100 games experiment (Part 1/5)

More and more often during games, I recognize that I’ve analyzed the position before, but I can’t remember any of the analysis. To solve this problem I decided to write down notes from my analyses, videos I watch or lines I learn. But very often it's not easy to force myself to do so, therefore I decided to try out a little experiement. Instead of playing a lot of blitz games, and after every single one saying to myself "I'll analyze the next one" I'll play 100 rapid games and annotate every single one.

Putting them all in one post will make it unreadable, so I think splitting it into 5 parts with 20 games each is the best thing to do. Without more yapping here are the first games:)

Game 1

Notes: In Classical Scandi with Bf4 meet Be4 with Nc4–Nxe4 right away!

Game 2

Notes: In Delayed Milner-Barry with Nc6 play b4–Nb3–Bd2 for b5, and if Black castles short h4! After Nxh4 Nxh4 Bxh4 Nc5! attacks the bishop on d7 and threatens Qh5

Game 3

Game 4

We got a position I occasionally play from the other side after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 c5 4. dxc5 e6 5. c4 Bxc5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O Nc6

Notes: In Quiet Pterodactyl after Bxc4 an idea worth trying out is Na5–Be6 blocking the IQP before White can push it.

Game 5

I hate the modern... it's funny that openings I dislike the most are the ones I play, but in a completely different fashion — I hate the Modern Scandi and Qd8 Scandi, and I play the Scandi myself, but in a very aggresive style. Same with modern, I hate the c6–d5 plan, but myself I try to play it aggresively with a6–b5–c5.

Game 6

Notes: In Centre Game Qd3, Pin Variation with a6, Na6 treat 15... b5 the same way as 15... Nc5. Quick b4 doesn't mean Black can break through.

Game 7

Game 8

Notes: In Reversed Closed Sicilian not opening the a–file with axb4 might be a better idea, if I don't intent on fighting on it.

Game 9

Notes: In Milner-Barry Gambit with Bb5 after 15... a6 16.Rc3 is a easy draw, but 16.f4 is very ambitious (meeting 16... Nc6 with 17.f5!)

Game 10

What was that xD

Game 11

If White takes on b5 first, then we can meet bxc4 with b4!? and get 2 passed pawns!

Notes: In QGA Greco with a4, b3, bxc4 finally remember Nf6!

Game 12

5. Bd3 is pretty cool is a good way of avoiding theory, in g4 e6 lines, with which most h6 Tal players should be familiar. It gives White a very comfortable advantage, where if you understand the ideas of the position you'll just roll the opponent (not like I did)

Notes: In h6 Tal keep the rook on the h–file, instead of castling play Kf1.

Game 13

Another French. This line (12.b4) I played for the first time ever, so a pretty strong debut:D

Game 14

What a miniatuure! I'm not a fan of these Rossolimo-ish positions, cuz I feel like Black just goes c4 early and solves their problems.

Game 15

Notes: In Centre Game Qd3 if Black takes on c3 and castles long White can't prevent d5. Engine prefers Ne2–Nd4, but Ne2–Nf4 looks like it stops d5, so in fast games, or against weaker players it might be a better choice.

Game 16

I missed a simple win with 23... e4+, but got lucky and kept my now 8 games winstreak!

Notes: In Symmetrical Grunfeld I like Bf5. The queen belongs on a5, and the knight on c6.

Game 17

Game 18

I'm fairly certain I played a cheater, which if true is very annoying, as I lost my longest rapid winstreak.

Notes: In Modern when White plays e5, and the bishop is already on b7, Nd5 is a much better option.

Game 19

The winstreak would live on :(

Notes: If against g6 you play Bh6–h4–h5 watch out for Bxh6–g5–f6–Nf7
In Centre game d6 with g6, Nge7 develop the bishop to e3, so if Black doesn't castle short play h4–Nh3–Nf4

Game 20

From 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nf3 the position can transpose to the King's Indian (3... d6 4.e4 Nf6 5.Nc3), Grunfeld (3... Nf6 4.Nc3 d5), Beef Eater (3... d6 4.Nc3?! c5 5.d5 Bxc3+), Benoni (3... c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Nf6 6.Nc3 O-O), Benko Gambit (3... c5 4.d5 b5), Leningrad Dutch (3... f4!? 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.g3 O-O 6.Bg2 d6 7.O-O c6) and I have no idea which one I want to play... Against 3.g3 Black can get a better version of the Benko, and against 3.Nc3 there is the Beef eater (which can be avoided from 3.Nf3). Grunfeld is an interesting option, but then there is 4.g3 so I'm not sure

Notes: Take on c6 with the d–pawn. And if not, 7... Rb8 looks more interesting.

Summary

I played 11 games with White with a score of 9-0-2 (Insane) and 9 with Black, scoring 4-3-2. I gained 58 elo (35 with White, 22 with Black) and matched my highest winstreak of 9!

You might've expected me to play the Scandinavian considering my post about Anti-Scandinavians, but I only played 1... g6 here. Does that mean I'm switching my main opening for Black? No! I'm playing around with the Modern Defence, because I'm not happy with my repertoire against d4, often it's hard to win the positions I get, especially in the London or e3 QGA, and wins are very often essential in OTB tournaments. But to play the Modern against 1.d4 I must be ready for 2.e4 and this is an amazing opportunity to get more practice in!

I hope you find my coverage instructive, or maybe this post will inspire you to try and do the same thing. Oh, and one more thing. You can find all the annotated games with White here, and with Black here. Thank you for reading! :D

Fun fact, opponent from Game 18 was a cheater :D