Annotated chess game: quickplay walhalla 60

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ANNOTATED GAME

quickplay walhalla 60
patrickswayz (1440) vs. alloutwin (1655)
Annotated by: alloutwin (1200)
Chess opening: Giuoco Piano (C50), four knights variation

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1. e4

This game remained fairly even throughout the match, despite both of us having chances to take the initiative. In the end it came down to endgame tactics, and I came out top.

1... e5

I have experimented with the sicilian (1...c5) however much prefer to meet the pawn head on with this move

2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. d3 Bg4

Up to this point both sides have developed solidly, so it's difficult to say that anyone side stands better, perhaps black because white has one pinned piece but it's still no real advantage

7. Na4

Played to remove the well placed bishop, correct response is 7...Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nd4 9. Qd1, putting the knight on a good square, and removing the knight on f3, which is a good defender of the king

7... Nd4

A plausible move, but a slight mistake as I will point out in a couple of moves

8. Nxc5 dxc5

Now the mistake is apparent, although difficult to see... If white now continues 9. Bxf7 Kxf7? 10. Nxe5 Kf8 11. Nxg4, then white emerges 2 pawns ahead, and black has a very exposed king

9. Be3

Missing the opportunity, although not a terrible move, it develops another piece to a good position, and semi-pins the knight to the undefended pawn (semi because I can give check to avert the pin)

9... Nxf3+ 10. gxf3 Bh3 11. Re1 Nd7

This move is made with 2 purposes, to defend the pawn on c5, and to release the queen into the kingside, with the potencial to make a devastating check along the g-file if the position allows it.

12. f4

A clever move, again with 2 objectives, making the g-file less available, and releasing the queen so she can defend the king if needed

12... Qf6 13. Qh5

This move aims to trade off material, either with a queen exchange after 13...Qg6 , or trading bishops, as in the game. With such an open king, and the black queen and bishop lurking this is a good plan.

13... exf4 14. Qxh3 fxe3 15. fxe3

I played for this exchange as in the position I felt I had the better attacking options, so wanted to keep queens on the board. The exchange has also opened up the white king further.

15... Qg5+

I feel that 15...Qxb2 would be a mistake, as after something like; 16. Rab1 Qxc2 17. Rxb7 Qd2 (attacking the rook) 18. Reb1, then white looks to have the better position

16. Kf2 Ne5

This position looks very aggressive for black, although white has plenty of counterplay, however I couldn't see a knock out blow, so this move Ne5 aims to remove the bishop, and so doubles the pawns on the c and e-files, which should give me an advantage in the endgame

17. Reg1 Qf6+

Forced, in order to protect the g7 pawn

18. Qf5

Having decided to play for the endgame I accept this queen exchange, as I can capture the bishop after white takes my queen

18... Qxf5+ 19. exf5 Nxc4 20. dxc4

In this position white looks better, as his king is more advanced, and he has 1 active rook, however I remain confident in my endgame abilities, and it shouldn't be too hard to at least force a draw. In rook endgames like this rook activity is essential, even being a pawn down can be made up for by well placed rooks

20... g6

The only move, 20...Rg8 leads to 21. f6 which is rather awkward after 21...Kf8

21. f6

This pawn is over extended without backup, I want to mobilise my rooks, but must first get my king out of the way. This pawn gives me a target, and is a distraction to white, as he has to try and defend it

21... Kd7 22. Rad1+

This seems good as it brings his other rook to a good square on an open file, however he needed to play something like Rg5 (attacking the c5 pawn), as my king is headed to the e6 square anyway

22... Ke6 23. Rgf1

Again Rg5 is preferable

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