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[Event "2019 Oregon Open Round 4"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2019"] [Round "-"] [White "Jason H. "] [Black "Freeman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1593"] [TimeControl "2hr 40 moves 30 min SD"] [WhiteElo "1490"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 { Caro-Kann } 3. exd5 { exchange variation } 3... cxd5 4. Nf3 Bf5 { and here we are already out of book. More common is Bd3 } 5. Bd3 Bxd3 6. Qxd3 a6 { preventing counter play } 7. O-O e6 8. a3 { ?! } 8... Bd6 9. Re1 Nd7 { Nd7 to connect Ngf6 Knights and not worry too much on Bg5 } 10. Be3 Ne7 { And here I seen Nf5 being better. } 11. Nbd2 h6 { prophylaxis! Castlingwould lead Ng5 and Black could respond with either g6 or Ng6 and Whitehas the initiative. } 12. Nb3 Rc8 { controlling c4 square. } 13. Rac1 b5 { ! } 14. c3 O-O 15. Qd2 { And here White develops an attack. The Caro-Kannis defense and much of the moves require a defense against White's attack.So much how you play is responding to White's moves. This differs greatlywith the Sicilian defenses... } 15... Ng6 { ! Nf5 would work to I believe. If Whitecontinues Bxh6...gxh6; Qxh6 and Black has Bf4 fork tactic . } 16. Rc2 Nb6 { eyeing Knightc4 square. } 17. Ne5 Bxe5 18. dxe5 Nc4 19. Qd4 Ngxe5 { Andhere I thought it was best to capture pawn first while I can. Capturingthe bishop empowers his rook to a good rank and can swing over to g3 orh3 } 20. Nd2 { Time clock for White: 1hr 22min. } 20... Nxe3 { ! Intermezzo! Black'stime: 57 min 34 secs. } 21. Rxe3 { And here I thought for a while... Blackhas several candidate moves and they have their on purposes. Ng6 retreatingback; Nd7 doesn't accomplish much; Nc4 can lead to exchanges with my ownrook lift to Rc4; Nc6 } 21... Nc6 22. Qg4 { It was here I notice that Queen Rank4 has limited squares. Queen can only go to f4! Obviously, White is settingup Rg3 threating checkmate. Only one move away and Black has to Respondto White's idea. } 22... f5 { This is why I like Nc6 over Ng6. Nc4 would leadto exchanges but I liked his rook c2 being inactive and not doing to much. } 23. Qe2 { ?? If Queen-f4...g5?! let me know what you think maybe queenf6better than pawn moves... Here I saw Qe2 as a mistake. White's Rook-c2is hanging and I see a fork! Do you see it? } 23... Nd4 { !! Knight fork and sacrificeand protects e6 temporarily. } 24. cxd4 { If Queen-h5...NxRc2; Rxe6 withmy knight sort of out of play and White's Rook is in... Queen-f6 holdingthe position. } 24... Rxc2 25. Rxe6 { White's time: 1hr 1min } 25... Qa5 { Time: 43 min5 sec. } 26. Rg6 Qxd2 27. Qe6+ Kh7 28. Rxg7+ Kxg7 29. Qe7+ Rf7 30. Qe5+ Kh7 { White resigns. } 0-1

[Event "Queen & Pawn Ending - Material Deficit then what?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.05.23"] [Round "-"] [White "dmaestro"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1821"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1600"] 1. c4 { Hi everyone! This was a real roller-coaster of a game. I decidedit was time to challenge Mike again. Here are my current stats againsthim +0, Won: 47 (48%), Lost: 47 (48%), Draws: 2 (2%), 96 games. So despitethe 200 point difference in our rating we are pretty evenly matched andwill have soon played 100 games against each other! Mike has been inflictinga lot of passivitis on me in a lot of my games against him with differenteventual outcomes. In this game it is no different, through a large partof the middlegame, Mike has me tied down. Glenda briefly leads a breakout rally but she is exchanged off and Mike re-establishes his bind witha bone in the throat and more. Mike releases the bind and there followsa race to the promotion square and wins the race by just one move. I amalso a pawn down. But will Glenda be able to save the day here? Pleasefeel free to read the GA below to find out or simply read on. Mike startswith 1. c4 as he often does and I reply with f5 transposing the game intoan Anglo-Dutch Defense. } 1... f5 2. e4 { 2.e4 - a gambit. } 2... fxe4 { 2...... fxe4 -accepted. } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { 3. ..... Nf6 - development and defends the extra pawn. } 4. g4 g6 5. g5 Nh5 6. Nxe4 { 6. Nxe4 - Mike however wins it back. } 6... Bg7 7. d4 d5 8. Ng3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 { 9. hxg3 - knight trade. } 9... dxc4 { 9. ....... dxc4 -this is becoming like a QGA! } 10. Be3 Qd5 11. Rh2 { 11.Rh2 - Mike takeshis rook out of the line of Glenda's fire and threatens Bb2. } 11... c6 12. Ne2 Bg4 { 12. ..... Bg4 - pin. } 13. Qc2 Bf5 14. Qd2 b5 15. Nf4 Qf7 { 15. ..... Qf7- Glenda has to move but I am hoping to move her again to a more aggressivesquare later. } 16. a4 Nd7 17. Bg2 Rc8 18. axb5 cxb5 19. Rxa7 { 19. Rxa7- Mike regains material equality and gives me a bone in the throat - aaarghand double aargh! } 19... O-O { 19. ..... 0-0 - well, I have finally done somethingabout Henry, but I will also need to do something about Glenda - firstlywatch out for a pin on the g8-a2 diagonal from Mike's light square bishop! } 20. Nd5 Qe6 21. Nb4 Qf7 22. f4 Nb8 { 22. ..... Nb8 - this sorry knight willbe imprisoned on this square for many moves to come. Its job at the momentis to cover the c6 square. } 23. Bf3 Rfd8 24. Qc3 Rd7 25. Ra8 { 25. Ra8 -maintaining control with a pin on my b8 knight. } 25... Qf8 26. Bd5+ e6 27. Bf3 Rcd8 28. g4 Bd3 29. Nxd3 cxd3 30. Qxd3 Bxd4 { 30. ...... Bxd4 - an attempt tobreak out with a plethora of exchanges. } 31. Re2 Qb4+ { 31. ..... Qb4+ Glendajoins in the fun and now Mike's pawn on b2 comes under attack. } 32. Kf2 Bxb2 33. Qe4 Qxe4 34. Bxe4 { 34. Bxe4 - queen trade. } 34... Bd4 35. Rc2 Bxe3+ 36. Kxe3 { 36. Kxe3 - bishop trade. } 36... Kf8 37. Rb2 Re8 38. Rxb5 Rdd8 39. Ra7 Nd7 { 39. ....... Nd7 - the knight finally moves but now Mike is about to giveme a hell of a bind! } 40. Rbb7 Re7 41. Bc6 Ke8 42. Ke4 Rf7 { 42. ...... Rf7- either that or g7. } 43. Rc7 Re7 { 43. ....... Re7 - the defensive shufflescarry on. Now Mike releases the bind and gives me a pawn deficit. Hereit comes! } 44. Rxd7 Rexd7 45. Ke5 Ke7 46. Rxd7+ Rxd7 47. Bxd7 Kxd7 48. Kf6 { 48. Kf6 - and now a decisive penetration by King Mike. I have myfinger hovering over the resign button here but suddenly I have a betteridea! } 48... Kd6 49. Kf7 Kd5 50. Kg7 Ke4 { 50. ...... Ke4 - the answer is Henry lunchingon Mike's f4 p(r)awn. } 51. Kxh7 Kxf4 52. Kxg6 e5 { 52. ...... e5 - the promotionrace now begins. } 53. Kf6 e4 54. g6 e3 55. g7 e2 56. g8=Q e1=Q { 56. .....e1/Q - boy am I glad to see Glenda - she increases my chances of avoidingdefeat from zilch to slender! } 57. Qc4+ Kg3 58. g5 Qf2+ 59. Kg6 Qb6+ 60. Kh5 Qd8 { 60. ....... Qd8 - if Glenda can get closer to King Mike she can harasshim betimes! } 61. Qf7 Qh8+ 62. Kg6 Kg4 63. Qf5+ Kh4 { 63. ...... Kh4?? - thismove should have lost me the game according to GA. Thankfully Mike overlooksthis continuation and played 64. Qe4+? } 64. Qe4+ Kg3 65. Qe6 Kh4 66. Qf6 { 66. Qf6? - this move throws away the win and brings the match to a dramaticfinish. } 66... Qh5+ 67. Kf5 Qg4+ 68. Ke5 { 68. Ke5 - if Kg6 Glenda just checkshim again on h5 and it will lead to perpetual check. } 68... Qxg5+ 69. Qxg5+ Kxg5 { 69. ....... Kxg5 - after all the fireworks just the two kings are lefton the board - a draw by dead game - even though I have conceded a lowdraw here (thankfully the game was unrated) things could have been so muchworse so it is certainly a case of wheew and triple wheew! } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Baptism of Fire!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.09.28"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "woutstra"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1139"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1954"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! As you know, I enjoy challenging Experts, Mastersand Grandmasters. So does Woustra! He has now started to challenge muchhigher rated players and he found me! As I have been there and done itall, the only advice I can give to Woustra is to stick at it, even thoughhe may well get stung for quite a few games to come. However, those gameswhere he gives the likes of us a run for our money 'e.g. lasting 30 or40 moves before losing material' will gradually start to creep in, andthen eventually the odd Expert or even Master Draw. If that happens, Woustra,do stick that result on your profile wall - that will remind you that youcan hold your own with the big guns. This game proved to be a Baptismof Fire for Woustra and lasted 20 moves and here is the computer analysis:-http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=18421819&rnd=0.031244238702234583 } 1... e5 { 1. ..... e5 - here we have a double king pawn opening. Good start,Woustra. } 2. Nf3 Nf6 { 2. ..... Nf6 - the Petrov's Defense. Not a bad idea. Develops a piece and counter-attacks my e4 pawn. } 3. Nxe5 d6 { 3. ......d6 - this is the best move. This will drive back my knight and black willwin my e4 pawn back on the next turn. This will result (as does the FrenchExchange Variation) in the opening of the e column early in the game. As the two kings are in the centre, both sides must watch out for piecesbeing in an absolute pin (the piece will not be able to move legally asit will expose the king to check) against their king. These pieces willbe very vulnerable to attack by pawn stabs and will therefore be lost. Sadly, that was exactly what happened to Woustra in this game. So, Woustra- Lesson 1 - look out for pins on the e column and pieces lined up againstyour king, particularly your queen. } 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 { 5. ...... d5- a good enough move as it opens up black's light square bishop and itgives black's steed a toe-hold in the centre. However, as in my previousnote - that black knight is on the same line as his king on the open ecolumn! } 6. Bd3 Bg4 { 6. ..... Bg4 - this is a reasonable move, a developingmove followed by a pin. But now, I land him a counter-pin on that e column- from Glenda! } 7. Qe2 Bxf3 { 7. ..... Bxf3?? - this move gets a doublequestion mark because I will not recapture the bishop with Glenda. I amquite happy for my kingside pawn structure to be busted because I willnet a whole piece on that open e column. When the g pawn recaptures itwill stab at the pinned knight on the e column. As you will see ...... } 8. gxf3 Nc6 { 8. ...... Nc6 - a good developing move and hitting out atmy pawn on d4. However, that steed is gonna get pinned and I am gonnareturn the compliment - on the queenside. } 9. Bb5 { 9. Bb5 - comme ca! } 9... Be7 { 9. ...... Be7 - black gets his pieces out very quickly. Althoughthe pin is now broken, I do not take the knight immediately because I knowthat the knight on e4 does not protect the knight on c6, so I first takethe knight on c6 with check. Again, Ion - I still cannot resist this Bfor N exchange! } 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. fxe4 { 11. fxe4 - now I take the knight. } 11... O-O { 11. ..... 0-0 - black sensibly castles and now Henry and Glenda arevulnerable to a pin on the e column. I do not wish to play 0-0 here becauseHenry will feel very chilly on the g column and Glenda, his other half,is a little too far away to provide him with those fur pelts and medievalstockings! } 12. Nc3 { 12. Nc3 - I realise that my queenside is undeveloped. I have decided to put Henry on the queenside. I must get those piecesout fast. Whenever I get an opponent, whatever his rating, I analyse theboard as though I was playing the Master Mater. This move defends thee4 pawn. } 12... dxe4 13. Be3 { 13. Be3 - again I decided to continue with my development. I decided to eschew the pawn recapture as that e pawn blocks the e column,preventing a pin on Glenda and Fou Lenoir. Henry is now able to castlekingside. } 13... Bf6 14. Qc4 { 14. Qc4 - my c4 pawn is twice attacked, so Glendadefends it. I am not prepared to return a second pawn for my piece. Glendaalso hits out at the pawn on c6. } 14... c5 15. Qxc5 { 15. Qxc5 - now a pawn drops,but not the e4 pawn. I am now a clear piece up. Should I go for an attackon the king, or should I go for the slow torture, exchanging down untilI get into a pawn ending with my extra piece? I end up steering a mid-coursewith my next move. } 15... a5 16. Nd5 { 16. Nd5 - I think I will go for the bishopon f6. I will let black believe that I may take the c7 pawn. I will not,though, because my c2 pawn will be hanging on the c file should Glendabe skewered by a black rook on c8. Although black can recapture the bishopwith his queen, that is another set of pieces exchanged and my advantagewill be increased still further. } 16... c6 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 { 17. ...... gxf6??- this move is an outright blunder because it opens up the g column, rightonto the BK and I have a WR able to move onto that file and give check. Lesson 2 - Do not expose your king to attack in this way unnecessarily. Although black's position is still dire, being a clear piece down, Qf6will enable him to carry on playing and attempt to get some counterplayon the h8-a1 diagonal where Henry will want to castle. However, I do notwant the BK to go to h8 and then black move his rook to g8. No, how canI stop this? The answer is ......... } 18. Bh6 { 18. Bh6 - deadly. Blackcannot avoid the loss of further material. Black tries to avoid it butruns into ......... } 18... Re8 19. Rg1+ Kh8 20. Bg7+ { 20. Bg7+ ...... wait forit ...... } 20... Kg8 { 20. .... } 21. Bxf6# { 21. Bxf6 MATE!! ..... Old Matey! Amazing, Henry is still in the centre of the board but he is perfectlysafe, while the castled black king perishes on the g column. Chess isa funny game, as no doubt, you the Inquest Jury will agree. } 1-0

[Event "KIA vs Sicilian"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "4.22.18"] [Round "-"] [White "JMD1952"] [Black "leightern"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1624"] [TimeControl "4 min + 10 sac"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 { Another blitz game! Sometimes I play theopen variation and sometimes closed and sometimes it is really a KingsIndian Attack variation. } 4. d3 Nf6 5. g3 e6 6. Bg2 Be7 { Black is solidand white wants to develop his DSB without the reply Ng4 so ... } 7. O-O Bd7 8. h3 Qc7 9. Be3 { Black should castle here or soon but he decides toprevent Nb5 and expand on the Queen's wing. } 9... a6 10. d4 { So white decidesto open the center. } 10... cxd4 11. Nxd4 h6 12. Qe2 b5 13. a3 { White preventedthe expansion but black sees a good post for his knight. } 13... Rc8 14. f4 Na5 15. Rad1 Nc4 { Black has a nice tactical shot but it will leave him exposedin the center. } 16. Bc1 Nxa3 { If white plays bxa3 then black captures theknight on c3. But white has a better reply. } 17. e5 dxe5 18. fxe5 { IfBlack plays Nd5 the white exchanges the knights and then captures on a3getting a significant material advantage. So black must retreat the knightand this traps his king the center. } 18... Ng8 19. Qf3 { Guarding the pawn onf7 is not possible. Black should probably have retreated the knight toh7 so he castle and survive. } 19... f6 { This stops the threat to f7 but thereare other possibilities now. } 20. Qh5+ { Black must play 21. ..., Kf8 hereafter which the complications from 22. Nd5 are hard for me to calculatebut that was the plan. ( Qxe5 is not possible as QxQ wins the queenas thef pawn would be pinned ) After other moves exf6 looks tough and 22. ...,exd5 if followed by 23. Bxd5 with the threat of mate on f7 and I don'tsee a good way to stop it since 23. ..., Be8 allows Nxe6 mate. Pleasehelp me out if you see other options. } 20... Kd8 21. Nxe6# { Black went the wrongway but I think he was in trouble anyway. } 1-0

[Event "mvemjsunp's mini-tournament II"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.08.12"] [Round "-"] [White "mvemjsunp"] [Black "foulway"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1281"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1231"] 1. c4 { Hey guys, and welcome to my next annotation! this was against aperson called foulway and I pretty much had to play my very best to beathim. } 1... e5 2. Nc3 b6 { ?! Not really sure about this move. } 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Nf6 { ? This loses a pawn. } 6. Nxe5 Bb4 7. Nxc6 Bxc6 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Qa4 { ! Winning another pawn. } 9... Be7 10. Qxc6+ Nd7 11. d4 O-O 12. Bf4 { Developing... } 12... Rc8 { Defending c7 } 13. O-O Re8 { develops his rook } 14. Nd5 { I bring my knight in for the kill } 14... Bf6 { ?? This is bad. } 15. Bxc7 Rxc7 16. Qxc7 Qxc7 17. Nxc7 Rxe2 18. Rfe1 Rxb2 { ?! This isn't very goodfor some reason. } 19. Re8+ Nf8 20. Rae1 { ! Threatening a tactic... } 20... Bxd4 { ?? This allows me to have a mate in 2. } 21. Rxf8+ { !! This is the firstmove. } 21... Kxf8 22. Re8# { And checkmate. Hope you liked this game! } 1-0

[Event "Winning With A Gambit"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "13-Feb-08"] [Round "-"] [White "wstooncan"] [Black "jaybekay"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1783"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1787"] 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. Nf3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6 6. Nxc6 { If I'm notmistaken, I think this capture is generally frowned upon as it strengthensBlack's pawn center. } 6... bxc6 7. g3 Nf6 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O d6 { Giving up apawn for development and pressure on the b-file. I think the principleis similar to the Benko. } 10. Bxc6 Rb8 11. Bg2 Qa5 12. a3 Be6 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. cxd5 Bd7 15. Rb1 Ba4 16. b3 Qb5 { Winning back the gambit pawn. } 17. e4 Bxb3 18. Qf3 Qa4 19. Bb2 { A natural try, but loses material. Black'sbishops sweep the board, while White's Bg2 isn't quite keeping up. } 19... Bc4 20. Bxg7 Bxf1 21. Rxb8 Rxb8 22. Bh6 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 { White comes out of thatdown the exchange, but Black has to ensure that White can't get anythinggoing on the dark squares around Black's king. } 23... Qb3 24. Qg4 Qc4 25. Qh4 f5 26. Bf4 { Of course, Black would be happy to see 26 Qxe7 Qxe4 and simplificationto a won ending. } 26... Qxe4+ 27. Kh3 Qe2 { With too many threats for White tomeet. The list includes 28.. Qg4 , again simplifying to a won ending,28 Qxf2 and the threat that White missed completely. } 28. Be3 Qf1# 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "03-Jul-05"] [Round "-"] [White "cian"] [Black "punkusmartyrus"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1418"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1915"] 1. e4 { Here's an older game, but Black was able to draw against a 1900with an UNORTHODOX opening! (and ALOT of 'analyzing the board' option)Flip board for best results. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Spanish game (Ruy Lopez) } 3... Nf6 { Berlin defence } 4. O-O Ng4 5. h3 h5 { 5...h5! Fishing Hook Variation. } 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. hxg4 { And white takes the bait! } 7... hxg4 { Better would beto have declined the Knight at g4 and just developed normally. } 8. g3 { Whitegives back the knight but with a weakend kingside. } 8... gxf3 9. Qxf3 Bh3 10. Re1 Qd7 11. Qc3 O-O-O 12. f3 b6 13. d3 f5 14. Bg5 f4 { 14. f4! Black aimsto sacrafice the exchange inorder to push the pawn not only to open thekingside, but to block off whites bishop from returning to e3 when ...Bc3 would lead to mate. } 15. Kf2 { and so blacks king must walk to the othersideof the board or walk the plank. } 15... Bc5+ 16. Ke2 Bd4 17. Qa3 Kb7 18. Bxd8 Qxd8 19. gxf4 exf4 20. Nd2 Bg2 21. Qa4 Be3 22. Kd1 Rh2 23. Qb4 Bxd2 24. Kxd2 a5 { 24.a5 in hopes of pushing whites queen to c3, so that when 25...Bxf3, blacks king would be confined to the 8th rank trapping in the rook forlonger. My own 'in between' move. } 25. Qc3 Bxf3+ 26. Kc1 Qh4 27. b3 g5 28. e5 Be2 { 28...Be2 to block off the e pawns protection } 29. Kb2 g4 30. e6 f3 31. Qe5 Bxd3 32. Rac1 f2 33. Red1 f1=Q 34. Rxf1 Bxf1 35. Rxf1 Qh8 { forcing the queen exhange. } 36. Re1 Qxe5+ 37. Rxe5 Rh8 38. Kc3 c5 { Blackoffered a draw at this point, since even though a pawn up, an endgame wingpawn seemed unlikely to promote. 1/2- 1/2 } 1/2-1/2

[Event "queens been going me problems"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.06.10"] [Round "-"] [White "goldmedal10"] [Black "sailor7"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "887"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "641"] 1. e4 { normal opening } 1... e5 { same } 2. Nf3 { i started getting my knights out } 2... f6 { why do players do these pawn walls a lot } 3. Nc3 { both knights } 3... Nc6 { starts in development } 4. Bd3 { one one bishop to get out. } 4... a5 { that wasrandom } 5. O-O { castle } 5... h5 { moves pawn } 6. b3 { pawn } 6... Nb4 { knights } 7. Bc4 { safe } 7... Nh6 { both knights out } 8. Ba3 { all done with development } 8... Qe7 { queen } 9. Bxb4 { knight } 9... Qxb4 { queen } 10. a3 { pawn } 10... Qc5 { queen } 11. Na4 { knight } 11... Qa7 { made that queen go back } 12. c3 { pawn } 12... c6 { same } 13. b4 { same } 13... d5 { same } 14. exd5 { same } 14... Ng4 { knight } 15. d6 { pawn } 15... h4 { pawn } 16. Nxh4 { knight } 16... Qb8 { queen } 17. Ng6 { knight } 17... Qxd6 { queen } 18. Nxh8 { bad move } 18... e4 { pawn } 19. Nb6 { bad move } 19... Qxh2# { i loss } 0-1

[Event "CaroKann slow"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "18-Mar-07"] [Round "-"] [White "johnnyawesome"] [Black "loreta"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1937"] [TimeControl "5d+5d, 10d max"] [WhiteElo "2179"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { This is the 'Advance Variation' and I feel thebest weapon available to white. Nimzowitsch appreciated its potential,as did Mikhail Tal. I'm a fan also. } 3... Bf5 { The continuation with 3....Bf5is still the most popular choice. I have however used Botvinnik-Carls gambitquite successfully with 3....c5, and it is now part my repetoire. The KavalekVariation with 3....Na6 is an interesting alternative which I have touchedon the odd occasions. } 4. Nc3 { 4.Nc3 is part of the Nigel Short repetoirewhich he used in the PCA 1993 world championship challenge. I like it. } 4... e6 5. Nf3 { As you will see over the next few moves, simple developmentwith Be2, and kingside castling will lead to a quieter game with a lotof maneuvering. This is my preference. I have however used the sharp Vander Wiel Variation 4.Nc3 e6 5. g4! which leads to exciting play on a fewoccasions, mostly as a surprise weapon in OTB chess. } 5... Nd7 { Still in themain lines. This move covers the c5 square and places pressure on the e5square as well. The battle for the centre is underway. } 6. Be2 Ne7 7. O-O h6 { I feel this pre-emptive move is too quiet, and loses a tempo. Blackspieces are already congested and a more sharper alternative would be mychoice. 7....Bg4, is a possibility or alternatively 7....Ng6, which wouldbe my preference, freeing the black diagonal bishop. If white opts forh3, then Nh4. } 8. Be3 { 8. Re1 is a natural alternative, but this move with8.Be3 reinforces the centre pawns preparing against the inevitable ....c4assault. In addition it is a good developing move. The rooks are only onemove away from being connected! } 8... a6 { I feel this move weakens the pawnstructure unnecessarily, and does nothing to place pressure on Whites controlof the centre. In addition, it has created a target for white on the b6square with that backward pawn. 8....Q-c7 would be more active. The advanceto a6 should only be used if forced. Otherwise a7 is the best positionfor it. } 9. a3 { This is what may be called a 'Prophylaxis' move. ie. Takingpreventative measures in anticipation of an opponents move. This move isalready laying the groundwork for a Queenside attack. } 9... c5 { I feel thismove was premature, there is not enough artillery present to make thiseffective. 9....Qc7 could still have been utilized. Obviously, Black wantedto use this as an attacking move, as well as a freeing move for his Knightand black diagonal bishop, but I feel it could have waited. } 10. dxc5 { Nohesitation required in accepting the pawn. } 10... Nc6 { A perfunctory glance showsBlack has now opened some lines and alleviated the congestion. HoweverBlack has failed to see that the b6 square has been Whites target since8....a6. } 11. Na4 { Now Knight to a4! This move protects the valuable c5pawn as well as threatening Nb6. } 11... Qb8 { I feel Qc7 would be a better move.Keeping the Queen guarding the a5-d8 diagonal is arguably a better alternative.In addition the 'a' file rook would still remain active. This move losesanother tempo for black because this is not the ideal placement for thequeen. The Queen will have to move again. } 12. Qd2 { White could have moved12.b4 now. But d2 gets the Queen active, as well as opening a path forboth whites rooks to get involved at a later date. They are now connected.There is no rush, White has developed comfortably and there are no immediatethreats. } 12... Ncxe5 { I feel the following moves for black were in the wrongsequence. These subtle differences accumulate to small advantages for white.This is an obvious choice in one respect. But was the e5 pawn really goinganywhere? White already knows this pawn this pawn is lost. The knight moveto a4 confirms Whites intentions on keeping the c5 pawn instead. I feelBlack could have delayed this move and alternatively moved 12....Be7 leavingthe King the option of castling and activating the h file rook if required. } 13. Nd4 { No hesitation here. Placing a direct threat on the bishop whilstdeveloping the Knight. } 13... Be4 { This is a wasted move I feel. White was planningto activate this pawn regardless. The bishop should have retreated h7 immediately.Another tempo lost for Black. } 14. f3 Bh7 15. b4 { Now b4! White has claimeda lot of space and developed well. } 15... Qd8 { This is the 2nd time the Queenhas shifted in 4 moves? I still feel the c7 square is a better placementfor the Queen. } 16. f4 Nc6 { The only square really. Blacks Queenside iscertainly a little light regarding defenders, and travelling to the Kingsidewould certainly be worse. Note how all Whites pieces are active even inlatent form. In addition both rooks can travel on any of the a to f filesif required. } 17. Nxc6 { Qc7 on move 15 may could have prevented the furtherweakening of the b file, by giving the option the Queen retaking. Now the bxc6 is forced. } 17... bxc6 { I considered 18.Nb6 but strengthening the centre,placing support to the control of the e5 square, and limiting the possibleactivation of the bishop via g6 was a better alternative at this stage.So the next move is Bd4! } 18. Bd4 Nf6 { Be7 is an interesting alternative.For example 18....Be7, 19. Bxg7, Rg8, 20.Bd4, Be4! with some counterplayfor the sacrifice. In addition 20....Bf6 is alternative. Black gains anopen g file for the pawn and an opportunity to swap Whites dangerous blackdiagonal bishop. Obviously declining the offered pawn leads to differentlines but Black is no worse off regardless. And still gets gets his bishopactive and a chance to castle if White declines the offer. } 19. Bd3 { c4is still a waiting move for white. Blacks white diagonal bishop could causeproblems later and best to swap it off now. Controlling the the b1-h7 diagonalwould limit whites rook to the b file placement if needed. And anyway whygive black any possible bullets? Blacks black diagonal bishop is goingnowhere. Best keep him congested for as long as possible, and eradicatethe one that is free. } 19... Bxd3 20. Qxd3 { The obvious choice. The c2 pawn willbe needed for c5 at a later date to crack open black centre pawn formation. } 20... Be7 { The best for Black at this stage. } 21. Nb6 { F5 is a tempting movebut after 21....0-0, Blacks King escapes. Keeping the pressure on by forcingBlack to move his rook is a better alternative I feel. In addition theplacement of the knight here cramps Black position further. It controlsa lot of squares including the all important c5 when the time is right. } 21... Ra7 { The best choice. } 22. f5 { Now f5! The next sequence of moves are forced. } 22... exf5 23. Qxf5 O-O { Finally Blacks King finds safety. } 24. Rad1 { The d fileplacement is important. The threat of a pin against Blacks Queen is realafter c5. In addition, there is latent pressure against the d5 pawn. Thiswill come to fruition after white begins to advance a,b,c file pawns. } 24... Nd7 { There is no doubt Black is in trouble. May-be Black was hoping Whitewould swap knights. No chance of that, the knight is very strong on b6.May-be Qb8 would have been a stronger defence. 24....Qb8, 25. Bxf6,Bxf6,26.Nd7,Rxd7, 27.Qxd7 leaving Black with a better chance of defence. TheBlack diagonal bishop would be a strong defender. Alternatively if Whiteopted for an immediate 25.c4 then dxc4, Nxc4 leaves Black better as well.I think Black needed to think more laterally here. } 25. c4 { Finally, thebest time to advance this pawn. The groundwork had been prepared. } 25... Nxb6 { Getting rid of that pesky knight was pressing } 26. cxb6 Rd7 { The logicalplacement. } 27. c5 { c5! The best. Closes any counterplay by Black on theQueenside. The b6 pawn is strong. Usually when a pawn reaches the 6th rankit is very strong. If it gets to the 7th then its usually a winning game.Black will have its resources tied down to the defence of the b7 square.White can continue its attack. } 27... Bg5 { Black needs to open a file and the'e file' is the only one available. } 28. a4 { White will continue its assaulton the Queenside hoping to link two pass pawns. } 28... Re8 { Or 28....e7. Dosn'tmatter. It is now a waiting game for Black, no choice. White is continuingQueenside push. } 29. b5 axb5 { This is best of a bad bunch. } 30. axb5 { Whatabout Re6 followed by Rg6? Getting the rook off the back rank, being maybea stronger defence. Next move g6? prevents the rook from using that square. } 30... g6 31. Qd3 { A nice central position for the Queen. } 31... Re6 { I feel Qc8 mayhave been better now that the g6 square is unavailable, freeing up d8 forthe bishop if required. } 32. Rde1 { The obvious choice. } 32... Rxe1 { Pretty muchforced. } 33. Rxe1 cxb5 { Now white has finally achieved his strategy ofgetting linked passed pawns! } 34. c6 Re7 { Only a matter of time now. } 35. Rxe7 Qxe7 36. g3 { This move was important in opening up an escaperoute for the King as well as preventing Bf4. } 36... Bf6 { What else has Blackgot? } 37. Bxf6 Qxf6 38. b7 { Not that it matters too much but Qe5 is a strongerdefence in a losing position. } 38... Qa1+ 39. Kf2 Qb2+ { Again Black should havetaken the opportunity of Qe5 instead. } 40. Qe2 Qd4+ { Qf6 would have delayedthe inevitable a little longer. } 41. Kg2 { Resignation was very appropiatehere. An interesting game. I felt Black played too passively. Black allowedWhite to develop comfortably without ever really putting the question tohim. White managed to utilize the advantages of force quite effectively.White had control of territory,space,area etc. Black did not effectivelycontest these important advantages. In addition the erection of a superiorpawn formation by White snuffed out any counterplay. Playing the Caro-Kanndefence requires patience. But development is the key. Black must not fallinto the trap having a purely defensive mindset.The pawn formation in the'Advance Variation' gives White an advantage in space. But the draw backfor this is that the centre can be undermined by say ...f6 and ...c5. Whiteobviously has better freedom and co-ordination of minor pieces in thisvariation but cannot directly attack. So this where careful placement ofpieces is required by Black and development paramount! Blacks best chanceslay in a Queenside attack, and it must actively seek to create some weaknessin the Queenside pawn structure then bring in as many pieces as possibleinto attack. I feel an annotated game should be simply explained whilstconveying the basic strategic, and tactical concepts. I have always beenadverse to complicated analysis, involving multiple lines running manymoves. For what end? A game that is simply explained showing the processinvolved in the win/defeat is much better for those trying to grasp theconcept of strategy. I hope this game assists those up and coming players,and also gives some amusement to those more experienced ones. } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "17-Aug-07"] [Round "-"] [White "appelflap"] [Black "smoothg"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1622"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1641"] { Here is a annotated game again. Its my plan to make from now annotatedgames of my teamgames for the other team members. Of course other peoplemay read this too. I hope you enjoy and learn!! } 1. d4 { very usual openingsmove,It is played 189000 times on GK } 1... Nf6 { Not the most usual move(most usualis d6) but it is the best move as well.(according to the chess databaseit is the only usual move that has a advantage for black) } 2. c4 { veryusual too, played more than 47000 times } 2... e6 { most usual move } 3. Nf3 { notthe most usual move, it has played a little more then 6000 times on GK,Nc3 is played over 12000 times, but it has a little advantage for whiteinstead of a little disadvantage(according to the Chessdatabase) } 3... Bb4+ { This only 1078 times played on Gameknot. The more usual moves are b6 andd5. According to the chess database it is a little disadvantageful forblack and so I want to call it a bad move. However, all outcomes of thegame are possible at the moment!! } 4. Bd2 { Most usual is Nc3(1021 times).Bd2 is played 789 times. But Bd2 is more advantageful for white, if youmay believe the chess database. By the way, this opening is called theBogo-indian defence. } 4... Qe7 { All possible moves are a little advantagefulfor white. This is the most usual, a little more usual than Bxd2, witha difference of 3 times. But according to the chess database, Bxd2 is alittle more advantageful for white. So this is a better move. By the way,this is the Nimzovich variation of that Bogo-indian defence. } 5. Qa4 { Mostusual is g3(158 times played). There are five other moves that are moreusual than this one. This one is played 3 times. But it is the most advantagefulone for white. I didnt look in the chess database when I played this move.I dont know exactly why I played this. } 5... Bxd2+ { Now he takes my bishop.All three times this is played on GK, black took the bishop!! } 6. Nbxd2 { All three players of whit have done this. The king stays in his shelteron this way, the moving knight is more active, and the other knight staysactive and is defended now. } 6... O-O { He thought, this is a good moment todo the rochade. I think so. All 3 players in the chess database have donethis. } 7. e4 { 1 player did e4, 2 players did e3. The e4-player has wonnenthe game, The first e3-player loosed and the other e3-player has wonnenthe game. I cant explain why everyone has played with the e-pawn. Maybeit is a kind of challenge to the black knight. It is also a preparing ofthe offer in the next move. } 7... d6 { This is the preparing of the offer.That player in the database was more aggressive, he did d5. So this isthe end of the things I say about the chess database. Starting with thismove it is an original game on GK. } 8. e5 { Making a fork between pawn andknight and offering the pawn in this way. } 8... dxe5 { Deleting the threatingon the knight and accepting the fork } 9. dxe5 { Of course completing thefork and threating the knight again. } 9... Nfd7 { Of course the knight is runningaway.(and in this way he treats my pawn, that is undefended) } 10. Qa5 { Defendingmy pawn } 10... Nc6 { Threating my queen, in nearly every case a good idea, butnow more than in other cases for this is the defending queen. } 11. Qxc7 { Taking the undefended pawn and holding the defending of the pawn } 11... Qc5 { Attacking the pawn for the thirth time } 12. Be2 { Defending the knightas a preparing to the attack of the knight that is on d7 at the momentabout 2 moves. } 12... Ndxe5 { Taking the pawn, that is defended by my queen, butis damageful defended by his queen and his other knight. } 13. O-O { Givingthe king a quiet old day. } 13... Nxf3+ { immediately taking my knight and attackingmy king. } 14. Bxf3 { only possible by move 12 } 14... Qe7 { Challenging my queento an offer. (he dislikes the visit of my queen I think, a brutallity,when my queen makes a visit it must be a honour!!!! :P:P) } 15. Qxe7 { ButIm accepting the offer. } 15... Nxe7 { And of course he completes the offer. } 16. Nb3 { Preparing the active-making of the rook. You dont see?? Wait and youshall see!!! } 16... Rb8 { I dont know why this move. I should do Ng6, but thatI cant explain too. } 17. Rad1 { St5ill preparing the activemaking of therook(yeah, he is more active than a move ago, but Im going to make himvery more active) } 17... e5 { This move too, I dont know why. I should do nowalready move 20, b5. } 18. Nc5 { You see it already?? Still preparing theactive making. } 18... Nf5 { This move even too, I dont know why. I should do Ng6to defend the pawn. } 19. Nd7 { Making a fork between the two rooks and isdefended by my rook, and this is a way to get my rook in the game withoutbeing taken by the bishop. } 19... Bxd7 { Of course takes he my knight to preventthat I can take 1 of the rooks(the b-rook is even undefended) } 20. Rxd7 { Very more active rook. This was the purpose. Now this rook can be usefulin next moves. } 20... b5 { Maybe wants an offer(and in that way a more activerook), maybe it is his purpose that I go one field straight ahead. } 21. c5 { I dont want an offer or a more active black rook, I go 1 field straightahead. Evermore, so I can defend my undefended rook on d7. } 21... a5 { Tryingto promoting in a couple of moves I think. } 22. Re1 { Making the rook moreactive and attacking the black pawn } 22... f6 { Defending the attacked and undefendedpawn. } 23. c6 { Defending the undefended rook } 23... Nd4 { Attacking the pawn,the defending of my rook. } 24. Bd5+ { Attacking the king. Between nose andlips, we say in Dutch. } 24... Kh8 { Of course the king is running away. Otherwisehe must Move his rook between bishop and king and that is not very smart. } 25. c7 { The pawn is moved away. It was possible too without attacking hisking, but I did that between nose and lips as I said, it is about a coupleof moves maybe useful. } 25... Rbc8 { Preventing the promoting of the pawn andattacking. } 26. Bb7 { Attacking that rook, he can not take the pawn, forthat is defended by my rook. } 26... Ne6 { Attacking the pawn for a second time.Maybe not smart that he dont takes the rook away. } 27. Bxc8 { So I can takethe rook with my bishop. } 27... Rxc8 { Of course he takes the bishop back, butit is a material gain of two points. But I have not a bishop to attackthe rook again, thats true. } 28. Rc1 { But I can defending the pawn forthe second time as well. } 28... h5 { Yeah, syure, you must do something, and thenwe do a nearly useluss move isnt it?? } 29. Rd8+ { Sure, Im attacking theking, but resigning was not necessary. When he did Nxd8, I should do c7Xd8=SOMETHING.(Whatsomething is is not important at the moment) And he should do Rxd8, heshould have a material gain of 1 point and a big chanche to win the game. Thanks for reading my annotations. Im hoping youve learned something andenjoyed. } 1-0

[Event "When +6 in a good position is not enough to win :-("] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.04.06"] [Round "-"] [White "damalfi"] [Black "flip27"] [Result "0-1"] { It was a promising game, but it went wrong disastrousely... } 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. h3 e6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. e3 Bd6 6. Ne5 O-O { Completely standardtill here. I usually play g4, here, intending g5, Ne4, and I go into tacticswith moves like Qg4 or h5. But this time I tried something different. } 7. Nd2 Nd7 { White cannot lose time in the opening, and Nd2 was a loss oftime. Ok. So, against the liberatory f6 to black, I have one move to posesome counterthreat. } 8. Qh5 { Qg4 was better, since if then f6, Qxe6+.But black can simply play Nf6 again, and my queen keeps around there pointlessly. With this move, if black f6, white can think about Bd3 and if fxN, Qxh7+etc. should do (?). Of course, black can go g6, and if he does, I'll gothinking if I dare Nxg6, then Bxg6 and Qxg6+... } 8... Ndxe5 9. dxe5 { Here Ididn't like g6 at all, since I'll lose e5, with great damage for my game.I simply didn't think about it... } 9... Be7 { Thank you, sir. } 10. Bd3 { No bestplace to have the bishop in. } 10... g6 { Unavoidable. So, now what? } 11. Qh6 { Just trying. The plan is h4-5, but it won't be easy. } 11... Kh8 12. Nf3 { ...sothe horsie goes in help, charged with poison. } 12... Rg8 { Setting for himselfthe second part of the trap. } 13. Bg5 { The bishop is untouchable: BxB,NxB, threatening mate. Rg7, h4. Still not clear... } 13... Qf8 14. Qh4 Bxg5 15. Nxg5 { Not bad, but not enough! } 15... Qg7 { And black seems to be well shielded!!!!How was it possible? I can't figure out where I did wrong... help! :-) } 16. f4 { Necessary. At least, black's queen is trapped. But my knight willsoon be rejected, so I have to find something useful to do with it. } 16... Ne7 17. g4 { Preventing Nf5. I was dreaming of a plan to remove the d5 pawn(not easy wihtout his help) in order to go Ne4 - f6. Just a dream. } 17... h6 18. e4 { Interestingly, I have an unusual 'extra tempo', since the pawnis pinned. Funny and unusual. } 18... Bd7 { I cannot believe it! We are 'developping'... } 19. Rf1 { Ok, this was because if I decided to go exd5, and he didn'ttake with the e pawn, but with Nxd5, f4 is defended by the rook. Of courseI didn't plan to exchange pawns, because exd5 benefits him. But maybe Icould ever have broken in with f5... } 19... Rgf8 { My plan of Ne4 won't becometrue. } 20. O-O-O { To reinforce the idea of f5 in the near future. } 20... Kg8 { Ok, time to go to the only place... } 21. Nf3 { Curiosely, I didn't seethat with this move my queen attacks his knight. Neither of us did. } 21... c5 { Oh, yes, and besides, black saw the right move to attack... once protectedthe knight!! } 22. c4 { Can you believe that? Such a stupid move, allowingd4, blocking all my pieces!!!??? :-) } 22... d4 23. Qxe7 { Finally. Ok, now I amwinning, isn't it? } 23... Rad8 24. Qxc5 { Come to daddy. } 24... b6 25. Qa3 { Not Qxd4because of Ba4, winning the exchange. Here a7 is threatened. } 25... a5 26. Nxd4 { Ok. Is it not a winning position? So, what happened? } 26... Rc8 27. Kb1 { b3gives him strange ideas about a4, so better to support the pawn with therooks, in case of. } 27... Rfd8 { Except that I couldn't find where to break black'sposition! With +5, I am half tangled, and this cannot be considered black'sstrategy, I think! So I decided that by simplifying, even not to my clearadvantage, would have had black to resent of his passive (even if verystrong on e5) queen's position. } 28. Nb5 { Black's lsb is the threat forwhite, so better to exchange for my unconfortable knight. } 28... Bxb5 29. cxb5 Rc7 { Even now, I don't have a clear attack. I think I should have justexchanged as many rooks I could, and play with the queen over b6. I'm notsure I played for that, really. } 30. Rf2 Rdd7 { I'd say ?, since the doubledrooks are potentially very strong. It forces me to Rf2-d2, and I can proceedwith my simplification plan. } 31. Rfd2 { Even now, +5, I am suffering fromthe 'weakness' of e5. I cannot understand how I can feel tangled with suchan advantage and such an overwhelming crowd of pawns... but my pieces arenot coordinate for a kingside attack, and the extra bishop is playing nopart at all in the fray. } 31... f6 { And black 'sees' it. After exf, black'squeen is free, and dangerous, and f4 is under attack and I'll need to defend.But how can I avoid fxe and Qxe?? } 32. Qb3 { Attacking e6. } 32... Qe7 { This wasprobably the right moment to play f5!, threatening f5xe6. } 33. Bc4 { Thisdoesn't seem bad at all, though. He is forced to exchange rooks. } 33... Rxd2 34. Bxe6+ { Yessir, I'm winning! } 34... Kg7 { Here of course if exf6+, Kxf6, andthe bishop is lost. So... } 35. Rxd2 { See the next: } 35... fxe5 { If Rf2, he cannottake the pawn because he will have to avoid Rf7. But hey, what about Qc5? So I had to go something like Qd5, threatening Qe5+. I didn't. } 36. fxe5 { Breaking the pawn's chain. I just overlooked the power of... } 36... Qc5 { !!So 'innocent', so 'naive'. But e5 is just lost!!!! The only defence isRd1, Qxe5. Ok, I wanted to try something different. If I go Qf3, and heexchanges and takes f3, I can make something whorthy with Rd7+... or atleast I hoped so. } 37. Qc3 { In thinking it, I overlooked... } 37... Qg1+ { AndI am checkmated in the next. I couldn't believe it. Not a game to be proudof... but still curious, I hope. } 0-1

[Event "Now, now, don't be greedy!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.06.17"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "The Dentist"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1367"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1827"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! Just had another tough game against The Dentist. I managed to win a pawn early on in the game, but alas, in the middlegameI went for another side pawn, the a pawn with my rook, only to allow myopponent to control the e file with his rook which had near devastatingconsequences ...... for me. Luckily my opponent did not make the bestmoves and just could not resist giving a check - now here is another exampleof The Perils of Giving Check - it did not quite have the devastating consequencesfor the Dentist as it did my buddy Bob Jacobs but it did cede the initiativein my favour and then I eventually won the game which starts off as a NimsovichDefense, i.e. Nc6 in response to 1. e4. Master Freddy has been known toplay this with varying success. One last word before I launch into thegame - here is the Gameknot Analysis version of the game here:- http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=13914788&rnd=0.18665816909941102 } 1... Nc6 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 { 3. d4 - an attempt to gain control of the centre. } 3... d5 4. Nbd2 h6 5. c3 Nf6 6. e5 { 6. e5 - pawn wedge. } 6... Ne4 7. Bd3 a6 { 7. ......a6? - a mistake which loses a pawn, you will see how .... } 8. Nxe4 dxe4 9. Bxe4 { 9. Bxe4 - like this. } 9... f5 10. exf6 Qxf6 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 { 11. ......bxc6 - after a bishop trade black has queenside pawn islands to go withhis 1 pawn deficit. } 12. Ne5 Bd7 13. Qf3 Rh7 14. Qe4 { 14. Qe4 - this movelooks strong but black initiates a queen trade under somewhat less favourablecircumstances for me - I was eyeing up that weak pawn on c6 btw. } 14... Qf5 15. Qxf5 exf5 16. Nxd7 Kxd7 { 16. ..... Kxd7 - another set of minor pieces aretraded off and the BK is in the centre. I must now develop Fou Lenoir. } 17. Be3 Re8 18. O-O-O { 18. 0-0-0 - and castle queenside. } 18... g5 { 18. ......g5 - pawn roll. } 19. Rhe1 f4 20. Bd2 { 20. Bd2 - and Fou Lenoir is forcedback. } 20... Ree7 21. Rxe7+ Bxe7 { 21. ....... Bxe7 - after the trade of one setof rooks The Dentist does not take back with his rook. He has no desirefor Re1 forcing either a rook trade or a concession of the e column. } 22. Re1 { 22. Re1 - I occupy the e column anyway. } 22... Rf7 23. Re5 { 23. Re5 - thestart of a plan to round up the pawn on a6. } 23... f3 24. g3 { 24. g3 - keepingmy kingside pawn structure together. } 24... Bd6 25. Ra5 { 25. Ra5 - oh dear, itlooks as though I will win another pawn but alas my greed will result inthe rook invasion mentioned in my intro notes. } 25... Re7 26. Kd1 { 26. Kd1?!- here Gameknot Analysis suggested Rf5, please refer to the link in myintro notes for further detail. My priority is not to allow that f3 pawnto crown. Note, if 26. Be3?? instead of Kd1 then Rxc3!!, 27. fxc3 f2 andthere is no way I can prevent the f pawn from crowning. Note if 28. Rf5then black can play Bf5 29. Rxf5 gxf5 and the pawn promotion is only delayedand not prevented. Chillingly I had put Fou Lenoir on e3 but just beforeI clicked submit I saw that sac and pressed reset and moved Henry to d1instead thus avoiding a humiliating loss against Class D oppo. } 26... Re2 27. Be3 Rxb2 28. Rxa6 { 28. Rxa6 - might as well. } 28... Rb1+ { 28. ....... Rb1+?!- The Dentist cannot resist giving a check, but it is not a good one becauseFou Lenoir can safely block it! } 29. Bc1 h5 30. Ra5 Be7 { 30. ...... Be7- protecting his g5 pawn. } 31. Kc2 Rb5 32. Rxb5 cxb5 { 32. ...... cxb5 -a rook trade tidying up black's queenside pawns. } 33. h3 { 33. h3 - vitalto stop the BK from eating my kingside pawns by coming in via the c8-h3diagonal. } 33... g4 34. hxg4 hxg4 { 34. ..... hxg4 - this pawn trade means theBK cannot approach my pawns from the front, only from behind and they willno doubt be protected by Henry and Fou Lenoir. Still, I have plenty ofwork to do if I want to bring home the win. } 35. Kd3 c5 36. dxc5 Bxc5 { 36....... Bxc5 - pawn trade. } 37. Be3 Ba3 { 37. ..... Ba3 - The Dentist hasenough knowledge of endgames to know not to exchange down into a K & Pending here with a pawn minus. Henry now moves towards the kingside pawns- he senses a fine supper there, p(r)awns with garlic and a lovely sidesalad - truly fit for a king! } 38. Ke4 Bd6 39. Kf5 Kc6 40. Kxg4 Kd5 { 40...... Kd5 - While Henry is busily tucking into that fine repast, the BKnow heads towards the centre to create some problems. } 41. Kxf3 Kc4 42. Bd2 Kd3 43. Be1 Bc5 { 43. ..... Bc5 - Incredible, the Dentist is now 3 pawnsdown but as he has one pawn left and the queenside pawns also look likelyto drop off to the BK I have a bad feeling I may have to sac Fou Lenoirto prevent a crowning on the queenside. If that happens that may meanone thing ...... Low Draw ....... to a Class D player. } 44. g4 { 44. g4- for the want of anything better I decided to push up my g pawn. } 44... Kc2 { 44. ...... Kc2 - the BK goes after my a2 pawn but this allows Henry tomove to e2, protecting Fou Lenoir and allowing my f pawn to advance. Twoconnected passers are gonna be a real handful for the BK and black dsb. } 45. Ke2 Be7 { 45. ..... Be7 - trying in vain to hold up my passers. } 46. f4 Kb2 47. g5 { 47. g5 - up they go, 3 more squares to Glendadom! } 47... Kxa2 48. Bd2 { 48. Bd2 - Fou Lenoir now lends his support to the passers. } 48... Kb3 49. f5 Kc4 { 49. ..... Kc4 - after snaffling my a2 pawn as predicted theBK rushes after my kingside pawns. } 50. f6 Bf8 { 50. .... Bf8?? - this movefinally puts the nail in the Dentist's coffin. He should have played Be8- suggested by Gameknot Analysis which would have held up the pawns. } 51. g6 { 51. g6 - here, it is now becoming obvious that in a few moves time,Henry will be having a tearful reunion with his beloved missus, Glenda. Henry was denied that reunion, however, by my opponent who waved the whiteflag - although I won this game there is plenty more room for improvementhere. Ah well, hope you have had a good read, bye for now - Joanne } 1-0

