My Blindfold game with Coach Joe Lafornara - by Coach Sean Tobin.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

WEAK DIAGONALS and of BISHOPS & QUEENS!

This is a follow up lesson on our WEAK DIAGONALS and ANNOYING QUEEN CHECKS lesson. Enjoy!

Jason Bell versus Sean Tobin

DESCHUTES COUNTY CHESS CLUB 05 08 2006

JASON BELL VS SEAN TOBIN:

[Event:"Casual Chess Game"]
[Site:"Redmond Public Library; 827 SW Deschutes Avenue; Redmond OR. 97756"]
[Date:"05.08.2006"]
[White:"Bell, Jason"]
[Black:"Tobin, Sean"]
[Opening:"Saragossa Opening"]
[ECO:"A00"][NIC:"VO.12"]
[Time Control:"None used"]

1. c3

This is known as the Saragossa opening... not the best way to seize the center! Such an opening would not be played by our players!

1... e5

If given the opportunity Black/the second player should play as though he/she is at the helm of the White pieces! Plant that flag in the center of the board!



WHO IS PLAYING THE WHITE PIECES HERE?

2. d4

1. c3 was the "slow build up" to 2. d4. Not a bad strategy though. People can and do play the Saragossa opening to win and do so. This is just not the best way to make use of the initiative nor is it the best way to control the center.

2... d5

Gambit anyone?

3. Nf3 e4

The second player should grab some space now as otherwise he could just regret having offered the gambit pawn! The idea behind this move is to cramp Jason Bell's chess style! The pawn on e4 will create all sorts of problems for members of the opposing White Army.


4. Nfd2 Bd6

The second player looks to exploit the b8 to h2 dark diagonal. WHERE HAVE WE ALL SEEN THIS IDEA BEFORE - AHEM!



5. f3??

This move is now a terminal weakness that will result in the first player losing the game. The idea here was to dissolve the second player's center but overlooks black's control of the b8 to h2 diagonal. Can you find Chess Coach Sean's reply? : P



5... Qh4+

Ah-ha! THE POWER OF THE ANNOYING QUEEN CHECK - one of the best ways to take advantage of a really weak diagonal!! A move obviously overlooked by the first player. Now White is lost as his King is blocked in by his own pieces and can be attacked along the h4 to e1 diagonal with dire consequences. Dire consequences = checkmate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



6. g3 BOX

BOX equals only move - you have just got to love those silly INFORMATOR CODES! When our King is in check we must either 1. Capture the offending piece; 2. Block the check or 3. Move away. Here only option two is available.




BLACK TO PLAY AND WIN

WHAT'S THE BEST MOVE?

6... Qxg3+!

THAT IS NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY - WAIT, ACTUALLY IT IS! Either piece could have made the capture on g3 but I - Chess Coach Sean - obviously wanted to deliver mate with the Bishop! Thus forcing option numeral uno!!



QUEEN SAC!

7. hxg3 Bxg3 checkmate!

A very instructive game.



Attention passengers - Flight 0-1 checkmate has arrived! Thank you for flying CHESS!

FINAL POSITION

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