Hello Jim
There are many ways of analysing a game and different people may end up
learning different things, not necessarily the ones that the annotator intends
you to learn. The principle point of the current game is to show how to grind
down a passive but otherwise solid position. The previous two games I submitted
had an accent on attacking anf tactical play.
Generally I would suggest having two boards - holding a position on a chess
program counts as one board if you wish. Follow the game through move-by-move
on both boards until you come to a note, Usually the note will either be a
positional assessment or a set of variations that could be of any length. Play
through the variations on one board and when done, reset the position using the
second board. Of course even while.going through the main moves when there are
no notes your mind may flag something up. Again check lines on one board while
holding the game position on another.
How do you know if you analysis is accurate? A very good question. Making a
note of it and comparing it with a chess-playing program is one. You may find
that you have anticipated the annotator and that your analysis appears later.
Simply asking another player for their thoughts and opinions is another that we
definitely recommend. You don't have to do it on the group if you don't want to.
Incidentally expert analysis is not always correct or enlightening. I posted an
adapted version of the game Fischer-Schweber, Buenos Aires 1970 on this site a
few years ago. Most of the original was computer-generated analysis with little
regard to explaining what was really going. Finally there was one routine move
that earned a double exclamation point, a load of praise fror Fischer, and no
explalnation at all of why the move was good. In 1987 i played, won and
annotated a game against GM (then an IM) Keith Arkell where I wrote that the
critical point was at move 19. In fact when I subsequently ran the game through
a strong computer program some twenty years later the computer.spotted an
improvement in my notes at move 20 whith a backward recapture that neither
Arkell or I had seen. The upshot was that Arkell's fatal error was actually on
move 16. This sort of re-evaluation is meat and drink to strong chess-players
but instructive for anyone. A game Tal-Larsen from 1965 was the subject of
intense debate in the international chess press for over a year with
conflicting opinions and they didn't have computers!
Finally analysis is one thing. There is also judgement of the positions that
arise from given variations. For example in Purry-Mordue one of the key points
from move 27 onwards is ... how useful is the Black Rook that is apparently
trapped on the a2 square?.It can't safely go anywhere but it still has a
significant influence on the game, yet some players would be reluctant to get a
piece trapped this way.
Hope this helps. Please feel free to post more questions. You're asking good
ones!
Regards,
Tyson
On 03 March 2018 at 21:22 Jim Homme <jhomme1028@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi All,
If I have never analyzed a chess game before, what is the first thing or two I
can do to start learning how? Related to this, if I am not a good player, how
do I know if my analysis is att all accurate?
Thanks.
Jim
On Mar 2, 2018, at 2:55 PM, mordue andrew (Redacted sender "tyson.mordue" for
DMARC) < dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ;> wrote:
Hello all.
In contrast to the last two violent attacking games here is something quiet,
positional, instructive and, hopefully, easy to understand. Let me know
otherwise ...
Regards,
Tyson
Text begins:
PURRY,C - MORDUE,A T
BRISTOL OPEN (Round 2), 22.08.2016
The only previous game between these two had been a Downend & Fishponds
(Bristol) Club Championship game in the 1980s. Chris Purry, a junior debutant,
had played far too quickly, made several serious errors and was routed in
twenty-odd moves. Now Purry had an ECF grade of 150+, equivalent to an Elo
rating of 1800+.
1. e4 c5
2. c3 d5
3. exd5 Qxd5
4. d4 e6
5. Nf3 Nf6
6. Bd3 Be7
7. 0–0 cxd4
8. cxd4 Nc6
9. Nc3 Qd6
This is a well-known line of the 2 c3 Sicilian. White has an isolated Queen's
Pawn (IQP) but theoretical attacking chances on the Kingside. as the game goes
it is Black who does all the running on that side of the board.
10. Re1
A rare move. More common are 10. Be3, 10. Bg5, and 10. a3.
