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Heroes Community > Tavern of the Rising Sun > Thread: Reflections on chess
Thread: Reflections on chess This thread is 3 pages long: 1 2 3 · «PREV / NEXT»
Ghost
Ghost


Undefeatable Hero
Therefore I am
posted August 17, 2016 08:55 PM

Big girl play chess, and gross 144x144 haste leaving no trace, we are good mimicry in 64x64 like as x86 machine is enough good in the future, but memory will wins chess, if you memory well, grandmaster memory 100,000 units plus opening books and strategy

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OhforfSake
OhforfSake


Promising
Legendary Hero
Initiate
posted August 17, 2016 09:03 PM

Galaad said:

OhforfSake said:
and not ultimately extreme perverted ideas and fantasies


Lol what are you on about?




Btw. Halloween Gambit is pretty extreme, you basically sacrifice your horse (sorry Artu game over I guess) for a pawn, development and the center.

It leads to this position:

With black to move, followed by Nxe5, d4.
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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted August 17, 2016 11:20 PM

That seems like a rather light sacrifice, of course the white center is going to be very strong, but the black won't lose time to activate their pieces, even give back some material vs initiative or just even out the position, worst case scenario to stabilize the center.
Of course you have to accept the sacrifice, and d4 Ng6, and e5 Ng8, the Knights will come back organized later with ...d6 or ...d5 and the black position will be able to breathe.

But it can scare off vampires and ghosts of the night.
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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted August 18, 2016 11:35 PM

A few reflections on the Sicilian opening.

The Sicilian characterizes itself by a certain asymmetry. Indeed, in e4 the black does not play the symmetry with ...e5 but replies with ...c5, creating an immediate disequilibrium. Even on today's high level, theses positions demand permanent risk taking ensuring spectacular games.



There is of course rapidly numerous nuances where the black decide on very different variations.
This game from Vachier-Lagrave (Dortmund 2016) starts with a Najdorf with ...d6, then the variation of the "poisoned pawn", after ...Qb6 to take the pawn in b2.



What is important to notice in this position is that instead of occupying the squares the black control active squares of the whites and keep a great flexibility of reactivity. The black will rapidly control squares b5, d5, f5, where the whites could have developed their game easily. In case the center gets blocked, will follow races against the clock to devastate enemy King. This example takes a different road.

In this game, Vachier-Lagrave chooses to eat a max of material very rapidly, with initiative, but his Queen will also become a target thus permitting the whites to accelerate their development. What illustrates the games where the dynamic aspect is turned over by yielding material (pawn b2) to activate development and gain important tempi on the Queen and hope to retrieve the material at a later stage. Which this game will show.

 

By playing e5 the whites are doing a decisive choice. Another viable variation exists with f5.

The black have gained some material but the Queen is very much exposed, and Vachier-Lagrave is going to find tactical resources to annihilate offensive from the whites.



To note that if Ke2 instead of Td3 then: 27. Ke2! Qxe3+ 28. Kxe3 Ne5 unclear.

In this position, the black will find the tactical resource that permits them to resolve all their problems while keeping the additional material. To remark that white position is decimated when it comes to pawns despite the additional quality but this last imprecision speeds up the game's outcome.


[spoiler]...Nc5![/spoiler]
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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted September 22, 2016 11:13 AM

Any questions/remarks etc, do not hesitate...
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Ghost
Ghost


Undefeatable Hero
Therefore I am
posted September 22, 2016 02:11 PM

9. Qd2 isn't the best move, you shouldn't play 9. Qd2, Kasparov's strong game C5, he knows the most better move, you must search Kasparov's C5 games about chess tree

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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted September 22, 2016 02:25 PM

Yes.

It's the "poisoned pawn" line if the black take the pawn in b2 and there exists numerous games and diverse plans searching to counter this very tactical move, including the brilliant Kasparov games.
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OhforfSake
OhforfSake


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Legendary Hero
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posted September 22, 2016 03:45 PM

I usually dislike playing against the Sicilian (playing white vs. black).

At the end of the opening, the game is rather even and the position, while looking good for white, is one I have trouble finding some good targets and a good overall plan within.

So a few days ago I actually did look through the computers opening book to find variations I could control and I enjoyed and I found a few.

