Bulldog Chess with Witch (JohnHS - vickalan)

Thanks Ry. This game was just about a year ago. No fun when your position is better, then you do something inaccurate and it goes into a downward spiral.

It's interesting that Martin0 offered his analysis (post 100) but then didn't say anything after my opinion about position at 23. So I guess that was my main blunder. Or Martin didn't have time.

It got late for me today. I'll post updates for games I'm moding, but will play my games tomorrow.

At first I did not have time and then I forgot about it.

Anyway, rather than pointing out about exact blunders I wanted to emphasize the importance of castling. Moving the j-rook early removes the option to castle queenside and in the middlegame castling kingside should have been prioritized. There were many possible ways, like for example

16...Bg5 followed by Gc7 and 0-0

16...Gc7 followed by Gc6, Bc7 and 0-0

19...Be5 followed by Gc7 and 0-0

As the game went, I saw no sign of black even trying to get castled. Also, putting your queen on the same file as your king tends to be very risky.

Thanks Martin. I've got to keep that mind. Obviously castling uses a ply, but it seems like castling is very often worth the time. It may not appear to pay-off right away, but almost always it gives you invaluable protection for later (which can be worth many plies - at least half a pawn and probably more).

vick, any chance of a rematch anytime soon?

Thanks JohnHS. I'd like to play but a little too busy right now. I'll make plans to play you at the first chance I get when I'm less busy (currently moding 6 games, and playing 2 games of infinite). It might be several weeks.

Also due to Thanksgiving, I got even more behind today. Will mod, but not play my games.

Sounds good!