30 Oct 08
Not many strategic ideas behind this game, but I thought I'd post my analysis of this 5 minute blitz here.
1.) It forces me to analyze a recently played.
2.) It allows others to see my thought process. This, of course, is mostly just a hindrance to those looking to better their games. I'm sure I missed so many things, and in my analysis I will still miss so many things that you are better off not looking. That said, I'm hoping someone will point out my mistakes. This was a very tactical game, and I feel pretty solid about it. But I don't have my copy of Fritz right now, so that would be why. Anyway, if someone could run this through a computer, and/or help me better my play I'd appreciate it.
1. e4 d5
I liked to play d5 followed by c3 in my blitz games. It throws people. Not the soundest thing to do, but a working method at least at my level.
2. e5 e6
I'm not used to seeing 2 e5. e6 was probably a bit hasty, but I wanted to open up my dark-squared bishop as well as have a spot for my knight other than the h-file.
3. d4 c5
Trying the gambit slightly backwards...
4. c4 cxd4.
The purpose of my cxd4 was to lure the queen out. Of course he didn't have to, he would have probably gotten the pawn back anyway but it worked -- the queen came out.
5. Qxd4 Nc6
6. Qd1
Damn! Don't get to chase her around the board! That said, my opponent wasted a move.
6 ... e7
7. cxd5 Nxe5
I took white's e-pawn instead of d-pawn for a few reasons. One, I could always capture the d-pawn on the next move. If white decided to take my e-pawn instead, then I would have exchanged queens taking away his castling ability.
8. Bb5+ Bd7
9. dxe6
My opponent seems to have hung his bishop.
9 ... Qa5+
Hoping to apply a bit of pressure.
10. Nc3.
This protects his bishop, but there doesn't seem to be much of a need for it. My knight on e5 right now is really saving me from stopping the white queen coming to d7.
10 ... Bxb5
11. exf7
I guess white didn't want to give up a free pawn. This move seems to be wasted to me, but I may be wrong... Either way, this frees up my e5 knight so instead of recapturing with the king I capture with the knight.
11 ... Nxf7
12. Bd2
This frees up white's knight. If the knight were to move white would gain tempo by attacking my queen. That said, since I needed to move my queen anyway I thought before I moved yet why not set up a thread that requires him to respond to as soon as I move my queen out of harm's way...
12 ... Bc5
So I played Bc6 threatening to capture the g2 pawn winning material.
13. Nf3 Rd8
This move activates my rook, and puts a bit of pressure on white's bishop. I'm still worried about my own queen though.
14. Nb1
I was surprised at this move at first, though it saved him material in the short run. Personally I would have tried to put the knight on a more active square I think, but I tend to make the mistake of overextending a lot.
14 ... Bxf3
I'm pretty sure my opponent did not expect this move. If I calculated correctly he could not capture my queen at this point otherwise rook captures his queen and that's mate. This move allowed me to keep my queen out on the bored which was already very active, and set her up to go in even deeper. I also had to keep an eye out for black's bishop which seemed weak. White had to recapture my bishop after which...
15. Qxf3 Qe5+
This forks his king and his b2 pawn which eventually leads me to a rook.
16. Kd1 Qxb2
17. Qc3.
White has his sights on my queen, but I don't want to give her up before getting the rook. Luckily I have a move.
17 ... Rxd2+
I suppose white could have tried to move around here, but in my opinion the capture of my rook was his best move.
18. Qxd2 Qza1
19. Kc1 Nc6
Trying to activate more pieces than just my queen. She's already done her part.
20. Re1+
A potential counterattack?
20 ... Nfe5
This move may have been outside my calculation potential given the time limit. That said, I didn't and still don't see anything wrong with it. I think it was sound, and I had planned for the knight to only be pinned temporarily. I did however miss the reply f4. That may have been white's best option.
21. Qe3 Be7
Getting the pin off my knight.
22. f4
Too late I think
22 ... Nc4
Trying to make a push while I already have a very powerful piece back there.
23. Qe2.
Threatens my knight. I've been wanting to play my bishop to a3 but it was pinned. I was trying to set up to castle.
23 ... Qd4
24. Rd1 Qe3+
I felt I was up comfortably enough to exchange queens and coast from here.
25. Qxe3 Nxe3
26. Re1 Nxg2
1-0
I'm sure there were tons of horrid mistakes. Please point them out to me, but be gentle plaz!!!