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What Was I Thinking #3 – Sten Boban

Mistreaver — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 19:58:11 +0000

PREFACE

The hero of the Featured Sundays #3 is a young Croatian player and my close personal… acquitance.. mr. Sten Boban.

His style is very prophylactic and he is known as the “Croatian Petrosian”, or more often “Croatian Tiger” (the second nickname is used more often by the female population).

Some malicious people that include the author of these lines often compare his style with the football of Mourinho teams.

But naturally, such comparisons are unjust, because already Reti and the other hypermodernists realized the strength of not crossing the 3rd rank with your pawns or pieces prematurely.

Boban is adherent follower of their teaching.

Boban in younger daysIn the game we are going to analyze he battled with a bright Croatian star, IM Livaic Leon, who was “only” FM at a time.

Livaic Leon is very well known as “the most prepared guy in Croatia” and never refuses a lengthy theoretical discussion.

However, in this game Sten displayed some amazing preparation against the complicated Marshall defence and ended up with the better position out of the opening.

A better position that was very hard to play for White, since Livaic quickly grabbed the initiative with some powerful moves.

However, at the critical moment, he failed to find the most dynamic continuation, and Sten, displaying his best chess qualities, defended accurately and equalized comfortably.

Unfortunatelly, immediately after equalizing, two mistakes by Sten followed (naturally, because mistakes always come in pairs).

Mistakes, that left him a piece down after a forced tactical sequence not missed by Livaic.

After the game, Sten probably couldn’t avoid asking himself the familiar question “What was I thinking?”

Game analysis

The analysis of this fascinating encounter is given below.

