Despite trying to enforce a no blitz policy in favor of more study and longer games with analysis, I found myself participating in one of the Twitter chess community’s blitz tournaments this past weekend. I joined late because I was finishing some adult duties, but still managed to get in 5 games of 5 minute blitz. I briefly annotated them so enjoy…
In my first game I got paired with Twitter user @wmiltti . We’ve played a few games before and he’s a tough opponent so I knew I was in for a fight.
[Event "Twitter Blitz Tournament https://lichess.org/tournament/xVvchx6i"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/8N7mlxJd"]
[Date "2019.10.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "show_me_patzer"]
[Black "FletchMK64"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "1886"]
[BlackElo "2064"]
[TimeControl "300+0"]
[Termination "Time forfeit"]
[UTCDate "2019.10.27"]
[UTCTime "23:27:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A16"]
[Opening "English Opening: Anglo-Indian Defense, Anglo-Grünfeld Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/show_me_patzer"]
1. c4 { [%clk 0:05:00] } Nf6 { [%clk 0:05:00] } 2. Nc3 { [%clk 0:04:58] } d5 { [%clk 0:04:59] } 3. cxd5 { [%clk 0:04:57] } Nxd5 { [%clk 0:04:59] } 4. Nf3 { [%clk 0:04:54] } Nxc3 { [%clk 0:04:55] } (4... g6 { is the more common move when } 5. Qa4+ Bd7 6. Qb3 Nb6 7. d4 Bg7 8. e4 { seems to be a nice position for White. }) 5. bxc3 { [%clk 0:04:53] } g6 { [%clk 0:04:54] } 6. g3 { [%clk 0:04:49] } (6. h4 { Pushing the h pawn is all the rage these days so why not? } 6... Bg7 { Other moves are possible too, for instance 6…h5 seems fine. } 7. h5 c5 8. g3 (8. Qa4+ Qd7 9. Qh4 { is an interesting try that was played in a game between Aronian and Kamsky in 2009. I don’t think Black is in any danger, but it’s different enough to be fun. }) 8... Nc6 9. Bg2 { This position has been played successfully on several occasions by the big boys. White plan on playing Rb1, hxg6, Rxh8, and then swing the queen to the h file with Qa4. }) 6... Bg7 { [%clk 0:04:45] } 7. Bg2 { [%clk 0:04:48] } c5 { [%clk 0:04:42] } 8. O-O { [%clk 0:04:45] } O-O { [%clk 0:04:41] } 9. Qb3 { [%clk 0:04:31] } (9. Rb1 { is a good option also. Like 9.Qb3 it puts pressure down the b file and getting the rook off the a1-h8 diagonal prevents any tricks later in the game. }) 9... Nc6 { [%clk 0:04:33] } 10. d3 { [%clk 0:04:26] } Qc7 { [%clk 0:04:21] } 11. Be3 { [%clk 0:04:19] } Be6 { [%clk 0:04:07] } 12. Qb5 { At first glance it looks like I’m gambiting the c pawn, but if Black takes then White gets active play down the c file. } { [%clk 0:03:58] } 12... Bxc3 { [%clk 0:03:10] } 13. Rac1 { [%clk 0:03:52] } Bg7 { [%clk 0:03:05] } (13... Bb4 14. Bxc5 a6 15. Qa4 Bxc5 16. Rxc5 { White has good play down the open b and c files. }) 14. Bxc5 { [%clk 0:03:36] } a6 { [%clk 0:02:47] } 15. Qb1 { [%clk 0:03:33] } Qd7 { [%clk 0:02:37] } 16. Rfd1 { [%clk 0:03:20] } Rac8 { [%clk 0:02:05] } 17. d4 { [%clk 0:03:05] } Bf5 { [%clk 0:01:50] } 18. e4 { [%clk 0:02:55] } Bg4 { [%clk 0:01:48] } 19. d5 { [%clk 0:02:40] } Ne5 { [%clk 0:01:29] } 20. Qb3? { Oops, I miscalculated that I could actually take the knight on e5. } { [%clk 0:02:37] } (20. Nxe5 { Was the move to play here. Black doesn’t have time to take the rook on d1 because his queen is threatened. } 20... Bxe5 21. f3) 20... Nxf3+? { Returning the favor. } { [%clk 0:01:05] } (20... Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Bh6 { Surprisingly the rook doesn’t have a safe square to go to. It has to stay on the c file to protect the dark squared bishop, but if } 22. Rc2 b6 23. Bd4 Nxf3+ 24. Kg2 (24. Qxf3 Rxc2) 24... Nxd4 25. Rxd4 { Black is up a bishop and White has zero compensation. }) 21. Bxf3 { [%clk 0:02:33] } Bxf3 { [%clk 0:01:04] } 22. Qxf3 { [%clk 0:02:32] } Bh6 { [%clk 0:01:01] } 23. Be3 { [%clk 0:02:25] } Bxe3 { [%clk 0:00:59] } 24. Qxe3 { [%clk 0:02:25] } Rxc1 { [%clk 0:00:57] } 25. Rxc1 { [%clk 0:02:23] } Rc8 { [%clk 0:00:57] } 26. Rb1 { [%clk 0:02:06] } b5 { [%clk 0:00:53] } 27. Qb6 { [%clk 0:01:52] } Qg4 { [%clk 0:00:36] } (27... Qd6 28. Qxd6 exd6 { is equal. }) 28. Qxa6 { [%clk 0:01:45] } Rc2 { [%clk 0:00:34] } 29. Qxb5 { [%clk 0:01:33] } Qf3 { [%clk 0:00:24] } (29... Qxe4 { Keeps things equal, but it’s understandable that Black is going for the attack on f2. }) 30. Qb8+ { [%clk 0:01:19] } Kg7 { [%clk 0:00:22] } 31. Qe5+ { [%clk 0:01:13] } Kh6 { [%clk 0:00:14] } 32. Qf4+ { [%clk 0:01:06] } (32. Rf1 Rxa2 33. Qxe7 { Seems winning for White. }) 32... Qxf4 { [%clk 0:00:14] } 33. gxf4 { [%clk 0:01:06] } Rxa2 { [%clk 0:00:13] } 34. Kg2 { [%clk 0:01:00] } Ra4 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 35. f3 { [%clk 0:00:53] } Ra2+ { [%clk 0:00:11] } 36. Kg3 { [%clk 0:00:52] } Kg7 { [%clk 0:00:11] } 37. Rb7 { [%clk 0:00:46] } Kf8 { [%clk 0:00:08] } 38. Rb8+ { [%clk 0:00:44] } Kg7 { [%clk 0:00:08] } 39. Re8 { [%clk 0:00:41] } Ra7 { [%clk 0:00:06] } 40. h4 { [%clk 0:00:37] } Rd7 { [%clk 0:00:06] } 41. Kg4 { [%clk 0:00:32] } f6 { At this point I was feeling pretty confident. I had half a minute to Black’s 5 seconds and with no increment all I should have had to do was make safe moves fairly quickly and collected the full point. } { [%clk 0:00:05] } 42. f5 { [%clk 0:00:27] } h5+ { [%clk 0:00:05] } 43. Kf4 { [%clk 0:00:25] } Kf7 { [%clk 0:00:04] } 44. Ra8 { Unfortunately, I used about half my time on the last several moves while Black has only used 1 second. } { [%clk 0:00:17] } 44... g5+ { [%clk 0:00:04] } 45. hxg5 { [%clk 0:00:16] } fxg5+ { [%clk 0:00:04] } 46. Kxg5 { [%clk 0:00:15] } h4 { [%clk 0:00:03] } 47. Kxh4 { [%clk 0:00:14] } Kf6 { [%clk 0:00:03] } 48. Kg4 { [%clk 0:00:13] } Ke5 { [%clk 0:00:03] } 49. Ra6 { [%clk 0:00:10] } Kd4 { [%clk 0:00:03] } 50. Re6 { [%clk 0:00:08] } Ke3 { [%clk 0:00:02] } 51. f6 { [%clk 0:00:06] } exf6 { [%clk 0:00:02] } 52. Rxf6 { Now we’re about even on the clock and I was paying more attention to how to win the position instead of the time. } { [%clk 0:00:05] } 52... Re7 { [%clk 0:00:01] } 53. Re6 { [%clk 0:00:02] } Rg7+ { [%clk 0:00:01] } 54. Kf5 { [%clk 0:00:00] } Rg8 { 0-1 Black wins on time. } { And that’s how you lose a won position in blitz. } { [%clk 0:00:01] } 0-1
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After narrowly missing a win in my first game I was ready to get some points in my second. I faced Twitter user @Geo_Physical whom I’ve never played before, but will have to play soon in the Twitter Chess Tournament II so it was a bonus to get a feel for how he plays (even though that tournament is rapid and not blitz).
