Hey there.
I've had the odd game of chess over the years with friends nothing serious so I'm just a beginner. I've had a lot of spare time on my hands lately so I thought I'd get my head down and study, really try and improve my game.
I bought 'The complete idiot's guide to chess' by Patrick Wolff (2nd Edition) couldn't get my hands on the third edition. I must admit I was put off by the title but after reading some recommendations I took this as my first ever chess book. There are a few mistakes in this edition but overall it's been all that I've needed and more. A good beginners book that you can also grow into.
I'm away from home at the minute so I don't have regular use of a computer to play online, or anything to help me review my games, the only thing I have to play against is 'Chessmaster' on my mobile phone.
I've been going through the book doing the puzzles, learning about pawn structure, strategy, tactics etc I'm about 3/4 of my way though. I've been playing chessmaster games out on a portable chess board and I'm beginning to see improvement. I'm starting to see lines of play on the board where as before it was all just about my next move.
Last night I sat down and played a 1hour 45min game of chess, I thought my head was explode after. I desperately wanted to win so I tried to think all my moves through and with perpose. I finally beat 'chessmaster' on level 7 of 9 this level was called 'skilled' though I'm far from it. I rate my self as probably around 1200-1300.
Anyway I've jotted down the moves (I've just learned how to write chess notation from the book lol). Could someone please go through the game and give me some advice/pointers. I really struggle on the openings normally. Maybe run it though fritz or something see what I've missed? I've got to get some software soon. With no one to play against apart from a mobile phone at the minute, some human feedback would be much appreciated. Also where should I take my study when I finish this book? What sort of book should be next? Could you recommend some? And what software would be good for someone in my postion?
Thank you very much.
I was black.
1. e4c5
2. Nf3b6
3. Nc3Nc6
4. Bc4e6
5. 0-0Bb7
6. d3a6
7. Bg5Be7
8. Bxe7Ngxe7
9. d4cxd4
10. Nxd4b5
11. Nxc6 Bxc6
12. Bd3Rc8
13. a4b4
14. Ne2a5
15. Ba6Rb8
16. Bd30-0
17. Nd4Bb7
18. Qh5Ng6
19. e5 Ra8
20. Rad1d6
21. exd6 Qxd6
22. Ne2Qc6
23. Qh3Qxa4
24. Ra1Qc6
25. Nd4Qd7
26. Nb3Qd5
27. Rfd1Qg5
28. Nd4Qe5
29. c3Rfd8
30. Nxe6fxe6
31. cxb4a4
32. b3axb3
33. Rab1b2
34. Rd2Ra2
35. b5Rf8
36. Bxg6 hxg6
37. Qb3Qe4
38. f3Qxb1+
39. Rd1Qxd1+
40. Qxd1Ra1
41. Qb1Rxb1+
42. Kf2Rc1
43. Ke3b1=Q
44. b6Qxb6+
45. Kd3Re1
46. h4Rc8
47. Kd2Qe3#
Ignore him. One of the many resident trolls.
You played a good Sicilian. Take a look at how many times you moved the queen rook and later on the queen though, you lost a lot of tempi there. While in general moving rooks to open files is a good idea you need to ensure they can't be attacked. You castle a little late. Try 2. Nc6 rather than 2. b6 .. b6 isn't bad per se it just doesn't fight for the centre as vigorously as other moves and you often end up playing b5 anyway. I think this is where you need to put some thought in general. Pieces are not your only resource, you also have "time or tempi" you should be as mindful of defending it (or attacking to gain it) as you are of your pieces.