keskiviikko 24. kesäkuuta 2015

My latest effort

Finally playing some chess again - meaning an actual real game from start to finish.

This one was against Novag Super V.I.P., computer that I had already played with 16 games. 11-5.

Novag Super V.I.P. (SD7 90 mins./game) - ChessCurious  60 mins./game 23. - 24. 6. 2015  

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 d5 { Transposing into Slav defense. I
decided to play as securily as possible, therefore this kind of structure.}  5.
Bg5 Be7 6. cxd5 Nxd5?! { I know taking here with pawn was standard, but my
goal was to exchange as many pieces as possible.}  7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. e4 Nxc3 9.
bxc3 $16 Nd7 $5 ( 9... b6) ( 9... O-O) 10. Bd3 b6 { This was meant to be also
waiting move, trying to see where the computer would castle.}  11. e5 { I
thought this was interesting decision. Instead of committing, computer is
taking space and opening some white squares.}  11... Bb7 12. Qc2 $6 { What is
the thinking here?}  ( 12. Nd2) ( 12. O-O) 12... O-O-O $2 { This I knew was a
risky choice... but I wanted to have attacking prospects to white´s probable
kingside castle. 12...Rc8 and 12...c5 were good choices.}  13. O-O ( 13. a4 $1
$18) 13... Nf8 $2 { Here there were several choices. This was just slow.}  14.
Qa4 $2 { Typical computer-move. Wants to attack the weak point(s) with queen
maneuver.}  ( 14. a4 $1) 14... Kb8 $16 15. Be4 Qd7 $2 { Preferring to exchange
the queens.}  16. Qa3 $2 { Correct idea but wrong square.}  ( 16. Qb3 $1 $18)
16... Ng6 { Maybe the comp would prefer the doubled pawns... If not, my horse
could use f4 or after g3 support h-pawn push.}  17. Bxg6 $2 { Poor strategic
decision.}  17... hxg6 $15 18. Rfc1 $2 { This does nothing, really.}  ( 18. c4)
18... c5 $1 $19 { This move is really powerful! It was also computer´s
suggestion after many different white moves.}  19. dxc5 { Immediately.}  ( 19.
c4 { was just slightly better.} ) 19... Bxf3 { Suddenly it is white king`s
position that is in ruins.}  20. gxf3 { Immediately also.}  20... Qe7 $1 $7 {
Was glad to find this move.}  21. f4 $2 ( 21. Qb4 { is first choice of
Stockfish 5 and was also my expectation.}  21... Rh4 22. f4 Rg4+ 23. Kf1 Qh4
24. Rd1 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Rxf4 26. Rd8+ Kb7 27. c6+ Ka6 28. Qa3+ Ra4 29. c7 Qc4+
$19 ) 21... Qh4 { M11.}  22. c4 Qxh2+ 23. Kf1 Rh3 $1 24. Qxh3 Qxh3+ 25. Ke1
Qh1+ 26. Ke2 Qe4+ 27. Kf1 Rh8 { M4. White resigned. 0-1}  

Definitely a clear win this time. Computer was not in his A-game at all.


sunnuntai 29. maaliskuuta 2015

Chess fatique - for good reason(s)!

I have gotten a chess fatique. This is probably party due to change of country I am staying at, but I could felt it this month before also. One other reason might be the last big chess project I undertook, namely 11-game simul versus chess computers, out of which 4 games are still unfinished!

Most importantly however, is that since mid-June last year till mid-March this year, I played most amount of chess games that I ever have (or perhaps even ever will! Though I doubt that one) during a single 9-month period. Last year from mid-June till the end I played total 88 long games, while this year during first 2,5 months I played total 55 long games! Combined together: 143 long games of chess. Overwhelmingly the biggest number ever, which is not so surprising since I`ve just played total 557 long time control chess games. This includes OTB games as well as online games, time controlled as well as casual games and also correspondence games. Minimum time control being 60 minutes per whole game for one player.

Some simple statistics from that 143-game period:

63 white wins, 66 black wins, 14 draws.
59 games I played with white, 84 games I played with black.

This year is probably going to become most productive in my chess playing career, since the record is 119 long games during 2014 and now already during 3 first months I have that number at 55.