Stevenage U1825 - A Happy Easter Weekend!

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Only Chess

28 Apr 19

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

1 edit

Greetings players and fellow patzers 🙂

Over Easter Weekend, I played in a 4-day 7-round event, the longest I've done so far.
The section I entered was the FIDE rated Under 1825.

There's a dispute over whether the ECF or the FIDE ratings of players are more trustworthy.
In particular, there were many junior players in the U2050 section
who's playing strength was at least 200 points higher than their listed rating.

My own rating at the moment is 1660, I'm not even sure how I got it.
I simply turned up hoping to play well and have some good games worth sharing.

I'll share all 7 games, in separate posts as usual... hopefully you'll find them enjoyable!

The time controls were 90 minutes + 30secs increment for all moves.

--------------------------------------

Game 1 - Zak Tomlinson (1660) vs Neal Fisher (1473)

I had faced Neal last year in Telford, where he played very aggressively and very fast.
He came at me like a train, I managed to defend well and in the end he fell to a tactic and lost.

I was a little worried to face him in the opening round... would he come out guns blazing again?

1.	e4	e5
2.	Nf3	d6
3.	Bc4	c6
4.	d4	exd4
5.	Qxd4	f6
6.	Bf4	Nd7
7.	Bxg8	Rxg8
8.	Bxd6	Bxd6
9.	Qxd6	Kf7
10.	Nc3	Re8
11.	O-O-O	Re6
12.	Qd3	Qe7
13.	Rhe1	g6
14.	Nd4	Rd6
15.	Qg3	Ne5
16.	f4	Nc4
17.	e5	Rxd4
18.	Rxd4	Qb4
19.	Rxc4	Qxc4
20.	exf6	Be6
21.	Qh4	h5
22.	Qg5	Rh8
23.	Qe5	Rd8
24.	b3

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

Game 2 - Graham Neil (1540) vs Zak Tomlinson (1660)

This was a classic London System vs King's Indian, with me on the Black side.
I recall making a thread about this sometime ago... Thread 171892

It's funny that in the past 2 years my opinion on this battle has not changed much!

1.	d4	Nf6
2.	Nf3	g6
3.	Bf4	Bg7
4.	h3	O-O
5.	e3	d6
6.	Bd3	c5
7.	c3	Qb6
8.	Qc2	Qc6
9.	Nbd2	Nbd7
10.	O-O	b5
11.	a4	bxa4
12.	Qxa4	Qxa4
13.	Rxa4	Nb6
14.	Ra3	cxd4
15.	exd4	Bb7
16.	Rfa1	Nc8
17.	Ba6	Bxa6
18.	Rxa6	Nd5
19.	Bg3	Rb8
20.	R6a2	Rd8
21.	Nc4	Rd7
22.	Na5	Rc7
23.	Nd2	Bh6
24.	Nac4	Rcb7
25.	Nf1	Bf4
26.	Rd1	Bxg3
27.	Nxg3	Nf4
28.	Rd2	f6
29.	Ne2	Nxe2
30.	Rxe2	d5
31.	Ne3	e6
32.	Ng4	Kf7
33.	f3	h5
34.	Ne3	Nd6
35.	Kf2	f5
36.	Nd1	f4
37.	Ra6	Ke7
38.	b4	Rc8
39.	Re5	Rcc7
40.	Ke2	Rb6
41.	Rxb6	axb6
42.	Kd3	Ra7
43.	Re1	Nf5
44.	Re2	Ra1
45.	Rd2	Nh4
46.	Nb2	Rg1
47.	c4	dxc4
48.	Kxc4	Rxg2
49.	Rxg2	Nxg2
50.	Nd3	Ne3
51.	Kb5	Nd5
52.	Ne5	g5
53.	Kc4	Nc7
54.	Nc6	Kd6
55.	Ne5	b5
56.	Kb3	Ke7
57.	Nc6	Kf6
58.	Ne5	Kf5
59.	Nd3	g4
60.	hxg4	hxg4
61.	fxg4	Kxg4
62.	Ne5	Kg3
63.	Kc3	f3
64.	Nd3	f2
65.	Nxf2	Kxf2
66.	Kd3	Kf3

