[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.05.21"]
[Round "?"]
[White "kalou"]
[Black "Crafty 19.1 (1 second/move)"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackType "program"]
[ECO "B15"]
[Annotator "kalou, Good"]

{k: While I clearly made tactical errors in this game,
I'm rather unsure about the plans I used. I'd like
some tips on strategy. I feel very unable to make any
good pawn moves when playing. Thanks for your time!} 

1.e4 

{k: I have absolutely no opening knowledge but rather
concentrate on the understanding of resulting 
positions. So this one may look a bit strange.
DC: The only opening knowledge you need is to develop
your pieces to squares where they will be active. I
think you already understand this. Understanding the
resulting positions is also a good idea. In addition
to considering the placement of the pieces, you need
to understand the pawn structure. The pieces will play
around the pawn structures you and your opponent set
up.}

1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3 

{k: Half-opening the file and/or developing knight or
bishop. I hope to do something later for the d-pawn.} 

4...e3 

(

{DC: If}

4... exf3 5. Nxf3

{DC: then the Knight is developed; and the f-file is
half-open - available to White's rook but not to
Black's rook.}

)

5.Bxe3 e6 6.Bd3 

{k: I can't remember why I played Bd3. Bc4 was
probably better, trying to keep the d5 square?
DC: This is a fine move. From the center, the bishop
is well placed to observe either wing, especially h7
if Black castles king-side.}

(6. Bc4

{DC: This is not useful, since P/e6 denies White the
chance to attack f7. The d5 square belongs to Black.
Thanks to the control by P/c6,e6, only a Black piece
can land there safely. Attacking d5 with B/c4 does not
change this.}
)

6...Na6 7.a3 

{k: To avoid ... Nb4 more than ... Bb4 - I was
thinking the game would be opening up, thus I decided
to keep my bishops away from trouble.

DC: Good idea - a useful preventive move.}

7...Ne7 8.Nge2 Nf5 9.Bf2 

{k: Don't want to exchange the good B/d3 for a
knight.

DC: You can make a different plan based upon the pawn
structure after}

(9. Bxf5 exf5

{ when Black's 4 Ps vs. 3 Ps cannot make progress
because of the doubled pawn, while your 4 Ps vs. 3 Ps
queenside majority can produce a passed pawn to win
the endgame.}

)

9...Qg5 

{k: Oops.} 

10.Bxf5 

{DC: ?}

(

{DC: Black made a threat that was easy to deal with.
The simplest reply was to guard P/g2, make your king
safe, and continue your development by castling.}

10. O-O

{If Black continues with }

Ne3 11. Bxe3 Qxe3

{then you get rid of your bad bishop, which was stuck
behind your P/d4. Unfortunately, you panicked and gave
up your good bishop without compensation (doubled
pawns).}
)

Qxf5 11.O-O 

{k: I was thinking to finish development as that was
my advantage, then to rush him before he could develop
and castle. I had the dream of a knight on d6.

DC: Good thinking. It will take Black some time to
castle and get the B/c8 and N/a6 to useful squares.}

11...Be7 12.Ne4

{k: Trying to take over the d6 square. How to begin
such an attempt?

DC: You are proceeding correctly. c4-c5, supported by
P/b4, will help control d6.}

12...b6 

{k: I was planning to send a pawn to c4. The computer
was probably avoiding Nc5? Or did he play this for my
pawn already?

DC: You would lose a pawn from 13. Nc5, since you
have fewer defenders (2: P/d4, B/f2), while Black has
more attackers (3: N/a5, B/e7, Q/f5). So, this move
was likely to make room for Bc8-b7.}

13.Bg3 

{k: Always on the d6 square. Saw nothing yet.} 

13...Bb7 14.Bd6 

{k: I was happy with preventing him from castling. I
guess he was okay with this move anyway.

DC: !}

14...Rd8 15.Bxe7 Kxe7 16.c4 

{k: Planning b4, c5.} 

16...c5 17.N2g3 

{k: I just wanted to move the queen off of the 5th
rank to deal with P/c5. The pinned pawn was annoying -
so I felt like allowing ... cxd4 to play b4.

DC: ? This is where your troubles begin. You can save
this move - keep it as a threat. N/e2 has the valuable
job of protecting your P/d4. You should not allow
Black the passed pawn on d4 (unless you have some very
good compensation, but I don't see that here). Better
to finish your development with a queen move, to d2 or
d3. Later, you can work your way out of the pin by
guarding P/d4 with your queen along a diagonal, e.g.,
from f2.}

17...Qf4 18.b4 

{k: Was okay with the passed pawn as long as my troops
could reach his king quickly. Where does the mistake
happen?

DC: ? This move was your last chance.} 

(

{DC: With }

18. d5 exd5 19. cxd5

{ you can not only prevent Black from obtaining a
passed pawn immediately, but retain chances of your
own for an attack on the uncastled Black king. This is
your compensation for Black's 3P vs. 2P Q-side
advantage. I think you understood all this, but didn't
realize how bad your position would be with the passed
pawn restricting the movement of your pieces.}

)

18...cxd4 19.Qd3 

{k: But finally, wanted to block the pawn, and oops
again.

DC: ? }

(

{DC: }

19. Qa4 {completing your development})

(

{and }

19. Re1

{ placing your rook opposite Black's king were both
ways of trying for an attack.}

)

19... Qe3+ 20.Qxe3 dxe3 21.Rfd1 

{k: Trying to get some control on the file, thinking
the knight could do a good job of blockading the
pawn.

DC: The important point is that Black will play ...
f5, gaining a tempo with the attack on N/e4, followed
by ... f4, protecting the P/e3 and maintaining it
there. Even if you blockade the pawn, your pieces will
be tied down to it, and you will have no chances.}

21...Rxd1+ 22.Rxd1 Rc8 

{k: This looks terrible now. I didn't see what to play
so I randomly played "feeling" moves and lost.

DC: You have to make exact calculations. I wouldn't
give up until Black actually plays ... f5 and ... f4.
With Fritz 8's suggestion of 23. Nd6 you take away the
gain of tempo from ... f5, defend P/c4, and improve
your position considerably.}

0-1

-----------------------



=====
David Cohen


	
		
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