Analysing My Own Games: Destroying your Opponent's Centre
Open or closed? I'm not talking about one's personality but rather critical decisions we face in deciding the type of pawn centre.
First of all this blog is part of a concerted effort by me to analyse my own game, without the use of a computer.
This is the hardest part of chess study for me, as it's difficult to aim for self reflection. Regardless of the result, it is important to be objective and for me to look for improvements for both sides.
I played the White side of a French Tarrasch where a seemingly harmless pawn move allowed me to seize the advantage. I am generally satisfied with my play in this game, though will seek to find improvements on both side.
Training Exercise from My Game
Black has just played 9. ... f5.
What is White's best continuation?
Destroying a Closed Centre: Attacking a Pawn Chain
In the above position, with his King stuck in the middle, my opponent decided to close the centre with 13. ... c4.
I assessed that the most important feature of the position is his King stuck in the middle. Hence I want to open lines to his King.
I attack his centre with 14. b3 b5 15. a4 to obtain the above position.
This idea is intuitive if one is familiar with a plan for Black in the Queen's Gambit Declined where White plays an early c5.
In the above position, Black destroys White's centre with ... b6 and ... a5.
Training Question
Can you find a way for White to win a piece?
Game Analysis and Annotations
