4th annual FBG chess tourney- Congrats to Kasparov! 1st place (1 Viewer)

[Kasparov]

Kasparov v dancingbones (1-0)

http://en.lichess.org/7OkYjHms#0

K destroyed me pretty much from the get go. Parked a N on d6 on move 14 that caused all sorts of problems.

Well played K.

It was a good game until that point. Your 14. ...Kd7 was a blunder as the King remained in the line of fire the rest of the game. 14. Kf8 was better: your King's much safer back there and even though your Rh8 is parked in the garage for the time being, your Nd5 is strong and has access to c3, which I didn't care for.

 

[timschochet]

Andyjayhawker vs Tim (1/2-1/2)

Too long to analyze too much, but andy probably needs to get his king more active in that end game. It didn't get beyond the 2nd rank until move 58. I know it's tough given the attacking threats you had but in rook/pawn end games, the king is usually going to be the key piece. With a king up on the 4th/5th rank you probably hold the win here. Tim's technique in the end game again brought it down to an 11 average centipawn loss which is, again, on par with a titled player with that many moves. So not too much to be upset about here when the opponent is playing that precisely. Both of you played well though.

I'll try to load this into chess base later and find any GM games with a similar opening.

Interesting. Looks like I miscalculated the end game and gave the game away at move 57. Tim played well and certainly capitalized on the mistake. I'm assuming my centipawn loss spiked a ton on that one move.

OK, but I still don't see how white wins after 57. kb3 kd6 58. kb4 kc6. Then what? What is white supposed to do? He can't take the pawn without trading it. He has to trade it for the a pawn, because if he trades it for the c pawn black forces a draw by hanging out in a8/b8. But if white trades it for the a pawn, then how is he any better off than he was with a4?

It is admittedly a very tricky endgame for white, the win is there but correct play is required or this slips to a draw quite easily. The idea for white is to force black to defend the pawn, gain the opposition and win it by force.So after 57. Kb3 Kd6 58. Kb4 Kc6 (forcing the defense of the pawn) 59. Ka5 Kc5 (gaining the opposition) 60. c3 Kc6 61. Ka6 (maintaining the opposition) Kc5 62. Kb7! the key move (and one that would be tough to find OTB) taking away the c5 square and forcing the black K away from its pawn Kd5 (62. ...Kc4 leads to 63. Kb6 Kxc3 64. Kxb5 Kb3 65. a4 winning) 63. Kb6 Kd6 64. Kxb5 Kc7 and either 65. c4 or a4 will win for white.

Wow, that's awesome! I'd never see it playing.

 

[John Bender]

It's very useful to START with end game training as opposed to openings and I wish I could go back and reverse the order in which I learned things.

Worth it for new guys to look up: opposition, philidor position, lucena positions (what am I missing Kaspy?)

 

[Kasparov]

It's very useful to START with end game training as opposed to openings and I wish I could go back and reverse the order in which I learned things.

Worth it for new guys to look up: opposition, philidor position, lucena positions (what am I missing Kaspy?)

The Rule of the Square

Saavedra Position

King vs. King + Pawn

King + Pawn vs. King + Rook

King + Rook vs. King + Rook + Pawn

 

[Sand]

Psychopav and I are moving along here. Apologies to Tim for turning down an extra game - seriously slammed at work. Otherwise I'd be happy to.

 

[AAABatteries]

Nero and I are moving along also.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Nysfl2 and I are also proceeding.

 

[AAABatteries]

AAA outlasts Nero - good game Nero!

 

[John Bender]

AAA outlasts Nero - good game Nero!

Here's your game

 

[AAABatteries]

AAA outlasts Nero - good game Nero!

Here's your game

Nero probably outplayed me save that one blunder.

 

[Psychopav]

I defeated sand.

 

[Nero]

AAA outlasts Nero - good game Nero!

Here's your game

Nero probably outplayed me save that one blunder.

Definitely not. I've learned a lot though. In both my losses, I think lost in the opening sequence.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Nysfl2 and I nearing endgame. Sorry to everyone that I've dragged; totally my fault.

 

[Abraham]

Em is moving about twice a day, none since last night. We are nowhere near ending if this keeps up.

 

[Aerial Assault]

AA defeats nysfl2 in a fantastic game. Tough, tough player. Sorry again to everyone for dragging. Game sent to JB (who, I hope, is feeling better) for analysis. Thanks to tim for setting up this tourney, which has been really fun thus far.

 

[nysfl2]

AA defeats nysfl2 in a fantastic game. Tough, tough player. Sorry again to everyone for dragging. Game sent to JB (who, I hope, is feeling better) for analysis. Thanks to tim for setting up this tourney, which has been really fun thus far.

GG, AA - it was fairly even for the majority of the game, but I just couldn't organize a good attack, and you kicked my butt at endgame.

