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1. d4
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A very interesting end game. The Bishop and Knight Mate is the most difficult of the so-called "elementary" mates and there is nothing elementary about them for a beginner player.... or even a more experienced one. It is a very rare ending but it is a very useful to learn how to do this, otherwise the game will sure to be thrown into a draw either due to 50 move rule, or a stalemate. This would be off course unfortunate because it is a won game, but one must know exactly what to do. I will deal with this more in detail toward the end but for right now lets begin: |
 
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1... d5
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I am dealing clearly with a superior player so my strategy in such matches is always the same: MUST TAKE RISKS or else I won't stand a chance. (I will probably lose either way, but if I take a risk I have at least a remote chance of surprising my opponent and create an interesting game). |
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2. c4
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In all of my wins against 1800 players (berbatov was ranked over 1800 at the time we started), it always happened in the same way: Develop a board "feature" and then take advantage of it. You will see what I mean by that in the coming moves. |
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2... c6 3. cxd5 cxd5
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So far standard opening. I was going for a Slav defense since that seems to be a less played game around here, and it takes some people by surprise. Exchange variation. |
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4. Nc3 Nc6
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Not fully familiar with this development but again, I am willing to take chances against berbatov. |
2 comments
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5. Nf3 g6 6. Qb3 e6 7. Bg5
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Awkward move for me. I did not like it, but there it was and I had to deal with it. I took my time to play my next move. |
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7... f6
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I was forced to ruin my king side protection for the castling. The bishop position was so dangerous, that I felt I had no option. |
3 comments
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8. Bf4 Bg7 9. e3
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After this move, I started feeling better about that development. Fianchetto in place, his dark bishop squeezed, my castling options still alive. |
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9... a6
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Passive, but against a stronger players, I put more emphasis on developing than attacking. I really don't want his Nb5. |
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10. a3 Nge7
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Preparing to castle. |
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11. Bd3
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berbatov developing further. Again, something I noticed a higher ranked players tend to do. More emphasis on a development. It usually creates a richer and more complex game, with greater number of possibilities. That makes sense considering that a higher number of strong pieces are involved in the game. |
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11... e5
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I am starting to exploit the Bishop's position, and I am pushing my pawns. Pawn game is in general not a good strategy against a stronger player, but that Bishop was asking for it. In addition I get to push my pawn in the center. |
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12. dxe5 fxe5 13. Bg5
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Darn, I knew that that Bishop will be a pest. |
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13... e4
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I really wanted to gain some center control and some piece advantage. I sacrificed my King's protection to do this, and I knew this. I was willing to take that chance. Note that he has a lot of heavy artillery pointed in the direction of my King's area. |
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14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nxe4
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I am a pawn up, but my King seems naked. I am sure berbatov was fine with this. I am a bit underdeveloped to boot. |
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15... Qa5+
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Here I gain a tempo move. I figured I gained a pawn advantage, but he had position on me. If I could gain a tempo move, maybe I make up for the position disadvantage and perhaps retain my piece advantage. |
1 comment
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16. Ned2 Qb5 17. Qxb5 axb5
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This was another result of Qb5 I was aiming for. I wanted to develop a "feature", namely an early a-file opening. And this is the formula I have followed in the past against superior opponents. Now my job is not to let that feature go to waste, and hopefully take advantage of it. I might end up sacrificing few pieces on the way, but I need to be on a look out to maximize this a-file opening. This now becomes my sole focus. |
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18. O-O-O
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berbatov didn't seem to be concerned with the a-file threat.... I wonder why, because now my mission is starting to crystallize. |
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18... b4
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You see where I am going with this. |
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19. Nc4
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I didn't like this move. It was threatening my King with Nd6. Also, his rook is poised to strike since d-file is clear. I had to abandon my attack temporarily and castle immediately. |
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(2013)