CYRUS LAKDAWALA

Purchased two new ebooks by Cyrus Lakdawala. I did not purchase them because I intend to play the suggested lines, I bought them because I enjoy his writing, he is truly hilarious at times, plus his insight is good as well.

The diagram below is from the Chapter on the Slav and Semi Slav. 

White has just played 6.Bd3, Lakadawala then gives the following comment........"A warning to the reader: our last move walks into theory's teeth and is ill-suited for the lazy with academic shortcomings. We must know our stuff inside out. Studying the endless complexities of this line may cause some of us brain damage or a potential nervous breakdown, but this is the chance we must take."

He does sound like Groucho Marx at times!

Proverbs 17:22 ¶  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

SURE TO BE POPULAR WITH CLUB PLAYERS!

It is a certainty this will be a big seller!

Ecc 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

THE DOWNSIDE OF DOUBLING

Previously I have mentioned the opportunity of using the "Double Function," which is built into the Fritz rated games module.

A few minutes ago I just finished a game were I doubled and it resigned. I am trying very hard to stop using the doubling function as it has a downside.

You can instinctively know you have a superior position, but you cannot accurately analyse or assess why the position is better?

For example here is the game I have just played, Fritz is white and has played 23.Kd1...I doubled.



To be honest I am not sure what the best move is for black, though I sensed an advantage.

It would be interesting to see people`s suggested best move for Black, obviously without consulting a computer?

Have found this a very valuable resource for combating Queen`s Pawn openings.



Ecc 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

DISASTER AND A BAD HABIT

My fourth game in the new rated game mode was somewhat of a disaster.  The defence was not at fault, it was a clear case of bad judgement on my part.

Was not following any lines from any of my DVD`s or books here, I thought I could get an advantage after Fritz played 4.Qd3.  It did not work out that way though.  There is a saying which deals with such scenarios, it is "Dry yer eyes."

Game 5 ended because I cannot get out of a bad habit.  After Fritz made move 29, I sensed I had a better position but had not worked out the best way to continue, so I doubled to see what it would do, Fritz then resigned.

Need to get out of the bad habit of doubling, it would be better to keep playing because we humans can blunder even really good positions. Looking at it after the game, I think I may have been tempted to play 30.Nb6 next.

Bologan`s DVD series encouraged me to start playing the Open Sicilian.

In game 4 I was wise in my own eyes, so I subsequently lost.

The score is 3.5 to 1.5 in my favour.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.