Adrian Murfin

I played Adrian Murfin in Round 7 of the Spondon open last night. I made two big tactical blunders and got smashed. Tried playing on but it was quite pointless.

[Event "Spondon Summer Open 2007"]
[Date "2007.07.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Dean Madden"]
[Black "Adrian Murfin"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C55"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 h6 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd5 Qxd5 8. O-O Bf5 9. d4 O-O-O 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Nd2 Ng4 12. f3 Ne3 13. Qa4 Nxf1 14. Nxf1 a6 15. Bf4 Qb5 16. Qxb5 axb5 17. Ne3 Bd3 18. a4 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. axb5 Kd7 21. Ng4 f6 22. Ra7 Rb6 0-1

I've been playing the Moller attack variation of the Giuoco Piano recently, so when he played 3...h6, I carried on as normal, but better would have been d4 instead of c3.

First blunder was below. I played 10. Nxe5, totally miscalculating that after he takes back the knight, if I take his knight with the pawn then he is up a rook after QxQ, RxQ, RxQ.

Second bit of blindness was below when I stupidly played f3, allowing the knight fork of Queen and Rook. Doh!

Round 7. 17 07 07

Mark Carter 123 ½ - ½ Steven J Burke 161

David Williams 144 1½ - 0 Mick Orridge 80

Richard Hilkling e75 def –1½ Herbert T Loomes 99

Douglas Bramley 99 1½ - 0 Gary Davison 80

Mick Orridge 80 0 - 1½ Ian Gregory 146

Harry A J Ratner 70 1½ - 0 Malcolm Somers 66

Graham J Pace 95 0 - 1½ Nathan Atkins 94

Joseph A Pacitto e35 0 - 1½Gethin T Bowes e80

Howard Bradbury 84 ½ - ½ Ted Pye 48

Dean Madden ug 0 – 1½ Adrian Murfin e60

Phil Smith 75 1½ - 0 Martin J Gibson 46

R7 R/T

Harry A J Ratner	70	1½	5
Barry W Archer	94	0	4½
Ian Gregory	146	1½	5½
Dean Madden	ug	0	2
Gary Davison	80	0	4½
Joseph A Pacitto	e35	0	3
Howard Bradbury	84	½	2½
Ted Pye	48	½	2½
Gethin T Bowes	e80	1½	5½
Phil Smith	75	1½	3
David J Brown	120	bye	6½
Mark A K Carter	123	½	6½
Richard Hilkling	e75	def	5
Douglas Bramley	99	1½	6
Graham J Pace	95	0	3½
David Williams	144	1½	6½
Maitreya Thakur	e120	bye	4
Steven J Burke	161	½	8½
Phillip Sheldon	97	bye	3½
Herbert T Loomes	99	1½	6½
Mick Orridge	80	0	4½
Martin J Gibson	46	0	1
Malcolm Somers	66	0	3½
Stuart Tabberer	61	bye	½
Adrian Murfin	e60	1½	4½
Nathan Atkins	94	1½	4½

T33

I played in the first scheduled match of FICS Teamleague T33 last night, I won against Crem. There were lots of observers for my game seeing as it was the first one, and later I could read all the comments left during the game. I think I did reasonably well.

[Event "rated standard match"]
[Site "Free Internet Chess Server"]
[Date "2007.07.11"]
[Round "?"]
[White "crem"]
[Black "deanmadden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "1318"]
[BlackElo "1411"]
[ECO "B01"]
[TimeControl "2700+45"]

1. e4 d5 2. d4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 exf3 5. Nxf3 Bg4 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Nc6 8.
Bf4 Bd6 9. Qd2 Bxf4 10. Qxf4 Bxf3 11. Bxf3 Qxd4+ 12. Qxd4 Nxd4 13. Bxb7 Rb8
14. Bf3 Rxb2 15. Rf2 Rxc2 16. Rxc2 Nxc2 17. Rd1 a6 18. Bc6+ Ke7 19. Ne4 Nxe4
20. Rd7+ Kf6 21. Bxe4 Nb4 22. a3 Ke5 23. Rxc7 Kxe4 24. axb4 Rb8 25. Ra7 Rxb4
26. Rxf7 Ke3 27. h3 a5 28. Rf3+ Ke4 29. Kf2 a4 30. Ra3 e5 31. Ke1 Kd4 32. Kd1
Kc4 33. Kd2 Kb5 34. Kc3 e4 35. Kd2 Rb3 36. Ra1 e3+ 37. Ke2 a3 38. Rd1 a2 39.
Ra1 Ra3 40. Kf3 Kb4 {crem resigns} 0-1