[Event "Stevenage U1825"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.04.20"] [Round "2"] [White "Neil, Graham"] [Black "Tomlinson, Zak"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A48"] [WhiteElo "1540"] [BlackElo "1660"] [PlyCount "132"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. h3 O-O 5. e3 d6 6. Bd3 c5 7. c3 {Quite standard in this opening so far} Qb6 8. Qc2 Qc6 {Looks odd, but my idea is to unblock the b-pawn whilst simultaneously stopping castles, as Bxh3 would win a pawn} 9. Nbd2 {This natural developing move defends the Knight on f3, so castles is now enabled} Nbd7 10. O-O b5 11. a4 {Probably the best response} bxa4 12. Qxa4 Qxa4 13. Rxa4 Nb6 {This useful tempo gainer to improve the poor Knight was my reason for exchanging Queens} 14. Ra3 cxd4 15. exd4 Bb7 16. Rfa1 {I was expecting Re1, so somehow didn't see this coming} Nc8 {I saw no beneficial way of giving up the pawn, so played this sad move} 17. Ba6 {White didn't see a lot of options so went for a trade, I didn't mind} Bxa6 18. Rxa6 Nd5 19. Bg3 Rb8 {Now my plan is to take control of the queenside} 20. R6a2 Rd8 21. Nc4 Rd7 22. Na5 {? Ra5 was better, improving the piece whilst hitting the undefended Knight, then Ra1-a2 can be played} Rc7 {Now Black has achieved equality} 23. Nd2 Bh6 24. Nac4 Rcb7 {This threatens Bxd2} 25. Nf1 Bf4 {This Bishop has barely played all game, might as well trade it off} 26. Rd1 Bxg3 27. Nxg3 Nf4 {Now d5 is a threat} 28. Rd2 f6 29. Ne2 Nxe2+ 30. Rxe2 d5 31. Ne3 e6 32. Ng4 Kf7 {My engine evaluates the game at 0.00 here, however there's plenty of game left to play} 33. f3 h5 34. Ne3 Nd6 35. Kf2 f5 36. Nd1 f4 {Just gaining more squares, however White can go on the offensive a little here} 37. Ra6 Ke7 38. b4 {? c4 instead was a better play, looking to push d5 if taken by the pawn} Rc8 39. Re5 Rcc7 {This was to allow Rb6} 40. Ke2 {? My opponent actually offered a draw with this move, however his Rook on e5 is now nearly trapped and so White loses tempo} Rb6 {Interestingly, one line offered by the engine here is 41.Ra5 Nf7 42.Ra5xd5 Nxe5 43.Rxe5 where White has given the exchange for a pawn} 41. Rxb6 {This avoids giving the exchange...} axb6 42. Kd3 Ra7 {...however, it is now Black that dominates the a-file and invade White's territory} 43. Re1 Nf5 44. Re2 Ra1 45. Rd2 Nh4 {White does have a couple ways out of this, either c4 or Kc2 are playable} 46. Nb2 {? This drops a pawn} Rg1 47. c4 dxc4+ {? I felt like I couldn't let this pawn advance, however Nxc4 would spark a tense race to see who can create the better passed pawn} 48. Kxc4 {? Kxc4 was less effective} Rxg2 49. Rxg2 Nxg2 50. Nd3 {White stops Black from taking f3, so now Black needs to defend the b-pawn} Ne3+ 51. Kb5 Nd5 {And simultaneously defend the f-pawn which was also attacked... Black is still slightly better and White's pawns are all broken up} 52. Ne5 g5 53. Kc4 {White can't really make progress here, this move also loses the b5 square} Nc7 54. Nc6+ Kd6 55. Ne5 b5+ 56. Kb3 Ke7 57. Nc6+ Kf6 58. Ne5 Kf5 59. Nd3 {White was almost in zugzwang, this move allows a strong passed pawn by force} g4 60. hxg4+ hxg4 61. fxg4+ Kxg4 62. Ne5+ {White played on for a little longer before resigning} Kg3 63. Kc3 f3 64. Nd3 f2 65. Nxf2 Kxf2 66. Kd3 Kf3 {0-1} 0-1

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

Game 3 - Geoffrey Bishop (1740) vs Zak Tomlinson (1660)

This game started life as a typical Spanish, with set-ups we e4 players see many times,
however both sides seemed hesitant to make a claim for central control.

Would the aptly named Bishop bash me in this game?

1.	e4	e5
2.	Nf3	Nc6
3.	Bb5	a6
4.	Ba4	Nf6
5.	d3	b5
6.	Bb3	h6
7.	c3	Bc5
8.	O-O	d6
9.	h3	O-O
10.	Re1	Be6
11.	Nbd2	Qd7
12.	Bc2	Bb6
13.	Nf1	Rfe8
14.	Be3	Bxe3
15.	Nxe3	Ne7
16.	d4	exd4
17.	cxd4	d5
18.	e5	Ne4
19.	Nxd5	Bxd5
20.	Bxe4	Bxe4
21.	Rxe4	Rad8
22.	Rc1	Qd5
23.	Re2	c5
24.	Rxc5	Qxc5
25.	dxc5	Rxd1
26.	Kh2	Rd5
27.	e6	f6
28.	b4	Nc6
29.	Re4	a5
30.	bxa5	Nxa5
31.	Nd4	Rxc5
32.	g4	Re5
33.	Rf4	R8xe6
34.	Nxe6	Rxe6
35.	Rb4	Re5
36.	a4	bxa4
37.	Rxa4	Nc6
38.	Kg3	Kf7
39.	Rc4	Ne7
40.	Rc7	Ke6
41.	h4	Rb5
42.	Rc3	Nd5
43.	Rc6	Ke5
44.	Rc8	Rb3
45.	f3	Rb7
46.	f4	Nxf4
47.	Rc5	Nd5
48.	g5	hxg5
49.	hxg5	Rb3
50.	Kg4	Rb4
51.	Kh5	Kd6
52.	Rc8	Nf4
53.	Kg4	Ne6
54.	Kf5	Rb5
55.	Kg6	Rxg5
56.	Kf7	f5
57.	Re8	Nd4
58.	Rd8	Ke5
59.	Re8	Kf4
60.	Re1	Rg3
61.	Rf1	Rf3
62.	Rg1	g5
63.	Kf6	g4
64.	Rd1	Ke4
65.	Kg5	g3

