CHESS MATCH: Skybird vs Fatty

[Skybird]

Fatty,

move if you want White. Say if I should start. ;)


http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2143/image1rsp.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1rsp.jpg)

[UnderseaLcpl]

Finally!:woot:

[porphy]

very dramatic background there guys... :)

[A Very Super Market]

Is this the chess game of the century? :yep:

[Skybird]

Is this the chess game of the century? :yep:

Not if I can prevent that! :arrgh!:

[fatty]

Wow, no moves yet and already five posts :DL

Go ahead and take the first move Skybird, good luck.

[Skybird]

Aren't we two polite gentlemen. :lol:

1. c2-c4

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2668/image4mir.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image4mir.jpg)

[fatty]

1. c2-c4 e7-e5

[Skybird]

1. c2-c4 e7-e5
2. Nb1-c3

[Skybird]

This is it for today.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5251/image1gbj.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1gbj.jpg)

[fatty]

2. Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6

Sorry for being a little slow off the mark, I was working all day, should be a little better tomorrow and throughout the week :)

[Skybird]

2. Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6

3. g2-g3

Sorry for being a little slow off the mark, I was working all day, should be a little better tomorrow and throughout the week :)

The time-space-continuum will survive it! :)

[fatty]

3. g2-g3 c7-c6

English opening, Bremen system, Keres variation :up:

[heartc]

I wonder what chess programs you're all using.
;)

But if you trust that you're all gentlemen, I guess it suffices.

[Skybird]

3. g2-g3 c7-c6

4. Ng1-f3

English, Keres - can cut both ways, they say. What do you know about it that I don't...? :hmmm:

[fatty]

English, Keres - can cut both ways, they say. What do you know about it that I don't...? :hmmm:

...that black wins 33.7% of the games to white's 40% :dead:

4. Ng1-f3 e5-e4

[Skybird]

4. Ng1-f3 e5-e4

5.Nf3-d4

This ends my work for today. ;)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1479/image1chz.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1chz.jpg)

[fatty]

5.Nf3-d4 d7-d5

[porphy]

Somehow a snippet of Judas Priest seemed appropriate... add electric guitars and a howling voice yourself. :D

"I will stand, I will fight
You'll never take me alive
I'll stand my ground
I won't go down

You won't break me
You won't take me
'Cuz I'll fight you,
Under blood red skies

You won't break me
You won't take me
'Cuz I'll face you under
blood red skies"

[Skybird]

5.Nf3-d4 d7-d5
6. c4xd5

March of the pawns under a checkered sky! :salute:

@Porphy,

Judas Priest I do not have in my collection of listening habits, but Resphighi's fourth part of the "Pines of Rome", The Pines of the Appian Way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oqasTguizM


A bit too slow my for my taste - but who am I to criticise Karajan!?

[Skybird]

To bed over here.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6089/image1pvq.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1pvq.jpg)

[fatty]

6. c4xd5 c6xd5

Sorry again for being slow, our time zones are not very conducive to this, I am always working or at school in the day. I promise at least one move a day

[Skybird]

6. c4xd5 c6xd5

7. d2-d3

Sorry again for being slow, our time zones are not very conducive to this, I am always working or at school in the day. I promise at least one move a day

There is nothing you have to apologise for, Fatty. First, things are like they are, we cannot help it. Second, in the past I played correspondence chess tournaments in the German league. There, rules allowed a mean of 3 days per move. And it was perfectly okay if you took even longer for a move, as long as the total time consumption did not exceed the possible limits. So - I am used to much worse than "1 move per day". :D

[fatty]

7. d2-d3 Kb8-c6

[Skybird]

7. d2-d3 Kb8-c6
8. Kd4xc6

[Skybird]

One pic at the end of the day, or every three moves! :)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8608/image1jpz.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1jpz.jpg)

[fatty]

8. Kd4xc6 b7xc6

[Skybird]

8. Kd4xc6 b7xc6

9. d3xe4

[Skybird]

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/690/image2haf.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image2haf.jpg)

[fatty]

9. d3xe4 d5-d4

[Skybird]

9. d3xe4 d5-d4
10. e4-e5

So weit so gut. We slowly approach the point from where it promises to become interesting. :know:


http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7005/image2xtg.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image2xtg.jpg)

[fatty]

10. e4-e5 Nf6-g4

Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei.

