1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 b5 6. dxc6 bxc4 7. Na3

7. Qe2 Qd5 8. O-O Bd6 is the main line 67% Black.

7... Qd5 8. d3 Qxg2 9. Rf1 Bg4 10. f3 Bxa3 11. bxa3 Bf5 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. Bxd2 cxd3 14. f4 e4 15. cxd3 exd3 16. Rf3 O-O 17. Rb1 Rfe8+ 18. Kf2 Re2+ 19. Kf1 Rxd2 20. Rb5 Bg4 21. Ke1 Re2+ 22. Kf1 Bxf3 23. Nxf3 Ng4 24. a4 Rf2+ 25. Ke1 Rxf3 26. Rg5 Re8+ 27. Kd1 Re2 28. Rd5 Rf1#

0-1

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bg5 f6 4. c3 fxg5 5. e3 g4 6. h3 gxf3 7. Qxf3 h5 8. Qxh5+ Rxh5 9. Bb5 e5 10. dxe5 Rxe5 11. O-O Rh5 12. Na3 Bd6 13. Nc4 Rxh3 14. gxh3 Bxh3 15. Rfd1 Qg5+ 16. Kh1 Qg2#

0-1

1. d4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e5 3. dxe5 Bb4+ 4. c3 Bc5 5. Bg5 Nge7 6. e3 d6 7. exd6 cxd6 8. Bc4 f6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 h5 11. h4 g4 12. Bb5 gxf3 13. gxf3 Qa5 14. Bxc6+ Nxc6 15. Bxd6 Bxd6 16. Qxd6 Qb5 17. Qxf6 Qxb2 18. Qxh8+ Kd7 19. c4 Qc1+ 20. Ke2 Qxh1 21. Na3 Qxa1 22. Qxa1 Nb4 23. Qb1 a5 24. Qd1+ Kc7 25. Nb5+ Kb8 26. Qd6#

1-0

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. h4

A poor move - a waste of time, and weakening the K-side.

3... Bf5

excellent reply.

4. c3 e6 5. Bg5 Nc6 6. e3 Bg4

The Bishop should have been left on the b1 h7 diagonal.

7. Bd3 Bd6 8. Qa4

This Queen sorty on the Q-side is not a good idea. Nbd2 was better.

8... O-O 9. Na3

Nbd2 is more logical.

9... a6 10. Bb1 b5 11. Qc2

Now Ashley threatens to take the f6 Knight and mate on h7.

11... h6?

11... Bf5 easily stops the mate with a good position.

12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qh7#

1-0

1. d4 f6

Not a good opening move. Max probably confused this with the c6 Caro Kann defence.

2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 d6 4. Bf4 Bg4 5. e3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 g6

6... e5 looks better for Black.

7. Bb5

A strong move threatening Bxc6 and Qxc6 check.

7... Qd7?

This walks into a pin and allows d5.

7... d5 is probably Black's best.

8. d5 Qf5

An ingenious defence, Black pins the d5 pawn !

9. c4

e4 ! attacking the Queen was stronger.

9... Qc2

9... a6 counter attacking the Bishop was possible.

10. dxc6

Now White has a deadly discovered check threatened with pawn x b7

10... Qxb2?

Black should have played b6.

11. cxb7+ Kf7

12. bxa8=Q Qxa1 13. Qfe4 e5 14. Qe8+ Kg7 15. Qd7+ Ne7 16. Qc2 exf4 17. exf4 Qd4 18. g3 h5 19. f5 Kg8 20. fxg6 f5 21. Qe6+ Kg7 22. Qf7+ Kh6 23. Qc1+ f4 24. Qcxf4+ Qxf4 25. gxf4 Nxg6 26. Rg1 h4 27. Qxg6#

1-0

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Qf6?

Bringing the Queen out like this is NOT RECOMMENDED.

3. Nd5 Qf4??

puts the Queen en prise

White did not take the Queen. Unfortunately the rest of the game has been scored incorrectly, and I have not been able to make head nor tail of it. Zak played much better in the rest of the game, and won well.

0-1

1. d4 e6 2. Bf4 h5 3. e3 Bb4+

Now Holly plays a poor move

4. Ke2?

4. c3 blocking the check and not moving the King was the better reply.

4... Nf6 5. a4 Ng4 6. Ra3

a bad idea - throws away the exchange

6... Bxa3 7. Nxa3 d5 8. Ke1 Na6 9. Nf3 Nb4 10. h3 Nh6 11. h4 Na2 12. Rh3 Bd7 13. Ne5 Bxa4 14. Bd3 Nb4 15. Nb5 Nxd3+ 16. Qxd3 Ng4 17. b3 Bxb5 18. Qxb5+

Here Black CASTLED ILLEGALLY OUT OF CHECK

In order to put in the rest of the moves I have placed Black as playing c6 ( remember he didn't so the c6 pawn takes the Queen is not on)

18... c6 19. c3 O-O 20. e4 dxe4 21. d5 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 exd5 23. c4 d4 24. f3 exf3 25. gxf3 Nxe5 26. Bxe5 Rfe8 27. f4 f6 28. Rg3 fxe5 29. b4 exf4+ 30. Kf1 fxg3 31. Kg2 Re3 32. Kh3 a5 33. bxa5 Rxa5 34. Kg2 d3 35. c5 d2 36. Kh3 d1=Q 37. Kg2 Qd2+ 38. Kf1

38. Kh3 Qh2#

38... Ra1#

0-1

1. d4 e6 2. e3 Qh4 3. Nf3 Qg4 4. h3 Qg6 5. Bd3 Qxg2

?? This should lose the Queen.

6. Ke2?

Bradley should play ... 6.Rh2 ! this wins the Black Queen. Now unfortunately Bradley has made a mess of scoring the rest of the game, and so I am unable to put the moves in. He did win quickly though.