Possible is 10. Nb5 Qd8 11. Bf4 but after 11... Nd5 Black defends the c7 square
with tempo, occupies the important d5 (the one in front of the isolated Pawn)
and can push White Back with ...a6 and ...b5 gaining Queenside space. Note that
after the text Black can't win a Pawn with 10... Nxd4?? 11. Nxd4 Qxd4 12. Bb5+
wins the Queen. This is an example of an indirect defence. After Black's next,
10... 0–0 the indirect defence still applies because. say 11. a3 Nxd4?? 12.
Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Bxh7+ also wins the Queen...a6 and ...b5 gaining Queenside space.
Note that after the text Black can't win a Pawn with 10... Nxd4?? 11. Nxd4 Qxd4
12. Bb5+ wins the Queen. This is an example of an indirect defence. After
Black's next, 10... 0–0 the indirect defence still applies because. say. 11. a3
Nxd4?? 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Bxh7+ also wins the Queen.
10... 0–0
11. Ne4?!
Generally in IQP positions, the player with the isolani should avoid the
exchange of pieces, because this tends to expose it further. That is exactly
what happens here. White still has all the options mentioned in the last note
and he should choose one of those.
11... Nxe4
12. Bxe4 Rd8!
A quick and efficient development of this Rook that gives extra control to the
d5 square, the one directly in front of the IQP that White can't control with a
Pawn, and increases the pressure on the isolani itself.
13. Be3 Bf6
An excellent square for this piece which White helped create by swapping off
the Black Knight on f6.
14. Bxc6?
Reducing the immediate pressure on d4 but losing control of the light squares.
This may not seem like much but said light-square weaknesses now persist until
the end of the game! Deep Rybka suggests 15. Qc2 - threatening 16. Bxh7+ - and
after either 15... g6 or 15...h6 play 16 Rad1 and it claims White has a slight
advantage. I disagree because Black can play 16...Nb4 and switch his Knight to
the important d5 square with a tempo.
14...Qxc6
15. Qb3
After the obvious 15. Rc1 Black would probably have gone 15... Qd5 regardless.
The point of the text-move is to go 16. Ne5 which is not playable immediately
after 16... Bxe5 and White can't recapture because of the pin down the d-file.
15... Qd5
White's Queen is his only active piece so Black is happy to swap it off. Deep
Rybka evaluates the position as +0.45 to Black. He has the Bishop pair, the IQP
to attack and White has no counterplay. It might be a long grind before the win
but it's a joyless task for White as a defender.
16. Qxd5 Rxd5
17. Rac1 Bd7
18. Rc2
The inviting 18. Rc7 is a fatal cul-de-sac. After 18... Bc6 the Rook is trapped
and Black will win an Exchange with 19... Bd6 or Bd8.
18... Bc6
This closes the c-file so White has no play down it. On the other hand from
this square the Bishop soon glares at White's Kingside. The Bishop and the b7
Pawn mutually defend each other and this factor is of such importance that the
pair never move again during the game, yet their presence and influence is
enduring. Deep Rybka now evaluates the position as 0.66 in Black's favour.
19. Rec1 Rad8
There is a slight drawback to this move in so much as the a7 Pawn is no longer
defended. However, I was aware of this and didn't consider the detail that
relevant. As it stands Black threatens a retreat (!) with 20... R5d6 or 20...
R5d7 followed by 21... Bxf3 22. gxf3 Bxd4 winning the d4 Pawn. Note that
currently White can't play 20. Ne5 Bxe5 21. dxe5 because of 21... Rd1+ and
mating. Hence White creates a loophole for his King on the next move and Black
does the same.
20. h3 h6
Now Black may be threatening 21... Ra5 22. a3 (or b3) 22... Bxf3 23. gxf3 Bxd4
winning a Pawn. After 24. Bxd4 Rxd4 25. Rc8+ Kh7 demonstrates the value of
20...h6. Now play could continue 26. RcRc7 - hitting b7 and f7 - 26... Rf5 27.
