Cian Ward (Hammersmith - 2112) - Spanton (Battersea - 1933)
French Tarrasch
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 a6!?
A modern-style 'waiting move', although it goes back to at least 1948.
4.Bd3!?
This is Stockfish17's top choice, at least for a while, although Dragon1 prefers the more popular 4.Ngf3.
4...c5 5.exd5!?
The mainline in ChessBase's 2024 Mega database runs 5.dxc5!? Bxc5 6.Ngf3 Nc6 7.0-0, with a slight edge for White, according to the engines.
5...exd5
On 5...Qxd5 the engines give 6.dxc5!?, awarding White at least the better side of equality.
6.dxc5!?
This is the commonest continuation in Mega24.
6...Bxc5 7.Ngf3 Nf6 8.0-0 0-0
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| Now both sides have castled, how would you assess the position? |
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As usual with Isolated Queen's Pawn positions, it all depends on whether the IQP is mostly a strength (it is the only pawn on the two central files) or a weakness (it cannot be supported by a friendly pawn). The engines reckon the game is completely equal, so perhaps a better way of answering the question is that it all depends who better handles the pluses and minuses of the position.
9.Nb3 Ba7
9.Nb3 Ba7
More popular is 9...Bb6.
10.Bf4!?
Normal are 10.h3 and 10.Bg5, although the latter is disliked by the engines.
10...Nc6 11.c3 Bg4 12.Re1 h6 13.h3 Bh5 14.Rc1 Re8 15.Rxe8+ Qxe8 16.g4!?
This thrust is nearly always double-edged, although here it is played with a specific continuation in mind.
16...Bg6
The engines suggest 16...Ne4!? White cannot allow ...Nxf2, so perhaps best is 17.Nbd4, after which Black can play ...Bg6 without worrying about Bxg6.
17.Bxg6 fxg6 18.g5!?
Trying to exploit the weakness of d5.
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| How should Black respond? |
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18...Qe4!
18...Qe4!
An unusual pawn sacrifice in that White will be able to capture on d5 with check, but the engines reckon the text is a tad better than 18...hxg5.
19.gxf6 Qxf4 20.Qxd5+ Kh7 21.fxg7?
Apparently missing Black's reply. White had to break the pin on the f2 pawn, probably by 21.Kg2, although then Black gets back the sacrificed pawn.
21...Qg3+! 22.Kh1 Qxh3+ 23.Nh2
Not 23.Kg1?, hoping for a draw by repetition, as Black has 23...Qg3+ 24.Kh1 Bxf2.
23...Kxg7 24.Qg2
The engines give 24.Nc5 bxc5 25.Qxc5, but reckon 25...Rf8 is winning (Dragon1) or at least gives the upper hand (Stockfish17).
24...Qh4 25.Rd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8 Qxd8 27.Qf3 Qf6 28.Qxf6+?!
Probably better is 28.Kg2, albeit the engines give Black the upper hand.
28...Kxf6
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| How would you assess this minor-piece ending? |
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Black has the only long-range piece on a board with an open centre and rival pawn-majorities. Black's king is more centralised, and the black knight is better than either White knight. White's only plus is having a farside pawn-majority. The engines reckon Black is winning.
29.Kg2 Ne5 30.Nc1 Kf5 31.Nf1 Ke4 32.Nd2+ Kd5 33.b3 b5!?
The engines at first strongly dislike this, preferring 33...h5, but come to regard it as OK.
34.a4?!
The engines suggest 24.Ne2, although agreeing 24...Nd3 is winning, or at least gives the upper hand.
34...bxa4 35.Bxa4 Nc4 36.Nf3 Nb2 37.a5 Nd1?
This throws away much of Black's advantage. Better is 37...Bb8, intending 38...Bc7 etc, or immediately starting to advance the kingside pawns.
38.Nd3 Nxc3 39.Nf4+?!
Planning to create a rival passed pawn, but it was almost certainly better to eliminate Black's queenside pawn by 39.Nb4+ etc, which Stockfish17 reckons equalises, although Dragon1 gives Black the upper hand.
39...Kc5 40.Nxg6 Kb5 41.Nd2 Kxa5 42.f4 Nd5?!
The engines strongly prefer 42...Kb4 or 42...Kb5.
43.Kf3 Nf6?!
Again either king move is preferred.
44.Ne5?
After 44.Ne4 Black is only slightly better, according to the engines.
44...Kb5 45.Nb3 Bc5!? 46.Nd3
White's remaining pieces will find it very difficult to cope with two passed pawns after 46.Nxc5?! Kxc5.
46...Bf8 47.Ne5 Kb4 48.Nd4 h5 49.Ndc6+ Kc5 50.Na5 Kd5 51.Nb7 Bd6 52.Nxd6?!
This is probably wrong, although it does eliminate Black's long-range piece.
52...Kxd6 53.Nc4+ Kc5 54.Na5 Kb5 55.Nb7 a5?
Impatient. Black should manoeuvre, only advancing the a pawn when it cannot be captured.
56.Nxa5! Kxa5
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| White to play and draw |
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57.Kg3?
Losing a crucial tempo. Drawing is 57.f5 Kb5 58.Kf4 Kc5 59.Kg5 Kd5 60.Kxf6 h4 61.Kg6, and both pawns queen.
57...Kb5 58.f5 Kc5 59.Kh3
Or 59.Kf4 Kd5, and if 60.Kg5 then 60...Ke5 etc.
59...Kd5 60.Kh4 Ke4 61.Kh3 Kxf5 (0-1, 85 moves)
Hammersmith defaulted on board four, the match ending 2.5-2.5.
MY BATTERSEA SEASON 2024-5
DATE.....EVENT...........................COL..RATING..OPP'S RATING..SCORE..SEASON PERF
12/9/24 Central London League W 1933 1886 1 2286
26/9/24 Central London League B 1933 2112 1 2399
Well played! even with a jetlag?
ReplyDeleteYes, I was jetlagged, but the captain insisted I should play ... and it turned out to be the right decision!
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