|
This game starts with e4/e5 and develops into the Three Knights Game. |
|
|
1. e4
|
In reviewing this game, using Gameknot's database, I learned what most people probably already know, that e4/e5/Nf3/Nc6 is the most popular opening, at least in Gameknot's world. There would be a lot of trades in this game, and this game would come down to pawn structure and timing in the endgame. |
 
|
| |
|
|
1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3
|
At this point, this game would typically go in one of four directions:
C46: Three knights game
C47: Four knights, Scotch variation
C48: Four knights, Spanish variation
C49: Four knights, double Ruy Lopez |
|
| |
|
|
3... Bc5
|
According to the GK database, Nf6 (Four Knights Game) is stronger, but black chooses Bc5, which starts the Three Knights Game. |
|
| |
|
|
4. Bb5 d6 5. Bxc6+
|
I was feeling aggressive that day. I don't like to trade a bishop for a knight early, but I often will if it results in stacked pawns. |
|
| |
|
|
5... bxc6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Qh4
|
An aggressive move, pressuring the f pawn, but relatively easy to defend. But first, I have to bail out my knight at d4. |
|
| |
|
|
8. Be3 Nf6 9. g3
|
9. ... Qh3
10. Qd3 Qg2
11. O-O-O Bg4
12. Rh-g1 Qf3
13. Nxc6 |
|
| |
|
|
9... Qh3
|
His queen is getting pesky. |
|
| |
|
|
10. Qd3 Qg2
|
Black tries to attack with one piece, always a difficult endeavor. |
|
| |
|
|
11. O-O-O Ng4
|
Ah, the second part of his attack. Now, I'm in a bit of trouble. |
|
| |
|
|
12. Qf1 Nxe3
|
At this point, I could take his knight, fxe3 and provide additional protection on the knight at d4, but I must have (I can't recall specifically now after the fact) seen the potential for a trapped knight and must have been really worried about the possibility of the queen causing havoc, so I trade queens. |
|
| |
|
|
13. Qxg2
|
13. ... Nxg2
14. Nxc6 Bxf2
15. Rd2
|
|
| |
|
|
13... Nxg2 14. Nxc6
|
Black goes up three points, but his knight is trapped, so I attack and bring the difference to two points. |
|
| |
|
|
14... Bd7 15. Nd4
|
I expected him to bail out his stranded knight, but he castles instead.
15. ... Bh3
16. Nc-e2 O-O
17. Ng1
|
|
| |
|
|
15... O-O 16. h3
|
Here, I'm trying to prevent black from protecting his knight with the bishop. |
|
| |
|
|
16... f5 17. Rhg1 Nh4 18. gxh4 fxe4 19. Nxe4
|
Finally back to a one point advantage, though my pawn structure isn't terribly good. |
|
| |
|
|
19... Bxd4
|
Never trade pieces when you're behind, right? |
|
| |
|
|
20. Rxd4 Bxh3
|
Except that he does capture one of my out-of-place pawns in the exchange. |
|
| |
|
|
21. Ng5 Bf5 22. f4 h6 23. Nf3 Rfe8 24. c3 Re2 25. Rd2 Rae8 26. Nd4 Re2e1+ 27. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 28. Rd1 Rxd1+ 29. Kxd1
|
All even again. This becomes a pawn structure endgame. |
|
| |
|
|
29... Be4 30. b4 Kf7 31. Kd2 Kf6 32. Ke3
|
I was expecting him to advance his pawns while protecting the bishop, but he elects to attack.
32. ... d5
33. c4 c6
34. Nxc6 Ke6
35. Nxa7
|
|
| |
|
|
32... Bb1 33. a4
|
He wasted time on that attack. |
|
| |
|
