... Nf6 { I would sometimes do 4... c5 } 5. Bd3 dxc4 { Lost tempo for white now } 6. Bxc4 Be6 7. Bxe6 fxe6 { Bishoptrade } 8. Qe2 { Pinned } 8... Bb4+ { Check } 9. Bd2 Qxd4 10. Bxb4 Qxb4+ { Bishoptrade } 11. Qd2 { !? } 11... Qe4+ 12. Ne2 Qxg2 13. Rg1 Qxh2 { Ahead by 3 } 14. Rxg7 { +2 } 14... Qh1+ 15. Rg1 { One of 2 only moves } 15... Qe4 16. Qa5 b6 17. Qa4+ { ? } 17... c6 { Oops. Should have went 17... Qxa4 } 18. Qxe4 Nxe4 { Queen trade } 19. f3 { Die } 19... Nf6 { Nope } 20. Nbc3 Nbd7 21. Nf4 O-O-O { Queenside castling } 22. Nxe6 Rde8 { Ya! } 23. Rd1 { Slightly better was 23. O-O-O } 23... Rxe6+ { Check } 24. Kd2 Rd6+ { Forcing a trade } 25. Kc1 Rxd1+ 26. Nxd1 { ? } 26... Nd5 27. Nc3 N7f6 { Switch positions } 28. Rg5 h6 29. Rf5 h5 30. Nxd5 Nxd5 31. Kd1 h4 32. Ke1 h3 33. Re5 { ?? } 33... h2 { Yes! } 34. f4 h1=Q+ { Yum yum yum +12 } 35. Kf2 Rh2+ 36. Kg3 Qg2# { Checkmate💵💵💵💵💵 } 0-1

[Event "Double attacks with mate threats!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.12.12"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "charleshiggie"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2085"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1695"] 1. Nf3 { Hi everyone! I hope you have all had a very good Xmas and wishyou a Happy New Year. It has been a long time since you have heard frommy royal couple, Henry and Glenda and it is high time I gave you an update,particularly after reading through an annotated lost game I played withCharleshiggie my opponent - it just goes to show what a high calibre ofplayer he is! But will he be able to add to his winning tally in thisgame? If you do not want to see the gameknot analysis spoiler below Isuggest you read on........ GA is here: http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=26642501&rnd=0.18493705775545544 } 1... d5 { 1 ..... d5 - after playing the Reti opening he decides to respond withd5. I then respond with d4 followed by c4 after he developed his kingknight to give him a kind of QG but with a couple of knight moves fromeach side thrown in. } 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 { 3. ...... c6 - he then decidedto play a QGD Slav Defense - c6 characterises this move. } 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 { 6. Qc2 - Glenda eyes up h7 should King Charles decide tohie off to the kingside. } 6... Bd6 7. Be2 O-O 8. b3 b6 9. Bb2 { 9. Bb2 - eyeingup the a1-h8 diagonal - now King Charles HAS opted for the kingside. } 9... Bb7 10. O-O Qe7 11. Rad1 Rad8 12. Bd3 { 12. Bd3 - putting pressure on h7. } 12... h6 13. Rfe1 c5 14. cxd5 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17. Nc6 { 17. Nc6- wheew, what a plethora of exchanges. Charles and I had been playingthe DB up until this move, which forks BQ and BR so that forces off theexchange for N and B. Charles did oblige with the exchange for N and Bbut with a different bishop. It looked as though I had lost a pawn, sigh........ } 17... Bxh2+ 18. Kxh2 Qd6+ 19. Kg1 Qxc6 20. Qe2 { 20. Qe2! - Now, afterbeing a pawn down I lay a trap for Charles. The g pawn looks as if itwill fall but if he does take it he will find himself down a piece for2 pawns - although it will leave Henry dangerously exposed it will takeCharles a few moves to muster up an attack with the remaining pieces left,particularly as, critically, the queens will have been traded off! } 20... Be4 { 20. ....... Be4?! Charles spotted that trap but putting his bishop whereit is now lined him up perfectly for another tactical shot winning backmy pawn minus with a commanding position. } 21. Qg4 { 21. Qg4! - This movedoubly attacks Charles' bishop on e4 which is only defended once. Also,the chessic grim reaper Old Matey is threatening to pounce on g7 on thenext turn. There is only one move that meets both threats but it forceshim to return the pawn he snaffled ....... } 21... Bg6 22. Bxg6 fxg6 23. Qxg6 Rf7 { 23. ...... Rf7 - the only way to avoid mate on g7. } 24. Rd2 { 24. Rd2- planning to double rooks on the d column and have a possible funnel upto d6 and looking at the vulnerable pawn on e6. However, on the next turn,Charles defends his e6 pawn and offered me a draw. Owing to recent poorform in which I lost several games in which I had an apparently clear advantage,I decided to stick rather than twist. The 8 rating points gained fromthe draw pushed my rating back into the 1700s - just. For the record Ilost my return game as black so this made this result seem very satisfyingindeed. } 24... Re7 1/2-1/2

[Event "A comely end!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2008.08.02"] [Round "-"] [White "edijamu"] [Black "lord_j"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1794"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1570"] { Hello, all! This game is from 2008. I enjoyed it a whole lot! Hope youdo too! } 1. e4 { Standard move. } 1... e5 { Also, usual. } 2. Nf3 { I think thisis the best response; it develops a piece. } 2... Nc6 { Also good! } 3. Bc4 { Iprefer Bb5 via Ruy Lopez. } 3... Nd4 { OK, I don't like this move very much. Itmust be sorta common } 4. Nxe5 { I think this is OK. } 4... Qg5 { ! Probably good. } 5. Ng4 { Blocking Qxg2. I wonder what would happen if White went Nxf7? } 5... d5 { ! Attacking the Bishop and Knight! } 6. Bxd5 { Probably OK. } 6... Bxg4 { !Forcing f3. } 7. f3 { Practically forced. } 7... Bxf3 { ! Very nice! Forces... } 8. gxf3 { Now, Black can penetrate White's Kingdom. } 8... Qg2 { Attacking theRook and f3-pawn! } 9. Rf1 { Now, after Blacks next move, there is a matein 4. Please find it! } 9... Be7 { !! White resigns! } 0-1

[Event "New Orleans; Queen's Pawn, Mason"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1924"] [Round "-"] [White "David Janowsky"] [Black "Edward Lasker"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [TimeControl "tournament"] 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Qb6 6. Qc2 Nbd7 7. Nd2 Bd6 8. Bxd6 Qxd6 9. f4 Ng4 10. Nf1 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qb4+ 12. Ke2 Nb6 13. a3 Qe7 14. Nf3 Bd7 15. h3 Rc8 { Offering the exchange Rook and Knight for White'sQueen, or else Black has the open file. } 16. Qxc8+ { Exchange accepted;are there no better options? } 16... Nxc8 17. hxg4 Nd6 18. Rc1 Nc4 19. Bxc4 dxc4 20. N1d2 b5 21. Rh5 f6 22. g5 Kd8 23. Rch1 Be8 24. Rxh7 Rxh7 25. Rxh7 { AndWhite has equalized. } 25... fxg5 26. Nxg5 Kc8 27. Rh8 Kb7 28. Nde4 Kb6 29. Nc5 Bc6 30. Ngxe6 Bd5 31. Ng5 Ka5 32. e4 Bc6 33. Ke3 Be8 34. Nf3 b4 35. Ne5 Bb5 36. a4 Bxa4 37. Nxc4+ Kb5 38. Ne5 Ka5 39. Rb8 Bb5 40. g3 g5 41. Nf3 gxf4+ 42. gxf4 Qh7 43. f5 Qh1 44. Nb3+ Ka4 45. Nbd2 Qh6+ 46. Kf2 Bd3 47. Rg8 Qf4 48. Rh8 b3 49. Rh4 Qc7 50. f6 Bc4 51. Rh5 Be6 52. Re5 Qf7 53. Rxe6 Qxe6 54. e5 Kb4 55. Ke3 a5 56. Kf4 a4 57. Ng5 Qd7 58. f7 Qe7 59. d5 a3 60. bxa3+ Kc3 61. d6 Qf8 62. Nge4+ Kd3 63. e6 Qh6+ 64. Kf5 b2 65. d7 { Whynot e7 looking for f8=Q? } 65... Qf8 66. a4 Qa8 67. e7 Qd5+ 68. Kf6 Qd4+ 69. Ke6 b1=Q 70. Nxb1 Qxe4+ 71. Kf6 Qh4+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "Primavera 2010, Trebejos"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.09.09"] [Round "-"] [White "Uria, Guillermo"] [Black "Vidal, Josué"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "1534"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 { In the game between G. Matjushin (2500) and V. Jakimov (2453) in Ukraine in May 2009, the following moves were made: 5...Bxd2+ 6.Nbxd2 Nf6 7.Bg2 O-O 8.O-O Qe7 9.Qc2 Kd8 10.Kfd1 Bd7 11.Kac1 Kac8 12.b3 Be8 13.Qb2h6 14.a3 a5 15.e3 Ne4 16.cxd5 exd5 17.Ne1 f5 18.Nd3 Bh5 19.Ke1 Qf6 20.b4axb4 21.axb4 Ne7 22.b5 Be8 23.Kb1 b6 24.Ne5 Ka8 25.Ka1 Nc8 26.Qxa3 Bc4 27.Kxc4 dxc4 28.Nxc6 Kb7 29.Nd8 Qe7 30.Qc3 Kc7 31.Bd5+ Kh8 32.Ne6 g6 33.Bb3 Qg7 0-1 } 5... Nf6 6. a3 { IvanHoe v73: Análisis reporta errores, con cambiode puntuación desde: +0.29 / +0.07 Alternative variation: 6.Bxb4 Nxb4 7.Bg2O-O 8.O-O Qe7 9.a3 Nc6 10.Nc3 dxc4 11.Qa4 Rd8 12.Qxc4 Na5 13.Qb5 Nc6 14.e3a6 15.Qd3 e5 16.d5 h6 = } 6... Bxd2+ 7. Nbxd2 O-O 8. Bg2 Re8 9. Qc2 { Aquí debíde comprender la importancia de enrocar por causa de la clavada sobre miRey que sobrevendría a e5. Preferí jugar la Dama ya que si no mi Caballoestaría sobrecargado cuidando el peón de c y la casilla e4. } 9... e5 10. e4 { Ivanhoe thought he could take advantage of his opponent's mistake by playing a certain move. However, he was wrong and ended up losing a piece. Disgusted with losing a piece, he planned this move... which was based on an incorrect assessment, as I imagined the position would result in an inferiority. } 10... exd4 { IvanHoe recommends taking another pawn, the one on e4. Although I had not seen it so sharply, I was concerned about this alternative. On the other hand, my analysis of the position also supports this other path, so I am still in trouble. } 11. cxd5 Qxd5 { I see that after 12 Qc4 Qxc4 13 Nxc4 Rxe4+ I lose a pawn and am left with a rook endgame as well. That is the "detail" I did not notice... because e4 was "guaranteed" by the Horse. That distraction leads me to fortify e4 defending it while also attacking it with my Bishop, for which I will have to take the Horse to the side of the board. Next, I will show Ivan how another action I could have taken. } 12. Nh4 { IvanHoe v73: Análisis reporta errores,con cambio de puntuación desde: -0.92 / -2.05 Alternative variation: 12.O-OQb5 13.a4 Qb4 14.Ne1 Qb6 15.Nd3 Nb4 16.Qc4 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Qxb2 18.Rac1 Qb619.Nb3 Rd8 20.e5 =+ } 12... d3 { Lo que me trae al tema de cambio de Damas yluego buscar con menos presión cómo igualar el partido. Perderé el Peón,pero el peón de Vidal pasado no estará tan sólido cómo antes. } 13. Qc4 Qxc4 14. Nxc4 Nxe4 15. O-O { My reflection time so far has been 12 minutes, my rival has been thinking for 15 minutes. } 15... b5 { IvanHoe v73: Analysis reports errors, with change of scoring from -2.47 to -1.48. Alternative variation: 15...Bg4 16.f3 Be6 17.fxe4 Bxc4 18.Rfc1 Na5 19.Rc3 b5 20.Nf3 Nb3 21.Rd1 Nc5 22.Rcc1 Rad8 23.Nd2 Rd4 24.b4 Nb3 25.Rb1 Nxd2 26.Rxd2 } 16. Nd2 f5 17. Rfe1 g5 { Erra no tomando la variación que propone el programa, u otras líneas notan buenas, pero mejores a lo jugado, y la situación se iguala. IvanHoev73: Análisis reporta errores, con cambio de puntuación desde: -2.18 /-0.22 Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 14:-2.18 17...Nd4 18.Rad1 Ne2+19.Kf1 b4 20.f3 Nd6 21.Nb3 Nc4 22.Rxd3 Nxb2 23.Rxe2 Rxe2 24.Rd8+ Kf7 25.Rxc8Rxc8 26.Kxe2 bxa3 27.Nxf5 a2 28.f4 Rd8 29.Ne3 Ke6 30.Bh3+ Kf6 31.Ng4+ Ke732.Ne5 Rd1 } 18. Nxe4 { Non una idea similar a la correcta, pero inferior,le devuelvo la ventaja. Véase la variación propuesta por el programa. IvanHoe v73: Análisis reporta errores, con cambio de puntuación desde: -0.22 / -1.52 Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 14:-0.22 18.Nxf5 Bxf519.Nxe4 Kg7 20.Nc3 d2 21.Re3 Rxe3 22.fxe3 Bd7 23.Rd1 Re8 24.Rxd2 Ne5 25.Ne4h6 26.Nc5 Bc8 27.b3 Rf8 28.a4 a6 29.Rd1 } 18... fxe4 19. Bxe4 { No veo claramentela situación. Simplemente quiero cambiar para luego poder disponer tranquilamentedel peón de d. Análisis reporta errores, con cambio de puntuación desde: -1.54 / -2.22 Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 14:-1.54 19.Nf3 Bf520.Nd2 Ne5 21.Nxe4 Bxe4 22.Rxe4 Rad8 23.a4 a6 24.Rd1 g4 25.axb5 axb5 26.Kf1Kg7 27.h3 h5 28.hxg4 hxg4 29.Re3 Rd6 } 19... d2 { My opponent made a mistake which cost him the breath to give a check and change the game, even saving the ball, so now I have a clear advantage. Analysis reports errors, with a change in the score from -2.28 to +2.36. Alternative variation: [IvanHoev73] 14:-2.28 19...Rxe4 20.Rxe4 gxh4 21.Rd1 Bf5 22.Rxh4 Ne5 23.Rb4 Bd7 24.Rf4 Kg7 25.f3 Re8 26.Ke3 c5 27.Re4 c4 28.Ke3 } 20. Bd5+ { He usado 19minutos y mi rival 33 minutos } 20... Kg7 { Erra groseramente la defensa, quedebió ser según la variación que propone el motor de cálculo. Análisisreporta errores, con cambio de puntuación desde: +2.47 / +6.98 Alternativevariation: [IvanHoe v73] 15:+2.47 20...Be6 21.Rxe6 Rxe6 22.Bxe6+ Kg7 23.Nf3Re8 24.Bg4 Ne5 25.Nxe5 Rxe5 26.Kf1 Re4 27.f3 Rc4 28.Rd1 Rc2 29.Ke2 Rxb230.Rxd2 Rxd2+ 31.Kxd2 Kf6 32.Bd7 a6 33.Bc6 Ke5 34.Kc3 Kd6 35.Bb7 a5 36.Be4h5 37.h3 c6 } 21. Rxe8 Bb7 { Análisis reporta errores, con cambio de puntuacióndesde: +6.86 / +7.54 Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 14:+6.86 21...gxh422.Bxc6 Kf7 23.Bxa8 Kxe8 24.Rd1 Ke7 25.Rxd2 Be6 26.Be4 hxg3 27.hxg3 c528.Bxh7 a5 29.Kg2 b4 30.axb4 axb4 31.Be4 c4 32.Rc2 Kf6 33.f3 } 22. Nf5+ Kf6 23. Rxa8 Bxa8 24. Ne3 { Aquí tengo que confesar algo: me sentí tan seguroque 'me puse a cancherear', lo que derivará en falta de concentración ypróximamente en el regalo de una torre. En realidad, de aquí en más juguémuy relajado, buscando solucionar rápidamente el trámite. Y jugué muy rápido. } 24... Bb7 25. Rd1 Ne5 { Análisis reporta errores de +7.81 / +10.45 Alternativevariation: [IvanHoe v73] 14:+7.81 25...Ke7 26.Rxd2 a6 27.Be4 Na5 28.Bxb7Nxb7 29.Nd5+ Kd6 30.Nf6+ Ke5 31.Nxh7 g4 32.Rd7 Na5 33.Rxc7 Nc4 34.Rg7 Nxb235.Rg5+ Kd6 36.Rxg4 a5 37.Rg5 Kc6 38.h4 Nc4 } 26. Bxb7 { He pensado durante25 minutos, y Vidal durante 50 minutos } 26... c6 27. Rxd2 { After thinking clearly that I had to move Kg2 to avoid the double check... it showed that I had lost all concentration. From then on I was committed to the idea 'to win one pawn is enough' and I tried to liquidate the position and to get my king to safety, while at the same time trying to promote one of my pawns. I believe that, apart from adding the best variations where applicable, no further comment is necessary. Analysis reports an error of +11.66 / +5.60. Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 15: +11.66 27.Kg2 Ke7 28.Rxd2a6 29.Bxa6 h5 30.Bc8 Nf7 31.Rd7+ Kf6 32.Bb7 Ke6 33.Rd4 c5 34.Bc8+ Kf6 35.Rxb5 } 27... Nf3+ 28. Kg2 Nxd2 29. Bxc6 a6 30. Nd5+ { I have used 28 minutes, while my opponent has used 54 minutes. } 30... Ke6 31. Nc7+ { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 15:+5.79 31.Nc3 Ke532.Bb7 a5 33.Nxb5 Nb3 34.Bf3 Nc5 35.Be2 Na4 36.b3 Nc5 37.Bc4 Ne4 38.f3Nd2 39.Kf2 Nxc4 40.bxc4 } 31... Kd6 32. Bxb5 Kxc7 { Alternative variation: [IvanHoev73] 14:+3.21 32...axb5 33.Nxb5+ Kc5 34.Nc3 Kd4 35.Nd1 Nc4 36.Kf3 Kd3 37.a4Ne5+ 38.Kg2 Kc2 39.Ne3+ Kxb2 40.a5 Kc3 41.a6 Nc6 42.f4 gxf4 43.gxf4 Kd444.Kf3 } 33. Bxa6 Kb6 34. Bd3 Ka5 { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73]14:+4.55 34...h6 35.f4 gxf4 36.gxf4 Nb3 37.f5 Nc5 38.Be2 Kc7 39.b4 Na440.Kf3 Kd6 41.Ke4 Nc3+ 42.Kd3 Nd5 43.Kd4 Ne7 44.Bd3 Nc6+ 45.Ke4 Ne5 46.Be2Nd7 47.b5 } 35. Bxh7 { He pensado durante 30 minutos, y él lo ha hechodurante una hora. } 35... Ka4 36. Bg8 { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 15:+9.1436.h4 g4 37.h5 Nf3 38.h6 Ng5 39.Bc2+ Kb5 40.Bf5 Kc5 41.Bxg4 Kd6 42.b4 Kd543.f4 Nh7 44.Kf3 Kc4 45.Bf5 Nf6 46.h7 Nxh7 47.Bxh7 Kb3 48.b5 Kxa3 49.f5 } 36... g4 37. b3+ { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 15:+8.63 37.Be6 Ne438.Bxg4 Nf6 39.Bd1+ Kb5 40.h4 Kc4 41.h5 Nh7 42.h6 Kd3 43.g4 Kd2 44.Bf3Kd3 45.Kg3 Ng5 46.b4 Kd4 47.b5 Ke5 48.b6 } 37... Kxa3 38. Bd5 Kb4 39. f3 { Alternativevariation: [IvanHoe v73] 14:+5.12 39.f4 Kc5 40.Be6 Kd6 41.Bxg4 Nxb3 42.h4Nd4 43.h5 Ke7 44.Bf3 Ne6 45.h6 Kf6 46.Bd5 Nc7 47.Be4 Kf7 48.g4 Ne6 49.Kf3Nd4+ 50.Ke3 } 39... Kc5 40. Be4 { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 15:+4.9640.Ba8 gxf3+ 41.Bxf3 Kd6 42.h4 Ke5 43.b4 Nc4 44.b5 Kf5 45.Kf2 Ke5 46.h5Kf5 47.Be2 Nb6 48.Ke3 Kg5 49.Bf3 Nd7 50.Kd4 Nb6 51.Bd1 Kh6 } 40... Kd4 41. b4 { Yo he utilizado 32 minutos y mi oponente 65 minutos. Alternative variation:[IvanHoe v73] 15:+4.87 41.Kf2 gxf3 42.Bc2 Kc3 43.Bd1 Kd4 44.h4 Nb1 45.Bxf3Nc3 46.b4 Ke5 47.h5 Kf6 48.g4 Nb5 49.Ke3 Kg5 50.Be2 Nc3 51.b5 Nd5+ 52.Kd4Nf4 53.Bf3 } 41... Ke3 42. b5 { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 16:+6.6942.h4 gxh3+ 43.Kxh3 Kd4 44.b5 Nc4 45.g4 Ke5 46.Kh4 Nb6 47.g5 Ke6 48.Kg4Kf7 49.g6+ Kf6 50.f4 Nc4 51.f5 Nb6 52.Kh5 Nc8 53.Kh6 Ne7 54.g7 Ke5 55.b6Kxe4 56.f6 Ng8+ 57.Kg6 } 42... gxf3+ 43. Bxf3 Nxf3 44. b6 Ne5 45. b7 Nc6 46. h4 Ke4 47. Kh3 Kd5 { Alternative variation: [IvanHoe v73] 15:+4.51 47...Kf548.h5 Kg5 49.g4 Nb8 50.Kg2 Na6 51.Kf3 Kh6 52.Kf4 Nb8 53.Ke5 Kg5 54.Ke4Nc6 55.Kd5 Nb4+ 56.Ke6 Na6 57.Ke5 Nc5 58.h6 Kxh6 } 48. Kg4 Kd6 49. Kg5 Kc7 50. Kg6 Kxb7 51. h5 { My watch indicates that I have used 34 minutes, while my rival has used 70 minutes. } 51... Ne5+ 52. Kg7 Ng4 53. h6 Nxh6 54. Kxh6 Kc6 55. Kg6 Kd7 56. Kf7 Kd6 57. g4 { Al finalizar mi tiempo totalde reflexión fue de 35 minutos, mientras que él utilizó 75 minutos. Lapartida podía seguir sencillamente hasta un mate, por ejemplo así Alternativevariation: 57.g4 16:+11.60 57...Ke5 58.g5 Kf5 59.g6 Kf4 60.g7 Ke5 61.g8=QKd4 62.Qg4+ Kc3 63.Qe4 Kd2 64.Qf3 Kc1 65.Qe2 Kb1 66.Ke6 Ka1 67.Kd5 Kb168.Kc4 Kc1 69.Kb3 Kb1 70.Qd1# } 1-0

[Event "Team match, http://gameknot.com/chess.pl?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.09.23"] [Round "-"] [White "alibekof"] [Black "bernart"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1701"] [WhiteElo "1713"] { C45: Scotch Game } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 d6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Bd3 Nf6 { Here, the theory ends. } 7. f3 { Preventing an invasion on g4. } 7... Be7 8. Be3 O-O { The black pieces are sequentially rocked. } 9. Nc3 { лучшебыло 9. O-O d5 10. Nd2 Re8 = } 9... Re8 10. O-O Bf8 11. Qd2 d5 12. Rad1 { Queen takes two pawns. } 12... Bb7 13. Qe2 { альтернатива: 13. Qf2Bd6 += } 13... Bd6 14. Qf2 a5 15. a4 Qe7 16. Bg5 { We are much stronger than 16. Rfe1!? with the possibility of 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Bxe4 +=. } 16... h6 17. Bh4 { непоправимаяошибка, после чего надо сдаваться необходимо было 17. Bxf6- лучший шансQxf6 18. f4 =+ } 17... Bc5 18. Bxf6 { 18. exd5 не особо помогает Bxf2+ 19. Bxf2cxd5 -+ } 18... Bxf2+ 19. Rxf2 Qxf6 20. Re1 Qd4 21. Rf1 { 21. Rd1 бесполезно]dxe4 22. Bxe4 Qb6 -+ } 21... c5 { There is no sense in commenting further. } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.07.09"] [Round "-"] [White "melhow73"] [Black "azanne"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1322"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1356"] 1. e4 { Well, this is a great game from my friend melhow. He won this gamein a team match, and caused us to move up from rank 45 to 22. Thanks man!!Hope you all enjoy it! } 1... e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 { The great way to start offa game. However, maybe better would be d4, ripping up the center in thebeginning of the game. } 3... Bg4 4. Nc3 a6 { Not the best, better would probablybe nf6 or nc6. } 5. Nxe5 { Wow!! A great move, winning a pawn. } 5... Bxd1 { Ahorrible blunder, you will see how melhow here destroyed him. } 6. Bxf7+ Ke7 7. Nd5# { Wow, amazing!! What a great game melhow, and thanks for thewin and the team match. Hope you liked it, and please rate it. } 1-0

[Event "Tal's Inferno. Varna, Bulgaria. 1958"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Bobotsov, M."] [Black "Tal, M."] [Result "0-1"] { In this famous game, Tal steadily mounts the pressure against Bobotsovwith a queen sacrifice at the apex of Tal's inferno. } 1. d4 Nf6 { Tal setsthe scene to his inferno with the Indian Defense opening which can easilymorph into almost any defense of his choosing. } 2. c4 g6 { Bobotsov laysclaim to the center as Tal preps his bishop's fianchetto along the h8-a1diagonal. } 3. Nc3 Bg7 { Now that Tal's fiancetto is complete, he can addthe next ingredients that composes the alchemy of his inferno. } 4. e4 d6 { E77. King's Indian/ Six Pawn Attack. } 5. f3 { E80. White plans to castlelong and fight king-side, but of course Tal knows that... } 5... O-O { King-sidedevelopment complete! Now into the inferno we shall delve! } 6. Nge2 c5 7. Be3 Nbd7 8. Qd2 { White anticipates his O-O-O. } 8... a6 { Tal continues withhis plan to dominate the queenside by restricting White's ability to manueverwith ease. } 9. O-O-O Qa5 { Tal subjects his queen to a discovered attack/sacrificewhich proves to be his least necessary piece. } 10. Kb1 { What's Tal's nextmove? Hmmm... 10...Nb6 seems sound, attacking c4 with a fork on White'squeen and bishop or perhaps 10...Re8 will suffice... } 10... b5 { Tal chooses tocontinue mounting the pressure on White's queen-side while setting thestage for his Queen's dramatic suicide. } 11. Nd5 { For white's next move,11. dxc5 dxc5 would've been abit more reasonable as to open the d-fileand then 12. Nd5. } 11... Nxd5 { And now the moment we've all been awaiting! Tal thrusts his queen into the pit of the inferno as the spectators gaspwith awe! Now all Tal must do is stir the fire that it may burn ever fiercely! } 12. Qxa5 Nxe3 { White is now up in material, but he must figure out howto use this to his advantage. Meanwhile, Tal eyeballs the b2 square andplans to open the diagonal for his bishop on g7 who's been waiting so patientlyfor its time to shine. } 13. Rc1 { White moves his rook to safety and hopesto trade down material to ease the pressure and regain the initiative butas we shall see, hope will soon be all White has left.. } 13... Nxc4 14. Rxc4 { It is commonly agreed that 14. Qe1 would've been the better move here. White does achieve the opening of the b-file, but unfortunately (for him)it is to Tal's advantage. } 14... bxc4 { Material is now even but Tal's positionis clearly much better. } 15. Nc1 { White activates his bishop and attacksc4. } 15... Rb8 { With mounting pressure, Tal ceases the b-file. } 16. Bxc4 { WithWhite's d4 pawn free for the taking, 16...Bxd4 would allow White to counterTal's bishop with 17. Nb3 while safeguarding his vulnerable b2 square. All would be well and return to normalcy. But tsk tsk, White's bishopis just abit too pesky... } 16... Nb6 17. Bb3 { Perhaps 17. Bxa6 would've beenbetter, gaining a pawn while trading down and activating his stagnant queenin the process... } 17... Bxd4 { With White's bishop safeguarding the b2 square,Tal is free to lay claim to d4, opening the diagonal. Tal keeps the fireraging and guns pointed at that b2 square. } 18. Qd2 Bg7 { Tal prevents amounting attack on his valuable bishop with 19. Ne2 in which White wouldbe more than happy to trade off. Unfortunately (for white), 18...Bd7 19.Ne2...Na4 20. Nxd4...21. cxd4, is just a pipe dream! } 19. Ne2 c4 { Excuseme, Sir Bishop... would you so kindly step away from the b-2 square sothat I may more easily checkmate your king? } 20. Bc2 { Thank you, kindly... } 20... c3 21. Qd3 { 21. Nxc3 Nc4 proves to be fatal for white, ending with eithera lost queen or mate. } 21... cxb2 22. Nd4 Bd7 { Tal opens the 8th rank for hisrook, preparing to seize the c-file and maneuver his knight to a4. } 23. Rd1 Rbc8 24. Bb3 Na4 25. Bxa4 { Both b and c-files are possessed by Taland his b2 pawn is once again invincable. Trading pieces doesn't seemto do much for White. At this point he doesn't seem to have very many options. } 25... Bxa4 26. Nb3 { Once again, Tal's bishop's diagonal is wide open. } 26... Rc3 27. Qxa6 Bxb3 { he infernal blazes full throttle as White is left with few choices.Mate lingers in the air as the tread (or perhaps noose?) White is hangingon gets tighter... } 28. axb3 Rfc8 { With both Tal's rooks charged on thec-file, can you hear the bolt locking into place? } 29. Qa3 { Oops... Whitejust steps into a forced mate... See it? } 29... Rc1+ 30. Rxc1 { Now it's matein two.... } 30... Rxc1+ { Well, I'm sure you see the mate by now, if you hadn'talready. White decides to throw in the towel (or maybe take an ice coldbath.) } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.12.18"] [Round "-"] [White "prophylaxiss"] [Black "tkdkittens"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1988"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2147"] 1. e4 { Sicilian Defense, Najdorf, Byrne-English Attack, B90 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2 Nbd7 9. g4 Ne5 { ?! A major deviation from the normal lines, which are 9...h6 or 9...Nb6. Perhaps my opponent saw somewhere that Black had scored well with thisline, despite the few number of games played...but this move clearly givesWhite the initiative, and perhaps 14.f5 came as a surprise to Black... } 10. g5 Nfd7 11. f4 Nc4 12. Bxc4 bxc4 13. O-O-O Qc7 14. f5 Ne5 15. Rhf1 Rb8 16. Kb1 Qb7 { 16...Bd7 17.e6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qb7 19.b3 cxb3 20.bxc4 Nc4 21.Qd3 Nxe3 22.Qxe3 a5 = } 17. b3 Be7 { 17...cxb3 18.axb3 Qc7 or just 17...Qc7is better. By playing 17...Be7, Black subjugates himself to an immediatepawn fork and subsequent temporary residence on f6 for one of White's footsoldiers, which turns out to be a thorn in Black's side for the rest ofthe game... } 18. f6 gxf6 19. gxf6 cxb3 20. axb3 Nc4 { Black sees an opportunityto gain 2 Bishops vs. 2 Knights for the coming endgame...but before theendgame arises, the middle game still exists! } 21. Qe2 Nxe3 22. Qxe3 Bf8 23. e5 { ! Lending support to his mate on f6, but it appears that Blackcan close the center with his next move, 23...d5! } 23... d5 24. Nxd5 { !!! ATal, Alekhine, Spielmann, and Nezhmetdinov-like sac!!! I believe Spielmannmight classify this as a vacating sacrifice, since the object of a vacatingsacrifice is to clear a certain square for a certain piece (the e6 squarefor the pawn on e5--if Black takes the knight with the pawn on e6). Itcould also be classified as a line-clearing sacrifice, since White choseto capture the Knight on d5 with his Queen, thereby keeping his pawn one6. The main points to note are the two White rooks and queen on thed, e, and f files (with no other pieces to obstruct the White rooks frommoving freely along his first rank), the advanced pawn on f6, the advancedpawn on e5 ready to move on to e6 if given an opportunity, the unobstructedmobility of the queen, and the knight on d4, which can quickly penetrateinto Black's position. Black's king in the center is always a huge redflag, especially since both Black bishops are still on their original squares! } 24... Qxd5 { 24...exd5 is better, but still not good enough! One line runs 24...exd525.e6 Bd6 26.exf7+ Kxf7 27.Rg1 Rg8 28.Rxg8 Kxg8 29.Qe8+ Bf8 30.Rg1+ Bg431.Rxg4+ Kh8 32.f7! and Black will soon be mated... } 25. Nf5 Qb5 26. Ng7+ Bxg7 27. fxg7 Rg8 28. Rxf7 { !!! Spielmann would classify this sacrificeas a king's hunt sacrifice. If 28...Kxf7 then 29.Qf3+ Ke7 (29...Ke8 30.Qh5+Ke7 31.Qg5+ Ke8 32.Rd8+ Kf7 33.Qf6 mate, or 29...Kg6 30.Rg1+ Kh6 31.Qh3mate) 30.Qf6+ Ke8 31.Rd8 mate! } 28... Bd7 29. Qf2 { Now White infiltrates on hisnext move with another heavy piece to Black's 2nd rank and the rest ofthe moves are pretty much forced... } 29... Kd8 30. Qa7 Rb7 31. Qa8+ Kc7 32. Rfxd7+ Qxd7 33. Rxd7+ Kxd7 34. Qxb7+ Ke8 35. Qc8+ Kf7 36. Qd7+ Kg6 37. Qxe6+ Kg5 38. Qxg8 Kg6 39. Qf8 h6 40. g8=Q+ Kh5 41. Qf3+ Kh4 42. Qgg4# 1-0

