Alapin-Diemer Gambit declined, initial trial

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. I have always been a little frustrated when, trying to play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Black responds with the French Defense. This game tries a little-used gambit to steer the game back to the BDG lines. Although Black still avoids the BDG, he is brought out of the French normal lines and quickly gets into trouble.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This game features a weakened color complex on the King-side plus a preponderance of pieces pointed at the opposing King-side.

Petroff Defense (3), Silman's open diagonals

Today’s blog entry is from is from an online, turned-based game. White makes a mistake with the d4 advance, after which a pawn trades opens a diagonal to the White King. Shortly after, another diagonal gets open and White is in deep trouble.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

Jeremy Silman emphasizes the advantage of open diagonals. In this game, they were the deciding factor.

Stafford Gambit (6), when not to play a gambit

Today’s blog entry is from Thursday night’s tournament at our local chess club. My opponent was a higher-rated player who is renown for his tactical ability ... precisely the type of player who should not be presented with a gambit. However, I thought that he may not have seen the Stafford Gambit before, but as I found out later, he had suffered a recent loss against it in an online game. Therefore, he was extra careful with each tactical situation presented to him.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

Never play a gambit against a tactical wizard, especially a black gambit.

Petroff Defense (2), learning from Silman

Today’s blog entry is from an online game at a turn-based site. I have been trying to learn from How to Reassess Your Chess by Jeremy Silman. Silman said “When you don’t have a grasp of the imbalances, you’re left with ... caveman basics like attack, defend, threats, and calculation.” This game is one of the first where I tried to apply the Silman thinking technique.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

Obviously, I have a lot to learn, but this was an important first step.

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (8), center ripped open

Today’s blog entry is from an online game at a turn-based site. Black defended with the Netherland Defense, which is not one of the major BDG defenses. White created a lead in development and opened up a path to Black’s King (see chart at bottom).

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit by Christoph Scheerer. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

I was not real sure about the Rook sacrifice, but it just felt right. The game ended quickly due to the predominance of force directed at the Black King.

Scandinavian/Blackburne Gambit, first trial by combat

Today’s blog entry is from Thursday night’s G90 tournament at the local chess club. I was paired against a class A player and wanted to avoid his prepared opening lines. Playing black, defense was a gambit line that recently came to my attention. The first 3 moves were from memory, the remainder was ad-libbed Over-The-Board. The game was fun to play and provided chances for both white and black (see chart at bottom).

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The opening book reference is Stockfish. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

This Blackburne Gambit (aka Blackburne-Kloosterboer) has potential and will be tried again soon. I have been using the Petroff/Stafford Gambit in response to 1.e4, but too many games have followed the refutation lines. What do my readers think?

English/Reversed Sicilian, back-and-forth fight

Today’s game is from a turn-based site. The highlights of the game, for me, are my overlooking of an en prise Rook and not following my own recommendation about when to take additional time. The game also has a benefit of my opponent turning the tables on me by showing how to win a won game.

The variations and the move symbols are Houdini’s, diagnosed with ‘Scid vs PC’ at 10 seconds per ply. The verbal comments are my thoughts during the game and my interpretations of the analysis provided by Houdini.

There is a lot of chess truth in the old saying "Those that don't learn from history are destined to repeat it."

Petroff Defense, Legal's Mate

Yes, it does happen in real life. I normally play the Petroff in response to 1.e4 and then launch into the Stafford Gambit, which also has the opportunity for the Legal’s Mate. White chose an unorthodox line that lead to a position similar to the Four Knight’s Defense.

This short game if from an online, turn-based game. It is really self-explanatory, but thought my readers might enjoy it.

When to Ignore the Clock

This position appeared in one of my online games. After the Knight blocked the defense of my Black Rook, I quickly resigned. In later analysis, I found there was a (somewhat) saving response.

There are two situations in a chess game where the clock no longer has a bearing. The first is when you are offered a draw and are inclined to accept. First examine the position carefully to see if there is a deeply hidden winning path.

The second situation appeared in the game snippet below. White had apparently finished trapping the Knight, leaving Black a piece + 2 Pawns down. Before resignation, always take the time to look for a saving response.

Resignation is always terminal. A chess player’s remorse is a terrible thing.

Vienna, from superior positions

Today’s game is from a turn-based site. The game is an example of how tactics flow from superior positions.

White opened with the Mengarini variation of the Vienna and I reacted with the tried-and-true Philidor defensive setup, which I have been trying to adopt as a general response to openings outside of my preferred repertoire.

A surprise to me is Houdini’s analysis of my 11th move. I have been trying to apply the ideas from Jeremy Silman’s How to Reassess Your Chess. On my 11th move, I played a move that inhibits most of White’s minor pieces. The analysis with Scid vs PC and Houdini’s engine rated the move 7th best. I respectfully disagree!

Winning the Won Game (6), see previous post

Next time you see a position that is supposed to be winning: capture the position, transfer it to your favorite chess program, set the program at a higher rating than your own and play the winning position to see how to conclude the game. Then go back and repeat the exercise at an increased rating until you can win against it at full strength.

The ending below is from my previous post Blogger vs Blogger, OTB. Time remaining on the clock was less than 2 minutes and at that point I was playing for a draw and played gxf5+. gxh5 was the winning move.

For the readers who wish to try this exercise, the FEN is:
8/8/3k2p1/p2PbP1P/1p2K3/1B6/8/8 b - -

Having the passed pawn on the outside (i.e. h-file) makes the difference.