19 May 09
2 edits
RE: Cimon
Nice game!
I wonder on 31.b6, if b6 is the correct pawn push, because on 31...Bc6, I cannot find progress for white. But it seems that white had the better of the play all game, I'm more inclined to find improvements for Black.
I don't approve of 11...Ne4, his trade of his knight for yours made his defensive task more difficult.
----------------------------
This is one of schakuhr's London games that I recall him posting, it includes a lovely attacking motif.
19 May 09
3 edits
Phillips, Rene (2220) v Schwartzman, Gabriel (2600)
i provide the authors annotations which are enjoyable not only for the lucidity but animated language as well. they are fairly extensive, however, i know not of any other way to convey them, enjoy, regards Robbie.
game taken from logicalchess.com and is dedicated to greenpawn
The London System is a Queens pawn opening that begins by 1.d4 2.Nf3 or (2.Bf4) 3.Bf4 or (Nf3). It is still a relatively little known system and can be very lethal in the hands of the prepared player. White will concentrate on the e5 square and focus on keeping the center closed while attacking on the wings.
1. d4 (The London System "mind set" is to think, "I have seen this position hundreds, thousands of times!" My plans will depend on my mood and temper. I control what lines my opponent will play because of my greater knowledge of this System!)
1..f5 (The London System can be played against any Black defensive setup except 1...e5?! Black adopts the Dutch Defense here. This game was played in the 1st GrandMaster Invitational tournament sponsored by Chess.net. My opponent was the current U.S. Open Champion GM Gabriel Schwartzman.}
2. Nf3 {The time control is rated Game/15 minutes. My foe is a noted Theoretician on the Dutch Defense and has scored well against GM level opposition after playing 1...f5! in response to 1.d4. The London System has been my weapon of choice with White for 18 years!}
2...Nf6 {Interesting to note here is the strategies for both sides, White in 2 moves attacks his opponent's king 4 square (e5) with both knight and pawn , while Black counters by attacking White's king 4 square(e4) from the flank f-file using knight and pawn as well.}
3. Bf4 (The hallmark London System setup. White will avoid early piece exchanges and with e5 for a base attack on the wings. (kingside or queenside pawn storms.)
3...d6 {Black declares early on that he will contest White's control of the e5 square at some point in the game. Interesting would have been 3...d5! which is a Stonewall Dutch Defensive System that maintains a vice grip on the e4 square.}
4. e3 {Some would quickly play h3 here to preserve the London Bishop from an impending 4... Nh5 but I like the idea of tactically tempting my opponent into 4... Nh5 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5? 7. Nfd2! and Black's Kingside is Swiss cheese.}
4...e6 {My opponent here is transposing normal move order in order to tempt me into overreacting. The GM also wants to conceal his intentions as long as possible. My asset here is that I have played the London in thousands of rated games. The game is even here.}
5. Nbd2 {White continues with slow, normal development, it should be noted here that 5. c4 is a much more aggressive move here but also more expected by my opponent. My objective is to play sound chess and make Schwartzman beat me.}
5...Nc6 {Black will build slowly to attack e5. White's lack of c4! allows Black the opportunity to adopt this lengthy maneuver. White does not have any weaknesses; I am sure most GM's would have played c4 by now.}
6. c3 {Never play the anticipated move if it can be helped. 6. c4! was White's last chance at playing for a win but c4 also fits into
Schwartzman's Defensive posture. The c3 move is unambitious but solid. I am confident that I have seen this position as many times as Schwartzman.}
6...Qe7 {This Queen maneuver is nifty as soon Black will play h6, g5, Bg7 and e5! Note the e5 scheme takes the sting out of the London Bishop at f4. The moral of this story though is that when Black adopts a posture that thwarts one Bishop, the other Bishop takes over.}
7. Bc4 {The Bishop at f4 is about to be thwarted by an eventual e5! The strategy here is that if one London Bishop bites on granite on the dark squares then the white squared Bishop comes into it's own. Note 7...d5 chases the Bishop from c4 but at the expense of letting the London dagger at f4 free!}
7...h6 {The threatened g5 and Bg7 looms now. The simple 8. h3 is called for now to allow the London Bishop an escape square.}
8. h3 {This move serves the dual purpose of allowing the Bishop a retreat square at h2 and also prepares a future g4 if Black castles Kingside. Note I have adopted a similar setup against the King's Indian Defensive Systems by Black against the London.}
