After checking that it was okay to seek analysis on this site, I decided to post this recent game against a 1950 (I was white, 1650) with post-game annotations (forgive my excess rambling). I think it was quite an interesting game, as it featured a very uncommon opening, and an attempt (successful) at playing solid, positional chess. I think the unconventional ideas used in this game will be helpful to those here who play 1.d4 or the Nimzo as black, or in general for people who don't like to study openings. I'm looking for criticism of the game: strategy, opening, etc. and/or my analysis. If this question is deemed not productive for the site, do let me know, so that I can delete it.
EDIT: Please refrain from posting computer analysis. As I've said, I'm looking for improvements in the strategy/opening/personal analysis. Its fine to use engines to go over the game, but if you find improvements, please explain why its an improvement (i.e. strategically; don't post a 10 move computer line to explain it).
The Opening (Nimzo-Indian, Kmoch variation): This was the first time I have played this opening ins a serious match.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
The dreaded Nimzo-Indian. Since I have had terrible results playing classically against it in blitz, I decided to try something very unorthodox.
4. f3 d5
To make sure the pesky Bishop harassed my Knight no further.
5. Qb3 Be7
Perhaps a more aggressive approach by Black, which I would've gladly welcomed. (5. .. c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Bg5)
6. Nh3
For two reasons: I told a teammate (jokingly) that I would play Nh3 in my game, and because it supports the idea of controlling e4 via f2 along with the f3 Pawn
6. . .O-O 7. Bg5 c6 8. Nf2 Na6
Cheeky, but very logical. Most of Black's moves from here are geared to prepare c5, which was perhaps played later than it should have. Black already has a safe King and can afford to strike at the center with c5 in a move or two
9. e3
I realize that Black has the luxury to strike the center at will, and want my center (especially d4) to be well supported, considering my uncastled King.
9. . .Re8
This move was ridiculed by my teammates upon later analysis as "it did nothing" according to them. I disagree, and maintain that it is a patient and principled move that can allow Black to strike at d4 with both c5 and e5 with, say, the Queen on c7.
The Middlegame
10. a3
Prophylaxis. Two of Black's pieces can occupy b4, which may amount to something if the Queen also gets on a5. As the rest of my position seemed fairly safe, I thought it was a necessary move to reduce potential counterplay from Black.
10. . . Qa5
Of course, eyeing my g5 Bishop and potentially allowing a safe Bb4 (due to the pin on the Rook.)
11. Bh4
I considered playing h4, but wanted to keep the tension in the position and sought to not allow easy trades, which would give Black's pieces breathing room.
11. . . c5 12. dxc5
Two reasons: I did not want Black to play cxd4 and leave me with hanging center Pawns on c4 and d4 (easy targets for Black's pieces), and I wanted to lure the Black Knight to c5, where it can be a potential target for my b4 push.
12. . . Nxc5
Consider 12. .. Bxc5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. cxd5 Bxe3 (14. .. exd5 15. Bxa6 bxa6 16. O-O {The awful Pawn structure and King safety negates the activity of Black's pieces}) 15. Ng4 Bd4 16. O-O-O Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 18. bxc3 Kg7 19. Bb5 Rd8 20. d6 (White has much better pieces and a space advantage, which would be hard to neutralize by Black)
13. Qc2
The most natural square for the Queen. Eyeing h2, I would now be happy with playing Bg3 to an eventual Nh5 and opening up my h-file for the Rook. Additionally, b4 is threatened, which forces a passive retreat of one of the two well placed pieces on a5 and c5.
13. . .Qb6
?! Not the most accurate, as it allows White to gain massive Queen side space and the initiative. Better was perhaps the passive looking Ncd7! which would allow the zinger Bxb4 in case White is not careful and plays b4 right away.
14. b4 Ncd7 15. c5 Qd8 16. Rd1
A very principled move, I believe, considering that there were many good moves to choose from, such as Bg3, Bd3, Nd3, and perhaps even Bb5. This move puts pressure on the center and freezes Black's d Pawn for the forseeable future, allowing no central activity.
16. . . a5
Black doesn't have many options here and must strive for activity by activating pieces, such as the a8 Rook
17. Bb5
Perfectly timed, as now there is no a6 to kick the Bishop. This move instantly paralyzes the Knight on d7, and hence suffocates the Bishop on d7.
17. . . axb4 18. axb4 Nh5
Necessary, as Black needs to make space in order to activate his pieces, and trading is the best option that allows this.
19. Bg3 Bg5 20. Qe2
A rash decision on my part, as I was too tempted to follow this move with f4, forcing Black to open my h-file for me. Better was e4, which was my whole reason behind playing f3 in the first place. It would've favorably allowed White to open the center with his well placed Rook, Queen and light squared Bishop.
20. . . Qf6 21. Nb1
Very pretty, and very logical. I preferred it over Na4 (both stop the Rook from coming to a3 and pressuring my e3 Pawn) because this allows the Knight to get to the center or the Kingside more quickly, if necessary.
21. . . Nxg3
Necessary, as allowing Bd6 would crush Black's opportunities to activate his pieces
22. hxg3 Qe7 23. f4 Bf6 24. Qh5 h6 25. g4
Better than Ng4 right away, as g4-g5 still allows Ng4, but with another piece in the attack. More importantly, it allows White to win the h-Pawn, as g6 is forced to avoid losing the Bishop due to the mate threat on h8.
25. . . g6 26. Qxh6 Bg7 27. Qh7+ Kf8
The ridiculed Re8 from earlier comes in handy.