My usual opening deviates from what is shown when white plays Bg5 where I'd typically play Be3, where I try to defend the e4 pawn with f3, preparing a potential g4 push (expecting black to push on the a-d files).

Something interesting is if black plays Qb6 once the f3 pawn is up, taking on b2 becomes more dangerous as the Nc3 knight doesn't have to bother nearly as much about protecting the pawn on e4. It allows e.g. for an interesting Bb5 sacrifice.

Another interesting point is that if white plays a3, the pawn on b2 can't be taken as well, because then Na4 would trap the queen.

Regarding poisoned pawns, I remember I had a game where both my b- and g-pawn where undefended, ready to be taken, but taking either of them would mean I'd get serious counter attack where I could easily grab a lot of the enemy's pawns.

Btw. from what I could understand, all the moves in the game was theory until move 13, Ne4, so while the opening looks to be the wildest and most impressive part, it's probably something both of them have played hundreds or even thousands of times.

I have 4 ways I play against the sicilian:
If my opponent goes for d6, a6 and e6, I'll go for f3, Qd2 and preparing g4 while castling long. I think this is the favorite line I have.

If my opponent goes for d6, a6 and e5, I'll go for Nf3 and Bc4, if he goes Ng4, then depending on the position I'll either play Nd5 or simply move the bishop.

If my opponent goes for Nc6, then I still go for Be3, and versus the annoying Ng4 I move the bishop. If he goes for e5, then I trade the knights, develops the bishop to Be2 (which chases Ng4 away) and finally I plan to move the Queen to Qd3 and later Qg3, effectively making any castling for black dangerous.

If Nc6 and black goes for e5 before Ng4, I'll play Nf3 and play Nd5 as a reply to Ng4. Again if black goes for something more passive like e6 og g6, I'll go for f3 and castling long, preparing for g4.

There are also some traps versus Ng4, meaning Qd2 can be played before f3, though I can't remember them very well, while whites Ng5 against Be6 should be pretty safe.

One trap is if black goes for d6 and g6 before Ng4, Bb5 pretty much wins the game (hence you'd probably want to play a6 or Nc6). There are also other stuff where despite the a6 pawn being played, Nb5 or Bb5 can still be played or Bb6 in other variations. I believe some of them is if black is too attack hungry with b5 and then b4, e.g:
e4 c5 Nf3 d6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nc3 a6 Be3 e6 f3 b5 Qd2 Nd7 O-O-O b4 Nce2 a5 Nf4 e5 Ne6 fxe6 Nxe6 Qe7 Nc7+ Kf7

Having a knight on d4 and f4 lures black into forking them with e5, which is a big mistake. Problems also occurs with Bg7 in stead of Nd6 if going too offensive with b4. Also in some variations it's possible to play a4 versus b5 not only destroying blacks queen side attack, but also allows white to attack from the queen side. I can't remember when this particular variations arises right now.

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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted September 23, 2016 11:25 AM
Edited by Galaad at 19:55, 23 Sep 2016.

Thanks for your input Forfy.

The particularities of the Sicilian opening is that it creates a dynamic and desiquilibrated game. A player who will want to control the position in a solid manner will be in great danger. Is more of a high-speed chase from the instant c5 has been played. Very aggressive with very sharp and deep theoric lines. The plan with f3 g4, supposing the castles opposites sides seems judicious but often too long. The keys of the strong and magic squares from the white position supposes sacrifices often in d5 and f5 of the Knights.

Other plans then more active for the black are being used. But all this is a matter of subtlety, of order of the moves.

Yes, by showing the poisoned pawn line is just to clearly show that the black pieces activity is happening queen side and white pieces activity to right side. Prophylactic moves like a3 can in certain cases prevent taking the pawn in b2 as the queen is trapped.

Indeed the immediate advantage of the white to the b2 pawn taking is the activity of the pieces. The Queen in front of a target will be able to develop and activate pieces against her. But in the long term this activity will melt, unless brilliant sacrifice. Which continues to accentuate the desiquilibriums of this opening.

One does not adventurate himself in this kind of positions unless he knows very well the theory or thematics of the position. But warriors like Najdorf, Svechnikov, and today in the same vein Maxime Vachier-Lagrave are using this opening to score with the black. No rest on the board!

