Finnerman Wins the Consolation Swiss

David Finnerman, a new face on the local chess club scene, won this year’s Consolation Swiss at the Schenectady Club. David is not exactly a new to the local area. He played in several local tournaments as well as events all around the northeast quadrant of the US from NYC to Vermont in the mid-1990s to 2000. Mr. Finnerman then took a break, according to his tournament record, retuning in 2006. Since coming back to the chess arena, David has built some success culminating in a 4th place finish in the Class B Section of the Eastern Class Championships in March, 2011 with a 4 - 1 score. My understanding from recent conversations with David is he will be captaining the Saratoga B team in this year’s CDCL matches.

It is always good to see new players enter the local mix, the more the merrier. Few have hit the ground running as Finnerman has. With a 5 - 0 sweep in the Consolation Swiss, David confirmed his strong B Class rating with the promise of future improvement. Today’s game versus Richard Chu, the second highest rated participant after Finnerman, is a short, sharp victory in the King’s Indian Defense. It illustrates why many players like the KID for Black; if White is not careful, Black can deliver mate in short order.

Chu, Richard - Finnerman, David [E90]

SCC Consolation Swiss Schenectady, NY, 24.03.2011

1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.e4 0–0 6.Bd3?!,..

Better and usual is 6 Be2. GM Har-Zvi taught his late lamented Saturday Group why this is so; the Bishop on e2, often followed up by f2-f3 and the Queen sitting on d1, make an advance of the Black g-pawn to g4 difficult or impossible. That advance is key to the Black plan: all out assault on the K-side. In the KID, particularly where White plays eventually d4-d5, Black does little on the Q-side. His whole focus is on pushing forward the K-side pawns, sacrificing something - often his Bc8 - to open lines for a direct mating attack on the White King. The plan most successful for White is to barricade g4 while advancing the c-pawn to c5, opening the c-file after preparation and penetrating to c7. The White counter-plan summed up is; barricade g4 and win on the Q-side.

The KID is not played so frequently by the world’s elite in the last decade as it had been previously. I can’t say if it is fashion or something more concrete, but a quick look at the databases finds the 2600+ players; Nakamura, Sacko, Inarkiev, Kotronias Smirin and Cheparinov occasionally playing the KID in recent years. Looking back to the 1990s a longer list of 2600+ players used the KID as one of their main weapons; Kasparov, Smirin, Grenfrld, Georgiev, Glek, Polgar, Miles, Bolgan, Shirov, Gelfand and Kamsky and they played it frequently. Harking back to Har-Zvi’s lessons again; theory is refined in the laboratory of high level tournament play, and since 2000 White has been somewhat more successful than has Black in the KID, so we see it less at the top.

All this is not important at the club level. We are just not that in tune with the latest wrinkles of theory. However with the proliferation of sources, the internet in particular, does give even the club player the possibility accessing ideas from the very best in the world. Exploiting those possibilities is a path forward for club players who want to improve their understanding of the opening. Richard counts more on his ability to create at the board than on study. A lot of the time this has been good enough to take points for the best local Experts. In this game it did not work.

6..., c5 7.d5 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nbd7 10.0–0 a6 11.Bf4?,..

Suspect from a positional view point. Why give Black a target that he can gain time by hitting? Better 11 Bd2, if he wants to move this piece.

11..., Nh5

Of course! Black taps the Bf4 and clears the way for the advance of the f-pawn. White needs to keep his dark squared Bishop on the board lest he willingly wants a lasting weakness on the dark squares in the center, so a tempo lost carelessly.

12.Bd2 Ne5

Also worthwhile is 12..., Bd4!? A possible line is; 12..., Bd4 13 Qe2? Ng3; winning the Exchange. Better play by White is 13 Qd1 Ng3 14 Re1, Ne5; with tension high in a very unclear position. Rybka says the game is equal or nearly so.

It is understandable that Black chooses not to put his “crown jewel”, the Bg7, at risk and takes another route. David was leading the tournament and a win will give a clean sweep. There is no need to court unclear complications

White has avoided the main lines of the KID, and Black often can whip up a dangerous attack in that circumstance. Finnerman no doubt sees White is prevented from playing the natural 13 f2-f4, because of the Knight fork on g3. That gives him a tempo that can be used to add to his active force on the K-side.

13.Qe2 e6

Played not only to work against the big White center. A line is open for the Queen to join the Knights massed near the White King.

14.Rae1?,..

Not so good. Needful here is 14 g4, beginning operations to drive off the Black horsemen. Play could continue 14..., Nf6 15 dxe6 fxe6 16 f4 Nc6 17 Be3, when Black has only a small advantage. Mr. Chu may have been worried about the loosening of defenses around his King, but not advancing the pawns to throw back the Knights gives Black valuable squares near the White King.

14..., Qh4 15.Kh2 f5 16.g3 Qf6 17.dxe6?!,..

Richard may have thought Black would recapture on e6 right away. Of course there is nothing that makes Black do so.

17..., f4! 18.gxf4?!,..

White now seems to have realized the move 18 Nd5, is met by 18..., fxg6+; and perhaps did not keep things straight in calculating the complicated position. In fact White is fine after 19 fxg3 Nf3+ 20 Rxf3 Qxf3 21 Qxf3 Rxf3 22 Be2 Rf2+ 23 Kg1 Bd4 24 Be3, a hard move to see six moves deep into calculations. Then, 24..., Bxe3 25 Nxe3 Rxe2; otherwise 26 Bxh5, and 27 Nf5, is quite good for White. After 25..., Rxe2 26 Rxe2, the game begins to level out to a R&N versus R&N with many pawns ending and there is no clear advantage for either side.

The move played in the game leaves behind weak squares close by the White King. White has set for himself a challenge to play very accurately to avoid an immediate loss.

18..., Nxf4 19.Bxf4?,..

The very first move is an error and a fatal one at that. White had to offer some material to stay afloat with 19 Nd5, then 19..., Nxd5 20 exd5 Nf3+ 21 Kg2 Nxe1 22 Rxe1, and with the strong passer on e6 as well as the pair of Bishops for the Exchange White is not too far from equality. After the text Black exploits the weak squares ruthlessly.

19..., Qxf4+?!

Black does not see the quick finish; 19..., Nf3 20 Rh1, the only way to prevent mate in two at most, 20..., Qg4+ 21 Kf1 Nd2+; collecting the White Queen for a lowly Knight and winning easily.

20.Kg2 Qg5+ 21.Kh1 Rf3 22.Kh2 Qh4

Black is creeping up on the White King in a fashion sometimes used by Matt Katrine, a 2300 player who for a long time was the strongest around the Capital District. When Matt had you completely boxed he in took delight in such cat-and-mouse play. Here 22..., Ng4+ 23 Kg2 Nxf2+ 24 Kxf3 Rf8 mate is shorter, and I think, a prettier finish.

23.Qd1,..

A slightly longer resistance can be made with 23 Qxf3 Nxf3+ 24 Kg2 Rf8 25 Re3 Qf4; and mate will come in a few more moves one way or another. The text cuts things short.

23..., Ng4+

More vintage Katrine! Simple is 23..., Qxh3+ 24 Kg1 Qg4+ 25 Kh2 Rh3 mate.

24.Kg1 Rg3+ 25.fxg3 Qxg3+ 26.Kh1 Qh2 mate. 0–1

I don’t know what Mr. Finnerman’s performance rating was for winning this event, a guess is somewhere in the high 1900s, maybe even over 2000. It is always a good accomplishment to win an event undefeated and not scored upon. David also played a couple of interesting games along the way. A noteworthy debut in local club play and a result deserving of compliments. Bravo!

More soon.

The Remaining Game from the RPI - AACC Match

Last Thursday David Finnerman won the Schenectady Consolation Swiss with a victory over Richard Chu. Finnerman's score was 5 - 0. An excellent result for the new club member. Cory Northrup was second in the Swiss with a 4 - 1 score defeating David Connors in the last round. This was a very good result for Mr. Northrup. These games will be covered in the post.

Continuing the story of the RPI v AACC Match from last Wednesday.

Furtado, Brian - Wright, Tim [A65]

RPI v AACC CDCL Match Guilderland, NY, 23.03.2011

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bb5+ Bd7 8.Bxd7+ Nbxd7

The Modern Benoni is not popular with the top players in the world in recent years. If White knows a lot of theory he can obtain the better game according to the experts. Most non-professionals don’t have that much knowledge, and that accounts for this opening showing up fairly frequently club games and weekend Swiss events with reasonable results.

9.Bg5!?,..

This Bishop probably is better placed on f4 where it attacks the pawn on d6.

9..., Bg7 10.Nge2 0–0 11.0–0 a6 12.a4 Qc7 13.Qd2 Rfe8 14.Ng3 c4

It is a standard idea for Black to advance this pawn clearing c5 for use by a Black Knight to strike at b3, d3 and e4, or by the Queen along the g1 - a7 diagonal.

15.Bh6 Bh8 16.f4?,..

Much better is 16 f3, reinforcing e4. Black would have some advantage nevertheless. After the move played, Black has the opportunity to win a pawn in the center.

16..., Ng4?

Which he does not take. Why? All I can imagine is Tim saw the opportunity to make threats on the White King, and that tempted him away from an objective assessment of the position. With 16..., Nc5; Black hits at e4, a common target in the Benoni. Play might continue 17

Qc2 Ng4 18 Bg5 Ne3; collecting the Exchange. The alternative is 17 Qe2 Ncxe4 18 Ncxe4 Nxe4 19 Nxe4 f5; and Black has won a pawn and the battle for central control. Either way Black has a very big advantage.

17.Bg5 Qc5+ 18.Kh1 Bd4 19.Nd1,..