[Event "Stevenage U1825"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.04.20"] [Round "3"] [White "Bishop, Geoffrey"] [Black "Tomlinson, Zak"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C78"] [WhiteElo "1740"] [BlackElo "1660"] [PlyCount "130"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 {Ruy Lopez... I have played this plenty of times as both Black and White} a6 {I have dabbled with the Berlin (Nf6) as well as the more passive Cozio (Ne7) but I have recently played a6 most commonly} 4. Ba4 Nf6 {Sometimes I play this and think "greenpawn would play Bxc6 now", but I've still never had to face it} 5. d3 b5 6. Bb3 h6 7. c3 Bc5 {? d4 gives White a strong centre with tempo, Be7 was better} 8. O-O {? For now, White misses the opportunity} d6 9. h3 O-O 10. Re1 Be6 {A thematic offer, Black is willing to have doubled pawns in order to strengthen hold on the centre and open the f-file} 11. Nbd2 Qd7 12. Bc2 Bb6 13. Nf1 Rfe8 14. Be3 Bxe3 15. Nxe3 Ne7 {? With the idea of pushing the c and d-pawns, however d5 immediately was better} 16. d4 {White gets in first} exd4 17. cxd4 d5 {? Stops the d5 threat, however c7-c6 instead keeps Black's pieces more mobile} 18. e5 Ne4 {? This drops a pawn to a tactic, Nh5 or even Nh7 avoided this} 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Rad8 {Now Black's mission is to try and get the pawn back to gain equality } 22. Rc1 Qd5 {Hits an undefended Rook and an undefended pawn} 23. Re2 {But if now Qxa2, White simply has Rxc7 and maintains a good advantage} c5 {This seems a good try, the pawn cannot be taken} 24. Rxc5 {?? An unforced error, Rd2 instead was good for White... my opponent afterwards said he was in "Simplifying mode" and didn't consider the fact his Queen was weak} Qxc5 25. dxc5 Rxd1+ {This is now simply winning for Black, but the game continued on... feel free to fast forward from here} 26. Kh2 Rd5 27. e6 f6 {I did not want to give his Rook a sniff of action, so advanced} 28. b4 Nc6 29. Re4 a5 30. bxa5 Nxa5 31. Nd4 Rxc5 32. g4 Re5 33. Rf4 R8xe6 {No harm in giving material back to get a simple winning endgame} 34. Nxe6 Rxe6 35. Rb4 Re5 36. a4 bxa4 37. Rxa4 Nc6 38. Kg3 Kf7 39. Rc4 Ne7 40. Rc7 Ke6 41. h4 Rb5 42. Rc3 Nd5 43. Rc6+ Ke5 44. Rc8 Rb3+ 45. f3 Rb7 46. f4+ {? Black can just take this, White missed that the Knight can block the check on either d5 or e6} Nxf4 47. Rc5+ Nd5 48. g5 hxg5 49. hxg5 Rb3+ 50. Kg4 Rb4+ 51. Kh5 Kd6 52. Rc8 Nf4+ 53. Kg4 Ne6+ 54. Kf5 Rb5+ 55. Kg6 Rxg5+ 56. Kf7 f5 57. Re8 Nd4 58. Rd8+ Ke5 59. Re8+ Kf4 60. Re1 Rg3 61. Rf1+ Rf3 62. Rg1 g5 63. Kf6 g4 64. Rd1 Ke4 65. Kg5 g3 {White finally resigned} 0-1

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

Game 4 - Zak Tomlinson (1660) vs Michael Dunkley (1777)

After playing the section's 2nd highest rated player in the previous round, I now meet the top seed.

It was a French Exchanged, which I had decided I was going to play when discussing over a pint
the night before, where a friend told me that Michael usually plays the French against e4.

There is an argument that the Exchanged variation does not create many opportunities for White,
at least compared to the Advanced, however I simply wish to avoid central pawn lock-downs.

Did my decision pay off?

