Here is the first part of a write-up for the last tournament I played in, as a sort of partial excuse for not having updated this blog in a while. Featuring: me scoring 1/3 in the first half of the tournament, my chip metaphors, and my rambling thoughts on boring, drawn games.
I think you're right on both points but that I might post to explain what I was thinking at the time. With 15. Bg5, it was partly clear the d-file to play Rd1, d5, and exchange the isolated pawn, and partly that the bishop wasn't doing great. Playing 8. Nd2 over Nc3, I wanted to have the option for Nb3–Nc5, or to take back on c4. Thanks for the feedback, I do really welcome it, and I've taken your suggestion to include full names.
The last game v J.D. (give full name) you were White.
Just a few minor points which I noticed right away.
[fen]rnbqk2r/pp3ppp/2pb4/3p4/2PPn3/3B1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 8[/fen]
8.Nc3 (which is theory) is better than 8.Nbd2 allowing that later Nxf2 trick that Black missed.
Here. White to play.
[fen]r2qr1k1/pp1n1ppp/2pb4/8/2QP4/5N ...[text shortened]... have
a Bishop (doing OK on d2) on g5 where a Knight hitting f7 and h7 should be.
That N-c3 bit, what is wrong with black attacking the N with B? If white goes B-d2, what is wrong with NXB? That is, after B-b4 pinning the knight.
8...Bb5 = two minor pieces moving twice in the opening and
soon one or both of them will be moving again to be exchanged.
This is not usually a good opening plan and the threat can easily
be handled by a developing move 9.0-0 and Black is heading for an awkward position.
White has a solid threat of winning the e5 pawn. so Black has 9...Bxc3 or 9...Nxc3
A plausible line with 9....Nxc3
FEN
rnbqk2r/pp3ppp/2p5/3p4/1bPPn3/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 9
[FEN "rnbqk2r/pp3ppp/2p5/3p4/1bPPn3/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 9"]
9. O-O Nxc3 10. bxc3 Bxc3 {Black is a pawn up but White has the development.} 11. Qe2+ {This appears to win the pawn back and keep the lead in development. In which case White is better.} 11... Qe7 {If now Be6 then Rb1 hitting b7 and Ba3 stopping Black from castling.} 12. Qxe7+ Kxe7 13. Ba3+ Kd8 {Not too sure where the King goes but this looks best.} 14. Rac1 Ba5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Rc5 {White is getting his pawn back big time.}
A plausible line with 9....Nxc3
FEN
rnbqk2r/pp3ppp/2p5/3p4/1bPPn3/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 9
[FEN "rnbqk2r/pp3ppp/2p5/3p4/1bPPn3/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 9"] 9. O-O Bxc3 10. bxc3 {Black should not play 10...Nxc3, 11.Re1+ Be6 12.Qb3 and again Ba3 (amongst other good looking moves) coming and again Black cannot castle.} 10... O-O 11. Re1 Nxc3 12. Qb3 Ne4 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Rxe4 {Pawn back and looking OK for White. Play could go....} 14... Qb6 {it's either this or the horrid looking b6 to get the Queenside out.} 15. Ba3 Qxb3 16. axb3 Rd8 17. Rae1 Bd7 18. Re7 {I'm seriously liking White.}
Tournament: Part I
01 Mar '18 14:26
Back to Top