1-0

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Nh3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Nf6 5. Ng5 Ng4?

puts his Knight en prise.

6. Bc4

White should play Qxg4.

6... Nh6 7. Na3 d6 8. Qf3 f6 9. Ne6 Bxe6 10. Bxe6 Qe7 11. Qh3 g5 12. Qh5+ Kd8 13. Qh3 g4

Now White could have played Bxg4, though Black has Qxe4+

14. Qb3 Na5 15. Qc4??

loses his Queen, Qd5 had to be played.

15... Nxc4 16. Nxc4

White now drops his Bishop, Bxc4 was better.

16... Qxe6 17. b3 Qxe4+ 18. Kd1 Qxg2 19. Re1 Qxf2 20. Bd2 d5 21. Na5 Qxh2 22. Re6 Qh1+ 23. Be1 b6 24. Nb7+ Kc8 25. Re8+ Kxb7 26. Re6 Qf3+ 27. Kd2 Bb4+ 28. Kc1 Bxe1 29. Rxe1 g3 30. Kd2 Qf2+ 31. Kd3 Rhe8 32. Rf1 Re3+

32... Qe3# Joe missed this one move mate.

33. Kxd4 Qd2#

0-1

1. d4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bf4 Bg4 4. e3 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 e5 6. Bg3 Nf6

6... exd4 is answered by.. 7. Bb5 threat Bxc6+. Black has to defend this, then White recaptures the d4 pawn.

7. Bc4 Na5 8. Bd5

This is not good as Black can play c6.

8... Nxd5 9. Qxd5 b6

Here c6 was better.

10. O-O Qd7??

Black blunders his Rook away.

11. Qxa8+ Qd8 12. Qd5 Qc8 13. h3 Qa6 14. Nc3 Nc4 15. Rfd1 Nxb2 16. Rd2 Nc4 17. Rdd1 Na3 18. Rac1 Be7 19. dxe5 dxe5 20. Qxe5

20. Qa8+ ! and White mates 20... Bd8 21. Qxd8#

20... Kf8 21. Nd5 Bf6

21... Bd6 was better.

22. Nxf6 gxf6 23. Qxf6 Rg8 24. Be5 Qe2 25. Qd8#

1-0

1. e3 d5 2. Nc3 Bf5 3. Nf3 e6 4. Bb5+ c6 5. Ba4 Bd6 6. h4 Nd7 7. Nd4 Ngf6 8. Nxf5 exf5 9. Rh3 O-O 10. Rf3 Re8

10... Ne4 11. Rxf5 Nxc3 12. dxc3 Qxh4 is better for Black

11. Rxf5 h6

Erin gives the King a "luft". It is amazing that she resolutely carries out the "Macey Nettleton" White system.. So far it has been super -sense opening development.

12. Bb3 Re6 13. a4 Bh2

I don't understand this move at all.

14. a5 g6 15. Rf4

Now Erin should take the Rook.

15... g5 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. Rb4 Re5 18. Rxb7 Rf5 19. Ra4 Qf8 20. Rc7 Bxc7 21. Rd4 Qh6 22. Ba4 Bh2

Again a strange idea.

23. Bxc6 Rc8 24. Bb5 g4 25. b3 Qh4

Aah,that's better - threatens mate.

26. Ba3 Bg1

26... Qxf2# was the move Erin !!

27. Ba6 Bxf2+

27... Qxf2#

28. Ke2

Now Erin is told she only has a couple of moves to finish the game, otherwise it will be stopped, and her play goes downhill fast !

28... Qh2 29. Bxc8 Kg7 30. e4 Qxg2 31. exf5 Bxd4+ 32. Kd3 Qg3+ 33. Kxd4

Here Erin missed the mate in 2 moves, Qf2+ 34.Kd3 Ne5# and in fact touched the Knight on c3

. The game was stopped by the staff, and declared drawn.

1/2-1/2

1. Nf3

Reti's opening. A good developing move, and conrols e5

1... d5

A good reply.

2. c4

White wants to exchange Black's strong centre pawn for a side pawn. He will easily recover the pawn later.

2... dxc4

2... d4 gaining space has scored best for Black in this position

3. Na3

3. e3 was also possible 3... b5 4. a4 bxa4 (4... c6 5. b3 cxb3 6. axb5 cxb5 7. Bxb5+ Bd7 8. Qxb3 White is slightly better.) 5. Qxa4+ Bd7 6. Qxc4 White is slightly better.

3... Be6

a little greedy. The Bishop is misplaced here as it blocks the e7 pawn. Black has better moves.

3... c5 4. Nxc4 Nf6 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 g6 7. b3 Bg7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. O-O Be6 with an interesting position

3... a6 4. Nxc4 b5 5. Ne3 Bb7 is an interesting way of playing it for Black.

4. Qa4+

? a poor move

4... c6!

an excellent reply. White cannot play Nxc4 because of b5

5. Nc2

White does not have a good move. I think that here Stewart touched the Knight, then realised he could not take the c4 pawn because of the pawn fork b5 move, so retreated it to c2. Black threatens pawn to b5 !

5... b5 6. Qa3 Bd5

Bf5 attacking the Knight is better.

7. d3 e6 8. Qc3 a5?

8... cxd3 ! gives Black the advantage 9. Qxd3 Nd7 10. Ne3 (10. e4? Nc5 11. Qd1 Bxe4) 10... Bb4+

9. e4 Bb4?

This loses material. Black's Bishop is trapped on d5

9... cxd3! 10. Qxd3 Bc4 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Bxc4 bxc4 13. Ne5 Ke8 14. Nxc4 advantage White

10. Nxb4 axb4 11. Qxb4?

For some reason Stewart decides not to take the g7 pawn.

11. Qxg7 Qf6 12. Qxf6 Nxf6 13. exd5 with a winning position for White.

11... Qe7

11... c5! 12. Qxb5+ Bc6 13. Qxc4 White is better, but at least Black has not lost a piece.

