Game 13 - Swale Club Championship 2015-16 - Round Five

Swale Club Championship - Round Five
Thursday 10 December 2015
White: T. Jefferies (118) - Black: K. Nevols

My opponent had made a good start to the championship so I decided for this game to fight it out in the centre and try to get an early initiative. (This was also my last game before the Christmas break so I hoped for a good 'end of term').

1. e4 e5

No Scandinavian this time. Let's get to grips in the centre.

2. Nf3 Nc6
3. a3?! Nf6
4. Nc3 d6

No reason to fear 4. .. Bc5 5. Nxe5 Nxe5 6. d4 Bxd4 7. Qxd4 Nc6 and then d6 but considering the trouble I got in the Maidstone game (Game Ten) I decided to give that line a miss and stay solid. Another line is 4. ... Bc5 5. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2 Nxe5 7. d4 Neg4+ 8. Kg1 which disrupts the White kingside but I did not like the look of those central pawns.

5. h3 Be7
6. Bc4 h6

Stopping Ng5. I preferred this to 6. .. Nxe4 7. Bxf7+ although the computer likes it after 7. .. Kxf7 8. Nxe4 d5 and prefers 7. Nxd4 d5 8. Bd3 dxe4 9. Bxe4.

7. O-O O-O



8. d3 Nh7

Now the troops are in their positions I decided it was time to think of a plan. And it is the old favourite of a kingside pawn push.

9. Nd5 Kh8
10. Nxe7 Qxe7

I was quite relaxed about exchanging this bishop, which was blocked in my pawns, for his good knight.

11. Be3

White might be thinking of a central pawn move himself working around d4, or ideas of Nd2 and f4.

11. ... f5

So I get on with it.

12. c3 f4
13. Bd2 Ng5
14. Kh2

To reinforce the h3 point.

14. ...  Qf6

To free up the e7 square to bring the knight across, and also to keep Qg6 as a future option.

15. Nxg5 Qxg5
16. Qf3 Ne7
17. d4 Ng6

The initiative continues. No need to worry about the d4 and e5 pawns staring at each other. Oddly they will continue to do so for the next 33 moves.



18. Rg1 Nh4
19. Qd1 Qe7

White has defended well although Black's attack was more a case of shove everything over there and see what happens. Now g5-g4 is in my mind.

20. f3 Rf6?

A mistake losing the initiative (which was petering out anyway). g5 should have been played and just clunking forward.

21. Be1

The point is that I now cannot play my intended 21. ... Rg6 because then 22. Bf2! and Qe1 is following trapping the knight.

(The computer disputes this and gives  21. ... Rg6 22. Bf2 exd4 23. cxd4 Qg5 and then if 24. Qe1 simply Nxg2 so instead White should play 24. Kh1 or 24. Bf1 and there is nothing further for Black to do. I did not see this line.)

21. ... Ng6

A humble retreat. White now has the edge and takes over the initiative with an advance in the centre and on the queenside. My aim now is to get the other rook in the game to finish development. The kingside is fine for now although my knight is now without work and I had to see what I could do in the centre.

22. Bf2 Be6
23. Bxe6 Rxe6

Taking with the rook so that the queen still defends the d8 square for the other rook.

24. Qb3 b6

I gave some thought to 24. .. c6 but did not like the initiative coming from 25. d5 with Rd1. I was aiming to close down the centre. Of course 24. ... Rb8 loses a pawn to 25. dxe5 and Bxa7.



25. Qd5!

A powerful centralising move which I had underestimated. Qb7 and a queenside pawn advance is coming.

25. ....  Rg8!

After much thought I came up with this defensive move of which I am quite proud. The plan is threefold - firstly, to defend along the eighth rank with the queen, secondly, to look for the right moment to throw in g5 to try to distract White and get some counterplay, and thirdly the rook is defended by the king to give him something to do and save someone else from the job.

26. b4

If 26. Qb7 a5 27. b4 axb4 28. axb4 Qd8 29. Ra7 Re7 30. Rga1 begins to look dangerous but I might be able to hold. I was thinking of 26. Qb7 c5 where one line is 27. Qxe7 Rxe7 28. dxc5 dxc5 29. Rgd1 intending to double up and play b4. Instead White plans to prevent any of this a5 or c5 nonsense and get on with the advance.

(Our electronic friend recommends 26. Qb7 exd4 27. cxd4 c5 28. Qxe7 Rxe7 29. Rac1 and then Rgd1).

26. ...  Qe8
27. Qb7 Qb8

The conclusion of my defence plan. Exchanging queens would blunt White's attack. Maybe 27. a4 is more accurate but that is on its way anyway.

28. Qd5 Qc8
29. a4 Ne7

At last! The knight returns from unemployment to join the defence.

30. Qc4 g5
31. a5 h5

So far so good. I am answering White's play on one side with an advance in the other. Nigel Short once said 'If in doubt, push a pawn'.

32. axb6 axb6

(The computer states this is a mistake and prefers 32....  cxb6. Like me, it is worried about the upcoming Ra7. However, recapturing with the c-pawn never once occurred to me as I like pawn chains to be united and the a-pawn capture looks more natural).



33. Ra8

A clever tactic. 33. .. Qxa8 34. Qxe6 Ng6 35. Qf6+ wins a pawn. I was more worried about 33. Ra7 and hoped I could make some sort of defence around 33. .. c6.

(Back to the computer who states I am right to be concerned. It does not like c6 and gives 33. .. c6 34. dxe5 b5 35. Qa2 dxe5 36. Bc5 with Rd1 and Ra8 as possible future attacks. It comes up with the ingenious move 33. .. g4!? 34. Rxc7 b5! - with one line being 35. Rxc8 g3+ 36. Kh1 bxc4 37. Rxg8+ Kxg8 38. Be1 d5 - a pawn down but mixing it in the centre).

33. ....  Qd7
34. Rxg8?

I was relieved to see this. Again 34. Ra7 was my main concern. 34. .. Rc8 35. d5 Rg6 36. Bxb6 cxb6 37. Rxd7 Rxd4 38. Rxe7 Rxc3 39. Ra1 Rg7 40. Re6 Rd7 41. Ra6 looks like it a win for White.

34. ....  Nxg8
35. Ra1 b5!

I was really pleased to find this move. Again I feared Ra7 but by dislodging White's queen from her excellent post, the attack is blunted. If now 36. Qd5 I intended c6.

36. Qa2 Rg6

Now I have a little time I can get back to the long forgotten plan of a kingside attack.

37. Qa8 g4

The plan is simply to open a line against the king.

38. Bh4 gxh3

Now I had planned 39. gxh3 Qg7 40. Ra2 exd4 (remember those two pawns who have been facing each other all this time). White could also play 40. d5 as Black's attack looks more dangerous than it actually is. After 40. ... Rg2+ 41. Kh1 Black has nowhere left to go and White threatens the fork Qe8.

39. g3?

Instead White tries to mix things up with a temporary pawn sacrifice but this is where the tide turns.

39. .... fxg3+
40. Bxg3 Qg7
41. Rg1 h4

Now if 42. Bf2 then simply Rxg1 and Qg2 checkmates.



42. Qd8

I did not see this move. Now some thinking time resulted in a sequence where I could win a piece for a pawn.

42. ... hxg3+
43. Rxg3 Qf6

Nothing wrong with 43. .. Rxg3 44. Qh4+ Nh6 45. Qxg3 Qxg3+ 46. Kxg3.

44. Qxf6 Rxf6
45. Rxh3 Rh6
46. Kg3 Rxh3+
47. Kxh3

The last task is now to mop up. White has one pawn for the piece. I must not make any silly mistakes to lose or exchange too many pawns.

47. ... Kg7

Now if 48. dxe5 dxe5 49. Kg4 Kf6 50. f4 exf4 51. Kxf4 Ke6 White may be able to move the king over and exchange off the b-pawn but if I can hang on to the c-pawn I should be home and dry. As it happened, I was allowed to advance quicker than I anticipated.

48. Kg4 Kf6
49. Kh5 Ne7
50. Kg4 exd4

Exchanged at last.

51. cxd4 Nc6
52. d5 Nxb4
53. Kf4 Nc2
54. Kg3 Ke5
55. Kf2 Kf4
56. Ke2 Nd4+
57. Ke3 Nxf3

And now White resigned. A pleasing win after a tough battle.

Game 12 - club match. Swale vs Snodland

Swale vs Snodland - Board One
Thursday 3 December 2015
White: D Fowler (143) - Black: K. Nevols

A rematch of my third game of the season. This time I have the Black pieces.

1. e4 d5
2. exd5 Qxd5
3. Nc3 Qa5

The Centre Counter / Scandinavian Defence is wheeled out once more. White chooses an unusual plan to fianchetto the king's bishop.

4. g3 Nf6
5. Bg2 c6
6. d4 Bg4

To force a weakening of the kingside. If now 7. Nf3 then 7. ... Qh5.

7. f3 Bf5
8. Nge2 e6
9. O-O Nbd7
10. Bf4 Be7

All standard stuff for Black so far. The location of White's bishop on g2 is unusual - it is often found on c4 by now.



