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Game Analysis: C66: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Hedgehog Variation

This game was played with my new friend.  We played in a turnament and then another game, this one.  I lost the game, but gained a learning opportunity.  Feel free to comment.  I have learned a lot from previous reader comments.

Comments


  • 3 years ago

    hptchess

    Below are the comments I made in the notes area during the game.  Key: MO= my opponent. K= king, N= knight, B= biship, b/c = because.

    71.  I can see no way to win or draw so I am playing to analyze the late moves to see how it may be done better.  Looking for what I don't know I don't know.

    69.  I don't see how to stop the pawns, but I will keep looking 4 a mistake.

    66.  this does not look good.  I can see a way for MO to win.    MO stopped my ability to force his B to move and it now limits my K's movement.  I will take advantage of any mistake made.  I am really looking forward to the computer analysis to see what it would do.

    64.  The idea is to trade my B for 2 pawns and K+B is a draw.

    62.  b7 forces bxp.  maybe I can use that as the pawns advance or maybe 4 forced stalemate.

    59.  I want to force the B to the other end of the board and see if I can keep her there and create two front like MO did to me a few moves ago.

    58.    My idea is to block the B from the best square and get the K back into the battle.

    55. I think I need to move toward the pawns and stop them or stalemate. I could never reach the a or b pawns to help them. 

    54.  I am drawn further away. 

    53.  More poison with the check and he gets to the pawns and I get d4.  The b4 move may go down in history as a blunder.  I overlooked that method of getting in. Just b/c MO is clever does not make him more clever than I.  But I give him credit for not letting me have all the prize.

    52.  I little more poison I did anticipate.  MO is slippery, but there is an point when he runs out of tricks. I think I can force a trade on the a-side and take the d-pawn.  What MO is counting on is that my K will not be able to take d3 and guard the g+h pawns. 

    51. Ba5 critical b/c I need to be on c3 to keep my attack on h7 viable and MO dealing with it, but at the same time I am stopping the pawn and the king protects g4 from the B. What a dance.

    49.  Innovative to break up the deadlock, but I think I am a move ahead in the end. I am taking that pawn.

    48.  Bd4 seems best.  I will find a way to win if it is there.

    47. Around the board in 4 move by the light B.  :)  I need to protect g4 from the same B on the other side of the board now.

    46.  I think I have an advantage with be5 b/c I can go both ways.  MO's K must move 2 squares away from the g&H pawns for me to successfully get through there. 

    45.  I can block the B with K.  I will next move the pawns forward and trade, then use the B to take out the h pawn and win the Q race b/c I an closer and there are no obstacles.

    44.  I an dead if I move by the B b/c it can get to the pawns on the other side b4 my K.  If I attack the g & h pawns when MO moves his king, then I am likely winning.

    40. the K is stuck guarding h6, however it takes me three moves to clear the path so what I give up is the B for 3 moves.  this could be a draw b/c e2 is my weak square that MO can get to my pawn's back.

    37.  I am thinking this is very close and win vs draw is likely one move. I think I can get to a draw.

    36. I need to prevent the pawn check b/c in creates a poor situation 4 me.

    35.  This could be a run out of moves first situation.  I expected g5+ now I have to adjust.  I am getting better and better at end games.  I am routinely getting to this point. I now need to learn this.  If MO goes behind the pawn to the other side this side is given up.  My K can skirt around his pawns and B on the dark squares.

    34. Moving the K up has a lot of potential.  A lot of choices, but if my K can get to e5 a discovered check is possible.  MO will likely not walk ingot it, but where he has to walk, could be use against him.

    29.  well, MO saw 2 connected passed pawns in the trade.  Lets see what can be done to turn them into a solution 4 me.  d6 cannot be defended

    27.  How to attack: the question is.  With no effective attack and about equal, I will trade down toward a draw or win if I see a way.  I am going to go after it.

    26.  Rg3 would pin g7, but it has no sting.  Controlling the e-file is the best strategy.  But, what to do with it?  What next? With the B and R I could pin g7 two ways.  I could trade down, but MO has an extra pawn.

    23.  Bd2 attacks the Q and allows me to get my R into play.  That is better than winning the a7 pawn.

    22.  Yikes.  I just helped MO pin g2. Here, let me force you to play better.  However, we are not going to give up easily.