:arrgh!:

[Skybird]

10. e4-e5 Nf6-g4

11. Nc3-e4


http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4956/image1pif.jpg (http://img214.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1pif.jpg)

[fatty]

11. Nc3-e4 Ng4xe5

Want me to take over posting diagrams for the next few moves? I haven't posted any for my last few games, I feel bad.

[Skybird]

11. Nc3-e4 Ng4xe5

12. Bf1-g2



Want me to take over posting diagrams for the next few moves? I haven't posted any for my last few games, I feel bad.

It's no problem, I'm used to it since 3 years. :D If it is an urgent need for you to post diagrams, do so, and if not, I do not mind to carry on. It's not important for me any way as long as we have diagrams. Or do you have that virtual Playboy chess program with bunnies forming up the pieces? :woot:


http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1346/image6w.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image6w.jpg)

[UnderseaLcpl]

12. Or do you have that virtual Playboy chess program with bunnies forming up the pieces? :woot:


IS there such a thing!? Where can I find it!? Why didn't you tell me before!? :DL

[fatty]

12. Bf1-g2 Bf8-b4+

Just trying to give you a break is all. I'll throw one up tomorrow night.

[Skybird]

12. Bf1-g2 Bf8-b4+

13. Bc1-d2

Bad news is you probably never had any intention to repeat Mr. Miezis' weak 12th move. Good news is I never expected that anyway. :)

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2557/image5s.jpg (http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image5s.jpg)

[Skybird]

IS there such a thing!? Where can I find it!? Why didn't you tell me before!? :DL

Note 3rd and 6th result here (no longer available):

http://www.google.de/search?as_q=playboy+chess&hl=de&num=10&btnG=Google-Suche&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&cr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images

[fatty]

13. Bc1-d2 Ra8-b8

[Skybird]

Now this is a position with many possible strategic paths possible. Hehe, the time of quick moves seems to be over, now it get's complicated, doesn't it...? :) :salute:

[Skybird]

13. Bc1-d2 Ra8-b8

14. Ra1-c1

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4480/image6r.jpg (http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image6r.jpg)

[fatty]

14. Ra1-c1 f7-f5

Treading on egg shells over here...

[Skybird]

Yes, it is extremely complicated. I admit it starts to rise above my head. Don't expect my next move tonight.

[fatty]

http://jmgillis.com/skyfat1.jpg

[Skybird]

Nice board, too. But after having tortured my head over it for the past hour, I must say I do not like my position. It seems I am doomed to attack - with no rewarding strike available. And not attacking only detoriates my position, subtly, but constantly. Great.

Keres, hm? I already hate that guy by the sound of his name. :arrgh!: Assuming that none of us two make a mistake, something tells me this match ends as a draw, if not as a loss if I mess it up.

I'll continue tomorrow, my mind is dizzy.

[Skybird]

14. Ra1-c1 f7-f5

15. Bd2xb4

That move took me a few hours, and I'm still not certain of it, having tried to figure out 15.a3. In two variations I ended up in 34th move. :doh:.

[fatty]

15. Bd2xb4 Rb8xb4

[Skybird]

15. Bd2xb4 Rb8xb4

16. Qd1-d2

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8374/image8d.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image8d.jpg)

[fatty]

16. Qd1-d2 Rb4-c4

[Skybird]

16. Qd1-d2 Rb4-c4

17. Ne4-g5

[Skybird]

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8701/image10n.jpg (http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image10n.jpg)

[fatty]

17. Ne4-g5 h7-h6

[porphy]

Interesting game and hard to predict, but at the moment I'm a bit sceptical about the last move by black... :hmm2:

[Skybird]

17. Ne4-g5 h7-h6

Ha...!

