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[Event "Team match"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.11.28"]
[Round "-"]
[White "jayestom"]
[Black "boriskhurgin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1745"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1792"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5
{ The Spanish opening, or Ruy Lopez.Most players leave b5 for a bit, preferring to prepare to get the kingsafe first. I don't like this variation as after 5. Bb3 black can't followup with the normal na5 due to the hanging pawn on e5. White has playedBxf7+ even, but that's shaky at best. }
5. Bb3 Be7 6. O-O Nf6 7. d4
{ 7.d3 is the more conservative move, but I think this move puts a bit morepressure on. If 7...exd4 then 8. e5 causes trouble. If 8...ne4 then 9.Bd5! Threatening nxd4 regaining the pawn with lots of threats. If instead8...ng4 9. Re1 followed by h3 and black is struggling to hold on to everything.Better for black is the game continuation, getting things developed andignoring free pawns! }
7... d6 8. c3
{ I can ignore the apparent threat to thee4 pawn because of nxe4 Bd5! It really is poisoned... }
8... Bg4 9. Be3
{ Thepawn is still poisoned although it's now not as straightforward. } 9...
Nxe4 { A big mistake! We'll see why... } 10. Bd5 { Nice :) } 10... Qd7 11. Bxe4
{ Now iguessed black's best move was f5. I think I would simplify with Bxc6 qxc6d5 qd7 then I can head off the inevitable e4 with h3. The sacrifice Bxh3is ok because I have nh2 holding everything together with two extra pieces.Black just goes for safety, allowing me to keep my extra piece unbothered. }
11... O-O 12. d5
{ The reason for this closing move is mainly because the knighthas no good square. After 12...nd8 the rooks are disconnected, so c6 lateris dangerous. After 12...na5 I have a nice choice between 13. nbd2 developinga new piece to meet the nc4 difficulty, or instead 13. B3, both of whichlook comfortable. }
12... Nd8 13. h3
{ Putting e question to the bishop. Secretlyhoping for Bxh3 out of desperation, after which the game is completelylost. He is forced to take here, for reasons that become apparent nextmove. }
13... Bh5
{ Loose pieces drop off, as someone famous once said! The bishopis unprotected! }
14. Nxe5 { Neat little tactic... } 14... dxe5 15. Qxh5
{ Whichwas of course the point of the knight sac. } 15... f5
{ This is probably hopelessfor black, as I'm a clear piece up, but it's worth playing on while youropponent has pieces that aren't yet activated. }
16. Bc2
{ Keeping out oftrouble, still eyeing h7 and indirectly protecting d5 due to qxd5 Bb3!Note how black's knight can't come back into the game via f7 otherwisef5 falls. Everything is tied up. }
16... g6 17. Qe2 { Keeping rd1 as a developingoption. } 17... Nf7
{ This is probably a good move...as I say, it's worth playingon for a bit because the knight on b1 and rook on a1 are doing nothing.If black can cause difficulty before they get out, there is hope. I wasexpecting f4, for that very reason. After 17...f4 18. Bc1 (keeping d2 forthe knight) f3! was one idea. After 19. gxf3 qxh3 black has hopes of perpetualcheck. However, I don't have to take on f3 so I think I am still winning. }
18. Rd1
{ Now f4 doesn't pack the same punch, because the knight blocksthe rook, and f3 can be met with qxf3. }
18... Bd6
{ I would have gone for g5 here,for the reasons stated before...black needs to act quickly or he will belost. }
19. f3
{ Now the bishop can retreat to f2 if necessary, not interferingwith the knight or rook development. }
19... f4
{ This is just a few moves toolate...now I am better prepared to deal with it. }
20. Bf2 Nh6
{ I took sometime to assess the threat with the black knight on f5. I decided it lookedgood, but was well controlled by the B on f2. This gives me time to developmy knight to it's optimal square. }
21. c4
{ This just puts a bit of pressureon, while giving my knight a choice of squares. Lesson to be learnt here...evenahead material, the first plan is always to develop your worst pieces.There's no point being ahead a piece if it sits at home. }
21... Nf5 22. Nc3
{ Bxc4was an option, but I think the knight is not that dangerous. By the timethe forces are amassed, black will need them back in the centre for defense! }
22... b4
{ This is bad...it pushes my knight to its best square. There were betterways of defending b5 (like with a rook, developing a piece). Now the twopawns march together with optimal pieces supporting them. }
23. Ba4
{ A littleintermezzo. I noticed that Qe7 was bad, due to the threat of c5 later,trapping the bishop. Black didn't spot it, which gained me a tempo. }
23... Qe7 24. Ne4
{ The bishop pair now support the pawns and the rooks are aboutto provide heavy backup. I could almost play this position without thequeen, it seems. }
24... Qg7 { Necessary, to free up the bishop. } 25. c5 Be7 26. d6 cxd6 27. cxd6
Bh4
{ He opts for the bishop exchange. It's fairly hopelessfor black anyway, but always think about principles. It's usually goodto exchange when up material, and he really can't threaten me seriouslywith just the knight. I still hesitated though, and nearly played Bc5.I'd guess Bc5 would be the computer choice, as it comes with real threats.The simplifying option means less chance for mistakes though, so the humanapproach is justified, I think. }
28. Bxh4 Nxh4 29. Rac1
{ Just bringingthe rook in with the threat of rc7, while black is fairly immobile. }
29... Ra7 30. d7 Qe7 31. Rc8 Ra8
{ I considered finishing with the flashy qxa6 butit's pointless to play a weaker move when the straightforward one wins. }
32. Rxa8 Rxa8 33. Qc4+
{ A nice little intermezzo, allowing me to get tothe support square for the pawn. }
33... Kg7 34. Qc8
{ There's no hope left, soblack resigns. An imperfect game, I'm sure, but one which shows the valueof development over pawn grabbing! }
1-0
|
[Event "A Game of Many Lessons"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.08.11"]
[Round "-"]
[White "chesskingdom64"]
[Black "westernaddition"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1183"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "884"]
{ I have no idea why this game had to bother me too much because of theannoying Bishop perched at a6.I have computer analysis again, and feelfree to post comments and suggestions. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6
{ The Philodor'sDefence. To be honest, 2...Nc6 is better than this move, but this is bookwithout a doubt. }
3. Bc4
{ I had no actual intention to play this move,but it resulted in the Philidor(C41), Steinitz Variation. }
3... Nf6
{ Analysisrecommended 3...c6, but I still think that this move is no worry for Black. }
4. Nc3 { Or 4...d3 is just as good. } 4... h6
{ What is the goal of this move?I have no idea why this move was played. } 5.
d4 { I rushed to gain centralcontrol. } 5... c6
{ Analysis advised that the move was played too late. } 6. d5
{ I don't know why analysis considered this as a mistake, but this moveworks just as well in my opinion. }
6... b5 7. Bb3 c5
{ Good-bye Black's pawnstructure! Enjoy your teacher.....the prowling c3 knight! }
8. Nxb5 Qa5+ { Lesson #1: Queens sometimes don't know how to fork pieces. } 9.
Nc3 Ba6 10. Ba4+ { Lesson #2: Sneaky moves give you good luck. } 10... Ke7 11.
Bc6 Nxc6 12. dxc6
{ Lesson #3: Beware of about-to-be passed pawns! Attack them atyour own peril. }
12... Nxe4 13. Bd2 Nf6
{ Lesson #4: Don't be afraid to move yourQueen somewhere else. Well, that's the end of my techer's lessons becausethe teacher did the teacher trap sac. }
14. Nd5+ Nxd5 15. Bxa5 Nf4 16. c7
{ That moronic Bishop on a6 severely irritated me for the rest of the game! }
16... Kd7 17. Nxe5+ Ke6 18. Nc6 Bb7 19. Nd8+ Kd7 20. Qg4+
{ Better was 20.Nxb7because it is now almost impossible to promote. This, however, is not theline of blunders. }
20... Ne6 21. Nxf7 { I gave myself a pat on the back for ablunder well done. }
21... Be7 { I wonder if Black thought that my knight was myQueen. } 22. Nxh8
Rxh8
{ I guess that distracting the rook on move 22 wasa complete failure to do anything. What was I thinking?! }
23. O-O
{ My lastmoves are about giving Black a lot of traps to trigger by bringing my rooksinto the action. }
23... Bf6 24. Rae1 Re8
{ Mistake (I really don't know why, butanalysis urged Black to play 24...Be5). }
25. Re3 { Mistake due to 25...Bd4. } 25... Ba6
{ Question #1: Did this move help you before, or did it help supportme? } 26.
Rfe1 Bd4
{ Question #2: What would happen if Black was told thathe was helping me out? }
27. Rxe6
{ Black resigned, for a good reason. if27...Rxe6, then 28.Qxe6+ wins. Motto(s): When your pawn structure is usedtoo many times in the beginning, it falls in the end, allowing opposingpieces to conquer the entire army without much trouble and pressure. Also,do not try to fall for unpinning traps like the one I used to capture Black'sQueen. Last but not least, handle attacks with care, or you travel to BluntAve. }
1-0
|
[Event "Training Tournament - Jo Holds Her Nerve!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009.10.29"]
[Round "-"]
[White "jstevens1"]
[Black "bert11111111"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1658"]
[TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"]
[WhiteElo "1829"]
1. e4
{ Hi everyone! This game was even Steven until fairly late on inthe middlegame where I found I had a tactical shot which won me the exchange. This incident occurred the day after Black Friday (the day my rating droppedby 40 odd points). Luckily I managed to find a way to convert the exchangeadvantage to a victory and kept my mits off that Offer Draw button! Inresponse to my 1. e4 black plays the French Defense with 1. e6. }
1... e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5
{ 3. ...... This pawn trade characterises this openingas the French Defense Exchange Variation. }
4. Nf3 Bd6 5. c4 c6 6. cxd5 cxd5
{ 6. ....... cxd5 - another pawn trade leaving us both with d pawnisolanis. }
7. Nc3 Ne7 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 { 9. ...... Qxd7 - bishoptrade. } 10. O-O
O-O 11. Qb3
{ 11. Qb3 - Glenda hits out at d4 and b7, bothsquares are protected at the moment but somehow Glenda is in the mood toput those squares under some pressure. }
11... Nbc6 12. Kh1 Bb4 13. Be3
{ 13. Be3- Fou Lenoir develops and adds protection to my isolated d pawn. }
13... Rac8 14. Rac1 a6 15. Na4
{ 15. Na4 - not much doing here, I try to make somethinghappen. Something does happen, the Wicked Witch of the West makes herappearance on f5 sssss, booo, ssss! }
15... Qf5 16. Nb6 Rcd8 { 16. ....... Rcd8- defending his isolated d pawn. } 17.
Rfd1 h6 18. Na4 Qe4 19. Nc5 Bxc5 20. Rxc5 { 20. Rxc5 - a N for B trade. } 20...
b5 21. a3 Rd6 22. Qd3 Qxd3 23. Rxd3 { 23. Rxd3 - queen trade. } 23... Na5 24.
b3 { 24. b3 - to prevent Nc5. } 24... Rfd8
{ 24....... Rfd8?? - this move is about to drop the exchange as you will soonsee with my next move ..... }
25. Bf4
{ 25. Bf4 - this is the light in avery dark tunnel for me. I had just got out of bed on Saturday morninghoping Black Friday was just a bad dream. It was not. My new rating of1809 (after it had been 1857 made ghastly reading). Suddenly I saw howblack's a5 knight and d8 rook lined up and also his d6 rook lined up thenI thought .... Fou Lenoir ...... skewer ...... fork ...... exchange up! Aha, if only I can hold my nerve and pull this one off this may be thecrucial difference between retaining and losing my Class A status. }
25... Re6
{ 25. ...... Re6 - When I mentioned 'Skewer' I bet you thought, what isshe talking about? Well, the d6 rook is not skewered to another piecebut the c7 square where Fou Lenoir will land the ..... }
26. Bc7 { 26. Bc7..... fork. } 26... Nb7 27. Bxd8 Nxd8
{ 27. ..... Nxd8 - and I am now the exchangeup but where do I go from here? }
28. Re3
{ 28. Re3 - I know, force an exchangeof black's remaining major piece. } 28...
Rxe3 29. fxe3
{ 29. fxe3 - the rook tradewas forced because black's knight would have been left hanging had therook moved off the e column. }
29... Ndc6 30. b4 { 30. b4 - I do not wish to allowNa5. } 30... f6
{ 30. ...... f6 - he is trying to get his king over to e6/d6 toprotect his d5 pawn. How can I make headway. Can I distract him? }
31. Nh4
{ 31. Nh4 - maybe I can. I now pray that he does try to carry out hisplan with his king because I will cross him with ...... }
31... Kf7 32. Nf5
{ 32.Nf5! - this is another forced trade of pieces, one pair of knights is goingto come off. It looks as though I am giving away a free knight but ifblack takes on f5 then I take on c6. }
32... Nxf5 33. Rxc6 Nxe3 34. Rxa6
{ 34.Rxa6 - I anticipated Nxe3 because I had Rxa6 up my sleeve. I think I canget a queenside passer out of this. }
34... Kg6 35. a4
{ 35. a4 - the pawn tradethat will follow will result in my b pawn becoming isolated but passedand with the enemy king on the kingside black may well have to give uphis knight for it making me a rook for pawn up. }
35... bxa4 36. Rxa4 Nc4 37. b5 Kf5
{ 37. ....... Kf5 - my d4 pawn is gonna be a gonner but that willnot be a problem. First I force black to give up that knight. }
38. Ra6 Ke4 39. b6 Nxb6 40. Rxb6 Kxd4 41. Kg1
{ 41. Kg1 - Henry moves towards thed column to get under the d pawn if necessary. }
41... f5
{ 41. ...... f5 - blackthreatens g5 trying to get a passer on the kingside but my next move putsa stop to that idea. I calculate that I can break up black's kingsidepawns next move with Rxg7 and still have time to round up the d pawn. After 42. Rg6 black waved the white flag! Thank God I held my nerve. }
42. Rg6 1-0
|
[Event "Team match"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "24-Jan-08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "t108741"]
[Black "kreifi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1469"]
[TimeControl "5 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1492"]
1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 { not usual for white. the reason is e6... } 2... e6 3. Nf3 Nc6
4. O-O d5 { of course. taking the center and vanishing the white bishop. } 5.
exd5 exd5 6. Re1+ Nge7 { I think that Be7 was better and than Nf6. } 7. Bb5 Qb6
{ black uses his great advantage in space. } 8. a4 a6 9. Bxc6+ Qxc6
{ 9... b6 10. d4 cxd4 with Rb8, 0-0, Nf5, Be6 and c5. } 10. d4 Be6
{ leavingwith an isolated d pawn. } 11. Ng5 cxd4 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. Re2
{ 13. Qxd4(a must) Qxc2 14. Nc3 with an advantage for white. } 13... Kd7 14.
Qxd4 Nf5 15. Qc3 Qxc3 16. Nxc3
{ a slight advantage to black because of the pawns inthe center. } 16... Bb4
17. Nd1 { Na2 was needed here. } 17... Nd4 18. Re5 Nxc2
{ an extrapawn in the endgame is a lot. } 19. Ra2 Nd4 20. Re3
{ 20. Be3 is worth looking. } 20... Rac8 21. Ra1 { giving away a rook... }
21... Nc2 22. Rxe6 Kxe6 23. Rb1 Nd4 24. Ne3
{ ?? 24. Be3 is not losing the piece but the game is lost anyhow... } 0-1
|
[Event "Tournament game, Leningrad 1948"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Viktor Korchnoi"]
[Black "Boris Spassky"]
[Result "1-0"]
{ Korchnoi scores a stunningly quick victory, due to a Spassky oversight. } 1.
e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 { All book, so far. } 4... Nf6
{ Challengingthe center. } 5. Nc3 { Developing and guarding. } 5... g6 6. f4
Bg4 { Striving forcounterplay. } 7. Bb5+ { Turnabout is fair play. } 7... Nbd7
{ Keeping his threaton the Q active. } 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7
{ Refusing to relinquish the tempo by recapturingwith the B. } 9. Qd3 e5
{ Trying to drive White back. } 10. Nf3 { Counteringwith a threat on the KP. }
10... Bxf3 { Opting to exchange. } 11. Qxf3
{ With thethreat of PxP and a discovery on the unguarded Knight. } 11... Qg4
{ The losingmove. } 12. Nd5
{ Spassky resigns. White has too many threats [NxN winninga piece, N-B7 ch with a shakrukh]. There's no way to defend all of them.Exchanging Queens first doesn't help, as Korchnoi can win a piece [after12... QxQ] with 13 NxN ch! before recapturing the Q. Spassky could savethe piece with 12... K-Q1, but after 13 NxN Q-R5 ch 14 P-N3 QxN, Korchnoihas a winning positional advantage with his absolute control of Q5 andthe backward Black Q-pawn, not to mention that the Black King would betrapped in the center and wide open to attack. }
1-0
|
[Event "St George VS The Dragon (Game 5)"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "thedessertfox"]
[Black "Friend"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
{ The 5th and final game of my series with my friend. In this game St Georgetries to slay the mighty dragon with 9. Bc4 (Known as the Yugoslav attackor St George's attack) and combines a vicious double pawn sac. HoweverSt George isn't they only one willing to sacrifice material for an attack.The might dragon sacs the exchange trying to force an attack to rewritethe story books. }
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3
{ Allnormal Sicilian up to here. I prepare for the third Najdorf in the series }
5... g6
{ The mighty dragon emerges for its cave. Who will save the white monarchnow??? }
6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 Nc6 8. Qd2 O-O
{ The dragon readies itself foran attack on the white monarch now is the time for a hero }
9. Bc4 { Therein the distance St George } 9... Bd7 10. O-O-O Rc8 11. Bb3
{ This is still bythe book } 11... Ne5 12. h4 h5 13. Bg5 Rc5
{ My book knowledge runs out soon. StGeorge decides that the time is right to attack }
14. g4 { A vicious doublepawn sac emerges } 14... hxg4 15. h5 gxh5 16. Bh6
{ Wanting to attack down theh-file } 16... Ne8
{ Wants to recapture with the knight. } 17. Bxg7
{ Not Rxh5 losingthe exchange after Nxf3 Nxf3 Rxh5 } 17... Nxg7 18. Kb1
{ St George waits for thedragons response } 18... a5
{ The dragon looks to strike down the queen side } 19. f4 Nc4
{ offering to exchange the knight and bishop } 20. Qh2
{ preparingto attack the h-pawn but first must remove the knight on g7 } 20...
b5 { The dragonentrenches his aggressive knight } 21. Bxc4 Rxc4
{ forced to exchange becausethe knight could threaten St George's charge } 22.
Nf5 { Trying to draw thedragon's defences out } 22... Bxf5 23. exf5 a4
{ Not removing the critical defenderof the knight on the h-pawn } 24. a3
{ Trying to stop the dragon's attack } 24... Qa5
{ It appears the dragon is preparing his flame } 25. Rd2
{ St George raiseshis shield } 25... Rfc8 { The dragon poises to strike } 26.
Qe2 Rxc3
{ !? A viciousexchange sac preparing to rip a hole in St George's shield } 27.
bxc3 Rxc3 28. Qxe7 { St George prepares a counter strike } 28... b4
{ A vicious threat } 29. Qxd6
{ Not axb4 Qxb4+ Kc1(Ka1 Ra3#) Qa3+ Kd1(Kb1 leads to repetition) Qa1+Ke2 Qxh1 wins a rook }
29... bxa3 30. Qd8+ Qxd8
{ The dragon is forced to weakenhis attack or fear losing the fight all together }
31. Rxd8+ Kh7 32. f6 Ne6 33. Rxh5+ Kg6 34. Rdh8 Kxf6 { Nxf4 falls to R8h6# }
35. R8h6+ Ke7 36. f5 Ng7
{ Trying to win the f-pawn. Also later if ...a2+ is played Kxa2 Rxc2+Kb3 wins 2 pawns for one }
37. Rg5 Ne8 38. Rxg4 Nd6 39. f6+ Ke6 40. Ka2 Ne8 41. Rf4 Nc7 42. Rxa4 Nd5 43.
Ra6+ { St George prepares to call in thereinforcements } 43... Kd7 44. Rxa3
Rxc2+ 45. Kb3 Rc3+ 46. Kb2
{ Forces the tradeof rooks. Can St George's Rook beat the Dragon's knight??? }
46... Rxa3 47. Kxa3 Ke6 48. Kb3 Nxf6 49. Kc4 Ke7 50. Kd4 Ng8 51. Rh5
{ Better was Rh7 whichforces a draw } 51... f6 52. Rf5 Nh6 53. Rf4
{ Rxf6 forces a draw } 53... Ke6 54. Ke4 Kf7 55. Kd5 Kg6 56. Ke6 Ng8 57. Rxf6+
{ I decided to force a draw } 57... Nxf6
{ And so neither St George or the Dragon could land the fatal wound andso they both returned to their respective lands preparing for another battlewhenever 9.Bc4 was played. I won the 5 game series 4-1 Game 1: White:MeBlack:Friend Najdorf Bg5 result: 1-0 Game 2: White:Friend Black:Me AdvanceFrench result: 0-1 Game 3: White:Me Black:Friend Tarrasch Defence result:1-0 Game 4: White:Friend Black:Me Najdorf Ng5 result: .5/.5 Game 5: White:MeBlack:Friend Dragon St George's attack result: .5/.5 I await our nextseries }
1/2-1/2
|
[Event "Bled, Bled"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "1961.09.10"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Petrosian, Tigran V"]
[Black "Pachman, Ludek"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d3 e6
{ Once I read in a magazine that if the Indian of the king is good, then she must also be good the Indian of the king inverted. }
6. e4 Nge7 7. Re1 O-O 8. e5
{ Petrosian plays an unusual move. Perhaps the pawn on e5 is weak, but the knight on f6 is trying to reach a3 and c4. The blacks want to get rid of that pawn as soon as possible and that's why they play... }
8... d6 9. exd6 Qxd6 10. Nbd2 Qc7 11. Nb3 Nd4 12. Bf4 Qb6 13. Ne5 Nxb3
{ The position is difficult for the black pieces, while the white alfil has a good field for the action. The black queen is exposed to the attack. The black pieces are trying to exchange figures, but Petrosian finds a very good move. }
14. Nc4 Qb5 15. axb3 a5 16. Bd6 Bf6 17. Qf3 Kg7 18. Re4 Rd8 19. Qxf6+
{ Petrosian played an extraordinary final move. This was a great surprise. I was amazed, following his game, and suddenly it was all over. }
19... Kxf6 20. Be5+ Kg5 21. Bg7
{ This is a chess move, as it prevents the black king from returning through h6. The knights abandon, as if they had not moved. }
21... Nf5
{ Alternative variation: 21... e5 22. h4+ Kh5 23. Bf3+ Bg4 24. Bxg4# } 22. f4+
Kg4 23. Ne5+ Kh5 24. Bf3# 1-0
|
[Event "Great Arcana"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "1990"]
[Round "-"]
[White "GM Kasparov"]
[Black "GM Anatoly Karpov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "almost as huge"]
[TimeControl "Standard Match Play"]
[WhiteElo "huge"]
{ A couple of months or so ago, some members of the FIAT LUX III club werediscussing former World Champion Garry Kasparov - his games and his attitudeto female players. The matter of playing through and studying his gamescropped up. How might one, far from possessing Kasparov's skills and understandingof the game, make sense of the moves and the ideas and motives behindthem? How do we make sense of the tactics - or, more difficult - the strategies? This game, played for the Championship of the World between the two bestplayers of the time (1990), is my attempt at unlocking some of its arcaneaspects. No doubt more advanced and erudite readers will have reason tocorrect my errors and misunderstandings. That's fine: it all goes to ourChess 'heddickation'. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
{ Ruy Lopez, a.k.a. SpanishOpening. One of many options available to White, but one of the most popularin Master play. Accordingly it has been heavily analyzed, some lines wellknown well into the middle game. }
3... a6
{ Morphy Defence. Black 'puts thequestion' to White: to exchange bishop for knight (Exchange Variation)or not to exchange. The decision determines the shape of the game to come. }
4. Ba4
{ This retreat is by far the most common response for White - keepsopen the option to exchange B for N (Exchange Deferred), but also contemplateda further retreat to b3 or even, after the c-pawn moves, to c2. The downsideis a considerable expenditure of time spent by this 'Lopez' bishop, butBlack doesn't seem to be able to profit much thereby. }
4... Nf6
{ 'Main' Line. Also OK are 4...d6 (Modern Steinitz - for a time a favourite of mine),or 4...Bc5 (Classical Defence). }
5. O-O
{ This standard move leaves thee-pawn 'en prise' - in a good cause. White could instead defend it byd2-d3, Nb1-d3 or Qd1-e2. }
5... Be7
{ By far the most usual move here. BlackCAN take the loose pawn (Riga Variation), and for developing players itmight well be worth a try. After 5...Nxe4 6.d4 exd4 7.Re1 d5 8.Nxd4 Bd69.Nxc6 Bxh2ch ... and now: [A] 10.Kxh2 Qh4ch 11.Kg1 Qxf2ch 12.Kh1 Qh4chetc with a repetition; [B] 10.Kf1(?) Qh4 11.Nd4ch c6 12.Be3 Bg4 - and Blackhas an edge [C] 10.Kh1(!) Qh4 11.Rxe4ch dxe4 12.Qd8ch Qxd8 13.Nxd8ch Kxd8- and White has the edge. }
6. Re1
{ Standard. But White has good - orat least reasonable - alternatives: 6.Bxc6 (Exchange Doubly Deferred);6.Qe2; 6.Nc3; 6.d3. After this rook move, though, 7.Bxc6 followed by 8.Nxe5is a real threat. Hence Black's reply... }
6... b5
{ Averts White's threat towin a pawn. Also playable was 6...d6, to the same end, though after 7.c3,when Black DOES play ...b5, the bishop can retreat to c2 in one move. }
7. Bb3 d6
{ The usual. But Black does have options in ...Bb7 and ...0-0. Castling keeps open the option of playing the Marshall Counter-attackline, named after my favourite American Master, Frank J. Counter-Attack. However, White then has 'Anti-Marshall' lines (8.a2-a4, or 8.h2-h3) -a feature, by the way, of several games in the recent World ChampionshipMatch. }
8. c3
{ Preparing c2 to receive the bishop, should that retreatbecome desirable. I believe we are beginning to enter what is sometimescalled 'The Spanish Torture' - still in the theoretical main line. }
8... O-O 9. h3
{ If instead, 9.d4, Bg4 is good for Black. So White shuts that down. } 9...
Bb7
{ Zaitsev Variation - quite trendy back in 1990. Also very playableare 9...Na5 (Tchigorin), 9... Nb8(Breyer), 9...h6 (Smyslov). In this position,Black appears to have completed his development; White's Q-side has hardlystirred. This might look bad for White, but it appears that Black cando little to hinder the realisation of White's potential for improvement. Bear in mind this game was played between the two strongest players inthe world at the time. }
10. d4
{ As foreshadowed at move 9. Strikes atthe centre, and frees White Q-side. }
10... Re8
{ Centralising. But Black alsoplans to relocate his dark-square bishop via f8 to g7. This manoeuvre bringsrook and bishop both in support of the e5-square. }
11. Nbd2
{ There beingno good square available to the c1-Bishop, White doesn't mind blockingit in momentarily. }
11... Bf8 12. a4
{ Ramping up the tension that has existedin the centre from White's 10th move. White could have played 12.d5, afterwhich Black's best move seems to be 12...Nb8, with the view to relocatingto d7. }
12... h6
{ Possibly another reason for White's keeping the a2-g8 diagonalopen was the possibility of Nf3-g5, striking at the f7-square. Black putsthe kibosh on that. Bad would be 12...bxa4? 13.Bxa4, with 14.d5 threatened;but 12...exd4 is playable if Black doesn't mind White having a broad pawncentre. }
13. Bc2
{ 'Overprotecting' the pawn at e4. The overprotectionof important points is a standard positional motif in closed and semi-closedpositions. The centre is not closed - not yet - and it is unclear yetwhether it will become so, or will open up. There is quite a lot of tensionin this position. }
13... exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4
{ The situation in the centre hasbeen somewhat clarified, and now black threatens to exchange knight forbishop, removing one of the guardians of e4. At the same time, the light-squarebishop is brought into action against e4. Finally, the Black c-pawn isfree to move and strike at White's d4-square. }
15. Bb1 { He wants to keephis bishop, even if it means this retreat. } 15... c5
{ Black has a Q-side pawnmajority he hopes to exploit, at least as an offset to White's operationson the K-side, but with the ultimate aim of pawn promotion. Dichotomousstrategic battles of this type can get pretty exciting. }
16. d5
{ Whitechooses to allow Black some law on the Q-side, in order to maintain a firmgrip on the centre. White is probably already planning K-side operations,and a firm hold on the centre is just about a prerequisite for successfulflank operations. Black's Q-side operations are a deal further along thanWhite's on the other wing, but his grip on the centre is less firm. Possiblyoverall the situation is dynamically even - the thing could go either way. }
16... Nd7
{ Aiming possibly to blockade the backward White e-pawn - or at leastto place it under restraint. }
17. Ra3 { An unusual but effective way tobring the rook into action. } 17... f5
{ Striking at White's centre. Perhaps Blackwas thinking that White's grip on the centre was too powerful to promisemuch of his own Q-side operations. So he looks to undermine it. However,he might well have pushed his own programme along with 17...c4! }
18. Rae3
{ White had a very wide choice here: [A] 18.exf5 Rxe1ch 19.Nxe1 Nxd5 20.Rg3 = [B] 18.e5!? dxe5 19.Bxf5 = [C] 18.g4!? fxg4 19.Nh2 gxh3 20.Rg3... and White has the beginnings of a promising attack. }
18... Nf6
{ Looks OK. But Black could also have considered 18...fxe4 19.Rxe4 Ne5. This strongoutpost for the knight would probably induce further exchanges: 20.Nxe5dxe5 - and the centre is dissolving. }
19. Nh2 { Makes room for the rookand/or possible pawn pushes. } 19... Kh8
{ Black already sees the attack coming,and looks to King safety. But he could have tried 19...fxe4 20.Nxe4 Nxe421.Rxe4 Rxe4 22.Rxe4 Nxd5 23.Re2 Nf6 24.Qd3, eyeing g6. }
20. b3 { !? } 20... bxa4 21. bxa4 c4
{ Maybe ...fxe4 deserved another look: 20...fxe4 21.Nxe4 Bxd522.Nxf6 Rxe3 23.Rxe3 Qxf6 24.Bd2 - but then White has all sorts of horriblethreats (e.g. Bxb4 wins a piece; and Bc3 won't fill Black's heart withjoy, either. }
22. Bb2 { Aiming directly at the Black king. } 22... fxe4
{ Whitehas given up a pawn, and pretty much his whole centre as well, to openup all sorts of lines of attack - especially diagonals - against Black'sKing side. Black doesn't look too badly placed so far, with an attack ofhis own on the Queen side, and he has thrown a few obstacles in the centreto inhibit White's attack. }
23. Nxe4 Nfxd5 24. Rg3
{ The lines seems tobe opening up quite a bit. White might equally well have played 24.Qh5,here. White's attack has suddenly become dangerous. }
24... Re6
{ Trying to deepenthe entrenchment at h6. This does look a little awkward, but possiblyBlack had it in mind to build up his major pieces along the e-file. }
25. Ng4
{ Could Nf3 have been an improvement? 25.Nf3 Nf4 26.Nd4 Re5 27.Qg4- enormous pressure upon g7 - 27...Nbd3 - a real clash of pieces in thecentre here! 28.Bxd3 cxd3 29.Qxf4 Qb6 - and who knows what's going on? This is becoming a real ding-dong battle! }
25... Qe8
{ ?? - This plausible lookingmove is probably what Black had in mind when he pushed the rook forward. But this is the turning point of the whole game. After ...Nd3, Blackseems to have sufficient hold of the centre to survive White's attack:25...Nd3 26.Bxd3 cxd3 27.Qxd3 Qe7 (pinning the e4-knight) 28.Kh2 ... (Thismove, which actually crops up during the game also, is a rather peculiar'unpinning', the idea being that if Black takes on e1 [...Rxe1] it be WITHOUTcheck!) 28...Nf4 29.Qd2! Rxe4 30.Rxe4 Qxe4 =. It seems likely that Blackthought that after ...Qe8, the pin on the e-file would constrain White. }
26. Nxh6
{ !! The knight may not be taken! If now 26...Rxh6 27.Nxd6! ....(just look at those rook files and bishop diagonals! Black's pieces arefairly active, but in quite the wrong sector of the board!) 27...Qh5 28.Rg5!!... (What. A. Move!) 28...Qxd1 29.Nf7ch Kg8 30.Nxh6ch; or 26... c6 (throwingobstacles in White's path) 27.Ng5! ... (27.Nf7ch Qxf7 25.Ng5 also wins)27...Re5 28.Nhf7ch Kg8 (...Qxf7 is forced) 29.Bh7#. This one blow sendsBlack reeling. }
26... c3
{ Desperation. Black fights hard for the remainderof the game, but in a lost cause. }
27. Nf5 cxb2
{ Winning a piece and thepawn is one square from promotion. All Black can do is to maximise thebenefits if white goes wrong. What are the chances of that? It is theChess equivalent of playing a losing hand down to the last card. White'sgame isn't going to win itself. }
28. Qg4
{ All out attack. Everything isthrown into the final assault. Primary threat is Qh4ch followed by Ne4-g5. But White will need to concern himself with that back-rank check to freeup that e4-knight. }
28... Bc8 { Hoping this bishop might contribute somethingto the defence. } 29.
Qh4+ Rh6
{ The only other move is the passive ...Kg8,at which point Kh2! unpins the e4-knight to play Ng5. }
30. Nxh6 gxh6 31. Kh2
{ Bang! There it is. The e1-rook is to be sacrificed WITHOUT a check,as the knight is thrown into the attack. }
31... Qe5 { Pinning the g3-rook, andcovering some dark squares. } 32. Ng5
{ ! There was nothing Black coulddo to stop this. Of course, Black can't play ...Qxe1, on account of Nf7#. }
32... Qf6 33. Re8
{ Now every White piece is battering Black's position; Blackis wanting at least two pieces in his defence (the distant rook and knight) }
33... Bf5
{ An attempt to complicate. Black offers his rook by way of a decoy(distraction) and threatens the White bishop. So now 34.Bxf5?? Rxe8 wouldactually be winning for Black! But 34.Rxa8 is playable, and maybe as strongas White's actual choice... }
34. Qxh6+
{ Smashing through the last defences. This is no Queen sacrifice, as White will soon take Black's. }
34... Qxh6 35. Nf7+ Kh7 36. Bxf5+
{ Black is being given no time to take the rook on e8. Black has but one move... }
36... Qg6 37. Bxg6+
{ ?! Not the best! This is ofcourse well and truly good enough to win, but even stronger was 37.Rxg6!... with the idea 37...Rxe8 38.Rg3#. If 37...Ne7, 38.Rxe7 seals the deal. }
37... Kg7 38. Rxa8
{ Now the material differential is 'plus 8' for White - butthere is the small matter of that pawn on b2. It can't promote now, butit still needs to be dealt with. Black has good reason to play on. }
38... Be7 { Heading for f6 to protect the pawn. } 39. Rb8
{ Pinning the b4 knight andtying down the other to its defence. } 39... a5
{ Frees up the d5-knight... } 40. Be4+
{ Giving up a small amount of his material surplus to reel in thatrunaway pawn. }
40... Kxf7 41. Bxd5+
{ 1-0 Black resigned. It's check, and if41...Nxd5, Black takes the b-pawn and wins easily. If instead 41...Kf6,then probably simplest is 42.Rxb4 axb4 43.Rb3. A tense and difficult openingand early middle game, but a single slip - a plausible mistake - openedup the floodgates. }
1-0
|
[Event "Two Nights, ...Nxe4 Variation"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "NN"]
[Black "dmaestro"]
[Result "0-1"]
{ Flawed but instructive attack. } 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Ng5 Nxe4
{ ...Nxe4 has long been a favorite. } 5. Bxf7+
{ Nxf7 offers Black astrong attack and at least equality, even better in many lines. This move,Bf7+, requires precise play by Black. }
5... Ke7 6. Nxe4 Kxf7 { A piece swap. } 7. Qf3+ Kg8
{ ? Careless. Ke8 is necessary. } 8. Qb3+
{ ?? Ng5! wins becauseof the double threat of f7++ and d5++. } 8... d5 9. Nbc3
Be6 10. O-O { ? Whitedoes not realize that Black has serious threats. } 10...
Nd4 11. Qxb7 Rb8 12. Qa6 dxe4 13. Nxe4 Rb6 14. Qxa7 Nxc2
{ Black has a strong attack. } 15. Rb1 Bc4 16. d3
{ White wants to get some pieces out. } 16... Qxd3 17. Be3
{ White sacrificesa piece but better was Ng3. } 17... Nxe3 18. fxe3 Qxe4 19.
Qxc7 { White hopes thatBlack will overlook the threats on the a2-g8 diagonal. }
19... Rg6 { But Blackthreatens mate instead. } 20. Rxf8+
{ White hopes for a perpetutal check. } 20... Kxf8 21. Qd8+ Kf7 22. Qd7+ Kf6
23. Qd6+ Kg5 24. Qe7+ Kh5 { The Q checkshave ended, mate follows. } 25. g4+
Rxg4+ 26. Kf2 Rg2+ 27. Ke1 Qxb1# 0-1
|
[Event "A blitz miniature w/Sicilian"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "homeboy"]
[Black "concordborn"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1517"]
[WhiteElo "1518"]
1. e4
{ Not much to say about this one. Playing black I usually respondto e4 with some variation of the Sicilian. Here White plays to transposeinto an English with 2. c4. I formulated a plan early which consistedof aggressively posting my knight on d4 then bearing down on the Queen-side,both points I was able to do. There is little annotation as the game playsitself out. }
1... c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 e5 6. Nc3 h6 7. Bh4 Be7 8. Nd5
{ Was hoping that he would play this as I wanted to pin his knightto his queen, take, then post my knight on d4. This is possible withoutthis move but some other moves could have prevented this. I thought thatWhite may play Be2 and try to castle, then I would trade knights, takeon f3, then post the knight. Although it played out slightly differentlythe end result was the same. }
8... Bg4 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nd4
{ Forcing the queen to retreat to defend against the fork on c2. } 12. Qd1 O-O
13. Be2 g5 14. Bg3 a6 15. a3 b5 16. b3 Rab8 17. a4 bxc4 18. bxc4 Rb2
{ Black threatens to win the bishop or can now employ the fork at c2. Whiteresigned. *Just as a note the last few pawn moves may have been out oforder for white (playing black I remember what I did) however this wasthe final board position reached so they couldn't have been too terriblyre-constructed. }
0-1
|
[Event "Kramnik's Best Game"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Vladimir Kramnik"]
[Black "Peter Leko"]
[Result "1-0"]
{ Annotated by Raymond Keene. } 1. e4
{ Kramnik, the defending world champion,scored a brilliant victory in the 14th and final game; Peter Leko resignedafter 41 moves when faced with checkmate. This is only the third time inthe entire history of the World Championship that the defending championhas saved his title by winning in the final game. The game itself was ajewel of controlled aggression. Despite consistent exchanges throughoutthe game, Kramnik maintained an iron grip on the position and ultimatelyblasted his way into the black camp via the dark squares. Taking no accountof material sacrifices it was Kramnik’s king that dealt the fatal blowwhen it marched right into the heart of the opposing position. This outstandinggame, the best of the match, recalled the classic fifth game won by Petrosianagainst Botvinnik in 1963 when a similarly epic king march in an endgamebrought White a classic victory. 'I had to give everything, especiallyat the end, to win against such an opponent. Peter Leko is an incredibledefender. For me it was more difficult than my match against Kasparov inthe year 2000', said Kramnik after the game. Leko said in conclusion: 'Itwas a very hard fight. In the end, it was not enough for me to win thetitle. I'm disappointed, but I'm looking forward to the future. I'm 25years old, and I hope to get a new chance to become world champion.' }
1... c6 { Leko is not averse to repeating the main lines of the Caro-Kann. } 2.
d4 d5 3. e5
{ By contrast, Kramnik must seek sharper paths. This move,favoured by Nimzowitsch, Tal and Short, is ideal for a must-win situation,since it locks pawn formations and avoids premature exchanges. }
3... Bf5 4. h4
{ Nimzowitsch liked this 3 e5 variation and would play here 4 Bd3. Hismost famous game with this line is sadly a loss, a magnificent manoeuvringgame against Capablanca from New York 1927. The most common alternativethese days is 4 Nc3, as played for example by Kasparov in a drastic winover Karpov at Linares 2001, which continued 4...e6 5 g4 Bg6 6 Nge2 Ne77 Nf4 c5 8 dxc5 Nd7 9 h4 Nxe5 10 Bg2 h5 11 Qe2 N7c6 12 Nxg6 Nxg6 13 Bg5Be7 14 gxh5 Nf8 15 Nb5 Nd7 16 h6. The latest try for Black is 4 Nc3 a5!?as in Sebag-Chiburdanidze, FIDE WCh Women KO, Elista 2004. Black won in33 moves after 5 Be3 a4 6 a3 Qb6 7 Rb1 Qa5 8 g4 Bd7 9 Bg2 e6 10 Nge2 c511 0–0 Nc6 12 f4 h5. This 4 h4 line was tested repeatedly in the Tal-BotvinnikWCC match, Moscow 1961, with generally favourable results for Black. Thepaths they followed are retraced below. }
4... h6
{ 4...h5 may be preferable,after which Tal tried 5 Ne2 e6 6 Ng3 g6 7 Nxf5 gxf5 8 c4 c5 9 cxd5 Qxd5but only drew their 14th game from 1961. }
5. g4
{ Instead 5 Ne2 is possibleand in their 20th game 5 e6 6 Ng3 Ne7 7 Nc3 Nd7 8 Be3 Bh7 9 Bd3 Bxd3 10cxd3 h5 led to a marathon struggle and another draw. }
5... Bd7
{ It looks morenatural to retreat the bishop along the b1-h7 diagonal, but, in that case,Black has to reckon with the dangerous pawn sac e5-e6. }
6. Nd2
{ This lookslike a new move. In the 10th Tal-Botvinnik game from 1961, we saw 6 h5c5 7 c3 Nc6 8 Bh3 e6 9 Be3 Qb6 10 Qb3 cxd4 11 Qxb6 axb6 12 cxd4 Na5 andBlack won in 42; while the 18 th game followed the course 6 c3 c5 7 Bg2e6 8 Ne2 Bb5 9 Na3 Bxe2 10 Qxe2 cxd4 11 cxd4 Bxa3 12 bxa3 Nc6 and Blackwon again. However, Tal persisted with this line, and in Tal-Pachman, Bled1961, he finally won after launching an attack following 7... e6 8 f4 Qb69 Nf3 Nc6 10 Na3 cxd4 11 cxd4 O-O-O 12 Nc2 Kb8 13 Bd3 Nge7 14 Rb1 Na5 15Bd2 Rc8 16 b4. }
6... c5
{ Black has one way to free himself before White's pawnsbegin to exert a fatal grip. }
7. dxc5 e6 8. Nb3 Bxc5
{ A small combinationthat regains his pawn, but at the cost of trading his dark squared bishop.9...Qc7 would doubtless transpose, but this is more forcing. }
9. Nxc5 Qa5+ 10. c3 Qxc5 11. Nf3 Ne7 12. Bd3 Nbc6 13. Be3 Qa5 14. Qd2
{ The tone ofplay for the middlegame is set -- Black's position is resilient, but Whitehas a promising future on the central dark squares. Fritz now wanted totry the line-opening gambit 14...d4!?, but no human player would yet regardsuch drastic measures as necessary. (It's a mark of how far computer programshave advanced that Fritz makes this dynamic choice.) }
14... Ng6 15. Bd4
{ Acceptingsome exchanges, but White's dark square grip persists. In contrast, 15Bxg6 gives black too much counterplay along the half-open f-file. }
15... Nxd4 16. cxd4 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 Nf4 18. Rac1
{ From now on, White's play is directand brutal. I would have played Bf1 and followed it with Ke3. Kramnik hasno truck with such sophisticated nuances and goes directly for the jugular. }
18... h5
{ And here I would have left Black's king's-side pawns severely aloneand traded on d3. After 18...Nxd3 19 Kxd3 Ke7 20 Rc7 Rab8 followed by ...Rhc8,I believe Black could withstand the onslaught from White, though it mustbe admitted that White's knight will always be superior to Black's bishop. }
19. Rhg1 { 19 g5 is possible instead, but Kramnik is all for open lines. }
19... Bc6 20. gxh5 Nxh5 21. b4 a6 22. a4
{ An admirable display of energy, but,after 22...Bxa4 23 Rc7 Bb5 24 Rxb7 O-O, Black reduces the tension and gainscounterplay. Taking the pawn could even be dangerous for White after 25Bxb5 axb5 26 Rxb5 Ra2+. For this reason, I prefer 22 Ke3 restricting Black'sknight, and if 22...O-O then 23 Rg5 g6 24 Rcg1 Ng7 25 h5! or if 24...Kh825 Bxg6! fxg6 26 Rxg6 Rf7 27 Ng5 and wins. }
22... Kd8
{ ? Leko exhibits an alarmingtendency towards a bunker mentality. After this passive move, Black isstrangled in the style of his hero Petrosian or of Nimzowitsch, the arch-blockaderand early prophet of 3 e5 against the Caro-Kann. }
23. Ng5 Be8 24. b5 Nf4
{ Clearing the a-file merely offers White a further avenue of attack after24...axb5 25 axb5 Ra3 26 Ra1! }
25. b6
{ Creating a terrible outpost onc7 for his rook. Black must prevent such an invasion at all costs. }
25... Nxd3 26. Kxd3 Rc8 27. Rxc8+ Kxc8 28. Rc1+ Bc6
{ Black has plugged one path forWhite's forces but more soon open. Black, we soon see, is fatally debilitatedon the central dark square complex. }
29. Nxf7 Rxh4 30. Nd6+ Kd8 31. Rg1 Rh3+
{ Passive defence is hopeless, so Black tries to clear off as manywhite pawns as he can. }
32. Ke2 Ra3 33. Rxg7 Rxa4 34. f4
{ !! The decisivecoup. White's small but highly efficient army is ready to concentrate itspowers and deal the death blow. If now 34...Rxd4, then 35 f5 exf5 36 e6Re4+ 37 Nxe4 fxe4 38 Rc7, threatening Rxc6, and if 37...Bb5+, 38 Ke3 whenBlack's b-pawn is doomed and White's king penetrates. }
34... Ra2+ 35. Kf3 Ra3+ 36. Kg4 Rd3 37. f5
{ The same theme. The way White's king now takes theBlack fortress by storm with just rook and knight against rook and bishopreminds me strongly of the epic king march and superlative conclusion ofgame 5 from the Petrosian-Botvinnik WCC match, Moscow 1963. }
37... Rxd4+ 38. Kg5 exf5 39. Kf6 Rg4 40. Rc7 Rh4 41. Nf7+
{ Black resigns since 41...Ke842 Rc8+ Kd7 43 Rd8 is 'mate. A jewel of a game and a sublime atonementfor the sins of omission in some previous games of this match. Now comparethe celebrated king march by Petrosian that doubtless provided inspirationfor Kramnik as he conducted his final onslaught. A wonderful game. }
1-0
|
[Event "My Second Game Away From Costa Coffee"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009.08.15"]
[Round "-"]
[White "gr8rog"]
[Black "freddz123"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1200"]
[TimeControl "5 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1330"]
{ Welcome to the second in the series of games I will be annotating! I'vebeen playing chess for a little under 3 months, so I still don't reallyhave the hang of the game yet. However, this is now two games on Gameknotand two wins! And this one was comprehensive. I enjoyed this match, whichbegan with Queen's pawn. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3
{ Was expecting 2.c4 for theIndian Defense, something which I've got quite good at since one of theplayers in Costa Coffee plays it almost every game! Nc3 confused me slightly,it blocks c-pawn early on. }
2... d5
{ The internets tell me this is the Richter-VeresovAttack. So far my moves have been instinctual, it's not an opening I'mfamiliar with. }
3. Bf4 { Was expecting e4 here } 3... e6
{ Opens up my ds-bishop,but closes off my ls-bishop. Probably not the best move, should perhapshave looked at Nc3, which would've allowed me to send the king's pawn toe5 which would've challenged white's ds-bishop. However, it's a positionI'm familiar with so made me feel better about the game at the time. }
4. a3
{ Unsure of the point to this move. With no ls-bishop developed, thea2 square is fairly weak for white. }
4... Be7 { Opening the way for an earlyking-side castle } 5. h3
{ Seems white likes mirror-images! :) Unlike a3,h3 is useful for white, allowing the ds-bishop to retreat here if needed. }
5... O-O 6. Be5
{ Threaten's my knight to no-purpose. Easily defended by my ds-bishopand the g-pawn. I think e3 was better, opening up the ls-bishop squares.Decided to ignore it and continue developing. }
6... c5 { Opening some space formy pieces } 7. e3 Nc6
{ Threatening white's ds-bishop. This is more of atrue threat, since I can first take the d4 pawn stripping the defense }
8. Bb5 cxd4
{ Forks white's ls-bishop through the knight on c6 and white'sknight at c3. }
9. Bxd4
{ Ouch, not a good move. I think exd4 would've beenbetter. White's allows me to start my little running exchange of piecesand leaves me in a very good position. The thought behind it was slightlydifferent to what occured, which was '9.Bxd4 e5 10.Bxc6 exd4 11.Bxb7 Bxb712.Qxd4 Ne4 13.Nxe4 dxe4'. However, halway through this I spotted somethingthat would possibly work better, so I changed the sequence at move 11.. . }
9... e5 10. Bxc6 exd4 11. Bxb7 dxc3
{ And the thing I thought would workbetter is. . . sacrifice my rook for a knight?! I'm now looking at a largerpicture, after losing my rook I can take the pawn at b2 threatening promotionand white's rook }
12. Bxa8 cxb2
{ As promised. My pawn is strategicallyplaced on the 2nd rank, allowing me to be a constant threat of gainingan extra queen. White is up in material, temporarily, but I think my positionis much stronger. I've isolated white's pawns on a3 and c2 and left whitewith very little defense on the queenside. }
13. Ra2
{ White had two choiceswith this rook, Rb1 or Ra2. . . and picked the wrong one! Rb1, if my analysisis correct, would probably have cost me this game. So, all down to a 50/50toss of the coin. Thankfully, it was heads this time :) }
13... Qa5+ { Aim to regainthe lost material } 14. Kf1 { !? } 14... Ba6+
{ Forget about the lost material! Ithink it's time to have some fun :) In hindsight, this was a poor move.I think Qb5+ was better, allowing 15.Ne2 b1=Q 16.Ra1 Qxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Ba6 }
15. Ne2 Qd2
{ Nearly finished! White can do nothing to escape his impendingdoom! :) } 16.
Qb1 { Poor choice, white plays himself into mate in two. } 16... Qc1+
{ Which I oblige } 17. Qxc1 bxc1=Q#
{ And it's over! Enjoyable game,if a little short. The only time I've been able to outplay an opponent,so I had alot of fun. Hope for more like this! }
0-1
|
[Event "bonne pêche !"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2014.03.03"]
[Round "-"]
[White "31415"]
[Black "duarte311"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2087"]
[TimeControl "blitz 3+10s"]
[WhiteElo "1451"]
{ hi every body. A nice blitz. Sorry for those who think that blitz arenot serious ...In this game the oponents are a biginer (me, white) vs master(duarte311 elo 2087), and what i find interesting is that this quick gameswe have all the same chances and the same difficulties to play. }
1. d4 { first 9 moves are wallstone attack opening.... } 1... Nf6 2. e3 g6 3.
Bd3 d5 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O c5 7. c3 b6 8. Nbd2 Bg4 9. Qe1
{ so nothingspecial untill now. The the black lsb should be better, in my opinion inb7, the the black knight can go to e4 (...Ne4, Bd3xNe4-d5xe4 and then thewhite position is quite bad wiht no way to move the rook to f3, which isone of the important lines.) But now if Bg4xNf3, it loose bishop just fora knight and help me developing. }
9... Bxf3 10. Rxf3
{ may be better to retakewith knight ? This was in order to move the rook to h colon. }
10... Nbd7 11. h3
{ I'm playing with a ggod challenger, so in this case i alway try todo something risky and aggressive, in order to give at least a little funto my oponent }
11... Ne4
{ Ne4? this is a bad black move, i dont understand it.It jus loose a pawn and will stay under the bishop threat (e4/a8 diagonal) }
12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. Bxe4
{ black has to defend, white is quite well developped.Center is mine and strong. C5 cannot destroy it because of e3 retake andkeep occupying the space }
13... Rc8 14. g4 { risking every thing. Chess has muststay a game ! } 14...
cxd4
{ this was expected. it will open the e colon, and helpme developing the dsb an, so, joining the rooks }
15. exd4 Nf6 16. Bc2 { iwill tr to kill this knight } 16... e6 17. g5
{ it will go to g5, then i will exchangeit whith my lsb and open the g colon }
17... Nh5 18. Bd1 Qd6 19. Rf2
{ ho ! thiswas a mistake from me. now the black knight can escape to g3. I shouldplay Rf1. }
19... b5 { well, i'm lucky ! } 20. Bxh5 gxh5
{ nice position for me.I will try to attack the a3/f8 diagonal from here, ...and it will work! }
21. a4
{ first : pretending to attackk the a colon, but the idea is thento move the dsb on a3 protected by rook... }
21... b4 { Ok, nice response. I willsacrifice a pawn } 22. b3
{ second : now i'm ready. This is a little trapp.2087 elo should see it, but mlaybe he is thinking that with a 1451 eloit will be easy... }
22... bxc3 23. Ba3
{ now i'm so happy !! But, this c3 pawmis very very dangerous. And i will have to manage with a big theat on d4...onething at a time }
23... Qb6 { ho, terrible threat on d4 :( } 24. Bxf8
{ but the blackrook is mine ! } 24... Kxf8 25. Rc2 Qxb3 26. Rac1
{ I might be lost with Bg7xd4+,but now i have tempo } 26... Bxd4+
{ not so dangerous now. } 27. Kh2 Qxa4 28. Qe4
{ this is the awfull BIG blunder i did on this game, i should loose my queen(Bd4 g1+...Qa4xQe4). I dont now wy, maybe duarte wanted to give me a chance? }
28... Qd7 { defending the bishop, i can attak on h7 ! } 29. Qxh7
{ but i wontgo on to win the c8 rook, it wont be easy to win something from now }
29... Qd6
{ i have to defend f4, i will first move Qh6 then move the pawn g5 g6... } 30.
