Mabe vs Simpson

This was the big game for me.  Chris and I were tied at 1.5. Oliver was leading with 2.5 and he was facing Craig. So, the winner of this game would be in position to win the title of NC State Champion!

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. Nc3 Be7 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4

Ok, I think we were both happy to be in this position. However, I think Chris had a better feel for this position than I did. 

I was struggling with piece placement and timing. I really didn’t want to play Nc6, because I thought the knight would be missed placed. So the correct way to play this opening position can be found in doing some research in the English Opening: Symmetrical Variation. Hedgehog Defense.

One very interesting game that is worth reviewing is Vladimir Kramnil vs Peter Leko, Budapest RWE Gas m 2001.

I have played this opening many times before but I was unable to recall any of the specifics.  My next few moves show that I was struggling with the fine points of this position.

8. … d6 9. Bg5 h6

My 9….h6 is actually the beginning of my problems. I really didn’t expect 9.Bg5 and all of my thoughts on the position where thrown to the side because of 9.Bg5. I failed to see why white would want to trade his bishop for my knight. I felt white was wrong and I wanted to force him to justify the Bishop move now (Thus, 9… h6.). 
Ok, this is a weakness in my game. I had a good handle on how I wanted to continue regarding 8….d6. I was planning to develop my Queen Knight to d7, castle, a6, etc… typical hedgehog type development. But I was now completely distracted by 9…Bg5.  I wish I could tell you that Chess performance is all about chess moves and chess knowledge. But as you can see my h6 wasn’t based on a continuous thought. 9…h6 was a reaction to a move I felt was wrong. I believe I reacted on an emotional level. Think about when you are having a serious conversation with someone and they say something which provokes your emotions. A typical response might be to blurt out an emotional statement. In chess you can’t change your response, you must live with it. In conversation you may be able to fix your emotional response with an apology or rephrasing the outburst.   But this is Chess and so I must now live with the following position:
10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Qf4
  
Now I am really upset with my play and the above position. Chris now has the easier position to play. Remember I didn’t want to play Nc6 and I wanted to play it to d7. My thoughts are filled with negative feelings regarding what I did on move nine and the compromises I now need to make. 
Objectively I don’t think I am lost. My position isn’t that bad but it is far from good.  I know from experience that I need to clear my head of all unproductive thoughts. The past is the past and the future depends on the present. I need to assess this position correctly and play focused. 
The lesson to learn is; “stay in the moment”. Focus on what is in front of you. Listen to the position and respond based on your understanding of the position. Don’t allow distractions to guide your thoughts away from your understanding of the position. 

11. … Bxc3 12. bxc3 Qc7 13. Rfd1 Ke7

Ok, many of you are probably wondering why didn’t black castle and protect his King?
All of my calculations indicated that my King was fine in the center. This may sound funny or overly optimistic on my part. But I simply don’t believe in making moves because that’s “what they say you should do”.  Now in our post game analysis Neal pointed out that 14.Qh4+ looked good for white and exposes the weakness of my King move. I must say I think Neal was correct. In the game I calculated that I would be fine in that variation but I now think I was wrong. 
Chris had other plans!! 
14. Rxd6 

Wow!! I didn’t think this was possible. I just protected this square with my King. Ok my thoughts were “Chris is a monster!” I must have spent a few minutes internally recognizing his courage, boldness, complete disregard of fear.  
I needed a moment because I felt like a boxer who just got knocked down with an upper cut. 
So just like in my game with Craig Jones it was time to become stoic and just analyze everything!
14. … Qxd6 15. Ne5 Bxg2 16. Qxf7+ Kd8 17. Qxg7 Qf8 18. Rd1+ Kc8 19. Qg4

Now I think Chris is lost!!
I am up two pieces but I do have some problems which require accurate analysis. Emotions are going wild. Can I save the Bishop?
No, I can’t play Bb7 because after Qxe6+ I am done. So what about attacking his knight? Qf6 or Qf5.? 
Ok, I think it is safe to say white is fighting back. 
I picked 19…Qf6 over Qf5. I think I was wrong. 
19…Qf6 20. Kxg2 a6 21. Rd6

I saw this position developing and I thought I could play Qxe5. 
But it wasn’t that easy and I focused on the following: 21…Qxe5 22.Rxe6 Qg5 23.Re8++ Kg7
24.Qc8+ Ka7 25.Qc7 mate.
I am now feeling the stress of the game. White is down a rook but he has play! I need to coordinate my pieces, but how?

Re8 22. Qe4 Ra7 23. Rxb6

The pressure simply broke me down and I blundered with the next move. 
I must say this game was painful to lose because I was up a piece, a rook for a few pawns. 
Rc7?? 24. Qa8 Qxe5 25. Rxb8+ Kd7 26. Rxe8 Qxe2 27. c5 Qe5 28. c6+ Kd6 29. Rd8+ Kc5 30. Rd4 Qe2 31. Qf8+ Kxc6 32. Qb4 Qe5 33. a4 Rc8 34. a5 1-0
In conclusion, I think Chris played courageously and when faced with defeat he maintained active play requiring me to be precise. I certainly look forward to our next game.