C50 Hungarian Defence and Giuoco Pianissimo (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d3 Nf6 5.Bg5 d6 6.Nc3 Be6 7.Bb3 O-O 8.O-O Nd4 9.Nxd4 Bxd4)

This week starts with a game that was played in a team match between LullabyVisca and ΙRANIAN. This 95 board match has only two games left to finish and the current score in the match is 93 - 95 in favor of ΙRANIAN. I played on board 16 for LullabyVisca and won both of my games against afshar_khan. We need to win the remaining two games in order to tie the match, however, as this match has featured some players, who have a cheater badge next to their username, our team has 5 of them and ΙRANIAN has 6, the current score should be changed on the boards where those players were. Both players on board 1 have that badge and the score was 0 - 2 in favor of ΙRANIAN, so that should be changed to 1 - 1. On board 8, the score is 1 - 1, but due to the fact that the ΙRANIAN player has that badge, it should be changed 2 - 0 in our favor. On board 10 the score is 1 - 1, but it should be changed to 0 - 2 for ΙRANIAN, because our board 10 has that badge. On board 14, the score is correct, because the player who cheated lost both games on time. On board 18 the score is 2 - 0 in our favor but should be changed the other way around, on board 20 the score is 0 - 2 in favor of ΙRANIAN, but should be changed to 2 - 0 in our favor. Then on board 30, the score is already correct due to the same fact as on board 14. On board 31, the score is 2 - 0 in our favor, but should be changed to 0 - 2, on board 42 the score is 1.5 - 0.5 in our favor, but it should be changed to 0 - 2 in favor of ΙRANIAN. On board 94, the score is 0 - 2 in favor of ΙRANIAN, but should be changed to 2 - 0 in our favor. After all the changes, the score would be 92 - 96 in favor of ΙRANIAN. In case that score in the match is changed, then we have already lost the match.

The game below did go in a logical way up to the move 9...Bxd4 in my opinion. Then my opponent played a mysterious looking move 10.Rb1. If I were to answer by playing Bxc3, then my opponent could play bxc3 and the rook would be in a good square, but the problem with that is that I was not going to play Bxc3 because that move would only help afshar_khan. I replied to 10.Rb1 with c6 in order to control the square d5, so that the knight could not safely jump there. After the first twelve moves had been played, I started to think that I have good chances in this game. The game was probably quite even at this point in time. The first mistake of the game was played by my opponent on move 16, when he played h3. I can't remember if I considered Bxh3, maybe I have considered it, but was not sure about the consequences, so I did not play it. Now it seems like an obvious move to play. It would have won a pawn because taking the bishop is not a good idea in view of 16...Bxh3 17.gxh3 Qxh3+ 18.Kg1 Nxg3 19.Nxg3 Qxg3 and I would have been up two pawns. The queen can't be taken because the pawn on f2 is pinned by the bishop on b6. It was the best chance so far to gain an advantage in the game. The game continuation leads to a more even position.

On my 19th move I was not sure about the best plan and ended up playing a bad move because of it. I should have played 19...Kh7 instead of 19...d5. Afshar_khan was not able to find the best move, so the position became even once again. Then on move 21, my opponent blundered and I am able to take advantage of that blunder, at least at first. The move 21.Bc2 has the idea of d4+ in some positions, but after 21...f5 that check is no longer there and the bishop might not be so well placed on c2. It was better to play Re1, so that I am quite forced to play a defensive move like Bc7 or f6. After 22.a3, I had a great possibility to play f4 and if d4+, then play e4 and I would have a really good position. However, the game continued to be played in my favor until I made the move 27...e4. I did play some bad moves earlier that lessened my advantage, but after 27...e4, the game was brought fully into balance. My opponent went astray immediately after 27...e4 and played 28.Nf1. After that my opponent's position deteriorated and I should have been in a winning position until I played 49...Kf6 and my opponent could have been able to hold the draw with accurate moves. However, my opponent blundered with 50.g4 and I could have had a winning position again, had I played 50...Bxa3. The move Bxa3 was something that I thought about during the game, but I did not play it because I thought that I did not get a chance to play it in favorable circumstances. I did not think far enough and accurately enough unfortunately, because that would have easily won the game had I understood that the bishop can't be taken because either the pawn will promote or I am able to win some material. Instead of the easily winning continuation I went for the move 50...Kg6 and the position is about even again had my opponent replied accurately that is. Afshar_khan blundered with 51.Nh2 and I was again given the chance to play Bxa3 with an easy win to follow, but I did not see how easily it wins and played 51...a5 that should be enough to win the game, but I was making things unnecessarily difficult for me.

