Autumn 2008 TN Girls Championship (2) |
1. f4 Nc6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 d5 4. d4 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 e6 7. c3 Bd6 8. Bd3
Autumn has a nice advantage. Blacks play is kind of odd, doubling her rooks on a file that has practically no chance of getting open. Autumn on the other hand is preparing a slaughter.
13... Bxe5 14. fxe5 Ne4 15. Qf3
Really strong would be Qh4. e.g.
15. Qh4 f5 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. b3 Rf7 18. Ba3 with a really strong position. Still, Autumn maintains a stranglehold.
Very well played.
Getting a little greedy, but this is very tempting. Better was the simple move 18.Bxg5 e.g.
This is what Autumn was looking for, and it does look good, but Black can defend. Autumn pointed this out in her annotation!
19... g6?
19... f5! 20. exf6 Nxf6 21. Rxf6 e5! 22. Rf5 exd4 23. Raf1 dxc3 24. Bxg7 Rxg7 25. Qc4+ Re6 26. Rf8+ Kh7 27. Qh4+ Rh6 28. Qe4+ Rhg6 29. Qh4+ Rh6 With a draw. That's a lot of moves to try to see. No wonder it was missed.
20. Qxe4
Now Autumn is winning.
20... Kh7 21. Qh4! Kg8 22. Bg5
Missing a forced mate with Qf6
Rxf6 wins.
23... Rh7 24. Qg5 Kf7 25. Be7+ Kg7 26. Bf6+?
Better to open the door for the Rooks with Ba3!
Colton 2008 Tri-State Open |
1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 Nc6 4. d4 e6 5. Bd3 Bb4+ 6. c3 Ba5
Blacks defensive setup is all wrong. Black will need to challenge Whites center with c2-c5 and keep his King Bishop on e7 to help with defense. But here, his c-pawn is blocked and his Bishop is on the wrong side of the board. Colton has a nice, position.
Even though this does double the black pawns, I do not like this move. Better would have been Nb-d2 planning to go to f3, with a very strong position. Colton still has the advantage due to the pressure he can exert on the black kingside.
This is a pretty good move, but there is a little in-between idea based on the terrible position of blacks King Bishop. a2-a4 threatens to win the bishop or bury him e.g.
10. a4 c5 11. dxc5 c6 saving the Bishop, but losing a pawn. This idea is possible for a few moves. But Colton, goes for the enemy King, which is not bad.
This is actually a pretty good move. Black must either retreat the Knight or play f7-f5. Either way Colton keeps a nice advantage.
11... f5
11... Nf6 12. a4 c5 13. dxc5 c6 14. Nd2 e5 15. fxe5 Rxe5 16. Nf3
The black Queen abandons the black squares defending the King-side. Colton picks up on this immediately and restarts his K-side attack. Not bad!
A very interesting move. Colton continues his K-side attack since it appears that Black is moving all of his defenders away. This is a good practical move. Technically better was simply a2-a4 once again, really cramping Black. But Colton could smell a kill.
14... h6
This creates a white square weakness around the King. Colton again, senses the weakness and moves to it immediately!
15. Qh5
Colton is playing true to his style. He disregards the enemy threat to the e-pawn and grabs control of the White squares. Simpler, but not as much in his style was Rf1-f3.
True to style, but not the best move. Simply Nb3 gives Colton a huge advantage e.g.
16. Nb3 Nxf1 17. Nxa5 And the Black Knight is stuck. But Colton's move is true to form, if not best!
16... Nc2?
Just a big blunder.
Attempting to regain control of the white squares, but too late, Colton eyeballed them immediately.
18. Rg3 Rg8 19. Qg6+ Kh8 20. Nf3! c5 21. Ne5! cxd4?
Colton was winning anyway, but this gives him a lovely finish. If instead
21... Raf8 22. dxc5 Qxc5+ 23. Be3 Qd6 24. Bd4 Rf6 25. Nf7+ Rxf7 26. Qxh6#
22. Nf7#
Colton played a really good game. He was true to his style of play, which at times can be reckless, but in this case was very nicely played.
1-0
Roy 2008 Nashville Open (5) |
Roy had a few notes concerning this game. 'IN round 5 I was white against Edward Zhu 1269. I think he played the whole game without attacking anything of mine. It was horrible! 100 moves. I missed an opportunity at move 16. I just moved too fast. After that I was just too stubborn to give him a draw... '
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nbd2
All this has been played before. Roy likes this system with White as it is solid, yet gives chances for attack. Black is about to blunder.
8... b5??
Throws away a perfectly good pawn.
9. Bb1??
The draw back of playing a system is that a person does not pay attention a lot of the time. In his system, Roy plays Bb1, Qc2, 0-0 etc. But here, simply Bxb5 wins a pawn for free.
9... Qa5 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7 12. Qf3
I've noted in several other games that Roy hesitates a bit more than I like before castling. This move is not bad, but I do like castling.
12... Qc7 13. Qg3 g6 14. Nf3 Qd8 15.
This may seem a bit ironic, but now Roy has a winning advantage by NOT CASTLING!! Roy has forced Black to weaken his K-side and the g6 stands out as a great lever for White. Rather than 15.0-0 is h2-h4!! e.g.
15. h4 Re8 16. h5 Nf8 17. hxg6 fxg6 18. Bh6 Qb6 (18... Qc7 19. Bxf8 Bxf8 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. Qxg6+ Qg7 22. Qxe8) (18... Bb7 19. Bxf8 Bxf8 20. Rxh7 Re7 21. Qxg6+ Rg7 22. Qxe6+ Rf7 23. Qxf7#) 19. Bxf8 Bxf8 20. Rxh7 Kxh7 21. Qxg6+ Kh8 22. Qh7#
This is where Roy missed a winning shot. The move Roy played however, is also very good, and also wins!!
16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Qxg6+ Kh8 18. Qh5+ Kg8 19. Bh6 Rf7 20. Qg6+ Kh8 21. Qxf7
16. Bxg6 hxg6 17. Qxg6+ Kh8 18. Qh5+ Kg8 19. Bh6 Qe8 20. Qg4+ Kh8 21. Qg7#
16. Bxg6 fxe5 17. Bh6! Bf6 18. Bd3+ Kh8 19. Bxf8 Qxf8 20. Bxb5 with a winning game.
A very interesting move, that is stronger than it looks at first glance.