12. Qxe7+ Nxe7 13. exd5 Nxd5?

this loses the c4 pawn.

13... cxd5 is better

14. dxc4 bxc4 15. Bxc4 O-O 16. O-O h6 17. a3 Ra4 18. b3 Ra6?

Here the Rook can be taken by the Bishop.

19. Bb2

Perhaps Stewart has taken pity on poor Alex ?

19... Nf4 20. Bxa6

Perhaps not ! But actually Be5 ! was stronger here !

20... Nxa6 21. g3 Nd3 22. Bc3 Nac5 23. b4 Nb3 24. Rab1

Black has got his Knight trapped.

24... Nd2

Alex has lost another piece

25. Nxd2 Rc8 26. Ne4 f5 27. Nc5 Rd8 28. Nxe6

28. Rfd1 winning the Knight was much better.

28... Rd6 29. Nc5 Nxc5 30. bxc5 Rd3 31. Rb8+ Kh7 32. Be5 Rd5 33. Bd6 Rd3 34. Re1 g5 35. h3 Rxa3 36. Re6 Ra7 37. g4

37. Be5! wins immediately

37... f4 38. Re7+ Rxe7 39. Bxe7 f3 40. Rc8 Kg6 41. Rxc6+ Kh7 42. Rc8 Kg7 43. c6 Kh7 44. c7 Kg7 45. Ra8 Kg6 46. c8=Q h5 47. Qg8+ Kh6 48. Qh8+

Both players were now very short of time. Stewart misses A ONE MOVE MATE.

48. Ra6#

48... Kg6 49. Rg8+

49. Ra6+ Kf7 50. Qf8#

49... Kf7 50. Bxg5

50. Qf6+ Kxg8 51. Qg6+ Kh8 52. Bf6#

50... Ke6 51. Qf6+

51. Rd8 h4 52. Qf6#

51... Kd5 52. Re8 h4 53. Qe7 Kd4 54. Qd7+ Kc5 55. Rc8+ Kb4 56. Qb7+ Ka3 57. Ra8# 1-0

[ 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3,A46]

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Bf4 Bd6 6. Bg5

Losing time, moving a piece twice. White should play e3 or BxB.

6... h6 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 8. Nc3

Now White threatens the strong move e4

8... Bb4 9. Qd3 g5

Now Black attacks on the K-side

10. g4

This is a weakening move. White should just castle.

10... e5?

This aggressive move is a mistake

10... Bd7 and castle Q-side was an interesting plan.

11. dxe5 Nxe5?

This should lose a piece.

12. Qb5+

double attack King and Bishop, but Black can defend against this. Knight takes Knight first was stronger.

12. Nxe5! Qxe5 13. Qb5+ This time Black must lose his Bishop.

12... c6?

This loses the Bishop. Black should have retreated the Knight to defend the Bishop and block the check.

12... Nc6 13. O-O Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qxc3 with a slight Black advantage.

13. Qxb4 Bxg4 14. Qxb7

This wins a pawn but exposes the Queen, and gives Black a later chance of Rb8 with an attack down the b file.

14... O-O!

gets the King safe and defends the Queen Rook in one move.

15. h3?

15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Qxc6 is best.

15... Bf5

Black could have broken up White's K-side with BxN

15... Bxf3 16. exf3 Rab8

16. Qc7

attacks the Knight on e5

16. Nxe5 Qxe5 17. Qxc6

16... Rfc8?

This should lose the Knight

16... Nc4

17. Qb7?

White could have taken the Knight.

17. Qxe5! Qxe5 18. Nxe5 White would have been 2 Knights up.

17... Rab8 18. Qxa7 Rxb2

Despite being a piece down, Black's pieces have sprung to life. White should be trying to get his King safe by castling.

19. Rb1?

? Now Black misses his chance of glory. He could have obtained a winning position.

19. Nd4 Bxc2 20. O-O

19... Rxc2

19... Nxf3+ Now Black wins a Knight and a Rook ! 20. Bxf3 Qxc3+ 21. Kf1 (21. Kd1 Rxb1#) 21... Rxb1+ 22. Kg2 Rxh1 23. Kxh1 Bxh3 with a winning advantage.

20. Nd4?

This gives up a Knight for free, but the position has become difficult for White .

20. Nd1 Rxe2+! 21. Kxe2 Bxb1

20... Rxc3 21. Nxf5 Qxf5 22. Rb8?

A mistake - Now Black has mate in 3 moves

22. O-O Getting the King safe was essential for White.

22... Nd7?

Black does not see the mate and this blocks the Queen's defence of the Rook.

22... Rc1+ 23. Kd2 Qc2+ 24. Ke3 Qc3#

23. Rxc8+ Kg7 24. f3

Bradley wants to put his King on f2, but surely it was safer to castle.

24... Rc1+ 25. Kf2 Qc2

This gives up the Knight on d7

26. Rxc1 Qxc1 27. Qxd7 d4

! a good try by Zakk, as he is threatening a draw by perpetual check

28. Rc7?

threatens mate, but allows Black a draw.

28... Qe3+ 29. Ke1 Qg1+?

Zakk misses the draw and gets mated.

29... Qc1+ 30. Kf2 Qe3+ 31. Kg3 Qe5+ 32. Kf2 Qe3+ 33. Kf1 Qc1+ 34. Kf2 Qe3+ White cannot excape the checks, and the game is drawn by perpetual check.

30. Bf1 Qe3 31. Qxf7+

Black resigns. It's mate next move.

1-0

1. e4 d5 2. d3

2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 is the best White line against this defence (which is called the Scandinavian or Centre Counter.

2... Be6

de or c6 are normal here.

3. Be3 Nc6 4. f3 Nf6 5. Nc3?

A mistake as Black has the pawn fork pawn to d4 winning a piece.

