Touch Wood

Chess-players should know all about touching wood, but I have been guilty of hubris in my last couple of posts and omitted the usual supernatural prophylaxis. The crunch match of the early part of the season for Aberystwyth, as so often in the Dyfed League, was against Cardigan A, at the Emlyn Cafe, Tanygroes, on Monday 12th November, and, though we arrived feeling competitive, it did not end well for the club. On top board, Rudy van Kemenade played a sharp variation against Howard Williams's Sicilian and went on to open the centre on the principle that Black hadn't castled yet. It turns out that there was a winning line for him in the complications that ensued, but it was very hard to see, and he came out of them an exchange down, a deficit from which he was unable to recover. Adam Watkin-Jones was bamboozled by Iolo Jones's hypnotic manoeuvres in an English Opening, and allowed White a grip on d6, after which he, too, lost the exchange and the game. Against Tony Haigh, I found myself playing the White side of a French MacCutcheon, for only the second time in a rated game. Afterwards we both discovered that we only knew the theory as far as move 8. I cautiously exchanged out of danger, arriving at a knight-versus-bad-bishop endgame, which, according to Rudy's analysis, was winnable, but I could only find a draw. Finally, James Cook, after his good start to the season, had the worst of a Bogo-Indian against the rapidly improving Ben Brewer, dropping a pawn and allowing White's passed pawn to advance deep into his position for the win. Cardigan A's 3½-½ victory means they are now clear leaders of the League.

The club championship continued next day with a game between me and Sam Holman. Emerging from an O'Kelly Sicilian with a dangerous looking central passed pawn, Sam daringly sacrificed the exchange to foil my attempt to force a draw by repetition. In the difficult ending that resulted I failed to find the best defence and lost a tense and interesting game.

[Event "Dyfed League:Cardigan-Aberystwyth"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.12"] [Round "?"] [White "Van Kemenade, R."] [Black "Williams, AH."] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B30"] [WhiteElo "2030"] [BlackElo "2324"] [Annotator "kemen"] [PlyCount "71"] [EventDate "2018.11.13"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg5 {a move championed by Gawain Jones, played by Morozovich, Glek & McShane} (5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. c3 { main}) 5... Qc7 (5... Qb6 6. Nbd2 (6. Qc1 Bg7 7. c3 h6 8. Be3 d5 9. exd5 (9. Nbd2) 9... exd5 10. Bg2 Nge7 11. Nbd2 Nf5 12. Nb3 d4 13. cxd4 cxd4 14. Bd2 O-O 15. O-O {Glek-Triapishko,RUS ch tm rapid, Sochi 2015,1-0}) 6... Qxb2 {eg} 7. Nc4 Qg7 8. Rb1 d6 9. Bg2 Be7 10. e5 {G Jones-Snape, BCF ch, Scarborough 2001, 1-0}) 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. c3 e5 (7... Nge7 {main} 8. O-O d5 9. Na3 O-O 10. Re1 h6 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Bd2 b6 13. Qc1 Kh7 14. Re4 f6 15. d4 {Glek-Short, Cap D'Agde rapid 1996,1-0}) 8. O-O d6 (8... Nge7 9. Na3 O-O 10. d4 d6 (10... cxd4 11. cxd4 exd4 12. Rc1 Qd8 13. Nb5 $11 {Libiszewski-Karr, FRA ch , Meribel 1998, 0-1}) 11. Nb5 Qd7 12. dxc5 dxc5 13. Qe2 b6 14. Rfd1 Qb7 15. Nd6 Qa6 16. Qc2 $18 { Zakic-Vratonjic, YUG ch, NIs 1998,1-0}) 9. Na3 Be6 10. d4 {Wh felt that with the K in the middle, the game needed to be opened up} exd4 (10... cxd4 { Cloud Engines} 11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Qd3 (13. f4 $16 {Stockfish8 & Komodo12}) 13... a6 14. Rac1 Qd7 15. f4 Ne7 16. f5 gxf5 17. exf5 Nxf5 18. Nc4 Bxc4 (18... O-O 19. Nb6 Qb5 20. Qxb5 axb5 21. Nxa8 Rxa8 22. Bxb7 Ra7 