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[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.03.13"] [Round "-"] [White "chessssss"] [Black "gromo"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1496"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1526"] { This was my first decent chess game I played in a while. My opponentdemanded that I play my very best to win. } 1. e4 c5 2. b3 d5 { For somereason I wanted to fianchetto my bishop. } 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Bb5+ { I wantedto exchange queens early, because I could. So I exchanged my King sidebishop to open up the board. } 4... Nc6 5. Bxc6+ Qxc6 6. Qf3 Qf6 7. Nc3 a6 8. Bb2 Qxf3 9. Nxf3 e6 10. O-O Nf6 { This is the position I wanted. It's notoften everything goes to plan on a chessboard. At this point my play wasput at ease. } 11. d4 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Bc5 13. Rad1 { Reminding myself to makestrong moves instead of passive moves. } 13... O-O 14. Rfe1 b5 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Rxe4 Bb7 17. Re5 { Instead of retreating. I'm in the mood for a fight,and so is my opponent, it seems. } 17... Rac8 18. Nf3 Rcd8 19. Rde1 Bd6 20. Rg5 f6 21. Rg4 Kf7 22. c4 { This is the winning move. It opened up the leftside of the board for me to have fun. However, I had to be wary of myopponent's dual rooks and bishops. } 22... Bc7 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Nd4 Be5 { He thinkshe's slick. I'll show him. } 25. Nxe6 { Bam. If Bxb2 then Rxg7+ Ke8 Nc7#. And if Rg8 then Nxd8+ and I'm up lots of material. } 25... Kxe6 26. f4 g6 27. fxe5 f5 28. Rf4 Rd2 29. Rf2 { And I'm prepared. } 29... Rfd8 30. Bc3 Rd1 31. Re2 Be4 32. Kf2 { This is a funny looking position. If my bishop wasn't there,he could play Rd8d2 and it would look HELL-AIR-REE-YUS. } 32... R1d3 33. Rc1 Ra8 34. Bb4 Kxe5 35. Rc5+ Rd5 { All this political maneuvering, and he stillwon't budge. Well, I'll show him. And another funny position. Or itsfunny to me, anyway. } 36. Rc7 { HOW RUDE!! } 36... h5 37. Rc6 g5 { BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You have fallen right into my trap. Now face the wrath of Khan! (Khanis Star Trek, right?) Sultan Mir Khan is a much better player than I am. Even though he's dead. } 38. Bc3+ Kf4 39. h3 { The Black King has nowhereto go. His rook is mine. } 39... Rd3 40. Rc5 g4 41. Bd2+ Rxd2 42. g3+ Kg5 43. h4+ Kf6 44. Rxd2 Rb8 45. Rd6+ Ke7 46. Rh6 { Black Resigns. } 1-0
[Event "Rd 10 4NCL Hinckley, England"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "5-5-13"] [Round "-"] [White "Charles Higgie"] [Black "Jonny Pein"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "ECF164"] [TimeControl "40 moves in 2 hours"] [WhiteElo "ECF162"] { I lose to another junior! This time my opponent is 14 year old Jonny Pein,son of Malcolm Pein, rated ECF 206, and Interrnational Master. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Pein } 1. d4 { So I start with my usual } 1... Nf6 { He knew that I would play the SämischVariation, and prepared a line which Kasparov had played. I am not convincedthat it is that good! } 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 g6 4. e4 Bg7 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 { Thisis a main line of the King's Indian Defence. For my comments on these moves,see this annotation of mine http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/penyfordd-v-rhyl-chester-district-league?gm=35684or also see this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Indian_Defence,_S%C3%A4misch_Variation } 6... e5 { Black strikes at the white centre. } 7. d5 { White closes the position } 7... c6 { Black attacks white's centre } 8. Bd3 { White develops } 8... cxd5 { Black exchanges.I regard this as a mistake as it relieves pressure on the white centre.If white were ever to play 0-0-0 it would be hard for black to open upfiles against the white king. } 9. cxd5 { So I take back. } 9... a6 { I'm not surethis is best, why not Nh5 and f5 immediately? } 10. Nge2 { So I develop } 10... Nh5 { The usual knight move } 11. Qd2 { I develop my queen } 11... Nd7 { He developshis knight } 12. O-O-O { After a long thought, I decide to castle queenside,which is what I often do in this sort of position. My thinking is this- if I castle kingside he has a ready-made attack with f5-f4, g5-g4-g3etc. If he tries to attack my king on the queenside, he is going to findit hard to open uip the a or the b file. There are two plans I can follow- either move my king to b1, and try and take over the c file, or to launchan attack on the kingisde. However afterwards I found that castling kingsideis more common in this position. What do you think dear reader, which sidewould you castle on? } 12... b5 { So his 'attack' starts } 13. Kb1 { I tuck my kingaway. I am not afraid of 13...b4 14 Na4 as he can't then make much progresson the queenside. } 13... Qa5 { Threatening b4 now. I was surprised that this positionis in the Gameknot opening database. There are two games. Both times whiteplayed a3 here. But I thought a3 would just help black open up lines onthe queenside. I decided to give my knight the d1 square and played... } 14. Rc1 { Also with a view to taking over the c file sometime. } 14... Bb7 { Sohe develops. I considered Nxb5 here, but it is refuted by Qxd2 16. Bxd2axb5 17. Rc7 Nc5, attacking Bd3, so I played } 15. g4 { Going for the kingside attack } 15... Nf4 { A thematic pawn sacrifice. Otherwise he just gets hammeredon the kingside. } 16. Nxf4 { So I take } 16... exf4 { He takes back } 17. Bxf4 { Itake the pawn. } 17... Ne5 { He hits d3 and f3 } 18. Be2 { So this is more-or-lessforced } 18... Rfe8 { Again, I looked hard at Nxb5 here. Maybe going into an endingwhere I have 3 pawns for a knight was a good idea? My passed a and b pawnslook good. Any views dear reader. } 19. h4 { Instead I continued with kingside operations. } 19... Rac8 { And again I considered Nxb5 - now that his Ra8has moved to c8 of course he can't meet it with a x b5 like he could before.What do you think dear reader? } 20. h5 { Instead I continue my king sideattack } 20... b4 { He hits my knight } 21. Nd1 { I retreat } 21... Rxc1+ { He takes. Heexplained afterwards he was wanting to take my queen away from protectingmy bishop on e2. Of course I can't recapture with my king as my pawn ona2 is hanging } 22. Qxc1 { So I take with the queen } 22... Nxg4 { and this is hiscombination. It isn't really sound, but I fail to find the best defence. } 23. fxg4 { I take, although taking on g6 or d6 are also options. } 23... Rxe4 { Hetakes, hitting my bishop } 24. Bf3 { I hit the rook. } 24... Bxd5 { What is this?A further sacrifice? } 25. Bxe4 { I was thinking that he was planning Bxe4+26. Ka1 Bxh1 when 27. Qc8+ Bf8 28. Bh6 mates him. I completely overlookedthat he was also attacking a2. Afterwards I was thinking that instead oftaking the rook, I could have played 25. Qc8+ Bf8 26. Bh6 immediately.However that fails to him playing Qxa2+ followed by Rc4+ winning my queen.But I did miss a win here. I should have played 25. b3 and white is clearlywinning. } 25... Qxa2+ { So he takes } 26. Kc2 { Forced } 26... Bxe4+ { Now he takes } 27. Kd2 { Forced again } 27... Qd5+ { and I am clearly losing } 28. Ke2 { Not 28. Ke3Qd3+ 29. Kf2 Qf3+ and he picks up the rook with check. } 28... Bxh1 { Now hetakes. Now 29. Qc8+ Bf8 30. Bh6 fails to Qe6+ exchanging queens and I amjust 3 pawns down in the ending. } 29. Nf2 { Threatening his bishop. Iam 3 pawns down without compensation, but you never know.... } 29... Bf3+ { Hechecks } 30. Kf1 { I try to find a safe place for my king. } 30... Qb5+ { He checks } 31. Kg1 { I run. My king has now travelled from b1 to g1 } 31... Qc5 { He offersthe queen exchange. I was expecting Qe2 and if I check on c8 followed byBh6 he has Qe1 mating. } 32. Qe1 { I refuse } 32... Bc6 { He prepares to put hisqueen on the long diagonal and blast my king into the open again. } 33. Qe7 { I thought, 'what the heck, may as well play aggressively' } 33... Qd5 { Sohe threatens mate } 34. Qd8+ { I throw in a check } 34... Bf8 { forced } 35. Kf1 { Isee to the mate threat } 35... Qc4+ { and he forks king and bishop. Time to resign.So I've lost to both juniors I have played this season (see http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/chester7vpenyffordd2wirral-league?gm=49458)Many thanks for reading this. Please leave a comment or two, and rate iton the star system. Until next time dear reader! } 0-1
[Event "Surprise Finish"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.03.28"] [Round "-"] [White "nstone"] [Black "blake84120"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1804"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1689"] 1. e4 c5 { Team Match, I'm playing black and respond with the Sicilian.This game ends with a rather anticlimactic surprise finish. } 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { The usual first 5 moves. } 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. O-O Qc7 10. Rc1 Nbd7 { All normal stuff so far. } 11. f3 b5 12. a3 Nb6 13. Kh1 Be6 { I'm not sure what the benefit of voluntarilycornering the king at h1 accomplished. Sure, the a7-g1 diagonal is open,but white has a bishop safely on it at e3, and the king could always moveafter a check, since there are no forks or other dangers. It seemed prematurefor white to play 13. Kh1. } 14. Qe1 Nc4 { Forking the undefended bishopon e3 and the undefended pawn on b2, forcing white's reply. } 15. Bxc4 bxc4 16. Nd2 Rab8 { Seizing the half-open file. } 17. Rb1 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 { Voluntarilyisolating my own pawn on c4 seems questionable now in hindsight. } 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Qf2 c3 { Since he's isolated, lets see about trading him off, maybewith the gain of a pawn in the process. } 21. bxc3 Qxc3 { And now black'squeen forks two undefended pawns. One must die. White could try 22. Nb3,blocking black's queen from taking the pawn at a3, but the a3 pawn is doublyattacked, and black can simply reply 22. ... Bxa3, or even better, 22.... Bxb3 23. cxb3 Rxb3 24. Rxb3 Qxb3 and now black still has two attackerson the a3 pawn and will win two pawns instead of one. White chose to resignat this point. I asked him why, since being just one pawn down in an otherwiseequal middlegame is usually not cause for resignation, and he replied thathe didn't think he could hold either pawn and would end up two pawns down,facing a black passed pawn, and with all black pieces attacking. In anycase, it was short and sweet. } 0-1
[Event "GM Larry Christiansen - Chessmaster 9000 game one (#1)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Chessmaster 9000"] [Black "Larry Christiansen"] [Result "0-1"] { GM Larry Christiansen versus Chessmaster 9000, annotaded by Larry Christiansenhimself. This is game 1#. Christansen is black and Chessmaster 9k is White. } 1. e4 c6 { Not long after winning the 2002 US Championship, I was approachedby the good people at Ubisoft to try my luck against their famous chessprogram Chessmaster 9000. I have a healthy respect playing against computersand I knew that CM9k would be a very worthy opponent. After some discussionwith the CM9k team, it was decided to play the match online at the Internet'chessclub.com'. The time control would be brisk, but manageable. I wasnot likely to face severe panic inducing time scrambles that inevitablylead to gross errors. A large crowd of online kibitzers and spectatorswere drawn to the bout. I was probably a slight favorite going into thematch, but with humans there is the, well %u2026 human factor! Justone stupid little move could cost me the game and match. Fatigue, eye strain,psychology etc. all play a prominent role in human chess and I had to steelmyself to try and play like a machine. I went into the match with guardedoptimism. Playing against a program like Chessmaster 9000 is not a walkin the park. CM9k is absolutely merciless punishing errors, is annoyinglypatient and has a perfect memory for openings and endgames. Computers almostnever blunder tactically, although they can make major strategic errors. It was this strategic deficiency that I wanted to exploit vs CM9k.I hoped to steer our battles to quiet maneuvering trench warfare that requiresjudgment and foresight rather than brute calculating ability. 1.e4 c6 This defense prepared before-hand is known as the Caro-Kann Defense- a very solid system that has a reputation for being effective againstattacking maniacs and computers. } 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 { A very wise choiceby CM9k - this move tends to opens the game up and creates more tacticalpossibilities than lines like 3 Nc3. } 3... cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nf3 Be7 { A slightly more adventurous is 6%u2026Bb4 but I decided to stay withinmyself and keep things calm and conservative. } 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Bb5+ { Iwas happy to see this move, even though I had never encountered it beforein a serious game. The alternative developing moves 8 Bd3 and 8 Bc4 posemore problems for Black. The problem with this checking move is thatit leads to early simplification. White, with his superior control of territory,should avoid exchanges. That's chess 1 on 1. Black, with the slightly morecramped position, benefits from them. } 8... Nc6 { I thought about playing 8%u2026Bd7here but I was a little nervous about White playing 9 Bxd7 Qxd7 10 Ne5. But really, that line's nothing for white. Black simply answeres 10%u2026Nxc311 bxc3 Qd5 with a good game. } 9. Ne5 { 9.Ne5? ... There is a basicprinciple in the opening that a player should not move the same piece twiceunless he has a very good reason. CM%u2019s move does come with a threat,10 Nxc6, but that can be easily parried. There is no long-term positivebenefit that result from this violation of principle, so 9 Ne5 must beclassified a mistake. } 9... Bd7 10. Bxc6 Bxc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Nxd5 cxd5 { 9....Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Nxd5? cxd5 This is a veryagreable move from Black%u2019s point of view. Black%u2019s pawn structureis strengthened markedly. He once had two weak queenside pawns and nowonly has one. Further, Black%u2019s control of the center has been increased- squares like e4 and c4 have come under Black%u2019s possesion. Iwas feeling confident now that I could squeeze a win out of this position,no matter how strong or resourceful my opponent might be. } 13. O-O O-O 14. Bf4 Qb6 { 12. ...cxd5 13.0-0 0-0 14.Bf4 Qb6 Black is clearlybetter now for the following reasons. First, his pawn structure is iron-clad.White cannot dent that compact chain of pawns. Second, Black can attacktwo weaknesses on Whites%u2019s side of the board. The d4 pawn is isolatedand weak and White%u2019s queenside survivors are also vulnerable. Black'splan is to use his a-pawn as a battering-ram to soften up the white queensideand create a new weakness. Generally speaking, one can defend with onlyone weakness. However, two weaknesses are usually fatal. } 15. Qd2 Bf6 16. Be3 a5 { 15.Qd2 Bf6 16.Be3 a5! Black plays according to the plan.The a-pawn will advance to inflict yet another weak isolated pawn on White'squeenside. } 17. Rac1 Qb4 { 17.Rac1 Qb4! 18 Qxb4 axb4 suddenly opensup the a-file to Black%u2019s benefit. White is unable to shake off thepressure now because its pawns are just too weak. } 18. Rfd1 Rfb8 19. Rc3 { 18.Rfd1 Rfb8 19.Rc3 ... CM has set a trap that might have workedagainst a less experience opponent. If Black mindlessly grabs the pawnwith 19%u2026Qxb2?? White wins with 20 Rc8 Rxc8 20 Qxb2. A strong programlike Chessmaster never blunders a pawn for nothing. } 19... Qa4 { 19. ...Qa4 Here I decided to give a little tickle to the a-pawn with the intentof provoking the answer 20 b3. } 20. Rdc1 h6 { 20.Rdc1 h6 It is veryimportant for Black to remove the threat of back-rank mate. This eliminatesthe constant worry about sudden cheap tricks. Speaking of cheap tricks,Black must resist 20%u2026Qxa2?? 21 Ra3 Qxb2 22 Rc8 !! Rxc8 23 Qxb2 andWhite wins. } 21. b3 { White should have avoided this move until absolutelyforced. A better continuation was to improve his king position, startingwith 21 g3, followed by Kg2. } 21... Qb4 { Black is finally in position to playthe long desired %u2026 a4 to create a lasting weakness on White's queenside. } 22. R1c2 Re8 { A terrible blunder would be 22%u2026a4?? 23 Rc8 Kh7 24 Qxb4Rxb4 25 Rxa8 and White wins. } 23. h3 a4 24. Rc8 { I can safely say thatafter this move White is lost as the coming endgame is hopeless. Whiteshould have tried the active defense 24 Bxh6! Qxd4 25 Rd3 Qe4. Black hasan edge, but White may gain some counter-play later on because of the noticeableweakening of Black%u2019s king position. } 24... Qxd2 25. Rxe8+ Rxe8 26. Rxd2 axb3 27. axb3 Rb8 28. Rb2 Rb4 { White%u2019s defenses are over-stretched.He cannot defend both the d-pawn and the b-pawn. } 29. Kf1 Kf8 30. Ke2 Bxd4 31. Bxd4 Rxd4 32. b4 { White%u2019s last hope rests with this passed b-pawn,but Black%u2019s king easily intercepts it. } 32... Ke7 33. b5 Rc4 34. b6 Rc8 { Now White%u2019s proud b-pawn has become a target. Black will soon devourthe pawn and then turn his attention to mobilizing his large kingside majority. } 35. h4 Kd6 36. Rb3 Rb8 37. Rg3 g6 38. h5 { Chessmaster makes a final bidfor counterplay. He hopes to either splinter my kingside pawns or createa target for attack. I decided to give back the relatively unimportanth-pawn and begin the decisive advance of my chain gang of pawns. } 38... g5 39. Ra3 Rxb6 40. Ra7 Rb2+ 41. Kf1 f5 42. Rh7 { White reduces the material deficitto just one pawn, but the time required to take the h-pawn allows Blackto roll his pawns forward. } 42... d4 43. Rxh6 d3 44. Ke1 Ke5 45. Rh8 Rb1+ 46. Kd2 Rf1 47. f3 Rf2+ 48. Kxd3 Rxg2 49. h6 Rh2 { 42. ...d4 43.Rxh6d3 44.Ke1 Ke5 45.Rh8 Rb1 46.Kd2 Rf1! 47.f3 Rf2 48.Kxd3 Rxg2 49.h6 Rh2 The passed h-pawn has been rendered harmless and Blackcan advance his surviving pawns up the board. } 50. Ke3 f4+ 51. Kd3 Rf2 52. Rg8 Rxf3+ 53. Kc4 Rh3 54. Rxg5+ Ke4 55. Rg1 Rxh6 { 50.Ke3 f4 51.Kd3Rf2 52.Rg8 Rxf3 53.Kc4 Rh3 54.Rxg5 Ke4 55.Rg1 Rxh6 (0-1) Wow! A good way to start the match! I won the first game, but I hadsome help from my opponnent. CM9k started with an anemic opening and itwent downhill from there. The game was strategically won after about 20moves and I had only to avoid some obvious traps to win the game. My opening choice proved very fortuitous as I soon reached the type ofposition that computer programs detest. My thoughts now turned to Game2. Could I win the next game and effectively settle the match? I had anice, conservative anti-computer opening in mind and was optimistic goinginto battle. } 0-1
[Event "Lady strikes again"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "mona1212"] [Black "oodle"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [WhiteElo "1600"] { Hello - this is a game I won as black against mona1212 - a grade 400 higherthan me I played sometime ago. Enjoy. I have tried to make it amusing aswell (which I like to do). I am black. } 1. e4 { Little white infantry swoopsin to city centre. } 1... e5 { Nice conversation between white and black infantry. } 2. Nf3 { White Cavalry swoops in in hope of stabbing the dark infantry. } 2... Nc6 { Black cavalry charges in and intercepts the attack of the white chavellier. } 3. c3 { Small march by c-infant in hope to invade big-time in city centreon d4. } 3... Bc5 { Dark elephant stampeding in to intercept the launch of thecity centre. } 4. b4 { b-infant makes a bold step in hope to converse withthe elephant. } 4... Bb6 { Elephant retreats cowardly from b-infant. } 5. a4 { a-infantmarches in hoping to trap the dark elephant. } 5... a6 { the black-a infant stepsforward to create a breathing hole for dark elephant. } 6. b5 { b-pawn marchesin in conversation with dark knight and dark infant. Chariots line up,face to face. } 6... Nce7 { Black cavalry retreats leaving poor e-infant readyto be massacred. } 7. Nxe5 { Brave e-infant is stabbed and killed by evilwhite cavalry. } 7... Nf6 { Le Chavellier negro introduced in hope of killingthe e-infant. } 8. Bc4 { White elephant marches in in hope of targetingthe f-infant. } 8... O-O { King manoeuvres and shelters safely in its castle. } 9. Qb3 { White lady flies in on the queenside flank increasing pressureon the f-infant. } 9... d5 { Bold d-pawn marches forward and blocks the steadylaser path of elephant and lady. } 10. exd5 { Brave d-pawn slaughtered butblack takes revenge. } 10... Nexd5 { Goodbye le d-pawn blanc. } 11. Bxd5 { Elephantkills horse. } 11... Nxd5 { And vice versa, horse kills elephant: summing up: Black has more centre control than white and has an elephant looking atf2 whilst white has the king in the centre against the vulnerable e-file.Though black is an infant down, I think his position is somewhat better. } 12. Nxf7 { Knight attempting suicide mission as he slaughters protectorf-pawn. } 12... Rxf7 { Castle attempts first slaughter as it kills cavalry de blanc. } 13. O-O { White comes into safety with his castle. } 13... Qg5 { Still defendingthe knight and aiming at g2 - you know the variation- 14. ... Bh3 and whiteis doomed. } 14. d4 { d4! Controlling the centre, etching in my bishop andattacking my queen - 3 in 1. } 14... Qf5 { Lining up the cannon on f2. } 15. Nd2 { Developing. } 15... Be6 { Preparing a sniper shot at the queen, like so with Ne4!winning the exchange } 16. Qd1 { The queen returns home. Here, Black ismuch more active than white. } 16... c5 { Trying to open the diagonal with a forcefulc-infant } 17. Nf3 { The pawn is defended by chavellier de blanc. } 17... cxd4 { C-infanttakes over city centre } 18. Nxd4 { Only to be replaced by the white knightaiming at the lady. } 18... Bxd4 { Black elephant storms and finishes off le chavellierblanc } 19. Qxd4 { White lady swoops in to city centre yet again. } 19... Rd8 { Inevitable. } 20. Qh4 { Queen flies to the edge, attacking the loose rook. } 20... Rdd7 { Movingand doubling up with his twin. Notice that all my pieces (but the g7 pawn)is on a light square. } 21. Bb2 { Finally developing the only white elephant. } 21... Nf4 { Aiming for Ne2+ or Qg6. } 22. Kh1 { I do not know why this move wasplayed. } 22... Bd5 { Aiming the line at the g2 pawn. } 23. f3 { Trying to etchmy bishop out. } 23... Qg6 { Creating another threat - the threat of 24. ... Qxg2#. } 24. Qg3 { Hoping that I would exchange ladies and give up the attack. } 24... Qd3 { Not so - my queen storms into white's camp. } 25. Rad1 { Inevitable. } 25... Qe3 { Still a resilient black lady! } 26. Rfe1 { This forces me to unfortunatelyretreat. There is no good square I can go to. } 26... Qc5 { So I retreat back tosafety. } 27. Re8+ { Re8+! if that rook on f7 had been a pawn, it would havebeen mate. } 27... Rf8 { The only move. } 28. Rde1 { No doubt supporting the rook. } 28... Nd3 { Forking the rook and bishop. } 29. Rxf8+ { Exchange first. } 29... Kxf8 { NotQxf8? giving up the ferocious attack but Kxf8 and there is no good checkwhite can give. 30. Qb8+ Kf7 doesn't help. } 30. c4 { ?? An absolute blunderthat will lose the game - the idea I can see - rook and pawn for knightand bishop is fine, but this loses the queen, and possibly the game, asyou will see. } 30... Nf2+ { Nf2+ wins. The awesome le chavellier negro swoopsin and delivers a nasty check - either give up the queen by Qxf2, giveup the queen by Kg1 Ne4+ or give up the game, as you will observe. } 31. Kg1 { The only square for his majesty. } 31... Nh3+ { Double check by le chavelliernegro and the black lady - not Ne4+ just yet. } 32. Kf1 { ?? The move thatwins is actually Kh1! and not Kf1! Kh1! does not fall for smothered mateas you will see - 32. Kh1 Qg1+?? 33. Rxg1 Nf2+? is not mate as the queencan take it. But after 32. Kh1 Nf2+ 33. Kg1 Ne4+ the queen falls. But Kf1is worse. } 32... Bxc4+ { The bishop swoops in for the check. } 33. Re2 { The kingis stranded so the rook blocks, but this causes: } 33... Rd1+ { The black chariotswoops to the black rank and cuts the king's throat. Yet again his majestyis stranded so there comes the only saving move... [Yes, I know that Qg1#would have finished it, but hey, this version is prettier.] } 34. Qe1 { Thelady swoops in in a vain attempt to defend his majesty. } 34... Qf2# { And willyou observe this spectacular checkmate! [Yes, fussy people, Qg1# wouldhave been the same] - the bishop pins the rook so the rook cannot take,the rook pins the queen so the queen cannot take, and the knight protectsthe king! Thanks for watching and goodbye! @oodle3 } 0-1
[Event "FRIED PICKLES"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.08.31"] [Round "-"] [White "hiredgun112"] [Black "kod2013"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1061"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "707"] 1. g3 { Opened with Benko } 1... Nc6 2. Bg2 { Started developing with Bg2 } 2... e5 3. c4 d6 4. e4 Nf6 { At this point my opponent is trying to control centerwith knights } 5. Nc3 { I start to bring my cowboy in play } 5... Bg4 { Bg4 moveby him deep into my territory } 6. f3 { f3 on my part to stop incursion intomy territory.If he had moved to B3f i would have took bishop out by movingBg2 to Bf3 } 6... Be6 { My counter worked his bishop retreated from Bg4 to Be6 } 7. Qa4 { I moved Queen here developing stronger offense in middle on left } 7... b5 { He countered with his pawn. } 8. Qxb5 { My Queen iced the pawn by movingQxb5. } 8... Qd7 { This move boxed in his Queen } 9. Nge2 { I bring my other cowboyin play } 9... Nb4 10. a3 { With his obvious attempt to attack my left i movepawn a3 to put pressure on cowboy } 10... Nc2+ { This was a good move on my opponentspart he moved forward and put me in check } 11. Kd1 { I move to Kd1 to moveout of check.This cost me my rook on his next move. } 11... Nxa1 { Nxa1 he liquidatedmy rook. } 12. d4 { I charge center with my pawn developing and strengthingmiddle. } 12... exd4 { He cancelled my charging pawn.My Nc3 postion is in extremedanger. } 13. Nxd4 { I counter by icing murdering pawn of his.His Na1 postionconcerns me but he his lame duck there can't do any damage. } 13... Qxb5 { I slippedand lost my Lady } 14. Ncxb5 { He loses his lady here when my cowboy ridesaway with her here.Notice my line that starts at Nb5 down toRh1 } 14... O-O-O { He castles.This move opens his King up more but if you notice less impedimentsto my coming attack. } 15. Nc6 { I bring both my cowboys together.They aremain offense here } 15... Kd7 16. Ncxa7 { He charges with King I readjust my attackfrom new platform. } 16... Bxc4 17. Be3 { His bishop comes down.I move my bishoptoward middle.This could have changed game here Nb5 is dead in water ifhe pulled the trigger with his bishop. } 17... Rb8 { Nb5 is now dead from TWO directions } 18. Bh3+ { I use my other bishop to put him in check hopefully stoppingmurder of my cowboy } 18... Ke7 { He moves King out of danger } 19. Nxc7 { thismove allows me to move cowboy out of danger.If i had lost him game could/wouldhave turn } 19... Rxb2 { I believe this was a desparation move to take my attentionoff my plan. } 20. Nc6# { DONE his KING dead.Hiredgun112 has taken out histarget! } 1-0
[Event "Impaired material ballance and striving for survival "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.08.07"] [Round "-"] [White "urnesthemingouey"] [Black "socalme"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1784"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1879"] { In this game my opponent does an early sacrifice of pawn, leading to developmentand initiative for him. The most of the game I try to maintain a solidposition and at the same time save the material advantage. That means enduringstrong attacks and doing long calculations. Even after that, skill is neededto play the better endgame. } 1. c4 d5 2. cxd5 c6 { The move d5 surprisedme a little. It's usually done after e6 or something so that there is apawn on d5, blocking my g2 bishop. So I took on d5 with pleasure and thenmy opponent desided to sacrifice a pawn for development. } 3. dxc6 Nxc6 { After the sacrifice is accepted, I couldn't play d4. What we expect nowis that my opponent will play e5 at some time. I would play e4 and afterwardsI'll have stalled pawn on d3. That's some kind of compensation for hissacrifice. } 4. f4 { By playing f4 I aim to stop his plan for playing e5and having a strong center. At the same time I convert into Bird variation.It's idea is to play b3 and Bb2 attacking the square e5. What's even betteris that that way I won't have to play with d3-e4 pawn structure. } 4... e5 { Ithought of that and liked it for the simple reason that I would have 2center pawn and he none. } 5. fxe5 Nxe5 { Here its clear that he has onemore developed piece. Also his bishops are ready to move. } 6. d4 Nc6 7. Nf3 { I played that instead of e3 cause I hoped that my c1 bishop wouldbe well placed later. } 7... Bg4 { Aiming to take on d4 afterwards. } 8. Bg5 { The other possible moves were e3 and Be3. 8.e3 was blocking my c1 bishop.Be3 was kinda good but it slows my development and also Bg5 aims at exchangingpieces. I should do that when I have a pawn more. } 8... Qa5+ { At the same timeattacks my g5 bishop. For example if 9. Nc3 Bxf3 10. exf Qxg5. } 9. Bd2 { The other possibility was Qd2. Looks good but I did let it after I sawthe following 9. Qd2 Bb4 10. Nc3 Nf6 . Then Ne4 would be inevitable andwould do a lot of problems. } 9... Bb4 { Either that or moving his queen againwhile I was developing. Here, I was almost sure that we will exchange bishopsat some point, so I was happy. } 10. e3 { Still needs to be defended. } 10... Nf6 11. Bd3 { Guarding the e4 square. } 11... O-O 12. O-O { He is fully developedso it's time for hime to come up with a plan to attack. } 12... Qh5 { I didn'tsee what is doing that. At first I thought of Bxb4 or Nc3. Both were leadingto a good position. Than I saw that I might try to take more material. } 13. Qb3 { It looks a strong move, but I had to calculate like ten movesforward to be sure of that. } 13... Bd6 { Qb3 leads to sharp position cause blackkeep that black square bishop and can even join it in the kingside attack.Other way, such attack was completely pointless. Now the treat is Bxf3followed by taking on h2. Note that I have no way to defend that h2 pawn.If g3, I lose my knight. } 14. Qxb7 { So I decide to give up the h2 pawnand take other for it. } 14... Bxf3 15. Rxf3 { Only move. If 15. gxf Qh2 mate } 15... Qxh2+ 16. Kf2 { I want you to note that if 16. Kf1 there is 16... Qh1+17. Kf2 (17. Ke2 Qxg2+ 18. Rf2 Nxd4+ losing my queen) Ng4+ 18. Ke2 Qxg2losing my pawn wit a check and my rook afterwards. } 16... Ng4+ 17. Ke1 { Thedifference now is that if black 17.... Qxg2 I might take the knight onc6 and defend my rook with my queen. If black try to enter the other variationsby playing 17... Qg1+ I might play 18. Bf1 and still have a pawn more. } 17... Bg3+ { Expected. } 18. Kd1 { Only move. } 18... Nf2+ { I thought of that too andI was completely ok with the following tradings. } 19. Rxf2 Bxf2 20. Qxc6 { Two light pieces for a rook and keeping my g2 pawn. Bigger material advantagebu I still have to develop and hide my king. } 20... Rab8 21. Qf3 { That is howfar I saw after I played 13. Qb3 I thought there would be 21... Bh4 22.Qh3 forcing the exchange of queens and easy win. } 21... Bg3 { Well, that's itfor my plans for exchanging queens. Now my aim is to maintain a solidposition until I develop. } 22. b3 { Won't let a pawn go. } 22... Rb6 { That scaredme cause I saw how I couldn't keep the rook from going on f2 and takingmy g2 pawn. } 23. Kc2 Rf6 24. Qe4 Rf2 { Note that after taking on g2 therewould be two peces attacking my d2 bishop and a black bishop waiting tojoin from e1. } 25. Na3 { Better than Nc3. That way my knight could defentmy bishop from c4 and my rook could join. } 25... Rxg2 26. Nc4 Rc8 { Bringingdown one of the defenders. } 27. Rd1 Be1 { I guess here my opponent expected28. Rxe1 Rxd2+ and then 29... Rxa2 with serious problems for me. } 28. Qxh7+ { What he failed to see. I take a pawn more and exchange the queens. } 28... Qxh7 29. Bxh7+ { With check. } 29... Kxh7 30. Rxe1 { Great position for me. Butstill, there's a long endgame to be played. } 30... g5 31. Kd3 Kg7 32. a4 { Idecided that's it's better to play on the queenside first. You see, myopponend moves would be about the g4 pawn on the kingside. By playing likethat, I aim to distribute his forces, so he doesn't have many good chances.Also, the a4 move lets me move my bishop. } 32... Rh8 33. b4 g4 { That's happeningslow fro him. } 34. e4 { Keeps him from using the f pawn. Also lets me playmy knight on e3 } 34... Rh3+ 35. Ne3 { There is no g3 cause of Nxg2 } 35... Kf8 { He doesn'thave many moves that make sense. } 36. b5 { fixating. } 36... Ke8 { So king goingon the queenside it would be. } 37. e5 Kd7 38. d5 { My pawns are just goingforward. } 38... Rf3 39. Bc3 g3 { That took him 2 moves. } 40. Ke4 { attac-king. } 40... Rgf2 41. a5 { Basicaly moving my pieces forward while I wait the positionon the kingside to be stuck. } 41... g2 42. Rg1 { There it is. } 42... Rh3 43. Bd4 { Myopponent resigns, seeing that I have much more possibilities ant he culdmove his g pawn anymore. } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.04.21"] [Round "-"] [White "mikkorepo"] [Black "chuckbo"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1913"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1895"] { My pieces are on much better squares than his, so I should expect somethinggood to happen, right? He's holding close, but a combination smashes hisdefenses and leads to a sudden victory. } 1. e4 c6 { Here's a game that seemstense and all bottled up, until a sacrifice (that was almost missed) changeseverything. } 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ gxf6 { I learnedthe Caro-Kann back in the 80s because of this variation. But other variationsgained favor, and I never got to use this in tournaments. Fortunately,I've had a couple of opportunities with GK. } 6. c3 Bf5 { That's an uncommonmove. I expect White to develop his kingside pieces, play c4 to hold thecenter, and develop his QB. } 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Bf4 Nb6 { Black usually castlesqueenside and has his rooks on d8 to help keep white off of d5 and on g8to attack the castled king. } 9. Be2 Qd7 10. Qb3 e6 11. O-O-O { Usually Whitedoesn't castle queenside in this variation, and you have massive attacksas each side throws pawns at the other's castled position. I'm thinkingthis may be a more careful game than you usually get in this variationsince we'll both have somewhat exposed kings. } 11... Bd6 12. Bh6 { I thought he'dtrade instead of giving me that diagonal for my bishop. I don't think that'ssuch a strong spot for his bishop, because Bg7 is easily thwarted. } 12... Nd5 { I usually don't get to put my knight there (because of a pawn on c4). } 13. g3 { My threat was Bf4+. After he takes the bishop and I play Nf4, hisbishop would have to retreat to f1. } 13... a5 { I started thinking that with mymass of pawns in the middle, my king might just be safer there. I'm thinkingof moving up to e7 and sending both rooks over to the queenside at him. } 14. Bd3 a4 { I hadn't decided if I want the bishop. But I can continue withthis plan for another move. } 15. Qc2 Bg4 16. Be2 Bf5 { He has to decidewhether he wants a draw from repetition. I might go for it if he does. } 17. Qd2 { But he decides that he wants to beat me ... I think he was higherrated than i was, and he's white, so I can understand that. } 17... a3 { But Ithink this is going to be hard on him. I don't see how he can take it andlet my bishop and rook in to attack the king. } 18. b3 { But now he has aweak pawn on c3 and a thorn on a3 that won't be easy to eliminate. } 18... b5 { One was good, so two will be better. } 19. Nh4 Be4 { My other choice isBg6. I expect him to play f3 and then I'll play Bg6. The advantage of playingBe4 first is that after he plays f3, he won't be able to put his bishopthere. If I play Bg3 immediately, I think his best move is Bf3 to try andget rid of my knight. And I need it there at least one more move. } 20. f3 Bg6 21. Nxg6 hxg6 22. Be3 b4 23. c4 Nc3 { But now I've build a nice spotfor my invader, and getting him out isn't so easy. } 24. Rde1 e5 { I figurethat I have to keep attacking. Eventually, he'll move the queen and playBd2. Then I'll either have to have a new safe square for the knight, orI'll have to trade for his bishop. But what I gain is more initiative.He has to deal with chasing away the knight, and while he has to move hispieces to worse spots to do that, I can be moving mine to better. } 25. Bd3 { He prevents me from playing e4. } 25... O-O-O { And now I decide to castle.The a and b-files got clogged up, and my king feels relatively safe, soI decide to relocate that rook to a file where there's so more action. } 26. c5 Bc7 27. Ba6+ Kb8 28. dxe5 { I'm going to get to play Bxe5 soon enough,but my goal is to go ahead. } 28... Qxd2+ 29. Bxd2 Nxa2+ 30. Kc2 Bxe5 31. Bc4 { I was planning to play Rd7. That's what I'd written down that I was goingto do in my notes to myself. The next day, I looked at it again, and itstill looked like the best move -- and I would follow it up with Nc3. The next day I moved Rd7 ... except I didn't press Submit. Instead, Ifound the winning move. } 31... Rxd2+ 32. Kxd2 Bc3+ 33. Kd3 Rd8+ { He has two badchoices now. if he plays Kc2, it leads to a checkmate after Rd2+. } 34. Ke2 { And this direction leads to being down by a queen. } 34... Re8+ { After hemoves the king, I trade the bishop and rook for both rooks, move the knightto c3, and queen the pawn that he can't reach. And I was very close tomissing the combination. } 0-1
[Event "Opening Preparation Gone Wrong!!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "John2wa"] [Black "JtJ440"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1860"] [TimeControl "15 \| 10"] [WhiteElo "1791"] 1. e4 { I'm still learning how to respond to 1.)e4, e5 Any feedback youcan give is appreciated!! } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { The oh so popular Lopez. } 3... a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 { This seemed solid enough. Perhaps Nc3 was anotheroption. I also considered Qe2, but to move the queen so early seems suspicious. } 5... b5 6. Bb3 Be7 { I thought Bc5 would have been a better response, but thislooks fine as well. I know the DSB on e7 can defend the king well by goingto f8. } 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3 { I was afraid of d5. } 8... d6 9. h3 { Preparing Be3,and stoping Ng4 and Bg4. } 9... Na5 10. Be3 c5 { Black's probably better here.He has space and initiative. } 11. Nd5 { I thought for a while before makingthis move. If Nxd5, I think I'm fine, because I recapture, then go c4 nextturn. } 11... Nxb3 { Not sure about this move. He gets the bishop pair, but I geta more active rook. } 12. Nxe7+ { It's important I take first, as to notmess up my pawn structure in the middle. After seeing what happened inthe game, I believe taking the knight is better here. The DSB for blackis very passive right now. } 12... Qxe7 13. axb3 d5 { A good move, opening thecenter when I can't defend comfortably. } 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Re1 { Here,my big problem is that I lack a plan, and am not sure how to improve myposition. Mose pawn breaks are going to leave me with severe weakness's.Perhaps d4 could have been tried here, and in all the lines I shouldn'tlose a pawn, due to the placement of blacks queen. I came up with a similarconcept here soon. I'm struggling to hang on. } 15... Re8 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. d4 { Onlynow, do I spot the tactic. } 17... e4 18. dxc5 Bb7 19. Ng5 { Maybe Nd4 was an alternative? } 19... e3 20. Bxe3 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Rxe3 22. fxe3 Qxc5 23. Nf3 Qxe3+ 24. Kh1 Re8 { material is still even, and maybe I can draw if I keep pieces on, sinceblack does have some queenside weakness's, but here, I should be completelylost after my next move. } 25. Qe1 { This should lose, as I don't see a refutationto this endgame. } 25... Qxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 27. Nxe1 f5 28. b4 Be4 29. c3 { Itwas here I realized I'm too tied down, and am in serious trouble. } 29... Kf7 30. Kg1 Ke6 31. Kf2 Kd5 32. b3 { To stop Kc4, though Now black can win withBb1, Ba2, And Bxc3. My opponent did not see this plan. } 32... h6 33. Ke3 g5 34. Kd2 { Perhaps g3 would have been a better move, though if black sees thetactic I mentioned earlier, it doesn't work now. } 34... f4 35. Nf3 { If Bxf3,I should have a fortress, with winning chances, to boot. } 35... Bf5 36. Ne1 Ke4 37. Nd3 { This idea looked interesting, so I thought I'd give it a try.Idea is to go to c5, while I can, and fight for what now is an uncleargame. } 37... f3 38. Nc5+ { Nc5+, to gain a temp on the king. } 38... Kf4 39. gxf3 Kxf3 40. Nxa6 Bxh3 41. c4 { The race begins!! } 41... g4 42. cxb5 { This looks ugly,but I liked lines in this more than just pushing, as black can stop mein time. } 42... Kf2 43. Nc5 Bg2 44. b6 h5 45. b5 h4 { Things may look grim, butI had some ideas in mind. } 46. Nd3+ Kf1 47. Ne5 g3 48. Nc6 Bxc6 49. bxc6 g2 50. c7 { I was low on time here, as was my opponent. I believe pushingthe B pawn would have been a better choice, so it cannot simply be capturedonce black promotes. } 50... g1=Q 51. c8=Q Qf2+ 52. Kc3 Qxb6 53. Qc4+ Kg1 54. Qg4+ Kf1 55. Qh3+ Ke2 56. Qxh4 { I'm not to knowledgable with endgames,so I don't know if this is a win or not. If I had to guess, it's probablya draw, but I played on, since I am a pawn up. } 56... Qe3+ 57. Kb4 Qb6+ 58. Ka3 Qc5+ 59. Qb4 Qc1+ 60. Ka4 Qa1+ 61. Qa3 Qd4+ 62. b4 { My idea. I want totry and push this pawn while blocking checks. } 62... Qd7+ 63. Kb3 Qd3+ 64. Ka4 Qa6+ 65. Kb3 Qd3+ 66. Ka2 Qc4+ 67. Qb3 Qa6+ 68. Kb2 Qf6+ 69. Qc3 { No morechecks! } 69... Qb6 70. Qc2+ Kf3 71. Qd3+ Kf4 72. Qc4+ Ke5 73. Qe2+ Kd5 74. Kb3 Kc6 { Sneaky! Forcing queens off here would make a draw! } 75. Qe6+ Kb5 76. Qc4# { A rough game. Clearly there's room for both my opponent and I toimprove. } 1-0
[Event "Ahead in material, but always on the defence until the last 2 moves"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.21"] [Round "-"] [White "rylerenz"] [Black "dsfei"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 Nc6 { The Nimzovich Defense } 2. Bb5 { ?! Dubious } 2... Nd4 3. Bc4 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Qh5 { Trying to mate à la scholar and/or winning the c5 pawn } 5... e6 { ... but this simple reply snuffs out the attack } 6. d3 { White unleashesthe other dragon (bishop). } 6... Nf6 { Not 7. Bg5?? Nxh5 8. Bxd8 Nxd8 -+ } 7. Qf3 { Still hoping to checkmate on f7 } 7... Ne5 { Take this fork up your @$$! } 8. Qe3 Nxc4 { Destroys White's pawn structure } 9. dxc4 d6 10. Nf3 Qc7 11. O-O Be7 12. Nbd2 Bd7 { Perhaps 12. ... Nd7 followed by 13. ... b6 and 14.... Bb7 would have been more solid. } 13. Nb3 Bc6 14. e5 Ng4 { 15. exd6 Nxe316. dxc7 Nxf1 wins the exchange } 15. Qf4 Nxe5 16. Nxe5 dxe5 { Both sideshave a pair of doubled pawns. } 17. Qg4 Bf6 18. Bg5 Qe7 19. Rad1 { preventsQueenside castling, but who says that Black needs to castle? } 19... Bxg5 20. h4 { In this position, an alternative continuation to the game could be: 20. ... Bxh4 21. Qxg7 Qf8 22. Qxf8+ (else ... Rg8 followed by Rxg2+) Rxf823. Nxc5 b6 followed by 24. ... Rg8 25. g3 with a slight advantage forBlack with the extra piece. } 20... Bf6 { a safer, more solid continuation } 21. Na5 Qc7 { To recapture with the Queen and gaining the long diagonal insteadof obtaining a second pair of doubled pawns } 22. b4 b6 23. Nb3 cxb4 24. cxb4 h5 25. Qg3 Ke7 { The King is safter in the center of the board behindthe doubled pawns. Black's dark-square Bishop is horrible, but its counterpartis particularly strong. } 26. c5 { White tries to open up lines for his rooks. } 26... b5 { closing up the game } 27. Na5 Bd5 { Blocks the D-file } 28. Rd3 a6 { Not28. ... Bxa2? 29. Rfd1 ... well Black could continue by forcing an exchangeof rooks, but then white gets a strong passed C-pawn and the bishop ismisplaced on a2 } 29. Rfd1 Rad8 { Preventing the exchange sac } 30. c6 Bxc6 { Black accepts the unsound pawn sac } 31. Rxd8 Rxd8 32. Rxd8 { Hoping for32. ... Qxd8??? 33. Nxc6+ and Black resigns } 32... Kxd8 33. Qd3+ Ke7 { Kc8 transposesto the game } 34. Qc2 Kd7 35. Qd3+ Qd6 36. Qc2 g6 { Preventing the Queenfrom penetrating on h7 } 37. g3 e4 { First major threat by Black! Woo! Hoo!e3 is threatened, which will weaken g3 and open up the long diagonal again. } 38. a3 { The materialistic White considers the pawn more important thanKing safety. } 38... Ba8 { Prevents simplification in order to speed up the winas time was running out on both sides } 39. Nb3 { Puts the knight on a bettersquare, but it's too late } 39... e3 40. Nc5+ { The check only delays White's imminentdoom by 1 move. } 40... Ke7 { Now White is out of checks. } 41. Qe2 Qd5 { Here, 42.f3 would have held out a bit longer, but after 42. ... Qxf3 43. Qxf3 Bxf344. Nd3 Bc3 or even Bb2, it's only a matter of time. } 42. Kf1 { This makesit easy. } 42... Qh1# { Checkmate Oo! Ha! Ha! } 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.05.23"] [Round "-"] [White "renatello"] [Black "pablodiscobar"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1962"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1854"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { For a more detailedexplanation up til here, check out the annotated game vs eludens } 6. Be3 { Main line. 6.Be3 followed by f3, g4, Qd2 and 0-0-0 in some order, } 6... e5 7. Nb3 { black plays e5 to chase the white knight of the d4 square and gainposition in the centre } 7... Be6 8. Qd2 Nbd7 9. O-O-O b5 10. f3 h5 { h5 is playedto delay white from playing g4 as a follow up move after having playedf3. Sicilian is all about delaying white to develop an attack on the kingsside, whilst building up your own attack on whites queens side } 11. Kb1 Be7 { Decided to complete my development before playing Rc8. White doesn'timmediately have an attacking move anyway. } 12. g3 Rc8 13. Bg2 { both g3and Bg2 are a waste of time according to me. White wants to develop allhis pieces and creates room to do so, however the bishop on g2 doesn'tcontribute to any immediate attacking strategy. } 13... O-O { Black is now fullydeveloped and has thereby gained upon whites early development. White hasno real threat going on. } 14. Nd5 { White wants to create some space. Openup some lines to maybe evolve towards some kind of an attack. Black isahead of him though. And with the c-line completely opened up, it's onlya matter of a few moves before black starts to mount up the pressure onthe castled king on the queens side } 14... Nxd5 { With my pawn on h5 and thereforeno white pawn on g4, I can easily play 14....-Nxd5. I can move my bishopto f5 after 15. exd5 without being chased. In case g4 is there, black isobliged to play Bxd5. } 15. exd5 Bf5 { attacking the pawn on c2. An attackblack receives for free. } 16. Rc1 { White needs to defend the pawn on c2.After 16 moves white is already thinking about defending rather than startingup an attack. } 16... Nb6 { preparing Nc4. Black realizes that the knight willget captured off course, but that will bring the queen to b6 attackingthe weak pawn construction on whites kings side. other advantages: connectedrooks, loss of the bishops pair for white } 17. Bxb6 Qxb6 18. Rhd1 { I wasexpecting 18.f4, creating space for the bishop on g2. In stead white decidesto add more pieces to his queens side, again giving me the impression he'sdefending and not attacking. Still f4 would not have stopped me from puttingboth my rooks on the c-line and moving my black bishop to a line attackingthe castled king. Possible progress could have been: 18.f4-Rc7 19.fxe5-dxe5.The fact that you give away an open line for whites d pawn is not reallya problem. The pawn is weak and white doesn't have the black squared bishopto provide back-up for promotion. Whereas black does have that back-upfor his pawn on the e-line 20.Rf1 attacking the bishop and at least aimingsome pieces at my kings side for me to worry about. } 18... Rc7 19. Bf1 { Whiteis almost obligated to play this move to further defend the c2 pawn byplaying Bd3 with his next move. } 19... Rfc8 20. Bd3 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 { 21.cxd3 isnot a good move, because whites pawn on d5 becomes unprotected and canbe easily attacked by black by playing Qb7. You could say that at thispoint, at least material wise, the positions are evened out. However, whitehas no attack at all, and can only hope for black to screw up and reachan end game with as few pieces on the board as possible. Black on the otherhand has almost every piece aimed at the castled king. Since the whitequeen moved from d2 to d3, the black queen has gained the possibility toinfiltrate whites position on f2. I decided to work further on that andlure the queen even further away from f2. } 21... Bg5 { Attacking the rook thatcannot move from c1 } 22. f4 { Only possible move sequence for white hereis: 22.f4-exf4 23.Qf5-Bh6, and white regains the pawn on f4 } 22... exf4 23. Qf5 Bh6 24. gxf4 g6 { Whites pawn on f4 is weak, It cannot be defended easilyand happens to be on the same color as blacks bishop. I decided to defendmy pawn on h5 and at the same time attack the queen. } 25. Qf6 { Best movefor white. 25.Qe4 is followed by Rc4 } 25... Qf2 { Attacking 2 pawns at the sametime, plus adding a piece to my attack on the castled king. } 26. Rf1 { Acceptingthe pawn on d6 would not have been a good move. By removing the queen fromits defense on b2, he brings himself in a dangerous situation: 26.Qxd6-Rxc227.Qxa6-Rxb2+ 28.Ka1-Rxc1 29.Rxc1-Bg7 or even worse: 27.Qxd6-Rxc2 28.Rxc2-Qxc2+mate in 2 } 26... Qxh2 27. Nd4 { Mistake off course, because Bg7 wins the knightfor black. Accepting the pawn on d6 leads to the same situation as explainedin previous. } 27... Bg7 { Even though white gave it away with this move, he wouldeventually have lost the pawn on f4, giving black 3 pawns with an openline to proceed to promotion. } 0-1
[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "???"] [Black "???"] [Result ""] 1. e4 { Standard E - pawn opening } 1... e5 2. f4 { King's gambit } 2... f6 { Big blunder } 3. fxe5 { Opening the kingside for attack } 3... fxe5 { Fun times begin } 4. Qh5+ { g6 would be followed by Qxe5+ and then (White) Qxh8. } 4... Ke7 { This is theworse move to do in this position. Let the checking begin! } 5. Qxe5+ Kf7 6. Bc4+ Kg6 7. Qf5+ Kh6 8. d4+ { Now the king is stuck: } 8... g5 9. h4 { Threatening10. xg5+ Kg8 11. Qf7# } 9... Nf6 { Trying to defend } 10. Bxg5+ { Threatening 10.... Kh5 11. Bf7# } 10... Kg7 11. h5 { Threatening 11. ... 12. h6# Black cannotdefend by 11. ... h6 because of 12. Qh6#. } 11... Bb4+ { Black's only way to prolongthe game } 12. c3 { White's defence does not really matter at this pointas long as any attacking pieces are not used. } 12... h6 { Blunder by black. } 13. Qg6+ Kf8 14. Qf7# { This shows how dangerous King's Gambit can be to a playerwho does not know the opening. }