Here were all the comments:

[Event "FICS standard game"]
[Site "Free Internet Chess Server"]
[Date "2007.07.11"]
[Time "18:57:16 GMT"]
[Round "-"]
[White "crem"]
[Black "deanmadden"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "1318"]
[BlackElo "1411"]
[TimeControl "2700+45"]
[GameId "726061"]

1.e4 {[%emt 0:00:00]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: 41 team joining the quest for glory}
d5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 2.d4 {[%emt 0:00:03]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: white to move and win :-)
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: And since I am here I'll be providing live comments
derMandarin(1961) whispers: lol this becomes funny already, lol}
dxe4 {[%emt 0:00:27]
screamdlg(1498) whispers: eeee}
3.Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:03]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Blackmar Diemer!
derMandarin(1961) whispers: here comes the blackmar diemer
Oppermann(1694) whispers: Hello Teamleague fans :D
proudpawn(1730) whispers: isn't that this unsound gambit
derMandarin(1961) whispers: hello GM Oppermann
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Nice choice of oepning for white
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Hello dM, Opp}
Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} 4.f3 {[%emt 0:00:02]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: lol, he goes for the fast victory ;)
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Btw, at least one more person here plays the Blakcmar-Diemer}
exf3 {[%emt 0:00:36]} 5.Nxf3 {[%emt 0:00:02]} Bg4 {[%emt 0:00:48]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Do you know him?}
6.Be2 {[%emt 0:00:29]
squib(1583) whispers: you :)
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Good guess}
e6 {[%emt 0:01:24]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: I had this position few times thoguh with black pawn on c6
derMandarin(1961) whispers: now that is a nice number of observers for a U1400 game :)}
7.O-O {[%emt 0:02:32]
squib(1583) whispers: look out look out there are monkey about :(|)
derMandarin(1961) whispers: lol}
Nc6 {[%emt 0:01:14]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Monkey! Don't you know you gotta shock the monkey! hey-yay shock the moneky!
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: any Peter Gabriel fans in?
Litovec(1801) whispers: is this singer ?
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: LOLZ}
8.Bf4 {[%emt 0:01:31]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Lit, honestly, if you don't know who is Peter Gabriel then you know nothing of music
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Back to game. Bxf3 wins a pawn I presume
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Well not really, since white can recapture an b7 then
proudpawn(1730) whispers: c7}
Bd6 {[%emt 0:01:30]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Ne5 good here
Litovec(1801) whispers: i can say same about ... mmm ... Napalm Death for example
proudpawn(1730) whispers: Ne5 seems to be safe so far
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Lito, metal is crap}
9.Qd2 {[%emt 0:03:52]
Malfurion(1797) whispers: get 'em crem!!
Malfurion(1797) whispers: hi everybody:)
seberg(1706) whispers: funny how you monkeys made it from creation to being so big in 2 tourneys ;) must be monkey power}
Bxf4 {[%emt 0:00:59]} 10.Qxf4 {[%emt 0:00:05]
Malfurion(1797) whispers: yeah, monkeys and dolphins are the only other mammals that procreate for pleasure..}
Bxf3 {[%emt 0:00:37]
rustic(2043) whispers: d pawn lost
derMandarin(1961) whispers: lol
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: My game is scheduled for this Sunday, 07:00}
11.Bxf3 {[%emt 0:01:27]
screamdlg(1498) whispers: why lost
InvisibleDog(1392) whispers: why not rxf3, then if Kxd4 rd3
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Dog, black takes with Queen then
fernbap(1720) whispers: Kxd4 is illegal :P
InvisibleDog(1392) whispers: sorry...Nxd4
PankracyRozumek(1682) whispers: after Nxd4 comes Rad1
fernbap(1720) whispers: just nxf3+, then}
Qxd4+ {[%emt 0:01:46]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: omg!!!}
12.Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:13]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: nooooooooooooooooooo