18... c4
18... cxb4 19. cxb4 Bxb4 20. Nd4 Nc5 21. Qh4 Roy has a very strong attack... all over the board.
Roy is winning easily. Black does appear to have decided to dig in and do nothing.
20. Nxb5 Nc6 21. f4 Rb8 22. Nd4 Nxd4 23. exd4 a6
Okay, let's stop and assess the position. Roy is a pawn and the exchange ahead. His plan should be to prepare the rooks for open files; Poise the Bishop for potential sacrifices or pawn support; Use the Queen to loosen up the K-side. Roy is winning big time.
24. Bc2 Bd7 25. a3 Qh6 26. Rf3 Qg7 27. Rcf1 Ra8 28. a4 Bd8 29. Qe1 Qf8 30. Rh3 h5 31. Qg3 Kh7 32. Bd1 Be8 33. a5
Up to here, Roy's play has been nice. He has pressured the K-side and provoked yet another weakness. Now he needs to rearrange again to prepare the g2-g4 pawn break. Just to give you an idea, play through the variation.
33. Qe3 Bd7 34. Rhf3 Be8 35. R3f2 Bd7 36. g3 Be8 37. Rg2 Bd7 38. h3 Be8 39. Kf2 Bd7 40. g4 And the lines for the Rooks will be opened.
33... Rb8 34. Qe3 Rb7 35. Rhf3 Rb8 36. Qf2 Rb7 37. h4?
HORRIBLE!!!! the plan is to open lines, not close them. Proceeding as in the previous variation is better. It is no longer possible to break through, unless Black simply blunders.
37... Rb8 38. Rh3 Rb7 39. Kh2 Rb8 40. Be2 Rb7 41. g3 Rb8 42. Qg2 Kh6 43. Rg1 Kg7 44. Qf3 Kg8 45. Kh1 Kg7 46. Rh2 Kg8 47. Rf2 Kg7 48. Rff1 Kg8 49. Kh2 Kg7 50. Qh1 Kg8 51. Ra1
Okay, fiddling around. Roy is still winning, but he must break through. Look at the next variation to get an idea of the plan.
51... Kg7 52. Rgb1 Bd7 53. Ra2 Qe8 54. Rba1 Kg8 55. Qf3 Kg7 56. Bd1 Kg8 57. Ba4 Bxa4 58. Rxa4 Kg7 59. Qd1 Kg8 60. R4a2 Rb7 61. Qa4 Qxa4 62. Rxa4 Rb5 63. R4a2 Kf7 64. Rg1 Ke7 65. Kh3 Kf7 66. g4!
Tired of waiting, Roy attempts to win! But it can't be done against good defense.
66... fxg4+ 67. Kg3 Ke7 68. Rf1 Kf7 69. Re2 Kg7 70. Ref2 Rb7 71. Rh1 Kf7 72. Kg2 Kg7 73. Kf1 Kf7 74. Rg2 Kf8 75. Rgg1 Kg8 76. Ke2 Kf8 77. Kd2 Kg8 78. Kc2 Rb5 79. Kb2 Kf8 80. Ka3 Kg8 81. Ka4 Kf7 82. Rf1 Kg8 83. Ka3 Kf8 84. Kb2 Kg8 85. Kc1 Kf8 86. Kd1 Kg8 87. Ke1 Kf8 88. Kf2 Kg8 89. Kg3 Kf8 90. Re1 Kg8 91. Re2 Kf7 92. Rhe1 Kg7 93. Re3 Kf7 94. R1e2 Kg7 95. Rg2 Kf7 96. Ree2 Kg7 97. Rh2 Kf7 98. Ra2 Kg7 99. Kf2 Kf7 100. Ke3
Yep, it's a draw. All because of h2-h4! DO NOT MOVE PAWNS until you evaluate the plus and minus aspects!
1/2-1/2
White |
[Event "2008 Nashville Open"] [Site "Nashville"] [Date "2008. 02. ??"] [Round "4"] [White "Nate Musin"] [Black "Roy"] [Result "0-1"] [PlyCount "62"] [EventDate "2008. ??. ??"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. e3 c5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. a3 Bd6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bb5
Up to here players have been following Master games. Normal here is Be2 or b2-b4. This is a good place to stop and figure out everyone’s plans. White has a solid position without too many structural defects. His plan should be to blockade the isolated black Q-pawn, by controlling the d4 square. That will 'fix' the pawn and provide a target for the late middle game. Black on the other hand, has more open lines for his pieces, a benefit of the isolated pawn. His plan will be to stretch himself on the K-side and the center, all the while watching for a chance for a timely advance of the d-pawn.
9... Be6
This move is okay, but one thing I've noticed about Roy, is his hesitancy to get his King castled at the earliest moment. He does a lot of housekeeping before he scoots his King over. It makes me a bit nervous, but he has managed his timing well enough to keep him out of trouble early, so I suppose it's okay. (But I would like to seem him castle a move or two earlier than he normally does.) Also, the move played is consistent with Roy's attitude early in the game. Safe and solid. Rather than putting the Bishop on e6, I like getting him to g4 where he exerts a more aggressive pressure against the enemy.
10. b4 Bb6 11. Na4
This is a mistake. White gives up a very nice white square bishop for the Knight. There was simply no reason for this. He will probably miss that white squared warrior before long.
This is also not a very good move. This actually strengthens Blacks Pawns, and gives Black's Rook a nice file. Examine this position to that at move 9. Black has really improved.
This move is okay, but not necessary. c6-c5 begins expanding that pawn mass. e.g.
14... c5 15. bxc5 bxc5 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17.
Roy still stands much better. I like a little more aggression with 16...Ne4
This makes a lot of black holes, which Roy will cover up soon by getting his Knight to c4, but unless it is really necessary, don't make permanent color weaknesses. Here you can see the black squares are definitely weak after this move. Still, it does have advantages. Let's see what Roy has in mind.
18. Qd3 Ne4 19. f3 Nd6 20. Bd4 Nc4 21. Bc5 Nd6 22. e4
Well, that work out too well. Roy made black square weaknesses and White has jumped all over them. Now his position is critical. White has close to a winning game here.
22... e5 23. exd5 Rfd8 24. dxc6 Qe6 25. Bxd6?
White is still winning, but he missed a killer move in c6-c7 e.g.