11. Ne4

I now had a long twenty minute think, which left me with 43 minutes to get to move 35. After the last game, I did not want to get my king stuck in the middle again. But equally allowing White to take control of the d6 square had its perils too. And Nxe4 just strengthens the white centre. Eventually I think I found the best move which defends d6 by way of an indirect attack on e3.

(Incidentally the computer recommends 11. .. O-O 12. Nd6 Bg6 and meeting 13. Nxb7 with 13. .. Qb4! or 12. Bd6 Rfe8 13. Bxe7 Rxe7 14. Nd6 Bg6 15. Nxb7 Qb4! The possibility of moving the queen to b4 I did not see - I just did not like the idea of a white piece on d6 in principle).

11. ... Nd5
12. Qd2 Qxd2
13. Bxd2 O-O

White decides to exchange off the queens. I was not too displeased at this point as I considered how to get my rooks into the game.

14. Nf4 Rac8

White has 34 minutes left for 21 moves and Black has 37. We were both putting in the minutes.

15. c3

This surprised me. I had expected c4 but now that the bishop can no longer go to a5 I have a good square for my knight.

15. ...  N7b6
16. b3 Rfd8
17. Rad1 Nxf4
18. Bxf4 Nd5
19. Bd2 Rd7

Satisfied so far. I am planning to exploit the awkward position of White's black-squared bishop by doubling the rooks and breaking with c5. White finds a good plan which now throws me off balance.



20. g4 Bg6
21. f4! Rcd8

White has 26 minutes left for 14 moves while I have 14 minutes.

Better would be 21. ... Bxe4 22. Bxe4 Nf6. 23. Bf3. The f4-5 push I had overlooked and now underestimated. However I still felt comfortable and now make a huge miscalculation.

22. Ng3 Bh4?

22. .. h6 better. After preparing a c5 break, the bishop goes off on completely the wrong diagonal.

(The computer suggests an evacuation of the white-squared bishop with 22. .. Bc2 23. Rc1 Bd3 24. Rf3 Ba6 and then countering f5 with e5).

23. f5 Bxg3
24. fxg6 Bxh2+??

Better 24. ... Bc7 25. gxf7+ Rxf7 26. Rxf7 Kxf7 27. Rf1+ where White is better but not yet winning. However, here I am having an attack of 'chess blindness' as I think I am winning a pawn.

25. Kxh2 hxg6

Now I counted the pawns as I thought I had won one, and with satisfaction saw I had won two - only to my horror to see I was a piece down! For the next few minutes I stared at the scoresheet trying to work out how I had miscalculated. Where did that piece go? Not only that but he had two bishops to my knight and the h-file was asking to be invaded.

This was a four board match and we were 2-1 up. I only needed a draw for us to take the match and began kicking myself for being too clever again. I wondered how difficult it would be to take up Bridge.



26. Bxd5 cxd5?!

The poker players have an expression for it - being 'on tilt'- that when you've made a mistake you are so fed up, your concentration goes and you continue making mistakes. Taking back with the rook here would have left an e5 break possible. Blocking the file where one has doubled rooks does not make sense.

27. Rf3 Rc8
28. g5 Rc6
29. Kg2

White is now playing well and has used this moves to gain space and close areas of the position in preparation for the h-file invasion. I decided my only chance to get a draw would be to try to lure his pawns forward on the queenside to try to get some sort of breakthrough in the confusion. But playing 29. .. b5 would have been better to place the rooks behind the pawns.

29. ...  Ra6
30. a4 Rb6
31. b4 Ra6
32. Ra1 b5
33. a5 Rc6

Well, that didn't achieve much. My only chance to breakthrough would have to be on the c-file through maybe an exchange sacrifice. I expected White to wander the king over to defend c3, move the bishop to f4, and then invade the h-file. I could not see how I could combat this plan.

34. Rh1 Kf8
35. Rh8+ Ke7
36. Rg8



Now we were past the time control, which I had made with two minutes spare, and had a long think. The g-pawn was going to go. The f-pawn could be under attack. The rooks could invade along the h-file and then the eighth rank. I had to get the king over to the queenside and defend as best as I could. So the following move is based on the principle that I might need a white square for the king. On balance, 36. ... a6 is probably better.

36. ... Rc4
37. Rxg7 Ke8
38. Rg8+ Ke7
39. Rh3 Rd8

Now I expected Rg7 with king over to c2 and bishop to f4-e5-f6.

40. Rxd8 Kxd8

But I was relieved to see a pair of rooks come off.

41. Rh8+ Ke7
42. Rb8

Time for another think. Should I resign? If 42. .. a6 then 43. Rb6 Rc8 44. Rxa6 Rb8 45. Bf4 Rc8 46. Rb6 Rxc3 47. Rxb5 - White is a clear piece up with two passed pawns.

My only chance of a swindle was to get my rook into the forward half of the board and see if I could get perpetual check or at least pick up a pawn or two. Then suddenly I saw that if I could get my rook to the c2 square I would get my piece back! I would have to sacrifice a couple of pawns but it was worth a go.



42. ...  e5!

Why not?

43. dxe5 d4
44. cxd4 Rc2

Made it. I will get my piece back but be two pawns down.

45. Rxb5?

Make that one pawn. 45. Kf3 Rxd2 46. Ke3 would hold on to the two pawn lead.

45. ...  Rxd2+
46. Kf3 Rxd4

Now I perked up as I have some real chances of holding the draw.

47. Rb7+ Ke6
48. Rxa7 Rxb4
49. a6 Ra4
50. Ra8 Kxe5
51. a7 Kf5

Nicely shielded by the f-pawn. Material is now equal and I breathed a sigh of relief as I might have got out of jail.



52. Rb8 Ra3+
53. Ke2 Rxa7

Pushing his king away seemed like a good idea at the time. I was concerned about a mating net.

54. Rb5+ Kf4
55. Kd3

Wait a minute! Now I was thinking - I could win this!

55. ...  Re7

The white king is cut off and my rook is coming into the centre. If I can take the g-pawn, it is game over. On top of that, he was down to his last two minutes for the rest of the game.

56. Rd5 Re3+

Move away again.

57. Kd2 Re5
58. Rd7 Rf5

As his clock reached the last thirty seconds, White resigned. An amazing battle where I somehow got a win out of a lost position - but considering the earlier games, I think I am overdue a bit of luck.

Game 11 - Swale Club Championship 2015-16 - Round Four

Swale Club Championship - Round Four
Thursday 26 November 2015
White: K. Hyde (174) - Black: K. Nevols

A long hard day at work, traffic delays leaving London, a three hour coach journey, home but no time to change or eat anything - just straight into the car. This was not a good way to prepare for a game with the club champion and the highest graded player - especially only a day after my last hard battle. However once more unto the breach.

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 c5

I had intended to wheel out the Benko Gambit and try to gain some initiative early on.

3. Nf3

But White doesn't want to co-operate.

3. ... g6
4. Nc3 cxd4
5. Nxd4 d6

A familiar Black set up.

6. g3 Nc6
7. Bg2 Nxd4
8. Qxd4 Bg7
9. O-O



So far so good. It is clear that White intends to play positionally and outplay me - a very reasonable strategy to use. Here the computer recommends 9. ... O-O 10. Qh4 Qa5 with Bf5 and an edge for White.

9. ..  Qa5?

Instead I decide to delay castling. This is because I want to keep the option of h5-h4. The plan here is to swing the queen over to h5 and attack the king..

10. Nd5!

Of course! Blocks the fifth rank, stops castling, and makes the queen look silly. The computer now suggests Be6 11. Bd2 Qd8 12. Bg5 O-O which weakens the d-pawn after exchanges on f6. Other options are the grovelling 10. .. Kf8 or the admittance to an error with 10. ... Qd8.

10. ... Nh5?!
11. Qd3

11. Qh4 would threaten mate in one and if 11. ... Nf6 then 12. Bh6! - but White opts to keep the queen in the centre.

11. .. Bf5
12. e4 Be6

The purpose of this bishop manoevere was to block the White bishop's diagonal.

13. Bd2 Qd8
14. Bc3 Qd7

I should have castled now that I had the opportunity. The computer now recommends 15. Bxg7 Nxg7 16. Rad1 but in my view White selects a stronger idea.

15. f4! f5

To stop f5. White now had 49 minutes left for 20 moves and I had 36.

16. Rae1 Bxd5
17. cxd5 Bxc3
18. Qxc3

 

18 ... Nf6?

Castling is better with some serious grovelling after exf5 gxf5 and White has all sorts of attack options in the centre.

19. e5 Rc8
20. Qd4 dxe5
21. fxe5

Now I had a huge think to see if I could get something out of this mess. Moving the knight loses material to e6 so it had to go.

21. ... O-O

At last!

22. exf6 Rxf6

The computer of course grabs the pawn on a7. In that event I had intended Rc2 to see if there were any swindle chances with Rxg2.

23. Rf2!

Puts a stop to that idea.

23. ... Rfc6

My only clever move of the game exploiting the pin.

24. Qe5 Rc2
25. Rfe2

Qxe7 is possible - and it is even stronger on the next move. But White's position is so good anyway that it makes little difference.

