Game 84 - club match. Rochester v Tunbridge Wells

Rochester vs Tunbridge Wells - Stevenson Cup - Board Two
Thursday 7 December 2017
White: J. Anstead (164) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

1. f4

This is known as Bird's Opening, named after the 19th century player, Henry Bird. The idea is to control the e5 square, and White's following two moves add to this.

1. ...   d5
2. b3 Nf6
3. Nf3 e6
4. e3 c5

Not knowing a great deal about this set-up I decide to position a sort of reverse-Dutch.

5. Bb2 Nc6
6. Be2

Continuing development with Bd6 or Be7 might be sensible here, but I could not resist putting a spoke in the wheel.

6. ....  d4!?
7. exd4 cxd4

My idea was to hold up White's development and just to be annoying.



Best for White is now 8. Bb5 Bc5 and he could think about 9. b4!? or 9. Qe2. Instead White brings his knight into the action with four consecutive moves.

8. Na3 Bc5
9. Nc4 O-O

The computer recommends 9. .. Nc5 10. g3 f6 or even the fun line 10. ... d3 11. Bxd3 Nxf4 12. Bxh7 Rxh7 13. gxf4 leading to a position where both sides could have chances.
.
10. Nce5 Qb6
11. Nd3 Rd8

I was quite content with my position building up around the d4 pawn, although the bishop on c8 looks like it could be a problem.

12. O-O Nd5
13. Kh1 Ndb4?!

It might be a mistake to exchange off this well-placed knight and 13. .. Be7 or 13. Bd6 may have been better, but I was concentrating on the initiative.

14. Nfe5 Nxd3
15. Bxd3



Of course my eyes were now on my kingside defences. If, for example, 15. .. Nb4 then White wins with 16. Bxh7+ Kxh7 17. Qh5+ Kg8 18. Qxf7+ and then 19. Rf3 - or 16. ... Kf8 17. Qh5 Qc7 18. Nxf7.

So I decide to block the diagonal and relocate the bishop to add to the defences, while also offering to exchange the other bad bishop.

15. ...  g6
16. Qe2 Bd7
17. Rf3 Bf8
18. c4

This move surprised me. I had been concerned about a possible g4-f5 attack but instead White opens a front over the other side. I had continually avoided Nxe5 because I did not like the idea of fxe5 which would open the f-file and give White some good squares on f6 and d6 to consider.

18. ....   Bg7
19. Ba3 Qc7
20. Nxd7 Rxd7

Exchanging his well-placed knight for my bad bishop was a deal I was pleased with. However the computer rates it as White's best move.

21. b4 a5

Active defence. I wanted to swap off one more bishop before I could feel safe.

22. b5 Nb4
23. Rb1 Nxd3

The computer prefers 23. .. Bf8 and then 24. Bxb4 axb4 25. Rb2 Bd6 which opens the a-file and centralises the bishop.

24. Qxd3 Re8!

I was quite pleased with this. White's position is slightly un-co-ordinated and a counter offensive in the centre could make some progress.

25. b6 Qc6
26. Qf1

A sign that White was running out of ideas. 26. Kg1 preparing g4 is an option. 26. Bb2 can't be played as it loses the b-pawn. It is also difficult for White to attack the black pawn on a5. 26. Rb5, for example, is met by 26. .. e5 27. fxe5 Rxe5.

The queen drop back is to allow the pawn on c4 to be defended by another pawn.

26. ....  e5

Grabbing the initiative.

27. fxe5 Rxe5
28. d3




28. ......   Re3?

Although, at the time, I liked this move, it is a mistake. 29. Rxe3 fxe3 30. Qf4! and the tables are turned with the threat of Qb8+. Black must play 30. .. Rd8 and then 31. Qxe3. Black can get the pawn back by 31. .. Qd7 (32. Re1 Qa4 wins a piece) but any winning chances would be with White.

Black should play 28. ... Qa4!. If 29. Qc1 then 29. ... Re2 exploits White's un-co-ordination. If 29. Rb3 Black can choose between 29. .. Bf8 30. Bxf8 Qxa2 31. Rb5 Rxb5 32. cxb5 Kxf8 - where he is a clear pawn up and a passed-a pawn - or the difficult move to see, the computer move, 29. ... Rd8 planning Rde8 and threats along the top two ranks.

Fortunately White overlooks 29. Rxe3 and my initiative continues.

29. Bc1? Rxf3
30. Qxf3 Qxf3
31. gxf3 Re7

Black is now better and intends the invasion. White decides to counter by queenside play.

32. c5 Re1+
33. Kg2

While 33. ... Bh6? looks like it will win a piece, White has 34. c6! and Black will have to bail out with 34. .. Bf8 35. c7 Re2+ 38. Kh3 Rc2 39. Bf4 - and White has the advantage.

Short of time, I had not considered Bh6 and always intended to use the following tactic to pick up the dangerous pawn.

33. .....  Re2+
34. Kg3 Rc2
35. Bf4

At the time, I was not sure what to do after 35. Ba3 but Black can defend with to do 35. .. Rxa2 and 36. Bb2 Be5+ or 36. c6 Rxa3 with either 37. cxb7 Be5+ or 37. c7 Re3.

35. .......  Rxc5
36. Rc1

Offering a bishop ending a pawn up. Black can decline with 36. .. Rc3 but then 37. Re1 gives White some counterplay.



White could have played 36. Re1 with 36. .. h5 37. Re8+ Kh7 38. Re7. Then Black has the great resource 38. ... g5 (which is not possible in the above line after 36. .. Rc3 as the g-pawn would not then be defended) 39. Bd2 Kg6 when 40. Rxb7 Rc2! places the white King in a mating net.

Confident that I would not lose this position, I enter the ending.

36. ....   Rxc1
37. Bxc1

Black is a pawn up and White has isolated pawns. I was not sure I could win but decided to advance the king and see how we go.

37. ..  Bf8
38. Bd2 a4
39. f4?

A mistake - not only blocking the routes for White's bishop but putting it on a square where Black can attack it.

39. ....  Bc5

The computer recommends fixing the f-pawn with 39. .. f5 but I wanted to force his bishop to a poor square.

40. Ba5 Kg7
41. Kg4 Kf6
42. h4

Delighted to see another pawn on a black square. It was not clear how White intended to defend all these pawns.

42. .....  h5+
43. Kf3 Kf5
44. Kg3 Ke6
45. Kf3 f5

Taking a chance. By closing down the queenside, I stopped any avenues for his king but also any way forward for my own.

46. Ke2 Kd5
47. Kd1 Kc6
48. Kc2 Kb5
49. Bd2 Kxb6
50. Kb2 Kb5

Now two pawns up I had to find a way through.



51. a3 Bb6
52. Bb4 Bd8
53. Be1 Ba5
54. Bf2 Kc5
55. Ka2 Bd2
56. Bg3

OK, a bit of jigging about and I have forced his bishop out of the game. Time to advance the other pawn.

56. .....   b5
57. Kb2 b4
58. axb4 Kxb4
59. Kc2

Does 59. ... a3 win? I gave a lot of thought to that question .... and the answer is yes. 60. Kxd2 a2 or 60. Kb1 Kb3.

But the other way is good enough too.

59. .....  Bc3
60. Bf2 Ka3

No, that's not right. Go back and try again.

61. Bg3 Kb4
62. Bf2 a3

That's right. White now resigned to end a tough battle.

Rochester v Tunbridge Wells


Keith Hyde (166) 1/2-1/2 C Lucjan Karpinski (164)
Keith Nevols (157) 1-0 Jerry Anstead (164)
Vytautas Gedminas (130) 1/2-1/2 Robin Wilson (163)
David Page (122) 1/2-1/2 David Tidmarsh (132)
Tyrone Jefferies (116) 0-1 Thomas Stevens (128)
Aurimas Liuberskis (110) 1/2-1/2 Richard Woodfield (123)

Rochester 3-3 Tunbridge Wells

Game 83 - Swale Club Championship 2017-18 - Round Six

Swale Club Championship - Round Six
Thursday 30 November 2017
White: K. Nevols (157) - Black: B. Sawyer (83)

1. e4 g6

Not sure what to make of this so just develop as normal and we get into a King's Indian type position.

2. d4 Bg7
3. c4 e6
4. Nc3 d6
5. Nf3 Nd7

I take the chance to cause a weakness with a tempo.

6. Bg5

The point is that Black cannot now play either knight to f6 because 7. e5 wins material. So I was expecting 6. .. Ne7 after which I was considering 7. Qd2 h6 8. Be3 and Black cannot castle kingside.

6. ....   f6?!

This move blocks in the kings' knight and those four pawns lined up side-by-side just do not look right.

7. Be3 Qe7
8. Qd2

A nice little move which stops Nh6 and holds up Black's kingside development by being unable to move the knight. Black could now consider 8. .. f5, to make some space, or 8. .. a6, to prevent the forthcoming knight move.

8. ..   Qf8?

But this is a mistake. The c7 square is left unguarded and gives me the chance to dislodge the king and get some initiative.

9. Nb5 Kd8
10. c5

The plan is to open up the centre and see if I can get some play against the king. White is not yet fully developed but Black is behind. The computer favours development with 10. Bd3 and castling.



10. ....  a6
11. Nc3 Bh6

An unexpected defence is the computer's suggestion of 11....  b5!? 12. cxb6 Nxb6 with Bb7 and Ne7 to come. Probably White should keep developing with 13. Bd3 and then castling.

12. cxd6

Staying with my plan to open up the centre. Black overlooks a check and ought to pay 12. .. cxd6 where I would choose between 13. Bd3 or 13. Rc1.

12. ...  Bxe3?
13. dxc7+ Kxc7
14. Qxe3

So I am a pawn up. Still behind in development, Black decides to run with the king.

14. ...  Kd8
15. Be2

15. Bc4 might have been more aggressive with 15. .. Nb6 16. Bb3 but I opted for the quieter move as I wanted to castle and develop the rooks while the Black king is in the centre.

15. .....   Ne7
16. O-O Ke8
17. d5!

I thought this was well-timed myself. I intend to open some files before bringing the rooks in.

