[Event "Unrated Standard: Challenge from firsttech"]
[Site "SchemingMind.com"]
[Date "2009.05.24"]
[Round "-"]
[White "firsttech"]
[Black "Heidi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D48f"]
[WhiteCountry "USA"]
[BlackCountry "USA"]
[GameID "205832"]

1. d4
{
firsttech: I can't end the other game we had going because it's not my move so would you end that game. I like to keep openings simple. I always know what my first move is going to be when I sit down to play chess as white and that is 1.d4. Someday I may learn a different opening but for now I have decided to learn the d4 openings. For you, maybe 1.e4 works better. When I play black, I know what my first move will be. If white opens 1.e4, I reply 1…c5. If white plays, 1.d4, I reply 1…d5. I am going to open this game with 1.d4 and I recommend you play 1…d5 (the last game you played 1...Nc3). I’m only going to give you one choice for move 1. There are some very good reasons for this move. First of all black’s position is equal to white’s. Second, the d5 pawn attacks the key center square e4. This prevents white from immediately playing e4 and having the ideal center of d4 and e4. Third, 1…d5 prevents white’s d4 pawn from advancing. Fourth, black’s c8 bishop could move if needed. So move 1…d5 and I’ll explain the next move choices. Joel


}
1... d5
{
Heidi: you areawesome on teaching, Thank you!!!
}
2. c4
{
firsttech: The most common move for white to make next is 2.c4. This opening is called the queen’s gambit. A gambit is when you offer a pawn to your opponent and get the initiative in return. The queen’s gambit is one of the safest gambits for white because white can easily recapture the pawn later on. White is attacking black’s d4 pawn. Black has many choices but only a few are good. Let’s look at some of the bad choices. Black could defend the pawn with 2…Nf3 but then white would take the pawn, 3.cxd5 and black would retake with the knight, 3…Nxd5. White would move 4.e4 forming a “perfect center” and force black to move her knight again. The same thing would happen if black tried to retake the pawn with the queen, 3…Qxd5. White would move 4.Nc3, force black to move her queen, and then move e4. So if black decides to defend the d5 pawn, she must defend with a pawn. Black has three good choices for replying to the queen’s gambit. The most common reply is 2…c6 and is known as the slav defense. This move defends the d5 pawn and doesn’t block the c7 bishop. The second most common reply is to take the pawn with 2…dxc4 and is know as the queen’s gambit accepted. This move takes the free pawn right away. The third common reply is 2…e6 and is known as the queen’s gambit declined. All three choices have equal chances of winning for black. So which choice should you take? I think it depends on your playing style. Aggressive players generally like to take gambit pawns. Cautious players generally play the queens gambit declined. A middle of the road approach is to play the slav defense. The best way is to try one and see if you like it. If it turns out bad, try a different choice next time. Joel
}
2... c6 3. Nf3
{
firsttech: 2…c6 is the choice I make when playing this opening. White generally develops one of his knights next, either 3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3. It is a good idea to move knights before bishops in the opening. The idea is that it takes more moves to get a knight across the board so it’s a good idea to take at least one step toward the center with a knight. The other reason is that you have more choices as to where to put your bishops. Sometimes the choice depends on what moves your opponent makes so it better to wait before committing the bishops. Now for 3.Nc3 or 3.Nf3, a good choice for black is 3…Nf6 for the very same reasons I listed for white. Now look at the position after 3…Nf6. Does it feel like a good position to be in for you? Joel
}
3... Nf6
{
Heidi: Yes, it grabs control of center while double protecting the d5 pawn.  I also like how the pawns open up the queen side pieces more then I have been doing. It is defensive while producing men to fight.
}
4. Nc3
{
firsttech: White chose to make a very common and practical move 4.Nc3. White is following the basic opening rule of “develop knights before bishops”. Once again there are many choices available for black. I’m going to talk about the top two and let you choose. One choice is to move 4…e6 (semi-slav defense). Black is creating a very strong defensive position. It’s kind of like black is saying to white “come and get me”. White has to play very carefully to get through black’s defense. There is a drawback to this defense for black; her c8 bishop is blocked during the opening phase of the game. The other choice for black is to play 4…dxc4 and grab the gambit pawn. Black usually tries to hang on to the pawn and make white work to regain it. The choice leads to a more open and wild game. So the choice of 4…e6 vs. 4…dxc4 is based on playing style. Take your pick! Joel
}
4... e6
{
Heidi: I choose dxc4 because I am stepping into new water and thought I might as well learn the aggresive approuch while I have a great teacher.