[Event "Twitter Blitz Tournament https://lichess.org/tournament/xVvchx6i"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/Npl95i5V"]
[Date "2019.10.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "show_me_patzer"]
[Black "Spirkoskii"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "1882"]
[BlackElo "1569"]
[TimeControl "300+0"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[UTCDate "2019.10.27"]
[UTCTime "23:28:57"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A38"]
[Opening "English Opening: Symmetrical Variation, Full Symmetry Line"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/show_me_patzer"]
1. c4 { [%clk 0:05:00] } c5 { [%clk 0:05:00] } 2. Nc3 { [%clk 0:04:59] } Nc6 { [%clk 0:04:58] } 3. Nf3 { [%clk 0:04:57] } Nf6 { [%clk 0:04:56] } 4. g3 { [%clk 0:04:55] } (4. d4 { is another popular move when } 4... cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. g3 Qb6 7. Nb3 Ne5 8. e4 Bb4 9. Qe2 d6 10. Bd2 { is equal. }) 4... g6 { [%clk 0:04:53] } 5. Bg2 { [%clk 0:04:53] } Bg7 { [%clk 0:04:52] } 6. d4 { [%clk 0:04:51] } cxd4 { [%clk 0:04:49] } 7. Nxd4 { [%clk 0:04:50] } Nxd4 { [%clk 0:04:47] } (7... Qb6 8. Nb3 d6 (8... Ne5 { doesn’t work so well this time after } 9. c5) 9. O-O Ne5 { Going after the c pawn with the knight is still problematic. } (9... O-O 10. Be3 Qd8 11. h3 Be6 12. Nd5 { White enjoys the sort of nagging edge that I’ve come to like about the English. I can play Rc1, Qd2, Rfd1, and can potentially look to neutralize Black’s dark squared bishop with Bh6. }) (9... Be6 10. Nd5 { is okay for White. }) 10. Be3 Qd8 11. c5 O-O 12. cxd6 exd6 { With active diagonals for the bishops and open files for the rooks, White has an advantage. }) 8. Qxd4 { [%clk 0:04:49] } O-O { [%clk 0:04:45] } 9. Qd3 { [%clk 0:04:44] } Rb8 { [%clk 0:04:41] } 10. O-O { [%clk 0:04:41] } b6 { [%clk 0:04:32] } 11. e4 { [%clk 0:04:36] } e5? { This leaves the d pawn backwards and subject to attack down the d file. I also found the possibility of sinking a knight on d6 irresistable. } { [%clk 0:04:23] } 12. Nb5 { [%clk 0:04:31] } (12. b3 { It was maybe a little better to get the bishop into the game before trying to sink the knight on d6. } 12... Bb7 (12... d6 13. Ba3 Ne8 14. Rad1 Be6 15. Nb5 Rb7 16. f4 { Black has to be careful because White has a lot of pressure on the center. }) 13. Ba3 Re8 14. Nb5 Bc6 15. Nd6 { Seems good for White. }) 12... a6 { [%clk 0:04:04] } 13. Nd6 { [%clk 0:04:27] } Ne8 { [%clk 0:03:58] } 14. Nxc8 { It usually doesn’t hurt to have the bishop pair. } { [%clk 0:04:12] } 14... Rxc8 { [%clk 0:03:58] } 15. b3 { [%clk 0:04:10] } d6 { [%clk 0:03:22] } 16. Ba3 { [%clk 0:03:56] } f6? { Weakening the light squares seems like it’s asking for trouble. } { [%clk 0:02:58] } 17. Rad1 { [%clk 0:03:41] } Rc6?? { [%clk 0:02:50] } 18. Qd5+ { 1-0 Black resigns. } { Black is losing a rook which is a lot, but it is blitz so playing on might have been a good idea. } { [%clk 0:03:35] } 1-0
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My third game found me playing another strong opponent, Twitter user @ChessBlackWhite . I’ve not had the pleasure of playing him yet, but knew him to be a strong player. I made some questionable decisions in the opening, but kept playing and managed to get a draw after both of us missed some opportunities.