[Event "Trying my Hand"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.01"] [Round "-"] [White "yoshark"] [Black "ionadowman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2064"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1459"] { This is my first actual match vs a 2000+ player. I'm excluding the annotationproject matches vs Freddy. I feel that I played fairly well though myopening my have not been the best. } 1. d4 { d4 is my best first move statisticallyso I played it. } 1... d5 2. c4 { Queens gambit. } 2... c6 { Slav defense } 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 { Nc3 is flexible in case of e6 transposing into the semi-slav. } 4... dxc4 { This is the main point of the slav black will try to hold onto hisc4 pawn. } 5. e4 { This will transform into a gambit a4 may have been slightlybetter. } 5... b5 6. e5 { forced if I want to hold onto my e pawn. } 6... Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. axb5 { slight trick black plays the best Nxc3. } 8... Nxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 10. Ng5 { Took me a while to rationalize this move. I felt that Be2 orBa3 may have been slightly better, though this move doesn't have anythingwrong with it. } 10... Qd7 { Qd7 responds to Qf3. } 11. Qg4 { Qg4 seem more reasonablethan Qh5 the other option for the queen. } 11... Bb7 12. Be2 Bd5 { Black positionis now very solid. } 13. O-O a5 14. Ba3 { Ba3 trades bishops and stops b4. } 14... Bxa3 15. Rxa3 Qb7 16. f4 { This move took me about 20 minutes or so to play. I was also thinking about Bf3 though I feel that I would be going backwardsin development. } 16... h6 { kicks my knight back. } 17. Nf3 b4 { I had expectedO-O but black played b4 which is more fun! } 18. cxb4 axb4 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 20. Qxg7 { I finally got my pawn back but, the b and c pawns look ominous. } 20... Rf8 21. f5 { Qxh6 would be too greedy. } 21... Qa7 22. fxe6 Nc6 { Nc6 prepares thevery strong Nxd4! } 23. exf7+ { This is probably the game winning mistakethough blacks pawn are strong they are not quite decisive. I got too greedyhere I actually strengthened Nxd4. } 23... Rxf7 24. Qxh6 Nxd4 { Now I'm in bigtrouble 25. Nxd4? Qxd4+ 26. Kh1 Rxf1! 27. Bxf1 Qf2 28. Qb1 now black hasup a few tempos to play around with while I try to figure out how to notlose a whole piece. So I chose a different option. } 25. Qh8+ { 25. Qh8+?!Rf8(what I expected) 26. Qxf8+ Kxf8 27. Nxd4+ giving myself a chance. } 25... Kd7 { Kd7?! this allows me to save my position in a better way. } 26. e6+ { e6+! Nxe6 must be played. } 26... Nxe6+ 27. Kh1 Kd6 { Getting out of Ne5+ } 28. Rd1 { Threatens Qe5+ } 28... Qc5 29. h3 { gives my king some room though not surethis was best here because it gives black time. } 29... c3 30. Qb8+ Ke7 31. Qe5 { The point of Qb8+ though I'm completely lost after the next few moves. } 31... Bxf3 { Best response and one I didn't consider for some reason. } 32. Qxc5+ Nxc5 33. Bxf3 { I resign here c2 forces a queen. } 0-1
[Event "sometimes you just need to give up a pawn"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "-"] [White "thereaper1"] [Black "NN"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] { This was a correspondence game I played a few months ago on a chess forum.Before I go on I think I should point out that because of the format Ionly needed a draw since I was defending a title with draw odds, also therewas no rating system in place, so a draw was effectively the same as awin. } 1. c4 { starting out with the English opening. I start out the gamefinding myself in a position I disliked because of some bad play in theopening, however as the middle game approaches I decide the time is ripeto sacrifice a pawn and suddenly all my pieces find themselves with beautifulsquares/diagonals and I get to take control of the game as my opponentfinds no real lines of attack. } 1... Nf6 2. g3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 Nbd7 7. Qc2 { I felt this to be a nice flexible move since I figuredI'd likely be planning to put pressure along the c-file and I also figuredblack would probably want to fianchetto the LSB. Plus I wasn't 100% surewhere I wanted to develop my Queen knight } 7... b6 8. cxd5 { Now relieving thetension only once black has opened up a new diagonal for his LSB } 8... exd5 9. a3 { planning to follow up with b4 to hopefully clamp down on blacksintended c5 break. However in light of blacks response, this may proveto be a pipe dream } 9... c5 { good move, getting in the break/expansion beforeI can put a stop to it. } 10. dxc5 bxc5 11. b3 { hoping to give my DSB agood diagonal and to control the squares in front of blacks hanging pawns } 11... Qb6 { placing immediate pressure against my now tender b pawn } 12. e3 { ?!again I was trying to control the squares in front of the black pawns structure,however I should have kept the pawn on it's original starting square soit can play e2-e4 in a single move. as is the move is just a waste of time,better would have been Nbd2 } 12... Rb8 13. Nbd2 a5 { hoping to undermine my pawnstructure } 14. Rb1 Bb7 15. Re1 { Realising my position is on a downwardslope I prepare to make a bid for active play. I think it's an importantquality to realise sometimes that your position will only lead to troubleif you sit around doing nothing and so at times like these it does onewell to think of ways to suddenly change the nature of the position. } 15... Rfe8 16. e4 { ! Right in the nick of time. I realise that I need to lash outand this is an excellent way to do that. now my main intention is to undermineblacks control over the centre and take away blacks dynamic potential.The other very important point is that I open up the c4 square for useof my pieces and weaken the black pawn structure, I also give my DSB thechance to develop to f4 and open up the d file for use of my pieces. Afterthis very strong sacrifice I think white really takes over the flow ofthe game and now it's white who holds all the positional trumps in theposition. } 16... Nxe4 17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Nd2 { looking to make it's way to c4 whereit will attack the black queen and have a lot of hold over the centre andgame. } 18... f5 { after whites sacrifice of the e pawn it suddenly becomes difficultfor black to come up with strong game plans. here he tries to get somethinggoing on the kingside } 19. Nc4 Qe6 20. Bf4 { notice how much better whitesminor pieces are compared to blacks, the only bad white minor piece isthe LSB, but then the LSB can redirect to c4 and become quite strong dueto the weakened c4-g1 diagonal } 20... Ra8 21. Red1 Bd5 22. Ne3 Bc6 23. Bf1 { threateningBc4, white really has a strangle hold over the initiative here } 23... Kh8 24. Bc4 Qg6 { despite being down a pawn, whites much more active and coordinatedarmy give white a decent advantage in my view } 25. Bd5 { trying to tradeso I can start attacking blacks weak pawns } 25... Rf8 26. Bxc6 Qxc6 27. Rd5 Qe6 28. Rbd1 Ra7 29. Nc4 a4 30. bxa4 Nb6 31. Nxb6 Qxb6 32. Be3 Rc7 33. Qc4 Qa5 34. Qb5 { since a draw is the same as a win and since the endgames aremuch better for white I offer a queen trade } 34... Ra7 { trading on whites termswould undouble the pawns } 35. Bxc5 Bxc5 36. Rxc5 Qxa4 37. Qxa4 Rxa4 38. Rxf5 Kg8 39. Rxf8+ Kxf8 40. Ra1 { I offer a draw now because I only neededa draw and because at the time this payed out I felt a little burnt outand didn't feel like trying to convert a long endgame. However ordinarilywhite would have no reason to fear a loss and so playing the ending outshould be the default for white since the only possible results are a drawor win for white. the best try for a win is probably to bring the kingto the queenside, get in h4 if allowed and try to use tempo moves to getblacks rook to make an unfavourable move. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Shirov-Polgar, Buenos Ares, 1994"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Shirov, Alexei"] [Black "Polgar, Judit"] [Result "0-1"] { This game is from a tournament in Buenos Ares in which opening with theOpen Sicilian was compulsory. Judit Polgar, the strongest female playerever, as the black pieces, chooses the Taimanov variation. Shirov adoptsan aggressive line completely within known theory, but Polgar sacrificesa pawn and creates a brutal attack with her knights. Black’s 10th, 13th,and especially 16th moves are absolutely beautiful, as beautiful as chessmoves can be. } 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 { These moves were compulsory. } 2... e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 { As opposed to 4. ...Nf6, which is more common. Actually,the first four or five moves of the Sicilian are so malleable and interchangeable,each often leading to a known, studied line, that the order of these movesis secondary to the ideas. This particular position is known as the Taimanovvariation. In this system, black often hopes to place a bishop on b4 orc5. Many interesting and complex positions can be reached from this position,including a form of the Hedgehog, the Maroczy Bind, and the Kasparov gambit. } 5. Nc3 { A natural developing move, but with a latent threat. What wouldlove to, at some point, get a knight to d6, which is arguably the mostpowerful square that he can sit on. The permanent weaknesses incurredat d5 and d6 for black have to be dealt with, and much time and efforthas been spent finding the best methods for which he can do so. One drawbackof the Taimanov variation is by moving the e-pawn, black has created apermanent hole at d6. White would do well to try to exploit it. A knighton c3 is a mere two moves away from the lethal square, and of course, manyother factors will have to be in place if the white player hopes to properlyuse the square to its devastating potential, but the lack of pawn protectionleaves the idea permanently in both players minds. } 5... d6 { Black creates atight little pawn barrier in the center. What it restricts in space, itadds to defense, and given the weakness at d6, it makes sense to occupyit with a pawn as second best to being defended by one. } 6. g4 { An aggressivemove to be sure, but not completely debilitating. The weaknesses incurredat f3 and especially f4 are believed to be not life threatening with properplay. But, as we’ll see, Polgar was able to exploit the weakness. Ifa player of Shirov’s strength is unable to defend the weaknesses, perhapsthe move itself should be considered suspect. It hardly speaks well ofthe line if your only hope is that your opponent misplays. } 6... a6 { An innocuouslooking move, but with deep theory behind it. An early a6 is a commontheme in many lines of the Sicilian. The b5 square is inherently weakeneddue to black’s first move and a6 seeks to both defend it, and prepare b7-b5,as this often makes white’s knights uncomfortable. Black must be carefulnot to over extend here, but a7-a6 can hardly be considered doing so. The prophylactic nature of the move, combined with its subtle power, makeit a common choice at the Grandmaster level. } 7. Be3 { Shirov bringsout the bishop to its best square. Bf4, aside from prohibiting an f2-f4advance, gives black the opportunity to play e6-e5, forking the knightand bishop. This also lends support to the d4 square, which is the weaknesswhite must with for the entire game. } 7... Nge7 { Polgar chooses the superiorknight development move, instead of Nf6. Nf6 is all well and good, itdevelops, it helps clear the way for a KS castle, and it attacks the g-pawn,but it allows the following line: [9. Nxc6 bxc6 (now any hopes for b7-b5are gone, and black’s pawn on a6 isn’t doing as stellar of a job as itwas before) 10. g6! (and black is on her heels. She loses a tempo, andgood, central spots for her knights are quickly disappearing) 10. ...Nd711. Qd2 a5 12. f4! (now white is exerting incredible pressure on the KS. The f4 weakness has been successfully nullified, and the KS pawns arestorming. Perhaps this is what Shirov had in mind with his 6th move? Oh, to be able to calculate like that over the board...)] . Nge7 accomplishesnearly the same thing as Nf6, but without conceding a tempo when whiteplays g6. Also, the move contests f5, which is going to be black’s keybreakthrough. } 8. Nb3 { Shirov sees the impending b7-b5 break, and takessteps to limit the power of it. Although one can argue that reacting toa move that hasn’t happened yet gives your opponent the upper hand, I don’tbelieve that is the case here. Shirov probably reasons b7-b5 is goingto happen regardless, so taking a turn to move the knight will also haveto happen, and whether it happens on move 9 or move 10 is irrelevant. } 8... b5 { The inevitable consequence of a6 in the Sicilian. This move has yetto find an absolute refutation, and until it does, I’m sure black willkeep using it as a potent weapon. } 9. f4 { Shirov thrusts forward and createsan intimidating looking pawn wall, but as is often the case with pawn moves,their committal nature comes back to haunt them. The f4 thrust fatallyweakened g4. Now, rather than having a dominating pawn wall along e4-f4-g4,white has a debilitating weakness along the squares e3-f3-g3, and alsothe weakness extends to e4 and f4, which can no longer be defended by pawns. } 9... Bb7 { Calmly and efficiently, Polgar applies additional pressure to thee4 square, in preparation for the onslaught. } 10. Qf3 { As if he sensesthe impending break, Shirov sends his queen in to defend all three pawns. The fact that this is necessary goes to show how weak these squares havebecome. } 10... g5 { Most annotations give this a double exclamation point, evenby grandmasters who are reluctant to do so. Polgar sacrifices a pawn,but in return she nullifies the strongest point in white’s position. The queen, who had been shielded behind the pawn wall is now uncomfortablyopen. White is now forced to put his attacking plans on hold as he cleansup the mess that has ensued. } 11. fxg5 { Shirov has little choice but toaccept the sacrifice as after 12 f5 Ne5, black has permanent control off4 and e5. The counter-attacking 12. e5 is a slightly more edible, butstill leaves the ugly holes across d4, e4, and f4, as well as an isolatede-pawn after the captures. Shirov’s best chance was to ignore the threatwith O-O-O, and start a more strategic counter attack, putting pressureon the e-file. It would be hard to do so when so much time and materialare invested on the KS, to simply ignore it. } 11... Nf5 { The knight gladly acceptsthe square left unguarded by the pawn capture } 12. Qg2 { The queen is nowpurely on defensive duties, and Shirov puts her on the square where shecan guard both the e- and d- pawns. Shirov is undoubtedly shaken at thispoint, much like Ivan Drago was when Rocky first cut him. } 12... b4 { Polgar hasseen deeply into this position and deems it necessary to constrict Shirov’sposition even more. On the surface, it may seem like it takes time outof her attack for a seemingly pointless move. The knight can easily bemoved, and most of the energy has been focused on the KS at this point,but it’s where the knight has to move to that Polgar is interested in. } 13. Ne2 { Shirov is forced to move the knight, and feels that it’s betterto add to the defenders on the KS. Na4 gets the knight out of danger,but a4 is a wretched square for him. Nb1 is not as bad, but it cuts therook off from the fight. The drawback of Ne2 is that it constricts theking, as we’ll see in a few moves } 13... h5 { Polgar finishes the combo with aright cross. This removes the only defender of the f5 square (the pawnon e4 is pinned by the bishop). The knight on e2’s restrictment of theking is becoming palpable } 14. gxh5 { Unattractive is gxf6 because afterBxf6, black’s bishop is joining the fray. } 14... Ne5 { Polgar sends her otherknight into the donnybrook. They are nearly untouchable as white’s g-and h-pawns are too far advanced, and the e-pawn is pinned. Overall, thisis a very uncomfortable position for Shirov. } 15. Bf2 { This is almost forcedas the bishop is undefended. } 15... Qxg5 { Polgar brings out the big guns to addto the already lethal pressure in the KS. } 16. Na5 { This is the move thatessentially loses for white. The logic behind it is straightforward, todrive the bishop from the a8-h1 diagonal, but Shirov has over looked adevastating move at black’s disposal. } 16... Ne3 { In his book “Chess: The Artof Logical Thinking,” Neil McDonald says that a mating attack with twoknights is so rare in grandmaster play that it’s excusable that Shirovmissed this move. The queen is untouchable because of 17. Qxg5 Nf3#. This type of mate is virtually never seen, so it's quite impressive thatPolgar was able to create one. Also, the knight attacks f2, and it willfork the king and rook if it gets there. For Shirov, it's a case of losinghis queen, his rook, or being mated. Not a comfortable position for anyoneto be in. } 17. Qg3 { Seeking to minimize the damage. Shirov forks bothknights, but the threat is completely benign. } 17... Qxg3 { Polgar decides thatthe queens are not needed and she is happy to remove white's most powerfulpiece. } 18. Nxg3 { Capturing with the bishop leads to the horrific 18 ...Bxe419 Kf2 N3g4+ 20 Ke1 Bxh1, and recapturing with the h-pawn let's black mateon the next move with Nf3#. The knight clears space for the king as well. } 18... Nxc2+ { Polgar succeeds in pulling off a trick amateurs often fall for. } 19. Kd1 { Seeking to trap the knight after it takes the rook, but Polgarhas a plan for that too! } 19... Nxa1 20. Nxb7 { Shirov is finally able to disposeof the fire-breathing bishop. } 20... b3 { Polgar succeeds in saving her knight,and will come out of this comfortably up the exchange. } 21. axb3 Nxb3 22. Kc2 { If he can't capture the knight, he might as well chase it off, andactivate his king. The Shirov is no doubt dreading the endgame that willfollow, but he's prepared to go down with a fight. } 22... Nc5 { Another optionhere was 22 ...Ng4 and after [23 Bg1 Nc5 24 Nxc5 dxc5 [24 ...Rc8? (25 Bxa6Rc7 26 Bb4+, and white has successfully equalized] 25 Be2 Rg8!, black hasa strong attack on the KS. Alternatively, if 23 Bb6 Nc5 24 Nxc5 dxc5,black has a dangerous, albeit isolated, passed pawn, but it has the supportof the knight on g4 (after Ne5), the rook on a8 (after Rc8), and the bishopon f8.] The position reached in the game is nearly identical, only withthe white bishop on f2 instead of b6 } 23. Nxc5 { The other option was totake with the bishop, but Shirov correctly decides that keeping the bishoppair is one of the few advantages he has in this position. } 23... dxc5 24. Be1 { Shirov looks to get his bishop to c3, pinning the knight to the rook. } 24... Nf3 { Before allowing that to happen, Polgar removes the knight before hebecomes tied down. } 25. Bc3 Nd4+ { A nifty little maneuver by Polgar, blockingthe rook, but now it can no longer be taken because it is defended. } 26. Kd3 { Inadvisable was 26 Bxd4 because of 26 ...cxd4!, and the value of thepassed pawn increased by being off the c-file. } 26... Bd6 { It took until move26 for Polgar to bring her last minor piece out, but when your opponentgives you the opportunity to use your knights in such an effective manneras Shirov allowed Polgar, it's forgivable. } 27. Bg2 { An excellent tacticalidea. 28 e5! Will give black serious problems. Fortunately for her though,Polgar found an adquate response. } 27... Be5 { An excellent tactical idea. 28e5! Will give black serious problems. Fortunately for her though, Polgarfound an adequate response. } 28. Kc4 { Following the adage of “restrain...blockade...destroy,”Shirov blocks the advance of the c-pawn. } 28... Ke7 { Bringing her king into thefight and connecting rooks. If one move gives you the opportunity to achievetwo objectives, it might to well to make it. } 29. Ra1 { Shirov tries totie the rook down to the defense of the a-pawn, and perhaps has ideas ofRa5. } 29... Nc6 { White resigns here because [30 Kxc5 Rac8 31 Rxa6 Nb8+, and therook is lost.] } 0-1
[Event "Kings Gambit. (G23)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White ""] [Black ""] [Result "0-1"] { Kieseritzky Gambit. } 1. e4 e5 2. f4 { Kings Gambit } 2... exf4 { Accepted } 3. Nf3 g5 { g5 is an important reponse to the gambit, black isnt going to behalf hearted and the gambit is going to be tested. } 4. h4 { Bc4 is alsosometimes played in this postition and is quite interesting although theoryhas show white can normally only hope for a draw. h4 has the advantageof forcing g4 thereby weakening the kings side } 4... g4 5. Ne5 { Ng5 shouldalso be considered, black has many ways to counter the gambit. } 5... Nf6 { Asexpected defends and attacks e4 } 6. d4 { White takes center for exchange } 6... d6 7. Nd3 Nxe4 8. Qe2 { pinning knight } 8... Qe7 9. Bxf4 Nc6 10. c3 { At earlystage whites pawn structure looks a little stronger } 10... Bf5 11. Nd2 O-O-O 12. O-O-O { both castle long. alternativly 12Nxe4, Qxe4,13 Kd2 deservessome attention. } 12... Re8 { 12... Bg7 is the alternative with the idea of bringingthe kings rook to e8 instead } 13. Re1 { ?! white has to tread carefullyand this is one of many mistakes he can make. g3 or Qe3 would be largermistakes and cost the game with in 5 moves. } 13... Qe6 { ! Sharp attack ona2. 14 Kb1 fails... Nxd2+, 15. Bxd2, Qxe2 16.Bxe2, Rxe2 } 14. a3 { 14.Nxe4 is met with Qxa2 } 14... Qa2 { White is up a creek with no paddle!!! } 15. Qd1 h5 { This move shows how helpless white is although Bg7 would have beensharper } 16. g3 Bg7 17. Rh2 Nxc3 { tidy sac wins the game for black. } 18. bxc3 Qxa3+ 19. Kc2 { 19.Kb1 is met with Rxe1 20.Qxe1 Qxc3 wins } 19... Bxd4 20. Qa1 { last gasp exchange, please. if 20. cd, Nb4+, 21. Kb1, Rxe1 22.Qxe1, Qa2+, 23. Kc1, Qc2# } 20... Nb4+ { White resigns as there is no way back. } 0-1
[Event "Caro-kann mini-tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "02-Jul-06"] [Round "-"] [White "tag1153"] [Black "clarinetref"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1689"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1444"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 { The opening set up of a themed mini tournament. } 3. e5 { I decided on the advance variation, hoping to limit the mobility ofblack's Ng8. } 3... Bf5 4. Bd3 { Hoping to exchange light squared bishops withdeveloping momentum. } 4... Bxd3 5. Qxd3 { Accomplished....... } 5... e6 6. Ne2 Qb6 { This move surprised me....I'm always a little scared when stronger playersbring their queen out in front of their pawn chain. My dark bishop is nowtied down.... } 7. O-O Nd7 8. b3 { Attempting to free the dark squared bishop. } 8... c5 { Black starts swinging. If I take, he has three options to re-take.I don't want to allow Bxf5 with developing tempo. So,....... } 9. c4 { Iswing right back at him, creating numerous potential complications. I'mhoping this creation of some space will render me at least even after thecaptures that surely will take place. } 9... cxd4 10. f4 { Risky, to say the least.My e pawn must be protected, but I've allowed a potential disaster by openingmy king up to an attack from black's queen. At this point I don't knowwhat's more important - regaining the pawn I've lost or completing development. } 10... dxc4 { Pressing the pawn advantage. I'm starting to sweat. } 11. bxc4 { Ihave to re-take. Of course, I'm not thrilled with the isolated pawn....... } 11... Bc5 { Protecting his d pawn, and bearing down even further on my king. } 12. Nd2 Ne7 13. Rb1 { Trying to make something happen....... } 13... Qc7 14. Nb3 { And I see the return of the pawn on the horizon. } 14... b6 15. Nexd4 Nf5 { Ididn't anticipate this. Now I've voluntarily walked into an ugly pin. Ido however, see a way to at least delay it's effects. } 16. g4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 { Same pin, but now at least I have a little room to move...... } 17... O-O-O { Black has now completed development, but I was surprised he castled long.I would have thought he would go the other way. His queen and king arenow on a half open file, and I would like to take advantage of that..... } 18. Be3 { Finishing my own development, and interposing the pin. } 18... g5 19. Qe4 Bxd4 { Surprising.....I now have dreams of pinning his queen againsthis king. Then I realize of course that a player this strong would onlymake this trade off for a reason, so I get a little concerned. } 20. Bxd4 Nc5 { Forcing me to repay his trade in kind. } 21. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 22. Kh1 Rd4 { Whoops! He left the back door wide open....... } 23. Qa8+ Kc7 24. Qxh8 Qc6+ { After winning a rook, I realize that my king better tighten up hislaces because he's about to start doing a lot of running. } 25. Kg1 Qc5 26. Rf2 { Seeing the danger of a discovered check, but severely restrictingthis rook's effectiveness. } 26... Rxf4 27. Rf1 Rxg4+ 28. Kh1 Qc6+ 29. Rf3 { Myopponent is pinning me left and right. My material advantage is prettyworthless right now. I have to get my queen back in the game! } 29... Rf4 30. Kg2 g4 { YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! } 31. Qxh7 { Trying to get my lady back intothe fray. } 31... gxf3+ 32. Kg3 { Now I get at least ONE move avoiding a check,but at the cost of losing another pawn. } 32... Qxc4 33. Rxf3 { Taking back a pawnand trying to create some space for my leader to hide. } 33... Rg4+ 34. Kh3 Rf4 35. Rb3 Qf1+ 36. Kg3 Qf2+ 37. Kh3 Rf3+ { Forcing the rook exchange. } 38. Rxf3 Qxf3+ 39. Kh4 Kc6 40. Qc2+ { Now my queen is back in play, but I'mstill a pawn down and if my king has to move another square he will surelyfall over from exhaustion. } 40... Kd5 41. Qa4 { Not sure what I was thinking here.A forced queen exchange surely cannot be good for me. } 41... Qe4+ 42. Qxe4+ Kxe4 43. Kg5 { And there is the move! My h pawn can now start running:) } 43... Kxe5 { Big mistake. Black's king is now on the a1-h8 diagonal, and I'm gonnaqueen on h8! } 44. h4 f5 45. h5 f4 46. h6 f3 47. h7 f2 48. h8=Q+ { Missionaccomplished. Now it's time to pick off the f and e pawns. } 48... Ke4 49. Qh1+ Ke3 50. Qf1 Kf3 51. Kf6 { And black resigned. A well played game by my opponentup until 43...Kxe5. He was very gracious in defeat, and a true gentleman.One of my better performances in quite a while:) } 1-0
[Event "I TORNEO CERRADO HELADERIA"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-12-2010"] [Round "-"] [White "JUAN LUIS SAORÍN SAORÍN"] [Black "FRANCISCO SALMERÓN MEDRANO"] [Result "0-1"] 1. d4 e6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 d6 4. e4 h6 5. Nf3 e5 6. Be2 Nf6 7. Qc2 Bg4 8. Bd2 Be7 9. b4 { Saorín rompe energicamente en el flanco de dama } 9... b6 10. a4 O-O 11. a5 Nbd7 12. O-O Bh5 13. b5 a6 14. axb6 axb5 { I believe this is the key to the game... after the series of captures white is left with one pawn isolated... a danger in many occasions but in this position it will be a problem. } 15. Rxa8 Qxa8 16. cxb5 Nxb6 17. Nc3 Bg6 { Diagrama# Saorín está jugando francamente bien y con ideas pero Salmerón estademasiado inspirado, vemos como ese alfil amenaza indirectamente el peónde d5 } 18. Bc1 { Alternative variation: 18. Nh4 Bh7 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. exf5Nbxd5 21. Nxd5 Qxd5 $19 } 18... Nbxd5 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Bb2 Nb4 21. Qc4 Qxe4 22. Bc3 Qxc4 23. Bxc4 Bd3 24. Bxd3 Nxd3 25. Rb1 Rb8 26. Nd2 d5 27. b6 Nb4 28. Bxe5 Rxb6 29. g3 Bf6 30. Bc7 Ra6 31. Kg2 Nd3 32. Rb8+ Kh7 33. Rb1 Ra2 34. Rd1 Bd4 35. Nb3 { Increíble pero es la secuencia de jugadas sin erroresmás larga que he visto de todas las partidas, como los grandes maestrossalmerón ha incrementado su ventaja considerablemente sin reprochar ningúnerror a Saorín } 35... Nxf2 36. Rf1 Ng4+ 37. Kh3 Nxh2 { Alternative variation:37... h5 $18 } 38. Rxf7 Bf6 39. Nxc5 Nf3 40. Rd7 Ng5+ 41. Kg4 d4 42. Bf4 Kg6 43. Bxg5 h5+ 44. Kf3 Kxg5 45. Ne6+ Kg6 46. Nxd4 Rd2 { Diagrama # } 47. Rd6 { Alternative variation: 47. Ne6 Rxd7 48. Nf8+ Kf5 49. Nxd7 [A pesardel peón de menos Saorín podría haber echo tablas facilmente capturandocon su caballo el peón de la columna g del negro, todos conocemos el finalteórico de tablas que expondré a continuación] g5 50. Nf8 Bd4 51. Kg2 Ke452. Nh7 g4 53. Ng5+ Kf5 54. Nh3 $3 gxh3+ 55. Kxh3 Kg5 56. Kh2 Kg4 57. Kh1Kh3 58. g4 h4 59. g5 Bb6 60. g6 Bd4 61. g7 Bxg7 62. Kg1 Bd4+ 63. Kh1 Bc364. Kg1 Kg4 65. Kh1 h3 66. Kg1 Bd4+ 67. Kh1 [Tablas] } 47... Rxd4 48. Ra6 Kh7 49. Ra5 g6 50. Ra6 Bg5 51. Ra7+ Kh6 52. Ra8 Rd8 53. Ra5 Rf8+ 54. Kg2 Bd2 55. Re5 Rf5 56. Re2 Bc3 57. Re3 Be5 58. Rb3 Rg5 59. Kh3 Rxg3+ 60. Rxg3 Bxg3 61. Kxg3 Kg5 62. Kg2 Kh4 63. Kh2 Kg4 64. Kg2 Kf4 65. Kf2 Ke4 66. Kg3 Ke3 67. Kh4 Kf3 68. Kh3 Kf2 69. Kh2 g5 70. Kh1 g4 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.03"] [Round "-"] [White "dtdominates"] [Black "francisbaron08"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1760"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1765"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nc6 6. Re1 Nf6 7. d3 e6 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. e5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12. Rxe5 b6 13. Nc4 Rad8 14. Re3 h6 { this gains a bishop for the knight. } 15. Bh4 Nd5 16. Re4 { I had expected 16 Rh3 Nf4 17 Rf3 Bxh4 18 Rxf4 Bg5 with an edge. In thisline it is a fair question whether black can get away with 16 ... g5 asthere is a real possibility if the bishop doesn't get trapped the rookcould get imprisoned by the pawns on the kingside. } 16... g5 { this wins the bishopNoah's Ark style } 17. Bg3 f5 18. Re5 { the most fighting chances. blackshould certainly whether the attack after 18 Re1 f4 19 Qh5 Kg7. } 18... f4 19. Bh4 Bf6 { this allows black to protect the pawn on e6. also the bishopwon't run away. } 20. Qh5 Bxe5 { a close calculation revealed that whitehas nothing. } 21. Nxe5 Qh7 { wrong would be 21 ... Qg7?? 22 Ng4! } 22. f3 gxh4 23. Qg4+ Qg7 24. Qxe6+ Kh7 25. Nc6 Ne3 { this move had been forseen. it crushes white's resistance. } 26. Qe4+ Kh8 { the finish might have been27 g3 hxg3 28 h3 Rde8 29 Qa4 Qd7! with mate to soon follow or the takingof the knight if 30 Qa3. } 0-1
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.07.30"] [Round "-"] [White "sanjinp"] [Black "sleazerocker"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1481"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1518"] 1. g3 { Benko's opening. } 1... d5 2. Bg2 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. O-O e6 5. a3 { Out ofthe database. } 5... Be7 6. d4 c5 7. c3 Nc6 8. b4 cxd4 9. cxd4 e5 10. dxe5 { Whitepicks up a free pawn. } 10... Ne4 11. Nbd2 Bf5 12. Bb2 f6 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Nb3 O-O-O 16. Nbd4 Nc3 17. Qd2 Ne4 18. Qb2 Rd6 19. Ra2 Re8 20. Nxc6 { I definitely like Nb5 better. Although black could simply move therook, if he tries to trade queens NxR+, then RxQ. But the real beautyis that white (temporarily) protects against Nc3, which will prove painful. } 20... Rxc6 21. Nh4 { Rc1 would probably have been better. } 21... Nc3 22. e3 Nxa2 23. Qxf6 Rxf6 24. Bxd5 Be6 25. Bxe6+ { White should avoid trades while downthree points. } 25... Rexe6 26. Ra1 Nc3 27. Kf1 { Kg2 is probably better. } 27... Rd6 28. Rc1 { Now black will want to trade rooks. } 28... Rd1+ 29. Rxd1 Nxd1 30. Ke1 Nc3 31. f4 Ne4 32. Nf3 Ra6 33. Nd4 Rxa3 34. Nb5 Ra1+ 35. Ke2 Kb8 36. Nd4 Rb1 37. Ne6 g6 38. Nf8 Rh1 39. Kf3 Nf6 40. Kg2 Rb1 41. Kf3 Rxb4 42. g4 Re4 43. Nxh7 { Mm, definitely like 43. g5 better. The black knight hasto move, then Ph7 becomes a freebie (free pawn). Actually, this isn'ttoo bad either--NxN, KxR. I guess it is a cheap pawn either way. } 43... Nxh7 44. Kxe4 Nf6+ 45. Kf3 a5 46. Ke2 { I like Pg5 better. Even Pf5 has promise. } 46... Nxg4 47. h3 Nf6 48. Kd3 b5 49. Kc3 Kb7 50. h4 Kc6 51. Kb3 Kc5 52. e4 Nxe4 53. f5 gxf5 54. h5 Nf6 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.11.03"] [Round "-"] [White "kolmogorov"] [Black "tagus37"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1849"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1844"] 1. e4 c5 2. b4 cxb4 3. Bc4 e6 4. Qe2 Nc6 5. Nf3 { idea albului e sa il descurajezepe adversar sa joace d5. } 5... Nf6 6. e5 d5 { ... fara succes, din cate se poatevedea. } 7. exd6 Bxd6 8. d4 O-O 9. O-O a6 { The knight is doing very well. It has made a promising move in safety, and a pawn on d4 is now in its sight. } 10. Nbd2 b5 11. Bd3 Bb7 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Be3 Rc8 { The knight puts all pieces on the good camp. The only hope of the white is to complicate things, in the hope that, in some way or another, you will be able to change the pieces of the lady, in order to enter the final with 3 against 4 all grouped on the king's flank. } 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. dxc5 Ne7 { The dark-squared bishop gives the black pieces a very pleasant game. The white king has no more than vague hopes of an attack on the black king's flank. } 16. a4 bxa3 17. Rxa3 { The knight is trying to show that your madmen can pose a threat to both flanks. Bringing the tower to a3 is part of the same strategy. } 17... Qc7 18. c4 { If the knight is on d5, then in case of a swap, the bishop believes it can get close to the target or swap all the pawns on the dame's flank. } 18... b4 19. Rb3 a5 20. Nd4 { The knight on b3 can give the king some perspective. The first figure on the third line has departed. However, there are still two! In addition, since the pawn on c5 cannot be taken immediately (due to 20...Dc5 21. Cf5 Dc7 22. Nb6), the knight claims, with optimism, that it can bring the horse to d6. } 20... Nd7 21. Bg5 { The second piece from the third line of the board moves to b3, and starts a long combination with the sacrifice of the pawn on c5, believing that it will ensure reasonable equality. } 21... Nxc5 { Dc5 nu merge nici acum } 22. Bxh7+ { The third piece moves to the third line, sacrificing itself to open the king's position. } 22... Kxh7 23. Rh3+ Kg8 24. Bf6 { The madman cannot be captured, due to the threat of checkmate with 25.Dh5, despite the presence of the knight on f6 and g6. After the second move, the knight begins to create winning chances, since the opponent has not seen this move, which, according to the knight, should have been made immediately and with g2-g4. } 24... Bxg2 { If you don't take the knight, then, if you don't take the knight, then there is no solution. The king white stands on g2, directly into a fork on f4, which cancels the threats of mate on h7 and h8. } 25. Kxg2 Ng6 26. Bg5 Qb7+ 27. Kg1 Ne4 28. Qh5 Nxg5 29. Qxg5 Qe4 { The black's attack has ended. The black has two extra pawns, a superior position, and will win soon. } 30. Qh5 Rfd8 31. Ne2 Rxc4 32. Qxa5 Ra8 33. Qh5 Qg4+ 34. Qxg4 Rxg4+ 35. Rg3 Re4 36. Nc1 Nf4 37. Rb3 Ra5 38. f3 Rg5+ 39. Kh1 Rd4 40. Rb2 Rgd5 41. Nb3 Rd1 42. Kg1 Rxf1+ 43. Kxf1 Rd1+ 0-1
[Event "Pidah Kloos's Danish"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.07.19"] [Round "-"] [White "pidahkloos"] [Black "mihait"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1553"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1261"] 1. e4 e5 2. d4 { This a game from my own tournament, and the highest ratedplayer I've beaten. I offered up the Danish Gambit } 2... exd4 3. c3 { He acceptedand so I offered yet another pawn } 3... dxc3 4. Bc4 { the bishop comes out, creatinga nice diagonal. My opponent can still choose to decline by bishop b4,if so the recommende move is to take his pawn with the bpawn, forcing himto move his bishop. If he now moves the bishop to a5 it is lost with white'squeen to d5. } 4... cxb2 5. Bxb2 { He didn't decline, and this is the Danish acceptedline } 5... Qh4 { his queen came out } 6. Nc3 Bb4 { my knight and his bishop } 7. Ne2 Ne7 { my knight to protect the other knight, and he develops his knightto the e7 square } 8. O-O a6 { I castled queen-side and he pushe his a-pawn.With the intention, I think, for his b-pawn to kick the bishop } 9. Bxf7+ { So I take his f7 pawn hoping his king walks } 9... Kxf7 10. Qb3+ { it did, andnow my queen captures his bishop } 10... Ke8 11. Qxb4 { I am still one down, andhe has the move. But my pieces are very active, his queen is out walking(without a chaperone), and he can no longer castle } 11... Nbc6 12. Qb3 { he pulledhis knight into the action with a tempo, forcing me to backtrack my queen,but it's not a bad square. } 12... Qg5 13. f4 { his queen moving to g5 I don'treally understand, but I push my pawn, hoping to free up space for my rook } 13... Qg6 14. f5 Qg5 { Hei falls back, I push, and he insists on the g5 square,probably looking to d2 (?) } 15. Nd5 { I'm hoping for the c7-fork } 15... Nxd5 { he forsees it and kills my knight } 16. Qxd5 Ne7 { I revenge the knight,and he falls back with his other knight, threatening my lady Queen } 17. Qb3 b5 { Again I fall back with her, and he pushes his b-pawn } 18. f6 { allowingme a sneak-attack on his kingside pawn-structure } 18... gxf6 19. Bxf6 { He probablythinks he can avoid the fork with an inbetween check } 19... Qc5+ 20. Bd4 { buthe can't } 20... Qh5 21. Ng3 { He moves his queen to the h-file and I use the advantageto develop my knight to a better square } 21... Qh6 22. Bxh8 { he retreats hisqueen and I cature his cornered rook } 22... d6 { he creates space for his kingto hide, and opens the way for his bishop } 23. Qf7+ Kd7 { allowing me tocheck him, forcing him behind his knight, blocking for the bishop, andnow I can attack his queen with bishop to g7 } 24. Bg7 Qe3+ { he checks theking } 25. Rf2 { i protect with the rook } 25... Qd4 { and then the blunder of queento d4 allowing me to stab her in back with my bishop } 26. Bxd4 { and blackresigned. Not a brilliant game from black's perspective but at 1553 a nicescalp for me, and an ok version of the danish gambit accepted. Hope youenjoyed, feel free to comment } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.01.12"] [Round "-"] [White "chrisforbes21"] [Black "blue148"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1202"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1279"] 1. e4 d5 { 2. exd5 is the preferred approach. } 2. e5 { Now 2 ... Bf5. } 2... e6 3. d4 { 3 ... c5 here } 3... Ne7 { 4. Nf3 or c3 is preferred. I can see that neitherplayer is using the GK World database. } 4. Bd3 b6 { 5. c3 is called for. } 5. Ne2 g6 6. O-O Bd7 7. c4 { 7... dxc4 } 7... c6 { Now White should develop a piece,like Bg5. Or, if White insists on moving the c pawn, exchange it for acenter pawn. But don't push it. } 8. c5 { What was the point of this?? } 8... bxc5 9. dxc5 { What has White wrought with 8. c5? } 9... Bg7 10. f4 { OK, this pawnpush was needed to protect the e pawn. } 10... O-O 11. Nbc3 { Excellent! You'redeveloping your pieces. } 11... a5 { I'm skeptical of this. How about f6 instead? } 12. Na4 Bc8 13. Nb6 { That's a great outpost! } 13... Ra7 14. Bd2 Nd7 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. g4 { What?? How about developing your pieces? Like Nd4. Qa4. Be skepticalof your pawn pushes so early in the game when your pieces are not out yet. } 16... Ba6 17. Bxa6 Rxa6 18. b4 { What?? Another pawn push? How about Qa4 instead.OrNd4. } 18... axb4 19. Bxb4 { I am expecting Black to double rooks. Rfa8. Or g5first with idea of Ng6. White cannot take without getting double isolatedpawns and losing pawn protection for e5. } 19... Raa8 { This is a surprising move,and not in a good way. Timid. } 20. a4 { Nimzovitch tells us to act in thecenter. So, were I Black, ... f6 would be my move. Now, this a4 moveworks out for White in the game, but I am generally skeptical of thesepawn pushes. I would be expecting g5 or f6 and would likely have movedmy Bishop to c3 first. } 20... Qc7 { I'm thinking Qd2, anticipating ... f6 or ...g5 and wanting to backstop my Bishop and position my Queen to help protectmy advanced Kingside pawns. } 21. a5 { Black has the better game at thispoint in my opinion. ...g5 then ... gxf4 or Ng6 and Black attacks thecenter. } 21... Bxe5 { A blunder. Black had the right idea of countering here,but not this way. Instead, g5. White now has the better game. } 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. a6 { Now we expect Black to use his superior center. Qe3+, thene5, then f5 or f6 and a counterattack begins. } 23... Ra7 { Ineffective. BetterQe3+. } 24. Qd3 Qc7 { Black is retreating and giving up initiative to White. } 25. Ba5 Qe5 { I'm getting whiplash watching this. } 26. Bb6 Raa8 27. Nd4 { Yes, finally! } 27... Qg5 28. a7 { A mistake. White seems to have just one thingon his mind! Qg3 was necessary to defend the King, to prevent Black'scounterattack (at last). Black would follow with moves like h5, e5. } 28... Qxg4+ { Better e5 first, driving away the Knight. BUILD the attack. } 29. Qg3 { Ouch! This is a mistake as now White loses its Knight. Black is all of a suddendecisively ahead. [Hmmmm. Someone isn't using the Analysis board andFlip.] } 29... Qxd4+ 30. Qf2 { At this point, a piece ahead, I would exchange myQueens. } 30... Qg4+ 31. Kh1 Nf5 32. Bc7 d4 { Better e5 } 33. Rfb1 { A blunder. Now Rxa7. If RxR, then Qe4+, taking the Rook and beginning the marchof pawns with e5! This is Black's game now to lose. } 33... Rfc8 { A Rxa7 was neededhere. } 34. Rb8 { Excellent! } 34... Ng3+ { A blunder. It's White's game now. [Someone else isn't using the Analysis and Flip features of GK.] Rf8 orQe4+ was called for. } 35. Bxg3 { Qxg3! Then, perhaps ... Qxg3; Bxg3, Rf8;Bd6, Rfxb8; axb8(Q), Rxb8; Bxb8. White's ahead and should want to exchangeQueens. } 35... Qe4+ 36. Kg1 { Now I would expect ...Rc x b8 or ... Rf8. Whatdoes Black do? } 36... Qd5 { Blunder. I guess the Analysis board was unavailable. } 37. Rxc8+ Rxc8 { Now I imagine Qf6. There is a recurring theme here, thatyou can build the attack. The pawn on a7 is safe and the Rook is busyprotecting the back rank. Let's get more pieces in on the attack. Youcan imagine Qf6, then Be5 threatening mate. Queens will get exchanged andWhite's bishop will land on f6, limiting the King's movement. Then Rb1-Rb8+(Black cannot take the pawn on a7 because of Rb8 mate). If Black takesthe rook, then the pawn Queens. Black will lose his rook with the check. IfThe Black King will start running, with h6 as a start. } 38. a8=Q Rxa8 39. Rxa8+ Kg7 { Ra7, threatening Qxf7 mate. } 40. Bd6 d3 { A blunder. Whitehas mate now. Bf8+, Kg8; Bh6+, Qd8; Rxd8 mate. } 41. Ra1 { Oh no!! Whitepanicked. One move ago White had mate. } 41... d2 42. Rd1 Qg5+ 43. Qg2 Qe3+ 44. Qf2 Qg5+ 45. Bg3 Qd5 { ? } 46. Rxd2 Qg5 47. h4 Qe7 48. Qd4+ { There isno good place to hide. } 48... Kh6 49. Bf4+ { Excellent! } 49... Kh5 50. Qe5+ Kxh4 51. Rh2+ Kg4 52. Rg2+ Kh3 53. Qe3+ Kh4 54. Bg5+ { The next move is Qf3 mate. } 1-0
[Event "82nd GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.12.14"] [Round "-"] [White "3121"] [Black "richard1234567"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1499"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1356"] 1. e4 c5 { I played the Sicilian to sharpen my skills. } 2. Bc4 e6 { e6 isprobably better than d6 right here. } 3. Nc3 a6 { Prepare for b5 which gainstempo by attacking the bishop and could prepare for a minority attack. } 4. d4 cxd4 5. Qxd4 { White should've played Nf3 since I can now play Nc6with tempo. } 5... Nc6 6. Qe3 d6 7. Nf3 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 { Developing my LSB. } 9. a4 { White attempts to destroy my pawn structure. } 9... b4 10. Ne2 { I advanceto avoid a fractured pawn structure. } 10... a5 { DEfends the pawn on b4. } 11. Ned4 Rc8 12. O-O Nf6 13. h3 Qb6 { Attacks the knight on d4 one more timeand attempts to simplify the game because I believe that black is slightybetter here. } 14. Nxc6 Qxe3 15. Bxe3 Bxc6 16. Nd2 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bxe4 18. Rac1 Be7 19. f3 Bg6 20. Bb6 Bd8 21. Bxd8 Rxd8 { I'm trying to simplify myposition even further since I have an extra pawn } 22. c3 Rb8 23. c4 O-O 24. Rfe1 Rfd8 25. g4 Rbc8 26. f4 h6 27. h4 Rd7 { The position is favouringme so far but you'll never know if I'll blunder!! }
[Event "Walking the Walk & Learning to Run Welcome MT Pt 9"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.06.25"] [Round "-"] [White "ozdin"] [Black "porcho"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1132"] [TimeControl "5d+5d<10d"] [WhiteElo "1241"] { This is a game I played in the WtW welcome mini tournament. So far I'vedone better in it than I expected, seeing as I have the lowest rating ofall. I beat rick51 once, and now I got a draw against ozdin. } 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 g5 4. h4 g4 5. Ng5 h6 6. Nxf7 { All game start here inthis mini tournament. } 6... Kxf7 { Easy19 played Qf6 against me instead of Kxf7,but I don't have the guts (or the skill) to let him swipe my rook. } 7. Qxg4 Qf6 { I play it now, to try to give my king a little defense. In mygame against vandoostlo I moved my knight there instead, and died horriblyan painfully even faster than against easy19. (11 moves) } 8. Bc4+ d5 { Idon't see anything wrong with this move, because if he captures my LSB(as he does) get his and reduce some of the attack. Of course, he can startraiding my pawns but I didn't see anything better than this. } 9. Qxc8 dxc4 10. Qxb7 Qc6 { This protects my rook. } 11. Qc8 Qxe4+ { I start some pawn-grabbingof my own. } 12. Kd1 Qxg2 13. Qf5+ Ke8 14. Re1+ Be7 { While I am ahead inmaterial, I don't really like my position. } 15. Nc3 Nc6 16. Nd5 Qf3+ { Afterhe added the knight's pressure to the bishop, I decided to force a draw.The reason there are more moves than necessary, is because I plugged themin as conditionals and didn't bother to count how many times I did it. } 17. Re2 Qf1+ 18. Re1 Qf3+ 19. Re2 Qf1+ 20. Re1 Qf3+ 21. Re2 Qf1+ 22. Re1 Qf3+ 23. Re2 { And.........Draw! I was ahead, but I just didn't like myposition, and he did have a higher rating than me, so I'm pretty glad Isurvived with the black pieces, until now I've had better luck with thewhite. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Challenge from paulpatras"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.12.09"] [Round "-"] [White "paulpatras"] [Black "liebermann"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1510"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1484"] 1. e4 c5 { In reply to the king's pawn opening, black plays the Siciliandefence. } 2. d4 { Although not so powerful (as I learned later), white playsthe Morra gambit. } 2... cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 { Black accepts the gambit. } 4. Nxc3 { White sacrifices a pawn but gains control of the centre and develops attackopportunities. } 4... Nc6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nf3 { A form of Siberian variation is played,which could later develop in the famous 'Siberian Trap' (where black captureswhite's queen), but otherwise still with potentially a better game forblack. } 6... Bb4 { Black pins the knight, but does not threaten anything significantly(a Bxc3 exchange would leave black's knight in c6 with even less mobility). } 7. O-O { White naturally castle and the knight is free to move. } 7... Nge7 { Blackreckons it's time to castle as well, though Ne7 leaves the knight withfew options to further develop. } 8. Be3 { White pre-empts a possible Qb6development. } 8... O-O { As expected, castling. } 9. a3 { White begins to harass. } 9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 b6 { Preventing white's Bc5 attack. } 11. Qd3 { White bringsthe queen into the game and contemplates a potential attack on king's side. } 11... Bb7 { Black needs to start developing the game, but does not have too manyoptions. } 12. Rfd1 { White aims to exchange queens, while capturing a pawnand leaving the rook in an uncomfortable setting for black. } 12... Bc8 { Blackdefends the weak pawn, but has wasted a move. } 13. e5 { Pushing the pawnto increase the pressure, while opening the white diagonal for the queen,in view of a deadly attack. } 13... Nf5 { Black has to block and the knight moveis his best option. (Pushing the f7 pawn would have weaken the defenceof the king). } 14. Bg5 { But that's exactly what white wants, thus attackingthe queen. } 14... Qc7 { Black secures the queen while seeking to annihilate white'soffensive by capturing the pawn in e5. NB. white's bishop remains problematic. } 15. Re1 { White knows the pawn is vital, and thus defends with the rook. } 15... Bb7 { There's less pressure on d7 now, so black can develop his bishop (asper the original plan). } 16. Rad1 { White threatens again to break the7th row. } 16... Bc8 { And black wastes another move. } 17. g4 { White attacks, leavingfew options for the knight. } 17... Nfe7 18. h4 { Now white is relatively freeon the king's side and pushes fiercely h4. } 18... h6 { Black needs to remove thepush white's bishop back. } 19. Bf4 Na5 { Gains a tempo and attacks the bishop. } 20. Ba2 { Note now, that Bb1 next would be a bold message. } 20... Rd8 { IMHO, thisshould have come much sooner. Nonetheless, one of the few options at handfor black. } 21. Bb1 { Sticking to the plan. } 21... Bb7 { Now the bishop is finallyfree to move. } 22. Bxh6 { White is ready to sacrifice the bishop and cornerthe king. } 22... Ng6 23. h5 { Of course, the knight is the last thing white wantson g6, hence pushes the pawn. } 23... Bxf3 { Black weaken's the defence of thee5 pawn, but.. } 24. hxg6 { ...loses the knight and could lead white closerto victory. } 24... f6 { Natural move, leaving the dangerous diagonal unusable. } 25. Qxf3 { Though white's queen has more options now. } 25... gxh6 { I argue thiswas probably not the best move for black, but the mate was anyhow imminent. } 26. Qxf6 { The queen captures and black resigns, seeing the mate in 2moves. } 1-0
[Event "Definitely not Illusory"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.23"] [Round "-"] [White "benlim"] [Black "blake84120"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2046"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<3d"] [WhiteElo "1577"] 1. e4 c5 { This was a Fast Ladder challenge, and my opponent was selectedpurely by reason of how many rungs I might gain, and how fast he tendsto make his average moves. Confronted with my favorite Open Game, I complicatethings with the Sicilian. } 2. c3 Nf6 { White tries Alapin's Variation, notnearly as popular as 2. Nf3, but still it's the 3rd most popular amongstthe experts in the World DB and it does quite well for white. Black respondswith the main line which invites some immediate abuse by white's pawns,not unlike Alekhine's Defense. } 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 { Still in the mainline here. } 5. cxd4 d6 { The main line here for white runs 5. Nf3. Sinceblack's pawn on d4 is pinned (5. ... dxc3 6. Qxd5), white can gang up onit and develop a piece first. Jumping immediately to 5. cxd4 takes a littlebit of the pressure off of black, giving him freedom to steer the coursefor a while. } 6. Nf3 e6 { Still pretty much the main line here } 7. Bb5+ Bd7 { 7. Bb5+ it turns out is not a very popular choice in the World DB.More tentative developing moves like 7. Bc4 is much more popular and muchmore successful. } 8. Qa4 Nc6 { 8. Qa4 was an interesting move. Not evena hint of it in the DB. Of the 17 games that got here, all 17 played 8.Bxd7+ instead. My instincts told me there is a reason this move is notchosen, but damned if I could find any way to exploit it. The one thingI didn't really want to do was give white an early queen exchange. Withthe disparity in our ratings, I wanted to keep the board as complex aspossible. } 9. Nc3 Nxc3 { OK, with 9. Nc3? white offers up a pawn and further,a positional advantage as well. Though it might involve exchanging queens,black is willing to make that exchange for a won game. } 10. bxc3 a6 { Ifthe bishop retreats, 11. ... Nxe5 wins a pawn. } 11. Bxc6 Bxc6 { Now thequeen must retreat. } 12. Qd1 dxe5 { Either way, a white pawn falls. If 13.dxe5 then 13. ... Qxd1+ 14. Kxd1 Rc8 and white cannot hold both his queensideand kingside - something must give. } 13. Nxe5 Bxg2 { White chose a differentway, possibly the best choice since it opens some interesting counterattackpossibilities. } 14. Rg1 Be4 15. Qg4 Bf5 { The bishop was en prise. } 16. Qh5 Qc7 { The black pawn on f7 was under fire, and white was threateningcheckmate with 17. Qxf7#. Black defends the pawn and makes a threat ofhis own against the white pawn on c3. } 17. Bd2 Bd6 { Time for the knightto go away. } 18. f4 O-O { I thought long about this one. It felt like castlinginto danger with white's knight, rook, and queen just sitting right therein striking distance. It's never a good idea to castle into danger. Nevercastle onto a file your opponent controls, especially if you're only shieldedby a poorly defended pawn, and especially if your opponent has multiplepieces lurking about to assist in any attack along that file. But I couldn'tsee any way for white to make good on the danger, and I really wanted toplay 19. ... f6 to chase away the knight for good, so I decided the dangerwas illusory and took the plunge. } 19. Ng4 Bxf4 { There is some danger hereto black. The knight can move and give check and the g7 pawn will be pinnedand unable to capture. But black's bishops and queen cover all the dangerareas and white cannot press the attack through to a checkmate. So, blackgains a pawn while simultaneously bringing his second bishop into the defensein case it becomes necessary, or at least, making sure white cannot bringhis bishop into the attack. } 20. O-O-O Qxc3# { 20. ... 0-0-0??? is ironicbecause just two moves ago black was worried about castling into danger.Never castle into danger, etc., etc. White's pawn on c3 looks defended,but appearances are deceiving. Before castling, the pawn is defended. However,unlike black's plunge on move 18, the danger here is definitely not illusory.But white castled right into position that pinned his own bishop, removingit from defense of the pawn. The black queen makes short work of the pawnand, aided by her two bishops, she delivers the killing blow. } 0-1
