[Event "Stanley Random Chess: Challenge from bjordan"]
[Site "SchemingMind.com"]
[Date "2004.12.10"]
[Round "-"]
[White "bjordan"]
[Black "surfnsuds"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "stanleyrandom"]
[WhiteCountry "USA"]
[BlackCountry "USA"]
[WhiteElo "1773"]
[WhiteRD "276"]
[BlackElo "1546"]
[BlackRD "161"]
[GameID "6055"]

1. e4
{
bjordan: Wow, a STAR on the first move?!
}
1... e5
{
surfnsuds: Well, you just never know with Mr Stanley!
}
2. Nc3 Bc5 3. Nb1 a6
{
surfnsuds: Ah.  A STAR move. Excellent.  I would hate to make a false move.
}
4. Bc4
{
bjordan: Be thankful, the transposition prevented you from suffering the worst of White's Equinine Revocation System!  Apparently, Black's wing-pawn advance in turned forced a symmetrical clergy armistice.
}
4... Nf6
{
surfnsuds: Now I am attempting to initiate an unprovoked Whistling Cavalry Charge on the left flank.  I am not sure if it is allowed at this early point in the game, but if so you may have to respond with the classic Pucker Plug gambit.  We shall see.
}
5. Nc3
{
bjordan: I believe the Pucker Plug would have a 25% chance of success at best.  I will stick with the solid Nailati formation, if permitted.
}
5... Ng4
{
surfnsuds: Would you mind if we made this a public game so that other SRC afictionados (misspelled pun intended) can chime in?  I have not seen the Nailati before and can barely contain myself as I watch it unfold!
}
6. Qxg4
{
bjordan: As in orthodox chess, early Queen development is a hazard in Stanley Random, if not downright suicidal.  In somewhat vulgar circles, it is sometimes known as a "Loose Madame."  So, I have stopped the Whistling Cavalry with a risky line, and it will be interesting to see if black has a strong reponse without unmoding the dark squares.  I would be happy to make the game public, how can I do it?
}
{
GregoryTopov: The last time I saw the Nailati played was in the 1962 Italian Invitational, so I'm delighted to see it being played again, although it can indeed be risky in conjunction with the "Loose Madame".  Sharp play will be required from both players, particularly in the event of effervescent bishops mobilized along a diagonal crosshatch.
}
6... d5
{
surfnsuds: My incomplete knowledge of SRC rules prompted me to attempt the common Kingside Castle move. Little did I know this would be STARred.  It appears the proper move in this sequence was P-Q4.  This move offers two threats to the enemy, niether particularly vexing if this were a game of "Common Chess," but potentially very threatening indeed in SRC.  We will have to see what falls out.  
}
{
GregoryTopov: The Kingside Castle is not prudent, and required the unweighting of pawns.
}
{
GregoryTopov: Having served on the Grand Jury at the Inquest, I'm not at liberty to disclose details about GM Clint Bilton's attempt to unweight his pawns illegally, in what is now known as "the Case of the Pre-Drilled Pawns."  P-Q4 is indeed the correct move, and a very strong one at that, especially since Black's pawn on d5 is more weighted than the one on e5 (although White could offset this somewhat by uncloaking the Loose Madame).
}
7. f3
{
bjordan: I considered uncloaking my L.M., but the pawn mass in the right hemiphant was balanced, and the rule of sixes no longer applies.  So, 7.f3 is really forced in the Tati-Tato Attack.  (Although Allen Tato was not the first to analyze this line of the Nailtati, and there is no record of him ever playing it, he once granted an interview to the Stanley Random Chess Monthly on the terms that the periodical irrevocably add his name to a line in the ESRCO - the publishers felt the Loose Queen variation of the Nailtati was suitable for his brash request).  White's position may appear precarious, but it is still early in the game and black's left modality and central extentions will not allow him to hold the initiative.  Interestingly enough, I played an OTB common chess tournament yesterday, and despite being well ahead in material, my opponent had a kingside attack.  My lengthy analysis of this position in SR must have paid off, because I quickly found the winning move was f3!
