Monday, December 4, 2017

Alan Lasser's Game of the Week


Long-time readers have seen my version of the World Champion Lasker’s classic advice, “Four Things to Think About Before You Touch That Chess Piece” in this column many times, lastly in the issue of 7/22/17.  If I may quote myself, “the best chance for laying a successful trap is to place it as close as possible to your opponent’s intentions”.  “How do I do that?”, you might ask.  This game is a good example, 17…Nd5 is an objectively stronger move, but I chose to play 17…g5 in order to lay a trap.  My opponent’s intention is to play Rc1, combining with the bishop to attack my knight on c6, at the very least it will smash up my king’s defensive position.  17…g5 does not appear to prevent that, it looks like the bishop need not be defended because the rook’s attack on my queen will allow his plan to get underway immediately.  Then my intermezzo capture, 18…Re1, springs the trap, because the rook must be recaptured.



Unrelated:  see Magnus Carlsen in a TV commercial at





Eric Harder-Alan Lasser

11/29/17

Forbes Library Chess Club

Game/60


1.e4 Nc6 

2.d4 d5 








































27...Nc3+ 0-1



[Event "game/60"]

[Site "Forbes Library CC"]

[Date "2017.11.29"]

[Round "?"]

[White "Eric Harder"]

[Black "Alan Lasser"]

[Result "0-1"]

[ECO "B00"]


1.e4 Nc6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Be3 e5

5.c4 Bb4+ 6.Nd2 Qd6 7.a3 Bxd2+ 8.Qxd2 exd4 9.Bf4 Qe7+ 10.Be2 Be6 $6 { -1.05/21 } ( 

10...Bf5 { -1.31/22 } 11.O-O-O O-O-O

{ 11...Nf6 12. Bd3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 O-O-O 14. Nf3 Ne4 15. Rhe1 Rhe8    -1.05  

Stockfish } 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 Nf6 14.Nf3 Qe4

{ 14...Ne4 15. Rhe1 Rhe8 16. Qc2 f6 17. Nd2 d3 18. Qa4 Qf7 19. Nxe4 Rd4 20.

Nd6+ cxd6 21. Rxe8+ Qxe8   -1.08   Stockfish } 15.Bg5 Qxd3 16.Rxd3 Ne4

17.Bxd8 Nxf2 18.Rd2 Nxh1 19.Bh4 f6 20.Nxd4 Na5 21.Rc2 Rd8 22.Nf5 Nb3+ 23.Kb1

Nd4 24.Nxd4 Rxd4 25.Be1 Rd1+ 26.Rc1 Rxc1+ 27.Kxc1 c5 28.b3 f5 ) 11.O-O-O

O-O-O 12.Nf3 Nf6 13.Ng5 $6 { -1.50/20 } ( 13.Qc2 { -1.15/20 } 13...Kb8

14.Rhe1 Nh5 15.Bd2 Rhe8 16.Kb1 h6 17.Bd3 Qd6 18.h3 g5 19.b4 ) ( 13.Bd3 Nh5

14.Bg3 Rhe8 15.Rhe1 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Qf8 { -0.93   Stockfish } ) 13...Rhe8 $6

{ -1.15/20 } ( 13...Bf5 { -1.50/20 } 14.Rhe1 Nd7 15.Bg4

{ 15. Bd3 Qf6 16. Ne4 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 Nc5 18. Kb1 Nxe4 19. Rxe4 Qg6 20. Qd3

Qxg2   -1.43   Stockfish } 15...Qf6 16.Ne4 Bxe4 ) 14.Rhe1 h6 15.Nxe6 Qxe6

16.Bf3 $2 { -2.16/24 } ( 16.Bd3 { -1.09/22 } 16...Qd7 17.h3 Rxe1 18.Rxe1 Re8

19.Bg3 { 19.b4 Rxe1+ 20. Qxe1 Qe6 21. Qxe6+ fxe6   -0.15   Stockfish }

19...Kb8 20.b4 Re6 21.Kb2 ) 16...Qxc4+ 17.Kb1 g5 ( 17...Nd5 18.Bg3 Qb3

19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Re1 Rxe1+ 21.Qxe1 Kd8 { -2.22 Stockfish } ) 18.Rc1 $2

