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1. d4
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I've picked this for annotation because I found it quite an intriguing example of how a game can turn on one move - it's not intended a a technical analysis, just my thoughts and observations. The title of it is nothing more than a reflection of the rivalry I share with my mate, Blackbaron. Although Blackbaron and myself average out at similar ratings, he always seems to be significantly ahead of me in games won. |
 
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1... Nf6
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I always feel there's a certain amount of psychology in our opening play - no two openings in our game history are ever the same......... |
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2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5
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......this one turns out to be just a standard Queen's pawn opening |
3 comments
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4. c5
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Keeping things tight for now |
1 comment
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4... b6
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Not the expected move from black here. Looks like an attempt to free up the black-diagonal bishop rather than a fiancetto for the white-diagonal bishop. |
1 comment
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5. cxb6
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Accepting the swap starts to make black look weak on the Queenside |
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5... axb6 6. a3
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Keeping the bishop's options limited |
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6... Bd6 7. e3
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Need to start developing here - looking for a Queenside attack. |
1 comment
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7... O-O 8. Nc3 c5
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Castling Kingside enables this aggressive attacking move, but black's Queenside does look vulnerable. |
3 comments
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9. dxc5 bxc5 10. Be2
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A bit too negative I now think - Bb5 may have been a better attacking move at this point. |
2 comments
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10... Qc7
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Lining up a Queen-bishop combo - may mean a kingside castle for me is rather risky |
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11. h3
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Preventing the knight from attacking h2 and f2 - should make castling a bit more comfortable. |
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11... Nc6 12. O-O
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I am very under-developed at this point. Black has control of the centre and the ominous Queen-bishop line-up means I need to keep the knight on f3 in place. |
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12... Ba6 13. Bxa6 Rxa6 14. Nb5 Qb8 15. Nxd6 Qxd6
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Still struggling to develop - the previously vulnerable looking queenside is now turning into a bit of an onslaught |
1 comment
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16. Qe2 Rb6 17. Rb1
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My past few moves have been nothing more than unsuccessful attempts at chasing away one or two of black's pieces and trying to carve out some kind of opening....... |
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17... c4
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.....but it's still a very uncomfortable claustrophobic game as black continues to advance. |
2 comments
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18. Bd2 Rfb8 19. Bc3
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Adding defence to b2 which is becoming an important position, and also a very optimistic attack on the diagonal..... |
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19... Ne4 20. Bd4 Nxd4
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.....quickly removed by The Baron in this exchange. |
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21. Nxd4
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However, it seems Baron has another trick planned! |
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21... Nc3
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Forked! How did I miss that? Even if I take the knight with the pawn I'll still end up a rook down due to black's rook combo |
2 comments
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(1730)