00049.6.19 Analyzed by Master Daniel Waite

1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 Another good idea here is to play d4. These pawns make it easier to control the center. 2.d4 e5 3.d5 White has firm control of the center. The center is important because if you lose the center then you lose the game. 2...Nf6 3.Nc3 Developing your pieces is good. Objectively this is not the best move but this develops good habits for the novice player. 3.e5 This is the move I like because it gains all sorts of space in the center. The move also prepares to attack on the Kingside because of the space that is gained there. 3...e5 Welcome to the "Four Knights". The reason we have these names is to help us identify common opening sequences. Once you learn these names then you can find them in books and study them until you know them. At this point, just enjoy the King hunt. 4.Bb5 Na5 This is a error. There are several reasons for this judgment. First, the Knight and the Bishop are of equal value. Your Bishop move does not really immediately threaten anything. Finally, the Knight on the rim is severely restricted in its movement. As you get better you will find exceptions to the rule for concrete reasons. But for now remember, "a Knight on the rim is dim." 5.Nxe5 Good! You removed the defender and now you pick up the piece. 5...Bd6 This is not a good place for the Bishop because it blocks the advance of the d-pawn. If the d-pawn is blocked then the Queen Bishop will have difficulty developing properly. 6.f4 5.d4 does the same thing and completes the control in the center. I distrust this move because if you castle Kingside the g1-a7 diagonal is open to all sorts of mischief. 6...c6 7.Bd3 b5 8.Nf3 This move is not correct. First, it gives back material ...Bxf4. Second it signals a retreat from the center. Remember that when your Knight crosses the 4/5 line, you want to maximize the damage it causes before retreating back into your own territory. 8...Ba6 A blunder, that you nicely point out. 9.e5 Nice! One of the basic move in the "how to humiliate your opponent 101" class. The idea behind this is repeated through the GM level. The pawns being the "weakest" (read "least valuable", because they are the "least mobile") become the strongest (since they can make contact, threats, and do battle where others fear to tread! 9...Nh5 10.exd6 Qf6 11.0-0 Qxd6 12.Ne4 [12.Re1+ Kf8 13.Ne4] 12...Qxf4 Another mistake because of 13.Nfg5 Qe5 14.Qxh5 13.Qe2 0-0 14.Nc5 Chasing the unguarded Bishop on a6. This is a "one move" attack. For the novice, it's ok. However, I'd like to push you to deepen your thought process and think at least one move deeper. One problem with the "one move" attack is that it often does not take into account the opponent's threats and possibilities. Another problem is that better moves are typically available. 14...Rae8 15.Qd1 Always play with a plan. As yourself what your opponent is threatening and what you are threatening. 15...Qd6 16.b4 (Nxa6) 16...Bc8 17.bxa5? Your Knight is much more useful than the Knight on a5. Do not trade useful pieces for useless pieces, even if they are of equal value. 17...Qxc5+ Remember this diagonal? It is trouble, all started by the move f4. 18.Kh1 d5 19.c4?! A mistake, but an interesting idea. You recognize the power of the Bishop pair. The giving of the pawn frees the Queen Bishop. A much stronger idea to free the Bishop is to play a4. [19.a4 b4 20.c3 Nf4 21.cxb4 and the Bishops are free.] 19...Re6 20.Bb1 Repeat after me.... "ATTACK!" "Fischer's rule" was attack something if it doesn't move take it. Unless you there are specific reasons you must attack. [20.Bf5 Ree8 21.Bxc8 Rxc8 22.cxb5 cxb5 Being a piece up gives you the luxury of opening the game up. Typically the open nature will favor the player that is best developed (or has the most material.)] 20...Rh6 21.g4?? OK, I've got to complain about this move. The move d4 attacks the Queen (at c5) with the pawn and the Rook (at h6) with the Bishop at the same time. The basic idea of the combination is to attack two things at the same time. 21...Ng3+ 22.Kg2 Nxf1 23.g5 Rxh2+?? Missing a force mate. 23...Bh3+ 24.Kh1 Qf2 and there is no stopping Qg2 mate! 24.Nxh2 Nxh2 25.Qh1? You needed Qc2. This move allow Black an advantage with ...Qd4 or ...g6 or ...Re8 or ...f5. You get the point. 25...f6 26.Qxh2 fxg5 27.Qxh7+ 27.Bxh7+ Kf7 28.Ba3 Qxa3 29.Qc7+ Kf6 30.Rf1+ Bf5 31.Rxf5+ Ke6 32.Qxc6+ The reason for Ba3. 32...Qd6 33.cxd5+ Ke7 And White gets to take all Black's remaining pieces, if you want them. 27...Kf7 28.Bb2 d4 29.Bg6+ Ke6 30.Re1+ Kd6 31.Qxg7 Rf4 32.Re8 32.Qe7# That's check mate. 32...Rg4+ 33.Kf3 Rg1 34.Bxd4 34.Qe7# That's check mate. 34...Qa3+ 35.Kf2 Re1 Black misses mate in two with.... 35...Qg3+ 36.Ke2 Now pick one either ...Re1 or Bg4 is check mate. 36.Rxe1 36.Rd8+ Ke6 Pick one 37.Qf6 or 37.Qf7 are both mate. 36...bxc4 37.Be5+ 37.Qe7+ Kd5 38.Qe5# That's check mate. 37...Kd5 38.Be4+ Kc5 OK, we are into the territory where "anything" wins. I suppose it could be argued that it doesn't matter, but I do not like to see a student go to sleep at this point in the game. When the point is in hand, don't lose it! Like you almost did when Black missed ...Qg3+ a couple of moves back. 39.Rb1 Bg4 Qxa7, Qe7 and Qf8 are all check mate. 40.Qb7 Qxa5 41.Qxc6# 1-0