{ -6.13/22 } ( 18.Bg3

{ -1.95/21   The attempt to unhinge the trap by first exchanging rooks

doesn't work,  18.Re8 Re8 19.Rc1 Qb5 20.Bc6 bc 20.Bg3 Re2 } 18...Rxe1 19.Rxe1

Nd5

{ 19...d3 20. Rc1 Qa4 21. Re1 Rd7 22. h3 Qc4 23. Rc1 Qb5 24. Qe3 d2 25. Rd1

Qf5+ 26. Ka1 Nd4 27. Rxd2 Nc2+ 28. Rxc2 Qxc2 29. Qxa7 Qc1+ -1.85 Stockfish

} 20.h4

{ 20. Qc2 Qxc2+ 21. Kxc2 f5 22. h4 d3+ 23. Kxd3 b5 24. Ke2 Nd4+ 25. Kf1

Nxf3 26. gxf3 -1.43 Stockfish } 20...Kb8 21.Be4 f6 22.Ka1 Qb5 23.Bd3 Qc5

24.Rd1 Rg8 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.Rc1 Qb6 27.Be4 Rd8 28.Qe2 Ne5 29.Qd2 Nc6 )

18...Rxe1 19.Qxe1 $6 { -7.26/22 } ( 19.Rxe1 { -6.17/21 } 19...gxf4 20.Qxf4

Nd5

{ 20...Qd3+ 21. Ka1 Qg6 22. h4 d3 23. h5 Qg5 24. Qxg5 hxg5 25. Bd1 d2 26.

Re3 Nxh5 27. Bxh5 d1=Q+ 28. Bxd1 Rxd1+    -6.74   Stockfish } 21.Qf5+ Kb8

22.Qc2 Nb6 23.Bxc6 Qxc6 ) 19...Qd3+ 20.Ka1 gxf4 21.Bxc6 bxc6 22.Rxc6 Qe4 23.Qc1 Qe5 24.Qc4 Nd5 $6

{ -5.79/24 } ( 24...d3 { -13.64/24 } 25.Rc5 Qe1+ 26.Ka2 Qe6 27.Rxc7+ Kb8

{ I was afraid of 24...d3 25.Qa6 Kb8 26.Rc6 but 26...d2 wins. } ) 25.Qa6+ Kb8

26.Qb5+ Ka8 27.Ka2 $4 { #-9/28 } ( 27.Rc1 { -5.57/23 } 27...Qe4

{ 27...Rb8 28. Qd3 Rb6 29. h3 Kb7 30. h4 Kb8 31. Rd1 c5 32. Rc1 Nf6 33. f3

Kb7   -7.57   Stockfish } 28.Qc4 Qxg2 29.Qxd4 Qxh2 30.Ka2 Kb7 31.Rc5 c6

32.Qc4 Rd6 33.Qb3+ Kc7 34.Qa4 Kb6 35.Qd4 Kb7 36.Qe5 Kc7 37.Qe2 Kb6 38.Rc2 Qh3



  1. ) 27...Nc3+ 0-1



    2. Posted by at

    Monday, November 27, 2017

    Connecticut Chess Magazine - December 2017













    Dec 2, Saturday, 2017

     National Mutt Day Open Chess Tournament

    3-SS, G/60;d5. Rob Roy Chess Center,
    3111 South St., Coventry, Connecticut 06238
    Prizes based on 12 players. $160, $80. More per entries.
    Affects both Quick and Regular USCF Ratings.
    Entry Fees $30 onsite only 10 - 10:15 am
    Round Times: 10:30, 1:15, 3:30
    All ages and ratings in one section
    Accelerated pairings round one
    Free ice-cold beverages all day.
    https://sites.google.com/site/coventrychess
    Good things to know about our procedures:
    https://sites.google.com/view/robroychess
    Details as listed on USCF website:
    http://www.uschess.org/tlas/8976.tla
    (860) 742-5562 (cannot text)
    ConnecticutChess@Gmail.com

    ================================

    Chess for kids on December 2
    Connecticut Scholastic Blitz-Chess Championships
    Farmington Library

    ================================

    Dear fellow chess organizers in Connecticut,


    I will continue organizing my small USCF Saturday tournaments in Coventry every month for as long as I can.  A total of 92 players have participated in my program since it was started May 2016.

