Clicking on any square of the board usually does something interesting: c3 and f3 move back and forwards in the list and b5 will search
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: YS - Emma 1.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/526kTvBm"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.15"]
[UTCTime "21:27:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A06"]
[Opening "Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Classical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
1. Nf3 { [%eval 0.36] } 1... d5 { [%eval 0.34] } 2. b3 { [%eval 0.0] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.44] } { Do you know, here I started to worry about your position already... White is setting up a strong position on the dark squares, and I don't know what you are doing about it... The simple development you chose is solid but is not challenging White's plans. After ...d5, Black should play or at least aim for ...e5 or ...c5, to open a file for the Rooks. } (2... c5 3. Bb2 f6! { Black is trying to counter White's idea from the start. } 4. c4 d4 5. d3 e5 6. e3 Ne7 7. Be2 Nec6 8. Nbd2 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. e4 a6 11. Ne1 b5 12. Bg4 Bxg4 13. Qxg4 Qc8 14. Qe2 Nd7 15. Nc2 Rb8 16. Rfc1 Qe8 17. Ba3 Bd6 18. Ne1 g6 19. cxb5 axb5 20. Bb2 Nb6 21. Nef3 Ra8 22. a3 Na5 23. Qd1 Qf7 24. a4 bxa4 25. bxa4 c4 26. dxc4 Nbxc4 27. Nxc4 Nxc4 28. Qe2 Nxb2 29. Qxb2 Rfb8 30. Qa2 Bb4 31. Qxf7+ Kxf7 32. Rc7+ Ke6 33. g4 Bc3 34. Ra2 Rc8 35. Rxc8 Rxc8 36. a5 Ra8 37. a6 Ra7 38. Kf1 g5 39. Ke2 Kd6 40. Kd3 Kc5 41. Ng1 Kb5 42. Ne2 Ba5 43. Rb2+ Kxa6 44. Rb1 Rc7 45. Rb2 Be1 46. f3 Ka5 47. Rc2 Rb7 48. Ra2+ Kb5 49. Rb2+ Bb4 50. Ra2 Rc7 51. Ra1 Rc8 52. Ra7 Ba5 53. Rd7 Bb6 54. Rd5+ Bc5 55. Nc1 Ka4 56. Rd7 Bb4 57. Ne2 Kb3 58. Rb7 Ra8 59. Rxh7 Ra1 60. Nxd4+ exd4 61. Kxd4 Rd1+ 62. Ke3 Bc5+ 63. Ke2 Rh1 64. h4 Kc4 65. h5 Rh2+ 66. Ke1 Kd3 { Petrosian, Tigran V - Fischer, Robert James, 0-1, Candidates final, 1971, https://lichess.org/zkKLicVo }) 3. Bb2 { [%eval 0.56] } 3... Nf6 { [%eval 0.53] } (3... f6?! 4. d4!?) 4. e3 { [%eval 0.51] } 4... Bf5?! $16 { [%eval 0.84] } { A bit too straightforward } 5. Bb5 { [%eval 0.78] } 5... Bd7 { [%eval 0.81] } { Losing time of course but logical. } 6. O-O { [%eval 0.8] } 6... a6 { [%eval 0.75] } 7. Bxc6 { [%eval 0.67] } 7... Bxc6 { [%eval 0.95] } 8. Ne5 { [%eval 0.63] } 8... Qd6 { [%eval 0.77] } 9. f4 { [%eval 0.34] } { A bit stereotyped } (9. c4!?) 9... g6 { [%eval 0.49] } 10. d3 { [%eval 0.34] } 10... Bg7 { [%eval 0.37] } 11. Nd2 { [%eval 0.56] } 11... Rf8?! { [%eval 1.45] } { Inaccuracy. O-O was best. } 12. Qe2 { [%eval 1.53] } 12... O-O-O?! { [%eval 1.9] } { I like this unbalancing approach but if White stands better -- which is true here -- it's going to go hard on you. I did worry about how safe your King was but your Queen gets into trouble because your set-up doesn't have room for all your pieces. } 13. a4 { [%eval 1.91] } 13... Nd7 { [%eval 1.65] } 14. Ndf3 { [%eval 2.12] } 14... h5 { [%eval 2.07] } 15. Ba3 { [%eval 2.08] } 15... Qe6 { [%eval 2.33] } 16. Ng5 { [%eval 2.28] } 16... Qf6?! { [%eval 2.99] } { Inaccuracy. Qf5 was best. } { The computer tuts about this move but I think it's forced, sooner or later. } (16... Qf5 17. e4 Qf6 $18) 17. Nh7 { [%eval 2.51] } { TACTIC: fork / net } 17... Qe6 { [%eval 2.45] } 18. Nxf8 { [%eval 2.43] } 18... Rxf8 { [%eval 2.34] } 19. d4?! { [%eval 1.6] } { Inaccuracy. Nxc6 was best. } 19... Nxe5 { [%eval 1.49] } 20. fxe5 { [%eval 1.48] } 20... f6?! { [%eval 2.45] } { Inaccuracy. f5 was best. } 21. exf6?! { [%eval 1.3] } { Inaccuracy. e4 was best. } 21... Bxf6 { [%eval 1.27] } 22. Rf3 { [%eval 0.88] } 22... Qg4 { [%eval 1.42] } 23. h3 { [%eval 1.24] } 23... Qg5 { [%eval 1.81] } 24. Raf1 { [%eval 1.37] } { This isn't too bad for you -- it's not a position that favours Rooks. But your next few moves allow White to create problems. } 24... Kd7? { [%eval 2.91] } { Mistake. Qh6 was best. } (24... Qh6 25. R3f2 g5!? { is a plan that might get a mistake out of White }) 25. Qe1? { [%eval 1.55] } { Mistake. Kh1 was best. } 25... b6?? { [%eval 4.17] } 26. Qb4!? { [%eval 2.49] } { With the idea of Rxf6! } (26. Bc1 { but this is actually better, setting up e3-e4 }) 26... Ke8? $18 { [%eval 4.42] } { Mistake. a5 was best. } { score ends here but } 27. Kh1 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: EB - Emma 1.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/irjIeVu7"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "00:06:18"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C47"]
[Opening "Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You got into a difficult position early on in this game but showed some good thinking in dealing with it, although in the end White’s pressure was too much. The set-up you used in the opening had some problems, because you didn’t bid for as much space as you needed for your pieces. This set-up of one-pawn-two-Knights-bishop-then-the-other-pawn is often used by beginners but it really isn’t good enough at this level. It’s solid and fairly safe, but it’s the safety felt by a tortoise hoping their attacker gives up and goes away! I recommend you use more ambitious systems as White and Black – ones with names, and with a few plans up your sleeve that you know about in advance and which have a bit of a sting in them for your opponents }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 { Oh dear, that's not very ambitious. } 3... Nf6 4. d4! { Better! } 4... d6? { This obviously blocks in your Bf8, and it also allows White to play some forcing moves to try and wrong-foot you. } (4... exd4! 5. Nxd4 Bb4! { is the main line } (5... Bc5!?) 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 $10) 5. dxe5 dxe5? (5... Nxe5) 6. Qxd8+ Nxd8? { TACTIC: desertion } (6... Kxd8 { is not comfortable but being a pawn down for nothing should just lose. }) 7. Nxe5 Bb4 8. Bd3 Ne6 9. Bd2 Nc5 { I'd prefer to see you develop here. } 10. Nd5? { White's extra pawn is going to be doubled and isolated, which is worth much less. } 10... Nxd3+ 11. cxd3? $16 (11. Nxd3! $18) 11... Bxd2+ (11... Nxd5! 12. exd5 Bd6 $10 { is a better line: you have some hopes of an opposite-colour Bishop ending or pressure against the d-pawn. }) 12. Kxd2 Nxd5 13. exd5 { You are completely undeveloped here and a pawn down, so it's all pretty tough. } 13... O-O (13... f6 14. Nc4 Bf5 15. Rhe1+ Kd7) 14. Rac1 { I assumed you were going to lose the c-pawn soon but you fought hard for it -- well done. } 14... Re8 15. f4 f6 16. Nf3 Re7! 17. Rhe1 Rd7 18. Re8+ Kf7 $18 19. Rh8? $16 (19. Re4 { keeps a grip }) 19... h6?? $18 { Missing something... } (19... b6! { prepares to attack d5 } 20. d6 c5 21. d4 Rxd6 $16) 20. d6! $18 Rxd6? { You are under a lot of pressure but this loses a piece by force. } (20... c6!? 21. Re1 Rxd6 22. Rhe8 Rd7 $18) 21. Rxc7+ Kg6 22. Rcxc8 Rxc8 23. Rxc8 Kf5 24. Rc7 Rb6 25. Rxg7 Rxb2+ 26. Ke3 $18 Rxa2?? { Some positions are so tough that they could do with a blunder... } 27. Nd4# { TIP: They say, look at every check and every capture every move! } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Emma - JT 1.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/BqJpkVwW"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "00:12:55"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C01"]
[Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A solid-but-no-more opening led to a position where only Black could come up with threatening ideas. There are better approaches to playing against the French. }
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 { Not the most ambitious system against the French. } 3... exd5 4. Nc3 { Not bad exactly but where is it going next? } (4. Bd3!? { stops the Bc8 going to its best square }) (4. c4!? { asks some immediate questions of Black, and they might get the answer wrong }) 4... Nf6 5. Nf3 Bd6 6. Bg5 c6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O Bg4 9. Re1 Nbd7 $15 { Black's game is already a little easier because your Nc3 is poorly placed. } 10. Be2?! (10. Re3) (10. h3) 10... Qc7 11. g3?! $19 { creates some weak light squares which Black soon uses
TIP: "move the pawns in front of your King only with infinite delicacy" -- ALEKHIN } (11. h3! $17 { is better }) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. Ne5 Bh3 14. Bf1 Bxf1 15. Kxf1 Rfe8 16. Nf3 Qd7 { With I think the obvious idea of ...Qh3. I think your spidey sense let you down here -- it should have been signalling danger! } 17. Ne5?? $19 (17. Qd3! $17 { Development is your friend when you stand worse } { [%csl Rh2] }) 17... Qh3+ 18. Kg1 Bxe5 19. f3 { Now the penny dropped, but too late! } (19. dxe5!? Ng4 20. Qf3 Qxh2+ 21. Kf1 Nxe5 22. Qg2 $19 { two pawns down }) (19. Rxe5?? { and you have to give up the Queen } 19... Ng4 20. Qxg4 Qxg4 $19) 19... Bd6 $19 { and I don't know what to advise except keep hoping! } 20. Qd2 c5 21. Nb5 Bxg3 22. hxg3 Qxg3+ 23. Kf1 Qxf3+ 24. Qf2 Qh1+ 25. Qg1 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1 Qxg1+ 27. Kxg1 cxd4 28. Nxd4 Re8 29. Rd1 { Good! So many players agree to swaps when in a losing endgame. } 29... Re4 30. c3 a6 31. Rd2 h5 32. Kg2 h4 33. Nb3 b6 34. Rd3 Re2+ 35. Kh3 Rxb2 36. Kxh4 Rxa2 37. Nd4 Ra4 38. Kg3 Ne4+ 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Toby - YS 2.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/EHmNPpQz"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "00:19:59"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D01"]
[Opening "Richter-Veresov Attack"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A solid-but-no-more opening led to a position where only Black could come up with threatening ideas. }
1. Nc3 { Not seen that before at these events! I've actually played it myself but you do need to know pretty well several other systems that you can transpose into. } (1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 { Veresov }) (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 { Classical French }) 1... d5 { Dominates the Knight -- you will have to work hard to find a square for that Knight to go next! } 2. d4 (2. e4!? { is the way most players follow up } 2... d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 { and White has ideas about the light squares }) 2... Nf6 3. Bg5 { For example, this is the Veresov System. Not a bad system, but do you know the ideas? And if you want to play it, you will more likely get it by starting with 1.d4! } 3... e6 4. a3 { That's not really part of any Veresov plan that I know. you should welcome Black playing ...Bb4 when their other Bishop is so bad. } (4. Nf3 Bb4 5. e3) (4. e4 { is a French Defence! }) 4... c5 5. e3 b6 { Black has no problems here and I think may stand a little better -- they have bid for a larger and more flexible structure to work with. } 6. Nf3 Be7 7. Bd3 { Some terrible Queen's-pawn version of Old Stodge? This set-up of one-pawn-two-Knights-bishop-then-the-other-pawn is often used by beginners but it really isn’t good enough at this level. It’s solid and fairly safe, but it’s the safety felt by a tortoise hoping their attacker gives up and goes away! How, for example, are you planning to develop your Rooks? } 7... Ba6?! { This helps White with their space problems } (7... Bb7) (7... c4) 8. Ne5?! (8. Bxa6 Nxa6 9. Qd3! $10) 8... Bxd3 9. Qxd3 O-O 10. O-O h6 (10... Nfd7) 11. Bh4 Nfd7 (11... Nbd7) 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Nf3 Nc6 14. Qb5 Rfc8 15. Rfe1 a6 (15... Na5 { starts looking at using the c-file. } { [%cal Gc8c2] }) 16. Qe2 Qf6 17. Rad1 b5 18. h3 cxd4 19. exd4 Na5 20. Ne5 Nxe5 21. dxe5 Qe7 (21... Qg5) 22. Na2 Rc4 { Black has an obvious initiative. } 23. Qf3 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Toby -- TD 2.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/R9OqkLAD"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "20:38:17"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D01"]
[Opening "Rapport-Jobava System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ I didn't much like the way you handled the opening but Black went pawn-hunting and got into trouble. }
1. Nc3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bf4 { The Jobava system -- very fashionable but like most fashions I expect it will soon fade away! } (3. Bg5) 3... e6 4. e3 a6 (4... Bb4!? { and Stockfish (slightly) prefers Black! }) 5. Nf3 (5. g4!? { is the sort of idea that has made the Jobava popular }) 5... c5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Ne5?! $17 cxd4 (7... Nxe5! 8. Bxe5 (8. dxe5 Nd7) 8... Nd7 $17) 8. Nxc6 bxc6 { You have spent three turns moving a Knight that has now vanished, and while exchanging it just helped Black move a pawn nearer the centre.
An opening system is only as good as the ideas you bring to it, and I fear you are just making this one up as you go along. Established openings with names have a lot of ideas worked out that you can just copy, and they usually have more interesting tensions if you want to think up your own ideas. } 9. exd4 Qb6?! $10 { Black goes chasing after an unimportant pawn and gets into trouble. } (9... c5! $17 { and White's centre will be wiped out }) 10. Be2 Qxb2?! 11. Na4 $10 Bb4+? $18 12. Kf1 Qa3 13. Nb6! Bb7 14. Nxa8 Bxa8 { Now you need some swaps but you fall into a very passive position. } 15. Bd2 Bd6? 16. Qb1?! (16. h4!) (16. Rb1!) 16... Ne4 17. Be1 O-O (17... c5! { and Black has decent chances because White's pieces are doing nothing. }) 18. Qb6? { "Trying to win" here risks letting the win go! } (18. Qb3! { With Queens off White should win without trouble. }) 18... Rb8 19. Qxa6 Qb2 20. Rd1 { with some energetic play here Black can stay in the game, but } 20... Bb7?! (20... e5!) 21. Qa4 Bc8?! 22. f3 Nc3 23. Bxc3? $10 (23. Qxc6! $18 { was worth a second look: } 23... Nxd1 24. Qxd6! { threatening mate } 24... Ba6) 23... Qxc3 24. Kf2 e5 { A good idea but played too late -- With White having connected Rooks, Black can't make much trouble. } 25. Rd3 Qb2 26. Qxc6 Bf5?? { I get the idea but simple counting should show this to be a mistake. } (26... Bb4) 27. Qxd6 Bxd3 28. Bxd3 { White is a whole piece ahead. } 28... Qxd4+ 29. Ke2 Rc8 30. Rb1 g6 31. Rb8 Rxb8 32. Qxb8+ Kg7 33. Qe8 e4 34. fxe4 dxe4 35. Qxe4 Qc3 36. Qe7 Kh6 37. Qe3+ Kg7 38. Qh3 $18 { Score sheet not right around here } 38... h5 39. Bb5?? { Loose Pieces Drop Off, they say } 39... Qe5+ 40. Qe3 Qxb5+ $10 41. Qd3 Qc6 42. g3 Qg2+ 43. Kd1 Qg1+ 44. Kd2 Qf2+ 45. Kd1 Qg1+ 46. Ke2 Qg2+ 47. Ke1 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: EB - Toby 2.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/M9sP4GRy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "21:11:57"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C46"]
[Opening "Three Knights Opening"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ The game settled into an opposite-side-castling form where both sides might be expected to launch attacks as fast as they can. but the molten centre confused matters. You had your chances but White got on top. }
1. e4 { [%eval 0.36] } 1... e5 { [%eval 0.32] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.29] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.29] } 3. Nc3 { [%eval 0.17] } 3... Bb4?! { [%eval 0.77] } { Inaccuracy. Nf6 was best. } 4. Bc4?! { [%eval 0.13] } { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } 4... d6?! { [%eval 0.92] } { Inaccuracy. Bxc3 was best. } 5. d4?! { [%eval -0.12] } { Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } 5... exd4 { [%eval 0.03] } 6. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.0] } 6... Nf6 { [%eval 0.06] } 7. Nxc6 { [%eval -0.25] } 7... bxc6 { [%eval 0.06] } 8. Qe2?! { [%eval -0.61] } { Inaccuracy. Qf3 was best. } 8... Qe7?! { [%eval 0.0] } { Inaccuracy. O-O was best. } 9. f3 { [%eval 0.12] } 9... O-O { [%eval 0.11] } 10. Bd2 { [%eval -0.11] } 10... Re8 { [%eval -0.15] } 11. O-O-O?! { [%eval -0.75] } { Inaccuracy. O-O was best. } { With the setting for an exciting opposite-side-castling race.
