Game 48 - club match. Swale v Maidstone

Swale vs Maidstone - Fuller Cup - Board One
Thursday 26 January 2017
White: K. Nevols (134) - Black: R. Lane (157)

The last game against my opponent (Game 20) has resulted in a dreadful defeat.

1. e4 c6

And, as in our previous encounter, he comes out with the Caro-Kann - at which time the game went 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6 gxf6!? and I went down in flames.

2. Ne2

My last game with this move (Game 42) was quite a success and so it was time to try it again.

2. ...  d5
3. e5 c5

One of the three main moves along with 3. .. Bf5 and 3. .. d4. Normally Caro-Kann players do not like to move their c-pawn twice in the first three moves. Now I took some time to remember my theory.

4. d4 Nc6
5. c3

The computer likes 5. dxc5 and this could be worth a try. It did not look right to me but Black could play 5. .. Qa5+ 6. Nbc3 e6 and then it gives the line 7. Nd4 Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Bxc5 9. Bb5+! Qxb5 10. Nxb5 Bxd4 11. Nxd4 (or 7. ... Nxe5 8. Nb3 Qc7 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bf4 Bxb5 11. Nxb5 Nd3+! 12. Qxd3 Qxf4). Better for Black is 5. .. e6 when he would be better after 6. f4 Nxc5 and equal after 6. Be3 Nxe5.

5. ...   e6

Now we have a French-looking position. As it looks like my knight on e2 is not going anywhere for a while, I decide to develop the king's bishop the other way.

6. g3 Nge7!?

White could now take the opportunity that the Black king's bishop is blocked to play 7. dxc5 Nxe5 8. Nd4 (8. Be3??? Nf3 mate) Nec6.

7. Be3 Nf5
8. Bg2 Qb6



Now Black has the initiative and it's time for the thinking cap. There are threats to d4 and to b2.

9. Qd2

The move 9. Qc1 would be a slight improvement although Black remains better after 9. .. cxd4 10. cxd4 f6!.

Black can now seize the advantage with 9. .. cxd4. If 10. cxd4 then 10. .. Bb4 11. Nc3 f6.
If 10.Nxd4 then Nxe3 11. fxe5 Nxe5. If 10. Bxd4 then 10. .. Nfxd4 11. Nxd4 Nxe5 or 11. cxd4 f6.

The f6 break is a continual threat here yet oddly we both under-estimate its importance.

9. ...  Bd7
10. O-O Be7

Now I felt a little more comfortable and saw a sequence to slightly free up my position.

11. g4!? Nxe3
12. fxe3 Bg5
13. Nf4 cxd4

The computer prefers castling to prepare f6 once again.

14. cxd4

I ruled out 14. exd4 for the simple reason of 14. .. Nxe5. However White has 15. Nxd5! and the sequence goes 15. .. Bxd2 16. Nxb6 Be3+ 17. Kh1 axb6 18. dxe5. Material is even - but Black is better.

14. ....   O-O
15. Nc3 Rac8



Now I felt a little more comfortable. I was beginning to sort out the position. Here 16. Rab1 is probably best to relieve the queen from the defence of the b-pawn. Instead I make a move which I quickly regret.

16. a3?

The idea was to follow up with b4 and maybe Na4-c5 making small advances on the queenside. However the move weakens squares and we are back on the ropes.

16. ...   Na5

Of course, threatening Nb3 and moving in on the delicious c4 square.

17. Rab1 Nc4
18. Qf2

Blocking the queen-to-my-king diagonal and trying to hang on to everything. But now 18. .. f6 is very strong, opening the f-file.

18. ....  a6

I now considered 19. h4 but that just gives another pawn that I have to defend. (19 .. Bxh4 20. Qxh4 Nd2 looked a bit dangerous but is probably OK). Instead I decided to shore up the defences - covering d2 and d4.

19. Rfd1 f6!

At last! Black now attacks and open lines - and again I grow concerned. At this point I did start thinking about whether there are any opportunities for tactics on the d5 point - as the diagonal to the king is now open. I parked that idea for the moment.

20. exf6 Bxf6
21. Qe2

Moving off the f-file seemed sensible and still defending e3. The d5 tactic now came to mind. Black should now play 21. .. Kh8 to avoid it.

21. ....   Bg5?!



But he has overlooked it! I now had a think, and decided that, as I am under the cosh, the tactic was worth a go.