[Event "I play myself again"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "5th sep 11"] [Round "-"] [White "lastav"] [Black "lastav"] [Result "1-0"] { And once again I decide to play myself as there is nothing else to dobut this time i'll be playing a little differently and in a blitz manner. } 1. d4 { Trying out a new moment as either way i'll win the game. } 1... d5 { Sofar it is quite a normal game. } 2. Bf4 { I bring my bishop out. } 2... Nc6 { Andblack his knight. } 3. Nc3 { I also bring my knight out. } 3... Nf6 { And so doesblack. } 4. Nf3 { It seems like a 4 knights game apart from the bishop beingin the game. } 4... Bg4 { I threaten to put opponent in a bad opponent. } 5. Ne5 { I move my knight out of the way. } 5... Nxe5 { I except the exchange. } 6. Bxe5 { I take with my bishop because if I took with my pawn his pawn would beable to advance and threaten my knight. } 6... Ne4 { I also go for a swap off. } 7. Nxe4 { This time it is me as white excepting the exchange. } 7... dxe4 { Theonly way I can take his knight- it seems as if my opponent is in the betterposition. } 8. h3 { I attempt to scare his bishop away. } 8... Be6 { There isn'tmuch I could have done. } 9. Qd2 { I move my queen out of the way so thatI can castle in my next move. } 9... Qd7 { I am copying white. } 10. O-O-O { I castle. } 10... O-O-O { And again... } 11. e3 { I push my pawn to release my bishop. } 11... Bxa2 { I, without thinking take the pawn. } 12. b3 { Just what I had hoped for. } 12... f6 { I push pawn to attack his bishop. } 13. Bg3 { Hardly a better move. } 13... Bxb3 { My best option. } 14. cxb3 { I capture his bishop but it leaves mein a bad position. } 14... a6 { I push pawn for maybe in the future. } 15. Bc4 { Iput myself in a good position (I think). } 15... Qc6 { My bishop is pinned. } 16. d5 { I try and force his queen back. } 16... Qc5 { I just push my queen forward. } 17. h4 { I start advancing my end pawn. } 17... b5 { I have his bishop trapped atthe cost of my position. } 18. Qa2 { Not much i can do to save my bishop. } 18... bxc4 { I take feeling better. } 19. bxc4 { I take back } 19... e5 { I push my pawntwo forward forgetting about n.p } 20. dxe6 { That is exactly what I dobut I get rid of his double pawns. } 20... Rxd1+ { I take the oppurtunity of aswap off as I am in a better position. } 21. Rxd1 { My best move. } 21... g5 { Ipush my pawn in attempt for more exchanges. } 22. Qxa6+ { I am back in thelead and I believe there is a checkmate on the way. } 22... Kb8 { Only option. } 23. Rd8# { And there you go- another game proving that I play better aswhite. I made quite a few mistakes in this game but that it is mostly becauseI was trying to play as fast as I can. } 1-0
[Event "Nutmeg Of Consolation VIII"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "01-Jul-06"] [Round "-"] [White "acrewboy02"] [Black "miike"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1337"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1412"] 1. e4 { The game database identified this as C41: Philidor's defence } 1... e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f6 4. dxe5 fxe5 5. Bc4 h6 6. Nc3 a6 7. Be3 { at this pointi've developed all 4 minor pieces and black's are still all on his backrank.... } 7... c6 { Black wastes another move and takes away the best squarefrom his knight } 8. Qd2 { i am now prepared to castle long } 8... b5 { Black advancesyet another pawn. } 9. Bxg8 { i decide to stop letting black take spacewith his pawns and this prevents black from castling kingside } 9... Rxg8 10. O-O-O { now i have my queen and rook focused on the pawn on d6 } 10... Rh8 { anotherpointless move } 11. Bc5 { Black cannot play dxc5 without losing his queen } 11... d5 12. Bxf8 { i take black's better bishop and i will gain a pawn afterRxf8 } 12... Rxf8 13. Nxe5 { i debated exd5 but i know that i can play that movenext } 13... Qg5 { black forces a trade of queens and doubles his paws on theg file } 14. Qxg5 hxg5 15. exd5 { finally i get a chance to play exd5 } 15... Bb7 { I don't know what black was thinking here. Rxf2 seemed logical } 16. dxc6 Bxc6 17. Nxc6 Nxc6 { i'm two pawns up when the dust settles with a strongpawn structure and two more pawns than my opponent } 18. Rd6 Rc8 19. f3 b4 20. Ne4 { moves the knight to a square where black's pawns cannot attackit and attacks black's pawn } 20... a5 21. Nxg5 Rf5 22. Re1+ Kf8 23. Ne6+ Kf7 24. Nd4 { Forcing an exchange of knights } 24... Nxd4 25. Rxd4 Rh8 26. h3 { i controlboth open files and have a 3 pawn advantage } 26... Rg5 27. Re2 Rc8 28. b3 g6 29. Rde4 Kg7 30. Re5 { Forcing the exchange of rooks or black losing a pawn } 30... Rg3 31. Rxa5 g5 32. Rb5 Ra8 33. Rxb4 Rxa2 34. Ra4 { Ra4! black is now forcedto trade rooks and resignes because his other rook is trapped and his kingcannot cross the E file, so nothing can stop me from getting 2 more queens }
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "09-Mar-07"] [Round "-"] [White "edandevy"] [Black "rumata"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1739"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1746"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 O-O 6. Nc3 d5 7. e3 b6 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Be2 Ba6 { Trading of black's problem bishop } 10. O-O Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Nd7 { Here black has a lot light-squared weakness that whitetakes advantage of. } 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Rac1 { Critical moment, I saw white'spressure on the c-file. c5 was a must here. } 13... Nf6 14. Rc6 Qd7 { Next fewmoves revolve around protecting c7 square } 15. Ne5 Qe7 16. Rfc1 Rfc8 17. Qc2 Ne8 { Finally able to protect c7 sufficiently, but now black is stuckin a very passive position. } 18. Qb3 Rd8 19. R6c3 Rd6 { When in trouble,complicate! } 20. Nc6 Qg5 { Objectively black's attack cannot suceed, butI am hoping that it will deflect white's attention from it's bind on thequeen-side. } 21. Qc2 Rg6 22. f3 Nd6 23. Ne5 { Clearing the path for therook and queen battery with a tempo } 23... Rh6 24. Rxc7 { ? A major mistake, thisgives Black all the counter play he was dreaming of. } 24... Qxe3+ 25. Kh1 Re6 { ! Key move to protect against back rank threats. } 26. Qc6 Rae8 { Now whitefinds himself in trouble on the back rank } 27. Qd7 { ? Burning all the bridges. } 27... Qxd4 { White's attack cannot succeed, while black's is irresistable. } 28. f4 { Deseparation, white's exposed knight is the only piece blocking white'sback rank. } 28... Qxf4 29. Rc8 { And now it's over, but there was nothing whitecould do anyway. } 29... Nxc8 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.02"] [Round "-"] [White "_p-funk_"] [Black "thehellion"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1280"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1259"] 1. e4 { This game featured one of the most complicated tactical melees I'veever been involved in. For about 5 moves on each side, momentum seemedto swing back and forth with every move. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 { It startsright away. A very aggressive variation of the Philidor. } 4. Be2 c6 5. dxe5 Bxf3 6. Bxf3 dxe5 { I open the Queen file, allowing the exchange ofQueens and preventing myself from castling. But the game doesn't get anysimpler. } 7. Qxd8+ Kxd8 8. O-O Kc7 { I get my King away from the open Queenfile. } 9. Bg4 Nf6 10. Bh3 Na6 { I'm attempting to get my pieces off theback line quickly and connect my Rooks. } 11. Nd2 Bc5 12. Nc4 { My King'smovements are becoming restricted. Defense will be a high priority. } 12... Rad8 { I take the open file -- so my opponent can't launch a killing attack alongit. } 13. Nxe5 { White is up a Pawn. If he can get his Queen Bishop activeand connect his Rooks, an attack could form up in a hurry. } 13... Rhf8 { I can'tafford to lose a second Pawn. } 14. Bf4 { Discovered check looms. } 14... Kb6 { Toavoid the discovery, I must go forward. Now my King is exposed. } 15. Nc4+ Kb5 { The King-hunt is on. I'll need all my defensive skills to survive. } 16. b3 { Guards the Knight and cuts off a flight square. If the Queen Bishopcan reach d2, my King will be in a stalemate position. } 16... Nxe4 { Regains thePawn and targets d2. } 17. a4+ Kb4 { Now a Bishop check at d2 would meanmate. } 18. Bf5 { Attacking one of the pieces preventing Bd2 mate. } 18... Rfe8 { Riposte. } 19. Rad1 { If I let White exchange Rooks, I'll lose my Knight. } 19... b5 { Now it would be an even exchange. } 20. Ne5 { Out of danger, but... } 20... Bxf2+ { I have to counterattack. Whoever comes out of the melee ahead willwin. } 21. Kh1 { White could have traded a Rook and Pawn for a Knight andBishop. He rejects the offer. } 21... Rxd1 22. Rxd1 { Now that I'm up a Pawn, Ifigure I can win an endgame so I trade a pair of Rooks. } 22... Nc3 23. Nxc6+ { Material is again even... } 23... Kc5 24. Bd7 { Guarding the Knight... still anyone'sgame. } 24... Re4 { Now with the attack on the Bishop, I don't give him time tomove his Rook out of the line of fire. } 25. Bg3 { This allows me to wina Rook and essentially decides the game. } 25... Bxg3 26. hxg3 Nxd1 { The compiicationsare over... I ended up ahead. This would be a good time for White to resign. } 27. Bc8 Nb4 28. Ba6 Nxa6 { This ends any remaining drama. The differencebetween my opponent and Inspector Javert is that Inspector Javert knewwhen to quit. } 29. axb5 Kxb5 30. Nxa7+ Kb4 31. Nc6+ Kc3 32. Na5 Kxc2 33. Nc4 Re6 34. Na3+ Kxb3 35. Nb1 Nc3 36. Nd2+ Kc2 37. Nf3 Ne2 { My Knight cutsoff the King's flight square at g1... } 38. Ne1+ Kb3 39. Nf3 Rh6+ 40. Nh4 g5 41. g4 Rxh4# { ...and mate follows. } 0-1
[Event "Bishop - Knight end game Mate! Rare/Interesting/Tough!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "08-Jul-08"] [Round "-"] [White "berbatov"] [Black "e-motion"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1616"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1793"] 1. d4 { A very interesting end game. The Bishop and Knight Mate is the mostdifficult of the so-called 'elementary' mates and there is nothing elementaryabout them for a beginner player.... or even a more experienced one. Itis a very rare ending but it is a very useful to learn how to do this,otherwise the game will sure to be thrown into a draw either due to 50move rule, or a stalemate. This would be off course unfortunate becauseit is a won game, but one must know exactly what to do. I will deal withthis more in detail toward the end but for right now lets begin: } 1... d5 { Iam dealing clearly with a superior player so my strategy in such matchesis always the same: MUST TAKE RISKS or else I won't stand a chance. (Iwill probably lose either way, but if I take a risk I have at least a remotechance of surprising my opponent and create an interesting game). } 2. c4 { In all of my wins against 1800 players (berbatov was ranked over 1800at the time we started), it always happened in the same way: Develop aboard 'feature' and then take advantage of it. You will see what I meanby that in the coming moves. } 2... c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 { So far standard opening.I was going for a Slav defense since that seems to be a less played gamearound here, and it takes some people by surprise. Exchange variation. } 4. Nc3 Nc6 { Not fully familiar with this development but again, I am willingto take chances against berbatov. } 5. Nf3 g6 6. Qb3 e6 7. Bg5 { Awkwardmove for me. I did not like it, but there it was and I had to deal withit. I took my time to play my next move. } 7... f6 { I was forced to ruin my kingside protection for the castling. The bishop position was so dangerous,that I felt I had no option. } 8. Bf4 Bg7 9. e3 { After this move, I startedfeeling better about that development. Fianchetto in place, his dark bishopsqueezed, my castling options still alive. } 9... a6 { Passive, but against astronger players, I put more emphasis on developing than attacking. I reallydon't want his Nb5. } 10. a3 Nge7 { Preparing to castle. } 11. Bd3 { berbatovdeveloping further. Again, something I noticed a higher ranked playerstend to do. More emphasis on a development. It usually creates a richerand more complex game, with greater number of possibilities. That makessense considering that a higher number of strong pieces are involved inthe game. } 11... e5 { I am starting to exploit the Bishop's position, and I ampushing my pawns. Pawn game is in general not a good strategy against astronger player, but that Bishop was asking for it. In addition I get topush my pawn in the center. } 12. dxe5 fxe5 13. Bg5 { Darn, I knew thatthat Bishop will be a pest. } 13... e4 { I really wanted to gain some center controland some piece advantage. I sacrificed my King's protection to do this,and I knew this. I was willing to take that chance. Note that he has alot of heavy artillery pointed in the direction of my King's area. } 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nxe4 { I am a pawn up, but my King seems naked. I am sureberbatov was fine with this. I am a bit underdeveloped to boot. } 15... Qa5+ { HereI gain a tempo move. I figured I gained a pawn advantage, but he had positionon me. If I could gain a tempo move, maybe I make up for the position disadvantageand perhaps retain my piece advantage. } 16. Ned2 Qb5 17. Qxb5 axb5 { Thiswas another result of Qb5 I was aiming for. I wanted to develop a 'feature',namely an early a-file opening. And this is the formula I have followedin the past against superior opponents. Now my job is not to let that featurego to waste, and hopefully take advantage of it. I might end up sacrificingfew pieces on the way, but I need to be on a look out to maximize thisa-file opening. This now becomes my sole focus. } 18. O-O-O { berbatov didn'tseem to be concerned with the a-file threat.... I wonder why, because nowmy mission is starting to crystallize. } 18... b4 { You see where I am going withthis. } 19. Nc4 { I didn't like this move. It was threatening my King withNd6. Also, his rook is poised to strike since d-file is clear. I had toabandon my attack temporarily and castle immediately. } 19... O-O 20. Nb6 { I suredidn't like this move. However, I was fully committed to the 'feature'developed. Note that I have Bg7 poised to support the b-pawn advancement.Furthermore, the Rf8 was also ready to connect with the Ra8 as soon Bc8moves away. Meanwhile, I had to deal with Nb6. After a long time thinkingI decided to go for a sacrifice and the next 7 moves were calculated inadvance. I surprised even myself with this sequence. (I am usually notthis creative but this idea of taking advantage of a feature developedtends to open all sorts of secret doors). } 20... bxa3 { I go for it! } 21. Nxa8 axb2+ { Check. Kb1 would not be the best move. Can you see why? } 22. Kd2 Bf5 { That's why. This would force Ka2 and then RxNa8 ... not a good developmentfor white. So really Kd2 is the only viable option. } 23. Nb6 { He savesthe Knight, but .... } 23... Rd8+ 24. Ke2 Rxd1 25. Rxd1 b1=Q 26. Rxb1 Bxb1 { Andnow I come out of that exchange ahead with the b-pawn poised to Queen. } 27. Nd2 Ba2 28. f3 h6 29. Bh4 g5 30. Bf2 { I am pushing my pawns while crampinghis Bishop. } 30... Nd5 { I needed to free the b-file for the pawn. } 31. Nxd5 Bxd5 32. e4 Ba2 { Positioning the bishop to protect the b-pawn queening. } 33. g3 b5 34. f4 Bc3 35. e5 { Not too concerned with his e-pawn as my trustyNc6 is there ready to stop that advance if needed. Besides, my b-pawn seemsmuch better supported than his e-pawn. If this was a race, I put my moneyon my b-pawn. } 35... b4 36. Ne4 Ba1 { That pawn is going home, right? } 37. fxg5 hxg5 38. Nxg5 Nxe5 39. Ne4 b3 { Almost there. } 40. Nd2 { I really didn'twant to end up with some 'crazy' Bishop, Knight or Bishop, Bishop end game,and I was willing to sacrifice whatever it takes so that I can queen myb-pawn. I wasn't even sure that the game can be finished with Bishop, Knightor Bishop, Bishop. } 40... Bc3 { I had to attack the Nd2. } 41. Ne4 { He is justmaking all of my plans very difficult. } 41... Ba1 42. Nd2 { Ok, different approachnow: } 42... Ng4 43. Bg1 Bg7 44. h3 Nh6 { Well that didn't help. } 45. g4 b2 46. Kd3 { I am starting to realize I will not be able to avoid the dreaded B-Kor B-B end game. } 46... b1=Q+ 47. Nxb1 Bxb1+ { I have a significant piece advantage,but I am still unsure I can finish this. Once I clear his pawns I willbe 6 on him and still might not end up being able to finish. This is whenI started to research the BB and BK end game. } 48. Ke3 Be5 49. Kf3 Kg7 50. Be3 Nf7 51. h4 Kf6 52. Bf4 Bxf4 53. Kxf4 { Great! I ended up with BKend game, which turns out to be the hardest one. Even BB, although stillnot easy, is easier than BK. } 53... Ne5 { At this point my next goal is to eliminatethe pawns first. } 54. g5+ Ke6 55. h5 Nd7 56. g6 Kf6 57. Kg4 Ne5+ 58. Kf4 Bf5 59. g7 Bh7 60. h6 { It got pretty hairy as those pawns got pretty closeto queening, but it was really a formality. It was going to happen oneway or another. However, don't think that I didn't spend hours thinkingcarefully through each move making sure I don't make a mistake. } 60... Nf7 61. g8=Q Bxg8 62. Ke4 Nxh6 { And finally, here we are. I asked berbatov hereto play till the end as I planned to annotate this ending. He graciouslyobliged. He himself was curious how to finish this as he wasn't sure itcan be done either. } 63. Kd4 { Basically, idea has to do with somethingcalled DELETANG TRIANGLES. You use the ideas of these triangle to get asense of a board control and a King control with these 3 black pieces.I recommend you look it up. } 63... Ng4 { However, the first goal is to take overthe center of the board. Take over the e,d, 4,5 central square and thenwork from there. } 64. Ke4 Bh7+ 65. Kf4 Ne5 66. Ke3 Nc6 67. Kf4 Ke6 68. Kf3 Ke5 { My King has finally arrived at the central 4 square area. } 69. Ke3 Bf5 70. Kf3 Nb4 71. Kg2 Kf4 { Now try to corner with the King. The Bishopand Knight are serving as a support. As a white you should stay away froma lower rings (lowest ring being h8-a8-a1-h1, the second one would be g7-b7-b2-g2,etc). Berbatov doesn't seem to care so much about making my job harderso at times he drops the to the lower ring without being forced to. } 72. Kf2 Bg4 73. Ke1 { The moment he drops the ring, I try to keep him at thatring. } 73... Ke3 { So my King goes a lower level trying to pin him at the lowestring. } 74. Kf1 Bh3+ 75. Kg1 Kf3 { Note it is essential that once you getthe King on the lowest ring you are to push him into a corner with thecolor of your bishop. My bishop is a light bishop, so that the only cornerI can mate him is the white corner. } 76. Kh2 Bf5 77. Kh1 Nd3 78. Kh2 Nf4 79. Kg1 Bd3 80. Kh1 Kg3 { Remember this position. It is essential to endin this position because any other one can easily force a stalemate. Theway I tried to remember it, is I visualized his King in the corner, myKing right above him but to the side, the knight 'touching diagonally'my King. The bishop is used to time his King into that corner accordinglyas to deliver the final blow. You'll see now what I mean: } 81. Kg1 Nh3+ { His king can move to only 1 spot: Kh1. } 82. Kh1 Be4# { The end. I triedto explain as much as I can, but still I encourage you to do some researchingof your own as I don't think my explanation is adequate to get this procedurefully down. It actually takes some practice, and I am sure I could haveexplained a bit more what roles Bishop and Knight play.... Lets leave thatas a homework :) } 0-1
[Event "Team match, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.01.17"] [Round "-"] [White "max181"] [Black "tartakow3r"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1974"] [WhiteElo "1996"] { This is a game I played here on GK that I enjoyed very much because ofthe style of play of my opponent. Looking at his games I noticed that hesometimes tends to play strangely in the opening, often giving the otherplayer a strong initiative, just to strike back with subtle and obscuretactical blows later on, often wrong but so difficult to cope with thatthey can be successful. This is exactly what happens in this game. } 1. c4 e5 { The English Opening is tough for me to play against, because itrequires a lot of patience which I sometimes lack, especially in correspondencegames. Black usually can't afford to get aggressive early on but the answer1...e5 is in my experience the best try to keep a dynamic flavour to thegame. } 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 { The usual White setup. The White bishop fianchettois a strong weapon. } 3... d5 { The main move here together with 3...Bb4. True,it opens the White bishop diagonal, but gives Black more space in the centreand therefore possibilities for active piece play. } 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Bg2 Nb6 { This is the main move here, and unfortunately a necessary retreat.In fact, changing the Knight on c3 only strenghtens White's centre, whiledefending the Knight on d5 with 5...Be6 or 5. ..c6 allows White to strikein the centre with d2-d4. Now the Black Queen controls the d4 square, andat least Black has a bit more space than White. } 6. e4 { This is a strangemove, not at all played by elite players. Usually white plays Nf3, 0-0,d3 and then decides his plan. But this doesn't mean that there is an easyconfutation to this move. White has given the d4 square to the Blackpieces, but he wants to prepare the d2-d4 advance and obtain a strong positionin the centre. Black must react in the correct way and not allow Whiteto push on d4. To do so, he has to keep control of the d4 square as muchas he can. } 6... Nc6 { This was easy, Black develops and puts another piece oncontrol of d4. } 7. Nf3 Be7 { The bishop could find a good square in c5too, eyeing the d4 square, but I have another plan in mind. } 8. O-O Be6 { To prepare Qd8-d7 and 0-0-0. } 9. d3 g5 { This is a very strong move. Blackis not starting an attack on the kingside: the move is purely positional.Black wants to chase the white Knight away from the control of d4, andthe horse will be able only to retreat in the ugly square e1, because otherwihethe backward d3 pawn would fall. This g7-g5 isn't of course a new idea.Similar moves exist in the main line of this opening, but with the centreclosed (pawns on e4 and e5) it is much stronger. I also had the patternin mind because i had recently looked at a Carlsen-Nakamura game in a SicilianDefence with more or less the same structure with 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Be3 8. g4 etc. andit inspired me. } 10. a4 { It is clear that Black will castle queenside now,and this move rightly wants to provoke some weaknesses. } 10... g4 11. Ne1 a5 { Black can't allow the White pawn to a5. Now the b5 square is a bit weak,but the b4 square is weak, too. } 12. Be3 Qd7 13. Rc1 O-O-O { Black hasachieved his strategic goal. The d4 square is in his hand. I think he alreadyhas a slight advantage. } 14. Bxb6 { To create further weaknesses in Black'squeenside, but with good play by Black (And if the black player is me anythingcan happen!) this shouldn't worry him. I wasn't worried. } 14... cxb6 15. Nb5 { Interesting move. I was expecting 15. Nd5 Kb8 [Forced] 16. Nxb6 Qd4 [AndBlack is fine.] } 15... Kb8 { To escape the pin of the White Rook on the Nc6. } 16. Qd2 h5 { I was very happy here with Black's position, and now I seethat Fritz agrees with me. I played h5 not to start an attack on the kingside(yet), but to stop any White couterplay at all. Because here I thoughtthat White has only two sources of counterplay, one of which is to breakthrough in the kingside with f2-f4: if my pawn is on h5, I could play gxf3en passant and then at some point attack the White king myself with h5-h4.So I stopped f2-f4 once and for all. The other source of counterplayis the one that my opponent actually adopted, but since it involved materialinvestment, I didn't consider it particularly dangerous... } 17. Qe3 Bc5 18. Rxc5 { At this point this move was no surprise: there is no otherway to disturb Black. Anyway, the sacrifice turns out stronger than I thought. } 18... bxc5 19. Qxc5 Qe7 20. Qb6 { Of cource White doesn't exchange queens. } 20... Rd7 { I played this to have the chance to play Qd8 if needed or bring intoplay the other Rook as well. Now that I can check Fritz I see he suggests18...Bb3, probably to avoid Ne1-c2. I did not consider Ne1-c2 dangerousbecause I thought that I could play Bb3 when the White Knight goes toc2 and it will have to retreat or I can exchange it. But... } 21. Nc2 Bb3 { 21... Rxd3 was a possibility, but I thought the move played was strongersimply because I hadn't considered White's reply! } 22. Na1 { This movecame completely unexpected to me! Fritz says it's weak, but I couldn'tfind the right reaction. I only saw that after 22... Bxa4 23. Nc3 the Bishopseems trapped, but Fritz says that with 23...Rd4 everything is obviouslyunder control and Black is winning. } 22... Be6 23. Rc1 { Now all White piecescome into play and the situation is much more complicated, because I can'tavoid anymore the White sacrifice d3-d4 followed by e4 e5 and the Whitebishop comes into play. } 23... Ka8 { Forced because the threat was Rxc6 } 24. d4 exd4 { It is all forced because every other move seems to lose materialor worse. } 25. Rxc6 { The second exchange sac! But this time it is strong... } 25... bxc6 26. e5 { The tremendous bishop finally comes into play. } 26... Rc8 { Givingone exchange back for the strong bishop. But even an exchange up, theWhite Knight going to d6 is even stronger than a rook. Luckily the otherknight in a1 is useless for white. } 27. Bxc6+ { I was a bit relieved bythis, actually. 27.Nd6 seemed even stronger to me. } 27... Rxc6 28. Qxc6+ Kb8 29. Nd6 Rc7 30. Qb6+ { Luckily seems that White has nothing better thana perpetual. If he tries something different it may backfire because Blackhas Rc1+ and the pawn on d4 can easily become strong. } 30... Ka8 31. Qxa5+ Kb8 32. Qb6+ Ka8 33. Nb3 { Last try for a win but I take it away from the board! } 33... Bxb3 34. Qa6+ Kb8 35. Qb6+ Ka8 36. Qa6+ { Alternative variation: 36. Qxb3Qxe5 [and Black wins.] } 36... Kb8 37. Qb6+ Ka8 { I hope you enjoyed the gameas much as I did! Feel free to leave your comment. Thank you. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "How good is the Four Pawns Attack? Part 1"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "21-Sep-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "michaeltf"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1971"] [TimeControl "10 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1701"] 1. c4 { Hi everyone, I thought I would try the English Opening in an unratedgame against Michaeltf - this is going to transpose into a kind of Pirc/RobatschDefense as Michael responds with g6. } 1... g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 { 4.e4 - now here is the transposition, it has turned into the Pirc/RobatschDefense - this is when black usually responds d6 (Pirc) or g6 (Robatsch)to white's opener e4. My next move, f4 will make this the 4 pawn or AustrianAttack. Here white builds a fine pawn centre, but this can be very deceptiveas I am about to find out. } 4... Nf6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 e6 { 7. ..................e6 - black tries to make holes in white's pawn centre, he succeeds butI try and keep the pawn centre as fluid as possible, while continuing todevelop my pieces. } 8. Be2 exd5 9. cxd5 Bg4 10. O-O { 10. 0-0 - tucks Henryaway and adds extra protection to my f3 knight. } 10... Nbd7 11. Re1 Re8 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 { 13. Bxf3 - gets rid of black's lsb which could be annoying. I need to complete my development which I do with my next move, Be3. } 13... Rc8 14. Be3 b5 15. Qc2 { 15. Qc2?! - I think this is where I start to gowrong, yes this move seems reasonable as it connects my rooks, and addsprotection to the e4 pawn, but unfortunately Glenda is on the same fileas an enemy rook. Michael exploits this over the next few moves. Ina post match pm, Ion had this to say 'There was nothing wrong, by the way,with snapping up the b-pawn at move 15.Nxb5. Black can try to exploit theWQ's conflict of interest, but it costs the exchange: 15...Qb6 16.Qd3 Nxe417.Bxe4 Rxe4 18.Qxe4 Qxb5. White's b-pawn is probably unsalvagable, so19.Rad1 or 19.Qe7, putting pressure on the centre might be the way to go.Otherwise, 15.Nxb5 Qb6 16.Qd3 c4? 17.Bxb6 cxd3 18.Bxa7 looks great forWhite.' Hindsight is always 20/20 vision though! } 15... b4 16. Nd1 c4 17. Qb1 { 17. Qb1? - this move gives black a very strong initiative - he nowadds weight to his strong queenside pawns by putting his knight on c5. I moved Glenda to b1 in order to remove her from the c file and to maintainprotection of e4 - but as you will see, this does not wash. Here it isfolks, when I am met with an attack like this I do tend to go on the defensive- it is a good habit to break and I am trying to do this, but occasionallyI may slip up and this is one of them. Michael suggested that I shouldhave moved my knight straight to f2. } 17... Nc5 18. Bxc5 Rxc5 { 18. ...........Rxc5 - a black rook takes a dominant stance in the place of the black knightmaintaining pressure on the queenside. } 19. Nf2 Qb6 20. Re2 { 20. Re2 -to help protect my queenside pawns. } 20... Nd7 21. Qc1 c3 22. bxc3 Rxc3 23. Qd1 { 23. Qd1 - black's pawns are now more split than they were a few movesago but black's initiative is strengthening because his QR is really powerfulon that c file. He now adds more fuel to the fire with Bd4. The knighton f2 is already pinned and is no doubly attacked. I move Henry out ofthe pin with Kf1. } 23... Bd4 24. Kf1 f5 25. exf5 { 25. exf5?? - this move dropsat least the exchange but I did not see the combo that followed. Alternativesanyone? } 25... Rxe2 26. Qxe2 Re3 27. Qc4 Bxa1 28. Qc8+ Nf8 { 28. ............Nf8!! - this interposition to get out of Glenda's fork kills off any hopeof counterplay. I waved the white flag as at best I would get a pawn forthe rook - no way near enough. Incredibly I overlooked this block butI don't think it changed the result in any way as if I had moved Glendato the back rank instead of to c4 then I would have been the exchange downin a totally passive position - so I tried to complicate things but itdid not work. So, how good is the Four Pawns attack? You the jury decide. } 0-1
[Event "Unorthodox opening, interesting ending"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "28-May-08"] [Round "-"] [White "paulmags"] [Black "timbentley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1532"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1469"] { This game started with an orthodox opening, and ended up with an interestingimbalance in the endgame. I was surprised that my overall endgame strategyhad no chance with accurate play, and that black missed two draws, afterwhich I missed two wins. I used Toga II 1.3x4 and Rybka 1.0 to help withthe analysis. Any comments are welcome. } 1. f3 { paulmag's reasoning forthis opening was 'Have played it many times to try and develop my gamewith this opening, one mistake and am dead.' } 1... e5 { When meeting an unorthodoxopening, standard opening moves such as center pawns are good. } 2. Kf2 { Continuing his unorthodox opening. There are several names for this opening;Gameknot calls it Hammerschlag. } 2... d5 { Continuing the push in the middle. } 3. e3 { Opening the line for the bishop and protecting against Bc5 . } 3... Nf6 { Another developing move. } 4. c4 { Finally pushing against my center. } 4... Nc6 { Another developing move. I see no advantage from dxc4. } 5. Nc3 { Finallydeveloping a piece, but as my reply shows, cxd5 first would have been better. } 5... d4 { Pushing the knight away. } 6. Nd5 { There are no pleasant alternatives.6. exd4 Qxd4 is uncomfortable for black. 6...dxe3 following other knightmoves is also bad for black. } 6... Nxd5 { Winning a pawn. } 7. cxd5 Qxd5 8. e4 { Pushing the queen away. } 8... Qe6 { The queen doesn't accomplish anything hereand ends up moving later. d6, c5, or a5 are probably better, since theblack bishop can't move yet. } 9. Qc2 { Supporting Bc4, but again the queendoesn't accomplish much here. d3 and g3 (with the possibility of Bh3) wouldbe good. } 9... Be7 { Preparing O-O. Toga likes giving back a pawn with 9...Nb410. Qxc7 d3, and Rybka likes 9...Nb4 10. Qb1 d3 11. Bxd3 Bc5 } 10. a3 { PreventingNb4, but unnecessary. An immediate Bc4 would be better. } 10... O-O { Also possiblewas giving back the pawn with an attack with 10...d3 11. Bxd3 Nd4 12. Qc3Qb6 or 10...d3 11. Qxd3 Bc5 } 11. Bc4 { Forcing the queen to move again. } 11... Qd6 { g6 or f6 are probably better places for the queen. d3 again was possible,with the idea of Bc5 , and Qf6 and Qh4. } 12. d3 { Giving extra support toc4 and e4, opening the line for the bishop, and finally preventing d3 byblack. } 12... Kh8 { Unpinning the f pawn in preparation for my next move. Anotherpossibility would be to get rid of the bishop with 12...Na5 13. Ba2 Be6. } 13. g3 { Preparing f4? Better would be to continue development with Bd2or Ne2. } 13... f5 { Helping to get the light bishop and rook into the game. Alsostarting a kingside attack, with the f3 pawn as a focus. } 14. exf5 { Alsopossible is 14. Bd2 fxe4 15. dxe4, developing a piece, but making the dpawn a passed pawn. } 14... Bxf5 { Better than Rxf5, since the rook can't accomplishanything on the 5th rank at this point. } 15. Qd1 { Overdefending f3, butit keeps the queen passive. Better would be developing the bishop withBd2 or moving the king out of a potential pin with Kg2. } 15... Na5 { Pushing backthe bishop as a defender of d3. } 16. Ba2 e4 { I thought this simply wona pawn, but I missed white's 18th move. Qg6 first would be better, althoughit allows 17. b4 Nc6 18. Bc4. } 17. dxe4 Bxe4 18. Bf4 { Although it winsthe exchange for a pawn, it loses the bishop pair, so the positional disadvantagesof the doubled pawns and an unsafe king seem to outweigh any material advantage.Kg2 to escape the pin may be best. } 18... Rxf4 19. gxf4 Bc6 { Intended to keeppressure on f3, but f4 is the easier target. Better would be Bf5 or 19...Bh4 20. Kg2 Qg6 21. Kh3 Bc1 22. Qf1 (Toga thinks Qc1 is significantly worse)Nc4 23. Qxc4 Bf2 (threatening Bf5#) 24. Bb1 Bxb1 25. Rxb1 Qxb1 } 20. Qd2 { Attacks the knight and defends f4, but better was Qd3 to prevent 20...Bh4 21. Kg2 (21. Kf1 Bb5 22. Qg6 ) Qg6 } 20... b6 { Protects the knight, but betterwas Bh4 as mentioned previously. } 21. h4 { Allowing the rook to get out.Perhaps a better way to do so would be Ne2. } 21... Rf8 { Attacking f4. Perhapsbest is adding more pressure from the passed pawn with d3. } 22. b4 { Shouldhave failed as described in next move. Better would be Re1 (22...Rxf4?23. Rxe7 Qxe7 24. Qxf4) } 22... Nb7 { I missed Rxf4!, which could continue 23.Rh3 Rxh4 24. Rxh4 Bxh4 and the knight can move, 23. bxa5 Bxh4 24. Rxh4(other moves eventually force white to lose his queen) Rxh4, or 23. Qd3Be4 and the knight could move after the queen moves. } 23. Kg3 { Again, Re1or Rc1 would be a better way to protect the pawn. } 23... Qg6+ { Pushing the kingback. The queen no longer attacks f4 and defends d4, but is otherwise betterplaced since it has open lines. } 24. Kf2 Bd6 { Adding an attacker to f4,but better would be activating the knight with Nd6 or preparing Bxh4 withQh5 (25. Kg3? Rxf4 26. Qxf4 Bd6 27. Qxd6 Nxd6 wins a pawn and queen forthe rook and bishop). I also ignored the threat to the d4 pawn. } 25. Bb1 { Would accomplish nothing after 25...Qh6 (26. Qxd4 is possible, but thef4 or h4 pawn would soon be captured), and doesn't even defend the pawn,as will be shown. Better would be Ne2, defending f4 and attacking d4. (Tradingthose pawns would be advantageous for black.) } 25... Bxf4 { I was thinking ofthe game continuation, but better play by white would have cut my advantage,as the next note will show. Better would be Qh6, planning to trade thed4 pawn for the h4 pawn. } 26. Bxg6 { After 26. Qxf4 Rxf4 27. Bxg6 hxg6 or26...Qxg1 27. Rxg1 Rxf4 28. Rg4 Rxf3 29. Ke2 Nd8 30. Rxd4, black wouldonly have a minor advantage. } 26... Bxd2 27. Bd3 { Probably the best locationfor the bishop, with the possibility of Bc4 or Ba6. } 27... Be3+ { Sometime inthe next few moves I should have gotten my knight into the game with Nd6. } 28. Kg2 Bxg1 { Trading my active bishop for white's passive knight was notworth the one pawn I should have won. } 29. Rhxg1 Rxf3 { Hoping to take advantageof the discovered check, which I ended up doing. } 30. Be2 { Attacking thebishop with Rac1 would have avoided losing material (30...Rxd3 ? 31. Rxc6Rxa3? 32. Rxc7 and 33. Rxb7 is obviously no good for black) } 30... Rxa3+ { Ifwhite had immediately forced the rook trade the game would have been drawish;I would have been better not winning material with something like Re3 . } 31. Kh2 { Better would be protecting the bishop with Kf2, which would haveforced the rook trade. } 31... Re3 { Keeping the rooks on by attacking the bishop. } 32. Ba6 { Finally black is forced to play Nd6. I don't think Bg4 is anybetter as a5 is fine for black. } 32... Nd6 33. Rac1 { Better is Rgc1 since itleaves open the future possibility of Rxa7. } 33... Rc3 { Better would have beentrading the bishops instead with 33...Bb5 34. Bxb5 Nxb5. The game showshow well the rook overmatched the knight, so my chances probably wouldhave been better keeping the rooks on. The doubled pawns are also annoyingfor black. } 34. Rxc3 dxc3 35. Rf1 { A waste of time with an easily spottedmate threat. White would be better to play Rc1 immediately, or even better,Bd3, after which would follow 35...Be4 36. Bxe4 Nxe4 or 35...Bb5 36. Bc2. } 35... g6 { I was thinking it would be better to move the king to Kg7 while alsoadvancing the g pawn slightly, but moving the king laterally first withKg8 may have been better. } 36. Rc1 { Now Bd3 is not as good because thetrade can take place on b5 instead since the bishop would be pinned. } 36... Bb5 { The only way to avoid losing material. } 37. Bxb5 { Also possible was 37.Rxc3 Bxa6 38. Rxc7, with Rxa7 to follow (the knight cannot stay on b5 withouttrapping the bishop since Bc8 would lose the bishop). } 37... Nxb5 38. Kg3 { Betterwould be Kg2 to avoid the tactic described in the next move. } 38... Kg7 { Missingthe tactic 38...Nd4 allowing 39...c2 since 39. Rxc3?? loses the rook toNe2 . } 39. Kf4 { Both players move their kings towards the center. } 39... Kf6 { Probably better is moving on the kingside with h6 or Kh6. } 40. Ke4 c6 { Keeping the white king out and setting up what looks like a strong position. } 41. Kd3 { Freeing up the rook. The rook could have moved to f1 first. } 41... h6 { Preparing to create a passed pawn. } 42. Re1 { Better is Rf1 eventualllyforcing the king to g7 or the d file. } 42... g5 43. hxg5+ hxg5 { It's usuallyeasier to promote a g pawn than an h pawn. } 44. Rf1+ { The rook can keepthe king behind the pawn. } 44... Kg6 45. Rg1 a5 { It may have been better to losethe doubled c pawn with a6 and 46...Nc7 rather than trading these two pawnsfor the one white pawn. When I first made this move, I was thinking 46.bxa5 bxa5 47. Ra1 g4 48. Rxa5 g3 49. Ra1 Kg5 50. Rg1 Kg4, which I believeis winning for black. From this point Toga evaluated the position at 0.00except when white made errors. } 46. bxa5 bxa5 47. Ra1 { Better is stoppingthe a pawn with Rg4. } 47... g4 { Trying to advance the g pawn enough that whitewill be forced to trade his rook for it. } 48. Rxa5 g3 49. Ra8 { Gettinghis rook behind the g pawn, so the king could be stuck on g2. } 49... Kg5 50. Rg8+ Kh4 51. Rh8+ Kg4 52. Rg8+ Kh3 53. Rh8+ Kg2 54. Rg8 Nd6 { Trying tomaneuver the knight so it could get in front of the king and/or g pawn.The general idea is to force the rook to sacrifice itself for the g pawn,while the knight can get back to protect the c pawn in time. } 55. Kxc3 Kf3 { With the idea of getting the knight on e4, hopefully while the whiterook is moving. } 56. Rf8+ { A simpler draw is Kd4, where 56...Ne4 failsto 57. Rf8 and 58. Kxe4, and otherwise the black knight cannot help theg pawn advance before the c pawn is captured. } 56... Ke3 57. Rg8 Ne4+ 58. Kc4 Kf4 { Kf3 allows an easier draw with 59. Rf8 and 60. Kd4 (59...Ke3 obviouslyaccomplishes nothing) } 59. Rf8+ Kg4 60. Rd8 { White's first missed draw.Kd4 or Kd3 should have been the only drawing moves. Kd4 is easier, as after60...Nd6 61. Rg8 Kf4 62. Rxg3 the white king will capture the c pawn andafter 60...Ng5 61. Ke3 the king can stop the g pawn and the c pawn willpose no problem. } 60... g2 61. Rd1 { Forced. } 61... Kf3 { My first missed win. Winningis 61...Nd2 , with something to the effect of 62. Kb4 (Kc5 allows 63...g1=Q) Nf1 63. Rd7 (or similar) Ng3 64. Rd1 Kh3 65. Rg1 Nf5 66. Kc5 Ne7 andnow when the rook sacrifices itself the c pawn is safe. Other variationsinclude the rook not being able to sacrifice itself. } 62. Kd4 { White'ssecond missed draw. 62. Rg1 Kf2 (62...c5 63. Kd5, 64. Rxg2 , and 65. Kxe4;62...knight moves 63. Kc5 and the king will be able to capture the pawn;62...Kg3 63. Kd4 Kf3 64. Rxg2 Kxg2 65. Kxe4=) 63. Ra1 g1=Q (63...knightmove 64. Kc5 and both pawns will be captured; 63...c5 and the rook canmove along the first rank while black can do nothing, if the pawn promotesKd5 finishes the draw; black king moves don't help) 64. Rxg1 Kxg1 65. Kd4and 66. Kc5 } 62... c5+ { Ng3 is probably an easier win; after 63...Nf1 (63. Rg1Kf2 or 63. Rd3 accomplish nothing) black's rook can't stop the pawn. } 63. Kc4 { Ke5 is no better. } 63... Ke2 { My second missed win. 63...Nd2 and 64...Nf1and black's rook can't stop the pawn. } 64. Ra1 Nd2+ { Hoping for 65. Kxc5??Nb3 . } 65. Kc3 Nf1 { Could have offered a draw here. } 66. Ra2+ { Draw agreed.An interesting case of knight pawns vs. rook. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "The revenge of the Knight!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "???"] [Black "TrixsterMTL"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1593"] [TimeControl "3 days"] [WhiteElo "1557"] 1. e4 { Hey hey all! Good afternoon! } 1... Nc6 { Here's yet another nimso annotationhehe. This game gets quite hectic real fast. But the ending is worth keeping. } 2. d4 { Strongest reply } 2... d5 { Preferred d5. We all got our playstyles :) } 3. exd5 { Ooooooo , takes and not advance, we are gonna have some exchangesthis game it looks like } 3... Qxd5 { Recapture } 4. Nf3 { Going nc3 right awaycan allow Queen takes pawn for a Wiley game or forces a queen retreat } 4... Bg4 { Pin+development } 5. Nc3 { Nc3 now forces a queen retreat, gaining somedevelopment tempo } 5... Qe6+ { But I'm a gambler at heart! queen check! For theplayers who don't like tangled positions or don't want to risk a queentrade here. Retreating the queen back to d8 is playable } 6. Be3 { It isbest for white to block with queen here. Allowing him to develop lsb whenblack exchanges queens. As for me I love the games where opponent blockswith a piece. } 6... Bxf3 { Exchange to double pawn him or gain the d4 pawn ifhe recaptures with queen. } 7. gxf3 { Opponent chooses double pawn. } 7... Qf5 { I reposition my queen to allow my e pawn some movement room } 8. Bd3 { MaybeI could've chosen a better square. His bishop develops with tempo on myqueen. } 8... Qh5 { Maybe queen d7 was better. But I wanted my queen to be outstill and have diagonals to the queen side. Was anticipating him to castlequeen side. } 9. Qe2 { Opponent heads towards queen side castling. He's waymore developed than me. But his structure makes it a bit easier to anticipatehis moves. } 9... e6 { Told myself I can wait until he plays his Knight to b5to castle. Until then it's time to bring my other pieces out. } 10. O-O-O Bb4 11. Nb5 O-O-O { And so after his castle my dsb development he playsthe Knight to b5 and I go with my castle. } 12. Kb1 { I'm thinking he playedthis because I don't have an lsb anymore. } 12... a6 { I take the opportunityto kick his Knight away. This also protects my a pawn in the future fromhis dsb } 13. Nc3 Nxd4 { His Knight retreated and I thought this attack wasa pawn up exchange. It was too soon to attack. I should've developed myother Knight first. Nf6 or to e7 both look playable and then possibly centralisedmy h rook before launching my attack. } 14. Bxd4 Rxd4 { Take and take witha surprise to follow } 15. Bxa6 { I didn't anticipate this bishop dive! } 15... Bxc3 { Had to protect my rook and taking the lsb with pawn loses the rookwhen he recaptures with queen check } 16. bxc3 Ra4 { I played this to putpressure on the lsb and in anticipation to slide my queen over } 17. Qd3 { After this move I didn't want to trade queens so I take his lsb at thecost of my rook. If I don't block the queen or take the lsb. Checkmateis looking with Qd8# } 17... bxa6 18. Qd7+ Kb7 19. Qxa4 { Goes forward with hisplan now it's gonna be rough. Knight rook queen vs rook rook queen. } 19... Nf6 { Develop my Knight. } 20. Ka1 { He moves his king for the second time thisgame without it being promoted to. } 20... Nd5 { So I bring my Knight in closer } 21. Qe4 { He pins my Knight. I anticipate c4 to follow } 21... c6 { Break the pinand allow movement for my king sideways without blocking my rooks movement } 22. Rb1+ Kc7 23. Qa4 Ra8 { I can finally bring my rook over. My queen hasn'tmoved in a long time. What I like about the structural damage I did tohim during the game. Pushing pawns will be difficult for him. } 24. Qa5+ { Probing my king. I think he's looking for ways to come down } 24... Kd6 25. Rhd1 { Renews a pin with the threats of c4 } 25... Ke7 { At least the squares his queenhas access too behind my pawn line are protected. } 26. c4 { He finally playsc4 but without a pin and a way for his queen to come in. My Knight becomesdeadly! } 26... Qe5+ { If opponent blocks with c3 I have to capture the pawn withqueen. It forces a queen exchange but my Knight forks the two rooks } 27. Rb2 { So he blocks with rook. I don't have to move my Knight yet. } 27... Rb8 { Movingmy rook to the open file is safe it creates a mate in one threat and hisrook is pinned } 28. Qa3+ { He protects mate and has a check at same time } 28... Nb4 { I take this opportunity to save my knight } 29. Qb3 { I'm not to surewhat his queen move here is for. May to play a3 with the threat to takemy rook if I move my knight } 29... c5 { So I solidify my Knight } 30. Qa4 { Againqueen move maybe he thought a3 was to slow. Or he loves that nice d7 squareprotected By his rook } 30... Nd3 { But it allows triple pressure on the b rook.He can't capture Knight cause of mate threat and the queen no longer hassafe access to the d7 square } 31. Rb1 { He attempts to protect it } 31... Nxb2 { But I can just capture and he can not retake with rook or it's checkmate } 32. Qb3 { His final response giving his queen up for my rook } 32... Nxc4+ { ButI felt this finishing move was even more cruel and my opponent resigned. I hope you all enjoyed this game and that it's appropriately named hehe One more to the nimso annotations bank } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.09"] [Round "-"] [White "monza1"] [Black "dartking"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1608"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1522"] { I have to say that I did not like this game. Past the 8 or 9th move theirwas not a time that I felt confident with my position. Actually their wasa point in this game that I thought I had the game completely won but Imissed one move and totally messed my game up. But some how I managedto recover make a couple good strategic decisions and came out ahead. I put so much effort in this game, that I feel that I should annotate it.lol. } 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 { Ideally, I like taking control of the center byadvancing my center pawns. I think that it gives a kind of spatial advantage. } 3. e5 c5 4. c3 { Black attacks my d-pawn so I defend. I usually do notlike moving my c-pawn to c3 because it blocks my knights optimal square,but I liked strengthening my pawn structure. } 4... Nc6 5. Bb5 { He attacks thepawn, so I pin his knight to his king. } 5... Qb6 6. Ba4 { He attacks my bishopso I retreat a little but I keep the knight pinned to the king. } 6... Bd7 7. Nf3 { He defends his king and removes the pin off of his king. I think thatKnight to f3 is a really good move because it develops a new piece, addsa defender to my d-pawn, and I am preparing to castle king side. } 7... cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Nc3 { We exchange pawns, he checks my king and I defendwith my knight. So far, I like my position. } 9... Nge7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bc2 { Weboth castle king side. I pull back my bishop to c2 because I feel likeI will be able to have a great attack on his king side with my two bishopsand my queen. } 11... Rac8 12. Qd3 Nf5 { At this point I think I have a reallygood advantage, and I believed that the end was going to be near. I hada general Idea of how I was going to attack, so I threatened mate withQd2, and he guards by moving his knight to f5. } 13. g4 Ncxd4 { I attackhis knight with my pawn and he takes my pawn at d4. I felt like he wastrying to go 13...Ncxd4 14. Nfxd4 Qxd4 15. Qxd4 Nfxd4 but now that I lookback at this position it might have been okay to take his night on d4 becausemy bishop is guarding my queen so it could have been. 13... Ncxd4 14. Nfxd4Qxd4 15. gxf5 Qxd3 16. Bxd3, this would have been fine but i did not seethis at the time so I took his night on f5 with my pawn. } 14. gxf5 Bxc3 15. f6 { After he took my night with his bishop I pushed my furthest f pawnto f6. I threatened mate again. I knew that he was either going to takemy bishop or push his g pawn up. } 15... Nxc2 16. fxg7 { he took my bishop tostop the threat of mate and I took his pawn and attacked his rook. I hada plan that I thought was full proof. } 16... Kxg7 17. Ng5 { At this point I thoughtthat I had the game won. I thought that I had seen every move that he couldmake and I thought it was over. No matter what he moved I could easilysee a forced mate, if he moves his king anywhere I have forced mate andI thought that no matter what piece he moved he couldn't stop the attackbut I was so into the game that I had missed a simple move. } 17... Rh8 { Rh8 andthat guards the pawn so I can't checkmate. I was pretty shocked that Ihad missed that simple move, after this point the game started to get alittle dangerous for me. } 18. Qxc2 { I simply take back material but I donot like my situation here first of all my king isn't very protected, myknight is probably going to be driven back by his pawns, and their is adiscovered attack on my queen that can be used. } 18... Bxe5 19. Qe2 { Yup, hetakes my pawn opening having the rook attack my queen so I move it outof the way and attack his bishop. } 19... Qd4 { I think that this move was a blunderon for black because it gave me a nice forking opportunity. black shouldhave just guarded his bishop with his f-pawn that would have also drivenmy knight back. } 20. Nf3 Bxh2+ { I fork his his bishop and Queen, so hetakes my pawn and checks my king with his bishop. } 21. Kxh2 Qe4 { I takehis bishop with my king and then he wants to trade Queens, which is fineby me, but first I want to improve my position just a little bit so... } 22. Rg1+ Kf8 { I go Rg1+, putting my rook on the open file and he moveshis king away } 23. Qxe4 dxe4 { I felt really pressured in my situation soI was happy to exchange queens to relieve the pressure, I think he wasto. } 24. Bh6+ { I wanted to develop my bishop so I could use my Queen rookso I checked his king with it. } 24... Ke8 25. Bg7 Rg8 { I was really worried aboutmy position and it took me along time to figure out what my next move wouldbe. Finally the only sensible move that I saw was Ne5, getting my knightto safety and attacking his bishop. } 26. Ne5 Rc2 { This was the move thati was hoping he would not make the only thing I could do was take his bishopand if he took back with his king I would have a checking opportunity. } 27. Nxd7 Kxd7 28. Rad1+ Kc6 { When we got to this position my position notvery good, if I do not do something fast black is going to take up allmy pawns with his rook. It took me about 10 minutes to find the only movethat could save me for now. } 29. Bd4 { I was really happy with this move,not only did this protect both of my pawns, but I was also offering a tradeof rooks, which I really wanted the trade. } 29... Rg6 30. Rxg6 hxg6 { He bringshis rook to g6 and I decide to make the rook trade, I just really wantedto simplify the situation as much as I could but I new that I was in troublebecause right now I think his position is better than mine. His pawnsare in a better position than mine, and I can tell that once the pawnsstart to come down it is going to be tough for me to keep him from queening. I figure that if I can somehow get my king to e5 that I can somehow holdthe position. } 31. Kg3 b6 32. Kf4 Re2 33. Ke5 { I was lucky that black didnot really have a good way of preventing my king from getting to e5. Nowthat I look back at this position I realize that I like my position becauseall of my pieces were protected but at the time I thought that I was barelyholding on. I didn't think that I was losing but I didn't feel like Iwas winning. } 33... e3 34. fxe3 Rf2 35. e4 Rf3 36. Bc3 g5 37. Rg1 f5 38. Rxg5 fxe4 39. Kxe4 Rf2 40. Re5 Rg2 41. Rxe6+ Kb7 42. a3 Rg4+ 43. Kf5 Rg2 44. Rg6 Rf2+ 45. Ke4 Re2+ 46. Kd4 Re7 47. Bb4 Rf7 48. Kc4 Rh7 49. Bc3 Rh4+ 50. Kd5 Rh5+ 51. Kd6 Rh3 52. Rg7+ Ka6 53. Kc7 Rh4 54. Rg6 Rh7+ 55. Rg7 Rh4 56. Bb4 Rh2 57. Bc3 Rh4 58. Rd7 Re4 59. Rd4 Re7+ 60. Kd6 Rh7 61. Ra4+ Kb7 62. Kd5 Rh5+ 63. Ke6 Rh6+ 64. Kf7 Rh3 65. Rb4 Rf3+ 66. Ke6 Re3+ 67. Kd5 Rh3 68. Rb5 Rh5+ 69. Kc4 Rh4+ 70. Kb3 Re4 71. a4 Re6 72. a5 Kc6 73. Re5 Rg6 74. axb6 axb6 75. Rf5 Rg4 76. Rf6+ Kb5 77. Rd6 Rg3 78. Rd4 Kc6 79. Kb4 Rg5 80. Rc4+ Kb7 81. Re4 Rh5 82. Bd4 Rh6 83. Kb5 Rh5+ 84. Re5 Rh6 85. Re7+ Kc8 86. Bxb6 Rh8 87. Rc7+ Kb8 88. b4 Ka8 89. Ra7+ Kb8 90. Ka6 Rh1 91. Bc7+ Kc8 92. b5 Ra1+ 93. Kb6 Rxa7 94. Kxa7 Kxc7 95. b6+ Kc8 96. b7+ Kc7 97. b8=Q+ 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "29-Mar-08"] [Round "-"] [White "ico74"] [Black "dantes975"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1518"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1524"] 1. Nf3 { Start the game } 1... d5 { I don't know } 2. d4 { Block the black } 2... Bg4 { stupidmove! } 3. Ne5 { Good move } 3... Bf5 { Just something } 4. g4 { attack! } 4... Bd7 { withdrawal! } 5. e4 { delusion } 5... dxe4 { empty move } 6. Nc3 { Attack to pawn } 6... Nf6 { defencethe pawn! } 7. g5 { Attack the knight! } 7... Ng8 { withdrawal knight } 8. Bc4 { Preparationfor attack } 8... e6 { something } 9. d5 { Attack with pawn } 9... Bb4 { Attack to knight } 10. dxe6 { Take the pawn } 10... Bxc3+ { Take the knight, bad idea } 11. bxc3 { Takethe BISHOP } 11... fxe6 { Take the pawn, bad idea } 12. Qh5+ { Chek! } 12... g6 { It is withoutexit! } 13. Nxg6 { logically } 13... hxg6 { It was not good idea but the game isalmost finish! } 14. Qxh8 { Take the rook } 14... Kf8 { Don't have choice! } 15. Ba3+ { Check! } 15... Kf7 { :-) } 16. Qh7+ { Check } 16... Ke8 { :-( } 17. Qxg6# { Checkmate! } 1-0
