|
« TAP TO LOG IN
|
ANNOTATED GAME
Game Number 18 - schuppert's second attempt
freddz123 (1855) vs. schuppert (1458)
Annotated by: freddz123 (1959)
Chess opening: English opening (A20)
freddz123 (1855) vs. schuppert (1458)
Annotated by: freddz123 (1959)
Chess opening: English opening (A20)
 Interactive |
• |  Show all comments |
• | All annotated games | • | View chessboard as: |
| ||||||
My apologies for the amount of time this has taken to write up, I've recently spent a short stay in hospital due to a condition I was diagnosed with awhile ago. Regardless, I'm back now! So here we have my 18th match and my 2nd match-up with schuppert. An interesting game, culminating in a Bishop checkmate. | ||||||
|
1. c4 |
As my regular readers know by now, I'm concentrating on the English Open for OTB chess and am using Gameknot to help me practise its lines. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
1... e5 |
This move opens up the Reverse Sicilian, but as it is White's move it keeps the advantage on White's side. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
2. g3 |
Allows White to begin his strategy of light coloured square control. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
2... Be7 |
I've stated this before in games at this point and I'll state it again, I think the best move is Nf6 here allowing a d5 push and strengthening the centre. It also happens to be the preferred move of Karpov for this situation, although I wouldn't dare to guess at his reasoning! :o) | |||||
| | ||||||
|
3. Nc3 Nf6 |
Black's plan of 2...Be7 is revealed as aiming for an early castle. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
4. Bg2 |
Pin on the b7 Pawn and helps to gain some control over the centre. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
4... O-O 5. Nf3 |
Looking at pushing my d Pawn forward. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
5... d6 |
Black removes the threat on his e Pawn. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
6. d4 exd4 |
Attacks White's Knight on c3. I prefer 6...c6 for Black here, looking at keeping the centre stronger. Maybe something like 6...c6 7.O-O e4 8.Ne1 Be6 9.Nxe4 Bxc4 10.Nxf6+ Bxf6 ??? | |||||
| 2 comments | ||||||
|
7. Nxd4 |
Logical move. Pin on Black's b7 Pawn and evens up the material. Also, d4 is a strong position for any Knight, allowing it to make it's presence felt on 8 squares. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
7... c5 |
Looks the best move. Forces Black to move his Knight away. | |||||
| 2 comments | ||||||
|
8. Nc2 a6 |
I dislike this move, I don't feel it gains anything for Black, allowing White a "move in hand" as it were. White already has the advantage of being first to move, so this sort of delaying move just plays into his hands. I think I'd have looked at 8...Nc6 9.O-O Be6 10.Ne3 Qd7 11.Ned5 Bh3, which looks better. | |||||
| 1 comment | ||||||
|
9. Ne3 |
Aiming at putting a Knight on d5, another powerful square for a Knight. | |||||
| | ||||||
|
9... Ra7 |
This smacks of another delaying move to me. Perhaps someone else has some insight? I'd have gone Nc6 with the aim of an eventual Rb8 and pushing the Queenside Pawns. | |||||
| 3 comments | ||||||
|
10. O-O Bd7 11. Ned5 |
Finally gained my Knight foothold in the centre. Very powerful square, defended by my second Knight and my Queen. | |||||
| 1 comment | ||||||
|
11... Bc6 12. e4 |
At the time of making this move I wasn't sure whether to make e-Pawn push or send my Bishop to e3. I think both moves have merit. In the end I went with e4, more instinct than decision. I simply didn't want to box in my e-Pawn with my Bishop. The 12.Be3 line I had in mind was 12... b5 13.Qb3 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bxd5 bxc4 16.Qxc4, whereas the 12.e4 line I had in mind was 12... Nxd5 13.exd5 Bd7 14.Re1 b5 15.cxb5 axb5. Was I right to go with the e4 one? If correctness is measured by winning the game, then yes :o) | |||||
| 1 comment | ||||||
|
12... Nbd7 |
Not a terrible move, although I would've preferred taking the White Knight on d4. Instead, Black chooses to defend his own Knight. At this point I was beginning to feel that my opponent had decided to try and last against me, rather than to attempt to win. This is a very good tactic when you feel outmatched in a game, allowing you to frustrate your opponent and occasionally force a draw or snatch a win through your opponent making an error. | |||||
| 1 comment | ||||||
|
13. Qe2 Re8 |
I remember being told several times that regardless of the intervening pieces, always place your Rook on the same file as the opposing Queen. | |||||
| 1 comment | ||||||
|
14. Re1 b6 15. Bg5 |
Should I have gone for 15.Nxe7+ ??? | |||||
| 1 comment | ||||||
|
15... h6 |
Black dislikes having my Bishop so close and sends him on his way. | |||||
| | ||||||
| ||||||