[Event "Passed Pawn Mayhem"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.05.23"] [Round "-"] [White "The Dentist"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1842"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1305"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! This game belongs to the Knights of Honour PawnStructures thread. This is about a little passed pawn on the a columnwhich was left to create some mayhem similar to the Berzerker Pawn whichis what I will raise in the thread later on. Here is a game against TheDentist who has returned from Vietnam after another long sabbatical. Hedoes put me under a bit of pressure in the middlegame but he makes themistake of leaving his dark square bishop in a pin and then I take fulladvantage of this. After a double king pawn opening he plays 2. Qf3 whichis the Napoleon Opening. The last time he played that opening againstme I lost - see The Dentist Has His Day http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/the-dentist-has-his-day?gm=17287. Just hope I don't get bogged down yet again. } 1... e5 2. Qf3 Nc6 3. c3 { 3.c3 - gameknot described this move as an Inaccuracy: +1.14 » 3. c3 Nf6 4.Bc4 Bc5 5. Ne2 Na5 6. Bb5 c6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O O-O 9. exd5 Nxd5 Best: +0.58» 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nd4 5. Qd3 c6 6. Nf3 d5 7. exd5 Bf5 8. Nxd4 Bxd3 9.cxd3 exd4 Hmm, in the best line I get his queen for two pieces! } 3... Nf6 { 3. ..... Nf6 - out come the knights. } 4. b4 a6 5. h3 b5 { 5. ...... b5- gameknot described this move as an Inaccuracy: +0.30 » ... b5 5. a4 Rb86. axb5 axb5 7. Na3 Ba6 8. Bd3 d5 9. exd5 Qxd5 10. Qxd5 Nxd5 11. Nf3 Bd6 Best: +1.25 » ... d5 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Na3 Qxf3 7. Nxf3 e4 8. Nh2 Be7 9. Be2O-O 10. d4 Bf5 11. O-O Rad8 Hmm, in the best line I have a lead in developmentbut not much else. } 6. Bb2 { 6. Bb2 - and this move is also described asan Inaccuracy: +1.21 » 6. Bb2 d5 7. exd5 e4 8. Qe3 Qxd5 9. Nf3 Bf5 10.Na3 O-O-O 11. c4 Qd7 12. cxb5 axb5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bxb4 15. Nxb5Bxd2+ Best: +0.49 » 6. a4 Rb8 7. axb5 axb5 8. Na3 Ba6 9. Bd3 d5 10. exd5Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Nxd5 12. Nf3 Nf4 13. Bf1 Only a slight spatial advantageat the end of the best line. } 6... Bb7 7. d3 Be7 8. Ne2 d6 9. g4 { 9. g4 - apawn push, designed to deter me from castling kingside. } 9... h6 { 9. .......h6 - and I try and hold it up. } 10. Bg2 Na7 11. Nd2 c5 12. a3 a5 13. Ng3 Bc8 { 13. ...... Bc8 - gameknot flagged up this move as an Inaccuracy: -0.42» ... Bc8 13. Nf5 O-O 14. bxc5 dxc5 15. c4 Bxf5 16. exf5 Rb8 17. O-O Bd618. Rfe1 Qe7 19. Qg3 Best: +0.31 » ... cxb4 13. cxb4 axb4 14. axb4 Nc6 15.Rxa8 Qxa8 16. Nf5 Bf8 17. O-O Nxb4 18. Ra1 Qd8 19. Rc1 Again only aslight spatial advantage at the end of the best line. } 14. Qe3 Be6 15. f4 Rc8 16. f5 Bd7 { 16. ...... Bd7 - white appears to be exerting a crampon the kingside. } 17. Nb3 a4 18. Na5 Qc7 19. Rc1 Nc6 20. Nxc6 Qxc6 { 20....... Qxc6 - knight trade - at least I have got rid of that troublesomequeen knight. } 21. c4 { 21. c4 - gameknot classed this move as an Inaccuracy:+1.29 » 21. c4 cxb4 22. axb4 Qa6 23. O-O O-O 24. c5 a3 25. Ra1 a2 26. d4exd4 27. Bxd4 dxc5 28. bxc5 Best: +0.37 » 21. O-O O-O 22. Qf2 Rfe8 23.bxc5 Qxc5 24. Bf3 Bc6 25. Rfe1 Bd8 26. Qxc5 dxc5 27. Nh5 Nxh5 At theend of the best line the knight trade messes up white's kingside pawn structurewhich could be a big disadvantage to him in the endgame. } 21... cxb4 22. cxb5 { 22. cxb5 - and another Inaccuracy: +1.97 » 22. cxb5 Qxb5 23. Rxc8+ Bxc824. O-O bxa3 25. Bxa3 Qb3 26. Ra1 Ba6 27. Bf1 O-O 28. Nh5 Nxh5 29. gxh5 Best: +1.31 » 22. axb4 Qa6 23. cxb5 Rxc1+ 24. Qxc1 Bxb5 25. d4 O-O 26.dxe5 dxe5 27. Qd2 Qd6 28. Qxd6 Bxd6 29. Ba3 At the end of the best lineI would have taken advantage of the fact that white has not castled andplayed a move like Rc8 and then Rc3 attacking white's dark squared bishopand then winning the b pawn. } 22... Qxb5 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. O-O { 24. 0-0 - somelate castling on both sides. } 24... bxa3 25. Bxa3 Qb3 26. Ra1 O-O { 26. .....0-0 and I castle even later! } 27. Nf1 Bb7 { 27. ...... Bb7 - here is anInaccuracy: +1.49 » ... Bb7 27. d4 Re8 28. Qxb3 axb3 29. d5 Ba6 30. Nd2 Bd331. Nxb3 Bxe4 32. Bxe4 Nxe4 33. Re1 Nc3 Best: +2.44 » ... Ba6 27. d4 Qxe3+28. Nxe3 exd4 29. Nf1 Rc8 30. e5 Ne8 31. exd6 Bxd6 32. Bxd6 Nxd6 33. Rxa4Bxf1 34. Kxf1 In the best position I have a passed pawn but it willneed defending. } 28. Nd2 Qb5 { 28. ..... Qb5? - aargh - a Mistake: +0.98» ... Qb5 28. Rb1 Qd7 29. Nc4 Ba6 30. Qb6 Ra8 31. Kf2 Nh7 32. Bf3 Bxc4 33.dxc4 Ng5 34. Bg2 Kh8 Best: +1.99 » ... Qc3 28. Ra2 Ra8 29. Bf1 Ba6 30. Nb1Qc6 31. Rb2 Bb5 32. Nd2 Rc8 33. Nf3 Qc3 34. Be2 Qxa3 35. Rxb5 In thebest line I have a passed a pawn and Glenda is in front of it - could bedecisive. } 29. Bf1 Rc8 30. d4 { 30. d4 - an Inaccuracy: +2.10 » 30. d4 Qb631. Nc4 Rxc4 32. Bxc4 exd4 33. Qf2 Nxe4 34. Qb2 Qxb2 35. Bxb2 Nc3 36. Bd3Bd5 37. Ba3 Best: +1.46 » 30. Rb1 Qd7 31. Qa7 Ba8 32. Qxd7 Nxd7 33. Nc4d5 34. Bxe7 dxc4 35. Rb4 cxd3 36. Bxd3 a3 37. Kf2 In the best line Istill have a pawn advantage but white has the bishop pair. } 30... Qb6 31. Rb1 { 31. Rb1 - another Inaccuracy: +2.83 » 31. Rb1 exd4 32. Qd3 Qa7 33. e5Ne8 34. Qb5 Bc6 35. Qa6 Rc7 36. Rc1 Qxa6 37. Bxa6 Kf8 38. e6 Best: +1.98» 31. Nc4 Rxc4 32. Bxc4 exd4 33. Qf2 Nxe4 34. Qb2 Qxb2 35. Bxb2 Nc3 36.Bd3 Kf8 37. Rc1 Bg5 38. Re1 Hmm, in the best line an interesting materialimbalance - I will have 3 pawns for the exchange and one of those is thatpassed a pawn. } 31... Qa7 32. Bb2 Nd7 { 32. ..... Nd7 - ooops, a Mistake: +2.05» ... Nd7 32. Nc4 Rb8 33. Ba1 Bc6 34. Rxb8+ Qxb8 35. Bc3 Bg5 36. Qe1 exd437. Bxd4 Ne5 38. Kg2 Bf4 Best: +3.30 » ... d5 32. exd5 Nxd5 33. Qxe5 Bf634. Qe2 a3 35. Ba1 Nc3 36. Bxc3 Rxc3 37. Nb3 Bxd4+ 38. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 39. Qf2 Hmm, that passed a pawn is looking more and more menacing as the gamegoes on. } 33. Nc4 Qa8 34. d5 { 34. d5 - fixes the d6 pawn and triesto exert a further cramp on Fou Lenoir. } 34... Ba6 35. Nb6 Nxb6 36. Qxb6 Bxf1 37. Kxf1 { White made a decisive mistake by capturing with the knight instead of the rook, allowing Black to pin his king and win the game. } 37... Rb8 38. Qc6 Qa5 39. Ke2 Qb4 40. Qc1 { 40. Qc1 - a Blunder: +14.52 » 40.Qc1 Qxe4+ 41. Qe3 Qxb1 42. Bc3 Bh4 43. Qd2 Rb3 44. Qe3 Qc2+ 45. Qd2 Qe4+46. Qe3 Qxe3+ 47. Kxe3 Rxc3+ 48. Kd2 Rxh3 49. Kc2 Best: +7.26 » 40. Qc2a3 41. Bxa3 Qxb1 42. Qxb1 Rxb1 43. h4 Rb3 44. f6 gxf6 45. Bc1 Kg7 46. Bd2f5 47. gxf5 Bxh4 The bishop on b2 is doomed whichever way you cut it. } 40... a3 { White is winning with rook and three pawns. } 41. h4 { 41. h4 - a Blunder:+19.30 » 41. h4 Qxe4+ 42. Qe3 Qxg4+ 43. Kd3 a2 44. Rg1 Qxf5+ 45. Qe4 Qh3+46. Qe3 Rb3+ 47. Kc2 Rxe3 48. Kd2 Bxh4 49. Ra1 Rd3+ 50. Kc2 Best: +8.46» 41. Qc2 axb2 42. Qd3 Bg5 43. h4 Bxh4 44. Qc2 Bg3 45. Qd3 Rb5 46. Qc2Bf4 47. Kf2 Kh7 Even in the best line white is well busted though. Now I decided to nab a pawn with check before taking off that white dsb. } 41... Qxe4+ 42. Kd1 { 42. Kd1 - this now allows the win of the rook or I get thepleasure of delivering mate. I think if I were white I would be seriouslyconsidering waving the white flag. } 42... Qd3+ 43. Ke1 { 43. Ke1 - a Blunder allowingMate(1) » 43. Ke1 Bxh4# Best: +23.39 » 43. Qd2 Qxb1+ 44. Bc1 a2 45. Qc3Bxh4 46. Ke2 a1=Q 47. Qxa1 Qxa1 48. Bxh6 gxh6 49. f6 Rb2+ 50. Kd3 Bxf6 As per my previous note his rook is doomed and in the final positionI am a whole queen up and the end for white will surely not be too faroff. Fou Lenoir, who has been stuck on e7 for a long, long while stepsup to do the ultimate honours. Hope you have had a good read - bye fornow - Joanne } 43... Bxh4# 0-1

[Event "Queen's Gambit Accepted!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.07.20"] [Round "-"] [White "jwpatzer"] [Black "tulsatallguy"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1551"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1692"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 g6 { This was my second game verses jwpatzer.He won the first game. I noticed he played very sounds moves and advancedhis army very thoughtfully. } 4. Bf4 b5 { I do notice my pawn structure iswide open and I'm hopeing to not make myself too vulnerable. } 5. e4 { Iget the feeling jwpatzer is less concerned with material equality and morefocused on tempo & controlling the center. } 5... Bg4 6. Be2 Bg7 7. Nc3 { Startingto like this! } 7... Bxf3 8. Bxf3 Bxd4 9. Nxb5 Nc6 10. Nxc7+ { Uh oh, startingto not like this! } 10... Kf8 11. Nxa8 Qxa8 { Now I see this as a big shift inthe game's dynamics. I now have a better grasp of the center, but jwpatzerhas gained a material advantage and prevented me from castling. } 12. e5 Bxb2 13. Rb1 Bc3+ 14. Kf1 { Guess this returns the favor with castle prophylaxis.Jw could have blocked with 14 Bd2 but after I ... Bxb2 then 15. Qxb2I would be able to ... Ne5. At that point we would have equality on points,but I would favor my position. Kf1 is not a bad move. } 14... Qc8 15. g3 Qh3+ { At this point my 8 year old son had to take over for me. I went to Nigeriaon a mission trip and while there I could not log in to gameknot.com. Insteadof timing out I asked my kid to make moves for me while I was gone forthree weeks. } 16. Bg2 Qc8 17. Qe2 Qf5 18. Rd1 Nxe5 19. Rc1 Bd4 20. Bxe5 Bxe5 21. Qxc4 Kg7 22. Qe4 Nh6 23. Qxf5 Nxf5 24. Ke2 Rd8 25. Rhd1 Nd4+ { Ithink I'm back in the game at this point. } 26. Kf1 f5 27. Rc5 Ne6 { I didn'tinitially like the idea of moving my knight backwards, but in this caseI felt it worked well. } 28. Rxd8 { Given the choice presented I had to optfor Nxc5 instead of Nxd8. } 28... Nxc5 29. Ra8 a6 30. Ke2 { Typically moving theking into the middle works in an end-game strategy. } 30... Bd4 31. Bd5 e6 32. Bc4 { This proves to be costly for jwpatzer in a few moves. } 32... Ne4 33. f3 Nc3+ 34. Kd3 e5 { Really starting to like my position now! } 35. Rxa6 Nd1 36. a4 { This move may be the biggest reason I won the game. } 36... Nb2+ { Thisbishop-grabbibg move drastically swings the advantage my direction! } 37. Kc2 Nxc4 38. Kb3 Nd2+ 39. Kc2 Nxf3 40. Rd6 e4 41. Kd1 e3 42. a5 { The raceis on! } 42... Bc3 43. a6 Nd4 44. Re6 { Not sure why white does this. } 44... Nxe6 45. a7 { Jwpatzer is down too much on time at this point. } 45... Nd4 46. a8=Q e2+ { White resigns one move prior to an inevitable checkmate. This game wasvery difficult and very fun. To jwpatzer I say, 'good game!' } 0-1

[Event "87th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.11.07"] [Round "-"] [White "kiwisouth"] [Black "kaspanatola"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1875"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1693"] 1. e4 { white produced an interesting novelty, I just disagree with playingg3 weakening the king's win pawns and then playing the bishop to b5...but Bb5+ was nice to avoid the main lines after the exchange of pawns atd4, then Be3 was dubious, to say the least, allowing me to harm white'spawn structure, also 15.Nf4 might have been better for white, this beingsaid several inaccuracies sealed the fate of white's game, and allowedsome basic tactics to add small advantages, the game ended soon after beingsimplified to Q + 2 extra paws vs R endgame } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Nc3 g6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Bb5+ { N! interesting novelty, a zwischenzug leavingthe knight hanging, Nxd4 would transpose to (B70) Dragon, fianchetto variation } 6... Bd7 { I preferred to force the exchange of bishops instead of moving theknight to d7, because then it wasn't forced and I would like to have thechance of playing Ne5 at some point } 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 { places the queen onthe open light diagonals a4-e8 and c8-h3 as there are no light squaredbishops to contest her position in the same diagonal as the king } 8. Nxd4 Nc6 { inviting white to exchange knights after which I would have a nicepawn centre } 9. Be3 { ?! } 9... Ng4 { threatening to double white's pawns in thee column } 10. Qd2 Bg7 { again threatening to double pawns on the e column } 11. a3 Nxe3 { with the idea Ne5-Rc8-Rc4-Rxd4-Nf3+ } 12. fxe3 { ! Qxe3 losesa piece } 12... Ne5 { blocks the e pawns defends the f7 pawn and dreams about Nf3+ } 13. Qe2 Rc8 { the first instinct says I must play a6 to prevent either Qb5and Ncb5, but I dont like the hole it creates on b6... then my second instinctsays Rc8 is more offensive, and a6 can be played at a latter opportunityif needed } 14. Nd5 e6 { forces the knight to decide were to go, king's wingor queens wing? } 15. Nb4 { to play Nd3 maybe? } 15... O-O { for safety } 16. b3 a5 { with tempo, but leaves a hole on b5 } 17. Nd3 { expected, as white's mainidea after 15.Nb4 } 17... Nc6 { again inviting the exchange, or I'll get a pawn } 18. Rc1 Nxd4 19. exd4 Bxd4 { and now I'm a pawn up } 20. Rf1 { ? } 20... a4 { to disruptwhite's pawn structure } 21. b4 { ? } 21... Rc3 { aimed at a3, my c3 rook can notbe moved away from c3 easily now } 22. Ra1 { ?? blunder as it loses the knightto a discovered attack on the a1 rook } 22... Rxd3 { now Qxd3 or cxd3 and I haveBxa1 -+ } 23. Qxd3 Bxa1 { recapturing the rook with a knight up } 24. c3 { !?interesting but I can defend my bishop by attacking c3 with the rook thenin the next move I can capture the pawn either with my bishop or the c8rook } 24... Rc8 { threatens Bxc3+ } 25. Kd2 { again creative play by white, defendsthe pawn and threatens the bishop } 25... Rxc3 { but I'm not afraid to exchangeR+B by queen, so now if Rxa1 I have Rxd3 or if Qxc3 I have Bxc3 } 26. Qxc3 Bxc3+ 27. Kxc3 Qb5 { and now I can infiltrate white's field with my queento force the promotion of one of my pawns, the game should end soon } 28. Re1 Qe5+ { the idea is to play d5 or Qb2 } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "31-Dec-06"] [Round "-"] [White "lambly"] [Black "demagog"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] { This was a very interesting game, which I may have only won due to anoversight by white when he had my queen trapped during the midgame. } 1. e4 { The e4 opening by white is both popular and efficient because it opensthe diagonals for white's queen and bishop, can lead to an early castleto the king side, and immediatly contests for the center squares. } 1... c6 { TheCaro-Kann defense is becoming a favorite of mine. I rarely see it usedby my opponents, and most people do not know any book moves for the opening,which often works to my advantage. This defense centers around a strongpoint at d5, and is just as an effective counter to white's e4 openingas the Sicilian Defense or e5. } 2. Bc4 { This is an awful move by white,which is known as the Hillbilly Attack. It winds up wasting white's timewhile black gains the center with 2. d5 3. exd5 cxd5. } 2... d5 { Logical. } 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bb3 { I am not sure if this was better than Bb5 or not, butwith white's blunder on his 6th move, he probably should have moved Bb5. } 4... Nf6 { Protects black's pawn at d5 and begins to further the control in thecenter. } 5. Ba4+ { Checks black's king. } 5... Bd7 { Threatens white's bishop andmoves out of check. } 6. b3 { One of black's few mistakes, although probablyhis worst. Better is Bxd7. } 6... b5 { Traps white's bishop. I almost made themistake of capturing with my bishop on this move, but luckily I saw theright course of action. } 7. Bxb5 { Logical, so that white's pawn formationis not destroyed. } 7... Bxb5 { Of course. } 8. d3 { Attempting to develop pawnsand gain control of the queen side. } 8... e5 { Black continues to solidify hiscenter. } 9. c4 { Forks the bishop at b5 and pawn at d5. } 9... dxc4 { Isolateswhite's d3 pawn. } 10. bxc4 { Threatens the bishop, better, however, is dxc4. } 10... Qd4 { Traps white's rook. } 11. Qb3 { Threatens the bishop and prepares totrap black's queen. } 11... Qxa1 { Who wouldn't? } 12. Ne2 { Prepares for the longcastle and traps black's queen. } 12... Bd7 { Conserves the bishop. } 13. Nec3 { Allowswhite's queen to move to other areas, while keeping black's queen trapped,however, O-O is better. } 13... Na6 { Black must account for his trapped queenby threatening the white queen if white attempts Bb2. } 14. Qb7 { This movecaught me off guard. I had expected white to move Bb2, but instead he threatensmy rook and knight. This also allows black to save his queen. } 14... Rb8 { Givesup the lesser piece. } 15. Qxa6 { Of course. } 15... Bb4 { Pins white's knight tohis king. Enables black to escape with his queen intact. } 16. O-O { Movesout of the pin. } 16... Bxc3 { Completes the queen's escape. } 17. Qxa7 { MUCH betteris Nxc3 } 17... Rxb1 { Obvious. } 18. Qa8+ { Also obvious. } 18... Ke7 { Forced. } 19. Qa3+ { Better is Qa7, pinning the bishop to the king. Checks black's king. } 19... Bb4 { Removes the check on black's king and safely attacks white's queen. } 20. Qa7 { A little too late. White sees his impending doom and resigns. } 0-1

[Event "35th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "27-Sep-07"] [Round "-"] [White "avsf"] [Black "alfredjwood"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2131"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1796"] 1. e4 { My intention is to only annotate those moves and positions wherea question may arise. Al } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { The Two Knights Defense. This is a favorite of mine. I believe that it gives Black an early opportunityto seize the initiative. Al } 4. Ng5 { This is a decisive point for White. He can play to gain a pawn by 4. Ng5, or he can play to hold the initiativewith 4. e4. Both moves are good, but the initiative is my first goalin any game. Al } 4... d5 5. exd5 Na5 { Black drives the bishop from the a2-g8diagonal. } 6. Bb5+ c6 { 6. Bd7 is also good. } 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Qf3 Rb8 { Thepawn can be protected by Qc7 or Bd7; or a counter-attack can be made byh6. I believe the White knight will return to f3 without disrupting thekingside pawns, and that the initiative is more likely to come to Blackby getting the rook onto an open file. } 9. Bxc6+ Nxc6 10. Qxc6+ Nd7 11. d3 Be7 { The initiative has passed to Black, at a cost of two pawns. } 12. Nf3 O-O { The White knight moves and the quest for a pawn have resultedin a position where white has succeeded in gaining two pawns; but at aterrible price: All of Black's pieces are mobilized, White has four piecesstill requiring development and has the White queen afield. } 13. Nc3 { Not a good move. It develops the knight to it's natural square but allowsit to be pinned, and neglects the Queen, which can come under attack byfour pieces. Withdrawing the Queen may be prudent. } 13... Rb4 { This allows Bb7without blocking the rook. At this post, the rook takes away three escapesquares from the White queen, and holds the b-file. } 14. Nd5 Bb7 15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. Qc3 { The Queen retreats to the only available square. Thequeenhunt will position Blacks' pieces for an assault on the White King. } 16... Rc8 17. Qd2 { There is no choice, the c1 bishop is blocked, locking inthe a1 rook. } 17... e4 { Black plays to open the board for the attack. } 18. Qe2 Rxc2 19. Qe3 { Obviously, White cannot take the invading rook, but thee5 pawn remains pinned. } 19... Nf6 { Black protects the pawn a fourth time,and positions the knight to attack the black queen. } 20. Nd2 Nd5 21. Qxe4 { Strange as it seems, the Queen must give herself up. There is no bettermove. With five marauding pieces, a protected king, and the attackinge-pawn, Black had a won game. } 21... Rxe4+ 22. Nxe4 Nb4 { The start of the finalassault. } 23. O-O { White begins his development, much too late. } 23... Nxd3 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.08.15"] [Round "-"] [White "e4newman"] [Black "thefox69"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1451"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1491"] 1. e4 { A 4 Knights endgame with some poor King positioning after the Knightsare removed. See my move 51 (white). Opponent from NED } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 { Berlin Defense! } 4. O-O Bc5 { Not 4...Nxe4 } 5. c3 a6 { Logicalenough but computer doesn't like it. Inaccuracy: +0.59 » ... a6 6. Bxc6 dxc67. Nxe5 O-O 8. d4 Bd6 9. Nd2 Re8 10. f4 Be6 11. Re1 Nd7 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13.Nc4 Qh4 14. Nxd6 cxd6 Best: +0.00 » ... O-O 6. d4 } 6. Ba4 d6 { He doesn'tneed to fear his e-pawn. For example 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Nxe5 Qe7 Inaccuracy:+0.91 » ... d6 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Ba7 9. d5 b5 10. dxc6 bxa4 11. e5 dxe512. Qxd8+ Kxd8 13. Nxe5 Ke7 14. Nc3 Rd8 15. Bg5 Best: +0.00 » ... b5 7. Bc2 } 7. Re1 { I figured I was gonna play 8.d4 anyway but it allows his next move. Pretty small potatoes I think. Mistake: -0.14 » 7. Re1 b5 8. d4 Bb6 9.Bb3 O-O 10. Na3 Bg4 11. Bd5 Qe8 12. Bg5 b4 13. Bxf6 bxa3 14. Bxc6 Qxc6Best: +0.91 » 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 Ba7 9. d5 b5 10. dxc6 bxa4 11. e5 dxe512. Qxd8+ Kxd8 13. Nxe5 Ke7 14. Nc3 Rd8 15. Bg5 } 7... Bd7 8. d4 exd4 { Inaccuracy:+0.64 » ... exd4 9. cxd4 Bb4 10. Nc3 O-O 11. e5 dxe5 12. dxe5 Ng4 13. h3Nh6 14. Bxh6 gxh6 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Qxd4 Best: +0.10 » ... Ba7 9. Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11. d5 Nb8 12. Bxd7+ Nxd7 13. Na3 O-O 14. Qd2 Qf4 15. Qxf4 exf4 } 9. cxd4 Bb6 10. h3 { Wasn't ready to commit my Q-side Knight yet. } 10... h6 11. Bf4 O-O 12. Nc3 Nb4 13. Bxd7 Qxd7 14. a3 Nc6 15. Rc1 { Silent move. Couldn'tfind a way to force anything else which is a common problem for me... continuationand initiative. Anyway I feel pretty good from a defensive point of view. } 15... Ba5 { Inaccuracy: +1.17 » ... Ba5 16. b4 Bb6 17. e5 dxe5 18. dxe5 Qxd1 19.Rexd1 Nh5 20. Bh2 g5 21. Nd5 Rad8 22. Nxb6 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 cxb6 24. Rd7Rd8 25. Rxb7 Best: +0.42 » ... Rad8 16. d5 Ne7 17. Be3 Bxe3 18. Rxe3 Ng619. Qb3 Rb8 20. e5 dxe5 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Rxe5 } 16. b4 Bb6 { I know he losta tempo but I don't see the analysis going from 0.42 to 1.13. Anyway Inow have the initiative I wanted thanks to his small mistake. } 17. Bh2 { I saw some of that deep analysis which included Bh2. I think my mistakewas that the immediate e5 maintains a long lasting initiative. I gottaplay out the deeper move options a bit better. Anyway to my defense Iwas preparing e5. Inaccuracy: +0.48 » 17. Bh2 Rad8 18. Na4 Ba7 19. e5 dxe520. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Bxe5 Bxd4 22. Bxd4 Qxd4 23. Qxd4 Rxd4 24. Rxc7 Best:+1.13 » 17. e5 dxe5 18. dxe5 Qxd1 19. Rexd1 Nh5 20. Bh2 g5 21. Nd5 Rad822. Nxb6 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 cxb6 24. Rd7 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ Nxd8 } 17... Ne7 18. e5 dxe5 19. dxe5 Qxd1 { Inaccuracy: +1.34 » ... Qxd1 20. Rcxd1 Nh7 21. Rd7 Rfd8 22.e6 Kf8 23. Be5 Rxd7 24. exd7 Nc6 25. Na4 Nxe5 26. Nxe5 Rd8 27. Nxb6 cxb628. Re3 Best: +0.46 » ... Nfd5 20. Na4 a5 21. Nxb6 cxb6 22. bxa5 bxa5 23.Qd2 Rfd8 24. Nd4 Qa4 25. Qd3 Nc3 26. e6 Qxd4 27. exf7+ Kxf7 28. Qxc3 Qxc329. Rxc3 Sure but I expected the move he played. } 20. Rexd1 Nh7 21. Rd7 { I saw ahead to this which was part of the deep analysis of 17.e5 } 21... Nc6 { ***** I need to explore what's wrong with 21...Rfd8 22.Rxe7 ***** Mistake:+1.89 » ... Nc6 22. Nd5 Ng5 23. Nxg5 hxg5 24. Kf1 Rfe8 25. Nxb6 cxb6 26.Rxb7 Nxe5 27. Rxb6 Nd3 28. Rd1 Nb2 29. Rd7 Rac8 30. Bc7 Best: +0.64 » ...Rfd8 22. Rcd1 Nc6 23. R7d5 Ng5 24. Nxg5 hxg5 25. Ne4 Nd4 26. Rxd8+ Rxd827. Kf1 c6 28. Nxg5 Nc2 29. Rxd8+ Bxd8 30. Ne4 b6 31. Ke2 Nxa3 } 22. Rcd1 { How can double rooks be so bad? Never considered 22.Nd5 Mistake: +0.70» 22. Rcd1 Rfd8 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxd8+ Nxd8 25. Nd5 Ng5 26. Nd2 Nc6 27.Nxb6 cxb6 28. Nc4 b5 29. Nd6 b6 30. Kf1 Ne6 31. Ke2 g5 Best: +1.89 » 22.Nd5 Ng5 23. Nxg5 hxg5 24. Kf1 Rfe8 25. Nxb6 cxb6 26. Rxb7 Nxe5 27. Rxb6Nd3 28. Rd1 Nb2 29. Rd7 Rac8 30. Bc7 } 22... Rad8 23. e6 { I wasn't worried about23...fxe6. Can't see the point of analysis suggestion of 23.Kf1. Doesn't23...Ng5 automatically lose black's g-pawn. Mistake: -0.18 » 23. e6 fxe624. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Nxd8 26. Na4 Nc6 27. Ne5 Nf6 28. Nxc6 bxc6 29.Kf1 Ne4 30. f3 Nd2+ 31. Ke2 Nc4 32. Nc5 Bxc5 33. bxc5 Best: +0.91 » 23.Kf1 Ng5 24. Nxg5 hxg5 25. Ne4 Nd4 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Nxg5 c5 28. bxc5 Bxc529. Nf3 b5 30. Nxd4 Rxd4 31. Rxd4 Bxd4 } 23... fxe6 24. Bxc7 { Inaccuracy: -0.79» 24. Bxc7 Rxd7 25. Rxd7 Nf6 26. Rxg7+ Kxg7 27. Bxb6 Rc8 28. b5 Na7 29.bxa6 bxa6 30. Ne2 Nc6 31. Ned4 Nxd4 32. Nxd4 Kf7 33. Kh2 Nd5 34. Nxe6 Best:-0.16 » 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. Rxd8+ Nxd8 26. Na4 Nc6 27. Ne5 Nd4 28. Nxb6 cxb629. Nc4 Nc2 30. Be5 Nf6 31. Kf1 Ne4 32. Nxb6 Nxa3 33. Ke2 } 24... Rxd7 25. Rxd7 Bxc7 { Hmmmm maybe I missed ...Nf6 Mistake: +0.57 » ... Bxc7 26. Rxc7 Rf727. Rxf7 Kxf7 28. Na4 Ke7 29. Nc5 a5 30. b5 Na7 31. b6 Nc8 32. Nd4 Nxb633. Ncxe6 Kf6 34. Nd8 Ke5 35. Nf3+ Ke4 Best: -0.88 » ... Nf6 26. Rxg7+ Kxg727. Bxb6 Rc8 28. b5 Na7 29. bxa6 bxa6 30. Ne2 Nc6 31. Ned4 Nd5 32. Nxc6Nxb6 33. Nfe5 Nd5 34. g4 Kf6 35. Nd7+ Kg5 } 26. Rxc7 Rb8 { Inaccuracy: +1.33» ... Rb8 27. Ne4 Nf6 28. Nc5 Nd8 29. Ne5 Nd5 30. Rd7 Rc8 31. Nxe6 Nxe6 32.Rxd5 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 Rc2 34. Kg3 Ra2 35. Rd3 Re2 36. f4 g5 Best: +0.67 » ...Rf7 27. Rxf7 Kxf7 28. Na4 Nd8 29. Nc5 Kf6 30. Kf1 Ng5 31. Ke2 Nxf3 32.Kxf3 Kf5 33. Ke3 g6 34. g4+ Ke5 35. f4+ Kd5 36. h4 } 27. Rd7 { Mistake: +0.31» 27. Rd7 Nf6 28. Rd1 e5 29. Na4 e4 30. Nd2 Re8 31. Nf1 a5 32. bxa5 Ra8 33. Ne3 Rxa5 34. Nc5 Rxc5 35. Nf1 Best: +1.33 » 27. Ne4 Nf6 28. Nc5 Nd8 29. Ne5 Nd6 30. Rd7 Rc8 31. Nxe6 Nxe6 32. Rxd5 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 Rc2 34. Kg3 Ra2 35. Rd3 Re2 36. f4 g5 } 27... Nf6 28. Rd2 Rd8 29. Rxd8+ Nxd8 { And now we havethe 4 Knights } 30. Kf1 Nc6 31. Ke2 Kf7 32. Kd3 e5 33. g4 Ke6 34. Kc4 Kd6 35. a4 e4 36. Nd4 { TSN turning point... Mistake: -1.00 » 36. Nd4 Ne5+ 37.Kb3 g6 38. b5 axb5 39. axb5 Nd3 40. f3 Ke5 41. Nce2 Nf2 42. f4+ Kd5 43.g5 hxg5 44. fxg5 Nd7 45. h4 Best: +0.01 » 36. Nd2 Ke5 37. Kc5 Nd7+ 38.Kc4 Nb6+ 39. Kc5 Nd7+ } 36... Ne5+ 37. Kb3 Nf3 { Mistake: -0.02 » ... Nf3 38. Nxf3exf3 39. Kc4 Ke5 40. Kd3 Kf4 41. Kd4 g6 42. Nd5+ Nxd5 43. Kxd5 h5 44. gxh5gxh5 45. Ke6 b5 46. a5 h4 Best: -1.02 » ... g6 38. b5 axb5 39. axb5 Nd3 40.f3 Ke5 41. Nce2 Nf2 42. f4+ Kd5 43. f5 g5 44. Nc2 Ke5 45. Ne3 Nxh3 } 38. Nxf3 exf3 39. b5 { Inaccuracy: -0.93 » 39. b5 Kc5 40. bxa6 bxa6 41. Kc2Kd4 42. Kd2 Nd7 43. Na2 Nc5 44. Nb4 a5 45. Nc6+ Ke4 46. Ke1 Nxa4 47. Nxa5Nb2 48. Nc6 Nd3+ 49. Kf1 Best: +0.04 » 39. Kc4 Ke5 40. Kd3 h5 41. g5 Nd542. Nxd5 Kxd5 43. h4 b5 44. axb5 axb5 45. g6 Ke5 46. Ke3 Kf6 47. Kxf3 Kf548. Ke3 Kxg6 } 39... axb5 40. axb5 { Inaccuracy: -1.26 » 40. axb5 Kc5 41. Kc2 Nd542. Ne4+ Kxb5 43. Kd3 Nf4+ 44. Ke3 Nxh3 45. Nd6+ Kc6 46. Nf5 Ng1 47. Nxg7b5 48. Nf5 b4 49. Kf4 Kd5 50. Nxh6 Best: -0.58 » 40. Nxb5+ Kc5 41. Nc3Nd7 42. Kc2 Kb4 43. Kd3 Nc5+ 44. Kd4 Nb3+ 45. Kd3 g5 46. Ne4 Kxa4 47. Ke3b5 48. Kxf3 Kb4 49. Ke3 Kc4 50. Nd6+ } 40... Kc5 41. Kc2 Kd4 42. Kd2 Ne4+ 43. Nxe4 Kxe4 44. Kc2 { Yes the b-pawn became my Queening pawn but if it wereone square closer I wouldn't have lost the game. Skip ahead to 57...Qa1+Inaccuracy: -3.46 » 44. Kc2 Kd4 45. b6 Kc5 46. Kd3 Kxb6 47. Kc3 Kc6 48.Kd3 b5 49. h4 Kc5 50. Kc3 b4+ 51. Kb3 Kb5 52. Kb2 Kc4 53. Kc2 b3+ 54. Kb2Best: -2.48 » 44. b6 Kd4 45. h4 Ke4 46. g5 h5 47. g6 Kf4 48. Kd3 Kg4 49.Ke4 Kxh4 50. Kf5 Kh3 51. Ke6 Kg2 52. Kf7 Kxf2 53. Kxg7 h4 54. Kf6 } 44... Kd4 45. Kd2 { Mistake: -5.79 » 45. Kd2 Kc5 46. b6 Kxb6 47. Kd3 Kb5 48. Kc3 g549. Kb3 b6 50. Kc3 Ka4 51. Kb2 Kb4 52. Ka2 Kc3 53. Kb1 b5 54. Kc1 Kb3 55.Kd2 Best: -3.97 » 45. b6 Kc5 46. Kc3 Kxb6 47. Kc4 Ka5 48. Kb3 g5 49. Ka3Kb5 50. Kb3 b6 51. Kc3 Ka4 52. Kb2 Kb4 53. Kc2 Kc4 54. Kb2 Kd3 55. Kb3 } 45... b6 { Mistake: -4.51 » ... b6 46. h4 g6 47. Kc2 Kc4 48. Kd2 Kxb5 49. Kc3 Kc550. Kd3 Kb4 51. Kc2 Kc4 52. Kd2 Kb3 53. Ke3 b5 54. Ke4 Ka3 55. Kxf3 b4Best: -5.73 » ... Kc5 46. b6 Kxb6 47. Kc3 Kc5 48. h4 g5 49. h5 Kb5 50. Kd3Kb4 51. Ke4 Ka3 52. Kxf3 b5 53. Ke4 b4 54. Kf5 b3 55. Kg6 b2 } 46. h4 g5 { Mistake: -4.28 » ... g5 47. h5 Ke4 48. Kc3 Kf4 49. Kd4 Kxg4 50. Ke4 Kxh551. Kxf3 Kh4 52. Kg2 Kg4 53. Kf1 Kf3 54. Kg1 h5 55. Kf1 h4 Best: -6.80» ... g6 47. h5 g5 48. Kc2 Kc4 49. Kd2 Kxb5 50. Ke3 Ka4 51. Kxf3 b5 52. Ke4b4 53. Kf5 b3 54. Kg6 b2 55. Kxh6 b1=Q 56. Kxg5 Qb5+ } 47. hxg5 { Mistake:-8.22 » 47. hxg5 hxg5 48. Kc2 Kc4 49. Kd2 Kxb5 50. Ke3 Ka4 51. Kxf3 b552. Ke4 b4 53. Kf5 b3 54. Kxg5 b2 55. f4 b1=Q 56. Kf6 Qb6+ 57. Kf5 Best:-5.43 » 47. h5 Ke4 48. Kc3 Kf4 49. Kd4 Kxg4 50. Ke4 Kxh5 51. Kxf3 Kh4 52.Kg2 Kg4 53. Kg1 h5 54. Kg2 Kf4 55. Kh2 h4 56. Kg2 g4 57. Kh2 } 47... hxg5 48. Kc2 Ke4 { Blunder: -0.01 » ... Ke4 49. Kd2 Kd4 50. Kc2 Best: -8.24 » ... Kc449. Kd2 Kxb5 50. Ke3 Ka4 51. Kxf3 b5 52. Ke4 b4 53. Kf5 b3 54. Kxg5 b255. f4 b1=Q 56. f5 Qb6 57. f6 Qe6 58. Kg6 Qxg4+ } 49. Kc3 Kf4 50. Kd4 Kxg4 51. Kd5 { DARN!!!!! Blunder: -12.98 » 51. Kd5 Kf5 52. Kc6 g4 53. Kxb6 g354. fxg3 f2 55. Kc7 f1=Q 56. b6 Qc4+ 57. Kd6 Qb4+ 58. Kc6 Ke6 59. b7 Qd6+60. Kb5 Kd5 61. g4 Best: +0.01 » 51. Ke4 Kh3 52. Kxf3 Kh4 53. Ke3 } 51... Kh3 { Blunder: -8.58 » ... Kh3 52. Kc6 g4 53. Kxb6 g3 54. fxg3 f2 55. Kc7 f1=Q56. b6 Qf7+ 57. Kb8 Qf8+ 58. Ka7 Qc5 59. g4 Kxg4 60. Ka6 Qa3+ 61. Kb7 Kf4Best: -13.24 » ... Kf5 52. Kc6 g4 53. Kxb6 g3 54. fxg3 f2 55. Kc7 f1=Q 56.b6 Qc4+ 57. Kd6 Qb5 58. b7 Qxb7 59. Kc5 Qc7+ 60. Kb5 Qxg3 61. Kc4 Ke4 } 52. Kc6 Kg2 { Blunder: -4.21 » ... Kg2 53. Kxb6 g4 54. Kc5 g3 55. b6 gxf256. b7 f1=Q 57. b8=Q Qg1+ 58. Kd5 Qd1+ 59. Ke6 f2 60. Qb2 Qf3 61. Kd6 Qg3+62. Kd7 Qh2 Best: -13.24 » ... g4 53. Kxb6 g3 54. fxg3 f2 55. Kc7 f1=Q 56.b6 Qc4+ 57. Kb8 Kxg3 58. b7 Kf4 59. Ka7 Qc5+ 60. Ka6 Qc7 61. Kb5 Ke5 62.b8=Q Qxb8+ } 53. Kxb6 Kxf2 { Mistake: -2.97 » ... Kxf2 54. Kc6 Kg2 55. b6f2 56. b7 f1=Q 57. b8=Q Qc4+ 58. Kd7 Qf7+ 59. Kc6 Qe6+ 60. Kc5 Qf5+ 61.Kd4 Qf4+ 62. Qxf4 gxf4 63. Ke4 f3 Best: -4.21 » ... g4 54. Kc5 g3 55. b6gxf2 56. b7 f1=Q 57. b8=Q Qg1+ 58. Kd5 Qd1+ 59. Ke4 Qa4+ 60. Kf5 Qc2+ 61.Kf4 Qc1+ 62. Kf5 Qc5+ 63. Ke6 f2 } 54. Ka7 { This is the move I wanted analyzed. I was pretty sure it was over and should have resigned. Still doesn'tlook clear that I had any hope even from the discrepancy in the analysisof the two possible moves. Is 54.Kc6 really that much better? Maybe onlyfrom the point of view that it prolongs the game and allows more time formy opponent to make a mistake. Blunder: -13.04 » 54. Ka7 Ke3 55. b6 f256. b7 f1=Q 57. b8=Q Qa1+ 58. Kb7 Qb1+ 59. Kc8 Qxb8+ 60. Kxb8 g4 61. Kc7g3 62. Kd6 g2 63. Ke5 g1=Q 64. Kf5 Best: -2.93 » 54. Kc6 Ke3 55. b6 f256. b7 f1=Q 57. b8=Q Qf3+ 58. Kd7 Qf7+ 59. Kc6 Qe6+ 60. Kc5 Qf5+ 61. Kc6g4 62. Qa7+ Kf3 63. Qa3+ Kg2 64. Qb2+ } 54... Ke2 55. b6 f2 56. b7 f1=Q 57. b8=Q Qa1+ 58. Kb6 Qb1+ 59. Kc7 Qxb8+ { :( } 0-1

[Event "Opposite-colour bishops endgame"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.02.25"] [Round "-"] [White "no_genius"] [Black "iljadu"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1554"] [TimeControl "3 days + 1 day/move < 7 days"] [WhiteElo "1445"] { This game was played in a mini-tournament about 3 months ago. There'sa few mistakes in the middlegame, but the endgame combination was interesting,although black could have drawn. Comments appreciated. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 { I thought this was a Sicilian defence, (c5 instead of e5), sowe end up in a Scotch. } 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 Qe7 6. c4 { Blocking ina bishop - Bc4 is an alternative, or Be3 to prevent Qc5. } 6... Qc5 7. Be3 { Notdeveloping black's pieces for him. } 7... Qxd4 8. Bxd4 c6 { Prevents Nc3-d5, butgives up control of d6 } 9. c5 f6 { Preventing e4-e5, with Nd2-c4 (or -e4)-d6 a possible plan. The bishop on d4 looks a bit silly, but not as muchas the one on c8. Black could attack the pawns with b6, but white is probablybetter. } 10. f4 { Keeping control of e5 } 10... d6 11. cxd6 { Probably better thantrying to support the pawn on c5 } 11... Bxd6 12. g3 Bb4+ 13. Nc3 { Also possibleis Kf2, and my king is fairly safe. It's probably better to avoid the exchange,because I have problems defending e4. } 13... Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 { Bxc3 is an alternative,and I'm not sure which is better, but I didn't delete the conditional movein time. } 14... Ne7 15. a4 { Trying to restrain the queenside majority. Bc4 mayhave been better, to prevent both ...Be6 and ...O-O as after black's nextit is no longer possible. (I may have been worried about ...b5, but afterBb3 white is fine. } 15... Be6 16. Rb1 b6 { A good move. c6-c5 is now a threat,so the bishop retreats. } 17. Be3 O-O 18. f5 Bf7 19. g4 { White should probablyworry about defending e4 (and activating the rooks) before expanding. } 19... Rac8 20. h4 { Ba6 is probably better, and it could have been played on thenext move too. (20. ... Rc7 21. Bf4) } 20... c5 { Another good move, getting spacefor the knight. } 21. a5 bxa5 22. Rb7 { Bad, because the knight can easilydefend a7 and a5. Better is Ra1, and after 22. ... Nc6 23. Bxc5 Rfe8 24.Ra4 white is not worse. } 22... Nc6 23. Bxc5 { A mistake, as white should now losea piece. I should have defended my e-pawn before grabbing material. } 23... Rfe8 24. Bg2 { Bd3 would prevent the later ... Bc4, although it also allows astrong ... Ne5. } 24... Nd8 25. Rb5 { After 25. Rxf7 Nxf7 26. Bd4 Nd6, the e-pawnis lost. } 25... Bc4 26. Rxa5 Bd5 { Overlooking Nb7!, which wins a piece. } 27. Kd2 Bxe4 28. Re1 Bc6 29. Rxe8+ Bxe8 30. Bxa7 Nc6 31. Bxc6 Bxc6 { Now whiteis not worse (slightly better even), although the opposite-colour bishopsshould lead to a draw. } 32. Bd4 Bf3 33. g5 fxg5 34. hxg5 Ra8 35. Rxa8+ { Exchanging rooks is very drawish, but I was worried about ... Ra2+ ifI declined the exchange. I forgot that opposite-colour bishops favour theattacker, which is probably me after Rc5-c7. } 35... Bxa8 36. c4 Kf7 37. Ke3 Bc6 38. Kf4 g6 { ? Bad, because white gets a protected passed pawn, but it'sprobably still drawn. } 39. f6 Ke6 40. Be5 Bb7 41. Bc7 Ba6 42. c5 Bb7 43. Bd8 { The immediate f6-f7 fails to 43. ... Kxf7 44. Ke5 Ke7, so the bishopgoes to d8 to control e7. } 43... Bc6 { ?? The bishop is very bad on c6. Afterpassing with ... Bg2, the f7 idea only draws, because of the opposite colourbishops. } 44. f7 Kxf7 45. Ke5 Ke8 46. Kd6 { If the bishop wasn't on c6,white would have to give up the pawn for it, or allow the black king toget to d7, with a draw in either case. With the bishop on c6, white wins. } 46... Kxd8 { Or after 46. ... Bg2 47. Bf6, white wins the bishop and the game. } 47. Kxc6 { Black can resign here. } 47... Kc8 48. Kd6 Kd8 49. c6 Kc8 50. c7 Kb7 51. Kd7 Kb6 52. c8=Q Kb5 53. Qc3 Kb6 54. Qc4 Ka5 55. Kc6 { Mate next move.(not stalemate, because of h7-h5) } 1-0

[Event "Sheffield University v Dunford Hadfields"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "16/1/1977"] [Round "-"] [White "A Marvell"] [Black "CharlesLHiggie"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 { I am including this, as my shortest loss in a competitive match.I was only 19 at the time. } 1... c5 { I played The Sicilian Defence https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defence } 2. Nf3 { He plays the main line } 2... d6 { And so do I } 3. d4 { He opts for theopen variation. } 3... cxd4 { I take } 4. Nxd4 { He takes back. } 4... Nf6 { I attack hise pawn. } 5. Nc3 { He defends } 5... Nbd7 { At the time I was playing this quirkyvariation. I usually followed it up with an attack on the e pawn with a7-a6,b7-b5-b4 to drive away his protector of e4, combined with Bc8-b7 and Nd7-c5,all attacking e4. Unfortunately one of my friends at University eventuallydemonstrated how a timely f2-f3 by white stops black's plan. } 6. Be3 { Hedevelops. } 6... a6 { I start my plan. } 7. Be2 { He continues to develop. } 7... b5 { SoI continue with my plan. } 8. Nd5 { What is this? He seems to be offeringme his e pawn. } 8... Nxe4 { Patzer sees a pawn, patzer takes a pawn. } 9. Nc6 { Oops! Black loses the queen, so I resigned. Thanks for reading this, pleaseleave a comment or two, and score it on the star system so I know how Iam doing. Until next time dear reader! } 1-0

[Event "League division D2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.02.20"] [Round "-"] [White "dungeonking"] [Black "seoulman"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1303"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1278"] 1. c4 { I won this game with a bishop sac on the kingside and a devastatingfork. I begin with the English Opening trying to get my opponent intounfamiliar lines. } 1... e5 { This is the King's English } 2. g3 { Preparing tofianchetto my bishop to take advantage of the light squares in the center. } 2... Nc6 3. Nc3 { I delay fianchetto to develop my c knight and prevent e4 } 3... Bc5 { It is fairly common in the King's English to attack the f2 square early. } 4. Bg2 { Now I have control of d5. } 4... Nf6 { He develops his knight } 5. Nf3 { I develop my f knight for castling. I am not worried about e4 here becauseNg5 wins the e4 pawn. } 5... d5 { I have lost control of d5 with the knight moveand he takes advantage of this } 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. d3 { Preparing for e4 andattacking the centralized knight. } 7... O-O 8. O-O Be6 { black tries to holdon to d5 with this move, now all of his minor pieces are developed. } 9. Ng5 { attacking the bishop and threatening to double up his pawns on thee file } 9... Nde7 { dont understand this move. } 10. Nxe6 { I take the bishop anddouble up his pawns on the e-file. } 10... fxe6 11. Bg5 { I develop my dsb andpin his knight to his queen } 11... Rf7 { Better to move the queen than make arisky move with taking the rook off the back rank. } 12. e3 { taking pressureoff of f2 } 12... h6 { He attacks my bishop and as you can see on the next moveI sac it to blow away his kingside. I know by analysing that I will getequal compensation for the bishop back. } 13. Bxh6 { The bishop sac whichdefined the character of this game. } 13... gxh6 14. Qg4+ { I immediately exploithis destroyed kingside and win compensation for the bishop. } 14... Rg7 15. Qxe6+ { He forgot about his pawn on e6. } 15... Kh8 16. Qxh6+ { Now we are equal in materialand Ive destroyed his kingside, ive just got to get more pieces into theattack. } 16... Rh7 17. Qf6+ Kg8 18. Ne4 { I get my knight into play attackinghis bishop while joining the Queen in the attack. } 18... Bb6 19. Ng5 { Attackinghis rook now he cant use it to attack my queen. } 19... Rg7 20. Qe6+ Kf8 21. Qf6+ Kg8 { I need another piece in the attack so I decide to use my fianchettoedbishop } 22. Be4 Kh8 { black should not be worried by 23. Bh7+ because RxBNxR KxR and things are evened out. Instead he makes a whale of a blunderwith Kh8 as I fork the Queen and the King } 23. Nf7+ { Black resigned here. } 1-0

