Hi.

I had the opportunity to play GM Alexandra Kosteniuk in a rated OTB game last saturday in a tournament in Kristiansund, Norway. After 4 rounds we both had 2 points and was paired in round 5! I only had 30 minutes to prepare before the round because I was watching Carlsen, Anand, Polgar and Hammer playing rapid in between rounds in my tournament - meaning I didn't prepare at all. Although I don't think it would have mattered anyway.

I'm not providing any analysis for this game. I will only give the moves - so that you all can see and laugh. I played a terrible game - probably because I was awed by the fact I was playing:

1) A GM.

2) The reigning women world champion.

3) Alexandra Kosteniuk.

Next time I play someone like this - if ever, I will not try to reinvent the wheel, but play what I know. In my game I should have gone for the 9... d5 line - which I know fairly well.

Enjoy! :)

Yeah, no shame in losing that one - she played very well to beat you.

You didn't play terribly. That is something impressive to add to your chess resume

Thanks for saying I dindn't play badly, but I feel I made many mistakes - such as just trading down finding myself in a position with few to no defenders left. Nd5 was a move I underestimated, and of course I can't take. But I think maybe 20...Rbe8 was better than the text move.

Also, in the end, ...Kh8 was the final mistake. Kf7 would have left her with at least a chance to let me off the hook. In my calculations I had missed 28.Qc3+ which is an instant killer. I thought 21...e6 - 24... f5 were ok moves when playing. I thought I was hanging in by a thread - but no. :)