    We are fortunate here in Connecticut that Bill Goichberg runs top-notch chess tournaments in Stamford, Windsor Locks, and Sturbridge Mass. on a regular basis.

    We need a big annual event in downtown Hartford, with media coverage, conducted by a team composed of all the local organizers and tournament directors.  A large one-day event for adults, with a separate section for Juniors. Maybe Spring 2018 ?

    I will coordinate all the volunteers needed to conduct such an event. I will be backup for any function when it is needed. I can use help with acquiring the site, arranging for the date, sending details and reports to the USCF.

    I am unable to do all of this myself, so volunteers are needed to jump onboard early on in the process.  I need TD's to commit to serving as floor directors, and pairing directors. I will award each volunteer with free entry.

    Do any of you have influence with the people at the new UConn facilities in downtown Hartford ?  We would all together decide on the format, time control, entry fee, and prizes etc...

    Yours In Chess,

    Rob Roy, USCF Senior TD

    ConnecticutChess@gmail.com




    ================================


    NEW BRITAIN CHESS CLUB NEWS



    Blitz XVII, December 5, 2017


    In preparation for the CSCA State Blitz Championship on Dec 12, we will be having the same time control this week as a warm-up for that event.



    Blitz XVII Tournament Details:
    • Tuesday, December 5, 2017
    • 8-SS G/5;d5
    • sections: 1 
    • Entry Fee: $5 members, $15 non-members
    • Prizes: based on entries; 80% returned,
    • USCF quick rated (USCF membership is required)
    • Quick Ratings used for pairings
    • Registration 6:45-7:00 P.M.
    • Pairings made at 7:15



    ================================







    Computers fail to understand Queen versus 3 pieces

    Clubs of Connecticut State Chess Association
    Back Issues of Connecticut Chess Magazine
    Our Facebook Page - Our Facebook Public Group
    Upcoming Events  -   Subscribe to our blog
    Connecticut Scholastic Chess Programs
    Active USCF TD's of CSCA
    ================================








    Posted by at

    Saturday, November 25, 2017

    Connecticut State Chess Association new web pages



    Clubs of Connecticut State Chess Association

    Back Issues of Connecticut Chess Magazine

    Our Facebook Page        Our Facebook Public Group

    Upcoming Events  -   Subscribe to our blog

    Connecticut Scholastic Chess Programs

    Active USCF TD's of Connecticut State Chess Association





    Dear fellow chess organizers in Connecticut,

    I will continue organizing my small USCF Saturday tournaments in Coventry every month for as long as I can.  A total of 92 players have participated in my program since it was started May 2016.
    We are fortunate here in Connecticut that Bill Goichberg runs top-notch chess tournaments in Stamford, Windsor Locks, and Sturbridge Mass. on a regular basis.
    We need a big annual event in downtown Hartford, with media coverage, conducted by a team composed of all the local organizers and tournament directors.  A large one-day event for adults, with a separate section for Juniors. Maybe Spring 2018 ?
    I will coordinate all the volunteers needed to conduct such an event. I will be backup for any function when it is needed. I can use help with acquiring the site, arranging for the date, sending details and reports to the USCF.
    I am unable to do all of this myself, so volunteers are needed to jump onboard early on in the process.  I need TD's to commit to serving as floor directors, and pairing directors. I will award each volunteer with free entry.
    Do any of you have influence with the people at the new UConn facilities in downtown Hartford ?  We would all together decide on the format, time control, entry fee, and prizes etc...
    Yours In Chess,
    Rob Roy, USCF Senior TD
    ConnecticutChess@gmail.com



    Posted by at

    New Britain Chess Club Weekly News Nov 24, 2017




    New Britain Chess Club Weekly News Nov 24, 2017


    This Week’s News Items:









    • Julius Fuster Double Quads results



    • Movie Night Recap



    • Blitz XVII Dec 5, 2017



    • CSCA Blitz Championship Dec 12, 2017





      • Best Game of the Year Contest submissions needed



      • NBCC will support U.S.A.T.E teams representing our club




        ==================================================================

        Special Historical Report - The Growth of Scholastic Chess - by Bob Cyr

        Historian Bob Cyr writes about the increase in participation by scholastic players, which now amounts to approximately 20% of the NBCC membership

        ==================================================================

        Michael Pascetta Honorary Quick Tournament

        Our next named tournament is this coming Tuesday in honor of long-time member and former NBCC President, Michael Pascetta.  Bob Cyr has written a nice bio of his history which is on our web-site features page,  Mike Pascetta Chess Biography.


