Chess: Zombywoof v Glee

The Game Room
1

This is a training game (I’m a retired professional chess coach) and should interest spectators as well.

Zombywoof can:

  • take a move back (if he happens to blunder horribly, I’ll point that out!)
  • ask my advice on his next move
  • ask questions about strategy + tactics
  • read my running commentary on the game

I’d prefer he didn’t use a computer (I do practice against them, but this is about Zombywoof learning for himself) and I’d appreciate spectators not making suggestions here (for the same reason.)
So here is a thread for spectator comments:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14851084#post14851084

N.B. If a kind soul would like to link this thread to a board position, that would be much appreciated. :cool:

Zombywoof, you have White.
There is no time limit (so don’t worry if real life intervenes…)
We’ll be using the standard algebraic notation (e.g. e4.)
For your interest, the standard opening moves are:

  • e4
  • d4
  • Nf3
  • c4

Hope it’s a good game!

2

Hi glee, I’ll start with good old

  1. e4
3

Zombywoof Glee
1.e4 e6

The French Defence, usually leading to sound, unspectacular positions.

4

My first thought is that your move is somewhat cautious (compared to e5) and playing e5 myself would be a more aggressive response for my side?

Nc3 seems reasonable to me, covering the d5 and e4 squares…however I think my best move is to advance the Queen’s Pawn.

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4
    Game link (which will hopefully work)
5

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5

The book moves here are:

    1. e5 (gains space, blocks the position)
    1. Nc3 (defends e4, allows Bb4 and Nf6 with sharp play)
    1. Nd2 (prevents Bb4, but slows the game down)

  1. e5? would waste time. I reply 2. … d6 and either the pawns are exchanged (which meant White has nothing to show for three moves) or goes for the line

  2. e4 e6

  3. e5 d6

  4. d4 dxe5

  5. dxe5 Qxd1+

  6. Kxd1 Nd7

when Black has equalised, since White can’t castle and has to defend the pawn on e5.

6

OK Thanks.

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5

Link

7

Nimzowitch would approve.

8

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5

This position is one I happily play from both sides.
The pawns in the centre can stay blocked for ages, which means manoeuvring around the sides and slow build-ups.
My kind of chess!

He certainly would (especially as my other game v Chessic Sense is using the Nimzo-Indian, also inspired by the great man.)

9

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3
    link
10

A game link to the immortal zugwang game linked in the wiki article.

11

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6

(If 5. Nf3 (best) Qb6)

White has set up a pawn chain, which gives him more space. Black needs to undermine it, or else his bishop on c8 will never get into the game.

One of Nimzovich’s many ideas was that attacking a pawn chain at the base (here effectively d4, since Black can play … cxd4 any time) was better than attacking the head of the chain (i.e. e5.)

However this is a valid position for both sides and (although a slow game) it should be interesting to see the build-ups…

12

Your comments are appreciated!

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. b3

link

13

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. b3

Ah, now I expect you were planning Bb2 to support the c3-d4-e5 pawn chain.
However I think you are in real trouble after:

  1. b3 cxd4
  2. cxd4 Bb4+,

as both Bd2 and Nbd2 lose a pawn to Nxd4 (the Queen’s guard on d4 is blocked.)

So I offer you the chance to take back b3 and substitute one the the three ‘book’ moves:

  1. Be2 (quiet but safe)
  2. Bd3 (can lead to gambit lines where you sacrifice your d-pawn but get compensation)
  3. a3 (designed to block up the position, but also to take pressure off d4.)
14

I see…I will take you up on your offer and play Be2, the other move I was considering (as preparation for castling.)

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. Be2

link
If I am understanding correctly, not playing b3 prevents the scenario above because

  1. Be2 cxd4
  2. cxd4 Bb4+
  3. Nc3

blocks the check while keeping the Knight protected and d4 doubly protected.

15

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. Be2 Bd7

Exactly so.

16

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. Be2 Bd
  7. 0-0

(I anticipate you may follow up with 7… 0-0-0 but will leave things here for now)

17

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. Be2 Bd7
  7. OO cxd4

position

If 8. cxd4 Nge7

I could have castled Q-side, but want to fix the centre and pressure your d-pawn (my Knight on e7 is coming to f5.)

18

It seems you’re letting me know I need to strengthen the defense of d4

Zombywoof Glee

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. Be2 Bd7
  7. OO cxd4
  8. cxd4 Nge7
  9. Be3

Game link

19

Hey, I’m a chess coach! :wink:
(Yes, this variation is largely about the d4 pawn. If you can defend it and also use your space advantage to press forward elsewhere, Black is under pressure. However if you get tied down to defence, I’m better.)

Chess (as somebody once said) is difficult.
9. Be3 loses a pawn to Qxb2.
I offer you a takeback!

20

Ack, right…I know a problem of mine is a tendency to rush moves without carefully looking at all their implications (silly as that sounds when playing correspondence style like this…)

I think now might be the time for b3 with the intention of following up with Bb2…not sure what other options there are for shoring up d4’s defenses (Nc3/a3 then Nb5?)

  1. e4 e6
  2. d4 d5
  3. e5 c5
  4. c3 Nc6
  5. Nf3 Qb6
  6. Be2 Bd7
  7. OO cxd4
  8. cxd4 Nge7
  9. b3