Last week in Schenectady

In a mild upset Jeff Capitummino won an interesting game from Saratoga’s David Connors. Mr. Connors made the long commute from Saratoga Springs to play in the Schenectady tournament the past two or three years. He is a player with a curious record. Versus strong opponents David is very dangerous. For example, 2010 he won games from Ed Frumkin (2000), Lee Battes (2000) and Alan LeCours (1940) and drew with Philip Sells (2000) as well as knocking off more than one player around 1700. When facing folks further down the rating list, his performance has not been consistent. Connors” rating, therefore has stayed right about 1550. Authoring no less than four upsets of more than four hundred rating points surely indicates the skill is there. One or two such results could be called luck, four is a trend that the Class A crowd should note when David is in an event.

Connors, David - Capitummino, Jeff [A07]

SCC Ch Prelim B Schenectady. NY, 08.12.2010

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.0–0 d5 5.d3 0–0 6.Nbd2 Nbd7

Although the World Champions have not used the approach White is using, nor have they had to defend the Black side, many 2500+ players are willing to take either side in this argument. Long ago this sort of setup for White was called the Reti Opening (Barcza System). It was all the rage in the middle 1950’s. The recently departed and lamented Larry Evans wrote a tournament book for the Lessing Rosenwald Tournament, NYC, 1954-55. It was called “Trophy Chess” published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, NYC, 1956. The book was one of my early purchases of chess literature. Surreptitiously going over that book in my room when I was supposed to be doing homework was when I first learned of this variation of the Reti. No less than Reshevsky used it to win his first round game against Sherwin and Evans played it twice scoring a win and a draw. Fascinated by the odd early moves so different from what the chess writers I had so far encountered recommended, the Barcza became my favorite, but only for a brief while. My chess understanding was not up to the demands the typical middle games presented, and I returned to 1 e4, after several losses. It faded from prominence in the 1960s but never disappeared entirely.

Incidentally, 6..., Nbd7; is not quite correct. Probably 6..., Nc6; 6..., c5; or 6..., b6; are better choices. The Knight on d7 slows down the development of the Black pieces.

7.e4 dxe4 8.dxe4 Nb6?!

It is unclear where this piece is going, perhaps to a4 to hit b2? That is easily countered in the game.

9.a4 a5

Now the Nb6 will have to be rerouted somewhere, or he will stand a lonely vigil without purpose.

10.Ra3 Bg4 11.Rd3!? Qc8 12.b3,..

The White Rook is a trifle exposed on d3, but Connors has the use of an extra piece down the d-file. This is not such a bad trade off. The Rook on d3 forced the Black Queen to c8 delaying the connection of the Black Rooks.

12..., Nfd7

Oddly, nothing looks better than this move. The position is about level, but finding a plan for Black that offers activity is no easy task. For White it is a somewhat different story. He is going to pile up on the d-file, the dark squared Bishop goes to a3, with the only remaining question being what to do with the Nd2.

13.Ba3 Re8!?

Jeff passes on the opportunity to play sharply. After 13..., Ne5; White must be careful. If right away 14 Bxe7, Nxd3 15 Bxf8?! Nb3 16 Qc1 Qxf8 17 e5 N2xa4; leaving Black with an extra pawn and a very nearly winning game. If White tries a more thoughtful line with 14 Re3, Black can offer the e-pawn in the following way; 14..., Bh6 15 Rc3 Rd8; when 16 Bxe7, is immediately refuted by 16..., Rxd2! White has to play 16 Qe1, then Black retires the Ne5 to c6 with a small advantage.

14.h3 Bxf3

Jeff answers the question about the future of the Nd2 unnecessarily. This trade grants the two Bishops to White and relieves the congestion on the d-file. Better for Black is 14..., Be6; and the Black pieces are a little awkwardly placed, but White has not yet resolved the issue of the exposed Rd3. After 14..., Be6; should White try 15 Ng5, Black coolly plays 15..., Ne5; then 16 Nxe6 Qxe6; maintaining a balanced position. Rather than going after the Be6 White can play 15 c4, then 15..., c5 16 Qc2 Nb8; opening the battery of the Black Queen and Bishop and contemplating putting the Nb8 on a6 where it eyes b4 and overprotects the c5-pawn.

15.Nxf3 e6 16.Qe2 Bf8

Another ill advised trade. Absent his dark squared Bishop, Black now has weak squares all around his King.

17.Bxf8 Rxf8 18.Rfd1

Somewhat better is 18 Qe3, keeping the Knight out of c5 for the moment.

18...Nc5 19.R3d2 Qe8 20.Qe3 Qe7 21.Nh4?,..

This move fails to take advantage of the weakened dark squares. Better is 21 e5, then 21..., Nd5 22 Qh6 f6 23 exf6, leaving Black with weak pawns to go along with the dark square holes. Black has the resources to defend the position, but it is a grim task that leaves little chance for a counter-attack.

21..., Ncd7

Rybka suggests 21..., Nxa4; but this line seems to peter out after 22 bxa4 Nc4 23 Qb3, to equality.

22.f4,..

Straight away 22 e5, promises more for White.

22..., Qc5 23.Qxc5 Nxc5 24.Bf3,..

Again 24 e5, is better. White for whatever reason does not want to push the e-pawn to the fifth rank. The game now simplifies by mutual agreement to a B+N versus 2Ns ending. Theoretically this imbalance favors White with pawns on both sides of the board. The computer sees the game as about even here.

24..., Rfe8 25.Ng2 Kf8 26.Ne3 h5 27.g4 hxg4 28.hxg4 Ke7 29.g5 Red8 30.f5 exf5 31.exf5 Rxd2 32.f6+ Ke8 33.Rxd2 Rd8 34.Rxd8+ Kxd8 35.Kf2 c6 36.Ng4?

A slip that hands Black a significant advantage. David misses the need to immediately guard the pawn on g5. Required is 36 Kg3, and while there is tension in the position, a draw is the likely outcome.

36..., Ne6 37.Ke3 Nxg5 38.Be2 Nh7 39.Ke4?,..

Either 39 Ke4, or even 39 Kf4, are better options. On e4 the King is exposed to a check that steals a vital tempo. If, for example, White plays 39 Kf4, and Black proceeds more or less as in the game, after 39..., Nd7 40 Bc4 Ke8 41 Nh6, and White gets the pawn on c7 when Black captures on f6. Compare this line to the game continuation and the difference is clear.

39..., Nd7 40.Bc4 Nhxf6+ 41.Nxf6 Nxf6+ 42.Ke5 Ke7 0–1

A serious disappointment for Mr. Connors and a good result for Mr. Capitummino. Both players missed chances, but they fought hard throughout.

More soon.