After a couple of mediocre performances, I had a chance to go 3-1 last night in the Waukesha Chess Club Championship. A win would have given me a nice rating gain. But I lost and it cost me over 30 rating points.
I am Black with the move, and was very happy with my position. I was sure that I could put pressure on the White pawn center, plus I had an overwhelming time advantage.White's last move was Qg4. My first thought was to play Kh8 to side step any tactical ideas based on Bh6, but since I had ...Bf8, I decided not to take a time out for defence and played ...c5.
But ...c5 is a blunder here as after Bb5! Black must lose the exchange!
Ouch! I feel your pain. That's the first move I saw before I looked at what you wrote afterwards. How much time did you spend on that move?
ReplyDeleteNot enough :)
ReplyDeleteAlso a lack of understanding about the position. I dont think Black is that much better in this position. White may play Rd3 followed by Rg3. White has the two Bishops and the one on C4 could come back to D3 to help with the attack.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it may "feel" wrong, I think f5 was good for black. after exf6 e.p. you could do Bxf6 and get out of the cramped positon, with e5 as your next idea. If white doesn't take e.p then he will have to move his queen and you still have gained space in the position. I have to agree with you on this one; it was your game to lose.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Nb4, with the idea of stopping Rd3 and then maybe c5 or Kh8?
ReplyDeleteNb4 doesn't "do" anything. It really allows white a free move, I feel. At this point black needs to make a move that keeps white responding to him and allows him the initiative. Even after Nb4, c5 loses the excahnge the same way it would have before moving Nb4. Until space is made, forget about c5.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Nb4 then c5 does not lose the exchange because of Nc6. What move would you suggest, "MAD Hatter"?
ReplyDeleteI already suggested f5. It is a forcing move that retains the initiative and creates space for the otherwise cramped Black position.
ReplyDelete-M.H.
Chess Dude (Where's my car?),
ReplyDeleteSay black does Nb4 with the idea of stopping Rd3, as you have offered. Does Nb4 stop Ra3?
1. ... Nb4 2. Ra3
Your move; I hope you play c5, like you offered...
-M.H.
Well Chess Dude you must be doing some lengthy analysis. Since I only view this site when I am supposed to be working I will have to wait until Monday to see your next move.
ReplyDelete-M.H.
2...Bf8
ReplyDeleteC'mon MAD HATTER!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Dude,
ReplyDeleteI told you it would have to wait until Monday.
You must have better board vision than I.
3. Bg5
Bet you miss that space you didn't create with 1. ... f5
-M.H.
Okay Dude,
ReplyDeleteI accept your silence as acknowledgment of my superior suggestion with 1. ... f5.
Let's all just hug and be friends.
Maybe we'll meet OTB sometime. I'm the one with the big, purple top hat. Some players say I look like Gene Wilder.
-M.H.
3...Be7, Mr.Wilder
ReplyDeleteIvan,
ReplyDeleteapart from your blunder you have no clue about pawn-play when you write that "I was sure that I could put pressure on the White pawn center" when you offer an exchange of pawns with c6-c5 in your very next move?!
Is an exchange offer a form of pressure on the pawn center??? - certainly not.
You are throwing pieces of chess terminology around that you have no clue of.
Advice: Go back to Marovics' Pawn-Play books, because you need it desperately.
BRUZ
I agree with BRUZ. Your understanding of the game is lacking.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you are STILL making tactical blunders that are only 2 moves deep! That is something that should have been gone 500 rating points ago.
That is not accurate at all anon. There are plenty of examples (all the way through GM play) that everyone misses 2 move tactics. For instance, Andrew Soltis points out in the very first chapter of his book "The Inner Game of Chess" that most players (of any level!) miscalculate some of the most simple 2 move combinations. This was one of the first books that I ever read and it helped me quite a bit. Books like this should be paired with a very solid tactics book. The one that I'm currently reading is "Sharpen Your Tactics". Ashish suggested this book and I am very glad he did.
ReplyDeleteIvan, if your really serious about reaching the goal of 2000 (Which I know you are!), please take this suggestion; find a master level player that you feel comfortable studying with and put in some serious time and take training advice only from that person. From the massive load of tournaments you have played in and the large amount of states you have visited just to play chess, the cost of master will be well worth it.
I really like visiting this blog Ivan, but I hate the way people sometimes bash you. You have put in way too much time to receive criticism like you see above. I hope to see real progress soon! :)
Jim Rowe
Ivan: As you are aware, I have slowly been getting back into playing tnmts after a long hiatus. I'm not at master strength yet, but plan on getting there soon. If you're interested I would like to have a study partner. Let me know.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeletePls. send me an email to iwijetunge@yahoo.com
Ivan