The winner of these races is usually the one who has better control over the centre, but I can't tell who that is! The evaluation swings wildly backwards and forwards for the next few moves... } 11... Be6?! { [%eval 0.33] } { Inaccuracy. d5 was best. } (11... d5! 12. exd5?? (12. Bb3 a5!) 12... Bxc3) 12. Bb3 { [%eval 0.25] } 12... a5 { [%eval 0.52] } 13. g4?! { [%eval -0.5] } { Inaccuracy. Ba4 was best. } 13... Bxc3 { [%eval -0.5] } 14. Bxc3 { [%eval -0.6] } 14... a4?! $10 { [%eval -0.18] } (14... Bxb3! $17 15. cxb3 a4 16. b4 a3 17. b3 Nd5 18. Qc4 Nxc3 19. Qxc3 d5 $17) 15. Bc4 { [%eval 0.04] } 15... a3 { [%eval 0.07] } 16. b3 $10 { [%eval 0.0] } 16... Nd7?! $16 { [%eval 0.86] } { Inaccuracy. d5 was best. } (16... d5! 17. exd5 cxd5 18. Bb5 c6 19. Bxc6 Qc5 $10) 17. f4? $17 { [%eval -1.17] } { Blunder. h4 was best. } (17. h4 $16) 17... Nb6? $14 { [%eval 0.46] } { Mistake. Bxc4 was best. } (17... Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Qxe4 $17) 18. Bxe6?! $15 { [%eval -0.54] } { Inaccuracy. Bd3 was best. } 18... Qxe6 { [%eval -0.59] } 19. Rhe1?! $19 { [%eval -1.44] } { Inaccuracy. e5 was best. } 19... d5?? $16 { [%eval 0.51] } { Blunder. Nd5 was best. } (19... Nd5 20. Bd2 (20. Be5 Nb4!) 20... Qf6 $19) 20. Be5?! $15 { [%eval -0.36] } { Inaccuracy. f5 was best. } (20. f5 Qh6+ $14) 20... Ra7?? $18 { [%eval 2.82] } { Blunder. dxe4 was best. } { The Rook gets very lost here and can't get back into the game. } (20... dxe4 $15) 21. exd5 { [%eval 2.96] } 21... cxd5 { [%eval 3.6] } 22. f5? { [%eval 1.75] } { Mistake. Qb5 was best. } (22. Qb5) 22... Qh6+ { [%eval 1.82] } 23. Qd2 { [%eval 1.93] } 23... Qxd2+ { [%eval 1.74] } 24. Kxd2 { [%eval 1.97] } 24... f6 { [%eval 2.49] } 25. Bd4 { [%eval 1.86] } 25... Rxe1? { [%eval 3.9] } { Mistake. Raa8 was best. } 26. Rxe1 { [%eval 3.88] } 26... Kf7? { [%eval 6.49] } { Mistake. Ra8 was best. } 27. Bc5 { [%eval 6.88] } 27... h6 { [%eval 9.13] } 28. Re7+ { [%eval 9.39] } 28... Kg8 { [%eval 9.26] } 29. Bxb6 { [%eval 9.35] } 29... Rb7 { [%eval 9.69] } 30. Bc5 { [%eval 9.35] } 30... Kh7 { [%eval 10.03] } 31. Bd6 { [%eval 9.12] } 31... Kg8 { [%eval 10.05] } 32. Rxc7 { [%eval 10.17] } 32... Rb6 { [%eval 10.64] } 33. Rc8+ { [%eval 9.59] } 33... Kh7 { [%eval 9.59] } 34. Bxa3 { [%eval 9.61] } 34... Ra6 { [%eval 9.98] } 35. Bb4 { [%eval 9.26] } 35... Rxa2 { [%eval 9.29] } 36. Rc7 { [%eval 9.53] } 36... Ra8 { [%eval 9.93] } 37. Bc3 { [%eval 9.44] } 37... Rf8 { [%eval 9.72] } 38. b4 { [%eval 10.02] } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: VP - Jamie 3.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/yXL2WOPa"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "22:27:33"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C92"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez: Closed, Zaitsev System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Rather a fluctuating scrap where you had chances for the advantage and certainly needn't have lost, but White got hold of the wheel eventually and forced you over the cliff. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 (5... Be7 { is the Closed Variation, while }) (5... Nxe4 { is the Open Variation. }) 6. Bb3 Be7 { Oh, back to the Closed. An early ...b5 is usually a prelude for one of the Arkhangels: } (6... Bb7 { Old Arkhangel }) (6... Bc5 { New Arkhangel }) 7. Re1 O-O 8. c3 d6 { Nothing wrong with this, but the move order with early castling is normally done so you can play here } (8... d5 { the Marshall Gambit, considered maybe the best reply for Black here, but it's fearsomely complicated and there's a lot to learn. }) 9. h3 { There are a whole bunch of defences here, but ...Re8 isn't part of any of them! It is played pretty often, but only to seek a draw... } 9... Re8 (9... Na5 10. Bc2 c5 { Tchigorin }) (9... Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 { Breyer }) (9... Bb7 { Flohr }) (9... Nd7 { Karpov }) (9... h6 { Smyslov (with the idea of ...Re8 and ...Bf8 }) 10. Ng5 $14 d5? $18 { You have to swallow your pride with } (10... Rf8 { after which some Grandmasters will offer a draw by playing } 11. Nf3 { when you can go again with } 11... Re8) 11. exd5 Nxd5 $18 12. Ne4? $17 (12. Nxf7! { is an excellent version of the Fried Liver } 12... Kxf7 13. Qf3+ Ke6 14. d4 $18 { and Black is busted. }) 12... Be6 13. d4 exd4 14. cxd4 $15 Qd7?! (14... Na5! 15. Bc2 Nb4! $19 { grabs the Bishop pair, with advantage. }) 15. Nbc3 $15 { Your next swaps shore up the IQP and bring pawns to the centre, as well as waking up the Ra1. } 15... Nxc3 16. bxc3 Bxb3 17. axb3 $14 Rad8? $18 { Very logical, but } (17... Bf8! $14) (17... Red8 $14) 18. b4? $16 (18. Rxa6! { TACTIC: abandonment }) 18... Nb8 19. Be3 $16 Bxb4? $18 { TACTIC: discovery and escape!
A nice idea but it doesn't work } (19... Qf5! $16) 20. Nf6+ (20. Bg5! $18 { should have been worth a look, as the plausible } 20... Be7? { fails to } 21. Nc5! $18 Qd6 22. Bxe7 Rxe7 23. Nb7) 20... gxf6 21. cxb4 { The game is about equal here, but it goes quickly bad for you. } 21... Kh8? (21... Nc6! $10 { Development must be completed! }) 22. Qf3 $18 Re6? 23. Rec1? $10 (23. d5! { and suddenly you're in huge trouble } 23... Qxd5 (23... Rd6 24. Bd4!) 24. Red1! $18) 23... Qe7? $18 (23... Nc6! 24. Rxa6 Nxd4! $10 { was your last chance }) 24. d5! Red6 25. Bc5! $18 { TACTIC: pin } 25... Qe5 26. Bxd6 Rxd6 27. Qe3 Rxd5 28. Qxe5 fxe5 29. Rxc7 Kg7 30. Rb7 Rd8 31. Re1 Nc6 32. Rb6 Nb8 33. g4 f6 34. g5 f5 35. Rc1 e4 36. Rc7+ Kg8 37. g6 hxg6 38. Rxg6+ Kh8 39. Rf6 a5 40. bxa5 b4 41. Rb7 Nd7 42. Rd6 Rg8+ 43. Kf1 $18 { "Black is in need of a good blunder." } 43... Nc5?? 44. Rh6# { Look at every check, they say... } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Jamie - SS 3.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/shdCsZTv"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.02.02"]
[UTCTime "11:21:28"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D53"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You lost a pawn early on to the simplest of tactics, but a little more energy in counterattacking might have rescued you. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 (3... Bb4) 4. Bg5 (4. cxd5 { This is a good moment to play the Exchange if that's what you have in mind } 4... exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3) 4... Be7 5. Nf3 c6 6. e3 Qb6 7. Qc2 Nbd7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Be2?! (9. Bd3! { is nearly always the best square for this piece in the Karlsbad structure. }) 9... O-O 10. O-O Re8 $16 { You have rather the easier position here. Now rather than a cheap one-move attack, you should continue developing, planning to advance either on the Queen's-side or in the centre. } 11. Na4 (11. Rab1 { idea b4 }) (11. Rae1 { idea f3 and e4 }) 11... Qc7 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Nc3 $14 b5?! (14... Ne4 { and some sort of King's-side attack is usual here }) 15. b3 { Overly defensive } (15. Rfc1! $16) 15... a5 16. a3 Bb7 17. b4?? { A simple counting error: the pawn is outnumbered } 17... axb4 18. axb4 Qxb4 $19 { Black has a very healthy passed pawn but doesn't make best use of it. } 19. Rab1?! (19. Rfb1!) 19... Qd6 20. Rfc1 $19 Ne4?! $17 { Now this is a distraction from the events on the Queen's-side } 21. Nxe4 dxe4 22. Nd2 f5?! { Needlessly weakening } 23. Nb3 (23. Nc4! { is neat } 23... Qd5 24. Qd2! Ra7 25. Na5! $10) 23... Nf6 24. Nc5 Bc8 $17 25. h3? $19 { A move that rather announces 'I don't know what to do' } (25. g3 { deters ...f4 }) (25. Nb3 { attacks c6 } 25... Bd7 (25... Ra6 26. Nc5) 26. Nc5) 25... Nd7?! $10 26. Nb3 $17 (26. Qb3+! $15) 26... Bb7?! $10 27. Qc3 (27. Qd2! { and it is hard to see how Black can organise any progress. They have a very bad Bishop and no control of the dark squares. }) 27... Ra7?! 28. Na1 (28. Na5! $16 { and White will win back the pawn and stand better } 28... Rc8?! 29. Nxb7 Rxb7 30. Rxb5! $18 { and White should pick up the c-pawn too }) 28... Rea8 29. Nc2 Kf8?! 30. Nb4 Ra3 31. Qc2 $15 Nb8?? $16 32. Qc5? $17 (32. d5! cxd5 33. Bxb5 $16 { White has very active pieces and the extra Black pawn is no longer dangerous } 33... d4 34. Qd2 d3 35. Nc2 Ra2 36. Bc4 Qe7) 32... Qxc5 33. Rxc5 $19 { This is a tense position which I'm not sure I completely understand. } 33... Nd7?? (33... Ra1! $17 { is the computer recommendation, preferring activity on the Queen's-side to saving the King's-side pawns. } 34. Rxf5+ Ke7 35. Re5+ Kd6 36. Rxa1 Rxa1+ 37. Kh2 Na6 $17) (33... g6 $10) 34. Rc2?? $15 (34. Rxf5+! $14 { should have crossed your mind -- how fast were you playing? }) 34... Rc8?! $10 { Again it's very hard to see how Black can make progress } 35. d5?? { I get that you want some counterplay but this is a mistake. } 35... c5! $19 { Now the Black pawns are very powerful and the Bb7 can finally become active. } 36. Bxb5 cxb4 37. Bxd7 Rxc2 38. d6 b3 39. Bxf5 b2 $19 40. Bxe4?? { Did I get these moves right? That looks like a very bad miss although it is hard to give you good advice... } 40... Rc1+ 41. Kh2 Bxe4 42. Rxb2 Ra8 43. Rd2 Rc3 44. d7 Ke7 45. Rd4 Bf5 46. d8=N Rxd8 47. Rxd8 Kxd8 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: AP - Jamie 3.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/6RpdHZTa"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.02.02"]
[UTCTime "11:36:24"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ White didn't take advantage of your mistakes, I'm pleased to say! But have a look at what opportunities you gave them by castling long and then advancing your pawns. }
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. c3 Bf5?! { A bit early to commit this piece } 4. Nf3 (4. dxc5! $14 { I expect White can create some nuisance for Black with this move in the style of the Slav (5.b4!?), but the London System has created a robot army of players who play the same moves whatever the opponent does. }) 4... Nc6 5. e3 (5. dxc5) 5... e6 6. Bd3 Bg6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Bg5 Be7 9. Bxg6 hxg6 10. Nbd2 Qc7 11. h3 O-O-O? { I like the attitude but objectively this is a mistake; White can open lines against your King much more easily than you can attack on the other side of the board. But White played without much ambition. } 12. Rc1?! (12. Qa4! $18) (12. b4!? $16) 12... c4? { This makes it even easier for White! } (12... Kb8) 13. b4 (13. b3! $18) 13... b5 14. a4 a6 15. Bf4 Qb7 16. Ra1 Nh5?! (16... Kd7!? { connecting Rooks might be your best plan, with ...Ra8 in mind. }) 17. Be5 Nxe5? 18. Nxe5? (18. dxe5! { idea g4, winning a piece }) 18... Bd6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ndf3 Nf6 21. Ng5 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Ne8 { White has a crushing position but didn't seem to realise it. } 23. Qe2?! $18 (23. Qd4! $18) (23. Ra5! $18) 23... Qb8?? 24. f4 (24. Nxf7 { TACTIC: fork }) 24... Rd7 25. Ra3 Ra7 26. Rfa1 Rxa3 27. Rxa3 Qb7 { This doesn't even stop Nxf7! } 28. Qa2 (28. Nxf7! Qxf7 29. Ra8+ Kd7 30. Qa2 $18 Rg8 31. Qa6 { and Black is helpless }) 28... Nc7 29. Nxf7 Qb6 30. Nd6+ Kd7 31. Kf2 { Agreed drawn here but White is much better. White can make progress on both sides of the board while Black is struggling for space and ideas. } 31... Rh4 32. Kf3 (32. Ra7) 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Daniel - NN 4.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/HK18K5m5"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "22:56:54"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You survived some early wobbles to win a pawn endgame, but the endgame was full of dangers. I strongly recommend you play through the closing variations to see how delicate a balance the game was in. }
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6?! 3. Bf4 Nf6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Bd3?! $10 (5. Bb5! $16) (5. c4! $14) (5. Nbd2 Nb4 6. Bb5+ c6 7. Ba4 $14) 5... e6 6. Nbd2 Bxd3 7. cxd3 Bd6 8. Bg3 Bxg3 9. hxg3 Qd6 $10 10. e4?! $17 { TIP: Opening the centre usually favours the side who is ahead in development
-- and that's Black! } (10. Rc1) 10... dxe4?! $10 { Straightens out White's pawns. } 11. Nxe4? $19 (11. dxe4! Nxd4? 12. Qa4+ Nc6 13. e5 $18) 11... Nxe4 12. dxe4 $19 Qb4+?? $10 (12... O-O-O! $19 { and the d-pawn falls. }) 13. Qd2 O-O-O 14. Qxb4 Nxb4 15. O-O? $17 (15. Kd2! $10 { Keep the King centralised for the endgame -- with Queens off the board it's not going to be the victim of a mating attack. }) 15... Nc2? { Forcing White to develop... } (15... Rd6! 16. Rfd1 Rhd8 17. Rd2 Nc6 18. Rad1 $17 { and White is worse but holding. }) 16. Rad1 Nb4 17. a3 Nc6 18. Rd2 f6 19. d5? { weakening } 19... exd5 20. exd5 Ne5? $10 (20... Ne7! 21. Rfd1 Rd6! $19 { and Rhd8 is hard to meet }) 21. Nxe5 fxe5 22. Re1 Rhe8 23. f3 Rd6 24. f4 e4? (24... c6!) 25. Rd4 c6 26. Rdxe4 Rxe4 27. Rxe4 cxd5? (27... Rxd5!) 28. Re7 Rd7 29. Rxd7 Kxd7 $19 { Pawn endgames are tricky -- I think you have chosen to swap off into a losing endgame! White's King's-side pawns are muddled up and can't easily make a passed pawn. But both sides made horrid blunders and both could have won! } 30. Kf2 (30. g4) 30... Ke6?? $16 (30... d4! 31. g4 h6! 32. Kf3 Kc6 33. Ke4 Kc5 34. Kd3 Kd5 35. b3 b6 36. g3 a6 37. a4 a5 38. g5 hxg5 39. fxg5 g6 40. g4 Ke5 41. Kc4 Ke4 $19) 31. Ke3?? $19 (31. g4! $16 { keeps out the King and prepares to make a passed pawn. } 31... d4 (31... h6 32. Ke3 Kd6 33. Kd4 $16) 32. g5 $16) 31... Kd6?? $18 { Black win has disappeared } (31... Kf5! $19 { should have won } 32. Kd4 Kg4 { and Black's h-pawn is going to run for a try. }) 32. Kd4 $19 { # } (32. g4! $16 { was essential }) 32... b6?? { Black goes from winning to losing with this safe-looking move! } 33. b4? $10 (33. g4! { wins }) 33... a6?? $18 34. g4 h6 35. g3?? $10 (35. a4! { wins }) 35... g5?? $18 36. f5? $16 { It looks good to get a passed pawn, but that's now in the bag, and you should squeeze the position to make Black retreat. } (36. a4! b5 37. a5 $22 { e.g. } 37... Ke6 38. Kc5 $18 { which is much easier }) 36... Ke7? $18 (36... b5! $18 { and it is Black who has the opposition. White is still winning, though. }) 37. Kxd5 Kf6 38. Kd6 Kf7 39. Ke5 Kf8 (39... Ke7 { puts up more resistance } 40. f6+ Kf8 41. Ke6 Ke8 42. f7+ Kf8 43. Kf6 b5 44. Ke6 $18) 40. Kf6 Kg8 41. Kg6 Kf8 42. Kxh6 Kf7 43. Kxg5 Kf8 44. Kh6 Kf7 45. g5 Kf8 46. g6 Kg8 47. g7 a5 48. bxa5 bxa5 49. a4 Kf7 50. Kh7 $18 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: NN - Daniel 4.2 ???"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/IILd9Vn2"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "23:24:16"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Daniel - SS 4.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/8L0LPK7g"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "20:32:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: London System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Nice to win a piece early on! Black grabbed back an Exchange but that left you well ahead. }