Qh6+ Ke7 31. g6 { in this position i should find something interestingto do }
31... Rh8 { not a problem, Qg5+ } 32. Qg5+ Bf6 33. Qg3 Rg8
{ i still candefend f4, but i think i will loose g6... :( } 34. Qe3
{ in order to Qe3xa7+ } 34... Rxg6 35. Qxa7+
{ so i still have a interesting attack position } 35... Kf8
{ fromnow i will exchange the rooks on g2 and bring back my queen there to keepit in the game. so first i will chess the king on a8 (targeting g2). Butfirst i have to defend f4 }
36. Rf1 h4 37. Qa8+ Kg7 38. Rg2 { here we are! } 38... Qd3
{ exchanging rook will give more oportunities to attack the kingand find the mate. }
39. Rxg6+
{ so is black going to retake with the kingor with the f7 pawn ? What whould you do ?? }
39... Kxg6
{ king. This give theoportunities to keep on attacking with the rook. It's becoming dangerousfor balcks... }
40. Rg1+ Kf5 41. Qa5+ e5 42. Rg5+
{ this was not the bestidea from me ...of course if ...Bf6xRg5 - Qa5xe5+ and it's quite a mate,but king can take f4 and that' all }
42... Kxf4 43. Rg4+ { maintaining the initiative } 43... Kf5 44. Qa8
{ preparing or Qc8+ or Qf3+ ... } 44... Qe2+
{ of course, but it seasy to defend } 45. Rg2
{ and now i have a tempo to keep on attacking } 45... Qe3 46. Qc8+ Ke4
{ there is a lot of ways to go on ttacking searching themate, is Rg4 the best ? }
47. Rg4+ { i hope so ! } 47... Kd3
{ in this situation,i must find the mate, otherwise i will be dead ! because i will never beabble to stop promotion of pawns }
48. Qf5+ e4 49. Rg2
{ this was not themove i expect, it's just a mistake, i was thing in moving the queen !!but , lucky blitz, it was the winning move ! }
49... Bd4 { do you see the mate?? Duarte didnt. } 50. Qb5#
{ mate. I hope you appreciate this anotationof a 'non serious' game. Bst rgrds denis }
1-0
|
[Event "A battery of Queen and Bishop"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.04.16"]
[Round "-"]
[White "bareel_repo"]
[Black "eduard352"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1739"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1562"]
1. e4
{ I really liked this game, The game is a good example of the awesomepower that a queen and bishop can demonstrate when they combine their strengthto form a battery. What I liked in particular is the creative way in whichI managed to bring all my forces into play combined in a an attack overthe a8-h1 diagonal. }
1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
{ Spanish, the first few movesare standard. I was already preparing for the Breyer variation, my favoritedefence against the Spanish opening. }
3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 { Nothingnew so far } 6... b5 7. Bb3 d6 8.
h3
{ Still the usual moves. White needs to preventBg4 here because it would allow black to equalize easily. }
8... O-O 9. c3 Nb8
{ And there is the Breyer defense. Te knight is on its way to d7 where isis better placed. I also play this move to avoid the more common openinglines, such as 9...,Na5. In fact I have played some nice games with 9...,Nb8;and feel comfortable with it. }
10. d4 Nbd7 11. Be3
{ The normal continuationis Nbd2. The bishop is well placed on c1, so white is probably losing timehere. The best reponse for black seems to be 11...,Bb7, when white hasto respond with d4-d5. After that black can undermine white's pawn formationwith c7-c6, and is probably better. In the game I wasnt sure, and decidedto continue with the usual build up. }
11... c5 12. Nbd2
{ During the game I feltwhite might be better now, I felt uneasy about that bishop on e3, puttingpressure against c5. However the bishop is in reality not much better placedthan it was on c1. Looking back I actually don't think black has much tofear. }
12... Bb7
{ One disadvantage of Be3 is showing, the bishop is in the wayof Re1. This allow black to increase his pressure against the pawn on e4. }
13. Bc2 Re8
{ Aiming at e4 again. At this point I am still playing the usualmoves without giving it too much thought. }
14. dxe5
{ A good response, openinglines, putting more pressure on c5, and defending e4. I was hoping ford5, a pawn structure I am familiar with. After that I would have playedg6 + Nf6-g8-e7 + Bc8 to prepare for f7-f5. With the pawn structure closed(after d5) the game tends to be slow and include a lot of manoeuvring.However I think black has an advantage after d5, if he can push f7-f5 through. }
14... dxe5 15. b3
{ A strange move. I he preparing for the pawn breaks c4 or a4?Or is he afraid of black playing c4 and Nc5? I think white would have donebetter to keep developing with Nd2-f1-g3. }
15... Bf8
{ At this piint was stillnot feeling inspired, and was struggling to find a good plan. I was stickingto what I know, almost as if the exchange on e5 had never happened. HoweverI am not sure if this moves makes sense here, since e5 is blocked after14.dxe5,dxe5; }
16. Qe2 { Possibly aiming to attack b5 with 17.a4. } 16... Qc7
{ Indefence of both e5 and b5, in case white is planning a pawn break witheither f4 or a4 }
17. Nh2 { OK, so white is now planning f4. } 17... Kh8
{ A weakmove, showing a lack of inspiration. I had not good plan at this point.Partly I am still thinking about maybe playing Nf6-g8-e7, and preparingfor f7-f5. That plan looks suspicious in this open position though. }
18. Rf1
{ More preparations for f2-f4. Black need to think about how to respond. }
18... Bd6
{ Trying to prevent f2-f4. I dont think white can play f4 + fxe5 becauseblack will gain a strong outpost on e5 for his knight. However white couldperhaps play f4-f5, in the hope of storming blacks king. In that case blackmust seek counterplay through the centre of on the queens side of the board. }
19. g3
{ This may seem a good move, but it is really a mistake. White iscreating a dangerous gaps around his king. }
19... Qc6
{ A strong response, whichpinpoints the problem with white's last move, which weakened the a8-h1diagonal. After this move black I feel has the upper hand, and white mustbe carefull. For example, white now has difficulty playing f2-f4. Notgood is 20.f4, exf4; 21.gxf4?, Nxe4 and white is on trouble over the bigdiagonal. But After 20.f4, exf4; 21.Bxf4 black gains a strong point one5, an active play against the e4 pawn. }
20. Rae1
{ Well played I thougtinitially, but looking back the rook doesn't actually achieve much here. So what should black do next? After pondering long about my last move,I had come to realize that I needed to continue with an attack the e4pawn, with the aim of and hopefully opening the a8-h1 diagonal. But how? My thoughts were going in the direction of playing b5-b4, in the hopeof attacking the knight with either cxb4,Bxb4, or bxc3. Attacking theknight would undermine the pawn on e4. The problem is white can simplyrespond with c3-c4. I therefore decided on a creative pawn sacrifice withthe aim of putting the above plan into action. }
20... c4
{ An inspired strikeat white centre. The idea it to block c4 first with a pawn sacrifice,and then continue with b5-b4. So if 21.bxc4 black continues with 21...b4!;22.cxb4,Bxb4 and pawn e4 is under threat. The whole position now revolvesaround e4 and the b7-h1 diagonal. Perhaps the game might have continued21,bxc4, b4!; 22.cxb4, Bxb4; 23.f3 (!), Bxb4. Certainly black has managedto create complications and put pressure on an opponent with a lower rating. }
21. b4
{ Understandable, but this does not solve white's problem. In factit makes it worse, because it allows black to bring in the heavy artillery(Ra8) }
21... a5
{ Black is bringing in the rook reinforce his attack against e4.It may seem odd that the rook on a8 can strike at e4, but it can, as wewill see soon. }
22. Rb1
{ A mistake, white is not finding the best moves.He could have continued 22.bxa5, Rxa5. 23.Bb1, Ra3; and white has to surrendera pawmn, either a2 or c3. However black cannot continue with his attackingidea after 22.bxa5.. If 22.bxa5, b4? then white can defend with 23.Nxc4,Nxe4; 24.f3 and black has too little for the pawn. }
22... axb4 23. cxb4 Rxa2
{ Perhaps an immediate c3 might have been slightly better. For example 23...,c3;24.Ndf3, Ra2!, and the e4 pawn falls, opening the a8-h1 diagonal at thesame time. }
24. Rfc1 { The most obvious response. } 24... c3
{ Finally Whitehad a chnace to respond with Bb3 here, after which suddenly things getcomplicated. However after 25.Bb3 ?!, Nxe4; 26.Bxa2, Nxd2; 27. f3, Nxb1;28.Rxb1 black does have a clear advantage. Another method is 25...,Bb3?!,cxd2; 26.Bxa2, Nxe4 threatening Nc3 or Nxg3. }
25. Nb3
{ Another small mistake,because pawn b4 is not protected. This position we have reached is whatblack has been after. All his pieces are working together in the attackon e4. And behind the e4 pawn lies an open diagonal to white's king. Pleasealso note that black has a second winning strategy here: Bxb4 to createa pair of free pawn which will be hard to stop. White should have playedbetter however, stronger would have been Ndf3 to close the a8-h1 diagonal.For example 25.Nf3, Nxe4; 26.Qd3, Nef6; threatening e4!. Black wouldalso like to play Nd5 to attack pawn b4. }
25... Nxe4
{ Finally, success, blacknow has major threats on the a8-h1 diagonal. White should have closed thisimmediately with f3. }
26. Bxe4
{ Another mistake, but this time it isfatal. Black can now bring out the big guns. }
26... Qxe4
{ Was white thinkingabout taking the rook on a2 ? He does not have the time for it now, asblack threatens checkmate on g2 or h1 }
27. f3
{ I had been planing toplay Rxe2 here, but then I realized I have a much better move. Black winseither way though. After 27...,Rxe2; 28.fxe4, Bxe4 white loses material,because of the tripple threats Rg2+ or Rxe3 or Bxb1. White's best bet isprobably 29.Bf2, Bxb1; 30.Rxb1, Bxb4 and black should win easily with extramaterial and his free pawns. }
27... Qxb1
{ Look ma'am, its a free rook! I thoughtwhite would surrender here, but he found one last trick to try. The fightis over however, black has won. }
28. Qxb5 Qb2
{ O my, another battery,this time rook and queen. This time white surrendered, he has no defenceleft. }
*
|
[Event "Knights of Honor VIII Open Tourney"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.06.27"]
[Round "-"]
[White "pawnstar2010"]
[Black "charleshiggie"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2149"]
[TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"]
[WhiteElo "1617"]
1. Nf3
{ Can you find the refutation? In this game I rather speculativelysacrificed the exchange, in return for threats to both white's king andqueen - on both sides of the board. I couldn't see any defence. Neithercould my opponent, who surrendered material and lost quickly. Post-matchanalysis showed the sacrifice to be unsound. Perhaps against a strongerplayer I would have checked it out better and not played it. Can you findthe defence we both missed at the time? }
1... d5
{ So my opponent opens withthe Reti (Nf3), I grab space in the centre. } 2. c4
{ This was Reti's favourite,although King's Indian Reversed set-ups with d3 and/or g3 are common too. }
2... e6
{ Perhaps d4 is more aggresive, but Black can end up with an over-extendedcentre, if he is not careful. }
3. g3 { The most common move in this position. } 3... Nf6
{ I continue to develop. } 4. Bg2 { As does he. } 4... Be7
{ The most commonmove in this position } 5. O-O
{ This has to be played sometime, so thereis no point in delaying. } 5... O-O
{ and the same goes for Black. } 6. d4
{ Transposinginto the Catalan variation of the Queen's Gambit declined. } 6...
dxc4 { Thisis the most commonly played move here. } 7. Ne5
{ 7. Qc2 is more common,but this is perfectly playable. } 7... Qd6
{ 7.... Qd6 is only the 5th most commonlyplayed move in this position, but it had a good record. }
8. Nxc4 { So whiterecaptures. } 8... Qa6
{ 8.... Qa6 is the only move in the World Database on Gameknot. } 9. Qb3
{ 9. Qb3 is the most commonly played move. } 9... Rd8
{ Black attack thepawn d4. } 10. Nc3
{ Now on the database, there are 3 games with 10. Nc3and one with Rd1 - which looks the obvious way to defend d4 - Stoer, Andreas(2150) vs. Lautner, Josef (2126), which Black one. OK, before reading on,consider what happens if Black just takes the pawn on d4 now. Why can'the take it? }
10... Nc6
{ So why can't Black just take the pawn on d4? The pointis that after 10... Rxd4, white has 11. Nb5 attacking d4 and c7, and afterRd7, which is the only way to meet both threats, White has Ne5, attackingthe rook again, with advantage. }
11. e3 { So now White has to defend itwith a pawn. } 11... Rb8
{ This is the parting of the ways. There were 3 gameson the database with this position, Rb8 ended in a Black win in Szymczak,Zbign... (2355) vs. Staniszewski, P... (2405), Nb4 led to a white win in Kristiansen,Je... (2435) vs. Ornstein, Axel (2430) as did Na5 in Manor, Ilan (2430) vs.Rubinetti, Jorg... (2445), so obviously I picked the one Black one! }
12. Bd2
{ Now in that game, play continued b5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15.f4 Bb7 16. Qc2 Bxg2 17. Qxg2. After my opponent's move, I thought thismade b5 all the stronger. If 12....b5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 and if he recaptures,I can take his bishop on d2. The Bd2 also takes the d2 square away fromthe Nc4, so the only other square is 13. Na3, but b4 forking his knightson a3 and c3 seems strong. }
12... b5 { So I played it! Stop! Work out the bestmove for White here. } 13.
Bxc6
{ And he did the only move to avoid losingmaterial immediately. Now he has surrendered his best minor piece, theBg2, which was proudly surveying the entire long white squared diagonalfrom h1 to a8. Now if the simple recapture, Qxc6, White plays Ne5 and hisknights on c3 and e5 in fact cover the white squares f3, e4, d5 and c6and black is only slightly better. So, I played an interesting exchangesacrifice, which is not actually sound, but takes some refuting! }
13... bxc4 { Hitting the queen, virtually forcing the reply. } 14. Qxb8
{ So he takesthe rook. } 14... Qxc6
{ And I take the bishop. The big threat is Bb7, threateningboth the queen on b8, by the rook on d8 and a mate on g2. So find the bestmove for White now? }
15. Qxa7
{ Yes, he has to move his queen off my backrank, so he may as well take a pawn. }
15... Bb7
{ So I threaten a mate on g2.I am also threatening Ra8 winning the queen. So stop again, and find thebest move for White. }
16. d5
{ In the complications, this is where my opponentgoes wrong. This is the right move, but at the wrong moment. Best was 16.f3 Ra8 and then 17. d5. Play may have continued with Nxd5 18. Qd4 Bf6 19.Qg4 Qb6 20. Nd1 Bc6 21. Re1 Bxb2 22. Nxb2 Qxb2 23. Qxc4 Bb5 24. Qd4 Rxa225. Rxa2 Qxa2 with a small advantage to White. }
16... Nxd5
{ So I take it withthe knight, hoping to move it again, and still play the mate. }
17. Qa4
{ White desparately wants to exchange queens to prevent the mate. This isanother mistake, but the position is lost anyway. Better was 17. f3 Nb618. Qa5 Rxd2 19. Nd1 Rd3 20. Kg2 Nd7 21. Qe1 Ne5 22. Qe2 Nxf3 23. Rxf3Qxf3+ 24. Qxf3 Rd2+ 25. Nf2 Bxf3+ 26. Kxf3 Rxb2, but Black would stillbe winning. }
17... Nxc3
{ So I remove his defence of his queen, and threatenthe mate again. } 18. Qxc6
{ So he thankfully takes the queen. } 18... Ne2+
{ butbefore recapturing I throw in a check, which means he can't take the knightback. }
19. Kg2 { This is the best square. } 19... Bxc6+ { Now I retake the queen. }
20. Kh3
{ His king continues to march. The Gameknot computer says 20. f3Rxd2 21. Rf2 Bb5 22. a4 Ba6 23. Re1 c3 24. bxc3 Bc5 25. c4 Bxc4 26. Rb1h5 27. Rc1 Nxc1 28. Rxd2 Bxe3 29. Rd8+ Kh7 is marginally better, Whiteis -6.53 instead of -9.15, but it is a bit academic now. }
20... Rxd2 { Becauseanother piece is going. } 21. g4
{ Gameknot still prefer f3. } 21... Rxb2 { I liketaking material. } 22. Rfd1
{ Gameknot prefers 22. a3 } 22... Ba4
{ And Gameknotprefers 22......Nc3, but it didn't matter, as my opponent resigned. I hopeyou enjoyed the game, please add your comments and rate my annotation! }
0-1
|
[Event "A challenging game"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.07.28"]
[Round "-"]
[White "kitrich_omar"]
[Black "0325"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1855"]
[TimeControl "Blitz"]
[WhiteElo "UNR."]
{ I figured playing against 0325, rated (1855), was going to be a challenginggame. }
1. d4 b6 2. Bf4
{ I sometimes play the London System, which sometimesleads to uninteresting positions, but the lines are very simple. }
2... d6 3. e3 Bb7 4. Nf3 g6
{ Black is going to fianchetto both bishops. I want tokeep the board closed. }
5. Nbd2 Bg7 6. Be2 e6
{ An immediate e5 from blackwould have opened some lines for black's bishops. }
7. c4 Ne7 8. O-O Nd7 9. Qc2 O-O 10. Rac1 h6 11. h3 e5
{ Black has finally prepared e5. } 12. dxe5 dxe5 13. Bg3 Nf5 14. Bh2 Re8 15.
Ne4 { A logical blockading move. } 15... Qe7 16. Rfd1 Nc5
{ I thought about this position for a while. After the knightscome off, I would be able to play e4. }
17. Nxc5 Qxc5 18. e4 Nd4 19. Nxd4 exd4
{ Black is probably better now, with a dangerous passed pawn. } 20. Bd3
{ Seemingly utilitarian use of the bishop, but in the game it was astrong piece. }
20... Qe7 21. f3 c5
{ The position seems closed, with little prospectof black's d-pawn advancing. White has limited the scope of the blackbishops, and has a strong bishop on h2. }
22. Qf2 { Ideas of coming to thekingside and pressuring e6. } 22... Qg5
{ A good defense. My next move will introducesome dynamism into the position. }
23. h4 Qe7 24. Bf4 Kh7 25. g4
{ Both ofwhite's bishops are pointing at the black king, which has come forwardto support the weak h6 pawn. White is threatening to open lines aroundthe black king. His own king is exposed, but he is able to keep the centerclosed, and minimize the scope of black's bishops. }
25... Be5 26. Bxe5 Qxe5 27. h5
{ Maybe not the best. Maybe kf1 and ke2 was better. } 27... gxh5 28. gxh5 Rg8+
29. Kf1 Qxh5 30. Ke2 Rae8 31. Rh1 Qe5 32. Qh4 Rg6 33. Rcg1 Reg8 34. f4 Qg7
{ When should white play e5? } 35. Rxg6 fxg6 36. Rg1 Bc8 37. e5 Qf7 38. Rh1 Qg7
39. Rg1 Qf7 40. Rh1 Qf8
{ Black declined a draw offer. It is lookinglike black will defend this. } 41.
Rg1 Bf5
{ A crushing move. The continuationI played, while under time pressure, frees black d-pawn and loses the gamefor white. }
42. Bxf5 Qxf5 43. Qe7+ Rg7 44. Qh4 Qc2+ 45. Kf3 Qd3+ 46. Kf2 Qe3+ 47. Kf1 d3
48. Rxg6 Rxg6 49. Qe7+ Rg7 50. Qe6 Qe2# 0-1
|
[Event "39th GK tournament"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "05-Nov-07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "toni_the_man"]
[Black "aljehin7879"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1323"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1645"]
1. e4 { one of my best game. i prefer e4 open game. } 1... e6
{ e6. my oponentgo to the french deffence } 2. d4
{ d4 and go to the cental control } 2... d5
{ d5all is ok now. partner go to the centre in d line typicle for french deffence }
3. exd5 { e:d exchange raviation } 3... Qxd5 { i dont expect this move } 4. Nf3
{ take control of e5 and d4 } 4... Nc6 5. Be3 Bb4+
{ this is stupid move... nowwhite have one time more :-) blach must play Bishop on e7 }
6. c3 { bestrespond } 6... Be7 7. Nbd2 Nf6 8. Bc4
{ white control the centre now and have0-0 or 0-0-0 in to the future } 8... Qd8
{ queen go to the start position andthis is terrible for black debute... } 9.
Qc2 { may be is not best one...may be good one is Q on b3? } 9... Ng4
{ knight go to exchenge white bishop one3. } 10. Bf4
{ white wont to save white bishop } 10... O-O
{ 0-0 is best activymove and return black in to the game } 11. h3
{ why white dont go to 0-0or 0-0-0??? white lose temp and propouse chanse to make attack }
11... Nf6 12. Bd3 { and again have no 0-0 or 0-0-0 } 12... g6 13. g4
{ g4! now white go to theattack and may be dont do 0-0 :-) } 13... Nd5
{ this stupid black animal againwont to kill my best bishop :-( } 14. Bh6
{ wont to move blach rock fromf8 to e8 but is this good idea } 14... Re8 15.
O-O-O { in 15 move white go to o-o-o... } 15... Bh4 { blach atach f2 } 16. Nc4
{ now white have no problem with f pown } 16... b5
{ b5!!! good test of white nervs and deffense resurses :-) } 17. Nce5
{ goto the kings kasle side ;-) } 17... Nxe5
{ exchange on e5 and intresting situationon board look like /- } 18. Nxe5 a6
19. Kb1 Bb7 { now white must saverock on h1 from to the bishops attack. } 20.
Rhf1 { with idea f4 } 20... Bg5 21. Bxg5 Qxg5
{ black queen go to the game also } 22. Qd2
{ white also preferexchange of queens becouse blach have knight on f4... and white bishophave not good place in to the board... }
22... Qe7 { black dont wonna play whithoutqueen } 23. f4
{ f4! dreaming f4 and attack } 23... f6
{ f6 and white knight mustgo to out of centre } 24. Nxg6
{ !!!good move!!! may be best in this game!!! } 24... hxg6 25. Bxg6
{ now white have best bishop on white line and agressive pownon f,g, and h line }
25... Red8 { black may be preperd e5 or b4 also have and c5 } 26. Rde1
{ now have not idea in e5 move } 26... Kg7 27. f5
{ f5! and after thishave h4,h5 and pown attack } 27... Rd6
{ this is lock like good with idea rocka8-d8 but white have other plan :-) }
28. Qf2 { now white is down with figurebut have good position for atack } 28...
b4 { black wont to see c:b but white haveother intention of play } 29. c4
{ now black must play stupid animal on c3if thay wont to have atack } 29... Nb6
{ ??? so so so stupid move... now afterc5 black have no resurses for draw... }
30. c5 Rxd4 { if your opponent sendyou a gift - take it :-) } 31. Qxd4
{ and now black must resign:-) and theydo it } 1-0
|
[Event "Pindown!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009.05.20"]
[Round "-"]
[White "jstevens1"]
[Black "dmaestro"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1531"]
[TimeControl "5 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1784"]
1. e4
{ Hi everyone! After 9 successive losses I have finally managedto win a game. In mitigation, most of the losses were against 2000+ oppo! This victory came against my buddy dmaestro. He seemed to have a slightedge in the middlegame but somehow, after a late tactical melee he endedup dropping the exchange as a result of a pin. This game is another Latvian. I kick off with the standard e4 and my opponent responds with the equallystandard e5. Another standard Nf3 follows and then ...... }
1... e5 2. Nf3 f5 { 2. ...... f5 - the Latvian. } 3. d4
{ 3. d4 - last time against IcebergeI responded with Nxe5. I thought I would mix things up a bit with thed4 option which does have good results in the World DB. }
3... fxe4 4. Nxe5 { 4.Nxe5 - pawn trade. } 4... Nf6 5. Bc4
{ 5. Bc4 - development + clears the way for0-0. } 5... d5 6. Bb3 Be6 7. O-O
Nbd7 8. Nxd7 Qxd7 { 8. ....... Qxd7 - knighttrade. } 9. Be3 Bd6 10. Nd2
{ 10. Nd2 - clears the decks. A future planis to play f3 and then put that knight on f3 after the resulting pawn tradeon that square. }
10... c6 11. c4 Rd8 12. Bg5
{ 12. Bg5 - a pin, but this one isfairly harmless! } 12... O-O 13. cxd5 cxd5
{ 13. ........ cxd5 - pawn trade. } 14. f3 exf3 15. Nxf3
{ 15. Nxf3 - as planned - see my note for move 10. } 15... Be7 16. Bxf6 Bxf6
17. Ne5
{ 17. Ne5 - this knight could be exchanged resultingin each side having an isolani passer, mine on the e file, dmaestro's onthe d file. }
17... Qd6 18. Qe2
{ 18. Qe2 - Glenda fulfils her usual role, defendingmy e5 horsie! } 18... Rde8
19. Rae1
{ 19. Rae1 - bolstering the defense of e5 asI notice a masked battery by white's lsb which screens off the rook one8 - another attacker of e5. }
19... Qb6 20. Qd1
{ 20. Qd1 - after Qb6 pinningmy d pawn it looks as though I am about to lose material. However, thingsare not that simple as you will see! }
20... Bf7 21. Nxf7
{ 21. ...... Nxf7 - Imight as well trade off that vulnerable e5 knight on my terms. }
21... Qxd4+ { 21....... Qxd4+ - I expected Bxd4+. } 22. Qxd4 Bxd4+
{ 22. ....... Bxd4+ - queentrade. } 23. Kh1
{ 23. Kh1 - Henry's only legal move. True I can play Rf2??but I do not wish to drop the exchange if I can help it thank you! }
23... Rxe1 24. Rxe1 { 24. Rxe1 - rook trade. } 24... Rxf7
{ 24. ..... Rxf7 - dmaestro thinkshe has won back his piece and is a pawn up but ...... }
25. Bxd5
{ 25. Bxd5- with this move he has another think coming. His rook is pinned and hewill drop the exchange next move. If he takes the pawn on b2 attemptingto win back a pawn for the exchange then he will cop Old Matey on e8. I woke up this morning to find that Dmaestro had waved the white flag -a pleasant awakening indeed! }
1-0
|
[Event "League division D1"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "28-Dec-07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "iwant2play"]
[Black "elyhim"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "1835"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1807"]
{ In this game I adopt a modern and flexible Queen's indian defensive structure. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 b6 4. e4 Bb7 5. Bd3 Nbd7
{ I am looking toplay either the freeing e5 or c5. } 6. O-O e6
{ I am already feeling cramped.E6 is a flexible move that takes a wait and see approach to the game. Ifblack wants to play more active he can try d5. }
7. Bf4 h6 { preparing tokick the bishop out of f4. } 8. Qe2 g5
{ following through with the plan } 9. Bg3 Nh5
{ This is a typical attack against the bishop that messes upwhite's pawns in front of the castled king. }
10. Ba6 Bxa6 11. Qxa6 Bg7
{ I am not in a rush to remove that dark bishop. My aim is to finish mydevelopment. }
12. Rad1 Nxg3 13. fxg3 { Normally it is better to capturetoward the centre. }
13... O-O
{ Black is completely finished his development isnow ready for the attack. }
14. Qc4 { Attacking c7 } 14... g4
{ Driving a wedgeinto White's position and forcing him into a cramped game. }
15. Ne1 { Thisis a very uncomfortable square for the knight to be on. } 15...
c5
{ here I amseeking to activate my peices and create some breathing room. This moveis made possible because of the absence of the knight being on f3. }
16. dxc5 bxc5
{ I would say that I can improve on this by playing 16. ...Nxc5.Keeping the c file open and creating a nice advanced post for my knight. The advantage of Nxc5 is that my knight would be able to jump to D5 wereit would dominate the board. I also have prepared a positional trap incase of 17. Rxd6. }
17. Rxd6 { Black gets a lot of compensation for thepawn. } 17... Qe7
{ The next few moves are forced } 18. Rd1 Ne5
{ I clear the lastpawn the obstructs the view of my bishop. } 19. Qe2 c4
{ in a span of 4 movesit is now white who is suffering from a lack of space. }
20. Rd2 Rab8 { forcingwhite to back up even further. } 21. Nd1
{ This is very nice for black. Allof white's peices are behind the 3rd rank }
21... Bf6
{ The bishop is headed forg5 were it will be able to exert more influence over the board. }
22. c3 Bg5 23. Rd4 h5 { This move restricts white } 24. Nc2 Qc5 25. Kh1
{ Movingthe king of the dangerous dark diagonal. } 25... Rfc8
{ Supporting the pawn onC4 } 26. Nce3 a6 27. h3 Kg7 28. hxg4 Nxg4 29. Rxc4 Qb5
30. a4 Qb6 31. Rb4 Qc5 32. Rxb8 Rxb8 33. Nxg4 hxg4 34. Nf2 f5 35. Qxa6 Rxb2 36.
Nd3 Qf8 37. Nf4 Bxf4 38. Rxf4 e5 39. Rf1 f4 40. Qe6 Qh8+ 41. Kg1 Rxg2+
{ This sets upa rarely used tactic called the windmill. } 42. Kxg2 Qh3+ 43. Kf2
Qxg3+ 44. Ke2 Qe3+ 45. Kd1 Qd3+ 46. Ke1 Qxc3+ 47. Kf2 Qe3+ 48. Kg2 Qg3+ 49. Kh1
{ resigned } 1/2-1/2
|
[Event "Oxford League Witney 1 v Didcot 1 Bd 5"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009/10/05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Bob Jacobs"]
[Black "Howard Searle"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1840"]
[TimeControl "All moves in 90 mins each"]
[WhiteElo "1776"]
{ First match of the season and we won 4-2, which for Didcot v Witney islike Portsmouth beating Chelsea 4-2. The grades given are the new ECFGrades (147 and 155 respectively) converted using the formula given onECF's site: ECF*8 +600. Clearly my OTB Grade is higher than my Gameknotgrade. I've played Howard once before, at Kidlington, when we played asimilar opening and I beat him surprisingly easily. I didn't expect torepeat the feat but was determined to play with discipline for the sakeof the team and to get used once more to OTB play. }
1. e4 { I rarely playanything else OTB. } 1... g6
{ The Modern Defence, I think. } 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4
{ Adoptingthe same gung ho attitude I'd displayed last time. } 3... d6 4. Nf3
c5 5. Be2 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6
{ Now this looks more like a Sicilian: an Accelerated Dragon,I think. } 7. Nc3
O-O 8. Be3 Nc6
{ Now I was tempted to swap knights immediatelyto weaken Black's queenside pawns but eventually decided to castle first. }
9. O-O
{ At this stage I had used more time than my opponent and wassettling nicely into the rhythm of the game. }
9... a6
{ Now the temptation toswap knights before Black was defending it with Q or B was too strong. }
10. Nxc6
{ With this move, I chose my strategy of harassing Black's queenside,exploiting the hole at b6. I think last time we played I attacked in thecentre. }
10... bxc6 11. Bf3 Qc7 12. Rb1
{ I was keen to play Na4 and either Nb6or Bb6 but first I needed to move the rook off the long diagonal and defendthe b-pawn. }
12... Rb8 13. Qe2
{ Threatening the a-pawn forces Black's QB to stayon the short diagonal or one of the major pieces to defend it. On thee-file the Q may also have a future attacking down the middle. }
13... Bb7 14. Na4
{ I was already disappointed with the prospects for this attack butstill felt it had value in tying Black down on the queenside. }
14... Nd7 { Blackcovers the hole and opens up the long diagonal. } 15. Qf2
{ reinforcing theattack on b6 but now Black has a simple and strong reply. }
15... c5
{ This blocksthe attack on the black diagonal and opens up scope for Black's QB. }
16. Nc3
{ So now I recentralise my knight. I was not concerned by the prospectof Black doubling my c-pawn as that would cost him his fianchettoed KB. }
16... Nb6
{ Black now prepares a counter-attack with ...d5 and, as I saw quitelate, threatens ...Nc4, followed by ....Nxe3 and ...Bd4 or by ...Nxb2 and...Bxc3 }
17. Qe2 { So the Q returned to e2. } 17... e6
{ Black builds his counter-attackslowly. } 18. Rfd1 Rfd8
{ Now I couldn't see a way of preventing ...d5 withthe threat of ...d4, forking N and B, so I looked for a way of counter-attackingor under-mining the pawn's support. }
19. a4
{ ?! I didn't really believein this as I played it and it didn't really help but I couldn't find anythingelse. Curiously, I noticed that this was my first pawn move since my openingthree pawn moves. In contrast, Black had already made 8 pawn moves. }
19... d5 { ! Black has seen further than me. } 20. a5
{ continuing with my plan, whichdelays...d4 by threatening axb6 and then bxc7 }
20... Nc4
{ ! Now the N comes toc4, supported by the pawn on d5, with the aforementioned threats and alsoeither ..Qxa5 or ...Nxc5. }
21. Bc1
{ An ignominious retreat but at leastthe B lives to fight another day and my Q won't get pinned recapturingon e3. }
21... Nxa5
{ Now I mistakenly think I can win back the pawn by takingon d5, missing a simple followup by Black. }
22. exd5 exd5 23. Nxd5 Bxd5 24. Bxd5
{ Lo... the pawn is won back and the B is defended by my rook ...but... } 24...
Bd4+
{ ! Of course! The checking Bishop cuts off my Bishop fromits defender. Now I have the choice of losing my bishop or sacrificingthe exchange to save it. }
25. Rxd4 { Going 2 points down seemed better than3.... } 25... cxd4 26. Bf3
{ At this point we had both used about the same amountof time but from here on Black fell behind on his clock as he strove tomake his material advantage count. I didn't speed up or change the wayI played, I just didn't need as much time as he did to find a plan. }
26... Re8 27. Qf2
{ The Q had to stay close to e1 to prevent back row threats, soI disdained the proffered a6 pawn. }
27... Rbc8
{ Now my c2 pawn looked sick. There was one way to defend it, however bad my bishops would look. }
28. Bd1 Qc4 { This threatens to trap my rook with ...Qa2 } 29. b3
{ so I nonchalantlypushed this pawn forwards } 29... Qe6
{ and now the Q threatens a full frontalon e1 } 30. Bd2
{ I reactivate my B, defending e1 and attacking Black's N } 30... Nc6 31. h3
{ This was partly to give my King air and partly to threatena skewer. } 31...
Qd6 { Black preempts that threat } 32. Qf3
{ This discourages ...d3and still supports a possible advance by my f-pawn }
32... Nb4 { Black supportsthe potential advance and threatens c2 again. } 33.
Rc1
{ White is stillcommitted to cowering defence. All these moves are eating away at theclock... }
33... Nd5
{ Black has succeeded in centralising his N and the threatsof ...Nc3 and ...Ne3 look nasty }
34. Be2
{ Relieved from defensive duties,my white-squared B ventures out into the sunshine. }
34... Nb4 { Black reinstatesthe threat on c2. } 35. Bc4
{ ! but now I use my B to block that attack andsimultaneously set up attacking chances involving f7. I planned to makeBlack take even longer to think in order to ward off my threats }
35... a5 { Blackapparently plans to undermine the Bishop's support. } 36. f5
{ ! giving Blackfurther cause to think. } 36... Kg7
{ Black unpins his f7 pawn and discouragesf6 } 37. Qg4
{ setting up another pin and also toying with the possibilityof Qh4 and Qh6+ }
37... d3
{ Black resumes his attack. I had about 10 minutesleft at this point, Black about 5; but he wasn't watching his clock.... }
38. cxd3 Nxd3 39. Rf1
{ threatening once again to advance to f6. I startedto feel hopeful now. }
39... Ne5 { Forking Q and B but I had my response alreadyplanned. } 40. Bc3
{ Pinning the N } 40... f6 { unpinning } 41. Bxe5
{ I was happyto play this essential swap. This B was less useful than the other one. }
41... Qxe5 42. fxg6 { hoping to play Qd7+ soon. } 42... hxg6 43. Rf3
{ but I saw anotherline of attack utilising my rook } 43... Rc7
{ and Black prevented Qd7+ } 44. Rg3
{ and as Black pondered his reply, his flag dropped, as I was quick to pointout. I had about 4 minutes left myself. We analysed briefly afterwards,both convinced that Black was winning on the board but couldn't work outhow. It was actually easier for White to equalise material than it wasfor Black to press for victory. Overall, despite playing worse for mostof the game, I think I deserved this win, for handling my clock betterand creating problems for Black when I was down on material, giving himfurther time trouble. }
1-0
|
[Event "Kings Gambit "]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009.06.06"]
[Round "-"]
[White "dmaestro"]
[Black "NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1542"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1477"]
{ Kings gambit, with an interesting mating attack. } 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Bc4
Qh4+ 4. Kf1 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qh5 6. d4 Bb4 { ? This seems to help white. } 7. c3 Bf8
8. Bxf4 d6 9. Nbd2 h6 10. Kf2 Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Nxf3
{ Whitehas an ideal KG now. } 12... Nf6 13. Re1 O-O-O 14. Bd3 Qa5
{ The Q now becomesa target. } 15. a4 d5 16. e5 Nd7 17. b4 Qb6 18. a5 Nxa5
{ ? Better was NxP. } 19. Rxa5 Nb8 { ? } 20. Bf5+ { ! } 20... Nd7 21. e6
{ ! A strong attacking move. } 21... fxe6 22. Rxe6 c6 23. Qa1
{ Forcing weaknesses. } 23... a6 24. Rxd5
{ ! Now the pawncan be taken with devasting effect. } 24... Qa7 25. Rxd7
{ RxN+!! Suddenly Black'sK is in real trouble. If ...RXN, Re8#. } 25... Kxd7
26. Rxh6+ Ke8 27. Qe1+ Kf7 28. Qe6# 1-0
|
[Event "Nimzo-Indian"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "29-Jun-06"]
[Round "-"]
[White "castledkings"]
[Black "1redscorpion"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1544"]
[TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"]
[WhiteElo "1430"]
1. d4
{ I started a thematic tournament with the Nimzo-Indian defense inorder to learn this opening better. It's a good way to explore an openingand to see if a particular opening works for you. You get to play quitea few games with that opening from both the White and Black sides, pickingup practice with the common middlegame positions in that opening. }
1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2
{ I have always preferred the classical variationof the Nimzo-Indian defense. White develops the queen prematurely, butthere are two main reasons behind this early queen development: 1. IfBlack plays Bxc3 , white can recapture with the queen, avoiding doubledpawns on the c-file. 2. The queen on c2 supports the pawn thrust e4. Inthis game, I allowed the dpubled pawns anyway, and used the c2-queen tohelp the e-pawn move to e4 in one go. }
4... Nc6 { 4...0-0 seems to be more common. } 5. Nf3 d6
{ 4...d5 is better - this move wastes a tempo, since Black willwant to play ...d5 at some point anyway. }
6. a3 { Forcing Black to giveup the Bishop pair. } 6... Bxc3+ 7. bxc3
{ Admittedly, the purpose of playingQc2 was to recapture with the queen, but I decided to keep the queen onc2 to facilitate e4. }
7... h6 8. e4
{ White has an imposing center - Black willneed to challenge it soon. The most frequent central pawn breaks in theNimzo for Black are ...c5 and ...d5. In this case, however, the c6-Knightprevents ...c5 and the previous pawn move to d6 means that ...d5 does notcome with tempo. }
8... d5 9. cxd5 { Getting rid of the doubled pawn. } 9... Ne7
{ ?Why not simply recapture? } 10. dxe6 Bxe6
{ Black has better developmentfor the pawn, but his pieces are not particularly active. }
11. Bd3 c6 12. O-O
{ White has caught up in development, and with the extra pawn, has theadvantage. }
12... Ng6 { ? A bad mistake, as becomes obvious after the next move. } 13. e5
{ ! Both the Nf6 and the Ng6 are attacked - Black cannot defend againstboth threats. }
13... Nd5 14. Bxg6 fxg6 15. Qxg6+ { White has won another pawn. } 15... Kd7
{ 15...Bf7 is no better is worse, because of 16. Qxg7 Rg8 (or Rf8) 17.Qxh6, dropping two more pawns. }
16. Qxg7+ Qe7 17. Qxe7+ Nxe7
{ Black isnow down three pawns without any compensation. } 18. a4
{ Preventing queensideexpansion by ...b5. } 18... Bg4 19. Nd2
{ Avoiding doubled f-pawns. } 19... Raf8 20. Ba3
{ White simply wants to trade pieces and convert his three-pawn advantageinto a win. }
20... Re8 21. Bxe7 Rxe7 22. Ne4
{ Heading towards the protectedoutpost on d6. Also threatens Nf6 , forking King and Bishop. }
22... Kc7 { Avoidsthe knight fork on f6, which would drop the g4-Bishop. } 23.
Nd6 Rg8 24. Rfb1 { Threatening Rxb7 Kd8 (forced) Rb8 winning the g8-Rook. }
24... b6 25. a5 { Same threat if Black takes on a6. } 25... b5 26. c4
{ Same threat again ifBlack takes on c4. } 26... a6 27. cxb5 cxb5 28. f4
{ Now shifting the action tothe King-side, the f-pawn is a passed pawn, so it makes sense to advanceit down the board. }
28... Bf3 29. g3 h5 30. Rf1 { Rooks go behind passed pawns. } 30... Bg4 31.
Rac1+ Kd7 32. f5 Be2 33. f6
{ 33...Bxf1 34. fxd7 is good for White. 33...Re6 34. f7 Rf8 35. Rc8! is also good for White. }
33... Bxf1 34. fxe7 Kxe7 35. Rxf1 Ke6 36. Nxb5
{ This was probably unnecessary, but I just wantedto prevent any counterplay by Black. Except for the passed b-pawn, Blackdid not have any threats. }
36... axb5 37. Rb1 h4 38. Kg2
{ The main alternativewas 38. Rxb5 hxg3 39. hxg3 Rxg3 , with a similar material position. }
38... Kd5 39. Rxb5+ Kxd4 40. e6 { Black will not be able to stop both pawns. }
40... hxg3 41. hxg3 Re8 42. Rb6 Kc5 43. Kf3 Ra8 44. e7
{ If 44...Rxa5, White wins easily:45. e8=Q Kxb6 } 44... Re8 45. Rb7 Kc6 46. a6
Ra8 47. Kf4 { Again threatening e8=Qif Black takes on a6. } 47... Kd6 48. a7
Ke6 49. Rb8 { At least one pawn will queennow, so Black resigned. } *
|
[Event "The Dentist Mark 2"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.03.21"]
[Round "-"]
[White "ezyaz"]
[Black "Buddy NN"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1622"]
[TimeControl "9d+2d<10d"]
[WhiteElo "1268"]
1. e4
{ Hi everyone! It has been quite a while since I have annotatedany games. I have increased my games workload quite a bit and quite afew of those have been against Masters and Experts and some Class C Playerswho are giving me some tough games at the moment. I did manage to winboth my games over Lallit (who is ezyaz) - he played better with the blackpieces than with the white. Just like my other Class D buddy, The Dentistaka Tofuman, Lallit's optimum rating has once been in the 1400s so he canbe a Dark Horse at times as my Class B Buddy NN found out. Buddy NN nowplays the Master Mater's favourite response to 1. e4 which is Nf6 whichis the Alekhine's Defense. }
1... Nf6 2. Qf3
{ 2. Qf3 - unusual but putting f7under fire. Is he gonna try the Scholar's Mate? The Master Mater triedit against me in my second game against him with the Patzer's Opening tosee if I was awake but I did defend against it! }
2... Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Qd3 Nxb5 5. Qxb5 Nxe4
{ 5. ...... Nxe4 - first blood to Buddy NN. However doeshe lose from here? Well, read on. }
6. Qe2 Nc5 7. Nf3 { 7. Nf3 - normaldevelopment. } 7... e6 8. O-O b6 9. d4
{ 9. d4 - after black prepares to fianchettohis lsb on b7, Lallit decided to strike out in the centre and poke thec5 knight. }
9... Na6 10. a3 Be7 11. Ne5
{ 11. Ne5 - trying to summon up an attackbut is this premature. This knight can be driven back by either the dor f pawns. }
11... Bf6 12. Nc3 { 12. Nc3 - white continues to develop his pieces. } 12...
Bb7 13. b4 c6 14. Ne4
{ 14. Ne4 - puts the question to the black bishopand black decides to exchange it for that knight on e5. }
14... Bxe5 15. dxe5 O-O 16. Nd6
{ 16. Nd6 - white tries to get compo for the pawn minus by lodginga knight deep into his opponent's position. It will take a few moves fromblack to force it to move or to exchange it off. }
16... Qc7 17. Qg4 Kh8 18. Re1 f5 19. Qg5
{ 19. Qg5 - if exf6 e.p?? then the knight on d6 drops to theBQ so the WQ must move. }
19... c5 20. Re3 Be4 21. Rg3
{ 21. Rg3 - Suddenly a dark,dark shadow hovers over the black camp. The BK suddenly feels very cold. So he should, if he does not look out then he will get a visit from theChessic Grim Reaper, Old Matey, who is eyeing up the g7 square. Blackbeats him off with g6. }
21... g6 22. h3 Qd8 23. Qe3 { 23. Qe3 - declines a queentrade. } 23... f4
{ 23. ..... f4, pawn fork - owwwch! } 24. Qxe4 fxg3 25. fxg3
{ 25.fxg3 - white is now the exchange to the bad but he does not give up! }
25... Qe7 26. b5 Nc7 27. c4 a6 28. h4 Rf5
{ 28. ...... Rf5 - but amazingly black handsthe exchange back. That white knight is admittedly quite well camouflagedon d6. }
29. Nxf5 exf5 30. Qe3 axb5 31. Bb2
{ 31. Bb2 - white completes hisdevelopment with a threat, a nasty discovered check on the BK on the longdiagonal. }
31... Qe6 32. cxb5 Nxb5 33. Qf3
{ 33. Qf3 - white is back to beinga pawn minus but is still making threats, this one on the rook on a1. }
33... Rc8 34. Rc1 Ra8
{ 34. ...... Ra8?? - the losing move, black forgets thathis rook walked away from an attack from the WQ just a couple of movesago, alas for him, that queen and the threat is still there and now theBQ feels the white heat! }
35. Qxa8+ Kg7 36. Re1 d6 37. Qc6 { 37. Qc6? -what about cxd6+ winning the BQ? }
37... Nd4 38. Bxd4 cxd4
{ 38. ..... cxd4 - blackhas a passed pawn but white is a R for P up, black has no sufficient compofor the rook although while the queens are still on the board there isstill the possibility of a snap mate on black's part or Ye Olde Perpetualle. }
39. Kf2 Qa2+ 40. Re2 d3 { 40. ..... d3?? - loses queen, why not simply Qxa3? }
41. Rxa2 dxe5 42. Rd2
{ 42. Rd2 - white is taking no chances, he blockadesblack's passer on d3. }
42... e4 43. Qxb6 Kh6
{ 43. ..... Kh6 - black tries toshelter his king but it is only a matter of time before Old Matey closesin! }
44. a4 { 44. a4 - after a second queen no doubt. } 44... Kh5 45. Qf6 Kh6 46. a5
e3+ 47. Kxe3 f4+ 48. Kxf4 { 48. Kxf4 - Old Matey starts to descend rightnow! }
48... Kh5 49. Qg5#
{ 49. Qg5 MATE!! - and now black cops it! A sad endfor my Class B opponent but many Kudos for Lalit for taking full advantageof his mistakes. }
1-0
|
[Event "An indefatigable Knight"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.05.14"]
[Round "-"]
[White "nyctalop"]
[Black "laurelhill"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1993"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "2107"]
{ I don't think I've ever admitted it but I prefer a Knight over a Bishopin most cases. There is something magical about a Knight and the many waysit can jump and confuse an opponent. In this case the same opponent. I'vealready annotated a game against id=laurelhill and in that one it was myKnight which caused him pain. If it was short and sweet there, in thisone it's more like slow torture. }
1. e4
{ Before I started the game I checkedmy opponent's repertoire and saw that he uses the Nimzo-indian as a defenceto 1. d4 and the Sicilian as a response to 1. e4. I'm still working myway around finding a good line against the Nimzo so I chose to take battlein more familiar territory. }
1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
{ As expected, my opponent went with the Najdorf. It's endorsed by justabout everyone that plays the Sicilian but for some reason it's not aspopular anymore in GM practice. Much more popular are the Ruy Lopez, especiallythe Berlin wall line, and the Petroff, which I dread myself. }
6. Bg5
{ Todaythe English attack, either with Be3 or f3 directly, is more fashionablebut I think there is a lot more venom in the old main line. }
6... e6 7. f4 Qc7
{ A rather rare sideline but it does have a few points to it. I actuallyplay it myself on occasion. The purpose of this idea is to save a movein normal lines, namely Be7. It can lead to quite a few sharp lines butit can be positional as well. Kasparov used this line on a number of occasions.Trying to play Nbd7, preserving the pawn structure, allows White to playBc4, so it's generally accepted that this is the more exact move. }
8. f5
{ This move tries to take advantage of Qc7 and weaken the pawn chain. Asan extra bonus the Bg5 can travel back the diagonal if needed. The drawbackis that e5 is now in Black's hands. }
8... Be7
{ Black decides he doesn't wanta compromised pawn structure and is ready to castle. There is another pointbehind Qc7, that being that Nc6 can be played, which in normal lines wouldbe met with Nxc6 followed by e5. }
9. Qf3
{ I'm getting ready to castle longand start an attack on the K-side. A typical Sicilian position. }
9... Nc6 { Attackingthe Nd4 and taking control of e5. } 10. O-O-O
{ Slightly better than exchangingthe Knight. } 10... O-O
{ 10...Nxd4 11. Rxd4 and I will get some pressure on Black'sd-pawn after Be2 and Rhd1. 10...Ne5 is met very comfortably by Qg3. }
11. Kb1
{ A typical move that makes sure there won't be any tactical resourcesagainst my King. In these types of positions it's also a good waiting move.For example, in many positions it's better to capture on c6 only afterthe Bc8 has moved to d7 because capturing with the b-pawn will be weakerthen. }
11... Bd7
{ This pattern of developing pieces, including the pawn structureand the piece placement is seen in many lines and is very elastic sincemany plans are available to Black. }
12. Nxc6
{ Releasing the central pressurein order to focus the pieces on a K-side attack. It's very interestingthe developing the Bishop to d7 makes the capture with the b-pawn lessdesirable. }
12... Bxc6
{ After 12...bxc6 White can quickly get an attack going,for example 13. g4 Rab8 14. Bc1 (having this square free for a Bishop retreatis another bonus of playing an early Kb1. Now b2 is secure and Black'scounterplay is delayed) d5 (hitting in the centre in reply to a flank attack)15. g5 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 dxe4 17. Qxe4 c5 (with the idea of Bc6) 18. f6! (andWhite gets a powerful initiative) }
13. Bd3
{ Defending e4. With the Knightson the board this move wouldn't have been possible and the more passiveBe2 would have to been played. }
13... Nxe4 { A common trick in the Sicilian butit doesn't work so well here. }
14. Bxe4 { Taking with the Knight is weakerbecause of the pin. } 14... Bxg5
{ With no nasty check. If you've played the Whiteside of the Sicilian you'll learn that moves like Kh1 and Kb1 aren't awaste of time at all. }
15. fxe6 { Getting ready to win the pawn back witha slight edge. } 15... fxe6
{ A natural move, 15...Rae8 looks interesting but afterthe almost forced 16. exf7+ Rxf7 17. Qd3 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Bf4 19. g3 Qc6 20.Rhe1 Rfe7 21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. Rxe7 Rxe7 23. gxf4, White has a much betterendgame position. }
16. Qh3 { The double threat on e6 and h7 recovers thepawn. } 16... Bxe4
{ Removing the dangerous White Bishop. } 17. Qxe6+
{ Here I lookedat a few lines and decided that this was the most promising one, keepingthe Queens on the board and playing this simplified middlegame where myKnight will be very strong on d5. After 17. Nxe4 Bf4 18. Qxe6+ Qf7 19.Qxf7+ Rxf7 20. Nxd6 Bxd6 21. Rxd6 Rf2 22. g3 Re8, Black can easily holdthis endgame. }
17... Qf7 { Forced or else Nxe4 is too strong. } 18. Qxe4
{ Thiswas the position I was aiming for. Material wise, things are even, butI think I have a solid positional edge. My pawn structure is very good,I have a good blockade point on d5, Black's King can come under a formof attack if Queens are on the board, plus the d6 pawn is weak. Black'strumps are his Bishop which has a lot of open space to roam but nothingto bite at, his command of the f-file and the central spot e5 for his Bishop. }
18... Bf6 { Aiming for Be5. } 19. Nd5
{ Centralizing the Knight. If things get bad,I can always blunt out the Bishop with c3. You can't say the same abouta Knight as there isn't really a way you can blunt out a Knight. }
19... Be5 { Carryingon with the piece placement plan. } 20. Qd3
{ Overprotecting the Knight andpreparing to contest the f-file. } 20... b5
{ I think Black could very do withoutthis move. At least not until I was forced to play c3 so that the threatof opening lines with b4 would be more concrete. }
21. Rhf1 Qb7 { Perhapsthis was the point of b5? } 22. h4
{ Here I intended of playing h4-h5 andg4 and if Black would allow it, putting a Knight on f5, which would a truedream square in this position. Of course such a plan can only work withthe Queens on the board otherwise the pawn would be pretty weak in theendgame. }
22... Rae8 23. h5
{ Putting Black's K-side under pressure. It's noteasy to find a defensive plan against the threat of advancing the pawns.Anything creates weak points that my Knight, combined with a Rook and Queencan quickly create a strong attack. }
23... Rxf1
{ So it's understandable thatmy opponent wanted to exchange material in order to tone down my initiative. }
24. Rxf1 Rf8
{ This really surprised me. I saw that the pure piece endgameis better for because despite the open position and the relative advantageof the Bishop over Knight, Black's pawn structure doesn't compensate it. }
25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Qf3+
{ Maybe 26. Qf5 would be more clean-cut but thisis enough for me. } 26... Qf7
{ Black is forced to exchange Queens because of thediscovered Knight check, winning the Qb7. }
27. Qxf7+ Kxf7 28. c3
{ A quietmove. Black's Bishop is blunted and my King can come into play. Tryingto win a pawn outright with Nc7 would have given Black good drawing chances.For example 28. Nc7 d5 29. Nxa6 Bd6 30. c3 Kf6 31. Kc2 Kg5 32. Kd3 Kxh533. Kxd5 Bf4 34. Kd4 Kg4 35. Nc5 Kg4 36. c4 bxc4 37. Ne6 g5 38. a4 Bd239. Kxc4 Kxg2 and Black is still hanging on. Lines like this show the dangersof pressing to hard and trying to win at once in the endgame. Don't rushif you can wait is a basic rule of the endgame. There is not point in compromisingyour position if you don't see a clear win. Just play solid moves and wait. }
28... a5
{ There is a saying in chess and it's very true, the threat is more dangerousthan the execution. I'm sure you've seen many GM games where they woulddelay executing a basic recapture almost to the point it wasn't possibleanymore. This is done for a good reason. If you have a threat and youropponent can't do anything about it, don't rush. Taunt him. It's very infuriatingand difficult to play from a psychological point of view. You're expectingyour opponent to execute his threat but he doesn't. You begin to wonderwhy he doesn't. Maybe you calculate everything again, believing you havecompensation. You can't find any. Then you look at the move he just made.It doesn't threaten anything. So you decide to remove the threat, seeingas your opponent has given you an unexpected breather. Then you make thefatal blunder and see what it was that your opponent was really threatening. }
29. b4
{ Such is the case here. My opponent wanted to get rid of the Nc7threat and decided that he can only defend the pawns by pushing them. Butthat turns out to be a serious mistake for a very simple reason. The pawnsare now fixed and easy to be munched by the Knight. Also, by advancinghis pawns he's helping me create a distant passed pawn much sooner thanI would have expected. }
29... Ke6
{ Black decides to at least activate his Kingat the cost of that pawn. } 30.
