Where Was I Wrong?

This was a tough game. I enjoyed the challenge. I played with a decent  plan of controlling the center. Of course, I lost. But what exactly did I do wrong?



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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Practicing The QGD: Game 1

Thanks to IM Jeremy Silman's interesting article, I've decided to take up the QGD as my opening against everything except 1. e4. I plan to gradually improve my understanding of this opening by playing it.


My goals: 
a) To be able to play the QGD with confidence against strong opposition
b) To simultaneously hone my positional understanding.

Okay, then. Here's my first game in the series.

Key Moves:


7. Ne5 - I didn't understand the purpose behind this move. I guess it was to hit the d7 where I'd like to develop my N/b8. Since there was no immediate threat, I decided to solidify my pawn on d5.

10. ...Ba5 - Because I thought if 10. ...Bxc3 11. bxc3, then White could nicely take charge of the b-file.

14. e5 - At this point I couldn't find a comfortable home for my Knight. I thought of taking the path f6-e8-d6, but I couldn't analyze in depth the possibility 14. ...Ne8 15. Bh6 Ng7. So I gave up that attempt. What I did play was obviously worse.

15. f3 - I think this was a mistake. My opponent allows my Knight to expose his King before bidding the world farewell.

18. Bh6 - This insatiable hunger for material marked the beginning of my opponent's end.



All constructive advice that could help me get closer to either/both of these goals is always welcome (please note: I can digest only descriptive advice).

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Many thanks.
Prady.
Fun at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Slight Improvement

I have begun seeing a slight improvement in my style of play these days. Of course, I'm still too far from my goal. But I believe I'm on the right track with less fear and more confidence. I'm finding it easier against the level of challenge I have been facing, as in the following game. I plan to take on the next higher level soon.



---
Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Blunders

Too many mistakes. The result is obvious.



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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Moriatti

Today I'd like to share one of four games I played on Chess.com against nick Moriatti. This was short and sweet (short for me, and sweet for my opponent). I'd be glad of any suggestions for improvement.




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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

Playing Against a Novice

When I had learned the game a few years ago, I had naturally suffered many a losses against better players. Each loss would nibble off a bit of my self-esteem, and as many as four losses in a row would leave me utterly disheartened and unwilling to play another game for the next few months.

There were times when I thought that my opponents had mastered some mysterious formulae that ensured that I would blunder my way to their advantage. I also imagined that those formulae bordered on the occult, and were available only to members of some mysterious society. Of course, now I know how ludicrous that sounds.

Playing against a novice today, I saw reflections from my past. I felt very sad when my opponent blundered away his pieces starting with an exchange of his Queen for my Bishop as early as on move 7. Time and time again I wanted to ask my opponent to take a move back and reconsider his options. But I played on.

I will not say I did a great job; I still have a long way to go on the path of improvement. But I'm willing to teach my opponent (or any novice) whatever I have understood thus far.

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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/

The Thirteenth Move

I was not happy with my thirteenth move in the first game. I had a choice between 13...f6 and 13...Nf6. I had played 13...Nf6 because it threatened the enemy Queen. But I felt terribly uncomfortable after playing it. Imagine my delight when my opponent allowed me to pull off a back-rank mate!

After the game my opponent claimed that he was distracted toward the end. He did not tell me what he was distracted by, but requested a rematch. I agreed with two conditions: a) that we play the same colors again, and b) that our first twelve moves, and his thirteenth move, remain the same. I wanted to try 13...f6 this time. It was agreed.

Even after the second game, I thought we both could have played much better. However, my opponent has left without any comments. He seemed to have a terrible headache.

Below are both games.

First game (13...Nf6):



Second game (13...f6):



Do let me know what you think.


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Many thanks.
Prady.
More links at http://www.facebook.com/groups/195960723787552/