[Event "Seafarer II - Charlotte Chess Club - Rd 2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "27-AUG-08"] [Round "-"] [White "Lee Moore"] [Black "Charles Carerros"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1281 (P)"] [TimeControl "G60"] [WhiteElo "1126"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 { Black could have made a more aggressivewith a more common move of d5. Although d6 is not bad. } 5. Bg5 Nbd7 { Blackshould look at h6 as an option. This move would force White to withdrawhis bishop or better, trade the bishop for the Black's knight. Althoughthis trade would create a weakened king side castle position (if Blackdecides to take that route) he does ensure that White will not maintainsthe bishop pair as the game develops. } 6. e3 c5 7. Qd2 { White is lookingto begin attacking along the king side in anticipation that Black withcastle that direction due to the advancement of the c pawn which createsa weakened pawn structure to defend the queen side castled position. } 7... O-O 8. e4 { White now begins his attack of the Black king's position by controllingthe c1 - h6 diagonal. } 8... e5 9. Bh6 exd4 { Black looks to clear the c filewhile establishing control over the e and c3 squares. } 10. Nd5 Nxe4 11. Qf4 Re8 12. O-O-O { This is a very questionable move. With this, Whitegives up another pawn which gives Black a large advantage if he can avoidthe current attack on his king. It also puts the White King in a precariousdefensive position with very little in defensive pieces. Be2 would bea stronger move as it opens the king side castle opportunity and removesthe threat of the discovered check if Black moves the e4 knight. } 12... Nxf2 { Black captures the hanging pawn and creates the rook fork. } 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 { Black has the option to grab the rook on h1 which should leave him ina stronger position than the Kxg7 option. (13. ... Nxh1 14. Nf6 Kxg715. Nxe8 Qxe8 16. Bd3 Nf2 which creates another fork of White's remainingrook and the WSB. ) } 14. Ng5 Ne5 { Black commits to this move to preventthe complications from either Nxf7 or Qxf7. Although these lines are notconclusive, strong play must be had to ensure that Black does not loseany major material or the advantages already created. In addition to preventingthese complications, this knight move will work to derail the attack beingestablished by White. } 15. Qh4 h5 { Black decides to trade the knights (withcheck) and being to press an attack against the weak defense of the king. } 16. Qxf2 Qxg5+ 17. Kb1 Qf5+ { With his material advantage and strong pawnstructure, Black is happy to trade down the queens and remove any currentthreat against his king. } 18. Qxf5 Bxf5+ 19. Ka1 { White locks his Kingon the a1 square putting it completely out of play when we near the endgame. A better move would have been to c1 which would center his king and allowhim to work against the three center black pawns. } 19... Ng4 { Black beginsto maneuver the knight to fork the rooks (again). At this point he ismore than willing to trade down all material and even allow his knightsto get forked. If White does try to fork the rooks, he will end up losinghis own rook and his knight with only one rook for compensation. } 20. Bd3 Bxd3 21. Rxd3 Nf2 22. a3 Nxd3 { Black could have captured the h1 rook butthat would have put his knight out of play for a few moves. By capturingthis rook, he can also force the rook trade with Re1 . } 23. Nc7 Rac8 { Blackis willing to trade a rook for a knight at this point as he will stillbe able to force a rook trade which would allow him to move into the endgame up three pawns and a knight. } 24. Nb5 Re1+ 25. Rxe1 Nxe1 26. Nxd6 Rc6 { Black is beginning to be a bit cautious as he doesn't wish to losehis rook to a knight fork with the king. The next few moves of Black aremore defensive to ensure this does not occur. } 27. Ne4 d3 { Black beginsthe pawn march. } 28. Nd2 Re6 29. Kb1 Nxg2 { Re-positions the knight to bringthe rook down. } 30. b3 { White is making stalling moves at this point andcould easily resign his position. } 30... Re1+ 31. Kb2 Nf4 32. b4 cxb4 33. axb4 Ne2 34. Nf3 Rc1 35. Nd4 Rxc4 { At this point, Black could have taken theknight at d4 which would resulted in the White king capturing the rook. Either way, Black still has a winning position unless he blunders multipletimes. } 36. Nxe2 dxe2 37. h4 e1=Q { White Resigns. } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.02.02"] [Round "-"] [White "efar"] [Black "nevhelp"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "974"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "995"] 1. e4 d5 { Scandinavian. } 2. f3 { Black's alternatives are usually quitegood when white moves this weak pawn. } 2... e6 { Pdxe4 is the most popular response,though this too is good. Pe6 might be even better, asserting greater controlof the center. } 3. e5 Qh4+ { Pulling the queen out early generally is notso great. Against weak players it can be powerful, but strong playerswill chase her, developing their pieces while the queen moves over andover. } 4. g3 Qd4 { Nice potential. } 5. d3 Qxe5+ { Good move. } 6. Ne2 d4 7. f4 Qd5 8. Rg1 e5 9. Bg2 Bb4+ { This was not a wise idea. The reason isthat white can block the check by interposing a pawn. Black must movethe queen out of danger, meaning the bishop falls to the blocking pawn(Pc3). } 10. c3 { So now black has not real counter threat and must choosewhich piece to sacrifice, the bishop or the queen. } 10... Be7 { Black does notchoose wisely. } 11. Bxd5 Bg4 { Oh no--Pb7 is undefended, meaning white willnow take a pawn and rook essentially for free. } 12. Bxb7 Bxe2 { When behind,trading pieces is best avoided if it confers no positional advantage. Black really does not want the white queen threatening the undefended pawnat e5. The bishop was better off simply pinning the knight, though Qa4+would have freed it easy enough. } 13. Qxe2 dxc3 14. Bxa8 { The rook wasn'tgoing anywhere, white could have dealt with pawns first. NOT QxPe5, whichwould have let the rook escape with Nd7, though. } 14... Bc5 { While this lookslike a decent counter threat, white will want to play QxPe5+, and pickoff Bc5. Black will have to interpose the bishop, letting white play QxPc7. } 15. Qxe5+ Ne7 { Uh, no. Be7 would block the check even better, given thatQxBc5 changes black's material disadvantage from -14 to -17. -18, sinceblack will also lose either Pc7 or Pa7. } 16. Qxc5 a6 17. Qxc7 Nd7 18. Be4 cxb2 19. Bxb2 h5 20. Qa7 { Black will need to play Kd8 to protect the remainingrook from the queen. Nc8 might also work. Either way black will probablyplay BxPg7. But the pawn will prove cheaper than the rook. } 20... f6 21. Qa8+ Nc8 { Kind of late for a rook rescue. This sacrifice gives white both theknight and rook. } 22. Qxc8+ 1-0

[Event "Human V Computer Game 2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10/05/2014"] [Round "-"] [White "Excalibur(Level70)"] [Black "Honza88888"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1534"] [TimeControl "1hr15min+30sec/move"] [WhiteElo "???"] { The second gam ein my Human V Computer series. (Honza 1 - 0 Excalibur) } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. Be3 { White deviatesfrom the more common 6.h4..., which means he pressures development. } 6... Nf6 7. Nf3 Nbd7 8. Bd3 { White's development now surpasses my own, but a tradeof bishops on d3 only enhances this advantage. My bishop shall remain ong6. } 8... e6 9. O-O Bd6 { If White decides to trade bishops on g6, I will recapturewith my h-pawn, and my h8-rook will have an open file to shoot down, increasinghis activity. Also, my d6-square may be weak, but at least I'm using itto pressure my opponent by placing a bishop on it. } 10. Bg5 Qc7 { Notw howheavy pressure on h2 is now increasing. } 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 { I decide that abetter placed piece triumphs over a robust centre (something which wouldbe provided if I had recaptured with 11...gxf6) } 12. Ne2 { White dangerouslyuncovers h2 for my diagonal battery. However, if his next move is 13.g3..., then he is safeguarding his position. Furthermore, he could be aimingat 13.c4... followed by 14.Nc3... for improved position. Another possibilityis that he's simply defending the f4-square, vulnerable to my Ne5-f4. } 12... O-O-O { I can now try to focus an attack on the White king. } 13. c3 Nd5 { My plan is to manoeuvre the knight to f4. If bishops are swapped on g6,I open up the h-file voluntarily. If we trade knights on f4, I will tryto swap bishops on d3, and then advance my f, g and h-pawns towards theenemy king. } 14. g3 { White defies me! } 14... f5 { Rendering the d3-bishop poor(and indeed my g6-bishop), but also allows a potential movement of my ownbishop by Bh5-g4-h3. } 15. Ng5 Qe7 { One possible variation is 16. Nf4?!Qxg5 17. Nxe6 Qe7 18. Nxd8 Rxd8 } 16. Qc1 h6 17. Nh3 { A pawn advance isnow near. White's last move builds greatly against f4. However, the moveisn't dangerous, and f3 is now very weak - ready to be exploited. } 17... Bh5 18. b4 { White decides to stump my a3-f8 diagonal battery, but also showspossible intentions to march at my king with his queenside. } 18... Bf3 { I dominatethe kingside light-coloured squares. I also have control over the a8-h1diagonal. Now I must secure f4 safely. However, you also see how my f3-bishopprevents 19.f4!... which would complicate my stance. } 19. Nhf4 Qf6 { Ifthe premature 19...g5? then 20. Ng6... +/-. Nonetheless that variationis playable, but risky - and with the advantage White would gain - damagingto Black's dominance on the kingside. } 20. Nxd5 exd5 { 20...cxd5 would potentiallyallow 21. Bb5... Also, e4 is now secure and an open file for my rooks hasappeared. } 21. Qe3 { White moves in with tempo. } 21... Be4 { The minor retreatis a setback but inevitable, but the downfall is easily compensated forby the limitng of White's development. } 22. Bxe4 fxe4 { It can be seen howI have essentially moved the f-pawn to the d-file. Also, an advance ofmy g+h pawns would suffocate White's counterplay. The only downside isthe sudden passive nature of my d6-bishop. } 23. f3 Rhe8 24. fxe4 Rxe4 25. Qxe4 dxe4 26. Rxf6 gxf6 { Whilst I have developed a passed pawn, the priceof this is the isolated h-pawn. However, he can stave off both opposingpawns. } 27. Rf1 Rf8 28. Kf2 Kd7 29. a3 { White dominates the dark-colouredsquares, limiting my bishop. This is an advantage for White, whose knightcan hop into my own half should he chose. White's last move allows hispreviously anchored c-pawn to advance further should he wish to limit myqueenside. } 29... Ke6 30. Ke3 f5 31. Nf4+ { This allows me to exchange my passivepiece for his, which is much more active. } 31... Bxf4+ { A closed position hasoccured. } 32. Kxf4 Kd5 { Now, either king has the potential to invade theother side, and it is possible for both to achieve this. } 33. h3 Ke6 34. Rb1 Rd8 35. g4 fxg4 36. hxg4 Kd5 37. Ke3 Rf8 38. Rh1 Rf3+ { An unbalancedposition leaves me with a very slight edge. } 39. Ke2 Rg3 { An opposing passedpawn must not be created. } 40. Rh5+ { (?) White squanders his move, whichin affect allows me to gain a move. } 40... Kc4 41. Rc5+ Kb3 42. b5 cxb5 43. Kf2 Rd3 { If 43...Rxc3? then 44. Rxc3+ Kxc3 45. d5... 1-0 If 43...Rxg4,the White king would dangerously rejoin his pieces. } 44. Rxb5+ Kxc3 45. Rxb7 Kxd4 46. Rd7+ { I only have flank pawns remaining which allow a futurewin, meaning a draw is still possible. } 46... Kc3 47. Rxa7 Kd2 48. Kf1 e3 49. Re7 Rxa3 50. Rd7+ Rd3 51. Re7 Rd4 52. Re6 Rf4+ 53. Kg2 e2 54. Rd6+ Ke1 { (?) I fail to make the most of the position. If I had been patient, Iwould not hide behind the pawn and instead played 54...Kc3 - forcing eventuallyto make the enemy rook move, allowing me to promote on e1. I have squandereda win. } 55. Kg3 Rc4 56. Rxh6 Rc3+ 57. Kh4 Rd3 58. Re6 Kd2 59. g5 e1=Q+ 60. Rxe1 Kxe1 61. g6 Rd8 62. Kg5 Ke2 63. g7 Rg8 64. Kg6 Rxg7+ 65. Kxg7 { Solid play from both sides led to a drawn endgame. However, White madean error by gifting me an advance into his half of the board with my kingwhen he played 40. Rh5+?... However, I replied with an error of my ownon move 54 with 54... Ke1 and gifted a draw to White. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Aug-06"] [Round "-"] [White "uriel"] [Black "smoran90"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1287"] { This game will show how much of a factor development is in the opening.If you are playing as white sometimes you think that you'll be alrightno matter what black plays, however you always have to be careful. Whitplays the opening carelessly and is quite a few tempi down after only tenmoves. Black then uses the huge development advantage to trap the kingin the centre and tactics revolving around the open king decide the game. } 1. e4 c5 { Sicilian. } 2. e5 { This disobeys one of the basic rules of theopening:never move a piece twice. Better moves are Nf3 and Nc3. } 2... Nc6 3. f4 d5 4. exd6 { It may have been better to play Nf3 and keep the positionclosed as white is slightly behind in development but the move played shouldn'tbe disastrous. } 4... exd6 { Now white is already behind in development. } 5. Bc4 { Sensibly developing, however e2 or b5 were better squares as now blackcan gain more time with the move d5. } 5... Nf6 6. c3 { Nf3 continuing to developwould be better. } 6... d5 { Making a big pawn centre and also pushing the bishopaway from its active square. } 7. Bb5 { Now its on a square it could havegone to in 1 move rather than two. } 7... Bd6 { Black now has two more piecesdeveloped than white. Alarm bells should be ringing if you find ourselfin this kind of position and you should be looking to castle as quicklyas possible. However white dosnt and plays... } 8. Qa4 { You have to be verycareful about pawn grabbing in the opening, especially when a few tempidown. But the pawn on f4 neede to be defended. Better could have been d3. } 8... Bd7 { I dont think black needed to do this. Yes, the knight is attackedtwice and only defended once, but look at the position after 0-0,Bxc6 bxc6,Qxc6and Re8 . THe whhite king is tuck in the centre and this has to be wortha pawn. } 9. Ne2 { Finally getting to the right idea although it's nearlytoo late. White would have to play extremely accuraltely to keep himselfin the game. } 9... O-O { Now the rook wll also enter the game. } 10. Qc2 { Anotherinstance of a piece taking 2 moves to get to a square it only took 1 moveto get to. Castling is the best move by far as then white can fight forequality without the king in to much danger. Now thought, the king getsstuck defending the e2 knight. } 10... Re8 11. Na3 { Still, castling was best asthe knight is defended by the bishop on b5. } 11... Bg4 { Now castling is out ofthe question as the e2 knight drops. } 12. d4 { This is the losing move.D4 is not supported enough for this advance. However its hard to see whatelse to do. h3 trying to drive away the bishop may have been the best try.This wat white drops only a pawn after Bxe2 and then Bxf4 } 12... cxd4 { The pawncapture opens white right up and the end is not far away. } 13. Bxc6 bxc6 { There are too many pieces attacking the knight and it will be lost soon. } 14. Kf1 Bxe2+ 15. Kg1 d3 { Opening up the g1-a7 diagonal for the matingattack. } 16. Qa4 Qb6+ 17. Qd4 { The only move as Be3 Qxe3 is mate. } 17... Bc5 { The queen is pinned against the knig and white decides to call it a day.A nice miniature. } 0-1

[Event "Utilising Pawn Majorities in the Endgame - Part 2 "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.03.24"] [Round "-"] [White "patzerblitzer"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1851"] [TimeControl "5d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1698"] 1. d4 { Hi again everyone! Here is part 2 of the pawn majority theme. As before Chris kicks off with 1. d4 and I respond with d5. } 1... d5 2. c4 dxc4 { 2. ..... dxc4 - Queen's Gambit Accepted. I have been inclined to acceptgambits like these and have had mixed results. } 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Bb4+ { 5. ...... Bb4+ - unlike the previous game, there is no signof a Stonewall here! } 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. O-O Nf6 { 7. .... Nf6 - as this isa more open game, it is now imperative that Henry gets out of the centre,somehow! } 8. e5 Nd5 9. a3 Be7 10. Qb3 Na5 11. Qa4+ c6 { 11. ...... c6 -whew! This is a pretty sharp line here. This interposition however, opensup a defensive line to my knight on a5. The defender is Glenda, no less! } 12. Ba2 b5 { 12. ..... b5 - I now adopt a Witch Ejection Plan. However,she now turns my hanging passer on d4 into dust - tears! } 13. Qxd4 Be6 14. Ne4 h6 { 14. ..... h6 - that old staple move - preventing a white pieceincursion on g5. } 15. Nc5 Bxc5 16. Qxc5 { 16. Qxc5 - N for B trade. } 16... Qb6 17. Qxb6 Nxb6 { 17. ..... Nxb6 - queen trade. } 18. Bxe6 fxe6 { 18. ......fxe6 - bishop trade. } 19. Be3 Nd5 20. Bd2 Nc4 21. Bc3 Nxc3 22. bxc3 { 22..... bxc3 - N for B trade. } 22... c5 23. Rfe1 O-O { 23. ...... 0-0 - finally Henryis tucked away - on move 23. } 24. Ra2 a5 { 24. ...... a5 - pawn wall. } 25. Nd2 Nxd2 26. Rxd2 { 26. Rxd2 - knight trade. } 26... Rfd8 27. Rd6 Rxd6 28. exd6 { 28. exd6 - rook trade. } 28... Kf7 { 28. ..... Kf7 - Henry hurries towards thecentre as quickly as he can. } 29. Re5 Rd8 30. Rxc5 Rxd6 { 30. ..... Rxd6- pawn trade. Note that if Chris gets greedy and plays Rxb5?? he willcop Old Matey on the back row! } 31. Kf1 Rd5 32. Rxd5 exd5 { 32. ..... exd5- it will soon emerge that I will be fighting for my life in this endgame. At one stage it looked as though I was gonna be in a zugzwang. However,things are not always what they seem...... } 33. Ke2 Ke6 34. Ke3 g5 { 34...... g5 - trying to hold back f4. } 35. g3 { 35. g3 - oh, oh! Chris isnow preparing it! } 35... h5 { 35. ..... h5! I think this move is gonna save mybacon. You would never have thought that this pawn would spell checkmatefor King Chris, would you? } 36. f4 gxf4+ 37. gxf4 { 37. gxf4 - pawn trade. } 37... h4 { 37. ..... h4 - hoping for the best. } 38. h3 Kf5 { 38. ..... Kf5 - Inow realise that if Kd4, Henry will be able to have a couple of white p(r)awncrackers on the kingside and get a reunion with Glenda before Chris hashad a chance to crown one of his queenside pawns. } 39. Kf3 { 39. Kf3 - itlooks as though I am now in a zugzwang. However ....... } 39... d4 { 39. ......d4!! - pawn sac. } 40. cxd4 b4 { 40. ..... b4 - suddenly I have a pawn majorityon the queenside where it matters most. } 41. axb4 axb4 { 41. ..... axb4- and a passer on the queenside where it matters most! } 42. Ke3 b3 43. Kd3 Kxf4 { 43. ..... Kxf4 - munch! } 44. d5 Ke5 45. d6 Kxd6 { 45. ...... Kxd6- munch! } 46. Kc3 Ke5 { 46. ..... Ke5 - I was remembering another endgamewith Chris in which I left King Chris to hoover up my queenside pawns inorder to crown a kingside pawn. My very first game with him in fact! Poor Chris is gonna get a real case of Deja Vu here! } 47. Kxb3 Kf4 48. Kc3 Kg3 { 48. ..... Kg3. There is absolutely no way King Chris can preventHenry from consuming the last white pawn on the board and preventing mysolitary black pawn from reaching Glendadom a few moves later. Chris wavedthe white flag a few moves later. This was a very tricky king and pawnending which could have gone either way but thankfully for me it went myway. Next up for discussion will be an endgame involving K & R v K, Band R but that is gonna wait until next time. See you later! Kind regards- Joanne } 49. Kd2 Kxh3 50. Ke2 Kg2 0-1

[Event "capablancaven's mini-tournament V"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.02.03"] [Round "-"] [White "kolmogorov"] [Black "organuz"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2184"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1920"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 { The EnglishAttack still has some sicilicide virtues. } 6... e6 7. g4 { This move comes inbetween the standard English Attck plan and the somewhat similar idea ofthe Keres variation. Contemporary theory indicates that this should beok for Black, but there are at least two games won by Judit Polgar in thisfollowing line (one against Anand), so at first it doesn't seem like sucha bad idea to give it a try in the furious complications that steam fromthe following piece sacrifice. } 7... e5 8. Nf5 g6 { THAT piece sacrifice. Itis clear that an knight move will lose the g4 pawn with a tempo, so sacrificingthe knight has not only positional and tactical reasons but is also theonly way here. Theory gives here Bg2 as the best try for White, but thegame will follow an other setup. } 9. g5 gxf5 10. exf5 d5 { The only way.Moving back the knight will get White a huge compensation for the materialafter something as simple as 10. Bc4, controling the d5 and aiming at thef7. } 11. Qf3 { This is the move used by Polgar. The other move is takingon f6, with complicated game, although it seems that black is not necessarilyworst. } 11... d4 { Now White is a clear piece down. But Black is undevelopedand the advance of the central pawns left his king exposed. } 12. O-O-O { This is the critical position of the variation. There are several optionsfor Black, curiously all involving the only good transit square for hispieces: the d7 point. This position is too much fun to spoil it with myanalysis, but you all can work it out why Nc6 or moving the queen is notthat great for Black. It will give you an idea of the punch packed in White'ssetup. } 12... Qd7 { Not entirely sure about that. It looks a bit too forced ofa line to give Black more that equal game. But (a) drawing with black isnot bad, and (b) forced lines must be worked to the end by BOTH players.Sadly, this is not the case here. } 13. gxf6 Qxf5 14. Qxf5 Bxf5 15. Nd5 { Players have entered in a line of forced moves. } 15... Be4 16. Nc7+ Kd8 17. Nxa8 Bxh1 { What now? Material is equal. But white's knight on a8 is remote,and might get trapped after moves like Nd7 or Bc5, or, in some lines, afterthe simple b5. The bishop on e3 is also a problem. on the other hand, Black'sking is in the centre and the presence of the white pawn on f6 make itdificult to develop and coordinate the pieces. on a more 'long term' perspective,the nice pawn centre might fall, togheter with the f6 pawn, leading toa drawish engame. White has the plan to head for the draw as soon as possible,before Black clears a way for his king. The theme idea is to capture ind4, using the lack of squares of the opponent king, for instance: 18. Bd4ed4 19. Rd4 Nd7 (forced, Re8 Nc7 # Rc8 Bh3) 20. Bh3 Bc6 21. Nb6. The problemis now, however, 21. Bc5, and Black is winning. Since White could not seea way to make this work (although THERE IS ONE!) he decides to try andbetter his chances by playing an intermediate move, that seems to leadto an even more forced and beautiful draw, involving, as we will see, thesame idea. Now let us torn to the position after the sacrifice, to showthe missed continuation that would have lead to complete equality. After18. Bd4 ed4 19. Rd4 Nd7 20. Bh3 Bc6 white has 21. b4! Stopping Bc5. Butthis is not all. Black can try 21... Bh6 22. Kb1 b5 23. Nb6 Kc7 24. Nd7Rd8 and it will again a piece! Anyway, after 25. Rh4!, white collects thepawns on the kingside and is in time to exchange everything on d7, obtainingan endgame with 3 pawns agains bishop that will be easy to draw. } 18. Bh3 { Now that seems pretty clever. White puts the Bishop in h3 with tempo,anticipating the sacrifice on d4. Now if 18... Bc6, White has the chanceto take another look at that sacrifice, and has also other chances. Theonly problems arise with the tempo-gaining move Bh3. } 18... Bf3 { Now the planwas to sacrifice the bishop on d4, since bishop takes rook offers at leasta draw by repetition: 19. Bd4 Bd1 20. Bd6! Re8 21. Nc7 and Na8 back. Ofcourse, White can even try to win after capturing the black knight viaa6. The problem is, sadly, that 19. Bd4 can be met by 19...Bh6!+ and if20. Kb1, after Bd1 the Black king can escape on the kingside. Hence, afterBh6 white faces an endgame an exchange down. Disappointed, abandons theline and moves the rook. However: with good game, sacrificing the exchangemight have still offered good chances to draw, since the Black king isstill awkward. Here is a sample: 19...Bh6+ 20. Be3+ Bd1 21. Bh6 Bf3 22.Bd2! (threatening Ba5) Nc6 23. Be3! (now Bb6) and after the almost obligatory23...d4 24. c3 b5 25. cd ed, white has a nice opportunity to use the f6pawn to level the chances, with 26. Bh6! Ba8 27. Be6!, and if Ke8 the Rookwill be trapped. } 19. Rd2 { In his disappointment, White misses the chanceto complicate matters further by playing Rd3. It should be a lesson foryou to always try to pin something (if it works). Now black has free hand } 19... Rg8 { Activate the rook and announcing a possible mate in two. } 20. c3 Rg1+ 21. Kc2 Be4+ 22. Kb3 Nc6 23. f3 Bd5+ 24. Kc2 Rh1 25. a3 Na5 26. Bg2 Bb3+ 27. Kd3 Re1 28. Bf2 Rc1 { If you compare this position with that on move19, it's easy to see that black activated all his pieces, while white'sforces are even worse. Now there's no way to avoid loosing material (thewhite rook has no squares) } 29. f4 Bc4+ 30. Ke4 Nb3 { And White resigned. Hope you enjoyed this presentation of a typical sicilian, where one shouldcalculate everything correctly till the end before moving. } 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "16-Aug-07"] [Round "-"] [White "topazg"] [Black "sabrar22"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1500"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1503"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 d6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Bc4 Nf6 8. f3 { And another Sicilian Dragon -- I tend to play these quite oftenas white as well as black, as I enjoy the complications in the games. } 8... Nd7 9. Qd2 O-O 10. h4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Ne5 12. Bb3 b6 13. O-O-O { I'm not sureif this is still theory, but it can't be far off... } 13... Bb7 14. h5 { This seemeda good time to start pushing for a big kingside attack. Maybe this wasn'twell enough supported at this point though :S } 14... a6 15. f4 Nd7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. h6+ Kg8 18. Qd4 { Threatening checkmate at Qg7# } 18... Nf6 19. Nd5 { Threateningto take the b6 pawn or the d pawn with Nxf6 exf6 Qxd6 } 19... Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Rb8 21. e5 { This is silly, and loses all of the attacking pressure. 21. g4would be much more sensible, and the threat of g5 is big: 21. g4 e5 22.fxe5 dxe5 23.Qxe5 wins a pawn and the threat of Bxf7 is big (discoveredattack on the queen with the rook, and if the queen goes down the f6 knightis unprotected). } 21... Nxd5 22. Qxd5 e6 23. Qxd6 Qxd6 24. Rxd6 { Position isnow highly simplified, and there is little white counter-play left. } 24... Rfd8 25. Rhd1 Rxd6 26. Rxd6 Kf8 27. Kd2 Ke7 28. Kd3 Rd8 29. Rxd8 Kxd8 30. Kc4 Kd7 31. b4 { I am hoping that the extra pawn may cause enough pressure forblack to slip up, but the game now looks drawn to me. } 31... Kc6 32. a4 b5+ 33. Kb3 { Hoping for 33... bxa4 34. bxa4 -- I am hoping that the passed c pawnwill give me some chances. } 33... Kd5 { Hmm... can black really storm in and takeout my kingside pawns before I can promote on the queenside? } 34. g3 bxa4+ { This must be a blunder. Ke4 allowing 35. axb5 axb5 seems to hold out forlonger, but Black may still need to hold the Queenside to prevent promotion... } 35. Kxa4 Kc4 36. Ka5 Kc3 37. Kxa6 { If 37... Kxb4 then 38.Kb6 wins as blackcannot prevent white from getting to the black pawns. If black goes towardsg3, c2 can Queen when the white king reaches d6. } 37... Kxb4 38. Kb6 Kc3 39. Kc6 Kxc2 40. Kd6 { Game annotation for team benefit ... apologies for anymistakes! } *

[Event "Challenge from mel-lo"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-Jun-07"] [Round "-"] [White "mel-lo"] [Black "jonny1988"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1109"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1185"] { A double rook sacrifice to end a nice game where i was almost defeatedby sloppy play on my part! } 1. e4 { This is my first time at annotatinga game. Having played this in june i will not be able to remember whyi made certain moves but i will have a fair idea of what it will leadto! So we start with the kings pawn opening! } 1... e6 { My response. FrenchDefense } 2. c3 { Attempting to bring his queen into the game } 2... g6 { g6! Probablythinking along the lines of a fianchetto. } 3. d4 { Taking control of thecentre. } 3... f5 { Applying pressure on the e4 square } 4. e5 { Avoiding losingmaterial } 4... Bg7 { ...and finishing the fianchetto which should have probablybeen done on the previous move } 5. Bd3 { Strengthing the centre } 5... b6 { Andagain another fianchetto, attempting to gain control of the centre viathe fianchettos } 6. Nf3 Bb7 7. Be3 Ne7 { Preparing for d5 to attack thebishop on e3 } 8. Nbd2 Nd5 9. Qe2 Nxe3 { I swap material. I always feel thatbishops fair better in open games and knights on closed and tight gamesas most people do. (i think anyway) So with my bishops on the fianchettoi dont want his opposing bishops to counteract this. } 10. Qxe3 Na6 { Shouldhave moved to c6 } 11. Nb3 Qe7 12. Be2 c5 13. Rd1 c4 { Dont know why i didthis } 14. Bxc4 Be4 { Or this } 15. Bxa6 Bc2 16. Ra1 Be4 17. Be2 Bxf3 { Thistime i take the knight, hoping for gxBf3 } 18. Qxf3 { One can only hope } 18... O-O { I castle and have both rooks lined up } 19. Ba6 { Notice how well myopponents pawn structure is, he can pass freely without hinder due to hisbishop on the white squares } 19... Bh6 20. O-O { He castles and looks very strongat the moment, his king is well defended and is a knight and a pawn up } 20... d5 { Trying to gain control of the e file } 21. Nc1 { He denies the en passantcapture } 21... Qe8 22. Qg3 Qa4 { Trying to attack his bishop and the c2 squarewhich is his weak point in the pawn structure cause it can lead to thecapture of b2 } 23. Qh3 { He attacks my bishop } 23... Bd2 { And i move it to safety,i cant afford to lose any more material } 24. Qd3 Bh6 25. f4 { Strengthingthe e5 pawn } 25... g5 26. Qh3 Qc2 { Sacrificing the bishop to attack his pawnstructure } 27. Nb3 Qxb2 28. Qxh6 g4 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Qe7 Rae8 31. Qxa7 Qxc3 32. Qxb6 { Remember how i wanted to attack from the sides, i thinkthis plan failed :) } 32... Qe3+ 33. Kh1 Rg8 34. Nc5 Rg6 { Protecting the e6 pawn,and leading to rook to the h file to put pressure on his king } 35. g3 { Toprotect his pawn on h2 } 35... Rh6 36. Rg1 Rh3 37. Nxe6 Rg8 38. Ng5 { Attackingthe rook } 38... Rxg5 { Removing the threat and attempting my first rook sacrifice } 39. Qd8+ { He denies it, and i protect my king with it } 39... Rg8 40. Qxd5 Rg5 41. Bf1 Rg6 42. Bxh3 { My first sacrifice, and now i need to get his queenof the a diagonal for my sacrifices to count } 42... Re6 { My second rook sacrifice } 43. Qxe6 gxh3 { I have mate in two now, his last hope now is to move backon to the a diagonal but the lure of more material must have won my opponentover } 44. Qxf5 Qf3+ 45. Rg2 { His only move } 45... Qxg2# { I think my main pointof this game was to show you that everyone makes mistakes but if you keepfighting and making good moves you can still win. As i said this is myfirst annotated game so any input will be greatly appreciated. I wouldlike to thank my good friend mel-lo on a good game! } 0-1

[Event "Priorslee Lions v Oswestry, Shropshire Chess League"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20-2-2017"] [Round "-"] [White "Gary White"] [Black "Charles L Higgie"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "ECF166"] [TimeControl "All your moves in 95 mins"] [WhiteElo "ECF148"] 1. f4 { Bird's Opening. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird's_Opening } 1... d5 { The most common reply. Black may challenge White's plan to control e5immediately by playing From's Gambit (1...e5). However, the From's Gambitis notoriously double edged and should only be played after significantstudy, and black has to be ready for a transposition to the King's Gambitwith 2. e4. } 2. Nf3 g6 { This is considered the main line } 3. e3 { And sois this. } 3... Bg7 { Black completes the fianchetto. } 4. c3 { Slightly unusual,normally a sign that white will adopt a Stonewall formation with pawnson d4, e3, and f4 and attempt a kingside attack. } 4... Nd7 { This is a bit unusualtoo. My plan is e7-e5 and if he stops it with d2-d4 I can play Ng8-f6-e4and support it with Nd7-f6. } 5. Be2 { But he doesn't stop it. } 5... e5 { So Iplay it! } 6. fxe5 { He takes. } 6... Nxe5 { I take back. } 7. O-O { He castles. } 7... Ne7 { Of course avoiding Nf6??? 8. Nxe5! } 8. d4 { Attacking my knight - butgiving himself a weak e pawn, backward on a semi-open file, and a weake4 square. } 8... Nd7 { Fritz actually prefers Nxf3, but I am not convinced -that exchange seems to help with rid himself of his weaknesses. I am planningNf6-e4 at some stage. } 9. Ng5 { This seems a mistake - white is forcingblack to castle, which black wants to do anyway. } 9... O-O { So I castle. } 10. Rxf7 { This is an interesting combination, but ultimately unsound. Whitegains two pawns, but in return his knight is doomed on a8. } 10... Rxf7 { So Itake. } 11. Ne6 { Knight comes in. } 11... Qe8 { Forced. } 12. Nxc7 { He takes. } 12... Qd8 { Preventing the knight coming out again. } 13. Nxa8 { And he recaptures hisrook. } 13... Nf6 { Preparing to move my bishop on c8 to attack his knight withmy queen. } 14. Qa4 { Attacking a7. } 14... Nc6 { Protecting the a pawn. Fritz actuallyprefers 14......Bg4 here. } 15. Bb5 { White continues to attack, threateningto take twice on c6 and if 15....Bd7 then he can take on c6 followed bya7. The problem with this move is that white's queen-side is completelyundeveloped, and hard to develop. His developed pieces are all over onthe queen-side, leaving the king only protected by pawns. After a think,Fritz's evaluation of this position gradually gives black a bigger andbigger advantage - over plus 7 eventually! OK, so, given those clues, whatwould you play as black? } 15... Ne4 { Fritz also gives Ng4 as a good alternative. } 16. Nd2 { As good as anything. What would you play now? } 16... Qh4 { The best move,stopping white from playing 17. Nxe4 as Qe1+ is mating. } 17. Qd1 { Againthe best defence. What would you play now? } 17... Bg4 { Developing with tempo,black maintains his advantage. } 18. Be2 { And now? } 18... Qf2+ { Did you find this?White picks up a bishop. } 19. Kh1 { Forced. Ok, take with bishop or queen,or play something else? } 19... Bxe2 { This is best. No need to exchange our activequeen for his passive queen. } 20. Qg1 { This is forced, otherwise whiteloses his queen immediately, or falls for a back-rank mate. } 20... Qh4 { Thisis good - Fritz evaluates this position as plus 8.59 - but Fritz thinksthat Bh6 is even better - plus 9.24 What is black threatening now? } 21. h3 { Black was threatening Nf2+ winning the white queen. What would youplay now are black? } 21... Nf2+ { The quickest finish. Fritz says this leads tomate in 6, as opposed to Ng3 which apparently is mate in 8 } 22. Kh2 { Forced,unless white wants to give up queen for knight. What would you play now? } 22... Nxh3 { I played this, and white resigned, rather spoiling my fun! I wasrather hoping for 23. gxh3 Rf2+ 24. Qxf2 Qxf2+ 25. Kh1 Ne5 forcing mate.Interestingly I missed that black could have played 23. Ne5!! immediatelyforcing mate a lot quicker. Fritz pointed it out to me! Many thanks forreading. Please leave a comment or two and rate the annotation on the starsystem, to let me know how I am getting on. Until next time dear reader! } 0-1

[Event "premium members only"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.06.01"] [Round "-"] [White "takis_in_chains"] [Black "aspiemikey"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1316"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1379"] 1. e4 e5 { We open up our queens and kingside bishops... } 2. Nf3 { ...hedevelops his knight and attacks my pawn... } 2... Nc6 { ...and I develop mineto defend it. } 3. Bc4 Nf6 { Now I develop my other knight... } 4. d3 d5 { ...andattack his first pawn... } 5. exd5 Nxd5 { ...and we swap. } 6. c3 Be6 { NowI develop my bishop to have more control of the d5 square... } 7. Qb3 Qd6 { ...and I also develop my queen. } 8. Qxb7 { Whoops! I didn't see that coming... } 8... Rb8 { ...so I move my rook out of harm's way. Well I put it on a squarecovered by my knight... } 9. Qa6 { ...forcing the queen away from the file. } 9... Rb6 { So I attack her again... } 10. Qa4 { ...and again she retreats. } 10... Be7 { Now I develop my other bishop... } 11. Bb5 { ...but as my knight is nowunder double attack... } 11... Bd7 { ... I bring back my other bishop... } 12. Bxc6 { ...and we exchange my knight... } 12... Bxc6 { ...for his bishop... } 13. Qxa7 { ...and he steals my pawn, which no longer had cover... } 13... O-O { ...so I castleout of harm's way... } 14. Qa3 Qxa3 15. bxa3 { ...and we swap queens. } 15... Nf4 { I move up my remaining knight... } 16. Bxf4 { ...and lose it... } 16... exf4 { ...inexchange for his remaining bishop. } 17. Nd4 { He moves his knight out ofthe bishop's way... } 17... Bxg2 { ...exposing his g-pawn, which I accept. } 18. Rg1 Bh3 { I keep my bishop on the 6th rank, to cover some of the highersquares. } 19. Nd2 { He moves his other knight... } 19... Bxa3 { ...and exposes hisa3-pawn, which I also accept. } 20. Nc4 { Now he attacks my rook... } 20... Bb2 { ...and I attack his... } 21. Rd1 Bxc3+ { ...and I remove another pawn tofork the king and d-knight. Why did he resign after this? } 0-1

[Event "71st GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.11.02"] [Round "-"] [White "prcpower"] [Black "mosimiao"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1771"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1714"] 1. e4 { My best ever miniature game to date. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 { Petrov defence. } 3. d4 { I like to play openly hence this central thrust. } 3... exd4 4. e5 { Kickingthe knight. } 4... Ne4 5. Bd3 { Developing my bishop and preparing to castle. I was expecting black to play 5. d5 here. } 5... Bb4+ { But an aggressiveresponse. } 6. c3 { Might as well sac another pawn. } 6... dxc3 7. O-O cxb2 { Andanother! } 8. Bxb2 Nc5 9. Nc3 { Completing my development of my minor pieces. } 9... Nxd3 { Black takes my light squared bishop. } 10. Qxd3 { And I recapture. } 10... O-O { I really like my position here. Lots of open lines and no defendersnear my opponent's king! } 11. Nd5 { Attacking black's one developed piece. } 11... Ba5 12. Nf6+ { Time to sac the knight! } 12... gxf6 { Forced as otherwise Qxh7mate. } 13. exf6 h6 { Trying to prevent 14. Ng5 threatening mate. } 14. Ng5 { But I play it anyway. } 14... hxg5 15. Qf5 { Now the threat is Qxg5+ and mateon g7. } 15... Bd2 { Protecting g5. } 16. f4 { Threatening Qxg5 again and clearinga path for my rook to come to f3 and h3. } 16... Be3+ { A delaying check. } 17. Kh1 Bxf4 { Desperation. } 18. Rxf4 { Another sacrifice to clear the way fora final attack. } 18... Kh8 { Hoping to allow Rg8 but it's too late. } 19. Qxg5 { The final position. Nothing black can do to stop Rxh4 mate and Qg7 mateis also threatened. Hope you enjoyed! } 1-0

[Event "Soviet Championship, 1957"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Rashid Nezhmetdinov"] [Black "Mikhail Tal"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "GM"] [WhiteElo "IM"] { Mr. Tal was kind enough to annotate this game: his notes were translatedinto English and published by Raymond Keene in 1974. All annotations beloware Tal's own words. } 1. e4 e6 { One of my most unsuccessful openings. Almostall the games in which I chose it led to my defeat -- fortunately, thereweren't that many of them. Those I can remember now were with A. Bannik(USSR Championship, Riga 1958) and L. Portisch (at the European Team Championship,Oberhausen 1961). At that point my 'French Career' came to an end, I feelthe losses were not accidental. Black, in the French, has to play withgreat accuracy, and this is a quality I never had a great measure of, neithernow nor in my earlier days. } 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. Bd2 { It isnot out of any desire to avoid early complications that Nezhmetdinov avoidsthe sharpest line approved by theory, namely, 5.a3 Bxc3+ (possibly I wouldhave tried 5...Ba5 as in my game with Robert Fischer at 1960 Leipzig Olympiad)6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 cxd4 with very complex play. The old move chosen by Whitedoes not have a very good reputation, but he had had a number of fine winswith it. One should note that, as a rule, the talented master did not tryfor a 'theoretical advantage'. He was normally interested in getting atense and intresting position in which one could just play chess. } 5... Ne7 6. a3 { It is well known that in this position there is no harm for Blackin permitting the knight to come in at d6 by 6.Nb5 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 0-0. } 6... Bxc3 7. Bxc3 b6 { At that time the latest word in theory. Furman had played themove two months earlier against Krogius in a game in the USSR ChampionshipSemi-Final. Krogius's attempt to play along normal lines by 8.Qg4 Nf5 9.Bd3h5 10.Qh3 Qg5 let Black get an excellent game. Nezhmetdinov preferred tovary. } 8. b4 { The idea behind Black's last move had been to reinforce c5.White in his turn tries to undermine this point. } 8... Qc7 9. Nf3 Nd7 { Blackcould also consider 9...cxb4!? 10.Bxb4 a5 when White can not stay on a3-f8diagonal since 11.Bd6 is met by 11.Qc3+. Nor does a preliminary Bb5+ changethis state of affairs. After 11.Bd2 Black can play either 11...0-0 or 11...Ba6.Admittedly, in this line Black has to take account of a weakness at b6.The text is certainly not bad. } 10. Be2 Nc6 { The struggle for the centeris in full flight. } 11. O-O { Sacrificing a pawn, the acceptance of whichis risky in view of the central position of the king, e.g. 11...cxd4 12.Nxd4Ncxe5 (12...Ndxe5 is met by 13.Nxc6 Nxc6 14.Bxg7) 13.Nb5 Qb8 14.f4 Ng615.f5 Nge5 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Bh5+ g6 18.Bg4 with a dangerous attack. } 11... O-O { Now Black intends to win the pawn so White's reply is more or less forced. } 12. bxc5 bxc5 13. dxc5 { Naturally, after the lapse of 18 years, it is hardto reproduce the full course of my thoughts at the time. I remember examiningthe position arising from 13...Nxc5 14.Bd3 Ne4 (the threat was 15.Bxh7+while 14...Nxd3 lets White have the initiative) 15.Qe1 and I decided thatBlack would either have to exchange on c3 or weaken his position by 15...f5.In neither case did I like the look of my position. Then, while examining13...Nxc5, I found myself distracted by the vague idea that capturing thee-pawn must in fact be much stronger. I worked through one variation andcame to the conclusion that I would be able to occupy the center with mypawns. I stopped analysing beyond the 20th move, and this very positionarose in the game! According to all rules, which I already knew quite wellthose days, to have a pawn center was a good thing. Now I am inclined tothink that I was also influenced by the tournament position - I had madea good start and scored 4.5/5 before this game, so I was even more inclinedthan usual to an optimistic view of things. After the game it was establishedthat 13...Nxc5 would have given Black a fine game. The point is that after14.Bd3 Ne4 15.Qe1 Black has the quiet but strong move 15...Bb7. Since thepawn is taboo - 16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.Qxe4 Ne7 - Black holds the e4 point andcan look to the future with confidence. The move I actually played wasprobably a decisive mistake though it takes White's exemplary play to demonstratethis. } 13... Ncxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Qd4 f6 16. f4 Nc6 { As I already indicated,Black was playing in accordance with a fixed plan and made all those movesquickly. However, even after 16...Nd7 17.f5 White has a considerable advantage- taking the c5-pawn is not playable because of the pin on the a3-f8 diagonal. } 17. Qe3 Rd8 { Possibly the lesser evil was to go in for passive defenceby 17...Ne7, but by preparing c2-c4 White would be in complete control. } 18. Rad1 e5 { This would seem one of those instances where the saying 'Bettera bad plan than no plan at all' is inappropriate. Once Black achieves hisaim of getting a pawn center his position, surprisingly, becomes quitehopeless. } 19. fxe5 fxe5 20. Bb5 { This move too had figured in my originalcalculations. The attempt to win a piece by 20...d4 fails to 21.Qe4 (Notso clear is 21.Bc4+ Kh8 22.Qg5 h6! 23.Qg6 Ne7) when the bishop cannot betaken because of 22.Bc4+ Kh8 23.Qxc6! while after 21...Bb7 22.Bc4+ Kh823.Rf7 Rd7 (Sacrificing the queen is not good enough: 23...dxc3 24.Rxc7Rxd1+ 25.Kf2 Rd4 26.Qe3) 24.Rdf1 is very good for White. } 20... Bb7 { Now, however,I was satisfied with my position. White cannot win the e-pawn because ofthe little piece of tactics 21.Bxc6? d4! and Black keeps his pawn centerintact. Unfortunately, I had missed one vital point - the pawn center althoughin no danger, is also of no value. This was underlined by White's nextmove. } 21. Qg3 { Suddenly I realised my opponent had assesed the positionmuch more deeply than I had. The pressure on the e-pawn will, sooner orlater, force Black to advance one of the center pawns, thus destroyingthe harmony of the two pawns abreast. Advancing the d-pawn always letsWhite play Bc4, thus taking part in an attack on the king. If the e-pawnis advanced then it is the other bishop which comes to life. For the moment,however, I did not consider my position to be too bad, and further defendedg7. } 21... Rd7 22. Rf2 { Such quiet moves often make a stronger impression thana wild combination with heavy sacrifices. The threat is 23.Bxc6 Qxc6 24.Qxe5,thus revealing one of the points of the move - the c5-pawn will not takenwith check. Another point is seen in the variation: 22...d4 23.Bc4+ Kh824.Rdf1. } 22... Re8 23. h3 { This is a quiet move, which opens a bolt hole forthe king in case of emergency, and is the simplest way to underline thefact that Black's position is hopeless. I thought for about an hour herewithout finding a decent plan, and there finally came the eloquent move... } 23... Ba8 { ... with the vague hope of gaining a tempo later by attackingthe bishop at b5. } 24. Ba4 { White rules out even that possibility. Moreover,he now has the option of Bb3. } 24... Bb7 25. Kh1 { White has no need to hurry. } 25... Ba8 { 'Pass.' } 26. Rf5 { After a short introduction we now get a stormy finale.The concentrated threats now become unanswerable. No doubt I would havelost the game even if I had two hours left on my clock, but, as it was,I only had two minutes - the agony was not prolonged. } 26... e4 { The e-pawn couldno longer be guarded and 26...d4 is met by the thematic 27.Bb3+ Kh8 28.Rdf1Qd8 29.Rf7 Rxf7 30.Rxf7 Rg8 31.Bd2 and the entry of the dark-squared bishopinto the attack is decisive. } 27. Qxc7 Rxc7 28. Rfxd5 { Not so much winninga pawn as opening the way for the bishops. The difference in the effectivenessof the first player's pieces and his opponent's is now clearly seen. } 28... e3 29. Rd7 e2 { Clearly a blunder, but if 29...Re7 then 30.Rxc7 Rxc7 31.Rd6and Black can resign. } 30. Bb3+ Re6 { Otherwise it is immidiate mate. } 31. Bxe6+ Kf8 32. Bxg7+ { I feel it would have been more correct to have resignedseveral moves earlier, or to play 32...Ke8 and let White have the pretty'aerial' mate 33.Bf7 Shortly after these notes were written the chessworld heard with regret of the death of the great chess artist Rashid Nezhmetdinov.Players die, tournaments are forgotten, but the works of great artistsare left behind them to live on for ever in memory of their creators. Let this game and notes remain as my modest tribute to the memory of afine player. Dedicated by M. Tal, 20th June, 1974 } 1-0

[Event "League division E3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "27-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "lovechiefs"] [Black "foulway"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1203"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1150"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. a3 { Preventing Bb4 } 4... Bd6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Nf3 Bd7 7. c5 { attempt to close the queen side } 7... Be7 8. b4 b6 9. Ne5 Nc6 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. Bd3 a5 12. O-O axb4 13. Ne2 bxc5 14. dxc5 Bxc5 { white is2 pawns down,but still in somewhat good position } 15. Bb2 Re8 16. Qc2 Bb6 17. axb4 Bb7 18. Nf4 Rc8 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. Rfc1 Qg5 21. Bxh7+ { regainingthe pawn and beginning to destroy the black king's protection } 21... Kf8 22. Ng6+ { giving up a piece for the attack } 22... fxg6 23. Bxg6 Re7 24. Bd3 d4 25. e4 e5 26. Qe2 Rd8 27. Qf3+ Rf7 28. Qe2 Rd6 29. g3 Rdf6 30. Rf1 Bc8 31. Ra8 { regaining the piece } 31... Rh6 32. Rxc8+ Ke7 33. Bb5 Rf4 34. Re8+ Kf7 35. Qc4+ Kg6 36. Kh1 Rxe4 37. Qe6+ Kh7 38. Qg8+ Kg6 39. Bd3 Qf5 40. Bxe4 Qxe4+ 41. Kg1 d3 42. Re6+ Kg5 43. h4+ Kh5 44. Qf7+ g6 45. Rxb6 Kg4 46. Qe6+ Kh5 47. Rc6 Qxb4 48. Rxc7 Qd4 49. Rg7 d2 50. Rd7 Qb2 51. g4+ Kxh4 52. Kg2 Qa3 53. Rh1+ Kg5 54. Rxh6 Kxh6 55. Rxd2 Qc3 56. Re2 Kg5 57. Rxe5+ Kh4 58. Qf6+ g5 59. Qxg5# { end of a well fought game } 1-0

[Event "WtW game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.28"] [Round "-"] [White "porcho"] [Black "cyrano"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2532"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1148"] { This was my first WtW game, I did better than I expected, I actually lastedlonger against him than against easy19 and Jstevens1 as the beat me in17 moves each. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 { The queen's gambit. I'm trying to learnit better so I figure playing it against someone this good will help spotmy mistakes with it. } 2... e5 { Uh,oh I've never seen this before, hope I don'tblunder the game too quickly. } 3. e3 { I I felt like capturing his pawnfell too easily into his plans. } 3... exd4 4. exd4 Bb4+ 5. Nc3 Nf6 { So far,nothing special and I don't think there's advantage to either side. } 6. Qc2 { ?! I think this might have been a bit of a mistake, I do this a lotin the queen's gambit because I like to move my rook underneath my queenand also this prevents doubled pawns if he captures my knight. But on theother hand, it is too early for the queen. } 6... O-O { Nothing special so far,but I better castle soon or I might be in some trouble. } 7. Bg5 dxc4 { !This is a good move as it wins a pawn, at first I thought it was bad asit trades a center pawn for a side pawn that allows my to develop my LSBwith the recapture. } 8. a3 Re8+ 9. Be3 { ?! Better would have been to developand block at the same time. } 9... Bxc3+ 10. Qxc3 Nd5 11. Qxc4 Nxe3 12. fxe3 Rxe3+ { I'm not sure how this happened, as I suddenly went from a fine positionto a terrible one. } 13. Be2 Be6 14. Qc1 { Somehow, without me realizingit actually happening, I've been confined completely to passivity. } 14... Qxd4 { And I'm down by two pawns. } 15. Qxc7 Nc6 { At least I'm only down a pawn,but there are a few worrying possibilities with that pinned bishop. } 16. Rd1 { Trying to relieve my position somewhat, I see Qxb2, but I don't seeanything better than what I played. } 16... Qh4+ { This is a bad sign that he didn'ttake the pawn, this means he spotted something. } 17. g3 { Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww,This allows him to trap my rook. } 17... Qe4 18. Qxb7 { I can't see anything elseto do, anything I think about allows him in. } 18... Re8 19. Kd2 { I'm trying toevacuate my king to avoid an immediate mate. } 19... Bb3 { ouch, I didn't see thisduring my analysis, but it's painfully good. The only way out of checkmatewithin a move or so is to lose my queen for his bishop. } 20. Qxb3 { He'lltake my queen next move, unless he spots something better, but at leastI avoided immediate mate. } 20... Rxb3 21. Kc1 { I continue my attempt to escapefrom danger. } 21... Nd4 { He's coming in for the kill, his threats force me backwhere I was trying to escape from } 22. Kd2 Qc2+ { He has a forced mate intwo. I made a puzzle out of it, so I resigned on grounds of UnavoidableMate. } 23. Ke1 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.03.15"] [Round "-"] [White "deathray"] [Black "jblackmd"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1539"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1490"] 1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 Nc6 { IF he's going to let me do it, then I'll do it. Herecomes the Deathslam. } 3. Bxf7+ { There it is, the bishop sacrifice, to befollowed by Kxf7. Whatever plan my opponent had, he's going to need adifferent one now. } 3... Kxf7 4. Qh5+ { Queen comes out, check, and I'll takethe pawn at C5 on the next move. } 4... g6 5. Qxc5 { He'll probably move his King'sPawn now so his bishop will attack my queen, so I'll move my queen to amore protected area so he can't just develop his pieces by attacking myqueen. } 5... e6 6. Qe3 Bg7 7. Nf3 { Got another piece out, threatening checkon the next move with my knight, and cleared the side out so I can castleif I want. } 7... h6 8. c3 { I did this to thwart his bishop and his knight. } 8... Nge7 9. d4 { Taking command of the middle of the board now. } 9... d5 10. e5 { Perfect. Neither of his bishops have any offensive position at all, and one ofhis knights can only move to the side of the board. Ten moves in andhe's got nothing going. } 10... Na5 11. b3 { This move stops his knight....again.....andwill permit me to deploy my bishop to a3 where it'll be able to shoot allthe way down to f8. I'll probably put my other knight at d2 so that myknights can guard each other. } 11... b6 12. Ba3 Nac6 13. Bd6 Ba6 14. Nbd2 g5 15. Nxg5+ hxg5 16. Qxg5 Nf5 17. Qf4 Bh6 18. Qf3 Bxd2+ 19. Kxd2 Qg5+ 20. Kc2 Qh5 21. g4 Qh3 22. Qxh3 Rxh3 23. gxf5 exf5 24. Rae1 Ke6 25. Re3 Rah8 26. Rxh3 Rxh3 27. b4 Nd8 28. a4 Nf7 29. Bb8 Ng5 30. Rg1 Nf3 31. Rg6+ Kf7 32. Rf6+ Kg7 33. Rxf5 Be2 34. e6 Rh8 35. Rf7+ Kg6 36. Bxa7 Re8 37. Bxb6 Rxe6 38. Rf4 Rxb6 39. a5 Rb8 40. Kb3 Nxh2 41. Rh4 Nf1 42. f4 Kf5 43. Rh2 Nxh2 0-1