}
{
bjordan: (Please forgive the term "Nailtati", which is merely a corrupted form of the proper "Nailati".  Unfortunately, the latter term is difficult to pronounce in my local dialect.
}
{
GregoryTopov: 7.f3 would be suicidal in Common Chess (or "Simplified SR Chess" as it is known to the enlightened) because of the hanging queen, but with the abolition of capital punishment in SR Chess, pieces never hang, and playing BxQ will instead require black to suffer the "Promotion Penalty" (not to be confused with the "Death Penalty" enforced in the Medieval era).  Black may decide to risk the Promotion Penalty by playing BxQ regardless, but it would be rare for an SR player to play such a risky move at this stage, unless Black sees an opportunity to create a Promotion Penalty Reversal in the next few moves.  Personally I don't see it, but being the gifted and intuitive player that he is, I would not be surprised if surfnsuds is confident of obtaining a Promotion Penalty Reversal in a line that I have not considered.
}
7... Bf8
{
surfnsuds: Promotion be damned!  I say, full steam ahead!  Man the torpedoes!  Launch the armadilloes!  Sink or Swim!  Down with the Queen, loose or otherwise!  
}
{
surfnsuds: Pardon my rashness.  I see now that BxQ was in violation of the Genever Confection's 3rd Bilateral Quadrent, and a STAR move was substituted.  Forgive me.
}
{
GregoryTopov: Bf8 is a brilliant move, the likes of which has rarely been seen outside the International Bicentennial Challenge!  Most players would not even consider it, but having analyzed it thoroughly while locked in my bathroom for the last three hours, I'm convinced that it is fully sound.  If black is now able to reverse his three advanced pawns, he will have created a I.P.D. = Initial Position Duplicate, which automatically wins the game!!  But I suspect that white is a clever enough player not to let this happen.
}
8. Bf1
{
bjordan: Again, black has forced white's move.  In this case, to preserve the aforementioned armistice)
}
{
GregoryTopov: To my utter astonishment, it appears that *both* players are racing to create an Initial Position Duplicate!  Reversing the pawns could be the biggest challenge for technological reasons, mainly because the automated transmission of moves through the ISRCA database may not allow the reversal of a manual gearbox.  It is unfortunate that the limitations of technology may dictate the course of this game, because STAR moves may prove inevitable despite these moves being legal in this highly unusual predisposed board pattern.
}
{
GregoryTopov: In this unprecedented position, both players have created a Locked Board pattern with no legal moves, entitling both players the "Free Move" (the only condition that enables pawn reversal as legal).  With the potential of multiple "Free Moves", I suspect the Arbiter would be liking his chances of winning several cases of beer with several chances to win the "Unlocked Board Identification Challenge" (U.B.I.C.). 
}
8... c5
{
surfnsuds: I've never before seen an UBIC.  I am assured they are anything but ubiquitous.  However, I believe I have the opportunity here to launch a post-modal Dispersal of The Royals, which would probably change the character of the game substantially.  
}
{
surfnsuds: Apparently the Dispersal was dissallowed under the Act of Contrition (1898, Hurl vs. Chunder, Spewing Springs, Vermont) in which Royalty in the UBIC configuration must remain adjacent for at least one move after UBIC has been acheived.
}
{
GregoryTopov: For an introduction to the U.B.I.C., please see my annotations after move 18.b5 here:
http://www.geocities.com/verdrahciretop/src8.html
It is a rare event, and with multiple Free Moves being possible here, several consecutive Free Move Tea Breaks could impose an unprecedented demand on the hot dog stand.  The roasted turnips are already sold out, and the souvenir dental floss is in limited supply.
}
9. a4 Bxg4
{
surfnsuds: I suspect I've made a grave error here, with BxQ.  This move had been disallowed so many times earlier, I suspect that there was a good strategic reason why.  Perhaps it has to do with emerging from the UBIC state with only one knight. However, what's done is done.
