@creepingdeath saidWhite played strange opening moves. Black made a bad sacrifice, then hung a Knight shortly after. Apparently rattled by this turn of events, Black made several more blunders, allowing a rout.
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The first sac, a Bishop for two pawns and an exposed King had chances to complicate.
But the worst move in this game came on Black's move 8.
Black played 8...h6. but 8...e5 would have generated play.
You never play a speculative sacrifice and then take time out for non-essential moves.
These pointless h6 and a6's (and a3 and h3's) have to be removed
from Black's game. 'Fear of the Phantom Pin'
(After that we can work on White and the Na3 and Nh3's )
@moonbus
I suspect that you and Greenpawn are making the same point from different perspectives. His idea is that ...h6 is strategic and abstract, whereas ...e5 is more dynamic and tactical.
I know this is not true for everyone, but for me, my greatest propensity to drop one of my own pieces is when I have my head too wrapped up in strategic considerations- a variation of GM John Nunn's "Never play positionally when mate is available".
I have also noticed that when my focus is more dynamic, not only am I less inclined to drop a piece, but I am also more inclined to notice when my opponent does.
I might be off on this, but it was a thought that occurred to me.
@greenpawn34
My gut tells me that ...e5 on move 6 would have been devastating, but I can't tactically justify leaving the bishop hanging. White seemed to be asking to be mated on the dark squares somewhere.
@greenpawn34 saidDefinitely a Key Moment missed.
The first sac, a Bishop for two pawns and an exposed King had chances to complicate.
But the worst move in this game came on Black's move 8.
[fen]r2qkb1r/1pp1pppp/p1n5/3p4/3P2n1/N1P4N/PP2P2P/R1BQKB1R b KQkq - 0 8[/fen]
Black played 8...h6. but 8...e5 would have generated play.
You never play a speculative sacrifice and then take time out for non-essential moves. ...[text shortened]... Black's game. 'Fear of the Phantom Pin'
(After that we can work on White and the Na3 and Nh3's )
A good example of a player waiting to be aggressive until they are lost. The sense of urgency should have kicked in sooner.
@bigdoggproblem saidSeveral key moments were missed, but don't overanalyse it. At those guys' ratings, they first have to stop giving away pieces.
Definitely a Key Moment missed.
A good example of a player waiting to be aggressive until they are lost. The sense of urgency should have kicked in sooner.
@moonbus saidPieces themselves don't win the game. If you don't know how to use the pieces, you won't win simply because you have more.
Several key moments were missed, but don't overanalyse it. At those guys' ratings, they first have to stop giving away pieces.
More important is to follow the narrative of a game. Material is but one form of advantage. The beginner is not well served by closing their mind to other paths to winning, even if winning by material superiority is the most common path.
@bigdoggproblem saidI do not disagree with you. I only meant that a certain level of proficiency must be reached before strategic planning becomes a factor. I strongly suspect that 1100-1200 players are leaving pieces en prise without noticing it, not for strategic reasons.
Pieces themselves don't win the game. If you don't know how to use the pieces, you won't win simply because you have more.
More important is to follow the narrative of a game. Material is but one form of advantage. The beginner is not well served by closing their mind to other paths to winning, even if winning by material superiority is the most common path.
@creepingdeath saidWell there was that part where you cleverly sac'd two pieces by move 10.......
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@moonbus saidIt's interesting to consider...without ANY strategy whatsoever, why is one opening move any better than another?
I do not disagree with you. I only meant that a certain level of proficiency must be reached before strategic planning becomes a factor. I strongly suspect that 1100-1200 players are leaving pieces en prise without noticing it, not for strategic reasons.
I've seen many beginners, after learning the moves, start their first games with 1.a4 and 2.Ra3. Why? Because they can sense that the Rook is a powerful piece and they want to do something with it. Yes, the Queen is even more powerful, but you just told me (with quite the serious face) that I lose the game if they get my King, so I don't want to touch that wall of pawns in front of him.
The merciful teacher gives them the ready-made strategy of playing in the center. You have to. The progress is simply too slow if you withhold ALL strategic concepts. Strategy is main reason to choose moves.