18. Rc1xc4

If your move 18.../Ne5xc4, then my move 19. Qd2-b4

Finally this night of analysis has been good for at least something. But I expected 17.../Rc1: and a very neutral game with problems for both sides to enforce a win.

[fatty]

19. Qd2-b4 h6xg5

[Skybird]

19. Qd2-b4 h6xg5

20. Qb4xc4

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7880/image14d.jpg (http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image14d.jpg)

[Skybird]

No precious for poor little Gollum...

[fatty]

20. Qb4xc4 Qd8-b6

[fatty]

:cry:

[UnderseaLcpl]

OMFG:o

[A Very Super Market]

Crikey, its an intense game, but methinks that is about to change.

[Skybird]

20. Qb4xc4 Qd8-b6

21. Qc4xc6+

My prrreciousss...!

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9704/screenshot3i.jpg (http://img17.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot3i.jpg)

I always loaded a separate screenshot program to shoot a pic - and now I realise that below the GUI window with the 3D board there is a button reading ""Screenshot" :dead:

[Skybird]

If this would be football, we would have halftime for a regular match length of 40 moves, and these are the first 20 moves:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7868/image1nya.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1nya.jpg)

Despite the sad mishap with h6, I see this match as the most difficult match I ever played since we started these chess threads on this board three years ago. Obviously White has an advantage now, and I honestly do not fear to lose this anymore, but if Black plays correctly, I still have not secured a safe victory here. But for that half of a point you will need to fight, Fatty! :arrgh!:

Since at least some people seem to occasionally jump in and have a look at how it is going, I could give those parts of my analysis that are no longer relevant for the future proceedings in this match, if there is interest in that:

Since I bought my new widescreen monitor in January, I can arrange a virtual 3D board in a way that it matches size and perspective of a real 40x40 cm board, and I have abandoned my old habit to use two boards and the screen-board during analysis, and now do it all completely on one or two virtual boards exclusively. that has the nice side-effect that I must not make notes anymore - the software logs every move I do on the screen, and sorts the variations I enter hierarchically in the notation. By then clicking into the notation, I can quick-jump to the according positions, and thus can compare previously calculated variations easily.

I love this chessbase GUI ! With this big monitor, and these nice 3D boards, I have gone virtual completely here. But after all this talking about computer assistance and what I do with it, and Neal'S questioning remark some weeks ago, I just want to stress again that I do not use any active engine assisting me - just the GUI to log the match and keep written records of my analysis.

[fatty]

21. Qc4xc6+ Qb6xc6

If 22. Bg2xc6+ then 22. ... Bc8-d7.

[fatty]

Yeah, Chessmaster has the feature where you can branch off into different variations from whatever moves. I cannot imagine approaching a game like this, comparing moves over the better part of a day, with only a single physical board and pieces... recalling from my first game with Lance the frustration even trying to set the pieces back to their original position after playing ahead a few moves.

What software are you using again?

[UnderseaLcpl]

recalling from my first game with Lance the frustration even trying to set the pieces back to their original position after playing ahead a few moves.


Arena w/o engines should help with that. You can play out your variations and then rewind to the original state of play. I used it in our match because I assumed you were using it as well. In the event that you were not, I might be compelled to call our draw a loss for me.

In any case, might be a useful tool to develop your skills. Having a faithful record of variations you have tried helps you to identify crucial squares and develop effective attack/defense positions in face-to-face matches.

[Skybird]

21. Qc4xc6+ Qb6xc6

If 22. Bg2xc6+ then 22. ... Bc8-d7.

