27 December 2024

Annotated Game #295: No need to panic

Panic in the opening is never good, as this next tournament game miniature shows. Because there is more to it than just a one-move blunder (although not much more), I think it is worth publishing, as it highlights a useful gambit for Stonewall players to know, along with the unnecessarily deleterious psychological effects of panic. The unexpectedness of receiving two Black pairings in a row I believe contributed to my discombobulation, although that is not an excuse.


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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 e6 The move-order for a Slav Stonewall, although Black is not committed necessarily to that. 4.e3 Bd6 4...f5 allows the provocative 5.g4!? 5.Qc2 f5 now we have the Stonewall formation. 6.b3 Qe7 this move-order is not necessary to prevent Ba3, a common idea for White, due to tactics. However, the queen will probably go to e7 anyway. 6...Nf6 7.Ba3? 7.Bd3 0-0 8.cxd5 and either recapture is fine exd5 9.Bxf5 Bxf5 10.Qxf5 Ne4 11.Qe6+ Kh8 12.Nbd2 Rf6= and White's queen cannot stop getting kicked around by Black's pieces. 7...Bxa3 8.Nxa3 Qa5+-+ 7.Bd3 Nf6 8.cxd5 here I panicked over the loss of a pawn, not recognizing that this is actually a standard Dutch gambit; see also the above variation with Bd3. cxd5?? saves the pawn, but loses the bishop. An example of failing to consider tactics in the opening phase. 8...exd5! 9.Bxf5 Bxf5 10.Qxf5 0-0= follwed by ...Ne4; this is a completely legitimate gambit. 9.Qxc8+ 1–0
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