23. Be4 Ne3 24. Rfe1 Rxa2 $14 {Komodo121}) 19. Rxc4 Ne3 20. Bxe3 dxe3 21. Qxe3+ Qe6 22. Qd3 O-O 23. Rh4 {Ansell-Nandhidhaa, London Classic Open2011,1-0}) 11. Nb5 { choice of Komodo12} Qd7 (11... Qb6 12. Nxd6+ Kf8 $16 {Komodo12} (12... Kd7 13. cxd4 (13. Bf4 $18) 13... cxd4 14. e5 $18 {considered by Wh & pm analtsis} (14. Bf4 $18 {Komodo12}))) 12. cxd4 $16 (12. Bf4 Be5 13. cxd4 cxd4 14. Nfxd4 Nxd4 15. Nxd4 Bxf4 16. gxf4 Nf6 17. Nxe6 (17. Qe2 O-O 18. f5 $16 {Komodo12}) 17... fxe6 18. e5 Nh5 (18... dxe5 19. fxe5 Nd5 20. Qf3 O-O-O $14 {Komodo12}) 19. Qxd6 Nxf4 (19... Qxd6 20. exd6 Nxf4 21. Be4 Kd7 $11 {Komodo12}) 20. Qxd7+ Kxd7 21. Rfd1+ Ke7 22. Bxb7 Rad8 $11 {Horvath-Almasi, HUN ch tm, 2010,0-1}) 12... Bc4 { missed by Wh in earlier calculations, but Komodo12 finds the justification for Wh's decision to open up the game} (12... a6 {best try, Komodo12} 13. Nxd6+ Qxd6 14. d5 Bd7 15. dxc6 Qxd1 16. Rfxd1 Bxc6 17. e5 $16) 13. d5 (13. Bh3 $1 $16 {Komodo12- not seen in pm analysis either} Qxh3 (13... f5 14. exf5 $1 $18 Bxb5 (14... Bxf1 15. Qxf1 $18 Bf6 16. fxg6 Qg7 17. dxc5 $18 (17. gxh7 $18) (17. Re1+ Kf8 18. Bf4 $18)) (14... Nf6 15. Re1+ Kf8 16. Na3 Bd5 17. dxc5 dxc5 18. Ne5 Nxe5 19. Rxe5 Rd8 20. Qe2 $18 {Komodo12}) 15. f6 Qc7 16. fxg7 Qxg7 17. Re1+ Nce7 18. Qb3 a6 19. dxc5 dxc5 20. a4 Bc6 21. Ne5 $18 {Komodo12}) (13... Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. dxc5 dxc5 16. Nd6+ Kf8 17. Rc1 $18 {Komodo12}) 14. Nxd6+ Kf8 15. Nxc4 Bxd4 (15... Nxd4 16. e5 $18) 16. Nd6 Qd7 17. Bf4 $16 {Komodo12}) (13. a4 Bxb5 (13... Bxf1 14. Qxf1 Nxd4 (14... a6 15. Bh3 $18) 15. Nfxd4 Bxd4 16. Rd1 Be5 17. f4 Bd4+ 18. Nxd4 cxd4 19. Rxd4 $14 {Komodo12}) 14. axb5 Nxd4 15. b6 ( 15. Be3 Nxb5 16. e5 $14) 15... a6 16. Nxd4 Bxd4 17. Qd2 Ne7 (17... Bg7 18. e5 $16) 18. Bh6 $11 {Komodo12}) 13... Ne5 (13... Bxb5 14. dxc6 Bxc6 15. Bf4 $11 { Komodo12}) 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Nc3 (15. Na3 {pm analysis & slightly preferred by Komodo12, a bit easier to play for Wh} Bxf1 16. Bxf1 a6 (16... Kf8 $11 { Komodo12}) 17. Nc4 Rb8 18. Be3 (18. Nxe5 dxe5 19. Rc1 $16 {Komodo12- pm analysis} (19. d6 f6 (19... h6 20. Qd5 hxg5 21. Qxe5+ Kf8 22. Qxh8 Qxd6 $14 { Komodo12}) 20. Be3 Rc8 21. Rc1 $16 {Komodo12}))) 15... Bxf1 16. Bxf1 (16. Qxf1 {looks to be better} h6 17. Be3 Nf6 18. Re1 Kf8 19. f4 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Re8 21. e5 Ng4 22. Bc1 h5 23. c4 $11 {Komodo12}) 16... a6 $15 17. a4 (17. Na4 Qc7 { gets nowhere}) (17. Qe2 h6 18. Be3 Nf6 19. Bg2 b5 20. Nd1 O-O 21. Bxh6 Rfe8 22. Be3 Ng4 23. Bg5 f5 $17 {Komodo12}) 17... Ne7 (17... Nf6 18. Bh6 O-O-O $17 { Komodo12}) (17... Bg7 {Howard} 18. a5 Ne7 19. Na4 Nc8 20. b4 $11 {Komodo12}) 18. Bh6 (18. a5 O-O 19. Na4 Nc8 (19... Rae8 20. Nb6 Qc7 21. Nc4 $11 {Komodo12}) ) 18... f6 (18... Ng8 19. Be3 Nf6 $17 {Komodo12}) 19. Be3 (19. a5 Kf7 (19... g5 {Feared by Wh as it cuts off the B, butthere are resources} 20. Na4 Nc8 21. Be2 Kd8 22. Bg4 Qb5 23. Be6 (23. Qd2 Qe8 $17)) 20. Na4 Nc8 21. Be3 Kg7 22. f4 Bd4 23. Bxd4 cxd4 24. Qxd4 Re8 25. Rc1 Re7 $11 {Komodo112}) 19... f5 (19... O-O 20. f4 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Rae8 $17 {Komodo12}) 20. f4 (20. Bh6 O-O-O $17) (20. a5 O-O 21. Na4 Rad8 22. Nb6 Qc7 23. Nc4 fxe4 24. Nxe5 dxe5 25. Rc1 Nxd5 26. Bxc5 Rf6 27. Qe1 Rc6 28. b4 Nf6 $17 {Komodo12}) 20... Bxc3 21. bxc3 {at least Wh has obtained 2Bs vs R&N, which can often hold the fort in endgames} fxe4 22. Qc2 O-O $17 (22... O-O-O $17 {also, Komodo12}) 23. Qxe4 Nf5 24. Bf2 {looked better than} (24. Bd2 $19 {Komodo12 concurs}) 24... Rae8 25. Qd3 Re7 $19 {the R invasion will be too powerful} (25... c4 26. Qd2 {considered by both & pm analysis} Re4 $17) 26. a5 (26. g4 