John Owen (1827-1901) was an English player (not that he played 1.c4) and a vicar or reverend. He played under the pseudonym 'Alter.' He lost a match with Paul Morphy, drawing two games and losing 5 games, despite Morphy conced... Read more »
It's always a good feeling when you can sac a major piece, such as a rook or queen, and it leads to mate. In this game, my opponent castled into trouble and I had all the open files on the kingside when my opponent gobbled up three pawns... Read more »
I sometimes play the Center Counter Defense (also known as the Scandanavian Defense to all you Scandanavians) and don't mind getting my Queen out early. As long as my Queen doesn't get trapped, I'm OK. In this game, I trap ... Read more »
The Kan variation in the Sicilian (named after International Master Ilya Kan) 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, is also known as the Paulsen variation. It was from a game Kan-Lasker, Moscow 1936 that the variation got its name. The... Read more »
The Kan variation in the Sicilian, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6, is also known as the Paulsen variation. The line 5.c4 is Reti's line to this variation. My opponent played this this type of Maroczy bind Read more »
My opponent played a delayed Wing Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.b4) and gave up a pawn for supposedly quick development. I don't think it got him anywhere. He eventually won the pawn back, but lost a piece when he lost control of th... Read more »
As Black, I lke to play the Sicilian Najdorf variation after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. Usually, I expect 6.Bg5, but a few times I get 6.Bc4 and it turns into o Sozin variation. In this game, my opponent (who shall... Read more »
1.b4 is the Orangutan or Polish opening. I play it a few times as White (wrote a book on it), but don't see it much as Black. But this game I got to play against it and found a nice threat that led to mate or win a piece. It ... Read more »
My opponent played the Benko Gambit against me and I was probably lucky to win. I think my opponent resigned too early as there was still counterplay. My opponent was banking on the Benko to give him a draw or win. He might have ... Read more »
John Donaldson, born in Los Angeles in 1958, was awarded the International Master title in 1983 (he has two grandmaster norms). He won the Washington State Chess Championship in 1979 and 1980. In 1983 he was the captain of the US team at the... Read more »
billwallBill WallPalm Bay, FL, United States
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