}
{
bjordan: I played this pawn move without much analysis, because it seemed obvious.  Improving the pawn weighting in the left hemiphant seems to compel black to quasi-butterfly his right knight, which would temporarily save my Loose Madame.  Unfortunately, I overlooked that Black's last move interfered two clear diagonals simultaneously!  I hope my calculations still hold - if not, I will have to consider half-butterflying my own right knight.
}
10. Nxd5
{
bjordan: Black certainly has a strong forcing line!  I will attempt to create a royal box with an outposted knight center.
}
{
bjordan: Excellent.  Recapturing the bishop would be folly, creating fatal pawn weaknesses as proven by Vimzonitch in his classic book "My Modus".
}
10... Qa5
{
surfnsuds: No comment.
}
11. Bb5+
{
bjordan: Bishop symmetry has become an important theme in this game.  Would that the pawn weighting was so lucid!
}
{
GregoryTopov: And after a delightful Tea Break (cheerleaders in hobbit costumes served the players milk and cookies), the players now begin the Second Set with move 11.  Black did not opt to make use of the French "l'échange de couleur" tradition during the Tea Break, so evidently does not feel any disadvantage as a result of colour.  Black's position looks rock solid at this point, and perhaps we will see the one-handed joust utilized soon.
}
11... axb5
{
surfnsuds: Was this the One-handed Joust?  Or was it the One-handed Jest?  The two are remarkably similar.  
}
{
GregoryTopov: The answer to surfnsuds question is naturally: Yes. It is the One-handed Joust or the One-handed Jest.  The distinction only becomes apparent in the third move of the sequence, which the spectators are undoubtedly awaiting eagerly.  It is a rather spectacular sequence, especially in conjuction with the Lariat when the rook is used to complete a full circuit of the board.
}
12. axb5
{
bjordan: So now you see the point of my bishop sacrifice.  White stands to not only regain the queen, but a rook as well, and it will be near impossible for black to recover.  The Knight outpost holds 80% of the dark diagonals if the Queen tries to run, and the queen is likely to be frozen in this configuration.
}
12... Qxb5
{
surfnsuds: Yes, I see your meaning, though I do thing that some refutations may be possible.  
}
{
surfnsuds: Unhappily, my attempted QxR was STARred.  I am diggin through the archives to find out why.  This could take some time.  Let's see - today's Dec 13, 2004, at 7:01 PM PST.  No, that's not the problem.  Hmmm.  It's not raining, so that's not the problem either.  I am confounded.  Perhaps SRC GM GT can elucidate for us.
}
13. Nc7+
{
bjordan: An extremely rare occasion in SR Chess!  Family forks are only permitted under precise move orders and temporal anomalies.  If I have not run out of predetermined unadjudicated moves, White is back in the game!
}
{
bjordan: Very interesting, you attempted to move the Queen, yet the move was illegal.  In that case, the Queen should have been frozen, but here it was only half-frozen and restricted to a one-square capture.  Could this be legal?
}
{
GregoryTopov: It is known, of course, that there are different degrees of freezing.  Clearly, surfnsuds queen was only "semi-frozen", since all corner squares are still occupied by rooks, none of which have yet been reversed.  So although QxR was  not permitted, QxP was certainly legal, and almost compulsory, not least because it made possible a family fork.  By creating an Family Fork Vulnerability (FFV), surfnsuds obtains a bonus quarter-victory point, to be applied only in the event of a win under VH Conditions.  It is the equivalent of a maiden over in cricket.  Nicely played indeed.  
}
13... Kd7
{
surfnsuds: Ah, all is clear now.  Thank you for your lucid explanation!  Now to deal with the feared Family Fork, which has dealt white a remarkable possibility.  I note that this particular execution is backed up by the powerful rook on A1.  White has reason indeed for renewed optimism!
}
14. Nxb5
{
bjordan: A lesser player would have resigned in the face of such a beautiful SR combination, but I think surfnsuds sees that he is not lost yet.  With entirely symmetrical rooks and half-symmetrical bishops, the possibilities are still endless.
