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[Event "Two pawn victory - king and pawn"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.12.05"] [Round "-"] [White "nieh"] [Black "kevinmwhm"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1369"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1378"] 1. e4 { I was playing white, the game was pretty even, until I picked upa loose pawn, I like end games and would guess my ration of conversionis about 70%. You have to plan far ahead but I like it } 1... c5 2. Bc4 { I know- Knights before bishops, however if it is going to come out eventuallyits all the same } 2... e6 3. Nc3 { 1st } 3... a6 4. Nf3 { 2 out } 4... b5 5. Be2 { forcingthe withdrawal } 5... Bb7 6. d3 { defending } 6... Nc6 7. d4 { looking for trouble } 7... d6 8. Be3 { enforcing - looks like Kevin does not want to exchange } 8... g6 9. a3 { i did not want him to play b4, I liked my knight there } 9... Bg7 10. dxc5 { stoppingb4 for now } 10... dxc5 11. Qxd8+ { Trading queens } 11... Nxd8 12. Bxc5 { picking up thewinning pawn } 12... Nf6 13. Bd3 { ?? dont know thing i wanted to open up e4 } 13... Nd7 { he saw it } 14. Bd4 { forcing the trade } 14... Bxd4 15. Nxd4 { done } 15... O-O 16. O-O-O { castles } 16... Nc5 17. Nf3 { could not go forward, wanted to wait for the timeto trade } 17... f5 18. Rhe1 { i did not like the thought of opening the f filefor him, i wanted to get my king side pawns on line } 18... Nxd3+ 19. Rxd3 { Sohe trades and i take the file } 19... Nc6 20. e5 { starting with the pawn } 20... Rad8 21. Red1 { trying to get the full trade } 21... Rxd3 22. Rxd3 { no choice } 22... Rd8 23. Rxd8+ { I wanted to trade on d8, this took his knight out and he would haveto waste a move to get it back, getting my pawns in line } 23... Nxd8 24. Ne1 { making room for f4 and defending c2 } 24... Nc6 25. f4 { done } 25... Nd4 26. g3 { done,i basicly made his bishop a bad bishop without targets, now to trade toa pawn and king endgame } 26... Kf7 27. Kd2 { activating the king } 27... Nc6 28. Ke3 { staying on black } 28... b4 29. axb4 { accepting the trade } 29... Nxb4 30. Kd4 { i thoughthe wanted to play be4, which could not have worked but it would force meto move pawns soon... } 30... Nd5 31. Nxd5 { trade accepted } 31... Bxd5 32. c4 { I 1stwanted to play b4 to set up c5 and blocked his a pawn, but though I wouldhave time later } 32... Be4 33. Nd3 { offering the trade, which I knew I couldforce soon } 33... Ke7 34. Nc5 { he could not defend the pawn and the bishop } 34... a5 35. Nxe4 { taking the trade, now b4 is of the line } 35... fxe4 36. Kxe4 { Herei feel I should have played b3, locking his pawn down and even if he playse3 I can still take with the king, even though it is further away fromthe pawns he stil has to move Kd7 due to my pawn on e5 } 36... Kd7 37. b3 { atlast a pawn string } 37... Kc6 38. Kd4 { expected moves } 38... Kb6 39. Kc3 { I new hewas heading for c5 to force some pawn movements, i calculated... } 39... Kc5 40. g4 { locking his pawns down to force his king out } 40... h6 41. h3 { saving (h4)one move for incase i have to waste a move } 41... Kc6 { Zugzwang what ever hedoes I can lock down and with h4 force him out of c5 - dont know if hesaw this but he retreated } 42. b4 { the passed pawn is not past becausethe pawns on b & c4 locks down his king and leaves my king to hunt hispawn down } 42... axb4+ 43. Kxb4 { now to get the king infront of the pawn } 43... g5 44. fxg5 { just locking it down } 44... hxg5 45. c5 { pushing the pawn, I thoughtif he went back I could move forward and move my king to d6 to take one 6 and add pressure with a second passed pawn } 45... Kd5 46. Kb5 { THis was evenbetter } 46... Kxe5 47. c6 { pushing } 47... Kf4 48. c7 { pushing } 48... e5 49. c8=Q { queen } 49... e4 50. Qf5+ { my best move was this, g3 loses the pawn so i forced the kingin front of the pawn winning a tempo } 50... Ke3 51. Kc4 { leaves only d & e 2,both loses the pawn, my opponent resigned } 1-0
[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.10.09"] [Round "-"] [White "elatedjuvenile"] [Black "gabi2010"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1542"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1333"] { The following is a game I played recently in which I played very aggressively,and perhaps unsoundly, but I gained lots of momentum and ended up witha neat checkmate to finish it off. } 1. d4 { I always begin with d4. } 1... d5 2. c4 dxc4 { Gueen's Gambit Accepted. } 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 h6 { This is an oddmove. It stops Bg5, but it felt unnecessary at this point. Black shouldget going with developing his minor pieces - he will be behind in developmentsoon. } 5. e4 { I seize the centre while black has no pawns nor minor piecescontrol the central squares. Furthermore, this opens up a diagonal to c4to win back the gambited pawn. } 5... b5 { ?! dubious. Black chooses to defendhis pawn instead of staking a claim to the centre. Another move gone withoutdeveloping a minor piece. If black does not play correctly now, he couldeasily find himself on the back foot. } 6. h4 { ?! - I felt in an aggressivemood, and I thought I would get a pawn storm marching since black has notmoved a single minor piece! } 6... a6 { ? - This is a truly terrible move in myopinion. Black already had a pawn supporting b5, and this closes the optionof Na6. After 6 moves, black has still not moved any pieces! I probablywould have considered Nf6 or even Bg4. Any ideas on the best course ofaction here for black? } 7. Ne5 { ?! - the aggression continues. This targetsthe c6 pawn should black move his knight, and opens up paths for the fpawn to continue my planned pawn storm. This is probably not the best movein this position. However, it certainly is aggressive! } 7... e6 { Black blocksin his LSB, which now becomes a weak bishop. I assume he wanted to startdeveloping kingside to castle and get out of danger. However, I alreadyhave a pawn storm brewing. } 8. g4 { ! - Black chooses not to develop, soI continue the plan to rip away black's kingside defences and start anattack. I would give myself a slight edge at this point, considering black'slack of a single developed piece. } 8... Nd7 { Black loses his c6 pawn, but thepawn can be won back, and black can uncramp his position slightly. I didn'tsee the variation of black winning back the pawn. } 9. Nxc6 Qc7 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qxe5 { Black regains his pawn and is not looking terribleat the moment, but not great either. } 12. f4 { I drive the queen away andcontinue the kingside expansion. } 12... Qc5 13. Bg2 { I develop my bishop, eyeinga discovered attack on black's a8 rook. I'm considering kingside castlingif I can drive away the queen at this point, but in retrospect, the kingsideis terribly exposed if black can mount a counter challenge. } 13... Ra7 { Blacksees the discovered attack and gets out of the way, giving the rook morescope than Rb8. } 14. Qe2 { The aim here was to skewer queen and rook withBe3. } 14... Rd7 { Black gets away and seizes the open file. } 15. Bd2 { Since noskewer is available anymore, I get ready for long castling to contest theopen file. } 15... Qc7 { Not sure what the point of this move is. Any thoughts? } 16. O-O-O { Completing development while black still has 3 undeveloped minorpieces! } 16... Ne7 17. f5 { Continuing the storm now that my king is in safety. } 17... exf5 18. exf5 { He takes, I take back. } 18... Kd8 { ?? I assume he was trying tounpin his knight but I can't see the point in this. } 19. Qe1 { At this pointI've spotted a nice trick, now that black's king and queen line up on thesame diagonal. } 19... Bb7 { Black doesn't see it, or does and underestimates it,and targets my bishop. } 20. Nxb5 { !! - the threat on my bishop is ignoredfor now. If black recaptures with axb5, I counter with Ba5 and win theblack queen. } 20... Qc5 { A reasonable counter to my plan. } 21. Ba5+ { ! - Gainingtempo and starting to mount a potentially dangerous attack on black's exposedking. I have almost all my pieces aimed towards the black king, with theexception of my Rh8. This move wins a piece. } 21... Ke8 { I now have the LSB. } 22. Bxb7 { Notice that black cannot take the bishop because of Rd8#! } 22... Qxb5 { Black equalizes material and threatens my LSB at the same time. But Istill maintain the tempo with my next move. } 23. Rxd7 { Either the kingis lured into the open or the queen lines itself on the same diagonal asthe king } 23... Qxd7 24. Qe4 { With the threat of Bc6 - however, I did not seethat black actually does not lose material necessarily. e.g. 25. Bc6 Qxc626. Qxc6 Nxc6. However, I can then follow up with Re1 and the king is stillexposed. } 24... Qb5 { Threatening my unprotected bishop, but this move is fatal.Can you see the move which wins the game? } 25. Rd1 { !! - multiple threatshere. If black takes my DSB, I have Bc6#! If he attempts to create a holefor his king to escape, I still mate swiftly e.g. 25... f6 26. Rd8+ Kf727. Qe6# } 25... Qxa5 { Black has nothing to do, and hopes I didn't see my ownmate. } 26. Bc6# { A neat checkmate. The king is blocked in by his own pieces,the knight is pinned, and the rook controls the open file. A nice gamefrom me, I think. } 1-0
[Event "Blunderfest Pt 5 - Watch that Back Rank!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.03.15"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "Buddy X"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1628"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1777"] 1. d4 { Hi everyone - this was an unrated game between me and one of mybuddies who has an optimum rating in the high 1600s. He played very welluntil his last move, but that last move was fatal and allowed an incursionof Glenda onto the back rank. My opponent resigned on the grounds of unavoidablemate in 3. Please note. I do NOT mind if my opponents wish to resignrather than be checkmated. Nice just to get the points. I decide to kickoff with d4. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O { 4. ....... 0-0 early castling. } 5. Bd3 c5 6. Nf3 d5 7. O-O { 7.0-0 - after a load of tension in the middleI now castle kingside. } 7... Nc6 8. a3 Ba5 { 8. ........ Ba5 - after a3 blackchooses to retreat his bishop. Now follows and exchange of pawns. } 9. cxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Bxc3 11. bxc3 { 11. bxc3 - extra pawn but my queensidepawns are shattered and could drop off at any time. } 11... Bg4 12. c4 Ne5 13. cxd5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 { 14. gxf3 - now my kingside pawns are busted. } 14... Qxd5 15. Be2 Qxc5 { 15. ...... Qxc5 - as predicted my queenside pawns duly dropoff. } 16. Bb2 Rad8 17. Qc1 Qe7 18. Qc2 Rc8 19. Qb3 { 19. Qb3 - Glenda movesonto the b file putting pressure on b3. Black prepares to double rookson the c file and I now challenge the c file. } 19... Rc7 20. Rac1 Rfc8 21. Rxc7 Rxc7 { 21. Rxc7 - a rook trade. } 22. Rc1 Nc6 23. f4 { 23. f4 - preparingBb5 in order to either force a rook swap or break up black's united queensidepawns. } 23... Rd7 24. Rd1 Rc7 25. Rc1 Ne4 { 25. ....... Ne4 - the black knightfinds an outpost on e4 and breaks a threefold repetition. If my opponenthad a crystal ball I think he would have played into it! } 26. f3 Nf6 27. Bb5 Na5 28. Rxc7 { 28. Rxc7 - the swap. } 28... Qxc7 29. Qc3 Qb6 { 29. ....... Qb6??- this move allows a fatal incursion of Glenda onto c8. She moves ontoc8 with the greatest of glee. It is now mate in 3. My opponent wavesthe white flag. This leaves the lesson, watch your back rank! } 30. Qc8+ 1-0
[Event "League division B3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "24-Aug-08"] [Round "-"] [White "ybrevo"] [Black "jobser"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1884"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2056"] 1. e4 { This game is a little tale of the mobile pawn-center, and how muchhavoc it can do when it starts to roll. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 a6 { The Sicilian O�Kellyvariation coming up. Since I seldom play 1. e4, I had to read some booksbefore the next moves :) } 3. c3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 e6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Nc6 10. h3 { A weakness or a useful move? It givesthe King a 'breathing hole', but more important: It keeps the Black Knightout of g4 harassing the White Bishop on e3. } 10... b5 11. a3 Bb7 12. b4 h6 13. Re1 Qd7 14. Rc1 Rac8 { A phase where both players tries to find the bestsquares for the pieces. Looking at the mobile pawn-centers, the importantdifference is that White has advanced one more square than Black. } 15. Bf4 { Moving the Bishop from defense to attack, and thereby helping thecoming pawn-roller. } 15... Rfd8 16. Bb1 { Freeing d3 for the Queen with a matingattack in some variations. } 16... Ne8 { ?! I did not quite understand this move.The Black Knight leaves the defense of the square h7, and with my nextmove both Knights are stranded on the back line, making my center pawnseven stronger. } 17. d5 Nb8 { Exchanging the pawns on d5 would give Whitea clear edge due to the 'anchor' pawn on d5 and a lot more room for futureoperations. On the other hand, now the full force of the mobile centerbegins to show. } 18. e5 exd5 19. Qd3 { Threatening mate in 2, so Black hasto weaken his king side. } 19... f5 20. e6 { Sometimes in chess the Pawn is thestrongest piece! The Black Queen doesn�t have a reasonable place to go. } 20... Qc6 21. Nd4 { 21. Ne2, Qb6 22. Be3 was my first choice, but looking deeplyinto the position, the Knight move seemed even stronger. } 21... Qc4 22. Nxf5 Qxd3 23. Nxe7+ Kh8 { 23. - Kf8 might be a bit better, but White simply continues:24. Nxc8 with the threat of playing the e6 Pawn to e7 and promotion toa Queen on d8. } 24. Bxd3 Rc7 25. Nexd5 { Black is down with a piece anda pawn - and with no tricks in hand. The rest is easy. } 25... Rc6 26. e7 Rdc8 27. Bf5 Rxc3 28. Nxc3 { And 1-0. } 1-0
[Event "EST INDIAN whith great master ..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.12.07"] [Round "-"] [White "tartakow3r"] [Black "elephanttrio"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "blitz / 5mn"] [WhiteElo "1866"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3 { preparing forbattle ... tartakov3r has level and an avatar to frighten, ElephantTrio(me) is just a biginner ! i choose est indian defense whith his d4 } 6... b6 { to prepare bishop b7 } 7. Bg5 { doesnt matter, i go on whith Bb7 ! } 7... Bb7 8. Nd2 { defendind e4 } 8... Nfd7 { preparing e4 or c4, i still dont know, let'ssee ! } 9. Be3 e5 { opening e colonne } 10. d5 { refused } 10... c6 { battle for thecenter } 11. h4 { refused } 11... cxd5 12. cxd5 f5 { opening f colonne in order tiuse tower } 13. f3 fxe4 14. fxe4 { already did ! but dangerous } 14... Nf6 15. h5 { this was the danger... } 15... Nbd7 { bringing the troops ... } 16. hxg6 hxg6 { doesnt matter } 17. Bg4 Bc8 { preparing Bf6 x g4 and then bishop whouldbe there for the queen, but i didnt see the bishop coming to e6 } 18. Be6+ { i think i'm dead, loosing my tower whith an up 1800 elo, i should be dead! but let's fight some more just in case of ... } 18... Rf7 { tower is dead } 19. Qf3 { no ? what a chance ! } 19... Qe7 20. Bxf7+ { now i'm loosing } 20... Qxf7 21. Nc4 { this was very slight and give me a chance to return to fight } 21... Qe7 { andthat's all } 22. Nb5 Ba6 { now he is in danger } 23. Ncxd6 Bxb5 { so we are,the game is turning } 24. Nxb5 Rf8 { danger to the queen } 25. Qh3 Qb4+ { firstattack, i have to go on } 26. Nc3 Nxe4 { pressuring the attack } 27. Qe6+ Rf7 { the queen is no longer a problem } 28. Rf1 Ndf6 { knight to protectand also to protect the other knight, in case of ... } 29. Qxe5 { i realydont enderstand this, this pawn has no interest and this movment is donein the indifference of the danger } 29... Nxc3 { no choice, i chnage knights } 30. Qxc3 Qh4+ { continuing the attack } 31. Kd2 { this was the dream i didjust before ! } 31... Ne4+ { and that's all ! } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.07.15"] [Round "-"] [White "danhi"] [Black "cchamp"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1396"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1355"] 1. e4 e6 { French defense } 2. Nc3 { Not a common move- we'll see why at theend. } 2... d5 { I proceeded with the typical 2.d5 for black } 3. exd5 exd5 { White,perhaps uncomfortable with the positions the French provides, opts forthe clearer and more open Exchange Variation. } 4. d4 Bb4 { This isn't exactlya book move for the Exchange Variation. But because the knight is hereI'm developing my bishop a la Winawer. If he didn't block the pin, I probablywould have exchanged the bishop for knight to double his pawns } 5. Bd2 Nf6 { Developing classically } 6. Qe2+ { Brings the queen out early for acheck. A useless move however. I get to develop a piece for free. } 6... Be6 { Blocked behind the pawn but at least it's out. } 7. Qb5+ { Tries to winthe bishop? } 7... Nc6 { ...useless check again. The knight threatens d4 oncethe queen moves away. White can't immediately move the d2 bishop to supportthe pawn, because I would capture the knight and double his pawns on theC file. However, with developing my knight, I left the b7 pawn undefended.I figured by this point I would capitalize on my advantage in developmentby gambitting the pawn and developing even more. } 8. Qxb7 { He takes thegambit pawn. I'm curious as to what his best move was but I don't havean engine on hand } 8... Qe7 { Developing the queen and setting up a discoveryon white's King. } 9. Qxc6+ { Ouch. Blunder. Poisoned knight? } 9... Bd7+ { Discoveredcheck captures the queen } 10. Be2 Bxc6 11. O-O-O { Due to his lack of developmentby this point, he castles long to protect the king more quickly (especiallywith my queen out and his lack of one). } 11... O-O { Castle to activate and connectthe rooks } 12. a3 { White was sort of stuck here. If he developed his otherknight, continues 12.Nf4? Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Qxe2. He also can't move his c3knight anyway safely. } 12... Bxc3 { I don't want to lose time to retreat so Ijust exchange here } 13. Bxc3 { Bishop on C3 now blocks the C pawn and hasno diagonal towards the center. Will have to move again to be useful, withthe permanent pawns in the center. } 13... Ne4 { Bringing the knight up the board } 14. Nh3 { Blunder. This removes the defender of the Bishop on e2! } 14... Nxc3 { Now we see the detriment of White's premature development of the Knightto c3. He blocked his C pawn which is normally useful in the Exchange variation. } 15. bxc3 Qxe2 { White resigns. While the Exchange variation avoids thepositional play typical of most French lines, it's easy for Black to crashthrough if White missteps. } 0-1
[Event "Club Buho21, Buho21.com"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.04"] [Round "-"] [White "PPastor"] [Black "CMAlemán"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1663"] [TimeControl "600+0"] [WhiteElo "1884"] 1. e4 { Apertura de Peón de Rey } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 { Defensa Petrov } 3. Bc4 { Varianteitaliana, mi favorita. } 3... Nxe4 { Desde mi punto de vista, un error. A pesar de que en la teoría 'moderna' sea bien vista. } 4. Bxf7+ { Un alfil pordos peones y el impedimento del enroque. } 4... Kxf7 5. Nxe5+ Ke8 { Mejor erael Rg8, seguido de Cf6, d5 y c6 } 6. Qf3 Nf6 7. O-O d6 8. Nc4 Be7 9. d4 Bg4 { Otro error. } 10. Qxb7 Nbd7 11. Nc3 { Normal development of pieces. } 11... h5 { Activating your Queen, but surprisingly leaving the King in the center. } 12. Bf4 { Para seguir con un sacrificio de alfil, aprovechando la centralidaddel Rey Negro. } 12... h4 { Otra jugada inesperada. } 13. h3 { Profiláctica. } 13... Bh5 14. Rae1 { Las negras están totalmente atrapadas, mientras que las piezasblancas se armonizan perfecto } 14... Rf8 { Grave error. Después de todo era unpequeño blitz de 10 minutos. } 15. Bxd6 { Impresionante sacrificio de Alfil, las blancas dan la estocada final y el Rey Negro está dando sus últimasórdenes } 15... Rf7 { No valía c7xAd6, por Cd6 mate. } 16. Bxc7 Qc8 { Única } 17. Nd6+ { Queen! And the blacks surrendered. I hope you liked it, little one. Take care. } 1-0
[Event "Challenged"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "07-Sep-07"] [Round "-"] [White "P L Michael"] [Black "Khaled Radwan"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "GK 1438"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "GK 1200"] { Brand new to the site, I was taking any games that came my way. Thischallenge by kradwan was one of them. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 { I am told thisis Philidor's Defense. I guess I need to review that in the database sometime. } 3. Be2 { I always find the pin on my King's Knight somewhat annoying. } 3... Nf6 4. d3 { Defending e4 and opening a line for my Queen's Bishop. } 4... h6 { To stopa pin on his King's Knight. } 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 O-O { While I am not completelydeveloped, I like my development better than Black's. } 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 c5 9. Nf3 Bg4 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 { I do believe I lost some tempos inthose exchanges. } 11... Nbd7 12. Bf4 { Threatening to pick up a pawn. } 12... g5 { Blackeither missed the loss of his pawn or felt he had sufficient compensationfor it. } 13. Bxd6 Bxd6 14. Qxd6 Re8 15. Rad1 { Well, other than a pawn,it doesn't seem I had gained all that much at this point. I did have myeye on the b7 pawn at this point, and was considering e5 as my continuation. } 15... Qe7 16. Nb5 { Advancing my Knight into an attacking position. } 16... Qxd6 17. Rxd6 { My post-game analysis shows NxQ may have been better. One potentialalternative could have gone as follows: 17. NxQ, Reb8; 18. e5, Ndxe5; 19.Bxb7 } 17... Rec8 { Stopping the fork I was hoping to deliver. } 18. e5 { This threatensthe Knight at f6 and a Bishop fork at b7. } 18... a6 19. Nc3 { A knee-jerk reaction!! I think 19. Bxb7 was better. } 19... Nh7 20. Rxd7 { Taking an immediate threewhile maintaining the threat on b7. } 20... Rd8 21. Rxb7 Rd2 22. Rc1 Re8 23. Rb6 { I am willing to trade pawns at this point, particularly as my e5 pawnis fairly vulnerable anyhow. My real concern was Re6, fortunately Blackelected to exchange pawns. } 23... Rxe5 24. Rxh6 { The h6 pawn was definitely themore attractive of the two for me as I now attacked the h7 Knight witha potential Bishop fork at e4 if Black was able to capture at c2 somehow. } 24... Re6 { Now comes Re6!! But now I spot something I probably should have seensooner, so........... } 25. Rxe6 fxe6 26. Na4 { This is the move I shouldhave seen earlier. } 26... c4 { Avoids the unnecessary loss of the c pawn but stillallows the fork on the a and e pawns. } 27. Nc5 Rd6 { Presumably protectingboth pawns. However, only the a file pawn is truly protected. } 28. Nxe6 Rxe6 { Black takes the bait. It was better to lose a pawn than a pawn andthe exchange. } 29. Bd5 Kf7 30. Bxe6+ Kxe6 31. Rd1 { And Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from mrallen238"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.04.02"] [Round "-"] [White "mrallen238"] [Black "reachforgoals"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "765"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "964"] 1. e3 { some opening } 1... e6 { same } 2. Nf3 { knight } 2... Nf6 { same } 3. Ng5 { same } 3... h6 { pawn } 4. Bd3 { got all minor pieces out of that side. } 4... hxg5 { down 3 } 5. Nc3 { knight } 5... Bd6 { bishop } 6. O-O { castle } 6... Ng4 { knight } 7. Qxg4 { backto 0 } 7... f5 { pawn } 8. Qf3 { queen back } 8... g4 { pawn } 9. Qf4 { queen } 9... O-O { castle } 10. Qd4 { queen } 10... e5 { pawn } 11. Qd5+ { check } 11... Kh7 { king } 12. Nb5 { knight } 12... c6 { pawn } 13. Qc4 { queen } 13... cxb5 { lost both knights } 14. a4 { bad move } 14... bxc4 { lost queen } 15. Bxc4 { bishop } 15... a5 { pawn } 16. Bd3 { bishop } 16... Nc6 { knight } 17. Bxf5+ { bishop } 17... Rxf5 { rook } 18. f4 { pawn } 18... exf4 { same } 19. exf4 { same } 19... Bxf4 { bishop } 20. Ra3 { rook } 20... b6 { pawn } 21. Rc3 { rook } 21... Ba6 { bishop } 22. Rd3 { bad move } 22... Bxd3 { -19 } 23. cxd3 { pawn is it ok to double pawn here } 23... g3 { pawn } 24. hxg3 { double pawn } 24... Nb4 { knight } 25. gxf4 { pawn } 25... Nxd3 { knight } 26. Rf3 Nxc1 { rook } 27. Rh3+ { check } 27... Kg8 { king } 28. d4 { pawn } 28... Ne2+ { check } 29. Kf1 { king } 29... Nxf4 { knight } 30. Rg3 { rook } 30... Nd3+ { knight } 31. Ke2 { king } 31... Nxb2 { knight } 32. Rb3 { rook } 32... Qe7+ { check } 33. Kd2 { knig } 33... Rf2+ { check } 34. Kc3 { knig } 34... Nxa4+ { check } 35. Kd3 { king } 35... Rxg2 { rook } 36. Rb5 { rook } 36... Nb2+ { knight } 37. Kc3 { king } 37... Na4+ { check } 38. Kb3 { knig } 38... Qe6+ { check } 39. d5 { pawn } 39... Qe3+ { check } 40. Kxa4 { king } 40... Ra2# { I won } 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "scouseste"] [Black "ohiostaterules"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1281"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1178"] 1. d4 d5 2. e3 { the reason c4 is played before e3 is the bishop on c1. } 2... c6 3. c4 Be6 { ? strange... the move in the text blocks black from developingproperly. } 4. cxd5 Bxd5 5. f3 { wants e4. maybe Nc3 was better with the'regular' development Nf3 Bd3 0-0 etc. } 5... e6 { ?? after e4 the bishop hasnowhere to go. } 6. e4 Qa5+ { a lame try to take a2... } 7. Bd2 Bb4 8. exd5 { white with a piece up gains great advantage. } 8... Bxd2+ 9. Nxd2 Qxd5 10. Ne4 f5 { weakening the king side. } 11. Nc5 b6 12. Nb3 Nf6 13. Rc1 O-O 14. Bc4 { white looks fantastic while black is poorly placed over the board. } 14... Qd6 15. Ne2 { preparing 0-0 } 15... b5 16. Bd3 Nd5 { at least the knight can not bevanished by a pawn. } 17. Qd2 Nb4 18. Nc5 { 18. Bb1! } 18... Nxa2 19. Rc2 Nd7 20. Nxd7 { with material advantage it is always good to exchange pieces. } 20... Qxd7 21. Qa5 Qd5 { white needs 0-0 soon. } 22. O-O Qb3 23. Rd1 { ? Qd2 is a must! } 23... Nb4 24. Nc1 Qa4 25. Qxa4 bxa4 26. Rc4 Nxd3 27. Rxd3 { after allthe pieces'exchanging white is still with a piece up and aiming fr a victory. } 27... Rab8 28. Rxa4 { 28. b2 locks the b file. } 28... Rxb2 29. Rxa7 Rc2 30. Nb3 Rb8 31. Nd2 Rbb2 { black has to rooks on the second so even if he is with a piece downhe looks not that bad. } 32. Ra8+ Kf7 33. Ra7+ Kf6 34. Ne4+ { sacrificesthe only light piece that is left in order to loose-up a bit. } 34... fxe4 35. Rd1 exf3 36. gxf3 Rxh2 { no need to carry on. the end! } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "01-Mar-08"] [Round "-"] [White "elyhim"] [Black "maryanne"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2124"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2039"] { This gaem features a very closed position. In fact the first capture isnot until move 18. } 1. d4 { This game by me is by no means a perfect game.However I do play an excellent endgame where I have an advantage in space.Normally, having an advantage in space is not enough to win a game betweenequals. However, this game shows how to exploit a space advantage and convertit into a winning one. Here is the blueprint for doing that. I learnedthe following from Alec kine and capablanca who were amazing at exploitingthe slightest of space advantages converting an advantage of space intoa win Step 1: you lock your opponent up. play moves that control morespace and constrict your opponent even more. In general avoid exchanges,which usually only help your opponent ease his cramped position. Step2: then push him into making a move that creates a weakness. you can dothis by squeezing him into such a cramped position that he is forced intoplaying a move that creates space. However, in so he creates an openingfor you to breakthrough. Step 3: you breakthrough with a sacrifice. Normallythis does involve a sacrifice to breakthrough. However, open lines foryour pieces then that is good too. } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 { Semi-slav has becomepopular recently because of ...a6 } 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 { black will tryand seek counter chances through b5. } 5. Bd3 Bg4 { ...dxc4 is also playableby black. } 6. Nbd2 { defending against the possible capture on f3. I aimto capture back with my knight so that I do not create any pawn weaknesses.Plus I also defend c4. } 6... e6 7. O-O Nbd7 8. b3 { this is quiet move that supportsc4. } 8... Bd6 9. Bb2 { playing the immediate c5-c4 would release the tensionin the center. Which is to black's favor. } 9... O-O 10. Qc2 { preparing to openthings up along the c-file } 10... Qb8 11. Rac1 Re8 12. Rfe1 a5 { takes controlof b4 for a possible outpost for the dark bishop. } 13. a3 { a necessarymove to prevent ...Bb4. The drawback is that I have a backward B-pawn. } 13... Bh5 14. h3 { taking the opportunity to deny black the use of the g4 square.As you can see black is slowly becoming more and more cramped. } 14... Rf8 { Sofar black is refusing to commit himself on either side. } 15. Rb1 { I continueto add support to my plan of opening up the queenside. } 15... Qc7 16. c5 { I makethe first committal move of the game. By doing so I deny black the optimalb8-h2 diagonal for his bishop at the price of sealing the c-file. Thisensures that I have a enduring space advantage. Now all I have to do isslowly force black into creating a weakness. } 16... Be7 17. Ne5 Kh8 { ...Nxe5is playable but white would have a clear advantage on the kingside. } 18. Ndf3 { Now I am assured that I will have a knight on e5. Which will makeblack's already cramped position even more unbearable. } 18... Nxe5 19. Nxe5 { Things are looking good for me. I now have a nice outpost for my knight. } 19... Nd7 { Black must challenged the Knight on e5 } 20. Rec1 Rad8 { I was excepting...Nxe5 but black seems to not want to commit to a single plan. Let ussee if I can make him pay } 21. b4 { This neutralizes the queen side. } 21... Ra8 22. Bc3 axb4 23. axb4 { I have a mobilized queen side pawns and easily crackthings open with a well timed b4-b5. } 23... Bf6 24. f4 { adding support to e5and grabbing more space on the king side. Playing f2-f4 opens up the possiblesof shift my attack to the king side via QF2 } 24... Bh4 { Preventing white fromshifting his queen to the king side via f2 } 25. Bxh7 { taking amount toexpose the black king by removing one of his gaurds } 25... f5 26. Ng6+ { Not 26.Bg6 because of 26. ...Nxe5 27. Bxh5 Nc4! 28. Qe2 g5 29. Rf1 Ra3 and blackhas a good game. } 26... Kxh7 27. Nxh4 { Black has survived the first round ofattacks. My knight is kinda out of play on h4. It will take me sometimeto build another attack. I have managed to create some serious holes inblack's defense and black still remains cramped. } 27... Rg8 { I would think ...Nf6is more useful } 28. b5 { opening up the b file for use of my rooks } 28... g5 { Thepoint of Rg8 is to play this move. However, White can safely open the g-fileand go up another pawn. Notice how black is not attempting to create spacefor his pieces. This is a result of my play to force black into a crampedposition. Often times when you force your opponent into a cramped positionthey feel compelled to make drastic moves like this one in order to createbreathing space. This however, is a double edge sword as it creates moreproblems then it solves. } 29. fxg5 Rxg5 30. Qf2 { the queen is going toF4 to gain an iron grip on the dark sqaures. } 30... Nf6 { This is a move thatblack should played a long time ago. However, it is now a little too late } 31. Qf4 Qg7 { Because of white's superior piece mobility and space advantagethe queen exchange would be to his advantage so black rightly avoids it. } 32. Rc2 { Ensuring that g2 is well defended and prepares to double therooks on the b- file } 32... cxb5 { another seriously weakening move that handsthe game to white on a silver platter. } 33. Rxb5 Ne4 34. Ra5 { a greatin between move that defends the bishop in style. White defends the bishopby attacking the undefended a8 rook and gains control of the a-file. } 34... Rc8 35. Be1 { From here the bishop dominates the knight. } 35... Qf6 { Black iscompletely tied down and is at the mercy of white to end his misery. Letsfinish him off. } 36. Rb2 { There is no way black can defend the pawn. } 36... Rg7 37. Rb6 { White has finally broken through Black's defense. Black cannot longer plug all the holes. } 37... Rc6 38. Rxc6 bxc6 39. Ra6 { If you havea space advantage heading into the endgame the rule of thumb is to exchangepieces not pawns. } 39... Be8 { black is all tied down again. } 40. Ra8 Ng5 { ...Ng5defends the bishop because of: 41. RxB ...Nxh3 ! } 41. Bg3 { This breaksthe communication of black's rook and knight so that if Nh3+ white cancapture the knight without any worries. } 41... Rg8 42. Qc7+ Qf7 43. Qxf7+ Nxf7 44. Nf3 Kh6 { Black can not play Rxb because with the enemy rook behindhis pawns it would over very quickly } 45. Kf2 Kg6 46. Bh4 Kg7 47. Ra7 Rh8 48. Re7 Kf8 49. Rxe6 Bd7 50. Re7 Be8 51. Rc7 Kg8 52. Be7 Kg7 53. Nh4 Nh6 54. Bd6+ Kg8 55. Kg3 Rh7 56. Rc8 Kf7 57. Nf3 Rg7+ 58. Kf4 Rg8 59. Ne5+ Ke6 60. Nxc6 Bd7 61. Rxg8 Nxg8 62. Nd8+ Kf6 63. c6 Bc8 64. g4 fxg4 65. hxg4 Kg6 66. g5 Ba6 67. c7 Nf6 68. gxf6 { black resigns because he can notstop the pawn storm. } 1-0
[Event "Henry on a mission"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.07.18"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "caveman1960"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2004"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1816"] 1. Nf3 { Hi everyone! Wolfgang (caveman1960) managed to get up into thelow 2000s. Although his rating has fallen below it, after this game Istill strongly back him to get back up there. This game did last intothe endgame, a B v N endgame and both our kings went on pawn gobbling missions. But whose king got in first? Well, read on or read GA below. } 1... d5 2. d4 { 2. d4 - pretty standard double QP opening following the Reti. } 2... c6 3. c4 { 3.c4 - which transposes into a Queen's Gambit Declined. } 3... Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 { 5.e3 - opening up Fou Leblanc's diagonal. } 5... Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Be2 { 7. Be2 - clearing the decks for Henry to go kingside. } 7... O-O 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 { 9. Bxc4 - pawn trade. } 9... a6 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. e4 { 11. e4 - nowopening up the diagonal for Fou Lenoir. } 11... b5 12. Be2 { 12. Be2 - retreat. } 12... e5 13. Bg5 exd4 14. Rxd4 { 14. Rxd4 - another pawn trade. } 14... Re8 15. Rc1 Ng4 16. h3 Nge5 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Rdd1 { 18. Rdd1 - after a knight trade anotherretreat. } 18... h6 19. Be3 { 19. Be3 - and another. } 19... Nf6 20. Bf3 Bb7 21. Ne2 { 21.Ne2 - looking to put pressure on the c6 pawn. } 21... Rad8 22. b3 Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 { 23. Rxd1 - rook trade. } 23... Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 { 24. ..... Qxd8 - followed byanother. } 25. g3 Qc7 26. Bf4 { 26. Bf4 - trying to relieve pressure downthe h2 to b8 diagonal. } 26... c5 27. Bg2 Bxf4 28. Nxf4 { 28. Nxf4 - bishop trade. } 28... c4 29. Ne2 Qc5 30. Kf1 { 30. Kf1 - escaping from a very nasty pin from theBQ so that I can use the f3 pawn to back up the weak e4 pawn. } 30... a5 31. f3 Ba6 32. bxc4 b4 { 32. ....... B4 - mmmm, crafty, he does not recapture on c4due to the fact that he can now pin my knight on e2. Nasty, nasty! } 33. Ke1 { 33. Ke1 - Henry now tries to assist his beloved wife, Glenda in thedefense of the queenside. } 33... Qxc4 34. Qxc4 Bxc4 { 34. ...... Bxc4 - and afterthe queens have been traded off, my pawn on a2 is en prise. But thereis a way out of this mess. } 35. Nc1 { 35. Nc1 - like this. } 35... a4 36. Kd2 Nh5 37. Nd3 { 37. Nd3 - Either the g3 or the h3 white pawns is a gonner so Iconcentrate on liquidating Wolfgang's queenside pawns. } 37... b3 38. axb3 axb3 39. Kc3 { 39. Kc3 - king fork! Yes, Wolfgang's bishop can still back itup along the a2-g8 diagonal but my knight will attack it on the next turnand then the black b pawn will be eliminated. } 39... Bxd3 40. Kxd3 Nxg3 41. Kc3 Kh7 42. Kxb3 { 42. Kxb3 - the queenside pawns have been liquidated. Henrynow has a dilemma - should he merely defend the white vulnerable kingsidepawns or should Henry counter-attack the black kingside pawns? Henry,after a long deliberation decides that attack is the best form of defenseso he goes for the black kingside pawns. } 42... Kg6 43. Kc4 Kg5 44. Kd5 Nh5 45. Kd6 { 45. Kd6 - the heat is on. } 45... Nf4 46. Bf1 { 46. Bf1 - this looks to bea reasonable move, activate Fou Leblanc. This move proves to be a mistake,according to GA. I should have moved this prelate to h1 instead. } 46... Ng6 47. Kd7 { 47. Kd7 - at this stage Wolfgang is really impressed by Henry'smove towards his pawns and told me he thought this was making the endgamevery interesting. Nice. } 47... Kf4 48. Ke8 Ne5 { 48. ....... Ne5 - Henry is foiled. } 49. Kf8 g5 { 49. ....... g5 - and foiled again! } 50. Kg7 h5 { 50. ....... h5 - andagain! } 51. Kf6 Nxf3 52. Kxf7 { 52. Kxf7 - at last Henry is able to capturesomething, but there are still 2 black pawns left on the board. } 52... Kxe4 53. Kg6 h4 54. Kh5 { 54. Kh5 - Henry desperately tries to make forg4 to blockthe g pawn. Sadly King Wolfgang puts a stop to this. } 54... Kf4 55. Bg2 Kg3 56. Bf1 Nh2 { 56. ....... Nh2! An excellent move - puts Fou Leblanc en priseand now the h3 white pawn may fall next move. } 57. Ba6 g4 58. hxg4 { 58.hxg4 - only one black pawn left, but ....... } 58... h3 { 58. ....... h3 - there is nostopping the remaining black pawn so I now wave the white flag. Althoughit is an expert loss at least I livened things up a bit in the endgameand took the fight to my opponent. Sadly it did not pay off. Well playedWolfgang, you certainly deserved your Expert status. Kind regards - Joanne } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.08.17"] [Round "-"] [White "aspiemikey"] [Black "crckinguraces"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1360"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1304"] 1. e4 { This time with Alekhine's Defence. I've very few, if any problemswith dealing with this opening, as I know how to get level on development... } 1... Nf6 2. Nc3 { ...and that's bring out my own knight to defend my pawn, movingwith the Scandinavian variation. I know what to expect from here... } 2... d5 { ...and that's a contested centre, with his queen's pawn coming out toattack my king's pawn. I've experienced this opening before, and I knowhow to deal with it... } 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Nxd5 Qxd5 { ...and that's to tradefirst the pawns, then the knights, forcing the queen out. I'm not too worriedabout her occupying the centre of the board, where she potentially hasthe most square coverage... } 5. Qf3 { ...as I bring mine out to contestthe long light diagonal. I'm hoping he'll play 5... Qxf3, so I can bringout my knight to that same square, bringing me ahead on development... } 5... Qe5+ 6. Qe3 { ...but he declines the exchange, so I offer it again. I donot place my queen too deep, so she doesn't block my kingside bishop... } 6... Nc6 7. Nf3 { ...but he again declines the exchange, bringing out his knight,so I do likewise, attacking his queen. This time, the exchange looks onthe cards... } 7... Qxe3+ 8. dxe3 { ...and that is exactly what happens. I usemy queen's pawn to capture his queen, so I have more pawns connected onthe kingside, and my KBP will have more support. } 8... Bg4 9. Be2 { His light-squarebishop comes out to attack my knight, so I defend it with mine. This isto maintain a good pawn structure, so then if his bishop captures my knight,I can take back, and my bishop would sit nicely on the third rank... } 9... O-O-O 10. h3 { ...but as he castles queenside, bringing his rook into play, Iattack the bishop with my rook's pawn... } 10... Bxf3 11. Bxf3 { ...and I get theexchange. This was a little dodgy, as he could so easily have played 11...Nb4, eyeing up my pawn on c2, as well as a possible king and rook fork,which would cause me to lose the latter, meaning that to prevent it I wouldhave had to play 12. Bd1, then to castle kingside... } 11... Rd6 12. Bxc6 Rxc6 { ...but amazingly, he doesn't, so I can therefore remove his knight inexchange for my bishop, although my remaining pieces are still in theirbases. Also, my bishop's pawn is under attack... } 13. c3 { ...so I moveit up to some protection from its neighbour. } 13... g6 { He's hoping to fianchettohis bishop, as he's moved up the pawn that started in front of the knightnext to it... } 14. O-O { ...so I castle kingside to bring my own rook intoplay. I feel that it is slightly safer then castling queenside, as theQRP could be exposed to an attack... } 14... Bg7 { ...and, as predicted, he fianchettoshis bishop. I should really get another piece into play... } 15. e4 { ...soI move up my pawn to give my bishop more room. I'm hoping to place it one3, to connect my rooks, in order to take command or contest the open d-file... } 15... Rd8 { ...and as a rook moves into it, I must now contest it... } 16. Be3 { ...so I indeed bring out my bishop to e3, connecting my rooks... } 16... b6 17. Rfd1 { ...and I contest the open file, hoping he'll make the first capture,so I'll have control of it... } 17... Rcd6 18. Rxd6 Rxd6 { ...but he declines totake mine, so I make the first capture, and he captures, back, taking controlof it. I have a Plan B: manoeuvre my king to e2 (to avoid any possiblebishop check, even though the pawns on c3 and f2 mean there is no chanceof it, then place my rook on d1 to contest the file... } 19. Kf1 h5 20. Ke2 e6 21. Rd1 { ...so I do just that, hoping to go in for the dark-squarebishop and pawn endgame. } 21... Rc6 { However, he declines to take my rook, althoughmoving his QNP means that he cannot try to loosen up my queenside pawns... } 22. Bd4 { ...so I contest the long dark diagonal with my bishop, hopingto exchange, so my rook can come up to the fourth rank, to gain some tempo,as my king is higher up than my opponent's... } 22... Bxd4 23. Rxd4 { ...and thisis exactly what happens. We now have a single-rook and pawn endgame, withone open file, and I must now find a way to exchange the rooks, with myking better placed... } 23... a5 24. Kd3 { ...so I move him up behind my rook,plotting Rc4, as the rook can only move one square across its current rank... } 24... f5 { ...but although his KBP attacks my pawn on e4, I am not too worried.If we do exchange rooks on c4, we go into a pawn endgame, and I may endup a pawn down, but while all my six pawns are in single file, connectedand strong (three on each side), he'll have doubled pawns on e6 and e4,isolated and weak, with the more advanced pawn disappearing in two moves. } 25. Rc4 { I do indeed offer to exchange rooks... } 25... Rxc4 26. Kxc4 { ...andhe accepts the exchange, moving into the pawn endgame. Like I said I mayend up a pawn down, but the reality is different... } 26... fxe4 { ...as he doesindeed get doubled isolated pawns on e6 and e4. My king can easily dealwith the one on e4... } 27. Kd4 Kd7 28. Kxe4 { ...which he does. We bothhave six pawns apiece, with mine all being connected to one another, andmy opponent having one isolated and weak, and a potential target. } 28... c5 29. Ke5 { He should have moved his king forward, instead of advancing his QBP,as my king can now menace the isolated pawn, and stay high up the board.In this endgame, I like to think of the kings' no-go squares as 'mines':mine cannot occupy b4, g4, a5, c5, d5, f5, h5, c6, d6, e6, c7, e7, c8,d8 or e8: my opponent's cannot occupy a3, b3, c3, e3, f3, g3, h3, b4, d4,e4, f4, g4, d5, f5, d6, e6 or f6. } 29... Ke7 { He moves his king in front of hispawn to ensure that mine cannot threaten any of his pawns, but I do haveanother plot... } 30. h4 { ...and that's to blockade his rook's pawn on thekingside. I could now advance my bishop's pawn on the same side one square,then my knight's pawn two, hoping to eventually create a passed pawn onthat side of the board, and if the only pawn was mine on the g-file, theking would have to stop it from promoting, allowing mine to eliminate thepawn on e6, then the queenside pawns, then help mine to promotion... } 30... b5 { ...but I'm not at all worried about three enemy queenside pawns togetheron my fifth rank... } 31. b3 { ...as I can contest my fourth with my knight'spawn, expecting an exchange... } 31... b4 32. cxb4 axb4 { ...and this is exactlywhat I expected. There's no way my opponent's king can threaten my queensidepawns, as he cannot access a4, b4, c4, d4, d5, d6, e6, f6, g6, g5 or h5,which is like a wall... } 33. f3 { ...so I can advance my KBP one rank tohelp out my knight's pawn. I'm not worried about a pawn advance, as minecan capture instantly... } 33... Kd7 { ...but although the king invites mine toattack his pawns on g6 and h5, I am wise to this... } 34. g4 { ...as I cannow advance my KNP to the 4th rank to help out the other kingside pawns.If he plays 34... g5, I can play 35. gxh5, and if he plays 35... gxh4,my pawn can run to h8, then the queen can capture down the board. If heplays 34... hxg4, I can capture back, and threaten to create a passed pawn,so I could eliminate the pawn on e6, then go for the queenside pawns... } 34... Ke7 { ...but the king closes the door for mine... } 35. g5 { ...so insteadof capturing, which would isolate my kingside pawns, I advance my knight'spawn to get a more powerful hold on f6. His best option is to move theking, as moving the only pawn which can move would mean I'd capture onc4, allowing mine to advance, or my king to menace the isolated pawn onb4... } 35... Kd7 { ...so the king moves aside to allow mine through on their sideof the board... } 36. Kf6 { ...which is exactly what I do: move the kingto threaten the kingside pawns on g6, and h5, to allow me to promote mymost advanced pawn in five moves... } 36... Kd6 37. Kxg6 Ke5 38. Kxh5 { ...andnow my king clears the pawns, making mine passed. I'm not worried aboutmy opponent's king going for my pawn on f3, as moving the king to my 4thrank would allow my pawn to advance to g8, and my queen can easily cleanup the remaining pawns... } 38... Kf4 39. g6 Kxf3 40. g7 e5 41. g8=Q { ...and soI get my queen. She could easily go d5-c5-b4, and guard the e1 square,and if I do lose her, I could get a replacement. } 41... e4 42. Qd5 Kf4 43. Qxc5 e3 44. Qxb4+ { She cleans up the queenside pawns, as I described previously,and as she checks the king, I could easily get her onto the queening square,and possibly to guard the pawn on a2, where I could easily go for fourqueens by getting pawns to a8, b8 and h8... } 44... Kf3 45. Qe1 { ...but my opponentdecides that enough is enough by resigning. I would have so liked to havefour queens to get a checkmate. } 1-0