Nh6 27. h3 Rxf4 28. Qd2 Rxf2 (28... g5 29. Be3 Rxe3 30. Qxe3 Nf7 31. Qe6 $17 {is not as good}) 29. Qxf2 Nf7 30. Bg2 Ne5 $19 {Komodo12, the N dominates the defensive B( thus helping the other pieces gain in activity) & Bl has an extra pawn to play with on the Q side}) 26... Rfe8 27. Bh3 (27. Rb1 Ne3 $19) 27... Re4 (27... Re2) 28. c4 (28. Rb1 Ra4) 28... Qg7 (28... Re2 29. Rb1 Ra2 30. g4 Nh6 31. f5 Ree2 32. Bg3 gxf5 33. gxf5 Qg7 34. f6 Qxf6 35. Rf1 Qg7 36. Be6+ (36. Kh1 Ng4 $19) 36... Kh8 37. Qf3 Rxh2 38. Qf8+ Qxf8 39. Rxf8+ Kg7 40. Bxh2 Kxf8 41. Bxd6+ Ke8 42. Bxc5 Rxa5 43. Bb6 Ra1+ 44. Kf2 Nf7 $19 {though there are some slim hopes of a Wh survival as the Bs cooperate better than the R & N}) 29. Rb1 R8e7 (29... h5) (29... Nd4 30. Be6+ $11) 30. Rb6 (30. Rxb7 {Howard & pm analysis was Wh's last chance} Rxb7 31. Qxe4 Qa1+ 32. Kg2 Re7 33. Qd3 Qf6 (33... Qxa5 34. Bxf5 gxf5 35. Qxf5 $11 { the Bl K will face a perpetual}) 34. Qb3 Re2 35. Bxf5 Qxf5 36. Qb8+ Qf8 37. Qa7 Qe7 38. Qxa6 Ra2 $19 {Komodo12} (38... h5 $19 {Komodo12( provides escape routes for the Bl K as well as a source of attack)})) 30... Qa1+ 31. Kg2 (31. Rb1 Qxa5 32. Bxf5 gxf5 33. Qf3 Qa2 $19 {Komodo12}) (31. Bf1 Re1 (31... Qxa5 32. Rxb7 Rxb7 33. Qxe4 Qd2 $19 {a more immediate line}) 32. Bxe1 Rxe1 33. Kf2 (33. Rb3 Ne3) 33... Rd1 34. Qe2 Qd4+ 35. Kf3 (35. Kg2 Rd2) 35... Qc3+ 36. Kg4 Ne3+ 37. Kh3 Rd2 38. Rb3 (38. Qf3 Qg7 $1 {mating}) 38... Qxb3 39. Qxd2 Nxf1 40. Qe2 Ne3 $19 {Komodo12}) (31. Qb1 Re1+ $19 {seen by both}) 31... Ne3+ {Wh had missed that the N needed to be taken} 32. Bxe3 (32. Kf3 Qh1+ 33. Ke2 Nxc4+ 34. Be3 Rxe3+ 35. Qxe3 Rxe3+ 36. Kf2 Qf3+ 37. Kg1 Re1+ 38. Bf1 Qxf1#) 32... Rxe3 33. Qb1 Re2+ 34. Kf3 R7e3+ 35. Kg4 Qf6 36. Rxb7 (36. Bf1 Rxh2 37. f5 Rh5 38. fxg6 Qg5# {Komodo12 has some other typical Engine ways of postponing the mate by giving up lots of material first}) 0-1 [Event "Dyfed League: Cardigan A - Aberystwyth"] [Site "Tanygroes"] [Date "2018.11.12"] [Round "?.2"] [White "Jones, IC."] [Black "Watkin-Jones, A."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E61"] [WhiteElo "2225"] [BlackElo "1940"] [Annotator "kemen"] [PlyCount "49"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 Nf6 {main} (2... h5 {Heap-R Van Kemenade, Dyfed Closed 2018,0-1} ) 3. Bg2 g6 (3... d5 {main} 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. Nc3 Be6 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. O-O) 4. Nc3 d6 5. e3 (5. Nf3) 5... Bg7 6. Nge2 Nbd7 (6... O-O {main, more flexible} 7. O-O c6 {main} (7... Nc6) (7... Re8 {alternatives to Nbd7})) 7. O-O O-O 8. d4 Re8 9. b3 {main} (9. Qc2 {next}) 9... a5 {uncommon} (9... e4 {main} 10. Qc2 Qe7 11. Ba3 Nf8 (11... c6)) (9... c6 10. Ba3 Bf8) 10. Bb2 h6 $146 (10... c6 {Cloud Engines} 11. Qc2 Qc7 (11... exd4 12. Nxd4 (12. exd4 {Cloud Engines, no games played yet}) 12... Nc5 $11 {transposes to 37 games, many by GMs})) (10... e4 11. Qc2 Qe7 12. Nf4 c6 13. a3 h5 14. b4 Nf8 15. b5 Bf5 16. bxc6 bxc6 17. a4 N8h7 $11 {Wohl-Hausner, Prague op 1985,0-1}) 11. Rc1 Nh7 (11... e4 {Fritz12}) ( 11... exd4 12. exd4 c6 $14 {Komodo12}) 12. Qc2 (12. Qd2 $14 {Fritz13 & Komodo12 }) (12. h3 $14 {Stockfish9}) 12... h5 (12... exd4 13. exd4 Ndf6 {Fritz13 & Stockfish9} (13... c6 {Komodo12})) (12... f5 $2 {Rudy} 13. Bd5+ Kh8 14. Bf7 $18 ) 13. Nb5 {the Engines have all different moves for Wh} Nb8 {admitting that it was a mistake to put it on d7 in the first place? But a retreat looks worse as it leaves Bl very undeveloped} (13... exd4 {is what the Engines all agree on for Bl} 14. Bxd4 Ne5 {Fritz13 & Komodo12} (14... Bxd4 {Stockfish9 ( looks odd to exchange this good defender)})) 14. dxe5 {opening up the centre because Bl has just undeveloped} (14. c5 $16 {Komodo12}) 14... dxe5 15. Rcd1 $18 Qe7 ( 15... Nd7 {all 3 Engines, though then} 16. f4 $18) 16. Ba3 c5 17. Nd6 Na6 { Fritz13 & Komodo12} (17... Rf8 18. Bxc5 $18 {Stockfish9}) 18. Nxe8 Qxe8 19. Nc3 Bf5 20. Qd2 (20. e4 {all 3 Engines}) 20... Rb8 (20... e4 {all3 again}) 21. Nb5 b6 22. Nd6 Qe7 23. Nxf5 gxf5 24. Qd6 (24. Bb2 {all 3 wise Engines}) 24... Re8 25. Qxb6 1-0 [Event "Dyfed League: Cardigan A - Aberystwyth"] [Site "Tanygroes"] [Date "2018.11.12"] [Round "?.3"] [White "Francis, Matthew"] [Black "Haigh, A."] