Whether you are out – rated by hundreds of points or down material – or both – never give up until the bitter end.
This game had a few errors in it, despite the nose-bleed ratings of these two players. But one is playing scared and the other is over-reaching for a win in order to qualify for the US Championship.
Catalan Opening
W: Steven Greanias - 2223
B: Donny Ariel – 2313
1. c4 e6
2. Nf3 d5
3. d4 Nf6
4. g3 c6
A solid Slav Defense type set up against White’s opening.
5. Bg2 Nbd7
6. Qc2 Bd6
7. O-O O-O
8. Nbd2 Re8
9. b3 …..
Better was 9. e4 and after the exchanges of knights and pawns, White can place a rook on d1.
9. ….. Qe7
10. Bb2 e5
Accepting an isolated queen’s pawn in the face of White’s fianchettoed bishop. But Black is playing for a win only and ….b6 is too symmetrical.
11. cxd5 cxd5
12. dxe5 Nxe5
13. Nd4 …..
Better was 13. Rac1 Bg4, 14. e3!
13. ….. Bg4
14. Nf5 Qd7
15. Nxd6 Qxd6
16. Rfe1 Rac8
17. Qb1 Nc6
A key move to get control of d4. Now if 18. e3 Nb4, so White accepts the gambit.
18. Bxf6 Qxf6
19. Bxd5 Nb4
20. Bxb7 Rc2
Black starts the attack.
21. Ne4 Qb6
22. Bd5 Bxe2
This is not necessary. 22. …Re5 wins easily for Black. The mistakes have started!
23. Ng5 Rec8
Again,…Re5 wins easily.
24. Bxf7+? .....
White misses his chance for an upset with 24. Be4, which holds and maybe even wins! See, mistakes can be made.
24. ….. Kh8
25. Bc4 Bxc4
26. Qd1 Be2
White resigns
You nailed it - all chess players make mistakes. Our chess rating is a reflection of the average size and frequency of our blunders. It must drive grandmasters insane to watch the games of average players!
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