|
|
1. e4 c5
|
This is an interesting draw, with moments of drama! Anyway, he opens e4 and I play my usual Sicilian |

|
|
|
2. c3 Nf6
|
2. c3 is slightly unusual, but perfectly playable. I believe the Deep Blue Computer famously beat Kasparov with it in 1996 - the first game to be won by a chess-playing computer against a reigning world champion under normal chess tournament conditions, and in particular, normal time controls.
. |
1 comment
|
|
|
3. d3 e5
|
3. d3 is not as aggressive - and not as good for that matter - as the standard 3. e5. I was tempted to play d5 and expected in reply either 4. Nd2 or 4. e5 Nf6-d7 and, after a later d4 by white we will go into a position similar to a variation of the Tarrasch Variation of the French Defence(1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7) where Black has an extra tempo because White has wasted a move by playing d3 and then d4. I thought at the time that Black would struggle to make the extra tempo count in a blocked position. I went for something more ambition. But wrongly! After the game a glance at the Gameknot World Database shows d5 was the better move. |

|
|
|
4. Bg5 Be7
|
There is already only a few moves on either the Gameknot World or the Gameknot internal opening database with this position. |

|
|
|
5. Bxf6 Bxf6
|
I really don't understand this unforced exchange of minor pieces by White. On the databases I can only find games with 5. Nf6. However Black seems to have the better of those games. |
1 comment
|
|
|
6. Nd2 d5
|
So, having the two bishops I wanted to break open the centre and give scope to my bishops. I was a bit afraid of him closing up the centre with 7. c4, ruling out ....d5 for ever. I thought that in that position his knights may be at least equal to my bishops. Computer seems to prefer Nc6 or 0-0 and black stands slightly better. What do you think dear reader? |
3 comments
|
|
|
7. exd5 Qxd5
|
So of course I saw that his knight can come to e4 with gain of time. But what of it? I can then play f5 with gain of time. In the meantime he has a backward d pawn on a semi-open file, I have the 2 bishops and more space. What more could one want after just 7 moves? Compute prefers 7. Qb3, but Black still slightly better, |

|
|
|
8. Ne4 Be7
|
Computer agrees I can't allow an exchange on f6. |
2 comments
|
|
|
9. Nf3 Nc6
|
Normal developing moves. Computer agrees with both. |

|
|
|
10. Be2 f5
|
So I continue with my plan. Computer agrees with both his move and mine, and assesses the position as better for Black. |
1 comment
|
|
|
11. Ng3 h5
|
Now this is where I started to over-estimate my position again. I thouhght that if he castles, h4 and his knight is forced back to h1 where is has no influence. I can follow with moves like Be6, 0-0-0 and g5 and a ready-made attack on his castled King. On the other hand I thought that 12. h4 would virtually rule out King side castling for him, and is pawn on h4 could prove weak. Computer prefers the simple 0-0. |

|
|
|
12. h4 Be6
|
Computer agrees with both these moves, and Black only slightly better. |
2 comments
|
|
|
13. Ng5 Bxg5
|
Computer agrees with 13. Ng5 and gives 13..... 0-0-0 as a good alternative to Bxg5 |

|
|
|
14. hxg5 g6
|
I had been worried about 14. Bxh5+ and computer agrees it is a better move for White, although it thinks Black still has a slight advantage. It prefers 0-0-0 to g6 - if he takes on h5 I can take on g2 and gives h4 as an alternative. No marks of course for an immediate 14.... Qxg6?? Losing the queen to Bf3 - as I noticed in the game. |
3 comments
|
|
|
15. Bf3 Qd7
|
Computer likes 15. Bf3, but prefers Black to drop the queen back to d6. I'm not sure it makes much difference. |
2 comments
|
|
|
16. Qe2 O-O-O
|
Computer prefers 16. Qa4. It agrees with my queen side castling and thinks this position is better for Black. |
2 comments
|
|
|
17. O-O-O Bxa2
|
Round about here I could have lost the game! My mobile phone went off and I rushed out of the palying area to answer it. Afterwards, the Gameknot player frebec, who also plays in the same over-the-board tem, pointed out that my opponent could have claimed the game. It was my live-in girl friend, she had forgotten I had a chess game. She asked me when I would be back. I told her it depended on how long the game went on for. She told me to try to be quick! |
2 comments
|
|
|
18. Bxc6 Qxc6
|
Round about here I started having mental aberations. I thought he wil take on e5, I play Bb6, he moves the rook, then Qa5 and I am mating him, and I will be back home with be beloved like she wanted! I completely missed his rather obvious defence! |

|
|
|
19. Qxe5 Bb3
|
Computer prefers 19. Rd1-e1, although Black is clearly winning. It prefers Rh8-e8 and Black is winning. Gosh I could have been home early! |

|
|
|
20. Rd2 Qa4
|
Again, simply Rh8-e8 first and Black really is winning. I forgot the old bit of advice, "if you see a good move, sit on your hands and look for a better one". |
1 comment
|
|
|