screamdlg(1498) whispers: omg}
Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:17]
seberg(1706) whispers: hehe
derMandarin(1961) whispers: noooooooooooooooooooooooooo
seberg(1706) whispers: neat tactics, well missed
derMandarin(1961) whispers: :(
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: hum?
derMandarin(1961) whispers: U1400 really is not for people with light nerves, lol
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: what's all the hubbub about? what did I miss?
InvisibleDog(1392) whispers: after Qxd4, would you say Qxc7?
Malfurion(1797) whispers: arrrrrggghhhhh
seberg(1706) whispers: Bxc6+ Invisible
rustic(2043) whispers: too bad
QueenChessy(1731) whispers: why are they playing so fast? what happen to the 45 45?
InvisibleDog(1392) whispers: oh, the king was in check...
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: hey if you think after Qxd4 Bxc6, then you are wrong
squib(1583) whispers: prob scared to death with all the observers lol
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Qxd4 is CHECK
derMandarin(1961) whispers: lol
seberg(1706) whispers: lols, yes
screamdlg(1498) whispers: must take c7 ?
derMandarin(1961) whispers: oooops
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: hahahhaha n00bs
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: I PWN you
screamdlg(1498) whispers: b7
Malfurion(1797) whispers: lol
seberg(1706) whispers: hahahaha, yeah, those guys are out pawning us
derMandarin(1961) whispers: I have an excuse. girlfriedn on the phone right now :D
derMandarin(1961) whispers: these U1400 guys are way ahead of us
Litovec(1801) whispers: someone do not saw qxp+ ?
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: no one did except players and me
Litovec(1801) whispers: what about me ?
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: well adn you
Litovec(1801) whispers: i wanna play rated simul with all observers who do not saw this move ... i will give pawn odd , anyway tends tio be eek
proudpawn(1730) whispers: are there rated simuls on FICS?
seberg(1706) whispers: no
Litovec(1801) whispers: no :(
seberg(1706) whispers: simuls cannot be rated}
13.Bxb7 {[%emt 0:08:08]} Rb8 {[%emt 0:02:37]} 14.Bf3 {[%emt 0:00:53]} Rxb2 {[%emt 0:02:14]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: hm, does not look good for the monkeys}
15.Rf2 {[%emt 0:00:50]
Malfurion(1797) whispers: ?
rustic(2043) whispers: rf2??
Malfurion(1797) whispers: needed something aggressive here..maybe Rd1..Rf2 is just bad
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: true}
Rxc2 {[%emt 0:01:51]} 16.Rxc2 {[%emt 0:00:54]
Malfurion(1797) whispers: gotta start tryin to work some miracles with that bishop..}
Nxc2 {[%emt 0:00:13]
fernbap(1720) whispers: convert it to a queen?
Malfurion(1797) whispers: though 2 knights usually work better than a knight and bishop
Malfurion(1797) whispers: play Rb1 and pray that black brainfarts w/something like Na3}
17.Rd1 {[%emt 0:01:14]
screamdlg(1498) whispers: )
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Creating: HyperMagnus (2070) AlekBlu (2088) rated standard 15 10 Your opponent has aborted the game on move one.
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Everyone is sh*tting their pants when they see mine handle
Lomax(2276) whispers: You sure ? ;)
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Especially after yesterday
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Well history is a good answer}
a6 {[%emt 0:03:21]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: I just rule. Entirely}
18.Bc6+ {[%emt 0:01:16]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: I should have chosen HyperPawn as a handle, might be more impressive}
Ke7 {[%emt 0:01:39]} 19.Ne4 {[%emt 0:00:05]
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: I don't like my handle.
CamyC(2215) whispers: :)
Malfurion(1797) whispers: crem needs to keep his pieces on the board..
CamyC(2215) whispers: pawns too :P
rustic(2043) whispers: this might lose the bishop
Malfurion(1797) whispers: that's a dubious move at best
Malfurion(1797) whispers: hoping for Nxe4 Rd7+ Kf8?
CamyC(2215) whispers: he probably doesnt see f6 gets vacant :)}
Nxe4 {[%emt 0:02:13]
Malfurion(1797) whispers: might as well try it at this point
CamyC(2215) whispers: yup, i think Ne4 was a good try