}
5. e3
{
firsttech: I think you were thinking about moving 4…dxc4 but moved 4…e6. Let’s continue on. I think the more aggressive path of 4…dxc4 would fit your playing style better. But it’s nice to learn how to play very defensively. Maybe on our next game we can take the 4…dxc4 path and you will have something to compare and contrast with. I’m going to follow the main line of the semi-slav opening. There will be many different choices along the way for white and black. Learning about the different choices can take a great deal of time. My goal is to help you understand some of the basic opening concepts. The main line continues with 5.e3. White is opening the f1-c4 diagonal so his bishop can protect the c4 pawn. This pawn move also restricts the movement of white’s c1 bishop. The “main line” choice for black is 5…Nbd7. Black develops her knight and the knight is prepared for a future c5 or e5 pawn advance. Notice how all of black’s pieces are very safe. Joel 
}
5... Nbd7
{
Heidi: Oh my, I think one move and had moved the other last time.
}
6. Bd3
{
firsttech: Sometimes when we make mistakes we learn new things. White moves the bishop to d3 to prepare for castling. Black takes the c4 pawn, 6…dxc4. Black could have taken this pawn at any time but waited until white moved his bishop. Now white will have to move his bishop again to recapture the pawn. By waiting patiently, black forced white to waste time and move his bishop twice in the opening. Joel
}
6... dxc4
{
Heidi: Now that is the type of player I would like to grow into, I think. Waiting for right moment to get full advantage even though it does not fit my personality at all.
You have patience I admire.
}
7. Bxc4
{
firsttech: White retakes the pawn with the bishop, 7.Bxc4. Black moves 7…b5. This move accomplishes several things. One, it forces white to move his bishop again. Two, black gains space on the queen side. Three, black wants to eventually move her bishop to b7 and strike across the b7-h1 diagonal. Black is hoping to trade off or move the c6 pawn. Joel
}
7... b5 8. Bd3
{
firsttech: We are at a point in the opening where there are many choices for black to make. 8…a6 strengthens black’s pawn structure and space. 8…Bb7 develops the bishop, protects the f6 knight, and prepares for castling.  8…b4 is an aggressive but slightly risky move that forces white to move his knight. 8…Bd6 develops black bishop a little closer to the center and prepares for castling. All of these moves are considered to be good moves for black to make. Take a look at them and choose one that you would like to try. Joel
}
8... Bb7 9. O-O
{
firsttech: I see a mistake in what I wrote above. I stated 8…Bb7 protects the f6 knight and prepares for castling. 8…Bb7 is the best move to make but in my mind I was moving the other bishop to 8…Be7. Once again there are many choices for black’s next move: a6, b4, Be7, Bd6, Rc8, etc. The highest ranking players in the world pick 9…a6 as the next move. 9…a6 strengthens black’s pawn defense and prepares for the advancement of the c pawn. If you were playing white, what move would you make for move 10? Joel
}
{
Heidi: I did notice it, but lol, I did not want to say anything because you are so good to go to all this to teach me. :O)
I played the Tulsa Chess Series tournament yesturday (Sat), and of course I did not get any points. I had ALOT of fun though. What I want to brag to you is, I was told, I did a book opening thru move 12 or 13 for what the oppenents moved, by my oppenent, for the Q opening as black.
}
9... a6
{
Heidi: :O) I picked a6 as I was going through the list before I got to "The highest ranking players." That is a very positive sign for me. e4, It is protected twice and would free up the diagnle for white's black Bishop; then owning all four most impotant; center squares! Is this right? 
}
10. e4
{
firsttech: You’re learning! White’s best move is 10.e4. Most opening play takes place in the center. Black, of course, refuses to let white take total control of the center. Black challenges white’s center by moving 10…c5. This move is possible because black moved 5…Nbd7 in preparation of moving c5 or e5. Have you noticed how each move so far has served a purpose? Joel
}
10... c5
{
Heidi: yes, each move HAS set up for the next move or developement.
}
11. d5
{
firsttech: White tries to maintain control of the center and block black’s b7 bishop by moving 11.d5. Black has several different choices for move 11. The most popular is 11…c4, gaining more territory and forcing white’s bishop to retreat. A very close second choice is 11…Qc7, developing the queen and preparing for a possible queen side castling. A third choice is 11…exd5. I wouldn’t recommend this choice because it would cause the e file to open and black’s king is still on the e file. So make a choice between 11…c4 and 11…Qc7. Joel
}
11... c4
{
Heidi: I chose 11. c4 because it also opens way for Nc5 then Nd3 plus Bc4 at some point?