Deep Rybka says it is not a bad move. The only try my electronic helper finds that might be better is 19 e5, leading to some difficult tactics after 19..., h6 20 Bxh6 Bxc3 21 bxc3 Nxh6 22 Ne4 Qc7 23 Nxd6. White has two pawns for the piece and a strong center pawn mass as well as the initiative. That is good compensation, but is it enough?

19..., b5

Also worthwhile is 19..., h6 20 Bh4 b5.

20.axb5?,..

The motivating idea for White was maybe to relieve some pressure on e4. This seems to be an example of the cure being worse than the disease. True the Re8 is taken away from the e-file, however the unfettered access the Rook has on the a-file is a serious positional plus for Black. Best for White may be 20 f5, reconnecting the Bg5 with the critical sector and stubbornly waiting for Black to find a winning try. If 20..., b5 21 Rc1 Nge5 22 fxg6 fxg6 23 Ne3, and while Black is better, a clear win is not yet evident.

20..., axb5 21.Rxa8 Rxa8 22.h3,..

White is tired of having so many dangerous Black pieces hanging around his King and pushes one away. An attempt to distract Black from continuing his initiative on the Q-side is 22 Bd7!?, then if 22..., Ra1? 23 Bxd6, is strong. On 22 Bd7, Black would have to find 22..., Bf6; to keep his advantage. After the exchange of Bishops Black retains the edge.

22..., Ngf6 23.Ne2?,..

A miscalculation in a bad position perhaps, or White realized the normal try 23 Nc3 b4 24 Ne2 Be3 25 Qc2 Ra2 26 Qb1 Qa7 27 Qc2 c3 28 Nf1 Qf2; offers no real hope beyond getting to play some more moves. The end is quick now.

23..., Nxe4 24.Qxd4,..

If 24 Qc2 Qxd5; and White is in poor shape entirely.

24..., Ng3+!

The point. If now 25 Kg1 Nxe2+; forking the King and Queen.

25.Kh2 Nxf1+ 26.Kg1 Ng3 27.Qxc5 Nxc5 28.Kf2,..

If 28 Nxc3 Ra1; wins more material.

28..., Nge4+

Black has a won game. A workman like performance by Mr. Wright. The game may have gone on for a move or two more. Other games were ending at this moment and I was away getting moves to those games and did not see the resignation and handshake.

The Adomako - Perry game was the last to finish, and a hard fought game it was where both sides had chances.

Adomako, Ronald - Perry, Glen [B95]

RPI v AACC CDCL Match Guilderland, NY, 23.03.2011

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4,..

Once upon a time this was leading edge theory in the Sicilian Najdorf. This particular variation was often used by the late former World Champion Robert James Fischer and many other of the world elite in the 1960s and 70s. Bronstein, Averbakh, Ivkov, Olafsson, Benko, Robert Byrne, Tal and Browne all tried it out more than once during those years. In the late 1980s it began to show up less in the top flight events. I don’t know why exactly. Fashions change and the Najdorf became less the leading edge and more settled theory. The elite became interested in other lines, I guess. It still is seen at the mid-level of international events frequently.

6..., e6 7.Bg5

There are relatively few examples of this move in the databases and fewer still with top flight players trying it. Much more popular was, and is, 7 Bb3, Fischer’s patent. Here is one example of the game move with Najdorf himself conducting the Black side against Hector Rossetto, a strong IM.

Rossetto, Hector - Najdorf, Miguel [B95]

Mar del Plata Mar del Plata (1), 1962

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Bc4 Be7 8.Bb3 Nc6 9.0–0 0–0 10.Kh1 Bd7 11.f4 h6 12.Bh4 Nxe4 13.Bxe7 Nxc3 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Qxd6 Qxd6 16.Bxd6 Rfd8 17.Bc5 Rd2 18.Rf2 Ne4 19.Rxd2 Nxd2 20.Rd1 Nxb3 21.axb3 Rc8 22.b4 Kh7 23.Kg1 g5 24.fxg5 hxg5 25.c3 Kg6 26.Kf2 Rh8 27.h3 Rh4 28.Rd4 Rf4+ 29.Rxf4 gxf4 30.g3 fxg3+ 31.Kxg3 Ba4 32.h4 e5 33.Bd6 f6 34.Kf2 Bd1 35.Ke3 Kf5 36.Bf8 Ke6 37.Kd3 f5 38.Kc4 f4 39.Bh6 Kf5 40.Kd3 e4+ 41.Kd4 e3 42.Kd3 Bb3 0–1

7..., Be7 8.Qd2 b5 9.Bb3 0–0 10.0–0 Qb6!?

This move is out of the routine. Normal is 10..., Bb7. It is unclear just what Black hopes to get by delaying the natural development of the Bishop to b7, or by leaving the Be7 loose.

11.Rfe1?!,..

Now we see what’s gotten; confusion to the opponent. After the text Black is at least equal. Better for White is 11 Be3, opposing the Queen and very likely forcing Black to move the Lady again. If Black tries 11..., Ng4 12 Nf5 Qc7 13 Nxe7+, and White has won the so-called minor Exchange; a Knight for a Bishop. After 11 Be3, Black likely will play 11..., Qc7; and after 12 f3, White has maintained the advantage of moving first.

The standard prescription in today’s chess theory says the opening struggle is between Black seeking to equalize and White holding onto the initiative of the first move. If the beginning of the middle game is reached with White having kept the first move edge, in ECO-speak the position is most often marked as “+=“.

11..., Nbd7 12.Nd1?,..

After conceding Black equality, it is just this short step to giving him the chances for an advantage. Better is 12 Be3 Nc5 13 f3, with equality. The text reduces the protection of e4 presenting Black with an easy path to a significant plus.

12..., Bb7 13.Qd3 Nc5 14.Qe3?,..

White has misunderstood the position. He now goes down a pawn. The natural 14 f3?, loses to 14..., e5; immediately. He can try for an edge with the tactical 14 Nxe6!? If then 14..., fxe6 15 Bxe6+, threatening 16 Bxd7, taking advantage of the loose Be7. Black has his own resources here. Playing out the various lines seem to give White some lasting advantage, but the game would have entered a period rich in tactics putting a premium on alertness. It may be White was not able to work his way through the complicated lines and decided to let a pawn go with hopes of getting piece activity.

14..., Ncxe4 15.c3 Nxg5 16.Qxg5 Nd5 17.Qh5?,..

Safer is 17 Qg3.

17..., Nf6!?

Now Black shrinks from a tactical solution in his own turn. Charles Eson was watching the game and he asked the question: “Why not 17..., Nf4; hitting the Queen and g2?” My answer was: “Tactics!” I had not looked hard enough to reach a conclusion about the outcome, but the outline of variation was there; 17..., Nf4 18 Qg4 Nxg2 19 Nxe6. What happens then takes careful calculation. One line of play is; 19..., Bf6 20 Nxe1 Nxf8 21 Nd7 Qd8; and the Ne1 has his retreat secure through f3. The position after 21..., Qd8; favors Black heavily. A Bishop on the h1-a8 diagonal with a Knight landing on f3 eventually makes the position of the White King very, very dangerous. Coupled with a pawn plus, the chance to harass the White King is enough to claim a winning advantage. The game move keeps a substantial edge without much risk, but it delays the win by several moves and allows chances for Black to go wrong as we will see in the game. That is the most powerful argument for bearing down to calculate precisely tactical opportunities.

18.Qh4 d5 19.Ne3 Qc7 20.Bc2 Ne4 21.Qh5 g6 22.Qh6 Bg5 23.Qh3 Bc8?!

A questionable move that neglects the development principle. Trying to find moves on general principles without concrete calculation is rightly suspect. However, principles do provide guideposts for the search for right move and are ignored at our peril. In this instance completing development with 23..., Rad8; is sensible. The text makes the obvious threat 24 e4, winning the Ne4.

24.Nf3 e5 25.g4 Bxe3 26.Rxe3 Nf6?

With 26..., h5; Black threatens to collect a second pawn. Then White would have to follow the line; 27 Bxe4 dxe4 28 Ng5 Bxg4 29 Qg2 f6 30 Nxe4 Rad8; and Black has maintained his advantage and obtained the favorable Bishop versus Knight imbalance as well as control of the d-file.

27.Nxe5,..

Most of the advantage Black accumulated is gone. White has not quite reached equality but he is close.

27..., Re8?

This is an over-refinement. Directly 27..., d4; eliminates the weak point in the Black position and leaves a target on c3 after 28 Re1 dxc3 29 bxc3.

28.Rae1 d4?

Black fails to see the danger. Better 28..., Be6; connecting the Rooks and shoring up d5.

29.R3e2 dxc3 30.Qxc3?,..

White misses his chance. He had to play 30 Qf3!, hitting the Ra8 and the Nf6; the Queen doing that which she is best fitted to do; making multiple attacks. If then 30..., Kg7 31 g5, Nh5 32 Qxa8, and White is winning. After the text the game returns to normalcy with Black having the advantage.

30..., Qxc3 31.bxc3 Bb7?

There is no reason not to take the pawn on offer. It is true Black has a hard endgame in the offing after 31..., Nxg5 32 Bb3 Nxe5 33 Rxe5 Rxe5 34 Rxe5 Kf8; with just one extra pawn in a Bishops of the same color with Rooks ending, but there is winning potential.

32.h3?,..

By playing 32 Bb3, White would have made some headway towards full equality.

32..., Rac8 33.Bb3 Bd5 34.Re3?,..

The chess imagination of Mr. Adomako just was not working in this phase of the game. Here 34 Nd7! Rxe2 35 Nxf6+ Kg7 36 Rxe2 Bxb3 37 Ne8+ Kf8 38 axb3 Rxe8; and the pawn endgame is equal. The routine text gives Black the opportunity to force a winning pawn ending.

32..., Bxb3 35.axb3 Nd5 36.Nd7 Rxe3 37.fxe3 Rxc3 38.g5 Rxb3 39.e4 Nf4 40.Nf6+ Kg7 41.Kh2,..

