Any Comment is Appreciated

Date: 07 Aug 2006 01:20:52
From: jsfromynr
Subject: Any Comment is Appreciated

Hello All,

This is the game played on fixed position tournament (Benko gambit). I
have very little ideas about this gambit. I think my opponent played
well and perhaps he overlooked in hurry to queen the pawn and was not
(may be) expecting 39. Bd5

Any thoughts !!

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 b4
6. Na2 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Nbd7
11. Qc2 Rb8 12. b3 Nxd5 13. cxd5 Bxa1 14. Bh6 Bg7 15. Bxg7 Kxg7
16. h4 Nf6 17. e4 a5 18. Nh2 Ba6 19. Rd1 c4 20. e5 Ne8
21. h5 Qc8 22. Rc1 cxb3 23. Qb2 Qxc1+ 24. Nxc1 dxe5 25. Nxb3 Nd6
26. Qxe5+ Kg8 27. g4 Bc4 28. h6 f6 29. Qxe7 Rb7 30. Qxd6 Bxb3
31. Nf3 Bxa4 32. Nd4 b3 33. Ne6 Rfb8 34. Nc5 b2 35. Qe6+ Kh8
36. Qxf6+ Kg8 37. d6 b1=Q+ 38. Kh2 Rf7 39. Bd5 1-0

With Warm regards
Jatinder Singh

Date: 27 Aug 2006 21:46:34
From: jsfromynr
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

Thanks [email protected]!!! for your time and effort in collecting
all this information.

I did post the game twice but only after 6-7 days , when I didnot get
any response for the first mail.

Yes ,he (bellatori) is right in saying game as "third rate" because it
was what he called it. I learnt a few more tricks by playing and
sharing it in the newsgroup and I hope to improve the same.

With Warm regards
Jatinder Singh

[email protected] wrote:
> bellatori wrote:
> > A fourth post of a third rate game... you must hate us all!!!
>
> I'm confused. Here's what I see:
>
> 7/28: jsfromynr posts game in "Analysis"
> ** He received no immediate replies. **
> 8/07: jsfromynr posts game in "Any comments Appreciated"
> 8/09 & 8/10: jsfromynr responds in "Any comments" thread
> 8/13: You reply to "Analysis" thread w/ analysis.
> 8/14: He thanked you for analysis.
> 8/20: You reply to "Any comments" asking why he wanted a 2nd opinion.
> 8/20: You reply to "Any comments" asking why he posted it 3 times
> 8/24: You reply to "Any comments" asking why he posted it 4 times.
>
> Both he and I are using Google Groups, and I don't see any third or
> fourth re-posting of the game. He posted his second thread six days
> before you replied to his first thread.
>
> I wonder there's such a discrepency in what we're seeing. Perhaps
> messages flow very slowly from Google Groups to Supernews or vice-versa.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 13:08:31
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

bellatori wrote:
> A fourth post of a third rate game... you must hate us all!!!

I'm confused. Here's what I see:

7/28: jsfromynr posts game in "Analysis"
** He received no immediate replies. **
8/07: jsfromynr posts game in "Any comments Appreciated"
8/09 & 8/10: jsfromynr responds in "Any comments" thread
8/13: You reply to "Analysis" thread w/ analysis.
8/14: He thanked you for analysis.
8/20: You reply to "Any comments" asking why he wanted a 2nd opinion.
8/20: You reply to "Any comments" asking why he posted it 3 times
8/24: You reply to "Any comments" asking why he posted it 4 times.

Both he and I are using Google Groups, and I don't see any third or
fourth re-posting of the game. He posted his second thread six days
before you replied to his first thread.

I wonder there's such a discrepency in what we're seeing. Perhaps
messages flow very slowly from Google Groups to Supernews or vice-versa.

Date: 25 Aug 2006 15:36:57
From: bellatori
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

A fourth post of a third rate game... you must hate us all!!!

Bellatori

Date: 20 Aug 2006 05:33:02
From: bellatori
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

This is the third post for this game. It was just about worth the first one
but three!?