}
12. Bc2
{
firsttech: You are correct about moving the pawn to c4 to allow your knight to move to c5. Black’s next “book” move is 12…Qc7. This move will allow black to castle queen side and will protect the knight if it moves to c5. Joel
}
12... Qc7 13. dxe6
{
firsttech: Heidi, let’s try something different with this game. We’ve made it through most of the book opening. We are both in good positions as we start to enter the middle game. The next move might be clear for you. If you know what make for the next move, go ahead and make it. If you are uncertain about what to move next then make a comment in the game before you make a move. Try to give me an idea of what you are thinking about. I’ll write a comment back. We will continue this way through the game move by move as needed. We will both have to monitor the game for comments. This way I can see where you are having trouble and focus our efforts. Joel 
}
13... fxe6
{
Heidi: I suppose it is fxc6.
That sounds like a great way to continue. 
I think after this one move I will always ask.
}
14. Nd4
{
firsttech: I think it might work best to talk before you make a move. You tell me what your thoughts are and I will help you learn to find the best move. I’ve been correcting your mistakes after you make them. It will take us longer to play a game and we will both have to check for comments regularly but I think it might work better. Let’s give it a try! Joel
}
{
Heidi: Bc5?  It would clear way to castle.
}
{
Heidi: It would also line up against your castle plus challange your Nd4, although your knight may be a bad thing for if it takes e6 which has no protection, it would challange my Q, which if even the Q moves would lead to the space c7 forking my K and R. All together this looks bad. 
}
{
Heidi: Maybe Nc5 would be better move.
}
{
Heidi: I can easily check this often so this will work out great.
Am I right that e6 is the square to worry about?
}
14... Qd6
{
Heidi: Darn, I am so sorry, I was very tired and should not have been on here and moved on this one game, the one I was just supposed to check, plus it was the wrong move!!!  I ****!!!
}
{
Heidi: Gosh I am upset with myself.
I will get used to this way I promise.
I just need to be more alert in ALL things.
I did go back to reading my Bible and doing a lesson each day, so that is a good sign.
}
15. Re1
{
firsttech: I think this method will work once we form new habits. 14…Bc5 would not be a good move because your undefended e6 pawn is under attack by my knight. 14…Nc5 would be a good move because white’s e4 pawn would be attacked by three pieces and defended by two. The move you made 14…Qd6 is a good move. The queen defends the e6 pawn and is now more centrally placed. Joel
}
{
Heidi: Ah, well at least that worked out. whosh...
}
{
Heidi: I believe the e4 pawn will move one more to e5 to fork Q & N, and the Ne6 looks less attractive at this point. Since the Q protects e6 it is probaly best to move my  knight. ???
}
{
Heidi: Although looking at it, I would lose in any exchange or movement of Nf6, so it might have to be a queen movement.
}
{
Heidi: How about N7 to Ne5? This could also be done by the Q, but that looks a little dangerous, although if White moves Nd4 i am not set up for a Q exchange.
}
{
firsttech: I’m pleased that you saw the potential of a pawn fork at e5. The e5 square is well protected at this moment but the threat is there. I think 15…Ne5 is an excellent choice to make. The knight is centrally placed and blocks the advance of the e4 pawn. Joel
}
15... Ne5
{
Heidi: I am so happy that I actually figured one out :O)  :O)  :O)  !
}
16. Bf4
{
firsttech: I think we may have finally stumbled upon a training method that will work well for you.
}
{
Heidi: Be7 so I can castle?
}
{
Heidi: Then N6 to g4 or Q somewhere so the B has room to move and a job?
}
{
Heidi: White wants to drag my Q to the middle of the board also I think. This there is no way to stop. Then white's move is Nxe6, Qd8 checkmate. So I need to get Bd6 and then Bc8 in, right?
}
{
Heidi: Yes, this training method  was vert smart of you.
