Only Chess
22 Feb 09
22 Feb 09
3 edits
I was playing in a STC 60 30 tournament at ICC against a player rated close to 2200. I thought I had somewhat of an advantage in the middlegame but blew it at one point. I entered an endgame where I was up the exchange for a pawn, but I played terribly at the end (time trouble was a bit of a factor). I think 34 was my last chance for advantage; I think I should have played Kg1 forcing the exchange or retreat of his last Rook. But there were plenty of dumb moves after that.
Anyway, here it is. Ridicule is expected but constructive criticism would be welcome.
[Event "ICC"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2009.02.21"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Me"]
[Black "Other Guy"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo ""]
[BlackElo ""]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Bc5 5. c3 Bb6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. d4 c5 8. Bd3
Nc6 9. Qa4 c4 10. Bb1 f6 11. O-O fxe5 12. Nxe5 Ncxe5 13. dxe5 O-O 14. Qc2 g6
15. Nf3 Rxf3 16. gxf3 Nxe5 17. Qe2 Qf6 18. f4 Nc6 19. f5 gxf5 20. Kh1 Qh4 21.
Bxf5 Kf7 22. Bg4 Bc7 23. f4 Bd7 24. Bh5+ Ke7 25. Rg1 Rf8 26. Rg4 Qh3 27. Rg7+
Kd8 28. f5 Qxf5 29. Bg5+ Kc8 30. Bg4 Qe5 31. Qxe5 Bxe5 32. Rxh7 Rf2 33. Rb1 d4
34. Rh6 dxc3 35. bxc3 Rxa2 36. Bxe6 Bxe6 37. Rxe6 Rxh2+ 38. Kg1 Rc2 39. Re1
Bxc3 40. Re8+ Kc7 41. R1e4 Bd4+ 42. Kf1 a5 43. Bd8+ Nxd8 44. Rxd4 Nc6 45. Rg4
c3 46. Ke1 Rh2 47. Kd1 c2+ 48. Kc1 Nb4 49. Re7+ Kb6 50. Rg6+ Ka7 51. Kb2 Nd3+
0-1
EDIT: If someone else can figure out how to do the "insert PGN" thingie, I'd appreciate it.
22 Feb 09
2 edits
One thing I might say is that it felt like the position needed a little better development by white: for example there was a point where you played Bh5+ which I didnt feel was a necessary move - his king wants to head over to the other side of the board so it is just getting it there quicker. I wondered whethere something like Bd3 and Rad1 might have been more helpful as it allows you to coordinate the pieces faster and his king would still have been in the firing line.
Hope that is some help, I can probably clarify the points I have made if you like.
23 Feb 09
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexAt 24 Bd3 was not possible; do you mean 24 Be3? I got a little check happy plus I wanted to clear the g-file for my rooks.
[pgn]
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Bc5 5. c3 Bb6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. d4 c5 8. Bd3
Nc6 9. Qa4 c4 10. Bb1 f6 11. O-O fxe5 12. Nxe5 Ncxe5 13. dxe5 O-O 14. Qc2 g6
15. Nf3 Rxf3 16. gxf3 Nxe5 17. Qe2 Qf6 18. f4 Nc6 19. f5 gxf5 20. Kh1 Qh4 21.
Bxf5 Kf7 22. Bg4 Bc7 23. f4 Bd7 24. Bh5+ Ke7 25. Rg1 Rf8 26. Rg4 Qh3 27. Rg7+
Kd8 28. f5 Qxf5 29. Bg ...[text shortened]... ring line.
Hope that is some help, I can probably clarify the points I have made if you like.
As for Korch's comment, obviously 26 Rg4 was a little trap that my opponent didn't fall into. Perhaps I should have followed it with 27 Be3, so I could get the other Rook over.
23 Feb 09
Originally posted by Tyrannosauruschex24.f5!? looks interesting. If 24...e5 25.Bh5+ and 26.f6. If 24...ef5, Black is opening up his K position further.
[pgn]
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3 Bc5 5. c3 Bb6 6. e5 Nfd7 7. d4 c5 8. Bd3
Nc6 9. Qa4 c4 10. Bb1 f6 11. O-O fxe5 12. Nxe5 Ncxe5 13. dxe5 O-O 14. Qc2 g6
15. Nf3 Rxf3 16. gxf3 Nxe5 17. Qe2 Qf6 18. f4 Nc6 19. f5 gxf5 20. Kh1 Qh4 21.
Bxf5 Kf7 22. Bg4 Bc7 23. f4 Bd7 24. Bh5+ Ke7 25. Rg1 Rf8 26. Rg4 Qh3 27. Rg7+
Kd8 28. f5 Qxf5 29. Bg ...[text shortened]... ring line.
