I missed out on Round 1 because of incompatible times, so this was my first standard game in a while.
I could give the excuse that I lost because I wasn't 100% fit ( echoing Zsusza Polgar's remark that she "never won a game against a healthy man" according to her sister, Judit's recent interview :) but that wouldn't be entirely true.
I have to confess that recently ( er, read last couple of months ! ) I have not put much effort into keeping up the key part of chess improvement at my level ( ie tactics ), but there again I've done quite a few other things outside of chess in "real life".
That means it's not just "work-home" balance to strive after, but "chess-others", or even more accurately chess as part of a range of things I want to do that are not work : sometimes that quite a few things !
So reasons to lose ? Plenty, and mainly around missing tactics.
Reasons to win ? Not too many, and mainly around knowing the opening and resultant positions better than my opponent.
Here's a "win reason"...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9R0aOjgbsgePZFaglp79aOE3lfp-timeH-fTisOBeD_EG9ZFBG1c3SvtK4zkOaU9RVInTzVZVKcFF2PV4YPK4kxwkUibqBWngF2i2CaJYaGpnNm455tqIJzlOJuAJiSMFUwG3P3vrJU/s320/T55R2_00.png) |
9. Qf3 |
Not really sure why Qf3 was played here. At the time, I assumed it was to allow prompt Queenside castling, with the added benefit of defending e4, but since he castled King-side later, I wonder !
Better would be Nf3 or even 0-0.
I didn't capitalise on this, which leads neatly to a reason to lose ( or maybe one not to win, being slightly pedantic :)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLBAauyNnniYsbgvcj-gyl1nIrct83YC6bzhHzQ6Jhm0JxJWE1zHvNjGSkbRTcZFgJgkhjP-_BUnnCpiqAy3pN_Rdifvryh0rap9N9IaA43TrXRsxo8qzouyJQJa2YlleTARcVdke6lc/s320/T55R2_01.png) |
10. h3 What should Black play ? |
Considering my plan with Nc5 was targeting e4, how come I didn't follow through ?
Much later in the game (move 40 ! ) I have a chance, not only to regain the pawn I am down, but also to strike a rapier-like psychological blow, just when White must feel he has me
on the ropes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSvhCygSLvij7wj5LTdPcBta7HxtM8YQ0FL-el5Z8ywRHeNYopdIsCmPV7qETGz9bCq-cwQ4b9krRLuI67zYAbjjXnE2Nwfpu3l5SsMxRTD054KiE_ba6p6yo0J5pxjM9V6y0TkDl29Q/s320/diagram002.png) |
40. Qd4 Black to play and at least equalise ! |
Its obvious in hindsight, but I missed it at the time. I'm sure all my avid readers will spot it in under 2 seconds and embarrass me !
Never mind. Make an effort to play through the game and see what can be learned.
Next round, I will be more ready !