23. Bc6xd7+

If your move 23.../Ke8xd7 then my move 24. Ke1-d2


http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[Skybird]

Yeah, Chessmaster has the feature where you can branch off into different variations from whatever moves. I cannot imagine approaching a game like this, comparing moves over the better part of a day, with only a single physical board and pieces... recalling from my first game with Lance the frustration even trying to set the pieces back to their original position after playing ahead a few moves.

What software are you using again?

Chessbase, the Fritz 11-GUI. Note that the GUI by chessbase always is Fritz"xyz", but there is also an engine named Fritz. I highlx recommend it, they are world market leader and I think they really have the best interface there is, not too mention the best-looking one as well.

http://www.chessbase.com/products/fritz11/index.htm

Plenty of usefull functions for training, assisting beginners, analysis, keeping track of correspondence chess matches (in tournaments you always play many of these simultaneously), and a doizen oif 3D boards, three or four of which are really great to use.

In my active tournament days 20 years back, I used to do analysis on two boards, and using these albums to keep positons and records logged:

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1897/img0474aet.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0474aet.jpg)

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6364/img0476fhv.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0476fhv.jpg)

Alredy back then I wrote down everything own my mind, my memory never was as good as it would be desired in chess.

But when I imagine that I did in handwriting what now the computer does for me in keeping in written record after I just virtually moved the pieces - the horror... the horror... The early matches we did on this board in 2006 I still did that way...

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4815/image9m.jpg (http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image9m.jpg)

In handwriting, that would be pages over pages...

[Skybird]

Arena w/o engines should help with that. You can play out your variations and then rewind to the original state of play. I used it in our match because I assumed you were using it as well. In the event that you were not, I might be compelled to call our draw a loss for me.

In any case, might be a useful tool to develop your skills. Having a faithful record of variations you have tried helps you to identify crucial squares and develop effective attack/defense positions in face-to-face matches.
You have nothing you must apologize for, Lance. You did not take any calculating help from the engine, and how you organise your analysis, is your business alone. We have an agreement to not use active engines here, and I have no doubt we all stick to that. but note that in official correpondence chess, rules do not say that using engines are ruled out. Not only for pragmatism, since it cannot be controlled, but because in corr. chess even chess engines meet their limits in certain fields: longterm strategy, for example. Every master and grandmaster uses engines to check his matches for tactical mistakes though. Players take their positionss into the club and ask others. On serious playing levels, a master player may even sit together with his team.

If you want to maximise your chances playing against an engine, keep your position closed as long as possible, play it calm and avoid tactical fireworks - becasue in these computers become the more suprior the more complex and coinfused things become. the more open a position becomes, the stronger most engines play. Never forget that in tactical short term calculations, an engine after just one minute can reach 15 to 20 half moves calculation depth - that is a value most trained players only could reach if the variations are enforced. Inside this calculation depth, engines tend to not miss something, if they are allowed to play without artificial brakes and handicaps. But there are differences between engines in "knowledge" they include in digital format: that'S why for example the claculation speed of Fritz 10 is slower than that of Fritz 5 (which had less "knoweldge" encoded it had to check for every move), and Fritz 5 still being a famous brute force analysis engine, although it is ten years old. On the other hand, Hiarcs also is a famous engine ( I like it very much), but Hiarcs 10 reaches only around half the speed, in mean, than Fritz 11 which is two or three years younger. Beside Fritz and Hiarcs, these three engines: Shredder, Rybka and Junior are the dominating engines on the market today. Rybka 2.2 even can be get for free both for Chessbase and Arena GUI, now that version 3 is out.

[fatty]

24. Ke1-d2 Kd7-e6

Cool. Where do you find stuff like that album? I've wanted to buy a nice board and set for a while to play with friends and guests, guess I'd have to turn to the web.

[Skybird]

Cool. Where do you find stuff like that album? I've wanted to buy a nice board and set for a while to play with friends and guests, guess I'd have to turn to the web.

