Jan-01-11
 | | Phony Benoni: 
click for larger viewJust in case you're wondering, the queen gets trapped after 14...Bxg3 15.fxg3 Qxg3 16.Bf4 Qxg2 17.Rd2. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | swr: Maybe it's just me, but I don't see anything spectacular or GOTD-like about this game. What am I missing? |
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Jan-01-11
| | Phony Benoni: I think it was mainly picked for the pun, but there are some interesting points about the game. The Rh1-h4-h1-h4 shuttle is sort of crazy, but not unexpected in this line. I think the game turned on 20...cxd4. Normally, you are willing to trade your a-pawn for the enemy d-pawn, but here White's eventual b2-b4 locked Black's dark-squared bishop out of play and left his d-pawn weak. After that, it looks like one of those games where White is able to find a tactical answer every time it looks like Black is about to get his material back. Stronger players have that knack of always seeming to see one move further ahead. Not a spectacular game, but a workmanlike one and the type masters will win more often than a sacrificial frenzy. Besides, it's New Years Day. You've probably got a hangover. It's not a day to be tackling Kasparov vs Topalov, 1999 or something. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | jmactas: <Kasparov vs Topalov, 1999>, you're right, that one's a doozy. |
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Jan-01-11
 | | Penguincw: The first game of the day for 2011 barely has any kibitzing.This is just the fifth kibitz and it's almost noon eastern time. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | Gilmoy: <32.Kb2 33.Kb3> was a delightful short walk to reinforce c4. After <37.a4> White has quietly seized a serious lead for the endgame. Black's desperate <41..e3> loses to Phony's <tactical answer 42.Rd8> Rc<any> 43.Ra8, stealing a piece by <rubberband> or <mutual threat>. The book Caro-Kann <8.h5>-pawn cast its usual deep-freeze over both K-sides. White's KR never manages to get off h, but Black can't ever double the pawn off. <Phony Benoni: Normally, you are willing to trade your a-pawn for the enemy d-pawn ...> However, your a-pawn plus four tempi with your King is probably overpriced! |
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| Jan-01-11 | | Sacrificial King: My new years resolution is to begin kibitzing on here... I read all of your posts everyday and have been a frequenter for several years. Cheers guys. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | dark.horse: A very neat and orderly Q-side piece formation for White after 38.Na3 |
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| Jan-01-11 | | dark.horse: I'm not a master, but if I were Black I might play on for a few moves. Both of White's pieces are tied down preventing the pawn from queening, and Blacks rook is free to check from behind. What's White's approach for winning the game? |
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Jan-01-11
| | Phony Benoni: <dark.horse>:
click for larger viewIt's certainly not a trivial win. Since White has those extra queenside pawns in addition to the extra knight, he can give up one advantage to exploit the other. For example, White can push the queenside pawns. Eventually the Black rook will have to give up the pin to capture a promoting pawn, and White can begin to untangle with the extra knight. Another idea would be to play Kc2, f4, g3, and Rh2. If Black captures the knight, than Kd2 will remove the e-pawn. Of course, in either line Black's rook remains active, so there will be some technical difficulties to overcome. There is another reason why Black may have resigned at this point. In 1971, games in international tournaments that went more than 40 moves were routinely adjourned, then completed at a later date. Both players would have plenty of time to study the position, and I'm sure Black had confidence White would be able to convert the win easily enough. Under today's "no adjournment' system, Black probably would have fought on a bit. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | DieHard: I think Black might have considered 24. ... b5. 25. Qxb5 Rb8 recovers the pawn, and 25. cxb5 Bb6 lets the bishop stay on the crucial diagonal. 25. Qb3 bxc4 and 25. Qc2 d3! seems promising. If 25. Qa3, Ba7 and 26. ... e5 should be playable. At game end, I think white's plan starts with 49. f4!, 50. a5, followed by Kb3-a4-b5-b6, pawn b4-b5. I agree it's still worth playing on as Black, white still has ways to go wrong and cough up the draw. It might have been a time forfeit at the board. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | DieHard: OK! I'd forgotten about the adjournment. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | Nova: This is a very fun game to go over. I love how white slowly but surely improves his position with moves like 32. Kb2 and Kb3 along with pushing the queenside pawns. <Phony Benoni's> witty and instructive comments make going over this game that much better. |
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| Jan-01-11 | | rapidcitychess: I like this game, a nice show of building up on a side with a bind on the other. |
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Jan-01-11
 | | HeMateMe: A Fergieliscious game! |
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| Jan-03-11 | | kevin86: White's trips on the queenside will win.
Black eye at a chess game. Fellows,there is no fighting in the WAR room! (from Dr. Stranglove) |
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Kibitzing