Date: 14 Aug 2006 21:45:52
From: chasmad
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

[email protected] wrote:
> chasmad wrote:
> > > I played a "1.c4 e5" game today, and it went like so:
> > >
> > > 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. d4(?)
> >
> > What on earth is this? You MUST play 4.cxd5 here.
>
> I wasn't excited by 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 e4, and I
> miscalculated that 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Nc6 involved doubled
> pawns on the c-file.
>
> Throwing a pawn at your opponent sometimes confuses them.
>
> > >Nc6(??)
> >
> > Loses. 5...exd4 looks just fine for Black, e.g. 6.Qxd4 (6.Nxd5 Nxd5
> > 7.cxd5 Qxd5 wins a pawn for Black) Nc6 7.Qe3+ (otherwise, 7...d4) Be6
> > 8.cxd5 (again, stopping 8...d4) Nxd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Nf3 0-0-0 11.Bd2
> > (to defend the mate on d1) Bc5. Who would want to play White in this
> > position?

Btw, instead of 10...0-0-0, 10...Nb4 might be even better.
>
> That doesn't look so hot. I'll play 4.cxd5 next time!
>
> > > White wins with a kingside attack!
> >
> > Not really -- Black was losing on move 4.
>
> I wouldn't say that. I'm a class B player, so being a pawn up or down
> is rarely decisive. Even at the upper Class A level unsound gambits are
> not uncommon, and many have questioned GM Jobava's decision to resign
> early against Kramnik.
>
It doesn't matter what the strength of the players is, a lost position
is still a lost position. Even B players shouldn't be making blunders
on move 4.

> > Sargon, to say the least, was not a worthy opponent! Geesh. Of all the
> > great Botvinnik games out there, you chose a silly one vs. weak
> > computer program!
>
> I liked the pawn sacrifice on h3. Did you see the game? Perhaps it
> appeals to me because it's easy to grasp and use as a blueprint for my
> own games.
>
Black played the opening inconsistently, typical of computer programs
of that day. After 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 Be6 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. d3 Nf6
(6...g6) 6. f4 Be7(?! -- passive) 7. Nf3 0-0 8. 0-0 Qd7 9. e4, Black
played the reasonable 9...Bg4, avoiding the piece-trapping 10.f5 and
fighting for control of d4. But after White's pawn sac 10. h3(?!!) Bxh3
11. f5, I can't see why Black shouldn't resume his old plan with
11...Bg4, continuing the d4 struggle with an extra pawn to boot. The
very LAST thing Black should do is exchange his useful QB for White's
horrible B on g2, but that's just what he did (11...Bxg2??).

Had Black played 11...Bg4, it seems to me that his greatest danger
would come from getting pawn-rolled by an eventual ...g3-g4-g5. A plan
for him would be a sequence involving h6/Nh7/Bg5, keeping g5 occupied.
There is also the active but risky possibility of ...g6 at some point.

> > Almost any other Botvinnik game is better.
>
> I'll take a look. Let me know if you have any favorites.

When it comes to Botvinnik, it's all good. :-)

Charles

Date: 14 Aug 2006 21:45:50
From: chasmad
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

Date: 14 Aug 2006 19:37:50
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

Date: 14 Aug 2006 17:15:08
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

chasmad wrote:
> > I played a "1.c4 e5" game today, and it went like so:
> >
> > 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. d4(?)
>
> What on earth is this? You MUST play 4.cxd5 here.

I wasn't excited by 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nxd5 Qxd5 6. Nf3 e4, and I
miscalculated that 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Bg2 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Nc6 involved doubled
pawns on the c-file.

Throwing a pawn at your opponent sometimes confuses them.

> >Nc6(??)
>
> Loses. 5...exd4 looks just fine for Black, e.g. 6.Qxd4 (6.Nxd5 Nxd5
> 7.cxd5 Qxd5 wins a pawn for Black) Nc6 7.Qe3+ (otherwise, 7...d4) Be6
> 8.cxd5 (again, stopping 8...d4) Nxd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Nf3 0-0-0 11.Bd2
> (to defend the mate on d1) Bc5. Who would want to play White in this
> position?

That doesn't look so hot. I'll play 4.cxd5 next time!