25. c7 Rxc7 (25... Rd7 26. Rad1 Rcxc7 27. Bxd6 Rc6 28. Qxb5 Rcxd6) 26. Bb6 winning.
25... Rxd6 26. Qxb5 Rdxc6 27. Rfe1 Qg6
Roy is completely lost. Two pawns down in a bad position. What can he do?
White is still winning, but his confidence is about to be shaken. Better was the simple Qe4, getting control of the board.
White is still winning, but he completely missed Roy's next move. Correct was 30.f4! e.g.
30. f4 Qb6+ 31. Kh1 Qf2 (31... Rc1+ 32. Re1 Rxa1 33. Rxa1 Qe3 34. g3 h6 35. Ra2 And White should win this.) 32. Ree1 Qxf4 33. b5
30... Qb6+!!
Roy is on the job!! White missed this, Roy planned it. Good job, way to be alert!!
31. Kf1
No better is 31.Kh1
31. Kh1 Rc1+ 32. Qd1 Rxa1! 33. Qxa1 Qf6! 34. Qd1 Qxg5 35. f4 Qxf4 36. g3 Qf2 37. h4 Re8 And Roy will win the queen! Beautiful!
31... Qf2#
I can hear white crying. But, every move of every game has to be played. Good job by Roy of drumming up some counterplay, once he realized that his black squares killed him.
0-1
Roy 2008 Nashville Open (2) |
In this 2nd round of the 2008 Nashville Open, Roy's opponent dropped a pawn early. Roy played very solid chess, forcing an endgame in which he was two clear pawns ahead. He was never in danger of losing his advantage. His play in this endgame is instructive - both the Do's and the Don'ts!
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Bd3 g6
Both players are on their own. No master games have been tried from this position.
6. c3
Roy has a nice advantage in this position based on the fact that Black will have much trouble drumming up play, especially since his c-pawn is blocked.
Even after this little strange move, Roy has the advantage. The next time you see Roy, ask him why he moved this Bishop back, I see no reason behind it. Just go ahead and castle!
8...
In this type of position, h3 is often very handy. It provides a retreat for the dark square Bishop, who has the potential to irritate Black's position.
Since Black's c-pawn is a long way from challenging the center, it is natural to desire the e5 break. His timing is not good and Roy's pieces are poised to spring into action.
13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Bxh5 Bxh2+ 16. Kxh2 gxh5 17. Qxh5
Roy is a clean pawn ahead, which equals an extra Queen, if he can get to the endgame.
17... Qf6?
Very often, a player gets rattled once he makes a mistake. Here Black followed up a mistake with a mistake. It is a good idea, once we have made a mistake, to take a minute to gather our wits before moving!
Following to correct principle which states that if you are ahead, swap pieces.
Forces the exchange of Queens. Consistent play by Roy.
20... Rad8 21. Qxg6+ hxg6 22. Nb3!
Get the Knight out of the way and head it to a very strong square to challenge the Black Bishop. Very nice.
Nice, force the enemy Rook to move and prepare to occupy the d-file with his own Rooks. Roy is playing simple and good chess.
24... Rf5 25. Rcd1 Kf8 26. Rd4
Preparing to double Rooks, which will at least result in more exchanges. Steady she goes!
26... c5
Looks aggressive, but actually creates another weakness at d6 and d5.
27. Rd6 Ke7 28. Rfd1 Rh5 29. h4
This move is okay, but I prefer a little more simplicity. Say simply Kg1 and Black is just in a bad way. Roy, of course, still has a winning advantage.
I get nervous about weak squares. Go back to move 29 and look at the position, now look at it here. The white squares have been weakened, without a good cause. Still, Roy has a winning advantage.
I like this move. It shows that Roy is aware of his white square weaknesses and is about ready to repair them with moves like Kg2 and f2-f3 and Kf2 etc.
32... Bb5?
This makes Roy's job easier. When behind in pawns, swap Pawns not pieces.
33. Rxd8!
Of course! Two pawns ahead means swap as many pieces as possible.
33... Rxd8 34. Rxd8 Kxd8 35. b3!?
This move is okay, but let's discuss it a moment. Roy's idea is to limit the Bishop's range, which is admirable. But fixing his pawns on white squares , means that he will have to be vigilant concerning his back door. It the Bishop ever gets to b1, then Roy's pawns will become hard to protect targets. Again, Roy's move is okay, but he will have to watch that a-pawn. (He is still winning!)
Okay, Roy is still winning, but his white squares are feeling a bit neglected. I like f2-f3 followed by Kg1-f2, chasing away the Bishop and regaining the White squares. Always consider pawn moves in the endings carefully. Remember, every pawn move leaves a weakness behind it!
36... Kd7 37. Kf2 Bg4 38. Nd3 b6 39. c4 Bf5 40. Ke2!
Not letting the Bishop infiltrate until his King can start helping on the q-side. Notice the free range of the Bishop due to the white square weakness, wouldn't it be nice to control those squares?
Preparing to seize the white squares. I guess I was worried about nothing, Roy is on his game!
This is okay, but prettier is 42.Kd2! e.g.
42. Kd2 Bxa2? 43. Kc2 a5 44. Kb2 Winning the Bishop!
42... Bc2 43. b4 cxb4 44. axb4 Bb3 45. Kd3 a5
Roy is still winning, but now we see that Black gets some counterplay. Winning a won game, often takes a great deal of care and work. Now we have to worry about that a-pawn.
Black finally got a little counterplay, but cracked under the pressure. Now it is no contest.
48. Nc5+ Kd6 49. Nxb3 a4 50. Na1
Of course this wins, but f4-f5 forces another passed pawn and wins easily. e.g.
50. f5 axb3 51. fxg6 b2 52. Kc2 Ke6 53. c5 f5 54. c6 And one of the pawns promote!
50. f5 gxf5 51. c5+ Kc6 52. h5 axb3 53. h6 b2 54. Kc2 Two split passed pawns cannot be stopped. Roy's move wins easily too.
50... Kc5
Makes it easy. A stiffer try, though still falling short would be to temporarily freeze White's pawns with f7-f5. Then it takes longer to win - BECAUSE the darn white squares are weak.
50... f5 51. e4 fxe4+ 52. Kxe4 Kc5 53. g4 Kxc4 54. f5 gxf5+ 55. gxf5 Kc3 56. f6 White wins, but it's not so pretty. 56... Kb2 57. f7 Kxa1 58. f8=Q Ka2 59. h5
Taking no chances, Roy brings his Knight back. But simple moves win e.g. g3-g4 or f4-f5. Either way, White gets a far off passed pawn to promote.