}
{
firsttech: OK, this is going to be a little difficult to understand. The move 16…Be7 looks like a good opening move to make but its not. This is a complex position so let me point out some important items. Your e5 knight is pinned and protected by only one piece, your queen. If white’s e4 pawn was to disappear, white would have two pieces attacking the e5 knight. Also, there is a potential for the e7 bishop to be pinned. You might want to work this out on the chess board so here it goes. What if you moved 16…Be7? I would then move 17.Nd5. The best response you could make is to take my knight with your pawn, 17…exd5. You can try other variations if you like but they all work out to white’s advantage. White moves 18.Nf5 and attacks your queen and the e7 bishop. A good spot for the queen is 18…Qc5. White takes the d pawn with 19.exd5. Black moves her e5 knight to safety with 19…Ng6. White pushes his pawn forward, 20.d6, attacking the pinned e7 bishop. Black’s pinned e7 bishop can not be rescued. I would recommend playing around with this position on a chess board or computer until it makes sense. I wouldn’t expect you to have figured this combination out on your own; it’s quite complex. After all of this, what is the best move? The best move is 16…O-O-O. The rook on the d file helps support black’s center and the combination will not work. Trust me on that one. Joel
}
16... O-O-O
{
Heidi: Wow, thank you, I did not need a chess board.  I can see the fork esily.
}
17. a4
{
firsttech: I glad you can see the combination! It took me a while to find it. 
}
{
Heidi: Ng6, Nh4, Qf4, Qg5, Qg2++
}
{
Heidi: Ng6 does not work because it opens up my Q to be taken.
}
{
Heidi: as you had said above. I think I should move b4 so it is not taken nor doubled up. Thrown in there is a treat to Nc3 which it will have to move backward other then be taken.
}
{
firsttech: 17...b4 would be a good choice; it would drive my knight back and cramp my pieces.
}
17... b4 18. Nce2
{
Heidi: If I move b3, it might make way to cramp Bc2 more and then move my Q out of way to unpin it then Bb4? Ne4 might be ok, after B takes, B takes I would be lined up on K pawn then in some manner making it possible to swing Q around there?
}
{
Heidi: Now Nd3 looks good, whoops, no way, that opens it all up! No no no!
}
{
Heidi: .. and then my Q would be taken by that B pinning me.
}
{
Heidi: Sorry, been writing all my thoughts down.
a5, h6, g5, are probaly best choices. I do not know what to do really other then that.
}
{
firsttech: Writing your thoughts down helps me understand your thinking. I’m really surprised you considered 18…g5 because at first glance it looks like white can easily capture the pawn with the bishop. But, 18…g5 is the best move to make because it will give you a strong king side attack. Joel
}
18... g5 19. Bxg5
{
Heidi: Bf7 would be good to prevent Bg7 (would be taking inward) or Bf6 (preventing Ne6 forking also) forking my 2 R's or at least making Bf6 managable, also help. This also connects R's.?
}
{
firsttech: When you moved 18…g5, you gave up a pawn for a chance at a strong attack against my king. Consider moving 19…Neg4. Do see the threat against white?
}
19... Neg4
{
Heidi: Yes, I think Qh2.
}
20. Nf3
{
Heidi: was I right? or was the answer more involved?
}
{
Heidi: Qc5, to advance to Qf2. Black is probably not going to take Rd8+, because white will just retake with the Kd8. Rf1 will probaly white's move.
will you help me. This is so complex for me that I'm confused.
}
{
firsttech: You were correct, 20…Qxh2 was the threat. As you can see, white was forced into protecting the h2 pawn. You are also correct about this being a complex position. I’ve thought about making our two games a little simpler but I think you will learn more by keeping the games on a higher level. You should feel proud because 20…Qc5 is an excellent choice. White’s f2 pawn is now under attack and white’s queen is under attack. Black still has the initiative and white is forced into reacting to black’s moves. Keep up the pressure! Joel
}
{
Heidi: Thank you Thank you, that made me feel good. If I play Qxf1 I will end up with your R clear on the D file and that scares me, because I do not know how to deal with that. Rd1. 
}
{
Heidi: If I leave it for Black to decide QxQ, I feel more calm about it. lol, I think I have the presure.
}
20... b3
{
Heidi: I would love to just "give" you h7 as a gift! b3 I think would be best.
}
{
Heidi: darn, darn, darn... I hit submit!  I am so so very sorry. I wish so much there was a take back button!
}
21. Bxb3
{
firsttech: Well this does change things. Sometimes mistakes create new opportunities. If I move my bishop to b1, you can take my queen. If I try to recapture your queen with my rook then you will capture my rook and I will be mated next move. My bishop has no safe place to move to. So was 20…b3 a good move? I am going to take your b3 pawn with my bishop. What do you think is the best move for black to make? Joel
}
{
Heidi: cxb3 your bishop, right?
}
{
Heidi: no, Rhg1 otherwise white's black B will fork my rooks.
