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The
4 Nations Chess League 2007-2008
This
year, the B.C.A. fielded it's strongest teams in this prestigious
league, eventually finishing 5th place with 13 match points, having
won 5 and drawing and losing 3 each. This comprehensively beats
our previous attempts and achieved our main objective of bettering
our former accomplishments. We can be proud to state that we actually
led the tournament, in 1st place, after round 3! In round 4, we
came up against the favourites for the Division 4 promotion, Brown
jack and they duly outplayed us. For the next three rounds, we kept
pace with Brown jack and held 2nd place, which was another promotion
spot. In round 8, we stumbled and narrowly lost to Celtic Tigers,
who managed to leap-frog us into 2nd place. From then onwards, Celtic
took no prisoners and maintained their position and claimed the
only other promotion place. Although our final weekend's performance
was not of our liking, it wouldn't have made any difference and
we can be thoroughly proud of our achievements. The participation
in this wonderful event offers us excellent publicity and having
led the tournament at one stage made people sit up and take notice
of us. Our push for the promotion place made spectators come along
and pay particular attention to us and we can certainly state that
a lot of interest in our association was generated.
This
year, the team was faithfully led by IM Colin crouch and Tyson Mordue,
with myself on board 3. Graham Lilley made his debut in the squad
as well and deputised on board 4, giving the team a resounding and
formidable top heavy team. No other team, initially, could boast
of such strength in depth. Boards 5 and 6 were deputed to Steve
Hilton, Steve Burnell, Norman Wragg, Alastair Irving and Tristram
Cole. I would like to offer my thanks here to all members of the
squad and for those who have readily offered their assistance and
availability. Particular congratulations must be offered towards
Colin and Tyson for their outstanding 81% performances on the top
two boards!
The
upcoming year is going to be more testing and especially with the
Olympiad clashing with the first weekend of the 4NCL, I will certainly
require some assistance in establishing a squad. Since the 4NCl
has now been squashed together now into 3 divisions, there will
be a greater number of teams entering into division 3. This will
make this division exceedingly difficult and the depth of numbers
and complex structuring of the thing may well cause teething problems.
Detailed
reports and games can be viewed on the B.C.A. website at:
http://www.braillechess.org.uk/4ncl/index.html
To
download the games directly, go to:
http://www.braillechess.org.uk/4ncl/4ncl.pgn
Individual
results:
Round
1 - 27/10/2007 vs. Metropolitan
WON
4-2
Round
2 - 28/10/2007 vs. Bristol 2
WON
4-2
Round
3 - 24/11/2007 vs. Grendel's Mother
WON
6-0
Round
4 - 25/11/2007 vs. Brown Jack
LOST
1.5-4.5
Round
5 - 9/2/2008 vs. AMCA Dragons
WON
3.5-2.5
Round
6 - 10/2/2008 vs. Glos. Gambits
WON
3.5-2.5
Round
7 - 15/3/2008 vs. Athenaeum
DREW
3-3
Round
8 - 16/3/2008 vs. Celtic Tigers 1
LOST
2.5-3.5
Round
9 - 3/5/2008 vs. Pontypridd
LOST
2.5-3.5
Round
10 - 4/5/2008 vs. Anglian Avengers 2
DREW
3-3
Round
11 - 5/5/2008 vs. Guildford-A&DC 4
DREW
3-3
Participants:
IM
Colin crouch 9/11
Tyson Mordue 9/11
Chris Ross 6.5/10
Graham Lilley 5/11
Steve Hilton 3.5/8
Steve Burnell 2.5/7
Norman Wragg 1/2
Tristram Cole 0/3
Alastair Irving 0/1
Here
is a perfect illustration of my developing positional comprehension.
Here, I sacrifice material to better my positional plusses, where
no immediate tangible tactical advantage can clearly be identified.
I hope
you find this game of some instructive use and welcome any comments
on this theme.
[Event
"4NCL/Div4/BCA-AATH"]
[Site "Sunningdale, ENG"]
[Date "2008.03.15"]
[Round "7.3"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Pedersen, Carsten"]
[WhiteElo "2141"]
[BlackElo "2149"]
{E10: Nimzo-Indian defence}
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nc6
{A
curious version of the two-knight tango.
Now,
I would know little about this opening, but fortunately, I had 10
minutes to book up on my opponent, see his previous lines and discovered
he played this dubious line. A quick scan of the database and a
good line for white was soon discovered. It became apparent that
a transposition into a line of the Nimzo was white's best variation.
So, I dutifully followed the previously played exploits...}
4.