> > White wins with a kingside attack!
>
> Not really -- Black was losing on move 4.

I wouldn't say that. I'm a class B player, so being a pawn up or down
is rarely decisive. Even at the upper Class A level unsound gambits are
not uncommon, and many have questioned GM Jobava's decision to resign
early against Kramnik.

> Sargon, to say the least, was not a worthy opponent! Geesh. Of all the
> great Botvinnik games out there, you chose a silly one vs. weak
> computer program!

I liked the pawn sacrifice on h3. Did you see the game? Perhaps it
appeals to me because it's easy to grasp and use as a blueprint for my
own games.

> Almost any other Botvinnik game is better.

I'll take a look. Let me know if you have any favorites.

Date: 14 Aug 2006 15:49:15
From: chasmad
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

[email protected] wrote:
<snip >
>
> I played a "1.c4 e5" game today, and it went like so:
>
> 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. d4(?)

What on earth is this? You MUST play 4.cxd5 here.

>Nc6(??)

Loses. 5...exd4 looks just fine for Black, e.g. 6.Qxd4 (6.Nxd5 Nxd5
7.cxd5 Qxd5 wins a pawn for Black) Nc6 7.Qe3+ (otherwise, 7...d4) Be6
8.cxd5 (again, stopping 8...d4) Nxd5 9.Nxd5 Qxd5 10.Nf3 0-0-0 11.Bd2
(to defend the mate on d1) Bc5. Who would want to play White in this
position?

>5. dxe5 Nxe5 6. cxd5

And wins. Black is just a pawn down for nothing with a bad position.

<snip rest of game >

> White wins with a kingside attack!

Not really -- Black was losing on move 4.

>This is not unusual even at the grandmaster level. Take, for example, M.Botvinnik-Sargon
>1983.

Sargon, to say the least, was not a worthy opponent! Geesh. Of all the
great Botvinnik games out there, you chose a silly one vs. weak
computer program!

>It's an excellent game featuring an all out attack on the g- and h-files.

Almost any other Botvinnik game is better.

Charles

Date: 13 Aug 2006 21:16:39
From: knightyknight9
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

[email protected] wrote:
> knightyknight9 wrote:
>
> > Here are the links to Parts I through V of "Understanding the Center
>
> Ahh, thanks!
>
> > Or maybe I'm misinterpreting your comment?
> > Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.
>
> Allow me to explain more clearly.
>
> > "I looked at "Understanding the English Opening (1 c4 e5 line)". For
> > move 2, you say Nc3 is "normal and common", that g3 is possible, and
> > that Nf3 is a mistake. For move 3, you say g3 is the mainline but Nf3
> > is a viable, aggressive alternative.
> > Explaining the ideas behind the moves would be nice. In Virginia Chess,
> > Reti explains the ideas behind 1.c4 e5 in a single, clear paragraph."
>
> "Now I will propose a thesis, the proof of which the reader and I can
> seek together. It is known that the significance of a single tempo, and
> thus the significance of development, is greatest in open positions. In
> closed positions it plays almost no role. Consequently, it would seem
> to be in White's interest to open the game (without loss of tempo, of
> course). How can this be achieved? Most likely by exposing and
> attacking the opponent's strong points. One would expect Black's
> strongest point in the center to be d5 since, unlike e5, it has natural
> protection by the queen. Therefore, the ideal initial move is 1. c4,
> immediately taking aim at d5. Should Black support d5 by l...Nf6, then
> White reinforces the attack by 2. Nc3. Let's assume that Black answers
> 2...e5. This weakens d5 and reveals his intention of building his
> position around e5 by such moves as ...Nc6 and ...d6. (Even with 2...e6
> he could not control d5 in the long run.) Now White need not continue
> attacking d5, which Black abandoned without a fight, by 3. g3 and 4.
> Bg2. Rather, following the logic given above, White should strike the
> new bastion e5 by 3. Nf3 and (in reply to 3...d6 or ...Nc6) 4. d4, and
> he thereby achieves an advantage."
>
> [Reti, reprinted in Virginia Chess, Sept/Oct 1993][Jerry Lawson]
>
> After reading this, I felt like I saw the big picture and could
> confidently play a game with the English Opening. He explains the
> purpose behind g3 and d4, when to play them and when not to play them.
> I'm ready for any variation Black throws at me.
>
> "* Creation of a queenside attack through the advancement
> of the a- and b-pawns.
>
> * Utilization of the g2 bishop to further the above objective
>
> * Control of the a-file, once the a-pawn has been traded off."
>
> [From your website, http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/]
>
> This assumes Black plays the mainlines. In Class B play, that's rare.
>
> I played a "1.c4 e5" game today, and it went like so:
>
> 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. d4 Nc6 5. dxe5 Nxe5 6. cxd5 Bd6 7. Bg2
> a6 8. e4 Nfg4 9. h3 Nf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. b3 O-O 12. f4 Ned7 13. g4 Nc5
> 14. b4 Ncxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxb4+ 16. Ke2 Re8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Kf1 f5 19.
> Rb1 a5 20. gxf5 Bxf5 21. Qd4 c5 22. Nf6+ Kf8 23. Nxh7+ Ke7 24. Qf6+ Kd7
> 25. Qxf5+ Kc7 26. Qxf7+ Re7 27. Qf8 Re8 28. Qf5 Rh8 29. Qe5+ Qd6 30.
> Qxd6+ Kxd6
>
> White wins with a kingside attack! This is not unusual even at the
> grandmaster level. Take, for example, M.Botvinnik-Sargon 1983. It's an
> excellent game featuring an all out attack on the g- and h-files.