17. ...  e5

And Black opts to keep the files closed. Here I considered bringing the rooks to the c- and d-files but was aware that Black may be aiming for counterplay based around f5 or blockading the d-pawn.



18. d6 Nc6
19. Rfd1 Kf7
20. Nd5 Rb8

Of course if 20. ... Qxd6 then 21. Nb6 wins at once.

21. Nc7 b5?

21. .. Nd8 is an attempt at defence but Black is hopelessly behind now.

22. Qb3+

Black resigned. 22. .. Kg7 23. Ne6+ wins the queen.

Game 82 - club match. Rochester v Maidstone

Rochester vs Maidstone - Stephenson Cup - Board Two
Thursday 23 November 2017
White: A. Wisman (151) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

1. b3

Larsen's Opening. The plan is to simply fianchetto the queen's bishop, point it at where the White king might be, and gradually build up in the centre.

1. ...  e5
2. Bb2 d6

Not knowing much about this opening, I decide to set up the system I usually use against the English. However, as I cannot really move my kings bishop to g7 at some stage, it might have been wiser not to play this move which also limits its options.

3. e3 f5
4. d4 exd4
5. Qxd4 Nc6
6. Bb5 Bd7
7. Qd2

7. Qf4 is interesting. Black cannot immediately attack the queen and it might prove to be a pain situated there.

7. ....  Nf6
8. Nc3 a6
9. Be2 Qe7



White has a clear edge in development and I was having a problem developing my king's bishop. One issue at a time - so I decide to get my king out of the way by castling queenside.

10. Nh3!

A knight on the rim is usually, so they say, a bit dim - but this deployment is quite effective, planning to come to f4 and peer at the d5 and e6 squares in the Black camp.

10.    ...   O-O-O
11. Nf4

It was time for a big think over the options. White is set to use those white squares - d5 and perhaps e6 - with a forthcoming Bc4. And I am still having problems developing that bishop on f8.

I considered 11. .. Ne4 12. Nxe4 fxe4 where White could keep up the pressure and advantage with 13. Nd5 or 13. Bc4 or by just castling. (And the computer likes 13. h4!? to keep the f4 knight where it is).

I also took a look at sacrificing a pawn with 11. .. d5?! 12. Ncxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Qf7 and freeing my pieces with a later Be6 or Bb4.

In the end I selected a move which would stop Bc4.

11. ....  Ne5
12. Ncd5 Nxd5
13. Nxd5 Qf7
14. O-O-O

Adding to the pressure on the centre and the game was getting very uncomfortable.

If 14. .. Be7 White wins with 15. Qa5! b6 and then there are lots of checkmates after 16. Qxa6+ Kb8 17. Nxc7!! (17. .. Kxc7 18. Qa7+ where there is quite a nice mate after 18. .. Kc6 19. Bb5+ Kxb5 20. Qa4+ Kc5 21. Ba3++ or 19. ... Kc5 20. Ba3+ Kxb5 21. Qa4++).

Or 17. Nxb6 cxb6 18. Qxb6+ Ka8 19. Rxd6! Bxd6 20. Qa6+ Kb8 21. Qxd6+ Kb7 22. Qa6+ Kc7 23. Be5++.

The quiet 14. .. Re8 is met by 15. Qa5 Bc6 and White can keep building up.

Perhaps the best move is the steady 14. .. Kb8 or the retreating 14. .. Nc6 where 15. Bc4 can be met with 15. ... Be6. Instead, in such a difficult position, it is no surprise that I make a mistake.

14. ... Be6?

My initial thought was that he can't play 15. Bxe5 because, after I retake with the pawn, I am opening an attack on his queen - until I realise that the rook on d8 is not defended by his friend because that awkward bishop has got in the way. To my horror I then saw 15. bxe5 dxe5?? 16. Nb6+ which wins on the spot.

(Black can minimise his losses by 16. .. Kb8 17. Qxd8+ Ka7 18. Kb1 cxb6 - with the two bishops Black has some swindling chances - but that is a bit desperate).

As I sunk into deep thought, I managed to discover the only way to get out of this - but it would mean shedding a pawn, and entering an ending.

15. Bxe5 Bxd5
16. Qxd5 Qxd5
17. Rxd5 dxe5
18. Rxe5



OK - a fresh evaluation. I am a pawn down and behind in development. However now I can get my bishop out and try some counterplay.

18. ...  Ba3+
19. Kb1 Rd2

If 20. Bd3 Rxf2 21. Bxf5+ Kb8 22. Be4 and White is still a pawn up and now has a passed pawn.

He goes the other way allowing me to keep the f5 pawn and prevent a passed pawn. If I could exchange all the queenside pawns then a 4v3 on the kingside must give me chances of holding a draw.

20. Bf3 g6

I expected 21. Rf1 to be played now when I planned 21. .. Rhd8.

21. Ra5?

This did not worry me as I had seen that White could not go after that bishop and now I was going to get my pawn back.

21. ...  Bb4
22. Ra4

But he did go after the bishop! Maybe Black would have best played 22. Re5 to give the pawn back and then 22. .. Rxf2 and we are looking like a draw.

22. ......  a5

Trapping the rook - I am about to win the exchange.

23. a3

The computer gives the line 23. Rf1 b5 24. Rxb4 axb4 25. Bc6 Rhd8 26. Kc1 and Bxb5 - so White would have two pawns for the exchange.

White though chooses a sequence where he can get compensation for the exchange by way of an outside passed pawn.

23. ....  b5
24. axb4 bxa4
25. bxa5 axb3
26. cxb3 Rxf2



Back in the game - but not over yet. The a-pawn is now three steps from queening and White controls the a8 square. I thought I might have to give the exchange back with Rxf3 to round up the a-pawn and try to be a pawn up in a rook ending - and after a bad defeat earlier in the year, rook endings are now something I try to avoid.

27. Rd1 Re8

Activating the other rook.

28. Rd3 Re5
29. b4 Rb5
30. Rd4 c5!

Better was 30. Rb3 - now I get another pawn.

31. Rd5 Rxb4+
32. Kc1 Rc4+
33. Kd1 Ra2
34. Be2 Rc3

Playing 34. ... Rcc2 may have been more clinical.

35. a6 Kc7
36. Re5 Kd6

With the a7 square covered, the king can move forward to a good post.



37. Re8 Rb3
38. Kc1 Rxe2

38. .. Kd7 is considered more accurate with 39. Rh8 Rxe3 40. Rxh7+ Kd6. But it is often hard to resist a piece, and I have made the decision to enter a pawn ending two pawns up.

39. a7 Ra3

The plan was 40. a8(=Q) Rxa8 41. Rxa8 Rxg2 which I am confident I could win. But White decided to resign.


Rochester v Maidstone

Keith Hyde (166) 1/2-1/2 Cliff Chandler (204)
Keith Nevols (157) 1-0 Arnaud Wisman (151)
Vytautas Gedminas (130) 0-1 Robert Lane (149)
David Page (122) 1/2-1/2 Barrington Beavis (147)
Tyrone Jefferies (116) 0-1 David Heath (144)
Aurimas Liuberskis (110) 1-0 Christopher Wise (88)

Rochester 3-3 Maidstone

Game 81 - Swale Club Championship 2017-18 - Round Five

Swale Club Championship - Round Five
Thursday 16 November 2017
White: K. Nevols (157) - Black: T. Jefferies (116)

I had made a great start in the club championship with four wins but knew this would be a difficult challenge as my opponent is famously tough to beat.

1. e4 e6
2. Qe2

Presently my favourite anti-French move.

2. ....  b6

Black decides to set up a Queens Indian style defence.

3. Nc3 Bb7
4. d3

Whereas I decide to establish a closed Sicilian attack type set-up but without the Black pawn on c5.

4. ....  Nc6
5. f4 Be7
6. Nf3 Nh6!?

An unusual placement of the knight, presumably to keep the future options of f5 and Bh4+.

7. g3 a6
8. Bg2 Bc5

The main difference with the closed Sicilian is that there is no pawn on c5 to stop the bishop taking the square instead. This move stops me castling so I decide to change the bishops.

9. Be3 Bxe3
10. Qxe3 Ng4
11. Qe2 Nf6
12. O-O O-O



Black has adjusted his defence and both sides are now developed.

I now think it is time to grab some space in the centre.

13. e5 Ne8?!

After 13...  Nd5 I had intended 14. Ne4 f5 15. Nf2 preparing g4. This could be a bad square for the knight where it blocks the rook and may find itself restricted by the e5 pawn.

14. Ng5

My intention here was just to provoke the h-pawn and then return to base.

14. .....  h6
15. Nf3 Ne7
16. Ne4

Black would now be advised to strike out with d5 and then c5 to grab some space. If 16. .. d5 I would have probably played 17. Nf2 and see if I could make anything out of an offensive based around g4.

16. ....   Nf5?

At this point I saw a nice sequence which would loosen the defences around Black's king. I examined the possibilities carefully and decided play it.

17. g4 Nh4

I had expected this. Going back with 17. .. Ne7 would be rather pointless although perhaps slightly better.

18. Nxh4 Qxh4



The computer recommends 19. f5 and then Qe1 to swap off the queens and concentrate on the initiative via the e- and f-files, but I could not resist this small trick.

19. Nf6+ gxf6

Better is 19. ... Nxf6 20. Bxb7 Rab8 21. Bf3 (21. Bxa6 Nxg4) Nd5 and the position is equal - Black's queen is well placed.

Another line is 19. .. Nxf6 20. exf6 Bxg2 21. fxg7 Bxf1 22. gxf8(Q) Rxf8 23. Rxf1 f5! and the ending is anyone's guess.

20. Bxb7 Ra7
21. Bg2 fxe5
22. fxe5

This was the position I had foreseen at move 17. Black's pieces are slightly misplaced, the king is a bit open, and there are chances of using the f-file and the f6 square. I needed to bring the rooks into the action.

22. ....  Qg5
23. Rf3! d6

Of course, if 23. .. Qxg4 then 24. Rg3 wins at once.

24. exd6?!

24. d4 was better - White gives up the pride of his position. After 24. .. Nxd6 the position is equal.

24. ...   Qc5+?!

This helps me - as not only does Black keep his knight on the back rank - considering perhaps coming to g7 - but it clears the g1 square in case I choose to put a rook there.