5... g6 6. Qe2

The pawn fork is still on.

6... h5 7. O-O-O Bh6

7... d4 is still best.

8. Kb1 O-O?

loses the Bishop

9. Rc1

9. Bxh6

9... b6 10. a3 a5

10... Bxe3 11. Qxe3 d4 with Black advantage.

11. Bxh6

! White finally sees it !

11... Nb4 12. axb4 axb4 13. Na4?

loses the Knight

13... Rxa4 14. Qe3

Why not take the Rook ?

14... c5 15. Bg5 Nh7 16. Nh3 f6 17. Bh6 Qa8!

! Holly threatens mate !

18. exd5

Black has a one move mate !

18... Qxd5

18... Ra1# was the move Holly!

19. c4 Qd6 20. Re1 Ng5 21. Nxg5 fxg5 22. Qxg5

22. Qxe6+ would win a piece.

22... Bf7

Already both girls are getting into time trouble, and the mistakes increase.

23. Rxe7 Ra7? 24. Rxa7 Qe6 25. d4 cxd4 26. g3 Qd6 27. Ra8? Rxa8 28. Bd3 b5 29. cxb5 Qd5 30. Re1

Here Holly can force mate in 7 moves.

30... Qxg5

30... Ra1+! 31. Kc2 (31. Kxa1 Qa2#) 31... Qb3+ 32. Kd2 Qxb2+ 33. Bc2 Qc3+ 34. Ke2 Bc4+ 35. Kf2 Qxe1+ 36. Kg2 Qf1#

31. Bxg5 b3 32. h4 Ra7 33. Kc1 Rc7+ 34. Kd2 Be6? 35. Bxg6

35. Rxe6

35... Rg7? 36. Rxe6 Rxg6? 37. Kd3?

37. Rxg6+ Kf7 38. Rc6 Kg7 39. b6 Kf7 40. b7 Kg7 41. b8=Q Kf7 42. Qb7+ Ke8 43. Rc8#

37... Rxe6 38. Kxd4 Rb6 39. f4 Rxb5 40. Bd8 Rb8 41. Bf6 Rd8+? 42. Bxd8 Kf8 43. f5

Black lost on time.

1-0

[ QUEEN'S gambit SEMI-SLAV defence ,D43]

1. d4 d5 2. c4

The Queen's gambit

2... c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 e6 5. Nf3 Bb4

better is Nbd7

5... dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. g3 Rg8 12. h4 Rxg5 13. hxg5 Nd5 14. g6 fxg6 15. Qg4 Qe7 16. Bg2 Kd8 17. Qxg6 Qb4 18. Qc2 Qa5 19. O-O N7b6 20. Ne4 Kc7 21. Nf6 Qb4 22. Qg6 Nxf6 23. exf6 Bd7 24. Rae1 Qxb2 25. Qf7 Re8 26. Bh3 Bd6 27. Bxe6 Qxd4 28. Rd1 Qc5 29. Bxd7 Rf8 30. Qg7 Nxd7 31. f7 Ne5 0-1, Kramnik Vladimir (RUS) 2807 - Shirov Alexei (ESP) 2697, Monaco 2002

5... h6 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 8. Qc2 g6 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. b4 Qd6 13. Rab1 a6 14. Rfc1 b5 15. Ne2 Bb7 16. h4 h5 17. Nf4 Bh6 18. g3 a5 19. a4 axb4 20. axb5 Rfc8 21. bxc6 Rxc6 22. Qb2 Bf8 23. Ng5 Be7 24. Rxc6 Bxc6 25. Bc2 ...1/2-1/2, Kramnik Vladimir 2807 - Vallejo Pons Francisco 2648 , Paris 2002 Cup France (final)

5... Nbd7 6. cxd5 (6. e3 Qa5

! is the very good Cambridge Springs defence. Black threatens Ne4 and Bb4

) 6... exd5 7. e3 Be7 8. Bd3 O-O 9. Qc2 Re8 10. O-O Nf8 11. Rab1 a5 12. a3 Ng6 13. b4 Bd6 14. Rfe1 axb4 15. axb4 Bg4 16. Nh4 Bd7 17. h3 Ra3 18. e4 Bf4 19. Nxg6 Bxg5 20. Ne5 dxe4 21. Nxe4 Nxe4 22. Bxe4 g6 23. Nc4 Ra7 24. b5 Bf4 25. bxc6 ...1/2-1/2, Kramnik Vladimir 2760 - Kasparov Garry 2851 , Frankfurt 1999 It (active) (cat.21)

5... Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. O-O dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Rc1 Nxc3 12. Rxc3 e5 13. Bb3 exd4 14. exd4 Nf6 15. Re1 Qd6 16. h3 Bf5 17. Rce3 Rae8 18. Re5 Bg6 19. a3 Qd8 20. Rxe8 Nxe8 21. Qd2 1/2-1/2, Kramnik Vladimir 2807 - Computer "Deep Fritz", Manama 2002 Match "Man-Machine"

6. e3 Bxc3+

Black gives up his dark squared Bishop, but doubles White's pawns. However the doubled pawns are not a weakness here, as White can undouble them by playing Pxd5. Now Black is left with a "BAD Bishop" on c8 - one that is hemmed in by its own pawns. White also gains the b file for his Rooks. Better for Black is Qa5 or Nbd7.