Even after the better 41 h4, White is lost. That is because the White Rook can’t go to c1 due to the Knight fork on e2. The active posting of the Black pieces stifle whatever hopes White has. For this reason I saw no point to attaching a query to White’s move 41.

41..., Rxh3+ 42.Kg1 Rg3+ 43.Kh2 Rxg5 44.Nd7 Rg2+ 45.Kh1 Re2 46.Rxe2 Nxe2 47.Kg2 Nd4 48.Kg3 a5 49.Kf4 b4 50.Nc5 Ne6+ 0–1

Although there were some bobbles in the middle game, Mr. Perry played the concluding moves from move 34 with accuracy and admirable energy.

More soon.

The CDCL Match - RPI v AACC

Next Wednesday, March 30 the second lecture for new players will be held at the Union Presbyterian Church on Route 20, Guilderland, NY for the Albany Area Chess Club. Doors open at 7:00pm and the lecture will get underway at 7:30. The plan is to do a few position memory exercises and to examine one or more interesting positions. Last month we ended up with eight folks attending. All are welcome.

On Wednesday, March 23, the RPI team played a CDCL match with the AACC team at the at the AACC site. The Albany Club won 4 - 0. In contrast to their match with the Schenectady Geezers, RPI did not have near as many winning chances in this contest. That makes sense as the AACC team is more highly rated than are the Geezers.

I am not sure of the board numbers other than that Dean Howard and Carlos Varela were on the first board.

Howard, Dean - Varela, Carlos [B22]

AACC v RPI CDCL Match Guilderland, NY, 23.03.2011

This was a game that appeared more exciting while it was played than it is when checked over with the computer.

1.e4 c5 2.c3 g6 3.d4 b6

White is already looking a bit better. If Black wants to avoid trouble 3..., cxd4; is the move to play.

4.Be3 d6?

This is too much provocation. Better 4..., Qc7; or 4..., Bb7.

5.dxc5 bxc5?

Losing significant material. Making the best of a bad situation with 5..., dxc5; is correct. After 6 Qxd8+, White is clearly better but the game is not lost.

6.Qd5 Qb6

Carlos is a creative player with the ability to find moves in tough positions. My guess is he did not know quite enough about the line played and now was improvising. He thought long about this move. Watching I was uncertain here about whether just what is going on. Was this whole line some slightly offbeat trap, or had Mr. Varela just erred when capturing with the b-pawn?

7.Qxa8,..

Dean did spend some time calculating here but not so much as to indicate he worked out all the lines to a finish. I am sure one factor made going for the material reasonably easy was after he gets the Rook, the worst case is White might have to let his Queen go for a minor piece. With a Rook and a minor piece for the Queen he’d have close to full compensation, and there is every reason to believe White will be ahead in effective development.

7..., e6

I expected 7..., Qxb2; here. Then 8 Bb5+ Qxb5 9 Nd2, threatens 10 Rb1, and Black’s game is wrecked because 9..., Qd7 10 Qxb8, when White has a full Rook for a mere pawn.

8.a4 Ne7 9.Bb5+ Kd8 10.Na3 Nec6 11.Bg5+,..

Also good is 11 Nc4, straight away. Then 11..., Qc7 12 Bxc6 Nxc6 13 Rd1, with ideas similar to the game as well as threatening to capture on c5 with the Bishop. I was now certain

11..., Be7 12.Nc4 Qc7 13.Rd1!,..

Offering the Bg5 to gain time. The pitiful huddle of Black minor pieces on the Q-side and the complete absence of any conceivable role for the Rh8 tell a tale of an opening gone wrong.

13..., Bb7 14.Rxd6+ Qxd6 15.Nxd6,..

White has more than one way to win. Good also is 15 Qxb7 Qc7 16 Qxc7+ Kxc7 17 Bf4+, safely keeping the extra piece.

15..., Bxa8 16.Nxf7+ Ke8 17.Bxe7 Kxf7 18.Bxc5,..

There is nothing more to say. The game ran on for some more moves but the issue was not in doubt.

18..., Nd7 19.Be3 Nde5 20.Nf3 Kf6 21.Nxe5 Nxe5 22.Bd4 Bxe4 23.f4 Kf5 24.Bxe5 Rd8 [25.Ke2 Bxg2 26.Rg1 Bh3 27.Bd3+ 1–0

I am not certain if Lack - Katz was Board 2 or Board 3 for this match.

Lack, Jonathan - Katz, Max [B24]

RPI v AACC CDCL Match Guilderland, NY, 23.03.2011

Jon Lack has some firm convictions about openings. As I said to Max after the game, Lack has one plan only, and then Jon added “But it works!” This game is an example of the truth of that statement.

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nge2 Nc6 4.g3 Nf6 5.Bg2 Be7 6.0–0 0–0 7.d3 d6 8.f4,..

Lack meets the Sicilian with a closed treatment almost always. He subscribes to the wisdom of Bent Larson: Why trade the center d-pawn for a flank pawn? Most often Jonathan’s games in the Sicilian take on the flavor of the Grand Prix Attack; the White f-pawn heads for f5 leading an expansion on the K-side with a mating attack to follow.

A bit of hard won knowledge; if you play the Sicilian and your opponent puts his Knight on e2 and fianchettos the light squared Bishop, one good way to play is to fianchetto your own K-side Biishop and put a pawn on e6. The e6 and g6-pawns backed up by the Bc8 make the advance f4-f5 difficult. If no f4-f5 for White, the whole K-side pawn rush scheme is slowed down. This not to say the general idea of the Grand Prix is stopped cold, rather Black can make carrying out the scheme difficult, and while doing so he can find active play elsewhere.

8..., Qc7 9.h3 a6

Objectively Black has equalized at this point. There is a caveat however; White intends a pawn storm on the home of the Black King. That much is clear from the deployment of the White forces. Black has to be prepared to take timely action to meet the assault. It is also clear that counter-play for Black; advance on the Q-side, or a push in the center is not quite so forceful as the direct attack on his King. This imbalance of threat levels requires Black to be very accurate in assessment and calculation as the coming attack develops.

10.g4 b5 11.Ng3 Bb7 12.f5 e5?

One error and the balance swings in favor of White. The text gives up control of d5, closes out any opportunity for a central pawn push to break open the center - one of the standard methods of meeting a flank attack, and grants White too much latitude on the K-side. Better is 12..., h6; if then 13 h4!? Nh7 14 g5 hxg5 15 hxg5, and Black can chose from the options 15..., Nxg5; 15..., b4; 15..., Bxg5; and 15..., Nd4; all of which are equal or slightly better for Black. After the game move, Black has permitted White to isolate the K-side theater from the rest of the board and there White enjoys a preponderance of force.

13.g5 Ne8 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.Qg4 Bc8 16.h4 f6?

The threats on the K-side have made Black retreat over the last few moves. The move played concedes another critical point to White. Offering some small hope is 16..., Nb4; looking to trade off the annoying Nd5 thereby cutting down the number of attacking pieces hovering near the Black King. The end now comes quickly.

17.g6 hxg6

If 17..., h6 18 Qh5, (threatening the Bishop sac on h6) 18..., Qd7 19 Bxh6 gxh6 20 Nb6 Qa7 21 Qxh6 Bd8 22 Nxa8 Qd7 23 Qd2 Bb7 24 h5 Bxa8 25 h6, when although Black has some material compensation, two minor pieces for a Rook and two pawns, the pawns being connected on the sixth rank ensure an advantage for White. After the game move, White controls the light squares around the Black King. It is interesting to see the helplessness of the Black pieces near the Black King to prevent the shuffle of the White Queen and Bishop that finishes the game.

\18.Qxg6 Rf7 19.Bf3 Bf8 20.Bh5 Raa7 21.Qg4 Rfd7 22.Bg6 1–0

Checkmate comes soon after 23 Qh5. Simple direct ideas forcefully executed. The defender was not aware of some of the standard ideas necessary to make successful defense, and that makes the game a useful example of the ideas underlying the Closed Sicilian.

The other games from this match will be covered in my next post.

Howard Wins at AACC

Last Wednesday saw the final game of the play-off match for the Albany Area Chess Club Championship. Dean Howard had won the first game. Gordon Magat faced the considerable task of winning with the Black pieces, any other result and Dean has the title. In the first game things were evenly balanced until in the time pressured ending Gordon erred, and Dean was able to secure the full point. In this game Mr. Magat uses the Sicilian Defense to look for a fight, and Mr. Howard answers in kind with the 2 c3, variation, and so hand-to-hand combat was the order of the day from the beginning. A worthy finish to a title match!

Howard, Dean - Magat, Gordon [B22]

AACC Finals Match Guilderland, NY, 17.03.2011

1.e4 c5 2.c3,..

The 2 c3, line in the Sicilian is favored by such chess warriors as Sveshnikov and Tiviakov. Sveshnikov is maybe the most consistent user of this line. I found examples of his games in the c3-Sicilian from 1976 to 2007.

2..., Nf6

The most common move for Black is 2..., d5. It can lead to a game with an open center and lots of piece play, or revert to something like a French Defense. Black has reasonable chances in this line. The text is provocative. Faced with the absolute need to win this game, Gordon angles for a position difficult for both sides.

While 2..., Nf6; is a less usual move, that is not to say it is unknown. A list of wonderful players have brought it out on occasion; Walter Browne (of course), Taimanov, Tal (again of course), Tiviakov & Sveshnikov (the c3 Sicilian specialists when facing their own weapon), Kasparov (once), Gelfand (in his youth) and Anand (in a Corus rapid game).

3.e5 Nd5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4,..

The top flight players usually recapture on d4 with the c3-pawn here. Some very talented 2400 - 2500 players like the offer of the c-pawn in the interest of grabbing a lead in development.

