Wednesday, April 23, 2008

0-5

I lost my 5th game in a row to 10 year old expert Alexander Velikanov, who should be the #1 rated 10 year old after this tournament is rated. It was an even opening and middle game, I then went astray and was worse, but later got the following chance to even things up. Here I should have played Bc4, but played Ke3 and was not able to hold.
Click here to replay

12 comments:

  1. hello iw. you dont need reassurances from me at your level, but if it helps any,

    in 1985 i once had a twelve year old girl kicking me around as a strong male adult, but she--alas--had been in karate from living memory. she wasnt strong, but all her strength was directed efficiently right at me, and i could not TOUCH her. i always remember that sparring session, and it was most humbling.

    im sure you will be back, well wishes from dk here.

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  2. Ivan Im just looking at your game now some comments for you

    7. dxe5 this seems a bad move because this just releases the tension in the center straight away.

    16. Nh4 Im not sure where this knight is going to it first went to D2 then to F3 and now it is sitting on the edge of the board where it is dim.

    23. C4 this is a really bad move since it gives black control of the B4 and D4 squares as in allows him to plop a night there at some point.

    27. F4 while this is not a bad move it isnt the best move after the line you mention Nf4 Bd7 then White should play Nd5 you have to put pieces on your strong squares.

    28. Ba5 this Im sure was an oversight you thought that you could play BxC7 after bxc4 which of course isnt possible.

    38. Kd1 the biggest mistake in the game.

    What to learn from this. This about all your moves at every stage of the game. Play with a plan in mind of how you are going to win not just lets get to an endgame.

    Practice your endgame technique it seems poor

    Jon Burgess

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  3. Ivan,
    It happens man ! Part of the game....In the team tournament I lost 3 games (out of 5), all from winning positions. Worse was my losses impacted my team's result also. Felt so bad, I almost gave up chess. But all others (Alex B, Robin, Tom, Allen..) gave a lot of suport and I started again.In this tournament I am 4/5 with only loss to Williams from advantageous position due time trouble. Who knows may be I would cross that magic line soon ! So Forget what happenened and start fresh from next round.

    Souvik

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  4. The move 1.c3 seems like a strange opening move for white. Does not white give up a lot of his first move initiative by playing this move?

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  5. Thanks for the comments

    My opponent loves tactical positions, my plan in this game was to get a solid position.

    I played dxe5 because I didn't want my center pawns to be a target.

    The point of Nh4 was to put pressure on the g pawn and make it hard for Black to play f5.

    I really didn't want to play c4, but I didn't like the pressure on my q-side pawns after Black plays a5-a4. I would probably lose a pawn. c4 blunts the Black White square bishop.

    Nf4 was much better than f4. The idea was to reduce the influence of the Black bishop by playing e5

    I didn't see the pawn sac by Black. If I had, I would have seen Bc4 in the diagram.

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  6. Certainly move one C3 is a waste of time and does give away the iniative it is a very passive first move and blocks the Knight in on B1.

    Jon Burgess

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  7. The idea was to play a slav or caro kann with an extra move. I have not been able to match his opening preparation in the past.

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  8. Ivan,
    Consider trying my system. Part 2 of my serial column is now published at Chessville. I am also interested in your comments on the system, per se. And if you choose to employ the system and achieve success with it, I will be happy to include your story in the book I am working on detailing my own success with it.
    I want to know for one if the system is capable of producing repeatable results.

    Andres D Hortillosa

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  9. ADH,

    I looked at "your" system, it looks alike a rehash of what has been said before.

    Looking at you recent results it does not look it is bringing you much success?

    Jason

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  10. Ivan,

    I doubt that a rigorous system like that of ADH really works in practical play, but it nevertheless incorporates 2 main features you should pay attention to:
    1. Always take the threats of your opponent into account: Your move has to counter your opponent's plans/threats as much as it should support your plan.
    2. Blundercheck before making a move.

    Asking yourself questions like
    - What is the last move of my opponent good for?
    - What does he want to play next/What's his overall plan?
    - Is one of my pieces hanging?
    - How does my intended move change the position?
    should become second nature during play.

    I would call that a "routine" rather than a "system".

    And BTW, changing your opening moves can be an ingenious thing to do, but I don't see the sense in playing 1.b4 or 1.c3 unless you are the far better OTB player who is happy to outplay a lower rated opponent from an unfamiliar but equal position that will most likely arise from these opening moves.

    BRUZ

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  11. BRUZ,

    Are you going to be at the Chicago Open?

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