18 year old Scotch

Like many other chessplayers all over the world I try to compensate the lack of real tournaments with on-line games. But of course it is not the same. Fortunately we can spend our additional time for self-preparation.

Last week, I was asked to make a short-review lection on my pet-opening "French Defence". And while I was looking through my blanks with appropriate games, accidentally I found one, that I really forgot about for long 18-years. It was not in French. That game was played with white pieces.

It happened in 2002 in Pardubice, on the world known chess festival "CZECH OPEN". And this game is very memorable for me not only for that it was my first ever international tournament. But for that, it was my first game, when I outplayed more experienced and higher-rated opponent, due to my home preparation.

2002 was still a time, when I didn't have any effective computer programmes, so all my opening preparation was based on books, magazines and advice of my ex-coach M.Liflyandchik, who was a profound e4-player.