[Event "Challenge from thitho"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.05.25"] [Round "-"] [White "alira22"] [Black "thitho"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1722"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1637"] 1. e4 { still hate openings... } 1... e5 { i have to force me to do this. } 2. Nf3 Nf6 { the only one i know best } 3. Nc3 { three knights... hate that... } 3... Nc6 { for once i decided to play the four knights. } 4. Bc4 Bb4 5. Ng5 { wellthis is a very old trap... } 5... O-O 6. d3 h6 7. Nf3 { and back... you lost amove } 7... d5 { first good move } 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Bxd5 Qxd5 10. O-O Bxc3 11. bxc3 { for now, i have a better pawn structure... that is all... maybe i shouldreconsider 4-knights for later games... :-) (just kidding, i know he mademistakes) } 11... Bg4 { i hoped to double another pawn } 12. c4 Qe6 { i have hesitatedwith Bxf3, but i finally lose... } 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 { another hesitation...but nothing good against an opponent that can study the game } 14... Bg6 15. Bb2 f5 { of course } 16. Nh2 fxg4 17. hxg4 { the best move, i think All the otherswere a catastrophy } 17... Rf7 18. f3 Raf8 19. Kg2 h5 20. Qe2 hxg4 { not very good... } 21. fxg4 Qd6 22. Rxf7 Bxf7 23. Re1 Re8 24. Nf3 Nd4 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. Qf2 c5 27. Rxe8+ Bxe8 28. Qg3 Qxg3+ { i counted that my bishop was better thanhis knight: i can force him to stay by his c2 and a2 pawns and go to exploreby myself... On the other side, he will try to force my king to stay onmy side... And by succeeding this, it is a draw. } 29. Kxg3 Kf8 { avoidinga e5+ } 30. Kf4 Ke7 31. Nd2 { intending to play Nb2 in case i attack on a4,which was my goal in case his horse went to close to my king } 31... Bc6 32. Nb3 b6 { i don't want his horse on this side of the board } 33. Nd2 Ke6 { letus go now } 34. Nb1 Kf6 35. Na3 a6 { still don't want him :-) } 36. Nb1 b5 37. cxb5 axb5 { have to be very careful to avoid the draw or the free a-pawn } 38. Nd2 g5+ { he has to withdraw. } 39. Kg3 Bd5 { pointing a2? no: c4! } 40. a3 Ke5 { but first I approach to protect d4... And here, in case of Nf3,i planned to take the horse, install the king on d5 and go on with c5.Unstoppable. } 41. Nb1 c4 42. Nd2 { this is the defense i did not expect,but it didn't change my plan. } 42... c3 { Yes! i guess he did not expect thisone! } 43. Nf3+ Bxf3 44. Kxf3 Kd5 45. Ke2 Kc5 { i expected the meeting ona3 by 46 Kd1 Kb6 (not b4 that leads to a draw) 47. Kc1 Ka5 48. Kb1 Ka4and force him to zugzwang after 49 Ka2 b4 50. axb Kxb4 and I go back tohis g-pawn... } 46. Kf3 { but he eased my mind } 46... b4 47. axb4+ Kxb4 48. Ke4 Ka3 49. Kxd4 Kb2 { i am first... } 50. Ke5 Kxc2 51. Kf5 Kxd3 52. Kxg5 c2 53. Kf6 c1=Q 54. g5 Qc8 55. Kg7 Ke4 56. g6 Kf5 57. Kh7 Kf6 58. g7 { nextis my Q on 7th line... it is over... } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.05.14"] [Round "-"] [White "grege79"] [Black "imun"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1052"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1090"] { Going for Ruy Lopez } 1. e4 e5 { Traditional, not sure what its actuallycalled. But I prefer playing it than the sicilian. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Qf6 { Ok, this is a variation. He is trying to get a quick edge on me. The queenis not only backing up the knight, it is attacking d4. Maybe this setupcalls for an early c3 with a d4 launch coming? I could also castle, oreven b3 with fianchetto in mind. I don't want to let the development ofblack out run me here. I think I like the fianchetto, it gives me a nicekingside diagonal, backs d4, will prob cause opponent to d6, and I canstill c3 and d4. } 4. b3 Bc5 { Ok, now d4 has a lot of heat, as well as pressureon f2. I see to things, my white bishop has become isolated somewhat, itwill have to return to Bb2 I think. I think this may get messy quickly,I like the castle here. } 5. O-O a6 { There is the bishop threat, retreatto e2. Now I am in danger of losing the pawn, but he doesn't have the structureto grab it yet. But he may go Nh6, with a view to Ng3. I think I will retreatand then play h3. Priority moves in my mind are c3, Bb2 and then d3 ord4. Not sure what order yet. } 6. Be2 d6 { Okay, he has backed up his pawnstructure. d3 is an option, but weak in my mind. If I move the d pawn,it really should be to d4. I think the fianchetto, followed by c3. ButI am worried about the knight coming down kingside. A bishop attackingmy horse now would prob be doing me a favor to be honest. Lets fianchettoand see how it goes. } 7. Bb2 Bg4 { Well I got my wish. C3 as per my thoughts.. } 8. c3 O-O-O { Castle queenside. I didn't expect that, d4 still looks good,but it will leave me down some, I need to play Rfe1 to shore up my defences.However that would lead to d5 methinks, I am not sure how that would workout, it makes my head ache thinking of it! but I could still d4, afterthat there are too many combos to consider. } 9. Re1 h5 { I have changedmy mind here now. I want to play h3 and then onto d4. } 10. h3 Be6 { Ok,there is a lot going on, this could backfire with a rook threat to my queen,but here goes... } 11. d4 exd4 { Which to use.. this is opening up, voteknight, I need to concentrate on queenside, so a good reason to pull inthe knight, plus it threatens the white bishop. } 12. Nxd4 d5 { Tricky! Ihave looked at this, I am thinking nxc6 here, threatens the rook on thequeen threat, and in responding pawns will be doubled.. } 13. Nxc6 Bxf2+ { This is going to hurt. That is twice I ignored the bishop. } 14. Kh1 { Thisseems the best option, no check immediate check line. } 14... Bxe1 { Okay, letshave a look here. Need to pick something up from this. Is there a way totake his bishop and save my knight? Would make the trade worthwhile. Ican see a way to mess his pawn structure up in the loss of the piece, buthe would have to do that anyway. Actually, this could be intersting. Iwill go 2 down, but there will be some momentum. I really need to get myknight out of the way to let my rook do his job. } 15. Qxe1 Rd6 { Okay, hesaw it was not prepared to make the exchange. nd4 seems strongest, na5tempted me. } 16. Nd4 g5 { Okay nd2 to develop and back e4, also preps fornf3 if required. } 17. Nd2 g4 { This is looking messy. I am looking to seeif I can prevent anything from happening. Best option seems to be h4....Hopefully this stormy weather clears up.. } 18. h4 Nh6 19. g3 { This seemsto be the best option, halts the king attack, nf5 doesnt seem to be tobad to me. } 19... c5 { Attack queenside. I think this is not a bad move by black,but I think he could have found more momentum elsewhere. This should getheated now! Lets exchange, lots of options ahead. } 20. Nxe6 Rxe6 { Okay,I have to be really careful. There is prob only 1 or 2 moves that willkeep me in this game. I am looking forward to analysing this one later.Ok, the 2 moves I can see are rb1 or bd3. I think I need to rb1, to activatemy pieces. Lets roll the dice! } 21. Rb1 dxe4 { Okay! I think I may finallybe able to capitalise. I can see the skewer on the diagonal, I can't seea good response for black. I could take the pawn, but then I lose the skewer.My hope is that I grab the skewer and hopefully that distracts him to makeanother mistake and I can grab a pawn as well. } 22. c4 Re5 { I just anaysedthe buggery out of this move and then didn't save. The short version isI was planning a move, bd1 (after the take and exchange), but it was crap,but then I relised once the queen takes the bishop I can agress with bd3!!then swing my knight up and get some breathing space. This is a great game,I am enjoying it. } 23. Bxe5 Qxe5 24. Bd3 { Something else I just realised,if he isnt careful, I may get his queen from a bishop check. } 24... Rd8 { Andhe is going to fall for it I hope! Hope he stays greedy... } 25. Bxe4 Rxd2 { I just looked as this before checking the annotation, and I was thinkingit was a great move by black, with the rook check fork etc... Then I checkedthe annotation and realised it was covered. The stormy weather is clearinga little now, was pretty intense for a while! } 26. Bxb7+ Kxb7 27. Qxe5 Rxa2 28. Qxh5 { I see a chance to knock the horse out } 28... Ng8 29. Qxf7+ { andduly take it. } 29... Kb6 30. Qxg8 a5 31. h5 { Black resigned at this point. Iam really happy with winning this game, it is one I would have lost inthe past, but if you are bored and want to see where I could improve itwould be much appreciated. Greg } *

[Event "lord of the strings"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.09.17"] [Round "-"] [White "minidovan"] [Black "crinel"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1407"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1429"] 1. e4 { This is a game where a mistake in the opening forced me to seekfor positional advantage all the game. The game was entitled by my opponent } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 { C49 Four Knights Opening\Double SpanishVariation 4.Bb5 Bb4 A risky opening for black pieces, as white havethe initiative, but it is still OK. } 5. O-O { C49 Four Knights Opening\DoubleSpanish Variation 4.Bb5 Bb4 A risky opening for black pieces, as whitehave the initiative, but it is still OK. } 5... d6 { my mistake in the opening.instead of castling, as the opening book recommends, I tried to protectmy pawn, in case of 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Nxe5. here my score is -0.88 } 6. Nd5 { ...and this is the result. Now I couldn't make the Nxd5 move, as, afterexd5, my opponent wins a knight for a pawn, also having my pawns on c filedoubled. So I was forced to move my bishop either to a5, or to c5. } 6... Ba5 7. d3 { my opponent prepares the Bg5, which would be a very powerful move,taking into consideration that my f6 knight which will be pinned is attackedby his d5 knight Here my score is -0.92 } 7... a6 { I try to make use of thefact that my opponent doesn't win material from pinning my f6 knight soI try to attack his bishop, as I will have it either chased, or tradedwith my } 8. Bxc6+ { the score for black is -0.47 } 8... bxc6 9. Ne3 O-O 10. Nc4 Bb6 { Trying to make my queen-side pawn structure stronger } 11. Be3 { A movethat comes into conflict with the chess principle 'if you are up positionally,try to maintain the pressure and avoid trading' } 11... Bg4 { gaining counter-play } 12. b3 { I can't understand why did my opponent move like this. weakeningthe pawn structure on purpose and losing tempo here my score is +0.03And I did my best to maintain it positive till the end of the game. Basicallythat's the point where I took the initiative. } 12... Re8 { I wanted to push mypawn to d5, but I had to defend my e5 pawn first. Score: +0.10 } 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15. Re1 { I wonder why did my opponent move this way. Probablyhe was afraid that I would take his bishop and he still wanted to maintainthat pawn on the f file, trying to push it forward. even so, the bishopwas protected by the knight and my opponent even took my bishop with hisknight at 17. g5 Bxe3 18. Nxe3, so this was a pointless move, copying mechanically my 12th move. as result of this move, I gained tempo and my score was+0.17 } 15... Nd7 16. h4 h5 17. g5 { My opponent weakened his castle-sided pawnstructure on purpose, a fact that I fully exploited in the end of the middle-game.Perhaps he has a wrong conception of what a strong pawn structure is. Score: +0.18 } 17... Bxe3 18. Nxe3 { Probably, my opponents intention was not tolose tempo in case of 18.Rxe3 d5, where he should have retreated with theknight in a more defensive position, as d, as my next move would have beend4, pushing my pawn forward and chase his knight, if he retreated to e3.If he chose 19.exd5 cxd5, no problem, he should have retreated with theknight, and I gained tempo anyway. } 18... Nc5 { Aiming for Qd7 and then Qg4 } 19. Qd2 { Probably connecting rooks } 19... Qd7 20. Kf1 { here the computer suggeststhat White's best move would have been Kh2 } 20... d5 { The computer analysis suggeststhat my best move would have been Qh3+, aiming for 20. Ke2 Ne6 21. Qd1Nf4+ 22. Kd2 d5 23. Rh1 Qe6 24. exd5 cxd5 25. Kc1 Rab8 26. Rb1 d4 27. Nc4Rb5. Now, after the game, this sequence of moves makes sense to me, asI really could gain more pressure on White's King, however, during thegame I tend to focus on material advantage and when I saw that after Qh3+I couldn't capture his Knight, I considered this move to be pointless,not seing the potential check with my knight, but centralizing my pawnswas also a good move, which gave me the score of +0.60 } 21. exd5 cxd5 { nowI fully control the center. My score is +0.93 } 22. Ng1 { preventing Qh3+ } 22... d4 { pushing my pawns } 23. Nc4 e4 { Here I offered a trade while I was uppositionally, however, by getting rid of two central pawns, I could openthe game and increase my pieces mobility } 24. dxe4 Nxe4 25. Qf4 Rad8 { Score:+1.12 } 26. Nd2 { the computer characterizes this move as a mistake, andrecommends 26. Rad1, following Qf5 27. Qxf5 Bxf5 28. Ne2 Nc5 29. b4 Be630. Na5 d3 31. cxd3 Bh3+ 32. Kg1 Nxd3. } 26... Qb5+ { Even if the computer suggeststhat it is a mistake, as 26. Nc4 Nd6 27. Qxd4 Be4 28. f3 Nxc4 29. Qxc4Qxc4+ 30. bxc4 Bxc2 31. Kf2 Bd3 32. c5 gave me an advantage of +1.26 andrecommends Qg4 26. Rxe4 Rxe4 27. Qxc7 Ree8 28. Qg3 Qxg3 29. fxg3 Bxc2 30.Rc1 Rc8 31. Nc4 Bd3+ 32. Kf2 Bxc4 33. bxc4, which could give me an advantageof +3.50, I was almost sure that my opponent will try to attack my queen,forgetting about en passant } 27. c4 { Mistake: +4.09 » 27. c4 dxc3 e.p.+28. Nc4 c2 29. Kg2 Nc3 30. Ne3 Qc6+ 31. Kh2 Rd2 32. Nf5 Nb1 33. Rc1 Re434. Nh3 Rxf4 35. Ne7+ Kh7 36. Nxc6 Rxh4 Best: +1.26 » 27. Nc4 Nd6 28.Qxd4 Be4 29. f3 Nxc4 30. Qxc4 Qxc4+ 31. bxc4 Bxc2 32. Kf2 Bd3 33. c5 Bc434. Ne2 } 27... dxc3+ 28. Nc4 { too late... Notice that from this point to theend of the game, My opponent made a large number of mistakes, because ofthe psychological factor. I won't judge my opponent's mistakes, as I don'thave the right to criticize him, because this game was still disputed.I'm going to show you just the computer analysis. } 28... Nd2+ 29. Kg2 Qc6+ 30. Nf3 { Mistake: +5.71 » 30. Nf3 Nxf3 31. Qxf3 Be4 32. Rxe4 Rxe4 33. Ne3 Rd334. Kf1 Qb5 35. Ke1 Rxh4 36. Rd1 Rxd1+ 37. Nxd1 Qe5+ 38. Qe2 Best: +4.07» 30. f3 Rxe1 31. Rxe1 Nxc4 32. Qxc4 Rd2+ 33. Kh3 Qxc4 34. bxc4 c2 35.Kg3 Rd1 36. Re8+ Kh7 37. Ne2 c1=Q 38. Nxc1 Rxc1 } 30... Be4 31. Nxd2 { Mistake:+6.80 » 31. Ncxd2 cxd2 32. Re3 d1=Q 33. Rxd1 Rxd1 34. Kg3 a5 35. a3 f636. gxf6 gxf6 37. Qh6 Best: +4.70 » 31. Re3 c2 32. Rc1 Nxc4 33. bxc4 Qxc434. Kg3 Rd1 35. Re1 Rxe1 36. Rxe1 Qxa2 37. Qc1 } 31... cxd2 32. Red1 { Blunder:+12.28 » 32. Red1 Rd3 33. Kg1 Bxf3 34. Rxd2 Rxd2 35. Qa4 Qxa4 36. bxa4Re4 37. Kh2 Be2 38. Kg3 Rd3+ 39. Kg2 Rg4+ 40. Kh2 Rxh4+ 41. Kg2 Rxa4 Best:+7.95 » 32. Re3 d1=Q 33. Rxd1 Rxd1 34. a3 Bd5 35. Qa4 Qxa4 36. bxa4 Rxe337. fxe3 Rd3 38. g6 Rxe3 39. gxf7+ Kxf7 } 32... Rd3 33. Rxd2 { Blunder: +16.99» 33. Rxd2 Rxf3 34. Qh2 Qc3 35. Rad1 Rh3+ 36. Kg1 Rxh2 37. Kxh2 Qf3 38.Rg1 Qf4+ 39. Kh3 Qxd2 40. Kg3 Qxa2 Best: +11.47 » 33. Kg1 Bxf3 34. Rxd2Rxd2 35. Qa4 Qxa4 36. bxa4 Rd4 37. Kh2 Rg4 38. Rc1 Rg2+ 39. Kh3 Rxf2 40.Rxc7 Rxa2 } 33... Rxf3 34. Qh2 Rf4+ { Blunder: +14.18 » ... Rf4+ 34. Kf1 Rg4 35.a4 Bg2+ 36. Kg1 Qc3 37. Qxg2 Qxa1+ 38. Kh2 Rxh4+ 39. Kg3 Rg4+ 40. Kh2 Qe5+41. Qg3 Rxg3 42. fxg3 Qxg5 Best: +17.18 » ... Rh3+ 34. Kg1 Rxh2 35. Kxh2Qc3 36. Rf1 Qf3 37. Rg1 Qf4+ 38. Kh3 Qxd2 39. g6 Bxg6 Looks like myattacks weren't perfect neither... } 35. Kg1 { Blunder: +Mate(7) » 35. Kg1Qc3 36. Rad1 Rg4+ 37. Kf1 Qf3 38. Re2 Bd3 39. Rdd2 Bxe2+ 40. Ke1 Bd3+ 41.Re2 Qxe2# Best: +21.14 » 35. Kf1 Rg4 36. f3 Bb1 37. Rxb1 Qxf3+ 38. Rf2Qd3+ 39. Re2 Qxb1+ 40. Kf2 Rxe2+ 41. Kxe2 Qxa2+ 42. Kf3 Qxh2 43. g6 Rg3+44. Ke4 Qxh4+ 45. Kd5 } 35... Rg4+ 36. Kf1 Qb5+ 37. Ke1 Bc2+ { I like this move.Not only it discovered the attack from Re8, it prevented the opponentsking to run to d1 } 38. Re2 { He could hold for one more pair of moves, givingup his queen, but it was pointless } 38... Qxe2# 0-1

[Event "Do you prefer it short?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2019.02.01"] [Round "-"] [White "damafi"] [Black "Capanik"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1692"] [TimeControl "300+5"] [WhiteElo "1643"] { Not a high win, but still a nice one. } 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Ne5 Nbd7 6. Nd2 O-O { Just where I want you. } 7. g4 Qe7 8. g5 Ne4 9. Bd3 f5 10. gxf6 gxf6 { ? A fatal mistake. } 11. Rg1+ Kh8 { Now theinteresting moment. How to materialize the attack? Here, any wrong moveloses. } 12. Qh5 { This 'can't be bad', as they say. } 12... fxe5 13. dxe5 { A Nhad dropped, but I have the initiative. } 13... Bb4 14. c3 Ba5 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxe4 { ...and now, another big open line. } 16... Nc5 { Not time to concede theinitiative to black, so... } 17. Bg5 { ...and, believe it or not, BLACK RESIGNED!If... } 17... Qg7 18. Bf6 Rxf6 19. Rxg7 Kxg7 20. exf6+ Kxf6 21. Qxc5 1-0

[Event "Newport A v Oswestry A"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "24/5/22"] [Round "-"] [White "Chris Lewis "] [Black "Charles L Higgie"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1912"] [TimeControl "1 Hr 25 mins + 10 secs"] [WhiteElo "1822"] 1. e4 { In this game I had excellent chances, I went a pawn up, but unfortunatelygave it back and drew. } 1... c5 { I played a Sicilian. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence } 2. Nf3 { This is the main line. } 2... d6 { This is my usual move order now } 3. d4 { He goes for the Open Sicilian.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence#Open_Sicilian:_2.Nf3_and_3.d4 } 3... cxd4 { I take } 4. Nxd4 { He takes back } 4... Nf6 { I attack e4 } 5. Nc3 { He protects } 5... Nc6 { I develop the other knight. This is the main line, or Classical Variation. } 6. Bg5 { He plays the Richter–Rauzer Attack, the most popular variation. } 6... e6 { I prevent him from doubling my f pawns. } 7. Be2 { Slightly unusual,although quite playable. Qd2 immediately is more usual. } 7... a6 { This moveis usually played at some point. } 8. Qd2 { Vsevolod Rauzer introduced themodern plan of Qd2 and 0-0-0 in the 1930s. } 8... Bd7 { Protecting Nc6 and sopreparing b7-b5 } 9. O-O-O { White usually castles queen-side in this variation. } 9... b5 { On with my plan, although Be7 is more popular. } 10. Bf3 { Presumablyhe was concerned about me playing b5-b4 driving Nc3 away and then me takingon e4 with my knight and if he takes my queen, I take his queen. 10. Nxc6is the usual move here, and then 11. Bf3. I can't see 10. Bf3 in any ofmy opening databases and I think it is a mistake, although white does havea little threat here - taking on f6 and if black takes back with the queen,then e4-e5 both attacks the Qf6 and Nc6 } 10... Ne5 { But this is a strong reply.Black has an edge now. Fritz seems to recommend taking on f6 now. Fritzis giving a small advantage to black now. } 11. g3 { With the idea of Bf3-g2and f2-f4. However black can win a pawn now. Althought the pawn on e4 isprotected by Nc3 and Bf3, the Nc3 can be driven away and the Bf3 exchanged. Fritz gives it as plus 1.28 to black. } 11... b4 { The first step - to drive theNc3 away. } 12. Nce2 { So the knight runs. } 12... Nxf3 { Then I take the bishop } 13. Nxf3 { He takes back. } 13... Nxe4 { And now the pawn goes. } 14. Qf4 { Ratherthan go into an ending a pawn down, white keeps the queens on. } 14... Nxg5 { Itake. } 15. Nxg5 { He takes back. He is now threatening mate on f7. Now 15....Qf6loses a pawn to 16. Qxf6 gxf6 17. Ne4 forking pawns on d6 and f6. I though15.....Qe7 was anti-positional, as it blocks the development of my Bf8.However this may have been my best move. Fritz recommends it and thinksblack is plus 1.31 } 15... f5 { At the time I thought my central pawn formationwas good, covering several important squares. Fritz here recommends thatwhite launches a sacrificial attack - 16.Nxe6Bxe6 17.Nd4Bd7 18.Rhe1+Kf7 19.Nxf5Qf6 20.Nxd6+Bxd6 with black's advantage cut to about plus1 } 16. h4 { I was a bit surprised by this, I was expecting Rh-e1 } 16... h6 { Asrecommended by Fritz } 17. Nf3 { Knight drops back. } 17... Qa5 { Protecting b4 andattacking a2. Fritz gives black as plus 1.66 } 18. Kb1 { King defends a2. } 18... e5 { Again the best move according to Fritz. } 19. Qe3 { Queen drops back. } 19... Be6 { Attacking a2 but Be7 is better. I though b3 was forced, I didn't seewhite's simple reply. } 20. Nc1 { White protects a2. } 20... Be7 { Continues withdevelopment, but Fritz likes Rc8 instead. } 21. Nd4 { I hadn't seen thismove. If I take the knight, his queen takes my bishop and my pawn formationis ruined. } 21... Bd7 { My bishop drops back. } 22. Qf3 { Attacking Ra8 and f4. } 22... O-O { Protecting against both threats. } 23. Nc6 { Forking Qa5 and Be7 } 23... Bxc6 { This is forced. } 24. Qxc6 { White takes back. } 24... Qc5 { Offering the queenexchange. Fritz recommends Ra-c8 instead. } 25. Qd7 { Fritz recommends exchangingqueens, but this is probably a better practical chance. } 25... Ra7 { Fritz prefersRf7 instead. } 26. Qe6+ { As recommended by Frizt. } 26... Kh7 { Fritz prefers Rf7 } 27. Nd3 { This knight now leaps into life. } 27... Qb6 { Fritz recommends Qb5 instead. } 28. Nxe5 { I missed this. White gets his pawn back now. } 28... Rf6 { Fritz givesthis as best. } 29. Nd7 { The only move. } 29... Rxe6 { Forced. I offered a drawwhich was accepted. Fritz now gives a small advantage to white (plus 0.34).Many thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think of this annotation.Grade it on the star system and leave a comment or two. Until next timedear reader! } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Knight hopping, and an endgame surrender."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.07.12"] [Round "-"] [White "theancientbeast"] [Black "kakazai"] [Result "1-0"] { This is a blitz game I played against kakazai. It begins with a buildupof pieces (mostly White), then a pressured Castled King, and then an endgamestandoff leading in a new Queen. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 { The Philidor.An opening I don't often play. } 3... Bg4 { Out of the book, now. } 4. O-O { Castlingon move four. } 4... Bh5 { With this move, my opponent condemns his LSB to eithersacrifice, or else a boring life on the e8-h5 diagonal. } 5. Nc3 { Withplans to go to e2. } 5... c6 { ? Weak move, I think. He needs to develop. White'spresence is felt. } 6. Ne2 Nf6 7. Ng3 { I am aware of the saying, 'Don'tmove the same piece twice in the opening,' but my development advantagemakes me somewhat exempt from this. } 7... Bg6 { And the Bishop is basically worthless,except for the added pressure to e4. } 8. d4 { Busting open the center. } 8... exd4 9. Qxd4 { Bringing a big piece into the fray. } 9... Be7 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. e5 { Further simplifying the position. } 11... dxe5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Qxe5 O-O 14. Rad1 Qe8 15. Bd3 { A bad trade, but I needed to double my Rooks on thed-file. } 15... Bxd3 16. Rxd3 Rd8 17. Rfd1 Rd5 18. Rxd5 cxd5 19. Re1 { Doublingon the e-file. } 19... Bd8 20. Bxf6 Qxe5 21. Bxe5 { Only move. } 21... Re8 22. Nf5 Bf6 23. Nd6 { Forcing the trade, and keeping material even down the road. } 23... Rxe5 24. Rxe5 Bxe5 25. Nxb7 Bxb2 { Now you see the importance of moving the Knighton move 23. } 26. Kf1 f5 27. Ke2 { Getting my King into the mix. } 27... Kf7 28. Nd6+ Ke6 29. Ne8 a5 30. Nc7+ Ke5 31. Kd3 { Blocking the Black King. } 31... f4 32. f3 d4 { ?? Totally kills Black's DSB. } 33. Ne8 g5 34. Ng7 a4 { Waitingmove. } 35. Ne8 h5 36. Ng7 g4 37. Nxh5 gxf3 38. gxf3 { A passed h-pawn. } 38... Kf5 39. h4 Kg6 40. Nxf4+ Kf5 41. Nh3 Kg6 42. f4 Kh5 { He forfeits his life,here. } 43. f5 Kxh4 44. f6 Kxh3 45. f7 Ba3 { I thought he blocked me, fora moment here. } 46. Kxd4 Kg4 47. c4 Kf5 48. c5 { Not anymore. I Queen,one way or another. } 48... Ke6 49. f8=Q { He resigns. There was a good chancefor Black to win in the middlegame, although White's lead in developmentand Kingside space would have placed him at an advantage. Black could havereduced it to a King/pawn vs. King endgame, but he gave up the ghost andWhite took the victory. Thank you, kakazai, for this great game. Pleaserate this annotation, and comment on what I did well, and what I couldhave done better on. } 1-0

