First 1500 win
Milestone. First time defeating a 1500 opponent with slow time controls. I was playing White. He neglected development and wasted tempi with a6 and h6. I believe this is also my shortest game to date. Opponent's rating: 1514.
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4
4. Nxd4 h6
{h6 seems too passive. Want to develop KB. Considered Bb5, Bc4 and Be2. Chose Bc4 for activity.}
5. Bc4 Qf6
{Q takes the N's best square and forces it to e7 later in the game.}
6. Be3 (6. Nb5 Bb4+ 7. N1c3)
6... a6
{Again, very passive and ignoring development. Considered Nc3 and 0-0.}
7. O-O Ne5
{Need to move the B. Considered Be2 but didn't like the fact that e-file is crowded. I want to keep e and f open for the pawn advance. Fritz recommends Be2.}
8. Bb3 c5
{I notice that the B is trapped. However, Black will have to use at least 1 tempo to capture and he is way behind in development. I see Nc3 will threaten c7 by way of d5. I considered Nc3 but decided to save the N by moving into enemy territory. Fritz recommends using this opportunity to attack with f4.}
9. Nf5 c4
{Considered f4 and Nc3.}
10. f4 cxb3
{Here I need to continue the previous idea with fxe5. I mistakenly thought that opening up files would aid my attack on the uncastled King.}
11. axb3
{Oppening the a-file for my R. B's K will be stuck in the middle for at least three more moves. I plan on putting on the pressure with my sup development. Fritz considers this a bad move.} (11. fxe5 bxc2 12. Qxc2 Qxe5)
11...Nc6
12. Nc3 Nge7
13. Nd6+ {Black resigns} 1-0
9 Comments:
Nice game
Good win, PS! I play the Scotch regularly. It's a pretty good, aggressive opening for white against 1. ... e5.
Thanks guys. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
PS
11. axb3 gives a piece away.
Why would you do that?
Congrats!
Thanks BD.
TS,
Yeah, looking back it was a stupid move. I moved f4 fully intending to take back on e5 but after cxb3, for some reason I thought I was giving up the attack after fxe5 bxc Qxc2 Qxe5 and changed my mind. I gotta learn to stick to my plan instead of second guessing myself.
PS
Your opponent was winning before Nge7??
"Do you have any suggestions for improvement?"
A few themes in the Scotch:
When he brings his queen out too early, you can look for an early Nb5 hitting c7. Another theme is that a6 weakens b6, as you know... You threatened Bb6# at the end! Here is an instructive line showing these themes in the Scotch:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. d4 exd4
4. Nxd4 Qh4
5. Nc3 Bb4
6. Be2 Qxe4
7. Nb5 Kd8
8. O-O Bxc3
9. bxc3 Nf6
10. Be3 Re8
11. Re1 a6
12. Nd6!! cxd6
13. Bb6+ Ke7
14. Bc4
Also, i prefer f4 immediately after c5 (threats against f7). White made an error and lost a piece, then black erred and lost the game. Errors are more costly when behind in development!
Patrick,
Thanks for the excellent analysis! That game was pretty cool. Before I gave up the Scotch I was working hard to improve my f4 timing. I was getting better but the habit of "not moving the f pawn" is a tough one to break. I'll definitely remember the Nb5 move the next time I see it.
PS
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