Nc7+ Kd7 31. Nxb5 Kc6 32. a4
{ Notice howthe Knight and pawns cover everything and there isn't anything for Blackto do. He just has to wait and hope I stumble. }
32... Kb6 33. Kc2 { Having wona pawn, it's time I activate my King. } 33... g6
{ A common defence in simplifiedendings where you're material down is to exchange pawns, hopefully to thepoint where there is only one left and you can sacrifice a piece for it,thus securing a theoretical draw. }
34. hxg6 hxg6 35. Kd3 d5
{ Denying myKing access to d4 and opening more diagonals for his Bishop to move on. }
36. g4
{ I wanted to fix the K-side pawn so that I could combine threatsagainst them with threats against the d-pawn and threats of advancing theQ-side pawns. Black Bishop couldn't possible cover all that. }
36... g5
{ Makinglife very easy for me. I think it was Philidor, much before Capablancatha stated that in Bishop endings, it's wise to place your pawns on theopposite colour of your Bishop and on the same colour of your opponent'sBishop. Beginners usually do the exact opposite thing. They fear that theBishop will capture their pawns and move them to the wrong colour and theywant their Bishop to defend their own pawns so they give themselves a badBishop. }
37. Nd4 { Time to put the steed to work. } 37... axb4
{ If Black doesn'tcapture, I can play b5 and then the a-pawn will be an extra weakness inthe already full plateau Black has at his disposal. }
38. cxb4 Bd6 39. Nc2 { Defending b4 and clearing d4 for the King. } 39... Be5
{ Black has to go backand cover d4 with the Bishop. } 40. Ne3
{ Tying the Black King to the defenceof the d-pawn. } 40... Kc6 41. Nf5
{ Aiming for Nd4 followed by a5. The correctplan in advancing the pawns against a Bishop is to advance them on thesame colour squares as the Bishop so that he cannot blockade them adequately. }
41... Bf6 42. Nd4+ Kb6 43. a5+ Ka6 44. Nf5
{ One last diversion. Ne3 is threatenedand Black can't defend the d-pawn properly. }
44... Kb5 45. Ne3 Kc6 46. a6
{ Creatinga runner on the edge of the board. In case of 46...Kb6 then 47. Nxd5+ witha very simple win. }
46... Bd8 { Going for b6 to stop the a-pawn. } 47. Nxd5
{ Butit's one move to slow. This Knight move makes the Black Bishop look ridiculoussince there isn't anything he can do to stop the a-pawn from Queening.My opponent finally resigned here. A nice tour-de-force by the White Knightagainst the Black Bishop. }
1-0
|
[Event "Israeli Chess Leauge Division B"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "21:30"]
[Round "-"]
[White "harazi"]
[Black "matsany"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1546"]
[TimeControl "2h"]
[WhiteElo "1699"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
{ well, i always onSicilian defense played Sicilian dragon variation (5...g6) , but sincemy opponent knew me well i decided to surprise him with Naijdorff variation. }
6. a4 Nc6 7. Bc4 g6
{ little tricky i would say , after 6.a4 and.7.bc4 Idecided to return to dragon variation because of misplaces white pieces. }
8. f3 Bg7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Bd7 11. O-O-O Rc8 12. Bb3 Ne5 13. g4 Nc4 14. Bxc4
Rxc4 15. b3
{ its a mistake , one of the ''ruels'' of the siciliandragon are never move your queens side pawns after casteling on queesnside now there are alot of weaknesses on the dark squares . }
15... Rc8 16. h4 Qa5
{ attackind thes weak sqaueres and controling the 5th rank . } 17. Kb2 Rfe8
{ it seemed that 17.Kb2 was silent move to protect the knight on c3but no, after 17.Kb2 white threats Nd5 and force the black queen retreat to passive position and get contra ply on the kings side for example :17.Kb2-b5.18.Nd5-Qd8 (if 18...Qxd2.19.Nxe7+-Kh8.20.Rxd2 +-) 19.h5-Rfe8.20.hxg-fxg.21.Bh6-Bh8.22.Qh2and white with the advantage therefor, the move 17...Rf8 avoiding thosethreats because : 18.Nd5?-Qxd2 if 19. Nxe7+? Rxe7 Evan 19...Kf8, the whiteknight it trapped because of white must capture the queen on d2 }
18. g5 Nh5
{ blunder , no white rueins his chaces for contra play its one siudegame now ,18.h5 was the best move for white }
19. Rhg1 Rc7 20. f4 e5 21. Nde2 exf4 22. Bd4 f3 23. Nc1 Bxd4 24. Qxd4 f2
{ good move , if 25.Qxf2-Qxc3+,25.Rf1-Ng3which will be later in the game . }
25. Rgf1 Ng3 26. Rxf2 { now black finishedthis game with nice combination }
26... Qxc3+ 27. Qxc3 Rxc3 28. Kxc3 Nxe4+ 29. Kb2 Nxf2 30. Rxd6 Bc6
{ white resigns , i hope you enjoyed the game tankyou } 0-1
|
[Event "69th GK tournament"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.05.16"]
[Round "-"]
[White "greg_johnstone"]
[Black "nuntar"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1693"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1621"]
1. e4 { A game that shows (again!) the importance of never giving up! } 1... e5
2. f4 { King's Gambit. This has a reputation for leading to bloody combat. }
2... exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ne5
{ Kieseritsky Gambit, the most common variation.(White can also try 5. Ng5!?, the Allgaier, but then 5... h6 forces himto give up the knight, and things get complicated.) }
5... Nf6
{ Main line. Blackdefends the g4 pawn, though White can still take it, so I'm not reallysure why this move is recommended, especially after this game. }
6. Nxg4
{ Instead 6. d4 d6 7. Nd3 is the main line. That said, I can see why Whiteprefers to take the pawn. Black's pawn structure is fractured, and thef4 pawn seems doomed. (Though in this game... but let's not get ahead ofourselves.) }
6... d6 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6
{ In return for the loss of his pawn structure,Black gets a slight lead in development, not just through having the queenout, but also because the d-pawn has been moved while White's has not. }
8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Nd5
{ It seems like this is a case of a 'too obvious' move:it's most common in the GameKnot DB, but the statistics favour Black, whereas9. Bb5 is both more favourable to White and more common in the World DB.That said, the move worked spectacularly in this game... }
9... Qh6
{ ...becauseI was too fixated on protecting the f4 pawn as long as I could. Perhapsthe moral to be drawn is, before choosing a move, press the 'flip' buttonon the analysis board at least once. No way I'd have missed it if I'd donethat. }
10. Nxc7+
{ The classic knight fork. Rather embarrassing for a playerof my rating. }
10... Kd8 11. Nxa8 Be7
{ Okay, I've lost the rook, but in my favour,White's knight is stuck and his queenside pieces are still undeveloped.It seems I may still have a chance of pulling off a swindle if I can developrapidly. First, this move threatens 12... Bxh4+ 13. Ke2 (neither Rxh4 norg3 helps much) Bg4+ winning the queen. }
12. h5
{ The most obvious defence,but perhaps 12. Be2 Bxh4+ 13. Kf1 could be considered. It gets the bishopinto play and creates the possibility of the strong move Bg4; losing thepawn doesn't really matter, and my bishop will be pinned if I take it. }
12... Rg8
{ One more piece out, this time without any specific intentions, sinceBg4? will simply be answered by Be2. }
13. c3
{ Nevertheless, White hitsthe panic button, opening a line for the queen. But this does nothing tohelp his development. Instead, perhaps still Be2, or d3 to let out theother bishop? }
13... Qg5
{ Now 14... Qg3+ 15. Ke2 Bg4+ is threatened, again winningthe queen. (Oops... it would probably have been stronger to make that threatlast move.) }
14. Qb3
{ White saves the king and gives his king a flightsquare, and possibly is already thinking of putting pressure on b7. }
14... Qg3+
{ Nevertheless, this is still the best move. I've seen the possibility ofa swindle... }
15. Kd1 f3
{ ...and here it comes! If White takes, 16. gxf3Qxf3+ wins the rook, as well as leaving White behind in development andwith an exposed king. But if White doesn't take, Black is threatening 16...fxg2 17. Bxg2 Qxg2 18. Re1 Bh4 19. Re3 Bf2 and the rook has no squares.What's to be done? 16. Rg1 doesn't work: 16... Bg4! and the g2 pawn isstill pinned and Black is now threatening a lethal discovered check. Notethat the 'doomed' f4 pawn I decided to protect finally comes into its own! }
16. Rh3
{ So White tries this counterattack on the queen instead. Did henotice that h3 is attacked by the bishop? I did, but I reasoned that after16... Bxh3 17. gxh3 the f3 pawn is going nowhere. So.... }
16... fxg2
{ Yup, aqueen sacrifice when I'm already a rook down. It sounds good when put likethat, but of course, since 17. Rxg3 gxf1(Q) 18. Kc2 Rxg3 leads to Blackbeing ahead on material (and the threat of Qd3+ will force White to giveup his queen) it's all a bit too obvious. }
17. Bxg2 Bxh3 { Now things getmore interesting. } 18. Qxb7
{ If instead 18. Bxh3 Qxh3 19. Qxb7 then Blackhas 19... Qc8 and wins the knight, regardless of whether White acceptsthe queen exchange or retreats. So White must take the plunge, abandoningthe g2 bishop.... }
18... Bxg2
{ ...but can Black afford to take it? I decidedI could, even though my king comes in for a few checks! }
19. Qc7+
{ Definitelybetter than taking the knight: I had in mind a neat clearance of the diagonal,19. Qxc6 Qf3+ 20. Kc2 (Ke1?? Qf1#) Qxe4+ 21. Qxe4 Bxe4+ 22. d3 Bxa8. }
19... Ke8 20. Qc8+
{ (?) This is a mystery: why not 20. Qxc6, now that the knightcan be taken with check? Black should still win, with care: 20... Kf8 21.Qc8+ Kg7 22. Qd7 (for instance) Qf3+ 23. Kc2 Qxe4+ 24. d3 Qe2+ 25. Kb3Rxa8 and Black has kept the extra piece. But the move played makes it tooeasy. }
20... Nd8 21. Nc7+ Kf8 { Now White has no more good checks. } 22. Qf5 Qf3+ 23.
Qxf3 Bxf3+
{ White resigns. After 24. Kc2 Bxe4+ the h5 pawn will dropas well, leaving Black a piece up; while if 24. Ke1 Bh4+ 25. Kf1 Bxe4 Whitemust lose time (and again will not save the h5 pawn) due to the threatof Bd3#. Bad luck for White, but a very dramatic and exciting game! }
0-1
|
[Event "game 6 - loss and a rating"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2012.06.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "leosix1pic"]
[Black "3253"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1574"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1616"]
1. d4 c6 2. Bf4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. h3 Bf5
{ I'm hoping for this to be an instructivegame for me to analyze and to see where I might have played better. Allcomments are much appreciated and welcome. I will try to post on the forum,and might need to join the site to do that. I've entered in the GM tourneyfor July. }
5. e3 e6 6. a3 h6 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. g4 Nbd7
12. g5
{ This move caused me much difficulty, in determininghow to respond. Taking the pawn results in attack on h7. Otherwise Ifeel my position was good. Comments pro or to the contrary are welcome. }
12... Nh5
{ Going nowhere, and not a good move. Nh7 would be better, attackingthe pawn, however white would destroy my kingside pawns. My position mustnot have been very good after all. }
13. gxh6
{ Well there it goes anyway,and nothing stopping Ng5. Game destroyed. That pawn will be there forquite a long time. It's amazing that I held on for 44 moves. }
13... g6 14. Ng5 e5 15. O-O-O e4 16. Qe2 Ndf6 17. h4 Nh7 18. Rdg1 { I } 18...
f5
{ I was tryingto open the position, but this removed the protection from g6. }
19. Nh3 Rf6
{ Kf7 would have worked. I didn't want his pawn on g5 with Ng5 NxN,but could have simply moved K back to g7. }
20. Qxh5 { Obviously. So muchfor defense. } 20... Kf7 21. Qe2 Ke7 22. Na4 Rh8
23. Nc5 b6 24. Nb3 Qc7 25. Rg3 Kf7 26. Rhg1
{ My hope is to hold on with the complicated position, andpossibly come out with a draw. However, white is relentless. }
26... Nf8 27. h5 { Getting more complicated. } 27... Rxh6 28. Nf4 Qd7 29. hxg6+
Kg7 { Knightfork takes rook. } 30. Nh5+ Rxh5 31. Qxh5 Rxg6 32. Rxg6+ Nxg6 33.
Qxg6+ Kf8 34. Rh1 Qg7 { Exchanging queens. } 35. Qh6 Qxh6 36. Rxh6 Kg7 37. Rxc6
Kh7 38. Rc7+ Kh6 { Come on, get the pawns. } 39. Rxa7 Kh5 40. Rb7 Kg4 41. Kd1
Kf3 42. Ke1
{ White protects the pawns. Good game by white. How doI make paragraphs in this annotation? I've decided to slow down and takea lot more time for my moves. I've been self analyzing them more the lastday, but think I'm still moving too fast, so I need to study them more. Yesterday I made a move after considerable consideration, then realizedseconds later that I'd made an obvious mistake, not taking a pawn. }
1-0
|
[Event "Reunion"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "6-2-2016"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Charles L Higgie"]
[Black "Michael Burt"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
{ Michael Burt was my great chess playing friend at King's School, Chester.I hadn't seen him in 41 years. In my last year at King's he was board 3and I was board 4. We met again at a reunion at The King's School. I boughta chess set with me in the car, as I hoped to play him again. I arrivedslightly late, just after 10.30am. They were in the middle of a presentationabout how the school had changed. We then had a tour of the school, followedby lunch with wine. I challenged Michael to a game. He was slightly reluctantto play as he didn't play much now, but he agreed. I offered to get myset from the car. He said he had spotted a set out in the tour of the school,so we went to that classroom and played with the set. The set was a bitodd, as both the white knights were other pieces with paper wrapped roundthem! }
1. d4
{ So I started with my usual. I should perhaps add that I amannotating the game on the morning after. I am pretty sure of all the moves,but I may have got them in the wrong order! Wine was served with the lunch,which may explain the poor quality of this game! We were also moving quitefast - just like we used to have a quick game after lunch when we werestudents together! }
1... d5 { He replies in kind. } 2. c4 { I go into the Queen'sGambit. } 2... e5
{ He replies with the Albin's Counter Gambit! He always playedthis as a child, but it had slipped my mind. }
3. dxe5 { So I take. } 3... d4
{ Headvances. The careless move 4.e3? can lead to the Lasker Trap. After 4...Bb4+5.Bd2 dxe3 6.Bxb4?? is a blunder—6...exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1=N+! and Black wins.The Lasker Trap is notable because it is rare to see an underpromotionin practical play. }
4. Nf3 { So I played this. } 4... Bb4+
{ This is unusual. Blacknormally plays c5 or Nc6. Michael aims for c5, but he wants to exchangeblack square bishops first, rather than be left with a bishop on f8 restrictedby the pawn on c5. }
5. Bd2 { I figure that exchanges help me as I am a pawnup. } 5... Bxd2+
{ He takes. } 6. Nbxd2 { I develop my knight. } 6... c5
{ He continueswith his plan. } 7. g3
{ Development of the Bf1 to g2 is very common in thisopening. } 7... Nc6
{ Michael develops. } 8. Bg2 { So do I. } 8... f6
{ Black turns itinto a proper gambit, rather than try to regain the pawn. } 9.
exf6 { SoI take. } 9... Nxf6 { He takes back. } 10. O-O { I castle. } 10... O-O
{ So does he. } 11. Re1
{ I have a plan to get rid of his powerful pawn on d5. } 11... Bf5
{ He develops. } 12. e3 { I continue with my plan. } 12... dxe3
{ He takes. I rather expected d4-d3. } 13. Rxe3
{ I take back. I think I am a clear pawn up now. } 13... Qd7
{ He developshis queen, planning to bring his rook a8 into play. } 14. Ng5
{ I plan tobring a knight to e4, to exchange pieces. } 14... Bg4
{ He hits my queen. } 15. Bxc6
{ This is probably a mistake, by bishop is probably better than hisknight. Now he originally recaptured with his pawn, saying he had to takethat way. I asked why. He replied that that I could just take his bishopwith my rook on g5. I pointed out that although it was a rook with a pieceof paper round it, it was in fact a knight! I allowed his to take backthe pawn capture and take with the queen instead. }
15... Qxc6
{ White now hasvery weak squares round the king, but I don't think black can exploit it. }
16. Qc2 { I move my queen which was attacked. } 16... Rae8
{ He completes his development. } 17. Nge4 { I continue with my plan. } 17...
Nxe4 { He takes. } 18. Rxe4
{ I take back,but this is a massive mistake, losing all my advantage. } 18...
Bf5
{ Because afterthis move black wins the exchange, rook for bishop. Although white hasa pawn for it, it is not enough. Michael very sportingly offered a drawhere, which of course I accepted. It was time for us to go on a coach tourof Chester. This was followed by dinner at night, and the conclusion toa lovely reunion day! Many thanks for reading this, please rate it on thestar system, and leave a comment or two! }
1/2-1/2
|
[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.10.13"]
[Round "-"]
[White "jerofpara"]
[Black "roisenp"]
[Result "1-0"]
{ I had several timeout in my chessgames (no internet connection and computercrash), so I decided to play mostly blitz games. }
1. d4
{ in speed games,I like 1. e4 - 2. f4 - 3. Nf3, or, like in this game: 1. d4 - 2. Nc3 -3. Bf4 or Bg5, depending if my opponent plays Nf6 before my third move. }
1... d5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Bf4 c6 4. e3
{ Forbids B to come back, but opens line forBf1 development. } 4... Nd7
{ Blacks seems to defend in a close game choice. } 5. Bd3 h6 6. Nf3 Ngf6 7. a3
{ I lose a tempo but N will not be pending onthe King no more: I prevent Bb4. }
7... Nh5
{ N not in centre please me. WhetherBlacks lose time coming back, wether they take my B and it will open myrook line because I'm going to g3 square. This trade is not so boring becausethe game is still closed. }
8. Bg3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Qa5
{ With this move, I decideto move pawns and possibly N, trying to close Queen's side, or to controla possible opened line after with my R and Q. I already think i will notcastle and think (or hope!) e2 will be a good square for my King. }
10. b4 Qb6 11. Na4 Qc7 12. c4 Nb6 13. Nxb6 Qxb6 14. c5
{ Now I am pretty happybecause this close game decrease my opponent's pair of Bishops. }
14... Qc7 15. Ne5
{ I take some space, watch, g6 and f7 squares, allow my Queen to playon d1-h5 line, and keep the game closed. }
15... Be7
{ Black develop their blackB, allowing castle on King's side. Maybe delopping the other B would bebetter, maybe Queen's side was safer for Blacks' King (in case of castleon this side). }
16. Qh5
{ Big bullet coming, and threats. (With 16. ...- g6, Whites can sacrifice the B on g6 and are going to destroy Blacks'King side and take the rook after several checks). (for example: ... -g6 ; BXg6 - fXg6 ; QXg6+ - Kd1 ; Nf7+ and fork on rook.) }
16... O-O
{ O-O: I havegot 4 pieces targeting the King: B, N, Q and R + g3 pawn that could come(a little bit slowly, however). I think Blacks have no way to avoid defeat. }
17. Qg4
{ Attack on h pawn, because: Rxh6 and then g7 pawn cannot takethe rook, pending on King because of my Queen. }
17... Bf6
{ Black did not seeit. They play a move to exchange material, but I still have 3 big weaponsif my N is out of the game. }
18. Rxh6
{ After that move, my opponent toldme in the chat that i play like a computer and i am cheating. However,I often see humans do it (like me: often try it, and also often losingbecause too much 'heroic' attacks that fail!). }
18... Bxe5
{ Fatal move, but anymove would not have helped. Another sacrifice: it's forced mate becausef7-g7 pawns and Rf8 are a jail for Blacks'King (I create a puzzle of thatposition also). }
19. Rh8+ Kxh8 20. Qh5+ Kg8 21. Qh7#
{ A nice 'miniature'(but not perfect at all, strong players must laugh reading this analyse!).Conclusion: if you play me in blitz or anywhere, do not tell me I am cheating,because I hate cheating and it upsets me if you think I am one; and donot be afraid of my sacrifices: more than 50% of them make me lose ; ) . }
1-0
|
[Event "Challenge from chess-mma"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2012.12.02"]
[Round "-"]
[White "chess-mma"]
[Black "saaljoel"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1203"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1928"]
1. e4
{ was a game I played against one of my best friends and it startedlike a regular game by me. I love to start with e4 since that it the mostsimple move that opens up 2 pieces and give you control of the center }
1... Nc6
{ as he went out with Nc6 its a opening I am not used too so I won'tlie I used the Gameknot database to see which move fits best and what mychoices are. }
2. Nf3
{ and that is yet a simple response and I wasn't evensure that it was the best move. }
2... Nf6
{ ok now he places his second knighton the best place on the board for it. and I need to protect my pawn }
3. e5
{ so since he didn't move out his pawn yet I decided that it will begood to advance and keep it safe at the same time and getting into histerritory is never a bad thing right? }
3... Ng4 { ok I am trying to think howwill he benefit from it? } 4. d4
{ lets get more support and open up theblack bishop and control more of the center! }
4... d6 5. h3 Nh6 6. Nc3 dxe5 7. d5 Nd4 8. Nxe5 Ndf5 9. Bd3 g6 10. Bb5+ c6 11.
dxc6 Qxd1+ 12. Kxd1 Kd8 13. Nd5 bxc6 14. Nxc6+ *
|
[Event "Unusual Opening - Grob's attack (A00) Part 1"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.01.14"]
[Round "-"]
[White "thebishop1000"]
[Black "jstevens1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1954"]
[TimeControl "5d+5d<10d"]
[WhiteElo "1294"]
1. g4
{ Hi everyone! I think it would be a nice idea to explore the GrobOpening where white starts out with 1. g4. It was a very enterprisingidea of Jerry to try against Class A 1900 oppo. It certainly got me outof the Gameknot DB pretty early on. It can be quite a tricky opening asmy 3 games will demonstrate. This is the first of these three games. }
1... d5
{ 1. .... d5 - opens up a line for Fou Leblanc onto that pawn on g4. It looks a little vulnerable. Easy19, aka the Master Mater, is not afraidto play the Grob. He has tried it against me and won. I must make surethat I do not fall to a calamity here. In this game, Henry has a 19 ratingpoint bounty on his head! }
2. Bg2 Bxg4 { 2. ..... Bxg4 - nacht. } 3. c4
{ 3.c4! - good move here, if I now play 3. ..... dxc4?? then my pawn on b7and my rook on a8 will receive the last rites from Jerry's bishop on g2. }
3... Nf6
{ 3. .... Nf6 - develops a piece and defends my d pawn. It is twicedefended but the second defender is Glenda. I would prefer to delegatethat task to either another pawn or a minor piece if at all possible. }
4. Qb3
{ 4. Qb3 - attacking my d pawn and the b7 pawn. Fou Leblanc nowdefends the b pawn. }
4... Bc8 5. Nc3
{ 5. Nc3 - and we have further pile on tothat poor little pawn on d5. So, now I exchange it. }
5... dxc4 6. Qxc4 { 6.Qxc4 - The Wicked Witch of the West recaptures. } 6... c6
7. b4 e6 8. b5 Qc7 9. bxc6 Nxc6
{ 9. ..... Nxc6 - after having to reverse Fou Leblanc's developmentand to merely move pawns, I finally recapture a pawn by developing a piece. Now I have just got to develop my bishops and I will feel a little happierwith my pos. }
10. Nb5
{ 10. Nb5 - however, Glenda is menaced by Jerry'sknight on b5. She must now hem in one of my ecclesiastical twins. Thattwin turns out to be Fou Leblanc! }
10... Qd7 11. d3 a6 12. Nc3
{ 12. Nc3 - whew,that white steed is driven back by my pawn stab - a6. } 12...
Bd6 13. Na4
{ 13.Na4 - but that white knight finds another square to harass my pieces. This is b6 threatening a fork on Glenda and my rook on a8. }
13... Qc7 14. h3 Bd7
{ 14. ..... Bd7 - at last my decks are clear and Henry is ready to castle. }
15. e4
{ 15. e4?? - this, however, is a blunder because I can now fork theWitch and the knight on a4 with another pawn stab. }
15... b5 16. Qc3 bxa4
{ 16..... bxa4?? - would you believe it??? Now yours truly gaffes up big time. I take the knight but miss a pin on b4 from Fou Lenoir which should wrapup this game quickly. }
17. d4
{ 17. d4?? - what a comedy of errors thisis! Jerry gives me a second chance which thankfully I do take! }
17... Bb4 18. Ne2
{ 18. Ne2 - develops a piece but this cannot save Jerry from ruinousloss of material. }
18... Bxc3+ 19. Nxc3 Nxd4
{ 19. .... Nxd4 - although thereis no mate in the offing, Jerry decides to wave the white flag as he isnow 11 points down on material. It is an interesting opening and now willcome the first of two correspondence games which are not from Gameknotbut from the THEM series that Freddy the Master Mater also plays in. Myopponent is chessmaniac (Guy Shelmerdine). We started that THEM tournamentvia e-mail but then, after Guy joined Gameknot we agreed to play out therest of the game on Gameknot. I won with white and conceded a Low Drawwith the black pieces. Watch this space my friends ...... }
0-1
|
[Event "Casual Game, http://www.itsyourturn.com"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2015.08.13"]
[Round "-"]
[White "rooked again"]
[Black "John Coffey"]
[Result "*"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 { Hoping to transpose to a Nimzo. } 3. Bg5 c5 4. c3 h6 5.
Bf4 Nc6 6. e3 Nh5 7. Bg3 Nxg3 8. hxg3 d5 9. Nbd2 Bd6
{ Also good areBe7 and a6. } 10. Be2 O-O 11. Qc2 Re8 12. O-O-O
{ Although not terrible,I think White is less safe on the queenside. } 12...
Bd7 13. Kb1 cxd4 14. exd4 b5
{ Or Rc8. Now 15. Bxb5 Nb4 16. cxb4 Bxb5 17. a3 a5 18. a4 Rc8 19. Qb3Bc4 20. Nxc4 dxc4 21. Qc2 axb4 and black has plenty of compensation forthe pawn. }
15. Nh2 { Accomplishes next to nothing. } 15... b4 { Black is betterhere. } 16.
Nb3 bxc3 17. bxc3 Rb8 { Black keeps the pressure on. Na5 isalso interesting. }
18. Ka1 Na5 19. Nxa5 Qxa5 20. Rb1 e5
{ The key move. Threatens Bf5. If 21. Bd3 exd4 22. cxd4 Ba4 causes problems for white'squeen. 23. Qc1 Rxb1+ 24. Qxb1 Ba3 and white will have to throw away materialto delay mate. If 21. Rhc1 Rxb1+ 22. Rxb1 exd4 23. cxd4 Bb4 24. Rc1 Bd225. Qc5 Rxe2 }
21. Bf3 Bf5 22. Qd2 exd4
{ Now 23. Qxd4 Rxb1+ 24. Rxb1Be5 25. Qe3 Qxc3+ 26. Qxc3 Bxc3+ } 23. Rxb8 Rxb8
24. g4 dxc3 25. Qe3 Qa3 26. Qe2 Rb2 *
|
[Event "Challenge from gt-90"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "20-Sep-06"]
[Round "-"]
[White "gt-90"]
[Black "guy04"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1776"]
[TimeControl "6 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1492"]
1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 { Un coup inhabituel, mais probablement jouable. } 2... e6 3.
Nf3 g6 4. d4 b6 5. Bg5
{ The whites develop their pieces while the blacks have only played pawns. I wondered in this position whether the whites would not have done better to continue their development differently, since the blacks' pieces are a bit weak. This coup permits the blacks to either exchange their fours on black pieces, or to fork the whites. It is often more profitable to wait to exploit an enemy weakness (here the black pieces) rather than to try to exploit it immediately, when no advantage is gained. Besides this subtlety, the white's move is correct. }
5... Be7 6. Bxe7 Nxe7 7. Nc3 d5 8. exd5 exd5 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. dxc5 Bxb5 11. Nxb5
bxc5 12. O-O O-O
{ The whites retain a slight advantage. Why? They have one more piece developed, the black pawns on c5 would constitute a target, the black knight on d6 is advanced (but the whites have already castled, so it's less severe), the white pieces are more compact. All these advantages, but which demonstrate that the whites have well succeeded in their opening. }
13. Qd2
{ Nothing to say about the last moves. The whites continue to have a slight advantage. }
13... a6 14. Nc3 Nbc6
{ A small thought-question here. Why would this move be better than e4, for example? Because it develops a piece, protects the other knight while also liberating the tower. e4 will always be possible if the whites play their turn in d1, although the whites can place their knight in e5 where it is more menacing. }
15. a3
{ The best was to advance the black pawn. Although this is not necessarily bad for the blacks, the two black pawns in the center can form a target later (with the danger of being isolated). The black pawn on b2 now becomes a target for the blacks. }
15... Rb8 { Attack the pawn now, it is weak in b2. } 16. Rab1 Re8 17. Ng5
{ Will this move benefit the whites or is it a waste of time? The whites think they should follow up with Qf4? }
17... h6
{ With this move, the blacks are losing time to the whites, since the knight must retreat. But the blacks will also be losing time, since the king must come to protect the pawn on h6. The question is whether the structure of the black pieces in front of the knight will be better for this. I believe it will, since the weakness in front of the knight is gone, and the knight has more space to maneuver. On the other hand, it is important to be careful not to advance the rook too far, since the king can become easier to attack, especially by the white pawns in front of the king. Therefore, I believe the knight's maneuver at move 17 by the whites is wrong. }
18. Nf3 Kg7 19. Rfe1
{ Correct! But was it better to put this tower on d1 and force the pawn on d5 to advance?... The answer follows... }
19... d4
{ The black pieces decide to push this pawn despite all. We will have to advance it eventually, so why not now? Therefore, the white piece is now better placed on e1 than on d1. }
20. Ne4 Qd5 21. Qf4 Nf5 22. g4 g5
{ A significant error. I thought the pawn could not take the knight, and the queen must retreat. }
23. Qxf5
{ Mais nulle part je n'ai r�alis� que la dame pouvaitsimplement prendre le cavalier. }
23... Qxf5 24. gxf5 Rb5
{ I cannot allow myself to lose this pawn in addition. } 25. Ned2 Reb8 26. Nb3
{ Allow the next black move. a4 was probably better. } 26... d3 27. a4
{ Bon, maispas aussi efficace maintenant. } 27... dxc2 28. axb5 cxb1=Q 29. Rxb1
Rxb5 { The knights have taken a pawn, and still have chances of escaping. } 30.
Nbd2 Ne7 { Un deuxi�me pion en vue. } 31. f6+ Kxf6 32. Ne4+ Kg7 33. Nd6
{ The white pieces here must be to liberate their turn from the protection of the pawn. It is necessary that this turn becomes much more active if the whites must win the game. Therefore, a knight must take the place of the relief. }
33... Rb3 34. Ne5 { Excellent! } 34... f5 35. Ndc4 Ng6
{ The blacks are trying to break the two-horse center (the center, of course, is the ideal position for any kind of cavalry). }
36. Na5
{ Would it have been better to exchange a pair of knights? I believe so. }
36... Rb5 37. Nec4
{ The difference is that the two white knights are no longer so well-centered. }
37... Ne5 { The whites can still threaten the exchange. } 38. Ra1 Nxc4 39. Nxc4
Rb4 40. b3 Rxb3 41. Rxa6 Rb4 42. Nd6 Kf6
{ Brave decision to put themselves in a position of check, but the blacks say there are many bad ways for the whites to make this check. }
43. Nc4+
{ I believe Ne4 was better to capture immediately the pawn. I would probably play Ke5 and after the capture of the pawn, my rook would at least be centralized. }
43... Kg7
{ The black king is imprisoned at the bottom, but the pawn is still alive. There is always hope for the blacks. }
44. Ne3 f4 45. Nf5+ Kf8 46. Rf6+ Ke8 47. Rxh6 f3
{ Suddenly the whites will see the mat on the first rank! } 48. h3
{ Fallait pas r�veren couleurs! } 48... c4 49. Re6+ Kd7 50. Re4 Kc6
{ The only hope for the whites is the pawn c. The king must approach to help it pass to dame. }
51. Ne3
{ White will have to perform a series of maneuvers to counter the advance of the pawn. The choice of moves may be debatable, but whites will be able to prevent the pawn from getting too close to its goal. }
51... Kc5 52. Nc2 Kd5 53. Rg4 Rb1+ 54. Kh2 c3 55. Kg3 Rb2 56. Ne3+ Ke6 57. Rxg5
{ The whites now have an easy victory. I am continuing just to see how the whites will conclude the execution. }
57... Rb1 58. Kxf3 Rb3 59. Rc5 Kd6 60. Rc4 Ke6 61. Ke4 Ra3 62. f4 Rb3 63. f5+
Kd6 64. h4 Ke7 65. Nd5+ Kf7 66. Rc7+ Kf8 67. Ke5 c2 68. Kf6 Ke8 69. Ke6 Kd8 70.
Rxc2 Rh3 71. f6 Rxh4 72. Nb6 { Une conclusion pleined'�l�gance. } 72... Re4+
73. Kf7 Rc4
{ If the whites played too quickly...would they take the tower with? } 74. Nxc4
{ They had to stop believing in miracles. It was time for the blacks to give up. One mistake by the blacks was enough. The whites were implacable. Nothing spectacular, but effective until the end. Bravo! }
*
|
[Event "itsyourturn.com"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2018.11.29"]
[Round "-"]
[White "John Coffey"]
[Black "just plain bill"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6
{ This is called the Marshall Defense. I don't likeit for Black for reasons that we will soon see. White to play. }
3. cxd5
{ If 3... c6 4. Nc3 cxd5 5. Bf4 e6 (5... Bf5 6. Qb3) 6. e3 Bd6 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. Nf3 or 8. Rc1. }
3... Qxd5 4. Nc3 { If 4... Qa5 5. Bd2 e5 6. e4 c6 7.dxe5 Qxe5 8. f4. } 4... Qd7
{ This is a terrible spot for the queen. This isthe first of three key positions. }
5. e4
{ White should have played 5. Nf3first, which prevents Black from getting a pawn in the center. Now Blackis doing well after 5... e5 6. dxe5 Qxd1+. If 6. d5 then 6... Bb4 7. f3c6 and Black is slightly better. }
5... a6 6. Nf3
{ If 6... e6 7. Bd3 b5 8.Be3 c5 9. dxc5 Ng4 10. Bf4 or 10. Qd2. Then if 10... b4 11. Na4. }
6... g6 7. Ne5 Qd8 8. Bc4 { This forces Black to weaken his pawn structure. }
8... e6 { Now Black has dark square weaknesses. } 9. Bg5
{ If 9... Be7 10. d5 O-O11. Bh6 Re8 12. O-O exd5 13. Nxd5 Be6 (13... Nxe4 14. Nxf7) 14. Qf3. }
9... Nbd7 { A blunder. } 10. Nxd7 Bxd7 11. e5 Be7 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. exf6 Qxf6
14. O-O O-O-O { This is the second of three key positions. } 15. d5
{ Whiteis going to rid himself of his pawn weakness. This also frees the Whitequeen to go to b3. If 15... b5? 16. Bd3 White is fine. If Black wereto pursue 16... exd5?! 17. Nxd5 Qxb2? 18. Rc1 or 18. Qf3 and Black hastoo many weaknesses. }
15... h5 { Not particularly helpful. } 16. Qb3 exd5 { Makesthings worse. } 17.
Nxd5 Qd6
{ I thought that this spot for the Queen wasquestionable, but computer analysis agrees with it. }
18. Rac1
{ Black shouldplay 18... Kb8 19. Nxc7 Qxc7 20. Bd5 Ba4 21. Qxa4, but White is still winning. }
18... Be6 { This is the third key position. } 19. Rfd1
{ Missing 19. Nxc7 Bxc420. Rxc4. Now Black could play 19... Kb8 to which White would respond20. Nc3, but not 20. Nxc7 Bxc4 21. Rxd6 Bxb3 22. Rxd8+ Rxd8 23. axb3 Rc8. }
19... Qc6 { Possibly the worst move on the board. } 20. Ne7+ Kb8 21. Nxc6+
{ And,of course, Black resigns. } 1-0
|
[Event "rlcpw IV, 1.d4"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.12.21"]
[Round "-"]
[White "rlcpw"]
[Black "ybrevo"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2076"]
[TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"]
[WhiteElo "1988"]
1. d4
{ I think it was GM Bent Larsen who once stated that sometimes chessis pure mathematics, sometimes art and sometimes a pure boxing match. ThisKings Indian really had the boxing aspect! }
1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7
{ This has been played thousandsof times, but now White has to decide between main lines like: Ne1, Nd2,a4 or b4. More or less it all comes to the same: White attacks on the Q-side,Black on the K-side. The battle is on. }
9. Ne1 Nd7 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 f4 12. Bf2 g5 13. a4 a5 14. Nd3 b6
{ Black tries to control the important squarec5 for as long as possible, but I must admit Bg7 looks awful. Neverthelessit is still well known theory. }
15. b4 axb4 16. Nxb4 Nf6
{ Only chance forBlack is to keep the pawns rolling on the K-side. In poker they call it'all in!'. }
17. Nd3 Ng6 18. Be1 Rf7
{ I prefer this to the immediate 18.- h5 idea. For the time being the Rook defends the weak pawn on c7, andin the future it can swing over to g7 or h7. }
19. Nb5 g4 20. a5 bxa5 21. Rxa5 Rxa5 22. Bxa5 g3
{ I thought this position was fun to look at: Thepawn chains! Then I looked at my Bg7 again and didn ́t think it was so muchfun anymore. But at least it protects the King. }
23. h3
{ I had a long thinkhere. I am about to be crushed on the Q-side and decided for a dubioussac on h3. }
23... Bxh3 24. gxh3 Qd7 25. Nf2
{ And a sac in return! Is it necessary?I had expected something like 25. Qd2 and 26. Bd1 to avoid the mate threats,but the position is rather unclear. Still I don ́t think Black has enoughcompensation for the Bishop. }
25... Ne8 26. Qc2 gxf2+ 27. Rxf2 Qxh3
{ Black isup a pawn in the endgame, but how often do you reach an endgame in a KingsIndian? }
28. Rh2 Qc8 29. Be1 c6
{ Rather have a weak d6 pawn than a weakc7 pawn. The Black bishop can always protect the d6 pawn from f8. }
30. Nc3 Ra7
{ Another good reason for playing 18. - Rf7: Suddenly the Rook challengesWhites back rank. }
31. dxc6 Qxc6 32. Bf2 Ra1+ 33. Kg2 Qb7 34. c5 dxc5 35. Bxc5 Bf8 36. Bc4+
{ In my opinion 36. Bf2 is better. With the Bishop pairstill on, White is still almost equal in spite of a pawn down. }
36... Kh8 37. Bxf8 Nxf8 38. Rh4
{ White has played a very good game so far, and I guesshe saw I mate on g8 in some lines after Rg4, but this blunder looses onthe spot. 38. Ne2 Qb4 39. Rh1 is still better for Black but far from decisive. }
38... Qg7+ 39. Rg4 Ng6
{ With the deadly threat h7-h5 or Nf6 and White will haveto give up the exchange. }
40. Kf2 { Last chance was 40. Nd1 h5 41. Rxg6Qxg6 with a lost endgame. } 40...
Qa7+
{ With a forced mate in maximum 10 moves. No, the Kings Indian is not for players with bad nerves! }
0-1
|
[Event "OTB Chess Game"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "12/1/17"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Carl"]
[Black "Joe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1332"]
[TimeControl "103 minutes"]
{ Carl is a new member of Jack Stockel's chess club. For a while, we had,Loyd, but he left. And, Martha has not been there for a while. But, theother members have remained including this new one. In addition, Carlis good friends with Tom Walsh. And, they're about as strong. I havebeen wanting to play Carl when he started, and this is the first time thatI was able to do that. The only thing here is that the position becamecorrupt. Before that, this opponent blundered a piece. Then, it was corrupt,but even though it became corrupt towards the end of annotation, what Inotated happened later on. As after Carl blundered his R, he resignedbecause there was nothing left, so how did it go down? }
1. d4
{ I wasn'tsure what to expect from Carl since this is the first time that I playedagainst him. But, he started off with the QP. }
1... d5 { And, this is how Ialways answer. } 2. Nc3
{ ?! Trying to win a pawn, but this was uncalledfor as it is too aggressive. And, it is not a time to deviate from guidelines. The idea being is that after 1.d4, you need the c pawn which is why 2.Nc3isn't the best move. Much better was 2.Nf3 As now, it's blocked, andbecause Carl didn't follow that guideline, I'm gonna try to punish him. }
2... Nf6 { So, I protect this way. However, I have other ideas for Carl. } 3.
Bg5
{ I am not afraid of this move. Whereas, I'd normally ignore it, I'mgonna try to trick Carl. As now, my idea is trading my N for his B sinceyou generally need the B. The idea being is to make Carl face the consequencesof developing his Nb1 so early. Otherwise, I would've been more passiveand allowed a pin knowing that it could be broken with a later ...Be7. To my surprise Carl accepts the exchange, and that's when I favor my position. }
3... h6 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. e4
{ Carl tries to exchange my pawn. But, I refuse,this time. I felt that exchanging would benefit him here. }
5... Bb4 6. Qf3
{ And, that's when Carl brought his Q out. It was to prevent me from destroyinghis K side pawn structures. But, I have other ideas. }
6... Nc6
{ I generallyfollow the guidelines of not bringing the Nb8-c6 until the c pawn has advancedin 1.d4. But, those are just guidelines. The reason for breaking themis because I am threatening to win a pawn. Luckily for me, Carl, missesthis threat. }
7. a3
{ Instead, he tries to get aggressive by attacking theN. But, I don't care as I have a greater threat by taking the pawn ashis Q will be under siege. }
7... Nxd4 8. Qd3
{ I am not surprised to see Carldefend by attacking it, but I don't need to retreat as my next move demonstrates. }
8... Bc5 9. Qb5+
{ ?? This looks like a strong move but is a terrible that should'velost. I didn't see this until earlier today. But, this move should'velost the Q. The problem here is that my next move was played much tooquickly as that was the conditional move. }
9... c6
{ ?? As I was fixated onkicking his Q for tempo gain. I generally agree with ION that when yousee a good move, just play it. As I generally don't follow that, 'Whenyou see a good move, look for something better.' It just didn't fit mystyle, but now that I think of it, I need to that a lot more often. Thefirst reason is because this is what GM Susan Polgar emphasizes to herstudent. More importantly is because of what happened here. This wouldnormally be very good for what I mentioned since I'll use that time tocastle. But, there was something much better of the immeidate 9...Nxd5! While that's generally obvious, it was not in our game as it got overlooked. But, had I remembered that quote, I would not have missed that opportunityhere. }
10. Qd3 O-O 11. Nf3 { Carl wants to win my B.. } 11... dxe4
{ But, I hadbetter ideas since this forks appears powerful. It might not seem so,but we'll see the full affect with his next move. }
12. Nxe4
{ As this allowsme to pin his N. The only asset is what's about to occur. }
12... Re8 13. Nxd4
{ As I was not ready to exchange. But, it's certainly better then losingmaterial. }
13... Qxd4 14. O-O-O
{ ?? This loses. I'm surprised that Carl didn'tthink about what danger lies ahead. As GM Susan Polgar, 'You must askyourself what does my opponent want?' In this context, my goal was towin the N as it was en-prise. So, 14.f3 was the only way to protect it. }
14... Rxe4 15. f3
{ Now, Carl goes for an attack, as he is trying to win myR. But, I'm not going to allow counterplay here. }
15... Rf4 16. g3
{ Still tryingto win my R. But, I have better ideas. Being ahead, I decide to liquidateQueens. }
16... Qxd3 17. Bxd3 Be3+
{ I now give Carl a taste of his own medicine. He placed me in check much earlier, so I throw it all back. When he getsout, I'll take another pawn. }
18. Kb1 Rxf3 19. Rde1 { Centralizing his Rand trying to go after my B. } 19...
Be6 { That doesn't bother me since I takethe time to complete my development. }
20. Be4 { Carl attacks my R. But,I'm gonna fight back with my next move. }
20... Bf2 21. Re2 Re3
{ And, I attemptto liquidate R's. While Carl prevents that, I'll exchange B's, instead. }
22. Rxf2 Rxe4 23. Rd2
{ Trying to go for a K side attack. Carl's threatis 24.Rhd1-Rd8 where it won't be easy to drive. }
23... Kh7 { To prevent any nonsense,I start activating my K. } 24. h4
{ And, he tries to get a pawn chain. Theother idea behind this move is a semi open file which is known to be dangerous. I, however, am not bothered by this since I am the equivalent to a R up. }
24... Re8
{ And, that's when I decide to double up. Just like with both R's onthe seventh rank, they can be just as dangerous with two on one file. }
25. a4
{ I don't know why Carl played this. As this leaves his K vulnerable. My guess is trying to make more room for his K. But, if that's so, hecan do it because I have other ideas which are very dangerous. }
25... Bf5 { Asnow, I have full throttle attack. } 26. Ka2 g5
{ As I try to further weakenCarl's K side structure. The idea is that there is more pressure in thatarea. }
27. Rd6 { So, Carl attacks my pawn. } 27... R8e6
{ And, I attempt to liquidatefurther. } 28. Rd7
{ But, Carl declines by going after a couple of my pawns. } 28... Kg6
{ ? Similar to much earlier in the game, when I missed the opportunityto win his Q, this was played much too quickly. I say that because itwas too fast to consider any other move. My fixation wasn't on just protectinga pawn. More importantly, it was continuing to bring the K out with theidea of using it as a weapon. However, this move is going to give Carlback a pawn. Best was 28...Re7. Not only does this protect both pawns,but at the same time, it, once again, threatens to liquidate R's. }
29. Rxb7 Re1
{ Knowing what I did and seeing that my a7 is en-prise, I go rightafter his R. Once he protects, I exchange on h4. The idea is compromisingCarl's semi open file. That plan, however, is going to fail. So, wasthinking along the wrong lines. As I thought it would work, but I overlooka variation that it will make it fail. }
30. Rh2 gxh4 31. gxh4 Kh5
{ And,it's right here. That's due to his h pawn. Although it's not a passedpawn, it can become one. Plus, it is dangerous, as Carl could use thatpawn and his R, if I'm not careful. I thought that his threat would startoff with 32.h5+, and after 32...Kg5 while everything seems ok, black mightplan something like Rb7-b8-g8 with an overwhelming check. As those twoR's on adjacent files, coupled with that pawn are known to be dangerousas well. Even without a passed pawn, I could wind up in a lot of trouble. If that happens, there would be a possiblity of Carl pulling a swindleand winning a lost game. I was determined not to allow that, and therefore,stop any plans that he might have with his Rb7. I do this by blockinghis h4 pawn, even at the cost of a pawn. }
32. Rxf7 Kg6
{ And, this is alsoapplicable with what I said above. I did mention about the other R. Wellhe moved it to make that capture which is when I attacked it. But, I keptthat variation in mind which is why 32.Rxf7 was a conditional move as Ihad planned on Carl doing that to allow this. }
33. Rc7 h5
{ The other ideabehind that conditional move is that after he protected his R, I was goingto stop Carl's h pawn from advancing any further with his move. This isironic but up until here, this is how the game was played. On the nextmove, the position starts to become corrupt, so I speculate for a move. }
34. Rb7
{ ? What I know is that my a pawn was not on the 7th rank. In fact,I believe that it was on the 6th rank. I also know that the c2 pawn wasattacked, so regardless of what was actually played, Carl's best move was34.c4 or 34.c4. By leaving it attacked, I am going to win another pawn. }
34... Bxc2 35. Rb6
{ But, this is when the position became too corrupt to continue. What it looks like is that Carl made a terrible blunder here since I recorded35...axb6 with a win for black. It didn't exactly happen this way, butthe diagram isn't completely inaccurate. The only difference is the timing. That's because Carl blundered the same R in a similar way later in thegame. So, like here, this allowed me to get an additional R for free inthe actual game. When that happened, black resigned because he was toofar behind to continue. The only difference is here that I made it occurearlier then how it happened in the game because the position became toocorrupt to annotate any further, at this point. }
35... axb6 0-1
|
[Event "Malpas & Oswestry 2 2 - 2 Chester K"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "Thursday 7th March 2019"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Oliver Haugh"]
[Black "Prashanti Guruprasad"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "ECF 20"]
[TimeControl "All the moves in 1h15m"]
[WhiteElo "ECF est 30"]
1. g3
{ I was very pleased to see this win by my young player. Oli has onlybeen playing league chess since September, and really struggled with hisfirst few matches, often losing quickly, playing too fast. But he has sloweddown, thinking more about his moves, and has now won three out of his sixmatches in this league }
1... e5 { So Black sets up a pawn centre. } 2. Bg2
{ Olicompletes his fianchetto } 2... d5
{ Continuing in classical style, she sets upa good pawn centre. } 3. Nf3
{ Oli develops and attack e5. } 3... Nc6
{ Black protects.Not a bad move, but I prefer e5-e4 attacking the Nf3. } 4. d3
{ A good move,if now 4....e5-e4 white can exchange on e5 and then exchange queens - e4?5.dxe4dxe4 6.Qxd8+ and Kxd8? is strongly met by 7. Ng5! attacking f7and e4 and white has a small edge according to the chess computer Fritz }
4... Be6 { Sensible development by black. } 5. O-O { White castles } 5... Nf6
{ Anothersensible developing move, but as black I would have played 5...f6 followedby....Qd7 and .....0-0-0 }
6. Nc3
{ More development by white. This movehas been seen before, although usually this knight goes to d2 where itcan't be attacked by d5-d4 }
6... Bd6 { Black continues with her development. } 7. Nb5
{ Surprisingly, this logical move doesn't seem to be in my openingdatabases - 7. e4, 7. a3, 7. Bg5 and 7. Re1 have all been played before.I am not sure that any of them are better than 7. Nb5. Fritz actually likesNg5 in this position - a similar idea to Oliver's move. }
7... O-O { Black allowsthe exchange } 8. Nxd6 { So white correctly takes. }
8... Qxd6 { And black correctlytakes back with her queen. } 9. Bd2
{ Logical development by white. } 9... Ng4
{ A bit of a strange move by black. Fritz prefers 9....h6 } 10. Qe1
{ I amnot sure what white had in mind with this move. Maybe hoping advance e2-e4- I am uncertain. Fritz prefers 10. h3 or 10. Ng5 }
10... e4 { Black gets in first,playing a pawn to e4 before white can. } 11.
dxe4 { So white takes. } 11... dxe4 { Black takes back. } 12. Bf4
{ A clever move by white attacking the blackqueen } 12... Qd7
{ The queen drops back. } 13. Rd1
{ White attacks the black queenagain. There is an interesting queen sacrifice in this position - 13.....exf314.Rxd7fxg2 and black attacks both the rook on d7 and the rook on f1.White does best to continue with 15. Rxc7 gxf1=Q+ with queen and pawn againstrook, knight and bishop, the position is evenly balanced. }
13... Qe7 { But blackavoids that } 14. Ng5
{ Black is now attacking e4 twice, with knight andbishop. } 14... Bf5
{ This is logical, the e pawn is now protected twice, by bishopand queen. Fritz suggests the interesting move 14...e4-e3 here. }
15. f3
{ Logical again, attacking the knight on g4. Fritz likes the moves 15. h3,15. Qc3 and 15. Rd5 here. }
15... Ne3
{ Up to now neither side has made any seriousmistakes and have played sensibly and the position is even. This move howeveris a blunder, just throwing away a knight. }
16. Bxe3 { Which white gratefullytakes. } 16... Nb4
{ An interesting move, attacking pawns on a2 and c2. } 17. Qf2
{ Which white parries with a threat of his own - 18. Bc5 is threatened,skewering the queen and the rook behind it and also attacking the Nb4 }
17... Rfd8 { Which black defends against. } 18. Nxh7
{ And now it is white's turnto blunder, just giving away a knight exactly as black had done a few movesago. }
18... Bxh7
{ And now it is black's turn to gratefully take a knight witha bishop. } 19.
Bc5 { White reverts to his former plan, forking queen andknight. } 19... e3
{ This is a class move by black, and clearly the best move inthis position. Black saves the knight by sacrificing a pawn. }
20. Bxe7 { So white takes. } 20... exf2+
{ Black takes back with check. OK, so do you recapturewith king or rook? } 21.
Kxf2 { Of course! If 21. Rxf2?? Rxd1! } 21... Bxc2
{ Thisis the third blunder of the game, just throwing away a rook. Maybe blackwas thinking, 'If he takes my rook with his bishop, I can take his rookwith my bishop. But even in that situation white can take the bishop withhis rook and be a bishop up. But there is a better move for white. }
22. Rxd8+
{ and that is this - black is a whole rook up now - as well as theextra pawn he has. }
22... Rxd8 { So black takes the rook. } 23. Bxd8 { White takesback. } 23... Nc6
{ Black just throws away another pawn. Either 23....Nxa2 or 23....c7-c6are better }
24. Bxc7 { Which white gratefully accepts. } 24... Nb4
{ By returningto b4 black is just wasting time. Having said that, her position is veryhard anyway. }
25. Bd6 { White attacks the knight } 25... Nxa2 { The knight takesthe pawn. }
26. Ra1 { White attacks the knight. It has no save squares itcan go to. } 26...
Bb3 { But luckily for black, there is one way she can defendit. } 27. Bc5
{ White attacks a pawn. } 27... b6 { Black attacks and defends! } 28. Bd6
{ So now it is white's turn to waste a move. } 28... a6 { Pawn advances. } 29.
f4
{ But this pawn advance frees the Bg2. White has a strong plan up hissleeve! }
29... b5 { Black nudges forward a pawn again. } 30. Be4
{ This is thesecond move of the plan. The bishop is coming round to b1 to attack theNh2. It shouldn't actually win the knight because when gets to b1 the knightthen has the c1 square, as the Bishop on b1 blocks the rook's control ofc1. Unfortunately I can't make sense of the score-sheet after this point,but the game ended soon after this point, with white winning. White hasa huge advantage in this position, being rook and pawn up. }
1-0
|
[Event "Who needs a queen"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2016.01.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "easy19"]
[Black "milly64"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "935"]
[TimeControl "5 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "2274"]
1. e4
{ The title of the game 'Who needs a queen' . I was not sure whowas going to lose a queen but I would soon find out. White opened withKings pawn to e4. }
1... f5
{ I decided to play using the Dutch defence. I wasintending to move my g knight out to f6. }
2. Qh5+ { White moved his queendown to check my king at h5. } 2... g6
{ I stopped the check by moving my g pawnto block the queen and protect my f pawn. }
3. Bd3 { White developed hisLB out to d3. } 3... gxh5
{ I took the queen with my g pawn. Now I found outwho was going to lose their queen. However this has given me doubled pawnson my h file which obviously means I cannot safely cast on the king side. I don't think I would have chosen to take the queen in this position butif I get a chance to take a queen then I would mostly likely do so. }
4. exf5 Nf6
{ Now white takes the pawn I was offering at the start which providesa place for my knight to reside and stops the pawns advance. }
5. Nf3 { Whitedevelops his knight to f3 and prepares to castle. } 5... d6
{ I move my pawn tod6 and this allows my LB to be pointed at white's pawn on f5 and stopsf3 knight from moving onto e5. }
6. O-O
{ White castles. White looks likelyto move his rook onto the e file which only has my undeveloped e7 pawnand the king still on his spot. }
6... c5
{ I continue to add to my pawn chainwith the move c5. I wonder if e5 would have been a better move as it wouldstop white from using the e6 square to place his pieces and limit my scopefor attack. }
7. Nc3
{ White develops his b knight to c3. White's bishopis looking happy with itself as it is currently at d3 and has access to2 diagonals to a6 and h7. }
7... Bxf5
{ For some reason I now decide to capturethe pawn at f5 and in consequence lose my LB to white. }
8. Bxf5
{ Whitecaptures my LB. Actually this may be fair in the circumstances since whitegave me his queen its only fair I give him something back. But there isnothing for the LB to attack so this may be returning to its previous goodposition but I suppose its here so it might as well stay and cause me difficultiesin moving my pieces out. }
8... Rg8
{ I move my rook out to the half open g fileas my doubled pawns are both protected by the knight at f6. }
9. d3
{ Whitemoves his d pawn to d3 to allow his DB access to the diagonal to h6. }
9... Nc6
{ I develop my b knight to c6 trying to get my pieces out on the queen sideso I can long castle. }
10. Be6
{ Now that pesky LB moves to the spot whichI in future will try to fill with my own pieces before my opponent getsin them. He is now pointed at my rook on g8. }
10... Rg7
{ So I bring my rookout to g7 as there is nothing for me to attack at present and white hassome squares on the g file protected. }
11. h3
{ White pushes the h pawnout to h3. This stops my f knight from landing on g4 plus the e6 bishopis also protecting this square. }
11... d5
{ I push my d pawn out to d5 this isprotected by f6 knight and the queen. It is threatening to move up tod4 and attack the c3 knight. The pawn also hems in the LB on e6 on onediagonal. }
12. Re1
{ The white rook is moved across to e1 to take controlof this file and protect the LB. The king is still on his spot. }
12... d4
{ NowI push my d pawn and threaten to capture the d3 knight although I am inthe reach of the f3 knight. I have 2 protectors in the c5 pawn and thec6 knight. }
13. Ne2
{ The knight retreats back to e2. This was probablya good time for me to bring out my queen but I think I was worried aboutthe LB at e6. }
13... Nb4
{ I decide to move my c3 knight into an area where itcan cause a bit of concern to white. }
14. Bb3
{ White's LB also decidesto move to b3 to protect pawns that are in the firing line. I see thatwas one way of removing the pesky LB. I should now try to fill that hole. }
14... Qd6
{ I now bring my queen out to allow me to long castle. My queen isprotecting 4 pieces in the position she has come out to and has a diagonalwhich she can control. }
15. Nf4
{ I should have taken that knight on f4but I wanted to castle and get my king out of the way. You know what willhappen next. }
15... O-O-O
{ I castle. Great at last its done my king is safewell just peaking out a little bit. I still have my DB blocked in at f8so I need to move that pawn at e7 soon as I need to double up my rooks. }
16. Ne6
{ Oh no now I have white's knight on the e6 square which I wantedto make sure my opponent could not use. The knight is threatening to capturemy rook or my LB but I am unable to take with my queen as the rook at e1is waiting to pick up the queen. The rook has the king and queen to protectit but the DB has no protection. }
16... Nbd5
{ So back comes my knight to d5 whichwas not really doing anything at b4 so now it is paired up with the knightat f6 and they can see off any attacks on either of them. }
17. Bg5
{ White'sDB is developed out to g5 and attacking my knight at f6 which is protectedby the pawn at e7, queen at d6 and kngiht at d5. }
17... Rg8
{ I decide to movemy rook back to g8 to allow my DB to be developed and as this is my onlybishop I do not wish to trade it off with the DB lurking at g5. }
18. Nxd8 Qxd8
{ Knight takes my rook and queen retakes the knight. I am not sureI wanted my queen on the back row again but I did not want to take withmy king as this would make him more exposed. }
19. Re5
{ White moves hisrook up to e5 and I have nothing to defend this move. No doubt he willmove his 'a' rook and double up his rooks on the e file. I now see thatwithout my queen at d6 this move was on the cards. So I should have takenwith my king instead. }
19... Qc7
{ I move my queen to c7 now threatening the rookwhich is protected by the knight. }
20. Rae1
{ And as expected 'a' rook movesalong to e1 and it looks like white is getting ready for a battle. I thoughtI had a good defence on this file as I have a pawn at e7 which is protectedby d5 knight and the queen and DB. Maybe I was putting too much weighton my pawn's shoulders. }
20... Rg7
{ Now I also bring in my rook to g7 so now4 defenders of this pawn as I saw it. But of course this may not havebeen the object of white's threat. }
21. Bxd5
{ And the LB slips in fromb3 and takes my d5 knight. One of my defenders gone. }
21... Nxd5 { So I takethe LB with my f knight. } 22. Rxd5
{ Rook captures my knight at d5 now attackingthe square next to my king d8 with the queen protecting this. There isa pawn in front of my king at b5 which may be useful square to take. }
22... Qb6
{ I move my queen to b6 defending the pawn at c5 and the 6th file plus d8square should the rook decide to take that square on but unlikely. Apartfrom 1 pawn at h5 my pieces are all working together. }
23. Ree5
{ Now therook at e1 comes down to e5 and joins his pal on d5. Nothing to defendthis move with. }
23... Rf7
{ I now decide to move my rook to f7 protecting mybishop and still protecting the pawns on e7 and h7. The rook was threateningthe DB at g5 but this was protected by the f3 knight so I don't feel thatmoving the rook made a lot of difference here. }
24. Rxc5+
{ D rook movesto take pawn at c5 but I did not want to risk my queen as e5 rook wouldhave taken and it would still have been check. }
24... Qc6 { I move my queento prevent check to c6 protected by b7 pawn. } 25.
Nxd4
{ White's knightcaptures pawn at d4 and is now threatening queen at c6 who is unable tomove because she is now pinned. }
25... Kd7
{ So king moves to d7 to unpin thequeen and avoid getting stick at the back. }
26. Nxc6 { Knight capturesqueen. } 26... bxc6
{ B7 pawn takes knight which cannot be taken as king is nowprotecting the pawn. }
27. Ra5
{ C rook moves to a5 ready to take a7 pawnwhich will put king in check. } 27...
