2010-12-16 Patelli-Nowell 1-0

For a couple of years now I have been playing one long game per week at my local club. One hour plus 30 seconds per move. Last night we started a new tournament, and I was paired against the strongest player, a Master who was also my first chess teacher.

In the cirumstances I am pleased that I survived as far as I did without mishap. My mistake on move 12 doesn't qualify as a blunder by my standards; it only loses a pawn immediately. But I think the position is hopeless from then on.

Analyzing afterwards Alessandro confirmed that up to move 12 we still "had everything to play for." He said he was planning Pb2-b4-b5 to attack my weak c pawn. I found 12. ... a5 and he agreed this was "necessary."