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1. c4
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This is actually a very interesting game, right up until the last move.
The English Opening. One of my personal favorites. |
 
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1... e5
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The natural response, taking control of the center in response to the flank attack |
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2. Nc3 b6
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The fianchetto often occurs in the English from both players, though not usually this early. |
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3. d3
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Preparing the e4 push to limit the mobility of the light-squared bishop. |
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3... Bb7 4. e4 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bb4
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I have never been fond of this move. The c3 knight isn't protecting anything, it isn't exerting a particularly large influence over the center, and black is willing to sacrifice his bishop pair? Also, it allows white to develop his bishop to a good square that puts lots pressure on the center. |
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6. Bd2 Nf6 7. g3 Qe7
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Preparing 0-0-0, which I think leads to very interesting games after 0-0 by white. |
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8. Bg2 Bxc3
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Now black trades the pieces? |
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9. Bxc3 d6 10. O-O O-O-O
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And here, things get interesting. |
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11. b4
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The pawn flank attacking the king is often a good tactic when in a cross-castling situation. It means that often, the winner is the one who gets there first. |
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11... Nb8
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Preparing to defend the potentially weak d7 square, or at least be ready to redeploy his knight where it can't be attacked directly. |
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12. Qa4
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A signal that white is selling out everything for this attack. |
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12... Qd7
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This move opens up some very enticing options with the bishop being able to attack the queen pinned to the King on the h3-c8 diagonal, though it requires protecting the h3 square first. |
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13. Qxa7 Na6
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Trying to trap the Queen |
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14. b5 Qe6
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A very good move, sacrificing the Knight in order to severely limit the usefulness of my Queen. |
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15. bxa6
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I accept anyway. |
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15... Bc6 16. Ng5
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Finally trying to protect the h3 square and skewer the Queen, but I waited to long, because Black sees it coming. |
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16... Qe7 17. Bh3+
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I check anyway because it will win me a rook in exchange for the bishop.
(Black can't block with the Bishop because Qa8#) |
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17... Rd7 18. Rab1
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Setting up the rook sacrifice on b6 in order to free my Queen back up. I have enough material in hand to be able to afford this sac, even if it doesn't gain me a whole lot in terms of position. |
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18... Kd8
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????? I suppose he was trying to break the pin on the rook, but of course, this allows... |
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19. Qb8#
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checkmate.
I told you that this game was good until the last move...
Comments are read and appreciated, or you can PM me at jamesxc.
Thanks for reading. |
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