Live Game 7-29-08

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neildudely

This is my first time making a board on a post so i must have messed up.  The board stops once you get to move 9 but if you click on move 9 in the Move List then it will progress through the rest of the game.

 

I played black in this match and eventually won by checkmate but I was really inefficient in getting it.  Any thoughts or ideas on how I could have played this game more smoothly would be much appreciated.

anaxagoras

Your first mistake is Nc6.  The whole idea of 1...d5 as Black is to eventually break in the center with ...c5, and your move blocks the c-pawn.

4...e6 should be 4...e5.  White has played meekly so far and you are lucky to have the chance to challenge the center.

6...Ne7 wastes a move.  Consider 0-0 or e5.

7...c6 doesn't hurt, but 0-0 or c5 would be better.

9...Qc7?? loses a piece for two pawns after white's e5.  You must contest the center here with 9...e5

The opening is a fight for control of the center.  When you're playing Black and respond to 1 d4 with 1...d5, your primary objective is the freeing maneuver c5 or e5; if white gives you the chance to make one of these moves sooner than later, take it.