[Event "Twitter Blitz Tournament https://lichess.org/tournament/xVvchx6i"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/RueGtkDY"]
[Date "2019.10.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "chessinblackandwhite"]
[Black "show_me_patzer"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[WhiteElo "2010"]
[BlackElo "1884"]
[TimeControl "300+0"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[UTCDate "2019.10.27"]
[UTCTime "23:29:22"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B02"]
[Opening "Alekhine Defense: Scandinavian Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/show_me_patzer"]
1. e4 { [%clk 0:05:00] } Nf6 { [%clk 0:05:00] } 2. Nc3 { This move is mildly annoying in that it’s entirely too common. Lots of White players are either not sure what do do against the Alekhine or are trying to transpose. If you play the Alekhine, then you need to be ready to meet it. } { [%clk 0:04:58] } 2... d5 { [%clk 0:04:59] } (2... e5 { Transposes into the Vienna or a Four Knights (after 3.Nf3 Nc6). Some Alekhine books recommend this transposition which I think is a copout. }) 3. exd5 { [%clk 0:04:57] } (3. e5 { Is another popular option. } 3... Nfd7 { There are other options here (3…Ne4 and 3…d4), but this is my favorite. } 4. d4 c5 5. f4 cxd4 6. Nb5 (6. Qxd4 e6 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2 { Is fine for Black. }) 6... Nc6 7. Nf3 Ndb8 8. Nbxd4 Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 10. Nxf3 e6 { Black gets a French structure where the problematic light squared bishop has been traded off. }) 3... Nxd5 { [%clk 0:04:58] } 4. Bc4 { [%clk 0:04:56] } (4. Nxd5 Qxd5 { Happens quite a bit, especially against lower rated players that think by trading off pieces they are making things easier. } 5. d4 Nc6 6. Be3 e5 { Black is already completely fine. }) 4... Nb6 { [%clk 0:04:54] } (4... c6 5. Qf3 Nf6 6. h3 Nbd7 7. Qe2 Nb6 8. Bb3 Bf5 9. Nf3 e6 { White has a slight plus, but Black has a solid structure similar to the Caro-Kann or Scandinavian. }) 5. Bb3 { [%clk 0:04:55] } c5 { [%clk 0:04:53] } (5... Nc6 { This move is the more popular reply for Black. } 6. Nf3 Bf5 7. d4 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. Re1 O-O { White might enjoy a slight plus, but Black once again enjoys a solid position. }) 6. d3 { [%clk 0:04:51] } c4? { Sacrificing a pawn because I thought White would lose the ability to castle and I would get some quick development. After I played it I realized White doesn’t have to take back with his king as the knight on c3 also protects the queen. } { [%clk 0:04:49] } (6... Nc6 7. Nf3 Bf5 (7... Bg4 { In positions where White has a bishop on the a2-f8 diagonal it is important to remember that this move is a mistake because } 8. Bxf7+ Kxf7 9. Ng5+ Kg8 10. Qxg4 { leaves White a pawn up and (more importantly) Black’s position is in shambles. }) 8. O-O e6 { Would be fine for Black. }) 7. dxc4 { [%clk 0:04:48] } Qxd1+ { [%clk 0:04:48] } 8. Nxd1 { [%clk 0:04:47] } Nc6 { [%clk 0:04:37] } 9. Nf3 { [%clk 0:04:42] } Bg4 { [%clk 0:04:32] } 10. Nd2 { Seems awkward, but White is still up a pawn. } { [%clk 0:04:31] } 10... O-O-O { [%clk 0:04:19] } 11. Ne3 { [%clk 0:04:28] } Be6 { Trying to put enough pressure on c4 to regain the pawn, but on the other hand it makes it harder to