Rxb7 Rxf3 with an unbalanced ending that should favour Black. This line is not
completely forced and it is White's move. However, he has no apparent active
prospects. Purry attempts to go active and this is based on a tactical
possibility. It's worth studying this position before reading on.7 - hitting b7
and f7 - 26... Rf5 27. Rxb7 Rxf3 with an unbalanced ending that should favour
Black. This line is not completely forced and it is White's move. However, he
has no apparent active prospects. Purry attempts to go active and this is based
on a tactical possibility. It's worth studying this position before reading on.
21. Ne5!? Bxe5
22. dxe5 Rxe5
23. Bxa7
Reinforcing the point that Black's earlier ...Rad8 left this Pawn loose.
However, White's a2 Pawn is also loose. Now the fork 23... Ra5?? is a blunder
because 24. Bb6 forks the Rooks in return so Black has to play the other Rook
to the a-file and execute a skewer instead.
23... Ra8
24. Bc5
The counterattack 24. Bd4 is met by 24... Rg5 when White has two Pawns under
fire. The difference with the text move is that if Black ventures ...Rxa2 the
reply Ba3 will seal it in. The b2 Pawn and a3 Bishop mutually protect each
other in the same way that the b7 Pawn and c6 Bishop do.
24... Rg5!?
Around here I realised that if I wanted to play for a win then I would have to
take on a2 and risk having the Rook interred for a while. Before committing
myself I wanted to see if White was willing to weaken his Kingside.
25. g3
There are two defences by moving the f-Pawn. 25. f3? Bxf3 isn't good though
because Black now has a 4-2 Pawn majority on the Kingside and real winning
chances.
Instead 25. f4 Rf5 means Black maintains his simultaneous attack on two Pawns
and, for the reason given in the last sentence, White should defend the f4 one
and drop a2. I think this is probably the critical moment of the game. Purry
was probably reluctant to go 25 f4 Rf5 because how does he defend the f4 Pawn
comfortably?
26. Bd6 is no good because 26... Rxa2 and now 27. Ba3 simply drops the f4 Pawn.
Instead 25. f4 Rf5 26. Rf2 puts the Rook in an apparently passive position and
after 26... Rxa2 27. Ba3 Rd5 Black has control of the d-file.
The final line is 25. f4 Rf5 26. g3 but then White has opened up the whole
second rank, something that any experienced player would be reluctant to do.
Nevertheless I feel White should try one of the last two continuations.
25... Rh5!
Forcing White into an awkward decision. Does he make a further concession in
the his structure with 26. h4 or put his King on a worse square?
26. Kh2 Rxa2
27. Ba3 Rb5!
Time to evaluate this intriguing position. Black has an extra Pawn and an
active Rook and Bishop. The Bishop is very impressive, cutting a swathe through
White's Kingside. The extra Pawn is part of a viable 4-3 majority on the
Kingside so Black should be able to advance there easily particularly with the
support of the King. White's pieces do not impress. The Bishop can't move
without letting the other Black Rook out of its cage while the White Rooks do
little but defend each other.
The interesting piece is, of course, that apparently trapped Rook on a2. It
still generates some influence and White must constantly consider Black giving
up the Exchange on b2 or a3 for a second Pawn. Black would definitely not be
losing, but whether he would be winning would be debatable.
Another element is the opposite-coloured Bishops. Contrary to opinion these are
not necessarily a drawing factor. Other than keeping Black's Rook in White's
Bishop does nothing. On the other hand, imagine Black having the move ...Ra1
for free. He would be threatening mate on h1. White has lots of problems here.
28. Rd2
Allowing Black's infiltration on b3 for free. However, if White tries to stop
it with
28. Rc3 Black switches files with 28... Rd5. White needs to control all of d3,
d2 and d1 and any swap of Rooks lets the a2 Rook out.