[Event "solohawk6_9's mini-tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "19-Sep-06"] [Round "-"] [White "crenshawjohn"] [Black "shawnjay"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1334"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1295"] 1. c4 { Having played John before, I know he likes to open with c4. } 1... d5 { Although there are many good moves for black here, this isn't one of them.After 2. cxd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3, white has exchanged a side pawn for a blackcentral pawn (good for white) and is ahead in development by gaining tempoagainst the black queen (also good for white). } 2. cxd5 Qxd5 3. e3 { Butnow it is white who misplays the opening by failing to develop with tempoagainst the black queen. 3. e3 also blocks in white's dark bishop alongthe c1-h6 diagonal. } 3... e5 { A good move: gaining space and keeping both diagonalsopen for the bishops to develop. } 4. Nc3 { Better late than never. Whitedevelops with tempo against the black queen. } 4... Qe6 { An interesting choice.I think I would prefer to put the queen on d8 or a5, as in the ScandinavianDefense. The text blocks in the light bishop, and the queen just seemsout of place on e6. } 5. Nge2 { I don't see the reason to play this insteadof the normal Nf3. White must be planning to fianchetto the light bishop,as this blocks the f1-a6 diagonal. } 5... Bd6 { Developing a piece is better thanwasting time with a pawn push, but the general rule is knights before bishops.This move puts black's 'bad' bishop behind the e5 pawn where it lacks scope. } 6. Ng3 { This knight has taken two moves to get to the third rank when onemove would have been sufficient. In my opinion this maneuver not only wastesa tempo, but the knight is not as well placed here as it would have beenon f3. } 6... Nf6 { A fine developing move that fights for central squares andprepares castling. } 7. Nb5 { A violation of opening principles, in thata developed piece is moved a second time when there are still other undevelopedpieces to be moved. And for what reason? To 'threaten' the bishop on d6?For white to trade a knight he has invested three tempos in for black'sbad bishop which has only moved once seems foolish. And black would getto recapture with the c pawn and atone for his mistake on move 1, by gettinghis second central pawn back. } 7... Qd7 { This one has me totally stumped. Itis clear to me that black's development is going to be ...Nc6, ...Bd7,and ...O-O. To waste time repositioning the queen to the square the bishopneeds to go to seems incredibly wrong. Can black be thinking of a fianchettowith the light bishop? But if so, why move the queen at all? Very curiousthis is. } 8. b3 { Looking to take control of the long diagonal with Bb2. } 8... O-O { Can't argue with an early castle. Neglecting his king's safety isone of Shawn's weaknesses, and he is refusing to let it be his downfallin this game. Good decision! } 9. Qc2 { White continues his odd development,but perhaps he is planning to take a shot at the h pawn with Bd3. } 9... Nc6 { And black is clearly superior. He is ahead in development, has more space,and has a safer king. White must play carefully the next few moves or hewill be positionally lost. } 10. a3 { And instead of developing a piece,he wastes time with a meaningless pawn push. Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! } 10... a6 { I feel conflicted about this move. On the one hand it doesn't helpthe light bishop get developed, and completing development should be black'shighest priority. On the other hand, it may induce white to trade the knightfor the Bd6, which I have pointed out would be good for black. Besidesthe reasons I gave on move 7, there is, now, another reason 11. Nxd6 cxd6would be good for black. With white's queen on c2, black can play ...Rac8and take control of the newly opened c-file with tempo against white'squeen. If white refuses to trade, and plays the knight back to c3 (theonly safe square), he is admitting his knight sortie was ill-advised. } 11. Nxd6 { White does win the two bishops, but black is still ahead in development,and now has a chance to repair the damage to his pawn structure causedby his first move. } 11... Qxd6 { But black commits what I think is a positionalblunder. Not only does he allow white to keep a central pawn majority,but he forgoes a chance to open, and then control, the c-file. In black'sdefense, this move does get his queen out of the way of the bishop, incase he doesn't want to fianchetto. } 12. Bb2 { White finally develops apiece, and it is to a good square. This bishop will pressure the long diagonal,and now it is white who, after Rc1, can play on the half-open c-file. } 12... Be6 { Black's light bishop finds a home and eyes white's b pawn. } 13. b4 { Neglecting to develop his last minor piece, white wastes time, and createsholes, with a pawn push. } 13... Bd5 { Although I would have preferred ...Rac8to prepare the ...c5 break, this move does do something interesting. Nowthat the g2 pawn is attacked, white can't develop his light bishop rightaway. A problem with black's plan is that white can simply play 14. e4and chase the bishop back. } 14. Nf5 { Attacking the queen, but there areseveral safe squares to go to. } 14... Qe6 { And black finds a nice centralizedone that sets up a battery. One way to use the battery would be to skewera white rook that ends up on d1 with ...Bb3. } 15. Ng3 { Realizing his originalidea had no point, but now white has wasted two tempii. } 15... Rad8 { It is rightto get the rooks on central files, but I would have put this rook on c8(opposite the white queen) and the f-rook on d8. } 16. d3 { Don't see thepoint of this move. White needs to finish development with Be2 and O-O.This pawn move simply wastes another tempo. } 16... e4 { And now it is black whoattacks prematurely. Black's rook on f8 should be re-positioned beforeblack starts to move forward. It is best to go into the fight with yourWHOLE army participating. } 17. d4 { And white locks the center to help protectagainst an attack on his uncastled king. } 17... Ng4 { Is this to get out of theway for ...f5? If so, I like the idea, as it gives a justification forkeeping the rook on f8. } 18. Be2 { And white finally gets his last minoroff the back rank. } 18... f5 { And black does follow up with ...f5. Looks likethe f-file is going to get at least partially opened, and I wouldn't besurprised if black tries to get all three major pieces on it. I like black'schances here. } 19. Rc1 { And this is white's counter-play: the half-openc-file. } 19... f4 { Continuing the pawn advance to force open lines. } 20. Nf1 { I don't like this move, as it prevents castling. I think better wouldhave been Nh5, when the knight can get back to f4. } 20... f3 { This surprisedme. I fully expected ...fxe3 21. Nxe3 Nxe3 22. fxe3 and black controlsthe open f-file to trap the white king in the center forever. } 21. gxf3 { This gives white the half-open g-file, so that Rg1, in conjunction withthe Bb2, will give white pressure on g7. } 21... exf3 { Closing the f-file fornow, but maybe a piece sac on e3 will allow this pawn to advance in thefuture. } 22. Bd3 { Menacing the h7-pawn. } 22... Nf6 { Protecting h7, but leavingthe f3-pawn hanging out to dry. } 23. Nd2 { And white takes quick aim atthe weakness. } 23... Qh3 { A provocative move, but I don't see an immediate threat.Perhaps this was just over-protecting f3. } 24. Bc4 { Offering to trade isa good way to defend, and white actually has the opportunity to seize theinitiative if black is not careful. } 24... Qg2 { Winning the h-pawn, as Rf1 isforced. } 25. Rf1 Qxh2 { Black has won a pawn, but this opens lines againstthe black king. White can really get started now with 26. Bxd5 and 27.Nxf3. } 26. Bd3 { But white has other ideas. Not sure what they could be,but I am anxious to find out. } 26... g6 { Yuck! This can't be a good move. Notonly does it weaken the dark squares around the black king, it invitesa sac on g6 to rip away the black king's only pawn cover. Hard to believe,but the white king would then be safer than the black king! } 27. b5 { Whitenow redirects his focus to the queenside, where his latent pressure onc7 is about to become real. } 27... axb5 { Not good, but black had little choice. } 28. Bxb5 { And it is white with the initiative! } 28... Ng4 { A curious move. Isblack thinking about a sac on e3? Maybe hoping for a swindle like 29. Bxc6Nxe3 30. fxe3 Qe2#. But I doubt white will oblige :) } 29. Bc4 { Apparentlywhite can't decide how to proceed. That is not good. It is almost betterto pursue a bad plan than to move without any plan. } 29... Ne7 { Protecting thebishop so the Rd8 is free to move, or looking at f5 to put more pressureon e3? Not sure which it is, but I'm sure we will find out shortly. } 30. Bxd5+ { White finally pulls the trigger to start removing the blockadersof the central pawns. } 30... Nxd5 { Not only pressuring e3, but protecting c7. } 31. Nxf3 { ?? This is an unfortunate blunder that ruins an otherwise interestinggame. } 31... Rxf3 { Black has all sorts of tactics against f2 and e3. } 32. Ke2 { ? This loses the f-pawn, and subjects the white king to a hunt. } 32... Rxf2+ { ! Let the hunt begin... } 33. Rxf2 { Forced to save the queen. } 33... Qxf2+ 34. Kd3 { Of course not 34. Kd1 Nxe3# } 34... Qxe3+ { Slurping up pawns as she chasesher quarry. } 35. Kc4 { Forced. } 35... Nb6+ { Black's attack is temporarily stalled,but he gives a check anyway. I would have preferred ...Qe6 setting up adiscovered check. } 36. Kb4 { Probably best. The king doesn't want to gettoo far away from his friends. } 36... Nd5+ { Not a good sign. The attacker shouldnot be repeating moves, but perhaps black has decided to try my suggestionafter all. } 37. Kb5 { But rather than repeat the position with Kc4, whitemoves his king too far from his friends. From here, white will have togive up his queen to avoid mate. } 37... c6+ { Here are the lines: A) 38. Ka4or Ka5 and ...Ra8# B) 38. Kc4 b5 39. Kc5 (forced) Qe7# C) 38. Kc5 Ne5and the only defense to 39...b6# is 39. Qb3 Qxb3 with an easy win for black. } 38. Kc5 Ne5 { Threatening ...b6# } 39. Qa4 { Overlooking the threat. } 39... b6# 0-1

[Event "Challenge from gamer2k4"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.01.22"] [Round "-"] [White "gamer2k4"] [Black "blood_knight"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1268"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 c5 { First glimpse of differing strategies here: White isdeveloping minor pieces, while Black is favoring a pawn push. } 3. e3 c4 4. e4 { Black threatens a pawn blockade, so White challenges it. } 4... e6 5. Qf3 { White pursues control of the center, while Black seeks to barricadethe center. The pawn wall is complete. } 5... Bb4 6. Bd2 { Black finally showssome aggression; White meets him piece for piece. } 6... f5 7. exd5 { Black advancesthe wall, and White has had enough and moves to break it. } 7... exd5 8. Nxd5 Bxd2+ { Black tries a largely benign attack, though it does serve to preventWhite from castling. } 9. Kxd2 { A few exchanges later, the board is clear- only now Black is left with stranded pawns and nothing else, while Whitecontrols the center with both a queen and a knight, as well as having anopen path for his rook. } 9... Nf6 10. Nxf6+ Qxf6 { Black attempts to challengeWhite for the center of the board; White aggressively denies him. Knightsare exchanged. } 11. Re1+ { As the dust settles, White begins his assaulton Black's king. } 11... Kf7 { Had Black blocked the check with his bishop, Whitewould have answered with d5. However, Black chose evasion (potentiallylooking to get his rook into the game). } 12. Bxc4+ { White is relentless,taking a pawn and continuing the pressure on Black. } 12... Kf8 { Black could haveprolonged the game with Kg6, forcing White into a battle along the edgeof the board and possibly opening up with one of his pieces. However,he retreated instead, sealing his fate. } 13. Qa3+ { White drives the daggerin. Black's only option is to block with his queen, and instead of losinganother piece, he resigns. } *

[Event "Beautiful mating sequence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "alexalma"] [Black "whowantsnext"] [Result "1-0"] { I have to say this was one of the worst games I've ever played but evenwith my mistakes I found a way to win. Please watch and comment. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 { queens gambit accepted } 3... c6 4. Nc3 { Don't know whyI played this } 4... e6 { ? } 5. Bxc4 { I have control over the center } 5... b5 { threatensmy bishop } 6. Be2 Qa5 7. Nf3 { I develop } 7... Bb4 { he tries to win a pawn } 8. Bd2 { easy to defend } 8... Bxc3 9. Bxc3 { threatens his queen } 9... b4 { ? } 10. Bd2 { retreats } 10... Nf6 { attacks my pawn but i miss it } 11. a3 { wins a pawn } 11... c5 { doesn't help } 12. axb4 { wins a pawn } 12... Qc7 13. e5 { wins another pawn } 13... Nd5 14. bxc5 Qc6 { ? } 15. O-O O-O { both castling kingside } 16. Qa4 { trying totrade } 16... Qc7 { he denies } 17. Ba5 { attacking his queen } 17... Qe7 { escapes } 18. c6 { trying to promote } 18... Na6 { defending c7 } 19. Bxa6 { trading down } 19... Bxa6 { I don't see his bishop attacking my rook } 20. Rac1 { ggetting my rook behindthe pawn } 20... Bxf1 21. Kxf1 Rac8 { blocking my pawns path } 22. Bd2 { trying tostart an attack on the king } 22... Qe8 { ? } 23. Ng5 Nb6 { attacking my queen } 24. Qc2 { threatening mate } 24... g6 { he sees it } 25. Qb3 { starting an attack } 25... Rxc6 { I lose a pawn } 26. Bb4 { ?? horrible move i didn't see he was attackingmy rook } 26... Rxc1+ 27. Ke2 { only move } 27... Qb5+ { saving his rook } 28. Kf3 { avoidingfuture checks } 28... Rd8 { moving his rook to safety and attacking my pawn } 29. Nxe6 { One last gasp attack } 29... fxe6 { Mistake and now hes done } 30. Qxe6+ { check } 30... Kh8 { stupid, should have escaped and gave up his rook now he loses } 31. Qf6+ Kg8 { forced } 32. Qxd8+ Kg7 { mate in 1 now } 33. Bf8+ { I miss it } 33... Kf7 { mate in 2 now } 34. Qf6+ Ke8 35. Qe7# { mate, great trap, thanks for watching } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from reubencpiplupyay"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.10.19"] [Round "-"] [White "reubencpiplupyay"] [Black "hiredgun112"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "934"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1021"] { Hi! I have read many of hiredgun112's annotations before, but it was onlya few days ago when I challenged him. Enjoy! } 1. e4 { Typical. This is theonly move I do, which may be inflexible, but 'Best by Test'. } 1... d6 { Whatopening is this? } 2. d4 { Typical. } 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 { Was this OK? } 4... Bd7 5. Bxc6 Bxc6 { Was my capture OK? } 6. d5 { Threatened. } 6... Bd7 7. Nf3 e5 8. O-O { I am ahead in development. } 8... Qe7 { I don't think he should have broughthis queen out so early. } 9. Be3 { Thinking he would castle. } 9... c5 { Drasticallyweakens queenside. } 10. Bg5 { Pin. } 10... Bg4 { Pin on me. } 11. h3 { OK? } 11... Bxf3 12. Qxf3 { gxf3 would have been bad, as it would expose my king. } 12... Qc7 { Why wouldhe do this? } 13. Bxf6 { Now black must get doubled pawns. } 13... gxf6 14. Qxf6 { Bringing my queen into play. Would bringing it out in this situation usuallybe bad? } 14... Rg8 15. Nb5 { Chasing the queen. } 15... Be7 { ?? I can see why black wantedto do this, but he won't get to kill my queen, as I will check him. } 16. Nxc7+ Kd7 17. Qxf7 { He resigned here. } 1-0

[Event "Casual Game, New Orleans, 1850"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "James McConnell"] [Black "Paul Morphy"] [Result "0-1"] { Morphy was just 13 years old at the time of this game. He shows tremendousskill in easily destorying McConnell's position. } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. f4 { This move looks solid, but it allows Morphy to beginseizing a commanding lead in development. } 5... Qb6 { Preparing to smash McConnell'sPawn chain. } 6. Nf3 { Finally, he moves a piece! } 6... Bd7 { Clearing the B1 squarefor the Rook. } 7. a3 { A horrible waste of time. 7 B-K2 followed by O-Oand Q-side development was in order. } 7... Nh6 { Intending ...N-B4. } 8. b4 { Anothertime-wasting Pawn move. Now Morphy blasts open a line for his heavy artillery. } 8... cxd4 { If White recaptures with the Pawn... } 9. cxd4 { ...which he does... } 9... Rc8 { ...Morphy seizes the open file. } 10. Bb2 { Too little, too late. Heshould have started developing 3-4 moves ago. } 10... Nf5 { Planting the Knighton a powerful outpost. } 11. Qd3 { Momentarily preventing ...N-K6. } 11... Bxb4+ { Exploiting White's lack of development. If White had played 7 B-K2 and8 O-O Morphy could not now initiate this sacrificial attack. } 12. axb4 { Virtually forced. } 12... Nxb4 { Driving the Q. If 13 Q-Q1, Morphy has 13 ...N-B7ch 14 Any QxB regaining the piece and leaving Black two Pawns up and Whitewith a hopeless positional disadvantage. } 13. Qd2 { McConnell plays thismove instead. } 13... Rc2 { Now Morphy forces the Q back to Q1. } 14. Qd1 { To guardthe QP. But... } 14... Ne3 { White's Q is trapped! McConnell resigns at once. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "21-Aug-06"] [Round "-"] [White "biledemon"] [Black "judgeman"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1093"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1078"] 1. e4 { alrighty, So, this is Me after being kicked out of Southern Chesstrying to build up my rating again. Dude probably doesn't know that I'mactually stronger than my rating shows. } 1... g6 { I intended to get out oneof the fancy schmancy modern openings out, so I began to ready the flanchetto. } 2. Qf3 { The 4-move opening again? pah! } 2... Bg7 3. Bc4 { I wonder how many peopleactually fall for that... } 3... e6 { That stops that. } 4. d3 c6 { intent to move##. ... d5 eventually, forcing his bishop into a useless corner. } 5. Nh3 { This move always confuses me. Aren't knights supposed to be used nearthe middle, where they have the most manuverability? } 5... d5 6. exd5 { And soit begins... } 6... cxd5 { *clomp!* } 7. Bb5+ Bd7 8. Bxd7+ { If you can't tell,I forced that out of him... I contemplated 7. ... Nc6 8. ... a6 but I'msatisfied with the overall result. } 8... Nxd7 9. O-O Ne7 10. Bg5 { I was SO waitingfor that. With that, I can score 6 points at least! *in an unenthusiasticcheer* yaaaaay. } 10... Bxb2 11. Nf4 { Y'know... wouldn't most people have movedthe OTHER knight out of the way? for, like, avenging the rook? } 11... Qa5 { Idid that to: Free up my knight from the psuedo-pin he was in. Adda defender to the d5 pawn Prepare to jack up his bishop (by movingup my pawn) } 12. Nxe6 { This baffels me... Why would he give up a knightfor a pawn if it doesn't really get him an advantage } 12... fxe6 { Meh, *recapture* } 13. Na3 { 'bout time he moved the knight! Sheesh! } 13... Bxa1 14. Rxa1 Qxa3 { ...and that puts me 8 up! } 15. Re1 { This worried me slightly, but then I sawan opening that would blow him to shreds if he took that pawn... } 15... Rc8 { thismade that situation unstable for white. moving the rook away from the backrow would cause it pain. MUCH pain. } 16. Qe3 { lining up for an e-file push? } 16... Rc6 { the take-over had to be put on hold for e-pawn defense } 17. h4 { thenext few moves on his part confuzzled me! @.@;; } 17... Nc5 { extra e-pawn defense. } 18. h5 { ... confuzzled me... } 18... Qxa2 { free pawn! I guess I over looked thatone... } 19. hxg6 { ??? A better move woulda been h6, no? because... } 19... hxg6 { It just relocked the h-file again for the white king... } 20. f4 Nf5 { likeHECK I'm letting him do that again! } 21. Qe5 { oh, yeah... that whole queenthing... it was so useless through the game that I forgot about it. } 21... O-O { That was to stop a rather annoying Qf6 move, which would've resulted ina checkmate for me or at the very least a loss of my pawn defense } 22. Bh6 { Qg7 maybe? Bf8? what was this guy thinking?!? } 22... Rf7 23. Qb8+ { and hetakes his pot-shot. } 23... Kh7 { but his bishop is defenseless... } 24. Bg5 a6 { it took me the longest to figure out why he didn't take a pawn. Then Irealized that they were both defended. I wanted to be able to move myqueen, so that's why I bumped up this pawn. } 25. d4 { I was waiting forthat. I knew it would happen eventually. } 25... Nxd4 { and there's my responce.My defense, planned 5 moves ahead. } 26. Qe5 { did he think he would nabmy knight? } 26... Nxc2 { Ya-Ha!! I had just noticed that free pawn there... } 27. Rd1 Nb4 { I was planning on Nb-c4, forcinf his Queen away, then Qf2 } 28. Qe3 { Tricky Punk. He saw it coming and avoided it! } 28... Ne4 29. Qh3+ *

[Event "Shara-Henning Gambit - D32"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "19-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "linas69"] [Black "yanov"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1852"] [TimeControl "3d+2d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1929"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 cxd4 { The schara henning gambit i don'trecommand it with black in long games } 5. Qa4+ { equivalent to Qxd4 } 5... Bd7 { the strongest, but Qd7 is also possible } 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. Qxd5 Nc6 { Nf6is not possible yet (Qxb7) } 8. Nf3 Nf6 9. Qd1 { 4 queen moves in the 9 firstwhite moves ; that is the point black will try to point out. Qb3 have alsobeen tried, but Qd1 seems stronger. white have one pawn advance, but allthis is the main theorical line } 9... Bc5 10. e3 Qe7 { black have fully developedtheir pieces. Qe2 is a strong move that allows: black to O-O or O-O-O,avoid e4, protects the bishop ! anyway, e4 for white must be played verycarefully white moves have to be precise, because black have a superiordevelopment. } 11. Be2 O-O-O { O-O ! is perhaps stronger, but practically,O-O-O offers good chances to black in short games. } 12. a3 { this move havebeen played in long game, but i prefer O-O } 12... Bh3 { fritz proposes here Nd2here, keeping the pawn } 13. Qc2 Bxg2 14. Rg1 Bxf3 15. Bxf3 Nd4 { an interestingsuite. fritz 9 0.34 for black the thematic move is Ne5 } 16. Qd1 Rhe8 { g7 pawn is not takeable (Nf5) } 17. Kf1 Nxf3 18. Qxf3 g6 19. b4 Bb6 { orBd6 } 20. Ra2 { a strange way to develop Queen side pieces } 20... Qe6 21. Rc2 Qb3 { Qb3 ! } 22. Qe2 { fritz find also this move with 0.84 for black } 22... Kb8 23. Bb2 Rc8 { c3 knight cannot move. c2 is very week, due to a bad organisation } 24. Rc1 Bc7 25. Kg2 Nh5 { musch better was Be5 . but i wanted to start myattack at king side by f5. anyway the knight is unactive there } 26. Qc2 Qe6 { black have a space advantage } 27. Kh1 f5 28. Qa4 { Qa4 ? blocking thea pawn. 0.91 for black } 28... Qe5 { unuseful move ! } 29. Rg2 Bb6 { avoidingattacks with Nb5 } 30. Qd1 Red8 31. Qc2 { still 0.81 for black ... } 31... Qe6 32. Rgg1 f4 { thats it ! } 33. Qe4 { 1.31 for black } 33... Qb3 34. Qc2 Qxc2 { keepingthe weakness on c2 } 35. Rxc2 { 1.31 for black } 35... fxe3 36. fxe3 Bxe3 { blackare realizing a full pawn. } 37. Re1 { a very difficult decision but rookf1 was a little bit stronger, becasue of the black response 1.50 for black } 37... Rd2 { Rd2 ! the rook and the bishop are not takeable ! } 38. Re2 Rxc2 39. Rxc2 { the c2 weekness is still there ! the white pieces have not progressedand have the same configuration as move 23 ! } 39... Bd4 40. Rc1 Nf4 41. Nd1 { Nd1 ?? the following black move forces resignation. can you find it ? } 41... Re8 { Re1 !! ( 2.88 for black) } 42. Bxd4 Re1+ 43. Bg1 Ne2 { happy christmas! } 0-1

[Event "League division D2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "stapes"] [Black "daves"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1334"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1276"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bd6 { A bad move; Black voluntarily blocks his d-pawn todefend his e-pawn. This makes it hard for him to develop freely (the whitesq bishop will have to come to b7 after ...b6 - more lost time). ...Nc6is a natural and good move. } 3. Nc3 { Ok; but given Black's lacklustrestart, 3.c3, aiming to play d4 with a massive centre looks more ambitious. } 3... c6 { Stops the white knight coming to d5, but at the cost of now blockingthe c6 sq for his b8 knight. Not a great start by Black. Better wouldbe ...Nc6, hoping for the best. } 4. d3 { A better bet would be 4.d4! Then,if ...exd4 5.Qxd4 (attacking the misplaced bishop on d6) and, if Blackprotects with 5...Qf6, 6. e5 forks bishop and queen. } 4... h6 { Because Whiteis not challenging the centre (4. d3), Black is allowed to get away witha whole series of inconsequential pawn moves intended to hinder White butat the cost of lots of tempi (moves). } 5. Be2 Bb4 { Realising his earliererror, Black redirects the bishop - abandonning the e5 pawn to its fate(having played d3, White need not worry about ...Qe7 after 6. Nxe5, sincehis e4-pawn is protected). Now, if he can get in ...d6, Black may standok. } 6. Bd2 { Again, perfectly alright but just Nxe5 is simpler. If Blackhad replied ...Qa5 (seemingly attacking both the knight on e5 and threateningto take twice on c3) White has the nice interposing move 7. Nc4! attackingthe Black Queen. 6. 0-0 would also have been more enterprising, not fearingthe doubled pawns after ...Bxc3 7.bxc3 when White could play d4 supportedby the new pawn at c3. } 6... b5 { Another curious pawn move. Hard to see whatit's aimed at. Again, the pawn at e5 is still undefended... } 7. Nxe5 d6 8. Nf3 g5 { Verging on suicide. Black goes for a k-side pawn storm withonly one piece developed. } 9. O-O Nf6 10. a3 { Putting the question to thebishop. 10. a4 would also have been interesting - threatening the b5 pawn and if 10...bxa4 11.Rxa4 attacking the bishop. } 10... Bxc3 11. Bxc3 { White hasa clear advantage now. He's nearly completed his develpoment and has anakward pin on the f6 knight. } 11... a5 12. b4 { Better was just 12. Re1, aimingfor 13. Bf1 and then 14. e5! breaking open the centre. White had no needto fear the further advance of the b-pawn as the Ra8 is undenfended after12...b4 13. axb4 ...13 axb4?? Simlarly, if Black is hoping to play ...a4,why not let him? With Black's king about to get killed there's no needto think about the endgame... } 12... a4 13. d4 { Getting the pawn centre but withoutfirst protecting e4. Re1 followed by Bf1 would have allowed a subsequentd5 without material loss. } 13... Nxe4 14. Bb2 Qf6 15. Bd3 { A good move. Whitethreatens the knight and also prepares Re1, taking over the e-file. } 15... d5 16. Re1 Bg4 { pinning the knight, but after... } 17. Bxe4 dxe4 18. Rxe4+ Be6 { ...the bishop has to retreat to block the check (or be taken). Whitehas regained the pawn, opened the centre and stands well. } 19. c3 { (?)Horrid move - blocking in that lovely bishop. The d-pawn was already heavilydefended. Or, why not open up further with 19. d5!? (revealing an attackon the Qf6 from the b2 bishop and simultaneously attacking the bishop one6). After 19 ...Qxb2, 20. dxe6 and it's nearly over - so vulnerableis B's king. } 19... O-O { taking the chance to get to (relative) safety. } 20. g3 { (?) Why? This bad move weakens the white squares around White's kingwhen Black's white-sq bishop is still on the board - hardly ever a goodplan. It also ties W's queen to the defence of the f3 knight (no longerpawn-protected and threatened by B's Qf6). } 20... Bd5 { Black could now havetaken advantage of White's last to force a draw: 20...Bb3 (attacking thequeen) 21. Qe2 (White must stay protecting the f3 sq) 21...Bc4 22. Qc2and 22...Bb3 again etc. } 21. Re3 Nd7 22. Ne5 { Exchanging off the liability. } 22... Nxe5 23. Rxe5 { Having failed to raise an attack, White does - now - needto consider the endgame. He is a pawn up, but the opposite coloured bishopsmake a draw probable (since once side will control all the dark sqaureswhile the other all the light). White - if he wants to press his negligibleadvantage, should try to keep the major pieces on the board. Black thoughhas little to fear now - just look at the difference in the bishops: Black'sis posing deadly threats to white's king while White's is hidden behinda mass of his own pawns (that move 19.c3?). } 23... Rfe8 24. Qe2 Rxe5 25. Qxe5 { A bad recapture. 25. dxe5 (leaving the queen back to cover the crucialf3 square) was necessary. } 25... Qf3 { Mate is threatened, so... } 26. Kf1 Qh1+ 27. Ke2 { Suddenly it's White's king that's on the run. What a turnaround... } 27... Qxh2 { Restoring material equality but now with a big attack. Black mustbe careful though. 28...Kf8? (hoping to play ...Re8 and win the whitequeen) would be bad since it allows Qh8 and White will capture the rookon a8. } 28. Bc1 Kf8 { A mistake - which White misses. 29. Qh8 would giveseemingly give White winning chances after ...Ke7 and 30. Qxa8. But infact Black is still very much in control after 30....Qh5 (e.g. Kd2 ...Qf3 Qb7 ...Kf6 Bb2 ... Qxf2 and checkmate in 2 moves wherever White goes!) For this reason, White should play first 30.Bg5 ! (before capturing therook), with the ability then to get his rook into the game in a move orso's time. Black can't take on g5 (30...hxg5??) as his Queen would been pris on h2. } 29. Be3 { Going - perhaps wisely - for safety first. } 29... Re8 30. Qd6+ Re7 { Not the best - Kg7 would have been much better. Now Whitecould - and probaly should - try for a draw by repetition by 31 Qd8 and,after ...Re8, Qd6 again. } 31. Kd2 { This is more ambitious, but not wrong. That bishop on e3 is doing an excellent defensive job. } 31... f6 { Bad - thepawn that has advanced can simply be taken - and with check too! } 32. Re1 { Missing the chance to go ahead again. 32. Qxf6 was perfectly playable. } 32... Kf7 { This position is now about level. Each side's king is a little exposedand so perpetual check leading to a draw is most likely. However, Whitehas self-destruction in mind... } 33. Bxg5 { (??) A nice idea, since if...Rxe1 White plays 34. Qxf6 with at least a draw and more if Black triesto hide with ...Kg8 (instead of ....Ke8), while if 33...hxg5 34. Qxe7 follows and White is doing nicely. Unfortunately, there is another moveBlack can play first... } 33... Qxf2+ { (!) Now it really is over. } 34. Kd3 { It'smate whatever White does. } 34... Bc4# { An up and down game: White failed tocapitalise on Black's idiosyncratic opening play, got an advantage despitehimself then, whith a couple of innocuous-looking pawn moves (19. c3 and20. g3) hands complete control to Black. } 0-1