[Event "Winning attack after a difficult game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10/12/11"] [Round "-"] [White "E. S."] [Black "fatcat2"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "ECF 139"] [TimeControl "Game/30 minutes (rapidplay)"] [WhiteElo "ECF 89"] 1. d4 { My opponent (a much lower-graded player, whom I hoped to beat easilyconsidering the ECF grades given above) opens with the queen pawn. Grabbinga stake in the centre, and opening up lines to develop the dark-squaredbishop and later queen. Standard and theoretical stuff. } 1... d5 { A very commonreply. Black also grabs his share of the centre, and makes it less attractivefor White to play an immediate e2-e4 (which he would like to attempt atsome point, to take more control of the centre). } 2. c4 { One of the mostcommon openings in existence: the Queen's Gambit. White apparently sacrificesa pawn (in reality, most experts do not consider this a pawn sacrifice,because the pawn can easily be regained and theory offers no tried-and-testedway for Black to keep hold of the extra pawn). White's purpose in playingthis move is to challenge Black's stake in the centre and build pressureagainst the d5-pawn. } 2... e6 { The reply which I always play against the Queen'sGambit - known simply as the Queen's Gambit Declined. A simple (yet highlytheoretical) move, aimed at keeping a pawn in the centre (e.g. after theunusual but playable 3.cxd5 exd5). The obvious drawback being that Black'slight-squared bishop is blocked in. } 3. Nc3 { The usual move in the Queen'sGambit Declined: White develops a piece, and increases the pressure againstBlack's pawn on d5. I have played this position many times, from both sidesof the board. An interesting alternative is 3.Nf3. } 3... c5 { This opening forBlack is called the Tarrasch. Black opts to occupy the centre with an unstablepawn structure, in exchange for long-term fast development and good spatialcontrol. Note that it is not possible for White to win a pawn immediately,although it may initially appear so: in fact, 4.cxd5 exd5 5.dxc5? is awell-known equalising line for Black after 5...d4! 6.Ne4 Bxc5! 7.Nxc5 Qa5+with the fork regaining the minor piece. } 4. e4 { ? Clearly, my opponentdid not know how to meet the Tarrasch - this move is an opening error!This move simply loses a pawn for White, as the following moves demonstrate: } 4... dxe4 5. Nxe4 Qxd4 { ? I think that this was a mistake on my part - and thecomputer (Fritz 10) corroborates this judgement. I played this move inthe hope that White would allow a queen exchange, which would help to consolidateBlack's material advantage. However, 5...cxd4 is better, since it affordsBlack a space advantage and a firm grip on the centre as well as his materialadvantage. Black could then have followed up with ...Nc6 and ...e5, witha powerful grip on the central dark squares. } 6. Qc2 { ! Avoiding a queenexchange, and placing the queen on a (slightly) more useful square. } 6... Nf6 { Developing a piece, and aimed at exchanging off White's strong centralknight, thus robbing White of a useful piece. Piece exchanges, I decided,would be useful in consolidating my small but significant material advantage.In fact, this formed my strategy for the next few moves - so much so thatI unfortunately sank into positional apathy and handed over the initiativeto my opponent. } 7. Bd3 { Developing a piece, and preparing to replace thecentral knight with a well-placed central bishop, if the former is exchangedoff. } 7... Nxe4 { Carrying out my strategy of exchanging pieces, whenever possible. } 8. Bxe4 { Despite being a pawn down, White now has an excellent position- his light-squared bishop holds Black's queenside in a bind, as well asputting pressure on Black's kingside. I therefore decided to force thisbishop to move away as follows: } 8... f5 { ?! An odd-looking move, leaving Black'se-pawn backward and weak. However, I was determined to dislodge White'slight-squared bishop from its excellent post in the centre! } 9. Bf3 { Themost useful square for White to place his bishop, retaining the unpleasantbind on Black's queenside. Black cannot play ...Bd7, because the b-pawnand then rook are hanging; Black also cannot play ...b6, because the pawnis pinned to the rook. } 9... Bd6 { Developing a piece to a good square, and preparingto castle. } 10. Ne2 { Developing a piece, and forcing Black's queen to giveup the useful post in the centre. } 10... Qf6 11. O-O { By now, Fritz 10 ratesthe position as approximately equal. If we take into consideration thefact that White is a pawn down, this means that the computer believes thatWhite has enough compensation for the pawn. I agree with the computer -White's pieces are mostly developed to excellent, logical squares (whereasBlack's queenside is in a bind and undeveloped, and Black's central pawnsare weak). } 11... Nd7 { Struggling to catch up with White in the development race.I was unwilling to play 11...Nc6 because of 12.Bxc6 bxc6, giving Blackhorrible doubled and isolated c-pawns to worry about. } 12. Rd1 { Developingthe rook to an excellent square, from where it controls the open d-file.White also gains a tempo in playing this move, since Black must do somethingabout his undefended bishop on d6. } 12... Bc7 13. Rb1 { Preparing to expand onthe queenside with b2-b4, after which White will enjoy a queenside spaceadvantage and the power of his queenside rook will be increased. } 13... Ne5 { Mystrategy was still to exchange as many pieces as possible! I felt thatremoving White's light-squared bishop from the board would be an achievement,since this would allow Black to develop his queenside via ...Bd7, or ...b6and ...Bb7. } 14. Qc3 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3 O-O { Black's position seems to makemore logical sense than it did a few moves ago, with fewer undevelopedpieces hanging around. Also, Black retains his extra pawn! However, I stillthink White enjoys the better position, and White's next move grabs theinitiative: } 16. b4 Qh4 { Trying to retake the initiative, with threatsagainst the pawns on h2 and c4. } 17. Bf4 { Neatly parrying both threats,and making Black's dark-squared bishop less useful. } 17... Bxf4 18. Nxf4 cxb4 19. Rxb4 { The most striking difference between these two positions is theactivity of the rooks and minor pieces. White's rooks and knight are alldominating the board, controlling a multitude of squares; by contrast,Black's rooks and bishop are all huddled on the back rank, controllinghardly any squares at all! I resolved to do something to sort this outimmediately: } 19... Rb8 { Trying to wriggle out of the bind which White's queenimposes on Black's queenside. } 20. c5 { Taking advantage of Black's lossof time, and increasing White's space advantage on the queenside. } 20... Qe7 { Pinning the c-pawn, and thus preventing c5-c6, which could otherwise bean extremely annoying move for Black to face. } 21. Rc4 Bd7 { The bishopis starting to become more useful! Additionally, this move clamps downon the c6-square, preventing White's pawn from advancing any further. } 22. Re1 { White changes his plans - now he tries to put pressure on Black'sbackward, weak e-pawn and tie down Black's bishop and queen to defendingit. } 22... Bc6 { Moving the bishop away from defending the weak e-pawn, but Whitecannot take advantage of this yet, because his queen is under attack. Furthermore,this moves Black's bishop to a very useful diagonal - pointing directlyat White's kingside, where it will play a very important role later on. } 23. Qg3 Rf6 { I'm not sure exactly what I was trying to achieve with thismove, other than simply defending the e-pawn. } 24. Nh5 Rbf8 { ??! I didn'treally want to play 24...Rff8, returning the rook and allowing a repetitionof moves. Therefore, I impulsively (and stupidly?) allowed this exchangesacrifice (sacrifice of a rook for minor piece). } 25. Nxf6+ Rxf6 26. Qb8+ { A fork allowing White to pick up a pawn. However, I think that this isa mistake, since it leaves White's queen completely out of the game. Overthe next few moves, Black is able to create all the activity and set tacticalproblems for White, largely because White's queen has become an irrelevance. } 26... Kf7 27. Qxa7 { Black now has a material disadvantage, so he is obliged tocreate activity in order to gain compensation. I achieved this by creatinga series of threats, as follows: } 27... Rg6 { Firstly, a simple threat againstWhite's kingside - namely, targeting the g-pawn. } 28. g3 { Parrying thethreat, but weakening all the light squares on White's kingside. } 28... Qd7 { !Aimed at exploiting the weak light squares on White's kingside. The threatis ...Qd5 followed by ...Qg2# or ...Qh1#. My opponent sank into thoughtat this point. } 29. Rc3 Qd2 { If 29...Qd5 30.f3 seems to hold White's positiontogether. Instead, I tried to create trouble by attacking White's rooks. } 30. Rce3 { If 30.Rcc1, 30...Qd5! reintroduces Black's threats against White'skingside light squares. } 30... f4 { ! Preparing to break open White's kingside. } 31. Re5 fxg3 32. hxg3 Rxg3+ { Not really a rook sacrifice, since 33.fxg3??Qg2#. White's kingside is broken open, and I felt sure that checkmate shouldfollow. } 33. Kf1 { The only move: if 33.Kh2 Qxf2#. } 33... Bg2+ { ? At this point,I missed a forced checkmate! 33...Qd3+! and checkmate follows in all lines,e.g. 34.R5e2 Rg1+!! 35.Kxg1 Qg6+ } 34. Kg1 Bh3+ { Observe the fact that Black'spieces, for the first time, are all playing active roles in the game -they are all playing a part in Black's overwhelming attack! By contrast,White's queen is doing absolutely nothing on a7, and White's rooks aren'tparticularly useful either. } 35. Kh1 Qxf2 { I calculated that this led toa forced win as the text shows, by exchanging off most of the pieces onthe board into a winning rook-and-pawn endgame. Shame I didn't find theforced checkmate to crown my rather nice attack, but such is life...animportant skill, in chess as well as in life, is to know when to stop attacking,exchange off all the pieces, and convert the small advantage that you havegained in the attack. } 36. Qxb7+ Kf6 37. R5e2 Bg2+ { ! Forcing the exchangeof all the pieces except one pair of rooks. } 38. Qxg2 Rxg2 39. Rxf2+ Rxf2 40. Rc1 Rxa2 41. c6 Ra8 42. c7 Rc8 { The rest is easy: Black walks his kingover to d7, picks up White's last remaining pawn, and promotes one of histhree pawns in an easily winning endgame. Hope you enjoyed the annotation!Comments would be welcomed! :) } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "23-Jul-07"] [Round "-"] [White "boomax"] [Black "chasparos"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1370"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1329"] 1. d4 e6 2. a3 { Not sure why white played this. It gives away a tempo. } 2... g6 3. e4 d5 4. e5 Nc6 5. Nf3 Nge7 6. Bg5 Bg7 7. Nc3 O-O { This was probablypremature. And possibly queenside would have been better. I already feela bit cramped. } 8. Qd2 { Lining up with the bishop on g5. } 8... a6 { Intendedto keep white out of b5. } 9. Bd3 Qe8 { Freeing my knight. } 10. Bh6 Nf5 11. Bxf5 exf5 12. Qf4 Qe7 { ? a very poorly thought out move. Accompishes nothingand gives away a pawn. } 13. Nxd5 Qe8 { Like I said Qe7 was a mistake. } 14. Nf6+ { Luckily my opponent hasn't his thinking cap on either and gives mea free knight. That pawn is pinned. } 14... Bxf6 15. Bxf8 { Oops. guess it wasme who wasn't thinking, again. At this point I started thinking. The boardis opening up in the center. And I really would like to save that darksquared bishop. And I spot a way to do that. } 15... Nxd4 { The immidiate threathere is Nxc2, forking king and rook. I was thinking he'd take the knightNxd4 then Bxe5 forks knight and queen. Note that I had missed that Qe3then would have made me loose material (2 pawns for a knight.) since Ican't take the knight because I would have lost my queen. Actually herehe can take my knight with his queen straight away. And I would have losta knight for only one pawn. This is a really silly move. More to come. } 16. Kd1 { My opponent is no more awake than I am. } 16... Ne6 { Trying to save face.Threatens his queen and delays the bishop exchange. } 17. Qh6 { Seems myopponent doesnt want the bishop exchange either. Maybe he is also thinkingabout having bishops in a fairly open game. } 17... Bh8 18. Bb4 { Bishop tradeaverted. But badly. :-) } 18... a5 { Go back from whence you came devil bishop. } 19. Bc3 { This makes the white pawn on e5 extra important. I need it tostay where it is. And keeping it there becomes a major headache. It alsolocks down my king since I cannot move that f7 pawn. } 19... Bd7 20. a4 { thisis a free pawn, but... } 20... c5 { I need to keep his knight away from d4. I reallydon't want that pawn to move. } 21. Ke2 { I think this was just to link hisrooks. } 21... Bc6 { This is the proof. I hadn't spotted the fact that the a4 pawnis loose. } 22. Qe3 { Here I finally saw the free pawn, but now... } 22... b6 { Ineeded to protect my own pawn. I had no Lightsquared bishop to fear. } 23. Rhd1 { Grabbing the opened file. Will prove important. } 23... Bxa4 { Finally thatpawn is mine. } 24. b3 Bb5+ 25. Ke1 { This position feels fairly ok. I justneed to extract my bishop from h4 and activate my queen a bit, and I shouldhave an almost equal game. } 25... Qc6 { Activating my queen along the long diagonal. } 26. Rd6 { I didn't really understan this move since it doesnt make muchdifference. } 26... Qb7 { Queen is still on her diagonal. } 27. Rad1 { doubling upthe rooks. But my knight is already locked in place. this only pins itharder. } 27... Bg7 { working the bishop out. } 28. Ng5 Bh6 { again I have to concetrateto keep my knight in place. } 29. h4 Qxg2 { This is a fairly brutal move.Forces white to set up a queen exchange. Anything else is mate. (or seriousmaterial loss) } 30. Qg3 { he chooses g3 for the exchange. } 30... Qxg3 31. fxg3 Bf8 { Here is another bad call on my part. I looked only at moves wherehis rook escapes along the d-file... } 32. Rxb6 { ...and overlooked this. } 32... Nd4 { ?? This is where I lost all chances of a draw. For some dark reasonI thought Bxd4 cxd4 Rxd4?? Bc5 forking his rooks. Off course... } 33. Bxd4 cxd4 34. Rxb5 { Rxb5.. Sometimes I just don't believe how truly blind onecan be. But I liked this game. Very much because it had some very nicepossibilities, and it flowed so nice. Mistakes were made on both sides,but the better player won in the end i think :-) } 34... Bb4+ 35. Ke2 Re8 36. Nf3 f6 37. Rxd4 Bc3 38. Rdd5 Kf7 39. Kd3 1-0
[Event "Redo the alk :)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.07.06"] [Round "-"] [White "easy19"] [Black "stalhandske"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "2136"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2113"] 1. e4 { This Alekhine defense game against easy19 was to replace an earlierone where stalhandske got an undeserved win on a time-out. Easy19:s strengthis of course much higher than his current rating, so it was exciting toplay this game. I am hoping that Freddy will also comment on it later. } 1... Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 5. c4 Nb6 { A very common line of the Alekhinedefense with aggressive capture of the centre by white, the very typicald6 and fianchetto of the DSB by black. } 6. Nc3 { This is the first moveout of the GK 'book'. exd is often recommended here, but I think Nc3 isa more logical developing move } 6... Bg7 7. Be3 { Black finishes the fianchettoand white develops further. 7. Bf4 might be an interesting variant } 7... dxe5 8. dxe5 { Black takes e5 as it is time to clarify (simplify) the centreand white takes back with the pawn. I think taking with the knight (8.Nxe5) had been an interesting and more aggressive alternative, where whitewould have kept the strain in the centre and prevented the exchange ofqueens } 8... Qxd1+ { Almost forced. Otherwise white had initiated the Q exchangeand black's castling had been ruined } 9. Rxd1 c6 { Black cannot castle because9...0-0, 10. c5! N6d7 11. Nd5 with a strong attack by white } 10. h3 Be6 { 10....0-0 was the alternative, but I favoured the solid development ofthe LSB } 11. b3 N8d7 12. Bf4 { White's DSB finds the f4 square after all(see above) supporting the e5 pawn that is under double attack. The questionhere is whether it was worth supporting it versus developing the LSB toe2 } 12... Nc5 { An alternative was 12.....0-0-0 that may have led to interestingconsequences } 13. Nd4 Nbd7 { resuming the dual attack at e5, but now whiteadvances on the Q-side.... } 14. b4 Na6 15. Nxe6 { I was wondering why whitedid not advance 15. b5 } 15... fxe6 16. a3 Bxe5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 { Time to finallytake the lone white e pawn & following exchanges. At this point I thinkthe game is fairly even. Black's double pawn is not necessarily a significantminus. } 18. h4 { I think white advances here anticipate the short castlingby black. 18. Be2 had perhaps been a more straightforward move? } 18... O-O 19. Rh3 Nc7 20. h5 { And, indeed, white attacks on the king side whilst blackbrings in the ineffective knight from the sideline } 20... Rad8 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 { The exchange ends by black controlling the d-column, but white's attackis now on.... } 22. hxg6 hxg6 23. Ne4 Kg7 { black's obvious idea is to takehold of the h-column with his rook, considering that white's king willremain in the centre } 24. Nc5 b6 25. Re3 Kf6 { White exerts pressure onblack's position; black counters by taking his king into play } 26. Ne4+ Kf5 27. Be2 { white finally takes his LSB into play } 27... Rh8 { ...and black countersaccording to plan.... } 28. g4+ { I wonder whether this is good, I don'tthink it is worth sacrificing the pawn here. } 28... Nxg4 29. Ng3+ Kg5 30. f4+ { That was the idea! But black must not take the f4 pawn (30...Kxf4 31.Re4+Kxg3 32. Rxg4+) } 30... Kh4 { Here, black has a +2 in material and quite a decentposition } 31. Rf3 Nf6 { I actually don't remember what I was planning here.31. ...Nh2 had been clearly better! Even 31....Nh6 with regard to the followingmovements of the knight! } 32. Nh1 Nh5 33. Rf2 { Now black is suddenly ingrave danger. His king is fully exposed and there is a real danger of checkmate.I used considerable time here to analyse the position, and it is remarkable!Apart from 33. ....Nxf4, which loses the knight (and the game), any othermove than 33...Kh3 leads to mate at 34. Rh2++ } 33... Kh3 { The only move!! } 34. Rf3+ Kg4 35. Nf2+ Kf5 { Of course not 35....Kh4 because 36. Rh3++ } 36. Bd3+ Kf6 37. Ng4+ Kg7 { White continues the king-chase but now the black kingis in relative safety, but with sweat on his forehead } 38. Ne5 b5 39. Nxc6 bxc4 40. Bxc4 a6 41. a4 { An inevitable decimation of black pawns } 41... Nf6 { Theknight must be brought in for the following 'horse-show' } 42. Nxe7 { anotherinevitable (I think) loss of a pawn and now material is equal } 42... Kf7 { Inretrospect, I think 42...Rb8 had been better. I am perhaps too eager tochase away the white knight } 43. Nc6 Nfd5 { Putting pressure on the whitepawns at b4 and f4, and also hoping for a free pawn on the d file if whiteexchanges his bishop for the knight } 44. Kd2 { the white king wants to play } 44... Rh4 { more pressure on white's f pawn and indirectly on his bishop and bpawn } 45. b5 axb5 46. axb5 { white now has a free pawn on the b column,which fortunately turns out to be managable by the black pair of knights } 46... Rh2+ 47. Kd3 Rh4 48. Bxd5 { the question is whether white instead shouldhave advanced his king further (Kd4) } 48... Nxd5 49. Ne5+ Kf6 50. Nc4 { .....andthe coast seems clear for advancing the b pawn. Beautiful choreographyby white's knight! } 50... Ke7 { Why not coolly exchange 50...Rxf4 51. Rxf4 Nxf4instead? The answer is that I was afraid of the advancing b pawn.... } 51. b6 Kd7 52. Ne5+ { Looks bad for black, doesn't it? } 52... Kd6 53. b7 Kc7 { black's'only move' } 54. Ke4 { Now I can take f4 } 54... Rxf4+ 55. Rxf4 Nxf4 56. Kxf4 { Therewe are! White cannot defend his 'only hope', the pawn at b7, and the blackking cannot do everything! So, a clear draw. The last few moves were formalitiesonly, the two kings were to meet in the middle for a cup of tea and a chat.....I thank Freddy for a memorable fight, and I am very pleased to have beenable to keep it as a draw } 56... Kxb7 57. Kg5 Kc7 58. Kxg6 Kd6 59. Nc4+ Kd5 60. Kf6 Kd4 61. Kxe6 1/2-1/2
[Event "Chess game"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Canard"] [Black "Bougarra"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "Tayeb"] [TimeControl "60' + 30''"] [WhiteElo "Bruno"] 1. d4 d6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e4 { vers l'attaque autrichienne } 3... Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. f5 { prise de l'espace à l'aile roi protection du pion arriérélimité le Fou c8 } 6... c6 7. Nf3 Bb4 8. Bd3 { Protection de e4 obligatoire } 8... Bc5 9. Na4 { pour parer l'échec avec c3 } 9... Qa5+ 10. c3 Be7 11. b4 { Taking advantage of the opponent's lack of defense, the knight is able to make a powerful rook. } 11... Qc7 12. O-O O-O 13. Bb2 { Finir le développement,donner la grande diagonale au fou de cases noires après c4 } 13... b5 14. Nc5 Nxc5 15. bxc5 Bxc5+ 16. Kh1 { L'enfermement du fou de cases blanches noircompense le pion même après c4 } 16... Bb7 17. c4 { attaque 2 fois e5 } 17... Ng4 18. Qe2 { Avoid the fork in e3 and leave a possible vis-a-vis with a black tour. } 18... bxc4 19. Bxc4 { The white pieces are well placed. } 19... Rae8 20. Nd2 { The idea is to activate a knight on the king's side by moving the knight to f3. } 20... Ne3 { active le planblanc } 21. Rf3 Bd4 22. Rxe3 { The exchange appears favorable. The F7 does not play and the two white tours are active. The blacks must take the b2 pawn and lose their active knight. } 22... Bxb2 23. Rf1 Rd8 24. Rg3 { le pion e5 bloquela position noire } 24... Qd6 25. f6 { ferme l'accès à l'aile roi } 25... g6 26. Nf3 { The knight is moving towards h4 and the f2 pawn is under attack. } 26... Bd4 27. Nh4 Rfe8 28. Nxg6 hxg6 29. Rxg6+ Kf8 30. Rg8+ { les noirs abandonnent } 1-0
[Event "Quick Win"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.04.12"] [Round "-"] [White "dmaestro"] [Black "NN"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1528"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1514"] 1. e4 { My opponent chose a riskier defense, and then made a few early mistakesand quickly lost. } 1... c5 { Sicilian. } 2. Nf3 g6 { !? Hyper accelerated Dragon.Requires precise play. } 3. d4 { The best way to exploit black's last. } 3... cxd4 4. Qxd4 { Surprise! Here this is actually good. In fact the GK databaseshows White with a high winning percentage at this point even with bestBlack play. My opponent seemed unprepared for this. } 4... Nf6 5. e5 { ! Keepsup the attack. DB still shows advantage White. } 5... Nc6 { Necessary. } 6. Qa4 Nd5 { What else? } 7. Qe4 { A strong move. } 7... e6 { Weakens the dark squares. } 8. c4 { White is playing aggressively but there is nothing wrong with thathere. The GK data base still shows W with a good winning percentage. } 8... Nb6 9. Nc3 Bg7 { ?! Risky. Better was first ...a6. } 10. Nb5 { White zeros inon the dark square weaknesses. } 10... a6 { ? Black can't afford this move. Betterprospects were offered by simply ... 0-0. } 11. Nd6+ { Of course. The ideais not so much just to prevent Black from castling, but to bind Black upwith a N on d6 that is hard to eliminate. } 11... Ke7 12. c5 { Here I felt aggressionwas warranted, because the N would have to move to d5 and could then beattacked by Bc4. } 12... Nd5 13. Bc4 b6 { ?? Black can't afford this now. Betterwas ...Nc7. } 14. Bxd5 { ! I calculated that I could open Black's King andwin a pawn with threats, and given how quickly White could get the piecesin play Black was in big trouble. } 14... exd5 15. Qxd5 { Threatens mate on f7. } 15... Qc7 { ? This loses quickly, but the threat of Ng5 after Black defends f7was very strong. } 16. Qxf7+ Kd8 17. Qxg7 { Here Black resigns. There isno good defense to the mate threats (Bg5+. QxR+ followed by Qe8) exceptby moving the Q and then Black is wiped out. } 1-0
[Event "GameKnot Blitz, http://gameknot.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.13"] [Round "-"] [White "bugsly"] [Black "benl123"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1570"] [WhiteElo "1819"] 1. e4 d6 { The Pirc Defense. } 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 { Guarding the e4 pawn. } 3... c5 { Taking control of d4. } 4. Nc3 { Preparing to move to e5. } 4... g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 { Development. Also increases control of d4. } 6. h3 O-O 7. O-O { Bringingthe kings to safety. } 7... a6 8. a3 b5 { Gaining queenside space. } 9. Ba2 Bd7 { Preparing to advance the a-pawn. } 10. Nd5 a5 { Following the plan. } 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Bd5 { Taking a very nice post of e5 while also threateningthe rook. However, this post will not last for long. } 12... Ra6 13. c3 Bg7 { PreventingBh6. } 14. Nh2 e6 { Getting rid of the bishop. } 15. Ba2 b4 { Opening up lineson the queenside. } 16. Bd2 { Increasing pressure on b4 while defending thea1 rook. } 16... Qb6 { Preparing for the opening of the b-file. } 17. axb4 axb4 18. Bc4 Rxa1 19. Qxa1 { Taking control of the a-file. } 19... Bc6 20. Ng4 d5 { !Pushing the bishop back to a2. } 21. exd5 exd5 22. Ba2 { The only safe square. } 22... b3 { !! Excellent. It puts the white bishop out of the game while trappingthe queen on the a-file. } 23. Bb1 Bb5 { Better was Nd7 followed by Ra8. } 24. Ne3 Qc6 25. Ng4 Nd7 { Preparing to trap the queen. } 26. Qa3 { The onlyway to temporarily avoid its capture. } 26... Ra8 27. Qxb3 Ba4 28. Qa3 Bc2 29. Qxa8+ Qxa8 30. Bxc2 { White manages to maintain material equality. } 30... Qa2 31. Rb1 Nb6 32. Nh6+ Bxh6 33. Bxh6 Na4 { Threatening to win the b-pawn. } 34. Bxa4 Qxb1+ { Winning the rook and another pawn so white resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Analyzed Games"] [Site "ChessDoctor.com"] [Date "?.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "W39"] [Black "B39"] [Result "?"] [ECO "?"] {00039.5.25 Analyzed by Candidate Master Daniel Waite} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 {The French Winawer. In theory it is solid yet aggressive. You choose an older inflexible way to meet it (and more difficult to defend against). Typically White will unleash a strong Kingside attack with Qg4.} 4. e5 c5 5. a3 cxd4!? {This move makes sense. Objectively it may be questionable but it offers Black two pluses. First it gives Black the half-open c - file. Second it breaks up the White center pawns. One reason for questioning this move is that it does not appear to be consistent with the objectives of Black's choice of opening. Always remember there is a plus in every negative on the chessboard. Chess is an exchange of advantages and disadvantages. For instance, if you drop a piece you generally get two moves in exchange for it. Sometimes the two moves are more critical than the piece. It is the reason that sacrifices work. That is why chess coaches warn younger players to not chase pawns. It is not worth the moves that are given up. In the games that I've seen, it appears that Black wants a quick resolution to the game by choosing this move.} 6. Qxd4 Bxc3 {Interesting try for Black, typically the play would be either ...Nc6 or ...Ba5. Again the move makes sense, but remember in chess that there is an absolute truth at work. Wrong moves should be punished by accurate play.} 7. Qxc3 Nc6 8. Bb5 {At this point the idea would be to play Qg3. The forcing of the ...g6 gives White a huge positional advantage with the pawn at e5 and the absence of the Black's dark square Bishop. If Black castles Kingside he should not be able to defend himself.} 8...Bd7 9. Nf3 d4? {This move is too ambitious at this point. Now Black will be stuck with an over-extended pawn. In the French, Black must defend first, THEN attack. Development was essential on move 9. Again a move that makes sense. 9...d4 is not as bad as you think. The move is not an "attack." Pawn moves are seldom for purposes of "attack." As a general rule, the idea of the pawn move is to gain or control space. I do however agree that this move is ill timed and too ambitious. In a sense the pawn is sacrificed for open lines. The problem for Black is that these open lines benefit White! BTW, in every defense the idea is to "defend first, THEN attack." All attacks must have positional justification. Black does have a problem unraveling his development in the French Defense - your opponent compounds this natural problem. This is why I do not personal recommend the French Defense you young players. If you are interested in completely frustrating someone playing the French Defense try the "Exchange Variation." It takes all the fun out of it for Black.} 10. Qd3 Ne7 11. Bg5 {Black's development is now becoming less effective because his pieces are being pinned and becoming useless. Black is cramped but at this point is fine. Do not mistake a cramped position for a bad position. Some defenses are specifically designed to make maxim use of as little space as possible. These can be very tough to crack and if the attacker relaxes or mishandles the position, it could get real ugly real fast. One characteristic of a cramped position is the interlocking of pieces. This is called "over protection." The idea is that for every attacker on a piece there is at least one more defender. This makes the various pieces more flexible - you can move any defender and not give up material. About pins: You place a high value on them for good reason. Pins often decide the game! There are two types of pins. There is the "absolute" pin. These are pins where the first piece can not move because the King is behind it. Then there is the "relative" pin where the defender can choose to give up material. The difference is that the second is flexible while the first is not. The "magic" behind the pin is the inflexibility of the pinned piece and generally its' defender. With one piece you can tie up as many as three defenders! That's like playing a virtual piece or two ahead. Another thing to like about pins is that they can quickly become a permanent positional advantage. Once you get a pin, work on the front piece - start piling up the attack on it.} 11. ...a6 {Missing ...Qa5+ and ...Nxe5. The stronger of the two would be ...Nxe5, completely dissolving the White center and freeing Black's game. The draw back is that it scrambles the Black pawns and leaves White with a 2 - 3 pawn island advantage. The question is if a free game and an advantage in the center would be worth it?} 12. Bxc6 Bxc6 13. 0-0-0 0-0 {Black should have tried 13...Qd5. This makes use of the earlier ...d4 move. 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15.Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Rhg1 Be4 and Black has placed his Bishop on a dominating square can go just about anywhere unhindered. This pivot point is critical. On 15. Rxd4 then Bxf3 is strong for Black.} 14. Nh4 h6 15. Bf6! {A bolt from the blue for Black! My intuition kept nagging at me to play 15. Bf6, so I had to use almost half of my time to give the gut feeling a green light. You knew better, generally your first instincts are correct. The old rule of thumb is "long analysis is wrong analysis" at the board. This drops a piece. Let's examine why the move is not good. First, it gives away the Bishop for a pawn without time advantage. Second, it does not force anything. When you sacrifice it must be forcing. Black is not obliged to capture.} 15. ...gxf6 16. Qg3+ Ng6 {Here Black, in essence, blunders the game away. 16...Kh7 17. exf6 Ng6 and Black is home free with extra material.} 17. Nxg6 fxg6? {This was Black's last chance to defend himself by not taking back the Knight and moving his King over to the h-file, giving up the Exchange. You got that right!} 18. Qxg6+ Kh8 19. Qxh6+ {If I couldn't find an absolute win, I knew I could at least give perpetual check. Attitude check. When you have your opponent in your sights never, never, never consider the draw. In fact, never consider a draw until you are absolutely sure the position is completely lifeless - or you are tricking your opponent out of half a point. Even in completely lost positions there is value in playing them out - you learn a lot by the hard spots in life. Don't pass up your best learning opportunities.} 19. ...Kg8 20. Qg6+ Kh8 21. Re3 Bxg2 {The only move that can prevent an immediate mate by 22. Rh3+} 22. Rg1! Rg8?? {Congratulations! You finished with a good score. In this game you took advantage of your opponents weakness/mistakes. You were also aggressive and willing to take a risk. You must study the "positional" aspects of the game. To attack you must have positional justification. To sacrifice material you should have concrete analysis all the way through to checkmate. Also when you sacrifice focus on forcing moves. You showed excellent insight into some ideas in the game and you made sure your position was solid. Once you get a grip on the positional essence and learning how to read the board, you'll be a match for just about anyone under the Master level.} 23. Qh6# 1-0
[Event "Barmy Army Mini Tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "02-Nov-08"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "charleshiggie"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1951"] [TimeControl "9d+1d, 10d max"] [WhiteElo "1734"] 1. e4 { From both sides of the table, Part 1. Joanne Stevens has alreadyannotated this game, so I include her comments, and mine! Her commentsare in inverted commas } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 { The Richter-Rauzer attack against the orthodox open Sicilian defence.Probably white's strongest move here. } 6... Bd7 { Black need not fear BxN immediately,black has adequate compensation in the two bishops and open g file. After6. Bg5 I used to have fun in quickplay games with 6.....Qa5. It isn't reallyany good though if white knows what to do against it. } 7. Qd2 Rc8 8. f4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Qa5 { This has all been seen before. Normally white will play0-0-0 here. What Joanne played has been seen before, but is probably notas good as the more standard 0-0-0 } 10. Bxf6 { '10. Bxf6 - I decide to exchangeB for N to break up black's kingside but is this another case of an inappropriateexchange. I do end up missing Frere Lenoir later on.' - So she seems toagree with me! } 10... gxf6 11. Be2 h5 12. O-O Qc5 13. Qxc5 Rxc5 14. f5 { 'Hereis that game I mentioned at the beginning re Krupa Dominik (2091) vs. BylinoOleg (2255) 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 Bd7 7. Qd2 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Qa5 9. f4 Rc8 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Be2 h5 12. O-O Qc5 13. Qxc5 Rxc5 14. Rad1 f5 15. Rd5 Bg7 16. Rxc5 Bd4 17. Kh1 dxc5 18. e5 h4 19. Bb5 Bxc3 20. Bxd7 Kxd7 21. bxc3 Rh6 22. Rb1 Kc7 23. Rb5 Ra6 24. Rxc5 Kb6 25. Rd5 Rxa2 26. Kg1 Rxc2 27. Rd7 a5 28. Rxe7 a4 29. Rxf7 a3 30. Rf8 a2 31. Ra8 Rc1 32. Kf2 a1=Q 33. Rxa1 Rxa1 34. h3 Kc5 35. g4 hxg3e.p. 36. Kxg3 Kd5 37. Kh4 Rg1 38. Kh5 Ke4 In this game white'squeenside pawn structure got busted. I tried to avoid it but to no avail. Here in this game white resigned on the grounds of ruinous loss of material- I would have resigned at move 33. At least my game lasted longer!' I was also following the same game, and happy that we were following agame where black won! } 14... Bh6 15. Bd3 Be3+ 16. Kh1 Bc6 17. Rab1 Re5 { e5 isa lovely square to put a black piece on. It took me some time to decidewhether to put the rook or the bishop on it. Eventually I decided on therook, and use my black squared bishop to exchange for her knight, increasingpressure on the white e pawn. } 18. Rfe1 Bd2 19. Re2 Bxc3 { '20. bxc3 - butthat dreaded exchange which I had been trying to avoid with my 14th movehas come to pass.' I also thought this was very good for black. White'spawns are so weak, a good example for beginners - the e pawn is backward- cannot be defended by another pawn. the c pawns are doubled and isolatedand the a pawn is isolated. } 20. bxc3 Rg8 21. h3 e6 22. fxe6 fxe6 { '22....... fxe6 - black improves his central pawn structure.' True - and Iwas glad to see my pawn structure improve, but I am not sure there is anythingbetter - otherwise I can just exchange on f5 and exchange rooks. Her fpawn is weak and my other rook and bishop are targetting her g pawn. } 23. Rg1 Ke7 24. Kh2 Ra5 25. Ra1 Rag5 26. Rg1 Rc5 { She has protected her g pawn,so I have to go after her weak queenside pawns. } 27. c4 { '27. c4 - FrereLeblanc becomes a star - in more ways than one! He is the glue that isholding my shattered queenside together. How long will I be able to holdout though?' It may be defending 4 pawns, but really it is a horriblebishop. It has no mobility at all } 27... b6 { It is generally a good idea to putthe pawns on the opposite colour to my bishop } 28. g3 Bb7 29. Rb1 Rgc8 30. Rb2 Ba6 { White has to lose a pawn } 31. Kg2 Ra5 32. Rf2 Bxc4 33. Bxc4 Rxc4 { But at least white gets rid of her bad bishop and the lost pawn wasa doubled pawn. Perhaps black should not have taken it yet? } 34. Rf4 { Asnow white has an active rook. } 34... Rca4 35. Rh4 Rxa2 36. Rxa2 Rxa2 37. Rxh5 Rxc2+ 38. Kf3 Rc3+ 39. Kg4 { Perhaps Rc3 is a mistake as it just drivesher king up the board to where it wants to be? What do you think dear reader? } 39... a5 40. Rh7+ Ke8 { White is fighting back well. White achieves 7th rank absolute,in other words the white rook is on the 7th, permanently preventing myking from advancing up the board. } 41. Rb7 Rb3 42. h4 { '42. h4! - unbelieveablyI am threatening mate in 5 but can black thwart my plans - he does unfortunatelywith my co-operation. Wanna see how? Read on.' } 42... Rb4 { I stopped and hada long think at this stage. I think that there is still a lot of work tobe done, and white's best bet may be to ignore my attack on the e pawnand just push the h pawn again. I didn't really like the look of lineslike 43. h5 Rxe4 44. Kf3 Re1 45. Kg2 Re5 46. g4 and white still has somechances of a draw } 43. Kf3 { ionadowman (2043) on 03-Nov-08 commented Ithink Joanne went wrong at the 43rd move. The line suggested by charleshiggiein his previous comment keeps White in the fight, but I rather prefer 43.Kh5!?as also offering chances of attack: 43.Kh5 Rxe4 44.Rxb6 Kd7 (say) 45.Ra6f5 (to bring the rook to g4) 46.Kg6!? (I dislike 46.Rxa5 Rg4 as the WKis left cut off on the h-file) ...Rg4 47.Kf6 Rxg3 48.Rxa5 f4 49.Ra7 Kc650.Kxe6 Rh3 51.Kf4 Rxh4 52.Kg5 Rh1 53.Kxf4 Re1 54.Ra6 . This is just asample line, and maybe both sides could find improvements, but in thisline Black's win seems as far off as ever. Note that the King's advanceto h5 broadens White's scope, retaining the (albeit slender) chances ofpromoting the h-pawn, but creating also prospects of bringing the WK inamongst Black's centre pawn phalanx. From its adavanced position, the WKmight get the opportunity tho shepherd the h-pawn home. In the positionWhite had at that point I feel sure I would have played 43.Kh5. } 43... Rb5 44. g4 a4 { 45. 'h5 - one move nearer to my goal, but ....' but black has alsoadvanced his passed pawn.... } 45. h5 Rb3+ 46. Kf4 { 46. 'Kf4?? - .......would Kg2 have at least drawn the game?' I don't think so, black has tomove the king over to block the passed pawn, 46. Kg2 Kf8 47. h6 Kg8 andblack seems to be winning easily dmaestro (1628) on 02-Nov-08: Blackbrings the king over to block the passed pawn, and retains passed pawns.White can't do anything to force the pawn to queen. ionadowman (2043)on 02-Nov-08: I don't think the move played deserves the two queries -or even just one. There isn't really a whole lot to choose between themove played and 46.Kg2. Of course, White can hope Black will throw awaythe win by 46.Kg2 a3?? 47.h6! and there's no way to stop the h-pawn acceptby a perpetual (47...Rb2 48.Kg3 Rb3 49.Kg2! - not 49.Kh4?? Rb1! - etc).But 46...Kf8 47.h6 (Ra7!?) Kg8 48.Rg7 Kh8 49.Ra7 and White's counterattackhas been held to a standstill. Since 46.Ke2 don't look at all enticing,only the text move remains... } 46... a3 47. h6 Rh3 48. g5 Rh4+ 49. Kg3 fxg5 { 'HereI decided to wave the white flag on the grounds of ruinous loss of material,viz:- 49. Kg3 fxg5 50. Rxb6 Ke7 51. Ra6 Rxh6 52. Rxa3 Rh4 53. Re3 Kf6 ' } 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "01-Nov-08"] [Round "-"] [White "ruprekt"] [Black "metallicpawn"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1628"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1600"] 1. d4 { This is one of the game I won by luck... d4 } 1... d5 2. c4 e6 { I declineQueen's gambit usually. } 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 Nc6 5. e3 { Normal development... } 5... Nf6 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Qxc3 O-O 8. Nf3 { Both side developing their pieces sincequeen's gambit is a slow tempo game. } 8... Re8 9. Qc2 h6 10. Be2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 a6 12. O-O b5 { This move is a dangerous one, when I push the pawn it leavesmy knight unprotected but my next move will be fianchettoing the bishop. } 13. Be2 Bb7 14. b3 Qd6 15. Bb2 Ne7 16. Rac1 Rac8 17. Rfe1 Qd5 { My goalis try to put pressure on the knight, pinning the knight. } 18. Bd3 g5 { Tryingsomething dangerous here, breaking up my king's safety } 19. e4 { white triesto defend the center pushing pawn to e4 } 19... Qd7 20. Ne5 { a strong outpostfor the knight } 20... Qd8 21. Re3 Kg7 22. Rg3 Nh5 { Defending my king my scaringthe rook away and removing my pin pawn at g5 } 23. Rf3 Rf8 24. d5 f6 25. Ng4 exd5 26. Nxf6 { This is a dangerous move white made, a knight sacrifice } 26... Nxf6 27. e5 { white pushes pawn, looking for a discover check with bishop } 27... Ne4 { Since theres no threat from the double check tried to move my knightto trade off bishops. } 28. Rxf8 Qxf8 29. f3 Qf4 { I didn't know that I justtrapped my knight! } 30. fxe4 dxe4 31. e6+ { there comes the discover check.... } 31... Kh7 32. Qc3 { Now I have to be worried about my position of the king queento c3 forcing checkmate } 32... Nf5 { I defend with the knight.... } 33. Qf6 { queento f6....forcing possibly mate with queen to f7 next move } 33... Rg8 { Now i haveto sacrifice my rook I know. } 34. Rxc7+ { This is a blunder move by white,white takes pawn at c7 not knowing its guarded by my queen. } 34... Qxc7 35. Qxf5+ Rg6 36. Qf8 { White still has that strong pass pawn, now forcing mate ath8 } 36... Rg8 37. e7 { dangerous move here..... } 37... Qc5+ { However the life savingmove was queen to c5 check...... } 38. Kf1 { This stops the promotion ofthe pawn, rook takes queen at f8. } 0-1
[Event "Principles and Guidelines"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "29.01.2017"] [Round "-"] [White "archduke_piccolo"] [Black "nairobigal"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1122"] [TimeControl "3+2<5days"] [WhiteElo "2112"] { Coaches of less experienced players will recall the advices they giveto their charges: get your pieces out, castle early, don't move too manypawns in the opening, don't move a piece twice in the opening (unless thereis a tactic), aim for central control... etc, so on and so forth. Theproblem for coach and learner alike is that almost every piece of advicegiven is correct maybe 80% of the time. What do you do about the 20%? There is a further problem: information overload. with so much to absorb,often less significant guidelines are apt to override the more important- even to the extent of giving up material to avoid doubled pawns. I'veseen that happen. This game illustrates, I think, some of the principles- call them guidelines - that advise our play. } 1. e4 e5 2. f4 { Already,White is in violation of at least two 'principles'. I've offered Blacka free pawn, gratis and for nothing. On top of that I have moved a pawnthat does absolutely nothing to free White's pieces. What's the story? In common with other gambits, the King's Gambit gives away nothing forfree. What White gets - or hopes to get - in return is time, and morecontrol of the centre than Black can obtain. } 2... Nc6 { Declining the gambitin probably the most 'principled' manner. The classic King's Gambit Declinedgoes 2...Bc5, which, in developing the bishop, interdicts the dark squaresin White's field. A real nuisance, that, as 3.fxe5?? in response involvesWhite in a whole heap of trouble after 3...Qh5ch! Objectively best issimply to take the pawn. To set against the given up pawn, White willneed quite substantive advantages in time and activity. The 19th centuryAmerican Master, Pollock, I think it was, used to decline the King's Gambitwith the knight move. } 3. Nc3 { Transposing into a Vienna Gambit set-up. Probably not the best (3.Nf3 seems preferable, as putting more pressureon Black) but quite playable, all the same. } 3... a6 { [?] Black clearly wantsnothing whatever to do with the White f-pawn. That's fair enough, butthis pawn move does very little to progress Black. It frees no pieces,nor develops any, nor does it add to Black's claim on the centre. It doesstop a White minor piece from landing on b5, but that is a very minor considerationthat doesn't inconvenience White at all. There are better things for Whiteto do! } 4. Nf3 { Another piece deployed, and adding to White's claim onthe centre. I'm still unconcerned whether or not Black takes the f-pawn. After 4...exf4?! 5.d4 would suit me very well. } 4... d6 { [!] Now this pawnmove is OK - probably Black's best available move in fact. It consolidatesthe grip Black has on her share of the centre, and frees the light-squarebishop (LSB). True, it shuts in the other bishop, but it will be happyenough, defensively placed on e7. } 5. Bc4 { Developing, and striking atthe f7-square. White wants to step up the pressure on Black's game. WhenWhite castles, the King's rook will at ance be ready to attack down thef-file. } 5... Nf6 { [!?] In keeping with development. However, I would probablyhave found ...Bg4 more inconvenient. Even so, you will notice I made noeffort to prevent such a move. I could then immediately, or a little later,have hit the bishop by h2-h3, and asked the bishop whether it wanted toexchange itself for the knight, or go elsewhere... } 6. O-O b5 { [!?] Totallyunexpected, this is one of those moves that can really disrupt one's programme. The upsides for Black is that it's a forcing move: where is the c4-bishopto go? It loses no time, therefore, and does go some way to Black's developmentby offering her LSB a choice of directions to go. It also has some - alittle - impact on the centre. There are downsides, though. It is Black'sfourth pawn move, and the LSB doesn't really need the extra mobility. The light squares in Black's Q-side might prove interesting for White,and Black really ought to be looking at mobilising her bishops. This isnot a bad move, but it had the psychological effect of encouraging an ill-advisedfollow-up by Black. } 7. Bb3 { Still focused on the f7-square. } 7... b4 { [?] Now,short range, easily parried threats like are often criticised as beinga waste of time. But in fact they can be - and ought be - a means to anend. Forcing as they are, they can help with seizing the initiative, orbe the means by which one makes progress. However, this Q-side expansionis rather premature, and ought to have waited upon the bishops being broughtinto the board. Moves like 7...Bg4 or ...Be7 were much to be preferred. Also good would have been 7...Na4 (!?), even though it moved a knightalready moved, to the edge of the board, as it would pretty much have forcedWhite to permit the exchange of his best piece. } 8. Nd5 { If one is forcedto move a piece twice in the opening, let it be (if possible) to a moreactive square. Black dare not exchange knights, because 8...Nxd5 9.Bxd510.Bd7 (say) ...Ng5 and White just about has a winning game already, withthreats against f7 and the pin on the c6-knight. Nor does 8...Nxe4 lookhealthy after 9.d4, and threats to open up the centre files for White'sheavy pieces. As it happens, 8.Ng5!? would gave been quite playable here. After 8.Ng5 bxc3 (8....Bg4 is worth a look for Black) 9.Nxf7 cxd2 10.Qxd2Qd7 11.Nxh8 White would have a big edge. } 8... a5 { [?] Black is moving piecesto some purpose, but here the course taken is leading to a blind alley. Development of her unmoved pieces has become a matter of extreme urgency,as will shortly be shown. Much better would have been 8...Be7, which isat least solid. Even a move like 8...Bg4 (?) has now become too dangerousfor Black: 8...Bg4 9.Nxf6ch Qxf6? [So parlous has the situation becomethat ...gxf6 is actually safer, here] 10.Bd5 Bd7 11.fxe4 dxe4 12.d4 withenormous pressure in the centre (12...exd4? 13.Ng5). } 9. Nxf6+ { [?] Notthe best! The plan here was to open up the f-file for the rook, and therebybring a crossfire from the bishop and rook onto f7. In fact White hasoverlooked a much stronger move: 9.Ng5! The line is fairly complicated,so I'll just give a sample: 9.Ng5 Be6 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Ba4 ... (Also winningis 11.Nxf6ch) 11...exd5 12.Bxc6ch Ke7 13.exd5! ... (much stronger thangrabbing the rook, on account of all the lines being opened up!) 13...Ra614.fxe5 dxe5 15.Qe2 ... } 9... Qxf6 { Safer would have been 9...gxf6, when Whitestill have had the work to do to crack open the centre. } 10. fxe5 { Probablyeven stronger was 10.Bd5. White has exactly the opposite problem fromBlack's here. Thrown onto the defensive, Black has to play accuratelyto survive. White is spoilt for choice, with several plausible ways toproceed. He doesn't always pick the best! } 10... Nxe5 { No better was 10...dxe511.Nd4! Qd6 12.Nxc6 Qxc6 13.Bxf7ch Kd8 14.d4 ... with a powerful attackagainst the King stuck in the centre of the board. The sapient readerwill have observed that White is in no all fired hurry (now) to completehis own development. The reason is simple. Right now White has ampleresources to mount an attack sufficient to gain a decisive advantage. To spend time completing White's development now, would enable Black topush hers along as well, and an opportunity might well be lost. Principlesand guidelines are all very well, but always they must be applied accordingto what is actually happening on the board. } 11. Nxe5 { Opening up the file. Now the bishop and rook both are aiming at f7. Black's response is, ofcourse, forced. } 11... Qxe5 12. d4 { A useful intermezzo, or 'zwischenzug'. TheQueen has to move again, the DSB is freed to move, and White STILL canplay BxPch next move. } 12... Qb5 { Black's best defence, by the look. Black hadbut one other square available for the Queen, but that would have invitedthis horror: 12...Qe7 13.Rxf7! Qd8 14.Qh5! g6 15.Qd5 Ra6 16.Rg7!! ...To stop the mate Black would at least have had to give up her queen. } 13. Bxf7+ { You will note here that White takes with the bishop, yet after 12...Qe7,the rook capture would have been chosen. One should always be on the lookoutfor little tweaks like this. The King is being forced to move, which leaveshim stranded in the middle of the board. And to demonstrate the pointthat changing circumstances place different values on time, space and materialconsiderations, White had a much better move than this check: 13.a4! Thismove is a bit harder to find, and its purpose a little obscure (force theQueen back, OR activate the rook after 13...bxa3 e.p.). In fact I lookedat the a4-move only in the context of a possible King hunt in the nearfuture. } 13... Kd8 14. Bd5 { 14.a4 was still good. But the course of play chosenby White is still good enough to win. } 14... c6 { Another good defence. Ina desperate situation, Black is hanging on. } 15. Bg5+ { Had I looked furtherahead into this line, I might have played 15.c4 before this. } 15... Ke8 { [?]I was expecting the tougher 15...Kc7 16.Rf7ch, with a King hunt. } 16. Bf7+ { Much, much better was 16.Qh5ch! The bad part was that I looked at thismove, too, but failed to pursue the line far enough: 16.Qh5 g6 17.Rxf8ch!!Rxf8 18.Qxh7 ... Having got this far, I ought to have seen this positionwas dead winning for White, but the apparently 'unforcing' nature of theposition dissuaded me from exploring Black's real options at this point. I barely glanced at it. Silly me. } 16... Kd7 17. Be6+ { A kind of a trappy move,offering the bishop in this way. But I was really looking to the Kinghunt that ought to have followed. Also strong was 17.e5, which move Ialso spent a lot of time looking at. The reason for choosing the textwas a certain special feature. } 17... Kxe6 { That feature was this. I always recommend to learning players: 'Never trust your opponent'. If you see what looks like a blunder, you can suppose that it is, but make no such assumption. Equally: you can suppose the apparent blunder disguises something sneakily nasty. But do not assume so. I am reminded of an old US acquaintance (TS) domiciled in my own country telling me about his victory over a Grandmaster - Larry Evans, I think it was, or it might have been Sammy Reshevsky. At about move 9, the Great Man left a piece 'en prise'. Our friend, TS, simply could not, for the life of him, figure out the plot. What dastardly scheme did the GM have in mind? So TS simply took the piece. 'I guess we'll find out now,' he thought. He found out, all right! Having made a simple blunder, the GM promptly resigned. It happens to us all. With GMs, it is a rarity, but not at all unknown. Here, Black had to play 17...Kc7 though the following King hunt ought eventually to have cornered him: 18.Rf5... (I was actually thinking of the immediate Rf7ch, but this finesse is more decisive) 18...Qa7 19.Rf7ch... [A] 19...Kb6 20.Bd8chKg5 21.Qd3ch Ka4 22.Bb3# or [B] 19...Kb8! 20.Qg4 Qc4! 21.d5!? Qc5ch 22.Kh1 Ra7 23.Rxa7 Qxa7 24.Bxc8... wins. } 18. Qg4+ { The King has nomoves. } 18... Qf5 19. Qxf5# { None of Black's rooks and bishops moved, and assuch were not able to lend assistance to their beleaguered King. } 1-0