[Event "Croatian Junior Championship"]  [Site "?"]  [Date "2017.04.10"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Sten, Boban"]  [Black "Livaic, Leon"]  [Result "0-1"]  [ECO "C89"]  [PlyCount "74"]  [SourceDate "2017.04.10"]   1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3  d5 $5 {[pgndiagram] The dangerous Marshall attack, that is one of those lines  that has been "analyzed to death". Sten told me that prior to this game they  looked at this line quite extensively in Osijek Open tournament} 9. exd5 Nxd5  10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 {The main line} (11... Nf6 {In the historic  Capablanca - Marshall game from the New York 1918 tournament where Marshall's  attack made it's first appearance, this was Marshall's choice. After being  caught in variation, Capablanca defended brilliantly and went on to win the  game}) 12. g3 $5 {[pgndiagram] To me this is a new move. White prevents a  queen foray to h4 in the future} (12. d4 {Has been the main line in the past}  Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4) (12. d3 {Has been dominant as the main line on the highest  level recently. Both moves most often lead to a draw, because Black has enough  activity for a pawn}) 12... Bd6 13. Re1 Qf6 $6 {I imagine that Livaic was  slightly suprised by the chosen variation and he plays a novelty that is  probably not the best move here} (13... Bf5) (13... Re8) 14. d3 Qg6 15. Nd2 $1  {[pgndiagram] Strong play by Sten. The pawn is poisoned and White continues  his development} Bg4 {Quite a natural move, provoking another weakness} (15...  Qxd3 $4 16. Bc2 {Traps the queen}) (15... Nf4 {Came into consideration} 16. Ne4  Nh3+ 17. Kg2 Bc7 18. Qe2 h5 {And Black's compensation is starting to run out  of steam}) 16. f3 Bd7 17. Nf1 $6 {Too passive, but placing a knight on e4 is  regarded as too active by Sten's chess standards (I hope he won't mind this  remark)} (17. Ne4 {White could have crowned his opening strategy with this  nice centralization, when he is fully in control} Bc7 18. d4 {And Black has to  be creative to find compensation} f5 $2 {[pgndiagram] Attractive, but faulty}  19. Nc5 Bxg3 20. hxg3 Qxg3+ 21. Kf1) 17... Rae8 {Now suddenly White has  problems with development} 18. Rxe8 $6 {This only helps Black} (18. Bxd5 Rxe1  19. Qxe1 cxd5 20. Be3 {Might be an improvement for White}) 18... Rxe8 19. Bxd5  cxd5 20. Be3 h5 {[pgndiagram]Black's bishops are very strong and White is  quite irrelevant} 21. Qd2 h4 22. Kf2 {Not the best reaction, but it is hard to  criticize Sten for choosing it} (22. g4 {Is too dangerous from human's  perspective} f5 23. h3 fxg4 24. fxg4 {But White may stand better here than in  the game}) 22... hxg3+ $6 {The position is very hard to grasp for a human} (  22... Bh3 {Not hurrying with exchange on g3 and tightening the screw} 23. Re1  b4 {[pgndiagram] Opening another front. Computer is terribly strong in such  positions}) 23. hxg3 Bh3 24. f4 $6 {Defending the g3 pawn, but it wasn't forced  } (24. Re1 Bxf1 25. Kxf1 Bxg3 26. Bf2 {And White is close to equality here})  24... Bf5 25. Rd1 Qh7 {[pgndiagram] Livaic is very strong once he grabs the  initiative and so far he plays perfectly} 26. Kg1 Re6 27. Nh2 Qh3 $2 {But here  he misses the best continuation} (27... g5 {Is thematic in this position, and  it is stronger without the queen on f2} 28. Qf2 {White is forced to give up  something} gxf4 29. Bxf4 Bxd3 {And Black's advantage is obvious}) 28. Qf2 g5 {  Now the pawn on d3 is not under the threat, and White has time to defend} 29.  Nf1 {[pgndiagram] Sten loves these safe knight moves :D} gxf4 30. Bxf4 Bxf4 31.  Qxf4 Re2 {[pgndiagram] This looks very threatening for Black, but White can  hold everything. The knight on f1 is a strong defensive piece (Sten surely  knows his classics, as Bent Larsen said that with the knight on f8(f1) it can  never be mate)} 32. Qf3 Rxb2 33. Qxd5 $6 {Going pawn grabbing when it wasn't  neccessary} (33. Rd2 {Would ease White's life} Rxd2 (33... Rb1 34. Rh2 Qg4 35.  Qxd5 Qxg3+ 36. Rg2 (36. Qg2 $2 {Is fauly here} Rxf1+ (36... Qxg2+ 37. Rxg2+ Kf8  {And White is too pined to do anything}) 37. Kxf1) 36... Rxf1+ 37. Kxf1 Bh3 38.  Kg1 Bxg2 39. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 40. Kxg2 {Leads to equality}) 34. Nxd2 Bg6 {And it is  hard to believe that Black can win this}) 33... Bg6 $6 {[pgndiagram] Also  missing the best chance} (33... Re2 {Would have been quite unpleasant now} 34.  Rd2 Rxd2 35. Nxd2 Qxg3+ {Exchange of the d for the g pawn is clearly in  black's favour} 36. Qg2 Qxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Bxd3) 34. Re1 Kh7 {Now game should end  in a draw objectively} 35. Re5 $2 {A "shot in the blank" and the first step  toward the abyss} (35. d4 {And nothing terribly for White is apparent,  although it is harder for him to play}) (35. c4 {Also equalizes}) 35... Rb1 36.  Qf3 $4 {Overlooking a simple two move tactic} (36. Qg2 Qxg2+ 37. Kxg2 Bxd3 {  Would still give some practical hope of salvation}) 36... Rxf1+ 37. Qxf1 Qxg3+  {A great pity. After playing on equal terms with a future IM, Sten blew it in  to moves. Nevertheless, a fascinating clash between two Croatian youngsters}  0-1

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What Was I Thinking #2 – Vjekoslav Nemec

Mistreaver — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 18:51:18 +0000

Preface

In this edition of the What Was I Thinking, I will be brave enough to put one of my own games.

This weekend I have participated in a team rapid event in which the best team qualifies for the Croatian Cup final.

The event was held as a 5 round Swiss, and the game we are going to see was played in round four.