28. g5 e5 29. Nc3 exf4
The pony joins the battle with a vengeance!
30. Nxd5 Qxg5 31. O-O f3 32. Qh2 Be5 33. Qh3 Qxg2+ 34. Qxg2 fxg2 35. Kxg2 Kg7 36. Ng4
Or Nb6. 1-0, because my opponent had less than 5 seconds on his clock, to my 10 minutes. However, I think my position is sufficiently strong at this point to win anyway with accurate play. What do you think?
[FEN ""]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 {The dreaded Nimzo-Indian. Since I have had terrible results playing classically against it in blitz, I decided to try something very unorthodox.} 4. f3 d5 {To make sure the pesky Bishop harassed my Knight no further.} 5. Qb3 Be7 (5... c5 {Perhaps a more aggressive approach by Black, which I would've gladly welcomed.} 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Bg5) 6. Nh3 {For two reasons: I told a teammate (jokingly) that I would play Nh3 in my game, and because it supports the idea of controlling e4 via f2 along with the f3 Pawn} O-O 7. Bg5 c6 8. Nf2 Na6 {Cheeky, but very logical. Most of Black's moves from here are geared to prepare c5, which was perhaps played later than it should have. Black already has a safe King and can afford to strike at the center with c5 in a move or two} 9. e3 {I realize that Black has the luxury to strike the center at will, and want my center (especially d4) to be well supported, considering my uncastled King.} Re8 {This move was ridiculed by my teammates upon later analysis as "it did nothing" according to them. I disagree, and maintain that it is a patient and principled move that can allow Black to strike at d4 with both c5 and e5 with, say, the Queen on c7.} 10. a3 {Prophylaxis. Two of Black's pieces can occupy b4, which may amount to something if the Queen also gets on a5. As the rest of my position seemed fairly safe, I thought it was a necessary move to reduce potential counterplay from Black.} Qa5 {Of course, eyeing my g5 Bishop and potentially allowing a safe Bb4 (due to the pin on the Rook.)} 11. Bh4 {I considered playing h4, but wanted to keep the tension in the position and sought to not allow easy trades, which would give Black's pieces breathing room.} c5 12. dxc5 {Two reasons: I did not want Black to play cxd4 and leave me with hanging center Pawns on c4 and d4 (easy targets for Black's pieces), and I wanted to lure the Black Knight to c5, where it can be a potential target for my b4 push.} Nxc5 (12... Bxc5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. cxd5 Bxe3 (14... exd5 15. Bxa6 bxa6 16. O-O {The awful Pawn structure and King safety negates the activity of Black's pieces}) 15. Ng4 Bd4 16. O-O-O Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 18. bxc3 Kg7 19. Bb5 Rd8 20. d6 {White has much better pieces and a space advantage, which would be hard to neutralize by Black}) 13. Qc2 {The most natural square for the Queen. Eyeing h2, I would now be happy with playing Bg3 to an eventual Nh5 and opening up my h-file for the Rook. Additionally, b4 is threatened, which forces a passive retreat of one of the two well placed pieces on a5 and c5.} Qb6?! {Not the most accurate, as it allows White to gain massive Queen side space and the initiative. Better was perhaps the passive looking Ncd7! which would allow the zinger Bxb4 in case White is not careful and plays b4 right away.} (13...Ncd7!) 14. b4 Ncd7 15. c5 Qd8 16. Rd1 {A very principled move, I believe, considering that there were many good moves to choose from, such as Bg3, Bd3, Nd3, and perhaps even Bb5. This move puts pressure on the center and freezes Black's d Pawn for the forseeable future, allowing no central activity.} a5 {Black doesn't have many options here and must strive for activity by activating pieces, such as the a8 Rook} 17. Bb5 {Perfectly timed, as now there is no a6 to kick the Bishop. This move instantly paralyzes the Knight on d7, and hence suffocates the Bishop on d7.} axb4 18. axb4 Nh5 {Necessary, as Black needs to make space in order to activate his pieces, and trading is the best option that allows this.} 19. Bg3 Bg5 20. Qe2 {A rash decision on my part, as I was too tempted to follow this move with f4, forcing Black to open my h-file for me. Better was e4, which was my whole reason behind playing f3 in the first place. It would've favorably allowed White to open the center with his well placed Rook, Queen and light squared Bishop.} Qf6 21. Nb1 {Very pretty, and very logical. I preferred it over Na4 (both stop the Rook from coming to a3 and pressuring my e3 Pawn) because this allows the Knight to get to the center or the Kingside more quickly, if necessary.} Nxg3 {Necessary, as allowing Bd6 would crush Black's opportunities to activate his pieces} 22. hxg3 Qe7 23. f4 Bf6 24. Qh5 h6 25. g4 {Better than Ng4 right away, as g4-g5 still allows Ng4, but with another piece in the attack. More importantly, it allows White to win the h-Pawn, as g6 is forced to avoid losing the Bishop due to the mate threat on h8.} g6 26. Qxh6 Bg7 27. Qh7+ Kf8 {The ridiculed Re8 from earlier comes in handy.} 28. g5 e5 29. Nc3?! exf4 {The pony joins the battle with a vengeance!} 30. Nxd5 Qxg5 31. O-O f3 32. Qh2 Be5 33. Qh3 Qxg2+ 34. Qxg2 fxg2 35. Kxg2 Kg7 36. Ng4 {Or Nb6. 1-0, because my opponent had less than 5 seconds on his clock, to my 10 minutes. However, I think my position is sufficiently strong at this point to win anyway with accurate play.}