Hard to get these days, with computers and email and all that. Try here, else I found a link to a Kolumbian shop.

https://www.schachversand.de/startseiteenglisch.html?Seite=e/detail/material/569.html

The Chessilette albums that I used went out of sale already over 20 years ago. They held up to 8 boards, were robust, but also very expensive. Then there were adhesive PVC-boards that did not work too well, travelling boards with Velcro tape (very good, but also no longer available), and some kind of clip-locks. Today, I assume most CC players store their matches via PC.

P.S. The link is somewhat messed up, I cannot link directly to the page I want. From the linked page, click "Onlineshop", then "Sets, Boards", and under "select type of material" search for "correspondence chess (19)"

[Skybird]

24. Ke1-d2 Kd7-e6

25. Kd2-d3

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[Skybird]

Like many people, I hate end games, I admit, they are my weak spot. Especially Rook endgames I dislike - they are the most complex and difficult ones. And unfortunately also the most common ones.

Guess what I did do in the past 90 minutes. :88) This match is not decided at all, really. :doh:

[porphy]

yes, the rook end game is very complicated. I once had a full book dedicated to rook end games. Sold it, as I never had the patience to get into that one... Things looks deceptively easy, but a slight upper hand can quickly slip out of your hands and even turn into defeat... Watch out everyone! :DL

[Skybird]

I just picked up volume one of my edition of classic André Chéron...:DL

But what I haven't learned in the past I will not learn in a crashcourse now, I'm afraid. :(

[fatty]

25. Kd2-d3 Ke6-e5

Well for the past week I've been watching endgame tutorial podcasts on the bus ride in town, let's hope they pay off :)

[Skybird]

Can't you just move to d5 as expected!? All my brilliant calculating - in vein! :arrgh!:

[fatty]

I'm a loose cannon :arrgh!:

[Skybird]

25. Kd2-d3 Ke6-e5


26. f2-f3

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

Or h3.

Or h4.

I hate end games.

:dead:

[fatty]

26. f2-f3 f5-f4

[Skybird]

I smell something. Still don't know what it is, but it feels good. And my instinct says that I should like it.

Sorry for taking so much time now, Fatty. But I promise that I do not waste it. :D

[fatty]

Come on Sky, your dessssstiny awaits :|\\

[Skybird]

26. f2-f3 f5-f4

27. Rh1-c1

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

Come on Sky, your dessssstiny awaits :|\\

Sorry, but for my usual CC standards I am already playing fast. Gut Ding will gut Weile. ;)

[fatty]

27. Rh1-c1 Ke5-d6

[Skybird]

27. Rh1-c1 Ke5-d6

28. g3xf4

Guarding c7 will cost you dearly, I hope. :)

My last move tonight. It is intended to cause you plenty of bad dreams. :o

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

28. g3xf4 g5xf4

Come and get me :arrgh!:

[Skybird]

28. g3xf4 g5xf4

Come and get me :arrgh!:

Well then: why moving Rc4 if you can move

29. Rc1-g1 ...?

Now don't move and open wide, please...

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

29. Rc1-g1 Rh8-e8

[Skybird]

I'm just back from tour and evening visits, give me some time.

[UnderseaLcpl]

I think fatty is sunk.:hmmm:

[Skybird]

29. Rc1-g1 Rh8-e8

30. Rg1xg7

Theory knows that KRPP vs KR still can end as a draw, but only with pawns in three possible combinations of lines on which they must travel, or in case of double pawns. Mostly, this endgame is a win for the superior side. KRPP vs KRP also can end as a win or draw. But I think I defend at least a two-pawn-lead.

Don't lose a third one, Fatty, that would seal it. ;)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

30. Rg1xg7 Re8-e3+

[Skybird]

30. Rg1xg7 Re8-e3+

31. Kd3xd4

Kd2 seems to work, too, but the only way is forward!:yeah:

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

31. Kd3xd4 Re3xe2

[fatty]

I think fatty is sunk.:hmmm:

A win is unlikely, but then, he still needs to checkmate.