25. ... Kf7
26. Qe6+ Qxe6
27. dxe6+ Kf6
28. Bxb7 R8c7
29. Bd5 Kg5

A bit of gung ho before White just mops up.

30. Bb3 Rxe2
31. Rxe2 Kg4
32. Kg2 h5
33. Rd2 h4
34. Rd4+ Resigns

A game that I was never in - but I can't complain at being outplayed so completely.

Game 10 - club match. Maidstone vs Swale

Maidstone vs Swale - Board Three
Wednesday 25 November 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: S. Mustafa (149)

A Wednesday night match in Maidstone - however they were not expecting us! There had been a double booking and another away side had arrived. Fortunately Maidstone had enough players and boards for two matches and about 25 players squeezed into the small room to do battle.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4

Sticking to my simple chess theme for now.

3. ..  Nf6

The Two Knights defence. Now here d4 or Ng5 are the most usual moves.

4. Nc3?! Nxe4
5. Nxe4

5. Bxf7+ Kxf7 6. Nxe4 d5 is another line or just 5. O-O.

5. .... d5
6. Bxd5 Qxd5
7. Nc3

After 7. ... Qd8 Chessgames.com lists 13 games with this position - all of them won by Black!
I had a look at the various lines after 4. Nc3 and all of them show Black with the initiative - as we will see here. Chess is a funny game as how such a natural developing move can get you in trouble so early.

7. .... Qa5

Instead of Qd8, Black puts his queen over on the left in the style of the Scandinavian defence - an opening I now well.

8. d3 Bg4
9. h3 Bh5
10. g4

Shoo. Go away.

10. ... Bg6



11. Bd2

Perhaps the main drawback of the queen's position but 11. a3 may have been more accurate.

11. .... h5
12. g5 h4

Intending to come back to Bh5 and renew the pin with the drawback of a loose pawn on h4 which could come under attack. Already Black is better and I am feeling the heat - no surprise with so many people in a small room!

13. Ne4 Qb6

The computer prefers Qd5! and then coming to e6 with Bf5 to hit the h-pawn.

14. Bc3

I was pleased to get this move in which begins to sort the position out and has counterplay against e5. The g5 pawn is very useful here.

14.    . Bh5

15. Qe2 O-O-O
16. Ned2 Bb4

The pressure is increasing and both Black bishops are very well placed, with the rooks coming to the centre and ideas including e4. Firstly I've got to break that pin and get my king out of the centre but it is a difficult choice of kingside - where it is a bit airy - or queenside - where Black has some pieces.



17. O-O Nd4
18. Bxd4 exd4
19. Qe4

Now with 27 minutes for 16 moves - time was slipping by - although fortunately many of my moves are almost forced. (The computer analysis engine prefers here to play 19. .... Bxd2 20. Nxd2 Kb8).

19. ... Rde8
20. Qf5+ Kb8
21. Nc4 Qc5
22. Qxc5 Bxc5

Although I now only had 23 minutes for 13 moves, I was feeling a little more comfortable with the removal of the queens.

23. Kg2



23. .... Re2?!

23. ... f6 might be better aiming to open some lines against the king. This move, says the computer, is where Black loses some advantage.

24. Rac1

I played this automatically. However 24. b4! is an interesting move. 24. ... Bxb4 25. Nxd4 and then Rb1.

24. ... Bxf3
25. Kxf3 Rhe8

My plan is now to snaffle off that h-pawn, try to hold as best as I could, and see if I could get something going on the right hand side. I had decided that if he were to offer a draw here I would accept. I could try to force it with 26. Ne3 (26. .. Rd2 27. Nc4) and see if Black wants to go for a win with 26. ..dxe3. 27. Kxe2 exf2+ 28. Kf3 Re5 (then perhaps 29. Kg4!)

26. Kg4 b5
27. Na5?!

A mistake. Na3 is better. Bxa3 might then mess up the queenside but at least Black would not then have the bishop. Now the knight gets pushed somewhere it would rather not be.

27. ...  Bb6
28. Nb3 a5
29. Kxh4 a4
30. Na1 Ba5

If 'knights on the rim are dim' to use a famous chess expression, what does that make knights in the corner? I had effectively sacrificed the usefulness of the knight to grab a pawn. Now Black is back on top. On the plus side, the knight does a great job of defending the c2 pawn allowing the rook to move.



31. Rcd1 Bd2
32. Kg4 Rf8?

A slight inaccuracy allowing me to gain a tempo.

33. Kf3 Rfe8
34. h4

The g-pawn is now defended

34. ... c5
35. Rg1

This is to defend the g-pawn to allow h5. Black's pieces are getting in a bit of a muddle now.

35. .. Be1
36. Rf1

Now Bd2 would effectively draw by repetition.

36. ... Kb7

This surprised me. I had expected Bd2 or c4. I did not really have faith in my kingside punt but the fact that Black cannot attack the pawns yet is very helpful.

37. h5 Kc6?

The computer rates this as a mistake in allowing h6 preferring 37. ... Bd2.

38. h6 gxh6
39. gxh6 Ba5
40. h7 R2e6

Black has now sorted his pieces out and I am now thinking how can I rescue the knight?



41. Rh1 Rh8
42. Rdg1 Rg6
43. Rxg6 fxg6
44. Kf4 Bd8
45. Ke4 Bf6

My knight is still stuck. Black can sacrifice his bishop after h8(Q) and get the rook to the first rank to pick it off. If I play 46. b3 here then 46. ... a3 entombs the knight.
However, I now noticed the position of his king was on the same rank as the bishop and pawn - all conveniently lined up.

46. Rh6! Re8+
47. Kf3 Re5

Black does not have time for Re1 or 47. Bh8.  48. Rxg6+ and Rg8 (e.g, 47. ... Bh8 48. Rxg6+ Kb7 49. Rg8 Re1 50. Rxh8 Rh1 51. Re8 Rxh7 52. Re1 and White's king and f-pawn advances.

48. Rxg6 Rh5
49. Rxf6+ Kd5
50. Rf7



Now I can mop up for the win.

50. ... c4
51. Kg4 Rh1
52. Rf5+ Ke6
53. Rh5 Resigns

I was very pleased with this win - a tough battle in which I was on the back foot for most of the time.

Game 9 - Swale Club Championship 2015-16 - Round Three

Swale Club Championship - Round Three
Thursday 19 November 2015
White: K. French (95) - Black: K. Nevols

For the first time, I approached a game with a sense of confidence. It's funny how a win can do that. But I hoped that I was at last finding my feet as I prepared for my third game in the club championship and using the same motto - simple chess.

1. d4 Nf6
2. Nf3 g6
3. e3 Bg7
4. Be2 d6
5. O-O O-O
6. Nbd2 c6

Both sides quietly develop. I set up the Indian style defence which I am used to with an eye on attacking on the kingside.

7. c3

I had expected 7. c4 which would look very Kings Indian-ish with possible attacking ideas of b4, Ba3, Rc1 and c5.

7. ... Nbd7

7. ... Bf5 or Bg4 is probably more accurate.

8. b3

Planning to directly oppose the Indian bishop. I now considered Qa5 to hit the c-pawn but could not see how to progress after 9. Bb2.

8. . Nb6

But I was a bit unsure about this move, being concerned about an a4-a5 advance. However I had to free my bishop. The e4-e5 move also concerned me but the b3 move indicated the bishop was intending to go the other way. Maybe Nd5 and then N7f6.

9. Bb2 Bf5

That's better. Stops e4 and beginning to roll in the centre.

10. Qc1

I have to confess that I did not understand this move. A rook would be better placed on c1 than the queen.

10. ... Qc7

Planning e5 and to bring the rooks in the centre.

11. Re1

Again I did not understand this. I expected 11. Rd1 as the queen had just got off that square, although Re1 can make some sense if intending Bd1/f1 and e4.

11. ... e5



Time to get moving.

12. dxe5 dxe5
13. Nc4 Nxc4

Two advantages here. Firstly I get rid of the knight on b6 which was looking daft and, as I said, vulnerable to an a-pawn push. Secondly, the white bishop now blocks the c-pawn which in turn blocks the other bishop.

14. Bxc4 Bg4
15. Be2 Rad8
16. Rd1 e4!

I had now seen a forced sequence to weaken the white kingside.

17. Nd4 Bxe2
18. Nxe2 Ng4
19. g3

If 19. Nxg3 I had intended h5 20. h3 h4 or 20. h4 Bf6. (After 19. Ng3, the computer prefers 19. ... f5).

19. ... Ne5

This was the position that I had envisaged at move 16. White now has some weak squares around the kingside, I have a strong pawn on e4 with control of d3 and a very active knight. So far so good.

20. Rxd8 Rxd8

Now I was praying for the natural 21. Qc2 (intending Rd1) which falls to the beautiful 21. .. Rd2!! winning a piece.

21. Kg2

Darn it! He saw it. If now 21. .. Nf3 intending Rd2 then White has 22. Nd4.