52... Kc5 53. Na3 f5 54. Nb5 Kb6 55. Kb4 Kc6 56. Kxa4 Kc5 57. Nd4
Careful now! Let's not get too sloppy. Better is just Kb3.
57... Kxc4 58. Nf3 Kd5 59. Kb4 Ke4 60. Ne5 Kxe3 61. Nxg6 Kf3 62. h5 Kxg3 63. h6
done.
63... Kg4 64. h7 Kh5 65. Ne5 Kh4 66. h8=Q+ Kg3 67. Qh1 Kxf4 68. Nd3+ Ke3 69. Kc3 f4 70. Qg2 f3 71. Qf2+ Ke4 72. Qd4+ Kf5 73. Qf4+ Ke6 74. Qxf3 Kd7 75. Qf6 Kc7 76. Kc4 Kd7 77. Ne5+ Kc7 78. Kc5 Kb7 79. Qc6+ Kb8 80. Qd7 Ka8 81. Kb6 Kb8 82. Qb7#
White mates
1-0
V.Chatelain 2008 Nashville Open (3) |
Roy begins with a very odd opening choice, for him. His opponent quickly slips and gives Roy equality. Roy slips and gives his opponent the edge, His opponent slips and gives Roy a winning advantage. Roy doesn't slip anymore and plays a Rook and pawn ending.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nf6 3. cxd5 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. dxe6 Bxe6 6. a3
It is hard to believe that Roy played this Gambit. It has only been played a couple of times in Master games. Black really gets very little for his Pawn.
6... Nc6 7. Nf3 Be7 8. e4 Bg4 9. Qd3?
Well, Roy gets his pawn back. Either 9.Bb5 or 9.Be3 keeps Whites advantage.
This move suites Roy's nature of avoiding fireworks too early. Objectively, Nxd4 gives White more problems, striking all those weak white squares (b3 and f3).
11. Bf4 Qxd3 12. Bxd3
Walking into the pin at c7 feels very uncomfortable. Better would have been Bc5 or Nd4.
Now there is a weak pawn in Black's camp. Better was a temporary retreat with Ne8 e.g.
14... Ne8 15. Bc4 a6 16. Rxd8+ Nxd8 17. Nd4 Nd6 18. Bxd6 Bxd6 19. Bxf7 Rf8 20. Bc4 Be5=
14... Ne8 15. Bc4 a6 16. Rxd8+ Nxd8 17. Nd4 Nd6 18. Bd5 g5 19. Bg3 h5 20. h4 gxh4 with a battle.
This should lose, but Roy's position is critical anyway.
17. Bb3?
Correct was the surprise move 17.Rxd6!
17. Rxd6 Rxd6 18. Bxe5 Kc7 19. Rd1 Rhd8 20. Bxf7 With an easy win.
17... Nxf3!
Whew! Back on course. Two Bishops vrs two Knights. The Bishops may have the edge, if White can consolidate. Roy must play actively.
18. Bxf7?! Nxe4! 19. Rhf1 Rhf8! 20. Rd3 Nxh2?!
This does give Roy a winning advantage, but he can win a clear pieces with Rxf7 e.g.
20... Rxf7! 21. Rxf3 Rdf8 22. Bxd6+ Nxd6 with an easy win.
Roy finds himself in an endgame two pawns ahead AGAIN!
22. f3 Ka8! 23. Re1 Rc8+! 24. Kb1 Rxf3! 25. Rxf3 Nd2+
Roy has awakened! That was a nice combination!
26. Ka2 Nxf3 27. Re2 Nxh2 28. Rxh2 h6
Three pawns ahead, in a beloved Rook and Pawn ending! Roy will take no chances.
29. Rf2 b6 30. Rg2 Rc7 31. Rg6 d5
Oops. But he is still winning.
32. Rd6 Rc5 33. b4 Rc2+ 34. Kb3 Rd2 35. Kc3 Rh2 36. Rxd5 g5 37. Rd4 h5 38. Rd1 Rh3+ 39. Kc2 g4 40. Rg1 Kb7 41. a4 Kc6 42. Rf1 Rf3 43. Rh1 Rh3 44. Rf1 g3 45. Rf3 h4 46. Rf6+ Kd5 47. Rg6 Rh2+ 48. Kc3 g2! 49. Kd3 h3
Missing the easiest route.
49... Rh3+ 50. Ke2 Rg3 51. Rxg3 hxg3 and the pawn promotes.
50. Rg5+ Kc6 51. Rg6+ Kd7 52. Rg7+ Ke6 53. Rg6+ Kf5 54. Rg8 Rh1 55. Rf8+ Ke5 56. Re8+ Kf4 57. Rf8+ Kg3 58. Rg8+ Kh2 59. Re8 g1=Q 60. Re2+ Qg2 0-1
Bill Bragg 2007 NTWO (5) |
Round 5, the money round. If Bill wins, he has clear first place. Will he play cautious? Who Bill?
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bc4 Nb6
Bill questions this move based on a booklet on the Smith-Morra Gambit Declined by Ken Smith. But this is a very common move in master play.
Again, based on Ken Smith's booklet, this move is questioned. Black has, however had pretty good results with this move. Perhaps, Bill can refute it!?
7. cxd4 Nc6 8. Nc3 Bf5 9. Nge2 e6 10.
Up to here, Black has been playing the most popular moves. But this move has very poor results. The normal try is
10... Be7 11. Ng3 Bg6 12. Be3
The most successful move here is Kh1. e.g.
12. Kh1 h5 13. Nge2 Be7 14. Nf4 Bf5 15. Be3
12... Nxd4!
Bill thinks this is a mistake: '...White gets a nice free attacking game.'
13. Be3 Nxb3 14. axb3 a6 15. f5
This is all according to Bill's plan.
15... exf5 16. Nxf5 Bxf5 17. Rxf5 Bb4
This is a blunder. Now Bill shows no mercy.
18. Qg4!!
with a winning advantage.
18... Bf8 19. Raf1! h5 20. Qf4 d4 21. Rxf7! Be7 22. Qxd4
Bill takes the simplest course. But 22.Rxg7 is powerful e.g.