Thanks for the clarification. I'll rework the article so that it
reflects your insights.

Date: 12 Aug 2006 19:33:28
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

knightyknight9 wrote:

> Here are the links to Parts I through V of "Understanding the Center

Ahh, thanks!

> Or maybe I'm misinterpreting your comment?
> Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.

Allow me to explain more clearly.

> "I looked at "Understanding the English Opening (1 c4 e5 line)". For
> move 2, you say Nc3 is "normal and common", that g3 is possible, and
> that Nf3 is a mistake. For move 3, you say g3 is the mainline but Nf3
> is a viable, aggressive alternative.
> Explaining the ideas behind the moves would be nice. In Virginia Chess,
> Reti explains the ideas behind 1.c4 e5 in a single, clear paragraph."

"Now I will propose a thesis, the proof of which the reader and I can
seek together. It is known that the significance of a single tempo, and
thus the significance of development, is greatest in open positions. In
closed positions it plays almost no role. Consequently, it would seem
to be in White's interest to open the game (without loss of tempo, of
course). How can this be achieved? Most likely by exposing and
attacking the opponent's strong points. One would expect Black's
strongest point in the center to be d5 since, unlike e5, it has natural
protection by the queen. Therefore, the ideal initial move is 1. c4,
immediately taking aim at d5. Should Black support d5 by l...Nf6, then
White reinforces the attack by 2. Nc3. Let's assume that Black answers
2...e5. This weakens d5 and reveals his intention of building his
position around e5 by such moves as ...Nc6 and ...d6. (Even with 2...e6
he could not control d5 in the long run.) Now White need not continue
attacking d5, which Black abandoned without a fight, by 3. g3 and 4.
Bg2. Rather, following the logic given above, White should strike the
new bastion e5 by 3. Nf3 and (in reply to 3...d6 or ...Nc6) 4. d4, and
he thereby achieves an advantage."

[Reti, reprinted in Virginia Chess, Sept/Oct 1993][Jerry Lawson]

After reading this, I felt like I saw the big picture and could
confidently play a game with the English Opening. He explains the
purpose behind g3 and d4, when to play them and when not to play them.
I'm ready for any variation Black throws at me.

"* Creation of a queenside attack through the advancement
of the a- and b-pawns.

* Utilization of the g2 bishop to further the above objective

* Control of the a-file, once the a-pawn has been traded off."

[From your website, http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/]

This assumes Black plays the mainlines. In Class B play, that's rare.