        Michael Pascetta Quick Tournament Details:
        • Tuesday, Oct 24, 2016
        • 5-SS G/15;d5, 2 sections: Open, U1800
        • Entry Fee: $5 member ($15 non-member)

        • Prizes: 1st – 3rd , class, Trophy to 1st in each section

        • 80% of regular entry fees distributed as prizes .
        • USCF Quick-rated (USCF membership is required)
        • Regular Ratings used for pairings
        • Registration: 6:45 – 7 P.M.
        • Pairings will be made at 7:00


        ========================================================================

        Julius Fuster Double Quads Tournament

        Congratulations to Nelson Castandea, Joe Hricko/James Wilkin, John Nitz, Vijay Yammanuru, and Michael Chen, winners of the Julius Fuster Double Quads Tournament, which finished this past Tuesday.  Click on the link to the standings for complete quad results and prizes.  Note that the scholastic players, in particular, are able to take chess lessons in lieu of their winnings.   Julius Fuster Quads Final Standings.   For updated ratings, click on the USCF crosstable.  USCF Crosstable


        =============================================================

        The Queen of Katwe Movie Night recap

        This past Friday 20 members and their families came to the NBCC for a little casual chess and to see the feature movie, The Queen of Katwe about a Ugandan girl who takes up chess and becomes the Ugandan Woman’s champion (click here for the movie trailer).  If you were unable to come, but would like to borrow the movie, just let me know, it is available for a fully refundable $10 deposit.    


        The date for the next movie night has not yet been set, but we are planning to show Searching for bobby Fischer.

        ==================================================================

        Blitz XVII, December 5, 2017

        In preparation for the CSCA State Blitz Championship, on Dec 12, we will be having the same time control this week as a warm-up for that event.


        Blitz XVII Tournament Details:
        • Tuesday, December 5, 2017
        • 8-SS G/5;d5
        • sections: 1   
        • Entry Fee: $5 members, $15 non-members
        • Prizes: based on entries; 80% returned,
        • USCF quick rated (USCF membership is required)
        • Quick Ratings used for pairings
        • Registration 6:45-7:00 P.M.
        • Pairings made at 7:15

        ========================================================


        Training Classes - training class information is not available as of this writing (11/24).  Check the club calendar or the digital version of  Weekly News Nov 24, 2017 for updated information.
        ====================================================================


        NBCC BEST GAME CONTEST 2017


        Brought back by popular demand, FM Richard Bauer will be judging games for the club's annual best game contest. Only games played by NBCC members in 2017 will be accepted. There is no limit on submissions, but the deadline is November 30. As has historically been done, Bauer will be awarding prizes to the winner and the loser of the best game.  Bob Cyr will be in charge of all game submissions, so please send them to him at doctork87@yahoo.com.   Rick Bauer is also in the process of compiling games for a best club game of all time contest. If you have a great game that you would like to submit for this historic contest, please also send them to Bob.

        Good luck!


        =====================================================================

        U.S.A.T.E. Teams forming now (Feb 17-19, 2018)


        NBCC will support all-NBCC teams competing at next year’s US Amtuer Team East tournament, the largest tournament in the country, with over 1300 players.  The tournament runs from Feb 17-19, 2018, on President’s Day weekend.  The NBCC will provide T-Shirts and reimburse the team’s $175 registration fee.  This is a great tournament for scholastic players, too, with hundreds of children participating.

        Joe Bihlmeyer will be organizing the teams.  Reply to this email or see Joe if you are interested in playing on a team.

