I don't know if anyone remembers but a long time ago I played a Symmetrical English game with MotownDave. (Game 1680211) I didn't know all that much about the English but I was able to pull a draw with the help of my book and database analysis. It was a great learning experience, but it led me to believe that the Symmetrical English is the MOST BORING OPENING in chess.
After a few more games with the English both online and off-line, I have come to appreciate it. It's not as exciting as e4, but it still has a lot to offer and can get pretty wild both in tactical and positional complications.
Anyway, here is a game I'm really proud of:
[Event "Rated game, 10m + 25s"]
[Site "Main Playing Hall"]
[Date "2006.04.10"]
[White "Federovich"]
[Black "Exigentsky"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[EventDate "2006.04.10"]
[TimeControl "600+25"]
1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:11]} c5 {[%emt 0:00:03]} 2. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} g6 {
[%emt 0:00:09]} 3. b3 {[%emt 0:00:29]} Bg7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 4. Bb2 {
[%emt 0:00:01]} Nc6 {[%emt 0:00:16]} 5. e3 {[%emt 0:00:04]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:43]
} 6. Rc1 {[%emt 0:00:38]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:18]} 7. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Qa5 {
Exigentsky reconnected. [%emt 0:01:17]} 8. Nd5 {[%emt 0:02:06]} Nxd5 {
[%emt 0:01:18]} 9. Bxg7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxe3 {[%emt 0:00:38]} 10. fxe3 {
[%emt 0:00:42]} Kxg7 {[%emt 0:00:06]} 11. Qc2 {[%emt 0:00:59]} Kg8 {
[%emt 0:00:45]} 12. h4 {[%emt 0:00:20]} d6 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 13. h5 {
[%emt 0:00:30]} Bf5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 14. Qb2 {[%emt 0:01:08]} e5 {
[%emt 0:01:07]} 15. Nh4 {[%emt 0:00:27]} Be4 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 16. Kd1 {
[%emt 0:01:12]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:00:51]} 17. Qc3 {[%emt 0:00:49]} Qxa2 {
[%emt 0:02:10]} 18. d3 {[%emt 0:00:23]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:02:54]} 19. Be2 {
Exigentsky offers a draw [%emt 0:00:09]} d5 {[%emt 0:02:01]} 20. cxd5 {
. [%emt 0:01:29]} Bxd5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} 21. Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:51]} Bxb3+ {
[%emt 0:00:12]} 22. Ke1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Qxa1+ {[%emt 0:00:53]} 23. Qxa1 {
[%emt 0:00:06]} Nc2+ {[%emt 0:00:13]} 24. Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Nxa1 {
[%emt 0:00:18]} 25. Rxa1 {[%emt 0:00:01]} Bd5 {[%emt 0:00:52]} 26. e4 {
[%emt 0:00:07]} Bc6 {[%emt 0:00:20]} 27. Kg3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} a5 {
Exigentsky offers a draw (Lag: Av=1.09s, max=1.6s) [%emt 0:00:11]} 1/2-1/2
Here is the resulting position:
This is one of my favourite games at any level. It was played on Playchess.com, against an 1800+ player and despite outplaying him, it ended in a draw. I had to concede that my material and positional edge, may be compensated for by his time advantage.
Plus, drawing an 1800+ player still earns me some rating points, certainly a lot more than losing. Going for a win seemed risky, but in hindsight, I might have been able to pull it off with the 25 sec increment. (Now, I've learned to make all my rated games use the 10:30 or more time control. )
So what do you guys think of this game? ...My play, my opponent's play and even the Symmetrical English itself?
Originally posted by wormwoodi have noticed Babas if very 'exacting' when it comes to accepting FEN and Pgn but it works more often than not.....
I think babaschess has some problems with white spaces, you might want to try some other program, like winboard. it's not as pretty as babas, but works every time. I use babas only for playing.
My computer has a 7 gig hard-drive, which means i don't want to clutter the little space i have with unecessary applications......
Originally posted by exigentskyI rather like english openings. When the board is crowded like that every square is usually protected by more than one piece, so it can be difficult to look into the future because there are so many options.
I don't know if anyone remembers but a long time ago I played a Symmetrical English game with MotownDave. (Game 1680211) I didn't know all that much about the English but I was able to pull a draw with the help of my book and database analysis. It was a great learning experience, but it led me to believe that the Symmetrical English is the MOST BORI ...My play, my opponent's play and even the Symmetrical English itself?