FRIDAY:
I’ve lost my last 5 games of chess and familiar doubts about my
chosen hobby are pressing. I could park my grade and retire to publishing and
coaching, but that’s not an admirable way to behave. Besides, having lost my
last 5 games, my grade wouldn’t be quite as wonderful at the end of the season,
so, time to shape up!
Click on […] to see games list.
1 {Black was unlucky to play a line I had
recently reviewed, and conceded a pawn. Despite some oversights by White in
analysis, it was actually Black who came up with a blunder.}
2 {I’m not sure whether to be pleased at how long I lasted against the top-rated player or disappointed that
I never felt as though I had anything positive to contribute during the game.
I was unhappy with my opening play during the game, but that may have been OK.
Odessky titled his chapter on this line as Tears fall, and maybe that’s all
there is to it: Black cannot create difficulties for White in this variation.}
3 {A bit of a grind. I have been playing this line for so long, you would have
thought I could find the right way through when I get a chance, but just as
against Alan Brusey in January, I make another pig’s ear out of Botvinnik’s
silk purse. Black doesn’t seize his moment, though, preferring to play simple,
uncommittal moves, which leads to his downfall. I didn’t find the clearest
win, and in pushing for a Bishop endgame could have thrown it away.}
4 {Some rather vague opening ideas were crowned by an absolute lemon on move 12,
after which Black’s position could be resigned without shame. I played on,
more out of inertia than anything else, when I caught a glimpse of an
opposite-coloured Bishop ending in the distance… and White was good enough
to steer for it.}
5 {I got a position of a type I have often played with colours reversed, and
with an extra tempo arrived at a winning position quite quickly. There seemed
to be very many a slip between plus and win, though.}
In the end, this was my best-ever performance in grading terms
(197), even better than Paignton last year (195). (Just in case you get too
impressed, my worst-ever was the East Devon in 2005, when I managed 00001 for
a 114 performance.