6..., Nb6 7.Bd3 dxc3!?

Mr. Howard gave the opinion during the postmortem that this move favors White. Rybka says the game is equal. Very few examples are found in my databases.

8.Nxc3 d6?

This restrained move may be the root of subsequent troubles for Black. Better 8..., d5; and Black can develop his pieces normally. After the text, difficulties abound. Choosing the text was probably influenced by the match situation. After 8..., d5; 9 Nb5 Nc6 10 0-0 Be7 11 Bd2 0-0; the game looks very like a French with the usual plans; White ginning up some kind of K-side attack, and Black defending counting on warding off the attack and hoping to win the endgame with his strong d-pawn. For some reason Magat did not want that kind of long-winded struggle. It was his best chance I believe.

9.Bg5 Be7?

A natural looking move, but somewhat better is 9..., Qd7; but then Black is getting his pieces rather badly placed. If 9..., Qd7 10 0-0 Nc6 11 Bf4 d5 12 Qd2 a6; Black has avoided making an immediate positional concession, but White is very naturally developed. Black will not be able to castle on the K-side safely I think; White has both Bishops aimed there, and they will certainly be the basis for a rip-roaring attack if the Black King seeks refuge in his natural home. Given the must-win circumstances, who can blame Black for opting for something less-good but murky.

10.Bxe7 Kxe7?!

Black is motivated by the desire to not allow some serious positional concession such as a White pawn installed on d6. He therefore avoids 10..., Qxe7 11 Bb5+ Bd7 12 exd6 Qf6; even though this might well be the best way to handle the position. If the game goes that way, the central question becomes; is the pawn on d6 really strong, or is it a target for Black? For Mr. Magat that is a question he sees as leading to a drawn out positional battle, and he apparently made up his mind going into the game it is a path not to be taken.

11.0–0 dxe5 12.Nxe5 N8d7 13.f4!?,..

White has a nagging advantage, not by any means a winning edge but persistent nonetheless. Continuing logically with 13 Re1, would keep the psychological pressure on Black. Mr. Howard, encouraged by Black’s risky play must have decided here to pursue a tactical solution.

13..., Nxe5?

After this error Black is all but lost. Holding out some hope is 13..., f5. Then, after 14 Qe1 Nxe5 15 Qxe5 Kf7; the extra pawn Black has is almost valueless and White continues in possession of a strong initiative. It is hard to imagine Black achieving anything more than a draw if that. Of course, 15..., Qxd3? Is answered by 16 Qxg7+, picking up the Exchange and a pawn or two for the Bishop.

14.fxe5 Qd4+ 15.Kh1 Qxe5 16.Qf3 Rf8

Gordon put in a long think for this move. He had built up a substantial lead in clock time up to here and used that cushion to look carefully at his options now. The alternative to the game move is 16..., f6. Very probably one of the key lines he examined was 17 Rae1 Qg5 18 Nb5 Rb8 19 Bf5 Rd8 20 Qa3+ Kf7 21 Nd6+ Kg8 22 Qa7+, and White will win a piece at least. There are several lines at this point in the proceedings that can be examined. The one cited illustrates many of the key tactical ideas available.

17.Rae1 Qb8

Black investigations on the previous move must have convinced Magat that all the other Queen moves had problems. When the Black Queen went to b8, I was certain the game was lost for Black. That is not quite true. I thought it is now a matter of calculating the combinations and picking the one that wins most simply.

18.Qg4 g6 19.Qh4+ Ke8 20.Bb5+!?,..

Watching the game I was convinced that 20 Qxh7 Bd7 21 Bxg6 fxg6 22 Qxg6+ Kd8 23 Rxf8+ Kc7 24 Qg3+, wins simply. However, every Black move is not forced. What if Black varies? White still wins after 20 Qxh7 Qd6 21 Bxg6 fxg6 22 Nb5 Qc5 23 Rxf8+ Qxf8 24 Rxe6+ Bxe6 25 Nc7+ Kd8 26 Nxe6+ Ke8 27 Nxf8, but it is a long line and by no means simple with plenty of places to err in calculation. With everything on the line, no one can blame White for looking for something with more clarity.

18..., Bd7!? 21.Bxd7+ Nxd7 22.Qxh7 a5?

Now the Black position crumbles. More resistance can be made with 22..., Qd6; and then there is no immediate win for White although his initiative persists. Mr. Howard carries out closing combination with accuracy and energy.

23.Rxf7 Rxf7 24.Rxe6+ Kd8 25.Qxf7 Qa7 26.Qe7+ Kc8 27.Qe8+ 1–0

A most interesting struggle illustrating how the choice of moves and ideas can be influenced by sporting circumstances off the board.

More soon.

The Decision at Schenectady

Wednesday night saw the resolution of the last of the major local club titles for this year. Dean Howard defeated Gordon Magat in the second game of their match for the AACC Championship. This win gave Dean a 2 - 0 victory in the match. As he said after the game, it was a significant result for him, and even better, both games were interesting. This game will be analyzed in my next post.

Today we will examine the other significant game in the recent local club title contests; Sells - Le Cours from the SCC Championship. Mr. Le Cours’ win put his opponent out of the race for the title and delivered it to Patrick Chi.

Sells, Philip - Alan, Le Cours [C45]

SCC Finals

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6

The Scotch Game. It was for a good long time neglected by top flight players. Kasparov used it with success and brought the venerable Scotch back into popularity in 1990s. Kasparov played it three times against his great rival Karpov and scored 2 ½ points in 1990/91.

5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6

There is something to be said for playing .., a7-a5; before putting the Bishop on a6. Keeping the pawn on a7 has some utility if Black intends to castle long. If not, then advancing the a-pawn before deploying the Bishop, creates the possibility of .., a5-a4; pressuring the White Q-side.

9.b3 g6

The game is in the Mieses variation of the Scotch. This was a battle ground between Kasparov and Karpov in the early 1990s. Here are a couple of examples:

Kasparov, Garry (2800) - Karpov, Anatoly (2730) [C45]

World Championship 35th-KK5 Lyon/New York (14), 26.11.1990

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 9.b3 0–0–0

In the 16th game of this match Karpov tried 9..., Qe6 10 b3 a5; and lost in 102(!) moves. The game was a stern fight over small advantages.

10.g3 Re8 11.Bb2 f6 12.Bg2 fxe5 13.0–0 h5 14.Qd2 Nf6 15.Qa5 Bb7 16.Ba3 Qe6 17.Bxf8 Rhxf8 18.Qxa7 Qg4 19.Na3 h4 20.Nc2 h3 21.Bh1 Ne4 22.a4 Nc3 23.Rae1 Ne2+ 24.Rxe2 Qxe2 25.Nb4 d5 26.cxd5 cxd5 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.Nxd5 Qc2 29.Qa6+ Kd7 30.Ne3 Qe4 31.Rc1 Rb8 32.Qf1 Rxb3 33.Qxh3+ Kd8 34.Qh5 Kc8 35.Qd1 Rxe3 36.fxe3 Qxe3+ 37.Kh1 Qe4+ 38.Kg1 Qe3+ 39.Kh1 Qe4+ 40.Kg1 Rd8 ½–½

Kasparov, Garry (2770) - Karpov, Anatoly (2730) [C45]

Tilburg Tilburg (14), 1991

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 Ba6 9.b3 g6 10.f4 f6 11.Ba3 Qf7 12.Qd2 Nb6 13.c5 Bxf1 14.cxb6 axb6 15.e6 dxe6 16.Bxf8 Rd8 17.Qb2 Bxg2 18.Qxg2 Kxf8 19.Qxc6 Rd6 20.Qc3 Kg7 21.Nd2 Rhd8 22.0–0–0 Qe8 23.Qxc7+ R8d7 24.Qc2 Qb8 25.Nc4 Rd5 26.Qf2 Qc7 27.Qxb6 Qxf4+ 28.Qe3 Qg4 29.Rdg1 Qh4 30.Rg3 e5 31.Rh3 Qg4 32.Rg1 Rd1+ 33.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 34.Kb2 h5 35.Rg3 Qh1 36.Qf2 h4 37.Qg2 Qxg2+ 38.Rxg2 g5 39.a4 Kg6 40.a5 e4 41.b4 h3 42.Rg3 Rh7 43.a6 f5 44.Ra3 1–0

10.Bb2,..

More common is 10 f4.

10..., Bg7 11.g3,..

Although this development seems slow compared to f2-f4 immediately, it has been used by several world class players; Ponomariov, Rublevski and Movsesian among others.

10..., Nb6 12.Bg2 0–0 13.0–0 Rfe8 14.Re1 Rab8 15.Bc3,..

A natural reaction to the small tactical threat the Rb8 poses to the Bb2.

15..., d5

Black has gotten to advance the d-pawn to d5, a thematic move that is necessary if Black is to equalize. White has not advanced the f-pawn to f4, a problematic move; it secures a large space advantage for White but often leaves holes behind it that Black plans to exploit. The position is full of tension; the e-file and the point e5, the f1-a6 diagonal and the point c4 and the h1-a8 diagonal and the points d5 and c6, are all pivots for the schemes of the opponents.

16.Nd2 Rbd8

Black decides to reinforce d5. This is in anticipation of something like Qe2-f3, breaking the pin and increasing the pressure on the Black center.

17.Bb2,..

Not a bad move, but I don’t see how it advances the White cause. More in line with what the best in the world play are the moves; 17 f4, or 17 a4. Both grab space and keep the tension high. The text allows Black a chance to take the initiative.

17..., Bc8

And Black turns away from that chance. It is logical to try 17..., dxc4; then if 18 Nxc4 Qb4 19 Rac1 Bxc4 20 bxc4 Rd2 21 Bc3 Rxe2 22 Bxb4 R8xe5 23 Red1 h5; and Black has an extra pawn (24 Bxc6 Rxa2) but White has the Bishop pair. The position that comes about is very tactical requiring Black to ready to sacrifice material to stay even; the Knight on the a-file may be given up to convert to a R+2B versus 2R ending. It is hard to blame Le Cours for looking elsewhere given the complications of this the sharpest line. White now has the initiative.

