2008 Mid-America Open - Game 5

Submitted by chessiq on Sat, 03/08/2008 at 2:41pm.

Here is my 5th and last game of the 2008 Mid-America Open tournament that was played last weekend. At the time, it appeared I was already assured of being in the top two or three. I needed a draw to be an outright winner. I do not know how to play for a draw. I only play to win and then during the game, a draw may arise. This gives me peace... knowing that I do not have to change much in order to obtain a particular result. My opponent, a very friendly guy, later told me that he needed to win in order to get a prize. He mentioned that it was a very nice game, and he enjoyed it even though he lost. It appears a fair result would have been a draw.

I played the Grunfeld Defense again. I had an inferior position coming out of the opening, and I had to dig myself out of the hole to equalize. The win was similar to my other games whereby the battle was on the Queenside, and then I shifted it to the King side to get an advantage.

I think this was my toughest game.

I have annotated the game, and your comments, suggestions, and ideas are welcome.

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Comments:

by chessiq - 20 months ago
Malawi

Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 654

Kingfisher, you could be right; what do you see as a possible continuation after that? (I just want to know what you are thinking instead of assuming your thought process

)

by Kingfisher - 20 months ago
Johannesburg South Africa

Member Since: Sep 2007
Member Points: 1673

I'm not sure, but 51... Rd4 seems stronger then Rd2

by chessiq - 20 months ago
Malawi

Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 654

cld9731, you are right... White is in zugzwang at move 72. He has to say bye to his Bishop.

RookStar, thanks for the congrats and the analysis. 50. ..b5 is a nice move as it prevents White from "freezing" my pawns. The variation you give, as well as the comment about "coming out on top" regardless of what White does is correct - I think. I know that during the game, I had envisioned a scenario whereby I had a passed pawn that was advancing with the support of the Rook. I don't remember why I didn't look at that deeper. Like you said, there are many variations with these pawns and sometimes you end up filtering out stuff that needs to be retained.

Thanks for pointing that move out!

by RookStar - 20 months ago
Perth Australia

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 18

Hi Steve, congratulations on your win.

I've just started playing again, first time since I was a kid. Beacause of this, I've gone back to reading the basics. After 49...Rh6, you say your opponent later told you that there was a way to win by attacking the a2 and b3 pawns.

After 50 Be4, ...b5 you are in a strong position to advance a pawn, given that no matter which pawn white advances you come out on top. E.g. 51 a4 (which, is played) ...bxa4 52 bxa4 you can now advance the c pawn, which you do just two moves later anyway. There are many variations with the pawns, but you come out on top. This would also work if white had a pawn on the c file, so long as you advance the center pawn (the b pawn)

As a born again beginner, I enjoyed your game and reading your reasons for making your moves. Thanks and good luck.

by cld9731 - 20 months ago
Seattle United States

Member Since: Mar 2008
Member Points: 1

Just an interesting thought...after 71.Ba6 doesn't a Black King move to c6 (...Kc6) put white in zugswang - he is *forced* to move his king to b4 (72.Kb4) and white loses the bishop. I haven't played in 20 years but I really enjoyed your game alot and makes me want to play again.