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [ECO "C12"] [WhiteElo "1718"] [BlackElo "1800"] [Annotator "kemen"] [PlyCount "70"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 (6. Be3 Ne4 7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Nge2 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Ba3 10. Rb1 Nd7 11. Nf4 Be7 12. h4 {Sims-Haigh,WCPL 2016, 1-0}) 6... Bxc3 7. bxc3 (7. Bxc3 Ne4 8. Bd2 Nxd2 9. Qxd2 c5 10. Nf3 cxd4 11. Nxd4 O-O 12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Nf3 Qc7 14. Re1 a5 15. g4 {Rousos-Haigh, EU cup Rhodes 2013,1-0}) 7... Ne4 8. Qg4 Kf8 (8... g6 {main}) 9. Nf3 {Aagard & Ntirlis 2013 consider this an inaccurate move order, as the N may well be better placed on f4} (9. Bd3 Nxd2 10. Kxd2 c5 11. h4 {is their preferred option }) (9. h4) (9. Qf4) (9. Bc1) 9... c5 10. Bd3 Nxd2 11. Kxd2 c4 {main} (11... Nc6 ) 12. Be2 Nc6 {presumably to clear the way for g4, but f4 is a more usual placement for the Q in these lines} 13. Qh3 $146 (13. h4 b5 14. a3 a5 15. Qf4 ( 15. h5) 15... Bd7 16. Rhb1 (16. g4 {main lines})) (13. a4 {played, Komodo12}) ( 13. Qf4 {played, New Engine & Komodo12}) 13... b5 $11 {Bl carries on with the standard Q side attack} 14. a3 a5 15. g4 (15. Rhb1) 15... Bd7 (15... Kg8 16. Qg3 Ba6 {Komodo12}) 16. Qg3 g6 17. Qh4 {Wh gives up on any chances of a K side attack, thus Bl is left with the initiative on the Q side} (17. h4) 17... Kg7 18. Qxd8 Rhxd8 $15 19. Rab1 Rdb8 20. Rb2 b4 21. axb4 axb4 22. cxb4 Rxb4 23. Rxb4 Nxb4 24. Rb1 Rb8 (24... Nc6 25. Rb7 Be8 26. Kc3 (26. h4 Ra3 $15) 26... Ra6 27. Kb2 $11) 25. c3 Na6 26. Rxb8 Nxb8 {Bl still has a bad B, but it will be difficult for Wh to bring his K into the Q side- there is stasis on the K side} 27. Bd1 Nc6 (27... Na6 $5) 28. Kc1 (28. Ba4 Nxe5 $15) 28... Ne7 29. Nd2 (29. Kb2 g5 30. Bc2 (30. Ka3 Ng6 31. Kb4 Nf4 32. Ne1 Kf8 33. Kc5 Ke7 34. Bc2 Nh3 35. f3 Nf4 $15 {though neither side can undertake much}) 30... Ng6 {Komodo12 is quite happy to allow this- but it means a N vs bad B ending in which only Wh has winning chances ; & can torture Bl for ages- something that players like Iolo are vey happy to engage with. Bl does best not to try anything & have the N to preserve some control over the bl squares} 31. Bxg6 Kxg6 32. Ka3 h5 33. h3 hxg4 34. hxg4 Be8 35. Kb4 Bd7 36. Nd2 Bc6 37. Nf1 Bd7 38. Ng3 f6 39. Nh5 f5 40. Nf6 Bc8 41. gxf5+ Kxf5 42. Kc5 Kf4 43. Kd6 g4 44. Kc7 Ba6 45. Kd7 Kf5 46. Nh5 Bb5+ 47. Kd6 Ba4 48. Ng3+ Kf4 49. Kxe6 Kf3 50. Kxd5 Kxf2 51. Ne4+ Ke3 52. e6 $18 {to run a line through Komodo12}) 29... g5 30. Bc2 Ng6 {risky-see the above note} 31. Bxg6 fxg6 {weakens e6 & takes away the possibility of f6} ( 31... Kxg6 {safer}) 32. Kb2 h5 33. f3 (33. h3 $5) (33. Ka3 $1 {Komodo12- it leaves Bl with no targets for the B} hxg4 34. Kb4 (34. Nf1 Kh6 35. Ng3 (35. Ne3 $18 {is even stronger as g4 falls as soon as the Bl K takes h2 or f2} Kg7 36. Nxg4 Kf8 37. Nf6 Ke7 38. Kb4 Bc6 39. h3 Ba8 40. Kc5 Bb7 41. Kb6 Bc8 42. Kc6 Ba6 43. Nd7 Bc8 44. Nc5 {Zugzwang, Komodo12 nudged}) 35... Kg7 36. Kb4 Kf7 37. Kc5 Ke7 38. Nf1 Ba4 39. Ne3 Bb3 40. Nxg4 Bd1 41. Nf6 Bf3 42. Nh7 g4 43. Nf6 Be2 { outside the pawn chain , Bl