25. Kh1 Qxd6




26. Raf1 c5

Having been nudged to the a7 square through my earlier combination, the rook is well-placed to add to Black's defence. So I decide to zone in on Black's one weakness.

27. Qe3 e5?

Better is 27. .. Qd4! 28. Qxh6 Qxb2 29. Rh3 Qg7 although it is quite understandable that Black would want to defend the h6 pawn. However I was quite pleased to see this move as it gives me the use of the f5 square.

If now 28. Rh3, it is not possible to defend the h6 pawn. 28. .. Kg7 29. g5! Rh8 30. gxh6 Rxh6 31. Rxh6 Qxh6 32. Qxe5+ Kf8 (32. .. Nf6 33. Rg1) 33. Qb8 Re7 34. Be4.

But I decide to go for an immediate win.

28. g5

If now 28. .. hxg5 then 29. Qxg5+ Qg6 30. Qxg6+ fxg6 31. Rxf8+
or 28. .. Ng7 29. Rf6 with Be4/d5 and Rg1 will win.

Black could try 28. .. Qd4 with 29. gxh6 Qxe3 30. Rxe3 Re7 31. Bd5 keeping the pressure on.
Or 28. .. Re7! - not easy to spot but planning to come to e6. 29. Rf6! Re6 30. Rxh6 or 29. gxh6 Kh8! and Black might just about hold.

28. .....   h5
29. Rf5 Re7
30. g6!

The winning move. I can break through on the f-file or come over onto the h-file. If .. 30.. Qxg6 then 31. Rg5.




30. ...    Ng7
31. Qh6!

Black has to give up a rook to avoid mate.

31. .....  Qxg6
32. Qxg6 fxg6
33. Rxf8+ Kh7
34. R8f6 Nf5
35. Be4 Kg7
36. Rxb6 Nd4
37. Rg6+

And here Black resigned.

Game 80 - club match. Rainham v Rochester

Rainham v Rochester - Stephenson Cup - Board One
Thursday 15 November 2017
White: K. Nevols (157) - Black: T. Owens (173)

A short trip across to Rainham to play for Rochester - and I discover I am up against an old Swale team-mate, who I knew to be a very strong player.

1. e4 c6

The Caro-Kann. I had put on the club's website a game which I won by using 2. Ne2. Figuring my opponent might have something prepared I decide on plan B - the exchange variation - with 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3.

2. d4 d6

But it is not to be - we enter a form of Indian defence.

3. Nf3 Nbd7
4. Be2 e5
5. Nc3 Be7
6. O-O Qc7

So my development is going OK, and Black is somewhat behind. I am planning to put my bishop on e3 and so prepare in advance against a knight or bishop landing on g4.

7. h3 Nf8!?

Black has a plan.

8. Bc4 h6
9. Be3 g5?

And here it is. Black is a keen fan of mixing things up, and his plan is to leave the king in the middle, advance the kingside pawns and place the knights behind them.

I now overlook the fact that White can now win a pawn with 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 (11. ... Qxe5?? 12. Bd4) but then Black might be intending to sacrifice this to play 11. .. Ne6 and then b5 and b4.



Instead I decide to defend the g4 point.

10. Nh2? Ng6
11. Qf3 Nf6
12. Ng4 Bxg4
13. hxg4 Nh4
14. Qe2

I was now thinking whether I could get an attack with g3. Kg2 and using the h-file.

14. ....   Qd7

White really needs to open up the position while Black has his king in the centre. 15. dxe5 dxe5 (15. .. Nxg4?? 16. e6!) 16. f3 is good, with a rook coming to the d-file next. I kept the centre closed as I wanted to limit the bishop on e7.

Another idea for White here, which I did not see at this time, was 15. Nd5. The loose g-pawn was occupying my thoughts but White could sacrifice it with 15. Nd5 Nxg4 16. Nc7+!? Qxc7 17. Qxg4 and get some play.



15. f3 Ng6

It was here that I now saw 16. Nd5. It looked flashy but might be effective.

I concentrated on the Black reply 16. .. Nf4 although Black could play 16. .. b5 17. Nxf6+ Bxf6 18. dxe5 Bxe5 and then either 19. Bb3 Bxb2 - and White would have to play 20. Rad1 to try to get some play for the pawn - or better would be 19. Bd3 Bxb2 20. Rab1 Be5 21. Rxb5 Nf4 22. Bxf4 Bxf4 23. Rb1 with an equal but possibly eventful position.

The reply I focused on was 16. Nd5 Nf4 17. Nxf4 gxf4 18. Bf2 but I did not like the half-open g-file and the possible play against my king. I decided to protect the f4 square first.

16. g3

After this big think, I now had 27 minutes left for 19 moves. Keeping a knight out of the game can't be bad.

16. .....  h5?!

Staying in character by keeping the attack going. The computer now recommends 17. Rad1! preparing dxe5. It also considers 17. d5 hxg4 18. dxc6 bxc6 19. fxg4 Qxg4 20. Bxf7+! These are both better moves to what I played - I just liked the flashy idea and was very reluctant to open any files in front of my king.

17. Nd5

Black admitted after the game that he did not see this.

17. ....   b5

Now there are two alternatives.  I gave a lot of thought to 18. Bd3 hxg4 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. fxg4 but did not like it - although it is not so easy for Black to defend. 20. .. Be7 21. d5, or 20. .. Qe7 21. d5. He has to find 20. .. exd4 21. Rxf6 dxe3 and then 22. Qxe3 Qxg4 is equal or 22. Rf5 f6! 23. Rxf6 Qh7 24. Qg2 Ne5.

But with the clock ticking and the time running, I decide to simplify.

18. Nxe7 Kxe7
19. Bb3

We later discovered the interesting 19. Bg5!? bxc4 20. f4! and White has a fantastic attack for the piece. Needless to say, I did not see that - and I probably would not have played it if I had.

19. ...Nf4!?

So Black decides to sacrifice the piece instead - a brilliant Tal-like tactic in the circumstances. In return Black gets a great attack but if White plays calmly he can hold this off with 20. gxf4 gxf4 21. dxe5 or 20. .. exf4 21. Bd2 hxg4 22. e5!.



Instead I take Black at his word.

20. Bxf4? gxf4
21. dxe5 dxe5
22. Rad1 Qc7

Now White should play 23. g5 dislodging the knight. 23. .. Nh7 24. gxf4 exf4 25. g6! fxg6 26. Qg2 Kf6 27. Qd2 - White is a pawn down but might have compensation in the fact of the open King. Or 23. Qf2 is another idea with 23. . c5 24. g5 Nh7 25. g6 fxg6 26. Bd5 - a nice square for the bishop

23. gxf4? hxg4
24. fxg4??

Two blunders which open up the kingside for Black to neatly finish off.

24. ...    Nxg4

I simply overlooked 25. Qxg4 Rag8. White is now simply lost.

25. Qd3 Qb6+
26. Kg2 Ne3+
27. Resigns

A great game played by my opponent with sacrifices and gambles which came through. The great Latvian player Mikhail Tal made his name for making sacrifices that were later proved to be unsound but which the opponent could not defeat at the board - and this game reminds me of that.

Rainham v Rochester

Alistair Compton (186) 1-0 Keith Hyde (166)
Trefor Owens (173) 1-0 Keith Nevols (157)
David Barnes (173) 1-0 Martin Tsatsarov (136)
Chris Marshall (151) 1-0 Vytautas Gedminas (130)
Stephen Pike (134) 0-1 Tyrone Jefferies (116)
Gary Clifford (110) 0-1 Andrew Gillard (107)

Rainham 4-2 Rochester

Game 79 - club match. Rochester v Hastings

Rochester vs Hastings - Stephenson Cup - Board Two
Thursday 9 November 2017
White: K. Nevols (157) - Black: H. Cove (170)

I had played my opponent before but we were wearing different hats - it was a game between Weald of Kent and Swale (Game 24) where I was fortunate to escape with a draw.

1. e4 c5

And another game in the closed Sicilian.

2. Nc3 Nc6
3. f4 g6
4. Nf3 Bg7
5. Be2

This modest deployment of the bishop is now my preference over the more aggressive Bb5.

5. ....   e6
6. O-O Nge7

If 6. .. Nf6 Black might fear 7. e5. There is an interesting pawn sacrifice after 7. .. Nd5 with 8. Ne4!? Nxf4 9. Nd6+ Kf8 10. d4 Nxe2+ 11. Qxe2 where White could get some pressure down the f-file.



7. Qe1 Nd4
8. Bd1 d5
9. d3

My preference so I can meet 9. .. dxe4 with 10. Nxe4 and follow up with c3 at some stage with perhaps Bb3.

9. ...   O-O
10. Ne2 b6
11. c3 Nxf3
12. Rxf3 Bb7

The computer now gives Black a small edge with those well-placed bishops and the tension in the centre. My next move is more or less forced - as opening the centre and the diagonal with 13. exd5 would be a mistake.

13. Ng3 Qd7

13. .. h5! is more energetic and a move I was worried about. While it can be a risk to move the pawns in front of your king, White is getting slightly cramped and that knight on g3 does not have a lot of options. Perhaps best is 14. Bc2 h4 15. Nf1 Nc6 and the game is equal.



I was not sure why 13. .. Qd7 was played but now I had a big think how to continue the attack. The rook on f3 needs to be moved. I considered 14. Qf1 with the idea of pushing down the f-file. I also looked at 14. Rf2 with the idea of Rd2 or Re2. In the end I decided to go back to base.

14. Rf1? Ba6!

And I completely overlooked this move. Now admitting the mistake and going back with 15. Rf3 is an option which gives Black another chance to play 15. .. h5. But it looked weird. 15. Bc2 exd4 16. Qxe4 left me with a weak d-pawn and so I had to move the bishop the other way.

15. Be2 Rae8

Again 15. .. h5 is more aggressive and 15. .. Nc6 is also to be considered. Now I had to sort out my pieces before I could go over on to the attack. I wanted to move that knight on g3 back to the centre, so I needed to vacate the e2 square, therefore I needed to defend the d3 pawn by some other way.

I also looked at 16. a4 opening up a front on the left but after 14. .. Nc6 there is nothing there.