The plans you play are totally coherent in regard of the choice of the black but won't permit to stabilize the position. Sooner or later a mad pursuit will be required. The fact to centralize or attack the King, to occupy the center while the black are devastating the Queen's side, is always inclined to this rush, the first arriving will win. The dynamic and tactical aspect can take a formidable twist.

Indeed a4 is a move that will slow down the activity of the black at the Queen's side but is challenging to manage as it implies that the white control all of the board, and often flaws will emerge. Evidently if the black rush by playing d5 b4 too fast without castling or anything they expose themselves to the lines you are talking about and the sacrifices in e6 and very strong compensations. But the plan is rather to small castle with the black and activate the tower on c file with sacrifices in c3.

Lines with a6 b5 emerge more in Svechnikov games with pawn structure a6 b5 d6 e5. I believe Topalov plays this ultra fast line playing b5 b4 in the line you mentioned with mitigated results.

If I get the time and find game examples I will post them.
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frostymuaddib
frostymuaddib


Promising
Supreme Hero
育碧是白痴
posted October 25, 2016 04:44 PM

I think this thread deserves more love (and a QP for Galaad)

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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted October 26, 2016 04:06 AM

Thanks a lot for the kind words mate.

With the upcoming world tournament we will surely look at some games.
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OhforfSake
OhforfSake


Promising
Legendary Hero
Initiate
posted January 02, 2017 12:05 AM

Galaad said:
With the upcoming world tournament we will surely look at some games.


Well I'm in the mood right now. Service me.
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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted January 07, 2017 12:36 AM

Yeah, soon.
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AlexSpl
AlexSpl


Responsible
Supreme Hero
posted January 07, 2017 02:33 AM
Edited by AlexSpl at 15:15, 07 Jan 2017.

What the minumum number of moves it will take to checkmate the lonely white king (when in the initial position all white pieces, except the king, removed from the board)?

Is this opening the best solution?

1. ... e5
2. ... Qh4

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OhforfSake
OhforfSake


Promising
Legendary Hero
Initiate
posted January 07, 2017 03:19 PM
Edited by OhforfSake at 15:21, 07 Jan 2017.

For white or black?

Edit:
Just to specify, white has to play e3 or e4 on the first move for the rest of the line to make sense, and it is Qh5, not Qh4.

It's an old classic known as scholar's mate, btw. something you see a lot at the level of very young children. I remember losing a lot of rooks to it.

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AlexSpl
AlexSpl


Responsible
Supreme Hero
posted January 07, 2017 03:49 PM
Edited by AlexSpl at 15:52, 07 Jan 2017.

I wrote,
Quote:
(when in the initial position all white pieces, except the king, removed from the board)


I mean, how long it will take to checkmate the white king without his army with the full set of black pieces from the initial (starting) position?

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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted January 19, 2017 10:28 AM

Since this doesn't offer any difficulty, there is no interest to calculate how a knife can cut through oh so tender butter.
But it is nice to know that it's faster to mate with all the white pieces:

1. g4 ...e5
2. f3 ...Qh4 mate

For your line, two choices among many others, knowing that the white plays like a potato:

1. Kd1 ...e5
2. Ke1 ...Qh4+
3. Kf1 ...Bc5
4. Kg2 ...e4
5. Kf1 ...Qf2 mate

Or

1. Kd1 ...e5
2. Ke1 ...Qh4+
3. Kf1 ...Nf6
4. Kg1 ...Ng4
5. Kf1 ...Qf2 mate

Cheers
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OhforfSake
OhforfSake


Promising
Legendary Hero
Initiate
posted January 20, 2017 03:29 PM

Galaad said:
Since this doesn't offer any difficulty, there is no interest to calculate how a knife can cut through oh so tender butter.

I'm sorry to say that were my thoughts too, so I didn't really look into the problem as it isn't a situation that would ever happen.

But now I do feel inspired to perhaps better my end-game play.

Chess can usually be looked at in 3 stages, opening, middle game and end game.
The opening is typically something your have from memory, it is not because you have a deep understanding of what is going on, but you do have some occasional traps you can play if possible or even aim for depending on the opponent.
Here is an example I have just made up, you are white and the idea is to win black queen, but the opening itself is inferior!