It was a crucial round for determining the final outcome, since we have played with our direct rivals.

It goes without saying that I was extremely nervous. Still, initially I displayed some decent chess and managed to outplay my opponent. A 2150 rated player.

However, when I should have reaped the fruits of my labor, I went on to commit one mistake after another and find myself in a worse position.

Fortunately, our win in the match was not jeopardized, and my opponent offered me a draw in a position he could have played on for a win forever.

Therefore, it wasn’t that tragic, since I only drew. But still, after analyzing the game I keep asking myself what was I thinking.

Game analysis

[Event "Featured Sunday 2"]  [Site "?"]  [Date "2017.02.19"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Jelecevic I"]  [Black "Nemec V"]  [Result "1/2-1/2"]  [ECO "B06"]  [PlyCount "106"]  [SourceDate "2017.02.18"]   1. e4 g6 $3 {I owe many rating points to the Swedish grandmaster Tiger Hillarp  Persson, whose books have taught me everything I know about the Modern Defence.  Which is not much though. Anyway, I enjoy the dynamic positions that result  from this opening} 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 {Out of the many possible moves,  I have encountered this one most often. Tiger Hillarp Persson calls this the  "Flexible Dragon Unleashed" variation.} a6 {The key move of the a6 modern. I  bet you were surprised with this statement.} 5. Bd3 b5 6. a4 b4 7. Nd5 {I  think that jumping with the knight on d5 is never dangerous for Black} (7. Nce2  Bb7 8. c3 {Fast c3 is the right plan to pursue, when there is alot of theory  and possible moves. Read "Tiger's Modern" for more information}) 7... a5 {  [pgndiagram] I have prepared something among these lines before the game. I  think that here Black has already equalized, since after e6, the knight on f4  will be dumb} 8. Ne2 (8. c3 {Is nevertheless better} e6 9. Nf4 Nf6 {I think  that it is not dangerous to allow cxb4. At least for the moment.} 10. cxb4 axb4  11. Nf3 O-O 12. h3 {Preventing Ng4 ideas} (12. O-O {Is better} Bb7 {With  around equal position}) 12... Bb7 {And Black is probably even slightly better  already}) 8... e6 (8... c6 {Was also possible. Going for the fast e5} 9. Ndf4  Nf6 10. c3 e5 {Here we see another drawback of knight on f4: e5 comes with  tempo. White is better here} 11. Nh3 (11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Nh3 {Is not an  improvement} bxc3 13. Nxc3 Bxh3 14. gxh3 O-O {And Black is better}) 11... Bxh3  12. gxh3 O-O) 9. Ndf4 Nf6 10. Ng3 h5 $2 {[pgndiagram] This is a risky and  somewhat dogmatic move. I remembered that Tiger Hillarp Persson said that one  should always consider h5 as a reply to Ng3, but here with the knight on f6,  this is dangerous tactically.} (10... e5 {Is rather normal} 11. dxe5 dxe5 12.  Nfe2 O-O 13. O-O Qe7 14. Qc1 Be6 {I have never been a fan of this pawn  structure, and I thought that I would stand slightly worse here. This  evaluation is obviously faulty. Black is better here}) 11. h3 $2 {Returning  the favour. After this Black's idea is jsutified} (11. e5 {I have seen this  move during the game, but haven't considered it dangerous} dxe5 (11... Ng4 {  Immediately is also dangerous} 12. Qf3 (12. Nxg6 {IS not so clear} fxg6 13.  Bxg6+ Kd7 14. Bf4) 12... d5 13. Ngxh5 {With strong initiative}) 12. dxe5 Nd5 {  Is now an only move} (12... Ng4 {Was what I was planning, but it is losing} 13.  