[Event "League division D1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.11.29"] [Round "-"] [White "klossmajor"] [Black "gsv_bagpuss"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1562"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1572"] 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 e6 6. Bd3 { Excursion frommost popular move } 6... Bd6 7. Bxd6 { Not sure that's great } 7... Qxd6 8. Ngf3 O-O { Tidying king away } 9. Qc2 { Off the DB entirely } 9... c4 { Nice squeeze of hisspace } 10. Be2 Bd7 11. b3 b5 12. b4 a5 13. O-O axb4 14. cxb4 Nxb4 15. Qb2 Rfc8 16. Rfc1 h6 { Nothing move... } 17. Ne1 Ra7 18. a3 Nc6 19. Ra2 Ne7 20. Nb1 Ne4 21. Nc3 Nxc3 22. Rxc3 e5 23. dxe5 Qxe5 24. Nf3 Qd6 { Jostling here,I like the potential pressure down a file } 25. h3 Nc6 26. Rc1 Na5 27. Nd4 Nc6 28. Bf3 Nxd4 29. exd4 { I'm not sure he shouldn't have let me exchangeknights, seperates his pawns } 29... Bc6 { Very defensive move, holding pawn structure } 30. Rca1 Re8 31. Qd2 Rc8 { Not sure what I was thinking(!) } 32. Kf1 { Thismove proves his downfall later... } 32... Re8 33. Bd1 Re4 34. Bc2 Re8 35. a4 { Notsure about his move, lets me move forward } 35... b4 36. Bd1 b3 37. Ra3 Rb8 38. Qb2 Re8 39. a5 Qh2 { Only spotted this move late, was sitting there fora long time } 0-1
[Event "Penyfordd v Rhyl, Chester & District League"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15.12.10"] [Round "-"] [White "Charles Higgie"] [Black "Mike Williams"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "35 in 1hr 15 mins"] 1. d4 { So I start with my favourite d pawn opening } 1... Nf6 { He suggests heis going into the Indian systems } 2. c4 { I continue on classical lines } 2... g6 { Aha either a Kings Indian or a Gruenfeld } 3. Nc3 { I continue to followthe main line } 3... Bg7 { So a King's Indian it is then } 4. e4 { And I preventany tranposition to the Gruenfeld } 4... d6 { Main line } 5. f3 { And this is theSamisch Variation, which I have played off and on for about 40 years! } 5... O-O { The usual continuation } 6. Be3 { As is this. Black now really has tothink about where his counterplay is coming from. White has an imposingcentre, if given time to support it. } 6... b6 { This is unusual. c5, e5 or Nc6are the most commonly played moves here. } 7. Bd3 { So I continue my development. } 7... Nbd7 { I was rather expecting Bb7 or a6 after his last move. } 8. Nge2 { AndI continue to develop } 8... c6 { This really doesn't fit in with the other moveshe has been playing. Surely c5 or Bb7 is more consistent. c5 is actuallythe only move in the World database and it scores well for black! Bb7 isin the Gameknot Database. Black isn't really challenging the white centre. } 9. Qd2 { With a view maybe of a king's side attack and queen side castling. } 9... Re8 { Black continues with non-challenging moves. Is the rook any betteron e8 rather than f8? Maybe and maybe not. } 10. O-O-O { I thought that hehas wasted so many moves I may as well go for his king. } 10... e5 { Finally breakingin the centre } 11. d5 { I want to keep the centre closed. } 11... cxd5 { So he opensa line } 12. cxd5 { I want to avoid exchanges, as I have more space, whichis why I recaptured with a pawn rather than my knight } 12... a6 { Starting hiscounter-attack on the queen side, but he will find it hard to open anotherfile against my king, which will be quite safe on b1. } 13. g4 { So I startmy king side advances. I was thinking he may try pawn b6-b5-b4, and thatin replay I could play Ng3 followed by N(c3)-e2 } 13... Nf8 { And now he goes backto this very defensive mode. I wondered how I would break through on theking side with all his pieces guarding key squares, but at least I didn'thave to worry about any sort of queen's side counter-attack. Nc5 or b5would have been stronger. Notice how his b6, as well as wasting a tempo,is also blocking his queen's path to a5. } 14. Ng3 { So my, more aggresivebuild up continues. } 14... b5 { At last he starts the counter attack, but whiteis slightly better. } 15. h4 { So my king's side play continues. I have playedmoves in this order so that he can't play h5 to block my h pawn's advance,without allowing me to open the g file, which would be very dangerous forhim. } 15... Qa5 { Threatening of course to play b4 followed by taking on a2. } 16. Kb1 { But my king wanted to go there anyway. In some variations I maywant to contest the open c file. It did cross my mind that I could havean alternative plan in this position - exchange main pieces down the queenside and then win using my more mobile minor pieces. His Bg7 for instanceat the moment has a purely defensive function and is secured blocked byhis pawn on e5. However I thought the king side attack was better. I didalso consider playing Qf2 round about here, with threats of Bb6 pickingoff his queen. However he can parry this with Rb8 and Rb8 is probably amove he is going to play anyway to help his counter attack. Further withmy queen on d2 it prevents him playing h6, which may make it harder forme to open lines on the king side. Furthermore after he plays b4 and Ireply N(c3)-e2 my queen pins his pawn on b4 preventing b3. So I decidedto keep my queen on d2. } 16... N6d7 { Another mysterious knight move! Bringingthis knight round to the squares the other knight could have gone immediately.....It is probably the best move in the circumstances. } 17. h5 Rb8 { See I knewhe wanted to put that rook there! } 18. Rdg1 { Already dreaming of Nf5 atsome stage. } 18... Nc5 { At last getting in on the action! } 19. Bh6 { I knew thathe could win a piece here, but I correctly calculated that if he took thepiece I would have a strong attack. } 19... Bxh6 { So he takes it, diverting myqueen away } 20. Qxh6 { I have to recapture of course } 20... Nxd3 { and he takesthe poisoned bishop. b4 first may have been better, or Na4 instead } 21. Nf5 { The move I had been planning for some time! Threatening mate on g7of course. } 21... Bxf5 { He dare not take with the pawn and open the g file ofcourse. } 22. gxf5 { Although materially down, white is winning now. Thereis the threat of f6 renewing the mate threat on g7, and if Ne6 to stopthe mate I just take the knight with my pawn on d6. There are also threatsto open the files, captures on g6 etc. } 22... Qb4 { So he tries one last trick,threatening mate in one. } 23. Rh2 { I covered it that way so that if hedid a desparate sac on b2, my other rook would be free to operate on theg file. But now he could play Q d4 or c5 to attack my rook g1, so maybeRg2 was better. } 23... Rb7 { Defensive to the end! Maybe dreaming of defendingf7, g7 and h7 along the rank with his rook. } 24. f6 { And he resigned asmate is in sight. See Gameknot Chess puzzle number 32331 } 1-0
[Event "Fierce Queen unrated; 3+10 blitz carnage..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "-"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "grumpy79"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1718"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz"] [WhiteElo "unrated"] { this game stems from the time, I was truly happy with Gameknot; untilthen, I was in a fun and perverse way happy with games like this one; beingthe romantic fool that I was, in those days... } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 { straightforward Italian so far, Blacks' next move is consideredto be weak; better is Nf6, d4, exd4, cxd4, Bb4+, and take it from there... } 4... h6 5. O-O d6 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bb6 8. a3 Bg4 9. b4 { bold, but not thebest of continuations; this will soon lose the game... best was d5, Nd4,Nbd2, Qf6, h3, and see where this ends... } 9... Nxd4 { obviously... } 10. Bxf7+ { the only thing, that could save White now, was Nbd2, Qf6, Rb1, sit andwait and pray; but I was blind... } 10... Kxf7 11. Ng5+ { if we lose, we lose ingrace and with a great bang; even Ne5+ was better; this will open up theh-file, much to my dismay... } 11... hxg5 12. Qxg4 Qf6 13. Bxg5 Qe6 { totally winningis Qe5... } 14. Qf4+ { better is Qxe6, and try not to make more mistakes;but by now, I started to feel that Black didn't realize how winning hereally had become at this moment... } 14... Nf6 15. Nc3 c6 { certainly not thebest: Qb3/Qc4 was to be preferrred... } 16. Rae1 Qe5 17. Qxe5 dxe5 18. Kh1 { pure on speculation for other complications; Nc2 here, is a big problem...but hard to find... } 18... Rad8 19. f4 Nc2 { wrong timing; exf4 was stronger... } 20. Re2 { Rc1 was better, but Black seems oblivious... } 20... Ng4 { a real pity;Nh5 was surely winning, threatening exf4... } 21. Bxd8 { I confess: I totallymissed Rxh2 and mate, running very low on time; lucky for me, Black hadstill no clue and even less time than me... plus my stunning looks, ofcourse... ;) } 21... Rxd8 22. fxe5+ Ke6 23. Rxc2 { getting lucky this time, comingback from a totally lost game; but this is blitz at its finest... anyway,Ne3 will still win some material... } 23... Nf2+ { not sure what happened here:divine intervention? ghost vision? we will never know... } 24. Rcxf2 Bxf2 25. Rxf2 { by now, Black must have realized what he has done; there is nomate on the bottom row... } 25... Rd3 26. Rc2 { Rf3 is even stronger... } 26... Kxe5 27. h3 Kd4 28. Kh2 Rxc3 { winning my last pieces, but missing the point... } 29. Rxc3 Kxc3 { or Kxe4, Rg3... } 30. e5 { finally, it dawns on Black andhe resigns; this is what I love about blitz... } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Gameknot user"] [Black "otakumadness"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1117"] [TimeControl "4 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. h3 Nc6 5. a3 { Pretty typical opening sofar. I've personally never been a fan of moving out the a or h row pawnslike this. } 5... Bd6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 { White decides to trade material. } 8. b4 O-O 9. g4 b5 10. g5 Ne4 { I could have also done Nd7 and then Nf5to retain control over the left-hand side of the board. In this case, thismove allowed White to trade knights. } 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. h4 a6 { Adding supportfor the b pawn. } 13. c4 bxc4 { Not sure what White was thinking here, givingup a pawn. Perhaps they forgot my pawn was there, or thought that theycould trade pawns without realizing that none of their pieces could recapture? } 14. Qc2 Bd5 { Adding support for the two frontmost pawns. } 15. Qe2 { I don'tknow why White did this. It's still way too early in the game for the Queento do anything useful--she's still too pinned in by other pieces. Alsothis move blocks Ne2, and now the knight is just kinda stuck. } 15... a5 { SinceI'm a bit ahead in terms of material, I decide to trade pawns. } 16. bxa5 Rxa5 17. g6 fxg6 { Again, White lets me have a free pawn. Maybe they werehoping I'd do hxg6 instead and get rid of protection on the h column, butagain, I foresaw that move. } 18. Bd2 Rxa3 { Claiming a free pawn. } 19. Rxa3 Bxa3 { White forgets that my bishop protects the rook, so I claim a freerook. White resigns. } 0-1
[Event "28th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "08-Oct-06"] [Round "-"] [White "ybrevo"] [Black "latur"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1795"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1953"] { Some players likes the Bishop-pair, others prefer the Knights. In thisgame, the latter did a pretty good job ... } 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 { An invitationto the London System. You don�t see it much in high-level chess, but GMMiles played it many times. It is solid, the burden of theory is not toooverwhelming, and it has quite a bit of venom if Black plays in a carelessmanner. } 2... Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nd2 Nc6 { My opponent takes the 'Chigorin-approach'to the opening. It doesn�t really challenge the White centre, but it isquite solid. } 5. Ngf3 Bd6 6. Bg5 { White has wasted a tempo by playing Bf4and now Bg5, but the position is rather closed, and exchanging Bishopson d6 only helps Blacks development. An alternative could be 6. Bg3. After6. - Bxg3 7. hxg3 White has a nice half-open file for the Rook, but thereis not much advantage in that as long as Black hasn�t castled short. } 6... Bd7 7. c4 { This is not the standard pawn move in the London System, but sinceBlack didn�t choose to challenge the centre with a move like c7-c5, I thinkthis is the most active continuation for White. } 7... dxc4 8. Bxc4 h6 9. Bh4 a6 { Black could also try to go 'all in' with a move like 9. - g5!? Thestrategy then would be exchange of dark-squared Bishops on g3 and 0-0-0,leading to a complicated middle-game. } 10. O-O O-O 11. a3 { Keeping thec6-Knight away from b4. I think the next move is a waste of time. } 11... Na5 { (?!) } 12. Bd3 Be7 13. Rc1 Nc6 14. Bb1 { Maybe my memory deludes me, butI think this maneouvre (Ra1-c1 and Bd3-b1) was something Bobby Fischerwas fond of. The Bishop is safely tucked away, and it is a constant threatto to square h7. Perhaps that kind of simple strategy works better in blitzthough ... } 14... Nd5 { My opponent decides to get rid of the 'London-Bishop'.Probably a good choice. His position is solid enough, but there are somepotential weaknesses in the horizon: Square c7 and the beautiful Knighton d5 which can be chased away with a e3-e4 thrust. } 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Re1 Rac8 { (?) Wrong Rook! I think 16. - Rfc8 followed by 17. - Rab8 wouldhave sealed the Q-side pretty well. } 17. Ne4 Rb8 18. Nc5 { In a few movesWhite has grabbed the initiative. Now the central Pawns start moving, andthe Knights start dancing ... } 18... Nf6 19. e4 Rfd8 20. Qc2 { Threating 21. e5and 22. Qh7 . } 20... e5 21. d5 Na7 { Now one of Blacks Knights are out of play,and White wins the important e5-Pawn. } 22. Nd3 c6 23. Nfxe5 a5 24. Nc4 { The Pawn on e4 has re-gained it�s mobillity, and the threat on h7 persists. } 24... b6 25. d6 Qe8 26. Nf4 Nh7 { GM Bent Larsen once commented that with a Knighton f8, you can�t get mated! I guess that is where this Knight is headingfor, but Whites central Pawns are travelling too fast. } 27. Nd5 { (!) TheKnight on d5 can�t be taken, since it will cost the Black Queen for Rookand Knight. Whites attack is too strong for this kind of exchanges. } 27... Nc8 28. e5 g6 29. Nc7 Qf8 30. e6 Qg7 31. e7 { The d- and e-Pawns have almostreached the 'goal-line' with the help of the Knight-pair. The game is over,but Black fought on for some more moves. And why not? Errors could stillbe made! } 31... Nxe7 32. dxe7 Rdc8 33. Na6 Nf6 34. Nxb8 Rxb8 35. Rcd1 Nd5 36. Rxd5 cxd5 37. Nd6 Be8 38. Qc7 Ra8 39. Qb7 { 39. Qd8 is an alternative, butalmost everything wins. } 39... Kh7 40. Qxa8 { And Black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "chaotic speedchess miniature"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2007.09.30"] [Round "-"] [White "kiwino8"] [Black "navydas"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1266"] [TimeControl "fisher incremental 5 + 5"] [WhiteElo "1276"] { This is an OTB game played on another site. The time limit was fisherincremental 5 plus 5. Given our respective fabulous ratings and time constraintsdont expect fantastically deep analysis evident within the moves played.Rather it demonstrates the importance of retaining the initiative in anopen middlegame. I apologise in advance to all the purists and those withability to move chess pieces around in their head, as there are severalblunders played amongst what linevitably eads to a crushing attack. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Ruy lopez. One of the first lines I learnt. } 3... Bc5 { Ok this is different. Either my opponent is unfamiliar with thisline, or is playing a little known subvariation. Notice two pieces aimingto control the d4 square, one of which can inevitably be bumped away. Anotherreason to play this could be to develop the black square outside the pawnchain } 4. c3 { Common Ruy move. Leaves a posy for my white squared friend,and threatens a pawn push to d4 } 4... a6 5. Ba4 { Better is Bxc6, dxc6, Nxe5 } 5... b5 6. Bc2 { We are now well and truely out of book. The opening thus faris A70 Ruy Lopez: 3...a6 4 Ba4, Norwegian and Delayed Schliemann, whichI can confidently say I have no knowledge of. Black has a eaked out a littlequeenside space, and fares reasonably well in the development race. } 6... d6 { Not sure about this move. His white squared bishop could already beflanked at b7 } 7. d4 { Taking control of the center } 7... exd4 8. cxd4 { Inow have fairly uncontested control of the majority of the central squareswhich will be able to use to my advantage in the middle game, if can maintainthis formation } 8... Bb4+ 9. Nc3 { developing a further piece } 9... Bg4 { Nice movehere... I rather hash up this pin which cannot be thwarted immediately.The threat is Bxf3 removing both defenders from the defense of the D pawn } 10. Qd3 { Although removes the pin on my queen, this doesnt help my dpawn.. better is Be3 } 10... Bxf3 11. gxf3 { Doh! Ugly, but necessary to avoiddropping the d pawn. } 11... Nf6 { aiming to castle. Misses the chance to pileup on my vulnerable d pawn with Qf6 } 12. Bg5 { responding with a pin ofmy own. I figured that this would either open his kingside like a tin ofsardines or take time to twart. If the later I should have time to castlequeenside and create pressure down the g file } 12... h6 { he responds by clarifyingthe pin } 13. Bh4 { showing that I'm in for the long haul. g5 appears hisonly solace.. but at the cost of an overextended pawn position } 13... g5 { breaksthe pin and confides my dark sq bishop to g3.. fairly even chances forboth sides at this stage } 14. Bg3 { I would assume we're both aiming tocastle queenside here. Black should pressurise the weak pawns startingwith d4. My plan will be to support my pawn structure castle queenside,and aim to consolidate upon my central advantage } 14... Nh5 { Not sure its wortha move to threaten a correction to my pawn structure } 15. O-O-O { Withthe horsie falling off the edge of the board, provides me with some timeto castle } 15... Nf4 { Wow.. I really didnt expect that. Cant allow establishmentof an outpost in such cushy territory... Instead I'll have that file toyour uncastled kingside thankyou very much } 16. Bxf4 gxf4 17. Nd5 { Withblack handing over the initiative on a plate, he should aim to trade pieces.So instead of keeping in the firing line I activate my stead and grab thisgreat posy which threatens squares all round from hither. } 17... Ba5 { Quitesimply best move here (I think). Removes bishop threat, removes horsesduty to safeguard bishop, safeguards the c pawn, and removes her majestiesduty of safeguarding the c pawn, and can switch the bishop over to b6 andthreaten the d pawn eventually... gasp } 18. Rhg1 { hitting the open file } 18... Qh4 { threatening pawns and aiming for queenside castling } 19. Rg4 { Kindof a decoy :) Offering a few pawns for an all out attack. If the queenwimps out and returns to d8 I double on the g file. Here I could have playedthe solid positional Rg2 instead but what they hey! } 19... Qxh2 { queen squirtsaround like pac man. Yum! } 20. Nf6+ { I take away blacks castling privileges,and my pieces are poised to come alive } 20... Ke7 { ? Inadverantly walking intodanger. Kf8 to bolster the g file is probably better } 21. e5 { I'll givemyself a ! for this move. Opening lines and exploiting blacks exposed position } 21... Qxf2 { Gulp her majesty munches on another, to be fair its difficult forblack to get his queen back into play... I gather he's playing for a futureQe3 with the intention of trading queens from here } 22. Qf5 { Building myforces for an all out blitzkreig.. the second of three really punishingpositional attacking moves by me! } 22... Rad8 { protecting against the non intendedthreat of Qd7... however kind of missed the point } 23. Rg7 { bam! andblack is overrun and facing multiple mating tactics... the f pawn is nowpinned and I'm threating Qe6ch or Nd5ch amongst other threats } 23... Kf8 { fleeingisnt always surviving here. But somewhat unfortuanately for my own efficicacysake I managed to not see the various mating from here on in... possiblyoweing to lack of time on the clock (I'm going to stick to that excuse!) } 24. Rxf7+ { radical!? However i missed the simple Nh7ch, Rxh7, Qxf7#.however on the bright side I've regained a pawn! } 24... Kxf7 { of course } 25. Ne4+ { one of the worst queen grabbing discovered checks I've playedsince it misses e6ch, Ke7, Nd5ch, Ke8, Qf7#...but proved enough to forceresignation. Hope you enjoyed the game, as I did playing it. } 1-0
[Event "Smith-Morra Miniature"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "11-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jaybekay"] [Black "bkotler"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1741"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1785"] 1. e4 c5 2. d4 { The Smith-Morra Gambit. White tosses a pawn to Black inorder to gain quick development and pressure along the d and c files. } 2... cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e5 5. Bc4 Bb4 { And with that, White immediatelygets his gambit pawn back. } 6. Bxf7+ Kf8 { If 6.. Kxf7, 7 Qb3 , but thatmay be better than the game. } 7. Bb3 Nf6 8. Bd2 Nc6 9. Nf3 h6 10. O-O Be7 { This bishop got Black in a lot of trouble in this game. First, it wasplayed to a tactically weak square, then it was moved again while therewas clearly still more development to be done. } 11. Nh4 Qe8 { 11.. Rh7 wouldseem to be better, though this is clearly a depressing game for Black eitherway. The text covers one fork threat (at g6), but opens another. } 12. Nb5 { Now what? If 12.. Rb8, 13 Nc7 anyway and the Black queen can't watchg6. If 12.. Bd8, 13 Nd6 is lethal. Black resigns. } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Dec-08"] [Round "-"] [White "mystyc"] [Black "cheewai"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 c5 2. c4 Nc6 { The Sicilian defense, Gloria variation. Seemed fairlycommon on the gameknot database. I should check out what other sites sayabout it. My initial instinct was to attempt to attack e4 with Nf6, butit would appear that is premature until we deny e5 with Nc6 followed byd6. } 3. d3 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. d4 cxd4 7. Bxd4 e5 8. Be3 Bg7 9. h3 O-O 10. Qf3 { A very complex and potentially problematic position forme. I believe his next intended move is O-O-O which brings his rook againstmy extremely weak d pawn where any further pressure, whether through c5or Nb5, would cause it to buckle and making further problems for my queenwhich is currently its only defender and because of the future positionof the rook, also 'safe' because of the rook. I believe my only reasonablemove now is Qa5 followed by Rd1. Subsequently, I can add defense to thed pawn by Nb4 if necessary (not necessarily wise as it stands now). } 10... Qa5 11. O-O-O Rd8 { Had to defend against an attack on my weak pawn. } 12. Nge2 a6 { To prevent Nb5. } 13. Nd5 Nxd5 { I had to be prepared for 3 scenarioswhen making the decision to make the knight exchange. 14. Rxd5 looked somewhatproblematic, but my plan was for Qxa2 and work my way back from there.14. cxd5 opens up the c file for an eventual attack on the king (aftermy knight scrams out of the way). 14. exd5 helps clear the way for my epawn which, when pushed, opens a diagonal of control for my black bishopto attack his weak b pawn. } 14. exd5 Ne7 { I think I wanted more mobilitywith this move. Nb4 kinda blocks up the queen for no strong reasons. } 15. Bg5 { This is potentially dangerous for me, knight is threatened (no support)and I do not wish a scenario where he could place his bishop on h6 andthen queen on f6 to hem in the king. } 15... Qc7 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Qe3 { This waskind of a strange move. It gave me ideas that if I could somehow secureh6, I could move the bishop to trap his queen in a pin, as long as my ownqueen was safe. } 17... Qh4 { A somewhat risky move on my part to try for the bishopattack on the queen-king diagonal. I considered 18. g3, Qh5. I kinda wantedhim to think I'm going to attack the c pawn (my alternative was Qc7). } 18. f4 { I think he saw through both. Unfortunately, it does set him upfor a much more dangerous scenario though. } 18... exf4 19. Nxf4 Qf6 { Now thatthe knight is blocking the queen, I was going to go for the 'cheap' checkmateoption of Qxb2 which I expected him to see. Once he took the necessarydefenses against that (I was expected Rd2) I was gonna do Bh6 to attackand pin the knight against the queen, which forces his queen to f2, allowingme to do Re8 to control the e file and try an attack. Unfortunately hedid not see the mate threat. } 20. Bd3 Qxb2#
[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.26"] [Round "-"] [White "cazador2"] [Black "sandcastle2"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 { This was a realtime blitz, 5 min + 20 seconds each. As my opponentwas rated somewhere in between the area of equal to better than me, I decidedto go with an opening in which I'm really comfortable. Comments are welcomeon this game. I'm an amateur and relatively inexperienced player who hasrecently begun to study and play chess more seriously. } 1... e5 2. Bc4 h6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Nc3 c6 5. O-O Nf6 { It became apparent to me that d5 was a criticalsquare, a weakness for the bishop's opening when reinforced by black'spawn, knight, and queen. } 6. d4 { With this move, I was hoping to createsome space and perhaps trade off my d pawn so my queen could actively protectthe d file. } 6... b5 { This move surprised me, but it was a good one. It's limitingmy bishop's options. } 7. Be2 { This seemed te best place for my bishop. } 7... b4 { Another unexpected move. My opponent was messing with the opening Ihad tried to create. } 8. Na4 { I know this is a weak square for the knight,but it didn't have anywhere else to go. I looked over other options ofcreating counterplay, but didn't see much or how it could help me. } 8... exd4 9. Nxd4 Nxe4 { Black has just destroyed my center. } 10. Bf3 d5 { I thoughtthis was a good move on black's part. Keeps his knight in an annoying spot,and my LSB is still pretty limited. Plus, he's keeping his center. } 11. Re1 Be7 12. Nf5 { Blunder. My f5 knight was wide open for black's bishop. } 12... O-O { Thankfully, he didn't see it. I next needed to decide what to do withthis knight. Perhaps there would have been possibilities in trying to defendit with my bishop, but at the time I was concerned with staying ahead indevelopment. I had realized that I had more developed pieces, and an exchangefor his DSB would facilitate my lead. } 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Be3 Qd7 { I thinkthis move was to forestall a pin I was going to set up with my DSB on c5.It also adds complications since our queens are facing each other. } 15. Bxe4 { I was still looking at attacking his rook anyway, and wanted to geta very well placed knight off the board. Also, this breaks his center. } 15... dxe4 16. Qxd7 { I wasn't sure how good of an idea a qeen swap was. I wastrying to stay ahead of black, and foresaw a way to fork black's rook andpawn, even the material, and retain my lead in development. } 16... Bxd7 17. Bc5 Re8 18. Bxb4 Na6 19. Bd6 Re6 20. Rad1 Rc8 21. Nc5 { By this time, I realizedthat though we were technically even, my sets of pawns were connected,while black's weren't on the queenside. I judged this as an advantage,and with a lack of other plans, just tried to keep initiative and tradedown to where my connected pawns might prove more decisive. Plus, 21. ...Nxc522. Bxc5 puts my bishop at a point of attack on black's pawn, allowingme to keep initiative. } 21... Nxc5 22. Bxc5 Rc7 23. Rd6 { In keeping with my earlieridea, I decided to offer a trade or exchange, looking at capturing black'se pawn and, again, maintaining initiative. } 23... f5 24. Rxe6 { Continuing withthe trade...I was uncertain about this. It seemed a relatively neutralmove, beyond allowing me to continue with the freedom of attacking. } 24... Bxe6 25. Bd6 Rc8 26. Bc5 a5 { It was at this point that I realized that black'sbishop could take my a pawn. In the earlier couple of moves, I hadn't seenthis. I was just attacking and trying to get in a place where I could getblack's pawns. However, I was grateul I realized it in time! } 27. a4 Rb8 28. b3 Kf7 { I think this game is at a point where king involvement is becomingcrucial. I felt my disadvantage here with how my king was placed, but wasn'tsure if giving up the initiative to move my king was wise. In hindsight,doing this might have saved the game. I wasn't aware of how much of a liabilitymy closed-in position would become. } 29. Rd1 Ke8 30. Rd6 Bd7 { The gamefelt like it was in a kind of deadlock. My only resolution was to keepon attacking and try to gain more of an advantage. } 31. Bd4 Ke7 32. Be5 Rd8 33. c4 c5 34. Ra6 { Here I had a moment of exultation. Finally, nothingcould stop me from gaining more of a lead... } 34... Bxa4 { I was stunned. I couldn'tunderstand why my opponent offered this sacrifice, unless it was to disengagemy connected pawns, which might have been a worthy goal. I thought blackwas conceding, and preparing to assume a more defensive position. I shouldhave looked closer!! } 35. bxa4 { As soon as I took it, I realized my mistake.Such a pleasurable and engaging game, to end with such a lack of my ownweakness! } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from pcshark11"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.03.25"] [Round "-"] [White "pcshark11"] [Black "superninja12"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1551"] 1. e4 { This is another game that I played against my friend superninja12.In this game, you will see alot of inaccurate play from the both of us.We both made alot of mistakes, but it made the game more fun and interesting. } 1... c5 2. Nc3 g6 3. f4 Bg7 4. Nf3 e6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nc6 { I started withthe grand prix, but sort of transferred into the Sicilian main line. } 7. Be3 Nge7 8. Qd2 Qb6 9. Nf5 { Better is 9. Nxe6! } 9... Bxc3 10. Ng7+ { Better is10. Qxc3 } 10... Bxg7 { Better is 10...Kg8 } 11. Bxb6 axb6 { He has three minor piecesto my Queen. } 12. c3 O-O 13. h4 f5 14. e5 h6 15. Be2 g5 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. g3 Nd5 18. c4 Ndb4 19. a3 Na6 20. O-O-O Nc5 21. Qc2 d5 22. b4 { Alot betterwas 22. cxd5 } 22... Ne4 23. cxd5 exd5 { 23... Nxg3? is alot worse, as he wouldgive up both Knights for a Rook. } 24. Rxd5 Nxg3 25. Bc4 Nxh1 26. Ra5+ Be6 { ??? He should have just let me get the Rooks with 26... Rf7. While hewould lose that way, it is better than what happens now. } 27. Bxe6+ Kh8 28. Qh2+ { He resigns because all that is left is 28... Bh6 29. Qxh6# } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.02.15"] [Round "-"] [White "chicoboy"] [Black "koki"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1348"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1345"] { This was an interesting game between Keriukoi and Gerhard. In this particulargame, both players blundered their Q's away. Then, black made anotherblunder that sealed his fate. So, how did this game unfold? } 1. e4 { So,like me, he starts off with the most common opening. } 1... e5 { Standard. } 2. Nf3 { Also standard. } 2... d6 { ?! I understand this move in the sense that itdevelops since black just advanced his other center pawn. However, thisis inaccurate and better was 2...d5 as after 3.exd5, Qxd5 This move, however,compromises space for his DSB, so that he'll either have to cram it orwaste time to get it out. } 3. d4 { So, white decides to take advantageof that with this move. The idea behind it is to keep that B crammed byexchanging, and that's about to happen. } 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { So, black decidesto bring another piece out. } 5. Bg5 { Of course, white decides to pin thatN, and that's something that I also would have done. } 5... h6 { Very understandableand it is a good way to get out of it. And, instead of retreating on h4,followed by g3, chicoboy is going to exchange his DSB for black's N. However,I would've liked 5...Bf7, and it's the most common way to break the pin. Jack Stockel told me that both ways, wheather the opponent develops hisB or brings out his P like this are both equally common. But, what I especiallylike about 5...Bf7 is that it would have developed another piece, whereas,this is not a developing move. } 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. c3 { In this position,white thought that his N was in danger, and this move does protect it. However, Gerhard's d N was not in danger because of his Q. In my mind,better was 7.Nc3. The problem with this move is that it doesn't developanything, and in fact, takes away a square that would normally be usedto get the b1 Knight out. In addition, this makes it less safe for whiteto castle K side. } 7... c5 { And, now black is trying to find a weakness withthis move. I figured it out, the reason that I've been into attackingmaterial all has to do with tempo gain, and this is exactly what this movedoes. As IM elyhim put it, 'Gaining tempo is like taking money out ofyour opponents and depositing it in your own bank.' Well, that is thecase here because once white retreats black will be able to develop anotherpiece. } 8. Nf3 Be7 { As noted earlier, because black played 2...d6, as opposedto 2...d5, this is the consequence. While it might appear that havinga crammed bishop isn't a problem, it's actually quite serious because itwill make it very difficult to near impossible for black to control thecenter, given that the center is not well coordinated for black. } 9. Nbd2 { So, although slightly crammed, it's less then black, and this move actuallygives white an advantage, all of a sudden. Now both players are equal,in terms of development, but white's center is better coordinated, andshould be able to control, within the next few moves. } 9... Bg4 { So, black nowdecides to pin white's N. } 10. h3 { As noted and implied earlier, I wouldhave played 10.Be2, instead. } 10... Bh5 { This time, however, no exchange. Instead,black retreats, but I'm not crazy about this, at all. Instead, I would'veexchanged because once white reattacks with 11.g4 black has to retreatagain, after which white can finally complete develop, after 12.Bb5+. } 11. g4 Bg6 12. Bb5+ Nc6 { But, black's also completely developed. The onlydifference as noted earlier, however, is that white's center is controlled,whereas black is not, so chicoboy has a noticeable edge, at this point. } 13. Qe2 { And, now, white's remaining piece out. The only thing left isfor him to castle. } 13... O-O { And, that, however, is something that black does. } 14. Bc4 { I don't know why white played this because his LSB is not attacked. } 14... Rfe8 { ?! The goal here is for black to put pressure on the e file. However,in my opinion, this move is an inaccuracy because Jack Stockel told thatit's generally a bad idea to bring both of your R's on the same file. } 15. O-O-O { !? Yes, white does castle, but in my mind, this is not hisbest move. In fact, it's risky because in general with this position beinga perfect a example, castling Q side often leaves your K vulnerable toexposure, and this is a well known fact. Therefore, castling K side, so15.0-0 was best, in my mind. } 15... a6 { I don't know why black played this. } 16. Qe3 { I'm not sure what this move accomplishes. } 16... Na5 { At this point,black intends to exchange white's B for his N. Not exactly sure why because,in this position, a N is worth more then a B. } 17. Bd5 { But, white is notgoing to allow that. However, I would've exchanged because that wouldhave immediately created a weakness. } 17... Rab8 { Putting pressure on the b file. } 18. e5 { ? Now, white is going for an exchange. At this point, black betterbe careful because his Q is left en-prise. And, if he doesn't find theright move, white will win for something worth less. But, this however,is a mistake, because if black finds the right move, he will wind up apawn ahead. } 18... Qxf3 { ?? This is the wrong move. Best was 18...dxe5, inthis position, as black would be a pawn ahead. As noted earlier, withthis move, however, white wins koki's Q for a N. } 19. Nxf3 dxe5 { Now, isa good time for black to take, but he's still behind. The question willhe be able to come back? That remains to be seen. } 20. Qxe5 { ?? This capture,however, is also a blunder. It looks like a very good move, and in general,appears worthy of a !. But, it's not a good idea to get attempted becauseit's well known that what looks good can be and sometimes is bad. Thisis an example. It looks like white won back a pawn, however, this movewill allow black to win back the Q, for a B and P after a discover a checkon his next move. } 20... Bg5+ 21. Qxg5 hxg5 22. Nxg5 Re7 { I don't know why blackplayed this, maybe it was to put pressure on the e file. However, bestwas a R fork with the immediate 22...Re5!, winning a free piece, this time,henceforth, giving black the advantage. } 23. Rhe1 { ! This is a good movebecause, in general, as per what Mr. Stockel told me, while unlike withdevelopment and controlling the center, there's no rush with this. But,it's a good idea to double up your rooks, like this, and what's good aboutthis is that the doubled rooks are not on the same color. Because Jackalso said that it's not a good idea to bring your rooks on the same coloredsquare. } 23... Rc7 { ! Good choice. Black decides to avoid exchanging R's withthis move. I like it because, in general, when you're behind, it's nota good idea to exchange as it would give you less to defend with in theendgame. } 24. Re2 { At first, I wasn't sure why, but quickly figured itout. The idea behind this move is combine both rooks on one file. Jackalso mentioned that it's usually a good idea to do that because it's whatmakes doubled rooks powerful and dangerous against the opponent becausethey generally pose very serious threats that are not easy to deal with. } 24... Kh8 { In my mind, this move was pointless. I believe that black was worriedabout a dangerous check with the E rook, LSB, and the remaining N. But,what he forgot is that his LSB defends against it. } 25. Rde1 { In themeantime, Gerhard has now united his R's, as noted earlier. And, as itturns out, they pose a very serious threat that black has to worry about. And, if he's not careful, white will be able to mate him. } 25... f6 { !! Verygood choice which shows that black was thinking ahead. Had he not seenthis, it would have been game over by exchanging R's, with 26.R2e8+!! 26...Rxe827.Rxe8# However, black is not out of the woods and, 'he better be carefulfrom now on'. Otherwise, white will be able to force a win. } 26. Nf3 { Inthe meantime, white's not taking any chances, either. He knew that leavinghis N on g5 would leave it en-prise, and that black would win it, after26...PXN. } 26... b5 { ?? I don't know why black played this. But, this is hislosing blunder. Despite being behind, best was to force an exchange, with26...Be4. With this move, however, white will either win a free piece,or find a mating pattern, in which, black will not be able to avoid, thistime. } 27. Nh4 { Very smart choice. White's intention is to force mateor win a free piece. What doesn't realize is that koki could have doneboth. How? } 27... Bd3 { ?? Now, it's all over, and there's no going back, thistime. Yes, he did protected his LSB by attacking white's R. The ideawas to gain tempii Unfortunately for black, however, this move seals hisfate. That's because, in the next few moves, it will lead to an inevitablemating sequence. It actually starts when white actually gains tempo, withhis next move. So, in short, koki missed the real threat. } 28. Re3 Bc4 { Black is trying to force an exchange, but instead of allowing it, whitecan now play the move, that I talked about earlier. And, that's the movethat seals black fate, once and for all. } 29. Re8+ Rxe8 { As I expected. Yes, it does prevent the loss of a R, but no matter what black does, whitehas a forced win. } 30. Rxe8+ { The obvious response. } 30... Kh7 { Forced. } 31. Be4+ Kh6 { He also could have played 31...g6, but didn't want to lose apawn. Even if he did that, white would still mate quickly. } 32. Rh8+ Kg5 { Forced. } 33. Rh5+ Kf4 { Also forced. } 34. Bc2 { !! This move protects hisLSB. But, this time, it's not just good it's extraordinarily brilliant,worthy of two exclamation points, as opposed to, one. And, that's becausewhite's LSB will be used as an extra piece to coordinate the mating pattern,which is going to unfold soon. } 34... Bxa2 { Well, given that white is going tomate, black has nothing better to do then take. The idea being is thatno move is better then the other, in this case. Therefore, I would'veresigned, at this point, if I were black because of what's going to comeon the next move. } 35. Rf5# { Overall, an instructive game with a lot forboth players to learn. The moral being, and this is the same mistake that,sometimes, even GM's make. But, we learned that it's always importantto be very careful where you place or your pieces. In other words, don'tleave them en-prise as it can cause problems. So, I guess you can sayto watch the entire board carefully, or, 'be a spectator of your game'. Otherwise, you might wind up paying the ultimate price, as was the casehere. } 1-0
[Event "41st GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "17-Jan-08"] [Round "-"] [White "zamzam"] [Black "smartmoves"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1337"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1392"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { White initiates the Ruy-Lopez } 3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 { All pretty standard Ruy-Lopez stuff } 7... O-O { 8...,d6!?but here black changes the move order (idea was to keep the Marshall Attackin hand if given opportunity) } 8. c3 { White presents the opportunitybut somehow I decided to change & played the standard stuff. (Actuallya bad sign of double mind which should be avoided) } 8... d6 { Black now threatensto pin the f3N } 9. d4 { Text is playable } 9... Bg4 { Since white allows thepin Black grabs the opportunity. } 10. Nbd2 { This is ?! Here pretty stuffwas either 10.d5 or 10.Be3; Whites text now allows black to win the centerd4-p } 10... exd4 11. h3 { Too late! Now Whites tries to minimize the loss. Here11.cxd4, is met with 11...,Nxd4 with strong bind. Anyway black continueswith } 11... dxc3 { Much better, than either of 11...,Bh5 retreats spoils the positionfor black as after 12.g4, white will recover the p or 11...,Bxf3 - theexchange removes the pressure & here also though white loses a p but ata small cost. } 12. bxc3 { White avoides taking the B as after 12.hxg4,cxd2;13.Nxd2, whites has a bad position of p structure & his k is slightly exposed. } 12... Bh5 { Still maintains the pin & now black plans 13...,Ne5 } 13. Qc2 { Unpinsthe N but black still comes down with } 13... Ne5 { Threatens to trade minor pieceson f3 & shatter whites caslted position, so white is forced (practically)to play } 14. Nxe5 dxe5 15. Nf1 { eying for either d5 or f5 square from e3or g3 hop } 15... c5 { Ignores whites N jump, now there is danger of whites B gettingtrapped, so white plays } 16. c4 { blocks the ...,c4 advance. Text threatens17.cxb4 & 18.Qxc5= & also opens the outlet for his DSB which might turnon the long diagonal attacking blacks central e5-p, so black plays } 16... Qc7 { Defends above threats } 17. cxb5 { Here I feel this is ?! as it allowsblack a neat passer on qs } 17... axb5 18. a3 { else B gets trapped, but betterwas 18.Qc3 so as to play 19.Bb2 } 18... c4 { This now shuts whites LSB thoughhe might transfer it on the diagonal b1-h7 via a2. } 19. Ba2 { This nowdrops whites a3-p. Here whites B retreat is premature as Black couldn'ttake the B due to the pin. Still 19.Qc3!? } 19... Bxa3 { other good option forme was 19...,Bg6 & here if 20.Ng3 then 20...,Bxa3- . Now whatever way whiteplays Black has a excellent game! eg:20.Bxa3,Rxa3- ; 2p & clear passersrolling on q-side or 20.Bxc4(intermezzo) is refuted with 20...,Bb4!;21.Rxa8,Rxa8; 22.Bd2,Bxd2; 23.Nxd2,Qxc4- wins a piece } 20. Bb2 { Whiteavoids any tactical skirmishes, offering black to trade the DSBs. Here Black has lot of good choices 20....,Bxb2 trading the B & simplyifyingor 20...,Bc5 aiming at f2-p or as played in the game } 20... Bg6 { Black now targetswhite central e4-p which will soon be followed by ....,Bc5 } 21. Ng3 { Overprotectshis e4-p; Black now plays as planned } 21... Bc5 { Gets the B away from the a-file,& aims the f2-p. This also ties down 2 pieces on the a-file } 22. Bc1 Nd5 { N advances with impunity eying the d3 square outpost via b4. White isunable to capture the N due to the pin. Now White decides better to resignrather than prolong the torture } 0-1
[Event "The rauzer attack."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Opponent"] [Black "Totema"] [Result "0-1"] { This game was really important for me as I had lost 2 previous games againstmy opponent as our first game was Najdorf and then next time I thoughtthat I had done my homework so we went to Najdorf again and I lost. Thistime I was sure that if I play sicilian and try to go for Najdorf he willaccept it but I had this surprise for him. } 1. e4 { I had never seen a gamewhere this guy would have played anything else than 1.e4. } 1... c5 { Now I startwith my common reply against 1.e4. } 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 { Im quite sure that my opponent was waiting for Najdorf as he knowsthat Im bad loser and if I lose in one of my favourite openings I try ituntil I win but this time I didnt go for Najdorf even that its one of myfavourite openings. } 5... g6 { I was finally ready to launch Dragon on officialgame as I had trained this opening very much and I was totally ready for�ny kind of challenge in this opening. } 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 { The Rauzer attack,white is ready for long castling and start the pawn storm on king side. } 7... O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O { White lets black to start his counterplay on center,9.Bc4 is more often used nowadays. } 9... d5 { Im going for the most aggressiveoption by sacrificing my pawn. } 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Nxd5 { Whiteis accepts my aggressive challenge. } 12... cxd5 13. Qxd5 Qc7 { Now I have gainedmy compensation for lost pawn as I can attack whites queenside from openlines with support of my bishops. } 14. Qxa8 { 14.Qc5 is normal responsebut 14.Qxa8 is really intresting as white changes his queen to rooks. Thismove might look odd but its totally okay. } 14... Bf5 15. Qxf8+ Kxf8 16. Rd2 { Itsnot easy for white to defend and black has to be cautious too. This isintresting situation. } 16... Qb8 { This move was played in game Smyslov-Gufeld1960. } 17. b3 { My opponent plays really accurately and he has shown tome that he knows Dragon variation really well. Smyslov-Gufeld game continued17.Bb5 h5 18.Rhd1 Bxb2 19.Kxb2 Qxb5 and black has better position. } 17... h5 { My computer offered 17...e6 18.Bc4 Qe5 19.Bd4 but I think that 17...h5is as good as 17...e6. } 18. h4 { Good move by white. } 18... Kg8 { Best move frommy view. } 19. Bc4 { My opponent plays good move again by putting my kingon line and activating his bishop and rook. } 19... Kh7 { I dont know where frommy head I heard '19.Kh7, opponent will take take pawn and then you won'it was quite intresting that I had about 21min on my clock and I spentonly 30s to make this move. My computer offered better option 19...Qe520.Bd4 Qa5 21.Bxg7 Kxg7 22.Re1 Qxa2 23.Kd1 Qa1 24.Ke2 and position isbetter for black. } 20. Bxf7 { Now my opponent made a mistake in time trouble,I dont know how I got this idea that my opponent will eat my pawn for sure,I was completely sure about it. 20.g4 hxg4 21.h5 would be the right way. } 20... Qe5 { This is the only winning move on this situation. } 21. Bxg6+ Bxg6 22. Bd4 Qa5 23. Bxg7 { Not 23.a4 Bxd4 24.Rxd4 Qc3 25.Rc4 Qa1 26.Kd2 Qxh1 } 23... Kxg7 24. Re1 { White keeps playing accurately. } 24... Qxa2 25. Rxe7+ Kf6 { Well, itreally doesnt matter where I move my king as long as I do not move it tog8 or h8. } 26. Rde2 Bf5 27. g4 hxg4 28. fxg4 Bxg4 29. Re1 Bf5 { I stillneed to make accurate moves or this could end to draw. } 30. R7e2 a5 31. Rf2 Qa1+ 32. Kd2 Qd4+ 33. Ke2 Kg6 34. Rg1+ Kh6 35. Rfg2 Bxc2 { White resign.It is hard to say are those rooks better or worse than queen on these kindof situations. This time my queen proved to be better. Our team went tovictory as this game was last one so our team won match with result 3-2. } 0-1
