2025 Daily Chess Championship - a shaky start

After deciding to try openings outside my normal repertoire, I realised why I stick to a few familiar openings. And having prepped for a couple of variations in the Caro-Kann and the London, I remember why I am more comfortable in the French and Queen’s Gambit.

Nine of my 11 opponents have started, meaning that I had 18 games on the go. I have had a couple of London’s, an Italian, the English and a King’s Gambit as white, as well as facing a Sicilian, (my least favourite opening to face as there are so many lines). As Black I have tried the Pirc, the Caro-Kann as well as falling back on my reliable (read over played) King’s Indian Defence and French.

After a day my attempt at a fried liver attack was undercooked, meaning I dropped a knight early on for little compensation, then my opponents active light squared bishop dominated, before picking up a second knight, which meant my fighting on was futile.

Looking through my review with the Caro-Kann, I managed to play the book moves against what I now know is an accelerated Panov attack for 10 moves. I kept an equal position for another four moves, then, seeing my chance to equalise material, walked into a fork, losing a rook for a pawn, and forgetting a had 24 hours to decide on my response, blundered my Queen.  

But, as my aim is to become familiar with a range of openings, this has been a success.

So at the end of day one I was 4 up (all defaults), 2 down, and now have heard of the Panov, and on future may remember the correct defence.

(PS, still haven’t worked out how to download and share the PGN… might have to work that out soon!)