I played a "1.c4 e5" game today, and it went like so:

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. d4 Nc6 5. dxe5 Nxe5 6. cxd5 Bd6 7. Bg2
a6 8. e4 Nfg4 9. h3 Nf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. b3 O-O 12. f4 Ned7 13. g4 Nc5
14. b4 Ncxe4 15. Nxe4 Bxb4+ 16. Ke2 Re8 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Kf1 f5 19.
Rb1 a5 20. gxf5 Bxf5 21. Qd4 c5 22. Nf6+ Kf8 23. Nxh7+ Ke7 24. Qf6+ Kd7
25. Qxf5+ Kc7 26. Qxf7+ Re7 27. Qf8 Re8 28. Qf5 Rh8 29. Qe5+ Qd6 30.
Qxd6+ Kxd6

White wins with a kingside attack! This is not unusual even at the
grandmaster level. Take, for example, M.Botvinnik-Sargon 1983. It's an
excellent game featuring an all out attack on the g- and h-files.

Date: 12 Aug 2006 18:52:11
From: knightyknight9
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

[email protected] wrote:
> It's nice to see another free openings resource.
>
> I see "Understanding the Scandinavian, Part V" but can't locate parts
> I, II, III, or IV. Part V is focused on the gambit 2...Nf6 and I'm
> interested in 2...Qxd5.
>
> I looked at "Understanding the English Opening (1 c4 e5 line)". For
> move 2, you say Nc3 is "normal and common", that g3 is possible, and
> that Nf3 is a mistake. For move 3, you say g3 is the mainline but Nf3
> is a viable, aggressive alternative.
>
> Explaining the ideas behind the moves would be nice. In Virginia Chess,
> Reti explains the ideas behind 1.c4 e5 in a single, clear paragraph.

Thanks for the feedback. It's always appreciated.

Here are the links to Parts I through V of "Understanding the Center
Counter (Scandinavian):
Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part I
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/2006/01/chess-understanding-center-counter.html
Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part II
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center-counter.html
Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part III
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center-counter_05.html
Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part IV
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center_115210997262388378.html
Understanding the Center Counter (Scandinavian) Part V
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/2006/07/chess-understanding-center_115211261703678156.html

"I looked at "Understanding the English Opening (1 c4 e5 line)". For
move 2, you say Nc3 is "normal and common", that g3 is possible, and
that Nf3 is a mistake. For move 3, you say g3 is the mainline but Nf3
is a viable, aggressive alternative.
Explaining the ideas behind the moves would be nice. In Virginia Chess,
Reti explains the ideas behind 1.c4 e5 in a single, clear paragraph."

You bring up a very good point. Presently, my goal is to explicate the
main lines in each article. After that, I'll then move on to explaining
the alternate variations. I don't know what to make of your reference
to Reti vis-a-vis "Understanding the English Opening
(1 c4 e5 line)", especially since the "game plan" section provides an
overview of what that variation is all about. Or maybe I'm
misinterpreting your comment? Anyway, thanks again for the feedback.

Date: 12 Aug 2006 02:11:23
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

It's nice to see another free openings resource.

I see "Understanding the Scandinavian, Part V" but can't locate parts
I, II, III, or IV. Part V is focused on the gambit 2...Nf6 and I'm
interested in 2...Qxd5.

I looked at "Understanding the English Opening (1 c4 e5 line)". For
move 2, you say Nc3 is "normal and common", that g3 is possible, and
that Nf3 is a mistake. For move 3, you say g3 is the mainline but Nf3
is a viable, aggressive alternative.

Explaining the ideas behind the moves would be nice. In Virginia Chess,
Reti explains the ideas behind 1.c4 e5 in a single, clear paragraph.

knightyknight9 wrote:

> Chess Opening Secrets Revealed
> http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com

Date: 11 Aug 2006 19:38:30
From: knightyknight9
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

jsfromynr wrote:
> Hi ,
>
> Good Site!!
> Really informative.
>
> With warm regards
> Jatinder Singh

Thanks. I'm glad you got some use out of it.

Chess Opening Secrets Revealed
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com

Date: 10 Aug 2006 23:16:44
From: jsfromynr
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

Hi ,

Good Site!!
Really informative.

