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OFFICIAL FFA Chess thread; The queens we use would not excite you (1 Viewer)

19. ... f5

:shrug:

I'm cooked. Trying to close up the f file and get my knight maneuvering through the king side....I guess

 
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John Bender said:
SacramentoBob said:
John Bender said:
SacramentoBob said:
Your play in the King's Indian was strange to me.
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It's not my strong suit.
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Lots of well known masters to model your play after... You should start with Bronstein and Boleslavsky.
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Been taking lessons for a few months with Voja Milsovianoenebrbaic

Will talk to him tomorrow about improving there.

I try to keep it to Caro, Semi Slav or Benoni where possible.
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Don't play 10 different openings. Stick to 1 reply to e4 and 1 reply to d4. If you want it to be the KID, make it the KID. You're much better off learning one opening deeply than 3 different ones superficially. Your coach should've already told you this. :P

 
Been flirting with 1600 for the first time ever now that I've stopped only playing blitz games.

Will post some games here for critique if anyone is so inclined. Have a few pretty tactical wins lately too that maybe I'll post.

What's been helping has been working on one opening at a time. I'm usually quite sharp (for my rating level) in the end game (last chess coach I had this was all we would do is end game studies)

Not losing in the opening is my main problem.

I'll take a critique

Caro-Kann Advance Variation

Sorry for the time added in:

1. e4 {0:14:40} c6 {0:15:00} 2. d4 {0:14:37} d5 {0:14:59}
3. e5 {0:14:33} Bf5 {0:14:58} 4. Nf3 {0:14:33} e6 {0:14:57}
5. Be2 {0:14:33} c5 {0:14:55} 6. O-O {0:14:31} cxd4 {0:14:54}
7. Nxd4 {0:14:29} Ne7 {0:14:52} 8. Nxf5 {0:14:28} Nxf5 {0:14:51}
9. c4 {0:14:26} d4 {0:14:47} 10. Bf3 {0:14:19} Nc6 {0:14:42}
11. Qa4 {0:14:15} Qb6 {0:14:19} 12. Na3 {0:14:07} Bxa3 {0:14:10}
13. bxa3 {0:14:05} O-O {0:14:08} 14. Bf4 {0:13:54} Rfd8 {0:13:28}
15. Rab1 {0:13:46} Qc7 {0:13:08} 16. Qb5 {0:13:43} Rab8 {0:12:49}
17. Rfd1 {0:13:33} d3 {0:12:24} 18. Qc5 {0:13:15} b6 {0:11:50}
19. Qxc6 {0:13:12} Qxc6 {0:11:40} 20. Bxc6 {0:13:12} Nd4 {0:11:38}
21. Be4 {0:13:08} Ne2+ {0:11:34} 22. Kh1 {0:12:52} Nxf4 {0:11:14}
23. g3 {0:12:45} Ne2 {0:10:56} 24. Rxd3 {0:12:41} Rxd3 {0:09:49}
25. Bxd3 {0:12:41} Nc3 {0:09:48} 26. Rb2 {0:12:31} Rd8 {0:09:37}
27. Bf1 {0:12:19} Rd1 {0:09:06} 28. Kg2 {0:12:13} Ra1 {0:08:41}
29. c5 {0:12:09} Rxa2 {0:08:35} 30. Rxa2 {0:12:02} Nxa2 {0:08:35}
31. c6 {0:12:01} 1-0

Also...yes, I realize there's computer that can analyze these for me, but they only show you the best move. Not the ideas behind it. Would much prefer any input on certain positional tactics I missed or "ideas" about how to be developing/attacking at key points.
Around move 18 or so above, you can see I have no counterplay ideas of my own and I'm simply reacting for the rest of the game. Yet stockfish shows me as winning pretty easily at this stage.
 
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World Cup starts tomorrow.

Last chance for Kramnik and Aronian to qualify for the Candidates. Topalov and Giri will get on based on their ratings. Would like to see Wesley So get in. 3 Americans in the candidates would be unreal.

 
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SBob - do you actually have chessbase? (I can't run it because I use a mac)

I'm looking for games in an odd line in the Grunfeld I've been using and hoping someone can send me the link to any GM games played in this line?

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 g3

3. Nc3 Nxd5

(first, my question is what is the most popular move here according to chess base? I assume Bg5, Bf4, or Nf3)

What I'm looking for is...

4. cxd5 Nxd5

aaaaaand

5. Bd2...

From there if N takes N, bc3 and looking for e4 next

if Nb6...looking to push e3 and pawn to f4 soon there after.

Anyway, just something I've been messing around with that seems out of the mainlines. I have no chess base so this is impossible for me to look up.

Any games with the first 5 moves you've posted above would be most appreciated if you do have Chess Base.

 
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Also, lately just been playing the boring ### London System when I can vs anyone rated >200 over me and sticking with standard GQD stuff for anyone rated less.