[Event "Casual Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "De Vore"] [Black "Silman"] [Result "1-0"] { An unusual variant of the QP opening opens the board for a quick, smashingattack by De Vore. } 1. d4 d5 { The Classical response. } 2. e4 { The unusualvariant, designed to open the game quickly. } 2... dxe4 { Natural. } 3. Nc3 { Developingand threatening to recapture. } 3... Nf6 { Developing and guarding the advancedPawn. } 4. f3 { De Vore is determined to get rid of the central Black Pawn. } 4... exf3 { Silman decides to remain a Pawn up. } 5. Qxf3 { Recapturing and bringingout the Queen, looking for a fast attack. } 5... Nc6 { Silman continues his development,trying to consolidate his position. } 6. Bb5 { Down a Pawn, De Vore mustremain aggressive. } 6... Qxd4 { Snatching a second Pawn. } 7. Bxc6+ { The punishmentfor the excessive Pawn-grabbing is swift. } 7... bxc6 { Forced. But now... } 8. Qxc6+ { A deadly fork. } 8... Kd8 { Forced. } 9. Qxa8 { Silman resigns. He has nocompensation for the lost Rook. } 1-0
[Event "partija 015"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.27"] [Round "-"] [White "saco10"] [Black "slavisa"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1628"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1605"] 1. e4 { King pawn opening. } 1... c5 { Sicilian defense on reply } 2. Nc3 { Closedvariation on second move Nc3. } 2... g6 { I replied with g6 with my mind on dragonvariation } 3. Nf3 { After his 3.Nf3 I replied Bg7 } 3... Bg7 { I like playing mybishops on B & G 7th ranks, but a lot of times my games go other way } 4. b3 { Saco replied with his own plan to move his bishop on one square diagonally... } 4... Nf6 { I had idea in this case to capture pawn on e4 and if he takes it Iwill take bishop which he still have to put there. } 5. Bb2 { Bishop finallyarrived to b2 and I could execute my plan to capture pawn with additionalexchange for knight/bishop. } 5... Nxe4 { I thought saco will take it and carryon with one pawn less on the board, but he surprised me with next move } 6. Bc4 { I didn't like that bishop there as during our hundreds of gamesof play in live games and finally on here as we don't live close to eachother now, so I decided to mess up some pawn structure } 6... Nxc3 7. dxc3 e6 { e6 move was to prevent any f7 trouble later in the game... } 8. O-O O-O { Quick castling on both sides resulted in open game } 9. Re1 Nc6 { Time toopen some of my lower value pieces as I didnt want to push forward whileI am not ready to do so. } 10. Qd6 { His queen aimed to capture my pawn onc5 and I could reply with b6, but still not able to move my bishop as Iexpected him to play Rad1. } 10... Qe7 { Instead I offered queen exchange, whichI think would favor my play behind pawns. } 11. Rad1 { As thought he repliedwith rook to d1 } 11... Qxd6 { His queen play is almost always better than myqueen play, so I exchanged it swiftly } 12. Rxd6 Rd8 { Rd8 was to push hisrook back with my bishop on f8 in next move... } 13. Re4 { He replied withRe4, which was surprise to me as he intended to carry on to H file, butI had time to push my plan } 13... Bf8 { He had to move it somewhere, but where? } 14. Rd3 { Now I was able to capture a piece which he probably over lookedand missed. } 14... d5 { Pawn on d5! } 15. Rh4 { As I thought and so far he playedwhat I think he would in exception to those 2 bad moves losing material. } 15... dxc4 { Naturally I took bishop } 16. Re3 { I thought he would take my rook,but that would eventually favor me. I had a chance to go down with checkand block his knight and then move to b1 and a1 taking pawn in exchange,but I would open his bishop to c5. I wanted his C pawns to stay one behindanother blocking his bishop. } 16... Bg7 { I guess I had better moves to play,but since I have that lead I thought I can stabilise my game and open morepieces. } 17. Kf1 { King on its way to center, but how much into it? I thinkup to e1 to prevent any of my rook's advancing to 1st rank, but so farI have no plans to do so... } 17... b6 { Logical move to me to open bishop on b7and connect 2 rooks } 18. a3 { White played a3 desperate to open double pawns,but to me it look like impossible quest, yet I might be wrong } 18... Rd1+ { Ithought about Ba6 with forcing opponent's pawn on b4, but I hope he playsNe1 to allow me to play Rb1 and lose yet another piece... } 19. Re1 { Rookexchange to speed up and use that extra piece... } 19... Rxe1+ 20. Kxe1 Bb7 { Asplanned previously... } 21. Rxc4 { Saco finally took my pawn on c4 and wewere going for more exchange as I didn't want to bother thinking on somemating possibilities where there none } 21... Ne5 22. Nxe5 Bxe5 { Bxe5 Bishop tookknight attacking h2, but g2 was tastier as it would split pawns. If sacoallowed me to take h2, he would be able to attack it after g3 blockingmy bishop. } 23. g3 { pawn g3 move was good to protect both g & h pawns } 23... Rd8 { Logical move as I wanted to bring my rook into one and only open file } 24. f4 { white opened position attacking my bishop } 24... Bf6 { Retreated one squareand realized that white rook is unable to move anywhere really } 25. Bc1 Bd5 { Preparing to put last nail into rook's coffin } 26. Ra4 { Move to onlyavailable square } 26... Bxc3+ 27. Ke2 { He couldnt move bishop to d2 as afterexchange of bishops it would go as Bb3+... check from rook and in the sametime bishop is attacking rook } 27... a5 28. b4 { b4? bad move, but I am askingmyself did he had any better solutions. In fact yes! Saco should resignthis game, but he hanged out for few more moves } 28... Bc6 { Saco didn't haveany chance of saving rook, so he tried to get some pawns in the last hope } 29. bxa5 Bxa4 30. axb6 Bxc2 { With this move white cannot pass this bishopsweb and help his solitary bishop and b6 pawn } 31. Be3 c4 32. h4 h5 { 32.h4 - h5 took final end to this game. } 33. b7 { Last hope for white to pushhis bishop to a7 and promote pawn resulting in rook exchange } 33... Rb8 { Finalmove of the interesting game. } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.11.28"] [Round "-"] [White "mmoody95"] [Black "stevealford"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1113"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1873"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d5 { Without e6 being played, this advance is possible. It puts Black on the defensive immediately, although White also has topay attention to development. } 3... Na5 4. e3 d6 { Black neglected to counterpunchin the center, or to create an escape square for the misplaced N. } 5. b4 Nc6 6. dxc6 bxc6 7. Bb2 Bf5 8. Be2 e5 9. O-O d5 { Black has a healthy center,but let an important center pawn hang. } 10. Nxe5 Bxb4 11. Nxc6 Qd6 12. Nxb4 Qxb4 13. Bxf6 Be6 { Black feared that gxf6 runs into Qxd5, but thissimply surrenders another piece. } 14. Bd4 O-O 15. Nd2 { White is now fullydeveloped, but has two extra pieces. } 15... c5 16. a3 Qb6 17. Rb1 Qd6 18. Bc3 d4 { Taking aggressive action in the center when at a significant disadvantageseems optimistic. } 19. exd4 cxd4 { Black resigned here, possibly seeingthat Bb4 wins more material. } 1-0
[Event "Nimzo Indian Defence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Ultra-man"] [Black "Alex"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "60 moves/ one hour"] [WhiteElo "1710"] 1. d4 { This was a casual game. Playing the white pieces, I didn't wantto play against the Sicilian or French defence, knowing my opponent, soI started with 1. d4 } 1... e6 2. c4 { Again avoiding the French defence,after 2. e4 d5. } 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 { So we've reached the Nimzo Indiandefence. When playing this opening with white, I prefer the Rubensteinvariation 4.e3 } 4... O-O { Black chooses to play c5 later on. } 5. Bd3 { In theRubenstein attack white has it's light squared bishop positioned on d3,aiming at h7. } 5... d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Nf3 { 7.Ng-e2 is more common in this opening. } 7... b6 { ? Regarding the previous note, black should 've tried 7.Bg4, stoppingwhite from playing Qc2. } 8. O-O Bb7 9. Qc2 { ! } 9... c5 { Threatening ...c4! } 10. a3 Ba5 11. Bd2 a6 12. Ne2 { The white pieces slowly head towards thekingside. } 12... Bxd2 13. Nxd2 { If 13.Qxd2, I feared black would play 13...c4and 14....Ne4. } 13... c4 { ! Now white's bishop can no longer control the diagonal. } 14. Bf5 g6 { ! } 15. Bh3 Nbd7 { Finally developing the knight. } 16. f3 { ?This move terribly weakens the pawn e3. Black wastes no time taking advantageof it. } 16... Re8 17. g4 { A dubious pawn sacrifice for wich I hoped to get someattacking chances. } 17... Rxe3 18. Nf4 Qc7 19. Ng2 Re2 20. f4 { This move nowweakens the e4 square, wich can now be used by the black knight to infiltratethe white camp. But it's all part of my plan to attack the black pawn structureon the kingside. } 20... Ne4 21. Rad1 Re8 22. Qc1 { ! The white Queen is now positionedto move to square h6. } 22... Nxd2 23. Rxd2 R2e4 24. Rdf2 { !? A second pawn sacrifice!This time the goal is more obvious. The diagonal is cleared for the Queen. } 24... Rxd4 25. f5 { ! The diagonal is cleared. Again the pawn move weakens thee5 square, but white threatens to play 26. f6! and then Qh6 is desastrousfor black. } 25... Ne5 { ? } 26. f6 { !! The f-pawn is the hero of the game! } 26... Nxg4 { ?! Black wins yet another pawn, but by now it is clear it's not gettinghim anywhere. } 27. Bxg4 Rxg4 28. Qh6 { ! Finally, I've realised my plan.Mate on g7 is inevitable and it seems like Alex didn't have a clue whatwas going on. } 28... Rxg2+ { ?! Time for desperate measures.... } 29. Kxg2 { !Avoiding black's last trick. If 29.Rxg2? black plays 29..Qc5 ! and 30..Qf8. Now black only has a final discovered check before losing to Qg7 mate! } 29... d4+ 30. Kg1 { And black resigned. } 1-0
[Event "My first annotation"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "5-Nov-10"] [Round "-"] [White "davidtanner"] [Black "BWEM"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1687"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1575"] 1. Nf3 { This game is my first annotated game. I picked this one in particularfor my rook sacrifice at the end, which I really like but don't actuallyknow if it is good or not. Overall not one of my better games, having difficultyhandling an opponent 100 points below me. My tactical skills in the middlegameespecially are lacking. } 1... d5 2. d4 Bg4 { I take it out of the opening bookbecause I play 1.c4 as white and 1... Nf6 vs 1.d4 so I don't know thisopening very well. } 3. Ne5 Bf5 4. c4 f6 5. Nf3 e6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. Qb3 { Tricky.I must be aware of b7 if I move my bishop. } 7... Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3+ { The checkbuys me the time I need to take care of the threat at b7 } 9. Qxc3 Nge7 10. Bf4 O-O 11. e3 Qd7 12. Be2 Ng6 13. Bg3 Rae8 { Looking back perhaps dxc4would have been better. } 14. O-O Kh8 { I plan to open up the diagonal anddon't want my king there. } 15. b4 { This move scared me. I don't know why. } 15... dxc4 16. Bxc4 a6 17. b5 axb5 18. Bxb5 e5 19. Rad1 Qe6 { a super dumb movewhich at the time was not exploited. Continuation: 20.d5 Qf7 21.dxc6 b622.Bc4 Qe7 etc probably should have done Qd5. } 20. Bc4 { good thing I movedmy king/he didn't notice d5 } 20... Qe7 21. d5 { ahh now he does it. a little late. } 21... e4 { mistakes flying hard and fast. This left open 22.d6 which thankfullyhe did not see. Saving the knight seems annoying though. I don't know whatwould have been better. } 22. Ne1 Nce5 23. Bb5 Bd7 24. Be2 c6 25. d6 { Isaw the push but felt that it was ineffective and could be take care of.the pawn on d6 has not enough support to survive. } 25... Qe6 26. Nc2 Rd8 27. Rd4 { This was a nice move. I don't know if the moves afterward were whatDavid planned but it's sneaky regardless. } 27... f5 { perhaps a direct Nf7 wouldhave been better. This move, while not bad in itself, leads to complicationsthat could have been avoided. } 28. h4 { annoying. With no way to stop h5,I have to clear a space for the retreat. } 28... Rfe8 { someone suggested c5. Tricky,but at my skill level I miss stuff like that all the time. 28...c5 29.Qxc5Rc8 and I have compensation for my dropped knight. 28...c5 29.Rook movesolves all my troubles. } 29. h5 Nf8 30. Rb4 { The problem with the knight'sretreat, of course, it that it brings this double attack into play. Nolonger will I get the d6 pawn for free eventually. } 30... Nf7 { The only way toretain the pawn? I thought so, and then I realized that Bc4 would own me.Good thing he didn't see it. Sloppy play on my part. Giving up free knights.I need to pay attention. In my defense this was during the period of timewhere I was super busy with college applications and spent a maximum ofa minute per game. } 31. Rxb7 Nxd6 32. Rbb1 { Perhaps a little initiativegrab with Nd4 would have been better? } 32... Nb5 33. Qb2 Re7 { The most obviousmistake, and the one that David finally exploits. For the rest of the gameI'm down the exchange. } 34. Bh4 Ra8 35. Bxe7 Qxe7 36. Ra1 Ne6 37. Rfc1 Be8 38. Nb4 c5 39. Nd5 Qb7 { Perhaps putting her majesty into a pin wasnot the best choice, but neither could I do Qd7 due to Nb6. } 40. Nc3 { Endsthe long-standing pin on my g-pawn. My question #1 for any reader... isQe5 better for white? 40...Rd8 stops the fork from winning material, butwouldn't trading off be better for white? I feel as if my c-pawn wouldbe easily captured after some trades occur. Anyone? } 40... Rb8 { Nd6 perhaps wouldreduce amount of traded material. But it's alright, because David doesn'tseem to want to trade. I don't know why. } 41. a4 { again, same thing: doesNxb5 followed by Qe5 confer some advantage? } 41... Nxc3 { If Qxb7 then Nxe2+ Kf2Rxb7 Kxe2 and I'm up. Handy to ensure the queens are kept on the boardfor me. } 42. Qxc3 h6 { I don't want a power struggle for g7 thank you verymuch. } 43. g4 { Now after my share of errors, I'm finally done with collegeapplications and can think about the game more. As we transition into mybest phase, the endgame, David starts to make errors. perhaps mistake #1was opening up his king here. I still have over half my pieces. } 43... fxg4 44. Bxg4 Qd5 45. Bxe6 { Greedy. Qc4 is fine. This way I start to dominate. } 45... Qxe6 46. Qxc5 Qg4+ 47. Kf1 Bxh5 48. Ra2 { Annoying. Covers his second rank.However this leaves his rooks unguarded and I can potentially use thisto my advantage. } 48... Rd8 { This or Qh4 both threaten the same thing: mate. } 49. f3 { Necessary. Not much else can deal with Qh3+. Perhaps f4 would havebeen better. } 49... Qxf3+ { The incorrect choice, although it doesn't really matter.Qh3 is more secure and gets it done faster by getting my bishop on f3. } 50. Kg1 Rd5 { This is why I decided to annotate this game. I won't evenpost any analysis of this, as a) I didn't do enough, and b)I will leaveit up to the reader. Question #2: Is this sound? } 51. Qc8+ { He apparentlydecided it was sound. This is a shame, because he will now die quickly. } 51... Kh7 52. Rcc2 { Rg2 at least saves him for a little bit. } 52... Rd1+ { The killis made. } 53. Kh2 Rh1# 0-1
[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.07.30"] [Round "-"] [White "haile1996"] [Black "prabhumk"] [Result "1-0"] { This was a blitz game I found tactically interesting. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 { Phillidor's defense. } 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 h6 { ?! I think this is unnecessary. Neither Bishop nor knight is going to g5 anytime soon. } 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bd3 b6 { !? Weakens a6, c6, d5, especially since black neverplays Bb7. } 8. O-O c5 { ? This has to be a strategical error. It leavesa backward pawn on d6 and weakens the light squares more. } 9. Bb5+ { Forcingthe exchange of bishops, and his was the only defender of the light squares. I also wanted to clear out the knight and bishop between my queen andhis d-pawn. } 9... Bd7 10. Nf5 { Adding a second attacker onto d6. } 10... O-O 11. Nxe7+ { I played this because I thought that it would make the attack on d6 easier,and that I wanted to have a bishop over knight advantage, but in retrospect,this seemed like trading an active knight for a bad bishop. } 11... Qxe7 12. Bxd7 { ? } 12... Nbxd7 { I overlooked this recapture. } 13. Re1 { Now if 13...Nxe4 14.Nxe4Qxe4 Qxd6 and white looks good. } 13... Rfe8 14. Bf4 Ne5 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Qxd5 { I captured with the queen to create more complications, which are favorablefor me because I have more space. } 16... Rad8 17. Rad1 Qf6 18. Bg3 Re6 { ? Notonly does this drop a pawn, but it also just plainly loses time. I thinksomething like 18...Ng4 is better. } 19. f4 { ! Thanks to Black's last move,this is quite strong. The knight can't retreat to g6 because of the fork. } 19... Nd7 20. f5 { Attacking the misplaced rook while opening a line for the bishop. } 20... Re7 { ? Much better was Re8, getting the rook off of the dark square. } 21. Qxd6 Qxd6 { ? Black was lost anyway, but this just drops the exchange. After 21...Re8 22. Qxf6 gxf6 23. Bh4, black's losing another pawn. } 22. Bxd6 Ree8 { Forced because black lacks space. } 23. Bc7 { ! Attacking therook that defends the knight. Black loses the exchange and rightfullyresigned here. I hope you enjoyed this game. BTW, as this is my secondannotation and I'm not quite clear on some gameknot terms, how do I use/wheredo I find the star rating system? } 1-0
[Event "Alekhine's Ghost"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Avocet"] [Black "reversal"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1616"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nf3 { The flexible Nimzovich Variation, which can give riseto both standard variations or, for the more adventurous, highly independentplay. } 2... e4 { Black's most ambitious continuation. } 3. Nd4 Nf6 { Not quitein the spirit of 2. ...e4. More positionally challenging is 3. ...d5 (oreven 3. ...c6, with ...d5 to follow), while an immediate 3. ...c5 sharpensthe blade for a tactical fight. } 4. Nc3 c5 5. Nc2 { Playing the Knight tob3 is also possible; but after many, many moons of playing the Nimzovichvariation, I've come to appreciate having the steed that extra step closerto the inevitable storm brewing in the center. } 5... Nc6 6. g3 d6 7. Bg2 Bf5 8. d4 exd3 9. exd3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Re1 h6 12. Ne3 Be6 13. Ned5 Nd4 { Black wants a dominating Knight in the center too! } 14. Be3 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 Bxd5 16. Nxd5 Bf6 17. Qg4 { A provocative sortie! } 17... Nc2 18. Bxh6 { AlexanderAlekhine had a well-deserved reputation for conjuring up stunning combinationsfrom seemingly innocuous positions, a devastating gift which Bobby Fischeralso possessed. And while I would never seriously compare myself to eitherof those great world champions, the following combination unfolds as iftheir spirits were guiding my hand. } 18... Nxa1 { And so Black wins an importantExchange ...right? Mmm ...maybe not. } 19. Bxg7 { Like lightning from a clearsky! Black has little choice except to play ... } 19... Bxg7 20. Ne7+ { The nexthammer-shot! } 20... Kh7 { Objectively best is 20. ...Qe7!, with probably no worsethan a draw. But who wants to float their Queen when at this point it justlooks like White's giving away pieces? } 21. Qh5+ Bh6 22. Re6 { An absolutethunderbolt! This is the resource White had to see as he played 18. Bh6. In the position the immediate threat is 23. Qh6 mate. After 22. ...f6(or 22. ...fe6), White still mates with 23. Qg6 Kh8 24. Qh6. And finallyafter 22. ...Qe7 comes the prosaic 23. Qh6 Kg8 24. Re7, following whichWhite's material advantage should carry the endgame with correct play. And so, Black resigns. } 1-0
[Event "Fatal Damiano Defence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.29"] [Round "-"] [White "koekje666"] [Black "hszer0"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1216"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1591"] { Here's a short game, which shows how devestating the Damiano Defence canbe for Black. } 1. e4 { My favorite opening with White. } 1... e5 { Starting withKing's Pawn Game. } 2. Nf3 { Playing the most popular move by White in thisposition. } 2... f6 { Bad move for Black. Since the e-pawn can be taken by theKnight. And if Black takes back the Knight, there will be a great counterplayby White. These four moves are known as the Damiano Defence. } 3. Nxe5 { Sowhite takes the e-pawn. } 3... Nh6 { Black knows about the danger and doens'ttake back the Knight. } 4. d4 { d4 is played to keep the line for both Bisshopsopen, just in case Black still wants to take the Knight. } 4... d6 { But still,Black chooses not to take the Knight. } 5. Bxh6 { A Knight for a Knight trade,because if Black takes the Bisshop, it leads to a Mate in two. } 5... gxh6 { Blackstill believed that the Knight was not a good idea to take, so he tookthe Bisshop. And we now know what will happen. } 6. Qh5+ { Step 1. } 6... Ke7 { Noother options. } 7. Qf7# { And step 2. Checkmate. } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.08.10"] [Round "-"] [White "ondrej"] [Black "mircea_56"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1675"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1678"] { I started to study pawn formations in order to improve my games. Thisis the first game where I am trying to adopt some ideas. I am followingPawn Structure Chess (Andrew Soltis) and Pawn Power in Chess (Hans Kmoch)books. } 1. e4 { Closed Sicilian, Lines without g3 } 1... c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4 g6 { There are just 15 pawn structures that may arrise from common opennings.It is not many, I expected more combinations. I am learning the first oneand books tell me to try to achieve f4-f5 and force black to exchange ...gxf5 followed by exf5. If the goal is achieved, white should be able toproduce passer. } 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Qb6 6. Nd5 { I knew that black wouldnot capture the bishop, but I tried it. [Computer: 5. Bb5 last book move] } 6... Qd8 7. O-O e6 { 5. Nd5 is useless move and I have a problem... e6 preventsmy long term plan. [Computer: 7. ... Nf6 8. Nxf6+ Bxf6 9. d3=] } 8. Nc3 Bxc3 9. dxc3 { Another problem, this time in my pawn formation. I need toget rid of double pawn. [Computer: 8. ... Nge7, 8. ... Bxc3? - interestingthat double pawn is not problem] } 9... Nge7 10. Be3 b6 11. Qd2 { I went throughgames typical for this opening and pawn formation. Very common patternis to attack with bishop supported by queen Bh6 or Bf6 together with Rf3-Rh3.[Computer: 11. f5!? gxf5 12. Ng5 h5+-] } 11... Bb7 12. b4 cxb4 13. cxb4 { Doublepawn problem resolved. [Computer: 12. Rad1!? d5 13. exd5 Qxd5 +-] } 13... a6 14. Ba4 b5 15. Bb3 { New strategy: e6 pawn still prevents my plan f4-f5, butpawn formation a2,b4 and c2 can produce passer in end game, the only problemmight be pawn d7. [Computer: 15. ... a5 16. a3 +-] } 15... Qc7 16. Rac1 f6 17. c4 bxc4 18. Bxc4 { My intention was to pin Nc6 with 16. Rac1, but thereis something more important. Now my position is better, pawns a2 and b4can produce passer. I no longer care about d7, but it is weak, thereforeI am going to test the pawn, first of all I want to prevent pawn movement. } 18... Rc8 19. Bc5 Kf7 20. e5 { I made sure pawn cannot move. [Computer: 20.f5 Kg7 21. fxe6 dxe6 22. e5 Nxe5 23. Nxe5 Rhd8 24. Nd3 Qd7 25. Qb2 Nf5....20. f5 gxf5 is even worst for black] } 20... f5 { d5 and d6 is prevented bye5 and Bc5, pawn at d7 cannot move, the goal achieved, but my originalstrategic plan (f4-f5) is definitely gone. I also saw possibility of opening'f' file for my rook, this oportunity is also gone. [Computer: 20. ...fxe5] } 21. Rfd1 { I am just trying what happens without real plan. } 21... Rcd8 22. Qf2 { Threatening Bb6 [Computer: 22. Ng5+ and white can already relax] } 22... Qc8 23. Bb6 Rde8 24. Rxd7 { I focus primary on pawn formation, but I accepttactics, however I was not sure about the result: rook + bishop + (knight)against queen and pawns, black rook will be very passive anyway. [Computer:23. ... h6 the only chance to get some counterplay] } 24... Qxd7 25. Bxe6+ Qxe6 26. Ng5+ Kg8 { I made it, it is not always the case, many times oponentsurprises. There is another plus: passer on e5. } 27. Nxe6 Nd5 { Now I needto simplify position by swaping pieces. } 28. Nc7 Rd8 29. Nxd5 Rxd5 30. e6 { I no longer care about pawn formation, this another kind of end game,I need to avoid complications. } 30... Ne7 31. Qh4 { I was thinking of Bd4 insteadof Qh4, but it looks that it no longer matters. On the other hand I amjust 3 pawns ahead, but thanks to imprisoned Rh8, passer e6 and black kingI am much more better. } 31... Nc8 32. Qf6 Nd6 33. e7 h5 34. Qxg6# { It does nothappen often to mate. } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.05.18"] [Round "-"] [White "hvalsoe"] [Black "ingottto"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1738"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1887"] 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O c6 7. a4 { a4prevent black from making b5. } 7... Qc7 8. Re1 O-O 9. h3 { I know that out teamcaptain does not like this kind of move, but I wanted to play Be3 and didnot want to see Ng4. } 9... Nxe4 { A mistake, he did not calculate the variant,white is winning, the best way for black would be exd4 and then put pressureon e4 with Re8 - this kind of game is difficult for black - to get outof the limited space, but normally black wins if he mange to get a gooddevelopment. } 10. Rxe4 d5 11. Bxd5 cxd5 12. Nxd5 Qd8 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Nxe5 Nf6 { f6 does not work - or is no better, white play Nxd7 and takethe rook - i.e. just exchange pieces and white is up with 2 pawns. } 15. Bg5 { Binding - something I like a lot. } 15... Bf5 16. Re3 Qd8 17. c3 h6 18. Bh4 g5 19. Bg3 Nd5 { Black is getting some activity for his 2 pawns, but thewhite c and d pawn are very strong. } 20. Re1 Nf6 { I think that Rc8 wouldhvae been better, it looks like a waste of time to move it back. } 21. Qf3 Bc8 { A mistake, e6 was the right place to put the bishop. } 22. Rad1 a5 23. c4 { White start to move his pawns } 23... Ra6 24. d5 Ne8 { All black piecesare at the back - except the rook on a6, what a strange position. } 25. c5 Rf6 26. Qc3 Ra6 27. d6 { white want to play d7! } 27... Bd7 28. Nxd7 Qxd7 29. Re7 Qxa4 30. b3 Qb4 31. Qxb4 { Black resign, there is no defence to d7 -he will loose at least a rook. } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.06.26"] [Round "-"] [White "alexcajan"] [Black "donparliament"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1268"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1280"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 exf4 4. e5 Ng8 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. Nf3 a6 7. d4 b5 { Yo jugue el gambito de manera normal (gambito de vienna), sin embargoel compañero en lugar de armar su defensa empezó a lanzarme sus peonesde reina. } 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. Bxf4 { Everything is normal, without being too offensive, one could rearm themselves by playing 9...Ra7, 10.a4 axb; for example. } 9... Bb7 { Nose da cuenta de la amenaza del avance del peón e5-e6 que libera la diagonalnegra para mi alfil en f4 y ataca junto con el caballo de d5 al peón enc7. tendría que haber defendido ese peón (c7) } 10. e6 fxe6 11. Nxc7+ Kf7 12. Ng5+ Ke7 13. Ncxe6 Qa5+ { Manotazos de ahogado. } 14. c3 Qb6 15. Nxg7+ { The devastating attack of horses was not properly developed with their chess pieces. } 15... Kf6 16. Qe5+ Kg6 17. Bd3+ Kh6 18. Nf7# { NO habia salida } 1-0
[Event "A04: Reti opening"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-Oct-07"] [Round "-"] [White "rpilaud"] [Black "kansaspatzer"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1554"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1506"] 1. Nf3 { Trying out Reti as white, a closed opening, against a strongeropponent. } 1... f5 { Not a common response, called 'A04: Reti v Dutch.' } 2. g3 { I respond with g3. Apparently, the stronger responses are b3 or b4. } 2... Nf6 3. Bg2 d5 4. d3 e6 5. O-O Bd6 6. Nbd2 O-O { Through a roundabout way,we wound up coming back to a more 'standard' looking Reti opening, i.e.1. Nf3 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Bd6 4. d3 f5 5. O-O Nf6 6. Nb-d2 O-O (A04: Retiopening). } 7. c4 { My logic here is that I gain a slight advantage if hetakes the c pawn with his d pawn. He can't advance to d4 because of myknight at f3. } 7... c6 8. cxd5 { Although this amounts to a trade of pawns (noadvantage), I take it anyway, probably out of a sense that I'm playinga stronger player. } 8... Nxd5 { I feel this weakens the castle unnecessarily,particularly when cxd5 is just as good if not better. As a result, I gaina slight advantage in that I retain a pawn in the d file. } 9. a3 { Buyingtime and countering the presence of the bishop. } 9... e5 { Seems like a logicalmove as it sets up pressure on the knight at f3. } 10. Nc4 { Sometimes, Ilike to trade my knight for a bishop. } 10... Re8 { He doesn't object to the trade. } 11. Nxd6 { So I take the trade. } 11... Qxd6 12. e4 { Offering what looks to bea more powerful pawn (fxe4 dxe4), but this sets up a trap in that his Queenis unprotected. } 12... Ne7 { He avoids the trap. } 13. b4 { Buying time, developingsome space. } 13... fxe4 14. dxe4 Qxd1 15. Rxd1 { Queen trade accepted, and I gaincontrol of the d file. } 15... Bg4 { Good pressure move. } 16. h3 { Go away or trade! } 16... Bxf3 { He opts to trade. } 17. Bxf3 { 17 moves in and I have two bishops againsttwo knights. As long as I watch for forks, I feel I'm in a good position. } 17... Na6 18. Bb2 { Pressuring the solo pawn. } 18... Ng6 19. Bh5 { Similar to his earliermove, only in reverse. } 19... Kf7 { I can see why he did this, because he avoidsstacked pawns, at least at this point. But ... } 20. Rd7+ { Hello! } 20... Re7 { His best move. No slouch here. } 21. Bxg6+ { So, at this point, I figureI'll take what I can get, which is stacked pawns. Here were my notes fromthis point, which came true up to his response in move 23. 21.... hxg622.Rxe7 Kxe7 23.Bxe5 Kf7 24.Rd1 Rg8 25.Rd7 Ke6 26.Rxg7 Rxg727.Bxg7 ( 2) } 21... hxg6 22. Rxe7+ Kxe7 23. Bxe5 { Finally, a pawn advantage! } 23... Re8 { I expected a move to protect his g pawn, but he apparently overlookedit. } 24. Bxg7 { Easy pawn. } 24... Kf7 { Ahead 2, I'm happy to trade, even if it'sa stronger pawn for a weaker one. So, I set up to take the a7 pawn. } 25. Bd4 Rxe4 26. Bxa7 { I don't know that I had a clear win, but he probablywasn't too happy about giving up that second pawn. If we had continued,I would have tried to get the bishop and rook to work together on a weakpawn. Good game kansaspatzer! } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.08.02"] [Round "-"] [White "lucasaba"] [Black "carara"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1116"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1484"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nxe5 d6 5. Nf3 h6 { ([14:+1.03] 5. ...h6 6. Bb5+ c6 7. Be2 Bxc3 8. dxc3 O-O 9. e5 dxe5 10. Qxd8 Rxd8 11. Nxe5Nbd7 12. Bf4 Nc5 +/-) ([0:+0.00] 5. ... Bxc3 6. dxc3 =) } 6. Bb5+ c6 7. Bc4 d5 8. exd5 cxd5 9. Bb5+ Nc6 10. O-O d4 { ([15:+2.15] 10. ... d4 11.Re1+ Be6 12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. Ne2 O-O 14. Nexd4 Bd5 15. c3 Bc5 16. d3 Re817. Rxe8+ Qxe8 18. c4 Be6 19. Nxe6 Qxe6 +-) ([15:+0.80] 10. ... O-O 11.Re1 Bg4 12. h3 Bd7 13. Bxc6 Bxc6 14. Ne5 Rc8 15. a3 Qa5 16. Rb1 Bd6 17.b4 Qb6 18. Nxc6 Rxc6 +/-) } 11. Re1+ Be6 12. Nxd4 { ([15:-2.08] 12. Nxd4Qxd4 13. Bxc6+ bxc6 14. Qf3 O-O 15. Qxc6 Rfe8 16. Re3 Rac8 17. Qb7 Bf518. Nb5 Qd5 19. Qxd5 Nxd5 -+) ([15:+2.24] 12. Ne2 O-O 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14.Nexd4 Bd5 15. c3 Bc5 16. d3 Re8 17. Rxe8+ Qxe8 18. Bf4 Ng4 19. b4 Be7 +-) } 12... Qxd4 13. a3 Bc5 14. Bxc6+ bxc6 15. Qf3 O-O 16. d3 Bg4 17. Qg3 Rfe8 18. Rxe8+ Rxe8 19. Be3 Rxe3 20. fxe3 Qxe3+ 21. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 22. Kf1 h5 23. Re1 Bd2 24. Re7 Nd5 { ([14:+0.08] 24. ... Nd5 25. Nxd5 cxd5 26. Rxa7 d4 27.a4 Bd1 28. Rc7 Bf4 29. Rc8+ Kh7 30. Kg1 Bg4 31. Re8 Kg6 =) ([14:-1.04]24. ... Bc1 25. Rb7 Be6 26. h3 Nd5 27. Nxd5 Bxd5 28. Rxa7 Bxb2 29. c4 Be630. a4 Bd4 31. Rb7 -/+) } 25. Nxd5 cxd5 26. Rxa7 f5 27. h3 Bd1 28. Ra8+ Kh7 29. c4 g5 { ([16:+3.09] 29. ... g5 30. c5 Kg6 31. c6 Bf4 32. Ra7 Kf633. c7 Bxc7 34. Rxc7 Ke5 35. b4 Kd4 36. Ke1 Ba4 37. Ke2 +-) ([16:+0.53]29. ... dxc4 30. dxc4 Bb3 31. c5 Bf4 32. a4 Be5 33. c6 Kg6 34. Ra7 Bxb235. c7 Bc4+ 36. Ke1 Bc3+ 37. Kd1 Bb3+ 38. Ke2 Be6 +=) } 30. cxd5 { ([16:+1.53]30. cxd5 Bf4 31. b4 Bc2 32. Kf2 h4 33. b5 Bxd3 34. b6 Bg3+ 35. Kg1 Be436. b7 Bxd5 37. Rd8 Be4 38. b8=Q Bxb8 39. Rxb8 +-) ([16:+3.09] 30. c5 Kg631. c6 Bf4 32. Ra7 Kf6 33. c7 Bxc7 34. Rxc7 Ke5 35. b4 Kd4 36. Ke1 Ba437. Ke2 Bb5 +-) } 30... g4 { ([15:+4.08] 30. ... g4 31. d6 Bc2 32. d7 Bxd3+ 33.Kf2 Bg5 34. d8=Q Bxd8 35. Rxd8 Be4 36. Re8 Bd3 37. a4 f4 38. b4 +-) ([15:+1.53]30. ... Bf4 31. b4 Bc2 32. Kf2 h4 33. b5 Bxd3 34. b6 Bg3+ 35. Kg1 Be4 36.b7 Bxd5 37. Rd8 Be4 38. b8=Q Bxb8 39. Rxb8 +-) } 31. hxg4 fxg4 32. d6 h4 33. d7 Bg5 34. d8=Q Bxd8 35. Rxd8 h3 { ([15:+6.00] 35. ... h3 36. gxh3 gxh337. Rd4 Bc2 38. Rh4+ Kg6 39. Rxh3 Kf5 40. b4 Ke5 41. b5 Kd4 42. Kf2 Bd143. Rg3 +-) ([15:+4.86] 35. ... Kg6 36. b4 h3 37. gxh3 gxh3 38. Rg8+ Kh539. Kg1 Bg4 40. Kh2 Be6 41. Rg7 Bf5 42. a4 Kh4 43. d4 +-) } 36. gxh3 gxh3 37. Kg1 Kh6 38. Kh2 { The knight is checking the king's safety while the rook is protecting the pawn. } 38... Bg4 { ([16:+8.07] 38. ... Bg4 39. a4 Bf3 40. a5 Bg241. a6 Kg7 42. a7 Kf7 43. a8=Q Bxa8 44. Rxa8 Ke6 45. Kxh3 Kd5 46. Ra7 +-)([16:+6.00] 38. ... Kg7 39. Kxh3 Kf7 40. b4 Ke7 41. Rg8 Ba4 42. Kg3 Bb543. d4 Kf6 44. Rh8 Ke6 45. Rh6+ Kd7 46. Rh7+ Ke6 47. Rg7 +-) } 39. b4 Kg7 40. b5 Kf7 41. b6 Be2 { ([14:Mat08] 41. ... Be2 42. b7 Bg4 43. b8=Q Be644. Qf4+ Kg7 45. Rf8 Bg8 46. Rf6 Bf7 47. Rxf7+ Kg8 48. Kxh3 Kh8 49. Qb8#+-) ([17:+9.64] 41. ... Bf3 42. b7 Bxb7 43. Rd7+ Ke6 44. Rxb7 Kd5 45. a4Kc6 46. Rb5 Kd6 47. d4 +-) } 42. Kxh3 { ([13:+8.40] 42. Kxh3 Bf3 43. b7Bxb7 44. Rd7+ Ke6 45. Rxb7 Kd5 46. a4 Kc6 47. Rf7 Kc5 48. Kg4 Kb4 +-) ([13:Mat08]42. b7 Bg4 43. b8=Q Be6 44. Qf4+ Kg7 45. Rf8 Bg8 46. Rf6 Bf7 47. Rxf7+Kg8 48. Kxh3 Kh8 49. Qb8# } 1-0
[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.05"] [Round "-"] [White "angantyr"] [Black "benl123"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 d6 2. d3 Nf6 3. Nf3 c5 4. b3 g6 5. h3 Bg7 6. Bb2 { Allows black toexploit the bishop's weakness in the future. } 6... O-O 7. Be2 { Preparing tocastle. } 7... Be6 8. O-O Qd7 9. c4 { Taking control of d5. } 9... Bxh3 { Sacrificinga bishop to get an attack on white's king and make up for the materialdeficit. } 10. Nh4 Be6 { Retreating the bishop to safety. } 11. Nd2 Nxe4 { Amistake because with best play white can equalize in material by Bxg7 followedby 12. ... Nxf2 13. Rxf2 Kxg7. 12. Bxg7 Nxd2 13. Bxf8 Nxf1 14. Bh6. Nowblack's knight is trapped and white has turned the game around. } 12. Bxg7 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 { A mistake. } 13... Kxg7 14. Bf3 Nc6 15. Qc3+ Nd4 16. Bd1 Kg8 { Unpinningthe knight and threatening Nd2+ if white is not careful. } 17. g3 Bg4 18. Re1 { Preventing Nd2+ after the exchange of bishops. } 18... Bxd1 19. Raxd1 Qh3 20. Ng2 { Not good as it allows this combo. } 20... Nf3+ 21. Kf1 Nxe1 22. Qxe1 Qh1+ 23. Ke2 Qxg2 24. Kd2 Rae8 25. Kc3 Qf3 { Trying to get the queen backinto play. } 26. Qg1 Qf6+ 27. Kc2 e5 { Taking control of the center and preparingto swing the queen over to the queenside to penetrate on the black squares. } 28. Re1 Qf5 { ? Much better is bringing the queen to the queenside by Qd8-Qa5 } 29. g4 Qf3 { Still not very good. } 30. Re3 Qf4 31. Re4 Qf6 32. Qg2 Qd8 33. Re3 Qa5 34. Kb2 Qd2+ { Finally penetrating. } 35. Ka3 Qc1+ 36. Ka4 b6 { Savingthe b pawn. } 37. Qb7 Qb2 38. Kb5 Qxa2 39. Kc6 Qxf2 { Threatening to winthe queen on the next move and threatening the rook. } 40. Rh3 Qg2+ 41. Kc7 Re7+ { Winning the queen. Now white resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Pen-y-Ffordd January Quickplay Round 2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "Jan2nd2013"] [Round "-"] [White "Chris Doran"] [Black "Charles Higgie"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "ECF162"] [TimeControl "15mins each all moves"] [WhiteElo "ECF179"] 1. e4 { So here I was up against the highest rated player in the tournament } 1... c5 { So I reply with my usual } 2. Nf3 { He follows the main line } 2... Nc6 { andso do I } 3. d4 { He continues with the Open Sicilian } 3... cxd4 { So I take } 4. Nxd4 { He takes back } 4... Nf6 { I hit the e pawn } 5. Nc3 { He defends } 5... d6 { I stopideas such as Nd4xNc6 followed by e5. All this is very standard } 6. Bg5 { And this is the most popular too, the Richter–Rauzer Attack. The move6.Bg5 was Kurt Richter's invention, threatening to double Black's pawnsafter Bxf6 and forestalling the Dragon by rendering 6...g6 unplayable,as g6 is simply met by BxNf6 and after exf6 Black's pawns are a mess, thed6 pawn in particular being isolated and backward on a semi-open file andthe d5 square is open for White's pieces. } 6... Bd7 { I follow a suggestion byBarden } 7. f4 { He continues to develop } 7... a6 { I start queen side operations.Qb6 is probably stronger, taking advantage of the fact this his Bg5 can'tdefend dark squares in the centre. } 8. Qd2 { He prepares to castle } 8... b5 { Icontinue to expand on the queen side } 9. O-O-O { He castles } 9... b4 { So I hithis knight. Now he can play 10. Bg5xNf6 as after bxNc3, hitting the whitequeen, White can play 11. Qd2xc3 and after gxBf6 play 12. Nd4xNc6, winninga pawn. However Black can reply with Qc7 and after White retreats his knight,exchange queens on c3 and the position is about level. Black has compensationfor being a pawn down, as White's queen side pawns are smashed. This wasbetter for White compared to what happened, where White ends up a pawndown AND a broken pawn formation. } 10. Nd5 { So he keeps his knight } 10... Nxe4 { But loses a pawn, and his queen and bishop are forked } 11. Qe3 { So hemoves his queen } 11... Nxg5 { I take his bishop } 12. fxg5 { He takes back } 12... a5 { Isecure my b pawn, releasing the Nc6 from protecting it, and preparing thefollowing move } 13. Bc4 { He develops } 13... Ne5 { I hit his bishop, and preventany nonsense down the e file. } 14. Be2 { So he retreats his bishop } 14... g6 { andI prepare to put my bishop on g7, protecting Ne5 and also with an ideaof an attack along the long dark diagonal. } 15. Nf3 { So he tries to exchangemy strong knight } 15... Bg7 { and I strengthen it } 16. Nb6 { He now takes the opportunityto get rid of one of my bishops } 16... Rb8 { so I hit the knight } 17. Nxd7 { Hetakes } 17... Qxd7 { I take back } 18. h4 { He tries to do something on the kingside } 18... O-O { I castle } 19. Rhe1 { This was a bit of a surprise. h5 seemedmore consistent } 19... Qa4 { so my queen mobilises. Can you see what I am dreamingof? } 20. Kb1 { Is the king any safer here? } 20... Rfc8 { I continue to mobilise } 21. Rc1 { and he protects c2 } 21... Ng4 { Ihit his queen, sacrificing my e7 pawn.I thought he couldn't take it, and was expecting another queen move, however..... } 22. Qxe7 { OK, pause and find my next move! } 22... Qa3 { I thought I was clearlywinning. The threat is Qxb2 mate. If he takes my queen, I take back withthe pawn, discovered check and mate in 2. I couldn't see any defence forWhite. So pause again, and work out what White did play. } 23. Ne5 { Thismust be his best shot. If I take with the bishop then he takes my bishopwith his queen, and after I take take back he can take my queen and thistime there is no mate. But what if I take with my knight? } 23... Nxe5 { so I triedthis } 24. bxa3 { He takes } 24... bxa3+ { I take } 25. Ka1 { King runs } 25... Nc6+ { Thisis ok, but lets White escape into an ending. Nd7 was probably better } 26. Qf6 { so he blocks the check } 26... Bxf6+ { I take } 27. gxf6 { He takes } 27... Rb2 { Itake the 7th rank } 28. Bf3 { Bishop mobilises } 28... Ne5 { Knight advances, threateningR(either!)xc2 } 29. c3 { He prevents that, but runs into.... } 29... Nd3 { Pickingup the exchange. White resigns. Many thanks for looking at this, pleaserate my annotation on the star system and leave some comments, so I knowhow I am doing. Please remember that this was a quick-play game, both sideshad just 15 minutes each to make all moves. Until next time! } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from paulguay"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.02.07"] [Round "-"] [White "sarajevoking"] [Black "paulguay"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1410"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1816"] 1. e4 { 'E4, best by test!' - R. Fischer } 1... e5 2. Nf3 d6 { Defends e5 and allowslight bishop to develop; blocks development of dark bishop and loses sometime as it is not developing a piece. Better Nc6 or Nf6 (Petroff's defense). } 3. Bc4 { Rapid piece development, eyes naturally weak f7 square, allowsfor king side castling. Other strong moves would include Nc3 (developing)and d4 directly challenging the center. } 3... Nf6 { Strong move as it developsa piece and attacks white pawn in the center. } 4. Nc3 { Developing movethat protects e4. At first blush seems to blunder into 4. ... Nxe4 5.Nxe4 d5 with a piece fork. However after 4. ... Nxe4 the intermezzo move5. Bxf7+ Kxf7 6. Nxe4 gives white the advantage (white with lead in development,black unable to castle). } 4... d5 { This move perhaps is motivated by a desireto challenge the center and/or the white light-squared bishop. Howeverit is a mistake for a few reasons. First, it does not develop a piece. Remember it is paramount to develop the minor pieces as quickly as possiblein the opening. Second, it is best not to move a piece (or pawn) twicein the opening unless there is a compelling reason. Third, after 5. exd5black will simply lose this pawn. Much better would have been 4. ... Be7preparing to castle or Bg4 setting up a pin against the white queen. } 5. exd5 { Bxd5 also possible but why give up a well-placed bishop? } 5... Bg4 { Gooddeveloping move that pins the white knight and threatens e4 on the followingmove. } 6. d3 { There are a few options to meet the threat of e4. Perhapsthe strongest would be to 'put the question' to the black bishop by playingh3. However, if black then continues with e4 anyway, after hxg4 white'sking-side pawns will be a bit disrupted. I elected to play d3, which nullifiesthe threat of e4 and allows an exit for the dark bishop. Another playablemove would be Qe2. } 6... Bb4 { Strong developing move, pinning an important whitepiece protecting the d5 pawn and putting pressure on the center. Threatensto win back the d5 pawn. } 7. Bd2 { Develops the bishop and breaks the pin. If 7. ... Bxc3 8. Bxc3 black can win the d5 pawn with Nxc5, but whitewill remain up a pawn after Bxe5. } 7... O-O { Probably the best move. } 8. O-O { Completes development and improves king safety. } 8... Nbd7 { Solid move, completingdevelopment and protecting e5 pawn. } 9. Ne4 { Various playable moves includingRe1 and h3. This move was chosen to force trade down of pieces while maintainingthe pawn advantage. } 9... Bxd2 { This is black's strongest option and betterthan Nxe4. Nxe4 would allow dxe4 where white supports the e5 pawn givinghim a strong center. After the played move Bxd2, white must decide betweencapturing with the knight he just moved and capturing with the queen. } 10. Nexd2 { I have elected to avoid the doubled f pawns that could ariseafter 10. Qxd2 Bxf3. It should be noted that doubled f pawns are not necessarilya weakness, and are often preferred by players such as Nigel Short. Oneadvantage for white would be the possibility of putting a rook on the half-openg file applying pressure towards the black king. However, the doubledf pawns can make the white king vulnerable (not everyone is as expert atdefending as Nigel Short, including me!) so I have captured with the knight. } 10... a6 { This move prepares for b5, pressuring white's bishop. However, thebishop will have a safe retreat to b3 anyway. Black would be on the vergeof winning back the pawn on d5 with a more aggressive move such as Nb6. } 11. Bb3 { Black's prior move a6 allows white time to retreat the bishop,preparing for c4. Another option would be to move the queen from behindthe pin. } 11... Re8 { Moves rook to the center supporting e5 and helping preparefor possible push to e4 at some point. Centralizing rooks and/or placingthem on open or half-open files is a good general theme to remember aftercompleting minor piece development. } 12. h3 { Forces black to make a decisionregarding the pinning bishop, while creating luft for the white king withtempo. The timing of if and when to create space for your king can bea tricky thing. Too early and you can neglect development giving youropponent the edge. Too late and you can find yourself with serious back-rankproblems. Another good move would have been Re1 shoring up against thethreat of e4. } 12... Bh5 13. Re1 { Centralizing the rook and placing it on thehalf-open file. } 13... Nb6 { This would have been strong on move 10 instead ofa6, but here it really just allows white to proceed with his plan to playc4. Perhaps better would have been Nc5 after which black will have theoption of capturing the light-squared bishop ( if 13. ... Nc5 Bc4 thenb5 forces bishop back ). } 14. c4 { This move solidifies the d5 pawn whichup to this point has been fairly weak and a good target for black. Italso creates a space for the white queen to step out from behind the pinto c2. } 14... Qd6 { At this stage of the game, moving the queen to a more centralposition and connecting the rooks is a very good thought. You must takecare though not to place the queen in a position where it can be attackedby minor pieces. In this case, white can play Ne4 next if he chooses,with the option of further trading down pieces. White's plan has beento step out of the pin to c2, and we see now that he can do this with tempo,as it threatens c5 next forking the knight and queen. ( For any following,we just discovered Paul was unaware of the annotation feature and has beenplaying without the benefit of my comments). } 15. Qc2 { A very satisfyingmove, stepping out of the pin (finally), threatening c5, connecting rooks,and exerting additional control on the e4 square via the diagonal. Thewhite queen is potentially heading for c3, after which it will be difficultfor black to defend his weak pawn on e5. }