(I had ruled out placing the knight on d3 as I thought it would be a waste after Nf4. However the computer spots the simple line 21. .. Nd3 22. Qc2 g5! - I did not see this.)

21. ... Qe7

Instead my plan now is to make use of those weak squares and those which I control to infiltrate. Note 22. c4 now walks into Nd3.

22. Qc2 Nd3

Again I see another forced sequence to improve my pieces. However perhaps I should have kept the knights on and played Qf6 with g5.

23. Nf4 Qf6
24. Nxd3 Qf3+

Zwischenzug - or something like that.

25. Kg1 Rxd3

Still in control but running out of pieces. My rook and queen are very well placed so it just remains to activate the bishop and pawns. And I could not see much after 25. ... exd3 26. Qe2.

26. Rf1 h5
27. h4 Be5?

Missing 27. .. g5 28. hxg5 h4. One winning line is 29. gxh4 Qg4+ 30. Kh1 Qxh4+ 31. Kg1 Qxg5+ 32. Kh1 Qh5+ 33. Kg1 Qg4+ 34. Kh1 Rd6 35. f3 Qh3+ 36. Kg1 Rg6+ 37. Kf2 Rg2+.

28. c4 Bc7

I had considered 28. .. Bd6 29. Ba1 Bb4 30. Qb2 Bc3 31. Qb1. This forces the queen off the second rank but taking on e3 seemed to be no more than a draw.

29. Ba1

White now finds a good way to counterattack.

29. .. f6

Forced to break the diagonal.

30. c5!

A very good move which frees up the c4 square for White's queen to become a nuisance.

30 .. Kg7
31. Qc4 Rd5

I could not risk letting the queen into the e6 square and this has the added advantage of bringing the rook over to attack the king if required.

32. Bd4

32. .... Bxg3!?

I should have played Kh7.

At last! I thought this was it. 33. fxg3 Qxg3+ 34. Kh1 Qxh4+ 35. Kg1 Rg5+ and it is soon all over.

I sat back smugly, congratulating myself on a game well played. I went off for a walk, came back, sat down and, with horror, saw his next move a couple of seconds before he played it.

33. Bxf6+

Curses! Blown it again. If I take the bishop, then fxg3 and White has the advantage. I sat and pondered while mentally punching myself. Where did I go wrong? How could I draw, or even lose, a won game?

This is an interesting example of the psychological effect of chess. Bxf6 was a shock and I instantly ruled out Kxf6 - after all, I get my queen pinned. Had I looked at it further, I would have seen 33. .. Kxf6! 34. fxg3 Rd1! We looked at some lines afterwards and, basically, the rooks get swapped off, I pick up the pawn on e3, avoid a perpetual check and push the e-pawn home to win.

I did briefly see Rd1 but decided that there must be something wrong with pinning your own queen and, as my confidence was now shattered, I relied on my instinct - which was wrong in this case.

(And our computer sees something we both overlooked. After 33. Bxf6+ Kxf6 34. fxg3 Rd1! White has 35. Qd4+. But after 35. ... Rxd4 36. Rxf3 gxf3 37. exd4 Kf5 38. Kf2 I think Black has a won king and pawn ending).

33. ... Kh7?

So I decide to pick up some pawns and see where we go.

34. fxg3 Qxg3+
35. Kh1 Qh3+
36. Kg1 Qxe3+
37. Kh1 Qh3+
38. Kg1 Qg3+
39. Kh1 e3
40. Bg5

White could play for a win with 40. Qe4 Qh3+ 41. Kg1 Qg3+ 42. Qg2 Qxg2+ 43. Kxg2 but after 43. Rxc5 44. Kf2 e2 45. Kxe2 Rc2+ 46. Ke3 Rxa2 Black has three pawns for a bishop and might hold.

40. ...  Qh3+

Forcing a draw as Rf7 is coming.

A game of two halves. I was happy with how I played at first. White defended and came back well. And I failed to see the correct continuation.

Game 8 - Swale Club Championship 2015-16 - Round Two

Swale Club Championship - Round Two
Thursday 12 November 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: P. Blundell (122)

So back to the club championship and now I am in a determined frame of mind. I decided to go for a different tactic.

My motto was 'simple chess'. Back to basics. Back to the beginners books when I was ten years old. Play simply, develop, move pieces to the best squares, find weaknesses, no heroics, no rush of blood - just simple play.

1. e4

So the first change. d4 had given me two draws and three losses so out the window it goes. Time for something else.

1. ... e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4

The Giuoco Piano - one of the first openings we learn as kids. Stops d5, hits f7, develops slowly.

3. ... d6

Apparently this is called the 'lesser Giuoco' - Black's aim is to play Bg4 and fight for the d4 square.

4. O-O?!

The main line is 4. c3 (I discovered afterwards) with other options being 4. d4, 4.h3 and 4. Nc3. I of course did not know this - so just castled.

4. ... Bg4
5. h3 Bh5

I was not afraid of 5. Bxf3 6. Qxf3 Nd4 7. Qd1 as I have c3 coming next.

6. d3

Now if 6. ... Nd4 I intended 7. Nbd2. Black could play Qf6 with the aim of doubling my f-pawns but one line is 6. Nd4 7. Nbd2 Qf6 8. c3 Nxf3+ 9. Nxf3 Qg6 which does not look very comfortable. Perhaps 10. d4 with if 10. .. Qxe4 11. Re1 gives some initiative. But then 10 .,.. O-O-O or Nf6 looks good.

After 6. Nd4 7. c3 Nxf3+ 8. gxf3 Qf6 or Qh4 does not look much fun.

Another option is 6. Nd4 7. g4 Bg6 8. Nxd4 exd4 9. f4 where Black might consider Qh4 and/or h5.

6. ... a6

Fortunately Black does not take the opportunity to put me under pressure.

7. Be3

Stopping Nd4.

7. .... Nf6
8. Nbd2 Be7
9. c3

So far so good. Ideas now of moving the queen to break the pin and advancing in the centre.



9. ...  b5

Slightly loosening. The manoeuvre with this and Na5; Bc2 c5 is often seen in the Ruy Lopez but then Black's bishop is usually on c8, not over at h5. 9. .. d5 could be considered as an alternative.

10. Bb3 O-O

I had expected Na5 when I intended Bc2 and aiming for d4.

11. Qe1

Breaking the pin at last. Long term I am thinking of a kingside attack with Nh2 and f4. (On the last few moves, the computer has expressed a preference for White playing g4. I did not want to go down that road - as I said, I wanted to keep things simple and I did not want space around my king).

11. ..  Kh8

Also considering pushing the f-pawn.

12. Nh2 Nd7?

A mistake which allows me to put Black under some pressure along the d5-a8 diagonal and create some weaknesses in the top left hand corner.

13. Bd5 Ndb8
14. a4 bxa4
15. Rxa4

Black's queenside is now in a tangle and I thought he might now play a5 to follow up with Ra6.

15. ... f6

Instead he decides to swap off the bishops. Having now created a weakness I could not see any further way to exploit it. (16. Qa1? blunders to 16. ..Be2) so I figured I'd leave it over there for the moment and go back to Plan A.



(The computer points out that after 16. Qa1 Be2 there is 17. Rc4. It then gives the line 17. ... Bxd3 18. Rxc6 Nxc6 19. Bxc6 Bxf1 20. Nhxf1. The rook on a8 is trapped and will soon be on its way and that will leave White with two knights for a rook and pawn).

16. f4

I now have 42 minutes left for 19 moves.

16. ... Bf7

Now 17. f5 is a possibility with 17. .. Bxd5 18. exd5 Na7 19. Ne4 with advantage to White.

17. Bxf7 Rxf7
18. f5

But I am satisfied so far. I have created a weakness on the left and have advance opportunities on the right.

18.  .. Qg8
19. Nhf3

He has 54 minutes left for 17 moves and I have 31 minutes for 16. I am scratching my head to see how I can advance further.

19. ... g5

This did surprise me. I decided now to work on the h-file but I could have played 20. fxg6. If 20. Qxg6 then 21. Nh4 and then into f5. But if 20 .  fxg6 it is not so easy to progress. Perhaps 21. Qg3 or 21. b4.

20. g4 h6
21. Kf2 Bf8
22. Rh1 Rh7

Black has defended well on the kingside but I could now see that his bishop is trapped by its own pawns and also the queen is cut off from the defence on the queenside. So it is time to move back to the left hand side of the board and advance in the centre.



23. d4 Nd8
24. d5 Nd7

With 40 minutes left for 11 moves, his knights adjust their position. After my next move, I had 19 minutes for ten moves. I pondered where to put the queen. Should I play Qe2 with Rha1 to follow? After 25. Qe2 a5 26. Qb5 looks good. So 25. Qe2 Nb8 but then what?

25. Qa1 Nb8
26. b4

So instead I decide to advance the pawns with the help of a pin.

26 . ... c6

We looked at this position after the game. I was tempted to play 27. dxc6 but was worried about opening up the diagonal for the queen and stopping Nb3 or Nc4. However after 27. ... Ndxc6 then simply 28. b5 is strong. 28. ... Nd8 29. bxa6 Ndc6 30.Rhb1. But I could not see an immediate win and, always remembering my desire for 'simple chess' decided to keep his queen blocked in.

