Wow, study paid off with a miniature. Nice.
Play at your Potential
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May 16, 2022
0
#3
A very pretty win. I like the Qe4 tactic.
Though, as an occasional Queen's Indian player, I want to tell black (Michael) to consider Bb4+ (the Capablanca variation), rather than Be7.
Bb4+ just gives black an easier time than the Be7 variation, IMO. Then black can trade away his DSB, when needed, and play on the dark squares, with d6+nbd7+c5.
(Also a variation that you might find worthwhile to study from the white perspective, as well.)
Any way, Queen's Indian talk aside, this was excellent prep-work and nicely played. Bravo.
May 16, 2022
0
#4
I admire your memory and study! Obviously over my head, but I probably would have l played 10. Nxd5 and traded Knights, although I don’t know why. Appreciate the lesson and trying to see through the progression…probably going think what a noob I am.
Nice it feels great seeing those years of hard work succeed in the end 
May 26, 2022
0
#7
In the 2012 Collyer, I took my usual third round bye on Saturday night so that I would get enough sleep. Then, I awoke at 2:00 am Sunday morning with an excruciating backache. I decided to play not to lose in round four, spent two hours defending a difficult position against Michael (see first post), and offered a draw when I thought I had equalized. In fact, I thought I could force a repetition (I couldn't). Michael refused the offer and stepped into a mate in three, which I found.
In round five, I was paired against the top player in my city on board two. IM John Donaldson was playing a National Master on board one. I played for quick exchanges, hoping for a draw. After a repetition, my opponent created such a pawn structure imbalance that a draw was out of the question. I thought I was headed towards defeat until contemplating exchanging the last pair of rooks. I calculated the pawn ending deeply and accurately.
Donaldson won his game and took first place. I placed second, winning $250.
Chess is a game (or sport?) of near infinite complexity. What makes it enjoyable and sporting is the continuous learning process. Even crippled old birds in their twilight years can learn new things and find enjoyment from success.
In 2007, I had this position with White.
Twice in 2010, I did not play 8.Qc2 against the same opponent because I did not want to play against that position.
I lost one and drew one. After one of these games, I was discussing the position with a friend who suggested that I prevent my opponent from getting the set-up he wanted.
In 2017, I had a week to prepare for a game against him. Studying master games, I found that playing Qc2 prior to O-O gave the game a different quality. I studied about 50 GM games that had this position.
Black has six viable replies. One of them (7...c5) sometimes leads to a very bad position for Black.
My opponent played the line that gave me a short victory.