In this continuation of the “Climbing the Rating Ladder” series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 15+10 game against a player rated 1424 on Chess.com. Playing the Hyper Accelerated Dragon (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6), my opponent calls an audible on the immediate 3.d4 and prefers the delayed Alapin approach, 3.c3. Reacting quickly in anticipation of White’s e4+d4 pawn duo, I stake a claim to the center and break up the enemy pawns with 3…Bg7 4.d4 cxd5 5.cxd4 d5. The staggered pawn structure resembles a French in some ways, and in navigating my knight to f5, White is inclined to part with their bishop pair. White is a bit slow to get their king to safety, and I soon take measures to try and exploit the light squares and White’s marooned king in the center.
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