1.	e4	e6
2.	Nf3	d5
3.	exd5	exd5
4.	d4	Nc6
5.	Bb5	Bd6
6.	Nc3	Nge7
7.	Bg5	f6
8.	Bh4	O-O
9.	a3	Bf5
10.	Bd3	Bg4
11.	Be2	a6
12.	h3	Be6
13.	g4	Ng6
14.	Bg3	Bxg3
15.	fxg3	Qd6
16.	Kf2	Rae8
17.	Qd2	Re7
18.	Kg2	Rfe8
19.	Rae1	Nd8
20.	Bd3	Bf7
21.	Re2	Rxe2
22.	Nxe2	Qe7
23.	Re1	Qe3
24.	Qa5	Qe7
25.	Bxg6	hxg6
26.	Nf4	Qd7
27.	Rxe8	Qxe8
28.	Qxc7	g5
29.	Nd3	Qe2
30.	Nf2	Qe8
31.	c3	Bg6
32.	Qd6	Be4
33.	Nxe4	dxe4
34.	Qd5	Kh8
35.	Nd2	e3
36.	Qe4	Qb5
37.	Qxe3	Qxb2
38.	Kf3	Nc6
39.	Nc4	Qh2
40.	Nd6	Qxh3
41.	Nf7	Kh7
42.	Qe4	g6
43.	Kf2	f5
44.	Nxg5

[Event "Stevenage U1825"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.04.21"] [Round "4"] [White "Tomlinson, Zak"] [Black "Dunkley, Michael"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C01"] [WhiteElo "1660"] [BlackElo "1777"] [PlyCount "87"] 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 {I still prefer to play the Exchanged variation of the French defence as White, as it avoids locking the center down, but I've been warned by higher rated colleagues that this would not score well in stronger sections. } d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. d4 {RHP Games Explorer tells me I've played this 9 times on the site, winning 6 of them} Nc6 {The explorer also tells me I've never encountered 4...Nc6, which is surprising, as it seems reasonable} 5. Bb5 Bd6 6. Nc3 Nge7 7. Bg5 f6 8. Bh4 {Perhaps tempting the weakening g5} O-O 9. a3 {? This wasn't really necessary, instead castles} Bf5 10. Bd3 Bg4 11. Be2 {This was to maintain support of d4 should Black play Bxf3} a6 12. h3 Be6 13. g4 {? Again castles was best, but I decide to be aggressive with the intention of castling long, but this was a mistake due to the following continuation} Ng6 14. Bg3 Bxg3 15. fxg3 Qd6 16. Kf2 {? Rg1 instead would have maintained White's ability to castle long} Rae8 {Now Black has completed an ideal development, whereas White still has work to do} 17. Qd2 Re7 18. Kg2 {Now the computer suggests a peculiar pawn pushing line, with 18... f5 19.g5 f4 20.g4, which my opponent mentioned he considered in analysis, but ruled it was too positionally unclear} Rfe8 19. Rae1 Nd8 {This move looked odd, I asked him if he was prepping c5 but he said that he just wanted to bring his Knight over somewhere, but I'm unsure where} 20. Bd3 Bf7 21. Re2 {Looking to double Rooks, but also if Rxe2 then I can capture with Knight to try improve the piece} Rxe2+ {This happens} 22. Nxe2 Qe7 23. Re1 Qe3 {This came with a draw offer, but the move just looks wrong as the Queen is already close to being trapped} 24. Qa5 { After this move, in many lines we discussed it does seem that White wins a pawn by force} Qe7 25. Bxg6 {? I played this first, as I figured my Knight wanted to jump to f4, but Nc3 did the job} hxg6 26. Nf4 Qd7 27. Rxe8+ Qxe8 28. Qxc7 {Nxd5? would have allowed Qe2+ and wins a piece} g5 29. Nd3 Qe2+ 30. Nf2 Qe8 {It was either this or Ne6, giving up another pawn} 31. c3 Bg6 32. Qd6 Be4 33. Nxe4 dxe4 34. Qd5+ {Nf7 is the best move here} Kh8 {? Now with correct play, White can pick up the e-pawn for free} 35. Nd2 e3 36. Qe4 {? Ne4 was best, with the idea to simply let the King take the pawn} Qb5 {Now things remain a little tricky, although White's passed d-pawn is certainly valuable} 37. Qxe3 Qxb2 38. Kf3 Nc6 39. Nc4 Qh2 {Now if White wants a forced perpetual there is Qe8+ then Qh5+} 40. Nd6 {A double attack, aiming at b7 as well as delivering a scary check, the latter of which my opponent revealed he didn't even consider} Qxh3 41. Nf7+ Kh7 {Here I wanted to play Qe8 to prepare Qh8+... luckily realising that Qf1+ followed by Qe1+ would have won the Queen} 42. Qe4+ g6 43. Kf2 {I felt this was very neat, forcing the Queens off and I figured I'd have good chances to win the endgame with my passed d-pawn} f5 {?? This move instead simply throws the game away... White can simply win a piece with Qxc6 here, as Nxg5 wins the Queen back, or if Qh2+ then White's Queen can come back to block on g2} 44. Nxg5+ {? I missed Qxc6, but this is still winning and Black acknowledged the error by resigning here} 1-0

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

Game 5 - Zak Tomlinson (1660) vs Ron Usharovsky (1609)

Heading into this game, I was the only person on 4/4.
My opponent, one of two brother's in the same section, was a junior player rated ECF 147.
He had taken a half-point bye in round 1, then had won all 3 following games.