[Event "135th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.11.06"] [Round "-"] [White "jazzbox61"] [Black "freddyossio"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1523"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1465"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 a6 { 3...don't really see the point of this...wastestime...in this line, B wants to get pressure on d4 and e5 through c5;nc6;Qb6,sometimes Bb4...in some lines, though, if B wins a pawn on d4, he has toworry about a discovered attack on the capturing piece by a Bb5+, so maybethe idea is to avoid these tactical complications...still this is slow } 4. Nf3 c5 { 4...OK, this makes sense } 5. c3 Nc6 6. Be2 Bd7 7. O-O Rc8 8. Bg5 f6 { 8...the e6 weakness is not always so easy to exploit, it looksworse than it probably is } 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. Ne5 Be7 11. Qd3 cxd4 12. Bh5+ { 12. This is unjustified...W sacs a piece for what ?....he has no followup...and his B on g5 and Kt on e5 can be traded off...the rest of his forcesare still sitting on their home squares (the K rook after castling)...thisshould lose outright } 12... Nxh5 13. Bxe7 Nxe5 { 13...a little more dramatic,but not any stronger, IMO than simply recapturing Q x e7 } 14. Qxd4 Nc6 15. Bxd8 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Rxd8 17. Nc3 Ke7 18. Rfe1 Rhf8 { 18...B is lettingW back into the game. B c6 holds the d pawn, which is pinned } 19. Rac1 { 19. W blunders in return...simply rip off the d pawn } 19... Rc8 20. Nxd5+ { 20. Finally.... } 20... Kd6 21. Nb6 Rxc1 22. Rxc1 Nf6 23. Nxd7 { 23. This is bad...Wshould NOT trade down...with the Kt. on the bd, he has a chance at maybewinning an exchange, and somehow drawing the game...the exchange just helpsB to get to a winning endgame } 23... Kxd7 24. Kf1 { 24. With the extra piece,B should be able to win the d pawn, and then he simply will be up a piece } 24... Rc8 25. Rxc8 { 25. Again, the trade is bad for W...he should hold the piece,and trade pawns as fast as he can } 25... Kxc8 26. Ke2 Nd5 27. a3 a5 28. g3 b5 29. f4 Kd7 { 29...the Black Kt. just dominates the bd. } 30. Kd3 Kc6 31. Ke4 Kd6 32. h3 a4 33. g4 b4 34. h4 bxa3 35. bxa3 Nc3+ 36. Kd3 Nb5 37. Kc4 Nxa3+ 38. Kb4 Nc2+ 39. Kxa4 Nxd4 0-1

[Event "Allgaier Gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.02.22"] [Round "-"] [White "fiver"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1830"] [TimeControl "7d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1293"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! My brave opponent decided to try out the AllgaierGambit against me. This involved sacrificing a piece to get Henry outinto the open and then get at him. Unfortunately for him, Henry was ableto run for cover and I was able to run away with my extra piece in theendgame. My opponent thought this was too much and decided to wave thewhite flag. So, how did this happen? Firstly I will provide the linkthat Gameknot Analysis has given to help you through this game. http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=17272114&fb=1&rnd=0.2644588537214342. We start with a double KP opening 1.e4 and I respond with e5 and he givesme the KG with 2.f4 of which I accept. } 1... e5 2. f4 { 2. f4 - King's Gambit. } 2... exf4 { 2. ..... exf4 - I accept. } 3. Nf3 { 3. Nf3 - development and stopsGlenda from going to h4. } 3... g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ng5 { 5. Ng5!? - interesting move- this move allows the knight to be trapped but this also turns the KGAinto the Allgaier Gambit of which I must accept because as you will see..... } 5... h6 6. Nxf7 { 6. Nxf7 - ..... Glenda and my KR are forked so in ordertoo avoid losing a rook, Henry must take the knight and face the big, wideworld. } 6... Kxf7 7. Nc3 Nc6 { 7. ..... Nc6 - with Henry exposed I must get mypieces out asap. } 8. Bc4+ d5 { 8. ..... d5 - I must return a pawn or twoin order to get my pieces out and to give Henry some cover - he's shivering,poor old guy and is in dire need of some really thick medieval stockings! } 9. Bxd5+ Kg7 { 9. .... Kg7 - Henry does find a modicum of refuge but withthe advanced kingside pawns the cover is very flimsy indeed! I think heneeds an extra cloak as well as those stockings so Glenda must still getthose knitting needles going! } 10. d4 { 10. d4 - trying to establish aformidable pawn centre. } 10... Bd6 11. e5 Bb4 { 11. ..... Bb4 - pin. } 12. Bxc6 Bxc3+ 13. bxc3 bxc6 { 13. ...... bxc6 - both of us trade bishops and endup with identical pawn structures on the queenside. } 14. h5 Qg5 { 14. ....Qg5 - aha, by express delivery we get those medieval stockings and thatcloak for out comes Glenda to g4 on her broomstick to deliver them. Shouldwhite castle kingside, Glenda also eagerly awaits the WK. } 15. g3 Ne7 { 15..... Ne7 - I cannot save the f4 pawn so I decided to clear the back decksby bringing out my knight to help cover Henry and to also lend a hand toattack the WK. } 16. Bxf4 Qf5 { 17. ..... Qf5 - Glenda still hovers overthe WK. } 17. O-O { 17. 0-0 - So, white castles kingside. Glenda now evadesthe threat of a discovered attack (Bxh6+) by swiping the undefended whitepawn on h5. } 17... Qxh5 18. Qe2 Be6 { 18. ..... Be6 - now Fou Leblanc finallyemerges and clears the decks. Once my KR gets east of the g column I willhave castled by hand. Fou Leblanc also supports a possible knight moveto d5 or f5. } 19. c4 Nf5 { 19. .... Nf5 - my knight chooses f5 as it bearsdown onto g3. If it were not for white's dsb then the Wicked Witch ofthe West and the white KR would be forked. } 20. c3 Qh3 { 20. ..... Qh3 -Glenda moves very close to the WK and I now threaten to win the g3 pawn. } 21. Rad1 Nxg3 22. Bxg3 Qxg3+ { 22. ...... Qxg3+ - and I duly win that pawnand am now a full piece up. } 23. Kh1 Qh3+ { 23. ..... Qh3+ - no I am notplanning a perpetual check. This queen check is to clear the path forg3 putting even more pressure on the WK. } 24. Kg1 g3 { 24. .... g3 - I dulyplay this move. Amazingly Gameknot Analysis flagged this as a mistake. The move did prove good enough, however, to force resignation. I willbe interested to hear your views on the Allgaier Gambit. Anyhow, I hopeyou have had a good read. Bye for now - Joanne } 0-1

[Event "Game Number 16 - 62nd GK tournament Round 1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.22"] [Round "-"] [White "yellowlab"] [Black "freddz123"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1809"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1808"] { My 3rd match in the GK Tournament, this one between the new two highestrated players in our group. By this point we both had wins under our beltsand were both looking at trying to top the group. This match up was reasonablyeven until the 12th move, when a careless capture allowed Black to gainsome ground before finally grabbing a firm lead on the 20th. } 1. d4 { Myopponent begins with the Queen's Pawn, which is slower for castling thanthe more popular King's Pawn. } 1... Nf6 { My standard response is Nf6, with thehope of a King's Indian. I play against Queen's Pawn openings quite regularly,one of the great players in Costa Coffee specialises in it enjoying theslow tactical manoeuvring that he can achieve. } 2. Bf4 { Perhaps tryingfor the London System? I've always felt Nf3 first is the better move. I suppose it is to stop my Knight on f6 from threatening the Bishop sinceafter e3 I'd lose the Knight via Qxh5. I could just be rambling here,I'm not all that familiar with anyone playing Bf4 before 2.Nf3. } 2... e6 { I'mlooking at playing Bd6 as soon as I can place it in a defend able positionto challenge the f4 Bishop. } 3. e3 b6 { Looking at attacking the weakerKingside with a fianchetto. } 4. Nd2 { Was expecting c3 here. } 4... Bb7 { PinsWhite's g2 Pawn and begins my threats on the White Kingside. } 5. h3 { Offersan escape the the White Bishop in case I play Nd5? Not what I had in mindhowever, I'm still looking at the eventual Bd6 to shift that Bishop. } 5... d5 { Now my Pawns are developed into the centre, I can play Bd6 without blockingmy development. } 6. Ngf3 { Possibly just developing for the Kingside castle? } 6... Bd6 { The killer attack on the White f4 Bishop, planned from the beginning. This move is why I dislike the London System, White now struggles to finddecent play. } 7. Ne5 { Now the Ngf3 becomes more obvious, allowing Whiteto defend his f4 Bishop. However, this closes off the Bishop quite nicely,so other than being aware of the problem of Nxf7 I am happy to ignore it. } 7... O-O 8. Bd3 { Looking at castling on the Kingside. } 8... c5 { I'm attempting todestabilise his Pawn structure. } 9. c3 { Finally. } 9... Nc6 10. Qf3 { Open tocastling on either the Kingside or the Queenside. However, I think thismove was slightly worse than just simply castling to the Kingside. } 10... Qc7 { Still threatening to dislodge the f4 Bishop, integral to the London System. } 11. Ng4 { Provoked White into pinning my Bishop, which will allow me todislodge it soon. I'd have considered 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.O-O,which I think was slightly better. } 11... Ne8 12. dxc5 { Not the best of choices,disrupts White's Pawn formation whilst keeping mine reasonably strong. I think White should've looked at 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Qg3 Qxg3 14.fxg3 instead. } 12... bxc5 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. O-O { I preferred 14.Qe2 here, but I don't thinkthere's much difference. } 14... f5 { Shifting the White Knight away and strengtheningmy grip on e4. } 15. Nh2 { White moves the Knight out of immediate danger. } 15... Ne5 { Fork on White's Bishop and Queen, forcing the Queen to move. I considerede5 instead, and am curious on the opinions of you, the readers, whetheror not I made the right choice. Perhaps 15...e5 16.Qg3 Qe7 17.Rfe1 Rb8?? } 16. Qe2 Rb8 { Once again, I'm not sure I made the right choice hereeither. Considered exchanging the Knight and Bishop with 16...Nxd3 17.Qxd3Ba6 18.c4 dxc4 19.Qc3 Nf6 20.Nxc4. Be interested to hear any thoughtson the matter. } 17. Rfe1 Nc7 { Just shifting the Knight to a more powerfulsquare than the edge of the board. } 18. c4 { 18.b3 better? } 18... Rfd8 19. Nb3 { Definitely should've considered 19.f4 instead, with half an eye on possiblethreats to the White Bishop. } 19... Ba6 20. Nf3 { Poor choice of moves, and nowmy lead is well and truly established. I think the best option for Whitewas 20.Rad1 Nxd3 21.Qxd3 Bxc4 22.Qc3 Bxb3 23.axb3, yes it loses a Pawnbut I think it was the best option available. After 20.Nf3, we're lookingat 20...dxc4 21.Bxc4 Bxc4 22.Qc2 Nxf3+ 23.gxf3 Bxb3 24.axb3 which losesa Knight and a Pawn. } 20... dxc4 { Bishop and Knight fork. } 21. Nxe5 { Prefer Bxc4,but there's not much in it. } 21... cxd3 { Bishop and Knight exchange. } 22. Nxd3 Bxd3 { White's net loss is a Knight and is forced to retreat with the Queen. } 23. Qh5 { I think this was panic, White had misjudged the exchange and nowfound his Queen under threat so moved her to a safe attacking position. However, after 23...c4 is gives up the b2 Pawn without a fight. I preferQd2. } 23... c4 24. Nd4 Rxb2 { As expected, White gains the b2 Pawn free of charge. } 25. Nf3 { Should've perhaps considered a4? Not really much in it I guess. } 25... Rf8 26. Ng5 { Threatens a cheeky mate! White is hoping Black is so interestedin his own attack that he misses this. } 26... h6 { Black does not miss it :o) } 27. h4 { Seems to be a theme copied from one of my previous tournament games,weakens the King's defence for no real reason. I think the best bet wasto shift the Knight back to f3. } 27... hxg5 28. hxg5 { Black wins another Knight,going to +6. White is hoping for g6 followed by Qh7#, but there it's easilydefended against allowing Black to gain an even larger lead. } 28... Nd5 29. Rad1 { Gives up on the a2 Pawn, no real choice left in all honesty. } 29... Rxa2 { Anotherfree Pawn, thank you :o) } 30. e4 { Trying to regain some lost material. Perhaps Qh3 instead? To help shore up the King's defences? } 30... Qb6 { PinsWhite's Pawn at f2 and takes control of the open file. } 31. Re3 { Firstreal blunder I think, hangs his Rook out to dry. At the time and in analysis,I can't see a mate (although I'm sure there is one, probably around 20moves), but I was certain I had won the game here. } 31... fxe4 32. g6 { Best movesI can see here for White is 32.Rg3 Raxf2 33.Kh2 Be2. Not a winning move,more a 'delay the inevitable' move. } 32... Rfxf2 { And now I can see a mate, orat least I did in analysis. 33.Qh7+ Kf8 34.Qh8+ Ke7 35.Qh4+ Nf6 36.Qh8Qxe3 37.Kh1 Qg3 38.Qxg7+ Kd8 39.Qh8+ Kd7 40.Qh2 Qxh2+ 41.Kxh2 Rxg2+ 42.Kh3Rh2+ 43.Kg3 Nh5+ 44.Kg4 Rag2#. During the game, I was simply thinkingthat after 33.Qh7+ Kf8 34.Qh8+ Ke7 35.Qh4+ Nf6, I should be able to finda mate. } 33. Qh7+ Kf8 34. Qh8+ Ke7 35. Qxg7+ { Instead, White shows me amate. 35...Kd6 36.Qh8 Qxe3 37.Qb8+ Kc6 38.Qa8+ Kc7 39.Qxa7+ Rxa7 40.Rd2Rf5+ 41.Rf2 Qxf2+ 42.Kh1 Rh5# } 35... Kd6 { And White resigns. So remember, ifWhite is keeping you in perpetual check, don't panic, keep calm and analysewhere the likely checks will be coming from. If you have a note of whatit likely to happen, you can stay calm and end in a winning position. Thank you yellowlab, for a fun game. } 0-1

[Event "Joblock!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "14-Jan-09"] [Round "-"] [White "rjacobs"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1758"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1565"] 1. d4 { This game was no easy win for me! The middlegame got very complicatedand I very nearly got Glenda trapped. Luckily I managed to force a queentrade later on which gradually turned the tide in my favour. Finally weended up in a K & P ending where even though I was a pawn up I had to avoidone last trick from Bob - I pull out a hidden talent from my sleeve, thejoblock! This finally forced Bob's resignation on the grounds of ruinousloss of material. } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 { 2. ....... c6 - the QGD - Slav Defense- I decide to back up my c pawn rather than exchange on c4. } 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Bf4 Bf5 5. e3 e6 { 5. .......... e6 - looking a little symmetrical. } 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. h3 h6 8. Qb3 Qc8 { 8. ......... Qc8 - Glenda's menial taskfor the day - guard b7 pawn! } 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O Nbd7 11. Rac1 { 11. Rac1- putting rook on the same file as Glenda - good idea! } 11... Re8 12. Rfe1 Ne4 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Nd2 Bg6 { 14. .......... Bg6 - I decide to preserve FouLeblanc - turns out I made the right choice later on. } 15. cxd5 exd5 16. Bf3 Nf6 { 16. ......... Nf6 - trying to decongest my position. Steed eyesup a possible landing on e4. } 17. Be5 Qd7 18. a3 h5 19. Qd1 Qf5 { 19. ...........Qf5 - and Glenda still cannot get away from defending pawns! This timeshe is called for the defense of the h5 square. } 20. Nf1 Ne4 { 20. .........Ne4 - mission accomplished, although that steed will exchange itself forthe enemy counterpart next turn. } 21. Ng3 Nxg3 22. Bxg3 h4 23. Bg4 Qd3 { 23. ......... Qd3 - now Glenda will be lost, but thankfully in exchangefor the Wicked Witch of the West! } 24. Bf4 Qxd1 25. Rcxd1 f5 26. Be2 { 26.Be2 - driven back. } 26... Bh7 27. b4 g5 28. Be5 Kf7 29. f4 Rg8 30. Kf2 g4 { 30........... g4 - now I try and put the squeeze on. Are the Expert lessonsstarting to take some effect? } 31. hxg4 fxg4 32. Rh1 g3+ { 32. ........g3 - Onward Christian Soldiers! } 33. Kg1 Bf5 34. Bh5+ Bg6 35. Bxg6+ Rxg6 36. Rf1 Rh6 37. Rh3 Rg8 { 37. ......... Rg8 - bringing the a8 rook finallyinto play on Move THIRTY-SEVEN! } 38. Rf3 Rg4 39. f5 Bg5 { 39. ........ Bg5- the kingside in white's arc is becoming a Crowded House! } 40. Bf4 Bxf4 41. exf4 Rf6 42. Kf1 Rxf5 43. Ke2 Rgxf4 { 43. ......... Rgxf4 - white dropsa second pawn but ...... } 44. Rxh4 Rxf3 45. gxf3 Kg6 { 45. ......... Kg6- I must get Henry in on the action, here he covers quite a few defensivesquares to avoid an enemy rook invasion. Bob now chooses a move whichallows more simplification in my favour. } 46. Rg4+ Rg5 47. Rxg5+ Kxg5 { 47......... Kxg5 - and now if you are a pawn up in a K & P ending you arevirtually on a home run, but there are still a few things to watch outfor before the game is sewn up! } 48. Kf1 Kf4 49. Kg2 { 49. Kg2 - best move,now comes some pawn play leading to putting Bob in a zugzwang. } 49... b6 50. a4 a6 51. a5 b5 { 51. ........... b5 - and here is that little pawn push,the joblock which does the trick here because Bob realises he is in a zugzwangand waves the white flag! Job done folks! } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.10.01"] [Round "-"] [White "eludens"] [Black "lecrabe"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2267"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2287"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3 a6 7. Na3 Nf6 8. Bg5 Be6 { This move is not the usual move played in this variation ofthe Sicilian defence. Usual is 8...B5, 9 Bxf6 gxf6 10 Nd5 whereby whiteobtains a small advantage. This is anyway not a bad move tough. } 9. Nc4 h5 { H5? is a mistake. This weakens the kings side dramatically making0-0 almost impossible to play since bxf6 should be met by gxf6 } 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 Ne7 13. a4 { A4! is a strong move as this showsimmediately the weakened position of black. Because of h5, 0-0 is impossibleand so to bring the king in safety 0-0-0 should be played but that hasa weak point which is the field b6! with a4 white immediately attacks toobtain b6. Black has a problem as 0-0-0 is risky. } 13... Qc7 14. a5 O-O-O 15. Ra4 { nice move but also Nb6 first was possible } 15... Kb8 16. Nb6 Qc5 17. c3 Nc8 { So this is not so good. On the other hand black has problems to developthe pieces. In nay way white already obtained a big advantage. This movejust makes it worse and thats because of the next move } 18. Bxa6 { Bxa6!!a striking and winning piece sacrifice. Black is lost!!! } 18... Nxb6 { Also bxa6does not help because of RC4 Qxa5 Nxc8 (RXC8 Qb3) } 19. axb6 bxa6 20. Rxa6 Rc8 { only move because of otherwise Ra8+! } 21. O-O Qb5 22. Qa1 Kb7 23. Ra7+ Kxb6 24. Qa3 Rc5 25. c4 Rxc4 26. Ra8 Rc7 27. Ra1 Qxd5 28. Rb8+ Rb7 29. Qa7+ { (Kc7 Rxb7+ Qxb7 Rc1+ and mate soon } 1-0

[Event "major's mini-tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "12-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "major"] [Black "dandelionexpress"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1514"] [TimeControl "7d+5d, 15d max"] [WhiteElo "1669"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 { The King's gambit } 2... d5 { The Falkbeer counter-gambit } 3. exd5 exf4 4. Nf3 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qh5 6. Bc4 { White continues the attack onf7. } 6... Bg4 { A strong apparent threat but one without real teeth. Black'smain threat seems to be a willingness to exchange Qs and pieces to disruptWhite's pawn protection. Not a bad idea, perhaps, but too early. Developinga N may have been a better choice. } 7. O-O { Getting the K to safety andbolstering the N at f3. It is pinned, but not easily attacked. } 7... Nc6 8. d4 { Risking the marginally supported d pawn in order to prevent the checkingmove Bc5 by Black. D4 also forces Black to pay attention to his now threatenedf4 pawn. } 8... O-O-O { Black gets his K to safety while putting pressure on thed4 pawn. } 9. Ne2 { Reinforcing d4 while doubling the attack on f4. } 9... g5 { Adefense of f4, but Black hems in his Q and lags in development. Betterwas 9... Bd6 which protects the pawn as well as develops the B. Black islagging a bit in development here. Another possible move here was 9...Qf5 which prevents trapping the Q while abandoning the pointless attackon the well defended f3 N and aligns Black's Q and B on the perhaps morefavorable h3-c8 diagonal. } 10. c3 { Bolstering d4 again and protecting thecenter. } 10... Nf6 { Black develops the N and gets control of e4, challengingthe center. } 11. Qb3 { White continues to focus on f7 although the BlackK has moved well away. } 11... Rd7 { Reinforces f7 but puts the R and K on a unfavorablediagonal, inviting a pin or attack after the removal of the f7 pawn. } 12. Ne5 { A key move. White abandons the e2 N to a double attack but threatensBlack's R. After 12...BxN, 13. BxB QxB 14. NxR NxN, 15. Qxf7 Black hasgood position and a pawn. But black should perhaps analyze lines otherthan 13. BxB. } 12... Bxe2 { Proceeding as foreseen... } 13. Bxf7 { ! White has plansother than BxB with an unfavorable end result for his game. Black mustcarefully ponder his next move. Not 13... BxR?? with the immediate lossof the Q, of course. Also not 13...QxB?? after which White exchanges hisB, R, and N for Black's Q, R, and B leaving him up by 3 pts with Blackin a precarious position as regards his f6 N and remaining B. Now is whenBlack sees the full disadvantage of his hemmed in Q. } 13... Rxf7 { Black movesahead materially and threatens a devastating attack should White seek toequalize. After 14. NxR BxR Black returns most of the material for a devastatingattack via 15 Qe2!! with mate to follow. } 14. Nxf7 Bxf1 { Putting the planinto execution. Black threatens Qe2 with mate next move. } 15. Kxf1 { Whitehas seen through Black's ruse and defuses the threat. While still downmaterially, white has aggressive position with credible threats to theh8 R and f6 N. Black has no immediate threats to allow him to capitalizeon his momentary material advantage. } 15... Qxh2 { Not a time for Black to gopawn hunting. Black had several better alternatives, including Qg4, protectingagainst the white Q's potential check at e6, a serious threat. Black herewastes a tempo when he should try to regain some initiative and mount adefense to gain time. The loss of his remaining R is imminent. Black'sthrust here is premature. } 16. Qe6+ { ! White does not intend to give Blacktime to regroup. This move is superior the more languid NxR, after whichBlack's can gain time or mount a credible attack with, for instance N(f)g4or e4, putting White's K at risk for a withering attack and taking advantageof White's cramped B and useless R. Note how the text move also guardsthe e4 and g4 squares as well, thus providing a defense against the advanceof the Black N to support his Q's would-be aggression. } 16... Nd7 { ??? A final,fatal error. Black's best chance here was to simply have the K retreatto b8. His back rank is protected against further checks by the White Qby his two Ns. Kb8 gives Black time to regroup. The text move leads tomate in two. Some possible lines: 16. Qe6 Kb8, 17. Qxf6 Rg8 18. Nxg5a6 with material even and an escape square for the Black king. 16. Qe6 Kb8 17 Nxh8 Be7 with Black able to protect his remaining pieces and alsoblock mate on the back rank, buying him time to mobilize the Q. It didnot have to end for Black on move 18, but 16... Nd7 sank his remaininghopes. } 17. Qe8+ { Obviously. Black now has nothing left but 17. N(c)d818. Qxd8# Black started out well enough but cramped his own pieces,especially the Q, early on and eventually reaped the results. Also, hedid not sufficiently analyze all the possibilities inherent in the dynamicsituation that was present at move 12. By move 17 he had lost his focus,it would seem. A reminder to us all to take time to carefully look at thecomplexity of each situation and not the immediate appearance. } 1-0

[Event "Caro Kahn (W)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.04.15"] [Round "-"] [White "ptitroque"] [Black "juanitovc"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1673"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1673"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 { Center game } 2... d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 { I found this line funny. } 6... h6 7. h5 Bh7 { White develops } 8. Be3 { Now, whitehas to ocupate the open field. } 8... e6 { Black unblocks his DSB } 9. Nf3 { developping } 9... Nf6 { For white, the question is now where to castle ? The queen side pawnstructure is intact but most white pieces are on the kingside so that Ichoose to caste short (or maybe, not to castle at all). } 10. c3 { Advancingthe kingside } 10... Be7 { Black will probably castle short. } 11. Bd3 { Menacingthe kingside } 11... Bxd3 { Black chooss to trade (having little other choice anyway). } 12. Qxd3 { Queen aiming at the kingside } 12... Nbd7 { Developing but white occupatesmore space now. } 13. Rd1 { To prevent 13. ... Nc5 14. dxc5 Qxd3 } 13... Nb6 { Nota very efficient move. 13. ... a5 or 13. ... b5 would have been better,I think. } 14. Qc2 { To prevent 14. ...Na4 and set the rook in direct oppositionwith the black queen. } 14... O-O { King in safe. Both players are very powerfullon the king side, material is equal, white's pawn structure is weaker becauseof the h pawn, white controls the center, no open file. I have the impressionthat the position is almost equal. } 15. Ne5 { White attacks } 15... Nbd5 { Blackcontests the center } 16. Qd2 { To protect the DSB } 16... Nxe3 17. Qxe3 { Trading } 17... Nd5 18. Qe4 { Queen on the b1-h7 diagonal } 18... Bd6 { enabling the queen to comeon g5 } 19. O-O { White finally opts to castle } 19... Nf6 { menacing the queen } 20. Qf3 { The queen has to drawback and white is not very satisfied of theposition because it's very equilibrated except the weak h pawn. But theknight and queen protects t. } 20... Qc7 { To attack the e knight. } 21. Rfe1 { Torotect the e knight - natural move. } 21... Rad8 { Rook on the half open file. } 22. Re3 { Preparing to double the roof on one of the half open files. } 22... Nd7 { To attack e5 with numeric superiority. The doubled rooks will be on thee file. } 23. Rde1 { It seems the obvious move to do. } 23... c5 { Black is on attackon the center. } 24. Nxd7 { At this moment, white lauches a complex tacticalplan. The knight trade has little importance in itself but it opens thee line and prevents black to take an initiative there for it menace thef rook so that black has to take now. } 24... Rxd7 { Qd5 was another candidatebut the queen would not have be aimed anylonge at g3 and h3. } 25. d5 { White'splan was to fully open the e file which he already controls and is readyto pay the price for it. } 25... exd5 26. Nf5 { Everybody on attack ! } 26... Bf4 { Onestratege said : 'attack is the best defense', but in this case, i's a mistake.Black probably oversaw the conséquences of the next move. } 27. Qg4 { Menacingmate } 27... Bg5 { If 27. ... g6 hxg6 28 hxg6 and white is in serious trouble.If 27. ... Bxe3 28. Qxg7+ mate } 28. g3 { To prevent a counterattack bythe queen and far more important, to prepare 29. f4 } 28... Kh7 { Probably to avoidbeing in chess by 29. Ne7 but thee was no risk becuse I didn't see whereit could lead. so that this is a weak move. } 29. f4 { 'I said anybody onattack'. } 29... Bf6 { No other place to avoid 30. fxg5 or 30. Qxg7+# } 30. Re8 { Now white can play the trade but there is risk because the white ing isnaked, black is now ahead in material and the black queen seriously menacesthe white king. } 30... Rxe8 { Almost no choice. } 31. Rxe8 { The black king is surrounded. } 31... d4 { 'La meilleure défense c'est l'attaque' said the other one and I wasafraid becaus I was not sure at all to have enough moves to se black inreal trouble before he promote one of his pawns. } 32. Nxh6 { Beginning ofa complicated tactical sequence. } 32... Rd8 { Avoiding 33. Nxf7 ... 34. Qxg7#mate } 33. Qf5+ { white has two possible answers } 33... Kxh6 { The other line went : 33.... g6 34. hxg6+ fxg6 35. Qh3+#, so that black plays the proper move, beingnow one knight ahead but having his king totally blocked which was white'sidea. } 34. Re2 { White has no interest to trade. The rook is necessary tocounter black's attack. } 34... d3 { Black's attack... } 35. Rd2 { ... Countered.But the rook is now blocked. } 35... c4 { Blunder, it permits white to advancebut I do not see what black could have plaid. } 36. g4 { Now black has littleto do. } 36... Qb6+ { It had to come. } 37. Kf1 { Black cannot set white in chessthe next move... } 37... g6 { ...So that he tries something else } 38. g5+ { Forkattack. } 38... Bxg5 { Black exchanges the bishop against a pawn... better thannoting. } 39. Qxg5+ { Natural move. } 39... Kg7 40. Qe5+ { If 40. ... Kh8 41. hxh6and black is quickly mate by 42. Rg2+ etc. or Rh2+etc. depending on black'soption. } 40... Kg8 { So that black plays 40. ... Kg8 which is even worse... } 41. h6 { Mating menace. Yhe only move to avoid it is 42. ... f6 but 43. Qe7with forced mate by 44. Qg7+# } 1-0