[Event "82nd GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.09.29"] [Round "-"] [White "coxa-branca"] [Black "thexalon"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1553"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1501"] 1. e4 c5 { As usual, black fights back with a Sicilian. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 { The trouble with this variation is it leaves white with a rather weakcenter. } 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. f4 { An unusual attackhere, and not a terribly useful one. It leaves the e4 pawn unsupported. } 7... Qc7 8. Qf3 Bb4 9. Bd2 d6 10. f5 { This pawn is a bit of a sticking point,but it never turns into more than an annoyance. } 10... O-O 11. Bd3 Qb6 12. a3 Bc5 13. Na4 Qc7 14. Nxc5 dxc5 { Black is now set with the task of exchangingone of his doubled pawns for a non-doubled white pawn. } 15. O-O Qb6 16. b3 { This is the threat that needs to be defended. If 16. ... c4+ 17. Be3Qmoves 18. bxc4. } 16... Ba6 { Forcing a trade of a relatively bad bishop for agood one. } 17. Bxa6 Qxa6 18. Qc3 { ? e4 is the key to this position, andneeds to be defended. } 18... Nxe4 { ! If 19. Qxe5 Nxd2 and worse to follow. Thiscapture has also given black the passed pawn that will eventually win thegame. } 19. Qe3 Nxd2 20. Qxd2 f6 { Risky, as it exposes the black king toattack along the a2-g8 diagonal, but the e5 pawn needs support. } 21. Qd6 Qb6 { Those doubled pawns still need protection. The threatened Qe6+ isof no significant consequence, whereas the black's threat of c4+ allowsblack to trade off one of his doubled pawns. } 22. Qe6+ Kh8 23. Kh1 Rad8 24. Rad1 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 Rd8 { Black's queen makes this move possible, andforces white off of the d file. Black is now trying to take advantage ofwhite's back rank while protecting his own. } 26. Re1 Qa5 27. Rf1 Qxa3 { Andblack has managed to trade off a doubled pawn. } 28. Qxc6 Qb4 29. Qc7 { !Definitely the right attacking move here. } 29... Qb6 { ! Defends d8, a7, and c5all at once. White has to run or trade. } 30. Qe7 a5 31. h3 h5 { Correctingblack's back rank weakness, but more aggressively than white's. This becomesimportant shortly. } 32. Rf3 h4 { To prevent an immediate Rg3 followed byattacks on g7. } 33. Qf7 Rd1+ 34. Kh2 Qd6 { Offering draw by perpetual check,if white chooses to take it. } 35. Qh5+ Kg8 36. Qxh4 { ? White is betteroff with the draw. } 36... e4+ { ! This is the most difficult step this pawn hasto take towards victory. } 37. Rg3 { The two alternatives, Rf4 and Qf4, leavewhite hard-pressed to stop the e-pawn. For instance, 37. Qf4 Qxf4 38. Rxf4Rd4 39. Rf1 e3 40. Re1 Re4 and white is nearly out of options. } 37... Qe5 { Otherwise,e3 is met by Qe4. } 38. Qg4 Rd7 39. Kg1 e3 40. Qc4+ Kf8 { Not Kh8, whichwould allow perpetual check. Not Rf7, which gives up too much mobility. } 41. Rf3 e2 { White has no way to stop the pawn from doing serious damage:(A) 42. Kf2? e1=Q# (B) 42. Rf1 exf1 0-1 (C) 42. Qxe2 Qxe2 0-1 (E) 42. Qb5Rd1+ (E1) 43. Kf2 e1=Q# (E2) 43. Rf1 Rxf1# (F) 42. Qf4 e1=Q+ 43. Kh2 Qxf444. Rxf4 e1=Q+ 45. Kh2 Qe5 0-1 } 0-1

[Event "faisalraza's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.12.11"] [Round "-"] [White "gbatzas"] [Black "kaspanatola"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1974"] [TimeControl "7d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "2003"] 1. d4 { It was a nice sharp game by white, I've sacrificed a pawn to activatemy a rook, then white managed to exchange a knight for three pawns andexposed my king in consequence of this, for some more moves I tried toexplore the more active pieces I had and attack black's castle but my opponentfound all the appropriate defenses so when draw was proposed I acceptedimmediately... } 1... Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. O-O O-O { a symmetricalposition let's see if white breaks it with Bg5... } 6. Bg5 { and he does } 6... Ne4 { Ne4 and now I expect Bf4 all others seams clearly worst for white } 7. Be3 { ? fairly defensive... over protects the d pawn, and get himselfin a very cramped position } 7... c6 8. Nbd2 Nd6 { avoids the exchange of knights } 9. c3 { the pawn structure is again symmetrical... } 9... Qb6 10. Nb3 a5 { nowwhite needs a4 to prevent black's a4 } 11. Qc1 { he might want to exchangedark squared bishops with Bh6 } 11... a4 { so I get to play a4 now white has eitherNc5 with the idea of a latter Nd3 or he can play Nd2 in to a cramped position...I think he will chose Nc5 as his previous move might indicate he wantsto exchange dark squared bishops and Nd2 prevents that... } 12. Nc5 Nc4 { aimed at e3 } 13. b3 { axb3 axb3 and Rxa1 with the idea of Nxe3 to forcedouble pawns on the e column or axb3 Nxb3 forced to avoid Bh6 that forcesme to exchange my best bishop } 13... Nxe3 { now I must open the position to gainadvantage for my bishop pair } 14. Qxe3 Re8 { places the rook on the samecolumn as white's queen while sacrificing the a pawn to open the columnand activate my a rook } 15. Nxa4 Qa7 { the idea is to keep an eye on d4and the white queen, also prepares to push the b pawn if needed } 16. Nc5 e5 { sacrifices another pawn to open the e column, now white has to dealwith the threat on white's queen... } 17. Nxe5 { the knight is pinned, buta very dangerous moment for black, now if f6 aimed to wining the knightimmediately, white have Nxc6 ignoring the pin and threatening my queen,which wins them another pawn, so I need Re7 because now if Nxc6 Nxc6 andthe rook is defended by the knight a very sharp game so far, black sacrificedto pawns to get activity but white keeps finding some forcing moves tokeep his threats coming at a steady pace... } 17... Re7 { forced, prevents Nxc6,as Nxc6 defends the rook, now probably Qg5 and only then f6 for black } 18. Qg5 f6 { as planed } 19. Nxg6 { of course I've missed this... white sacrificesthe knight for two pawns, and exposes my king, still as IM Daniel Rensch,states in his video 'Unbalanced Material: Minor Pieces vs Pawn', thereis nothing a pawn can do, that a piece can't do better, and a minor piececan at least deal with three and even up to four pawns sucessfully...,so I 'll try turn to this pawn 'hecatomb' in a win! } 19... hxg6 { the only goodmove if fxg5 Nxe7+ forking king and bishop and white has too much compensationfor the queen } 20. Qxg6 Nd7 { I need to regroup on the king's wing to attackwhite's castle... } 21. Nd3 { and the same does white } 21... Nf8 { this or Qa5 tobring it back to the center via d8 or c7, I've chosen Nf8 winning a tempoto play Be6 to as it is more straight foreword, Qa5 just takes to muchtime... } 22. Qh5 Be6 { now bringing in the other rook, I must try to usethe open columns to attack white's king } 23. Qf3 Qb8 { to bring the queenback in to the action } 24. Nf4 { via h5 with tempo } 24... Bd7 { was this or Bf7and although the position of the bishop on f7 might seam better, if Nh5I would probably eventually have to capture it because I've had cut myrook's access to g7 and h7, so I preferred the alternative Bd7 } 25. Nh5 Qe8 { inviting Qxf6, to remove another blocking pawn from the front of white'scastled king } 26. Qxf6 Nh7 27. Qh4 Rxe2 { infiltrates the 7nd rank, andis aimed at f2 } 28. Nxg7 { and now white exchanges N vs B but is the darksquared bishop, I disliked the idea of keeping opposite color bishops onboard } 28... Kxg7 { and white's queen is restricted enough next Qf7 will bringmy queen to a more attacking square, eventually Rf8 will be played } 29. a4 Qf7 { with an eye on f2 and f3, preventing both Rfe1 and Bf3 } 30. c4 dxc4 { natural } 31. bxc4 Qf6 { I've considered also playing Qxc4, but thisachieved nothing... } 32. Qh5 { and white proposed a draw which I accepted,it hard to get anything from the position other than a draw, and the riskin losing is great... } 1/2-1/2

[Event "WTW-Another lesson please"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.02.26"] [Round "-"] [White "clashofpawns"] [Black "easy-win"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1346"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2273"] { This was another interesting game between Sasha and Julio. They had atraining game before this when easy-win challenges clashofpawns. And,it led to this second game. Be it note that I'm still in the WTWLTR club,and in the intro, redfoxrising said that he'd be interested in playingan unrated game with clashofpawns. Of course, that wasn't going to workoutbecause, similar to me, Sasha was also trying to cut some of her games. But, Joann showed us her training session against the same teacher whichI annotated. And, I used the same end game strategy against Tom Walshwhich I also annotated. But, I studied some of her other passed games;as that's how I tell how the strength of that player since Joann said howdifficult she was. And, I came across this game before she joined theWTWLTR. Her, opponent, however, is a long time member of Joann's club. That's significant, in part, because unlike their first training game,this one ended in a checkmate. So, it qualifies as a WTW game based onthe Supplemental Talking the Talk rules. The idea behind this is that,even though easy19 isn't on GK because of his thruhike on the Pacific Trail,I'm sure that he's reading these WTW games in cyberspace on google or facebook. So, the idea is for Fred to realize that what he originally set up withthese games is still working. That's why watching this games with bothplayers in this club, especially walker against runner, is the reason behindme annotating it. So, how did it go down? } 1. e4 { I didn't know how Sashawas going to open. All I knew was that she defeated stalhandske, whichyou don't see often. And, what she did in response to Joann's opening. } 1... c5 { Not surprisingly, Julio answered with the Sicilian Defense. Itis my favorite defense, but I know that easy-win also plays this a lotbecause he's played it against me, as well. } 2. Nf3 { Of course, there wasalways the option of the Open or Closed Sicilian. Sasha chose the OpenVariation which is also what I do. } 2... e6 { But, I am surprised to see thisplayed. I expected 2...d6 which is what I do, as then I play the SicilianNadjorf since it continues with 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. } 3. d4 { Incontrast to what I posted above, this is what I also would've played. And, it's just the fact that black advanced his pawn one square. Sinceit works, I'd just treat as if it were the first move, and black only advancedthe pawn one square. As d4 is the most common reply. } 3... Nf6 { I was not surprisedto see Julio developing. } 4. e5 { I would've pinned with 4.Bg5 first. But,I like this move better because instead of breaking it passively, whichis what I do, black could do it aggressively with 4...h6. And, I learnedthat taking a more aggressive approach to breaking a pin is usually betterin a training game with kenneth_fiore_3. But, this gives Sasha a temporight away since Julio will be busy defending. } 4... Nd5 { Protecting his N andavoiding exchanges, but it's going to give Sasha another tempo. } 5. c4 Nb4 6. dxc5 { And, Sasha exchanges right away since it was her center pawn. This gives brings her closer to controlling the center. Plus, it willgive her, yet, another tempo when all is said and done. } 6... Bxc5 7. a3 N4c6 8. Nc3 { Meanwhile, Sasha continues with her development. } 8... O-O { And, thisis also what I would've played as black. Since I try to castle, ASAP. In fact, that's one reason that I still play the Spanish Opening, as opposedto, the Guaco Piano. The thing I don't like is after 3.Bb5, black canplay 3...a6 which forces white to exchange N for B. But, if black playsthe Berlin Defense with 3...Nf6, 4.0-0 is the most common move. } 9. Bd3 { In the meantime, Sasha is preparing to do the same thing by continuingwith her development. } 9... f6 { On the other hand, I don't like this move. In fact, I don't know why Julio played this, but it leaves his K vulnerableto exposure after Sasha exchanges since this is his weakest pawn on thechess board. Instead, I would've fianchettoed with 9...b6 to allow 10...Bb7. } 10. exf6 Qxf6 11. Ne4 { As one example of my last post, the Q is forcedwhich allows Sasha to complete her development at once, whereas, Juliostill has 2 pieces undeveloped. And, she'll take advantage of that toattack his Q, again. In return, blacks K will, officially, be exposed. } 11... Qe7 12. Bg5 Bxf2+ { ?? Julio played this because he thought that it wona piece. I'm familiar with that method as it's very similar to how I thoughtagainst blitzkov during the misstep, which he annotated. But, like thatgame, black had no backup for the B. So, it was just one attacker against2 defenders, and the result is that this will cost him a piece for pawn. That's a major advantage for white, especially at her rating. } 13. Nxf2 Qc5 14. b4 { And, Sasha increases her advantage by attacking the Q ahead. And, when he retreats, she'll go back on the attack again. Not only isshe 2 points up, but as noted before, Julio is yet to develop his otherpieces. } 14... Qb6 15. c5 Qc7 16. O-O { And, Sasha uses that time to castle. } 16... Ne5 { Julio played this because it forks. However, that fork also allowsSasha to exchange which is to her benefit since she is ahead. With thatbeing said, she plays the exact same move that I also would've played,as white, in this position. } 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Qh5 { I am very familiarwith this move. As we saw with 2 annotations, first bhidragon played somethinglike this for a winning attack. Then, Stanley did that last Friday whenI took the B. While it might not seem so since Julio will attack the Q,this is a winning attack for Sasha. As this will allow her to swarm inwith her other pieces against his monarch. } 18... g6 19. Qh4 { With that beingsaid, I would've continued with 19.Qh6, but I like this move just as well,especially since her Nf2 is about to become a monster. } 19... Nc6 { Continuingwith his development, but it's too little too late because of Sasha's nextmove. } 20. Ng4 { And, it's not just because the Q is attacked. But, theoverall picture is that Sasha going after Julio's K in a very similar mannerto how Stanley went against my K. } 20... Qd4+ { Julio tries to stop it by placingSasha in check... } 21. Be3 { But, Sasha fights back by interposing withher DSB. What's more is that she's giving up her Bd3 for an inevitablemating sequence. } 21... Qxd3 22. Rxf8+ Kxf8 23. Qf6+ Ke8 24. Qh8+ Kf7 25. Nh6+ Ke7 26. Bg5# { This was an exciting game to watch. And, I think that Julioplayed very well against someone he was up, as she's a runner. But, Ithink that his first big mistake was advancing his weakest pawn with 9...f6?? Overall, that allowed Sasha to bring her other pieces against the K. Then, came the final blunder from an oversight with 12...Bxf2 which allowedwhite to win a piece for pawn. From that point on, it went downhill forblack until we reached this position. } 1-0

[Event "An extremely poisonous pawn!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.16"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "iceberge"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1824"] [TimeControl "5d+2d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1785"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone, Sadly my unbeaten run in the 1700-1800 mini-tournamentcame to an end with this game. Strangely I managed to draw my game withPaul playing him as black. This opening turns out to be a Latvian. Iseem to get into a very good position, but, I 'win' the b pawn. This Ithink led to me losing the game, but you the jury may think otherwise. Anyhow, on with the game which starts of with 1. e4. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 f5 { 2....... f5 - this move is played a lot by Latvian players so the openinggets its name. This move hits out at the e4 pawn. } 3. Nxe5 { 3. Nxe5 -the most popular and recommended response. } 3... Qf6 4. d4 d6 { 4. ...... d6- the knight on e5 is now attacked and must move. I choose c4. } 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Nc3 { 6. Nc3 - development. } 6... Qg6 7. Ne3 Nf6 8. Bd2 c6 9. Be2 { 9.Be2 - I now pave the way for kingside castling. } 9... Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. f3 exf3 12. Bxf3 { 12. Bxf3 - pawn trade. } 12... Nbd7 13. Be1 { 13. Be1 - the firststep towards perdition. Fou Lenoir creates an obstruction on the backrank which will be fatal later on. } 13... c5 14. dxc5 dxc5 { 14. ....... dxc5- pawn trade. } 15. Ncd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5+ Kh8 { 16. ....... Kh8 - the blackking now moves into the corner after a check from Fou Leblanc. Now comesa rook trade. } 17. Rxf8+ Nxf8 18. Qf3 { 18. Qf3?! - I think now would havebeen the time for Bg3. I could not resist ganging up on that b7 pawn. } 18... Ne6 19. Bxb7 { 19. Bxb7?? - you would not believe this but this is the losingmove. I think I would have been far better off conceding the bishop pairhere and exchanged Fou Leblanc for the knight and then played Bg3. } 19... Nd4 20. Qe4 Bxb7 21. Qxb7 { 21. Qxb7 - the bishop trade wins a pawn but takesGlenda away from Henry, although it must be said that black's back rowis also a little vulnerable. } 21... Re8 22. c3 { 22. c3?? - Bg3 I think had tobe played here and I would have had to have bit the bullet and ceded upthe c pawn, but at least I would have been still alive! } 22... Ne2+ 23. Kh1 Bd6 24. Nf1 { 24. Nf1 - this seemed to be the best move at the time as the knightwas en prise. } 24... Rf8 25. Ng3 Qh6 { 25. ...... Qh6!! - this move threatensQxh2# should I take the knight on e2. This knight makes the castled positioninto a death trap! } 26. Qxa7 { 26. Qxa7 - I will now need to lose a pieceto avoid instant death. I get as much as I can for the piece. } 26... Nxg3+ 27. Bxg3 Bxg3 28. h3 { 28. h3 - forced to prevent mate on h2. } 28... Bd6 { 28. .......Bd6 - Qa4 would have been the best move here but then black could playRf4 and then the Wicked Witch would play Qh4 followed by Qg3 threateningmate again on g2. I would have had to have ceded Glenda for the blackbishop on e6 to have prevented the mate. So I resigned on the groundsof ruinous loss of material. This I think may be a salutary lesson againstpawn grabbing and then holding onto the material when the chips are down. Do this and you really will go down! Do you the jury agree? } 0-1

[Event "chiefofpool"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "4/10/11"] [Round "-"] [White "chiefofpool"] [Black "Buckethead"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "Coorespondence"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { C03: French: Advance variation } 3... c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Bb5 { 5.Bb5?! First move out of book. I was not prepared for this move. Does White want to trade the versatile knight in this closed positionfor his strong light bishop which normally goes on the d3 square? Onlyabout a dozen players over 2100 have played this move. Definitely someadvantage for black now. Two best responses are block pin with Bd7 orcontinue with thematic Qb6 earlier than normal. I chose Qb6 thinking itwould force the trade or bring more play to the queenside where I havea space advantage. I thought the line would progress 5...Qb6 6.Bxc6+ bxc6with my side pawn toward the center which would soon continue to pressured4. } 5... Qb6 6. a4 { White holds position. I did not think about this movebecause normally a well timed a3 and b4 pawn advance is very strong forwhite which is now lost. I decide to open play a bit here, take the d4pawn and being in my kingside knight into play with ...Nge7 and then ...Nf5to put pressure on the backward pawn that white would now have to defend. } 6... cxd4 7. cxd4 Ne7 8. Nc3 { This defends the bishop and frees the pawn toforce the queen away. It also continues to keep the play on the queensidewhere I want it. I think Ne2 would be better here. } 8... a6 { Time force thethe bishop to act. } 9. a5 Qc7 10. Bxc6+ { An unforseen advantage to 7...Nge7now allows me to take with the Knight and win the a5 pawn. I figured thebishop would just retreat here to a4 or d3. } 10... Nxc6 11. Nf3 Nxa5 12. Bd2 { Is this a bait to swap another bishop for a knight? If so I'll definitelytake it. I want to bring my knight back to the center and giving me atarget only makes the decision easier. } 12... Nc4 13. b3 { I am unsure what blackwas planning with this move. I'm going to take the bishop unless it ismoved. The pawn could be easily be defended with Qc2 Qb3. Also, with someof the pressure released planning a castle and kingside attack would forceme to either counter attack or bring my pieces back to defend. } 13... Nxd2 14. Nxd2 { White made a huge blunder by leaving the knight hanging. If play had continued with 14.Qxd2, Rybka analysis shows that white would have lost -1.40/23. White: 14.Qxd2 Rybka analysis: Bb4 15.Rc1 Bd7 16.0-0 Qa5 17.Qe3 0-0 18.Ra1 Qb6 19.Na2 Be7 20.Nc3 Rac8 21.Rfc1 Qb4 22.Ne2 h6 23.Nf4 Rxc1+ 24.Rxc1 Rc8 25.Rxc8+ Bxc8 26.Qc1 Bd7 27.Qc2 Qb5 28.h3 } 14... Qxc3 { White resigns. } 0-1

[Event "What I INTENDED to play in a recent game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.01.19"] [Round "-"] [White "bikerman"] [Black "oscarsneck"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1634"] [WhiteElo "1746"] 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 Bd6 5. O-O Ne7 6. Nc3 c6 7. Ne2 O-O 8. Re1 Re8 9. Ng3 Nd7 10. b3 { Here is where I decided to play the bishopsacrifice - expecting it to be refused. } 10... Qc7 11. Bxh7+ Kxh7 { Opponent took,to my surprise, since it leaves the king badly exposed. } 12. Ng5+ Kg8 13. Qh5 { Here I was nicely in position, but it was morning, I had not sleptand instead of going to bed, I thought I could finish the game.,....badidea. } 13... Nf6 { This is the point we had reached before I made a stupid andtired mistake. For some reason I forgot about the Knight threat to thequeen and skipped a move ahead - the result was, of course disaster. Thisannotation shows what I intended to play... } 14. Qxf7+ { Queen moves intoaggressive mode. King move forced. } 14... Kh8 15. Bb2 { Fiancetto bishop to getmore pieces into attack. Now there is a clear mate : 16. Bxf6 Nf5 17, Rxe8+Bf8 18. Qxf8# So black must support Night on f6 } 15... Neg8 { This seems to bebest move for black. } 16. Rxe8 { Rook now joins attack. } 16... Qxf7 { Black mustsimplify to reduce mating threats, so exchange queens. } 17. Nxf7+ { knightretakes } 17... Kh7 { Forced move } 18. Bxf6 { Bishop seeks to hasted the end...ifblack retakes with pawn then : 19. Nxd6 Kg7 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21 Nxc8 - andwhite can then simply take his time and use overwhelming material advantagein end-game. If back retakes with Knight then: 19. Rh8+ Kg6 20. Nxd6 andas before... Best move for black is: } 18... Bxg3 { I'll show one likely continuationof this position in the following.... } 19. hxg3 Nxf6 20. Rh8+ Kg6 21. Nd6 Ne4 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Nxc8 Kf6 { At this point white can slowly exploitmaterial superiority and either go pawn grabbing or advance f pp for queen- black would be unable to stop it. } 0-1

[Event "Playing against an offbeat opening for a nice and early win!!!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.08.09"] [Round "-"] [White "sidsidsid"] [Black "mariodag"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1751"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1680"] { This is a game for a mini tournament i am playing! http://gameknot.com/mt.pl?id=56632. It was a quick and nice game with a strong opponent blundering at themiddle game! This is the first of six wins against this opponent. I score6/6 in our matches. } 1. f4 { So f4, an offbeat opening i have never playedagainst it. My main goal is to built up a strong and solid defence on myking's side and then attacking on white's kingside. } 1... Nf6 { I choose Nf6though the main reply is d5. Also some play c5 and even f5 which seemsreally worthless to me (f5). } 2. Nf3 { Developing the knight behind thef4 pawn. } 2... g6 { King's side fianchetto with g6, though i am not really experiencedto those positions but i decided to try it out! } 3. e3 { In order to supportthe pawn, seems logical to the opening. } 3... Bg7 { My plan as i said was a soliddefence for my King. } 4. d4 { d4 and challenging both e5 and c5 squares. } 4... O-O { 0-0 and now the job is done for my King. I don't really like his centre'spawn structure and anyway. } 5. b4 { b4? Why is that? At least Bc4 or b3would be better. } 5... d6 { I think it's like i am playing the King's IndianDefence. } 6. Bb2 { Bb2 is ok but still he's back in development. } 6... c5 { c5a thematic move to most of the defences against d4 for black. } 7. bxc5 { He took the pawn. } 7... dxc5 { I took it too. } 8. c3 { c3 to support the d4 pawn.But this move is blocking DS Bishop's view. } 8... Qb6 { It's time for my Queento move to threat the b2 square and support c5. } 9. Ba3 { Ba3 is hittingc5 square. I know that if i am going to lose my pawn there's a hole inb2. } 9... Nc6 { So Nc6 instead of Nd7 which is blocking my LS Bishop. } 10. Bxc5 { Not the greatest choise here for white. His King is still exposed to possiblethreats. } 10... Qb2 { Qb2 is good move both threatening a1 and c3 squares. } 11. Nbd2 { With no option here he plays Nbd2 to protect his rook. } 11... Qxc3 { Sothe pawn is back to me, now threatening e3 pawn. } 12. Qb3 { Well here'shis mistake, He actually wanted Queen exchange but he forgot his exposedrook and King. } 12... Qxa1+ { Rook is gone and check, and he resigned. So thisis my first win against this opening. White didn't control his passionfor attack while i had a nice King's side defence and an energetic Queenthat forced him to blunder. Feel free for any comments and please ratethe game if you like. Thanks and wish all good games! } 0-1

[Event "When I left Giuoco Piano..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.07.26"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "gd6595"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1959"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2037"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Nce7 11. O-O { Giuoco Piano, as ithas been played a million times before; usually follows 0-0, Rfe1, c6,Ne5, Nf5, Bxd5, Qxd5, Qxd5, cxd5, Ndf3, with easy play for White... } 11... c6 { but this cannot work; I presumed... } 12. Bxd5 Nxd5 { after cxd5, Rfe1,0-0, Rac1, Re8; after Qxd5, Qa3, Be6, Rfe1... this leads to other complications... } 13. Rfe1+ Kf8 14. Qa3+ { or Nd7, Qa3... } 14... Kg8 { too late for Ne7, Re3!... } 15. Ne4 g6 { desperately seeking for Kg7, and releasing Rh8... } 16. Nd6 Kg7 17. Re4 { to be honest, I was lost for a better move here: I did nottrust Ne5, Be6, maybe unjust; I would follow this up with Rae1 and seewhere it leads us... } 17... Rb8 18. h4 { again, I could not find an immediateprogress after Rae1, Be6, Qc5 and/or Re5; this move however seemed appealingat the time... } 18... Bf5 19. Nxf5+ gxf5 20. Re5 Qd7 { this came as a bit of adisappointment; I was counting on f6, Ree1, a6, Nd2, Rg8, Qf3 (not Qh3,Qc8, Qf3, Kh8)... all the more reason to have played 17. Ne5... } 21. Re2 { again: after Qxa7, f6, Re2, Nf4, Re3, Rhg8, I found no progress... } 21... Rhg8 22. Ne5 { seeking for play; maybe better Rae1, Qc7, Re5... } 22... Qe6 { by then,I had underestimated this reply, and counted on Qc7, Qf3, f6, Nd3, followedby Qxf5... } 23. Rae1 Kh8 24. h5 { also here, played on a whim; after Qf3,Rbf8!, h5 or Rc2, or even Qd6!?, Rbf8!, I could see no progress... } 24... Qf6 25. Qf3 { at this time, I might have considered g3, but after f4!, Qf3,Rbc8!, White is left with nothing... } 25... Rbd8 26. h6 { again, the best moveI could find; after Rc8, Qh5, Rc7, Nd3, we still hold an edge... } 26... Rg5 27. Qb3 { played without hesitation; after f4, Qxb7, Rxg2+, Kxg2, f3+, Kf1,fxe2+, Kxe2, Nf4, Kd1, Rxd4+, Kc1, White is winning... } 27... Rf8 28. Qxb7 { theonly one; but I had no real answer for Blacks' reply... } 28... Nf4 29. f3 { soundermight have been g3, Nxe2+, Rxe2, f4!, Qxc6, Qxc6, Nxc6, fxg3, Nxa7... } 29... Nxe2+ 30. Rxe2 Rh5 31. Qxc6 Qxc6 32. Nxc6 Rxh6 33. d5 { not much play isleft... } 33... Rd6 34. Ne7 Rb8 35. b4 h6 36. Rd2 Rbd8 37. Kh2 { by now, the gameis dead equal; after f4, b5, Black is even a slight bit better... } 37... R8d7 38. Nc8 Rxd5 39. Rxd5 Rxd5 40. Nxa7 Rd8 41. Nb5 Rb8 42. a4 Kg7 43. f4 Kf6 44. Nc7 Rb7 45. Na6 Ke7 46. b5 Kd6 47. Kg3 Re7 48. Kf2 Re8 49. a5 Rc8 50. Ke3 Kd5 51. b6 Kc6 52. Nb4+ Kb7 53. Nd3 Rc4 { at this point, Black offereda draw; which I gladly accepted, sick of how this game turned out... noe4, e5, Nf3, Nc6, Bc4 ever again; I will switch to Bb5, walking Spanish... } 1/2-1/2

[Event "The Exchange Slav"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.03.16"] [Round "-"] [White "NN"] [Black "benl123"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1650"] [WhiteElo "1900"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 { The Exchange Slav } 3... cxd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bf4 a6 7. e3 { All standard opening theory } 7... Bg4 { Aimed at reducing white'scontrol of e5. } 8. Rc1 { Developing the rook so that it may eventuallycontrol the c-file. } 8... e6 9. h3 { Forcing the bishop to either retreat ortake the knight. } 9... Bxf3 { I decide to take the knight because it decreaseswhite's control of e5. } 10. Qxf3 Bd6 { Exchanging the active white bishopfor black's inactive. } 11. Bd3 { This develops a piece but allows me aninteresting combination. } 11... Bxf4 { First I capture the darksquared bishop. } 12. Qxf4 { exf4 not only ruins white's pawn structure but also hangs thed-pawn. } 12... Qb6 { Attacking the b-pawn which is fairly difficult for whiteto guard. } 13. O-O { Alternative variation: 13. b3 Rc8 (13... Nb4 14. Be2Rc8 [This position just can't be great for white unless he finds some reallygood way to get a piece on c5.]) Alternative variation: 13. Rb1 Nb4 14.Be2 Nc2+ 15. Kf1 Rc8 [ The uncoordination of white's pieces means a verycomfortable position and advantage for black.] } 13... Qxb2 { After several minutesof calculation I decide that it is safe to take the pawn because Rb1 isimpossible and Qd6 can be met by Qb4. } 14. Na4 { Kicking the queen andbringing the knight to c5. } 14... Qa3 { I was worried about Qxa2 losing the queenbut I think I may have been okay after Ra1 Qb3 and I will be able to retreatmy queen. Even if white wins back both pawns on the queenside the positionis equal and as this play is nearly 200 points higher than me a draw isa very respectable result. Alternative variation: 14... Qxa2 15. Ra1 Qb316. Nc5 Qb6 17. Rfb1 Qd8 18. Rxb7 O-O 19. Bxa6 Nb8 } 15. Nc5 O-O { Bringingmy king to safety. } 16. Nxb7 Qxd3 17. Rxc6 { White has won the pawn backbut I think I have a nice position. } 17... Qb5 { I miss the move Qc7 which putsa lot of pressure on me because white's pieces are penetrating my position.Rfc8 is much better. Alternative variation: 17... Rfc8 18. Rfc1 (18. Rc7Rxc7 19. Qxc7 Qa3 [Although black's rook is not ideally placed he shouldwin the a2 pawn and would be doing just fine.] 20. Rc1 h6) 18... Rxc6 19.Rxc6 Qb1+ [And now black wins a free piece.] } 18. Qc7 Qa4 { Threateninga2. } 19. Rc2 Ra7 { Creating threats of a move like Rxb7 and then Qxc2.However, I think white is better here because all of black's pieces arebadly placed. } 20. Rb2 Qa3 21. Qb6 Raa8 { The only move to safe my rook. } 22. Qb3 { I think Nc5 is so much better because then my queen has a littlebit of trouble getting back into the game. } 22... Qxb3 23. axb3 { Rxb3 can bemet by Ne4 with all kinds of threats with Nd2. Alternative variation: 23.Rxb3 Ne4 24. Rb2 Rfc8 $11 } 23... Rfb8 { Bringing my rook to attack the bpawn.If I can eliminate the bpawn, then the game is an easy draw. } 24. Nc5 a5 { Threatening a4 and preventing b4 which would keep the pawn stuck ona square where the white knight is always attacking it. } 25. Ra1 { Pressuringthe a pawn. } 25... Ne4 { Excellent move because the only way I can win the whitepawn is to get rid of the knight. } 26. Nxe4 { Rba2 is met by Rb5. Alternativevariation: 26. Rba2 Rb5 27. b4 Rxb4 28. Rxa5 Rxa5 29. Rxa5 Kf8 30. Nxe4dxe4 31. Re5 Rb1+ 32. Kh2 Rb6 33. Rxe4 f6 34. Rh4 Kg8 } 26... dxe4 { Black hasa worse pawn structure but still the position is completely drawn. } 27. Rba2 Rxb3 28. Rxa5 Rxa5 29. Rxa5 Rb1+ { I push the king to the side of theboard. } 30. Kh2 f6 { Preventing Re5. } 31. Ra7 { Cutting off my king onthe seventh rank. } 31... Rb5 { I want to play e5 to undouble my pawns. } 32. Re7 { Attacking the pawn. } 32... Rb6 { Defending it. } 33. Kg3 Kf8 { Getting ridof the rook. } 34. Rc7 Rb5 35. Rc5 Rb2 { Rxc5 leads to a loss after dxc5Ke7 Kf4 Kd7 Kxe4 Kc6 Kc4. } 36. f3 exf3 { I take the opportunity to getrid of my doubled pawns. } 37. gxf3 Rd2 { I bring the rook behind the dpawnso neither it nor the epawn can advance. } 38. h4 { After this move thegame was agreed drawn. } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Challenge from bhidragon"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.01.07"] [Round "-"] [White "archduke_piccolo"] [Black "bhidragon"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1823"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2092"] { This was an interesting game between ION and bhidragon, whose first name,btw, is also Joe. I tried to go right into improvement, but as I did,this game got stuck in my head, again. I know the reason since this gameis between 2 players that I know too well who both gave quality advice. So, first Joe and I did some unrated training games. And, then, we dida rated game to see how I was playing these days. I showed that game inthe sleep deprivation lecture on chess.com. I think the reason for ourrated game was my posts and annotations, prior. I'll be ready for anothergame, after this annotation because of the coach that I dealt with for,virtually, 14 years. I think we will have reached that in August. It'sin a place where I once volunteered, and I first went there once I graduatedfrom High School. Shortly after that is when I discovered Jack's club. And, unfortunately, I started becoming a student of Jack's, 2 years afterI started playing chess so at 18. It's what gave me confidence and helpedme achieve my goals, but, I, unfortunately, didn't know the other halfwhich I feel bad about. This game also stood out because both playersput up a tough fight. But, ION got a strong pin that allowed him to winthe game, at once. } 1. d4 { I wasn't sure what ION would do, but he decideson the QPO. } 1... Nf6 { I had anticipated the QPG since I would've answered with1...d5. Of course, I'd be prepared for the QG, as then, I'd respond withthe Slav Defense. } 2. c4 { Allowing ION to play Nc3 without blocking thec pawn. } 2... e6 { Preparing to develop his Bf8. And, this gives Joe a verycomfortable position since it blends in with why Susan really likes theFrench Defense. } 3. g3 { I also would've played this fianchetto myself. My thinking is that, in general, I like those long diagonals for one ofmy B's. } 3... c5 { Joe wants to exchange. } 4. Nf3 { And, I think that ION is rightnot to go right into it but delay it, similar to what's in the annotationwith Jack. } 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 d5 { I am not sure why Joe played this. I would'vedone it to tie down white's Nd4 here, as my idea would be to take on c4. } 6. Bg2 { Having said that, this foils the plan in some shape or form. I'mnot sure how since I'd be greedy here. } 6... e5 { I would've developed the Bf8,but for the wrong reason, as well, I like this move. I just like to thinkof that tempo gain, which is really not enough of a reason that I'd considera move. But, my mind's thinking about what else Joe has in mind. } 7. Nf3 d4 { It was a nice pawn chain that Joe now has. But, what ION plays nextis what I'd consider since I like the idea of castling.. } 8. O-O { But,after a long thought, I would've quickplayed 8.Nxe5. There is, however,something about it that doesn't work. I'm just not sure what would makethat a blunder since I don't see an immediate mate or loss of material,right afterwards. } 8... Nc6 { Although I'd develop the DSB, this would stronglycome into consideration. } 9. e3 { Although I wouldn't have even consideredthis move, I like the idea behind it. As ION is threatening to break rightthrough in the center which is a very good strategy, as Ken previouslypointed out. } 9... Be7 { Continuing with his development and preparing to castle. But, ION will exchange first. } 10. exd4 exd4 11. Bf4 { Continuing his development,and I believe, putting some pressure on Joe's Q side. Having said that,the only other candidate move that I would've taken into considerationwould be 11.Nd2 But, after giving it some thought, this is also what Iwould've played. } 11... O-O { And, this is also what I would've done. } 12. Ne5 { Wanting to get the Nc6 off of his back. But, as with me, Joe also refusesin an interesting way, as he'll attack b2. Although I realized that itis, as in many cases, a poisoned pawn since black won't take. } 12... Qb6 13. Re1 Be6 { Instead, Joe goes right after c4. } 14. Qb3 { Which ION protects. } 14... Bb4 { So, Joe goes after the R, and once ION protects, black will exchangeright away. } 15. Nd2 Nxe5 16. Rxe5 Nd7 { But, Joe doesn't like ION's R there. On the other hand, after retreating, we get into another series of exchanges. I'm not exactly sure why it's necessary since, when all is said and done,white will be up the equivalent to a piece for pawn which is to ION's advantage. } 17. Rb5 Qxb5 18. cxb5 Bxb3 19. Nxb3 Rad8 { I'm not sure, exactly, what goesinto this, but one thing is for certain. Joe is centralizing one of hisR's. But, it'll allow ION to win another pawn. Being, as cautious as,I am, I would've played 19...d3, but I'm sure there's something I'm missingwhich would be even worse for black. } 20. Nxd4 Nc5 { I see what it is sinceJoe unleashes the masked battery against the N, but ION was ready for this,as shown on his next move. } 21. Be3 Rd7 { Preparing to double up on onefile which is why ION goes on the attack which will force liquidation. My first thought was 22...Ba5?? since that's more then likely what I would'vedone. And, I have overlooked forks like 23.b4, afterwards. } 22. a3 Bd2 23. Bxd2 Rxd4 24. Be3 { Joe pins, and as black, I would feel overwhelmedhere. Not surprisingly, Joe handles this much better then I would have. } 24... Rc4 25. Bd5 { ION has more attacks up his sleeve here. In fact, his attackwill allow ION to rewin another pawn. } 25... Rc2 { This time b2 is not poisonedsince ION will protect with a counterattack. } 26. b4 Nd3 27. Bxb7 Rc7 { Goingright after the LSB, as I would. But, what ION plays next is also howI would counterattack. Of course, there's a lot more going on then I realize,but I'm just annotating as need be. } 28. Be4 Rd7 29. Rd1 { This is a similarpattern to what I had with Ron. When you attack, the other defend. Then,you reattack, and he defends again. And, that pattern repeats. } 29... Ne5 { Thisis interesting, as now, we get into the last series of exchanges. But,it's going to be problematic for Joe since ION is bound to win a pawn again. This time, it's without compensation. } 30. Rxd7 Nxd7 31. Bxa7 Re8 { I amnot sure why Joe played, but this will allow ION to pin. And, when hedoes, black will resign. The reason being is that even if black breaksit with 32...Rd8, white will be able to liquidate. But, there's more becausewhite has 3 dangerous passed pawns. At least 2 of them are unstoppable. So, no matter what black plays next, white can and will promote whichwill, at the very least, lose a R. And, I don't think that mate can beavoided that much longer because if something like b8=Q, ...Rxb8, and whiteplays Bxb8, he can bring another pawn up there. And, even if black isto avoid mate by opening up a window, in addition to the R falling, IONwould be up an entire Q. So, the position is completely hopeless for black. } 32. Bc6 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.07.27"] [Round "-"] [White "psycho422"] [Black "nathansa"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "994"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1060"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 { Bishop's opening. } 2... Qf6 3. Nf3 Bc5 4. d4 exd4 { This moveis not found in the database. Not sure why--it seems like a good one. } 5. Bg5 Qg6 6. Nbd2 h6 7. Nb3 hxg5 8. Nxc5 g4 9. Nh4 { Unwise. RxN for free. } 9... Qc6 10. Qxd4 { Yep. This protects both knight and bishop. But that h knightremains at risk. } 10... b6 { You know what I really like here? Bd5. The blackqueen and rook are lined up. What is probably even better is Qe5+. Nah,Bd5. PxN, then Qe5+. If the queen intercedes trade her for the bishop,and you still have QxPc5 as a little bonus. Though instead of QxPc5, Pg3to protect that poor knight might be better yet. I cannot believe thatthing is still hanging out there undefended. The problem with Bd5 is PxNthreatens the white queen. BxQ, PxQ, BxR. White comes out ahead. Ifblack moves the queen white still takes the rook. } 11. Nd3 Qd6 12. Qxg7 { Right, well, black HAS to see that undefended knight has been sittingout at h4 for four moves now. Will black trade knights? } 12... Rh6 { Well theknight is as ugly as a horse's head, but so what? RxNh4 seems WAY better,so long as you're moving the rook. Qf6 would probably have been betteryet for black. Here white wants BxPf7+. Black has Kd8, which is mortalbecause QxN+ is followed by Qf8 and then QxQ#. But Ke7 is also horrible,because Nf5+ gives white the black queen. Actually, Nf8+ drives the kingback to d8, where the previous mate plays out. Game over. Force mate. } 13. Qxg8+ { See, here white went for the knight out of pure greed. A littlepatience would have worked wonders--take the pawn first--it is free. QxPf7+and the knight could be picked off at white's leisure. Two pieces andblack wouldn't even be able to propose a queen exchange. } 13... Qf8 14. Qxg4 Qh8 15. O-O { Now the knight is lost for sure. Castling was a terribleidea. I would have gone with Pg3, to put some pawn power on that knight. Or Nf3, to protect Ph2. Now black takes the knight (finally) AND picksoff Ph2. } 15... Rxh4 16. Qf3 Rxh2 17. g3 c6 { What, when in doubt push a pawn? Pf7 is undefended. } 18. Qxf7+ Kd8 19. Rfe1 Ba6 20. Kf1 Rh1+ 21. Ke2 Bxc4 22. Rxh1 { No. The proper response here would be QxBc4. RxR, RxRor NxR. } 22... Qxh1 23. Rxh1 Bxf7 24. Rh8+ Kc7 25. Ne5 Bxa2 26. b3 Bb1 27. Kd2 d6 28. Nf7 a5 29. Kc1 Ba2 { Bishop should probably have taken the pawn,just to get something out of it. } 30. Kb2 Kb7 { This move tosses Pd6 (asin NxPd6+). } 31. Kxa2 { Guess it can wait. } 31... Nd7 { On the other hand, I seenow black hoped to get the rook out. Being down a pawn this late in thegame even trades are ill advised. } 32. Nxd6+ Ka7 33. Rh7 Rd8 { Here whiteshould push the e pawn. Pe5. Then Pe6 eats the black knight, unless blackmoves the king first. } 34. c4 { This pawn move occupies a square the knightwould have liked to be on. } 34... Kb8 { Black, of course, wants to move the kingto free up the knight. } 35. Nf7 Re8 36. f3 Nf6 37. Rh6 Ng8 { This doesn'thelp prevent RxPc6. } 38. Rxc6 Ne7 { That doesn't help prevent RxPb6+. } 39. Rxb6+ Ka7 { Here I kind of like Pc5. } 40. Rb5 Ka6 41. Ka3 Rf8 { Ne5 protectsagainst RxPf3. } 42. Nd6 { Uh, not quite. } 42... Rxf3 43. Ka4 { Say goodbye to anotherpawn. } 43... Rxg3 44. c5 { Wait--RxPa5+ actually isn't bad here. } 44... Nd5 { Black mayhave been so focused on Nc3+ (which gives him the white rook) he overlookedPxN. } 45. exd5 Rg5 { Pc6 protects Pd5, at least momentarily. } 46. Rb6+ { Thisworks too. } 46... Ka7 47. Kxa5 Rxd5 48. Rc6 Kb8 49. Kb6 Rd3 50. Rc8# { Beautifullyexecuted. The kings are lined up, the rook leans back against the wall. } 1-0

[Event "An interesting game."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.06.28"] [Round "-"] [White "Jay Kuykendall"] [Black "Akikat M."] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1554"] [TimeControl "1 in 3 days"] [WhiteElo "1551"] { Perhaps I should play the Ruy Lopez opening more. This was at times fun,frustrating, tedious, and interesting. It also revealed some quirks inthe programming behind the Chessmaster engine. Enjoy! } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 { I originally said, 'The real point of Bb5 is the pin, right?' I meant that the pin undermines the pawn's defence at e5. OK, if 3...a6, does black end up losing the e pawn as in 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.Nxe5? } 4. d4 { An attack on the pawn continues. } 4... Bd7 5. O-O { In some ways this isa thinking move. Castling was not strictly required, but it prevents surprisingsituations and is generally useful. I could foresee the lines: [A] 5.d5!Nb8 6.Bxd7+ Qxd7. [B] 5.dxe5? Nxe5 and white can choose how he wants tocede the bishop-pair or choose to retreat. [C] 5.O-O exd4 6.Nxd4 and if6... Nxd4 7.Bxd7+ } 5... exd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. Qxd4 b6 9. Bf4 { Somewhatmisplaced, but I thought to discourage him castling queenside. } 9... O-O-O 10. c4 Nf6 11. Nc3 Nh5 12. Be3 c5 13. Qd2 g6 14. a4 Bg7 15. Nd5 { Preferringnot to exchange. (And aware of the strength of the square as a knightoutpost.) } 15... Rhf8 16. b4 { A real blunder because I was caught looking, butwithout this move the game would not have been as interesting. Ion, Ibelieve caught looking originates from baseball where a player strikesout on the last strike without swinging. Here I mean that I did not examinethe effect of b4. My thoughts were that his entire queen-side pawn-structurewould be easy to undermine. I did contemplate- it's a better word thananalyse here-- a5. I thought a5 would be stronger after b4, and if notfor the bishop, it might have been true. Over-preparation can be costly. } 16... Bxa1 17. Rxa1 Kb7 18. a5 Ra8 { If white opens the a file, he will lose controlof it. } 19. bxc5 dxc5 20. Rb1 { Protecting a5 and attacking c5 simultaneously. } 20... Qc6 21. Ne7 { Not really sure what I was thinking. I mean I wanted to removethe defender of his c pawn, but it was too much to hope that he would abandonits defence. } 21... Qc7 22. Nd5 { As the chess coaches like to point out, somemoves are not permanent. If they are a mistake, they can be unmade unlessthey are pawns. } 22... Qc6 23. f3 { Reinforce the vulnerability I noticed andcontinue to prepare an assault on c5. } 23... Rfd8 24. Qf2 Nf6 25. Bxc5 Nxd5 26. cxd5 Qf6 27. Bxb6 { ! Despite black's superior attackers white has regainedthe advantage. This line threatens 28.Rxb6+ dropping the Black queen ifBlack responds 27... axb6. I originally misread Ion's lines. They reference26... Qc7, but Ion, on your line 26... Qc7 27.Bxb6 axb6, I still thinkthat 28.Rxb6+ continues to be the strongest continuation. Black will ultimatelydrop the queen, it is just a matter of how. '29... Kc7'? 30.Rc6! pinningthe queen to the king. '29... Qxb6'? White has two alternatives, axb6and Qxb6. } 27... Kc8 { Ion adds in the note to the next move line A except hemistypes 30.Bc5 as Be7+. I decided to analyse alternative responses byblack and came up with the B variations. I cannot say that Black looksany better there. [A]29... Ke7 30.Bc5+ Rd6 forced 31.Qb7+! [B]29... Kd630.Qc6+ [B1] 30... Ke7 31.Bc5+ Rd6 forced 32.Bxd6+ Qxd6 33. Rb7+! [B2]30... Ke5 31.Bc7+ Rd6 forced 32.Qc3+! Kf4 33.Qxf6+! } 28. Bxa7 { Why didI shy away from Qc5+ or Qc2+? At the time I was desperately wishing fora light-square bishop, but as the previous analysis showed I should haveproceeded because Black must shed material in an awful way. I mistakenlythought that the Black king could escape to g8 or g7, so I delayed attemptingto formulate an unnecessary escape control plan. Chessmaster's TheKingengine believes this an error when Qc2+ is a won game, but a 'won game'can be an unbelievable uphill battle. Having examined Qc5+, I cannot imaginehow Qc2+ is an improvement. I also doubt Chessmaster. Sure it destroysme when I try to play it, but that is based on pure calculation speed. When analyzing this game, there is a point later where its analysis isdeeply flawed in a way that no decent human player would not recognizeas being faulty. } 28... Kd7 29. Bb6 { I proceed cautiously by making the positionmore closed. I have real advantages such as strong pawn formations, anadvanced passed pawn, and a half-passed pawn, but his attackers are superiorto my own. } 29... Rdc8 { I partly expected Rdb1 pinning the bishop in an attemptto win the a pawn, but this move does have its own logic. } 30. Qe2 Ke8 31. Kf2 { This is the mistake as the move needs preparation. Chessmasterpreferred a6. } 31... Qh4+ { Good move. } 32. Kg1 { And here is where Chessmaster'sanalysis is deeply flawed. At 30 seconds a move game analysis it says,'Leads to 32...Qf6, which does not result in any captures. Better is Kf1,leading to 32...Qxh2 33.a6 f6 34.Qa2 Qd6 35.a7 Kf7 36.Qb2 h6 37.Ra1 Kg7,which loses a pawn.' We learn that Chessmaster prefers captures even ifthe ultimate result is bad for the side under consideration. Sure whitecan afford to surrender it, but why? } 32... Kf8 33. g3 Qh3 34. Rd1 Rc3 35. d6 { Pushing the advantage. } 35... Qd7 { He gives me just what I wanted. } 36. Qd2 { I can deliver two threats! I had wanted to play this move, or one likeit for a move or two, but I needed a situation in which the threat wassubtle. Here, he cannot respond to both. } 36... Rac8 37. Qh6+ Kg8 38. Bd4 f6 39. Bxc3 Rxc3 { I would say that this game highlights very well that Chessmastercan be wrong. Well, truthfully its suggestion probably is better (andIon's certainly is), but the move did not cost the game. Earlier it thoughtthat 28.Bxa7 was one too many pawns gobbled by the greedy bishop, but nowthe exchange of rook for bishop occurs anyway. Humans err too, but weimmediately could see earlier that there was no reason to abandon the hpawn. } 40. Rc1 Rxf3 { Honestly, I expected 40... Rxc1+ 41. Qxc1 Qxd6 killingWhite's most advanced passed pawn. } 41. Rc7 { I love the moments when wesay, 'Hey, wait I can embarrass that defender!' We now enter a phase ofplay that I often find quite tedious which could aptly be called 'survivethe checks.' } 41... Rf1+ 42. Kxf1 Qb5+ { Each check requires tedious examinationsto see that white is not blundering away his advantage. } 43. Ke1 Qb1+ 44. Kf2 { Considered playing either Rc1 or Qc1, but the next move would probablybe Qxe4+, so I wanted to preserve my threat and make the capture of thee pawn a losing move. } 44... Qb2+ 45. Kg1 Qd4+ 46. Kg2 Qxe4+ 47. Kh3 Qf5+ { Igot slightly sloppy. } 48. Kg2 Qe4+ 49. Kf2 Qd4+ { I have accepted that Iwill have to remove the immediate threat to make any progress. } 50. Qe3 Qb2+ 51. Kf3 { Expected resignation here. } 51... Qb8 52. Qe6+ { 52.Qe7 fails becauseit exposes the white king to more checks. } 1-0

