Annotated chess game: Top Mini Tournament Players Invitational

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ANNOTATED GAME

Top Mini Tournament Players Invitational
tag1153 (1490) vs. dutch12 (1598)
Annotated by: tag1153

(1700)
Chess opening: Queen's pawn game (D02)

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Here's a game I recently completed vs dutch12. I believe that it shows how continued pressure against an enemy weakness can be exploited for a long time, allowing a slow moving, but steady attack against the isolated enemy king. Enjoy:)

1. d4

As usual, my standard.

1... d5

Nf6 is also very playable.

1 comment

2. Nf3

Ive been playing around with this move, as it allows a transposition into the QGA (one of my standards) while also preparing 0-0 a little faster than the "normal" response of 2. c4.

2... f5

Here, the first thought I had was that my opponent's name was very fitting. I can tell that he plans to dominate e4 and that Nf6 is coming very soon. I must admit, at this point I was a little concerned. My opponent is stronger than I, and I am now out of my "book".

3. Bf4

Developing my dark squared bishop in such a way that I can play e3. I really don't have a sense of where this game is going yet, but realize that maintaining my lead in development should be one of my priorities.

3... e6

?! I really expected Nf6. While it is still very early, start keeping an eye on black's light squared bishop. It is very weak, and needs to be exploited.

4. e3

I also considered Nbd2, with the idea of playing Rc1 and then pushing my c pawn. I opted for e3, however, as it hastens castling.

4... Bd6

Black finally develops a piece, and begs me to exchange it off. As my own dark squared bishop is somewhat threatened by an aggressive (yet risky) play of g5, I opt to oblige him. In doing so, black is faced with the decision of re-taking with his queen or c pawn, and either way his resulting position will be somewhat unbalanced.

5. Bxd6 Qxd6

He chooses to re-take with his queen. It is here that I realize that the c5 square is potentially very weak, as he can play Nd7 followed by a very strong c5!

6. a3

This move accomplishes 2 things - it prevents Qb4 (threatening b2) and also prepares the threat of playing b4.

6... c6

? Not sure what he was planning here. I assumed he would develop a piece - either Nf6, Nd7, or Bd7. I see this move as accomplishing more for me than for him, as his Nb8 is restricted even further.

7. c4

Ok - time to start forcing black into making some tough decisions. If he takes, then I develop my light squared bishop with some aggressive tempo. If he doesn't take, I can play c5 (which locks the pawns up and gives me a space advantage on the queenside).

7... Nf6

Finally! The e4 square is a very aggressive post, and I know he wants to get this knight there.

8. c5

Hello space advantage:)

8... Qe7

I think a retreat to c7 was stronger, as Qa5 is a move that I would have to deal with. By making this more passive move, black is allowing me to continue to be the aggressor.

1 comment

9. Nc3

A developing move which hits his destination square of e4.

1 comment

9... Nbd7

I can see him wanting to get developed, but this move even further restricts his light squared bishop. Maybe he intends to play b6? I think 0-0 may have been a stronger play.

10. Bd3

Another developing move which hits e4. Now I envision 0-0 for myself with the plan of starting an attack. Where? I have no idea, but I will have a strong lead in development which I can use aggressively.

10... O-O

Black secures his king, and obviously wants to start raising Cain on the kingside.

11. b4

? I guess I just wanted to secure my domination of the queenside. 0-0 was probably a better play though.

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