[Event "Walking the Walk and Learning to Run MT Part 4"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.30"] [Round "-"] [White "ptitroque"] [Black "lesplay"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1204"] [TimeControl "5d+5d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1642"] 1. e4 { Short game. Black did well till the 10th move and a couple of mistakesafter. } 1... e5 2. d4 Nc6 { Central game, gambit refused } 3. Nf3 { The most logicalmove, aiming at the center } 3... d6 4. dxe5 Bg4 5. Be2 f6 6. exd6 Bxd6 { Whitegets material advantage but black has 4 pieces out against 3 for white(gambit situation) } 7. Be3 { White has to develop quickly. It's hard forblack to castle short because the g knight cannot go to f6 and h6 is abad place. Furthermore, the pawn f6 opens the diagonal a2-g8 for the whitebishop. On the other hand, both white bishops aim at the black queen sideand can be dangerous in case of long castle. } 7... Qe7 8. h3 { To eject the ennoyingblack bishop } 8... Be6 9. O-O O-O-O { Long castle for black whith white DSB aimingat a7... danger } 10. Bd3 { Protecting the e pawn and allowing the queento come on e2 } 10... Ne5 { Mistake } 11. Bxa7 { 2 pawns advance for white and ahole near the king } 11... Kd7 { Weak move, I suppose. It let the initiative tothe white and the b pawn is now unprotected. } 12. Nc3 { to developp andaim at b5 and d5, two important squares } 12... c6 13. Qe2 { defending the e pawnand aiming at d5 with the eventuallity of a sacrifice to oblige the c pawnto move. } 13... Nxd3 { It supress a menace but weakens black center and the exchangesare good for the one with material advance } 14. Qxd3 { Now black DSB ispined } 14... Ke8 { To permit the d rook to menace the white queen but lettingthe initiative to white. Now it will be hard for black to join both rooks } 15. Qe3 { To escape the d rook menace, protect the bishop in a7 and createa menace on e file (permiting e5) } 15... Bc4 { This move achieves nothing. Whiteanyway planned to send the f rook on e1 or d1 } 16. Rfe1 { I hesitated between16. Re1 and 16. Rd1 to settle on the open file. I finally opted for e1because I planned to play e5 as soon as possible and because the a rookcan come on d1. } 16... Be6 { Back home. The 15th and 16th moves have achievednothing, except the white's position is better. } 17. e5 { Here we go fora central attack } 17... fxe5 18. Nxe5 { Knight on the center. No best spot. } 18... h6 { Blunder ! } 19. Ng6 Bc5 { Last defense try } 20. Bxc5 Qf6 { To save thequeen but the game is lost } 21. Nxh8 { I looked for a mate, couldn't findit, so capture the rook seems the best. } 1-0

[Event "An Albin Counter-Gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "28-Oct-08"] [Round "-"] [White "rjacobs"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1739"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1559"] 1. d4 { Hi everyone, when playing an unrated game against my buddy rjacobs(he has an optimum rating of 1688) I decided to try out the Albin. Thematch was to end in a drawn K & P endgame - you the jury decide how successfulthis choice was. } 1... d5 2. c4 e5 { 2. .......... e5 - the Albin Counter-Gambit- can lead to interesting play. } 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. e4 dxe3 6. Qxd8+ Nxd8 7. Bxe3 Bb4+ { 7. ................ after a plethora of exchanges includingan early queen trade I now try to get my pieces out and get some play formy pawn minus. } 8. Nbd2 Bg4 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Bxd2 11. Bxd2 h6 { 11. ...........h6 - to prevent a knight incursion on g5. } 12. Bc3 Be6 { 12. ..........Be6 - to blockade the e5 pawn uncovering an attack from white's dsb ontomy g pawn. } 13. Rad1 Nge7 14. Rfe1 O-O { 14. ........ 0-0 - finally I havecompleted my development. Although white controls the d file white cannotinvade on the 7th rank because it is covered by Frere Leblanc. On my nextmove, however, I decide to challenge the d file. } 15. h3 Rfd8 16. b4 Rxd1 17. Rxd1 Rd8 18. b5 Rxd1+ 19. Bxd1 Nb8 { 19. .............. Nb8 - the knightis forced to retreat to its home square but it emerges onto d7 and thiswill eventually lead to me obtaining material equality. } 20. Bb3 Nd7 21. Nd4 Ng6 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. a4 Ngxe5 24. Bxe5 Nxe5 { 24. .......... Nxe5 -material equality is restored. Mission accomplished. White has a slightedge here due to me having an isolani and white's pawns being more advanced. However, things can change. } 25. c5 Kf7 26. Kf1 Ke7 27. Ke2 b6 { 27. ..........b6 - challenging white's imposing pawn roll on the queenside and preventingthe standard pawn breakthrough which could occur should white play a5. The queenside pawn structure will soon be locked - this is a good thingto me as the white king will not be able to get through - Henry can thereforehandle what is to come on the kingside. } 28. c6 Kd6 29. Ke3 Nf7 30. f4 Nd8 31. Kd4 Ke7 32. g4 Nf7 33. h4 Nd8 34. Ke5 Nf7+ 35. Kd4 Nd8 36. f5 { 36.f5?! - after spending the last few moves aimlessly moving Henry and myknight around white pushes his f pawn - not too sure this is a good planas I get rid of my isolani and leave white with two! } 36... exf5 37. gxf5 Kf6 38. Ke4 Nf7 39. Bxf7 Kxf7 { 39. ......... Kxf7 - now down to a K & P ending. } 40. Ke5 Ke7 41. h5 Kf7 42. Kf4 Ke7 { 42. .......... Ke7. After this movewe agreed a draw. I think white's next move would be Ke6 holding backmy king. Interesting game. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "World Chess Championship, ?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2021.12.03"] [Round "-"] [White "Mangus Carlsen"] [Black "Ian Nepomniachtchi"] [Result "1-0"] 1. d4 Nf6 { For the next few moves, Stockfish wants White to play c4. Whiteto play. } 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 { This move order allows Black to develop thelight square bishop, which leads to a dynamic game. Stockfish likes 3...Bf5 4. c4 e6. } 3... e6 { This will transpose to a normal Catalan. } 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O { White to play. } 6. b3 { This is unusual at the top level. Onceagain the computer prefers c4. } 6... c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. c4 dxc4 9. Qc2 { Pinningthe pawn. } 9... Qe7 { White to play. } 10. Nbd2 { Offering a pawn sacrifice. White might be minuscule better after 10... cxb3 11. Nxb3. His extra developmentand open lines help him. } 10... Nc6 { Black wants no part of it. } 11. Nxc4 { If11... e5 12. Bb2 is equal but tricky. 12... e4. Now Black would be a tinybit better after 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nh4 Nd4. } 11... b5 { Equal. } 12. Nce5 { If12... Nxe5 13. Nxe5 is winning for White. 13... Nd5 14. Nc6 Qd6 15. e4Qxc6 16. exd5 Qb6 (16... exd5 17. Ba3) 17. dxe6 Rb8 18. Bf4. } 12... Nb4 { Gaininga tempo. White to play. } 13. Qb2 Bb7 14. a3 { Another idea is 14. Bg5. } 14... Nc6 15. Nd3 Bb6 { White to play. } 16. Bg5 Rfd8 17. Bxf6 { 17... Qxf6 18.Qxf6 gxf6 is minuscule better for Black. } 17... gxf6 { An imbalanced position. } 18. Rac1 Nd4 { An alternative is 18... e5 19. Nh4 Nd4. White to play. } 19. Nxd4 Bxd4 20. Qa2 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Qb7+ { White to play. } 22. Kg1 { Notethat 22. f3 would weaken the kingside. } 22... Qe4 23. Qc2 { The middlegame. If 23... Rac8 24. Qxc8 Rxc8 25. Rxc8+ Kg7 26. Nf4 e5 27. e3 is equal. } 23... a5 { Plays on the Queenside. } 24. Rfd1 Kg7 { White to play. } 25. Rd2 { Themost logical might be 25. e3 He might go for Qc6 with trades and playon the Queenside, or play Qe2. Now best is 25... b4 26. axb4 axb4 27.Nxb4 Bxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Qxb4. } 25... Rac8 26. Qxc8 Rxc8 27. Rxc8 Qd5 { This appearsto be a strong move. If 28. Nc1 Bxf2+. White to play. } 28. b4 a4 { Makes white pawns look weak. He might infiltrate later. Now the gamegets complicated. } 29. e3 { If 29... Bb2 30. Rc5 (30. Rxb2 Qxd3 thenif 31. Ra2 Qb1+) 30... Qd6 31. Rxb2 Qxd3 32. Rbc2 Qxa3 33. Rxb5 Qd3 34.Rbc5 a3 35. Rc1 a2 36. Ra1 Qb1+ 37. Rc1 Qxb4 38. Rxa2. This could leadto an endgame where White trades both rooks on f7 for the queen and pawnand wins the resulting King and Pawn ending. } 29... Be5 { Magnus has ten movesto make with three minutes to go. } 30. h4 { With the idea of trappingthe king after 30... Qb3 31. Nxe5 fxe5 32. Rc7 Qxa3 33. Rdd7 Qxb4 34. Rxf7+Kg6 35. Rg7+ Kh6 36. Rxh7+ Kg6 37. h5+ Kf5 38. Rhg7 Qe1+ 39. Kg2 a3 40.Ra7 a2 (40... b4 41. h6) 41. h6 a1=Q 42. g4+ Ke4 43. Rxa1 Qxa1 44. h7. } 30... h5 { This pawn might become a liability. White to play. } 31. Kh2 { Stockfish gives 31... Qb3 32. Nxe5 fxe5 33. Rd7 Qxa3 34. Rcc7 Qb2 35. Rxf7+. } 31... Bb2 { A mistake. } 32. Rc5 { Magnus is winning. } 32... Qd6 { White wins with 33.Rcc2 Bxa3 (33... Ba1 34. Nf4 Qe7 35. Rc8 Be5 36. Rcd8 Qb7 37. Nxe6+ Kg638. Nc5) 34. Nf4 Qf8 (34... Qxb4 35. Rd7 e5 36. Nxh5+ Kg6 37. Rc6 Kxh538. Rxf6) 35. Rd7 Kg8 36. Rdc7 Qxb4 37. Rc8+ Kg7 38. Nxh5+ Kg6 39. Nf4+Kg7 40. R2c7 Qe4 41. Rd8. } 33. Rd1 { Misses the win. } 33... Bxa3 { Black hasthe advantage. White to play. } 34. Rxb5 Qd7 { Magnus has 2 minutes tomake 6 moves. } 35. Rc5 { Black has an advantage after 35... Bxb4 36. Rcc1Be7. } 35... e5 36. Rc2 { Black can play 36... Bxb4 37. Rcc1 Ba3 38. Ra1 Qg4. } 36... Qd5 { White to play. } 37. Rdd2 { Magnus creates a fortress. } 37... Qb3 38. Ra2 { White is slightly better after 38... Bxb4 39. Rdb2 Qxd3 40. Rxb4. Stockfishgives 38... f5 39. Ra1 Bxb4 40. Nxb4 Qxb4 41. Rda2 f4 42. Rxa4 or 42. exf4. } 38... e4 { This is a blunder. } 39. Nc5 Qxb4 { White to play. } 40. Nxe4 { Withless than 15 seconds to go, Magnus misses 40. Rdc2 f5 41. Nxa4 with a winninggame. Now the game is even. } 40... Qb3 41. Rac2 Bf8 { A weird computer line is42. Rc8 a3 43. Rdd8 a2 44. Rxf8 a1=Q 45. Rh8 Kg6 46. g4 hxg4 47. Rhg8+Kf5 48. Rce8 threatening Ng3# or Nd6#. 48... Qe5+ 49. Ng3+ Qxg3+ 50. Kxg3Qxe3+ 51. fxe3 Stalemate. } 42. Nc5 Qb5 { White to play. } 43. Nd3 a3 44. Nf4 Qa5 45. Ra2 Bb4 { White to play. } 46. Rd3 Kh6 47. Rd1 Qa4 48. Rda1 { This seems passive, but Black has massive pawn liabilities. } 48... Bd6 { Whiteto play. } 49. Kg1 { 49... Bxf4 50. exf4 is technically winning for White. } 49... Qb3 50. Ne2 Qd3 51. Nd4 Kh7 { 52. Nc2 would be nice, but 52... Be5 53.Ne1 Qb5 54. Rxa3 Bxa1 55. Rxa1 might be similar to the actual game. Whiteto play. } 52. Kh2 { Black has many choices including 52... Kh6 } 52... Qe4 { Thisallows Magnus to do what he wants. } 53. Rxa3 { White has a slight advantage. } 53... Qxh4+ { This seems like progress for Black. } 54. Kg1 { Better than 54.Kg2 Qe4+ 55. f3 ([Or] 55. Kf1 h4 56. gxh4 Bxa3 57. Rxa3) 55... Qe5 56.f4 Qe4+. } 54... Qe4 { White to play. } 55. Ra4 Be5 56. Ne2 Qc2 57. R1a2 Qb3 { Whiteto play. } 58. Kg2 Qd5+ 59. f3 { This seems like an overly committal pawnmove. The computer prefers 59. Kh2 but maybe Magnus has a plan. } 59... Qd1 60. f4 Bc7 { White to play. } 61. Kf2 Bb6 62. Ra1 Qb3 63. Re4 { This looksugly but is the computer move. White is eyeing Ra8 and Re8. } 63... Kg7 { Whiteto play. } 64. Re8 f5 { A very committal move. } 65. Raa8 { White would liketo attack f7 or f5 later. } 65... Qb4 66. Rac8 Ba5 { White to play. } 67. Rc1 Bb6 68. Re5 Qb3 69. Re8 Qd5 { White to play. } 70. Rcc8 Qh1 71. Rc1 Qd5 72. Rb1 { Magnus attempts to bully the bishop. } 72... Ba7 { White to play. } 73. Re7 Bc5 74. Re5 Qd3 75. Rb7 Qc2 { White to play. } 76. Rb5 { Now F5 is going to falleventually. } 76... Ba7 77. Ra5 Bb6 78. Rab5 Ba7 79. Rxf5 Qd3 { White to play. } 80. Rxf7+ { Now Magnus sacrifices... } 80... Kxf7 81. Rb7+ Kg6 82. Rxa7 { ... toenter the next phase of the game. } 82... Qd5 { Because the players are low ontime, they shuffle back and forth to gain time on the clock before committingto something more concrete. } 83. Ra6+ Kh7 84. Ra1 Kg6 85. Nd4 Qb7 86. Ra2 Qh1 87. Ra6+ Kf7 88. Nf3 Qb1 89. Rd6 Kg7 90. Rd5 Qa2+ 91. Rd2 Qb1 92. Re2 Qb6 93. Rc2 Qb1 94. Nd4 Qh1 95. Rc7+ Kf6 96. Rc6+ Kf7 97. Nf3 Qb1 98. Ng5+ Kg7 99. Ne6+ Kf7 100. Nd4 Qh1 101. Rc7+ Kf6 102. Nf3 Qb1 103. Rd7 Qb2+ 104. Rd2 Qb1 105. Ng1 Qb4 106. Rd1 Qb3 { White to play. } 107. Rd6+ Kg7 108. Rd4 Qb2+ 109. Ne2 { Now Magnus finds the ideal position to makeprogress. } 109... Qb1 { White to play. } 110. e4 Qh1 111. Rd7+ Kg8 112. Rd4 Qh2+ { White to play. } 113. Ke3 h4 114. gxh4 Qh3+ 115. Kd2 Qxh4 { White to play. } 116. Rd3 Kf8 117. Rf3 Qd8+ 118. Ke3 Qa5 { White to play. } 119. Kf2 Qa7+ 120. Re3 Qd7 121. Ng3 Qd2+ { White to play. } 122. Kf3 Qd1+ 123. Re2 Qb3+ 124. Kg2 Qb7 { White to play. } 125. Rd2 Qb3 126. Rd5 Ke7 127. Re5+ Kf7 { Whiteto play. } 128. Rf5+ Ke8 129. e5 Qa2+ 130. Kh3 { Theoretically, Black candraw with 130... Qb1. } 130... Qe6 { White to play. } 131. Kh4 { Stockfish gives131... Qa2 132. Nh5 Ke7 133. Rf6. } 131... Qh6+ { This is a mistake, but Black isalready losing. } 132. Nh5 Qh7 133. e6 { If 133... Qxf5 134. Ng7+. } 133... Qg6 { White to play. } 134. Rf7 Kd8 135. f5 Qg1 136. Ng7 { Black resigns. } 1-0

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "???"] [Black "???"] [Result "*"] { This is my online blitz game with 3 minutes and no increment on the clocka battle against time. Shame i only realised that half way through thegame. } 1. e4 c5 { Started off with my normal opening as black with the c5pawn. } 2. Ne2 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. Nbc3 d6 { Still in the developmentphase with no real threat from either side. } 6. Nd5 { Knight here seemsa little aggressive this early in the game especially when other piecesneed to be developed. } 6... b5 { Accidental move by me due to a computer malfunction. } 7. a3 { I suppose to prevent the b4 move. } 7... Bb7 8. O-O a6 9. d3 { Still developingpieces. } 9... e6 { Decide its time to get rid of the knight. } 10. Ndf4 Nge7 11. c3 { I predict an attack in the centre from the queen pawn. } 11... d5 { But i attackfirst which may not be such a great move but with 2 minutes on the clocki didnt have time to think as i would normally have } 12. Qc2 O-O 13. Bh3 { Bishop move did seem slightly pointless as i think it would have beenmore useful on the square it was on. I may have played the queen pawn insteadif i were him but i havent checked the outcome thoroughly. } 13... e5 { i decideto grab more of the centre. Nxd5 may have weakened my attack slightly. } 14. Ng2 { Ng2 instead seems a passive move which blocks his bishop out. } 14... d4 { i grab more of the centre for myself. } 15. Bd2 Bc8 { i try to get ridof the bishop to allow my rook the file expecting that he will take it } 16. g4 { g4 seems a very weak move at the time. Blocking his bishop inwhilst weakening the pawn structure around the king } 16... h5 { i try to trickhim to take the pawn not expecting he will take it. } 17. gxh5 { Surprisinglyhe takes !! not sure if its a trap but i decide to take the bishop. Barein mind that the pawn was the first piece to be taken. } 17... Bxh3 { Thank you. } 18. h6 { Decides to push the pawn to attack bishop and cause problems inmy defense } 18... Bh8 19. Ng3 Bxg2 20. Kxg2 Kh7 { I move the king here to stoppawn advancement ( not that he could) and to also allow the knight to attackthe pawn } 21. Rg1 { Not too sure what this was for } 21... Ng8 22. h4 { I expecthe wants to free up the file for his rooks. } 22... Qxh4 { I take. I know thisprobably isnt the best move but with less than a minute on the clock iwas trying to reach an endgame by getting rid of the pieces. } 23. Rh1 { asexpected } 23... Qg4 24. f3 Qe6 25. Rae1 { 50 seconds on my clock versus 1 minuteand 50 seconds } 25... dxc3 { I take hoping that he wont take with queen or bishop } 26. bxc3 { he kindly complies. } 26... f5 { trying to get rid of pieces } 27. Bg5 Bf6 { Bishop swap? } 28. Bxf6 Qxf6 { Thank you } 29. Qe2 f4 30. Nf5 { Blunderagain!!! } 30... gxf5 31. exf5 Qxf5 { Now im six points ahead but drasticallybehind on time } 32. Qe4 { pins the queen } 32... Qxe4 33. Rxe4 Rae8 { i defendthe pawn to allow my knight freedom to roam around. Free range knightsare better after all apparently. } 34. Rh5 Nxh6 { taking pieces left rightand centre. hmmm maybe not so much for left } 35. d4 { he wants a swap } 35... exd4 { i probably should have taken with the c pawn but taking into account ihad less than 15 seconds im suprised i didnt take it with the knight } 36. Rxe8 Rxe8 { still swapping } 37. cxd4 Re2+ { probably not the best but i knewif he did kf1 i would do nxd4 and alls good } 38. Kh3 { surprisingly he goesto trap himself } 38... Nxd4 { i continue to take the pawn with an 8 point leadbut under 10 seconds left } 39. Rxc5 { he pawn grabs } 39... Nxf3 { as do i but theressomething coming at him (like a dark horse) } 40. Rc7+ { goes for a check } 40... Kg8 41. Ra7 { threatens the pawn oh no!!! } 41... Rh2# { But its checkmate. With6 seconds remaining i manage to pull off a win. Thanks for reading } *

[Event "A nice opening trap"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "'A'"] [Black "'B'"] [Result "1-0"] { Two acquaintances played this miniature. White neatly traps Black andgets a fast win. } 1. d4 { Playing for a positional affair. } 1... Nf6 { Decidingto withhold his central Pawns. } 2. Nf3 { Developing his own Knight. } 2... e6 { Cautious play. } 3. Bg5 { Pinning at once. } 3... c5 { Attacking the Pawn. } 4. e4 { With the threat of P-K5 winning the pinned Knight. } 4... Qb6 { Counteringby unpinning. } 5. Nbd2 { Baiting the trap. } 5... Qxb2 { Black succumbs to hisgreed. } 6. Nc4 { The Black Q is in trouble. } 6... Qb4+ { Trying to squirm loose. } 7. c3 { Defending with a counterattack. if 7... Q-N4, 8 N-Q6 ch wins theQ [8... BxN 9 BxQ.] } 7... Qxc3+ { The last gasp. } 8. Bd2 { The Q is trapped. Blackresigns at once. } 1-0

[Event "A great game playing the great Sicilian!!!!!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.04.20"] [Round "-"] [White "starkkev"] [Black "mariodag"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1616"] [TimeControl "5d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1416"] 1. e4 { Hello everybody!!! I'm annotating this game bacause i liked it verymuch...It was from a tournament i'm still playing! So it started with e4. } 1... c5 { I used to play e5 but now i'm playing my favourite Sicilian defence... } 2. d4 { He choosed that variation playing d4. Not bad but i think Nf3 wouldbe better... } 2... cxd4 { I took the pawn... } 3. Qxd4 { And he took it with hisqueen... } 3... Nc6 { That seems logical...I actually never played this variationbefore, expept playing it in blitz games... } 4. Qe3 { He played that movebut i think Qd1 would be more safe for his queen... } 4... Nf6 { I opened theother knight... } 5. Nc3 { That move seems good.. } 5... e6 { I think this is thegreatest move to play...What do you think? } 6. Bd2 { Better would be Nf3i guess... } 6... d5 { And now i was between that move and Be7....My thought wasto attack and play more aggresive than playing Be7 which seems more pathetic(i know it is a good move too)... } 7. e5 { And now he made the first mistake....e5showed me i took the right decision before...he might ignored the threatthat was coming from d4.... } 7... d4 { d4! That was a good move that will givean advantage early in the game being with a knight up for the rest... } 8. Qg5 { He's protecting his queen for sure! } 8... dxc3 { And i took his knight... } 9. Bxc3 { He took the pawn...Now he wants my knight but i know if i'm gonnaplay logicaly i won't find some trouble... } 9... h6 { So i played h6 which ithink was the best move to do... } 10. Qg3 { He had to protect his queen.. } 10... Nd5 { And i move my knight in a safe place... } 11. O-O-O { That looks good...iwas expecting something like this as his king's side seems still disorganized! } 11... Qc7 { Looks good.. } 12. Bb5 { I wanted to exchange our pieces but firstlywanted to play a6 which seems more defencing...He might moving his bishopaway... } 12... a6 { So a6 } 13. Bxc6+ { And he accepted the exchange of pieces... } 13... Qxc6 { I took that bishop... } 14. Ne2 { He played with his knight that move...Whatdo you think? I knew he's goona move then in d4 square... } 14... b5 { b5 looksfine to me...Now i cant move the black bishop to e7 as his queen is pushingthe g7 square... } 15. Nd4 { I knew he's gonna play that move... } 15... Qc4 { Andi though that would be the greatest reply... } 16. b3 { That was his secondbig mistake..I really don't have any problem to exchange our queens, plusi would be up two pieces... } 16... Qxc3 { So i took the bishop with no fear understandingthat this game could be mine with two more pieces... } 17. Qxc3 { He acceptedof course the exchange.. } 17... Nxc3 { and my brave knight took his queen andnow was threatening both his rook and the a2 pawn... } 18. Rd2 { That washis third and biggest mistake...He simply ignored the checkmate that willcome...Playing that move he just blocked his King and maked him die assoon as possible!!!!!! } 18... Ba3# { And checkmate with my bishop that duringthe whole game was sleeping piecefully....That was the game! I hope youlike it!!!! Wait for your comments and your rating and please if it's somethingto ask write it down or sent me a message....I also have to notice in mygame that i did not play 0-0 in the whole game, something that is rarefor me playing as black...Thanks for reading my annotation... } 0-1

[Event "fiercequeen, still doesn't know what to think... (pt. 3)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "4-sep-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "chemasta"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2127"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz"] [WhiteElo "2059"] { the bigger the mind, the bigger the beast... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 { a bit slow: but solid... } 4. O-O Nf6 5. Re1 O-O 6. c3 { keep Nc6 atbay... } 6... a6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 b5 12. Bd3 { all in control... } 12... Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15. h4 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 { a bit of a gamble... } 16... h6 17. g5 { Black is losing a decisive tempo... } 17... h5 18. Kg2 { we need Rooks... } 18... Qd5 19. Bf4 f6 20. Rac1 { room, for more complications... } 20... fxg5 21. c4 bxc4 22. Qxc4 Qxc4 23. Rxc4 { all kinds of pieces en prise... } 23... Rxf4 { a very bad move... } 24. Rxc6 Bd6 25. Nxg5 Rxd4 26. Re4 Rd2 27. Kf3 { no fear... } 27... Rxa2 { I would have tried Rf8... } 28. Ke3 Rf8 29. Ne6 Rfxf2 30. Nxc7 Rfe2+ 31. Kf3 Bxc7 { not paying attention? } 32. Rxe2 { boink... } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.11.09"] [Round "-"] [White "bufferunderflow"] [Black "pino"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1514"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1498"] { My fail with Nimzo Larsen. The Nimzo Larsen attack is not played thatoften today. It starts with 1.Nf3 and is followed by 2.b3 ... 3.Bb2. Ilike to mess around with uncommon openings and I tend to have no furtherclue about opening theory therefore I hope to avoid a disadvantage of thislack by starting like that. Also I'm really found of fianchetto and that'sone of the main reasons why I wanted to try it out. However, this gameled to an interesting combination which I overlooked and which I foundquite nice, but let's start at the beginning. PS: This game is yet tobe analyzed with some software, will add further information and corrections(which surely will be needed) when I get to it :) } 1. Nf3 { The Nimzo Larsenstarts like the Reti with Nf3 } 1... d5 { The reaction to occupy the center isthe common response to it. Other options are Nf6 or even Nc6 :) } 2. b3 { And that's as far as the Gameknot Opening DB goes. However the next 3moves are quite common in this opening and even played by higher ratedplayers } 2... e6 3. Bb2 Nf6 { Everything until now is fine and quite common,that's where the fun begins. } 4. d3 { And this is the first 'mistake' Idid, because c4 is obviously stronger. Attacking the center, getting thepawns to point towards the kingside, actually I think I planned to do c4as the next move, but apparently I didn't... However, this move is stillplayable (as has been played by Certic, who did c4 as the next step andFant, who went on with Nb1d2 before doing c4). } 4... Be7 5. Nbd2 c5 { Now myposition starts to get cramped, leaving the control over the board andthe initative to black. A possible way to continue would be to fianchettothe second bishop ot build up bigger pressure on the center. } 6. e4 { Whitestarts trying to break up the center to gain and advantage of it's development. } 6... dxe4 { Black actually takes the pawn and allows white to free its position.d4 would probably have been the most annoying reaction. } 7. Nxe4 { It wouldhave probably been better to retake with the pawn, strenghening the centerand of course setting the bishop free. this would have increased the developmentadvantage of white even further. } 7... Nbd7 8. Qe2 { Preparing to castle andletting the rook on the half open d file such that the Queen can evantuallybe attacked. } 8... h6 { While black doesn't want my knights to move to g5 } 9. O-O-O b6 { This shows another disadvantage of takingwith the pawn insteadof the knight. After castling the pawn on c5 was easier to attack, sinceonly the Bishop could have defended it. Now it's to late and still I tryto attack. } 10. d4 cxd4 { Thankfully black takes and does not wait untilI take (which I would have to do, if I did not want my Bishop to be blocked).Black could have strenghend it's control over the center with Qc7 as anexample. } 11. Nxd4 { Actually it's starting to look pretty good for me.Both knights are places in the center, I'm clearly ahead in development,black hasn't castled yet his bishops aren't well placed... But I had onebig problem: I had no plan what I should be going to do... } 11... Bb7 { Blackfinally develops the light squared bishop and blocks Nc6 which could havegotten ugly... } 12. Nxf6+ { White starts to fall apart, having no clue whatto do I simply trade of pieces, giving blacks bishop a nice position andwasting my control on the center. } 12... Bxf6 13. Qh5 { The next sign of desperation.The queen switches to the enemy King's side, where nearly no pressure isyet applied } 13... Qe7 14. Nb5 O-O { A nice chance given by black for white toget back into the game. 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Qh4 ... and white can develophis bishop and start to get the second rook into play. } 15. f3 { UnfortunatlyI wasted this cance and let black get ahead } 15... Bxb2+ 16. Kxb2 Nf6 17. Qh4 Rfe8 { Tempting white to do a fork } 18. Qg3 Nd5 { And of courseI fall forit, missing the possibility of Qf6+! } 19. Bc4 Red8 { Still not seeing thepossible attack, which still could be prevented } 20. Rhe1 { Actually upuntil now I would have had the chance to get back into the game with f.i20. Qe5 a6 21. Bxd5 xb5 22. Bxb7 Qa3+ 23. Kc3 Qa5+ 24. Kb2 Qxa2+ 25. Kc3Qa5+ 26. Kb2 Qa3+ and we end with 3fold repetition... } 20... Qf6+ 21. Kc1 { ??Why did I do that? Black is free to go right now. Had I done Kb1 I stillcould have prevented the worst with the Knight, although or by kickinghis Knight with the Bishop... } 21... Qa1+ 22. Kd2 Nc3+ 23. Nd6 Nxd1 { And theend is near } 24. Rxd1 Qd4+ 25. Ke2 Qc3 26. Rd2 { The Knight is trapped becauseotherwise I lose the Rook, the Rook is trapped to protect the pawn, theQueen is trapped to save the Knight... } 26... Bc6 27. Qf4 Rd7 { Now White hasprotected the Rook with the queen, but the Knight is in grave danger... } 28. Qe3 Qb4 { Black doens't want to swap queens, noticing my panic and seeinghis chances for a better outcome. } 29. a4 { ?? Giving up the Knight andallowing black to get further ahead... } 29... Rxd6 30. Rxd6 Qxd6 31. g3 { Fromthis point on the game was obviously totally lost, I just didn't want togive in. The rest is pure self torture } 31... Rd8 32. Bd3 Qd4 33. Qc1 f5 34. Qe1 Qe5+ 35. Kf2 Qxe1+ 36. Kxe1 { Loosing the queen and the only hope toget back, I finally resigned... } 0-1

