Nice Night at LCCC – New Member – New 960 Game Analyses

The first chess played at La Buffelo de Viva Wings a la Paris!

It was 960 Tournament Make-up night, but no games had to be played. So, we had a Ladder Tournament game played – won by Paul M. We also had some casual games played – both speed chess and regular casual.

A group lesson was given to some of our members. The main focus of the lesson was “square control”. How to win by limiting your opponent move options and realizing what squares you control and figuring out which ones you need to control. The lesson was well received.

Here is a 960 game from last year, with a little background. It was a win by Jason Morris – on his way to the 2013 LCCC 960 Tournament win. This is a mid-tournament game Jason had against a much lower rated opponent. But Jason has a few things working against him.

One thing it is a 960 tournament. So Jason’s much stronger opening book memory is no help. Second, the time limit was only 30 minutes per player. The lack of quality think time with a completely random position also leveled the playing field. Maybe a little over confidence could have been a factor.

Having said all that, Jason’s opponent played a real first class game up until the time pressure got to him also. Here is the game with the back rank pieces placed left to right as so:  QRNBBKRN
1. Ng3    c6
2. d4    d5
3. Nd3    Bc7
4. Nf5    Nd6
5. g4     Ng6
6. Ng3   Bd7
7. f3    Re8
8. b3    Qc8
9. Ne5    Nf4
10. Bd2    Nh3
11. Rg2   f6
12. Nxd7   Qxd7

White is simply trading a knight for a bishop with the hopes of opening the position soon. Bishops are better in open positions. But Black will strive to keep the position closed for two reasons; his knights will fair better than White’s bishops and who wants open lines against a better player?

13. c3    Nf7

14. Bc2   g6
15. Re1    e5
16. Qc1    Nhg5
17. h4    Ne6
18. e3    Re7
19. f4    e4
20. g5    f5
21. c4    b6
22. Bd1   Ng7
Black stays with the plan of keeping the position closed and not make waves. The computer says White has a slight lead, but the game is basically even.

23. Bb4+   Bd6

24. Bxd6   Nxd6
25. Be2    Kf7
26. h5    Re6
27. Kf2    Ke7?
The first slip by Black. He pulls off the g-pawn. Ree8 was best to help his fellow rook. (+1.5)

28. Rh1    Qd8?

More slippage by Black as Kd8 was better (+2.2), getting the King out of the way.

29. Qa3   Qb8

30. Rgh2   Kd7
31. hxg6   hxg6
32. Rh7   Nde8?
A little panic and time pressure is starting to affect Black. Kd8 is fine as 33. Rh8 can be met with Ree8. Now the advantage is (+4.1)

33. cxd5   cxd5

34. Bb5+  Kd8
35. Bxe8   Rexe8
36. R1h6    Re6?
37. Qa4??  ……
There is now time pressure for both sides. This is why you never give up or stop looking for chances to punch back. White had 37. Rxg7, Qxg7 38. Qf8+, Re8 39. Qxg7 and its over. Now it is still a struggle (+1.2).

37.  …..     Qc7

38. Ne2     Ke8
39. Rh1    Kb8?!
 Black still thinks he is losing and is in time pressure. Kb7 holds the fort.

40. Rc1    Qb7

41. b4    b5?
42. Qc2?! …..
White had Qb3, then Rc5 and then Nc3! Time trouble is a cruel master.

42. ……   Re7

43. Qc5    Resigns
A fine effort by both players!
PS: Thank you to all of our readers as we crossed the 25,000 hits line on the blog!