Long before Eisenhower's 'Military Industrial Complex' speech.

Clever guy.

Mommy's back!!

heh

No rust now. No hanging pieces, no bonehead blunders.

Ok you have a day off- what better fun than to play a 3 and a half hour game with the Black pieces, and PUNISH someone for having the temerity to play a "CLOSED SICILIAN"?

HAHAHAH

"Closed Sicilian"?

CASE CLOSED

PART ONE- THE OPENING

<Senor Caballero v. Jessica> <Yahoo>
<2 hours each>

Ok we see a lot of closed Sicilians on <Yahoo> so I generally don't have to spend a lot of time in the opening stages. This is the (not so feared) <2.Bc4??!!> version.

Actually, although there's only a small sample in our database, in actual fact there is nothing- absolutely nothing wrong with either side playing

1.e4 c5
2.Bc4 d6

Which is what we did.

3.h3 Nc6

<3.h3?> is also NOT A BLUNDER IMO. Especially if White plans a slow, solid closed position from the get-go. That said, I would never ever play <3.h3> here, as I regard this move to be "wimpy."

4.Nf3 a6
5.a4 e6
6.d3 Be7
7.0-0 Nf6
8.Nc3 b6

White to play and both sides are perfectly fine.

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White's plans in these setups - and I play against these a lot on <Yahoo>- are to keep the LSB on the a2-g8 diagonal in order to assist a Kingside attack with the minor pieces, almost always playing for an <f4> break. But I think he tries for that too early now with the curious looking

9.Nh2

Now I'm going to avoid castling for a few moves here since there are no threats yet and I'm thinking on the off-chance the center gets locked up, I will not in fact castle at all- But my fingers are itching to get busy since his position is a tad passive IMO- so I opt for an immmediate

9...d5

Now if he retreats his Bishop right away I'm thinking seriously of locking up the center with <10...d4> and not castling Kingside.

10.exd5 exd5
11.Bb3 0-0

I think <11.Ba2> is better here, since White might want to move his <b-pawn> at some point, and it also avoids a possibly annoying future <...c4> from Black in some variations. But again, both sides are perfectly fine here. The Battle has not yet begun to begin beginning.

White to play:

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12.Bg5 d4
13.Ne2 Be6

And we are about to enter the Middle Game. I have to say that I was pleased to both connect my Rooks and trade off his LSB with the opportunity to play <13...Be6>. I don't like having to worry about that Bishop in these variations, so if I can't block it I usually try to trade it off.

White to play:

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14.Nf4 Bxb3
15.cxb3 Ra7
16.Bxf6 Bxf6
17.Qf3 Ne5
18.Qd1 Re8
19.Nh5 Qd6

I was quite pleased that he gave me the chance to trade off his LSB and damage his pawn structure for no compensation, IMO- Also, I was happy to see him retreat his Queen back to <d1>. I like when the White pieces start to back up.

White to play

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While playing the game, I judged this position <Plus Me> in my mind. I liked his damaged pawns, I liked my nice Q-side pawn chain with the Captain Pawn on <d4>- I was thinking she might come in handy there later.

Also, Black has no weaknesses here. None. Zippo. So now I relished the beginning of tactical <RACING ACTION>. My "plan" included doubling rooks on the open <e-file> and trying to play for some kind of <Queen- Bishop> Battering Ram.

20.Ng4 Bd8
21.f4 Nc6

OK probably I should have just taken here <20...Nxg4> to damage his Kingside pawns but I was kind of leery about him moving up them King pawns and maybe tucking his King on <g2> and using the <half open h-file>. Plus I thought <c6> was a potentially useful square for my Knight as he can hop against the damaged White Queenside in some variations. I think. Pretty sure. On the other hand I felt like I was "backing up" a bit here, but soon I'm going to swing my <a7> Rook into play and I have good piece coordination- I felt I could both defend my Kingside and offer counterthreats.

