MIDDLEGAMES
KCN Practice Chess Games 2000-2002
Game 20 White – Black, PS 9, February 4, 2001.
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Nc6 Blocking the c pawn is generally poor strategy for Black in the Queen's Gambit Declined, as noted in the Tuhrim (white) game. 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 Ne4 Black offers exchanges, reducing the pressure on his position. 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 |
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White should continue developing pieces. If Black exchanges knights, it strengthens White's position in the center. 8.Bd3 is good, meeting 8...Qb4 with 9.Qc2. Other logical moves include 8.Rc1 and 8.Qc2. 8.Nxe4 dxe4 The exchange of knights on e4 forces White's remaining steed out of position. 9.Ne5 This leap forward leads to a position where either side can weaken the opponent's pawns by exchanging the knights - but neither player does so. Safer is 9.Nd2. 0-0 Black should exchange knights on e5, gaining a good position. 10.Be2 White should capture on c6 and double Blacks c pawns. 10...Rd8 Black develops his rook to a good square and pins the d4 pawn. Nevertheless, first taking on e5 was superior. 11.0-0? Now not capturing on c6 will cost him a piece. 11...Nb8 Black misses Nxe5 winning a piece because of the pin on the d file. 12.f3 Excellent move! White not only attacks the cramping black pawn on e4, but he opens play along the f file. f6 13.Ng4 e5 14.fxe4 Bxg4 15.Bxg4 exd4 16.exd4 Qxe4 17.Bf3 Qe3+ 17...Qxd4? is check but it loses a rook after White exchanges queens. 18.Kh1 c6 |
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19.Qb3 The queen exchange favors Black, who will safely win a pawn. 19.Re1 ( and if Qxd4? 20.Rd8+) is stronger. Qxb3 20.axb3 Rxd4 21.Rfe1 Nd7 22.Re2 Ne5 23.Rae1 Nxf3 This exchange opens up the e file for white rooks. Black should first develop his a8 rook and king, leaving the knight on e5. 24.gxf3 Kf8 25.Re7 Rd2 |
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| Both players have rooks on the 7th rank. White could double on the 7th rank first if he captures on b7, getting out of the way for the e1 rook. White elects to guard his 2nd rank instead. 26.R7e2? [ 26.Rxb7 Rxb2 27. Ree7 Rxb3! A tactic exploiting the overworked rook, but White can always make a draw by perpetual check. ] Rxe2 27.Rxe2 Rd8 White has too many weak pawns which make juicy targets for the Black rook. Meanwhile the Black king guards the entrance along the e file. 28.b4 Rd4 29.Rc2 Rd3 30.Kg2 Rb3 31.b5 cxb5 32.cxb5 Rxb5 Black has won a second pawn. 33.Rc8+ Kf7 34.Rc7+ Kg6 35.Rc2 a5 36.h4 h5 37.Kh3 Rb3 38.Kg2 a4 39.Kf2 b5 40.f4 This pawn push weakens Whites king side pawns. White would be better to leave them alone. 40...a3 41.bxa3 Rxa3 42.Ke1 b4 43.Kd1 Rh3 44.Rc4 b3 45.Rb4 Rxh4 46.Rxb3 Rxf4 Black has too many pawns. White fights on for many moves. 47.Kd2 Kg5 48.Rb7 g6 49.Rb3 Re4 50.Re3 Exchanging rooks gives up hope for anything other than stalemate. Rf4 Black should trade rooks, creating an easily won king and pawn endgame. He reconsiders this decision in another seven moves. 51.Rh3 Kg4 52.Rh1 Rf3 53.Rg1+ Rg3 54.Rf1 h4 55.Ke2 h3 56.Kf2 Rf3+ 57.Kg1 Rxf1+ 58.Kxf1 Kg3 59.Kg1 f5 60.Kh1 f4 61.Kg1 f3 62.Kh1 Kf4 63.Kg1 Ke3 64.Kf1 h2 Not completely clear that the last moves are correct. |
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