It's been working out real well as I find more and more I'm not losing the game with a bad move in the opening.

 
This was fun vs a 1623 opponent and why I try to play Caro vs higher ranked opponents...keeping things tight.

The A and B pawn push wound up being crucial.

I was also in time trouble at a few points taking way too long to calculate. Thusly, I almost blew the game at least twice.

Anyway, one of the funnest Standard games I've ever played and definitely my proudest.

(for anyone who cares)

(OPPONENT: RANK)

1. e4 {0:20:12} c6 {0:20:12}

2. Nc3 {0:20:11} d5 {0:20:21}

3. exd5 {0:20:13} cxd5 {0:20:28}

4. Bb5+ {0:20:21} Bd7 {0:20:30}

5. Bxd7+ {0:20:29} Qxd7 {0:20:38}

6. d4 {0:20:38} Nc6 {0:20:46}

7. Nf3 {0:20:46} e6 {0:20:54}

8. O-O {0:20:56} Bd6 {0:21:01}

9. h3 {0:21:05} Nge7 {0:21:09}

10. Bd2 {0:20:53} O-O {0:21:17}

11. a3 {0:20:45} a6 {0:21:25}

12. Na4 {0:20:36} Qc7 {0:21:16}

13. Re1 {0:19:44} b5 {0:20:58}

14. Nc5 {0:19:44} Bxc5 {0:19:51} - i missed the xd4 tactic here

15. dxc5 {0:19:51} a5 {0:19:25} - but here come the pawns

16. Qe2 {0:18:58} b4 {0:18:02}

17. c3 {0:17:54} b3 {0:17:25}

18. Nd4 {0:16:55} a4 {0:15:04}

19. Nb5 {0:16:05} Qd7 {0:14:08}

20. Bf4 {0:14:59} Na5 {0:14:08}

21. Rad1 {0:13:43} Rfc8 {0:13:44}

22. Bd6 {0:13:17} Nf5 {0:13:18}

23. Nd4 {0:10:46} Nxd6 {0:11:31}

24. cxd6 {0:10:55} Qxd6 {0:10:36}

25. Qh5 {0:09:11} Nc4 {0:09:15}

26. Re2 {0:09:09} Ra5 {0:07:18} - had the worst feeling this move was real bad. computer says neutral. came in handy later

27. Nf3 {0:09:11} d4 {0:06:09}

28. Qh4 {0:07:17} d3 {0:04:28}

29. Re4 {0:06:40} Rac5 {0:03:04} - doh

30. Ng5 {0:04:35} h6 {0:02:06}

31. Nf3 {0:03:48} Nxb2 {0:02:14}

32. Rd4 {0:02:56} Qa6 {0:01:52} - doh - time was a major issue here

33. Rd2 {0:02:42} Rxc3 {0:01:55} - doh

34. Rxb2 {0:00:32} Rc2 {0:01:51}

35. Rxc2 {0:00:17} bxc2 {0:01:54}

36. Rd8+ {0:00:24} Rxd8 {0:02:04}

37. Qxd8+ {0:00:34} Kh7 {0:02:16}

38. Qc7 {0:00:24} Qb6 {0:02:06} - huge doh

39. Qc3 {0:00:15} Qb1+ {0:02:16} - i mean, :grad:
40. Kh2 {0:00:22} c1=Q {0:02:28}

41. Qxc1 {0:00:18} Qxc1 {0:02:38}
{White resigns}
0-1

New Rating: 1531-1551

fun one

#BlackPiecesMatter

 
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John Bender said:
SBob - do you actually have chessbase? (I can't run it because I use a mac)

I'm looking for games in an odd line in the Grunfeld I've been using and hoping someone can send me the link to any GM games played in this line?

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 g3

3. Nc3 Nxd5

(first, my question is what is the most popular move here according to chess base? I assume Bg5, Bf4, or Nf3)

What I'm looking for is...

4. cxd5 Nxd5

aaaaaand

5. Bd2...

From there if N takes N, bc3 and looking for e4 next

if Nb6...looking to push e3 and pawn to f4 soon there after.

Anyway, just something I've been messing around with that seems out of the mainlines. I have no chess base so this is impossible for me to look up.

Any games with the first 5 moves you've posted above would be most appreciated if you do have Chess Base.
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This was actually played by Anand vs Carlsen in game 1 of the World Championship last year. The Grunfeld is hot for Black lately because White is having a tough time proving an advantage in the mainlines (sort of like the Berlin vs e4).

Anyway, Delchev and Agrest give Dreev - Karavade as a model game in this line in their book "The Safest Grunfeld".

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1574002

Are you looking for ideas from the White or Black side? If the latter, your best bang for the buck for studying is the Classical Exchange.

 
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Thanks Sbob.

Things have gotten better (was looking for lines for white).

