SELESS Round 1: Aloysius Onyetube v Femi Emmanuel (Jesufemi Ogundalu)

The Opening

The game began with White playing a Queen's Gambit, which Black declined by playing 2. ...c6. That transposed the game into a Slav Defense.

The Slav Defense is a solid response to the Queen's Gambit. It supports the d5 pawn and leaves White with few options in response. In exchange, Black's light-squared bishop is often tied down to defend the b7 pawn. If the bishop moves too early, White has chances against the b7 pawn and the rook on h8.

However, after Aloysius traded the c4 pawn, the resulting position usually has nothing for either player. At the highest levels, it usually results in a draw and stockfish confirms this (eval +0.3)

Moves 6 and 7 baffle me each time I see it, because why? It doesn't affect the evaluation but still, moving the a and h pawns almost in sync.

The game at this point is symmetrical, in terms of pawn structure, though aWhite has slight lead in development. Black's light-squared bishop is trapped behind his e6 pawn, which is common in Slav positions. White could perhaps thinking of playing e3, placing the rook on the open c-file and developing the knight and bishop. Black has similar ideas, and is closer to castling.

At this point, Femi Emmanuel has developed his pieces, save for the light-squared bishop. He places his dark- squared bishop to d6, challenging Alouysius's bishop on f4. Ne2 develops the knight and defends the bishop. Should Black decide to trade, Aloysius can take back without damaging his pawn structure.

The move 10. ... e5 feels rushed in my opinion. Black could have castled and prepared the pawn break better with a move like re8 after. The placement of the knight on e2 also signified that, at least for a while, none of White's pieces would occupy the square.

Granted, the move is not a blunder, and it can be argued that it opens up squares for the walled in bishop on c8. But after 11. dxe5, white has ideas of placing a knight on d4, or targeting the d5 pawn with the revealed X-ray of the queen. Meanwhile, there is still no comfortable place for the light-squared bishop to go. (Eval +0.9)

The Middle Game: Complications Gone Wrong

The first inaccuracy occurs with the move 13. Qb3. I can't exactly tell why this move is inaccurate, the queen attacks the d5 pawn with the knight on c3. The pawn, however, is well defended. The queen also applies some pressure on the b7 pawn, restricting the mobility of the bishop.

The computer suggests instead Bxe5, with ideas of adding pressure to the d5 pawn with moves like Nf4, and rad1 sometime in the future. (Eval -0.3)

29. Rfd1 is an interesting move, though stockfish rates it a mistake. The idea is a common theme. If Femi Emmanuel takes the knight, Bh7+, sacrifices the bishop, but wins the queen. Though, it would be a knight, bishop and rook for a queen. It seems like an unfair trade, but coordination is a difficult task and a queen can work many wonders if allowed.

Stockfish is not convinced. It wants Black to take the hanging knight and allow black to go down the line. Stockfish would have preferred for Aloysius save his knight with 29. Ne4 with ideas of trading it off for the knight on f6.

Personally, I prefer the safer option. (Eval -1.7)

Stockfish calls this a blunder, but I think Femi Emmanuel made the right call, stepping out of the check, to give himself protection from the tactic stated earlier. It gives Aloysius time to save his knight. Ultimately, it a practical move, fitting for the position. (Eval +1.3)

I cannot tell you why this is an inacuracy. Aloysius is threatening to win the f7 pawn with ideas of Bxf7. Black can't take back, because he loses the rook. He also need to move the rook, because of the incoming Ng6+ which forks the king and rook. However, there is no good square to move the rook too if Femi Emmanuel allows the capture.

He must defend the f7 pawn. And defend he does.

16. ...Qd7 is given an inacuracy and it's a bit clearer here. Stockfish suggests 16. ...Qc7, breaking the pin on the pawn while still defending against Bxf7. It would also reinvigorate the threat of taking the knight on c3.

A blunder from Aloysius. Putting pressure on the pinned pawn, but with the with the wrong knight.

Femi Emmanuel pounces with the next move.

Attacking the bishop that has nowhere to go. Going back breaks the pin and endangers the knight. Going forward loses the bishop entirely. And Aloysius must figure out what to do

A valiant effort to try and complicate the game. But after 18. ...dxc3 19 Bxc6 Qxc6, Aloysius is just down a piece. The computer suggested 18. Nxb5 instead, sacrificing the knight for 2 prawns instead and playing on. (Eval -2.5)

Endgame: It's All Downhill From Here

Aloysius fought a difficult battle from this point on, playing down a piece. He caused trouble where he could, avoided trades when possible, but ultimately lost the game.

Before we go, I'll leave you with this puzzle from the game.

It's black to play, can you find the mate?