 

[timschochet]

Em is moving about twice a day, none since last night. We are nowhere near ending if this keeps up.

Not good. Honestly I never should have let him in the tournament to begin with. Like everything else he does, it's been a complete waste of time. Forfeit win to Abraham. Well just have to go with an uneven number of players the last 2 rounds.

 

[Aerial Assault]

AA defeats nysfl2 in a fantastic game. Tough, tough player. Sorry again to everyone for dragging. Game sent to JB (who, I hope, is feeling better) for analysis. Thanks to tim for setting up this tourney, which has been really fun thus far.

GG, AA - it was fairly even for the majority of the game, but I just couldn't organize a good attack, and you kicked my butt at endgame.

Not so even at some points in the midgame, I think, when you were outplaying me. Very gg.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Em is moving about twice a day, none since last night. We are nowhere near ending if this keeps up.

Not good. Honestly I never should have let him in the tournament to begin with. Like everything else he does, it's been a complete waste of time. Forfeit win to Abraham. Well just have to go with an uneven number of players the last 2 rounds.

tim, I realize it's a little different, but there were some days this past week against nysfl2 where we might have moved twice each, or I only moved once. Maybe PM him, I dunno

 

[timschochet]

Em is moving about twice a day, none since last night. We are nowhere near ending if this keeps up.

Not good. Honestly I never should have let him in the tournament to begin with. Like everything else he does, it's been a complete waste of time. Forfeit win to Abraham. Well just have to go with an uneven number of players the last 2 rounds.

tim, I realize it's a little different, but there were some days this past week against nysfl2 where we might have moved twice each, or I only moved once. Maybe PM him, I dunno

I don't want to PM him.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Em is moving about twice a day, none since last night. We are nowhere near ending if this keeps up.

Not good. Honestly I never should have let him in the tournament to begin with. Like everything else he does, it's been a complete waste of time. Forfeit win to Abraham. Well just have to go with an uneven number of players the last 2 rounds.

tim, I realize it's a little different, but there were some days this past week against nysfl2 where we might have moved twice each, or I only moved once. Maybe PM him, I dunno

I don't want to PM him.

Whatev. As I said, thanks for setting up this tourney.

 

[timschochet]

Round 5 (left side white)

John Bender (4) vs. Kasparov (4)

Psychopav (3) vs. dancingbones (3)

Kutta (3) vs. Aerial Assault (3)

andyjayhawker (2.5) vs. Unialias (2.5)

timschochet (2.5) vs. AAA Batteries (2.5)

Joffer (2) vs. Sand (2)

Nysfl2 (2) vs. Abraham (2)

McGarnicle (2) vs. Nero (1.5)

Juxtatarot (1.5) vs. Rdrunner (1)

Bye: Getzlaf

Getzlaf, sorry about you being the odd man out. If you want to challenge me, I'll play you for the round.

 

[Psychopav]

Bender, I sent you the game with Sand, would love your commentary.

Invite sent to dancingbones. Looking forward to being knocked around by the chess drunken master imo.

 

[AAABatteries]

Sonofa##### - just give yourself a pt.

 

[John Bender]

Kasparov and I are underway. Should be interesting.

 

[John Bender]

Bender, I sent you the game with Sand, would love your commentary.

Invite sent to dancingbones. Looking forward to being knocked around by the chess drunken master imo.

Here ya go GB

http://en.lichess.org/spcs9sZf#0

full disclaimer on my thoughts: Pickles, SBOB, and probably Kaspy are all better players than I and might disagree with anything I've said here. I enjoy when they chime in as well.

ANOTHER Philidor defense in this tournament. I find it to generally be a rubbish defense but looks like transposed to some sort of Kings Indian instead.

Here's a really nice video explaining the problems for black in a Philidor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKCMXf4g1HU

For Pav:

7. Nd5, while the computer doesn't suggest an inaccuracy I have a problem with that move so early on. It's easy to kick away with the desirable c6. If I'm black, I want to play c6 anyway, so it's nice to play it with tempo. I see what maybe your idea was (attacking the pinned Knight) but it just doesn't lead to much this early in the game. Better was castling or I'd probably consider already pushing D4 here to give my light squared bishop some prospects at being more active. And when he does play c6 and you retreat the knight instead of exchanging, you've now moved a minor piece 3 times in the opening.

I really like your idea of being aggressive with castling queen side and then getting your rook to the G file and starting a pawn march. Typically, in a Kings Indian, Black is attacking on the king side and White is attacking on the queen side (So vs Nakamura at the 2015 Sinquefield Cup is a great example of this general premise if you're interested I could upload the game for you - ETA: here's the game: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1800188).This is a nice way to play attacking chess what you did here. Big fan.