18.Rac1 Be6 19.f4,..

After delaying this space grab to avoid giving Black chances for counter-play, White does it now when there is another option; 19 cxd5. That move leads to a different game where his chances are equal to Black’s.

19..., Qd7?

Black misreads the situation. He should be playing to devalue the White Q-side. To that end; 19..., dxc5; is correct. If a) 20 Nxc4 Nxc4 21 bxc4 Qc5+ 22 Qe3 Bf8; looks promising for Black, and b) 20 bxc4 Qc5+ 21 Kh1 Bg4 22 Nb3 Bxe2 23 Nxc5 Rd2 24 Rb1 Bxc4 25 Bxc6 Rc8; to leave open a retreat for the Rook on the second rank if needed, 26 a4 Bd5+ 27 Bxd5 Rxd5; with the fight still going on at full bore. After the text move

White has the advantage. The Black pieces are pushed back into a cramped defensive position with few obvious ways to break out.

20.Red1 Bf8 21.c5 Nc8 22.Ne4 Bg7 23.Bf3!?,..

Worth consideration is 23 Qf2, or 23 Qf1, contemplating starting some tactical action on the K-side with h2-h3 and g3-g4, or perhaps g3-g4 immediately in combination with Ne4-f6+. The forced capture by the Bg7 on f6 brings a pawn to f6 setting up mating possibilities on g7 for the White Queen. White gathered some positional trumps after Black’s error on move 19. It is reasonable to think about converting them into something more tangible with tactics aimed at the Black King. The text move, while not bad, lets go of some of White’s advantage.

23..., Bf5 24.g4 Bxe4 25.Bxe4 Qe7

The net result of Mr. Sells choice is there is no White pawn on f6 with the concomitant possibility of a mating attack. The game is approaching equality. Black has relieved his crowding by trading material and gotten rid of his less-good Bishop. White still enjoys some extra space, and he has no glaring weakness. He should be able to face the looming time trouble with confidence; both players have just under fifteen minutes remaining of their allotted time.

26.Bf3 f6 27.Re1 fxe5 28.fxe5 Qe6 29.Bd4 Bh6 30.Rc3 Ne7 31.Qg2 Bf4 32.Bd1 g5

The combatants have worked hard at their game over the past few moves. Their clocks were now under five minutes each, and there are many moves to be made before a decision is reached.

33.Bc2 Ng6?

The first real tactical mistake. White has lined his pieces up aimed at the Black King in his fortress. The error is the move allows White to now pry open access to the castled position. Better for Black is just about anything else that does not loosen the blockade on e6, such as 33..., h6; trying to hold on, or 33..., h5; wishing for 34 gxh5 Nf5; giving up the blockade only to trade off White’s light squared Bishop. Both options mentioned favor White but not by so much as after the text.

34.Bf5!,..

While watching the game I did not see this move. The moves were coming fairly quickly by this point in the contest. When Philip made it I thought first this is very strong, and then, we will have a playoff again for the Schenectady title.

34..., Qe7

The other try is 34..., Qf6 35 exf6 Rxe1+ 36 Kf2 Nh4 37 Kh3 Rde8 38

Qd3 Bxh2 39 Bxh7+ Kf8 40 Be3 R8xe3 41 Qxe3 Rxe3 42 Rxe3, and the game is won for White with a full Rook extra.

35.e6?!,..

Not the forceful and best 35 Bxg6, why? This is one of the rare times when Mr. Sells does not perform exceptionally well in time pressure. I’ve had the pleasure of watching him carry out several “dances along the precipice” with nothing much more than the time delay for thinking. On this occasion he errs and plays his moves in the wrong order. Better first 35 Bxg6, then 35..., hxg6 36 e6 Rf8 37 Qh3 Rf6 38 Qh6 Qg7 39 Qxg7 Kxg7 40 e7 Re8 41 Re6, and White again gains a full Rook.

35..., Nh4 36.Qf2?,..

With 36 Qc2, right away White retains a considerable advantage. The game move gives Black another tempo with which to work.

35..., Rf8 37.Qc2 h5?!

A shortness of thinking time affects Black as well. A little better is 37..., Rb8; but the prospects for Black are grim.

38.Bg6?,..

This mistake throws away all the residual advantage White had. Correct and good enough to win is 38 Rh3 Rb8 39 Rf1 Rb4 40 Rxh4 Rxd4 41 Rxh5 Rd2 42 Bh7+ Kh8 43 Qc3+ d4 44 Bg6+ Kg7 45 Qxd2 Bxd2 46 Rh7+, recovering the Queen and coming out the Exchange and a pawn to the good. It is worth the effort to study the alternatives for Black and work out the winning lines for White here. Of course neither participant had time to look at the details, they were playing almost solely on instinct now.

38..., hxg4 39.Bf7+ Rxf7 40.exf7+ Qxf7 41.Qe2 Nf3+

White has gathered in a material advantage but at the cost of allowing the Black pieces to close with the White King.

42.Rxf3,..

This the correct use of extra material when you are under serious pressure, return it.

42..., gxf3 43.Qf2?,..

Another mistake. White is in some trouble after 43 Qxf3, but it is not yet fatal.

42..., g4?

Giving White a chance to hold. Better is 42..., Qh5; then White is lost.

44.Kh1?,..

Almost the final error. Better 44 Qh4

42..., Re8?

Again 42..., Qh5; is best.

45.Rg1?

If 45 Rxe8+ Qxe8 46 Qh4 Qe6 47 Qh8+, Black just might have to concede the draw, the Bf4 is vulnerable to the checking Queen, but there was really no time now. White’s flag fell here. Black could now continue 45..., Qh5; and White is helpless against the threat 46..., Re2.

The worst aspects of the sudden death time control were shown in the final moves of this game. After an opening in a theoretical important variation, and a middle game with interesting moments, the finale was marred by reciprocal errors in mutual time trouble. Nevertheless, this was an exciting contest. It gave the Schenectady title to maybe the youngest winner yet, Patrick Chi, and was very entertaining to watch. There was certainly no lack of fighting spirit in it.

More soon.

The RPI Geezers Match

Last Thursday was, I believe, the first match in this year’s Capital District Chess League for Schenectady’s second team, the Geezers. The final result was a lopsided win for the Geezers 3 ½ - ½. If you play through the following games, it becomes clear for most of the match the higher rated Schenectady team was not dominating at all.

I am not going to try to make a detailed analysis of each game, just some light notes, otherwise falling behind in getting out interesting local games is all too likely.

Varelo, Carlos - Mockler, Michael [D15]

Board 1 - RPI v Geezers Schenectady, NY, 10.03.2011

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 a6 4.a4 Nf6 5.Nf3,..

Mockler uses the 3..., a6; line as his universal answer in the Slav. Pushing the White pawn to a4 is not a common move.

5..., g6 6.Bf4 Bg7 7.e3 0–0 8.h3 Ne4 9.Bd3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Nd7 11.0–0 Nf6 12.Qc2 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Nd5

More in tune with the basic ideas in the Slav is 13..., dxc5 14 Bxc5 Bf5; with advance .., b7-b5; following soon. By delaying that thematic operation Black soon has troubles.

14.Be5 Qa5 15.Rfc1 Bxe5 16.Nxe5 Kg7 17.Nxf7?!,..

With the logical 17 e4, White could have cemented his advantage. After 17..., Nf6 18 Rab1, getting the Black Q-side pieces out and working will be difficult without creating pawn weaknesses there. With the game move White goes for complications and tactics.

17..., Rxf7 18.e4 Nf6 19.Bxf7 Kxf7 20.Qe2 Qh5

Mockler had offered a draw a few moves before this. This is another, this time non-verbal, draw offer. Black is at least equal now.

21.f3 Qg5 22.Kh2 Nh5 23.Qf2 Nf4 24.Rc2 Qf6 25.Rd1 Be6 26.c4 Rd8 27.d5 Bc8

Black has been luring the White center forward believing it will be weaker once advanced.

28.Rcd2 cxd5 29.cxd5 Qd6 30.Kh1 Kg8 31.Qe3 Qe5 32.Qb3 Kg7 33.Qb6 Qd6 34.Qd4+ e5!?

Tempting White into a tricky situation on the d-file

35.dxe6+,..

And White bites on the bait. Better 35 Qb2, and White has some advantage. His pressure on the b-file and the possibility of shifting the doubled Rooks to the c-file will require Black to play very well to avoid the loss. White had to calculate at least two options; a) 35 dxe6+, and b) 35 Qb2. Option a) is not too hard, but there is a bit of an optical illusion buried in it

35..., Qxd4 36.e7?

A fatal miscalculation. Necessary is 36 Rxd4 Rxd4 37 Rxd4 Nxe6; when the R+P versus B&N ending favors White by a little bit. It is not so much the material imbalance, rather it is the distribution of material; White has four to two pawns on the K-side. The Black pawn majority on the other side of the board is not particularly well placed to force a passed pawn. Neither Rybka nor I see anything clearly winning for White, but on the other hand, finding an active plan for Black is not easy work.

White was so tempted by the attractive idea of forcing through his central passed pawn his sense of danger failed him.

36...,Qxd2 37.exd8Q?,..

Hopeless but marginally better is 37 Rxd2 Re8 38 Rd8 Rxe7 39 Rxc8, when with only a pawn for a piece White is lost. The game, however, could go on for many more moves. White had obviously not noticed the mate threat.