(The computer agrees with this line and adds that 30. a7 Nd7 31. Ra6 Nd8 32. Qb2 is strong).

27. c4? Rb7

I had expected a5. But Black now begins to defend well.

28. Nb3 c5
29. b5 Rba7



So now my attack was blocked on this side too. I no longer had control of the a5 square. b6 Rb7 just loses a pawn. My only hope was now to go back to the kingside.

30. h4 Be7??

And fortunately Black blunders! Better was 30. .. Kg7 31. hxg5 hxg5. If White now plays 32. Rh5 preparing Qh1 then Black has the marvellous defensive move 32. ... Nf7 - which defends all the key points. Then if 33. Qh1 axb5 34. Rxa7 Rxa7 35. cxb5 Ra2+ and Rb2.
If 32. Bxg5 fxg5 33. Nxg5 Kf6 and again how does White progress?

(How did we manage before computers? The line with 32. Rh5 and 33. Qh1 does lose all of White's advantage. Going back with 32. Rb1 is better with b6 and Na5 coming up.

And after 32. Rh5 Nf7 White can try 33. Bxg5! If 33... Nxg5 then simply 34. Nxg5 and if 33. .. fxg5 then 34. b6 Rb7 35. Nxc5! Rxb6 (.. dxc5 36. Nxe5 with a deadly discovered check on the way) 36. Ne6+ Kf6 37. Rxg5!! .    Of course I saw none of this).

For just the second time this season, however (the first was the perpetual in Game Two) luck was with me. It is now a simple mop-up operation.

31. hxg5 fxg5

31. ... Ng7 avoids immediate loss with 32. g6 Kg7 33. gxf7 Kxf7 34. Rxh6 Qxg4 35. Qh1 or 35. b6 and a piece up with an attack.

32. Rxh6+ Kg7
33. Rg6+ Resigns

My first win of the season! At last!

Game 7 - club match. Hastings vs Swale

Hastings vs Swale - Board Three
Saturday 7 November 2015
White: M Bryant (147) - Black: K. Nevols

Hastings is the home of British chess. It has hosted many international tournaments, the best known being 1895 which featured the world's best players of the day, and has an annual chess festival. Anyone who has been anyone in chess has been to Hastings.

It is perhaps the only chess club in the country to own its own building - and the building, an old terraced house, has a fascinating collection of portraits, cartoons and graphics. A visit there is a joy for anyone interested in chess history.

So, after a long journey through the Kent and Sussex countryside, we arrived in time, squeezed into a small room, and away we went.

1. e4 d5

And out comes the Centre Counter again.

2. e5 Bf5

This line often ends in a French/Caro-Kann type position with the bishop already developed. Some people play c5.

3. h4!?

In this game, my opponent decides to open by throwing pawns at me.

3. ..  h6?!

Obviously not 3. e6? which walks into 4. g4, but 3. . h5 is better. As we will see, I get cramped with space, and I could have kept the h6 square for the knight.

4. d4 e6

My plan is now c5, Nc6, and so on.

5. g4 Be4
6. f3 Bg6

6. ... Bh7 is better.

7. a3

Well, I'm baffled by now. He has played seven pawn moves. On the other hand, I have only one piece developed and am already getting cramped in space. Afterwards he told me he should have played 7. Be3 to avoid my upcoming manoeuvre to dislodge his king.

7. ... Be7

(The computer recommends 7. .. h5 with 8. g5 c5 or 7. .. c5 straight away).



8. h5 Bh4+
9. Ke2 Bh7

Now it is really time we both got some pieces developed.

10. Be3 Nd7
11. Nd2 Be7
12. f4 c5
13. c3 Qb6



He has one hour and six minutes left and I have 41 minutes left for 22 moves, so his bizarre system has already got him the benefit of time.

As you can see, my main problem is my king's knight stuck on g8. I could not see a way I could shift it. I was also trying to see how I could exploit White's open spaces.

14. b4 cxb4
15. axb4

He was concerned here about 15. ... Qb5+ (?) 16. Kf2 Bd3 aiming to have some play on the white squares, although 17. Ra5! wins material.

15. ... f6

But instead I am still trying to think how I can sort the kingside out. 15. .. Bd8 with Nge7 is probably a better plan

16. Kf2

Stopping any Qb5 ideas.

16.   .  a5??

A sudden rush of blood to the head. I could only see 17. bxa5 Rxa5 hoping to liquidate the queenside and play Bd8, Ne7 and castles to at last get the kingside sorted. But this is just a blunder causing weaknesses and losing a pawn. Simply Qc6, Qc7 or Bf8 were calmer. White, although better, at present does not threaten anything, so Black has a little bit of time.

17. Qa4!

Suddenly White is better and Black is lost. There is a pin down the a-file, a pin on the knight with Bb5 coming, Nb3 is also on its way, and still the kingside is undeveloped. Already I had that sinking feeling one has when one realises that they dropped a clanger.



17. ...  Qc7

After much thought, I can see some faint hopes for a counter attack.

18. Bb5 b6
19. Ne2

Defending c3 and releasing the kings rook. So far he has only used 15 minutes and had an hour left for 16 moves.

19. ... g5!?

Whereas I only had 23 minutes left for 16 moves. This move is more or less forced. I have to make some attempt to get an initiative rather than wait for him to pile up on the queenside. If now 20. hxg6 Bxg6 and I intended to follow with h5. (21. f5! with Nf4 to follow ensures Black does not have time for h5).

20. Rhc1

To release the knight from defending the c-pawn and also to think about c4 in the future.

20 ... Kd8

To unpin the knight. Now only 17 minutes left for 15 moves.

21. Nb3 fxe5

Here we go. A desperate counter attack against his king.

22. dxe5 gxf4
23. Nxf4 Bh4+
24. Ke2 Qxe5

A piece sacrifice to centralise the queen.

25. Bxd7 Nf6
26. Bxe6 Bg5



He now invested some of his extra time into a deep thought and decided to return the piece with a good defensive move. I thought he might play bxa5 to defend with the queen to which I considered Re8.

27. Rf1! Bxf4
28. Rxf4 Qxe6

So material is level and neither king is too safe. But White's pieces are far more active.

29. Nd4 Qd6
30. Qc6

Simply winning a piece.

30 ... Ne8?

A blunder to be explained by the fact I only had a minute left. But 30 .. Qxc6 31. Nxc6+ Kc7 32. Rxf6 is lost anyway.

31. Qxa8+ Resigns

Another devastating defeat. My 'comeback' had so far resulted in three draws and four losses with no wins. In none of the games was I ever close to winning. In my defence, I had not played over-the-board regularly for over 20 years, and all my opponents had been strong graded, with one exception, at least in the 140s.

However I was now beginning to doubt the wisdom of playing again. I enjoy playing through chess games in books, magazines and playing online, but it would not be much fun losing over the board time and time again and letting the team down.

I had by now paid for a year's membership so I might as well carry on. But I decided if I spent the whole year losing, I might decide to go back to the online poker.

Game 6 - club match. Swale vs Tunbridge Wells

Swale vs Tunbridge Wells - Board Three
Thursday 5 November 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: S. Milford (145)

1. d4 e6
2. c4 f5

The Dutch defence. The idea of the Dutch is simply to attack on the kingside. I've not come across it before and have never thought much of it. The space around the king just does not look quite right. However, there is the issue that I do not know much about it. I recall Korchnoi having good results by playing an h3 and g4 system. For now, I think just sensible development is the order of the day.

3. Nc3 Nf6
4. Nf3 Be7
5. Bf4

I discovered afterwards that this results in an opening similar to the London system where Black is advised to develop with b6 and Bb7 - as we see here.

5. ... O-O
6. e3 b6

Now I must ask myself the question - what am I going to do? Korchnoi's h3 and g4 kept arriving in my head, aiming to put his kingside under pressure while his queenside still develops. I should though continue with simple development - either Be2 or Bd3.

7. h3?! Bb7
8. g4?

The natural follow up to the h3 idea. The idea is simple - 8. ... fxg4 9. hxg4 Nxg4 10.Rg1 Nf6 11. Bh6 Rf7 12. Ne5. Very basic admittedly. If he does not take the g-pawn then I planned to play g5.

8. ... Ne4!

A much better move and setting up a trap. Here I should play Bd3.

9. Nxe4? fxe4
10. Nd2



My plan was now to round up the pawn with Bg2. I was expecting 10. ... d5 but as he was thinking, I suddenly saw ...

10. .... Rxf4!!

A brilliant sacrifice, but perhaps obvious to Dutch players. I had opened his f-file for him and he now has a devastating central attack.

11. exf4 e3
12. Nf3 Bb4+!
13. Ke2 exf2
14. Kxf2 Qf6

So although he is the exchange down, he has huge compensation in the form of two penetrating bishops, an active queen, and my open king. My knight is pinned, the f4 pawn is under attack, his knight and rook will soon be on the way. Basically it did not look promising.

(The computer recommends 15. d5!? to block the bishop. After 15. .. Qxb2+ then 16. Kg3 or 15. ... Qxf4 16. Qb3. I can't say this looks comfortable however).

