Saturday, August 18, 2012

Self Indulgence is always good for the ego

Their are certain milestones a chess player aims for and reaching a rating of 2000 is a definate cause for celebration. It may seem meek compared to the Carlsen's of the world rated 2800+ but still. Once you reach the milestone of 2000 you can be considered an expert level player. As it stands at the moment I am the highest internationally active  rated chess player in the Manawatu (soon to be overtaken but hey every dog has his day in the sun) and have a national rating finally over 2000.
The following game is from last year's Palmy club champs where I defeat the reigning champ at the time.

Davis,J (2082) - King,M (1990) [D17]
Palmerston North CC Chp Palmerston North (15), 24.11.2011

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.Ne5 e6 7.Nxc4?!
 Black has no opening problem's after this. 7.f3 is the main line; 7.g3!?
7...c5
Best
8.Bf4?
An aggressive move but quite dubious.
8...cxd4 9.Nb5 Bb4+
This move spoil's white's aggressive intention's.
10.Bd2 Be7 11.Bf4 Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Be7
 It had been a long week at work and shifting house and I was no longer fighting for first place so a draw by repition was acceptable. 12...Bc5 This is the move to play for a win for black who really should do so under normal circumstances. 13.e3 (13.Bf4? 0-0! 14.Nc7 Bb4+ I didn't realise at the time that this check is just winning for black! 15.Nd2 e5 16.Bxe5 Ne4 17.Bf4 Bxd2+ 18.Bxd2 Qxc7-+) 13...Nc6 14.exd4 Nxd4-+
13.g4!?
An interesting practicle try although technically black has a winning position now.



13...Bxg4?!
I thought this must be the move but again Justin is resourceful and it turns out white has some good play now. 13...Be4 14.Rg1 (14.f3 Bd5) 14...a6 15.g5 axb5 16.gxf6 Bxf6 17.axb5 Rxa1 18.Qxa1
 Qd5-+
14.Bg2 Nc6
better is probably 14...0-0 15.Bxb7 Nbd7 16.h3 (16.Bxa8?! Qxa8 17.f3 Qd5) 16...Bh5 17.Ba5 Qb8 18.Bxa8 Qxa8
15.Bxc6+ bxc6 16.Ba5



16...cxb5! A huge surprise for white who was looking to confidently convert his advantage. But this move completely changes the character of the position and white completely underestimates black's play. Often when a draw offer is refused play from both sides becomes very tense and you must be ready to enter complications. The computer evaluates a clear edge to white but going further down the line it becomes clear black has excellent compensation for the queen sacrifice. the alternative is 16...Qd7 17.Ne5 Qb7 18.Nc7+ Kf8 19.Nxa8 c5 20.Rg1 h5 21.Nc7 Bd6
17.Bxd8 Rxd8 18.Ne5
18.h3 Bxe2 19.Qxe2 bxc4 20.Qxc4 0-0
 18...Bb4+ 19.Kf1 Bh3+ 20.Kg1 Rd5
Black has only two pieces and some pawns for the queen but white's rooks are out of the game his king is funny and in danger and black has the iniative.
21.Qd3 Rxe5
 21...Bf5 22.Qb3 Bd6 23.Nd3 0-0=ish
22.Qxh3 0-0 23.Qb3
23.Qd3 Rf5 24.axb5 Bc5 25.h4 And perhaps white can slowly consolidate things
23...a5 24.h4
 24.axb5
24...Rxe2 25.Kf1?!
25.axb5
25...bxa4 26.Rxa4 Rd2 27.Rxb4?!
A losing plan better is 27.Rg1 Ne4 28.Rg4 Rxf2+ 29.Kg1 Rf1+ 30.Kg2 Re1
27...axb4 28.Ke1 Ne4 29.f3


29... Nc5! 30.Qc4 Rxb2 31.Qxc5 Rb1+ 32.Kd2 Rxh1 33.Qxd4 b3 White's position is hopeless 34.Kc3 Rb8 35.Qd6 Rc1+ 36.Kb2 Rc2+ 37.Kb1 Rbc8 38.h5 b2 39.Qa6 h6 40.f4 R2c6 41.Qb7 Rc1+ 42.Kxb2 R8c2+ 43.Ka3 Ra1+ 0-1

New Chess Club in Palmerston North

PALMY KNIGHTS

CHESS CLUB

Opening Night: Tuesday, 04th September 2012

                                    (Every Tuesday)



Time: Students: 5.30pm – 7pm

            Adults: 7.30pm - late

Venue: Hokowhitu Bowling Club

              Albert Street, Palmerston North

Contact: Mark Noble

Home: 06 3237003, Mobile: 027 3382040

Activities during the 5.30pm to 7pm session (anyone welcome)

Play chess and aim to be KING of the ladder

Solve chess puzzles

Learn chess on demonstration board

Learn chess openings

Learn about pins and forks

(With correspondence chess grandmaster Mark Noble)



PLAY CHESS & HAVE FUN