28... Rb3
Deep Rybka assesses this as +1.24 for Black. His tactical options have
increased considerably. If White puts a Rook on b1 Black plays ...Raxa3
exploiting a pin on the b-file. With a Rook on the second rank White is
vulnerable to ...Rbxa3 exploiting a horizontal pin. Currently this does not win
a piece because White has the interpolation Rd8+, then again after the sequence
...Rbxa3, Rd8+ Kh7, bxa3 Black has ...Rxf2+, Kg1 Rg2+ picking up the g3 Pawn
when Black has three Pawns for the Exchange and will be winning.
White has to be careful.
29. Kg1 Kh7
30. Rd4
Giving Black a free tempo for ...e5 but it is difficult to find constructive
moves.
30...e5
31. Rdc4 f6
32. Rc5
Not 32. Kf1?? Bb5 pinning and winning.
32... Kg6
33. Kf1 h5
Black is slowly creeping up the board. He threatens 34... h4 compromising
White's Kingside even more.
35. gxh4 is met by 35... Rxh3 now that White’s King has moved away.
White can offer the swap of Rooks with 34. R either to c3 but, because the b2
Pawn defends the Bishop on a3, he must recapture with the other Rook and allow
35... Ra1+. So White chooses to stop ...h4 the simple way - by playing it
himself.
34. h4 Kf5
35. Ke1 Kg4
Finally we see the consequences of White's 14. Bxc6. The light squares are a
highway for the Black King into the porous White Kingside.
36. R5c4+ Kh3
37. R4c2 e4
Black has two ideas. One is the break ...e3 when the elimination of the f2 Pawn
leaves the Black King in prime position to feed on the other White Pawns.
Alternatively Black plays ...g7-g5 and he should be able to create a passed h
Pawn whatever White does. This should leave White completely overstretched.
Now could be White's last chance to play 38. Rc3 but understandably Purry
continues to shuffle.
38. 36 Bc5 stopsBc5 stops ...e3 but allows Black to take on b2.
38. Kf1 e3
39. fxe3 Rxe3
40. Bd6 Rb3!
And back again. Now either b2 or g3 must fall as 41. Rb1 is simply met by 41...
Be4 skewering the Rooks. More light-square misery.
41. Kf2 Rbxb2
42. Rxb2 Rxb2+
43. Ke3 Rb3+
44. Kd4 g5?!
Even quicker is 44... Rxg3 45. Bxg3 Kxg3 46. Rg1+ Bg2 but I wasn’t willing to
risk giving up the Exchange just yet.
45. hxg5 fxg5
46. Rc5 h4
47. gxh4 gxh4
48. Rg5 Rb5
49. Be5
Swapping Rooks is no good. Black just plays ...Kg2, advances the h-Pawn to h2
when White has to give up his Bishop, and then Black still has that extra
Bishop and Pawn on the Queenside. Oddly enough I'd overlooked 49. Be5. I'd
anticipated 49. Bc5 when 49...b6 leads to the same winning ending. It’s of no
consequence though.
49... Rb4+
50. Kc3 Rg4
51. Rh5 Kg2
52. Rh6 h3
53. Kd2 Rg5
54. Bc7 Rg7
Black can ensure the advance of his Pawn to h2 by playing ...Rg3 whenever he
likes. The sequence could be 54... Rg3 55. Bxg3 Kxg3 56. Rg6+ Kf2 57. Rf6+ Kg1
58. Rg6+ Bg2 and advance the Pawn, or 54... Rg3 55. Bxg3 Kxg3 56. Rg6+ Kf2 57.
Rh6 Bg2 followed by 58... Kg1 and advancing the Pawn. As long as the Bishop
defends the b7 Pawn White has no counter-chances. I was just nudging the Bishop
around to see if White put it on the wrong square ...
55. Be5 Re7
56. Bd6?
…and sure enough he obliges.
56... Rd7
57. Ke3 Rxd6
Breaking the blockade by force.
58. Rxd6 h2
59. Rg6+ Kf1
With the Pawn now on h2 the light-squared Bishop’s support alone ensures
promotion. A trivial ending follows after White gives up his Rook.
60. 0–1
Text ends.