Nc3 Bb4 5. Qc2 d6 6. Bd2 O-O 7. a3 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Re8 9. e3
{an important idea. White does not wish to blockade with 9. e4 as
he wishes to keep lines open for his bishop pair, which he has gone
to great pains to obtain. Black on the other hand would like nothing
but to have things blockaded, as the dark-squared bishop has been
exchanged, he is striving for a good knight bad bishop ending. Unfortunately
for black, I am the leading expert at such endings and can avoid
them like the plague when required! However, black must continue
on his positional plan; putting pawns on the dark-squares and hoping
to gain some outposts for the black knights.}
9...
a5 10. b3 e511. d5 Nb8
{And
here I came out of my pre-match preparation. I had only discovered
games with 11. ne7, which my opponent had played before. The text-move
seems to be a novelty, which doesn't bode well for him. The preparation
I had lined up was 11. Ne7 12. Bd3 as illustrated in previous games.
Also, 12. nd2 had been played on a number of occasions. White's
plan is obvious, blockade the e4 square with pieces and then thrust
out with f2-f4 and open up the position for the bishop pair. However,
the knight sits on b8 now and prevents 12. bd3 lines due to the
fork 12... e4. There is no rush though. the bishop pair will ultimately
come into its own, so I hope. Therefore, quiet development is required.}
12. Be2 Nbd7
{12..
e4 was possible, but this gives the knight the d4 outpost, which
wasn't to be looked forward to. This is why 12. Nd2 wasn't' so accurate,
as the reply 12... e4 could have prevented the pieces from being
active and the pawn exerting a massive cramping affect. With the
d4 outpost being available to the knight, the central thrust is
not desirable for black. He must find some other way in which to
develop.}
13.
O-O b5!?
{Black
throws down the gauntlet. he does not wish to stand around and wait
for white to slowly build up his position, get a critical f2-f4
in and start to pry open the position for the bishop pair. Black
therefore targets the white central pawn, d5, which is only supported
by a single pawn. Black wishes to bring down the pawn chain and
starts at c4 and then plans a5-a4 to break the base. Good positional
chess in theory and one that is very difficult to condemn. There
are deeper positional aspects to the move though and probably the
importance of this didn't strike black as that essential. Activity
is sought but the opening of lines will eventually help white with
the bishop pair, a deep positional feature not to be forgotten.
However,
go to basics. What fundamental weakness is left by the B pawn thrust?
c6.
The c6 square is left permanently backward. The c6 square is a massive,
massive hole and indeed, the c7 pawn is now backward and open for
attack.
Both
aspects seem very irrelevant at the moment. Just notice though how
that c6 square comes back to haunt black for the remainder of the
game.}
14. Nd2
{With
a clear specific plan in mind. First, I plan to simply ignore black
and get on with my whole game plan. The knight is destined for d2
and then e4 and f2-f4 is prepared. With having considered the future
position carefully, I would have in previous times have played 14.
cxb5 Nxd5 15. Bb2 e4 and played on from there, where black seems
to be holding his own comfortably enough. However, a new me is emerging...}
14... bxc4 15. Nxc4
{The
plan is becoming evident for white. White does not recapture on
c4 with the pawn since he wishes to prevent the black knight on
d7 landing a beautiful outpost on c5, from where it would be almost
impossible to drive it away. Therefore, white's B pawn must be preserved
to kick the knight away with a timely b3-b4.
Another
aspect is that white wishes to open up the C file, since black's
apparent active 13 b5 thrust has created a backward C pawn. All
very relevant positional features, but wait on! D5 is en prise!
Well, the tactical justification at the moment is that the a5 pawn
is also en prise. If white is able to play 16. nxa5 and Nc6, he
will be absolutely in control.
Incidentally,
previously, I would have imagined I would have played 15. bxc4 Nc5
16. f4 where black seems to be ok. But no, new Rossie has other
ideas now!}
15...
a4
{Moving
the pawn away from attack, intending to double the white A pawns
before regaining the material on d5. Are the double A pawns weak
or strong for white? EG. 15. bxa4 Nxd5 16. Bb2 n7f6 or 16.. Ba6
and the light-squares are looking very weak. Well, there, a4 is
especially weak and if I am forced into the advance a4-a5, the a5
square has been taken away from me. The black pieces have the centre
and the light squares seem very weak indeed. White to play.}
16.
b4!
{No,
not a blunder, but a deliberate and deeply thought out pawn sacrifice!