With warm regards
Jatinder Singh

Date: 10 Aug 2006 17:01:31
From: knightyknight9
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

> Can you give me the plan for both black and white while playing "Benko
> Gambit"

Check out
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com/2006/01/chess-understanding-benko-gambit.html

Hope it helps some.

Date: 10 Aug 2006 14:40:44
From: chasmad
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

jsfromynr wrote:
> Yes, You are right.
> This is the first time I played Benko gambit and I think it is dynamic
> opening after playing 4-5 games .
>
> Can you give me the plan for both black and white while playing "Benko
> Gambit"
>
> With Warm regards
> Jatinder Singh

Take a look at: The Benko Gambit Revealed by Neil McDonald (224pp.,
Batsford 2004), and The Benko Gambit by Jan Pinski (124pp., Quality
Chess 2005).

Charles

Date: 09 Aug 2006 23:50:37
From: jsfromynr
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

Yes, You are right.
This is the first time I played Benko gambit and I think it is dynamic
opening after playing 4-5 games .

Can you give me the plan for both black and white while playing "Benko
Gambit"

With Warm regards
Jatinder Singh

Date: 09 Aug 2006 04:00:42
From: chasmad
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

jsfromynr wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> This is the game played on fixed position tournament (Benko gambit). I
> have very little ideas about this gambit. I think my opponent played
> well and perhaps he overlooked in hurry to queen the pawn and was not
> (may be) expecting 39. Bd5
>
>
> Any thoughts !!
>
>
> 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nc3(?)

What on earth is this? Had you never seen a Benko Gambit before?

> a6(?)

Why not 4...b4 with an edge for Black?

<snip >

Charles

Date: 07 Aug 2006 17:45:01
From: knightyknight9
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

[email protected] wrote:
> jsfromynr wrote:
> > 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 b4
> > 6. Na2 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Nbd7
> > 11. Qc2 Rb8
>
> Qc2 makes your a2-knight and c2-queen easy to fork. I don't even see a
> compelling reason to move your queen there.
>
> > 12. b3 Nxd5
>
> b3 leaves your rook exposed to a discovered attack. Nd2 is better.
>
> > 13. cxd5 Bxa1
>
> If your opponent sacrifices a piece, you have to stop and ask why. If
> you had seen the discovered attack you wouldn't have captured his
> knight.
>
> > Bxa1 14. Bh6 Bg7 15. Bxg7 Kxg7
> > 16. h4 Nf6 17. e4 a5 18. Nh2 Ba6 19. Rd1
> > c4 20. e5 Ne8
> > 21. h5 Qc8 22. Rc1 cxb3 23. Qb2 Qxc1+ 24. Nxc1 dxe5
>
> Why did Black make this crazy sacrifice? He had a won game. If I had to
> guess, I would say he's uncomfortable at playing endgames.
>
> > 25. Nxb3 Nd6 26. Qxe5+ Kg8 27. g4 Bc4 28. h6 f6 29. Qxe7 Rb7
> > 30. Qxd6 Bxb3 31. Nf3 Bxa4 32. Nd4 b3
>
> I would be tempted to clarify the win. 33. Nxb3 Bxb3 34. Qa6 Rd7 35.
> Qxa5. The finish is not as exciting, but Black's winning chances are
> extinguished.
>
> > 33. Ne6 Rfb8 34. Nc5 b2 35. Qe6+ Kh8
> > 36. Qxf6+ Kg8 37. d6 b1=Q+ 38. Kh2 Rf7 39. Bd5 1-0
>
> Bd5 is a nice finishing move.
>
> > With Warm regards
> > Jatinder Singh

I don't know about 33 Ne6. I prefer:

33 Qe6+ Rbf7 34 Qb6 Bd7 35 d6, etc..
Or,
33 Qe6+ Kh8 34 Qa6 Re7 35 Ne6 Rff7 36 Qxa5 Bd7 37 Qb6, etc.

Chess Opening Secrets Revealed
http://chesscoach1977.blogspot.com

Date: 07 Aug 2006 10:38:30
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

[email protected] wrote:
> jsfromynr wrote:
> > 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nc3 a6

I'm curious. Why did you avoid 4. cxb5, winning a pawn? Since
recapturing your pawn is going to be difficult and it hems in his
queenside knight and bishop, he's probably aiming for some sort of
gambit. Eg, 4. cxb5 a5 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3.

