[Event "Rated Rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/aNdf8KEP"] [Date "2023.05.11"] [White "HamesMan02"] [Black "juanmarialamata"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "1914"] [BlackElo "1930"] [TimeControl "600+0"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D13"] [Opening "Slav Defense: Exchange Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/HamesMan02"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/UFjiiC2P/GxFzM8AK"] [Orientation "white"] 1. d4 { [%clk 0:10:00] } 1... d5 { [%clk 0:10:00] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:09:59] } 2... c6 { [%clk 0:09:59] } 3. cxd5 { [%clk 0:09:57] } 3... cxd5 { [%clk 0:09:57] } 4. Nf3 { [%clk 0:09:56] } 4... Nf6 { [%clk 0:09:56] } 5. Nc3 { This is my standard opening sequence against the Slav defense. I play for the small advantages, the exchange in the center keeps the board state equal. } { [%clk 0:09:55] } 5... Bg4 { This is already a questionable choice from my opponent. Because e3 hasn't been played there is no pinning of the knight. Naturally moving the knight and simulateously attacking the bishop is the best play. } { [%clk 0:09:54] } 6. Ne5 { [%clk 0:09:43] } 6... Bc8 { [%clk 0:09:49] } (6... Nc6 7. Nxg4 Nxg4 8. e4 { In this sequence, we force Black to make some moves that are less than optimal. After recapturing the bishop with the f6 knight I play e4 taking space in the center and attacking the knight. The only decent square is back on f6. } { [%cal Gd1g4,Ge2e4] } 8... Nf6 9. e5 Nd7 { The amount of tempi gained here is invaluable. I have complete central control while Black has spent the last few moves shuffling pieces around. } 10. Be2 (10. Nxd5 e6 11. Nc3 Qb6 { As it turns out grabbing the d pawn isn't the smartest play due to the recapture Black gets on d4 or b2 depending on how the pawn is dealt with. } { [%cal Gc6d4,Gb6d4] } 12. Be3 Qxb2) 10... e6 11. O-O Be7 12. Rb1 { A classic plan, thrusting the b pawn forward with the reassurance of the rook on b1. }) 7. Qb3 { This is another side line I tend to play, it's not bad but it's not exactly the most optimal line. It does have a few sharp lines in it which I need to brush up on as one could have been played. } { [%clk 0:09:41] } (7. Bf4 { This is the safe, structured plan where both sides develop. } 7... Nc6 8. e3 (8. e4 { This side line is a bit more combative and definitely not my style of play. } 8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Qa4 Bd7 11. Bb5 e6 12. O-O Be7) 8... e6 9. Bd3 Bd7 10. O-O Be7) 7... Nc6 { [%clk 0:09:28] } 8. Nxc6 { Looking back, this certainly isn't the best move. It allows Black to equalize, my knight was good in the center and it would have been better to prioritize development. Although I'm not a fan of the position that could arise, e4 is the best move. } { [%clk 0:09:17] } (8. e4! e6 (8... dxe4 { Very sneaky chance at mate in on on f7 here. } 9. Qxf7#) 9. Bb5 Bd7 10. Nxd7 Qxd7 11. e5 { Once again White is pushing Black back and slowing the development. } 11... Ng8 (11... Ng4?? 12. h3 Nh6 13. Bxh6 gxh6 14. O-O)) (8. e3) 8... bxc6 { [%clk 0:09:24] } 9. Bf4 { [%clk 0:09:10] } 9... e6 { [%clk 0:09:18] } 10. e3 { Now I went into this position because I knew Black would have the backward c pawn, a target for me to attack. My position is completely sound. As I've said I play for the small advantages. } { [%clk 0:09:08] } 10... Bd6 { [%clk 0:09:14] } 11. Bxd6 { [%clk 0:09:06] } 11... Qxd6 { [%clk 0:09:11] } 12. Bd3 { [%clk 0:08:59] } 12... O-O { [%clk 0:09:09] } 13. Qc2 { This move has a lot going on. First, it's getting the Queen out of a potential Rb8, also looking for some tactics on h7, and getting the Queen opposite the c6 pawn. } { [%clk 0:08:57] } 13... a6 { [%clk 0:09:03] } 14. Na4 { The c5 square is naturally a good place for the knight to outpost it self while I try to build up an attack ont the c6 pawn. } { [%clk 0:08:54] } 14... a5 { [%clk 0:08:50] } 15. Nc5 { [%clk 0:08:51] } 15... Rb8 { [%clk 0:08:39] } 16. O-O { [%clk 0:08:40] } 16... Nd7 { [%clk 0:08:32] } 17. Rfc1 { This might be a questionable move since Bxh7+ was an option but I have a reason why. I was worried about the capture on c5 pulling my Queen from the defense of b2. Let's analyze the line if I would have taken on h7. } { [%clk 0:07:42] } (17. Bxh7+ Kh8 18. Bd3 Nxc5 19. dxc5 { Now I didn't want to break my pawns up and then remove my pressure on the c pawn. This felt worse as a whole to me and the overall evaluation is basically equal to my Rc1 