00051.6.21 Analyzed by National Master Corey Russell

 

1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3 d4

{

This is playable, but 3. ... dxe4 would garner equality for

black.  The reason why is that it breaks up white's center. 

The two pawns abreast (e4 & f4) are strong.

}

4. Nce2

{

This is okay.  Also worth consideration is 4. Nb1!?, with

the idea of a4, Na3-c4, with a good outpost for the knight.

}

4... Nf6 5. e5

{

This is the source of white's future problems.  Pawns are

strongest when standing side-by-side.  Therefore, 5. d3 is

better.  The text move gives d5 for the black pieces.  Also,

the advanced e-pawn is a potential target.  Indeed, it was

attacked with ...f6 at a later point.

}

5... Nd5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. d3 Bg4 8. Ng3

{

Not much choice on this move.  As you could see, allowing

8. ... Bxf3 9. gxf3 would be horrible.  Doubled pawns that

have no mobility is almost like being down a pawn.

}

8... f6

{

! A nice move by crafty.  White's center disintegrates,

and when the e-file is open, black can bring a major piece

(Queen or Rook) to the e-file, and use the hole at e3.

}

9. exf6 exf6 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. Qe2+ Kd7 12. O-O-O

{

White obviously is trying to make the best of a bad situation. 

The computer here can get a large advantage with 12. ... Re8

13. Qf2 (Ne4?? f5 wins for black) ... Ne3 14. Re1 Bxf4.

}

12... Nxf4

{

Typical of computers, black cashes in too soon.  Getting

more pieces into the game with tempo (...Re8) is a much

better choice.

}

13. Qf2 Kc8

{

A strange move.  Getting all of black's pieces into the game

would seem like the natural priority.  Therefore, ...Qc7 and

...Rae8 looks more promising for black.

}

14. Re1 g5

{

This move or regrouping of the black pieces with ...Nd5 was

necessary, as white was threatening Nxd4 (a discovered attack

on the knight on f4 by white's queen and bishop.

}

15. Be2 Nxe2+

{

This move is dubious.  The black knight was far more useful

that the white bishop.  White was threatening Nxd4, but simply

...Qd7 would meet the threat.

}

16. Rxe2 Qg8 17. Kb1 Qd5 18. h4

{

Now black really wishes his king was on the 2nd rank.  Then

in response to this move, he could simply play ...h6.  But

because of black's incorrect method of development, white is

starting to take the initiative.

}

18... Bxf3 19. gxf3 Rf8 20. hxg5 fxg5 21. Rxh7 Rxf3 22. Qg2 Bxg3

23. Re8+ Nd8 24. Bxg5

{

A nice tactic.  Black deserves to lose for ignoring development

(the a8 rook isn't in the game).

}

24... Qxg5 25. Qxf3 Bc7 26. Qh1 Qf6 27. Ree7 Qd6 28. Rxc7+ Qxc7

29. Rxc7+ Kxc7 30. Qd5

{

Good.  As long as a queen is unopposed, it is very strong

posted in the center.  It limits black's options severely.

}

30... Kb6 31. b4

{

Yes.  Attack the pawn chain at its base.

}

31... cxb4 32. Qxd4+ Kb5 33. Qd5+ Kb6 34. d4 a5 35. Kb2 Ka6

36. a4 bxa3+ 37. Kxa3 Nc6 38. c4 Ka7 39. Ka4 Kb8 40. Qd6+ Kc8

41. Qc5 Kd7 42. Qb5 Kc7 43. d5 Nd8 44. c5 Kc8 45. d6 Ra6

46. Qe8 Ra7 47. Qe4

{

A good move.  Now no matter what black does, white will

make progress.  The passed d-pawn is too strong.

}

47... Nc6 48. Qe6+ Kd8 49. Qg8+ Kd7 50. Qf7+

{

And naturally black resigned, considering that 50. ... Kd8

(forced) 51. Qc7+ Ke8 52. d7+ K moves 53. d8Q+ wins.  You

made the best of your resources, but black could have had a

large advantage, mainly due to your allowing him to post a

knight on d5 uncontested.  Avoid doing this if at all possible,

and try to exchange/boot away your opponent's well placed pieces.

}

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