Hi all,

I recently joined a chess club and was quite terrified when called up to play my first ever competitive match, barely two weeks after joining. Still, it was quite an experience, especially being the first time I'd ever used a chess clock. The game went as follows:

I would very much appreciate comments as to how the game could have been played better from either party

Many thanks 

Redspecial

First of all, 10. Qg4 does not equalize material after 10 ... dxc4 11. Qxg7 Bf6 and the Knight on d4 hangs.

12. Nde2 was a huge mistake.  White is undeveloping quite nicely, though.

I do not like 13. ... d4.  You make the e-pawn a little too weak.  However, it does open the f-file for you.

20. ... Bxg5 21. Nd6 Bf4 (If 22. Nxf5, Bxg3 and you remain a piece up) winning two minor pieces for a rook - which is good for you.  Your bishop on e7 is weak compared to his bishop on g5.

Notice that with 22. Rxd4, you can play 22. ... Rxc2 with an attack on b2 and more pressure on f2.

22. ... d3! seems much stronger, as you force white into submission trying to subdue the threatening pawn.  Black cannot attack the pawn with the bishop, and so the only way he can try to win material is via Nf2 (Nc5 is guarded by hour rook).

Anyway, well played and good analysis.

17.Nf6+

and a comment: Black NEVER plays the Nxe4 trick in the sicilian. Just don't do it :)

A very nice first OTB game !

Welcome to the real thing

Very nice. 

7. a3 is simple and not uncommon in the sicilian lines (i have found), if you play b5 then his Bishop has an escape square on a2.  I don't see a way for him to capitalize on g7 being undefended in that current position.  Ne2 seems like a mistake to me, and I thought you should have played Ne5 earlier like right when he moved his Queen and if he tries tactics with Bh6 then Ng6 blocks the Queens influence on g7.  c3 seems bad after Nxc3 white is as put before white is "undeveloping nicely."  I don't agree that Be3 would have been better because after Nxe3 you have a Bishop v Knight in a very OPEN board with Whites Knight doing absolutely nothing on c3, however it doesn't leave the Bishop hanging.  His Knight should have never left the game lol just chilling on c3.  

Pretty nice for your first OTB game, "I remember my first beer!" 

and shuttlechess92--->17. Nf6+ does not work with both the Bishop and Rook defending f6 unless I am missing some GRANDMASTER tactics.

AGREED REB,

well hang on Shuttlechess92 has a "coaches profile" maybe he knows something you don't, seeing as his live rating is 2570 LOL!!

or Bxf6 take your pick.

STILL LAUGHING!!

I must admit, 17. Nf6+ looked like a blunder to me. The Nxe4 tactical exchange is an interesting one. Shuttlechess92, could you expand on your reasoning for not playing it? I must admit, I didn't like the look of it when I replayed it on my board at home

I didn't see Bxf6 (for the record REB, your move Rxf6 loses on the spot to Qxg7#)

Nxe4 is not played in the sicilian because black often makes many pawn moves in the opening (instead of pieces). Especially in the najdorf, where black makes the pawn moves e6, d6, c5, a6, (and maybe b5) when only the f6 knight is out!

thus taking on e4 so early in the game means that after the combo, black will have about 0 pieces in the action... while white would be left with probably 1 knight, 1 bishop, and 1 queen. Of course this would be dominating for white.

oh btw, thanks for the trash talk guys. We chess players are all pretty mature.

for the record SHUTTLECHESS92 YOUR AN IDIOT AND WRONG AGAIN! Rxf6 DOES NOT LOSE ON THE SPOT TO Qxg7 - A SIMPLE KING TAKES QUEEN WINNING A QUEEN FOR BLACK AND MOST LIKELY THE GAME RETARD. YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW YOUR STUFF AND YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A COACH? WHY DONT YOU HAVE A USCF RATING?

I am completely unqualified to comment on the sicilian but very nice for your first competitive OTB game, much better than mine! Good job of remembering you thoughts throughout the game.

Wow, this has been quite a lively thread, I can't wait to play my second OTB competitive game!

Reb, MrDurdan and Shuttlechess92, I've really appreciated your inputs. I'm sure you'll agree Shuttlechess that on reflection, Nf6 is probably wrong. However I do take on board that Nxe4 may leave black lagging behind in development. Part of me is just drawn to these tactical exchanges though!

Hi Nick, thanks for your comments. To be honest, I replayed the game on my board at home the next evening and it all came flooding back to me. That's nerves for you!

The HAMMER!!

There is nothing wrong with Nxe4, if Qg4 a simple g6 and if White tries to save a piece (ie: the Bishop) with Bd2 then f5.  (this does ruin Blacks Kingside pawn structure but White has used up a lot of tempo and will have no center)