Thanks for the insight.
I've heard of that opposite bishops before. It's always interesting to find out other peoples views, especially as I don't know the difference between openings. I just play my way, many times i'll get trounced, but can also achieve a few come-from-behind victories. Perhaps I SHOULD do some more reading up on the prefered openings, it can only improve my game.
Cheers, DM
When is the gentlemanly time to conceed a match? A pawn down? A piece down? I have NEVER read a book on chess. I play on-line and at a friend's house. I went to his club once and beat the club captain, but lost to the weakest player and a 12 yr old, let's say it put me off. I prefer it here, annonymous, my troops versus yours, and a battlefield that is like my backyard, I know it well.
I recently had this match against a player that clearly knew his stuff early on. Other websites have suggested that my opening is called the "Chigorin Variation", d4 then Nc3 and his response was one I hadn't seen before (I've been playing this opening for over 3 years, non-stop, i've seen plenty of answers come my way, but not this!)
8....Bxf5. Happy with that exchange Hope to push on doen the middle.
11. d5. Achieved. He then castles, right where I want him to, I think...
16. Be3. Wrong move? perhaps Bd3?
17. Bxb6. It's done it's job. Knight could have been deadly. (Need to clear QK pin)
25. Ne2. Wrong? d7 better?
28...Qf8? Where is he going? Exchange rooks for 2 pawns up?
33.Qxc5. Got to really, Qxe5 would have been suicide. Little did I realize we weren't even half way through. My first thoughts of conceeding were starting to creep in.
39...Bc7? Surprised me hence 40. d6
41...Rd4. Time to resign? Pawn down, but in a fair position.
49...g5? I think there is better....somewhere. Bh4?
52. Bh5. Protection so K can hunt pawns. Still a pawn down.
54. Kxc5. In 2 moves, suddenly a pawn up!
54...g4? 2 pawns up!!
60. Bc2. I should win this.
71. Bh5, He cant d1=Q? Oh, he has. Just need to finish him off now.
76. Kd5. That has realistically done it.
http://www.chess.com/livechess/analysis.html?id=15502668
A game where I considered resigning a few times but, generally i'll play on when only a pawn down....you never know.