[Event "g8-f6-d5-c7-e6-g5-f3-e1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.07.16"] [Round "-"] [White "lostinadaze"] [Black "thereaper1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1930"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1899"] { This wasn't exactly a spectacular game featuring lots of tactics, norwas it a game displaying any kind of amazing positional prowess, insteadit's an example of simply getting your pieces to work toward a specificpurpose. In this game it starts out as a symmetrical English in which bothsides neglect to place pawns in the centre instead choosing to use minorpieces for the task in a more modern style of play. One thing you mightnotice is the knights journey which is one that isn't especially uncommonin my games as I find that I quite often find knights work best if youwork hard to get them to their best squares, even if it may take alongtime for them to get there its usually worth it provided there aren't anylife or death battles going on in the mean time. } 1. c4 c5 { my favourite,I feel like I'm very familiar with the typical pawn structures, plans andjust general play that arises from a lot of symmetrical English positions } 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Nc3 Nf6 { so far both sides developingin the same manner and neither one has yet to commit themselves to thecentre, this is one of the key ideas in the English, its flexible and looksto keep a number of options as to how to strike in the center } 6. O-O d5 { according to gameKnot the first non book move. I could have maintainedthe symmetry for another move, however I felt it best to be the first oneto strike since I can easily castle at a moments notice I'm unlikely torun into any trouble by having an uncastled king. But I felt if I waitedone move more, white would get to shape how the game would progress } 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Re1 { ?! The first suspect move, There are a number of differentways for white to organise their pieces right now as well as a number ofdifferent plans to adopt. I'm not going to give y opinion on which is bestsince there are many plausible options, however I do feel that in mostcases the rook will end up being misplaced here since this move doesn'treally help achieve anything, basically I think its a waste of time, aswhite should keep the rooks options open until its clear where it doesbelong. obviously this is not a big deal though I just think there weremore accurate moves available } 8... O-O 9. Qb3 { Attacking the knight. The queendoes often come to this square in English positions, If I were white Imight have started thinking about which pawn advance I wanted to make,but this move isn't bad and I'm not sure what I would do myself so I'mnot going to be overly critical of this move, the only potential down sidebeing that if white choses to make advances on the queenside, then thismove may slow it down a little } 9... Nc7 { !? You will find my knight make thisjourney in a decent amount of my games, especially in English positionsI find that from c7 (normally I arrive via f6-e8-c7) I have the advantageof keeping my bishops diagonal clear, I also keep an eye on b5 which mayhelp facilitate a b pawn advance and the big one is also that it give mea route to e6 which can be a great square in these positions since oftenhaving both knights with their sites on d4 is beneficial especially incases where whites already committed the e pawn to advancing two squares } 10. Rb1 { okay, this gets out of my DSB diagonal and probably means whiteslooking to make advances on this wing, to do this he will need to movehis queen first } 10... Rb8 { I do the same at my end, if I chose to go with thesame plan, then mine will come to fruition just that little bit quickerbecause my pieces are co-ordinated more effectively to achieve it. Thisalso has the benefit of protecting my b pawn in case I want to play ...Be6 } 11. Qc2 b6 { I go with a more restrained approach. it was possible to play...b5 but I like to keep pawns as close to home as possible, the furtheraway they go the more likely they are to find themselves over extended.with this move I'm basically protecting my c pawn and preparing to fianchettomy LSB in order to contest the long light square diagonal } 12. d3 Bb7 13. a3 Ne6 { A lovely spot for the knight, just as white prepares to strikeon the queenside make a play in the centre using my pieces. the 'threat'is to jump into d4 which would be uncomfortable for white so I'm hopingto commit whites e pawn to advancing, there by 'softening' whites d pawnwhich I can try to turn into a target } 14. e3 { white reacts to the threatwhich gives me something to aim at. Now one possible plan is to try tocontrol d4 which would fix whites d pawn in place, one way to do this isto get my e6 knight out of the way then follow up with ...e5, I still needto be careful about whites ideas though, if white successfully breaks atmy c pawn with b4 then fixing d3 will be a little harder. For now howeverI chose to try weaken the light squares around whites king since my knighton e6 could potentially be well placed to take advantage of it } 14... Ne5 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 { 15...Bxg2?? 16.Nxf7 } 16. Bxb7 { A little too complying in myview, I had been half expecting 16.Ne4 } 16... Rxb7 { Not a bad square for therook, at some point I'll want to double up probably on the c file, thismakes that quicker to achieve } 17. b4 { ? whites counter play comes a littleto late, something had to be done about the weak light squares around theking } 17... Ng5 { ! and now we see another downside to whites Re1 earlier in thegame. In my view white lost some time in the early parts of the game (Re1,Qb3)and that is whats allowed black to take the initiative in the position } 18. Kg2 Qd7 { Even stronger was Qc8 which would take advantage of whitesknights position } 19. f4 Qh3+ 20. Kh1 Bxc3 { Stronger than the immediateNf3, this move order allows for some other possible ways for white to gowrong } 21. Qxc3 Nf3 22. Rb2 { forced } 22... Nxe1 { ?! this move is still winningbut I missed the correct 21...cxb4! ( I realised as soon as I played thismove) } 23. Qxe1 cxb4 24. axb4 Rc7 { Preparing to double on the c file, whitesonly hope is to try and achieve counterplay on the long dark diagonal,however black isn't going to allow it } 25. Rf2 { This gives whites queena little more freedom since ...Qf1# mate was always a threat if whitesqueen were to move, personally however I feel improving the king positionby Kg1 would do the same job } 25... Rfc8 26. Bb2 Rc2 27. Ba3 R2c3 28. Qa1 Rxd3 { Missing 28...Rxa3! which at the time I didn't see because I thoughtthe queen would be covering c1 however as it turns out black has the clever28...Rxa3 29.Qxa3 Rc2! which illustrates another reason the king move shouldhave been preferred a couple of moves ago. } 29. Bb2 Rxe3 30. Bd4 Rxg3 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "28-Feb-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jabbathehud"] [Black "bonnernose"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1311"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1306"] 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 { this variation is very popular lately... } 3... Nf6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 { black has doubled white's pawns but theyare not weak at all. white can break twice through c4! } 6... Ne4 7. Qd3 a6 { blackis not developing pieces. it is hard to play that way. } 8. Nd2 f5 { blackis making bad moves. white squares are now weak. e6 is weak. the wholequeenside pieces didnt move yet. } 9. Nxe4 fxe4 10. Qd2 { also playable:Qg3, Qh3. } 10... b5 11. f3 { with no developed pieces black will see white floatingto the victory. } 11... exf3 12. exf3 a5 13. Rb1 c6 14. Bd3 { white is making pressureon both sides. } 14... Nd7 15. Bg5 Qc7 16. O-O e5 { black's break is too ealy.the king is still in the center... } 17. Rbe1 h6 { ?? giving away the g6spot. } 18. Bg6+ Kf8 19. dxe5 { white is taking as much as he can. } 19... hxg5 20. Qxg5 { the position of the black is so bad that with a piece down whiteis winning easily } 20... Rh6 21. e6 { the mate is near... } 21... Rxg6 22. Qxg6 Ne5 23. Rxe5 Qxe5 { misses Qf7#, but what else? } 24. Qf7# { the end. } 1-0
[Event "Reverse deja-vu? (and dubious inevitable loss?)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.09.23"] [Round "-"] [White "rickdaily12"] [Black "gmforsythe"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1468"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1579"] { I recently annotated a game I played with my friend gmforsythe, and itturned out to be quite the tactical spectacle! It wasn't until I updatedmy personal database that I realized that much of our game had alreadyhappened in a different game we played two months ago... as opposite colors!They claim to have botched this game as well, but I think they still potentiallyhad a fighting chance... what do you think? } 1. e4 { I'm still trying tolearn English and Queen's pawn, but this remains my most consistent opening. } 1... Nf6 { -and this is the first time I ever encountered the Alekhine's defenseat Gameknot. This possibly could explain part of the influence it had onour last game, because a lot of it reappeared in the opening...! } 2. e5 { I opened the GK database just in case; I didn't know how this openingcan be played well, because this sequence often ruins beginners right here.It turned out this is the main line anyhow. } 2... Nd5 { The best move. All othermoves are blunders or hard to maintain the knight with. } 3. d4 { Also commonfor my 'vs. beginners' line. That, and why not begin supporting a pawnwith a pawn? } 3... d6 { Prevents 4. e6! (as annotated in the last game). Whitecould exchange here, but I don't see why either color would opt for exchangingat this moment. The center is still being contested. } 4. Nf3 { So insteadI support both pawns. I'm not afraid of an eventual Bb4+, and I felt Icould respond to the other bishop if it came out. } 4... Nc6 { And here you haveit. Here was where I realized the close similarities in our matches. Sinceit involved the Sicilian, the game where I was Black turned out to be verydifferent (both c pawns were gone by this point) but I never stopped tothink about it until I crossed this game long lost in my own databases.This game has a clear influence on our match right up until this point. } 5. c4 { Because the c pawns are still in play, my pawn can harass the knight,as seen here. } 5... Nb6 { Not worried about c5, (Nd7 is a good square for theknight, in spite of the bishop block), and likely better than the unsupportedNb4. } 6. e6 { And notice now how important the c pawn becomes in this match.Black wants to play 6... Bxe6, but if so, then White eagerly responds with7. d5! and so the only other option becomes... } 6... fxe6 { Black normally likesto castle short from what I gathered in my quick glance at this opening.Now that has become a lot more dangerous, and the kingside must be remediedor lost. } 7. Nc3 { I develop more and activate the queenside a bit. } 7... g6 { Obviously planning a fianchetto. Black clearly wants to castle quickly. } 8. h4 { So here I decide to aim for O-O-O and respond with a kingside pawnstorm. If my plan continues, Black's King is going to have some seriousissues very shortly... } 8... Bg7 { So their plan continues... } 9. h5 { As doesmine. Now, I'm sure something else could have been played, but Black clearlyrealizes now the danger of what their plan may hold. Even so, as for thisnext move... } 9... Kf7 { It doesn't take too much thought to see why this couldbe viewed as terribly dangerous. Even with the goal of exchange in my mind,surely Black has better options...! } 10. Ng5+ { Demonstrating now why theking's castling rights shouldn't have been spent to g6. Now h7 is underattack as well. } 10... Ke8 { Now Black has moved the king for nothing. } 11. Bd3 { Planning an all out assault on the kingside, and O-O-O looks even strongerfor White now. } 11... Kd7 { Very crowded for the king, but it needs to hide awayfrom the opposite side of the board at this point. Effectively now, theKingside becomes an epic battleground where no king should wander... } 12. Nf7 { This was my most clear mistake in the match, I think. Yes, I havethe rook for a knight now, but... } 12... Qf8 { ...I didn't realize the dual purposeof Black's king hiding away at this point. It was to strengthen the backrank via the queen. Now I must exchange right here and now, and be extremelycautious and aware of f2's defenses.... } 13. Nxh8 { Forced, as noted. } 13... Bxh8 { The position is not hopeless for Black, as I once thought here! I toldmyself that with the rook gone, I could continue blasting away at the Kingside... } 14. hxg6 { ...as you see here.... } 14... Bxd4 { But now I realize how vulnerablemy defenses really were. f2 is under major heavy fire...!!! } 15. Qe2 { Andhere was where I held my breath. IF I played Rf1, then I abandon my controlof the Kingside. The black bishop blocks Nd4, but Nb4 is almost as strong.If I lose that LSB, my kingside goes unstable, but then I must play Bb1and all hopes of near-future castling are gone. } 15... hxg6 { Thankfully, theydidn't see it! But my issues are far from over and I take another hardmoment to think. } 16. Be3 { As far as playable options are concerned, Ifelt this move gave me the most relief in what I could play. Now, if Nb4... } 16... Qf6 { And there you have it. I can no longer castle, or I risk unravelingmy defenses after Bxc3. } 17. Rc1 { So now my final developing piece mustplay a defending role. Luckily, my king is still safe for now, and I havea certain plan in mind involving keeping my rooks active in both roles... } 17... e5 { d4 is now under undisputed Black control. I'm not terribly worriedyet, though. } 18. Rh6 { This move now completes the kingside flank I triedso hard to maintain. Things are starting to look good and playable forme again, and the queen must hide to a less favorable square- and yet,Black immediately resigns here! The position is equal in material, andI don't see how I have a totally secured tempo over Black even after somechecks. What do you think, reader? Was Black's game utterly hopeless here?And why did the existence of both c pawns in this game matter so much?Thanks for your time to look over this match in the meantime! :) } 1-0
[Event "Knight to f5"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "4-19-18"] [Round "-"] [White "jmd1952"] [Black "Garfield5"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1890"] [TimeControl "3min + 10sec"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O { My favorite time control 3 minutes+ 10 seconds so you have to think quickly. ( Sometimes I see things welland sometimes I should resign early ). This position is pretty common. } 4... Nf6 5. d3 { The d3 move is the best way to defend the pawn. On 5. Nc3Black has the option of 5. ..., Nxe4 6. Nxe4, d5 forking the knight andthe bishop and getting an easy game. } 5... h6 6. Be3 Bxe3 7. fxe3 { White doeshave doubled pawns but the half open f file and the possible support ford4 should compensate. } 7... O-O 8. Nc3 Na5 9. Bb3 Nxb3 10. axb3 { Black getsthe bishop for knight trade and the position looks rather bland still whitecan play d4 anytime. } 10... d6 11. d4 exd4 { This undoubles white's pawn andgives him a broad pawn center. Re8 was probably better threatening totake and win the pawn on e4. } 12. exd4 a6 13. Kh1 Re8 14. Qd3 { Defendinga pawn with the queen is usually a bad idea - tying down your most powerfulpiece to guard a pawn but the rook on a1 will pick the guard duties andcentralizing the queen is not bad. } 14... Bg4 15. Rae1 Re7 { This move makesNh4 possible later. Before black played Re7 white could not play Vh4 sinceNxe4 would win a pawn to due the fact that the black queen can captureon h4. } 16. h3 Bh5 17. Nh4 Qd7 { Black should just play the rook back toe8 so the queen can defend the knight on f6 Back is open to a tacticaltrick. } 18. Nf5 Ree8 { Re6 would stop the tactical trick temporarily butwhite can play d5 and still win the pawn. } 19. Nxh6+ { If Black capturesthe knight then his knight on f6 hangs to the rook. } 19... Kh7 20. Nf5 Bg6 21. Qg3 { White is thinking about possible avenues of attack with the strongknight on f5 } 21... Bxf5 22. Rxf5 { Black takes the knight off but the heavy piecesare getting involved. White had to look at Qxf5 to see if black couldget two rooks for the queen luckily ( and it was lucky ) the queen on g3guard the rook on e1. } 22... Nxe4 { A mistake. Black wants to remove the guardon the rook at f5 and if white simply takes the knight he lose the rookto the queen. however there is an in between move. } 23. Rh5+ Kg8 24. Nxe4 Qe6 { Black pins the knight hoping to regain the piece. } 25. Qh4 { Thethreat is mate and the f pawn must move to avoid mate. } 25... f5 { This worksout badly but f6 is not much better. on 25. ..., f6 there is 26. Rh8ch,Kf7 27. Qh5ch ( 27. ..., g6 28. Qh7 mate ) 27. ..., Ke7 28. Rxe8, Rxe8 29. Qxe8, Kxe8 30, Nxd6ch, cxd6 31. Rxe6ch and white is a full rook up. } 26. Rh8+ Kf7 27. Ng5+ { Black resigns. } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.01.30"] [Round "-"] [White "zerg_stew"] [Black "kaspanatola"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2038"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2002"] { eventualy } 1. d4 { This game in few words: - crazy sharp opening, -fast exchanges in the middle game, - slow maneuverability on the endgame. I eventually created a passed and well advanced c pawn, but white hadenough counterplay to prevent me from promoting it, even threatened promotinghis own pawn with check, so I forced a three fold repetition to end ina safe draw (white could only prevent this by playing a weakening move),and sent a draw offer... } 1... d5 { I was expecting Nf3, and was prepared toplay the line 1...h6 2.e4 d6 } 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 { the idea behind thisis that if white captures, I'll exchange queens and try and endgame withqueen side majority, plus those doubled central pawns will certainly impairwhite's bishops somewhat... } 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 { white chooses the mainline, I'll reply with Nc6, the best for black in my opinion, develops apiece and protects d4, eventually I'll play Be6 and if white exchangesI'll try to get d4 supported by playing e5 } 5... Nc6 { now one of two viableoptions, Qb3 or 0-0 } 6. O-O Be6 { offers the exchange as planed, now whiteeither exchanges or tries Bb5... } 7. Nbd2 { !? interesting rare move } 7... Qf6 { prepares the long castle, develops and defends d4, eventually latter I'llneed the prophylactic h6, preventing a future Bg5 } 8. Bb5 Ne7 { and I'veachieve an equal yet dynamic game, with this move I've added several conditionals...as I believe white will play next, Nb3 (the purpose of playing Nbd2) a)9. Nb3 Bg4 10. Nbxd4 O-O-O, I'm hoping for this one, yet I think the othertwo are more likely to be played... b) 9. Nb3 Bg4 10. Qxd4 Bxf3 11. Qxf6gxf6 12. gxf3 O-O-O, with almost completed development and open lines onwhite's king c) 9. Nb3 Bg4 10. Qxd4 Bxf3 11. gxf3 Qxf3 12. Rd1 Qg4+ threateninga draw by repetition } 9. Nb3 Bg4 10. Qxd4 { possible due to the pin on thec6 knight } 10... Bxf3 11. Qxf6 gxf6 12. gxf3 { all expected natural replies untilhere } 12... O-O-O { castled on opposed wings I can attack white's king with moresecurity of my own king } 13. Kh1 { ?! to avoid Rg8? White could have waited,as Kh1 just weakens f2 } 13... a6 { forcing a move back } 14. Be2 h5 { controls g4and allows me to play Bh6 at any point supported by my rook } 15. Bd2 Bh6 { and now I expect Bc3 } 16. Be3 { why Bd2?? if Bc3 was not intended... } 16... f5 { offering another pawn in exchange for white's tripled pawns, that willget him a bit cramped } 17. Rad1 Bxe3 { he refused the kind offer, so I'llexchange bishops to deny white the bishop pair and next I'll bring theknight to the center in a conjugated effort to get some material or positionalbenefict } 18. fxe3 Ne5 19. exf5 { now he decides to exchange pawns } 19... Nxf5 20. Rxd8+ { and rooks } 20... Rxd8 21. e4 { forced or white would lose a pawn } 21... Ne3 { maneuvering to get to c4 with tempo, my knight now can work in tandemto inflict more damage } 22. Re1 N3c4 23. f4 { ?! now I can force the exchangeof white's bishop by one of my knights } 23... Nd3 { now forced is Bxd3 Rxd3, orwhite will lose one pawn } 24. Bxd3 { forced } 24... Rxd3 25. Nc5 { now I see a matethreat as white's knight controls d7, he probably intend to might playRg1 sacrificing a pawn to play next Rg8 mate, can I force the exchangeof rooks with Rf3-Ne3-Rf1+ at any point } 25... Rd4 { preparing b6 } 26. Re2 b6 { setting a trap on white's knight if Nxa6?? he will be isolated and I havea powerful threat of playing Kb7 } 27. Na4 Kd7 { centralizing my king tohelp in the control of white's most dangerous pawns e4 and f4, now I mighttry to exchange rooks and proceed in an knight endgame with a pawn majorityon the distant wing } 28. Nc3 { condition my a pawn advance by the need todefend against Nb5, while defends e4 } 28... Nd6 29. Kg2 f5 { fixating the f4 weakness,before bringing the king to the final position in front of white's passedpawn } 30. e5 { forced } 30... Nc4 { so I was able to fixate white's weak f4 pawnand he is a bit cramped now, I'll try to win more space, but this surelooks drawish, or in a long shot a hard win for black } 31. Kg3 Ke6 { theother option is Rd3+ to win a pawn with Kf2 Nxb2 Rxb2 Rxc3, but I'm notsure about the need for white to play either Kf2 or Rxb2 } 32. Rf2 b5 { Itserve the purpose of denying a4 to white's knight while I start pushingmy pawn majority } 33. Ne2 Rd2 { pinning the knight, and tying the king tothe defense of the rook if white wants to lift the pin he has to keep hisking near the rook } 34. b3 Ne3 { now I threaten to exchange bishops withBf1+ Rxf1 Rxe2 } 35. Ng1 { white is a lot more limited in his action as hehas less space to maneuver } 35... Rd1 { again I choose to bother white's knight } 36. Nf3 c5 { pushing another pawn, the idea is eventually get a passed cpawn, plus adds further control to d4 } 37. Re2 Rd3 { defends the knightand threatens a discovered check } 38. Ng5+ { now the discovered check isnear, after the forced king move white would need to move his king fromthe 3rd rank or to put his knight back at f3 to block the discovered check } 38... Ke7 { dominating the knight now he needs three moves to give another check } 39. Nf3 { Rc3 preparing c4 } 39... Rc3 { preparing c4 } 40. Rf2 c4 { I'll now tryto create a passed c pawn } 41. Kh4 Nd1 42. Rf1 Ne3 43. Rf2 Ng4 { white issturdily defending every square... } 44. Rf1 Rd3 { preventing Rd1 and preparesc3 } 45. Kg5 Ke6 { I disliked having white play Kxf5, but then it might havebeen better to just push the c pawn and forget about my week f pawn anyway } 46. bxc4 { ! with this white opened another column, so he has some counter-play,the game is fast heading to a draw } 46... bxc4 47. Nh4 { the f pawn is again atrisk, only with counterplay on the other wing can I prevent it from beingcaptured } 47... Ne3 48. Rb1 { of course, as was surly intended with bxc4, nowwhite occupies the open column } 48... c3 49. Rb6+ Kd5 { heading to e4 } 50. Rd6+ Ke4 51. Rc6 Kd5 { now I can force the three fold repetition shifting theking between e4 and d5 or have white play a weakening move so I've senta draw offer } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Survive an onslaught...then counter and massacre."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "9th Sept 2006"] [Round "-"] [White "Chessmafia"] [Black "Lecce_Wulf"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2220"] [WhiteElo "2225"] { This game was played on Uchess. C06: French Tarrasch: Botvinnik Variation. } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 { c5 is the more popular line. } 4. e5 { Bd3is also possible. } 4... Nfd7 5. Bd3 { c3, f4 and Ngf3 are the other main lines. } 5... c5 6. c3 b6 { The Botvinnik Variation, as first played by him in Leningrad(1940). His only other notable game in this line was in Moscow (1952).Both games ended in a draw. I'm sure he'd prefer to have given his nameto a better line. 6. ... Nc6 is the preferred continuation. } 7. Ne2 Ba6 8. Bc2 { Bc2 is a relatively new move, first played in 1997, though neverby a GM. Bxa6 is the standard response and probably better. However bothplayers are feeling around in unknown ground and miss better moves. } 8... cxd4 9. cxd4 Nc6 10. Nf3 Nb4 { This takes us completely out of database. Rc8is playable but I preferred Nb4, forcing the bishop to retreat unto thealready crowded back rank. } 11. Bb1 Be7 12. O-O g5 { g5 is a typically aggressiveattempt to complicate the position and avoid a closed position. Rc8 wasonce again the quieter move and, with hindsight, the better one. All thingsconsidered, g5 is too aggressive and needs the opponent to panic to poseany real threat. } 13. h3 { And my opponent duly obliges! h3 merely makesof the h-pawn an attractive target and invites the attack. Better optionsare a3, Be3 or Ne1 with the knight heading for d3. } 13... h5 { In for a penny,in for a pound! } 14. a3 { a3 is a move too late and no longer a valid option.White must now take black's attack seriously and reply with either Nh2or h4. } 14... Nc6 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Rc8 { Rc8 is also too late and no longera strategically valid move. I should have pushed on with my king-side attackand played g4. } 17. b4 { Another chance missed to play h4 or Nh2. } 17... g4 { Betterlate than never.... } 18. Nh2 gxh3 19. Qxh3 b5 { With Black's thrust on theking side reaping no immediate rewards I suddenly find myself desperatelylacking in room to manoeuvre. I now switch to opening up the queen sideto gain some much needed space. } 20. Nf3 h4 { Nb6 is playable. } 21. Be3 { White completes his development but this move was unnecessary. The kingside is open for white and his pieces are amassed there, ready to attack.Nf4 was the move to make. } 21... a5 { With the king side a dead end for my piecesI decided to open things up on the queen side. However Nb6, aiming forNc4, looks better. } 22. bxa5 Qxa5 { Finally a chance to free my queen fromher cage. Even so, Nxa5 aiming for Nc4 was probably better. } 23. Rfc1 { Thankfullymy opponent is distracted by my queen side efforts and begins to worryabout defending rather than attacking. Once again, and not for the lasttime, Nf4 or even Qg4 is better here. } 23... Bxa3 { Pawn-snatchers' night out.Too greedy. Qa6 covering the rook on c8 and allowing Na5-c4 was the moveto make. } 24. Rcb1 { White continues to ignore his attacking possibilitieson the kingside. Once again Nf4! was a better move, threatening the dangerousNxe6! However, there's even worse news for white here as he missed thechance to force a won position: 24.Ng5! Bxc1 25.Rxa5 Bxe3 26.Nxe6! Nxa527.Ng7 Kf8 28.Qxd7 Kxg7 29.Qg4 Kh7 30.fxe3 winning. } 24... Qa6 { Qa6 is onceagain a move too late, missing the simple b4, giving me a more dangerousqueen-side attack. } 25. Bd2 { A completely pointless move, merely invitingthe correct push of the pawn to b4. Ng5 is once again the move to make:25.Ng5 b4 26.Nf4. } 25... b4 26. Nf4 { Finally! Welcome to the party! Is it toolate....? It is now certainly a very interesting game. Whose flanking attackhas more momentum? Let's find out... } 26... Qc4 27. Nxe6 { Too late...? We'llhave to wait and see, as this is still a potentially dangerous attack.Possibly better here however was 27.Rc1! Bxc1 28.Rxc1 Qa2 29.Nxe6 b3 30.Nc5with an advantage. } 27... fxe6 28. Qxe6+ Ne7 29. Ng5 { Bg5 looks better: 29.Bg5Rh7 30.Bxe7 Rxe7 31.Qg6 Kd8 32.Qg8 Kc7 33.Qg5 Rce8 34.Rc1! Bxc1 35.Rxc1with an advantage. } 29... Rf8 { Preventing Qf7 . } 30. Nh7 { Throws it away! Theadvantage is now with black... if I can find the correct moves to survivethe onslaught. The correct continuation was 30.Rxa3! bxa3 31.Bb4 Qxb4 32.Rxb4a2 33.Ra4 Rc1 34.Kh2 a1Q 35.Rxa1 Rxa1 with a slight advantage for white. } 30... Rf7 { Qxd4 or Rc6 were better for pushing home my advantage. } 31. Nf6+ { And so white misses a chance to lay a cunning trap: 31.Ng5! Rf5 32.Qh6and if I reply with the tempting 32. ... Qxd4?? (instead of the correctNf8) 33.Qh5 Kf8 34.Qh8 Ng8 35.Ne6 wins my queen and the game! } 31... Nxf6 32. exf6 Rc6 33. Qe5 { Another poor move. Correct was 33.Qg4 Rfxf6 34.Re1with a chance of survival. Again black had to play correctly as after 33.Qg4Rcxf6? 34.Rxa3 Qc8 35.Qxc8 Nxc8 36.Ra8 hands the initiative back to white! } 33... Rfxf6 { Once again 33. ... Rcxf6? is a mistake: 34.Bxb4! Bxb4 35.Rxb4! Qxb436.Ra8 ! Kd7 37.Ra7 Ke8 38.Ra8 and a draw by repetition. } 34. Be3 { Wellthe lid is on the coffin now and the final nail is not too far away. Re1or Bg5 were the best of many ineffective options here. } 34... Qc2 { Aiming forf5 and an active role on the king side. } 35. Re1 Qf5 { The nails are goingin.... } 36. Qb8+ { Bg5 is better, but still no help. } 36... Kf7 37. Qb7 { Qh8 wasthe only way to prolong the suffering. } 37... Rce6 { Another nail goes in as thepressure on the king intensifies. } 38. Qc7 h3 39. Qh2 { Qg3 was better. } 39... Rxe3 { Rxe3! is by far the best move. } 40. fxe3 { The final nail... it isnow certain mate in 4 moves. 40.Rxe3 Qxf2 41.Kh1 Qxe3 (winning the rook)42.Qxh3 Rh6 (winning the queen) is game over too. } 40... Qf2+ 41. Kh1 hxg2+ 42. Qxg2 Rh6+ { And my opponent abandoned the game in a huff in view of43.Qh3 Rxh3 checkmate. You often find this rude behaviour on the internet.In blitz games they log out, in longer games they let the time run out,rather than resign and acknowledge their opponent with the customary 'welldone' or 'good game', they perform the equivalent of getting up and leavingthe room, obliging their opponent to wait shocked at the board. Let meconclude this game, which I consider one of the best all-round 'real time'games I've been fortunate enough to have played in (and don't forget, Ishould have lost!), by quoting the 2nd World Champion, the great EmanuelLasker: 'When Steinitz lost the last game of the [world championship] matchto me, he stood up and exclaimed: 'Three hurrahs for the new world champion!'These words touched me.' } 0-1
[Event "Frenzy #2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.06.03"] [Round "-"] [White "mikeyhannah"] [Black "chesskingdom64"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1012"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "810"] { A surprising game; only 7 moves and I was not too sure why my opponentresigned in this game. In case this happens to you, you might want to seethis annotation for your future reference to how your openings turn intotragic disaster trains, just waiting for you to climb aboard. } 1. c4 Nf6 { An opening unfamiliar to me: the English Opening 1...Nf6 (Anglo-IndianDefense) (A15). I have a well placed knight at f6, preventing him fromusing 2.e4, unless he does 2.d3 first. } 2. d4 { Question: Why did Whitego there? For my opponent, his next moves should not be pawn moves. 3.Nf3is preferred. } 2... e6 { Developing my bishop and trying to develope my knightby protecting the d5 square. } 3. e3 { Inaccurate. Correct play was 3.Nf3. } 3... Nc6 { It is impossible to attack by pawns. White's only hope is to developehis knights. It is too late for White to develope anything to save hispawn foretress. } 4. d5 { Too late! } 4... exd5 5. cxd5 Ne5 { Knight escape #1.The trade's aftermath rendered White's pawn's almost useless. } 6. f3 { What'swith White's pawns? Couldn't White have developed at least one knight bynow, preferrably his g-knight? This was more of a complete blunder. } 6... Bb4+ 7. Nc3 d6 { Sure enough, after those greedy pawn moves, White looked weakenedand his pieces look like a standstill army that had no experience. Thisis THE consequence for too much pawn movements. White overlooked this evenposition, and...resigned!? feel free to post any suggestions about thisbecause I need to know whether this was even or not and how White couldplay better or how he could have continued this game. } 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-Jun-07"] [Round "-"] [White "br4inz"] [Black "chessknave"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1458"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1375"] 1. e4 { An invitation for a tactical battle is made. White controls f5 andd5. The pawn is not protected. The bishop line is opened for piece development. } 1... c5 { The start of a Sicilian opening. Counter attacking the center usingthe flank pawn. Black controls b4 and d4. The pawn is unprotected. Theidea is to trade flank for center pawn by d2-d4, c5xd4 or influence thecenter if no trade is offered. The queen line is opened. Note an importantfeature of the move c7-c5 is that the knight can be developed behind thepawn. } 2. Nf3 { The king knight is developed which is good preparation for0-0. The knight controls e5 and has a little influence on d4 which offersstrength to the move d2-d4. White has a gain in piece development specificallybecause of developing king side pieces. } 2... Nc6 { Black continues the flankpressure on the center while developing a piece. The knight adds controlto d4 of &#43&#52 points or 2 pieces. This will balance the equation ifd2-d4 and will result in an even material trade, but will result in a positionalgain of flank vs center pawn to the favor of black. There is an imbalanceof piece development vs positional development in this opening by design. } 3. d4 { White chooses the most common reply. The pawn at d4 is covered byboth queen and knight. An exchange of pawns is expected because white exertscontrol over much of the center and black will need to seek balance incentral control by eliminating the d4 pawn. } 3... cxd4 4. c3 { The standard Nf3xd4is the usual move, but here white tries a gambit pawn move with the ideaof gaining even greater piece development. The idea is an interesting diversionto the main lines. The plan is d4xc3, Nb1xc3 !? with development, but aweakening of center control that would have been offered by the c pawn. } 4... dxc3 5. Nxc3 a6 { There are choices of moves available here including e7-e5which helps to develop pieces. But the idea of a7-a6 is to prevent thec3 knight and f1 bishop from obtaining the use of b5, which in turn keepsthe c6 knight and d7 pawn free. This move provides some resistance againstpiece development by white. } 6. Bc4 { White develops a piece in preparationfor 0-0 by Bf1-c4 ?!, but this move carries the risk of losing a tempofrom b7-b5. White may be betting that black will be determined to developpieces before counter attacking. Perhaps white calculates b7-b5, Bc4-d5,e7-d6, Bxc6, dxc6, Qd1xd8, Kxd8 which gives some advantage to white becauseof the black king is in the open and the endgame is not quite in play yet.The position appears about equal positionally, but black has a slight materialgain. The bishop and pawn offer &#43&#52 points control of d5 and alsotargets f7 as a possible future attack point. The bishop is unprotected. } 6... e6 { This move works against the bishop and against any tactical ideas foundby Nf3-g5 with f7 as the target of knight and bishop. This move opens theking bishop line to assist in developing pieces. } 7. Bf4 { White has nofear of a counter attack and continues to develop pieces. The bishop hassome control of e5 and the threatening square g5. White is obtaining agreat deal of influence and control of the center, but this is expectedin this opening in which black shifts to attack later. The bishop is unprotected,the second piece to be so and could pose a potential problem. } 7... f6 { Blackshifts from an expected developing move and counters the control of e5.It is interesting to note that even without gains in piece developmentthat black is in no danger from attack. It is true that black has a reservedposition, but it is not necessarily limited because there are no pawn blockadesin use by white. Black is playing defensively. This pawn move takes controlof g5 and e5 from the f3 knight. Note that white can not develop eitherknight forward to the 5th rank. Petrosian is an influence here. } 8. e5 { White begins an attack in an attempt at breaking up the pawn structure.But is the idea really that good? White is using the last center pawn forthe attack. } 8... b5 { Black begins a counter attack on the previously mentionedweakly placed bishop. } 9. Bd3 { The choice for this move is based on Bc4-b3,Nc6-a5 attacking and gaining the bishop to secure a 2 bishop &#43 knightvs 2 knight &#43 bishop advantage. The move is good because it keeps thebishop centralized. The position may be attacked by Nc6-b4 driving thebishop to a less useful square, but that is a chance to take. } 9... g5 { Blackpersists in the counter attack giving white no quarter. } 10. Bg3 { The choiceof this square can be understood from the perspective of protecting thee5 pawn, but there is danger lurking in this position. } 10... f5 { Black pressesforward. Pawns can be very strong when backed by pieces and place a lotof pressure on nearby opponent pieces. The position seems a little betterfor black. } 11. h3 { A wise choice considering the rolling pawns. } 11... h5 { Apawn storm in this position seems a good choice. Note how the queen atd1 is blocked from assisting by the f3 knight. Black still needs to workout some piece development, but notice how space is becoming more plentifulon the black side of the board, which means more mobility of pieces. } 12. Qd2 { White makes a move that is likely based on the pawn storm. The ideais 0-0-0 to get the king out of the center and away from the storm, whichis a good idea, but the more optimal place for the queen should be c2 dueto the potential for an attack on the black diagonal by Bf8-a6 and alsoh5-h4. Also the queen and bishop have strength together. } 12... Bh6 { Black setsup a tactical shot. } 13. Qc2 { White finds the better square for the queen. } 13... g4 { Still driving forward with the attack. } 14. hxg4 { White sacrificescover to stay the attack. } 14... hxg4 15. Nd2 Bg7 { The idea is simply to attackthe d5 pawn while protecting the h8 rook while attacking the h1 rook. Thepawn can not be taken until the g3 bishop has departed, but the move doesapply pressure at 2 points on the board. } 16. O-O-O { White solves the rookprotection by 0-0-0, but overlooks a problem. } 16... Nd4 { Nd4! which drives thequeen back away from the action. } 17. Qb1 Qc7 { Qc7! Pinning the knightwith the idea of pressing an attack using the b pawn and a8 rook, whileexerting some pressure on the e5 pawn. } 18. Rde1 { White gives the kingan escape from the attack, but Bd3-d2 is better allowing the knight toescape the attack by the b pawn. } 18... b4 { The knight will be captured becauseof the pin. } 19. Nc4 { Too late to block. } 19... bxc3 { Black has a material gainand also some strong positional strengths, but white also has some positionalstrengths which can be found by looking at the g3 bishop, the c4 knight,and the 2 rooks. Black needs to limit the white pieces mobility while whiteneeds to gain mobility and enhance protection of the king. The positionalevaluation is -\&#43 } 20. bxc3 Rb8 { Rb8! Further limiting the scope ofthe white queen. } 21. Qa1 Nb5 { Freeing the knight from the attack whilekeeping a loaded rook ready. } 22. f3 { White tries to achieve any blackmove, f3xg4, g5xg4, Bd3-g6&#43 with a small attack. } 22... gxf3 { Keeping thed3 bishop as bad as possible by not giving up the f5 square. } 23. gxf3 Qc6 { With the tactical idea of f3-f4, Qc6-f3 skewer of both bishops. } 24. Rhf1 { White applies a solution, but drops control of the h file. } 24... Rh3 { Rh3!building pressure. Black can not cover both the pawn and the bishop. } 25. Rg1 { White protects the more valuable piece. } 25... Qxf3 { Black gains some material,but more importantly gains even more positional pressure. Both bishopsare threatened and indirectly the knight. } 26. Qb2 { White enacts a planthat involves keeping the g3 bishop, but losing the d3 bishop. } 26... Qxd3 { Thereare 2 threats, Rh3xg3 and Qd3xc4 the better choice because it is free. } 27. Nd6+ { This move was forseen, and a choice had to be made of left orright. d8 seemed to offer the best results. } 27... Kd8 28. Bf4 { Bf4! This wasa good move which I did not really look at, likely because I was planningsome elaborate mate. The bishop at g7 and the knight are both in a directline of attack from the rook. The move also prevents the queen from usingthe e3 square in the event of moving the rook from e1. } 28... Nd4 { Nd4! Offersthe bait of a nice rook at b8, for which in return black can apply a mateat c2. I did not really think the rook would be taken, but this move wasfun. There are only a few squares for the white queen to use safely. } 29. Qg2 { White overlooks a second resource for obtaining a mate. } 29... Rb1# { Win0-1. This was a very entertaining game with lots of turns and twists. Therewere many problems presented on the board which required some creativesolutions. A good learning experience to see how the dynamics of openingchoices unfold, and where positional and material gains are made. I believethat good piece placement makes a difference, but also applying a planthat works against the opponent plan goes a long way. I want to thank myopponent for a great game! } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.10.13"] [Round "-"] [White "vavavi"] [Black "eliseo"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1295"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1347"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone. Here's a rather quick game where i found a winningcombination through a knight sacrifice. Its not the best game but I'm quiteproud of it. here i casually just start with e4. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 f6 4. d5 Nb4 { Here black starts to go wrong allowing me to chase the knighta couple of times with tempo. } 5. a3 Na6 6. Be2 Nc5 7. Nc3 Nh6 8. Nxe5 { Here i started to see the combination. } 8... fxe5 9. Bxh6 { Doubling the pawnson h-file was essential to the outcome of the game. } 9... gxh6 10. d6 { Hereblack shouldn't have taken the pawn on d6 because if 10.cxd6......11.bh5-ke2followed by 12.kd5-ke6.....13.qg4 mate. } 10... Bxd6 { Black decided to take withbishop, makes no difference. } 11. Bh5+ { Here its too late. } 11... Kf8 12. Qf3+ { And here black resigns because if 12.ke7....13.qf7 mate. or if 12.kg8.....13.qf7mate or 12.kg7...qf7 mate. So here's third actual game I've played hereso comments and advice on what i could have done better are welcome:) Thanksfor checking the annotations out. } 1-0
[Event "Scand, 'my', no sac, won for a slight margin"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "30-Nov-08"] [Round "-"] [White "bravura"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1661"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1658"] 1. e4 { A strong attack for black, but... I don't know what to do! } 1... d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe5+ 4. Be2 c6 5. d4 Qa5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. O-O Bf5 8. Bd2 Qc7 9. Ne5 e6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Re1 Nbd7 12. Bd3 Bg6 { All this is 'typical', for me. This is a weak defence forblack, but it comes that I won several games with it. Now, white is playingreally good... } 13. Qf3 { ...and I became nervous. } 13... Bxd3 14. Qxd3 { Now,what I want is to castle queenside, and spent some time analyzing it. o-o-o, Kxf7, BxB, KxRd1, Bxa2 , Kh1 (looking to grab my bishop after g3),Kg4! (threatening Kxf2), but after Qe2 or Qf3, what? His knight can escapetaking e6, making my position very weak (and trheatening my queen). IfQe2, Kd8-f6? Qe6 , for instance. If after o-o-o, Kxf7, BxB, KxRd8, Bxh2, Kh1, Rf8 (instead that RxK), Kxe6, Kg4, KxQ, Kxf2 , KxBh2, KxQ, c2xKd3,KxKc7, I am a rook under! If after o-o-o, Kxf7, BxB, KxRd8, Bxh2 , Kh1,RxKd8, g3, Kg4, and white can easily defend f2 with the queen, the rookand the c3 knight, so... I will eventually lose my bishop. For instance:Rf1 (but not Qe2, because of Bxg3, and if f2xBg3, Qxg3 and I have a playablegame with a quality less but two free pawns and the white king very exposed.Anyway, if Qe2, Bxg3, QxKg4, Bxf7, Rxe6, and it looks no good at all forblack), Rf8, Qe2 or Ke4 and the black attack vanishes, even after Rf6,QxKg4, Rh6, Qxg7... nothing to do. So I had to wait. } 14... Nh5 15. Bg3 Nxg3 16. Qxg3 O-O { Yeah, this is what I sweared I wouldn't do in this scheme.The idea is to castle queenside, hold the attack against my king and beready for a countergame, mainly on the black diagonal aiming to a2. But,with this move, I found no compensation with o-o-o, Qxg2, KxKe5, d4xe5,and the bishop has to retire to c5 or b4, then he has one precious timeto defend Rd8-g8, Qmoves, Rg6, Qmoves, Rh8-g8, and my main attack line,the black diagonal, is closed. } 17. f4 { Now I saw dark clouds approaching... } 17... Nf6 { It is more importan to block the white knignt's advance, and of courseI wouldn' give him two chained pawns in the center. } 18. Rad1 { Come continuare?cosa si avvicina? } 18... a6 { Ok, the natural one, Ra-d8, just holds. But I wantedto advance my c pawn so to free my pieces, and I had to prevent Kb5 afterc5. } 19. Rd3 { Aiming to double the attack over my king. } 19... c5 { A resourcein the later stages of 'my' Scandinavian. } 20. dxc5 Bxc5+ { I realized laterI should have taken it with the queen, since my threat over the diagonalis based on the bishop. } 21. Kh1 Rad8 { Just looking for a piece exchangein order to slow down the pressure. } 22. Rf3 { Of course, I was naive. } 22... Bd4 { Now, my 'good' bishop is doing something. } 23. Qg5 { Oh, very funny.But... } 23... h6 24. Qh4 { I was really frightened, here. I had to wait, resourceless,and wait to see what attack line he would chose. } 24... Kh7 25. g4 { Ah, THISone. Ok, but it gives some chances to me, also! } 25... Bxe5 26. Rxe5 { The onlyone. If f4xe5, Qc6, and after defending the rook (that would be blocked),my knight can escape, and I have some threats (R1-e3 ((or R1-f1), Kd5!,Rd3, Kf5! Re3!, Kg6 and I can hold on, among others). } 26... Qc6 { Of course. } 27. Re3 Nd5 { Now, it looks much better... what will happen? } 28. Nxd5 Rxd5 29. Rc3 Rc5 30. Kg1 Rxc3 31. Rxc3 Qb6+ 32. Kg2 Qxb2 33. Qh3 Qxa2 34. g5 Qd5+ 35. Rf3 Rc8 36. gxh6 Rxc2+ 37. Kg3 gxh6 0-1