[Event "Bonch–Osmolovsky Defence to the KG"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.10.30"] [Round "-"] [White "N.N"] [Black "tisamon"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1731"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1761"] 1. e4 e5 2. f4 exf4 3. Nf3 Ne7 { Known as the Bonch–Osmolovsky Defence,used by Bluvshtein to defeat Short in 2007. Surprising for a move in theKG, 3... Ne7 has hardly had a past, but interest has been growing in it.The idea is to meet 4.d4 with 4...d5 similar to the Modern Variation. } 4. Bc4 d5 { d5 is protected, and Black concentrates on the struggle in thecenter - avoiding weakening pawn moves to hold on to the extra pawn. Whitestill maintains the initiative. } 5. exd5 Nxd5 { Centralising the knightand protecting the extra pawn. } 6. O-O { White wisely looks to keep theKing safe and develop. } 6... Be6 { Further protects the Knight to free up theQueen and blocks the e-file to the King. } 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 { Bishop takes wouldn'thave gained anything - the Queen is safe to come out and then duck behindto defend the extra pawn. } 8. Nc3 Qf5 9. d4 { White's gained the fair shareof the center, threatening d5. } 9... c6 { I figured this was the way to get agrip on d5... but I was wrong. I'm open to any ideas here. } 10. d5 cxd5 { A mistake - allowing Nb5 with multiple threats. Better was Bc4 first andthen to take to allow a quick castling to take the sting out of how thegame continues. } 11. Nb5 { A great move by my opponent, threatening forkson c7 and d6. It took me quite a few minutes to find a way out withoutlosing a rook, but at the cost of a fool knight. } 11... Bc5+ 12. Kh1 Na6 { Thisway, both c7 and d6 are guarded from the knight. } 13. Nfd4 Qg4 { Offeringto trade down the Queens. } 14. Nxe6 Qxe6 15. Bxf4 { And white has regainedone pawn, and scrambled Black somewhat with the isolated pawn and Knighton the rim. Also possible was 15.Re1 Be3 16.Bxe3 fxe3. } 15... O-O { Finally abreak to castle. } 16. c3 { Another nice move, taking b4 from the knightand giving him nowhere to go. } 16... Rac8 { I wasn't too sure what to play here,so figured I may as well look to grab the semi-open c-file. I wasn't surewhether the other rook should be on the e-file or d-file. } 17. Nd4 Qe4 { Trading would have just helped him bring the queen out and connect therooks. I felt e4 was a nicely active square for the Queen where she couldn'teasily be dislodged (for example if Re1 then Qxf4) without perhaps a trade(and the trade of knight for bishop now works better for Black). } 18. Nb3 { Looking to exchange off the bishop or perhaps reroute through d2 to kickthe Queen. } 18... b6 { Willing to trade the bishop and gain a post for the knightor perhaps regroup the center with the c-pawn. } 19. Qd2 Rfe8 { White hasnow connected the rooks, and Black will contest the e-file. } 20. Rae1 Qc4 { Necessary to continue to protect the weak pawn (the slight advantage Blackhas). } 21. Rf3 Rcd8 { I decided that the d-file was a better file for therook - to better support the isolani and free the Queen. Looking back,I believe 16...Rad8 was better. } 22. Be5 { His Rf3 move suddenly becameclearer - to build a threat at g7. } 22... f6 { There are no alternatives I cansee - g6 would have critically weakened the dark squares with a dark-squaredbishop and queen on the board, Bd6 just hangs the bishop or mate. } 23. Bxf6 { And this I think is where White loses the game - looking for thebishop sac to tear open the kingside. A very enterprising idea, but itjust didn't have the necessary followup this time. } 23... gxf6 24. Rxf6 { TheKing is exposed at the cost of a bishop for a pawn. } 24... Rxe1+ { However, White'sfirepower can be drastically reduced through trading off. } 25. Qxe1 Qe4 { Looking to trade Queen's with a potential mating threat on b1. } 26. Qg3+ Kh8 { And here White resigned - the attack has fizzled with Black up a bishopfor a pawn. I feel the resignation may have been a bit premature but hewas definitely disadvantaged. } 0-1
[Event "The Snow Dragons Challenge"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Jul-08"] [Round "-"] [White "radboud"] [Black "shakechess"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1927"] [TimeControl "3d+1d, 5d max"] [WhiteElo "1647"] { This is a game from the Snowdragons team invitational tournament. By thetime this game is played both players have resigned from the team already. Nevertheless Shakechess is the undisputed leader of the tournament witha 100% score. The 350 points rating gap also helps to keep white's expectationsat a modest level... } 1. e4 { This is a game from the Snowdragons team invitationaltournament. By the time this game is played both players have resignedfrom the team already. Nevertheless Shakechess is the undisputed leaderof the tournament with a 100% score. The 350 points rating gap also helpsto keep white's expectations at a modest level... } 1... d6 2. f4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. d4 O-O 6. Bd3 Na6 7. O-O c5 8. Be3 { So far this openingwas a Pirc (B07), but Be3 is not in the books.... The newspapers wouldwrite that Radboud had prepared this new move against his Angstgegner Shakechess....thereis no lesser truth !! } 8... Ng4 { Admitted, Gameknot's 'game db' is a big helpto come out of the opening reasonably against a higher rated player. } 9. Qd2 { Seems harmless still, but black is setting up a trap. } 9... Nxe3 10. Qxe3 cxd4 { The trap is to have white put his Queen and King on a diagonal. } 11. Nxd4 Qb6 { Threatens Bxd4 to win the Queen. At the same time threatensat b2. Or, how you can own the center and still be in immediate trouble!! } 12. e5 { Cuts off the Bishop's diagonal. If Black decides to take onb2 then 13. Bxa6, bxa6. 14. Nd5 and White is still very much in the game. Note: Radboud's rating at this point = 1714, highest ever. } 12... dxe5 13. fxe5 Nc7 14. b3 { When I look at my position I like that I control the center,however with b3 that position is undermined, the Knight on c3 is not covered and the Knight on d4 is weak being covered by the Queen on a diagonalwith the King.... The pawn on e5 is badly defended too. } 14... Rd8 { Immediatethreat is the Knight at d4. That piece is becoming black's target becauseit is pinned in front of the white Queen unhappily in the diagonal to theKing. I looked at 15. Ncb5 but follows 15...., Nxc5. 16. Nxc5, Qxe3 or 16. Bxc5, Qxd4. I looked at 15. Rf4 to cover the Knight and developan attack of my own, but those ambitions would quickly be killed by 15....,Ne6. } 15. Nce2 Nd5 16. Qf3 { 16......, Be6? 17. Kh1 to make the Knighton d4 free to move. Was Qg5 better? To save the pawn on e5. I amafraid of black's Nc3. } 16... Bxe5 { Wins the pawn and builds even more pressureon the Knight on d4. } 17. Qxf7+ { The idea is to get compensation for thematerial that is about to be lost on the center of the board. } 17... Kh8 18. c3 { Black later claimed that this move was the one losing the game forwhite, but really I don't see any way to save the Knight on d4. I thinkthe position was lost earlier. Maybe 14. b3 was bad already, weakeningthe support in the center. 14. Rb1 was another option to save the b-pawn. } 18... Nxc3 19. Qxe7 { Is Nxc3 better? The idea of Qxe7 is to threaten Rf8 , Rxf8and Qxf8 . } 19... Nxe2+ { With check, preventing Rf8 . } 20. Bxe2 Bxd4+ { Againcheck, preventing Rf8 . } 21. Kh1 Bf5 { Not 21...., Bxa1? 22. Rf8 , Rxf8.23. Qxf8 . This time without check, but Bf5 blocks the white rook onthe f-file and connects the black rooks. If the game wasn't over yet thenit is now. } 22. Rad1 Re8 23. Qh4 Rxe2 24. Qxd4+ Qxd4 25. Rxd4 Rc8 { Theremaining moves are played merely because both players are on-line, blackagrees to play it to a finish. } 26. g4 { Move that Bishop so that I canhave my f-file back ! } 26... Rcc2 27. Rfd1 { 27. gxf5? 28. Rxh2 , Kg1. 29. Rcg2 . 27. Rd8 is pointless. } 27... Rxh2+ 28. Kg1 { The challenge is to find themate... } 28... Rcg2+ { ...without repeating positions 3 times... } 29. Kf1 Rxa2 { Threatens Rh1 } 30. Kg1 Rag2+ { As they say in Australia, try again mate. } 31. Kf1 Rf2+ 32. Kg1 Rhg2+ 33. Kh1 Bxg4 { The Bishop comes to the rescue,without giving up d7. (But even if black gave up d7 it would take whitetoo many moves to take advantage). } 34. b4 { Here we go for the finishingtouch. } 34... Rh2+ 35. Kg1 { forced } 35... Rfg2+ 36. Kf1 { forced } 36... Be2+ 37. Ke1 { forced } 37... Bd3 { 37.... Rh1 ? 38. Kd2 and white escapes the mate..... (at the costof material, but still, we are beyond that, we want to see checkmate). } 38. Rf4 { White refrains from Rd8 , Kg7, Rd7 because statistics on numberof moves per game are not interesting. } 38... Re2+ 39. Kf1 Rh1# { Nice play bythe italian master.....some team should sign this player soon !! }
[Event "Chess.com Blitz, http://Chess.com/"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.05.21"] [Round "-"] [White "Ricardo54 1010"] [Black "joxaal 912"] [Result "1-0"] 1. c4 { English opening } 1... e5 2. Nc3 Qh4 { For some reason, this very aggressiveblack move always throws me off. He is planning Bc5, threatening mate onf2. Also, my c pawn is unprotected. I need to learn the appropriate response } 3. e3 { This is not it. Actually was mouse slip, I meant d4 to protect thepawn } 3... Bb4 { No idea what he's doing here, but he's doing it wrong } 4. g3 Qf6 5. Nd5 Qd6 6. Nxb4 Qxb4 7. b3 d6 8. Bg2 c6 9. Ne2 Nf6 10. O-O Bg4 11. h3 Bf5 12. e4 { Not the best move as I'm losing a pawn and bishop in theexchange } 12... Bxe4 13. Bxe4 Nxe4 14. d3 Ng5 { but, lucky for me he blunders } 15. Bxg5 O-O 16. d4 exd4 { He probably shouldn't have done that, openingthe e file } 17. Nxd4 { Here I'm eyeballing that e7 square for my bishop.Would be nice to fork the queen and rook. Looking to swing my knight tof5 } 17... Nd7 18. Nf5 Ne5 19. Be7 { Went early here, but it still nets me material } 19... Rfe8 20. Bxd6 Qb6 21. Re1 Nf3+ { I knew this was coming and felt fine aboutthe exchange. } 22. Qxf3 Rxe1+ 23. Kg2 { Until I blunder. I don't know whyI didn't grab with my rook. } 23... Rxa1 { Ok, so now comes the magic. I have theblack king heavily surrounded and I need to go for mate right away. I seeone line, but it requires a sacrifice. I don't know if he'll take the bait,but it's my best shot } 24. Nxg7 Kxg7 { Boom! Mate in 3 } 25. Qg4+ Kh8 26. Be5+ f6 27. Bxf6# 1-0
[Event "Ready for the Cork"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.04.05"] [Round "-"] [White "blake84120"] [Black "abbusen"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1616"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1866"] 1. e4 { A mini-tournament game, I'm playing white and begin with the opengame. } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 { Ruy Lopez, my favorite. I wish more playerswould let me play it... } 3... d6 4. O-O { 3. ... d6?! is the Old Steinitz Defense,not a popular line these days, with most masters preferring to defer d6by playing 3. ... a6 first. The move as played is acceptable, and manyfamous champions (including Steinitz, of course) played it, but it givesup the center to white, and more modern analysis of the Ruy Lopez has foundbetter lines for black. } 4... Bd7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 { Inevitable. } 6... Nf6 7. Re1 { Protectingthe pawn on e4. } 7... Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. Nbd2 { On the way to g3. } 9... h6 10. Nf1 Nh7 11. Ng3 { Just in time for the upcoming exchanges. } 11... f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nxf5 { This poor knight ran a long way from b1 just to die here on f5. } 13... Rxf5 14. d4 Bg5 15. Bc2 Rf6 16. Qd3 { Subtle, really subtle... Black willnever see this one coming. Well, it could happen... Or, really all whiteexpected to do was get his queen a little more centralized with tempo. } 16... g6 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Qd5+ { How's that for centralized? It even wins a pawn. } 18... Kg7 19. Nxe5 dxe5 20. Qxe5 Bxc1 21. Raxc1 { Thank you black, for tradinga strong bishop for white's weak bishop, connecting white's rooks, gettingthe trapped white rook on a1 into the game, and trading material when whiteis ahead by a pawn. I think I'm giving 20. ... Bxc1? a question mark, thoughtruth be told, black didn't have much better. } 21... Ng5 22. Rcd1 Qf8 23. Rd7+ { 22. ... Qf8 allows the white rook to slide on up to the 7th rank. Butany other queen move would have allowed white to play 23. Qe7+ so blackchose the lesser of two weavels. Really, at this point, black is all bottledup and ready for the cork. } 23... Nf7 24. Bb3 Re8 25. Qxe8 { Black was prettymuch done for. With his rook pinned on f6, it was no help in the defenseof the knight on f7, so black was powerless to stop 25. Rxf7+, forkinghis king and queen. Moving his king away from g7 would break the pin onthe rook, but would also remove the rook's only protector, allowing 25.Qxf6. But 24. ... Re8 solves those problems by creating a new one: theloss of a rook and a knight. Still, black had nothing better, so I'll sparethe ? for the move. } 25... Qxe8 26. Rxe8 g5 27. Ree7 { White is up a rook+pawn,and about to gain a knight, too. } 27... Kf8 28. Rxf7+ Rxf7 29. Rxf7+ { Somewherethere's a fat lady singing. Black's king is trapped on the 8th rank (hecan escape via a2 but white is about to put an end to that bolt-hole).All black can do is wait for white's king to come finish the mating combination. } 29... Ke8 30. Rxc7 b6 31. f4 { Bold-hole closed. } 31... gxf4 32. Kf2 h5 33. Kf3 b5 34. Kxf4 { Almost there. } 34... a5 35. Ke5 a4 36. Bf7+ { Here white announced matein 4 and entered the conditional moves, starting with 36. Bf7+. However,in revisiting this game, I discovered there was a mate in 3 I could haveplayed instead: 36. Be6+ Kd8 37. Kd6 (any) 38. Rc8#, or if black triesanything else for his 36th move, 37. Kf6 (any) 38. Rc8#. Oh well, 3 wouldhave been prettier, but 4 worked well enough for the win. } 36... Kf8 37. Kf6 { But black speeded things up a bit. Final position. 36. ... Kd8 37. Kd6(any) 38. Be6 (any) 39. Rc8# was a bit longer but gets the same result. } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from anonymous"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2020.02.20"] [Round "-"] [White "otakumadness"] [Black "name redacted"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "945"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "992"] 1. d4 d5 2. e3 h5 3. Nc3 a5 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 Qd7 6. Bb5 c6 7. Bd3 b5 8. e4 b4 { Typical opening so far. At this point I kind of made a blunder withmy knight; I should have put it on d2, but instead I moved it back intoits original position, making it harder to keep it in play later. (thoughas it turns out, I never actually need it) } 9. Nb1 dxe4 10. Bxe4 a4 11. h3 Be6 12. Ne5 { I've never played against this opponent before, but sometimesI like to make an early threat on the queen to see how the opponent responds.Usually my ploy never works and my opponent takes the first opportunityto protect the queen, but this time, something unexpected happened. } 12... g6 13. Nxd7 { My opponent failed to see that the queen was in danger and Iget to take it. } 13... Nxd7 14. Bxc6 { Taking a free pawn and trapping the knight.At this point, I expect my opponent to move the rook out of harm's way,but I get to take it on the next move. } 14... h4 15. Bxa8 Nb8 { With the queen,I had to sacrifice my knight, but this time, my bishop remains unharmed. } 16. Be4 f5 17. Bf3 Nf6 18. Bf4 Nbd7 19. Bc6 { Trapping the knight oncemore } 19... g5 { This would have been a good move on my opponent's part (perhapsthey were trying to force my bishop away) but they didn't protect the pawn,leaving me with an easy kill. } 20. Bxg5 Rg8 { I suppose they're tryingto force my bishop away again, but at this point, I was trying to playout possible checkmates and everything was foiled by the knight so I decidedto take it while I could. } 21. Bxf6 Rxg2 { Rather surprised he didn't takethe bishop and went foor this move instead. I have too much support onmy back rank for them to attempt a checkmate now. Also now the rook isdead, thanks to my bishop. } 22. Qh5+ { Decided to get my queen into playfirst before attempting the rook's capture. } 22... Kd8 23. Bxg2 { I get the rook. } 23... b3 24. axb3 Nxf6 { My opponent takes the bishop rather than the pawn, whichwas a good choice. } 25. Qh8 { Checkmate is essentially inevitable at thispoint. I'm trying to just get rid of the bishops and the knight at thispoint. } 25... Ke8 { My opponent protects the bishop. } 26. Bc6+ { Going at theking from the unprotected left flank. } 26... Kf7 27. Qxh4 axb3 28. cxb3 Bxb3 29. Ra7 { Now my rook is free to come out. } 29... Bc2 { I would suppose my opponentis trying to regain the advantage. Rather than try and move my knight outof danger, I simply castle at this point. } 30. O-O { This offers a counterattackif my opponent wants the knight. } 30... Ke6 31. Re1+ { The king was well-protected,but trapped. I don't see a way out of checkmate at this point for them. } 31... Ne4 32. Bd7+ Kf7 33. Bxf5 Bd3 { I have no idea what my opponent is tryingto do. Maybe force a checkmate on me before I can mate him? } 34. Qh7+ Bg7 35. Bxe4 { And here I basically demolish all the king's remaining defenses. } 35... Bxe4 36. Rxe4 Kf6 37. Raxe7 { I figure I might as well take myself thatpawn and open a path for my rook. Checkmate is three moves away at thispoint. } 37... Bf8 { Not the best move, but not much else he could do at this point. } 38. Qf7+ Kg5 39. h4+ Kh6 40. Qh7# { And mate. Black's mistake in this gamewas allowing me to take pieces without consequence and not looking aheadto what would be the best move to make. } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from tag1153"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "10-May-07"] [Round "-"] [White "mbingham"] [Black "tag1153"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1350"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1739"] 1. d4 { I'm playing Thomas G, a fellow Alabama Chess Federation reserveplayer. He's a catastrophically underrated player both OTB and on gameknotand the most shining example of adult ADHD I've ever seen. ...meaninghe'd destroy me every game we play here if it weren't for the fact thatI'm really just one in a simul of 10 or 20 he's playing with very littletime per board. Don't let the nearly 400 point rating difference foolyou, this guy is every bit my match. Come to think of it, I think he'sup on me in casual blitz games something like 2 to 1 (IHOP, Montgomery,February 2007 -- I did not expect to get demolished like that, Tom.) } 1... Nf6 2. c4 { BTW, I've played e4 almost exclusively for 27 years now. Suddenly,I got the urge to play d4. Also tried it OTB. I did better than I thought. But I'm not going to do any of the bicycle-with-training-wheels systems(colle, torre)... I'm going for... er. Hell I don't even know what tocall this. Sigh. } 2... e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 { Ah, It's a Nimzo-Indian thingy. Ha! I used to play this (badly) as black, so I may be able to remember howI used to get thrashed. } 4. Qc2 { The word Sammich comes to mind, but Ireally don't know the exact variation. } 4... d5 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 b6 { So some long-diagonal pressure is coming. I can't quite decidewhether I have chances to blockade the d-pawn or not, if after cxd exd,but I know I can snag some space if Nx } 9. cxd5 Nxd5 { Ok, space it is. } 10. Bd3 { Develop first with tempo... } 10... g6 11. e4 { Then space. } 11... Nc7 { I shouldmention that this struck me as a very bad idea, and while I didn't makea specific plan to demonstrate that it was, play demonstrates that regardlessof my intention. That knight never gets another chance to do somethinguseful in this game. } 12. e5 { If white were to move, Be4 Nd5 c4 and theeither the knight or the rook is won, but he's not going to look at meand say 'pass', sadly. So I'll get Bb7, threatening to double on f, andI can counterpunch... } 12... Bb7 13. Bh6 { ...counterpunch with Bh6, which givesme a positional finesse... Re8 Bg5, something with the queen, Nh4, protectingg2. } 13... Re8 14. Bg5 Qc8 15. Nh4 { And visions of sacrifices are dancing beforeme. Black's now unusually off-balance and surprisingly constrained. } 15... Nc6 { I thought this was wonderfully annoying and very smart. I had somethought of, after Nxg6, if declined, Ne7 or some such. That isn't quitean option anymore. } 16. Nxg6 { I talked this over afterwards with a localsoon-to-be expert and he and I felt quite sure that there was a forcedmate in there. Apparently not. Shredder gives: If hxN, Bxg6, black declinesto take back -- Qd7 and black gets to stay alive, apparently. Black hasto be extremely careful, but It's not a totally winning sac for white unlessthe second piece is accepted. Ain't that a kick in the pants! } 16... cxd4 { Ididn't get this, but he's trying to make room for his knight to snag e5(possibly allowing for a general easing of the central constraint afterI retreat my knight. I have my eyes on the prize though, and it escapesmy calculation entirely. } 17. Nf4 Nxe5 { And I realize that I can't havethe prize just yet. Man, I really wanted that pawn there. } 18. Bxh7+ { Ihave to press what advantage I have and strip the king of defense if Ican. } 18... Kf8 { I thought perhaps Kg7. I was so convinced that this was comingthat I was certain, after the game, that it had. Actually, I still can'tquite process the position -- possibly because Kg7 came later. I've beendealing with alot of perceptual ghosts in my OTB play recently... Veryfrustrating. Thankfully, this one is historical! } 19. cxd4 { My thinkingis that I'd like to do, if Ng6, Nxg6 fx Qx -- an unanswerable position. } 19... Bxg2 { Which I didn't think about, but I felt it was not on point. I decidedto ignore. } 20. dxe5 { And I am not quite sure if I'm a genius or an idiot. Even though he didn't play Ng6, I still can. And I already know it cannotbe answered by fx because Qxg6 and nothing in the universe can stop Bh6. But what the hell am I going to do if Kg7? } 20... Bxh1 21. Ng6+ Kg7 { Jeze Louise. (Babylon 5 fans will recognize this instantly:) Ok, so you're in a burningbuilding on the 7th floor. the flames are coming in from the hall andyou're about to roast, so you jump out the window and try to figure outwhat to do next. So, one step at a time, I have to play Bf6, tempo andpermanent control of that corner of the board. } 22. Bf6+ Kh6 { Naturallyif Kxh7 Nf8 and it's all over. I didn't quite know yet how to proceednow that the king was taking a walk alone. I was tempted to put this awayfor the night. I know damn well there's a win in here, but it isn't adirect sequence of forcing moves. Then I remembered that if 21... gx Qxg6,I wasn't looking at a total forcing series of moves there either and Iwas just fine. So if I can find a similarly unanswerable position, --somewhere to park the queen while waiting safely for my turn... } 23. Qd2+ Kxh7 24. Qg5 { Snug like a bug... In this position, I'm thinking Q->h5->h8#,having forgotten that the knight can generate tempi too. } 24... Bf3 { But thankfully,my opponent encourages me to look all my pieces, so I can have what I thinkis a much prettier mate -- and one very thematic to play in this game. White attacked on white squares and then switched to dominate the black,and we have a color themed mate with the added bonus of a very nice knightsac. } 25. Nf8+ Rxf8 { Forced. } 26. Qg7# { And Tom was gracious enough tolet me play this out. It's very gracious, in my opinion, to let your opponentplay out a groovy idea. Thanks, Tom! } 1-0
[Event "United States Championship, 1946"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Weaver W. Adams"] [Black "George M. Kramer"] [Result "0-1"] { Adams goes Pawn-grabbing and falls into a trap. In an event of this magnitude,that is a surprise. It's expected in low-level play but not at a US Championship. } 1. e4 { Standard. } 1... c6 { Somewhere in chess heaven, Horatio Caro smiled. } 2. d4 { Forms the ideal center. } 2... d5 { Book play. } 3. e5 { Normally 3 N-QB3is played here. } 3... Bf5 { The usual development of the B. } 4. Bd3 { Offeringa piece exchange... } 4... Bxd3 { ...which Kramer accepts. } 5. Qxd3 { Keeping hisP structure undamaged. } 5... e6 { Locking in his strong point at Q4. } 6. Ne2 { Defending the base of his Pawn chain. } 6... c5 { Attack... } 7. c3 { ...and riposte. } 7... Ne7 { Strengthening the QP and setting a trap. } 8. Qb5+ { Adams falls intoit. } 8... Qd7 { Offering Adams a way out if he's willing to exchange Queens. } 9. Qxc5 { Adams' greed gets the better of him. } 9... Nf5 { After 10 Q-R5 P-QN3,Adams' Q would fall... so he resigns at once. } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from pandemonium_666"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.04.07"] [Round "-"] [White "tactical-abyss"] [Black "therealjimfriar"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2155"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "2357"] { This was an interesting game between Joe and Jim. Now, I have annotatedgames from tactical-abyss, and all but one was blitz. Most were Q sacs,and the last one was something different but with flank pawns. The onegame that wasn't blitz was Joe's game against brigadecommander, and therewas a lot of theory behind it. Well, same thing could be said here. Infact, I annotate a lot of Joe's due to the amount of theory they have sincethat is extremely important. And, the reason why I decided to annotatethis game is because although we're all one group, at one point we werein seperate mentoring groups WTWLTR (Walking the Walk and Learning Howto Run) Therefore, each group had it's own mentor with the idea to keeptrack of your progress. Well, as it turns out, therealjimfriar was thementor of the group I was in. Not to my surprise, however, Joe defeatedhim. What adds more meaning is that I have learned from both players. So, with that being said, how did this game unfold? } 1. d4 { Joe's preferenceis to open with 1.d4 In his thread, playing style, or styles of play,he said that. He said that many players like 1.e4, and for someone atmy level, that was probably the best, but at his level he likes the QPOlines because different variations which he is more accustomed to. } 1... d5 { Not surprised to see this. But, against his strength, I would've played2.Nf6 And, that's because of what was mentioned in an ongoing consultationgame. The thing is that Joe isn't going to play the QG. So, I think thatwith his next move, black might, in the long run, find himself in a littlebit of true. Generally speaking that isn't true, and I know better thento conclude, but I'm only basing it on what dynamic_dv mentioned in a consultationthread since 1...Nf6 is actually the most common response in the worlddatabase, whereas, 1...d5 is the second most common. So, when I and someonelsevoted 1...d5 early on, he said be careful because it's hard to win buteasy to lose. And, if you make a mistake against someone of that strength,you could go wrong very easily. } 2. Nf3 { As anticipated. } 2... Nf6 { I am notsurprised to see Jim play this, as afterall, we're still in book. That'snot an opinion, but rather a fact. Although, I don't play too many d4openings, I know some of the fundamentals there. } 3. c4 { This time, gambitingthe pawn since white will give up the pawn. But, I like his strategy asthe plan is to play something like the Colle System. By that, I am implying4.e3 It is often known, from what I learned from both GM Susan Polgarand the same consultation thread that I mentioned, also with Dave, thatthe Colle System has been known to give you a slight edge in the opening,especially do to the pawn chain, so early on. } 3... dxc4 4. e3 a6 { ? I am notsure why he played, but I think this is a mistake. First, not wantingto deviate due to who Jim is up against, it doesn't develop. But, that'snot as important since I have seen plenty of examples where strong playersdeviate. The thing, however, is that white gets back a pawn. With thatbeing said, I either would've played 4...Nc6, or 4...b5 Given that itwas a QPG and the c pawn hasn't been exchanged, I think that I would'vefiachettoed right away with 4...b5 } 5. Bxc4 b5 { I am surprised to seeblack play this now since white took back. However, it does gain sometime with the idea being that after white retreats, black has a nice longdiagonal. } 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. a4 { This does show that strong players like thesetwo can deviate. I like this tactic, as white is trying to win the pawnbecause if Joe is able to play 8.axb5, and black 8...axb5, after 9.Rxa8,Bxa8 white has an open file which, as I saw with one of my recent annotations,involving a Q sac that would give him an edge. In fact, in that game,despite the sac, he won by opening up the a file, as I explained here. } 7... b4 { But, black does not allow it. } 8. Nbd2 { Since that N had no other safespot and he has a bad bishop, anyway, I think that Joe made the right choice. The other thing to think about is the fact that white will find a betteroutpost for this, so what he played is very good, in my opinion. } 8... Nbd7 { It appears that black has the same idea in mind. But, the only problemis that there is no good outpost for the N, as otherwise, he would play...Nb3, at some point. That leaves Jim's N on c7 crammed, and with it,I already favor white's position. In other words, I believe that whitealready has a small advantage. } 9. O-O { At last, Joe gets his monarchto safety. } 9... g6 { I like this second fianchetto a lot, as now, black get'srid of his bad bishop, as we're going to see shortly. } 10. Nb3 { As notedon the white's eighth move (8.Nbd2) the N is better placed. } 10... a5 { Gettinga solid pawn chain. } 11. Re1 { But, white aims right at the center. And,as I've learned from tactical-abyss, one way to control the center is byattacking it. } 11... Bg7 { What I mentioned with black's second fianchetto whichhas become a reality. } 12. e4 { This time, I have no idea why white playedthis. I think the idea is putting some more pressure on the center. } 12... O-O { But, black now tucks his monarch away, regardless. } 13. e5 { To preventJim from placing his other N on b3, Joe plays this. Once again we havenice pawn chain, and since it's further up on the rank, I think they'rein a better spot and will do damage. } 13... Ne8 { I would've played 13...Nd5,as I like it's placement better. Afterall, I unless I am directly forced,I don't bring my N near it's homesquare. } 14. e6 { Adding pressure withthis fork. } 14... fxe6 { However, I, most likely, would've played 14...Nb6,and if 15.fxe6, I'd would seriously consider 15...Rxe6 Though, that'san option. } 15. Ng5 { But, since Joe didn't play that, this is better. And, for a change, I know the reason behind it. Afterall, why take, ifthere's a chance that you'd be able to win something worth more. } 15... Bd5 { Withthat being said, Jim defends against the threat. } 16. Nxe6 { Therefore,I was, at first surprised to see this move. But, when you look at what'sreally going on, the tactical motif is quite good, so I understand. Itturns out that this captures wins back a pawn. } 16... Bxe6 17. Rxe6 Nd6 { Redeployinghis N. I like the looks of 17...Nb6, in this case, given that both areback out, I favor this move. } 18. Bg5 { Completing development and puttingpressure on the e7 pawn. } 18... Nf6 { So, as you'd expect, black protects thatpawn. } 19. Qc2 { Not to my surprise, Joe's plan is to double up. That'sbecause the Q was blocking the R, but with this move that will change,as we're about to see. } 19... Rf7 { In addition, Jim has the same goal. In addition, I am getting more and more interested. } 20. Rae1 { As I noted on his previousmove. It's worth noting that doubling up is important, and I often seeit in games like this. Jack told me it's importance and people do winfrom doubling up, first. } 20... Qd7 { This is more evidence that black wants todouble up. } 21. Nc5 { That can especially be said here since this move delaysthat. Therefore, it's interesting to see what black will play next asthere are options. } 21... Qe8 { I would've played 21...Qc6 bearing in mind thatif white made a discovery attack by moving the N, I would exchange, atonce with ...Qxc2 That way, I would be able to double up shortly with...Rf8 So, with that being said, given the players strength, it can'tbe as good, but I do wonder why. } 22. h4 { Adding protection to his DSB. } 22... Kh8 { I am not sure why Jim moved his K. It's not an endgame and it wasn'tin danger. Usually, when it comes maneuvoing the monarch, lest I losemy opportunity to do so and want the K safe with the R's, I don't do it. But, as noted earlier, this is where more theory gets involved. } 23. R6e2 { I am not completely sure why Joe retreated as the R did not appear en-prise. Of course, there's also a saying which caveman1960 taught me, and marcusleusnoted, 'The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.' } 23... Qc6 { This time, black does not intend or will double up. But, I know whyJim played this. The idea behind it. It puts pressure right on the cfile, as now there's tension on the c7 square. } 24. Rc1 { Of course, Joeputs the pressure right back on with added protection. } 24... Nd5 { Trying tocounter balance with pressure on the same square. So, now it's like abattle on c7. } 25. Ne6 { However, Joe attempts to exchange to take off thepressure. } 25... Qb7 { But, Jim does not allow that. } 26. h5 { So, white comesup with a different plan. It involves sacking the h pawn for, I believe,a long term plan to with a semi open h file. } 26... b3 { But, black stops thiscold in his tracks. I have studied some similar positions with GM positions,and this is when they will attack the opponents Q with their P. The ideabeing is to stop a plan like this since their opponent will have to getout of harm's way, and when they do, they get out of a situation like this. As much as I hate to say this, though, it is, too little too late. } 27. Qd1 gxh5 { ?? I am pretty sure that this was a blunder that will seal hisfate because by taking, black gets more then he bargained for. Insteadof an open file, white's next move will be disastrous for Jim. However,unlike usual, I am not sure what black's best move would've been here. } 28. Re5 { With that being said, Jim resigned. Now, I was wondering whyhe did, and about a week or two ago viewed resignation as premature. Thereason being is that it appears that, with this move, white will lose hisR for a B. Normally, I keep guessing, but I know Joe's style too wellto believe that due to studying his Q sacs and Double R sac and applyingthat knowledge in a couple of games, including one against my coach towin in a resignable position. So, like what I have done before, I reallystudied this Homework, as I did with two other games. I will tell youthat this was one of the most difficult assignment I did. Despite it onlybeing a few moves, this was, as difficult as, the one where ...Re1 wasthe solution with the idea of a draw when black promotes, as you mighthave seen when doing the most difficult assignment by annotating SusanPolgar's win against Karpov and trying to figure out each move which helped. In addition, I will often do HW with TA's games. So, with further studying,I realize that resignation was not premature. And, even I, who does notresign and believes that one shouldn't would've done so here as, no matterwhat, white will mate in four or five moves. So, there are two scenariosthat I played. The first one is if Jim takes with 28...Bxe5 After that,we have something like 29.dxe5, Nc8 30.Qxh8, Kg8 31.Bxh7+, Kh8, and after32.Qxf7 white will mate with either 33.Qf8# or 33.Qg7# The second scenariois if black finds the best move, after which it's still mate. So, 28...h629.Qxh5, Kg8 30.Nxg7, Rxg7 31.Bxh6, Rf7 32.Bf8, e6 and after 33.Rxe6 whitewill mate the same way, so either on f8 or g7 with his Q. } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.11.03"] [Round "-"] [White "pasha582"] [Black "bebescrew"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 Nc6 3. Nf3 b6 4. c3 Qf6 5. e5 Qf5 6. Nh4 { 6. Nh4 was a particularlystupid blunder, which black capitalized upon with Qe4+. } 6... Qe4+ 7. Be2 Qxh4 8. g3 Qd8 9. Bf3 d5 10. exd6 Qxd6 11. Bf4 Qd7 { With Qd7 white thinks--theknight is pinned (not the queen). Bxc6 forks the rook and pin-forks thequeen. Qd7 is the seventh time black has moved this piece, sacrificingdevelopment of the board (though still up white's knight). } 12. Qa4 Na5 { ?? Bc7 protects the knight. Now QxQ is mandated for a free rook. } 13. Qxd7+ Kxd7 { 13. Why Kxd7 instead of Bxd7? The rook is already lost. } 14. Bxa8 c6 15. Nd2 Ba6 16. b4 Bb7 { Forcing trades is probably not in black'sbest interest, rook to knight, as the inexorable law of increasing ratiomakes white's remaining rook all the more valuable. } 17. Bxb7 Nxb7 18. a3 h6 19. Nf3 Nf6 20. Ne5+ Kc8 { Which free pawn? Nxf7 threatens the rook,which must simply move. Nxc6 weakens black's king side, but doesn't breakup the pawns as much as the first option. White foolishly molests c6. } 21. Nxc6 Ne4 22. Nxa7+ Kd8 23. Nb5 { White moves to protect pawn @ c3. } 23... Be7 24. O-O Bg5 { Although exchanges strengthen white's material advantage,black's response (Pxg5) opens the pawn @ h2 to attack. Mm, or not--whitestupidly thought Ng4 was an option for black. Actually, Nxg5 (white'sbishop), followed by Nf3+ and black's rook pawn slides down to create havocand mayhem. } 25. Bc7+ Kd7 26. f4 Kc6 { This was a questionable move as black'sbishop is more valuable than the white knight. White thinks, 'trade upwhile I'm ahead? Free pawn (Rxf7) to boot!' } 27. fxg5 Kxb5 28. Rxf7 g6 { There is a lot of pressure on the pawn @ g5. The wise thing for whitewould be to trade pawns @ h6. } 29. Be5 { White elects to push the rook ofthat file instead, opening an attack on the knight @ b7. Black bringsmore power on white's pawn @ c3. } 29... Rc8 { Ok, what material has the highervalue, the pawn or the knight? Pxh6 might yield a queen in two more moves. } 30. Rxb7 Nxg5 { Nxg5 keeps black's pawns from being doubled. } 31. a4+
[Event "Challenge from tag1153"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20-Aug-06"] [Round "-"] [White "tag1153"] [Black "e4addict"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1783"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1438"] { Here is gasp one of my own games! I hope you enjoy:) } 1. d4 { As always,my standard. } 1... f5 { Oh no......another Dutch player. As I really hate playingagainst the Dutch, I decide to try to get black out of his book as quicklyas possible. Once I play 2.c4 to gain space and clear a square for my Nb1,I have every intention of avoiding main lines. } 2. c4 e6 { Interesting.I usually run across Dutch players who follow the Leningrad Variation (1.d4f5 2. c4 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7). 2...e6 is one of variants of another mainline (whose name escapes me) which is 1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 e6 4.Bg2 (withaltered move order). Black is obviously fluent in this opening, so I madethe decision to attempt to throw him off starting on my 4th move. My intentis to develop my queen's knight and get my dark squared bishop to g5 inan attempt to start a pre-emptive attack. The problem with that idea isthat I plan on totally disregarding the concept of getting my light squaredbishop on it's natural long diagonal. My personal preference is that IFI'm going to fianchetto a bishop, it is going to be aiming AT the enemyking, not away from it. That is the main reason for my distaste of playingagainst the Dutch. I'm sure I'll pay for admitting that:) } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { Blacksticks with his plan by developing and preparing to castle. } 4. Bg5 { ?!Probably not the most sound move, but as I said my intent was to get outof what was surely my opponent's preferred line. } 4... Bb4 { I would give blackthe slight edge here. He has developed nicely and is prepared to castle.His pin of my knight and kingside space make up for the 'weakness' of whatI assume will be his castled position. } 5. Qc2 { An interesting idea. Thismove was made for three reasons - 1) my fear of having doubled pawns onthe c file after Bb4xNc3 2) to have the ability to castle long (and QUICKif needed) and 3) my queen is now aimed at the side black will probablycastle on and will be the anchor of my queenside expansion. } 5... O-O { Blackhas now secured his king and is ready for typical Dutch style developmenton the queenside. } 6. a3 { ?! Another somewhat dubious move. As the threatagainst his bishop must be dealt with, black must decide between threedifferent options A) trade his bishop for my knight B) retreat the bishopto a5 (which is horrible because of 7.b4 Bb6 8.c5) or C) retreat the bishopback to e7 to interpose the pin. } 6... Be7 { Black chooses wisely. However, whitenow gains a little time to get developed. } 7. e3 d6 { At the time I consideredthis play to be a little slow. Upon analysis though, black now has thereal threat of playing a very strong c5! } 8. Be2 { ? A very slow play onmy part. My Ng1 is now a potential problem. } 8... e5 { ! Black takes advantageof my passive play and takes the first swing of the match. } 9. Bxf6 { Theway I saw it, since my hopes of controlling the light squares was my onlyreal chance of having ANY play, I decided to remove his knight since itcontrolled both d5 and e4. } 9... Bxf6 10. d5 { Trying to close up the positionwhile restricting black's Nb8. } 10... Bd7 { ?! Black makes a slow play of hisown. I expected Nd7. } 11. e4 { Hoping he takes so I can retake with 12.Nxe4(threatening his Bf6) } 11... fxe4 12. Nxe4 Bf5 { ! Oops, I didn't anticipate this.This pin on my queen must be dealt with. } 13. Bd3 { ! No problem. My lightsquared bishop gets a chance to make up for his earlier slow play by gettingto where he should have been in the first place, and interposes the pin. } 13... g6 { ? I'm not quite sure what was intended by this move. Black has weakenedhis kingside further, for reasons unknown to me. } 14. Ne2 { White's 'problem'knight finally gets developed. } 14... Nd7 15. O-O-O { ?! Risky, risky....... Blackhas a lot of ammo poised to fire at white's castled position. My idea wasto get as much ammo of my own over to black's castled position. We areboth very weak defensively now. } 15... Bg5+ { Hoping white responds 16.Nxg5, so16...QxN can be played next. } 16. Kb1 { Simple evasion......no real harmdone. } 16... Bxe4 { ! Black is eying white's f pawn. } 17. Bxe4 Rxf2 { ! While Isaw the f pawn falling, I didn't really consider the implications of thisnew pin against my queen. As it is safe for the moment, better protectmy g pawn. } 18. g3 Nf6 { ? Black makes his first real error of the game.I see a way to remove his g and h pawns and to bring all of my forces tobear on his decimated kingside before he can get over to defend. } 19. Bxg6 { ! Here it comes! } 19... hxg6 20. Qxg6+ Kh8 21. Qxg5 Rxe2 { ? Black's desire tomaintain his material advantage will cost him dearly. White now owns thef file, and it's possession is vital to the attack that follows. } 22. Rdf1 { ! Here comes part two of the mating attack. } 22... Nh7 { ? 22...Ne4 was the lastchance to save the game for black. } 23. Qh5 { ! Pinning the knight againstthe king and hitting the Re2. White would have lost the game for sure if23.QxQ were played, as black's material advantage would have been impossibleto overcome. } 23... Rg2 { Saving the rook, but allowing............. } 24. Rf7 { ! White threatens mate in 1. } 24... Qg8 { The ONLY possible play. } 25. Rhf1 { Whitenow loads the other barrel. } 25... b5 { Good idea. Black hopes to distract whiteby play on the queenside. If white takes the bait, black will play Rb8and have a strong attack b2, threatening mate himself. } 26. Rxc7 { I hadcalculated the danger of getting involved in pawn exchanges on the b andc files, so I simply make room for my Rf1 to move to f7. The grabbing ofblack's c pawn was inconsequential, but satisfying all the same. } 26... Rd8 { Blackreally has no good move to make in this position. } 27. Rff7 { ! Mate isimminent. } 27... Rg1+ { A lat gasp check that is easily evaded. } 28. Ka2 { Andblack resigned due to 28...any 29.RxN QxR 30.QxQ . I felt it was a wellplayed game by both sides, and worthy of posting. Also, I felt it was timeto post another of my own games! I've gotten a little caught up in annotatingsome famous GM games, and wanted to comment on what I KNEW one side wasthinking, not just what I THOUGHT someone else was thinking;) Thanks tomy opponent for the good game, and thanks to all who have messaged me withthe kind words about other games. I'll try to keep them coming:) - Thomas } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.10.19"] [Round "-"] [White "haratta"] [Black "pairofdimes"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1681"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1692"] 1. d4 e6 2. c4 Bb4+ 3. Bd2 Bxd2+ 4. Nxd2 Nf6 5. Ngf3 O-O 6. e4 { I was aimingfor the center with my pawns. } 6... d6 7. Qc2 h6 8. Bd3 { Aiming for the h7-spotwith my battery of Queen and light-square Bishop. } 8... Nbd7 9. O-O-O { O-O-O.Long castling, my goal was a pawn storm against Blacks castled King, becauseof that plan it was necessary for me to castle long. } 9... Re8 10. e5 { Prettygood move. Opens up the b1-h7 diagonal and also chasing away a defendingpiece from the King ́s camp. } 10... dxe5 11. dxe5 Ng4 12. Bh7+ { Looks like a meaninglesscheck, but i had a plan with it. } 12... Kf8 13. Ne4 { It seems at a first glancethat Black can win a pawn here. But he can ́t, will then lose his Queen. } 13... Qe7 { Black is relocating his Queen to a safer spot, away from the openand potentially dangerous d-file. } 14. Qc3 { Now the e5-pawn must be moreprotected. } 14... h5 15. h3 { Chasing the Knight away. } 15... Nh6 16. Rdg1 { I want tocontrol the g-and h-files with my Rooks after opening up. } 16... g6 17. g4 { Logicmove from my perspective. } 17... Kg7 18. Bxg6 { That Bishop became trapped. Butif my assault against Black ́s King will have progress I can live with it. } 18... fxg6 19. gxh5 Kh8 20. Rxg6 { I got already three pawns for my Bishop andhas opened up the g-file against Black`s King. Probably a good exchange. } 20... Qf8 21. Qe3 Nf5 22. Qg5 Re7 23. Rg1 { I ́m increasing the pressure againstBlack ́s King camp. No extremely hurry. } 23... Kh7 24. Nf6+ Nxf6 25. exf6 { Black ́sposition are worsening for every move! } 25... Rf7 26. Ne5 { And Black ́s f-Rookis trapped. } 26... Bd7 27. h6 { Better to improve my position than take Black ́sRook. } 27... Rxf6 { ??? Not so good of Black? } 28. Rxf6 Qd8 29. Qg6+ { The endis near... } 29... Kh8 30. Nf7# { Checkmate! 1-0. } 1-0