[Skybird]

31. Kd3xd4 Re3xe2

32. Rg7xa7

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

32. Rg7xa7 Re2xh2

To crush your enemies...!

[Skybird]

To crush your enemies...!

Thank you for taking the theoretically wrong pawn. ;) That rules out the critical combination of pawns on a- and h-line, which in KRPP-KR would give Black a fair chance to hold a draw (beside pawns on a- and c-line or pawns on f- and h-line). :salute:

[fatty]

You're welcome? :doh:

[Skybird]

32. Rg7xa7 Re2xh2

33. Ra7-b7

That should be a more pressing end game than the prototypic 33.Ke4/Rxb2 34.Kf4: At least I hope.


You're welcome? :doh:


End game theory. It is known that in a situation KRPP versus KR, the inferior side can often enforce a draw in case of the pawns on a- and c- line, or f- and h-line, or a- and h-line, if the inferior player can manage to work towards positonal key elements, that is to get his king in front of the a- or h-pawn. These constellations of pawns on the critical lines are no longer possible, and that is good for me and bad for you. :

Consider this explanation a strike by psychological warfare. :D

But it will still need plenty of moves before I can enforce a new Queen.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

33. Ra7-b7 Rh2-e2

You will have to shoot me a link or something with a better explanation after we're done.

[Skybird]

Any comprehensive book on end game theory.

I have the four-volumes edition of André Chéron's classic endgame encyclopedia (not that I know all that inside out, please save me...).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Ch%C3%A9ron

It was a standard work and a revolution by the time it was published (the 50s), but didactics and presentation left much to be desired, it is very difficult to study it. I never read all that stuff in full, but from the chess books I once had, on endgames this is the only work that survived.

The stuff I mentioned can be found in Volume one. Check any book shop, I assume there are many more accessible books on rook endgames available today. theory developes, sometimes dramatically, so do teaching methods. the old books not always remain to be the outstanding classics that they used to be when they were first published.

[Skybird]

the problem is that the fact that once one has learned some of the millions of rules about endgames 25 years ago, and so knowing that they exist - and implementing them today shows to prove to me so very often the transitoriness of things, mind and memory. :haha: and who does not know the situation from sitting in a chess club and playing an opponent - and ruining the advantage one had gained in midgame in just another one of these terrible rook endgames. :har:. I certainly have had my share back then. So if i sounded as if I am well oriented in the matter, that impression to a major degree is wrong. and I find it easier to calculate midgame situations than endgames - but then, who sees that different.

33. Ra7-b7 Rh2-e2

34. Rb7-b3

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img18.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

34. Rb7-b3 Re2-e8

Thanks for the info on Chéron, I will look out for it. As long as I am learning, there is no bitterness in defeat :)

[Skybird]

34. Rb7-b3 Re2-e8

35. a2-a4

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6750/schachscreeniev.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreeniev.jpg)

Thanks for the info on Chéron, I will look out for it. As long as I am learning, there is no bitterness in defeat :)

Well, I just realise that I would need to re-learn all that, I really struggle to find out how to play this. It's incredible how much I have forgotten. whehn I play against my many 80s and 90s computers or PC software (mostly), things tend to form a decisive advanatge already in late midgame. I rarely reach so deep into end games, like here. and mostly, against PC software, I mess it up. :-?

Studying theory was a very annoying task in the past, it seems to me from a today's perspective. While simple sequences were done blindly, with an invisible board inside your head, complicated stuff needed to be set up on a board. for our amateur purposes, I would prefer to use the options of PC software today, which gives you much more convenience in handling the material wihtout needing to spend so much time setting up the board accpording to book diagrams.

So you may want to check here:

http://www.chessbase.com/shop/productlist.asp?product=mt&subd=&user=&coin=

and here:

http://www.chessbase.com/shop/productlist.asp?product=et&subd=&user=&coin=

and here:

http://www.chessbase.com/shop/productlist.asp?product=ot&subd=&user=&coin=

That's what I would do: going for studying software.