22. Ncxd5!?

I was looking at 22.  ... exd5 23. Bxd5+ Kh8 24. Bxc4 and I am two pawns up - and that is as far as I got.

But Black can quickly strike back with 24. ... Bxf4 25. exf4 Rxf4.

Then if 26. h3 Bxg4!! (if 26. .. Rxd4 27. Qf2 Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 Qxf2+ 29. Kxf2 Bc6 and the position is level) 27. hxg4 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 Qxc4 and Black is a pawn up with the better position.

It is not easy to see this far (especially 26. .. Bxg4) and, after a think, Black decided to let the pawn go.

22. ...   Qb3

Now I am back in the game.

23. Rd3 Qb5

The computer now recommends 24. a4 Qa5 (24. ... Qxa4 25. b3 which I did not see) 25. b3. Instead I wanted to move my en prise knight with tempo before I lost it.

24. Nc3 Qb6

Now I went into the tank - again trying to see how I can save the creaky position. I am a pawn up but Black has pressure down the f-file, with the bishops, and along the b6-g1 diagonal. The immediate threat is Bxf4 winning a pawn. So I decide to defend that.

25. Qf2?

But this loses. White should have played 25. Ne4! which I did not see at all. Then 25. .. Bxf4 26. exf4 Rxf4 27. Nc5! - a wonderful square for the knight with threats on b7 and d7.

25. ...   Nxe3

Immediately getting the pawn back.

26. Qxe3



26. ...    Bxf4?

But Black goes wrong. 26. .. Rxf4 was far stronger, threatening a discovered attack, the pawn on g4 and the pawn on d4. White might have to hang in there with 27. Qg3 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 but Black is a pawn up - and a passed pawn to boot. He could soon start thinking about e5-e4-e3 etc.

27. Qe1

I decided that my only hope of coming out of this alive was to attack!

27. ...   Qc7
28. Qh4 Bc6

Rf6 is better. My gamble is working.

29. d5!

A repeat of the earlier tactic.

29. ...   Bxd5
30. Nxd5 exd5
31. Bxd5+ Kh8

I now tried to see if I could somehow get a swindle and win this game.



32. Be4 h6
33. Rbd1

Planning Rd7 but now Black can play 33. ... Qb6+ 34. Kh1 Qxb2 and 35. Rd7 could be answered with 35. ... Rd1! Things might get a bit wild but Black should be able to defend and exploit his advantage.

33. ...     Bg5
34. Qh5 Qf7

Another option is 34. ... Qb6+ 35. Kh1 Rce8! and then 36. Qg6 Qxg6 37. Bxg6 Re2 with an edge but White might have enough play to hold.

35. Qxf7 Rxf7
36. b3

With a draw in mind, just moving the pawn off a Black square.

36. ....  Rb8
37. Rd7 Rxd7
38. Rxd7

And I offered a draw which was accepted. A clearly even position.


Swale v Maidstone

Keith Nevols (134) 1/2-1/2 Robert Lane (157)
Tyrone Jefferies (116) 1/2-1/2 Ian Clark (141)
Andrew Gillard (113) 1-0 Christopher Wise (79)
Will Foster (45) 0-1 Robert Cox (63)

Swale 2-2 Maidstone

Game 47 - club match. Weald of Kent v Swale

Weald of Kent vs Swale - Fuller Cup - Board One
Thursday 23 January 2017
White: C. Oram (110) - Black: K. Nevols (134)

Another visit to Cranbrook Library, which is becoming one of my favourite places to play chess.

1. d4 Nf6
2. Bf4

White plays a system unfamiliar to me, so I just develop normally.

2. .....  d6
3. e3 g6
4. c3 Bg7
5. Bd3

Well, I have no idea what White is doing now. He has set up his pawns on black squares and delayed development of the knights. I decided to exploit the fact that his black-squared bishop is now cut off from the defence of his queenside.

5. ....  c6
6. Ne2 Qb6

The threat to the b-pawn is a bluff. If, for example, 7. Nd2 Qxb2?? then 8. Nc4 wins the queen (8. ... Qb5 9. Nxd6+).

7. b3 c5

Continuing development by preparing the develop the knight.

8. O-O Nc6
9. a4



I did not understand this move which weakens the queenside, especially the b3 point, and I could only guess it was to plan Bb5. Now Black could play 9. ... e5 grabbing the initiative. For example, either 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Bg3 O-O with Be6 to come, or 10. Bg5 O-O 11. dxc5 dxc5 12. Nd2 Be6.