can now just move the B backwards & forwards; however, Wh can still play on, because the B cannot control any squares to the rear., eg} 44. Kc6 Bd1 45. Kc7 Bf3 (45... Ba4 46. Nxg4 $18) 46. Nd7 {and now Komodo12 suddenly realises that Bl is lost} Bd1 47. Nb8 Bc2 48. Nc6+ Ke8 49. Kd6 Ba4 50. Na5 Kf7 51. Nb7 $18 {and e6 has fallen}) 34... Kh6 {this manouvre is much too slow- if Wh is worried about this the N can always keep the K out , then relocate later} 35. Kc5 Kh5 36. Kd6 Bc8 37. Kc7 Ba6 38. Kd7 Kh4 39. Kxe6 Kh3 40. Kxd5 Kxh2 41. Kc6 Kg1 42. e6 Kxf2 43. e7) 33... Ba4 34. Ka3 Bd1 35. h3 (35. Kb4 {may well be the last chance to win. With a pawn on h2 the doubled g pawns can't get through & again the Bl K moving to capture h2 is probably too slow. Lets just try out a possible line of play, rather than hope to be exhaustive. Again , it must be Wh who is in with a chance.} hxg4 36. fxg4 Bxg4 37. Nb1 (37. Kc5 Kf7 38. Nb1 Bd1 39. Na3 Ba4 {tries to keep the N out but Wh can try for Zugzwang to win e6} 40. Nb5 Ke7 (40... Bxb5 41. Kxb5 {Komodo12 quickly accepts that Bl is lost} Ke7 42. Kc6 g4 43. Kc7 g5 44. Kc6 Ke8 45. Kd6 Kf7 46. Kd7 $18) 41. Nd6 Bc2 {gets tricky} (41... Kd7 {seems a safer way} 42. Kb6 g4 43. Nb7 Bd1 44. Nc5+ Ke7 45. Kc7 Bc2 46. Nb7 Bf5 47. Na5 Bd3 48. Nc6+ Ke8 49. Kd6 Bf5 50. Nb8 Kf7 51. Nc6 (51. Na6 Ke8 52. Nc7+ Kf7 53. Kd7 Bc2 { and the threat of checks means the B just holds}) 51... Ke8 52. Nb4 Kf8 53. Kd7 Kf7 (53... Kg7 54. Ke7 Kh6 55. Nc6 Kh5 56. Nd8 Kh4 57. Nxe6 Kh3 58. Nf4+ Kxh2 59. e6 (59. Nxd5 g3 60. Ne3 Kg1 61. d5 Kf2 62. Nxf5 g2 63. d6 g1=Q 64. d7 Qg5+ 65. Ke8 Qxf5 66. d8=Q Qxe5+ $19) 59... Kg3 60. Kd6 Bxe6 61. Nxe6 Kf3 62. Ng5+ Kf4 63. Ne6+ $11 {the N just holds up the front g pawn}) 54. Nc6 $18)) 37... Kf7 38. Na3 {transposes to variations listed earlier.Overall, Wh retains very good winning winning chances, only losing in the odd line where he overpresses to avoid a draw.}) 35... Kf7 {now the N is tied to the defence of the f3 pawn (as Wh cannot allow Bl to get a passed Kside pawn, while his own K is away on the Q side))} 1/2-1/2 [Event "Dyfed League: Cardigan A - Aberystwyth"] [Site "Tanygroes"] [Date "2018.11.12"] [Round "?.4"] [White "Brewer, Ben"] [Black "Cook, James"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E11"] [WhiteElo "1431"] [BlackElo "1491"] [Annotator "kemen"] [PlyCount "87"] [EventDate "2018.??.??"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. d4 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 c5 (4... Qe7) (4... a5) (4... Bxd2+) 5. Bxb4 cxb4 6. e3 (6. g3 {main}) 6... O-O 7. Bd3 b6 (7... d6 8. O-O Nc6 9. Nbd2 e5 $14 {main}) 8. O-O Bb7 9. a3 (9. Nbd2 {main, transposes to 65 games}) 9... Qe7 {Deep Fritz13} (9... bxa3 {3 draws}) 10. Nbd2 (10. axb4 Qxb4 11. Nc3 d5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Ne5 Qe7 14. f4 Nc6 15. Qf3 Nb4 16. Bb1 Ne4 {Ghabache-El Gindy, African ch , Oran 2017,0-1}) 10... bxa3 11. Rxa3 {Wh gets srong pressure down the a file} d6 12. Qa1 a6 (12... Nc6 $11 {Komodo12, uses the N to guard} 13. e4 e5 14. d5 Nb4 15. Bb1 a5 $11) 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Ng5 (14. b4 Nc6 15. Qb2 a5 16. bxa5 bxa5 17. e4 e5 (17... Nb4 18. Bb1 g6 $14 {Komodo121}) 18. d5 Nb4 19. c5 Rxc5 20. Rxc5 dxc5 21. Nxe5 $16 {Komodo12}) 14... h6 (14... Nc6) 15. Nge4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Bxe4 17. Nxe4 d5 $2 {usually a counter in the centre is an antidote to a side attack, but here it leads to the loss of a vital pawn} (17... a5 $11) (17... f5 18. Nd2 a5 $11) 18. cxd5 $18 Rxc1+ 19. Qxc1 exd5 20. Qc8+ Kh7 (20... Qf8 21. Qxf8+ Kxf8 22. Nc3 {and the pawn is still lost}) 21. Qf5+ Kg8 22. Qxd5 Ra7 23. Nc3 b5 