6... Qa5 7. Bxf6 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qxc3+ 9. Nd2 gxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Rb1 Nd7 12. Be2 Nf8 13. O-O Qa3 14. e4 Ne6 15. exd5 cxd5 16. Bb5+ Ke7 17. Re1 a6 18. Ba4 b5 19. Bb3 Bb7 20. Qh5 Rag8 21. Nf3 Qd6 22. Rbc1 Rc8 23. Nh4 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Qf4 25. Re1 Rf8 26. Qxh7 Kd6 27. g3 Qd2 28. Rd1 Qg5 29. Nf5+ Kd7 30. Ne3 Kd6 31. Qd3 Rc8 32. Qd2 Qh5 33. a4 Ng5 34. Qb4+ Kd7 35. axb5 Qf3 36. h4 Ne4 37. Rf1 Nxg3 38. fxg3 Qxe3+ 39. Kh2 Qe2+ 40. Kg1 Qe3+ 41. Kh2 Rc3 42. Rg1 Rxb3 43. Qf8 0-1, Sharavdorj Dashzeveg (MGL) 2448 - Roca Petronio (PHI) 2400, Vung Tau (Vietnam) 2000

6... Nbd7 7. Qc2 Qa5 8. Nd2 Ne4 9. Ndxe4 dxe4 10. Bh4 f5 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O Nf6 13. Bg3 Be7 14. a3 Qd8 15. b4 Qe8 16. f3 exf3 17. Bxf3 g5 18. Qb3 Qg6 19. d5 g4 20. Be2 Nh5 21. Be5 Bg5 22. Na4 Qh6 23. Kf2 exd5 24. cxd5 cxd5 25. Nc5 Be6 26. Rad1 Bf7 27. Rxd5 Bxe3+ 28. Ke1 Bd2+ 29. Kd1 Bf4 30. Bc3 Rad8 31. Bc4 Rxd5+ 32. Bxd5 Rd8 0-1, Lehmann Zoltan (HUN) 2335 - Ivakhin Maxim (RUS) 2240, Budapest (Hungary) 1995

7. bxc3 O-O

Here Nbd7 or Qa5 better.

7... Nbd7 8. Qb3 (8. Rc1 O-O 9. Bd3 h6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. O-O Re8 13. Re1 Bg4 14. h3 Bh5 15. Be2 Qc7 16. Ne5 Bxe2 17. Qxe2 Rad8 18. c4 Nh7 19. cxd5 Rxd5 20. Qc4 Re7 21. e4 Rd8 22. Nf3 Nf6 23. d5 Rde8 24. Nd2 Nxd5 25. Nf3 Nb6 26. Qe2 Qf4 27. Nd2 f5 28. g3 Qg5 0-1, Juliarena Agustin - Perez Ponsa Federico, Buenos Aires (Argentina) 2002) 8... O-O 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Bd3 Qa5 11. O-O Ne4 12. Be7 Re8 13. Bb4 Qc7 14. c4 a5 15. Ba3 dxc4 16. Qxc4 Ndf6 17. Qc2 Bf5 18. Ne5 Bg6 19. h3 Rac8 20. Rac1 Qd8 21. Rfe1 Qc7 22. Qb2 Nd5 23. f3 Nef6 24. e4 Nf4 25. Bc4 Qd8 26. Qf2 N6h5 27. Bf1 Ne6 28. Red1 Qf6 29. Nc4 Red8 30. Bd6 b5 31. Be5 Qg5 32. Nb6 f6 33. Nxc8 Rxc8 34. Bh2 Be8 35. g4 1-0, Chernikov Oleg L (RUS) 2385 - Szymaniak Horst 1965, Bad Wildbad (Germany) 1997

7... Qa5 8. Qb3 Ne4 9. Rc1 Nxg5 10. Nxg5 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Qxg5 12. O-O O-O 13. f4 Qg6 14. Rf3 b5 15. Be2 Na6 16. Rg3 Qe4 17. Qd1 Bb7 18. Bd3 Qd5 19. Rg5 Qd7 20. Qg4 g6 21. h4 f6 22. Rh5 Qg7 23. Qxe6+ Rf7 24. Rc5 Nxc5 25. dxc5 Rd8 26. Be4 Kf8 27. Bxc6 Re7 0-1, Filippov Anton (RUS) 2253 - Veliev Tagir (RUS), Serpukhov (Russia) 2001

8. Qc2 g6

? This is the start of Black's problems.

It weakens the K-side and is unnecessary. It is made worse by the fact that Black does not have a dark squared Bishop and so is very weak on the dark squares.

8... b6 9. Ne5 h6 10. Bh4 Ba6

8... Nbd7 9. Bd3 h6 10. Bh4 dxc4 11. Bxc4 b5 12. Bd3 a6 13. O-O Bb7 14. e4 g5 15. Bg3 c5 is a good plan for Black.

9. Bd3 Nbd7 10. Rb1 Nb6?

This does not solve Black's problem of the pin on his f6 Knight.

Black is unable to move his Queen, and the usual h6 move to break the pin would lose a pawn.

10... dxc4 11. Bxc4 b5 12. Bd3 a6 13. O-O Bb7 with the idea Rc8 and c5 break is better.

10... Kg7 11. O-O h6 is another way of breaking the Bg5 stranglehold.

11. Qb3

Here c5 seems more logical.

11... Re8?

Again does not help Black's f6 Knight.

11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 Nxc4 13. Qxc4 Qd5! freeing the f6 Knight.

12. Ne5

Now Black is in a difficult position as White is threatening Ng4.

12... Bd7?

a mistake, Black should play dxc4

12... dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nxc4 (13... Nbd7 14. Nxd7 Bxd7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Qxb7 White is better.) 14. Qxc4 In this position Black is suffering on the dark squares round his King because of the g6 move. White is threatening Ng4 14... h6 (14... Kg7 15. Ng4 wins) (14... h5 15. Qe2 Kg7 16. Qf3 White has a good advantage.) 15. Bxh6 Ne4 16. Bf4 White has a good advantage.

13. c5 Nc4 14. Nxc4?

lets Black off the hook to a certain extent.

14. Bxc4! dxc4 15. Qxb7 Black is unable to defend against White's threats (Bxf6 followed by taking the Bishop on d7)

14... dxc4 15. Bxc4 Kg7

15... b5 !? 16. cxb6 axb6 17. Bxf6 (17. Qxb6 Qxb6 18. Rxb6 Ne4 19. Bf4 Nxc3) 17... Qxf6 18. Qxb6 White has a good advantage.