Instead I just decide to continue to develop and find good squares for the pieces.

9. ...  O-O
10. Nd2 cxd4
11. exd4 Bg4

The idea of this move is just to create a weakness. The computer in the last few moves still prefers breaking in the centre with e5.

12. f3?!

Weakening the e3 square and the diagonal towards the king. A better move would have been 12. h3.

12. ....  Be6

Unlike the computer, I refer to place the bishop on e6 in front of the e-pawn. If one notices the weaknesses on e3 and c3 then the move Nd5 speaks for itself - so White should now consider 13. Nc4 Qc7 14. Bd2 and the position is equal.

13. Rb1

Again a move I did not quite understand, so I carry on probing.

13. ....  Nd5
14. Nc4 Qd8

Playing 14. .. Qc7 was more accurate as here the queen blocks the rooks, but I was concerned about placing the queen on the same diagonal as the bishop. There was probably no need to worry as 15. Bg3 walks into the same tactic we are about to see whereas 15. Bd2 or 15. Ne3 Nxf4 would have removed the bishop from the diagonal.



Now White must play 15. Bd2 and I am not sure how I would have continued, 15. .. a6 maybe, but instead ...

15. Bg3??

A blunder that loses two pawns.

15. ....  Nxc3
16. Nxc3 Bxd4+
17. Bf2 Bxc3

So out of nowhere I am suddenly two pawns up and have a passed d-pawn. My next task was to consolidate as I anticipated White, with his two bishops and knight, would now try to stir up some activity.

18. Qc2 Bf6

I preferred this slightly more active spot to Bg7 which also defends the e7 pawn.

19. Rfd1?

Another mistake. White should have played 19. b4. Now I force the win of more material.

19. ...   Nb4
20. Qe2 Nxd3
21. Rxd3 Bf5
22. Rbd1 Bxd3
23. Rxd3



So now I am an exchange and two pawns ahead. White now aims for counterplay by attacking down the centre files.

23. ...   Qd7
24. Ne3 Rfc8
25. g3

Making some space along the bank rank. The moves I was keeping an eye on was Nd5 and then Re3. Here though Black should play 25. ... Rc1+ 26. Kg2 R8c8

25. ...  Qe6
26. Qd2 Bg5
27. f4 Bh6

The intention here is to relocate the bishop to f8 - a passive but defensive spot out of the range of a knight on d5. (28. Nd5 Qd7 29. Re3 Bf8 30. Qe1 Re8 31. Rc3 - planning Nc7 - Rac8 32. Bxa7 Rxc3 33. Nxc3 Bg7 - White gives up a pawn to get a set of rooks off).

28. Nc4 Rc7

Doubling up - although Black might get away with 28. .. Rxc4 29. bxc4 Qxc4 entering an ending where he is three pawns up.

29. Ne3

A change of mind. 29. Qa5 is more active and exploits the brief un-coordination in the black ranks, although 29. .. b6 is possible because of 30. Bxb6 Rxc4! 31. bxc4 Qe4 32. Re3 Qb1+ and Qxb6 or 30. Nxb6 Rc1+ 31. Kg2 Qe4+ and axb6.

29. ....   Rac8
30. Nd5 Rc1+
31. Kg2 Qe4+
32. Kh3 R1c2

An improvement was 32. .. Bf8! defending the e-pawn so that Black can think about Qh1.

White now forces the queens off and gets a pawn back.



33. Qe3 Qxe3
34. Bxe3 Kf8
35. Bxa7

White now has a pawn majority on the queenside as his card to play.

35. ...  Bg7
36. Nb6 R8c3
37. Rxc3 Rxc3
38. b4 Ke8

I've got to get the king in that direction to avoid any accidents.

39. Nd5 Rc4
40. a5 e6

Winning a pawn.

41. Nb6 Rxb4
42. Na8

I remembered a previous game of mine where the knight ended up in the corner (Game 10). Now Black can win the a-pawn with 42. ... Ra4 and Bc3.

42. ...  Kd7
43. Nb6+ Kd8
44. Na8 Bd4
45. Bb8 d5
46. Bc7+ Kd7



At this stage, all the other games had finished. White is running out of moves and so decided to resign.

As the other games had ended in draws, I was pleased to win the match for the team, but I have to admit that the queenside play towards the end did concern me.