8...e5 {The attack in the center begins. Black is not content with playing just for equality; the GM wants more! My strategy is working so far, the GM is coming to get me. Note: there have been no piece trades thus far.}
9. Bh2 {The Bishop retreat is called for as I don't want to open the game by 9. dxe5 as that falls into Black's hands. I leave Black the option of trading on d4 where I then will have the option of capturing with either e3 or c3!}
9...g5 {Black is declaring his hostile intentions and one would think this would set the stage for a quick knockout of the player of the White pieces. Is Black's position aggressive or overextended?}
10. Qe2 {I have always liked this move as it keeps the foe guessing as to which side I will castle on. The queen on e2 also aids in a potential playing of e4. The Empress at e2 also opposes her counterpart on e7.}
10...e4 {Black shifts gears and now seizes e4 but at the cost of allowing the London Bishop to breathe again. The dark squares are abandoned by Black to gain a vice grip on e4. The White Monarch will now seek refuge away from Black's aggression.}
19 May 09
continued from above
11. Ng1 {White welcomes the opportunity to reposition the Mustang which will later aid in the lever attack on f3. Levers are pawns which attack pawn chains. Note Black's chain at d5 and f5.}
11...Be6 {Black want's to exchange his Bishop for it's White counterpart and castle Queenside. White will not exchange pieces which would aid in Black's Defense. Maneuvering is paramount in this battle as have not even exchanged a pawn to this point!}
12. O-O-O {White castles away from Black's aggression and will
attack Black's pawn chain in the center with the lever f3. I thought Black
would castle here and be content with an even game but, I am no GM.}
12...d5 {The chain lengthens as the white squared Bishop is squeezed out of the c4 square. Black gains space on the white squares but increases the range of the London Bishop at h2. Formally the London Bishop bit on granite at d6, but now it's scope is increased.}
13. Bb3 {White could play 13.Bb5 but that is probably what Black expected and what is wrong with Bb3 with the idea of attacking with levers c4 and f3? The Bishop can still play to a4 later and pin the knight. Play the moves that give you the most options!}
13...a5 {Black is seizing space on both sides of the board. The problem is this aggression is premature as the Monarch is still homeless.}
14. Ba4 {This move temporarily prevents a4 and pins the Knight on c6. White will also soon mobilize his attack on the Black pawn chain. The best place to attack a pawn chain is at it's base. The base of Black's chain is f5 and d5.}
14...Kf7 {Self-made castle. The castle walls are rotten and provide little shelter for the Black Monarch. Note the patience of White here as he slowly amasses his forces.}
15. Nb3 {The Knight eyes the c5 square as the immediate 15... b6 is prevented by 16. Bc6+. White has the initiative here.}
15...Na7 {Black concedes the c5 square to white temporarily and prepares b6. Here, my Crafty computer scores +.39 for White which means White has a slight advantage.}
16. Nc5 {The steed pounces onto the palace lawn. White's dominance is starting to show. Black can run the horse out by playing b6 but at the cost of making more holes in his position.}
16...c6 {I expected 16... b6 but Black keeps me guessing. Black is threatening b5 and c5 followed by c4. This would win over the white squares on the queenside.}
17. Be5 {The London Bishop leaps into action! The Bishop now restricts the Knight on f6 as a move by it would lose the rook on h8.}
b6... {Black plays b6 instead of the immediate b5. This allows me the chance to error by playing 18. Nb3 which loses a piece after 18... b5! Good players conceal their intentions and lay subtle traps for their opponents to error. Threats consume energy and some players weaken during long games.}
18. Nxe6 {The Knight has done his job and we have our first exchange 18 moves into the game! White doesn't mind trading the powerful steed for the big pawn at e6 because the Black Bishop would have aided Black in the defense against the impending lever thrusts by white at c4 and g4.}
18...Qxe6 {Black is no longer attacking but defending and the pawns are beginning to require more attention than they are worth. White has a lasting initiative here.}
19. g4 {The lever! The attack on the base of the Black pawn chain begins. The walls protecting the Monarch are the pawns at c6,d5, e4, and f5. Notice how the black King sits inside this triangle. White hurls bombs at the palace foundation.}
19...b5 {The GM will not calmly accept his fate but attempts to complicate the game thru tactics. Definition: The "in between move" is a move that surprisingly is played b...