1. d4 { [%eval 0.0] } 1... Nf6 { [%eval 0.28] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.12] } 2... d5 { [%eval 0.25] } 3. Bf4 { [%eval 0.0] } 3... Bg4?! { [%eval 0.58] } { Inaccuracy. c5 was best. } 4. Nbd2 { [%eval 0.1] } 4... c5 { [%eval 0.43] } 5. c3 { [%eval 0.21] } 5... Nc6?! { [%eval 0.77] } { Inaccuracy. cxd4 was best. } 6. e3?! { [%eval 0.07] } { Inaccuracy. dxc5 was best. } 6... e6 { [%eval 0.1] } 7. Bd3 { [%eval 0.0] } 7... cxd4 { [%eval 0.17] } 8. cxd4 { [%eval 0.19] } 8... Qb6 { [%eval 0.32] } 9. Qb3 { [%eval 0.11] } 9... Qxb3 { [%eval 0.15] } 10. axb3?! { [%eval -0.41] } { Inaccuracy. Nxb3 was best. } 10... Nb4?! { [%eval 0.57] } { Inaccuracy. Nh5 was best. } 11. Bb5+ { [%eval 0.0] } 11... Nd7?? { [%eval 2.59] } { Blunder. Kd8 was best. } 12. Bxd7+ { [%eval 2.7] } 12... Kxd7 { [%eval 2.72] } 13. Ne5+ { [%eval 2.63] } { TACTIC: fork } 13... Ke8 { [%eval 2.64] } 14. Nxg4 { [%eval 2.76] } 14... Nc2+ { [%eval 2.7] } { TACTIC: fork } 15. Ke2 { [%eval 2.86] } 15... Nxa1 { [%eval 2.91] } 16. Rxa1 { [%eval 2.96] } 16... a6 { [%eval 3.25] } 17. Rc1 { [%eval 2.87] } 17... Be7 { [%eval 3.07] } 18. Rc7 { [%eval 2.49] } 18... h6? { [%eval 4.56] } { Mistake. h5 was best. } 19. Nf3?! { [%eval 3.16] } { Inaccuracy. Rxb7 was best. } { Lots of moves were played after this but right now you are winning and in the end you won, so there was no injustice that I could see. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Lucian - MD 5.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/tYvzszC1"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "18:11:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D51"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Knight Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ After 20 moves you had a crushing position but you let Black's threats on the c-file get out of hand. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d5 3. Nc3 (3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. Nf3! $14 (4. e4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Ng4 $10)) 3... e6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. Nf3 (5. e3 { can be played if you are nervous about Bb4 } 5... Bb4 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bd3 $14 { idea Nge2 } { [%csl Ge2][%cal Gg1e2] }) 5... Bb4 6. Bd2?! { Pretty duff: wastes time and not a good square. You won't die of the pin, but you might die of poor and passive development. } (6. e3) (6. cxd5) 6... O-O 7. e3 b6 8. Qc2 Bb7 9. a3 Bd6 10. Bd3? (10. cxd5! { and Black has a choice: give up the centre or block the Bb7! } 10... Nxd5 (10... exd5)) 10... Re8 (10... dxc4 { frees the Bishop } { [%cal Gb7f3] }) 11. b4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 c5 13. Ne2 $19 cxb4? $17 { capture towards the centre is good advice } (13... Rc8) 14. Bxb4 (14. axb4) 14... Bc7 15. O-O Bxf3? $10 { I see that Black makes a mess of the pawns but I can't see how Black makes them look weak. Black has invested several moves in making a good piece out of that Bishop, only to give up the Bishop pair in an open position, which must favour White. } 16. gxf3 Qb8 17. Ng3 a5 18. Bc3? $15 (18. Bd2! $14) 18... b5? $16 (18... Rc8! $15) 19. Rab1 (19. Bxb5) 19... b4 20. axb4 Qb7? $18 (20... a4 $18) 21. e4 $16 (21. bxa5 Qxf3 22. Be2 Qd5 23. Rb5 Qc6 24. Rc1 $18 { and White has a wonderful grip on the position. }) 21... Rec8 22. bxa5 Qa7 $18 { There is a lurking threat of a discovered attack down the c-file. No need to panic yet, but some need to keep an eye on it. } { [%cal Gc8c2] } 23. d5? $17 (23. a6! $18) (23. e5 $18) 23... exd5 $10 (23... Bxg3! 24. Bxf6! Bxh2+ 25. Kxh2 Nxf6 $17 { [%cal Gc8c2] }) 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25. exd5 Bxa5 { TACTIC: discovered attack } 26. Bxa5?? $19 { Giving up too easily! } (26. Rb3! $10 { and you can hang on }) 26... Rxc2 27. Bb4 Rb8 28. Rfc1 Rxc1+ (28... Rxb4!) 29. Rxc1 Rxb4 30. Rc8+ Nf8 31. Nf5 Rb2 32. d6 Qxf2+ 33. Kh1 Qf1# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: AA - Joe 6.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/ob1YkhkV"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.17"]
[UTCTime "23:31:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C55"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Mostly pretty good, Joe, all sensible enough, but you missed a few chances for the advantage, which I expect you might have spotted with a bit more thought. There are no points for having more time left at the end than your opponent! So aim to use most of your time in most of your games. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 { The Boring Variation... } 4... d5?! { This is a good attitude but an inaccurate move. } (4... h6 5. O-O d6 6. c3 g5 { is a combative idea which might appeal } 7. Nbd2) 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Bxd5? (6. O-O! { and 7.Re1 and Black is facing some uncomfortable pressure. White has moves like 8.d4 to bully the e-pawn. }) 6... Qxd5 7. Nc3 Qa5 (7... Qd6) 8. O-O Bg4 $10 9. a3?? $19 { One of those 'safe' moves that waste a dangerous amount of time. } 9... Bd6?? $10 (9... Nd4! $19 { when you will be able to make a mess of the opponent's King's-side }) 10. Be3 Nd4?! 11. b4? (11. Bxd4! exd4 12. Re1+! { is awkward for Black }) 11... Bxf3! $17 { got there! } 12. gxf3 Qb6 13. Bxd4 Qxd4 14. Nb5 Qb6 15. Nxd6+ Qxd6 16. Re1 $17 O-O $15 (16... O-O-O! { and you're free to storm the King's-side. }) 17. Re4 c5? $10 { The King's-side is still where your chances are. } (17... f5!) (17... Rae8!) 18. Qd2 f6 19. c3? $17 { Creating a weakness on the d-file, to go with the horrid King's-side. } 19... Rfd8 (19... Rad8!) 20. Rd1 cxb4 21. cxb4 { And that creates an outpost for White on d4. } (21. axb4) 21... Rac8 22. d4 $17 Qb6? $10 (22... Qd5! $17 { fixes the d-pawn }) 23. f4 exd4 24. Rxd4 Rxd4 25. Qxd4 Qxd4 26. Rxd4 Rc7 27. Rd5 Kf7 28. Kg2?! (28. f5! $10) 28... Ke6! $15 { You still have better chances here because your King is active. } 29. Ra5? a6? $15 (29... b6! 30. Ra6? (30. Rh5 h6) 30... Kd5 $17) 30. Kg3 Rc3+ 31. f3 $17 Rc8?! $10 { Passive! Rooks are rubbish defenders.
But now White makes a blunder: } 32. b5?? $19 axb5?? $10 { Lets White off the hook. This was a moment when a bit more thought might have helped! Endgames only look simple... } (32... Rc5! $19 33. Ra4 (33. a4? $19 { and the Rook is stuck, when you can win the Pawn endgame on the King's-side, because you can always gain a tempo. }) 33... Rxb5 $19) 33. Rxb5 { Now the game fizzles out to a draw. } 33... Rc7 34. a4 g6 35. Kg4 Kd6 36. h4 Kc6 37. h5 $10 Rg7?! (37... Rd7 $10) 38. hxg6 hxg6 39. f5 gxf5+ 40. Kxf5 Rg5+ 41. Kxf6 Rxb5 42. axb5+ Kxb5 43. f4 Kc4 44. Ke7 b5 45. f5 b4 46. f6 b3 47. f7 b2 48. f8=Q b1=Q 49. Qc8+ Kb3 (49... Kd3?? 50. Qf5+ $18) 50. Qb8+ Kc2 51. Qc7+ $10 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Joe - GA 6.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/4wsAdj3k"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.17"]
[UTCTime "23:57:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E61"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Rather a quiet opening, after which you tried to make problems but you were lucky not to lose a piece yourself! Then Black missed another chance to be awkward, and after a bit of kerfuffle, you came out into a pawn-up endgame which you converted, but not without problems. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. e3?! { Not a terrible move but I expect your Bc1 pulled a bit of a face. You can play these sorts of moves against each of the Indian defences but you are not asking any hard questions of Black and you are unlikely to emerge with an advantage. } (5. e4! $14) (5. Bg5!? $14) (5. Bf4!? $10) 5... O-O 6. b3 Bf5 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Nbd7 9. Bb2 c5? (9... e5!) (9... c6!?) 10. Ne4? $17 { I think you thought you were causing problems on the diagonal, but the problems are all yours because of the undefended Bb2. } (10. d5! $16 { with a fine position. }) 10... Re8? $14 (10... Nxe4 11. Qxe4 b5! $17 12. cxb5 Qa5+) 11. dxc5?? $19 { Loose Pieces Drop Off -- and you have one on b2, vulnerable to a discovered attack. } 11... Nxc5?? $10 (11... Nxe4! 12. Bxg7 Ndxc5! 13. Qd4 e5 $19) 12. Nxc5 dxc5 13. Qxd8 Raxd8 $14 { Now you have to challenge for the d-file, but it's not straightforward. } 14. O-O? $17 (14. Ke2 Ne4 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 $17 { and you can't play Rhe1 }) (14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Rd1 $10) 14... Ne4! 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 $17 16. Rac1 (16. Rfd1 Nc3!) 16... e5 17. h4 Rd3 18. Rfd1 $17 Rxd1+? $14 { Black gives up the file without a fight. } (18... Red8! $17) 19. Rxd1 $10 Nc3? $18 20. Rd2? $10 (20. Rd7! $18 { should be automatic }) 20... e4 21. Ng5 h6 22. Nh3 b5? { Black ends up with two isolated pawns on the Queen's-side. (FINE) } 23. cxb5 Nxb5 24. Rd5?! $14 (24. Nf4! $16) 24... Rc8 25. b4? { Looks good but should work out better for Black } 25... c4?? { losing! } (25... Nc3! 26. Rxc5 Rxc5 27. bxc5 Kf6 { and Black is more active -- the c-pawn is no threat }) 26. Rxb5 c3 27. Nf4 c2 28. Ne2 c1=Q+ 29. Nxc1 Rxc1+ 30. Kh2 Rc2 31. Ra5 Rc7 32. Kg3 Kf6 33. Kf4 Ke6 $18 34. Kxe4 Rc4+ 35. Kf3 Rxb4 $18 (35... Rxh4 36. Rxa7?? (36. a3!)) 36. Rxa7? (36. Ra6+! { is more accurate } 36... Ke5 $18 37. Rxa7 Rxh4 38. Rxf7 Ra4 39. g4 Rxa2 40. Rh7! $18) 36... Rxh4 $16 37. Rb7? $10 (37. g4! $16) 37... Ra4! 38. Rb2 $10 { Now White has been forced on the defensive, it's probably drawn } 38... Ra7 39. Ke2 Kd5 (39... h5) 40. Rc2 Ra4 41. g3 $10 Rc4?? $18 { Horrible! This breaks the Golden Rules of Endgames:
If you’re winning, swap off pieces (not pawns)
If you’re losing, swap off pawns (not pieces)
Which is also to say:
Avoid being left with just your King if you stand worse
White now wins without fuss. } 42. Rxc4 Kxc4 43. Kf3 f6 44. Ke4 Kc5 45. f4 h5 46. f5 g5 47. Kf3 Kd5 48. e4+ Kd4 49. a4 Kc5 50. e5 fxe5 51. f6 Kd6 52. a5 Ke6 53. a6 Kxf6 54. a7 g4+ 55. Kg2 e4 56. a8=Q e3 57. Qe4 h4 58. Qxe3 h3+ 59. Kh2 Kf7 60. Qf4+ Ke7 61. Qxg4 Kf7 62. Qxh3 Kg7 63. Qe6 Kh7 64. Qf6 Kg8 65. Qe7 Kh8 66. Kh3 Kg8 67. Kh4 Kh8 68. Kh5 Kg8 69. Kh6 Kh8 70. Qh7# 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Joe - DB 6.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/IhQrAGff"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.18"]
[UTCTime "00:15:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Opening "Semi-Slav Defense: Anti-Moscow Gambit"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Some rather vague play out of the opening gave Black the Bishop pair, and they breathed fire over your King position. }
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 (4. cxd5 { As I think I explained
https://devonjuniorchess.co.uk/content/tbgs-game-analysis#QGDXV
https://lichess.org/study/VnmyHTF9/SEDWqkXQ
most books that recommend the QG suggest you play the Exchange Variation, and follow up with a slow build-up of Nge2, f3 and e4, and that is a lot better than making it up as you go along! }) 4... c6 5. Nf3 h6 6. Bh4 Nbd7 7. e4? { Should lose a pawn } (7. e3 $14) 7... Be7? $16 (7... g5! 8. Bg3 Nxe4 $17) 8. Bxf6? (8. e5! $16) 8... Bxf6 9. exd5 cxd5 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bb5 a6 12. Bxd7+?! { I do not approve of giving up Bishops for Knights in most cases. } 12... Qxd7 13. Qe2+ Qe6 14. Qxe6+ Bxe6 $15 { Your third endgame! The struggle of NN vs BB usually favours the Bishops, and we feel their power soon. } 15. O-O-O (15. Kd2!) 15... O-O 16. Na4? $19 (16. Rhe1! $17) 16... Rac8+ 17. Kb1 Bg4 (17... Bf5+ 18. Ka1 $19 { first, is better, because White's King is so badly placed }) 18. b3 Bf5+ 19. Ka1 b5? $19 (19... Rc2! $19) 20. Nc5?? Rxc5 $19 21. Rc1 Rfc8 22. Kb2 Rc2+ 23. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 24. Ka3 Rxf2 25. Re1 Kf8 26. Ne5 Rxg2 27. h4 Be7+ 28. b4 Rg3+ 29. Kb2 Bxb4 30. Rf1 Ba3+ 31. Ka1 Rc3 32. Nf3 Bh3 33. Re1 Rxf3 34. Kb1 Bf5+ 35. Ka1 $19 Rc3 (35... Rf2 36. Rb1 Bb2+ 37. Rxb2 Rf1+ 38. Rb1 Rxb1#) 36. h5 Rc1+?! 37. Rxc1 Bxc1 38. a4 Be3 39. axb5 axb5 40. Ka2 Bxd4 41. Kb3 Bd3 42. Kb4 f5 43. Kb3 f4 44. Kb4 f3 45. Kb3 f2 46. Kb4 f1=Q 47. Kb3 Qb1+ 48. Ka3 Qb2# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: NN - Ben D 7.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/EjJRogDS"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.16"]
[UTCTime "23:28:16"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C47"]
[Opening "Four Knights Game: Italian Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Very bumpy start but just when I thought you were getting hold of the game you blundered a Rook, and it was blunders (some spotted, some missed) that was the main story of the rest of the game. TARTAKOWER }
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 (2... d5) 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. Bc4?! { allows Black to get an equal, open game without difficulty } (4. Bb5) (4. d4) (4. g3) (4. Nxe5) 4... Bb4 (4... Nxe4! { This Central Fork Trick should be known by everyone! } 5. Nxe4 (5. Bxf7+ Kxf7 6. Nxe4 d5 7. Ng3 (7. Neg5+ Kg8 $19) 7... e4 $17) 5... d5 6. Bd3 dxe4 7. Bxe4 Bd6 $10) 5. Ng5 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5?? { Picking a tactical fight is usually very dangerous for Black... } (6... Na5) 7. Nge4?? (7. Nxf7!! Kxf7 (7... Nxc3 8. bxc3 $18) 8. Bxd5+ Kf8 9. Bxc6 bxc6 $18) 7... Bxc3? 8. Nxc3? (8. dxc3! $14 { releases the Bc1 }) 8... Nxc3? $10 (8... Nf4! $17 { is awkward }) 9. bxc3 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. d3 Bf5 12. Qf3 $10 Be6 (12... Qd7) (12... Bg6) 13. Bxe6?! Rxe6 $15 { Now things have settled down, Black is a little better with more space and development } 14. Ba3? { decentralising } 14... Qf6?! (14... Qd7) 15. Qd5? (15. Qxf6! { swaps help White }) 15... Rd8 16. Qb5 b6 17. Rad1 Rd5?? { Oh no! } (17... e4 18. dxe4? Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Rxe4 $19) (17... h6 $17) 18. Qxd5 Qh4 { Quite right -- you have to go fishing for a White blunder on the King's-side } 19. g3 Qh3 20. Bc1 Rd6 21. Qe4 h6 22. Ba3 Rf6 23. g4?? { Here's a chance! } 23... Rg6?? { Missed it! } (23... Rf4! { gets a draw by perpetual check, but it's hard to see to the end from here! } 24. Qxc6 Rxg4+ 25. Kh1 e4! 26. Qxe4 Rxe4 27. dxe4 Qf3+ 28. Kg1 Qg4+ 29. Kh1 Qf3+ $10) 24. f3 { White survives to blunder another day... } 24... f5 25. Qd5+ Kh7 $18 26. Qf7?? { Tempting fate... } 26... fxg4 $14 27. Kh1?? { Fate is duly tempted! } 27... gxf3?? $18 (27... g3! { mates on the spot }) 28. Qxf3 Qe6 29. Rg1 Rxg1+ 30. Rxg1 g6 31. d4 Qxa2? 32. Qf7+?? { Having survived this far, White jumps off the cliff without being pushed! } (32. Qxc6! $18) 32... Qxf7 { Long, backwards moves are hard to spot -- not sure why, there is only the Pawn that cannot move backwards! } 33. Kg2 exd4 34. Rf1 Qd5+ 35. Kg1 dxc3 36. Rf8 Qd4+ 37. Kg2 Qd2+ 38. Rf2 Qg5+ 39. Kf1 Nd4 40. Rf7+ Kg8 41. Rf8+ Kg7 42. Rd8?? Qxd8 (42... Qf4+ 43. Ke1 Qe3+ 44. Kf1 Qf3+ 45. Kg1 Ne2#) 43. h4 Nxc2 44. h5 Nxa3 45. hxg6 Qf6+ 46. Kg2 c2 47. Kg1 c1=Q+ 48. Kg2 Qfg5+ 49. Kf3 Qcf4+ (49... Qce3#) 50. Ke2 Qg2+ 51. Kd3 Qgg3+ 52. Ke2 Qff2+ 53. Kd1 Qgg1# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: NN - Ben D 7.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/wzOT2Ict"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.17"]
[UTCTime "21:18:34"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C26"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Stanley Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You fully deserved this win -- pressing logically for a King's-side attack after losing an important pawn. There were several wobbles on the way again, which I hope you can learn from, but I was pleased with your forward-going approach. }
1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 (2... d5!? { seeks independent play }) 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Nf3 Ng4? { A one-move-deep threat which can be dealt with by one move -- but you have moved only two pieces... } 5. O-O { ...while White has developed four. } 5... Nc6 6. d3 d6 7. Bd2? { Very weedy. } (7. Bg5!) 7... O-O 8. h3 Nf6 9. a3 Re8 10. Na4 $14 Bd4? (10... Bb6 11. Nxb6 axb6 $14) 11. Nxd4 Nxd4 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6? $16 (13... Nxe6 $10) 14. Re1 d5 15. Bg5 Qd6 16. Bxf6 Rxf6 17. Nxd5 Rg6 18. Ne3 Re8? $18 (18... Qf6 $16) 19. b4 Ree6 20. c4 Ref6 21. Ng4 Rf4 22. c5 Qe6 23. Re3 h5 24. Nh2?! $17 { Black is starting to put together some sort of attack, and this retreating move will only encourage him! } 24... f5?? $18 { Too keen to attack } (24... h4! $10) 25. exf5?? $17 (25. Qxh5! $18) 25... Qxf5 26. Ra2 $10 Qe6 27. Rb2?! Nf5! $17 28. Rf3?! Rxf3?? { Swaps help the defender } (28... Qd5! $17) 29. Nxf3 Qd5 $18 30. Qe2?? { walks into a left hook } 30... Nd4! 31. Nxd4?? (31. Qe4 Nxf3+ 32. Kf1 Qxe4 33. dxe4 Nd4 $19) 31... Qxg2# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Ben D - AM 7.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/uMuZ2QOE"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.17"]
[UTCTime "21:33:08"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A45"]
[Opening "Indian Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ An early blunder decided the game in your opponent's favour -- or should have done! A return blunder left you with level pieces but pawns behind, and then another blunder forced another piece on your opponent. So whatever notes you see below the main message should be: eliminate blunders! }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 (2. c4) 2... e6 3. e4 d6 (3... d5 { is a French Defence, but the system chosen by Black has no name. }) 4. Bf4 Bd7 5. Nf3 Be7 6. Bc4 Nc6 7. O-O (7. e5! $18 { punishes Black for abandoning the centre. } 7... Nh5 (7... Ng8) 8. Be3) 7... O-O $16 8. Re1 Nh5 9. e5?? Nxf4 { This move was so horrifying, you couldn't bear to write it down... but it's the only move that makes sense from the score sheet.