37..., Qxg2# 0–1

Phillips, John - Furtato, Brian [D02]

Board 2 - CDCL Match RPI V Geezers Schenectady, NY, 15.03.2011

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5 3.dxc5 Nc6 4.c4 e6 5.Bg5 f6 6.Bh4 Bxc5 7.e3 Nge7 8.Nc3 0–0 9.Be2 d4 10.exd4 Nxd4 11.0–0 Nef5 12.Bg3 Nxg3 13.hxg3 e5

The opening is one of the sidelines of the double QP Openings. The net result of the participant’s creativity at the board is Black has slightly the better position.

14.Nxd4 Bxd4 15.Qb3 Qb6 16.Bf3 Bxc3

Black decides his best course is to put pressure on the c-pawn.

17.Qxc3 Be6 18.c5 Qc7 19.b4 Rac8

Black is single minded in pursuit of his plan. Two other options are: a) 19..., Rad8; 20 Rfd1 f5; or b) 19..., f5; straight away.

20.a4 Rfd8 21.Rfd1 Bf7 22.Bg4,..

Now we see the utility of 19/20..., f5. With the game move White nudges Black towards the trade off of all the Rooks. When that happens White is close to winning

22..., Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 Rd8 24.Rxd8+ Qxd8 25.b5 Qd5?

Black passes on his last chance; 25..., g6; preparing 26..., f5; offers some hope. A guess is Black was reluctant on general principles to put pawns on squares the same color as his own Bishop. There are times when general principles are useful chess tools, guideposts to finding the correct idea and move. In this position concrete calculation had to take precedence over generalities. White on the other hand can apparently adhere to the general principle: passed pawn must be pushed. However, I am sure John calculated the following sequence in some detail just from the clock time he used to make his next move.

26.c6!,..

Exactly right. There is no defense for Black since his King can not get close enough to help out.

26..., bxc6 27.bxc6 Be6 28.Bxe6+ Qxe6 29.Qc5!?,..

A mistake that misses the quick win; 29 c7 Qc8 30 Qb3+, and 31 Qb8, wins because of the pin. Fortunately for Phillips and the Geezers, the slip up still leaves White with a marked advantage. The winning process will now take a few more moves than should have been necessary.

29..., Qb3

A forlorn hope for a perpetual check.

30.f3,..

Alertly guarding against the perpetual by the Queen checking on d1 and h5.

30..., Qd1+ 31.Kh2 Qd8 32.c7 Qc8 33.Qd5+ 1–0

Phillips had the most convincing win in the match.

Katz, Max - Chu, Richard [B85]

Board 3 - CDCL Match RPI v Geezers Schenectady, NY, 15.03.2011

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Be3 Nxd4 7.Bxd4 e6 8.Be2 a6 9.a4 Be7 10.0–0 0–0 11.f4 Bd7

The Sicilian, Scheveningen variation. A piece of well known theory.

12.Kh1?!,..

Sometimes it is useful to get the White King away from checks on the a7-g1 diagonal. Here, with the White dark squared Bishop occupying the diagonal this is a waste of time. Better are the moves 12 e5, 12 Qd3, and 12 a5.

12..., Bc6 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Nd5

White must not have thought too much of his position. He now instigates a wholesale clearance in the center bringing on a Rook and pawn endgame with little advantage for either side.

15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Bf3 Rc8 17.c3 f6 18.Bxd5 Qxd5 19.exf6 Bxf6 20.Bxf6 Rxf6 21.Qxd5 Rxf1+ 22.Rxf1 exd5 23.Kg1 Rc4 24.Rd1 Rxa4 25.Rxd5 b5 26.Kf2 Kf7 27.Re5 Kf6 28.Re2 Rc4 29.Ke1 a5 30.Kd2 a4 31.Kc2 g6 32.Re8 Rg4 33.g3 h5 34.Rb8 Rg5 35.Rb6+ Kf7 ½–½

An workman like job of crafting a draw by both parties.

The game on Board 4 saw William Montross for the Geezers defeat

Ronald Adomako for RPI. I was unable to record the moves for this game. At one point I thought Montross had it won, but Adomako fought back and it all came down to a Bishop of the same color ending with pawns on both sides of the board. Mr. Montross kept his cool and forced through his Q-side passers to win.

More soon.

AACC Lower Half Playoff

This year’s AACC Championship event featured a prize for the highest scoring finisher in the lower half of the seeding. Glen Perry and Arthur Alowitz tied for that place and a two game playoff was scheduled. The first game of the match was an up and down affair with first Mr. Perry having the advantage and then it swinging over to Mr. Alowitz. In the end the palm went to Arthur Alowitz in something of an upset; Perry is about 150 rating points higher than is Alowitz.

Perry, Glen - Alowitz, Arthur [D60]

AACC Playoff Match Lower Half Guilderland, NY, 09.03.2011

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 0–0

As mentioned before, the GM types in recent years prefer to arrive at this kind of QDG position not having the Knight on f3 so early in the game. That sort of detail always escaped me until several months of work with GM Har-Zvi finally made clear that there are implications to move order. Hans Berliner, the 5th Correspondence World Champion pointed out it is useful for White to have the possibility of f2-f3, and e3-e4, available. It gives Black one more thing to worry about. Maybe the Knight will be more useful on e2. A lot of this is fashion and fashions change. Some super-GM will win important games ignoring the current trend, and we’ll hear how the Knight should “always” be on f3 as soon as possible.

Rybka sees this position as slightly in White’s favor. That is natural early in the game where no one has created any significant imbalance.

7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.0–0 Nb6?!

This move is doubtful. Doubtful because the intention behind it is not clear, and doubly so because of Black subsequent play.

9.b3 Re8 10.Qc2 Nbd7

Black in effect gave White a tempo, the result of which is White has a clear advantage now; Black’s development is lagging and there is an excellent chance White will break in the center before Black figures out a way to get all his pieces out.

11.Rfe1 Nf8 12.h3 Ng6 13.e4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Bxe4 Bd7

White has eliminated Black’s better Bishop and has more space in the center. His advantage is becoming significant.

17.Rac1!?,..

Not so trenchant as 17 Re3, preparing to double on the e-file, or 17 Rad1, reinforcing the center.

17..., Rab8

I am uncertain of the point of this move. Maybe Black wants to play .., b7-b5.

18.Qd2,..

Just so. If now 18..., b5 19 Qa5, puts a finger on the bruise in the Black position; he will end up with a weakened Q-side pawn formation.

18..., Rbd8

The net result is one more tempo given to White. Handing out time most often results in lost points.

19.Qa5 a6 20.d5 cxd5 21.Bxd5?,..

White slips just as he was about to nail down the advantage. Better is 21 cxd5, and if 21..., exd5?? 22 Bxg6, wins. That being the case, Black has to try something else. The alternatives give White good chances; a) 21..., Bc8 22 Rc7; and the coming tactics favor White; b) 21..., Nf4 22

Qc7 Qf6 23 dxe6 Bxe6 24 Qxb7, with a healthy pawn in the bag; c) 21..., Qf6 22 Rc7 Nf4 23 d6 e5 24 Rxb7 Bc8 25 Rb6 Rxd6 26 Rxd6 Qxd6 27 Nxe5! Rxd5 28 Qxd5 Qxd5 29 Bxh7+, when White has two pawns and a Rook against two minor pieces. Theory favors White, but Black is not without hope in this technical ending

21..., Bc8!?

Also worthwhile considering is 21..., Nf4!?.

22.Be4 Qd6?!

More reasonable are 22..., f6; or 22..., Nf4. The text gives White the chance to take the advantage with 23 c5, then 23..., Qe7; is about the only move for Black, and White has the advantage.

23.Rcd1?,..

Mr. Perry had just completed a trip to and from Texas, and fatigue perhaps played a role in this questionable offer to trade his Rooks for the Black Queen.

23..., Qxd1 24.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25.Kh2 Red8

The struggle between two Rooks and a Queen really is influenced by the safety of the Rook’s King. Here the Black King is quite adequately guarded making the Queen’s natural ability to carry out double attacks with checks not so useful. In such situations the Rooks can hold positions even a pawn down.

White now has to look for ways to loosen up the Black position, and that is not easy to do as the course of the game demonstrates.

26.Qc7 R1d7 27.Qb6 Rd6 28.Qe3 R6d7 29.g4?!,..

White probably has the right ideas in mind. He’d like to provoke a weakening move by Black on the K-side, and advance the c-pawn to loosen things up on the Q-side also. If he can create targets on both sides of the board, the Queen can come into her own. The problem with advancing the g-pawn is it opens the f4 square for the Ng6. That suggests trading the Be4 for the Ng6 may be the right way to proceed. The question is; when should the trade take place?

29..., Rd6 30.c5 R6d7 31.b4 f6?

An error that should cost a pawn. Better for Black is 31..., Ne7; heading to d5.

32.Kg3?,..

Now is the moment to eliminate the Ng6. White does not do so and his game takes a turn for the worse. With 32 Bxg6 hxg6 33 Qxe6+, White collects a pawn, and targets begin to appear in the Black position.

32..., e5 33.h4?,..

After 33 Bf5 Rc7 34 Bxc8 Rcxc8; the game is leveling out. Glen must have believed that the chance to create a weakness near the Black King compensated for giving the Black Knight the advanced post on f4.

33..., Nf4 34.Qb3+ Kh8 35.Qc4?,..

This move was made to cover e2 I guess. It is an unfortunate waste of time. Black now obtains dangerous attacking chances. Much better is 35 h5, entering into a very sharp position with both sides conjuring up mating attacks. After 35 h5, for example 35..., Rd1!? 36 Qf7 Ne2+?; 37 Kh2 R1d7 38 Nxe5! fxe5 39 Qf5, strongly favors White. Black has to play 36..., R1d7; to be safe.

35..., Rd1!

36.a4?,..

Better 36 Qf7, entering a line similar to the above note.

36..., Rh1 37.Nh2 Rc1?!

