I still don’t understand why anyone plays the Exchange, except that I
keep getting worse positions against it! Giles has been working on his
chess and is now a serious danger to anyone… I was lucky to find the
cheapo on move 32.
Another much-improved player, Oliver had embarrassed me by winning with
the French Exchange in a previous event, so I was out for revenge. On
the day, he stranded a piece and it was easy enough.
I’m sure I could have defended better but I was set problems throughout
that were beyond my powers of anticipation or solution.
An interesting encounter! I won a piece but Theo made it as awkward as
he could for me… I guess it was fitting that our only OTB encounter
ends in a draw. Next time, I don’t think I will be so lucky!
I have the same experience as I do playing against the French Exchange;
I have no respect for my opponent’s opening system, but he takes his
task seriously, creates problems, takes his chances, and shows how
simple it is to beat me with the right approach.