}
{
firsttech: I don’t think you have anything to fear yet about the bishop fork on f3 because your f3 knight is protected by your g4 knight. As soon as white can, he will move h3 and drive away the g4 knight. There appears to be many choices for you. You could take my bishop 21…cxb3. You could swap queens 21…Qxd1. You could move your queen to another square 21…Qb6, 21…Qb4, or 21…Qb7. You could take my e4 pawn 21…Bxe4. You could drive away my bishop with 21…h6. All of these choices lead down complex paths. I’m going to let you pick the one you like best. Joel
}
21... cxb3 22. Qxb3
{
Heidi: You have one big pawn colection :O)
}
{
firsttech: Thank you. I'm thinking of selling them on EBAY.
}
22... Bxe4 23. Nf4
{
Heidi: Bf7 to open the King's door. After exchange O'll come out even on material.
or
Kd2 seeking shelter from the desert. :O)
  
}
{
firsttech: I’m a little puzzled about “Bf7”. I assume you mean Bxf3. If you move 23…Bxf3, I can retake your bishop with 24.gxf3. Your g4 knight is now under attack by my f3 pawn. If you move your knight, I will capture your now unprotected f6 knight with my bishop. I’m also assuming you meant 23…Kd7 not Kd2. That would place your king directly behind your queen and my next move would be 24.Rad1 pinning your queen to your king. You could break the pin by moving your bishop or knight to the d file but you will end up loosing material. With the open c file and the initiative, white is in control. The best move I can think of is 23…Rd7 so your king can escape behind the rook. Joel
}
23... Rd7
{
Heidi: ty :O)
}
24. Rac1+
{
firsttech: I mentioned earlier that you should move 23….Rd7 so your king could move behind it. I looked closer at the position and discovered something. Move 23…Rd7 was the right move to make but 24…Kd8 would be a terrible move to make. I’ll tell you the correct move: 24…Rc7. So the question for you is why would 24…Kd8 be a bad move? Joel
}
24... Rc7
{
Heidi: My knight would be pinned by Bg5. I also would have no way to defend Nf6, so it would be taken by the B very easily. That would put the B lined up on my Rh8. AH... Bf6 would put Qb8 checkmate.
}
25. Bxf6
{
firsttech: You’re right, the biggest problem with 24…Kd8 is the pin on your knight and I can take the bishop 25.Rxe4. 
}
{
Heidi: I should retake with my knight right?
}
{
firsttech: Yes! 
}
25... Nxf6 26. Rxc7+
{
Heidi: I will be visiting my mother the rest of this month. There will not be internet there for me. Thank you all for being patient. Pray my travels will safe.
}
{
Heidi: I cannot take youe R  with my Q, because your Rci would trap my Q. This will also happen with KxRc7. How about Kd8 then 27. possibly Ke8 or 7
}
{
firsttech: 27...Kd8 leads to 28.Qb8#. So that leaves 27...Kxc7 or 27...Qxc7. 
}
26... Qxc7 27. Qxe6+
{
Heidi: Nd7?
}
{
firsttech: 27...Nd7 will work. As you can see, white has a better position. This all came about when you accidently hit submit on move 20. 
}
27... Nd7
{
Heidi: I always seem to mess up your teachings. I am so so sorry.
}
28. Qxe4
{
firsttech: I think the lesson for this game is that one little mistake can make a huge effect on a game for a long time.
}
{
Heidi: Bg7 or Bd6? I think Bd6 could be a strong move if your Q leaves, but Bg7 has a tasty pawn in view. For material points Bd6 looks better.?
}
{
firsttech: If black moves 28...Bg7 or Bd6, what happens if white moves 29.Ne6?
}
{
Heidi: Nc5
}
{
firsttech: This is a difficult position to find the best move for. Black has something like 37 possible moves. White has three very strong threatening moves: Qa8+, Qe8+, and Ne6. Black’s most pressing problem is what to do about Qa8+ and Qe8+. Nc5 will not stop either of these moves. Sometimes when you reach this kind of position, you recognize that there is no move that is going to rescue you from all white’s threats. It might be best to resign now and start a new game; it’s up to you. I think the lesson of this game is how a simple mistake (20…b3) changed the position and gave white the initiative. Once white had the initiative he continued the attack until black’s position deteriorated and fell apart. So for your games, play carefully, watch for your opponent’s mistakes, and when you have the initiative, don’t back off. In our other game, the roles are reversed. I deliberative weakened black’s position and you have gained the initiative. We need to guide you through the attack until black’s position is like this game. Joel 
}
{
Game Over: thank you!
}
1-0

