ANNOTATED GAME

bigpeta's mini-tournament I
rjfsmith (1550) vs. hogfysshe (1816)
Annotated by: rjfsmith (1500)
Chess opening: Nimzo-Indian defence (E20)
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Pages: 12
1. d4
Background to opening choice When playing against a higher grade player I prefer to play a more closed opening

 
1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2
Shades of Nimo Inidan but not an opening I know very well. Happy to learn though
1 comment
 
4... d5
4.....d5 seems a bit aggressive for this type of opening. Potentially leaves a "hole" at e5. We shall see
1 comment
 
5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 b6
6........b6 Acknowledge this could be means of developing bishop. NOt sure this is the best option

 
7. Bd3
7 Bd3 Looking to complete development but acknowledge White's position does seem a bit cramped
1 comment
 
7... Bb7 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4
9 bxc4 Acknowledge potential risk to king side pawn structure (if Queen was to move) and Black's control of long diagonal and care required

 
9... Nbd7 10. Re1 Re8 11. a3
11. a3 taking out any potential risk from black playing ne4

 
11... Bxc3
11 a3 Looking to take out any potential threat from Black playing Ne4

 
12. Bxc3 Ne4 13. d5
13 d5 Prepared to sacrifice benefit of bishop pair to close down the diagonal

 
13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 exd5 15. Bxd5
15 Closing diagonal achieved but with downside of isolated queen side pawns. Black might have been able to take better advantage by swapping bishops instead of 15....c6
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15... c6 16. Bb3 Qe7 17. Rc1 Rad8
18 h4 Looking back white queen side was weak and h4 was intended to prepare NG5 and putting some pressure on Black f pawn Now looks a bit far fetched

 
18. h4 Nc5
19......N xb3 Takes bishop out but not sure removing Black Knight from pressurising centre is worth this
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19. Qc2
19 Qc2 As well as shoring up queen side (and avoiding attack from R d8) White is looking to increase latent threat on king side

 
19... h6 20. Rcd1
20 Looking to compete for control of d file

 
20... Nxb3 21. Qxb3 c5 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rd1 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Qxh4
23 Rd1 Idea was to compete for the d file control but simply underlined weakness of h4
1 comment
 
25. Rxd8+ Qxd8 26. Kg2
26 Move into end game with White weak pawn structure a handicap.

 
26... Qg5+ 27. Kf1 h5 28. Qd1
28 Retreating of Queen requiresd to deal with passed pawn. Advantage is with Black

 
28... h4 29. Qd7
29 Qd7 Trying to prevent h3 as well as promoting some counter play on QUeen side

 
29... f5 30. Qxa7 h3 31. Qb8+
31 Qb8ch enables white's queen to move to defend 32......Kf7 would have been a better choice (nearer the centre)

 
31... Kh7 32. Qh2 Qg2+
32.......Qg2ch. Exchange of QUeens appears to be a mistake given position of Kings and pawn formation
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Pages: 12