[Event "Another workplace game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "'S'"] [Black "'D'"] [Result "0-1"] { This game was played under rushed conditions, as it had to be completedin 15 minutes. Still, White makes a number of elementary mistakes. I tookdown the moves [again]. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Bb6 5. d4 { Book play through here, standard Giuoco Piano. } 5... Qe7 { A variant. } 6. d5 { Not good. It closes the diagonal of the White KB and opens the diagonalof Black's. } 6... Nd8 { Pretty much forced. } 7. Be2 { 7 O-O is much better. TheB was fine where it was and White needed to think about finding shelterfor the K. } 7... d6 { Opening a line for the QB. } 8. h3 { Losing more time. Again8 O-O was the right move. } 8... f5 { Looking to exploit White's nerveless playby opening the game up. } 9. Bg5 { A wasted move, as Black has... } 9... Nf6 { ...thisnatural developing move in response. } 10. Nbd2 { Guarding the KP. } 10... O-O { Noticethat Black immediately castles as soon as he gets the opportunity. Nowhe can go on the attack safely. } 11. Nh4 { Missing his last chance to castkle. } 11... fxe4 { Initiating a powerful attack. } 12. Nxe4 { The natural recapture. But... } 12... Nxe4 { White can lose quickly or slowly. If he does not take the Q he isbehind 2 pieces [after 13... QxB or ...QxN]. If he does... } 13. Bxe7 { ...likeso... } 13... Bxf2+ { ...he is mated at once. } 14. Kf1 { Forced. } 14... Ng3# { And a wonderfulfinish! } 0-1
[Event "Pi Day Group C"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.05.21"] [Round "-"] [White "atom842"] [Black "reubencpiplupyay"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1267"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1314"] { (The ratings shown are those from the start of the game) Hello, this isa game I finished around two weeks ago with atom842. Feel free to giveconstructive feedback. } 1. Nf3 { The Reti Opening. My first thoughts were'Well, it looks like I'll be learning how to play against this opening'.I have only played this opening once, a long time ago. } 1... d5 2. c4 { The usualfollow-up for the Reti. } 2... dxc4 { I capture. Is the Reti a kind of temporarygambit? } 3. Nc3 { Why is e4 rarely played at this point? It develops a centralpawn and lets the LSB attack the pawn on c4. } 3... Nc6 { I try to catch up indevelopment, as well as contest e5 so my e-pawn can move there. } 4. e4 { White grabs some of the centre. } 4... e5 5. Bxc4 { We are now equal in materialagain, with white having a positional edge. } 5... Bc5 { Developing my DSB. } 6. O-O { Castling and removing his king from possible danger later on. } 6... Nf6 { White is still ahead in development, but the pawns on d2 and b2 are goingto hinder the development of his DSB slightly. } 7. a3 { I don't really knowwhy this was played. I guess to prevent Bb4, but I wouldn't threaten hisknight with my bishop while it's defended. } 7... O-O { I castle. Our levels ofpiece development are now equal. } 8. d3 { White clears up space for hisDSB. } 8... Bg4 { I pin White's knight, completing my minor piece development.The White Queen is also somewhat restricted in that I get to open up White'skingside if the queen quits the defence of the knight. } 9. h3 { Kickingthe LSB. } 9... Bh5 10. Bg5 { Pinning the knight. } 10... h6 11. Bxf6 { He takes the knight,allowing me to develop my queen. } 11... Qxf6 { Adding pressure to the knight onf3. } 12. Nd5 { Threatening my queen. } 12... Qd8 { Moving back to my original square. } 13. Qb3 { ?! This may be threatening the pawn on b7, but it allows me tomess up White's kingside with Bxf3. } 13... Bxf3 14. gxf3 { Now I can begin topressure White's kingside. } 14... Qg5+ { Check, while developing my queen again. } 15. Kh2 { Hmm... Would Kh1 have been better? } 15... Nd4 { Forking the queen andpawn on f3 while getting my knight closer to the action. } 16. Qd1 { Defendingthe pawn on f3. } 16... Qd2 { ! A decoy/temporary sacrifice, which wins a pawnat worst. } 17. Qxd2 { As you can see, I am behind in material by a queen.I'll regain it pretty quickly, though. } 17... Nxf3+ { Taking a pawn with check.White is forced to give up his queen advantage. } 18. Kg3 Nxd2 { Taking thequeen while threatening the rook. } 19. Rfd1 { Best, because 19. Nxc7 Nxf1+20. Rxf1 Rac8. } 19... Nxc4 { Exchanging while ahead. } 20. dxc4 { The anticipatedcapture. } 20... c6 { Threatening the knight. } 21. Nc7 { ?? This allows me to trapthe knight with Rac8. } 21... Rac8 22. Rd7 { Protecting the knight. I initiallyoverlooked this, but then realised that White is trading while behind. } 22... Rfd8 { Offering a trade. } 23. Rxd8+ { White didn't really have much choice:he loses the inight anyway. } 23... Rxd8 { The knight is no longer threatened,but it is still trapped. } 24. b4 { Threatening my DSB. } 24... Bd4 { Threateningthe rook. } 25. b5 { ?? White overlooked the threat on his rook. } 25... Bxa1 26. f4 { Offering another trade, which I will gladly accept, especially as itcomes with check. } 26... exf4+ 27. Kxf4 Rc8 { Faced once again with the loss ofhis knight and with a large material disadvantage, White resigns here.Good game atom842. } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from hewhomateswins"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "31-Oct-07"] [Round "-"] [White "lauracj"] [Black "hewhomateswins"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1592"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1403"] { This is the first game I have ever tried to annotate } 1. e4 { This is agame I played when I was new to Gameknot, it has a few interesting tacticsin it and I think it is a good example of how to win a game when in a strongposition. } 1... e6 { The French, my favorite opening for black. } 2. e5 d5 { 2...c5might have been a stronger move but I wanted to head towards the Frenchadvance because I know it well. } 3. d4 c5 4. c3 { All of these moves sofar are fairly normal. } 4... Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. Nf3 { A mistake, leaving his wsbunprotected allows me play a simple combination to nick a center pawn aswe will see. } 6... Nxe5 { If PxN then BxB. } 7. Bxd7+ Nxd7 { Now a central pawnup and equally developed, I plan to control the center of the board atsome point soon. } 8. Qa4 Qb6 9. Ne5 { Whites speculative attack here istoo premature and is just wasting valuable moves. } 9... Nf6 10. O-O Bd6 11. dxc5 { A bad idea, after taking the pawn with the bishop, white now hasno central pawns at all now and it will be hard to exert any influencein the game. } 11... Bxc5 12. Nd3 Bd6 13. Be3 Qc7 { Forcing the first weaknessto whites king position. } 14. g3 O-O 15. a3 Ne4 { I consider this knightto be in a strong outpost because although white can drive it off by playingf2-f3, that would further weaken her kings position to a drastically badone. } 16. Bf4 e5 17. Be3 { I now have total control of the center of theboard, an attack is now imminent. } 17... Rfe8 18. Bxa7 { ?? That pawn was so poisonedthat I never thought that my opponent would ever think of capturing it.The bishop is now pinned to the queen and will be taken. } 18... b6 { Naturally. } 19. Qb3 { White at least is taking a central pawn for the bishop. not muchcompensation, but better than nothing. } 19... Rxa7 { ?In retrospect 19...N(e)f6would have been stronger as it would have allowed me to hold onto my d-pawnand still win the bishop. } 20. Qxd5 Ndf6 21. Qb5 Ra5 22. Qb3 { Whilst furtherdeveloping my pieces, I have driven the white queen out of the way, andaway from my planned attack of whites king. } 22... Ng5 { This move has openedup the game for me, firstly it allows Nf3 , and it also frees the e-pawnto advance which will open the diagonal for my bishop and queen. } 23. f3 { Not good at all, white needed to protect f3, but could have done it muchbetter by Nd2 or Ne1, whites kings defense is just opening up like a tincan. } 23... e4 24. fxe4 Rxe4 { Now both rooks are free and active, white is introuble. } 25. Nd2 Nh3+ 26. Kh1 Qc6 { ! The killer move. } 27. Nf3 { 27 NxR?would have led to checkmate with...QxN , 28 Rf3, QxR Mate. } 27... Re3 28. Qd1 Rf5 29. Nb4 { ?29 Nd-e1 would have been better as it protects f3. } 29... Bxb4 30. axb4 { Whites idea now seems to counterattack at my back rank, but itis well defended. } 30... Rexf3 { of course. } 31. Qd8+ { completely pointless asit achieves nothing at all, white is clutching at straws. } 31... Ne8 32. Kg2 Rxf1+ 33. Kxh3 Rh5+ { Both of whites possible responses here lead straightto checkmate-if 34 Kg4, then Qg6 ,35 Qg5 (forced), Q Q mate. } 34. Qh4 { Forced. } 34... Rxh4+ 35. gxh4 Qf3# { I was quite pleased with my play in this game becauseit was tricky finding the moves but I was never in trouble myself, andI think that the way I kept increasing the pressure on whites king showeda high level of skill as well as patience, however I am in no doubt thatmy opponent was playing well below par when you consider their rating. } 0-1
[Event "Careless Win"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.04.03"] [Round "-"] [White "NN"] [Black "dmaestro"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1471"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1535"] { A wild game with lots of mistakes. } 1. e4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. O-O c6 7. d4 Nbd7 8. Qe2 b5 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Bb3 a5 11. a3 Ba6 12. Rd1 Qc7 13. Qe1 Nc5 14. Bg5 b4 15. axb4 axb4 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Na4 Nxb3 18. cxb3 { Despite appearances, the doubled paws are fullycompensated for by the weakness of the backward c pawn on the open file. } 18... Be7 19. Qe3 Bb5 20. Nc5 Rxa1 21. Rxa1 Qb6 { Looking for tactical possibilitiesif the N retreats. } 22. Rc1 f6 23. Nh4 Ra8 { This appears to be going afterpawns but the real threat is a back rank mate. } 24. Nf5 { ?? } 24... Bxc5 25. Rxc5 { ? Loses the exchange rather than a piece. } 25... Qxc5 { Of course, if theQueen is taken, ...Ra8 is mate. } 26. Qe1 Qc2 27. h3 Qxb2 28. Qe3 Ra1+ 29. Kh2 { It seems Black has a simple win, but White has not given up yet. } 29... Rd1 30. Qg3 Rd7 31. Qg4 c5 32. Ne3 Qxf2 33. Nd5 Bc6 { ...Bc6??. When sofar ahead, do not get careless! } 34. Qe6+ Kf8 35. Qxc6 { Black is stillahad but has numerous threats. Black decides that the Queen and pawn endingis winnable and since the centralized N is a threat.... } 35... Rxd5 { This leadsto a winnable Queen and pawn ending (if Black is careful). } 36. Qxd5 Qd4 37. Qa8+ Kf7 38. Qb7+ Kg6 39. h4 Qd1 40. Qe7 Qg4 41. Qxc5 Qxh4+ 42. Kg1 Qxe4 { Black has gained ground. } 43. Qb5 Qb1+ 44. Kh2 Qxb3 45. Qe8+ Kh6 { This is White's only good plan, an attempt to trap the king. } 46. g4 { Whitethreatens mate! } 46... Qc2+ 47. Kg3 Qd3+ 48. Kh4 { If the K retreats, Black wins.So White threatens mate. } 48... g5# { But so did Black! Morale, do not let bigadvantages lull you into carelessness! } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.21"] [Round "-"] [White "methanol"] [Black "armenianboy"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1207"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1112"] { this match i used on of my best strategies } 1. e4 { 1st move } 1... c5 { my 1stmove: i do always do that when im black } 2. Bc4 { and if someone does thati always do } 2... Nc6 { ...this because i already know he will do Qf3 so theni will do Ke5 } 3. c3 { this time he did not } 3... Nf6 { backup } 4. f3 { he blockshis path with his knight g1 } 4... d5 { at attack bishop } 5. d3 { and he defendsit.... which means he loses his bishop } 5... dxc4 { and thats not funny for himXD but he could do better moves than that } 6. d4 { and he goes further withhis pawn... } 6... cxd4 { i take it } 7. Qd2 { and he goes 1 move further abovewith his queen } 7... dxc3 { i take the pawn } 8. Qxc3 { he takes the pawn withhis queen } 8... e5 9. Qxc4 { he takes another pawn } 9... Qa5+ { CHECK } 10. Bd2 { hedefends + attacks } 10... Be6 { i attack the queen } 11. Qd3 { he goes away } 11... Rd8 { i att again } 12. Qe3 { he goes away again } 12... Bb4 { i attack the bishop } 13. Nc3 { he defends with knight } 13... Bxc3 { i take it } 14. Bxc3 { he take that } 14... Nb4 { i defend with my knight } 15. a3 { he atacks with pawn } 15... Nc2+ { and now idid a very good move : CHECK, attacks rook and attacks queen } 16. Kf2 { hegoes away with the king to f2: the best because he can take my knight ifi take his queen } 16... Nxe3 { i took } 17. Kxe3 { he takes it } 17... Qb6+ { CHECK } 18. Ke2 { goes away } 18... Bc4+ { CHECK } 19. Ke1 { goes away } 19... Qe3+ { Now this is justso a good move..... he can only do Kg1-e2 and then its Chekcmate } 20. Ne2 { he does it } 20... Qxe2# { CHECKMATE } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess10"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Jul-05"] [Round "-"] [White "punkusmartyrus"] [Black "teluguman48"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1667"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1486"] 1. e4 { e4 is my favorite opening in hopes of the Italian game where manyfun traps await. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { And it seems to be a favoriteof blacks too. } 4. d3 Nf6 5. h3 O-O 6. Nc3 d6 { Giuoco Pianissimo, Canalvariation } 7. O-O Na5 8. Be3 { White is unconcerned about the doubling onthe c file since it would still add support to the center, but offers thechance to double the e file and open the f file for later use as well!An unsound choice at best, that proves unfavorable for white later on. } 8... Bxe3 9. fxe3 Nxc4 10. dxc4 Be6 11. b3 c6 12. Qd3 Qc7 13. Nd2 { preparingto double the rooks on the f file for a kingside attack. } 13... Rad8 14. Rf3 a6 15. a4 Qa5 16. Raf1 Nd7 17. Nd1 Nc5 18. Qe2 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. cxb5 cxb5 21. c4 { White gets distracted from the original plan of kingside attack. } 21... Qa2 22. R3f2 Nxb3 23. cxb5 Nc1 24. Qh5 { Returning to the plan at hand } 24... Nd3 { White's feeling the pressure of the queenside attack consuming thecenter and is getting desperate with no real way to open up the kingsideunderfire. } 25. Rf3 { 25.Rf3! 'If I win, it was a sacrifice. If I lose,then it was a mistake.' %u2013 George Koltanowski } 25... Qxd2 26. Rg3 { aimmingfor a way to open the kingside up } 26... Nc5 { Black doesn't see the threat.. } 27. Rxg7+ { ...of opening up the base to invasion... } 27... Kxg7 28. Qg5+ { ...ofthe perpetual check! } 28... Kh8 29. Qf6+ Kg8 30. Qg5+ Kh8 31. Qf6+ Kg8 32. Qg5+ Kh8 { A last minute save for white's weak doubled pawn opening. 1/2-1/2 (black has gone on to 1900 , congratz to black:) } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Not my Finest Hour"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.03.21"] [Round "-"] [White "blake84120"] [Black "stosgood"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1671"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1771"] 1. e4 { Team Match, not my finest hour, so there's no great insight here;just a lesson in what not to do. I'm playing white and open with the OpenGame. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 { Black hit me up with the Philidor, an openingthat wasn't very well appreciated in my tournament days in the 80s, butseems to have renewed vigor here two decades later. White responds withthe main line. } 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 { Main Line. } 4... Bd7 5. Nc3 { I haven't seen 4.... Bd7 yet. Doesn't seem threatening, so white just plays along with themain line and pretends black did too. } 5... Nc6 6. Bb5 { Not really sure whywhite played this, other than that it may have been in the DB. It invitessome early exchanges but it doesn't seem to be overly advantageous. } 6... Nxd4 7. Qxd4 Nf6 8. Bxd7+ Qxd7 9. Bg5 { Pinning the black knight to... nothing. } 9... Be7 10. O-O-O { Naturally. } 10... O-O 11. e5 { The black pawn on d6 is pinned soit's time to charge in and make a nuissance of myself. } 11... Ne8 12. Bxe7 { Lookslike there could be a pawn to be won here, though black can squirm out,I believe. } 12... Qxe7 13. exd6 Nxd6 14. Nd5 { 13. ... Nxd6 seems natural, butit loses a pawn. Better was 13. ... Qxd6 which seems to hold on to evenmaterial at the cost of isolating a black pawn on the d-file. } 14... Qd7 15. Nxc7 { It's hardly worth calling it a sacrifice since white will regainthe material immediately. } 15... Qxc7 16. Qxd6 Qc4 17. Qd5 { Black avoids exchangingqueens, but white is eager to eliminate material now. This move has theadded advantage of defending the white pawn on a2 that was en prise andit forks the black queen and the black pawn on b7. } 17... Qf4+ 18. Kb1 Qxf2 19. Qxb7 { A little fork of black's own keeps material even. } 19... Rac8 20. Qe4 Rb8 21. Qd4 { Forks the black queen and the pawn on a7. I thought surely thiswould force the issue, trade queens, since black wouldn't want to loseanother pawn. } 21... Qf5 22. Qxa7 { Two pawns up, heading into the end game. Surelya won position. } 22... Rfc8 23. Qa4 { Black threatened a mate in 2. } 23... Qe6 24. Rhe1 { Sights on e8, though not quite enough firepower on that square to makeit work yet. } 24... Qb6 25. Qd4 { Defending mate in 1. I'm beginning to wonderif I can win this position. Black has multiple powerful attacks down thehalf-open files at white's king, and white has no similar attacking avenuesbecause of the very two pawns by which he ahead in material. } 25... Qa5 26. Re3 { Black threatens the white rook on e1. It's defended, but I've been knownto move the wrong rook in other games... My goal here is to get my rooksin front of my king and block the attacks on the half-open files, maybetrade some rooks while I'm at it, and maybe even triple my attack downthe d-file hoping for a back-rank mate. } 26... Qc7 27. Rc3 { And there's my blunder.27. Rc3?? just throws away the rook for nothing. My thinking? I glancedat the position, I knew I wanted to use my rooks on the third rank to blockblack's files, and the rook is guarded by two pieces. Even better, afterblack moves his queen, white would play Rxc8 and exchange one pair of rooks.I moved too fast, completely overlooking the fact that the pawn on b2 ispinned. The position just seemed so safe, I didn't give it the attentionit deserved. I hardly gave it any attention at all. } 27... Qxc3 28. Qxc3 Rxc3 29. Kc1 { And that's it, from ahead by two pawns to down by a rook. I wonderif there's still a win, or a draw, here, banking on three adjacent pawns,supported by a rook and king. Can white promote? Can white threaten topromote strongly enough that black must give up a rook to prevent it? Iplayed out numerous continuations from here, but I didn't find a way toforce that to happen. Not much to see from this point on... } 29... Rcc8 30. a4 Rc4 31. b3 Rc3 32. b4 { Trying to be sneaky. I'm dead anyway, might as wellbait the trap. If black plays 32. ... Rxb4??? then white wins with 33.Rd8#. I know, it's too obvious, but hey, so was 27. Rc3?? and I still blewit. One can always hope for a little tit for tat. } 32... Rc4 33. Rd3 Rcxb4 34. c3 Rxa4 35. Rg3 { Now I'm mostly just stalling. Frankly, I had a nice winningstreak going and had several other games about to reach favorable conclusions(including my other match game against this opponent), thereby extendingthe streak. So I'm dragging my feet a bit. Hey, if black wants a quickwin, he should force a quick win. Too petty? Well, until black breaks uphis pawns, or at least plays Kf8, I'm still hoping he might slip up. Andat least I had the courtesy to tell him directly over the e-board in thegame comments. } 35... Ra2 36. c4 Rc8 37. Kb1 Ra4 38. c5 Rxc5 39. Rb3 { One lasttry. Could happen... Though 39. Rd3 might have been better, but I feltit was also more obvious. } 39... Rac4 40. Rd3 { OK, he got me. I try one moretime, but black's next move seals white's doom forever more. After 40.... g6, I have extended my winning streak enough, and exhausted all hopeof pulling off a sneaky last-minute back-rank mate in this game, so I resign. } 40... g6 0-1
[Event "Training with tanp"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-May-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jackdooley"] [Black "tanp"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1973"] [TimeControl "6 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1499"] 1. e4 { This is a training game and my annotation is an attempt to helpwhite improve his play. Comments are very welcome and feedback by PM isespecially appreciated. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 { Standard Ruy Lopez. } 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. c3 { This is not a bad move, but out of sequence. Anyone whoplays Ruy Lopez regularly will spot this and have a proper look at theposition now. Your e4 is vulnerable and black can consider some other positionaloptions. I expected you to play 0-0 first as that discourages Nxe4 andprepares for Re1. } 5... Nxe4 { Since this game is not about my play, I'll takea chance on this move. By that I mean - I think I can defend it (the position,not the extra pawn) and will reach a position of equality at least. I normallywould play d6 or other developing move, but you obviously want to divertfrom normal Ruy Lopez ! Sharp play from here, I hope I don't get cut. } 6. Qe2 { As white I would have looked at lines that open possibilities forB & N development, but this is ok } 6... Nc5 { I must give back the pawn, so I'mthinking about the position after some exchanges, and where I'll be withdevelopment } 7. Nxe5 Qe7 { I thought you would play BxN first } 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. d4 f6 10. dxc5 Qxe5 11. Qxe5+ fxe5 12. Be3 { All these moves areok if predictable } 12... Be7 13. O-O Bf5 { Now I'm ok. I have paired Bs, can castleeither side, and the isolated pawn is not too much worry for now, yourwhite squares are weak and you can't play N to c3 ! This looks like equalityor slightly better to me. } 14. Nd2 O-O-O { Takes control of the open file } 15. b4 { You know I bang on about moving Ps, so that is why I would havetried to get Rs active first, also c3 is a target now. I'll try to manouvermy Bs to exploit c3 and the weakness of your white squares. } 15... Bf6 16. f3 { You really need to play Nf3 here. Yet again - pushing a pawn instead ofpositioning a piece. f3 invites Rd3 and you will have to defend B & N &c3. I now have the initiative, probably will win c3, and will get all myforces bearing down on you within a few moves. I control more space andmy isolated e5 is an assett rather than a worry. } 16... Rd3 17. Rfe1 Rxc3 18. Ne4 Bxe4 { I liked the B pair but your N could get active and this givesyou an isolated e4 - so I'll have another P target } 19. fxe4 Rd8 20. a3 Rdd3 { Now I have two heavies in your face, with minor threats, they cutyour reply options. Even if you defend your pawns I'll get control oversignificant squares on your home ground, eventually something will giveif I chip away. } 21. Bc1 Rc2 22. Kf1 { You should look at Be3 here } 22... a5 { Timeto break up your pawn chain } 23. Re2 { I knew something would give but didnot expect an obvious mistake like this. You must have seen my reply Rd1 and you must play Re1, so after RxR KxR I have Rxg2 and more to come. } 23... Rd1+ 24. Re1 Rxe1+ 25. Kxe1 Rxg2 { Two pawns down with no compensation.From here, your back rank is messy, h3 is under threat, pxp leaves threeisolated pawns, even e4 is vulnerable. I will probably settle for grabbingthe h pawn, swapping off the Rs, and heading into a won end-game } 26. Bd2 { The lesson is when you make a mistake (move 23. Re2) give extra timeand attention to the position. I think you know your position here hasprobably gone past a salvage point, and as a result you are not givingproper attention. } 26... Rg1+
[Event "SD(B20) 2.c5 win in 27"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Dec-06"] [Round "-"] [White "puti"] [Black "hamis"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1490"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] 1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 { Sicilian Defence, Bowlder Attack } 2... e6 { To prevent the whiteb from hitting f7 } 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 { In order to prevent the whiteB from checking after moving the d pawn to d5(which is the next move infact.) } 5. a4 { preventing ...b5 and then ...Bb7 thus controlling thelong white diagonal(also another reason why 4...a6 was played) } 5... d5 6. exd5 exd5 7. Qe2+ { a mistake? Could anyone pls. comment? } 7... Be7 8. Ba2 Nc6 { playedwith the aim of restricting white(see 11...cxd4) } 9. h3 O-O { putting thek to safety } 10. O-O { same conclusion } 10... Nd4 11. Nxd4 { 11. Qd1 is a bettermove although white would still be constricted } 11... cxd4 { the start of whites'constriction(see 8...Nc6) } 12. Nd1 Re8 { thus controlling the e file. } 13. d3 { with the aim of releasing the b from c1 } 13... Bd6 14. Qf3 Qc7 15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16. Qxd5 Rd8 { A quaint little trap is sprung on white. } 17. Qb3 { anothermistake?(the q is out of place in the q-side) this prevents black fromgoing thru with his quaint little trap. } 17... Re8 18. c4 { Maybe white is hopingthat black would attack this pawn en passant. } 18... Re2 { the start of blackrook domination of the e file } 19. f4 { white is desperate to put on a semblanceof defense for his k } 19... Bd7 { In order to control the long white diagonal } 20. Rf2 Re1+ { The beginning of whites' rapid deterioration. } 21. Kh2 Rae8 { thus controlling the e file } 22. g3 { white is in virtual zugzwang positiondue to the black pawn on d4. the white knight has nowhere to go. } 22... Bc6 23. g4 Rh1+ 24. Kg3 Ree1 { thus controlling the back rank, too } 25. Bd2 Reg1+ 26. Kh4 g5+ 27. fxg5 { if 27. Kxg5 be7ch and white is still in big trouble. } 27... Bg3+ { the reason for 14...Qc7!!!? White resigned. } 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.22"] [Round "-"] [White "mrmarmalade"] [Black "midway"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1367"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1513"] 1. e4 { I open with a brilliant Pawn to e5... strategically ingenius. } 1... e5 { Opponent responds with the same. } 2. Bc4 { I fire out the bishop to f4,threatening nothing. } 2... Nf6 { A critical mistake as opponent responds withKnight to f6. } 3. f3 { I deal a crushing blow by placing pawn to f3. } 3... d5 { Noticing trouble, opponent moves pawn to d5. } 4. exd5 { I capture pawn,threatening mate... Opponent times out game. } 1-0
[Event "Mini-Tournament Mentor Group I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "8 Mar 2013"] [Round "-"] [White "theanalogkid"] [Black "ionadowman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2088"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1596"] { This game is from the 'Walking the Walk; learning to Run Club', a Mini-Tournamentarranged for Mentor Group 'I'. A Sicilian Defence early takes a diversionfrom 'normal' lines, whereat White tries a bishop sacrifice at f7. Henever quite gets enough attack, though, despite threats to win materialor to checkmate. Such threats Black is able to contain without much trouble. Finally, his few remaining resources over committed to attack, White isunable to stop Black's final counterattack. } 1. e4 c5 { Sicilian Defence:very popular. } 2. Nf3 d6 { This is called the 'Kopec' Variation of the Sicilian. I very rarely play anything else on move two in this line, but 2...Nc6is quite popular and playable, whilst 2...e6 I occasionally employ, and2...Nf6 and 2...g7 are playable lines. } 3. Nc3 { Unusual at this point. White keeps his options open whether to play and Open or Closed Sicilian. The most popular 'Open' line is usually heralded by 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4Nf6 5.Nc3. But Black declines to play 3...Nf6 with the possibility oftransposing, on account of 4.e5 - an annoying advance. } 3... g6 { Opting forsomething Dragon-like. The GK engine doesn't like this move, preferring3...Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 and transposing onto normal 'open' lines. But Whitecould as well play 4.Bb5ch. The move played is a little provocative, butin my opinion playable enough. } 4. Bc4 { Actually, not bad! White figuresthat Black might be reluctant to play 4...e6, and in fact I was. Thatpawn advance is OK enough, but I prefer to hold it back for now. At that4...e5 would also have been playable for Black, here. } 4... Bg7 { Calmly continuingas planned. Would White take on f7 right now? I didn't think it likely... } 5. Bxf7+ { (?) I guess the thing had to be tested, but after this Whitenever quite gets enough attack. I was half-expecting 5.Ng5 when I mightwell have played 5...e6. This Bishop sac disrupts Black's King position,but the advantages that accrues aren't enough to square against the lossof the Bishop. Very occasionally this kind of thing works. Not this time. } 5... Kxf7 { 'Show me.' When examining moves by an opponent to involve him inthe loss of material, always take into account he might be on to somethinggood. But to suppose is not to assume. If you can't find that your opponentcan recoup his material, make him 'show you'. If he can't, then you havethe material advantage. Here Black really has no choice but to take. } 6. Ng5+ { I'm guessing White wanted to get in this check, and hence beefup the pressure on f7, whilst the getting was good. First off, it makesway for the Queen to get into the game, and allows Black no time to keephim out by ...h6. } 6... Ke8 { Chosen to keep the f8-square open for the rook. } 7. Nd5 { I'm guessing that White wanted to have something to play againstthe Black knight that would soon be landing on f6... } 7... Nf6 8. Qf3 { Blackis quite strongly entrenched against White's cavalry attack. Strong enough,in fact, that Black feels he can drive White back. } 8... h6 9. Nh3 Nxd5 { Nowthe pressure on f7 has eased off, Black exchanges off White's most activepiece. } 10. exd5 Rf8 { Now he 'develops' a rook along the half-open f-file. True, g6 is a tender point, but that can be plastered over... } 11. Qg3 Bf5 { Protecting g6, with a secondary objective: the pawn at c2. } 12. O-O Nd7 { Preferring to develop an inactive piece than grab an irrelevant pawn. It seemed more important to protect g6 than capture at c2. } 13. Nf4 { Strikingat g6 once more. } 13... Be5 { Indirect defence: pinning the Knight. Incidentally,Black his built up an imposing centre with pieces and pawns. A piece behind,White will find it hard to develop enough resources to penetrate. Allthe same, he does get quite close to the Black King eventually... } 14. d4 { A pawn sac, possibly hoping to deflect Black's dark-square bishop (DSB). But Black doesn't mind doubled pawns in a good cause. Probably 14.d3was better. } 14... cxd4 15. Qh4 { Striking at h6. Now, Black didn't mind thisand had already worked out a kind of trap based upon the possibility thatWhite might go for it. } 15... Nc5 { According to plan. But I looked pretty longat 14..Nf6 as well... } 16. Re1 { Just as well. 16.Qxh6 would have lostthe Queen: 16...Rh8 17.Qg5 Ne4 and the attacked Queen has no escape. } 16... Qb6 { Eyeing f2 and b2 both, but also with the view of bring the King tosafety betimes. } 17. Qxh6 { (?) This move was still not safe, but at leastWhite will not lose his Queen... } 17... Rh8 18. Qg5 Ne4 { The Queen is trapped! } 19. Rxe4 { Forced. It did wonder whether in fact White went for this withhis eyes open to the loss of the exchange, in order to batter his way tothe Black King. If so, it was, considering the situation, fairly successful. } 19... Bxe4 20. Nxg6 { Threatening the rook at h8, and a checkmate at e7. } 20... Bxh2+ { Weakening White's K-side, whilst I have the chance.. } 21. Kf1 { The onlymove, of course. If instead 21.Kh1, then 21...Bf4ch 22.Nxh8 Bxg5 winsthe Queen. } 21... Bxg6 { Safest and surest in my view. The GK engine prefers21...Rh7, combining attack and defence. } 22. Qxg6+ Kd8 { Else 22...Kd7 23.Qe6 with check. } 23. Qe6 Rc8 { Mobilizing Black's last unemployed piece. } 24. Bg5 { Another mate threat! But White's attacks are being forcedinto a narrow focus, with few options. Hence, Black is able to containthem thoroughly enough. } 24... Rxc2 { Combining attack and defence. The rookattacks along the 2nd rank, at the same time vacating a square for theKing. So localised is White's attack, Black can now ignore it. But seehow Black has mobilised all his pieces and is attacking all across theboard. White's 2-piece fighting corps is unable to broaden its attack,and lacks time to call up the last reserve, the rook at a1. Already arook behind anyway, Black is in effect playing two rooks down. } 25. Bxe7+ Kc7 26. Qf6 { This attack on the rook leaves a vital square undefended... } 26... Qa6+ { It's mate in one: 1.Ke1 Qe2#. } 0-1
[Event "League division D2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.08.12"] [Round "-"] [White "haratta"] [Black "hirohurl"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1623"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1557"] 1. d4 { I started with d4. } 1... d5 2. c4 { Queens Gambit. One of my common openings. } 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Bb4 { It ́s pretty even! } 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. Bxc3 Nc6 8. e3 a6 9. Bd3 Bg4 10. Be2 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 O-O { I have heard thata player must castle within seven moves. Now at move 11 my opponent castles! } 12. O-O { But I ́m even later to castle! } 12... b5 13. Re1 { Centralizing the Rook! } 13... b4 14. Bd2 a5 15. b3 Ne4 16. Bxe4 dxe4 { Think this exchange was a littlebit favorable for me. } 17. Qc2 { Pressure against e4- pawn and Nc6. } 17... Qd5 18. Rec1 { Increasing the pressure along the c-file. } 18... Ra6 19. Qc4 Qxc4 { Blackis swapping quenns. } 20. Rxc4 { Takes with the Rook of course! Keeping upthe pressure along the c-file is necessary! } 20... Rc8 21. Rac1 { Doubling theRooks! Increasing the pressure at the c-file. } 21... Ne7 22. Rxc7 { A free pawn. } 22... Rxc7 23. Rxc7 Kf8 24. Kf1 Ra8 25. Ke2 { Centralizing the King is a goodstrategy in the endgame! } 25... Nd5 26. Rd7 Nf6 27. Rc7 Nd5 28. Rd7 Nf6 29. Rc7 Nd5 30. Rc5 Ne7 31. Re5 f5 32. f3 { Nearly the only move that makes sensein this position. } 32... exf3+ 33. gxf3 g6 34. e4 Kf7 35. d5 { Going with my freepawn. } 35... Rd8 36. Rxe7+ { A tactic! } 36... Kxe7 37. Bg5+ { Wins back the Rook! } 37... Kd7 38. Bxd8 Kxd8 39. e5 { Now have I get the advantage with two connected,passed pawns! } 39... Ke7 40. Ke3 g5 41. Kd4 h5 42. Ke3 { Can ́t go away to farwith my King. Must guard the Black King side pawn majority. } 42... h4 43. h3 Kd7 44. f4 g4 45. hxg4 { My plan was ...fxg4 and White has three connected,passed pawns against Blacks two. White have then the possibility to blockBlacks two passed pawns with his King! } 45... h3 { ??? Strange move??? } 46. Kf2 fxg4 47. Kg3 { Now have White blocked Blacks two passed, connected pawns.They can ́t do any more damage! } 47... Ke7 48. f5 { Whites three connected, passedpawns is far stronger! As I see it two connected, passed pawns can prettyeasily be blocked, if the King is in the neighbourhood and no other threatsis possible, but three connected, passed pawns is probably one too muchfor the opponent to grasp! } 48... Kf7 49. d6 Ke8 { The future is looking bad forBlack! } 50. e6 Kd8 { He can ́t do anything more productive than go back andforth with his King! } 51. f6 { Black gave up! } 1-0
[Event "Alekhine's defense Training Game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.05.20"] [Round "-"] [White "evilgm"] [Black "marvgiff"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1467"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1900"] 1. e4 { This game is a training match with one of my teammates in the Kingslayers. We appreciate your contributions to this annotation so we can all learntogether. } 1... Nf6 { Alekhine's defense. Not a personal favorite (I reallylike Petrov), but very playable. I like it when I get to practice in traininggames too. } 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 { Although a common play is 4. c4instead, I prefer to get my knight into the mix first, even though it promptsthe inevitable Bg4 response from Black. } 4... Bg4 5. Be2 { We are all book playso far with no surprises on either side. } 5... Bxf3 { A surprise! I was expectingBlack to play e6 instead. This move is a mistake for Black. Althoughit is uncommon to see a mistake this early, it is worth exploring why. The threat of violence is often more potent than the actual violence itself. } 6. Bxf3 { I have no other choice worth considering, but now Black is ina bit of a hole because his knight is being threatened and I essentiallygot a free strong position for my LSB. Knights vs bishops is a debatethat many have, but a long diagonal for a bishop is never a good thingto let your opponent have. } 6... dxe5 { An interesting choice. I was expectingc6, which is a much stronger move. c6 protects the knight and gives anegress for the queen to threaten Qa5+. This move, while giving the appearanceof being strong, actually exposes Black to some serious jeopardy earlyon. } 7. c4 { And here we are. Notice that Black's rook is in danger andwill almost certainly be traded for a bishop. With proper play Black willonly go down a pawn, but positionally, White is in great shape. } 7... Nf4 { Lookingto cash in on Nxg2+ perhaps? Black's knight's defense fe5 is tenuous. I think Nb6 is a better play - stronger defense on the knight and allowscapture of c4. } 8. Bxb7 { No other course worth discussing for White } 8... c6 { A blunder... better to play Nd7 by far. Perhaps hoping to equalize withNxg2+? } 9. Bxf4 { Removing the threat of the knight check and that rookisn't going anywhere... } 9... exf4 10. Bxa8 e6 { Hoping to salvage a castle andsoldier on. Although being down a rook sucks, everyone makes mistakesand you can still get back in a game. } 11. O-O Be7 12. Qa4 { Although White'sdevelopment is not yet complete, with the king safely castled, it's timeto get that bishop out of there and back into play. This move seeks tocreate a path to extract the LSB. } 12... O-O 13. Bxc6 Nxc6 { When you are downpoints, it is better to trade pawns and not pieces. Black would have beenbetter served to let this one go and instead take the pawn trade with Qxd4. } 14. Qxc6 Qxd4 15. Nc3 { We end up in a similar spot, but instead Black hasone less piece to work with, making Black's job easier. White will nowseek to get rid of the doubled f-pawn and hope to trade queens. } 15... f3 { Seemspremature as e5 would have protected it allowing for some pawn march madness. } 16. Rad1 { tactical tempo gain. } 16... Qe5 { I was expecting the queen to protectthe pawn instead... This move also potentially allows for a second tempomove later with Rf1e1 as a queen check. } 17. Qxf3 h5 { This move doesn'tseem to accomplish much, it would have been better to push the f pawn ortry to get the rook into the game. } 18. Rfe1 Qg5 { I thought Qc5 gave moreoptions... } 19. Ne4 { Getting my pieces to work for me } 19... Qf5 { Qa5 would havebeen stronger, now Black is allowing a queen trade with little effort requiredfor White. Remember, when you are down points, trade pawns, not pieces,as you need them to have a chance to get back into the game. } 20. Qxf5 exf5 21. Nd6 { Offering a trade on knight for bishop or losing another pawn. } 21... Bxd6 22. Rxd6 Rb8 { A blunder that I missed taking full advantage of. AlthoughBlack has very few options at this point, Rc8 would have been better. } 23. b3 { Better play is c5. Two rooks versus one makes promotion or tradepawn for rook trivial. I set the table a little late, but eventually gotthere... I was focused on possibly getting my two rooks into a horizontalbattery to eat the f7 pawn. } 23... g5 24. Re7 Kf8 25. Rxa7 Re8 26. Kf1 Kg7 27. c5 { And a wise choice to resign as the end is near. Overall, a few mistakesfor Black early led to restricted choices down the line. Remember to tradepawns, not pieces, when you are down. It's hard to make a comeback withoutpower. } 1-0