I have ChessBase now.

Since the post, I've actually ordered a PC so I could have a more chess friendly computer and I'm not taking lessons with GM Akobian and still Voja from ICC

I do an 1.5 hours a week with Akobian for nothing other than learning the French

(his level of knowledge of the french is just incredible)

Voja and I continue to focus on the Scandinavian and the Baltic or Grau Gambit.

(I love the Baltic at my level...if white doesn't take the pawn gambit, it simply transposes to a semi slav structure which I'm very comfortable in)

My Caro knowledge is still about as expert level as it gets, unfortunately, it just leads to nothing but draws against anyone higher rated. I've read 2 books now on it and all the lines involved and will continue to use is vs 1700+ players, but needed something to open things up more vs my equals.

And of course, I do plenty of homework, end game studies and tactics training with both coaches.

I don't have much going on outside of work so I have the time and money to really dig into hobbies which has been great.

In just 2 months or so, ICC ratings have gone from 1280-1350 to 1550-1650 depending on if I'm drinking or not while playing :)

Also joined a local chess club and will be playing me first USCF OTB tourney in a few weeks.

I think after the next few months of lessons I'm done building the black repertoire for my games: Caro-Kann, Scandy, Baltic, Slav and French are all more than enough

Next I need to tighten up some of my understandings openings vs my D4 as white. I have been playing London System just to avoid having to know too much theory with moderate success. I'm ok vs the Nimzo/Ragozin/Gruenfeld but get destroyed in any Kings Indian or QGA lines.

Not that anyone cares...but it is the chess thread.

 
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I think you're wasting a lot of money on GM lessons learning like 3-4 openings for Black. It doesn't make sense to me. You want to learn one opening really well. Learn the typical middlegame plans/ideas and the endgames that arise.

Vs the King's Indian look into the Saemisch. There's a big trend towards playing 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 to avoid the mainline Grunfeld (not important for class play) and transposing into the Saemisch KID when White is the one attacking on the kingside (very important for class play).

Vs the QGA, just play 2. e4 and take the center.

If you're a d4 player, focus most of your time on QGD followed by Nimzo/KID about equally. You can rack up a lot of easy points with the exchange QGD once you become comfortable with the typical ideas. It's almost a system opening for White like the London, except it packs a lot of punch.

 
SacramentoBob said:
I think you're wasting a lot of money on GM lessons learning like 3-4 openings for Black. It doesn't make sense to me. You want to learn one opening really well. Learn the typical middlegame plans/ideas and the endgames that arise.

Vs the King's Indian look into the Saemisch. There's a big trend towards playing 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. f3 to avoid the mainline Grunfeld (not important for class play) and transposing into the Saemisch KID when White is the one attacking on the kingside (very important for class play).

Vs the QGA, just play 2. e4 and take the center.

If you're a d4 player, focus most of your time on QGD followed by Nimzo/KID about equally. You can rack up a lot of easy points with the exchange QGD once you become comfortable with the typical ideas. It's almost a system opening for White like the London, except it packs a lot of punch.
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Probably true but now that I have a good understanding of the French and it's 4 major variations, we're moving on it helps me prepare vs players I've played more than once.

Right now, I've been having a lot of trouble playing agains the Kings Indian (just scroll to the top of this page to see how long I've been struggling vs it). As a D4 guy, I run into it a lot, and I'm a bit uncomfortable with the C, D and E pawns all on the 4th rank so been learning Akobian's Smyslov/Petrosian system vs. it.

There's a lot of value in these lessons to me right now as I lack the discipline to sit down and study myself. I also can draw almost any game vs someone at my level with the Caro Kann...in order to move outward and upward, I wanted to expand the repertoire.

I do understand what you're saying - but right now I'm playing OTB in rated matches or tournaments at least once a week (not all rated) and I need to have some preparation and post-game analysis with someone more than a computer. I'd like to really keep this going and I can't really argue with the results.

Anyway, I'm going to stop now as this has become Bender's chess thread and I don't want that.

If anyone wants to discuss, play, whatever....feel free to PM me. Will try to keep stuff as general as possible in here from now on because it looks like I've already killed this thread judging by the lack of participation :)

ETA: I do agree with SBob on more training in end game positions and tactical positions, but these things I should be able to do on my own. It just helps some times when you get stuck. I have been reading through Capablanca's books, and get stuck on 2 out of every 10 problems, and it's nice to have a coach to re-direct me as to what tactic or idea I was looking for.

 
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So I know the mechanics of the game fine and I played when I was a kid, but I have no clue where to start to learn more about strategy.

Any books anyone would recommend? Other suggestions? I've played some games online, but I can't really seem to figure out what to look for in order to improve my overall strategy.

 
Long Ball Larry said:
So I know the mechanics of the game fine and I played when I was a kid, but I have no clue where to start to learn more about strategy.

