En Passant Cup - Maidstone v Swale - Board One
Wednesday 10 October 2018
White: George Hollands (163) - Black: Keith Nevols (163)
French Defence
1. e4 e6
2. Qe2 c5
And so we go straight into a Closed Sicilian style opening.
3. Nc3 Nc6
4. f4?!
I am now thinking that, for this move order, I ought to answer with 4. Nf3 and think about pushing the f-pawn later. I was not worried about Black's next move as I thought the waste of time with my queen is balanced by the waste of time with the knight.
4. ... Nd4
Black also has the energetic 4. ... d5 which I think I might have met with 5. Nf3.
5. Qd1 d5
6. Nf3 dxe4
7. Nxe4 Nf6
8. d3 Nxe4
9. dxe4 Nxf3
10. Qxf3 Bd7
Black has initiated a couple of piece exchanges and a pawn exchange, and the position is equal. I thought that Black was preparing Bc6 with perhaps f5 to put pressure on the White centre, or perhaps just Be7 and then castling.
At this point, I had a long think. 11. Bd2 to come to c3 is one option. 11. Bd3 was also considered but I thought Black might meet it with 11. ... Qb6 and I was not sure how to meet that. (Probably 12. b3 and then Be3 is safe enough).
However I saw the possibility of attacking while the Black king was in the centre by way of a temporary pawn sacrifice. I examined all sorts of lines and moves but overlooked an obvious one.
11. f5? exf5
12. Bc4
This was the plan. I thought Black might play 12. .... Qe7 where I planned 13. O-O. I also looked at 12. ... Be6 with 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. fxe5.
12. ....... Qh4+!
But this was a shock. I had not seen it at all. Now I knew I was lost. 13. g3 Qxe4+ 14. Qxe4 fxe4 and Black is a strong passed pawn up for nothing. Instead I try another line to get the king to safety and stay in the centre.
13. Kd1 O-O-O
14. Bd2 f6?!
14. .. fxe4 is much stronger. White has to play 15. Qg3 and Black has 15. .. Qf6 16. Kc1 Bd6 or 16. c3 Be6 and the game is almost over.
15. Bd5
So I manage to eliminate the centre and stay in the game for a few more moves.
15. .... fxe4
16. Qxe4 Qxe4
17. Bxe4 Bg4+
18. Kc1 Bd6
If I can get both rooks into the centre then, with a 3v2 down on the kingside, I have a chance of hanging on.
19. h3 Bd7
20. c3 Be5
21. Be3 b6
I ought to play Kc2 and find some secure outposts for those bishops. Instead, I am still reeling from the shock of Qh4+ (poker players call it 'playing on tilt') and, distracted by the prospect of a counter attack against the black King, made a hopeless blunder.
22. a4 Bc7
23. a5??? Rhe8
Of course! The game does not last much longer.
24. axb6 Bxb6
25. Bxc5 Bxc5
26. Bxh7 Re2
27. Resigns
One of my worst games ever. I take the lesson that tactics and gambling on attacks are not my king, as there is always a line which I overlook and which my opponents nearly always find. I resolve to always ensure that my pieces and development are safe, especially when I am up against strong opposition.
Maidstone v Swale
George Hollands (163) 1-0 Keith Nevols (163)
David Heath (146) 1-0 Keith Hyde (162)
Barrington Beavis (143) 1/2-1/2 David Page (141)
Peter Dirmauskas (135) 1-0 Rob Woolacott (132)
Ian Clark (125) 1/2-1/2 Tyrone Jefferies (119)
Douglas Smith (117) 1/2-1/2 Vytautas Gedminas (116)
Maidstone 4.5-1.5 Swale
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