[Event "CCC # 2 mini-tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "11-Jul-06"] [Round "-"] [White "mybookrunsdeep"] [Black "kh1066"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1569"] [TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1914"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 { The Reti can be a dangerous weapon when Black choosesto occupy d5 with a pawn. } 2... c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 e6 { Black adopts a Semi-Slavset up against the Reti set up. Other moves are Bf5 (known as the NewYork System), Bg4 (the Capablanca), dc (pure Slav) and g6 (the Bled system). } 5. b3 { White plans to concentrate a crossfire on the center squares witha double fianchetto. } 5... Be7 { Bd6 followed by 0-0, Re8 and Nbd7, aiming fora quick e5 is Black's most popular continuation. } 6. Bb2 O-O 7. O-O dxc4 { Black opens the d-file, however, positional imbalances once recognized,must be used. His hesitation in this game allows white to build up a devastatingattack. More often seen are moves like ...Nbd7 and ...Re8. } 8. bxc4 Nbd7 { Here Qc7 or Qa5, intending Rd8 would have been a consistent line of play. } 9. d3 { 9. d4 is objectively stronger, however, I wasn't so sure I wantedthe hanging pawns after 9...c5. 9. d3 also gives the dark-squared bishopsome squares. } 9... Ng4 { Where is the knight going? Black can take control with10.h3 and the knight will just have to retreat to where it came. If 10...Bf6then 11. d4 and the knight will have to go to a very unpleasant squareon h6. Now white plays 12. d4 and has a Catalan with a lead in developmentand better placed pieces. I decide against kicking the knight around andplay for rapid development and exploitation of the fact that black isnttaking control of the d-file, his main positional trump. } 10. Qc2 Bf6 11. d4 e5 { This just loses a pawn. Relatively better is, 11...c5 12. e3 cd13. ed Qc7 14. Nbd2 Be7 15. Rfe1 or 15. a4 gives White a spacial plus andwhile he has the hanging pawns, they are well defended. } 12. h3 Nh6 13. dxe5 Be7 14. Rd1 { Since Black hasn't used the open d-file, White decideshe better grab it. } 14... Bc5 { Here Qc7 is much better. } 15. Nc3 Qc7 { Qe7 keepsthe Knight out of g5, now its over. } 16. Ng5 g6 { ...f5 17. Ne6 loses theexchange and white still has control. } 17. Nce4 Be7 18. e6 { and with 18...fxe6,black has to lose at least the exchange to stay alive. With his next moveblack will lose a piece and the white pieces will bear down on the whiteking. } 18... Bxg5 19. exd7 Bxd7 20. Qc3 { Mate threat. } 20... f6 21. Nxg5 { The knightis immune due to mate on g7. } 21... Kg7 22. Ne4 Ng8 23. Rd6 Qd8 24. Nxf6 { Thecoup de grace. } 24... Rxf6 25. Rad1 Qe7 { And Black resigns in view of the coming26. Rxd7 Qxd7 27. Rxd7 , with mate not too far away. } 1-0

[Event "Ivory Rook!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05-18-2007"] [Round "-"] [White "Sarasani"] [Black "Rampersad, W."] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1549"] [TimeControl "1 hour/30 min for 34 moves, 15 min for the rest of the game."] [WhiteElo "-"] 1. d4 { Hi everyone! Here is an instructive game I played at my local chessclubRSR Ivoren Toren in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (hence the name of thisgame). I needed this win to be able to qualify for promotion to the nextgroup and quite coincidentally I got the white pieces against Rampersad. A couple of weeks ago I was present when he was analyzing one of his gameswhere he also had the black pieces and they had played the QGD, symmetricalvariation, wich ended in a draw. But I had checked out the opening at homeand found a small improvement for white, so now it was a good opportunityto show it! Enjoy... } 1... d5 2. c4 { At this point ofcourse I was wondering:''Willhe play 2...c5?''. I remember the adrenaline pumping trough my body.... } 2... c5 { Yes...ofcourse, like I said, the last game he played with this variationended in a draw ( against the leading player in our group ), so why nottry it again... } 3. cxd5 { The best move here. } 3... Qxd5 { Going for the sameline he played against Fung*. *( M. Fung was the leading player at themoment in our group with a current KNSB rating of 1816. The game I playedagainst him ended in a quick draw.) } 4. Nf3 { ! Though not really worthyof an exclamation mark, this move is my first improvement. Fung had played4.Nc3 when the game continued with 4...Qxd4 5.Qxd4 (5.Nf3!) 5....cxd4 6.Nb5Kd8 6.Nxd4 } 4... cxd4 { The most common continuation. } 5. Nc3 { This is all knowntheory ofcourse. Black has two common responses, 5...Qa5 and 5...Qd8. Butallready white has won a tempo, since the queen must retreat. } 5... Qd8 { Whitehas developed both knights, while black has yet to develop a piece! } 6. Nxd4 { It's more common to take with the queen here, but I decided I didn'twant to swap queens, going for sharp play and avoiding a draw. } 6... Nf6 { Blackhas to start bringing his pieces into action. } 7. Bg5 e6 8. e3 Be7 { Bothsides developing their pieces... } 9. Bd3 Bd7 10. O-O Nc6 11. a3 { Perhaps11.Nf3 is slightly better here, but I wanted to stop the c6-knight fromjumping to b4, since I was planning to move my queen to c2. } 11... Nxd4 12. exd4 Qb6 { The queen attacks both pawns on b2 and d4. } 13. Qc2 Rc8 { Pinning theknight on c3. } 14. Rad1 { !? This pawn sacrifice is just too tempting. } 14... Qxd4 { To say this is a blunder goes too far, but I would have consideredanother move here. Actually 14...h6!? is the best chance for black here;15.Be3 O-O with a more or less equal position. } 15. Bb5 { Now white hasa clear edge, because the black king is in a vulnerable position, for example15...Qg4 16.Bxd7 Nxd7 17.Bxe7 Kxe7. } 15... Qc5 { Ok...what now? I'm still a pawndown... } 16. Bxd7+ { ? Computer analysis shows a better alternative here:16.Bxf6 Bxb5 17.Bxg7 Bxf1 18.Bxh8 wich is winning for white. But hey, myname is not Fritz, so I came up with another plan... } 16... Nxd7 { The position is now equal again. } 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. Qa4 { The point. The queen attacksthe pawn on a7 and simultaneously prevents black from castling since thatwould leave the knight 'en prise'. (For your information, en prise is aFrench expression meaning that a piece is unprotected and may be captured.) } 18... a6 { ?? 18...Rc6 was the only move here, but black didn't want to give uphis extra pawn. } 19. Nd5 { ! White now has an overwhelming position. } 19... b5 { ?? Black cracks under the pressure. Ofcourse the knight can't be takenbecause of 19...exd5 20.Rfe1 } 20. Qxa6 { ?? At this point I was so focusedon taking back the pawn that I missed 20.Nxe7 bxa4 21.Nxc8, wich ofcourseleaves white with a decisive material advantage. } 20... Qc5 21. Nc3 { Attackingthe pawn on b5. } 21... Rb8 22. Ne4 { The white knight is quite strong in thisgame. } 22... Qb6 { Now an exchange of queens is inevitable. } 23. Qxb6 Nxb6 { Theposition is again more or less equal now. } 24. Nd6+ { Black's b-pawn isnow lost, but... } 24... Ke7 25. Nxb5 Nd5 { ? A decisive mistake. 25...Na4!? 26.b3Rxb5 27.bxa4 Ra5 would have probably led to a drawn game. } 26. a4 Rhc8 27. Rfe1 Nb6 28. b3 { Now white has a better position again, due to thepawns on the queenside. } 28... Kf6 29. Nd6 Rc2 30. Rb1 Nd5 31. Kf1 { !? Settingup a trap for black. } 31... Nc3 32. Rbc1 Rxc1 33. Rxc1 Rxb3 { ?? The last coupleof moves were played relatively fast, but by this time we were playingfor almost two and a half hours. Can you guess what white played next? } 34. Rxc3 { ! Inspired by the name of our chessclub, the white rook deliversa final blow! (34...Rxc3 35.Ne4 ). At this point black could have resigned,but he decided to fight 'till the end. The rest of the game is probablynot so important but I'll post it anyway..Hope you enjoyed! Sarasani } 34... Rb1+ 35. Ke2 Ke7 36. Nb5 { 36.Nc4 is probably better here. } 36... Rb2+ 37. Ke3 Rb4 38. Ra3 f5 39. Nd4 Kf6 { 39...Rb6 doesn't save black: 40.a5 Ra6 41.Rb3! } 40. a5 e5 41. Nc6 { 41.Ne2 leaves black no chance. } 41... f4+ 42. Kd3 Rb2 { Blackcould have tried 42...e4 43.Kc3 Rb1, but white is still winning. } 43. a6 { 43...e4 is no trouble for white: 44.Kxe4 Re2 45.Kxf4. } 43... Kf5 44. f3 { And black finally resigned. } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.06.21"] [Round "-"] [White "cacciatore"] [Black "brynr"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1339"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1341"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nh6 { Mistake here I think on my part. In retrospectI would probably either move f6. The issue with that though is that ifthey move 4.Bxf7 then I need to take with the king leaving him in a vulnerableposition. Any idea on a better play here? } 4. Ng5 d6 { Again I think 4...f6 would probably have been a better option. } 5. d3 f6 6. Nf7 Nxf7 { Whilstnot perfect the knight did the intended job perfectly avoiding me havingto move my queen though still vulnerable to 7.Bxf7 forcing the king tomove. } 7. Nc3 a6 8. Be3 Na5 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 { and so it eventually happened... } 10. O-O Kg8 { Moving for defence- probably not a great move. } 11. d4 { Isthis a blunder on their part? Allows my knight to sweep in. } 11... c6 12. f4 Nc4 13. Qf3 { 13.Qf3? Sets up a clear opportunity for me... } 13... exd4 { Fork-but the knight is still there as well... } 14. Bxd4 Nd2 { A second fork andthis time with a two point gain on offer. } 15. Qe2 Nxf1 16. Rxf1 c5 { Advancingthe pawns and hemming his bishop back badly. } 17. Be3 b5 18. a4 b4 { Noneed whatsoever for me to take that trade-off especially as their pawnis now isolated and I'm putting pressure on the sole knight defending it.Next turn I can attack the pawn with either the bishop or the queen developingthem at the same time. However I've managed to totally miss the fact thatc4 is now undefended and has a clear line to my king... } 19. Qc4+ { crap. } 19... d5 { This was the only move that didn't result in check-mate. I was sureI was a gonna here until I realised the pawn would be covered by the queen... } 20. exd5 h6 { Giving the king at least one escape option... } 21. Ne4 a5 { Probably should have been focusing more on developing pieces at this point.Maybe Bc5 would have been a better move. But I could see a potential queenrook dilemma with my white bishop. Innocous move on my part that was hidingthe bishop move. } 22. b3 Ba6 23. d6+ { This was clearly a huge blunder ontheir part. } 23... Bxc4 24. bxc4 Bxd6 { Their last real chance of getting a queenremoved. } 25. Rd1 Qe8 { This ensured I got on of the bishop or the knight.They promptly resigned. } 0-1

[Event "Casual Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Shafranska"] [Black "Matveeva"] [Result "0-1"] { Shafranska moves too many Pawns and not enough pieces and pays the pricequickly. } 1. e4 { Never a bad choice. } 1... c6 { Matveeva decides against theClassical response. } 2. d3 { Very conservative. The usual reply is to advancethis Pawn TWO squares and form an ideal center. } 2... d5 { Matveeva proceedsas planned. } 3. Nd2 { Because of the timid second move, 3 N-QB3 is no longerpossible, as 3... P-Q5 would drive the Knight from its post. } 3... Nf6 { Matveevadevelops the Knight to its natural square. } 4. Ngf3 { The natural post. } 4... Bg4 { Matveeva develops aggressively, in contrast to Shafranska's overlytimid approach. } 5. g3 { I'm guessing this was intended as a prelude tofianchettoing the KB. However, it weakens the pinned Knight by deprivingit of Pawn protection. } 5... dxe4 { Matveeva exploits the error by adding pressureto the helpless Knight. } 6. h3 { Counterattacking the Bishop. But.... } 6... Bxf3 { ...this move now wins a piece. Shafranska resigns. } 0-1

[Event "Analyzed Games"] [Site "ChessDoctor.com"] [Date "?.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "W15"] [Black "B15"] [Result "?"] [ECO "?"] {00015.4.22 Analyzed by Candidate Master Daniel Waite} {All right! Courage! You will learn more from your losses than you will from your wins. If you study the games you lose you will see the patterns that get you in trouble and common mistakes you make. If you minimize these then you will improve quickly. A good source for this study might be Soltis' "Catalogue of Chess Mistakes."} 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 d6 {Your move is a tad unusual but it works. Typically the King's Bishop often finds its way to c4. Traditionally the idea is to play 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 first.} 4.O-O Be6 {Your opponent errs. The one thing you must be aware of in the Opening is to grab any and all chances to wreck your opponents pawn structure. Look at 5. Bxe6 fxe6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Nf6 9. f4. This may be my personality but I feel Black has serious problems organizing anything useful with the shattered pawn structure. The only redeeming quality is that Black as three center pawns.} 5.d3 Bxc4 6.dxc4 Nf6 7.Re1 g6 8.Bf4 Bg7 {Remember to play with a plan! The last few moves are setting up a nice attack but do you understand what you are trying? Often we hear the mantra to develop, so we develop and miss the point behind why we are making the move. The idea of the opening is to create an "imbalance" [any difference in the position] - especially in minor piece position - and develop around it. One idea of developing the Bishop to f4 is to play h3 to give the Bishop a safe haven while keeping the Knight at bay. BTW the pawns at e4 and c4 are considered a strong strategy against the Sicilian.} 9.Nc3 O-O 10.Rb1 Ng4 {Here you have to look at playing 10. Qd2 with the idea of playing Bh6 to rid the game of the Dragon Bishop. Also tempting is to blast the center with 10. e5!} 11.Nd5 Qa5 {It always helps when your opponent misses a solid move. ...Nge5} 12.h3 Nf6 13.e5 Nh5 {It looks like your move loses a pawn but it is a gutsy idea. The aggressiveness of your play will help you as you learn the various tactical possibilities of a position. One suggestion is to concentrate on pattern recognition. Learn the various patterns behind combinations. There are probably only about 20 common ones.} 14.Bg5 Qxa2 {Ouch. Black begs White to finish the game in a clean stroke. There is an "urban legend" that tells of a rich guy that left his son a vast fortune on the condition that he would never play Qxa2 even if it were the correct move. 14...dxe4 or 14...f6 was necessary to hold the balance.} 15.Nxe7+ Nxe7 16.Bxe7 Rfc8 17.b3 dxe5 {I find in my lost games that I generally had a "big miss." Well, this one is yours. After 17. exd6 the game is over, you can hear the "fat lady warming up." The pawn on d6 moves to d7 and completely chokes Black's middle. The Black Rooks become totally useless and you own all the important squares. All this is helped by the useless placement of the Black Queen. Even 17. Ng5 does close to mortal damage to Black threatening both 18. exd6 and 18. Qd5.} 18.Nxe5 Nf4 19.Re4 Re8 {Please, do not help your opponent! Remember, never force your opponent to do something you will regret. 19. Qc1! Attacks the Knight on f4, if that is what you want, and holds the back line down nicely. One thing you must learn is when a threat is real and when it is not. The ideal is to ignore your opponent's threats and execute your own. To do this you must learn to distinguish between the real and the imagined.} 20.Nd3 Nxd3 21.Re2 Nf4 {21. cxd3 was necessary. It is ugly but playable. It's better than what happened. White is saddled with two "backward" pawns - on d3 and on b3. I'd call this a positional nightmare, but against a weak opponent you will have an interesting fight on your hands. The squares in front of them are called "holes" where Black will plant a piece. This is called a "blockade." The strength of a blockade is that the pawn is immobile. In chess, if it doesn't [or can't] move it will suffer violence. Keep your position as flexible as possible while coaxing your opponent into making his as ridged as possible. Another strength of the blockade is that it is a base of operation against the opponent. The blockader can not be attacked through the weak pawn.} 22.Re1 b6 23.Bg5 Rxe1+ {23. Qf3 or 23. Rc1. Your idea of chasing the Knight with the Bishop is misguided and at this point fatal. Don't attack something for the sake of attacking. Always ask yourself, "what is my opponent threatening?" "If I move this what can my opponent threaten or take?" You must have a solid positional reason to attack. Generally if it is mobile, look somewhere else unless you are attempting to create a weakness such as immobility or a poorly defended piece. As much as possible "over protect" everything [pieces and important squares]. By creating an interlocking web of pieces you will make them "all" mobile [perfect for attack or defense]. Think "internet." Anything that "inters" it doesn't leave with all its body parts.} 24.Qxe1 Ne2+ 25.Kf1 Qxc2 26.b4 cxb4 27.Rxb4 Re8 28.c5 bxc5 {O.K. your opponent is mortal after all. He misses the "discovered attack." 28...Ng3+ 29. fxg3 Rxe1+. This can be crushing if there is a check involved. Of course 28...Bc3 forking Qe1 & Rb4 works. Next time you see him, feel free to point this out to him and gloat that he missed "all" the big moves in this game! - grin} 29.Rb5 c4 30.f3 c3 {Black misses mate in five [forced]. Cover the screen and figure it out. 30...Ng3+ 31. Kg1 Rxe1+ 32. Kh2 Nf1+ 33. Kh1 Ne3+ 34. Kh2 Qxg2#. You should be able to follow this in your mind and see it at the board because they are all forced moves. Track forced moves all the way through. Always consider check. A check is a free move. Following a "line of checks" often leads to checkmate.} 31.g4 Qd3 32.Rc5 Qxf3+ 33.Qf2 Qh1+ 34.Qg1 {O.K. so he got you in four moves, but he needed your help. An idea to prolong the game would have been to move your Q to b1 instead of moving the pawns. I suspect when you start moving pawns you are out of plans. Suggestions for improvement: Keep up the slash and attack style. Be a threat to everyone you meet. Put some effort into learning pawn play. "Pawns are the soul of chess." Most plans revolve around the pawn structure. If you get this down you will become difficult for the "sharks" [2000+ players] to handle. Don't give away pieces! Don't force your opponent to do anything you will regret. Don't panic - if you find yourself tempted to move pawns sit on your hands and breath [that's when you inhale and exhale air from your lungs - I often forget in a tense game] then look for a logical line that the position demands. Keep examining your lost games, your courage will take you far! [I read that on a "Chinese fortune" cookie once - grin.] Develop an attitude: If my opponent can beat me they will have to do it without my help!} 34... Qxg1# 0-1

[Event "Hail Queen Wilhelmina!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "12-Jul-06"] [Round "-"] [White "ladytron"] [Black "aerial"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1885"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1649"] 1. e4 { My bog-standard first move. I don't consider myself experiencedenough to start messing about with any other variations yet! } 1... c5 2. Nf3 { Developing knight and attacking e5. } 2... d6 { Defending c5 and stopping knightadvancing to e5. } 3. d4 { Defended by knight and attacking c5. } 3... cxd4 { Who'sto argue with these opening moves, refined over hundreds of years. } 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { Attacking as yet undefended e4 pawn. } 5. Nc3 { Defending e4 pawn. } 5... e6 6. Be3 a6 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2 Bb7 9. g4 h6 10. O-O-O Qa5 { No more helpfulhints from the Game DB. Now I have to start thinking. a2 is protected byknight. Black is probably looking to advance b pawn to try and open upthe king's defence. Black is massively aggressive as I have found to myprevious detriment, and is demonstrated by the early attack of queen beforeall minor pieces are developed. B4 is a key square defensively for white.Bishop to take b5 could have some merit, but opens up the a file for black.Black is yet to castle. Force queen to retreat with knight to b3. Stillroom for play in the centre and king side. } 11. Nb3 Qc7 { Queen retreatsas she must. b pawn advance is still quite attractive to black. Knighton c3 not very effective. Knight to e1 then to f4 appears to leave queenside relatively well defended. Black will be looking to castle and thento open up the centre with d pawn advance possibly. } 12. Ne2 { Knight hadno play queen side. Now looking for a forward home - f5 perhaps? } 12... Nc6 { Blackknight has free reign to move king side to e5 threatening an advance positionon c4. Knight can also move on queen side, and has also protected the advanceof black's b pawn. d4 is well protected by white. Knight moving here willfree up bishop and allow rooks to become connected. c2 is also a possibility,stopping any direct use of the knight. } 13. Ng3 d5 { This advance opensthe way for black's bishop on f8 to attack b4 along with black's knighton c6. b4 isonly defended by white's queen, so must defend with a2-a3. } 14. a3 { Pawn advance to stop attack from queen by bishop, and probablymore importantly, stopping further pawn and knight advance to b4. Whiteis clearly reacting without a great game plan yet! } 14... dxe4 { Black opens upthe d file looking to attack queen with rook. White's pawn on f3 is undefended,and is the only defence for g4 which black is attacking with knight onf6. Priority for white here is a solid defence. } 15. fxe4 { White sacrificesg4 pawn after being unable to support g4 adequately earlier in the game[with bishop to e2 or pawn to h3 for example]. } 15... Rd8 { Black attacks queen.What's the plan here for black? } 16. Qe1 { White queen retreats in a majesticshow of defiance........not. } 16... Nxg4 { Black knight is undefended, and islooking to capture bishop on e3 as it is only protected by queen [thus17...d8xd1 18. e1xd1 g4xe3]. White needs to increase that defence or toget bishop out of there. } 17. Bg1 Rxd1+ 18. Qxd1 Nce5 19. h3 Nf6 20. Qd4 Bd6 21. Be2 { Ouch! Blunder from white. White's watching the advance ofthe knight on e5. What white isn't watching is ensuring the defence ofindividual pieces like the knight on g3. This knight is protecting therook from the bishop, but it itself has no protection. Black is lookingto remove this knight leaving the rook exposed. White should have providedmore defence for the knight on g3. } 21... Ned7 { Zap! Instead of advancing theknight as suspected by white, black skillfully clears the way for its doubleattack on the knight on g3. } 22. Nh5 { Another blunder! White has fallenapart! White duly implements black's plan, and removes the key knight whichwas protecting both rook AND (more crucially) the e4 pawn. } 22... Bxe4 { Pow!It's effectively all over. Black has more attackers on the e4 square thanwhite has defenders. White's rook is dead. Any movement here leads to matewith the black bishop and the queen bearing down on white's king. } 23. Nxg7+ Ke7 24. Bd3 Bxh1 25. Nh5 Be5 26. Qb4+ Ke8 27. Ng7+ Kd8 28. Nc5 Nxc5 29. Bxc5 Nd5 30. Qh4+ Bf6 31. Qf2 Qf4+ 32. Qxf4 Nxf4 33. Bf1 Bxg7 34. b4 Bg2 35. Bxg2 Nxg2 0-1

[Event "Traxler with 5.Nxf7 - The ideal attack!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.11.11"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "x-machine"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1607"] [TimeControl "7d+2d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1779"] { This game highlights exactly what Black wants to achieve with this opening- a fast and brutal attack that leads to checkmate or [in this case] abig advantage! That doesn't always work, of course [see my game #2 withEtienne/a_random_guy; http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=14861915&fb=1&rnd=0.7008528529855037]but when it does... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 { The starting position of the mini-tournament... } 5... Bxf2+ { ...and the normalfollow-up - Black has to do this if he wants to get anything out of thisvariation } 6. Kf1 { By far the safest option - the next two moves are alsonormal for this mini-tournament... } 6... Qe7 7. Nxh8 Bb6 { !? It seems thatmainline here is 7...d5 but there has to be playability in this move -by allowing the dark-square bishop to stay on the board, Black can exertconsiderable pressure on the a7-g1 diagonal [I think I'll be playing moreof this move as the mini-tournament goes on...] } 8. Nc3 { Naturally, Joanneneeds to develop her pieces as fast as possible to repel any attackingattempts from Black } 8... d5 { Developing with a tempo attack on the bishop,and White has two pieces and a pawn to choose from in which to recapture,although GK analysis prefers Qc5 } 9. Bxd5 { ?! Not the best recapture,even though Black can't capture the queen with Bg4. I had considered that,but rejected it due to Bxc6+ [the knight pair can be a monster in thisvariation] That was, however, the best move according to the GK analysis,but I get confused by the line it gives - 9.Bxg5 Bg4 10.Bxc6+ bxc6... butthen the line continues Ne2, which allows Nxe4... why Qe1 wasn't consideredby GK analysis, I don't know. } 9... Nd4 { ?! At any rate, I opt to keep my knight- however, Bg4 is a plan in the immediate future... } 10. h3 { Joanne putsa stop to that right away... } 10... Ng4 { But the knight can't be stopped! Itseemed such a strong move at the time, opening up the f-file for my queenwhile posting my knight on a strong square... but there was a refutationthat the GK analysis picked up on; 11.Bf7+ Kf8 12.Nd5!, and the black queenhas no squares for intrusion on the f-file. It is true, though, that theknight cannot be taken right now... } 11. hxg4 { ?? As will be demonstratedin the next couple of moves! } 11... Qf6+ { The attack begins, and White's nextmove is forced; 12.Kg1 Ne2+ [double check!] 13.Kh2 Qh4# } 12. Ke1 { Althoughexposed, the king seems safe enough here, but I'm going to hazard a guessthat Joanne missed my next move... } 12... Nxc2+ { ! Once again, this knight shouldn'tbe taken! [13.Qxc2 Qf2+ 14.Kd1 Bxg4+ 15.Ne2 Bxe2#] Unfortunately the onlyother move that White has walks right into a king/queen skewer! } 13. Ke2 Bxg4+ { Here, Black's advantage is +6.66... ;) } 14. Kd3 Bxd1 15. Rxd1 { Rb1saves material, but the king becomes dangerously exposed after Nb4+ } 15... Nxa1 { ...and then the black knight captures White's rook - Black just went from-9 to +4! Joanne resigned at this point, and with Black's material andpositional advantage, who can blame her? I'm going to have to be carefulthough - she'll be sure to be looking for revenge in our second game! :P } 0-1

[Event "Battle between gods"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Jupiter"] [Black "Baco"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "-1"] [WhiteElo "4"] { This titanic battle happened once in the skys of ancient greece. Júpiterwas wide awake that he could use all his anger to inflict severe pain tothe reckless and drunk Baco. So he decided to play a strange opening tosurprise Baco and make him think that he couldn't control the situation. } 1. e3 e5 2. e4 { INCREDIBLE! White is Black! It's the reverse Michael JacksonOpening. Júpiter makes an incredible naughty move, making Baco start thinkingabout racism. } 2... Qf6 { There it is! The queen is Wonderfull! The game nowhas transposed to a very wide known variation of 'the Greco Way of lifeDefense'. } 3. f4 exf4 { Jupiter for a moment got scared and started seeingnothing but shadows. But soon he understood the position was not bad atall for him, as he played the following move } 4. d4 { Baco is know throwingbeer on some girls t-shirts while he has fun with his majestic and dog-likeStaff that he uses to make the girls happier with his magical powers. 'Thegame seems won for me', says baco while he performs acts of disputablereputation on his new met friends. } 4... Qh4+ { Jupíter is now thinking aboutthe new fragrance for men from Axe. Buy it. buy it buy it. Ok, some guyspaid me to do this one, so its ok, im the smart one. } 5. g3 { WTC (if youare over eighteen you should know that WTC means 'What The Crapt' withoutthe t). Jupiter was running wild one the board! } 5... fxg3 6. h3 { Our party-boyBaco was now feeling very tired, mainly because he was also naked and drunkwhile covered in diferent liquids of diferent origins. So he thought thegame was one for him and thought there was nothing jupiter could do. } 6... g2+ { Pain. Suffering. In the clash of titans, it seems that jupiter is dead.Lets pray for a miracle. } 7. Kd2 gxh1=Q { 'Give me a queen, and i will killyou three kings', said once a person who says vague things. Baco knew itwas necessary to keep the queens for his personal use after the game. Thebohemian gods would not let the hard-fighting queens over the board tospend the night alone after things were done. } 8. Be2 { So in this moveJupiter sees Bacos main weakness: his hoes. He prepares than an attackthat would hardly harm anyone. } 8... Na6 { This move makes the game crazy. Blackis winning the game after understanding many socially relevant things aboutthe usage of deformed bacons as ways to become friends with your neighboorscat. } 9. Nf3 { Jupiter is mad and angry. Baco was twisting the nature ofthe situation with his mischiveous ways, but now he played the move thatwas later on considered the most brave move in the history of chess. } 9... h6 { Baco was trully in panic; someone was gonna bang his hoes. He had putthat little pawn in the h6 square in order to get sober acording to themost lucid analysys. } 10. Nxh4 { Bang. Bang. The knight got his hoes. Oneof them at least. Baco is desperate, he cannot accept the fact that hecan ́t have a menage a trois anymore, because using any of the remainingpeaces would sound really awkward. } 10... Qxd1+ { Baco decides he is gonna counton his five fingers tonight. Exchange is necessary to keep the advantage. } 11. Kxd1 Nf6 { this move was made out of pressure. black thought he shoulddo something active } 12. e5 Ne4 13. Be3 d6 14. Bd3 Ng3 15. Nc3 dxe5 16. dxe5 { The game keeps going, Baco misses his hoes. } 16... Be7 17. Nf5 Nxf5 18. Bxf5 g6 19. Bg4 h5 20. Bf3 Bd7 21. Ke2 { OMG. Júpiter is running wild. } 21... Bb4 { exchanges are good! he thinks. } 22. Nd5 Bc5 23. Bxc5 Nxc5 24. Nxc7+ Kd8 25. Nxa8 { Baco was defeated. Jupiters persistance and knowledge aboutbaco's psicology and how much he was drunk saved him the day. } 25... Kc8 { imgonna take that naughty knight and punish him for being naughty, thoughtbaco as he expressed his most disturbing fantasy's on a public anottation. } 26. Rd1 Kb8 27. b4 { baco thinks for 45 minutes here.he plays the followingline } 27... Kxa8 28. bxc5 Bb5+ 29. Ke3 { now baco has a headache, he drank toomuch and the situation is unclear. especially about his stomach. } 29... Re8 { Imgonna kill your bloddy pawns, says baco in a fury roar. } 30. c3 Rxe5+ 31. Kf4 Rxc5 { Now Jupiter cashes in the prize for his persistance and luckfor playing against a drunk sexholic who was worshipped for some reasonnobody will ever fully understand. Baco's flaw of character seems to bethe biggest flaw in here. } 32. Rd8+ { Baco resigns, the game now is a livingproof of the blunders some fanfarronistics friends have made when playingagainst each other in the skys of ancient greece. } 32... Rc8 *

[Event "Linares 2005"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Rustam Kasimdzhanov"] [Black "Viswanathan Anand"] [Result "0-1"] { Anand shows how to limit his opponents pieces and dominate a beautifulgame. } 1. e4 c5 { The opening is relatively common so I'll refrain fromannotations till later. } 2. Nf3 d6 3. c3 Nf6 4. Be2 Bg4 5. d3 e6 6. Nbd2 Nc6 7. Nf1 d5 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Qa4 Bh5 10. Ng3 Nb6 11. Qd1 Bg6 12. O-O Be7 13. a4 O-O 14. a5 Nd5 15. Qa4 Qc7 16. d4 cxd4 17. Nxd4 Nxd4 18. Qxd4 { Unfamiliarto some, but Anand navigates the position well. White has a queenside majorityof pawns, and his central queen dominates the board. However Black threatenswith 18...Bf6 or 18...Rd8, even 18...Nb4 is strong. } 18... f5 { (!) Anand preparesfor 19...e5 with a dominant centre. At the price of limiting his own g6-bishop,Black limits the g3-knight. Anand saw this as more important. } 19. Qa4 Rad8 20. Rd1 { The potential for counterplay is visible after Anand's 20...e521.Bc4... } 20... f4 { (!) Although relinquishing control of e4, note how badlyplaced the c1-bishop is! } 21. Ne4 Qe5 22. Bf3 b5 { (!) If 23.Qxb5? Then23...Bxe4. If 23.axb6? Then 23...Nxb6 24.Qc2 Bxe4 25.Bxe4 Qxe4! } 23. Qc2 Nf6 { (!) } 24. Nxf6+ Qxf6 25. Qb3 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Rd8 27. Qe2 Bd3 { Whitehas been forced back into his back three ranks! } 28. Qe1 e5 { White hasno source of queenside counterplay, the Black pawns control the centre. } 29. Be2 Bxe2 30. Qxe2 e4 { (!) 31.Qxe4?? Rd1+ 0-1 } 31. g3 e3 { (!) Checkmateis near! } 32. fxe3 f3 { (!) } 33. Qxb5 f2+ 34. Kg2 Rf8 { 0-1 A lesson by Anandon how to kill off counterplay.... Before it begins! } 0-1

[Event "OTB Chess Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "7/10/15"] [Round "-"] [White "Andrew"] [Black "Joe"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2400+"] [WhiteElo "1965"] { This was an interesting game between tactical-abyss with a lot to learn. Generally speaking, when I annotate a game, I comment on a lot of moves,almost verbatitim. But, this is different. When it's a game that Joeshows, what I essentially do, for the most part, is copy and paste it. Therefore, I quote because what I'm trying to do is show you that TA isthe real annotator. What I'm essentially doing is copying and pastingit from a club post to an annotation format which is why you won't seeas many moves annotated, either. With that, the lesson starts here. Init Joe says, 'The Birds opening is,if I remember,the 6th most popular openingin the stats.Another name for it is the Dutch Attack.On the higher levelsof play especially SM and GM,you rarely see it,because it does weaken whitesKing side slightly.And if you remember some of my past posts,especiallythose Q sacrifice games,I always aim for that f7 pawn capture square orthe f2 pawn square if i'm playing the black side.Those two squares arethe weakest squares on the chessboard depending upon which side you areon.And 1.f4 is not a very good developing move.It does indeed immediatelyweaken the critical f2 square for white and if one does not patch up theweak spots,they are headed for problems,even early on.Theoretically,withaccurate play,white 'should be' ok with dark square control,if he has donehis opening book homework from other high level games played in the past.Again,Hiarcsand other books above and beyond GK's are key in studying a wider varietyof subvariant lines. The Bird can transpose into many other openingsfrom the Kings Gambit,Tal Gambit1....c5(a variation of the Sicilian),1....b5(aform of Polish defense),1....g6 which resembles a Modern Defense and anumber of other gambits like the Swiss,Hobbs and other more obscure lines. Lets see what the chessgames stat mentions about the Bird: Notice somethingimmediately? White tends to win 36.6% of the time and black supersede'swhite in the win dept by 41.1%....significantly higher,may I add.Drawsonly at about 22%. This should raise a red flag immediately if playingthe white side of the Bird.Again,theoretically white should have no problem,butit tends to be an uphill battle of sorts to maintain equality and/or anedge.The Bird,however is a great surprise weapon against the unwary andhas won many beautiful games from whites perspective. Game over in 11moves!My opponent choked a bit on his soda when I slammed my Q down ong3!Another Bird I said?No way Joe,he mentioned.He played me a second gameusing a Petrov Defense and managed a nice draw(which is common in Petrov's),soI give him credit for that } 1. f4 g6 2. Nf3 d5 { For now, everything isin book, until the next move. And, that's because of what Joe outlined. } 3. b3 { ?! '3.b3 is already a weak move.My Fianchetto places firm pressureon that a1-h8 diagonal I described above.Notice the immediate attack onwhites a1 Rook.Not good.Better would have been:3.d3... a better stat bookmove that supports that f4 pawn with whites c1 Bishop.' } 3... Bg7 4. Nc3 { ?!'On Andrews 4.Nc3 move,not good either.Why? This already creates a Knightcheck and chase move,similar to one of my Basman Defense games,but a centralizedchase,rather than a wing chase. Whites game is beginning to fall apart,buthe does not know it yet. ' } 4... d4 5. Ne4 Nc6 6. Bb2 Nf6 7. Nxf6+ { ?! 'On move#7,my opponent shows his lack of theory training.7.Nxf6+looks good,butis weak.After 7....Bxf6 the pressure still remains on that a1/h8 diagonalin addition to supporting my nicely placed d4 pawn.Better for white wouldhave been 7.Ng3.The slight loss of tempo is still superior to the exchangemove.That is the 'theory'part!If you check via a program analysis,thatwill be confirmed through pawn value assessments of the position.' } 7... Bxf6 8. h3 { '8.h3 I have to give a ?.It loses whites safe position and a pawnand brings white closer to mate.After the ? h3 move,whites best responsewould have been: 8.h3,e5 9.e4,Bh4+ 10.Ke2(losing castling rights),exf411.d3,0-0(my better castled position).A strong disadvantage position forwhite but still not losing badly.' } 8... e5 9. fxe5 { ?? At this point, dueto a small correction, for now, I'm paraphrasing what he said, as opposedto, quoting. With that being said, this is where Andrew really startsto go wrong as we will see below. } 9... Bh4+ 10. Nxh4 { ?? And, after this move,Joe is guaranteed a mate in two. As explained in the lecture, it's dueto his Queen a Bishop occupying the dark squares which is overwhelmingfor Andrew. } 10... Qxh4+ 11. g3 Qxg3# { Now, I'm going back to quoting becausethe moral to this story is what Joe outlined. In it, he said, 'Noticehow things became reversed?In the Bird,it is white that should be controllingthe dark squares.With this game,it was black that controlled the dark squaresand won in only 11 moves.Take final note to how I exploited that f2 square...theweakest square on the white side!!!This is critical in understanding thepitfalls of the Bird if not handled precisely with the better opening bookmoves. A quick lesson to an 'A'rated Bird lover. Again,with properopening book study,the Bird can be played with relative safety,even thoughthe stats are not good on the Bird.Much of those bad stats are based uponnot studying the best opening moves and/or not using the better openingbooks like Hiarcs which is upgraded every 3 months.Its not free,but itsworth it!' } 0-1

[Event "Slow Ladder"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.08.18"] [Round "-"] [White "goumindong"] [Black "pantherone_777"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1334"] [TimeControl "5d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1566"] 1. d4 f6 { I am not familiar with this opening against the queen's gambit.It may have merit, but it looks to me like it doesn't offer control overthe center. } 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 { Notice how control is now focused onthe 5 line instead of the 5/4 lines. This gives white a full 33% more spacewith which to maneuver } 4. e4 { White solidifies control of the center.Pay attention to whites development options as compared to black. Whitecan all backrow pieces except rooks and can support/defend pawns that arepushed } 4... Qa5 { This is most likely too early. If you bring your queen outwhile everyone has a lot of material on the board, not only does it reduceits effectiveness because there are fewer spaces it can threaten, but itgives the opponent a chance to threaten it. Would you make Qc7 on thisturn? If no, then don't move the queen, leave her be. The queen is actuallyin a pretty good starting position, so long as you get the pieces aroundher out of the way } 5. Bd2 { I can develop my bishop while also puttingpressure on the queen. The queen being out front is now a liability } 5... Qb6 6. c5 { Again a liability. Qb2 leads to trading the queen for a rook (iirc)and so full retreat is the best move. This has given white three free moves(Bd2 to threaten, c5 to threaten again, and then the next move after. Notethat it also locks out blacks black bishop from moving aggressively pastthe front } 6... Qc7 { Don't be afraid of putting the piece back where it startedif that is the best move. Not sure it is or not, but something to thinkabout. } 7. Nf3 { More development, preparing to castle. } 7... g5 { I am not surethere are better moves, but this one is particularly bad. g5 leaves f6a weak pawn. Notice how there are no pawns behind it supporting? Once f6falls so does g5. So i attack the f6 pawn. This also has the advantageof locking out the queen from being able to pressure on its long diagonal. } 8. e5 h6 { At this point i feel like the game is irrevocably won for white.Black has none of his backline developed, does not have a strong defensein the event of a king side castle, and is many moves away from a queenside. I attack the weak pawn and move my knight forward to exploit thispoor defense } 9. exf6 Nxf6 10. Ne5 d6 { I am not sure what black can doat this point. The fork at Ng6 ensures that black cannot castle and tradesa knight for a bishop in a game without strong diagonal pawn lines. Diagonalpawn lines constrain bishops in ways that don't constrain knights. So thistrade is definitely in the favor of white. This move also makes e6 a weakpawn. Which will be exploited as soon as the knight is out of danger } 11. Ng6 Rg8 12. Nxf8 Rxf8 13. Bc4 { e6 is weak. So white develops. This letswhite get his king out of the center of the board when black cannot, setup batteries, and generally exploit the fact that three of blacks piecesare doing almost nothing. } 13... a5 14. O-O Nbd7 { While moving to the edge isgenerally not preferred because knights can control so many fewer spacesfrom there. This move gives white a pawn for free. Its possible that blackcould have retained control of e6. Though there are no good moves here. } 15. Bxe6 dxc5 16. dxc5 Nxc5 17. Bxc8 Qxc8 { The trade looks even on points,possibly advantageous for black since it has two knights to a knight andbishop. But now blacks king is open and white simply has to hammer theadvantage in. } 18. Be3 Ne6 19. Qe2 b5 20. Rae1 { White sets up a batteryon blacks king, forcing him to move. He can move to a position where hedoesn't have cover and be checked, or to a position where he does havecover. Always be cognizant of fork opportunities though, moving to theopen position is better here. } 20... Kf7 21. Bd2 Re8 22. Ne4 { 22. .. Nxe4 23.Qf5+ White wins a pawn and knight but might not mate. Failure to takeit (or trade the queen)ensure white wins without a major blunder } 22... Ng7 23. Nd6+ Kg6 24. Qd3+ Qf5 25. Nxf5 Nxf5 26. h3 Rh8 27. g4 Nd5 28. Re6+ Kg7 29. Qxf5 *

[Event "WTW Mentoring Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.08"] [Round "-"] [White "jkarp"] [Black "myevilluck"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2113"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1154"] { In the past, I have had OTB WTW coaching games with Jack Stockel, butthis is my first WTW mentoring game on this site. It all started whenI joined the, 'Walking the Walk and Learning How to Run' club by jstevens1. Now, everyone was assigned a mentoring group, but I was and am in GroupH mentoring group. At the time, however, myevilluck was the mentor. Inthat, this was an interesting game between myevilluck and me. } 1. e4 { Asusual, I start with the King's Pawn Opening. } 1... e5 { And, he decides to respondwith the King's Pawn Game. I am surprised because I often see expertsand masters respond with the Sicilian Defense, but there is nothing wrongwith this move. BTW, it is going to become a Ruy Lopez. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 { Although black respond with 3...Nf6 in the Ruy Lopez, this moveis quite standard. The reason being is that he's attacking my LSB andhoping for an exchange. } 4. Bc4 { Of course, that's not going to happen. Although Jack Stockel originally told me that the best move is to exchange,either elyhim or inadowman contradicted that and told me that it's generallybetter to hold off on the exchange. That 4.Ba4 is the best move. Theonly problem I have with that is 4...b6, which means a loss of tempo. However, Master elyhim told me that gaining tempo is like taking moneyfrom your opponent, and putting it into your bank. In this case, I agreewith him because losing tempii means a delay in castling, and I want tocastle ASAP. Unlike my last game against Joann, castling immediately isnot going to storm into an attack, this time. } 4... Nf6 { Now, he decides toplay what I mentioned on move 3. That's ok, but I am still going to castle,as I had planned. } 5. O-O Bc5 { In the meantime, he decides to continuewith his development. } 6. Nc3 { But, so do I. } 6... d6 { Ok, I don't know whyhe made this move, but in our next game, this mentor will instruct me tofigure out a reason for my opponents move. Afterall, your opponent alwayshas a reason for making a move. Even if it's bad, and trying to figureout the reason is key to making improvements in your games. } 7. b3 { Inthis position, I am preparing to fianchetto my DSB. Although I am notgoing to be successful in doing so, I will succeed in my next game againsthim. And, that is when he will tell me that you generally want to avoidfianchettos, unless it's the only way to develop. } 7... Nd4 { At this point,he wants to exchange. Afterall, he has nothing to lose since the positionis even. In that, I am more then happy to accept it. } 8. Nxd4 Bxd4 9. Re1 { ?? In this position, I was worried about losing my F Rook, if I wasnot careful. The reason being is that he wanted to trick me with 9...Ng4,in which case, my R would be trapped because f3 is not an option. Instead,it's an illegal move. So, I decided to protect it with this move. Ofcourse, this is the losing blunder. Therefore, I went from flawlessnessto losing in one move because of this mistake. I mean, with f3 being prohibited,he could have won my Q with 9...Bg4, and that would be the very least ofmy problems. Instead, he is going to play something else, which actuallythreatens mate. However, for the first time, I do not know what the bestmove was. } 9... Ng4 { And, it starts with this move. } 10. Rf1 { Becauseof my last move, I figured that I corrected my last blunder, with thischoice. Afterall, I originally thought that my Q was no longer in danger,and white had nothing to worry about, but I was wrong. Now, he is planninga mating sequence, as we will see shortly. } 10... Qh4 { So, I figured that hewould play this. } 11. h3 { But, this is the real interesting part. I wasthinking ahead and had thought that this move prevents mate. Afterall,if I had played any other move, he would simply mate with 11...Qxh2#, butI was not going to allow that. What I didn't know, however, is that thismove would prolong the inevitable. However, he still has a mating sequence,as I will explain shortly. } 11... Nxf2 { So, he takes my pawn, but that does notbother me. Either way, I know that he is going to mate me, one way oranother. Therefore, if I am going to lose anyway, why not just play areckless move. Afterall, Master elyhim told me that if you know a lossis inevitable, just try any move because you might be able to pull a swindleand get a win, from a lost position. Of course, that is not going to happenwith this mentor. } 12. Qe2 { ?? According to my opponent, however, thiswas one of the worst moves, I could have made. That is why I marked itwith two question marks. Of course, I don't know why he was so criticalof it because the game is lost, anyway. } 12... Nxh3+ { But, he quizzed me by askingwhy 12.Qe2?? was a blunder. At first, I told him that he would win myQ, after something like 13.Kh1, Nf4. Then, he said, 'Look deeper', andthis is when I realized that mate was inevitable. I later told him that13.Kh1, or 13.Kh4, are my only options, in this position. After that,black will mate immediately after 13...Nf4#. He was shocked that I knewthe answer. But, I resigned on that ground. Until now, I had no ideathat this was a doubled check. I figured it out, however, because I realizethat he used his DSB and N to place me in check. I originally, only sawa the bishop check. So, the game would have ended in a mating net. BTW,this annotation is just a prequel to a different game in which I will eventuallyannotate. That will be my next and final mentoring game against this opponent,in which there will be a lot more to learn. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.05.28"] [Round "-"] [White "svetlana02"] [Black "abro"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1741"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1740"] 1. e4 { First game after a long period, almost after one year. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 { Ruy Lopez, Berline Defense. } 4. O-O d6 { Main line was NxP,but as i was playing after a long period, so my view on the board was newand fresh, so instead following 'main line' stupidly, it is better a manshould play with his own reasoning. } 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. Nc3 Be7 9. b4 { Whether Black should castle kingside now, but after Bb2White's attack will be on kingside, B and Q directly attacking g7, if knightmoves its checkmate. } 9... b6 10. Bb2 Qd7 { Black waits for castling and opensthe door for long castling, as White becomes puzzled which way he shouldmove his attack. } 11. Nd5 { ! } 11... O-O-O { I think this matter of (which way)'castling' was all crucial point in this game. This Qside castling makesgame sharp. Thou White seems in advantage as his king is safe and his Qsideis already ready to attack. } 12. c4 Rde8 { Opens the way for bishop, d8if White not capture. } 13. a4 Bd8 { Blacks think his black bihsop is moreimportant. } 14. Rfe1 Nh5 { moving attack to kingside. f4 outpost for knight. } 15. b5 Bxd5 { White knight was dangerous at this outpost. Nothing couldbe more logical to exchange it with your pretty bad piece. } 16. Qxd5 { !,to be honest i didn't see that, i was guessing capture with a pawn. Butthis move is threatening fork, knight and checkmate at a8! } 16... Qg4 { ah! savingboth plus moving forward his plan - attacking g2. (was that natural?) } 17. h3 Qg6 18. Qa8+ Kd7 19. Qc6+ Kc8 20. Re3 { good move. looking forward. } 20... Nf4 { threatening checkmate. } 21. Ne1 { Black could capture h3 pawn in freebut White's rook stops it now. } 21... Re6 { !! i think this was critical move,if Black would not play this right now then possibly he would lose, asWhite will push his Q pawns forward and opening fatal attacks. } 22. a5 d5 { ! } 23. Qa8+ Kd7 24. cxd5 Rd6 25. Qxa7 { this move moves queen out ofplay. } 25... Re8 { I still have to know whether capturing the d pawn with knightbefore moving this rook was good or not? } 26. Ba3 { Now: if ...Rf6 e5. anotherstrange move was Rxd5. sacrificing rook, after PxR RxR PxR NxP+ or Ne2+.Black can get some 'drawing' chances by teasing White King with his Q andN. but I could not figure out any checkmate, otherwise rook sacrifice (Rxd5)would be good. Last only safe move remained... check. } 26... Nxd5 27. Bxd6 Nxe3 28. axb6 Qxd6 { all moves (in this bloodshed portion) looking pretty forced.! } 29. b7 Bf6 30. Rc1 Qb6 31. Qxb6 cxb6 32. Rc8 Rxc8 33. bxc8=Q+ Kxc8 34. fxe3 { White is up a pawn but his pawn structure is weak. It hard to saywhether bishop was good in this scene or knight. } 34... Kd7 35. Nd3 Kd6 { Blackmoved his King in fork situation deliberately as afer e5+ BxP NxB KxN ...this exchange favors Black as he can go then after b5 pawn easily. } 36. Kf2 { but White is aware. } 36... Be7 { Trying to guard b4 square. It's hard todecide whether bishop should remain on a1-h8 diagonal or current diagonalwas better. White can play Nb4-d5 attacking b6 pawn, while d5 outpost seemsmore offensive. } 37. Kf3 g5 { stopping the king at f4. } 38. Kg4 Ke6 39. g3 f6 40. Kf3 h5 41. g4 h4 { if PxP then KxP and then king can penetratevia h5 to g6. This move closes kingside and now if white does not movehis knight then game is draw. as black biship cannot do anything and blackking cannot cross the barrier of 5th rank. } 42. Ke2 Bd6 43. Kf3 Bc5 44. Ke2 Bd6 { Draw Agreed.! [one thing: my respected opponent offered a drawfew moves back but i declined and now i offered. So may be my opponentsay that i was stupid, didn't accept draw earlier. Well it was not forno reason. Few moves back my opponent lost (other) few games so his ratingdecreased if i would accept then i would lost few points. But after coupleof hours he won some games and his rating leveled. So it became logicalto draw now. Sorry for keeping you in wait few hours :)] } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Grand Slam Final, Bilbao ESP"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2008.??.??"] [Round "-"] [White "Carlsen,M"] [Black "Radjabov,T"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2744"] [TimeControl "?"] [WhiteElo "2775"] 1. e4 { Supplemental game to metalale vs. eremituz. A pair 2700 playersgo at it in the Chinesse variation, } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Rb8 11. Bb3 Na5 12. Kb1 b5 13. h4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 bxc4 15. Ka1 h5 16. Rb1 Qa5 17. Bh6 Bxh6 { Black deflects the White queen from the queenside, but at thesame time may be putting a dangerous attacker on his kingside. } 18. Qxh6 Rb6 19. g4 { this move has been criticised, the White queen is in dangerof being locked out of the action if White answers hxg4 with h5. } 19... hxg4 20. Qe3 Rfb8 { 20 h5 g5! Ward; and the queen is locked out of the action } 21. h5 g5 { According to Ward 21...Nxh5 would be stronger. } 22. fxg4 Nxg4 23. Qd2 f6 24. Nf3 Ra6 25. Rhg1 Rb4 26. a3 Be6 { Ward suggests the defensive...Kh8 or ...Ra4!? as improvements } 27. e5 dxe5 28. Nxg5 { A nice sacrificeby Carlsen } 28... Bf5 29. Nge4 Kh7 30. Qe2 Nh6 31. Rg3 Be6 32. Rg6 Nf5 { Wardlikes 32...Bf5 here. } 33. Qg4 Nh4 34. Ng5+ fxg5 35. Qxg5 Nxg6 36. Qxg6+ Kh8 37. Rg1 1-0