Malfurion(1797) whispers: he can at least get a pawn back..
screamdlg(1498) whispers: hm ... ))
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Rd7
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: last try
screamdlg(1498) whispers: good try
CamyC(2215) whispers: well, its not anywhere near close to an automatic win on this level}
20.Rd7+ {[%emt 0:03:57]} Kf6 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 21.Bxe4 {[%emt 0:00:10]} Nb4 {[%emt 0:01:30]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: the first league game is always hard
Malfurion(1797) whispers: a3 might be able to win the knight
fernbap(1720) whispers: what is he waiting to play a3?
CamyC(2215) whispers: how do you hope to win the knight?
proudpawn(1730) whispers: a3 Nd5
CamyC(2215) whispers: a3 Nd5 is probably simplest, or a3 Ke5 or a3 Na2 maybe
rustic(2043) whispers: knight and a pawn for the bish
proudpawn(1730) whispers: i would never give up my bishop for that
Malfurion(1797) whispers: i don't think he'll play Nd5...
Malfurion(1797) whispers: i'm banking on Na2:)
proudpawn(1730) whispers: what about Rxc7 Nxa2 Bb2
CamyC(2215) whispers: ok, Ke5 is stupid
CamyC(2215) whispers: just a3 Nd5
proudpawn(1730) whispers: then Nb4 Rb7
Malfurion(1797) whispers: B can't go to b2..
proudpawn(1730) whispers: Bb1 of course
Malfurion(1797) whispers: then N back to b4}
22.a3 {[%emt 0:06:02]} Ke5 {[%emt 0:02:41]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: hm
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: did someone clal my name?
proudpawn(1730) whispers: lol
proudpawn(1730) whispers: axb3 Kxe4 Rxf7 and another pawn to follow
CamyC(2215) whispers: i think Rxf7 is more accurate :P
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: I'd keep the bishop
proudpawn(1730) whispers: black's king is much better then, though}
23.Rxc7 {[%emt 0:02:49]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: Bb7!
CamyC(2215) whispers: Rf7 Ke4 ab gives white some drawing chances i think
CamyC(2215) whispers: 23.Rf7 i meant
derMandarin(1961) whispers: CREM CREM CREM
proudpawn(1730) whispers: go crem!!
derMandarin(1961) whispers: time to start your engines crem :D
derMandarin(1961) whispers: afterburner}
Kxe4 {[%emt 0:02:26]} 24.axb4 {[%emt 0:00:03]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: and do not trade rooks, boy}
Rb8 {[%emt 0:01:13]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: Rxc7!
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: Rook takes itself? :)
derMandarin(1961) whispers: ok this is rather tricky
CamyC(2215) whispers: i still sthink Rxf7 was more accurate}
25.Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:37]
CamyC(2215) whispers: think*
derMandarin(1961) whispers: oops, sorry I stop commenting now. too much beer
proudpawn(1730) whispers: not again, derMandarin!
proudpawn(1730) whispers: ;)
CamyC(2215) whispers: and now too :P
proudpawn(1730) whispers: come on, crem, eat all those pawns
CamyC(2215) whispers: now Rb4 Ra6 and Kf5 or something with an easy win
derMandarin(1961) whispers: still crem does a good job here. I have seen people going down with less fight.}
Rxb4 {[%emt 0:01:11]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: he just should stark taking thinking time a bit earlier in future games ;)
proudpawn(1730) whispers: put a rook on g4
CamyC(2215) whispers: or Rxf7 Ke3+Rg4
CamyC(2215) whispers: or if Ke3 h3, then Rb1 Kh2 e5 should easily win too
proudpawn(1730) whispers: hm, according to rybka this looks like a possible draw
CamyC(2215) whispers: in which variation?}
26.Rxf7 {[%emt 0:02:50]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: this
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: lol, that was a waste of tempo
rustic(2043) whispers: well rybka will have to play instead of crem
CamyC(2215) whispers: i think blacks clearly better
CamyC(2215) whispers: but im not a computer :P
CamyC(2215) whispers: nor a fish
seberg(1706) whispers: dubious assement
proudpawn(1730) whispers: her idea is Rxg7 and Rg3
CamyC(2215) whispers: what after Ke3 here?}
Ke3 {[%emt 0:01:55]
seberg(1706) whispers: haha}
27.h3 {[%emt 0:00:35]
CamyC(2215) whispers: does Rybka see that after 5 checks i hide on a4, put the rook on e7 and promote the a-pawn?
proudpawn(1730) whispers: don't know, you might try it}
a5 {[%emt 0:01:15]
