Annotated chess game: Pi-Day Group A , http://gameknot.com/chess.pl?

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ANNOTATED GAME

Pi-Day Group A , http://gameknot.com/chess.pl?
bigpeta (2225) vs. monkofunk (2172)
Annotated by: bigpeta (1200)
Chess opening: English (A11), Caro-Kann defensive system

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1. c4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 a6 9. e4 c5 10. e5 cxd4 11. Nxb5 axb5 12. exf6 gxf6 13. O-O Qb6 14. Re1	Looks a natural move but it hands the advantage to black. Better was Be4 threatening the R
	1 comment archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: The way we are taught chess would indicate Black is in a bad way, here; pawns all scrambles, isolated b- and h- pawns, and where should Black's King go? But the big offsetting factor is the pawn phalanx in the centre. Setting a high store by central majorities as I do, I'd probably favour Black already, as bigpeta indicates.


14... Bb7 15. Bf4	This was a simple misreading of my own analysis notes. Should have been Be4. Moral - Dont play when tired.
	2 comments archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: Oops... damalfi (1200) on 23-Apr-15: Well, it seems that white's plan was to bring out the B to f4 - (no Be4 is even less confortable to black). The point is that nothing can stop black to play e5, but then the pawn will be pinned and unable to take the B. It makes sense. The Bf4 is protecting the King fortress from g3 or h2, while making difficult for black to play f5.


15... Bb4 16. Nd2	Trying to protect the R and keep it in the semi open file. Much better was the simple Rf1.
	1 comment damalfi (1200) on 23-Apr-15: The move releases the Q from QxB after BxN (if ever), but leaves g2 very weak. A crazy idea I expored a little was 16. Rxe6+. It gives a R, it's true, but if QxR, Nxd4, followed by moves like Qb3, or Qe2, Bxb5+, Ra1 coming in soon... on the other side, fxe6 gives white the threat of Qh5+...


16... h5 17. Qe2	Too fixated on that e-file.
	1 comment damalfi (1200) on 23-Apr-15: The R sac was the way, if you wanted to take advantage of it. And I don't say it will work...


17... h4 18. Rec1 e5 19. Nb3 Kd8 20. Bd2 Bxd2 21. Nxd2 Rg8	Playing my best options but these trades are working in black's favour
	1 comment archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: ... and White is being driven back with heavy casualties. What is there to oppose that central pawn juggernaut?


22. f3 Nc5 23. Bf5 Bc8	Finally black is human after all. I assume looking to continue trades. Better was Ke7 connecting the Rs and protecting the doubled pawns. Alternative variation: 23... Ke7 24. Kh1 Ne6
	1 comment damalfi (1200) on 23-Apr-15: It must be said that black maintained a strong grip with the "laser ray" of the Bb7 shielded by the pawns and with the g column open. As black, I wouldn't have offered it in exchange.


24. Bh7 Rg7 25. Be4 Rb8 26. Kh1 Ke7 27. b4 Ne6 28. Qe1 h3 29. g3 Bd7 30. Bf5	looking at all the attacks i was making and get rid of the h3 pawn. But better was Nb3 giving the Q room to work and protect b4.



30... Rg5 31. Qe4 Rh5 32. Bxe6 Qxe6 33. Nb3 Rc8 34. Rxc8 Bxc8 35. Kg1 f5 36. Qe2 f4 37. Qxb5	Trying to clear a space for some Q-side action
	2 comments archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: Black's patience in weathering White's counter-attacking play before unleashing his centre p[awns is remarkable. Black is prepared to sacrifice his whole Q-side to shove him his infantry attack. This is a fine, high quality game! damalfi (1200) on 23-Apr-15: Absolutely agree, and I confess it is just... too much for me to analyze! I'll just enjoy it in the interactive version, because it is difficult at my level to follow all the long sequences with no boards...


37... fxg3 38. hxg3	Now blacks line up is looking dangerous. Note for lower ranked players who attack with just one piece. Look at the combination of R Q B and pawn
	1 comment archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: All focused on one point: h3. Such a focus of several elements upon a single point is usually a sign that things are going well. If White can survive this attack without losing material, the Q-side passed pawns might yet turn the tables. But prospects aren't promising.


38... h2+ 39. Kh1 Qh3 40. Nd2 e4 41. Qb8 exf3	A mistake. Far better was e3 attacking the N and threatening another Q chance.



42. Nxf3 Qf5 43. Rf1	finally that R wakes up and gets into the game.



43... d3 44. Qc7+ Bd7 45. Qc4 Be6 46. Qc7+ Kf8 47. Qd8+ Kg7 48. Qd4+ Kg6 49. g4 Qxg4 50. Ne5+ Rxe5 51. Qxe5 d2 52. Rf6+ Kh7 53. Qxh2+ Kg8 54. Qxd2 Qh4+ 55. Kg2 Qxf6 56. a4 Qg6+ 57. Kf2 Qf5+ 58. Ke3 Qe5+ 59. Kd3 f5 60. Qg5+ Kf7 61. Qh5+ Ke7 62. Qh4+ Kd7	And here having survived enormous pressure for the last 20 moves i missed my one chance of salvation. The correct move was 63.Qd4+ forcing a Q trade and from that the game is drawn.



63. Qh7+	Alternative variation: 63. Qd4+ Qxd4+ 64. Kxd4 Ke7 65. Ke5
	1 comment archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: After 63.Qd4ch Qxd4ch 64.Kxd4 Kd6 65.a5 (say) ... At this point 65...Kc6 66.Ke5 and neither side can make progress. I think bigpeta is right that his best chance of survival lay in this line, in the hope of achieving a position like this: . But 65...Bd5 instead seems to me more promising for Black. If then a white pawn advances, Black plays 66...f4; else if 66.Ke3, Ke5 retains chances.


63... Kc8	Black still has to play carefully to bring home the win. I give him a few more moves to see if he will trip up.



64. Qa7 Qe4+ 65. Kc3 Qc4+ 66. Kd2 Qxb4+ 67. Ke2 Bd7 68. Qa6+ Kb8 69. Qd3 Qxa4 70. Ke3 f4+ 71. Kf2 Bc6 72. Qb1+ Kc7	The game is over so I resign. Well played Monkofunk. Pressure all the way so a well deserved win. And promotion to the 2200+ club.
	2 comments archduke_piccolo (2355) on 22-Apr-15: Good, hard-fought game. Excellent! damalfi (1200) on 23-Apr-15: wow!