15. Be2

I decided to return one pawn to break the pin and get some sort of order going. If 15. Kg3 then Bd6 16. Qd2 g5! I now have 29 minutes left for 20 moves.

15. ... Nc6!

Choosing activity over recouping a pawn. He has 34 minutes left for 20 moves although this is slightly misleading as he was 15 minutes late due to train problems.

16. Rg1

Moving off the diagonal and seeing a way of lateral defence along the fourth rank. But maybe 16. a3 or 16. d5 would have been a better move.

16. ... Rf8



17. g5

It is hard to give White advice - maybe the game is lost after ten moves. The black squares around my king cannot be defended. This is a lone punt but based on an oversight. Again 17. a3 should be considered.

17. ... Qxf4
18. Rg4 Qh2+

I had overlooked this was possible. Now my rook gets back on the diagonal that it was so keen to leave.

19. Rg2 Qxh3
20. Kg1 Nxd4!



In this position, which will win more material, I resigned. The only path from here is 21. Qxd4 Bc5 22. Qxc5 bxc5 23. Rf1. Black has a queen and three pawns for a rook and knight. He had said that he thought I would try to put together some sort of fortress and he would aim to exploit the e3 square, and he could advance straight away with e5-e4, swap pieces off and use the extra pawns. It should be an easy win for Black. I could have played on but considering my state of mind, and shortage of time, I decided to throw in the towel.

A devastating defeat.

Game 5 - Swale Club Championship 2015-16 - Round One

Swale Club Championship - Round One
Thursday 29 October 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: A. Gillard (106)

By now you will have noticed a pattern in my games - I lose the initiative in the middle game, manage to stay on the board, and then either hang on for a draw in a lost game, or lose a drawn game. And so this continues here. My debut game in the championship of my new club - and my third consecutive game with the white pieces

1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 d5

Another Grunfeld defence so again we go into the exchange variation.

4. cxd5 Nxd5
5. e4 Nxc3
6. bxc3 Bg7

The theory of the system is that White sets up a centre for Black to attack with moves like c5, Nc6, Bg4. White often counters with Be3, Ne2. The method I am using I saw in an old Kasparov game of using Nf3 and Rb1.

7. Nf3 c5
8. Rb1 Nc6

Black usually castles on move 7 or 8. By playing the knight out one move early but leaving the rook on h8, I can use a tactic to get the bishops off.

9. d5!? Bxc3+

If now Ne5 I was intending Bb5+ and try to get the king castled quickly. Nxe5 Bxe5, Bb2 with Bb5+ and then f4 is another idea.

10. Bd2 Bxd2+
11. Qxd2 Nd4

The best square for the knight. If 11. Nb8 then 12. Qc3 O-O 13. Qxc5 recaptures the pawn with advantage.

12. Nxd4 cxd4



I now give some thought about what to do with the bishops and my king. With my pawns on white squares then exchanging them makes some sense, as well as diverting the Black queen away from the a5 square. The alternative could be 13. Qxd4 Qa5+ 14. Qd2 Qxd2 15. Kxd2 b6 16. Bb5+ Kd8 17. Rfc1 or 16. ... O-O 17. Bb2. Either way I get to the c-file first.

In the end I opt for the line which castles my king and brings the rook into the centre

13. Bb5+ Bd7

(The computer makes two other suggestions here - either 14. Qxd4 O-O 15. O-O Bxb5 16. Rxb5 b6 17. Rb3 to come to c3. Or simply 14. Be2).

14. Bxd7+ Qxd7
15. Qxd4 O-O
16. O-O b6

So it is queen, two rooks and six pawns each. White has the extra pawn in the centre but Black has possibilities of queenside play. Now there is a battle for the c-file.

17. Rbc1 Rac8
18. Qd2 Rc5!

I had overlooked this possibility which threatens e6. I should now play 19. Rxc5 bxc5 20. Qc2 or 20. Rc1 but I was concerned about giving Black a passed pawn.

19. Rfd1? Rfc8

Black now has the c-file and central pressure. Once again things are looking grim.



20. f3

To defend against f5 and any back rank threats.

20 . .... Qc7
21. Rxc5 Qxc5+

My rook capture was more or less forced as I did not want to see Rc2. But I was worried about bxc5. Maybe I have Qc3 with the idea of e5.

22. Kh1 Qc2
23. Qxc2 Rxc2
24. Ra1



The ending. Rook and six pawns. Black has the far more active rook so my aim must be to get space to play with and move my king up the board.

24. ... Kg7
25. h4 Kf6
26. a4 Ke5
27. Kh2 f5

An attempt to dissolve Black's centre. 27. ... e6 might have been better as now I can activate my rook and get some counterplay. 27. ... Re2 is another possibility protecting against the opening of the e-file.

28. exf5 Kxf5

If 28. ... gxf5 then 29. Re1+.

29. Re1 Kf6
30. Re6+ Kf7
31. a5

I was pleased to find this move. I had hoped to swap off my weak a-pawn and then hold up the advance of the other Black queenside pawn. If now b5 then Ra6.

31. ...  bxa5
32. Ra6 Rc5
33. Rxa7 Rxd5
34. Ra6

Black has an extra pawn but I am holding on. My tactic now is to be as much of a nuisance as I can in harassing the Black king.

(The computer now suggests 34. .. Rd4 with either 35. Kg3 a4 or 35. Rxa5 Rxh4+ 36. Kg3 Rd4. However I think I would be happy with that).

34. ... Ke8
35. Ra7 h6

I was relieved to see this as it provides a weakness and an extra possibility for me to save the game.



36. g4?

As I played this I now saw 36. .. Rd2+ 37. Kg3 Ra2. Black can then happily advance his a-pawn.

36. ... Kf7?

Again relief. I don't know if Rd2+ would have won but it would have made life very difficult.

37. Kg3 g5
38. h5

Now I can target the h6 pawn but I was not sure I had enough time to take it. Fortunately my opponent offered a draw at this point which I gladly accepted.

(Interestingly, having gone though the game with an online computer, it indicates that, despite my pessimism, the game was virtually equal throughout. Neither side missed a clear winning move).

Game 4 - club match. Swale vs Snodland

Swale vs Snodland - Board Three
Thursday 22 October 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: D Fowler (145)

For the third time we faced Snodland - this is because we are opposing them in two different tournaments - but thankfully as both board orders chopped about a bit, I faced three different opponents - and each time with the white pieces.

1. d4 e6
2. c4 Nf6
3. Nc3 c5
4. d5 exd5
5. cxd5 d6

This is the Modern Benoni. A rather odd opening, in my view, as Black's pawn on d6 just looks strange but many great players have made success of this counter attacking opening. The idea is for Black to attack with the majority of pawns on the queenside helped by a bishop on g7. White in turn has opportunities in the centre leaning on e4-5.

As with most openings, I do not know a great deal about it. After pondering Nf3, I think, what the hell, and play a line which I saw in the past and looked quite dangerous (which I read afterwards is called the Taimanov variation).

6. e4 g6

7. Nf3 is the most common here.

7. f4 Bg7
8. Bb5+

The point is that Bd7 and Nbd7 both allow e5 where White can get some advantage.

8. ... Nfd7
9. a4

The point of a4 is to hold up White's queenside play.

9.  ... O-O

Black's most common reply. 9. . Na6 has also been seen with the idea of either Nc7 or Nb4. There is also the idea of 9. .. Qh4+ 10. g3 Qe7 to weaken White slightly.



10. Nf3 a6
11. Bd3

Unknown to me, we were still in theory, but then White tends to put his bishop on e2 and not d3. My point here is that I was concerned about f5, but on d3 Black has a future option of a c4 with a tempo. Also a bishop on e2 has a possibility of moving to the f3 square which would add impetus to any e5 push.

(The computer prefers Bd3. After 11. Be2 it gives 11. ... Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Nf6 with attacks on the central pawns. However would a human Benoni player give up his bishop so early?)

11. ... Nf6
12. O-O Bg4

OK so far. Now I wanted to free my position a little to get an attack rolling.

13. h3 Bxf3
14. Qxf3 Nbd7
15. g4

15. a5 might be better to prevent Qa5 and continue clamping down on the left wing. However I wanted to get on with it.

15. ... Qc7
16. Qg3?

My plan is the straight forward clubbing one of bashing through to the king. I am thinking Qh4 and f5. But I have overlooked a tactic. I should have played 16. Kh1 by this stage.

16. .... c4
17. Bc2

Defending against Nc5-b3.



17. ....... b5!

I completely missed this! Black has chosen the right moment to unleash the b-pawn, cause carnage and grab the initiative. Obviously I cannot take twice on b5 losing the knight to Qb6+. Having said that 17. ... Nc5 is still good.

18. axb5?

Still shocked, I add another error. I thought opening the a-file might be to my advantage, but Black has some tactics coming up which means it is he who can use the file.

18. ..  axb5

The time limit is 35 moves in 75 minutes and then 15 minute for all the rest. Black here has 34 minutes left for 17 moves.

