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1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
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Hoping for the Winawer, which always gives an interesting game, though I usually lose :-( |
 
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3... Nf6 4. e5
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I've had very boring games after 4. B g5 |
1 comment
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4... Nfd7 5. f4
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Classic Nimzowitsch strategy: strengthen the strongpoint. |
1 comment
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5... c5
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and the classic French tactic for undermining the strong centre |
1 comment
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6. Nce2
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preparing to strengthen the chain with P-c3 |
3 comments
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6... Nc6 7. c3 Be7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Ng3
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I have to allow my WB out quickly so I can castle, so a third move with this N in a relatively blocked position may be forgiven, I think. |
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9... f6
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Typical French attack on the centre, before I have got my K to safety. I start analysing some lines were everything on the f file disappears, except his R, and don't like them... |
2 comments
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10. Be2
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I considered this less risky than 10. Bd3, when the WB interferes with the Q's defence of d4, though at the moment I have enough defending d4 anyway. One of the advantages of Nimzowitsch's theory of over-protection is that it provides mobility to each of the defenders: they can move without leaving their charge defenceless. So, given the choice, I prefer not to interfere with the d pawn's defence. Also, the Be2 protects the Nf3 in the event the f-pawns come off. |
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10... fxe5 11. dxe5
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Played more or less spur of moment but critical to the shape of the game. I always like to unbalance the pawns. Also, I have had painful experience in the French of losing the d pawn and the whole position collapsing as a result ( though in some lines such as the Milner-Barry Gambit in the Advance, White offers the d-pawn deliberately). I spend most of the rest of this game considering moves and exchanges on d4 and their ramifications, eventually gaining half an hour on the clock and winning material as a result. |
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11... b6
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Mysterious at the time but the B on b7 exercises a baleful influence in many variations hereafter. |
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12. O-O Bb7 13. Be3 g6
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Even more mysterious. I think it's partly a waiting move, partly making way for a R to come to g7, partly discouraging W from playing f5 but it looks odd when Black doesn't have a B that can easily cover g7 or h6. |
3 comments
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14. Qd2
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To help complete my development by connecting rooks, support the B on e3 and not over-commit myself with speculative moves with my minor pieces. |
1 comment
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14... Qc7 15. Rac1
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I always like to oppose the Q with the R but there were other more detailed considerations... |
3 comments
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15... Rf7 16. Bd3
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Partly to provoke Black's next move, partly to create a hole for the Ng3 in the event it is attacked, partly to threaten f5. |
3 comments
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16... c4
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creating a nice hole for my pieces on d4, from which to attack Black's position |
4 comments
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17. Be2
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After a long think, I decide defence of f3 is more important than attack along the b1-h7 diagonal. |
1 comment
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17... Raf8 18. Nd4 Nxd4
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After long thinks on both our parts, this move was played instantaneously but Black was already 20 minutes behind on the clock. |
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19. Bxd4
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... and I played this a little too quickly too but it turns out fine. What I don't like about the move is that it condemns the B to a pawn's role for much of the game, its main duty being to blockade the potential monster on d5 and prevent discovered attacks by Black's Bb7. What I like about the move s that is puts the B on the long black diagonal, pointing at the squares around Black's K, if I can free my e pawn by getting rid of Black's e pawn. |
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19... Nc5
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I don't want to take this because Black's B will occupy c5 with check, allowing the d pawn to advance and Black's Bishops will dominate the game. |
1 comment
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20. Kh1
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So I play a waiting move. I decided that, despite my worries about the long white diagonal, I had it locked up, so the K would be safer on h1 than on g1. |
3 comments
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