[Event "IV Open Ajedrez Arica"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Mondaca, Alfredo"] [Black "Sanhueza, Felipe"] [Result "0-1"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. e3 e5 4. dxe5 dxc4 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nf3 { I don't like the move of the whites, since it would leave the structure of pawns in the queenside. } 6... Bg4 7. Bxc4 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Nxe5 9. Be2 Bb4+ 10. Nd2 Nf6 11. a3 Ba5 { White had better resources to eliminate the black knight, which was better to keep. (FS) } 12. b4 Bb6 13. Bb2 Ned7 { While more centralized the horses are, the better impression, Te8 was playable in this position. } 14. Nc4 Ke7 15. Rg1 Rhg8 16. O-O-O Rad8 { Here the machine indicates an absolute equality, of course I would rather for the blacks to react with c5 (FS). } 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. f4 Ne8 19. Bf3 c6 20. Be4 Nef6 21. Bf3 Ne8 22. Kc2 f6 23. h4 Nd6 24. Rd2 { White had the better move, but they let their guard down and lost the game. } 24... Nc4 25. Rdd1 Nxb2 26. Kxb2 b5 { Again, total equality. } 27. h5 Nb6 { Working for whoever, g6 by the blacks continued the equality, Cb6 returns to the whites to the slight advantage. } 28. Rxd8 Kxd8 29. Be4 Nc4+ 30. Kc3 h6 31. Bh7 Re8 32. a4 Re7 { Why did the whites not play the winner Txg7? It was due to me having stopped noting the moves several moves ago, and I continued to note the game when it had already finished, we were both aware of the time pressure and mistakes were being made; summarizing, Alfredo did not take the pawn g7, to my judgement we had reached a draw, which was further compounded by the lack of motivation for the draw, taking into account that Alfredo had never beaten me, as such,!Congratulations to the worthy champion of the lV Open Jaque Mate! } 0-1

[Event "Challenge from scottlysan"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "04-Jan-07"] [Round "-"] [White "anotherminorpawn"] [Black "scottlysan"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] { A teaching game in which both sides made mistakes. Conversation withinthe game may have effected play on both sides. If you see any mistakesin my annotations, have comments or questions, please feel free to messageme. } 1. e4 { 1. e4 establishes foothold in the center of the board and opensdiagonals for both the kingside bishop and queen. Strong first move. } 1... e5 { 1...e5 responds symmetrically, refusing to concede space to white. While symmetric moves maintain space, white still has the initiative. Black needs to be careful not to fall into a trap. } 2. Nf3 { Strong 2ndmove, developing a minor piece to it's most centralized square and threateningthe undefended black e pawn. Developing a kingside piece also speeds castling. } 2... Nf6 { Petroff's defence, sometimes called the Russian defense, maintainssymmetry. The e pawns are usually cleared leading to an open game whereblack tries to maintain a central knight on e4. } 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 { ? (Bad move) Even though this seems to maintain symmetry, white either gains materialor a positional advantage with 4. Qe2 (ie 4...Nf6?? 5. Nd6 winning black'squeen, or 4...d5 5. d3 Qe7 6. dxe4 Qxe5 7. exd5 winning a pawn). The mainline is d6, forcing the white knight to retreat. } 4. Bc4 { Developing move,threatening f7. } 4... d5 { ! (Good move) Establishing a center, attacking thebishop and defending the knight. } 5. Bb5+ { ?! (dubious move). This wasa pointless and allows black to create a pawn chain with tempo. } 5... c6 6. Ba4 b5 { Development would be better. } 7. Bb3 Bc5 { Attacking f2. } 8. O-O O-O 9. d3 { The thought was to drive away the knight, but d4, attackingthe bishop and defending the d5 knight, is better. } 9... Bxf2+ { !? (interestingmove - may not be the best) Trading bishop and knight for white's rookand pawn. Materially, it's an even trade, but since black is trading awayhis developed pieces, I feel the trade is better for white (assuming whitetakes advantage of the situation). If black can get his other minor piecesdeveloped and take control of the open e file with his rooks, he may geta winning attack considering white's exposed king. } 10. Rxf2 Nxf2 11. Kxf2 Qf6+ { This is early considering black has nothing to support the attackand the knight isn't in danger since it can be pulled back to interposeand defend the king. } 12. Nf3 Nd7 13. Nd2 { Overprotecting the knight (from13...Ne5), but unneccessary. It also blocks white's dark bishop. Betterwould be c3, blocking the a1-h8 diagonal, supporting d4, and allowing thewhite squared bishop back into play. } 13... Ne5 14. c4 { ? (Bad move) I was expectingthe pawn trade, but overlooked Nxd3 . I tend to play too quickly, especiallywhen tired. :) } 14... Nxd3+ 15. Kg1 Nxb2 16. Bxb2 { 13. Qc2 Nd3 (or Nb4) 14.Rb1 followed by Bb2 after removing the knight would probably have beenbetter. Not sure why I decided to trade instead. } 16... Qxb2 17. Rb1 Qf6 18. cxd5 Bd7 { Clearing the back rank. Black needs to post a rook on the efile. } 19. Qc2 { I was probably trying to clear the back rank to allow myrook to move to the e or f files, but overlooked ...Bg5 } 19... Bf5 20. Ne4 Qe7 21. Re1 Rae8 22. d6 { White attacks the queen to remove her from the e file. I expected something like 22...Qd7 23. Nc5 Qxd6 24. Qxf5. Nfd2 wouldhave further protected the knight on e4, but I didn't see it at the time. } 22... Bxe4 { ? (Bad move) Overlooking the intermediate move 24. exf8=Q . Thougheven without the check, black still has trouble recapturing the pawn after24. Bxc3. } 23. dxe7 Bxc2 24. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 { Kf8 is better, contesting thee file. } 25. Bxc2 f5 { ?! (Dubious move) Weakens the king, though after...g6 26. Bb3 Kg7 27. Re7 followed by Ne5, black can't hold onto the pawn. This pushes the king into the corner though. } 26. Bb3+ Kh8 27. Re7 { Intendingto trap the king on the back rank. } 27... c5 { Pushing passed pawns during theendgame is usually the best strategy. } 28. Ne5 c4 { Blocking the bishop. } 29. Nxc4 { I decided it was worth trading a piece away to prevent troublefrom the pawns, though white should have a won game in either case. } 29... bxc4 30. Bxc4 Rc8 31. Bb3 g5 32. Rxa7 f4 33. Bd5 g4 34. Ra8 { Trading away rooksto prevent counterplay with plans to push the a pawn. } 34... Rxa8 35. Bxa8 Kg8 36. a4 { Black can't stop the pawn from queening since the tempo used tomove the bishop is compensated by the protected b7 square. An easy wayto tell if a king has time to stop a pawn is to draw a box from the pawnwith sides equal to the distance to the back rank. In this case, the pawngets an extra step due to the initial move, so the box would be drawn froma4 to e4 to e8 to a8. The black king can't step into the box, so wouldn'tbe able to capture the pawn if the bishop weren't in the way. } 36... Kf7 37. a5 Ke7 38. a6 Kd7 39. a7 Kc7 40. Be4 Kd6 41. a8=Q Ke5 42. Qd5+ Kf6 43. Bxh7 { Qf5 or Bf5 may have been slightly better, but I was looking to lurethe king toward the h8 corner. } 43... f3 44. Qd6+ Kg5 45. Qg6+ Kf4 { ...Kh4 46.g3 Kh3 47. Qh5# } 46. Qe4+ Kg5 47. Qf5+ Kh6 { ...Kh4 48. g3 Kh3 49. Qh5# } 48. Qg6# { 1-0 If you see any mistakes in my annotations, have commentsor questions, please feel free to message me. } 1-0

[Event "Tournament Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Mikhail Botvinnik"] [Black "Paul Keres"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "GM"] [WhiteElo "GM"] { A beautiful game by Botvinnik. I will let the more expert players commenton it, but I thought everyone should get a chance to see it. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 { All book play... } 4. e3 O-O 5. a3 { Forcing the issue. } 5... Bxc3+ { Keres goes in for the exchange. } 6. bxc3 Re8 7. Ne2 e5 { Finallychallenging Botvinnik's central Pawn mass. } 8. Ng3 d6 9. Be2 Nbd7 { Slowinghis own development by blocking the QB, but ...N-QB3 could provoke a responseof P-Q5 from Botvinnik. } 10. O-O c5 11. f3 { Both players still need todevelop their respective QB's and connect their Rooks. } 11... cxd4 { A questionableexchange -- why undouble Botvinnik's QBP's? } 12. cxd4 Nb6 { Freeing theQB. } 13. Bb2 exd4 14. e4 Be6 15. Rc1 { Defending the isolated QBP. } 15... Re7 16. Qxd4 Qc7 { Focusing his fire on the QBP. } 17. c5 { Solving the problemby offering to exchange the Pawn. } 17... dxc5 18. Rxc5 { Gaining time by attackingKeres' Queen. } 18... Qf4 19. Bc1 { Again attacking the Queen. } 19... Qb8 20. Rg5 { Switchingto attacking the King. } 20... Nbd7 { Rushing another piece to the defense of theMonarch. } 21. Rxg7+ { A brilliant sacrifice that blows apart Keres' defenses. } 21... Kxg7 { What alternative is there? } 22. Nh5+ { Pressing the attack relentlessly. } 22... Kg6 { As good or bad as anything else. } 23. Qe3 { Threatens Q-R6 mate. Keresresigns. Well played by Botvinnik. } 1-0

[Event "This time I observed"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "T. M."] [Black "J. B."] [Result "1-0"] { Another long-past game... amazing how ignorant we all were of even elementarystrategy back in high school, except for Miss L. } 1. e4 { The usual. } 1... e5 { And the standard reply. } 2. f4 { Same ol' same ol'. } 2... f5 { This is different... } 3. Bc4 { Developing... } 3... Bc5 { Countering... } 4. Nh3 { Moving out of the way... } 4... Nh6 { Replying in kind... } 5. fxe5 { Exchanging... } 5... fxe4 { Countering... } 6. d4 { Supporting... } 6... Bb4+ { Attacking... } 7. c3 { Now the B must retreat. } 7... Ba5 { Puts the B out of play. } 8. Qh5+ { I was watching and wondering whenthis move would come. } 8... Kf8 { King in peril... } 9. O-O+ { Clever... and effective. } 9... Ke7 { The chase is on... } 10. Bg5# { Caught in the crossfire. } 1-0

[Event "Blitz game-Don't go chasing pawns! Develop!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "????"] [Round "-"] [White "rookie879"] [Black "Kingmaster Chess Board"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1600"] [TimeControl "5 min. no increments"] [WhiteElo "1621"] { Hi everbody! this is a blitz game I played vs. my computerized chess boardat home. It features a miniature with a material winning attack. Then afterthe material that was defending the king is cleared,White makes Black'sKing die a swift death. This is why you must develop your pieces! } 1. d4 Nf6 2. e3 d5 { A Stonewall attack by a transposition of moves. White's idealsetup is pawns on c3,d4,e3,f4. Knights on d2 and f3 and a bishop on d3. } 3. Nd2 e6 4. Bd3 { The whole goal of the last 2 moves is to defend e4,theweakest point in the Stonewall. } 4... c5 5. c3 c4 { ?! A dubious move,releasingall of the tension in the center and allows White to do as he pleases. } 6. Bc2 Bd6 7. f4 O-O 8. Ngf3 { I've achieved the Stonewall setup withoutany difficulty } 8... Ng4 { ? Another bad move,losing a pawn to the tactic... } 9. Bxh7+ { ! Black never saw this coming } 9... Kh8 { 9...Kxh7 10.Ng5+ followedby 11.Qxg4 } 10. Ng5 { who cares about pawns? I'm hunting a bigger prize...theenemy king! } 10... Nxe3 { The knight is very hungry and doesn't hesitate to takethe helpless pawn } 11. Qh5 { ! The king is suffocating. One Light-Squaredbishop move and he is toast } 11... Nxg2+ { Ok either this knight is 1.Greedy 2.Fat 3. Selfish. Pawns are getting taken left and right,but hey,that's theprice of winning } 12. Kd1 Nxf4 { 'Pawns! Pawns! I love pawns!' the knightsaid } 13. Qh4 { All of the sudden Black is helpless. The king orders a scramblingmove to save himself. Boy I want to see what happens when the knight wasdisobeying the king. } 13... Qxg5 { The Queen gives herself away to save the King.This was the only move to prevent mate. Unfortunately for the Black King,ithappens sooner than expected... } 14. Qxg5 Kxh7 15. Nxc4 { ! Why not winanother pawn? The white knight was jealous of his counterpart =) } 15... dxc4 16. Bxf4 { The Bishop avenges his fellow pawns' deaths. } 16... Bxf4 17. Qxf4 { Let'stake an assesment of the position. White is up a queen to a knight,bishopand pawn. The bigger advantage to White is that he is better developedthan Black. The Queen is in a strong position and the Rooks are ready topounce on the Black King } 17... Nc6 18. Rg1 { An innocent looking enough moveright? } 18... Bd7 { alas,this is too little too late } 19. Kd2 { The rooks can seeeach other and become more powerful when conncected } 19... Rad8 { ?? The finalmistake. Hard to suggest an alternative. To avoid the next move,Black shouldhave played 19...g6 (19...Rg8?? 20.Qh4#) } 20. Rxg7+ { ! The icing on thecake. A sac on g7 that ends the game } 20... Kxg7 21. Rg1+ { The other rook takeshis comrade's place and brings the win home } 21... Kh8 { 21...Kh7 22.Qh4# } 22. Qh6# { Comments are very welcome. Thanks for viewing the game and my annotation. } 1-0

[Event "Destroyed!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.04.05"] [Round "-"] [White "jossie961"] [Black "lake-bay"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1425"] [WhiteElo "1412"] { A Thursday night blitz... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Qe2 { This isn't the best move int the book. } 5... d5 { I use the extra move tostrike the center. } 6. exd5 Nxd5 { He can pick up a pawn but... } 7. O-O { I had Nb4 planned making his pieces retreat to prevent a knight invasion. } 7... Qd6 8. Bxd5 Qxd5 9. Be3 { Sharper would be Nc3. } 9... Bxe3 10. fxe3 e4 { I makeanother central advance. } 11. Nc3 { This move was long overdue. Now it isbad. } 11... exf3 { What a nice move! } 12. Nxd5 { Here I had the last laugh. } 12... fxe2 { Now we can trade rooks! } 13. Nxc7+ Kd7 { This was a slip of the mouse.I meant Kd8. } 14. Nxa8 exf1=Q+ { Oh yeah! } 15. Rxf1 f6 { Now I will go afterhis knight. } 16. e4 Nd4 { I take the time to get a home for my knight. } 17. c3 Ne2+ { An annoying check. } 18. Kf2 Nf4 19. Kg3 g5 { I defend and entrenchmy knight. } 20. e5 fxe5 21. Kf3 Rf8 { I set up a discovered attack. } 22. Ke4 Kd6 23. g3 { ? But there weren't many other options. } 23... Bf5+ { Anothergood move. Notice how his knight attacked. } 24. Ke3 Ng2+ 25. Ke2 { ? Againthere weren't many other options. } 25... Bxd3+ 26. Kxd3 Rxf1 27. c4 Rf8 { NowI pick off the knight. } 28. c5+ Kc6 29. Ke4 Rxa8 30. Kxe5 Kxc5 { I am nowup a knight and a rook! He resigned. } 0-1

[Event "Seafarer I - Charlotte Chess Club"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "16-July-08"] [Round "-"] [White "Shirlen, Joseph"] [Black "Charles Carerros"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1168 (P)"] [TimeControl "G90"] [WhiteElo "987"] { Charlotte Chess Club Perpetual 5 Round Tournment Round 1 } 1. Nf3 Nc6 2. e4 e5 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 { This has been seen before in 'T Gharamianvs Ara Minasian, 2001 1-0' } 5. Nxe5 Qe7 6. d4 Ba6 { Ba6?? This movewill prevent white from castling for a while but it might have been betterto play Bb7 to prepare for d6. } 7. Bf4 { White might have been betterwith Bg5. With the knight pin white does not lose the e pawn and willdevelop the bishop to a strong square. } 7... Nxe4 8. f3 Nd6 9. a4 { Little ifanything is gained by the a4 push. White should have used this opportunityto develop the knight on b1 or perhaps push the b pawn to b3 in preparationto c4 which would allow the castle. White would then have a strong center. This move allows black to continue the attack. } 9... f6 10. Kf2 fxe5 11. Re1 { The rook move is a critical move in this game. White would have beenbetter served by capturing the pawn with the bishop and then making therook move in followup. } 11... exf4 { Black decides to sacrifice his queen forthe rook and the bishop. As black is already up in material this providesa good advantage. } 12. Rxe7+ Bxe7 { In addition to the material advantage,the bishop is used to capture the rook which opens up the possibility ofcastling. } 13. Qe1 Nf5 14. c3 O-O { With black safely castled, he can nowbegin a three piece attack on the white king. } 15. Qe5 { White moves toattack the c7 pawn. He might have been better served to develop his knightwhich would also allow the possibility of bring the rook into the centerof the board. } 15... Bh4+ 16. Kg1 Rae8 17. Nd2 { Nd2?? This is an obvious blunderthat hangs the queen. Other options } 17... Rxe5 18. dxe5 Rb8 { This move doesnot gain anything for black. The attack on the b pawn is easily defendedand in fact allows white to make the good move. Re8 would be much betterwith white not being able to defend the pawn on e5 and allowing black theability to centralize his rook. } 19. b3 Re8 { Black finds the good squarefor his rook. } 20. Nc4 Bxc4 { Black trades off the bishop for the knightand also degrades White's pawn structure. } 21. bxc4 Rxe5 22. Rb1 { Verylittle is gained by this move as the rook must remain on this rank to preventBlack's Re1 . White might have been better with h3 to give the king somebreathing room. } 22... Re1+ { Black decides to trade off the rooks. } 23. Rxe1 Bxe1 24. h3 Bxc3 25. Kf2 d5 26. Ke2 d4 27. Kd1 d3 28. Kc1 Ne3 29. h4 d2+ 0-1

[Event "Expert Draw!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15.3.99"] [Round "-"] [White "Patrick Scott"] [Black "Joanne Stevens"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1240"] [WhiteElo "2072"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone, just found this game scrawled on a piece of A4 paper. It was an old OTB game played nine years ago. I played a young 18 yearold upper 6th form student in a best of 3 friendlies at my local CambridgeCity Chess Club that night called Patrick Scott who had a BCF rating of184 - I have translated this into ELO as above. I went down 2.5 - 0.5overall, but here is how the half point transpired. It was the last ofthe 3 games and in fact my last ever game with him as the following weekhe moved away from Cambridge to digs near his prospective university. This is the only time in my whole chess career that I have managed to drawany match of any description against an Expert. } 1... e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 { 3.Nd2 - this is the Tarrasch Defense of the French Defense. I used to playthe French Defense as black a lot in tournaments and in some friendliessuch as this one. This knight move, although it blocks in the white dsbdoes support the pawn on e4. } 3... Nf6 4. e5 Ne4 5. Nxe4 dxe4 { 5. ...................dxe4 - oh, oh, this knight exchange weakens my pawn structure. } 6. Ne2 c5 7. c3 Nc6 { 7. .................Nc6 - on move 6 I decided to try andbust up white's formidable pawn centre with a pawn break on c5 - I nowdevelop a piece and put more pressure on d4. } 8. Be3 b6 { 8. .............b6 - bolsters my c pawn and prepares Bb7. } 9. a3 Bb7 10. Ng3 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qd5 { 11. .............. Qd5 - after an exchange of pawns on d4 I now tryand develop my queen, Glenda the Defender on an active square to protectmy hanging e pawn. } 12. b3 b5 13. Ne2 b4 14. a4 a5 { 14. ................a5- an expansion on the queenside but will it get me anywhere? } 15. Nf4 Qd8 16. Bb5 g5 17. Nh5 f5 18. Nf6+ { 18. Nf6 ! - strong move by white. Overthe last few moves my pawn roll on the kingside (I was sure white was goingto have to castle there) has one big drawback - it has weakened my king'sposition and I will now have to give up castling rights with the queenson the board. } 18... Kf7 19. Qh5+ { 19. Qh5 ! - The Wicked Witch of the West nowcomes on the scene, straight on to h5. It seems I will pay a very highprice for opening up the Fool's Mate diagonal. } 19... Ke7 20. Bxc6 Bxc6 21. Qxg5 { 21. Qxg5 - I now drop a pawn. } 21... Qb8 22. Nxe4+ { 22. Nxd4 - nasty discoveredcheck. A second pawn now drops but I am too busy trying to keep Henryout of Old Matey's way to worry about the material count. } 22... Ke8 23. Qh5+ Kd8 24. Bg5+ { 24. Bg5 - Henry is really under the cosh - he now triesto escape to the queenside where he hopes his wife, Glenda will be ableto protect him. } 24... Kc8 25. Rc1 { 25. Rc1 - pinning Frere Leblanc! - Nasty,Nasty. Henry sidesteps the pin next turn and protects his beleagured priest. } 25... Kb7 26. Qf7+ Qc7 27. Qxc7+ Kxc7 { 27. ....................Kxc7 - after anasty looking queen check from the Wicked Witch on f7, Glenda shields herother half and gives up her life for that of the Wicked Witch's. Onlynow do I look at the material count and note that I am 2 pawns to the badagainst a player with an 800 rating differential. I do look at the whitebackward b pawn, however, and the seed of a plan which will germinate overthe next few moves is sown. } 28. Ng3 { 28. Ng3 - knight sidesteps the fpawn's attack. I must now release Frere Leblanc from that pin. } 28... Kb7 29. f3 Bg7 { 29. .................... Bg7 - I finally complete my development- ON MOVE 29!!!! } 30. Kf2 Bd5 { 30 ................... Bd5 - after whiteconnects his rooks with Kf2 I now unleash my counter-attack - Frere Leblancputs the b3 pawn under the hammer. As white has a dsb one of his rooksor his king is going to be tied down to defending it! } 31. Nh5 Rhg8 32. Nxg7 Rxg7 { 32. ............ Rxg7 - white decides to simplify further byeliminating the bishop pair. Note that we are now left with opposite colouredbishops which, if the rooks were swapped off, might offer drawing chancesto the defending side. } 33. Bf6 Rgg8 34. Rb1 Rac8 { 34. ................Rac8 - my rooks take advantage of the open files available to them. Ithink I have some play for my 2 pawn deficit. } 35. Rb2 Rc3 { 35. .............Rc3 - putting more pressure on that weak b pawn! } 36. Rhb1 Rgc8 37. Be7 Rd3 { 37. ............... Rd3? - I think I actually missed a chance to winthe game here, I think Rc2 would have probably prompted a white flag. After the exchange of rooks on c2 how on earth is white going to adequatelydefend his b pawn. The a pawn will most likely drop off giving me twofantastic passers on the a and b file. } 38. Bc5 Rc3 39. Kg3 Rg8+ 40. Kh4 Rg6 41. Kh5 Bc6 42. Kh4 Be8 { 42. ................... Be6 - over the lastfew moves white has tried to force a win by marching his king up the hfile. I think his king wants my h pawn. Over my dead body! } 43. Bd6 Bf7 44. Kh3 Rg8 45. Rd1 Rgc8 46. Bc5 Rg8 47. Rf1 Be8 { 47. ............. Be6- things are drifting along rather aimlessly now. I think I may draw thisbut it is in the hands of my opponent. } 48. Rff2 Bc6 49. Rfc2 Rxc2 50. Rxc2 { 50. Rxc2 - one pair of rooks have been exchanged. I now tie hisremaining rook down to defending that b pawn. } 50... Bd5 51. Rb2 Kc6 52. Rb1 Kb7 53. Bd6 Rc8 54. Bc5 Rg8 55. Rb2 { 55. Rb2 - finally after more aimlessplay Patrick offers me a draw and I wasted no time in accepting it. Boy,I was over the moon! } 1/2-1/2

[Event "Casual Game, New Orleans, 1848"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Paul Morphy"] [Black "Alonzo Morphy"] [Result "1-0"] { Alonzo Morphy, at the time, was one of the strongest -- if not THE strongest-- player in New Orleans. His 11-year-old nephew was unafraid, however... } 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5 { Uncle Alonzo wants to test his nephew's mettle. A veryaggressive move with the Black pieces. } 3. exf5 Nf6 { To prevent a futureQ-R5 ch. } 4. Nc3 d5 5. Nxd5 { The younger Morphy offers a piece [5... NxN6 BxN QxB] in return for the second Pawn. Daringly played. } 5... Bc5 6. Nxf6+ Qxf6 { After his uncle declines the sacrifice, Paul consolidates his materialadvantge. } 7. d3 Bxf5 { Winning back one of the Pawns. } 8. Nf3 Bg4 9. Bd5 c6 10. Be4 { This Bishop is beautifully centralized. } 10... Nd7 11. O-O h6 12. c3 O-O-O { With both men having castled, the opening is complete and themiddle-game begins. } 13. b4 Bb6 14. a4 { Paul seeks Q-side play to counterhis uncle's K-side pressure. Both men are going after the location of theother player's King. } 14... a6 15. Qb3 Bxf3 { With the Knight no longer pinned,Alonzo sees no reason not to exchange. } 16. Bxf3 g5 17. Be3 g4 { An oversight,perhaps. Paul gratefully captures the loose Pawn. } 18. Bxg4 Bc7 19. Bf3 Rhg8 20. Be4 Rg4 21. f3 Rg7 { Paul's 2 extra Pawns will be a bigger advantagewith every piece exchange. } 22. b5 axb5 23. axb5 { The QR becomes an activepiece without having budged from its home square. } 23... Nb6 24. bxc6 Rdg8 { Alonzoignores his nephew's correlation of forces and presses his own attack.Down 3 Pawns, he has little choice. } 25. Rf2 Qd8 26. Ra8+ { 26... NxR???is impossible because of 27 QxP mate. So... } 26... Bb8 27. Bxb6 { With his hugematerial deficit, Alonzo could resign now. But he plays a few more moves,hoping his nephew will blunder away the win. } 27... Rxg2+ 28. Rxg2 Rxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Qg5+ { A 'spite check.' } 30. Kh1 Qc1+ 31. Bg1 { Alonzo throws in thetowel. Well played by Paul. } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from jl145061"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.12.11"] [Round "-"] [White "idril"] [Black "jl145061"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1007"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "981"] 1. d4 { Moving my pawn out } 1... e6 { Black moves the pawn } 2. e3 { Protectingmy other pawn } 2... c6 { Random pawn moves by Black... } 3. Nc3 { Moving my knightout } 3... Bb4 { Threatening my knight with the bishop } 4. Bd2 { Protecting myknight } 4... Qc7 { Black moves out the Queen... } 5. a3 { Threatening the bishop } 5... Ba5 { Moving the bishop out of danger } 6. b4 { Threatening the bishop again } 6... Bb6 { Moving the bishop (once again) out of danger } 7. a4 { Planning to trapthe bishop } 7... a5 { Protecting the bishop } 8. bxa5 { Capturing the pawn } 8... Bxa5 { Black takes my pawn in response } 9. Nf3 { Moving out my other knight } 9... g5 { Black moves out the pawn, not realizing what my knight is capable of } 10. Nxg5 { I take the pawn } 10... h6 { Threatening my knight } 11. Nf3 { Moving myknight back } 11... b5 { Moving the pawn out } 12. axb5 { I take the pawn } 12... cxb5 { Blackresponds } 13. Nxb5 { I take the pawn, threatening the queen } 13... Qb6 { Movingthe queen out of danger } 14. Ne5 { Moving my knight farther out. } 14... f6 { Threateningmy knight } 15. Nf3 { Moving my knight back } 15... Bxd2+ { Black takes my bishop } 16. Nxd2 { I respond } 16... Qb7 { Moving the queen } 17. Nd6+ { Putting the kingin check and effectively killing the queen } 17... Ke7 { Moving the king } 18. Nxb7 { Taking the queen } 18... Bxb7 { Black takes the knight } 19. Rxa8 { Taking the rook } 19... Bxa8 { Black responds } 20. Qa1 { Threatening the bishop } 20... Bd5 { Moving thebishop out of danger } 21. Qa3+ { Putting the king in check } 21... Kf7 { Movingout of check } 22. Qa7 { Threatening check again } 22... Nc6 { Black threatens myqueen, perhaps not thinking of the move I will make next } 23. Qxd7+ { Itake the pawn and check the king } 23... Kg6 { Moving the king out of check } 24. Bc4 { Threatening the bishop } 24... Bxg2 { Taking my pawn and threatening the rook,not realizing that it puts Black in danger } 25. Rg1 { Pinning the bishop } 25... Nb8 { Threatening my queen } 26. Rxg2+ { Checking the king } 26... Kf5 { Moving outof check. If Black had instead moved to h5, it would have maybe saved him,or at least taken me longer to mate. } 27. Qxe6# { Mate. } 1-0

[Event "Mate me, mate me!!!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.11.30"] [Round "-"] [White "sam4u2004w"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe5+ 4. Qe2 Qxe2+ { It has to be proven thatthe queen's exchange is the best for black. } 5. Bxe2 c6 { This is necessary,since the white knight can jump and threathen Nc2+. } 6. Bc4 { A loss oftime, while white could have kept the development with Nf3 or d4. } 6... Bf5 7. d3 Nd7 8. Nf3 O-O-O { My king in this side is going to be attacked, butnormally black survives. } 9. O-O f6 { Preparing e5, g5 etc. } 10. Nd4 Bg6 { Fatal mistake, that gives up a most important square. } 11. Ne6 Re8 12. Bf4 { Now black is REALLY cramped. } 12... Ne5 { Not a wise choice (better wasNb3, maybe). I thought that it was better to sac a pawn, but I was verywrong. } 13. Bxe5 fxe5 14. Rfe1 { I cannot defend the pawn. Let's see ifI can untangle myself. } 14... b5 15. Bb3 b4 16. Na4 { Now white has a huge penetrationon my undefended king. } 16... Nf6 17. Rxe5 Bf7 { Now I can move Nd5. } 18. Rae1 Ng4 { POintless, I just tried to open a little my pieces. } 19. Ra5 Kb8 { Now I couldn't see a mate for white, even if the position calls for that. } 20. Nac5 Nf6 { Covering d7. } 21. Bc4 g6 22. h3 Bh6 { NxB is not possibleanymore, but... } 23. g4 { threatening g5, and Bd2 is too dangerous (Rd1). } 23... g5 { Sigh... } 24. f4 { Still threatening. gxf, g5! and I lose a piece. } 24... Rhg8 25. fxg5 Bxg5 26. Nxg5 { I realized that I had to exchange the bishopfirst, but I didn't realize that... } 26... Bxc4 { ...I cannot take the knightbecause of Na3+, winning the exchange (RxR, KxN). } 27. dxc4 h5 { well,let's try to grab the only advantage I have } 28. Re5 hxg4 29. Kh2 Rh8 { NowI threaten gxh and Ng5+ forking the rook. } 30. Na6+ Kb7 31. Ne6 { Whiteapparently doesn't see it... or has he a mate? } 31... gxh3 32. Nec5+ Kb6 { It'sincredible. With all those white pieces around my king, and no mate iscoming. } 33. Ra4 Ng4+ { Now the tables are turned. } 34. Kg3 Nxe5 35. Rxb4+ Ka5 36. Ra4+ Kb6 37. Ne6 Reg8+ { White, despite his pieces, cannot finda way to materialize his position, and his pieces are not useful. } 38. Kf2 h2 39. c5+ Kb5 { Or Kb7, but I was tempting the fate again. } 40. Ra3 { I think white could have played here b3, winning. } 40... h1=N+ { I didn't wantsurprises, so I promoted with check. Maybe a mistake, but I was far toolucky to risk again. } 41. Kf1 Ng3+ 42. Kf2 Rh2+ 43. Ke3 Nc4+ { And my opponentfelt he had no chances anymore. Well played in the opening for white, forsure! } 0-1

[Event "Trials of the Trompowsky"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "31-Jan-09"] [Round "-"] [White "robertb3079"] [Black "antistatic"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1784"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1910"] 1. d4 { Welcome to my Trompowsky annotation. This opponent had previouslyemployed the Samisch to attack my King's Indian Defense when we last playedwith the same colors. The success of the KID in that game had me on redalert for what to expect from this encounter. } 1... Nf6 { I proceed with my KID. } 2. Bg5 { This introduces the Trompowsky Attack. White does not want a conventionalKing's Indian Defense and intends to take the game into original territoryby exchanging bishop for knight and doubling Black's f-pawns. } 2... Ne4 { Whitehas essentially put the question to the knight (and the pawns that wouldhave had to recapture). Black has a number of responses here including2_c5, 2_e6, and the text. I prefer the text because it often leads to activepositional play and because I also like reflecting White's strategy byputting the question back on the bishop. } 3. Bf4 { 3.h4 is also currentlyfashionable. } 3... c5 { Both sides have a minor piece that has been developed,attacked, and moved again. Black plays 3_c5 hoping to maintain the knighton e4 or at least gain a concession before retreating it. } 4. f3 { NowWhite enters one of the most popular lines of the Tromp. Whether the gameremains open or closed (and it can do both from this tabia in my experience)the play is usually very sharp. Since my worthy opponent had previouslyemployed the Samisch it seems fitting here that he employs a system witha similar pawn structure (f3) that is so thematic in that opening as well.This move does challenge the knight on the e4 square but it does so atthe cost of White taking away the best development square from his ownknight (see previous note). } 4... Qa5+ { This is the point of Black's previousmove. It allows the knight on e4 to influence White's game before it hasto retreat (or be exchanged). } 5. c3 { Logical. } 5... Nf6 { White has an importantdecision to make. } 6. Nd2 { 6.d5 is a strong alternative that grabs space.The text, however, is usually going for an endgame where White's betterpawns are mitigated by Black's bishop pair. } 6... cxd4 { Freeing my Queen fromhaving to recapture on the next move and exposing the fifth rank to myqueen's influence (no Bg5 repetitions thank you!). } 7. Nb3 { This is whatWhite is playing for when he plays 6.Nd2. } 7... Qb6 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 { 8_Nc6 is thepopular move here. But I like the text better. White wanted an endgamewith the better pawns. Had I played 8_Nc6 White could have proceeded with9.Qxb6 when 9_axb6 is just the pawn-weakening White was aiming for. } 9. Nxd4 { I was expecting 9.cxd4 when White has a formidable center that Blackwill have to be careful about handling. With the piece recapture it givesBlack, at the cost of a few forced moves, an easier game in my opinion. } 9... a6 { Keeping the knight away from b5 and c7. } 10. e4 { Logical. Improvingthe White position, releasing the White squared bishop (that once deployedwill allow the g1 knight an opportunity on the e2 square), and threatening11.e5. } 10... d6 { This felt forced for me. Its obvious I'm trying to punish theknight recapture on move 9 with a fork on the e5 square. But the text alsoprevents 11.e5 and opens the diagonal for my own White squared bishop. } 11. Nb3 { Avoiding the fork and putting an eye on the a5 square. } 11... e5 { Thiswas going to be a KID if you remember. I was hoping to get in Be6 & d5(potentially with a knight on b6 and a rook on d8 defending) making thed6 pawn backward only temporarily. White could prevent it but would haveto forgo developing his kingside pieces. } 12. Bg5 { Of course. He did playa Tromp against me to avoid the KID if you remember. 8) } 12... Be6 { I continuewith my plan. I thought about playing Be7 and then castling but with thequeens overboard I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be hustling my King fromthe corner back to the center in an endgame. If he wants to relinquishthe bishop pair then he can but the doubled f-pawns, though annoying, won'tbe the structural disaster it would have been on move 3. } 13. Rd1 { Logicaland direct. Black's plan for d5 now needs more preparation. } 13... Nbd7 { A knighton b6 would support the d5 push (that's where this knight is headed). Italso releases the a8 rook and removes the annoying potential for doubledf-pawns. } 14. Na5 { I had considered this when I first played 12_Be6. Theknight attacks the pawn on b7 and readies for Nc4. } 14... b6 { I considered 14_b5directly here but it appeared to give Black some counterplay with 15.b3and 16.c4. Here is where I made the real decision that losing the d6 pawnis ok AND that castling would actually remove Black's king from its importantinfluence in the center. } 15. Bxf6 { Making the d6 capture possible. } 15... Nxf6 16. Nc4 { White's plan is realized. } 16... b5 { Move the pawn that can be defended. } 17. Nxd6+ { Check! } 17... Bxd6 { I'm glad I didn't waste a tempo putting the bishopon e7. } 18. Rxd6 Ke7 { Now Black really isn't threatening the White rook(which can simply move away) but the text does free the other Black rook.That said, now look at the White kingside. } 19. Rd2 { Where else was itgoing to go? } 19... Bxa2 { The d6 pawn is avenged! If I can keep the d-file frombeing infiltrated by a White rook battery with my king and minor piecesthen I can attack the queenside freely wih my rooks. } 20. Ne2 { Developingthe knight with future plans such as 21.f4 or 21.Nc1 & 22.b3. } 20... Nd7 { I canalways retreat the bishop and be happy with it on e6 so I decide to meetthe possibility of 21.f4. } 21. Ng3 { The bishop had to get free somehow. } 21... g6 { Taking away squares for the knight. And once my bishop almost inevitablyretreats e6 I will have f-file ideas of my own. } 22. Be2 Be6 { It was goingto happen eventually. } 23. Kf2 { Logical. } 23... Nc5 { Headed for queenside play. } 24. Rhd1 { White is now the owner of a d-file battery. But what can be donewith it? } 24... Rhc8 { I continue the queenside offensive. } 25. Bd3 { This stopsany Bb3 ideas from Black and prepares for more queenside influence. } 25... Rab8 { Preparing for b4. } 26. Bc2 { Logical follow through from the previous move. } 26... b4 { Black continues trying to break through on the queenside. } 27. Ne2 { Bringing the knight closer to the fray. } 27... a5 { Keeping up the pressure. } 28. Ke3 { White's king bolsters for a possible f4 push but the queensidewill quickly draw the knight away from any supporting duties in that plan. } 28... a4 { I thought this move forced White to take the pawn on b4. The alternativeis queenside domination. } 29. cxb4 { Forced? } 29... Rxb4 { Black breaks throughknowing that White now has the forces to liquidate the queenside pawns. } 30. Nc3 { White goes after the pawn. } 30... Rxb2 { Black accepts the trade. } 31. Bxa4 { And White removes the last pawn. } 31... Rb4 { The bishop still seems wantingfor squares though. } 32. Bc2 Nb3 { The knight attacks the White rook whilepreparing for Nd4 and leaves a discovered attack on White's knight on c3. } 33. Rd3 Nd4 { Black occupies the strong outpost on d4 and White is runningout of maneuvering room. } 34. Rc1 { A hard move to make. } 34... Rb2 { Black penetratesthe White position. } 35. Bd1 { 35.Ba4 would amount to the same thing. } 35... f5 { This is not so much my resisting the pawn grab 35_Rxg2 in as much as itsmy failing to resist a mate threat with 36_f4. } 36. g3 { I can still graba pawn on the Black kingside. But that mate threat...has it really beennullified? } 36... g5 { Nope. } 37. Rxd4 { Forced. } 37... exd4+ 38. Kxd4 { And now thatI am up the exchange I will surely grab the h2 pawn and try to convertit to a win right? My last game with this opponent proved to me that Ineed every last advantage. } 38... Rd2+ { I see something more appealing. } 39. Ke3 Rxd1 { Two for one! } 40. Rxd1 Rxc3+ 41. Rd3 f4+ { The point of the previousliquidation. } 42. gxf4 gxf4+ 43. Kd4 Rxd3+ 44. Kxd3 Bb3 { Making way forthe king on the important e-file and lusting after the f3 pawn. } 45. Ke2 Kf6 46. Kf1 Bd1 { Originally I played this to pin the king down to the defenseof the f-pawn. But then I realized that the pawns are equal in the numberof their potential moves on the h-file. This seemed a small fact but itmade my next move possible. } 47. Kf2 { Defending. } 47... Bxf3 { This was what Irealized on my last move. Once the King recaptures there is nowhere forhim to go that can protect the e4 pawn. And since the h-file is moot, hehas no choice in the matter. } 48. e5+ { Amounts to the same thing. } 48... Kxe5 49. Kxf3 Kf5 { And the game is over (though White resigned a few moves later). } 50. h3 h5 51. Ke2 Ke4 0-1

[Event "Game 2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Friend"] [Black "The Dessert Fox"] [Result "0-1"] { My second game in the 5 game series I am currently 2-0 in the lead } 1. e4 e6 { I decided against playing my favourite Sicilian and played the French.My opponent didn't like openings where black gives white the center ora spacial advantage and so I tried to antagonize him and I also wantedto play something different } 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { The advance variation } 3... c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 { Still very much by the book } 6. a3 { Wanting to play7. b4 forcing cxd4 } 6... a5 { !? An anti b4 line although Nh6 is the book's recomendation } 7. Be3 { ? } 7... Qxb2 { Black accepts the 'poisoned pawn' } 8. Nbd2 { Forced allothers drop the rook } 8... Qxc3 { Now two pawns up and pinning the knight andforcing the queen into a defensive position } 9. g3 { Wanting to developthe bishop to a square that is not e2 where whites minor pieces are trippingover one another } 9... cxd4 10. Bf4 { forced however Bg5 may have been a viablealternative because of ...f6 exf6 gxf6 Bh4 (Bf4 falls to e5 were the Bishopis trapped) however the Bishop is trapped on the side and three pawns downhowever the weakened kingside means the king will be castling into dangeron both sides. Rather than gxf6 Nxf6 could be played however Bxf6 forcesgxf6 and removes the problem Bishop on the side of the board. However losingthis also means the already struggling Queen becomes overloaded thanksto g3 were it now has the knight on f3 to defend but luckily black hasno way to take advantage of this. Black must find a way to develop itsremaining minor pieces and continue it attack otherwise its doubled c-pawnsand advanced queen may come under attack with white just two moves awayfrom castling and using it's better development to get an advantage. } 10... f6 { Wanting to develop the Knight to f6 to gain full control of e4 with thed2 knight pinned } 11. Bg2 { Forces black to make the play however will mostlikely results in a lot of pieces which is good for black meaning he canout play white in the end game and not worry as much about his developmentfor now } 11... fxe5 12. Nxe5 Nf6 { Forcing white to make the exchange or keepit's DSB and queen overloaded } 13. O-O { Exporting the King from the centeris a good idea as it removes the pin from the d2 Knight } 13... Bd6 { Preparingto castle and give his rook the half open f-file } 14. Nxc6 { White exchangeshoping the black plays bxc6 to win bishop } 14... Qxc6 { bxc6 may have had somemerit sacrificing the bishop to give the Rook the b-file however it alsostops kingside castling and gives up the material advantage but the textmove is just better } 15. Bxd6 { Don't exchange when your down however thisis forced because the only other square is Bg5 which is defeated by h6Bxf6 gxf6 which although weakens the king side means less pieces on theboard and the Bishop is better than the Knight and also Bh4 falls to g5which gives the rook the half open h-file and the king need not botherto castle at the moment } 15... Qxd6 16. Qa4+ { Wins a pawn } 16... Bd7 { Qd7 was validas exchanging Q's brings black closer to the end game where he has a 3pawn advantage } 17. Qxd4 O-O { Gives the rook the half open f-file } 18. Rab1 { Wanting to gain another pawn and make the gap only 1 pawn } 18... Qxa3 { Howeverthe material difference will once again be 2 pawns after Rxb7 } 19. Rxb7 Rab8 { When up on material exchange } 20. Rxb8 { ?! this is giving black whathe wants } 20... Rxb8 21. Nf3 { Planning on moving to e5 } 21... Rb4 { Begins to attackhowever this leaves the possibility of mate on e8 if the Bishop moves } 22. Qa7 { Trying to get to the back rank } 22... Bb5 { Attacking the rook and bringingmore pressure onto the white king } 23. Re1 Qa2 { Looking to exchange rookson b2 } 24. Qa8+ { Forces the knight or bishop to back rank. Better was Ne5which if ... Rb1 played Qe7+ Kh1 Qf8+ Ng7 Nf7# } 24... Ne8 25. h4 { Trying to givethe King some more escape squares } 25... Rb1 26. Kh2 Rxe1 27. Nxe1 Qxf2 28. Nf3 { Protecting the Knight but overloading the Bishop. } 28... h6 { Gives the Kingan escape square } 29. Qxa5 Bf1 { Threating Qxg2# } 30. Kh3 { Trying to escapebut better was Qd2 Qxd2 Nxd2 Bxg2 Kxg2 which draws the game into an endingwhere although two points down the Black knight is stuck at the wrong endof the board } 30... Qxg2+ 31. Kg4 g5 32. Nd4 { attacking the e-pawn } 32... Qh3+ 33. Kf3 { Kh5 gets the King trapped after Kh7 } 33... gxh4 { Wanting to play Qxg3# } 34. Ke3 hxg3 35. Kd2 g2 { White Resigns with the g-pawn certain to queen. Lesson to learn Don't exchange when down on material } 0-1

[Event "Scand with 5.d4, but sac wins"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.02.22"] [Round "-"] [White "homunculi"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1705"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1644"] 1. e4 { A thematic but nice sacrifice. } 1... d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe5+ 4. Be2 c6 5. d4 Qa5 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. Bd3 e6 8. O-O Bg6 { It seems a loss of time,but the bishop would have to retire sooner or later, since the queen willsoon retire to c7 (or, if white plays the good one, Bf4, to b6). } 9. a3 Bd6 { Well, the crucial black diagonal is mine. } 10. Bxg6 { You see, a doubledpawn is not an advantage when the rook is aiming at your king... } 10... hxg6 11. Ne4 Qc7 { I could have saved the bishop, but it forced me to more timelosses. } 12. Nxd6+ Qxd6 13. g3 { Here I have my tempo back. } 13... Nd7 14. Bf4 Qd5 { Ok, now the plan for white is c4, and try to press d5, or at leastc5, in order to block my action. So I thought Qd3 or someting like that. } 15. Re1 { This one is ok too, but I know this variation, and it camestoo late. } 15... O-O-O { Without fear... } 16. b3 { As normal, trying inmediatelyto attack my weak queenside. } 16... Ngf6 17. Ng5 { White follows different plans,instead to concentrate to a more positional reinforcement. With c4, mygame would have been difficult. This is a thematic threat. But... } 17... Rxh2 { Surprise. Now, if KxR, Rh1+ is mortal. Nh3 (the only one), Qf5... andif g5, Nxg5+. } 18. f3 { This one is ok, probably the best. But: 19. ...,Rdh1, If 20. Nxf7, Rh1+ Unique: 21. Kf2, R8h2+ Unique: 22. Ke3, RxR If23. QxR, e5. Now white can answer 24. Nxe5*, in order to save the Knightand avoid Qxd4#. 24. ..., NxN. It seems normal to play d4xe5, but: Qc5+Unique: 25. Kd3, Qxc2+, If 26. Ke3, Nf5+, 26. Kd4 (unique), c5+ 27. KxN(unique), Qd3+, 28. Kxc5 (or mate), Rc2+, 29. Kb4 (unique), Qd4+ and matethe next one. If. 26. Kd4, c5+, 27. Kd3 (unique) and Nd5#. If I wereable to see all this without the analyzer' help... Anyway, not ALL whiteanswers are forced, so this is mere speculation. Anyway, it's a real matenet. * If white takes the pawn with his one, the thematic mate is thesame. Or, there is another very nice mate with this line: 22. ..., e5, 23.d4-e5, Nxe5 24.Bxe5, d5-c5+ 25.Kf4 (forced, since Kd3 leadsto mate as in the other line), Nd5+ 26.Kg4 (forced, since Ke4, Qxc2+,then Rd2+. And if Kg5, Qe7+, Kg4, Qe6+, Kg5, Qf5#)d5-e3+ 27.Kg5 (or exchangesthe queen for a knight, in one of two ways)Qe7+ 28.Kxg6 (not forced,but otherwise loses the queen for a knight...) Qe6+ 29.Kxg7 (not forced,but if Kg5, Qf5#...) Nf5+ 30.Kf8 (not forced, but Kg8, Qe8#...) Rh731.Ng5 (not forced, but... can white save himself?) Qe7+ 32.Kg8Nh6#... but who will like such a position, even being 4 material points up? So, nice position, isn't it? I like Lasker's scandinavian... } 18... Rdh8 19. Nxf7 Rh1+ 20. Kf2 R8h2+ 21. Ke3 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 e5 { I have to prevent thehorrible Nd6+, anyway. } 23. Nxe5 Nxe5 24. Bxe5 Rxc2 { Now is the moment } 25. Qb4 c5 { Another good tactis. BUT he resigned, and I am not sure I wouldhave won. Probably yes, since if 26. Qa4, b5, 27. Qxa7 (Qxb5, c5xd4+ andloses the queen), c5xd4+, and if 28. Kd6, Qf5+, 29. Ke6 (forced), Nd5#.I must admit I was very lucky, but also a good performance with my favoritedefence... } 0-1

[Event "Pawn structure owns Black squares"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.02.26"] [Round "-"] [White "maongo"] [Black "theancientbeast"] [Result "0-1"] { Yes, I back on an annotating streak! I set looking for a positional blitzgame and got this: a jewel that shows the importance of having controlon the same colored squares as your opponent's Bishop in a game in whichopposite-colored Bishops have been traded. Enjoy! } 1. e4 e6 { I go for aFrench, which can be quite positional. The French, which usually cursesBlack's poor White-square Bishop to a life of being a Tall Pawn, or simplybeing traded off, but in this game, my Light Bishop proved to be quitethe Piece, applying pressure to White's poor pawn on c4. } 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 { Carrying us out of the database. } 3... Bd6 4. d4 { Finally a French-likeposition. } 4... c5 { As is the nature of the opening. } 5. e5 cxd4 { This probablyshould receive a ?!, since it trades off Black's Dark Bishop, going againstthe grain of the French. } 6. exd6 dxc3 7. Qd4 { Eyeballing g7, but not theright move here, since it allows cxb2. } 7... cxb2 8. Bxb2 f6 { The threat iseasily neutralized. } 9. Bb5+ { And now White says 'au revoire' to his Bishoppair, which may be a decisive factor come endgame. } 9... Nc6 10. Qc5 Qb6 { Aftermaking this move, I thought maybe Qa5+ would have been stronger, but no,I now do not think it is. I provoke a Queen trade since I am up a pawnand have superior structure. Black is good after 11.QxQ PxQ 12. BxN PxBwith advantage. } 11. Bxc6+ bxc6 12. Qxb6 axb6 { Or that order. Whichever.Black now only needs to rid himself of that pesky d-pawn, and has but towait while his opponent bleeds, searching for a way in. } 13. Ng5 { ThisKnight is poisoned. Kudos to White, but I saw 13...fxg5 14.Bxg2, winningthe Rook. } 13... h6 { Chasing the Knight. } 14. Nf3 { Back to his original square. } 14... Kd7 { I had put this move off, but I decided that I would be safe even ifI didn't castle. } 15. O-O { He does, however. } 15... Kxd6 { About here I realizethat if I can place all my pawns on dark squares, I can lock his Bishopdown. } 16. Nd4 e5 { Perhaps he saw the fork on f5; consequently, White'sLight Bishop is holding that square down. } 17. Nb3 d4 { One more pawn togo. } 18. c4 c5 { There. The pawn chain completely shuts down White's Bishopfrom all but five currently reachable squares. } 19. f4 { Futile, really.Trading will not truly impair my wall. } 19... Ba6 { Now the poor c-pawn will needconstant babysitting, tying up at least one of White's pieces at all times. } 20. fxe5+ fxe5 { White may own the file, but 21....Nf6 22....Rf8 and, uponmoving the Knight, the file is now contested. } 21. Nd2 Nf6 22. h3 Nh5 { ButI am going on the offensive. } 23. Kh2 { Stopping Ng3. } 23... Nf4 24. Ne4+ Kc6 { This check accomplishes little. } 25. Nd2 Nd3 { Attacking his Bishop. } 26. Bc1 { I do not want to trade my active Knight for his essentially worthlessBishop. } 26... Rhf8 { I contest the file, since his backup is blocked. } 27. Rxf8 Rxf8 { Now I control the file, and my Rook shall soon utilize it. } 28. a4 { He hopes to activate his Rook. } 28... Rf2 29. Ra2 { ?? This loses. } 29... Nxc1 { NowBlack will have little resistance after 30.Rc2 Nb3, and the Knight falls.Then black will simply march his center pawns up the board, any contestingwill result in Black gaining material. He resigned. Thank you, maongo,for this excellent game, and thank you, fellow chessman, for reading. } 0-1