22.f5 f6

I considered <22...Bg5> here for quite a long time. I almost played it. I think it's a good move. But I had an <idee fixe> about wanting to make a <Queen-Bishop> battering ram so I just moved the pawn up.

White to play:

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23.Rf3 Rae7

And now, as often happens in <human chess>, A COMPLETELY SURPRISING MOVE!!

24.Ngxf6+??????????

Good grief. I had a long think here, just in case he had been playing for this the whole time and had some killer attack already calculated out.

However, after a good think, plenty of time on my clock- I judged that this sacrifice just had to be totally unsound. I saw that <24...gxf6> is forced, but I didn't play it until I figured out my defense plan in my head.

24...gxf6
25.Rf1? Kh8

(an immediate <25...Bc7> is stronger)

26.Nf4 Bc7
27.Qh5 Rg8

I was taking a lot of time with each move here because I had the time and I didn't want to pull a boner now. I was leery of him playing <Ng5+> because my <h-pawn> is pinned, but I calculated that if he played <28.Ng5+?> here, I had <28...Rxg5 29.fxg5 Qh2+!!>

heh- The threat of the BATTERING RAM prevented White from trying this scary looking tactic. So I proceeded...

28.Rf2 Ne5
29.g4??

Black to play (heh)

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Took me a minute or two to see I could play <29...Nxd3!> here, because I was still calculating immediate threats first on every move. But I did see it...

30.Nxd3 Qg3+ (heh)
31.Rg2 Qxd3
32.Kh1 Qxb3
33.Qh4 Be5

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And now I have a <won game>- well I did before as well but this time there was no doubt in my mind.

The Plan now is to trade down, with the idea of forcing the Queens off first.

34.Ra3 Qf7

<34...Qc3+> is probably better here eh? I confess I didn't even consider it, as my first idea was to "consolidate" and put my Queen near my King. However, my text move is still winning. Actually it's hard to find a bad move for Black here.

35.g5? fxg5
36.Rxg5 Rxg5
37.Qxg5

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And now to finish...

37...Qd5+ forces off the Queens.

heh

He played on for eleven more moves, but he had no chance for counterplay and well he had no chance of any kind unless I hung a piece or something.

But I didn't.

AROOOO

Well I suppose I like this game because I felt the <fear> of mishandling a Kingside assault, but I managed to take the time I needed to find sound defensive moves. So I'm most happy about my <psychological handling of my own brain> in this game.

I know that Black virtually "surrenders" with the unsound Knight sac- so this is not a technically great game by any stretch.

But I <did> manage to play Blunder free from start to finish, and also punish him accurately enough to win.

I'm sure there are improvements= plenty of them= in my move choices, but no blunders.

I think I'm most happy about that.

Very happy when my Engine doesn't laugh at my moves in <post mortem>

Stupid Engine (that one's for <Niels>)

In fact, this game is dedicated to <Niels>, and not for the first time. Mainly, because I thought of <Niels'> advice- particularly about <chess psychology>- many times during this game, as I often do.

I see you really went to town for this game with three posts!

My ignorance of the Sicilian knows almost no bounds, so I am enjoying your opening discussion a lot.

<That said, I would never ever play <3.h3> here, as I regard this move to be "wimpy.">

I will bare that in mind. haha

OK I know questions from me were not what you had in mind <JFQ>, sorry, but how about <8...d5>, do you think that is possible as well as 8...b6 ? I'd like to gain space by pushing the LSB there anyway. (Not that you will ever see me on the Black side of a Sicilian though.)

<But my fingers are itching to get busy since his position is a tad passive IMO- so I opt for an immmediate

9...d5 >

Oh well, great minds and all...That is the danger of my 'real time' commentary I guess. 9...d5 looks strong here, good decision IMO!

I think you exploit your opponents inaccuracies really well here <JFQ>. For instance 12.Re1 instead of 12.Bg5 would mean 12...d4 could be met with 13.Ne4 but you quickly kicked the knight back into the White position, blocking up the Queen and sending it to exile with its brother knight on h2.

