30 November 2007

What was I thinking?

. . . and why did I get away with it?

Stripes,J (1627) - Copeland,C (1555) [E07]
Turkey Quads Spokane (3), 15.11.2007
[Stripes]

 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 d5 3.c4
The Reti 3...e6 4.d4 no longer the Reti 4...c6 5.Bg2 Nbd7 6.0-0 Be7



7.Nc3

7.Qc2 is the correct move, as is known by everyone that plays the Catalan

7...0-0 8.Bf4 seemed like a reasonable move, and it is certainly thematic in the Queen's Gambit, but I have almost always regretted this move--this game is no exception.

8...dxc4 9.e4
Staunton and Steinitz would be proud of me for getting this nifty pawn center--but Chris will not let it stand long

 
9...Qb6 the novelty of our game, and not a particularly good one. But why? What is wrong with a move that attacks the pawn nearly always laced with poison?

10.Qe2 c5 11.Qxc4

11.d5 occupied most of the time I spent thinking about my move, and may have been a better choice.

11...cxd4 12.Nxd4

12...e5?
giving White the advantage that should have been his birthright.

12...Qxb2 was possible.

13.Nf5 Re8? two inaccuracies by Black, and White now has a good game

13...exf4 14.Nxe7+ Kh8 15.gxf4 Qxb2 seemed better for Black to me, but my engine disagrees;
13...Bc5 is the move Hiarcs prefers.

14.Nxe7+ Rxe7 15.Be3 Qe6 

15...Qxb2 was still possible, and would make White fight for the win.

16.Nd5

16.Qxe6 seems simple enough.

16...Kh8??

16...Re8

17.Rac1 b6 18.Rfd1 Nxd5?

it is not easy to play a position such as Black has created for himself


18...Bb7

19.exd5 Qd6 20.Qxc8+ Re8

20...Rxc8 is suicidal 21.Rxc8+ Re8 22.Rxe8+ Nf8 forget about the queen as she is helpless against two rooks and two bishops.

21.Qc7 Qxc7 22.Rxc7 I like pigs! 22...Nf6 23.d6 e4 24.d7 Red8 25.Bg5 Rxd7 26.Rdxd7 Nxd7 27.Rxd7 f6 28.Bxe4 1-0

This badly played pseudo-Catalan gave me a much needed but undeserved win.