Kids Night 081318 Had Six Attendees

Ladies can play chess very well also.

A very nice evening of chess, even though attendance was down. But with a beautiful summer night outside, it is to be expected sometimes. But the air conditioned LCCC chess hall was comfortable also.

Here is a game played by Don M with Black and on line. Don has a conservative style that lulls his opponent into a false sense that there is no danger in the position. Then....the trap springs with one misstep.

1. d4              d5
2. c4              e6
3. Nc3           Nf6
4. Bg5           Be7
5. Nf3            O-O
6. e3              Nbd7
7. Bd3           dxc4
8. Bxc4          c5
9. O-O           a6
The last opening book move. White has a half pawn advantage says Igor3000. It looks even to us mere mortals.

10. Rc1           b5
11. Bb3           Bb7
Don just continues normal development. White is up (.4).

12. dxc5          Nxc5
13. Bc2           Qxd1
14. Rfxd1        Rfd8
15. Nd4           h6
16. Bh4           Rd7
17. Rd2?         ........
It was time for White to do something with this sleepy bishop. Trading it off was the best option. Re-routing would be too slow, so 17. Bxf6 was the play. Black now has a slight advantage (-.3).

17. ......            Rad8?
18. Rcd1?        .........
Igor3000 sees the error of their ways. White could have equalized with 18. Rdd1, g5 19. Bg3, Nd5 20. Nxd5, Bxd5 for an even game.

18. ........          g5
19. Bg3           b4

 Don threatens to win material here, as you will soon see (if you don't already). White apparently just accepted to lose an exchange and didn't work to find the saving reply:
20. Na4, Nce4 21. Nb6, Nxd2
22. Nxd7, Rxd7 23. Rxd2 and White is only down a half pawn (-.5). Instead,

20. Nce2??        Nfe4
21. Bxe4           Nxe4
22. Rd3             Nxg3
23. Nxg3           e5
24. Ndf5?          Rxd3
White is accepting his fate. 24. Ngf5, Bf8 25. f3 and White is down (-3) instead of (-6). Don finishes it easily.

25. Nxe7           Kf8
26. Rxd3           Rxd3
27. Nef5            Rd1+
28. Nf1              Be4
29, N5g3?         Bd3
30. f3                Rb1
31. Kf2             Rxb2
32. Ke1            Bxf1
Resigns

Come on down to the Chess Club on Monday nights!

Chess Club Rolling Along and How to Analyze a Chess Position

The player on the right is working on a plan!

The Chess Club is still rolling along. Sorry for the delay in posting. 

Join us for our Kid's Night this evening!

Now for some practical advice:

The question facing us in a chess game is “what shall I do in this position”?

To answer this question, we have to first ask, “How do you evaluate a position”? There are three fundamental principles in analyzing a position; force, mobility and King safety.

Mobility is broken into two parts; pawn structure and freedom of pieces.

Add the tactical situation at any moment and we have five basic questions:

1.      Who is ahead in material?

2.      Are my pawns well placed compared to my opponent?

3.      How much freedom of action do my pieces have and is my mobility better than my opponent?

4.      Are the Kings safe or exposed to attack?

5.      What are the threats for me and my opponent?

Once these questions are answered, we can evaluate the position as superior, equal, or inferior, form plans and proceed accordingly.

Advantages are either permanent or temporary. A permanent advantage is usually in pawn structure, but they can change with incorrect play.  

A mobility advantage is usually more temporary.

A player must often decide if he wants to stay in a middle game or go into an endgame (usually by trading queens).

Who has what advantages and how strong or permanent those advantages are, will make your decision on which road to take.