Facing a talented 1821 in this 15+15 game, I go for a "center fork trick" in the Pirc Defense to break up my opponent's center. Although I feel optimistic, my opponent surprises and impresses me with two sharp decisions: 8.Bxc7 (a move I underestimated), and, later, 14.Nd5 (tricky, and another move I underestimated!). An instructive battle ensues. Review this game on … [Read more...] about Fearless 1800 poses Difficult Decisions | Standard Chess #299
John Bartholomew
Attacking a Stranded King in the Center | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1424
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 … [Read more...] about Attacking a Stranded King in the Center | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1424
Massive Complications vs. Higher-Rated | Standard Chess #298
Facing a 2362 lichess Classical opponent, I head for a quirky variation against the Neo-Grunfeld that is a favorite of Bosnian Grandmaster Predrag Nikolić (7.Na3!?). In the initial phases of the game both players suffer from sub-optimally placed minor pieces, but I'm able to grab space with my pawns and bring the game to a low boil as time begins to dwindle. At a critical … [Read more...] about Massive Complications vs. Higher-Rated | Standard Chess #298
In-vesting a Pawn against the Caro-Kann | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1253
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 20+0 game against a player rated 1253 on Chess.com. Playing the Advance Variation against the Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5), my opponent … [Read more...] about In-vesting a Pawn against the Caro-Kann | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1253
Managing the Clock in a Peculiar Sicilian | Standard Chess #297
In a faster Standard game (10+2), I face an unusual line of the Sicilian, 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4!? cxd4 4.Qxd4 a6 and now the queenside fianchetto 5.b3!?. My opponent seemed familiar with this line, so I tried to relatively quickly and solidly without going out of my way to force matters. A critical moment arises in the middlegame where I spend two minutes calculating a key … [Read more...] about Managing the Clock in a Peculiar Sicilian | Standard Chess #297