[Event "Down but not out!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2007.11.06"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "dmaestro"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1584"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1525"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! While contemplating playing in Master Freddy's TraxlerTournament and dropping 40 something rating points on Black Friday I feelin need of some dire inspiration so that when I do join the tournamentI put up a jolly good show especially as Coach Ion is also playing in it. I recalled my second ever game - an unrated game - with my buddy Dmaestrofrom the Coaching Club shortly after I went through The Big Slump. Inthe middle game I was down a piece for a pawn and looked out. But somehowthings did not quite work out like that. Ah well, dmaestro gives me theLion Variation of the Philidor's Defense. The Lion Variation can alsoarise out of the Pirc. } 1... d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 { 3. ....... Nbd7 - thismove is the start of the Lion. } 4. f4 { 4. f4 - creating an impressive lookingpawn centre but it soon gets busted. } 4... e5 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. fxe5 { 6. fxe5- double pawn trade. } 6... Nxe5 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 { 7. ....... Kxd8 - now a queentrade. } 8. Bg5 c6 9. O-O-O+ { 9. 0-0-0 - castles and checks the opponent'sking and puts his king knight in a pin. So far so good. } 9... Kc7 10. Bxf6 gxf6 { 10. ...... gxf6 - I seem to have a big bee in my bonnet about exchangingB for N to bust up my opponent's pawn structure. } 11. Be2 Bh6+ 12. Kb1 Rg8 13. g3 f5 14. Rf1 { 14. Rf1 - maybe Nf3 was better here. } 14... fxe4 15. Nxe4 { 15. Nxe4 - pawn trade. } 15... Be6 16. Nf3 Ng4 { 16. ...... Ng4 - my knight doesgo to f3 but Ng4 looks nasty. } 17. Nd4 Bd5 18. Bxg4 Rxg4 19. Nf6 { 19. Nf6- looks good but ...... } 19... Rxd4 20. Nxd5+ Rxd5 21. Rxf7+ Rd7 22. Rxd7+ Kxd7 { 22. ...... Kxd7 - ..... after the smoke has cleared I find myself downa piece for a pawn. I could resign here but my eyes keep focussed on that2 - 1 kingside pawn majority. Maybe if I could create a passer over thereI might stand some ghost of a chance. Firstly some king safety, I createa luft for Henry on a2 which is a square not controlled by dmaestro's dsb. } 23. a3 Rf8 24. Rg1 { 24. Rg1 - stage 1 - this rook supports my g pawn andnow I push those kingside pawns closer and closer to Glendadom. } 24... Rf2 25. h4 { 25. h4 - here we go, here we go, here we go! } 25... Bd2 26. g4 Ke6 27. g5 { 27. g5 - onwards and upwards. } 27... Kf5 28. Rg3 Ke6 { 28. ....... Ke6 - strangeretreat, surely Kf5 would have been far better here. } 29. g6 hxg6 30. Rxg6+ Kd7 { 30. ...... Kd7 - after the pawn trade another puzzling move, surelyKf5 is better. Now that h pawn does become a threat! } 31. h5 Rh2 32. Rg7+ { 32. Rg7+ - this rook move hits at the b2 pawn and enables a rook moveto h2 protecting that weak yet strong passer isolani on the h column. } 32... Kc8 33. Rh7 a6 34. Ka1 { 34. Ka1 - a waiting move. } 34... Bg5 35. Kb1 Rh1+ 36. Ka2 { 36. Ka2 - so that decision to play a3 on move 23 proved to be a verywise one indeed. } 36... Rd1 37. h6 { 37. h6 - now my pawn takes another step forward,just two little squares from becoming the footman come Drag Queen! } 37... Rd8 38. Kb3 { 38. Kb3 - whoa, a brave show from Henry. I have c3 in mind andthat will provide a nice cosy little nest for the old codger. } 38... Bf6 39. Rf7 Be5 40. h7 { 40. h7 - make it 1 step away from Glendadom! } 40... Bh8 41. c3 { 41. c3 - here is the nest! } 41... Kb8 42. Kc2 Ka7 43. a4 Kb6 44. a5+ { 44. a5+- this seems to give away a pawn but in fact if the BK takes it then theb7 pawn will drop and suddenly dmaestro's queenside pawns will become veryweak and that little pawn on h7 will prove to be a handy decoy indeed. } 44... Kxa5 45. Rxb7 Be5 46. b4+ { 46. b4+ - maybe I can force a further pawn tradehere. You would not believe, however that 2 moves down the line dmaestrowill be copping Old Matey would you? } 46... Ka4 47. Rb6 { 47. Rb6 - those blacka and c pawns, suddenly they become absolute sitting ducks to that piggishwhite rook. They could certainly grace Henry's table tonight after Glendacooks them with a few herbs in her brand new cauldron! } 47... Ka3 { 47. ......Ka3 - what's this, what's this? At this stage I did not know how to useanalyse the board but I could see that Rxa6 looked good. Indeed it was. Dmaestro's king got well and truly caught in the corridor. What an amazingturnaround! } 48. Rxa6# 1-0

[Event "A careless 1600+ op!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.09.08"] [Round "-"] [White "mmccall"] [Black "damafi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1439"] [TimeControl "300+5"] [WhiteElo "1638"] { When I saw the rating of my op, I was sure I was about to lose... butchess is for fun, isn't it? } 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 { [%clk 0:05:07] } 2... Nf6 3. d4 { Here, theory says Nxd4, but I don't like c4 etc. } 3... e6 { Icelandic,a little inferior, but I know it. } 4. dxe6 { Not the best move. White willhave a better game by developing, instead. } 4... Bxe6 { Two developed piecesagainst a single (but strong) central pawn. Let's see! } 5. Nf3 c6 { I know,but I just don't know how to play this without this move. It can be delayed,though. } 6. Be2 { Assuring castling. Not very aggressive. } 6... Qa5+ { Not withthe dsb. Bb5+, c3, Ba5, heading to c7... is just too slow. } 7. Bd2 Bb4 8. c3 { now I have a tempo on b2, soon. } 8... Bd6 { This is the best square formy dsb in this opening. } 9. O-O { Still passive. I feared b4, c4 and afull pawn storm. I can always castle kingside. } 9... Qb6 { Threatening b2. Asilly move, since it is easily defendable with Qc2. } 10. b3 { It's ok.But black is starting to lead the game. White can play b4 later, but Nb1...has no square for some move on! } 10... Nbd7 { Developing, in order to castle Qside...if white lets me. } 11. c4 { Obviously. I play a lot against those two pawns,and normally, with care, I get out of it. } 11... Qc7 { Hitting h2, but I knowI won't get it. } 12. h3 { A little help for me. White pawns are nearer.If Nc3 (say), Ng4 and white has to defend. Nothing too bad, but, as oftenwith this scheme, a tense and nice game, with the 'who'll get in faster'factor that I love. } 12... h6 { Slow, but necessary. h5 at once just concede g5for white's N or B... } 13. Re1 { The right moment for a risk: } 13... O-O-O { ...justwalking into enemy's field, but leaving my own pawnstorm set (g5, g4...). } 14. Nc3 { White, following principles, develops without a real scope insteadof d5 at once. Who can assess it? } 14... g5 { No time to lose. Now g4 is the shadowof a threat. Let's see if white defends or goes for the attack. } 15. c5 { I think this is the wrong pawn. White won't have time to play b4-b5. } 15... Bf4 { Losing my best attacking piece? Yes, but g4 doesn't work (after cxB,my Q is threatened). } 16. Bxf4 { Which one to retake with? g pawn or Q? } 16... Qxf4 { The reason was: after this move, black still has g4 as a threat.After gxf, my Q is kind of cut off the attack, and g2 seems defendable.Moreover: white will be worried by my Q, and will lose the c5 pawn. } 17. Bf1 { This defends g2, and allow Ne2, kicking my Q. But it allows... } 17... Nxc5 { I'd say 'sacced pawn recovered, cleanly'. } 18. Ne2 { As predicted. Noproblem. } 18... Qc7 { It looks not bad for black: white failed to open my K'sposition, and I am very near to open his. } 19. Qc2 { Now I thought aboutg4, and I wasn't sure it will work. True is that after gxNf3, my positionbecomes stronger, while QxN or dxN are not serious threats (but for Qxa6by white, if QxN is played). } 19... g4 { Now or never. I see white is a littlepassive, and I'll go on with my favourite play: attacking the castled K. } 20. hxg4 { Now, I swear my opponent thought I was about to sac the Nc5,but no. g4 is almost a goner, I don't have to lose a N for it. } 20... Nce4 { Still,not the best: Bxg4, and if white takes the N, BxNf3 would be very strong,as gxB, Rg1+, Ng3, and then I just have to push the h pawn. In a quickview, of course. We were both with short time. } 21. g5 { ? Thank you white! } 21... hxg5 { g4 threat renewed, and now the h file is open! } 22. g3 { Only moveto stop me. Now, g4 is a mistake, since after Nh5, I'll have to sac theexchange to continue... probably winning, but risky! } 22... Rh5 { Better is todouble R. Bg4 (not Ng4 or QxN) was probably best. } 23. Bg2 { Defendingh1 and reorganizing his pieces. } 23... Bf5 { Treatening Nxg3. (If ever whitemoves his Ne2, I'll play instantly Nxg3) } 24. Qd1 Ng4 { I plan Nh2 at somepoint. Again I sensed g4 was too 'simple' to be good, but probably I waswrong. } 25. Kf1 { ? If not for the Ne2, I'll play Nxg3, no doubt. } 25... Rdh8 { d5 is no longer a target. This is. Now, after f6, I'm ready for Qh7 atsome point. } 26. Qc1 { [%clk 0:00:07] My opponent had only 7 seconds left. } 26... Nh2+ { [%clk 0:00:44] I have a little more time. This seemed proper,in order to get rid of Nf3, just to start. If white d5, I'll ignore it. } 27. Kg1 { [%clk 0:00:09] ? ...but white has almost no moves. } 27... f6 { Defendingg5 and opening the way for my Q. } 28. Nc3 { [%clk 0:00:12] Finally! Whitecouldn't use his pieces, but this is probably the losing move. Withoutever thinking, I was happy to play... } 28... Nxg3 { [0:00:19] Sure white hassome counterattack, but I'll take with check... } 29. fxg3 { Thank you white,again! I'm doing on a 3 minutes blitz against a +200! } 29... Qxg3 { This means:'all black pieces are pointing at a naked white K...' While white's arealmost useless. With 2 or 3 moves, white will crush my K, but until then... } 30. Re7 { The first of the neeeded moves. Now Nd5 is kind of a threat. } 30... Nxf3+ { [%clk 0:00:26] I recover seconds... I don't want to lose by time! } 31. Kf1 { Juicy! } 31... Bd3+ { Just wonderful. } 32. Ne2 { Forced. Now it's easy:does Nh2+ win? } 32... Rh1+ { This is better. } 33. Bxh1 Rxh1# { Weak game by white,but I think I found the way to exploit it. Hope you enjoyed! So late atnight, I'm sure wrong on some assessement! } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.02.12"] [Round "-"] [White "katarina25"] [Black "pelosi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1384"] 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6 3. Bc4 g6 4. Qf3 Nf6 5. c3 Bg7 6. d3 O-O 7. h3 Na5 8. Nd2 c6 9. Bb3 Nxb3 10. axb3 d5 { Open up the center since we have thetwo Bishops } 11. b4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. dxe4 Be6 14. Be3 a6 { Probablybetter is b6 to prevent the Bishop from controlling c5 and b6 and afterRd1 digging into b6 } 15. Bc5 Re8 16. Rd1 Qf6 { Dubious move. Probably betterQg5. If 17. ..Qc7 then 18. Bd6 and 17. ..Qc8 isolates the queen } 17. Qe2 Red8 { We need to control the d-file so exchange rooks } 18. Rxd8+ Rxd8 19. Nf3 b5 { preparing of white to castle and then 20. ..Bc4 } 20. Nd2 { Whitepredicts the move and protects squares c4 and b3 } 20... Qg5 { Adding pressureon d2 with the intention of Bh6 or if white castles then Bxh3 } 21. f3 { Firstblunder by white. Leads to: 21. f3 Bh6 22. f4 Qxf4 23. Nf1 Qc1+ 24. Kf2Bc4 25. Ng3 Qxh1 26. Nxh1 Bxe2 27. Kxe2 Rd2+ 28. Kf3 Rxb2 29. Nf2 Rd2 30.Ng4 Rd3+ 31. Kf2 Better is: 21. g3 } 21... Bh6 { Pilling up the pressure onthe knight at d2 } 22. Nb1 { Second blunder by white. Leads to 22. Nb1 Qc1+23. Kf2 Qxh1 24. Qe1 Qh2 25. Qg1 Qxg1+ 26. Kxg1 Rd1+ 27. Kh2 Rxb1 withheavy material loss. Game is over after this } 22... Qc1+ 0-1

[Event "The Annotation Project: King Trap"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.15"] [Round "-"] [White "nuntar"] [Black "yodean"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1557"] [TimeControl "5d+1d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1639"] 1. e4 { Another game from the ongoing Annotation Project, in which a totalof 110 games are being played to explore all the ups and downs of an intriguingearly queen sacrifice. For further comments on the opening, see my recentannotated game vs. untateve. } 1... c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Bg4 6. Qxg4 Nxg4 7. Bxf7+ Kd7 8. Be6+ Kc6 9. Bxg4 Qe8 { The first diversionfrom my game against untateve, in which 9... e6 was played. That is alsothe move I have encountered more often. This alternative prevents a knightincursion on f7, but has the disadvantage of further delaying the developmentof Black's minor pieces. } 10. O-O { King safety and activating the rook.This is, however, rarer than 10. Nc3. But in the GK database it has a higherwin percentage for White and was chosen by players with an average ratingof 2221, against 1994 for 10. Nc3. Still, a small number of games doesn'tprove much. } 10... h6 { And now we are out of the database altogether; 10... Nd7was chosen in all three previous games reaching this position. 10... h6instead drives the knight away so that Black can set out developing inpeace. } 11. Nxe4 e6 12. Nbc3 { White gets another piece out in the hopethat his strong central presence and developmental advantage will pay dividends. } 12... Na6 13. a3 { As in the earlier game, this move prevents Nb4. } 13... g6 { Blackopens a second line for the bishop, perhaps hoping to exchange it for thec3 knight. This does, however, seem to make 11... e6 look questionable. } 14. d3 { White responds by getting his own bishop out, choosing to developon e3 since if Black's bishop goes to g7, White has some pressure on thec5 pawn, and the c3 knight is free to move (unless Black takes it immediately). } 14... Bg7 15. Be3 Bd4 { Instead Black chooses to pin the White bishop, with anexchange looking likely. } 16. Rae1 { White does not take the immediate exchange,since the c3 knight would have to move after 16. Bxd4 cxd4, and none ofthe available squares look particularly enticing. } 16... b6 { Black protects thec5 pawn and prepares to get his king behind some pawn cover. Unfortunately.... } 17. Bf3 { The diagonal is opened, which White immediately seizes. Blackmust now respond to the threat of Nf6+. } 17... Kc7 18. a4 { An anchor, allowingthe knight to join the attack at b5. White could play 18. Nf6 winning theexchange, but since White is still material down, that seemed unappetising;it would involve surrendering White's active minor pieces and would leadto a difficult endgame. } 18... Bxc3 { It's hard to see what this exchange achieves,since White recaptures with tempo and still has a knight ready to cometo b5. Perhaps 18... Bxe3+ was better. } 19. Nxc3 Rd8 { (?) The rook getsout of the way, but to the wrong square! Black needed d8 for the king. } 20. Nb5+ Kb8 { The only other legal move now is 20... Kd7, but 21. Nxa7threatens 22. Bc6+ and there is no good defence: 21... Ke7 Nc6+ or 21...Qf8 (or f7, g8) 22. Bc6+ Ke7 23. Bb7. Still, after 21... Ke7 White onlywins the exchange and a pawn, and Black is still in the fight. } 21. f5 { (!) Taking advantage of the Black king's incarceration. } 21... gxf5 { Betterwas 21... e5, when 22. Bf4 exf4 23. Rxe8 R(either)xe8 24. fxg6 enters anunclear endgame in which White is still nominally at a disadvantage, butthe g6 pawn is strong. This move loses immediately: } 22. Bf4+ { There isno escape. Black's only legal moves are 22... Rd6 or 22... Nc7, both losinga rook for nothing, or the move played. } 22... Kc8 23. Nxa7+ Kd7 24. Bc6+ { Andnow Black's queen is doomed. Black resigns. } 1-0

[Event "Actual scholars mate"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.07.07"] [Round "-"] [White "eric2jin"] [Black "archangel_777"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1137"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1186"] { A random scholars mate blah blah blah } 1. e4 { Regular standard king pawnopening } 1... e5 { Black replies normally } 2. Qh5 { What in the world have Idone. } 2... Nc6 { Very standard development guarding the e5 pawn } 3. Bc4 { Threateningmate hopefully not though } 3... g6 { Stopped the mate } 4. Qf3 { Threatening mateyet again and the next move is quite surprising. A mate on f7 is a ScholarsMate. I did not think of winning my 1st team match with a slightly delayedscholars mate!!!! } 4... Nd4 { ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????I have gone crazy after this. I checked for a trick, but nope. } 5. Qxf7# { Sorry archangel_777. Delayed scholars mate } 1-0

[Event "Sinquefield Cup Playoff Game 2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Ding"] [Black "Carlsen"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [TimeControl "5' 3' delay"] { This was another interesting that GM Susan Polgar showed. What Susanshowed had 2 games attached in the round with this being the 2nd, rightbefore she showed the blitz games that Ding won. And, GM Carlsen put upa good show, against GM Ding. But, this is the second draw which resultedin the sudden death blitz games for the Sinquefield Cup that Carlsen lost. } 1. d4 { As with Carlsen, Ding starts off with the same opening. } 1... Nf6 { AlthoughI would've answered with 1...d5, I'm not surprised to see Carlsen playthis. It's standard and will become something interesting. For example,we could talking about Grunfeld Defense, or a transposition in the QGDSemi Slav Defense like we saw in the last game. } 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 { Like,here. But, without ...c6 played, I believe that this is the Grunfeld Defensesince I've seen similar variations with chareshiggie. } 4. Bg2 { This iswhat I also would've played as white. Afterall, my thinking would be whynot finish the fianchetto. And, I think that this is a transposition intothe Catalina Variation which ION in the last game. With that being said,Ding is prepared for when Carlsen takes on c4. } 4... dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 { Carlsenhad a ready answer, but I would've played 5...Bd7 in an attempt to gaintempo. But, Ding would've responded in the same way with his next move. } 6. Qxc4 a6 { Preparing to attack Ding's Q, at some point. } 7. Be3 { Continuingwith his development. } 7... Bd6 { As does Carlsen. } 8. Nh3 { Developing and preparingto castle, but I don't like this move since the N is on the rim. I onlysay don't like because I don't think it's very good, but I'd never calla move by a GM a mistake or inaccuracy. Having said that, I would've played8.Nf3 for the same reason that Ding chose 8.Nh3 as his candidate move. } 8... O-O { Meanwhile, Carlsen decides to castle, but Ding is about to do thesame thing. } 9. O-O h6 { Preventing 9...Bg5, and I see the point here. But, I would've responded with 9...Nb6 to harrass the Q. As pinning wouldn'thave forced Carlsen to ruin his K side pawn structures due to his Nd7. So, that's where I figured out that he was going to prevent the exchange,anyhow since his Nf6 is more active then Ding's Be3. } 10. Nc3 { Completinghis development once and for all. } 10... b5 { This is where Carlsen goes on theoffense. } 11. Qb3 Rb8 { Preparing to attack Ding's Nc3 a third time sinceit is defended twice. } 12. Nf4 { Relocating his a better place. } 12... Bb7 { Seeingthat his B is less active then Ding's, Carl tries to exchange it. I would'verefused with 13.Bh3, but Ding goes ahead with it. So, that makes me believethat the exchange was, indirectly, forced. I can see where that wouldhappen, since after 13.Bh3, Carlsen can inconvience white with somethinglike 13...g5 and after something like 14.Ng2 black could respond with 14...g4and cause problems for white. } 13. Bxb7 Rxb7 14. Nd3 { Preventing furtherexchanges since his N is also more active then black's Bd6. } 14... Qe7 { Preparingto connect his R's. } 15. Rac1 { I don't know what this move accomplishes. Instead, I would've played 15.Rad1 to leave a R centralized. } 15... Rbb8 { Similarstory here, but I would've played 15...Rfb8 to connect the R's verticallywhich is known to be quite dangerous for the other side as Jack showedme. } 16. Rfd1 { I would've played 16.Rcd1 to allow 17.Rfe1, where both R'sare centralized. } 16... Rfc8 { In comparison, I would've played 16...Rb6 to allow17...Rfb8 where both R's are on one file. But, they, of course, know whatmoves work better or not then any of us since they're professionals, oras I call them the best of the best, or derived from WTW discussions, annotations,in the WTWLTR I call players like Ding and Carlsen the runner of the runners. } 17. a3 { Defending his Nc3 a third time to match up with Carlsen's attack. } 17... c5 { Makes his Bd6 more active, but that at the same time, it allows a seriesof exchanges. And, I wouldn't even be happy to exchange a pawn. Instead,I would've tried to expose white's K with 17...Ng4. } 18. dxc5 Nxc5 19. Bxc5 Bxc5 20. Nxc5 Rxc5 21. Na2 { I don't see the point behind this move. Instead, I would've tried to material by skewering black's Rc5 with 21.Qb4. } 21... a5 { And, with that, I like how Carlsen responds as this prevents Ding fromdoing that. } 22. Qe3 { Unlike Ding's previous move, this is also what Iwould've done since it attacks Rc5 a second time. Carlsen is ready andexchanges it, which I also would've done. } 22... Rxc1 23. Nxc1 b4 { Going foranother pawn exchange which Ding readily accepts since that'll give hima tempo by attacking the Q. } 24. axb4 Qxb4 25. Nd3 Qd6 { A pin which isabout to be broken, at once. } 26. Rc1 { I'm not sure why Ding played this,but I think he wants to win the a5 pawn. } 26... Nd5 { But, Carlsen will have noneof that. } 27. Qd4 Qb6 { Not just attacking but also wanting Carlsen to exchangeQ's which he refuses since black still needs his Q, on the board. } 28. Rc5 Qb3 29. Kg2 { Now that we're approaching the endgame the K becomes usefulhere which Ding is showing here. } 29... Qb7 { I don't see the point behind thismove since the Q wasn't attacked. } 30. f3 { Giving his K more places togo, but I would've attacked right away with 30.e4. } 30... Qa6 { I don't see thepoint behind this move since Carlsen's Q isn't out of play. Instead, Iwould've responded to Ding's last move with 30...Kh7. } 31. Kf2 { This ishow I figured out the point behind 31.Kf2, although I wonder what Dinghas planned for his K here. } 31... a4 { But, Carlsen attempts to attack the pawna third time. And, if successful, he would win this game since Ding'spawn is only defended twice, and he has nothing to defend with, again. } 32. Qc4 { Knowing that Ding's immediately responds by attacking Carlsen'sQ, and when black defends.... } 32... Qa7 33. Qd4 { Ding plans to sneak up on Carlsen'sK, similar to how bhidragon overpowered my monarch. } 33... Qa6 { Without muchelse better, Carlsen keeps a4 supported. } 34. Qc4 { Which is where Dinggoes for a draw, given that he can't win this game, and if blunders b2in anyway, he'll lose since Carlsen will have an unstoppable passed pawn. } 34... Qa7 35. Qd4 { And, this is where a draw was agreed upon. From this, I knowwhy which is that if Carlsen refused the offer, I'm sure he would've played35...Qa6, and after 36.Qc4 Ding would've declared a draw by repetition. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.07.29"] [Round "-"] [White "pambro"] [Black "nevhelp"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "991"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "900"] 1. d4 d5 2. e3 { Queen's Pawn, Stonewall Attack. Black does well with Nf6or Bf5. } 2... h5 { H5 is unusual, but black does well with this too, in he database. } 3. Bd3 Bg4 { Nc6 and B6 have been played with good success. This moveis off book and easily countered. } 4. Be2 f5 { Oops. Nowhere left forthe bishop to fall back. } 5. f4 { F3 instead would trap the black bishop. } 5... Qd6 6. h3 { Pretty much forces the bishop exchange. } 6... Bxe2 7. Nxe2 Qb4+ 8. c3 Qc4 9. b3 Qc6 10. Ba3 Nd7 11. Nd2 Qa6 12. c4 { Ba3 is undefended,and a tasty morsel for the black queen. } 12... c6 13. c5 { Ba3. Ba3! QxBa3 forfree. } 13... b6 14. Bb4 Qb5 15. a3 a5 16. Bc3 Qd3 17. cxb6 Nxb6 18. O-O { I'mthinking Qxc3+. } 18... Qxc3 { Not a free bishop, because NxQc3. } 19. Nxc3 e6 20. Nf3 h4 21. Ng5 Ke7 22. Qe1 Kf6 { ? Black would do better developingthe king side knight and bishop. } 23. Nxe6 { ? KxNe6 for free. Kingscan take pieces. } 23... Kxe6 24. g3 Be7 25. Ra2 Nf6 26. Rf3 a4 27. b4 Nc4 28. b5 c5 29. dxc5 Bxc5 30. Kg2 Bxa3 31. Qf2 Bc1 32. Rc2 Ba3 33. Ra2 Ne4 34. Qc2 hxg3 35. Qb1 { Ouch. Nd2 forks the queen and f rook. Either blackknight, but Ned2 is clearly the superior choice, as the c knight guardsthe black bishop. } 35... Rh5 36. Qh1 Rah8 37. Ne2 { Nd2 still leaves Rf nowhereto run. } 37... g5 38. fxg5 Nxg5 { Oh, the rook was a better choice. White getsa free pawn. } 39. Rf4 { White could trade a rook for knight and bishop. } 39... Nxe3+ { White should not take the pawn, or black can pin the rook with Bd6. Black must remember the bishop is cut loose. } 40. Kxg3 { Here Rxh3+ tradesrook for queen, though white would pick off Ba3. Eight points for ten(queen plus pawn). } 40... Ne4+ 41. Kf3 Rxh3+ { Nice. Queen goes bye bye, whilerook saves knight. } 42. Qxh3 Rxh3+ 43. Ng3 { Nope. RxNc4+ gives up theknight for nought. } 43... Nc4 44. Re2 Ne5+ 45. Kg2 Rxg3+ 46. Kf1 { Rf3+ tradesrooks. Fair trades now favor black, up six points. } 46... Bc1 47. Rh4 Rf3+ 48. Ke1 { Re3 trades rooks. } 48... Bd2+ 49. Kd1 { Nice. Nc3+ forks the white rook,but black should play Bg5 to frighten the other white rook first. } 49... Rf1+ 50. Kc2 Bg5 51. Rhh2 { Ok, Nf3 to scare Rh2, followed by Nd4+ to fork theother rook. Knights excel at forking rooks. } 51... Bf4 { This gives white momentum,allowing the b passed pawn to advance. } 52. b6 { ? White should probablyhave played Rh7 instead. } 52... Bxh2 53. Rxh2 { Rf2+ trades rooks, and black stillprevents pawn promotion with Nd7 or Kd6. } 53... a3 54. Rh6+ Nf6 55. b7 Rf2+ 56. Kb3 Rf3+ 57. Ka2 Nd7 58. Rh8 Rf2+ { Nope. Sacrifices pawn for nothing. } 59. Kxa3 Rf4 60. b8=Q Nxb8 61. Rxb8 Rc4 62. Ka2 Nd7 63. Ra8 Rb4 { Keep theking pinned against the wall and promote a pawn. } 64. Ra6+ Rb6 65. Ra8 d4 66. Re8+ Kd6 67. Re2 Nc5 68. Ka3 d3 69. Rd2 f4 70. Rf2 Ne6 71. Rd2 Nc5 72. Rf2 Rb3+ 73. Ka2 Ke5 74. Rh2 Ke4 75. Rh5 Kd4 76. Rh4 Ke4 77. Rh5 f3 78. Rxc5 f2 79. Rc1 Rb8 80. Rf1 d2 81. Rd1 Ke3 82. Rf1 Ke2 0-1