16. Qxb7 Qb8

16... Rb8 17. Qxb8 Qxb8 18. Rxb8 Rxb8 19. Bb3 White has a good advantage.

17. O-O Qxb7 18. Rxb7 Reb8

? This loses a piece and decides the game.

18... Ne4 19. Rxd7 Nxg5 better, but White has a good advantage.

19. Bxf6+ Kxf6 20. Rxd7 Rb2 21. Rc1 Rab8 22. g3 Rd2 23. Bb3 a5 24. Ra7 Rb5 25. c4 Rb4 26. Rxa5 Rb8 27. Ra6 Rc8 28. Ba4 Rb8 29. Rb6 Ra8 30. Bb3 g5

30... Rc8

31. Rxc6 h5 32. Rb1 Rg8 33. Bd1 h4

33... Rxa2

34. g4 Kg7

34... Rxa2

35. Rc7 Kh8 36. Rxf7 Rxa2 37. Rbb7 h3

37... Rga8

38. Rh7# 1-0

[ 1.d4,A40]

1. d4 f6?

A poor move. Joe is probably confusing this with the Caro Kann defence. 1...c6 and 2...d5

2. Bf4 e5?

This loses a pawn.

2... d6 3. Bg3 e5 is better.

3. dxe5 fxe5 4. Bxe5 Nc6 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. e3 O-O 8. Nge2 Nh5?

Unprotected piece. - This should lose a piece.

8... d6 9. a3 Ba5 10. b4 Bb6

9. a3

? White now had the Queen check winning the Knight

9. Qd5+ Rf7 10. Qxh5

9... Ba5?

Again allowing the Queen check.

9... Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 d5 11. h3 Bf5

10. Bg3?

White still had the Queen check.

10. Qd5+ Kh8 11. Qxh5 Qf6 12. b4

10... d6?

You guessed it, the Queen check was still on.

10... Nxg3 11. Nxg3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 d5

11. Nd4?

11. Qd5+ Rf7 12. Qxh5

11... Nxd4 12. exd4 Re8+ 13. Be2 Nxg3

This opens the Rook file, and now Black's h7 looks very vulnerable.

It was best to leave this until White castled, then the Rook file would not be a problem.

14. hxg3 c5

Better was hitting the pinned Bishop by...

14... Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 Bg4 16. f3 Bf5 with a good game.

15. Qd3

Now White attacks the vulnerable h7 square.

15... cxd4?

Black should remove the Knight by playing ..

15... Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 h6

16. O-O-O

White wants to free his Bishop from the pin by the Rook so it can join in the attack.

16. Qxh7+ Kf8 17. Qg6 Be6 18. Rh8+ Bg8

16... Qf6?

This allows the Queen entry at h7

16... h6 seems to be Black's only move. 17. Nb5 (17. Qxd4 Bxc3 18. Bc4+ Be6 19. Qxc3 Qc8) 17... Qf6 18. Qf3 Qg5+ 19. Kb1 Be6 Black is still alive.

16... dxc3 17. Qxh7+ Kf8 18. Qh8+ Kf7 19. Bh5+ Ke6 20. Qxg7 cxb2+ 21. Kb1 mate is inevitable.

17. Qxh7+ Kf7 18. Bc4+ Ke7

18... Be6 19. Ne4 Qg6 20. Nxd6+ Kf6 21. Nxe8+ Rxe8 22. Qh4+ White has a good attack.

19. Nd5+

Black is lost.

19... Ke6 20. Nxf6+ Kxf6 21. Rxd4 Bf5 22. Qh4+ Ke5 23. Qf4+ Kf6 24. g4 Kg6 25. Qxf5# 1-0

1. e4 d5

Centre Counter or Scandinavian defence.

2. Nc3

2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 is White's best continuation.

2... dxe4

2... d4 is Black's best move here.

3. Nxe4 f5?

This is a poor move that weakens the K-side

3... c6 4. d4 would now transpose into the Caro Kann defence.

4. Nc5

Not the best square as Black could play e5 now.

4... g6

4... e5 attacking the Knight is the best move here.

5. Bc4

White latches onto the dangerous diagonal c4 to g8, especially attacking Black's weak point at f7.

5... h5?

Another weak move that wastes time and weakens the K-side.

5... Qd4 with a double attack on the Bishop and Knight is answered by Bxg8.

6. Nf3 f4

Black wastes even more time.

7. d4

White has a tremendous advantage in development

7... Bg4

At last Black plays a developing move.

8. Ng5

Zakk offers his Queen !!

8... Bxd1??

Ashley grabs it but walks into a one move mate !

9. Bf7#

He who grabs Queen without checking sometimes gets mated !

1-0

1. e4 d5

Centre Counter or Scandinavian defence.

2. Nc3

2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 is White's best continuation.

2... c6

2... d4 is a good move for Black.

3. Bd3

This an awkward move tha blocks in the d pawn and causes White development problems.

3. d4 would transpose into the Caro Kann defence.

3... e6

Erin prefers a solid centre, but this blocks in the Q-Bishop.

3... d4 gaining space and attacking the Knight is a good move.

4. exd5 cxd5

cxd5 instead is more logical as this allows the Q-Bishop out.

5. Nf3 Nc6 6. O-O Bd6 7. Bb5

White has to move the Bishop again in order to move his d pawn so that his Q-Bishop can be developed.

7... Nf6 8. h3 O-O 9. Bxc6?

This strengthens Black's centre and gives up a good Bishop.

9... bxc6 10. d4 h6 11. a3

a rather pointless move

11... Ba6 12. Re1 Rb8

Black has the advantage with a better centre and better development

13. Ne5 Ne4?

This is a mistake as it loses the exchange and a pawn.