1. Nf3, Nf6 2. d3, d5 3. e4, dxe4 4. Ne5, exd3 5. Bxd3, g6 6. Nxf7, Kxf7 7. Bxg6, Kxg6 8. Qxd8

Here everything looked good for black until he played the normal looking move g6, something that would probably only happen if black doesn't sense the danger.

The middle game is where the in my opinion the most exciting games are decided, but it is also complicated and requires good tactical knowledge, something that requires a lot of training and is first exciting once you are into chess, but then this part of the game is in my opinion also the most exciting part.

The end game is where I feel I am weakest, I've played at least 4 games drawn that according to the computer were won end-games for me only because of lack of experience.
I think it could be exciting to look at some end game stuff, and not only that, I also think the best way to get interest for the game is actually to play end game puzzles, because once you are told what the idea is, it is often pretty straight forward actually yet it plays out a lot like an exciting game, and not a memorized opening or a complicated mess of a middle game.

Even the obvious end games can be very nice to look at, obv. king + queen vs. king can be won by accident even if you don't know what you are doing, the same with king + 2 rooks vs. king, but already king + rook vs. king requires that you figure out how you are going to win by conquering space and realize how the check mate will look like and even apply zugzwang.
I sometime look at something named tablebases which basically are 100% solved chess for a very limited about of pieces (up to 6-7, but with 2 kings on the board it is only 4-5 freely chosen pieces) and even with something as simple as king + rook vs. king I found ways to win faster that I felt was very creative.

What I was thinking was more something along the lines of pawns on either side with a limited about of Bishops, Knights or Rooks on either side in a game that is 100% won for one part, but only if you find the right ideas.
Also to figure out something like King + Knight + Knight vs. King + Pawn or King + Knight + Bishop vs. King could also be interesting to look at.

What do you think Galaad and others?
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Galaad
Galaad

Hero of Order
Li mort as morz, li vif as vis
posted January 28, 2017 01:30 PM

Indeed any bad move not punished can turn out very good at literally any stage of the game (some winning positions ending up losing, some draws finales that resolve into victories etc). It is sometimes very unjust to see esthetes of the game doing a work of extreme limpidity cracking themselves and with one bad move break a harmony that was very long to set up.
As it happens in the line you propose the white gives a pawn without compensation and it is indeed because the black don't sense danger that they play g6 and that a small combination with double sacrifice appears.

The middle game is a very creative and complex phase as it requires a good understanding of the strategy principles, the capacity to detect and to listen to the position in order to invent the clockmaking of combinations. The intuition that in this position exists a non-resolved combination is the highest difficulty to catch. As if we were blind and that something was asking to be seen. And the invested time to try resolving the enigma can jeopardize the time management on the ensemble of the game. When do I need to do the effort? Only the intuition, the principles and mental gymnastics allow to solve these enigmas. Each opening in their range suggest to treat the position. The Sicilian into chaos and combinatorial instability, the East Indian, the slow and creeping hedge before conclusion by remarkable combinations etc etc etc... are all depending first and foremost of the known positions and assimilated achievement. The order to find them back imply intensive gymnastics. The finales do not allow approximations. So to train for the finales, it is good to do in a very basic way his theory on already calculated positions to then try inside the disequilibrium of emerging positions to find them again.

The theory of finales is of crucial importance. In example, if we imagine a king in h1, a pawn in h2 and a bishop in h3 for the white, and king in a8, can the white win?
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OhforfSake
OhforfSake


Promising
Legendary Hero
Initiate
posted January 28, 2017 03:00 PM
Edited by OhforfSake at 15:05, 28 Jan 2017.

As long as the black king can reach h8 before the white pawn promotes, white can not win.
If black king can reach h8 is a matter of counting and don't ever ask me to count to more than 3 please, unless you want me embarrassed that is.

Edit: So I looked it up, draw if black moves, win if white moves, because the pawn requires 5 moves, while the king requires 7 moves (and white also has to move his bishop).

Edit edit:
In fact it is one of those positions where white would have won no matter what if he did not have a bishop.
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