[Event "bigpeta's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.07.14"] [Round "-"] [White "snowman100"] [Black "bigpeta"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2085"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1689"] 1. d4 { Central control. } 1... d5 { Likewise. } 2. e3 { Going for the old Stonewall. } 2... Nf6 3. Bd3 { As per Stonewall plan. } 3... c5 { That's a bit of a nuisance. Happensquite often with this opening. Better create a retreat square for my whitesquared Bishop. } 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 { Normal Stonewall developing move inpreparation for f4 and Knights on e5 and f3. } 5... e5 { Pete is coming full frontal..wellI can't allow him to pushe4 so I must swap on e5. } 6. dxe5 Nxe5 7. Be2 { I want to keep my Bishop pair for the endgame so it's a bit of a tossup to stick the Bishop on c2 or e2. I think its more useful on e2 as aKingside attack seems a bit futile with both his knights on that side ofthe board and my Bishop can support a Queenside pawn advance from e2. } 7... Bd6 8. Ngf3 { Natural developing on both sides..Black is getting a few piecesconcentrating down on my Kingside..I will have to be careful. } 8... O-O 9. O-O { Both completing natural development and retreating Kings to a relativelysafe position. } 9... Qe7 10. Re1 { Putting my rook on same file as Blacks Queento try to make him feel a wee bit more uncomfortable. A sort of precurserfor any tactical possibilities that may arise on that file and overprotectinge3. } 10... Rd8 { He seems to have the same idea!..My Queen's out of there! } 11. Qc2 { Survival instinct..my Queen is coming straight off the d file as soonas the Black Rook hits the file. } 11... g6 { I don't know why black has playedthat..it seems to weaken the black squares around his King. } 12. Nxe5 { Swapoff his advanced knight then I can develop mu other knight to f3 givingmy black squared Bishop a bit of air. } 12... Qxe5 13. Nf3 Qe7 14. h3 { Don't wanthis pieces invading on g4. } 14... Bf5 15. Qd1 { Better move my Queen!...can'tsee much point in trading white-squared Bishops. In hindsight maybe Ishould have played Bd3. } 15... Ne4 { blacks pieces seem to be pouring into myspace...I cant play Qxd5 because Bh2+ would slice her head off! } 16. Nh2 { Fatal loading error!!!..didn't see Nxf2 overstretching my Monarch! } 16... Bxh2+ { Ouch! } 17. Kxh2 { Not much choice now! } 17... Nxf2 18. Qd2 { Qd2...Her only square! } 18... Qe5+ { Ouch again!..and again no choice! Kg1 } 19. Kg1 Nxh3+ { Crap...I amabsolutely falling apart at the seems now!...if I play gxh6 I get matedin short order! There are no good moves for white to play! } 20. Kh1 Nf2+ { Kicking me around the park! } 21. Kg1 Ne4 22. Qd1 { My pieces are trussedup like a Christmas turkey!...Back we go to d1 yet again...I might as wellget a season ticket! } 22... Rd6 23. Bf3 { gasping for air!...getting vsry desperatenow! } 23... Qg3 24. Qe2 { Yet another shuffle of Her Majesty!...I need to getmy Black squared Bishop and Queens Rook into play but I fear I am fer toolate to salvage anything. } 24... g5 { g5...Here come Black's foot-soldiers forgood measure! } 25. Bxe4 { Gasp Gasp. } 25... Bxe4 26. b3 { Help!...let me out! } 26... Rh6 { Tell my wife I love her. } 27. Qf2 Rh1+ { AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!Well played Pete! Far too good for me. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess (Three Knights Game)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.11.03"] [Round "-"] [White "frankjon2782"] [Black "jmfpeaceable"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1447"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1341"] { Is there a standard capitalization for chess annotations? I try to beclear at all times, but I'm inconsistent. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 { While not entirely sold on the French-style defense, I like it againstthe Three Knights opening as it frees the QN quickly. } 4. Bc4 { Threateningpressure on the KBP. This move is weaker than 3. Bc4 as an attacking movesince Black's QB is now free, but just fine for development. } 4... Nf6 { Ensuringthat all remains safe on the home front. } 5. d3 { Castle first and wait? The mirrored pawns cut off the KB. } 5... g6 { Departing a touch from standardplay. I am not a huge fan of the Be7 move except against early bishoppressure. I started experimenting with the fiancetto recently howeverso still don't have solid timing developing it. } 6. Be3 { Prepares to advancethe QP? } 6... Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qe2 { Look, I'm just saying, I think this wastesthe move. The alternative 8. d4 attack opens up the middle nicely forWhite, who has movement with his rooks. } 8... Qe7 { Probably Black should moveout the bishop first, possibly with exchange to weaken White's knight pressure. However, this proves useful... } 9. Nd5 Nxd5 10. exd5 Nd8 { If 10. ... Nb411. c3 Na6 and the Knight is sidelined, with 12. Bxa6 bxa6 doubling theedge pawns - yech. Not that the current position is much better. } 11. d4 { I prefer 11. c3 first both to back up this pawn advance and give theBishop a flight square. } 11... b6 { Preparing for Bb7 to pressure the advancedQP. } 12. Bg5 Qd7 { 12. ... Bf6 and the consequent exchange sacrifices thefiancettoed position. This is cramped though. } 13. Bb5 Qf5 14. Rad1 { Acurious time to move the Rook. } 14... e4 { Ensures that White's QP remains doubledwith threat of Qxd5 winning the pawn eventually. Unfortunately White'sblack Bishop gets free reign... } 15. Be7 exf3 { Queen exchange, or losethe Knight outright as moving the Queen gives Black time to move the Rook. } 16. Qxf3 Qxf3 17. gxf3 { Incidentally doubles another pawn. } 17... Bb7 { Threateningthe QP. } 18. c4 { (Just take the Rook already.) } 18... a6 19. Bd7 f6 20. Bxf8 Kxf8 { So that was all an overly complicated exchange. The two bishopscombined with the doubled pawn may give Black an advantage. } 21. Rfe1 Nf7 22. Re4 Rd8 23. Be6 Ng5 24. Rh4 { Whoops. } 24... Nxf3+ 25. Kg2 Nxh4+ 26. Kg3 Nf5+ 27. Kf4 Bh6+ 28. Ke4 Ng7 0-1

[Event "Torneio Pensado UFBA"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05/09/2014"] [Round "-"] [White "Geraldo da Silva"] [Black "Romulo Melgaco"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2106"] [TimeControl "60 minutes"] [WhiteElo "3212"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O h6 7. Be3 Bxe3 8. fxe3 d6 9. Qe1 Nb4 10. Ba4 c6 11. a3 Na6 12. b4 Qb6 { Joguei 12...Db6com intenção de 13...Cg4 e pressionar o peão atrasado dele de e3, Geraldoresponde corretamente 13.h3! } 13. h3 Nc7 14. Nh4 { Geraldo joga 14.Ch4,com intenção de 15.Txf6 gxf6 16.Cf5 e finalmente 17.Dg3 com ameaça de mate!Respondi 14...Ch5 } 14... Nh5 15. Nf5 Nf4 { I made a careless move, but exchanged the pawn, obtaining 1 tempo in the construction of my attack against the white pawns! } 16. Nxd6 Be6 17. Kh2 Ng6 18. Nf5 Qa6 { Joguei 18...Da6com intenção de 19...b5 20.Bb3 Bxb3 21.cxb3 e finalmente 21...Dxd3 recuperandoo peão, mas Geraldo responde 19.d4 evitando a perda do peão e ao mesmotempo contratacando o meu peão central preto. } 19. d4 Rae8 { Joguei 19...Tae8como movimento defensivo ja prevendo o avanço de d5 por parte das brancas! } 20. d5 b5 { Attacking his bishop, with the intention of exchanging my bishop for his good bishop or less, but he refuses. } 21. Bb3 cxd5 22. exd5 Bxf5 23. Rxf5 e4 { Avanço providencial evitando 24.e4 e defendendo o peãopassado branco } 24. Qf2 Qd6+ { Xeque providencial para evitar o avanço dopeão passado } 25. Kh1 Re5 { Lance para pressionar o peão passado dele } 26. Rf1 f6 { The only move was 26...f6 as the sequence of exchanges favored the whites. } 27. a4 bxa4 28. Nxa4 Rb8 29. Qg3 Kh7 30. h4 { Geraldo was looking to expel the meucavalo from g6, but I was calculating a counter-game after astrocas that would follow. } 30... Nb5 31. h5 Ne7 32. Rxe5 { Após esse lance, fuiforçado a tomar a torre de dama, devido ao lance branco 33.Dg4, causandosérios problemas na posição para as negras } 32... Qxe5 33. Qxe5 fxe5 34. Rf7 { Lance had seen from the previous move 31.h5. } 34... Ng8 { Final equilibrado,onde um erro é fatal } 35. Nc5 Nd6 { Ameaço a torre na intenção de desenvolverrapidamente os meus cavalos para atacar o rei branco } 36. Rd7 Nf5 37. Nxe4 Rxb4 38. Nc5 Nf6 { Nova ameaça, entregando o peão mas desenvolvendo o cavalo } 39. Rxa7 Nxe3 40. d6 Rd4 { 40...Td4! lance lógico que é atacante e defensivoao mesmo tempo } 41. Ne6 { After 41.Ce6, I could simply take the pawn with 41...Td6, Geraldo would respond with 42.Txg7+ Rh8 43.Tg6 Th4+ 44.Rg1 Txh5, and it would be a technical draw, but I wanted to go all out, it was pure strategic planning on my part, I was already calculating the possibility of checkmate! Followed 41.Td1+ } 41... Rd1+ 42. Kh2 Nxh5 { Meu calculo estava tão imprevisível que esqueci dapossibilidade do perpetuo de Cavalo, por sorte Geraldo não viu tambem,eu fui ver após o lance 43.Cf8+ } 43. Nf8+ Kh8 { Posição de Perpétuo, bastavaGeraldo jogar Cg6+, depois Cf8+, repetindo, se fosse Moacir com certezairia empatar kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! } 44. d7 { After that move, I continued with the love combination, hoping for one more error from Geraldo. } 44... Rd2 { Gerald was about to lose, but he managed to draw the game with a checkmate. He played 45.Ta8, threatening to promote a pawn and checkmate with a bishop on g6 and a discovered check on the knight, but my mate was already prepared. } 45. Ra8 { Posição de problema: Pretas jogame dão mate em 3 lances! } 45... Rxg2+ 46. Kh3 Nf4+ { Após esse lance Geraldo abandona,mas vamos seguir para ver como iria terminar a partida! } 47. Kh4 Nf5# { Matemuito bonito, com 2 cavalos e uma torre, partida digna de GMS. um abraço! } 0-1

[Event "Who needs pieces? [Simultaneous Exhibition, 1907]"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Amateur"] [Black "Hans Bruening"] [Result "0-1"] { Incredibly, Bruening won the game without moving a single piece! } 1. d4 { The amateur opens with the QP, hoping to prolong his resistance by playinga positional, slow game. } 1... d5 { Bruening counters in Classical style. } 2. c4 { The standard reply. } 2... e6 { Bruening plays an Orthodox defense in response. } 3. Bf4 { The amateur forgets the rule: Knights before Bishops. 3 N-QB3 isthe move he should make. } 3... c5 { Bruening takes advantage of this with animmediate challenge to the center. } 4. Nc3 { One move too late. Now Brueningcan do... } 4... cxd4 { ...this in response. } 5. Bxb8 { The best move was to retreatthe QN. } 5... dxc3 { Now Bruening's advanced Pawn becomes threatening. } 6. Be5 { 6 R-N1 or 6 PxP would drag out the game a bit. } 6... cxb2 { Threatens PxR (Q)and B-N5 ch winning the White Q. White cannot defend both threats, so heresigns at once. } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.12.01"] [Round "-"] [White "justnkase42"] [Black "preacherboy2277"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1339"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1448"] 1. e4 { When I am playing White, I like the Scotch } 1... e5 2. Nf3 h5 { h5 wasunexpected. Wonder if he has some kind of trap. Will go ahead and takethe pawn } 3. Nxe5 Qh4 { Qh4 was also unexpected. Looks like this will notbe a standard Scotch game } 4. Qf3 { Qxf7 would be mate } 4... Nf6 { It blocks themate but it seems to isolate his Queen. Two attacks on the e pawn, guardedonly once. Nc3 will defend the e pawn and get a Knight out. He will probablychased the knight at some point. If he doesn't chase the Knight, I willeither do d4 or Bc4. Bc4 would give an attack on Black's f pawn. } 5. Nc3 { got to defend the e pawn - attacked twice defended once } 5... d6 6. Nd3 { don'tlike have to touch the knight so many times and it is still not in a goodplace. cant push the d pawn. } 6... a6 7. Nf4 g5 { going to have to move theknight again. considered Nd5 but settled for Ne2 so I will have some timeto do either d4 or d3. With all the stuff Black has on the kingside, Ithinking castling Queenside. } 8. Nfe2 { I think his queen is in dangerof being boxed in } 8... Be6 9. d3 { So intent on pushing the pushing the pawn,I overlooked the free knight } 9... Bg4 { Now I will take the knight } 10. Qxf6 Rh6 11. Bxg5 { In retrospect, I should have Qxh6. after Bxh6, g3 trapsthe queen } 11... Rxf6 12. Bxh4 Rg6 13. Nd5 { The thinking at the time was Nd5then Nc7 forking the King and the Rook } 13... Nd7 14. Nxc7# { I did not see thecheckmate until after Black's move. } 1-0

[Event "Slow Ladder (My best game ever)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.01.05"] [Round "-"] [White "joveyboy1"] [Black "ghyltarvoke"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1498"] [TimeControl "5d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1077"] { (The ratings of the two players were their ratings when the game firststarted) } 1. e4 { By the looks of the two ratings, black would be favoredto win, but this game actually turned out to be quite the match. I startedoff with my traditional opening. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 { I provoke the pawn. } 2... Nc6 { Hedefends. } 3. d3 { Building up my defenses. } 3... Nf6 4. a3 d5 { The battles begin. } 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Bg5 { Provoking the queen. } 6... Be7 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. c4 { I triedto drive back the knight here. } 8... Nf4 { He instead gets deeper into my territory. } 9. g3 { Again I try. } 9... Nh3 { Again he goes in further. I didn't realize hereI could take the knight for the price of my bishop. } 10. Qc2 { Instead Ido a somewhat pointless move. } 10... Bg4 11. Nbd2 { I defend my knight with myother knight. } 11... O-O-O 12. Bxh3 { I finally take the knight... } 12... Bxh3 { ...forthe price of my bishop of course. } 13. O-O-O { I defend my king. Defenseslook alright for me. } 13... Bg2 { He goes for the rook. } 14. Rhg1 { A no-brainerwhat he does next. This is when we really start battling. } 14... Bxf3 15. Nxf3 Nd4 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Rde1 Qf6 18. f4 { Before I battled this battle, Ifigured I'd have a big disadvantage by now, but instead, we are evenlymatch. It gets interesting here soon, but first... } 18... Rhe8 { ...the rooksbattle. } 19. Qa4 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 a6 { Not the move I really expected. } 21. h4 { Probably not the move he expected. After I made this move, my opponenttold me how I could of instead converged on space e8. If I had done that,it probably would of went this way:21. Re8 22. Rxe8 Qxe8+ 23. Qd8 Qxd7+24. Kxd7. Probably would of ended in a dead position eventually. Despitea missed opportunity, I quickly found an alternative. } 21... c6 22. Qb4 { I startpreparing for the attack. } 22... Rd7 { Not the best move. Would of been betterif he moved his queen to d6. He only made my attack easier. } 23. Qf8+ Kc7 { Would of been much better to move his rook to d8. } 24. Re8 { Now I'm ina fantastic position to attack the king. } 24... h5 { ?! I was quite puzzled withthis move. He put me in a perfect position to attack, and that move didn'thelp his situation at all. } 25. Rc8+ { And now it has gotten interesting. } 25... Kb6 26. Qb4+ Ka7 27. Qc5+ b6 { Forced move. } 28. Qf8 b5 { He attempts tocreate an opening for his king to escape. } 29. Ra8+ Kb6 30. Qc8 { Decidednot to attack, for I did not want his king to escape. } 30... Rb7 { He makes agood defensive move here, so I had to think carefully about my next move,but when I found it, black's fate was sealed. } 31. b4 { The king was nowimmobilized, unable to escape, thus black's options were limited, but hecould still of found a way to avoid checkmate if he played his cards carefully,maybe by getting his Queen involved, but it would not of been easy. I wouldof kept fighting if I was him, but black does not see a way out and resigns,and thus this wonderful game was over. I hope you enjoyed my very firstannotation! } 1-0

[Event "Training match Two knights defence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.09.30"] [Round "-"] [White "evilgm"] [Black "j101m"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1211"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1899"] 1. e4 { This game is a training match with one of my junior teammates. If you have any comments or suggestions for improved play, please postso that we can all learn together. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 { I distinctlyprefer the King's pawn game (C50) to Ruy Lopez (C60), but that's just personalpreference. Regardless, these opening sequences are standard chess farethat every practitioner of the art will run into again and again. } 3... Nf6 { Now we transition to a Two knights defense (C55), which is a very populardefense and my preference as well. In this match, considering the differencein our ratings, I wanted to play very aggressively to see how my opponentwould respond. I feel that aggressive chess tends to open learning opportunitiesmore quickly. } 4. Ng5 { Again, very common play so far. This attack canbe precipitate some bad things on the f7 pawn if left unattended. In additionto threatening a double attack on the f7 pawn, it also defends the e4 pawnfrom immediate capture. } 4... d5 { Perfect response from Black. It blocks theLSB on c4 and threatens the center. } 5. exd5 { preserving the momentum ofthe attack. } 5... Nxd5 { Recapturing the pawn and threatening my knight on g5at the same time. Although my preference as Black is to play Na5 here,this line is perfectly playable and a strong response. } 6. d4 { This moveseeks to protect the knight on g5, and keep the pressure on Black. Anothersequence I sometimes play is 6. Nxf7 Kxf7 7. Qf3+, which makes Black'sking move around the board. } 6... Nxd4 { I expected either exd4 or Be7. Anotherstrong option is Bb4+. Although this play isn't bad, whether it's goodor not depends upon the follow through. It does provide possibilitiesif I can't counter punch. Although I still have two attack pieces on theboard, Black has better development and more center control. } 7. c3 { Thismove will normally cause Black to retreat and allow me a tempo move. Astrong response, however, is b5, offering some tantalizing counterplay. } 7... Ne6 { Black decides on a 2-1 play against my knight on g5. Not a bad playat all. So far my opponent is doing well in keeping up with my attacksand has shown good positional play. } 8. Qxd5 { Now I have some firepowerdownrange and am about to seriously start threatening Black's position. Black has a few choices worth considering, but I think the best move isto trade queens. } 8... Nxg5 { And with this move Black has lost on the exchange. While trading a piece for a pawn early isn't the end of the world, withouta clear tactical or positional advantage to press as a result, the exchangewould appear unwise. } 9. Qxd8+ { Forcing Black to lose castle and removingthe defender from the knight on g5 } 9... Kxd8 10. Bxg5+ f6 { A good response,forcing away my bishop and causing me to regroup. } 11. Be3 Bf5 { Black'spriority should now be to get his remaining two pieces in play and connecthis rooks. So far so good. I toyed around with f4 here for a while, butultimately decided to castle and complete my development. } 12. O-O Bd6 { Protecting his King and allowing the possibility for a manual castle orat least connecting his rooks. } 13. Nd2 { Completing my development. } 13... a6 { Denying me access to the b5 square with my Bishop. Not necessarily ahigh priority. I might have moved my king to either d7 or e7 to link myrooks, or played c6. } 14. a4 { Looking to explore the queenside pawns fortrading and opening a hole for my rooks. } 14... Kd7 { Now Black is linking hisrooks. a5, to halt my pawn's progression, should have been strongly considered. } 15. b4 { Now I've got a more developed attack on his queenside and withouthis pawn at a5, it makes it a little more difficult to respond, but notimpossible. } 15... Rad8 { While rooks love open files, there is an impending attackon Black's queenside. Better to keep your rooks there, or potentiallyadd one, so that you can help defend. Another strong consideration isb5. No matter what I do then, Black can lock up pawns, rather than allowme access. Another move to consider is a5. While I like b5 a lot better,a5 will stunt the attack by disconnecting my pawns if I take and lock thingsup if I don't. I consider this move a mistake, but not quite a blunder. } 16. Nb3 { Looking to stack an attack on Black's queenside, going after hispawns. Now it's a lot harder for Black to deflect an attack. Since Blackmoved his rook away (why?) he can also no longer do a b6 push to limitmy attack's effectiveness. } 16... Kc8 { A blunder in my opinion. Although completinghis manual castle, again, Black ignores the danger bearing down on hisposition. It would have been stronger to bring some rooks back for thedefense. } 17. b5 { Now the building attack is unleashed. Note that withthe knight on the b3 square, Black can't just push his pawn to a5 and thenlock things up. Now no matter what I can punch open a hole on Black'squeenside pawn structure, where I have three pieces in the immediate vicinityand the potential for 2 rooks to add a lot more weight. } 17... Bc2 { An interestingresponse by Black. This move is designed to force me to remove the knightfrom threatening the a5 square, so his pawn can advance and thus tie uphis queenside and provide a much greater safe haven for his king. On thesurface it's a good plan, but the execution isn't perfect. } 18. bxa6 { Theattack bears fruit in successfully punching a hole. Black's king is alot more exposed and isolated now. } 18... Bxb3 { Gaining temporary parity in pointsand potentially getting a pair of split pawns. While not perfect, thatwould be better than what happened. The better play is bxa6, thus ensuringyour end state. The order in which we make our moves matters. As youare learning chess, explore possible responses from your opponent to makesure that a surprise check doesn't ruin your plans. } 19. axb7+ Kxb7 { Anotheroption (which I haven't played out) worth considering is Kd7. It couldthen be followed up by c6 giving you multiple options to defend the promotion,but with my pair of bishops to your one, taking with the king might stillbe best. } 20. Rfb1 { Now Black's bishop is pinned against his king and heis a lot more exposed to danger. While castling and linking rooks is important,once you have connected your rooks, you don't need to artificially movethe king to the other side just because it looks more 'normal.' Blackalready had connected rooks and his inattention to my mounting attack spelledhis doom. } 20... Kc8 21. Rxb3 Kd7 { the instincts are good to get his king outof there and get his pieces back into the game. Although Black is downa whole piece, this game is not yet lost. Remember, if you trade evenuntil the end of the game, it becomes a draw. You are likely going tohave to trade a piece for the a pawn, but once you're in this position,focus your attention on stopping the pawn march. If you don't, you lose. } 22. a5 { I still have two bishops that I can bear down on the back ranksand no reason not to move that pawn down and make life uncomfortable forBlack. He needs to get both rooks into the game quickly. } 22... c6 { At firstI was curious about his move, then I saw the sense behind it, denying theLSB to threaten the main diagonal. However, it would have been MUCH strongerto get his rooks into play. They are going to become a liability soonif they just sit there. I consider this move a blunder. } 23. a6 { No reasonto stop until he makes me. } 23... e4 { A wasted move and another blunder, butBlack's fate is almost sealed anyway. Perhaps Ra8 would have been better. } 24. Rb7+ { My LSB forces him to move to e8 or block with and likely losehis bishop on c7. } 24... Ke8 25. Rd1 { Now things are uglier for Black, as thenoose tightens. No matter what he does the game is hopeless at this point. } 25... Be7 26. Rxd8+ Kxd8 27. a7 Ke8 28. a8=Q+ Bd8 29. Bf7+ Kf8 30. Qxd8# { Althoughan early trade of a knight for a pawn wasn't disastrous in and of itself,the real killer was Black's inattention to the queenside attack. Pleaseadd your comments so we can all improve together. } 1-0

[Event "OTB game 5: a positional disadvantage"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "February 22 2019"] [Round "-"] [White "Eric"] [Black "Sam"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1323"] [TimeControl "25 mins"] [WhiteElo "1291"] { This game is an example of a material advantage loss for me. In the beginning,I won the exchange but had a hugely low development. My opponent took advantageof that and won after a long game. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Teehee. } 3... Bc5 { Standard development } 4. O-O a6 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 { Winning a pawn. } 6... f6 { ?? } 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Nxg6 { Yummy yummy in my tummy } 8... hxg6 9. Qxh8 Be6 10. e5 Qd4 11. exf6 O-O-O { My queen is in the corner and I am low on development } 12. c3 Qd3 13. Qh4 Bc4 14. Qg4+ Kb8 15. Qd1 { I did not feel like movingthe rook to e1 because then it would be unguarded. } 15... Qf5 16. d4 Bxf1 17. Qxf1 { I need development, so I sacrificed 2 points. } 17... Bd6 18. Nd2 Nxf6 19. Nf3 { Slightly more development. } 19... Ng4 { Aggressive... too aggressive. } 20. h3 Nf6 21. Bg5 Bf4 22. Bxf4 Qxf4 23. Re1 g5 24. Re6 { Oops. } 24... g4 25. hxg4 Nxg4 26. Rg6 { ?? } 26... Rh8 { h2 hugely attacked. } 27. Qe2 { Too late } 27... Qf5 28. Rg5 Qh7 29. Kf1 { Forced } 29... Qh1+ { Winning a knight. } 30. Ng1 Nh2+ 31. Ke1 Qxg1+ 32. Kd2 Rf8 33. f4 Rxf4 34. Qe1 Qxe1+ 35. Kxe1 { The game continuedmore and I lost, but, low on time, I stopped recording here... The knightpawn endgame went badly for me. } 0-1

[Event "1° Ceax 2010"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "27/03/10"] [Round "-"] [White "Carlos AlbertoVieira da Cunha e Silva"] [Black "A.A.Santos Júnior"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1847"] [TimeControl "90'"] [WhiteElo "1936"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 { That surprised me. He was playing a more positional line in the Sicilian, with Be2 and 0-0. } 6... Bg7 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. f3 O-O 9. O-O-O d5 { Acho que ele não esperava por isso } 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 14. Qc4 { She had spent 12 minutes on the clock; he had spent 50. } 14... Qb7 { My equivalent move is 14-De5! with strong psychological pressure; what happened on the board was a psychological game; Fritz says that c3 is the answer to everything, but there are no worries, no feelings or sensations, and Carlos Alberto is a very cool opponent. } 15. Qb3 Qc7 16. Qc4 Qb7 { Recohecendo minha imprecisãotentei empatar... } 17. Bd4 { Ele não quis... } 17... Bf5 { Então vamo pra briga!! } 18. Qb3 { Salve o engano,mas até aqui tem partidas no chessbase de fortesjogadores que chegaram a essa posição... } 18... Rac8 { There is no one there, so I am alone. } 19. Qxb7 { He thought about it for 12 minutes before taking the piece, and captured it with an exclamation mark. } 19... Rxc2+ 20. Kb1 Rc7+ 21. Qe4 { Viu porque a '!!!' ? } 21... Bxe4+ { Mas... } 22. fxe4 Rd8 { '!!!!' } 23. Be2 { Aqui ele refletiu mais uns5 min.'Não contavam com minha astúcia'! eu e o chapolim colorado. } 23... Rxd4 24. Rxd4 Bxd4 { Propose tables.O fritz is giving me a slight positional advantage in time.Force him to give up? It was the second round still... } 1/2-1/2

[Event "I'm a pawn in the game of life"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "08-Dec-07"] [Round "-"] [White "redmenace07"] [Black "munja100"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1403"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1346"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nc3 b5 4. Nxb5 Ba6 5. Na3 e6 6. Qa4+ Qd7 7. Qxd7+ Nxd7 8. e3 Bxa3 9. bxa3 Rb8 10. Nf3 c5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Bd2 Nf6 13. Ne5 O-O 14. Bxc4 Bxc4 15. Nxc4 Nd3+ 16. Ke2 Rfd8 17. Rhd1 Ne4 18. Ba5 Rd5 19. Rxd3 Rxd3 20. Kxd3 Nxf2+ 21. Ke2 Ne4 22. Rd1 g5 23. Kf3 f5 24. Nd6 g4+ 25. Kf4 Nxd6 26. Rxd6 Kf7 27. Bb4 Rb7 28. h3 gxh3 29. gxh3 Rc7 30. Rd8 Kg6 31. Ke5 Rc2 32. Kxe6 Rxa2 33. Rg8+ Kh6 34. Kxf5 Rh2 { Black wants thepawn. Let's poison it. } 35. h4 { If black takes the pawn, he's dead. } 35... Rxh4 { Bingo. Forced mate in two. It would not have been forced mate if hehadn't taken the pawn. } 36. Bf8+ { Sir, please step away from the pawn. } 36... Kh5 { Well, that about does it. } 37. Rg5# { Au revoir. } 1-0

[Event "First annotation on Gameknot"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "john2wa"] [Black "marcrandle"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1240"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 { A game I had here recently. Feel free to leave any comments if youthink I could have done anything better. Gameknot Computer Analysis: http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=22773517&rnd=0.7207947066053748 } 1... e6 2. d4 { Expecting a French. } 2... Be7 { Doesn't look like a bad move, but surelythere's more active solutions than this, such as d5. } 3. c4 { Gaining space. } 3... Nf6 4. Nc3 { Oh how I love moving the knight after the pawn already moved.Perhaps one downside to my position is how the c&e pawns block my LSB.I do enjoy space, however~~ } 4... Nc6 5. Nf3 { I considered f4, but this seemsmore solid. } 5... O-O 6. Bd3 Nb4 { I didn't consider this move. } 7. Be2 { I cankick the knight next turn, but black has a chance to play c5 now, whichlooks good, breaking at the center, while my king isn't castled. I mayhave space, but my opponent has a development advantage. } 7... h6 { ? I thinkc5 was a better move, Perhaps even d5? } 8. a3 Nc6 9. b4 { b4! If I castlehere, black can play a5, restricting b4. } 9... a5 10. b5 Na7 { I should be betterhere. } 11. O-O c6 { I considered a4, so if cxb I can recapture with thepawn, but this weakens the b4 square. } 12. e5 { Idea was to kick the knight,then go Ne4, to jump into blacks weak dark squares. Perhaps Re1 or d5 weremoves to consider as well? } 12... Nh7 13. Ne4 f5 { I was a bit worried to seethis move, as it makes sense. Black can try for an attack on the kingside,though I believe my attack will be quicker, do to the big queenside spaceadvantage. } 14. Nd6 { Had to move the knight. I don't think taking is good,as blacks dark squares will be very weak. } 14... g5 15. d5 { I think this is important.I need to strike in the center/queenside before any kingside attack starts. } 15... Qb6 { I don't like this, because of my response. } 16. Be3 Qc7 { Loses a piece.Qd8 had to be played. Edit: c5 had to be played. Qd8 loses the knightafter b6. } 17. b6 Qb8 18. bxa7 Qc7 19. Rb1 { Threatening Bb6, winning thequeen, while developing. } 19... b6 { Doesn't stop my threat. } 20. Bxb6 Qxd6 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. dxe6 Be7 23. exd7 Bb7 24. d8=Q { Trying to simplify the position.However, if Black hadn't taken with his A8 rook, things would have remainedmore complicated. } 24... Bxd8 25. Qxd8 Raxd8 26. Bxd8 Rxd8 27. Rxb7 { An easywin now. } 27... Nf6 28. Rb8 Re8 29. Rxe8+ Nxe8 30. a8=Q Kf8 31. c5 { Idea is tolet my LSB in. } 31... g4 32. Ne5 h5 33. Bc4 Ke7 34. Qxc6 Ng7 35. Qd6+ { And mateis coming soon. Hope you guys enjoyed! Expect to see more from me here! } 1-0