[Event "Quick game, let's move fast"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2015.03.21"] [Round "-"] [White "chessssss"] [Black "inzaniac2"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1610"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1501"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. f4 { Instead of Nc3, I decided to advance my pawns. My aim was to create a strong pawn presence in the center and attack early,as this was meant to be a quick game, hence the game title. } 3... Bb4+ 4. Nc3 { The reason for f4 instead of Nc3. That, and I had recently went overa lot of 19th century games with f4 openings. I'm a romantic player atheart. } 4... Qe7 5. Nf3 b6 6. e3 Bb7 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nbd7 9. Nb5 { With my kingin safety and my pieces in the center, I mount my attack. } 9... Qd8 10. cxd5 { Clearing the center before the fireworks. } 10... Nxd5 11. e4 N5f6 12. e5 Nd5 13. a3 Be7 14. f5 { The pawns advance like molten lava. } 14... a6 { A weak counter,and the losing move. exf5 would have led to a more even game. } 15. fxe6 fxe6 16. Ng5 { With that pawn exchange, the f file is now cleared. I waslooking for his pawn, but crossed my fingers for a knight sacrifice, whichI got. } 16... Bxg5 17. Qh5+ g6 18. Bxg6+ { At this point, it took my opponentfive days to make his next move because he wanted to finish his other winnablegames to make his rating go up. I've done that many times before. Buthe had 30+ games at once. I don't have a site membership, so I can't playthat many. } 18... Ke7 19. Bxg5+ N5f6 20. exf6+ { Black Resigns. If he stays onthe Kingside, there will be blood. } 1-0
[Event "The Best Defense..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2013.02.27"] [Round "-"] [White "zzac777"] [Black "bwaa"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1769"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1705"] 1. d4 { Hi all! This is the first game in a very fun team match. I havethe Black pieces, and I experiment with the Dutch Defense--though it quicklyturns into more of a Dutch Attack! I thought it was a very entertaininggame; I hope you enjoy it! } 1... f5 { The Dutch Defense. I'm not very familiarwith all the theory, but I'm eager to learn it more thoroughly! } 2. Bg5 { This is one of a few so-called 'anti-Dutch' lines. Black's dark squaresin the center are notoriously weak, so this aims (among other things) totake advantage of them. } 2... g6 3. Nd2 Nh6 { I found a couple of mentions ofthis little Knight maneuver in the literature. I thought it was interesting,so I wanted to try it. The idea is to plant the Knight on f7 to lend supportto the e5 and g5 squares weakened by Black's first move. } 4. e4 Nf7 { Andthe maneuver is complete! Now to see if it's as strong as I want it tobe. } 5. Be3 fxe4 6. Nxe4 Bg7 { Both sides keep developing, albeit the patternis a little strange thanks to the Knight maneuver and exchange in the middle. } 7. Bc4 { ? It looks like a natural place to develop this Bishop, butunfortunately it also loses a piece. } 7... d5 { Forking Bishop and Knight. } 8. Bb5+ { Not particularly effective, I think. } 8... c6 9. Bd3 dxe4 10. Bxe4 { Black's isolated e-pawn is now his only real weakness, and he's up a Knightfor a pawn. All he has to do now is hang on to that advantage. } 10... Bf5 { SoBlack gives White an opportunity to help him out. } 11. Bxf5 gxf5 { Nowthe e-pawn is no longer isolated. The more Black can trade down, the morehis extra piece will be worth. } 12. Qd3 { Threatening f5 and preparingto castle queenside if White wants to. } 12... Nd6 { In retrospect I think 12...Qd7was stronger, maintaining my claim to e5 in preparation for a pawn advance. } 13. Ne2 Qb6 { Threatening to win b2 and putting pressure on d4. } 14. Rb1 { Probably the best way to defend, and get the Rook off the long diagonal.White should be on the lookout now for opportunities to advance d4-d5 anddiscover an attack on the BQ. } 14... e6 { Attempting to free the Knight fromdefense duty, but I think this is actually pretty weak. In fact, the placementof this pawn on e6 will prove to hound me for the rest of the game. } 15. O-O Qa5 16. a3 { Defending the a-pawn, but I think Qb3 was much stronger. } 16... Nd7 { This Knight is hoping to make a journey across to the kingside.Now that White has castled over there, Black intends to use his open linesto blast in--or at least force some more favorable exchanges. } 17. b4 Qc7 18. Nf4 { Very strong place for this Knight. } 18... Nf8 { This is the bestway to defend e6, in my opinion. Black is really regretting not keepinghis Knight on f7 so he could push to e5. } 19. Nh5 { 19.Qb3 was still betterin my opinion. } 19... O-O-O { Black's DSB is strong, but even exchanges continueto benefit him in the long run. So he gets his other Rook into action (linedup on the WQ, even!) and calls White's bluff regarding the threat to theBg7. } 20. Nxg7 { ? As I said above, I don't like this much. Exchanges aregood for Black and this also allows him to swing his Queen over to thekingside without losing any time. } 20... Qxg7 21. c4 Rg8 { Of course. Threateninginstant mate on g2. There's only one possible response. } 22. g3 h5 { Eitherby exchanging on g3 or by pushing on to h3, this pawn threatens to do seriousdamage to White's King's position. } 23. Bf4 { 'Threatening' more exchanges--butagain, I think they'd benefit Black. } 23... Ng6 { Trying to encourage White tofollow through on his exchange. } 24. Bg5 Rd7 25. Bc1 { But, he doesn't.This is a weird place for the Bishop, in my opinion, but really it's nottoo bad. White's Rb1 isn't useful where it is, and he may need to be ableto lift it to b2 and defend the kingside. } 25... Ne4 { Three thoughts. First,a direct threat on d4. Second is the general theory of moving more forcesto the kingside. From e4, the Knight threatens f2 and g3, and I was anticipatingit being useful in the coming assault. Third, the obvious way for Whiteto defend d4 is with 26.Bb2, which takes the b2 square away from the Rookand gets the Bishop in a position that may prove too far removed to beable to effectively defend White's King. } 26. Bb2 h4 { The storm descends... } 27. Kh1 { White gets out of the (indirect) pin on his g-pawn. The computeractually considers this a huge mistake because of Black's next move... } 27... Ne5 { ! Taking advantage of the pin on the d-pawn to get the Knight intoposition to threaten f3 and g4 (as well as the White Queen, obviously). } 28. Qe2 { ?? This looks obvious and safe enough, but it's actually a hugeblunder. White needed to keep his Queen in place to defend g3 with 28.Qb3.Now, there's actually a (longish) forced mate. Try to find it before goingon... } 28... hxg3 29. fxg3 Nxg3+ { ! This is the key move. Black's advanced Knightforks White's King and Queen, but if White takes it... } 30. hxg3 Qxg3 { This is the other move that takes a little looking to see. It's temptingto try to keep White in check, but that would actually allow the King toescape through g2 and maybe find safety on the queenside. The text allowsno such escape. } 31. Rf2 { Delaying the incoming mate on h2... } 31... Rh7+ { Renewingthe threat. } 32. Rh2 { Mate in three. } 32... Rgh8 { 0-1. White sees that there'snowhere left to run, and resigns. Many thanks to my opponent for a greatfight, and thank you all for reading! Comments are much appreciated; I'msure I've missed things. Hope you enjoyed it! } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from gandoff"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.03.29"] [Round "-"] [White "gandoff"] [Black "vash1914"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "953"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1179"] 1. d4 b5 { most of the time i like having the middle, but i decided to dothings a little different in this game. } 2. Bd2 Nc6 3. e3 e5 4. dxe5 Nxe5 { free pawn! } 5. Bxb5 a6 { And the hunt begins!!! } 6. Ba4 Rb8 7. Bc3 Nc4 8. Bd4 Rxb2 { bring it on noob!!! } 9. Bxb2 Nxb2 { ha u think u got the dropon me, well think again. } 10. Qd4 Nxa4 { go ahead i dare u. } 11. Qxa4 Qf6 { alright lets roll!!! } 12. Nd2 Qxa1+ { mine! (First check of the game belongsto me) } 13. Ke2 Qe5 14. f3 Qb5+ { Lets trade, and by the way check! } 15. Qxb5 axb5 { The trade is complete. } 16. Nh3 Ba6 17. Kf2 b4 18. Nb3 Bb7 19. Re1 h5 20. Nd4 Rh6 21. Nf4 Ba6 22. a4 c5 23. Nf5 Rf6 { the next moves imake may be kinda stupid, but i say 'let the heads roll!!' } 24. Nh4 g5 { ohhh which one which one??? } 25. Nd5 { your move! } 25... gxh4 { The dark deedis done milord!! :> } 26. Nxf6+ { ouch! } 26... Nxf6 { i like this part. } 27. h3 d5 28. Rd1 Bh6 29. Re1 d4 30. exd4+ { may the ponds be with u!! } 30... Kd7 { soit begins!! } 31. dxc5 { u shall be avenged!!!!!!!!!!!!!! } 31... Nd5 32. Rd1 { showme what u got fool :)!!!! } 32... Bb7 33. Rd3 Be3+ { it's my chance !!!! (Checkagain) } 34. Rxe3 { now for the trade! } 34... Nxe3 { 'assimilate this!' (quote fromStar Trek First Contact) } 35. Kxe3 { then there was one } 35... Kc6 { Now beginsthe desimation of his forces!! } 36. Kd4 Ba6 37. Ke3 Kxc5 { Thank u. } 38. a5 Kb5 39. Kd2 Kxa5 { Once again i say 'I like this part'. } 40. c3 b3 { Sorrypal, but i've got other plans in mind for u. } 41. Kc1 Ka4 42. Kb2 f6 43. f4 Bf1 { now to finish of the only hope he has of winning. } 44. Kc1 Bxg2 45. c4 Bxh3 { Only now at the end does he realize that it is utterly hopelessfor him. } 46. c5 Bd7 { i force him to his knees!!! Bow before ur captorknave! ARRR!!! Long the Gameknot Pirates!!! (This is vash1914 signingoff) } 0-1
[Event "163rd GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2018.03.30"] [Round "-"] [White "anneboleyn"] [Black "mmoody95"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1889"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1637"] 1. e4 b6 { I've been experimenting with Owens Defense. I don't always likethe positions I get. In this game, Black had no advantage, but finallywon in the endgame. } 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. a3 { This move is not bad, butuses a tempo. White will have to play vigorously from here. } 4... Nf6 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nge2 Nxc3 { The Black N has no escape squares. } 7. Nxc3 d5 8. Be3 Be7 9. Be2 Nd7 10. Qd2 c5 11. h3 Rc8 12. Bb5 O-O { White's position hereis good. There are lots of possible plans, but the pawn on e5 makes itdifficult for Black to defend the K. If I were White, I would be temptedto castle Queenside and use the mobile Kingside pawns to attack. } 13. Qe2 cxd4 14. Bxd4 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 { After these exchanges, I think Black isok here. } 16. b4 Nd7 17. Bxd7 Qxd7 18. Nb5 Ba6 19. a4 Rc7 { I also lookedat Rc4 here, but Nd6 causes problems. } 20. Rc1 Bxb5 21. Qxb5 Qxb5 22. axb5 { Now material is even, but Black might be slightly better owing to morecontrol of the open file. } 22... Rc4 23. c3 Re4+ 24. Kd2 Rxe5 25. Rhe1 Rf5 26. f3 Rf4 27. Ke3 Rc4 { Now Black is a pawn to the good, still with some pressureon the open file. There is some urgency to exchange because White canpressure a7 if given time. } 28. Kd3 Rfc8 29. Rc2 h6 30. g3 d4 31. Rec1 Rxc3+ 32. Rxc3 Rxc3+ 33. Rxc3 dxc3 34. Kxc3 { Black should have an endgameadvantage. The key is that Black's K has to penetrate to threaten White'spawns. } 34... Kf8 35. Kd4 Ke7 36. Ke5 f6+ 37. Ke4 g6 38. Kd4 Kd6 { Black now hasthe opposition. } 39. f4 e5+ 40. fxe5+ fxe5+ 41. Ke4 Ke6 { This endgame shouldnow be winnable for Black. } 42. Kd3 Kd5 43. g4 g5 { This freezes White'spawns. White has only K moves--and Black has the opposition. } 44. Ke3 e4 45. Kd2 Kd4 46. Kc2 { This is immediately fatal. The K has to stay infront of the pawn to extend the game. } 46... Ke3 47. Kd1 Kf2 { On f2, the K controlsthe e1 promotion square and the game is effectively over. White resigned. } 0-1
[Event "walking the walk"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.11.26"] [Round "-"] [White "caveman1960"] [Black "stalhandske"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2088"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1776"] 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bd7 6. Ne5 Bc6 7. Nxc6 Nxc6 8. O-O Qd7 9. e3 { I read somewhere in the deep distant pass that the secretto becoming a Grandmaster was:To play the opening like a book, the middle-gamelike a magician and the endgame like a machine.With the explosion of chessliterature and data bases the patza is closer than ever to the master inthe opening phase.Where the master excels is the transition from the openinginto the middle-game and on into the endgame. } 9... h5 { N! According to my sourcesand the Gameknot database.The Master introduces an imbalance into the position.BlacksK side assault against Whites Q-side play. } 10. Qa4 { Continuing to applypressure to the Q-side.In retrospect perhaps h3 or h4 should have beenpreferred taking defensive measures on the K-side.The Masters thoughtswould be illuminating. } 10... h4 { Tally ho.The Master goes for the jugular } 11. Bxc6 { ??.An error worth the 2 question marks.White gives up his best defensivepiece on the K-side for no discernible gain.Blacks double P's prove notto be a weakness as they cant be assaulted while Whites K-side starts tolook open and porous. } 11... bxc6 12. Nd2 hxg3 13. fxg3 { The lessor of two evils? } 13... Ng4 14. Nf3 Qd5 15. Bd2 { 15.Qc2 may have given chances of surviving longer. } 15... Bd6 { Black remorselessly aims at whites Kings position. } 16. Rae1 Nxh2 17. Nxh2 Rh3 { White resigns as he has seen enough.A crushing victory bythe Master stalhandske. } 0-1
[Event "bodejax's mini-tournament I"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.02.23"] [Round "-"] [White "chizzo83"] [Black "aladin42"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1669"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1750"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 { Najdorf variant } 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 { A sharp continuation } 8. Qd2 { Also Qd3 or Nb3. } 8... Qxb2 9. Nb3 { Also Rb1, but my idea is attack for the d-column and not for b } 9... Qa3 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Be2 Nc6 12. O-O Bd7 13. Kh1 Rc8 14. Bh5 { A book move,white will attack for the semi-open g column with Rf3-g3. } 14... Bg7 15. Rf3 O-O 16. Raf1 { With threat f5-Rg3-Qh6 } 16... Na5 { Book move, too } 17. Rg3 { A novelty,if f5, Kh8. Now, I am playing out of database } 17... Kh8 18. Rff3 { Defend the3-rank and attack ths kingside } 18... Nc4 { Nxb3 is better. This move gives mea tempo. Black need counterattack the center in a flank-attack. With Nxb3,black can move Qc5. } 19. Qf2 b5 { Overlooked the sacrifice } 20. Rxg7 Kxg7 21. Qh4 Rg8 22. Rg3+ Kf8 23. Qxf6 Be8 24. Qh6+ Ke7 25. Rxg8 { Now Whiteit ́s a piece up. } 25... Nd2 { Threat c-knitgh and attack the c1-defender } 26. Qg5+ { Best, in fritz program, it ́s Bxf7... but... I only think in defendthe c1-square } 26... Kd7 27. f5 Nxb3 28. fxe6+ Kxe6 { the last blunder, now Ihave a mate continuation } 29. Bg4+ f5 30. Qxf5+ Ke7 31. Qe6+ Kd8 32. Qd7# 1-0
[Event "A Perfect Ending"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "Georg Marco"] [Black "Geza Maroczy"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 { A drawish variation. } 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. c3 c6 8. Bg5 Bg4 { Both players are maintaining the symmetry... } 9. Nbd2 Nbd7 10. Qc2 Qc7 11. Rfe1 Rae8 { The game starts here... no moresymmetry. } 12. Bh4 Bh5 13. Bg3 Bxg3 14. hxg3 Bg6 15. Rxe8 Rxe8 16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Re1 a6 18. Qb1 Kf8 19. Rxe8+ Nxe8 20. a3 Qd8 21. Qe1 Qe7 22. Qxe7+ Kxe7 { No one would object if a draw was declared here. Yet Maroczy decidesto play for the win. Through perfect technique, he'll get it. } 23. Kf1 Nd6 24. Ke2 f6 25. Ne1 b5 26. b4 { Marco's first mistake. Now the WhiteQRP is weak and backwards. } 26... Nb6 27. f3 Nbc4 28. Nb1 Nf5 29. g4 Nfe3 { White'sposition is not yet lost, but things look bad. Marco should play 30 P-N3!,followed up by 31 N-Q3. } 30. Kf2 g5 { Now White cannot play 31 N-Q3, as31... N-B7! wins [32 N-B5 N/7xRP 33 NxN NxN 34 NxP N-N8! and White canresign.] } 31. Ke2 g6 32. Kf2 Kd6 33. Ke2 Kc7 34. Kf2 Kb6 { White is accomplishingnothing, while Black's King is moving steadily towards the action. } 35. Ke2 a5 36. Kf2 a4 37. Ke2 Kc7 38. Kf2 Kd6 39. Ke2 Ke7 40. Kf2 Kf7 41. Ke2 Kg7 { Now that Black has tied down White's Q-side, his K can wreak havocon the K-side. And White has accomplished absolutely nothing with his last10 moves. } 42. Kf2 Kh7 43. g3 { Way too late. } 43... Kh6 44. Ke2 f5 45. gxf5 gxf5 46. Kf2 Kh5 47. Ke2 f4 { Black is slowly closing in for the kill. } 48. gxf4 gxf4 49. Kf2 Kg5 50. Ke2 Kh4 51. Kf2 Kh3 { White could resign now, but choosesto play on. } 52. Nd3 Nc2 53. Nxf4+ Kh4 54. Nd3 N2xa3 55. Nxa3 Nxa3 { Nowthe Black QRP is a distinct threat. } 56. Nc1 Nb1 57. Na2 { White's Knightis basically frozen in place. } 57... Kh3 58. Ke3 Kg3 59. f4 Kg4 60. f5 Kxf5 { NowBlack is ahead by a clear passed Pawn. } 61. Kd3 Kf4 62. Nc1 Kf3 63. Kc2 Na3+ 64. Kd3 Kf2 65. Kd2 Nc4+ 66. Kd1 Ke3 67. Kc2 a3 68. Na2 Nb2 69. Nc1 { White is holding on by his fingernails. Maroczy finishes brilliantly. } 69... Nd3 { A beautiful sacrifice. If White plays NxN, 70... P-R7! wins. If Whitedeclines with 70 N-R2, Black has 70...K-K7!!! 71 K-N3 K-Q7 72 KxP K-B7!!!and wins. } 70. Nb3 Ne1+ 71. Kd1 Kd3 72. Kxe1 Kxc3 73. Na1 Kxd4 { White isdead in the water. } 74. Nc2+ Kc3 75. Kd1 a2 76. Kc1 d4 77. Na1 d3 78. Nb3 c5 { Marco resigns. The perfect ending indeed by Maroczy. } 0-1
[Event "Exhibition Game (Stalking the Enemy King 101)"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "London 1863"] [Round "-"] [White "Wilhelm Steinitz"] [Black "Rock (unknown)"] [Result "1-0"] { I was playing through some games by Steinitz and ran across this one.In it, Steinitz sacs his queen for a beautiful 6 move forced combinationthat sends the enemy king right to the morgue. Enjoy:) } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { Italian Game. } 4. b4 { Evan's Gambit. White cedes materialfor rapid development. } 4... Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. O-O Nf6 { Black leaves the book.6...d6 was the play. } 7. Ba3 { Develops and prevents enemy castling. } 7... Bb6 { ? Again, 7...d6 was better. } 8. d4 { Steinitz initiates the action. } 8... exd4 9. Qb3 { ! f7 is a target of opportunity. } 9... d5 { Logical - center is staked,light squared bishop now active, and the attack on f7 is slowed. } 10. exd5 { Creating a totally open file white will rush to. } 10... Na5 { ! Looking to breakup the threat along the a2-g8 digonal. } 11. Re1+ { We all saw this coming..........Blackmust interpose the check and lose a piece, as 11...Kd7 gets messy after12.Bb5 . } 11... Be6 { Black opts to sac his bishop, and probably hopes to castlequeenside. } 12. dxe6 { !! Steinitz sacs his queen! A six move combo of deathis unleashed. } 12... Nxb3 13. exf7+ { 1 } 13... Kd7 14. Be6+ { 2 } 14... Kc6 15. Ne5+ { 3 } 15... Kb5 16. Bc4+ { 4 } 16... Ka5 { [16...Ka4 17.BxN Ka5] } 17. Bb4+ { 5 } 17... Ka4 18. axb3# { 6!A real gem of a mini! The calculating ability of Steinitz was really incredible.I hope you enjoyed it:) - Thomas } 1-0
[Event "First Win Against a Master"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "3/27/15"] [Round "-"] [White "Ben"] [Black "WFM Akshita"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2194"] [TimeControl "G/120 d5"] [WhiteElo "1843"] { This game was played in the first round of the Ron Simpson Memorial Open,and marked my first OTB win against a master. } 1. d4 { My standard opening. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 { This is a favoriteof mine that I prepared for the Nimzo-Indian. The main idea is that thepawn on f3 supports an e4 push and an eventual g4 push to attack the king-side.The obvious drawback to this is that the g1 knight doesn't get to go toits natural square, but I can still route it to g3 via e2. } 4... d5 { Commontheme to discourage e4. } 5. a3 { Forcing the bishop to make a choice. } 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 O-O 7. cxd5 { Undoubling the pawns and preparingthe development of my LSB. } 7... exd5 8. e3 c5 { All main line so far.White's path of development is clear; Bd3, Ne2, O-O, and then prepare theking-side attack. Black's counter play will be focused on attacking thequeen side as well as the center. } 9. Bd3 Nc6 10. Ne2 Re8 11. O-O b6 { Slightly unusual, but it makes sense. Black wants topush a5 and exchange bishops with Ba6. } 12. g4 { Starting the attack.White now has the plan of playing knight to g3 and then pushing g5 if possible. } 12... h6 { A logical move that prevents g5 for the moment, though the pawnon h6 can become a target later on. } 13. Ng3 Qc7 { Interesting idea.This stops white from playing h4, which would be a good attempt to breakup the pawns around the king. } 14. Ra2 { During the game I did not seea great way to immediately proceed with my attack. So I lifted the rookwith intentions of swinging it over the g2 and bringing another piece intothe fight. } 14... a5 { Continuing the plan of putting the bishop on a6 and removingan attacker of the king side. } 15. Rg2 Ba6 16. Nf5 { Perhaps Bxa6first was better. But this move still puts pressure on black, with theclear idea of playing g5 and ripping open the position. } 16... Ne7 { A goodway to defend, as if I play g5 now black will simply take the knight. } 17. Bxa6 { Relieving the tension. } 17... Rxa6 18. Qd3 { !? h4 was probablybetter. My hope was that I would invoke c4, which would close down thequeen side and make attacking the king easier. } 18... c4 { I don't know aboutthis move, it just makes things much simpler for me. } 19. Qc2 Nxf5 { ? This is a strategic mistake. This allows me to open up the g-file tooeasily. But to be fair the pressure was starting to mount on the king side,and perhaps my opponent believed that exchanging pieces would relieve someof that pressure. A better alternative would have b5. } 20. gxf5 Kh8 { Avoiding any tactics of Bxh6 after e4. } 21. Kh1 { I do similar toprepare a doubling of the rooks followed by a difficult assault to stop. } 21... Qc6 { Nice move, keeping an eye on a4 if my queen was to move and alsopreventing any ideas of e4. } 22. Rfg1 Rg8 23. Rg3 { Giving a spacefor my queen to join the action. Note that Nh5 is not a threat as Rh3 wouldkick the knight right back to where it was and there could be some nastytactics on h6. } 23... Qe8 { Brought back to defend g7. } 24. Qg2 Qf8 { Thisgame is now clearly won. All I had to do now was push e4 followed by anunstoppable e5, and black would be completely busted. } 25. Qh3 { ?! Wasteof time. I was getting too overworked over tactics on h6, but there reallyweren't any there. } 25... b5 26. Qg2 { Admitting that I had made a mistake,I calmly went back to push e4. The good news about this position is thatI can take my time and be patient. } 26... Rb6 { A last attempt to try and makesomething happen on the queen side, but it is too late now. } 27. e4 { Shouldhave been done 2 moves ago. } 27... Rb8 { There was probably a stronger way todefend, but in time trouble my opponent could find nothing better. } 28. e5 Nh7 29. Qh3 { Now this move makes sense as white is threateningBxh6. } 29... Qe7 { Stopping Bxh6, but allows the break-through. } 30. f6 { Uponpost game analysis I found that 30. Rxg7! Rxg7 31. Rxg7 Kxg7 32. Bxh6+!was a more forcing victory. But this move still gets the job done, forcinggxf6 after which my bishop can finally get in on the action. } 30... gxf6 31. Bxh6 Rxg3 { Rg6 would have delayed the ending slightly longer,but it would still end up in an easily winning endgame after 31...Rxg632. fxg6 Rxg6 33. Rg8 Rxg8+ 34. Kxg8 Qg4+ 35. Kf7 e6+! 36. Qxe6 Qg7+ 37.Ke8 Qh8+ and I will win the knight. But now there is no way to stop mate. } 32. Qxg3 Ng5 { Black resigned in light of the fact that I could eitherpick up the knight (or the rook) with exf6 or force mate after Qh4, eitherway is winning. } 1-0
[Event "Too much is too much"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.03.31"] [Round "-"] [White "damafi"] [Black "Pjotr999"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1433"] [TimeControl "5\|5"] [WhiteElo "1385"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. Nbd2 d6 { Black kind of omit d5, and thisallows... } 5. e4 { Strong center? } 5... c6 6. c3 { c4 doesn't give me much more.My aim is the white diagonal pointing to f7, of course. } 6... Nbd7 { If blackneglected d5, now one of the consecuences is that white can press on thewhite diagonal. One of the strongest weapons black has is Na5 once Q andB are aligned. With this move black deprives himself from it, and e6 froma defender. } 7. Bc4 { Provoking b5, Bb3. Of course I can't hope to getQ, B and N(g5) without resistance, so I wanted to face the problem at once. } 7... b5 8. Bb3 a5 { a3, a4, Ba2... very boring. Can I get something more? Probablynot, but I still tried... } 9. Ng5 { Black 'saw' that if a4, Bxf7+, Kf8,Ne6+, winning the black Q. e6 heads for Bxe6, fxB, Nxe6, Qe7, which favoursblack. } 9... O-O { ...which gives me tempo to face the white diagonal's problem: } 10. a4 b4 { ...ok, another tempo for my attack. I can ignore bxc3, bxc3. } 11. e5 { ...and this is the more pressing move. Despite the weakness ofmy Bf4. } 11... dxe5 12. dxe5 Nh5 { After Bg3, NxB,e5 falls for free. But the e6'sweaknes must be exploited. My distractions worked... almost, and now Ihave... } 13. e6 { Suddenly, the position is tactically complex. Black hasNxB, followed by Nxg2+, opening W's castling shield. Ba6+ is not dangerous,but white can counter it easily. Black has also bxc3, bxc, and Bxc3, threateningthe R and pinning my Nd2. White, on its part, has: exf7+, Kh8, Ne6, whichforces Qb6, so white can play Be3, and after any defence, NxR ensures anexchange and the pawn in f7 is still alive. White also has Nxf7, Qg6, Be3,Qmoves, exNd7... black has to choose among attack and defence. Of course,NxBf4 comes to mind, but after Qf3, black has to consider Qxc6, threateningRa8... what would you do? Attack? Defend? How? } 13... Nc5 { Black chooses to addanother motiv to the position: NxBb3, or Nd3+. At the same time, coverse6 so I can't use it anymore. Very clever move. } 14. Nxf7 { This allowsQd3, but except for castling, it leaves me Be3, threatening Nc5 in orderto balance things. } 14... Qe8 { ? Now xN is completely impossible. True I havenot many ways to use my good pieces... and I have to save the B, so... } 15. Nh6+ { If Kh8 I have assured a draw, but of course I want more. } 15... Bxh6 16. Bxh6 { This gives me another tempo and my dsb is sure. Of course, itseems that I'll lose e6 for nothing... } 16... Nxb3 { I don't want my Q to be ona1. } 17. Qxb3 { This is risky, but it controls e6. I can't keep it. Butblack must try to prevent my castling. } 17... Rf6 18. O-O { At least, I willsettle my position. } 18... Bxe6 19. Qc2 Bf5 { Ok, black has got out from thedanger, and the material is... 0! } 20. Ne4 { ...time to take advantagefrom the king's position. If Kf7, Ng5+ and I'm at least equal. } 20... Bxe4 21. Qxe4 { cxc3 is not so worrying. } 21... Rd8 { This allows cxb4, and the win ofa pawn. I didn't see it. } 22. Qc4+ Rd5 23. Rad1 bxc3 24. Rxd5 cxd5 25. Qxd5+ { This is a puzzle position. A move and the situation is equal (whitewill probably win because of the extra pawn on the Qside. But if... } 25... Qf7 { ?? } 26. Qd8+ { ...and that's all! } 1-0
[Event "Queen's Indian Defense, Old Main Line, 7. Nc3 "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2016.06.23"] [Round "-"] [White "milly64"] [Black "martin_ruhl"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1582"] [TimeControl "3d+3d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1025"] 1. d4 { I am playing some higher players in this mini-tournament and I willtry to use the games as instruction on good and bad moves. ie, their goodmoves and my bad moves. } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Bb4 { All the opening moves are played for the Queens IndianDefence (as per game title) to whites move 7. and we begin to make ourmoves now. Black to start and he opens with DB to b4 attacking my knight. } 8. Bg5 { I decide to attack blacks night at f3 with my DB which developsit as well. I am forgetting that my knight at c3 is under attack and iftaken will leave me with double pawns. And black will have access to 'b'file. } 8... h6 { My c3 knight is safe for now and black instead pushes his hpawn to h6 and kicks me off g5. } 9. Bf4 { I move my DB to f4 which I feelis a more central position and I leave my knight on c3 to the attack byblack's DB. } 9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 { Now black captures my c3 knight and I retakewith my b pawn and have doubled pawns on the c file. } 10... a5 { Black pusheshis a pawn out to a5 and he has a chain of pawns and is protecting thediagonal from b4 to d6 with these pawns. I probably should have pushedmy c pawn and tried to attack on c5 and this would have broken the chainand given me more centre space. } 11. Bh3 { Instead I make a move with myLB to h3 (I was preparing to move my g3 pawn up so this LB was protectingg4). I may be going to learn a hard lesson about moving your LB unnecessarily. Perhaps a better move would have been moving my e pawn up which is a moveI make and I would then have 3 pawns in a row but I seem to have forgottenthis! } 11... Bxf3 12. exf3 { Black decides to take my f3 knight with his LB andagain I can only retake with my pawn so I will have doubled pawns again. I don't think this is too bad on the 'f' file as it provides protectionto my king. Now there is the 'e' file for black to access but my rookis able to access too. } 12... d6 13. g4 { I move my pawn g3- g4 taking controlof more squares around my king. } 13... g5 { Black moves g7 - g5 and blocks theprogress of my g pawn and attacks my DB at f4. } 14. Be3 { I move my DB toe3 which gives protection to my f2 and d4 pawns. } 14... a4 { Black moves h4-h5and I don't see that he is now bringing his flank pawns to take controlof another diagonal. } 15. a3 { I block this a4 pawn with a2-a3. } 15... d5 { Blacknow moves d6-d5 which attacks my pawn at c4. I see he is also restrictingmy centre. } 16. c5 { It seems I have only one move which is moving my toppawn of my doubled pawns on the c file to c5. I could have taken on d5but this would have been captured by black's e6 or I would have been leftwith doubled pawns on the d file. } 16... b5 { Black moves his pawn b6-b5 and ifhe moves his c7 pawn next will have taken control of the diagonal a4 toc6 with his pawns. } 17. Bd2 { I move my DB to d2 protecting my c3 pawn asI think that black may move his b5 pawn down to attack it. } 17... c6 { Blackmoves c7-c6 and his pawns are now connected and he has a very strong pawndefence while my pawns are doubled on 2 files and I am restricted by hisc6 and d5 pawns from doing anything in the centre. } 18. Be3 { I move myDB back up to e3. I have purely been acting in defence mode and not aswhite should play by making the moves with black defending. I do not seethat he is about to bring his last flank pawn to c6. So instead I shouldhave moved to c6 with my pawn but I would have been captured by the knight. So black is in charge. } 18... Qc7 { Black moves Qc7 attacking the pawn at h2. } 19. Re1 { I move my rook over to E1 to take control of this file as I donot have any pawns on this file as they are doubled on the f file. } 19... Re8 { Black moves his rook over to e8. } 20. Bd2 { I yet again move my DB to d2allowing my rook to access the e file. } 20... e5 { Black pushes his pawn downfrom e6 to e5 and he is attacking my pawn at d4. } 21. Qb1 { I move Qb1 accessingthe diagonal to the square h7 which is free of any pieces. } 21... Nbd7 { Blackmoves Nd7 which defends his other knight at f6 which was a piece I couldhave launched an attack on with my queen at b1. } 22. Bg2 { I move my LBto allow my pawn at h2 to move to h3 whilst protecting my f3 pawn. } 22... e4 { Black pushes his pawn at e5 to e4 now attacking my pawn at f3. } 23. Be3 { I end blacks progress on the e file with my DB to e3. } 23... Kg7 { Black moveshis king to g7 and with the pawn now at e4 my queen is prevented from commencingan attack on the diagonal to h7. } 24. Qd1 { I now move my queen over toprotect the pawn at f3 together with the LB at g2. } 24... Re7 { Black moves hisrook on e8 to e7. } 25. fxe4 { I capture the pawn at f3 this may have beena mistake as this piece was protected but it allows my queen now to accessthe f file. If this pawn is retaken it is protected by my LB at g2 butthe LB could be retaken by the knight at f6. } 25... Nxe4 { Black captures my pawnwith the knight at f6. This is difficult for me to retake as it is protectedby the pawn at d5. } 26. Qf3 { I bring my queen to f3 and I am attackingthe pawn at f7 but this is protected by the rook at e7. } 26... Nxc3 { Black moveshis knight to c3 which allows the rook to attack down the e file. } 27. Bf1 { I move my LB to f1 to provide defence on the e file should it be needed. } 27... Ne4 { Black moves the knight back to e4. } 28. Qh3 { I move my queen overto h3 in order to try an alternative attack on the king from the h file. } 28... Rh8 { Black moves his a8 rook over to h8 in order to thwart my attack onthe king. } 29. f4 { I push my pawn f2 to f4 attacking the g5 pawn protectedby my DB at e3. } 29... gxf4 { Black captures my pawn with his g5 pawn but thisis protected by the queen at c7. } 30. Qf3 { I move my queen to f3 lookingto provide defence to my DB which black may capture since we are unableto capture the pawn due to the black queen defending. I could have movedmy DB but it would have involved taking it down to c1 and this would havemeant the rooks were no longer together and if I had moved it to d2 orf2 black could have captured with his knight. } 30... fxe3 { Black captures myDB and I could capture with my rook or my queen although my queen is onthe f file and I want to try to launch an attack on this file. } 31. Re2 { I do not capture the pawn at e3 but I move my rook to e2 looking to moveit across the possibly g file and attack the king. } 31... Ng5 { Black moves hisknight to g5 allowing the rook again to have access to the e file and thismeans I cannot capture the pawn at this stage. } 32. Qf5 { I move my queenf3 to f5 using my pawn at g4 as protection. } 32... Nf6 { Black moves his d7 knightto f6. } 33. Bg2 { I move my LB in front of the king at g2 as the black queenis at c7 on a clear diagonal and there is no pawn in front of my king. } 33... Qd7 { Black moves the queen to d7 and is attacking my queen at f5. } 34. Rf1 { I bring my rook from a1 to f1 and white looks good for an attack onthe king. However I seem to have forgotten the queen is at d7 and thereforeis liable to attack. } 34... Qxf5 35. gxf5 { I feel I probably was not lookingtoo bad up to now but it looks like my chance has gone with my queen. The way black has blocked the centre with the pawns is not only bad forme but I feel it is bad for black too. So despite black having more pawnsit really does not show the real picture. All he has is an extra pieceand one passed pawn. } 35... Rb8 { Black now moves his rook h8 to b8. } 36. h4 { I attack the knight at g5 with a pawn move h2 to h4. } 36... Ngh7 { Black moveshis knight to h7. } 37. Rf4 { I now push my rook up to f4 this may preventblack trying to bring his rook down. } 37... b4 { Black now pushes his b pawn butI have a pawn at a3 and I am not concerned about the push as I have a LBwhich can cover the b1 square. I do not wish to use my rooks as they arestrategically placed. } 38. Bf3 { I begin to move my LB across with a moveto f3. } 38... b3 { Black pushes his b pawn again. } 39. Rg2+ { I now check the kingwith my rook at g2. } 39... Kf8 { This means the king has to move and he goes tof8. This allows me to move my LB again. } 40. Be2 { I move my LB to e2 andshould be in time to pick up the soon to queen b pawn. } 40... b2 { Black pusheshis b pawn down once more to b2 now. } 41. Bd3 { I am now ready to pick upthe queening pawn as my LB is at d3. } 41... b1=Q+ 42. Bxb1 { Black queens andI pickup although there is a rook at the top of the b file and I will becaptured but at least black does not have another piece on the board forme to defend against. } 42... Rxb1+ 43. Kh2 { Black captures my LB checking myking and I move my king over to h2 and out of check. } 43... e2 { Black now moveshis passed pawn on the e-file to e2. I feel I have a chance to interferewith this attempt. } 44. Rg1 { I move my rook from g2 to g1 attacking therook at b1 protected by my king. } 44... Rxg1 45. Kxg1 { Black captures my rookand I capture the rook with my king. } 45... e1=Q+ 46. Rf1 { So pawn queens andI move my rook f4 to f1 and the rook stops the check. } 46... Qg3+ 47. Kh1 { Theblack queen moves to g3 to check my king and I move to h1 and out of check. } 47... Re2 { Black brings down his E7 rook to e2 and I can see that its probablyall over and I resign. What do you think about my game? I thought Imade a good fist of it against a higher rated player and I find myselfnot feeling scared but looking forward to following my plan and seeingwhat happens. } 0-1
[Event "where it all comes down to"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "07-Dec-06"] [Round "-"] [White "fycorsia"] [Black "felkajamine"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1148"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1294"] { this is a game between two brothers, one slightly intoxicated with everydrug under the sun, and the other, just a normal average person. [note,this annotation was made by the intoxicated brother, so half of this annotationis backwards, as in he got the black and white pieces mixed up. just playalong, it wil make him happy] } 1. e4 { this all began on a sunny day ingreece...as usual i started out with the French Ketchup opening. } 1... e6 { hecountered my french ketchup with a nasty little move, not sure what thisone is called, but it doesn't smell like ketchup. } 2. d4 { ahh, yes, thisis where it all begins, i now bring in the guns, his no name opener isno match for this ketchup master....watch as it starts coming down! } 2... Nf6 { see, here he is obviously scared by the ketchup covered beginnings thathe is just moving random pieces, at any given place with an open square,hoping to distract me from my messy death hole with which i will placehim in. mmmm yummy! } 3. Bg5 { i act with speed, and pin his horsey. forthose who are just starting. If he moves his donkey then i will snag aqueen and then proceed by jumping up and down yelling 'ketchup is king'. lets watch to see what happens! } 3... Be7 { hmm. well he didn't move his Q,he must have seen my plans that i left open on my desk earlier today! i'll have to stop doing that. no worries, i have better and bigger plansup my sleeve. his Q will be mine!!!!!!1111 } 4. e5 { i continue with mystern moves, i am clearly at this moment trying to take over the centerof the board, which i have pretty much mastered at the moment. and weall know, that whoever has the center will prevail in the end. so prettymuch my opponent should just resign....long live the ketchup opener!!!! } 4... c6 { well, he's basically just giving me the center...this is gonna be awesome,this is going to be easier than ramming my body head first into a pileof bricks. I don't really see any benefit to this move, I've searchedand i could not find any references that claim this position. though itseems that he is trying to free his Queen side castle. lets see what happensnext. } 5. exf6 { at this point i have decided that it was partial to myvictory to take his horse figurine. it was not completely necessary,as this move is not out-lined in the ketchup tactics notebook, but whatis most important is that i am now at PLUS THREE in my score, and he isstill at zero.....i am winning! } 5... Bxf6 { from all my years of playing, howcould i have not predicted such a move? i am stupid, i did not realizethat was going to happen. it's okay though, i am still at PLUS TWO, iam still in the lead. just need to make no more mistakes from here onout! } 6. Bxf6 { I wasn't ready for this, he struck me by surprise here,i thought he was going to attack using his usual pirate ambush tactic,which i was ready for, which is why i pressured his black bishop with myblack bishop. he could have easily of backed off, but he chose not to,im thinking that he is trying to open up my king side, and then hope tobreak my pawn forcefield, ha ha, like that will happen. } 6... Qxf6 { well nowhe's really in for a kick in the spleen. I've had to result in bringingmy queen out, i did this for a reason, i could have alternately moved myG pawn and captured his bishop, but i am smarter than that. He wantedme to use my G pawn, so i surprised him, and brought out the big guns. he won't see this coming, now im smooth sailing, it's all pretty muchdownhill for him, im hoping for a checkmate in under 10 moves. } 7. Bd3 { okay, his bishop is now brought to the front line, in an obvious attemptto attack my H pawn on the queen side. instead of capturing my opponentsD pawn with my Q. notice his position as of now. He has a direct lineof attack all the way down on both sides of the board with his white bishop. my plans are to slowly move all of my pieces to black squares. how willhis bishop attack if all my men are on black???!!!111 EXACTLY!! } 7... d6 { sohe wanted me to take his middle side pawn with my queen! instead I stepout my C pawn, in an effort to clear out my king side, to castle! he thoughti would take his pawn, and once again, i have out smarted him! and atthe same time i have landed yet another piece on a black square. chessis all about multi-tasking, i have mastered this feat. i am almost alwaysdoing something else while playing chess, sometimes I'm eating a pizza,or a waffle. Once i even took a shower while in the middle of a chessbattle. Yes i did lose that game, but i have never lost while being SOclean. } 8. d5 { This is where im starting to get scared. even after i triedto scare him with my pawn brick wall, he keeps pressing his D pawn forward. i can only guess it's to try and penetrate my wall of pawns, but for whatreason? He has no chance at victory. Possible suicide maybe? We canonly hope! } 8... exd5 { with his previous daring move to penetrate my wall ofstone hard pawns, he wants me to swap pawns, and i really don't have achoice, this is probably his best move of the game. the question is: which pawn should i swap? im sure he would like me to swap with my E pawn,so i should swap with my C pawn. But wait, he knows that i know that hewants me to swap with the E which means that he knows that i will swapwith the other one. so his plans are being built on this single swap. he is counting on me knowing what he knows. so instead i will indeedstrike with my E pawn. completely knocking him off his feet, and havingto re-think his entire plans. } 9. Qe2+ { at this point, I'm starting tore-think my process. Originally i was thinking this was going to be aneasy win for me like all the rest of them have been. His Q just placedme in check. i can either throw my own queen in front of this assassinattempt, OR i could signal for my whit bishop to pull the grenade launcherout and blast my opponent off the map. } 9... Be6 { well, i choose to just wimpout and move my white bishop into play to block the punch. } 10. Nc3 { ohoh, he's letting his horsey out of his stall. now there's going to behorse poop everywhere. Bringing the horse out doesn't seem to really doanything to me at all, so i must keep pressing onward with my plan. Istill have several pieces that need to be moved onto black squares. it'sa slow process, but in the end, completely worth it. } 10... c5 { perfect, i havehim exactly where i need him. I bet he's gonna move his donkey again,i bet it's gonna be in another 'L' shape like his last one....he's so predictable! } 11. Nxd5 { i know his moves too well, i study this guy like last weeks mathhomework, i know how he works. Right now he is targeting my queen, onthe not the king's side (queen side for the lay people). and i can smellhis horse feces already! I have no choice but to retreat my queen. } 11... Qd8 { my king needs a little loving anyways, we haven't had physical contactin like ......wellllllllll, anyway! so my guess is that he is next goingto try and open up his queen side castle. he's going to defiantly movehis A pawn up two spaces to free his castle. [SAVE FOR LATER] his Qup against the front sidewall, which in turn would open up my BFG (BobbyFischer's Gap). This type of move can only be managed by only the besttrained chess players. I doubt at any means that he will be able to pullthis BFG off. There have only been three recorded events of this beingaccomplished EVER. } 12. O-O-O { ....or a queen side castle.....which wasmy second guess. he always castles on the 12th move, it's a given,i don't even have to worry about him not doing it. He has it built intohis conditional moves to always castle on #12. } 12... Nd7 { i proceed to engagemy knight out of his nook, and saddle him up for action. notice, thati moved him in the traditional 'L' move much like my opponent has beendoing. I'm hoping that by copying his knight techniques that he will becomeintimidated and eventually just giving up, that, or grab the nearest bananaand stabbing it through his heartal area, either one is okay. } 13. Re1 { he counters my knight speedy horse action and is seemingly stunned, hebegins to retreat his men. first being his castle. this is going betterthan i thought! } 13... Qg5+ { i again move with speed, and attack his king, hisking has few possible moves without ending in a messy, messy death. Ibet the life of a stranger that he'll move his king to the B2 square. like i've mentioned previously, i've studied this guy inside and out, andi know how he ticks. he will move his king. } 14. f4 { BLASTED, he's goinghaywire, i could have never suspected this. he's blocked the attack bymy queen with his lowly pawn, that is just despicable. though he did notsee that i could immediately remove his D knight from the board. thatwill bring my score back to 1, YESSS! } 14... Qxd5 { and i do just that. i bethe is crying with his face in his hands. Life sucks sometimes. } 15. f5 { he must still have tears in his eyes, cause that was loser move rightthere, after all of that, he inches up another pawn. I'm going to throwhim off, instead of moving my bishop out of the way of his pawn, im goingto leave it there, i do this sometimes just to mess with him. so now imjust going to move my knight, he's going to be so confused. he'll probablystart crying again. } 15... Nf8 16. Rd1 { he's moving his castle over to the dsquare, probably hoping to get my queen, by checking my king with his bishop. That's not going to fly. } 16... O-O-O { i briskly castle my king, leaving hisqueen snatching plans sunk to the sea. his life sucks right about now. he's lost all hope of catching up to my winning score of 1. } 17. fxe6 { finally he takes my bishop with his pawn. } 17... Re8 { to stop him from queeninghis pawn, i quickly react, and position my castle dude to stop him in histracks. That pawn is going nowhere. } 18. Qg4 { he's hopelessly trying toget the pawn to the top, he thinks he is going to put me in check. notso fast. } 18... Kd8 { i again, reposition my king, killing any chances of a check. } 19. exf7 { he's hit me hard, and took my pawn, i am no longer in the lead,being at -3, i must act fast. i need to regain my lead that i have keptduring the entire game. at the moment my castle is in danger. } 19... Qxf7 { almostwithout even thinking i move my queen in, and remove the threat of hispawn. I'm getting closer to my well deserved lead. now at -2 } 20. Nf3 { he brings his queen side horse figurine out. } 20... h5 { I decide to sneak attackhim with my H pawn, lets see if he sees this. i doubt he will, as it'sso subtle, if my plans go right i will be in the lead after i capture hisqueen with this lowly pawn. } 21. Ng5 { dang, he's good. not only did henotice, but he countered it with a classic twist-twist-double cut. i havevery little options here. i must act fast, my queen side queen's lifeis on the line. } 21... Qxa2 { i quickly think over all of my options. i decidemy best route is to move across the board and attack my opponents A pawn,which in the end will leave me a direct shot to a checkmate after i finishsetting up plan B, which i can initiate after finishing plan A (aka projectblack square). } 22. Qc4 { he seems to think that he is going to block myqueen in that hole, i will not let this happen, i am so close to winningthis game it's not even close to funny! } 22... Qa5 { i pulled my queen side queendown to A5, she's safe right now, but at this point in time, i am not ableto predict my brother's move, like normally. there's some sort of mentalblock in my brain, almost like he's hypnotized me...over the internet. very strange feeling i must say. and not even close to fair. } 23. Nf7+ { man, how could i not have seen this, this is bad, it's going to be hardto recover from this, ofcourse i will be able to, but it's going to behard. I'm now down a castle, only one more left. ehh, i only need onecastle anyway! one giant house of stone is enough for this king. } 23... Kc7 { i didn't have many options here, i chose to move my king as far away aspossible. } 24. Nxh8 { bye bye queen side castle! I love you. } 24... b5 { well,now it's time for business. I immediately begin to attack his queen, myplans are just to bombard his pieces until he just decides to surrender,he can only run for so long. I'll give him, three, maybe four moves leftbefore he decides he's had enough. } 25. Qxb5 { dang. didn't see it coming,and it was right there in my face. that's what i get when i try to playwith my eyes close, randomly moving the mouse around and periodically clickingand pressing key board buttons. ohh well. i've evaluated my positionand it seems that the best thing to do is sacrifice my queen, for his queen. by doing this i will accomplish two things. one, i will make him thinkthat he has an edge now (which I'm clearly in the lead) and he will loosenhis game up and give me an even larger edge. secondly, im already so farahead of my opponent that i could lose several more pieces and still havethis game in the bag. i don't need my queen, it's just a pawn to me, alarge mutant pawn. } 25... Qxb5 { i proceed with my plan. most likely my opponentsnext move is to take my queen. i will start building my plans around thismove. } 26. Bxb5 { i knew it. he moved his bishop in, my plans are righton track! } 26... Rb8 { this is going to be good, i tricked him, now i have corneredhis bishop. his bishop is going to be in check no matter where he moveson the B row now. i pretty much own that entire row now. } 27. Rhf1 { hedoesn't seem to notice the threat that i have just created, and seems distractedstill by my queen swap. he inches his castle out into the open, whathis plans are, i am not sure, but i am ready! } 27... Ne6 { I decided to retractmy knight, as he was in danger of death by crushing. it's not everydaya big castle falls out of the sky and lands on a horse and crushes everybone in it's animal body. } 28. Rf7+ { wow, that is the fastest moving castlei have ever seen. i didn't even know castles of this period could evenmove. that's just amazing and undoubtedly unexpected . this is goingto put a small kink in my plans. } 28... Kb6 { i did what any man would do to savehis life, i ran from the scary castle. } 29. Bd7 { the bishop is now in thepicture again. im actually starting to get worried. i was ontop of theworld, and now it seems there is a small chance that i may lose this game. } 29... Ka6 { i disparately try and weave my king out of this mess. just likethe brave slaves of my ancestors i must move north. that is my plan. } 30. Rxd6+ { well, those things sure do come from out of nowhere, i didn'teven know they could move that way. } 30... Ka5 { north is good, north is good,north is good. } 31. Rxe6 { he seems confused. this is my chance, i mustmake a move. } 31... c4 { my pawns have been in training for months and are veryskilled with hand combat. i'm going to try and breach my opponents walland check me a king. } 32. c3 { and he stops me dead in my tracks. } 32... Rxh8 { haha, i took his last horse. that really hurt him, he's going to reallyfeel this. } 33. Rf5# { in check again. i think that's all he can do. he just tries to intimidate me with his checking abilities. it's not eventhat hard to do.a [EDIT] dangit, i tried to move and, well, it didn'twork, i had no spaces. it seems he caught me by surprise, again. goodgame old chap, good game! } 1-0
