It is move 12, I am white and it is white to move. This mistake shocked me when the computer showed me the best way to continue the game. My opponent will be pleased as he never saw it either! The game was agreed a draw a few moves later. The computer continuation will be shown in the comments section. Here is a short video clip from today`s round. As you can see all the sections are being played in the splendid auditorium of the Villa Marina.
Job 19:4
And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
This position arose in my game today. I am white and my opponent has just played a7-a5. The postion allows white to play a tactical move which seems very pretty.
However, although I could work out the inital tactical shot, I could not work out the ensuing moves clearly enough to give me the confidence to play it.
It may be a good exercise to try playing the position against a full strength programme to see how it pans out in practice.
I will post the move which was too complicated for me to work out in the comments section.
Here is a short video of the Major tournament first round.
I won my game today largely to what I have learned from this Victor Bologan DVD.
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Over a number of years I have read various articles from Chess coaches and tutors giving advice about Chess and Chess preparation. Many of them made the point that is is a good idea for Chess players to have a reasonable degree of physical fitness. It does seem like a good idea. However, to attain a degree of fitness you have to train, and if you train regularly you will most certainly get an injury eventually.
I have just found there is a flaw in the advice about being fit.
I have just found out it is best if you stop training about a week before you play in a tournament because if you get a very painful injury it becomes very hard to concentrate on preparing for a tournament.
It must be even worse if it happens during a tournament! On Monday night I tore a calf muscle while training, it has been very hard to concentrate on Chess because of the discomfort. Got Physio treatment on Tuesday and have an appointment again for more treatment tomorrow. The Physio I attend has also given me the name of a good sports Physio in Douglas Isle Of Man. Hopefully I will not need any treatment in the Isle Of Man. Physiotherapy seems to be a fascinating subject.
Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Here is another position from a rated game against Fritz at 2198 level. It is black to move and I am black, if I had found the right move, it would have brought me the most spectacular ever win at a Chess game.
Needless to say I missed the move and only saw it when Fritz showed me the analysed game, the actual game itself ended up drawn.
The time control was 25 minutes for each side.
The winning line is posted in the comments section under this article.
Isaiah 5:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The position above is from a rated game against Fritz 14. Fritz rating was set at 2198 and Fritz is black. It is me to move as white, I failed to find the best move and ended up with a draw. When Fritz analysed the game, it pointed out a win for white which shocked me as it seemed so simple, yet I had failed to find it. No doubt it is the type of position where a Chess master would find the key move quite easily but it is not so easy for club players like myself. I have found this is a consistent weakness in my game, I get a good position but fail to find the key move which turns a good position into a won game. The key move is a tactical move, but it is not a blatant tactical move which instantly wins a pawn or a piece, it was more subtle than that, it was so subtle I failed to see it.
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.