}
{
surfnsuds: Thank you, bjordan.  That is most gracious of you.  It is a pleasure to face such a gentleman (or gentlewoman. I have no clue) across the board, even if I wish nothing more than to trounce the bejeezes out of you.  In a civilized manner, of course.
}
14... Rxa1
{
surfnsuds: Teh symmetry of rook-four-corners is now broken, white's black bishop of trebly pinned, and a cavalry charge up the middle can be expected from either (if not both) players.  An exciting recovery from the Family Fork!
}
15. Ne2
{
bjordan: Partially butterfying the right knight maintains a perfect balance.  Note that if RxB, white has only two legal moves.  So, Kf2 would probably be stronger than Nxc2 because a likely STAR adjudication (now that the rooks are skewed) would result in winning the exchange.
}
{
GregoryTopov: Engrossing.  The d file is nearly open for black's king to do a sudden marathon run to the other side of the board, followed by either a bishop snatch or a king kidnap.  White would have to miss a turn while ransoming its king.  But the d2 pawn prevents this for now.
}
15... Kc8
{
surfnsuds: I have retreated my king in order to retain the threat to my bishop.  Right now, it's the only immediate threat I face and it keeps things interesting for black.  
}
{
GregoryTopov: Remarkable!  It is not entirely obvious in internet play, but the server logs indicate that to get to c8 Black's king travelled the path of d7-d6-c6-c7-c8.  I suspect that the king is in training for a later Marathon Run along the d-file.
}
16. fxg4
{
bjordan: The natural move.
}
{
GregoryTopov: Indeed.  Should Black align the pieces correctly, the g4 pawn is now in a position to make a series of consecutive captures (f5, e6, and d7) and put Black's king into check (the Cross-Check).  This is a fine strategy that should prevent any further thoughts Black might have about a Marathon Run down the d file.
}
16... f6
{
surfnsuds: Allow me!
}
{
surfnsuds: My attempt to confound expectations by playing the requested F5 was foiled by a STAR realignment, as the pawn ran out of fuel at F6.  I expect it to be recharged and make another attempt shortly.
}
17. Na3
{
bjordan: It looks like black will have to rotate his rooks.
}
17... Bd6
{
surfnsuds: Exactly!  An obverse recapitulative rotation!  I shall see to it immediately!
}
18. Nf4
{
bjordan: AAUGH!! A STAR-reliant deflection tactic by Black!  So my combination was not without it's flaws.  I get a bad feeling about this...
}
18... h5
{
surfnsuds: Rotation sucessful.  I now will attempt to flank white in the H column.  By poising my H pawn in double jeopardy, it may be possible to sacrifice my H rook on its very first move, giving me a huge moral advantage over white, and further disturbing the rook symmetry we maintained for so long in this challenging game.
}
{
GregoryTopov: The a1-h7 diagonal is very strong for Black, occupying 5 of the 8 squares.  Having achieved this Diagonal Majority, both of Black's rooks are given Crowbar privileges.  It could be very difficult for White to unlock this diagonal.
}
19. Nd3 c4
{
surfnsuds: GT, I had not noticed, and my  new goal is to complete the diagonal at all costs.
}
{
bjordan: Although I have not yet been able to regain all my material, I do retain the breeding knight pair.  But with black superior pawn weighting, I doubt I have full compensation for the pawn at this point.  I expect a bitter positional struggle going into the second set.
}
20. Nc5
{
bjordan: This game sponsored by the Happy Horsie Glue Factory!
}
20... g5
{
surfnsuds: I am attempting to divide up the breeding pair before you have a whole herd on the board, and I run out of fodder for them.
}
{
surfnsuds: But no!  A STAR move disrupts the powerful diagonal!  However two new diagonals are implied.  Can they be completed before Vollenhauser sets in?  Only time (and Stanley) can tell.
}
{
GregoryTopov: This completes the 20th move, and concludes the Second Set.  After the mandatory Tea Break, the Third Set will commence, bjordan serving first with White.  A very tense and close game thus far, both players are well-positioned for a strong showing in the closing stages, should the game reach a Final Set and VH Conditions.
