[Event "Rated Classical game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/vgo3sz5R"] [Date "2019.04.06"] [Round "-"] [White "Nietsoj"] [Black "razlupercio"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "1757"] [BlackElo "1796"] [TimeControl "1800+15"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "C45"] [Opening "Scotch Game: Classical Variation"] [StudyName "Game study"] [ChapterName "Nietsoj - razlupercio"] [ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/IOA705Jq/EqUBKqvz"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Nietsoj"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 { [%clk 0:30:00] } 1... e5 { [%clk 0:30:00] } 2. Nf3 { [%clk 0:30:13] } 2... Nc6 { [%clk 0:29:22] } 3. d4 { [%clk 0:30:18] } 3... exd4 { [%clk 0:29:08] } 4. Nxd4 { [%clk 0:30:28] } 4... Bc5 { [%clk 0:28:56] } 5. Be3 { [%clk 0:30:34] } 5... Qf6 { [%clk 0:27:49] } 6. c3 { [%clk 0:30:14] } 6... Nge7 { [%clk 0:26:37] } 7. Bc4 { So far, we're still in my preparation. } { [%clk 0:30:16] } 7... d6 { A slightly different move order than expected, but still within transposable range. } { [%clk 0:24:33] } 8. O-O { [%clk 0:28:46] } 8... Ne5 { [%clk 0:21:51] } 9. Be2 { [%clk 0:28:38] } 9... Bd7 { Now I am out of book. And I had a few possibilities to consider. Where do I develop my knight? What do I do with my queen? How do I challenge the center? Nd2-c4 is an option. Nd2-b3 is another one, but Bb6 or Ba4 are good replies. Na3-c4 and perhaps b4 is an idea. The direct f4 is an option, but that would make black's dsb more powerful, and leave mine unprotected. } { [%clk 0:17:32] } 10. Nd2 { Seems like the safest and most flexible choice. } { [%clk 0:26:44] } 10... O-O-O?! { That is a gutsy move. Probably a bit too ambitious, as pointed out by some of the spectators. } { [%clk 0:16:42] } 11. b4 { Nc4 was an option, but challenging the bishop and preparing a pawn storm against the black king seems like a good plan. } { [%clk 0:26:25] } 11... Bb6 { [%clk 0:13:49] } 12. a4 { Nc4 was still an option. Nf3 is another one. But this is very direct, and difficult for black to meet. } { [%clk 0:24:09] } 12... c5 { I don't know what to make of this move. Perhaps a bit weakening? } { [%clk 0:13:56] } 13. a5 { [%clk 0:22:45] } 13... Bc7 { [%clk 0:13:10] } (13... cxd4 14. cxd4 (14. axb6 { This was a variation discussed in the chat. } 14... dxe3 15. Rxa7 (15. bxa7 Kc7 { Surprisingly, this position is good for black. During the game, I thought this was completely winning. =o })) 14... Bxd4 15. Bxd4 N7c6 { The guys in the chat seem to think that this is just good for white. I trust their judgement. =) }) 14. Nb5 { [%clk 0:21:39] } 14... Bxb5 { [%clk 0:12:09] } 15. Bxb5 { [%clk 0:21:39] } 15... cxb4 { [%clk 0:10:22] } 16. cxb4 { [%clk 0:20:51] } 16... N5c6 { After this series of exchanges, I stopped to reassess the position. Candidates were Qf3, Bxc6, Nc4 and Nf3. I rejected Bxc6 because of Nxc6. I'd rather have black make another weakness with a6 or wait for him to move the knight and then take on a7. Nc4 is probably just a blunder because of d5. Nf3 seems safe, but brings the knight away from the action. Qe2 prepares to meet a6 with Bxa6!? bxa6 Qxa6+ with a weak king. Also, it gets the queen off the d-file and enables a rook to post up on d1. } { [%clk 0:10:31] } 17. Qe2 { [%clk 0:18:14] } 17... d5 { I considered exd5, but rejected it because of Nxd5 attacking the bishop. } { [%clk 0:09:40] } 18. Bxc6 { [%clk 0:17:10] } 18... Nxc6 { [%clk 0:08:21] } 19. b5 { I don't think I thought this move through. Or perhaps I thought it was an exchange of a-pawns. } { [%clk 0:17:07] } 19... Nd4 { [%clk 0:08:34] } (19... Nxa5 20. Bxa7 { With the threat of b6! }) 20. Qg4+ { I played this move for two reasons. First of all, it moves the queen out of danger. Secondly, it prepares my next move, which I thought would just win an exchange. } { [%clk 0:16:28] } 20... Kb8 { [%clk 0:08:45] } 21. Bg5?? { Played without hesitation. I failed to recognize that Qg6 saves everything. For some reason, I was considering Bf4, but that is just a blunder. Even if it didn't drop a piece directly, it would be bad after Bxf4 Qxf4 Ne2+ (fork). My final candidate exd5 was probably good. } { [%clk 0:16:14] } 21... Qg6 { Of course. } { [%clk 0:07:07] } 22. Qh4 { Trying to save face. } { [%clk 0:16:04] } 22... f6 { [%clk 0:06:42] } 23. Be3 { Truly admitting the mistake. Now the position is much more unclear. } { [%clk 0:14:58] } 23... dxe4 { I had Bxd4, Qxe4 and Nxe4. I thought that "I might as well just take that pawn". A pawn is a pawn, right? } { [%clk 0:04:25] } 24. Nxe4?? { Comments from the chat: Bavorak15: "Wow, that was unexpected" FletchMK64: "Oof, blunder!" } { [%clk 0:12:18] } 24... Nf3+ { 0-1 White resigns. } { Yes, a pawn is a pawn, but a fork (and a pin) is a fork. And this time I am royally forked. A horrible way to end an otherwise interesting game. } { [%clk 0:04:26] } 0-1