This was initiated from move 14. White is clearly leading in development,
has the bishop pair and the better coordinated pieces. More importantly
though is the outposts available to white, specifically so, the
c6 square. By the text-move, black has been denied the all important
c5 outpost, which he was banking a lot on for his knight on d7,
which now will find it difficult to find a good home to stand on.
White's
game plan was to preserve the B pawn and push it onto b4 denying
black the c5 outpost, so, why not just continue with the advance.
Now, if black does not accept the sacrifice of the d5 pawn, white
will simply support it with a rook and continue with his game plan.
This is a clear illustration of a positional pawn sacrifice and
disregarding the material worth of the position.}
16...
Nxd5 17. Bb2
{Simply
preserving the bishop pair, opening up lines down the C file and
stating to black "yes, you have won a pawn, but you are behind
in development, I have the bishop pair, the open lines and the c6
outpost. Solve your problems!"
A long,
long think now by black. Other factors that he has to worry about
is the e2 bishop emerging onto f3, putting tremendous pressure down
the long diagonal. Indeed, the extra pawn is the one on A4 in many
ways and that is by no means secure. White can plonk a knight on
a5, as planned in any case and directly attack the pawn.}
17...
N7f6
{17...
N7b6 looks tempting, but 18. Bf3 and the pin on the d5 knight is
extremely uncomfortable. Now, 18. Bf3 could be met by 18... e4 breaking
the pin. But that is ok, since the knight can be attacked from another
angle, after another stage of the grand plan has been accomplished.}
18.
Rfd1
{developing
and threatening 19. Bf3 as 19... e4 allows possible tactics on the
loose nature of the knight on d5. A cheeky pawn snatch with Bxe4
could be playable.}
18...
Be6 19. Na5
{Again,
continuing with the plan. The c6 outpost is to be utilized by a
knight. The C file becomes open and the way for the e2 bishop is
opened. a4 is attacked and black must take time to defend it.}
19...
Qd7 20. Bc4
{Activating
the bishop and attacking the knight on d5, which is becoming very
precarious. White could be preparing Qe2 and Bb5 ideas as well.}
20... Reb8?
{The
pressure finally tells. Black had consumed a massive amount of time
here trying to solve his positional complications. The pawn win
on d5 has not aided him much and finding active play for him is
almost impossible. The text-move is understandable. he wishes to
remove the rook of the a4-e8 diagonal with Qe2 and Bb5 ideas in
the air.
The
rook comes to an open file and seeks activity. The bishop on b2
could be left vulnerable if white isn't careful and Rxa5 tactics
have to be kept in mind. Now, having accomplished all the positional
advantages I have gone out to play for, it was time to cash in some
of them and allow the tactics to win my material back, making it
a very worthwhile investment of a pawn. Incidentally,
20...
c5 21. e4 Nb6 22. Bxe6 Qxe6 23. bxc5 Rxa5 24. cxb6 didn't seem nice
for black, but was probably his best try.}
21.
e4 Nb6 22. Bxe6
{Being
careful of the tactics.
22.
Bxe5 nxc4 23. Bxf6 Nxa5 drops a piece.}
22...
fxe6
{22...
Qxe6 23. Qxc7 regains the pawn and d6 seems very weak as well as
the knight on b6 being loose especially after nc6 ideas.}
23.
Bxe5
{regaining
the invested pawn and emerging a clear advantage up. So, if we stop
and pause for a moment. From move 14. where the pawn sacrifice was
initiated, up to now, when the pawn has been regained, white has
suffered little, used little time on the clock and has no serious
structural weaknesses.
Consider
black. He is massively down on the clock, has 3 pawn islands, including
a weak pawn on a4, having to face a strong dark-squared bishop,
has a hole on c6 for a white knight, a backward c7 pawn and inactive
rooks. The black knights are stifled and there is indeed little
hope for him.}
23...
Rf8 24. f3 Rac8 25. Bd4
{Moving
the bishop away from attacks when the queen moves. Also, the loose
nature of the knight on b6 needs to be exploited. Since the solidifying
pawn move f2-f3 has had to be played, the long g1-a7 diagonal has
to be kept an eye on. c7-c5 by black is also held up}
25.
Qb5 26. Qc6
{The
c6 square now becomes a nightmare for black. White now puts every
single piece on this outpost now and black can do nothing to avoid
it!}
26...
Qg5 27. Qc1 Qb5 28. Nc6
{Now
the white queen has found a slightly better square (idea of Qe3),
the knight finds its way into c6, threatening Ne7+ and Na7 winning
the exchange.}
28...
