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17. b3
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And the position is locked. What is it they say about "be careful what you wish for?" |
  1 comment
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17... a5 18. Bb5
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I thought this move was strong, as any retreat by black's knight gives me the c file. |
1 comment
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18... Rfd8
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Planning ahead to retreat the knight, while covering his light squared bishop. |
1 comment
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19. Rc2
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In preparation for loading up on the c file, and opening a square for my Na2. |
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19... Na7 20. Bxd7 Rxd7
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And the c file is mine. |
1 comment
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21. Qd3
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Strictly to clear room for my Rf1. It's about here that I start to realize how weak the black Nh5 is. Gonna have to figure out a plan for him......... |
1 comment
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21... Nc8
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I understand what black was doing - trying to find a better station for the knight. But I really thought Rc7 was the play. |
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22. Rfc1
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Both barrels now loaded. |
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22... Nd6
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Still a very uncomfortable place to be. I'm guessing my opponent was hoping for Nf5. |
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23. Bxd6
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A dubious move. While considered inferior because I eliminating a piece that wasn't attacking anything and was doing me the favor of blocking it's own piece, it WAS protecting c8 - which I want to hit hard. |
1 comment
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23... Bxd6 24. Rc2c8+
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And the fighting begins. I felt safe instigating here, because while I am at a bishop deficit, I own the c file and we both have weak knights on the edges. I felt my chances were 50-50 of coming out on top. |
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24... Rxc8
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In retrospect, I bet my opponent wishes he had played Rd8. |
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25. Rxc8+ Bf8
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Again, Rd8 may have been better. |
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26. Qc2
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The only good thing I've got going for me is the c file, so I better purchase it's lifetime membership. |
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26... Qd6
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Not much else to do..... |
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27. Qc6
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Trying to eliminate black's only real threat. His knight is weak, and his bishop can't do much even IF it gets out of it's blocking role. |
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27... Ng3
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?? My opponent saw the folly of this move immediately after he made it. I can win the knight by 28. QxQ RxQ 29. NxN [28. QxQ NxN 29. Kf2 RxQ 30. KxN] or I can win the rook by 28. NxN QxN. |
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28. Nxg3 Qxg3
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Another mistake, the rook now falls. Even exchanging queens would have been better, IMHO. |
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29. Qxd7 Qe1+
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And h2 serves as a beautiful escape square for the second time in this game. |
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30. Kh2 Qxe3
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At least getting something out of the deal...... |
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(1742)