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16. Ne4
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16...Nf4 fails miserably to g3. After Nh3 Kh1 I can't take on f2 as his knight protects it. I didn't see this clearly. |
 
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16... Qxc1
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As my queen was threatened, she obviously had to move. I decide (once again somewhat foolishly) to remove the queens from the board - but this allows his DSB to get back into the action. I just did him a favor. I start to lose some confidence in my position, as my DSB isn't really doing much. |
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17. Bxc1 Be7 18. Bg5
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Decision time. I spent about 25 minutes on this one. Option #1 - BxB NxB 0-0 Ne4 and we are equal but his knight is better. Option #2 - Rc8 BxB KxB Nd6 and he is permanently posted deep in my territory. Option #3 - f6 exf gxf Nf6 and there are just too many threats near my king. Once again, I go smoke and curse this game...... |
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18... Bxg5
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I choose what I considered to be the lesser of three evils. I'm convinced white will wind up with the better position. |
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19. Nxg5 O-O 20. a3
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?! Whoa....maybe he didn't see how strong Ne4 was. |
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20... a5
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21. axb axb and I can hold the position. |
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21. Ne4
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White re-establishes the threat on c5 with this powerfully placed knight. |
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21... Rfc8 22. Ra2
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White plans to double down the a file, forcing my c8 rook to a8 and winning my c pawn. |
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22... a4
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I attempt to confuse the issue. As my knight can't get to c3 without hurting my pawn structure, I encourage him to take on b4 to get my knight to b4 and looking for targets. |
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23. Rea1
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White sticks with his plan. |
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23... f5
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A gamble. If I can kick him out of e4 I may be able to get some offense going, thereby slowing down his potential attack. I can handle him taking e.p., as gxf is protected and f5 would follow. |
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24. Nd6
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White evades the danger and jumps on a nice post which threatens my rook. |
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24... Nc3
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Once again, I confuse the issue. I may end up dropping a pawn, but I feel that I'll have some good counterplay. |
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25. Nxc8
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White says "OK - prove it to me." |
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25... Nxa2 26. Rxa2 Rxc8 27. bxa4
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I've dropped a pawn, but now entertain ideas of a back row mate. |
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27... c4
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I don't want to give my opponent any time to reinforce, so I press the issue. |
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28. g3
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White stops any ideas of a back row mate. |
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28... cxd3
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It's looking like I'll still be a pawn down, but I'll have plenty of room to manuever. |
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29. cxd3 bxa3
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In post mortem, I was shown 29...b3 30. Rb2 Rc2 by my friend, and truth be told I missed it completely. |
1 comment
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30. Rxa3 Rc3
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I can now win back the pawn. |
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(1734)