Games

Nakamura v Vidit

Karpov v Kasparov

Fischer v Spassky 1972

Von Scheve v Teichmann

The main object of all opening strategy is to control the centre and get pieces out into active play as quickly as possible.

1. e4

This is an excellent opening move, a pawn in the centre, opens lines for both Queen and Bishop

1. …………….. e5

Black responds with the same ideas  

2) Nf3

Best move, white develops a piece and attacks e5

             2) ………………Nc6

Black develops and defends and the same time

3) Bc4

Placed on a valuable diagonal and attacks Black’s weak f7 pawn as the King is the only protector.

              3)…………………Bc5

                Best square for the bishop as Bb4 has little to offer, Bd6 blocks the d pawn, Be7 is OK but very defensive.

4) C3

Setting up d4 to control the centre

4)………………………Qe7

If white plays 5.d4….. exd4  6. cxd4…..Qxe4+ and wins a pawn

5) 0-0

White delays the advance of the d pawn and castles to get the king safe

5)………………………d6

Strengthens the centre, supports the e pawn and Bishop, allows c8 Bishop into the game.

6) Now d4!

If black now plays 6..….. exd4  7. cxd4…..Qxe4 white has 8. Re1 pinning the Queen.

6)………………..Bb6

Black doesn’t need to capture, the Bishop retreats, still bearing down on white’s centre.

7) a4

            White threatens a5 to trap the Bishop

            7)…………………a6

                A retreat square for the Bishop

8) a5

[if 8. ………….Bxa5  9.d5 will force the Knight away that protects the Bishop then white captures the Bishop with the Rook]

             8)…………………….Ba7 (black doesn’t fall for that trap)

             9)  h3

              Some players make this move to prevent the knight being pinned by blacks Bishop at g4, but it weakens g3 and the Kings safety as we will see.

9) ……………………Nf6

Develops a piece and attacks e4 – Develop with a threat whenever possible!

10)  dxe5

White exchanges hoping to open up lines for his pieces

               10)…………………..Nxe5

                Stronger than taking with the pawn, Black’s knight is centralised and with white’s d pawn gone, Black’s Bishop on a7 is looking menacing

11) Nxe5

Getting rid of a powerful attacking piece but the best defender of the white king comes off the board

11)………………….QxN

12) Nd2

Defending e4, hoping black takes e4 with the knight then NxN, QxN followed by again Re1 pinning the Queen.

12)……………………Bxh3

With Black’s Queen and knight ready to swoop down on the King side, Black removes the offending pawn, weakening White’s position.

                  13)- gxh3…………………Qg3+

                   White must capture the Bishop or be a pawn down, but with the fpawn pinned g3 is available for the Queen

14) Kh1 …………………Qxh3+

Black captures another defending pawn

15) Kg1…………………Ng4

Threatens mate on h2, if he tries to give his King room by moving the Rook to e1, then Bxf2 is mate

16) Nf3……………………………..Qg3+

The last defender is the f3 pawn protected by Rook and king, attacked by Knight and Bishop, so drive the King away with Qg3+

17) Kh1 …………………..Bxf2

0-1

Black’s threat is 18………..Qh3+ 19. Nh2   Qxh2#

If 18. Rxf2   Nxf2#

Vasyl Ivanchuk vs Oscar Pollack

Nigel Sort v Jan Timman

Kasparov v Topalov

Leonard Laker vs Martin O. Neill

Martin O. Neill

Steve B v Tim

Nikolas Theodorou vs Teimour Radjabov

John Nunn v Martins Maderia

Jashith v Blake 18th November 2023

Nicolas v Nathaniel 18th November

Yasser Seirawan vs Alexander Beliavsky

Nigel Short v Jan Timman 1991

Alfie v Bertie 29th April 2023

Reykjavik Open 2023 Chess.com 30 Mar 2023 Round: 2

Leo Camopy v Anthony Ackerman - 9th Jan 2023

Charles Donaldson v Finn Schell

Highcliffe E v Southbourne D 6th Feb 2023

Finn as Black played the Rousseau Gambit on move 5)........f5

Discussion points could be :-

7) Bxf6 ? Nc3 may have been better

11) h3? what about Bd5

15) b5? h4 possibly

18)..........d5 from black? would g4 be better?

27) Rxf2? 27) Nd3 Be3 28) Re1 RxR 29) NxR Bd2 30) Nd3 may have been a better line.

Never the less, a good game played by Finn, well done!

Two Nepo games from the Candidates

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An interesting game, chosen by Professor Eric. Bobby Fischer strikes again, winning a brilliancy prize for this game against Robert Byrne with lots of theory and explanations

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This game was anaylized by Eric with the advanced students on 23/11/2019

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