Create weakness

This was my little game against Stephen Coe, Chichester Chess Club, Portsmouth and District Chess League, Division 2, 27th October 2025

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Just a few notes on this or that move:-

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8. ... d5. I liked his pawn here limiting his light squared bishop. The computer wants me to take it.

13. Nb5. I can win the d4 pawn back anyway, it's doubled and this Knight has better prospects.

14. ... The computer likes Nxe5 over Rb8. I didn't see this at the board. Complicated.

15. Nxb7. Light squared bishop dominance achieved.

17. Qc2. Potentially a risky move on my part. I caculated it was okay. Nb4, if ever possible, would likely be very bad for me. If he can ever get it in.

17. ... Qb8. He is trying to get in Rfc8 (seems reasonable). Computer likes Ng6 (I didn't see that, and I really wouldn't have liked it - it knows my plan).

18. e6! I love this move. So disruptive. I saw it and couldn't resist. It is best apparently too. The black king will be weakened whatever is opted for.

18. ... fxe6. A very weak backwards pawn and g5 is ripe.

19. ... d3. Copycat!

24. h4 immediately after playing this I saw another move I thought I should have played instead. According to the computer, it works next move and not on move 24 - so delay in my favour.

25. Bg8! I get it in. A brilliant move even if I say so myself. Game #

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After the game Steven immediately discussed 17. ... Qb8 with me - said it was too slow. I think he was right.