16. Qd1 Qc6?!

Another surprise. Nc6 and h5 are still good options but I did not understand this move which takes away a good square from the knight and gives me extra time to sort out the defence.

17. Rf2

Gives the knight a square to drop back to, and/or relocate to e3, defends the bishop on e2, and allows the bishop to move without worrying about the pin of dxe4. Not bad for one move but should have been played on move 14.White now has 17 minutes left for 18 moves (!) while Black had 22.

17. ....  Rd8
18. Qc2 Rd7

So this was Black's plan all along - to double up on the d-file. Time to get moving.

19. f5?!

If now 19. .. exf5 20. exf5 gxf5 21. Nxf5 Nxf5 22. Rxf5 then Black has good play with 22.... d4 or 22. ... Qg6. But the path he takes is also fine.



19. ......  dxe4
20. dxe4 Bxe2
21. Qxe2 exf5
22. exf5

And now 22. .. gxf5 23. Nxf5 Nxf5 24. Rxf5 and the position is level. The computer suggests 24. .. Qe6 to give Black a passed pawn after 25. Qxe6 but 25. Qg4 would be better.

Then just as I thought the game was drifting to a draw - Black blunders.

22. ........Qd5??
23. f6 Qd1+

Black was relying on 24. Qxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Rf1 Rxf1+ 26. Kxf1 Bxf6 but White does not have to exchange queens.

24. Rf1

I was going to win a piece with a pawn and began to look at the position after 24. .. Qxe2 25. Nxe2 Bxf6 26. Rxf6 Rd1+ 27. Kf2 when Black decided to resign instead.

Rochester v Hastings

Keith Hyde (166) 0-1 Paul Kelly (170)
Keith Nevols (157) 1-0 Henry Cove (170)
Martin Tsatsarov (136) 1/2-1/2 James Wheeler (159)
Vytautas Gedminas (130) 1-0 Marc Bryant (136)
David Page (122) 0-1 Marc Woodhams (136)
Jerry Pol (120) 1/2-1/2 Derek Cosens (129)

Rochester 3-3 Hastings

Game 78 - Swale Club Championship 2017-18 - Round Four

Swale Club Championship - Round Four
Thursday 2 November 2017
White: I. Lappin (118) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

My opponent for this game is a very difficult prospect. I have never played anyone with this style. Earlier in this blog I referred to shadow boxing - he will make seemingly innocent moves, develop calmly, then slowly advance. Although I won our two games last year, I was very fortunate - in the first, he missed some wins, in the second, he walked into a mate in one.

The plan was to do likewise - don't get involved in tactics - build advantages - and see what happens.

1. c4

The English Opening - to which I reply with a system which I had known as the 'Dutch with e5'

1. ...  e5
2. a3

Is he planning a St Georges Defence in reverse - with b4 and Bb2? I briefly considered 2. .. a5 to prevent that, but brought myself back to earth.

2. ....  d6
3. g3 f5
4. d3 Nf6
5. Bg2 Be7
6. b3 O-O
7. Nc3

So White is playing a double fianchetto, delaying the development of the king's knight and keeping me guessing as to what he will do with his king. 7. .. c6 is recommended to protect d5 and the long diagonal but I wanted to stabilise the queenside first.

7. ....  a5
8. Nd5 Nxd5

I decided to exchange his one active piece and assumed he would now play 9. cxd5 to which I was considering replying with Bf6 and Na6. White took with the bishop which, as we will see, helps me as the King is now safely tucked away.

9. Bxd5+ Kh8
10. Bg2 Nc6

Still developing nicely, I was satisfied so far.



11. e3 Qe8

I thought maybe White was now considering advancing his central pawns and so I prepared for the opening against his king.

12. Bb2 Bf6
13. Nh3

13. Ne2 might have been more solid as this knight is out of the way. I thought he was preparing f4.

If 13. Nf3 then 13. .. e4 14. Nd4 Ne5 gets the advantage for Black. (15. dxe4 fxe4 16. Bxe4?? Nxc4 17. bxc4 Qxe4 18. Rg1 c5).

13. ....   Qg6

A favourite square for my queen which puts White off castling kingside.

14. Qd2 Bd7

The immediate 14. .. Rb8 might have been better. I feared 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Qxa5 completely overlooking that 16. .. Rxb3 was now possible and the threat of f4 against the undefended knight is deadly.

The computer recommendation is the sequence which begins 14. ... f4 and then 15. exf4 Bxh3 16. Bxh3 exf4 17. Bxf6 Qxf6 18. O-O Qh6 19. Bg2 fxg3 20. Qxh6 gxf2+ 21. Rxf2 gxh6. But this looks like a draw to me - Black is a pawn up but his king is open, he has the knight against a bishop, and the extra pawn is doubled.

Delaying Rb8 may have meant my opponent had not seen the forthcoming manoeuvre. 14. ...Rb8 15. Ke2 might have been interesting although a future f4 could have tried to open lines again.

15. O-O-O Rab8

Other interesting moves are 15. .. a4, 15. .. Qh6 and 15. .. Qh5 - the latter two forcing either Ng1 or f4. I expected 16. d4 and indeed the computer confirms that the position would then be equal. I tried to work out the complications when White surprised me by going the other way.

16. f4

Although this ends any ideas I had of f4 (although now the king has gone off to the queenside, I had already given up on f4 ideas), I was pleased to see this. I had feared the prospect of his knight getting to f4 and then on to d5.

16. ....  b5!

And now the attack is on. I figured that 17. Qc2 was now essential to avoid the opening of the b-file.

17. Rhg1?!

This allows the possibility of Bxc6 without worrying about Bxc6 in return, and White could think about ideas based around g4. However it allows Black to open the b-file - and an open file with a rook in the general direction of the other king always seems to be a good idea.

Had White played 17. Qc2 then Black should play 17. .. e4 and then double the rooks on the b-file.

17. ....  bxc4
18. bxc4

I gave a lot of thought about that pawn on a5 and whether I should let it go and, if I did, what advantage could I get. For example, 18. . Rb7 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. Bxc6? Bxc6 21. Qxa5 - overlooking that Black could now play 21. .. Qh6 with advantage.  Moving the queen to the h-file was a possibility I continually overlooked.



The best move for Black may be 18. .. e4. If then 19. Bxf6 Qxf6 20. d4 Black can play 20... Rb3! or 19. d4 Rb3 20. Qe2 Rfb8 21. Rd2 Be6. I got this far but could not see anything clear to break through, so took a brief timeout to protect the pawn just in case I needed it later on.

18. .....  a4

White should now play 19. fxe5 dxe5 20. d4. He needs to open up the centre and make some squares for his pieces. Black might have an edge but the centre is a bit fragile with an isolated pawn on c7. An interesting move in this line might be 20. .. Qh6 21. dxe5 Rxb2!? If then 22. Qxb2 Qxe3+ 23. Kc2 (23. Kb1 Rb8) Bxe5 or 22. Kxb2 Nxe5 23. Ka2 Be6.

The prospect of sacrificing the rook for bishop on b2 was one I kept in mind but I could not see how to make use of it. While White was able to close the centre, it was not possible to exploit.

19. d4? e4

The centre is now closed and the White kingside pieces are out of the game - although I did wonder if he was considering an attack based around g4. At the moment, 20. g4 can simply be answered by 20. .. Qxg4.

Black could also play 19. .. exd4 20. exd4 Rb3 but I did not want to risk any White counterplay based around the open e-file. White now sets up a defence while Black builds on the b-file.

20. Kc2 Qf7
21. Bf1

I had expected 21. Qe2 when I had planned 21. .... Na5. Black could now play 21. .. Be6 but I wanted to get that b-file.

21. .....  Rb3
22. Rb1 Rfb8

If 23. Ng5 on this or previous moves I had intended 23. .. Qg8. I now had 19 minutes to reach move 35.

23. Nf2

White continues to plan for 23. g4 as well as considering the defensive move 23. Nd1. I had planned to answer g4 with g6 so I could keep the bishop on the long diagonal. I invested some precious minutes into seeing if there was a breakthrough here - and then saw it.



23. .... Nxd4+!!
24. exd4 e3

In itself this does not immediately gain material. I saw 25. Qe1 Rxb2+ 26. Rxb2 Rxb2+ 27. Kxb2 Bxd4+ and then exf2 , so I expected 25. Qe2 exf2 26. Qxf2 - had I got here, I liked to think I would have seen 26. .. c5.

But after 25. Qe2 then 25. ... Bc6! is stronger, coming to e4 with devastation. 26. Nd3 Qxc4+ 27. Kd1 Be4 or 26. Nd1 Be4+ 27. Kc1 Bxb1 28. Kxb1 Bxd4.

White uses the third option for the queen.

25. Qd1 exf2
26. Rg2 Bc6

26. .. c5 and 26. .. Qe6 are also strong moves.

27. Rxf2 Be4+
28. Kc1

28. .. Bxb1 29. Kxb1 Rxa3 should win, and 28. .. c5 does win. But I wanted something clearer.

I noticed another combination, but needed to use the bathroom and had ten minutes left for eight moves. I dashed off while playing over the position in my head. Unfortunately I was beaten to the staircase by a large chap who ascended with the speed of a tortoise. I kept dancing behind him but could not overtake - conscious that my clock was ticking.



Eventually I got back with eight minutes left - quickly checked my sequence and then played ..

28. ...   Rc3+
29. Kd2 Rc2+!?

This is not the best move. Had he noticed the error, Black should go back with 29. .. Rcb3 and then play c5.

I did not consider that White could now play 30. Qxc2 Bxc2 31. Kxc2. Black should still win but it would not be as clear cut as it could be.

30. Ke1 Rxf2
31. Kxf2 Bxb1

The position I had in my head after my 28th move. 32. Qxb1 Bxd4+ was the next move in my mind. White goes a different way.

32. Bc3 Rb3
33. Bb4 Qe7

The entrance of the queen finishes off the black king.

34. Qd2 Qe4
35. Be2 Bxd4+
36. Ke1 Qh1+
37. Bf1 Re3+

White now resigned. If 38. Kd1 Qxf1+ mates. If 38. Kf2 Rf3+ 39. Ke1 Qe1++.