14. Nxc6

14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Nxc6 winning the exchange.

14... Qh4

attacks White's weak point on f2.

15. Nxb8?

A bad move as Erin can force mate !!

15... Rxb8

Erin misses her chance.

15... Qxf2+ 16. Kh1 Qg3 (16... Ng3+ 17. Kh2 Ne2+ 18. Kh1 Qg3 is another way of getting checkmate.) 17. Kg1 Qh2#

16. Nxe4

Joe escapes !

16... dxe4 17. c3 Rb5 18. Qg4 Qf6 19. Rxe4 Bb7 20. Re3?

a mistake as Black has Rg5 now !

20... e5

20... Rg5 21. Qe2 Rxg2+ 22. Kf1 Bh2 with an attack.

21. dxe5

21. c4 driving the Rook back is best.

21... Bxe5 22. Qd7 Rd5 23. Qxb7??

This allows a checkmate !

23... Qd6

Erin misses the checkmate !

23... Rd1+! 24. Re1 Rxe1#

24. Qc8+ Kh7 25. c4??

Again White allows a checkmate !

25... Bh2+

25... Rd1+ 26. Re1 Rxe1#

26. Kf1 Rd1+ 27. Re1??

Yet again White allows a checkmate !

27. Ke2! is best and White escapes being checkmated !

27... Qd3#

Erin finally spots one !

0-1

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. Bf4 f5 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 e6

Black is playing the Dutch "Stonewall " defence.

6. Ne5 Bd6 7. O-O O-O

Both players have made good opening moves, well done!

8. e3

This is not really necessary, and blocks off the retreat of White Q Bishop if Black play h6 and g5

8... h6 9. Qf3 Ne4

9... g5 10. Ng6 gxf4 11. Nxf8 is unclear.

10. g4 Bd7 11. Nc3

? This walks into a Knight fork.

11. gxf5 Rxf5 12. Qe2 =

11... Nd2 12. Qe2 Nxf1 13. Bxf1

13. Rxf1

13... Na6 14. e4?

suicidal pawn move

14... Qh4

14... fxe4!

15. Nxd7

15. Ng6 ! is best, forking Max right back !!

15... Rfd8

15... Bxf4 threatening mate is surely better.

16. Ne5 fxe4

Now White is slightly better, but he throws away a piece.

17. Nxe4 dxe4 18. Qxe4 Qxg4+

?? Max throws away his Queen. But Bradley does not see it !

19. Bg2

19. Nxg4!

19... Qh5 20. d5 cxd5 21. Qf3 Qxf3 22. Bxf3 Rac8 23. Bh5 Bxe5 24. Bxe5 Rxc2 25. Re1 Nb4 26. Bc3 Nxa2 27. Re3 Nxc3 28. Rxc3 Rxb2

and Black won

0-1

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Bg4 3. f3 Bf5 4. e4 dxe4 5. fxe4 Bxe4

? throws a piece away

6. Nxe4 Nf6 7. Bc4

? loses a Knight

7... Nxe4 8. Qh5 Kd7

?? unnecessary

8... Nd6 defends f7 and attacks the Bishop

9. Qd5+ Kc8

9... Nd6 saves the Knight

10. Qxe4 e6 11. Nf3 Bd6 12. Bf4 Bb4+ 13. c3 Nc6

loses the Bishop

14. cxb4 Nxb4 15. a3 Qd7

loses the Knight

16. axb4 Re8 17. Qxh7 Rf8 18. Qxg7 Qe7 19. Bg5 Qxb4+ 20. Nd2 Qxb2 21. Rb1 Qa3 22. Bb5 c6 23. Nc4

! Now Black is in big trouble.

23... Qa4

23... Qc3+ 24. Bd2 and Black's Rook and Queen are both en prise.

24. Bxa4 Re8 25. Bf4 a6 26. Nd6+

26. Qe5! Re7 27. Qh8+ Kd7 28. Rxb7#

26... Kd8 27. Nxe8

27. Rxb7 a5 28. Bg5+ f6 29. Qd7#

27... Kxe8 28. Rd1

28. Qh8+ Kd7 29. Rxb7#

28... Rd8 29. Bg5 Rc8 30. d5

30. Qf6 Kd7 31. Qe7#

30... exd5 31. O-O

31. Qe5+ Kd7 32. Qe7#

31... b5 32. Rde1+

32. Qxf7#

32... Kd7 33. Qxf7+ Kd6 34. Qe7# 1-0

1. e4 d5 2. Nc3

2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 is best for White.

2... Nf6 3. d3

Here e5 or exd5 are better.

3... dxe4 4. dxe4 Bg4

Now Holly allows a one move checkmate.

5. Nb5??

5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 and White has no problems.

5... Qxd1#

Checkmate

0-1

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c6 4. e3 e6

blocks in the QBishop.

4... Bg4 looks better.

5. Bd3 Bd6 6. Bxd6 Qxd6 7. c3 O-O 8. O-O h6

Both sides have played well in the opening.

9. b3

This is too slow.

9. Nbd2 looks best.

9... Nbd7 10. c4 b6

10... e5 attacking in the centre looks a good idea.

11. cxd5 cxd5 12. g3?

a rather pointless weakening of the K-side, Nc3 better

12... a5

12... e5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 and Black has good play for her pieces.

13. Nbd2 Ba6

This gets rid of White's well placed KBishop

14. Bxa6 Rxa6 15. Rc1 b5 16. Rc2 Qb8

16... Rc6 challenging on the c file was a good move.

17. Qe2 Rc8?

This loses the b5 pawn.

18. Rfc1

A crucial point in the game. Now Erin goes astray.

18. Rxc8+ Qxc8 19. Qxb5 nets a pawn for White.

18... Rac6??

This loses a whole Rook.

18... Rxc2 19. Rxc2 Qb7 Black is fine.