22. Rxg7 dxe3 23. Qf7+ Kd7 24. Rd1+
22. Rxg7 Rxc3 23. Qf7+ Kd7 24. Bg5 Rc6 25. Bxe7 Qe8 26. Qf5+ Kc7 27. Bd6+ Kd8 28. Rxb7
22. Rxg7 Rxc3 23. Qf7+ Kd7 24. Bg5 Re8 25. bxc3 d3 26. Rd1 Kc6 27. Bxe7 There is no defense.
Bill finishes the game off beautifully, with many flourishes by the mighty Knight. Very nice ending!
23... Rc6 24. Bxb6 Rxb6 25. Rxe7+! Kxe7 26. Nd5+ Ke6 27. Nxb6 Rd8 28. Nc4! b5 29. Nd6! Rd7 30. Re1 Rc7 31. Re2 Rc1+ 32. Kf2 Rd1 33. Ne4 Ke7 34. e6 Rd4 35. Ke3 Rd5 36. Kf4! g6 37. h4 Rf5+ 38. Kg3 Kxe6 39. Nc5+ Kd5 40. Nxa6 Rf6 41. Nc7+ Kc6 42. Re6+ Rxe6 43. Nxe6 1-0
T Tucker 2007 NTWO (4) |
In round 4 of the NTWO Bill finally gets to play a 'Bill' type of game - a game filled with fireworks. (This time however, he is on the defending end. Is he up to the task?) Bill's notes to the game are included.
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. c3 dxc3 6.
Bill: White has successfully avoided all variations which are comfortable for Black. The Black player usually defuses this basic opening by a quick d5, but did not realize what was going on in time! Henry: 6. 0-0 has been play very successfully in the old masters games. Don't blink for the remainder of this game, fireworks are everywhere.
6... d6
Bill: Black wishes to avoid the dreaded (to him at least) Goring Gambit, which would result from cxb2 here. Even in this variation, he is already under strong attack.
7. Ng5
A rarely played move.
7... Nh6
Henry: This is a very dangerous position, Black must take great care. Here are some examples of the danger:
7... Ne5 8. Nxf7 Nxf7 9. Qa4+ (9. Bxf7+ Kxf7 10. Qb3+ Be6 11. Qxb4 cxb2 12. Bxb2 Nf6 13. f4 and the attack rages on!) 9... c6 10. Qxb4 cxb2 11. Bxb2 And White has a vicious attack for one pawn. Bill's move has never been tried in master play. Let's see how he does.
8. e5
Bill: This ultra aggressive move loses material, but gives White a tremendous attack for the material. Either bxc3 or Nxc3 is objectively better, but causes Black less immediate problems. e.g.
8. Nxc3
8... cxb2
Bill: Black figured that he was going to undergo the 'perils of Pauline' at any rate, so he might as well grab some material compensation. After the game White admitted that he has overlooked the overworked Bishop, so his sacrifice was not deliberate. However, it did cause Black fear in the position!
9. Nxf7 bxa1=Q 10. Nxd8 Qxb1 11. Nxc6 bxc6
Bill: Black is now a Rook and a minor piece ahead, but wishes he had only a safe position for his King! He will win if he can survive the next several moves, but survival is by no means clear.
12. exd6 Qe4! 13. Bxh6 Qxc4! 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Qh5+ Qf7 16. Qe5+ Be6 17. d7+ Kxd7 18. Rd1+ Bd6
Bill: Black has finally built a safe haven for his King, so White's game now collapses.
My turn to attack! White resigned here, but the game could have continued:
21. Kxg2
21. Kh1 Rxf2 22. Qe3 Bd5+ 23. Rxd5 Rxh2+ 24. Kg1 Qf1#
21... Qf3+ 22. Kg1 Qxd1+ 23. Qe1 Qxe1+ 24. Kg2 Bd5+ 25. f3 Bxf3+ 26. Kh3 Qf1# 0-1
Bill Bragg 2008 NTWO (3) |
1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 e6 5. Nf3 Bb4
Bill: The theory of this opening indicates that the exchange of Black's Bishop for the Knight is bad because it leaves Black very weak on the black squares, and there is no other reason for this move.
6. Bc4
Bill: In his booklet on the Smith-Morra Gambit Accepted, Ken Smith suggests Qd4 here for White. Henry: Looking at the database, Ken Smith is correct, White wins 78% of the time. Bill's move is however, the most common, and good.
6... Ne7
Black gets to play his Knight to e7, where it will not be harassed by the White e-pawn. But, it is very ineffective here. Bill has more than enough compensation for the pawn.
Bill: This is a bad move, but at least consistent with Black's 5th move. Henry: This is the normal move, but Bill is correct it stinks.
This is a really good move. The absence of the Black Bishop, leaves the black squares very weak. This move gives Bill complete control.
Bill: White's strong Bishop dominates the position, cutting Black's position in half! This sort of thing is why the exchange on c3 is bad. Henry: This move is new, and looks pretty darn good. The old move was Qe2, when d7-d5 equalizes the position.
Bill: The retreat to b3 is more usual in the opening, but in this position the Bishop bites on granite..., while the b1-h7 diagonal looks more promising.
Bill: This move opens the diagonal for the Bishop and at the same time further supports the strong Bishop on d6.
13... f5
Bill: This good move prevents an immediate Kingside attack by White.
14. Rfd1
Bill: Worth considering was exf6, but after gxf6, Black can again play f6-f5 to close the diagonal, and it is not immediately apparent how White can take advantage of the open g-file. The move is tempting, however, because the 'obvious' Rxf6 loses to Bxe7 followed by Qe4 winning.
14. exf6 Rxf6 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16. Qe4 Bb7 17. Qxh7+ Kf8 18. Ne5
14. exf6 gxf6 15. Qe4 f5 16. Qh4 Rf7 17. Ng5 Rg7 and it is hard to find a follow-up for White.
Bill: White's Kingside stuff is, at least temporarily, stopped but Black has essentially no counter play. White here forces the exchange of his weak isolated c-pawn before it becomes a problem. Henry: Worth considering is a2-a4exposing Black's q-side pawns as weak.
16... bxc4 17. Bxc4 a5 18. Rab1 Qa7 19. Qd2
Bill: White changes the Queen's diagonal to try for Kingside play.
Henry: Very nice, swing the Rook to the K-side to help in the attack! Vintage Bill!