A very satisfactory win against a difficult opponent - and for the club championship I was on four out of four.

Game 77 - County U-160 League - Middlesex vs Kent

Middlesex v Kent - Board One
Saturday 28 October 2017
White: P. Kennelly (158) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

My first match for the Kent under-160s and, through a leap in grading, I found myself on top board - feeling a bit of a fraud. The game took place at Willesden's working club, tucked away in Brent, north west London. I had been forewarned about parking problems but had not bargained for the amount of traffic after coming off the M25.

Fortunately I found a parking space quite quickly, walked rapidly to the venue, and was just five minutes late.

1. e4 d5
2. exd5 Qxd5
3. d4

White chooses a system where he delays Nc3 and places a pawn on c4 instead of a bishop. The advantage of this is that he can consider a well-timed d5 to break up Black's centre. The disadvantage is that his king's bishop struggles to find a role.

3. ....  c6

3. .. Nc6 might have been better but I stick to the set-up I am familiar with.

4. Nf3 Nf6
5. c4 Qa5+
6. Bd2 Qc7

I glanced at 6. .. Qb6 but could not see much to get excited about after 7. Bc3. There is a neat trap with 7. c5 as after 7. .. Qxb2??? 8. Bc3 traps the queen.

7. Nc3 Bf5
8. Be2 e6



This is the defence I am familiar with and all along thinking what is the difference between a pawn on c4 and a bishop? For one thing, I can't stick a knight on d5. On the other hand, he can't defend the pawn on d4 with a pawn.

9. Bg5 Nbd7

I need to get the king castled in case of a d5 attempt to break up the centre.

10. O-O Bd6
11. Bh4

A relocation to exchange bishops.

11. ...   O-O
12. Bg3 Bxg3

I felt this was forced as I did not want to risk a piece landing on e5. But Black could try 12. .. Ne4 with 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 14. Bd3 or 13. Nxe4 Bxe4 14. Bd3 - each case looking equal.

13. hxg3 Rad8

The target is now the pawn on d4. The plan is to play the rooks into the middle - maybe double-up on the d-file.

But here, 13. .. e5 is interesting. 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Qb3 Qc7 and Black might have a slight edge. Or 14. d5 Rfe8. Or 14. Nh4 Bg6 15. Nxg6 hxg6. Perhaps the centre would get cleared and a quick draw result.

White now decides to move the queen forward to begin a slow creeping move.

14. Qd2 Rfe8

Now I am thinking of e5.

15. Nh4

I automatically drop the bishop back. I had seen 15. .. Nc5 with the possibility of coming to e4 but this just looked flashy. I did not want to end up with a loose pawn on f5.

15. ...   Bg6
16. Nxg6 hxg6
17. Qe3



Eyeing up the pawn on a7. I looked at various combinations with d5 to try to see if I could trap the queen. For example, d5 exd5; Qxa7 Nb6; Qa3 Ra8; - but could not see anything. Aware that White might play around a 'smash-and-grab' how should I defend the pawn? I did not like 17. .. b6 because 18. Bf3 looked good. Instead I went for a move to defend the pawn and also prevent d5.

17. ...  Nb6
18. Rad1

We could go into an endgame with 18. .. e5 19. dxe5 Rxe1 20. Rxe1 Qxe5 21. Qxe5 Rxe5.

18. ....  Rd7
19. Qe5 Red8

I did not want to exchange queens. 19 ... Qxe5 20. dxe5 results in a wonderful square for White.

20. b3

To free up the bishop from the defence of the c4 pawn.

20. ...    Nc8

A redeployment - and a sign that I was running out of ideas.

21. f4 Ne7
22. g4

Now I was getting a bit worried. Let's continue the build-up along the d-file.

22. ....  Rd6
23. Kf2!?

A surprise! I thought 23. Rd2 was better. White instead plans to defend the centre pawns with the king and start an attack down the h-file. An amazingly imaginative idea.

I had a big think - and saw that I could defend down the kingside with Kf8 and Ng8. Then I saw I could force his King onto e3. And then another idea hit me ... 

23. ....  Qd7
24. Ke3




This is it!! Now my question was - can I play 24. ... Nf5+? Then 25. gxf5 exf5 - with the threat down the e-file.
He has to move his king or queen.

If 26. Kf2 Re8 27. Qc5 Qe6 28. Kg3 Qe3+ and then either 29. Rf3 Qxe2! (I had overlooked that) 30 Qxa7 with equal material but good play or 29. Kh2 Qxc3 30. Qxd6 Rxe2 where Black has a pawn and an attack for the exchange.

What about the other way? I considered 26. Kd2 Re8 27. Qa5 b6 28. Qa3 Rxd4+ 29. Kc2 and nothing. But I did not consider, after 26. Kd2, the stronger 26. .. Re6 when 27. Qa5 b6 28. Qa4 Qxd4+ (a better piece to take on d4 with) 29. Qa4 Qxd4+ 30. Kc2 Rxe2+ 31. Nxe2 Qe4+ and once the knight on e2 goes, Black has two pawns and an attack for the exchange.

What if the queen moves? 26. Qa5 would be a better move. 26. .. b6 (not 26. .. Rxd4? 27. Qxd8+!) 27. Qa3 Rxd4 gets a second pawn for the piece then 28.Qc1 adds to the defence.

After much thought, I decided against Nf5+.

So what about Ned5+? After 24. .. Ned5+ 25. cxd5 exd5 26. Qg5 Re8+ 27. Kf2? Qe7, Black threatens Qe3 mate.
If 28. f5 then Qxe2+! If 28. Rd3 then 28. .. Re6 gives good pressure. And if 28. Ke1 Qe3! and White's only move would be 29. Rf3 when Black could force a draw with 29. .. Qg1+ 30. Rf1 (30. Kd2? Rxe2+ 31. Nxe2 Ne4+) Qe3.

But after 26. ... Re8+ White could play 27. Kf3! when after 27. .. Qe7 there is 28. f5 - no worries about knight forks in that line.

So, if White plays calmly, he can easily hold off the attack and come out a piece for a pawn ahead.

The computer in the above position recommends 24. .. b6 with an even position. I just decide to threaten the sacrifices.

24. .      Re8
25. Kf2

White, having also seen the sacrifice possibility, decides to discreetly retreat, so I renew the attack in the middle.

25. ....    Rd8
26. Ke3 Re8

By now a bit short of time, and with a long journey home, I decided to force the draw. A satisfactory result as my debut at such a high level.

Game 76 - club match. Snodland v Swale

Snodland vs Swale - Fuller Cup - Board One
Thursday 26 October 2017
White: G. Hollands (155) - Black: K. Nevols (134)

My opponent is a well known strong player - he is local to us and has come along to some of our quickplay events. In our simul against Matthew Sadler, he was the only one of 14 of us not to lose with a good draw.

Our swords had crossed before (Game 3) when I lost a drawn game and was outplayed in an ending. So I knew I would be up against it with a tough battle.

1. d4 f5
2. c4 Nf6
3. g3

Adopting a quiet approach against the Dutch and taking us into the main line.

3. ....  e6
4. Bg2 d6
5. Nc3 Be7
6. Nf3 O-O
7. O-O a5

The recommendation by Simon Williams GM - taking time out to hold up White's queenside counterplay. Another possibility is 7. .. Qe8 planning to come to the kingside.

8. Re1 Ne4
9. Qc2 Nxc3
10. Qxc3

All one of the main lines - Black swaps knights to delay White's e4.



Now I had used up my memory of the theory. I remembered that Black should try to meet e4 with e5.

10. ....  Bf6?!

The move Simon Williams recommends (which I had forgotten) is 10. .. Nc6 with 11. e4 e5 12.exf5 Bxf5 13. Be3 Be4 14. Nd2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 d5! 16. a3 Bf6 (Gallagher-Williams). (If 11. d5 then Bf6). My move places the bishop opposite the queen and I am thinking of moves like c5 and Nc6.

11. e4 e5
12. dxe5 dxe5
13. Qc2

White could have tried 13. Nxe5 as it is not clear if Black gets enough for the pawn. 13. .. Nc6 14. f4 Re8 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Bd2! Nb4 17. g4! Bxg4 18. Bxb7 or 13. .. Nc6 14. Bf4 g5 15. Nxc6 Bxc3 16. Nxd8 Bxe1 17. Bxc7.

I now gave some thought to 13. .. g6 with the idea of 14. exf5 Bxf5 but it did not look right. Moves such as Bh6 and Qb3 could get the king in trouble. As the White d-pawn had gone I decided to bring into play the queen's knight to hit the centre and offer a pawn sacrifice.

13. ..... Nc6
14. Rd1

If 14. exf5 Nb4 15. Qe4 Nd3 16. Rd1 Nxf2! is equal but 16. Re2 and Black is beginning to look clumsy. Fortunately for me White remains cautious.

14. ...   Nd4

Although I felt a little confident, the computer gives White a clear lead, now recommending 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. exf5. The question then is whether Black can make use of that passed pawn in the middle or whether White can round it up and use the open spaces in the centre.



15. Rxd4?

But this was a stunner. White gives up the exchange. Initially I could not see what White gets for it so had to play along with great caution.

15. .....  exd4
16. e5 Be7
17. Ne1 c6

To prevent Bd5+ and keeping protection of the d-pawn. White is planning to blockade the pawn and play around it. He has 54 minutes left for 18 moves whereas I was at 38 minutes.

At this point, the digital clock blanked out - the battery had gone! Fortunately my opponent had noted the times and knew how to set up a new one, so after a short pause, we were away again.

18. Nd3 g5!

A double functioning move - both to attack on the kingside but also to keep his knight out of the f4 square where it would have been a nuisance. I was aware of the king looking unsafe but so far those White bishops are kept well under control.

19. f4 h6

I did not like 19. .. g4 blocking the position - with a material advantage I needed to get those pieces out. I did not see much mileage in h5-h4 and opening the h-file which seemed to me to be too slow.

20. Bd2 Be6
21. b3 Kh8

To prepare for the opening of the g-file.

22. Rd1 Rc8

I now have 21 minutes for 14 moves. At this point, I was struggling to see how I could advance. The computer has consistently recommended g4 and h5-h4 but I wanted open spaces for my bishops and decided to advance on the other wing with b5. This move prepares that, and also moves the rook off the bishop's diagonal.