CamyC(2215) whispers: well, i analysed a bit with rybka, and ive seen it making stupid evaluations in the past, so im just asking
screamdlg(1498) whispers: eat! eat! eat!
proudpawn(1730) whispers: version 2.3.2 is MUCH better in endgames than earlier version, but of course certaiin endgames are still miracles for computers
gile(1732) whispers: wow... so many observers ... :)
CamyC(2215) whispers: i havent seen 2.3.2, but computers have trouble in general with this type of endgames
gile(1732) whispers: hi all}
28.Rf3+ {[%emt 0:02:26]
proudpawn(1730) whispers: hi gile
CamyC(2215) whispers: maybe not so much with playing them, as with evaluating them
CamyC(2215) whispers: hey gile}
Ke4 {[%emt 0:01:44]
CamyC(2215) whispers: Rg3 o_O
proudpawn(1730) whispers: Rg3 hoping g6}
29.Kf2 {[%emt 0:00:36]
CamyC(2215) whispers: wouldnt hurt to try :P
HyperMagnus(2070) whispers: WEll Rg3 g6
proudpawn(1730) whispers: yes, loses anyway
proudpawn(1730) whispers: Rxb4 axb4}
a4 {[%emt 0:01:40]} 30.Ra3 {[%emt 0:00:14]
CamyC(2215) whispers: well, everything loses, but hoping for weakening moves like g6 is the only chance
CamyC(2215) whispers: now Rg3 could be strong though
CamyC(2215) whispers: winning the pawn i think}
e5 {[%emt 0:01:56]
CamyC(2215) whispers: Rg3 again
proudpawn(1730) whispers: yes, now it would be even winning
CamyC(2215) whispers: winning for whom?}
31.Ke1 {[%emt 0:01:20]
PankracyRozumek(1682) whispers: for Black :-)
proudpawn(1730) whispers: white
CamyC(2215) whispers: Rg3 only gives practical chances to save the game
screamdlg(1498) whispers: omg
proudpawn(1730) whispers: Rg3 g6 wins rook on b4 and the a-pawn
CamyC(2215) whispers: proudpawn, but Rg3 Ra2 doesnt win the rook and the a-pawn
CamyC(2215) whispers: Rb2*
PankracyRozumek(1682) whispers: Rg3 Rb2+ and what next?
CamyC(2215) whispers: just because you make a threat, doesnt mean the opponent wont react
proudpawn(1730) whispers: we were talking about hopes ;-)}
Kd4 {[%emt 0:01:19]
CamyC(2215) whispers: well, Rg3 won the pawn, thats the realistic hope
CamyC(2215) whispers: now white is dead
CamyC(2215) whispers: ok, now white is _clearly_ dead :P
proudpawn(1730) whispers: ok, make the pawns runs and prepare for stalemate!
proudpawn(1730) whispers: monkeys fight!
CamyC(2215) whispers: well, its hard to imagine how can black screw this position up}
32.Kd1 {[%emt 0:01:49]
screamdlg(1498) whispers: Kd2 ?
screamdlg(1498) whispers: no, d1
CamyC(2215) whispers: i play ...e4 anyway
derMandarin(1961) whispers: yay Mario Kart Wii anounced :)}
Kc4 {[%emt 0:01:28]
CamyC(2215) whispers: i dont understand where is he going with that king but ok...}
33.Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:44]
CamyC(2215) whispers: ive read about king centralisation in the endgame, but i dont understand modern chess :)}
Kb5 {[%emt 0:01:13]
CamyC(2215) whispers: maybe Re3 e4 Rg3?
proudpawn(1730) whispers: looks like black goes for Rb3 Rxb3 axb3...
screamdlg(1498) whispers: Kc3 i think
CamyC(2215) whispers: Kc3 Rb3-+
screamdlg(1498) whispers: i just try to guess his move
CamyC(2215) whispers: i just try to guess the answer to that move :)}
34.Kc3 {[%emt 0:02:46]
screamdlg(1498) whispers: ee
CamyC(2215) whispers: you guessed right :)
CamyC(2215) whispers: i prefered Kc2 or Re3}
e4 {[%emt 0:01:06]} 35.Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:12]
CamyC(2215) whispers: Rb2-+
fernbap(1720) whispers: anythin -+}
Rb3 {[%emt 0:00:45]
CamyC(2215) whispers: haha, quite possible
CamyC(2215) whispers: yeah, even ...e3 won
Malfurion(1797) whispers: oh well..good try crem- got those first game nerves behind ya now:)
derMandarin(1961) whispers: yes he started playing good after he lost this second pawn ;)}
36.Ra1 {[%emt 0:04:18]
Malfurion(1797) whispers: nothin like gettin down early to spark the fighting spirit in a player:)}
e3+ {[%emt 0:01:15]} 37.Ke2 {[%emt 0:00:24]} a3 {[%emt 0:01:02]} 38.Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:54]} a2 {[%emt 0:00:45]} 39.Ra1 {[%emt 0:00:03]} Ra3 {[%emt 0:01:19]} 40.Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:24]} Kb4 {[%emt 0:00:31]
derMandarin(1961) whispers: b4!
derMandarin(1961) whispers: g4
CamyC(2215) whispers: g4 sadistic Kb3 :P
Malfurion(1797) whispers: h6 would've won here, I think
CamyC(2215) whispers: time to give the signature i think}
{crem resigns} 0-1

