Back on Substack - Game Analysis - And More..
I have moved the newsletter back to Substack once again in order to be able to write some more about chess and my games.
Hi!
I have decided to move the newsletter back yet again to Substack. I missed the editor/layout. The revue editor simply made me want to write less. I have also decided to close saychessblog.com, since I canβt do it all.
So now to the real content. I have a goal to annotate more of my longer games.
For me, it is more motivating to do this exercise of annotating if I publish it somewhere, otherwise, I will not do it very thoroughly. I plan to post it here on Substack. I do not plan to spam you with emails with all these games, but they will be up on saychess.substack.com for those who want to follow my games.
VladimirMVR (2341) vs SayChessClassical (2338)
Lichess rapid, 10+0
Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation
1. e4 c6 Iβm trying to learn to play the Caro-Kann that is somewhat related to the French (which I play), so it is not too different for me. 2. c4 d5 The accelerated Panov?! I do not know any theory on this, but thought it was fine if White wanted an IQP. 3. exd5 cxd5 4. cxd5 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nxd5 6. d4 I now had many moves to pick from Nc6, g6, e6, a6, Nxc3, and Bf5. Since I did not know the position I thought that it made sense to go after g6 - Bg7 to put pressure on the center pawn. The engine likes Bf5, but it looks like it has not been tested by the masters.
6β¦ g6 I found an interesting game by Karpov against Miles in this position. Karpov created a weak c6 pawn and dismantled Blackβs position. Rh5! was a classy move followed by great technique.
7. Bc4 Nxc3 8. bxc3 Qc7!? Here I should have continued with my plan with Bg7. Since my opponent could have replied 9. Qb6! adding pressure on f7! Then I would have had to play e6 locking up my LSB. If I had played Bg7 I would have been able to protect the f7-pawn with castling. A small detail, but something to learn from.
9. Qe2 Bg7 10. Bd2 O-O 11. Nf3 Nc6 I thought about Bg4, but then h3 and what then? But after h3 Bxf3 Qxf3 and the Bishop is hanging, so White has to play gxf3. Therefore it would have made sense to play Bg4. A bit shallow calculation by me.
12. O-O a6 13. Bb3 b5 14. Rfe1 e5? I now decided to lash out in a try to undermine the Center. But I did not fully calculate the implications at this important moment. Had 8 min. and spent 25 seconds on the decision.
15. d5 (15.dxe5 Bg4 16.Bf4 Bxf3 17.gxf3! And White holds on to the pawn.) Na5 16. Nxe5 Nxb3 17. axb3 Re8
18. d6? (18.Bf4 Giving up on the c3 pawn to gain counterplay Qxc3 19.d6 With an unclear position.) Qxd6 19. Bf4 Bb7 20. Rad1
20β¦ Qf6? (20β¦ Qc7 Would avoid Nd7 and the pin is not that effective when the Bishop is unprotected.) 21. Nd7 I now had to calculate. I had plenty of time (6 min.) but only used 45 seconds. I missed the best line for White, and so did my opponent. I challenge you to pick between Qe6 and Qxf4. Scroll down for the rest of the game.
21β¦ Qxf4 The best move is 21...Qe6 22.Qxe6 Rxe6 23.Rxe6 fxe6 with equal chances.)
22. Qxe8+ Rxe8 23. Rxe8+ Bf8 24. Rxf8+? (24.Nxf8! Kg7 25.Ne6+! fxe6 26.Re7+ Kf6 27.Rxb7 The line we both missed would have given White a better endgame. I should have used more time.) Kg7 25. Rd8
25β¦ Qg5! Attacking the Rook and threatening mate on g2! 0-1
Leave a comment below and let me know what you picked?
Thanks for this! Missed your newsletter the last couple of months. Didn't know if it was something I did or if you decided to take a break. Looking forward to the tactics workbook! Oh... like you, I chose Qxf4 -- I always seem to choose the line with less calculation; I've really got to get out of that habit; heavy lifting is sometimes required!