get the dark squared bishop into the game. } { [%clk 0:04:13] } 12. O-O { [%clk 0:04:26] } Na5 { [%clk 0:03:57] } 13. c5 { [%clk 0:04:17] } Nxb3 { [%clk 0:03:49] } 14. Nxb3 { [%clk 0:04:14] } Nc4 { [%clk 0:03:43] } 15. Nxc4 { [%clk 0:04:09] } Bxc4 { [%clk 0:03:43] } 16. Re1 { Taking stock of the position Black is still down a pawn, but at least has the bishop pair to show for it. White still has an advantage, but Black’s not out of the game (especially in a blitz game). } { [%clk 0:04:06] } 16... e6 { [%clk 0:03:42] } 17. Be3 { [%clk 0:03:57] } Be7 { [%clk 0:03:38] } 18. Rad1 { [%clk 0:03:50] } (18. Nd2 Bd5 19. a4 { Mobilizing the queenside pawn mass seems like a strong idea for White. }) 18... Bf6 { [%clk 0:03:34] } 19. c3 { [%clk 0:03:45] } Bxb3 { [%clk 0:03:30] } 20. axb3 { [%clk 0:03:43] } Rxd1 { [%clk 0:03:21] } 21. Rxd1 { [%clk 0:03:41] } Rd8 { [%clk 0:03:20] } 22. Rxd8+ { [%clk 0:03:24] } Kxd8 { I thought exchanging off pieces would give me some chances to play against the double set of doubled queenside pawns. After all the exchanges though it seemed a daunting task. } { [%clk 0:03:18] } 23. Kf1 { [%clk 0:03:23] } Kc7 { [%clk 0:03:17] } 24. Ke2 { [%clk 0:03:22] } Kc6 { [%clk 0:03:17] } 25. Kd3 { [%clk 0:03:20] } h5 { [%clk 0:03:12] } 26. h3 { [%clk 0:03:18] } g6 { [%clk 0:03:10] } 27. Bd4 { [%clk 0:03:14] } Be7 { [%clk 0:03:07] } 28. b4 { [%clk 0:03:12] } Kb5 { [%clk 0:03:00] } 29. b3 { [%clk 0:03:07] } f6 { [%clk 0:02:51] } 30. c6? { [%clk 0:02:51] } bxc6? { [%clk 0:02:44] } (30... Kxc6 31. Bxa7 b6 32. Bb8 e5 33. Ke4 h4 34. b5+ Kb7 35. Bxe5 fxe5 36. Kxe5 { Black has the bishop, but White has three pawns for it. The game should probably be a draw, but both sides are going to need to play carefully. }) 31. Bxa7 { [%clk 0:02:47] } e5 { [%clk 0:02:23] } 32. Ke4 { [%clk 0:02:40] } Bd6 { [%clk 0:01:59] } 33. Be3 { [%clk 0:02:31] } f5+ { My only hope for saving the game is to try and distract White on the kingside somehow. } { [%clk 0:01:53] } 34. Kd3 { [%clk 0:02:28] } Be7 { [%clk 0:01:40] } 35. Bd2 { [%clk 0:02:25] } e4+ { [%clk 0:01:31] } 36. Kd4 { [%clk 0:02:10] } Bf6+ { [%clk 0:01:29] } 37. Ke3 { [%clk 0:02:09] } Bg5+ { [%clk 0:01:28] } 38. Ke2 { [%clk 0:02:08] } Bf6 { Black has to keep the bishops on or else the pawn endgame looks winning for White. } { [%clk 0:01:12] } 39. c4+ { [%clk 0:02:04] } Kb6 { [%clk 0:01:09] } 40. f3 { [%clk 0:02:02] } exf3+ { [%clk 0:01:01] } 41. Kxf3 { [%clk 0:02:00] } g5 { I immediately regretted this after I played it as I saw 42.h4 forcing weaknesses in the kingside pawns looked strong. } { [%clk 0:00:54] } (41... h4 { Keeping things tied up on the kingside was called for. }) 42. Be3+ { [%clk 0:01:52] } (42. h4 g4+ 43. Kf4 Bxh4 44. Kxf5 Be7 { It looks like White will be able to collect the kingside pawns and the game will then be over. }) 42... Kc7 { [%clk 0:00:52] } 43. Bc5 { [%clk 0:01:51] } Kd7 { [%clk 0:00:45] } 44. Ke2 { [%clk 0:01:49] } Be5 { [%clk 0:00:41] } 45. b5?! { Now White will be left with doubled pawns that are also isolated which should be much easier to blockade. } { [%clk 0:01:45] } 45... cxb5 { [%clk 0:00:39] } 46. cxb5 { [%clk 0:01:43] } Bd6?? { But this is not the way to go about it. } { [%clk 0:00:33] } 47. b4?? { [%clk 0:01:33] } (47. Bxd6 Kxd6 48. h4 g4 49. Ke3 { While Black is