Black misses a more forceful line: 37..., Rg1+ 38 Kf3 h5! (hitting the tender spot in the White position) 39 Ke3 hxg4 40 Nf1 f5 41 Bb1 Be6; and the Nf1 can not be protected. The game move has trickery writ large on it. If 38 Qxc1 Ne2+ forks the King and Queen. That is something Glen is sure to see.

38.Qa2 Rc3+ 39.Nf3 Be6 40.Qa1 Rc4?!

Black again does not find the most forceful move. It is 40..., Bd5; based on the same Knight forking K&Q from e2 idea that just was played. The Queen can’t take the Rc3 lest the fork wins the Queen for a Rook. After 40..., Bd5; White must trade Bishop on d5. Black then captures on d5 with the Rook and shortly the Nf3 will be taken one way or another. It is odd but common enough for a player to lose sight of a tactical idea after it pays off for him once. Mr. Alowitz is fortunate that his position is so strong even less than the best is good enough to win.

41.Bxb7 Rxb4 42.Bxa6 Ra8 43.Bb5,..

No point in being critical of this move. The try 43 Qf1, works no better after 43..., Bd5 44 Be2 Nxe2 45 Qxe2 Rb3; winning.

43..., Rxb5 44.Qd1 Rxc5 45.Qd6 Rca5 46.g5 Rxa4 47.g6 hxg6 48.Nh2 R4a6?!

For the third time Arthur chooses less than the best. A clean finish is available with 48..., Ra3+; and if 49 f3 Ra2; and mate soon. The alternative 49 Nf3 is likewise hopeless after 49..., Bd5. The game now continues for a few more moves. Two Rooks well coordinated and supported by aggressively posted minor pieces near the White King are too much to be defended against.

49.Qc7 R6a7 50.Qb6 Bf5 51.f3 Nh5+ 0–1

Something of an upset this. Glen is knocking on the door of an 1800 rating and Arthur has not made it back past 1700 in recent times. Their next game will be most interesting to see. Glen will have to try for a win from the Black side, never an easy task. I expect fireworks.

More soon.

The Beginning of the AACC Title Match

The first game of the match for the AACC title was a victory for the Black side. Gordon said after the game he had done some preparation for the contest based on Dean’s well known preference for the Tartakower line in the QGD, and the contest followed his preparation for the first ten moves. It isn’t often at the club level preparation gets done and actually is followed. In contrast, Grandmasters often have published their opinion about certain favorite lines and feel honor bound to defend them. Seldom is that the case for those of us at the club level, and we can be swayed by new knowledge that comes are way. There are some exceptions to that generality on the local scene: Jonathan Lack’s closed treatment versus the Sicilian, Alan Le Cours’ Schliemann in Ruy Lopez and Bobby Rotter and the Iceland Gambit of the Scandinavian. Dean has been successfully defending the Tartakower against the QGD. He seldom varies. Gordon took advantage of that to achieve a good position out of the opening. Of course, a good opening scheme does not always translate into victory because you have to navigate the middle and end games to garner the full point.

Magat, Gordon - Howard, Dean [D54]

AACC Championship Match Guilderland, NY, 09.03.2011

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 Be7 6.e3 0–0 7.Rc1 b6

As mentioned in my last post, careful investigation of the databases see Berliner’s notion that holding back the development of the K-side Knight is popular with the Grandmaster class. White wants to retain the option of f2-f3 and later e3-e4 taking space in the center as long as he can.

8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7

Mr. Magat reached this position he expected. The first example my databases have for this position is Euwe - Landau, Amsterdam 1939, a draw in 31 moves. The most recent is Van Wely - Timman, Cogas Energie, 2004, a win for White in 61 moves. A typical example of how GMs treat the position is:

Kortschnoj, Viktor (2639) - Bruzon Bautista, Lazaro (2564) [D54]

Hoogeveen Essent Hoogeveen (1), 14.10.2001

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 0–0 6.Rc1 h6 7.Bh4 b6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Bd3 c5 12.Ne2 Nd7 13.0–0 Nf6 14.b3 Bb7 15.Ng3 g6 16.Re1 Rfc8 17.Qd2 h5 18.Ne2 Ne4 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.dxc5 Rxc5 21.Rxc5 Qxc5 22.Nf4 Rc8 23.Rd1 Qc2 24.h4 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Bc6 26.Kh2 Kf8 27.Rc2 Ke7 28.Ne2 Kd6 29.Nd4 Bd7 30.Rxc8 Bxc8 31.Kg3 a5 32.Kf4 Bb7 33.a3 Bd5 34.Kg5 Ke5 35.Kh6 Kf6 36.Kh7 Bb7 37.Kg8 Ke7 38.Kg7 Bd5 39.f4 exf3 40.gxf3 Ba8 41.e4 Bb7 42.e5 Bd5 43.Kh6 Bb7 44.Kg5 Bd5 45.f4 Be4 46.f5 gxf5 47.Kf4 Kd7 48.b4 axb4 49.axb4 Bd3 50.Nxf5 Ke6 51.Ng7+ Kd5 52.Nxh5 Kc4 53.Kg5 Kxb4 54.Nf4 Be4 55.h5 b5 56.e6 fxe6 57.Ng6 Ka3 58.h6 b4 59.h7 b3 60.h8Q b2 61.Qc3+ Ka2 62.Qc4+ Ka1 63.Qb4 [63.Qa4+ Kb1 64.Qxe4+] 1–0

11.Be2,..

This is a better move than Bruzon Bautista chose according to Deep Rybka. Carrying out Berliner’s idea of advancing in the center will now end up with White having an isolated Q-pawn not the big center desired.

11..., Bb7 12.Bf3 c6 13.Ne2 Nd7

Black could also try 13..., Qb4+ 14 Qd2 a5; with the option of trading Queens if he wanted to angle for a draw.

14.0–0 Rac8 15.a3,..

It was my good fortune to sit in on the participants’ post-mortem. We all thought 15..., Qb4; was a real possibility for Black. Rybka did not give the move any consideration. Playing out the line with the computer gives the moves; 15 Nf4 Qb4 16 Re1!? Qxb2 17 Qa4 Qb5 18 Qxb5 cxb5 19 Bxd5 Bxd5 20 Nxd5, setting up the questions can Black make something out of his crippled three to one pawn majority on the Q-side? Or, is the un-weakened White pawn structure in the center superior?

If White had not been worried about the Black Queen landing on b4 as Rybka seemed not to be and he played 15 Re1, my electronic friend computes 15..., Qb4 16 Qc2 Nf6 17 a3 Qd6 18 Qa4 a5; and we have a position very like the game except Black has not had time to put his Bishop on a6 yet. My guess is that while things are different in detail, in the long run it will not be significant. In the game Black Bishop goes a8/c4/a6/c8/f4 before ending up on d7 defending c6. All that travel did not appear to unbalance the game much at all.

15..., Nf6 16.Qa4 a5 17.Qb3 Qc7 18.Nf4 Ba6 19.Rfd1 Bc4 20.Qc2 Qd6 21.b3 Ba6 22.Qb2 Rfe8

White now embarks on a plan to build pressure down the c-file. The alternative idea beginning with 23 Nd3 Bxd3 24 Rxd3, is not more forceful than Gordon’s plan even though Black gives up the so-called minor Exchange. The central and Q-side pawns come off soon, and then the Knight is not troubled holding the game with all the pawns on one side of the board.

23.Rd2 Rc7 24.Rdc2 Bc8 25.b4 Bf5 26.Rc3,..

The pieces on the c-file, the Black pawn on d5, the White minor pieces bearing down on d5 and the Black Knight on f6 together make a “Chunk”. This is a term Berliner introduced as part of an explanation of how really good players think about chess positions; they see the position in clusters of pieces that are interrelated is some fashion, in other words as chunks. The chunk described is where much of the tension resides now. For the next little while both sides must keep in mind that the doubled White Rooks pose a threat to d5 because Rc7 is not well defended.

26..., g5!?

The tension mentioned above may be why Black elects to strike out here. On move 24 I made a note on the game score I was keeping that .., g7-g5; was something to look at. When it occurred in the game it was satisfying that my chess mind was still working well. However, cold reflection says it is a risky move. Calmly 26..., a4 27 b5 c5 28 dxc5 Rxc5 29 Rxc5 bxc5 30 Rd1 d4; and the threats Black has on the back rank as well as to the Nf4 keep White from playing 31 exd4. In this case the game becomes very critical tactically with a high demand for accuracy from both sides.

27.Ne2?!,..

Not as good as the sacrificial 27 bxa5!, and after 27..., gxf4 18 axb6 Rb8 19 a4, the free running passed pawns more than offset the piece. White would be close to winning.

27..., g4 28.Ng3 Bd7 29.Bd1 axb4 30.Qxb4 Qxb4 31.axb4 Ra8!?

Getting clear of the pin on the c-file with 31...Ra7, looks better. The position is still far from clear with plenty of fight left in it.

32.Ne2 Ne4 33.R3c2 Nd6

Logic again suggests 33..., Rca7. Perhaps it is not just a perverse wish to suffer the pin that motivates Black. In this month’s Chess Life GM Soltis wrote of something GM Khalifman described in the Russian magazine 64. There Khalifman said sometimes a psychological ploy can be used to lure the opponent into taking unwarranted risks; he said: “It consists of avoiding the strongest continuation to create for your opponent the illusion of an advantage. Then many opponents, considering they have the right to play for a win, begin to avoid simplifying drawish positions.” I suspect something like that was the reason Dean did not slip out of the pin on the c-file.

34.Nc3?!,..

If Dean was so motivated, he gets the first benefit. Two moves look to be better; 34 f3, and 34 Nf4. Both moves approach the idea of working on the c-file pin by a less direct path than the game move.

34..., Nc4!?

More misdirection? Objectively, best is 34..., Rca7.

