Annotated chess game: Space City Open 07 (Reserve

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ANNOTATED GAME

Space City Open 07 (Reserve - rd #1)
Richard D. (1592) vs. Thomas G. (1456)
Annotated by: tag1153

(1700)
Chess opening: Nimzo-Indian (E39), classical, Pirc variation

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1. d4

Welcome to my latest OTB foray. The Space City Open in Huntsville, AL is one of the oldest and most successful OTB tourneys here in the back waters of Alabama. I talked a buddy of mine into going with me, and we both wound up with pretty good results - I finished tied for 2nd place with 3.5/5 and he finished 3/5. Luckily for me, we didn't play each other, as he is the stronger player. It did feel good scoring more than him though:) Due to my rating, I naturally get paired the first round with the highest rated guy in the U1600 section. He is 1592, and I sense trouble right off the bat. I played this guy a few months ago at another tourney, and he destroyed me. I know that this game is gonna be tough. It may sound defeatist, but I will be more than happy to get out of this one with a draw. I play sensibly for the first few moves, IMHO, but allow him to unleash a marauding knight into my back yard that I just can't deal with. He opens 1. d4.

1... Nf6 2. c4 e6

I generally try to steer into Indian defenses, which have themes that I am comfortable with.

3. Nc3

3. Nf3 may be a little more common, but this also plays quite nicely. White knows Bb4 is coming, so he develops on the queenside first to prevent the check. I tell myself that I'm probably going to trade bishop for knight on c3, and then get in b6 to aim the other bishop at what I presume will be his castled position.

3... Bb4 4. Qc2

White develops his queen to a strong diagonal while protecting his knight.

4... c5

?! I've played this line many times before with mixed results. Sure, there was 4...BxN 5. QxB, but I want to claim some space before I play Nc6 while eliminating one of his central pawns.

5. dxc5 Bxc5 6. e3

Good play - and the kind of move that I am usually hesitant to play. White restricts his DSB, but immediately answers the question of f2 defense. White will now most likely play his DSB to its long diagonal.

6... Nc6

I sense the chance to lead in development, and deploy this knight to a strong square.

7. a3

!? This move tortured me, and put me into a long think. Is white being paranoid about me attacking his queen with Nb4? or is he planning on b4 with tempo to open up the long diagonal for his DSB?

7... a6

?! Thinking that I had the time to set up the queenside the way I wanted, I play a6 to prep b5 and to create an escape square for my DSB, as well as preparing my own fianchetto. I really should have gone ahead and castled here. I'll most definitely pay for that lapse in judgement very soon.

8. Nf3

White takes his time, and catches up in development.

8... d5

?! Again, I probably should have castled. This break is begging to be played, but in doing so I allow white solid action on the c file.

9. cxd5

Of course, as white can't allow me to play d4.

9... Nxd5

?! Mistake. I should have taken with my e pawn. Now white can dictate my next move.

10. Nxd5

Forcing my queen to retake to protect my DSB.

10... Qxd5 11. Bc4

Argh...I allow white to develop with tempo.

11... Qd6

I still have to protect my Bc5. The only other real choice of Qh5 seemed impotent.

12. O-O

White secures his king, and his position looks strong. I go into another long think and launch......

12... b5

......a typical Thomas attack which is all bark and no bite. Thinking I could force the issue on the queenside, I totally disvalued the strength of his next move.

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13. Rd1

! Nice. White shows good patience, and I'm sure starts thinking of winning my DSB.

13... Qc7

? I need help. The kind of help you get on a couch. The kind that requires pills every day. 13...Qe7 and I still had some play. Now, I drop a piece.

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