Annotated chess game: Golden State Open Round 1

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ANNOTATED GAME

Golden State Open Round 1
Opponent (1825) vs. Me (1620)
Annotated by: lcampop (1883)
Chess opening: Old Indian defence (A41)

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I am going to be annotating all the games from a tournament I played last weekend. My over the board rating is a little under rated because I haven't played that many tournaments lately. The time control was 30 min with 10 sec delay, so time trouble was definitely a factor. Anyway, on with the game.

1. d4

My opponent starts with d4, so I expect a more positional response to my opening.

1... d6

This is my way of entering Philidor's Defense without the annoying Bc4 variations. I will play Nf6 in response to the move e4.

2. c4

Instead of e4, my opponent goes with a more positional option. He reserves the opportunity to move the e pawn to e3 or e4.

2... c6

Another part of my opening setup, allowing the queen to go to c7 and guarding the d5 square.

3. Nc3

Continuing his development and targeting both e4 and d5.

3... Nf6

I respond with the same idea. It is still possible for him to play e4 if he wants to.

4. g3

Instead he opts to fianchetto the bishop. This doesn't seem to me like the best setup against a pawn on c6 and a queen on c7, but maybe he counted on pressure on the long diagonal.

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4... Nbd7

I continue to prepare for an e5 push.

5. Bg2

He completes the fianchetto, and looks ready to castle on the kingside.

5... e5

The e5 break is finally here, and it is up to white whether to exchange the pawn or let it remain there.

6. Nf3

White adds pressure to e5 and is ready to castle.

6... Qc7

I add defense to e5 and have the queen well placed to guard c6 as well.

7. O-O

White castles and retains a slight lead in development.

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7... a5

I was concerned about a b4 push and a queenside attack on the c6 pawn. This move is thematic in this opening, but it is not always good as it leaves a hole on b6 that can be reached by the c3 knight via a4.

8. b3

Preparing a queenside fianchetto and possibly preparing a queenside advance.

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8... g6

This move is a bit unusual for my system, as the bishop usually goes on e7. But I felt that it would be stronger on g7 to counter his fianchetto.

9. Bb2

He completes his fianchetto.

9... Bg7

And so do I.

10. e3

This secures the d4 pawn and frees up white's queen.

10... O-O

I take the opportunity to castle. Development is about even except for my c8 bishop which is trapped at the moment.

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