Not in itself a game winner of course, but all these little pluses add up and I like the way your position gains activity while White's simply gains a 'tempo debt' he needs to pay off before he can activate at all.

13...Be6 is a bold move IMO. I would be worried about 14.Bxe6 fxe6 15.Nf3 and then pressure down the half open e-file against the pawn. But playing these positions for so long yourself, you are a much better judge than me of what is or isn't good for Black <JFQ>.

Did you consider 15...h6 during the game? After the clumsy Nf4 I would probably have taken the chance to trade it I think.

<16.Bf6> Oh well your opponent obliges you anyway.

In the short term it may have seemed an OK idea to trade for White as the Black DSB is a bit hampered by his pawns, but in the endgame and in the medium term with the juicy h2-b8 diagonal, I would want him on my side for sure.

Did you consider 19...Be7 <JFQ>? Having secured a Bishop, I would not want to give White the chance to trade it off.

I agree with your analysis you are 'plus you' here, which is another reason I would restrict the opponents opportunities to trade.

Also White has weaknesses, but they are not 'fatal' at this stage and every reduction of material increases the chance he might reach a drawish endgame.

Fortunately he still seemed to be playing for a KS mating attack... haha

<OK probably I should have just taken here <20...Nxg4> >

I like your analysis here <JFQ>. I think the rule of thumb about damaging pawn structure may not apply here and you did well to avoid it. I like your knight's prospects more from c6 like you say. I would be dreaming of Nc6-b4-c2-e3 ideas where he becomes a MONSTER!

<24.Ngxf6+??????????> Yes I think that is about right. His position was bad, but now it is downright lost.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was getting so nervous here that he forgot your queen covers f6 as well and just went for a phantom chance...

<26...Bc7> and the h2-b8 diagonal is king!

<I calculated that if he played <28.Ng5+?> here, I had <28...Rxg5 29.fxg5 Qh2+!!>> nice one!

It's always a good idea to take the time to find the tactics that are almost always there in such superior positions. Well done!

29...Nxd3! and the Knight's great expectations come true!

Anybody with any dignity at all should have resigned here I think. You crushed him!

<32...Qb3> OK your position is totally winning <JFQ> so it doesn't really matter but 32...Re3! looks devastating here.

<Actually it's hard to find a bad move for Black here.> haha yeah, this guy was praying for your net to go down at this stage!

<I'm sure there are improvements= plenty of them= in my move choices, but no blunders.

I think I'm most happy about that. >

Yeah I think you can be very proud of the way you played here <JFQ>! You outclassed your opponent in the Opening, Middlegame and Endgame, and picked up a convincing error free win, what more could any chess player expect!

I was particularly impressed by your instincts in the early part of the game where you delayed castling and kept all your options open, before seizing on your opponents passive play and ringing his scrawny neck with a permanent initiative from then on.

Well done <JFQ>!

Thanks for the amusing and informative commentary on your game. You were quite restrained in this game. Dare we say you are maturing? Little girls get bigger every day. Sniff, sniff. Funny how an ounce of patience will cause the opponent to hurl himself on your spear. I won't offer any insights this time as I think your commentary is more than adequate. Good job.

End of Part 1

As there isn't anything else:

1. I agree that <22....Bg5> was probably better, but <f6> isn't as bad as I thought it might be.

2. <32...Qxb3> Hmmmm...You are a piece up and on the attack. His Queen is trapped on the side of the board. His QR isn't even in the game. Your pieces are all pointed at his King. Why bother snatching a pawn? There has to be something better. Ok, you are still absolutely winning after taking the pawn, but almost any attacking move here has got to work. The position <demands> it.

I guess you were still in the mode of trading down to a won endgame. Still, though, once <Qxb3> entered your mind, you might have started thinking about another plan.

Obviously, my intention is not to criticize, but to merely to emphasize that a little bell should have gone off in your head at that point in the game.

