Okay, enough of sweet conversation, now with all my pieces in place it's time to get serious a bit. :D Open wide, please...

17.../Rf8-a8

I am still using Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition. It's kind of bloated (seriously, what kind of chess program has its own intro cinematic?) but it has a wealth of features - robust database, book of openings, puzzles, etc. After a game it always recommends a new AI 'opponent' for you to play against. At $20 it's not a bad price either.

18) Rg1-g3

I had Chessmaster Collector's edition but I put it on the coffee table and my puppy got it. Once I get some more disposeable income, I'll buy Fritz and Chessmaster(again). Porphy was right; I'm getting tired of getting spanked by SOS 5.1 all the time.

18.../b7-b5

If your move 19. c5xb6ep then my move 18.../c7xb6

I like the sight of this :DL

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9971/image1rjb.jpg

"The horror! The horror!" :DL

19. c5xb6/ep

You already have my move, Lance. ;) :

FYI, it is common practice in corresp. chess that if a player thinks a sequence of moves is enforced by the rules, or is very likely, he can speed up things a bit by giving any wanted series of "if... then..." answers additional to his original reply. Even several alternative sequences can be noted that way. The point not to forget is that the player posting such sequences - must stand by his answering moves as he outlined them in case his opponent accepts the given sequence to some point - he cannot take these suggested sequence back up until the popint his opponent accepted to follow the variation as outlined. His opponent can but must not chose the sequence, he also can chose to follow it only to some point, but leave it before the suggested end of sequence.

So it is recommended to post "if... then..." replies only in cases where the sequence is enforced, or the player thinks his opponent's reactions are very likely as he predicts them (to avoid major disadvantage, for example). Handle with caution, therefore. You do not want to make your opponent aware of possible weak moves of his to avoid. Leave him the freedom to find a bad reply!

White 20) I surrender.


Good show, Sky. I see I still have a long way to go. :salute:

[ shake hands ]

Carry on, and give it some structured effort. You have learned much in a short time only, since last year that saw that drill sergeant yelling at you :) Those direct and very obvious mistakes you have not made anymore. I haven't seen many people learning so fast as you do. :rock:

If you turn your training into something systematic, I think you could become a very potent player. That's is no polite flattery at the end of the match, but that is meant for real.

:salute:

Thanks, Sky.:salute: I suppose I will focus on openings for the time being. I felt I was in a poor position for most of the game, an all-too-familiar feeling.

Yes, 2. Nh3 for a start was a complete non-starter.

Springer am Rand bringt Schimpf und Schand'. :03:

To have the pair of bishops for having self-destroyed your king's wing, was no compensation at this time.

The second major thing you underestimated was the doubling of the Rooks on the a-line, and your figures on the a-line being handicapped.

4. Nc3 allowed me to gain ground in the centre = space advantage for me.

5. Na4 was sup-optimal, again a Knight at the rim of the board, and less active there. (consider Nb5 ). exchanging the centre pawns probably would have been better.

9. Bb4: was questionable, you could have waited until I take on d2, and develope your position meanwhile. you also allowed me to open the a-line - you later saw what came from that.

10. b3 turned a2 into a weak spot, the pawn a potential problem.

11. Rg1 was not too bad, but if you later saw that you could not take on g7 (Sg6, and the Rook is a hostage), then you could have moved the queen to the g-line instead - it could have sneaked out diagonally if taking on g7, eventually.

12. c5 interrupted my 5th row, but did not more than that and also the pawn was exposed and difficult to defend - the supporting b and d pawns were blocked.

13 Qd2 was from all moves with the Queen probably the weakest.

16. Kd1 was a very bad move. It did nothing good for you, wasting one tempo for nothing. What did you had on mind with that?

17. Ra2 was probably the best move at that time. Compliments. After my 17.../Rfa8, all alarm bells and red lights should have turned into hectic action on your side, since all my forces had acchieved optimal attack psoition and mutually supported each other, having options to imrove their positions any further. note that computer analysis shows that although the material was equal for both sides, position evaluation already was calculated around 2.5 pawns to your disadvantage. In principal, from here on your fate already was sealed. Plus black forces on the king's side ready to advance, too, and your king exposed in the centre.