Black allowing the Queens to be exchanged was probably a mistake considering he had a promising attack.

Tempi in this position, given by the nature that its closed, is not of any significance compared to white's bind on the center. Since black cannot readily open lines and does not have an overwhemling lead in development, this advantage is somewhat useless.

<White's opening play in this game is horrible. He seems to make 'normal' Ruy Lopez moves without taking into account his opponents moves>

Remember this is a 5 minute game. Contrary to opinion, white has obtained a favorable position that resembles a KID. His mistakes were most notably 11. Bc2?! (trading bishops bad for good is more favorable) and 16. Nxf6+? when 16. b4 would have started white's play on the queenside as the position required. However, the position is playable, not horrible.

click for larger view

I disagree, the fact that the position is closed still makes tempi very important(for example, could you imagine saying tha tempi aren't very important in a Aronin-Taimanov King's Indian, where White is often just a couple of tempi away from disaster?). Black was able to use his lead in development to get an attack going on the King-side, and all White can do is defend. Compare to the King's Indian, where White could attack on the Queen-side.

If you look at the diagram you gave, Black's pieces are nicely placed for a King-side attack, while, White's are slightly misplaced for an 'attack' on the Queen-side. In addition, White has already weakened his King-side with h3(btw, why 5.h3 ?).

By the way, it's a small point, but i wonder if 14...gxf5 might not have been even better than the move played in the game.

How so? It depends on every position, like you said, instead of <make 'normal' Ruy Lopez moves without taking into account his opponents moves, hoping to transpose back into something like the mainline.>

In this position regardless of the tempi, black was going to play f5 basing it on this transposed to somewhat of a KID setup. White has nothing to be afraid of in this system.

It's roughly equal, however, in the long run I'd rather be white since the only preconditions black has for a relatively successful attack are

1. Open f-file
2. Force (most of his army on the kingside)
3. h3 weakness

Yet mainly in all KID variations this is what it has to offer :-) Maybe a reason for the KID's rises and falls in popularity between the years.

It's a matter of taste I would say. Most players confident in their defensive skills would probably take white since if white trades down to an ending his space and black's potentially weak kingside pawn island could give him an advantage.

My apologies to the sender who asked specific questions about this game. I printed out your e-mail, but misplaced it over the Holidays. If you could resend it, I would gladly try to answer you analytical questions.

Was computer assistance absolutely - positively ruled out on this Internet Chess site,... by his opposition?

I saw this game on another page of yours and you stated it was five minutes. You also stated it was five minutes a few posts above.

Jul-28-07 Jim Bartle: Phaethon: The reason is just too obvious...>

This about says it all-the sheer genius that shines in any setting is blinding beyond mere words......

<Jul-29-07 capatal:
LMAJ's always pointing a finger at Internet Chess in this regard - when he has three remaining fingers that point directly at himself.>

This, no less, in a game won by the subject.

The narcissism marches on, without let or hindrance. Ah, the things true greatness must overcome to defeat mere 2600 players.

The subject reminds me of someone I know: first a lie, then another to cover the first, followed by still another to protect himself.

[Event " Winter Open 2011 "]
[Site " Mobile, AL "]
[Date 2011.02.26"]
[Round "2"]
[Result " 1-0 "]
[White "Harnes, Luis Alvaro"]
[Black "Goldsby, AJ"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "1702"]
[BlackElo "2216"]

<The Great One>'s method of depersonalising his contact with a mere mortal; moreover, one who had the nerve to defeat him.

Mr Harnes likely had an invisible headset transmitting him the moves, as even a 2600 player couldn't vanquish <Supreme Talent> in this fashion without computer assistance.

Technology has come a long way since the Neumann incident at Philadelphia, 1993.

<capatal:

LMAJ's always pointing a finger at Internet Chess in this regard - when he has three remaining fingers that point directly at himself>