[Event "Not quite a miniature..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "1975"] [Round "-"] [White "I.A.Dowman"] [Black "M.Kopytko"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "-"] [TimeControl "Correspondence"] [WhiteElo "-"] { The annotated game by id=raskerino (Suba Game #2) reminded me of thisgame from the New Zealand Correspondence 'Reserve' Championship, 1975-6. This game has the same moves as raskerino's until move 8. It, too, isa tactical melee, but is just too long to be called a 'miniature'. } 1. c4 { At this time something like 90% of my games as White began with thismove, Correspondence or OTB. However, it was surprising how often it wouldtranspose into King's Indians or Moroczy Bind Sicilians. Not that I minded... } 1... c5 { The Symmetrical English has the reputation for being dull anddrawish. My experience never really supported this view. } 2. Nc3 { Notthe only, but it looks like a logical continuaton. 2.Nf3 is also a popularmethod, often preferred as less likely to lead to 'dull symmetry'. } 2... Nf6 { Possibly the most usual reply, though 2...Nc6 is not uncommon. } 3. Nf3 { 3.e4 is also playable here. } 3... d5 { The most active line for Black. 3...b6or 3...e6 are playable alternatives. } 4. cxd5 { Practically forced. Black'sd-pawn can not be allowed to advance. } 4... Nxd5 5. e4 { Forces the Black knightto make a third move. 5.g3 and 5.e3 are more restrained and less looseningof White's position, but the text move is hard to pass up! } 5... Nb4 { Planningto disrupt White's king. It leads to interesting complications, but isthe expediture of tempi by Black worth the inconvenience caused to White? We'll see. Safer, by the way, is 5...Nxc3 6.bxc3 g6, when White can choosebetween 7.d4, transposing into a Grunfeld, or (better) 7.Bb5ch ..., 8.0-0. } 6. Bc4 { A logical move that anticipates Black's next... 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4??runs into 7...Qxd4! } 6... Nd3+ { The 'point'. White loses his castling rights,leaving the rook hard to activate. For all that, White's development otherwiseproves quite rapid in the sequel. However, 6...e6, say, is less good:7.0-0 Nc6 8.d3 Nd4 9.Nxd4 cxd4 10.Ne2 a6 11.Ng3 Bd6 12.Qg4 with, accordingto Nimzovitch, advantage to White. Another line, 6...Be6 has been tried,but after 7.Bxe6 fxe6 etc, Black found his KB hard to activate in Golombek-Dijkstra,Leeuwarden,1947. } 7. Ke2 { Driving the knight away from d3 before retiringto f1. } 7... Nf4+ { Black could also play 7...Nxc1ch, though it is hard to giveup a knight with its 5th move for a unmoved bishop that has no mobilityat all!To continue: 8.Rxc1 a6 (8...e6? 9.d4 cxd4 10.Bb5ch Nc6 11.Qxd4 Qxd412.Nxd4 Bd7 13.Rhd1 Rc8 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Ba4 Bb4 16.Rd4 Bc5 17.Rc4 Bb6 18.e5f5 19.Nb5) 9.d4 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxd4 11.Nxd4 when White has a big lead indevelopment with the king conveniently placed in the centre. } 8. Kf1 Nc6 { Deviating from 8...Ne6 played in the Suba vs Sax game, and in Averbakh-Bondarevsky,Moscow, 1946: 9.Ne5 Qd4 10.Qa4ch Bd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Bxe6 fxe6 13.Qxd7chKxd7 14.d3 e5 15.Be3 e6 16.Ke2 ... } 9. d4 { Gambiting a pawn for rapid development. Much preferable to 9.d3, say. } 9... cxd4 { The alternative here is 9...Ng6,though it gives up a pawn: 10.dxc5 Qxd1ch 11.Nxd1 Bg4 12.Be3 e6 13.Nc3etc. White won't mind exchanges on f3 as he will be left with an extrapawn constituting his Q-side majority, and the B-pair into the bargain. } 10. Bxf4 dxc3 11. Qb3 { Naturally, exchanges on d8 come into consideration:11.Qxd8 Nxd8 12.bxc3 when White has a big lead in development. } 11... e6 { HadBlack played instead 11...Be6, White would be happy to double his pawnson the e-file, threatening e4-e5 with a serious bind on Black's K-side. } 12. Rd1 { Possibly the simple 12.Qxc3 is more circumspect, but I alwaysliked playing on the edge... } 12... Qf6 { This move seemed to beckon on White'sattack... } 13. Bg5 Qg6 { Forced. } 14. Bb5 { Threatens an immediate mate. This is easily enough stopped, but White has now a fearsome attack. } 14... f6 15. Qxc3 { Not really a sac, as after 15...fxg5 16.Bxc6ch Ke7 is merelyan exchange (Black won't want to recapture 16...bxc6 17.Qxc6ch Ke7 18.Qxa8Ba6ch 14.Kg1 When Black is the exchange plus pawn down, and still has toactivate half his remaining pieces). After16...Ke7 17.Qc5ch Kf7 (17...Kf618.Qd4ch) 18.Ne5ch Kf6 19.Qd4 Qh5 (the sole escape square for the queenas 19...Qh6 20.Ng4ch wins) 20.Ng6ch! Kf7 (20...Kxg6 21.Be8ch) 21.Nxh8chetc } 15... Qxe4 { Un unexpected counterattack hoping, perhaps, to disrupt White'sattack, and to hang on until he can make use of his central majority. I expected here 15...Bd7, here, after which Black gets a playable game:16.Qd3 Rd8 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Be3... Omission of this useful move here ornext move imposes a huge strain on Black's available defensive resources. } 16. Bxf6 { (!) With a nasty threat: 17.Rd8ch Kf7 18.Ng5ch, picking up thequeen on e4. Accepting the offer leads to 16...gxf6 17.Qxf6 when Blackhas to let go his h8-rook on account of the threat 18.Rd8#. } 16... Qb4 { (?) Thelast chance for ...Bd7, but White retains a big edge: e.g. 16...Bd7 17.Bxg7Rg8 18.Bxf8 Rxf8 19.Qg7 (threatening d7 from an unexpected angle) 19...Rd8(19...Rf7?? 20.Qxf7ch) 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.Ne5 ... * After the text, Blackis lost. } 17. Rd8+ { (!) Not the only method, but since this move has beenthreatening for some time, without Black doing anything direct againstit, I hardly looked at any alternatives. Besides, the text is more spectacularthan the prosaic 17.Bxc6ch! } 17... Kf7 { Forced. The king hunt begins... } 18. Ng5+ Kg6 { White had to calculate the likely consequences of 18...Kg8 here:19.Qxb4 Nxb4 20.Be7! Bd7 21.Rxa8 Bxb5ch 22.Kg1 g6 23.Bxf8! etc. } 19. Bd3+ Kh5 { 19...Kh6 doesn't help: 20.Nf7ch Kh5 21.g4ch etc. } 20. g4+ { (!?) Sufficient,but not as decisive as 20.h3! which threatens g4ch followed by Nf7# orNc3# depending on Black's reply. Black's only defensive try seems to be20...Nxd8 (guarding f7) 21.Bxd8 (renewing the threat) 21...e5 (guardingg4) 22.Qxe5 (threatening Nf7ch or Ne6ch as well as g4ch), when Black hasno defence. } 20... Kh4 { The queen has been axed by 21.Be2 and mate will follow next move. } 21. Bf5 { (!) White has 3 pieces 'en prise', the queens areup for exchanges, and it is Black's move... White wins. } 21... gxf6 { Trying tocreate an escape square at g5. } 22. Nf3+ Kh3 { Black actually resignedat this point, but I'll here append the forced mate... } 23. Ng1+ { An unusualfinish: White completes the mating net by undeveloping the knight. } 23... Kh4 24. Qxf6# { Checkmate! Half of Black's pieces never saw action. One ofmy better efforts in an otherwise mediocre performance in the tourney overall(about the middle of the bottom half, as I recall). } *
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "25-Feb-07"] [Round "-"] [White "darius_vitrosoo"] [Black "2quick4u"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1255"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1341"] 1. e4 { standard opening } 1... e5 2. d3 Bc5 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nxe5 { yummy free pawn } 4... Bxf2+ { huh did he mess up?? } 5. Kxf2 Qf6+ { nice try but i just save myknight then what? } 6. Nf3 Bg4 { double pinned knight, hmm... } 7. Be2 dxe4 8. dxe4 Nd7 9. Re1 O-O-O { i did not notice that my queen and his rook wereon the same file } 10. Bg5 Qb6+ 11. Kf1 f6 12. Bh4 Nc5 13. Bf2 { pinned theknight but did nt see my wn queen } 13... Rxd1 { white is lost } 14. Rxd1 Qxb2 15. Bd4 { OUT!! } 15... Qb6 16. h3 { you too } 16... Bxf3 17. Bxf3 Ne7 { fine i'll kill you } 18. Nc3 Rd8 { i almost resigned but i stayed because it was 5 on 4 } 19. Bg4+ f5 20. exf5 { i figured my best chance was a back rank mate of sortsand i focused on it } 20... Qh6 21. Bxc5 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 { now its 4 on 2 } 22... Qf4+ 23. Kg1 Nxf5 24. Nd5 Qg5 25. Bxf5+ { 4 on 1 } 25... Kb8 26. Ne7 { use my knightto block his line to d8 mate in one } 26... b6 { good move } 27. Be4 { u can havethe bishop i want mate } 27... Qxc5+ { i did not notice check } 28. Kh2 Qe5+ { ohshoot! bye bye bishop } 29. g3 Qxe7 { big mistake i think, now if i can onlyget my rook on the back rank..... } 30. Bg2 h5 31. h4 g5 32. Rd5 { oh anopening } 32... gxh4 33. Rxh5 { yes, mate in one, maybe 2 if the queen blocks } 33... hxg3+ { err annoying } 34. Kxg3 a5 { um that is not enough } 35. Rh8+ Ka7 36. Ra8# { a nice finish, i am glad a did not resign } 1-0
[Event "Online G/10 Tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "April 2007"] [Round "-"] [White "fretamoza"] [Black "byakuugan3"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1802"] [TimeControl "10 minutes"] [WhiteElo "1623"] 1. e4 { This was an online fast game I played a couple days ago. I havethe Black pieces } 1... Nf6 { I don't like playing sicilian in short games becauseI tend to think a lot. Short timed games probably aren't good for my chess. Alekhine defense entices White's pawns to move forward so they will becomeattackable. } 2. Nc3 { White decides not to overextend his position moreand develop a piece instead } 2... d5 { I can open up the centre for easy equality. Could someone give their opinion on if they think this position is equal?Now looking I think maybe I was slightly better, but surely this is stillbook. } 3. exd5 { If 3.e5, then 3...Nfd7 is fine for me because 4.d4 c5!turns into a French-type position but where I haven't played the blockinge6 move. If 5.dxc5 then I can go into French with 5...e6 since I will winback a pawn and exchanging a central pawn for flank one usually isn't good. } 3... Nxd5 { Baker likes to play Bg4 here but I don't study his crazy gambit openings } 4. Nge2 { A passive move by White. Taking the knight was probably his bestoption. Or Ne4 is interesting } 4... Nc6 { Since White blocked his diagonal, Ineed not fear Bb5, and also if Nxd5 Qxd5 Nc3 Qe5 and I shouldn't haveany problems with development I can fianchetto KB } 5. g3 { This move weakensthe light squares, and the previous knight move also weakened the lightsquares...........so............. } 5... Bg4 { I annoyingly place my bishop herethreatening to ruin White's kingside castling chances and pinning the knight } 6. Bg2 { Best move } 6... Nd4 { This was my tricky move. All my tactics are revolvedaround the weak light squares. Both my knights are invinsible. I also havea direct threat of Nxc3 dxc3 Bxe2. } 7. Bxd5 { White takes my invinsibleknight, which is a mistake, as his light squares are incredibly weak. } 7... Qxd5 { I love taking advantage of weak squares. Nxd5 results in Nf3 Kf1Bh3# Always consider which squares you are weakening when you make pawnmoves. White has advanced the g and e-pawns, making f3 especially weak. } 8. O-O { I was hoping White would fall for my mating trick, but I knew Istill had an advantage due to my incredible grip on the light squares.....maybe even a a forced mate. White's only ways to get out of mate were d3or f3, but I still win material. } 8... Nf3+ { The only check to keep the initiative } 9. Kh1 { If Kg2 then Nh4 Kg1 Qg2#. } 9... Ng5+ { White realizes castlinginto his weak squares was a terrible idea. White may have thought he wassafe since any check would leave my queen hanging, but he doesn't havetime to take my queen because I have Bf3 Kg1 Nh3# exploiting the weaknesseson h3, g2, and f3. } 10. f3 { If Kg1 then Nh3#, so White tries to hang onas long as possible, but it's clear I have won. } 10... Bxf3+ { Now White is matedbecause Kg1 Nh3#, and White's continuation also got him mated } 11. Rxf3 Qxf3+ 12. Kg1 Nh3# { Because of the simple g-pawn advance, I have postson h3 and f3 for my pieces to attack White. I only advanced one pawn, andit didn't create any major weaknesses. } 0-1
[Event "62nd GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.10.06"] [Round "-"] [White "burlanisback"] [Black "vetch"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1366"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1637"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 { 3. e4 is a better move, but if you feel thatyour opponent is not such a good player 3. e3 might work as well } 3... b5 4. a4 a6 { black shouldn't try to keep the c4 pawn at all! both 4...a6 as inthe game and 4...c6 are awkward; after 4...c6, 5.axb5 cxb5 6.Qf3, capturinga piece, will fallow } 5. axb5 axb5 { ?? why offer the rook for nothing? } 6. Rxa8 Na6 7. Bxc4 { with a little trap } 7... bxc4 8. Qa4+ Qd7 { 8.Bd7 loosesthe queen and the knight } 9. Rxc8# { but 8...Qd7 allows mate! } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "05-Mar-09"] [Round "-"] [White "flanders"] [Black "mirkonitto"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1623"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1631"] 1. c4 { English } 1... e5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nc3 Bc5 5. Nf3 e4 { 6. Ng5 Bxf27. Kxf2 Ng4 } 6. Ng1 Qe7 7. a3 a5 8. Nd5 Nxd5 9. cxd5 Ne5 10. Bxe4 Bxf2+ 11. Kxf2 Ng4+ 12. Kf3 Qf6+ 13. Kg2 { 13. Kxg4 d6 14. Kh5 Qh6# } 13... Qf2+ 0-1
[Event "Challenge from valdemar"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.03.06"] [Round "-"] [White "mustafamohammed"] [Black "valdemar"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1532"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1608"] 1. d4 { please note that: !! = very good move, ! = good move, ?? = verybad move (blunder), ? = bad move (mistake), !? = maybe good maybe badmove. d4 flowed by c4 to open the game. } 1... d5 { reply to my massage. } 2. c4 { to open the game. } 2... dxc4 3. e4 { to control the center and to open theway for the light bishop. } 3... b5 { protection. } 4. g3 { to find another wayfor the bishop and preparing for castling. } 4... Bb7 { attacking e4 pawn. } 5. Bg2 { protection and preparing for early castling. } 5... e6 { opening for darkbishop. } 6. Nh3 { developing and ready for castling. } 6... h6 { to prevent whiteknight from jumping to j5. } 7. a3 { to prevent dark bishop to go to b4 tocheck the king. } 7... Nf6 { developing and attacking e4 pawn. ! } 8. Nc3 { developing,defense for pawn in e4 and attacking b5 pawn if the defense problem issolved. ! } 8... c6 { protection. } 9. e5 { attacking the knight. } 9... Nd5 10. Ne2 { avoidingknights exchange. } 10... Be7 11. O-O { early castling. ! } 11... f6 { attacking centerpawn. } 12. Nef4 { attacking e6 pawn and the queen after that. } 12... Kf7 { blunder,protection by the king, no hope for castling any more plus exposed to thecoming attacks. ?? } 13. Qh5+ { black king is in a real danger. !! } 13... Kg8 14. Nxe6 { to be closer to the king and attacking the queen. !! } 14... Qc8 15. Qg4 { attacking pawn in g7 and threatening of checkmate. ! } 15... g5 { protection. } 16. f4 { to destroy the protection. } 16... h5 { attacking the queen. } 17. Qf5 Kf7 { blunder, did not see the coming attack of the knight in h3. ?? } 18. Nhxg5+ { black pawn in f6 is pinned by the queen. ! } 18... Ke8 19. Qg6+ Kd7 20. Nc5+ Bxc5 { blunder, it will cost him his queen. ?? } 21. Bh3+ { now the blackqueen is dead. !! } 21... Kc7 22. Bxc8 { real dead. !! } 22... Bxc8 { i think if he captureblack bishop with the rock is much much better. ?? } 23. Qg7+ { yes, nowhe is going to lose his rock and dark bishop one by one. } 23... Bd7 24. Ne6+ { bishop is pinned by the queen. !! } 24... Kb7 { now i can capture : - the rockby the queen or - the dark bishop by the pawn in d4 or - the dark bishopby the knight with check. } 25. Nxc5+ { of course i had chosen the thirdone. ! } 25... Kc7 { now the turn is for the rock. } 26. Qxh8 { yes, it is dead.! } 26... fxe5 27. fxe5 { to give the way to the rock to share in the battle. ! } 27... Bh3 { wastage of time, because i am going to move it to check the king inf7. ? } 28. Rf7+ { to help the queen. ! } 28... Kb6 29. Qd8+ { at this positionmy opponent resigned. conclusion : 1- my opponent is a good chess player,he made a mistake, but we all make mistakes. 2- annotation is a very hardjob, i hope that my friend the reader will appreciate what i have doneand may be the beginners will learn some thing. 3- your advice and commentswill be appreciated with my thanks. 4- i like you all. 5- thank you. 6- a lot of thanks to GameKnot. friend of all mustafa } 1-0
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "01-Aug-06"] [Round "-"] [White "kementari"] [Black "humbugs"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1200"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1200"] 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e4 g6 4. d3 Nc6 5. g3 Bg7 6. Bg2 d6 7. Be3 Ng4 8. Qd2 Nxe3 9. Qxe3 { fxe3 would have been a better option here, providingcoverage against Nd4. Once lodged in there with the black bishop gone,that knight is a nuissance and a half. } 9... Nd4 10. Qd2 h5 11. Nge2 Bh6 12. f4 Bg4 13. O-O-O c5 14. h3 Bxe2 15. Nxe2 b5 16. g4 { This would be an exampleof why we don't decimate the pawn infrastructure and pin our queen. Tradingknights and going down one pawn would have been the better option. Followedimmediately by Kb1 and then Qf2. Much, much better. } 16... exf4 17. Nxf4 { 18. Qf4 made this look safe, but ...Ne2 makes it not exactly safe. Oops. } 17... Bxf4 18. Rhe1 Bxd2+ 19. Rxd2 b4 20. e5 0-1
[Event "Let's play chess"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.08.21"] [Round "-"] [White "monkyx"] [Black "elwoos"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1555"] [TimeControl "14 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1343"] 1. e4 { This was an open challenge } 1... c6 { I decided to try the Caro Kann whichI am not very familiar with } 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { advance variation, it looksas though I could be a little cramped here } 3... Bf5 { Still well within thedatabase here, though it seems to me that this is a good time to move mylsb as I am looking at e6 and don't want my lsb blocked in } 4. Bf4 e6 5. Nf3 { This is getting interesting, white has a strong grip on the dark squareson the centre and I have the light ones } 5... Bb4+ 6. c3 Ba5 7. b4 { This movetakes us out of the gameknot database. Whites stranglehold on the darksquares n the centre is going to make my dsb passive for a while } 7... Bb6 { Theprimary reason I chose this was that if he castled kings side it wouldbe nicely lined up on the king. I'm still not sure if Bc7 would be better? } 8. h3 { This move seems to me to be uneccessary, if I were white I wouldhave concentrated on developing } 8... Ne7 { pretty much the only place the knightcan go } 9. Bg5 { Again this doesn't really achieve a lot, the knight isn'treally going anywhere. I was expecting him to develop his knight or lsb } 9... a5 { This may be a little premature, however I wanted to break up his pawnstructure a little and try to get my dsb more active } 10. b5 O-O { gettingmy king safe and avoiding cxb5, Bxb5+ which allows white to develop hislsb with tempo, particularly as that bishop would be tough to extract } 11. c4 Qd7 { Expecting some pawns to be exchanged } 12. Nc3 h6 { This wasto give my lsb a hidey hole if it should be needed } 13. Be3 Qd8 { This makesmy move 11 a waste } 14. g4 Bh7 15. h4 { At this point I started to get alittle worried, those pawns could present a major threat. As it happensthey play no further part in the game, I think that's a lost opportunityfor white. } 15... a4 16. Nxa4 Ba5+ { Looking to soften the threat on my kingsidewith an exchange or two } 17. Bd2 Bxd2+ 18. Nxd2 Qa5 19. Nc5 dxc4 20. Bxc4 cxb5 21. Be2 Nbc6 { Looking at the d4 pawn Whites pawn structure now looksa little more shaky and his king can't hide by castling as it will be fairlyexposed if it does, though it could be safer than where it is now. } 22. Nxb7 Qb6 { that pawn is now mine and the d file will be open for my rooks } 23. Nc5 Nxd4 24. Nd7 { I completely missed this unpleasant looking fork } 24... Qc6 { making threats of my own with Nc2, Kf1, Qxh1#. This was probably thekey move of the game for me. } 25. Nf3 Nxe2 26. Kxe2 Nd5 { Now threateninga royal fork } 27. Qd2 Bd3+ 28. Kxd3 { This was a tremendous stroke of luckfor me, probably best was Ke1. Qxd3 for example falls to a royal fork. } 28... Qc4# { Thanks for reading please feel free to comment } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from goldmedal20"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2012.09.13"] [Round "-"] [White "onlyboxers"] [Black "goldmedal20"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "776"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "712"] 1. e4 { king pawn opening . This game I feel way behind but got into a a slight winning edge before white resigned. I am black and onlyboxerswas white. } 1... e5 { king pawn opeaning } 2. Nf3 { geting his knights ready } 2... Nf6 { building up my denfense . } 3. d3 { bad move on white part and not surewhat white was doing here. } 3... Be7 { getting ready to check white king onmy move by e7 to b4. my pawn on e5 is doomed. white will take it on hisnext turn. } 4. Nxe5 { takes pawn } 4... Bb4+ { bishop attacking mode check. I needmore pieces in this part of board to make my attack stronger. } 5. Bd2 { buildingup his attack . } 5... Bd6 { I moved my bishop back. I saw a chance to tkae hisknight on my next turn by d6 to r5. } 6. Nc3 { he does not realize thati can take his knight on my next turn. } 6... Bxe5 { now I am putting the heaton his other knight. Taking this knight was my bait for my trap. If hetakes my bait he would move his knight from c3 to d5. then i can take hisother knight on my next turn. } 7. Nd5 { took my bait } 7... Nxd5 { down 2 knight. } 8. Qe2 { trying to build an attack } 8... Ne7 { moved back to protect my king andknowing that have to castle king side on my next move to give my king moreportection. } 9. h4 { what is white doing here } 9... O-O { castle king side. } 10. Bb4 { attacking mode } 10... Bxb2 { free piece } 11. Rb1 { trying to take my bishop } 11... Be5 { moved back . knew what white was trying to do. } 12. Bxe7 { that pieceis doomed } 12... Bc3+ { check } 13. Kd1 { safe spot } 13... Qxe7 { right on the money } 14. Rb3 { trying to get something going } 14... Ba1 { first piece ready for checkmate phase. } 15. f4 { that will not help white at all } 15... b5 { bad move onmy part } 16. Rxb5 { takes my doomed piece } 16... Na6 { building my attack team } 17. Re5 { trying to take my queen } 17... Qa3 { moving pieces over so i can usethis during the checkmate phase. } 18. c4 { it seems to me that white doesnot have a plan. } 18... Bxe5 { bad move } 19. fxe5 { free piece } 19... d6 { even pawn taking } 20. exd6 { free piece } 20... cxd6 { free piece } 21. Rh3 { what is whitesplan? } 21... Rb8 { attack mode } 22. h5 { it seems to me that white is making somany bad moves. } 22... Rb1+ { check } 23. Kd2 { safe spot } 23... Qxa2+ { check } 24. Ke3 { safe spot } 24... Qxe2+ { check } 25. Bxe2 { I think i can find a way to win tihs. } 25... Bxh3 { free piece } 26. gxh3 { free piece } 26... Rh1 { I won when white resigned } 0-1
[Event "Razor's Edge"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "06-Jun-07"] [Round "-"] [White "mbingham"] [Black "tag1153"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1438"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1766"] 1. e4 { And I'm playing Tom again. He's had alot of really solid OTB resultsrecently -- much better than mine, in fact. I'm not feeling confidentenough to experiment with d4 vs him today. I play my game. e4! } 1... c5 { Excellent. We don't get alot of Sicilians, the two of us. I'm eagerto play these because I'm experimenting alot with NM Dana MacKensie's 'NukeThe Sicilian' variation of the Grand Prix attack. (1 e4 c5, 2 f4 d5, 3Nf3 dxe, 4 Ng5 Nf6, 5 Bc4 Bg4, 6 Qxg4!? Nxg4, 7 Bxf7 Kd7, 8 Be6 K to somewhereand Bxg4). I don't attempt the Kopec system, which he's previously seenout of me because I'm pretty sure that since we've already had an OTB gameor two in that system, he'll have sufficient familiarity to bust me. } 2. f4 d5 { The move advocated by none other that the mighty Tal. } 3. Nf3 { Dana Mackensie is a great chess player. } 3... dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Bc4 { And I might get to play theNuke line. Come on... Bg4. } 5... e6 { Then again, i might not. } 6. Nc3 { So it'sjust time to play chess. } 6... e3 7. O-O { Making the gambitted pawn a true gambit. } 7... exd2 8. Qxd2 Be7 9. Qe2 { I didn't want to block the dark-square bishopany more, but where the heck is it going to go? I wasn't thinking aboutNc6 followed by Nd4, which is a bit of a pain. } 9... Nc6 { I'm groaning here. } 10. Rd1 Bd7 { I felt this was the wrong way to block. I was expecting Nd4. } 11. Bxe6 { Too speculative, certainly. Not the sort of thing that shouldbe done already a pawn down. But when I smell blood, I tend to bite big. } 11... fxe6 12. Nxe6 Qc8 { Obviously best. } 13. Nxg7+ Kf7 { Tom is playing perfectly. I'm still -1 materially, but I've managed to prevent castling. } 14. Nh5 { And I instantly saw the counterplay. It was too late long ago, I'm afraid. } 14... Bg4 { Ack. } 15. Qc4+ { And I'm expecting Be6 and I'll play Qe2, hoping he'llaccept a draw. Feeling sheepish. } 15... Kg6 { And this invites an interestinggamble. } 16. f5+ { If Bx, I get Nf4 and Ncd5 -- linking up to make 'happyknights', always nice, that. Unfortunately it's only temporary. I'm prettysure the threat on the d1 rook can't be collected upon. } 16... Kxh5 { Taking theknight, however, gives me chances, due to the confluence of the c1 bishop'sforce and that of my queen... } 17. Qf7+ { ... which moves to f7. } 17... Kh4 18. Qg7 { And this was played without considering h6, which prevents Qg4and Bg5. From this position, Qg4#, so something must be done. if Rg8Kh5 Qh6, snuffing black early. g3 was best. Love that hindsight. } 18... Qxf5 { Which I did not anticipate, but that pawn wasn't doing much of anything. Already, I'm looking at getting the queen to e1 or f2 after somethinglike Qh6 Nh5 Qd2. Either that or something that involves that plus g3and Qg2. My thinking is a little fuzzy, but there must be something inthere. I hope to god there's something in there. } 19. Qh6+ Nh5 20. Rd5 { And I jumped on that like it was the best idea ever played by man. Imissed the point. If Bd2, Be1 is unstoppable and the king is still disadvantageouslyensconced. Someone will have to die on the black side so that the kingmay live. I saw it shortly afterward. Sigh. } 20... Ne5 { I wish I'd spent somemore time on that last move. I didn't consider that I was giving blacka chance to bring in more guys. } 21. Qd2 { And I play my original idea. } 21... Nf3+ { Saccing back a little material to make my king vulnerable too. } 22. gxf3 Qxf3 { Eek. Thankfully, I have the initiative. } 23. Rd3 { And the queencan't afford to retreat! After the white queen checks on e1 or f2 (whicheveris available, white's dark-square bishop continues to hold the king inthe box. Which game is it that an annotator, losing the power to quantifythe position, simply said 'The board is on fire'? This perhaps isn't quitethat high quality, but Tom and I both know we're playing a heckuva game. } 23... Rhg8 24. Qe1+ { The obvious move, but I have no idea what my follow up isafter Kh3. } 24... Kh3 { To my mind, there wasn't anything besides this. Thatcertainty left me with most of the day to consider how to play next. } 25. Ne4 { The idea is that the discovery is empty since Bg5, buying time tocapture the queen with check. This is why I'm 1500 USCF and 1750 gameknot. I can just walk away and let the position work itself out on gameknot. OTB, I have to sit there and stew in my own adrenaline. } 25... Bh4 { I'd beenexpecting a rook to f or light-squared bishop to somewhere or other. Thismade me panic until I remembered the vague impression that in lines afterg3 (which i never played), Qg2 might mate. g2 isn't an option of course,but f1 is! } 26. Qf1# { A truly bizarre and wonderful game for a couple ofpatzers. } 1-0
[Event "For victims of the Japanese Earthquake"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.09.24"] [Round "-"] [White "charleshiggie"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1764"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "2113"] 1. d4 { In this game, I play a speculative sacrifice. My opponent goes wrongand loses easily. I was dissappointed that the post-game computer analysissays my sac was not the best move in the position? What do you think dearreader? Can anyone see what an independent search engine says is bestin the position? } 1... f5 2. g3 { So was start as a standard Dutch defence } 2... Nf6 { Routine development. } 3. Bg2 g6 { Black decides to fianchetto her King'sside Bishop too. } 4. Nh3 Bg7 { My knight goes to h3 so as not to block theBg2 } 5. Nf4 Nc6 { Still fairly standard } 6. h4 { PLayed to ancor the Nf4and deter g5, and also with the possibility of attacking with h5 at somestage. } 6... e5 { The usual reply. } 7. dxe5 { Taking is about White's only sensibleoption. } 7... Nxe5 8. c3 { c3 scores well on the opening databases } 8... c6 9. Be3 { So I attempt to follow Rukavina, Dario (2194) vs. Mijatovic, Vladimir(2134) } 9... d6 { But in that game black continued with Qe7, so I have to startthinking for myself. } 10. Nd2 { So I continue to develop } 10... Qc7 { So does she.This is actually the first mistake according to the post game computer,which gives Nfg4 11. Bd4 c5 12. Bxe5 dxe5 13. Nh3 e4 14. Nc4 Qxd1+ 15.Rxd1 O-O 16. h5 Be6 17. Nd6 Rab8 18. hxg6 hxg6 and a slight advantage toBlack. } 11. Qb3 { So I decide to make castling hard for her. } 11... Qf7 { She offersthe queen exchange } 12. Qb4 { I avoid and hit d6. } 12... d5 { d5 is also givenas a mistake, and I tend to agree. Post game computer gives Nfg4 13. Qxd6Nxe3 14. fxe3 Bd7 15. O-O-O O-O-O 16. Bd5 Qf8 17. Qxf8 Rhxf8 18. Ne6 cxd519. Nxg7 Kc7, again with slight advantage to Black. But now, what is Blackto do about castling and developing the Bc8? } 13. O-O-O { So I castle } 13... b6 { Aha, Bb7 or Ba6 is planned } 14. Qd6 { So I hit c6 } 14... Qe7 { She defends. } 15. Qxe7+ { Exchanging is just about forced now } 15... Kxe7 { She recaptures } 16. Bd4 { I improve my bishop } 16... Nf7 { She retreats. } 17. Bxd5 { Now this is the keymoment. Post game computer gives 17. c4 Bb7 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. Nxd5+ Bxd520. Bxd5 Rac8+ 21. Kb1 Rhd8 22. Nf3 Nxd5 23. Bxg7 a6 24. Nd4 Nd6 with Whiteahead 1.25, but I am not convinced that this is right. What do you, andyour search engines think? } 17... cxd5 { So she takes } 18. Bxf6+ { and I take. } 18... Kf8 { And this is where she really backs out! She she gives back the piecewithout a fight leaving me a pawn up. The computer gives Bxf6 19. Nxd5+Kd6 20. Nf3 Bb7 21. Nxb6+ Ke6 22. Nxa8 Rxa8 23. h5 g5 24. Rd3 g4 25. Re3+Be4 26. Nd4+ Ke5 27. Nb5 Kd5 28. Rd1+ Kc4 as best for Black with only aslight advantage to White. I commented at the time, 'I am not sure thatyou have played the best defence, you could have gone in for variationswhere you had 2 minor pieces v my rook and 2, maybe 3 pawns. Still materialadvantage to me, but less clear....' } 19. Bxg7+ { So I exchange } 19... Kxg7 { Sherecaptures } 20. Nf3 { Not really aiming at the d5 pawn, but aiming to putthe Nf3 on d4, dominating the centre. } 20... Bb7 { So now I can take the pawnd5, but why? Her bishop is tied up protecting it, my pieces are so active. } 21. h5 { so I continue to open lines } 21... Rhe8 { so quits the h file } 22. Nd4 { I take up the dominating post } 22... Kf6 { she centralises the king } 23. hxg6 { I take } 23... hxg6 { she takes back } 24. Rh7 { I advance } 24... Rad8 { She gives d5 moreprotection } 25. Rdh1 { But now I dominate the h file } 25... Rh8 { She challengesit } 26. Kd2 { I centralise my king } 26... Rxh7 { She exchanges } 27. Rxh7 Rh8 { andagain... } 28. Rxh8 { so I take } 28... Nxh8 { she takes back } 29. Nb5 { she commented'Hmm, Charles, you could have quite easily got a second pawn but you decidedto press for a mating attack down the h column - unfortunately for youit has not come off but I think I am in for a tough endgame one pawn tothe bad - Joanne' } 29... a6 { and I said 'I think you are too....' a6 is givenas a mistake by the post-match computer, and gives ... g5 30. Nd3 a5 31.Ke3 Nf7 32. Kd4 Ke6 33. a4 Bc6 34. Na7 Bb7 35. b3 Ba6 36. Nc6 Kd6 37. Nb8Bb7 38. e3 as Black's best bet, but it is still lost! } 30. Nd6 { hittingthe bishop } 30... Bc6 31. Nc8 { and now the pawn b6 } 31... b5 { and now her bishop isterrible! All her pawns are on the same coloured squares as her bishop,blocking its movements. } 32. Nb6 Ke5 33. Nd3+ Kd6 34. Nc8+ Kc7 35. Ne7 Kd6 36. Nxc6 Kxc6 37. Nb4+ { Now Black cannot avoid losing a second pawn. } 37... Kd6 38. Nxa6 Nf7 39. Nb4 Ne5 40. b3 Ng4 41. f3 Ne5 42. Ke3 g5 43. Kd4 { andnow Black cannot avoid losing a third pawn, so she throws in the towel.Please leave a comment or two and don't forget to rate my annotation tolet me know how I am doing! } 1-0
[Event "Tonydog's 11th mini-tournament "] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.25"] [Round "-"] [White "last_archimedean"] [Black "wallylayton"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1104"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1317"] { The Queen... the most powerful piece on the board. Out of seeming nothingness,a Queen-led mating attack can appear virtually instantly. This game isan example. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 { In things like League or Ladder games, Ivary my openings. But in tournament or mini-tournament games I usuallystick to more Classical lines, as in this game. } 2... Nc6 3. Bb5 { Yet anotherRuy Lopez. :) } 3... Nf6 4. O-O { Book. } 4... Nxe4 5. d4 { The Open Variation. } 5... Nxd4 6. Nxd4 { A pseudo-sacrifice, as the pin on the K file wins back the Knightat once. } 6... exd4 7. Re1 { The pin in question. } 7... c6 8. Rxe4+ { The capture withcheck allows time... } 8... Be7 9. Bd3 { ...for the B to escape as well. } 9... d5 10. Re1 { The fireworks are over for the moment, and I have a small materialadvantage. Time to develop that Q-side. } 10... O-O 11. Bf4 { The best spot. } 11... Bd6 12. Bxd6 { Since I'm ahead in material, I don't at all mind exchanges. } 12... Qxd6 13. Nd2 { The last minor piece clears the rank... } 13... b6 14. Qf3 { ...anddevelopment is finished, as my Rooks are connected. } 14... f5 15. Re2 { Preparing... } 15... Bd7 16. Rae1 { ..to double on the open file. } 16... Rae8 17. Rxe8 { If Black nowplays 17... RxR, I happily swap off the last Rooks with 18 RxR ch BxR andwith 19 BxP I have a technically easy endgame win with my extra minor piece. } 17... Bxe8 18. Qh3 { So that I can play... } 18... Qh6 19. Bxf5 { ...this move withoutmoving into a self-pin. 19... QxQ 20 BxQ would let me win slowly but surely. } 19... Qxd2 20. Bxh7+ { Now I win quickly. Black's only way to fight on is 20...K-R1 21 B-N6 dis ch Q-R3 22 QxQ ch PxQ 23 BxB, after which I have an easyendgame win but Black can drag out his resistance for a while. } 20... Kf7 21. Qe6# { Black's actual move enables me to end it right here. } 1-0
[Event "Suffering for a pawn"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.07.29"] [Round "-"] [White "bone1"] [Black "nyctalop"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1739"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1614"] 1. f4 { The Bird opening. Advocates of this move are usually Dutch playersthat like to employ the same setup as White. A leading Dutch exponent,GM Malaniuk, was asked why he didn't play 1.f4 as White given his excellentresults as Black in the defense. He replied: 'The extra move would hurtme'. } 1... Nf6 { I use a Grunfeld setup to most offbeat White openings. } 2. d3 d5 3. h3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. d4 { White should have continued with the planto play e4. Now he has wasted a tempo and weakened e4 in one move. } 5... Ne4 6. e3 Ng3 { Maybe a little hasty but this was more positional in nature,I wanted to get rid of White's 'good' Bishop. } 7. Rg1 Nxf1 8. Kxf1 b6 { Tryingto develop with tempo. The White King is pretty safe nonetheless. } 9. Nc3 Ba6+ 10. Kf2 Nd7 { A bad move from a pure chess point of view but from apsychological point a view, losing a pawn can really throw some opponentsoff their game. I regularly beat the city veteran champion with a similarapproach. I either gambit or simply lose a pawn in the opening. Once hesees he's gained material, he starts playing bad for no reason at all.My current score against him in official competitions is 4-0. My opponentin this game seems to have the same belief that once you've gained material,you have to defend it at all costs. } 11. Nxd5 c5 { At least I have the Bishoppair, might as well try to open the position and hope for an attack againstthe uncastled White King. } 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Re1 { Making room for the Kingto reach the safety of g1. } 13... Ne4+ 14. Kg1 Qd6 { I was trying to prevent Nb4and keep the Queens on the board. Also I'm preparing to bring the rooksinto play. } 15. c3 { A good defensive move, but White's Bishop is now hemmedin behind pawns. } 15... O-O { If 0-0-0 White can save the piece with Qa4. Stillmaybe this was a stronger move, since after the forced 16.Qa4 Nc5 17.Qa3Qxd5 18.b4 Bb7 19.bxc5 Qxc5 20.Qxc5 bxc5, Black has regained the pawn andhas a large positional advantage. } 16. Nb4 { Forcing the exchange of Queens.Incidentally, this is forced since other moves leave Black better. } 16... Bb7 17. Qxd6 Nxd6 { The Queens have been exchanged but White still has someproblems to solve. e4 and c4 are weak spots, his Bishop is bad and hispiece coordination isn't quite so good. } 18. Nd2 a5 19. Nd3 Rfd8 20. Nf2 { Trying to take control of e4 and removing itself from the Rook skewer. } 20... e5 { Opening more lines for the Bishops. I'm also hoping this pawn willcome to e4 so that the White Bishop won't have a good square to develop. } 21. Ng4 e4 22. Nf2 { White missed his last chance to play Nb3 and bringthe Knight to the center. } 22... a4 23. a3 { Stopping Black from playing a3 himselfbut now the White squares are chronically weak and the Bishop is doinglife without the possibility of parole. } 23... f5 { That pawn was a great investment,I really liked my position here. There isn't much White can do in his twoback rows of the board, while Black can sing and dance in his fields ofglory. } 24. g4 Ba6 25. g5 { Better was to keep the tension or ever exchangeand try to do something on the g-file. White is praying that a miraclewill happen and his jailed Bishop might get a presidential pardon. } 25... Nb7 26. Rd1 Rd6 27. Nf1 { Forced, or else the doubled Black Rooks will be sureto win a fat chunk of material. } 27... Rxd1 28. Nxd1 Rd8 29. Nf2 Nc5 30. Nd2 Bc8 { Rerouting to a different spot where the Bishop will be more active. } 31. Kf1 { Not much for White to do. Still waiting for that presidentialpardon... } 31... Be6 32. Ke1 b5 { It's 2 vs 3 and the Black team is winning. } 33. h4 Kf7 34. Nf1 Bd5 { 34...Nb3 was a lot stronger but why not tormentWhite for being greedy a little longer? } 35. Ng3 Nb3 36. Rb1 Bc4 37. Ne2 Bxe2 { I didn't want this Knight to reach d4 but instead 37...Bd3 was stronger. } 38. Kxe2 h6 { Opening another line of attack. } 39. Kf1 hxg5 40. hxg5 Bf8 41. Ke2 Bc5 42. Nd1 { Over protecting e3 but now the killer comes throughthe backdoor. } 42... Rh8 43. Nf2 Rh2 { White is now in zugzwang. } 44. Kf1 Nxc1 45. Rxc1 Bxe3 46. Rc2 Ke6 47. Kg1 Rxf2 48. Rxf2 Kd5 49. Kf1 Bxf2 { The kingcomes to c4 and it's all over. White had enough and resigned. } 0-1
[Event "Challenge from deldah35"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Feb-07"] [Round "-"] [White "deldah35"] [Black "beresford13861"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1294"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1404"] 1. e4 { Team rating test, standard kings pawn! } 1... e5 2. Nf3 { always a standard...develop while threatening my free pawn. } 2... d6 { protection of course, andopening the files for my bishops. } 3. d4 { starting the battle a littleearly? is it a bad thing? generaly i found that true but in this case,lets see.... } 3... Nc6 { the pawns no big deal, i need to develop. } 4. dxe5 { pawngraber } 4... Bg4 5. exd6 { another pawn grabed. } 5... Bxd6 { DEAD pawn grabing pawn!and asisted in development } 6. Bb5 { Knight pin. what will i do? what wouldyou do? } 6... Nf6 { Develop! } 7. e5 { opps!!!! why did i not see that???? butits ok. } 7... Be7 8. Qxd8+ Rxd8 { queen swaping, always fun. } 9. exf6 { here comesanother pesky pawn. } 9... Bxf6 { now im down, pawns still look good, but yetim still down two pawns and a knight. } 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 { so much for nicepawns. } 11. Bf4 { you looking for ANOTHER free pawn?? } 11... Bd4 { just tryingto make up some ground. } 12. Bxc7 { he dont bite, but takes the pawn...nows its time to advoid the dark squares. } 12... Rd7 13. Be5 { hummm... free bishop?thank you! } 13... Bxe5 { now im donw only a pawn, looking much better. Noticeneither one of us has castled..this cant be good for one of us soon. } 14. Nxe5 { looks like a nice rook/bishop pin....think again, its bait! } 14... Rd1# { i felt totaly at a disadvantage, but i had to play a good game, andDeldah35 was a great player also! } 0-1
[Event "Very lucky"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2014.06.04"] [Round "-"] [White "Player"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "1200"] { In blitz you play lightly. I experimented with the Budapest, but my opponentgot the best of it and I was almost lost. Incredibly, I could survive thestorm and I got an exchange for two pawn. The rest was a matter of 'technique'.A lesson about how you can lose a decisive advantage for not attackingproperly enough. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. d5 { An answer I almost never meet,but it makes sense, totally. } 3... Bb4+ { I don't want to play the fianchetto,but it was probably the best option. If Bc5, d3 and later my dsb will bekicked and in troubles, so I decided to exchange it at once, and be strongon the white squares, via f5. } 4. Bd2 { Thank you... } 4... Bxd2+ 5. Qxd2 { Notgood, but I can't say it is bad, either. I like the queen to be 'looking'at b3 or a4(+), but true is that now the threat has less strenght. Interestingis 6. c5!? causing problems to black's developement. } 5... d6 { I should haveplayed Ne5 at once, get the tempo over the queen, and support the kinghtwith the bishop. White has Qb4 (to prevent my bishop to develop), I's playKa6... but I dicided to ensure my developement line before trhowing thekinght up there. } 6. Nc3 Bf5 7. f3 { with my knight in e4, this would havebeen a mistake from white: Qh4+, followed by Nxg3 was very annoying forwhite. } 7... e4 { I didn't want to wait for e4, and I had my bishop there forsome reason, so I played this one. } 8. fxe4 Bxe4 { The idea was that myopponent would not have resisted to take the bishop, and leave my knightin the 'pole position' for a Qh4+ attack. The knight can easily be defendedby the f pawn, while white has no pawn to kick it. But my opponent didn'tfall into it. } 9. Qe3 { Very smart. My only defence is... } 9... Qe7 10. Nf3 { Catching up in developement, but still the white's lsb is trapped. I havesome move to settle. } 10... O-O { I can leave the queen unprotected now. } 11. g3 { Manouvering to get the lsb active. The Qh4 plan is meaninglessnow,but I still welcome the exchange, so time to develop. } 11... Nbd7 { Unfortunately,due to the bishop this knight can't go to e5 right now. On c5 it will helpjust for one move, since after b4 it has to go away. } 12. Bg2 Nc5 { ...Thiswas a mistake. I should have gone Ra-e8, or a5. } 13. O-O Rfe8 { I sensedit was difficult to use the f column, so I got this one in place. As youcan see, I should have taken advantage from my opponent's move to playa5, but I somehow missed it. } 14. b4 { Here it comes. } 14... Bxf3 { I don't knowif this is the best, but when in doubt, cramped and attacked, a safe exchangeis a good advice. } 15. Qxf3 { White, cleverly, doesn't want to exchange.Here black has Qe3+, but I missed it. } 15... Ncd7 { You can't say black had agood outcome from the opening. I have to improve this. } 16. e4 { Of course.Black is now severely restricted. } 16... Ne5 17. Qe2 Nfg4 { Silly move. I wantedto get some squares for my other pieces. } 18. Rf4 { I was waiting for h3,kicking the knight (to h6), and maybe have some weakeness in white's castling.I would have to compromise mine too, though. } 18... Nh6 19. Raf1 f5 { ?! Passivedefence would fail in the long term. I'm not testing my opponent's technique,I just want to have fun. Let's see what happens. White doesn't have totake. He can play Bh3, but he preferred... } 20. exf5 { Here, a good wayto exchange queens and release some pressure was to play Ng6. If whitetakes the knight, QxQ and then RxN, and it doesn't matter g6xh7+, Kxh7.If white QxQ, NxQ saving it from the capture. After this, probably f6 bywhite was decisive. But I just saw that the knight cannot move. Here, theright move for black was... Qf6. It blocks the pawn, and threats a doublethreat over the white queen AND the c3 knight by removing the knight. } 20... Rf8 { I was scared of f6 and played this instead. I forgot the knight'sjump, it will stay there until necessary. } 21. Bh3 { Of course, and good.still, Qf6 and Nf7 was possible. } 21... Qg5 { I thought that now white can'tkick the queen with h4, so I played this move. } 22. f6 gxf6 { Ok, I know,my king is wide open. But we have no black bishop's on the board, so Ihave a hope. The other knight could have come into action now, Ne4, andthings would have been even worse for black. } 23. Be6+ { That's ok. } 23... Kh8 { This is the safe square for my king... } 24. Ne4 { I'm really squeezedand doomed. } 24... Qg7 25. Nxf6 { Incredibly, white, with all this penetration,has no easy way to the win. } 25... a5 { I can't move. Nf7 would have been theonly one, but I wanted to take a minimum of a chance of getting the otherrook on play, because with the two minor pieces placed like that it waslimited to useless squares. } 26. b5 { Wisely, white doesn't fall into it,and makes for me impossible to grab the column. If a4, a3! and the rookcan't escape. } 26... b6 { well, let's block it completely, then. White is theowner of the white squares, but the 'hot' ones are black! (f8, c7, f6...and the rest of the black pieces! } 27. R1f2 { Probably with the intentionof adding the queen to the f pressure. } 27... Nhf7 { The only sensible move Ican figure. } 28. Qh5 { Gasp! My, I feel like Hitles in his last days. :-).Here, h6 saved the day for some more move, but I could do nothing againstKh1-g4-g5. White is playing preparing for a knight's jump. It forces meto save my own knight of f7. If I go something like h6, white can playNe8. I can take it, but then white will take mine on f7, and with a rookthere, I'm doomed. It's interesting to try to find an escape (28...h6,29. Ne8, Qg6, 30. QxQ, NxQ, 31. RxNf7, RxR, 32, RxRf7). But in attackingthis way, white omits a black's move... } 28... Nd3 { Now, black has a change towin an exchange. But I played this without seeing the deadly, simple Rg4.My queen is doomed, but it is still interesting to see how the game couldhave proceeded. (In my lines, black can't survive this one). But whitecouldn't see the move at the moment, and got a 'brilliant' idea. } 29. Qxh7+ { It would have done more sense Nxh7. Now, the storm begins, it'scrisis time. } 29... Qxh7 { Forced. } 30. Nxh7 { White can't allow the black queento survive. } 30... Nxf4 { I take the most valuable piece first, and the one thatblocks the other's action. My knight threats Nh3+, winning the other rook,so thie has to take it. } 31. Rxf4 { Now, it's a knight for a knight. AndI had the exchange. White threw 90% of his advantage for missing a decisivemove. I played very bad until now, but maybe I can still save this. } 31... Kxh7 32. Rxf7+ Rxf7 33. Bxf7 Rf8 { Caging the white king, and feeling completelyfree to leave my pawns unguarded. My opponent has two joined pawn, andthis should give him advantage. I doubt I can stop the two of them, soI am technically lost (I can be wrong, be aware!). But now white betterplay with good technique, or the weakness of his own pawns against therook will cause his to lose the game. White's bishop belongs to b3. Period.White can still try to bring the king on his pawn's side, losing the othertwo at the end, and force a draw, but it requires very good chess either. } 34. Be6 { ?? It seems obvious, but this is the losing move for white,since now his pawns are doomed, and the game lost! Can you believe it?It is not a 'quiet' endgame, at all! With 34. Bb5 white could still havehad the bishop in d1 - caring of the rook's forks... but now, I knew Ihad won this game. } 34... Rf3 35. a4 { Still without seeing the point of it. } 35... Ra3 { Or Rc3, but look: the way to the 8th rank doesn't cross for anysquare easily reacheable by the white bishop. Death is just some movesaway. } 36. Bd7 { A complete waste of time. White had to push his otherpawns, just hopelessly. } 36... Rxa4 { ? I give him another tempo. } 37. h4 Rxc4 38. g4 a4 39. Bf5+ { Ok, so here I just have to push the pawn. If Bb1, Rc1+forking it and goodbye. BUT white checked me, so... } 39... Kg7 40. Kf2 { AllowingBb1, but after Rc1 anyway... } 40... a3 41. Bb1 Rc2+ { ...and now this little brilliancy,just to be cruel. } 42. Ke3 a2 { Taking advantage from the situation untilits last consequences. } 43. Bxa2 Rxa2 44. Kf4 Rb2 { I have to sac my rookfor the two pawns and be sure my pawn will queen. This pawn is fartherthan the d one, but taking the latter would have got my rook into the actionfaster. } 45. Kf5 { Rf2+, and etcetera. No, let's try. } 45... Rxb5 46. Ke6 Rb4 { He has to retreat or lose the pawns. } 47. g5 { ?? Second worst move ofthe game. } 47... Rxh4 48. Kd7 Rc4 { Now it's over. It was a bad but interestinggame, as often :-) } 49. Ke6 b5 0-1