[Event "IC DOGS Team 1 Mini Tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "06-Oct-06"] [Round "-"] [White "defeated"] [Black "yellowlab"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1783"] [TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1397"] 1. e4 { 1. e4 occupies a center square and attacks another (d5). It openslines for the king bishop and for the queen. The e-pawn has passed bythe d4 and f4 squares, however, and can never be used to fight for thosesquares. } 1... c5 { The Sicilian seeks to avoid symmetry, and to keep the positionimbalanced. } 2. c3 { A slower approach with the obvious intention of establishinga pawn duo on d4 and e4. 2. Nf3 and 3. d4 leads to the open Sicilian whichis the most challenging way to proceed. } 2... g6 { Black is going to fianchettothe king bishop (flank development to g7) where it is relatively safe fromattack, but still influences the center. } 3. d4 { White's continues withthe plan. } 3... cxd4 4. cxd4 { The c-file has been opened but neither side hasdeveloped enough to make use of it. Remember that 1. e4 robbed the d4of any pawn support from the e-file. White's contiuation has robbed thed4 square of any pawn support from the c-file as well. White has his pawnduo, but can it be maintained? } 4... d5 { The most aggressive continuation. An exchange of pawns would leave White with an isolated d-pawn. } 5. e5 { The advance 5. e5 gains some space for white (notice that the king knight'sfavorite square f6 is off limits) at the cost of a tempo. Also noticethat of the four central squares three of them are occupied by pawns. Occupation is not the same as control. The only central square avaiblefor the pieces is e4. White has no pawn that can fight for control overe4, while black has two. } 5... Bg7 { Continuing his development. If black canbreak up the mini pawn chain d4-e5, the bishop will become stronger. } 6. f4 { If white wishes to maintain the pawn chain, he must support it withhis f-pawn. It costs another tempo to do so however. } 6... h5 { Black wantsto transfer the knight on g8 to f5 via h6. Once it gets to f5, it willbe clear why h5 was useful. } 7. Nf3 { White has to try to complete his development. } 7... Nh6 { Transferring the knight. } 8. Bd3 Nc6 { Developing with an eye on d4. } 9. Nc3 { Developing with an eye on d5. } 9... Nf5 { Now it is clear why black played6. ...h5. It prevents white from playing 10. g4 to drive the knight away. From its perch on f5 the knight increases the pressure on d4. } 10. Bxf5 { A serious concession. White's center pawns are on dark squares. Whiteneeds the light square bishop to complement them. Without it, white willdevelop serious weaknesses on the light squares. } 10... Bxf5 11. Bd2 { 11. Be3was a better choice in order to defend the d4 pawn. } 11... Bg4 { Indirectly pressuringthe d4 square by pinning the knight that defends it. } 12. Qe2 { This losesmaterial. } 12... O-O { Black, in no hurry, secures his king prior to initiatingany complications. } 13. O-O-O { The king is not exactly safe on the queenside,but his king side pawns are going to be compromised in a moment. } 13... Nxd4 { Black wins material and causes structural damage. } 14. Qe3 Bxf3 { Or 14....Nxf3 the choice is mostly one of taste. } 15. gxf3 Nf5 { I liked the knighton f5 even more than the bishop. } 16. Qc5 e6 { Black's advantage has beenconsolidated. He now needs to develop his rooks and queen and transferthe bishop back to the f8-a3 diagonal. } 17. Kb1 { Bringing the king to relativesafety. } 17... Qd7 { Preparing to occupy the c-file with his rooks. } 18. Nb5 { Whitewill be driven back quickly. } 18... Rfc8 { Gaining the file with tempo. } 19. Qb4 Bf8 { Redirecting the bishop with tempo. } 20. Qb3 a6 { Driving the knightaway. } 21. Nc3 { It's instructive to go back to the position before white's18th move. It is the same for white except that the queen has moved fromc5 to b3. In the meantime, black has move Rfc8, Bf8 and a6, and it ishis turn to play! } 21... Nd4 { Too hasty. 21. ...b5 was better. } 22. Qa4 { 22.Qd3 was a bit better, because all endings are in black's favor. } 22... Qxa4 23. Nxa4 Rc6 { Covering the b6 square, preparing to double rooks on the c-fileand b5 to drive the knight away. } 24. Rhf1 { Guarding the f-pawn, but rooksdo not like pawn guard duty. } 24... Rac8 { Taking control over the file. } 25. Nc3 b5 26. Be3 Nf5 27. Bd4 { The passive bishop would love to sacrificeitself for black's active knight, but black isn't interested in the exchange. } 27... Rc4 { He would like to win it though. } 28. Bb6 Rxf4 { One of the two crippledf-pawns finally falls. } 29. Ne2 Rfc4 30. Rd2 R8c6 31. b3 { Although therook has nowhere to go on the c-file it can transfer itself along the rank. } 31... Rh4 { There is now a double attack. One rook attacks the pawn on h2, whilethe other attacks the bishop on b6. } 32. Rf2 { White protects the wrongone. } 32... Rxb6 { 0-1 White resigns. This game featured an attempt to establisha strong pawn center by white. Black attacked it and fixed the pawns ondark squares. Black then used the light squares c6 and f5 to attack theweak pawn on d4. White tried to reduce the pressure with 10. Bxf5, butthis left him vulnerable on the light squares. Black continued to pressured4 until he was able to win it. He then consolidated and developed oftenat white's expense. He then used the open cifile to penetrate white'sterriitory along yet another light square (c4). White's remianing kingsidepawns where crippled and unlimately had to fall. If you're pawns are ondark squares keep your light square bishop. And vice-versa. } 0-1

[Event "Where an Extra Pawn Makes the Difference"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.05.01"] [Round "-"] [White "dmaestro"] [Black "jkarp"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1074"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1537"] { Damaestro annotated our first and third games, against each other. Thiswas my second game against him, and it took place, before my game elyhim. That is important because Master id=elyhim taught me that one pawn oftenmakes the difference between winning and loosing, in our game against eachother, and I have been repeating this fact in previous annotations. Thatis what happened, in this particular game. I lost this game by blunderinga pawn. } 1. e4 { The Kings Pawn Opening. } 1... c5 { Of course, my opponent expectsme to play the Sicilian Defense, and that is what happens. } 2. Nf3 { Thecornerstone of the Open Sicilian. Note: this is not a transposition ofthat. } 2... d6 { The continuation of this defense. } 3. d4 { Of course, he is goingto continue with the Open Sicilian. } 3... cxd4 { Standard. } 4. Nxd4 { Standard. } 4... a6 { Now, there are many versions to this continuation, but this is my favorite. Unlike my previous annotation, it does prevent him from playing 5.Bb5. At least, I assume that he wanted to play that. } 5. Be3 { So he decidesto play this, instead. I don't mind, but I would have played 5.Bc4, ifI were white. As it allows me to develop my LSB and Right Wing, so thatI can castle Kingside. Of course, I see that he wants to castle Queenside. Therefore, I already feel that I have the advantage. Many chess coacheshave told me that it is far better to castle Kingside then Queenside. However, Master paulmorphy91 disagrees with this assessment. In jsteven's1annotation about, 'Where and When it is Safe to Castle', he says that QueensideCastling is often better then castling Kingside. } 5... Nc6 { I decide to continuedevelopment and hope for a Knight exchange. Afterall, I feel that doubledpawns will strengthen my position, this time. } 6. Nc3 { I do not know whyhe played this because his e4 pawn is not hanging. He might just wantto develop, but I do not think that this is normal development. Instead,I would have played 6.Bc4 and castled Kingside, before this move. } 6... Nxd4 { At least, I am getting a Knight Exchange, but it is not what I had expected. Instead, he will take with the Queen, but I will chase it around, withmy e pawn. } 7. Qxd4 e5 8. Qd2 Nf6 { Now, I decide to develop properly, withmy Kings Knight. Although it took a long time, this transposed from aSicilian Defense, into a King's Knight Opening. As bwaa mentioned in mylast annotation, the timing also does not matter. Before that, I originallythought that the order did not matter, but timing was critical. BTW, Iam specifically alluding to transpositions. } 9. f3 { ? I do not know whyhe played this, but this should cause problems. Now he has opened hisKing, and it is no longer safe to Castle Kingside, without exposing it. On the other hand, Castling Queenside should also leave his King Open,but he has no choice now. If he does not castle, his King will also remainexposed. Therefore, I now feel that I have a big edge. } 9... Be7 { This is theonly way that I could have developed my DSB. Otherwise, I would have played9...Bb4, pinning his c3 Knight. } 10. O-O-O { As mentioned earlier, he doesnot have a lot of options to protect his King from exposure. } 10... Be6 { I decideto take advantage of that by producing a, 'Strong Bishop Pair'. } 11. g4 { I do not know why he played this. Afterall, he is not going to develophis LSB immediately. } 11... Qa5 { I decide to bring my Queen out and try to gofor an attack. My goal is to win his a2 pawn for free, but that will notwork here. I was thinking of 12.Bxa2, and if 12...Nxa2, 13.Qxa2. I didnot think that the pawn could be protected. In other words, I thoughtthat I was automatically going to win that pawn because there was nothinghe could do to protect it, but I was wrong. } 12. Kb1 Rc8 { Therefore, Iam trying to put pressure on the c file, with this move. } 13. Nd5 { He wantsto exchange pieces with me, and I do not mind because I am not behind inmaterial, yet. } 13... Qxd2 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Rxd2 Rc6 { Now, I am trying to createmore problems, for white, so this is where I start thinking. My goal isto put more pressure on white's center. } 16. Be2 { Now, he has a, 'StrongBishop Pair', but that is what I wanted, this time. Why? He missed whatI am going to do next. At this point, I am going to do what I felt thatwhite should have been able to do. That's right, I take advantage of theopportunity to castle Kingside. } 16... O-O 17. Rhd1 { He decides to connect hisrooks, and that is always a good idea to do this, in chess. } 17... Rfc8 { ??I figured that I would do the same thing, in terms of rook connection. However, this is a mistake. In fact, this is my loosing blunder, accordingto damaestro. Why? This will enable him to win a free pawn. Instead,17...Rfd8 was best, as it would have protected my d6 pawn. Therefore,like my second game against blitzkov, I went from no mistake, to loosingin one move. } 18. c3 { I do not know why he played this because his c2 wasnot hanging, and this opens up his King. As Damaestro had mentioned ourlast game against each other, I lost that first game by opening and puttinga whole around that King. This enabled him to get a Mating Net. Therefore,I still feel that I will win but am wrong. } 18... b5 { I decide to take advantageby connecting my a and b pawns. Afterall, Jack Stockel has told me thattwo connected pawns are very powerful during an endgame and often leadto a promotion. However, that is not going to happen, and I no longerhave an edge. } 19. Rxd6 { This the free pawn, that I am talking about. I figured that I would get that pawn back, with some exchanges, but thatis not going to happen, here. } 19... Rxd6 20. Rxd6 Ra8 { Now, my a6 pawn is hanging,so I need to protect it. } 21. Bd1 { I do not know why he played this. } 21... Be7 { In the meantime, I am no longer going to be intimated by his d6 rook,so I decide to kick it with my DSB. } 22. Rd2 Rd8 { Therefore, I decide toforce an exchange. Normally, you do not want to exchange, when you'rebehind. However, I feel that I now have more opportunities because hisd8 rook will be out of the picture. } 23. Rxd8+ Bxd8 24. Bc5 { At this point,I do not see how anyone can win, so I decide to offer him a draw. Afterall,he only has an extra pawn. However, he declines the offer and impliesthat he is going to win, due to his extra pawn. Therefore, I feel thatI now have the edge because he just underestimated me. Afterall, 'Whenyou think that you have won or are in a winning position, be careful, anddo not underestimate your opponent. Otherwise, you might start makingmistakes and loosing the game', as Jack Stockel would say. Therefore,I thought that damaestro had, 'let his guard down' and was going to loose,but I am wrong, for a third time, due to miscalculation. As it turns out,he is going to cause a lot of damage with that extra pawn, as we will seelater on. } 24... Bg5 { Now, I decide to continue development, with my DSB. Afterall,I just finished the last step of development. } 25. Bb3 { He does the samething. } 25... Bf4 { I see that he is thinking about getting a passed pawn, withhis pawn on g4, so I decide to prevent that from happening. } 26. h3 { Now,he does, what I had mentioned earlier. He decides to connect his g andh pawns. } 26... Bd7 { I just do not know what I was thinking here. In the past,I have mentioned that it is not a good idea to make a move, without knowingwhy you did it. In this case, I was not paying attention, so this is amistake, in it's own nature. Afterall, you do not know if a move is good,until you know what makes it good. } 27. Bd5 { He probaly wants another strongbishop pair, here. } 27... Bc8 { Once again, I do not know what I was thinkinghere. } 28. Kc2 { ?? I don't know why he played this. } 28... g5 { It does notbother me. What about not opening up your King? In the end game, it isa little different because my goal is generally to get a pawn promotion. Now, that the beginning and middle games are complete, it does not matter,if I push pawns. } 29. Kb3 { I am not sure, but I think that he might havebeen intending to stop me from getting a passed pawn. If that is the case,I understand the logic, behind this move. } 29... Kg7 { Now, I decide to bringmy King out. Afterall, Mr. Stockel illustrates that your King becomesa powerful weapon, in the endgame. } 30. Kb4 { My opponent feels the sameway, and we are going to keep this up, for the next couple of moves. } 30... Kf6 31. Ka5 Bc1 { In this position, I am still trying to get the pawn back. Afterall, I am still basing it on what damaestro had told me, after decliningthe draw offer. } 32. b3 { He sees my intention and decides to advance hisb2 pawn. } 32... Bb2 { But, I am not, yet. I am still attempting to win it back. } 33. c4 { And, he still sees my intention. } 33... Bc3+ { At this point, it almostdoes not matter. I figured that I won something back, with this check. Of course, I felt that he would move something else to get out of check. Little did I realize that he could get out of it, with his King. Thisis, however, another example of where your King is a powerful weapon, duringan end game. } 34. Kb6 h6 { I figured that I would continue the advancement,in order to get a promotion. However, I missed something important. Whatdid I miss? } 35. cxb5 { ?? This is it. I just blundered another pawn, afterthe exchange is over. Now, the game is lost for black, as we will seetowards the end. } 35... axb5 36. Kxb5 Kg6 { Now, I am just trying to protect myother pawns, with this move. Note: both of his bishops are threateningthese pawns. } 37. b4 { Of course, now he is planning his promotion, andthis is the cornerstone. Therefore, he decides to advance his b3 pawn. } 37... f6 { And, I am not taking any chances, so I decide to advance my f7 pawn. } 38. a4 { This is where trouble begins, and I see his goals. After the advancement,he plans to connect his a and b pawns. As implied earlier, connected powerfulare very powerful and hard to beat. } 38... Kh7 { I decide to retreat my King becauseI am worried that he might put it in a dangerous check, if he makes itfeasible to play Be4+. } 39. a5 { Now, his pawns are connected. } 39... Kg6 { Now,I only played this move because I am trying to trick him into a draw byrepetition, but that plan is not going. Why? } 40. a6 { Because he continuesthe pawn advancement. Now, I know that he is going to make a promotion,but I have one more trick up my sleeve, before resigning. } 40... Bd7+ { In thisposition, my intention was to stop his promotion, but I forgot something. Although in check, my LSB, is not directly horizontal to his a6 pawn,so this is not a fork. Therefore, like my game against l-d-j he is stillgoing to make an inevitable promotion, despite this move. As a result,I resign, after he gets out of check. } 41. Kb6 { In the past, Mr. Stockelhas said, 'Don't give things away', but I did not understand the logicbehind it. I always thought that it was feasible to get something back,after blundering material. BTW, I am specifically referring to pawns. However, I now know the reason for this. In an endgame, you are usuallyleft with only a few pawns. 80% of the time, one pawn makes the differencebetween winning and loosing, according to elyhim. That was proven, inthis game, and it is the moral of this annotation. Having said that, Iwould like to thank Master elyhim for helping to make this annotation feasible. } 1-0

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "Sept 18 2018"] [Round "-"] [White "eric2jin"] [Black "linusinsulins"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "black"] [TimeControl "None"] [WhiteElo "white"] 1. e4 { Kings gambit } 1... e5 { Book } 2. f4 { Yeah } 2... f5 { !? } 3. Bd3 { !? } 3... exf4 { Ahoh } 4. exf5 { Yummy! } 4... g6 { ? } 5. fxg6 { Haha } 5... hxg6 { Hmph } 6. Bxg6+ { +1 } 6... Ke7 { Only move } 7. Qe2+ { Check } 7... Kd6 { King power! } 8. Qd3+ { Haha } 8... Ke7 { Back } 9. Qe4+ { Heheh } 9... Kf6 { Dancing king } 10. Qf5+ { Teehee! } 10... Kg7 { Oof! } 11. Qf7+ { Check } 11... Kh6 { King to the side } 12. d4 { Threatening mate! } 12... Ne7 { ??????????????????????? } 13. Bxf4# { Checkmate on the 13th move!!!!!!!!!! } 1-0

[Event "25 moves to checkmate "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2020.08.12"] [Round "-"] [White "crito79"] [Black "reachforgoals10"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "786"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "926"] 1. e4 { Normal opening } 1... e5 { King opening } 2. c3 { Not sure what white isdoing } 2... Nf6 { Starting developing. Minor pieces } 3. d3 { A lot of pawns } 3... Nc6 { Got both my knights out } 4. h3 { Never seen this before } 4... d6 { Pawn wall } 5. b4 { A lot of pawns moving. Not developing pieces } 5... b5 { Blocks } 6. g4 { Still not sure what whit is doing } 6... g5 { What a werid game } 7. Bxg5 { Nota pawn for a chance } 7... h6 { Pawn } 8. Bxf6 { I think white took that piece toget the queen } 8... Qxf6 { Takes the bishop } 9. Ne2 { Moves knight } 9... a6 { Pawn } 10. Nd2 { A head of minor piece development } 10... Be6 { Caught up } 11. d4 { Pawn } 11... exd4 { Pawn } 12. Nxd4 { Trading pieces } 12... Nxd4 { Knight } 13. Bg2 { Bishop } 13... h5 { Pawn } 14. Bf3 { Bishop } 14... Nxf3+ { Check } 15. Qxf3 { Queen trade in } 15... Qxf3 { Takesqueen } 16. Nxf3 { Knight } 16... hxg4 { Take pawn } 17. Ng5 { Knight } 17... Rxh3 { Rook } 18. Nxe6 { Knight } 18... Rxh1+ { Two in one } 19. Ke2 { Safe } 19... Rxa1 { Took. Two powerfulpieces I. Two turns never had that happen before } 20. Nxc7+ { Check } 20... Kd8 { Safe } 21. Nxa8 { Knight } 21... f6 { Next move check with the rook } 22. Nb6 { Knight } 22... Rxa2+ { Check } 23. Ke3 { King } 23... Rc2 { Rook } 24. Nd5 { Kight } 24... Bh6+ { Check Ihave two checkmates i. Sitght so I can choice with one to use } 25. Kd3 { King } 25... Rd2# { Checkmate I won Beat a rating that was over150 better thanI } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "03-Mar-07"] [Round "-"] [White "toucanyahoo"] [Black "bloedeter"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1351"] 1. e4 { The notations are looking at black position. It would be betterif you click 'flip the board'. If I say 'left side' I mean right side ifyou are having white down. This is toucanyahoo vs me. We don't know eachother. This is also my sixth game so I'm not a very experienced playeron gameknot. White plays the e4. I mostly answer with e5 but I wantedto try something else. Not that this is very original... } 1... d5 { d5. I washoping for exd5 because I know how to play those games. Instead he playede5. Nothing wrong with that. } 2. e5 { Maybe I should have played d4 here.The chess game database says c5,Bf5,d4 here. But I took the one after that,Nc6, threathening the pawn. } 2... Nc6 3. d4 { White is making a massive pawnstructure here, and I can't do anything about that. } 3... Bf5 { Just developingmy pieces here. } 4. Bd3 { Threathening my bishop. I could take d4 with myknight here, but the next move would be c3. Then I would have taken hisbishop. (if you don't understand; 4Bd3, Nxd4 5c3 Bxd3 6 Qxd3) I thoughtthe best thing to do here was just taking the bishop right away so I wouldn'tlose any tempo and loss in development. } 4... Bxd3 5. Qxd3 { Off course, notwith the c-pawn. Taking it with the queen is much better. } 5... e6 { making mypawn stronger and trying to put my black bishop out. } 6. Ne2 { There werea lot of other possibilities here for white. } 6... f6 { threathening white pawnstructure. } 7. f4 { instead of taking the pawn, white makes his pawn structureonly stronger. } 7... Nb4 { threathening the queen. This is a very bad move, Idont understand why I did this. 8 Qb5 Nc3 9 Qxb7 Ng-e7 However, toucanyahoosurprisingly played Qh3. } 8. Qh3 { I could go for Nxc2 here, making whiteunable to castle and taking his rook, but my knight can't go out of a1.The next move would probably Qxe6 and that doesn't look good either. Iwouldn't get his Queen out of there. If you don't understand; 8 Qh3 Nxc2 9 Kd1 Nxa1 10 Qxe6 So I didn't want his Queen at e6. Thats why I didf5. } 8... f5 9. Na3 { Stopping me from Nc2 } 9... Qd7 { Preparing to castle queen side. } 10. c3 { threathening my knight. } 10... Nc6 { a logical move. } 11. Ng3 { I thinkit was better if the knight was standing on f3 (6 Nf3) This might giveme some trouble on the left. } 11... O-O-O { castling here to get out of trouble. } 12. O-O Bxa3 { Risky. Although he gets two pawns on the h-file, he getsthe b-file with his rook } 13. bxa3 Nge7 { getting my knight out for action. } 14. Nh5 { good move. Now he wants my g-pawn. If I do g6 he would do Nf6,losing my Queen! Thats why moving my knight here is better. } 14... Ng6 15. Qd3 { He probably wants to do Qb5 and it is very strong. With an open b-filefor him with a rook and queen it would be an easy game. } 15... Na5 { preventingQb5. } 16. Bd2 { Probably for connecting the rooks, and maybe he would havedone c4 if I didn't make the following move. } 16... Nc4 { I didn't want that hemoves his queen any further. Thats why I blocked his path with my knight.This knight is my strongest piece for now. } 17. Rab1 { getting the b-file } 17... Rhg8 { I want to move my Queen in action for help and support. To do this,I need to save my g7 pawn. If my Queen moves before Rh-g8 white would geth7 with his knight, threathening e6. } 18. Ng3 { Maybe white thinks his knightis a bit useless there. } 18... Qa4 { threathening a3 with risk. } 19. Rb3 Nxa3 { Very risky maybe, but white can't do Rf-b1 here anyway. } 20. Rb4 { threatheningmy queen. } 20... Qc6 21. Bc1 { Threathening my knight. } 21... Nc4 22. a4 { white nowwants to move his pawn for action. } 22... Qa6 { I thought this was the best move,stopping the a-pawn. I really hate doing b6. } 23. Rf2 { white brings inanother piece. } 23... Ne7 { And so do I. The f pawn is protected with the bishop,so the f-rook was free to move to a2 even if my knight was still on g6. } 24. Ra2 Nc6 { threathening the rook. } 25. Rb1 h6 { While everything was onthe right side, I decided to get some action on the left side. } 26. Bd2 { Maybe he wants me to take his bishop with my knight, but that would bereally suicide. } 26... g5 { attacking the pawn structure and also trying to openthe g-line. } 27. Ne2 { I thought he wanted to defend his f-pawn this way,a good decision. I wanted to open the g-file anyway, so I attacked. } 27... gxf4 28. Bxf4 { very surprising. I really thought he would take that pawn withthe knight and still don't understand why he took this with his bishop.If he took it with the knight, my e6 pawn was under attack too. } 28... h5 { savingmy h5 pawn, although the pawn is now weak. } 29. Nc1 { He still sees a lotof things on the right sides. } 29... Rg4 { breaking through. } 30. g3 Rdg8 { connectingmy rooks and full attention on the left side. Also threatening the bishop! } 31. Nb3 { Very nasty move actually. If I take his bishop, I would lose myqueen! 31 Nb3 Rxf4 32Nc5 Qa5 33 Rb5! I had to have a fleeing field formy queen. } 31... b6 { I really hate moving this pawn, but I don't think I hadany other choice. My c6 knight is needed here. } 32. h3 { a blunder. } 32... Rxf4 { I now have his bishop. } 33. Rf1 { threathening my rook because it is astrong one. It seems very logical, but it is actually a blunder. } 33... Rxf1+ { I traded. If white takes my rook with the queen I would get the g3 pawnplus check. I would also get the c3 pawn. But taking it with the king isn'tvery good too. } 34. Kxf1 Ne3+ { White can't take my knight because of myqueen on a3. White can't take my queen because of my knight on e3. } 35. Ke2 { forced. } 35... Qxd3+ 36. Kxd3 Rxg3 37. Ke2 { Blunder. It is game over now. } 37... Rg2+ 38. Kxe3 Rxa2 39. a5 Ra3 40. Nc5 { Nd2 was better. } 40... bxc5 41. dxc5 Rxc3+ 42. Kd2 Rxh3 { White resigns, he can't stop the h-pawn from promoting. } 0-1

[Event "Learn to be a Scholar!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "01-Jun-07"] [Round "-"] [White "romanlegionary"] [Black "nogoodplayer"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1425"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1509"] { This annotation is meant to be funny, please rate it what you feel itdeserves. } 1. e4 { My favorite move because the pawn moves two spaces. Whydoes white go first and black second? Is chess racist? } 1... d5 { Attacking mypawn. } 2. exd5 { Why not capture? } 2... Qxd5 { Black is clearly winning now becausehe controls all of the center and is more developed. } 3. Nc3 { The gameis now equal because we are both developed with one piece. } 3... Qd8 { Whitenow has forced checkmate coming up soon because he is better. } 4. Bc4 { Ihave now developed my bishop. } 4... Bd7 { This move is good for the bishop becauseit gives him more spaces to go. } 5. Nf3 { My second pony has joined thebattle } 5... Bg4 { This bishop wastes time and makes white better because itnow has less spaces to go and because white has forced checkmate with Ne5Bxd1 Bxf7#. That is what would have happened if I let my opponent fallinto that trap but I didn't. } 6. h3 { The bishop needs to move from thatsquare if it wants a future. } 6... Bxf3 { White is still better even though heis down a pony and black's bishop can go to more places. } 7. Qxf3 { Whitewill now win because he has 15 points of development and black has 0. } 7... f6 { Adding one to black's development and defending against checkmate. } 8. Qxb7 { What is the air speed velocity of an unlaiden swallow? } 8... Nd7 { Thehappy pony can now run to the center where he can have fun. } 9. Qd5 { Thismove blocks the path to happiness. } 9... Rb8 { Rb8 moving the rook to the right(or his left) } 10. Qf7# { The much delayed scholar's mate! I hope that thisinstructed game has made you a scholar too } 1-0

[Event "A very lucky game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Bloedeter"] [Black "his father"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "1:25 h"] 1. e4 { This game is me vs my father on the chessclub. I was very luckyin this game. My dad could have won a lot of different ways, but he didn't.When I play chess against my dad at home, whether its blitz or not, I mostlywin. Even this time, but with a lot of luck. I start with e4, thats howI mostly start. } 1... d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe6+ { These move are played withina minute. Because I like playing f4 after 0-0, (I learned f4 on gameknot)I used the knight to block the check. } 4. Nge2 Nc6 5. d3 { getting my bishopout } 5... Nd4 { This is a wasted move. I told him so when we analysed. } 6. Be3 Nf5 { See? lost a tempo. } 7. g3 { Note black can do Nxe3 already. But weboth didn't see it just yet. I did g3 to get my bishop out. } 7... Nf6 8. Bg2 { I still didn't see Nxe3. } 8... Nxe3 { But he does. } 9. fxe3 Qxe3 { black winsa pawn and has a queen on e3! seems very serious. White has deployed hispieces a little more though. } 10. Qd2 { I had to get his queen out of thereright now. } 10... Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 { I cannot castle anymore. } 11... e6 { For getting hisbishop out. } 12. Rad1 Bd6 13. Kc1 { And look, I've castled long! :P } 13... O-O 14. Bf3 { This was because I thought Ng4 is a thread } 14... c6 { He did this tosave b7 (he wanted to move his white bishop) I dont know if I would havedone that. Getting the b-file for a pawn isn't such a bad deal. Rb8 isalso possible. } 15. h4 { Well, my idea was to push my g and h pawns forwardto destroy the kingside pawns and win the game. } 15... Re8 { Why Re8? BecauseI think a lot of chess players play Re1/Rd8 after castle-kingside of Rd1/Re8after castle queen-side. D & E files are important files in the game. } 16. g4 { Pushing my pawns forward to continue the idea } 16... Kf8 { I think thisis just a wasted move. } 17. Ne4 { black had two choices; taking my knight,and having my bishop on e4 having a good thread on the pawns, or Be7, havinga good knight on e4. } 17... Nxe4 18. Bxe4 g6 { trying to back off my pawns. } 19. Rdf1 { This was for f5. after f5, black cant hit with his f-pawn. } 19... Ke7 { Creating more space for the rook, and it is needed. But I don't know ifit is worth two moves (kf8 & Ke7) } 20. h5 { If he hits, Rxh5 if he playsg5 then Bxh7 } 20... e5 { Threathening my pawn on g4. I forgot all about that. } 21. Rfg1 { protecting the g pawn } 21... Bc5 { threathening my rook and Be3 } 22. Rg2 { If I played Rg3, it would probably go like Bf2. } 22... Rh8 { protecting thepawns. If you look at this first, you can see that this is maybe just amove to protect the pawns If you look at it at the second time, you cansee that black loses a pawn } 23. hxg6 fxg6 24. Bxg6 { See? If hxg6, Rxh8. } 24... Be3+ { A very important move. } 25. Kb1 Be6 { Connecting the rooks. I should'veplayed b3 or c3. } 26. Rxh7+ { a blunder. } 26... Rxh7 27. Bxh7 Rh8 { Now look atthis. If I move my bishop its Rh1 mate. } 28. Rh2 { Protecting the bishop.I don't have any other option } 28... Bxg4 { attacking my knight. } 29. c3 { creatingmore space for my king. If Bxe2, Rxe2 and it would be just a trade. Butthe next move is absolutely winnable for black; } 29... Bf5 { White is powerless } 30. Rh5 { A useless idea to attack the bishop or the pawn (and after takingthe pawn the black bishop) but I dont have any choice. Black is gonna winanyway. At least it was what I thought. } 30... Bxd3+ { White's king is forcedto move to a1. Rh1 is completely over. } 31. Ka1 { Now let's have a lookat this. Black wins if he plays Bxe2 or Rxh7. Ka1 Bxe2 Rxe5 ? Kd6 Rxe3Rxh7 Can't get away of mate on h1 If Black plays Rxh7 then Black winsbecause he always wins a piece at least. ( he got a pawn more) } 31... Kd6 { NowI can't even hit e5. } 32. Rh3 { I played this for the small hope blackwouldn't hit my bishop because he would think its a trade. Which is obviouslynot. But then something happened. Black picks up his black bishop on e3and hits my bishop of h7! That move is absolutely illegal... And becauseof the rules on our chessclub, black is now forced to move that bishop!(because taking a piece and put it back on its place and picking up anotherpiece is not allowed) } 32... Bg5 { Well read the previous move why he did it. } 33. Rxd3+ Ke7 34. Be4 { The bishop prevents Rh1 } 34... Rg8 35. a3 { I should'vedone ths on move 25, 10 moves earlier. } 35... Bh4 36. c4 { With the idea of Rb3,if b6 then Rxc6 if b5 then cxb5, cxb5 Rxb5 } 36... Rg4 { Forgot this one, but itdoesn't matter. Black has lost a piece and the further moves are kind ofunimportant } 37. Nc3 Bg5 38. Ka2 Rf4 39. Rh3 { Black gives up. I don't thinkI ever had so much luck as I did on this game. } 1-0

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.07.09"] [Round "-"] [White "tamz29"] [Black "jutterback"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1537"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1571"] 1. c4 { Here I squeezed a win in 18 moves. My opponent played excellentlyup to move 15 where he missed my opportunity to trap his queen. } 1... e5 2. e4 { 2. e4 is heavily discouraged by opening books, I prepared quite deeplyin this path though. } 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 Bc5 { 3. ...Bb4 was also common. From nowuntil well after the 10th move is all book moves and shouldn't offer muchknowledge. } 4. Nf3 d6 5. h3 O-O 6. Be2 Nc6 7. O-O Re8 8. a3 Bd7 9. b4 { 9.b4? This loses the e4 pawn to Bd4, 10. Bb2 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 and Nxe4 } 9... Bd4 10. Bb2 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Nxe4 12. Bb2 h6 13. d4 { Things aren't looking towell for White and 13. d4 is a desperate attempt to open up his crampedup base. } 13... exd4 14. Nxd4 Nxd4 { 14... Nxd4? Black should've played moreaggressively instead of the passive knight-trade. I would be in troublewith Qg5 (If 15. Bc1 then Qg6) } 15. Qxd4 Qg5 { The queen came a bit toolate. } 16. f4 Qg6 17. Bh5 { 17. Bh5! } 17... Qg3 { 17. ...Qg3?? Best move was Qh7 } 18. Rf3 { 18. Rf3! and the queen is trapped. Black resigned } 1-0

[Event "Full Chess System Working "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Opponent"] [Black "Me"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "----"] [WhiteElo "1692"] { Hi, I am caididate master here. I have talked about different parts ofthe chess thought process and all during my previous annotations, but nowI will put them all together and show how it works in a whole game. Hopefully,you can pick up some good principles here too. I will also be analyzingoff the visualization in my head, so I might make a mistake :). But let'sgo. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5 4. e3 h6 5. Bh4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 { So far,it has just been the opening theory. Both players have been following themain opening goals and now white ventures away from the general line with6.exd4. At the point when we get out of book, we need to be very careful,and think how we will best complete our opening goals. Well, it is actuallyquite simple: Nc6, d5, Bd6/e7/c5, 0-0, and black is fine. This completesthe tasks fast and gives black a good activity. So we have a way of followingthe principle of maximum acitivity as well as completing our goal. } 6... Nc6 7. Nxc6 { (?!)It is quite a dubious idea; If you have read my previous gamesyou may know why. The principle of pressure, and important principle, statesthat you should keep the pressure when 2 pieces are in contact(They arethe same pieces) unless you can have a tactic. If there is no tacticalmanuever, it is almost always giving your opponent the advantage, sinceit lets them get more active. The only exception is when you take and forcea piece backwards, but that is also to some extent a dynamic benefit :). } 7... bxc6 { Now we see: Black has a better center, and his rook is suddenlyactive. So black has at least equalized the opening. } 8. Bd3 d5 9. O-O Rb8 { Black's rook is active, the center is strong, and white has done itfor black himself. } 10. b3 Bd6 11. Nd2 Qc7 { The computer thinks this isa mistake, due to the white's next reply. However, this move is totallyfine, and is actually the best move possibly. The computer's general understandingof a position is terrible; it overvalues material and does not understandpsychology. For example, the computer is never afraid, since computersdon't know what 'fear' is. } 12. Bxf6 { White makes a weak move. This moveonce again violates the principle of pressure again. The reasons are abit different. However, we can see that the capture gives away the strongerwhite bishop for the less effective black knight. It more importantly openslines towards the white king. Such a move cannot be strong. Instead, whitecould easily do 12.Nf3, with the principle of the least active piece. } 12... gxf6 13. Qh5 { A very reasonable move; The maximum activity. White has nowcompleted his opening tasks and is ready for the middlegame. Before, wehad NO NEED to calculate any variations really. The only calculation weneeded to do was the safety check when considering ideas. Even then, itwas very brief. We really did not even need to use our full thought process,since we planned out our ideas, and they were obvious and followed thecorrect principles. However, now we will need to use our thought process,and find the best move in this critical position: **Whenever the structureor material has changed, it is an important position and we need to makechanges in our general plans.** 1.Our opponent's last move was reasonableand good. It puts some pressure against the black weaknesses. It is tacticallysafe, and makes no threats;We can move on to our own ideas. 2.We wouldlike to attack against the white king, since we have open lines againstit. We have massive center and bishop pair; Our king is quite safe in thecenter, and we need to open the position for our bishops. So we need toput our king behind the center pawns while keeping them fluid; so don'tmove the pawns until you are ready. 3.Candidate moves. 3a)The queen hasan attack 13...Qa5, but 14.Nf3 e5 is considerable. So we only have onewith the queen. 3b)13...Rg8, activates the rook, so it is candidate. 3c)13...Be5is attacking, but it clearly is not too great after 14.Rad1. Still we shouldconsider this the last of our candidate moves. 3d)13...e5 is not a usefulmove. It restricts the activity of our pieces and allows 14.e4 at least.It is not good. 3e)King moves? Ke7-We should consider this lastly. 4.Nowwe have found the candidates, 4 moves. We should go from the potentiallystrongest to the weakest, most forcing to non forcing. By the way, allof these moves are safe :) I have inadvertantly calculated basic safetyin step 3. So let us calculate 13...Be5, 13...Rg8, 13...Qa5 13...Ke7. 13...Be514.Rad1(no other considerable moves really) and the position has no moreforcing moves. Thus we should evaluate: black should still be more active,but with his 13th move he has not helped activity. White is close and hasmore pieces developed. Therefore, white has gained in acitivty and is aboutequal, or slightly worse. In material, it is equal. thus the position isabout equal after 13...Be5. Many players will try to think about doubledpawns, the attack, the king in the middle...etc... It just confuses themand they can't make a final judgement anyways. The 2 factors of activityand material will be the evaluation, and it is extremely accurate in almostall the positions. Now we look at 13...Rg8. This is a very good lookingmove, but it does give white a pawn. Since black has activated his rookand is clearly ahead in the activity department, white MUST take the material.14.Qxh6 Ke7 Now the position seems quiet, and we should make the evaluation.However, black does have a 'threat'. He threatens 15...B } 13... Rg8 { (!)Thisis the strong pawn sacrifice. To be honest, I did not calculate much inthese variations. I used the rule: If there is a sacrifice(reasonable:Maybe an unclear or dubious at best) for activity, play it on the boardif it is safe. This is great against strong and weaker players alike. 1.Itshows you are not afraid of them, and are playing for their throat 2.Weakerplayers are frightened by aggressive sacrifices It is reasonable, and givesquite a lot of activity. *By the way, I am betting the computer does notlike this move much! However, even it may like this move in maybe 3rd or4th place, since it does have quite a lot of positional justification. } 14. Qxh6 Ke7 { Even though we planned this on the previous move, it is notnecessarily the best. We should think in the 'fresh' positions, since wehave clearer visualization. However, I am pretty sure it is best. } 15. f4 Bd7 { Principle of attack; Black is threatening to win the queen. } 16. Qh4 e5 { Although 16...Rh8 was intended in my calculation(And it is quitegood after 16...Rh8 17.Qf2 e5=.), 16...e5! is even stronger, threateningRg4. You see that even though we may have plannedin our calculations, weshould always start our thought process in a position where we need tocalculate. } 17. fxe5 { This is another reason for the aggressive sacrifice:White makes a losing move just a few moves after the sacrifice! 17.e4!accepting a disadvantage, was best, by the way. You can work out the variations. } 17... Bxe5 18. g3 { This is the move that seals the loss for white. Let us useour thought process for white to find the best defense. Since black hasjust attacked our rook and is threatening material, we MUST save the material,because if we are down material AND our opponent has better activity, weare fightin a losin battle. Thus, we MUST save the rook unless it is tacticallylosing. 18.Rae1/d1 are the candidates;Other lose quickly, like g3. I don'tthink there is huge difference between the 2, but after 18...Rh8 19.Bh7(Amust for the same reason), 19...Rbg8, white is losing. However, he neededto psychologically be brave and play this likely losing line. In fact,if 18.Rae1, then 20.e4! is a strong counterattack. Thus, white needed toplay this line, even though it is clear advantage to black. Now, even ifblack just takes the rook, he is winning. } 18... Rh8 { Now a simple tactic winsthe game. Very simple; Black has supreme activity over the kingside; Acombination was inevitable. } 19. Qa4 Bxg3 20. Rf3 Rxh2 { (!)It is a strongmove. } 21. Nf1 { The best move, seeing that white was already lost; thishelps white create counterplay and complicate one last time if black doesnot end the game. Now we need to use our calculation process again, sinceit is critical. 1.Our opponent attacked us 2.We need to find a combinationor retreat. That is it! The generalities don't count much in the tacticalposition! 3.Queen has nothing. Rook can give 2 checks, but they obviouslyboth don't work ...Rh4 is a candidate. 3....Bf2+ is a move that is it.We needed to find a good move that helps us in the position; Only 2 movescan do the trick. ...Bf2+ is more forcing. 21...Bf2+ 22.Rxf2 Rg8+ and matefollows. So it is the best move, since it forceds mate. } 21... Rg8 { And the gameis over. I hope you learned about the thinking process in this annotation. } 1-0

[Event "83rd GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.04"] [Round "-"] [White "dwardman"] [Black "trezeguet31"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1345"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1688"] 1. d4 { QD4 as usual, I've got a real heavy workload at the moment so mygame is suffering. } 1... d5 2. Bf4 Bf5 3. Nd2 e6 4. Ngf3 f6 { Black has createda weakness on the kingside, c4 is in order at some point } 5. e3 a6 { Againanother pawn movec4 is far too tempting now } 6. c4 Bg4 { I just move thequeen out of the way } 7. Qa4+ Nd7 8. Bd3 { I want control of the diadonaland will later put the q on c2 } 8... Ne7 9. h3 { Chasing the bishop and providingan escape square } 9... Bh5 10. O-O { Safety first } 10... Ng6 11. Bh2 c6 { A Poor move,white can win material } 12. g4 Bxg4 13. hxg4 Ne7 14. Qc2 h5 { I have noidea of black's plan with this, PxP RxP B-g6+ NxB QxN+ K-e7 QxR is onlygood for white } 15. gxh5 f5 16. c5 Rxh5 17. Bf4 Ng6 18. Bg3 Be7 19. Kg2 Bh4 20. Rh1 { Black has some threats but white has everything under control } 20... Rh6 21. Rh3 { White intends to double the rooks and simplify as much aspossible } 21... Bxg3 22. Rxh6 gxh6 23. fxg3 Qf6 24. Rh1 Qg7 25. Qb3 Rb8 26. Qc2 Nf6 27. a4 Ng4 { Black is threatening a fork } 28. Nf1 f4 { Silly move } 29. Bxg6+ Ke7 30. gxf4 { Although this opens up the g file I didn't want thequeen on d4 } 30... Rf8 31. Ne5 { Again simplifying the position } 31... Nxe5 32. dxe5 Rf5 { RxP is probably best here } 33. Kf3 Qxg6 34. Qg2 Qh7 35. Rg1 Rf7 36. Qg6 Qxg6 { I think this signs black's doom } 37. Rxg6 Rh7 38. Nd2 { Whiteis going to use the knight via b3 then a5 or d4 to destroy white's pawns,it is a matter of time now. White will block the advancing pawn with theking } 38... h5 39. Nb3 h4 40. Kg2 Kf7 41. Rf6+ Ke7 42. Nd4 Rg7+ 43. Kh3 Rg3+ 44. Kxh4 Rxe3 45. Rxe6+ Kf7 { Time to simplify, the extra piece and thetwo passed pawns makes black's job impossible } 46. Re7+ { Black takes theexchange } 46... Kxe7 47. Nf5+ Ke6 48. Nxe3 d4 49. Nd1 { This seems an unaturalmove but it stops the pawn, black cannot push the king forward becauseof the passed pawns } 49... Kf5 50. Kg3 a5 51. Kf3 { Black resigns } *

[Event "Losing time and control in the Catalan"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.08.12"] [Round "-"] [White "mybookrunsdeep"] [Black "splott"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1722"] [TimeControl "9d+5d<15d"] [WhiteElo "2013"] 1. Nf3 { Here is an interesting miniature just completed. It turns outto be a Closed Catalan where black fianchettos the dark-squared bishop. Without further ado... } 1... Nf6 2. c4 { My standard response to the symmetricalknight development. Black's flexibility with his first move allows fora light-square strategy along the lines of the Catalan/QGD, a symmetricalEnglish, Queen's Indian or Kings Indian. } 2... e6 { Black opts for the light-squaredstrategy. An ambitious counter which prepares to directly challenge Whitein the center with ...d5 or ...c5. } 3. g3 { I tend towards the light-squardfianchetto in these positions, however, d4 and Nc3 are just as good. } 3... d5 { The immediate strike in the center which characterizes the Catalan orOpen Reti. } 4. Bg2 { 4. d4 is objectively stronger, however, my preparationin the lines involving 4...dc; 5. Qc2 is pretty deep and so I dont mindgoing into those variations. } 4... g6 { An interesting idea, but one which Ibelieve wastes a tempo putting the bishop on the long diagonal, when ithas a perfectly good diagonal on the a3-f8 line. } 5. d4 { I decide to fixthe d-pawn and develop. } 5... Bg7 { Following the plan and maintaining parityin development. } 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 c6 { Setting up the standard pawn formationfor the closed Catalan. } 8. b3 { Here Bd2, and Re1 occurred to me, I decidedto protect the pawn this way and maybe fianchetto my own dark-squared bishop. } 8... Nbd7 9. Bf4 { Taking up residence on the diagonal which now cannot be easilycountered. I believe that this is the major drawback of the fianchettostrategy for black. The central dark squares are now firmly under white'scontrol. } 9... b6 { A logical plan to give scope to the light-squared bishopwhich finds itself a victim of the pawn formation. } 10. Qd3 { Linking rooksand preparing e4. } 10... a5 { 10...Ba6 is probably better. } 11. e4 { A move onthe wings is countered with a move in the center, which has been duly prepared! } 11... dxe4 12. Nxe4 { I now expected 12...Nxe4 (to limit my influence on d6);13. Qxe4 Bb7; 14. Rfd1, when White sits better. } 12... Bb7 { Allowing me to dropthe knight on d6 with tempo. } 13. Nd6 Ba6 14. Qe3 { Keeping the Queen centralizedand preparing to swing the f-rook to d1. I expected 14...Nh5; 15. Bg5Ndf6; 16. Ne4 Ng4; 17. Qe2. } 14... Ng4 { In this variation, the c6-pawn will finditself under pressure. } 15. Qe4 c5 { Regrettably, 15...Nb8 looked like theonly way to save the pawn. 16. Nxf7 Rxf7; 17. Bxb8 leaves the knight ong4 hanging, so 17...Nf6; 18. Qxe6 Bc8 is necessary (otherwise 19. Ne5.);19. Qd6 Rd7 and the position looks complicated, but it also looks prettyequal. } 16. Nxf7 { Now White is clearly better. } 16... Rxf7 17. Ng5 { Threateningboth rooks. } 17... Rc8 18. Qxe6 { Two pawns for the piece and the pin, which Iplan to increase the pressure with Bd5. } 18... Qe7 19. Bd5 { Black resigns asWhite is coming out on top after exchanges or the capture of the g4 knight. Thanks to my opponent. } 1-0

[Event "A learning game for us both!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Nov-07"] [Round "-"] [White "adui"] [Black "knightnothorse"] [Result "*"] [BlackElo "1054"] [TimeControl "10 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1176"] { Another of my Chess coaching club games with commentary. } 1. d4 { One ofmany choices I normally use in opening. All designed to maximize the particulardefensive structure I choose for the game in question, while making attemptsto control the center board. } 1... d5 { (knightnothorse) Howdy! I am Trace, niceto meet you. Good idea, by the way, to do something like this. --> I willgo with 1...d5 to counter your opening. (A typical opening response, anda decent one, lets see where we are headed here.) } 2. Nc3 { I chose theknight because to simply advance my kings pawn to e4 is to give him away.This develops my knight, threatens his pawn, and hopefully allows me tobuild a good central pawn structure in later moves. } 2... e6 { (knightnothorse)Ichose my move, e6, because it protects the d5 square, and allows for developmentof my Kingside bishop. I am definitely one to aim for the early castle,and that is my short-term goal with this move. } 3. e4 Nf6 { And now forthe pawn thrust, as it is covered by my knight. Bg5 is a nice thought,but in my mind too easily blocked with a pawn, and therefore a wasted move.(knightnothorse) 3...Nf6 to develop the knight and make way for castling.This also covers the e4 and d5 squares as well. You might capture and startthe trades, or just move your pawn down to e5 to threaten knight, bypassingpawn. } 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nh3 { (knightnothorse) 4...Nfd7 will move away fromyour pawn's threat. I at first thought about going to Ne4, but I felt likeyes, that would get it more towards the center of the board, but I feellike that move would just shove the knight out there in the open. Likeyou said, a bit too risky for me. I also at first thought that Nfd7 wouldclog up the development, perhaps suffocating the Queen side bishop, butthat can be remedied in the next few moves, and it is 'safer' than Ne4.If I were you, I would have my eye on 5. Nxd5, hoping then for 5...exd5and then 6. e6 to fork my knight and pawn, and then after I move my knight,you could go for what looks to be a solid pawn move with 7. exf7 not onlybreaking the h7-f7 pawn wall, but also putting me in check, making me move7...Kxf7, preventing me from castling, and bringing my king forward, andthus away from safety. Wow...I better watch it! :) (adui) A well thoughtout plan for me. You are playing my side as well as I, if differently.I chose this to remedy the one flaw in your synopsis. Had I followed yourroute to its conclusion, that would leave my pawn unguarded at e6. Whileyou would still be forced to brake your king side castle defense up, Iwould lose my pawn at that point. The Nh3 move allows for a later Ng5,covering that possibility. It also opens up the possibility of taking adifferent approach with a 7Bg5 checking your Queen. Were I you I wouldeither play Be7 both blocking the potential Queen attack and opening upKing side for Castle, or Play Nc6 to develop my other knight. I would probablydo both, 5Be7, then 6 Nc6. Follow ups from there are entirely dependenton how the board develops. } 5... Be7 { (knightnothorse) Yes, I will go with the5...Be7 to block any attacks on the queen via the d8-h4 diagonal, as wellas threaten the g5 square for a possible knight move. You could then gowith 6. Nf4 to threaten my e6 pawn and know that I would probably haveto use my f7 pawn to recapture your knight, thus leaving a large hole inmy pawn wall. } 6. Nf4 { I really only considered two options here, Be2or d3; or this move. I decided this one as it opens several attacking optionsfor me later. I will expound on this as the situation progresses. } 6... O-O 7. Bd3 Nc6 { (knightnothorse) Develop the knight, and threaten d4. I hadconsidered Bg5 to threaten the knight, but didn't think that would do much- your thoughts on this? Yeah, the knight is threatened, but I can getrecaptured...? (adui) Hmm, At this juncture I would likely not have doneeither move. Bg4 is moot for the reasons you state, and while its justmy personal feeling, I will trade a knight for a bishop, but not vice versaas I seethe bishop as the more threatening piece. I think were I you Iwould have advanced the b or c pawn to row 6, to allow development of yourqueen and or bishop. This knight move, while giving you the knights powerout front, completely blocks the rest of your power on the back row. } 8. a3 b6 9. Be3 { (knightnothorse) 8. .. b6 to free up room for developmentof the bishop. I had considered 8. ...Nxd4 and getting a free pawn, butI felt as if I would be shoving him out there unprotected just to get apawn; not worth it. As for your move, castling doesn't look too bad atthis point, or maybe Be3 to develop your black bishop Comment: (adui) WhileI really should get on about Castling, this I feel is the better move.Develops my bishop and covers that pawn I so foolishly left hanging } *

