Who needs a Queen anyway!

Here is a blitz game I played recently, I'll admit I wasn't that solid in the opening, but in my defence I've never even seen the 2)...Qc7 variation of the Caro-Kann so I played it ad lib. In any case, a poor opening led me to a poor position, but as you will see from the game below, who needs a Queen anyway!

I'd appreciate any comments you may have about the game (except from you, Luke), enjoy!

Maksim you seem to constantly trying to move games in the direction of a structure similar to kings indian attack. i think this is flaw in your strategy and in this game led to you losing a queen. Other than that can you explain to me why 15. rxe5 was a bad move

oh sorry you got it in the end, i started writing at 15.

i think the morale of this game is that you don't need a queen if you're playing a sub par player.

OK, that's a weird opening and a good game. But, why didn't Black play 23... Kf6? I think it was a better continuation. Also, 22... Kxf5 would probably cause bigger problems to Black, since this way he traded your Bishop for his Knight, and if Capablanca can be trusted, a Knight's value decreases with the number of the pieces on the board. If it wasn't for the trade, both Rooks would be weaker, and the Knights would be stronger, but being up a Bishop is better than being up a Knight anyway, especially when one is up a Knight with less pieces on the board (I counted 16, which is half the original number). Still it depends on the situation though.

You are absolutely right about 23...Kf6, although perhaps after the exchange sacrifice 24. Rxd5 there is a way to force a check and uncovered attack on the Queen winning the Queen?

I immediately dismissed 22...Kxf5 (as my opponent also must have done) as it loses the Queen after 24.Ne3+, however, after 24...Kxg5, 25.Bxa6 bxa6 white may come out a pawn up with the knight exchange but will have drastically reduced his lead. So 22...Kxf5 may well have been a stronger continuation for black (or, more appropriately 22...Kxf5?!)

Nice game, I feel black let you come on to him a bit too much after you sacrificed your queen, he probably should have made use of his extra material better. However, you kept your momentum going well so overall I think the sacrifice was a well-considered move.

The sacrifice makes more sense now that I see it was a blitz game.

Thanks Adam! Join the Alleyn's group by the way... I must say, though, that it was more damage control than a sacrifice!

Very entertaining game. :)

nice maks you do like to sacrifice your major pieces dont u! btw i was scouted to play for my school team at chess for the seniors!!!! lol

Blitz games are always weird!