Take a bow KnightStalker. I'm not sure if the rest of you are mixing up your white and black estimate or have guessed that the black player was me and are taking the piss by grading black lower than the white player despite the fact he won! Either way, even if I reverse your guesses, KnightStalker was almost spot on.
White was 1400, Black 1600.
I was black. The reason I asked is that white is certainly improving rapidly at the moment, and I, the black player am putting in some effort to improve too. There is obviously some lag in ratings, and my ECF rating has actually decreased, but I am certain that I am sharper and know more than I did two years ago! Just the basic endgame knowledge I have, compared to zero knowledge last year must have added 100 points to my ELO.
We've both had some (for us) spectacular results recently. And I have not lost a game this season in the 9 I have played so far for my club. The feedback is pleasing. And the place Knightstalker is wrong is that whilst I was very happy with my game here, I didn't cherry pick a good performance, I think this is the level I play at around 75% of the time now, and the times I don't is usually for some reason other than chess.
Originally posted by KnightStalker47
11...Nxe2 trading blacks best piece for whites worst and I think 13..f5 is stronger than Nf6
When I played 11... Nxe2 I did consider that I was exchanging a good piece for a less well placed one. But my intention in doing so was that if I did not then the bishop could escape on the next move, and by doing so I hoped to exchange a possibly temporary advantage (good knight) for a hopefully permanent one (bishop pair vs knight and bishop) with the position about to open up.
Does anybody here think that is sufficient justification? Or do you still consider it a weak move?
Anyway. For the correct guess Knightstalker, I'd like to buy you a christmas present. If you choose a chess book from amazon or some such place and PM me the link, along with your address I'll get it shipped to you by christmas.
I'm just about to look through my win the following night, once I've done so I'll also post that to this thread.