[Event "Modern Openings: Locke79 - Tankburger SB12"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/4zzWIwHk/Z7ndWsNh"] [Date "3.23.20"] [White "Locke79"] [Black "Tankburger"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "A40"] [Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Locke79"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/4zzWIwHk/Z7ndWsNh"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 { [%clk 0:03:00] } 1... g6 { [%clk 0:03:00] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:02:58] } 2... e6 { [%clk 0:02:58] } 3. Nc3 { [%clk 0:02:56] } 3... Bg7 { We have a modern opening. Very flexible for Black since they doesn't commit to any particular center play. White takes the center for the moment. } { [%clk 0:02:57] } 4. e4 { [%clk 0:02:52] } 4... b6 { This is a bit too flexible in my opinion. Black is going to take another move to play Bb7 while I firm my grip on the center and castle. Playing a modern opening is a balance of flexibility and aggression at the right time to attack the center. } { [%clk 0:02:56] } 5. Nf3 { [%clk 0:02:46] } 5... Bb7 { [%clk 0:02:56] } 6. Bd3 $14 { While a bishop blocked by two pawns is generally not a good idea this opening allows it. The pawn in the center are being attack by the bishops in the corners and more defense than usual will be needed to secure the center once pawns are pushed by Black. Bishops often pin knights but in this opening there isn't the option to do that so a defensive bishop isn't an inaccuracy. } { [%clk 0:02:44] } 6... Ne7 { [%clk 0:02:54] } 7. Bg5 { [%clk 0:02:41] } 7... O-O { [%clk 0:02:51] } 8. Qd2 { This is my guilty pleasure in any modern openings. I love to remove the bishop and leave Blacks King shield slightly weaker. In this case it's a good move now that most of the pieces have been developed. } { [%clk 0:02:40] } (8. d5 f6 9. Bf4 Na6 10. O-O f5 { This gets sharp pretty quick but I would take White anyday due to Black's open King. }) 8... Re8?! $16 { I would say this is the critical part of the game. What happens on this move decides how things will play out. Black has yet to thrust his attack into the center and has lost the ability to do it by now. White is sitting comfortably at +1.8 } { [%clk 0:02:50] } (8... d5 { Now is Black's time to strike at the center with all the flank build up they have be preparing. } 9. exd5 (9. cxd5 f6 { In any line where Black plays f6 it feels very commital and one reason why playing Bg5 is fine in the first place. The bishop cramps what Black can do and the only forcing way to remove it is to push f6 weakening the whole King side. } 10. Be3 exd5 11. exd5 Nxd5) 9... exd5 10. O-O-O f6 11. Bh6 Nbc6 12. Rhe1 Qd7 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 { This is probably the best line for Black to play and the most natural feeling. The engine isn't as good in these position due to the complications and depth require to play through so many moves. For example capture with Bxh6 and allowing Qxh6 is something very few people would feel comfortable doing. At least Black is ready to place the rooks on better files and will have all the pieces ready. }) 9. Bh6 { [%clk 0:02:40] } 9... Bh8!? { Keeping the bishop may seem like a smart thing to do but in reality Black has trapped his King and bishop in their current squares. If Black wants to evict my bishop they will have to waste two moves playing Bg7 and Kxg7. } { [%clk 0:02:44] } 10. O-O { A toss up between 0-0 and 0-0-0 but I'm a classic style player and castle short when possible. } { [%clk 0:02:38] } 10... c5? { I've said before how imporant the center counter attack is when playing