So, how did you come to miss that threat? I can't tell, but thinking about why can help you for next time. } 10. exd6 Bxd6 11. Re4 h6 12. Qd2 Nh5 13. Rae1 Nf6 14. R4e2 (14. Rh4!? { might create some trouble. }) 14... Bb4 15. Kh1 { [This isn't the right move but I can't make sense of the score sheet. The rest of the game went something like...] } 15... Na5 16. Ne5 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Nxc4 18. Qxc4 a6 19. Qc3 Nd5 20. Qf3 Bb5 21. c4 $19 Bxc4?? { Handing back the piece } 22. Nxc4 $19 { Black is better but there is plenty of play left. } 22... Nb4 23. a3 Nc6 24. Rd1 f6? (24... Qd5! $19 { when some care should see Black win the endgame }) 25. d5? (25. Rxe6! $10) 25... exd5? $17 (25... e5! $19 { when Black can complete development and then the majority can slowly advance }) 26. Rxd5 Qc8?! 27. Red2? (27. Qb3! $15) 27... Re8? 28. Rd1? $17 Qe6 29. h3 Qe4 30. Qg3?? $19 (30. Qb3! $10) 30... Qxc4 31. Rd7 Ne7 32. Re1 Nf5 33. Qg6 Rxe1+ 34. Kh2 Qf4+ 35. g3 Qxf2# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Alasdair - NN 8.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/kE7psxIe"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.17"]
[UTCTime "22:29:40"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B01"]
[Opening "Scandinavian Defense: Modern Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Small improvements at three or four points would have helped quite a lot, but swapping Queens was the real mistake. }
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 { Not bad, but no challenge to Black } (3. Bb5+!?) (3. c4!?) (3. d4! $14) 3... Nxd5 4. Nxd5?! { This helps Black -- } (4. Bc4! Nxc3 5. Qf3 e6 6. dxc3) 4... Qxd5 { the Queen is dominating and hard to attack } 5. Nf3 (5. d4 $10) 5... Bg4 6. Be2 Nc6 7. d4 { Setting up a trap: } 7... O-O-O { Black dodges } (7... Bxf3? 8. Bxf3 Qxd4 9. Bxc6+) 8. c3 e6?! { not energetic enough } (8... e5! $17) 9. Be3 (9. O-O! $16 { and Black's lack of centre might tell against them }) 9... Bd6 (9... e5! $14 { repairs the omission }) 10. h3 $16 Bh5 11. c4? $17 { This is picking a fight when uncastled and even behind in development...It will not go well! } 11... Qa5+ 12. Bd2?? $19 (12. Kf1 $17) 12... Bb4! 13. Bxb4?! (13. a3 $19) 13... Nxb4? { lets White off the hook } (13... Qxb4+! 14. Qd2 Bxf3 $19 { wins an important pawn } 15. Bxf3 Rxd4) 14. O-O Nc6 15. a3? (15. Qb3!? Rxd4!) 15... Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 Rxd4 18. Rfd1 Rxd1+? { gets the White Rook into play } (18... Rhd8! 19. Rxd4 Rxd4 20. Rd1 c5 $19) 19. Rxd1 Rd8 $17 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Qd3+ Ke8 22. b4 $15 { Black cannot keep control... } 22... Qf5 (22... Qa4!? 23. Qxh7 Qxa3 24. Qxg7 Qc1+ 25. Kh2 Qxc4 26. Qg8+ Ke7 27. Qg5+ Kd7 28. h4 Qxb4 29. h5 $10 { and White has enough counterplay }) 23. Qb3 Qe5 $10 { White is a pawn down but it's White's move and you can win it back. } 24. g3? { Misses the chance! } (24. Qa4+! Ke7 25. Qxa7 $10) 24... Qe1+ 25. Kg2 Qe4+ $17 26. Qf3?? $19 { If you’re winning, swap off pieces (not pawns)
If you’re losing, swap off pawns (not pieces)
Which is also to say:
Avoid being left with just your King if you stand worse } 26... Qxf3+ 27. Kxf3 { We have seen how useful was the White Queen in creating trouble, but now Black is trouble-free. } 27... f6 28. Ke4 Ke7 29. f4 c6 30. f5 exf5+ 31. Kxf5 b6 32. b5 g6+ 33. Kf4 cxb5 34. cxb5 Kd6 35. a4 Kc5 36. g4 Kb4 37. g5 f5 38. Ke5 Kxa4 39. Kf6 Kxb5 40. Kg7 a5 (40... f4! { is a little faster! }) 41. Kxh7 a4 42. Kxg6 a3 43. Kxf5 a2 44. g6 a1=Q 45. Kg5 Qe5+ 46. Kh6 Qh8+ 47. Kg5 Qg7 48. h4 Kc4 49. h5 Qe5+ 50. Kg4 (50. Kh6 Qh8+ 51. Kg5 Kd4 52. h6 Qe5+ 53. Kh4 Ke4 54. g7 Qf4+ 55. Kh5 Kf5 { and White is tragically one move short. }) 50... b5 (50... Kd4 { Black can go directly for mate }) 51. h6 Qe4+ 52. Kg5 b4 53. g7 Qh7 54. Kf6 Qxh6+ 55. Kf7 Qxg7+ 56. Kxg7 b3 57. Kf6 b2 58. Ke5 b1=Q 59. Kd6 Qf5 60. Kc6 Qe6+ 61. Kc7 Kc5 62. Kb7 Qb6+ 63. Ka8 Qb5 64. Ka7 Kc6 65. Ka8 Qb7# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Alasdair - TR 8.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/uZ194QJn"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.17"]
[UTCTime "22:43:09"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B23"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Closed, Traditional"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black quickly lost a pawn then a Rook, but there was more than a flicker of counterplay until the Queens came off. }
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 (2. c3!? { I think this is safe and promising }) 2... Nc6 3. Nf3 (3. f4!? { is a fair system, called the Grand Prix Attack }) 3... e6 4. Bc4 { This Old Stodge setup is rarely right -- even against 1...e5! } (4. d4! { Returns us to the main lines }) 4... a6 5. d4 b5 6. Be2 (6. d5!) 6... d5? (6... cxd4 7. Nxd4 Bb7 $10) 7. Be3 Qb6?? { Undefends d5 } 8. exd5 exd5 9. Nxd5 Qa7? 10. dxc5?! { Not bad but there was a better move } (10. Bf4! $18 { crude but devastating!
TACTIC: fork }) 10... Bxc5? (10... Be6! $18) 11. Bxc5 Qxc5 12. Nc7+ { You got to play this anyway! } 12... Kf8 13. Nxa8 Nf6 14. O-O Ng4 15. Nc7 g6 16. h3 Nge5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Bf3 Qxc7 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Qd8+ Kg7 21. Qd4+ Kh6 (21... Kg8 22. Rfe1) 22. Qxh8 Bf5 23. g4 Be4 24. Rac1 Bh1 25. f3 Bxf3 26. Rxf3 Qxf3 27. Qf8+ (27. Qc3) 27... Kg5 28. Qe7+ $18 f6 { So, you're winning, and the priority is to avoid accidents, like perpetual check or dropping a loose Rook... } 29. c4?? $10 (29. Qc5+ Kh4 30. Qf2+ $18 { will win without trouble. }) 29... Qg3+ 30. Kf1 $10 Qxh3+?? $18 (30... Qf4+ { TACTIC: fork } 31. Ke2 Qxc1 $10) 31. Kf2 Qh4+ 32. Ke3 Qg3+ 33. Kd4 Qf2+ 34. Qe3+! $18 { This 'cross-check' takes all the worry out of the win. } 34... Qxe3+ 35. Kxe3 bxc4 36. Rxc4 f5 37. Kf3 Kh4 38. gxf5+ Kg5 39. fxg6 hxg6 40. Rc6 a5 41. Rc5+ Kh4 42. Rxa5?! (42. Kf4! { is the faster mate } 42... Kh3 43. Rg5 a4 44. Rxg6 a3 45. bxa3 Kh2 46. Kf3 Kh1 47. Kf2 Kh2 48. Rh6#) 42... g5 43. Rxg5 Kxg5 44. a4 Kf6 45. a5 Ke7 46. a6 Kd6 47. a7 Kd5 48. a8=Q+ Kd4 49. Qc8 Kd3 50. b4?! { A bit pedestrian, but you can do what you like in this position. } (50. Qc3#!) 50... Kd4 51. b5 Ke5 52. b6 Kd4 53. b7 Ke5 54. Qc1 Kd4 55. Qe1 Kd5 56. b8=R (56. b8=Q) 56... Kd6 57. Rb1 Kd5 58. Rd1+ Kc4 59. Qd2 Kc5 60. Qc2+ Kb4 61. Rb1+ Ka3 62. Qc7 Ka2 63. Rb8 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: NN - Oscar 9.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/AHaqEC5B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "11:12:08"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A00"]
[Opening "Hungarian Opening"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You looked fine in the first moves, but lost a pawn and after some unnecessarily passive moves got your Queen stuck. }
1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 Nf6 3. e3 e5 4. Ne2 Bd6 5. O-O Nc6 6. d4 O-O 7. dxe5 $17 Bxe5 (7... Nxe5 8. Nbc3 c6 $17) 8. Nbc3 Bd6? { interferes with the defence of d5 } 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. Bxd5 (10. Qxd5! $16) 10... Bg4 11. Bg2 h6? { This do-nothing move is just the sort of thing you can't afford when you are behind. } (11... Qf6 $16) (11... Qd7 $16) 12. h3 Bxe2? $18 (12... Bh5 13. g4 Bg6 14. f4 f5 $16) 13. Qxe2 Nb4? 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Bg2 Be7 { Going backwards? } (15... Qg5!? $18 { is vaguely threatening -- you have to play actively if you want your opponent to go wrong }) 16. Rd1 Qe8 17. Qc4 $18 Rc8? $18 (17... Bf6!?) (17... Qb5!?) 18. c3 Nc2 19. Bc6! { TACTIC: net } 19... Nxa1 20. Bxe8 Rcxe8 21. Qxc7 $18 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Oscar - NN 9.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/qCWITlGO"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "11:00:15"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C44"]
[Opening "Scotch Game"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black played a very risky idea in the opening which nonetheless gave them a better position (and could have won a piece) -- but you kept going, made the most of your poor position and eventually Black had to concede a draw -- well done! }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 f5 $19 { Very risky! } 4. Nc3 (4. Nxe5! { is the right move } 4... fxe4 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Qh5+ g6 7. Nxc6 { [%csl Re5] } 7... gxh5 8. Nxd8 Kxd8 9. Be2 $18) 4... Bb4 5. Bd3?? { cuts off the defence of d4 (interference) } { [%csl Rd4] } (5. Bg5! Nf6 (5... Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. Nd5 Qd8 8. exf5) 6. dxe5 $18) 5... fxe4 6. Bxe4? d5 7. Bd3 exd4? (7... e4! $19 { TACTIC: fork }) 8. a3! Qe7+ 9. Kf1! Bxc3 10. bxc3 dxc3 { Black has two extra pawns and the better position. } 11. Bg5 Nf6 $19 12. g3? { You are asking the right question -- how do I untangle the King's-side? -- but it should be obvious that this does more harm than good. } (12. Qe2!? { might get you untangled. }) 12... Bh3+ 13. Kg1 O-O-O 14. Bf4 h6 15. Nh4 Qf7 16. Bf5+ Nd7? 17. Bxh3 g5 18. Be3 gxh4 $19 19. gxh4?? { Opening lines to your King is suicidal. } 19... Rhg8+ 20. Bg2? { And this steps into a pin. } (20. Kf1! $19) 20... d4 21. Bxh6 Qg6? (21... Nde5! $19) 22. Bg5 Nf8? 23. Bh3+ Kb8 24. Qe1? (24. Kf1! $19 { gets you out of the pin }) 24... Re8 25. Qc1 Ne6 26. f4 d3! $19 { A fine clearance move } 27. cxd3 Ned4! 28. Bf1 Nb3 (28... Qh5! $19) 29. Qxc3 Nxa1 30. Qxa1 b5?? { Just the sort of move to give Black hope -- now both Kings are poorly defended. } 31. Bg2 Qxd3 32. Qf1 Qe3+ 33. Qf2 Qc1+ 34. Qf1?? Re1 { White is now completely lost, but... } 35. Kf2 Rxf1+?? (35... Qe3# { TACTIC: mate! }) 36. Rxf1 Qc5+ 37. Ke1?? (37. Kg3!) 37... Re8+ 38. Kd1 Qxa3 (38... Qd4+ 39. Kc1 Re2 $19) 39. Bxc6 Qa1+?! (39... Qd3+ 40. Kc1 Re2 { mates }) 40. Kd2 Rd8+?? 41. Bxd8 Qxf1 42. Bg5 b4 43. h5 b3 44. h6 Qf2+ 45. Kc3 b2 46. h7 Qxh2?? (46... b1=N+ 47. Kd3 Qd2+ 48. Ke4 Qxh2) 47. Be4 $10 { Now White has enough for a draw, although the situation is still dangerous. } 47... Qg3+ 48. Kd4 c5+ 49. Kc4 Qh3 50. Kd5 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: John - CM 10.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/B5uQ0W6K"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.18"]
[UTCTime "19:47:46"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A45"]
[Opening "Indian Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You won a pawn early on but slowly slid downhill -- have a look at where you could have shown a bit more energy. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Nc3 (4. Nf3 d6 5. h3! O-O 6. c4 { is the most promising plan }) 4... O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. Bd3 (6. Bc4!?) 6... c5 7. O-O Bg4?! 8. Ne4? { I see no point to this. You should wonder how you are going to open a file for your Rooks. } (8. dxc5 dxc5 9. h3! $14) 8... Nxe4 9. Bxe4 Qc7 (9... d5! { should win a pawn, but Black was asleep at the wheel } 10. Bd3 cxd4 11. exd4 Bxd4 12. Bxg6 e5) 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Nc6? $18 { The position is critical, and Black needed to take more care } (11... Nd7 12. Bxb7? Rab8 13. Bc6 $17) 12. dxc5! e5 13. cxd6 Qxd6 { White has an extra pawn and a better position. } 14. Rad1 Qe6 15. Bg3 Qxa2 $18 { White no longer has the pawn but should be able to take control with the two Bishops } 16. Bxc6? $10 { Gives up White's best Bishop and doesn't even win a pawn } (16. Rd7!) (16. Bh4!) (16. Bd5!?) 16... bxc6 17. Qxc6 Qxb2 18. Rd5 Rfc8 19. Rb5? Qxc2? (19... Rxc6! 20. Rxb2 a5! { might create some panic in White's ranks }) 20. Qxc2 Rxc2 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Rxe5 a5 { This should be drawn } 23. Ra1 a4 24. Ra3 Rc4 25. f3 Rb4 26. Rc5 Kf8 27. Rc1? { Too defensive } 27... Ke7 (27... Rb3!) 28. Rca1 Kd6 29. Kf2 Kc5 30. Ke2 Rc4 31. Rb1 Rb4 32. Rc1+ Kb5 33. Rca1? { going passive again... flirting with defeat! } 33... Rb2+ 34. Kd3 Kb4 35. g4 $19 Rb3+? $10 (35... Ra5! $19 { keeps the bind }) 36. Rxb3+ Kxb3 37. Rb1+ Ka2 $10 38. Rf1?? $19 { Once Black has some wriggle room, the a-pawn will win the game. } (38. Rb7! { and Black has nowhere to go, although it does look risky for White }) 38... Kb2 39. Rf2+ Kb3 40. Rf1 a3 41. Ra1? (41. Rb1+) 41... a2 42. f4 Kb2 43. Rxa2+ Rxa2 44. Ke4 Ra5 45. h4 Kc3 46. f5 Kc4 47. Kf4 Kd5 48. e4+ Kd4 49. fxg6 hxg6 50. g5 Re5 51. h5 Rxe4+ 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: RM - John 10.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/lnuBhpWa"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.18"]