24. Qc5 (24. Ne4 $18 {looks stronger- the Wh pieces are more effective & Wh has a strong centre that stops Bl activity}) 24... Qxc5 25. dxc5 b4 26. Rb3 Nc6 $11 {Komodo12-the extra Wh pawn is loose & Bl has a chance to threaten a Q side advance of his own} (26... a5 $11 {Komodo12} 27. Na4 Rd7 28. Kf1 Na6 29. Ke2 Rc7 30. Rd3 Nxc5 31. Nxc5 Rxc5 $11) 27. Na4 a5 (27... Rd7 { activity saves Bl} 28. Kf1 Rd1+ 29. Ke2 Ra1 30. Nb6 Rc1 31. Rd3 (31. Nd7 Rc2+ 32. Kf3 Rd2 33. Nb6 f5 $11 {the Wh R & K are both tied down in different ways}) 31... Rxc5 32. Kd2 Ne5 $11 {Komodo12}) 28. Rd3 $18 {now the Wh R has taken the open file & the c pawn is safe} Kf8 29. f4 Ke7 30. Nb6 Ke8 31. b3 Rc7 32. Rd1 ( 32. Nc4 Ne7 33. Nxa5 Rxc5 34. Nc4 $16) 32... Nd8 33. Rc1 (33. Na4 Rd7 34. Rc1 Nc6 35. Rb1 Rd2 36. Rb2 Rxb2 37. Nxb2 Kd7 $14 {Bl still has chances of regaining the c5 pawn}) 33... Rc6 (33... Nb7 {Komodo12} 34. Na4 (34. c6 Nd8 35. Ra1 Rxc6 (35... Nxc6 36. Rc1 Kd8 37. Rd1+ Ke8 38. Rc1 Kd8 {repetition?} (38... f5 39. Rc5 $16)) 36. Nc4 Nb7 37. Kf1 Nc5 38. Nd2 Nb7 $11 {Komodo12})) 34. Kf2 Nb7 35. Na4 Kd7 36. g4 (36. e4 {the candidate passed pawn is usually the best one to move forward}) 36... f6 {Bl should also not be moving the pawns on the side where he is under attack- it just creates possible entry points for the other side.} (36... Rc7 {Rs are not the best blockaders- they need open files & weak pawns to attack- so swapping the K & R round makes sense} 37. e4 Kc6 38. Ke3 Rd7 39. Nb6 Rd8 40. Nd5 Re8 41. Kd4 $16 {Wh most probably winning, but there is work ahead}) 37. Kf3 (37. e4 Rc7 38. Ke3 Kc6) 37... g6 38. e4 (38. Ke4 Nd6+ 39. Kd5 Nb5 40. f5 gxf5 41. gxf5 Ra6 42. e4 Kc7 43. Rg1 $18 {Komodo12} Nc3+ 44. Nxc3 bxc3 45. Rg7+ Kc8 46. Rg3 $18) 38... g5 (38... Rc7 39. Rd1+ Kc6 40. Rd5 Re7 $16 {and waiting}) 39. Rd1+ (39. f5 $18 {Komodo12} Rc7 40. e5 fxe5 41. Ke4 $18 {and Wh has forced a protected passed pawn}) 39... Ke7 40. Rd5 Nd8 (40... gxf4 41. Kxf4 Nd8 42. h4 Ne6+ 43. Kf5 Rc8 44. e5 fxe5 45. Kxe5 Rc7 46. Kf5 Rc8 47. g5 hxg5 48. hxg5 {and Wh has another runner, though Komodo12 thinks Bl can resist longer} Rf8+ 49. Kg4 Rf4+ 50. Kg3 Rf1 51. c6 Rc1 52. Rxa5 Rxc6 53. Ra7+ Kf8 54. Rb7 Nxg5 55. Rxb4 $14 {draw- Lomonosov tablebases}) 41. e5 (41. f5 $18) 41... Ne6 (41... gxf4 42. Kxf4 Ne6+ 43. Kf5 fxe5 44. Rxe5 Kf7 { very similar to previous note}) 42. exf6+ (42. f5 Nd8 43. e6 $18 {Komodo12-is simpler}) 42... Kxf6 43. f5 Rc7 (43... Nf4 44. Rd6+ Rxd6 45. cxd6 Nd3 46. h3 h5 47. Ke4 Nf4 48. Nc5 Nxh3 49. d7 Ke7 50. f6+ Kd8 51. Ke5 Kc7 (51... hxg4 52. Kd6 Nf4 53. Nb7#) 52. f7 $18 {mating soon}) 44. Rd6 1-0 [Event "Aberystwyth Challenge"] [Site "?"] [Date "2018.11.13"] [Round "?"] [White "Holman, Sam"] [Black "Francis, Matthew"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B28"] [WhiteElo "1327"] [BlackElo "1718"] [Annotator "kemen"] [PlyCount "79"] [EventDate "2018.11.14"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 a6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 {The O'Kelly var} 6. Nb3 ( 6. Nf3 {main, as it attacks the e5 pawn}) (6. Nf5 d5 7. Ng3 Bb4 8. exd5 Nxd5 9. Bd2 Nxc3 10. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 O-O {James Thomas-Francis, Tom Weston Major 2008,1-0}) (6. Nde2 Bc5 7. Ng3 O-O 8. Be2 d6 9. O-O Nc6 10. Re1 Nd4 { Ehsander-Francis, S Wales New Year, Bridgend 2018,1-0}) 6... Bb4 7. f3 (7. Bd2 {Connolly-Francis, Dyfed Open 2011,1/2-1/2}) (7. Bd3 {Cadden-Francis, Dyfed Open 2013,1/2-1/2}) 7... d5 8. a3 (8. exd5 {main}) 8... Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 O-O (9... dxe4 $15 {wins a pawn, 0-3}) 10. exd5 {Cloud Engines} Qxd5 (10... Nxd5) 11. Bd3 (11. Qxd5 Nxd5 12. c4 Ne7 13. Be3 $14 {Komodo12}) 11... Be6 $15 12. Bb2 (12. c4 Qc6 13. Qe2 Nbd7 14. Be3 Rac8 15. Nd2 Nb6 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 17. Rb1 Qc7 18. O-O Rfd8 $15 {Komodo12}) 12... Nbd7 (12... b5 {fixes the c pawn on c3}) 13. Qd2 ( 13. c4) 13... e4 (13... Qc6 14. O-O Nb6 $17 {Komodo12}) 14. c4 Qc6 15. fxe4 $11 Nxe4 (15... Rfe8 16. O-O Bxc4 17. Rad1 Rac8 $11 {Komodo12}) 16. Qe3 Ndc5 (16... f5 17. O-O $11) 17. Nxc5 (17. O-O $14 {the Wh pieces are actively placed}) 17... Nxc5 18. O-O Nxd3 19. cxd3 Bd7 (19... Rae8) (19... f6) 20. Qg3 Qg6 (20... Qb6+ 21. Qf2 Qxf2+ 22. Rxf2 Rfe8 $11 {Komodo12}) 21. Qxg6 hxg6 22. d4 Rac8 23. Rac1 Rfe8 $11 {the presence of opposite colour bs means a lack of control by eith side of the non-colour of their B, despite the presence of Rs.Wh does have a passed pawn, but that should be easily blocked} 24. Rc3 (24. d5) (24. Rf2 {aims to keep Rs off e2, loses a pawn, but the B ending looks drawn} Rxc4 25. Rxc4 Re1+ 26. Rf1 Rxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Bb5 28. Kf2 Bxc4 $15) 24... Be6 { attacking the centre pawns, buy using a R is a little better} (24... Re4 25. Rd1 Re2 26. Bc1 Bb5 27. c5 Bc6 28. Kf1 (28. d5 Rd8 29. Rcd3 Ba4 30. Rf1 Bc2 31. Rd4 Be4 32. Rf2 Re1+ 33. Rf1 Rxf1+ 34. Kxf1 Bxd5 $17 {but Bl is only a halfpawn ahead}) 28... Ra2 29. Rd2 Rxd2 30. Bxd2 Rd8 31. Be3 f6 $15 {Komodo12}) 25. d5 (25. Re1 Bg4 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. h3 Re1+ 28. Kh2 Bf5 $11 {Komodo12}) 25... Bf5 26. a4 Re2 27. Rf2 Re1+ 28. Rf1 Re2 {Bl is content with a draw- Wh stakes everything on his passed pawn; at least by eliminating the B he gains more chances on the wh squares. However it is double-edged as the 2 Rs might do damage long before the pawn gets going. Especially since Bl still has his K available to come & stop the pawn} (28... Rxf1+ 29. Kxf1 Rxc4 30. Rxc4 Bd3+ 31. Kf2 Bxc4 32. d6 Kf8 33. Bxg7+ Ke8 34. Be5 {is another way; draw with opposite colourBs}) 29. Rxf5 $5 gxf5 $19 {Komodo12} 30. Ba3 Rd2 31. d6 Re8 {should Bl be minded just to set up a barricade, then} (31... Rd8 32. Rb3 Rd7 {and Wh will be unable to shift the R from here- & Bl can bring the K up to take its place, when the R can go off to pastures new} 33. a5 {just running a few lines with the aid of Komodo12} f6 34. Rf3 g6 35. g4 Kf7 36. gxf5 gxf5 37. Rxf5 Ke6 38. Rf3 Rg7+ 39. Kf1 Rxh2 40. Re3+ Kd7 41. Rb3 Kc8 42. Re3 Rgh7 43. Re8+ Kd7 44. Rb8 Ke6 45. Re8+ Kf5 46. Re7 Rh1+ (46... Rxe7 47. dxe7 Rh8 48. Kf2 Ke6 49. Kf3 Rc8 (49... Re8 50. Ke4 Rxe7 {Rudy, is a simple K & P win}) 50. Ke3 Kd7 51. Kd4 Rc6 52. Kd5 f5 53. Ke5 Rxc4 54. Kxf5 Ra4 55. Bd6 Rxa5+ $19 {Komodo12}) 47. Kf2 R7h2+ 48. Kg3 Rh8 49. Kf2 Kf4 50. Ke2 R1h2+ 51. Kd3 R8h3+ 52. Kd4 Rxa3 53. Rxb7 Rxa5 54. d7 Rd2+ 55. Kc3 Raa2 $19 {Komodo12}) (31... b5 {also works} 32. axb5 axb5 33. c5 Rxd6 34. Rb3 Ra6 $19 {Komodo12}) 32. h3 (32. Kf1 Re4 33. h3 Kf8 34. Rb3 Ke8 35. Rxb7 Rxc4 36. Kg1 a5 {Komodo12} (36... Rxa4 37. Bb4 Rc2 38. Re7+ Kd8 39. Be1 g6 40. Rxf7 Rc1 41. Kf1 Rf4+ 42. Ke2 Re4+ 43. Kf2 Rcxe1 $19) 37. Re7+ Kd8 (37... Kf8 38. Rc7 $18) 38. Rxf7 Rc3 39. Rxf5 Rxa3 40. Rxa5 Rxd6 $19 {Komodo12}) 32... f4 {preventing a Rg3 in response to Bl doubling on the 7th, but Rs must be used in attack, rather than just as defensive machines} ( 32... Ree2 33. Kh1 {Komodo12} (33. Rg3 f4 34. Rg4 f3 $1 {Komodo12} 35. Kh1 (35. gxf3 Rd1#) 35... fxg2+ {wins a R, as} 36. Kh2 g1=Q+ 37. Kxg1 Rd1#) 33... Rxg2 34. Bc1 Rh2+ 35. Kg1 Rdg2+ 36. Kf1 Ra2 37. Kg1 Rhc2 $2 (37... Rhg2+ 38. Kf1 Kf8 39. d7 Ke7 40. Rd3 Kd8 41. Ba3 (41. Be3 Rgb2 42. Rd1 f4 43. Bd4 Rd2 $19) 41... Rgf2+ 42. Kg1 Rfe2 43. Kf1 f4 44. Bc5 Re6 45. Ba7 b6 46. c5 bxc5 47. Bxc5 Rxa4 {and, while Bl has to take care not to allow