Harry Ratner

Last night I lost to Harry Ratner in Round 6 of the Spondon Summer Open. It was an even game, with me having a slight edge for the first half of the game. But then I got my bishop trapped behind pawns and he converted the advantage. He was a deserved winner, and I hope to give him a run for his money in future games.

[Event "Spondon Summer Open 2007"]
[Date "2007.07.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Harry Ratner"]
[Black "Dean Madden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. a3 c6 5. b4 Qc7 6. Bc4 Bf5 7. Qf3 e6 8. d3 Qe5+ 9. Kd2 Qd4 10. Nge2 Qd6 11. Qf4 Nd7 12. Bb2 Ne5 13. Kc1 Nxc4 14. Qxc4 Nf6 15. Qf4 O-O-O 16. Qxd6 Bxd6 17. f3 Rhe8 18. Ne4 Bxe4 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. fxe4 f5 21. exf5 exf5 22. Kd2 Be5 23. Raf1 Bb2 24. Rxf5 Bxa3 25. c3 Re7 26. Ra1 Bb2 27. Ra2 Rde8 28. Rf2 Bxc3+ 29. Nxc3 Rd7 30. Rxa7 Red8 31. Ra8+ Kc7 32. Rxd8 Rxd8 33. Rxf7+ 1-0

Move 23 is where I played Bb2, but better would have been Rd5:

