Playing the English against the English

A Near Perfect Game

One of the best ways to judge the way a game has been played is to run an analysis on it with a computer. There are several different kinds of chess engines, although one of the main engines is stockfish. Of course, using engines during a game is considered cheating, but engines are extremely helpful for after analysis. Game accuracy gives a percentage out of 100 of how close a player was to the moves suggested by the algorithm of a computer. In a recent game, I was able to get a game accuracy of 99.7%, which is one of my highest accuracy ever achieved.

The Game

In this game, I was playing a 1440 from the United Kingdom with white. I began with c4, the English, which black responded with the Reverse Sicilian or e5. Then, I played Nc3, which is often what is usually played after c4. Black decided to play Nc6, which created a closed reversed sicilian. I personally think that this is a bit weaker than playing Nf6, which fights for white squares in the center, which is often what white tries to control in the English.

I then played g3 to prepare to fianchetto my bishop, similar to the Carls-Bremen system, although, this system is played after Nf6, rather than after Nc6. Black would respond to g3 with Nf6, finally taking control of the light squares in the center and bring both knights into the game.

I play Bg2 to take control of the long white square diagonal and support dominant control in the center indirectly. Black responds with Bc5, which targets the weak square on f2 and try to take control of the critical square on d4.

I responded with e3, to take block off the vision of the dark squared bishop and prep d4 to solidify control in the center, as well as open e2 for my knight. Here, my opponent played the first move out of theory with Na5, which is generally a weak move. Na5 is a one attack on the hanging c4 pawn. However, it allows ideas of forking the knight and bishop as well as make the knight passive. 

I respond with b3, protecting c4 and blocking off any infiltration by the knight. Black responds with Bb4, to perhaps apply pressure to the knight on c3, but it also places the bishop in a passive position and creates a target.

I develop my knight with Kge2, supporting my other knight and placing even more support for eventual d4, as well as prepare to castle. Black plays d6, supporting the pawn on e5 and opening the diagonal for his light squared bishop.

I castle short to get my king out of the center of the board and into safety. Here, my opponent aborted the game.

Conclusion

The final evaluation of this game was +1.46. Not a single pawn or piece was taken, but I still had an advantage. This is because of how passively he placed his bishop and knight on the queenside with no real threat. This shows just how important it is to stick to fundamentals and develop your pieces before trying aggressive play.

What are your opinions on this game?