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.

Game 1 - club match. Snodland vs Swale

Snodland vs Swale - Board Three
Thursday 1 October 2015
White: K. Nevols - Black: R Thompson (136)

After a gap of 21 years, I had at last rejoined a chess club - Swale Chess Club, based in Sittingbourne. After a couple of friendly games, I was asked to join the team and make my debut away to Snodland - which is a small town halfway between Rochester and Maidstone.

1. d4

In my youth, I started with d4. I spent a while flirting with e4 openings but decided I could not be bothered with all that French and Sicilian stuff.

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

This is the Grunfeld defence, named after the Austrian player, Ernst Grunfeld (1893-1962), and was part of the 'hypermodern' trends of the 1920s. The idea is to allow White to occupy the centre with the intention of then attacking it.

4. cxd5

The Exchange variation - played because basically it is the only one I know. As this was my first over-the-board game for five years, I did ponder for a while about playing 4. Bf4 and e3 but best to stick to what you know. Some Karpov-Kasparov games featured 4. Qb3.

4. ... Nxd5
5. e4 Nb6

An unusual move. Normal is 5 ... Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 to which I had intended Nf3 and Rb1.
I can't say I was too impressed with this move - the Knight has now moved three times. Looking at it afterwards, I think White now usually plays Be3.

(The computer likes 6. a4 a5 7. Bf4 Bg7 8. Nb5 with Rc1).

6. Nf3 Bg7
7. Be2 Bg4

Now I had a long think. Obviously there is a threat to d4 by Bxf3. I wrestled between three moves - 8. d5, 8. e5 and 8. Be3. After 8. d5, Black could play c6. Then perhaps 9. Nd4 Bxe2 10. Ndxe2 O-O 11. O-O or 9. O-O immediately. 8. e5 appealed for a while - blocking the Bishop and freeing up e4 for the Knight. Then 8 ... Nc6 9. Be3.
But in the end I decided I did not want to commit myself in the centre just yet so adding another defender to d4 while developing seemed to make sense.

8. Be3 h6?!

This move surprised me. White has no plans to go to g5 and can now stop Black from castling kingside.

9. Qd2 c6

Clearly Black was concerned about d5. I had half expected 9. ... Bxf3 after which I would have had to take back with the pawn as I did not like 10. Bxf3 Nc4 11. Qe2 (the only move to avoid losing a pawn) Nxe3 12. fxe3 (ditto) O-O with ideas like f5 or even c5.

10. b3

To stop any Nc4 ideas

10. ... e6

Now Black has committed himself in the centre I clamp my eyes on the d6 square for my Knight.

11. h3 Bxf3
12. Bxf3 N8d7
13. e5 Qe7

Being unable to castle kingside, Black has to shove his King the other way.
The time limits were 75 minutes for 35 moves and then another 15 minutes for the rest of the game - (thus each game would be over in three hours). I now had 46 minutes left for 22 moves and invested another nine here.

14. Ne4 O-O-O

I now had 37 minutes left for 21 moves. How time flies! My opponent said he was concerned about Nd6 for the next few moves but I could not see much in it. For example, 15. Nd6+ Kb8 and then what? I also had concerns over tactics regarding his captures on e5. Instead I concentrated on attacking the King and improving the position of my pieces. Unfortunately this also gives Black time to improve his defences



15. Qa5 Kb8
16. O-O Nd5
17. Bd2?!

I set on a rather dubious plan to save the black squared bishop and open the a-file but overlook his forthcoming defences.

(The computer considers this is a mistake and prefers Bc1 with the idea of Ba3, or simply an immediate Nd6. After 17. Bd2 Black can create space with f6 or c5).

17. ... N7b6

As I played 17. Bd2 it suddenly occurred to me that he had 17. .. b6. But it does not trap the Queen and I might profit from the weakening of the c-file.

18. a3 g5

I didn't understand this. Is he thinking of Nf4?

19. Bb4?!



I think this is where I start to go wrong. Maybe Be2 with ideas of b4-b5. Or Nd6 and bring a rook to c1. The forthcoming sequence shores up his defences. I now have 25 minutes left for 16 moves.

19 ... Nxb4
20. axb4 Nc8
21. Nc5

He informed me that he was relieved to see this move and that the Nd6 threat was gone.
Looking at it now, I can't recall what I am threatening. After Rxd4, does Bxc6 bxc6, Na6+ lead to a perpetual check?