Black has two pieces developed for the cost of a pawn, but no immediate
attack. You can't develop your light-squared bishop by moving your
e-pawn due to Bxf1 Kxf1 (losing castling privileges, but a fianchetto
seems fine.

It looks like a dynamic position with winning chances for both sides. I
just looked it up and this position is called the Benko Gambit. After
6. Nc3 it's 42% win, 34% draw, 24% loss for White. That seems like a
fine line to play.

Date: 07 Aug 2006 19:51:34
From: David Richerby
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

In article <[email protected] >,
[email protected] <[email protected] > wrote:
>[email protected] wrote:
>> jsfromynr wrote:
>> > 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nc3 a6
>
> I'm curious. Why did you avoid 4. cxb5, winning a pawn? Since
> recapturing your pawn is going to be difficult and it hems in his
> queenside knight and bishop, he's probably aiming for some sort of
> gambit. Eg, 4. cxb5 a5 5. bxa6 Bxa6 6. Nc3.
^^^^
I assume this is a typo for 4... a6, which is the normal move here?
After 4... a5, White has 5.a4 and a strong and annoying passed pawn.

> Black has two pieces developed for the cost of a pawn, but no
> immediate attack. You can't develop your light-squared bishop by
> moving your e-pawn due to Bxf1 Kxf1 (losing castling privileges, but
> a fianchetto seems fine.

Losing the right to castle turns out not to be a problem here. White
will play g3 and Kg2, which turns out not to be a significant loss of
time. Black's main compensation for the pawn is the open a- and
b-files for his heavy pieces.

> It looks like a dynamic position with winning chances for both
> sides.

Bingo.

Dave.

--
David Richerby Perforated Carnivorous Pants (TM):
www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~davidr/ it's like a well-tailored pair of
trousers but it eats flesh and it's
full of holes!

Date: 20 Aug 2006 05:01:42
From: bellatori
Subject: Re: Is this the same game I commented on a few posts ago!?

Obviously you needed a second opinion!!

Date: 07 Aug 2006 02:21:15
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Any Comment is Appreciated

jsfromynr wrote:
> 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nc3 a6 5. a4 b4
> 6. Na2 d6 7. Nf3 g6 8. g3 Bg7 9. Bg2 O-O 10. O-O Nbd7
> 11. Qc2 Rb8

Qc2 makes your a2-knight and c2-queen easy to fork. I don't even see a
compelling reason to move your queen there.

> 12. b3 Nxd5

b3 leaves your rook exposed to a discovered attack. Nd2 is better.

> 13. cxd5 Bxa1

If your opponent sacrifices a piece, you have to stop and ask why. If
you had seen the discovered attack you wouldn't have captured his
knight.

> Bxa1 14. Bh6 Bg7 15. Bxg7 Kxg7
> 16. h4 Nf6 17. e4 a5 18. Nh2 Ba6 19. Rd1
> c4 20. e5 Ne8
> 21. h5 Qc8 22. Rc1 cxb3 23. Qb2 Qxc1+ 24. Nxc1 dxe5

Why did Black make this crazy sacrifice? He had a won game. If I had to
guess, I would say he's uncomfortable at playing endgames.

> 25. Nxb3 Nd6 26. Qxe5+ Kg8 27. g4 Bc4 28. h6 f6 29. Qxe7 Rb7
> 30. Qxd6 Bxb3 31. Nf3 Bxa4 32. Nd4 b3

I would be tempted to clarify the win. 33. Nxb3 Bxb3 34. Qa6 Rd7 35.
Qxa5. The finish is not as exciting, but Black's winning chances are
extinguished.

> 33. Ne6 Rfb8 34. Nc5 b2 35. Qe6+ Kh8
> 36. Qxf6+ Kg8 37. d6 b1=Q+ 38. Kh2 Rf7 39. Bd5 1-0

Bd5 is a nice finishing move.

> With Warm regards
> Jatinder Singh