Annotated chess game

Were I black, I'd respond with 1...d5.

I'd play 2.e4, transposing into a KP Nimzovitch Defence. Seems the theory has changed on that in the last 50 years...

I would've played 2.d5, but I agree more with Shredder. Shredder is one of the best opening databases. Gameknot DB is also very good, but Shredder, I believe, is at GM level.

It was, temporarley, out of book. Actually, I forgot this, but while showing Eric, "The Deeper Chess Theory Club", I looked. And, there's a thread about really good out of book moves. gameknot.com

And, I'm not familiar with the Chigorin Defense. That's an example of why I enjoy coming across Charles annotations.

As would I, but what about 3...Nf6 which also develops?

I think it's the right choice, as well. I probably would've asked myself what to do but would think that at the expense of doubled pawns, my Q won't be crammed. But, is it worth it? I think not, so I believe that white made the right choice.

I also think it's inferior. In fact, I think it's an open position but could be wrong, so I would've left the N alone. And, I agree about continuing with development. So, I would've answered with 4...Nf6.

Agreed.

I like it a lot. I also like a 5...g6 which fianchetto's, but of the 2 candidate moves, I like this the best since black now has a nice pawn chain.

Except that this limits the mobility of his Bf4, but I don't think it's going to make a big difference, in this position.

Instead of 12...bxc6, he could've played 12...axb6, to avoid that continuation, but I don't what it would've led to. But, with what you mentioned, I have to agree with Fritz here.

Possibly Black had in mind to win a pawn on e5. I would have been tempted to exchange at least one pair of minor pieces on e5 anyway.

I feel the same way as ION.

I see why. It's a difficult threat to deal with, but black has no problem figuring out what to do.

At this point. I would have given 9.Ng4 a good, hard look. It doesn't quite work: 9.Ng4?! Qg6 (NOT ...Qh4; g3! winning) 10.Bd3 f5! seems to stop White cold. But maybe a preparatory 9.h4! would give Black something to think about.

I remember missing something like that before, and I agree that playing too fast is the reason, actually. As something like happened in a couple of tournaments at the chess club. In fact, similar to what Sasha mentioned about her former student preparing for a tournament, and not having had play in one, at the time, I was very unprepared for my first. What happened is that I played way too quick. Yes, I think it was the same as here, Flip Coin Chess. This is where you move at the flip of a coin, or as Coach Stockel calls it, "a 2 second move". Well, that happened to me in the first one, and I lost the tournament because of that. In the second one, I slowed down, took more time and won it. At a later point in time, when the opponents moved too quick, I did the same thing. And, then being reminded again about slowing down, I let them use their pace against them by slowing down, and won. Remembering Tom Walsh has slowed down and now has better results. But, playing too quick leads to mistakes. This is why I just recommended that even if it's not possible to notate with a pen and paper, he should start annotating regular game, where there is more time.

Returns the compliment... with interest!

He also misses the win of a pawn, which would have obviated the threat altogether: 10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Bxe5 12.Bxe6 Qxe5.