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Must win

Must win

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l
Man of Steel

rushing to and fro

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Do you change your style of play if you must win a game in order to stay in a tournament? If so, what do you do differently?

The following game was a "must win" for me. Game 2230968 I was uncertain about what to do on move 31.

I noticed 31...Nf2, which I believe forces 32.Qxf2 Nd3 resulting in a K+Q+5P vs. K+Q+4P endgame--although I liked the fact that there seemed to be a few very nice pitfalls for my opponent in this line, I was concerned that if he played it correctly then this endgame would be tough to win.

I also noticed, and ultimately chose 31...Nd3, forcing 32.Qxd6 cxd6 and a K+2N+5P vs. K+R+4P endgame. This turned out to be good for me, because I believe my opponent's next move was a blunder, however, I am not sure if this was really sufficient material to ensure a win.

Was 31...Nd3 good? Would I have been better to keep the pieces on the board and play for a larger endgame advantage? I didn't see another obvious way to continue, but perhaps I just missed it. How much of an endgame advantage do you think is necessary in a "must win" situation?

FL

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I prefer 31...Qd3+ because White might have fallen for 32.Qg3??
which loses to 32....Nf2+ e.g.
33.Kh2 Neg4+
and
33.Kh4 Qd4+ 34.Kh5 g6+ and White loses his queen or gets mated.

C

EDMONTON ALBERTA

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Originally posted by leisurelysloth

Was 31...Nd3 good? Would I have been better to keep the pieces on the board and play for a larger endgame advantage? I didn't see another obvious way to continue, but perhaps I just missed it. How much of an endgame advantage do you think is necessary in a "must win" situation?
Yah, Qd3+

richjohnson
TANSTAAFL

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Originally posted by ChessJester
Yah, Qd3+
31. ...Qd3+
32. g3

Then what?

C

EDMONTON ALBERTA

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Originally posted by richjohnson
31. ...Qd3+
32. g3

Then what?
Ummm good point. I was going to edit my previous post once more and say that even 32.Kh4 cannot be firmly answered but then I had to go... but now I'm back.

I think that what was played in the game was the best move. 🙂

i

Sydney

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The real error came with 21 Bd2. Although it isn't immediately clear what course white should take instead .. Maybe exchanging Queens. I still wouldn't like to go in to an ending of rook versus two co-ordinated knights but with the extra pawn it would be far more preferable than the line taken

c

USA

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Originally posted by leisurelysloth
Do you change your style of play if you [b]must win a game in order to stay in a tournament? If so, what do you do differently?

The following game was a "must win" for me. Game 2230968 I was uncertain about what to do on move 31.

I noticed 31...Nf2, which I believe forces 32.Qxf2 Nd3 resulting in a K+Q+5P vs. K+Q+4P endgame--although ...[text shortened]... it. How much of an endgame advantage do you think is necessary in a "must win" situation?[/b]
If I must win, instead of my slow, leisurely style, I become aggressive, taking risks I would not normally take, opening up the game for tactical oppurtunities... I play contrary to my regular style.

DF
Lord of all beasts

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Originally posted by chesskid001
If I must win, instead of my slow, leisurely style, I become aggressive, taking risks I would not normally take, opening up the game for tactical oppurtunities... I play contrary to my regular style.
... and lose.

If you must win stick with what you know only take more care which here means spending more time analysing your moves. Don't move too quickly and analyse thoroughly.

FL

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The best example of a "must win" game has to be the last game of the 1987 World Championship match between Kasparov and Karpov.

Kasparov was a point down and so had to win the last game to draw the match and retain his title.

So, what did Garry do - Did he play the King's Gambit? The Blackmar Diemer? The Goring Gambit? Maybe the Grob?
No...
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067242

If Karpov had drawn just this one game I believe that he would have been considered the greatest player of all time.

m

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Originally posted by Fat Lady
The best example of a "must win" game has to be the last game of the 1987 World Championship match between Kasparov and Karpov.

Kasparov was a point down and so had to win the last game to draw the match and retain his title.
This one's pretty good as well. Kramnik v Leko in the 2004 WC match. The same situation - Kramnik needed to win to tie the match and retain the title:

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1311652

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