19 May 09
continued from above
20. gxf5 {POW! Tactics are strategic maneuvers designed to exploit weaknesses in the opponents position such as a weakened King position, weakened pawns, isolated and unprotected pieces, exposed King or queen. Black can't take the Bishop until he answers the attack on his queen.The "in between move" is the lever that blows the pawn base at f5 to pieces.}
20...Qxf5 {The Queen is drawn out of the castle and into the battle. The Monarch is helpless to aid in the battle and watches as south wing of the palace wall comes tumbling down.}
21. Bc2 {The Bishop coils like a spring to c2 where it becomes a laser beam x-raying through the e4 pawn to the queen on f5.}
21...b4 {Black continues to press on allowing White the chance to error. White should not exchange on b4 by playing cxb4 opening a rook file against his King. White instead can activate another lever and attack the black pawn chain. Do you see
how? What is White's movehere?}
22. c4 {White according to Crafty 14.5 has a significant advantage here of +1.89 which is the equivalent of being up by
almost 2 pawns!}
22...Bg7 {Black moves the Bishop for the first time and we are on the 22nd move! The game is strategically won for white and now he need only avoid traps and complications to seal this upset.}
23. f3 {Levers! Note the palace base on the north wall is now at e4 where previously it was at f5. The
walls are being attacked on both flanks i.e.(c4 and e4).}
23...Kg6 {The Monarch panics and seeks shelter away from the crumbling wall. Maybe he envisions a future Rhf8.}
24. Rf1 {The rook rushes to the battle and x-rays the Black Queen. White is the only one throwing punches here and the fight is now one-sided. Black can't play exf3 attacking the White queen because the
"in-between move" Bxf5+ wins the game.}
24...Qe6 {There is panic in the camp and it's every man for himself! The Queen moves out of the x-ray attack of the
Rook but now the Bishop at c2 x-rays the Black King. Note how White has
minimized unwanted exchanges.}
25. fxe4 {KABOOM! Did you hear that!? The explosives are going off now and the palace gates come tumbling down. The
lever tears down the wall and opens the firing lane for the tank at f1.}
25...Nxe4 {Tactics loom in this position as the Monarch is exposed and in the line of fire. 25... dxe4 loses horribly to 26. Qg2 or 26. Rxf6! followed by 27. Bxe4+.Now the horse is tied down at e4 and cannot move. It's what we call pinned.}
26. Nf3 {The Mustang is well rested and springs into action with a vengeance!White is hoping for 26... Bxe5? when the Mustang goes to e5 with check and devastating results.}
26...Rhf8 {The Black pieces attempt to reorganize and participate in the battle but it is too late. Tactics are moves designed to exploit weaknesses in the opponent's position. The weaknesses here are Black's exposed king and lack of piece coordination.}
27. Bxg7 {The Bishop has performed it's function and now gives itself for one of the Monarchs last remaining protectors. Note how all of White's pieces participate in th attack. (Bishop on C2, Queen on e2, Knight at f3, Rooks on f1 and h1). In contrast
note Black's Queen's Rook and Knight are out of play.}
27...Kxg7 {The Black Monarch is in the line of fire and there is no where to hide as there is little left
to the castle walls.}
28. Ne5 {It has been said that a Knight anchored in the opponent's territory can divide the enemy's position and cause confusion in the enemy troops. Note how White avoids exchanging Rooks by Rfxf8 which would
ease Black's defense.}
28...Rf6 {Black should exchange hereby playing 28... Rxf1+. The reason he doesn't is because Black still wants to muddy the waters and give me a chance to error. What!? Someone is asking, "Why didn't he play 28...Ng3?" The reason is a good tactical problem for you to solve. What would be White's response to 28...Ng3? Hint - The Queen moves to an attacking position.}
29. Bxe4 {White methodically begins the elimination process of removing the Monarch's last faithful protectors. Note the fact that White shunned exchanges until the moment when such exchanges would net him an advantage.}
29...dxe4 {29...Rxf1 was an "in between move" that would have eased Black's defense slightly. The rule is, "when in cramped positions or in strategically lost positions seek piece exchanges." The direct opposite holds for the person who commands more space and has better development. Black is still playing forcomplications and is allowing White the opportunity to falter.}
30. Rxf6 {This removes another defender and White can move up another tank to f1 by 31. Rf1 before Black can follow suit because after 30. Rf1, Black will have to move the piece he recaptures with on f6. The game is overwhelming for White
now and players have resigned in less complicated positions.}
30...Qxf6 {Black has one lone protector of the monarch and now White will attack the faithful Queen
with a tempo. The capture with the Monarch by 30... Kxf6 would yield a similar position after the tank moves to the f-file by 31. Rf1.}
19 May 09
4 edits