Any books anyone would recommend? Other suggestions? I've played some games online, but I can't really seem to figure out what to look for in order to improve my overall strategy.
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Youtube is your friend here.

Books are great too, but if you're interested in taking the jump (as I did 2 years ago), there are youtube channels that are more efficient than books. If you're interested, I could PM you a few channels to follow/catch up on

 
John Bender said:
Long Ball Larry said:
So I know the mechanics of the game fine and I played when I was a kid, but I have no clue where to start to learn more about strategy.

Any books anyone would recommend? Other suggestions? I've played some games online, but I can't really seem to figure out what to look for in order to improve my overall strategy.
Click to expand...
Youtube is your friend here.Books are great too, but if you're interested in taking the jump (as I did 2 years ago), there are youtube channels that are more efficient than books. If you're interested, I could PM you a few channels to follow/catch up on
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I wouldn't mind seeing those links. Also, did you post some links to help with various end game scenarios recently? Thought that was here but maybe it was in Tim's tournament thread?
 
What are we using against the London System these days?

After the Scandinavian, this has to be the most popular game played on lichess right now.  I'm getting the London, Colle and Tromposky half the time at this rate.  

Who's got some insight onto the proper way to attack the London System?

I've been trying to use a french defense type set up vs it and attacking queen side :shrug:   no idea if its any good - doesn't seem to be

 
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Kasparov said:
I would suggest keep studying and playing the Nimzo-Indian, it's very stout against d4 when played with the main strategic concepts in mind, namely:

A. Doubling white's c-pawns if possible, then undermining them.

B. Work to control the d5 and e4 squares. In most Nimzo lines, its all about the e4 square.

C. c4 can be a good outpost for black in many Nimzo lines as well.

D. Close the position to reduce white's bishop pair.
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Wow, this post was pretty prophetic.

 
SacramentoBob said:
Jesus this thing takes forever with all the rest days.

Round 10/14 completed today.

Caruana and Karjakin tied for the lead with 6/10.  Anand and Aronian next up with 5.5/10.  With only 4 games left, it will be tough for anyone else to make it.
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Naka Naka Nat kanna win this tournament. 

 
####in lichess down again?

Working on becoming an official twitch streamer for them currently.  Need a few more followers on my stream according to their last email. If interest in following along, shoot me a PM and I'll get the URL posted for my stream.

 
Last round of the Candidates is today.

Only Caruana or Karjakin can win the tournament and they're playing each other today.  If they draw, Karjakin has the better tiebreaker and faces Carlsen.  Unless Anand wins and makes it a three-way tie which gives Caruana the better tiebreaker.

 
Yeah, Fabi played an open Sicilian i believe. Dont think I've seen one all tournament, but he appears to be -1.00 already.

Not looking good.  Pulling off a win as black against a top 10 player has to be next to impossible if the player playing white only needs a draw.

Not looking good.

 
My favorite game ever, I'm black and lose a rook early, battle back somehow. This was a blast to analyze 5 moves out and he made the moves I predicted to lead to checkmate. I don't think I ever won before after losing a rook that early.

1. d4 d5
2. Nf3 Bg4
3. h3 Bxf3
4. e2xf3 Nf6
5. Bf4 Nb8d7
6. a3 g6
7. Bd3 Bg7
8. O-O c5
9. dxc5 Nxc5
10. Bb5+ Nc5d7
11. Re1 O-O
12. Nc3 a6
13. Bd3 e6
14. b4 b5
15. g4 Re8
16. h4 Qc8
17. Ne2 e5
18. Bh2 d4
19. Ng3 Qc6
20. g5 Nh5
21. Nxh5 gxh5
22. Be4 Qe6
23. Bxa8 Rxa8
24. Qd3 Qh3
25. Re4 f6
26. gxf6 Bxf6
27. Bg3 Kf7
28. Ra1e1 Re8
29. c3 dxc3
30. Qxc3 Qf5
31. Kg2 h6
32. Qd2 Rg8
33. Kh2 Be7
34. Qe3 Bd6
35. Qxh6 Nf6
36. Re4e2 Qxf3
37. Qd2 Ng4+
38. Kh3 Nxf2+
39. Rxf2 Rxg3+
40. Kh2 Rh3+
41. Kg1 Rh1# 0-1
 
 
John Bender said:
Yeah, Fabi played an open Sicilian i believe. Dont think I've seen one all tournament, but he appears to be -1.00 already.

Not looking good.  Pulling off a win as black against a top 10 player has to be next to impossible if the player playing white only needs a draw.

Not looking good.
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Did you stop streaming at Twitch?

 
For an overall pretty dull world championship, they're doing their best to make it somewhat exciting in the tiebreakers.

Carlsen blunders away an advantage and major time advantage in game 2; still tied into game 3, Carlsen with yet another time lead. 

 
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