First Game Analysis

Please forgive any mistake or grammatical errors.

1. e4 e6   Classic move that controls the center taking hold of the d5 and f5 squares and opening up diagonals for the queen and bishop.  Opponent has the same idea.

2. Nf3 d5   Simple development move. Control the center and prepare to castle kingside.  Opponent make an aggressive move to stake claim in the center attacking the e4 pawn, controlling the c4 square, keeping the a3 to f8 diagonal open (or from being blocked), and opening the d file for his queen.  Black continues to block his light squared bishop from active play. If  3. e4xd5 4. e6xd5, then Black controls the a3 and h3 diagonals and has control over the c4 and e4 squares.  Both players have good chances.

3. d4 d5xe5   White activates his dark squared bishop, opens up the d file for his queen, controls the c5 and e5 squares, and blocks the d5 pawn from advancement.  White sacrifices the e4 pawn for a space developing move and potential play on the queenside.  Black threatens e4xNf3

4. Ng5 Nf6   Saves the Knight, attacks the pawn.  Nf6 is the best move to save the e4 pawn.  Queen d5 fails to Nc3 and f5 weakens the kingside.  My Knight only has h3 for an escape square should recapturing the e4 pawn prove difficult.

5. Be3 h6  Blocks (and continues to weaken) the e4 pawn from advancement and protects the d4 pawn.  Nc3 may have been a better move (though this limits the c pawns advance) then Be3 after Nc6 where the powerful d pawn is protected and white can recapture the e4 pawn (I think).  Opponent refuses to resign.

6. Nh3 Be7  The only safe square.  Opponent prepares to castle.  Black protects his Knight and puts his Bishop on a more active square.  Where else would he put his Bishop?

7. Nd2 Nc6  No explanation necessary (Which in chess books is code for “I don’t feel like it.  Just figure it out dude.”)

8. Bb5 Bd7   Pins the Knight and develops the light square Bishop.  White is able to castle.  Bishop to c2 is eyed.  Opponent refuses to resign.

9. O-O a6   White Castles before move ten (which I’m told is pretty excellent, especially if done consistently).  Fine!  My bishop doesn’t want to be friends with your Knight anyways.

10. Ba4 b5   White is continually forced to move where he wanted to move to in the first place.  Black advances his pawns and gains space on the queenside.

11. Bb3 Na5   The only safe square.  Not that worried if he takes the bishop because it’s not doing that much anyways and he’ll do me the favor of opening up the a or c file.  I can play Rc1 and Qd2 attacks the e4 pawn.  I noticed well into the game that Black is pinned down protecting the e4 pawn.  He’s already up a pawn though.  Perhaps he should just let it go.  Maybe he never saw the movie Frozen.

12. c4 Nxc4  Controls the center and gains space on the Queenside.  I can consider playing Bc2.  If I lose the c4 pawn I still have better play in center.

13. Bxc4 bxc4   Why risk losing two pawns I probably decide.  Plus I have an open c file.

14. Nxc4 Bb5   I lose the attack on e4.  Opponent continues to be difficult.

15. b3 0-0  Bxc4 b3xc4 gives me a lot space on the queenside and control of the b5 to e5 squares.  I am in a better position to use any open files.

16. Re1 Bb4   I am reluctantly forced to make good moves.

17. Re2 Nd5   I am reluctantly forced to make good moves.

18. Rc2 Rc8 My bishop wasn’t doing that much anyways.  I’d much prefer to block the pawn with another pawn. White is playing his strengths.  Black is creating weaknesses.  Why block your rook?  Perhaps better Rb8.  Now that I think about he could try c5.  But I’m going to win the file so don’t bother.

19. Qg4 Nf6   Why must life be so difficult!

20. Qg3 Kh7 Tac-Nevermind.

21. Nf4 Bxc4 I have a Knight over here?!

22. Rxc4 Bd6   I might as well keep the c file open and attack a piece simultaneously.  I can’t really remember what I was planning do exactly around here but I remember thinking that my opponent is really taking the guess work out of all of this.  Why sacrifice a two bishop advantage so that my Rook can be on an excellent square?

23. Qh3 Nd5   Puts my Queen on a safe square from the attacking Bishop.  Allows for tactical play should it come up.  Opponent doesn’t do anything too threatening.

24. Nh5 Nxe3   I’m going to win that pawn back!

25. fxe3 g6   I didn’t want that Bishop anyways.

26. Ng3 Bxg3   Opponent gives up his active Bishop for my lazy Knight.

27. Qxg3 Qd6

28. Qe5 f5   I want that pawn!

29. Ra1c1 QxQe5

30. dxe5 Rf7 The e4 pawn is well protected but Black can’t avoid losing a pawn to Rc6

31. Rc6 Re7

32. Rxa6 c5   I’m not sure what Black’s best move was here.  His rook is pinned down protecting the e6 pawn.

33. Rc4 Rc c7   Blocks the c5 pawn.  Black may have wasted a move because this doesn’t accomplish much.  If Re moves Rxe6

34. Ra5 Red7  Attacks the c5 pawn.

35. Rcxc5 Rxc5

36. Rxc5 Rd1+   Wins a pawn but my position is improving.

37. Kf2 Rd2+

38. Kg3 Rxa2

39. Rc6 Rb2   I lose b2 pawn in favor of the e5 pawn.

40. Rxe6 Rxb3

41. Kf4 Rb2   I’m not worried about losing those pawns because I’m very close to winning.

42. Rd6 Rxg2   Wasn’t worried.

43. e6 Rf2+   Opponent forces me to improve my position.

44. Ke5 Ra2   White threatens checkmate soon.  Black’s last chance is to get a pawn to e1 or f1.

45. Kf6 f4

46. xf4 e3

47. e7 Time

47. e7 e2

48. Rd7 e1Q (Though not the best because I think this may lose if Ra6+   It’s probably best to just go ahead and play e8Q first.)

49. e8Q++