I realised during this game that I hadn't played any junior players before...
One drawback to this was that I wasn't prepared for the constant visiting of other juniors,
lot's of them, spending more time looking at their friends' games than their own.

It is only their nature and is not really a bad thing, I'm just grumpy because...
Well, see the game below and you'll see.

1.	e4	c6
2.	d4	d5
3.	e5	Bf5
4.	Nf3	e6
5.	Bd3	Bg6
6.	a3	Nd7
7.	Nc3	c5
8.	dxc5	Bxc5
9.	Bxg6	hxg6
10.	b4	Bb6
11.	Qd3	Ne7
12.	Nb5	O-O
13.	Ng5	Nf5
14.	Qh3	Nh6
15.	Bb2	Qxg5
16.	O-O	Qg4
17.	Qd3	Qc4
18.	Qxc4	dxc4
19.	Nd6	Ng4
20.	Nxc4	Rac8
21.	Nxb6	Nxb6
22.	h3	Rxc2
23.	Bd4	Nh6
24.	Rfc1	Rxc1
25.	Rxc1	Rc8
26.	Rxc8	Nxc8
27.	f4	Nf5
28.	Bf2	Kf8
29.	Kf1	Ke8
30.	Ke2	Kd7
31.	Kd3	Kc6
32.	a4	Kd5
33.	b5	g5
34.	g4	Nfe7
35.	fxg5	Ng6
36.	Ke3	Nxe5
37.	Be1	Nb6
38.	Bb4	Nxa4
39.	Bf8	g6
40.	Kf4	Nd7
41.	Bg7	e5
42.	Ke3	Ke6
43.	h4	f6
44.	h5	gxh5
45.	gxh5	fxg5
46.	h6	Kf7
47.	Kd3	Kg6

[Event "Stevanage U1825"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.04.21"] [Round "5"] [White "Tomlinson, Zak"] [Black "Usharovsky, Ron"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B12"] [WhiteElo "1660"] [BlackElo "1609"] [PlyCount "94"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 {Caro-Kann Advanced Variation is my usual choice with White} Bf5 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bd3 Bg6 {Saying "please take me and give me an open Rook file"} 6. a3 Nd7 7. Nc3 c5 {Now this is almost looking like a French Advanced, the very opening I usually try to avoid... I have never enjoyed these types of games, it is a weakness I will have to work on} 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Bxg6 {Now I do this, thinking his King will be weakened no matter which side he castles} hxg6 10. b4 Bb6 11. Qd3 {? I personally liked Qd3 but computer suggests Nb5 immediately, as now Black could play a6 and stop it} Ne7 {However Black doesn't and opts to develop instead} 12. Nb5 O-O {This is technically OK, but my first thought was that Black has castled into danger} 13. Ng5 {This move made Ron pause for a while, actually spending time looking at his own game rather than others (mumble grumble)} Nf5 {He finds the best response} 14. Qh3 Nh6 {White's Knights are both causing problems, plus the Queen is active, but now the weak pawn on e5 needs to be addressed.} 15. Bb2 {?? In a moment of blindness, White protects the pawn with the Bishop on b2, forgetting that the Bishop was protecting the Knight on g5.... f4 was the move} Qxg5 {Black hesitated before taking the free piece... I didn't even realise my blunder until he had done so} 16. O-O {The game is probably resignable, but I'm stubborn and annoyed so we played on a while... feel free to skip the rest of this game.} Qg4 17. Qd3 Qc4 18. Qxc4 dxc4 19. Nd6 Ng4 20. Nxc4 Rac8 21. Nxb6 Nxb6 22. h3 Rxc2 23. Bd4 Nh6 24. Rfc1 Rxc1+ 25. Rxc1 Rc8 26. Rxc8+ Nxc8 27. f4 Nf5 28. Bf2 Kf8 29. Kf1 Ke8 30. Ke2 Kd7 31. Kd3 Kc6 32. a4 Kd5 33. b5 g5 34. g4 Nfe7 35. fxg5 Ng6 36. Ke3 Nxe5 37. Be1 Nb6 38. Bb4 Nxa4 39. Bf8 g6 40. Kf4 Nd7 41. Bg7 e5+ 42. Ke3 Ke6 43. h4 f6 44. h5 gxh5 45. gxh5 fxg5 46. h6 Kf7 47. Kd3 Kg6 {I resigned here. To give him credit, he played very well.} 0-1

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

Game 6 - Cecil Sloan (1654) vs Zak Tomlinson (1660)

Monday morning I faced the one person in the field who was flying the American flag.
Which is funny considering Cecil is a full-blooded Irishman.