31. Rf1 {This is known as a tempo. Definition: A tempo in chess is a move that gains time as a piece can be developed and attack and/or defend simultaneously forcing the opponent to respond to it with no chance of developing a piece of it's own. The net gain for the possessor of the tempo is a "free" move. Black must move his Queen and can't get his rook over in time to counter White's Rook on f1 because the white Rook moved into position and attacked in one move! Black's
response is forced.}
31...Qe6 {Black parries the threat from the Rook and tries to regain the tempo by attacking a pawn at h3. The point is if White takes the time to defend the pawn at h3 then Black has time to bring his tank into the fight by 32... Rf8. White has methodically isolated the Monarch and now gives the snipers the signal to move into position.}
32. Rf7+ {Here White moves into the battle and offers Black the opportunity to relieve the onslaught by giving up the Queen for the Rook and Knight by 32... Qxf7 33. Nxf7 Kxf7. Unfortunately with Black's remaining 2 pieces out of play on the other side of the world, the game would not last long. The monarch would be forced to dodge heavy artillery with no cover until the pieces can rush into play.}
33...Kg8 {The only reason for this move is that now Black concedes his fate and tries to lay subtle traps here hoping for the best. Note how the King is separated from his protectors and now material means little to White who now brings in more snipers.}
33. Qf2 {White now commands the only open file which permanently
separates the King from his pieces. The Knight is at a lethal post and now the combination of the Rook and Queen on the open f-file decide this contest.}
33...Qxh3 {The King is naked and Black hoped for 34. Qf6? 34... Qxe3+ and a perpetual check. The point now is that there are no protectors for the Monarch and Black is playing 2 pieces down as his Rook and Knight will not see any more action this game. This is a good time for a mating problem. It is a forced mate from this point. Can you figure it out before playing the next move? Remember, checkmate is not a combination of random checks but a strategic series of confining, restricting, checks forcing the king to a position where the final
check delivers mate! Hint: this is mate in 4 moves.}
34. Rg7+ {BANG! The Rook cannot be taken as 34... Kxg7 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36 Ng6##. This combination is
possible due to the coordination of Whites attackers which surround the king.
The absence of Black defenders help too!}
34...Kh8 {This again set's a trap. If I get lax and play Qf7 threatening mate Qxe3+ for Black is still a perpetual
check. We both are short on time here but GM's excel in these situations when
the flags are in the air. Note if the Rook was taboo before at g7 it is even
more so at h7.}
35. Rh7+ {BOOMMMMM!!!! I can't believe it! I am about to mate
the U.S. Open Champion. He plays one last move and hopes for me to play Qf5+ I
guess.}
35...Kxh7 {I have less than 20 seconds left here but it's mate in 2 moves!
Can you see it? Try to play the mate in your mind without moving the pieces.
Note the Black Rook on a8 did not move the entire game.}
36. Qf7+ {1-0 GM Schwartzman resigns here and I nab my first GM in a prize tournament even though it
was online. This game is an excellent example of the potency of the London System. There are no quick kill lines for Black when facing the London System. The London System is a positional opening that can take plain equality to a new level if Black becomes to aggressive. I am a former S.W.A.T. team member of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and learned that practice makes habit. We rehearsed scenarios hundreds of times until they became habit. Habit is what one does under pressure. I have employed the London System in thousands
of rated games against the nations best online. I even beat World FIDE
Champion Anatoly Karpov in a rated 5-minute blitz game on Chess.net using the London System. The principles are easy to learn and once mastered can make you a force to be reckoned with! may the force be with you 🙂
19 May 09
Originally posted by SquelchbelchPlease stop your advertising of Morra gambit in threads devoted to other opening systems.
Below is an excellent example of this system:
[pgn][Event "July 2007 Threesomes II"] [Site "http://www.playtheimmortalgame.com"] [Date "2007.07.20"] [EndDate "2007.07.29"] [Round "1"] [White "Squelchbelch"] [Black "egkainia"] [WhiteRating "1730"] [BlackRating "1773"] [WhiteELO "1730"] [BlackELO "1773"] [Result "1-0"] [GameId "3829842"] 1. e4 c5 2. d ...[text shortened]... 6a5 9. Bc4xf7 Ke8d7 10. Qb3a4 b5 11. Nf3e5 Kd7c7 12. Qa4xa5 1-0[/pgn]
19 May 09
Hi Cimon.
Now that is much better.
A model example of how the London System works.
(better than that Petrosian/Reshevsky example on another thread -
the h6 and e6 weakenss got Sammy - you need two weakness's
to beat players of that ilk).
A well played OTB game and the London Bishop was the boy who directed
all the Queenside pawns from h2. A really nice game.