Kd6
{ King moves up to d6 threatening totake d5 rook if a5 rook moves off 5th row. }
28. Bd2
{ DB moves to d2 inorder to access king from the queen side of the board as the e rook isblocking access to the king. }
28... e6
{ I move pawn to e6 leaving my rook toprotect the a7 pawn if taken by a rook I will take back. }
29. Bb4+
{ DBputs king in check and king will need to retreat back to 7th row whichwill mean my rook is redundant. }
29... Kd7 30. Rxa7+ { So rook takes my a7 pawnand checks the king. } 30... Ke8
{ King retreats to e8 to take cover behind pawnat e5 and with bishop alongside at f8. }
31. Rxe6+ { E rook moves to e6 andtakes pawn and checks king. } 31... Be7
{ I move DB up to e7 to stop check butwhite's 2nd rook is at a7. Looks like trouble }
32. Bxe7
{ And of courseDB comes in to save day and pinches my DB but I will have revenge. }
32... Rxe7
{ I take DB with my f rook. Now its just me and my rook against him andhis 2 rooks. }
33. Rexe7+ { White captured my rook and checked me at e7. } 33... Kf8
{ I stepped out of check onto f8. } 34. Reb7
{ E rook moved to b7 gettingfurther away from the king so I didn't interfere with the play. }
34... c5 35. Ra8#
{ My king was only able to move along the row so I moved my c pawnwaiting for the inevitable checkmate. (In this game I think I got toput up a bit of a fight compared to my last game with easy19 but I shouldhave as I did have a queen and he didn't. 1) Try not to create an outpostfor your opponent to put their pieces. 2) I think I missed a chance onmove 15. Instead of castling I should have moved my b knight to d5 readyto take on the knight and there would have been a bit of a fight. Theonly thing is then my king would have been in the middle. ) }
1-0
|
[Event "Vilnius, Balti tsooniturniir 1993"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Lauk, U."]
[Black "Sepp, O."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2390"]
[WhiteElo "2410"]
{ 57/338 } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7 7. c3
Nxe4 8. d4 Na5 9. Nxe5 Nxb3 10. Qxb3 Nd6 11. c4
{ Alternative variation:11. Re1 [- 57/(338)] } 11... Qf6
{ N Alternative variation: 11... bxc4 [- 47/(415)]Alternative variation: 11... f6 [Mikhalchishin,A] }
12. Nc3
{ Alternativevariation: 12. c5 Nf5 13. Bg5 Qe6 (13... Nxd4 14. Bxf6 Nxb3 15. Re1 gxf616. Ng6+ Be7 17. Nxe7 Nxa1 18. Ng6+ Kd8 19. Nxh8 Bd5 20. Nc3 Nc2 21. Re2Nb4 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 23. Nxf7+ Kc8 ) }
12... Qe6 13. Nd5 { Alternative variation:13. Re1 bxc4 14. Qd1 O-O-O } 13...
O-O-O 14. Nf4 Qe8 15. c5 Nf5 16. Be3 f6 17. Nf7 g5 18. Nxd8 Kxd8 19. Nd3 Nh4
{ Alternative variation: 19... Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Qe4+ 21. f3 (21. Kg1 Qg4+) 21... Nxe3+ 22. Kh1 Qxd4 23. Rfe1 $14 Alternativevariation: 19... Nxe3 20. fxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Nf2 Qxd4 22. Rad1 Qc4 $13 }
20. Bxg5
{ Alternative variation: 20. Ne1 Bxg2 21. Bxg5 $1 (21. Nxg2 $2 Nf3+22. Kh1 Qh5 23. h4 Qg4 $19) 21... Bxf1 22. Bxh4 Bc4 23. Qf3 Rg8+ 24. Bg3Qe6 $13 }
20... fxg5 21. Rfe1
{ Alternative variation: 21. Ne5 Kc8 22. Nf7 Rg823. Rfe1 Be7 24. Nd6+ cxd6 25. cxd6 $13 }
21... Be7 22. Ne5 Rf8 23. c6
{ Alternativevariation: 23. a4 d6 $1 24. cxd6 (24. axb5 $2 dxe5 25. c6 Bxc6 26. bxc6Qxc6 27. f3 exd4 $17) 24...Bxd6 25. axb5 axb5 $13 }
23... dxc6 24. Rac1 Rf6 25. Qc3 Qf8 26. Re2 Ng6 27. Nxg6
{ Alternative variation: 27. Qh3 Bc8 28. Qe3(28. Qxh7 Nf4 [/\ Bf5-+]) 28... Nf4 29. Rec2 Bb7 30. Nxc6+ Bxc6 31. Rxc6Rxc6 32. Rxc6 Qf5 $17 }
27... Rxg6 28. Rce1 Rg7 29. Re6 Bc8 30. R6e4
{ Alternativevariation: 30. Rxc6 Bb4 } 30... Bd7 31. Qb3 Bd6 32. a4 Re7 33.
Rxe7 Bxe7 34. axb5 axb5 35. Qa2 Bc8 36. Qa8 Qf6 37. d5 Bc5 38. Re2 Qd6
{ Alternative variation:38...Qd4 $5 } 39. Qxc6 Qxc6 40. dxc6 Bd6 41. f3 b4 42.
g3 Ba6 43. Rc2 Bd3 44. Rd2 Bg6 45. Kf2 Ke7 46. Re2+ Kf6 47. Ke1 Bf7 0-1
|
[Event "Applying steady pressure like Steinitz."]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "20 July 2006"]
[Round "-"]
[White "XHP"]
[Black "Lecce_wulf"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2200"]
[WhiteElo "2250"]
{ B11: Caro-Kann, 2 Knights Variation. } 1. e4 c6
{ Ah, the Caro-Kann, a favouriteof Karpov's... and of mine when I was at university. }
2. Nc3 { d4 is normalbut both Nc3 and c4 are better suited to blitz games. }
2... d5 3. Nf3 { Againd4 is standard. } 3... Bg4 { dxe4 is another option. } 4.
h3 Bxf3 { Bh5 is alsoplayable. } 5. Qxf3 e6 { Nf6 is another choice. } 6. d4
{ d3 is possible. } 6... dxe4
{ Nf6 is probably better. However dxe4 (a rare continuation) was playedby World Champion Max Euwe in Venice in 1948 and he went on to win in 25moves. It was also played in Smyslov - Chandler (1981), a draw in 38 moves. }
7. Qxe4 { Follows the Smyslov - Chandler game, but Nxe4 looks better. } 7...
Nf6 8. Qd3 { Continues to follow Smyslov - Chandler. Qe3 might be better. }
8... Bb4
{ Leaves Smyslov - Chandler, which continued with the quieter Nbd7.Bb4 is a natural move, developing the bishop and allowing 0-0. }
9. Bg5 { Maybe Be2, also allowing 0-0, is better. } 9... O-O
{ Qa5 looks an interestingpossibility here. } 10. a3 Bxc3+
{ Be7 certainly looks better. Now it willbe a classic battle of knights v. bishops! White, however, is behind indevelopment. }
11. bxc3
{ White returns the favour, playing a poor move.Opening a line here seems pointless, even with Black's queen's bishop offthe board. The obvious Qxc3 is better. }
11... Nbd7 12. Be2 Qa5 { The only option.h6 is too passive. } 13. Bd2 Rad8 14.
O-O Nc5
{ Black is using his advanceddevelopment to push for an advantage and force white's pieces to retreat. }
15. Qc4 { Qe3 looks better. } 15... Nce4
{ Forcing the bishop to retreat evenfurther. } 16. Be1 Qc7
{ Switching the focus to the king's side } 17. Bf3 Ng5
{ b5 looks attractive but weakens the pawn structure and could givewhite's rook scope on the b-file for a counterattack. }
18. Qe2 { Signs theexecution papers for his own bishop. Be2 is better. } 18...
Nxf3+ { Playing c5directly is an option. } 19. Qxf3 c5 20. Rb1
{ Looks a natural move but itis easily refuted. 20.dxc5 Qxc5 21.Qxb7 is better. }
20... b6
{ Blocking off anyhopes of a counter. 20. ... cxd4? hands the advantage to white after 21.Rxb7Qc8 22.cxd4 }
21. dxc5 Qxc5 22. Rb4 a5 { Nd5 is playable. } 23. Rb3 b5
{ Removinga possible target for White's bishop. } 24. Qg3 { Qf4 looks better. }
24... Qc4 { Blocking the advance of white's weak doubled pawns. } 25. Qg5
{ Pointlessand easily refuted. White is running out of ideas. Possible was 25.f3 preventingNe4. }
25... Rd5 26. Qc1 { Another retreat. Qe3 was better. } 26... Rc8 27. Bd2
{ Highlightingwhite's passivity. } 27... Ne4 28. Be3
{ Retreating back to e1 is just too depressing. } 28... Nxc3
{ The dam is starting to crack.... } 29. Kh1
{ And now it bursts completely.White throws in the towel. Qa1 was the only option. }
29... Rcd8 30. Rg1 Rd1 31. Qb2
{ The only way to try and survive the onslaught is 31.Rxc3 Rxc1 32.Rxc4Rxg1 33.Kxg1 Rd1 34.Kh2 bxc4 35.Kg3 }
31... Rxg1+ 32. Kxg1
{ 32.Kh2 leads tomate in 4: 32. ... Qf1 33.Kg3 Qxg2 34.Kh4 g5 35.Bxg5 Qxg5 mate. }
32... Qf1+ { A decisive move which breaks any final resistance. } 33. Kh2
{ If 33.Kxf1Rd1 checkmate! } 33... Ne2 { Threatening Qg1 mate. } 34. h4
{ Mate in 4 is now certain.Qb1 was one last desperate chance to resist the inevitable, but fails after34. ... Rd1, forcing the exchange of the queen for the rook. }
34... Qg1+ 35. Kh3 Qh1+ 36. Kg4 Qxg2+ 37. Kh5 Qg6#
{ If I may be so bold, this game remindsme of the style of applying steady pressure indicative of Steinitz, whosegames I was studying at the time. }
0-1
|
[Event "Tangled Tango"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.02.02"]
[Round "-"]
[White "bwaa"]
[Black "gotschall"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1736"]
[TimeControl "7 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1733"]
1. e4
{ Hello folks, in a deviation from my recent string of Benoni games,here comes a good old-fashioned Sicilian. As Fred Reinfeld writes, thegame quickly becomes 'an all-out struggle' in a very complicated position.Enjoy! }
1... c5 2. Nc3
{ I choose the Closed Sicilian, because I'm trying tolearn the Grand Prix on the White side of the board. }
2... Nc6 3. f4 e6 4. Nf3 Nf6
{ It's more usual for Black to develop with ...g6 and ...Bg7, sinceWhite tends to get a very strong hold in the center. This is certainlyfine, though. }
5. e5
{ ?! Not many games in the database for this move,but I had recently had success against another player with this setup andI wanted to see if it was just a fluke. }
5... Ng8
{ The one game in the WorldDB with this line continues 6.Bb5 d5 7.exd6 e.p. Qxd6 8.Ne5 Bd7 9.Nxd7Qxd7 10.O-O and Black managed to hold a draw through a very complex endgame. }
6. Bb5 a6
{ I like 6...d5 better. White is likely to trade this Bishopfor the Nc6 anyway; there's no need to provoke it right away. }
7. Bxc6 dxc6 8. O-O
{ White is castled and has two pieces on the field. Black iscramped and has nothing developed--I don't envy his position here. }
8... g6 9. d3 Ne7
{ ?! Black opened up a spot on g7 for his Bishop, so he shouldplace his Bishop there. The text allows White to activate his Knight withforce: }
10. Ne4 { Threatening both the pawn on c5 and (!!) instant matewith Nf6! }
10... Ng8
{ The Knight retreats to guard f6; the only way to avertboth threats. } 11. Qe1
{ This move is thematic in the GPA; White's Queenprepares to shift over to f2, g3, or h4 to aid in the kingside attack. }
11... f5
{ ! I like this move quite a lot. Black's kingside is very exposed,of course, and he still has zero developed pieces, but this move kicksthe Ne4 as well as controlling g4, and if White takes en passant, 12.exf6e.p. Nxf6 frees Black's position immensely, though at the cost of a weakenedpawn structure. }
12. Neg5
{ I think 12.exf6 e.p. was playable here, butI wanted to go for the invasion and keep Black as crammed as possible.Plus, I was having delusions of getting my other Knight to d4 and tryingto win the e6 pawn. }
12... h6
{ Yet another pawn move, but it seems natural.Black's kingside is a prickly wall of just-barely-defended soldiers. }
13. Nh3
{ An unfortunate place for the Knight, but perhaps a well-timedg2-g4 could break open Black's shell eventually. }
13... Be7
{ Black quickly putsa stop to White's idea of playing Nh4 to threaten the g-pawn. }
14. Qg3
{ I did a lot of thinking before this move, but eventually decided to gowith it because it messes with Black's position even more. The only satisfactoryway to defend the pawn is ...Kf7. }
14... Kf7
{ Around here, my opponent declaredthat it would be a miracle if he survived at all! While I agree that Black'sposition certainly leaves a lot to be desired, I don't know if it's quitethat bad yet. White needs reinforcements of some kind if he's going tobreak Black's resistance. As I have the spacial advantage, I look for away to switch flanks to take advantage of my superior mobility. }
15. Be3
{ This seems like the most reasonable choice to me. It blocks off the diagonalto my King (though I'd like to get him to h1 soon anyway), attacks c5 tooverwork the Be7, and connects my Rooks. }
15... Rh7
{ Black's kingside is gnarly,but it's still a tough nut to crack. The Knight can't move, but the Rookcan still be brought up to defend g6. Meanwhile, White needs to reorganizehis own forces to make them useful again. }
16. c4
{ ? It took me a longtime to decide on this move, and in the end I overlooked the obvious. Theintention was to prepare for d3-d4(-d5), but I completely oversaw thatBlack can simply take the now-defenseless pawn at d3! Worse, after 16...Qxd3,White is suddenly hard-pressed to defend both his Be3 and the pawn on c4.The only compensation is that the Queen will no longer support the Blackdark-squared Bishop, and White may be able to gain time with Rad1 at somepoint. }
16... Qxd3 { Black makes his first incursion into White's half of theboard. }
17. Bf2
{ By keeping the Bishop pointed at c5, White hopes to discourage...Qxc4 (which could be answered by Rc1). Perhaps 17.Qf2 would have accomplishedthe same thing, while placing the WQ in a more useful location. }
17... Qd8
{ Blackretreats after snatching a pawn and opening the d-file. I think the Queencould have still taken on c4, but the position is unclear. }
18. Rad1 { Whitegrabs the open file. } 18... Qe8 19. Kh1
{ This shift makes room for White piecesto use g1--White's kingside is badly tangled, and needs some serious unraveling. }
19... Bd7 20. Nhg1
{ Intending Nh4 and Ngf3, but probably a queenside switchwould have been better: White has more space, so he should use it to createattacks on both flanks that Black can't adequately respond to, insteadof hitting where Black is already fortified. }
20... Rd8
{ Black prepares to challengethe open file (and relieves his Queen from her defense of the Bd7). Luckyfor White, Black's position is just as tangled as his. }
21. Nh4
{ Probably21.Ne2 was better, to begin a queenside mobilization. The text invites21...g5, gaining some space and hitting the weak f4 pawn with tempo. }
21... Bxh4
{ Trades make it easier for Black to defend. I do think 21...g5 wasplayable here. }
22. Qxh4 b6 { Propping up the weak c5 pawn. } 23. Nf3
{ Whitebrings his Knight back into play and frees g1 for a Rook. } 23... Kg7
24. Rg1 Ne7
{ Daring White to play 25.Qf6+ Kg8, which looks more dangerous thanit really is. }
25. g4 { White pushes for an open line against the BlackKing. } 25... Kh8
{ Black dodges out of the way. } 26. Rg3
{ ? This is where Whitereally starts to go astray, I think. I made this move with the intent tomove Rh3 and bear down on the h-file, but it had been much better to simplyproceed with the original plan and break open the g-file with 26.gxf5,where 26...Nxf5 can be met with 27.Qf6+ Rg7 28.Rxg6 Qxg6 29.Qxd8+. }
26... Qg8
{ ? Black should have taken on g4 immediately, to half-open the f-file againstWhite's backward f-pawn. Moreover, this move prevents the BQ from defendingg6 down the e8-h5 diagonal, so that when White plays Qf6+, Black must respondwith ...Qg7 rather than ...Rg7 (if Black interposes with the Rook, gxf5Nxf5 Rxg6 is very strong). After ...Qg7, White has g4-g5, creating a strongpoint and eventual passed pawn on f6, and allowing (eventually) a Knightto jump in on e5, striking at all of Black's weaknesses. }
27. Rh3
{ ? Iwas too preoccupied with my flawed plan, and couldn't see how strong 27.Qf6+was here, but that was the correct move. }
27... fxg4 { Black short-circuits theWhite attack. } 28. Qxg4
{ Things still look pretty strong for White, butit's not at all clear if his attack can accomplish anything decisive. }
28... Nf5 29. Nh4 g5
{ Black puts the question to White: exchange or no? Of courseWhite isn't really threatening f5, since Nxf5 exf5 would gain tempo forBlack. The real threat is Ng6+ once the g-file is open. }
30. fxg5
{ Thisseemed prudent. Black doesn't want to recapture with his h-pawn, as it'sneeded to defend his King, and he mustn't recapture with his Queen becauseof a deep combination that wins a piece for White... }
30... Qxg5
{ ?? All ofWhite's wildest dreams have come true. I believe this *should* win forWhite now, thanks to the Knight check on g6 and the unprotected statusof Black's Rd8. Black needed to play 30...Nxh4 here, because now Whitehas: 31.Qxg5 hxg5 32.Ng6+ Kg2 33.Rxh7+! Kxh7 34.Rxd7+! Rxd7 Nf8+ and Whiteregains the Rook, with an extra Bishop to his name. Unfortunately... }
31. Qe4
{ ?? I had gone on vacation around this time, and completely forgottenabout the combination I was to play in this position. Now Black has timeto consolidate on the open g file with ...Rg8. }
31... Qh5 32. Rdd3
{ ? 32.Rhd3was better; the text indicates how fixated I still was on the kingsideattack. }
32... Rg8 33. Be1
{ Still thinking about this Kingside attack and notat all about defense, I was planning to relocate to d2 or c3, but I overlooked... }
33... Rg4 { ...Rg4. Now it's Black with a strong attack. } 34. Ng2
{ ?? Thisis the final mistake. My Queen trade offer comes too late; necessary was34.Qf3. Now Black picks up an extra Rook. }
34... Qxh3
{ 0-1. After 35.Rxh3 Rxe4,Black's lead is insurmountable, so White resigns. Many thanks to gotschallfor this great back-and-forth game! I hope you enjoyed reading it; commentsare much appreciated! }
0-1
|
[Event "Challenge from wrytry"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.08.27"]
[Round "-"]
[White "wrytry"]
[Black "ghyltarvoke"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1457"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1257"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 { Best 2. ... Nc6 } 3. Nxe5 fxe5 { Best 3. ... Qe7 } 4. Qh5+
Ke7 { Best 4. ... g6 } 5. Qxe5+ Kf7 6. Bc4+ d5 7. Bxd5+ Kg6 8. h4
{ ComputerAnalysis Move } 8... h5 { Computer Analysis Move } 9. Bxb7
{ Computer Analysis Move } 9... Bd6
{ Computer Analysis Move Continues: 10. Qa5 Bb4 11. Qxb4 Bxb7 12. Qxb7Nd7 13. d4 Qb8 14. Qxb8 Rxb8 15. OO }
10. Qa5 Bb4 11. Qd5 { Best 11. Qxb4 } 11... Qxd5 12. Bxd5 c6 13. Bc4 Nf6 14. e5
Nfd7 15. f4 Ba6 16. Bxa6 Nxa6 17. O-O Bc5+ 18. Kh2 Rhf8 19. e6 { Best 19. d4 }
19... Nb6 { Best 19. ... Ne5 } 20. Nc3 { Best20. d4 } 20... Bd6
{ Best 20. ... Nb4 } 21. d3 Rae8 22. Kh3 Rxe6 23. Ne4 Nd5 24. g4 Bxf4
{ Best 24. ... Nxf4+ } 25. gxh5+ Kxh5 26. Ng3+ { Best 26. c4 } 26... Kg6 27.
Kg4 { Best 27. c4 } 27... Ref6 28. h5+ Kh7 29. Ne4 R6f7 30. Ng5+ Bxg5 31. Rxf7
Rxf7 32. Kxg5 { Best 32. Bxg5 } 32... Rf1 33. c4 { Best 33. a3 } 33... Ne3
{ Best 33. ...Ndb4 } 34. a3 { Best 34. Bxe3 } 34... Nc2 35. Rb1 Nc5
{ I'm aiming for 36. ... Nb337. ... Nd2 If 36. b3/b4 Nxd3 } 36. b4 Nxd3 37. b5
cxb5 38. cxb5 Nxa3 { Best38. ... Nd4 } 39. Rb3 Nxb5 { Best 39. ... Rg1+ } 40.
Bb2 { Best 40. Be3 } 40... Nxb2 { Best 40. ... Rg1+ } 41. Rxb5 Rf7
{ Best 41. ... Nc4 } 42. Rxb2 a5
{ I wantto play 43. ... Ra7 44. ... a4 45. ... Ra5 } 43. Ra2 Ra7
{ Depending on WHITE'Smove I may play 44. ... Ra6 } 44. Ra4 Ra6 45. Kf5 Kh6 46.
Kg4 Kh7 47. Kg5 Kg8 48. Kf5 Kf7 49. Kg5 Ke6 50. Kg6 Ra7 51. h6 { Best 51. Kg5 }
51... gxh6 52. Kxh6 Kd5 53. Kg6 Kc5 54. Ra1 a4 55. Kf5 { Best 55. Rc1+ } 55...
Kd4 { Best 55. ...a3 } 56. Ra3 Kc4 57. Ke4 { Best 57. Kf6 } 57... Kb4 58. Rd3
a3 59. Rd4+ Kc3
{ 60.Rd3 Kc2 61. Ke3 Re7+ 62. Kf2/Kf3/Kf4 Kxd3 and 60. Rd3+ Kc2 61. Kd4 Rd7+62. Kc4/Kc5/Ke3/Ke4/Ke5 Rxd3 would both have lost WHITE his Rook }
60. Rd1 a2 61. Ke3 a1=Q 62. Rxa1 Rxa1 63. Ke4 Rd1
{ 64. Ke3 Re1+ 64. Ke5 Kc4 64.Kf3/Kf4/Kf5 Re1 } 64. Ke5 Kc4 65. Ke4 Re1+ 66.
Kf5 Kd4 67. Kf4 Rf1+ 68. Kg4 Ke5 69. Kg3 Rf8 70. Kg4 Rf7 71. Kg5 Rg7+
{ 72. Kh4 Kf5 72. Kh5 Kf5 72.Kh6 Rg1 } 72. Kh4 Kf5 73. Kh5 Rh7# 0-1
|
[Event "The Grob - SO vs. SOE III"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Someone"]
[Black "Someone else"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1200"]
[WhiteElo "1200"]
{ This time, Someone is trying the grob, a seldom used and unusual openingused against greedy players (did I mention Someone else was feeling greedytoday?). }
1. b4 { The first move, which is used to try and make the playertake it. } 1...
e5 { Someone else sees an unprotected pawn, so goes for it. } 2. Bb2
{ Someone lets greedy Someone else have the pawn. } 2... Bxb4
{ Greedy Someoneelse takes the pawn. } 3. f4
{ Now, if greedy Someone else is feeling reallygreedy, he will capture the pawn and lose his own pawn and a rook. }
3... exf4 { Someone else is really greedy today! } 4. Bxg7
{ Now Someone gets the pawn,and in the next move a rook. } 4... f6
{ Someone else gasps and tries to blockin the bishop... } 5. Bxh8
{ ...Who takes Someone else's rook. } 5... Nh6
{ Someoneelse is going to try to get the bishop now. } 6. a3
{ Threatens bishop inorder to open up the queen and bishop. } 6... Bc5
{ Someone else retreats onesquare. } 7. d4 { Only to be threatened again. }
7... Bd6 { He retreats one squareagain. } 8. Qd2
{ Pushes up queen to play e3, opening up the bishop. } 8... Kf7
{ Greedy Someone else threatens the bishop, who is trapped. } 9. Bxf6
{ Thetrapped bishop receives a pawn. } 9... Qxf6 { And is taken by the queen. }
10. Nf3 { Developing. } 10... Nc6 { Someone else develops as well. } 11. e3
{ Opens upthe bishop. } 11... fxe3 { Someone else accepts the swap. } 12. Qxe3
{ And Someonetakes back. } 12... Bf8
{ Someone else moves back to maybe double up the diagonalwith queen. } 13. Nc3
{ Someone develops his other knight. } 13... Qe6
{ Someoneelse wants to swap queens, as someone's queen is stopping someone else'sking to a safe position. }
14. Ne5+ { But Someone doesn't want to swap queens... } 14... Kg8
{ ...And as stupid as his move is, someone else doesn't want to swap knights. }
15. Bc4 { And he doesn't have to, he'll lose a queen instead. } 15... Qxc4
{ Atthis point, someone else resigned. } 1-0
|
[Event "Team match"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "guerre"]
[Black "vegamc"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1475"]
[WhiteElo "1474"]
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e5 5. Nf3 Nf6
{ Nc6 is more common,and better } 6. Bc4 Bc5 7. Nxe5 O-O 8. Nxf7
{ a bit early for this trade,castling is better here } 8... Rxf7 9. Bxf7+ Kxf7
10. e5 Ne8 { Qe7 was the play } 11. Qd5+ Ke7 12. Qxc5+
{ Qg8 wins more quickly } 12... d6 13. Nd5+ { Bg5 or exd6 are better here }
13... Ke6
{ he should have retreated his king to f7 by now,and has passed up multiple opportunities to do so }
14. exd6 { Qc4 is better } 14... Na6 15. Nf4+ Kd7 { again Kf7 is better } 16.
Qe5 { perhaps Qb5 , then castle? Should lead to material gain } 16... Nb4
{ needed to take on d6 } 17. Qe6+ Kc6 18. Qc4+ Kxd6 19. Qxb4+ Kc7 20. O-O Qg5
21. Nd5+
{ Ne6 IS far superior,but overall my comments are only advocating better winning moves. Apartfrom move 8, very well played by Nick }
1-0
|
[Event "I got a lesson"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2014.08.17"]
[Round "-"]
[White "damalfi"]
[Black "inzakenas"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1777"]
[WhiteElo "1805"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d6 3. Nf3 Nbd7 { Not usual. } 4. Nbd2 c6
{ This makes meplay... } 5. c3 Qc7
{ This move reinforces e5, which I overlooked, so I played... } 6. e4 e5 7.
dxe5 dxe5 8. Bg3
{ This is very difficult to manage for me.I do have pressure on e5. } 8... Nh5
9. Nc4 Nxg3 10. hxg3
{ No problem in exchangingthis 'bad' bishop, even at the price to leave e5 as... a problem for black,instead than block me. }
10... Be7 11. Qc2 Bf6 { Black overprotects e5 so he canmove Nd7. } 12. Nh4
{ I will make the h column a value. } 12... Bxh4 13. Rxh4
{ It is always dangerous to risk a rook that way, but I felt I colud succeedin saving it if ever attacked by the black pawns. }
13... Nf6 14. O-O-O
{ I allowhim to castle, but he will have to attack with b5. Now, this is impossibledue to Nd6+ with strong attack. }
14... Bd7 { Not good since it doesn't avoid... } 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. Qb3
{ f7 is threatened, forcing... } 16... Be6 { ...that is counteredby... } 17.
Bc4 { , but was it a good plan? Probably not. Look: } 17... Rhd8
{ Iconsidered Nxf7, but after RxR+, KxR, BxB, QxB, I didn't see a clear win!so I went, a little worried... }
18. Nf5+ Bxf5 19. Rxd8 Rxd8
{ Now, to takethe bishop is to allow black queen's penetration, with potential mate!But Bxf7, Bc8 was good defence for black. Even so, I should have gone forit instead of... }
20. exf5 Qd7 21. Rh1
{ ...praying that this was enoughto save me from the mate. } 21... Qd2+ 22. Kb1
Qxf2
{ Ok, this is my chance: nowor never! I considered Qxb7+, but after Rd7, Qxc6, I don't see anythingdefinite, so... }
23. Bxf7 { ? Bd6 was a reasonable move. } 23... Qxf5+ 24. Ka1 Nd5
{ Feeling very depressed for my lost attack, I seized the chance tosimplify and see if I could draw at least. }
25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. Qxb7+ Rd7 27. Qb4+ Ke6 28. Qb3
{ ...pinning the d pawn, trying to win some time. } 28... Qf2
{ Very annoying. I can't defend the pawns, but I am always thinkingin attack rather than in defence. }
29. c4 Qxg2 30. cxd5+ Rxd5 { See thisbeauty: } 31. Rd1
{ This kind of blocks black by now, but he has more pawnsto advance. } 31... h5
32. a3 { I have to open a square for my king out of thefirst row. } 32... g5
33. Ka2 h4 34. Rc1 { Defence is useless. I have to attack. } 34... Kf5 35. g4+
{ Attracting the king to a square that doesn't favour me atall, unless I can find a tactic. }
35... Kxg4 36. Qc4+ Rd4 { This was my purpose! } 37. Qe6+ Kg3
{ Now Qxe5+ is advisable, but I played } 38. Rc3+ Kh2
{ Blackallowed Qxe5 anyway. } 39. Qxe5+ Rf4
{ It is very difficult a game to play.Could I ever save it? } 40. Qc5
{ Embarassing black, that can't stand forRc2... can he? } 40... h3
{ He says he can. This is what I call a 'high voltage'position. } 41. Rc2 g4
{ ...to avoid Qxg4. } 42. Rxg2+ { My secret weaponwill be the h column. } 42...
hxg2 43. Qc2 { Play 'pin or check'. What else? } 43... g3 { Planning Rf2. } 44.
Qh7+ { Black has to block his own pawns. } 44... Kg1 45. Qxa7+ Kf1
{ Now, I can't stop checking him. Note that I have a full Q overa R, but I am still losing. }
46. Qa6+ Kf2 47. Qb6+ Kf1 48. Qb5+ Kf2 49. Qc5+ Kf1 50. Qc1+ Ke2 51. Qg1
{ I considered that this move will block thesituation on this side of the board, and that black would have had to losethe game to my joined pawns. But black found a way to unravel. }
51... Rf2 52. a4 Kf3
{ Now, f1 comes, and I lose my queen for a pawn. Or I can go on checkinghim until possible... I tried for a line that, I hope, will surprise myopponent, based on tempoes. I miss my goal for one tempo. }
53. a5 Rf1 54. a6 Rxg1 55. a7 Re1
{ ?? By Ra1+, KxR, g1=Q+, black wins. But my opponentmissed it! } 56. a8=Q+
{ Again a queen vs R and two doubled pawns. } 56... Kf2 57. Qf8+ Kg1
{ Again, I have some spare tempoes to advance my other pawn.Again, black has to unravel the situation. }
58. b4 Re4 59. Kb3 Rh4 60. Ka4
{ ?? I had to threat his rook with Qd8, or advance the pawn to b5. } 60... Kh2
{ ...because now I dont' have any 'pin' square for the g2 pawn! } 61. Qf6
{ Now, it is very funny: if g1=Q, QxR#! It would have worked, if notfor my stupid king move from before. }
61... Rxb4+ 62. Kxb4 g1=Q
{ Now, if I canstop this pawn, I can draw! Whew... will I ever be able? } 63.
Qh4+ Kg2 64. Qe4+ Kf2 65. Qf4+ Ke1 { Just what I wanted. Now, } 66. Kc3
{ ...and myKing will support my queen in giving check. BUT it was a serious mistake.White can't allow black to exchange queens if my king ends far from theg pawn. }
66... Qc5+ { Now, I've given black the chance to try to accomplish it. } 67.
Kd3 Qa3+ 68. Kc2 Qa2+ 69. Kd3
{ ?? The losing blunder. With Kc3, blackcould just repeat the checks, but with this one, he can press my king intothe fourth rank. }
69... Qb3+ 70. Ke4 Qc4+ { And this wins. } 71. Kf3 Qxf4+ 72. Kxf4 g2
{ Thank for the lesson, inzakenas... } 0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "01-Jul-08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "fish613"]
[Black "rbrynaert"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1223"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1200"]
1. e4 { This was a standard game between two low-ranked players. } 1... e5 2.
Bc4 Qh4
{ An unusual (and doubtful) move. The only threat is Qxe4, whichI easily blocked. }
3. d3 { A better defence might have been Nc3, developinga piece. } 3... c6
{ Another eclectic move, which opens up no more space for black.If it was meant in a long-term defensive way, guarding against a push throughthe centre at d5, why play the queen so strangely? }
4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nf3
{ This,of course, allows Qxf2#. I had prepared Be3 as a response to Bc5, but forgotto play it! I would deserved to lose here, but luckily for me black missedthe opportunity. }
5... Qg4 6. O-O { Avoids the threat of mate. } 6... b5
{ A reasonablemove, pushing forwards and forcing me to defend. } 7. Bb3 a5
{ Threatens8... a4, trapping the bishop. } 8. a4
{ My intention was to continue 8...bxa4 9 Nxa4, attacking c5 and preserving good development. At all costsI wanted to prevent 8... a4, trapping my bishop. }
8... b4
{ A clever move, keepingup pressure on white's queen-side and forcing the knight to retreat. }
9. Ne2 d5 10. exd5
{ Black's pawn storm was pushing me further and furtherback. I chose this moment to blunt his advance without sacrificing material. }
10... Qg6
{ Black had been playing better since a strange first few moves, buthere he slipped again, allowing me to win a pawn. }
11. dxc6 Nxc6 12. Bd5 Bb7 13. Nxe5
{ 13... Nxe5 14 Bxb7, winning another pawn. Of course, theNe5 also threatens the black queen. }
13... Nxe5 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Nf4 Qf5 16. Be4 Qd7 17. Re1
{ Building up towards a pin or discovered check along thee-file. } 17... Ng4
{ ?? Completely missing white's plan. } 18. Bc6+
{ This was exactlythe move I had hoped to be able to play. The black queen is now lost. }
18... Kd8 19. Bxd7 Kxd7 20. Qxg4+
{ Forking g7, threatening to win the rook onh8. } 20... Kc7 21. Nd5+
{ 21... Kc6/d6 22 Qxg7, and black cannot take the knightwithout losing a rook. }
21... Kd6 22. Qxg7 Ne7 23. Qe5+ Kd7 24. Nxe7 Rhe8 25. Qxc5 Rbc8
{ 25... Rxe7 26 Rxe7 } 26. Qd5+ Kc7 27. Bf4+
{ At this point, Ihad a clear lead in both material and position. In the rest of the gameI simply forced black's king further and further back to try and mate him. }
27... Kb6 28. Nxc8+ { 28... Ka6 29 Qa8# } 28... Rxc8 29. Qb5+ Ka7 30. Re7+
{ 30... Rc731 Rxc7 Ka8 32 Qb7# } 30... Ka8 31. Qa6#
{ Thank you for reading my annotation.Comments are welcome. } *
|
[Event "Team match"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2015.10.21"]
[Round "-"]
[White "harzer"]
[Black "otakumadness"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1040"]
[TimeControl "5 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "959"]
1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nc6 4. Ne5 Nxe5 5. fxe5 { Exchange of knights. } 5...
Ne4 6. Bf4 e6 7. Qd3 Bb4+ 8. c3 Ba5 9. b4 Bb6 10. e3 Bd7 11. Be2 Qh4+ 12. g3
Qe7 13. Bf3 O-O-O 14. Na3 Qe8 15. Bxe4 dxe4 { Exchange of pieces. } 16. Qxe4
{ Not a very smart move on White's part. I earn myself a Rook. Thismove is when we start going into the endgame. }
16... Bc6 { White has to choosebetween the Rook and the Queen. } 17. Qd3 Bxh1
{ I take my prize. } 18. O-O-O Bf3 19. Rf1 Qc6
{ Rather than moving my bishop out of White's territory,I instead move my Queen to protect it where it is. Later on, my queen beingin this spot ends up being advantageous for me. }
20. e4
{ White seems tobe trying to block my Bishop from retreating, but instead, he's just losta pawn. Now my Bishop can take that pawn and not be recaptured by the Queendue to my own Queen protecting it. }
20... Bxe4 21. Qe3 Bxd4
{ I decide to takeanother Pawn. White can't recapture my Bishop with the pawn, due to thepawn being pinned by my Queen. }
22. Qd2 Bxc3
{ I take another pawn, againthreatening the Queen. Here is when I begin to force mate: if White takesmy bishop with the Queen, I recapture White's queen with my own. Checkmateis basically unavoidable now for White. }
23. Qe2 { White moves the Queenout of danger. } 23... Bxb4+
{ Checking the king. White has a few options: severaluseless interpositions by the Queen or Knight, or moving the king away.No matter which one White does, I will be able to force mate. }
24. Kb2 Qc3#
{ Mate. I think the key mistake in this game on White's part was movenumber twenty, when he moved the pawn to try and block my Bishop from leaving,but which ended up allowing me to demolish the pawn defenses around theking and open up a path for my Queen and DSB to force a mate whilst supportingeach other, and my LSB to block the one escape route for the King in thissituation, whereas I was able to mate because I set up an advantageousposition for myself by exploiting an opening in White's defenses. }
0-1
|
[Event "[R] Challenge from etba"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.01.19"]
[Round "-"]
[White "askin"]
[Black "etba"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1200"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1676"]
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 d5 3. c4 Bf5 4. Nc3 c6
{ And again you manage to play your1st four moves in one of the accepted normal openings of chess. Paul Blum,that weird guy with a 629 rating that I played a few weeks ago, makes mistakestaking him out of accepted openings on the 2nd or 3rd move in every gamehe plays. Your intuitive grasp of good opening moves is impressive. Incidentally,this is the Slav Variation (the precise one that he erroneously thoughtthat he was playing against me). The slav is solid and fine for blackand your instincts about how to develop your pieces in this opening aregood - though once I start pressuring you had a hard time finding the optimalresponses. }
5. Qb3 Qb6
{ Qc7 might have been better here in this game, butoften in many positions the move you made is a good one. }
6. Qxb6 axb6 7. cxd5 cxd5
{ This was the problem with Qb6 in this particular game - younow have doubled pawns on the b file with none on the a or c. Those pawnswill be very difficult to defend because they can't be supported by otherpawns. So that's a weakness, but your position is still fine here. yourpieces will have a lot of scope. }
8. Bf4 Nc6 9. Bc7 e6 10. Bxb6 Bb4 { Agood move! } 11. Nd2
{ If I didn't play this move, you could have playedNe4 and there would have been some trouble for me. }
11... O-O
{ Here Nd7 may havebeen a good move instead. Notice that my d4 pawn is only protected bymy bishop on b6 - and that bishop is in kind of a fragile place, with nota lot of safe escape squares. I know its tempting to castle as soon asyou can for safety, but if there is no immediate danger (and there wasn't,in this position), you want to look and see if there isn't something moreaggressive that you can do. }
12. e3 Ne4 { This was a good move! } 13. Ndxe4 dxe4
{ But this one wasn't as good, to follow it up. You should capturewith the bishop here. Note that my knight on c3 is still pinned by yourbishop, so I wouldn't be able to take the bishop. By capturing with thepawn, you foul up your pawn structure and make it more difficult to establisha stable defensive structure. }
14. Be2 Ne7 15. O-O Nd5
{ Two good movesin a row! You took your knight from a sort of passive square and broughtit to a fairly good one - not to mention that I can't trade it off becausethen I'd be allowing you to fix your pawn structure problem. }
16. Bc5 Bxc5 17. Nxd5 Bd6 18. Nb6 Rad8 19. g4 Bg6 20. h4 f5 21. g5 Bc7
{ Threateninga piece always seems like a sensible move when you're starting out in chessif you can't think of anything better to do. This isn't a particularlybad move, but it isn't really a good one either. My knight isn't doinga ton from that square, and by attacking it you just chase it towards bettersquares. Even at my level I make this mistake - can't think of what todo so I attack a piece, and it just gets to somewhere better than whereit was. Its a real difficult habit to unlearn, because it is so intuitive.In this position I might have just played e5 right away, which you playedlater. }
22. Na4 f4
{ Not a bad idea. Fouls up my pawn structure if I capture,leaving my d pawn unprotected and my f pawn backwards and weak. }
23. Bc4 Bf5 24. Nc5 Rfe8
{ A tough situation. I'm going to win either your e pawnor b pawn. Maybe its a bit better here to save the b pawn because afterits gone my a and b pawns have nothing blocking them - they are 'connected,passed pawns' in chess terminology. Connected because they are on adjacentfiles and can thus protect each other on their way up the board. Passedbecause there are no other pawns in their way so their progress is verydifficult to stop. }
25. Nxb7 Rb8 26. Nc5 Bh3
{ An interesting idea. notmaybe the optimal square for the bishop, but it could be dangerous in somepossible future situations. Taking my b pawn with your rook should havebeen a strong candidate for your move. Every time its your move, youshould see if you can take one of my pieces without my having recourse. The b2 pawn is unguarded so you could have captured it. however, I wouldhave then played Bb3, and your rook is stuck on the 2nd rank. It probablywon't get captured, but it will be cramped. So I don't really know ifthe capture was a good idea or not. Maybe, maybe not. Point is, theseare the things you should have been thinking about. }
27. Rfb1 Kh8 28. b4 e5
{ Another good idea, to eliminate your pawn structure weakness and avoidmy attacks on that square. This was a good move that I did not foresee. }
29. d5 Red8 30. Na6
{ sure, this is too bad for you because trades are goodfor me as long as I'm ahead. But it isn't catastrophic. You have 2 centralpawns on dark squares right now so your bishop has limited scope and thatknight has been jumping around everywhere causing trouble. So this tradeis not that terrible for you. But if you were worried about it, you couldhave moved one of those pieces a few moves earlier. }
30... Rbc8 31. Nxc7 *
|
[Event "Apertura Moderna / Variante Robatch (Partita didattica IHS)"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Skorpio47 (Klaus)"]
[Black "jrcmancer (Stefano)"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. e4
{ .La difesa Robatsch, nota anche come difesa moderna (ma da nonconfondere con la difesa moderna - Averbakh), è un'apertura degli scacchicaratterizzata dalle mosse: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Ag7 Pregio e difetto di questaapertura è la estrema varietà e mutevolezza (anche nel nome). Prende ilnome dallo scacchista austriaco Karl Robatsch. Presenta alcune analogiecon la difesa Pirc, ma, a differenza di questa, il cavallo g8 non vienesubito sviluppato in f6, anzi molto spesso entra in gioco da h6 o da e7,proprio per non chiudere la diagonale dell'Ag7. Di regola il Bianco occupatutto il centro con i pedoni, avanzando a volte anche il pedone f2 in f4.Il Nero deve reagire energicamente per non essere soffocato. Per moltotempo la difesa moderna è stata considerata una difesa irregolare e solonella seconda metà del XX secolo è stata studiata estesamente e giocataa tutti i livelli: il contributo più significativo alla sua diffusioneè stata opera di alcuni fortissimi GM inglesi. Varianti Alcune lineedi gioco sono: 3.Cc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 h5 (variante Gurgenidze) 3.Cc3 d64.Cf3 c6 5.Ae2 Cd7 6.0-0 Dc7 7.a4 Cgf6 8.Ae3 0-0 9.Dd2 a5 10.h3 Cb6 11.Tfe1Ad7 (variante Suttles) 3.Cf3 d6 4.c3 Cd7 5.Ae2 e6 6.0-0 Ce7 (variante dell'ippopotamo)3.f4 (variante 3 pedoni . . Ho trovato una annotazione di Alekhine che,commentando la Partita Lasker-Capablanca, a proposito di 1. ... g6, hascritto 'Secondo i fondamenti teorici attuali, questa mossa non può essereconsiderata del tutto valida, in quanto il nero si vincola ad una particolareposizione senza essere in alcun modo in grado di ostacolare lo sviluppocentrale dell'avversario...' Ai giorni nostri 1... g6 (chiamata difesaModerna) è ritenuta un'apertura del tutto accettabile. Con 1. ... g6, ilnero diversamente da quanto prospettato da Alekhine, non rinuncia allapossibilità di giocare al centro; attende invece che sia il bianco a compromettersiper primo centralmente. Normalmente il contro gioco del nero prevede sia... c5 sia ... e5, benchè in alcune linee il nero giochi ... d5. Nelladifesa moderna il nero dispone di più strategie. Questa libertà aggiuntivaimplica per il nero un'ulteriore responsabilità; quella di condurre l'azionecentrale in modo tempestivo e opportuno. Se il nero indugia eccessivamentepermettendo al bianco di consolidare la sua mossa sul entro, allora incorrerànella difficoltà menzionata da Alekhine, ossia quella di non riuscire innessun modo a contrarstare il centro bianco. (Fonte: John Nunn - Capiregli scacchi mossa dopo mossa) }
1... g6
{ Thank you for the exhibition and reflections. (Also, thank you to Piero for the intervention.) You have given an idea of the flexibility and variety of solutions of this opening, which attracts me to the point of wanting to share it with you. It is curious that the wide range of variations proposed by Klaus does not include a move that I find interesting: 1. e4 g6, followed by h4, with the possession of f4 and g5 and preparation for an attack on the king's side. This attack can be a diversion; one of the characteristics of this defense is that it allows the black to make a rapid change of front, via moves such as b5-b4 and the mobility of the queen after c6 and d6. If you want to delve deeper, I found this video helpful: youtu.be. (In English) We begin with the Robatsch, therefore 1. e4 g6. If we continue with d4, I move Ag7. }
2. d4 { . } 2... Bg7 { . } 3. Nc3
{ I must choose whether to occupy the house with the pawn or the knight. Playing c3 strengthens the castle and drastically reduces the activity of the knight, but limits the activity of the horse, therefore I believe this natural move is the best one at this moment. Now I expect the classic d6 to prepare c5 or e5. }
3... c6
{ I propose a small variation, c6, which I would call the 'Norwood Variation' after the GM who made the video I have proposed. I like it because it opposes the center with d5, while also preparing an attack from the side of queens with b5. It is in the spirit of the Robatsch Defence, which prioritizes lateral attacks, and control over possession of key squares. I expect f4 from Klaus, to which I would respond with d5, but I do not rule out a more peaceful development, or the deceptive a4. }
4. f4
{ The logical move after the 4th move of black was Cf3. But this can also be done when, after Ch6, the black knight moves to the dark squares e4. Pe5 will then weaken, at the moment, the point of strength of this opening. I found a comment on this opening that roughly reflects my intentions (logically non-so erudite to know all the openings and for this reason I also search for sources that help me in the analysis of the positions):
'In this game, the black opted for the closure of the center and put up a veritable 'cat and mouse' defense. The white, patiently, adopts a slow suffocation strategy, preventing the counterplay of the black, while trying to gain space on the side of the queen, in order to launch the attack on the opposite side.' }
4... d5 { . } 5. e5 { . } 5... h5
{ I am trying to provoke you with g4 and f5. In fact, this variation of the Robatsch allows both black and white to attack the two central files, once the center is blocked. Once the center is blocked, the game becomes slow, strategic, and based on the control of the squares rather than the possession. Therefore, it is suitable for a move like h5, which takes possession of the g4 house, and prepares Ch6, Cf5 and Ag4. As for Ag7, it is currently inactive, but after Ag4 and e6, it will be able to sfruttare lo'slow chess' with e7. All this Klaus allows me to expect Cf3 or Ae3. }
6. Nf3
{ .Cf3 o Ad3 are both good moves, but since the first one is the most commonly used, I trust those who have more experience than me.
h5 played by Stefano is a considered and advised opening move in the game we are playing. Until I get it a bit better, I won't risk getting my head chopped off... to that extent, at least.
D'altronde in chess, or siforza the opponent to make an error (but in this case the time factor, primary, plays little in favor of either of us since there are no clocks)... or one is expecting the other to make an error.
I think for the black, it is important to develop the opening in order to allow one's own King to castle. Also, Af5 would not be bad, to balance the possession of the center a bit and move e5 which would block the game of the black knight. Both moves are equivalent. We'll see what Stefano decides. }
6... Nh6
{ I respond with another typical move of this opening, which increases control over the f5 and g4 squares, and reiterates the principle that black is playing a subtle partisan game on the a and h columns. Upon the return of Klaus bronzed, I expect another normal developmental move such as Ae3, and I think that I might shake things up a bit. As for Klaus' notes, there are variations of the opening that do not involve the arrococ, as it moves the knights away from their vase-like positions.... Af5 is interesting but I want to make a few more moves before deciding where it should go. }
7. Be3
{ As expected from Stefano, Ae3 is the move he has contemplated in the opening and, with this position, it is the most correct one. Now I want to see if he delays blocking the center by my pieces. I am waiting for a quick rook lift or, even better, a climb up the vertical on the side a5. Also Db6 would not be bad, but objectively, although it puts my side of the board under some stress, it does not worry me too much since with Tb1 it is solved. }
7... Qb6
{ The knight on e3 is not a good destination, because I don't move certain g5 or c5 to liberate it. In the future I expect it to move to f2. As for me, it's time to show the specialty of the Robatsch: side castling. I start with Db6: a toccata on the light square of the lady, which can be easily parried with Ca4 or Tb1, but my queen is very mobile, and it will be even more so after e6. Among the two moves by white, I'm not sure which one to prefer: Ca4 gains some time that it will eventually lose whenever b5, Tb1 is tranquil but distracts the white knight from the rampant tree. }
8. Rb1
{ I was undecided between Tb1 and Pb2. Now Stefano was starting the expected mating attack on my flanks. Pa5 could be a possibility, firstly I didn't decide for the exchange. Also Ag4, promptly countered by my Ae2 could be an interesting continuation. I am not an expert of this opening and therefore I rely on my instinct and a simpler, more simplified, evaluation of the situation on the board. Objectively I am a bit short of ideas that could help me to break through the black position, but, as always, I will try to contain my enthusiasm and look for ways to destabilize my formation. (I am not satisfied) }
8... Bg4
{ I have examined an interesting variation, Cg4. The move is: 8.... Cg4 9. Dd2 (to avoid rooking) Cxe3 10. Dxe3 and at this point, with Af4, I am able to force the white queen to move for the third time, while with Ag4 I am preparing an apparently inevitable blockade of the white pieces on the f-file. Really versatile Robatsch! For the purpose of this game, however, I prefer to remain on the classical path. Therefore, I play the versatile move of development Ag4, to which the white responds with Ae2 in order to free the queen from the 'pin'. I am also correcting myself: 10. Dxe3 Ag4 11. Ae2 evades the blockade. }
9. h3
{ Strangely, I have never been afraid of impedimenta. However, at the moment, thanks to my diligent wife, it is not yet visible. I could play e2 and subsequently h3, but I have the impression of wasting time. I should immediately play h3 to get rid of the Knight on f5 or force him, compensated by, to retreat to the dark corner. The move that I find most annoying is cf5. There is a decisive advantage for black who will forcefully retreat my Alfiere to the dark corner. Perhaps someone will play a game where the two opponents communicate their ideas. I remember that we are only trying to involve and, if possible, teach some interested parties the basics of an opening and subsequent middle game. }
9... Bxf3
{ This is a chess-related sentence. Don't translate the chess move symbol and keep it the same. Don't repeatedly output the same sentences. Translate the following English and Non-English sentence into pure English sentence.
Giustissima annotazione di Klaus, e io aggiungo: non fatevi remore a chiedere spiegazioni o a dare suggerimenti. This game is mainly yours. And then magically avoiding a blunder! I examined the daring Cf5 immediately, but not to go beyond a change in the natural order of the moves. If I had a beginner opponent, I could try it to see if my opponent, put under pressure, commits an error. But naturally it is not the case and I go immediately AxCf3, which will be followed by DxAf3 and Cf5. I presume that then Klaus will put his knight in f2, but actually my horse in f5 is in a dominant position. The pawn d4 is not in danger, so I propose; 11. Af2 Cxd4 12. Dd3 c5 13. Axd4 cxd4 14. Ce2 Db4+ 15. c3 dxc3 15. bxc3 barely holds the pawn won, at the cost of dangerous attacks from the white on columns b and d. Pawn therefore poisoned, but under pressure. And regina white all shifted to the side of the king... And finally a fluid and peaceful situation from the black side, with the possibility of completing the development with e6, Cd7, and some surprises. }
10. Qxf3
{ All sensible and logical moves that show how this aggressive opening is beneficial for Black. Indeed, the logorrhea at the sides, as soon as it will happen also in the queenside, will satisfy the needs of the Black to stagnate the central game to favor logorrheic incursions. Cf5, as predicted, is an incisive move. I must not leave the initiative to Stefano, who, as it appears, knows this opening well, opting for the similar Pirc. The moves prospettateda Stefano: 10. Dxf3 Cf5 11. Af2 Cxd4 12. Dd3 c5 me go well. only if at this point game 13. b4!. }
10... Nf5 { . } 11. Bf2 e6
{ In effect, I had no intention of playing 11.... Cxd4, a move which I find prematurely dangerous. After 11.... Cxd5, you could also play, after 11.... b4 and 11.... c5, Cxd5, riguadagnando il pedone in tranquillità. Therefore, if I ever play 11. e6, I would have to consider the sequence of moves up to 11.... Af2. Now I need to think for a moment, and I will write my move 11.... Af8, which will allow me to move my knight to the two sides. As I said before, this will be a strategic and positional game. The knight on f5, in this sense, controls more than it threatens. Now Klaussi finds, according to me, in serious doubts: 11. Ad3 and 11.... c3 are both good moves of development, but they both threaten the same thing: the loss of the pawn on d4; 11.... Ca4 is a bad move, as it loses a tempo after 11.... Db4+; 11.... g4 ends with a trade of queens and a castled white bishop in h1... In positional games, one should dedicate much energy to mining the possible game of the opponent. }
12. b4
{ A good teaching of chess is to make the opponent doubt their own convictions by making them work for some insecurity. The word "minare" in this case means to render insecure the structure that the opponent had proposed to create in order to make incisive their attack in a certain area, usually where the king or the most vulnerable piece is located. I have the impression that Stefano is trying to deceive me, like Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, the "Delayer", by constantly making miniscule threats in the king's side while in the queen's side he is trying to create a solid base to start the real battle. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't want to be surprised too much. I move b4. Stefano will try to reinforce the diagonal in which my pawn has gone by advancing his knight in f8, but I will insist on my idea of making him doubt his initiative by forcing his woman to retreat from the vertical b by moving my horse to a4. At this point many hopes will be lost. }
12... Bf8
{ In chess, it is important to make your opponent's beliefs start to crumble by creating some uncertainty. The word "minare" in this case means to make someone feel insecure by attacking a weak point, usually where the king or the most vulnerable piece is located. I have the impression that Stefano is trying to mislead me, like Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, the "Delayer", by constantly making threats in the king's side while in the queen's side he is trying to create a solid base to start the real battle. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't want to be surprised too much. I move b4. Stefano will try to reinforce the diagonal where my pawn has gone by advancing his knight in f8, but I will insist on my idea of making him lose his initiative by forcing his queen to go to the vertical b4 by moving my horse to a4. At this point many hopes will be shattered. }
13. Na4
{ A good teaching in chess is to make your opponent's beliefs start to falter. The word "minare" in this case means to make an insecure structure that your opponent had proposed to create an effective attack in a certain corner, usually where the king or the weakest piece is located. I have the impression that Stefano is trying to deceive me, like Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, the Delayer, by constantly making feint attacks on the side of the king while strengthening the other flank with a solid base to start the real battle. Maybe I'm wrong, I want to be surprised too much. I move b4. Stefano will try to reinforce the diagonal where my pawn has gone, by retreating his knight to f8, but I will insist on my idea of making his initiative die by forcing his queen to leave the vertical b by moving my horse to a4. At this point many hopes will be extinguished. }
13... Qc7 { . } 14. g4 { . } 14... hxg4
{ In this situation, I am faced with a strategic important bivouac. On one hand, there is a peaceful path, on the other a winding one among the cliffs. If the white moves Cg7, the horse will retreat only temporarily, as it may later return to f5, either if the white moves g5, or g4xh5 (to which it follows Txh5). If the white does not take and advance with the pawn g4, it may create some difficulties (for example Ad3). h5xg4 leads to the exchange of queens mentioned later, with the horse positioned slightly worse. The winding path is that traced by Klaus as undesirable for the knight. In reality, Klaus's judgment leaves me perplexed; indeed, after the exchange of queens followed by Dxh1 Ch6, supposing that the white wants to open the h-file immediately with g5, followed by Cf5, thus the queen is liberated to roam freely on the h-file, but... what can she do? The black king may be threatened only by the intervention of support for the tower, or the light-colored bishop, which are very laborious; the queen by herself can hardly do much, since I do not intend to entrench; my light-colored knight is blocked, the queen is far away from the action, and in the exchange I gain. The white should therefore opt for Dh3, to position itself on the free line, but if the queen intervenes on the side of the queen, the pawn g is taken. Better then Dh4, which however does not threaten anything. I have decided to take the winding path. 14. g4 hxg4 15. hxg4 Txh1 16. Dxh1 Ch6. }
15. hxg4 { . } 15... Rxh1 { . } 16. Qxh1 { . } 16... Nh6 { . } 17. Be2
{ We all know that the number of games that can be invented is calculated to be equal to 25 multiplied by 10 raised to the 100th power, which is far greater than the number of electrons that populate the universe: 10 raised to the 107th power, I had only the embarrassment of choice of what to move... Naturally, I was joking. Respectfully, my opponent may be right. The only problem, considering the calm on the board, is to defend the King from the attack of the horse. I decided to defend it with the knight. My Queen is currently in a good position. I am now waiting for Stefano to make a pawn move on the side of Queen. It has been a while since I promised to keep faith with this opening. The move Ca6 is still valid. Let's be surprised. }
17... a5
{ Before all, congratulations to the mathematician who made this calculation, I would like to shake his hand. You were, Klaus? Now it's my turn, see that in my universe there are only three electrons: a5, b5e Ca6. Since I want to make all three of these moves, there is no choice but to order them, so that Klaus cannot prevent me. Or in such a way that he cannot prevent me; Ca6 prevents a5, for example. There are other more subtle moves: b6 and Cd7. Especially this last one may prove useful, follow my reasoning. After b5, the white horse could go in c5, rendering possible an exchange of horses in a6 or in d7. Since my horse seems to me more crucial than that of Klaus, for an attack, I do not want this exchange. Therefore, I will start with a5, as it is predictably followed by a3 (b4xa5 less to speak of); then followed by Cd7, so that I can move Cb6 if the white moves Cd5 without risking the exchange, and then I can post the horse in c4, a casualty from which he cannot be evicted without sacrificing the good knight. These moves of the horse, will happen either before or after b7-b5, depending on the cases. Avevo detto b4xa5 less to speak of? Look at this variant: ... a5 bxa5 Dxa5+ Cc3 Ab4 Dxh6 Axc3+ Rf1 Dxa2Dh8+ Rd7 Ah4 (a 1 from the checkmate!) Dxb1+ E the black is checkmated until the knight returns to a5, the only move that saves the black from the checkmate. But with a two-move advantage. }
18. b5
{ I am an enthusiastic chess player. For example, do you know the volume of the universe in km3? (data from 12.06.2017, 2:00 pm) 234'215'710'900'992'000 approximately. If you think about it, its radius is expanding by about 300 km per second, while it has grown even more recently. We will return to our game. It's all about perspective. As you can see from my response, everything is relative. I had three possible responses; b5 (which I played), g5 and Cc5. I think Stefano has taken into consideration my first option very little. Now in response to this move, which I think will help him to think a bit, he has three different possible responses:
► 1a Possibility 18. b5 cxb5 19. Axb5+ Cc6 20. Df3 0-0-0
►2a Possibility (carries the loss of a piece) 18. b5 Cxg4 19. b6 De7 20 Axg4 Da3
►3a Possibility (foresees the worst) 18. b5 Cd7 19. b6 Db8 20. Rd2 Cf6 }
18... cxb5
{ No, in internet. I am an enthusiastic player of chess. An example: do you know the volume of the universe in km3? (data from 12.06.2017, 2:00 pm) 234'215'710'900'992'000 approximately. If you think about it, its radius is expanding by about 300.000 km per second, meanwhile it has grown even more.