[Event "London Tournament, 1795"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "George Atwood"] [Black "Francois-Andre Philidor"] [Result "0-1"] { A fine example of Philidor's skill. } 1. e4 e5 2. f4 { Atwood ventures aKing's Gambit. } 2... exf4 { As a man of honor, Philidor accepts. } 3. Nf3 { A sureway to prevent a Black counterattack of ...Q-R5 ch, always a danger inthe King's Gambit. } 3... g5 { Philidor supports the advanced Pawn. } 4. Bc4 { Naturally,Atwood goes after the weakness at KB7. } 4... g4 { Philidor counterattacks withverve. } 5. d4 { Opening more attacking lines... } 5... gxf3 { ...but sacrificinga whole piece. } 6. Qxf3 { Bringing out the heavy artillery. } 6... Nc6 { Philidorhastens to begin his own development and consolidate his position. } 7. c3 { Securely guarding the QP. } 7... Qf6 { Adding a defender to the KB2 square. } 8. e5 { Thrusting forward in the center. } 8... Qxe5+ { Countering with a check. } 9. Kd1 { I must be missing something here. Why is 9 PxQ a bad move? I can'timagine Atwood overlooking it, or Philidor missing it when he played hisprevious move. } 9... Qf6 { Having forced Atwood's King to move, the Queen retreats. } 10. Re1+ { Down a piece and a Pawn, Atwood must attack. } 10... Be7 { Philidor cutshim off at the pass. } 11. Bxf4 { Winning back the Pawn. } 11... d6 { Enabling theQB to move folowed by O-O-O. With his attack gone and down a piece withoutcompensation, Atwood resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Blunders and Recoveries Rd. 3"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "11/11/17"] [Round "-"] [White "Opponent"] [Black "Myself"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1550 USCF"] [TimeControl "G90/D5"] [WhiteElo "1500 USCF"] { I love brute force attacks, and smashing victories, this game proves it! Going into Rd. 3 I had acquired some information about my opponent thatwas good news. Her normal opening was e4! which I can respond to with thePetrov Defense, one of the openings I know best. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Bc4 Nxe4 { Ever since I learned of this line of the four knights,I was in enthralled by it! Knowing I can sacrifice a piece and get it backeasily, along with getting a better position over white. Sounds like awin-win to me! } 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Bxd5 Qxd5 7. Nc3 Qa5 { Standard stuff forthis opening. Already I'm feeling good about the position, since I haveplayed this line very frequently I feel comfortable about the position.My queen is out a bit early, but it will be safe over on a5 for a while. } 8. d3 Bg4 9. h3 Bh5 10. g4 Bg6 { It seems to me like 10. g4 was a bit ofan over extension. She is improving my bishop rather than limiting itsspace. Even though I lost the knight pin, I feel my bishop has found along term home on g6. } 11. Bd2 Bb4 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Qd5 14. Qe2 O-O-O { Castling queenside gets my king safe, activates my rook, and makes themove Rhe8 readily available. } 15. O-O f6 16. b4 { She starts her big pushtowards my king, but she didn't calculate on my retaliating in the sameway. Where her attack takes a while to formulate, mine can erupt instantaneously! } 16... h5 17. Nh4 Bf7 18. Nf5 { Her new knight location is only slightly annoying,it does not hinder my movements hardly at all. In fact, the knight on f5can be more easily pinned to a queen which will be forced to g4. } 18... hxg4 19. Qxg4 Be6 20. Qe4 { I didn't see this coming, but it makes no immediatethreats, and I can snatch up that pawn on h3 like the pawn-grabby playerI am! } 20... Rxh3 21. Ne3 Qxe4 { The computer indicates that this is a mistake,and the proper moves are Qd7 or d6. I hate moves like this because theyare so passive! Can somebody please explain to me why Qd7 is better thanwhat I have in store for her with Rdh8 threats? } 22. dxe4 Rdh8 23. Kg2 Rh2+ 24. Kf3 Nd4+ { I force the minor trade and advance my pawn! It is aforced trade since 25. Kg3 meets R8h3#. I have a system of checks workedout so as to win material once that knight on e3 is forced away by thepawn. } 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. Nf5 g6 27. Nxd4 R8h3+ 28. Ke2 Bc4+ { Now that theknight is removed, it is safe to play my fine skewer tactic. } 29. Kd2 Bxf1 30. Rxf1 Rxa3 { A rook for a knight up, I decide to continue with my pawn-grabbyhabits. } 31. Nb5 Ra4 32. c3 Ra2+ 33. Ke3 Rh3+ 34. f3 { You might be ableto tell that I don't really know what I am doing here. I had no idea whatI was supposed to be doing except waiting for a tactic to present itselfor something. So I just shuffled my pieces around, hopping for a blunder. } 34... a6 35. Nd4 Ra3 { I figure the king can only defend one of the two back pawnsat a time, and if he has to defend the c3 pawn, I may be able to run myg and f-pawns up the board. } 36. Kd3 g5 37. Kd2 Ra2+ { This keeps the kingon the third rank where I want him, and also protects the potential importantsquare g2. } 38. Ke3 g4 39. Kf4 { This is a nice blunder for me, which allowsme to run my pawn up the board to the end unhindered by a king! A bettermove was Ne2 to bring another defender in, but this position was lost already,so making it worse is not the end of the world } 39... g3 40. Rg1 g2 { The endof the world was two moves later. After 40...g2 she resigned, seeing thatshe had to sac here remaining rook to stop the encroaching pawn. At thetermination of the game I had more than double the time on my opponentsclock, as is normally my custom. If you like obscure sacrifices, and closepawn endgames, keep an eye out for my next tournament game Rd. 4! } 0-1
[Event "36th GK tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "07-May-07"] [Round "-"] [White "patak"] [Black "theorybrat"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1566"] [TimeControl "2 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1512"] 1. e4 { This game unfortunately cost me advancing past the first round ofthe GK tournament. It's not a well played game by either side, so don'texpect brilliancies, unless they're comic ones. But perhaps we can learnsomething from our mistakes? } 1... c6 { I am not a fan of 1 e4 e5 for Black,and neither the Sicilian nor Alekhine's have been working well for me asBlack, so I have recently taken up the Caro-Kann defense -- with decent,if drawish, results. Perhaps I was a little too confident in this gamethat I could obtain at least a draw against an 'inferior' player?? } 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { I learned something about the Caro-Kann by studying linesagainst it as White. But I play the Main Line (3 Nc3) and would never playthe Advance as White, thus I am out of my field of 'expertise'. } 3... Bf5 { Followingthe book. } 4. h3 { Deviating from the book. 4. Nf3 or 4 Nc3 are to be preferredhere. } 4... e6 { This is the correct 4th move for Black, but I'm not very comfortablewith this position. My bishop is exposed and trapped in the centre andWhite has a very constricting central pawn chain. The pawn breaks at c5or f6 need to played as soon as possible. } 5. Nf3 Nd7 { I could have played5 ...c5 immediately. } 6. a3 { White should be developing his pieces toexploit his space advantage rather than wasting time moving flank pawns.Almost anything is better than the text move: 6 Nc3, Be2, Be3, c3, forexample. } 6... h6 { 6 ...h6?! A 'small' innacuracy that is endemic of how Icame to lose this game. Given how cramped I am, I can't afford to playon the flanks. I need to play 6 ...c5 or ...f6 to hit White's pawn chainASAP. } 7. Bd3 { I feel that this move actually helps my position, becauseI can trade off my vulnerable bishop now. 7 Be2, Be3 or 7 Nc3 are goodoptions for White here. } 7... Ne7 { I don't think this is bad given that mybishop is being attacked. I'm developing now, and given White's passiveplay I can afford to hold off on the pawn break for a little bit. } 8. Nc3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Ng6 { Putting pressure on the advanced pawn at e5 and freeingmy king's bishop to back up my ...c5 break. 9 ...Nf5 is no good becauseof 10 g4 and then he castles queenside. } 10. Be3 c5 { Finally, I play thecritical pawn break. 10 Be7 first is also feasible, waiting to see whatside White castles to. } 11. O-O { Objectively analysing the board, I'dsay my current position is cramped but fully playable. White's pawn ond4 will be traded off soon and e4 will be a juicy target, while my king'sbishop will become active and influential. I also have potential attacksdown the c-file and pressure to be applied with ...Qb6 or c7. Meanwhile,White has played passively and will have a harder time finding attackingchances right away, but he's far from out of the game. His best strategyis probably to counter my queenside play with a kingside pawn storm. None of this, however, materialises.... } 11... a6 { 11 ...a6?! Playing to theflanks again, with the idea of queenside expansion and stopping Nb5 afterI play ...Qc7. But 11 ...Be7 or 11 ...cxd4 are much healthier. } 12. b3 { 12 b3?! This move does little for White except waste a tempo and weakenhis queenside pawns. A better idea is 12 Ne2 cxd4 13 Bxd4 Be7 14 c4. } 12... Qc7 { I'm not keen on relieving the tension just yet, so I overprotect c5and begin my pressure on the c-file. } 13. a4 { This pawn chain is not veryuseful for White. After I've castled, ...b5 can break it all up, and Ihave that attack down the c-file on his backwards pawn. } 13... cxd4 14. Bxd4 Ngxe5 { 14 ...Ngxe5? My move totally neglects the obvious: castle dammit!!! In spite of my own passive play, White has permitted me to free up myposition, while leaving me some weaknesses to exploit. But instead of playingthe strong 14... Bc5, or even 14 ...Rc8, I ignore sound principles andgreedily snatch a 'free' pawn. } 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Qg3 { White has a strongposition after 16 Nxd5! I can't take 16 ...exd5 because of 17 Bxe5 Qd7/c618 Rad1, etc. So instead I could play 16 ...Qd6 17 Bxe5 Qxd5 18 Qe2 (not18 Qxe5 exd5 19 Rfe1 0-0-0 which is stronger for Black). ChessMaster givesthe following complicated variation: 18 ...Bd6 19 Bxg7 Rg8 20 Rfd1 Qc621 Qc4 Qxc4 22 bxc4 Rxg7 23 Rxd6 Rc8 24 Rb1 Rxc4 25 Rxb7 Rxa4 ... followedby either the straightforward 26 Ra7 or the prettier 26 Rxe6 -- in eithercase with a plus for White. } 16... Rg8 { 16 ...Rg8? Ugh! 16 ...f6 is correcthere, but I was overconcerned with the ultimately minor pawn weakness thatmove causes. Even 16 ...Bd6 is fine because after 17 Qg7 I have 17 ...0-0-0 followed by 18.... Nc6 and all is good. } 17. Bxe5 Qc5 { In spiteof my blunder, I am still hoping to get a bit of play from my pressureon the c-file the possibility of a very disruptive ...d4 push. } 18. Rad1 { This rook should probably be at c1, defending the backwards pawn. } 18... Be7 19. Rfe1 { White has rather astutely, in my opinion, siezed control of hishalf open files. } 19... f6 { Castling long would be smart now. White, however,misses another tactical shot on his next move. } 20. Bf4 { After 20 Rxd5!Qc6 21 Bd6 Kf7 22 Qg4 White is winning by a mile. } 20... Kf7 { My best move ina bad position. } 21. Qg4 { 21 b4 is stronger. But perhaps White is hopingI'll fall for a trap? } 21... Qxc3 { And I'm right back in the game! Or not ....There was a trap, and I walked right into it. 21... Qc6 22 Ne2 e5 isa 'stronger' continuation for Black. } 22. Qxe6+ { I was convinced thatI had equalised and didn't even see this coming. } 22... Kf8 { 22 ...Kg6 is theonly way to avoid mate, but Black is still lost. } 23. Qxe7# { Bof! Allsaid and done, just a WEAK game. } 1-0
[Event "Challenge from jstevens1 - Battle of the Wings!"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20-Sep-07"] [Round "-"] [White "jstevens1"] [Black "ionadowman"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2024"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1564"] 1. e4 { 1. e4 - let's keep it simple - JS. } 1... e5 { 1....... e5 (and ID repliesin kind). } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 { 3. I decide to play the Scotch Opening -Kasparov has played this - must be good!! - JS } 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 { 4. ....The knight is twice attacked, so ....... } 5. Be3 { 5. Be3 - I try not tomove the same piece twice. Be3 develops a piece and the knight is defendedtwice. } 5... Qf6 { 5. ........ Qf6 ('I have to keep this pressure on, I haveto keep this pressure on!!' - quoted from Spandau Ballet by the way). The knight is attacked once more, so..... } 6. c3 { I defend it again witha pawn - 6. c3! - Now what's next Ion? } 6... Nge7 { 6. ....... Ng-e7 (developsa piece and prepares castling). } 7. Be2 { 7. Be2 - now I return the complement. } 7... d5 { 7. ........ d5 (hello, hello, hello - should I capture the pawn?). No, thinks I because if I do he will take with the e7 knight and put mybishop under pressure, which is supporting my nicely positioned knight. I have to move the same piece twice to back up the e pawn so I play ........ } 8. Bf3 { 8. Bf3. Now let's see what happens ...... } 8... dxe4 { 8. ...... dxe4(now follows a plethora of exchanges over the next few moves leaving mewith an IQP, grr and double grr - not good against a player nearly 500points north of my rating!) } 9. Bxe4 Bxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qxd4 12. cxd4 c6 { 12. ...... c6 (what's this, an outpost for the knight on d5 Isuppose). This could be the plan if Ion plays Be6. How do I prevent this,I know, by playing ........ } 13. Nc3 { 13. Nc3! (a developing move and itchallenges control of the d5 square). I have now come through the openingunscathed and in fact I now have a slight development lead! So far, sovery good! } 13... Be6 { 13. ........ Be6 (catches up with development) and so,what do I do here? Castle queenside!! } 14. O-O-O { 14. 0-0-0! Good movebecause it completes my development, connects the rooks and backs up thed pawn instantly. With the queens off the board I think my king is betterplaced nearer the centre than on the kingside. } 14... Rd8 { 14. ....... Rd8 (attacksthe d pawn but I got the defense tempo in first - but will it do any good?). } 15. Rd2 { 15. I prepare to double rooks. The white king is a good defenderof the rooks and helps me keep control of the vital open d file. } 15... O-O { 15...... 0-0 (so Ion finally castles and he too is fully developed). I thenfollow through with my plan. } 16. Rhd1 { 16. Rh-d1 (I now have control ofthe d file, but for how long?). Ion replies with Nd5 and we have anotherplethora of exchanges leading to a double rook ending). } 16... Nd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Bxd5 Rxd5 19. Re1 { 19. Re1! - Good move. What do you think I am upto here? I have one obvious threat and one very dark, hidden one whichmay bring my opponent and his Oh so snug as a bug King a very rude awakeningif his bullying rooks gang up on my poor little d pawn, gobble it up andhe fails to create a luft! I will leave any reader to guess what dastardlyplans are afoot here!!! } 19... Rd7 { 19.... But Ion stops this little game byretreating his rook to d7. What shall I do next? } 20. Re3 { 20. Re3 (Itry another idea - how about destabilising Ion's queen pawn structure inorder to facilitate exchanging d for c pawn?). I now look at the numberof moves played and gosh, I have survived the first 20 moves without losingmaterial and am in an endgame!). At least I have achieved something hereand nobody, not even Ion can take this away from me! Can I keep this upuntil Move 30? If so this can be an even greater achievement! } 20... f6 { 20......... f6 (creates luft for his king). } 21. Ra3 { 21. Ra3 (maybe I couldinduce this pawn to advance, or better still the b pawn - this will atleast leave his c pawn backward so this may compensate for my IQP). } 21... Ra8 { 21. ...... Ra8 (Ion decides to leave his pawn structure as it is, butit has made his rook passive, wow!!). So ...... } 22. Re3 { 22. Re3 (I siezecontrol of the e file). } 22... Kf7 { 22. ....... Ion activates his king with Kf7and this prevents any ideas of doubling rooks on the e file (I have nowish to abandon my d pawn though). } 23. Rh3 { 23. I nibble at his h pawnwith Rh3. } 23... h6 { 23. ....... h6 (I can imagine Ion thinking - 'Not on yournelly!') } 24. Kc2 { 24. Kc2 (the start of a bad plan) } 24... f5 { 24. ..... f5(Ion starts a roll down the kingside and I back my rook off to e3, he respondsby attacking my rook with f4 and I maintain control of the e file withRf4, he backs his f pawn up with g5 and I bolster my rook with f3). Therenow follows an exchange of one pair of rooks and we are now in a rook andpawn ending by move 28). Only two more moves to move 30. Can I keep materialeven? We'll see. } 25. Re3 f4 26. Re4 g5 27. f3 Re8 28. Rxe8 Kxe8 29. Kc3 { 29. Kc3? (the king bolsters the d pawn). But I think this is where Istart to go wrong. I have a nasty feeling that I would have been muchbetter off playing Re2 followed by Kc3 if he does anything other thanplay Re7. If he exchanges the final pair of rooks I may have been OK inthe King and Pawn ending. } 29... Re7 { 29. ...... Re7 and Ion grabs the e filejust as I feared! This game has a bit of a parallel to the one I hadwith bolle1 (the other 2000 rated player). I was all right until move29 with him!!! } 30. Kc4 { 30. Kc4 (I now try to exchange off my IQP. Ionobligingly falls in with my plans. He plays his king to f7 - I think thathe wants to reinforce his kingside pawns with it. I play my pawn up toa4 to stop him playing b5 . Ion now penetrates my position with Re1 (horrible!!!)and so I might as well swap off the pawns as planned. I do this and weare now on move 33 with black to move. I get past move 30 without losingmaterial but I think that my position is going downhill but I could havestill saved it if I had backed off my king instead of going for the queensidepawns). } 30... Kf7 31. a4 Re1 32. d5 cxd5+ 33. Kxd5 Ra1 { 33. ...... Ra1 (Ionattacks my a pawn so I defend with 34. b3). Ion moves his king to f6. I should have then played my king back to d4 and then my h pawn up toh3. If Ion checked with Rc1 then I could play my king to b4, if then a4 I would then play Ka3 and if Ra1 , Kb2). Had I done all this, I wouldhave most probably earned half a point and 9 rating points, big kudos!). In hindsight, however, it is 20/20 vision! } 34. b3 Kf6 35. Kd6 { 35. Kd6?? (or whatever punctuation you would like to add!). I couldn't resistthose queenside pawns. I found out during the post-mortem with Ion thatI did exactly what he wanted me to do! This plan is far too slow as thenext few moves will show. } 35... Rb1 36. Rd3 Rb2 37. g3 Rxh2 38. g4 h5 39. gxh5 Rxh5 40. Kc7 Rh3 41. Kxb7 g4 42. Kxa7 Rxf3 { 42. ...... Rxf3! - here I threwin the sponge. I made the resignation decision based on the following- although material is even I felt that he would win the race. For a startersI could not exchange rooks as his f pawn would crown long before my a andb pawns could and they would get cleaned up fast! So what if I don'texchange rooks. My rook is skewered against my b pawn. The only way Ican save both is to play 43. Rd6 Ke5, 44. Rb6 g3, 45. Rb5 Kd4 46.Rb4 Kc3 (the checks run out!), 47. Kb7 g2, 48. a5 g1/Q. So that lineloses, can we try another? There is, but.... 43. 43.Rd1 Rxb3 44.a5g3 45.a6 g2 ... Now White can't play 46.Kb7, not while Black's rook occupiesthe b-file, and Black would like to see this state of affairs continue,preventing the pawn's promotion. [Typical case of dead wood at the topstymying young talent... ;-)]. Meanwhile, ...f3 is threatened. Can Whitecover the king's attempt to clear the b-line? 46.Rd6ch Kf4 47.Rb6 g1=Qleaves the White rook pinned, with a quick mate to follow. There isa stalemate try that doesn't quite work: 43.Rd1 Rxb3 44.a5 g3 45.a6 g246.Ka8 f3 47.a7 f2 48.Rb1. Now, 48...Rxb1 is stalemate, and Black can'tpromote either (e.g. 48...g1=Q 49.Rxg1 g1=Q stalemate). What to do? Simply:48...Ra3 49.Kb8 g1=Q wins. There was a possibility in this ending thatI would have to give up the rook for your a-pawn (the b-pawn having disappearedin the meantime), and my pawn pair, having reached the 6th rank could notbe prevented from promoting. So, resignation justified. Never mind,good game! } 0-1
[Event "Tarrasch Defence"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2010.04.13"] [Round "-"] [White "elyhim"] [Black "ukip"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "2140"] [TimeControl "3d+2d<5d"] [WhiteElo "2054"] 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 { Thefianachetto bishop combats the isolated pawn directly and exerts majorinfluence on the light squares } 7... Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5 { in-directly putsmore pressure on the IDP } 9... cxd4 { a typical sortie that releases tensionin the centre } 10. Nxd4 { Capturing back the pawn and clearing the diagonalfor the bishop. White is clearly better here } 10... h6 { This is not a wise move. } 11. Bxf6 { Since I was provoked I decided to remove a defender of the dpawn but I give the superb diagonal to black } 11... Bxf6 12. Nb3 { threateningto capture the d pawn } 12... d4 { An assertive move but perhaps a bit too aggressive.The pawn looks well supported on this square but it gone too far ahead.The solid 12. Be6 is recommended where black is passive but solid } 13. Nd5 { ! a great sortie that cuts off one of the defends to the d pawn andthreatens to remove another defender. And refutes black's last move instyle. } 13... Be5 14. Nc5 { a bit of aggressive move but this stops black fromadvancing the d pawn further. } 14... Rb8 15. Rc1 Re8 16. Qd2 { clearing the backrank and connecting the rooks. } 16... Bd6 17. b4 Bg4 { if 17. ...Bxc5 then 18.Rxc5 would give white a slight but enduring edge } 18. Rfe1 Bxc5 { ? Blackneeds this bishop so can not afford to give it up so easily } 19. Rxc5 { Whiteis better but not winning } 19... a6 20. Nf4 { The knight is a bit awkward herebut I want to attack c6 } 20... Rc8 21. h3 { ! a good move that forces black intoa cramped position. The bishop has no good retreat squares. } 21... Be6 { Thebishop makes for a better door than a window } 22. Rec1 { c6 is startingto feel the heat. } 22... Bd7 { One would wonder if 21. ...Bd7 would have beenpreferred } 23. a4 { threatening to break through with b4-b5 } 23... Qb6 { This queenis not going to be happy here. } 24. R1c4 { White has a massive space advantageand black's defense is about to fall like a house of cards } 24... Rcd8 25. Nd5 { game over! } 25... Qa7 26. Nf6+ { busting down the doors! } 26... gxf6 27. Qxh6 { withall of his pieces tied down on the king side the Black king is singingthe blues } 27... Ne5 { Forced Black can not allow white to put a rook on the H-file } 28. Rxd4 Qb8 { The cause is hopeless for black. the knight is doomed andwhite will win along the H-file } 29. Rxe5 { This is a good move becauseit removes a critical defender of the king. } 29... Qxe5 { White has mate threatsand 3 active pieces for the rook. } 30. Rh4 f5 { forced or it would be mateon h8 } 31. Rh5 Re6 { again forced or mate on g5 } 32. Qg5+ { wins the rook } 32... Kf8 33. Qxd8+ Be8 { only move as Re8 loses the bishop } 34. Bxb7 { a waitingmove that forces black to play his queen off the critical e5 square. Iwant to play Bd5 } 34... Qxe2 35. Rxf5 { not 35. Kg2 when the queen would be allowedto return to e5 } 35... Qe1+ 36. Kg2 Qxb4 37. Bd5 { black resigns } 37... Re7 38. a5 Kg7 39. Qb6 { The simplest way to win. } 1-0
[Event "Dutch defence, Leningrad"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2009.12.27"] [Round "-"] [White "kb77"] [Black "nefariousknight7"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "1541"] [TimeControl "3d+1d<5d"] [WhiteElo "1652"] 1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 g6 4. e3 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O { We started offwith a dutch defense opening. } 6... d6 7. h3 Nc6 8. Nc3 e5 { Not all of my piecesare developed yet, so perhaps this was a little preemptive. However, itgets the game going and allows for excellent position. } 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. e4 Nd4 { I'm looking to post my knight on f5. If 11 Nxd4 exd4, white wouldprobably move 12. Ne2 or 12. Nd5. If 12. Nd5, I would follow with 12 .. . Nxd4 13. Bxe4 fxe4. Now white must move his Knight on f3. If 14.Nd2, I would move 14 . . . Re1 with the idea of e3. White's knight ond5 seems to not make much sense anymore. With a simple pawn move up toc6, White will retreat. White's best move would have been 12. Ne2, however;black still has excellent position at this point. } 11. Bg5 { It may havebeen good for white if he had made an in between move of 11 Re1, although11. Bg5 is useful later on to white, and it is a good position for whiteto have. } 11... Re8 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Bxf5 Nxf5 { This is one reason why I movedmy knight to d4. I didn't want to have to retake with my pawn on g6. } 14. Qxd8 Raxd8 15. Nd5 { This is an excellent move by white. I can't capturewhite's knight with my knight due to the pin. After 15 . . . Nxd5 16.Bxd8 Rxd8 17. cxd5 Rxd5. If I decide to protect my f6 knight due to thedouble threat, white wins a pawn with 14. Nxc7. Since I am going to bedown one point, I need to make the best of my situation. Generally speaking,when you are down a point, more pieces are better. In addition, I havelost several games because of one pawn. Being down 1 point due to a rooktraded with a knight and a pawn can sometimes be better. } 15... Rxd5 { I trademy rook for white's pawn and knight. } 16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. Rab1 h6 { Eventhough I am down 1 point, I have good position. From here, it may be bestfor white's bishop to retreat to d2, or to h4 - which would leave 18. Bh4g5 19. Bg3 e4 } 18. Bd2 g5 { White chose Bd2, and I chose to free up my blackbishop; although my Nf5 looks exposed. I could have moved my king to h7,but thought this would give me better position. I plan on moving my Nf5anyway. } 19. g4 Nd6 20. Rfd1 c6 { I want to move my Nd5 to f4, but now isnot the right time. } 21. Be3 b6 22. Kg2 Nc4 { I want to capture white'sbishop, and I also want to advance my queenside pawns. } 23. Re1 a6 24. b3 Ncxe3+ { After b3, I will capture Be3 as planned. From my point of view,b3 is a wasted move. For although it does force my Knight to move, I wasgoing to attack anyway. And at a later time, white could have moved b4. However, white does not know I want to capture his bishop. Usually whenyou are down points, you don't want to trade. } 25. fxe3 e4 { I am hopingfor 26. Nd4 so I can trade my bishop for his knight and place my knighton the key f4 square. } 26. Nd4 Bxd4 27. exd4 Nf4+ 28. Kg3 { Luckily, thetrade occurs and I move my knight to it's destination. } 28... Kg7 { From here,it may have been a good idea to advance my pawn, but I am hoping for atrap. 29. Re3 Nf4 30. Re2 Nc3 and I have forked white's rooks. } 29. Re3 Nd5 30. Ree1 { White sees the trap and retreats. } 30... Nf4 31. Rbd1 e3 { Iwill now advance my pawn to e3, but I am wary about the exchange of pawnson c6 and d5. I absolutely do not want white's rooks in my territory. That would be devestating. Instead, I intend on keeping white's focuson my e-pawn. } 32. Kf3 e2 33. Rd2 a5 { This is an in between move that willsave me a lot of headache. } 34. Rc2 Re6 { I must move my rook to this position. Anything else could spell out disaster. } 35. h4 { This move does notbother me, and it allows my king to begin the long trek to white's queenside. This will allow more maneuverability by my rook } 35... Kf7 36. Rc3 Ke7 37. Re3 { I was hoping white would make this move and pin my rook. I will end upforking white's rook and king. } 37... Rxe3+ 38. Kxe3 Ng2+ { From this position,I can almost smell victory. I have plenty of pawns for support, and willbe up 1 pawn after the exchange. } 39. Kxe2 Nxe1 40. Kxe1 gxh4 { I can reachmy pawn in time. From here, I need to focus on my endgame strategy. } 41. Kf2 Kf6 42. Kg2 Kg5 43. Kh3 h5 { I am ok with the exchange. Less is morehere. } 44. gxh5 Kxh5 { If I only had my h pawn, and no other pawns wereon the board, this would be a stalemate. However, the extra pawns giveme the advantage I need. } 45. a4 Kg5 46. Kh2 Kg4 47. Kg2 h3+ 48. Kh2 Kh4 49. Kh1 Kg3 50. Kg1 Kf3 { White's queen now has to chase my h pawn. Thisgives me enough tempo to capture white's pawns and promote a queen. } 51. Kh2 Ke3 52. Kxh3 Kxd4 53. Kg3 Kc3 54. Kf3 Kxb3 55. Ke3 c5 56. Kd3 c4+ 57. Kd2 Kb2 58. Ke3 c3 59. Kd3 c2 { From this position, white respectfully resigns. } 0-1
[Event "Traxler with 5.Nxf7 - Missed Opportunity"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.01.06"] [Round "-"] [White "paolo2504"] [Black "jstevens1"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [BlackElo "1767"] [TimeControl "7d+2d<7d"] [WhiteElo "1953"] 1. e4 { Hi everyone! This is my last game in the Traxler MT. It endedon a fairly high note with a High Draw against Paolo, but, alas, wrappedup in gaining material parity with him, I missed a chance to get a fivepoint lead in material against him which would have been enough to windespite our rating differential. The moral here is, always look for abetter move and try not to get too wrapped up in your plan, otherwise youwill end up with a missed opportunity. Gameknot analysis is provided asfollows and I will pick up commentary on Move 7. http://gameknot.com/analyze-board.pl?bd=15146349&fb=1&rnd=0.6709744076164328 } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 Bc5 5. Nxf7 Bxf2+ 6. Kf1 Qe7 7. Nxh8 Bb6 { 7. ...... Bb6 - this retreat of Fou Lenoir has netted me most of the 6.5points achieved from this MT. That a7-g1 diagonal has actually resultedin a couple of my opponents copping Old Matey from Glenda once the d columnhas been opened because Fou Lenoir has prevented the WK from taking refugeon g1. } 8. Bf7+ Kd8 9. Bb3 d5 { 9. ...... d5 - this pawn move is intendedto cut off the lsb's line to f7 (an escape square for the cadaverous whitesteed on h8) and enable either Glenda or my remaining rook to snap it uplater on. } 10. Nc3 Qf8 11. Nxd5 Nxd5+ 12. Qf3 Nf6 { 12. ..... Nf6 - afterthis move, which alas has re-opened the lsb's diagonal onto f7 I have managedto narrow the deficit to 3 material points. I still either need to getmaterial parity or a mating attack going or I am gonna be toast! At leastbacking off the knight to f6 avoids a queen trade. } 13. Nf7+ Ke8 14. Bc4 Bg4 15. Qa3 Bc5 { 15. ..... Bc5 - after a few more moves, Henry has beenprevented from hiding away in a queenside castle and the Wicked Witch ofthe West has been chased around the board. Again I prevent the exchangeof queens. } 16. Qb3 Bb6 17. Qd3 { 17. Qd3?? - Glenda should have gone toc5 immediately, but alas I am half asleep here. I am so caught up in tryingto trap that wretched f7 knight that I missed a chance to go 5 points upin material with the dozy Bh5?? and to gain 15 rating points. Sigh anddouble sigh! I only saw that queen move after I hit the submit button,alas it was too late as I was foiled by Qa3. } 17... Bh5 18. Qa3 Qxa3 19. bxa3 Bxf7 20. Bxf7+ Kxf7 { 20. ..... Kxf7 - well, so I have my material parityand perhaps a slight positional edge, as white's queenside pawns were shatteredby the queen trade before the white knight and the white lsb's disappearancefrom the board. I still feel a bit sick about this missed opportunity. } 21. d3 Ke6 22. Rb1 Rf8 { 22. ...... Rf8 - threatening Nxe4 discovered checkwinning a pawn. Paolo wisely moves his king out of the line of fire. } 23. Ke1 Nd7 24. Bd2 Nf6 { 24. .... Nf6 - it was sooo tempting to have playedRf2?? here. That would have cost me a piece due to Rxb6, however. I sawthat move just as I was about to hit the submit button and played my knightback to f6. I considered at this point to have had no more than a slightpositional edge. My opponent said that he was not happy with his positionso I decided to put in a draw offer. My opponent accepted and I gained5 rating points. Ah Ion, I bet you thought you would never see the daywhen I, Joanne Stevens, would be disappointed with a High Draw againsta 1950+ player would you? } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Pawns storm the kingside but come up short."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date ""] [Round "-"] [White "my opponent"] [Black "Pierre99"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "unrated"] [TimeControl "Blitz 3 minutes."] [WhiteElo "2200"] { This rather short game illustrates one strategy white might try againstthe Caro-Kann. My opponent with the white pieces is rated over 2200. Hetries to blow black off the board! } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. g4 { Herewe have one of the more aggressive white continuations against the Caro-Kann. } 4... Be4 { Since white has indicated a willingness to be aggressive, I decideto see if he'll advance his f pawn. This can be dangerous for black, butusually a little preparation by white first is wiser; white's king is notyet safe. The best response now is for white to play f3. } 5. f3 { Whichhe does. And of course black really has only one thing to do. } 5... Bg6 6. h4 { White is continuing now with an aggressive pawn storm, with zero piecesdeveloped! He hopes to blow black off the board entirely. Black has tworesponses, h5 or h6. But h6 is not nearly as good as h5, because h6 isextremely passive while h5 allows black to fight back. I saw a video ofthis position where a grandmaster stated (but not a 'super' grandmaster)that h5 was good for black. Fritz agrees. } 6... h5 7. e6 { This is really overaggressivenow on white's part. He wishes to disrupt the pawn structure immediatelyin front of the black king even before he's really ready to. Fritz herewanted Qd6 here, and ...fxe6 is also playable. I, however, decided I didnot want a trio of pawns assaulting the black position after g5. It justseems too dangerous! } 7... hxg4 { So I create room for my rook on h8 to havea say in matters first. Now all evaluations are somewhat negative as well.White responds with Frit'z choice... } 8. exf7+ Bxf7 9. fxg4 { Almost anymove here is safe for black now: e6, e5, Nd7, Nf6, or what I moved, Qd6.With all of these pawns gone, white's challenge is to find a way to keepthe black king under attack. This white plan could have been a bit harderto refute had he prepared a bit before launching all those pawns! } 9... Qd6 { This also prepares to castle queenside; ...Nd7, e6 or e5 and Ne7 or f6will all be considered, depending on white's response here. Qc7 may havebeen better. } 10. Kf2 { Now the awkwardness of white's position begins tobecome apparent. White decides he can't allow ...Qg3, which dependingcould lose him the g and/or h pawns; but in so choosing, loses a valuabletempo another move may have been able to accomplish while also being positioningcloser to attack. Qe2 or Nf3 were white's best choices here but white decidedon Kf2. } 10... Nf6 { ...Nd7 followed by castling queenside was also playable forblack; Fritz likes Nf6 better, and in the game so did I. } 11. Qf3 { Herewhite indicates he will continue to assault aggressively the kingside ifhe can: in for a penny, in for a pound appears to be his thinking. Thereare many continuations, all very playable for black. But black must becareful to not allow white to get a dangerous push. Nbd7 is playable, andBg6 is possible here, after which Bd3 Bxd3 cxd3 would most likely result,doubling white's pawns on the d file. However, I decide not to trade pieces,and decide to create some tactical possibilities, one which pays off ina bit. This was Blitz; so this thinking was done quickly. } 11... Ne4+ { This getsme a tempo for Nd7, after which I can then castle, or begin to harass thepieces in front of white's king. Yes, it would have been nice to have doubledwhite's pawns on the d file, but now white's attack is really sputtering. } 12. Kg2 Nd7 { The way is clear now to castle if I choose, depending on howI handle the f7 bishop. } 13. Bd3 { Nd2 was also possible here. } 13... Bg6 { Thismove allows h5. Fritz much preferred ...e5. However, white had alreadydecided what he would do next, and so the continuation starting with h5was missed for a turn. I had another reason however for encouraging h5...a dubious reason, as it turns out, but oh well. } 14. Bf4 { Even here ...e5is still a good move. } 14... Qe6 { The position is becoming complex. White hasdisrupted the black kingside pawn structure and may win a pawn, in returnfor dubious king safety and his own connected pawns being advanced a tadfar. Note I can still castle; the white dark-squared bishop does not preventit. } 15. h5 Bf7 { I thought about Bh7, and rejected it. I wanted the h fileclear for my rook. What was the reason for ...Bg6? Was it worth the tempo?Not really; I gambled there. I wanted him to advance the h pawn, and notthe g pawn at this point so I could hopefully get in Nf6, after which advancingthe g pawn would lose the h pawn, and so my knight will be able to remainthere for the time being, and that is what I wanted. But white could, afterh5, immediately move g5, and then black will have trouble. It's gettingcramped! And if I allow white too much leeway, I'll be in for a difficultdefense after all. } 16. Nh3 { But I lucked out; white is continuing withhis plan rather than really seeing the board! g5 was better, to preventNf6. } 16... Ndf6 17. Re1 { Nd2, Nf2, Be2 were all equally good. This is in keepingwith white's aggressiveness, but with this move, white has forgotten abouthis g pawn being double attacked. } 17... Qxg4+ 18. Qxg4 Nxg4 19. Bxe4 dxe4 { Thee pawn is immune for the moment (...Bd5). My opponent would like to doubleattack it, and moving the king to chase away the black knight seems likea good plan, preventing a rook pin in the event of Rxe4 Bd5. But Nc3, Ng5and Nd2 are somewhat better for white then Kg3. } 20. Kg3 Nf6 { And sadlyhere my opponent ran out of time. The position is complex! The e4 and hpawns will both fall, and with best play, black should have more winningchances than white. But if the minor pieces go, then this game would berather drawish. A fun quick blitz game that I would have liked to see playedfurther! Very interesting, those pawn storms. ;) } 0-1
[Event "A Budapest (not so) well handled... until a blunder"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2011.07.27"] [Round "-"] [White "n3wbm4n"] [Black "damalfi"] [Result "1-0"] [TimeControl "3/10"] { Light game, light annotation. } 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 { I'm exploring the Budapest,I must say with no luck. } 3. d5 Bb4+ 4. Nc3 { The weaker defence. It allows... } 4... Ne4 5. Qc2 f5 6. Nf3 { Wisely avoiding Qh4. } 6... d6 { Or o-o. If Nxe5, Qh4, g3,Qd4. } 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 { Now black has to think about developing safely,with the semiopen b column. b6 was simple and wise, but it seemed not enoughto me, so... } 8... c6 { If white exchanges, my knight can go out with tempo.On the other side, the d6 pawn becomes weak, but... maybe I can handlethat. } 9. Nd2 { Qh4, g3 is not any good. But I can indirectly defend thepawn with... } 9... cxd5 10. cxd5 Qa5 { This one. If NxN, fxN, white cannot goQxe4 because of Qxc3+. } 11. Nxe4 fxe4 12. Bd2 { And this gives me the chanceto play... } 12... Qxd5 { So black is not cramped anymore: a good center control,even without the e4 pawn, ready to castle... if c4, Qd4, threatening therook, Rb1 still presents problems for black to develop, but it seems playable.If Qa4+, Nc6 controls the threat. } 13. e3 { Avoiding Qd4. The e4 pawn isa goner, but it gives me tempoes to... } 13... O-O 14. c4 Qf7 { Pressing f2. } 15. Bb4 Qf6 16. Ra2 { Defending f2. } 16... Nc6 { At least I can get rid from thenasty dsb. } 17. Qxe4 Nxb4 18. axb4 Be6 { I calculated that the b7 pawn willopen the column for my rook. } 19. Qxb7 Rab8 { With a rook on b and anotheron c8, I felt confortable. g7 is a weak point, but the queen controls it. } 20. Qc7 Rxb4 { If Qxd6, Rb1+ proves to be deadly. } 21. Bd3 { Wise. Now,how to go on? I could have tried Ra4, since after RxR, Qxf2+ and Bg4+.But I didn't see it. } 21... d5 { 'This can't be bad'... } 22. O-O { Rc8! was themove. Or e4. } 22... dxc4 23. Qc5 { This forces me to... } 23... Rfb8 24. Be4 { A big mistakeby white. } 24... c3 25. Rxa7 { Now, the simple RxB wins. But I DIDN'T SEE IT!My fault. It seems so easy, but I was so focused on the possibilities ofthat pawn in c3 that I overlooked it. } 25... Bc4 { I calculated that bringingthe rook out of f1, my threats on f2 would be renewed, overlooking, again... } 26. Bd5+ Bxd5 27. Qxd5+ Kf8 28. Qc5+ Kg8 29. Qxc3 { A pawn less and a crampedposition is the deserved result of my blindness. } 29... Rb1 30. Rc1 e4 { Playingthe back rank tunnel whites' king is in. } 31. Qc2 { Out of time, I wasn'table to calculate adecuately. Qb6 is playable. } 31... Rxc1+ 32. Qxc1 { Now Qb6is still good. } 32... Qe6 33. g3 { Tunnel opened, the game is without interest. } 33... Qb6 34. Rc7 Rf8 35. Qc4+ Kh8 36. Rc8 Qf6 37. Rxf8+ Qxf8 38. Qxe4 { And nowa sure loss... no worth trying. } 38... g6 39. Qe5+ { I lost, but the openingwas good. } 1-0
[Event "HoylakevPen-y-ffordd"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "26-4-11"] [Round "-"] [White "CharlesHiggie"] [Black "Helena Griffiths"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "BCF133"] [TimeControl "35 in 1h15m&15m Finish"] { So there are some more 'spot the move' situations here. This was a luckywin for me, I should have dropped a pawn early on, but after that lapse,my forces swept forward to victory! } 1. d4 { So she plays into the Indiansystems } 1... Nf6 2. c4 { I reply with my usual } 2... c5 { She takes us into the Benonisystems } 3. d5 { I carry on with the main line } 3... e5 { and now it is a CzechBenoni } 4. Nc3 { I continue to develop } 4... d6 { This is still pretty standard } 5. e4 Be7 { She continues the normal development. } 6. g3 { Other moves areavailable instead of 6. g3, but I already had the plan of advancing f2-f4and being able to recapture on f4 with a pawn. } 6... O-O { She continues to develop. } 7. Bg2 { as I do too } 7... Nbd7 8. Nge2 { I didn't want to block f2-f4 by puttingmy knight on f3. I did consider the immediiate f2-f4 but I didn't likethe look of her exchanging on f4 and then moving her Nf6 and playing Be7-h4check. } 8... a6 { This is a usual move in this system. } 9. f4 { This may be premature.0-0 first is probably better. } 9... exf4 { So she takes. } 10. gxf4 { I didn'twant to give her a lovely e5 square for her knights, which she would havegot if I had recaptured any other way on f4. } 10... Nb6 { I was happy to facethis move. Now her b7-b5 advance is hindered. } 11. Qd3 { I have to defendc4 of course, and I felt this was the best way to do that. } 11... Ng4 { So sheopens up a diagonal for her bishop. } 12. Ng3 { I decide to block the diagonal.0-0 was better. } 12... Bh4 { and she pins my knight on g3. } 13. Bd2 { So I openthe option of queen side castling. 0-0 may have been better. } 13... Bd7 { andshe develops again. f5 was probably better. } 14. h3 { and this is a definitemistake. Of course 0-0-0 allows a family fork with Ng4-f2 so I decide tochase the knight away first. The problem is that it drops a pawn! Ok findBlack's next move! } 14... Nf6 { The knight simply retreats. The white queen isover-worked, protecting both c4 and Ng3, so I decide to protect the c4pawn. Find Black's next move! } 15. b3 Nh5 { Oops! I hadn't seen that move.Find White's next move. } 16. Ne2 { yes, it is pretty well forced, the onlyway to protect the Ng3. Find black's best move. } 16... Nc8 { Thankfully she didn'tsee it! She could have played Bxg3, 17. Nxg3 Qh4 and now 18. Kf2 is theonly way to protect the knight on g3 and she has either Nxf4 or f5 withadvantage. } 17. O-O { So I quickly try to rectify passed mistakes! } 17... Nxg3 { After moving my king, my knight on g3 was no longer pinned, so she hadto exchange it. } 18. Nxg3 { and I had to recapture. } 18... b5 { So she does thethematic b7-b5 advance, although with the white king on the king side Iam not sure it is best, maybe improving the position of her Nc8 or Qd8was better. Find the best move for white. } 19. e5 { Did you get that? Whiteis slightly better now. } 19... b4 { Black prevents Bc3, and my bishop has a lovelylong dark diagonal. What is best now for white? } 20. Nf5 { Well done ifyou got that! I decided to grab the two bishops. A point also for a3 openingup another front. } 20... Bxf5 { So she exchanges. } 21. Qxf5 { and I recapture. } 21... g6 { She hits my queen. So which is the right square for it? } 22. Qg4 { Thisis best, stays near her king and prevents Ne7. } 22... h5 { So she hits the queenagain. Where now? } 23. Qf3 { I wanted to be able to move to d3, but a pointfor moving it to e2 too. } 23... Ne7 { Her knight is becoming active. What now? } 24. Qd3 { A point also for a3 opening up another front. } 24... Ra7 { Black hopesto be able to defend along the second rank and also takes her rook offthe long white diagonal, and any potential attack from my Bg2. What now? } 25. Be4 { Well done if you found that. White is building up against theblack king side. Nothing for anything else. } 25... Qd7 { Black finally mobilisesher queen. What now? } 26. Kh2 { I wanted to use the open g file, and alsoto protect the h pawn. A point for f5 too, which is also strong. } 26... a5 { Blackprobably should have closed up the king side with f7-f5. What now? } 27. Rf3 { I wanted to play Rg1, but then saw that she had Bf2 and then her bishopgets to d4 and is very powerful, so I thought of playing the other rookover instead, and not allow this chance. A point also for f5. } 27... a4 { So shecontinues her queen side operations. What now? } 28. Rg1 { Of course! A pointalso for f5. } 28... axb3 { So she takes. What now? } 29. e6 { This is the move Ihad been planning for the last few moves. A point also for the simple axb3. } 29... Qe8 { She should have tried f7xe6. What now? } 30. exf7+ { Nothing for anythingelse. } 30... Qxf7 { What now? } 31. Bxg6 { Nothing for anything else. } 31... Nxg6 { Whatnow? } 32. Rxg6+ { Nothing for anything else. White needs to recapture andit is silly to allow the exchange of queens with the Black king exposed.What should black play now? } 32... Kh8 { Yes, the king has to go here, as Kh7loses the black queen to Rf6 check. What now? } 33. axb3 { I simply recapture.A point for Rh6 check too. What is best for Black now? } 33... Qf5 { Yes, she hasto exchange my powerful queen. What is best for white now? } 34. Rxd6 { Mightas well pick up a pawn. Nothing for anything else. } 34... Qxd3 { So she exchanges. } 35. Rxd3 { I recapture. } 35... Ra2 { What now for White? } 36. Kg1 { Black was threateningboth Be1 and Rxf4 so a king move was forced. This is far better than Kh1,I need to mobilise my king, so nothing for anything else. } 36... Ra1+ { She checks. } 37. Kg2 { I move my king towards the centre, or, as Americans would say,towards the center. } 37... Rg8+ { Another spite check. } 38. Kf3 { I continue withmy policy of an active king. } 38... Rf1+ { Another check } 39. Ke4 { More centralisation. } 39... Re8+ { Another check } 40. Re6 { and now black resigns. Please rate my annotationand leave a comment. Many thanks for reading this. } 1-0
[Event "fiercequeen, running on heavy fuel..."] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "20=sep-18"] [Round "-"] [White "fiercequeen"] [Black "delshodeh"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1592"] [TimeControl "3+10 blitz"] [WhiteElo "2059"] { I have to admit it: I play much better on drugs; a couple of beers, anda couple of J's, and I am fearless: like in this 3+10 blitz game... } 1. e4 c5 2. f4 { always, against the Sicilian... } 2... Nf6 { hmm... } 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 d6 5. c4 { an Alekhine move, in the Sicilian: why not? } 5... Nc7 6. d5 { takingover the center... } 6... dxe5 7. fxe5 Bf5 8. Nf3 Nd7 9. Be2 { in case of Bg4... } 9... g6 10. O-O Bg7 11. Ng5 { we see targets... } 11... h6 12. Nxf7 { no fear... } 12... Kxf7 { forced... } 13. Rxf5+ { boink... } 13... gxf5 14. Bh5+ { of course... } 14... Kg8 15. Bg6 Nf8 16. Bxf5 { taking candy, from a child... } 16... Nh7 17. Qg4 { doing seriousbusiness... } 17... Qf8 18. Bxh6 { boink... } 18... Re8 19. Nc3 { we need Ra1... } 19... e6 20. Bg6 { a nifty tempo... } 20... Re7 21. Rf1 { of course... } 21... Qd8 22. d6 { closing thedeal... } 22... Re8 { and with this, Black resigned: me liked this a lot... } 1-0
[Event "Team match"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "2021.01.16"] [Round "-"] [White "ptitroque"] [Black "cantonabest"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1853"] [TimeControl "5 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1900"] 1. d4 { I'll anotate this game, for it seems to illustrate some chess strategicalprinciples : open file, center... } 1... Nf6 2. c4 { Queen's gambit. } 2... e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 d6 7. Nf3 b6 8. e3 Bb7 9. Be2 e5 { Thismove comes to early in the game : none of both coulours is fully developped. } 10. dxe5 { OK for the trade } 10... dxe5 11. Qxe5 { Taking with tege knight wouldhave meant 11... Bxg2 - White is one pawn up but the queen will be harrassed } 11... Re8 { now, a few moves tp contain black and save the queen. } 12. Qg3 { Thequeen has to stay on black squares - then, a couple of positionnal moves(we are still in the opening). } 12... Nc6 13. O-O Qc8 14. b3 Ne4 { Once agai,this attack might have been to early. Both caps are not fully develloped. } 15. Qf4 Ne7 { White has to save his queen. } 16. Qe5 Ng6 17. Qb2 { Queen insafe, the defense is ok. No counter attack possible (white is not fullydevelopped). } 17... c5 { A weak move - moving the queel no join the rooks wouldhave been better. } 18. Bd2 { Now begins the fight for the open file. } 18... Qf5 { Bold attack but the black queen will be soon under harass. } 19. Bc3 { strongmenace - aiming at the center which is under black control. The fight forthe open d file and consequently the center will occupates most of thetime, from now on. } 19... Nxc3 20. Qxc3 Rad8 { The control of the d file is vital. } 21. Rfd1 { White cannot let black take control of the d file ( and, consequentlythe center). } 21... Bc6 { waiting move. } 22. Rd2 { If black takes, white will controlthe d file. } 22... Rd7 23. Rxd7 Qxd7 24. Rd1 { Now, white controls the d file. } 24... Qf5 { The following moves are fight for the center. } 25. h3 { The g4 square,proved to be an important one further in the game. } 25... Bxf3 { Probably a mistake.Black's attacking possibilities are ùore reduced than white's defensivecapacity. } 26. Bxf3 Ne5 27. Be2 { retreat. } 27... g6 { Doubtfull move, which weakensthe black king (the white queen holding firmly the long black diagonal). } 28. f4 { Launching the attack ! Centeeeeeeeer ! } 28... Nc6 29. Bg4 { Black hasonly 2 moves available } 29... Qe4 30. Bf3 { menacing Q and N } 30... Qe6 { Only move tosave the knight - now white has a better control on the center. } 31. Kf2 { To protect e3 } 31... h5 { Black nas not plenty of options. } 32. Bd5 { Settlingat the center and beginning of the final attack. } 32... Qc8 { Crucial move. 32.Qd6 and 32. Qd8 would have loss the queen. 32. Q d7 was bettre but it wouldn'thave changed much. } 33. Qf6 { Several menaces. } 33... Rd8 { Not the best move -mate in 3. } 34. Bxf7+ Kh7 35. Qxg6+ Kh8 36. Qh6# 1-0
[Event "Challenge from esampaio"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "26-Mar-07"] [Round "-"] [White "esampaio"] [Black "elyssonerik"] [Result ""] [BlackElo "1221"] [TimeControl "3 days per move"] [WhiteElo "1465"] 1. e4 { Sa�da Sampeta Padr�o } 1... d6 { Resposta n�o padr�o } 2. Nc3 { Sampeta abrecavalo devido resposta n�o padr�o. } 2... Nf6 { Jogada desnecess�ria do oponente. } 3. d4 { Abertura da diagonal do bispo. } 3... g6 { Abertura para Defesa India doRei. } 4. Bg5 { Sampeta arrebenta India do Rei (padr�o) } 4... Bg7 { Resposta l�gicae previsivel. } 5. Bxf6 { Continua... } 5... Bxf6 { Continua.... } 6. Nd5 { CavaloSampeta parte para o ataque para terminar destrui��o da India do Rei. } 6... Bg7 { Defesa humilde. } 7. Be2 { Sampeta places a bishop in the game...to make a queenside castle. } 7... O-O { Roque b�sico ...agora ficar� dif�cil estourardefesa india do rei sem o bispo preto. } 8. Nf3 { Abertura do cavalo parafazer roque } 8... Nd7 { Tentativa de refazer a India do Rei ? } 9. O-O { Roque } 9... e6 { Expuls�o do cavalo. } 10. Nc3 { Tive que fugir. } 10... c6 { Limitou lances domeu cavalo. } 11. a4 { The king's pawn...I am going to put the tower to attack the column. } 11... c5 { What is that friend? } 12. d5 { Desprezototal enfraquecendo o centro do advers�rio. } 12... Nb6 { Defendendo o pe�o. } 13. Bb5 { Vamos pra porrada ? } 13... Bxc3 { Cade a DEFESA INDIA DO REI ???? hauhauahuahuaa } 14. bxc3 { Nesse caso eu dobro pe�o e agrade�o. } 14... a6 { My bishop was expelled. } 15. Be2 { Sem problema... } 15... exd5 { My bishop's diagonal can be opened. } 16. exd5 { Agrade�o a prefer�ncia. } 16... Bg4 { What is that friend? } 17. a5 { Sai cavalinho..... } 17... Nd7 { �nica casa. } 18. Ra4 { Remember the tower? It's time to win a piece.... } 18... Bf5 { The bishop moves... } 19. Nh4 { I am offering a trade for the bishop and opening a column for the king...(if there is a horse protected by a tower, will the dame be eaten?) } 19... Qg5 { Defendeuo uso do pe�o para tomar o cavalo. } 20. Nxf5 { Sampeta n�o mostra fraquezaapesar de ter um Haras... } 20... Qxf5 { Opa....jogada esperada. } 21. Bg4 { Comoj� disse....Sampeta tem um HARAS>>> } 21... Qe5 { Obrigado pela prefer�ncia. } 22. Bxd7 { Ai ai ai } 22... Qxc3 { What is this companion doing? (C2 protected, A4 protected, D5 protected) } 23. Re1 { Coloquei torre na coluna para partir para o ataquee possibilito ataque com a torre (ele conseguir� defender a dama ?) }
[Event "george29's mini-tournament"] [Site "http://gameknot.com/"] [Date "15-Dec-06"] [Round "-"] [White "lex_72"] [Black "tmprat"] [Result "1-0"] [BlackElo "1669"] [TimeControl "5d+2d, 7d max"] [WhiteElo "1522"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 c5 4. e3 cxd4 5. Nxd4 { 5. First mistake , shouldtake it with e3 e4 } 5... Qa5+ 6. Nc3 Qxg5 { lost peace there } 7. Qf3 Bb4 8. Bd3 Nd5 9. Ne2 Nc6 10. O-O Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bd6 12. Ng3 Ne5 13. Qe2 Nxd3 14. Qxd3 Bc7 15. f4 Qa5 16. Rfb1 b6 17. Ne4 Bb7 18. Ng5 Rd8 19. Rb5 Qa4 20. c4 { try to thithning his queen } 20... Ba6 21. Rb3 Bxc4 { another bad move fromme } 22. Qc3 Bxb3 23. Qxg7 Rf8 { he is thithing up his king } 24. cxb3 Qb4 25. Nxh7 Bd6 26. Nf6+ Ke7 27. Qg5 Qa5 28. Nd5+ Ke8 { thirst thougt aboutremise , then again i could play for victory } 29. Nf6+ Ke7 30. Nd5+ Ke8 31. Qe7+ Bxe7 32. Nc7# { checkmate } 1-0