(Back to the computer who comes up with 21. b5 and if 21. ... cxb5 then 22. Rfc1 or of 21.  ..  Rxd4 22. bxc6. Had I seen this, I would not have wanted the d-pawn to go).

21. ... Qc7
22. Rfd1 Qb6
23. Rac1 Ne7

Now I am thinking of a draw. I have lost home of any thought of winning the position. His defences had been quite solid.

24. Qxb6 axb6
25. Ne4 Rd7
26. Nd6 Nc8
27. b5!

After a lot of thought. I could not see how I could defend the d4 pawn after Rhd8 and was pleased to find this move, the only one (I think) which holds.

27. ... cxb5
28. Nxb5

With this move, and a very well placed Knight, I offered a draw.

28. ..  Rfd8




Unfortunately he declines and takes over the offensive. It was time to put on my 'grim defence' face, and I begin by bringing my King towards the centre, not realising that 29. Ra1! with Ra4 and Rda1 begins a powerful offensive.

29. Kf1? Bf8
30. Ke2 Ne7
31. Be4

To prevent Nf5.

31. ... Nd5
32. g3

To stop Nf4. You can see who has the initiative now!

32. .. Be7
33. Rf1?!

Preparing f4 to defend the e5 point. I did not want the d-file to be opened while those Rooks are standing there and the knight is doing a grand job of defending the d4 pawn. Unfortunately this sequence of moves allows the g-file to be opened instead.

I was conscious of possibilities of using the c7 square but only had the Knight in mind. Now I look at it, a possible sequence could be 33. Bxd5 Rxd5 34. Rc7 aiming to exchange one of the rooks. For example, 34. ... R5d7 35. Rxd7 Rxd7 36. Ke3 f6 37. exf6 Bf6 38. Rd3. The centre would still be under pressure but a draw is more likely.

A better line for Black might be 34. .. Rxb5 35. Rxe7 Rxb3 36. Rxf7 Rb4 37. Ke3 where he has a passed pawn but I have pawn chomping possibilities on the kingside

If 33. Bxd5 exd5 the centre is blocked and I have a pawn majority on the kingside.

33. ... f6
34. f4 f5
35. Bh1

Made the time control with five minutes left - now I had an extra 15 minutes to finish the game. I could foresee that the g-file was about to be opened and did not want the Bishop stuck on g2. I gave much thought to the line 35. Bxd5 Rxd5 36. Nc7 Rxd4 37. Nxe6 Rd2+ 38. Ke1 Rd3 with Bb4 to come - and decided I didn't like it.

35. ... gxf4
36. gxf4 Rg8!



The correct winning plan and now I have to think again.

37. Kf3 Bb4

I could see 37. .. Nxf4 38. Kxf4 Bg5 39. Kf3 Bxc1 40. Rxc1 but decided I might get away with it. The Bishop diagonal is now open and I have the option of Nd6 (again).

38. Rc2

To stop Bd2 - although 38. Rg1 would have defended the g-file.

38. ... Rdg7
39. Ke2

Now I am thinking of snaffling the Knight as the Rook is no longer there to protect it.

39.  ....  Rg3

By now everyone else had finished their game and were hovering around my board. I heard we were 3-2 up which meant that if I could hold the draw, we would win the match. But if I lost, we would draw 3-3. This was my first match for Swale Chess Club!!

40. Bxd5 exd5

Now I had outside chances of running the e-pawn for a swindle.

41. Rf3 Rg1
42. Nc3

This Knight has worked very hard this game and now returns for one more duty - to block the e1 square.

42. ... Rh1

42. ... R8g2+! gives a better chance of winning. If 43. Rf2 Rg3 and then either 44. Rf3 Rg2+ or 44. Kd2 Rxc3 45. Rxc3 Rg3 would win.
If 43. Kd3 Rg3 and then 44. Rxg3 Rxg3+ 45. Kd2 Rxh3 would win - but I have not yet found a way for Black to force a win after 44. Ke3 and the d5 pawn still hangs.

43. Kd3 Bxc3
44. Rxc3 R8g1

Now if I can hold the second and third ranks I should be OK.

45. Rc2 Rd1+
46. Kc3 Rhg1

With thoughts of h5-4 and Rg3.

47. Rd2 Rde1
48. Kd3 Rb1
49. Kc3 Rgc1+
50. Rc2


At this point, my opponent gave up pressing and offered a draw. A satisfactory result after a tough battle.