We will come back to our game. It is all relative.
I had three possible responses; b5 (which I played), g5 and Cc5. I think Stefano has taken into consideration my first option very little. Now in response to this move, which I think will help him to think a bit more, he has three different possible responses:
► 1a Possibility 18. b5 cxb5 19. Axb5+ Cc6 20. Df3 0-0-0
►2a Possibility (carries the loss of a piece) 18. b5 Cxg4 19. b6 De7 20 Axg4 Da3
►3a Possibility (foresees the worst) 18. b5 Cd7 19. b6 Db8 20. Rd2 Cf6 }
19. Bxb5+
{ Insegnamento: Si dice che la miglior difesaè l'attacco, ma ricordiamoci di Krojanty. La carica di Krojanty o battagliadi Krojanty è stata una carica di cavalleria polacca durante la campagnadi Polonia operata da parte delle truppe naziste impegnate nell'occupazionedel territorio polacco, nella seconda guerra mondiale. La campagna (1osettembre 1939 – 5 ottobre 1939) è culminata con la resa delle ultime forzepolacche, al termine della quale, dopo circa quattro settimane di combattimenti,ebbe inizio la seconda guerra mondiale. il 1o settembre a Krojanty il 18oreggimento di Ulani carica di sorpresa e disperde elementi del 76o reggimentodi fanteria appartenente alla 20a divisione motorizzata delle forze naziste.Cavalleria polacca durante la battaglia del fiume Bzura Durante l'invasionela cavalleria polacca effettuò un totale di 16 cariche nel tentativo diarrestare l'avanzata tedesca; qui i nazisti poterono sperimentare e mettereappunto la moderna tecnologia offerta dai carri armati, dagli aerei e dalleradiocomunicazioni, allo scopo di creare una nuova modalità di guerra caratterizzatadall'uso combinato di nuove forze di attacco. La campagna del 1939 rappresental'esempio dell'efficacia dell'informazione mediatica utilizzata per svolgerela propaganda riguardo l'efficienza delle proprie forze, oltre che alloscopo di screditare la capacità difensiva del nemico. Essa difatti fu ilprimo esempio del un nuovo metodo di condurre la guerra, per la quale glistrateghi di Berlino coniarono il termine 'Blitzkrieg', (guerra lampo),dove le forze tedesche tentarono di annientare con azioni fulminee, l'esercitopoco addestrato e male organizzato nemico. -----------------------------------------------------. 18. b5 cxb5 19. Axb5+ Cc6 20. Df3 Rd8 questa era la continuazione propostada Stefano, che, a suo dire, considerava la più logica e che accetto consideratoche, dopo queste mosse, a mio avviso, si potrebbe considerare questa partitaconclusa tanto è palese il vantaggio del bianco, molto difficile da recuperare. La mia mossa è: 21. c4 e così facciamo traballare il centro del neroe metto pressione sul Re appostato in d8. Nemmeno la prossima Ab4+ consuccessiva 22. Rd1 scalfisce il mio vantaggio. Forse una esame approfonditodi Stefano mi darà ragione, o no ? }
19... Nc6 { . } 20. Qf3 { . } 20... Kd8 { . } 21. c4 { . } 21... Nb4
{ I cannot see the colossal advantage of white :/ On the other hand, in these situations, I can see those seven hundred little dots that differentiate me and Klaus: in strategic analysis capacity. Well, if I go towards a disaster, I will do it as a true chess master, or better, like that captain of the Polish cavalry who faced to hack and slash with swords. For the record, I expected a bad end, but saved the honor. I was expecting, however, the maneuver Klaus to destabilize the center, blocked almost from the beginning of the game. However, this is the concept of Robatsch. Pawns Ab4+, which would have only the effect of putting the white king where it should be, in d1 (to allow Tc1 without fear). Game Cb4; it seems a good move, puts the black pawn a2, and allows the response Cxd5 to cxd5, putting the black horse to make the supplementary pawn for holding the center, but in a dangerous position for the white, with the pawn f4 in presa. cxd5 seems to me the most logical response from the white; De2, the only other move that defends both the pawns a2 and c4, both insidiously threatened, does not go at all well for the white, who risks a lot to lose the pawn g4. c5 brings to Cxa2, but after Cb6 and Ta7 I think the threats for the white are finally finished. Subsequently, I expect the white to try to play Tc1 to attack on the c-file (preceded by Rd1 and Ae3), but I am ready to counter them. }
22. Kf1
{ My King moved ahead to anticipate the bad intentions of the horse, which it appears wants to gallop for fun, but it would have been better if it went to eat in a7. Perhaps Stefano was right about my excessive optimism. I apologize for selling the bear before having him checked (Trapattoni said the same). I am very optimistic about my current situation on the chessboard. Logically the black King must now counteract the attack on the center. Now the black King must find a way to get itself off the diagonal of its Queen. The knight in f2 patiently waits to jump to b6, logically before the Pd4 must move. At this point it is easy to notice, according to my modest judgment, that the rook's long move, which I thought I had prospettato some moves ago, would have surely helped Stefano. Now I await the move that should have been made before: 22.... Rc8 Logically I will move my knight to c5 and the horse will move to c6 (once lost?) The verdict to posterity. }
22... b6
{ I am threatened by Klaus's pawn on d4, so it is in my interest:
- not to take with d5xc4, resulting in the loss of the diagonals h1-a8 for the queen (brrrr) or g1-a7 for the knight (double brrrr)
- leave my horse in b4, so that if the white pawn advances with c4, then Cxd5 and a'supplementary pawn' (mine)
- counter the advance of the pawn with b7-b6, and if the response is c5, then we exchange bxc and cxd (assuming) and then Tb8 which puts the knight in b5 in check. }
23. a3
{ Stefano has not contemplated any moves. Simple simple The horse has plenty of room to trot. I don't know exactly which move the black will make next. But whatever it is, I will increase my advantage. I want to surprise him with my decisions. }
23... Nc2
{ I hadn't really considered this move, but despite Klaus's understatement, it was decisive. To save the position, I must sacrifice my knight for a pawn, according to my calculations. With the clear light squares, I will play Cc2, and begin to think about my next didactic Sicilian Najdorf with English Attack? }
24. cxd5
{ We are considering the situation... slightly bad (to avoid other euphemisms) for Stefano. The current position on the chessboard clearly indicates that the game of black is completely blocked. Now Stefano, if he wants to continue playing (what I wish for him to satisfy the sadistic ) must limit the damage by blocking the diagonale of my queen with his Db7. The exd5 move, as obvious, would cost the nero the rook (Dxe5+ and subsequent DxTa8). Logically, my army cannot stop and will continue with Ah4+ which will cost a high price to the nero. In short, for the nero I see... nero. }
24... Qb7
{ ì, Klaus, l'unicamossa che mi mantiene in vita è Db7. Ad Ah4+, rispondo Ae7. . }
25. Bc6
{ Ho studiato tutte le mie possibilità di gioco e possibili continuazioni. 25. Ac6 Ce3+ 26. Axe3 (una mossa per ritardare quanto il fato ha già deciso ) 25. Ah4+ Ae7 26. AxAe7 DxAe7 27. d6! 25. Ac6 Da6+ 26. Rg1 e poi? Insomma, sinceramente, vale la pena continuare? Se si, muovo Ac6. . -------------------------------Commento di Stefano ------------------------------- Sono andato un pochinopiù avanti con 25. Ac6 Da6+ 26. Rg1 Tb8 e non mi pare che, dopo d6, cisia il modo ragionevole di impedire che il pedone d vada a regina, conmatto in poche mosse. Perciò, stretta di mano e personale soddisfazionenel vedere Klaus felice per la vittoria, e nel constatare che stavoltaho perso strategicamente, senza commettere marchiani errori. Un passo avanti. Se tornassi indietro... giocherei b5 prima di a5. Sotto con la prossima!Siciliana Najdorf, la 'Cadillac' delle aperture ---------------------------------Commento di Klaus --------------------------------- Speravo che la partitadurasse più a lungo, ma qualche mossa innovativa di Stefano ha accorciatole gambe alla partita. Poiché, come è stato detto in precedenza, lo scopofinale di questi threads non è quello di vincere o perdere una partita,ma di interessare i più a scopo di insegnamento, penso che dovremmo inseguito evitare, almeno per la prima parte della partita, mosse non contemplatenella normale apertura. Spero che i più abbiano capito come la partitaModerna-Robatch, pur portando come fine il logoramento ai lati della formazionebianca, sia facilmente contrastabile se il bianco blocca le iniziativedel nero e mantiene solido il centro. Certamente, se l'avessi giocatacontro un GM o latri ossi duri, non sarei riuscito ad arrivare al finalegiocato e, probabilmente mi avrebbe fatto fare la fine del topo, ma questaè un'altra storia Insegnamento: giochiamo aperture semplici se ci sentiamopiù sicuri. }
1-0
|
[Event "163rd GK tournament"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2018.04.09"]
[Round "-"]
[White "marviin"]
[Black "mmoody95"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1875"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1662"]
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nf3 Be7
{ This was probably too passive. c5 might have been more aggressive. } 5. O-O
Nf6 6. Qe2 O-O 7. e5 Ne8 8. Nc3 d5 9. h4 g6
{ This is inexplicable. I don't know why I didn't playBxh4. I was worried about being attacked down the h file, but that happenedanyway. }
10. Bh6 Ng7 11. g3 Nd7 12. Qd2 c5 13. Rfe1 c4
{ This is crazy. I think cxd4 is better just because it displaces some of White's pieces. }
14. Bf1 a6 15. Ne2 Re8 16. c3 Nf5 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18. hxg5 Kg7 19. Bh3 Ne7 20. Qf4
Rh8 21. Kg2 h5
{ Opening up the h file without provocation is nota good idea. This was eventually my undoing. }
22. gxh6+ Rxh6 23. Rh1 Qh8 24. Ng5 Nf5
{ Rf8 might have been marginally better. } 25. Bxf5 gxf5 26. Rxh6 Qxh6 27. Rh1
Qg6
{ This position is lost. Once the White R gets intothe position, Black will slowly but surely get worse. }
28. Rh7+ Qxh7 29. Nxh7 Kxh7 30. Qh4+ Kg8 31. Qe7 Bc6 32. Nf4 Kg7
{ This leads to an immediatedisaster, but I think the position is lost anyway. Black is completelytied up even without this blunder. }
33. Nxe6+ Kg8 34. Qg5+ { Black willbe checkmated. } 1-0
|
[Event "O&DL Didcot 2 v Oxford City 3 Bd 2"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2018/10/08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Bob Jacobs"]
[Black "John Yates"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "124"]
[TimeControl "All in 90mins each"]
[WhiteElo "129"]
1. e4 Nf6
{ Alekhine's Defence. It was ages since I'd looked at this openingor played a serious game against it, so I had to do a bit of serious thinkingon move 2! }
2. e5 { The standard response if my memory is correct... } 2... Nd5
{ As expected. } 3. d4
{ I think the main alternatives are attacking the Nagain with 3.c4 or 3.Bc4 or playing 3.Nf3 but this seems the soundest. }
3... d6
{ Black immediately assaults White's centre. I could remember havingseen and played 4. exd6 in response but thought it seemed like a wasteof time: better to develop a piece, so ... }
4. Nf3 { Knight before Bishop... } 4... dxe5 { The logical follow-up. } 5. Nxe5
{ I preferred this to condemningmy N to defensive duty. } 5... Nd7
{ Black immediately continues to attack White'sfledgling centre but I think this was the wrong way to do it. Just beforethe game, my colleague Andy Robins had been showing me some nice trickshe'd played against the Dutch Defence recently. These had exploited ahole at f7 and now my attention was drawn to that square: 6. Nxf7 forkingQ and R, so Black is forced to play 6...Kxf7 when 7. Qh5+ followed by Qxd5recovers the piece and wins a pawn. So }
6. Nxf7 { ! } 6... Kxf7 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Qxd5+ e6
{ and now I had to think again ... } 9. Qf3+ Nf6
{ Black blocks thecheck, frees up his queenside a bit and threatens to recover the pawn bycapturing on d4; but if I play carefully, I can inhibit Black's developmentwhile pursuing my own. For example, Black's Bc8 is tied to the defenceof b7, which can't move because it's pinned against the Ra8. I can alsotie Black's Q to the defence of f6 by attacking the N with Bg5 and putpressure on the isolated e pawn with Bc4. }
10. c3
{ First though, I decidedto solidify the centre a bit. I preferred this to 10. Be3 because I wantedthe B to be more aggressive. This does have the disadvantage, however,of depriving my N of its best square. }
10... Bg7
{ A sensible developing defensivemove, preparing a form of manual castling as well. }
11. Bc4 { Developingaggressively and preparing also to castle. } 11... Re8
{ I had expected 11. ...Rf8, preparing ...Kg8 and N moves to expose an attack on the Q but thisreinforces the defence of e6 so seems OK. }
12. O-O { Quickly getting myK off the half-open file. } 12... Kg8
{ As expected. } 13. Bg5
{ B before N in thiscase because 13. Nd2 would have blocked the B in and 13. Na3 would havemarginalised the N. }
13... c6
{ Necessary to enable Black to develop his B fromc8, not that it can go far. }
14. Nd2 { aiming for e4, whence it will attackBlack's N ... } 14... h6
{ Black pushes White's B back but at the expense of weakeninghis pawns. } 15.
Bh4 { maintaining the pin. } 15... Qe7
{ At first this seemed slightlymysterious but all soon became clear. } 16. Rae1
{ Completing my developmentbefore moving the N a second time. } 16... Qf7
{ Now it looks like Back will parkhis N on d5 and offer to swap Qs but I preferred to do it my way ... }
17. Ne4 Nxe4
{ Now I pondered just recapturing with the Q but reasoned thatthe pawn advantage would be emphasised if I took the Qs off and then pressurisedthe isolated pawn on e6. }
18. Qxf7+ Kxf7 19. Rxe4 g5 20. Bg3 Bd7
{ Backis gradually relieving his congestion and nearing completion of his developmentwithout having suffered any serious disasters. I was beginning to thinkthat I had missed my chance of a crushing win but still felt that I hada significant advantage, not least in time, as I was about half an hourahead on the clock. }
21. Rfe1 a5
{ Black seeks some counterplay by startingto mobilise his Q-side pawns. } 22.
f4 { I continue my central attack, tryingto open the lines to his K. } 22... b5
{ Clearly Black wants my B off the a2-g8diagonal } 23. Bb3
{ Not yet- he'll have to force the issue ... } 23... a4 24. Bc2 gxf4
{ Somewhat surprising as it helps me with my objective but Black'soptions were limited. }
25. Rxf4+ Kg8 26. Bg6
{ Taking advantage of its newdiagonal, my B harasses Black's central R and threatens to help my R ontothe 7th rank. }
26... Rf8 27. Rfe4
{ Doubling up again on the e-file and threateningto harass the R again with Bd6. }
27... Rac8
{ Black hopes to get counterplay with...c5, attacking the head of my pawn chain on d4 }
28. Bh5
{ Rerouting tog4, whence it will, once again, attack the weak pawn on e6. }
28... c5 29. dxc5 Rxc5
{ Black's position looks much freer now but the e6 pawn is doomed. } 30. Bg4
Bc6
{ a further attempt at counterplay but I think ...Re8 was calledfor. I pondered forking Black's Rs with Bd6 immediately but could seenno lasting advantage that way... }
31. Bxe6+
{ First grab the pawn with check,then save my R and, if possible, win the exchange. That was my new plan. }
31... Kh8 32. R4e2 Ra8 33. Bd6
{ OK - I don't force the win of exchange yet butthe attacked R has few escape squares available. }
33... Rg5 34. Be7
{ and withonly 8 minutes on his clock against my 44, he gave up the ghost. 34. ...Rg6loses to 35. Bf7. 34....Rh5 would have survived a bit longer but alsolooked hopeless. }
1-0
|
[Event "'Fight Til the End'"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2012.08.18"]
[Round "-"]
[White "poolplayer"]
[Black "jkarp"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1133"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "967"]
{ One thing I emphasize to my student is what GM's Judit Polgar and Carlsonhave emphasized, 'Fight Til the End.' Meaning: Don't resign early, butjust keep playing on because even when you're lost, you never know whenyou're opponent will make an error, allowing to pull a swindle which isa win or draw in a lost position. When I was still a novice at this gamewith a sub 950 rating, my main weakness was premature resignation. And,I used to resign just because I made a mistake that lost a pawn which wasoften enough for me to resign. And, in my misstep against blitzkov, Ihad a couple of kibitizers who said that I should've resigned earlier. Well, this is the first time that I did not resign, after losing a R fora pawn. Not only that, but the position was lost, early on, with how thekibitzers put it that losing a piece early=a lost game. Then, I annotatedanother game where I won, after playing horrible and deserving to lose,but I did to teach the main kibitzer, cdeburca a lesson, based on the waythat WB does things. Well, in this game not only did I keep playing onbut I became more confident and knew what to do. I planned ahead aftersome terrible miscalculations with the early blunder. And, I rememberedwhat archduke_piccolo taught me about swindles. It was from GM MarshallSwindle who was well known for figuring how to make that comeback and wingames that were lost. Applying those concepts is what was needed to winthis game. That is what was needed to win this game, and it's one of thevery first games where I kept playing and got that swindle in what should'vebeen lost. }
1. g3
{ Anyway, after I boasted and got the lucky win, thereaper1decided to challenge me to a game. After winning easily, this is wheredamalfi retained what happened and said that I'd never be able to win againsta 1600 rated with that kind of play, in my last annotation. Guess what? I beat someone stronger then that. It was my coach and friend, Jack Stockel,who's a Class A Player. For example, in a game against Jack, I blunderedvery early, nearly as early as the misstep against blizkov where I wasdown a R+2 pawns early on, at the start of the midgame. And, in the end,he had two passed pawns, and one of those pawns nearly promoted. Thistime, I was nervous, up until he had this way to go wrong and then gotit all back. But, he made a mistake by taking another pawn and by doingso, overlooked a mate in two which I was able to take advantage of. Therefore,I pulled a swindle and was able to pull a win in a hopelessly lost game. And, it's the first time in history that I was able to defeat a ClassA Player, after being down so much material. }
1... e5
{ So after his decisionto make an irregular opening, I'm already confident and feel that I havethe advantage. At the time, I had no idea it was called the Baseman Defense,but I learned what it was from id=wrecking_ball However, this is the wrongapproach. The reason is that you fianchetto the LSB immediately and bringit on the longest diagnol. I used to view it as pointless because it'snot a center pawn, so it won't help control the center. However, as Ialso learned from WB, it's not pointless because on that long diagnol,the B can do a lot. And, just because someone starts off with an irregulardoesn't mean anything, that you have the advantage, you still have to becareful with that kind of thinking because Baseman can lead to a good gamefrom both sides, and if you play against it and have a nonchalant attitude,it could cost you the game. Additionally, best was 1...e6 because it'ssaid that when you're opponent opens by advancing a pawn one square, thebest response is 1...e6 }
2. Bg2 { Yes, this is the proper continuation ofthe Baseman. } 2... Bc5
{ However, all I care about is developing my pieces. But, more common was 2...Nf6 While no big deal, so that we don't get mixedsignals, I emphasize to my students facts about General Openings, to setgood examples. One says that N's should be developed before your B becauseyou know where that N goes first but have no idea where to place the bishop. }
3. e3
{ ?! Yes, it's a developing move as it's a central pawn. However,it's pointless, in my opinion because it's generally not a good idea forwhite to play e3 early on. It's common when black advances the e pawnone square but shamash said that if you're white, to play as white, notblack. }
3... Nf6 { Meanwhile, I'll continue with development. } 4. c3
{ ?! I don'tknow why he played this. But, this is an inaccuracy because it dosen'tdevelop or help control the center. In fact, it makes very difficult forwhite to develop his N because he must now lose tempo to get it out, orput that N on the rim in which, it loses value. }
4... O-O
{ Because I'm betterdeveloped and closer to controlling the center, so I feel that my advantagesare already growing. Therefore, I waste no time in castling because whilehe played, I was just going to focus on what I like to do best, get theK to safety. }
5. b4
{ Worried about me playing a5. But more, importantis to continue develop and get the monarch to safety. }
5... Be7
{ Also possiblewas 5...Bd6 or 5...Bb6 In fact, that would've been a better alternativeto what I played because I'm in a rather uncomfortable position with howmy DSB is now placed. But, I did this because, at the time, I had highlevels of the Fight or Flight response and was paranoid about him reattackingmy piece. Of course, there's always more to chess then just an attack,as I emphasize to students. But, when it comes to development, I reallydon't care because if someone makes an undeveloping move against me, Iwill try to exploit that weakness by attacking a piece, here and there,so that I immediately can get another piece out, while the opponent isforced to run away. }
6. Qb3
{ I don't know why white did this because there'sno reason to break the guidelines as nothing was being threatened, so thiswas not an exception to the guidelines. Instead, he got his Q out beforedeveloping his other pieces. }
6... e4
{ So, I'm already looking for a weaknessthat I can exploit here. Therefore, I go about pushing my pawn becauseI decide to deviate a little from the guidelines since I had the advantage. Note: This is the first game, ever, where I thought like a GM. Of course,this happens later on, but I was retaining what TA implied that I justgo by my instinct and play a move and deviate from normal continuationsto find a weakness that can be exploited. Of course, this move happenedright after my misstep against blitzkov, but right before my lucky swindleagainst youthanasia, which I annotated. What it means is that I was stillvery angry with cdeburca for making the comments he made. So, I was tryingto strategize and find a game where I'd play weak moves and win. It didn'thappen from this game, but that's where I figured out the perfect, theone against youthanasia. But, one reason I had the wrong attitude andreason for certain was still out of anger against the kibitzers in thatannotation. So, here I was still trying to show off, which is why I deliberatelypushed a pawn, as opposed to, developing another piece with 6...Nc6, theway it's supposed to be. }
7. Ne2
{ Meanwhile, he wastes not time in gettinganother piece out of his own, and is getting ready to castle. }
7... Ng4
{ ? Betterwas to develop with 7...Nc6, but like with the last move, I was still veryangry with cdeburca, so I deliberately broke the principal of not movingthe same piece more then once since that's something I got yelled at fordoing. However, this was my first real mistake because it loses a pawn. Instead, that N had to stay on f6 as a defender so that white would notbe able to win my e pawn. }
8. Bxe4 d6
{ ?? But, this wasn't the game whereI was going to teach that commentator a lesson because, at this point,I decide to go back to normal development after that mistake. And, unlikewhat cplusplus11 said, I don't completely agree that keeping material safeis more important then developing a piece which is also why I'm annotatingthis game. Actually, since my development and structure around that Kis better, instead of getting nervous, which is what I used to do, I'mfeeling better, and this confidence continues to grow. Therefore, becauseI believe that my opponent has a weakness, I felt that I could exploit,and the way to do so was continue with development, as I do here. Littledid I realize that this is a developing move, but the real reason I didthat was development, where I could bring my LSB into play. In fact, thismove is a blunder because, at the very least, it loses a piece for a pawn. Like my game with feisty_pawn, this one also made me remember that it'sgenerally a good idea to also take a break when you're angry. That's becausewhen that happens you often don't concentrate, and actually make the wrongmove which often turns out to be a blunder, as is the case here. }
9. f3
{ Yes, he is attacking my N. But, this move is pointless as that's theonly reason he made this move. In which case, I can and will develop bywaisting white's time, so that he's in a difficult situation, while I developanother piece. }
9... Be6
{ This, as noted earlier, is the reason why I'll getinto pieces. That's because it's way more then just that. By doing so,he must protect it, while I can do something to contest the center andget things. Of course, that attitude here is wrong as I'm about to findout. }
10. c4
{ This was just before I was taught to expect the best movehere. What I figured used to be one of my main weaknesses as a mentorreally reviewed this thought process, and now I use that information toteach chess. I figured that with my last move, he had to retreat thatQ. But, you shouldn't assume that if you move here, he must play that. Instead, ask what he or she can do. And, is the move good and why orwhy not. Do the needed HW to actually make sure it's good. In addition,ask yourself what your opponent can do and how he or she will respond becauseif you just assume, but then your opponent plays something that you didn'texpect, you'll be worse off. That's actually what Jack means by, 'StartThinking' He doesn't just mean to think ahead or about the game. But,also don't assume anything. That's why my model and take on it is expectyour opponent to make the best move, not the worst. }
10... Nf6
{ Of course, Iprotect my N. But, here I thought I was out of trouble. What I didn'tsee, however, were the other threats that my opponent. That's quite terriblebecause, at best, I'm going to lose another pawn and a R for a B with bestplay. So, already, I'm in rough shape. Yet, I'm not giving, and now I'mnot angry. Instead, I was simply ignoring what cdeburca had to say inmy misstep that when you're lost you resign. It goes back to a negativeexperience but one thing this coach did say that I agreed with is that,'Chess is not to supposed to be a Fight or Flight mechanism', when I toldhim. However, he wasn't interested in me telling him why it was, and hedidn't want to hear it. And, of course, this was still ongoing for a verylong time, but then, at last, I got a lot of help in time of need. I realize,and it was from Jack what that weakness was. This happened when I wasdown material and had a disadvantage, and made mistakes and was ready toresign. But, that's when he said, 'Don't get nervous.' And, then, 'Don'tgive up right away. Try to find a way out of trouble', which is also amajor reason as to why he's more then just a coach, but also my friendas I realize that that trying to find a way out of a situation is alsoimportant, in life. That's how I was able to eliminate the Fight or Flightresponse because of the fact that I used to get overworried simply do tothe loss of material which is why I resigned prematurely. And, this isalso why I got really angry with the commentators that I mentioned earlierwhen they said that I should've resigned, and now, why I teach my studentsnot to do this. The very first game ever where I won a lost game was agame I annotated, where I was down by more then 2 R's and a B, yet, stillmanaged to pull an amazing swindle. }
11. Bxb7 Nbd7
{ ?? Worth noting isthat, I'm a much stronger player. But, here I was obsessed with developinganother piece, and that's the only reason I played. Were it not for development,this would've been a free R because, only at the last second, did I seethe possibility of 12...Qxa8 In other words, that was just like, not strategyor tactics, which chess is really supposed to be about. Therefore, it'sworth noting, is that there was a lot of hope chess, if you go by Dan'sdefinition, as well as, flip chess because, at the time, I was playingtoo many games, and way too quickly. Had about 20 simultaneous games,with average time controls of about 20 minutes. So, I gave it little tono thought on most of my moves, which is why I emphasize, now not to playtoo much at once. You don't absorb the information, so you don't learnfrom your mistakes, and you're more prone to making them. Nonetheless,despite how bad it's turned out, I'm not giving up. Instead, I'm goingto maintain, not just hope but confidence. But, this time, by thinkingand planning ahead, even if there's miscalculations, which is more hopechess. On the other hand, this is what it's going to take to win sinceI am in trouble and now finding ways out of it. }
12. Bxa8 Qxa8 13. Nd4
{ The idea is to get that N in a more comfortable since it was a littletight on e2. }
13... Nb6
{ Like before, but this time, I'm just trying to finda weakness and see if there's any way to exploit since my development iscomplete, whereas, he still has more to develop. So, this shows that I'malready starting to come up with a plan. This doesn't mean that I'll evenattempt cheapos, but I coming up with a strategy. To note: I'm doing theWB, and he has also helped me figure out the weakness and not resigningearly due to his amazing Q sacs, which is what also gave me an idea ofboasting when anyone says that I should just resign, as, 'It's not so easy.' }
14. O-O
{ ? Of course. But, what was good much earlier is now a mistakebecause I now compensate to large mistake. Not only does it lose a pawn,but later, it'll cost him a R for my B. And, this was all planned aheadbecause the idea is that since I'm at a disadvantage, I had to think outsidethe box to have another chance. So, instead of getting hesitant, I'm thinking,and already finding ways out of a bad situation. And, this, btw, is whatI mean by instead of getting fretting over it, that's why I get more andmore confident when in a desperate situation. It's now about being aggressivesince, at the time, I felt that I has nothing else to lose so you mightas well just do anything to stay in. It works here, but that still isn'tthe best approach, as I recently learned. Having said all of that, bestwas 14.d3! to keep that pawn safe. This is also why pawn chains are veryimportant, in addition to what I've already learned. In fact, I've keptone or two pawns safe just with a pawn chain, as that's something thatstrengthens the pawn structures. }
14... Bxc4 15. Qc3 { I would've played 15.Qa3here because of my next move. }
15... Nfd5
{ However, even if it weren't for theQ being harassed like, I still would've compensated with my next. Note:That I had it all figured out since he castled, which shows that I thoughtabout 4 moves ahead, which is, already, a significant improvement, sinceat the time, it was only move by move. And, now this is where I startthinking like a GM. By this, I retain I learned from both TA and GM JP. }
16. Qb2 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 Bf6
{ To put a lot of pressure on his N by pinningit. This time, the pin is going to cause damage since I will give me thatopportunity to double up his pawns right in the center. And, doubled pawnsin the center is the worst, more so then if they were away from the center. Now, I also have way to expose his K. Not right away, but it's goingto come, sooner then later. }
18. a4
{ I have no idea why he played this. Now, what I didn't realize, at the time, was that knowing why your opponentmade the move is just as important as the reason behind your moves. It'spart of theory and also why you expect your opponent to find the rightresponse. It's theory based on what he or she was thinking. But, at thetime, I didn't know why, so I felt that it didn't matter. As far as, Iwas considered, it was an in inaccuracy since it doesn't develop so I wasjust going to take advantage of my opportunities with next move. I realize,now, that it was about pawn structures. The idea is connect him and goafter my R, so that now I must do something about it and waste time. }
18... Nc4
{ But, I have plans since his pieces aren't out. And, now worth notingthat my game against slongstaff, I believe it was, is now over, after here. So, now it's about what the commentators mentioned of taking advantageof the weaknesses that you're opponent creates for him or herself whichis the logic behind the General Opening Principals. }
19. Qc2 { Trying toget his advantages back. } 19... Bxd4
{ But, I'm not going to make it easy. Infact, this is also something that I was planning for several. I was tryingto figure how to do this, right after he played 15.Qc3 The idea was doublingup his pawn right in the center like this since doubled pawns in the centerare the worst, even more so, then doubled pawns away from the center. In fact, I've lost several games against Jack by allowing to double mypawns on the center squares, and I kept that in mind by planning this out,which does show that I'm an intelligent person. That's why when I havepeople such as damalfi, cplusplus11, or cdeburca who imply or state thatI should've or deserved to lose from a mistake I made, well, this is howI know otherwise. And, that's also why I took offense when damalfi saidthat we know you'd lose against a 1600 rated player, as that's false givenmy swindles against Jack. }
20. exd4 Nxb4
{ ?? Blunder. I felt that I justcompensated for all that I lost. As far as I was considered I completelybailed out of trouble. However, I overlooked white's next move. Thiswas a blunder as it loses a piece, which is worth more. Best was 20...Qe4as it puts a nasty pin right on the N. Even when he breaks it with 21.c6,there is still a bit of pressure against black's N. However, as noted,I'm still going to remain confident and not resign. }
21. Qxc4 Qxf3+
{ Partof my plan. And, it was a tactic that I overlooked. However, that I sawthis, makes builds my optimism. }
22. Kg1
{ Best! His only other option was22.Ke1, but I'd mate soon after 22...Re8+ Now, when I play it, I don'thave an immediate mate, but black will still have problems, one way oranother. }
22... Re8 23. Ba3
{ ?? Going after my N, whilst developing anotherpiece. However, despite being ahead, this loses immediately, as now Ihave a mate in 2 which can't be avoided. Best was, 23.Qf1 Yes, whiteloses his Q, but it's the only alternative. As, after 23.Qf1, my nextmove would be 23...Re1 pinning that Q, but I don't have a direct threat. With this move, it's mate after 23...Re1+ Once again, I had to plan thisout and think about it because if I didn't calculate he'd still have theadvantages as I would've overlooked this mating sequence. Now, the wayI calculate, and occasionally, think like a GM is by using the Analyzethe Board feature. That's because I figure what to do with that feature. Games like this from past experiences are why I emphasize that my studentsdo that, so I give them HW questions that require you to use analyze theboard. }
23... Re1+ 24. Qf1 Qxf1#
{ So there are two morals to this game. Thefirst one is to develop your pieces, get the K to safety, and control thecenter, as schakertje emphasizes in his 3 step process. Note: That whitepushed pawns, moved the same piece more then once, and brought the Q outearly, when the time could've been used to get his pieces into play. Moreimportant, however, is to, 'Fight Til the End', as I mentioned earlier. As you now see, I had a disadvantage early on, as I was down material. But, not only didn't I resign, but I maintained optimism and confidenceand doing so, allowed me to pull this swindle. So, what I remembered werethe Q sacs from TA, as well as, Supplemental Talking the Talk rules whichis the original WTW rules, that, you don't resign until you see that mateis inevitable. The idea is that you never real know, and, 'it's not overtil it's over' Afterall, just when you think it's over, your opponentmight make a mistake that will allow you to make that combat and pull theswindle. It even happens with stronger opponents. So, don't give up hope. Instead, when you're trouble, calculate, plan ahead, and ask yourselfwhat you can do to get out of it. And, even if you can't do anything,the longer you stay in, the more you learn which is one of the main thingsI teach in my training sessions. Remembering these morals will help oneimprove his or her games. In fact, this is what I needed to do to becomeas good as I am, today. }
0-1
|
[Event "bigpeta's mini-tournament I, http://gameknot.com/"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.08.19"]
[Round "-"]
[White "bigpeta"]
[Black "ionadowman"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2101"]
[WhiteElo "2119"]
{ English opening } 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. g3 { Bremen variation } 3... Bb4 4.
Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 Bxc3 6. bxc3 e4 7. Nd4 c5 8. Nc2 d5 9. cxd5 Qxd5 10. O-O Qh5 11.
f3 exf3 12. exf3 Nc6 13. Ne3 Rd8 { Better is Bd7 to connect theRs } 14. f4 Bg4
15. Nxg4 Nxg4 16. h3 Nf6 17. Rb1 Qg6 18. Rxb7
{ I dont normallyapprove of this kind of pawn pinching but in this case it removes the Nsdefender }
18... Qxg3 19. Qe1 Qxe1 20. Rxe1 Rac8 21. Rb5 Nd7
{ Black's positionis becoming cramped as he has to respond with defensive moves to whitesattacks }
22. Kh2 Rc7 23. d3
{ defending the isolated f-pawn. Better wasKg3 which would also release the LSB from guard duty }
23... a6 24. Rb3 h6 { preventinga back rank mate } 25. Ra3 Ndb8 26. Be3
{ Better was Ra4 giving the optionof Rae4 lining the RS up on the e-file }
26... Re7 27. Be4 c4 28. Bc5 Re6 29. dxc4 a5 30. Kg3 f5 31. Bb6 fxe4 32. Bxd8
Nxd8 33. Rxa5 Nbc6 34. Rb5 g6
{ Presumably to stop f5 but it creates so many weaknesses. Better was Re7 } 35.
a4 Nf7 36. c5 g5 37. a5 gxf4+ 38. Kxf4 Nfe5 39. Ra1 { building a Q-sideattack }
39... Ng6+ 40. Ke3 Nge7 41. c4 Nc8 { Better to attack with Nf5+ } 42. Rb7 Re5
43. Rc7 N8a7
{ And the Ns reach a mutual protection position wherethey will remain locked for the rest of the game. Effectively out of play }
44. Rg1+ { threatening to get both Rs on the 7th rank and threaten mate } 44...
Kf8 45. Rg6 Rxc5 46. Rxh6 Kg8 47. a6 Rxc4 48. h4
{ Analysis engines suggestRhxc6 here which just shows the weakness of engines when it comes to subtlepositional moves. The engine move leads to Rhxc6 RxR Rxa7 and white hastraded a R for 2 Ns. With passed pawns on each side of the board it looksgood BUT they are on the edge of the board so black only has to captureone and then the K can force a draw against the other one. }
48... Ra4 49. Rg6+ { Now the Rs manouvre for a mate } 49... Kf8 50. Rf6+ Ke8
51. Rh6 Ra3+ 52. Kxe4 Ra4+ 53. Kd3 Ra3+ 54. Kc2 Rf3
{ The game is lost but this move speeds upthe end. Better was Kd8 threatening the R. }
55. Rh8+ Rf8 56. Rxf8+ Kxf8 57. Kd2
{ Note not Kd3 as this would allow Nb4+ freeing the Ns to join thefight. }
57... Kg8 58. Ke3 Kh8 59. h5 1-0
|
[Event "Analyzed Games"]
[Site "ChessDoctor.com"]
[Date "?.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "W31"]
[Black "B31"]
[Result "?"]
[ECO "?"]
{00031.5.16 Analyzed by National Master Corey Russell}
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 f5
{This is a mistake. This weakens black's king (the e8-h5
diagonal is now open), doesn't develop, and not black is
unable to boot a white piece from e5. He will have to use
pieces now to do that. Instead, simple development like
...Nf6 or ...Bd7 followed by ...Bc6 is to be recommended.}
5. Bg5
{I understand your wish to post a knight on c5, but this
move is dubious. By far, the e5 square is a better outpost.
It is a hole in your opponent's position. A hole is a square
that your opponent's pawns can't cover. c5, on the other
hand, can easily be covered by the black b-pawn. Instead
of Bg5, I recommend the following setup to take advantage
of black's weakening by f5: Nc3, Bc4, Nf3, castles short
(O-O), and Re1, with a definite advantage to white because b
lack's e6 pawn is a target.}
5... Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Nc5
{I recommend 7. Nc3 instead}
7... Nc6 8. d5
{A good rule of thumb to follow is: don't attack until you've
gotten all your knights & bishops out, and you've castled
to safety! Your entire army wants to get involved in the
fight. If you use just a few pieces, you can be overwhelmed
if you opponent uses all of his pieces, kind of like a 3 on
1 fast break in basketball. Instead, Be2 looks best, so that
if black tries to push ...e5, white won't have to worry about
a discovered check, because the bishop would be blocking.
After the text, black could win a pawn by playing 8. ... Qxc5
9. dxc6 Qxc6.}
8... exd5+ 9. Ne2
{This isn't good. Black is threatening ...Qxc5. White MUST
prevent the loss of a piece. Qe2! does the job! Black can't
take the knight since that would expose his king to check by
the white queen on e2, which is illegal. White only loses a
pawn this way. Also, the knight on e2 block's white's bishop
from getting out. This will cause problems later. White's
king-knight should be posted on f3 instead, where it helps to
control the center.}
9... f4 10. Qd2
{This still hangs a piece on c5. Nb3, followed by 11. Qd2
(trying to castle-queenside and thereby free white's e2 knight
to move) is the best way to proceed. 10. Qxd5 is possible,
but black can get a lot of tempo (extra moves) on white, so
it's probably not worth it. For example, 10. Qxd5 Nf6 11. Qc4
O-O-O, and now white can't even castle}
10... Ne5 11. Nxf4
{This should lose, as now black can now win white's queen by
force. Do you see it? Instead, preserving white's c5 piece
with Nb3 is much preferable.}
11... Nc4+
{Oops! Wrong check! Much better for black is 11. ... Nf3+
12. Kd1 (forced, since it's double-check) Nxd2 13. Kxd2 Qxc5,
with a crushing position for black.}
12. Be2
{Uh, oh, white returns the favor. White's queen is in jeapordy,
and his king is in check. Is there any move that will get the
queen out of danger, AND block the check? Yes! Qe2! Not only
that, it even indirectly defends white's knight at c5, since
the black queen is pinned to her king. Instead, black procures
a large amount of material.}
12... Nxd2 13. Kxd2 g5 14. Nce6
{This should lose immediately after 14. ... gxf4. Notice if
15. Bh5+ Kd7 16. Bg4 Kd6, and black's king is perfeclty safe.}
14... Qb4+ 15. Kc1 Qxf4+
{Black commits a minor blunder. He's still winning, but white
can take black's queen with 16. Nxf4 gxf4. This would leave
black with a piece up, though his development is severely
lagging. This is still far better than what actually happened
for white.}
16. Kb1 Qxf2 17. Rf1 Qxg2
{There was no reason for black not to dominate the white bishop.}
18. Bb5+ c6 19. Nc7+ Ke7 20. Re1+ Kf6 21. Ne8+ Kf7 22. Nd6+ Kf6
23. h3
{Why not continue checking with Ne8+? Maybe black will repeat
the position 3 times with the same person to move, and then
you can legally claim a draw!}
23... Bxh3 24. Nxb7
{White's bishop is hanging. Instead, preserving the bishop
with say Bd3 is superior (though black's still winning).}
24... Re8 25. Rxe8
{This ignore's black's threat of back rank mate. Instead Rc1
would fight on (sort of). Black's advantage would stil be huge.}
25... Qg1+ 26. Bf1 Qxf1+ 27. Re1 Qxe1#
0-1 |
[Event "The Deciding Challenge?"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "24 May 2009"]
[Round "-"]
[White "andy94"]
[Black "ionadowman"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "2026"]
[TimeControl "3 days"]
[WhiteElo "1940"]
{ Having challenged me once or twice before and lost, id=andy94 won thenext game with the Black pieces. Now came a further challenge - a 'decider'. Sounded fair enough to me... }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6
{ A couple of games back,I played a Modern Benoni (beginning 2...c5) and won. Time for somethingdifferent: a King's Indian Defence. }
3. Nf3
{ Unusual move order, but nothingout of the ordinary. Was White trying to invite a Benoni? }
3... Bg7
{ Certainly3...c5 was playable, but I had already determined what opening I was goingto play. }
4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6
{ Also playable were ...c6 or ...c5 here. But I prefer the main lines anyway, which look to action on the K-side. }
6. Be2 e5 { So far, a main line King's Indian. But now White diverges... } 7.
dxe5
{ I have to admit, I don't much like the sort of game that emergesfrom this kind of exchange, though my record on the Black side hasn't beentoo bad. It proves very difficult for both sides to establish any kindof edge. Against the more usual 7.0-0 I would probably have played 7...Nc6. }
7... dxe5 8. Qxd8
{ Yep: there go the Queens. White could have tried the quiteplayable 8.Qc2, but then one would be inclined to wonder why the exchangeon e5. }
8... Rxd8 9. Bg5 { Better than 9.Nxe5 Nxe4! } 9... Nbd7
{ To protect the e-pawn. Black has little to fear from 10.Nd5 (...c6!). } 10.
Rd1 { An interestingalternative was 10.0-0-0. } 10... Rf8
{ Unpinning the d7-knight. Black darednot place the rook on e8 owing to 10...Re8? 11.Nb5! Rb8 12.Nxc7 Rf8 13.Nd5,with advantage. }
11. Nd2 { (!?) Castling instead seems good here. Is theknight headed for b3? }
11... c6 { To prevent a knight's getting in to b5 or d5. } 12. Be3
{ Aiming to relocate to or protect c5? At any rate, there's notmuch doing on the K-side, so White redeploys. }
12... Rd8
{ The pin released, Blackrook returns to d8. But 12...b6 at once might have been preferable. Thisrook, however, move is by way of preparing for the bishop to depart fromthe c8-square. }
13. O-O b6 14. Nf3
{ Very mysterious and surprising. Ithought the knight would appear at b3 at some time... Here, the threat15.Nxe5 is easily met. }
14... Bb7 15. Rd3
{ This must have been White's main idea:to double rooks on the d-file. As the pin at d7 would have been very uncomfortable,Black reacts at once... }
15... Kf8 { (!) Preparing to challenge the double rooksin the d-file... } 16.
Rfd1 Ke8
{ Now there is no pin. All the same, Blackis in no hurry to liquidate the rooks. Note that both sides have playedvery cautiously, neither giving much away, neither over-committing to anypositive action. White has a very centralised position, which answersfor the hole at d4. Black is less compact, but has no real weaknessesto speak of. This is a tough fight for both sides... }
17. Nd2 { More patientmanoeuvring. Is the knight headed for b3 after all? }
17... Bf8
{ (!) Takingadvantage of the absence of pressure on the K-side, Black redeploys thebishop to a more active, central location. }
18. Nf3 { Back again?? Placingpressure on the e-pawn, maybe? } 18... h6
{ Keeping the enemy out of g5 (the threat,for what it was worth, being 19.Bg5). }
19. g3 g5 20. a3
{ (!?) I was expectingmore action on the K-side, viz: 20.h4 g4 21.Nh2 h5 22.Bg5 Be7 23.f3, say. At that point I might well have played 23...Nc5. }
20... Be7 21. Kg2 Ba6
{ Socagey have both sides been, that it is very hard to find point to attack. The c4-square is a particularly dangerous spot... }
22. b4
{ (!) Hopingto induce Black to take the c-pawn? The result might have been 22...Bxc4?!23.Rxd7! Rxd7 24.Bxc4! Rxd1 25.Nxd1 b5 26.Bb3... Now, quite a few of myrecent games have featured R+P vs 2 minor pieces, but I didn't fancy thechances of the R+P in this particular game. }
22... Bb7 23. h4 g4 24. Nd2
{ Fromh2, this knight might not again have seen the light of day,,, } 24... h5
{ Havingstaked out a sizeable tract of K-side territory, I did wonder if Whitemight challenge Black's position there by 24.f3.... }
25. Rb1 { Nope: Whitehas other ideas. } 25... Nf8
{ Taking the opportunity to improve the position ofthis knight. I didn't mind exchanging one pair of rooks... }
26. c5
{ Hopingto open the b-file? Black was not averse to this - and I certainly wasn'twilling (if I could avoid it) to write down my light-square bishop (LSB)by ...b5. But I want the file opened on my terms. The battle now shiftsto the Q-side. }
26... Ne6 27. Nb3
{ (!?) Also playable was 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Nc4Nd4 29.Nxe5 Nxe2 30.Nxe2 Nxe4 31.Nf4 with an OK game for White. }
27... Rxd3 28. Bxd3 Rd8
{ At this point I thought the game was very close to dead even. } 29. Rd1 bxc5
{ Now Black opens the b-file. } 30. Nxc5 Nxc5 31. bxc5 Bc8
{ Aiming for e6. Note that Black's pieces will soon be as centralised asWhite's. Black is not too concerned with seizing the b-file just yet. With one rook apiece, neither side can occupy both open files! }
32. Bc2 Nd7
{ (!?) Probably Black ought to have looked more closely at exchangingrooks before making this move. The rookless endgame might have been marginallyin Black's favour owing to his more centrally located King, and slightlybetter pawns after 32...Rxd1 33.Bxd1 Nd7 34.Na4 Ba6. }
33. Bb3 { (!) Nota bad indirect protection of the c-pawn! } 33... f6
{ Weakens the light squares,it's true, but I felt that if the enemy bishop did manage to get throughto f7 it could have the square, but not the pawn. If instead 33...Bxc5,then 34.Bxc5 Nxc5 35.Rxd8+ Kxd8 36.Bxf7 and the pawn at h5 falls. Whitecould probably have fancied his chances in such a continuation. }
34. Na4 Ba6 35. Rd2
{ Presumably wanting his LSB on e6, White ensures his rook isadequately protected. }
35... Rb8
{ Now things liven up a bit. Black hopes withthis attack on the Q-side to pick up a pawn... }
36. Be6 { Counter in thecentre - not a bad idea! } 36... Nf8 37. Ba2
{ (!) Having discouraged the knight'sattentions towards the c-pawn, the bishop retires into a safe reserve position. There was nothing for the bishop on f5... }
37... Rb5 { A considerable battleis developing around the c5-pawn... } 38. Bc4
Ra5 39. Bb3 { Stout defenceby this heroic bishop! } 39... Bb5
{ (?) Probably too direct an approach, compromisingwhat slender winning chances Black might have. As it transpires, Blackmight have gained more by redeploying the bishop via c8 to e6. }
40. Nc3 Rxa3
{ The fruits of a successful attack? No The win of the pawn is illusoryand transitory... }
41. Nxb5 Rxb3
{ (?!) I had originally intended 41...cxb5,but after 42.Bd5 b4 43.Bc6+ White seemed to get good counterplay. Unfortunatelythe line I played turned out to be no better. }
42. Nd6+
{ (!) Instead 42.Nxa7(which was what I expected) ...Ne6 43.Nxc6 Bxc5 44.Bxc5 Nxc5 with goodplay for Black (45.Rd5 Rc3). Whether it could have been developed intoa win is problematical, though. All the same, White's actual choice ismuch better. }
42... Bxd6
{ (!?) Another try was 42...Kd8!? but after 43.Nf5+ Nd744.Ng7! White's K-side counterplay looks more promising than Black's Q-sideaction. But now,, after 42...Bxd6, Black will have to defend a R+P endinga pawn down. }
43. Rxd6 Kf7 44. Rxc6 Ne6
{ Stopping the c-pawn must takea higher priority than protecting the a-pawn. Black is fighting for adraw, now. }
45. Ra6 Rc3 { Rook goes behind the passer, naturally enough... } 46. Rxa7+ Kg6
47. Ra5 Rc4
{ For the moment, Black has committed both White'sactive pieces to defending the c-pawn, and also made it hard for the thingto advance. Now Black also threatens also to snip off the e-pawn. }
48. Ra6
{ (!) The best chance. Black dare not take either pawn (48...Nxc5?49.Rc6 or 48...Rxe4? 49.Rxe6) }
48... Kf7 49. Ra7+ Kg6
{ A tacit draw offer. Iwanted in any case to keep the knight within quick reach of the c-pawn }
50. Re7 Nd8 { (!?) Not liking the look of 50...Nd4. But see Black's 52nd! } 51.
Re8
{ White has twigged to the fact that Black is adhering as closeas possible to the status quo. So he stops the knight getting back toe6. }
51... Nc6 { Let the King hold the K-side. R and N will hold back the c-pawn. }
52. Re6 Nd4
{ (!?) Why play ...Nd4 now, and not two moves ago? The differenceis that the White rook is on e6, and not e7, allowing the Black King toreach f7. I must admit I didn't particularly notice this 'change of mind'at the time... }
53. Ra6
{ Preserving some winning chances, however slender. Instead 53.Bxd4 Rxd4 [a] 54.Kf1 Rxe4 55.c6 Rc4 (=) or [b] 54.Re8 Rxe455.c6 Rc4 56.Rg8+ Kh7 57.Rc8 Rc1 (=). }
53... Rxc5 54. Ra4 Kf7
{ The knight ispinned, so White will get his extra pawn back. Time to bring up the King. Note that White's King is well out of the action - a big help to Black. }
55. Bxd4 exd4 56. Rxd4 Ke6
{ At this point I was pretty confident of thedraw. All the pawns are now on one side of the board (although Black'saren't very strong), and White's King hard to activate. I had a coupleof times earlier than this considered offering a draw, but felt that sincehe had the stronger side it was up to my opponent. At some point I didexpress my view that it was 'drawish', but without explicitly suggestingthat he ought to offer one himself. }
57. Rd8 Ke5 58. Re8+ Kd4
{ The BlackKing is much the more lively monarch. My only concern was that it mightin some lines be cut off from the K-side - not necessarily fatal, withal,but it might have made the defence difficult. }
59. Re6 f5 { (!) } 60. exf5 Rxf5
{ Must be a book draw here - all the pawns on one side, White's extrapawn is backward, Black's King more actively placed. But... }
61. Ra6 Rb5
{ Black intends as much as possible to keep the rook on the same rank ashis pawn. }
62. Ra3 Ke4
{ (!?) I think this was actually a fingerslip, havingintended 62...Ke5. The idea was 62...Ke5 63.f4+ gxf3ep+ 64.Kxf3 Kf5 witha kind of 'fortress'. It is doubtful that White could have made progressfrom there! }
63. Ra8 Kf5 64. Rc8 Ra5 65. Rf8+ Ke4 66. f3+
{ This had tocome sooner or later... } 66... gxf3+ 67. Rxf3 Ra2+
{ Well... worth a try... } 68. Rf2 Ra5 { Back to the 4th rank guard post. } 69.
g4 { (!) Not a bad try atall! There's nothing else. } 69... hxg4 70. h5
{ White offered a draw after playingthis move. But White could further have tested Black's defences by 70.Kg3! I would probably have responded with 70...Ra8, with the following plausiblecontinuation in mind: 71.h5 Rg8 72.Rf7 Ke5 73.h6 Rh8 74.h7 Ke6 75.Ra7 Kf576.Rg7 Kf6 77.Ra7 Kg6 78.Ra6+ Kxh7 Draw! A tough encounter! }
1/2-1/2
|
[Event "OTB training game..."]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "24-may-18"]
[Round "-"]
[White "fiercequeen"]
[Black "E. Wijnands"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "UR"]
[TimeControl "no time limit..."]
[WhiteElo "2059"]
{ I have to be brutally honest: there is nothing nicer, than these kindof training games against a learning - thus somewhat less experienced -opponent; not only do you get to display all of your chess tricks, butit usually leads to very instructive and rich games: like this one... }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4
{ this used to be my favourite for a long time,so I know this type of opening to the bare bones of it... }
3... Nf6
{ inaccurate:theory dictates Bc5, c3, Nf6, d4, leading to Giuoco Piano, whereas d3 wouldlead to Giuoco Pianissimo; both breeds of the Italian Party... }
4. Ng5 { here is why... } 4... d5 5. exd5 Nxd5
{ another option is Na5, Bb5+, c6, dxc6,bxc6, Qf3!: the Blackburne variation; after cxb5?, of course Qxa8... }
6. Nxf7
{ here we go: Fischer used to call this the 'Fried Liver Attack'; neverfigured out why, but it must have to do with the Black Kings' constitution... }
6... Kxf7 { of course forced... } 7. Qf3+
{ and here we are: Black is faced witha hanging Knight on d5, while in check; of course, there is only one option:cover Nd5, while running out of check... }
7... Ke6 8. d4
{ of course, after Nbc3,Nce7, d4, Black is not enjoying a picknick, but this speeds it up a bit:Fischers' recommendation... }
8... Nxd4 { of course, exd4, Qe4+ is hardly an option:that would lose Nd5... }
9. Qe4 { also covering for pawn c2: very useful... } 9... c6
{ not the best, considering White's plans: maybe better Bd6... } 10. f4
{ another blow: this time, pawn e5 is on the menu... } 10... Bd6
{ this time, thisis forced: but there is a problem... } 11. f5+
{ and here it is... } 11... Kd7 { theonly one, to prevent more trouble... } 12.
c3 { first, we need to chase awayNd4, to release the pressure on c2... } 12...