[UTCTime "19:20:54"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Rather time-wasting play by White gave them trouble in the centre and in the end cost a piece. }
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Nf3?! { Inaccurate } (4. c4! { and }) (4. Bd3! { are the two main ideas for White }) 4... Bf5?! { Knights before Bishops is a fair guide. White can pressure d5 and b7 (but doesn't). } (4... Nc6!?) (4... Nf6!?) 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 (6. Qb3! $16) 6... e6 $16 7. Nh4? $10 (7. Qb3! $16) 7... Be4 8. cxd5? Bxd5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 { White has no compensation for the isolation of the d4 pawn. } 10. Nf3 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 $17 Qc7? { I see no point to this move -- you don't know where you want the Queen yet but it's unlikely to be on c7. } (11... Nc6! $17) 12. Bxb4 Nxb4 13. Qa4+ N8c6 14. Ne5?? (14. a3 Nd5 15. Bb5 $10) 14... O-O (14... O-O-O! $19 { looks risky but White is in no position to take advantage, and you should pick up the d-pawn. }) 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Bd3 e5?! $17 { This helps White } (16... Rfd8! 17. Rd1 Qf4 $19 { wins a pawn }) 17. dxe5? (17. d5! $17) 17... Qxe5+ 18. Qe4?? $19 { should lose a piece } (18. Kf1! $19) 18... Rfe8?? $15 { lets White off the hook } (18... Qxe4+! { is necessary } 19. Bxe4 Rfe8 { TACTIC: pin } 20. f3 f5 $19) 19. f3?? $19 (19. Qxe5 Rxe5+ 20. Kd2 $15) 19... Qxb2 $19 { TACTIC: discovery, pin } (19... Qc5! $19) 20. Rb1 Rxe4+ 21. Bxe4 Qxg2 22. Rf1 Qxh2 23. Rf2 Qh4 24. Ke2 Nd4+ 25. Ke3 Re8 26. Rxb7?? Nf5+ 27. Ke2 Rxe4+! 28. fxe4 Qxe4+ 29. Kd2 Qxb7 30. Rxf5 Qd7+ 31. Kc3 Qxf5 32. Kb4 Kf8 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: John - CM 10.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/AOPzKPCS"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.18"]
[UTCTime "19:09:28"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A40"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You lost a pawn in a simple way and it was hard to give good advice after that. }
1. d4 g6 2. Bf4 Bg7 3. e4 e6 $16 4. e5!? { pre-empts the Hippopotamus that Black may have had in mind. } 4... d6 5. Nc3 Ne7 $14 6. Bg5?? { time-wasting of course but, more importantly, also abandons the e-pawn } (6. Nf3) 6... dxe5 7. dxe5 Qxd1+ 8. Rxd1 Bxe5 { With Queens already off, Black needs only be careful to win. } 9. Bd3 h6 10. Bxe7? { Swaps are not your friend in a losing endgame. } (10. Be3) 10... Kxe7 11. Nf3 Bg7 12. O-O Rd8 13. Nb5 { This is a bit too straightforward to cause problems. } (13. h4!? { or }) (13. Rfe1!? { improve your position at least }) 13... Na6 14. c3 c6 15. Na3 Nc5 16. Bc4 Rxd1 17. Rxd1 b5 18. Bd3 Nxd3 19. Rxd3 Bb7 20. b4 Rd8 21. Ne5?? Rxd3 (21... Bxe5! $19) 22. Nxd3 Bxc3 23. f4 g5 24. g3 gxf4 25. gxf4 f6 26. Kf2 e5 27. fxe5 fxe5 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: ES - Niranjana 1.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/toEP9ORG"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "14:55:37"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B01"]
[Opening "Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Mieses Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ In an apparently quiet position, the advantage wandered back and forth, but there was a big chance to win a piece! Even in the final position you had some advantage with the two Bishops and a chance to badger White }
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 (5... Bf5) 6. Be2?! { Too quiet to cause Black any problems. } 6... Bf5 7. O-O e6 8. Bf4 Nbd7 9. a3 Be7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Ne5 Qd8?! $16 { Too nervous a move. } (11... Nxe5! $15 12. Bxe5 (12. dxe5 Rfd8 13. Qc1 Ne4 $15) 12... Nd7 13. Bg3) 12. g4! Nxe5? $18 { Not right here, but White is even less accurate and you get the advantage. } (12... Be4! $14) (12... Bg6! $14) 13. dxe5? $10 (13. gxf5! Ned7 14. fxe6 fxe6 $18 { When White has the Bishop pair and a target on e6. The weak light squares around the White King are not so important when Black is passive and lacks a light-squared Bishop. }) 13... Qxd1 14. Raxd1 Nxg4 15. Bxg4 Bxg4 16. Rd7 Bc5? $10 { That lets the advantage slip. } (16... Rfe8! 17. Rxb7 Rab8 $17 { Black has the Bishop pair against an ineffective B + N }) 17. Rxb7 f6? $16 (17... Rab8! 18. Rc7? Rxb2 19. Rxc6 Bd4 $17) 18. Ne4 Bb6 19. exf6 gxf6 20. Bd6? $17 (20. Nd6 $10) (20. Bh6 $10) 20... Rf7 21. Rxf7 Kxf7 22. Nc5? Rg8 $19 (22... Rd8! $19) 23. Kf1 Bh3+ 24. Ke2 Rg5 (24... Rd8! 25. Ne4 Bf5 $19 { wins a piece }) 25. Nd3 Rd5 26. Bg3 Bf5 $17 { Black is clearly better, with the Bishop pair and some useful central pawns, but the win is quite a way off yet. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Niranjana - GH 1.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/T51cGKah"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "14:45:22"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Normal"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You dropped a pawn trying to force the issue, which was a shame, as I think the same ideas in a different order would have been promising. Once you were down on material, you built up for a King's-side attack, but there was nothing really there and eventually you blundered. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 { I've seen you favour dynamic lines like the Moller Attack in the past -- a change of style? } (4. Ng5 { grabs a pawn } 4... d5 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6 8. Be2) (4. d4 { offers a pawn } 4... exd4 5. O-O (5. e5 { might be a clever way to seek a plus }) 5... Nxe4 6. Re1) 4... Bc5 5. Bg5 { A bit early to commit this piece } (5. c3 d6 6. Bb3 { or }) (5. O-O d6 6. c3 { are more common set-ups }) 5... d6 6. c3 Be6?! $14 7. Qb3 $10 (7. Bxe6 fxe6 $14 { and Black's setup lacks flexibility. }) 7... Bxc4 8. Qxc4 O-O 9. Nbd2 a5 10. d4 Bb6 11. O-O Qe7?! 12. Rfe1?! $14 (12. d5! { is awkward for the Knight } 12... Nb8 $14) 12... Nd8?! 13. Qb5!? { I suspect that's heading to the wrong side -- the Queen lacks support from team-mates. If you are hoping to put pressure on e5, there is a better move-order. } (13. Nh4! $16) (13. Rad1 $16) (13. Bh4! $16) (13. Bxf6!? Qxf6 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Qb5 $16 { and you steal the e5 pawn }) 13... exd4! { The e-pawn steps out of trouble. } 14. cxd4?! (14. e5! $14 { gives you chances of an advantage } 14... Qd7 15. Qd3) 14... Ne6 15. e5? (15. Be3) 15... Nxg5 16. exf6? (16. Nxg5! $15) 16... Nxf3+ (16... Qxf6?? 17. Nxg5) 17. Nxf3 Qxf6 18. Rad1 Qd8 19. Re4!? { I liked this plan and visually you got some attacking chances but Stockfish is scornful. Objectively, Black has no weaknesses and can get pieces over to the King's-side as fast as you. } (19. a4!? { perhaps the best idea is to sit tight and wait for a mistake, but that's hard to do. }) 19... d5 20. Rh4?! c6 21. Qd3 h6 22. Re1 (22. g4!? Qf6 23. g5 Qg6!) 22... Qd6 23. Re5 Rfe8 24. Reh5 Re6 25. Qf5 Rae8 (25... g6!) 26. Ne5 Rf6 27. Qd7?? (27. Qd3 Bxd4) 27... Qxd7 28. Nxd7 Re1# 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Caleb - Niranjana 1.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/kOMS3xD8"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "11:34:38"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B01"]
[Opening "Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Mieses Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You equalised nicely out of the opening but an inaccuracy on move 14 led to a truly terrible position. It is to your great credit that you fought your way back to equality, only to miss the moment for a couple of drawing ideas and lose. Unlucky! }
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd2 { A bit early to reveal this plan. } (5. Nf3) 5... c6 (5... Bg4!) 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. Ne4 Bxd1 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 9. Bxa5 $14 Bh5 10. Ne2 Bh6 11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 $10 { This is equal. } 12... Nd7 13. Nf4 Bg6 14. Nxg6 $10 fxg6? $14 { this does undouble your pawns but the more compact mass was more solid -- here the e-pawn is a target. } (14... hxg6! $15 { capturing towards the centre is, as usual, best }) 15. Rhe1 $14 Kf8? (15... e5!?) 16. Re6! { Now it's very difficult for Black to untangle. } 16... Rd8?! 17. Rae1 Re8?! 18. b4 Rg8 19. c4 Rg7 20. c5 Rd8 (20... f5 { gives the Knight a square }) 21. Kc3 Nb8 (21... f5) 22. Bc4 b6?! $18 (22... a6 { is a better defence but White has a crushing position }) 23. a4 Rd7?! 24. cxb6 axb6 25. b5 Rd6 26. bxc6 Nxc6 27. Rxd6?! { Takes some of the pressure off. } (27. Rb1! $18) 27... exd6 28. Re6? $14 (28. Rb1! $18 Rb7 29. Ba6 Rb8 30. Kc4) 28... Rd7? (28... Rc7! $10 { and you're back on equal terms }) 29. Rxf6+ Kg7 30. Rf3 $14 (30. Rf4! $18) 30... Rc7! { The right idea, a little late. } 31. Kd3 Nb4+ 32. Kc3 Nc6 33. Kd2? { Careless. } 33... Nxd4 $10 34. Rc3 Nf5?! (34... Ra7! $10 35. Ra3 Nc6! $10) (34... Kf6 $14) (34... d5!? $10 { forces the draw, but it's not an easy move to play } 35. Bxd5 Rd7 36. Bc4 b5 37. axb5 Nxb5+ 38. Rd3 Rxd3+ 39. Kxd3 Nd6 $10 { despite the missing pawn, Black can hold this. }) 35. Bb5 Rxc3? (35... Rc5! $14) 36. Kxc3 { With pawns on both sides of the board, White should win. } 36... Kf6 37. Bd7? (37. Bd3) 37... Ke7? { Ooh, don't retreat! } (37... Ke5!) 38. Bxf5 gxf5 { The score sheet is not quite right: I'm not sure if or when White played g3. } 39. Kc4 (39. f3 Ke6 40. g3 h5 41. h3 Ke5 $18) 39... h5 40. f3 Ke6 41. h3 (41. g3!? { If this move was played in this position, Black can draw by the sprightly } 41... d5+ 42. Kd4 f4! 43. gxf4 (43. Kd3 Ke5 $10) 43... h4 $10) 41... d5+ 42. Kd4 Kd6 { There was a move missed out on Niranjana's score sheet. If it was not g2-g3, Black can play here } (42... f4! $19 { and Black is even winning }) 43. g4 hxg4 44. fxg4 fxg4 45. hxg4 Ke6 46. g5 Kf5 47. Kxd5 Kxg5 48. Kc6 Kf6 49. Kxb6 Ke6 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: ZA - Suhayl 2.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/riDdbY0J"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "15:22:16"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B33"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation, Retreat Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Your opening system worked to perfection and you took advantage nicely of White's mistakes. }
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nf3?! (5. Nb5! { is the only way to put pressure on the Black game. }) 5... Nf6 6. Nc3?! (6. Bd3! $10) 6... Bb4! $15 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O h6?! $14 { To be avoided if you can } (8... Bxc3! 9. bxc3 d6 $17) 9. Nd5 Bc5 10. h3?! { Again, rarely the right move -- it's "safe" the same way that sitting tight in a wildfire is safe... } 10... Re8?! { This move should be thought of as involving a promise to the Rook that you will open the e-file later. } 11. Re1 d6 12. Bd2?! $15 { Too quiet. White now drifts into a very poor position. } 12... Nxd5 13. exd5 Nb4 14. Bc4?! $17 (14. Bxb4 Bxb4 15. c3 Ba5 $15) 14... Bf5! $15 15. Bxb4?! $19 Bxb4 16. c3 Bc5 17. Bb5?! $19 Re7?! { Neglecting a rather simple trick.
