The Caro Kann defence/ Queens gambit
Hi (privet student),
I have reviewed your recent live chess games. Your opening game-play and understanding is getting better by the day. At all of your games this week, the opening stage of the game has bean your stronger point. At the game againstNightmare1793, your opponent responded to the Caro-Khan with 3.Nc3
3..Nf6- better is 3..dxe4 4.Nxe4 5.Bf5, Ng3
3 6.Bf6. Note the way your bishop developed just like in the normal caro-khan lines. When your opponent didn't push e5 he allowed you to capture the e pawn and get to the current position. White will fined himself under a lot of pressure on the open d file!
5..Nb6- better is 5..e6 supporting d5 just as well as Nb6. In addition allows you play c5! next, do to the dark collared Bishop support.
7..h6? Is very passive and isn't necessary. You can meet Ng5 with e6 easily. Note- Your opponent can't attack effectively without having more attackers then your defenders.
11..Nc4! nice move. Gives you a adv. on the Queen side and helps you castle 0-0-0
16.Qd8- is a ok move. Better was Qd7 and 0-0-0
20..g5- Your first blunder. After 21.Be3,Bg7 22.f4! White is a lot better. Black has to many dark holes and week pressure points.
24..Rc8- Hangs a rook. Your only move is Be7 controlling the f6 square.After this point white has a decisive advantage.
The opening stage of the game had a few mistakes, leading to a worse middle game. The move e6 should be considered more often. Moving the same piece in the opening 3 times is generally not a good idea.
The middle game stage-
First part: was nicely played a few deep positional moves by you. 11..Nc4! is a example.
Second part: A few mistakes were made. 20..g5 is a example.
Points to note-
1)Castle earlier
2)Don't leave dark holes if possible.
3)h6? should be your last candidate move
4)Seek for counter-play (11..nc4!) nicely done
At your game against Mikeshaw you performed at a relatively high tactical level! It really shows your tactical potential.
Already on move two your opponent made a inaccuracy. The Accuracy was a positional inaccuracy which allows white again full control on the centre. 2..d5 white should play 3.cxd5 IF-3..Qxd5 4.Nc3, Qd6 5.e4 IF-3..Nxd5 4.e4,Nf6 5.Nc3
Your opening moves were impressive. 8.a4! is a great positional move in this case. prevents your Bishop getting hit by b5 (after 8.Bxc4, b5). In addition it allows you target blacks c pawn easily. a4 prevents black from striking on the queen side. Black would ideally like to force a exchange of his week c pawn. a4 prevents that, and forces a static queen side pawn structure on blacks side.
10.Qc2- There is a better placement for the Queen, on e2. Helping the light collared bishop control the b5 square,stopping blacks only counter play, on the Queen side.
12.Be2- Is a good move. Play could have also continued- 12.axb5,cxb5 13.Bd3 . Not 13.Bxb5, Bxc3 14.Qxc3, Bxb5.
15.Rd3- White should play 15.e4 with a good position. 15..Nf6 16.Rc1,Bxc3 17.Bxc3,b4 18.Bb2 Note black has a Queen side advantage, in terms of space and control. White has Central control and pressure on c6.
16.Ne5- is a good move. However you need to consider moving your which is under pressure. In addition white needs to try preventing the c5 push. Both goals are achieved by playing 16.Ne4
17.Na2- is very passive. 17.Ne4 is good for you
20.Bxa6- Nice alertness on your side! well done.
22.Qc2- good move! you are in the zone :)
25.Qd3- Only move! nice tactical calculations by you. If-25..Rxa2 26.Qxa3,Rxa3 27.Rxa3
26.Qc2?- Asking for a draw by repetition. 26..Rb2 27.Qd3,Rd3 28.Qc2 . Though your opponent was under time trouble and you knew you are going to win anyhow!
27.Nxb4- Is your only move, good job.
29.Bc4- A strong calculation line is-29.Nxc6! If 29..Rxb1 30.Rxb1,Qa5 31.Bd3,Bxc6 32.Qxc6 is the end of the tactical line. If after 29.Nxc6- 29..Bxc6 then- 30. Rxb3, axb3 31.Qxc6 . Not 30.Qxc6?(hangs a rook), Rxb1 31.Rxb1,Qxb1+ 32.Bf1, a3.
Game Tips:
The game isn't over until the # , this game is a great example of that.
Try castling as soon as possible.
When up a piece try forcing a Queen trade, once the queens are off the board being up a minor piece is a decisive advantage. In this case exchanging queens forced you to give back some material.
Before playing a move with check, make sure there is no way your opponent can use it against you.
When your opponent is striking at the centre with pawns make sure to place your minor pieces in squares which do not give your opponent the privilege of gaining a tempo on them.
When a player is winning a game, but then the tables turn around, it is a lot harder to keep on playing good chess. You showed great discipline and that itself shows your potential.
Your endgame game play was sharp and accurate way to go!
I hope this will prove useful in your development as a chess player.