Finally I thought that I had seen a way to improve my position and go for the win with 54...e2, but again I was wrong and this should only be good enough for a draw. Again on that move, I should have played Ba3. It is shameful that I could not find it to be winning even though I considered the move already some moves earlier... The final losing move came when my opponent played 60.fxg4, after that move I did not blunder my advantage away, but instead I was able to maintain it to the end.

[Event "LullabyVisca vs ?RANIAN - Board 16"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2015.10.27"] [Round "?"] [White "afshar_khan"] [Black "Vierjoki, Timo"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C50"] [WhiteElo "1676"] [BlackElo "1845"] [Annotator "Stockfish 7 64 POPCNT (30s), TV"] [PlyCount "154"] [EventDate "2015.??.??"] 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 Nf6 5. Bg5 d6 6. Nc3 {Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation} Be6 7. Bb3 O-O 8. O-O Nd4 (8... h6 9. Be3 Bb6 {1/2-1/2 (9) Gardaloev,Z (2302)-Kryuk,M (2192) Raduzhny 2009}) 9. Nxd4 Bxd4 {C50 Hungarian Defence and Giuoco Pianissimo} 10. Rb1 {N} (10. Kh1 h6 11. Bh4 c6 12. f4 exf4 13. Qf3 Be5 14. Be1 Ng4 15. Bxe6 Ne3 16. Bxf7+ Rxf7 17. Rf2 Qd7 18. Rc1 Raf8 19. Bd2 d5 20. exd5 cxd5 21. Re2 d4 22. Ne4 Qb5 23. b3 b6 24. h3 { 1/2-1/2 (24) Kraemer,M-Wendler,D Sebnitz 1998}) (10. Qf3 Bg4 11. Qxg4 Nxg4 12. Bxd8 Raxd8 13. h3 Nf6 14. Rab1 c5 15. Nb5 a6 16. Nxd4 cxd4 17. f3 d5 18. Rfe1 Nh5 19. Bxd5 Rd6 20. Kh2 Rg6 21. Rg1 Rd8 22. Bxb7 Rdd6 23. Bd5 Rg3 24. c3 Rdg6 {Hristodoulaki,A-Ximitidou,S Greece 2002 1-0 (45)}) 10... c6 {Consolidates b5+d5} 11. Kh1 h6 {Black threatens to win material: h6xg5} 12. Bh4 g5 13. Bg3 Qd7 14. Ne2 Bb6 15. c3 {Prevents intrusion on d4} Nh5 16. h3 {Consolidates g4} (16. f3 f5 {=}) 16... Nxg3+ (16... Bxh3 17. d4 Be6 18. dxe5 Rae8 {+/-} (18... Nxg3+ 19. Nxg3 dxe5 20. Bxe6 Qxd1 21. Bxf7+ (21. Rbxd1 fxe6 22. f3 Rad8 {+/-}) 21... Kxf7 22. Rbxd1 {=})) 17. Nxg3 {= Black has the pair of bishops} ({Not} 17. fxg3 Bxh3 {Clearance: e6} 18. Qd2 Kg7 {+/-}) 17... Kh7 18. Nh5 (18. d4 exd4 19. cxd4 Bxb3 20. axb3 Rg8 {+/=}) 18... Kg6 (18... f5 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. exf5 Qxf5 21. Qe2 {=}) 19. Ng3 d5 (19... Kh7 20. d4 exd4 21. cxd4 Bxb3 22. axb3 {+/= }) 20. exd5 (20. d4 $5 f6 21. exd5 cxd5 22. dxe5 fxe5 23. Qe2 {+/-}) 20... cxd5 {=} 21. Bc2 (21. Re1 $5 {might be a viable alternative} f6 22. Qe2 {=}) 21... f5 {+/-} 22. a3 (22. Ne2 Bc7 {+/-}) 22... Rac8 (22... f4 23. d4+ e4 24. Nxe4 dxe4 25. Bxe4+ Kg7 26. f3 {-+}) 23. Qh5+ (23. f3 Bc7 {+/-}) 23... Kg7 24. Qe2 Qd6 {White has a cramped position} (24... Bc7 $5 25. d4 e4 26. f4 {-+}) 25. Rfe1 (25. Rbe1 Bc7 26. f4 gxf4 27. Nh5+ Kh8 {=/+}) 25... Bc7 {+/-} 26. Nh5+ $2 (26. Nf1 Rf7 {+/-}) 26... Kg6 $4 {hands over the advantage to the opponent} ( 26... Kh8 $5 {-+}) 27. Ng3 (27. f4 gxf4 28. Nxf4+ Kh7 {=/+}) 27... e4 {This push gains space} (27... Rcd8 28. c4 {+/-}) 28. Nf1 (28. c4 $5 Kg7 29. cxd5 {=} ) 28... Rce8 29. d4 (29. Rbd1 $5 {has some apparent merit} Qe5 30. Ba4 {+/-}) 29... Bd7 (29... a6 {+/-}) 30. Bd1 (30. c4 $5 {+/-}) 30... a6 31. Qd2 (31. c4 Kg7 32. Qc2 dxc4 33. Qxc4 Bb6 {-+}) 31... Rh8 (31... h5 32. Rc1 {-+}) 32. Ng3 $2 (32. Kg1 h5 {-+}) 32... Ref8 (32... h5 $5 {makes it even easier for Black} 33. Rc1 e3 34. Rxe3 Rxe3 35. Qxe3 {-+}) 33. Bh5+ Kg7 34. Kg1 (34. c4 dxc4 35. Qc3 Qd5 {-+}) 34... f4 (34... g4 $5 35. hxg4 fxg4 36. Rbd1 {-+}) 35. Nf1 {+/-} Bb5 36. Be2 $4 {the pressure is too much, White crumbles} (36. f3 e3 37. Qc2 { +/-}) 36... Bxe2 {-+} 37. Qxe2 (37. Rxe2 {does not improve anything} g4 38. Rc1 {-+}) 37... Qg6 (37... f3 {makes sure everything is clear} 38. gxf3 Rxf3 {-+}) 38. f3 {+/-} e3 39. Nh2 h5 40. Red1 $2 (40. Rbd1 b5 {+/-}) 40... Rf6 (40... g4 {makes it even easier for Black} 41. Kh1 gxh3 42. gxh3 {-+}) 41. Qd3 $2 (41. Ra1 Rc6 {-+}) 41... Rh6 (41... Qxd3 $5 {seems even better} 42. Rxd3 Rb6 43. Nf1 {-+}) 42. Qxg6+ (42. Qe2 b5 {+/-}) 42... Rhxg6 {-+} 43. Kf1 (43. Re1 Rb6 44. Re2 Rb3 {-+}) 43... Rb6 44. Ke2 $2 (44. b3 {-+}) 44... Rb3 45. Kd3 (45. Rdc1 { is the last straw} Rgb6 46. Rc2 Rxa3 47. Kd3 {-+}) 45... Rgb6 46. Kc2 (46. Rdc1 {doesn't improve anything} Rxb2 47. Rxb2 Rxb2 {-+}) 46... Kf7 (46... Bd6 { might be the shorter path} 47. Nf1 Bxa3 48. Nxe3 Rxb2+ 49. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 50. Kd3 fxe3 51. Re1 Rxg2 52. Rxe3 {-+}) 47. Re1 (47. Rdc1 {cannot undo what has already been done} Bd6 48. a4 Ba3 {-+}) 47... Bd6 48. Nf1 Be7 (48... Bxa3 $5 { keeps an even firmer grip} 49. Nxe3 fxe3 50. Rxe3 Rxb2+ 51. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 52. Kd3 {-+}) 49. g3 (49. Nxe3 {cannot change destiny} fxe3 50. a4 {-+}) 49... Kf6 ( 49... Bxa3 {and Black can already relax} 50. Nxe3 fxe3 51. Rxe3 Rxb2+ 52. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 53. Kd3 {-+}) 50. g4 $4 (50. h4 gxh4 51. gxf4 Bxa3 52. Nxe3 Rxb2+ 53. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 54. Kd3 Kf7 {=}) 50... Kg6 (50... Bxa3 {and Black can already relax} 51. Nxe3 Rxb2+ 52. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 53. Kd3 fxe3 54. Rxe3 Rh2 55. gxh5 Rxh3 {-+}) 51. Nh2 $4 (51. Nd2 {was necessary} exd2 52. Rxe7 {=}) 51... a5 (51... Bxa3 { and Black can celebrate victory} 52. gxh5+ Kxh5 53. Kd3 {-+}) 52. a4 (52. gxh5+ {does not save the day} Kxh5 53. Ng4 Bxa3 54. Nf6+ Kh4 {-+}) 52... Bf8 (52... Ba3 {it becomes clear that Black will call all the shots} 53. Re2 Bxb2 {-+}) 53. Nf1 Bd6 (53... h4 {might be the shorter path} 54. Nxe3 fxe3 55. Rxe3 Ba3 56. Re6+ Rxe6 57. Kxb3 Bd6 {-+}) 54. Nh2 $4 {a blunder in a bad position} (54. Nxe3 fxe3 55. Rxe3 {-+}) 54... e2 (54... Ba3 {ends the debate} 55. Re2 Bxb2 56. gxh5+ Kxh5 {-+}) 55. Rxe2 {=} Ba3 56. Re6+ Rxe6 57. Kxb3 Bd6 58. Rh1 Re2 59. Ka2 (59. gxh5+ Kxh5 60. Ng4 Kh4 {=}) 59... hxg4 (59... h4 {+/-}) 60. fxg4 $4 { releasing the pressure on the opponent} (60. Nxg4 {and White can hope to survive} Be7 61. Kb3 {=}) 60... Rf2 {-+} 61. Nf1 Kf6 (61... Kf7 62. Kb3 {-+}) 62. Kb1 (62. Kb3 b6 {-+}) 62... Ke6 (62... f3 63. Ne3 Re2 {-+}) 63. Kc1 $2 (63. Ka2 {+/-}) 63... f3 {-+} 64. Kb1 (64. Ne3 Bf4 65. Re1 {-+}) 64... Bf4 65. b3 ( 65. Ka2 {is not the saving move} Rg2 66. h4 gxh4 {-+}) 65... Re2 (65... Rg2 66. b4 f2 67. Kc2 {-+}) 66. c4 (66. h4 {doesn't change the outcome of the game} gxh4 67. g5 Bxg5 {-+}) 66... f2 67. c5 Be3 68. b4 axb4 69. a5 (69. h4 {cannot change what is in store for White} Bxd4 70. Rh3 Re1+ 71. Kc2 Rxf1 72. Rf3 Rg1 73. hxg5 f1=Q 74. Rxf1 Rxf1 75. g6 Rf2+ 76. Kd3 Bxc5 77. a5 b3 78. Kc3 b2 79. g7 Kf7 80. g5 b1=Q 81. g6+ Kxg7 82. a6 Qc2#) 69... Bxd4 70. Kc1 (70. Nd2 { a fruitless try to alter the course of the game} Rxd2 71. Kc1 Bc3 72. c6 bxc6 73. h4 b3 74. hxg5 Re2 75. Rh6+ Ke5 76. Re6+ Kxe6 77. a6 f1=Q#) 70... Bxc5 ( 70... b3 71. Ng3 Re1+ 72. Kd2 Rxh1 73. c6 b2 74. c7 Kd7 75. Nxh1 f1=Q 76. a6 Qg2+ 77. Kd3 b1=Q+ 78. Kxd4 Qge4+ 79. Kc3 Qed3#) 71. Kd1 (71. a6 {is no salvation} bxa6 72. Kd1 Ra2 73. h4 b3 74. hxg5 Ra1+ 75. Ke2 b2 76. Rh6+ Ke5 77. Rf6 Re1+ 78. Kf3 b1=Q 79. g6 Rxf1 80. Rf5+ Qxf5+ 81. gxf5 Rg1 82. Ke2 f1=Q+ 83. Kd2 Rg2+ 84. Kc3 Qf3#) 71... Ra2 72. h4 gxh4 73. Rxh4 (73. a6 {does not solve anything} bxa6 74. Rxh4 Ra1+ 75. Ke2 Re1+ 76. Kf3 Rxf1 77. Rh6+ Kf7 78. g5 Re1 79. Rf6+ Kg7 80. Kg2 b3 81. Kh2 f1=Q 82. Rxf1 Rxf1 83. g6 b2 84. Kh3 b1=Q 85. Kg2 Rg1+ 86. Kh3 Qf5+ 87. Kh4 Bf2#) 73... Ra1+ 74. Ke2 Re1+ 75. Kf3 (75. Kd3 { hardly improves anything} Rxf1 76. Rh6+ Kf7 77. Rh5 Rd1+ 78. Kc2 f1=Q 79. Rf5+ Qxf5+ 80. gxf5 Rg1 81. Kb2 Rg3 82. a6 Rg2+ 83. Kc1 bxa6 84. Kb1 b3 85. Kc1 Ba3+ 86. Kd1 b2 87. f6 b1=Q#) 75... Rxf1 76. Rh2 (76. Rh6+ {is not much help} Kf7 77. g5 b3 78. Rh2 b2 79. Rh7+ Kg6 80. Rh6+ Kxg5 81. Rh7 b1=Q 82. Rg7+ Kh5 83. Rh7+ Qxh7 84. a6 Qe4+ 85. Kg3 Rg1+ 86. Kh3 Qh4#) 76... Rg1 (76... b3 77. Rh6+ Kf7 78. g5 Rg1 79. Rf6+ Kg7 80. Ke2 b2 81. a6 b1=Q 82. Rf7+ Kxf7 83. g6+ Rxg6 84. a7 f1=Q+ 85. Kd2 Qbc1#) 77. Rxf2 Bxf2 (77... Bxf2 78. Kxf2 Rxg4 79. a6 bxa6 80. Ke1 b3 81. Kd1 Rg1+ 82. Ke2 b2 83. Kf3 b1=Q 84. Kf2 Qe1+ 85. Kf3 d4 86. Kf4 Qe3#) 0-1