Nb5 13. Bxd5 cxd5 14. Qxd5
{ andagain, Black is in trouble: Nc7 is met with Qf7+, but also after a6, Qf7+,the Black King is in a too tight spot... }
14... Nc7 15. Qf7+ Qe7 { the only way... } 16. Qxe7+
{ time to simplify matters... } 16... Bxe7 17. O-O
{ White is a piecedown, for a pawn: but Blacks' position is totally in ruins... }
17... Nd5
{ Blackneeds to provide space for the King and Bc8: this prevents Rd1+, but Blackhas to be very careful... }
18. Rd1 Kc6 { needs to get out of the pin: c4is lethal... } 19. g4
{ keeping track, of the little ones... } 19... b6
{ still untanglingthe position... } 20. c4 { time to displace the Knight... }
20... Nf6 { a logicalreply... } 21. h3 Bb7
{ connecting the rooks, and finishing development... } 22. Nc3
{ development and caution against Rd8... } 22... Kc7
{ understandably, butagain incautious... } 23. g5 Nh5 24. h4
{ White is using up, every usefultempo he has: we are still a piece behind... }
24... Rhd8 25. Be3 Rxd1+ 26. Rxd1 { Black is trading pieces, while ahead... }
26... Rd8 27. Nd5+ Bxd5 28. cxd5 { atthis point, Black gets lost for tempo... }
28... g6 29. f6 Bc5 { searching forplay: this is not helpful... } 30. Rc1
{ oops... } 30... Kd6 { Black needs to getout of the pin: c4 is lethal... } 31.
Bxc5+ { first avoid Bxe3, with a nastycheck... } 31... bxc5 32. f7
{ then, stir up new trouble... } 32... Ke7
{ not the bestdecision probably: Black is releasing the pressure too soon... }
33. Rxc5 { of course... } 33... Kxf7
{ better safe than sorry: but Rd7 was more accurate... } 34. Rc7+ Kg8
{ practically forced... } 35. Rc5
{ White needs to be patienthere: after Rxa7, Rxd5, the chances are turning to Blacks' favour... }
35... Rb8 { trying to squirm a way out... } 36. b3 Nf4 37. d6 { ruthless... }
37... Nd3 { coveringfor pawn e5... } 38. Rc7 { again, ruthless... } 38... e4
{ this pawn isn't goinganywhere, but Black will need Ne5 very soon: after d7, followed by Rc8,Black is losing... }
39. Rxa7 { pick a pawn, while we are ahead... } 39... Rd8 40. d7 Ne5 41. a4
{ investing in the future... } 41... Nxd7 42. b4 { locking up Nc5... } 42... e3
{ a useless effort, but Black is running out of moves... } 43. Kf1 e2+
{ at least giving Black one tempo, to reorganize... } 44. Kxe2 Re8+ 45. Kd3
{ and that was the tempo... } 45... Ne5+
{ White has to be very careful here: Nf3is in the air... } 46. Ke4
{ avoiding Nf3... } 46... Nc4+ 47. Kd5
{ always attackan attacking Knight: a loose Knight is no match for a King... }
47... Ne5 { forcedinto safety: but White is getting too close for comfort... }
48. b5 { Re8is occupied, so we invest in promotion... } 48... Nf3
{ looking for counterplay:but it might be too late... } 49. Rd7
{ against Rd8+... } 49... Nxh4 50. b6 { losingno time... } 50... Rf8
{ looking for a chance to get to the King... } 51. Re7 { afterRf5+, Re5... }
51... Ra8 { another try... } 52. b7 { ruthless... } 52... Ra5+
{ after a directRxa4, of course b8=R+ and mate: Black needs to buy time... }
53. Kc6 Rf5 { now, upon b8 and promotion, Black has Rf8... } 54. Re8+
{ but White showsno mercy: again, Black is faced with a do or die situation... }
54... Rf8
{ Kg6or Kg7 are virtually no options: Black will have to run for it... } 55.
b8=Q Rxe8 { all or nothing... } 56. Qxe8+ Kg7 57. Kd6
{ I decided, to takethe prosaic approach: bleed Black of all the useful moves: Black has toreact, before mate is a fact... }
57... Nf5+ 58. Ke5
{ after a greedy Ke6, followsNd4+ and probably some other nuisances which might possibly lead to stalemate:this keeps the Knight away... }
58... Nd6 { a desperado attempt: after Kxd6, Blackreaches stalemate... } 59.
Qe7+ { but not today: first we drive the KIngaway... } 59... Kg8
{ forced: after Kh8, Qf8 mates... } 60. Kxd6
{ like this: afterthe forced Kh8, Qf8 mates; so Black resigned... } 1-0
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2022.04.10"]
[Round "-"]
[White "chesss90"]
[Black "christopherjeff"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1200"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1346"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nge2 Bc5
{ the idea here was to develope spacingyour pieces, } 4. d4 { a good move }
4... Bxd4 { i did the best i could with theposition, being outmanned, } 5. h4
h5
{ i felt i had to meet his pawn thrust,with a similar move, i found out later that you don't have to make thatmove, that is copy his move }
6. Nxd4 exd4 7. Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qe3 Nb4 { a wildmove, on my part } 9. Qe2 d6
{ a useful move, kind of a stabilizing move } 10. Bg5 g6 11. e5
{ i walked right into it, i asked for it, i got it } 11... dxe5
{ trying ti selvage something of the situation } 12. Ne4 { ganging up onme }
12... O-O 13. Nxf6+ Kh8 14. Rd1 Nxc2+ { wild desperation on my part } 15. Qxc2
Bf5 { flailing } 16. Qb3 Qc8 { in deep trouble now, it seems ll for naught }
17. a4 a5 18. Qc4 Be6 19. Qe2 c5 20. Qe3 b6 21. Qc3
{ desperately tryingto fight back } 21... Qc7
{ clutching at straws, if you will } 22. Bh6 Rfd8 { lastminute heroics } 23.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Bb5 Qd6 25. Be2 Qc6 26. Nxh5 Qd6 27. Bg7+ Kg8 28. Bxe5 Qf8 29.
Bg7 Qe8 30. Bh6 Rd4 31. Nf6+ Kh8 32. Nxe8
{ therest is pretty obvious, i hoped to stave him off, but i didn't, } 1-0
|
[Event "luckyjack's new mini-tournament"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "28-Feb-07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "johnb221"]
[Black "bottlenose"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1407"]
[TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"]
[WhiteElo "1460"]
1. c4 { I'll try the Reti Opening } 1... e5 { I guess he prefers KP openings }
2. d3 { I don't know why I didn't play Nc3.. } 2... h6
{ I thought this was premature..my knight's not even on f3 yet } 3. Nc3
{ now I make the knight move (Ithink I feared pawn advance on the 2nd move, followed by f5 because, atthe time, his rating was much higher than mine) }
3... Bb4 { he pins the knight } 4. Bd2 { y bishop runs interference } 4... Nf6
{ he's ready to castle and I'm noteven close! } 5. a3
{ I try to run off the bishop } 5... Bc5
{ It worked! (usuallythey trade me, knight for bishop) } 6. e3
{ I don't want him to force meto move the King with Bxe2 } 6... O-O
{ his king is safe.. I'm still at least2 moves away! } 7. g3
{ I'll put my white bishop on the long diagonal } 7... Nc6
{ I would have played d6 first (but what do I know?) } 8. Bg2
{ one more pieceto move and I can castle } 8... Ne7
{ this move confused me... } 9. b4 { I decideto move the bishop back some }
9... Bxe3 { he gets grumpy... } 10. Bxe3
{ a pawnfor a bishop. I don't understand, but I'll take it. } 10... d5
{ so... he wantscentre control! } 11. Nf3
{ a bad move... I don't know what I was thinking } 11... d4
{ a pawn fork. He'll get his piece back now. } 12. Bxd4
{ trading downlooked like my best option. } 12... exd4 { he's even again } 13.
Ne2 { I run away..(Nxd4, QxN didn't look good to me!) } 13... Re8
{ he prepares a nasty attack onmy uncastled King } 14. O-O
{ so, I'd better castle. } 14... Rb8
{ I guess he worriedabout me uncovering the white bishop } 15. Nexd4
{ now I can nab the pawnsafely } 15... b6
{ looks like his bishop wants the long diagonal too } 16. Qa4
{ I spy a weak pawn.. } 16... Bd7 { I smell a trap! } 17. Qc2
{ so, I back off, butstill own the diagonal } 17... Nf5
{ he uncovers the rook and gains control ofthe open file } 18. Nxf5
{ I'll trade knights (they can be unpredictablydangerous) } 18... Bxf5
{ he completes the trade. } 19. Rad1
{ the pawns positionwas weakened by the trade, so I add support } 19... Qd7
{ is he going to attackthe bishop with Bh3, or put a rook on the file behind his Queen? }
20. Qc3
{ I didn't like the Queen behind the pawn with a bishop lined up on them,and maybe, if I'm patient, I can set up a knight fork }
20... Rbd8
{ now thereare two lines of attack set up, the d-file and the c8-h3 diagonal }
21. Ne5
{ this attacks his Queen, adds protection for my d3 pawn, and opensmy bishop up on the diagonal. }
21... Qd4
{ he offers to trade Queens (basically,he forces me to, or I lose the knight) }
22. Qxd4 { I take it } 22... Rxd4
{ so doeshe, and now my knight is naked again! } 23. Nc6
{ I escape, forking a pawnand rook } 23... Rxd3 { he nabs a pawn } 24. Rxd3
{ I trade rooks } 24... Bxd3
{ no timeto nab the pawn, I need to move the rook } 25. Rc1
{ I protect my pawn, butwonder if Rd1 would have been better } 25... a6
{ he saves his pawn } 26. Bf3 { Itry to keep the knight contained } 26... g5
{ I think he's out to free the knightwith g4 to follow } 27. Rc3
{ a fatal mistake.. } 27... Re1+ { my goose is cooked! } 28. Kg2
{ I try to run away (like 'a little girly-man') } 28... Bf1+ { no good... } 29.
Kg1 { forced } 29... Bh3# { stick a fork in me! } 0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2012.06.16"]
[Round "-"]
[White "matsany"]
[Black "arthurpoirierroy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1161"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1535"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qf6
{ 4....Qf6?! , i don't think itsgood idea because of moving the queen so early in the game is violationof the game principles and cause a big problems , the queen blocks theblack knight on g8 and force it to move to passive position , allowingNf6 by moving out the queen its waist of tempo , 4....Qf6 is not developingmove , it actually interrupts it own Pisces . most popullar move in thisposition is 4....Nf6 }
5. Nc3 c6 6. Bc4
{ controlling central d5 square. by the time developing the BWS to acctive and strong position . }
6... Be6
{ i think 6....b5 was mach stronger , now white stays with ''2 bishops''advantange . }
7. Nxe6 fxe6 8. O-O Nd7 9. f4
{ 9.f4? olmost completlely whitelosing his advantange. 9.Qh5+g6.10.Qf3....white keeps his advantange .anywaythe move 9.f4? opens agood game for black , 9...d5!10. e5- Bc5+.11.Kh1-Qh4-+ }
9... d5 10. e5 Qh4
{ as i said 10...Bc5+ with tempo and than 11.....Qh4with minimum equal game for black . }
11. g3
{ 11.g3! it seems the whitemake its own weakness but after Be2-f3-g2- white cover it fine . }
11... Qh3 12. Be2 Nh6 13. Be3
{ steel black can play 13...Bc5 , but after 14.Bxc5-Nxc5.15.Qd4white get reed of his weak DSB. }
13... Nf5 14. Bf2 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16. Bh5+ g6 17. Bg4
{ another pawn on white square , and force the black queen retreetfrom it strong position . black cant fork the queen and the rooke becauseblack will lose his knight , here white have a small advantange becuaseof his strong bishop . }
17... Qh6 18. b4
{ the idea is that white wishes to dumpthe black knight away from the center and take space on the queen sidebut after 18.b4-Nd7.19.Qd3 the position is steel uncleared . }
18... Ne3
{ mistake, black exchange to Pisces for whites rook and one pawn give white totallydomination on the board taking advantage of the far away black Pisces whichunemployed . }
19. Qe2 Nxf1 20. bxc5 { not 21.Rxf1-Nd7 , the black knightis traped anyway . }
20... Nxg3 21. hxg3 { only 21...Ke7 but still black much worse. } 21... O-O 22.
Bxe6+ Kh8 23. Re1 { centralisation } 23... g5 24. f5 Rae8 25. Qe3 Re7 26. Ne2
{ the idea is to move 27.Nd4! which blockade d5 pawn and defendsthe bishop on e6 its the best position for white now , because knightsin position like those are strong as rook ,( see ''my system'' by AronNimzovich) it explains the importance of blockades . }
26... b5 27. Nd4 Rc7 28. Kg2 { threatinig Rh1 on the next move . } 28... Qh5
29. f6 g4 30. Rh1 Qg6 31. Bf5 { its a lost game for black now . } 31... Qe8 32.
Qf4 Rg8 33. Qh6 Qf7 34. e6
{ anyretreet of the black queen causes mate , 34...Qf8.35.Qxh7+-Rxh7.36.Rxh7#, black was crushed in this game and now black trys to earning time butno use . }
34... Rg6 35. exf7
{ and black resigns . because of the ''mate net''there is no way out now , hope you enjoyed the game , thank you }
1-0
|
[Event "nando_52's mini-tournament IV"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.01.27"]
[Round "-"]
[White "gepard007"]
[Black "jestey1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1783"]
[TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"]
[WhiteElo "1441"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Qb6 4. b3
{ ?! This is a waste of time – it isbetter to simply develop with 4. Nc3. (4. Nc3 Qxb2? 5. Nb5! +-) }
4... e6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. c3 Be7 7. Nbd2
{ ? Bd3 followed by 0-0 is natural and good. Thetext leaves the Kingside undeveloped, undefends the c-pawn and allows afork on d5. }
7... Nd5 { Threatening ...Nxc3 and ...Nxf4; exf4 cxd4 } 8. Nc4
{ ! Thebest choice. White will still lose material, but will have more activepieces and pressure on the dark squares. Black should still be better,but will have to work hard. }
8... Qd8 9. Nd6+
{ ? White takes another tempo totrade off the Knight he just gave up a pawn to put on c4. 9. dxc5 Nxc310. Qd3 (or 9. Bd6) would be much better. }
9... Bxd6 10. Bxd6 Nxc3 11. Qd2
{ ??Missing Black's reply while overestimating the danger of ...Qa5. 11. Qc2Qa5 12. Qd2! and now ...Ne4 is met by taking the Black Queen. }
11... Ne4 12. Qc2 Nxd6 13. Qxc5 Ne4
{ ! Black doesn't sit back and relax down a piece, butgoes for the throat: the Queenside dark squares. }
14. Qc2 Qa5+ 15. Nd2 f5 { ! A quiet move to maintain the pressure. } 16. a3
{ ?! A waste of time,since b4 is unplayable. White needs to be extremely careful in untanglinghimself: 16. Bd3?? is met by ...Nb5 17. Qb1 Nxd2 18. Kxd2 b6! and White isin even deeper trouble. }
16... b6 17. b4 { ?? Not seeing the pin. } 17... Nxb4
{ Whitetimed out here, and proceeded to lose the rest of his tournament gamesby time-out, but Black is clearly winning. }
0-1
|
[Event "Najdorf a double gambit in the poison pawn variation"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "freeman8201"]
[Black "spengler"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1666"]
[WhiteElo "1793"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { Sicilian Najdorf } 6. Bg5
{ This was the mainline before the English attack became dominant. } 6... e6 7.
f4 Qb6
{ And black enters the poison pawn variation. At the costdevelopment, Black attempts to 'snag' a Pawn and ride out the stormy weather. }
8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 { Book moves } 10. e5 { ! This is the second gambit! }
10... dxe5 11. fxe5 Nfd7 12. Ne4 { controlling the dark squares } 12... Nxe5
{ ?? } 13. Nxe6 { ! } 13... Nbd7 { ?? } 14. Nc7#
{ Query: What checkmate is this called? } 1-0
|
[Event "A powerful Pin"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "07-Jan-09"]
[Round "-"]
[White "puritan"]
[Black "neimaq"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1620"]
[TimeControl "14 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1628"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. a3
{ Probably should have played d5 here, C5 alsopossible } 3... Nc6
{ not sure what I am doing here (Knights Tango? sort of thing) } 4. e3 d6
{ a bit passive } 5. Bd3 g6 6. c4 Bg7 7. b4
{ now .. black has aspace disadvantage } 7... O-O 8. Bb2 Re8
{ This was to prepare e5 when white mayplay d5 and black Knight returns to b8 in the style of Kings Indian ? }
9. Qc2 a6 { afraid of getting completely over run ! stopping b5 } 10. O-O e5
11. dxe5
{ Thought white might have played d5 instead when it would bedifficult for black to over come space disadvantage ! }
11... dxe5 12. e4
{ preventingthe obvious ..d5 which would fork two pieces but I am not convinced ..white may have been better not to close in his white bishop (maybe Nb1to d2) }
12... Bg4
{ just trying to get pieces developed quickly as I felt backwardin development . }
13. Nbd2
{ I thought here for long time trying to finda way forward .. what options has black here ? can anyone see a decentplan ? }
13... Nd7
{ Probably has drawbacks ..But this is what I decided upon ..hopingto play f5 }
14. h3 Be6 15. Nb3
{ here white is thinking of playing Knightto C5 ..again I was stumped as to what to play (normal moves seemed todevalue my position) .. in the end I came up with an idea ! }
15... Nf8 { lettingthe white Knight come to C5 } 16. Nc5 Bc8
{ needed to protect b7 } 17. Rfd1 Ne6
{ played this as I thought I might be able to secure a knight on d4and block the white rook if needed to do so. }
18. Nxe6 Bxe6 19. Be2 Nd4 20. Bxd4 exd4 21. Bd3 Qd7 22. Ng5
{ the light squared bishop is doomed..Iblocked its escape when I played Qd7 .. It is o.k however I think ! asit did not have many squares ! Opposite coloured bishops ..often givethe weaker side chances of obtaining draw in end game }
22... Rad8 23. Re1 Be5 { stopping f4 } 24. Rad1 c5
{ black needs to take action and disrupt whitespawns ? } 25. Nxe6 Rxe6 26. Rf1
Bf4 { again to stop f4 } 27. Rfe1 Re5
{ stoppingpawn and protecting c5 ..if bxc then I can take back with rook and perhapsdouble rooks on C-file }
28. Be2 b6 29. bxc5 bxc5
{ must have changed mymind ? perhaps thinking about occupying the b file with rook }
30. Bg4 Qc6 31. g3 Bh6 32. f4 Re7 33. Qd3 Bg7 34. h4 Qa4 35. e5
{ looks grim for myblack squared Bishop } 35... Rb8 36. Rb1 Reb7 37. Rxb7 Rxb7
38. Bd1 Qd7 39. Re2 a5 40. Ra2 Qd8 41. Ba4 Qc8 42. Bb5
{ Interesting move ! This is probablygood sometimes, I used to play moves like this myself, however I can'thelp but think that the Bishop is badly placed (is it better on b1-h7 diagonalor h1-a8) }
42... Rb6
{ This is to secure e6 square - the rook an the queen prevente6 and blck needs to play f6 }
43. a4 f6 44. exf6 Bxf6 45. Re2 Re6 46. Re4 Kf7 47. Kg2
{ This offers black great chances } 47... Qb7
{ This pin actually turnsout to be fatal in nature ! White Bishop turns out to be misplaced }
48. Kf3 Kg8 { safety first } 49. Qb1
{ note if black King was still on f7 thenwhite now plays Be8 and wins the black queen }
49... h6 50. Qc2 g5 51. hxg5 hxg5 52. fxg5 Bxg5 53. Qd3 Be3
{ divides king and queen ...white can't playRxR as the white rook is still pinned }
54. Qc2 Rf6+ { now white is goingto go down ! if 55. Kg2 Rf2 etc } 55. Kg4
Qc8+ 56. Kh5 Rh6# 0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2015.11.22"]
[Round "-"]
[White "mmoody95"]
[Black "cccm"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1573"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1792"]
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. e3 a6 { This limits the squares for White's B. } 4. b3
Bf5 5. a3
{ Necessary to stop Nb4, with a double attack on the vulnerablec2 pawn. } 5...
Nf6 6. Bb2 e6 7. Be2 Bg4
{ The B had a good square already atf5, so moving it twice in the opening loses a tempo. }
8. Nbd2 Bd6 9. O-O Ne4
{ Another piece is moved twice in the opening before full developmentis achieved. }
10. Ne5 Bxe2 11. Qxe2
{ White has castled and the Rooks arelinked. Black is a couple of tempos behind. }
11... O-O 12. f4 f6 13. Nef3 f5 14. Ne5
{ The point of Black's f6 to kick the N is unclear if it is goingto be followed immediately by f5--which simply allows the N to come rightback to a good square. }
14... Bxe5 { Now Black exchanges the strong N anyway. } 15. fxe5 Qh4
{ If Black is intending a Kingside attack, perhaps repositioningthe c6 N and leading with g5 might have been an alternative. It's notclear what the Q can do on h4. }
16. Rf4 Qh6 17. Re1 g5 18. Rff1 f4
{ Losesa pawn, which might be okay if a strong attack resulted. But the e4 Nis easily exchanged and the Q is not very dangerous on its own. }
19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. exf4 Ne7
{ gxf4 might have been stronger here. It still losesa pawn after White's Qxe4, but the f4 pawn could still be dangerous. Repositioningthe c6 N would have been better before the attack was launched, not afterit is losing steam. }
21. fxg5 Rxf1+
{ The attacker is usually better keepingpieces on the board. It's usually the defender who wants to exchange them. }
22. Rxf1 Nf5 { Qxg5 is mandatory--or at least something that saves the Q. } 23.
gxh6
{ I think Black simply overlooked the hanging Q. This can happenwhen you are too focused on your plan and don't carefully examine youropponent's counterplay. The move isn't really representative of how wellBlack has played so far. }
1-0
|
[Event "Knife Edge of Terror!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.06.12"]
[Round "-"]
[White "jstevens1"]
[Black "untateve"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "1740"]
[TimeControl "7d+1d<7d"]
[WhiteElo "1842"]
1. e4
{ Hi everyone! No doubt you have heard of the race being on whenboth sides castle on opposite sides. This usually happens in the SicilianDragon. This was the Robatsch Defense but the set up was very similarto the Dragon. Both of us were at each other's throats in this game andit looked as though I was gonna lose, especially when I lost a piece fora pawn and then gave up a rook for Steve's dsb (leaving me a rook for 2pawns to the bad) to get a perpetual check or, if my opponent slipped up,a snap mate. So this was the knife-edge. How did it all end? Well folks,read on. I have got the gameknot analysis form of the game here for youto refer to when necessary. http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=13908054&rnd=0.14359211126206422 }
1... g6
{ 1. ... g6 - this move is the Robatsch Defense. Steve's dsb will goto g7 and may become a monster - for a starters he is bearing down on myrook on a1 when he gets there! }
2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4 { 4. f4 - a kindof Pseudo-Austrian Attack. } 4... a6
5. Nf3 b5
{ 5. ...... b5 - this is gettinga bit like the Sicilian Naijdorf and the Dragon all mixed into one. }
6. Bd3 Nd7
{ 6. ..... Nd7 - Steve had this post-match comment to make aboutthe gameknot analysis feature here. 'I disagree with the computer that6...Nd7 was a mistake. If, as the computer suggested, you played 7. a4,I would have moved 7...b4 and focused on a Q-side expansion.' }
7. Be3 Bb7 { 7. ..... Bb7 - hmm, a double-fianchetto. } 8. e5 c5 9. Be4 Bxe4
10. Nxe4
{ 10. Nxe4 - glad to get rid of that lsb even at a cost of Fou Leblanc. } 10...
Nh6 11. Qe2 cxd4 12. Bxd4 { 12. Bxd4 - pawn trade. } 12... Nf5 13. O-O-O Nxd4
14. Rxd4
{ 14. Rxd4 - Fou Lenoir is traded for black's king knight. I willmiss him, especially as Steve has that very strong bishop on g7 rakingdown on my castled position, albeit indirectly. }
14... O-O 15. Rhd1 Qa5 16. Kb1
{ 16. Kb1 - necessary, to protect the pawn on a2. } 16... Nb6 17. Ng3 Nc4 18.
Qe1 { 18. Qe1 - I offer a trade of queens but Steve is not interested. } 18...
Qc7 19. Re4 { 19. Re4 - time to break the pin on the e5 pawn. } 19... f5 20.
exf6 Bxf6 21. c3
{ 21. c3 - necessary to block the diagonal off from that nastyblack dsb! }
21... a5 22. Nd4 { 22. Nd4 - threatening a fork on e6. } 22... Rfb8 23. f5
{ 23. f5 - I now try and bust open the BK's position but alas, this provesto be premature according to Gameknot Analysis which suggested 23. Ne6. Please refer to the link for further detail. }
23... b4 24. Re2 { 24. Re2 - myrook comes back to defend the pawn on b2. }
24... bxc3 25. Qxc3 { 25. Qxc3 - forcedas my b2 pawn is pinned. } 25... d5 26.
fxg6 hxg6
{ 26. ..... hxg6 - I have weakenedSteve's position as planned but will Steve get in first? }
27. Qd3
{ 27.Qd3?! - this move will result in the loss of a piece but will my attackbe sufficient compo? }
27... Bxd4 28. Qxg6+
{ 28. Qxg6+ - if I played Qxd4?? herethen I would have to give up the exchange to save Glenda after 28.....Na3+ 29. Ka1 Nc2+. With the black heavies bearing down upon Henry my outlookwill be very bleak indeed. Steve told me that Qxd4 would have made hislife much easier - I am glad I played Qxg6+ and made Steve run the gauntletfrom Glenda then. }
28... Bg7 29. Qe6+ Kf8 30. Rf1+
{ 30. Rf1+ - Glenda badly needssome assistance. If 30. .... Ke8 then Qf7+ leads to a perpetual with Glendaoscillating from g8-e6 to check the BK. Steve therefore decided to interposehis bishop. }
30... Bf6 31. Rxf6+
{ 31. Rxf6+ - Here I sacrificed my rook for twopawns. I was on the high wire without a safety net. The last time I sacrificedany material was in a game against The Master Mater of all people annotatedas Don't Play for Cheapos - needless to say I lost. Steve told me thathe did not expect this move at all. This move completely opens up theBK to Glenda and my other rook and possibly my knight on g3 so I thoughtthat I might at least save the game and if Steve erred, even win it! }
31... exf6 32. Qxf6+ Kg8
{ 32. ..... Kg8 - Steve told me in the chat that he thoughthe had made a blunder. I did not comment at this stage but I thought thatSteve's next move 33. ..... Qg7 was an innacuracy and that 33. ...... Kh8was better because if I checked him on the h column then the Wicked Witchof the West would give Henry a cross-check on h7. I anticipated that beforeI played 32. Qg5+ because my next move would have been to have put Henryon a1 away from any checks from Steve's pieces and hopefully be able toresume checking the BK. }
33. Qg5+ Qg7 34. Qxd5+
{ 34. Qxd5+ - for a startit allows me to claw back another pawn for the missing rook. 3 pawns forthe rook is nowhere near enough though and I still have some work to doto save this game here. }
34... Qf7 35. Qg5+ Kh8
{ 35. ...... Kh8 - now he playsKh8 but I can now play my rook to e7 because the Wicked Witch is off thec or d column. If I had played this move on move 33 then Re7 would nothave worked because of 34. Na3+ followed by Ka1 followed by Qc1#. No backrow mate is possible here because my knight on g3 controls the f1 square. Now the BQ is pinned to a mate on g7. }
36. Re7 Na3+ 37. Ka1
{ 37. Ka1 -this move is best because I analysed a forced mate for Steve should Henryhave gone to c1 starting with 38. Rc8+. Steve played Nc2+ and offeredme a draw (now, ironically, it was Steve needing a perpetual to save HISgame) which I accepted. Pheeeeeeeew! }
37... Nc2+ 1/2-1/2
|
[Event "Team match"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2019.01.11"]
[Round "-"]
[White "jos_h"]
[Black "goldmedal10"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "648"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "663"]
1. h4 { What kind of opening is this? } 1... d5 { king opening I am black } 2.
Nf3 { starts building minor pieces } 2... Nf6 { knight } 3. Ne5
{ as I recall movinga piece two times in a row is not good. } 3... Ne4
{ now I did what just said } 4. f3 { pawn } 4... c6 { pawn wall on queen side }
5. fxe4 { takes knight } 5... dxe4 { pawn } 6. g4 { moves random pieces } 6...
f6 { is this a small pawn wall } 7. Bg2 { bishop } 7... fxe5
{ takes his knight } 8. Bxe4 { likes to double more pieces } 8... Bxg4
{ bishop } 9. Rg1 { rook } 9... e6 { pawn } 10. Rxg4 { rook } 10... Qe7
{ queen } 11. a4 { pawn } 11... a5 { blockspawn } 12. Bg6+ { check } 12... hxg6
{ is it ok to have 2 sets off double pawns?Is double pawns ok? } 13. Rxg6
{ rook } 13... Nd7 { knight } 14. Ra3 { rook } 14... Rxh4 { rook } 15. c4
{ pawn } 15... Rh1+ { check next move get that queen } 16. Kf2
{ bye bye queennext move } 16... Rxd1 { rook } 17. Rc3 { same } 17... Qh4+
{ check } 18. Ke3 { pawn } 18... Rxc1 { bishop } 19. Rxc1 { rook } 19... Qh5
{ queen } 20. Rxe6+ { check } 20... Kf7 { king } 21. Rxe5 { rook } 21... Qxe5+
{ check } 22. Kf3 { king } 22... c5 { blocks pawn } 23. Rf1 { rook } 23... Qxb2
{ queen } 24. e4 { pawn } 24... Qb4 { should I have check in } 25. e5 { pawn }
25... Qxa4 { Ishould of did d8 to d5 } 26. Nc3 { knight } 26... Qxc4
{ safe queen } 27. Kg3+ { howis this a check? } 27... Qxf1 { queen } 28. Nd5
{ knight } 28... g5 { pawn } 29. Nc7 { knight } 29... Rc8 { rook } 30. Nb5
{ knight } 30... Qxb5 { I am so far a head } 31. e6+ { pawn } 31... Kxe6
{ king } 32. d4 { pawn } 32... Bd6+ { check } 33. Kg4 { king } 33... cxd4
{ pawn } 34. Kh5 { king } 34... Nf6+ { check } 35. Kg6 { king } 35... Rg8+
{ check } 36. Kh6 { king } 36... Rh8+ { check } 37. Kg7 { king } 37... Bf8+
{ check } 38. Kxh8 { how is this a state mate } 38... Qf1 { queen? } 1/2-1/2
|
[Event "Seattle Chess Club Friday Night G25"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "ME"]
[Black "Opponent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[TimeControl "g25"]
1. Nf3
{ This is a G25 I played at the Seattle Chess Club recently. Myopponent was rated around 400 points below me, but the game is very interestingfrom a positional point of view and contains some interesting tactics. }
1... d5 2. c4 dxc4
{ My opponent opts for the Accepted variation of theReti Opening. This was the first time I have faced this opening OTB andI was definitely excited to play it. }
3. e4
{ This move is recommended byNigel Davies in his book 'The Dynamic Reti'. 3. e3 can transpose to aQGA. The typical Reti move is 3. Na3, but this is not my most favoriteof moves. 3. e4 leads to some very fascinating and unexplored positions. }
3... e6
{ Wisely blunting the a2-g8 diagonal as my light-squared bishop willtake up residence there on the next move. 3...b5? is just outright badafter 4. a4 c6; 5. ab cb; 6. Nc3 Bd7; 7. b3! when the Black queenside issmashed and White has open lines and a lead in development. Best, however,is 3...c5. }
4. Bxc4 Nc6
{ Again, ...c5 is better, taking control of thebackward d-pawn and the holes on d4 and d3. }
5. Bb5
{ 5. 0-0 is anotheroption, but I am aiming for a quick d4 and a stong central presence. }
5... Bd7 6. O-O a6
{ Black is neglecting development and the bishop blocks the pressuredown the d-file. A better plan is the Sicilian-like 5...a6 followed by...b5 and ...Bb7, with pressure on the e-pawn. ...Nge7 is also better. }
7. Ba4 Bd6
{ As often happens with a bishop on d6, it becomes a target forthe White central pawn duo. }
8. d4 Nge7
{ Black is all crowded togetherwith no way to exchange pieces. My next move is an attempt at a cheapotactic. }
9. a3
{ Threatening to win material with e5. This is not a moveI would have played in a standard tournament time control. Objectively,9. Nc3 is much stronger. }
9... b5
{ Only kicking my bishop to a better square. The immediate ...Ng6 is better, if a bit awkward. }
10. Bc2
{ It's clearat this point that the Black king will find no refuge on the kingside. }
10... Ng6 11. e5
{ Advancing the center duo will give me attacking chances onthe kingside, clear the e4-square for a piece and divide the Black armyin two. }
11... Be7 12. Nc3
{ Here I felt I was committed to playing on the kingsideand in the center. A move like this fits in logically with that plan. While White still has a sizeable advantage here, Fritz 10 suggests that12. Be4 followed by Be3 and Qe2 is devastating for the Black queenside. }
12... f6
{ This move is horrible. The king is still in the center and this moveonly serves to highlight the weak squares around the king. Black's bestis 12...b4, when White still has a clear advantage, but Black will getsome play on the queenside. }
13. Qe2
{ Protecting the strong point of theattack. Fritz suggests ripping open the position with 13. ef! Bxf6; 14.d5, with an overwhelming attack against the centralized Black king. }
13... Na7
{ Black had to try and castle then liquidate the center for some much neededcounterplay. This move removes a vital piece from the theater of battleand allows me to continue my attack unabated. }
14. Rd1
{ I decide to relentlesslypursue a policy of centralization and piece improvement. Fritz still likesthe exchange on f6. }
14... c6 { Stopping d5, however, I have complete controlof the board. } 15. h4
{ Fritz gives this move as very strong, and I agree! } 15... f5
{ Black's only chance is to keep the position as closed as possible. } 16. h5
{ 16. Ng5 is crushing after 16...h6; 17. Nxe6!! Bxe6; 18. Qh5 Bf7;19. e6! }
16... Nf8
{ The Black pieces are in a complete state of paralysis anddisharmony. } 17.
Nh2 { Nd2 is also possible, however, I was aiming for apossible g4. } 17... g5
{ An interesting move. The pawn is obviously off limitsdue to the opening of the h-file to the Black rook. }
18. Nf1
{ g4 is better,however, this maintains the advantage sufficiently to allow me to playfor the win rather easily. }
18... h6
{ Attempting to exploit my slow play with...a5 and ...b4 seems to promise better practical chances, even if objectivelyWhite is winning. }
19. Qd3
{ Again g4 is better, but I was starting to getinto time trouble and was having to make quick decisions. I was reallyonly worried about blundering my advantage. Since the position is relativelyclosed, playing a move like this will hardly toss the advantage. }
19... Qc8
{ Again...a5 is stronger, as is ...Qc7, targeting the e-pawn, if I ever try toforce through d5. }
20. g4 { Finally! } 20... f4
{ Giving up e4 dooms my opponent. My knights are going to become much stronger than their counterparts. }
21. Ne4 { Already exploiting the hole! } 21... Kd8 { Black is waiting to die! }
22. Bd2 { Aiming to bring every piece into the attack. } 22... c5 23. Ba5+ Ke8
24. dxc5 Bxc5
{ Now Black is lost. The next sequence of movesis entirely forced. } 25. Nf6+
Ke7 26. b4 Nc6 27. bxc5 Nxa5 28. Qd6+ Kd8 29. Nxd7
{ Black is crushed after ...Nxd7;Qxe6 and Bf5!! } 29... Qxd7 { Even worse! }
30. Qb6+ Ke8 31. Rxd7 Nxd7 32. Qxa5 Rc8 33. Bg6+ Ke7 34. Qxa6 Nxe5 35. Re1 Nf3+
36. Kh1 Nxe1 37. Qd6+ Kf6 38. Qd4+ e5 39. Qd6+ Kg7 40. Qe7+ { Resigns. } 1-0
|
[Event "Challenge from mikensons"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2014.02.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "joveyboy1"]
[Black "mikensons"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1209"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1023"]
{ (The ratings of the two players were their ratings when the game started)I played my opponent I think in 6 other games and lost all 6. This game,although not as long, was quite entertaining! }
1. e4 { My traditional opening. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Bc5
{ ? Not a move I ever encountered before. His pawn is wideopen. } 3. Nxe5 Qf6
4. Ng4 d5
{ Me and mikesons had completed a couple othergames earlier on this day and were playing quite fast. I can usually playfast and not make major mistakes. Black, however, well you look at theboard, he completely overlooked my knight! He did tell me, 'That's whathappens when you play too fast.' }
5. Nxf6+ Nxf6 6. exd5 { A massive advantagefor me right now. } 6... Nxd5 7.
Qe2+ Be6 8. Qb5+
{ My advantage was massive,but I was about to make it even bigger! } 8... c6 9.
Qxb7 { The rook is gone. } 9... Nb4
{ I could see his next move coming. 10. Qxa8 Nxc2+ 11. Kd1 Nxa1. I wasn'tgonna let that happen. }
10. Bd3 { The bishop protects the c2 pawn and thec2 pawn protects the bishop. }
10... O-O { He gives the b8 Knight protection. } 11. Qxa8
{ We all knew that was gonna happen. } 11... Re8
{ I was unsure what hewas planning. } 12. Qb7
{ I wanted to get my queen out of there. } 12... Bc8+
{ Completelyoverlooked that. All of a sudden, black is able to reduce my advantagebig time! }
13. Be2 Bxb7
{ I still have a good advantage though. I did tellyou this would get interesting right? }
14. O-O Nxc2 { And it has. I overlookedthat completely too. } 15. d3
{ I had no idea what to do. } 15... Rxe2
{ Yet anotheroverlooked attack. Just a few moves ago I had a massive advantage. NowI'm about to have a big disadvantage! }
16. Rd1 Nxa1
{ He never gave up,and now look at where black is. Once this had happened, I had basicallygiven up myself. }
17. d4
{ I decided to go for this: 17. d4 Bxd4 18. Rxd4Re1# and give him the win... }
17... Bb4
{ ...but he instead protected his bishop.He may not of seen the possibilities of checkmate, or he was going easyon me, but then I noticed that both our kings had the same flawed protection,thus I decided to go for one final push! }
18. Bd2
{ Wasn't sure what todo really, but I hoped for 18. Bd2 Bxd2 19. Rxd2 Rxd2 20. Nxd2. That wouldof hurt me though... }
18... Nc2 { ...so I'm very glad he did this instead! } 19. Bxb4
{ I trade here. I tend to do better with less pieces on the field. } 19... Nxb4
20. Nc3 { I go for the rook. } 20... Ba6
{ ? Either we are still playing tofast for him to handle, or he is going too easy on me! }
21. Nxe2 Bxe2 22. Re1 { I go for an even Steven. } 22... Bc4
{ It wasn't until he made this move whenI realized how incredible this game was all the way to... }
23. Re8#
{ THEEND! As I said, 'Flawed protection!' This game is the perfect example of'It ain't over until it's over!' Think about this: I get a massive earlylead, black comes back and not only erases it but builds a big lead himself,but then I find a way to turn things around and bring in checkmate. Thisincredible, awesome, and exciting game was now over. I hope you enjoyedthis annotation and feel free to comment and rate it. }
1-0
|
[Event "OTB Mentoring Game 2"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "3/24/17"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Joe"]
[Black "Carl"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "About 75 min"]
[WhiteElo "1293"]
{ After the first game in which I won when Carl opened with the SicilianDefense, I played against him again as white. This time, though, Jackdecided not to have Carl play the Sicilian Defense. At first, Carl wantedto play the Philidor's Defense. But, Jack advised him to play the commonmoves. Unlike the first game, concentration and thought process went downhill. In other words, it went in the wrong direction, and with a couple of mistakesfrom white, Jack was able to help Carl win this game which is actuallysomething that I anticipated in the first game. The exception involvedthe glaucoma. However, it did not get to Jack here, so how did it allgo down? }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
{ Not surprisingly, Jack opted forthe Spanish Opening. The reason I was going to play it is that I'm mostused to it. }
3... a6
{ For a while, Carl didn't know what to do. In fact,he was inclined to play the Berlin Defense. Jack said that it was a goodmove and nothing wrong with it. But, this move, however, is more common,so his advice was to play it since his idea is playing moves that are mostanalyzed by masters and grandmasters. }
4. Ba4 Nf6
{ Jack also told Carlthat he could hit my B again but he wanted to Carl to continue developing. }
5. O-O
{ So, I play it as though Carl played the Berlin Defense. In fact,this could be a transposition into just that because after 4...Nf6 5.0-0,I seem to remember playing one game that then followed with 5...a6 6.Ba4b5 7.Bb3. Well, we're seeing the same thing but in a different order. So, it's certainly a transposition, and I believe that it is with thevery same defense. The real reason behind this move is because of whatCarl wants to do. }
5... b5
{ As he was about to play 5...Nxe4 But, as noted,you have to think of this like a training game with Kenneth_fiore_3. That'sbecause Jack didn't allow Carl to capture on e4. He said that taking therewould be a mistake since white can answer with 6.Re1. Afterwhich, I'dhave the advantage. Well, I don't completely agree that I'd get an initiative,but rather, I'd call it even since those moves have been played before. In fact, cplusplus11 showed me an example, and I believe that game endedin a draw since it's all in book, and therefore, blends in theory. Withthat being said, had he taken, I would've stayed in book by centralizingthe Rook on e1. Therefore, he told Carl to play this. After which, asnoted, it has transposed, and possibly into the Berlin Defense. But, whatI do is that this is interesting. }
6. Bb3 Bb7 { Not surprisingly, Carl takesadvantage of his fianchetto. } 7. Ng5
{ Not really sure what to do, I decideto threaten Carl's f7 pawn because of what I learned from TA. And, whatI apply to teach my students from his blitz Q sac is what GM Susan Polgarpreviously mentioned based on how important the f pawn is. So, I targetthat square. }
7... d5
{ Not surprisingly, he defends. And, Jack gave this ashis best move. Right now, I must exchange to avoid losing a pawn. }
8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Bxd5
{ But, right here is where my thought process and judgementstarts to go down. It's actually something that Ken has seen before. Similar to another game, I didn't know what else to do. Therefore, withoutthinking twice about it, I just exchange. And, yes, I am back to doingit just because it is possible to do so. The problem to is that I didn'tgive this time, either. As after Carl takes back, I will harass the Queenwhich is just something that I enjoy doing. For, had I taken a littlelonger, I would've either fianchettoed with 9.b3, or I might have developedwith 9.d3. The thing, however, is that nothing came into consideration,aside from this move. It was right here that I start becoming impatient. I think the reason behind is that I was still upset about all of the insultstowards TA that it took away all of my concentration. This is also whyafter complaints were made, I made the personal prayer that GK would suspendthat club which is what happened. As those kinds of things and gettingall upset after a club war or insults towards a good teacher and friendhas gotten the best of me. That is what happened here. }
9... Qxd5 10. Nc3 Qd8
{ But, what I forgot is that it doesn't give me time to continue developingright away since my Ng5 is attacked. }
11. Nf3 Bd6 { As now, Carl is theone ahead in development. } 12. Re1
{ And, with an added defender, I decideto centralize my Rook at once. Jack told Carl that this is no worry, asit can be easily dealt with by castling. As usual, I agree with coachStockel. }
12... O-O 13. d3
{ Which I anticipated, as now, I open up a diagonalfor my Bc1. } 13... Re8
{ That, however, gives Carl to defend again by centralizinghis Rook. } 14. d4
{ As bad as it sounds, I didn't give a lot of thoughteither. In fact, it was only very slightly more then before which ledto the previous exchange. But, the only thing that I was thinking aboutwas preventing Carl attacking my Nf3. The problem is that I was impatientenough to overlook that this wasn't possible because of my Nc3. By doingthis, the exchanges favors black. And, I also didn't give mobility enoughconsideration because what happens here is very similar to what occurredwith my second game against Ken. With better mobility, black is goingto win a piece with, at most, a pawn in return which also favors Carl. }
14... exd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Rxe8+
{ Still being upset with those insults, asnoted, I figure that I'll just exchange again. And, the only reason isthat Carl is in check. I think part of it is given that I can't take hisNd4 which was my plan. So, not thinking about it hard enough, I figurethat exchanging is the answer to all of my problems since nothing elsecame into consideration here either. The problem is that it does not fixmy problems either. }
16... Qxe8 17. Be3
{ As I couldn't take on d4, due to thethreat, I decide to add an attacker with my LSB. }
17... Qc6
{ But, Jack recommendedthis move to Carl. Believe it or not, I almost made a blunder, as 18.Bxd4??came into consideration. In fact, I was very close to playing it, butthen, I saw the threat that Carl has against me. And, I weighed it inwith what I learned from GM Susan Polgar which is also something that Jackmentioned in a loss against Tom Walsh. And, it boils down to what youropponent wants to do. In this case, Jack wants me to take to allow themate. }
18. f3
{ But, I saw it and put a stop to it. Jack said, 'Oho, yousaw that threat.' And, I said that I'm not going to allow the mate againstme since K safety is vital. }
18... Nxf3+ { So, Jack recommended this move. } 19. gxf3
{ Feeling that the glaucoma might have gotten the best of Jack, asit did in my first game with Carl, I recaptured this way. As it appearedto win back what I lost. But, what I overlooked is that it's really notcompensation since I'm down a piece for a pawn. }
19... Qxf3 20. Qxf3
{ As now,I'd like to avoid liquidation with his material advantage. But, thereare no choices as mate was threatened. The only other option was 20.Qd2,but then black would've exchanged, anyway. }
20... Bxf3 21. Rf1
{ So, doing whatcan be done for counterplay, I attack his Bf3. I am not surprised thatCarl retreats back to b7. }
21... Bb7 22. a4
{ But, I am determined to exchangepawns with the hope of getting passed pawn. As the idea is to push pawnsand not pieces. Of course, what's causing me to be impatient is the samething as before. }
22... bxa4 23. Nxa4 h6
{ With a potential threat against black,Carl opens up here. Of course, the other big plan is a pawn chain, whereCarl would get an unstoppable passed pawn. }
24. Rf5 { Thinking about mobility,I decide to put pressure on the fifth rank. }
24... Re8
{ But, Jack will have noneof that and advises Carl to attack my Be3. } 25. Bc5
{ I'm fine with thatand try to come up with an attack starting with liquidation. Although,I overlooked something which makes liquidation still harmful. The problemis that I'm too comfortable with my position here just like with my secondgame with Ken. }
25... g6
{ Therefore, as the idea was using my Rook, it was counterproductiveas now, my Rf5 is no long of help since it can't stay on the fifth rank. }
26. Rf2 Bxc5 27. Nxc5 Rb8
{ The entire plan behind exchanging was attackinghis Bb7 and trying to put comprises. The plan though did not work sincethis move is powerful. And, that's combined with those dangerous passedpawns. }
28. Rf6 { So, I try to put pressure on his a6 pawn. } 28... Bd5
{ And, Ioverlooked this discover attack. As I grab his a6 pawn. Being, as noted,too comfortable, my thought was, yes, I'm finally getting some compensationby winning this pawn. I was partially correct since 30.Nxc7 will be played. But, there is no reason to be happy yet. }
29. Nxa6 Rxb2 30. Nxc7 Be4
{ AsCarl win my c2 pawn. Which therefore means that the compensation is onlytemporary. }
31. c4
{ Doing what I can to promote, I push the c2 pawn sincethe idea is that passed pawns must be pushed. }
31... Kg7 { So, Carl attacks myRook, in return. } 32. Ne8+
{ But, I had an answer to that since my Rf6 isprotected by the very piece that delivered the check. In fact, that wasthe logic behind this move. }
32... Kf8 33. Nd6
{ As now, not only is his Bishopattacked, but I will take his f7 pawn with check. }
33... Bd3 34. Rxf7+ Kg8 35. c5
{ After which, I continue pushing my passed pawn. } 35... Rb1+
{ I am not surprisedto see a check thrown at me. But, I get out of it by attempting to centralizemy monarch. }
36. Kf2 Rc1
{ Not surprisingly, Jack is after my c pawn whichis why he recommended this move to Carl. }
37. Rf3
{ So, I attack the B. Therefore, Jack told Carl that he doesn't have to win the pawn right away. Instead, it can wait since the idea is not letting me get the Bishop. As the idea behind it is not allowing white to get anything else. That'sbecause even though the position appears even material wise, black certainlyhas an advantage. I am hoping that there is a miscalculation which willturn it the other way or end the game in a draw. But, that isn't so sinceblack is keeping the advantage. The reason for his advantage is becausehis g and h pawns are dangerous. In fact, those are the killers. Withtwo isolated pawns against his connected pawns, black has the better endof it. Now, had I stuck to this game and not let the anger get to me,those exchanges would've been refused. And, I believe that it would'vebeen level. }
37... Rc2+
{ With that being said, they decided to place this checkon me. The idea is that he's going to get win a pawn without anythingin return. }
38. Ke3 { Once again, I try to stop that by attacking his Bishop. } 38... Ba6
{ But, it's of no use. } 39. Kd4
{ Therefore, it was a choice betweenmy h2 and c5 pawn. But, I let Carl take on h2 since my passed pawn ison the c square. Now, it's similar to Hope Chess as I'm hoping that blackmakes a mistake and allows me to promote my c pawn. }
39... Rxh2 40. Ra3
{ So,I attack his Bishop. And, I'm faced with the upcoming checks which isof no concern to me. }
40... Rh4+ 41. Kd5 Rh5+ 42. Kc6
{ And, that is by keepingmy c pawn protected given that Carl's Ba6 is still attacked. After defendingit, I come up with a different hope which is not Hope Chess yet. But,it will become that towards the end, as we'll see. }
42... Bf1 43. Ra8+
{ Afterseeing what has happened to me in a couple of games, combined with whatSusan Polgar showed in a stalemate lecture that would end the game in drawby repetition instead, I attempted the same idea. That's right, I'm tryingto trick to black into a draw by repetition. And, that's by checking onthe seventh and eighth rank. Jack even asked me what I'm trying to do,and I told him that I thought that this might be a draw. So, I persiston these checks. }
43... Kh7 44. Ra7+ Kh8 45. Ra8+ Kg7 46. Ra7+ Kf6
{ But, Jackhas had enough, and he told Carl that he's not ready to let white off witha draw yet. I thought that it was forced but overlooked that the K couldgo on the sixth rank. Besides which, it wasn't a draw because black'sposition didn't repeat themselves 3 times the way that white's positiondid. But, that was my attempt which didn't work, and having enough checkshe decided to play this. }
47. Ne8+
{ However, I missed the that would'veresulted in a swindle. It was due to Tunnel Vision because I thought thatmy N was on a different line from black's King. Therefore, I thought thatif Rf7+, he could take the Rook but forgot that it was protected by theN. Therefore, best was 47.Rf7+. And, now it goes from a disadvantage towin for white. It was due to a similar fork that GM Susan Polgar showedin her book of Chess Tactics for Champions. As that Bishop would've beenfree. In doing so, I would've been able to move my Kc6 and promote thepassed pawn. And, Carl wouldn't have been able to stop it in anyway. With this move, white is lost because black will stop it with his Bishop. }
47... Ke5 48. Kd7
{ Still attempting to promote, I free the c5 pawn. As noted,had I check with the Rook and then captured the B, I would've been successful. }
48... Bb5+ { As now, this check also favors black. } 49. c6
{ So, I blocked it here. But, Jack accurately said to Carl that my pawn is now pinned, and thus,of no use. }
49... Kf4 50. Ra5
{ ?? With that, I attack his B. But, this shortensthe game even more because it will allow Carl to win a pawn and Rook fora Bishop. Now, it is lost. }
50... Bxc6+ 51. Kxc6 Rxa5 52. Ng7
{ So, it officiallybecomes Hope Chess. Up until recently, I'd resign at this point. But,I decide to let Carl promote and see where it goes from there because ofwhat I remember from GM Susan Polgar. The reason why it's Hope Chess isthat mate will be inevitable, unless Carl messes up. But, if he does that,I could still pull a swindle and get a stalemate. I've seen examples fromSusan where one side is even further ahead then black will be, even afterhe promotes. But, Jack said that I have no hopes and implied that therewill be no mistakes. I don't completely trust him since he some time agomade a mistake that allowed me to checkmate in a hopelessly lost position. }
52... g5 53. Kd6 g4 54. Ke6 g3 55. Kf6 g2 56. Kg6 g1=Q+
{ With what I mentioned,I was still hopeful here. } 57. Kxh6 Qg5+
{ But, that came to an end here. In fact, Jack asked me how I was going to avoid checkmate here. The answeris that it's unavoidable here. That's because my monarch is stuck in thecorner. So, after 58.Kh7, Carl can just leave the Queen there and play58...Ra7. After that, my N is pinned, and thus, forces 59.Kh8. From there,he'll checkmate with 59...Qxg7# Seeing all of that, I resigned here. I think the important lesson is that even if something happens that makesyou angry, you shouldn't let get it you in a game. Since that will affectone's judgement as it will happen to me. For example, that's the mainreason why I went back to exchanging just because it was possible to doso. As otherwise, I would've been more patient and held off. But, theother lesson is that opportunities only last a shortwhile. And, had Iplay 47.Nf7+, I would've been back in the game with an advantage. But,by missing that followed by another inaccuracy, it was over for white. Well, after this game, Carl and I played one more which remains unfinishedas we ran out of time. But, Jack still took the time to coach like hedid with these two games. }
0-1
|
[Event "How to Destroy your Opponent"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.10.27"]
[Round "-"]
[White "studentofkerry"]
[Black "eltonj"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1136"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1046"]
1. e4
{ In this game, White challenged black (me) to a vigorous game ofChess. Unfortunately, it resulted in the systematic destruction of White'spower. Instead of crushing my opponent, I just picked White off beforelooking for opportunities to get a checkmate, while avoiding checkmatemyself. She had me at the ropes several times, but I managed to checkmateWhite in 26 moves. White opens with King Pawn opening (e4). }
1... e5 { Blackresponds in kind. ...e5. } 2. h3 Nf6
{ (?) Here White has moved to h3, whichis a preventive move on White's part. In my experience with playing thisplayer, she moves her a and h pawns in order to prevent the bishops frompinning her knights. I respond as Black by deploying my gN to f6. }
3. Nc3 Nc6
{ White could set up for the Lolli Attack if she set up correctly. White could have moved KN to Nf3 at the beginning and gotten aggressive. Here, a 3 knight defense manfests itself. }
4. Bc4 Bc5 5. Qf3 { Whitedeploys her Queen at this point. } 5... Nd4
{ Black promptly takes an outpostsupported by e5, in order to challenge the Queen. My target as Black wasthe undefended c2 pawn. ...Nc2, Kd1, Nxa1. I had no interest in the Queenat that time, even though she would have been a tasty target if White movedKd1. }
6. Qd1
{ White's queen retreats to d1, losing tempo, but a sensibledefense at that. }
6... O-O { Here, Black castled to make sure his King was safe. } 7. Nge2 b6 8.
O-O
{ White Castles at this move. Notice how White is challengingmy Knight. I ignored that challenge since my Knight is on a superb outpost. My opponent's queen is trapped by her own pieces after losing tempo. }
8... Bb7 9. Kh1 { (?!) } 9... Nxe4
{ Nxe4 because of the poor defense of e4's pawn.I am now challenging the knight on c3. }
10. d3 Qh4 11. Ng3
{ White shouldhave taken Black's knight on e4 at this point. White should have beenon a great outpost. }
11... Rad8 12. Re1 Nxf2+
{ Black moves in to go Check tothe King. The queen is lost. } 13. Kh2
{ White's King moves to h2. } 13... Nxd1 { Black gobbles up White's Queen. }
14. Rxd1 { White's Rook finally eatsBlack's Knight. } 14... Rfe8
{ Black takes control of the e file. } 15. Nge4 d5
{ After White moves his Knight to c4, Black presses his pawn to d5 in orderto take the center and to threaten White's Bishop on c4. }
16. Bb3 { Whiteretreats her bishop. } 16... dxe4
{ Black gobbles up White's Knight. } 17. Be3
{ (?) White moves to pin the Knight on c4, which Black has in reserve forthe perfect moment. Black's knight is supported by his pawn Outpost ate5 and his Bishop at c5. }
17... Nxb3 { and I take the Bishop on b3 in response. } 18. axb3
{ White takes the Knight on b3. } 18... a5
{ To prevent a possible move,Black advanced his a pawn to a5. } 19. Nb5
{ White's Knight takes advantageof the hole at b5. } 19... Bxe3 20. Nxc7
{ (!) Ouch! } 20... Re7 21. Nb5 exd3
{ Black'spawn at e4 captures White's pawn at d3 in order to claim the d file. }
22. Nd6 Rxd6
{ Black's rook eats White's knight at d6 after the Knight wasmoved to challenge Black's bishop on b7. Which turned out to be a mistake. }
23. c4 Qg5
{ Here Black moved to declare Checkmate in 1 move, which istrue. But White countered with . . . }
24. g3 { (!) } 24... Red7 25. b4 Bf4
{ Blackmoved his Bishop to f4 in order to challenge White's pawn on g3. } 26.
c5 Qxg3#
{ Final move. All of White's pieces were taken and White corneredher own King. }
0-1
|
[Event "Winning Strike or Losing Blunder?"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.11.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "gmforsythe"]
[Black "rickdaily12"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1570"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1476"]
{ I've been spending a lot of time on my education lately, and I've beenmeaning to fully return to Gameknot matches for a bit of time now. FinallyI was able to reserve a moment to play my recent friend, gmforsythe. Afantastic player, with their fair share of interesting openings. I'm notsure if sharp play or just a disastrous oversight ended this match, butit certainly was interesting to see it unfold! }
1. e4
{ The most commonfirst move. I exclusively play e4 as White if I'm serious about the game. }
1... c5
{ Likewise, I've really grown to appreciate the Sicilian. For similarreasons, I suppose. I can be a little fluid in my first 3 moves as Whiteafter e4; and this is usually the case when I do Sicilian as well. }
2. c3
{ I encounter this line less often. This move inhibits Nc3 outright,allowing Black to seize d5-e4 easier. }
2... Nf6 { Likewise, the usual reply.But not unprepared for... } 3. e5
{ A knight chase. Usually this would bepoor on Black's part, but White's back rank remains untouched. }
3... Nd5
{ IfBc4, then the chase is reversed after Nb6. If c4, d4 becomes less safefor White and e5 is compromised. }
4. d4
{ This is the main line as it isanyhow. White tries to displace the Sicilian with a solid pawn phalanx. }
4... cxd4 { Black has hardly any reason to refuse. } 5. cxd4
{ Now e5 is protected,but hard to maintain due to none of White's stronger pieces being in playyet. }
5... d6 { Inviting exchange, and also opens the LSB, further deterring6. e6! }
6. Nf3 { Finally! } 6... Nc6 { Continuing development. } 7. Bd3
{ Also notusually seen. Usually better are Bc4, Be2, or even a3, thusly preventing... }
7... Ndb4 { Now the knights are joined and bullying White's queen-side. } 8.