distracted on the queenside, White will pick off his pawns on the kingside. }) 47... g4?? { [%clk 0:00:31] } 48. Ke3?? { [%clk 0:01:30] } (48. Bxd6 { With the same idea as before would be winning. }) 48... f4+ { [%clk 0:00:24] } 49. Kf2 { [%clk 0:01:29] } Bc7 { [%clk 0:00:18] } 50. b6 { [%clk 0:01:10] } Bb8 { [%clk 0:00:17] } 51. b5 { [%clk 0:01:09] } Ke6 { [%clk 0:00:14] } 52. hxg4 { [%clk 0:01:05] } hxg4 { [%clk 0:00:13] } 53. Ke2 { [%clk 0:00:58] } Kd5 { [%clk 0:00:12] } 54. Bf2 { [%clk 0:00:53] } Kc4 { [%clk 0:00:11] } 55. Kd2 { [%clk 0:00:50] } Kxb5 { [%clk 0:00:10] } 56. Kd3 { [%clk 0:00:49] } Kc6 { [%clk 0:00:08] } 57. Ke4 { [%clk 0:00:48] } f3 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 58. gxf3 { [%clk 0:00:46] } gxf3 { [%clk 0:00:05] } 59. Kxf3 { And miraculously Black has reached a drawn position. } { [%clk 0:00:44] } 59... Kb7 { [%clk 0:00:04] } 60. Ke4 { [%clk 0:00:41] } Bc7 { There are other ways to achieve the draw, but with very little time on the clock I needed a way to prove it quickly. This is a move I was quite pleased with and in fact this game was one of my favorites from this tournament because of this miracle save. } { [%clk 0:00:03] } 61. Kd5 { [%clk 0:00:33] } (61. bxc7 Kxc7 { Is also drawn. }) 61... Bxb6 { 1/2-1/2 The game is a draw. } { [%clk 0:00:01] } 1/2-1/2
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My fourth game found me facing Twitter user @bgolz . I got to play a proper Alekhine Defense this time, but made an ill-timed move that gave White a substantial advantage. I was able to cause some problems for him which netted me some material and I was able to go on to win.
[Event "Twitter Blitz Tournament https://lichess.org/tournament/xVvchx6i"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/CFE1VbwX"]
[Date "2019.10.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Moonroof"]
[Black "show_me_patzer"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "1835"]
[BlackElo "1887"]
[TimeControl "300+0"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[UTCDate "2019.10.27"]
[UTCTime "23:29:48"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "B03"]
[Opening "Alekhine Defense"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/show_me_patzer"]
1. e4 { [%clk 0:05:00] } Nf6 { [%clk 0:05:00] } 2. e5 { Excellent, a proper Alekhine this time. } { [%clk 0:04:59] } 2... Nd5 { [%clk 0:04:53] } 3. d4 { [%clk 0:04:58] } Nb6 { An interesting side line played by the Finnish GM Heikki Westerinen. } { [%clk 0:04:51] } (3... d6 { Would be the usual move for Black and can lead to a number of different variations. }) 4. c4 { [%clk 0:04:58] } (4. a4 a5 5. Nf3 d5 6. Bd3 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 e6 { This is a major idea in this line. Black gets a solid French structure, but without the problematic light squared bishop. }) 4... d5 { This has become something of a pet line for me. I’ve won quite a few easy games with it just because I’m familiar with the ideas. } { [%clk 0:04:50] } 5. b3 { [%clk 0:04:38] } (5. exd6 { Transposes into the Exchange Variation and now Black gets to decide whether to make the more solid capture with 5…exd6 or the more provocative 5…cxd6. }) (5. c5 { Is another line that I get quite a bit. It seems that White is pushing Black around, but it’s really