[Event "ICC Bullet Reti/Slav Book Trap"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "MybookRD"] [Black "Some 1800 player"] [Result "1-0"] 1. Nf3 { Here is a bullet miniature from the ICC. It is a book trap fromthe Reti-Slav setup, when Black plays ...Bg4. This is traditionally knownas the Capablanca system. } 1... c6 { Although play sometimes transposes intoa Closed Catalan, I always like seeing this move as the modern treatmentsof the New York ...Bf5 and Capablanca ...Bg4 lines are quite unknown atclub level. I'm not exactly sure why, as they are quite aggressive optionsfor the White player. } 2. c4 d5 { Black supports his center in Slavfashion and keeps the h3-c8 diagonal open for the light-squared bishop. } 3. g3 { 3. d4 is probably more sound, as it prevents 3...d4 from Black,but players who opt for a setup based approach, aren't likely to deviatefrom their knowledge base. } 3... Nf6 { ...Bg4 is another option, when play cantranspose. } 4. Bg2 Bg4 { I think the modern response to this openingputs the soundness of 4...Bg4 into question. Obviously Black can playmore solid than he does in this game, but White's next move shows how easilyBlack can run into troubles if he makes standard moves! } 5. Ne5 { The standardway to play was 5. b3, followed by the double fianchetto and a pawn ond3. This is a little more ambitious! } 5... Bh5 { ...Bf5 can transpose also. } 6. cxd5 { Clarifying the central position, but also preparing an insidioustactic. } 6... cxd5 { Black could avoid the whole mess with 6...Nxd5, but Whitewill still have the advantage due to the center majority and the more harmoniousdevelopment of his pieces. That's the plan, anyway. } 7. Qa4+ { This checkprepares some action on the 4th rank with tempo. } 7... Nbd7 { ...Nfd7 just dropsthe d-pawn for nothing. } 8. Nc3 { Development with tempo on the d-pawn. } 8... e6 { Black's setup looks pretty resilient, exept for my next move. } 9. g4 { The Queen on a4 makes this possible. } 9... Bg6 10. h4 { Now the bishop isgoing to be trapped. Black has to give it up under not-so-favorable circumstances. } 10... h5 { And this probably isnt the way to do it. ...h6 has been tried andeven ...Bc2, when White should desperado the e5-knight with Nxf7! } 11. g5 { Driving the knight back to g8, but also fixing the Black pawns afterWhite's 12th move. } 11... Ng8 12. Nxg6 { The Black king will have no shelter. } 12... fxg6 13. Qc2 { White's initiative has turned into a deadly attack. } 13... Kf7 { ...Ne7 is better as Black isnt losing immediately. } 14. Nxd5 { Clearingthe material from the Black king's defense. } 14... exd5 { ...Rc8 is better, butWhite is still winning, even after a move like Nc3. } 15. Bxd5+ Ke8 { Now mate is not far off! } 16. Qxg6+ Ke7 17. Qe6# { In my opponentsdefense, it was a bullet game. } 1-0

[Event "Challenge from thitho"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.07.18"] [Round "-"] [White "thitho"] [Black "chicoboy"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1318"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1783"] { This was a very interesting game between chicoboy and titho with twistsand turns. So, interesting, that a while I promised Gerhard to annotatethis game. One thing that went wrong was that white did not develop, inthe beginning. Instead, he brought his Q out early, which created weaknessesthat Gerhard was able to exploit. Both players did extremely well, however,but with a couple of errors, black was able to get an advantage that provedoverwhelming. } 1. c4 { While I and Jack don't play this, it's a well knownvariation, the English Opening. } 1... b6 { I don't know why black played this,but it is out of book. It's actually similar to the Sodium attack, whichwould happen, had white played 1.e4 Instead, the most common responsehere is 1...e4, so now you have a reversed Sicilian, as the Sicilian is1.e4, c4 } 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qc2 { ?! While the analysisdoesn't mention anything, in my mind this is an inaccuracy. Of course,not every single guideline should be followed, as there's so many thatsometimes conflict with one another. The only idea behind it is to getyour pieces out, castle, and establish mobility. And, there are also exceptionswhere it must be broken to win material, of it leads to mate or losingmaterial. This isn't one, and in my mind, this is the most important guidelineof them all. I don't know why black got his Q out this early, as nothing'sbeing threatened. But, it does not develop nor help him with development. Now, chicoboy can use that time to get his pieces into a play, while whitewasted time with this move. With it, black should have a small advantage,at this point. } 5... d5 { ?! I understand the idea behind this move. It's theexchange variation, and normally it would be a very strong move becauseit develops a center pawn which is needed to open lines for the B and controlthe center. However, this is a time where guidelines must be broken. That's because, according to the analysis, it is an inaccuracy. Best,in this position, was 5...Nf6 Then, this could happen. 6.e3, 0-0 7.Bd3,c5 8.a3, Bxc3+ 9.Qxc3, Bxf3 10.gxf3, cxd4 11.exd4, Nc6 12.Rg1, g6 and blackhas a slightly stronger structure. } 6. e3 { This would be the best response,had black played 5...Nf6, as noted earlier. But, according to what I saw,the best response to 5...d5 is 6.cxd5 6...exd5 7.e3, Nc6 8.a3, Be7 9.Bb5,a6 10.Bxc6+, Bxc6 11.0-0, Nf6 12.Ne5, Bd7 13.Bd2 So, white gets to exchangeblack's N for a B. Now, I learned that B's are generally worth more thenN's. However, I also learned from Jack, that usually, N's are worth moreB's. Now, Jack showed me a game between GM's Petrosian, who was the worldchampion at the time, and Spassky. It was both even, but Petrosian lost. He went wrong by giving up by exchanging his N for Spassky's B. That'sbecause, as it turned out, Petrosians N was worth more and dangerous. In fact, that would've been the killer and had he not exchanged, Petrosianwould've won. And, on a much smaller, believe it or not, this position,is somewhat similar. So, I understand what's going on and had this happened,where titho got a N for his B, he would've had the advantage. And, thatis why 5...d5?! was an inaccuracy. Note: That against much stronger players,just one inaccuracy can make a big difference. And, what I recently learnedis that it generally only takes one mistake to make or break a game. Forexample, Tom recently played against a Master. He was outplaying him theentire time with a winning advantage as Tom was a piece up. However, heonly made one blunder, and that was enough to turn everything around. It allowed the Master to pull a swindle and win the game. Had this mistakenot been made, it would've been an easy win for Tom. } 6... Nd7 7. Bd2 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 h6 9. Bd3 g6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. O-O-O { !? In my opinion, this is arisky move, especially in this position. And, I don't think that whitehad a good reason for castling long, as opposed to, K side. In generalwith pawns surrounding the K it's better to castle K side because it issaid that castling Q side puts you at risk of K exposure. I feel thatit is especially the case here. It's now a similar position to a pastgame against Jack, and I had the option of castling K side or Q side. Well, I decided to, like here, castle long, and that is what sealed myfate. Note: In that game, the Sicilian, like usual, was played, and byplaying ...0-0-0, I wound up exposing my K. } 11... Qe7 12. g3 Ngf6 13. Nh4 Ne4 14. a3 { According to the analysis, this is an inaccuracy. Instead, bestwas, 14.a3 with the idea of 14...0-0-0 15.Bxe4, dxe4 16.Qb3, Qg5 17.Qc4,Rfc8 18.Qe2, Re8 19.Qc4, c6 20.Bb4, Qd5 This time, I disagree with it. First, it's not the beginning game, and everyone has completed development. Second, in my opinion, this was thitho's best move. It's a somewhat similarposition to my game against Jack, yesterday. But, what happened was thatI was in trouble and my coach was threatening mate. Therefore, I had togive my K air to breath on the b file. Then, there was more trouble, soI played a3 Jack said, 'This is a very strong move.' What he was implyingwas that it was the best move. That's because not only did I get out oftrouble, but I also established a very strong pawn structure, like this. Right now, I believe that white is playing extremely well, so far. } 14... Qe6 15. Kb1 Nxc3+ 16. Qxc3 O-O-O { In this position, however, I feel that Gerhardmade the right choice by castling Q side. The structure, is what you'dtypically see if one castled K side. The idea being is that black structure,meaning his material is surrounding and protecting his K, whereas, on theK side, there is already a weakness, as the pawns providing a lot of coveragefor the K. With that, I feel that black is now much safer, and despitematerial even, black already has an advantage. } 17. Bb5 { ?? Another inaccuracy,according to the analysis. But, in my opinion, this is actually a blunder,as I'll explain on the next move. The best move, from what I saw was 17.Ng2 Then, comes something like 17...c6 18.Nf4, Qd6 19.Rc1, Nf6 20.f3, Rd721.h4, Re8 22.Rhe1, Rc7 23.Qd2, Rce7 24.b4 } 17... c6 { According to the analysisbest was 17...g5 Then, it would be followed up with e.g., 18.Rc1, c5 19.dxc5,Nxc5 20.Rhg1, gxh4 21.b4, hxg3 22.Rxg3, a6 23.bxc5, axb5 24.cxb6+, Kb825.Qc5, Qf5+ 26.Rc2 So, black would've won a piece for a pawn which iswhy 17.Bb5?? was a blunder. } 18. Rc1 c5 { ? I'm not going to keep goingover variations because there are three of these in a row. What's important,however, is the concepts that go into them as that's how you tie theoryinto all of this. Accordingly this is a mistake because it should losea pawn after 19.dxc5, Nxc5 20.f3, Kb8 21.b4, d4 22.Qb2, Nb3 23.Bc4, Be4+24.fxe4, Qxe4+ 25.Qc2, Nd2+ 26.Kb2, Qxc2+ 27.Rxc2, Nxc4+ 28.Rxc4, dxe3 After looking at it, I agree. Best then, would be 18...Kb8 as then 19.Bd3,c5 20.Ng2, c4 21.Bc2, Qg4 22.Rcf1, Nf6 23.f3, Qg5 24.Nf4, Rhe8 25.Rc1,a5 and, ...'Everything holds', as Jack would say. Meaning: That everythingwould still be safe. } 19. Bxd7+ { Best was 19.dxc5+ for the reason outlinedabove. } 19... Kxd7 { !? The analysis gives this as an inaccuracy as it loses apawn because of what's about to unfold. Instead, best was 19...Rxd7, 20.Rhe1,c4 21.e4, Kb8 22.exd5, Qxd5 23.Qxc4, Qxd4 24.Qxd4, Rxd4 25.f3, Rc8 26.Rxc8+,Kxc8 27.Re7 However, as I will explain shortly, I don't completely agreewith the analysis, as it doesn't have to be a free pawn. There's a wayout of it. However, I do feel that this capture is risky because it leavesblack K a little susceptible to exposure when it blocks the d R, and nowif white is ever able to find a move that would place chicoboy in check,he'll have a harder time getting the K to safety. } 20. dxc5 Rc8 { ? I don'tknow why he moved here, but this is the move that loses a pawn. Instead,best was to recapture, at once, with 20...bxc5 } 21. Qd4 g5 { Understandable,wanting to drive that N away and gaining tempo. But, why do that, whenyou can win something back. As it turns out, 21...bxc5! would have donethat. } 22. Ng2 Rhe8 { The idea, I believe was to attack the center whichis generally a good strategy. Why? Well, as I learned from wrecking_ballin, 'The Deeper Chess Theory Club', from the snap shot analysis thread,attacking the center is another way to control. And, since Gerhard, putone of the R's on the e file, it's right in the center, doing a littledamage on the e file. However, best, as the analysis puts it is 22...bxc5 Do note, that he also could have played this earlier. With this movethe opportunity is gone due to white's next move. } 23. Rhd1 Qe5 { ! Best,as this move protects black d pawn, once and for all. } 24. Qxe5 Rxe5 25. cxb6 axb6 26. Ne1 Rxc1+ 27. Kxc1 Re4 28. Nf3 Ke6 29. Nd4+ Kd6 30. f3 Re8 31. Rd3 Rc8+ 32. Kd2 Ba6 33. Rc3 Rxc3 34. Kxc3 Kc5 35. Nf5 h5 36. Ng7 { Accordingto the Analysis, this is an inaccuracy. Well, I agree, but at the sametime, disagree. I don't think that there was anything wrong with the moveplayed. However, best is still 36.b4! Now, it looks bad because you'dthink that with this move black white will lose another pawn. But, thatisn't as it would be a good gambit (useful sac that would be useful topromote a pawn and guarantee a win for black.) Here's how. After whitechecks with the b pawn 36...Kc6 37.Kd4, Kb5 38.Nd6+, Ka4 39.Nxf7, Kxa340.Nxg5, Kxb4 41.Kxd5, Bb7+ 42.Kd4, Ka3 43.e4, b5 44.e5, b4 45.e6, b3 And, no matter how drawish it looks for the powerful pawns, black has aneasy way to promote it, and he can do something to prevent white from promotingdue to his LSB. It's very similar to the position on my actual game againstJack, not the annotated version. By that, I allude to my epic and historicgame against my coach where I learned just how important thinking aheadis in chess and life and why I'm still a very serious chess player. Becausethis is also how I learned the extent that chess really stretches and imagination. In the actual game, I had two pawns+ my K. But, he had his LSB, a P,and his K. Despite it looking like a won game for me, it was just theopposite because Jack was much closer to promoting a pawn. It was onlyabout two ranks from the promotion square, whereas, I had three or fourranks to go. Plus, the promotion would have occurred on the light square,so were I to promote, he'd be able to stop it cold with his LSB. Thisend would be, to an extent, a similar position. } 36... h4 37. gxh4 gxh4 38. b4+ Kc6 39. Kd4 Be2 40. f4 Bg4 41. Ne8 Bd7 { For some reason, the analysis givesthis as an inaccuracy because of what white is about to play. Accordingto what I saw, best was 41...Bd1 I don't agree with it, as I don't likethe B crammed on my square. In fact, what thitho does is not going tobe a problem for black. And, I also would've played this, if I were black. } 42. Nf6 Be6 43. e4 { ? The analysis gives this move as a mistake. In mymind, it isn't but rather a small inaccuracy. Best, accordingly was 43.Ke5 The only reason I agree with this is that white should win another pawnwith a little liquidation on top of that without anything for black tofollow up on, supposedly. After titho would play Ke5 we have somethinglike 43...Bh3 44.Nxd5!, Bg2 45.Nc3, Bf1 46.a4, Bc4 47.e4, h3 48.Nd5, Bb349.a5, bxa5 50.bxa5, Kb5 51.Kf6, Kc5 52.Nc3 } 43... dxe4 44. Nxe4 b5 { For whateverreason, the analysis gives marks this as an inaccuracy because of 45.Ke5,Kd7 46.f5, Bc4 47.Kd4, Bf1 48.Kc5, Ke7 49.Nd6, Kf6 50.Nxb5, Kxf5 51.Nd6+,Ke6 52.a4, f5 53.b5, f4 54.a5, f3 I disagree with it because this linegives black a winning advantage as now that f pawn promotes. I don't knowthe theory behind it, so I'll just get to it based on what the computersuggests. So, apparently, the best move was 44...Bb3 and then would come,perhaps, 45.Ke5, Kb5 46.Kd6, Bc2 47.Nc3+, Ka6 48.Kc6, b5 49.Nd5, Be4 50.Kc5,Bxd5 51.Kxd5, Kb6 52.f5, h3 53.Kd6, f6 Whether or not is completely remainsto be seen. But, in my mind, this is a very strong move, preventing whitefrom advancing b pawn any further. } 45. Ke5 Bd5 46. Nf6 Bf3 47. Ne8 Kd7 { Accordingly, this is an inaccuracy, but I don't agree with that. The ideabeing: 48.Ng7, Kc7 49.Nf5, h3 50.Nd4, Bc6 51.Nxc6, Kxc6 52.f5, Kd7 53.Kd5,Ke7 54.Kc6, Kf6 55.Kxb5, Kxf5 56.Kc5, Ke5 57.b5, f5 That leaves with thebest move being 47...Be2, as then 48.Nf6, Bd3 49.Ne4, Bxe4 50.Kxe4, Kd651.Kf5, Kd5 52.Kf6, Ke4 53.Kxf7, Kxf4 54.Ke6, Ke4 55.Kd6, Kd4 56.Kc6, Kc457.h3, Kc3 And, I absolutely agree with that because as the analysis,in the long run, 47...Kd7 is what will help black to achieve the opposition,when we reach the endgame. As I've learned from Jack, in the endgame,you generally want to strive for the opposition, as it will give you astronger position. } 48. Nd6 { I disagree with analysis, but apparently asI don't see anything wrong with the move played. In fact, I view as oneof white's best moves. But, apparently, it's an error because after theexchange the threat would eventually become 50.Kg7, Ke6 51.Kg6, Be4+ 52.Kg5,h3 53.Kg4, Bg2 54.Kg5, Bf1 55.f5+, Kf7 56.Kf4, Kf6 57.Kg4, Ke5 58.Kg5 } 48... f6+ 49. Kxf6 Kxd6 50. Kg5 h3 51. f5 Be4 52. Kf6 Kd5 53. Kg5 Kc4 { ?? Thecomputer only gives it as a mistake. But, in my mind, this is a blunderwhich should cost black the game. The reason being is 54.Kg4, Kd4 55.f6,Bd5 56.Kxh3, Ke5 57.Kg4, Kxf6 58.Kf4, Bb3 59.Kg4, Bd1+ 60.Kf4, Bc2 61.Kg4,Kg6 62.Kf4, Kh5 63.Ke5, Kg4 Despite being a pawn up, in that position,white would have two passed pawns, with one proving to be unstoppable. And, this is why Jack taught me, as noted in previous annotations, tobe aware of passed pawns. There actually more dangerous then they mightappear, especially if you have more then one, making one unstoppable, whereit will promote, as would be the case there. That leaves the best movebeing 53...Ke5 as black Gerhard would win another pawn. 54.f6, Ke6 55.Kg4,Bg2 56.Kg5, Kf7 57.Kf5, Bd5 58.Ke5, Be6 59.Kd6, Kxf6 60.Kc5, Bd7 61.Kb6,Ke6 62.Kc5, Kf5 63.Kd5, Be6+ } 54. f6 { ?? This, as the computer shows isa blunder. Best was either 54.Kg4 as it wins material. But, with thismove black should win this game. The idea being is that once black stopsthis dangerous pawn with 54...Bd5, no matter what white does, Gerhard,in the long run will have a pawn that'll prove to be unstoppable and will,henceforth, be able to promote. } 54... Bd5 55. Kg6 { ?? As is explained in theanalysis, this is the losing blunder. With this move, no matter how youslice, chicoboy will be able to compensate for the lost pawn. Not only,will he do this by winning back material, but now one of his pawns willprove unstoppable, as he now has the opportunity to Q, forcing white intoresignation. Therefore, best, in this position was 55.Kh4, as then 55...Be656.f7, Bxf7 57.Kxh3, Kb3 58.Kg4, Kxa3 59.Kg5, Kxb4 60.Kf6, Be8 61.Ke7,Bh5 62.Kf6, Kc5 63.h4, b4 64.Kg5, b3 65.Kxh5 And, now, 'everything holds',as Jack would say. } 55... Kb3 56. f7 Bxf7+ 57. Kxf7 Kxa3 58. Ke6 Kxb4 59. Kd5 Kc3 60. Kc5 b4 { At this point, white waved, and what he said was, ''asI now cannot stop you from from promoting I resign'' The morals of thisgame are to develop your pieces before you bring out the Q, unless thereis an extenuating circumstance, which wasn't the case here. And, if youropponent has a passed pawn, do something about it right away, before itbecomes a killer. As noted in previous annotations, Jack Stockel has advisedme to be weary of passed pawns because they're dangerous, and this is aperfect example of why. Afterall, I made a very similar mistake in thatgame, by allowing him to have a passed pawns, which in that game, couldn'tbe stopped. As a result, I was forced to resign for exactly the same reasonthat thitho resigned here. The thing is that passed pawns are what oftenpromote, which is why they're things to be weary of. So if you don't figureout how to stop a passed pawn, it will be able to promote. And, that willcreate problems and often cost you the game, as was the case here. } 0-1

[Event "Beyond my wisdom 1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.06.??"] [Round "-"] [White "V. Anand"] [Black "A. Shirov"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "1 hour"] 1. d4 { Grandmaster's moves are often far away from my skills. If you like,help me explaining why they go like that. } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 { This move is theory, so it must be ok, of course. I would have preferredto get the black's lsb out before it, but I think it is a matter of personalchoice. The bishop out of the pawn chain gets eventually exchanged, butat a cost for white, if he goes for it, or it keeps controlling the goodwhite diagonal, otherwise. I think it keeps more control of the game, butI know this is not so easy. Can experts say something about this? } 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 { This transforms the game in a kind of accepted queen gambit,except some other moves are played. The accepted queen gambit is not playedanymore (routinely), so my question is: what makes it playable now? Thec6 pawn? } 7. e4 g5 { Avoiding the pin from e5. All this looks very 'normal',till now. } 8. Bg3 b5 { So white as an advantage in developement, but getsa less flexible position, while black has more space and a lot of 'goodattacking moves', once he develps (white's lsb can go just to e2, and blackhas it easy starting either with b4 or g4, after some manouvers). } 9. Be2 Bb7 10. Qc2 Nbd7 11. Rd1 { White uses his developement advantage to bringin firepower. } 11... Nh5 { Black wants to get rid of the dsb, that controls avery good diagonal. Probably he felt that Bg7 could be countered by Bd6someway. } 12. d5 { But it allows this central advance. The problem of itis the weakening of black's kingside, if black allows dxe6 - fxe6. Becauseit seems easy for white exploit the 'hole' in g6 - but not inmediately.Black has a potential semiopen f file in reutrn. Now, before Nh5, all thismust have been calculated, and the games' continuation shows that blackwent, in fact, for the semiopen f column. I wouldn't, but who am I? Andwhat do experts think? } 12... Nxg3 13. hxg3 Qb6 { ? This is a comment by the pageI took the game from. They recommend Bg7, stating that this move is a blunderbecause 'mixes two different systems'. It certainly allows purposefully,exd6, fxe6, but if white goes for e5, threatening Qg6+, black has o-o-oand the f column. On the other side, white has the semi open h file. Butwhite can play Nxg5, and this weakens its position too much, in my view,so my question is: had black overlooked it? } 14. dxe6 { So white goes forit. } 14... fxe6 15. Nxg5 { Now, if o-o-o, Nf7 forking the rooks. If Bg7, Nxd6.So I cannot see black's plan, but I cannot believe Shirov has played thiswithout a plan. What do you think? } 15... Bc5 { It looks like a 'naive' attack. } 16. Bh5+ { Not difficult to see this. It defends f2, and avoids black'scastling. } 16... Ke7 { Was this position part of black's plan? Now he calculatedprobably that white's knight had to fly, and f7 doesn't look as a goodsquare, so Nf3 and black can Ra-f8, adding pressure to white's kingside.But... } 17. Nxe6 { If KxN, Bg4+, then the Nd7 is taken, with deadly consecuences.This is not difficult to see, but probably it was when Shirov entered thispath. Do you agree? } 17... Ne5 { Threatening Nd3+, KxN (now it is possible), butgiving away the very strong bishop on c5. } 18. Nxc5 { This also avoids thed3 check, so black has to recapture. } 18... Qxc5 19. Be2 { And the d3 check iscovered. True is black has an attacking position for his pawn. Now b4,and white has to move the knight, say Na4, Qa5, say o-o, say c5 or b3 orc3... this is the path for black, or not? What do you think? } 19... Raf8 { Shirovwent the other way. This, again, looks kind of 'naive', but who am I tosay that? } 20. O-O { Right into the pin. Now black has h5, but I still thinkthe right attack would have been on the queenside. What do you think? } 20... Rhg8 { Supporting Ng4, probably. } 21. b4 { ! Comment by the reviewer asthe winning move for white. I always say: 'attack the strongest way youcan, as soon as possible. If you don't your opponent will'. Now, c4xb3(e.p.) is impossible because of Nd5+, winning the black queen. Not difficultto see. Being black, I would have played Qb6, that maintains the 'statusquo'. What do you think? } 21... Qxb4 22. Qd2 { This threats again Nd5+, so blackhas to do something, losing the h6 pawn and, more important, allowing thewhite queen to enter into the fight. Was this an overlook by black? Orwas it part of his plan? Nd3, defending the queen was not a solution (BxNand black has to cope with the same threat as before). } 22... Qc5 { Status quorestored, but at the cost of h6. } 23. Qxh6 { Now, it seems that black hasto be very careful about the white queen, and a plan could have been Rg6,or Nf7 (covering d8 and d6 too!). After it, the black queen can go to thekingside, be exchanged with the white queen, and black has a pawn lessbut a playable game. Or maybe am I too superficial? } 23... Bc8 { So I will questionthis move, instead. Ok, it tries to redeploy the lsb, but it proved tobe not enough. } 24. Qh4+ { Eyeing d8. } 24... Ke6 25. Qh6+ { I cannot see the purposeof this check. } 25... Ke7 26. Qh5 { This invites black to think hard on movessuch as Nd3 or Bg4. If 26... Nd3, 27. QxQ NxQ doesn't seem a bad way forblack to stabilize the game (a pawn race will be set, probably won by white,but it would be another game). Alternatively, 27. BxN is impossible, butRxN is. Then QxQ, 28. BxQ, cxRd3 and it has to be evaluated if the d3 pawnis a real threat for white. It certainly can be easily supported by therooks, and by the c6 pawn in a few moves. As for 26... Bg4, if 27. BxB,RxB I don't see a clear win for white. What do you think? } 26... Kf6 { This moveis beyond my understanding. Bd6 would have been my choice, but again, whoam I? } 27. Qh4+ Ke6 { Repeating position. But now white has another goodplan: } 28. Nd5 { ...threatening Nc7+, Kf7, and then Qf4+, or Bh5+ withdevastating consecuences. } 28... cxd5 29. Rxd5 Qb6 30. Qh5 Qb8 { 'Routine' attackhere. } 31. Rfd1 Rf6 { Overlooks... } 32. Rxe5+ { And here Shirow resigned.It follows: } 32... Qxe5 33. Bg4+ { Now, if RxB, Qe8# (!). If the king moves,QxQ. The only other one is Rf5, losing it cleanly but... } 33... Rf5 34. Bxf5+ Ke7 35. Qh7+ Qg7 36. Qxg7+ Rxg7 37. Bxc8 { And black's pawns can do nothing.The bishop will sac for them and the white pawns will win. } 1-0

[Event "A funny win"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.28"] [Round "-"] [White "eikeegi"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] { Waiting for the times to be for a proper chess game, I keep playing lightly(not to say badly) as this. } 1. e4 d5 { My favorite Scandinavian, that isnot good. } 2. exd5 Qxd5 { Other moves are possible and possibly better.But the whole point for me is to 'demostrate' that the principle of notto get out the queen so early is not always true... if you know what todo with it. } 3. Nc3 { The good move for white here involves d4 and c4,but most people plays this one, in the sensible principle that developingwith tempo can't be bad. } 3... Qe5+ { This check is done mostly because I wantto retreat the queen in c7, after c6. Still, white has to think which defenceis better. I think Ne2 is slightly better, since it support a near-to-comeBf4, but any move is good, here. } 4. Qe2 { This implies an early queen'sexchange. I can retreat the queen, but it will be 'hanging around', chasedby white's minor pieces, all the game. And the 'logic' Nc6 fails to QxQ,NxQ, Nb5, that threats Nc7+. The fork can be avoided only by Na6, thatgives an unconfortable square (and game) for black. } 4... Qxe2+ 5. Bxe2 c6 { This profilactic move is half-forced. The other way is e4 and after Nb5,Bd3, NxB, cxN. This can be playable, but I don't like to play without thebishop in a most likely endgame. Still, I have to find the right way todevelop my pieces here, and it is still dubious black can make it to anequal position. } 6. d3 { d4 only helps me, because of Bf5, threateningc2. White tried (in countless previous games) either Bd1 or Bd3. The latterallows BxB and cxB. Incredibly enough, the doubled central pawns are noteasy to attack, and I am not satisfied with the resulting game. Probablybetter is Bg6, where BxB, hxB provides me with a semi open column thatwhorts something - not much, to be true. } 6... Bf5 { Anyway, just to bring outthe piece so Nd2 doesn't jail the bishop. But e5 can be an option, tryingto keep white's dsb out of the f4 outpost. } 7. g4 { Interesting and good. } 7... Bg6 8. f4 { ! First time (normal is h4, to which h5 leads to g5 and, evenif I have to resolve the developement of the kingside minor pieces, tendsto be pretty stable. Here, e6 is ok, but I kind of 'panicked'. } 8... f5 9. h4 { !! Again, h5 is the wise choice, I simply blundered... } 9... fxg4 10. Bxg4 h5 11. Be6 { ...because of this strong outpost. Now, Bf7 - losing castlingrights in an open position seemed dangerous to me, so I tried to untanglethe position another way... but sweating cold. } 11... Nf6 12. Be3 { Why not f5at once? Of course, he wants to keep the tension, but this move just helpsme: } 12... Ng4 { I cannot see any reason against Bd4, and I am VERY cramped.Fortunately, he played... } 13. Bxg4 hxg4 { So I have two isolated pawns,not easily defendable... what a mess! :-( } 14. O-O-O Nd7 { Probably bettere6. I wanted to counter a possible Bd4 with c5, but this is a bad plan,since it leaves the white knight very good squares. } 15. Ne4 { I can castlequeenside, here. The motiv is after Bxa7, b6 closes the bishop in, andI can win it in a couple of moves... but this motiv, common in 'my' Scandinavian,is not completely sure. What can white do in the meanwhile? } 15... e5 { Tryingto fight. } 16. Ng5 { From here, the knight can go to e6 for free. } 16... Bd6 { Developing with threat. If Ne6, Kf7 should help. } 17. Ne2 { Defendingf5. It is not wise for me to open the game, so... } 17... O-O-O { If Ne6, I haveto play the 'sad' Rd-g8. But it appears to hold. The Bxa6 motiv is still'on'. } 18. f5 { ...but, in the hurry to settle my position by castling,I overlooked this. I cannot take because of Nf7, forking my rooks. } 18... Bh5 19. Ng3 { g3 is impossible. I had to calculate quickly that maybe Be8 wasbetter, the previous move. Oh, well... } 19... Nf6 { By this, I make of Bxa7 apresent for white. Another bad move... } 20. Nxh5 Rxh5 { My intention neverwas to take it with the knight. I only wanted to reach a kind of controlledposition. } 21. Nf7 Rd7 22. Nxd6+ Rxd6 23. Bxa7 { And white cashes in, asI deserve. } 23... Rxf5 { It was wiser for white to keep this pawn... anyway,white is still ahead, positionally. } 24. Bc5 Rd7 { Rd8 Be7 Re8 could beok, but the threat of a free and advanced h pawn still hangs on my position. } 25. Rdf1 Rf4 { Well, if he wants to exchange, I will get two joined passedpawns. } 26. Be3 { Rf3, RxR, gxR is deadly. It undoubles the pawns, ok,but the f3 pawn is undefendable, and g2 becomes a target. } 26... Ra4 27. a3 b5 { One never know... keep the opponent busy, so he distracts from finishyou :-) } 28. Bg5 { Rf7 works, but he doesn't exchange, and my knight becomespinned. So... } 28... Nd5 { Fuzzing around (pointlessly) his king. } 29. Rf8+ Kb7 { Steel nerves. He 'won't' get anything from this. } 30. Kb1 b4 31. Ka2 { Kb3,with the idea of Rd-a7 was an option, since the bishop check is shieldedby Nc7. But it meant the fall of my g pawns, and the free ride of the hone. } 31... bxa3 32. bxa3 { A knight check was a disaster, the king wins oneof my pieces. } 32... g3 { Last try. The rook can go to g4, defending it. } 33. Rb1+ { Here, not Nb6 because after Bd8 I have to defend with the rook (Ra6),and the pawn in g will be taken. } 33... Ka7 { Steel nerves. I forsee in a glance(we had few seconds left) that it won't be checkmate. } 34. Rbb8 { The white'sfatal blunder. Now, g2 is ok because after Ra8+, Kmoves, RxR is met byg1=Q. Still, I wanted to be sure, and played profilacticly. } 34... Rg4 35. Ra8+ Kb7 36. Rfb8+ Kc7 { My rook move was a blunder, since now white has timeto stop the pawn with a rook. Still, Nf4 would have been a win for black.But he played, with few seconds left... } 37. c4 { A blunder, since afterNb6 white loses material. Bd8+, RxB, RxR, NxRa8, RxN. } 37... Ne7 { Counter-blunder,omitting the previous following. } 38. Bxe7 Rxe7 39. Rc8+ Kd7 40. Rd8+ Ke6 41. Ra6 g2 { The two rooks can chase the king, but they will go nowhere. } 42. Rxc6+ Kf7 43. Rcc8 g1=Q 44. Rf8+ Kg6 45. Rc6+ Kh7 { End of checks andthe game, one I deserved to lose but... it was funny to walk over the edgeall the time just to see the king walk all over the board... to win. Alast note: when you play RTC (real time chess), don't trust ratings suchas '500' or so... they are normally not 'true'. } 0-1

[Event "Geogian Championship 2004"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Tornike Sanikidze"] [Black "Giorgi Kackeishvili"] [Result "0-1"] { A manoeuvre battle which can either stall or make an attack on the queenside. } 1. e4 c5 { Sicilian. } 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 { Richter-Rauzervariation. } 6. f3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Qd2 a5 10. Bb5 Be6 11. O-O-O Ne8 12. g4 Nc7 { An unlikely manoeuvre that will become clear sooner... } 13. Kb1 Qb8 { Devoted to a future attack. } 14. Bb6 { This move gives awaythe battle plan of White, you can see how he's desperately trying to preventthe b5-pawn advancing. If he fails, then a full scale attack storms thequeenisde. } 14... Rc8 15. Ba4 { We can see here that if the attack on the queensideis stopped, then White marches on the Black king with his pawns, and sinceBlack's pieces are stranded on the other side, you can truly see the importanceof the b7-pawn. 15...Nb4 wouldn't succeed because 16.h4 N7a6 17. a3 Nc618. Nd5!... with the edge going to White. } 15... Ra6 { (!) More power on the queenside. } 16. Qf2 Na8 { (!) Against all logic, Black corners his own knight for thesake of the b7-pawn. } 17. Be3 Nc7 18. Bb6 { (!) White won't give up! } 18... Na7 { (!) Securing support squares. } 19. Nc1 Na8 { (!) } 20. Be3 b5 { (!) Blackpushes, and starts the advance. His knights may be cornered, but that'sirrelevant in light of the attack. } 21. Bb3 a4 22. Bxe6 fxe6 23. N3e2 { Whitehas been knocked back significantly. His attack hasn't materialised beyond12.g4... } 23... b4 24. f4 Nb5 { (!) Now Black mobilises strongly. } 25. fxe5 Nc3+ { (!) More problems are rising in White's disintegrating position. } 26. Nxc3 bxc3 27. b3 axb3 28. Nxb3 { A strong weakness on b2 has been made. } 28... Qb4 { (!) Their is no defence for White to stop the Black queen from rwachinga4 or a3. } 29. Bc1 Qa4 30. a3 dxe5 31. Rhf1 { A desperate counter. } 31... Bxa3 32. Bh6 { (?!) } 32... Ra7 { (!) White's counter is defended. } 33. Be3 Bc5 { (!) } 34. Rd3 Qa2+ 35. Kc1 Qa1+ { White resigned, since the forced 36.Nxa1...Leads to 36...Rxa1# A beautiful attack all pinned on the advance of a singlepawn! } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.09"] [Round "-"] [White "mshahin"] [Black "jbarnes"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. Nc3 { Dunst Opening. An unusual opening move that develops a knight andpressures the central light squares. The reasons for its unpopularity arethat it does not prevent Black from occupying the center (unlike 1.Nf3)and that it blocks White's c pawn from advancing. } 1... Nc6 { Not a standardresponse to the Dunst Opening. The usual response is 1...d5, which occupiesthe center and threatens to attack White's knight if not blocked. } 2. e4 { The standard continuation of the Dunst Opening. White occupies the center,protected by her knight. } 2... Nf6 3. d4 e5 4. d5 { Attacks Black's knight. } 4... Nd4 { Black moves his knight out of harm's way. The knight now has an advancedfoothold from which it can attack White's back rank in one move. } 5. Bg5 { Pins Black's knight to the queen. } 5... h6 { Attack's White's bishop, forcingit to retreat. } 6. Bh4 g5 { Renews the attack on White's bishop while freeingBlack's knight from the pin. } 7. Bg3 { Moves the bishop to safety whileattacking Black's unprotected e pawn. } 7... d6 { Protects Black's e pawn. } 8. Bb5+ { ? Black can now play 8...Nxb5, which would force White to recapturewith 9.Nxb5, hanging her e pawn. However, Black misses the opportunityand instead plays: } 8... c6 { ? Blocks the check and attacks the checking bishop. } 9. dxc6 { ? Again gives Black the opportunity to take advantage of the situationby playing 9...Nb5. } 9... bxc6 { ? Recaptures the pawn and attacks White's bishop,forcing it to retreat. } 10. Ba4 { Moves the bishop to safety. } 10... h5 { Blackattempts to box in White's bishop on g3. } 11. h4 { Blocks Black's h pawnfrom attacking White's bishop and attacks Black's unprotected g pawn. } 11... g4 { Moves the g pawn out of danger. } 12. b4 a5 { Attack's White's unprotectedpawn. } 13. b5 { Moves the pawn to a protected square. The pawn is now twiceprotected and twice attacked. This square, b5, becomes an important focalpoint and remains so for the entire duration of the game. } 13... cxb5 { Attack'sWhite's bishop. } 14. Nxb5 Nxb5 { Captures the knight. White can now recapturewith 15.Bxb5+. } 15. c4 { Instead, White advances a pawn to attack b5 a secondtime. The knight is still within her grasp, though, as it is pinned tothe king and cannot escape. } 15... Nxe4 { Black captures the pawn that was leften prise by this exchange. } 16. Rb1 { ? White again hesitates to capturethe knight on b5, and this time her hesitation is more costly. Her rookis now in a position to be forked. } 16... Nc3 { ! Forks a queen, a rook, a bishop,and a pawn. } 17. Qd3 { ? White responds by moving her queen to a positionwhere it can simultaneously avoid capture and protect the rook. However,this hangs her bishop at a4. A better response to the fork would have beenthe more aggressive 17.Bxb5+, which would have forced Black to defer theexecution of his fork while he responded to the attack on his king. } 17... Nxb1 { ? Black falls into the trap that White has set. He should have capturedWhite's unprotected bishop with 17...Nxa4. Instead, both of his knightsare now en prise. } 18. Qxb1 { White's queen recaptures. Black has won theexchange but could have done much better. The b5 square is now attackedthrice. } 18... Bd7 { Black finally moves to free his knight from the pin, whichrelieves the threat of check. } 19. cxb5 { White finally captures the knightat b5. After the dust clears, Black has a material advantage of a rookand a pawn against a knight. } 19... Rb8 { Black continues to bring his own forcesto bear on the focal point at b5. The pawn there is now attacked twiceand protected twice. } 20. f3 Rb6 21. f4 f5 22. Bf2 { Attack's Black's rook,but hangs the pawn at f4. } 22... Rb7 { Moves rook to safety. } 23. Ne2 { Protectsthe threatened f pawn and makes way for a castle. } 23... Qb8 { Brings additionalfirepower to bear on the focal point at b5. } 24. Nc3 { Protects the focalpoint at b5 a third time, but hangs the pawn at f4. } 24... exf4 { Captures theunprotected pawn but creates a doubled pawn structure for Black. } 25. O-O Bg7 { Attacks White's knight and makes way for a castle. } 26. Re1+ { An aggressiveresponse to the attack. } 26... Be5 { Blocks the check and renews the attack onWhite's knight. However, the attack cannot be executed, as Black's bishopis now pinned to the king. } 27. Qb3 { Protects White's knight and preventsBlack from castling. } 27... g3 { Attacks White's bishop. } 28. Bd4 { ! White movesthe bishop to the only safe location. Although the bishop is unprotected,it cannot be captured because its attacker is pinned. } 28... Kd8 { Frees Black'sbishop at e5 from the pin, which threatens White's bishop at d4. } 29. Qc4 { Moves the queen to protect White's bishop while still protecting all thesame pieces that it did previously. } 29... Re8 { ! Black notices that the Whiteking's movement is constrained; if Black's rook could make it to e8, theking would be in checkmate. Black cannot execute this idea yet, but hepositions his rook to take advantage of the situation should the opportunityarise—which it does. } 30. Rd1 Qc8 { Attacks White's queen. } 31. Qf7 { ??This is the move that loses the game for White. Black can now play 31...Bxd4+,capturing White's bishop, checking the king, and opening the e file topresent a serious threat of checkmate. White has no good response to this.A much better move would have been. 31.Qd3. } 31... Bxd4+ { ! Forks White's kingand knight. White cannot respond with 32.Rxd4 because black could thencheckmate with 32...Re1#. White is forced to move her king: } 32. Kf1 Qxc3 33. Qxh5 { ? White moves into a forced checkmate. 33.Qb3 would have resultedin a queen exchange and made Black's job harder. } 33... Qc4+ { Black sees thecheckmate and takes it. The king is now immobile. (The e file is attackedby Black's rook, the f2 square by Black's pawn, and the g1 square by Black'sbishop.) All White can do now is ineffectually throw pieces in the queen'sway. } 34. Rd3 Qxd3+ 35. Qe2 Qxe2# 0-1

[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.03.14"] [Round "-"] [White "e4_lunatic"] [Black "jonkie"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1669"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1670"] 1. c4 { This began nicely with the English Opening during which, I madea couple of errors. I was forced to desperately sacrifice most of my piecesin order to remain in the game. } 1... Nf6 2. g3 e5 3. Bg2 Bc5 4. e3 d6 5. a3 a6 6. b4 Ba7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Nge2 c6 9. h3 Be6 10. d3 Nbd7 11. O-O Qc8 12. a4 b6 13. Kh2 Rb8 14. b5 cxb5 15. axb5 a5 { At this point I should haveraised my D pawn, since the black bishop is locked out of the game, I'messentially a piece up. But no, instead I became too confident. } 16. f4 Nc5 17. fxe5 dxe5 18. Ba3 Rd8 { For some reason I didn't notice the implicationsof black's castle on D8. } 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Qd2 Bxc4 21. d4 Bxe2 { Thisis the point where I realise that the game was lost unless I took drasticmeasures to gain tempo and directly attack the king. For this reason Itook the bishop with my queen and not my knight as you will see. } 22. Qxe2 Qxc3 23. Rac1 { This is a move to gain tempo - forcing the queen into apassive position, and gaining a strong placement for my castle. } 23... Qb4 24. Rxf6 gxf6 { I've now removed just about all the defense for the black kingand I have the advantage of tempo. } 25. Rc7 Qf8 { Black realises that byplacing a castle on C8, I'll be able to double the attack on it by movingmy queen to G4+. } 26. Be4 Re8 27. d5 { I made this move to 1: Not revealmy tactic too early and 2: protect my bishop and 3: to make the black thinkthat my next move is going to be D6. This move ends up being the mostimportant in the game. } 27... Re7 28. Qh5 h6 { The queen could have moved to G7.I would have swapped queens and then taken the castle with a pretty evenchance of winning. } 29. Rxe7 Qxe7 30. Qxh6 Qc7 { The queen is moving toallow the king some breathing space on F8 while preaparing to attack myking. } 31. Bh7+ { First I gain more tempo by arranging things to allow mybishop to be positioned on G7 with black having to move two more timesto get out of check. } 31... Kh8 32. Bg6+ Kg8 33. Qh7+ Kf8 34. d6 Qd7 { It is verysatisfying when you achieve a surprise checkmate. } 35. Qh8# 1-0

[Event "Had a win but didn't see it?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1922"] [Round "-"] [White "Emmerich"] [Black "Moritz"] [Result "1-0"] { 'Black had a win but he didn't see it, played something else and lost.He probably regretted it the rest of his life,' says Gene Hackman, starringas a weary private eye who tinkers with a pocket set during stakeouts inNight Moves, a 1975 movie. Chapter One of the novel by Alan Sharp identifiesthe game: 'Back to the wall, in danger of defeat, Moritz had a queen sacrificeleading to an exquisite mate by means of three little knight moves, prancingin interlocking checks, driving the king into the pit. In the heat of somethingnow lost, Moritz had missed it, played defensively and lost.' } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 { 2 ... e5, the rarely seen Albin counter gambit. } 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 f6 6. exf6 Qxf6 7. g3 Bg4 8. Bg2 O-O-O { Black gave up apawn for rapid development. } 9. O-O Nge7 10. Qb3 { A good alternative is10 a3 to enforce b4. } 10... Ng6 11. a4 Bb4 12. a5 { 12 a5? Pitching a pawn toopen lines. Better is 12 h3. } 12... Bxa5 13. Qa4 Rhe8 14. Nb3 Rxe2 15. Nxa5 Bxf3 16. Bh3+ Rd7 17. Qb5 { Stronger is 17 Nxb7! } 17... Nce5 18. Bxd7+ { Also playableis 18 Bg5! } 18... Nxd7 19. Ra3 Re5 20. Qb3 Nh4 21. Bf4 Qg6 22. Bxe5 Nxe5 23. Qb5 Qh5 24. Qc5 Nhg6 25. Qb5 { If 23 Qxd4, 23 ... Qh3 wins outright. } 25... Nf4 26. Re1 { The last hope was 26 Rfa1. } 26... Bd5 { 26 ... Bd5??? Why did black dothis? Moritz must have missed the forced mate 26 ... Qxh2+ 27 Kxh2 Ng4+28 Kg1 Nh3+ 29 Kf1 Nh2# -- the killer knight moves. } 27. cxd5 Nh3+ { Becausehis attack ran out of steam, black resigned. } 1-0

[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Korchnoi"] [Black "Spassky"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { Standard stuff... } 5. Nc3 g6 6. f4 Bg4 { A mistake by Spassky. } 7. Bb5+ Nbd7 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 { He has nobetter alternative. 8...NxB 9 QxB and 8...BxB 9 P-K5 are strong for Korchnoi. } 9. Qd3 e5 10. Nf3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 { Spassky's position is still tenable... } 11... Qg4 { Oops. Now it isn't! } 12. Nd5 { Spassky resigns. If 12... QxQ, 13 NxNchK-K2 14 N-Q5ch, followed by 15 PxQ, wins a clear piece. } 1-0

[Event " Puzzle for White"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.12.29"] [Round "-"] [White "timmulvey59"] [Black "jokeriswild"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1320"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1478"] 1. e4 d5 { This was a great game for black considering white was a higherrated player. Note how Black set the tempo throughout the entire game andlimited white's development. } 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nf3 { White NF3. What wouldyour move of been in this scenario? } 3... Bg4 { Bg4- pinning white knight. Perhapsa gambit. } 4. Be2 Qxd5 { Queen captures white pawn. I considered capturingwith Kf6 but opted for the Queen } 5. h3 Bh5 { White advances pawn to kickout Bishop. I could of traded pieces with the Knight but too early anddecided to pull back to Bh5 } 6. Nc3 Qe6 { White Nc3. Here is where it startsto get interesting. I thought about where to put the Queen. Could of pulledback or moved to lets say Qb6. Actual move limited any development ofBlack Bishop. However actual position moved pins white bishop. If whitemoves Kf3 possible attack on white queen or check on white King. What wouldyou have done? } 7. O-O Nbd7 { White castles. Black responds with Nd7 toadd more pressure to White's King side. } 8. d3 h6 { White advances pawnto d3. Black responds with h6. This may seem like a wasted move for black,I thought about it for a while before making the move as my black bishophas no chance in development now however what it does do is eliminate anysignificant advancement of white's bishop to attack Nbf6 } 9. Re1 g5 10. Be3 Rg8 { Black supports pawn with Rg8. If you look at the board now, whiteis in serious trouble and quite limited with options. The game is prettymuch won for black now. Do you agree? What would your move be for whiteat this stage? } 11. Qd2 Bxf3 { White plays Qd2. Black captures White Knight. } 12. Bxf3 Ne5 { After white takes black knight, black moves Ne5. Keepingthe pressure on the F3 square } 13. Bd1 g4 14. h4 { White did not take pawnon g4, if he did plenty of options for black to retake pawn (g4 protectedby 4 pieces). Is h6 square for black a risk? Not in my opinion. } 14... Nf3+ { Black advances Nf3 checking the white king. White has to take black Knightbut with which piece? In either scenario white will be soon check mated. } 15. Bxf3 gxf3 { Expecting a resignation from White at this point. If youwere white, can you figure out a solution? } 16. Bg5 Qg4 { White resigned. } 0-1

[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.01.18"] [Round "-"] [White "juelson"] [Black "alejandro1983"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1606"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1209"] 1. e4 { Hi to all. First, I say 'My English is very poor'. Sorry if I committedmistakes in the annotation of the game. This is my first annotated game,a very dynamical play in a very sharp variation of the Two Knights defense.I used the StockFish for the postmortem analysis, but I tried to gives my own calculations in the game and, if I or my opponent did't see a criticalvariation, estimates with the chess engine. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { I prefer this variation to the alternative 3... Bc5. But, matter of taste! } 4. Ng5 { If I played this position with white, I had moved 4 d4. But, againg,matter of taste, both variation are theoretical. } 4... Bc5 { Two Knights defense,Traxler variation. I played, few years ago, this maneuver. Actually, Iam playing the Fritz variation ( 4... d5 5 exd5 Nd4) without bad results.With the 4 ... d5 variation too is possible 5 ... Na5 (normal variation,I think) and 5 ... b5. Now, white has three principal moves: 5 Bxf7+(In my juice, the strongest move) 5 d4 and the move of the game, fork queenand rook. } 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ { Black needs take risks, now.. This move is theoretical.I tried to remember variations of this line } 6. Kxf2 { The main alternativeis 6. Kf1, keeping the fork in d8-h8 without gives a strong initiativeto the black } 6... Nxe4+ { I didn't remember the main variation, but I thinkabout this natural move with check keep the attack } 7. Ke3 { It's too risky!!May be 7 Kg1 was sure and black had to move the queen (Qe7... if 7 Kg1Qf6 8 Qf3 and black (minimum) wasted a tempo) } 7... Qh4 { Qe7 was an alternativenot attractive. } 8. g3 { A nice try. I was calculated about if 8 Nxh8Qf2+ 9 Kxe4 d5+! 10 Kd3 Bf5+(StockFish gives me a better mate, but i did'tsee 10... dxc4+ 11 Kxc4 Qd4 and Qb4#) 11 Kc3 Qd4+ 12 Kb3 Qxc4+ 13 Qa3Qb4#, a funny king hunting . Alternatives to the 10th move was 10 Kxd5 Qd4#. 10 Bxd5 Bf5#. } 8... Nxg3 { Open the 4th file! without wasted of time } 9. hxg3 Qd4+ { This move is strong, better than Qxc4. However, I don't seesomething in the continuation of the game } 10. Kf3 d5 { Development first! } 11. Nxh8 { This move lost the game, in my opinion. White had Rh4 (I analyzedthe postmortem with StockFish and white keep advantage in material). Idon't see Rh4 in the game, only analyzes 11 Be2 and I was planned castlein the position. The variation in my mind was 11 Be2 0-0 (the knight ispinned) 12 Kg2 Rxf7 and white's king isn't in a sure place. The variationgives for SF is 11 Rh4 e4+ 12 Kg2 0-0 13 Bb3 Rxf7 (0.73 for white). Theattack vanishes on the lines of the engine!!! } 11... Bg4+ { Capturing the queenand balances the material. Now, the position of the white king (and thedevelopment of the black pieces) gives a big advantage. } 12. Kg2 Bxd1 13. d3 { This move looks ugly, but black had the threat Bf3+ and Qe4+ winningthe exchange } 13... dxc4 14. Rxd1 O-O-O { I can castle because the knight is trapped! } 15. Nf7 Rf8 { The rook enters in the kingside quickly! } 16. Ng5 Rf2+ 17. Kh3 { If 17 Kh1 Qd5+ and mates in two moves. Equal for Kg1. } 17... Qd7+ { Notthe best move, h5 with mate net (SF gives the move). Now, the best tryis 18 g4 (not possible with 17... h5) but I had many variations with advantage(18 ... h5 19 Rg1 hxg4+ 20 Rxg4 Rg2 or 18... Rg2 19 Kxg2 Qxg4+ and Qxd1)but I didn't see a mate attack. } 18. Kh4 { Now, the mate is inevitable. } 18... Rh2+ 19. Nh3 Rxh3+ 20. Kg5 Rxg3+ 21. Kh5 Qh3# { A wild game. Thanks forthe future comments! } 0-1