I really enjoy these Hardcore tournaments. Everyone moves fast for the first few days and it’s tricks and traps all the way. I often make blunders and lose, especially when I experiment with openings as Black or make an auto move. But all good fun. Here are two games with the same theme to give you a flavour of them.
Greenpawn - Mydogspot RHP May 2019
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PGN
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 {The O'Kelly variation, what is it they say...do not play a open variation...OK got that.} 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 {Forgot about what they said about not playing an open variation.} 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 {I'm probably meant to swap on c6 here.} 6. Nf3 {But instead I swing it back to an e4-e5 looking opening.} 6... Nf6 7. Bc4 {On familiar looking territory here.} 7... h6 {To stop Ng5.} 8. O-O {Remember all of these moves are coming after a few seconds thought. I always auto castle.} 8... g5 {Did not expect that. Where is he going to castle. Ignore. it Bring the Rook in} 9. Re1 d6 {Now a combo similar to the next short game.} 10. b4 Nxb4 {Now 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.Bxf7+ wins the Queen. No. Black plays Ke7. OOPS.} 11. Rb1 {OK the pawn the sac was wrong but I'm getting a tempo on the Knight.} 11... Nc6 12. Be3 {I'm OK, something will turn up. All my bits are out and I've castled.} 12... Bg4 {Thank You.} 13. Rxb7 {Threatening mate with Bxf7. And I got my pawn back.} 13... Bh5 {The Bxf7 mate threat to me is like a moth to a flame.} 14. Nxg5 {Deep. 14...Bxd1 Bxf7 mate.} 14... Be7 {Curses. Here I had my first real think. Saw a wee trap around the c6 Knight.} 15. Qd2 hxg5 16. Bb6 Qc8 17. Rc7 {I get my piece back by taking on c6.} 17... Qg4 {Did not see that coming. That Queen is short of squares. Forget the c6 Knight.} 18. f3 Qf4 {And now...} 19. Be3 {19....Qh4 20.Bxg5 wins the Queen. I'm a genius.} 19... Nxe4 {OOPS. Thought for a second I missed something. But it is OK.} 20. Nxe4 Qh4 {The e7 Bishop is stopping Bxg5 winning the Black Queen.} 21. Rxe7+ {Easily sorted.} 21... Nxe7 22. Bxg5 Qxe1+ 23. Qxe1 {Black resigned.}
Greenpawn - Aino RHP may 2019
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PGN
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 h6 {An encouraging sign. 3..Nf6 is the most common move here.} 5. Bc4 {Usual opening strategy. Aim things at f7 against people who do not develop.} 5... Nc6 6. O-O {Automatic castling again. I never look to see if is there is anything better.} 6... Nf6 {Now I can play the Queen trap I went for in the last game.} 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. e5 {8....dxe5 9.Bxf7+ and 10.Qxd8.} 8... Nh7 {8...d5 and I'm not going too much from this opening.} 9. Nc3 {Now will Black play the natural 9...d5 like he should have done last move.} 9... d5 {Yippee.} 10. Nxd5 cxd5 11. Bxd5 {11...Rb8 12.Bxf7+ wins the Queen. A recurring theme.} 11... Ba6 {I attack his Rook - He attacks mine. But there was no way to avoid losing material now,} 12. Bc6+ {At last I win the Queen...along with King. 12...Qd7 Qxd7 mate. Black resigned.}
