East Cheshire got thumped but at least I won my game, a game that was drawn throughout really against an evenly matched opponent. Make of it what you will, an interesting game to play
1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Be2 cxd4 7. cxd4 Bb4+
(usually play 7. … Nh6, this is alright too)
8. Nc3 Nge7 9. a3 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Bd7
Initially its all about that c pawn
11. OO Rc8 12. Bd2 Na5 13. Rb1 Qc7 14. Qc2 b6 15. Rfc1 Nc4
16. Bxc4 Qxc4 17. Rb4 Qc7 18. c4?
Sometimes my cautious chess gets the better of me, 18. …. a5 probably wins a pawn immediately but white gets somer counterplay against my pawns so I keep it solid
18. … dxc 19. Rxc4 Qxc4 20. Qxc4 Rxc4 21. Rxc4 Nd5 22. Ng5
Thought this might come, looking for Ne5 then Nd6, its a bit of a nuisance if it gets there
22. … f5 23. exf gxf 24. Ne4 Ke7 25. Nc3 Nxc3 26. Rxc3 Rc8
27. f3 Rxc3 28. Bxc3 Kd6 29. Kf2 Kd5 30. Ke3 a5 31. Kd3 Bb5+
However you look at it this is with correct play a drawn ending but the clock will come into play, my plan is to use the dual threat of penetrating with the king on either the king or queen side. My active Bishop and king can drive a path for that pawn if the defence is not accurate.
32. Kd2 f5 33. g3 Kc4 34 Bb2 Bc6 35. f4 b5 36. Bc3 b4
Time control an extra 15 minutes each, my opponent ends up with a total of 17, I have got 58, these are good odds
37. axb4 axb4 (think … a4 here is actually best, not sure though, maybe the pawn is better on the b file giving the king the option of running down the a file)
38. Bb2 Kb3 39. Kc1 Kc4 40. Kd2 Be4 41. Kc1 Kd3 42. Kd1 Bf3+
43. Kc1 Ke2 44. Kcc2 Bd5
I think this position is still drawn, yes I can win the h pawn but if his king simply follows me accross what then.
45. h3? Kf3 White Resigns