22 Incoming!

22 Incoming

Happy New Year! To celebrate the start of 2022, I decided to try and challenge myself by playing a game against the 2200 computer. I've never beaten it before, but I decided to try anyway, and maybe by the end of the year, I'll be able to do it.

The Game

I was given the white pieces, and I went for the English with c4. Komodo (the chess engine) would play c6, similar to the Caro-Kann, but with c4, instead of e4. c6 is to fight for the d5 square, which I fight for with Nc3. After Komodo plays d5, we exchange with c pawns, and I play d4, preventing any sort of forward movement.

Komodo would continue by developing both of its knights. I would fianchetto my light-squared bishop, continuing to apply pressure to the d5 square, as long as control the diagonal. This is when Komodo plays Qa5, breaking the principle of not bringing out the queen early. This pins the knight and still defends d5. 

I play e3, opening a square for my other knight. Bd2 was also another possible move, but I wanted to prep to castle short. Komodo then struck out with e5, taking control of the center with two central pawns. I follow by bringing out my knight and casting. Komodo played Bd6 and pushed forward with e4. e4 is annoying because it negates the fianchettoed bishop, which usually is a powerful piece in the English.

I decide to go for an immediate pawn break with f3. After exf3, I took with the bishop and Komodo went with Bh3, hitting my rook and taking advantage of the weak light squares around my king. I slide my rook over to e1. Bringing my bishop back was also an option, but I didn't want to trade off my fianchettoed bishop (I <3 ). 

After Komodo castles, I play Bd2, with the potential to unveil a hidden attack on the queen. This is when Komodo makes a slight mistake with Qb6. It attacks the pawn, but it allows Nxd5, taking a center pawn, and if Qxb2, then I can play Nxf6, damaging black's pawn structure around the king. So, Komodo takes back with the knight and plays Nb4, hitting my bishop, but I can just take the knight with Bxb4. Komodo takes back with his bishop, and hits my rook and continues to eye the b2 pawn.

It is critical to block the bishop with Nc3, since the rook has no other squares. Komodo then tries to trade my bishop, but I slide back to g2 because I <3 and control of the long diagonal. Komodo then plays Rc8, controlling the semi-open file, also threatening Bxc3, gaining a pawn.  I then  play Na4, hitting the queen, and giving me time to slide my rook to f1.