Round 6

Steven J Burke 161 1½ -0 Mick Orridge 80

Herbert T Loomes 99 0 -1½ David J Brown 120

Barry W Archer 94 ½ - ½ Douglas Bramley 99

Graham J Pace 95 ½ - ½ Gethin T Bowes e80

Ian Gregory 146 0 - 1½ David Williams 144

Gary Davison 80 1½ - 0 Joseph A Pacitto e35

Adrian Murfin e60 0 – 1½ Richard Hilkling e75

Harry A J Ratner 70 1½ - 0 Dean Madden ug

Phillip Sheldon 97 1½ - 0 Ted Pye 48

Malcolm Somers 66 1½ - 0 Howard Bradbury 84

Nathan Atkins 94 1½ - 0 Phil Smith 75

Martin J Gibson 46½ - ½ Stuart Tabberer 61

Harry A J Ratner	70	1½	3½
Barry W Archer	94	½	4½
Ian Gregory	146	0	4
Dean Madden	ug	0	2
Gary Davison	80	1½	4½
Joseph A Pacitto	e35	0	3
Howard Bradbury	84	0	2
Ted Pye	48	0	2
Gethin T Bowes	e80	½	4
Phil Smith	75	0	1½
David J Brown	120	1½	6½
Mark A K Carter	123	bye	6
Richard Hilkling	e75	1½	5
Douglas Bramley	99	½	4½
Graham J Pace	95	½	3½
David Williams	144	1½	5
Maitreya Thakur	e120	be	4
Steven J Burke	161	1½	8
Phillip Sheldon	97	1½	3½
Herbert T Loomes	99	0	5
Mick Orridge	80	0	4½
Martin J Gibson	46	½	1
Malcolm Somers	66	1½	3½
Stuart Tabberer	61	½	½
Adrian Murfin	e60	0	3
Nathan Atkins	94	1½	3

Controller

Bert Loomes

ChessForums

I've been writing in a relatively new chess forum at http://www.chessforums.org/. It already has a good amount of posters, with some worthwhile reading. It looks to be an improvement on the existing chessexchange, chesspublishing and chess.com forums.

I played a few games on Sunday on FICS, I've got my rating back to around 1410 after it dipped to about 1380 again. I was hoping to play in a rapidplay tournament in Lichfield, but couldn't get a day release pass from the wife. She's agreed to let me go to one or two in September.

The ECF grades should be available around the 23rd July according to their forum, having a grade will encourage me to enter more tournaments and hopefully improve. I've been browsing the current grades and there are a few people who have played over 200 longplay rated games in a year. I think if I won the lottery I'd do something like that, travelling around to play in congresses each weekend etc :)

Pacitto

I lost to Joseph Pacitto in round 5 last night. It was a crazy game with lots of mistakes by the both of us, as can be seen from the fritz analysis of my moves:

[Event "Spondon Summer Open 2007"]
[Date "2007.07.03"]
[Round "5"]
[White "J Pacitto"]
[Black "Dean Madden"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]