I actually had dinner with him on Saturday with a couple other players, I asked him about it,
he spoke how he goes to America twice a year to play tournaments in Vegas and so is
affiliated with the USCF. This is probably why organisers put him down as an American.

As for our game, he played an opening which has bitten me before...
unforgettably, the woeful loss I had in the Doncaster final round.

Would lightning strike twice?

1.	e4	e5
2.	Nf3	Nc6
3.	d4	exd4
4.	Bc4	h6
5.	O-O	Bc5
6.	c3	dxc3
7.	Bxf7	Kxf7
8.	Qd5	Kf8
9.	Qxc5	Qe7
10.	Qxe7	Ngxe7
11.	Nxc3	a6
12.	Bf4	d6
13.	Rac1	Bg4
14.	Nd5	Rc8
15.	Nxe7	Kxe7
16.	e5	Bxf3
17.	exd6	cxd6
18.	gxf3	Rhf8
19.	Rfe1	Kd7
20.	Bg3	Nd4
21.	Kg2	Nxf3
22.	Red1	Rxc1
23.	Rxc1	Ng5
24.	Rc4	d5
25.	Rc7	Ke6
26.	Rxb7	d4
27.	Rb6	Kf5
28.	f3	Rd8
29.	Rd6	Rxd6
30.	Bxd6	a5
31.	Bc5	Ne6
32.	Bb6	a4
33.	Kf2	Ke5
34.	Ba5	Kd5
35.	Ke2	g6
36.	Bd2	h5
37.	b3	axb3
38.	axb3	Nc5
39.	b4	Nb3
40.	Bg5	Kc4
41.	Be7	d3
42.	Kd1	Nd4
43.	f4	Nc6
44.	Bd6	Nxb4
45.	Be5	Kd5
46.	Kd2	Ke4
47.	Bd6	Nd5
48.	h4	Nxf4
49.	Be7	Ne6
50.	Bf6	Nd4
51.	Be7	Nf3
52.	Kd1	Kf4
53.	Bf6	Kg4
54.	Be7	Nxh4
55.	Kd2	Nf3
56.	Kxd3	Kg3
57.	Ke3	g5
58.	Bd6	Kg2
59.	Be7	h4
60.	Ke2	h3
61.	Bd6	h2
62.	Bxh2	Nxh2
63.	Ke3	Kf1
64.	Ke4	Kf2
65.	Kf5	g4

[Event "Stevenage U1825"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.04.22"] [Round "6"] [White "Sloan, Cecil"] [Black "Tomlinson, Zak"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "1654"] [BlackElo "1660"] [PlyCount "130"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 {Scotch Opening, this is another one where I tend to get worse positions out of the opening} exd4 4. Bc4 h6 {Played to prevent Ng5, however it wasn't strcitly necessary. Nf6 or Bc5 were better} 5. O-O Bc5 6. c3 {Scotch Gambit, though it's not strictly a Gambit as White does get the pawn back} dxc3 7. Bxf7+ {I had expected Qd5, which I was to meet with Qe7, but this is even better} Kxf7 8. Qd5+ Kf8 9. Qxc5+ Qe7 10. Qxe7+ Ngxe7 11. Nxc3 { White is slightly better, although there was a case for Qf5+ instead of trading Queens, which helped Black develop} a6 12. Bf4 {? Nd5 would have forced the sequence 12...Nxd5 13.exd5 Ne7 14.d6 and Black's pawn structure is damaged} d6 13. Rac1 Bg4 14. Nd5 Rc8 15. Nxe7 {This trade has again helped Black untangle, the game is now equal} Kxe7 16. e5 {? The computer suggests getting the Bishop off the f-file was better, acknowledging Rh8-f8 is coming} Bxf3 17. exd6+ cxd6 18. gxf3 Rhf8 {Now Black wins a pawn} 19. Rfe1+ Kd7 20. Bg3 Nd4 {Taking on f3 immediately would also have been fine} 21. Kg2 Nxf3 22. Red1 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Ng5 24. Rc4 d5 {? Black missed Rc7+ was now made possible by this move... Bishop short-sightedness has got me again} 25. Rc7+ {White now gets back the pawn, with a threat to win even more, so the game is once again equal} Ke6 26. Rxb7 d4 {This passed pawn is the only hope I have of not letting the game slip away} 27. Rb6+ Kf5 {I was therefore willing to give up another pawn in my bid to push this pawn} 28. f3 {? This was played to stop Ke4 or Ne4, however now my Rook can support the d-pawn, Rd6 was better} Rd8 29. Rd6 {I thought this was a mistake at first, but with correct play the Bishop can hold this endgame to a draw} Rxd6 30. Bxd6 a5 31. Bc5 {A waste of a move as Ne6 was natural anyway, Kf2 or b4 instead} Ne6 32. Bb6 a4 33. Kf2 Ke5 34. Ba5 Kd5 35. Ke2 g6 {Basic endgame principle... Get the pawns on squares opposite coloured to the enemy Bishop} 36. Bd2 h5 37. b3 {? This decision drops a pawn, h4 was better, limiting Black's options} axb3 38. axb3 Nc5 39. b4 Nb3 {Threatening to trade pieces and then Kc4 wins a full pawn} 40. Bg5 Kc4 41. Be7 {White can't defend the pawn forever, as the Knight will always find a route} d3+ {Notice all Black's material is now on light squares?} 42. Kd1 Nd4 43. f4 Nc6 44. Bd6 Nxb4 45. Be5 Kd5 {The King and Knight are going to work together to pick off White's remaining pawns, this is simply winning} 46. Kd2 Ke4 47. Bd6 Nd5 48. h4 Nxf4 49. Be7 Ne6 50. Bf6 Nd4 51. Be7 Nf3+ 52. Kd1 Kf4 53. Bf6 Kg4 54. Be7 Nxh4 55. Kd2 Nf3+ 56. Kxd3 Kg3 57. Ke3 g5 58. Bd6+ Kg2 59. Be7 h4 60. Ke2 h3 61. Bd6 h2 62. Bxh2 Nxh2 63. Ke3 Kf1 64. Ke4 Kf2 65. Kf5 g4 { White resigns} 0-1