19. Be3

Grabbing the diagonal and connecting the rooks. I had 38 minutes left for 16 moves.

19. ..  Qb7
20. Qf2

To stop Nb6. This is a good example of psychological chess. Having missed 17. .. b5 and now seeing Black's advances on the queen side, I am assuming I am losing and have now switched to 'grim defence' mode. However, 20. e5! is good for White. If 20. .. Ne8 (breaking the connected rooks) 21. Rxa8 Qxa8 22. e6 fxe6 23. dxe6 Nc5 24. Nxb5 Nxe6 25. f5 and it is White on the front foot.

20 .... b4
21. Ne2 b3

Now I have to surrender the a-file in order to save material and the bishop assumes a miserable position.

22. Rxa8 Rxa8
23. Bb1 Ra6!

While Black was thinking I now saw 23. .. Nxe4!? 24. Bxe4 Bxb2. Black has two pawns for the piece and two passed pawns. I pondered and tried to see how I could defend. If 25. Bd4 then 25. .. Bxd4 26. Qxd4 Nc5 27. Nc3 Nxe4 28. Qxe4 Qb4. Or 26. Nxd4 c3. It all looked quite grim.

The main idea I looked at was 25. f5 to see if I could break through on the f-file. Black could try 25. ... Ne5 or 25. .. f6!? 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Bxg6 Qxd5 but then 28. Qh4 looks good. Perhaps Black can simply play 25 .... Rf8 or 25. ... Ra1 to exchange the rook. 25. ... Nf6 is another simple option.

However maybe such heroics are not necessary. Black is better and does not need sacrifices. The idea behind Ra6 is simply to bring the knight into the game via b6 but I admit I was relieved not to see Nxe4.

24. Nc3 Nb6
25. Bd4 Na4
26. Nxa4 Rxa4




Time now to move forward on the kingside to try to get the initiative back.

27. g5

Our electronic ally prefers 27. f5 to get the f-file open.

27. ... Ne8
28. h4 Bxd4
29. Qxd4 Qa7

Removing the queen blunts much of White's attack.

30. Qxa7 Rxa7
31. e5 Rc7
32. Kg2

With some lateral defence in mind.

32. .... c3
33. bxc3 Rxc3
34. Rf3 Rxf3
35. Kxf3



So welcome to the ending. Bishop and five pawns v knight and five pawns. My positive points here are that I have one pawn island all lined up, my king is slightly more active, and there is a possibility of a passed pawn in the centre. Black has the advantage of a forwarded passed pawn already and a knight which can jump about and cause havoc amongst my advanced pawns. If my king decided to stroll over to pick up the b-pawn, it is difficult to see how I can defend those pawns.

35. ... Kf8
36. Ke4

If Kg4 then Ng7 and I could not see anywhere to go from there.

36. ... Ke7
37. f5?

37. Kd4 is better. 37. .. Ng7 38. Kc3 b2 39. Kxb2 Nf5 40. Kc3 Nxh4 41. Be4. I should get at least a draw from there.

37. ... dxe5
38. Kxe5 Nd6
39. fxg6 hxg6

Now I was worried. That pesky knight seemed to have the whole board at its command.

40. Bd3 b2
41. Kd4 Nf5

41. ... Nb5+ looks good but 42. Ke5 Nc3 43. d6+ Ke8 44. Kf6 saves White as a timely d7+ will result in picking up the last two black pawns. Instead the knight goes the other way.

If now 42. Kc3 Nxh4 43. Kxb2 Nf3 and the g-pawn falls. The only thing I could think of was to get some sort of blockade by using the d-pawn as a diversion and getting the king in to sweep up the pawns as indicated. Then I could sac the bishop for the b-pawn and job done.



42. Ke5 Nxh4
43. d6+ Kd7
44. Kf6

44. Bb5+ Kd8 45. Bd3 Nf3+ 46. Kf6 Kd7 47. Kxf7 Nh4 - similar to the game but his king is further back.

44. ... Kxd6
45. Kxf7 Ke5
46. Bb1 Kf4
47. Kf6 Nf3
48. Kxg6 Nxg5

With the pawn where it is, the bishop has little room for manoeuvre and Black finishes perfectly. I am not sure 48. Bxg6 which keeps the king one square nearer makes much difference.

49. Kf6 Ne4+
50. Ke6 Nc3
51. Bc2 Ke3
52. Ke5 Kd2
53. Bg6 Na2

If now 54. Kd4 Nb4 55. Bb1 Kc1 or 55. Kc4 Nc2.

54. Bb1 Nb4
55. Kd4 Kc1
56. Resigns

Of course if the bishop moves eastwards then Nc2.

A second consecutive endgame defeat and just as disappointing. The turning point was the advance of the b-pawn although I felt I should have held the ending.

Game 3 - club match. Swale vs Snodland

Swale vs Snodland - Board One
Thursday 15 October 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: G Hollands (163)

In Simon Webb's book 'Chess for Tigers', he gives the follow advice for when you are playing stronger opponents (or 'heffalumps' as he calls them). Stick to what you know - randomise - complicate the game - keep pieces on - avoid an ending. The theory is that, although you may well still lose, by jumping around a swamp, the heffalump might fall in a puddle, before the tiger does.

Here is the complete opposite and how not to do it. I play an unfamiliar set up, keep the game simple, and promptly get outplayed in an equal ending.

1. d4 d5
2. Nf3

First mistake. My team mates informed me that, against d4, my opponent always played the Slav with Bf5. I know very little about this opening and decided to avoid it by playing the Colle system instead.
Had I taken a minute to think, I would have realised that I know very little about any opening and so a Slav would not have made a lot of difference.

2. ... Nf6
3. e3 c5
4. c3 Nc6
5. Bd3 Bg4
6. Nbd2

The purpose of the Colle system is to build up towards an e4 push and a kingside attack. Black plays correctly however and places immediate pressure on the centre.

6. ... e6

7. e4 drops the d-pawn although 7. .. dxe4 8. Nxe4 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 cxd4 10. Bg5 might be an interesting pawn sacrifice. However, simply 8. ... cxd4 puts any thoughts of that to bed.

7. O-O Be7
8. Re1 O-O

When Black castles is usually the time White plays e4. But here it still drops the d-pawn and I could not see how I could sacrifice it for gainful play. Black simply delays Bxf3. Back to the text books for this opening.



9. b3?!

After a think, I decided that I needed to shore up the d-pawn before I could push with e4, so this move prepares Bb2.

9. ... Qa5!

Immediately jumping on the new weakness at c3.

10. Bb2 Rac8

I needed to get e4 in to get some space and decided to take on c5 at a time Black's only option is to take back with the Queen.

11. dxc5 Qxc5
12. h3 Bh5

At this stage I now put some thought into b4?! which looked like a wonderfully potty move. The idea being to follow it up with Nb3. One line might be 13. b4 Qd6 14. Nb3 Ne5 15. Be2 Nc4 16. Qc2 e5 with Bg6 to come.

13. e4

At last. Now here 13. ... Ne5 places some uncomfortable pressure but Black spots a different line.

13. ... dxe4
14. Nxe4 Nxe4
15. Bxe4 Rfd8
16. Qe2 Bf6!



Black is now better and this calls for a think. I needed to unpin the knight, defend the b2 bishop so I could play c4, and challenge the d-file. Once again the crazy b4?! came into my head (with b5?! to follow) but I did not like the idea of the knight coming to e5 and then c4.

Instead I try to ease the pressure on the centre with a few exchanges.

(The computer disagrees with my assessment and considers the position completely even. It recommends the simple 17. Red1 as 17. ... Bxc3 can be answered by 18. Rac1 Rxd1+ 19. Qxd1 Qb4 20. Bxh7+ and Rxd3 regaining the pawn).

17. Qe3 Qxe3
18. Rxe3 Bxf3
19. Bxf3 Rd2

At this stage I saw that my intended 20. Re2 loses a pawn to Rxb2 21. Rxb2 Bxc3.

20. Rb1

I now had 23 minutes left for 15 moves. (I did not note down my opponent's time but he had plenty left).

20. ... Rcd8
21. Bxc6

It seemed natural to split the queenside pawns and also to stop his knight from coming to e5 and then moving further forwards. But these split pawns turn out to be effective defenders. 21. Kf1 preparing Re2 may have been better.

21. ... bxc6

The next few moves see me try to sort out my queenside to free up my pieces for some play.

22. a3 R8d3
23. Rxd3 Rxd3
24. Rc1 Kf8
25. Kf1 Rd2
26. Ba1 Bg5

The computer recommends using a different diagonal with 26. ... Rxa2 27. a4 Be7 and then to the c5 square to pressure f2.

27. Rb1 Ke7
28. c4 g6
29. Ke1 Ra2
30. Bd4 a6
31. a4 Bd2+
32. Kf1 Bb4
33. Rd1



Mission accomplished. Black has moved his bishop to a better square but then so has White. White is about to move his rook to d3 and bishop somewhere to keep Black's king at bay. Now, with some relief that I was still on the board, I offered a draw.

33. ... Rd2

... which was declined. Black reasoned that he could not lose this position and so might as well play on and see what happens.