Nxg6 fxg6 14. Bxg6+ Ke7 15. Bg5+) 13. Nxd5 (13. Nxg6 fxg6 14. Bxg6+ Kd7 15. Ne4  Bxe5 {And Black survives}) 13... exd5 14. f4 {And White is clearly better. h5  realy hurts the g6 square}) 11... h4 {Now everything is in order} 12. Nf1 Bb7  13. Nd2 Nbd7 14. c3 e5 {[pgndiagram] Breaking in the centre is one of the key  ideas in the modern for Black. Similarly as in Sicilian, if he manages to  follow e5 with d5, he should probably take over} 15. Ne2 (15. dxe5 {Is no  better} Nxe5 16. Bb5+ c6 17. Be2 O-O {And Black is slightly better}) 15... d5  $1 {Except the unecessary mistake on move 10, I think I have played decently  up to this point. Playing these moves always gives me great pleasure.} 16. f3  Qe7 {Without false modesty, another good and logical move. e4 is under pressure  } 17. O-O {My opponent also plays good. He completes his developement and lets  me take the e4 pawn} c5 $6 {[pgndiagram]And I managed to see ghosts. This  aesthetically pleasing move is faulty} (17... exd4 $1 {Of course, there was  nothing wrong with taking on d4 and on e4} 18. Nxd4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Nxe4 20. Bxe4  Bxe4 21. fxe4 O-O $1 {[pgndiagram] Black has the better position here} (21...  Qxe4 {Is also possible, but somewhat risky} 22. Re1 O-O)) 18. dxc5 $6 {Also  imprecise. Knight on c5 and e6 is strong} (18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Bb5+ Kf8 20. f4 {  Was a better version for White} Neg4 {I would have to find this move} 21. hxg4  h3 {And it is not an easy task. I have barely considered this}) 18... Nxc5 19.  Bb5+ Kf8 20. cxb4 axb4 {Now Black should be slightly better, although with the  imprisoned rook on h8 he shouldn't claim a big advantage} 21. Rc1 $2 {A bad  move} (21. Nb3 Ne6 22. a5 {Is the alternative}) 21... Ne6 $2 {Also not optimal}  (21... d4 {Was perfectly viable} 22. Bf2 (22. Bg5 Rh5) 22... Bh6 {I missed  this idea. Black is better}) 22. exd5 $2 {And this just plays in Black's hands,  activating both the knight and bishop} (22. Qb3 {And the pawn on e4 is  apparently taboo} dxe4 (22... Kg8 {Is computer's first suggestion, but it is  hard to judge such moves}) 23. Nxe4 Nxe4 24. fxe4 Bxe4 25. Bc4 {And apparently  White has sufficient compensation for the pawn}) 22... Nxd5 23. Bf2 Bh6 {  [pgndiagram] Now Black has a strong initiative. Ne3 is a threat, Rd8 is also  coming, and White's pieces are completely uncoordinated.} 24. Ne4 $2 {  Desperation, but objectively a losing move} (24. Qe1 Ne3 25. Bxe3 Bxe3+ 26. Kh1  {Is not impressive looking, but the game is still going on}) 24... Ne3 {Not  such a bad move, but first sign of my bad psychological state. Instead of  playing simply, I start to be smart.} (24... Bxc1 {Taking the exchange was  good enough} 25. Qxc1 Rc8 26. Qd1 Kg7 {I am amazed I didn't play this. I  somehow imagined that the dark squared bishop is strong here.}) 25. Qd3 $2 {  This is just losing outright} (25. Qd6 {Was more resilient} Nxf1 26. Rxf1 Qxd6  27. Nxd6 Bd5 {Although it is true that even here Black should be winning})  25... Nxf1 {[pgndiagram]} (25... Rd8 {I have seen this move, but I didn't want  to allow the exchange of queen for rook and bishop} 26. Bxe3 Rxd3 27. Bxh6+  Rxh6 28. Bxd3 {But here Black has to be easily winning though.