23. Bc1

White is planning to round up the d-pawn so I had better get going.

23. ....   b5
24. Bb2

Some thought was now given to 24. .. bxc4 25. bxc4 c5. Instead I did it the other way round - and now had 14 minutes left for 11 moves.

24. ...   c5!?

The point is whether I could play 25. cxb5 c4. This looked quite strong to me. 26. bxc4 Bxc4? would be a mistake because of 27. Bb7 Rc7 28. b6! Rxb7 29. Qxc4 Qxb6 30. Bxd4 and with a pawn for the exchange and Black's draughty king, White is back in the game.

26. .. Rxc4 with Qb6 and then bringing the other rook across to the c-file was the plan. A timely Bc6 from White at some stage could have been a nuisance. In the event, White decided to trust me.

25. Ba3 bxc4
26. bxc4 Qc7

Overprotecting the c5 pawn to prepare Rb8.

27. Bd5 Qd7

27. .. Bxd5 28. cxd5 did not look like much fun, although the computer says there is nothing to fear after 28. .. c4 29. d6 cxd3 30. Qxd3 Qc3! 31. dxe7 Rfe8 32. e6 - perhaps not, but this does not look like a position one would be confident in playing.

28. Bg2 Rfd8
29. Re1?!

A good plan for White would be Rb1 and then either Rb5 or Rb7.

29. ...    Rg8
30. Rd1 gxf4

At last!

31. Nxf4 Bg5



32. Nd3?

I was happy to see this. Either 32. Rf1 or 32. Bc1 to defend the f4 point would have been a tougher defence.

White accompanied this move with an offer of a draw, but I could see a sequence which I wanted to give a try.

32.       Be3+
33. Kh1 Qf7

This was the move White told me he had overlooked. Black threatens the c-pawn and also f4 with an attack on the king. I had two minutes left for the next two moves.

34. Nb2 f4

The computer likes the flashy 34. .. Rxg3! with 35. hxg3 Qh5+ 36. Bh3 f4! 37. Qh2 Bxh3 with Qf3+ to come. Of course I did not see any of that - my existing winning plan seemed to suffice.

35. Rf1 Bf5

If now 36. Be4 then 36. .. Bh3 and 37. .. Qh5.

36. Nd3 Qg6
37. Rd1 fxg3
38. h3 Qh5



And now White resigned. Those bishops did the job after all.
I was delighted with this result against such a good player.

Snodland v Swale

George Hollands (155) 0-1 Keith Nevols (157)
Robert Thompson (146) 1/2-1/2 Vytautas Gedminas (130)
David Lettington (143) 0-1 Tyrone Jefferies (116)
Neil Miners (100) 0-1 Aurimas Liuberskis (110)
Hugh Broadbent (96) 1/2-1/2 Andrew Gillard (107)
Charlie Palmer (81) 1/2-1/2 Barry Sawyer (83)

Snodland 1.5 - 4.5 Swale

Game 75 - club match. Hastings v Swale

Hastings vs Swale - Harvey Cup - Board One
Sunday 22 October 2017
White: D. Ruane (161) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

A nice trip to the south coast. All through last season, I had not lost a single game playing for Swale. Now saddled with a high grade, I thought that things might change and how right I was - with a crushing defeat in an awful performance.


1. Nf3 f5

The Dutch defence.

2. b3

An unusual set-up so I develop normally.

2. ...  Nf6
3. c4 d6
4. d4 e6

The computer recommends 4. ... Ne4!? Curious to move the knight twice in four moves but the idea is to obstruct a White Nc3 and to reply to 5. Nbd2 with 5. . e6 and perhaps d5, or to 5. e3 with 5. .. c5 and 6. dxc5 Qa5+ or 6. Bd3 Nc6. An interesting thought in an opening I am still learning.

5. Nc3 Be7
6. Qc2

White has delayed the deployment of his kings bishop in order to get the move e4 in, but the presence of the queen on c2 allows me to develop the other knight towards the centre.

6. ...  Nc6
7. e4 fxe4?!

Maybe 7. .. Nb4 would be better but it was the following break I had in mind.

8. Nxe4 e5

The plan is to break open the centre while his king is still there. The irony is that, as we will see, it is my king which gets trapped instead.
If 8. .. O-O I was concerned about some white central play but 9. Bd3 result in 9. .. Nb4 exchanging the bishop, and 9. Neg5 h6 seems OK.



9. Bb2

White considers castling queenside.

9. ..  exd4
10. Nxd4 Nb4

Castles is better for Black. Now White picks up the initiative.

11. Nxf6 Bxf6
12. Qd2 a5
13. a3 Qe7+
14. Be2 Na6

White cannot play 15. Qxa5 because of 15. .. c5 winning a piece.

15. O-O

Last chance to castle. But White would still be better - he can bring his rooks into the middle while Black is sorting himself out.



15. ....   Nc5??

Completely overlooking White's next move.

16. Bh5+ Kd8

If 16. .. Kf8 17. Re1 and Re8+.

17. Rfe1

With the king stuck in the middle, I knew the game was up.

17. ...  Qd7

The computer suggests 17.   Qf8 18. Re8+ Qxe8 19. Bxd8 Rxe8 keeping material losses to a minimum.

18. b4!

White has his eye on a possible Ne6+. The game is now won for White.

18. ...   axb4
19. axb4 Rxa1
20. Bxa1 Bxd4

And while he was thinking,  saw the winning move - and a few minutes later he played it.

21. Qg5+



Black must resign. The only move is 21. .. Bf6 and then 22. Bxf6+ will force ruinous material loss.
A terrible game to start the county league season with.


Hastings v Swale

Brendan Ruane (161) 1-0 Keith Nevols (157)
Gary Wilson (129) 0-1 Tyrone Jefferies (116)
John Kimber (119) 0-1 Vytautas Gedminas (110)
Gregory Chandler (76) 0-1 Andrew Gillard (107)
Umberto Joe Jozwiak (78) 1-0 Barry Sawyer (83)
James Wheeler (159) 1-0 default

Hastings 3-3 Swale

Game 74 - Swale Club Championship 2017-18 - Round Three

Swale Club Championship - Round Three
Thursday 19 October 2017
White: A. Luberskis (-) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

My third game of the season was against a new member - an unknown factor.

1. e4 d5
2. e5

White meets my Scandinavian with the 'advance' option.

2. ....  c5
3. Be2 Bf5
4. Nf3 Nc6

White chooses a quiet set up and allows Black to develop calmly.

5. h3 e6
6. Bb5

The second move of the bishop wastes time. Better is castling.

6. ....   Qc7
7. c3 Be7

The computer prefers 7. .. O-O-O attacking the pawn on e5 and then gives 8. Bxc6 Qxc6 9. d4 Qa6 or 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nb4 10. Na3 Nc2+?! 11. Nxc2 Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Qxb5 13. Ne3 - which looks good for White as he has the open c-file and Black's kingside is not yet developed.

The pawn on e5 is restricting development and I intended to resolve that problem first.



8. O-O a6
9. Ba4?

9. Bxc6+ was forced. Now Black wins a pawn.

9. ...    b5
10. Bc2 Bxc2
11. Qxc2 Nxe5
12. Nxe5 Qxe5

Now Black is much better. He is a pawn up and can sort out his development.

13. d4 Qc7
14. Be3

14. a4 would be a good way to bring the rook into the game and gain some initiative. 14. .. Rb8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Be3.

14. ....   Nf6
15. Nd2 O-O



Now I have the king in safety it is time to think of a plan. Advancing on the queenside and making play against White's centre seems to be a good plan.

16. Rae1 Nh5
17. Qd1 Nf4
18. Nf3 c4

The d3 square looks very attractive to my knight so White decides to sacrifice the exchange. 19. Bxf4 Qxf4 20. Ne5 is better.

19. Re2? Nxe2+
20. Qxe2 b4

Intending to open lines for the rooks.

21. Ne5 bxc3
22. bxc3 Rab8
23. Qg4! Bf6

If now 24. Bh6 I had planned to play 24. .. Bxe5 25. dxe5 Qxe5. White manages to arrange a strong kingside attack.

24. Rd1 Bxe5
25. dxe5 Qe7

Of course 25. .. Qxe5?? walks into 26. Bd4 which I thought was game over. However Black has 26. .. h5! which would save the game albeit with loss of material after 27. Bxe5 hxg4 28. Bxb8 Rxb8 29. hxg4 and Black would be a pawn up.



26. Bg5 is the best move here. 26. .. Qc7 27. Bf6 g6 28. Qg5 wins, so Black has to play 26. .. f6 27. exf6 Qf7 which looks ugly but just about holds but not without a few beads of sweat. White though misses this chance.

26. Qe2? Rb5
27. a4 Rb3
28. f4 Rxc3
29. Rb1 Qd7
30. Bd4 Rd3
31. Qb2 Qxa4

White has given up two pawns to open some lines on the queenside but I can exchange a pair of rooks.

32. Ra1 Rd1+
33. Rxd1 Qxd1+
34. Kh2 Qb3
35. Qa1 Ra8

The bishop is good for White, there are spaces to exploit, and the back rank is still weak so it is not over yet. I decide to defend the goal line before I can get those pawns going.



36. Qa5 Qb5
37. Qc7 Qe8
38. f5 Rc8
39. Qa5 Qc6
40. Qa3 Rb8
41. f6 Rb3
42. Qa5 Qc8
43. fxg7 c3

With the posts covered, it was time to get moving.

44. Qa2 c2
45. Qxb3 c1(=Q)
46. Qg3 Qh6

And now the win is straight forward. White decides to play on to mate.

47. Be3 Qxg7
48. Qf4 Qc2
49. Qf1 Qe4
50. Bf4 d4
51. Bg3 d3
52. Qb1 Qe2
53. Qb8+ Qf8
54. Qxf8+ Kxf8
55. h4 d2
56. h5 d1(=Q)
57. Bh4 Qdd2
58. h6 Qxg2 mate

Game 73 - Swale Club Championship 2017-18 - Round Two

Swale Club Championship - Round Two
Thursday 28 September 2017
White: A. Fletcher (88) - Black: K. Nevols (157)

1. b3

The Larsen Opening, named after the legendary Danish player, Bent Larsen (1935-2010). The plan is to follow with Bb2 and put early pressure on the Black kingside.

