Philidor Defense (3), know your basic endgames

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based tournament game. I am playing a variation of the Philidor defense described in Jerry Van Rekom’s “The Black Lion”. The transition to the middlegame is marred by a White blunder. Afterwards, there is interesting imbalances with White having multiple pieces for a Rook and Pawns.. The endgame should be drawn, but White did not know the proper defense.

Long ago I put Pandolfini’s Endgame Course into a pgn file. Then played against Shredder set at full strength until I thoroughly knew the endgame under study. This is endgame #186.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), 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. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

While reading some of my fellow chess bloggers' postings, the September 27th post of Robert Pierson’s on The Chess Improver made me reconsider my chess book selections. Looking at the Chess Books that have Helped Me the Most (see bottom of this blog), it is apparent that the most useful books for me in my (almost) 200 book collection were not written by Grandmasters, but by authors closer to the Expert level. Maybe Grandmasters do not know how to teach to the lower class (1200-2000 range) audience. With that in mind, I read the previews & recommendations on amazon.com, then ordered “Secrets of a Grandpatzer: How to Beat Most People and Computers at Chess” by Kenneth Mark.

 If this is true, why didn’t someone tell me or if someone did, why didn’t I listen? If you see these books appear in my ‘Most Helped’ list, then know that I learned something quite important.

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (12), don't ignore threats

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based tournament game. White plays the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. Black is quickly confused, makes some extraneous move and then ignores White’s mate threat.

The variations and move symbols are Houdini’s (1.5 w32), 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. The score chart is at the bottom of this entry.

In this game I am using my new chess thinking process, which is undergoing further refinement. First I examine at my opponent’s move, both the square vacated and the square newly occupied, looking for Opportunities and Threats. If none are found, I next examine my own position looking for Strength’s and Weaknesses. (This is borrowed from the STOW process used in businesses.) After a move is selected, blunder checking is performed prior to completing the move.

 I needed a simplified method that can be adhered to during the heat of battle.  My new method is now also detailed at the bottom of this blog.

Benko Gambit (3) trading into a winning endgame

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based tournament game. Black plays the Benko Gambit to counter White’s Queen Gambit. White forsakes development by moving his Knight 4 times in the first 7 moves, giving Black time to develop and control the board. White is on the defense and never gets his offense going.

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.

I’m starting to learn. In this game, I apply an intermezzo, forcing the opponent’s Knight to the edge of the board. I also develop with tempo, then recognize a winning endgame and trade down to it. There may be still be some hope for my improvement (said with a smile on my face).

Benko Gambit (2), SWOT analysis

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based ladder game. Black plays the Benko Gambit to counter White’s Queen Gambit. The game follows standard themes. White makes a major mistake on move #14, which Black overlooked while concentrating on his own position. (Note to self: I need to see these opportunities). Later on, Black also blocked the escape path of his Knight, which I did see. An unfortunate blunder ended the game.

 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.

The lesson of this game is to look not only at what the opponent threatens, but also at what opportunities he presents. SWOT analysis is a business strategic planning method used to evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. I will try adopting this idea to my chess thinking method:
     - when my opponent moves, look for new Threats and Opportunities
     - then look at my Strengths and Weaknesses
     - after selecting the best move, blunder check

Alapin-Diemer Gambit, winning in the endgame

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based tournament game. This game has Black trying to force a French Defense onto a Queen-Pawn opening. White counters with the Alapin-Diemer Gambit. For most of the game White keeps the advantage, but fails to capitalize on several minor Black mistakes. The last Black mistake gives White a winning Pawn endgame and Black promptly resigns.

 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 recent addition to my White repertoire. The Alapin-Diemer Gambit continues my desire to keep White in gambit play. After Black’s last mistake, White’s plan to win is to force the King-side Pawns into an exchange and then rush over to the Queen-side to clear out Black’s remaining pawns.

Trompowsky Attack, without full development

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based ladder game. This game has White going for an early attack. He never develops his Queen Rook and Knight, so he is attacking with a material disadvantage. Interesting enough, White used an intermezzo to escape a middlegame fork, the tactic that has been the focus of the previous 2 blog games. The game ends with a pin and a nice Black attack on the White King.

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 another example of the intermezzo tactic, this time for my opponent. When pieces on both sides are being attacked, first look for a way to move out of danger while simultaneously attacking your opponent. See move 12.Qh5. This is the third intermezzo / zwischenzug in recent games and is a tactic I need to keep aware of.

Winning the Won Game (7), recognizing a winning endgame

Returning to a theme that remains popular with my readers.

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 position below is from a practice game. I missed the Knight sacrifice during the game, but in later analysis, I immediately recognized the winning technique. I eventually won the practice game, but it took many more moves.

For readers who wish to try this exercise, the FEN is:
8/6pp/8/1pn5/8/PPk4P/2P3P1/3K4 b - -

It is not enough to just know your simple endgames. You must also be able to recognize positions that can simplify to those simple, winning endgames.

Philidor Defense (2), another intermezzo

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based ladder game. This game has comments on the beginning and end, as the middle is typical of trade-of-mistake play common to class players. Black relinquishes the center tension early and loses a couple of pawns. Black won (or White lost) with another intermezzo/zwischenzug move similar to that in my previous post. Then an absolute pin against the King sealed the victory.

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 second example of the epiphany for me: When pieces on both sides are being attacked, first look for a way to move out of danger while simultaneously attacking your opponent. See move 36...Rb1+. This is the second intermezzo / zwischenzug in consecutive games and is a tactic I need to keep aware of.

Philidor Defense, an epiphany

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based ladder game. Black takes timeout from development to capture a center pawn. The Philidor is a resurrected defense for me, as I could not find a reasonable gambit to play against 1.e4. The Philidor is a passive, but solid defense. White often moves to aggressively against it, giving Black the opportunity to counter-punch.

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 an epiphany for me: When pieces on both sides are being attacked, first look for a way to move out of danger while simultaneously attacking your opponent. See move 18...,Na3. This may not be the first time that I have executed an intermezzo / zwischenzug in a game, but is definitely the first time I have realized the power of this tactic.

Paleface Attack (6), an early mate

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based tournament game. White tried for his familiar Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, but Black countered with Nf6. White continued with the Paleface Attack, which is not in the Stockfish opening book. White concentrates his forces on Black’s castled King and one Black misstep leads to a quick checkmate.

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 suspicious pawn grab when Black is under a Kingside assault, resulting in an early checkmate.

Franco-Benoni Defense, lots of action

Today’s blog entry is from an online turn-based tournament game. White tried for his familiar Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, but Black denied him. Both players were on unfamiliar turf after the third move. Black’s playing is typical of a low-level class player and sometimes a fellow needs some of these games to keep aware of the simpler aspects of the game.

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 has some interesting features: a Queen denied activity, a miscalculation on a trade sequence and a nice trade sequence to cement the win.

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (11), stolen initiative

Today’s blog entry is from Thursday night’s chess club tournament. The Ewue Defence of my Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. On move #7, I played what I thought (btw: Houdini agreed) was the best move, as I did not remember the book lines. Unfortunately, at this level, playing the best move is not good enough: a plan is required. With a gambit, especially a white gambit, it is imperative to get an early lead in development and to keep the initiative. One plan would be Bd3, Qe1-h4 putting pressure on Black’s castled King. Since I didn’t plan, Black finished his development and began trading pieces, aiming for a winning endgame with his pawn advantage.

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 gambit that loses the initiative, allowing the opponent to trade down to a winning endgame with his pawn advantage. My resignation was brought on by the recognition that I could not stop this strategy and his passed d-Pawn.