Bb5
{ White is clearly responding to Black now. Seeming to go for a more aggressivepath, aiming to pin down one of the knights instead of diverting the bishopto c4 or e2 as earlier noted. }
8... Qa5
{ A bit more aggressive as well, butat this point I didn't feel as though losing the knight to a bishop exchangeon c6 should concern Black anymore, not with the c pawn gone. Now Whiteneeds to seriously consider how to handle the bishop while paying extremelyclose attention to 9... Nc2+!! }
9. Nc3
{ Practically forced? This is theonly move that addresses both above issues. }
9... Bf5
{ I didn't see how Blackbenefits from a6, nor did I see exchange as a real threat. I did see thismove causing some serious harm to White's queenside, but I overlooked onesaving move: O-O! Once played, all my pins and pressures against Whiteeffectively end on the spot...! }
10. Ba4
{ -but they didn't seem to spotthat one either! Worse, after that, Nd3+ becomes perfectly possible... }
10... b5 { First, I decide to bully the bishop even further. } 11. Bb3
{ Again,practically forced... or is it? } 11... dxe5
{ Next, I noticed that the centralpawn pair becomes unstable and weak now that Rd8 is playable... }
12. dxe5
{ If d5 instead, I still have Rd8. Might as well make the material equal...but this was ultimately White's final chance to castle... gone. }
12... Nd3+
{ Onlyway to maintain Castling privileges is by sacrificing the queen...! } 13.
Kf1 { -and now the kingside rook is out of the game! } 13... Rd8
{ Black just simplyhas the tempo/space advantage, as well as development, to continue threateningall sorts of discovered checks against White. My opponent is in for a seriouslyuphill battle. }
14. Nd5
{ I understand why, but it was a little too soon,I think. First should have been Bd2, especially if the knight can by chasedaway. Not only is the knight going to not be an obstacle for very long,but a bishop on d2 would threaten my queen instead of allowing... }
14... e6 { Nowthe discovered attack on the queen is going to be stronger. } 15.
Ne3
{ Tryingto drive away the powerful bishop, but I don't need it for now. White stillhas a way out of this... }
15... Ndxe5
{ If Nxf2, Qxd8+, Qxd8, Kxf2 and the positionisn't as strong as it could be. Plus, White's own knight pair is a littletoo strong not to stress out at the moment. }
16. Qe2
{ No! Moving the queen-at all- was the trap! Bd2, Bb4, Qc1 would have saved the queen and prolongedthe life of White's King. To quote my opponent, after my next move, theywere instantly sorry for playing this, saying 'I tried for so long tryingto avoid exactly that!' Indeed! }
16... Bd3
{ And there you have it. The WhiteQueen has now fallen, and White resigns here. But surely this wasn't inevitable?What was the cause of this result? Did Black simply have too much tempo,or did White make a game-losing blunder even before the queen drop? Whatdo you think, my wise reader? }
0-1
|
[Event "At Last We Meet!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2015.09.25"]
[Round "-"]
[White "tipsyjourneyman"]
[Black "jkarp"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1268"]
[TimeControl "14 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1558"]
{ In chess, two things hold true: know thyself and, if possible, know thyopponent. This was our first time (and hopefully first of many) meetingupon the sacred black and white field of battle. However, through his annotations,and in-depth involvement in any and all things chess across three clubs,I felt I knew Joe's style pretty intimately. White uses this knowledgeto set Black up from the beginning, drawing Black's Queen out to becomethe ultimate target of a rope-a-dope manoeuvre, whilst White uses his ownQueen as bait. Once the trap is sprung Black, frankly, loses its bundleand with a mounting material deficit, White's unchallenged Queen rompingabout the back ranks and a wide open King, Black justly resigns. A worthyopening salvo in what will hopefully become a battle royale betwixt Joeand I! :) }
1. e4
{ King's Pawn. 'Best by test' according to Fischer. Playedso often by Tipsy the FIDE database of openings (if that is a thing) shouldreally be updated to call this 'Tipsy's Opening'. Or, the Australian Opening.:) }
1... c5
{ Sicilian. Love to play it as Black, love to take it apart as White.There really is nothing like knowing the ins and outs of a particular (andpopular) opening so that you are supremely confident playing either sideof the opening. }
2. Nf3 d6 3. d4
{ The Chekhover variation, but really,to term this a variation is a bit odd since, to me, this is the main lineof the Sicilian. }
3... cxd4
{ Main line but not, in my opinion a good one. Moreon that in a moment. } 4.
Nxd4
{ Back to what the database calls the Sicilian,supporting my suggestion that the Chekhover really is the main line. }
4... a6 5. Nc3
{ Personally, this would be a situation I'd avoid if playing Black.White now has a developed knight pairing, whilst Black has gained....really...nothing.There is no great check on White's intended development or claims for thecentre, nor has Black really staked any crucial outposts on the flank.Honestly, for a mid-ranker or below, I believe the main lines of the Sicilian,once White plays Nf3, begin the death toll for Black if he sticks to book.Instead, at 3.d4, I think Black is better with the 3....Nf6 movement. }
5... e5 6. Nb3 Be6 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. O-O Bxb3
{ Black scrambles to make up for itsshort-fallings with aggresive play and a disruption of White's knight pair,generating a doubled pawn. But, less speed more haste when it comes tochess. Holes are appearing in Black's defensive lines, whilst White, whohas already castled, is building now for the attack on Black's position.For the doubled pawn, White also gains the semi-open file and an activatedrook, which will prove pivotal later in the game. }
9. axb3 d5 10. b4
{ There'san Ozzie song by Boom Crash Opera titled, 'Dancing in the Storm.' The Chorus;'Here we go, here we go for one more turn We can shake, we can shake thetrees and earth We can spin, We can spin and not fall down Hold on tight,we can both become unwound You and I are going out And we're dancing inthe storm.' This is what the b3 pawn was singing as it marched forwardto the b4 square. So many times a doubled pawn is cleaned up by an exchangeor sacrifice which this movement, ultimately, is. However, in order toaccept the sac, Black must move its Q boldly forth. From here the dancein the storm begins.... }
10... Bxb4 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Qxd5
{ Out comes thatQ to gobble that pawn. Now, against a different player I would not havetossed that morsel out, but against Joe I had reason to suspect that alittle trap I was setting would be sprung.... }
13. Qh5
{ White threatensto recapture on h7 with the bishop, but it's really a rope-a-dope. White,instead, is inhibiting Black's kingside castle (mate in 1 were Black tocastle here), keeping Black's Q hanging loose in the centre, along withits dcb and e pawn. }
13... g6 14. Qh4
{ Now the bishop is under threat. It shouldbe noted that poppy-cock about good and bad bishops means little here.White's dcb hasn't even moved and won't move for the entirety of this game.Black's dcb instead, is roving round the board looking powerful. But insteadit's a distraction for Black that takes its attention away from the realweakness: that forward Queen which also looks strong in that centre butis really soon to be exposed as weak. }
14... Be7 15. Qa4+
{ Black withdraws thebishop and, in doing so, opens up the 4th rank for White's Queen. Muchis written about open files, but, remember, open ranks are the same numberof squares for one's Queen or Rooks to run about on! }
15... b5 { Oh deary-dearyme. The trap is about to be sprung. } 16. Bxb5+ Kd8
17. Qa5+ Kc8 18. Bxa6+ Rxa6 19. Qxd5 Rxa1
{ Best outcome for Black. (I think. I've lost my linesfor the game but I'm pretty sure once White moved exd5 this was the bestthey could get out of the ensuing whirlwind. I certainly remember tellingJoe that in the chat so I shall presume it to be true! :D ) The 2 in materialthat Black is down is, however, amplified by the unchallenged Q and thewide open king. }
20. Qxe5
{ Not just mopping up an exposed pawn, Whitehas now forked Bishop and Rook. 20...Re8 is the only option though Whitehas plans after this. (21 Bg5 would prove most ugly for Black) }
20... Nc6
{ Noneed for those plans after all. Black, attempting to escalate again, failsto deal with a fork that even a newbie should've been able to mount theproper reply. }
21. Qxh8+
{ From here Black's position is completely untenable,(if it wasn't already) it's really a case of how many moves White wishesto string this match out to. I asked Joe if he would learn anything fromthe crushing endgame, he said no and justly resigns. So much for bad andgood bishops, btw, White's dcb hasn't moved a bit whilst Black's was aconstant pain in its side. I would say, when reading any middle game textthat begins harping on about bishops, to rip that chapter out. That notewas included as I noticed Joe talking about this concept in my other annotation.Even Euwe mentions a bad bishop need not necessarily be bad and a goodbishop necessarily good so why the hell bother labelling either bishopas such? Anyway, the game was over and the war was won, solid play, knowledgeof a familiar opening and a particular player's style was used to swiftlyengineer a decisive victory. And, of course, the old fallacy of bringingthe Q out too early again led to yet another budding chess player's downfall!:D I look forward to the rematch! :) TJ Out. }
1-0
|
[Event "A very old game"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Gioachino Greco"]
[Black "Amateur"]
[Result "1-0"]
{ This gorgeous miniature was played close to four centuries ago! Yet thanksto chess notation, we can enjoy it just as much today. We don't know theexact date it was played, but it was included in Greco's book publishedin 1619. }
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7
{ Black counters Greco's center thrusts witha Q-side fianchetto. } 3. Bd3 f5
{ A double attack on the White KP. } 4. exf5
{ Greco takes the simplest way out, simply capturing the attacking Pawn. } 4...
Bxg2 { Black equalizes the material and threatens to capture the White KR. } 5.
Qh5+
{ Greco never was one to be passive. With his KR attacked, he launchesa counterstrike! }
5... g6 { Forced. } 6. fxg6
{ Threatening PxP dis ch or P-N7dis ch, followed by Queening. } 6... Nf6
{ Black counters by threatening to takeGreco's checking Q off the board in case of a discovery. }
7. gxh7+ { Grecogoes through with his plan. } 7... Nxh5
{ Black follows through with his counter.But... } 8. Bg6#
{ Greco goes to his backup plan and finishes the game beautifully! } 1-0
|
[Event "I'm tired of the Sicilian!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.10.08"]
[Round "-"]
[White "korchnoi"]
[Black "chuckbo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2009"]
[TimeControl "7 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "2028"]
1. d4 e6
{ One d4 opening. We'll see if this person wants to play it badlyenough to face the Dutch Stonewall. }
2. e4 { I guess not. Time to transposeinto a Sicilian. } 2... c5
{ I don't remember if I've written how little I'veever played the Sicilian, or against it. But my theory is that someonethat wants to play a controlled, Q-pawn game isn't naturally comfortablein a wild Sicilian. Then again, I'm not very comfortable in a wild Sicilian,which is why I play conservative Sicilians -- if such things exist. I'veplayed in one mini-tournament where the theme was the Scheveningen. AndI'm finishing another Sicilian-themed mini-tournament where I've used theTaimanov Sicilian in my games. That's what this should transpose to. }
3. d5
{ That move isn't possible in the Sicilian. Not sure how I should handleit. }
3... exd5 4. exd5 d6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nc3 a6
{ This is to keep his knight offof b5. } 7. a4 Be7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Bf5 10.
Re1 Ne4
{ I would've liked tomove Nbd7, but I don't have a good reply if he plays Nh4. The move I wasoriginally worried about here was Qd3, because if I trade knights and bishops,then I'm looking at Bf4 at some point, and it'll be even harder to getthe knight out and keep protecting my pawn on d6. But I decided if he playsQd3 here, I can try Ng3. }
11. Nxe4 Bxe4 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nd7 14. Bf4 Re8
{ Well, this game was postponed for a month, and now I'm trying to rememberwhat my plans were. No clue, so let's do something that doesn't tie myqueen down to protecting my bishop. }
15. Nd2 Nf6 16. h3 b5
{ I'm not thrilledwith any of my options here. After Nh5, White retreats Bh2, and then mybest move seems to just go back to f6. I'm almost tempted to play Bf8 andtry to force some trades. It may still come to that. }
17. b3
{ I just checkedthe status for this match. We're down 0-2 with four games left. And I'mhoping for a draw on this match, but maybe I need to be more aggressive.Looking at the other two games in the match, they aren't as far along asmine. }
17... Bf8 18. c4
{ Okay, he wants to force the issue. I feel I've got twochoices. One is to close things up with b4. My other choice is to tradeon a4 and e1 and then grab the open file with Rb8. I said I was thinkingof how to play smart and keep things safe, so I'm leaning to b4. }
18... b4 19. Bg5 Rxe1+
{ I'm pretty sure that Bd7 is safer, but I can't imagine a moreboring move here. I just couldn't do it. }
20. Rxe1 h6 21. Bh4 g5 22. Bg3 Bg7 23. f4 Nh5 24. fxg5 Nxg3 25. Qxg3 hxg5
{ I sure don't want to tradequeens. I need to keep as much material on the board for now. If I tradeanything, it's got to be pawns, if I'm going to have a chance for a draw. }
26. Ne4 Be5 27. Qxg5+ Qxg5 28. Nxg5 f6 29. Ne6 Kf7 30. g4
{ I've got togo for a draw. That outside pawn is going to be what kills me. I thinkI'm going to trade the rook for his knight and a pawn. That knight ofhis is too strong, and my rook isn't doing anything, so might as well getrid of one of his pawns. }
30... Ra7 31. Rf1 Re7 32. Kg2 Rxe6 33. dxe6+ Kxe6 34. Rd1 Kf7 35. Kf3
{ He's got at least three ways to win. 1) His h-pawn. 2)Invade the king on d6 and go get the a-pawn and make another passed pawn.3) Move the king to c6 and trade his rook for my bishop and pawn. Thenhe just takes the queenside pawns while I have to stop the kingside pawns.What other choices do I have? Put the king on e6, play f5 to trade pawnsand trade my bishop for his queen on h8? That's another losing plan. }
35... Kg6 36. Ke4 Kg5 37. Rd3 Kh4 38. Rf3 Kg5 39. Kd5 Kh4 40. Kc6 Bg3 41. Rxf6
Kxh3 42. g5 Bh4 43. Rh6 Kg4
{ I wish I could do a conditional move -- ifhe takes the bishop, I'll resign. }
44. Rxh4+ { He took it, of course. } 1-0
|
[Event "No queens or knights... how will you do? III"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009.04.23"]
[Round "-"]
[White "aspiemikey"]
[Black "veroland"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "1328"]
[TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"]
[WhiteElo "1349"]
1. Nc3 Nc6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Ne5 Ne4 4. Nxc6 Nxc3 5. Nxd8 Nxd1 6. Kxd1 Kxd8 7. e4
e5 8. Bc4 Bc5 9. Bxf7 Rf8 10. Bc4 Rxf2 { Under pressure } 11. g3 d6 12. d3 Bg4+
13. Ke1 Rxc2 14. Bg5+ Kc8 15. Rf1 Bb4+ 16. Bd2 Bxd2+
{ I'm disadvantagedhere... } 17. Kf2 Bc3+ 18. Kg1 Bd4+ 19. Kh1 Rf2 20. Rxf2
Bxf2 21. Kg2 { ...butmanage to survive. } 21... Bd4 22. Rf1 Kd7 23. Rf7+ Kc6
24. Bd5+ Kb6 25. a4 c6 26. Bc4 Bh5 27. Rxg7 Bg6 28. b4 a5
{ My opponent is wise to my move... } 29. bxa5+ Kxa5 30. Rxb7 d5 31. exd5 cxd5
32. Bxd5 Kxa4 { ...but I manageto snaffle four pawns in exchange for three. }
33. Rb3 Ra5 34. Bc4 e4 35. dxe4 Bxe4+ 36. Kh3 Rh5+ 37. Kg4 Rxh2 38. Kf4 Bc2 39.
Rf3 Kb4 40. Bd3 Bxd3 41. Rxd3 Kc4 42. Rf3 Rf2 43. Rxf2 Bxf2
{ With only a pawn left against apawn and a bishop, I have to play the right moves here. }
44. Kg5 Be3+ 45. Kg4 h6 46. Kf3 Kd4 47. g4 Bc1 48. Kg3 Ke5 49. Kf3 Kf6 50. Ke4
Kg5 51. Kf3 Bf4 52. Kf2 Kxg4 53. Kg2 Bg3 54. Kh1
{ I'm in the corner, and only needto cover it. } 54... h5 55. Kg2 h4 56. Kh1
Kh3 57. Kg1 Bh2+ 58. Kh1 Be5 59. Kg1 Kg3 60. Kh1 h3 61. Kg1 h2+ 62. Kh1 Kh4 63.
Kg2 Bg3 64. Kh1 Kh3 { I was veryfortunate to get a draw from this one. }
1/2-1/2
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2011.12.29"]
[Round "-"]
[White "grayscope"]
[Black "samuels"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1757"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1539"]
1. e4 e6
{ This is the French Defence. Few Grandmasters play it regularly,but at amateur level, it is a great opening. The strategic ideas are simpleif you known them. In many variations, the position becomes closed, whichmight not be such a good idea against a weaker opponent. }
2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 { White plays the traditional line so far. } 4...
Be7 5. Bxf6
{ Butnow comes the big surprise! More common is 5. e5 Nd7 and 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7.f4 O-O or the gambit line 6. h4 Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5. White is giving up thebishop pair for nothing. }
5... Bxf6
{ Here I actually thought about 5...gxf6increasing control of the centre and opening up the g-file for the rook,but 6. exd5 exd5 looks too ugly. }
6. Nf3
{ This is fine. After 6. e5 I hadplanned 6...Bg5 and then if 7. Nf3 Bh6. } 6...
O-O
{ Keeping it simple. I cannotdo anything to prevent e5 kicking the bishop back. 6...dxe4 7. Nxe4 isnot any better. Since I probably will castle kingside anyway, this is theleast commiting developing move. }
7. e5 { Here it comes! } 7... Be7
{ And thisis practically forced, since I do not want to lose my better bishop. }
8. Bd3
{ This is logical and looks a bit intimidating, but as far as my bishopprotects g5, there are no nasty sacrifices beginning with Bxh7+. }
8... Nd7
{ Iwant to play the thematic break move c5 at some point, so Nc6 would bewrong. In addition, I might need the knight's support on the kingside. }
9. O-O { Still simple developing moves. } 9... c5
{ Now I take advantage of thefact that White cannot protect d4 with a pawn. This will seriously undermineWhite's pawn centre. This is also the move that any French player knowsby heart. }
10. Ne2 { Over-protecting d4 and making c3 possible. } 10... cxd4
{ Itake before it is too late. Usually Black wants to keep the tension inthe centre as long as possible, but now c3, protecting d4, was the strategicthreat. }
11. Nexd4 { Forced. } 11... a6
{ This was probably not strictly necessary,but I wanted to rule out the possibility of Nd4-b5-d6 manouver. }
12. Re1
{ At the moment, the rook is only protecting the e-pawn. Later, if I wantto play the other break move f6, White will exchange at f6, after whichthe rook will aim at the e6-pawn. Combined with the knight on d4, thispractically prevents the f6-idea. }
12... Qb6
{ Since I cannot easily develop otherpieces, the queen might do something useful and give room for the rookon the back rank. }
13. Rb1 { Simple and effective. } 13... Nc5
{ Since there isno hope of getting rid of the e5-pawn, the knight does not have to pressurethat square. Hitting the strong-looking bishop is the idea here. Whiteeither retreats the bishop or allows it to be exchanged with the knight. }
14. h3
{ To me, this seems like a do-nothing move. White does nothing aboutthe bishop, and that's ok, I think. The bishop pair is gone already, andthe bishop does not do much. But still I would have expected somethingmore active. }
14... Bd7
{ I use the extra tempo to develop a bishop. Althoughthe (French) bishop's range of motion is very limited, now the rooks arefree to move on the back rank. }
15. c3
{ This is practical. It protectsthe d4-knight once again and gives the bishop the c2-square. }
15... Nxd3
{ I donot want to see the bishop and queen line up on the b1-h7 diagonal, soI make the exchange. Also something like Bc2 and b4 would have been veryannoying. In addition, White has the space advantage, so exchanging makesmy position less cramped. }
16. Qxd3 { Forced. } 16... Rfc8
{ I decided it was timeto put the rooks where they belong to. At this point, it is useful to stopand think about the future. I have the bishop pair, but while the positionis closed, it is really not an advantage. My goal is to open the positiona bit to make the bishops stronger. On the other hand, I probably wantto make my moves on the queenside, while White is more interested in attackingon the kingside. This is dictated by the central pawn structure. White'sideas may involve Ng5 threatening h7-square. I want to answer this withg6. This leaves the dark square a bit weak, but since White's dark-squaredbishop is off the board, that does not matter so much. Now that a movedthe rook out of the f8-square, the bishop can back up there, giving theking adequate protection for the time being. At the same time, I discardany ideas involving f6 or f5, since that would weaken my king's positiontoo much while my other pieces are on the queenside. But White's rook one1 and knight on d4 make such ideas risky anyway. Basically, what I wantto do next is proceed with pawns on the queenside. After I move my queenaway, b5-advance is obvious. After preparation, I can think about b4. IfI can then exchange two pair of pawns on the queenside, it should be possibleto pressure on the last White pawn and perhaps win it. In that case, thed5-pawn will guarantee the win for me. }
17. Nh2
{ OK. White is preparinga kingside attack, but the knight goes to a different square. If Whitecan induce Black to play g6, then the knight has f6 and h6 squares. }
17... Qc7 { Following the plan. } 18. Re3
{ White does a rook lift. Rf3 and Rg3 arenow possible, but it is not clear, what does that do for White. Black bishopscan always retreat to the back rank and cover the vital squares in frontof the king. }
18... b5
{ So there is no reason to change the plan. Next, somepreparation is needed for further pawn pushes. }
19. a3
{ This move is apparentlydesigned to stop the b-pawn. White might even play b4 next. That does notmatter, since I will play Rb8 and a5 in most variations anyway. While Whiteis trying to stop Black's ideas, the initiative is given to Black. }
19... Rab8 { Implementing the plan. Now b4 is the likely response. } 20. Ng4
{ The knightgoes were I expected. } 20... a5
{ I follow my plan and prepare b4. } 21. Rg3
{ NowI am becoming a little worried, since the knight can check at f6 or h6and Black cannot take with the pinned g-pawn. If the king moves f7 or h7squares become weak. If it does not move, I have to decide how to respondto the knight check. }
21... g6
{ This is what I decided to do the get rid of thepin. Perhaps 21...Kh8 was still better. }
22. h4
{ The idea is simply topush the pawn and exchange on g6. The pawn is en prise, but taking it wouldopen the h-file for the rook. A computer would probably take the pawn. }
22... h5
{ But I don't. Actually, I this this move deserves a question mark. Iwas calculating variations starting with 23. Nf6+, but forgot that 23.Nh6+ Kg7 24. Nxf7! destroys the shield in front of the king and 24...Kxf725. Qxg6+ Kf8 26. Qg8#. If I had not moved the h-pawn, the Nxf7-sacrificewould have not worked. }
23. Nh6+ { Here I see the Nxf7-trick. } 23... Kh7
{ I amforced to give up a pawn to avoid getting mated. I think any other moveloses. }
24. Nxf7
{ White gets to play Nxf7 anyway, but without the sacrificialaspect. But a pawn is a pawn. }
24... Rg8 { Protecting the vital square g6. } 25. Qe3
{ White creates a new threat: Qh6#. } 25... Bf8 { This covers the h6-square. }
26. Nf3
{ Another knight is transferred to a better attacking position.I am calculating what to do after Ng5+, and think I can escape. }
26... Bc8 { Thisis a mistake, but the position is lost anyway. } 27. N3g5+
{ The knight checkI was expecting. } 27... Kg7 { The only move. } 28. Qf4
{ Threatening Qf6#. } 28... Be7 { Covering f6. } 29. Rf3
{ More attacking power. } 29... Qc4
{ I try to exchange thequeens to release the pressure. } 30. Nxe6+
{ But fail to see this. Now 30...Bxe631. Qh6#. There is nothing I can do about it, so I resign. }
1-0
|
[Event "Challenge from albood"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.06.16"]
[Round "-"]
[White "albood"]
[Black "grey_panda"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1368"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1435"]
1. c4
{ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.... With an opponent better than I, despitethe relatively small difference in ratings, a very morale boosting win! }
1... e5 2. b3 Bc5
{ You can play silly whatsits with your pawns, I'm going toplough on regardless. Seriously though I do have rather large holes inmy opening theory. So I develop as best as I can. }
3. Bb2 d6 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. Na4 Bb6 6. Nxb6 axb6
{ Purists might think that was a mistake, movingthe bishop, but I've had a few games where my opponent has done so andexploited the open rook file rather nicely. }
7. e3 Be6 8. Bc3 f5 { Allowingk-f6 without blocking the pawn. } 9. Ne2 Nf6 10.
Ng3 g5 11. Be2 h5
{ At thispoint I'm quite happy. Pawn charge time, good support behind.... } 12.
O-O h4
{ Now I see a chance to force the knight back, expecting k-a1, but Imissed a trick.... }
13. Nh5 g4 { Thought about kxk, but decided to blockoff the bishop first. } 14.
Nxf6+ Qxf6 { Fine and dandy yes, all expected..... } 15. f4
{ Ah phooey. Thought about the en passant, but decided against itas it largely hands the f file to white and breaks up that nice pawn charge.Almost made the catastrophic error of e4, realising just in time what ahorrendous idea that was. }
15... Rg8
{ In the end, rather flummoxed a bad moveresults. this was to protect g4 if the pxp, pxp, bxp line was followed.But I couldn't take the bishop anyway as its protected by the queen andif I countertake with the pawn then rxq. So an attempt at a def move whichfailed miserably. }
16. d4
{ Again tempting to push the e pawn, which onhidsight might have been ok. I just had visions of white playing d5, forgettingI'd have his dark squared bishop as compensation. }
16... Bd7 17. b4 { Now whiteis having a pawn charge of his own. } 17... exd4
18. exd4 Qe6
{ Gets rid of thepotential pin and I can cope with the expected d5 reply. } 19.
d5 Qe3+ { I'dexpected that one and had the response ready. } 20. Kh1 Qxc3 21.
dxc6 Bxc6 22. b5 Bd7 23. Qd5 O-O-O
{ Very conveniently able to castle and protectboth sides. } 24. a4 Qf6
{ In preparation for c6. } 25. a5 c6 26. Qd2 Kc7
{ Trying to unpark the pawns. } 27. a6 Ra8 28. a7
{ Not too unhappy with that.True it pins the rook, but I can cope with that....I think. }
28... g3 29. h3
{ Trying to block this side off so I can funnel an attack through the efile. }
29... Rge8 30. Bf3 Qe6 31. Qc3 Qe3 32. Qf6
{ And that blocking worked soooowell.. } 32... Qe7 33. Qb2 Qe3 34. Rfe1 Qxf4
35. Rxe8
{ Quite fortunate in theplacing of my pieces here, more luck than judgement. }
35... Bxe8 36. Qh8 Qg5 37. bxc6
{ I'd expected r-e1, which would have caused me some disquiet. } 37... bxc6 38.
Qh7+ Bd7
{ Back in my hedgehog with my rook clear, quite contentwith that. I think checking me there was a mistake as it allows me to withdrawin safety. }
39. Qf7 Qe3 40. Qh7 Qd4
{ Still pawn snaffling to be honestand protecting my pawns, didnt for one moment think I'd be allowed therook ;-) }
41. c5
{ I looked very closely for the trap here. The third gameagainst this opponent and I've learnt painfully how good he is. }
41... Qxa1+ { And at that point whites choices are somewhat restricted. } 0-1
|
[Event "Ch World FIDE (final), Lausanne (Switzerland)"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Anand Viswanathan (IND)"]
[Black "Karpov Anatoly (RUS)"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[WhiteElo "2795"]
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Be7 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Bd3 Nc6 9. O-O O-O 10. Re1 Bf6 11. Be4 Nce7 12. h4
{ !? Karpov afterrealizing that Anand can start his kingside attack quicker is what triggeredhis next move. }
12... Nf5
{ A good plan, Karpov hones in on white's isolate pawnwhile at the same time improving the position of his knight. Also Karpovincreases his central influence }
13. Qd3 Nxc3
{ What is the plan! Karpovexchanges this knight in order to remove a defender of e4. }
14. bxc3 h6
{ Karpov is acknowledging his current position and is defending rather thanattacking. He plays ...h6 to prevent the white knight from invading via...g5 }
15. h5 { Alternative variation: 15. Bxf5 } 15... Nd6
{ What is the plan!By exchanging the dangerous Bishop black weakens his opponents attackingchance. }
16. Ne5 { Alternative variation: 16. Ba3 Nxe4 17. Bxf8 Nxf2 18.Kxf2 Qxf8 }
16... Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Bxe5 { ! } 18. dxe5 f5
{ ! Seizing the center andthe initiative } 19. Qe2
{ overestimating his chances Alternative variation:19. exf6 [ ] 19... Qxf6 20. Be3 $44 }
19... Bd7 20. Rd1 Bb5 { ! } 21. Qf3
{ Alternativevariation: 21. Rxd8 Bxe2 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. f3 Rc8 24. Be3 [=] }
21... Qe8 22. Bf4 Rc8 23. Rd4 Rc4 { ! } 24. Rad1 Qf7 25. Rxc4 Bxc4 26. a3 Rc8
{ Blackhas exploited his chances in the best way possible. He has precise targetsfor his attack and complete justification to look to the future with optimism.White has no counter play, and the pawn weaknesses at a3,c3 and h5 maketheir defence extremely unpleasant. }
27. Rd4 Kh7 28. Bd2 Bd5 29. Qh3 b5 30. a4 bxa4 31. Rxa4 Rc4 { ! } 32. Rxc4 Bxc4
33. Qh4 Bb5 34. c4 Be8 35. c5 { ? Alternative variation: 35. Qd8 } 35... Qd7
{ ! } 36. Bc3 Qd3 37. Qd4 Qxd4 38. Bxd4 a5 39. c6
{ ? Alternative variation: ['better is'] 39. f3a4 40. Bb2 [ ] } 39... Bxc6
40. f3 f4 { ! } 41. Bb2 Be8 42. Bc1 a4 { ! } 43. Bxf4 a3 44. Be3 Bxh5 45. Kf2
Be8 46. Bd4 Bc6 47. Bc3 a2 48. g3 h5 { ! [%tbDgr] } 49. g4
{ Alternative variation: 49. f4 Kg6 50. Ke3 Kf5 51. Bb2Kg4 52. Kf2 h4 53. gxh4 [ ] 53... Kxf4 [ ] $19 Alternative variation:49. Ke3 g5 50. f4 h4 $19 }
49... h4 { [ K. KODINETS ] } 0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2009.06.04"]
[Round "-"]
[White "kamshaft"]
[Black "kkain"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1321"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1206"]
1. Nf3 { reti } 1... d5 { reti } 2. e3 Bg4 3. h3 Bxf3 { bishop for knight } 4.
Qxf3 Nc6 5. c4 d4 6. c5 dxe3 7. fxe3 e6 8. Bb5 Qd5 9. Qxd5 { queen trade } 9...
exd5 10. Bxc6+ { bishop for knight, again creates doubled pawns } 10... bxc6
11. O-O { castle } 11... Bxc5 { completely forgot that pawn } 12. d4 Bd6 13.
Nc3 Nf6 14. Re1 Ne4 { knight for knight } 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bd2 O-O { castles }
17. Rf1 { gives rook open file } 17... c5 18. d5 Rac8 19. b3 c6 20. dxc6 Rxc6
21. a4 Rd8 22. Ba5 Bc7 { bishop trade } 23. Bxc7 Rxc7 24. Rf4 Re7
{ easily drawable position } 25. Rc1 g5 26. Rff1 Rd3 27. Rxc5 Rxe3
{ we clear each others loose pawns } 28. Rxg5+ Kf8 29. Rb5 f6 30. Rxf6+
{ win pawn } 30... Rf7 31. Rxf7+ { rook trade } 31... Kxf7
{ even more drawable } 32. Rb7+ Kg6 33. b4 { protect my pawn } 33... Kg5 34.
Rxh7 { take his } 34... Kf4 { tries to get a pawn promoted } 35. Rxa7 Kg3
{ triesfor Re1 mate } 36. Rg7+ { check } 36... Kf4 37. Kf2 { bring in king }
37... Rd3 38. b5 { open file for a pawn promotion } 38... e3+ { check } 39. Ke1
e2 40. Re7 Re3 { tries to exchange rooks, bad idea } 41. Rxe3 Kxe3 42. b6
{ nothing he cando } 42... Kd3 43. b7 Ke3 44. b8=Q { queen } 44... Kd3 45. a5
Kd4 46. a6 Kd5 47. a7 Kc6 48. a8=Q+ { another queen } 48... Kd7 { resigned }
1-0
|
[Event "Another e4 game of white"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "???"]
[Black "???"]
[Result "*"]
{ e4 faded in popularity a few years ago, but I've noticed its made a majorcome back with avengence! }
1. e4 e5 { this is the perfect set up for thegoring gambit } 2. d4 f6
{ declined is still fun } 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bb5 a6 5. Bxc6
{ this was a mistake I believe on black's part, but what's even moreof a mistake is the following move... }
5... dxc6 { !?!? } 6. d5
{ I debated betweenthis and Nc3 for awhile... comments on my move/missed oppurtunities? }
6... cxd5 7. Qxd5 Qxd5 8. exd5
{ This game is even... but I still think I'm aheadas far as development goes. }
8... e4 9. Nd4
{ I knew with the queen trade thatthis was going to happen. a minor inconvenience. }
9... Ne7 10. Nc3
{ this isthe perfect oppurtunity for the N because Ne7 blocked Bb4! } 10... c6
11. Nxe4
{ this was a great oppurtunity for me. by getting my N to d6 I could forcethe king to d8 which means Nf7+ for the free rook, all at the cost of apawn(trade) }
11... cxd5 12. Nd6+ Kd8 13. Nf7+ Kc7 14. Nxh8 Ng6
{ he is now downa rook, if I were him, I'd try to hold on to my pieces instead of tradingbut whatever... }
15. Nxg6 hxg6 { that is one UGLY pawn structure. } 16. Bf4+ Bd6
{ ... does he value pieces at all? } 17. g3 g5
{ g3 is to preventa back row mate when I kingside castle } 18. Be3 b5
{ I thought this wasto get Bb7... but that doesn't seem right to me, besides obvioust pawnblock. }
19. O-O Bc5 20. Ne6+ { a complicated trade... } 20... Bxe6 21. Bxc5 Re8 22.
Rfe1 { All of my main pieces are now off of white squares. } 22... Kc6 23. b4
a5 24. a3 f5 25. Be3 axb4 26. axb4 f4 27. gxf4 gxf4 28. Ra6+ Kb7
{ Iprobably should have gone Rb6 instead of my next move to take the pawn...oh well, maybe next time }
29. Ra7+ Kc6 30. Bxf4 Bd7 { ok...ok... I can dealwith some more trading. } 31.
Rc7+ Kb6 32. Rxe8 Bxe8 33. Rxg7 d4 34. Rg5
{ this was to protect my next move... } 34... Ka6 35. h4
{ when that pawn gets toh5 it will be vulnerable, hence rook g5 } 35... Kb7 36.
h5 Bxh5 { this seems likeit shouts: 'I'm going for stale mate!' } 37. Rxh5 Kc6
38. Be5 Kd5 39. Bf6+ Kc4
{ I accidently let him slip through the ranks... I am just now seeinghow much fun the move Rc5 would have been.... }
40. Rh2 { this is going todo 2 things for me when he moves his king } 40... Kc3
{ I think he didn't takeb4 because he knows that d is his best shot at a queen. }
41. f4 { protectand advance. } 41... Kxb4 42. Bxd4 Kc4 43. c3
{ THAT is a super structure. } 43... Kd3 44. f5 b4 45. cxb4 Kxd4
{ I sac'd my bishop for his last pawn... not a badtrade all things considered. }
46. f6 Kc4 47. f7 Kxb4 48. f8=Q+ Kc4 49. Rd2 Kc3 50. Qd8 Kc4 51. Qd4+ Kb5 52.
Rc2 Ka5 53. Qa1+ Kb4 54. Qb1+ Ka3 55. Ra2# { and that's that. } *
|
[Event "Kings Gambit (G24)"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White ""]
[Black ""]
[Result "1-0"]
{ Modern defence. Black will normally make no attempt to hold onto gambitpawn instead will concentrate on own development. This game is supersharp and fun to watch unfold! }
1. e4 e5 2. f4 { Kings gambit. } 2... exf4 { accepted. } 3. Nf3 d5 4. exd5 Bd6
{ Normally would expect Nf6, black to take the e5pawn and white attack the f4 pawn. Although here it appears black hasdifferent plans. Black will have to careful of whites center. }
5. Nc3
{ Stopsdevelopment of C pawn, can't really afford to hang around too long. }
5... Ne7 6. d4 O-O 7. Bd3 Nd7 8. O-O h6
{ ? waste of time and weakens the kings sidepawns. Knight to F6 or G6 would have been better. }
9. Ne4 { ! clearing theroad for the C pawn. } 9... Nxd5
{ Defends f4 & grabs some of the center, as wellas getting e5 pawn mentioned earlier. }
10. c4
{ Can't help thinking knightwould have been better moving to e4 via d2 instead of c3 leaving C filefor pawn defence. anyway.... }
10... Ne3 11. Bxe3 fxe3 12. c5 Be7 13. Bc2
{ ! makesroom for queen on d3, if was the other way round Qc2 & Bd3 the Nf6 givesblack good chances. }
13... Re8
{ Leaving f8 for knight. and adds wieght on centralfile with passed pawn. } 14.
Qd3 e2 15. Nd6 { !? Risky. Rf2 gives whitea good play with no risk. } 15... Nf8
{ ? black doesn't like pressure on H7. BxNd6would have been correct. 15...BxNd6 16. Qh7+, Kf7 king can escape viae7 and even though there is a series of exchanges the outcome would havebeen far from clear. }
16. Nxf7 { ! was the reason white played the riskycombination. } 16... exf1=Q+
17. Rxf1 Bf5
{ Alternative would have been Qd5 butprob would have been meet with Bb3 which is a strong position. Greatexchange to look at if black had taken knight. 17.... KxNf7 18. Ne5+,Kg8 19. Qh7+!, NxQh7 20. Bb3+, Kh8 21. Ng6 mate. That would havebeen nice to see esp with a queen sac in there!!! }
18. Qxf5 Qd7 { offering to exchange as whites attack is relentless. } 19. Qf4
{ no way!! } 19... Bf6 { reveals attack on knight and applies pressure on d4. }
20. N3e5 Qe7
{ drives queen off light squares. If 20...BxNe5 21. NxBe5, Qe7 22. Qe4!is very dangerous }
21. Bb3 { Black has nothing of note on the light colouredsquare } 21... Bxe5
22. Nxe5+ { revealed check. } 22... Kh7 23. Qe4+
{ Black resigns aswill lose queen in the next 2 moves and the game would be hopeless }
1-0
|
[Event "FIDE GP, Astrahan"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.05.19"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Inarkijev, E."]
[Black "Mamedjarov, Š."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2763"]
[WhiteElo "2669"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nd4 5. g3 Ne7 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Ne2 Nc6 8.
Bg2 Rb8 9. O-O b5 10. d3 bxc4 11. dxc4 e5 12. b3 a5 13. f4 Bc5 14. Kh1 d6 15.
Bd2 Bg4 16. Bf3 Bxf3+ 17. Rxf3 f5
{ The knight moves to the center of the board...select, and the rook captures the piece with check, and then the king moves to e5, and the queen takes the pawn with check, and finally, the 15th move is made! }
18. Qc2 Qe7 19. Re1 O-O 20. Nc1 Nb4 21. Bxb4 Bxb4 22. Re2 Qb7 23. Kg1 Ba3 24.
Rf1 Rbe8 25. Rfe1 Bb4 26. Rf1 Ba3 27. Rfe1 d5 { Suurepärane käik! } 28. cxd5
{ Alternative variation:28. exd5 e4 } 28... Rc8 29. Qb1 Rxc1
{ Siin oli algul tugevam lüüa f4-le. 29...exf4 30. Rd3 (30.gxf4 Vxc1 31.Vxc1 d3!) 30...fxg3 31. hxg3 fxe4 32. Rxe4Qxd5 võiduseisuga. Mamedjarov võidab nii küll viguri, kuid Inarkijev saabvastu 3 etturit. }
30. Rxc1 d3 31. Qxd3 Bxc1 32. fxe5 f4 33. gxf4
{ White must choose a good position to center his pieces. Most of them were on the queenside. Kh1! was the best move, and after fxg3 34. hxg3 Lf7 35. Vh2, Black was forced to resign. }
33... Bxf4 34. e6 Be5 35. Qe3 Qb4 { Mamedjarov mängib taas väga hästi. } 36.
Kg2 h6
{ White to move (37. Lh3)
37... Lb5!
Now White has to play 38.Ve1 Vf2+ 39. Kh1 Oe5 and Black is dominating the game. If White plays 38.Ve1 Vf6 then 39. Lg3 Lb4 and Black is winning. Therefore, White resigns.
Mamedjarov is leading the tournament and is in a good position to win. }
37. Qd2 Qc5 38. Qe3 Qb4 39. Qd2 Qe7 40. h3 Qh4 41. Qe3 Rf6 42. Rf2 Rg6+ 43. Kf1
Rg3 44. Qa7 Qxh3+ 45. Ke2 Kh7 46. Qf7 Re3+ 0-1
|
[Event "Closed Ruy Lopez"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Iohannes7"]
[Black "silencieux"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1701"]
[TimeControl "5 Min + 15 sec"]
[WhiteElo "1527"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7
{ The closed variationof the Ruy Lopez (5. ...Nxe4 would have been an open game) }
6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d6
{ Black playing a standard closed position. 8. ...d5 wouldhave been the Marshall Attack }
9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2
{ The light squared Bishopis a valuable piece and so the exchange of it should be avoided }
10... c5 11. d4 { A typical central pawn structure in closed Lopez } 11... Qc7
12. Nbd2 Bb7 13. Nf1 cxd4 14. cxd4 Rac8 15. Bb1
{ Once again protecting the light squaredBishop. Although the Rook on a1 is blocked, it is not an immediate problemfor White }
15... Nc6 16. d5 Nb4 17. Ng3
{ A familar route for the Queen's Knightwhere it eyes the f5 square. Should Black play Nc2 then the light squaredBishop will at last be exchanged. This may be a better plan for Blackthan the actual text }
17... Nfxd5 { A sacrifice that is perhaps unsound } 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Nf5 Rfe8
20. Bg5
{ With the ideas of either: a) 20. ... Bxg5 allowingNxg5 and Qg4 with a kingside attack or; b) 21. Be4 and Rc1. Both scenario'ssee White's pieces suddenly activated }
20... Bxg5 21. Nxg5 Qb6 { A mistake byBlack; almost a 'pass' move } 22. Qh5
{ With clear mating threats. I couln'tsee any defense for Black } 22... h6
{ ?? - Gives White a mate in two } 23. Qxf7+ Kh8 24. Qxg7# { Checkmate } 1-0
|
[Event "Attacking the Queen in a Blitz Chess game"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Johnson"]
[Black "Kapila"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "5 min + 10 sec"]
1. e4 e5 2. Qf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 b6 4. d3 Bb7 5. Nh3
{ Trying to attack the WhiteQueen. See how many attacks all together! } 5... d5
6. exd5 { Bad move ! Insteadof getting another defense for e4, got rid of d5. }
6... Nxd5 { Black piecesattacking. } 7. Nxd5 Bxd5 8. Qf5 Nd7 9. Be3 Qf6
{ White Queen is gettingmore attacks. } 10. Qg4 Be6
{ Again and again, the Queen is getting attacks. } 11. Qa4 Bd6 12. O-O-O O-O
13. d4 exd4 14. Bxd4 Qh6+ 15. Kb1 Nc5 { Anotherattack ! } 16. Qb4 a5
{ Further and further black pieces, coming out andbothering the Queen. } 17.
Qd2 Qg6 18. Nf4 Qf5 19. Nh3 Rad8
{ Some sortof discovered attack to the Queen. } 20. Bb5 Ne4
{ More and more difficultiesfor the Queen. } 21. Qe2 Qg6 22. Nf4 Bxf4
{ Bad move ! Knight was unprotected. } 23. g3 Nd2+
{ Oh, no ! This time white king was troubled with a check. } 24. Rxd2
{ Without cutting by the Rook, better take King away. Later canbe attacked by the Bishop at d4. }
24... Bxd2 25. Rd1
{ Getting further troublesby taking the Rook into the d file. } 25... Rxd4 26.
Rxd2 Rxd2 27. Qxd2 Qe4 28. Bd3 Qh1+ 29. Qc1
{ That was a nice move for the moment ! Though black piecesare much smarter ! Watch out !!! It is ideal time to play tac-tics. Havethe focus on Bishop at e6. }
29... Bxa2+
{ Sacrificed ! Hoping to get a big harvest.See, it will work or ... } 30. Kxa2
{ Yes ! It worked and ... } 30... Qxc1
{ Gotaway the white Queen and the black Queen with the Rook and company arevery stronger than the white side and threatening to defeat of the white.As expected, white got resigned giving the well desired victory for theBlacks. }
0-1
|
[Event "Chess 29"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "13-Jul-06"]
[Round "-"]
[White "kleos"]
[Black "acrewboy02"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1418"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1503"]
1. d4 { i'm fairly unfarmiliar with queens pawn games } 1... d5 2. e4
{ accordingto the database, this is the 'blackmar gambit' } 2... dxe4
{ I see no reasonnot to take the pawn so.... } 3. Nc3 Nf6
{ main line from the database isC6 ... but i think i can keep the pawn so why not try.... defending thepawn while developing kingside knight }
4. f3 exf3 5. Nxf3
{ i'm behind afair amount on development and white has a lot more active pieces thanme , but i'm up a pawn }
5... Bg4 6. h3 Bh5
{ i debated playing Bxf3 but i didn'twant to develop his queen for him } 7. Be3
{ g4 is the main continuationand would have forced me to play bg6... we're outside the games DB now(as only one GK game 1500 opponents has reached this position) }
7... e6 8. Bd3
{ here white has a commanding lead in development but is still down a pawn }
8... Nc6 9. Ne4
{ i'm not quite sure where he is going with this... shouldn'the unpin his queen or something? }
9... Bxf3 { i eliminate one of the defendersof the d4 pawn } 10. Qxf3
{ as i was hoping he took my piece with his queennot with his pawn as i intend to open the D file and my queen is in positionon it }
10... Nxe4
{ i am hoping to castle kingside so i don't want to trade knightson f6 after moving my queen because this would double pawns... this tome is more important than immediatly taking the D pawn because i'm a pawnup and behind on development }
11. Bxe4
{ a mistake.? ... Qxe4 guards thepawn but this move attacks the knight and the pawn on B7 behind it.... }
11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4
{ Forced as any other move either loses the queen and /or fails to capture the knight }
12... Qxd4 13. Rd1
{ i think that Bc6 would havebeen a strong move... or mabye Bxb7 } 13... Qxb2
{ my only real option here seemedto be to take the pawn } 14. Bxb7
{ (had he played Bxb7 the move before hecould have played Qc6 ) } 14... Rd8
{ now i sacrifice the ability to castle inorder to take a rook off the board and move my king to a square where itcan't be attacked by his bishop }
15. Rxd8+
{ Qc6! seems better, possiblyeven winning in some continuations, and at least enough to force a 3 repititiondraw with the threat of the loss of the rook... 15.Qc6 Ke7.... 16QC5 Kf6(because Ke8 loses to Bc6!) 17 QF2 Ke7 18 Qc5 Kf6 }
15... Kxd8 16. O-O Bc5+
{ idecided to get the bishop out of the way of my rook and don't waste timedue to the check on his king }
17. Kh1 f6
{ i opted not to play Qxc2 orQxa2 because i didn't want to risk exposing my king any further }
18. Qb3
{ an unexpected move.... i'm two pawns up, is it worth your queen to connectyour pawns? }
18... Qxb3 19. axb3 Ke7
{ and we approach the final phase of thegame with my king in much better position centralized than his over inthe corner }
20. Bc6 { i don't know where he was going with this } 20... Rd8
{ iclaim the only fully open file } 21. Be4
{ i'm still not sure where he isgoing with this... perhaps he wants me to play f5 and place my pawns onthe white squares }
21... h5 22. g4 { and we exchange another pawn } 22... hxg4 23. hxg4 g5 24. Kg2
Rd2+
{ i want to position my rook at the base of his pawn chainand get to without wasting a move because i check his king as well }
25. Kh3
{ i don't know where he was going with this move... Kf3 seems much moresound but perhaps he was trying to keep the f file half open for his rook }
25... Bd6
{ Bd6! threatens mate.... by doing so it traps both his king and rookaway from the action while my bishop and rook still occupy good positions }
26. Rh1 { forced as any other move leads to Rh2# } 26... Bf4
{ i don't want tofree his king as i advance my passed pawn } 27. Bd3
{ his only option isto shuffle between these spaces } 27... e5 28. Bf5 Kd6 29.
Be4 a5
{ his bishophas to leave e5 which allows me to play Kd5, then e4. This would eventuallylead to queening my E pawn... Here my opponent resigned... Thanks for thegame Kleos }
0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "13-Mar-07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vrod1234"]
[Black "afonsoz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1216"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1200"]
1. e4 c5
{ The Sicilian Defense. It's the best scoring response to 1. e4at master level. Here, Black fights for victory. Normally, White focusesin the Kingside and Black looks for counterplay in the Queenside. }
2. Nc3
{ A natural but uncommon move. Other choices are 2. d4 or 2. Nf3, that leadto extensively studied positions. }
2... Nc6 3. Nd5
{ A very weak move. Thereis one opening principle that is almost always true : one should nevermove the same piece in the opening twice in a row. It would be better2.g3, the Closed Sicilian ( in wich White can consider fianchettoing hisBishop in g2), or 3. Nf3, wich transposes to the Open Sicilian. }
3... e6
{ Blackdevellops one pawn and White loses one tempo, because he's forced to moveawy his Knight. }
4. Nf4 d5
{ Black fights for the center. Another importantopening principle : in the opening, the players must focus on occupyingthe center or undermine it. But fighting for the center is rather important. }
5. exd5 exd5
{ By move 5, Black is better, because he has opened the linesfor both Bishops and the Queen and has develloped a Knight, not mencionningthe two hanging pawns. White only has one develloped Knight that is hangingin the centre. }
6. Qe2+
{ Another weak move, that reminds us another chessprinciple : only give check if it gives you some advantage. }
6... Be7
{ Blackcovers the check, prepares castling and devellops one minor piece. } 7.
Nh5
{ Another weak move. The Knights are stronger in the centre of the board; in the a or h files, they are weak because they only cover 4 squares,instead of the usual eight. }
7... g6 { A move that makes White lose another tempo. } 8. Nf4 Nf6
{ Black prepares castling, but with a small positional disadvantage:the a1-h8 diagonal is open. }
9. Qd3
{ Another weak and time-wasting move.White should be focusing on devellopment, instead of fooling around withhis queen. }
9... Bf5
{ A development move that forces White to lose another tempo( the third one). }
10. Qc3 O-O { Natural. } 11. d3 { Finally, White showssome timid action. }
11... Re8
{ The rooks are better in open files. It also preparesa discovered check. } 12.
Be3
{ ? A move that prevents 12. ... Bd6 !, a discoveredcheck that would possibly win the Knight in f4 and protect that Knight. }
12... d4
{ ! A strong move. The d-pawn forks the Queen and the Bishop ; Whitestarts to lose material. }
13. Bxd4 cxd4 14. Qc4 Bd6+
{ With the white Bishopgone, the discovered check is now possible. It is also a double attack,since the bishop threatens to smash the white horse. }
15. Be2
{ ?? A terribleblunder that loses more material. The correct move would have been 15.Nge2, that would protect the white Knight in f4, or as Heizkat suggests,15. Nfe2. }
15... Bxf4 16. g3 Bh6 17. f4
{ A move that opens new lines, wich isgood for black, but leaves the black Bishop in h6 inactive. }
17... Rc8 { A movethat prepares a discovered atack in the queen. } 18. O-O-O
{ White castlesin the queenside - but he's already two minor pieces down. }
18... Bg4 { A movethat forces the exchange. } 19. Qb5
{ A weak move. White loses time in threateninga pawn. } 19... Bxe2 20. Nxe2
Rxe2
{ Black keeps winning material. Instead of eatingpawns, White should have focused in defense, with 19. Re1. }
21. Rd2
{ Whiteproposes one rook exchange, wich is a terrible move, because Black hasa huge material lead. }
21... Rxd2 22. Kxd2 { The white King is now exposed. } 22... Bf8
{ The black bishop suddenly becomes active again. } 23. c3 dxc3+ 24. bxc3
{ The white king protects himself from the Bishop of the dark squares. } 24...
Ne4+
{ A great move ! White can't smash the Knight because his d-pawn ispinned by the Queen. }
25. Ke2
{ A gigantic blunder, but White hasn't gotmuch choice. At this point, the game is lost for White. }
25... Nxc3+ { A niceRoyal Fork that wins the white queen. } 26. Kd2 Nxb5 27.
Rb1 Na3 28. Rxb7 Nc4+ 29. Kc3 Qd4+ 30. Kb3 N6a5+
{ Another fork that kills even the wildestdreams of White. } 31. Ka4 Nxb7 32.