the wh pawn through, his own pawns on both wings will decide the game}) 38. Rxc2 Rxc2 39. Bg5 Rxc4 40. d7 Rd4 41. d8=Q+ Rxd8 42. Bxd8 b5 43. axb5 axb5 44. Ba5 g5 45. Kf2 Kh7 46. Kg3 Kg6 47. Bb4 f4+ 48. Kg4 f5+ 49. Kf3 Kh5 (49... g4+ $11) 50. Be1 g4+ $11) (32... Re1+ {also looks promising} 33. Kh2 Ree2 34. Kg3 (34. Rg3 f4 35. Rg4 f3 $19) 34... g5 35. h4 Rxg2+ 36. Kf3 (36. Kh3 g4#) 36... gxh4 (36... Rgf2+ 37. Kg3 f4+ 38. Kg4 Rg2+ 39. Kf5 Rg3 40. Bb4 Rxc3 41. Bxc3 f3 $19 (41... Rxd6 42. hxg5 f3 43. Be1 Re6 44. Bg3 Re2 $19))) 33. Kf1 f6 {to bring the K across, however} ( 33... Ree2 $1 {and at worst Bl forces a draw- Rudy , also Komodo12 first choice } 34. d7 (34. Rf3 Re4 35. c5 Rxa4 36. Rb3 Rc4 37. Ke1 Rcc2 $19 38. Rxb7 Rxg2 { mating} 39. Kd1 (39. Kf1 Rh2 40. Kg1 Rcg2+ 41. Kf1 f3 42. d7 Rh1#) 39... f3 40. Bc1 Rce2 41. Be3 Rh2 42. Bd2 Rxd2+ 43. Kc1 Rde2 44. Rb8+ Kh7 45. d7 Rh1#) 34... Rf2+ 35. Ke1 Rfe2+ 36. Kf1 {draw at least, Rudy; but Komodo12 goes for more} Rf2+ 37. Ke1 Rxg2 38. Kf1 (38. Bc1 Rxd7) 38... Rgf2+ 39. Ke1 Rfe2+ 40. Kf1 Rh2 41. Kg1 Rdg2+ 42. Kf1 Rd2 43. Kg1 Rhe2 44. Kf1 Re4 $19 {and again the pawn is lost}) 34. Rb3 Re6 {aiming to return the exchange?} (34... Re4 $19 {Komodo12} 35. c5 (35. Rxb7 Rxc4 36. Ke1 Rcd4 37. Bc5 Rd5 38. Bb4 Rxg2 39. d7 Rg1+ 40. Ke2 Rgd1 41. Ra7 Rxd7 42. Rxa6 R1d3 43. a5 Rxh3 {and Bl's K side pawns will win, even if the Rs don't manage it first}) 35... Rxa4 36. Ke1 Rd5 $19) (34... Ree2 $19 {Rudy, judgement by Komodo12} 35. Rxb7 (35. d7 Re3 $19) 35... Rf2+ 36. Ke1 Rde2+ 37. Kd1 Ra2 38. Ke1 Rxg2 39. Kf1 Rgf2+ 40. Kg1 (40. Ke1 Rae2+ 41. Kd1 f3) 40... Rfd2 41. Rb1 Rxa3 $19) 35. Rb6 (35. Rxb7 {gives Wh better chances than the text} Re4 (35... Rexd6 36. Bxd6 Rxd6 37. Ke2 $14 {Wh's C pawn is a little better than Bl's doubled f pawn} Rd4 38. c5 Rc4 39. Ra7 Rxc5 40. Rxa6 $11 { Wh's R is on the wrong side of the a pawn}) 36. c5 Rxa4 37. Bb2 Rc4 38. d7 Kh7 39. Ke1 Rcc2 40. Bc3 Rxd7 41. Rxd7 Rxc3 42. Rd5 Rg3 43. Rd2 (43. Kf2 {Rudy} Kg6 44. Rd6 Rc3 45. Rxa6 Rxc5 {is a theoretical draw})) 35... f5 (35... Re4 $19 36. Bb4 Rd1+ 37. Kf2 Rxc4 38. Rxb7 Kh7 39. d7 Rcd4 40. Rb6 Rxd7 41. Rxa6 Rc7 42. Re6 Rd4 43. Be1 Rxa4 $19 {Komodo12}) (35... Rd1+ 36. Kf2 Re4 $19 {transposes}) 36. Bb4 (36. Rxb7 $1 f3 (36... Rd1+ 37. Kf2 Rd2+ 38. Kf1 Rd1+ $11) 37. gxf3 Re3 38. Bb4 Rxf3+ 39. Ke1 Rd4 40. Bc5 Rxc4 41. Ke2 Rxh3 42. d7 Re4+ 43. Kf2 (43. Kd2 Rh2+ 44. Kd3 Rh3+ $11 {repetition}) 43... Rh2+ 44. Kf3 Rh3+ 45. Kg2 Rd3 46. Rb8+ Kf7 47. d8=Q Rxd8 48. Rxd8 Rxa4 {Komodo12 gives slight advantage to Wh, but Wh is unlikely to win even if there were no Bl pawns on the board, so practical winning chances lie with Bl}) 36... Rd3 {not the best place for this R} (36... Rd1+ 37. Kf2 Re4 38. c5 a5 39. Bxa5 Rxa4 40. Ke2 Rd5 $19 {the B is in trouble} 41. Bc3 (41. Rxb7 Ra2+ 42. Kf1 Rxa5 43. d7 Kh7 44. c6 Ra1+ 45. Ke2 Ra2+ 46. Ke1 (46. Kf3 Rd3+ 47. Kxf4 Kg6 48. Rb4 (48. c7 Ra4+ 49. Ke5 Re4#) 48... Kf6 49. d8=Q+ Rxd8 50. c7 g5+ 51. Kg3 Rd3+ 52. Kh2 Rc2 53. Rb7 Rdd2 { Komodo12} (53... Rdc3 {human safety}) 54. h4 Rxg2+ 55. Kh1 Rh2+ 56. Kg1 Rxh4 $19) 46... Rdd2 {with a mating net}) 41... Rc4 42. Bb4 Rc2+ 43. Kf1 (43. Kf3 g5 {mating}) 43... Rd1+ 44. Be1 Rcc1 45. Kf2 Rxe1 46. Rxb7 Red1 47. Ke2 Rd4 $19 { Komodo12}) 37. c5 $11 f3 38. gxf3 Rxf3+ 39. Kg2 Ree3 (39... Rd3 {Rs should preferably keep a little distance away from the K they are attacking} 40. Kf1 ( 40. Rxb7 Re2+ 41. Kf1 Rc2 42. Re7 (42. d7 Rd1+ 43. Be1 Kh7 44. Rc7 (44. Ra7 Rxc5 $17) 44... f4 $19 {Komodo12}) 42... Rxh3 $17)) 40. Be1 $1 {and Bl couldn't see a way to save the game} (40. Rxb7 Rg3+ {draws by repetition}) (40. Be1 Rf4 (40... Rd3 41. d7) 41. d7 Re2+ 42. Kg3 Rd4 43. Rd6 $18) 1-0