wib and I are going to be posting an unrated game here that we're annotating as we play.
Game 659068
Others are welcome to join in with comments, but please see the format below first. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about how to make this easier or better please let us know by posting in the thread: Help & Site Ideas->May we comment on current game in forum?
http://www.redhotpawn.com/board/showthread.php?id=13422
I'm gonna post the first move and comment, and then wib will join in when he gets a chance.
The thread setup guidelines we have so far are copied below:
(1) Create a thread for the game in the Chess forum with the game number in the thread title as Game <ID#>: <user> v. <user>: Public commenting.
Include these guidelines in the first post, and also add a link to the game.
(2) Each player posts comments for their own move just before moving.
The first line of a move post should start with the move number and selected move in standard form in bold using the [ b ] tag.
The second line should contain a game link (see bottom of post page).
Annotations follow in whatever form the poster desires. FENs can be inserted using the [ fen ] tag (not yet implemented?).
(3) Others are allowed to post, but, to avoid confusion, should not make their post look like a move post by one of the players.
(4) Any rude comments should be alerted to the moderator immediately. I think this idea can be really good for this site, and I don't want to see people discouraged from participating, especially due to inexperience.
1 ...c6
Game 659068
LOL! Ok, white definitely has an advantage in space. I gotta give ya that. I'm trying to head towards the Caro-Kann. The slow... stodgy... old... cramped... Caro.
Let's see what white is up to?
2 d4
Game 659068
d4: I like trying to claim the center since there is no immediate attacker preventing me.
Nf3: Protects my e4-pawn and supports d5.
2 ...d5
Game 659068
D5 immediately stakes a claim in the center, it's propped up by c6, and it forces a decision by white.
Now let's see which variation we're going to play...
3 Nc3
Game 659068
I took a break to read a little about the Caro-Kann in my few opening books. I will continue to take study breaks as needed so I can try to learn a little more from this game.
Nc3: Supporting e4 and developing a piece
exd5: Leading to a trade of my nice center pawn for a flank pawn, which I don't care for (yet)
e5: Locking the center, perhaps requiring more support. This looks tempting, but I am following the "don't make more than two pawn moves in the opening rule".
I haven't yet found any general guidelines for each side to follow in this opening. If you know of some, please post them.
3 ...dxe4
Game 659068
Staying in the classical line of the Caro here. Black trades center pawns, stakes a claim to the center, and forces white to recapture.
As for the general goals of this opening - I want to contest the center, eliminate tactical shots from white (complications), look for counterattacking chances later on the queenside, and also look for simplifying exchanges to take away any possible white attack. I have to keep a close eye on both pawn structures and make sure black's remains simple and solid.
White will probably end up with an advantage in space in this opening, especially in the center and sometimes on the kingside. Seems like they always do. But those advanced white pawns can be attacked in the endgame.
This opening is very solid, but it doesn't give black any real attacking chances early and black is usually cramped and just trying to develop pieces to good squares and keeping it simple.
4 Nxe4
Game 659068
Nxe4: I don't want to allow an advanced pawn, so this seems like a forced move.
Bc4: Not bad otherwise, but doesn't address the pawn problem.
4 ...Bf5
Game 659068
Still following along with the classical Caro Kann. Bf5 develops a piece, attacks an undefended piece, and siezes a tiny bit of initiative for black. It also gets the bishop outside of the black pawn chain, since black usually has to play e6 at some point.
The downside for black with Bf5 is that the bishop is now undefended and can be attacked by the knight. Usually in the Caro Kann black's light-squared bishop gets pushed around a little early in the game.
5 Ng3
Game 659068
My candidate moves in order of how strong I think they are:
Bd3: Supports the knight and gets one step closer to castling.
Nc3: Retreat saves the knight but loses a tempo.
f3: Supports the knight but loosens the Kingside.
Kc5: Advances the knight, saving it, but it will likely be forced to move again soon for no gain.
After checking my opening book, it suggests Ng3, which I missed. Darn. (I just woke up.)
5 ...
Game 659068
No problem. Just waking up does that to me too. :-)
Black has one good move, Bg6. Anything else wastes time.
The light-squared bishop for black is getting pushed around a little. Depending upon what white does here, black can play h6 and give the bishop a retreat square and a good diagonal. H6 almost always occurs in the classical structure of the Caro-Kann.
Right now for black the plan is simple; Knights on f6 and d7. Play e6 soon to free up my kingside bishop, then play that bishop to e7 or d6 depending upon white's moves. Black will remain behind in development for quite some time, but I'll try not to give white any kingside attacking chances while slowly developing my pieces. Black is also going to be a little cramped for space, so trading off a piece or two is usually helpful, but I won't initiate the trades yet. I'll probably castle kingside.
6 h4
Game 659068
I remember that the Bishop has nowhere to go in this position.
h4: Threatening to capture the Bishop after h5. White protects the Bishop by ... h6, a5 ...Bh7 (which at this point is the only line still in my book.)
Bd3: Seems OK. If Black trades White develops the Q.
Ng3: Developing a piece, preparing to castle.
Be2: --- " ----
I'll stick with the book line for now, as I am just learning this opening.
6 ...h6
Game 659068
H6 gives my bishop a place to hide on h7 and keeps it on a very good diagonal. The h4 pawn push by white is aggressive and forces my hand here. The advanced white h-pawn may become weak later though if I can get to a decent endgame.
White calls the shots in this opening for quite awhile.
I've still got the same overall plan - black knights on d7 and f6, an e6 push, the King's bishop probably to e7 and castle kingside. After that I'll look to gain sapce and attack on the queenside.
7 h5
Game 659068
h5: As per the chosen line. The previously listed moves are still playable, but this seems most agressive.