move. }) 17... g6 { [%clk 0:08:27] } 18. b3 { [%clk 0:07:36] } (18. Nb3 Qb4 19. Qxc6 a4 20. Nc5 Nxc5 21. Qxc5 Qxc5 { All of these line revolve around Black getting the b2 pawn if I keep my pawn structure intact so I opted to play b3 and not worry about it. }) 18... Kg7 { [%clk 0:07:38] } 19. Qc3 { Eyeing the weak pawn on a5. } { [%clk 0:07:27] } 19... Ra8 { [%clk 0:07:30] } 20. Rc2 { [%clk 0:06:56] } 20... Nxc5 { I miss a tactic here because I was so tunneled on making sure I kept my pawns and d/e. } { [%clk 0:07:12] } 21. Qxc5 { [%clk 0:06:53] } (21. dxc5+! { This opens the check to the king. } 21... d4 22. exd4 Qf4 23. d5+ Qf6 24. d6 Qxc3 25. Rxc3 { It's not the most flashy tactic but it gets a protected passed pawn into Black's 3rd rank. }) 21... Qxc5 { [%clk 0:07:07] } 22. Rxc5 { [%clk 0:06:53] } 22... Ba6 { [%clk 0:07:05] } 23. Bf1 { This might seem odd but I'm looking for Black to capture the bishop if they want, I don't want to allow the recapture on a6 to defend c6. } { [%clk 0:06:46] } 23... Bxf1 { [%clk 0:07:01] } 24. Kxf1 { [%clk 0:06:41] } 24... Ra6 { [%clk 0:07:01] } 25. Rac1 { Now I will be a little honest here. This entire game I've played for the weak c pawn and missed a winning tactical shot because I had a certain idea in mind. The position is pretty stale, it's going to be a drawn out end game decided by a simple mistake. } { [%clk 0:06:38] } 25... Rc8 { [%clk 0:06:59] } 26. Ke2 { [%clk 0:06:37] } 26... Kf8 { [%clk 0:06:59] } 27. a3 { My idea with a3 is to prevent a4 by being able to push b4 as a protected pawn. At some point it might be an option to slide the c1 rook behind the b pawn and force it up the board. } { [%clk 0:06:35] } 27... Ke7 { [%clk 0:06:58] } 28. h4 { [%clk 0:06:09] } 28... h5 { [%clk 0:06:55] } 29. f3 { [%clk 0:06:07] } 29... Kd6 { [%clk 0:06:52] } 30. g4 { [%clk 0:06:05] } 30... hxg4 { [%clk 0:06:49] } 31. fxg4 { [%clk 0:06:05] } 31... Rh8 { [%clk 0:06:44] } 32. Rh1 { [%clk 0:06:02] } 32... Kc7 { [%clk 0:06:08] } 33. h5 { The whole idea of this operation is to open the other side of the board and attempt to get my other rook active from the side and allow my king some movement. } { [%clk 0:05:42] } 33... g5 { This is the only time my opponent gives me an opportunity. I have a passed pawn which will be an assest. It's another thing Black needs to defend. } { [%clk 0:06:00] } 34. e4 { [%clk 0:05:29] } 34... Rh6 { [%clk 0:05:48] } 35. exd5 { [%clk 0:05:25] } 35... exd5 { This swap here gives me another target, the f7 pawn. } { [%clk 0:05:47] } 36. Rf1 { [%clk 0:05:23] } 36... f6 { [%clk 0:05:46] } 37. Rc3 { [%clk 0:04:54] } 37... Rb6 { [%clk 0:05:37] } 38. Kd2 { [%clk 0:04:49] } 38... Kd6 { [%clk 0:05:30] } 39. Re3 { [%clk 0:04:33] } (39. Rcf3 Ke6 40. Kc3 { There is some progress being made here. Stacking the rooks might have been better but I wanted to try to get my rook into the back line. }) 39... c5 { [%clk 0:05:26] } 40. dxc5+ { [%clk 0:04:23] } 40... Kxc5 { [%clk 0:05:25] } 41. Kc2 { [%clk 0:04:13] } 41... Rc6 { [%clk 0:05:08] } 42. Rc3+ { [%clk 0:04:05] } 42... Kd6 { [%clk 0:05:06] } 43. Rxc6+! { [%clk 0:03:56] } 43... Kxc6 { [%clk 0:05:05] } 44. Rf5 { This solidifies my rook on f5 and keeps the f6 pawn under attack which needs to be babysat. The d5 pawn is also weak and if my king makes it to d4 there is no way to double defend d5. } { [%clk 0:03:51] } 44... Kc5 { [%clk 0:04:59] } 45. Kc3 { [%clk 0:03:49] } 45... Kd6 { [%clk 0:04:44] } 46. b4 { [%clk 0:03:48] } (46. Kd4 { I could have played this straight away but I wanted to eliminate the option of Black some how getting the soul pawn passed while creating another passed pawn of my own. }) 46... axb4+ { [%clk 0:04:36] } 47. axb4 { [%clk 0:03:47] } 47... Ke6 { [%clk 0:04:35] } 48. Kd4 { [%clk 0:03:46] } 48... Rh8 { [%clk 0:04:31] } 49. Rxd5 { [%clk 0:03:44] } 49... Rb8 { [%clk 0:04:30] } 50. Kc4 { [%clk 0:03:34] } 50... Rc8+ { [%clk 0:04:18] } 51. Rc5 { [%clk 0:03:30] } 51... Rd8 { [%clk 0:04:13] } 52. Rc6+ { [%clk 0:03:25] } 52... Kf7 { [%clk 0:04:10] } 53. Kc5 { [%clk 0:03:20] } 53... Rd1 { [%clk 0:04:08] } 54. b5 { [%clk 0:03:19] } 54... Rc1+ { [%clk 0:04:06] } 55. Kb6 { 1-0 Black resigns. } { Overall a solid game. I think I relied a little too heavily on my small advantage, if Black hadn't made a mistake in the end game it was likely going to look like a draw. This is something I've certainly got to work on. It's better to create a few issues (which I did in the end game) instead of just pinpointing one. } { [%clk 0:03:17] } 1-0