}
21. b4 f5
{
surfnsuds: Tea was delicious.  Thank you for the tasty small crustless sandwiches.
}
{
surfnsuds: See how I have attempted a half-barre across the 5th rank.  This  remarkable formation was first demonstrated in exhibition play (Polish Regional Master Tilda Vernacular vs. US National Champion Gary "The Dude" Lipschitz, 1997, Berne.)  In this game, Lipschitz demonstrated that the 5th rank half-barre was no match for the 4th rank full-barre in conjunction with a Loose Madame.   
}
{
GregoryTopov: White is very threatened by fifth-ranked half-barre move, because Black's tetra-quadrant has nearly been entirely vacated! (which would require the Benching of White's army for one move).  Only Black's rook needs to be moved to create this condition, and White may need to consider playing Ne6 to prevent this possibility.
}
22. O-O
{
bjordan: Securing the king, and preparing a lateral rook catapult if necessary.  Black has done well to maintain the oblique symmetry of his rooks, but I believe it will be difficult for him to maintain now that we have entered the third set.
}
22... Bxc5+
{
surfnsuds: A hasty check attempt also extends the half-barre, thogh there is a gap in the fortress thus created and nothing placed to fill it.  Probably it is a fatal flaw in the formation.
}
23. d4
{
bjordan: I don't know... with a STARred defense, White might not even last to VH Conditions.
}
{
GregoryTopov: Against this star defensive play, Black's primary concern here is to hold the pawn on c4, otherwise White can create a 5th rank half-barre of its own.
}
23... Be7
{
surfnsuds: My attempt to modify the half-barre into a Chevron of Deception failed, and the bishop, which had attempted a seak attack on D4 was sent instead to E7 with its ecumenical tail between his legs.  More is the pity.  A successful Chevron can be quite powerful in the last set.
}
24. dxe5
{
bjordan: Pass the prawns!
}
24... Bd8
{
surfnsuds: Once again, a STAR move turned my black bishop from a bold adventurer into a quivering coward.
}
25. Bd2
{
bjordan: While a STAR move has made my bishop into a bumbling fool!  Short on material with VH Conditions looming, white's only hope may be a kamikazi pawn.
}
25... Rxa3
{
surfnsuds: Rook corner formation has been fully broken.  Desperate times are here.  
}
{
GregoryTopov: Black has to be slightly favoured here, mainly because of the remarkable tri-plod pawn formation on the 5th rank.  Moving White's h2 pawn onto g3 would make an adequate tripular defence for White.  A gambler would be looking to use his shirt sleeves to create a "Poco Manica Effect" in a position like this.
}
26. exf5
{
bjordan: Yes, I might be looking to create a Poco Manica Effect if the pieces weren't virtual.  I've learned pawn weighting techniques that dont work here either!  So, down material in the bottom of the third set, White is now in what is known as "felsenzug."  A rocky road indeed, but still hopeful for less nuts and more marshmallow bits.
}
26... Kc7
{
surfnsuds: With this game, more nuts is the usual call.  I am now attempting the doppelstupenschlingerwahrfel sequence in the hope it may lead to a successful conclusion of the game.
}
{
surfnsuds: Hoewever, I was STARred yet again. I am beginning to feel as if I am in a movie series with many sequels.
}
27. h3 Nc6 28. Rf3 Ra4
{
surfnsuds: I have successully executed the rookenawayrunnen move in an attempt to perpetrate a yet worse crime later on in the game.  
}
29. f6
{
bjordan: Freddie makes a run for it!
}
29... Ne7
{
surfnsuds: An extremely subtle STAR move places my Knight into jeopardy.  What can this mean?
}
30. fxe7
{
bjordan: White takes the knight, praying that the bishop is frozen, and he has a chance to grab it.  Only about a 25% chance, but pretty much white's only hope to avoid a Forced IMR.