    21.  One move later and I am reevaluating. MO shifted sides very quickly and I blocked access for myself.  Attacking the Q seems reasonable.  Maybe Kh2 later to protect. I should expect a R in route b/c that is what I would do.  How can I attack it on the way?

    20.  This seems good for me.  I got pawn support for my center pawn and did not give up much to get it.  but MO could use the L move to get the rook over with the queen and my pawn I am proud of is blocking my rook.

    19.  Not sure why Nh4.  My N does not seem a threat... should I let MO make the trade?  If I do it removes a defender from e4 or doubles pawns.  Re1 would replace the lost defender and put more power in the center.  Ne5 seems a better move for MO.

    18.  it seems the isolated pawn has not been a problem for MO.  Re3 then Qc3 seems the best way to deal with the forces aimed at the e-pawn.

    17.   Qc1 seems tempting, but wont work.  e4 is weak.  Why did MO not take it last move- free pawn.Qc2 makes sense b/c it supports e4.

    16.  Bxh6 can be defended by Qf6.  c4 allows my Q a place to go so the R can get to d1 and blocks the c file. 15.  I said I wanted to take out the B, so I am.  This allowed me to get a piece from the other side of the board into defending the K.  MO now only has 2 targeting h4.

    14.  Very interesting.  Why would MO giver up the central N that every chess book says is a very good position?  -saw my N attack coming  -is preparing 4 a KS attack of some kind.  The white B could attack h3.  The h4 square is a spot the N could use.  *what if g3 then h4 to change the structure and prevent Nh4?  Also, how do I get my forces to the KS?  Have I been set up?  There is 3 pieces targeting h4 and this may not be just a fluke.  Putting a pawn there would allow a sac to open the area.  So, I am all the way around again to what move to make.  Ne2 gives up the e4 pawn so I cannot move that N that way.  Re3 could work, but where can the N go-- h2? e5 could break up the center- and also the KS to the Light B.  Here is the plan: Nd5: I want to remove the dark B and if white, OK.  Isolated pawn problem will not be mine either and MO's will still exits.

    13. NxN reconnects MO's pawns. Nd4 gives me a N in the middle also, gives the Q more room and allows f4 to attack the pawn.  Playing h4 opens an attack for the B on the R from h4 and w/ the Q to back it MO could trade B for N and end up with a Q on that side.  There is a KS attack with Bxh6 opening the h file. h4 is open for the Q also.  MO is using the isolated Qp to support his piece in the center.  MO has 2 open files & both can be occupied by Rooks. MO has the Q+B on the d8-h4 diaginal.  C4 is unprotected and MO's N could go there taking the sting from f4.  b3 could keep the N out and prep for c4.  I wonder if the N shuffle is part of the Philidor Defense?  I can expect Re1 and f4 will remove pawn support from e4.  maybe e5... the trade would trade MO's isolated pawn for one of my own.  MO may be planning to rid herself of that isolated pawn and maybe i don't want to help.

    12.  Putting the Q on e7 is risky after MO 0-0.  h3 may be better.  At e2 the Q would stuck in the line of the white B but a supporting move would be needed by pawn or Q.

    11.  that N move to g4 is better than it looked at first.  pawn structure only, i am ahead: only 2 islands and one more.  torn b/t Bd2 flexible & Bf4 attacks the pawn.  many higher level players develop the B less.  I am looking to put the aR on d1.

    10. duh, why not pxp like I anticipated?  :(  did I miss something important?  I am a pawn up, but is it poison?  The Q has a discovered attack on the N.  How will i best develop the B.

    8.  We are taking down the N.  Down Dude!  It should lead to winning e5

    7.  Why Re1 and not develop the dark B?  It supports e4 if the N needs to move.      http://www.chess.com/explorer/index.html?id=73376&ply=9&black=0

    5.  http://www.chess.com/explorer/index.html?id=73376&ply=9&black=0 Nc3 seems solid.

    4. http://www.chess.com/explorer/index.html?id=16355&ply=7&black=0  Nc6 was off the beaten path quite a way.

    3.  MO is using Philidor Defense.

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