ECECEM... } (17... Bxf2+! 18. Kxf2 Qb6+ { TACTIC: fork }) 18. Qd2 a6 19. Ba4 b5 20. Bc2 e4?! $10 { Risks losing the advantage } 21. Nh4?? e3! { Very nice } 22. fxe3 Bxc2 23. Qxc2 Rxe3 24. Kh1 Qxh4 { with an extra piece } 25. Rxe3 Bxe3 26. Rf1 Re8 27. Qf5 Qf6 28. Qxf6 (28. Qd3!? { White really has to avoid exchanges. }) 28... gxf6 29. Rxf6 Bg5! { Setting a neat trap. } 30. Rf3 (30. Rxd6?? Re1+ 31. Kh2 Bf4+) 30... Re2 { and Black wins without trouble. } 31. b3 Rxa2 32. c4 bxc4 33. bxc4 a5 34. Rc3 Bf4 35. g3 Be5 36. Re3 Bd4 37. Re4 Bc5 38. Re8+ Kg7 39. Ra8 a4 40. h4 a3 41. Ra5 Rc2 42. Ra4 a2 43. g4 Rc1+ 44. Kg2 a1=Q 45. Rxa1 Rxa1 46. Kf3 Ra4 47. g5 hxg5 48. hxg5 Rxc4 49. Kg3 Kg6 50. Kf3 Kxg5 51. Ke2 Rc3 52. Kd2 Rh3 53. Ke2 Kf4 54. Kd2 Ke4 55. Kc2 Ba7 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: EC - Suhayl 2.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/FTiZs9yg"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "15:41:33"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B32"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ White played better than your last opponent, swapping off all the right pairs of minor pieces and leaving you helpless in the face of White's build-up. }
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bc4 Bc5 (6... Nxe4!? $10 { looked well worth a try, but you backed off }) 7. O-O d6 8. Bg5 Bg4?! { You want to keep that Bishop. } (8... O-O) (8... Be6) 9. Qd3 $10 Qb6? $18 { This loses control of the position. } (9... h6! $10) 10. Nbd2 (10. Bxf6! gxf6 11. Nc3!) 10... Be6 11. Nb3?! (11. Rad1!) 11... Bxc4 12. Qxc4 Na5? (12... Nd7! { and you're still fighting }) 13. Nxa5 Qxa5 14. Bxf6! gxf6 15. c3 Qc7 16. Qd5 { White has exchanged all the right pairs of pieces, leaving Black with horrible light-squared weaknesses. } 16... O-O-O 17. a4 a6 18. Nh4 h5 19. Rad1 Rhg8 20. Nf5 a5 { Black just has to sit tight and wait for a mistake. } 21. b4!? { An interesting pawn sac } 21... axb4 22. cxb4 Bxb4 23. Qb5 (23. Rd3!) 23... Bc5 24. Rd5 (24. a5) 24... Rd7 25. Rc1 { Assuming I have translated the score correctly, you have a huge chance here } (25. Rb1?! Rg4! $16 26. Nxd6+?? (26. Re1) 26... Bxd6 27. Rxd6 Rxd6) 25... Rg4?? $18 (25... Bxf2+! $17 { This move again! } 26. Kxf2 Qxc1 27. Nxd6+ Rxd6 28. Rxd6 Qc2+ $19) 26. Nxd6+! Qxd6 27. Rxd6 Rc7 28. Qe8# 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Suhayl - Charlie 2.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/omaaf68e"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "15:52:50"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D92"]
[Opening "Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You hesitated over any Queen's-side ideas and Black's eventual central break caused your position to collapse. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 c6?! { Rather passive } (5... O-O 6. e3 (6. Rc1 dxc4 (6... Be6)) 6... c5) 6. e3 Bf5?! { A bit early to commit this piece. } (6... O-O) 7. Be2 (7. h3) (7. Rc1) 7... Qb6 8. Qd2 (8. Qb3! $16 { Ironically for a Grunfeld, Black has trouble with pressure against their centre. }) 8... Ne4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. O-O O-O 11. Ne5!? (11. Ng5! Bf5 12. g4 Bc8 13. h3 $16) 11... f6 12. Nf3 Nd7 13. Qc3? $10 (13. b4! $14 { and White can push quickly on the Queen's-side before Black can create counterplay. } 13... Rfe8 14. a4 e5 15. Bg3 $18 a5 16. b5 Rad8 17. c5 Qa7 18. Rfc1 $16) 13... Rfe8?! { One preparatory move too many. } (13... e5! $14) 14. Nd2 Bf5? (14... e5! $16) 15. f3? { Instead of this weakening move, you still have a chance to take over the Queen's-side, but this time with a different plan. } (15. cxd5! cxd5 16. Bc7 Qc6 17. Qxc6 bxc6 18. Ba6! $18 { [%csl Gb7,Gc1,Rc6,Ra8][%cal Ga6b7,Ga1c1] }) (15. c5 Qd8 16. b4 $10) 15... e5! $19 { Black has been telegraphing this move for a while and now it gives Black the advantage. } 16. c5 Qd8 17. Bg3 exd4 18. Qxd4 (18. exd4 Rxe2) 18... Qe7 19. Bf2 (19. e4! $17) 19... Nxc5 20. e4 Ne6 21. Qe3 Nf8 22. g4? (22. Qb3) 22... Be6 23. Bd3 Bf7 24. Rfe1? (24. Rad1) 24... dxe4 25. Bxe4 Rad8 26. Rad1?? a6? $19 (26... f5! 27. gxf5 gxf5 28. Bxf5?? Qf6) 27. h4 Ne6 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Ben W - JA 3.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/BRSddUVJ"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "12:45:47"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D32"]
[Opening "Tarrasch Defense: Symmetrical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ After some rather vague opening play you got nicely on top of things. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 { Can't be bad but Black has a choice of good systems here. } (4. Bg5) (4. cxd5) 4... c5 { Semi-Tarrasch } (4... c6 { Semi-Slav }) (4... Bb4) (4... Nbd7) 5. e3!? (5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 { is the main line and White's best hope of advantage. }) 5... Nc6 6. cxd5 (6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. a3) 6... exd5 7. Be2 { Rather quite. } (7. Bb5!?) 7... Bf5 8. O-O Be7 9. h3?! { Oh, really? There must be a more forward-going move! } (9. dxc5!) (9. b3!) 9... O-O 10. b3 Re8 11. Bb2 { There is an anti-IQP plan available here. } 11... Qb6? { This rather encourages White. A series of inaccuracies now lets each side claim the advantage. } (11... Ne4) (11... cxd4) 12. Na4 Qa5 13. Rc1 (13. Nxc5! $18 { And you get the two Bishops and good chances against the IQP }) 13... Ne4 $18 { Loses a pawn } (13... cxd4! 14. Nxd4 Bd7 $16) 14. Bd3?! { Not alert enough! } (14. dxc5! $18 Nxc5 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 16. Qxd5 { [%csl Rc5,Rf5] }) 14... Nb4 15. Bxe4? dxe4 $15 16. Nh4?? $19 Bxh4?? (16... Be6!) 17. Rxc5! $16 { Now White seizes the advantage. } 17... Qa6 18. Rxf5 Nxa2 19. Nc5 Qc6?! $18 { White has a big advantage -- Black's pieces are scattered and vulnerable. } 20. Ba3? $16 (20. Qg4!) 20... Rad8? (20... Nc3! $16) 21. Qc2! $18 { Back on track } 21... b6 22. Qxa2 bxc5 23. Rxc5 Qb6 24. Qc2 Be7 25. Rc6 Qa5 26. Bb2 (26. Bc5!) (26. Bxe7!) 26... f5?! 27. Rc1 (27. Ra1! Qb5 28. Rxa7! $18) 27... Qb5 28. Qc4+ Qxc4 29. R6xc4 (29. R1xc4) (29. bxc4! $18) 29... Rb8 30. Rc7 $16 Rxb3 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: YW - Ben W 3.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/RphbBSt1"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "12:56:39"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E32"]
[Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A bad move or two in the opening can leave you with the impression you were never in the game! The Nimzo is a fine defence but you can't afford to let White's centre get away from you. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. e4 Nc6? { Ooh, very risky in the face of White's aggression. } (5... d5! $10 { has to be played, with good chances of equality. } 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bd3 c5 8. Ne2 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nd7 { is the main line of theory }) 6. Nf3?! (6. e5! $18) 6... d5? { Unfortunately, this move, which was essential on move 5, is now poor. } (6... d6 7. Bd3 e5 { and you can hang on. }) 7. e5 Ne4 8. Bd3 Nxc3 (8... f5! $18 { was essential }) 9. bxc3 Be7 10. Bxh7+ { Black is busted. } 10... Kh8 11. cxd5 (11. h4 { [%cal Gf3g5] } 11... Qe8 12. Ng5 $18 { is simply crushing }) 11... Qxd5 12. Be4 Qd7 13. Ng5 Qd8? 14. h4 Bxg5 15. hxg5+ Kg8 16. Bxc6? (16. Bh7+ Kh8 17. Bg8+ Kxg8 18. Qh7# { would have been a suitable finish. }) 16... g6 17. Be4 { The game trundled on but you were never given a chance. } 17... Kg7 18. Be3 Rh8 19. Rh6 Rxh6 20. gxh6+ Kh7 21. Rb1 Rb8 22. Qe2 Qh4 23. Qf3 Qe7 24. Qf6 Qxf6 25. exf6 b6 26. f4 Kxh6 27. Kf2 Kh7 28. Rh1+ Kg8 29. g4 c5 30. Rb1 Ba6 (30... c4) 31. dxc5 b5 32. c6 Rc8 33. Bxa7 Kf8 34. Bc5+ Ke8 35. Rh1 Kd8 36. Bb6+ Rc7 37. Rh8# 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Ben W - Bradley 3.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/ZkaPOsMt"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:02:47"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D52"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black struggled with a poor light-squared Bishop all game, and finally lost it for nothing. }
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3!? { You give Black a big choice of systems through your move order. } 3... Nf6 (3... dxc4!?) (3... e5!?) 4. Nf3 { Back in the main lines. } (4. e3 { is usually the point of the 3.Nc3 move order }) 4... e6 { The Semi-Slav } (4... dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 { is the main line of the Slav. }) 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Be7 (6... Qa5 { Cambridge Springs Defence }) 7. cxd5 cxd5?! { This is not kind to the Bc8. } { [%csl Rc8] } (7... exd5 8. Bd3 { is the main line of the Exchange Variation, with some well-known plans for White to get the advantage. }) 8. Be2 (8. Bd3) 8... O-O 9. O-O a6 10. a3 b5 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. Qc2 Rc8 13. Bxf6?! Nxf6 14. Bd3 b4?! 15. axb4 Bxb4 16. Qb3 a5?! (16... Qe7) 17. Na2 Qb6 18. Nxb4 Qxb4 19. Qxb4 axb4 $16 20. Ne5 Rfd8 21. h3 $16 { White still has a plus, thanks to his better Bishop } (21. b3? Ne4! $10) 21... Nd7? { loses a pawn } 22. Nxd7? (22. Rxc8! { wins a pawn } 22... Bxc8 23. Nc6 $18 Re8 24. Nxb4! (24. Ra1! { is also good })) 22... Rxd7 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. Rc1 Bb7 25. Ra1?! { Loses a move, in effect, } (25. Rc5!?) 25... Rd6 26. Ra7 Bc8?? (26... Rb6! $16) 27. Ra8 Rc6 28. Ba6 g6 29. Rxc8+ Rxc8 30. Bxc8 Kf8 31. Kf1 Ke7 32. Ke2 Kd8 33. Ba6 Kc7 34. Kd2 Kb6 35. Bd3 f6 36. Kc2 e5 37. Kb3 exd4 38. exd4 $18 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Jack - NN 4.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/Vofa23Ep"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "16:09:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A46"]
[Opening "Indian Defense: London System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You did enough to draw despite dropping a piece -- well done! Several points for both players in the notes... }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 Bd7?! { Odd. } 5. Ne5?! c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Nxd7 Qxd7 8. Bb5 Be7 9. h3 O-O 10. O-O a6 11. Bd3 $10 { A typical do-nothing London System position. Only Black can change the structure with advantage. } 11... Rfe8?! { Black cannot hope to force through ....e5, so this is not right. } 12. Nd2 Bd6 13. dxc5 $10 { Giving up the centre, but it's still equal. } 13... Bxc5 14. Nf3?? e5! 15. Bg5 e4 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Bc2 exf3 18. Qxf3 Ne5 19. Qxf6 Ng6 (19... Qc6!) 20. Rad1 Rad8 21. c4 Qe6 22. Qg5 Qe5 23. Qxe5 Nxe5 24. cxd5 Nc4 25. b3 Nb6 26. e4 { White develops a positive idea... } 26... Re5? 27. Rfe1 (27. g4!?) 27... Rg5 28. Kf1 Rg6 29. f3? { Too cautious } (29. e5! Rh6 30. d6! $16 { And White even stands better. }) 29... f6 30. Re2? Rg7 31. Red2? Rgd7 32. Re2 f5 33. Red2 { Agreed drawn here, but Black should really win this. } 33... f4 { Black can transfer the Bc5 to e5, then find something to attack, which will yield exchanges and a win. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Jun Li - Jack 4.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/a3VAuJWu"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.19"]
[UTCTime "16:22:55"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C25"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ After some ponderous but not particularly accurate manoeuvres in the opening, White allowed Black a snap attack with the f-pawn, and you followed up convincingly. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 (3. f4) 3... Bc5?! 4. Qg4 g6?! (4... Kf8! { is the book move, with equality. }) (4... Qf6? 5. Nd5! Qxf2+ 6. Kd1 $18 { is probably what White was hoping for. }) 5. Qf3 (5. Qg3! Nf6 6. Nge2 d6 $16) 5... Nf6 6. Nge2 d6 7. d3 (7. h3!?) 7... Bg4 8. Qg3 Qd7 $16 9. h3 (9. Qh4! $16) 9... Be6 10. Bb3?! (10. Qf3! $14) 10... O-O-O 11. O-O? Rdf8 (11... Bxb3! 12. axb3 Nb4! $17 { steals a pawn }) 12. Be3 Bb6?! 13. Nd5 Nh5 14. Nxb6+ axb6 $16 15. Qf3? $10 (15. Qh4! $16) 15... f5! { Now it's still equal, but Black has an initiative awkward for White. } 16. Nc3?? f4 17. Bd2 Nd4 18. Qd1 f3 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. g4? Nf4 21. Re1? { Disastrous, but a saving move is not to be found for White. } 21... Nxh3+ 22. Kh2 Nxf2 (22... Qxg4! { mates }) 23. Rg1 Nxd1 24. Raxd1 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Jack - NN 4.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/TPVMyyva"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "10:03:41"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: London System"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ With every exchange, your position got worse, until Black completely dominated the board. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 Bf5?! { Too early to commit to this. } (4... Nc6 { is a well-known equalising system }) 5. Bd3 $10 (5. dxc5 $16 { might be awkward for Black -- certainly not much else is going to be. }) 5... Bg6?! (5... Bxd3 6. Qxd3 cxd4 7. exd4 e6 $10 { with a rather sterile equality. }) 6. h3 (6. Bxb8! Qxb8 7. Bb5+! Kd8 $18 { with good prospects for White. }) 6... e6 7. O-O $10 Nc6 8. Bxg6 hxg6 9. c3 Qb6 (9... Rc8) (9... Bd6) 10. Qb3 c4?! (10... Qxb3 11. axb3) 11. Qxb6 $10 (11. Qc2! $14) 11... axb6 $10 12. Nbd2 b5 13. a3 Be7 14. Rfe1 $10 Ne4? 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Ng5? (16. Nd2! $16) 16... Bxg5! 17. Bxg5 { Black has swapped their way to an advantage -- Black can probe on both wings and on the light squares, while White has nothing to do. } 17... f6 (17... e5! 18. d5? Na5) 18. Bf4 Kd7 19. Rad1 Ne7 20. Kh2? $19 { Rather invites the coming attack down the h-file. } (20. Kf1!) 20... g5 21. Bg3 g4 22. Rh1 Rh5 23. h4? $19 { Doesn't help. } (23. Ra1) 23... g5 24. Kg1 Rah8 25. Ra1? (25. f3) 25... gxh4 26. Bf4 Ng6 27. Rd1 Kc6 28. Kf1 e5 (28... Ne7) 29. Bh2 $19 (29. dxe5 fxe5 30. Bh2 $19 { is a little better than the game }) 29... g3 30. Bg1 f5 31. fxg3? (31. Ke2) 31... hxg3 32. Rxh5 Rxh5 33. d5+ Kd6 34. Ke2 Ne7 35. Ra1 Rh8 36. a4 Ra8! 37. a5 Nxd5 38. Kd2 Kc5 39. Kc2 Ra6 40. b4+ cxb3+ 41. Kxb3 b6? (41... Nb6!) 42. axb6! Kxb6! 43. Rf1 Ne7 44. c4 bxc4+ 45. Kxc4 Ra2 46. Rb1+ Kc6 47. Rb5 (47. Rd1) 47... Rxg2 48. Rxe5 Kd6 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Josh - Aritra 5.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/p9fAHQL8"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:12:02"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You got a good position from the opening but allowed a shocking tactic. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d6? { Unkind to the Bf8 } (3... d5! { is Black's best and possibly only hope of equality. }) 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 $14 Be7 7. Bc4 Nbd7 8. Qg3? { This sets up two tactics for Black: a fork on h5 and a pin on h4.
