A Return to Posting

I began writing this post many days ago. Some projects around the house interfered and the rush to get household tasks done before the chill and rain of autumn conspired to keep me away from my desk. The tasks are not complete but I can delay no longer and will get this post out now.

The beginning of a chess season with three local club championships in it is upon us. They are Schenectady, Albany and Saratoga. Here’s an aside; I wonder if the Guilderland Library Friday evening chess group plans to hold their own championship event? If they do, that would be four such events. I am uncertain if the Troy club holds a title event. I don’t recall ever seeing results from a Troy championship in Townsend’s column, but if both organizations did so that would make five local club championships! Whether or not every local chess group holds some formal event is not too important. Having five functioning chess groups surely signals a healthy level of activity.

Last night I received an early report from Alan Le Cours. The first round of the Saratoga event began with the following results; Steve Taylor won from Alan Le Cours, Jonathan Feinberg defeated Jeff Hrebenach, and in what can be called a small upset David Connors won his game against Ray Alguire.

The line up for the Saratoga tourney is: Steve Taylor, Jonathan Fineberg, Gary Farrell, Alan Le Cours, Bill Little, Jeff Hrebenach, Ray Alguire, David Connors, and possibly George Dipre. It looks to be a short affair and, with luck we may finish before the first of the year. Most notably missing is Philip Sells, last year’s Champion.

The 132nd NYS Championship was held in Albany a month ago. In the Schenectady Gazette Bill Townsend published a summary of results in his column. GM Joel Benjamin and IM Marc Esserman tied for first in the Open Section with 5-1 scores. Since neither currently are NYS residents, the title went to the youthful 15 year old Aleksandr Ostrovskiy from Brooklyn who finished a clear third with 4 ½ - 1 ½ score. Ostrovskiy is the youngest NYS Champion ever surpassing Nakamura and (2004) and Aaron Paxton (2002), both 16 when they won the titles.

Far below those fellows battling for the State title those of us working for the lesser glories of the Under 2000 Section had some interesting struggles. The Under 2000 Section was won by Jan Paragua and Sundar Swaminathan with 5 - 1 scores. The best results for local players were Alan Le Cours in 6th place at 4 ½ - 1 ½. Along with several others Michael Mockler, John Phillips and John Richman scored 3 ½ - 2 ½. My opponent in today’s game, Jon Barnes finished at 2 ½ along with local scholastic talent Chen Qu and others. Bob Campbell and Bobby Rotter were at 2 -4 and a name from the past, Don Dederick did a bit better than I did and notched a 1 - 5 result.

Now to my results. I came to the event feeling pretty good and proceeded to play two very bad games. That was enough for me and I abandoned the tourney. The following game was my best effort. John Barnes and I have played three times over the summer including this game. From those meetings I have made only a single draw. For years I have done well against Barnes, two wins and six draws, those days seem to be over.

Little, Bill - Barnes, John [B51]

NYS Ch - 2010, U2000 Albany, NY, 04.09.2010

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.0–0 Bg7 5.Re1 d6 6.c3 Bd7

This is a theoretical position that favors White. Database statistics show in 23 games White won 20, drew 1 and lost but 2. Only two Grandmasters; Rhode and Lombardy tried to defend the Black position, so the last word has not been said about resources for Black. Looking over the 23 games reveals nothing clear about why such an imbalance for White. The games all have quite complicated middle games with some similarities to Ruy Lopez.

7.d4 Nf6 8.d5 Ne5 9.Nxe5!?..,

Safe and sane is 9. Bxd7, and after some trading of minor pieces on e5 we would come to a middle game with a White Knight versus a Black Bishop. The question would then be; can Black force some further weakness on the dark squares in the White camp? If so, the position favors Black, if not the White Knight is the better minor piece. A classic positional debate.

9..., Bxb5 10.c4 Ba6 11.Qa4+ Nd7 12.Nf3 0–0 13.Nbd2 Qc8 14.Rb1 Rb8?!;

Better is 14..., c4; when Black has the initiative firmly in hand and White has to be quite careful not to slip into a lost position.

15.Qc2..,

After the game ended I thought this was the root cause of my troubles. It seemed to me 15.Qe2, keeping the Black Queen out of a6 was better. With Rybka grinding away for some time, my little electronic helper indicates there is not much difference between the two moves.

15..., b5 16.b3 bxc4 17.Nxc4 Bxc4 18.Qxc4 Rb4 19.Qc2 Qa6 20.Bd2 Rb6 21.b4?..,

This is the real culprit. I recognized my position was difficult, the pressure down the b-file and potential breaks with .., c5-c4; or possibly .., a7-a5; and .., a5-a4; along with no obvious attacking chances for me on the K-side meant dour struggle for me. Impatience motivated this break that opens the game to Black’s advantage. Standing pat with 21.Bf4, awaiting events is correct. It was here faith in my position faltered. Once you lose the belief that there are resources in your game it is certain you won’t find them.

21..., Rfb8 22.bxc5 Nxc5 23.Rxb6 Rxb6 24.Rb1?..,

This move gives Black a significant edge. The only hope for White is to mix things up with 24.e5, then if 24..., Nd3 25 Qc7 Bf8 26 exd6, and Black is still better, but White has some chances to make things difficult for awhile. After the text my weak pawns are targets and pieces are poorly placed to defend them.

24..., Qe2 25.Re1 Qd3 26.Qxd3 Nxd3 27.Re3?!..,

A bit more stubborn is 27.Rd1, but Black gets an outside passed pawn after 27.., Rb2 28 Be3 Rxa2; and the Black Nd3 is safe because of the back rank mate.

27.., Rb1+ 28.Be1 Nc5 29.Kf1 a5 30.g4?..,

The final chance is missed. White had to try 30. e5, when he is beginning to make some progress. Now Black winds things up quickly.

30... Ra1 31.a3 Bb2 32.Kg2 Rxa3 33.Rxa3 Bxa3 34.Bxa5 Nxe4 35.Bd8..,

Now it is clear my d-pawn can not be defended.

35..., Kf8 36.Nd4 Nf6 37.Nb5 Bc5 38 Resigns.

Excellent play by Mr. Barnes and one more example of the effect of confidence, or the lack of it has on chess play.

A report on the early rounds of the Saratoga Championship tomorrow.