Annotated chess game

?! Not the best move for white. At this point, I now know why you play Nc3 ...Nc6 in 1.d4 d5 openings before advancing the c pawns. Your opponents do this, as your opponent did here. But, it's not the best way to go. Don't forget that in 1.d4 d5 openings, the c pawn is just like the e and d pawn. So, it's also the center pawn. Thus, it's important to advance that as it will help control the center in those openings. By playing, this white has compromised his center. Better was 2.c4 which becomes the Queen's Gambit. In fact, that's why it's a common opening, as the idea is advancing the c pawn to allow for Nc3 shortly after.

White has the idea of e4.

True, but it would not be a reason for me to play this. The problem here is that it's advancing his weakest pawn on the chess board which is generally not a good idea. As TA emphasizes in his blitz Q sacs, where Joe gives up a Queen for pawn early, he wins. It's about why, and that's because the sac happens on f2 or f7. Therefore, the King is already exposed, so by not being weary of that the opponents often go wrong and lost what would generally be a won game. That's also why the Domiano's Defense being 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6? is also weakening. Well, although not as bad, this isn't much better then 3.f3 Even if it's in the database where Grandmasters analyze it 3.f3, I don't like it at all. Now, white must be careful with this King. Instead, I would've continued developing with 3.Bg5 to put pressure on the Nf6.

The Blackmar-Diemer is a pretty scary line (not helped by the way it sounds: say it out loud. When I first heard of it, I had no idea what a Mardiemer was, except that it was a black one. A well known attacking player tried it against me in the first of the North Island champs I played in. Having not a clue, I steered it into a King's Indian and managed to win the game.

e6 is what I would have played.

?! Not me, but I see why lake-bay would've played this. As it is a center pawn which allows white to develop his Bf1, and at a later time, play Nge2 which also develops. I, however, wouldn't have played this move either. Don't forget about what I noted earlier, when white played 2.Nc3?! This is still the c pawn which is critical in 1.d4 d5 openings. So, I would've played 3...Bg5 which develops at once and puts pressure on the Nf6.

Which, as lake-bay noted was the logic behind 3.f3 But, with the weakest pawn being advanced, despite material being level, I reckon that you have a slight advanced, starting with your next move.

The idea of this is to obtain very quick development and attacking chances. It is considered unsound, but is hard to meet if you don't know much about it.

Which is what I love about your position. Though, be it note that in one of your very recent annotations, archduke_piccolo told us to not get crazy about development. So, for me, it isn't as much that as it is about the weakest pawn being gone. Although not immediate, that, in it of itself, leaves white's King vulnerable.

What I mean is, if you have something better to do, development can wait. White COULD have played, say, 5.Bc4, here, developing, and inviting Black to win a pawn: 5.Bc4 exf3 6.Nxf3. For the pawn White would have got a position with quick and easy development, and a ready-made open f-file. A much more usual handling from the White side goes: 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.e4!? dxe4 4.f3!? exf3 5.Nxf3 ... reaching this position with Black to play.

Now if you had played e6 this would have been great! ...Nxe4, Nxe4 Qh4+! and black has won a pawn and has a great attack.

Doesn't work. White can block the check with Ng3 and keep the extra piece.

?? In fact, what lake-bay posted shows the problem with having the weakest pawn removed. But, what this comes to show is that it's really about timing. What would've been great a move later is a blunder. I agree that 5...e6 was best for the reason that he posted. However, playing it now gives white the advantage since you're going to lose pawn, and that's because of what nuntar just posted.

Black had two reasonable moves, here: 5...Bg5 and, better still, 5...Qxd4! Instead, 5...e6, would have shut in the dark-square bishop, and White would have got a pretty fair game for the pawn given up. Apart from giving away the knight for just a third of its value, moving the piece twice in the opening should be avoided unless you get something in return for the time spent.

And, that should've been black. But, one move would've been the difference.

This second move by the White knight is fine, because White picks up a Black knight at little cost in time and material both. Black has nothing to show for the piece lost.

...e5!

Actually, this move is just as good and what I also would've played.

Actually, 6...e5 is not bad, but 6...Qxd5 would have picked up a second pawn for the knight - still not nearly enough, but worth having. But I quite like this bishop move. Let's see what White makes of it.

?? That is the correct approach which gives you back the advantage. White needed to retreat, as you post below.

It was protect the knight or move it. Best was 7.Ng3, attacking the bishop on f5.

Yes, and he's trying to get counterplay, but it should not work.

Interestingly enough, in figuring out what to play I would've considered 8...Bxd3 to liquidate while ahead. But, this, however, is what I also would've played as this wins, yet, another pawn and threatens his Rh1.

Joe's idea of ...Bxd3 is a good one. Black is a pawn ahead and has a slight lead in development - much the better of the game now. Exchanges of piieces are in Black's interest. But I like what Black has played: winning a pawn, gaining time by attacking the rook, and seriously weakening White's K-side. There was an alternative plan, not so good, but worth considering: 8...e5, with the idea 9.Bxe4 Qh4ch 9.Kf1 Qxe4.

Yes. But, your position, however, is still a lot better. For one thing, even if black completes his development, his K side is shattered as he can no longer castle there. And, castling longer is, in general, riskier. And, that's not to mention that it will take white a while before he can do that.

The point of attacking the rook was not so much to win the rook - that would have been too much to hope for - but to gain time whilst the rook got out from under. Now the bishop can run off to d5, having carried out a profitable raid.

? Fianchettoing as this allows 11.Bb2 or 11.Ba3 I'm sure that he wants to do something like that, and if not on his next move, at a later time. But, this is a mistake, as you will, yet, another pawn.

Which is the equivalent to an entire piece. But, it's even better for you here, as it's, instead, 3 pawns. That's leaves his remaining pawns rather weak, while your pawns are threatening to do damage.

Black is going great guns here. There are all sorts of things that might be tried. 10...e5! would have been very strong.