one step too far as Black is going to get good play against the advanced pawns. } 5... N6d7 6. Nc3 e6 (6... Nc6 7. e6 { This is a positional sacrifice that Black must be familiar with as it is a possibility in several variations. It can be dangerous and black should have an idea of how to relieve the piece conjestion. } 7... fxe6 8. f4 g6 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. Bb5 Ndb8 11. h4 b6 12. cxb6 axb6 13. h5 Ba6 14. Qe2 Kd7 { This is crazy stuff, but Black managed a draw in the game } { Harika, D. – L’Ami, E., 1/2-1/2, 80th Tata Steel GpB, 2018, https://lichess.org/TuSrsYyo }) 7. Nf3 b6 8. b4 a5 { White must be careful or his impressive pawn center will crumble. }) 5... Bf5 { [%clk 0:04:39] } 6. Nf3 { [%clk 0:04:21] } dxc4 { [%clk 0:04:18] } 7. bxc4 { [%clk 0:04:20] } c5?? { [%clk 0:04:17] } (7... e6 { Black needs to prevent d5 before countering with c5. This is something I’d thought about, but then couldn’t stop my hand before it betrayed me. } 8. c5 Nd5 9. Be2 Be7 10. Qb3 Nc6 11. O-O (11. Qxb7 { White can’t get greedy. } 11... Ndb4 12. Bb5 O-O 13. Bxc6 Rb8 14. Qxa7 Bxc5 15. dxc5 { Obviously not the best move, but highlights how careful White must be. } 15... Nc2+ 16. Kf1 Qd1+ 17. Ne1 Qxe1#) 11... O-O 12. Nc3 b6 { Black is fine. }) 8. d5 { [%clk 0:04:07] } N8d7 { [%clk 0:04:06] } 9. Bd3 { [%clk 0:04:01] } Bxd3 { [%clk 0:04:01] } 10. Qxd3 { [%clk 0:04:01] } g6 { [%clk 0:03:59] } (10... e6 11. O-O exd5 12. cxd5 { Seems very dangerous for Black. }) 11. Bg5 { [%clk 0:03:42] } Qc7?? { [%clk 0:03:53] } (11... Bg7 12. d6 { I played 11…Qc7 because I thought this looked strong, but missed the reply } 12... Nxe5 13. Nxe5 Qxd6 14. Qxd6 exd6 { White’s knight can’t move because the Bishop is eyeing the a1 rook! }) 12. e6 { [%clk 0:02:45] } fxe6 { [%clk 0:03:36] } 13. dxe6?? { [%clk 0:02:45] } (13. Qc3 Nf6 14. Bxf6 exf6 15. dxe6 Bg7 { With a bit of an advantage for Black. }) 13... Ne5 { White’s center dissolves in Black’s favor. } { [%clk 0:03:32] } 14. Nxe5 { [%clk 0:02:00] } Qxe5+ { [%clk 0:03:30] } 15. Be3 { [%clk 0:01:59] } Qxa1 { [%clk 0:03:05] } 16. Bxc5 { [%clk 0:01:58] } Qe5+ { [%clk 0:03:01] } 17. Be3 { [%clk 0:01:57] } Qxe6 { [%clk 0:02:32] } 18. c5 { [%clk 0:01:56] } Nc4 { [%clk 0:02:22] } 19. O-O { [%clk 0:01:53] } Nxe3 { [%clk 0:02:15] } 20. Re1 { [%clk 0:01:52] } Bh6 { [%clk 0:01:36] } 21. fxe3 { [%clk 0:01:43] } O-O { [%clk 0:01:30] } 22. Nc3 { [%clk 0:01:40] } Rad8 { [%clk 0:01:26] } 23. Qe2 { [%clk 0:01:29] } Bg7 { [%clk 0:01:23] } 24. Nb5 { [%clk 0:01:01] } a6 { [%clk 0:01:20] } 25. Nc7? { [%clk 0:01:00] } Qc6 { [%clk 0:01:15] } 26. Nxa6 { [%clk 0:00:54] } bxa6 { White is down a rook and bishop which is just way too much. It might be possible to play the clock as we both had about a minute left, but I think it will be hard to make moves that will cause Black too much trouble. } { [%clk 0:01:12] } 27. Rf1 { 0-1 White resigns. } { [%clk 0:00:52] } 0-1
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Game five saw me paired against Twitter user @saychess1 who I’ve had the opportunity to play a few times. He’s a tough opponent and after I goofed in the opening (again…seems to be a theme in several of these blitz games) I was fortunate to be able to recover and then found a checkmate when my opponent overlooked it.