After } (8. d3 { or }) (8. O-O { White has a good attacking position. }) 8... O-O (8... Nh5! { steals the f-pawn }) 9. d3 (9. O-O Nh5!) 9... Nb6? (9... Nxe4! { goes for the pin directly, winning. }) 10. fxe5? (10. Qf3!) 10... dxe5 $10 { White has got out of jail more or less free, but.... } 11. Bh6?? Ne8?? (11... Nh5! 12. Qg4 Bh4+ 13. Kd2?? Nxc4+) 12. Bd5? { Last chance to dodge. } (12. O-O-O! $14) 12... Bh4! { Boom, as they say these days. } 13. Bxg7 Bxg3+ 14. Ke2 Kxg7 15. Bxb7 Rb8 16. Bd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 c6 18. Ne3 Kg8 19. Nf5 Qg5 20. Kf3 Qf4+ 21. Ke2 Qf2+ 22. Kd1 Bf4 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: NN - Josh 5.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/GEjbhWH3"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:16:20"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E61"]
[Opening "King's Indian Defense: Smyslov Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You didn't really set out to do anything in the opening, and White took control, but let you off with a draw in a position that was very promising for White. }
1. d4 Nf6 (1... f5 { You have been asking me about the Leningrad Dutch, but the King's Indian may be a bit more reliable, and White has fewer tempting ways to avoid it. }) 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Bg4?! { A bit early to commit this piece. } (6... Nc6) (6... Nbd7) 7. Bd3 c5 8. h3 cxd4! 9. exd4 Bd7? $16 { d4 is wobbly, and taking gives it a push } (9... Bxf3! $15 10. Qxf3 Qb6! (10... Nc6!)) 10. O-O h6 11. Be3 e6 12. Qb3 { White now starts a successful Queen's-side initiative. } 12... Qc7? 13. Rac1 Nc6 14. d5 Na5 15. Qb4 b6 16. Nb5 Bxb5 17. Qxb5 exd5?! (17... e5! { gives you a chance to slow the White attack. }) 18. cxd5 Qd7 19. b4 Qxb5 20. Bxb5 Nb7 21. Rc7 Nd8 { White has all the advantages of the position. } 22. Bc6? { gives Black a chance to get back into the game, which you take. } (22. Rd1! $18) 22... Nxc6 23. dxc6 Nd5 24. Rd7 Nxe3? { That swaps off your best defensive piece. } (24... Rfd8! $10 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. b5 Nc3!) 25. fxe3 Rfd8 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. b5 Rc8 28. Re1 Bf8 $18 { Drawn here, but } 29. Rd1 f5 30. Kf2 Kf7 31. Ng1 Ke6 32. Ne2 Ke5 33. Nc3 Bg7 34. Nd5 g5 35. Kf3 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Josh - SW 5.3 1-0"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/Wp83fKZF"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:23:13"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C25"]
[Opening "Vienna Game"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black won a piece but generously returned it, after which you were firmly in control and won a nice game. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 c5!? { Doubtless poor but hard to detonate. } 3. Nf3?! { A common complaint of mine: what are you doing about
opening a line for your Rooks? } (3. Bc4 d6 4. d3 Nc6 5. Nge2 Nf6 6. f4! { is more of a line for a Vienna player! }) 3... Nc6 4. Bb5 (4. Bc4! $14) 4... d6 5. Bxc6+?! bxc6 $10 6. d3 h6 7. Be3 Nf6 8. O-O d5 9. Nxe5?? { Loses a piece } (9. exd5 cxd5 10. Nxe5! { You can just get away with this, but it's a move that is more confidently chosen by a computer. } (10. Bd2) 10... d4 11. Qf3 Be6 12. Qc6+ Nd7 13. Nb5 dxe3 14. Nc7+ Ke7 15. Ng6+ Kf6 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Nxh8 $18) 9... d4! 10. Nxc6 Qd6 11. e5 Qxc6 12. exf6 dxc3 13. bxc3 Qxf6 14. Re1 Be7 15. Bxc5! O-O?? (15... Be6!) 16. Bxe7 Qxc3 17. Bxf8 Kxf8 18. Qf3 Rb8 19. Qe4 Be6 20. Rab1 Re8 21. d4 (21. Qb4+! $18) 21... Bd7 22. Re3 Qc4 23. Qf4 Qxc2 24. Qd6+ Kg8 25. Rxe8+ Bxe8 26. Re1 Bc6 27. Qb8+ Kh7 28. Qb1! $18 { Nice: with Queens off, Black's position is hopeless. } 28... Qg6 29. Qxg6+ fxg6 30. Rd1 Bd5 31. a4 (31. a3 $18) 31... a5 32. Rb1 Be4 33. Rb5 h5 34. Rxa5 Kh6 35. d5 g5 36. d6 Bc6 37. Ra6 $18 (37. Ra7! $18) 37... Bd7 38. Ra7 Bc6 39. d7 Bxd7 40. Rxd7 h4 41. a5 g6 42. a6 g4 43. a7 g3 44. fxg3 hxg3 45. hxg3 g5 46. a8=Q g4 47. Qa5 Kg6 48. Rd6+ Kf7 49. Qc7+ Kf8 50. Rd8# 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: GH - Caleb 1.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/CSVv34Bn"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:42:58"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C01"]
[Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ An interesting scrap where you seemed to be trying a bit too hard to cause problems for White's solid set-up. But you kept asking questions and eventually White got the wrong answer. }
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 { I think Black is usually relieved to see this variation. } 3... exd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 (4... Bd6!? $10) 5. Bd3 (5. c4!? $10) 5... Bd6 6. Qe2+ Qe7 7. Qxe7+ Bxe7 8. Bf4 c6 9. h3 O-O $14 10. O-O Ne4 11. Re1 f5? $16 { This is usually good in middlegame positions but feels mostly weakening once Queens are off. } (11... Bd6! $10) 12. Ne5?! $10 (12. c4! $16) 12... Bf6 13. c3?! $10 Nd7 14. Nf3 Nb6?! $16 (14... g5! $10 15. Be5 (15. Bc1 $10) 15... Nxe5 16. Nxe5 $15) 15. Nbd2 Be6 16. Nb3 g5?! 17. Bh2 $10 (17. Be5 $16 { is now correct }) 17... g4?! 18. Ne5?! gxh3 19. gxh3?! (19. f3 Ng5 20. Nc5 $16) 19... Bh4?! 20. Re2 Kh8?! $16 21. f3?! $10 Rg8+ $14 22. Rg2?? $19 Rxg2+ 23. Kxg2 Rg8+ $17 24. Kf1 f4!? (24... Na4! $19) 25. Ng4 h5 26. Bxf4 hxg4 $17 27. fxe4?? $19 (27. Be5+! $15) 27... Rf8! 28. Kg2 gxh3+ 29. Kh2 Rxf4 30. exd5 Rf2+ 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Caleb - ES 1.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/R1XUxU84"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:33:06"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C05"]
[Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Closed Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ A sprightly gambit line led to you getting a bind on both sides of the board with some great direct attacking play. There was one missed opportunity (#27) but Black never looked as though they were in the game. }
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Ngf3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Bd3 { There's a blast from the past. I first saw this in one of John Nunn's games from 1978! I think the gambit is one of Korchnoi's. } 7... Qb6 (7... g6 8. h4 h6) 8. O-O cxd4 9. cxd4 Nxd4 (9... a5) 10. Nxd4 Qxd4 11. Nf3 Qb6 12. Qa4 Be7 (12... Qb4! { White should not be allowed to transfer the Queen to g4. } 13. Qc2 Qc5 14. Qe2 Be7 15. Bd2 { Nunn, John DM - Mednis, Edmar John, 1-0, Budapest Tungsram, 1978, https://lichess.org/XQjBS4PQ }) 13. Qg4! g6 $16 14. Bg5? $10 (14. Bh6! $16) 14... Qd8? $16 (14... Qb4! $10 { is good as above }) (14... Bxg5! 15. Qxg5 (15. Nxg5 Nxe5 $10) 15... h6 16. Qf4 Nc5 17. Bc2 Qxb2 { is a winning attempt for Black, but White probably has enough attack for the two pawns. }) 15. Bh6! Bf8 16. Bg5 Be7 17. h4?! $14 (17. Qf4! $16) 17... h6 (17... Bxg5 18. hxg5 $16) 18. Be3 $16 Nf8? $18 (18... Nc5 19. Bc2 h5 20. Qg3 Bd7 $16) 19. Rfc1 Bd7 20. Rc2 a6 21. Rac1 Bc6 22. b4 Qd7 (22... Nd7!? 23. Nd4?? Nxe5 $17) 23. Nd4 Bd8 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Rxc6 Qb7 26. a4 Nd7 27. f4? $18 (27. Bxg6! $18 { is powerful } 27... Nf8 (27... fxg6 28. Qxg6+ Ke7 (28... Kf8 29. Bxh6+) 29. Rxe6+) 28. Bd3) 27... h5 28. Qg3 Rg8 29. b5 axb5 30. Bxb5 Ke7 31. Bd2 { Anything wins! } (31. Rd6! $18 { is more incisive }) 31... Kf8 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Caleb - Niranjana 1.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/kOMS3xD8"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:32:17"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B01"]
[Opening "Scandinavian Defense: Main Line, Mieses Variation"]
{ An early bind was allowed to dissipate but persistence paid off. }
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bd2 (5. Nf3) 5... c6 (5... Bg4!) 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. Ne4 Bxd1 8. Nxf6+ gxf6 9. Bxa5 $14 Bh5 10. Ne2 Bh6 11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 $10 Nd7 13. Nf4 Bg6 14. Nxg6 fxg6? $14 (14... hxg6! $15) 15. Rhe1 Kf8? (15... e5!?) 16. Re6 Rd8 17. Rae1 Re8 18. b4 Rg8 19. c4 Rg7 20. c5 Rd8 (20... f5!? { gives the Knight a square and some chances to untangle. }) 21. Kc3 Nb8 (21... f5) 22. Bc4 b6 (22... a6) 23. a4 Rd7 24. cxb6 axb6 25. b5 Rd6 26. bxc6 Nxc6 27. Rxd6 (27. Rb1!) 27... exd6 28. Re6? $14 (28. Rb1 Rb7 29. Ba6 Rb8 30. Kc4) 28... Rd7 (28... Rc7! $10) 29. Rxf6+ Kg7 30. Rf3 Rc7 31. Kd3 Nb4+ 32. Kc3 Nc6 33. Kd2? Nxd4 $10 34. Rc3 Nf5?! (34... Ra7!) (34... Kf6) (34... d5!? 35. Bxd5 Rd7 36. Bc4 b5 37. axb5 Nxb5+ 38. Rd3 Rxd3+ 39. Kxd3 Nd6) 35. Bb5 Rxc3 36. Kxc3 Kf6 37. Bd7? (37. Bd3) 37... Ke7? (37... Ke5!) 38. Bxf5 gxf5 39. Kc4 (39. f3 Ke6 40. g3 h5 41. h3 Ke5) 39... h5 40. f3 Ke6 41. h3 (41. g3!? { If this move was played in this position, Black can draw by the sprightly } 41... d5+ 42. Kd4 f4! 43. gxf4 (43. Kd3 Ke5 $10) 43... h4 $10) 41... d5+ 42. Kd4 Kd6 { There was a move missed out on Niranjana's score sheet. If it was not g2-g3, Black can play here } (42... f4! $19) 43. g4 hxg4 44. fxg4 fxg4 45. hxg4 Ke6 46. g5 Kf5 47. Kxd5 Kxg5 48. Kc6 Kf6 49. Kxb6 Ke6 { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Charlie - ZA 2.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/jz7TTJnO"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "13:52:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C07"]
[Opening "French Defense: Tarrasch Variation, Open System, Süchting Line"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Some rustiness led you to overlook some tactical and strategical threats but you got there in the end. }
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. c3 (4. exd5!) (4. Ngf3!?) 4... Nc6 { Now a curious double blunder: } (4... cxd4! 5. cxd4 dxe4 6. Nxe4) 5. a3?? { TACTIC: outnumbered } 5... Bd7?? { Bluffed or asleep at the wheel? } (5... cxd4 6. cxd4 Nxd4 { is a free pawn for Black with zero compensation for White. }) 6. Ngf3 Nf6 7. e5 Ng8 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Nb3 Bb6 10. Nbd4 Nxd4 (10... Nge7) 11. Nxd4?! $10 (11. cxd4! $14) 11... Nh6 12. Bd3 Nf5 $16 13. Qg4? $10 (13. Nxf5 exf5 14. O-O $16) 13... g6?? $18 { This is fatally weakening while the dark-squared Bishop is away from home. } (13... Bxd4 14. cxd4 O-O) 14. Bg5! Qc8 15. O-O Bd8 16. Bxd8 Qxd8 17. Nxf5?! exf5 18. Qd4 Be6 19. Bb5+ Kf8 { This is still rather better for White (bad Bishop, IQP) but all the swaps have eased Black's position. } 20. Rac1 Qa5 21. Qb4+ Qxb4 22. cxb4 Kg7 23. Rc7 b6 24. Ba6 Rhd8 25. Rfc1 (25. f4! d4 26. Kf2! { keeps the d-pawn "under lock and key", as Nimzowitsch instructed. }) 25... d4 26. f4? { This lets the d-pawn get away from you } (26. Bd3! $10) 26... d3 $17 27. R7c3 d2 28. Rd1 { You were quite sanguine about the d-pawn in your guts but I think I was right to be worried. } 28... Rd4 29. g3 Bd7?? { Now White will win the d-pawn and the game. } (29... Rad8! $17 30. Kf2 g5! { wins for Black } 31. fxg5 (31. Ke2 gxf4 32. gxf4 Rxf4 33. Rxd2 Rxd2+ 34. Kxd2 Rf2+ 35. Ke3 Rxb2 36. Rc7 Rxh2 37. Rxa7 Rh3+ 38. Kf2 Rxa3 39. b5 $19) 31... f4! { a clearance sac to activate the Bishop } 32. gxf4 (32. Be2 fxg3+ 33. hxg3 Kg6 $19 34. Ke3 Kxg5 35. Rd3 Rxd3+ 36. Bxd3 Bf5 $19) 32... Rxf4+ $19) 30. Rc2 Ba4 31. Rdxd2 Re4?? { sets up a fork on the diagonal } (31... Rad8! $18) 32. Rc1?! (32. Rc7!) 32... h6?? 33. Bb7! { Ouch } 33... Re8 34. Bxe4 fxe4 35. Rc7 a6 36. Re2 Rd8 37. Kf2 Rd4 38. Ke3 Rd1 39. Kxe4 Bb5 40. Rf2 Bd3+ 41. Ke3 Bf5 42. Rd2 Re1+ 43. Kf2 Re4 44. Rb7 b5 45. Rc7 Be6 46. Rd6 $18 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Suhayl - Charlie 2.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/omaaf68e"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "14:05:02"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D92"]
[Opening "Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Hungarian Attack"]
{ A solid enough opening -- maybe too solid -- but you aimed for a sensible central break and when you achieved it White collapsed. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 c6?! { Rather passive but not bad -- I would prefer to aim for ...c5 } (5... O-O 6. e3 c5! { and Black's setup looks more pointed. }) 6. e3 Bf5?! { A bit early to commit this piece, and if you do want to develop it now, e6 might be better. } (6... O-O) 7. Be2 Qb6 8. Qd2 (8. Qb3! $16) 8... Ne4 9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. O-O O-O 11. Ne5 (11. Ng5! Bf5 12. g4 Bc8 13. h3 $16) 11... f6 12. Nf3 Nd7 13. Qc3?! (13. b4! $16) 13... Rfe8 (13... e5!? 14. dxe5? (14. Bg3! $14) 14... Bxf3 15. Bxf3?? fxe5 $19) 14. Nd2 Bf5? (14... e5!? $16) 15. f3? (15. cxd5! cxd5 16. Bc7 Qc6 17. Qxc6 bxc6 18. Ba6! $18 { [%csl Gb7,Gc1,Rc6,Ra8][%cal Ga6b7,Ga1c1] }) 15... e5! $19 { This move transforms Black's chances. } 16. c5 Qd8 17. Bg3 exd4 18. Qxd4 (18. exd4?? Rxe2) 18... Qe7 19. Bf2?! (19. e4! $17 { was best }) 19... Nxc5 (19... Be6! { idea f5 }) 20. e4 Ne6 21. Qe3 Nf8 22. g4? { White keeps digging. } (22. Qb3! $17) 22... Be6 23. Bd3 Bf7 { An odd crouching posture, but Black stands much better. } 24. Rfe1?! (24. Rad1) 24... dxe4 25. Bxe4 Rad8 26. Rad1?? a6? $19 (26... f5! 27. gxf5 gxf5 28. Bxf5?? Qf6) 27. h4 Ne6 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Bradley - NN 3.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/4LUGZObl"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "14:57:47"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "E47"]
[Opening "Nimzo-Indian Defense: Normal Variation, Bishop Attack"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You achieved a very nice position on the White side of the Nimzo but missed an important check. }
1. c4 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 c5 6. Ne2 d5 7. a3 (7. cxd5 { is much the most common move here }) 7... Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 b6 (8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qc7 $10) 9. O-O cxd4? 10. cxd4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bb7 $16 { This has all gone very well for White -- two Bishops and an uncompromised Pawn centre. } 12. f3 Nbd7?! 13. Bb2 $14 (13. e4! $16 { idea Be3 }) 13... Rc8 14. Rc1?! $14 (14. Bd3!?) 14... Qe7?! $16 15. e4 Rfd8 16. Qe1 Rc7?! 17. Qg3 Rdc8 18. Bd3 Rxc1 19. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 20. Bxc1 Ne8 21. Nc3?! (21. Qg5 $16 { reduces Black's counterplay -- none of their pieces look good after a Queen swap. }) (21. h4 { makes use of the Qg3 }) 21... e5 22. d5?? { Oh dear
ECECEM } (22. Qf2 $14) 22... Qc5+ { picks up the Knight for free } 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Bradley - JA 3.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/ZLDAyRwh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "14:51:46"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C01"]
[Opening "French Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ An odd double blunder left you ahead by an exchange and a straightforward win. }
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 { I'm not fond of the Exchange Variation... } 3... exd5 4. Nf3 (4. c4 { ...but this might ask some questions of Black. }) 4... c6 5. Bd3 Bg4 { I expect Black should develop the King's-side first and castle. } 6. O-O Be7 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. h3 Bh5 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. c3 Nbd7 11. Qc2 Rc8?! { This rather makes a promise to the Rc8 that the c-file will open, but Black shouldn't take on an IQP without care. } 12. Ng5?! { Not a hard threat to meet, and sets up some tactics for Black, so White should improve the position instead. } 12... Bg6 13. Rfe1?? Nh5! { TACTIC: discovery, undermine. } 14. Bxg6 $19 (14. Rxe7 { is best but losing of course } 14... Qxe7 15. Be3) 14... fxg6?? $18 { Black reverses the evaluation with this choice. } (14... hxg6!) 15. Ne6 Qe8 16. Nxf8 Nxf4 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. Nf3 { with a clean Exchange advantage and a straightforward winning game. } 18... Re8 19. Re3 Qd8?! 20. Rae1 Kf7 21. Ne5+ Kg8 22. Rf3 Nh5 23. Ng4 Qd6 24. Qe2 Nf4 25. Qe5 Qxe5 26. Rxe5 Nh5 27. Rfe3 Kf7 28. g3 Nf6 29. Re6 Ne4 30. Re5 h5 31. Rf3+ Bf6 32. Rxe8 Kxe8 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Ben - Bradley 4..3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/ZkaPOsMt"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:02:26"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D52"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined"]