[Event "Team play: Effect of competitive situation on style of play"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "21.10.2007."] [Round "-"] [White "White player"] [Black "marinvukusic"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2136"] [TimeControl "1,5h + 30 sec/move"] [WhiteElo "2142"] { This annotation is meant to show the effect of competitive situation onmy approach to the games in team play. * Competitive situation wasas follows: in (penultimate) round 8 of the 2nd league Centar championshipwe were hosts to the only remaining rival for the 1st place (the only positionthat leads to the upper rank of competition). We held the top of the tablewith the same number of points, but they had slightly better tiebreak criteria(which changes every round, depending on other results). The team thatwins this match would have a huge advantage before last round. * Usually in team play draw is a good result, but in this kind of match itis even more so. Losses are bad, because they 'count for double' so tospeak. This does not mean that aggressive play is bad, but no extreme risksshould be taken (speculative sacrifices etc.). * My preparation forgames involves analysing possible opponents' games from the database and: 1. trying to find weaknesses in their repertoire 2. trying to find weaknessesin their play 3. trying to figure out their way of thinking and approachto the game * I had prepared for 2 opponents: - Against the firstI played only 1 game as White, had a winning position but couldn't convertit so the game was a draw. He plays several different opening systems soit was pretty hard to prepare for him. - Against the second (the one Iplayed in this game) I played 2 games with Black, scoring 1,5 points. Healways played the same move and pretty much the same systems, so I didn'tspend too much time preparing for him. *** Final note: This game hasan interesting ending, so if you are not interested in positional aspectsof the middlegame you can skip to somewhere around move 35-40. } 1. e4 { ! This was a huge surprise for me, because my opponent played exclusively1.d4 in all the games I could find. Now I pretty much knew that this wasprepared for me, while my own preparations were completely futile. It isworth noting that my opponent was a 2200 ELO player 7 years ago, but hisrating gradually slipped due to lack of competitive playing (it is hardto defend the rating if you are not playing regularly). I know him as astrong positional player, but also pretty good tactically - certainly arespectable opponent. } 1... c5 { I wasn't too worried though - I have beenplaying the Sicilian for 11 years so I have grown quite familiar with itand I have a solid repertoire for most of White systems. Besides, I knowwhich of my games are available in databases, so I know how to avoid previoustricky positions :) } 2. Nc3 e6 3. f4 { This is the beginning of Grand PrixAttack, my favourite variation. I am scoring very heavily against thissystem due to the fact that it is usually employed against me by weakerplayers, who play 'schematically' and tend to make small tactical mistakesin the middlegame. } 3... a6 { Recently I started playing this move insteadof my previous favourite 3...d5, because it stops early exchanges via Bb5.This is probably what my opponent had primarily prepared for (judging fromthe developments in the opening). } 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 { !? This is an interestingmove - White switches to open Sicilian lines. Usually people play d3, g3,Bg2, 0-0 etc. with standard GPA play. } 5... cxd4 6. Nxd4 d6 { This move definesBlack's opening intentions - I am proposing mainline classical Scheveningen.I used to play a lot of these, but not recently - it seems that it hasgone out of fashion, most likely due to Kasparov's efforts. White can stillcastle long, but this is slightly more risky and I felt that this is notlikely considering my opponent's style of play and the way he opened thegame (it is a long way mentally from closed 2.Nc3 systems to castling longin the open Sicilian). } 7. Be3 Bd7 { I wanted to avoid closing of thec file in case of 8.Nc6, bc6. Black kingside is lagging in developmentbut White can't exploit this immediately. } 8. Be2 { This move finally definesthe opening - classical Scheveningen it is. I usually play 8.Qf3 with 9.0-0-0in similar positions, which is more aggressive but also more risky. } 8... Nf6 { Black has to hurry with kingside development, because in a few moves Whitewill be ready to start active operations. The main question is - where? } 9. O-O Be7 10. Bf3 { In this position White has a lot of different moves/plans,I will just mention the typical ones: 1) 10.a4 stops Black's counterplaybased on b5 for a long time, and allows for play in the centre and possiblyon the kingside. 2) 10.Nb3, b5; 11.a3 avoids exchange on d4 while retainingcontrol over the centre 3) 10.Qe1 is probably the strongest, preparingthe transfer to g3 and creating some threats on the kingside 4) 10.Kh1is a useful waiting move, postponing the decision regarding the placementof other pieces 5) 10.Bf3, which usually indicates White's intention tofocus on the queenside, but can also support kingside pawn storm } 10... Qc7 { Since White did not threaten the kingside yet, I decided to delay castlingfor 1-2 moves and first overprotect e5, c6 and b7. } 11. Qd2 { !? This wasa surprise - usually the Queen doesn't define its place so soon (I expectedit to go to d3 later). I expected 11.a4 or 11.Nb3 first. } 11... O-O { In anycase, castling needs to be done eventually, so this is as good a momentas any. Black position is rock solid and very flexible, the small centerready to advance as needed. } 12. g4 { ?! Another surprise, but this timeI considered it slightly dubious. White is not nearly prepared to overrunBlack kingside, and this move opens his King greatly. His central clusterof pieces prevents any mating counterattack right now, but how permanentis this remains to be seen. I would recommend 12.Kh1, which is always auseful move in Scheveningen. } 12... Nxd4 { ! Following the old rule - on wingaction react in the centre. This move also (if necessary) allows Bd7 tomove to c6 and allow Nf6 to retreat on d7 after White pushes g5. --- Inmy experience, generally for Black the best moment to counterstrike isright after White commits his pawn structure to the kingside attack. } 13. Qxd4 { Better than 13.Bd4, due to having more options after the following13...e5. } 13... e5 { ! Forcing favourable simplifications, while simultaneouslypicking on g4 pawn. } 14. Qd1 { Practically best. White does not have manygood options here: A) 14.fe5!?, de5; 15.Qb6, Qb6; 16.Bb6, Bg4; 17. Bg4,Ng4; 18.Nd5, Bd8 and B) 14.Qb6, Qb6; 15.Bb6, ef4 and C) 14.Qd2, ef4; 15.Bf4,Bg4; 16. Bg4, Ng4 leave Black with a clear extra pawn, but white can fightfor a draw, while D) 14.Nd5??, ed4; 15.Nc7, de3; 16.Na8, Ra8 loses outright. } 14... exf4 15. Bxf4 Bc6 { ?! Here I decided against objectively best 15...Qb6;16.Kg2, Qb2; 17.Bd2 because now Black has to either give up the b7 pawnor allow 18.g5. The reason is that I liked the (objectively equal) positionafter 15...Bc6 - it is very safe and still gives plenty of opportunityfor long-term advantage, due to the safer King and slightly better pawnstructure (less weaknesses). This decision is a direct result of the competitivesituation (explained in introduction). } 16. Kh1 { A defensive move - Whitemakes sure that any future Qb6 will not be with check. Moves like 16.Qd2!?(16...Qb6?!; 17.Be3, Qb2??; 17.a3!) and 16.g5 were also good options here. } 16... Nd7 { The transfer of Nf6 to e5 is one of main strategic points in Scheveningen,for the following reasons: 1. centralized Knight will have a lot of influenceover the board 2. in case White exchanges it, Black will repair his pawnstructure 'for free' while still leaving White with e4 isolani (in thatcase after Nd5 Black might choose to leave the Knight there for a while)3. Be7 will get slightly more scope, and in case of exchange on e5 a lotmore. } 17. Nd5 { This is objectively a good move, but I don't really likeit :I I would recommend 17.g5 first (then 18.Nd5), to stop Black from playingBf6-Be5 (which improves Be7). } 17... Bxd5 18. exd5 { White chooses to improvehis pawn structure (of course g4 is still a liability), but 18.Qd5!? isalso very interesting. It keeps the d file open to allow for pressure ond6 pawn (and therefore stops Bf6), taking opportunity from the fact that18...Qc2?!; 19.Qb7 favours White. Of course, after 18...Rac8 Black is perfectlyfine. } 18... Bf6 { Now I was very happy with the way things were going - thismove greatly improves the Bishop and ensures permanent domination overe5. I was hoping that White would allow the exchange of Bishops, leavingme with extremely strong Ne5 dominating the board. Unfortunately, thereis no way to force this. } 19. c3 Qb6 { Essentially, this is just a waitingmove. I was sure that moving the queenside pawns is a bad idea (White hasthe majority here so that can only help him create passers), but couldn'tdecide where to place the Rooks (Rac8, Rae8 or Rfe8). Playing 19...Ne5would allow 20.g5, while 19...Be5 is a good move which can be played atany time. The game is balanced for now so I wanted to provoke White todo something. Due to the competitive situation it was his 'obligation'to try to win, I was generally OK with a draw but not inclined to allowa simple one. } 20. Qc2 { The best move - protects b2 while looking at h7.If White played 20.Qb3 I would return to c7 and then decide on future play. } 20... Be5 { Again postponing the decision regarding placement of Rooks. I knewWhite will not allow the exchange but this move has to be played eventually. } 21. Be4 { 21.Bd2!? is an interesting move, basically doing nothing andleaving Black to decide what to do (which is exactly what I was doing atthat time). I know it probably sounds horrible to some people, but thisis the way chess needs to be played sometimes :) } 21... g6 { It seems that 21...h6is actually playable, but I like 21...g6. It does leave some holes on blacksquares, but White can't exploit that and if Bishops get exchanged theKnight on e5 will be very strong both defensively and offensively. } 22. Bh6 { 22.Bg5 and 22.Bd2 are also quite possible, but in any case the situationdoesn't change much - and 22.Bh6 is more active and therefore poses moreproblems (=opportunities to make a wrong decision) for Black. Time remaining:34 minutes } 22... Bg7 { ! Still trying to exchange the Bishops (22...Rfe8 isalso good, but I didn't want to define the rooks yet). Time remaining:36 minutes } 23. Bg5 { ! Still keeping the tension. The game is equal after23.Bg7, Kg7 but I really liked Black's position in that case - centralizedKnight that can be taken out only with exchange sacrifice is a beautifulthing to have. If White wanted a draw 23.Bf4 is a good choice (but I wouldprobably avoid the repetition with a Rook move). } 23... Rae8 { I did what I couldwith light pieces (the Bishop is greatly improved compared to a few movesago), now it was time to activate the Rooks. } 24. Rae1 Ne5 { 24...Nc5 isalso possible, but I wanted to provoke pushing of h pawn to further loosenup White's kingside. If White later played Bf6 or Bf4, I would probablyretreat the Knight back to d7 or maybe even allow the B-K exchange withthe idea that in positions with opposite coloured Bishops the side withthe initiative (or in this case safer King) has the advantage. } 25. Qg2 { ! Calmly reinforcing the kingside. There is no need to move the h pawnyet. } 25... Qc7 { I gave up on 25...Qa5; 26.Bb1, Qa4 because White can play severaluseful moves while my Queen actually does nothing on a4 and can be pushedback with tempi if needed. Instead I decided to try to put some pressureon g4 with Qd7 and maybe later f5. Time remaining: 28 minutes } 26. h3 { White finally decided to reinforce the g4 pawn. This is certainly nota bad idea, but now Black (if needed) can probably even allow B-K exchange,which would leave him with a dominant Be5 looking at the weaknesses onblack squares. Time remaining: 19 minutes } 26... Nd7 { ! A very good practicalmove, baiting White to try something active while keeping all options open(the Knight can go from d7 to either c5 or e5). Time remaining: 22 minutes(This is also a factor in the game - Black has a very solid position ANDbetter time on the clock.) } 27. h4 { This is exactly what I was waitingfor. I must honestly say that this move is objectively not bad at all,but it seems to me that in a practical game both players need to play reallyprecisely from now on - and I still think that Black's position is moresolid. } 27... Ne5 { The Knight is returning to assume his ideal position, resumingpressure against g4 while reinforcing g6 and f7. One of my students (acadet) was watching the game and later asked me why I was 'wasting tempi'here (which I always preach against). I explained that he failed to appreciatethe significant positional change in pawn structure after 27.h4. } 28. h5 Qd7 { Increasing the pressure against g4 as originally planned with 25...Qc7. } 29. h6 { ! The best move, cramping Black slightly. On the other hand,now White needs to keep an eye on that pawn and be especially careful ifthe game starts to simplify into an ending. Other options need to be addressedhere: A) 29.Bf3, Nf3; 30.Qf3, Re1; 31.Re1, f5 and B) 29.Rg1, Qg4! and C)29.hg6, fg6 are all too passive and give Black slight advantage. Time remaining:12 minutes } 29... Bh8 { Time remaining: 19 minutes } 30. Bf3 { ?! Neither of usnoticed very interesting possibility 30.Bf5! (radically stopping f5), whichleads to equality after 30...gf5; 31.gf5, Ng6; 32.fg6, fg6; 33.Re8, Re8;34.Qf3. I was looking only at inferior options 30.Bf3?! and 30.Rg1?!, Qg4;31.Qg4, Ng4; 32.Rg4,f5 } 30... f5 { ?! Imprecise. The best move order is 30...Nf3!;31.Qf3, f5; 32.Re8, Qe8 which is slightly better for Black. } 31. gxf5 Rxf5 32. Be4 Rxf1+ 33. Rxf1 { Time remaining: 10 minutes } 33... Rf8 { !? Not necessarilythe best move (solid options are 33...Ng4, 33...Qg4 and 33...b5), but seemsprincipled - Black wants to exchange heavy pieces and win the h6 pawn.If White refuses to exchange then Black has won the f file for himself.Time remaining: 13 minutes } 34. Rxf8+ Kxf8 35. Qf2+ { ?! This check lookstempting but it helps Black's plans. Improving the King with 35.Kg1 lookslike a good option here. Time remaining: 8 minutes } 35... Qf7 { The same situationas 2 moves before - if White refuses the exchange then Black has won thef file for himself. Time remaining: 14 minutes } 36. Kg2 { ?! I think Whiteshould just move the Queen to g2 or e2 (avoiding the exchange but not relinquishingthe file). White's strong pair of Bishops needs to be supported by theQueen to be fully effective. On the other hand, if White wants to allowthe exchange then this is certainly the best way to do it - gaining tempito improve the King. } 36... Qxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Nf7 { Now it is obvious that the h6pawn is doomed - but I had no idea if this ending can actually be won.Bishop pair is usually extremely problematic in such positions - Blackhas 3 pawn islands and the board is wide open. } 38. Be3 Bf6 39. a4 { SinceBlack will soon have 2 passers on the kingside, the logical plan is toadvance the queenside majority and try to create some counterplay. } 39... Bg5 40. c4 { ?! This, however, is a somewhat questionable decision. I was verymuch relieved to be given the opportunity to get rid of the Bishop pair- of course my Knight is inferior to the remaining Bishop but this positionis now definitely unwinable for White. Time remaining: 6 minutes } 40... Bxe3+ 41. Kxe3 Nxh6 { ? Definitely a big mistake. Since black-squared Bishop isgone now I should have played 41...a5! followed with 42...b6 to createa blockade on black squares, and only then pick up the h6 pawn. } 42. b4 { ?! More precise is actually 42.a5!, to definitely fix the positions ofBlack pawns. } 42... Ke7 { ?! Another mistake, missing the last opportunity toplay 42...b6. I was (unnecessarily) worried that this could maybe evenlose, since the a6 pawn could be threatened by Bd3 and c5. So I decidedto hastily bring the King over to defend the queenside pawns, which weredue to 41...Nh6? left stranded on white squares. } 43. c5 { ! After thisWhite has excellent chances to save the game, if not for time trouble.Time remaining: 7 minutes } 43... Kd7 { ! Getting in range of the c7 square, therebyagain gaining the 'Black can't lose the game' status. Time remaining: 4minutes } 44. a5 { Securing the black squares, fixing a6 and b7 pawns onwhite squares and opening the f1-a6 diagonal for the Bishop - not bad for1 move. That said, 44.Kf4 is a bit more precise here, since: A) 44...a5?doesn't work due to 45.c6, Kc7; 46.ba5 and B) 44...Nf5?; 45.Bf5, gf5; 46.a5!(46.Kf5??, a5! wins for Black) leaves White ahead, so black has to playC) 44...Nf7; 45.c6, Kc7; 46.cb7, Kb7; 47.a5 - which is completely equal. } 44... Nf7 { In this position I was feverishly calculating 44...Nf7, 44...Ng8!?and 44...Ng4!? and evenutually picked the move that looked the safest.This can transpose to the position I mentioned on previous move (variationC). Time remaining: 2 minutes } 45. c6+ { One of the players from the otherteam remarked after the game that after a neutral move 45.Kd4 or 45.Kf4it is hard to see how exactly Black will win this. I must agree - kingsidepassers are not moving any time soon. But 45.c6 is also a good move, certainlynot losing the game. Time remaining: 6 minutes } 45... Kc7 { ?! I didn't like45...bc6; 46.dc6, Kc7; 47.b5, ab5; 48.a6 - I couldn't be sure that I amnot missing something there due to time trouble. Actually 48...Ne5; 49.a7,Nc4; 50.Kd4, Nb6 and the pawns are stopped. How to actually win this after51.Kd3! is a different matter entirely. Time remaining: 2 minutes } 46. Bd3 { ?! I was only looking at immediate 46.cb7, after which the game ismost likely a draw - the King has to look after the a6 weakling and theKnight can't advance the passers alone. } 46... Ne5 { Luckily (it would only increasethe stress), I had no idea at the time that we were in fact losing thematch 3:2 at this moment, and this game would eventually decide the winnerof the league competition. Time remaining: 1 minute } 47. b5 { ? I don'tknow why White didn't play 47.cb7 - maybe he didn't notice that 47...Nd3(47...Kb7 is also very drawish as mentioned before); 48.b8Q, Kb8; 49.Kd3is a dead draw - Black can never move his King to the kingside due to theb5 threat. --- Amazingly, this move does not actually lose the game yet,although it drops the second pawn! } 47... axb5 48. Bxb5 { Time remaining: 4minutes } 48... bxc6 { Time remaining: 2 minutes } 49. dxc6 Nxc6 50. a6 Na7 { !!I decided here to play the rest of the ending like it is King and 3 pawnsvs. King and Bishop (like Na7 and pawn on a6 do not exist). The reasonis that I sensed (did not calculate) that losing time on the a6 pawn wouldallow White to endanger the kingside passers and draw the game. One possiblevariation (found in analysis) is 50...Kb6; 51.Be2, Nb4; 52.Ke4, Na6; 53.Kd5and Black pieces are cut off on the edge of the board and therefore can'thelp the pawns. This move does not win yet, but now White has to play preciselyto hold the position. } 51. Bc4 Kc6 52. Kf4 { ! White knows that he hasto take out the kingside passers with the King (Bishop can't do this).The problem is that after he takes the h pawn he has to be able to simultaneuoslystop the d and g pawns from advancing, and for this the Bishop has to controlboth d and g file. Time remaining: 5 minutes } 52... Kc5 { My teammate GM Nikolac(who scored fantastic 8/9 on the 1st board and was the best board in theleague) immediately after the game proposed slightly more precise 52...d5!?,to keep the Bishop away from the kingside. It does not change the evaluationand analysis shows that both moves are pretty much the same strength, butis interesting to observe how a GM (reduce opponent's options first) hasdifferent instincts than a MK (activate the King first). Time remaining:2 minutes } 53. Bd3 { ?! Unnecessary loss of time (allows 53...Kd4), althoughstill not fatal. After either A) 53.Bg8, h6; 54.Bh7, g5; 55.Kg4, d5; 56.Kh5,Kd4; 57.Bf5! (holds the g pawn), Ke5; 58.Kg4!, d4; 59.Bd3= or B) 53.Bf1,h6; 54.Bd3, g5; 55.Kf5!, d5; 56.Be2!= White has saved the game } 53... Kd4 54. Bb1 d5 { Finally, we have arrived to the last critical position. The areseveral interesting elements to notice: 1. the Bishop can't immediatelyassist the King in winning the kingside pawns, because it does not controlthe crucial g file 2. kingside passers can't move because the Bishop hasthem both pinned at the moment 3. if the Bishop remains on b1 then allBlack can do is try to advance the d pawn a bit further 4. (not obviousat the first glance) if the Bishop attacks the d5 with 55.Ba2!, the kingsidepassers can move - but to their detriment! } 55. Kg5 { ?? Horrible mistake,which loses the game on the spot. The only explanation is that due to stressand time trouble White simply did not correctly and fully assess the position.I knew that this was a bad move when I saw it played (since I had a planhow to proceed), but also had no idea at the time which was the correctplan for White. Now after careful analysis I have found 2 different drawingcontinuations: A) 55.Ba2!, Kc5 (55...Nc6; 56.Kg5, Ke4; 57.Bb3!=;; 55...h6;56.Bb3, Nc6; 57.Bd1!=); 56. Bb3!, d4; 57.Kg5, d3; 58.Kh6, Kd4; 59.Kh7,g5; 60.Bd1= and B) 55.Kf3!?, Kc3 (55...Kc4; 56.Kf4=;; 55...Ke5; 56.Kg4=);56.Ke3, d4; 57.Ke2= } 55... Ke3 { ! Now it is all over. } 56. Ba2 d4 57. Bg8 { Thisis a further waste of time, but nothing helps anyway. } 57... d3 58. Kh6 d2 59. Bb3 Ke2 60. Kxh7 g5 { White resigned. --- I hope you enjoyed the game.What can I say at the end? This was a tense and hard-fought game betweenevenly matched opponents, which was ultimately decided not by superiorskill, but by time trouble and nerves. Nevertheless, it does carry certainlearning points: 1. In important team matches, a draw is often a good result(especially for Black) while a loss can be catastrophic - this can greatlyinfluence the amount of risk that players are willing to take 2. Openingpreparation is important, but it can be dodged by the opponent so solidbackup plan is needed 3. I always strived to have a solid position, whichwas easier to play and allowed me to be calm for the most part of the game(which was a big factor in the endgame) 4. Bishops have huge advantageover Knights in endgames where there are pawns (especially passers) onboth wings 5. Activity of Kings is the key to the endgame --- Thank youfor looking over this game, I can answer any questions on private. Regards,Marin Vukusic } 0-1
[Event "Blitz Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "kapila"] [Black "slovenijatajnam"] [Result "0-1"] [TimeControl "5 min. + 10 sec."] 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 O-O 5. Nbd2 d5 6. Be2 Nc6 7. c5 Qe8 8. O-O e5 9. Ng5 { I do not know why Knight got moved ! Just wasting ! } 9... h6 10. Ngf3 e4 11. Nh4 g5 12. Ng6 { Only Knight was moved and finally gottrapped. } 12... fxg6 { Now Black side is purely a knight up ! } 13. f3 Bf5 14. f4 gxf4 15. Rxf4 { Here, Rook went to snatch a pawn. I guess not worth ! } 15... Qe6 16. Nf1 g5 17. Rf2 Bg4 18. Ng3 Bxe2 19. Qxe2 { Here, better use theRook ant cut the Bishop ! } 19... Ng4 20. Rxf8+ { Cutting the opposition Rook isapparently an advantage but remember that a Knight is missing! } 20... Rxf8 21. Bd2 Rf2 { Black side is attacking because of the advantages of the piecesas well as the position. } 22. Qe1 Qf7 { Attack is getting stronger. } 23. Rd1 b6 { Still, Black side is worrying about the defenses of the King, closingthe path of the Bishop.. } 24. Bc1 h5 25. Qc3 h4 { Further attacking theKing side. } 26. Nh1 Rxg2+ { Here, sacking the Rook to get rid of a pawn.The defenses of the White king is fading away... } 27. Kxg2 { Nothing todo but getting the Rook. } 27... Qf3+ 28. Kg1 Qxd1+ { Sack is working ! } 29. Qe1 Qxe1+ 30. Kg2 Qxc1 { Poor white King ! Left only one small square. } 31. Kh3 Nce5 { Black side is tightening everything and try to capture WhiteKing. } 32. Nf2 { A mistake. If 32. Ng3 ... , then Black side has more work. } 32... Qf1# { Black side done the task ! Poor Kapila lost this time... } 0-1
[Event "the greedy queen"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.04.19"] [Round "-"] [White "nieukerke"] [Black "water123"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1851"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1683"] { hello! this game is about greed! } 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Nf3 { !? not sure...c3 goes to the smith morra gambit! } 3... d6 4. Bc4 e6 { ! better than e5? herefutes by c3! } 5. O-O Nf6 { attacking e4 } 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. Rd1 Be7 8. c3 dxc3 9. Nxc3 { im up a pawn! } 9... Bd7 { ! so if he goes e5 i can take freely! } 10. e5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Qxe5 Qb8 { wanting to get in an endgame } 13. Qg5 Bc6 { if qxg7?? then rg8! with a big attack } 14. Bf4 Qc8 15. Bb5 a6 16. Bxc6+ Qxc6 17. Rac1 h6 18. Qxg7 { ??? resigns!! why: after rg8! the queenmoves i go qxg2 mate he has to give up his queen!! please leave a commentor two and rank it on the star system thank you!! } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2019.08.01"] [Round "-"] [White "zoola"] [Black "gamegold10"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1105"] 1. e4 { First game back after a small break from the siteunder a new username } 1... e5 { Normal opening } 2. Bc4 { Bishop } 2... d6 { I am black } 3. Qf3 { Queen } 3... f6 { Pawn } 4. Nc3 { Kight } 4... Nh6 { Kight must be rusty } 5. d3 { Pawn } 5... Be7 { Bishop } 6. h4 { Pawn } 6... Kf8 { King } 7. a4 { Pawn } 7... a5 { Blocks pawn. } 8. Ra3 { Rook } 8... Ke8 { King } 9. Bxh6 { Bishop } 9... gxh6 { Takes bishop. } 10. Qh5+ { Resigned } 1-0
[Event "Teacher mode 'on'"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.09.19"] [Round "-"] [White "player"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "1800"] { It's nice when you play a rated player in a blitz, but then you regretyou have not set the clock to 5/10 instead of 3/5... The following gamewas interrupted before the end, but still it is a very interesting exampleof Icelandic gambit that develops in a dense and interesting midgame. Ihope you enjoy. } 1. e4 { You'll find in this annotation some 'questions',proposed lines to find out before seeing the next move. Just for fun. Pleaseread the final comment. } 1... d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 { The Icelandic. At higherlevels it won't be safe, but for fun and as a test for myself, it's a good'battlefield' for training. It forces me to find the 'best' move at anymoment. The try is more valuable because my opponent didn't play the usual(and bad) c4. Now I'll have a real 'test'. } 4. dxe6 { Good. } 4... Bxe6 { As themanual says. } 5. Nf3 { This moves enables for black the plan Qe7, wantingto use the discovered check (Bg4+) to follow on with BxN, forcing whiteto retake with the g2 pawn. This just scrambles and isolates white's pawns.Of course, this plan implies the longside castling. } 5... Qe7 { I go for it.I'm not worried for blocking myself the Bf8. I have to find a way to developit in the near future, right, and is one of the opening's downsides. } 6. Be2 { White is almos forced to play this. Note that Bb5+ is a blunder,since after c6 (black has this move in the agenda, too, but better is tokeep it to prevent white's check and not to waste a tempo in doing it prematurely),white's bishop has to retreat to e7. } 6... Bg4 { This was a bad move, sincenow white can castle, and the open e column will revert on black. } 7. O-O Nbd7 { I have to ensure the queenside castling the next move, but indoing so, I am neglecting the dsb's developement. Now my queen would struggleto find a place. All this because of Bg4? } 8. h3 Bh5 { This whie's advance,actually favours me. I want to be his defences a little opened to findsome counterplay. } 9. Nd4 { ...and here, it came a hard decision. I canexchange, for a boring game. Or I can try something else. Inmediately afterI played the following move, it seemed to me very unwise. Nb5 is a verystrong move, and I should have used the exchange to play c6 and stop itfor a while. But I didn't see it at the moment. } 9... Bg6 { My B and N blockthe advance of my own pawns, further imprisioning my dsb. Still, I likethe way I am controlling a lot of center squares, and how white has toresolve his developement, too. Sure, no weak points in his position, andmy queenside is weak. } 10. d3 { He didn't play a N to b5. Incredible. Thiswas his first 'blunder'. This move frees his dsb, true, but he also givesme tempos to coordinate. } 10... c6 { AAAAAhhhhh.... I feel a lot better, now!The sac (Nb5, threatening the fork), is not effective anymore without thebishop looking at b5. } 11. Re1 { Enabling the dangerous pin. Note thatwhen I decided to keep the bishop in b6 ('it looked such a nice spot!'),I gave up the Be6 'shield' that could have been useful. But it is a defensivemove, and I know how most 'purely defensive' plans end... } 11... O-O-O { I castled,with a little fear of what will be about to come. } 12. Bg5 { This is nota problem. Note that now Nd7 can uncover, by moving, a threat on white'sNd4. I couldn't see where did it lead, so I preferred to take advantageon the unprotected Nd4 and free my dsb in the meantime. That will proveto be very 'expensive', in terms of queen's hunt. Can you figure out? } 12... Qc5 { Black threats the Bishop, too. I welcomed BxN, NxB. But it has a downside, } 13. Be3 { Obviously. My Q can go to e5, but after it, I think my queenwould have no future (not even with Bd6 supporting it). So I decided toleave it in the queenside. } 13... Qb4 { It's a 'farol' (when you bet a lot fornothing just to scare your opponents). In order to open the b column, whitecan afford to lose a N, for sure! } 14. Qc1 { White defends. The game iscramped for both sides, and many combinations are awaiting after any move.Here, Ne5 causes Nd4 to be en prise, but if white answers with a3, I amforced to move the Q to b6. Can you say if it is better or worse than theplayed? } 14... Bd6 { 'Now or never'. I know that I am falling in the known problem:I am occupying the perfect 'escape squares' for my queen, that now willbe hunted, while white advances over my K. } 15. a3 { Here it comes. } 15... Qa5 { I am accepting b4, but what else? If Qd5, Ne6, winning the exchange atleast. } 16. Nb3 { ? I's say a blunder. My opponent is playing passively,and this is a pity, since the test won't be so severe. } 16... Qc7 { Wonderful!Now, I have to be very careful about the known attacks that spread outof b5 (now impossible) and Bxa7, and the well-know resource b6, forcingwhite to Bxb6, and black has the best of it. } 17. Nd4 { White doesn't gofor it! This move enables the b4-b5 threat. I can't meet it with a6 becauseof a possible Bb6. I have to look for a safe b6. } 17... Kb8 { I decided to meetmy opponent's calm style, and avoid once for all to chek each move if theBxa7-g6 move was still good for me or not. This way I don't have to worry.But I slowened my reaction a tempo, and this was a mistake. } 18. a4 { Whitedecides to attack with the 'wrong' pawn. I'll just leave him go to a6,and play b6. I have two tempoes for it, so I can't lose any. I have abattery on the white king, and white has to be very careful. I plan toplay a typical 'a piece for a column' sacrifice. Can you tell which? Ineed just ONE preparatory move. Which one? Done? :-D } 18... h5 { The planned sacis Ng4. The idea is that if hxN, hxg opens the column to my rook's action,and this will give me good attacking chances. On the other side, whitecan stop all this with a good (and obvious) move I didn't see in the hurry.Can you tell which one? } 19. Nf3 { No, not this. This was done to coverh2 or to open the way for Wdsb look to a5-Bb6. I don't know. But this wasa mistake from white, in the sense that now the sac is even more playable.After Ng4, hxN, hxg, the N is threatened. He can go away, but subsequentlywhite will have to stand the known 'Bsac Q mates' routine: Bh2+, etc, EXCEPTthat now white can escape with Kf1. This will still be a good attack forblack. Should black have gone for it? Can you tell? } 19... Ne5 { I didn't. I justchoose the other strategy: exchange the knights, and the threat of my sacNg4 will still be there. (Now, you can say: well, white is not forced totake the knight after Ng4. True. Good thinking. So you have to chech allthe other possible white's responses... and this is when the game becomestoo interesting for a blitz). But this 'change knight's' strategy of mineis just WRONG. Beacuse by allowing white 'free' his f2 pawn, I enable his'best defence'! So, I can dare to say that the knight's sac had to be playedinstead. } 20. Nxe5 { White falls into it. I got a goal: to coordinate mypieces. Bla bla bla. All pure crap. } 20... Bxe5 21. f4 { ...because of this.Well, it could have been d4 as well. 'Why is this a problem?' I asked myself.'Well, because it makes the two WB weak, but you don't have a single rookin the e column to press on them.' 'But', I replied, 'all this centralstuff catches me unprepared. I played for a h column attack, now I justhave to try to keep the threat 'on' (or near so) as long as possible.' } 21... Bd6 { I had to accept something like d4, now... I though that I would havelost. A simple oversight that ruined my game. f4 is always a white's resourcesin the opening I play, how did I forget? } 22. Bf3 { Oh, yeah, of course.Now b4-b5 is really serious. } 22... Bf5 { Now, you really need more time to thinkabout this. I was resouceless. This is thinking in making the lsb helpfrom c8 or d7. } 23. Ne4 { Fortunately, white doesn't consider his bestplan, b4-b4, for another move. He wants to exchange my precious dsb, andI can save it only by taking it off the diagonal. The 'correct' move wasNe7, but I can't stan for such a passivity, so I decided to give this bishopa concrete purpose: to exchange W's dsb. In order to do so, he will haveto go in enemy's battlefield and stand enemy's infantry fire. But.. thiswill bring him nearer to my king, but will allow weak spots in his center,also (particularly d3!), and, you know me... Which was the plan, and whyit was bad? Done? Please, go on. } 23... Bb4 { Just consider this hint: 'whitecan go NxNf6 at any moment. He must do it if he wants to play d4 (or NxNe4).He needs to play d4 to avoid the dsb's exchange, and threat to trap theblack bishop after the pushes.' Moreover, white has to calculate what damagecan come from (1) Rxd3, 2) after the N exchanges, the threat Rg8-Bxh3. } 24. c3 { White was too tempted, this time, from the chance to advance,and he took the bite. } 24... Ba5 25. b4 Bb6 26. a5 { ? b5 was better. Black wouldhave been forced to play c5, and this opens the way for Wlsb. Very strong.The played move allowed the exchange. And the exchange has another inconvenientfor white, a 'hidden' one. Can you see it from here? } 26... Bxe3+ 27. Qxe3 { ...andthe queen lands on a perfect spot for me to make a hidden and nice N fork. } 27... Nd5 { The queen and the f5 pawn are forked. Moreover, B threats BxN andNxc3 (if ever he dares to play it!) } 28. Qc1 { White makes his Q defendc3 in case I go for it. f5 is lost. It was all dsb exchange's fault. } 28... Nxf4 { The problem with this is that d3 is double-threatened... } 29. Re3 { Only reasonable defence. We are at move 30, and just now it is startingto burn. Very few pieces have been exchanged, and the position is devilishlycomplicated. For a blitz! I thought that the d6 pawn could have some hiddenpoison behind it, and I didn't take it. I was looking for the royal fork(Ne2). R and B prevent that, but maybe both pieces can be diverted by asac on d3. What do you say? Is it a good plan? } 29... Bxe4 { It was a seriousmistake. Nothing comes from it. White has dxe, BxB AND RxB. None is forbidden. } 30. Bxe4 Rhe8 { Just piling up. And a mistake? Any wasted move is a mistake.But my opponent's following move was more than a mistake. It seemed sooonatural... } 31. Rf3 { ...and the so interesting game came to a very prematureend. The material was equal, black lost some of his edge with the stupidexchange of the B for the N, but the game is still very playable. A pity.I hope you had some laughs with the 'teaching style', and please forgiveme for my mistakes. The chessistic views here contained CAN BE WRONG. Iam not a qualified commenter, I just do this for fun and for love to chess.Thank you for reading. } 31... Ne2+ 0-1
[Event "tobee's (our cute dog) mini-tournee #2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "21-Dec-07"] [Round "-"] [White "claukonen"] [Black "yellowlab"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1818"] [TimeControl "7d+3d, 10d max"] [WhiteElo "1874"] 1. e4 { 1. e4 often leads to open games, characterized by pawn exchangesin the center and freedom of movement for the pieces. Notice that twolines have been opened already, one for the bishop on f1 and one for thequeen. } 1... c5 { The Sicilian defense. Only one line is opened (for the queen)and black may fall behind in development. The main idea is to trade awing pawn (black's c-pawn) for a center pawn (white's d-pawn). The reasoningis that the extra center pawn will allow black to eventually control thecenter. } 2. Nf3 { Developing towards the center. This move paves the waytowards early castling, and increases white's chances of controlling thecenter. } 2... g6 { The fianchetto (wing development) of the bishop caught manyclassic players off guard. At first glance it doesn't seem to have anycentralizing effect. However, the bishop is going to move to g7, whereit will strike at the center squares on d4 and e5. It is fairly difficultto challenge this bishop, and the fianchetto has proven a tough nut tocrack. This variation of the Sicilian is called the Accelerated Dragon. } 3. d4 { Immediately challenging the center. The great Danish player Larsencalled this a strategic mistake, but most theorists consider this the mostpromising way to challenge black's intentions. } 3... cxd4 { Black has achievedhis initial goal of captuing white's d-pawn with the c-pawn. } 4. Nxd4 { Atfirst glance White seems to have an advantage both in development and space. Generally, such an advantage would prompt you to initiate an attack. It is too early to do so now, and the challenge wll be to preserve thisadvantage while completing the rest of white's development. } 4... Nc6 { Blackchallenges the control over d4 and e5. Notice that 5. Nxc6 plays intoblacks hands. After 5. ...bxc6 black is no longer behind in development,has a sound pawn structure and better prospects for long term control overthe center. } 5. c4 { Establishing the Maroczy bind, named after the greatHungarian master of old. White is trying to prevent black from ever playingd7-d5. White will maintain an advantage in space, but the extra pawn moveallows black to start catching up in development. } 5... Nf6 { Developing towardsthe center. Note that 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 fails to 7. ...Qa5 . } 6. Nc3 { Developing towards the center and protecting the e-pawn. Now, 7. Nxc6and 8. e5 is threatened. } 6... d6 { Black spends a tempo (one unit of time) todefend against that threat. } 7. Be2 { White wants to complete his development,and 7. Be2 prepares castling. } 7... Nxd4 { An important refinement over 7. ...Bg7. Black wants to force white's queen onto the d4 square where it will laterbe harrassed by black's bishop on g7. } 8. Qxd4 { Reestablishing materialequilibrium. } 8... Bg7 { Black intends to castle, complete his development andonly then strike out at white's center. } 9. Be3 { White usually plays thebishop to e3 or g5 in order to have the d2 square available for the queen. } 9... O-O { Now, Black threatens 10. ...Ng4 with a double attack (on white's queenand on the bishop on e3.) White does not want to exchange the dark squarebishop for the knight. That would leave the bishop on g7 as the best minorpiece on the board. } 10. Qd1 { More usual is 10. Qd2, although the textis by all means playable. White may have wanted to get out of the wellknown lines and go down a side path. } 10... Be6 { Typically, black tries for counterplay on the queenside. The bishop develops towards the center and attackswhite's c-pawn. } 11. Bd4 { White doesn't mind trading the dark square bishops,because that takes much of the sting out of black's setup. 11. 0-0 isanother good alternative. } 11... Qa5 { Black wants to clear the back rank andconnect his rooks. One of the interesting things about the geometry ofthe chessboard, is that moving the queen to the edge, also activates itin the center. Do you see how from a5, the queen attacks the key centralsquares d5 and e5, as well as the less crucial but still important squaresc5 and f5? } 12. O-O { White has maintained his advantage in space, but isnow lagging a bit in development. Black must try to take advantage ofthis soon or risk drifting into passivity. } 12... Rfc8 { Which rook belongs onthe c-file? Black is hoping to open more lines on the queenside, so leavesthe rook on a8 where it is for now, and activates the other rook. } 13. b3 { Securing the c-pawn, but it also represents an additional weakeningof the dark squares in whites center and queenside. White is countingon the bishop on d4 to compensate. } 13... a6 { Black would love to be able toplay b7-b5 at some point, and a6 increases his chances of doing so. } 14. f4 { 14. Nd5 is also promising. White is increasing his spatial advantage. } 14... Rab8 { Again, with an eye towards an eventual b7-b5. } 15. Qd3 { A move withmultiple purposes. It provides additional suppoprt to the knight on c3,discourages b7-b5 and assists f4-f5. The f4-f5 push is the usual planin these types of positions. } 15... Bd7 { Probably not best. Black is still thinkingabout b7-b5. 15. ...Ne8 was more prudent, and 15. ...b7-b5 more thematic. In the latter line black sacrifices a pawn for piece activity, hopingto win it back under more favorable circumstances. } 16. e5 { A good aggressivecontinuation taking advantage of white's edge in space. } 16... Bf5 { Redeployingthe bishop to a more active post with tempo. } 17. Qe3 { Getting out of harmsway and keeping the pressure on. } 17... dxe5 { This capture is virtually forced. } 18. Qxe5 { This was came as a surprise and was a big relief. 18. fxe5 keepsthe pressure on and even 18. Bxe5 was to be preferred. When you have anedge in space, generally speaking, you should avoid exchanges. When youare cramped seek them out. } 18... Qxe5 { Black is very happy to get the queensoff of the board. } 19. Bxe5 { White may have underestimated the small combinationat black's disposal in this position. } 19... Ng4 { Finally exploiting the weakeneddark squares. } 20. Bxg7 { 20. Bxb8 Bxc3 is fairly level. Notice that whitecan't play 21. Rac1 because of 21. ...Bd4 and 22. ...Rxb8. - } 20... Kxg7 { Afterthe exchanges any spatially advantage for white is much less important. White's advantage in the endgame now shifts to a 3 on 2 pawn majorityon the queenside. Both sides will want to create a passed pawn, but onlywhite's will be an outside passed pawn, which means the pawn will be onthe other side of the board from the kings, and therefore more difficultto stop. } 21. Nd5 { A logical move advancing into black's position withthe threat of capturing the e-pawn. } 21... Re8 { Pawns cannot move backwards. 21. ...e6 would restrict the bishop's mobility. } 22. h3 { I think 22. Rfe1is an improvement. The threat is to simply capture on g4 and then on e7. This would force e7-e6, which would be a concession on black's part. } 22... Nf6 { Black has just about equalized now. Most of the endgames are fairlybalanced. } 23. Ne3 { The knight is far less worrisome on e3 than on d5,but white is unable to maintain it there. } 23... Be4 { When feasible always tryto control the long diagonal (in this case the h1-a8 diagonal.) } 24. Rad1 { There is only one open file, so the rooks naturally will oppose one another,leading to additional exchanges. } 24... Rbd8 { Black cannot allow white to controlthe only open file. Howver, there is no immediate penetration square,so black could've played a move like 24. ...h5, as well. } 25. g4 { It wouldbe better to expand on the queenside with 25. a3 and then b3-b4. You wantto play on the side where you have the advantage. White might as wellwaste no time trying to create an outside passed pawn. } 25... Bc6 { Staying onthe long diagonal and freeing up the e4 square for the knight. } 26. Rxd8 { The posiiton is essentially even. White decides to swap rooks, whichis niether good nor bad. It's just a different type of endgame. } 26... Rxd8 27. Rd1 { Continuing with the exchange of rooks. } 27... Rxd1+ { Black is happyto oblige. The only danger was ceding control of the d-file to white andthat is no longer an issue. } 28. Bxd1 { BIshop vs. knight endings can bequite thorny. The two pieces don't really work too well with one another. Straight bishop or straight knight ending are usually clearer. } 28... Ne4 { IfI had to do it over again, I'd probably throw in 28. ...h6 first. } 29. Bf3 { There is a tactical problem with this move which we both over looked. } 29... e6 { Instead 29. ...Nc3 wins a pawn. White will lose the a-pawn or after30. ...Ne2 , the f-pawn. Knights are tricky! } 30. Nc2 { White now has afairly solid plus, because he can meet 30. ...Nc3 with 31. Bxc6 bxc6 32.Nb4! Always stay alert for your chances, because they may not last morethan one move long. } 30... b6 { Flustered, black makes a mistake. 30. ..Nc3 wasstill the best move. } 31. Nd4 { We should both be kicking ourselves. 31.Nb4 is most likely winning. If 31. ...Bb7 32. Nxa6! } 31... Bb7 { After mutualmistakes the game is once again fairly level. } 32. a4 { 32. g5 might bebetter, which is why I later decided that 28. ...h6 would've been an improvementfor black. } 32... Kf6 { 32. ...h6 is still better. While 32. ...a5 might be thebest move of them all. } 33. b4 { 33. g5 is another reasonable try. Whiteis on the right path at last trying to create an outside passed pawn. } 33... Ke7 { Either 33. ...h6 or 33. ...g5 was better. Black is allowing whiteto hold his 4 pawns back with white's three. An elementary mistake. } 34. Nb3 { White has all the chances in the position. } 34... Nd6 { 34. ...h6 was stillbetter! } 35. Bxb7 { It might be better to keep the bishop on the board with35. Be2. } 35... Nxb7 { Forced. } 36. Kf2 { Or 36. g5. White is now trying to activatehis king. } 36... a5 { A mistake. 36. ...h6 still holds the game. I thought aboutplaying this move, and I can't say why I never played it. Strange! } 37. b5 { What a shame. 37. c5! is winning. 37. ...bxc5 38. bxa5! Threatening39. a6. Black must play 38. ...Nd6 allowing 39. Nxc5 with a winning endgame. 37. bxa5 is also much better for white. } 37... Kd6 { With just one move, whitehas not only thrown away the win, but also the game. Now, black is probablywinning. However, 37. ...h6 was STILL better! } 38. Ke3 { 38. g5 was thelast chance. } 38... Nc5 { Now, black's advantage is clear. } 39. Nxc5 { The knightending is also lost, but the king and pawn ending is easier for black toplay. } 39... Kxc5 { King and pawn endings are all about passed pawns and kingposition. } 40. Kd3 Kb4 { Another blunder! 40. ...f6 is a trivial win. } 41. Kd4 { This is all I considered at the time, but 41. g5 is winning forwhite! If 41. ...Kxa4 42. Kc3! Black has no moves! 42. ...Ka3 43. c5creates the passed pawn and the win. Unreal! } 41... Kxa4 { Now black is winningAGAIN! } 42. Kc3 f6 { Finally. } 43. h4 h6 { White will be helpless to stopblack's passed pawns. What a shaky game for both of us! The ending wasvery tactical, and we were both on autopilot. Endings are the most neglectedaspect of chess. Time spent studying endings pays dividends in the openingand middlegame as well. } 0-1
[Event "Making things happen!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.01.30"] [Round "-"] [White "chorba"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1727"] [TimeControl "7 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1778"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! I guess you would think that the ending was a littlelucky for one person in particular. However, sometimes we make our ownluck by putting certain pieces into certain positions and a little bitof a slip up from one's opponent can result in a victory. So, who wasthe lucky player in this game. I will leave you to either read the GAspoiler or read on to the very end. White starts with 1. e4. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 { 3. Bc4 - this can lead to the Guicco Piano or The Two KnightsDefense. My response Bc5 is the Guicco. } 3... Bc5 4. O-O Nf6 5. d3 d6 { 5. .....d6 - Henry is ready to castle but I also open up the c1-h3 diagonal openfor Fou Leblanc. } 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Nbd2 Ne7 8. Bxb6 axb6 { 8. ..... axb6 -bishop trade. } 9. a3 O-O { 9. .... 0-0 - Henry now seeks refuge on the kingside. } 10. Qe2 Bd7 11. b4 b5 12. Bb3 { 12. Bb3 - bishop pushed back by pawn thrust. } 12... b6 13. Nb1 c5 { 13. ...... c5 - contests the queenside. If white takeson c5 then I can undouble my pawns. } 14. Nbd2 h6 15. h3 Ng6 16. c3 Re8 { 16. ..... Re8 - the seed of a plan is starting to germinate from thismove. The plan is, would you believe it, a kingside mating attack. Iwant a rook lift to the g column but first I will trade bishops. } 17. Nh2 Be6 18. Bxe6 Rxe6 { 18. ..... Rxe6 - first part of mission accomplished. } 19. g4 { 19. g4 ?! Possibility of a pawn storm but this move weakens white'scastled position and my knight immediately exploits this. } 19... Nf4 20. Qf3 { 20. Qf3 - WQ dodges knight attack and protects the h pawn. But I nowhatch a plan to drive the WQ off that square. } 20... Nh7 21. Qe3 Rg6 { 21. .....Rg6 - but I now firstly put my rook on that g file. Glenda is eyeing upthe square h4 to put more pressure on the pawn on h3. } 22. Nhf3 { 22. Nhf3?- this now enables me to steal the h3 pawn with check. } 22... Nxh3+ 23. Kh2 Nf4 { 23. ..... Nf4 - back to f4. Now the g4 pawn is weak. White's next moveallows me to snap it off. } 24. Rh1 Rxg4 { 24. ..... Rxg4 - nacht. Suddenlythere is a huge drop in temperature and a dark, dark, shadow around theWK. Is that The Beast from The East? Maybe it is that Siberian wind chillerkiller that descended on the British Isles late on in February/early Marchbut maybe it is the Chessic Grim Reaper Old Matey who is avidly eyeingup g2. } 25. d4 { 25. d4?? - White is oblivious to this and tries to hitout at the support on my f4 knight. But now Old Matey descends and forthe WK it is now ....... } 25... Rg2# { 25 ..... Rg2 MATE!! Amazingly, Glendahas played no part in this mate and hasn't even moved from her home square. It has been barely a month since GB were hit by the Beast from the Eastand today has been the hottest day of the year so far. 27 degrees Celsiusin Cambridge and I have been typing this annotation with the air conditioningon, pheew and double pheew! Yup, things were certainly hotting up forYours Truly on her way back to her 1800 rating. I may be back soon withanother Henry and Glenda adventure. For now enjoy - Kind regards - Joanne } 0-1
[Event "The 1st Vampire Open 1150- 1550 "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.12.28"] [Round "-"] [White "justabout"] [Black "gatorwarrior"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1466"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1162"] 1. d4 { standard d4 opening } 1... d5 { typical response me, i tend to find it'sone of the better responses, i can at least play it decently } 2. c4 { queen'sgambit } 2... e6 { no way jose, that's just about not going to happen } 3. e3 { haven'tseen this before, i think he's making sure that Charlie over there doesn'tlose his chocolate factory in a bad insurance deal that will leave himpractically dead } 3... Bb4+ { hola,senor king, check } 4. Bd2 { bishop blockade } 4... Bxd2+ { the exchange of the clergy } 5. Nxd2 { recapturing and developingat the same time, so far this opening has left me farther behind then ahead } 5... Ne7 { time to counter develop } 6. Ngf3 { here comes the empire of stormtroopingknights } 6... b6 { fianchetto time, stops the advance dead in its tracks, nomore c5, with protection at the end of it } 7. Bd3 { developing and settingto castle } 7... Bb7 { fianchetto } 8. O-O { castle } 8... dxc4 { lets open up the centerand cause a few minor problems } 9. Nxc4 { recapture } 9... O-O { caastling as well,much safer than sitting in the middle like a goose with an egg balancedon top of its head } 10. Rc1 { no cool, he's line up for an open file, ineed to develop that knight on b bad } 10... Nd7 { good i at least did that } 11. Be2 { pointless move, i couldn't have taken the knight and ripped the castleopen anyway the queen is already protecting to recapture } 11... Nf5 { let's getsome attacks in there,eh? } 12. Bd3 { ?????,alright i'm forcing the knightto move or for him to recapture and get doubled pawns } 12... Qf6 { making surei don't have to recapture with the pawn } 13. Nfe5 { interesting } 13... Nxe5 { let'stake back } 14. Nxe5 { recapture } 14... Rfd8 { ??????????stops pawn advance whyn...oh I see there was the fork on d7, i'm ZZZZZtoday } 15. Be2 { ?????? } 15... Qg5 { yep, that was what i was thinking before on move 14, why not do thatnow!? } 16. Rxc7 { Blunder, totally misses the purpose of Qg5, got to ovesuttle moves } 16... Qxg2# { checkmate, good game justabout, until next time, thisis the GatorWarrior14 headbanging off over to youtube.... } 0-1