Just an idea to be aware of though - you probably left the tension a bit too long here between the dark squared bishops. Notice the diagonal your Queen and King are on and notice the pin that's created when he captures your bishop. While it's avoidable due to some pawn moves, with better preparation things could have gotten very ugly with you. Which is something you should note, if you are going to castle queen side, you need to move your king to B2 early, rather than later.

He let you off the hook though with 17. ...g5

Your sacrifices on the king side attack, while likely not sound vs a strong player worked out in the end as black failed to generate any counter play. Nice job converting.

 

[kutta]

Kutta and Aerial Assault are kicked off

 

[joffer]

Invite sent to sand101

 

[timschochet]

tim beats AAA Batteries. (1-0)

 

[Juxtatarot]

RdRunner and I have started.

 

[nysfl2]

Abe and I started

 

[Sand]

Invite sent to sand101

Swamped. Let getzlaf take over here please.

 

[McGarnicle]

Sent invite to nero997 this morning.

 

[timschochet]

Invite sent to sand101

Swamped. Let getzlaf take over here please.

OK. Joffer please send Getzlaf an invite.

 

[andyjayhawker]

1-0 in my game with uni

 

[John Bender]

tim beats AAA Batteries. (1-0)

Send this over IMO.

I have an entire tim database on my chessbase - gearing up for our showdown later in the tourney.

 

[timschochet]

tim beats AAA Batteries. (1-0)

Send this over IMO.

I have an entire tim database on my chessbase - gearing up for our showdown later in the tourney.

This one's not really worth sending. AAA made some blunders early on. He's a much better player than he showed in our game.

 

[AAABatteries]

tim beats AAA Batteries. (1-0)

Send this over IMO.I have an entire tim database on my chessbase - gearing up for our showdown later in the tourney.

This one's not really worth sending. AAA made some blunders early on. He's a much better player than he showed in our game.

I really did screw this one up. I pinned my bishop and gave it up for basically nothing and then panicked and Tim murdered me. I will say that I'm not sure if he's right about me being better though - I suck against him.

 

[nysfl2]

nysfl2 defeats abraham (1-0)

 

[McGarnicle]

Nero and I are underway.

1. d4! d5??

2. c4?!?!?!

 

[John Bender]

Nero and I are underway.

1. d4! d5??

2. c4?!?!?!

Standard Queens Pawn Game - could be anything at this point

 

[timschochet]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

 

[joffer]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

hes tough.I beat Getzlaf

 

[andyjayhawker]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

What's his real life rating?

I think I recall Tim and Bender both saying they were around 1600. If Kasparov is unbeatable to those guys he must be around expert level. Maybe better?

 

[timschochet]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

What's his real life rating? I think I recall Tim and Bender both saying they were around 1600. If Kasparov is unbeatable to those guys he must be around expert level. Maybe better?

I have no idea. But I've played experts before who were not as proficient IMO.

 

[Psychopav]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

What's his real life rating?

I think I recall Tim and Bender both saying they were around 1600. If Kasparov is unbeatable to those guys he must be around expert level. Maybe better?

Why don't we ask him?

 

[McGarnicle]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

What's his real life rating? I think I recall Tim and Bender both saying they were around 1600. If Kasparov is unbeatable to those guys he must be around expert level. Maybe better?

I have no idea. But I've played experts before who were not as proficient IMO.

One thing I noticed when I played him: it wasn't enough to simply pin/trap pieces and gradually build a material advantage. That's how my games go with the typical 1300-1400 players on the app. No, he'll delay capture and surround you, until suddenly after a few moves the game is hopeless. I think I resigned before he even started wiping out my pieces. I get really excited when I find opportunities to do that in my games, or even execute a couple of sacrifices on the way to checkmate. I'd love to be able to create those opportunities on a regular basis.

 

[John Bender]

I've played Kasparov a few times now. I haven't come close to winning. I can't even seem to get any advantages.

What's his real life rating?

I think I recall Tim and Bender both saying they were around 1600. If Kasparov is unbeatable to those guys he must be around expert level. Maybe better?

Kaspy - what's your real life rating?

He's modest though. We're currently locked up in a completely closed position and I'm trying desperately to open things up (and probably moving inaccurately in an effort to do so)

For my rating: I haven't played an over the board tournament in a few months now, but I feel pretty good about my game that I'm probably playing at over 1700 (ok maybe high 1600s) level on a good day. Once I get over some health crap, I plan to buckle down and really prepare as I'll be playing in the Virginia Open in mid March.

 

[timschochet]

That's awesome John! I haven't played in a real tournament in years. Plan to go back to it once my kids have moved out.

 

[John Bender]

That's awesome John! I haven't played in a real tournament in years. Plan to go back to it once my kids have moved out.

Good idea to wait until then

Takes so much preparation and I do have a high pressure job that makes studying some times impossible. My girlfriend hates me as I spend most Sundays locked in my office studying chess for 12 straight hours but that's what it takes to do well at some of these bigger events.