[Event "FIFE Chennai Game 1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.11.09"] [Round "-"] [White "Carlsen, Magnus"] [Black "Anand, Viswanathan"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2775"] [WhiteElo "2870"] 1. Nf3 { In his first match with the unconventional Gruenfeld Opening, a timid Carlsen sought to put pressure on a relaxed Anand. Carlsen, in the end, chose to settle for a draw, which, according to media reports, made both players happy. To my opinion, this first match, like most first matches in world championship duels, can only be considered a study in reciprocal preparation, with known schemes being played, and both players preferring to stay safe. Quality-wise, it was a rather dull game, with moves being played from known openings and neither player wanting to take any risks. } 1... d5 { . } 2. g3 { . } 2... g6 { . } 3. Bg2 { . } 3... Bg7 { . } 4. d4 { . } 4... c6 { . } 5. O-O { . } 5... Nf6 { . } 6. b3 { . } 6... O-O { . } 7. Bb2 { . } 7... Bf5 { . } 8. c4 { . } 8... Nbd7 { . } 9. Nc3 { In all these continuations drawn from games where the 9...Ne4 move was played, it is clear that the final result could only be that which was achieved. (9...Ne4 10. Nh4 [1/2-1/2 (10) Asanov,B (2400)-Begun,FAzov 1991) (10. e3 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Be4 12. Qe2 Qb6 13. Rfd1 Rfd8 14. Bh3Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Nf6 16. Qe2 Ne4 17. Bb2 e6 18. Bg2 (1/2-1/2 Huzman,A (2580)-Nunn,J(2615) Amsterdam 1995) (10. Nd2 Nxc3 11. Bxc3 c5 12. cxd5 cxd4 13. Bb2Nb6 14. Nf3 Nxd5 15. Nxd4 Nb4 16. a3 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Qxd4 18. Bxd4 Nc2 19.Rad1 (1/2-1/2 Ivanovic,A (1905)-Zelic,M (2330) Portoroz 1995) (10... Nxc311. Bxc3 Be6 12. Qd3 Nf6 13. Rfd1 Qc7 14. Rac1 Rad8 15. c5 Qc8 16. Bd2h6 17. b4 g5 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Qe6 20. f3 [Lapertosa Viana,J (2130)-Miller,A ICC INT2009 1/2-1/2) } 9... dxc4 { . } 10. bxc4 { . } 10... Nb6 { . } 11. c5 { . } 11... Nc4 { . } 12. Bc1 { . } 12... Nd5 { 1. volta Nd5 } 13. Qb3 { 1. volta Qb3 } 13... Na5 { . } 14. Qa3 { . } 14... Nc4 { Ilnero gioca per la parità } 15. Qb3 { White has accepted this point. } 15... Na5 { This move ends the game without winners. } 16. Qa3 { . } 16... Nc4 { . } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Who (if anyone) is winning this game?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.24"] [Round "-"] [White "charleshiggie"] [Black "skyeman"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1948"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1956"] 1. d4 { Ok, this is another draw, where I would ask stronger players tosay whether they think one side or another had an advantage in the finalposition. Weaker players may enjoy and interesting tussle. It started outas another Noimzo-Indian Defence, so I would refer you to another anotatedgame adamraoof (2006) vs. charleshiggie (1932) for the first 3 moves onboth sides. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 { Adam played a3 here, e3 ismore common, and scores better according to the on-line databases. } 4... b6 { 0-0 and c5 are more commonly played than b6, but it is equally sound. } 5. Ne2 { White wants to avoid doubles pawns. } 5... Ne4 { Black re-news the threatto double to c pawns. } 6. Bd2 Nxd2 { My Scottish oponent takes the opportunityto get the 2 bishops. } 7. Qxd2 O-O 8. a3 Be7 9. Nf4 d6 10. Be2 Bb7 11. O-O { White had more central control and better development for the twobishops. Chances are even. } 11... Nd7 12. Rfd1 Bg5 { So far, as in Aleksandrov,Aleksej (2660) vs. Ehlvest, Jaan (2610) 1⁄2-1⁄2 in 16 moves (13. b4 Qe7 14.Rac1 Bh6 15. Bf1 g6 16. Qc2 c6 draw agreed). I now come up with an alternativemove. } 13. Nh3 Bh6 14. b3 g6 15. f4 Bg7 16. Ng5 Nf6 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Nxf3 Re8 19. e4 { White now has a massive centre, but the exchange of minorpieces eases Black's position somewhat. Do you think it was a mistake byme to force off the white squared bishops? } 19... e5 { This I thought was a mistake,giving away a pawn, but as it turns out, not for long. } 20. dxe5 dxe5 21. Qxd8 Raxd8 22. Rxd8 { Giving up the open file may seem wrong, but I wantedto pull his rook away from the e file, otherwise in some variations herecovers the pawn on e5 with his rook on e8. } 22... Rxd8 23. Nxe5 Nh5 24. g3 g5 { Ah, keeping my extra pawn is going to be hard..... } 25. Rf1 gxf4 26. gxf4 Nxf4 { Now if I take his knight, he takes my knight and material isequal, so I try a desperado take with my knight. } 27. Nxf7 Rd3 28. Rxf4 Rxc3 29. Nd8 Rxb3 30. Ne6 { With some interesting threats, such as Rg4 winningthe bishop, and if Be5, then Rf8 mate! I really didn't expect my Islanderopponent to fall for that, I rather expected 30... Bh6, 31 Rf6 Bg7 32.Rc4 and a draw by repetition. My opponent found another way to defend. } 30... h5 31. Rf5 Bb2 { and draw agreed on Black's suggestion. The question is- who is better in the final position. Material is level, with pawns onboth sides of the board, the bishop is better than the knight. Also inthese sorts of positions, it is better to have the passed pawns on theside away from the kings, ie the Queen side. On the other hand white hastwo passed pawns, the e pawn is further up the board than the passed apawn black has. over to you dear reader - who do you think is better? } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Blitz game vs an 1800"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "8/4/13"] [Round "-"] [White "alexalma"] [Black "pipjamricky"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1830"] [TimeControl "5 min + 10 sec"] [WhiteElo "1126"] 1. d4 { This was one of my best games in which I beat an 1800 rated player.Pease Comment. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 { Nimzo Indian Defence } 3... d5 { attackingc4 } 4. Nf3 Bb4 { pinning my knight } 5. a3 { attacking his bishop } 5... Bxc3+ { smart.giving me double pawns and if he had played Ba5 b4 Bb6 c5 and i win thebishop } 6. bxc3 { taking back } 6... c6 { i dont really understand this } 7. Bg5 { pinning his knight } 7... Nbd7 { defending his knight } 8. e3 { opening up my bishop } 8... O-O { castles } 9. Bd3 { preparing to castle } 9... h6 { attacks my bishop } 10. Bxf6 { i take } 10... Nxf6 { he takes tied game so far } 11. c5 { push my pawn so i havegood pawn structure } 11... Ne4 { threatens c3 } 12. Bxe4 { i take } 12... dxe4 { he takesmessing up his pawn structure a little } 13. Nd2 { attacking e4 } 13... f5 { defendinge4 } 14. O-O { castling } 14... Qg5 { he starts an attack } 15. Qb3 Rf6 16. Nc4 Rg6 { threatens mate } 17. g3 f4 18. Nd6 { winning a pawn for white } 18... f3 { he wantsto get his queen to g2 } 19. Nxe4 { I take the pawn } 19... Qg4 { attacking my knightand hoping to play Qh3 } 20. Nd2 { this prevents him from playing Qh3 becauseI take the pawn } 20... Bd7 { ? Loses a lot of pieces } 21. Qxb7 Rf8 { ? Lose bishop } 22. Qxd7 Qh3 { threatens mate but i can take f3 because i am up a bishopand 2 pawns } 23. Nxf3 Rxf3 { I'm up three pawns } 24. Qxc6 { Four } 24... Rgf6 { Idkwhat this gains } 25. Ra2 Kh8 { ? } 26. Qa8+ { up 5 pawns } 26... Rf8 27. Qxa7 R8f5 { probably trying to play Rh5 } 28. c6 { Trying to get another queen } 28... Rh5 { threatens a mate at h2. Here I thought I had lost but then i saw i couldmove my rook } 29. Rb1 Qxh2+ 30. Kf1 { forced } 30... Qh1+ { wins a rook } 31. Ke2 Qg2 { ?? } 32. Kd3 { defends f2 } 32... Rxf2 { wins a pawn } 33. Rxf2 { trading down } 33... Qxf2 34. Qb8+ { defends g3 and allows me to promote } 34... Kh7 { only move } 35. c7 { about to queen } 35... Qf5+ 36. Kc4 { best move } 36... Qd5+ 37. Kb4 { best move } 37... Qa5+ 38. Kb3 { best move } 38... Rb5+ { here I also thought i had lost the game and iwas about to take with my queen but then I noticed my queen was defendedby the pawn which would become a queen } 39. Ka2 { He resigns. Thank youfor watching please comment on possible better moves and what you thoughtabout the game } 1-0

[Event "Simultaneous Exhibition, Baltimore 1936"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Arthur Dake"] [Black "Amateur"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "IM"] { It's rare enough to see a master lose a game in a simul, but to lose ina heartbeat... } 1. e4 { Most masters open with this move in simuls. Itusually leads to a quicker win. } 1... e6 { Electing to play a French defense,hoping to draw out his resistance. } 2. d4 { The standard reply... } 2... d5 { ...andthe book response. } 3. Nc3 { Strong. } 3... Bb4 { Unafraid. } 4. Ne2 { The AlekhineGambit. } 4... dxe4 { Accepting the challenge. } 5. a3 { Putting the question... } 5... Bxc3+ { ...and getting an immediate answer. } 6. Nxc3 { The logical response,to avoid doubled Pawns and win back Black's advanced pawn. } 6... Nc6 { Blackcounters with a threat to Dake's QP. } 7. Qg4 { Threatening QxNP winningthe KR. } 7... Nxd4 { Black has a brilliant counter in mind, which Dake overlooks. } 8. Qxg7 { Following through with his plan. However, QxP(K4) was a *much*better alternative. } 8... Nxc2+ { With mate to follow at once. } 9. Ke2 { Forced. } 9... Qd3# { Bravo! Score one for the amateur! } 0-1

[Event "Gameknot Tourney Match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "12-Oct-06"] [Round "-"] [White "leereuben"] [Black "jazzcatt"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1472"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1588"] { One of my early matchups from last year. This really isn't one of my greatestgames - although I think the mistakes made on both sides makes for an entertainingtussle. I deviate haphazardly from standard silician setup - ignoring anunderdeveloped position and creating significant weaknesses. Clinical playshould lead to a resounding white victory. However the initiative wasntgrasped leading to counterplay and chances on both sides. Some last ditchsaccing leads to tidy conclusion. A theme I would say would be to learnfrom you're mistakes. There are plenty made here, I'm sure any technicianwould have a field day. } 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 { standard Silician so far } 5... g6 { Dragon Variation. } 6. Bc4 { Anotherplan is Be3, followed by Qe2, Bh6 and f4 } 6... Bg7 7. Be3 O-O { Some ideas here....Qd2, preparing to castle with Bh6 attacking the dragon... or a kingsidepawn advance } 8. f4 { controlling central squares.. as well as preparingto attack blacks kingside. } 8... e5 { e6 is stronger here... although i'm stillnot castled white will be able to eventually play f5! blocking a nice diagonaland threatening to shatter blacks kingside } 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. h3 { Losingtempo... even under the guise of a kingside advance. Much better optionsavailable, insomuch as completing development.. even the preemptive f5would be better } 10... a5 { Anticipating a queenside castling } 11. fxe5 { Its hardto imagine a worse move.. then this woeful pawn snatch. } 11... Nh5 12. Qd4 { Not sure what I'm doing here. Protecting pawns by positioning my Queenon a dangerous diagonal } 12... b5 { attacking on two fronts... blacks pieces aremobile on both queen and kingside... mine are trapped, and uncoordinated } 13. Bd3 Qh4+ { very stong position for black } 14. Bf2 { possibly Kd2 isbetter... in what is a pretty desperate position } 14... Qg5 { Sound positionalmove. Safeguarding the king is out of the question. kingside falls to Bxh3!Also threats threatens weak points at e5 and g2 } 15. g4 { attempting tosalvage something from this position by aiming for counterplay } 15... Bxe5 { blacksbishop tucking in } 16. Qe3 Bf4 { queen has a choice of two spaces } 17. Qe2 { apparently walking into a pin.. but aiming again for some counterplay } 17... Ng3 18. h4 { countering offering a trade of queens to quell a continuedassult } 18... Nxe2 { trade accepted } 19. hxg5 Nxc3 { the knight having fulfilledits objective aims to leave whites pawn structure in disarray... } 20. bxc3 { some breathing space... but for precious little... possibly one ofthe worst looking pawn structures possible. Rooks unconnected and kingbadly positioned } 20... Bxg5 { blakc taking some of the material on offer } 21. c4 { where to start? } 21... Bf6 { letting me off the hook, I can now castle andactivate my rooks. Black could be focusing on capturing my at g4. He shouldnthave anything to fear as Bxg4, Rg1 can be easily met be h5 or bf6. } 22. O-O-O b4 { Passive but strengthening blacks kingside.. Avoiding an exchangedoes prevent white from trading off one of its problems at c4.. But I canthelp thinking that opening the kingside would suit black. } 23. Rdg1 { ofcourse for white the position is rubbish... and nothing to lose in rollingthe dice on a far fetched plan.. both rooks now aimed at blacks king } 23... Bg5+ { blocking the g pawns advancement with check... but unfortunately servedto help me out as I wanted use of the long diagonal } 24. Kb1 Be6 { Blackfinally activates the back rank and brings his bishop into play... attackingtwo weak pawns } 25. Bd4 { making haste for the diagonal I want } 25... Rfd8 { headingfor the open file } 26. Bb2 c5 { again quiet reinforcement with possiblyBe3 followed by Bd4 in mind } 27. Rxh7 { Sacking a rook in order to crackopen blacks defense.. and generate opportunities. I must admit, at thispoint I felt this game was down and out.. so didnt consider blacks defenseif he refuted the capture. In any case a refutation could only strengthenwhites claims } 27... Kxh7 { taking the material on offer. } 28. Rh1+ { the counterattack begins in earnest. } 28... Bh6 { some hefty defensive work in order. Thismove is forced with the other alternative Kg7 mating } 29. g5 { i think iwas very fortunate to have this piece at my disposal... and in a turn ...and from a position of weakness it pressurises blacks hapless bishop } 29... Rd4 { only chance of survival } 30. Rxh6+ Kg7 31. Bxd4+ cxd4 { attack ends. Andits even again in terms of material. Despite Black still holding a muchbetter position - my pawns still all remaining weak. Luckily for me blackcontinues to let me off the hook. } 32. Rh1 { rook required for defensiveduties } 32... Rc8 { insurmountable pressure on whites c pawn } 33. Kb2 { tryingto muster much needed support } 33... a4 { preventing my king from advancing. } 34. Rd1 { aiming for some counterplay after Bxd4 } 34... Rc5 { ?again delayingthe capture. surely trading would seal a nice endgame for black. creatinga shallow threat against g5 } 35. a3 { blacks loss of tempo has allowed meto take first shot } 35... bxa3+ 36. Kxa3 { my king embarks on active service } 36... Bxc4 { A flawed plan of aiming to protect the passed pawn with Bxc4, Rxc4.With the capture of g4 and a kingside advance the better option } 37. Kb4 { King leaps into attack. } 37... Bxd3 { The best choice under the circumstances } 38. Kxc5 Bxc2 { am now looking at long last safe. If can cope with the twopassed pawns. } 39. Rxd4 a3 { race to promotion } 40. Rd7 a2 41. Ra7 { phew...just in time, while also restricting any advancement of the oppositionking } 41... Bb1 { protecting the pasted pawn } 42. e5 { move e pawn to safety. } 42... Bf5 { leads to fall of the agonisingly promising a pawn, but the alternativesarent great. Otherwise Kf8; Kc6, ke8; kd6, kf8 (kd8 Ra8 mates!); kd7, kg8;ke8, kg7; Rxf7 and my e pawn threatens to queen } 43. Rxa2 Be6 44. Ra8 Bf5 { Now I hold an advantage. But is worth little unless I can make useof it. A simplification of pawns would work in blacks favour. The blackking is in the 'good corner' (ie rook cannot mate on the back rank, ieKh8; Ra8 will be met by Bg8 and draws). I need to develop a plan to promoteone of my pawns, but the black king cannot be driven off g7, in orderto capture the f pawn. Unless I can think of something, a draw seems thelikely result } 45. Kd6 Be6 46. Ke7 Bd5 47. Rf8 { the suprise } 47... Bc4 { keepingthe f pawn protected. from whites perspective e6 would gift a pawn } 48. Rxf7+ { sacrifices my one remaining piece! } 48... Bxf7 49. e6 { and black resigns!!his most likely move Bg8 is met with Kd7, and Blacks postion is hopeless(if he takes the pawn white wins due to a better positioned king); if Bf7then either e7 or exf7 will win as the white king king forces back restrictedpeer; and the other alternatives fear no better. } 1-0

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.29"] [Round "-"] [White "ilshat"] [Black "thehellion"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1304"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1203"] { A game where my opponent adopted an unusual opening and the game got tacticalimmediately. I was able to come up with the better tactics. } 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 { So far so book. } 4. Ng5 { Here's where things startto get weird. This two-piece 'berserker' attack is doomed to fail againstproper defense. Why not simply continue developing? } 4... d5 { Obvious. } 5. exd5 { Unwilling to admit he made a mistake. } 5... Na5 6. Qe2 { Prematurely developingthe Queen. } 6... Nxc4 7. Qxc4 Qxd5 { At this point, he has a chance to make upfor his mistake. QxQ followed by O-O and development of the Q-side is indicatedfor White. } 8. Qxc7 Qxg2 { Now his Rook is threatened and his King willnever be able to find safety. The K-side is shattered and the Q-side isundeveloped. } 9. Qxe5+ Be7 10. Rf1 h6 { The Knight has no flight square!Now in addition to his positional disadvatages, he will face a materialone as well. } 11. Nxf7 Kxf7 { My King would normally be called 'exposed',but because White's Q-side pieces are undeveloped, he cannot exploit this. } 12. f3 Bh3 { Threatening QxR mate. } 13. Qe2 { Forced. But now he loses theExchange after the Queens vanish from the board. } 13... Qxe2+ 14. Kxe2 Bxf1+ 15. Kxf1 { I have a Rook for two Pawns, my opponent has no developed pieces,and my King is more centralized in the endgame that has arisen. White'sbest move here is 'resigns'. } 15... Rac8 16. c3 Nd5 { Since he wants to play itout, I will simplify and simplify again. The more wood comes off the board,the bigger my material advantage looms. } 17. d3 Bg5 { The Bishops go first. } 18. Bxg5 hxg5 { Now I'd like to remove the Knights. } 19. Nd2 Rxh2 { Grabbinga loose Pawn is always good. Now a potential back-rank mate is formingup. His King is trapped on the first row. } 20. Ke1 Re8+ { If 21 K-Q1, 21...R-K7doubles the Rooks on the 7th rank. Victory would be short and swift fromthere. } 21. Ne4 { This self-pin enables me to vaporize the Knights. } 21... Nf6 22. b4 Nxe4 { Mission accomplished. Now I just have to find a way to getthe back-rank mate, since my opponent refuses to resign. } 23. dxe4 Rc2 { Clearing the KR file for my Rook on K1. Intended is R-R1 and R-R8 mate. } 24. Rd1 Ke7 { Prevents the White Rook from entering on the Q file. } 25. Rd5 Rh8 { Mate is now forced, unless White gives up his Rook with 26 R-Q2. } 26. Kd1 { This just pushes everything backwards 1 move. } 26... Rxa2 { Again, R-Q2is the only move that prolongs the game. } 27. Rxg5 Rh1+ 28. Rg1 Rxg1# { Closingthe book on this one. } 0-1

[Event "The Annotation Project - Chase and Develop"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.08.14"] [Round "-"] [White "untateve"] [Black "nuntar"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1626"] [TimeControl "5d+1d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1672"] 1. e4 { This represents my final game in this mini-tourney. In my previousgame against nuntar, he was victorious. I had hopes of doing better thistime. As usual, the action begins on move 8. } 1... c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nf3 dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Bg4 6. Qxg4 Nxg4 7. Bxf7+ Kd7 8. Be6+ Kc6 { Black choosesthe c6 option for his King. } 9. Bxg4 e6 10. Nc3 { I choose to develop myN rather than take e6. } 10... Na6 11. a3 { 11.a3 - As has been noted many times,it is important to prevent Black from playing Nb4-c2. } 11... Qf6 12. Ncxe4 { AsI have learned, the key for White in this opening is to develop quicklyto take advantage of the Q sac and to keep Black from having an activeQueen. } 12... Qxf4 13. Bf3 { 13. Bf3 Obviously threatening check with the Bishop. } 13... Kd7 14. d3 { 14. d3 This move both aids in developing the DSB as well asattacking the Q with tempo. } 14... Qf5 15. O-O { 15 O-O White moves the Kingto relative safety, develops the Rook and threatens the Queen. } 15... Be7 { 15...Be7develops the Bishop while threatening White's Knight. It is almost a certaintythat Black would have exchanged his B for White's Knight. } 16. Ng3 { However,White again attacks the Queen. } 16... Qe5 17. Nf7 { 17. Nf7 forks Black's Q andR, forcing the Queen to move again. } 17... Qd4+ 18. Kh1 b6 { 18...b6 This movesurprised me. I expected Black to move Rh8 to safety. Instead, Whitenow has the option of exchanging his LSB for Ra8. However, I wanted tokeep my Bishop pair as I have learned (the hard way) how important theBishop pair is for white in this tourney. } 19. c3 { 19. c3 I liked thismove as it again forces the Queen away. At this point, there are veryfew safe squares for the Q. } 19... Qa4 20. Bd1 { 20. Bd1 With this move, Black'sQueen is no longer playing a significant role in the game. I'm not asdeveloped as I would like, but I've accomplished one of my goals. } 20... Qa5 21. Nxh8 { 21 Nxh8 I thought about this move for awhile as I hated to giveup a developed piece for an undeveloped piece but I reasoned that I hadto make up the material. } 21... Rxh8 22. Rf7 { 22. Rf7 pins the B and threatensthe pawn. } 22... h6 23. Rxg7 { The material is now 'equal,' Black's Q is marginalized,but White still needs to bring his pieces into play. } 23... Kd8 24. Bg4 Nc7 25. Bf4 b5 { At this point, I'm feeling pretty good about my position and mychances. } 26. Be5 { 26. Be5 obviously attacking Rh8 while centralizing myDSB and halting any advance of e6. } 26... Rf8 27. Ne4 { 27. White is beginningto close in around Black's King. } 27... Nd5 28. g3 { 28. g3 After this game,nuntar said that he thought this move was 'rather aimless' and he wonderedwhether I thought my position was winning because of this move. As I toldhim: I moved 28. g3 to keep your Knight from f4 (and to give my Kinga bit of breathing room). My concern was that if the N went to f4, it couldthen attack d3 or force me to move it to d4. After that, I could see mypawn structure going into disarray, allowing your Queen freedom to movetoward my King. The other option would have been to exchange my DSB forthe N if it got to f4, but I certainly didn't like that option.--I lookedat Bxe6 but I believe Black would definitely have moved Nf4, forking Be6and d3. I felt I had the time and position to be patient. } 28... Qb6 { It wasat this point that Black offered a draw. I liked my position but thoughtperhaps I was missing something. I declined the draw as I felt I had somepressure building around Black's King and I had not even developed Ra1. It turns out that nuntar offered the draw because he thought there wasa possibility that I did not see my position as 'winning.' } 29. Re1 { 29Re1. This prevents his N from moving to e3 while it developed my Rook. In fact, the only safe move for Black's N was c7. } 29... Nf6 { 29...Nf6 surprisedme as now I felt my position had gone from a good to winning. } 30. Nxf6 Rxf6 { 30...Rxf6--I expected 30...Bxf6 which would have been followed by31.Bc7+Qxc7 32.Rxc7Kxc7 33.Rxe6 giving White a 2-pawn advantage inthe endgame. Instead, Black took with the Rook and then resigned. I sawthe continuation as 31. Bxf6 Bxf6 32. Rg8+ and then a multitude of problemsfor Black. As I noted, this was my last game in this tourney. With thewin, I secured 3rd place behind freddy and joanne. This was a wonderfullearning experience and my thanks to freddy for inviting me and and toeveryone who participated in the tourney. I look forward to seeing allof you across the board! } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "04-Feb-08"] [Round "-"] [White "kungfugod"] [Black "joe17"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1480"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1465"] 1. c4 { Mon Capitan asked me to annotate a few games for the team with thereason why I made the move I did. The notes have been made as the gameprogressed, rather than after.(although I have tidied them up a bit atthe end) They are basically the short term notes I leave for myself. c4 - Transpositional opening. Black can put a stamp on what that isstraight away. } 1... e5 { My standard reply to c4. Mainly because I don't likeplaying queen's gambit as black. } 2. g3 { Setting up for Bg2, Nf3, O-O. A very strong castled position from frontal assault } 2... Nf6 { Centre control,setting up for kingside castle } 3. Bg2 Bc5 { Centre control, allows castleing } 4. d3 { ??? Allows B out... } 4... Nc6 { Centre control } 5. Nf3 O-O { May as well. Have 3 well developed pieces to 2 off to the side } 6. O-O d5 { Long termplan is to open and control c, d or e and attack castle from behind thepawns } 7. Bg5 { Pin the N. Leads to no material advantage. Depending onhow I disarm it, it may weaken my castle } 7... dxc4 { open d } 8. dxc4 Qxd1 { Simplifyby exchanging Q. Still have better development. Ng4 is likely to makethe R return to f1, keeping d up for grabs in line with my long term plan. } 9. Rxd1 Ng4 { If i now do h6, the bishop will retreat now, rather than havethe option of an exchange which leaves me with a weakened castle and doubledup pawns. I am expecting Rf1 to protect f2 and in turn e3 } 10. Rf1 h6 { Makesthe B retreat, ceding more centre control. Gets me the escape hole fromthe castle now, so I can keep tempo in the end game. Also the escape holeis on a white square, and white's white bishop is likely to be stuck ong2 for a while } 11. Bd2 e4 { N on f3 has safe squares at e1 - N takes pinnedpawn on f2 setting up a discovered check (Nd1 ,Nxb2) If RxNf2 then fork with e3. at h4 - g5 13 Bxe4 gxh4 Material advantagefor me, small breach in whites castle, but probably still have to go aroundthe back } 12. Ne1 Nxf2 13. Rxf2 e3 14. Bc3 { I won't pull punches. Thisis just BAD. 14 Bxe3 Bxe3 (bishop for a pawn), would have minimised thedamage. This leads 14.... exf2 (up a rook) 15 Kh1 or f1 fxe1=whateveras the B on c3 will take it.(up a knight) } 14... exf2+ 15. Kf1 fxe1=Q+ 16. Bxe1 Ne5 { c4 unprotected so white willuse a move to protect it. Ng4 next to attack h2, which he can't protectas easily. } 17. b3 Ng4 *

[Event "Space City Open 07 (Reserve - rd #1)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-20-07"] [Round "-"] [White "Richard D."] [Black "Thomas G."] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1456"] [TimeControl "G/120"] [WhiteElo "1592"] 1. d4 { Welcome to my latest OTB foray. The Space City Open in Huntsville,AL is one of the oldest and most successful OTB tourneys here in the backwaters of Alabama. I talked a buddy of mine into going with me, and weboth wound up with pretty good results - I finished tied for 2nd placewith 3.5/5 and he finished 3/5. Luckily for me, we didn't play each other,as he is the stronger player. It did feel good scoring more than him though:)Due to my rating, I naturally get paired the first round with the highestrated guy in the U1600 section. He is 1592, and I sense trouble right offthe bat. I played this guy a few months ago at another tourney, and hedestroyed me. I know that this game is gonna be tough. It may sound defeatist,but I will be more than happy to get out of this one with a draw. I playsensibly for the first few moves, IMHO, but allow him to unleash a maraudingknight into my back yard that I just can't deal with. He opens 1. d4. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 { I generally try to steer into Indian defenses, which havethemes that I am comfortable with. } 3. Nc3 { 3. Nf3 may be a little morecommon, but this also plays quite nicely. White knows Bb4 is coming, sohe develops on the queenside first to prevent the check. I tell myselfthat I'm probably going to trade bishop for knight on c3, and then getin b6 to aim the other bishop at what I presume will be his castled position. } 3... Bb4 4. Qc2 { White develops his queen to a strong diagonal while protectinghis knight. } 4... c5 { ?! I've played this line many times before with mixedresults. Sure, there was 4...BxN 5. QxB, but I want to claim some spacebefore I play Nc6 while eliminating one of his central pawns. } 5. dxc5 Bxc5 6. e3 { Good play - and the kind of move that I am usually hesitantto play. White restricts his DSB, but immediately answers the questionof f2 defense. White will now most likely play his DSB to its long diagonal. } 6... Nc6 { I sense the chance to lead in development, and deploy this knightto a strong square. } 7. a3 { !? This move tortured me, and put me into along think. Is white being paranoid about me attacking his queen with Nb4?or is he planning on b4 with tempo to open up the long diagonal for hisDSB? } 7... a6 { ?! Thinking that I had the time to set up the queenside the wayI wanted, I play a6 to prep b5 and to create an escape square for my DSB,as well as preparing my own fianchetto. I really should have gone aheadand castled here. I'll most definitely pay for that lapse in judgementvery soon. } 8. Nf3 { White takes his time, and catches up in development. } 8... d5 { ?! Again, I probably should have castled. This break is begging tobe played, but in doing so I allow white solid action on the c file. } 9. cxd5 { Of course, as white can't allow me to play d4. } 9... Nxd5 { ?! Mistake.I should have taken with my e pawn. Now white can dictate my next move. } 10. Nxd5 { Forcing my queen to retake to protect my DSB. } 10... Qxd5 11. Bc4 { Argh...Iallow white to develop with tempo. } 11... Qd6 { I still have to protect my Bc5.The only other real choice of Qh5 seemed impotent. } 12. O-O { White secureshis king, and his position looks strong. I go into another long think andlaunch...... } 12... b5 { ......a typical Thomas attack which is all bark and nobite. Thinking I could force the issue on the queenside, I totally disvaluedthe strength of his next move. } 13. Rd1 { ! Nice. White shows good patience,and I'm sure starts thinking of winning my DSB. } 13... Qc7 { ? I need help. Thekind of help you get on a couch. The kind that requires pills every day.13...Qe7 and I still had some play. Now, I drop a piece. } 14. Bxb5 { ! Thebest tactics are the simple ones. } 14... axb5 15. Qxc5 { At this point I am wonderingif seppuku is as painful as it sounds. I REALLY should have castled whenI had the chance. I hate this game......... } 15... b4 { I try to appear confident.I try to appear in charge, and act as if I had all of this already workedout in my head. It's really hard to pull off this acting job with tearsrolling down my cheeks. I threaten a weak tactic of my own. } 16. Nd4 { !Strong. I can't take it - I can only support my Nc6. } 16... Bb7 17. Nb5 { ! Stronger.My weak 13th is punished yet again. } 17... Qe7 { This is where I should have putmy queen back on move 13. The end is very near. } 18. Nd6+ { ! Strongest.I now officially hate all horses. } 18... Kf8 19. Nxb7 { ...and I throw in thetowel. I hadn't properly noticed that this knight now protects his queen.I'm down a piece and a pawn and my Rh8 is worthless. White will have noproblem cleaning up. As it is the first round, I cut my losses and decidenot to waste my energy. The only real consolation that I have is that Richardwinds up winning the section with a score of 4.5/5, and it's my buddy whonicks him for a legit draw in the last round. I also tell myself that everyremaining game that I have will be against easier opponents. Such is life.Now I make my worst move of the tournament, and go to Cracker Barrel andload up on enough starch to guarantee that I will fall asleep during thesecond round. My buddy calls me an idiot, and I agree........ } 1-0