} Bxe4 29. Bxe4  Qa7+ 30. Kh1 Qxa4 {And the rest is just a matter of technique}) 26. Rxf1 Rd8 (  26... f5 {I missed a tactical point here} 27. Nd6 Rd8 28. Rd1 {I stopped my  calculation here} e4 $1 {But this move takes everything away from the queen  and White loses the knight. Amazing geometry} 29. fxe4 Bxe4) 27. Qc2 Rc8 (27...  Kg7 {Now would have been a better choice}) 28. Qd3 Kg7 $2 {[pgndiagram]  Unnecesarily allowing the queen exchange} 29. Qd6 Qxd6 (29... Qc7 30. Bb6) 30.  Nxd6 {Now Black's task is somewhat more complicated. Although he is a clear  exchange up} Rb8 31. Nxb7 Rxb7 32. Bxh4 {Perhaps White should refrain from  exchaning the bishops, but it is hard not to take a clear pawn} Be3+ 33. Bf2  Bxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Rd8 35. Ke3 {[pgndiagram] The endgame is still clearly winning  for Black. But i relaxed prematurely and once again demonstrated my attrocious  endgame technique} Rc7 {There were at least two better alternatives} (35... f5  36. Rc1 f4+ 37. Kf2 (37. Ke4 Kf6) 37... Rd2) (35... Nc7 36. Bc4 Nd5+ 37. Ke4 (  37. Bxd5 Rxd5 38. Rc1 Ra7 39. b3 Rad7) 37... f5+ 38. Kxe5 Re7+) 36. Rc1 Rxc1  37. Nxc1 Nf4 $6 {[pgndiagram] And this is a step in wrong direction} (37... Nd4  38. Nd3 Nxb5 39. axb5 Rd5 40. Nxb4 Rxb5 41. Nd3 f5 {And Black should win this})  38. g3 Nxh3 $2 {And this is a nightmare move, after which it is Black who has  to fight for a draw in this position} (38... Nd5+ {Was still good enough} 39.  Ke4 f6 40. Nd3 b3) 39. Nd3 Ng5 40. Nxe5 Rd1 $6 {[pgndiagram]} (40... Kf6 {IT  is better to let the b4 fall, but I was somewhat panicking around here} 41. Nd3  Ne6 42. Nxb4 Nd4) 41. Nd3 Rb1 (41... Rf1 42. f4 Ne6 43. Nxb4 Rg1) 42. Bc4 Ne6  43. b3 Kf6 44. a5 (44. Nxb4 $1 {Would have placed a serious test in front of  Black} Nc5 45. Nd5+ Ke5 46. Nc3 Rb2 47. a5 {And now it is not entirely clear  what should Black do} f5 (47... Nxb3 {Is losing} 48. a6) 48. f4+ Kd6 49. Nb5+  Kd7 {And Black survives}) 44... Ra1 45. a6 Ra3 $6 {I think this is a losing  move. Or at least very close to it} (45... Ke7 46. Nxb4 Kd6 {WAs enough for  the balance}) 46. Nxb4 Nc5 47. Nc2 (47. Nd5+ Ke5 48. Nc7 Nxb3 49. Nb5 Rxa6 50.  Bxb3) 47... Ra2 48. Nb4 {Luckily, my opponent repeated here} (48. b4 $1 {I saw  this possibility during the game, but missevaluated the consequences} Rxc2 49.  a7 $3 {A study like move} Rc3+ {I stopped here, thinking I should be fine.  Alas..} 50. Kd4 Ra3 51. Kxc5 Rxa7 {And actually, I think White is winning here.  At least it looks extremely unpleasant} 52. b5 Rc7+ 53. Kd5 Rd7+ 54. Kc6 Rd2  55. b6 Rc2 56. Kc5 Rb2 57. Bb5 Rc2+ 58. Kd6 Rb2 59. Kc6 Rc2+ 60. Kd5 Rb2 61.  Kc4 Rc2+ 62. Kb4 Rb2+ 63. Ka4 Ra2+ 64. Kb3 Ra8 {And at this moment my computer  changes the evaluation in favour of White.}) 48... Ra3 49. Kf4 {A strong move}  Nxb3 50. a7 {And now due to the threat of any piece a6, I am forced to take  on a7} Rxa7 51. Bxb3 Ra3 52. Nd5+ Kg7 53. Bc4 Ra4 {And actually, my opponent  offered a draw here, since we were leading the match 2-0 and there was a dead  draw on the other board. White can play forever here and try to probe the  weakness on f7. Although objectively the position should be a draw, practicaly  anything can happen. Anyway, once again my main weakness of relaxing  prematurely in a winning position and then not focusing and calculating enough  in an endgame showed itself. Fortunately, it wasn't a costly mistake, since I  didn't lose in the end and we managed to win the match, but still, it is  definitely something I have to work on in the future.} 1/2-1/2