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

28 Apr 19

Game 7 - Gursharanjit Gill (1520) vs Zak Tomlinson (1660)

Named "Gus" for short, my opponent had a good tournament, with only 1 loss up to this point
which was, just like me, by the hands of Ron Usharovsky.

Gus said that we had met once before, in Blackpool, where we spoke very briefly.
He was one of the players watching the conclusion of my tense final round encounter with Pavel.

I was half a point behind the leading junior, so I needed to play for a win and hope Ron slips up.
Of course, Gus will also be playing for a win to finish strongly.

Let's see how the tournament concluded.

1.	c4	e5
2.	Nc3	Nf6
3.	g3	Bc5
4.	Bg2	c6
5.	e4	a5
6.	d3	d6
7.	h3	Be6
8.	Nf3	Nbd7
9.	O-O	O-O
10.	Bg5	h6
11.	Bd2	Ba7
12.	Nh4	Nc5
13.	Be3	Qd7
14.	Kh2	b5
15.	b3	b4
16.	Ne2	Rfd8
17.	f4	exf4
18.	Rxf4	Nh7
19.	Nf5	Bxf5
20.	Rxf5	g6
21.	Rf1	Nxb3
22.	axb3	Bxe3
23.	d4	Bg5
24.	h4	Bf6
25.	Nf4	Bg7
26.	Ra2	Nf6
27.	Bh3	Qe7
28.	Re2	g5
29.	hxg5	hxg5
30.	Ng2	g4
31.	e5	dxe5
32.	Rxe5	Qxe5
33.	dxe5	Rxd1
34.	Rxd1	Ne4
35.	Bxg4	Nf2

[Event "Stevenage U1825"] [Site "?"] [Date "2019.04.22"] [Round "7"] [White "Gill, Gursharanjit"] [Black "Tomlinson, Zak"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A23"] [WhiteElo "1520"] [BlackElo "1660"] [PlyCount "70"] 1. c4 e5 {I have favoured e5 vs the English as it seems to be the most principled in contesting the center} 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 {This is known as the Carls' Bremen System... I'd never heard of it until writing this.} Bc5 4. Bg2 c6 {Now after c6 it's called a Bremen System, Keres Variation... at least I've heard of Keres} 5. e4 {? The idea with this move is to stop Black's d5 push, however permanently weakens the dark squares... e3 is most commonly played in this line} a5 {This was a multi-purpose move, it quells any Queenside expansion for White but also grants a retreat square for my valuable dark-squared Bishop} 6. d3 d6 7. h3 Be6 8. Nf3 Nbd7 9. O-O O-O {That's the opening bit done, both sides have begun the game in similar styles} 10. Bg5 { ? A slight waste of tempo as it can be kicked back} h6 11. Bd2 Ba7 {Makes c5 available for the Knight} 12. Nh4 Nc5 13. Be3 Qd7 {My last couple moves have been with threats, this last move also prevents Nf5} 14. Kh2 b5 {Seems right, let's perhaps open some files to then put my Rooks on} 15. b3 {I paused here, eventually deciding that if bxc4 is played then White can play dxc4 and open up the file to attack my weak d-pawn} b4 {Also, advancing the pawn kicks the Knight away from defending e4, so this would discourage any d-pawn push} 16. Ne2 {Now another pause here, acknowledging f4 was coming I spent a while to come up with a useful waiting move, at least 20 minutes} Rfd8 {g5 had been tempting, but felt unsafe and reckless, so I opted for this instead to maybe one day support a d5 push} 17. f4 exf4 {Taking this pawn with either Knight or Bishop walks into a fork with g5} 18. Rxf4 {Now there isn't g5 as the Knight on f6 would fall} Nh7 19. Nf5 Bxf5 {This was a bad Bishop anyway, so don't mind the trade} 20. Rxf5 g6 {? I noticed the Bishop on e3 was undefended, so was looking for sac ideas and found Nxb3 hitting the Rook, however after axb3 he would have both Rooks hitting a5, which is why I played this...} 21. Rf1 Nxb3 {? So then I played the sacrifice, only it doesn't truly work as White can play Bxa7 here and pick up 2 minor pieces for a Rook and a pawn, which generally is favourable for the side with the two extra minor pieces} 22. axb3 {? White didn't go for this, so really has just accepted losing a pawn} Bxe3 23. d4 {White cannot trap the Bishop} Bg5 24. h4 Bf6 25. Nf4 Bg7 {Gets out of the Knight's way} 26. Ra2 Nf6 27. Bh3 Qe7 28. Re2 g5 29. hxg5 hxg5 30. Ng2 {?? Nd3 had to be played, this traps the Bishop} g4 31. e5 {White attempts to stall captures, but Black has tactics similiar to those we saw in the game vs Geoffrey Bishop} dxe5 32. Rxe5 Qxe5 33. dxe5 Rxd1 34. Rxd1 Ne4 {! A move I was happy to see, it is forced winning} 35. Bxg4 Nf2 {At the very least, White is going to be an exchange and a pawn down... 0-1} 0-1