Hope that is some help, I can probably clarify the points I have made if you like.
23 Feb 09
1 edit
Originally posted by no1marauderWhat about 26.b3!? with 1) threat to play Ba3 2) intention to eliminate Black central pawns with b3xc4 ?
At 24 Bd3 was not possible; do you mean 24 Be3? I got a little check happy plus I wanted to clear the g-file for my rooks.
As for Korch's comment, obviously 26 Rg4 was a little trap that my opponent didn't fall into. Perhaps I should have followed it with 27 Be3, so I could get the other Rook over.
Also 24.f5! was much better - Black dont have anything better than 24...e5 and after 25.Rg1 (threating Bh5+ and Bg5) Black should lose.
28.f5? was giving up pawn for nothing - after this move position seems to be equal - After 28.Be3 white would have some plus. When queens were exchanged position was at least equal and became worse after 34.Rh6?! (34.Kg1 would make black rook to step back on f8). So you missed win in middle game not in endgame.
Your decisive mistake seems to be 36.Rxe6? - better was protecting your c pawn with 36.Rh3.
Btw - Black exchange sacrifice (15...Rxf3!) was correct and would give them good play if not 20...Qh4? (20....Ne5) allowing 21.Bxf5!.
23 Feb 09
Originally posted by KorchI saw the exchange sac coming, but don't think it was correct. The fact is I was able to get more pieces into play on the kingside quickly than Black was. And I figured the g-file would be useful (as it was).
What about 26.b3!? with 1) threat to play Ba3 2) intention to eliminate Black central pawns with b3xc4 ?
Also 24.f5! was much better - Black dont have anything better than 24...e5 and after 25.Rg1 (threating Bh5+ and Bg5) Black should lose.
28.f5? was giving up pawn for nothing - after this move position seems to be equal - After 28.Be3 white would have ...[text shortened]... Rxf3!) was correct and would give them good play if not 20...Qh4? (20....Ne5) allowing 21.Bxf5!.
I was referring to the endgame as "blown" because I don't think I should have lost an endgame up the exchange for a pawn. I still think I retain good winning chances after 34 Kg1.
36 was Bxe6 and it was certainly stupid. I kept thinking I could drum up an attack on the King but throwing away my pawns was very ill-advised. Black wound up with three connected passers on the Queenside and a Knight in a beautiful position. The game was certainly strategically lost at that point.
23 Feb 09
3 edits
Originally posted by no1marauderCan`t agree with your evaluation of exchange sacrifice as before 20...Qh4? Black had a positional compensation due to strong center and weaknesses in White kingside. Tigran Petrosian was master in making such kind of positional exchange sacrifices (for example his game vs Reshevsky in Zurich, 1953).
I saw the exchange sac coming, but don't think it was correct. The fact is I was able to get more pieces into play on the kingside quickly than Black was. And I figured the g-file would be useful (as it was).
I was referring to the endgame as "blown" because I don't think I should have lost an endgame up the exchange for a pawn. I still t ...[text shortened]... d a Knight in a beautiful position. The game was certainly strategically lost at that point.
Not sure about White advantage after 34.Kg1 Rf8 as Black minor pieces seems to be not least dangerous. For example if White don`t want to lose their c pawn and play 35.cxd4 then after 35...Bxd4+ 36.Kg2 Ne5 Black has initiative. Also position after 35.Bd2 Rg8 26.h3 d3 does not seem to give serious advantage.
24 Feb 09
Originally posted by KorchIf I was playing Petrosian, maybe he would have had sufficient compensation. As it was, Black was unable to capitalize on the Kingside "weaknesses" in the middle game; in fact, the doubled pawns controlled key squares and left good files for the White Rooks.
Can`t agree with your evaluation of exchange sacrifice as before 20...Qh4? Black had a positional compensation due to strong center and weaknesses in White kingside. Tigran Petrosian was master in making such kind of positional exchange sacrifices (for example his game vs Reshevsky in Zurich, 1953).
Not sure about White advantage after 34.Kg1 Rf8 as Black ...[text shortened]... has initiative. Also position after 35.Bd2 Rg8 26.h3 d3 does not seem to give serious advantage.
Both the continuations you gave are tame and it's true enough that White would have little, if any, advantage after them. However, the most consistent move in the spirit of 34 Kg1 after 34 ...... Rf8 would be 35 Rf1. Black is pretty much forced to trade Rooks and after 35 Rf1 Rxf1 36 Kxf1 dxc3 37 bxc3 Bxc3, White's passed h-pawn is extremely dangerous as it is well supported by the Bishop pair and the Rook. Black's light squared Bishop is weak and White's Bishops can also contain Black's passed c-pawn (and the White King is closer to the center). I admit I haven't analyzed it thoroughly but it seems that White has good chances for a win.