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What Was I Thinking #1 – Henrik Ginderskov

Mistreaver — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 21:50:51 +0000

In our first chessentials featured Sunday, we analyze a game submitted by the reader under the name of Henrik Ginderskov.

Apparently, after the game, he went on to delete everything related to chess from his web browsers and computer, so I think we can safely assume he was slightly dissapointed with the outcome.

Luckily for us, he returned the websites and felt free enough to share his thoughts about the game. I have added my own analysis of the game as well here. His comments are denoted with HG, and mine with VN. Also, all exclamation and question marks are his own.

Game analysis

Hint: Click on any move, and the pop-up board will appear

[Event "Holbak Forar"]  [Site "?"]  [Date "2017.01.29"]  [Round "?"]  [White "Ginderskov , Henrik"]  [Black "Bratholm, Palle"]  [Result "*"]  [ECO "E12"]  [PlyCount "88"]  [SourceDate "2017.01.29"]   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Bf4 {this has become my  favourite move here Not much theory. And must admit: it is not dangeous for  black. The move was played by the late english GM Tony Miles - HG // My FM  colleague and friend said that up to 2400 rating, it is possible to play any  opening, since the evaluation often changes multiple times. Nothing wrong with  such an approach therefore - VN} Ba6 $6 {this move is in CB. Played by some  strong players. But I think this move has no purpose here, as the white bishop  will be in this diagonal f1-a6 and protect c4 - HG // I agree. This move is  one of the main replies in the 4 g3 variation of the queen's indian, but here  the bishop is misplaced on a6. Normal moves like Bb7 or Be7 with castles are  better - VN} 5. e3 {This is the reason why Ba6 doesn't have much point. With  g3, e3 is somewhat ugly, but here it is logical and the bishop from f1 defends  c4 - VN} d5 6. Nbd2 Nh5 $2 {[pgndiagram] A tactical oversight that could have  lost immediately. Black disregards the basic principle of not moving the same  piece twice in the opening. Often White allows Nxf4 in this structures, but  here there is also a tactical flaw - VN} (6... Be7 $1 {I agree with HG here,  normal developement is highly preferable here, when White's position is  slightly more pleasant - VN}) 7. Bg5 {Not bad, but there was a very strong  tactical intermezzo - VN} (7. cxd5 $1 {Is a very strong resource. I have seen  this idea before, but I can't remember exactly in which position. But it is a  nice idea to remember in the positions with the Black bishop on a6 and the  pawn on d5 - VN} Bxf1 8. dxe6 $1 {The point - VN} Bxg2 {Now fails to - VN} 9.  exf7+ Ke7 10. Bg5+ Nf6 11. Rg1 {And White has a decisive compensation. But I  agree that this is not at all easy to find - VN}) 7... Be7 (7... f6 8. Bh4 $1  $14) 8. Bxe7 (8. cxd5 {Was again possible - VN}) 8... Qxe7 {But as it is,  White has a very clear advantage - VN} 9. Ne5 $1 Nf6 10. Qa4+ c6 11. cxd5 $1 {  [pgndiagram] Simple and strong I think - HG // I agree, nothing to add here -  VN} (11. Nxc6 Qd7 12. cxd5 Bxf1 (12... b5 $1 {This is actualy losing to Nxb8 -  VN} 13. Nxb8) 13. Kxf1 exd5 (13... Nxd5 {Is a more challenging response,  intending Ne7 - VN} 14. Rc1 Ne7 {And here computer finds the amazing resource  - VN} 15. Nc4 Nbxc6 16. Nxb6 axb6 17. Qxa8+ Nd8 {But this is too far fetched  for human, and 11 Nxc6 is really unnecessary - VN}) 14. Rc1 O-O $1 {during the  game I could not make this work - for white - HG // The pin is definitely  unpleasant, but