34. Rxd2 Bxd2

So what do we do? White must advance his King but avoid getting stuck into any mating traps or tactics. If possible, try to make a passed pawn on the queenside. Black has an extra pawn in the centre so will try to advance these. Even so, this should be an even position.

35. Ke2 Bb4
36. Kd3 Kd6
37. Ke4 Bc5
38. Be5+

Not 38. Bxc5+ Kxc5 39. Kd3 Kb4 40. Kc2 e5 and then Black advances his centre pawns.

38. ... Ke7
39. f3 f6
40. Bc3 f5+
41. Kf4

If 41. Ke5 Bd6+ 42. Kd4 e5+ and Ke6. I thought I would go after the king pawns.

41. ... h5
42. Kg5 Kf7

Afterwards my opponent told me he thought I was marginally better at this point. I am not so sure. I can't seem to mobilise on the queenside and I am a pawn down on the kingside. The best hope I have is just to keep moving about until he gets bored.


43. Kf4

I considered Kh6 keeping my king over there - as well as keeping his king busy - but was concerned about an e-pawn push in the centre by Be3+; Kh7 Bf4. Maybe then I could play b4-5.

43. ... Bd6+
44. Ke3

I so nearly played 44. Be5??? which loses to 44. .. g5+

44. ... e5
45. b4?

And this is the loser. White tries to counter a centre push with some wing play but he is simply unable to break through on that side. Kd3 sitting tight is probably better.

(The computer disagrees thinking there is nothing wrong with b4. It is the next move - b5 - which is the mistake).

45. ... Ke6
46. b5 cxb5
47. cxb5 axb5
48. axb5 Bc5
49. Kd3 Bb6

Now it is very grim. Black has the simple task of gobbling up the b-pawn and then continue to push in the centre. However White should now play 50. Kc4 and stay active.

50. Bd2? Kd5
51. Be3?

Panic. I'm thinking if I can swap off all the kingside pawns I should be able to hold the draw, but I should have kept the Bishops on with Bb4. Now it is all over.





51. ... Bxe3
52. Kxc3 Kc5
53. g4 Kxb5
54. gxf5 gxf5
55. Kd3 h4

Time to remember what I have read about 'oppositions' - not that it is very helpful here.

56. Kd2 Kb4
57. Kd3 Kb3
58. Kd2 Kc4
59. Ke2 Kd4
60. Kd2 f4
61. Ke2 Kc3
62. Resigns

Of course, the Black king now comes to d3 and manoeuvres to e3 to take the pawn off.

This loss upset me. I was never once in the game, played it all wrong, adopted a passive opening I was not familiar with, never had the initiative, and, after congratulating myself on surviving the middle game, then proceeded to lose an equal ending. I could not sleep that night as every time I closed my eyes, a board with king, bishop and six pawns came into my view.

Game 2 - club match. Swale vs Medway

Swale vs Medway - Board Two
Thursday 8 October 2015
White: P. Shevlake (158) - Black: K. Nevols

My first home game and a tough proposition - a player graded far higher than I (my provisional grade is 122).

1. e4 d5

This is the Centre Counter or the Scandinavian defence. I discovered it in the mid-80s on one of Mike Basman's Audio Chess cassettes and have played it many times. It is a very solid defence and useful when playing Black against a stronger opponent.

2. exd5

2. e4 goes into the Blackmar-Diemar Gambit.

2. ... Qxd5

Many players play 2. ... Nf6 3. d4 Nxd5

3. Nc3 Qa5

The main line. Qe5+ and Qd8 are both playable, and I read recently that Qd6 has come into fashion. But I will stick to what I know.

4. d4 Nf6
5. Bd2 c6
6. Bd3 Bg4

I have sometimes found it to be an issue where to put my white-square Bishop - f5 or g4. (It often ends up getting exchanged on g6). The move order White has chosen forces me to make this choice before Nf3. Here 6. ... Bf5 walks into 7. b4 so it has to go onto g4.

7. f3 Bh5
8. Nge2 e6
9. Ne4 Qb6



Usually Black plays Qc7 and then Bd6 but here 9. ... Qc7 is met by 10. Bf4 where I don't have the option of Bd6 and the d6 square becomes a problem.

10. Nxf6 gxf6

This opening often ends up with odd pawn structures on the kingside, but perfectly sound.

11. Qc1 Bd6
12. Be3 Qc7
13. Bf4 Nd7
14. Bxd6 Qxd6
15. c3

All quiet moves as White slowly sorts his position out, but at this stage I was not too concerned. I still have the options of pawn breaks and moving the knight into the centre.

15. ... Bg6

As earlier stated, the Bishop ends up on g6. If White were to play Bxg6 then hxg6 and the h-file becomes a possible route of attack.

16. Be4 O-O-O

Not 16. Bxe4 where after fxe4 and O-O White has pressure in the centre and along the f-file.

17. Qc2 Nb6

Heading for the d5 square. White now has 60 minutes left for 18 moves while I had 42 minutes. (The time limit was 35 moves in 75 minutes and then 15 more for the rest of the game). The game is dead even.

18. Rd1 Nd5



The Knight often ends up here in this system. If White plays c4 then the d-pawn becomes a target. Meanwhile Black has options of using the f4 square or playing for an e5 or c5 break.

(The computer here suggests 18. .. f5!?. The idea is 19. Bd3 Nd5 with an eye on the e3 square. Then  20. Qd2 f4 with Ne3 to follow. An imaginative idea as normally one does not see a move which would suffocate one's own bishop)

19. Kf2

Defending the e3 square.

19. ... Kb8

Moving away from the Queen's file in case of a quick c4 and d5.

20. g3

Protecting the f4 square. Now I have to think of how I can get some play against his King and/or in the centre.

20. ...  f5

And decide to go for an f-file push (belatedly as above). 21. Bd3 f4 looked good to me. After 22. gxf4 Nxf4 there is a danger that the f-pawn could become weak.

(Again our more ambitious electronic ally goes one better opting for 20 ... e5 and if 21. dxe5 then 21. ... Qc5+ with Ne3 to follow).

21. Bxd5 cxd5

Now you can see why I moved my King off the c-file. 22. c4  can now be answered by 22. .. Rc8

22. Nf4 f6

White has 53 minutes left for 13 moves and Black has 31 minutes - so no problems there.

23. Nxg6 hxg6
24. Kg2 e5

The problem with this was to weaken the d5 point but I was beginning to like the look of my central pawn mass.



25. c4!?

This begins an interesting pawn sacrifice. White dissolves the centre to get his pieces into play and a strong attack down the centre.

25. ...  dxc4

I didn't like 25. ... Rc8 now. Perhaps it is OK but I was a bit nervous with dxe5 possibilities and my Queen stuck where it is.

26. dxe5 Qxe5
27. Rhe1 Qc5
28. Re6 Rxd1
29. Qxd1 Rf8
30. Qd7

30. Rxf6 with Qd8+ would have got the pawn back.

30 ...  Qc7

I wondered for a moment if this was an error and whether Qc8 was safer but then Qd6+ picks up the f-pawn.

31. Re8+ Rxe8
32. Qxe8 Qc8
33. Qxg6 Qe6



So here we are in the ending - Queen and five pawns each. White has the better pawn structure, a passed h-pawn, the safer King and an active Queen. Black also has an active Queen and needs to get moving on the queenside. Now I was thinking of drawing possibilities with perpetual check.

34. Kh3

Taking the King away from any checks but walking into the Queen diagonal and giving me thoughts of how I can work the f4 check.

34. ... b5
35. Qh5 b4

Maybe a6 is better to keep the pawn chain.

36. Qh8+ Kb7
37. Qf8! a5
38. Qc5 Qe5?

This is known as 'chess blindness' - I completely overlooked that the c-pawn was now loose. Maybe 38. ... f4+ 39. g4 Qc6 to try to get counter play against the f3 pawn as well as push with c3, or simply 38. ... Ka6.

39. Qxc4 Kb6
40. Qc2 Qe6

Now White is a clear pawn up and with the precise white Queen movements, I had the impression of being outplayed. On the other hand, White's kingside is not moving.

41. b3 Qd7
42. Kg2 Qe6
43. h4 Qd7
44. Qe2 Qf7
45. Kf2 Qd5
46. h5

Now it is looking gloomy as the h-pawn is on its way.

46. .... f4
47. g4 Qc5+
48. Kg2 Qg5

With plans of Qh4 and then into g3.



49. Kh3 Qd5
50. Qe4?!

Now the light bulb goes on. This lets my Queen in to have a go at a swindle. Maybe 50. Qf2+ is a better option with h6. Or simply 50. h6 straight away.

50. ... Qd1
51. Qxf4?

If 51. Kg2 Qd2+ 52. Kf1 Qd1 53. Qe1 Qd3+ 54. Kg2 and Black can't play Qc2+ due to Qf2.

Now White told me afterwards he was expecting 51. .. Qh1+ 52. Qh2 Qxf3+ 53. Kh4 but .....

51. ...  Qf1+!

... straight away forcing the draw.

52. Kh2 Qf2+

Drawn through perpetual check. A lucky escape.