Kb5 Na3+ 33. Ka6 { A forced move. } 33... Qb6#
{ A somewhat unpretty checkmate. } 0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "22-Dec-06"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sampankai"]
[Black "noobman_4_life"]
[Result "*"]
[BlackElo "1200"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1200"]
1. e4 { Basic king's pawn opening. } 1... e5
{ Popular black defense, symetricalplay. } 2. Nf3 Nc6
{ Both players bring Knights out. Good developmentalplay so far. } 3. Bc4
{ Brings bishop out, challenges black's weak f7 square. } 3... Nf6
{ Another developmental move. } 4. O-O
{ Castles. Protects king, developsrook. Problem is he leave pawn hanging at e4. }
4... Nxe4
{ Black gladly destroysthe center pawn. Black now owns much of center. } 5. d4
{ White trys to undermineblacks play by sacrificing a pawn and knight for pawn and knight. }
5... d5 { Blacksees this and attacks white's bishop. } 6. Bb3
{ Black yet again takes white'scenter pawn. } 6... exd4 7. Nxd4
{ White's night recaptures } 7... Bc5
{ I now bringmy bishop out for more development. } 8. Nc3 { More development. }
8... Nxd4
{ Blacknow takes the night, challenging the bishop, white can't retake becausefo the c5 bishop. }
9. Nxe4 { White trades knights of his own. } 9... dxe4
{ blackretakes. I now have a pawn, knight and bishop in the center. } 10. Be3
{ Nicemove attacks knight directly, bishop indirectly and develops another piece. }
10... Nxb3
{ Knight takes the bishop. Trading pieces when he is up in developmentand pieces. }
11. axb3 Qxd1 { I trade kings giving him the open file temporarily. } 12. Rfxd1
Bxe3 { Trading more pieces, also weakens white's pawn structure } 13. fxe3 f5
14. Ra5 { Develops rook } 14... b6 { Chases him away } 15. Rad5
{ Creatingbattery ram with rooks } 15... Ke7 { Bringing king in for endgame }
16. h3 Be6 { Developingpawns and pieces } 17. R5d4 Rad8
{ Still willing to trade pieces } 18. Ra1 { Attacking a7 } 18... a5 19. Raa4 c5
{ Black forces a trade of d-rooks. } 20. Rxd8 Rxd8
{ Black regains the open file now } 21. g4 { Desperation } 21... Rd1+
{ Checksthe king, guarentees the c2 pawn } 22. Kg2 Rd2+ 23. Kg3 Rxc2 24. Kf4
{ Whitemoves into a claustrophobic area } 24... Kf6
{ I attempt to bring the g-pawn down. } 25. g5+ { White does bring it down. }
25... Ke7 { Black gladly moves back } 26. h4 Kd6 27. g6
{ Desperately marching pawns } 27... Rg2
{ Threatens Rg4 mate, basicallyends all hopes for g pawn and h pawn. } 28. h5
Rg4# *
|
[Event "Nuking old Caro"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "thereaper1"]
[Black "teacher"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1690"]
[WhiteElo "1071"]
{ So I have recently found this amazing new lines against the Sicilian andhave been eager to play it for the past couple of weeks. Fed up of notgetting the chance to play the opening I approached one of my teacherswho is one of the top players at my local chess club and asked him duringmy school chess club weather I could try a new opening with him. He saidhe was Happy to but before that we would just play a quick friendly game.Turns out I didn't need to set up the opening any way. I got to play avariation where the only difference being blacks c pawn would be on c6as apposed to c5. }
1. e4 { This game is great. I sacrafice my queen onmove six! } 1... c6 2. f4 d5
3. Nf3 { allowing black to take free rein at my pawnon e4. } 3... dxe4 4. Ng5
{ But prehaps I can win it back? } 4... Nf6 { Alas no. } 5. Bc4
{ So I eye down f7. } 5... Bg4
{ One would think the only way to save the queenwas to play Be2. But the beauty of this opening is it doesn't need thequeen. }
6. Qxg4
{ Qxg4! so now we are underway. The psychological valueof this move is not the only advantage to it. It is actually a very soundopening. }
6... Nxg4 7. Bxf7+ Kd7 { Only square. } 8. Be6+
{ Ke8 would invite adraw by repetition. This being the point of the opening, white gets twopieces for the queen, better piece coordination, the chance to create abind on black as well as great intuitive and development. }
8... Kc7
{ The beautyabout the pawn being on c6 instead of c5 is that black needs to waste anextra tempo moving either his queen or king to avoid the queen/king fork. }
9. Bxg4 Qe8
{ Black looks to prevent the fork at f7. Black doesn't realiseI was never interested in Nf7. }
10. Ne6+
{ The idea being to create a bindon blacks position by closing lines and preventing development. }
10... Kb6 11. Nc3 Na6 12. a3
{ It's pretty cool that even though white has gambited hisqueen he is still able to play such defensive moves as these. }
12... Qg6 13. Bh3 { All there is really. } 13... Nc5
{ Forcing me to trade knights and thus nullifymy attack. } 14. Nxc5 Kxc5 15. f5
{ f5! this may block the h3-c8 diagonalbut it forces the queen to a more passive spot. Note that of all the squaresavailable to black the queen is only safe on h5, f7 and e8 since any othersquare either loses the queen to a royal fork or a discovered attack. }
15... Qe8 16. Nxe4+ { Taking the pawn with tempo. } 16... Kb6 17. d3
{ I need to openlines for my bishop and this seemed a little more solid than d4. }
17... e6
{ ?this was done to open lines for the bishop but the free protected passedpawn this creates is just too powerful. }
18. fxe6 Bc5
{ Black is lookingto trade pieces so that I will have no attack and his material advantagewill be bigger. Little does he know that one of the strategies of thisopening is that white looks for any chance to trade knights for bishops. }
19. Nxc5 Kxc5 20. b4+
{ Opens up the a1-h8 diagonal, wins more tempo andspace as well as cuts off more squares around the black king. }
20... Kb6 21. Bb2 Qe7 { Protects g7. } 22. O-O-O
{ I take the chance to develop my rookand bring my king into relative safety. }
22... Kc7 23. Rde1 Rhf8 { controls thef file. } 24. Rhf1
{ I was looking for chances to play Rf7!! I just needto get rid of blacks pesky rooks to do so. }
24... b6 25. Kd1
{ I thought I shouldprotect the rook just incase anything opens up. } 25...
Rxf1 26. Rxf1 Rf8 { Moretrading down. } 27. Be5+ Kb7
{ The point of b6 before. } 28. Rxf8
{ I couldn'tsee anything better. It doesn't really matter though. that passed pawnis a monster and more than makes up for the -1 material defect. }
28... Qxf8 29. Ke2 Qe7 30. c4 { taking space. } 30... Kc8
{ ?allows the following tactic. } 31. Bxg7 { ! White must be winning. } 31...
Kd8 32. Be5 Qf8 33. d4 c5 { This would bealright if it wasn't for... } 34. d5
{ ! connected passed pawns } 34... cxb4 35. d6
{ ! those two connected passed pawns on the 6th rank are monsters. Blackwill have a hard time staving them off. }
35... Qg8
{ Better is Qh6 with the threatof Qh5! forking king and bishop (Qe8 does the same thing) }
36. axb4 { Toget rid of any complications. } 36... Ke8
{ his was only a friendly match and weweren't writing the moves down, so I'm unsure if the next few moves areexactly the same. I am reasonably sure that they are though and the positionis defiantly right at move forty. }
37. c5 { Looking for three connectedpassed pawns on the 6th rank! } 37... bxc5
38. bxc5
{ Black is lost here. Amazingconsidering Black has a queen on an open board. }
38... Qg5 39. d7+ Kd8 40. Bd6
{ threatening e7#black has to give up his queen which loses on the spot.His only try is Qh5+ but nothing can be made of it. Black should resignhere. }
40... Qg7 41. e7+ Qxe7+ 42. Bxe7+ Kxe7
{ And my teacher congratulated methen resigned. He tells me he now has a new opening for Blitz games. Notbad for a thousand player eh? This was just a friendly game and I'm surewe both played far from perfectly but despite that I am still very happywith this win. Having now played this I think the opening is defiantlysound and worth trying again. Please comment and rate, In would liketo see weather others think this opening is sound. }
1-0
|
[Event "Trouble Ahead"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2014.11.24"]
[Round "-"]
[White "mrvroom"]
[Black "otakumadness"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1200"]
[TimeControl "14 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1009"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Be6 4. Bxe6 fxe6 5. O-O Nc6 6. d3 Be7 7. Nc3 Nf6 8.
Bg5 Nd4
{ Moving in for the attack... planning to do Nxf3 and openthe g-column to an attack on the king. }
9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Ne2
{ I think insteadof this move, White should have instead done Nxd4, or maybe left that spaceopen so the queen could protect the knight on f. White makes the firstmistake here. }
10... Nxf3+ 11. Kh1
{ White doesn't take my bait and instead movesthe king... something I would have done, as well. }
11... Nd4
{ Planning to exchangeknights... now that I have the advantage, I'm going to just get rid ofas many of White's pieces as possible. }
12. Nxd4 exd4 { Exchange of knights } 13. c4 dxc3 { Exchange of pawns } 14.
bxc3 Bxc3 { Taking the unguarded pawn } 15. Qg4
{ White seems to be threatening to do Qxe6+, but I want that Rook. } 15... Bxa1
{ Taking the rook } 16. Rxa1 { White takes my bishop } 16... e5
{ Moving thepawn } 17. Qxg7 { White takes my other unguarded pawn } 17... Rf8
{ The only movethat wouldn't have lost me my rook. } 18. f3
{ Protecting the f-pawn } 18... Qf6
{ Hoping that White will do a queen exchange so I can begin working on aback-rank mate. }
19. Qxc7 { Taking my unguarded pawn } 19... Qe7
{ Still tryingto get the queen } 20. Qc4 Qf7 21. Qb4 Rc8
{ At this point, I decide to tryfor a back-rank mate anyway. } 22. Qxd6
{ Another unguarded pawn } 22... Qc7
{ Preparingto do Qc1+ to force a mate. At this point, if I were White, I would havedone Qa3 to increase my defenses on the back rank }
23. Qxe5+ { White makesa crucial error, letting me take the Queen. } 23... Qxe5
{ White resigns. } 0-1
|
[Event "1st Reti System mini-tournament"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "20-Jul-07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "mybookrunsdeep"]
[Black "a_professional_idiot"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1745"]
[TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"]
[WhiteElo "2060"]
1. Nf3
{ This is the Queen's Indian Defense d5-pawn sac line. A nice positionalcrush up to the sacrificial finish. Feel free to leave comments, especiallyif you're going to give it 1 star!!! }
1... Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4
{ 6. Nc3 0-0; 7. Re1! is more topical and now 7...Ne4,7...c5, or 7...d5 are possible. }
6... c5
{ It's difficult to believe that sucha seemingly natural move is a mistake, however, White's next move not onlycramps the Black position, but gives White dangerous initiative. }
7. d5
{ This temporary pawn sacrifice can also occur when Black plays 6...0-0;7. d5 ed; 8. Nh4 c6!?, with roughly equal chances. With the c-pawn onc5 the White pawn center will permanently cramp the Black position. }
7... exd5 8. Nh4
{ A typical theme in the QID, white exploits the pin on the h1-a8diagonal to win back the pawn. The h4-knight also prepares to sink inon f5 with threats against the Black king. }
8... d6 { Another idea is 8...Na6followed by ...Nc7. } 9. cxd5 Nbd7
{ Black chooses the more central deploymentof the knight, retaining the possibility of dropping in on e5. }
10. Nc3
{ Preventing any 'comeback' tactics on the d5-pawn due to the queen andbishop battery on the h4-d8 diagonal. }
10... O-O 11. Nf5
{ I was in no rush toplay e4 and want to meet ...g6 with Nh6 , keeping the Black pieces awkwardlyplaced. }
11... Ne5 12. Bg5
{ This move turns out to be not so good, as Black getssome tempi by kicking it around. }
12... h6 13. Bf4 { Then again, h6 does becomethe scene of a later sacrifice! }
13... Ng6 14. Bd2
{ Operating on the premisethat any exchanges favor the cramped side, I preserve the bishop for laterdeployment. It also seems that the Black knight is better on e5 than ong6, but I could be wrong. }
14... Re8 15. Qc2
{ Preparing the centralize the rooksand push the e- and f-pawns. } 15... Bf8
{ It seems that Black has made the mostof his reorganization. White still has the advantage due to the staticspace advantage and better placed pieces. }
16. Rfe1 { I was entertainingthe idea of Ra-e1 also. } 16... Qd7
{ Black continues to unravel, all would bewell, if Black could play ...d5. }
17. Rac1
{ Not so sure about this move,as I was intending Rad1, but at the last minute I had some idea about slowingdown Black's queenside play as I was sure ...b5 and ...c4 was sure to come. }
17... b5 { Black's only feasible plan of expansion. } 18. e4
{ Now it's a race! } 18... b4 19. Nd1 { The knight wants to go to c4 via e3. }
19... a5 20. Nde3 a4 21. Nc4 Qd8
{ ...Qc7 might be preferable, still avoiding the fork on b6, and keepingthe rooks connected and maybe more importantly, keeping e5 under controlas this is going to be the only pawn break White has! }
22. f4 { Attack!!! } 22... Ra6
{ Black has made some progress on the queenside, but his queenside piecesare imprisoned by the pawn structure and his kingside pieces are just waitingfor the attack. Such a passive defense is not advisable. }
23. a3
{ Nowthat the rook wont be able to come to the b-file quickly due to my controlover b6, I dont mind opening the b-file, as my heavy pieces will be ableto occupy it much quicker. }
23... b3
{ Probably a correct decision, however, Black'squeenside play is at an end. }
24. Qd3 { Keeping an eye on the d-pawn forthe eventual e5-break. } 24... Nd7
25. Bc3
{ This position should tell the strategicstory. Comparative coordination of the pieces is the key to the position. }
25... Nb8
{ The position is closed, but Black does not have time for such luxuries. 25...Qc7 prevents the break for a little while longer. }
26. e5 dxe5 27. fxe5 { The central pawn duo is deadly!!! } 27... Ra7 28. e6
{ This position is resignable,but Black's next move allows a nice combination. }
28... Ne7 29. Nxh6+
{ When youhave an overwhelming positional advantage, start looking for the killshottactic. Here it is. Black is either mated right away or loses a ton ofmaterial. }
29... gxh6 { If Black plays 29...Kh8; 30. Nxf7 Kg8; 31. Be4! decidesmatters. }
30. exf7+ Kxf7 31. Qh7+ Bg7 32. Qxg7# { Thanks to my opponentfor a fun game. }
1-0
|
[Event "Challenge from russ20124"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2016.03.16"]
[Round "-"]
[White "bitter_man"]
[Black "russ20124"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1788"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1342"]
1. e4 c5
{ So Ladies and Gents, my first annotation at Gameknot... commentsappreciated, but go easy on me ;-) I'm opening against Russ who kindlychallenged me to a game; playing it safe with e4; against someone who is+300 odd rating points, I'm not going to be experimenting. Russ suggestedwe try out the Sicilian. }
2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Nb3
{ Retreating queenside after 5... e5. I had expected an exchange variationwith 5... Nxd4 forcing me to get my queen out which black could use togain time }
6... Nf6 7. Be3 Be7 8. Bd3
{ Both sides preparing to castle kingside.Apart from that I'm adding protection to e4. Reflecting though, e4-e5 arelocked and e5 is pretty secure for the moment with protection from c6 andd6. Basically relies on ... Nxe4 in order to free up the bishop on thekingside. That said, the position of the knights is blocking any supportfor Bc4. Bb5 just ends badly. Perhaps Be2? }
8... Be6
{ At this point in timeI didn't see it, but the bishop positioning by black ends up skeweringmy queen-side once the game opens up }
9. O-O O-O 10. Nd2
{ Both sides completedcastling. I wasn't happy with the position of both knights queenside. Controllinga lot of squares, but I couldn't see any plan how to advance. Was alsoworried about doubled pawns after ... Bxb3 }
10... Nb4
{ ...and leaving a holefor ... Nb4. Nice offensive position for the black knight. With hindsightit would have been to kick it immediately with b3. }
11. Nc4 Rc8
{ 11. Nc4Potentially attacking blacks pawns, but not a solid position for the knight.Black claiming the semi-open file and putting pressure on the newly occupiedc4 square }
12. b3
{ I thought protecting the knight with a pawn would deferBxc4. Black has taken the initiative. }
12... d5 13. exd5 Nfxd5 14. Nxd5
{ forcedafter b2-3 leaving the knight unguarded } 14... Qxd5
{ Giving up a very good positionto the black Queen } 15. a3 Nxd3
{ 15. a3, Now finally deciding to kick theblack knight (but probably too late). With a fairly open structure andwell positioned bishops, the exchange was probably attractive for black }
16. cxd3
{ shying away from the potential queen exchange and hoping thatif the exhange between rook or bishop would occur I could close down onthe open file. Qxd3 would have still led to a split in the pawn chain afteran exchange of queens }
16... b5 17. Nb2
{ ...b5 forcing a retreat for the knight.the only real option I think, but not a good one! }
17... a5
{ This caught me offguard. It was about now that I really noticed just how much pressure Iwas under. In 2 moves black has gained an enormous amount of space andthose bishops are bearing down a3&b3 }
18. a4 { Desperate to halt the rush } 18... Rc3 { losing b3 } 19. axb5
{ miscaluclation. trying to cut down the advancingpair and allow my rook to put pressure on a5. but after Rxb3 I will loseb5 and the influence my rook has there }
19... Rxb3 20. Qd2
{ choosing to use thequeen to cover the knight and simultaneously put pressure on a5 }
20... Bb4
{ whichof course allows the dark squared bishop to take an active part. } 21.
Qc2
{ not a wise move. With the light squared bishop guarding Rc8, all I'vedone is given black an opportunity to lay claim to another open file }
21... Rc8 22. Nc4
{ The idea was to take the knight to a protected square and blockthe open file }
22... Rxd3 { although when the support gets taken out... } 23. Rfd1
{ trying to pin the rook } 23... Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1
{ Exchanging and putting pressureon the black queen. Although I missed the following exchange }
24... Qxc4 { Losingmaterial } 25. Qxc4 Bxc4
{ putting both bishops right in the thick of things.Also making it virtually impossible to stop the a-pawn advance. Barringa blunder or outright mistake from black, I can't see a way to eke outa draw now }
26. Rc1
{ pinning the bishop. trying to for the bishop exchangewith Bd2 would have been an option, but it would just lose out to ... Rd8 }
26... a4 { and the advance begins } 27. b6 Ba6
{ b6, trying to force the rook offthe c-file. The bishop retreats halting the pawn advance, but the rookexchange is terrible for me }
28. Rb1 { moving on to the b-file, trying tokick the bishop, advance my pawn. }
28... Be7 29. b7
{ 28.... Be7, bishop retreating.b7, Pawn advancing. Bxb7 is not possible for white at the moment, he needsRb8, which would temporarily give me reprise from his rook. }
29... Rb8
{ but notwith enough time to remove the a-pawn (Ra1 Rxc7 leaves my rook pinned onthe 1. rank to avoid mate) }
30. Ba7 { desperation } 30... Rxb7
{ from here we arejust going through the motions. As long as the dark squared bishop coversf7, even a lucky punch getting my rook onto the 8th rank won't lead tomate. }
31. Bb6 Bd3 32. Rb2 a3 33. Rb3 a2 34. Rxd3 a1=Q+ 35. Rd1 Qxd1#
{ congratsand thanks to Russ for taking the time to play me. All in all I'm not entirelydisappointed with my performance in the game, I was throroughly outmanouevredin the middle-game only realising Russ's plan when it was too late. ButI'll need to go back to the opening position, it left me in a real quandryhow best to proceed with the attack }
0-1
|
[Event "99th GK tournament"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.08.17"]
[Round "-"]
[White "palhares"]
[Black "elyhim"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2345"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "2080"]
1. e4
{ Message from one of our club players. 'Good attack by black usingthe diagonals, indeed, particularly interested because I had the impressionwhite was better after the development. But what puzzled me more are theking's move (from both sides). I very seldom move my king, except to facean immediate threat and, I saw no such threats in your game. I also wassurprised by one of your queen's move. I would be interested in seeingannotations about it. }
1... c5
{ So this annotated game is in response tothe club players questions. Often king moves fall under two rationales#1 king safety and #2 Waiting move. you will see the later sometimes inquiet positional positions such as in this game. }
2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nd7 5. Nc3 Ngf6 6. Be3 a6
{ Hedgehog formation verses the Englishattack. } 7. f3
{ My favored response when playing white. The idea is tosetup for a quick king side attack with g4-g5 and h4-h5 }
7... h5 { blocking theg4-g5 idea } 8. Qd2 e6
{ Setting up arguably the most flexible and strongestdefensive walls in chess history. It is known as the hedgehog formation. }
9. Bc4
{ ?! not seen very often for good reason. The only reason whitewould want to play Bc4 is to put pressure on f7 which is only effectiveafter black has committed his e-pawn to e5. So this move is an easy oneto exploit. }
9... Ne5
{ gaining valuable tempo by attacking the hanging bishopand driving it to a less desirable square. Though the tempo gain is temporaryyou will see quite a few of these kinds of moves from black in this game.The idea behind it is that white is forced to move a piece twice(the definitionof poor piece placement and losing tempo). Only to have black develop anotherpiece }
10. Bb3
{ Also playable is 10. Be2. Even though it may look counterproductive it may in the long run prove sounder than 10. Bb3. The rationalefor this is that white's main idea is to play g2-g4-g5. Having the bishopon e2 supports that. furthermore many white players like placing a knighton b3 to contest the c5-strong point. }
10... Qc7
{ I am currently badgering myclub students about the importance of developing pieces over moving pawns.In the alternative white must commit to queen side castling before playingthe ... b5 ideas For example if 10...b5? right now then 11. O-O-O Bb712. Bg5 Qa5 13. Kb1 Nc4 14. Bxc4 bxc4 15. Rhe1 Rb8 16. Nf5 +/- }
11. O-O-O b5
{ A little bit of saber rattling on my part. The Sicilian is often agame of inches and pawns. The Alternative 11...Be7 is just as strong ifnot stronger. But then again it does not give my opponent something tothink about like 11...b5 does! }
12. Kb1
{ Why 12.Kb1? The rationale is thatit improves the king's safety by getting him off the hotly contested c-fileand allows the white pieces congested on the d-file a little freedom tounravel themselves. I suspect that white wants to setup a powerful batteringram along f2-h7 diagonal with Qf2. It also will give the d1-rook strengthalong the d-file. }
12... Nc4
{ forcing white to give up the bishop pair. Whichright now is not significant but it will be later on. Plus the pawn onc4 acts like a wedge in white's position making it difficult for him tofree himself. }
13. Bxc4 bxc4
{ A player can not go on the offensive heis tripping over himself! Also I have created a new opening along theb-file. }
14. h3
{ ?! White's only hope of freeing himself is on the d-file.This is why I was expecting 14. Nde2 Bb7 15. Bf4 Rd8 16. Qe3 Nd7 17. Bg5Rb8 =. This by the way is a great example of how improving piece positionbefore moving a pawn could have maybe lead white to the better line. However,white wants to play g2-g4-g5. Something I can not stop effectively so Itry to counter balance it with threats of my own. }
14... Rb8 { A rook aimingstraight down to the enemy king makes sense right? }
15. g4 Nd7 { forced } 16. Qe2
{ At this point my opponent begins to make a series of queen movesin what I suspect is to mark time. }
16... g6
{ everything is dead level at thispoint. We are 16 moves in and I am still not ready to castle! My intendto play ...Bg7 with great influence along the central dark diagonal }
17. Qd2
{ I think white is bidding his time, waiting for me to get impatientand over commit. I have a great deal of strength in these types of positionswhere there are only tiny advantages. }
17... Qb7
{ Why 17...Qb7? Even thoughattending to my king's safety with 17...Bg7 may be following sounder chess.The rationale is that it gains tempo by practically forcing white to defendthe checkmate with Qc1. This puts the queen on a slightly inferior square.Though it still supports it's main duty of aiding the bishop on e3. Ifwhite chooses to defend the threat with 18.b3?! which is a positional blunder.He a created a lasting weakness on the dark diagonal. }
18. Qc1
{ This smallconcession in piece placement is a small deal now but five moves from nowthe absence of the queen on d2 is a major reason for white's troubles. }
18... Be7
{ Now I can play my bishop move without lose of tempo. Playing ...Bg7creates a target on d6. At this junction the DSB is the only one able tosupport the d6 pawn. }
19. Nde2 Nc5 { The classic outpost for this knight. } 20. Bd4 Rh7
{ Both players are trying to improve their piece positions.These small moves are characteristically common in quiet positions likethese. Though if I say so myself I have a slight edge due to the fact thatmy pieces are more aggressively placed. }
21. Bxc5
{ Eliminates a strongknight for a equally strong bishop. Another plus is that it doubles blackpawns on the c-file which is a big mess. However, the black c5 pawn dominatesthe only useable center square on the board. White only has a rook on thed-file at the moment so he can not make good use of the file. }
21... dxc5 22. f4
{ activating his king pawns. No fear though any pawn exchanges only ensurethat my bishop pair grow stronger! }
22... Bd7
{ Now this is quite an interestingposition. It is not very often that you see a king perfectly safe on hisoriginal square. But more importantly is the silly little white queen sittingas useless as a sac of hammers on c1! A by product of the little 17...Qb7in between move. Had I played 17...Be7 the queen may still be on the actived2-square. }
23. e5
{ ?? a major blunder that completely gives black a winninggame and control of the long diagonal. Though apparently it is not so easyto see because we had quite a long discussion on the club forms on weatherblack had an advantage or not }
23... Bc6 24. Rhg1 hxg4
{ !! the breakthrough moment.The black harmony of Bishop + Rook is going to destroy everything in it'spath. }
25. hxg4 Bf3 { Setting up an attack on g4 with the threat of winninga pawn. }
26. Rde1 Rh4 27. g5 Bd8
{ Rejuvenating the bishop. The plan isto go to a5 to put pressure on b7 via c3. }
28. Ka1 { The king tries torun for cover. } 28... Ba5
{ X-raying the rook on e8 } 29. Rgf1 Rh2
{ The bishopis covered by the queen on b7. } 30. Ng1
{ trying to win the bishop butnow the weakness along the 2nd rank is too much }
30... Bxc3 { good trade no? } 31. bxc3 Bg4 { possibly Bg4 attacking c2. } 32.
Qa3 { marshaling the troopsto the kings defense. Making possible Rb1 } 32...
Qc6 { defending a6 and avoidingRb1 } 33. Rb1 Rb5 34. Rfc1
{ 34. Rxb5 drops the c2 pawn. } 34... Kf8
{ Why 34...Kf8!?I was worried about a possible queen check on ...b8 via 35. Rxb5 followedby 36.Qa7 }
35. Rxb5 axb5 36. Qa7
{ now the king can duck to g7 withoutwhite being able to force the exchange of queens on d3. }
36... Kg7 { white resignednow that c2 is about to fall. } 0-1
|
[Event "Barmen, 1869"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Adolph Anderssen"]
[Black "Johannes Zuckertort"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4
{ The Evans Gambit, which leads tolively play. } 4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4
{ White gets a strong center and openlines for his B's in return for the Pawn. Zuckertort needs to make surehe develops quickly. }
6... exd4 7. O-O Bb6 8. cxd4 d6 9. d5 Na5
{ Counterattackon the B, gaining a tempo. } 10. Bb2
{ Returning the favor by threateningto trap Zuckertort's KR. } 10... Ne7 11.
Bd3 O-O 12. Nc3 Ng6 13. Ne2 c5 { ClaimingQ-side space. } 14. Qd2 f6 15. Kh1 Bc7
16. Rac1 Rb8 { The men maneuver forpositional advantage. } 17. Ng3 b5 18. Nf5
b4
{ Pressing forward on the Q-side.But Anderssen's K-side attack is ipso facto more dangerous, as it aimsat the Black King. }
19. Rg1 Bb6 20. g4
{ Committing himself to the attack.With his own K-side position now weakened, Anderssen's attack must succeedor he will lose. }
20... Ne5 21. Bxe5 dxe5
{ Black's K is now defended only bya Rook and a flimsy shield of Pawns. } 22.
Rg3 Rf7 23. g5 { The batteringram. } 23... Bxf5
{ Removing one of the dangerous attacking pieces. } 24. exf5 Qxd5
{ This move wins a Pawn, but its real purpose is to allow the QR to participatein the defense. }
25. gxf6 { Blasting open the position. } 25... Rd8 26. Rcg1
{ Liningup the battery on the target. } 26... Kh8 { Black has little choice. }
27. fxg7+ { Creating a dangerous passed Pawn and sealing in the King. } 27...
Kg8 { Practicallyforced. } 28. Qh6 { Anderssen closes the ring. } 28... Qd6
{ After playing this move,Zuckertort resigned. } 1-0
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2018.10.04"]
[Round "-"]
[White "apurvg"]
[Black "kindvall"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1990"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1589"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4
{ My intent was to play Smyslov-Petrosianagainst King's Indian, but GameDB showed that e4 is more popular. e4 alsoseemed more attacking than Bg5 as it captures more space. }
4... d6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Be2 { Just unpinning here. } 6... O-O 7. Be3
{ o-o and e3 both seem equallygood. } 7... e5 8. d5
{ time to close the centre and make black's dark squaredbishop useless. However, e4 may look weak if queenside pawn storm starts. }
8... c6 9. O-O
{ Unless black captures, I decided to delay dxc6 till I can geta rook on d file. }
9... Bd7 10. Qb3 { Forcing black to push the b pawn. } 10... b6 11. Rfd1
{ Plan in action - rook is xraying the black queen. Of course, I don'texpect my opponent to fall for discoveries, but now I feel strong aboutmy position. }
11... Re8 12. dxc6 Bxc6 13. Ng5
{ As much as I'd like to claim brilliance,this was played with a weaker intent. First, to add protection to e pawn(since I didn't want the dark squared bishop to get free and attack). Second,the intent was to manouver a knight to d5 (one of them would be exchanged).And there was an outside chance that black will miss Qxf7. }
13... h6 14. Nxf7
{ If black had not pushed the h pawn, I probably would not have sacrificed.[But I would have pushed c5] But now a new plan emerges - sacrifice theknight (which wasn't doing much) and then train the bishop pair on black'sking. }
14... Kxf7 15. c5+
{ Discovered check - but I am going to win a centralpawn and capture the d file with doubled rooks. Should be compensationenough. }
15... Kf8 16. Rxd6 Qe7 17. Rad1 { Capturing the (only) open file. } 17... Nxe4
{ Of course this pawn was lost. } 18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. cxb6
{ Making space fordark squared bishop to train it's guns on black's king. }
19... axb6 20. Bxb6 Bc6 21. Bc4
{ The choice between Bc4 and Bc5 was difficult. Both need tohappen - but move order may have been important. Bc4 would win the queen,but at the cost of quite a bit of material. (e.g., if white does some sillymove), then 22. Rf6ch or Re6 would have been an idea. }
21... Qg5 22. g3
{ Defence.But black's light squared bishop is very powerful. I resolve to take itout at some point in future. }
22... Bh8 { Black saw my attack and made space forking. } 23. Bc5
{ c5 comes now. It was important to check for any backrankissues - which I did. It was mostly accidental that queen was coveringd1. }
23... Kg7 24. Rxc6
{ This sacrifice was well thought out. Removing that bishopallows queen to infiltrate black's camp via b2 or f3. }
24... Nxc6 25. Qb7+
{ Andblack resigned here. If king moves, 26. Qf7# is coming. Blocks are possiblewith Ne7 - but there are 3 attackers and black will lose queen and tradea lot of others. e.g., 25 ...Ne7 26. Bxe7 ... Qxe7 27. Rd7 and black willlose the queen. }
1-0
|
[Event "Back row issues capitalised"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2016.04.30"]
[Round "-"]
[White "lichtbrenger"]
[Black "vavavi"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1536"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1551"]
1. e4
{ Hello, this is my first game back here in gameknot. I regained interestin chess and thought to give it a go. This one was an interesting one wheremy opponents weak back row proved to be his doom. Any comments and tipson how to improve my game are welcome. }
1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nc6 5. a3 e6 6. d3
{ I decided to play the sicilian defense. As this wasmy first game in a while i couldn't recall theoretical lines that well. }
6... Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8. O-O
{ This is usually the point in games where it startsto differentiate from theoretical lines. Both sides have castled and developedmost of their pieces. }
8... a6 9. Re1
{ Here it became apparent that white wasplanning for a e5 break } 9... Re8 10.
Bf4 b5 { Black gains some counterplayby pushing forward in the queen side } 11.
Nxb5
{ This isn't the most uncommonsac. It gets 2 pawns for a piece and enforces the pin on the knight, notsure if this was the right approach here though }
11... axb5 { Black accepts } 12. Bxb5 Bd7 13. c3
{ This move surprised me. I was sure i was facing the e5break on the next move. Not sure what my opponent thought of here. }
13... Ne5
{ This move forces sime simplification. Whites bishop is hitting blacksloose one and threatens to win it by playing Nxf3+ if white ignores it. }
14. Bxd7 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 Qxd7
{ Power of the earlier knight sacrifice hasdiminished. The bishop is removed and black stands better. White has somepotential past pawns on the queen side if an endgame issues. }
16. Rad1 Bf8
{ Here i thought of placing my bishop on g7, but it turns out to bea wasted turn }
17. e5
{ This really should have been played earlier, ithas way less effect now }
17... dxe5 18. Bxe5
{ Black has a lonely pawn at c5 whichcould be a potential target } 18... Be7
{ Protecting the knight } 19. d4 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Qb5
{ This move hits b2, threatening to dissassembly whites queen sidepawn majority }
21. Qe2 Reb8 { More pressure } 22. Qxb5 Rxb5
{ Queens comeoff, and whites pawns might prove to be useful } 23. c4
{ This protects thepawn and hits the rook } 23... Rbb8 24. Be5 Rc8 25. Rc1 Ra4
{ The queen side pawnsare bound to be dropping soon } 26. c5
{ taking the pawn straight up didn'tlook appealing enough so i improved my knight instead }
26... Nd5 27. Bd6 Bf6 28. Re2 { Protects the pawn, but disconnects the rooks. }
28... Ra6 { ThreateningRxd6 due to the pin on the pawn } 29. Rec2
{ This move doesn't help to parrywhats coming } 29... Bxb2
{ Bxb2! This hits the pawn, and the rook on c1. } 30. Rxb2
{ White didn't spot the following move abusing the disconnected rooksand weak back row }
30... Rxd6 { If cxd6 rxc1 mate } 31. c6
{ Black cannot take thepawn. His backrow is weakened also by the disconnected rooks }
31... h6 { Calmh6 ensures blacks advantage } 32. Rbc2 f5 33. a4
{ This move releases controlof a key square } 33... Nb4
{ This forks the rook and the pawn } 34. Rc4
{ Takingthe pawn here would result in an end game thats hard to win, for me atleast. }
34... Nd3 { Hits the rook } 35. Rd1 Rdxc6
{ White cant move the rook due to hisweak back row, and taking the knight leaves a huge advantage to black here. 0-1 }
0-1
|
[Event "Game Four"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.08.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "richfeet"]
[Black "porcho"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "1260"]
[TimeControl "7 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1076"]
{ So we decided to play another game and I got another win. } 1. e4 e5 2. d4
{ He always starts with this, and I think that unless you plan to playsome gambit it's not very good. }
2... exd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 { Nothing new yet. } 4. Qd1 Nf6 5. Nc3 Bb4
{ Pinning his knight so I can play d5. } 6. Bb5 d5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3
{ His pawn structure is smashed, with his entire queenpawn structure isolated and part of it doubled. }
8... Be6 9. Bg5
{ At this stageI believe black has the edge. White's pawn structure is awful, black'sis good. Black has a lead in development and central control. }
9... O-O 10. exd5 Bxd5
{ Now black's bishop is extremely powerful, surveying territoryin all directions. }
11. Nf3 h6 { Chasing his bishop } 12. Bd2 Bxf3
{ ? Notsure why I did this, but it's not good. } 13. Qxf3 Qd6 14. O-O Rab8 15.
Bf4
{ Black's edge has shrunk but I still this is has a slight advantagedue to white's pawn structure. }
15... Qd7 16. a4 { ?! Doesn't really accomplishanything. } 16... Nd5 17. Rfd1
{ I would have moved the other rook because thatrook should be on the e file. }
17... Qe6 { Unpin } 18. Re1 Qf6 19. Bxc7
{ ?? I supposehe didn't notice my knight. } 19... Qxf3
{ First I trade and smash his kingsidepawn structure too. } 20. gxf3
{ Look at his pawns: Even if I wasn't aboutto take his bishop, he'd be in BIG trouble, he has FOUR different pawnislands, they're all isolated and some of them are doubled. }
20... Nxc7 { Blackhas a practically won game now. } 21. Bd3 Nd5 22. Ra3 Rbe8
{ Trying to trade } 23. Be4 { ?? Loses the bishop } 23... f6
{ ?? Misses it, I should have moved onestep farther. } 24. Rd1
{ Steps out of the pin } 24... Nf4 25. Re1 { ?? Falls backinto it. } 25... Rf7
{ ?? Misses it again } 26. Kh1 { ?? } 26... Rfe7 { ?? } 27. a5 { ?? } 27... f5
{ FINALLY! } 28. Ra4 g6 { No need to take hit yet. Bd5+ falls to Nxd5 } 29. Rd1
Kg7 { If he moves his bishop then Re1+ Rxe1 Rxe1# } 30. h3 Ne5
{ ?? Thisis awfully stupid, it allows him to get out of it. } 31. c4
{ ?? And he missesit. } 31... fxe4 { Finally } 32. fxe4 Nxh3 33. Kg2 Ng5 34.
Kg3 Nxe4+
{ I take hispawn with check. My knights are working very well together. } 35.
Kg2 Rf8 { Threatens Rxf2+ } 36. Rf1 Ref7
{ Renews the threat, there's no way to avoidit. } 37. c5 Rxf2+ 38. Rxf2 Rxf2+
39. Kg1 { ?? Now it's mate in two. } 39... Nf3+ 40. Kh1 Ng3#
{ Please comment and rate. } 0-1
|
[Event "That had to hurt!"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "01/20/15"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Rickdaily12"]
[Black "darthtal"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1585"]
[TimeControl "3 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1581"]
{ A GameKnot user talked me into trying more regular timed matches again,and honestly, I've forgotten how much fun they can be. This was a gamewhere everything went right for me, and the more desperate my opponentgot to fix himself, his hole was dug deeper. I'm looking forward to therematch, and I'd love to share how this one went... }
1. e4 { My usual, asalways. } 1... c5 { And we have a Sicilian for the match. }
2. Nf3
{ This is theOpen Variation, the most commonly leading into the Dragon, Najdorf or Classicallines. }
2... d6 { This leads into the Dragon-Najdorf lines. } 3. d4
{ I'm mostcomfortable with this. Lately I've been wondering about another varationcalled the Canal-Sokolsky Attack, where White plays Bb5+ here, usuallymet by Bd7, Bxd7+, Qxd7, with White having a few options for developmenton his 5th... But that is an annotation for another time. }
3... cxd4 { This iscommon. } 4. Nxd4
{ And of course, why would you not take the pawn? } 4... Nf6
{ Development, and forces White to defend the pawn. } 5. Nc3
{ Which I dohere. White rarely has to worry about a Bb4 pin in the Sicilian anyway. }
5... a6
{ And here we begin the Najdorf variation. The Dragon Variation is moreof a defensive line, responding with 5... g6, planning to fianchetto hisDSB and to O-O right away. The Najdorf is a lot more aggressive, planningto berate White's knight via e5, but plays a6 in order to stop any of White'spieces from hitting b5... }
6. Be3
{ My reply is the English Attack. Thisis my favorite response to the Sicilian (particularly Najdorf), becauseI find it preserves White's ability to counter any aggressive moves fromBlack, while still being able to advance on ground of his own. It alsostops Black from moving the Queen to b6 (Qb6? Nb3!), so White's dark bishopbecomes particularly powerful in these lines. }
6... e6
{ This move frees Black'sdark bishop, and allows ...d5 to be a possible move. }
7. f3 { And this preventsan annoying Ng4! after Black plays e5. } 7... b5
{ Black decides to start a pawnstorm on my knights. } 8. Qd2
{ I'm not overly worried about it, so I justcontinue with my development. }
8... b4 { And he hits my knight. } 9. Na4
{ Openingtheory normally scolds us for putting knights up against a wall, but thisis a good square for the knight, allowing White to contest much of thequeenside, and Black must defend carefully. }
9... Nbd7
{ Likewise, this moveallows development, countering the influence of my Na4, and also allowsdefense of b4 via Rb8. }
10. O-O-O { I decide now is a good time to castle. } 10... Qa5
{ This freezes the Na4 in place, and threatens Qxa2. White cannot playNc3, and the b4 pawn is further defended from a3 and c3. Now it's White'sturn to defend carefully. }
11. b3 { The only real response. } 11... Bb7
{ More developmentfor Black, opting to dominate the light squares via d5. } 12.
a3
{ If theBlack Queen has to retreat, it cannot defend b4, allowing me to win theexchange. Meanwhile, Black cannot exchange right now either (bxa3?? Qxa5!!). }
12... d5 { This just dares White to exchange. } 13. e5
{ I'm fine, thanks. Thisforces Ng8, because Nh5 lets White play g4, and the knight falls to thepawns. }
13... Nxe5
{ This is a mistake, however- the first of many that spiralsBlack into a nightmare of mishaps. Black saw that the knight would haveto retreat, but didn't understand what made this gambit so dangerous inthe first place. Can you see it? }
14. Nxe6
{ For starters, the pawn wasn'tdropped on e5. Black cannot capture this knight without paying dearly forit. A certain attack is made possible if Black does not give up his pawnon d4 right now... }
14... fxe6 { ...Which he does not. My trap now springs intoaction. } 15. Bb6
{ And the door slams shut on the Black Queen's fate. } 15... Qxa4
{ A desperate exchange to avoid losing more material in the short term. } 16.
bxa4
{ Forced on my end. Now I have to figure out how to preservemy material advantage. }
16... bxa3
{ I don't like this move, if only because Ithink Black can do better, like with Nfd7. It forces my bishop to retreat,and I wouldn't be able to play Qxb4 because Black would just play Bxb4.So while I have to be VERY careful about ignoring the pawn nearing promotionright next to my King on a1, I kinda felt, rightfully so, that the threatof a1=Q would not activate before I could advance counterthreats of myown. }
17. Re1
{ Starting with the fact that both e5 and e6 have no defenders,and lie in front of the Black King. }
17... Nc6
{ Another mistake. This makes mynext move even stronger. Much better was Ned7. }
18. Rxe6+
{ Being withouta Queen, while your enemy has one, means death if your King gets exposed... }
18... Kf7
{ Black wanted to shoo the rook away, but I don't care about my rooksthis game. }
19. Rxf6+
{ Much more important to me is that his king is outin the open for my Queen to harass him with. The fewer defenders he has,the better I'll do with that scale of advantage. }
19... gxf6
{ As for this, Isee why Black is reluctant to capture with the King, but staying thereallows for... }
20. Qxd5+
{ This is yet -another- reason why Nc6 should neverhave been played instead of Ned7. }
20... Kg7
{ The only square where I can't forceMate in the next 10 or so moves. } 21. Bc4
{ Not that it matters. GK putsme at +14.00 at this point, and Black's moves are pretty much forced toavoid Mate from this position forward. }
21... Be7
{ And this wasn't one of them,so we have a fun Mate in 2 coming right up. } 22.
Qf7+ { (Drat. That Bishopmove would have worked against rooks.) } 22... Kh6
{ (Perhaps I'm safer if I goover he- OH CRAP ANOTHER BISHOP AGDRTWDRSTDEW-!) }
23. Be3#
{ And his Kingfalls. This was a fun and quick game, and I'll be sure to offer him hisrematch once my games quiet down a little bit. It's good to be back, GameKnot!Thanks for reading this annotation! :) }
1-0
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[Event "Pirate World Cup 2010"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2010.08.16"]
[Round "-"]
[White "luckycatz"]
[Black "nyranger47"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2235"]
[TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"]
[WhiteElo "1672"]
{ White retains a slight edge throughout most the opening. I have only sparsecomments over the first dozen moves or so, and then more detailed comments. }
1. e4
{ Additional Annotation on end of the game starting with move 17for Black. }
1... d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 a6 5. h4 Nf6 6. f3 b5 7. Qd2 Nbd7 8. g4
{ I would have preferred 8.Nh3-f4 as White. } 8... h6 9. O-O-O Nb6 10. Qg2
{ I do not like this move since the Q is misplaced on this square.Simply developing with 10.Bd3 and 11.Nh3 looks better leaving White witha slight edge. }
10... h5 11. g5 Nfd7 { The position is now slightly in Black'sfavor. } 12. Bd3
{ Ugly as it is, 12.a3 (stopping b4) was probably best. } 12... b4 13. Nb1
{ This move is the one which gets Black into real trouble. Betterwas Nce2. }
13... c5
{ Black now has a significant advantage, but all is not yetlost for White who should now play 14.Qf2 Qc7 15.c3 to stunt the B on g7. }
14. d5 { This, however, loses material and with it the game. } 14... Na4 15. b3
Nb2 16. Rd2 Qa5 17. Ne2 Qxa2
{ For some reason the annotation capabilitiesof GameKnot would not let me annotate the remaining moves of the game -so here is what I would have said....Remember, White is already lost inthis position with best play by Black. 18.Nf4 c4! 19.bxc4 (19.Bxc4 Nxc420.bxc4 Qb2+ 21.Kd1 Qxb1+ 22.Ke2 Qa2 would have held out longer perhaps,but is still losing.) 19...Bc3 (not so much to win the R as to keep withWhite K from escaping at d2). 20.Nxc2??? loses instantly (see below foralternatives) bxc3 21.Resigns since the next move is Qa1 mate. I had expected20.c5 Ne5 21.c6 Nbc4 22.Bxc4 Nxc4 23.Rd3 Qb2+ 24.Kd1 Nxe3+ 25.Rxe3 Qxb1+26.Ke2 Qxc2+ 27.Kf1 Qd1+ 28.Kf2 Qd2+ 29.Re2 Qxf4 when Black wins easilywith his 2 extra bishops and Q-side passed pawns. }
0-1
|
[Event "Online rapid match"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date ""]
[Round "-"]
[White "Me"]
[Black "opponent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1091"]
[TimeControl "10 minutes"]
[WhiteElo "1094"]
{ It's been a long time since I was last on this website; three years, ifone excludes any of my isolated visits. I still haven't completely madeup my mind as to whether I should return, school being as it is, but ifI do, I'll hopefully find myself to have improved. Anyway, this game isa rapid match, with 10 minutes on each side, and no increments. I'm notsure about GameKnot's policy on advertising websites, so I won't mentionthe one I played this game on. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6
{ The Philidor Defencehas become one of my favourite openings to play against, perhaps becauseI haven't really faced it when played well. Usually, I end up with plentyof options against it, and get to develop faster. }
3. d4 { I play the mostcommon response, d4, and open up the centre. } 3... exd4
4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3
{ Ifigured that if I'd played 5. Nxc6, Black would have put significant pressureon d5, after bxc6. Black could then follow with 6... d5, disrupting mycentre. I didn't want that to happen, so I decided to develop instead. }
5... Nxd4 6. Qxd4 Nf6
{ I was expecting Black to try to force my queen out withtempo, by playing something along the lines of c5. But in hindsight, thatwould have caused issues for the development of Black's DSB. I'm actuallynot too sure what Black's best option would have been here, so if someonein the comments could help, that'd be wonderful. }
7. Bg5
{ I considered7. e5 for a few moments at this point, but decided not to, as I was unsurewhether the tempo gained after 7. e5 dxe5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. O-O-O+ wouldbe worth the lost pawn. Instead, I decided to put an extra attacker againstthe knight, with the intention of capturing it to double Black's pawns. }
7... h6
{ This move didn't work out too well for Black, as it only attacked apiece I was planning to move the following turn. Perhaps 7... Be7 wouldhave been better. }
8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Bc4
{ Putting pressure on f7. Note thedifference in development. } 9... Bg7
{ I'm not too sure what Black intended here.The DSB is not well placed here, with pawns blocking its avenues of attack.Perhaps Black hoped to follow with f5, attempting to lure me into exf5before Bxd4. Actually, while typing this, I realise that black may havewanted to castle, although the position of a castled king would seem weakhere. }
10. Qd5
{ This move was not my best work, to say the least. I thinkI got greedy, and thought I could get away with a quick mate at f7. Thisends up handing my opponent a free move, due to the time I must now spendretreating my queen. }
10... Be6 11. Qb5+
{ Another move would have been betterfor me here, as this seems to just hand Black a free c6, which gives themthe centre control they desire. }
11... c6 12. Qb3
{ The threat has now been refocusedonto e6, although Black has many responses. }
12... d5 { A challenger approaches... } 13. exd5 cxd5 14. O-O-O
{ Pinning the d5 pawn to the Black queen, thus indirectlyprotecting my LSB. }
14... f5
{ This seems like a good move to me, as it opensup a diagonal for the DSB, while threatening 14... Qg5+ 15. Kb1 dxc4, winningmy bishop. }
15. Rhe1
{ ?? Not noticing the threat, I pin the LSB to theking, hoping to win a pawn with 16. Bxd5. }
15... O-O { ?? Failing to capitaliseon the opportunity. } 16. Bxd5
{ Now the ship has sailed. } 16... Bxd5 17. Nxd5 Qg5+ 18. Ne3
{ This doesn't seem to be my best option, as Black can play18... f4. Kb1 seems better. }
18... Rac8 { Rfe8 or Rae8 both seem better than this. } 19. h3
{ An annoying misclick; I'd meant to play g3, preventing f4 and allowingh4 later on. For those wondering, I didn't play Qxb7, as Black wins thepawn back after Rb8. }
19... f4 20. Nd5 a5
{ ?? f3+ is a far better move. Thisdoes nothing, and loses material. } 21. Ne7+
Kh8 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. Qxf7 Rf8 { Attempting in vain to force my queen away. }
24. Re8 { Pinning the rookto the king. It's lost. } 24... f3+
{ The long-awaited move, but too late. } 25. Kb1 fxg2 26. Rxf8+
{ It's the end for black. } 26... Bxf8 27. Qxf8+ Qg8
{ The matewas already forced, but this makes it a mate in two. } 28. Qxh6+
{ ForcingQh7. } 28... Qh7 29. Rd8#
{ Checkmate. It's an elegant finish to an interestinggame. If you have any feedback, feel free to comment! }
1-0
|
[Event "Testing My Scandivian 01"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2012.01.11"]
[Round "-"]
[White "sylvainc911"]
[Black "damalfi"]
[Result "0-1"]
{ This game is not very interesting, but it was played against a 1900 in5/10 blitz. I finally won in a very 'technical' way, and I'm not used tothis :-). Besides, it helped me to 'test' the validity of 'my Scandivian'...even with a strong player. }
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe5+
{ I readonce an article called 'the Qa5 phallacy'. So I play this 'my' way. }
4. Be2 c6 { The key move, to prevent the knight's nasty jumps. } 5. d4
{ Thegood one. Normally, lower rated players go Nf3, that is not bad. But theplayed one has poison in it. }
5... Qa5
{ Yes, now, it's a loss of tempo. Butwhite cannot do much, despite the aggressive playing he can display. Thisis the 'bet' of this line. }
6. Nf3
{ From now on, white has the fantasticd5! that opens my game and is often lethal for black. But, for some reason,almost nobody plays it! }
6... Bf5
{ I cannot defend against d5 with e3 becauseI trap my own bishop. After this, black is cramped. It is to be seen ifblack can consider it a 'lock' and hold the game with it. }
7. O-O { Secondand last lost chance to play d5. } 7... e6
{ Now d5 holds, but white has a ready-madeattack with Re1. I still bet black can handle that. }
8. Bf4
{ Ok, good,this is the poisonous diagonal. White has the advantage here, I admit it. }
8... Bb4 { The normal one is Nf6, with a known game. I tried something new. }
9. Bxb8
{ ? the bishop is much, much more valuable than the knight. Probably,white wanted to prevent a short-to-come o-o-o, that is somewhat double-edged,but is still my favourite, since it places the rook on the best spot connectingthe rooks. }
9... Rxb8 { Ok, so no o-o-o. Hmmm... } 10. d5
{ Nice, and at lastplayed. If cxd, Bb5+!, and if exd, Re1 becomes dangerous. So I tried tomix things up. }
10... Bxc3
{ The main reason for this is that the knight coveredthe bishop's check in b5. }
11. dxe6 Bxe6 12. bxc3
{ The pawn is less importantthan the initiative. I have to shield my king, and quickly! }
12... Rd8
{ ...butthis move only helps him in defending c3 with tempo. A mistake. } 13.
Qe1 Nf6 14. Bc4 Nd5
{ Just in time. All of a sudden, the game becomes tactical! } 15. Nd4
{ So it is seems than the f pawn will be taken on e6 sooner or later.I looked for the circumstance it would have been less dangerous for black. }
15... Qxc3 { Anything but a queen on the central columns. } 16. Qxc3 Nxc3 17.
Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxe6
{ The less dangerous position for black is reached. Iam pretty sure Rd7 is black's best move, but I was staring at an elegantknight replacement. }
18... Ne2+ 19. Kh1 Nf4
{ I'm not sure the knight is betterhere than in c3, but his king is in a tunnel, and this can be importantif endgame is reached. }
20. Rfe1 Nxe6 21. Rxe6+ Kf7
{ Again, the less dangerousposition for black. I'm not playing to win, but to hold would be a kindof victory for me. }
22. Rae1 Rhe8
{ The line after Rd2 instead of thisis bad for black. Both white rooks penetrate, even if white must lose atempo in order to free his king. No time to calculate, so I went for drawn. }
23. Rxe8 Rxe8 24. Rxe8 Kxe8
{ Now, THIS is an endgame. And black has notthe worst part of it! } 25. f4 Ke7
26. g4 Ke6 27. Kg2 Kd5 28. Kf3 Kd4
{ Iknow my king cannot reach the c2 pawn, even if offered (c3, Kd5), becausecurrently I 'lose the race' if the king is too far. }
29. f5 { ? This isnot the right path, I fear... c3 was needed. Or h4. } 29...
Ke5 { Thanks, white,you gave me the best place for my king. } 30. h4 b5
{ My turn to go on.White is blocked on the queenside! } 31. a3 a5 32. c3 c5 33.
Ke3 b4 34. cxb4 cxb4 35. axb4 axb4
{ ...and white must resign, since while stoppingthe b pawn, I can take all his pawns. It is very rare for me to get sucha 'technical' victory, with no sacrifices or big mistakes. This makes mea little proud of this game. :-) }
0-1
|
[Event "Let's play chess"]
[Site "http://gameknot.com/"]
[Date "2013.06.22"]
[Round "-"]
[White "porcho"]
[Black "ajb1955"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "1100"]
[TimeControl "2 days per move"]
[WhiteElo "1154"]
{ This is a game I recently finished. Note, that his rating is much higherthan it appears, his average for the past ninety days is 1245, and histop is 1354. My guess is he got a few timeouts which made his rating fall. }
1. e4 c5
{ He plays the Sicilian. I haven't studied it 20 moves deep likesome grandmasters, but I know the basics. }
2. Nf3 { I choose the open Sicilian. } 2... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3
{ All standard so far. } 5... e5
{ This hasn'tbeen played very many times, but it can't be bad as over five hundred peoplehave played it in the database. }
6. Nb3 Be6 { We are still in the database,but coming close to the end. } 7. Bb5
a6 8. Bxc6+
{ We are now out of thedatabase. I think capturing the knight is a bit of a mistake, as it bringshis pawn closer to the center. The only positive note is that his a pawnis isolated. }
8... bxc6 9. O-O
{ I tuck my king into safety. He's still at leastthree moves away from doing so unless he chooses to castle queenside, whichwould not be wise as there are many holes in his pawn cover. }
9... Be7 10. Be3 h6
{ !? This doesn't seem to do anything except maybe start a pawn stormif he chooses to castle queenside after all. }
11. Qd2
{ Considering somethinglike Bxh6!? after he castles. If I bring enough pieces to follow it upfirst, the sacrifice might be worth it. }
11... Nf6 12. Rad1 O-O
{ He castles,maybe I should start looking to start shifting my knights over to the kingside. }
13. a4 { Seems to be a wasted move. } 13... c5 14. Nd5
{ I stick my knight in anice outpost. If he wants to get rid of it, then my pawn will cramp him. }
14... Bxd5 15. exd5 a5 16. c4 { I back up the center. } 16... Rb8 17. Qc3
{ Defendingmy knight } 17... Ne4
{ Maybe he was hoping I'd move my queen to undefend my knight. } 18. Qd3
{ Instead, I simply chase his knight away. } 18... Nf6 19. f4
{ I decidedon this because if he captures, no only will it weaken his center, it willbring my rook out. }
19... e4 { This was probably the best decision. } 20. Qc3 Qb6 21. Nd2
{ I should have played Rd1-d3. this loses a pawn. } 21... Qxb2 22. Qxb2 Rxb2
23. Rf2 { Looking at the possibility of a discovered attack. } 23... Rfb8 24.
Rff1 Ng4 { This aims to remove a defender of the knight. } 25. Rfe1 Nxe3 26.
Rxe3 Ra2
{ Let's review this position. Material, black is aheadby a pawn. Pawn structure, my d pawn is cramping him slightly, but he hasa passed pawn on e4, but it is immemorial since I can capture it at anytime. We both control the center equally and his pieces seem slightly moreactive. Overall, I'd prefer black here. }
27. Rxe4 Rbb2 28. Rxe7 Rxd2 29. Rxd2 Rxd2
{ After a few exchanges, material has equalized again and so hasposition. We both have a rook on the seventh rank (second for him) Ourpawn structure very similar and no one seems to have the advantage. }
30. Rd7 { I start to pick off his pawns } 30... Rc2 { So does he } 31. Rxd6
Rxc4 32. Rc6 Rxa4 33. Rxc5
{ Both rooks gobble up pawns giving us both an isolatedpasser. } 33... Ra1+
{ I'm not sure this is great, it just pushes my king to thecenter. In most cases, in rook endings checks are worthless. Most of thetime. }
34. Kf2 Ra2+ { This is the same. He's just moving my king closerand closer }
35. Ke3 Kh7 { He decides to move his king in } 36. d6 Ra3+
{ Rememberwhat I said about useless rook checks? } 37. Kd4 Ra4+ 38. Kd5
{ Now let'sreview this position. Material: equal passed pawns: we each have one, butmine is much more valuable since it is a lot closer to queening. Pawn structure:Neither of us have any doubled pawns, we both have an isolated pawn, otherthan that it is almost identical. King position: My king is much more centralized.Piece activity: my rook is slightly more active. }
38... Kg6 { ?? Now he can'tstop me from queening. } 39. d7 Rxf4
{ He takes what he can } 40. d8=Q { Poof! } 40... Rf5+ 41. Kc6 Rf6+
{ Maybe he's going for perpetual check? } 42. Kb5 Kh7 43. Qxf6
{ This is a simplification sacrifice. I probably wouldn't haveplayed it if his king hadn't moved, but this way it splits up his pawnstructure too. It's only a matter of time before I pick off most of hispawns, If I have to sac my rook to do it, I'll promote a pawn. }
43... gxf6 44. Kxa5 Kg6 45. h4 f5 46. Rc4
{ If his pawn advances any further it dies. Ifthe king moves anywhere except f6 the pawn dies. }
46... h5 47. g3 { Now I canmove my rook without fear of his pawn advancing. }
47... f6 48. Rf4 { Black isin zugzwang. } 48... Kh6 49. Rxf5 Kg6 50. Rf4 f5
{ Time to bring my king over. } 51. Kb5 Kf6 52. Kc5 Ke6 53. Kd4 Kf6 54. Kd5
{ His king must move back, andafter that my king will move forward and with his help the rook will capturethe remaining black pawns. }
54... Kg6 55. Ke5
{ Black resigns. Good game to black.I don't think I played too badly, especially the endgame. However if youhave a different opinion please comment. I'd appreciate it if you'd ratemy annotation. }
1-0
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