19. Rxc6 Rxc6 20. Rxc6 Qb7 21. Rc1 Nb6?

loses the b5 pawn, now Erin plays weakly for the rest of the game.

22. Qxb5 e5 23. Nxe5 Qe7? 24. Qxb6 Ne4 25. Nxe4 dxe4 26. Qc6

26. Rc8+ Kh7 27. Qb8 g6 28. Rh8+ Kg7 29. Ng4 and Qg8 mate.

26... Qa3 27. Rc2 Qxb3??

Suicide

28. axb3 a4 29. Qe8+ Kh7 30. Rc8 a3 31. Qh8#

Checkmate

1-0

[ QUEEN'S PAWN GAME,D03]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. c3 Nc6 6. Bd3 O-O 7. Nh4

? a poor idea. White should carry on with his development with Nbd2.

7... h6 8. Bf4 g5 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. Nf3 Ne4

10... g4!? 11. Nfd2 e5 was an interesting idea.

10... e5 11. dxe5 Nxe5 was a possible line for Black.

11. Qc2

11. O-O !? 11... f5 12. Nfd2 Nf6 13. f4

11... e5?!

a move too late.This loses a pawn.

11... f5 was better.

12. Nxe5?!

12. Bxe4 nets a pawn. 12... dxe4 13. Qxe4

12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 Qxe5 14. Nd2 Bf5 15. f3

?? Now Bradley has a strong move !!

15... Nxd2?

Bradley misses his chance.

15... Ng3 ! is a surprising killer! 16. hxg3 (16. Kf2 Nxh1+ 17. Rxh1 Bxd3) 16... Qxe3+ 17. Kd1 Bxd3

16. Qxd2 Bxd3 17. Qxd3

Now Rfe8 attacking the weak backward e pawn looks best.

17... f5

17... Rfe8 ! attacking the backward e pawn looks best. 18. Kf2 Re6 19. Rae1 Rae8

18. g3?

castles is simpler.

18... Rad8

Why the d file ? attacking down the e file is better.

18... Rae8! 19. Kf2 Rf7 20. Rhe1 Rfe7

19. f4

again O-O is better.

19... Qe4 20. Qxe4 fxe4

? Instead recapturing with the d pawn is more logical.

20... dxe4 21. O-O Rd3

21. O-O gxf4 22. gxf4 c5 23. Rad1 Rf5 24. b4 c4?

Now Black's pawns are compromised and cannot advance without sacrifice. Rc8 is better.

24... Rc8!? 25. Rd2 cxb4 26. cxb4 Rc4

25. a4 Kh8

Now the King will get trapped on the h file with a White Rook on the g file - Kf7 is better.

26. Rf2 Rg8+ 27. Rg2 h5?

Advancing this pawn achieves nothing - and, in fact, puts it in danger of being lost.

27... Rxg2+ 28. Kxg2 Kg7 29. Kg3 Kf6

28. Kf2 h4? 29. Rdg1 Rxg2+ 30. Rxg2 h3?

30... Kh7 31. a5 b6 32. axb6 axb6

31. Rg6

This move gives White options of Rh6+, wiining the h pawn, and also Rd6 to d7.

31... Kh7?!

31... Rf8!? 32. Rh6+ Kg7 33. Rd6 Rg8

32. Rg5

This forces a Rook swap and gives White an advantage.

32. Rd6 ! wins pawns straight away. Black has too many weak pawns. 32... Rf7 33. Kg3 Rg7+ 34. Kxh3

32... Rxg5 33. fxg5 a6?

It is pointless moving the Q-side pawns.

33... Kg6! best 34. Kg3 Kxg5 35. Kxh3 But the ending is won for White.

34. Kg3 b5 35. a5 Kg6

The ending is won for White

36. Kg4

36. Kf4 ! is strongest as White can get after the weak d5 pawn. 36... Kf7 37. Ke5 Kg6 38. Kxd5 Kxg5 39. Ke5 Kg4 (39... Kh4 40. Kf4 Kh5 41. Kg3 White wins) 40. Kxe4

36... Kg7 37. Kxh3 Kg6 38. Kh4?

Here Kg4 is better.

38. Kg4 Kf7 39. h4 wins easily.

38... Kf5 39. h3

? A mistake by Ashley - Now Bradley misses a win !

39. g6 was the way to win for White. 39... Kxg6 40. Kg4 Kf6 41. Kf4 Ke6 42. h4 White wins because of the remoter pawn. 42... Kf6 43. h5 Ke6 44. h6 Kf6 45. h7 Kg7 46. Ke5 Kxh7 47. Kxd5 White wins.

39... Kg6??

39... d4! was Bradley's chance for glory 40. exd4 (40. g6 dxe3 41. Kg3 Kxg6 42. Kg2 Kg5 43. Kf1 (43. Kg3 e2 44. Kf2 Kh4 45. Kxe2 Kxh3 46. Ke3 Kg3 47. Kxe4 Kf2 48. Kd5 Ke3 49. Kc5 Kd3 Black wins.) 43... Kh4 44. Ke2 Kxh3 45. Kxe3 Kg3 46. Kxe4 Kf2 47. Kd4 Ke2 White cannot save his c3 pawn.) 40... e3 41. Kg3 Ke4 42. Kg2 (42. g6 Kd3 43. g7 e2 44. Kf2 Kd2 45. Kf3 e1=Q 46. g8=Q Qe3+ 47. Kg2 Kxc3) 42... Kd3 43. Kf1 Kd2 wins

40. Kg4 d4

Bradley's only chance, but it's a move too late.

41. exd4 e3 42. Kf3 Kxg5 43. Kxe3 Kh4 44. d5 Kxh3 45. d6 Kg2 46. d7 Kf1 47. d8=Q Ke1 48. Qd2+ Kf1 49. Qf2#

Checkmate - A good and instructive game of chess.

1-0