Bill: White had originally intended to answer h6 with Rh3, since Black cannot afford to take the Knight. However, Black could then play 21...Rh8 whereupon the Knight is truly en prize and must therefore retreat to f3, which is not as good a square as h3 because White's plan is for it to go to f4 eventually.
21... Ba6 22. Bxa6 Qxa6 23. Rg3?
Henry: This is actually too slow (see next note). Better was the immediate Nf4 e.g.
23. Nf4 Kf7 24. Rh3 Rh8 25. Nd3 with a very strong position.
23... Ra7?
Henry: This misses the best defense. Simply Nd5 makes it much more difficult for White to continue. e.g.
23... Nd5 24. Nf4 Nxf4 25. Qxf4 Qe2 And the tide begins to turn.
Henry: Missing a win with the fantastic Nxg6!
25. Nxg6 Nxg6 26. Qxh6 Rg8 27. Rxg6! Rxg6 28. Qf8#
25. Nxg6 Nd8 26. Qxh6 Rg8 27. Nh8+ Rxh8 28. Qg7+ Ke8 29. Qxe7#
26... f4 27. Rh3 Kg6 28. hxg5 hxg5 29. Qe2 Kg7 30. Qh5
27. Qxh6!!
Bill: White sacrifices to break through on the K-side. 27.Rh3 Rh8 28. Rxh4 Ng8 seems to slow...The text move guarantees at least a draw, but seem to White at the time to probably create a mating net around Black's King. Henry: Brilliant!
27... hxg3 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. Nf4
Bill: threatens mate.
Bill gave this a question mark, thinking it loses the win. But in fact he is still winning! He gave Kxf2 as the winning move. e.g.
30. Kxf2 Qb6+ 31. Kf3 Nxe5+ 32. Bxe5 Rea8 33. Bd6 Qc6+ 34. Kg3
30... Nxe5
Bill gives this an exclamation, but he is still winning!
31. Bxe5??
Now Bill misses the winning move. Nh5 threatening mate.
31. Nh5 There is no defense.
31... Rea8
Bill gave this an exclamation saying, This nice defensive move gives Black's King a much-needed escape square. Henry: Actually, White is still winning.
32. Qh8+??
No! Bill, look a little closer. YOU CAN WIN THIS!
32. Ng6+ Nxg6 33. Qg7+ Ke8 34. Qxg6+ Kd8 35. Qf7 f1=N+ 36. Kh3! d5 37. Bf6+ Kc8 38. Qf8+ Kb7 39. Qe7+ Kc8 (39... Kc6 40. Qxe6+ Kb5 41. Qxd5+ Kb6 42. Rb1+ Kc7 43. Rc1+ Kb8 44. Qd8+ Kb7 45. Qc7#) 40. Qd8+ Kb7 41. Qd7+ Kb8 42. Be5+ Rc7 43. Qxc7#
You are still winning! Look closer.
33. Qf6+ Ke8 34. Ng6 as in the above variation. It is mate in every line.
33... Ke8 34. Qh8+?? Kf7 35. Qg7+??
In this final position, Bill is still winning, yet they called it a draw.
1/2-1/2
J. Beatty 2008 NTWO (2) |
1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 3. exd5 exf4
Bill: Black, having forgotten the opening line here, varies from 'the book'.... Henry: Actually, this move has been played numerous times, with very good success. Bill is always very hard on himself.
Bill: Blacks opening is in shambles. This simply loses a pawn. Black saw this, but thought his better development would be adequate compensation after chasing the Bishop away from f4. Henry: Yep, Nf6 is bad, but 5...Bd6 has been played very successfully by Black. e.g.
5... Bd6 6. Nc3 Ne7 7. dxc6 Nbxc6 8. Bc4
6. dxc6 Nxc6 7. Bxf4 Nd5 8. Bc1 Bb4+
Bill: This move was played to hamper a quick advance of White's c an d pawns. White threatened c4, gaining tempo on Black's Knight, followed by d5, etc. Henry: I really do not like this move. Try ...Qe7 e.g.
8... Bg4 9. Be2 Qe7 10.
Henry: I don't like the Bishop going here. How about 9...Be7 e.g.
9... Be7 10. c4 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 Ne3 12. Qe2 (12. Qb3
9... Be7 10. Bd3
Bill: (planning Nxc3)
12. Bd3 Bg4 13. Qc2 h6 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Rxf3 Qh4
Bill realizes his position is desperate and seeks active play.
Henry: possibly Bb6 makes White more uncomfortable.
17. Na3 Rae8 18. Raf1 Nf6 19. Bf4
Bill: White plays for simplification into a won ending.
Threatens Nxd4!
Bill: White's Queen is much more active than Black's. Black is ill advised to attempt to avoid this exchange.
Bill: A cheap mate threat, but what else is there? Henry: Bill knows he has a lost position and is simply throwing some traps at White, hoping!
Bill explained his reasoning saying that he wanted to steer into a Rook and Pawn ending where many players lose their way. Turns out he was correct is assessing his opponents lack of endgame skill. It is difficult to find a more productive idea. Sometimes you have to play the person, instead of the board.
25. Re2 Rxe2 26. Kxe2 a6 27. Re3 Kf8 28. Be4 Nxe4 29. Rxe4 b5 30. b3 Ne7 31. Ne3 g6 32. g4 f5 33. gxf5 Nxf5 34. Rf4 Re7 35. Rf3 Ke8 36. Kd3 Rf7
Bill will need to get lucky to get out of this ending alive. Or perhaps, his knowledge of player weaknesses will be enough?
37. c4 bxc4+ 38. bxc4 Kd7 39. Nxf5 gxf5 40. d5 Rg7 41. Kd4 Rg2 42. a3 Rd2+ 43. Rd3 Re2 44. Kc3 Kd6 45. Kb4 Re4 46. Rc3
Finally an inaccurate move. Better was Rg3 and Black is in deep trouble.
46. Rg3 f4 47. Rg6+ Ke7 48. Rxh6 f3 49. d6+ Kf7 50. Rh7+ Ke8 51. Rh8+ Kd7 52. Rf8 Kxd6 53. Rxf3
46... f4!
A glimmer, yet ever so faint!
Bill is making some headway, but still has a long way to go.
The game is about equal now!
Bill misses a great chance. 50...Ke4!! capitalizes on the backward motion of Whites pieces. e.g.