it seems that there is nothing terrible for White apparent -  VN}) 11... Bxf1 12. Kxf1 Nxd5 13. Rc1 $1 {White got a big positional advantage  due to his better placed pieces and the weaknesses on c6 and c5. I had seen  all this when I played cxd5 - HG // Yes, the only problem is the lack of the  right to castle that makes White lose a couple of tempi - VN} O-O 14. Ke2 $1 (  14. Nxc6 $2 {Actually, this is playable - VN} Qd7 15. b3 $2 (15. Ke2 a6 $19 {  I think here this is a wrong evaluation - VN} 16. Nf3 b5 {Whenever Black tries  b5, the pin on the queen is released and knight can take on b8 with tempo - VN}  17. Nxb8 Rfxb8) 15... Rc8 16. Ne5 Rxc1+ 17. Ke2 Qxa4 $19 {I am not sure if  these variations are correct. During the game I chose the most secure option.  - HG}) (14. g3 {I think it would be more natural to place the king on g2 then  on e2 - VN}) 14... f6 15. Nef3 {[pgndiagram]} (15. Nxc6 {Was again playable  and would lead to a very clear advantage now}) 15... e5 {This is a mistake.  Black opens up the position when he is clearly underdeveloped - VN} (15... Rc8  16. Rhd1 b5 17. Qa5 Nd7 {And Black is only slightly worse - VN}) 16. dxe5 fxe5  17. Rhd1 $1 {This is my strong side. Putting the pieces on their best squares  before starting any complication - HG // I like this move. Finishing the  mobilization before embarking on activity. Black is tied up and can't do very  much - VN} Kh8 {This move is a simbol of Black's position - VN} 18. Kf1 b5 (  18... a5 {With the idea of developing the rook via a7 at least, came into  consideration - VN}) 19. Qe4 Qf6 20. Nb3 $1 {[pgndiagram] Completely winning I  think. The threat is Na5 and take on c6. I had seen that maneuvre some moves  ago. - HG // White's position is so good here that there is abundance of good  moves. But going for a pawn is always nice if it goes unpunished - VN} Nd7 {  Not sure if giving up the pawn or simply missing a tactic on the 23rd move - VN  } (20... a5 {Black could have actually kept his pawn, but then the weakness of  c5 tells - VN} 21. a4 bxa4 22. Nc5 Ra7 23. Qxa4 {And Black simply has too many  weaknesses - VN}) 21. Na5 {Now the pawn is gone and there is nothing Black  can do - VN} Rac8 {But this succumbs rather easily to the tactic that occured  in the game} (21... Qf7 {Trying to get some counterplay would put up a greater  resistance . The idea is Nf6 - e4 and taking the a pawn. Or just some general  activity- VN} 22. Nxc6 N5f6 23. Qb4 a6 24. Ncxe5 Nxe5 25. Nxe5 Qxa2 {And White  still has a technical task ahead of him - VN}) 22. Nxc6 Rxc6 23. Qxd5 {  [pgndiagram] The most obvious, but kidna not the most practical - VN} (23. Rxc6  {Would have led to an easier technical task, since it would force a queen  exchange - VN} Qxc6 24. Qxd5 Qxd5 25. Rxd5) 23... Rxc1 24. Rxc1 e4 $1 {Only  chance - trying to confuse his opponent - HG. Yes, a good decision, Black  activates his pieces somewhat - VN} 25. Qxe4 Qxb2 26. Qc2 Qb4 {But White's  position is still completely winning though - VN} 27. Nd4 a6 28. Ne6 {  [pgndiagram] I used avery long time on this move. I could not find any secure  solution. But I chose the active move (thats good) because something will for  sure turn up in whites favour - HG // But why should you be in any kind of  hurry anyway. Why "something needs to turn up in white's favour?" You can  simply play slow and you have all the time in the world. The text move is  actually good, I am more critical of the reasoning behind it. VN} Re8 29. Ng5 (  29. Qc7 {Is actually a very nice computerish resource that leads to a forced  queen exchange and takes advantage of the weakened back rank - VN} Qd2 30. Qc3  {And due to a mate threat on g7 Black is forced to exchange queens}) 29... Nf6  30. h3 h6 $2 31. Nf7+ Kg8 32. Nxh6+ {[pgndiagram] A nice shot, and another  pawn taken. Perhaps I have been focusing too much on the "opportunity cost",  but White has played really a very good game up to this point. - VN} Kf8 33.  