Rce8 29. Na7 Qd7
{29...
Qa6 30. Qxc7 is another steal of the c7 pawn.}
30.
Qc6 Qxc6 31. Nxc6 Nfd7 32. Rac1 Na8
{You
know your position is hopeless when you have to defend like this.}
33.
Rc2 Rf7 34. Rdc1 Nb8?
{Black's
final mistake. After the exchange of knights, there is no hope for
him. Black had to bank on his coordinated knights to build some
kind of fortress and make it incredibly difficult for white to break
through. naturally, black had gotten himself into serious time trouble
now and didn't have any time to analyse the position accurately.
Now, the knight vacates c6, just in order for another piece to land
on it!}
35.
Nxb8 Rxb8 36. Rc6 e5 37. Be3 h6 38. Ra6
{Attacking
the weak a4 pawn. Also, the c6 square is yet again vacated for the
final white piece to land on!}
38...
Nb6 39. Rc6 Rd7
{Black
can not hold onto all of his pawns. 39... Nc8 40. Rxa4 Rd7 41. Rc2
was the only other way to play on.}
40.
Bxb6 cxb6 41. Raxb6 Rbd8
{The
time control has been reached. white has won his pawn, got a dominating
position and still has a massive target on a4 to aim for. The one
last desperate trick black has is the rook pair. If he can get his
rooks onto the 7th rank, he might get last gasp perpectual checks.
In order to do that, an open file is required. White has control
of the C file, so the D file must be forced open. But white is a
pawn up. Allowing the opening up of the D file is fine as long as
a pair of rooks can be exchanged in the process to wipe out any
chances of perpectuals.}
42.
Rb5 Kf7 43. Ra5 Kf8
{black
can do nothing. White is simply in total control of the position.
43...
d5 44. exd5 Rxd5 45. Ra7+ R8d7 46. Rca6 gets a pair of rooks off
and wins the a4 pawn quickly.}
44.
h3 h5 45. h4 Rf7 46. Rxa4 d5 47. exd5 Rf4
{The
idea is now 47.. rxd5 48. ra8+ and at least one pair of rooks will
be exchanged. Otherwise, 47... Rfd7 runs into 48. Re6 cleaning up
easily.}
48.
Ra7 Rd4 49. Rcc7 R4xd5 50. Rf7+ Kg8 51. Rxg7+
{And
with the king-side pawns dropping off too, black had seen enough.}
51... 1-0 Opening references:
9...
e5 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Be2 a5 12. O-O Qe7 13. Ng5 a4 14. Bd3 e4 15.
Bxf6
exd3 16. Bxe7 dxc2 17. Bb4 Bg4 18. f3 Bf5 19. e4 h6 20. exf5 hxg5
21. Bc3
Rad8 22. Rac1 Re2 23. Rf2 Rd1+ 24. Rf1
Ivanov,S
(2545)-Morozevich,A (2630)/Elista 1995/CBM 050/1-0 (41)}
11... Ne7 12. Nd2 c5 13. Be2 Bd7 14. O-O Ng6 15. Rae1
Qe7 16. Qb1 b5 17. Bd3 b4 18. axb4 axb4 19. Bb2 Ng4 20. h3 Nh6 21.
Bxg6 hxg6
22. Nf3 g5 23. e4 g4 24. hxg4 Bxg4 25. Nh2 Bh5 26. f4 exf4
Krush,I
(2465)-Thorsteinsson,T (2278)/Reykjavik 2004/CBM 099 ext/1-0 (47)
11... Ne7 12. e4 Ng6 13. Bd3 Nh5 14. Nd2 Nhf4 15. g3 Nh3 16. Rf1
Bg4 17. f3
Bd7 18. O-O-O c6 19. Rde1 Rf8 20. f4 exf4 21. e5 dxe5 22. Bxe5 cxd5
23. gxf4 dxc4 24. bxc4 Qh4 25. Nf3 Qh6 26. Kb1 Nhxf4 27. Bf5 Bxf5
28. Qxf5 Qh5 29. Ng5 Ne6 30. h4 Nxe5 31. Qxe5 Qg6+ 32. Ka1 Nxg5
33. hxg5 Ra6 34. Qc7 Qd6 35. Qxb7 Qxa3+ 36. Kb1 Qd3+ 37. Ka1 Qd4+
38. Ka2 Qxc4+
0-1 Roelli,C (2001)-Muller,A (2169)/Gothenburg 2005/CBM 107 ext
(38)
Chris
Ross B.C.A. 4NCL manager
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