50... Ke4 51. d6 Ra2+ 52. Ke1 (52. Kc1 Kxd3 53. d7 Kc3 54. Kd1 Rd2+) 52... Kxd3 53. d7 Ke3!! 54. d8=Q Ra1+ 55. Qd1 Rxd1+ 56. Kxd1 Kd4 Bill wins!
50... Ke4 51. Kc2 Ra2+ 52. Kb3 Kxd3 53. Kxa2 f3 54. d6 f2 55. d7 f1=Q 56. d8=Q+ Kc2 with advantage Bill!
51. Ke1
Now White is winning again.
51... Kd6 52. c5+ Kd7 53. d6?!
Better was 53.c6! e.g.
53. c6+ Kd6 54. Rc3 Kc7 55. d6+ Wins for White.
53... Rc2
Bill: White's pawns are stopped. Black has survived!
54. Rd5 f3 55. Rh5 a5 56. Rxh6?
White gives up. Better is to maintain things with a3-a4. e.g.
56. a4 Kc6 57. Rd5 Kd7 58. Kf1 Kc8 59. Re5 Kd7 60. Re7+ Kd8 61. Rc7 And White is well on the way to winning.
No fight left at all. h3-h4 keeps trying.
57... Rc3 58. a4 Ra3 59. h4 Rxa4 60. Kxf3 Ra1 61. Ke4 a4 62. Kd5 Rd1+ 63. Kc4
Yep, it's a draw. This was a very instructive endgame. Bill was correct, Rook and pawn endings can be very complex. Most players will go astray at some point!
0-1
Bill Bragg 2008 NTWO (1) |
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4
Bill - Theory recommends allowing White to capture instead. The text move gives White a tempo... With this Black leaves the 'book'. Henry - The move dxc4 gives White an extra tempo. Normally, Black waits till the white Bishop moves, then captures the pawn. This move has been played in about 100 master games, with very little success. Bill should have a fair advantage in the resulting position.
Bill gives this a '?' and says 'This move is much too passive. White should strike immediately with 9.d5! but was reluctant to open the center that much with his King still there. Henry - Bill is too hard on himself. 8. 0-0 is the correct move and actually transposes into a fairly popular line. 9.d5 is not near as good. e.g.
8. d5 exd5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. Qxd5 Qxd5 11. Bxd5
Bill - Bill gives this a question mark and says 'Again, the only way to play this position is an immediate d5, even though it is not nearly as strong as on the previous move. Instead White worried about the development of his Queens Bishop. White is playing very passively.' Henry - I agree that 9.b3 is bad, but the idea of d5 is completely wrong. Here's the deal with isolated queen pawns: If they become weak, they can be quite a bother and you must try to get rid of it, if they are strong, however, (as Bill's is) they are a springboard for attack. This position has been reached in many master games and all of the following moves have very high winning percentages: Bg5 or Re1 or Bf4 or Be3 or Ne5. Bill's move is bad, because it is very passive.
Bill - Black obviously wants to play ...b5. White could prevent this with a2-a4, but that would leave a hole on b4 that Black might be able to exploit with his Knight (e.g. Nc6-b4).
Bill - White's passive play has come home to roost! Now d5 is no longer playable, and White's position has become quite passive with a weak isolated central pawn to defend.
12... Nbd7
Henry - this is a weak move. Correct was ...Nc6 pressuring the d-pawn.
Bill - This nice move not only blockades the d-pawn, but also allows Black to exchange his Knight for White's Bishop on d3 should he decide to do so. Henry - This is NOT a nice move, and allows White to keep the balance. Bill's reply is incorrect, as we will see.
14. Rac1?
I consider this a mistake. Correct is to exchange Knights, which leaves the Bishop, not particularly well placed at d5. Bill is underestimating his position. e.g.
14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. Ne5 Rc8 16. Rac1 Nxe5 (16... Nf6 17. Rxc8 Qxc8 18. f3 Qb7 19. Rc1) 17. dxe5 White's game is satisfactory, whether he keeps an isolated pawn or not.
14... Nf4
Henry - This should never have been allowed. In games positions with an isolated Q-pawn, the White Bishop must be kept. Now, for the first time, Black does have the advantage.
15. Qe3 Nxd3 16. Qxd3 Nf6 17. Ng5
Bill - White plays for simplification in the hope that by so doing he can eventually play the freeing d5. Henry - NO! NO! NO! The side with the isolated pawn does not really want to simplify, it just brings the endgame closer, where the isolated pawn weakness is exposed. Playing Ne5 irritating Black is better.
17. Ne5 Rc8 18. f3 Qb6 19. Ne4 Playing for some activity.
17... h6 18. Nge4 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Qd5 20. f3 Rac8 21. Nc3
Bill is still focused on getting in d4-d5. Objectively, Nc5 may be better, trying to draw. e.g.
21. Nc5 Bxc5 22. dxc5 Rxc5 23. Qxd5 Rxd5 24. Rxd5 Bxd5 25. Kf2 And Bill won't win, but he won't lose either. This would be advantage Black, but very difficult to win.
Bill - White though the could now (at last) get this in. All active answers by Black were considered and found to be good for White.
22... b4?
Bill - But the simple Rfd8 would win the pawn, and perhaps the game. Black, like White, looked only at active responses to White's thrust, and so missed this simple but strong response. e.g.
22... Rfd8 23. Qe2 exd5 24. Re1 Bc5+ 25. Kh1 Qf5
23. d6
Bill - Now White's poor isolated pawn has transmogrified into a monster passer on the 6th, already backed up by a Rook... Henry - Not exactly. Black still has a huge advantage after 23...Bg5, seen next note.
23... Bf6
Black misses the best move. Correct was ...Bg5 and White falls apart. e.g.
23... Bg5 24. Na4 (24. Ne4 Bxc1 25. Bxc1 Bd5 26. Bf4 f5 27. Ng3 Qc6 Black is winning, it's just a matter of time.) 24... Bxc1 25. Bxc1 Qb5 With big advantage Black.
24. Na4 Bxb2 25. Nxb2 Rc6 26. Nc4
Henry - The tide has indeed turned. Bill is winning!
There is abs olutely no reason to give away the d-pawn. There seems to have been a hate relationship between Bill and this pawn from the start. Keep the pawn and make Black sweat e.g.