Weald of Kent v Swale

Clive Oram (112) 0-1 Keith Nevols (134)
David Warrick (108) 1/2-1/2 Tyrone Jefferies (116)
Mark Homer (107) 1/2-1/2 Andrew Gillard (113)
Alex Garfield (111) 1/2-1/2 Anthony Fletcher (74)

Weald of Kent 1.5-2.5 Swale

Game 46 - club match. Rochester v Tunbridge Wells

Rochester vs Tunbridge Wells - Stephenson Cup - Board Four
Thursday 10 January 2017
White: K. Nevols (134) - Black: R. Goodfellow (160)

The first game of the year. I had a good second half of 2016 and was on a run of six consecutive wins. My last twelve games had seen ten wins, two draws and no losses. But as you start a new year, new beginnings and all that, I had a fear my luck was going to change.

This was my first game for Rochester and, as I was told, we were 'with the big boys now'. So it was that my first opponent was a 160 grade - my highest graded opponent in a match since Game Three. I settled down for a tough contest.

1. e4 c5
2. Nc3

The Closed Sicilian makes another appearance.

2. ....   e6
3. f4 a6

Unusual to play this so early but I wondered if my opponent was used to playing the Sicilian Najdorf which features this move.

4. Nf3 d6

Now 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 would transpose into the Open Sicilian - the Najdorf variation with 6. f4. In this position White's most common moves have been 7. Qf3, 7. Be2, 7. Bd3 and 7. Be3. There's probably mountains of theory on this and a few books somewhere.

5. Be2

But I am not one for theory so will just stick to the usual developing plan.

5. ...   Qc7

With the queen slightly dislodged there could be an argument now for transposing with 6. d4. If 6. .. cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nf6 8. Be3 White does not look too bad.

6. O-O Nbd7
7. Qe1 Ngf6
8. d3 b5



So Black sets out his plan. He is going to delay kingside development to attack and gain space on the queenside.

My thought process now went as follows.

1. Kasparov would probably think about 8. e5 here, sacrificing a pawn for some initiative.
2. I am not Kasparov.
3. However, I want to sacrifice a pawn - can I make it work?
4. 9. e5 dxe5 10. fxe5 Nxe5 11. Nxe5 Qxe5 and if 12. Bf4 then 12. ... Qd4+ - so that's nothing.

An alternative in this last line is 12. Bf3 Qxe1 13. Rxe1 Ra7 14. Bf4. Does White have enough for his pawn? He is threatening Bb8 Rd7; Bc6 or Bb8 Re7; Bc6+ Bd7; Bb7. The computer's recommendation after 14. Bf4 is for Black to play 14. .. b4 then 15. Nd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd5 a5 with Bb7 to follow.

Instead I decide to move the king so that there is no check for Black down the a7-g1 diagonal. In the system I play, I usually have to move it sooner or later anyway.

9. Kh1 Rb8?!

Now this surprised me. 9. .. b4 might have been better or even 9. .. Be7 although there might be some useful tactics to come with a later White Qg3.

The pawn sacrifice variation is now re-opened because the queen and rook are now on the same diagonal and Bf4 after the exchanges would skewer them both. I looked around for other moves but thought why not?

10. e5!? dxe5
11. fxe5

Now White has an advantage - if 11. .. Nxe5 then simply 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Bf4.
One other line I looked at was 11. .. b4 then 12. exf6 bxc3 13. exg7 Bxg7 14. bxc3. White gets his pawn back and there are chances of a kingside offensive with Ng5.

Black however finds a good move.

11. ....   Ng4
12. Ne4

12. Bf4 was probably better but I liked this move, hitting the d6 square and maybe heading for g5.
If now 12. ... Ngxe5 then 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bf4 looks strong. Black can't play 14. ... Bd6 because of 15. Nxd6 Qxd6 16. Qg3. Black could try 14. ... f6 15. Bh5+ Kd8 and I think White has got good play for his pawn.

12. ...   Rb6

A sensible precaution moving off the diagonal and protecting the d6 square.



13. Bd2?!

This is a waste of a move. The bishop should have gone straight to f4. 14. Ba5 is not really a threat as the e3 square is then free for Black's knight. For example, 13. .... Bb7 14. Ba5 Ne3 15. Rf2 Nxc2. However if White finds 15. Qg3! Nxf1 16. Rxf1 then he keeps the advantage.
Black decides to play it safe and White finds the right move on the second occasion.

13. ....  Qb8
14. Bf4 f6

White could now play 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 O-O 17. Nd2! Nge5 18. Ne4. But I did not want yet to simply the position and decided to develop the queen to keep the pressure on.