35.b5 Bf5 36.e4 dxe4 37.Nxe4!?,..

After the text Black has the advantage. Time was becoming a concern now. White had about seven minutes and Black five minutes on the clocks respectively. With a bit more leisure to think about it, White might have found; 37 bxc6 Rxc6 38 Nd5 Kf8 39 Ne3 Be6 40 d5 Nxe3 41 Rxc6 Nxd5; when White has the Exchange in hand. The material imbalance is surely significant, but things are not really cut and dried. Black has two pawns for the Exchange, theoretically sufficient compensation, and the passed b-pawn has good supports in the shape of the Black minor pieces making it difficult for White to seriously threaten clipping that button. Given the shortening time, the line cited surely would have challenged Mr. Howard to find his way through.

37..., cxb5 38.f3 Kg7!?

After the game Dean said he wanted to eliminate any tricks with a Knight checking on f6, a worthy notion. Continuing to raise tension with 38..., Rd8; is the correct way to maintain the advantage. The game move heads things towards equality. Of course, the game now was definitely in “blitz mode” now with both sides down to a couple of minutes to finish the game.

39.Be2 Re7 40.Bxc4 bxc4 41.Rxc4 gxf3 42.gxf3 Bxe4 43.fxe4 Rxe4

Black has only an extra pawn in double Rook and pawn endgame, a likely receipt for a draw when time is short.

44.d5 Re2

With no time to think much, Black opts for maximum activity. Correct is 44..., Rxc4 45 Rxc4 Rd8 46 Rc6 Rxd5 47 Rxb6, taking the game to a position not well researched in the classical literature on the endgame; Fine’s BCE and Rook Endings, Levenfish & Smyslov. I am sure the table-bases have all but solved R+Rp & Bp versus R+Rp ending. Practically it looks drawn, but much depends on accuracy by the inferior side.

45.R1c2?,..

With his clock under two minutes, Gordon makes a mistake. Best is 45 Rg4+ Kf8 46 Rg2, holding the game.

45..., Ra1+ 46.Rc1 Raa2 47.Rh4..,

A better defense can be made with 47 Rg4+ Kf6 48 Rf1+ Ke5 49 Rxf7 b5 50 Rh4 Kxd5 51 Rd7+, and while Black is better, a clear win is still quite a ways away.

47..., Rg2+ 48.Kh1 Rgd2 49.Rg1+ Kh7 50.Rf1,..

It is better to go after the distant b-pawn by bringing both Rooks to the b-file, but both players are now under one minute on the clock and thinking is out of the question. Moves must be made by instinct. White is thinking of getting his Rooks to work together to harass the Black King.

50..., f6!

The back rank mate threat makes the f-pawn immune from capture and the hope of getting the White Rooks into combination against the Black K-side pawns impossible.

51.Rh5 b5 52.d6 b4 53.d7 Rxd7 54.h4 Rdd2 55.Rxf6 Ra1+ 0–1

These last moves were made in a flurry. Black checked on move 55, White resigned and his flag fell all in the same instant. A terrific battle worthy of the contest for the AACC title. Next week the second game of the match is scheduled to be played.

More soon.

News and Action From AACC and SCC

Wednesday night at the Albany Area Chess Club saw the first rounds of two matches of two games each for titles. Gordon Magat and Dean Howard began their battle for the Championship trophy. At the same time Glen Perry and Arthur Alowitz opened their contest for first place in what the Club calls the “Lower Half”. Essentially the “Lower Half” is an under 1800 contest.

Black had success in both matches. In both games we see the Queen’s Gambit Declined, Classical variation. Gordon followed the recommendations of many Grandmasters not rushing Ng1-f3 early and obtained a good game. Dean fought back relying on his great experience with the Tartakower set-up - a finachetto of the Q-side Bishop. As time dwindled the pressure White had down the c-file was intense. The crisis was met by Black with tactics. After a flurry of threats and counters, what looked to be a drawn ending resolved itself in Mr. Howard’s favor during Mr. Magat’s time shortage. An exciting game to watch played at a high level with both sides contributing ideas.

Magat, Gordon - Howard, Dean [D54]

AACC Championship Match Guilderland, NY, 09.03.2011

1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bg5 h6 5.Bh4 Be7 6.e3 0–0 7.Rc1 b6 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 exd5 10.Bxe7 Qxe7 11.Be2 Bb7 12.Bf3 c6 13.Ne2 Nd7 14.0–0 Rac8 15.a3 Nf6 16.Qa4 a5 17.Qb3 Qc7 18.Nf4 Ba6 19.Rfd1 Bc4 20.Qc2 Qd6 21.b3 Ba6 22.Qb2 Rfe8 23.Rd2 Rc7 24.Rdc2 Bc8 25.b4 Bf5 26.Rc3 g5 27.Ne2 g4 28.Ng3 Bd7 29.Bd1 axb4 30.Qxb4 Qxb4 31.axb4 Ra8 32.Ne2 Ne4 33.R3c2 Nd6 34.Nc3 Nc4 35.b5 Bf5 36.e4 dxe4 37.Nxe4 cxb5 38.f3 Kg7 39.Be2 Re7 40.Bxc4 bxc4 41.Rxc4 gxf3 42.gxf3 Bxe4 43.fxe4 Rxe4 44.d5 Re2 45.R1c2 Ra1+ 46.Rc1 Raa2 47.Rh4 Rg2+ 48.Kh1 Rgd2 49.Rg1+ Kh7 50.Rf1 f6 51.Rh5 b5 52.d6 b4 53.d7 Rxd7 54.h4 Rdd2 55.Rxf6 Ra1+ 0–1

In the next game Glen Perry put his knight on f3 early. Hans Berliner argues against such deployment in his book; The System. While I haven’t found many GMs actually saying the same thing in so many words, a review of games played show the GMs, in their practice, don’t hurry the Knight to that post so much in recent years. In the 1980s it seemed purely a matter of style whether the Knight landed on f3 early or not. Since then the top flight players hold that development back until it is clear the expansion of the White center by f2-f3 and e3-e4 is not possible. In any event, Glen’s approach worked well, and he obtained the better game out of the opening. In the middle game White offered the trade of two Rooks for the Black Queen. Arthur grabbed this opportunity instantly. The game then presents an opportunity to examine the imbalance of Rooks versus Queen. The sages (Lasker, Tarrasch, Fine, Bronstein, Purdy, Soltis) say success turns on the safety of the Rooks’ King. If the King is exposed, the Queen’s capacity for double attacks often swings the game in her favor. If the King is safe, the Rook pair can be effective against the Queen. In this game Arthur’s King is secure, the Rooks are doubled and all targets well defended. Glen tries mightily to loosen up the Black formation but never succeeds. A slip in the middle game costs White material. Mr. Alowitz demonstrates a command of technique allowing no counter-play and brings home the full point.

Perry, Glen - Alowitz, Arthur [D60]

AACC Playoff Match Lower Half Guilderland, NY, 09.03.2011

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 c6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 0–0 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.0–0 Nb6 9.b3 Re8 10.Qc2 Nbd7 11.Rfe1 Nf8 12.h3 Ng6 13.e4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Bxe4 Bd7 17.Rac1 Rab8 18.Qd2 Rbd8 19.Qa5 a6 20.d5 cxd5 21.Bxd5 Bc8 22.Be4 Qd6 23.Rcd1 Qxd1 24.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25.Kh2 Red8 26.Qc7 R1d7 27.Qb6 Rd6 28.Qe3 R6d7 29.g4 Rd6 30.c5 R6d7 31.b4 f6 32.Kg3 e5 33.h4 Nf4 34.Qb3+ Kh8 35.Qc4 Rd1 36.a4 Rh1 37.Nh2 Rc1 38.Qa2 Rc3+ 39.Nf3 Be6 40.Qa1 Rc4 41.Bxb7 Rxb4 42.Bxa6 Ra8 43.Bb5 Rxb5 44.Qd1 Rxc5 45.Qd6 Rca5 46.g5 Rxa4 47.g6 hxg6 48.Nh2 R4a6 49.Qc7 R6a7 50.Qb6 Bf5 51.f3 Nh5+ 0–1

I will analyze both games in my next posts.

Thursday was busy at SCC. The second Schenectady team, the Geezers, faced RPI in a CDCL match. The Geezers won 3 ½ - ½. It should be said the fight was closer than the score line implies. On the first board Michael Mockler was never clearly better and perhaps was worse for much of the middle game until a miscalculation by Carlos Varela led to mate. Brian Furtato of RPI made a good fight against John Phillips. Mr. Phillips exploited his Q-side pawn majority in late middle game to win. Max Katz had the better of it out of the opening against Richard Chu, the Geezers captain. Some natural looking trades converted the middle game to a Rook and pawns on both sides ending that was drawn. A newcomer, William Montross for Geezers defeated Ronald Adomako of RPI in a tricky Bishops of the same color with pawns ending. I have most of the games from this match and will get them on the blog shortly.

While the RPI - Geezers match went on, make-up games in the Swiss and the Finals were also played. Philip Sells lost on time(!) to Alan Le Cours deciding the Championship title. This result gave the trophy to Patrick Chi.

The standings with all games complete are:

1 Patrick Chi 3 - 1

2-3 Phillip Sells 2 - 2

2-3 John Phillips 2 - 2

4-5 Alan Le cours 1 ½ - 1 ½

4-5 Dilip Aaron 1 ½ - 1 ½

DNF Bill Little 0 - 2

I am not certain and have to defer to Bill Townsend, the keeper of the club archives, but Patrick maybe the youngest champion ever at Schenectady. Congratulations to our new title holder!

Completing round three of the Consolation Swiss was the game Connors - Stanley. Mr. Connors won when Mr. Stanley missed a forking attack. I am not sure when round four of the Swiss will be paired and played.

More soon.