27... Qxd6 28. Rxc6 Qxd3 29. Rxd3 Rxd3 30. Nxd3 Bxc6 31. Nxb4
Bill - ... White finally obtains a winning advantage. His two-to-one pawn majority on the queenside should win in this minor piece ending. Henry - Maybe. The Bishop is much faster than the Knight, and Black does have the ability to produce a passed pawn too.
31... Bb7 32. Kf2 Kf8 33. Ke3 Ke7 34. Nd3 Kd6 35. Kd4
Henry - Well, the smoke has cleared and the position is about equal. White has an outside passed pawn, but Black has the Bishop.
35... f6 36. Nc5 e5+ 37. Kc4 Bc8?
Henry - Black is committing suicide. Correct is Bd5 e.g.
37... Bd5+ 38. Kb4 a5+ 39. Kb5 Bc6+ 40. Kb6 f5 And it is Black that has a slight advantage. Not White!
Henry - Very bad. Black has forgotten that he has some pawns too. Correct is
38... Kd5 39. Nd3 Kd4 40. Ne1 f5 And it is White in trouble again!
39. Kc4
Now Bill is back in control.
39... h5 40. b4 f5 41. a4 g6 42. Nxa6 Bxa6+ 43. b5+ Bxb5+ 44. axb5+ Kb6 45. Kd5 Kxb5 46. Kxe5 Kc5 47. h4 Kc4 48. Kf6 Kd4 49. Kxg6 f4 50. Kxh5 Ke3 51. Kg4
Henry - A see-saw game, which reveals the importance of understanding the power of pieces and pawns in both the middlegame and ending!
1-0
Joann Welch TN Regional (3) |
1. e4 d6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. d4 Bg7 5. Bc4
Up to here the players have been following master moves. White is the first to blink with this move. Which is not as bad as it looks.
This is a regular slugfest, neither player backing down. I like it!
Nice idea. White does not capture with the Queen because she wants her Knight to get to the e4 square, perhaps with dreams of the e6 square.
This is NOT a good move. Black would maintain a good game here with ...Nf6.
16... Nf6 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 18. Bg5 Qf7 With a battle brewing!
17. hxg6 Bxe3 18. gxh7+ Kh8 19. fxe3 Nxe3 20. Rxf8+ Qxf8 21. Qxd7
White is just plain winning.
21... Nxc4 22. Rf1 Qh6 23. Nf2??
White has played very well and all but one move, Autumn has played well. Finally, White makes a mistake and Autumn gets a chance. Correct was
23. Qe6 Qxh7 24. Rf7 Qh4 25. Qf6+ Qxf6 26. Nxf6 b5 27. Rh7#
23. Qe6 Qxe6 24. dxe6 Kxh7 25. e7 Kg7 26. Nf6 promoting the pawn.
23... Rf8!
Autumn finds the correct move! Well done! No panic! Her move is much better than ...Qxh7, because she has laid a trap!
24. Qxc7??
Not seeing the danger! Better was
24. Nd1 Rxf1+ 25. Kxf1 Qh1+ 26. Kf2 Qh4+ 27. Kf1 Qh1+ With a draw by perpetual check. A fitting end. But now White is in trouble!
24... Ne3!
Bingo! Well played!
25. Qd7
25. Re1 Qh4 26. Re2 Qg3 27. Nd3 Rf1#
Overall, this was a very well contested game. Both players made one blunder, the better player won!?
0-1
Manu Nair TN Regional (4) |
This move is not played often, but it has pretty good success for the White player. The Knight is poorly placed to contest the center, but well placed if White is content to nestle behind his pawns a while. The Pirc is a hypermodern opening, which aims to allow White to expand his pawns, then to counter attack the structure. White plans a set-up to support his central pawns with c2-c3. This game requires patience. White must plan a slow build up, Black must figure out how to pressure Whites fortified pawns.
This is okay, and has had good success in master play. Normally, Bg7 and 0-0 are played first so as to get the King out of the center.
5. Bd3 Bg7 6. c3
All these moves have been played by masters, but this move is very conservative. Normally, Black plays ...e5, with mixed results.
Yep. e6 didn't work out to well. Lost a move. White stands better.
11. d5?!
This brings some relief to Black's game. A lot more pressure by Qb3 could have been put on Black.
Here is the critical point of the game. Autumn must decide how to proceed. Her pawns cry out, try to get f7-f5 in and attack the White pawn chain at the base. But on the other hand, that would take a lot of move. She decides to draw attention to the Q-side, maybe later, get back to the idea of f7-f5. I like her plan.
White correctly maintains his center.
13... cxd5 14. cxd5 Rc8 15. Rac1 Rxc1 16. Rxc1 Qd7
Now we see. Autumn simply plans to clear the air a bit, get some elbow room. She does need to be careful not to get into a lost ending against Whites two Bishops.
17. Qb4 a6 18. Qb6 Rc8 19. Rxc8+ Nxc8 20. Qb4 Na7 21. Be3 Nb5
Active defense is to be admired, and luckily it pays off, but just luckily. Better was to pull back Nc8 fortifying the Q-side, then get back to the f7-f5 plan.
22. Bxb5?
Missing a win. Better was a2-a4. e.g.
22. a4 Nc7 23. Qxb7 Nfe8 24. b3 And Black will be crushed to death.
22... axb5 23. Nd2 Nh5! 24. Qc3 Nf4
It would have been a good time to play f7-f5, but the text move is not too bad. It shows a desire for active defense - very admirable.
Probably planning Qd7-a7-a4 but it has a hole.
27. b3?
27. Qc6! Qxc6 28. dxc6 Be5 29. c7 d5 30. c8=Q+
27. Qc6 Qa7 28. Qe8+ Bf8 29. Qxb5 Qxa2 30. Qxb6 Qa1+ 31. Nf1 Qe1 32. f3 Be7 33. Qf2 White is winning.
27... b4?
Ouch, missed it again.
28. Qc4
28.Qc6 is correct again.
We might smell a little time trouble here. Correct was 29...Qe8. You will understand why in the next note.
Correct was
31. Qc8+ Kg7 32. Qxc3+ Capturing with check. That is why Qe8 was better, it would not have allowed Qc8 check.
31... Qxe4 32. Qc8+ Kg7 33. Qc3+ Kg8 34. Qc8+ Kg7 35. Qc3+
An instructive, interesting game. This shows real enthusiasm in defense. Nice job.
1/2-1/2
Blake NTWO (1) |