a modern opening. Black should have focused on the d pawn rather than the c pawn. } { [%clk 0:02:34] } (10... d5) 11. d5 { Black has allowed me to play d5 and further cramp their mobility. A side effect of this is also the bishop on b7 being on a terrible diagonal. } { [%clk 0:02:35] } 11... exd5 { [%clk 0:02:33] } 12. cxd5 { There is no way to remove this pawn with another pawn so for the time being Black is playing down a light bishop. } { [%cal Rb7d5] [%clk 0:02:34] } 12... c4?? $18 { I'm not all together sure what this accomplishes since it loses a pawn. } { [%clk 0:02:31] } 13. Bxc4 { [%clk 0:02:31] } 13... d6 { A smart move. The knight needs to get out so the rook can get into the game. } { [%cal Rb8d7] [%clk 0:02:24] } 14. a3 { [%clk 0:02:28] } (14. Ng5 Nd7 15. Qf4 { [%cal Gf4f7,Gg5f7] }) 14... Nd7 { [%clk 0:02:22] } 15. Rac1 { [%clk 0:02:26] } 15... a6 { [%clk 0:02:19] } 16. b4 { [%clk 0:02:17] } 16... b5 { [%clk 0:02:17] } 17. Bb3 { [%clk 0:02:16] } 17... Nb6 { [%clk 0:02:13] } 18. Rc2 { The last few moves have been some repositioning since the game is in a quite state. } { [%clk 0:02:08] } 18... Rc8 { [%clk 0:02:11] } 19. Rfc1?! { Doubling on the C file looks like a standard thing to do but there was a more accurate line. } { [%clk 0:02:06] } (19. a4 Nc4 20. Qc1 Ne5 21. Nxe5 Bxe5 22. Bf4 Bxf4 23. Qxf4 { The best line but overlooked in the time controls. White is +2 }) 19... Nc4 { [%clk 0:01:52] } 20. Bxc4 { I couldn't allow the knight to have such a strong spot on the board and my light squared bishop wasn't doing very much. } { [%clk 0:02:02] } 20... bxc4? { Black breaks up their pawn chain and allows a double attack to be unleashed on the c pawn once Ne2 is played. } { [%clk 0:01:52] } (20... Rxc4 { By far the better move. It keeps Black's pawns intact and gives them the option of stacking on the c file as well. }) 21. Ne2 { [%clk 0:01:53] } 21... Bg7 { [%clk 0:01:13] } 22. Bxg7 { [%clk 0:01:49] } 22... Kxg7 { [%clk 0:01:12] } 23. Rxc4 { [%clk 0:01:47] } 23... Rxc4 { [%clk 0:01:10] } 24. Rxc4 { [%clk 0:01:46] } 24... Ng8 { [%clk 0:01:09] } 25. Qc3+ { [%clk 0:01:44] } 25... Nf6 { Self pinning is a dangerous thing to tamper with. } { [%cal Gc3g7] [%clk 0:01:08] } 26. Ng3 { Over protecting e4 for when Black breaks the pin and has two attackers. } { [%cal Rf6e4,Re8e4,Gg3e4,Gc4e4] [%clk 0:01:25] } 26... Kg8 { [%clk 0:01:01] } 27. Rc7!? { [%clk 0:01:17] } (27. h3 $140 h5 28. a4 Nd7 29. a5 Ne5 30. Nxe5 Rxe5 31. f4 { Slowly but surely breaking through. }) 27... Ba8?? { [%clk 0:00:56] } (27... Bxd5 28. Ra7 Nxe4 29. Qd4 Ba8 30. Nxe4 Rxe4 31. Qd3 Re8 { Black gets a lot of counter play back with this line. Completely unneeded. }) 28. Rc4 { [%clk 0:01:12] } 28... Bb7 { [%clk 0:00:45] } 29. h3 { We repeat the position and I realize the possible mistake this time. } { [%clk 0:01:09] } 29... h5 { [%clk 0:00:42] } 30. Ng5 { [%clk 0:01:05] } 30... Bc8 { [%clk 0:00:36] } 31. Qf3 { The knight is pinned to f7. If it moves the attack will lead to mate in two. These kinds of moves may not the most accurate but in a blitz game they are better to play than a slower but possibly more accurate move. It's more likely the opponent will miss a defensive idea or simply move the knight in haste. } { [%cal Gf3f7,Gg5f7] [%clk 0:01:01] } 31... h4 { [%clk 0:00:24] } 32. Ne2 { [%clk 0:00:54] } 32... Qb6?? $18 { In this case Black removes the defender and allows Qxf6. } { [%clk 0:00:10] } 33. Qxf6 { [%clk 0:00:44] } 33... Qb5 $138 { Black has 8 seconds to my 45. } { [%clk 0:00:08] } 34. Qxf7+ { [%clk 0:00:42] } 34... Kh8 { [%clk 0:00:06] } 35. Qh7# { 1-0 White wins by checkmate. } { [%clk 0:00:40] } *