I enjoyed playing over that. Thank you.
(I thought you liked 'quiet' games?).
I see this thread has already gathered 8 posts.
Nobody actually discussing the London System but posting games
where it was played and won.
(Squelch (bless him) has slipped in a Morra Gambit to cheer up this thread) 😉
I'm not continuing as a counter argument but you wanted a discussion
and if someone does not show something from the other side of the
coin then this thread will be full of 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 games. 😴
Here is a blitz game where I employ one of the anti-London systems.
It's just a cartoon compared with the Cimon game, but it should
serve as a minor warning that Black need not fall in line with
White's opening strategy and if Black comes out slogging then
White must adapt and slog back.
Played on Uchess ages ago, I'm sure I posted it before when me and
Robbie were having our usual London System leg pulls.
(it's the forums running joke).
White would not get out of 'London System mode'.
White's sole opening aim was to get the QB Bishop out and slip
into the system. You must adapt.
You could feel the 25 second pause after my 2...Qc7.
So he comes up with the idea of Bg5-h4-g3 - too slow.
(watch your e3 square when playing this system, especially if you
have tucked your Bishop up on h2. The lad here got himself all flustered).
And my cheeky Knight escapes via g3.
Thanks again Cimon, good thread and a good game.
(Thanks Squelch - nice game!)
19 May 09
1 edit
Originally posted by greenpawn343.dcx5 and 4.b4 seems to be too greedy.
Hi Cimon.
Now that is much better.
A model example of how the London System works.
(better than that Petrosian/Reshevsky example on another thread -
the h6 [b]and e6 weakenss got Sammy - you need two weakness's
to beat players of that ilk).
A well played OTB game and the London Bishop was the boy who directed
all the Queenside pawns f 3.
Thanks again Cimon, good thread and a good game.
(Thanks Squelch - nice game!)[/b]
My personal preference would be 2.d5 (the most principal) or 2.e3 (the safest).
And I would say that my game included positional maneuvers with decisive exchange combination (piece for 3 pawns) to follow.
19 May 09
Originally posted by YugaI don`t think that 31...Bc6 would save Black from loss. White can start attack on king side with 32.g5 (and h6). Black would have too many weaknesses on both flanks.
RE: Cimon
Nice game!
I wonder on 31.b6, if b6 is the correct pawn push, because on 31...Bc6, I cannot find progress for white. But it seems that white had the better of the play all game, I'm more inclined to find improvements for Black.
I don't approve of 11...Ne4, his trade of his knight for yours made his defensive task more difficult.
--------- ...[text shortened]... Qg8e8 Kd7c7 26. Qf7xe7 Kc7b6
27. Qe7d6 Kb6a5 28. Qd6xc5 1-0[/pgn]
19 May 09
Originally posted by CimonHi Cimon.
3.dcx5 and 4.b4 seems to be too greedy.
My personal preference would be 2.d5 (the most principal) or 2.e3 (the safest).
And I would say that my game included positional maneuvers with decisive exchange combination (piece for 3 pawns) to follow.
No my game is up for analysis - it's a daft blitz game.
It was just to show that if you come to the board with a determination
to play a system then be ready to leave it on the shelf and get
your hands dirty.
It was aimed at all the other lads who will be reading this thread
and thinking they at last have found the secret of chess.
The very impressionable -1400's.
As stated your game was good - it was OTB which makes it all the
more creditable. you could not posssibly see everything so dived in
based on judgement and intuition. Good Chess.
To me saccing a piece for three pawns is not a quiet a game.
It's the best game in the thread because it was played by one of us.
('cept of course for the Morra Gambit) 😉
(next time Squelch starts a thread sneak in a London System.)
19 May 09
Originally posted by greenpawn34Ok Ok. Let it be "not so quiet" game 🙂 I think I have already pointed out somewhere that "positional players are bad tacticians" is myth.
Hi Cimon.
No my game is up for analysis - it's a daft blitz game.
It was just to show that if you come to the board with a determination
to play a system then be ready to leave it on the shelf and get
your hands dirty.
It was aimed at all the other lads who will be reading this thread
and thinking they at last have found the secret of chess. ...[text shortened]... se for the Morra Gambit) 😉
(next time Squelch starts a thread sneak in a London System.)
19 May 09
3 edits
even though i play 1.e4 now, i will submit some of my London masterpieces, played on this very site, for your majesty, delight and amazement, dig these ya'll 😉
there are others but they are so dazzling that you would not believe they were played by me! You would attribute them to the Gods or the silicon beast!