}
{
GregoryTopov: With only one move to go, Black's advantage is only small as the Third Set concludes, and the game heads into VH Conditions for the Final Set.  The game really could go either way at this point!  Black's next move is critical, because the board position for the beginning of the Final Set under VH Conditions may well decide the game!
}
30... Bxe7 31. Rf6
{
bjordan: Perhaps a win just isn't in the STARs for White...
}
31... Ra1+
{
surfnsuds: Black delivers check to white at this late juncture in the game!  An exciting moment that may not last, what with VH conditions (and of course, Jupiter entering Virgo.)  
}
32. Kf2
{
bjordan: More importantly, black has resumed the oblique symmetry of his rooks, and apparently, has swapped them as well.  Dire straights for white.
}
32... Rc1
{
surfnsuds: I was hoping you wouldn't notice, but you are an observant opponent as well as a wily one.  
}
{
surfnsuds: However, I now offer the Eclesiastical Masonry Swap as a means of delaying a formced IMR.
}
33. Bxc1
{
bjordan: The Masons would be proud of you surfnsuds.  White has wriggled out of felsenzug, and this s anyone's game!  A classic struggle down to the wire, with both sides struggling to avoid a Forced IMR.  I am honored to be a part of this beautiful game.
}
33... Bxf6
{
surfnsuds: The Masonry Swap was completed successfully.  Black still holds the material advantage, but has a bishop and [awn in danger.  White has but a pair of pawns under siege.  Anytrhing couls happen, but as my most worthy opponent has observed, felsenzug has been avoided and now begins a possible uberstritzeleigangkeit.  I shudder to think of it.
}
34. exf6 Rf8 35. Bxg5 Rb8 36. Bd2
{
bjordan: To preserve the material advantage, I must protect the b-pawn from a Hopping Rook attack.
}
{
bjordan: For observers, I might note that historically, less than 1/4 of SR Chess games last beyond the 37th move.  But, it would be a case of "Gambler's Fallacy" for white to bank on that now.  There is no greater opportunity to force an IMR now than when VH conditions were first entered.  Black may very well continue to prevent it via the subtle move sequences and board patterns thus created.
}
36... hxg4
{
surfnsuds: The black pawn strikes out on its own for fame and glory.  If all goes well, it will take as many as three white pawns with it, and add an ignoble check to its list of accomplishments for the year.  It hopes for promotion even at this late date.
}
37. hxg4 Rd8
{
surfnsuds: My courageous pawn's hopes were dashed by this last move.  All is not lost however.  
}
{
surfnsuds: Then again, maybe all IS lost! 

bjordan, thank you for a most enlightening and delightful game.  May we meet again.
}
{
bjordan: Thank you, surfnsuds, this certainly was an exciting game.  I think that 19.Nd3 was a fortuitous inaccuracy for me.  Ne2 would have been a powerful oscillation, but fortunately I gained a STAR tempo afterwards which mitigated the error.

After 31.Rf6, I really thought I was lost, but Stanley was watching over me this time, and I managed to pull out of the felsenzug!  It is said that there is no "Luck" in SR Chess, but I beg to differ.  The constellation of factors which contributed to this narrow win is infathomable, and I thank my lucky STARs (and the excellent tea).
}
{
GregoryTopov: Congratulations to both players.  A thrilling game, that could have gone either way in the closing stages!  Kudos to both of you for some delightful commentary.  
}
{
GregoryTopov: Others who enjoyed this game can stay tuned to other SchemingMind.com SR Chess Exhibition Games here: http://www.schemingmind.com/topic.aspx?topic_id=6223
}
{
GregoryTopov: bjordan has used the Dimitri Zandovich Board Pattern here to create a Forced IMR (as required by the rules of this pattern, note how bishop is on the same file as black's rook, and the distorted pentagram formation of white's pawns).  For understanding more about this Pattern, see "A Reexamination of Forced Inferior Material Resignations: A Guide to Winning Play under VollenHauser Conditions by Leopold Strauss (Belgrade Press, 1934), chapter 15 "Multi-Pawn Pattens with Solo Rooks and Bishops". 
}
1-0