[Event "Twitter Blitz Tournament https://lichess.org/tournament/xVvchx6i"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/zBMhL7Q8"]
[Date "2019.10.26"]
[Round "-"]
[White "show_me_patzer"]
[Black "SayCh3ss"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "1893"]
[BlackElo "1959"]
[TimeControl "300+0"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[UTCDate "2019.10.27"]
[UTCTime "23:30:09"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A20"]
[Opening "English Opening: King's English Variation"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/show_me_patzer"]
1. c4 { [%clk 0:05:00] } e5 { [%clk 0:02:30] } 2. g3 { [%clk 0:04:58] } Nc6 { [%clk 0:02:29] } 3. Bg2 { [%clk 0:04:57] } b6 { A bit odd, but makes some sense too. Black wants to counter White’s light squared bishop, but I think it is a bit slow and removes some of Black’s better options to counter White’s center (for instance c6 and d5 are now not very likely). } { [%clk 0:02:28] } 4. Nc3 { [%clk 0:04:46] } Bb7 { [%clk 0:02:27] } 5. b4? { Oops, I forgot the Bishop wasn’t still hemmed in behind the pawns. } { [%clk 0:04:42] } (5. Nf3 Rb8 6. O-O Nf6 7. a3 Be7 8. b4 O-O { Seems more than fine for White as he has more space and more options. }) 5... Bxb4 { [%clk 0:02:18] } 6. Nd5 { [%clk 0:04:38] } (6. Bb2 { I wasn’t sure how to make the best of a bad situation, but moving the knight again maybe wasn’t best. Developing some pieces should be a better idea. }) 6... Bd6 { [%clk 0:02:13] } 7. Bb2 { [%clk 0:04:27] } Nge7 { [%clk 0:02:08] } 8. Nh3 { [%clk 0:03:52] } O-O { [%clk 0:02:04] } (8... Nxd5 9. cxd5 Nb4 { Is good for Black as he will soon win the d5 pawn giving him two pawns and White can demonstrate no compensation. }) 9. O-O { [%clk 0:03:50] } Nxd5 { [%clk 0:01:59] } 10. cxd5 { [%clk 0:03:49] } Ne7 { [%clk 0:01:58] } 11. e4 { [%clk 0:03:47] } (11. f4 Ng6 12. e4 f6 { Seems like a reasonable position for White given the circumstances, but Black probably still has a small advantage. }) 11... c6 { [%clk 0:01:55] } 12. d4 { [%clk 0:03:41] } cxd5? { [%clk 0:01:51] } (12... Ng6 13. f4 exd4 14. e5 Bc5 15. Bxd4 cxd5 16. Bxc5 bxc5 17. Bxd5 Bxd5 18. Qxd5 { Is about even despite Black’s extra pawn. Black’s backward d pawn means that his c pawn isn’t completely safe from harm. }) 13. dxe5 { [%clk 0:03:40] } Bc5 { [%clk 0:01:47] } 14. exd5 { White has managed to regain the pawn with a nice position as a bonus. } { [%clk 0:03:38] } 14... d6 { [%clk 0:01:43] } 15. e6 { [%clk 0:02:49] } fxe6 { [%clk 0:01:39] } 16. dxe6 { [%clk 0:02:49] } Bxg2 { [%clk 0:01:38] } 17. Kxg2 { [%clk 0:02:45] } Qc8 { [%clk 0:01:32] } 18. Qg4 { [%clk 0:02:42] } Qb7+ { [%clk 0:01:27] } 19. Kg1 { [%clk 0:02:40] } Ng6 { [%clk 0:01:20] } 20. Ng5 { [%clk 0:02:31] } Ne5 { [%clk 0:01:15] } 21. Qh4 { [%clk 0:02:12] } (21. Bxe5 { Taking out Black’s well posted knight was necessary to keep the any advantage. Instead I got into trouble by going for checkmate threats. } 21... dxe5) 21... h6 { [%clk 0:01:11] } 22. Qe4 { [%clk 0:01:54] } Qe7 { I spent some time wondering how I was going to manage losing the pawn on e6 and almost overlooked } { [%clk 0:00:59] } (22... Qxe4 23. Nxe4 { White’s pawn on e6 now seems pretty weak. }) 23. Qh7# { 1-0 White wins by checkmate. } { [%clk 0:01:30] } 1-0
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Overall a fun way to spend some time during a Saturday afternoon. While my blitz play left a little something to be desired, I wasn’t playing too badly to have some fun. My blitz rating also climbed back over 1900 as a result of this tournament so…thanks fellas for the rating points!
You can follow more of the Twitter Chess action by checking out the hashtags #TwitterChessTournament , #TwitterBlitzTournament , and #chesspunks on Twitter. Also follow @TvvitterChessTournament and check back for some annotated games from this event.