Hi! Nice to have you along for another annotated game. Before I get to today’s game, I just want to thank you for your support and encouragement with this feature. It is really nice to know that it is bringing some pleasure. Also, if you have any thoughts on possible games to be featured, please feel free to mention it in the comments or drop me a line.
Ok then, on to the game, which is a real corker today. I have to say, it has stayed under my radar until rather recently; but, when it comes to discoveries, better late than never!
Ok then, on to the game, which is a real turn up for the books today. I have to say, it has stayed under my radar until rather recently. However, when it comes to discoveries, better late than never!
The game is between Wilfred Brown and Robin Kneebone and was played in a match between Cornwall and Gloucestershire, in Exeter, United Kingdom. Unfortunately, that is all that I can tell you about the background of this particular game.
However, the game really needs no introduction. it speaks for itself. Ratings, titles, and whatever else don’t matter, it is just a very nice game to take a look at. I have to say, it is one of the most enjoyable games that I have browsed through, even though it is rather short and sweet.
The game is one which teaches many lessons, the first is to know the openings you play as well as you can. This is not only concerning the moves, but the themes also. Even more crucial, however, is technique and sense of danger. Black’s lets him down in this instance and White seizes the point with both hands.
Enjoy!
[Event “Match Cornwall A-Gloucestershire A”]
[Site “Exeter ENG”]
[Date “1985.11.30”]
[Round “6”]
[White “Wilfred A Brown”]
[Black “Robin F Kneebone”]
[Result “1-0”]
[ECO “B89”]
[EventDate “????.??.??”]
{ Annotations by John Lee Shaw for www.hotoffthechess.com. } 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qe2 O-O 9.O-O-O a6 { So far, there has been nothing unusual in this game, but that is about to change. } 10.Rhg1 { We don’t see this kind of thing very much, but in my opinion it is rather better than it looks. When evaluating it, one must bear in mind that the objective in chess is to get the enemy King. That, for me, puts a lot of perspective on things — White’s Kingside is threatening to expand rather rapidly and all his pieces are pointing in the right direction. Black can not afford to take this lightly, but unfortunately, that is what he seems to do. } 10…Qc7 { A natural ‘Sicilian-esque’ developing move. However, here it is a matter of debate as to whether it is adequate or not as it just allows White to proceed with his Kingside plan. Nxd4 seems to offer more of a test to White. } ( 10…Nxd4 11.Rxd4 { After Bxd4, Black simply replies …b5. As you will see in the actual game, this proves inadequate once White has got g2-g4 in, when the bishop is very at home on d3. } 11…b5 12.Bb3 { And after …Qa5 or …Ne8 it is game on. } 12…Nd7 ) 11.g4 { This move changes the atmosphere in the position. In opposite side castling positions, the player wants to open lines to the enemy King. Of course, we want to do that in every type of position, but with opposite castling, pawn storms become very great attacking options, because they do not protect the attacker’s own King. } 11…Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5 { Not …e5, when White calmly retreats the bishop to e3 and is the better developed — and actually ready to start his Kingside push. } 13.Bd3 b4 { I am not sure about this move, especially after what happens next. For me, as flawed as it would have been at the last move, …e5 now makes sense. With the White bishop having gone to d3, stopping e4-e5 is a very relevant point. } ( 13…e5 { White has some working out to do, here, namely what his aspirations are for his bishops and how to achieve them. } 14.g5 { This looks fiesty but it seems to be ok for Black if handled correctly. } ( 14.Be3 b4 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 { and now it is a race to the King, with no favourite. } ) 14…exd4 15.gxf6 Bxf6 16.Nd5 Qd8 { the only respectable move. From here, f4 or Kb1 seems about equal, with both sides needing to be vigilant. } ) 14.e5 dxe5 { ? Not the way to go. Black is not set up adequately for this, he had to retreat. After …Nd7, White seems obligated to exchange on d6, after which Black may be playing catch up, but the tempo on the Nc3 proves very useful in this. } ( 14…Nd7 15.exd6 Bxd6 16.Ne4 Be5 { or …Bf4+ and Black seems fine. } ) 15.Bxe5 Qa5 16.g5 { !! The only way to go, Black shouldn’t bat an eyelid to anything else. I am thinking that Black did not bank on this move and expected that the threat to the Nc3 would be his trump card. } 16…Nd7 { ?? This just outright loses, the engine gives mate in 9. To 16…Ne8, White has the killing Qe4 — 16…Nd5, Qh5 will do nicely for White. } 17.Bxh7+ { Powerful play, White has his i’s dotted and t’s crossed. } 17…Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qh6+ Kg8 21.Nd5 { ! This deserves an exclamation mark, even though Ne4 gets to the King a bit quicker, threatening Nf6+ without allowing the capture of the Knight. Either way, there are no survival chances for Black. } 21…exd5 22.g6 Nf6 23.g7 { To every defence, there is yet another mate threat. } 23…Nh7 { And now, the Rg1, seals Black’s fate. } 24.gxf8=Q# { A very nice finish to a well played game by White. } 1-0
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