Lessons From Tegernsee IV

IN my round-four game my opponent, rated 2001, was clearly dissatisfied with his position out of the opening.

Here he played 16.d4 and offered a draw

*****

*****

*****

*****

*****

After the further moves 16...e4 17.Bg2 Re8 18.Bg5 h6 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.d5? cxd5 21.Qxd5 he had apparently missed that I had a strong backward-bishop move.

Position after 21...Be6

*****

*****

*****

*****

*****

White promptly resigned.

If he had thought for a while, he would surely have realised that after 22.Qxb7 Bxb3 23.axb3 the game is far from over.

True, Black is the exchange and a pawn up, but White has assets too, including a protected passed pawn and the only light-square bishop (not to mention being the higher-rated player).

CONCLUSION: it is important to keep a cool head. Many positions have hidden resources, but emotion can get in the way of clear thinking, so it is vital to give oneself time to calm down after encountering an unexpected setback.