[Event "I have such poor vision I can date anybody."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.12.26"] [Round "-"] [White "spglenn"] [Black "miserables_24601"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1303"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1202"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 { Into the Elephant or Latvian Gambit } 3. Nc3 { Gambitdeclined with a counter punching queen's knight move } 3... d4 { The punch forwardto d4 but ...Kd5 leaves an adwanced protected knight threatening Kc7 ifthe Queen is deployed to early in development. } 4. Nd5 Bg4 { Realising thedanger on c7 trying to develop with threat pinning knight to Queen } 5. h3 { Reverse of the spanish opening that started accept or decline the knightcapture for the bishop } 5... Bxf3 6. Qxf3 { Accepted but white develops the Queenrather than the weakening pawn position created in the reverse in the spanishline for black. } 6... a6 { Creating breathing space for the rook on c8 to preventthe threatend fork from Kc3 } 7. Bc4 { Threat of Kc3 opening up capture byQueen or Bishop on f7 } 7... Nf6 { Prevents the double attack on the f7 pawn.Over exchange of knights and Queens. } 8. Nxf6+ Qxf6 9. Qxf6 gxf6 { Knightand Queen exchange complete white has the slight advantage of the doubledpawns and weakend kingside defence of black. } 10. O-O b5 11. Bd5 { Maintainingthe threat on the Queenside Rook. } 11... c6 12. Be6 { Blunder should have beenBb3 } 12... fxe6 { Moves the doubled pawns over toward the centre when facing anattack from rooks and bishop shoring up the defences as a result of white'sblunder. } 13. d3 { Halts the d pawn's advance and also allows completionof development freeing the bishop. } 13... f5 { Not really threatening fxe4 butthe threat of f4 throttling the newly liberated bishop's usefulness } 14. exf5 exf5 15. Bg5 { Threat of trapping the bishop removed with the exchangeand advance beyond the pawn's defensive line. } 15... Be7 { White's bishop caneither retreat and re-enter the trap of capture forcing the king to stayin the centre of the board after capturing for the exchange. } 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. Rae1 { With black's king now unable to castle putting the threaton the 3 file preparing to open it up } 17... Kd6 { Removing the pin and protectingpawn on e5. Also prevents e4 18. dxe4 fx4 19. Rxe4+ } 18. g3 h5 19. c3 { Betterwould have been c4 either forcing the e.p. capture or bxc4 } 19... c5 20. cxd4 { Better should have bee c4 to try and close up the game to try and makesomething out of the material disadvantage rather than allowing an openfile as a result of cxd4 } 20... cxd4 21. Re2 { Error should have been Rc1 to commandthe newlt opened file } 21... Nc6 22. Rc1 Rac8 23. Ree1 { The threat was Kb4 tothreaten Kxd4 to open up the d file for advance, better would have beena3 } 23... Nb4 24. Red1 Nxa2 { Kxc3 25. Rxc3 Rxc1+ is still probably better asthe d pawn has advancement potential, however, this still has matchingwinning threats with an exchange either on c8 or c1 of rooks } 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Kg2 Rc2 27. g4 fxg4 28. h4 { Trying to stop the king's side advancebut the threat is already coming from the queen's side and it is too late. } 28... a5 29. Kg3 Rxb2 { After the advance of a5 now creating two pass pawn onthe a and b files. } 30. f3 gxf3 { Isolating the king and all of whites pawns } 31. Kxf3 b4 32. Rf1 Rd2 33. Ke4 b3 34. Kf5 b2 { The ongoing advance continuesKc3 allows for the advance and the capture of the rook } 35. Kg5 Nc3 36. Kxh5 b1=Q 37. Rxb1 Nxb1 38. Kg6 Rxd3 39. h5 { Rearguard action advancingthe last remaining pawn but too late to be of any use } 39... Rg3+ 40. Kf5 d3 41. h6 d2 { The battle to queen was always blacks to win } 42. h7 d1=Q 43. h8=Q { White queens but Qf3 ends it all } 43... Qf3# 0-1
[Event "Slow Ladder"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.11.06"] [Round "-"] [White "rogerdee"] [Black "hiredgun112"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "819"] [TimeControl "5d+2d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1131"] { WHY I LOST THIS GAME! } 1. e4 { He opens with e4. } 1... e5 { I answer e5 } 2. Bc4 { he answers withBf1-c4 } 2... Bc5 { I answer with Bf8-c5.Is that not pretty ihave'matched' each of his moves with same move.Can you see it?Don't worryif you cannot. I totally missed it to.Ke8 is very much in danger now. } 3. Qf3 { Qd1-f3 for white this is pivotal moment and where i lost the game,ishould have been watching whole board.But no i was concentrating developingcenter.IF ONLY IF i had seen Qf3 i would have moved Ng8-f6 or even movedQd8-e7 most likely i would have went with Ng8-f6.Basically my king is sittingthere unprotected waiting to get killed! } 3... d6 { VERY wrong move d7-d6.Kingis doomed } 4. Qxf7# { Qfe-f7# King is iced } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from oodle3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.12.31"] [Round "-"] [White "oodle3"] [Black "perrinnn"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1009"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1378"] 1. e4 { This is a game I played against perrinnn - he did well until hefaced an unstoppable mate and resigned - enjoy. } 1... e5 { Normal. } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Normal. } 3. Bc4 Nf6 { Again, normal. } 4. Nc3 { This occurred in one of jkarp'sgames against redfox17. And now, if black plays Nxe4 Nxe4 and d5! thisgives black an open game with good development - but I think that afterNxe4 5. Bxf7+! Kxf7 6. Nxe4 is better. } 4... d5 { He goes straight in for thekill. } 5. exd5 { The variation after exd5 is usually e4! and PXN PxN 8.cxb7 Bxb7 is better for black. } 5... Nd4 { Now two pawns are lost via Nxe5. } 6. Nxe5 Qd6 { Whoosh, no doubt threatening Qxe5. } 7. O-O { [!] I actuallyoverlooked Qxe5 here. } 7... Qxe5 { But, only just then ... } 8. Re1 { I realisedI could pin the queen. } 8... Ne2+ { This doesn't help much, but loses a knight. } 9. Rxe2 { Still pinning and winning. } 9... Bd6 { I actually prefer Qxe2, but thisis quite the same. } 10. Rxe5+ Bxe5 11. Qe2 { Now I pin the bishop. I couldonly see two good moves, Nd7 or Ng4, but Ng4 fails to h3. } 11... O-O { ? I couldsee what Black was planning. After 12. Qxe5! Re8 13. Qf4 Re1+ 14. Bf1 andwhite is safe. } 12. d3 { But anyhow, I hadn't realised this at the time,so I prepared to develop my bishop. } 12... Bg4 { Losing the bishop - I would havepreferred Re8 preparing the discovered check 14. ... Bxh2+ winning thequeen. } 13. f3 { To relieve a hole for my king and attacking the bishop. } 13... Bf5 { He retreats. } 14. Qxe5 { Now I figured that I could take the bishop,as my king could escape to f2. } 14... Rfe8 { Now the other bishop is lost, andthere is no mate. } 15. Qxf5 Re1+ { Check, but a vain hope. } 16. Kf2 { Safeand sound. } 16... Rae8 { Yes, this is what I feared - those doubled rooks lookmenacing on the e-file - nevertheless, e2 is covered by the knight. } 17. d4 { But I give it extra protection. } 17... g6 { ? Adding to the double bishopslost, a knight is now thrown in the bag. } 18. Qxf6 b5 { To be sincerelyhonest, this loses to a mate threat. } 19. Bh6 { Bh6! and black resignedhere, seeing that there was no way to stop mate on g7. Well played perrinnn,and thanks for watching! @oodle3 } 1-0
[Event "World Challenge Tour"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.12.29"] [Round "-"] [White "chess3k"] [Black "dwardman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1687"] [TimeControl "7d+1d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1763"] 1. c4 { The English } 1... g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O c5 7. d4 { Guess White wants some room } 7... Nc6 8. d5 { White presses forth,and will follow with e4 } 8... Nb8 9. e4 a6 { I think this is an error on my part,should have put the Knight to d7 } 10. Re1 { White will play d5 } 10... Nbd7 11. e5 dxe5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Rxe5 Ng4 14. Re1 { Time to have a go at c4 andtry to encourage b3 } 14... Ne5 15. Qb3 { This is a poor move, it allows the knightto d3 and gives black the opportunity of removing the black squared bishop } 15... Nd3 16. Re3 Nxc1 17. Rxc1 { Black now has the bishop pair, and will forcewhite to open the king side with b-h6 } 17... Bh6 18. f4 Bg7 { Black is threateninga pin } 19. Rce1 { White has missed it } 19... Bd4 20. Kf1 { This black bishop isa good piece but white's rooks are strong so it is best to get rid } 20... Bxe3 21. Rxe3 Rb8 22. a4 e6 { Time to simplify } 23. dxe6 Bxe6 24. Nd5 b6 25. Qc3 { White is looking for N-f6 to cause all type of trouble } 25... Bxd5 26. cxd5 { Black places the queen on a better square } 26... Qd7 27. Qf6 Rfe8 { Again tryingto simplify, the d pawn will fall } 28. Rd3 { White gives up the file, Blackgrabs a pawn and is threatening all kinds of nastiness } 28... Qxa4 { White hasto stop Qa1+, if white plays Bf3, is met by qc2, and black wins anotherpawn } 29. d6 { White has missed it mate in three } 29... Qa1+ 0-1
[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "timdin"] [Black "chudasyc"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1705"] [TimeControl "3 days"] [WhiteElo "1677"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Spanish Opening } 3... a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Be7 { Myopponents last move is unusual } 6. O-O { idea if 6..Nf6 7.Re1 In these linesof the Spanish white always castles kingside so might as well do it nowas my opponent now needs to move. I will then be able to use this informationto better place my pieces rather then trying to place it in a good spotnow } 6... d6 { threatening 7..Na5 winning the bishop pair } 7. c3 { creates a squarefor the bishop thus keeping bishop pair.Also controls d4 making a d4 advancepossible later on } 7... Nf6 { transposes to mainline Spanish } 8. Re1 { I alwaysput my rook here although usually in a different move order } 8... Bg4 { 8..0-0would be the mainline although the move played is logical. Since after8..0-0 9.h3 and I will be able to get a d4 advance in one move. My opponentsmove discourages a d4 advance as my knight on f3 is pinned to queen } 9. d3 { Although 9.d4 is playable I prefer 9.d3 as now I will try to createa d4 advance slowly } 9... h6 { Don't think that preventing 10.Bg5 with 9..h6is good. My opponent has nothing to fear with 10.Bg5. 9..0-0 is much better } 10. Nbd2 { The knight would be poorly placed on 10.Na3, So I repositionit it via f1. The knight will end up on e3 or g3. The choice usually dependson what my opponent does. This f1 maneuver is typical in this variationof Spanish opening } 10... O-O { good move safeguards king } 11. Nf1 { continuingmy knight maneuver } 11... a5 { Don't like this. My opponent should be developing.Themove in question also takes away protection of the b5 pawn. 11..Re8 instead } 12. Ne3 { Decided that this square is better than g3 as the knight attacksthe bishop on g4 which will have to move otherwise I get the bishop pair } 12... Qd7 { This just seems to loss the bishop pair as I can't see anyway of myopponent taking advantage of his lead in development } 13. Nxg4 Nxg4 14. h3 { This move is bad. Although the knight is stopping the DSB getting toe3, it's not controlling the center well.My move just forces it to a goodsquare } 14... Nf6 { Only available safe square, albeit a good square for a knight } 15. a4 { my LSB is well place on b3, 15.a4 stops 15..a4 by my opponent } 15... b4 { I did think he had to play 15..bxa4 so this came as a surprise } 16. cxb4 Nxb4 17. d4 { Although my opponent has a knight outpost , the knightisn't attacking any key points, where as I'm about to open the position.Bishoppair needs open position } 17... exd4 { Don't know it this is a good or bad move. } 18. Qxd4 { there is a downfall to my opponents last move that the queenhas a good center square now } 18... c5 { looks positional suspect. That backwardpawn on d6 looks bad } 19. Qc4 { this keeps pressure on the d5 square andgives my queen a close square to the center square } 19... Qc7 20. Bd2 Qb6 21. Bc3 { puts my DSB on a good square and now I'm catching up in development.My opponent needed to develop rooks } 21... Qa6 22. Qxa6 Rxa6 { I don't mind queenscoming off as I'm not planning on attacking his king. With this position,I feel my opponents pieces are dis-coordinated } 23. e5 { I think my piecesare more coordinate so I start with play in the center } 23... Nfd5 24. Rad1 Nc7 { My opponent couldn't play 24..Nxc3 25.bxc3 Nc6 26.exd6 wins a pawn forme and I'm more developed } 25. Bc4 Rb6 { My opponent rook must stay andprotect the pawn } 26. exd6 Bxd6 27. Ne5 Bxe5 { My opponent had to take theknight as 27.Nd7 winning the exchange and 27..Rd8 28.Nxf7 is crushing and27..Rb7 28.Rxd6 a piece up } 28. Bxe5 Nca6 29. Rd7 Nb8 { losing move. Thecombination that happens wins two pawns of me } 30. Bxb8 { idea is to clearthe route of the rook on e1 to e7 } 30... Rbxb8 31. Ree7 { two rooks on the seventh.Notsurprising that this combination wins } 31... Nc6 { my opponent attacks pawn b2and rook e7 } 32. Rxf7 { I'm threatening 33.Rxg7+ Kh8 34.Rh7# if 32..Rfe833.Rxg7+ Kf8 34.Rg8# if 32..Rfe8 33.Rxg7+ Kh8 34.Rh7# same combinationworks if rook on e.d. or c file it 32..Kh8 33.Rxg7 and nothing stops 34.Rh7# } 32... Rxf7 33. Rxf7 Kh8 { if 33..Rxb2 34.Rb7+ Kh8 35.Rxb2 if 33..Rf8 34.Rc7+ Kh835.Rxc6 if 33..Rc8 34.Rc7+ Kh8 35.Rxc8 if 33..Nd8 34.Rb7+ 35.Rxb8 } 34. Rc7 { Skewering knight and pawn } 34... Nd4 35. b3 Nxb3 36. Bxb3 Rxb3 37. Rxc5 { two pawns up } 37... Kh7 38. Rxa5 Ra3 { still two pawns up } 39. Ra6 { my opponentking can't go to g6 } 39... h5 40. h4 { not sure why I played 40.h4 } 40... Ra2 41. f3 Ra3 42. Kh2 Ra2 { I'm struggling to find a plan } 43. Kh3 Ra3 44. a5 { NowI figure get my a pawn to a7 with the rook on a8 and it will be close topromotion } 44... Ra4 45. Ra8 Ra3 46. a6 Ra2 47. a7 { Now that my pawn is closeto promotion my opponent can't take the kingside pawns with his rook elseI play Rb8 and promote the a pawn } 47... Kg6 48. g4 hxg4+ { My opponent must playthis. If 48..Ra3 49.gxh5 Kxh5 50. Rh8+ Kg6 51 a8=Q } 49. Kxg4 Rg2+ 50. Kf4 Ra2 51. h5+ Kh7 { My opponent can't take the pawn as 51.Kxh5 52.Rh8+ Kg653.a8=Q } 52. Ke5 Ra5+ 53. Ke6 Ra6+ 54. Ke7 { 54.Kf7 doesn't work since 54.Kf7Ra4 55.f4 Rxf4+ its check so my opponent can return to the a file withoutme promoting } 54... Ra3 55. f4 Ra5 56. f5 { My opponent still can't take elseI promote } 56... Ra6 57. h6 gxh6 { now f6 pawn will promote } 58. f6 Ra1 59. f7 Re1+ 60. Kd6 Rd1+ 61. Kc5 { Any comments greatly appreciated.Thank you tochudasyc for a good game } 1-0
[Event "A crushing win"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2017.12.17"] [Round "-"] [White "damafi"] [Black "MMUmeda"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1647"] [TimeControl "300+5"] [WhiteElo "1562"] { A high-win I am particularly proud, even if I lost several other gameswith this op... this is because I took proper advantage of my position,for once... } 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. Nd2 Nbd7 4. Ngf3 c5 5. e3 c4 { FinallyI find someone that plays this. I am not sure white can get out of thisbeing ok. } 6. c3 b5 7. a3 a5 { Going with all. Cool blood. } 8. Ne5 { I kindof threat Nc6, which is not a threat at all, but even so, I grab a littlespace on the board. } 8... Nxe5 { I'd play Qb6 instead. Anyway... } 9. dxe5 Ng8 { It has to be said that after Nd7, I can try e6, and if fxe... nothingserious, but still I have a Qh5+ that can be annoying, after b6, Qe5. } 10. b4 { I have to grab my space taking advantage his dsb is not free. Ifcxb ep, I'd have the doubt among Qx or Nx, but anyway I kind of break hispawnstorm. } 10... axb4 11. axb4 Rxa1 12. Qxa1 { Now my Q is dislodged, but HISQside is weak... } 12... h6 { Maybe wanting to pressure me with the fianchetto.I don't have time for h4, I have to develop. } 13. Nf3 { This is not anotherpiece out, but sincerely, Be2 was just too passive. I threat Nd4, pressingon the b5 pawn. } 13... g5 14. Bg3 { If h5, h3, that was on the agenda all thesame. } 14... Bb7 { Big mistake. I should have grabbed the position with Qa7 inmediately,but I played the scheduled.... } 15. Nd4 Qd7 { Qb6 was the only move. Thisis a serious blunder. } 16. Qa5 Bc6 17. Qb6 { There is no way to save thepawn. } 17... Bb7 18. Nxb5 h5 19. Nc7+ { Now, the game is decided. } 19... Kd8 20. e6 { I could have taken the B inmediately, but hey, I have a noak's arc onmy own dsb. I have to make room for it, and take advantage of my N. } 20... fxe6 21. Nxe6+ { Beautiful, isn't it? } 21... Ke8 22. Nc7+ Kd8 { Maybe better was Kf7. } 23. Qxb7 Nf6 { Another blunder? Sure... } 24. Qb8+ Qc8 25. Ne6+ { I plannedjust Kd7, exchange everything and save my dsb. But here there is much more... } 25... Kd7 26. Nc5+ Kd8 27. Bc7+ { ...and he loses his Q. A short miniature. } 1-0
[Event "LUNAROSSA13"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.11.30"] [Round "-"] [White "pallino88"] [Black "thitho"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1770"] [TimeControl "3d+3d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1741"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { Najdorf; now i learned. } 6. Bg5 { hehe, i know it so wellll } 6... e6 { my favorite defense (so, you knowyou can't play it with me for next games ) :-) } 7. f4 { the strongest attack } 7... Nbd7 { I think I now prefer to play black with Najdorf... } 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O { classic one } 9... b5 { classic of classic } 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Be7 { preparingthe castling that will never come } 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Bxb5 { the brave move! } 13... axb5 14. Ndxb5 { 2 pawns and an attack for the bishop... it is a good idea,of course... } 14... Qb8 15. Nxd6+ { and now 3 pawns! } 15... Ke7 { not quite sure thisis the best move i made. But i considered the 2 others -Kf8 and Kd8- andi did not like them. } 16. Nxf7 { excellent move } 16... Bxc3 { Not Kxf6 followedby the terminating Rxd7 } 17. bxc3 { bad pawn structure; was Qxc3 not better? } 17... Rc8 { the good news is that I save my rook... } 18. Rxd7+ { increasing thepressure... but at what cost! } 18... Kxd7 19. Rd1+ Ke7 20. Ne5 { now the 'épreuvede force' starts: white still has the attack, but black can try to reduceit. } 20... Rd8 { reducing } 21. Rxd8 { accepting the reducing. } 21... Qxd8 22. Qh5 { manythreats... looking for forks and mate... } 22... Bxe4 { blocking some possibilities } 23. Qf7+ { scary, isn't it? } 23... Kd6 { with confidence } 24. Qxg7 { gnap } 24... Qc7 { come to meeeeeeee (of course to avoid the fork) } 25. Nf7+ Kc6 { really,i felt confident, here... } 26. Qf6 { avoiding the trade and attacking again...these whites are sharp... } 26... Bf5 { black still thinks about escaping the attackand grouping its force on the white king at the same time: seen how thethree pieces are pointing undirectly on it? } 27. Ne5+ Kb7 28. g4 { thismeans: black, you have to lose e6... } 28... Bxg4 { but i decided not to lose e6! } 29. Nxg4 Rxa2 30. Qd4 { still looking for an attack to produce... But blackhas more margins now. The last possible threat could come from the 2 pawnson f and h columns... } 30... Ra6 { defense again... for the last time } 31. c4 Rd6 { and now... attack } 32. Qe4+ Kc8 33. f5 Qa5 { threatening too many things:can you see them all? } 0-1
[Event "3 pawns against a piece"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.04.06"] [Round "-"] [White "vatrop"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1859"] [TimeControl "3d+3d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1969"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! GM Cyrano kindly invited me to a MT of his calledItalian Coffee. I am one of 4 players rated south of 2000 in this 11 playerMT and two of those were Class A 1900+ players. This is one of them. I find myself in a KGA and I end up losing a piece for two pawns very earlyon in the game. I managed to get a third pawn for a piece but alas, thatproved to be insufficent in the endgame and Yours Truly had to take a 7point rating hit, preventing me from getting my rating north of 1860. How did this happen? Well, here is the GA version of the game which youcan follow. http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=16652944&fb=1&rnd=0.6964235451517038 } 1... e5 2. f4 exf4 { 2. .... exf4 - this is the King's Gambit Accepted. I usuallyaccept the offering because a pawn is a pawn. } 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 Bg7 5. O-O Nc6 { 5. .... Nc6 - development. } 6. c3 h6 7. d4 Nge7 8. g3 Na5 9. Bd3 fxg3 10. hxg3 { 10. hxg3 - pawn trade. } 10... d6 { 10. ..... d6?? - after just10 moves my position is lost. I am about to drop my knight for two pawnsthanks to a check which I overlooked from the Wicked Witch of the West. The best I can do is block the check but the knight then falls to a pinon d5, ouch and double ouch!! } 11. Qa4+ Nac6 12. d5 Qd7 13. dxc6 Nxc6 14. Bb5 O-O { 14. .... 0-0 - after the dust has settled, instead of topplingHenry I decided to tuck him away on the kingside out of the a4-e8 pin line. Even though the end result proved to be a jstevens1 loss I think I madethe right decision here in playing on. At least it led to an interestingmaterial imbalance of the three pawns for the piece, and opens up a debateon which is better - a piece or three pawns, but that happened later. } 15. Qc2 Qg4 { 15. ..... Qg4 - counter-attack. Now Glenda homes in on theexposed WK and puts pressure on the isolanis on g3 and e4. } 16. Qf2 Qxe4 { 16. ..... Qxe4 - now that the e4 pawn is hanging I do get my third pawnfor the piece but is it enough? } 17. Re1 Qf5 18. Bf1 Be6 { 19. ..... Be6- clearing the decks. } 19. Be3 Ne5 20. Nxe5 Qxf2+ 21. Bxf2 Bxe5 { 21. .....Bxe5 - after a plethora of exchanges I manage to hold onto my ecclesiasticaltwins and keep my pawn structure together but there is plenty of work forme to do. } 22. Nd2 a6 23. Nf3 Bf6 24. Nd4 Bd7 { 24. ..... Bd7 - defensedoes not wash here, but what else is there? } 25. Bd3 Rfe8 26. Bf5 Bxd4 27. Bxd7 Bxf2+ 28. Kxf2 Re5 { 28. ..... Re5 - after another plethora ofexchanges I am still endeavouring to keep my pawns intact. In retrospectI should have got in h4 asap (I would have avoided this pawn becoming backwardlater on) and tried to force an exchange of one of my kingside pawns forthe g3 pawn. If I had succeeded in doing that then my drawing chanceswould have increased tenfold. } 29. Rxe5 dxe5 { 29. ..... dxe5 - one pairof rooks is exchanged off. } 30. Bf5 Rd8 31. Ke2 Kg7 { 31. ..... Kg7?? -I think this is where I sould have played h4. White stops this with g4next move and ensures that both my h and f pawns become backward. } 32. g4 b6 33. Ke3 f6 { 33. ..... f6 - moving all my pawns onto squares of theopposite colour to the WB but this will not do. } 34. a4 a5 35. b4 axb4 36. cxb4 { 36. cxb4 - this pawn trade will ensure that white has a decisiveoutside passer. } 36... Ra8 37. a5 bxa5 38. bxa5 { 38. bxa5 - voila! } 38... Ra7 39. a6 Kf8 { 39. ....... Kf8 - Henry tries to go over to the queenside. Sadly,even with his healthy seafood diet he is still an old man and can onlymove one square at a time, so he will be very hard push to be in two placesat once. } 40. Bd3 { 40. Bd3 - the pawn on a6 is now protected. I must nowwatch out for Rb1 - b7 and the WK coming in via e4-f5 etc. Henry cannotdeal with both matters and two moves later I waved the white flag. A chasteningexperience. } 40... Ke7 41. Ke4 Kf7 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2022.07.10"] [Round "-"] [White "rohan_s"] [Black "jonheck"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1742"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1681"] 1. e4 Nc6 { Nimzovich defense. } 2. f4 d5 3. e5 Nh6 { Off book. } 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. h3 { GK lists this as a blunder because black gets to tradea knight for rook thus: 6.h3Bxf3 7.Bxf3Qh4+ 8.Kf1Nf5 9.c3g5 10.d4Ng3+ } 6... Bxf3 7. Bxf3 Qh4+ 8. Ke2 { Black would pick off the other rookthus: 8.Ke2Nd4+ 9.Kd3c5 10.b3Qxf4 11.c3Nhf5 12.cxd4Qxd4+ 13.Kc2Qxa1 Seems like a long way to look ahead, though. } 8... Qxf4 9. c3 Qxe5+ 10. Kf2 d4 11. Re1 Qc5 12. Kf1 dxc3 13. dxc3 Nf5 14. b4 { Oops. Pg4 wasthe way to go here. } 14... Ng3# { Black focuses on what is most important. 14moves! } 0-1
[Event "An amazing comeback attack"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.26"] [Round "-"] [White "alexanderhill"] [Black "porcho"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1120"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1039"] { I've played several games against this player and I've had a pretty goodwon-loss record. But white made such a spectacular comeback here I hadto annotated it for him. } 1. e4 e5 { Nothing special yet } 2. b4 { ?! Thisis an interesting move, possibly looking for flank operations, and fianchettoinghis DSB. } 2... Nf6 3. g4 { ? This is just a mistake as it leaves the e pawn openfor attack and ruins the kingside's pawn defense. } 3... d5 { I'm not sure whethercapturing the pawn was better, but it might have been. } 4. exd5 Bxg4 5. f3 Nxd5 { ?! This loses a piece, but after he captures I get a attack againstthe WK. } 6. fxg4 Qh4+ { Here it comes... } 7. Ke2 Qxg4+ 8. Nf3 Qe4+ 9. Kf2 Nxb4 { I've regained material equality, I looked at Bc5+ but he can defendwith d4. } 10. Nc3 Bc5+ { I decide to play it anyway, and look for an opening. } 11. d4 Bxd4+ 12. Be3 { ?? Loses the piece for nothing } 12... Qxe3+ 13. Kg3 Qf4+ 14. Kh3 Bxc3 { After deciding that I can't really hunt the king down withonly my queen over there, I grab another piece and decide to simplify toa won endgame. } 15. Rc1 Nxa2 16. Rb1 b6 17. Qd3 Nc6 18. Rd1 { Uh-oh, here'swhere alarm bells started to go off, he has a promising attack down thed file. } 18... g5 { ? Somewhat naive, I expected I could handle whatever he couldthrow at me and I tried to continue my earlier attack. Better would havebeen O-O. If I'd castled here I think I probably would have won, but whitewouldn't have been able to stage such a great comeback. } 19. Qd7+ Kf8 20. Bc4 { ?? loses a bishop for nothing. } 20... g4+ { I decide the best defense isa good offense and go on the attack. Notice, that I can simply capturehis bishop, but I played this first because if he moves to g3 then I cantake the knight and mate. } 21. Kg2 Qxc4 { Better might have been capturingthe knight because that would continue the attack, but I played this toget rid of the mate threat. } 22. Ng5 { Not for long... } 22... Qf4 23. Rdf1 { Redalert! Red alert! Red alert! } 23... Nd8 { Loses my queen for rook, but I couldn'tfind anything else. Anyway, I'll still have a massive materiel advantagenot that it helped me much. } 24. Rxf4 exf4 { Let's analyze here for a moment.Black is massively ahead, but white had a devastating attack going on thatmight make black sac more material to defend. Also, black's rooks aren'treally doing anything and his minor pieces are either (in the case of thed knight) tied down defending against something, or (in the case of thebishop and knight) lured over there and incapable of assisting the defensemore than a little. } 25. Rf1 { ! This was a good move. It forces me to dosomething about the attack on my pawn because otherwise another attackerwill be added to the f pawn. } 25... f3+ 26. Kg3 Bf6 { I attempt to drive awaythe knight } 27. Kxg4 { ! Defends the knight and captures the pawn. It also(more importantly) undefends my leading f pawn which will let him get hisrook in the attack. } 27... Bxg5 { I take the opportunity to remove a attacker. } 28. Rxf3 { ? Looks good, but I think I would have actually recaptured. } 28... f6 { ?? I think this is a real blunder. I think I should have played Rg8and then advanced it to g7 to add another defender. If I had, I might havesurvived. } 29. h4 { ! This forces another defender to leave. } 29... Bd2 30. Rxf6+ { Wham! At this stage, I believe my king is doomed. } 30... Kg8 31. Qd5+ { If itweren't for my knight on d8, he'd have mate. As it is, he's got an extremelystrong attack. } 31... Kg7 { I played this to try to get my rook more active. } 32. Qe5 { Qg5+?? would fall to my DSB. } 32... Kg8 { I step out of the discoveredcheck, but it doesn't help. } 33. c3 { ? Seems like a waste. } 33... Nf7 { I wasvery very tempted to play Bxc3????? but that would undefend g5 allowingmate in one. } 34. Qe7 Nh6+ { If he takes my knight (I know, it's unlikely)then I can recapture and have a won game. } 35. Kf3 { Sigh, oh well. } 35... Bxc3 36. Rf4 { Threatens mate in one with Qg5# } 36... Bg7 { This barely holds everythingtogether. } 37. Qe6+ { !! This really, really, really, hurts, my only moveis to block and next move mate } 37... Nf7 38. Qxf7# { Mate! recently this playerwas barely 950 rated, but I think he's better than that and I hope (andexpect) he's on an upward curve. Please comment, I would really appreciateit and rate. } 1-0
[Event "Nonstop Threats"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.09.07"] [Round "-"] [White "bwaa"] [Black "NN"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "5 minute blitz"] { Hi all! It's time for a very brief and hopefully enjoyable foray intothe world of blitz chess. The theme of the game: development produces threats,which produce initiative, which leads to never-ending attacks. } 1. e4 e5 2. d4 { This is the Center Game. I've been playing a fair bit of the DanishGambit recently (which continues 2...exd4 3.c3) and it's become a favoriteof mine over some of the more common responses to 1...e5, especially inblitz. The general theory: White gives up a pawn or two in the center,in exchange for open lines and accelerated development. } 2... Qf6 { ?! This overly-aggressivemove receives a (?!) instead of a (?) only because it's blitz, and theformat favors early attacks and violent traps. Of course, in any otherformat (or against a level-headed opponent), this move is simply inferior,as it brings the Queen out far too early, takes away the King Knight'sbest spot, and doesn't really threaten anything specific. } 3. Nf3 { Thelogical response. White develops naturally. } 3... Bb4+ { Black attempts to developwith tempo, but this is easy to repel and simply gives me a free move toshore up my center. } 4. c3 { I kick the Bishop and reinforce d4. My QueenKnight will probably be developing to d2 anyway. } 4... exd4 { ? Black hands overhis Bishop for no obvious reason. } 5. Bg5 { No reason to capture yet; thismove allows White to develop his own Bishop with tempo. } 5... Qg6 { To at leastgain a pawn for his lost Bishop. } 6. cxb4 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 { White has a Bishopfor two pawns and is significantly ahead in development already. Blackhas a passed d-pawn, but it is indefensible and has no prospects--in fact,my missing pawns are greater benefits for me, because they provide beautifulopen lines through the center. } 7... f6 { ? Kicking the Bishop, but weakeningthe kingside and again denying the f6 square to his own Knight. Betterwas 7...d5. } 8. Bh4 { This Bishop wants to land on the h2-b8 diagonal. } 8... Nh6 { The Knight finally develops, but it has little to do at the moment.Probably it will head for f5 at some point in the future, but that wouldhave been better accomplished by 8...Ne7. } 9. O-O { White gets his Kingout of the center, brings his Rook into the game, and unpins the Bishopat e2 so it can be transferred to d3 or c4. } 9... Ng4 { ? Black seems to be tryingto mate me with as few pieces as possible. Unfortunately for him, Q+N isnot sufficient against all my kingside defenders. Further, this move (A)delays development, and (B) delays castling--with his King and Queen sharingthe open e-file, castling should be first on Black's mind right now. Thiswas Black's last free move: now, my lead in development (five active piecesagainst Black's two) allows me to take the initiative and start makingthreats to which Black must respond. It's been nine moves; let's see howwell each side is prepared. } 10. Bc4 { I move to deny Black his castle (thanksto the frivolous f-pawn move). Black would love to reply with 10...d5 tokick my Bishop and open up a line for his own, but he can't do it, becauseI'm threatening to win his Queen with Re1. } 10... Qf4 { The BQ runs away, witha cursory threat at h2. Better was to admit his mistake and play 10...Qg6. } 11. Bg3 { I take the opportunity to relocate my Bishop right where I wantit, and boot the BQ off to some less useful square. The initiative remainsfirmly in my hand as I use the overextended Black Queen for target practice. } 11... Qh6 { Black continues to glare at h2, but it is very well defended. Histhreats are empty. In the meantime, I have a full contingent of piecesheaded for the Black King. } 12. Re1+ Kf8 { A check, and the Black King sidlesout of the line of fire, but now he can't move at all. } 13. Nxd4 { Thiscapture serves several purposes: I now threaten to jump in on e6 or f5with my Knight, as well as defending c6 if Black tries to develop his ownKnight. In addition, the move reveals an attack on Black's defenselessNg4. Once again, Black must respond to my threats instead of making hisown plans. } 13... Qg5 { It looks like Black is beginning to see the severity ofhis situation. He moves to defend g4 and f5. I think 13...Qg6 was better,though, to defend e8. } 14. Qe2 { I can keep the threats coming all day.This time it's Qe7# or Qe8# (once again thanks to my Bc4 doing an admirablejob of locking down the Black King). Neither 14...d4 nor 14...Qg6 is sufficientto meet both threats. } 14... Ne5 { I think this is the best Black has to offer,but it's not good enough. } 15. f4 { The Knight is pinned by the threat ofmate, so it must allow itself to be captured... opening the f-file formy use in the process. Not only that, but Black must still respond tothis move, since I'm also jabbing at his Queen. } 15... Qg6 { The BQ gets out ofthe way and defends f7 and d8. As I've said, I think she belonged herefrom some time ago, trying to shore up all these weak light squares. } 16. fxe5 { White's positional advantage is absolutely overwhelming. I now threaten17.exf6 Qxf6 18.Rf1, with mate to follow: 18...Qxf1+ 19.Qxf1+ Kmoves 20.Qf7+and so on. If 18...gxf6?? 19.Qe7# seals the deal immediately. } 16... fxe5 { ?Probably Black's best shot was 16...f5. Opening the f-file like this onlyinvites disaster (and if White is allowed to take on f6, things are justas bad). } 17. Rf1+ { White switches to the new open file before recapturingon e5--to retain his checking power and an irresistible initiative. } 17... Ke7 { Forced into the line of fire. } 18. Qxe5+ { King exposed, only the Queenaround to defend him, Black is finished. } 18... Qe6 { Or 18...Kd8 19.Bh4+ withmate to follow. Black's Queen interposes bravely, but she cannot save theday. } 19. Qxg7+ { There's no need to take the Queen: White has a more importanttarget in his sights. } 19... Kd8 { Or 19...Qf7 20.Qxf7+ Kd8 21.Bh4# } 20. Qxh8+ { The material gain is obviously irrelevant: what matters is that the backrank belongs to me, now. It's mate in one. } 20... Qe8 { Or 20...Ke7 21.Qf8#. Black'sQueen tries to sacrifice herself one last time. } 21. Bh4# { And that's allshe wrote. Try as she might, Black's lone Queen simply could not keep upwith all the threats that the coordinated White forces were able to deliver.Meanwhile, the final position shows just how little Black bothered to develop.This game is a pretty clear example of how clean, basic development cantriumph over wild and ill-prepared attacks. I hope you enjoyed it! } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from luckypawn"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Oct-06"] [Round "-"] [White "mattdw"] [Black "luckypawn"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1553"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1589"] { [C38: King's Gambit Accepted: 3 Nf3 g5 4 Bc4 Bg7] This is not a standardannotation, it is just Fritz's analysis of variations copied and pasted(my brief comments are those not in parenthesis). At the beginning ofevery relevant move a number is given by Fritz which indicates who is winningin terms of pawns, positive for white and negative for black. It is onlyintended to allow Luckpawn and I to have a look at our game and see wherewe went wrong tactically - so if you could refrain from giving it a badrating then that would be great, thanks. ;) The threshold for blunderswas set at 1 pawn (i.e moves that lose the equivalent of 1 or more pawnshave variations suggested). } 1. e4 { [C38: King's Gambit Accepted: 3 Nf3g5 4 Bc4 Bg7] This is not a standard annotation, it is just Fritz's analysisof variations copied and pasted (my brief comments are those not in parenthesis). At the beginning of every relevant move a number is given by Fritz whichindicates who is winning in terms of pawns, positive for white and negativefor black. It is only intended to allow Luckpawn and I to have a look atour game and see where we went wrong tactically - so if you could refrainfrom giving it a bad rating then that would be great, thanks. ;) The thresholdfor blunders was set at 1 pawn (i.e moves that lose the equivalent of 1or more pawns have variations suggested). } 1... e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. Bc4 Bg7 5. O-O { (0.12) [last book move] } 5... Qe7 6. d4 d6 { (0.53) [Securese5] } 7. Nc3 Nc6 { (1.66) [7... c6 is the best chance] } 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. Nxg5 { (2.49) [finishing the game] ...apparently! } 9... Bxd4+ { (3.21) Better than9... Qxg5 [A deflection] 10. Nxc7 [A double attack] } 10. Kh1 h6 { (10.27) Causes many problems, much better is: (10... Nh6 11. Qh5 Bg7 12. Nxf4O-O) } 11. Nxf7 { (10.27) [Demolition of pawn structure] } 11... Kxf7 { (11.65) [Decoy to f7] } 12. Qh5+ { (5.50) 12. Nxf4 Kg7 13. Nh5 is much better. } 12... Kg7 13. Nxf4 Ne5 { (#4) Allows a mate in 4. } 14. Nd3 { (-0.52) A horrendousblunder, misses the mate in four: 14. Qg6 Nxg6 15. Nh5 Kh7 16. Rf7 Bg717. Rxg7# for some strange reason I missed this last move! I had lookedat the queen sacrifice for quite a while and thought it looked promisingbut for some reason I completely overlooked what should have been the easiestmove of the combination! } 14... Rh7 15. c3 { (-2.25) Nxe5 was much better. } 15... Bg4 16. Rf7+ Nxf7 { (0.20) [Sacrifices material. what a pity, victory wasin sight. Deflection from g4] (16... Kh8 [and Black wins] 17. Rxh7 Kxh7 18. Bxg8 Kxg8 19. Qxh6 Qf8 20. Qg5 Qg7 21. Qxg7 Kxg7) } 17. Qxf7+ { (-1.02) Qxg4 is better. } 17... Kh8 18. Qf4 Nf6 { (1.00) 18...b5 is better } 19. cxd4 Qe7 { (1.63) [e4 becomes a target] (19... Be2 [and Black hangson]) } 20. e5 d5 { (4.03) (20... Rf8 21. Bd2 Be2 22. exf6 Rxf6) is better } 21. exf6 Qe2 22. f7 Qd1+ 23. Ne1 Qxe1+ 24. Bf1 { All optimal moves from21 to 24 for both sides. } 24... Rf8 { (#3) Mistake, mate in three now possible. (24... Qe7 [the only chance to get some counterplay] } 25. Qf6+ Rg7 26. Qxh6+ Rh7 27. Qxf8#
[Event "Wasted Oppotunities"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.02.20"] [Round "-"] [White "mforddog"] [Black "chesskingdom64"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1208"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1193"] { This game was pretty much driven by revenge in the opening, puzzling away to win in the midgame, and in the end, I finally found a way to winthis game. Before I start, I want to thank my opponents for giving me challengesI've never faced before. } 1. e4 { The classic pawn opening. } 1... e5 { As Black,I've been thinking of trying the Pirc Defence, but this move works goodas well. } 2. Nf3 { This move was played around 100 years ago and is consideredthe best response for White. } 2... Nc6 { Black doesn't have too much responsesto White's second move, but White has a lot of responses to Black's secondmove. } 3. Bc4 Nf6 { The Two Knight's Defence. } 4. Nc3 { Now, this lookslike it transposed into the Four Knights Game Italian Variation. } 4... Bc5 5. d3 d6 { So far, both sides aquired symmetry. Nothing new here... } 6. h3 { I talked to a chess coach about this move and it seems like castling isnecessary before playing this move. Therefore, this move was not necessary. } 6... Nd4 { Okay. I hope White takes my Knight because it seems like his bestmove at the point. } 7. Ng5 { Trapped Knight. Now you know why I liked Nxd4better. } 7... Be6 { At the same time, I had to protect f7 at costs that includecastling, which I don't mind giving up. } 8. Be3 Qe7 { This move is okay,but lets face it, I thought castling was better. } 9. Nd5 { I'm going totrade. } 9... Bxd5 10. exd5 { It is official: the LSB is a bad Bishop. } 10... O-O-O { A risky move, although I don't think that the Kingside is any safer atthis point. } 11. c3 { My only move, 11...Nf5. } 11... e4 12. dxe4 { It's my opponent'smistake of not taking the Knight. I don't know why he did this move, butI perhaps had no reason to play 11...e4 } 12... Nxe4 { This is no good either.13.cxd4 Nxg5 14.Bxg5 Qxg5 dxc5 15.dxc5 Bxc5 is what I originally thoughtwould happen, but White made it easier to avoid the unnecessary materialloss. } 13. Nxe4 Qxe4 14. f3 { That's reasonable... only for then. } 14... Nc2+ { This move automatically wins. } 15. Kf1 { And this moves enforces the wineven more. } 15... Nxe3+ 16. Ke1 Nxd1+ { I will now be twelve points up. } 17. Kxd1 Qe3 { I get irritated at myself for not taking a free Bishop. As they say,'Better safe than sorry.' } 18. Kc2 Qf2+ 19. Kb3 { Now the King is out inthe open wanting to kill himself. The problem now is getting to him. } 19... Qxg2 { I didn't really find anything that would help me win permanently. Formy own benefit, I decide to wreck my opponent's pawn structures. } 20. f4 { Qxb2 shall win the game, but I can't go full throttle and lose the Queenfor nothing. } 20... a6 { Plan B: I try to imagine what my opponent's game looklike if I won the bishop for nothing. It seems like maybe I should chaseit away from the d5 pawn. } 21. Bd3 { Unfortunately, I could not take thebishop. In fact, this was my consequence for not taking the bishop earlier. } 21... Qxd5+ 22. Bc4 { ...Qc6 then d5. } 22... Qc6 { That's step 1. } 23. Bxf7 { I was notexpecting that, but I didn't care. } 23... Qb5+ { Plan C: Queenside pawn push whenor if I distract the Rooks... not a very bright plan. } 24. Kc2 Rdf8 25. Be6+ Kb8 26. f5 { ...Bb6 then Rxf5 unless Rf1. } 26... Re8 { I set up my Rook andI will see if g6 is possible. } 27. a4 { Free pawn. Honestly, I don't knowwhat was up with me on my next move. } 27... Qe2+ 28. Kb3 g6 29. Rae1 Qh5 { Thiswould be why. } 30. f6 Rhf8 31. f7 Re7 { I thought that Plan B was the 'impossibleplan by now and that C was too risky and it gets me into traps. This movewas not necessary. 31...Rxe6! is what I missed. 32.Rxe6 Qd5+ would provethat plan B was still alive. } 32. Ka2 { I still could do Rxe6 and get thesame results. } 32... g5 { This move was worse than Re7. } 33. b4 Bf2 { Ther wasstill another idea. Rfxf7 or Rexf7. I don't know which one is better, butI have a great feeling that they're both equal. } 34. Bg4 { There goes thepawn... } 34... Qxf7+ 35. Ka3 { and ther goes the Rook that Plan C covered. Atleastone of my plans worked, but remember that I wasted moves and lost manyopportunities. } 35... Rxe1 36. Rxe1 { With the Rooks gone, I can now forget aboutthe Bishop unless otherwise. } 36... Bxe1 { My plan: simply take the c3 pawn withthe Bishop and invade White's corrupted forces. } 37. Be2 { My plan can commence. } 37... Bxc3 38. Bd1 Qf1 { There was a better move than this 38...Qc4, then Rf2creates a crushing combination that the Bishop cannot withstand by itself.38...Qc4 39.Bb3 Qxb4+ 40.Ka2 Rf2+ 41.Kb1 Qxb3+ 42.Kc1 Qc2#. } 39. Bc2 { Now39...Qa1+ 40.Kb3 Qb2+ 41.Kc4. } 39... Qa1+ 40. Kb3 Qb2+ { You might laugh at mehere (I don't blame you), but I actually thought this was checkmate anddid not pay attention to the c4 square. } 41. Kc4 { Until he moved there.However, I did not lose my grip on White. } 41... Bxb4 { This move wins permanently.No matter what move he plays, I'll respond with Re1. } 42. Kd3 { Especiallythis move. } 42... Re8 { Mate in 1 is now visible. } 43. Bd1 { Qc3 mates. } 43... Qc3# { That'sthe game. Something occured to me during this game; it was the motto, 'Whenfaced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out.' Aside from missingout on early opportunities and missing out on tactical advantages, I finallypulled though and checkmated White. There is more than one way to do something.Next time, I should think more slowly to get the best moves possible. Youmake a decision, it becomes your choice and it leads you to your consequences. } 0-1
[Event "To Take or Not to Take"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.19"] [Round "-"] [White "cyko"] [Black "eoinconn"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1488"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1570"] 1. e4 { I'm white. Standard e4! } 1... c5 2. Bc4 e5 3. Qf3 { I know this isn'tthe wisest course of action. I was more or less making sure he was payingattention. } 3... Qf6 { An interesting reply. Now the ladies take center stage... } 4. d3 d6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nd5 { Now he's in a pickle. He has to take my Qor move his very carefully. } 6... Qxf3 7. Nxf3 { Elizabeth has left the building,now off to partake in my nasty scheme. } 7... Kd7 { Ahh...black does not failto forget my royal steed and the upcoming fork. } 8. Ng5 Nh6 9. O-O f6 { Now,it's here that I see supreme infiltration. } 10. f4 { If he takes pxN thenmy pxp leaving my R the open F-file. :) Not to mention my pawn will beattacking his N so he'll have to move him swiftly and give my Rook thef7 square for check. This take is what I named the game after, to takeor not to take. Look a gift horse in the mouth? } 10... fxg5 11. fxg5 Ng4 { Planhas worked thus far... } 12. Rf7+ { Note he can't move to e6, because N-c7is # } 12... Ke8 13. Nc7+ Kd8 14. Nxa8 Be7 15. h3 { he resigns here, his Knightis toast no matter where he moves. he would be -6 after the N moves andI take. } 1-0
