TeamLeague 4545 : T50 Summary and Openings

Another TL4545 is drawing to a close, and, unfortunately Magnum Ignotum are not among the championship contenders.

No matter, it was an enjoyable tournament, although for me, since I didn't play the last two rounds, it was shorter than usual, with a grand total of 4 games, all played in August.

I don't consider myself obsessed with the openings (certainly not from a Chess sense, although maybe from a statistical point of view ! ), but having started out looking at them via T47, I thought I may as well post an update and a T50/T47 comparison, ie ask the question "Have things changed much in 3 tournaments and almost a year of elapsed time ?".

However, before that , what happened from a personal point of view? and does this match the statistics overall ?

As White, I kept up the banner of 1.e4, playing it in all my 3 games, but how was I answered ?

...Continue reading...

Any ideas ?

From a recent TL game....

Black has played 45...Kf7.  White is ahead in material, and to play...any ideas ?

45....Kf7

The game continued as below ( highlight between the brackets to see), and fizzled out to a draw, but I think White can do better.

[46.Rd8 g5 47.Rxd2 Nxd2 48.hxg5 Ne4+ 49.Kh4 Nxf6 50.gxf6 Kxf6 51.Kxh5 ]

Back Again

Although the post title could well refer to this blog, since I have been a touch inactive with updating it in recent months, it actually refers to Sverre's Chess Corner, which has been quieter for even longer !

I'm glad to see it back - sneaking under my radar whilst I holidayed - as it always has interesting posts, and Sverre Johnsen actively replies to reader comments, making it a worthwhile place to visit.

It also has a "sister blog"  of book reviews, which is updated very irregularly, but the reviews are excellent, and are just what I would want to see.

In fact, although I think I bought it before I saw the review there, his coverage of Bauer's Philidor files also has a couple of options not explored by Bauer, that I have since tried. So, not only a review, but hints too !

He mentions that his current project is a book on the King's Gambit, focusing on the Nf3 option for White ( the King's Knight Gambit, I presume ) , and is happy to point out the forthcoming competitors in the publishing world, which I find a plus point for his blog.

It will be good to see progress on this.

I don't think I am a White King's Gambit player, but who knows. If this is as good as his Dutch Defence book, then I could be converted !

Regardless, its good to see him back.

As for me, chess took a back seat while life ( in the shape of work, the past, and holidays )  interfered, caught up with, and soothed  me.

I intend to put some more posts up with (relatively ) recent games and other relevant and irrelevant thoughts, although we all know where the road of good intentions leads to.

Until the next time !