        =============================================================


        Norman Burtness, President


        New Britain Chess Club








        Posted by at

        Computers fail to understand Queen versus 3 pieces

          The computers at TCEC 10 tried the three pieces for the queen, but they don’t  understand it;  a human player with the Black pieces in this game would not cease hostilities on move 23.  White does have a space advantage and the White rooks are well-placed, but it’s not until White gets the three connected passed pawns in the analysis that there is a chance to counter the inevitable swarm of Black pieces.  
           By the way, an explanation of the opening choices for TCEC can be seen at

        Komodo-Stockfish
        11/20/17
        TCEC 10
        1.d4 f5 
        3.Bg2 d5 
        5.c4 Bd6 
        6.O-O c6 




        [Event "TCEC 10, bonus game"]
        [Site "?"]
        [Date "2017.11.20"]
        [Round "?"]
        [White "Komodo"]
        [Black "Stockfish"]
        [Result "1/2-1/2"]
        [ECO "A90"]

        1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 e6 5.c4 Bd6 6.O-O c6 7.Nc3 O-O 8.Qc2 Ne4
        9.Nxe4 $6 { 0.00/22 } ( 9.Bf4 { +0.28/19 } 9...b6 10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.Bxe5 Nd7
        12.Bf4 Ba6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.Qa4 ) 9...dxe4 10.Bg5 exf3 11.Bxd8 fxg2 12.Kxg2
        Rxd8 13.Rad1 Na6 14.f3 Bd7 15.a3 ( 15.Qb3 b6 16.e4 Nc7 17.Qd3 b5 18.c5 Be7
        19.Qe3 fxe4 20.fxe4 Be8 { +0.30 Stockfish } ) 15...Nc7 16.e4 Be8 ( 16...b5
        17.cxb5 Nxb5 18.g4 fxe4 19.fxe4 Be8 20.Rf3 Rab8 21.Rb3 Be7 22.a4 Nd6 23.Rxb8
        Rxb8 24.b3 Rb7 25.Rd2 Nf7 { +0.14 Stockfish } ) 17.Rfe1 ( 17.h4 a5 18.Rd2 b5
        19.cxb5 Nxb5 20.Qc4 Nc7 21.Rff2 fxe4 22.fxe4 Ra6 23.Qc3 Rb8 24.Rf3 a4 25.Qc4
        Rd8 26.Kh3 Bg6 { +0.14 Stockfish } ) 17...fxe4 18.fxe4 Rd7 ( 18...a5 19.h4 a4
        20.Rd2 Rd7 21.Kh3 Be7 22.Qd1 Bg6 23.Kh2 Be8 24.Kh3 { = Stockfish } ) 19.Qb3
        Rb8 20.h4 Be7 21.Kh3 Bf7 ( 21...b5 22.cxb5 Rxb5 23.Qc2 Rb6 24.g4 Bf6 25.b4
        Ra6 26.Rd3 Bxd4 27.Rf1 c5 28.bxc5 Rd8 29.a4 h6 30.Qb3 Bc6 31.Rxd4 Rxd4
        32.Qb8+ Kh7 33.Qxc7 Rd3+ 34.Kh2 Rxa4 { +0.25 Stockfish } ) 22.Qa4 Ra8 ( 
        22...a6 23.Qa5 b5 24.b3 h6 25.Re3 Bf6 26.Rd2 Bg6 27.Ree2 Be7 28.Re1 Be8
        29.Re3 Bg6
        { The computer does not come up with a plan for the three pieces here so it
        thinks White is winning by 0.10. } ) 23.Qb3 ( 23.Rd2 e5 24.d5 b5 25.Qa5 Bc5
        26.dxc6 Bb6 27.cxd7 Bxa5 28.d8=Q+ Rxd8 29.Rxd8+ Ne8 30.Red1 Bxd8 31.Rxd8 bxc4
        32.Ra8 Kf8 33.Kg2 Bg6 34.Rxa7 Bxe4+ { +0.11 Stockfish } ) 23...Rb8
        { 24. Rf1 Bg6 25. d5 exd5 26. exd5 cxd5 27. Qa4 Rbd8 28. Qxa7 d4 29. Qxb7
        d3 30. Qc6 d2 31. b4 Bf7 32. Rf2 Be6+ 33. Kg2 Bg4 34. Rdxd2 Rxd2 35. Qxc7
        Bf6 36. b5 Rxf2+ 37. Kxf2 Bd4+ 38. Ke1 Bc3+ 39. Kf2 Bd4+ 

        = (0.00) Depth=55/65 Stockfish } 1/2-1/2

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