I just beat a player who was rated 1577. It's the second time ever I've beat someone with an online rating above 1500.
I'm trying to guage if I'm getting better, and this is an important indicator. But I felt as if he played well under his rating, which isn't an insult. I've often had horrible games where I keep making stupid mistakes.
I used to play on Yahoo where anyone 1350 plus would offer a challenging game. I don't know if RHP is more liberal with their rating.
Here's the game I just won. Am I getting better, was he having an off game or would you say both?
[Event "Open invite"]
[Site "http://www.redhotpawn.com"]
[Date "2009.07.10"]
[EndDate "2009.07.14"]
[Round "?"]
[White "USArmyParatrooper"]
[Black "Passant"]
[WhiteRating "1446"]
[BlackRating "1566"]
[WhiteELO "1446"]
[BlackELO "1566"]
[Result "1-0"]
[GameId "6494486"]
Originally posted by GarnothI know the names of only a couple openings and the names of no variations.
Don't look at ratings, they say very little. The guy didn't play very well, all your moves were very logical and he just drops pieces everywhere.
And the exchange slav is not a very ambitious choice, you can make the opening much harder for people 😉
Could you explain how I could make it harder for my opponent?
- Joined
- 07 Mar 09
- Moves
- 28919
Originally posted by Fat LadyIt was a very bad game for black - but you were careful and chopped off what he left exposed and avoided any blunders - that is really the point of chess at it's most basic. I told a friend who plays here: "Get developed and take what they give you and you'll win most of your games."
I liked the way you saved your piece with 14.Qb5!
Your opening on the other hand was passive and illogical but openings are only important when both players avoid catastrophic blunders.
Originally posted by TerrierJackI normally don't capture the pawn in that position, I just kind of mindlessly moved (I think I was distracted at the time).
It was a very bad game for black - but you were careful and chopped off what he left exposed and avoided any blunders - that is really the point of chess at it's most basic. I told a friend who plays here: "Get developed and take what they give you and you'll win most of your games."
Your opening on the other hand was passive and illogical but openings are only important when both players avoid catastrophic blunders.
But I DO capture it if they guard the pawn with e6 instead of c6, the thought being trade my c-pawn for one of his central pawns. Is this a flawed strategy?
No entirely if he protects it with e6 (which is the queens gambit), but here he played c6, so effectively you made his c-pawn a centre pawn, the pawn structure is completely symmetrical, which is usually very drawish.
Against the queens gambit, by taking on d5 you enter the realms of carlsbad structure, a specialty of kasparov some time ago.
The Queen's Gambit Exchange variation (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5) is a great way to set challenges for black. The topical variation goes
Originally posted by chesskid001This variation is the reason people opt for Be7 instead of Nf6, white can't play Bg5 and must play Nf3.
The Queen's Gambit Exchange variation (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5) is a great way to set challenges for black. The topical variation goes
[pgn] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 c6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Nge2 Nbd7 f3 [/pgn]. White has the flexibility of playing for an eventual e4, or opting to play for the Queenside minority attack wi ...[text shortened]... and 4...dxc4 are the main ones that come to mind. You might want to look into these variations.
Originally posted by chesskid001yeah I like that opening very much, do you think white could castle queenside?
The Queen's Gambit Exchange variation (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5) is a great way to set challenges for black. The topical variation goes
[pgn] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Be7 6.e3 c6 7.Bd3 O-O 8.Nge2 Nbd7 f3 [/pgn]. White has the flexibility of playing for an eventual e4, or opting to play for the Queenside minority attack wi ...[text shortened]... and 4...dxc4 are the main ones that come to mind. You might want to look into these variations.
- Joined
- 07 Mar 09
- Moves
- 28919
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperNeither one is wrong! The Slav Exchange is just more passive because the position is not unbalanced. The Orthodox Exchange is more aggressive but so is playing a few more moves with tension in the center. Learn both ways, they will each teach you important things.
I normally don't capture the pawn in that position, I just kind of mindlessly moved (I think I was distracted at the time).
But I DO capture it if they guard the pawn with e6 instead of c6, the thought being trade my c-pawn for one of his central pawns. Is this a flawed strategy?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperSometimes opening the c-file, or the e-file can be dangerous.
I normally don't capture the pawn in that position, I just kind of mindlessly moved (I think I was distracted at the time).
But I DO capture it if they guard the pawn with e6 instead of c6, the thought being trade my c-pawn for one of his central pawns. Is this a flawed strategy?
Whether to open them is a decision you must make based on your
development, space, and mobility. How many pieces are actively
effecting each file, and your mobility? How fast can you effect it? How
fast can he? Will you activate your position, or his?
Typically opening a file before uniting your rooks is folley.
Unless of course you can unite yours before his, or you have some
compelling factor to open the file without uniting your rooks yet.
Now open the file which promotes your basic principles of play.
Now play in a way which allows you to strengthen those principles.
Now play in a way which takes advantages of his misuse of them.
When you take these ideas in mind, coupled with strong basic
fundamentals. You'll be playing strong chess.
-GIN