[Event "Rated Rapid game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/3WjLi3QZ"] [Date "2023.05.18"] [White "ooger_blooger"] [Black "TheRealBenLi"] [Result "0-1"] [WhiteElo "2029"] [BlackElo "2155"] [TimeControl "600+2"] [Termination "Normal"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D07"] [Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Chigorin Defense"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/mbodek"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/YDBVHY9V/fOIZXVZR"] [Orientation "white"] { This game was played between Samuel Huff of EY and Benjamin Li of Citadel } 1. d4 { [%clk 0:10:00] } 1... d5 { [%clk 0:05:09] } 2. c4 { [%clk 0:09:57] } 2... Nc6 { [%clk 0:05:10] } 3. Nc3 { [%clk 0:09:57] } 3... e6 { Black plays the Chigorin defense, which is a relatively uncommon setup. In this position, the bishop on c8 is already an awkward piece with no clear path into the game. The pawn on e6 prevents it from going towards the kingside, and b6 is a tough move to play with the knight on c6, as it can easily become pinned } { [%clk 0:05:08] } 4. Nf3 { [%clk 0:09:54] } 4... Nf6 { [%clk 0:05:08] } 5. Bf4 { The bishop on f4 looks aggressive and eyes c7, but it does not actually help white take control of the center, and it will become a target. Alternatives include } { [%clk 0:09:46] } (5. e3 { to defend the c4 pawn and }) (5. Bg5 { to pin the knight and exert more control over the center }) 5... dxc4 { A good freeing move. Taking the pawn on c4 helps activate black's other pieces behind it, and allows them to put pressure on the white center, and aggressively develop their pieces } { [%clk 0:04:54] } 6. e4 { [%clk 0:09:45] } (6. e3 { was a quiet alternative after which white has a small but stable pull on the position } 6... Na5 7. Bxc4 Nxc4 8. Qa4+ c6 9. Qxc4 Nd5 10. Bg3 { and white has a slight edge due to central control and the bad black light squared bishop }) 6... Bb4 { [%clk 0:04:41] } 7. e5 { The engine suggested } { [%clk 0:09:16] } (7. Bg5 { as white's top move to help maintain the pawn on e4. This highlights that the bishop is much better placed on g5 than f4 in these positions }) 7... Nd5 { Since white was forced to push the e-pawn, black now firmly has the d5 square, and the c4 pawn will not become easy to recapture. Generally when you have two center pawns, you want to keep them next to each other, and not advance one of them. Advancing a central pawn can reduce the number of central squares you control } { [%clk 0:04:37] } 8. Bd2 { The bishop is forced to move away from f4 } { [%clk 0:09:14] } 8... Nb6 { and now black has the c4 pawn defended } { [%clk 0:04:23] } 9. Be3 { [%clk 0:08:54] } 9... Ne7 { A strong move, routing the other knight to the newly opened outpost square on d5, from which it can never by dislodged by a white pawn } { [%clk 0:04:07] } 10. Be2 { [%clk 0:08:38] } 10... Ned5 { [%clk 0:04:00] } 11. Bd2 { [%clk 0:08:36] } 11... Bxc3 { [%clk 0:03:46] } 12. Bxc3 { Black now has firm control over the light squares and the center of the board. The bishop will move from c8 to d7 to the strong diagonal on c6 } { [%clk 0:08:37] } (12. bxc3 { was an alternative which allows white's dark squared bishop to stay in a more aggressive position. Objectively, black is still better, but this could have yielded more practical chances, as white now has more control over f4 and g5. With the bishop instead on c3 black has the option of playing }) 12... Nf4 { Which is another strong move that causes white some difficulties as the g2 pawn is now undefended } { [%clk 0:03:34] } 13. O-O { [%clk 0:08:06] } 13... Bd7 { moving the bishop to greener pastures } { [%clk 0:03:24] } 14. Qd2 { [%clk 0:07:57] } 14... g5! { This is an aggressive, and very correct decision. The black knight on f4 is such a strong piece that its position should be maintained. Since the center is closed, the black king is perfectly safe on e8. It is white's king that will soon come under pressure from black's knight and the bishop which will soon enter the game } { [%clk 0:03:07] } 15. Rfe1 { [%clk 0:07:06] } (15. d5!? { Could have been an attempt to complicate matters and try to open up the center }) 15... Bc6 { Now black has taken over } { [%clk 0:02:55] } 16. a4 { This move allows black's breakthrough, but it is tough to suggest other moves } { [%clk 0:06:37] } 16... Nxg2 { [%clk 0:02:26] } 17. Kxg2 { [%clk 0:05:04] } 17... g4 { Now the g-file will be opened and the black took will be able to enter the attack. Since the center is still closed, the black king is perfectly fine sitting where it is. Meanwhile the white king will soon be staring at the black bishop and rook } { [%clk 0:02:27] } 18. Qf4 { [%clk 0:04:39] } 18... gxf3+ { [%clk 0:02:06] } 19. Bxf3 { [%clk 0:04:40] } 19... Nd5 { Bringing more pieces into the attack } { [%clk 0:01:58] } 20. Bxd5 { [%clk 0:04:10] } 20... Rg8+ { [%clk 0:01:39] } 21. Kf1 { [%clk 0:04:10] } 21... Qxd5 { white's king is now wide open, and there is no way of defending the light squares } { [%clk 0:01:35] } 22. a5 { [%clk 0:03:27] } (22. f3 O-O-O 23. Kf2 { Was the best way to keep the game going. After the text move, black can quickly clean up after }) 22... Qg2+ { [%clk 0:01:21] } 23. Ke2 { [%clk 0:03:27] } 23... Rg4 { And white can no longer avoid checkmate or loss of material } { [%clk 0:01:07] } 24. Qd2 { [%clk 0:03:11] } 24... Bf3+ { [%clk 0:00:52] } 25. Ke3 { [%clk 0:03:07] } 25... Re4# { 0-1 Black wins by checkmate. } { Overall, white played one inaccurate move in the opening which allowed black to put pressure in the center and split white's central pawns. This then gave black a launchpad on d5 from which they were able to take over the game. This game highlights the importance of increasing control over the center in the first few moves of the game. Once your opponent has central control it can become hard to fight back. A very strong attacking game by black on the light squares } { [%clk 0:00:52] } 0-1