3. By the way, that "jump up" in your play that some of us have predicted--I think we just saw clear evidence of it in this game and in your comments. Congratulations!

I'll have time for a first analysis tonight, and will post it in full tomorrow morning (your afternoon).

Full first reaction is over at my place.

Whip Whap Whoppaaaa!

<jess> after <32…Re3>

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If <33.Qf7 Rxh3+ 34.Kg1 Qe3+>

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<35.Rf2 Rxg4+ 36.Kf1 Rh1#>

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If <33.Kg1 Rxh3 34.Qf7 Qe3+>

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<35.Rf2 Rxg4+ 36. Kf1 Qd3+ 37.Re2 Rf3+ 38.Kg1 Rxg4+>

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Anyway, it’s mate in all variations unless White wants to give up his queen with <33.Kg1 Rxh3 34.Qxh3 Qxh3>

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White's opening choice (Bc4 and h3) is not unknown in GM games, for example:

Aronian vs A Yegiazarian, 2001

A general rule of thumb in many Sicilians is if Black can play ...d5 and live to tell the tale, that is usually good for equality. That you got it in so easily is a sign the tide was already turning in your favor.

Finally, as long as we're considering alternatives to 32...Qxb3, there is also 32...Re2.

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For example, 33. Rag1 Rxg2 34. Rxg2 Qf1+ 35. Rg1 Qf3+ 36. Rg2 d3

SEARCHING>>>>

It's like playing analysing on a King size tournament board, as compared to a 4 square-inch pocket set. I read New in Chess magazine, with its narrow columns, bunched up lines... The way you did this is close tp perfect!

I examined this game without the "help" of my engine or OE, just the wooden board and a pen and paper for some notes. Here are a few of them, and some thoughts:

I smiled at your 2...d6, where many, including myself a few years back, would have played ...e6, to declare the Bc4 as bloody useless - heh.

But since my marathon Gameknot thematic Smith-Morra, from both sides, that prejudice has evaporated. Cool move, 2...d6. Move order/transpositions are the order of the day, and always a good thing to feel "at ease" with.

Ok - I thought that you might have developed your K's Knight, to f6, earlier (my "Sicilian Knee-jerk), but you chose ...Be7 first. There are some subtle differences there, but as it went not an issue.

I liked 8...b6, as I thought it showed good dynamic thinking with regards to your possibilities with the Q-rook to a7. <Petrosian> approach there? hah!

I liked it. Especially since your opponent played the horrid Nh2 next. No rook on the e-file, not having developed his c1 Bishop yet to connect rooks... Lousy move, and very well taken over by your ...d5 - and wham, thank you mam, you've just been put in the driver's seat.

<Woody> mentioned 13...Be6 already, which was risky, yet after exchanges on e6 & f6,

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... you still have a slight edge re space and piece placement, compensating for/ rephrase: making the e6 isolanus not that much of a liability; I may be wrong though.

I actually liked ...Bd8 and ...f6 - since your wimpy opponent flung himself onto your spear with great abandon!

Excellent!

Of course with his DSB absence and your rooks position, there is no real danger for your King, but you did very well to take your time there.

That is why I also support your Qxb3 a bit later on, with the option to get your Queen back to f7... You are having a won game there and the <clock is a major player> in these positions, and when you have been concentrating hard for a long time, you just play it simple and not go for brilliancy prices...

The prey has been skinned already, no need to do it twice. No EXTRA calculations please!!

Meaning: avoiding risks.

When you will play in a tournament you will remember this:

<save energy>

I am very content with your play and approach, the way you handled the psychology prior, AND during the game.

Now take out a few of the things that are of use to you, from/by the given comments/commentators, and then move on.

I think your emotional control, and pacing, and your handling your time, deliberately, are all <feathers in your cap and they should STAY there.>

You can only go UP from here really...

It's not a matter of <if> - but rather <when>.

Look at this game starting at move 50 for how Jakovenko wins the opposite-colored bishop endgame.