---------------------------------------------

The good news is that Ron could only manage a draw in the final round
and so meaning that myself and him shared 1st place with 6/7, netting £375 each.

Considering this was my first OTB tournament of this level (FIDE U1825) I'm happy with the result!

The final ranking crosstable is below:
http://chess-results.com/tnr433146.aspx?lan=1&art=4&flag=30

I have since done some homework on the French and Caro-Kann systems.
As White I'm going to try something else in future...

Hope y'all got something out of this, do let me know what you think of the games.
All criticisms welcome!

Cheers all,
Zak

ketchuplover

Isolated Pawn

Wisconsin USA

Joined: 09 Dec 01
Moves: 73800

29 Apr 19

hip hip hooray!

Ragwort

Senecio Jacobaea

Yorkshire

Joined: 04 Jul 09
Moves: 191731

30 Apr 19

@64squaresofpain said
Game 3 - Geoffrey Bishop (1740) vs Zak Tomlinson (1660)

This game started life as a typical Spanish, with set-ups we e4 players see many times,
however both sides seemed hesitant to make a claim for central control.

Would the aptly named Bishop bash me in this game?

I've played this gent before in a remarkably similar circumstances where he fell to bits after being a pawn up!

Your 6... h6 looks like a tempo waste to me. Without it you can get in b5, Bc5 and d5 for an active set up. There were a couple of games in the famous Anderssen Morphy match 1857 where Morphy played this way. He does play h6 but it's later and more specific. Here's one from the RHP master database.

https://www.dailychess.com/chess-games-explorer/master-game-analysis.php?gameid=9661&halfmovenumber=31

Good result - well played!

mchill

Cryptic

Behind the scenes

Joined: 27 Jun 16
Moves: 3283

30 Apr 19

@64squaresofpain said
Game 7 - Gursharanjit Gill (1520) vs Zak Tomlinson (1660)

Named "Gus" for short, my opponent had a good tournament, with only 1 loss up to this point
which was, just like me, by the hands of Ron Usharovsky.

Gus said that we had met once before, in Blackpool, where we spoke very briefly.
He was one of the players watching the conclusion of my tense final ...[text shortened]... ut of this, do let me know what you think of the games.
All criticisms welcome!

Cheers all,
Zak

JMHO - You are clearly better than 1660.

64squaresofpain

The drunk knight

Stuck on g1

Joined: 02 Sep 12
Moves: 60814

02 May 19

1 edit

@Ragwort

Cheers for the tip Rags, I've always been conscious of these a3/h3/a6/h6 moves not being well timed,
it's a nuance that's very hard to master.

My next tournament will be the U166 ECF in Huddersfield, major section.
I expect to run into much tougher competition, where ill-timed h3's may well be punished.

Edit:- cheers mchill 🙂 I suspect my real OTB rating should be either high 1700's or into the 1800's.
I drew against a player rated 1990 in March, was a great result.

greenpawn34

Joined: 06 May 08
Moves: 43363

02 May 19

Excellent post and good games. (it what chess threads were designed for)

We are all following your chess career 🙂 Keep it up.
(but don't give too much away about what you like and don't like.)

Think I would have said something along the lines:

"If material up don't try and hang on it if you start to feel uncomfortable.
Look for ways to give it back and maintain an advantage."

Something like you did on move 33 in Game 2.

If a piece up I think: "Good. Now I have two pieces to sac!"