24 Feb 09
3 edits
Originally posted by no1marauderYou gave up one of your doubled pawns not because it was too strong and useful. I`m pretty sure that if your opponent would not play 20...Qh4? (which missed tactic which was not too complicated) you would not have reason to complain about good position which you could not win. Feel free to show your winning plan if Black would play 20...Ne5.
If I was playing Petrosian, maybe he would have had sufficient compensation. As it was, Black was unable to capitalize on the Kingside "weaknesses" in the middle game; in fact, the doubled pawns controlled key squares and left good files for the White Rooks.
Both the continuations you gave are tame and it's true enough that White would have li mit I haven't analyzed it thoroughly but it seems that White has good chances for a win.
I agree that 35.Rf1 seems to be the most real chance to fight for win but after 35....Rxf1 36 Kxf1 dxc3 37 bxc3 Bxc3 its not so simple - as Black can start to move their queen side pawns, h8 is under control of Black bishop, and White will need some extra tempo to move their rook (who prevents to get h-pawn on 8th horizontal) and to control h8. That position seems very complicated for me and in practice both sides has opportunity to make decisive mistake.
24 Feb 09
Originally posted by KorchI'll skip the slagging match you inevitably want to get into; thanks for your comments. I never claimed to have a "winning plan"; I just think that Black doesn't have sufficient compensation for the exchange sac since White's pieces can reach the Kingside more quickly and effectively than Black's. I gave up the first doubled pawn to open lines towards Black's King; that's a pretty useful thing for a pawn to do IMO.
You gave up one of your doubled pawns not because it was too strong and useful. I`m pretty sure that if your opponent would not play 20...Qh4? (which missed tactic which was not too complicated) you would not have reason to complain about good position which you could not win. Feel free to show your winning plan if Black would play 20...Ne5.
I agree that 35 ...[text shortened]... ems very complicated for me and in practice both sides has opportunity to make decisive mistake.
I agree the situation after the line I gave is complicated, but I think White has the practical advantage for the reasons I gave. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
24 Feb 09
Originally posted by no1marauderI`m not gonna slagging with you - I just want to understand your point. For example I`m not sure what will give g-line for you when knight after 20...Ne5 will move on g6 (after 21.Rg1+ for example. And I don`t see effective plan for white to exploit their material advantage. That is the reason why I think that Black has compensation.
I'll skip the slagging match you inevitably want to get into; thanks for your comments. I never claimed to have a "winning plan"; I just think that Black doesn't have sufficient compensation for the exchange sac since White's pieces can reach the Kingside more quickly and effectively than Black's. I gave up the first doubled pawn to open lines towards Bl ...[text shortened]... he practical advantage for the reasons I gave. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
About that endgame - maybe you are right as I`m really not sure about evaluation - its too complicated for making any claims without deep engine assisted analysis.
24 Feb 09
Originally posted by KorchOff the top of my head without running it through any engine:
I`m not gonna slagging with you - I just want to understand your point. For example I`m not sure what will give g-line for you when knight after 20...Ne5 will move on g6 (after 21.Rg1+ for example. And I don`t see effective plan for white to exploit their material advantage. That is the reason why I think that Black has compensation.
About that endgame - ...[text shortened]... ut evaluation - its too complicated for making any claims without deep engine assisted analysis.
21 Rg1+ Ng6 22 Bg5 Q moves say 23 Qh5 or 23 h4 seems to give White a promising attack.
Maybe there's not a forced win, but Black seems to be under heavy pressure as well as being down material.
24 Feb 09
To me it appears like a normal game where the much lower-rated player "self-destructs" against the stronger player (running against the wall?), whereas the stronger player just cruises to victory. OK, White had Bxf5 as an unwelcome surprise for Black, but for the rest, the flow of the game was as can be expected with such a difference in strength...
24 Feb 09
Originally posted by heinzkatYou really don't know anything about chess, do you?
To me it appears like a normal game where the much lower-rated player "self-destructs" against the stronger player (running against the wall?), whereas the stronger player just cruises to victory. OK, White had Bxf5 as an unwelcome surprise for Black, but for the rest, the flow of the game was as can be expected with such a difference in strength...
Black hardly "cruised to victory"; in fact as SG and Korch have pointed out, 24 f5! probably wins (so much for the "flow"😉. As to the difference in strength, I see players with a 450 point deficit in rating draw or win all the time; in an OTB game last year I saw a local 1900 player defeat GM Keith Arkell (rated in the 2500s) in a G/60.