1. d4 { You saddled yourself with a bad Bishop and although exchanges eased your position, your Bishop remained bad and a final blunder saw it lost. } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 (3... dxc4) (3... e5) 4. Nf3 e6 { The Semi-Slav scores very well for Black } 5. Bg5 (5. cxd5 { This is a less well-thought-of version of the Exchange, but probably easier to handle than the main lines. }) 5... Nbd7 (5... dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7 12. g3 { is the very complicated main line, which I can hardly recommend for either side, as the theory is so advanced. }) 6. e3 Be7 (6... Qa5 { is the Cambridge Springs, with fair chances for Black. }) 7. cxd5 cxd5?! { [%csl Rc8] } (7... exd5! { is kinder to the Bc8 } 8. Bd3) 8. Be2 (8. Bd3!) 8... O-O 9. O-O a6 10. a3 b5 11. Rc1 Bb7 12. Qc2 Rc8 13. Bxf6?! Nxf6 14. Bd3 b4 15. axb4 Bxb4 16. Qb3 $10 a5?! 17. Na2! { securing a better Bishop } 17... Qb6 18. Nxb4 Qxb4 19. Qxb4 axb4 $16 20. Ne5 Rfd8 21. h3 $16 Nd7? { This allows White to seize control of the position. } 22. Nxd7 $16 (22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. Nc6! $17) 22... Rxd7 23. Rxc8+ Bxc8 24. Rc1? (24. Ra1) 24... Bb7 25. Ra1?! { White has lost a move. } (25. Rc5) 25... Rd6 26. Ra7 Bc8?? { loses the piece } (26... Rb6! $16) 27. Ra8 Rc6 28. Ba6 g6 29. Rxc8+ Rxc8 30. Bxc8 Kf8 31. Kf1 Ke7 32. Ke2 Kd8 33. Ba6 Kc7 34. Kd2 Kb6 35. Bd3 f6 36. Kc2 e5 37. Kb3 exd4 38. exd4 $18 { 1-0 White wins. } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: BS - Jun Li 4.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/Ms2fr4uz"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "14:05:48"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Botvinnik-Carls Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Both sides had chances for advantage but in the end White lacked the courage of their position. }
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5!? { This formerly rare move has been growing in popularity. } (3... Bf5) 4. dxc5 Nc6 (4... e6!?) 5. Nf3 (5. Bb5!?) 5... Bg4 6. Be2?! (6. c3! e6) (6. Bb5!? { is still better than the move chosen }) 6... e6 7. c4 Bxc5 (7... dxc4! $15 { is more awkward for White to meet }) 8. cxd5 exd5 $10 { Black is fine here with full equality. } 9. O-O Nge7 10. Bf4 O-O 11. h3 Bh5 12. Qc2?! Bxf3 (12... Bd4!) 13. Bxf3 $17 Qb6? $10 (13... Bd4! 14. Re1 Ng6! $19) 14. Nc3 Qd8? $16 { Rather too defensive. } (14... Nd4! $10 15. Qd1 Ng6 (15... Qxb2)) 15. Bg5 Nxe5 16. Bxd5 Qd7? (16... Qc7 $16 { directly is better }) 17. Rad1 Qc7 18. Na4 Nxd5 19. Rxd5?? (19. Qxc5! $16) 19... b6?? (19... Nf3+! $18 { ECECEM
Not easy to see all the way through? It's all checks and forced replies. } 20. gxf3 Qg3+ 21. Kh1 Qxh3+ 22. Kg1 Qg3+ 23. Kh1 Qxf3+ 24. Kh2 Qxd5 25. Qxc5 Qf3 { Black has not so great a material advantage but many pawns and White's King safety is non-existent. }) 20. Nxc5 bxc5 21. Rxc5 Qd6 22. Rd1 Qe6 23. Qc3?! (23. b3 $18) (23. b4 $18) 23... Ng6 24. Re1 Qd7 25. h4 h6 26. h5 $18 { Draw agreed, but White is much better here. } 26... hxg5 27. hxg6 Rac8 28. Rxc8 Rxc8 29. gxf7+ Kxf7 30. Qe3 $18 { White has an extra pawn and a better position. } 1/2-1/2
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Jun Li - Jack 4.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/a3VAuJWu"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:05:40"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C25"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Max Lange Defense"]
{ You couldn't settle on a meaningful plan and eventually allowed Black to storm down the King's-side. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 (3. f4) 3... Bc5 4. Qg4 { John Emms recommends this line in Attacking with 1.e4. } 4... g6 (4... Qf6? { is a well-known mistake, } 5. Nd5!) 5. Qf3 Nf6 6. Nge2 d6 7. d3 (7. h3!?) 7... Bg4 8. Qg3 Qd7 9. h3 Be6 $14 { Black is solid but White is better here. } 10. Bb3?! (10. Qf3! $14 Nh5 (10... Qe7?? 11. Bg5 $18) 11. Bb5) 10... O-O-O 11. O-O?! { White's last two moves have been rather too cautious. } 11... Rdf8?! { Promising to open the f-file... } (11... Bxb3! 12. axb3 Nb4! $15 { was more direct. }) 12. Be3 $10 (12. Bh6! $14) 12... Bb6?! $16 13. Nd5 Nh5 14. Nxb6+ axb6 15. Qf3? $10 { Puts the Queen on a file that is very likely to become open. White has rather dithered and Black now seizes the initiative. } (15. Qh4! $16) 15... f5 16. Nc3? f4! 17. Bd2 Nd4 18. Qd1 f3 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. g4 Nf4 21. Re1? { The roof has caved in on White's defences. } (21. Bxf4) 21... Nxh3+ 22. Kh2 Nxf2 (22... Qxg4!) 23. Rg1 Nxd1 24. Raxd1 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Josh - Aritra 5.1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/p9fAHQL8"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:23:21"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit"]
{ White was much better out of the opening but stuck out their chin and was knocked out. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d6? (3... d5! { is the only move that gives Black any chance of equality, but it does equalise in all lines } 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 (5. Nf3 Bc5!) (5. d3 Nxc3 6. bxc3 d4!) 5... Nc6!) 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 $14 Be7 7. Bc4 Nbd7?! (7... Nc6 { has to be better }) 8. Qg3? $17 { Setting up a pin... } 8... O-O 9. d3 Nb6 (9... Nxe4! $19 { goes for it straight away }) 10. fxe5 (10. Qf3! $10) 10... dxe5 $10 (10... Nh5! 11. Qf3 Bh4+! 12. Kd1 $19) 11. Bh6?? Ne8?? (11... Nh5! $19) 12. Bd5? (12. O-O-O! $14) 12... Bh4! { And it's all over... } 13. Bxg7 Bxg3+ 14. Ke2 Kxg7 15. Bxb7 Rb8 16. Bd5 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 c6 18. Ne3 Kg8 19. Nf5 Qg5 20. Kf3 Qf4+ 21. Ke2 Qf2+ 22. Kd1 Bf4 { 0-1 Black wins. } 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Aritra - DC 5.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/lrjfoSUE"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:07:17"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A48"]
[Opening "East Indian Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ An interesting fight which you could have drawn even late on and probably lost only because you were still trying to win. }
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e3 { Rather cautious. } 3... c6 4. c4 d5 5. Nbd2 (5. Nc3 { is more direct. }) 5... Nbd7 6. b3 Bg7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 $14 { White has quite a nice position, with some options to expand. But Black breaks first... } 10. Bd3?! $10 (10. Qc2 $14 { development is your friend. }) 10... Re8 11. e4? dxe4 12. Nxe4 c5! 13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. Qd2? (14. Be2! { was essential. }) 14... Bxf3 15. gxf3 cxd4 $19 { White's position is a mess and Black has an extra pawn . } 16. Be4 Rb8? $17 (16... Nc5! 17. Bxa8 Qxa8 $19 { is more enterprising: White is haemorrhaging on the light squares. } 18. Bxd4?? Rd8) 17. Bxd4 $17 { White hurries to get the pawn back. } 17... Ne5? $10 (17... e6! $17) 18. Qc3?? Nxf3+! { TACTIC: discovery } 19. Qxf3 Qxd4 20. Rad1 Qb2 21. a4 Red8 (21... Rbc8) 22. Rb1 Qc3 23. Qxc3 Bxc3 24. Rbc1 Bf6 { Opposite-coloured Bishops are not a drawing factor with other pieces on the board. } 25. Rfd1 Rd4 26. Rxd4 Bxd4 27. Rd1 e5 28. Kg2 Rd8 29. Bd5 Kg7 30. f4 f6 31. fxe5 fxe5?? 32. Rf1 Rf8?! { But opposite-coloured Bishop endgames -- without other pieces -- are very drawish. Yet the opening of the f-file almost guaranteed the exchange of Rooks. } (32... Rd7) 33. Rxf8 Kxf8 { White can sit tight and wait for Black to run out of ideas, but makes the bold move of trying to use the Queen's-side majority. } 34. b4 Bc3 35. c5 Bxb4 36. c6? { I like the attitude but this is a mistake. } 36... Bd6 37. Kf3 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: SW - Aritra 5.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/0EuL4tYS"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:14:23"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C44"]
[Opening "Scotch Game: Scotch Gambit, Dubois Réti Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Call me... Houdini? White had a crushing position out of the opening and had several chances to nail down the lid of your coffin, but after their hesitation and inaccuracy you leapt up and won. }
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Nc6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4? $17 { Too slow. } (5. e5!) (5. O-O!) 5... Qe7? $16 { An awkward move, likely to lead to trouble. Trying to steal pawns in the opening rarely ends well, and this sets up a tactic like Re1. } (5... Nxe4! $17) 6. Nc3? $14 (6. O-O Nxe4?? 7. Re1 $18 { would be an example of trouble! }) 6... Nxe4? $18 7. O-O?! $16 (7. Nd5! $18 { is more trouble... }) 7... Nxc3 $16 8. bxc3 Qd8?? $18 (8... Qf6! $16 { has to be better again -- more active and developing. }) 9. Re1+ Be7 10. Nxc6 (10. Bg5! { and Black's best is to abandon the piece with } 10... O-O $18 (10... f6? 11. Bxf6! gxf6 12. Qh5+ Kf8 13. Qf7#)) 10... bxc6 11. Bg5 f6 12. Qh5+ $18 (12. Bxf6! $18) 12... g6 13. Qf3 Rf8 14. Bxf6 d5 15. Rad1 (15. Bxe7! Rxf3 16. Bxd8+ Kxd8 17. gxf3) 15... Qd6 $18 { White is still winning by a mile, but needs to find the way through. } 16. Rxe7+?? $19 { turns the tables... } (16. Bxe7! $18) 16... Qxe7 17. h3? Qxf6 18. Re1+ Be6 { And Black is a whole Rook ahead! } 19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Qe2 Ke7 21. Kh1 Rab8 22. Rf1 Kd7 23. c4 Rfe8 24. Rd1 c6 25. Qe3 Rb7 26. c5 Bg4 27. Qd2 Bxd1 28. Qxd1 Qf4 29. g3 Qxf2 30. Qg4+ Qf5 { Normally it's right to seek piece swaps when you are ahead. } (30... Kc7 { and Black mates. }) 31. Qd1 Rf8 32. Kg2 Qf2+ 33. Kh1 Qf3+ 34. Qxf3 Rxf3 35. h4 Rb2 (35... Rf2! { is faster }) 36. Kg2 Rc3 37. a4 Rbxc2+ 38. Kh3 Ke6 39. a5 Kf5 40. a6 Rxg3+ 41. Kxg3 Rc3+ 42. Kg2 Kg4 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Guillaume - MH 6.1 ???"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/tfZbBBfV"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:25:59"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A28"]
[Opening "English Opening: King's English Variation, Four Knights Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Black shed a pawn in the opening and White looked to have no problems converting the advantage to a win. }
1. c4 { This is a fine opening but you have to be pretty good at half-a-dozen others to play it well! } 1... e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 d6 { This, for example, is an Old Indian Defence } 5. dxe5? $10 (5. d5! $16) 5... dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Nxd8?? { drops a pawn
TACTIC: desertion } 7. Nxe5 Bb4 8. Bd2 Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. a3 Bd6 11. g3 Be6 12. Bg2 Bd7 13. O-O O-O { Scoresheet: "Nc4" } 1-0
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: PS - Guillaume 6.2"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/J8GRlTGx"]
[Result "0-1"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:26:15"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ Sensible opening play by Black tempted White to allow some pawn weaknesses, and in the end they decided the game. }
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4!? { I like this approach for White } 4... e6 (4... Nf6! { is more accurate }) 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2?! { Ooh, rather weedy. Such a fine Bishop needs a better start to their career. } 6... Nf6 7. Qa4+ { With an obvious threat, but after the obvious reply, it's not clear White wants the Queen on this square -- it isn't coordinating with the other pieces. } 7... Nc6 8. a3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 O-O 10. Nf3 Ne4 11. Bd3 { Black can steer for an IQP position from here. } 11... Nxc3 12. bxc3 dxc4 13. Qxc4 { So not an IQP but White's pawns are not great. } 13... g6?! $10 { You should play such a move only if you are forced to. } (13... Bd7!) (13... e5!?) 14. Ne5? Nxe5 15. dxe5 b6 16. O-O Bb7 17. Rad1 Qg5 18. Be4 Rac8 19. Qd3 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Rxc3 { The weak White pawns start to drop. } 21. a4 Rfc8 22. f4? { Weakening } 22... Qe7 23. Qb1 Ra3 24. Qb5 Qc5+ 25. Qxc5 Rxc5 26. Rd4 Ra5 27. g4 R3xa4 28. Rxa4 Rxa4 { With two connected passed pawns for the endgame. } 29. Kg2 Rd4 30. Kf3 Rd8 31. Ra1 a5 32. Rb1 Rb8 33. Ke4 b5 34. f5 exf5+ 35. gxf5 gxf5+ 36. Kxf5 Rb6 37. Rd1 Kg7 38. Rd6? { With a positive idea but it doesn't work, so the Rooks should be retained. } 38... Rxd6 39. exd6 Kf8 { and White cannot make mischief with only the King. } 40. Kf6 Ke8 41. h4 b4 42. h5 b3 43. Kg7 b2 44. Kxh7 Kd7 (44... b1=Q+) 45. h6 b1=Q+ 0-1
[Event "SWWoE Jamboree 2023: Guillaume - OS 6.3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DHABUz8C/gbQn6fRs"]
[Result "1-0"]
[UTCDate "2023.01.20"]
[UTCTime "15:26:32"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "D50"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/DrDaveExeter"]
{ You ignored Black's slips early in the game but found a way to win a pawn and the game. }
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 (3. cxd5) 3... e6 4. Bg5 h6? { Oh dear -- the most natural forcing moves by White lead to a big advantage! } (4... Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 Ne4 { is the main line of Lasker's Defence } (7... b6 { Tartakower Variation. })) 5. Bh4? { White ignores the opportunity. } (5. Bxf6! gxf6 (5... Qxf6? 6. cxd5 $18) 6. cxd5 exd5 7. e3 $16) 5... Be7 { Back on track. } 6. e3 Ne4 { Lasker's Defence, although usually played with a different move order. } 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. Qc2 Nf6?! { Loses time } (8... Nxc3 9. Qxc3 O-O) 9. Nf3 $14 { White is a little ahead in development and has the better Bishop. } 9... Nc6?! { Not bad but coordinates poorly with any attempt to develop the Bishop and Rooks. } (9... O-O 10. Rc1) (9... dxc4!? 10. Bxc4 c5!) 10. Qb3 Qb4 11. c5?! (11. Qxb4 Nxb4 12. Rc1! $16) 11... a6? 12. Qc2 Na5?? { The Black Queen is getting short of squares. } 13. Nd2 (13. Ne5 O-O 14. Nd3 Qc4 15. b3 $18) 13... Nc4? 14. Nxc4?? (14. Bxc4! dxc4 15. a3! { nets the Queen. }) 14... dxc4 15. a3 Qb3 16. Qxb3 cxb3 17. Bc4 O-O (17... Ke7! { is more accurate.
TIP: there is usually no need to hide the King away after an exchange of Queens; keep it centralised and ready to advance }) 18. Bxb3 { White is a pawn up with the better position and can convert without difficulty. } 18... b6 19. cxb6 cxb6 20. O-O (20. Ke2! { is similarly more accurate; there is no need to hide the King away after the exchange of Queens. }) 20... Bb7 21. Na4 b5 22. Nc5 Bc6 23. h3 a5 24. Rfc1 a4 25. Bd1 Rac8 26. Na6 Bd5 27. Nb4 (27. Be2! { is best, with a crushing position. }) 27... Bc4 28. Rc2 Nd5 29. Nxd5 Bxd5 30. Rac1 Rxc2 31. Rxc2 (31. Bxc2! { keeps control of the c-file. } 31... Rc8?? 32. Bh7+) 31... Bb3 32. Rc1 Bxd1 33. Rxd1 Rc8! { Black has improved their position and Rook endgames are among the most drawish. } 34. Rd2 Kf8 35. Kf1 Ke7 36. Ke2 Kd6 37. Kd3 f5? (37... Rc1! 38. Rc2 Rb1! { is more active and more awkward for White }) 38. Rc2 Rxc2?? (38... Rb8 { TIP: If you’re losing, swap off pawns (not pieces) }) 39. Kxc2 Kd5 40. Kd3 g5 41. g4 f4 42. exf4 gxf4 43. h4 e5 44. dxe5 Kxe5 45. f3 Kd5 46. g5 hxg5 47. hxg5 Ke6 48. g6 Kf6 49. Ke4 Kxg6 50. Kxf4 Kf6 1-0