1. ....  e5

I just decide to occupy the centre. 1. . d5 is also often seen.

2. Bb2 d6

2. .. Nc6 is more accurate - keeping the option open of d5. The problem now is that my Black bishop is limited in its' development - as it would be difficult to play g6 and Bg7.

3. e3 Nc6
4. Bb5 Bd7
5. Ne2 Qg5?!



As soon as I played this move, I regretted it. The plan was to punish White's quiet development by just being annoying and hitting g2. Also I was considering a quick castling queenside, and to give the option of any plans based around h5. But it achieves absolutely nothing and also hinders the move Nf6 in case the queen gets trapped.

6. Ng3 a6

If 6. .. h5 then 7. h4 Qg6 8. Bd3 - although 8. .. f5 could be fine. Nevertheless I would be lumbered with a pawn on h5 which could be tricky to defend, so let's get on with development.

7. Bd3 Nh6

Playing the knight to f6 would have blocked the line of retreat for my queen.

8. Qh5?!

This surprised me. White advances his own queen before completing development. Black could play 8. .. Qxh5 9. Nxh5 Nb4 but I decided I wanted to keep the queen on and see if I could learn from my own mistake by attacking an exposed queen.

8. ....  Qe7

The threat is now Bg4. Therefore I expected 9. h3 to which I was considering 9. .. g6.

9. Nc3??

... but White overlooks my next.

9. ...   Bg4

The White queen is trapped. I reflected on the irony that it had been my own mistake with the queen that had led White to reciprocate and get into trouble himself.



White can save his queen by losing a piece with 10. Nf5 Bxh5 11. Nxe7 Bxe7.

10. Nd5?

.. but this way to save the queen loses two pieces.

10. ..   Qd8
11. Nxc7+ Qxc7
12. Qg5 f6

The White queen has found a square but is still trapped. Now 13. Qh4 is met with g5 and so he has to jettison a second piece.

13. Bg6+ hxg6
14. Qxg6+ Qf7
15. Qd3

The White queen is saved but White is two pieces for two pawns down. Now I can just develop and hopefully get the win without any accidents.

15. ..   d5
16. f3 Be6
17. O-O-O Nb4

Picking up another pawn.

18. Qe2 Nxa2+
19. Kb1 Nb4
20. f4? Bg4

And now the exchange.

21. Qf2 Bxd1
22. Rxd1 Qc7
23. Bc3 Nc6

I recalled my earlier game where I was well ahead but managed to nearly lose. White's sole plus point is the chance of opening central lines against the king so I was keen to get the guy safe as soon as possible.



24. Kb2 Bd6
25. Nh5 O-O-O

Phew. White now completely collapses and there is no more to be said.

26. Nxg7? Qxg7
27. Qf3 d4
28. Qh3+? Ng4
29. Qg3 dxc3+
30. dxc3 Ba3+
31. Kxa3 Rxd1
32. fxe5 Qe7+
33. Kb2 Ngxe5
34. Qf4 Rhd8
35. Qf5+ Kb8
36. g4 Ra1

I quite liked that move. Of course if 37. Kxa1 Qa3+ 38. Kb1 Rd1 mate.

37. b4 Rdd1
38. Qxe5+ Nxe5
39. Resigns

Mate next move is unstoppable.

Game 72 - Swale Club Championship 2017-18 - Round One

Swale Club Championship - Round One
Thursday 7 September 2017
White: K. Nevols (157) - Black: K. French (98)

And so we begin again. My third season since my 'comeback' after twenty years of inactivity. And I had a shiny new grade to protect - my highest ever.

Our two previous games had seen a win and a draw for me but my opponent was known as a good defender so I resolved to play carefully and casually to try to build up small advantages.

1. e4 e6
2. Qe2

This is an anti-French system I am trying out. The idea is that if Black plays 2. .. d5 (as French players usually do) then after 3. exd5 Black has to recapture with the queen leaving the pawn stuck on e6.

Experiments in blitz games had resulted in games often becoming like closed Sicilians where I have a good record.

2. .... d6
3. Nc3 b6

Now White could strike for the centre with 4. d4 but I have the d3 square in mind for that pawn. After 4. d4 Black has the interesting 4. .. Ba6 5. Qd1 Bxf1 6. Kxf1 delaying White development but leaving the Black queenside a bit open. Instead I stay with the Closed Sicilian idea.

4. f4 Bb7
5. Nf3 Nf6
6. d3 Nbd7

6. .. Nc6 is more active with possible plans to come to b4 or d4. From the d7 square, this knight can not do so much. I guessed that Black was thinking along the lines of a d5 break and did not want to block the bishop.

I now gave some thought to 7. Rg1. I was keen to get active as soon as possible and the plan was both to take the rook off the long diagonal and also to intend 8. g4. Black's best might be to play 7. .. d5 8. e5 Ng4 9. h3 Nh6 10. g4 Be7. Black looks solid enough and White is not yet developed.

The problem with the Qe2 anti-French system is that the queen gets in the way of the kings bishop. I could play 7. Qd1 and Be2 which is probably OK, but instead I decide to continue development before rushing in with g4.

7. g3 a6
8. Bg2 Qc8?!

Presumably this is to defend the bishop but it does limit the queen's role and take her slightly further away from where the action might be, as well as making queenside castling more difficult.

9. O-O Be7

Now what shall I do with the queens bishop? Sticking to my plan of quiet development, I rejected Be3 as I did not want to block the e-file.

10. Bd2 O-O



Now that I knew where his king was, it was time to think of a plan, and the move e5 came to me to gain the initiative in the centre. I also considered 11. Rae1, because it develops a piece and I wanted Black to show more of what he was intending, but instead I decided to push on with the attack.

11. e5 Ne8

I had calculated that 11. .. Bxf3 could be ruled out because of 12. Bxf3 Nd5 13. Nxd5 winning a pawn. Also that 11 .. dxe5 12. fxe5 was good for me as it opens up a route for the queens bishop towards the kingside.

If 11 .. Nd5 I considered 12. exd6 cxd6 with the intention of weakening the queenside but rejected that on the basis that my pawn on e5 was quite good where it is. So after 11. .. Nd5 my intention was to beef up the e-file with 12. Rae1.

Instead Black drops the knight back, which I was happy with.

Now I gave some thought to 12. Nd4 intending a pawn sacrifice after 12. .. Bxg2 13. Qxg2!? dxe5 14. Nc6. I went on with 14. .. Bc5+ 15. Kh1 exf4 16. Bxf4. For the pawn, White has a very well-placed knight and the potential for a kingside attack.

However, Black is not forced to take the bishop on g2 (an advantage of the queen being on c8 which I criticised earlier). And can answer 12. Nd4 with 12. . c5 or just 12. .. dxe5 13. fxe5 where it looks silly.

12. Rae1 d5

Black has now closed the centre and I gave some thought to another pawn sacrifice with 13. f5. My idea was 13. .. exf5 14. e6 fxe6 15. Qxe6+ Rf7. I did not see that now 16. Nxd5 gets the pawn back, nor that 16. Ng5 is quite good.

Again though I was assuming the willingness of my opponent. After 13. .. exf5 14. e6 Black could just play 14. .. Ndf6. After 15. exf7+ Rxf7 I could get some pressure with 16. Ne5 or 16. Ng5 - or play 15. Ng5 straight away (15. .. Bc5+ 16. Kh1 Nd6 or 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. Qxe3 Nd6), but is it enough for a pawn?

The computer's recommendation is 13. Nd4, clearing a path for the queen to move to the kingside, but I had rejected this as I still could not see anything after 13. .. c5 14. Nb3 which places the knight far away from where I want it to be.

Instead I decided to prepare an f5 push.

13. Bh3

At this stage, I went off to the bar to replenish my drink. Playing with the position in my head, the defence g6 came to me. Thinking this looked quite solid, I rushed back to the board to analyse it, only to discover it had already been played.

13. ...  g6
14. g4 Ng7

The attack has now ground to a halt and I began to get concerned about the spaces around my king, a Black queenside pawn advance, the possibility of Black bishops on b7 and c5, and a shortage of time - now 33 minutes left for 21 moves.

I decide to move the queen to a more active position - and opposite the enemy king is always a good idea.

15. Qf2 c5

If 15. .. Bc5 I had intended 16. d4 but this might have been unwise as Black could exploit the far off white squared White bishop by making trouble with a later a6 and Ba6. 16. Be3 would be better.

Now the computer recommends 16. f5 offering to sacrifice a pawn in return for opening the g-file (16. .. exf5 17. gxf5 gxf5 18. Bh6 Qc6!). I kept to my activate-queen plan.

16. Qg3 b5?

White can now force material gain. Better would be 16. ... d4 17. Ne4 Qc7 or 16. .. f5! 17. exf6 Nxf6 with an equal position.

17. f5

If now 17. .. exf5 18. gxf5 Nh5 19. Qg4 or 17. .. gxf5?? 18. gxf5 Kh8 (18. .. exf5 19. Bh6) 19. f6 (19. .. Rg8 20. Ng5).

17. ...  Bd8
18. f6 Ne8



I can now win the exchange - but I gave some thought. Do I want to? The bishop will be very good. I worked out some lines involving Black sacrificing a piece for the e5 and f6 pawns, playing the bishop to b6, and advancing the centre pawns.

However, I would be a rook for two pawns up, so if I was going to be under pressure, at least I would have some extra material I could offload if necessary.

19. Bh6 b4
20. Nd1

I decided against 20. Ne2 as it blocks the rook's defence of the e5 pawn.

20. ..    Qc6
21. Bxf8 Nxf8

Now I should have played 22. b3 and remain a solid exchange up. However in aiming to consolidate, I completely overlooked Black's next move.

22. Bg2 Qa4

D'oh! Black gets one pawn back. I decide the a-pawn is the best one to lose.

23. b3 Qd7?!

This surprised me - Black decides not to take the pawn. I assumed that he could see further than me and did not wish to get the queen trapped, but it seems he can get away with it. 24. Ne3 Qa5 is simple enough. I tried to see if I could get anywhere with a Nf5 sacrifice but there is nothing- those two knights on the back rank are good defenders.