[Event "walking the walk"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.10.07"] [Round "-"] [White "brigadecommander"] [Black "russ20124"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1176"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2218"] 1. d4 { This is my first game with bridgecommander. I am playing black.Please comment on the annotation. } 1... c6 { I wanted to do something different,probably why I never gained ground. Moved c6 in preparation for d5. } 2. e4 { Since I never really opened with c6 before, I was unprepared for thisadvance. Although in hindsight, it seems like it shouldn't affect my plan,butIdid decide to not push d5. } 2... d6 { I wish I would have moved d5 insteadof d6. I typically am more aggressive and wanted to try a defensive moveinstead. Also, this move took the game out of the database. Probably moreof a disadvantage for me to do that. } 3. f4 { That looks imposing. } 3... Qc7 { Decided to castle queen side. } 4. Nf3 Bg4 { People have done this to mea lot, so I've been trying it myself to pin the knight. I think the goalappears to be to disrupt the kingside pawn structure. } 5. h3 { Worked asplanned, although not much of an advantage. } 5... Bxf3 { I decided to trade myLSB for the knight. Only real benefit I could see is to further disturbthe king's pawns, but the there's that massive pawn onslaught down themiddle I'll have to deal with. Never been here before, so we'll see whathappens. } 6. Qxf3 { Oops, I guess that really didn't work out at all. Ijust traded my bishop for a knight for no apparent benefit. } 6... Nd7 { Now justtrying to castle before the pawns attack. } 7. Bc4 { Debated e6 to defend,but the king seems very vulnerable. It think I'll give up f7 and just castlenow. } 7... O-O-O { I don't really feel much safer. } 8. O-O { Now that I see theking castle short, white doesn't really look very vulnerable with all mypieces undeveloped. What a mess. } 8... Kb8 { I wanted to protect my a pawn. Definitelyshould have moved e6. } 9. Bxf7 { First blood and nothing I can do aboutit. } 9... Ngf6 { Trying to get my knight out of trouble. Really pointless withthose center pawns. I'm way out developed here. } 10. e5 Nd5 { The whitepawn troop make their move. } 11. c4 { No time to develop without losingthat knight. Not moving e6 was a big mistake. } 11... Nb4 { Wondering if Nb6 wouldhave been better. Although I think a black c5 would have made me move itagain. } 12. Qb3 { Queen threatens the unprotected knight. He's really doomed,just hasn't figured it out yet. } 12... Qb6 { Pulling the queen out to protect.It bothers me my pawns and minor pieces are relatively undeveloped andthe queen is out front. I haven't been in a game like this where I've donewell without an opponent blunder. I don't think that will happen here. } 13. e6 { Not many configurations more disturbing than this pawn-bishop combotwo rows from promotion. I am thinking I will have to sacrifice somethingto keep a promotion from happening. } 13... Qxd4+ { My only real threat the wholegame, rather empty at that. } 14. Be3 { Simply deflected and now my queenis in trouble. } 14... Qd3 { I know I'm behind in development, but hoping whitewill trade queens to relieve the king file pressure. } 15. exd7 { But whitehas other plans. If I am forced to take her queen, it opens the white rookup. Now down 2. } 15... Rxd7 { I wanted to remove the pawn promotion threat anddidn't consider 15... c5. That would have supported the knight and stoppedthe bishop from taking a2, but I didn't think of it during the game. } 16. Bxa7+ { With the bishop and queen on this side, I thought there must bea mate coming very shortly. My goal was to defend until the end. } 16... Kxa7 17. Qxb4 { I am surprised the 15... Rxd7 wasn't considered a mistake. Thec5 move really seemed to accelerate the loss. } 17... d5 18. Qc5+ Kb8 19. Be6 Rd6 20. cxd5 { There's that bishop-pawn combo again. There must be a namefor that configuration. It shows up quite a bit. } 20... Kc7 21. Nc3 b6 22. Qa3 Qd4+ { A temporary offensive front. A second check! Yippee! } 23. Kh2 { Meantnothing really, everything on the white side is totally supported. Thequeen has little help. } 23... b5 24. dxc6 Qb6 25. Bd5 b4 { A fork! In this game,I have to have my mini victories as I lose. } 26. Nb5+ Kb8 { Not sure whyI didn't take the knight... maybe it's because white wanted me to and Ifelt compelled to rebel. } 27. c7+ Kc8 { Another pawn threatening. That decisionearly on has haunted me this whole game. } 28. Qa8+ Kd7 29. c8=Q# { Nicefinish. Makes sense in this game to lose to a pawn promotion since I letthem advance in the opening. Enjoyed the game! } 1-0
[Event "bigpeta's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.07"] [Round "-"] [White "snowman100"] [Black "efc8"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1451"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1573"] 1. c4 { English. Claim on central space. } 1... e5 { Counter claim on centre. } 2. e3 { Preparing for later d4 thrust. } 2... Bc5 { Blacks Bishop is biting ongranite there..but he is stopping an immediate d4. } 3. Be2 { Just developingbits on Kingside and tempting him to play e4 prematurely. } 3... Nf6 { Naturaldevelopment. } 4. Nc3 { just getting me bits out. } 4... c6 { Preparing the freeingd5 push. } 5. Nf3 { This is a mistake...if black plays an immediate e4 I'mjumping straight back to g1 and then playing f3 to open up the f file formy kings rook after I castle kingside. } 5... O-O 6. O-O d6 { Black is supportinge5...it looks like he really doesn't want to push d4. } 7. a3 { OK lets startsome play on the Queenside and get some pawns rolling and get my blacksquared Bishop active on the long diagonal a1-h8 then I can connect myrooks. } 7... a6 { Looks likme black has similar ideas and he is also creatinga retreat square for his Bishop. } 8. b4 { As per plan. } 8... Ba7 9. Bb2 { That'sa better square for me old Bishop. } 9... Be6 10. d4 { I'm going to push for asmuch space as I can. } 10... e4 11. d5 { Gross error..chess blindness!...I wasthinking of pushing d5 when I made my last move (d4). When I returnedto the game I automatically played it without even noticing that my knightwas threatened!! } 11... cxd5 { Surely black should have playedexf3 winning a piece. } 12. cxd5 { Another bad error. Black could still win a piece by exf3...Idon't believe I just played exd5 especially because I was already alertedto the danger of black playing exf3! } 12... Bd7 { That really lets me off thehook. } 13. Nd2 Bf5 14. Qb3 { Now I can start to build up a lot of pressureon the Queenside. } 14... Nbd7 15. Rac1 Rc8 16. Rc2 { I want to double my rooksthen rip up the c file. } 16... Ng4 { I can win a pawn here. } 17. Bxg4 Bxg4 18. Ndxe4 Ne5 { Lets get shot of that Bishop and stop the knight coming to g4later. I'll play h3 } 19. h3 Qh4 { Oh damn!...I didn't see that comingat all! Suddenly I am in a lot of trouble. He can play Bxh3 and aftergxh3 he plays Qxh3 and his knight can come safely to g4 with mate threatened. I need to do something quickly all my pieces are trapped on the Queensideand I am caught wrong footed. It is difficult to defend. } 20. Ne2 { I thinkI can just about wriggle out of things with Ne2 because I am now attackinghis knight one5 and I can chop it off just in the nick of time. Yes Ne2. } 20... Bxh3 { OK ...I can't take the Bishop because he gets a mating attack withNf3+ then Qxe4 threatening an unstoppable double check then mate. } 21. N4g3 { N4f3...removes my unprotected Knight from e4 as well as guardingthe e4 square it also gives me breathing time to whip his knight off andtake the wind out of his attack. If he plays Nf3+ I just take it andI get 2 pieces for my rook when he takes on F1 with his Bishop. Ifhe takes on g2 straight away I just take back with my King and if he playsNg4 to threaten mate I can bring my rook to h1...yes it looks safe..N4g3. } 21... Bd7 { That Knight has got to go pronto. Bxe5 } 22. Bxe5 dxe5 23. Rfc1 { Double the rooks on the open file...can't be bad. } 23... Qe7 24. e4 { Stabalisingthe centre. } 24... Qe8 25. Rc7 { Grab the 7th rank while it's up for grabs. } 25... Rxc7 26. Rxc7 Bb6 27. Rxb7 { Might as well gobble up the pawn on offer..it lookssafe..if he playsBc8 I just playRa8 and its safe because its pinning hisBishop against his Queen. } 27... Bd4 28. Nxd4 { I think I can win another pawnhere forking his pawns on d4 and a6 with my Queen. } 28... exd4 29. Qd3 Bb5 30. Qxd4 { may as well grab the extra material. } 30... Qc8 31. Nf5 { Nf5 looks prettygood. Multiple threats. Mate on g7 or forking the Queen with e7 He can'ttake the rook and my king is safe...he has a couple of checks on c1 thenon f4 but it 's no problem. Yes Nf5 looks excellent. } 31... Qc1+ 32. Kh2 Qg5 { OK ..I don't want to playg3 because his Bishop zooms into f1 with a matingattack..so easiest is just to face off Queens..if he exchanges I've gotan easy push down the centre with me prawns. } 33. Qe3 { inviting the exchangeof Queens for an easy endgame. } 33... Qf6 34. Qf4 Bf1 35. Ne7+ { Forcing the exchangeof Queens and an easy endgame. } 35... Kh8 36. Qxf6 { Off she comes! } 36... gxf6 37. a4 { Just to stop his Bishop coming back to b5 which would make queeningthe d pawn a bit harder. } 37... h5 38. d6 { Just an easy pawn push now. } 38... Rd8 39. d7 { Nearly there. } 39... Kh7 40. Nc6 { Inviting the rook to vacate the Queeningsquare. } 40... Rg8 41. g3 { No point in letting him take my g pawn. The Queeningcan wait..he can't stop it. } 41... h4 42. Rb8 { I think this is the most efficient....Iget to keep the Queen this way. } 42... hxg3+ { Doesn't do much but black has nothingelse. } 43. fxg3 { I don't think can delay the inevitable for much longer. } 43... Rxb8 { I'm very surprised black hasn't resigned yet. } 44. Nxb8 { NxR Naturally. } 44... Bd3 45. d8=Q { Obviously I must Queen the pawn. } 45... Bxe4 46. Qxf6 { Restrictthe King as much as possible for a mating net. } 46... Bg6 { He's obviously playingfor a draw by stalemate...not going to happen! } 47. Nxa6 { Just Queen anotherpawn and mate in the corner. OK He's had enough and resigns next move. } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "24-Jun-08"] [Round "-"] [White "horseshoe"] [Black "pretz"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1410"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1377"] 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 4. Qd1 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Nf3 d6 8. Bc4 O-O { I'm playing a very characteristic Sicilian Dragon opening. Knights are all in the right spot, the c pawn is gone, the d and g pawnsare in position, and the black bishop fianchettoed nicely. I mostly gotthis from 'How to Think Ahead in Chess'. } 9. O-O Be6 { I was out of thingsto develop, and I wanted to open up the rook's file. In this situation,white can choose between letting his white bishop run around and wastetempo, or he can just trade and double up pawns on the e file. He choseto trade off. } 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. a3 { To prevent Nb4 } 11... Ng4 12. b4 Bxc3 { Oops. It happens. } 13. Rb1 Nxe3 14. fxe3 { Since I'm ahead, trading off piecesand opening up lines (even for the opposition) makes sense. Also, nowhe's got double isolated pawns. } 14... Rc8 15. Ng5 { Putting pressure on the doubledpawn. } 15... Ne5 16. Nxe6 { Forked like a rookie. How disgraceful. } 16... Qb6 17. Qd5 { Preparing for a revealed check, but in my humble opinion taking the rookmight have been wiser. } 17... Qxe3+ 18. Kh1 Rxf1+ 19. Rxf1 { Now I've gotten therook out of danger and taken the pawn back, so the beautiful fork comesto nothing. } 19... Nf7 20. Ng5 Qxg5 21. Qxf7+ Kh8 22. Qe6 Rg8 23. Qc4 Be5 24. Qe2 Qh4 25. h3 { Saving himself from Qxh2 mate } 25... Qg3 { Threatening Qh2 mate } 26. Kg1 Qh2+ 27. Kf2 Rf8+ 28. Ke1 Qg3+ 29. Kd1 Rxf1+ 30. Qxf1 { Tradingoff. } 30... Kg7 { This attack just ran out of steam, but I've succeeded in tradingoff pieces while maintaining my advantage. } 31. Qe2 Qxa3 32. h4 Bc3 33. Qd3 Bxb4 34. Qd4+ e5 { Protecting with tempo } 35. Qd5 b6 36. Qb7+ Kh6 37. Qf7 Qe3 38. Qd5 Qe1# { My bishop advantage proves enough for the checkmate. } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "11-Feb-08"] [Round "-"] [White "nivk"] [Black "tberk1"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1272"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1260"] 1. e3 { this was a game played by my older brother ( no im not bias )...i thought this was an interesting game........hope you enjoy my insightful(maybe) comments. } 1... d5 { d4 } 2. c3 Nf6 3. Qf3 c5 { standard opening, pawnto e6 is next } 4. h3 { h3 } 4... e6 5. d3 { nivk moving pawns one space at a time } 5... Bd6 { this move opens up for kg8 (castle for later on) } 6. e4 { nivk persistingwith pawn movement } 6... d4 { this moves aims to open up C file if pawn is taken } 7. h4 e5 { consolidating d4, no attacks planned yet } 8. a3 { more pawn development } 8... Nc6 { move to further develop and maybe consolidate d4 } 9. Nd2 { nivk lowon options for knight movement as c3 and a3 are both occupied } 9... Qc7 { continueingto release pieces } 10. b4 { nivk thrusting pawns forward. However, c3 isleft open... } 10... dxc3 { d4xc3 } 11. Nb3 { moving knight away from trouble...nivkis on the backfoot(slightly) } 11... cxb4 { black advancing pawns } 12. Bg5 Be7 { protection move } 13. Qg3 { looking to attack if black castles... not goingto happen } 13... Be6 { force knight to retreat to c1 } 14. Nc1 Nd4 { looking forc2 (check) then a1. if white moves king to (d1 in order to not lose rook)then it is pawn c2... forces Ke1 then Qc3 wins the game for black } 15. f4 { nivk did well to spot the checkmate and again advances pawn....... } 15... Bg4 { Bg4 is a crutial move in this game...tberk1 is looking for Nc2..forces Kf2 then Qc5.. check, forces Qe3 to cover king..then checkmate } 16. fxe5 { a good move here opening up the bishop defence on e3 } 16... Nc2+ { king forced to f2 } 17. Kf2 Qb6+ { hoping for Be3 } 18. Be3 { Ne3 is next.....nivk is scrambling to defend } 18... Nxe4+ { black realises his knight would beeaten later... so he makes a pawn from this } 19. dxe4 Nxe3 { Ne3... i toldyou.... white must take otherwise next move they have lost by Nc2 } 20. Qxe3 { queen is trapped } 20... Bc5 { hard to see a comeback from here } 21. Bb5+ { pointless... i think..but it allows king to take blacks bishop when thequeen is taken } 21... Qxb5 22. axb4 Bxe3+ { and now the games pase slows downas white has a long way to come back from } 23. Kxe3 { material value bishop=3 queen=9 you do the math.. } 23... Qxe5 { this is where the game is in blackscontrol and it tapers out from here } 24. Nd3 { attacking the queen } 24... Qg3+ 25. Nf3 O-O { castle for unkwown reason.. should have gone Qg2 } 26. Nc5 { hmmm.. Qg2 next move? } 26... Qxg2 { yep } 27. Raf1 { defending their horse at allcosts but black can move Bxf3 } 27... Bxf3 { its soon over } 28. Rhg1 { good movebut Qe2 is open } 28... Qe2+ 29. Kf4 { king is in the open.....on the runaway } 29... Bg2 { impending resignation } 30. Kg3 { this is the 2nd last move before resignation } 30... Bxf1 { a well planned game....... next for black would be Qe3 then if whitemoves to h2 its over...however if they go to g4 then Bh3 forces Kh5 thena simple Pg6 forces Rg6 then Pg6 again wins black the game.... if you gotto this point u r probalby already sick of my un educated comments....thanksfor reading } 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.24"] [Round "-"] [White "rookie879"] [Black "engbobo"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1472"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1489"] { I've been in a little slump lately.In my other team game against engboboI lost badly in the Black side of a king's gambit. } 1. e4 { 1.e4.Very popularand very correct. } 1... e5 2. Nc3 { Vienna Opening.I decided to give this onea try. } 2... Bc5 3. f4 { Vienna Gambit } 3... exf4 4. Nf3 Be7 { A rarely played movealthough I don't think I took full advantage of the opportunity. } 5. d4 { This move might be ok,but If I had a chance to redo the game I probablywould have settled with 5.Bc4 or 5.h4. } 5... g5 6. Bc4 d6 7. O-O Bg4 { Now mygambit seems unsound.I have no full compensation for the pawn. } 8. h3 Bh5 9. Qe1 { supporting the g-pawn's advance } 9... h6 10. g3 fxg3 11. Qxg3 Nd7 12. h4 { Desperately trying to break down my oppenent's kingside structure } 12... f6 { ?!The weakness of the e6-square will cost Black a bit. } 13. d5 Ne5 14. Nd4 { !?Deciding my Bishop is worse than my knight,I sacrifice the Bishopembarking for the e6 square. } 14... Nxc4 15. Ne6 Qd7 16. Ng7+ { Getting the Bishopback. } 16... Kf7 { The most natuaral move,but safer would have been Kd8,hidingbehind his pieces } 17. Nxh5 { I know have full compensation for the pawndue to his cramped development and exposed king.My,how things have changed. } 17... Ne5 { ?losing his pawn giving me the advantage and further weakening hisking. } 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. Qxg5 Qh3 { ?? mistake numero tres this loses therook. } 20. Qg7+ Ke8 21. Qxh8 Kd7 { ?? The final mistake although his positionis lost. } 22. Nxf6+ { I win the Queen } 22... Nxf6 23. Qxh3+ Nfg4 { My executionfrom here on out probably wasn't the best,but my huge material advantagewins anyway. } 24. Bf4 Rg8 25. Bg3 Kd8 26. Rae1 c6 27. Bxe5 Nxe5+ 28. Kh1 Ng4 29. Rg1 Nf2+ 30. Kh2 { Black resigns since 30...Nxh3 31.Rxg8+ Kd7 32.Kxh3is totally winning. } 1-0
[Event "57th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.05.06"] [Round "-"] [White "aspiemikey"] [Black "haywardbob"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1155"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1358"] 1. e4 e5 { We both open up our queen and kingside bishops } 2. d4 { Now Iopen up my other bishop } 2... exd4 3. Qxd4 { Now we exchange } 3... Nc6 4. Qe3 { Timeto retreat } 4... b6 5. Qg5 { I attack the queen... } 5... f6 { ...but my opponent putsup some defence... } 6. Qe3 { ...so mine must retreat, again... } 6... Bc5 7. Qg3 { ..and again, guarding the f2 square, and lining an assault on the farright-hand corner. } 7... Nd4 8. Qxg7 { Now the rook is trapped... } 8... Qe7 9. Qxh8 { ...and I take it, instead of the queen. } 9... Qxe4+ { The queen is coming... } 10. Be3 { ...so it's time to put up some defence. } 10... Nxc2+ { Another assault... } 11. Kd1 { ...so it's time to move. } 11... Qg6 { Now my queen is caged. } 12. Bxc5 bxc5 { I decide to swap bishops... } 13. Na3 { ...and attack the knight... } 13... Nxa1 { ...but finally captures my rook... } 14. Bc4 { ...so I unleash my remainingbishop in an attempt to free my caged queen... } 14... Nc2 15. Qxg8+ { ...whichI do, with a bit of luck... } 15... Qxg8 16. Bxg8 { ...resulting in an exchange. } 16... Nxa3 17. bxa3 { Now, with the knight out of the way... } 17... Rb8 { ...my opponentlaunches an assault on the b-file... } 18. Bxh7 { ...so I cover the bottomrank b1 square by removing another pawn... } 18... Rb1+ { ...but this is a mistake... } 19. Bxb1 { ...as I had that square covered. Crazy game or what? } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from checkmateu2"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.11.15"] [Round "-"] [White "checkmateu2"] [Black "rooiphil"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1317"] [TimeControl "7d+3d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1583"] 1. e4 { King's pawn. Nothing strange about this } 1... e5 { Expected/usual response. } 2. Nf3 d5 { I opt for the QP counter (elephant) gambit. Apparently it canbe quite risky, so I'll try to stick to the conventional opening from hereand see where it goes. I also have to remember that if he goes exd5, I'llbe a pawn down, but he will a very far advanced, unprotected pawn. } 3. exd5 { Accepts in Marcozy Gambit fashion. } 3... Bd6 { This is as far as the Marcozygambit goes in the GK chess opening database. But I oblige, protectingthe e pawn and affecting some control on the center squares. I like havingcontrol of the center. } 4. d3 { I presume he is opening up, affecting somecontrol in the center while freeing up his DSB } 4... Ne7 { I opt to go for Ne2.Attacking d2 while developing and allowing King's side castling, whilealso allowing f6, in order to affirm center control. } 5. Nc3 { Developing,while protecting d2. He is careful here, as he does not want to advanceto many of his pawns to protect d2 and screw up his pawn structures whilelimiting development. } 5... O-O { Get the King safe, early on. I sincerely hopethis doesn't come back to bite me in the ass, as he has the option of advancinghis DSB and Queen to my King's side since my knight on e2 doesn't attackthe traditional h5 and g4 squares. } 6. Bg5 { Pinning my knight and developing.I dislike the pin. The usual way of discouraging the oin is threateningwith h6, but it weakens the king's side pawns. } 6... Bf5 { His DSB does not reallypresent a threat at present, so I will develop my LSB to the logic andtraditional f5. } 7. Ne4 { Moving one piece twice before moving every pieceonce, which is a rule I like to stick to unless another move offers greateradvantage. He aims to gain control of the center, challenge my DSB thatsupports my pawn, allows to develop c4 to support d5. I see this as a goodmove. } 7... f6 { Support e5, while unpinning my knight freeing it up for attackon d5. Now he has the option of trading his knight for mt DSB. I don'tmind that, as he would trade a strong/active piece for a defensive one. } 8. Bh4 { Retreats. Still maintains pressure on the h4-d8 diagonal. } 8... Nxd5 { Material + support for my h6 pawn. } 9. h3 { Avoiding a pin on his Nf3.I never play this move. Personal preference really. Weakens the pawns infront of your king. I don't like. He is hoping I overextend myself bygoing for g5, but he has too much fire power aiming at my knig's side.No go } 9... Nd7 { So I develop, get some backing behind the pawn on f6. I haveread somewhere that you should always try to develop such that you don'tuse your pieces to support the pawns, but rather the pawns to support thepieces. But here I try to develop towards the king's side for protectionas well as offense. } 10. a3 { Don't know why he does this, I don't understandthe tactic. } 10... Nc5 { This is usually the point in the game where I make mymistakes. I have played an opening, gotten some okayish position, but theproblem here lies in what to do next. How to develop my attack. I no longerwish to trade my DSB, but I need to get his e4 knight moving as it limitsmy movement. I'll even take the trade (Nxd6), if it means getting thatstrong piece off the board. } 11. Nfd2 { He goes defensive, threatening thefork on e4 with his pawn if I take the trade, Nxe4. Danger Danger. } 11... Bg6 { Go on the passive here. But the position he is hold on my f-pawn withhis DSB is limiting. I he pushes up with his c pawn and force my knightout of the way he can force my hand w.r.t. position on the king's side. } 12. Be2 { Developing, getting ready to castle king's side. It would suitme, as I have most of my pieces aiming that way. } 12... Qe8 { Unpin my queen,waiting move, I want to see what he does first. } 13. Bf3 { supporting thatknight, better position for the LSB I suppose. } 13... f5 { Position, gettingcontrol of the center. Just the way I like it. And it brings my f-filerook into the game. } 14. Nc3 { Sensible retreat, forcing my Nd5 to tradeor do something } 14... Nxc3 { Take the trade. Also doubles his queen's side pawns. } 15. bxc3 c6 { Waiting move, also protecting my pawn on b7, enforcing somecenter control. } 16. O-O e4 { This is where I start to struggle. I haveto start mounting my attack on the king's side. I have my DSB pointed atyour king's side, but I tend to get side tracked and miss his own attack.Let's see. Open up the dark squares for my bishop. Try ti get my queento e5 threaten Qh2#. He can pin my pawn on e4 and I can still get my queento e5, attack the pawn on c3 and the LSB. } 17. Re1 { The pin, which turnsout better for him than for me. } 17... Qe5 { Threaten Qh2# } 18. Bg3 { Not the optionI would have gone with. I thought he would play g2. But I didn't reallygive it much thought. } 18... f4 { Attacking two of his bishops at once. Good forme! } 19. Bh2 Qxc3 { Material, unpinning my queen and attack his bishop allat once. I am smiling. } 20. Bxe4 { Oops, didn't quite see that. } 20... Rae8 { Ishould have traded the Nc5xe4, and saved my king's side pawn structure,but I wanted control of the e-file. Mistake from me. } 21. Bxg6 { So he trades,destroys my king's side pawns by doubling up my pawns } 21... hxg6 22. Ne4 { Heattacks my DSB } 22... Nxe4 { We trade. } 23. dxe4 Be5 { This is my personal favoritemove of the game. Getting my DSB behind my queen on the long diagonal.Turns out, this was the winning move. } 24. Qc1 { The mistake I reckon hemade, he missed the trade of the my queen and DSB for his rook and queen. } 24... Qxa1 { Trade is materially in my favor. } 25. Qxa1 Bxa1 26. Rxa1 Rxe4 { No,I have won, and it plays out like that. } 27. Kf1 Rc4 28. Ra2 Re8 29. g3 f3 { Also a good move, avoiding the trade, restricting movement of his kingand keeping the king at bay with my rook controlling the e-file. } 30. g4 Re2 31. Bf4 { Blunder } 31... Rxf4 32. Kg1 Rc4 33. Rb2 Rcxc2 { He should trade here. } 34. Rb1 { doesn't } 34... Rxf2 35. Rxb7 { he is tired now, I have already won. Forcedcheck mate in two. } 35... Rg2+ 36. Kf1 Rc1# 0-1
[Event "WWW.DOCTORCOMPUTER.ES SEGUNDA EDICION"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "13-May-07"] [Round "-"] [White "oz-bear"] [Black "hihoktf"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1713"] [TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1678"] 1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. c4 dxc4 4. Bxc4 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 c6 7. a3 Bd6 8. b4 O-O 9. Bb2 Nb6 10. Bd3 Nbd5 11. O-O a5 { Trying to get the extra Queensidepawn. } 12. b5 cxb5 13. Bxb5 Nc7 14. Bd3 b5 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Rb8 17. Qc2 h6 18. Ne5 Bxe5 { Has the advantage of doubling Whites e-pawns, butthe disadvantage of giving White the Bishop pair. I hoped in light of theextra Queenside pawn and the blockading of Whites dark-squares Bishop byhis own pawn on e5, the net strategic effect was an advantage for Black. } 19. dxe5 Bb7 { Obviously, this is a verrrry slow opening for Black :-) } 20. Rfd1 Bxe4 { Eliminates Whites Bishop pair advantage. } 21. Qxe4 Nd5 22. Rac1 Qe7 { It only took Black twenty-two moves to get developed! } 23. g3 b4 { Looking for a passed pawn deep in White territory. } 24. axb4 axb4 25. Rc4 Rfc8 { Looking for an endgame where Whites King can't cover the Kingsideand Queenside simultaneously. I was very aware, and afraid of the potentialnegative effects, of Whites ability to dislodge the Knight with e3-e4.I also thought about the pawn structure weakness for White that would comewith e3-e4. } 26. Rdc1 Rxc4 27. Qxc4 Qe8 28. e4 Ne7 29. Kg2 Qb5 30. f3 Qxc4 { Continuously working toward a Queenside that required Whites Kings assistance.At this point in time, I thought there would be a game of cat-and-mousebetween Blacks Knight and Rook, and Whites Bishop, Rook, and King. I didn'tknow who would win that battle, and didn't know if Black would be ableto take control of the Kingside as a result of it. } 31. Rxc4 b3 32. Rc7 { This seems like a waste of time for White, and the continuation leavesWhites Bishop in the unenviable position of being overworked. That Whitepawn on e5 was looking weaker and weaker all the time. } 32... Kf8 33. Kf2 Ke8 { Probably a wasted move. I was waffling on the best way to try to limitWhites Rooks mobility and/or get my King in the action. } 34. Ke2 Rb6 35. Kd2 { White needed to be careful here about his potentially vulnerable h-pawndue to the skewer with his King on the second rank. } 35... Nc6 36. Rc8+ { I didn'tlike this at all for White. It loses the e-pawn, takes his Rook out ofthe action, and the continuation left him with a lot of work to extricatehis Rook after being trapped in enemy territory. I was thinking maybe f3-f4or Kc1 instead. } 36... Kd7 37. Rg8 g6 38. Rh8 Nxe5 39. Bxe5 b2 40. Bxb2 Rxb2+ 41. Ke3 Rxh2 42. f4 h5 43. Rh7 Ke7 44. e5 Ra2 45. Kf3 Ra3+ 46. Kg2 Ra8 47. Kh3 Ra7 48. g4 hxg4+ 49. Kxg4 Kf8 50. Rh8+ Kg7 51. Re8 Ra1 52. Re7 Rg1+ 53. Kh4 g5+ 54. fxg5 Kg6 55. Rc7 Re1 56. Rc5 Re4+ 57. Kg3 Kxg5 58. Kf3 Re1 59. Rc7 Rxe5 60. Rxf7 Rf5+ 61. Rxf5+ Kxf5 62. Ke3 Ke5 63. Ke2 Ke4 64. Ke1 Ke3
[Event "How to schablone?"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "june"] [Round "-"] [White "John Doe"] [Black "vonbonkagain"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "blitz 5m+10s"] [WhiteElo "1850"] { Especially in blitz, playing black, I always find a usefull tool in schablonechess... Just copy, what white does... Black can never do a bad move, untilwhite does, is the central idea behind this concept... Of course, thereare some constraints... A strict symmetrical position, is usually in white'sbenefit, because white plays forehand... So black - but also white - hasto diverse, at the right moment... } 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 d5 3. Bf4 Bf5 4. e3 e6 { A true member of the schablone family... If we can play this happilyever after, this game will surely draw... So white has to break the symmetry...But how? 5. Bb5+ will surely do the trick, but after c6, Bd3, Bxd3, Qxd3,Bd6, the position is fairly equal... And in blitz, you only get five minutes,to prove any point... >>>>>Special note to water123: nobody cares whatyou think. I call my opponents not by name, to protect their privacy, whetherthey win or lose... We call this respect, something you've never heardof. You do not only insult me, but also my opponent(s).<<<<< } 5. c4 { Whitehad better prolonged the symmetry for a while longer, with 5. Bd3 Ne4 6.0-0 Bd6 7. Ne5 0-0! and full symmetrics... Now, break the position up with8. f3 Bxe5 (f6?, fxe4, dxe4, Bc4!, fxe5, dxe5) 9. dxe5 Nc5, and all iswell on the white front... After this move, things go terribly wrong... } 5... Bxb1 { Of course, black can't copy-cat 5. ... c5? 6. cxd5 exd5 (cxd4?, Qa4+)7. Qb3! Qb6, which leads to a dead position, for black... But this is theright moment to strike, since black has Bb4+ left, without Nc3; plus: whiteruled out Bb5+... } 6. Rxb1 { Wrong choice; after 6. Qxb1 Bb4+ 7. Kd1! (Ke2,dxc4) Nbd7 8. Qc2 c5! (develops Bf8) 9. a3! Ba5 10. dxc5, white can holdhis ground... } 6... Bb4+ { Thus: we gain tempo... } 7. Ke2 { Forced: after 7. Nd2?Ne4, it is over... } 7... Bd6 { Strong retalliation... After 7. ... 0-0 8. c5,Bb4 gets cramped... } 8. Ne5 { Best is 8. Bxd6, and get it over with... } 8... dxc4 { Free pawn... } 9. Kf3 { Preventing Ne4, plus f6, right away... Slightlybetter is trying 9. Qa4+ c6 (or Nbd7) 10. Qxc4 Nh5 11. Qb3 b6... After9. Nxc4? Bxf4 10. exf4 Qd5! things are starting to look ugly for white... } 9... b5 { What else? Forced, but best... } 10. b3 Nd5 { Things are taking shape...Black threatens f6, plus Nc2... } 11. bxc4 { First things have to be first...This is forced, otherwise this pawn will get to c3, plus coverage via b4...There is no use in preventing Nc3, because of f6... Plus, black has alwaysNxf4, and his strong bishop on d6... } 11... Nc3 { Not evitable... Think of 6.Rxb1... } 12. Qd2 { These tragic things, can only happen in blitz... After12. Qc2 Nxb1 13. Qxb1 bxc4, white only loses his pride and some quality...Now, he loses a piece... } 12... Nxb1 { Oops, queen under attack... } 13. Qd3 { Losesa full rook, but there were other matters at hand... The white queen hasto defend c4... } 13... Na3 { What white had overseen... The knight is covered... } 14. Qe4 { To discourage f6, via Ng4!... Plus, attacking Ra8, and b5, allat the same time... } 14... Nd7 { Discouraging... White has no threats whatsoever... } 15. Bg5 { Setting one last trap... After 15. ... Qxg5?? 16. Qxa8+ Ke7 17.Nc6+ Kf6 18. Qxh8, white might run out of trouble... } 15... Nf6 { Relentless...And much stronger then 15. ... f6... } 16. Qc6+ { This was his last trump... } 16... Kf8 17. Nd7+ Ke7 18. Ne5 bxc4 19. Bxc4 Nxc4 20. Qxc4 Kf8 21. Nc6 Ne4 { Very nice move... Altough this implies a queen sac, we introduce Nd2+,and win it back... After Kxe4, Qxg5... } 22. Qb5 Nxg5+ { There were a lotof solutions... But this is surely not the one... White resigns; afterQf6, it is done... We had still plenty of time, both some four minutes... } 0-1
[Event "Annotation Tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.03"] [Round "-"] [White "charleshiggie"] [Black "bookie"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1820"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "2027"] 1. d4 { In this game I get a good position, but I let it slide, but I thinkmy opponent played very well - well above his rating! } 1... Nf6 { This is a usualreply, preventing e2-e4 } 2. c4 { and so it this, preparing Nb1-c3 } 2... g6 { Heprepares to put his bishop on g7 } 3. Nc3 { I prepare e2-e4 } 3... Bg7 { He playsthe King's Indian Defence, c7-c5 or d7-d5 are usual here too } 4. e4 { SoI seize the centre. } 4... d6 { He prevents e4-e5, although Bobby Fischer showedthat 0-0 was quite playable } 5. f3 { This is the Sämisch Variation, It isnamed after Friedrich Sämisch, who developed the system in the 1920s. } 5... O-O { This is usual } 6. Be3 { As is this } 6... Nc6 { He develops } 7. Nge2 { andso do I } 7... a6 { This is most common in this position, prehaps preparing b7-b5should white play 0-0-0 } 8. Qd2 { I develop my queen } 8... Rb8 { and he furtherprepares b7-b5. This is the Panno Variation of the Sämisch. Black preparesto respond appropriately depending on White's choice of plan. If Whiteplays 0-0-0 and goes for a kingside attack, then 7...a6 prepares ...b7–b5with a counterattack against White's castled position. If instead Whiteplays more cautiously, then Black challenges White's centre with ...e5. } 9. h4 { So I try an aggressive strike against his king-side. } 9... b5 { and hestrikes back aggressively on the queen-side. We have a very double-edgedposition. } 10. cxb5 { so I take } 10... axb5 { He has to take this way, Rxb5 allowsNxb5 } 11. Bh6 { and I go back to my king-side attack, hoping for, as BobbyFischer said, sac, sac, mate. This position was reached in Vonthron, Horst(2335) vs. Heinl, Thomas (2250), which white won. } 11... b4 { Black cannot affordto just wait for white's attack to break through. In the above-mentionedgame, black tried e7-e5 } 12. Bxg7 { I am thinking for myself now. Exchangingbishops seemed thematic, weakening his king-side. } 12... bxc3 { This came as asurprise. Can't he see I can hang onto my bishop now? } 13. Qh6 { Qh6 isthe only move not to lose a piece. } 13... Rxb2 { This is given as a mistake inthe post-game computer analysis (pmca), which gives the position as plus1.4 for white now, compared with level after Nc6-b4 } 14. h5 { I was playingfor mate - and I thought I would mate him. Although not given as a mistakein the pmca, it gives as the best line for both sides as Rxb2 14. Bxf8Qxf8 15. Qc1 Bd7 16. Nxc3 Qb8 17. d5 Nd4 18. Rb1 Rxb1 19. Qxb1 Qxb1+ 20.Nxb1 c5 21. Nc3, so maybe I should have grabbed the exchange } 14... Nxh5 { Thisis also given as a mistake, pmca gives Nc6-b4 again } 15. g4 { Again, notgiven as a mistake 15. Nf4 Nb4 16. Nxh5 f5 17. Nf6+ Kf7 18. Bc4+ e6 19.Nxh7 Nc2+ 20. Kf1 Nxa1 21. Bxf8 Rb1+ 22. Kf2 Rxh1 23. Qxh1 is given asbest for both sides, with plus 3.92 for white, as opposed to plus 2.53after g4, so maybe g4 is a mistake? What do you think dear reader? } 15... Nb4 { He finally plays it, threatening Nb4-c2 picking up my Ra1! } 16. Kf2 { SoI step out of the way } 16... f5 { With threats of f takes on g4 oe e4, and hisRf8 comes to life. I decide to pick up the exchange at last } 17. Bxf8 { SoI take } 17... Qxf8 { He takes } 18. Qxf8+ { I take } 18... Kxf8 { he takes } 19. gxh5 { Itake. I am three points up. He hasn't really got compensation for his materialhas he? } 19... Ba6 { A difficult pin on my knight on e2. My Bf1 is now stuck protectingit, so uniting my rooks is impossible } 20. hxg6 { So I exchange, with aview to opening the h file for my Rh1 } 20... hxg6 { He takes back. } 21. a3 { Iwas afraid of his knight coming into c2, my rook moves, he plays Rb2xa2. } 21... Nc2 { But the knight comes in anyway. } 22. Rc1 { This is where I start tolose it. Rd1 is needed. I was thinking, he takes on a3, I take on c3, andeverything is fine for me. } 22... Nxd4 { But this capture is much better. He hasthree units attacking Ne2. } 23. Re1 { So this is forced. Pmca give thisas 0.75 to me, instead of plus 2.32 if I had played this one move earlier. } 23... Rd2 { This looked very dangerous to me - how the heck can I stop the c pawn? } 24. exf5 { So I exchange } 24... gxf5 { He takes back } 25. Rh8+ { I finally activatethis rook, but pmca gives this as an error, giving this position as plus1.74 to black. Instead Ke3 is only plus 1. } 25... Kg7 { So he hits my rook } 26. Re8 { I hit his e pawn } 26... Kf7 { He hits my rook again. } 27. Ra8 { Pmca givesthis as my final mistake, and the position as plus 6.31 to black now. Insteadthe pmca is given as 'only' 3.07 for Rh8. In reality, black is winningin both lines. } 27... Bxe2 { So he takes } 28. Bxe2 { I take back } 28... c2 { He advances } 29. Rc1 { I give up the bishop to try and stop the c pawn. } 29... Rxe2+ { So hetakes it } 30. Kf1 { Kf2-g3 would be equally hopeless, as he has Nb3 } 30... Rd2 { Threatening Rd2-d1+ and if 31. Kf1-e1 Nd4xf3+ wins. Time to resign I think.Pmca agrees, plus 8.71 to black now. Interesting how quickly I went froma plus position to a negative position. Many thanks for reading this, commentswould be very much appreciated. Don't forget to rate the annotation withthe 'stars' scale please! } 0-1
[Event "A tiny lightning"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.02.21"] [Round "-"] [White "Chrishan, S."] [Black "NN"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "N/A"] [TimeControl "1 min + 1 sec"] [WhiteElo "N/A"] { Below is a short game (in other website) which was played in a very briskpace, no much time to analyze or foretell other moves. Literally, the entiregame spent about 70 seconds, where I accumulated approximately 45 seconds. } 1. e4 { Here we start, my favorite opening. According to me, lots of aggressiveand robust game lines initiate with 1.e4. If black chooses, 1.d4 lineswould be either much aggressive or much closed. With time control, oneshould need very high strategic powers and accuracy to play latter lines. } 1... e5 { And there's my favorite response for a quick game. IMO, one of thosebest responses for 1.e4. } 2. f4 { King's Gambit, either accepted or declined,a fiery game is guaranteed. White doesn't have a clear cut win, but forboth, the game board is no less risky than 'walking on a minefield', oneslip would do a massive damage. } 2... d6 { Declined, 2...Nc6 or 2...d5 wouldbe other lines for a ferocious game. } 3. fxe5 { Probably a mistake, letme have a chance to justify this move as a sudden experiment. Just aftera fraction of a second after this move, I just recognized a storm thatwas about to come. } 3... dxe5 { Much better than I expected, as per my thinkingthe best reply was the 'post-anticipated' summon of the queen with 3...Qh4+. } 4. Nf3 { A centered horse prevents further threats from Qh4 and exerts pressureon the undefended pawn on e5, which is the only black piece on center. } 4... h6 { A completely unnecessary move to the position, as the whole battlewas around the center, 4...Bd6 or 4...Nc6 would be better alternatives. } 5. Nxe5 { Captured an obvious looking pawn, but with a little bit of analysis,there's not an extra pawn, but an advanced position near the center. } 5... Qe7 { 'Retreat your horse and let us capture that arrogant soldier'. The opponentwas targeting at the pawn on e4. } 6. d4 { 'Not so fast, you should workon it'! Yes, I believe that it was not that good move. 6...Nc6 would bringgood perspectives for black's middle game. This was a battle of the timemore than rambling for pawns at that moment. So I just tried to push pawnsaround the center. } 6... f5 { He was trying to create pressure on those pieces,by the way, I was hoping this move from an earlier time. My actual expectedmove was 6...f6. } 7. Qh5+ { Due to the well placed knight, 7...Kd7 was impossibleand 7...Qf7 was a mate in 2. Only possibility was 7...Kd8. } 7... Kd8 { Forcedmove for the situation, the immediate results of other alternatives arediscussed in the previous section. } 8. Nf7+ { Applying more pressure, itwas an annoying fork. Despite of the discovered check, I might played 8...Ke8,but the game went as... } 8... Kd7 { ... } 9. Qxf5+ { While doing this move, theonly things I noticed were 9...Kc6 10.Qb5# and 9...Qe6 10.Qxe6+ Kxe6 11.Nxh8+-. } 9... Ke8 { It would be a rapid try to attack the queen, capture the horseand save the hanging rook on h8. } 10. Qxc8+ { More and more destructionmade by those two pieces. Only alternatives are 10...Qd8 (11.Qxd8 Kxf711.Qxc7+ followed by 12.Qxb7 and 13.Qxa8) and... } 10... Kxf7 { One rook was savedand it took around 10 seconds for the last move I did. } 11. Qxb7 { And thatwas the moment I sighed and rested for a little while after I got to knowthat I've 'smothered' his other rook and provided adequate protection tothe e4 pawn. (By this moment, his clock had 51 seconds where mine had 37). } 11... Nc6 { And there, the white queen is in dilemma. The rook or the knight,as both were complementary material. } 12. Qxc6 { Avoiding from thinkingtwice, the knoght was the selected target. If the rook was captured, thee pawn was en prise and the game would go as 12.Qxa8 Qxe4+ 13.Kd1 Qxd4+14.Bd2 Qd7. In this case, the material looks alike as taking the knight,besides the queen is cornered on a8 and need a couple of more moves for'reactivation'. } 12... Rd8 { A desperate attempt to save the rook and to createsome threat. } 13. Bc4+ { And this was the two before to the checkmatingmove. The opponent resigned at the spot and the hurricane was over in favorof white. } 1-0
[Event "Casual Game, http://www.itsyourturn.com"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.08.22"] [Round "-"] [White "Oldhand"] [Black "John Coffey, Chess Player at Lar"] [Result "0-1"] 1. c4 e5 { Computers seem to think that this move gives black near equality. However, I am not totally comfortable with it and I used to play 1. ...c5 instead. } 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 { 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. e3 Bb4 5. Qc2 O-O 6. Nd5Be7 is slightly better. } 3... c6 4. Bg2 d5 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qd1 d4 { Black likes to attack. } 9. Ne4 Bb4+ { Nxe4 followed by Bb4+is a good alternative. So are Bg4, Bf5 and Be7. } 10. Nd2 { 10. Bd2 Nxe411. Bxe4 O-O Is a little better. 12. Nf3 Bh3 13. Ng5?? Qxg5 } 10... d3 { O-Oand Bf5 are just as good. } 11. e3 Bg4 { Expecting Nf3. Castling firstwould be common sense. } 12. Nf3 O-O 13. O-O { 13. h3 Be6 Is slightlybetter. } 13... Ne5 14. h3 Nxf3+ 15. Nxf3 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 d2 { Black's littletactic. What follows is interesting. } 17. Rd1 Rc8 18. Qxb7 dxc1=Q 19. Rdxc1 a5 { Rxc1 and Bc5 are also good. I am not particularly fond oftrading pieces unless there is a good reason for it. } 20. Rd1 Bd2 21. Qb3 Qd7 22. a3 Rc5 { 22... Rfd8 Is also good. Black probably had lotsof good choices here. } 23. Kf1 a4 24. Qa2 Qb5+ { Rc2, Rfc8 andQd3+ are also good. } 25. Kg1 Rc2 26. Rab1 { Instead 26. Qb1 prevents Black'snext move. } 26... Bxe3 27. Rf1 Qe2 { Rfc8 is also good. } 28. Kh2 { Disastrousmove in an already losing position. This is the wrong square because itmakes the king vulnerable to a check from the dark square bishop. Alternativevariation: 28. Kh1 Bxf2 29. Rfc1 Bxg3 30. Rxc2 Survives longer. } 28... Bxf2 29. Bd5 { 29. Kh1 Bxg3 30. Rg1 Ne4 31. Rbf1 Bb8 It is hard to imagine thingsgetting worse. 32. Qd5 Ng3+ [Or Qe3 headed to g3. ] 33. Kh2 Nxf1+ 34. Kh1Ng3+ 35. Kh2 Ne4+ 36. Kh1 Nf2# } 29... Bg1+ 0-1
[Event "Challenge from njrotckid"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.03.01"] [Round "-"] [White "njrotckid"] [Black "oldgus"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1739"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1329"] 1. e4 d6 { Never before seen this opening, be wary of d5 and early queendevelopment } 2. c4 { Trying my normal way of positioning. Wary of c6, Nf6,e5, and f6. Don't let queen develop!! } 2... Nf6 3. d3 { Protecting the pawn,watching for Bg4. } 3... g6 4. h3 { Setting up his bishop on g7 square is whatit seems. Moved h3 to avoid the Bg4 and also for him to release his knightso he cant trap my queen side rook. } 4... Bg7 5. Nc3 { Nc3 to avoid the queenside rook trap. Wary of Nc6 or pawn development } 5... O-O 6. Nf3 { Early castle,bring out material pieces, develop queen and black side bishop.... } 6... c5 7. Nd5 { Draw out his knight to play better position for my white squarebishop. also opening up his defense } 7... Nxd5 8. cxd5 { Taking the knight withqueen side pawn to avoid opening my king side too much. Possilbe Bd4, ore5 } 8... e6 9. Bg5 { Force the queen from hiding, hoping for black to move f6therefore removes bishop from play } 9... Qb6 10. Rb1 { Missed the Queen on thismove. Moving the rook was seemingly the best move. If the bishop takesthe pawn then the queen is in trouble. } 10... exd5 11. exd5 Qa5+ 12. Nd2 Bf5 { See no gain, pawn is protected and opened up possible queen side rook.Castle soon } 13. a3 { Protecting from lost pawn } 13... Re8+ 14. Be3 { Moved blackbishop because that was the best move. Seemingly moving white square bishopwould allow Bd3 and force to move my rook. Need to castle!! } 14... Bh6 15. Be2 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Rxe3 17. O-O Bxd3 18. Bxd3 Rxd3 19. Rf2 Nd7 20. b4 { Takinghis queen out of action. Most likely Qa3. Then I will play Rb3 } 20... Qxa3 21. Rb3 { Forces him to sac his queen or his rook. Protected in all sides } 21... Rxb3 22. Nxb3 Qxb4 23. Nc1 Ne5 24. Nd3 { Pawnless.... However, tactics will stillpull through. If he does not accept the sac I will force it. Though heshould seeing as its a fork. then play Qxd3 and protect my pawns } 24... Qd4 { Nicemove, didnt catch that } 25. Nb2 { Only logically move I see, my game isin a spiral toward the ground } 25... Qxd1+ 26. Nxd1 b5 27. Nc3 { b4 then Nb5? } 27... a6 28. Ne4 Nc4 29. Rc2 { moved here so he could not progress his pawn unlesswanting to kill his knight. Possible f5 move } 29... a5 30. Rc3 { Limited numberof moves, ugh... } 30... a4 { Pawn is going to sail to the promotion square } 0-1