2 

[FEN ""]
[Date "6/10/2018"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Me"]
[Black "Opponent"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "1874"]
[BlackElo "2000"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Bg7 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. Be3 O-O 8. Be2 d6 9. O-O Bd7 10. Rc1 a5 11. f4 a4 12. Bf3 a3 13. b3 Qa5 14. h3 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 e5 16. Be3 Bc6 17. Qxd6 exf4 18. b4 Qd8 19. Bxf4 Qb6+ 20. Qc5 Qxc5+ 21. bxc5 Rfd8 22. Nd5 Nd7 23. Bc7 Re8 24. Bd6 Bd4+ 25. Kh1 Ra5 26. Bg4 Nxc5 27. Bc7 Ra4 28. Bb6 Rxe4 29. Bxc5 Rxg4 30. Ne7+ Kg7 31. Nxc6 bxc6 32. hxg4 Bxc5 33. Rb1 Rxc4 34. Rb7 Rxg4 35. Rfxf7+ Kh6 36. Rxh7+ Kg5 37. Rbc7 Rc4 38. Rcd7 Rc1+ 39. Kh2 Bg1+ 40. Kh1 Be3+ 41. Kh2 Bg1+ 42. Kh1 Be3+ 1/2-1/2

My rating: 1874

Opponent's rating: 2000

I felt that I had a big initiative throughout this game and failed to convert it and ended up in a worse position in the end. Feel free to address the following points or any other analysis that is important.

  • I played 11.f4 with the intention of maintaining control over e5 and keeping open the option of eventually breaking with e4-e5 or f4-f5. Perhaps 11.b3 is a better first move to slow down a5-a4? Perhaps black can also consider ideas with ...Ng4.
  • 12.Bf3 kind of feels like a wasted move at the moment but I felt it would eventually play a role in supporting a knight on d5, perhaps 12.h3 is more straightforward in this position.
  • I felt happy with 14.h3, considering Nd5 next.
  • I instantly felt that my opponent made quite an error with 15...e5.
  • 17.Qxd6 looked safe, but perhaps I was better off with 18.Qxf4 or 19.Qxf4 rather than 19.Bxf4?!, allowing 19...Qb6+.
  • I didn't like 20.Kh1 Rad8 21.Qe7 Rfe8 when I have too much trouble hanging on to the b4 pawn and have to resort to Qc5, so I just played 20.Qc5 right away.
  • After 22.Nd5 I felt I still had a nice initiative and I really don't understand where I could've improved between now and 29...Rxg4. Maybe I could slow down and not allow 24...Bd4+? And after 26.Bg4 Nxc5 I really felt that I was losing grip.
  • I was a bit low on time and didn't see much better than 29.Bxc5.
  • In hindsight, perhaps I should've been a little more patient than 33.Rb1 and try slowly improving my position, perhaps it's still roughly equal though.
  • My opponent generously offered a draw after 42...Be3+ but I felt he was the one who could play on.

Also, please no computer analysis unless it's absolutely vital to explaining something. Thanks!

Improve this question
5
  • I'll make this a comment as I'm about the same rating as you, but why 19 Bxf4? Surely Qxf4 is much better - swapping Queens here just dissipates your initiative and ruins your pawns. After Qxf4 he has to deal with ideas like b5, Rd1 and Nd5 and his Queen on d8 just gets in the way of where the rooks want to be.
    – Ian Bush
    Jun 21, 2018 at 7:00
  • I'll just make a quick note that both you and your opponent seem unaware of the fact that both d5 and b5 are excellent outposts for white knights in the Maroczy bind. Black playing 10...a5? seems like a strategic blunder which should be punished by the immediate 11.Ndb5!
    – Scounged
    Jun 21, 2018 at 13:50
  • 1
    I think 10...a5 is still in theory.
    – Ywapom
    Jun 21, 2018 at 16:19
  • @Ywapom Really? That comes as a surprise to me. I checked with the computer real quick, and it seems to absolutely hate the move. Is there some concrete resource for black after 10...a5 that justifies giving up the b5 square without a fight?
    – Scounged
    Jun 21, 2018 at 16:29
  • are these some inflated online websites ratings? i have not seen play by anyone as high as you claim your opponents are rated in these games you posted.
    – edwina oliver
    Jan 30, 2020 at 3:34

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
1

You couldn't win mostly due to the mistake on move 19, but you still had chances.

  • I played 11.f4 with the intention of maintaining control over e5 and keeping open the option of eventually breaking with e4-e5 or f4-f5:

That statement is not enough of a plan, and your following moves don't support either idea. That pawn cannot move backwards and you might wish it were on f3.

  • 12.Bf3, perhaps 12.h3

Again you are not playing with any plan, but Bf3 supports e4 and is probably a better square for the Bishop

  • I felt happy with 14.h3

Why? How does 14.h3 help your position? I can't help thinking there is something wrong with your position. Your rooks aren't connected and the long dark-square diagonal is loose, but I don't know that Black can take advantage of that.

  • error with 15...e5.

Yes that is dubious, and I think Black could have improved his rooks before trading knights in the center.

  • 17.Qxd6 looked safe, but perhaps I was better off with 18.Qxf4 or 19.Qxf4 rather than 19.Bxf4?!, allowing 19...Qb6+.

or 19.Qd8, which looks to give you a big advantage! 19...Rfxd8 20.Bxf4 Rd4?! 21.Ne2 +/-

  • After 22.Nd5 I really don't understand where I could've improved

Well, what did 26.Bg4 achieve but to weaken your e-pawn? How about, 26.Rcd1 Bxc5 27.Bc7 Ra4 28.Bg4

  • 33.Rb1

Why help Blacks rook get in the game? Also, every pawn trade makes it harder to win the game.

Improve this answer
0

I have not analyzed it in detail, but you played several moves that I consider inferior.

The answer to the OP's question is that you are not yet strong enough to win with that position against a 2000 rated player.

I suspect a computer analysis would show you a number of moves that would differ from what you actually did. It might just be me but I would look at the moves 37. Rb3 or Rh3 to avoid the perpetual check.

Improve this answer
-1
  1. e5! Bxe5 28. Ne7+! should do it :)

EDIT: I am wrong.

Improve this answer
3
  • What if black doesn't take on e5? I'm thinking that 27.e5 Bxd5 28.cxd5 Ne4 looks more than ok for black.
    – Scounged
    Jun 21, 2018 at 18:09
  • 29. e6 there, right? Though honestly I'm not in good form I could be totally off.
    – John Smith
    Jun 21, 2018 at 18:11
  • 2
    29.e6? seems to lose to 29...f5!, after which white can't defend all weaknesses at once.
    – Scounged
    Jun 21, 2018 at 18:38

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.