24. Ne3 Bb6

This was the counter attack that had concerned me.

25. Kh1 a5

If I throw pieces at the kingside it might be a useful distraction.

26. Qh4 a4
27. Ng5

My plan now was to uplift the rook over to the h-file and pile up on h7.

27. ...   Nc7?

27. ... Bc7 would have been better. This just gives me a tempo to improve the position of the queen.



28. Qh6

However I missed 28. Nc4! Black cannot allow the knight to come into d6 and so has to play 28. .. dxc4 29. Bxb7 Ra7 30. Qh6 Ne8 31. Be4.

28. ..   Ne8
29. Nd1

This is to dull the threat of a tactic revolving around d4. I need to get a rook to join in the attack.

29. ....  Bc6
30. Rf3 d4
31. Rh3

Now we are happy. The attack is irresistible.

31. ....   Bxg2+
32. Kxg2 Qd5+
33. Re4 Bd8
34. Nxh7

And Black resigned. If 34..... Nd7 35. Ng5. A good start to the season.

Game 71- Swale Club Championship 2016-17 - Final Group Round Five

Swale Club Championship Final Group - Round Five
Thursday 8 June 2017
White: K. Nevols (134) - Black: T. Owens (167)

The last game of the season - against the club champion.

This game took place on the day of the 2017 general election and, as a candidate in a safe Conservative seat where you know you will lose your deposit, there is not much you can do in the evening - hence I went ahead with the game and planned to move on to the count afterwards.

1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3

Inviting 3. .. g6 and into the Pirc defence

3. ....   Nbd7

But this was not expected.

4. Bg5

Probably too committal. 4. Nf3 keeps options open.

4. ....  h6
5. Bh4 c6

I was tempted to play 6. f4 here and blast away at the centre. Black could play 6. ... Qb6 (and I did not notice that 7. a3 prevents 7. ... Qxb2 because 8. Na4 then traps the queen). I was more conscious of the big space in front my king still a long way from castling. My opponent is a dangerous attacking player and I wanted to get the king into safety as soon as possible.

6. Nf3 Qa5
7. Qd2?

7. Bd3 is better but I wanted to move that bishop to c4 and the a2-g8 diagonal. Black now grabs the initiative.

7. ...  e5
8. Bc4 b5
9. dxe5 dxe5
10. Bd3

I had overlooked that 10. Bb3 would lose the e-pawn to b4, g5, g4. So back it went to a worse square.



10. ...   Bb7?

Black misses a chance to put White under severe pressure with 10. .. b4 11. Ne2 g5 12. Bg3 g4 13. Nh4 Nc5 and Black is advancing. I might have tried 11. Nb1 and then 11. .. g5 12. Bg3 g4 13. Nh4 Nc5 but this is not much different.

11. Bg3

11. .. b4 is still good but now lacks the follow-up punch of g5.

11. ...  Nh5
12. O-O Nxg3
13. hxg3 Qc7

Now I thought the position was equal. I had to move the rook out from the corner to allow me to drop the knight back to b1.

14. Rad1 b4
15. Nb1 Be7
16. Qe2 Nc5

At last the Black knight occupies this square it had been gazing at - but I can move the bishop now and reshuffle some pieces.

17. Bc4 a5
18. Nbd2 O-O
19. Nb3 Na4
20. Rb1 Nb6
21. Bd3 c5



And now I was uncomfortable again. Black's pieces were moving around with ease whereas mine seemed to be getting into each others way. I could not see how I could work up an initiative like this!

22. Nbd2 Rfd8
23. Nc4 Bf6
24. Nxb6 Qxb6
25. Rfd1 Qc7

Better might be 25. .. Qc6 as now my bishop is freed from defending the e-pawn and can move to a better square.

26. Bc4 Qe7
27. Bd5 Bxd5



And with this move Black offered a draw. I had not yet decided whether to re-take with the pawn or the rook but I felt I was still worse and, as it was the last game of the season, with Black graded far higher than me, I took the even result. A dull game to end with.

Thus ended the 2016-2017 season - a very good one for me with a score of Played 41 Won 25 Draw 12 Lost 4, and I was unbeaten for Swale Chess Club and for Kent Under-140s.

Game 70 - Swale Club Championship 2016-17 - Final Group Round Four

Swale Club Championship - Final Group - Round Four
Thursday 1 June 2017
White: P. Blundell (120) - Black: K. Nevols (134)

That last defeat put paid to any faint chances I had of the club championship. It now seemed I would be ending up third for the second time in a row.

1. e4 d5

The Scandinavian defence.

2. exd5 Qxd5
3. Nc3 Qa5
4. Nf3 Nf6
5. Qe2

White opts for an interesting line where queens are swapped off early. Black could consider 5. .. c6 but I was concerned about d4-d5 which might mean I have to play e6 before getting the bishop developed.

5. ....  Bf5

6. b4 would be annoying. Black can't take the pawn (6. ... Qxb4 7. Rb1 and 8. Qb5+) and would have to play 6. ... Qb6. The queen could be a worry.

6. Nd4 e6?!

I rejected 6. .. Bg6 7. Nb3 Qb6 as I was worried about the queen getting kicked around. But this move allows White to take an early advantage.



7. Qb5+ Qxb5
8. Ncxb5 Kd7

The other option was 8. .. Na6 but then 9. Nxf5 exf5 10. Bc4. I did not want to tie the king down so early and saw a way to give up the pawn for a counter attack. With queens off, the king should be OK in the centre.

9. Nxf5 exf5

Now 10. Bd3 g6 11. Bc4 is good. White goes by a different route bringing the knight into the centre.

10. Nd4 g6
11. Bc4 Bc5

This was the plan.

12. Ne2 Re8

If now 13. Bxf7 then 13. .. Re7 14. Bc4 Nc6. I was hoping to build up some piece play in the centre to compensate for the pawn. White decides to continue development rather than grab the pawn.

13. O-O Nc6

14. d4! is aggressive. White cannot take because of Rd1 and so must play 14. ... Bd6 which can be met by 15. Bg5 and White is better. I was not very happy here at how one of my favourite openings had been taken apart so easily.

14. Nf4 Ng4?!

Now I had 36 minutes left for 21 moves - the old time trouble again.



14. .. Ne5 is a better move for Black, perhaps meeting 15. Bb3 with 15. ... g5 (although 16. d4! puts White back on top - the king is not as safe as I said earlier).

Once again the f-pawn is up for grabs. 15. Bxf7 Re7 16. Bc4 is fine for White, but 15. .. Nxf2!? is an interesting exchange sacrifice which exploits the bishop still being on c1 and blocking the rooks. 16. Bxe8 Rxe8 17. g3 (the only move) g5 18. Nd5 Re2. However, 19. c3! means Black will have to take the draw with 19. .. Nh3+ 20. Kh1 Nf2+ etc.

As before, White declines the pawn offer.

15. Nh3

The computer now recommends 15. .. Nge5 16. Bb3 Nd4 and states Black is better.

15. ...  Nd4
16. c3 Ne2+
17. Bxe2?!

This surprised me. I had expected 17. Kh1 when I had to decide whether to grab the bishop on c1 - which had not yet got out of bed. Now my rook is well placed and I can get the e-file and the initiative. (And the f7 pawn is finally safe).

17. ...  Rxe2
18. d4 Bd6
19. g3 Rae8

If now 20. Ng5 then 20. .. f6 21. Nxh7 Rh8 regaining the pawn. (22. h3 Rxh7 23. hxg4 fxg4).

20. Kg2

White adopts a crafty defensive plan to drop the knight to g1.

20. .....Rc2

To continue to disrupt the White development.

21. Ng1

I did not see 21. .. Re1! Of course, 22. Rxe1 Rxf2 leads to mate so White must play 22. Nh3 when Black can grab a pawn with 22. .. Rxf1 23. Kxf1 Nxh2+ or play has 22. .. Ree2 and then .. c5 to bring the bishop into the attack.




21. ... f4?
22. gxf4 g5

The aim of this pawn sacrifice is to open up lines against the White king.

23. h3 Ne3+
24. Bxe3 Rxe3

White has 22 minutes now for 11 moves while I was down to 15. Now White could think about 25. fxg5 Rg3+ 26. Kh1 Rxg5.

25. Rab1 Bxf4

Material is equal again. The attack has been beaten off. Time for a deep breath and think again.

26. Kh1 g4

And another pawn sacrifice to open up the h-file.

27. hxg4 Re6
28. Kg2 Re3
29. Kh1 Re6
30. Kg2 Rg6

... but it has closed the g-file. D'oh!



31. Kf3! Rf6
32. Ke4 Bd6

The move of the king over to the other side is very smart. Now White is simply a pawn up.

33. f3 Rf4+
34. Kd3 Rg2
35. Kc4 c5?

I'm still trying to open lines against the king - and as the king has moved then I need to open new lines - but this just loses another pawn.

36. Nh3! Rf6
37. dxc5 Bf4

Now I am two pawns down and in serious danger of losing the game. White's best is now 38. Nf2! cutting off one rook and preparing to come to e4 which, with a rook (or rooks) on the d-file, would be very dangerous.



Fortunately, for me, White withdraws his king to give material back and some breathing space.

38. Kb3 Be3
39. Rbd1+ Kc6
40. a3 Rg3

I thought this would get material back but now 41. Rd3 is good for White. 41. .. Bxc5 42. Ng5.

41. Ng1? Bxg1?

41. ... Bxc5 is better. There would still be time to pick up the White f-pawn.

42. Rxg1 Rgxf3
43. Rh1 Kxc5
44. Rxh7 Rb6+
45. Ka2 Rf2
46. Rb1 Kc4
47. Rh3 Re6
48. g5 Rg6
49. Rh4+ Kc5
50. Rg1 Rf5



The last Black attack was never going to amount to anything but White now offered the draw (!?) to which I accepted.

In the final position, any winning chances belong to White. He has 51. Re4 Kc6 52. Re7 Rgxg5 53. Rxg5 Rxg5 54. Rxf7.

I would like to think I could hold that position - but fortunately I will not need to know.