15. Qg3 Ngxe5
16. Nxe5 Nxe5
17. Bh5+ Kd8

So I am a pawn down but with a good attack as compensation. I was not sure in my ability to finish him off however. Black's defence has been good so far.

18. Rae1?!

After I played this move, I saw the Ng5 trick. Black is allowed one move which he uses to defend the g7 point.

18. .....   Qc7
19. Ng5!



But I was really pleased to get this move in. The threats are pouring in now - all of White's pieces are attacking. The computer gives this position a White advantage of +1.5. Black now went into the tank for a big think and came up with the best defence.

19. ....   Bd6!
20. Bxe5 fxg5!

I had not seen this move. Now White should play 21. Rf7! Bd7 22. Qxg5+ Kc8 23. Qxg7 and his position is overwhelming. The computer gives the line 23. ... Bxe5 24. Rxe5 Rd8 25. Qg5 h6 26. Qe3 c4 27. bxc4 dxc4 28. Rc5 Rc6 29. Rxc6 Qxc6.

But although White's position is very good - Black has defended very well and it is not easy to get the ball in the net.

21. Qxg5+ Qe7
22. Qxg7 Qxg7
23. Bxg7 Rg8

With the queens off, White's attack is much weaker and Black can try to move the bishops to attack the White king. I am a pawn up so my plan now is to round up the h-pawn and swap off pieces. With this in mind 24. Bf6+ would now be best forcing one exchange (24. .. Kc7 or 24. Kd7 then 25. Bf7).

24. Rf7 Bb7



25. Bf6+?

White fails to adapt to the changed circumstances and begins to lose his way. Playing the bishop to g4 attacking e6 is best.

25. ...   Kc8
26. Bf3 Bxf3
27. gxf3 Rf8
28. Rxf8 Bxf8

OK, so I am now a pawn up. I thought I must have at least a draw here.

29. Rg1 Kd7
30. Rg8 Ke8
31. Bg7 Kf7
32. Rxf8+ Kxg7

And now the bishops are gone.

33. Rc8 c4



Now I was thinking of cashing out with 34. dxc4 bxc4 35. Rxc4 Rxb2 36. a4 and a draw offer. I had an extra pawn and all the pawns are isolated, and Black, considering he had been under pressure for most of the game, might have taken it with relief.

Instead I still try to win - and pride comes before .... 

34. d4 Rd6
35. c3 e5!

Brilliant. Black temporarily sacs a pawn to allow the Rook to cause some mischief.

36. dxe5 Rd1+
37. Kg2 Rd2+
38. Kg3 Rxb2

Now White should play 39. a4. If he can take both Black's queenside pawns he will have a draw in hand. Instead I play a disastrous sequence allowing his King to advance.

39. Rc7+ Kg6
40. Rc6+ Kf5
41. f4?

Why not 41. Rxa6 Kxe5 42. Rb6? The answer is that I am still thinking of winning the game.

41. .....  Rc2
42. Rf6+ Ke4
43. Rxa6

At last - the problem is that all those wasted rook moves have resulted in the Black king and rook both being far better placed.

43. ....   Rxc3+
44. Kg4 Rc2
45. e6 Rg2+
46. Kh3 Rg7



Now 47. Rb6 and it will soon be time to shake hands.

47. f5? Kxf5
48. Ra5 Kxe6
49. Rxb5 Rc7!
50. Rb2 c3

Now it is all over - Black's king can just advance to shepherd the pawn home.

51. Rc2 Kd5
52. Rg2 c2
53. Rg5+ Ke6

And I now resigned. Perhaps one of the worst rook endings I have ever played. Black deserves great credit for the defence in the middle game and the way he managed to turn the tables. He told me afterwards that 19. Ng5! was a move he had not seen at all but still managed to find the right defence. Nevertheless the lesson here is to know when to cash out for a draw or, as the song goes, know when to hold them and know when to fold them.

Rochester v Tunbridge Wells

Keith Hyde (167) 1/2-1/2 Robert Jacobs (172)
Trefor Owens (167) 1/2-1/2 Jerry Anstead (165)
Chris Marshall (143) 1/2-1/2 C Lucjan Karpinski (163)
Keith Nevols (134) 0-1 Russell Goodfellow (160)
Jerry Pol (124) 0-1 Hugh Tassell (147)
Tyrone Jefferies (116) 1/2-1/2 James Robertson (106)

Rochester 2-4 Tunbridge Wells