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A Tough Draw Against an FM

Last night I played FM John Curdo again and for the second encounter in a row, I earned a draw. This game was a really tough fight for me. I felt that at points I had an advantage and then I would make some inaccurate moves and then in the later stages of the middle game he was able to muster some initiative and I was forced to defend accurately. The endgame was interesting as I had two Knights vs two Bishops. His pawns were stuck on light squares and his King had no entry and therefore I held on for the draw.

Comments


  • 3 years ago

    RobKing

    I disagree about 11. ... b5 being good. Thinking in terms of long term strategy, it permanantly weakens the c6 pawn and he can never really free it from being weak due to the d5 pawn. It also places another pawn on a light square, further restricting his light squared bishop. If he can't find a way to trade that piece, he strategically doesn't have any real winning chances in an endgame. This forces him to try and win the game in the middle game, but the closed position doesn't allow him to use his bishop pair. He needs to open the position to use his bishop pair properly and I dont think b5 was the right way. That's just my opinion though.

  • 3 years ago

    Petrosianic

    11...b5 is interesting and good i think because c2-c4-c5 w/tempo on the bishop is the problem. b/c i don't think black can break this queenside clamp b/c say c4-c5 Bc7 0-0 b6 b4 a5 a3 is possible, the rook is defended.

    I suppose to allow c4 is possible but then to play c5 for black becomes more difficult, then black could maybe respond to c4 w/ ...b6 i guess but in this case white has a freer hand on the queenside. so i think 11...b5 is best, i don't see the qside structure as a real problem.

    13...Rb8 to me is a mistake, why give white the a-file, maybe Qb8 instead. this mistake is a result of white's good preparations for qside play.

    white rerouted his pieces well, and had few problems. nice game.

  • 3 years ago

    RedSoxFan3

    You play with a lot more patience than I do. I hate sitting back to defend. Well played.

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