[fatty]

35. a2-a4 Re8-a8

[Skybird]

35. a2-a4 Re8-a8

36. Rb3-a3

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)

[fatty]

36. Rb3-a3 Ra8-b8

[Skybird]

36. Rb3-a3 Ra8-b8

37. a5

It seems to me that it is over. the position was a safe bet before, but from here on it can be calculated until promotion of the f-pawn, with or without trading both rooks and the a-pawn on a6, a7 or a8. Variations differ, the outcome is the same. If I have calculated correctly and did not oversee something - the hope dies last, they say. :D

You can block with your rook on a7 or a8, and with your king on a8 while your Rook dances circles around my king and the f-pawn and fishes for eternal checks that are not eternal at all, but it is just delay: the f-pawn will go to promotion. Just costs many moves. All others scenarios, depending on your next choice, seem to cut it even shorter.

[fatty]

37. a4-a5 Rb8xb2

[Skybird]

37. a4-a5 Rb8xb2

Doubting Thomas, hm? :)

38. a5-a6

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3063/schachscreenie.jpg (http://img164.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schachscreenie.jpg)


a.) if 38.../Rb2-b8 then 39. a6-a7
.....if then 39.../Rb8-a8 then 40. Kd4-e4

b.) if 38.../Rb2-b4+ then 39. Kd4-d3
.....if then 39.Rb4-b8 then 40. a6-a7
.....if then 40.../Rb8-a8 then 41. Kd3-e4

[UnderseaLcpl]

I applaud you valor fatty but I think the fight is lost. At least you held Sky off longer than I did:DL

[fatty]

Yes I can see now that defeat is inevitable. Black resigns.

http://shepherd-wireless.com/handshake.jpg

Good game Skybird, would be happy to play you anytime :salute:

[Skybird]

Compliments, Fatty, well played. And thank you for saving us from needing to spend much time on technical moves from the books on most elemental, predetermined endgames. Nobody else in the past three years worried me so much, like you did. After the way you played the opening and before you sadly made that mistake with 17.../h6 and then again the weak 26.../f4, I really was alarmed, and not sure how it would end. The endgame we had by type was not an unproblematic one, and often such material constellations end in draws, if the pawns are on thew wrong lines. It really took some time before it became a decisive situation, I think.

Thanks for playing. If you ever want a revanche, I'm available whenever you want.

:salute:

P.S. I'm just curious. What (and how far did) you know about the opening variation? I found it difficult to find references to it - just one match, that's all I found: Miezis-Houdart, 2001. Houdart moved 12.../Ba6 instead of your Bb4+, a move that really spoiled the match for him and enabled White an easy win. Were you intentionally following that variation, or did you play the same moves until the 12th by coincidence only? If the first answer, again my compliments.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/672/image2fze.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image2fze.jpg)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5395/image1dsm.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image1dsm.jpg)

[fatty]

I didn't know anything about it going into the game; I only googled for the arrangement about 2-3 moves in. As you consult your reference books I assumed this was allowed. From there, there are a number of websites which look at the Keres variation, with some scattered kibitzing and commentary. Nothing that really was able to save my bacon, but some interesting suggestions for follow-on moves at any rate.

[Skybird]

I didn't know anything about it going into the game; I only googled for the arrangement about 2-3 moves in. As you consult your reference books I assumed this was allowed.
Yes, no problem, that is perfectly allowed. Doing so is heart and essence of correspondence chess.

My only book on English Opening is by Taimonov, and quite old now (1985, published in the GDR :) ), it did mention Keres variation of course, but you left the analysis given by Taimanov already with the 6th move, and English with early c6 I had only rarely back in my active chess times, I'm sure, if ever. I then searched match databases, and only found that one match I mentioned above.