I'm a novice who is currently studying the French Defense. Need Tips!
Need Help Improving my Game: Game Analysis
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e4 e6 d4 d5 e5 c5 knf3 Qb6 b3 knc6 is a popular line black waits for the f1 bishop to deploy before cxd weakening the pawn centre white has made and can gain a tempo by this route
7...cxd4 probably winding up with a double IQP game looks solid, as I think black can pressure d4 a little better than white can d5.
I really don't believe 19...Re8? works. Something simple like 21. Nf3, 22. Nf3 (two best options), 21. g3, 22. Bb2, 22. Nf1 among other options would have just left you a piece down. Hoping your opponent doesn't see a mate is not the way to play good chess. 19...Ne7 was correct.
Guys I play black.
Nice finish. General comments...
1) Use a database to improve your opening play. Perfectly legal in correspondence chess, and can help you develop your repertoire. i happen to like the free online database at shredderchess.com, but make sure you do not use the endgame tablebase during a game. It is great reference and practice, but is illegal to use during a game because it is strictly computer analysis.
2) Take a bit more time to consider your opponents threats. Every time your opponent makes a move, stop and ask yourself "what would he do if he could move again?" This will help you begin to see threats that are less direct, and could have saved you from dropping your knight.
3) Use the tactics trainer on this site, or even better get a book like 303 Tactical Chess Puzzles (or anything similar) and repeatedly go through tthe exercizes to make those basic tactics instinctive.
4) An underrated little book that may or may not be in print is "Teach yourself Better Chess". One page lessons that build in complexity. Similarly you could try Pandolfinis Weapons of Chess or Silman's excellent 'Complete Book of Chess Strategy." Note here, a lot of online reviews are not very kind to Pandolfini, which I think is unfair. His books are clearly not for the advanced player, but he does a really nice job of explaining important fundamental concepts, such as his really boring but really valuable Endgame Course, Silman's Complete Endgame Course is a big step up, and Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is my favorite, but is heavy and a lot of it is over my head.
Hope this helps, and again...nice finish.
Guys I forgot to mention I play black not white.
markgravitygood wrote:
Quickly:
5...Qb6 is not great. You can exchange pawns in the center and saddle white with an isolani.
7.a4 - yuk. 7.Qe2+ and exchange on c5 is good for White.
10...Bxf3 - I might have brought the B back to e6 and support the d5-pawn.
13. Re1 - Nd2/a3 makes more sense. He needs to connect his rooks.
14...Bd6! is better.
15...Bf8!? is safer now.
19.b5 - Nf3 is better. Get his pieces out.
19...Re8? - Mistake you got away with.
21...Re1+ 22.Nf1 Qxb1 is asking. White would still be much better.
22.Qg5?? - Guh. Tunnelvision. 22.Nf3 stops all of blacks real threats.
Two words of advice:
1) Don't play the French.
2) When in doubt, see #1.
:)
Then what is a black e4 opening more suited for my level?
I predict 5...dxe4 6.Bxe4 Nf6 is a lot better than 5.Qb6
Notice that if white decides to move his bishop with 7.Bd3 for example he is moving the same piece again instead of developing a new piece like you just did with 6...Nf6
I think almost everyone tries to develop quickly but not as many
people try to make there opponents move the same piece.
Don't be scared to critique! I'm just looking for advice to help improve my game. Thanks!