Qg6 Qe7 34. Nf5 (34. Rc6 {Was a very attractive tactical solution here, which  would allow White carry out idea he had later immediately - VN} a5 35. Nf5 Qd7  36. Kg1) 34... Qd7 35. Kg1 $1 {The right place. - HG} Re6 {Nice defence I  guess. Whites idea was Rc6 - HG // It might be, but White's position is so  overwhelming. Two pawns and dominant pieces.} 36. Nd4 Rd6 37. Qc2 {From here  on I could not find any combination or solution. Perhaps there is no combos. I  was well aware about that during the game. My Qc2 was made in order to reach  move 40. I was not in timetrouble. - HG // And again, this search for  combinative solutions at a moment where purely technical means are enough - VN}  Ne8 38. Qh7 $6 {just a way to confuse myself - seen in hindsight...} (38. Qc8 {  Why not simple queen exchange. Black can't really avoid it without making his  position even worse - VN} Qf7 39. Rc5) 38... Nf6 39. Qh8+ {Nothing wrong with  this, but this is unnecessarily stranding the queen. Now White has to be  somewhat careful not to get his queen trapped. Amazingly, that is exactly what  happens in the game - VN} Ng8 40. Rc5 $4 {[pgndiagram] We have all been there,  making blunders that throw games away. This one is really unfortunate. - VN}  Rh6 {I have not used any engine to analyze the game. All variations was in my  head during the game. I have not checked my moves with any computer. But it  seems that I have made all the right moves - except my last!!! I think I have  played quite strongly all the time. And black rating 2060 played quite  insecure. I have made a lot of quiet moves - and that is my expertise I think.  I have played through a lot of games by swedish GM Andersson and I really like  his style. Ok my endgame play is not any good, but I like his secure way of  developing his pieces. And I also use this way of playing in my correspondence  games - HG // Here mr. Henrik resigned. The worst part is that there is  actually it is not necessary to resign yet - VN} 41. Rf5+ $1 {(My exclamation  mark). White could have saved himself with a help of brilliant combination - VN  } Qxf5 42. Qxg7+ Kxg7 43. Nxf5+ Kf6 44. Nxh6 Nxh6 {And White is probably even  slightly better in the end.} *

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White has played a really good game and has kinda lost to himself more than to his opponent. Nothing terrible with that as it happens to every chessplayer here and then. It would be terrible if no conclusions were drawn from this game and no lessons learnt.
I think that most obvious things White player can improve are:

Tactical calculation – I think at certain moments there were moves that should have been considered, at least. Perhaps 7 cxd5 is too computerish, but meeting b5 with Nxb8 or finding that cute combination at the end could have been found, perhaps.
Patience is a virtue – One think that I noticed is that the higher the rating a player has, the more patient in chess he is. I think that it is very hard to “do nothing” in chess, most chessplayers have big urge to get active and have constructive plans. I think that the game is a great example of how sometimes the idea of being constantly active can sometimes backfire.

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