{B01: Scandinavian Defence} 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 {last book move}
4. b3 Nf6 5. f3 c6 (5... Nc6 6. Bb5 $17) 6. Bd3 e6 {Secures d5+f5} (6... Na6 7.
a3 $15) 7. Bb2 Bd6 (7... Nbd7 8. Ne4 $15) 8. a3 Qc7 (8... Bxh2 9. Nge2 Bd6 10.
Ne4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 $15) 9. Nce2 Bxh2 (9... Nbd7 10. Nh3 $17) 10. Kf1 Nbd7 11.
Nh3 g6 $4 {an unfortunate move that relinquishes the win} (11... Ne5 $5 12. Be4
Nxe4 13. fxe4 Ng4 $17) 12. Qe1 {Loses material} Be5 13. c3 Nc5 (13... Nd5 $142
$5 $17) 14. Bc2 Bd7 $4 {gives the opponent counterplay} (14... Nd5 $142 $11 {
is the best option Black has}) 15. d4 Bxd4 $2 (15... Nxb3 $142 16. Bxb3 Bd6 $18
) 16. cxd4 Na6 17. f4 Ng4 (17... Nd5 18. Nc3 $18) 18. Ng3 O-O-O 19. Ng5 {
White threatens to win material: Ng5xf7} Qxf4+ 20. Nf3 {
White has a very active position} Ne3+ 21. Kf2 Nxc2 {Attacks the isolani on d4}
22. Qe2 Nxa1 23. Bxa1 h5 (23... f6 {makes it even easier for Black} 24. Ne4
Rdf8 25. Bb2 $19) 24. Rh4 Qc7 (24... Qd6 {and Black can already relax} 25. Bb2
Rdf8 26. Ne4 $19) 25. Ne5 Rhf8 (25... Be8 {might be the shorter path} 26. Nf3
Rd5 27. Nf1 $19) 26. Ne4 Qb6 (26... Be8 $142 {nails it down} 27. Qf3 f5 28. Rh1
$19) 27. Qe3 Qa5 28. Nd6+ Kc7 (28... Kb8 $142 {secures victory} 29. Bb2 Ka8 $19
) 29. Ndc4 Qb5 30. Qg3 g5 $1 {Deflection: g5} 31. Rxh5 (31. Qg5 f6 {
Double attack} (31... Qxb3 {Deflection}) (31... f6 {Decoy})) 31... Rde8 $4 {
ruins a clearly superior position} (31... f5 $142 32. Ng6+ f4 33. Qxg5 Qxg5 (
33... Qxb3 $4 {is impossible because of the following mate in 2} 34. Qe5+ Kc8
35. Ne7#) 34. Rxg5 Rf5 35. Rxf5 exf5 $19) 32. Ng6+ e5 33. Nxf8 {
White has a king attack} Rxf8 34. Rxg5 f6 35. Rg8 Rxg8 36. Qxg8 Qd5 $4 {
with this move Black loses his initiative} (36... Qxb3 $142 {
Black has a promising position} 37. dxe5 Qa2+ 38. Bb2 b5 39. exf6 bxc4 40. Qg3+
Kb7 $19) 37. Qg3 b5 38. Na5 Kb6 39. b4 Qa2+ 40. Kg1 Qxa1+ 41. Kh2 exd4 (41...
Qxd4 $142 {and Black has prevailed} 42. Nb3 Qd6 43. Qf2+ c5 44. Nxc5 e4+ 45.
Kh1 Nxc5 $19) 42. Qd6 Be8 $4 {spoils everything} (42... Qxa3 $142 {
and Black has triumphed} 43. Qxd4+ Kc7 44. Qxa7+ Kd6 45. Qxa6 Qxb4 46. Nb7+ Ke6
47. Qa2+ Ke7 $19) 43. Qd8+ Nc7 44. Qb8+ Ka6 45. Qb7# 1-0

Round 5

Herbert T Loomes 99 0 - 1½ Steven J Burke 161

Mark Carter 123 1½ - 0 Barry W Archer 94

David J Brown 120 1½ - 0 David Williams 144

Graham J Pace 95 0 - 1½ Ian Gregory 146

Richard Hilkling e75 ½ - ½ Douglas Bramley 99

Phil Smith 75 ½ - ½ Howard Bradbury 84

Gethin T Bowes e80 1½ - 0 Malcolm Somers 66

Joseph A Pacitto e35 1½ - 0 Dean Madden ug

Gary Davison 80 1½ -0 Phillip Sheldon 97

Ted Pye 48 ½ - ½ Harry A J Ratner 70

Mick Orridge 80 1½ – 0 Adrian Murfin e60

Def 0 - 1½ Nathan Atkins 94

Harry A J Ratner	70	½	2
Barry W Archer	94	0	4
Ian Gregory	146	1½	4
Dean Madden	ug	0	2
Gary Davison	80	1½	3
Joseph A Pacitto	e35	1½	3
Howard Bradbury	84	½	2
Ted Pye	48	½	2
Gethin T Bowes	e80	1½	3½
Phil Smith	75	½	1½
David J Brown	120	1½	5
Mark A K Carter	123	1½	6
Richard Hilkling	e75	½	3½
Douglas Bramley	99	½	4
Graham J Pace	95	0	3
David Williams	144	0	3½
Maitreya Thakur	e120	bye	4
Steven J Burke	161	1½	6½
Phillip Sheldon	97	0	2
Herbert T Loomes	99	0	5
Mick Orridge	80	1½	4½
Martin J Gibson	46	bye	½
Malcolm Somers	66	0	2
Stuart Tabberer	61	bye	0
Adrian Murfin	e60	0	3
Nathan Atkins	94	1½	1½

Controller

Bert Loomes