maintained by John Devries (254) 229-1473
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posted Aug 15, 2010 8:28 AM by usapolres@aol.com
Friends-
My second round game in the North Richland Hills chess event involved a Latvian Gambit Declined (I tried to play Latvian Gambit twice at this tournament, and my opponents declined the Latvian Gambit both times.
Perhaps the Latvian Gambit is getting some respect!) After an early
exchange of Queens, this turned into long endgame. I eventually won
with a fork on the White Knight and pawn. My opponent, David Hopkins,
teaches English at a high school in Arlington. He is certainly better
than his published USCF rating (1097). However, I did not know his
rating during out game - I tried to avoid knowing my opponent's rating
in a rated chess tournament game. This game is certainly of some
interest. I present it to you for your consideration!
For those of you who are worried that you might be subjected to the 3rd
and 4th DeVries games of the 08-14 Tarrant County Chess Club tournament,
do not worry! I have tossed aside the other games.
DAVID HOPKINS (WHITE) vs JOHN DEVRIES (BLACK)
Tarrant County Chess Club Tournamentr, 08-14-2010
Rated Tournament Chess Game
North Richland Hills Tx Public Library
WHITE (Hopkins) BLACK (DeVries)
-1- e4 e5
-2- Nf3 f5
The "feared" Latvian Gambit - David declines it !
-3- d3 d6
We go into a Philidor Defense type game.
-4- Be2 Nf6
-5- Bg5 Be7
-6- B x N B x B
I am happy! David traded a Knight for a Bishop.
This will have consequences later when I defeat
Black with a Bishop vs Black's Knight.
-7- c3 Be6?
I now expect Qb3 by White My 7th move was bad.
( 8 P x P ....B x P -9- Qb3 )
-8- QNd2 ? P x P
As noted earlier, -8- P x P was much better.
-9- P x P 0-0
-10- 0 - 0 Qe7
-11- Bc4 Nd7
-12- Qb3 Nc5!
Nice defense by Black - attacks Queen, defends pawn on b7
-13- B x B check Q x B
-14- Q x Q check N x Q
-15- Nc4 b6
-16- b4 QRd8
-17- KRd1 Nf4
-18- Kf1 h6
-19- a4 d5
-20- P x P N x P
-21- N on c4 x P on e5 N x P on c3
-22- R x R R x R
-23- Nc6 Ra8
To save a pawn, my Rook gets crammed into the corner.
-24- a5 P x P
-25- R x P Ne4
-26- R x P R x R
-27- N x R Kf7
The heavyt pieces have been traded off \, but White has
a one pawn advantage - White has two Knights and 4
pawns, Black has Bishop, Knight, and 3 pawns. However,
Black King has potential to be stronger piece than White
King.
-28- Ke2 Ke6
-29- Ke3 Kd5
-30- b5 g5
-31- g3 g4
The game starts to turn Black's way here.
-32- Nd2? N x N
-33- K x N Bd4
-34- Nc6 B x P
-35- Kc3 Kc5
-36- Na7 Bg1
-37- Kd3 B x RP
-38- Ke4 B x P
-39- Kf5 Be1
Black concedes the loss of his on g4, but is determined to protect
his other Kingside pawn with his Bishop.
-40- K x P Kb6
-41- Nc6 K x P
-42- Nd4 check Kc4
-43- Ne6 c6
-44- Nf4 Bd2
It might not have made much difference, but it could have possibly
increased chances of draw if White had played: 44 Nd8 c5
45 Ne6 Kd5 46 N x P K x N White now has lone King vs
Black Pawn, Bishop, King, but it will be hard to for Black to
queen his last pawn, and there will be opportunities for stalemate.
Of course, David had no way of knowing White's legendary
bad endgame skills and history of losing won endgames!
-45- Nh3 Kd4
-46- Ng1 c5
-47- Nf3 check Ke3
-48- Ne5 Ke2
-49- Nc4 Bc1
-50- Ne5 Bb2
-51- Nf7 c4 !
If White takes kingside pawn, White cannot stop Black
queenside pawn from reaching a queening square.
-52- Nd6 c3
-53- Ne4 c2
-54- Ng3 check Kd1
Resigns
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posted Aug 15, 2010 8:24 AM by usapolres@aol.com
-Friends-
I understand why I am a 1400 USCF player, rather than a 1800-1900 USCF
player. IMy openings are usually strong, or at least semi strong.
However, I lose my way in the middle game, and do not see good moves
that would alllow me to keep or enlarge my advantage. Instead, I make
aimless mediocre moves that make me a sitting duck for any really good
player.
This was the case in my 1st Round game in yesterday's Tarrant County
Chess Club chess event. I played A K Banjale (1912), and got off to a
good start with my Blackmar Diemar Gambit Opening against the Caro Kann,
which I have played many times against Glenn Gilbert of Waco Chess Club
fame! I had some modest pressure on A K's King in the early middle
game, and with even good moves (not best moves) could have won the
game. Instead, I tumbled into some lousy moves and lost semi quickly.
As I examine this game, it was winnable or drawable. I just did not see
the right moves. I present this game for your consideration.
JOHN DEVRIES vs A K Bangale
Tarrant County Chess Chess Club
Many Springs Open Chess Tournament
August 14, 2010
North Richland Hills, Tx Public Library
Rated USCF Tournament Game
DeVries WHITE (1402) Bangale BLACK (1912)
Blackmar Diemar Gambit vs Caro Kann Defense
WHITE BLACK
-1- e4 e6
-2- d4 d5
-3- Nc3 P x P
-4- f3 P x P
-5- N x P Bg4
(possible variation = -6- h3 Bh5 -7- g4 Bg6 -8- Ne5)
Instead, I decide to keep developing my pieces.
-6- Be3 Be6
-7- Bd3 Bd6
-8- 0-0 Qc7
-9- h3 Bh4
White's h3 move opens the g3 square for Black.
This becomes important later in the game.
White h3 move was forced to avoid loss of another pawn.
-10- a3 Nf6
-11- Qd2 QNd7
-12- QRd1 0 - 0 - 0
A K surprised my by castling queenside. I am very pleased.
-13- b4 Nd5
-14- N x N KP x N
-15- c4 P x P
-16- B x P at c4 Nf6
This is the high point of my game. I actually have potential
threats - The Black Queen is awkwardly placed at c7,
directly in front of Black King at c8, and I have potential
pawn firestorm with Rook on c file.
-17- b5?? Ne4
Rc1 was far superior move for White on Move 17.
-18- Qb2 Ng3
Black finds square that was vacated by White h3 move.
-19- Rf2 KRe8
-20- Rd3?? c5
( -20- Bg5 was much better. The sequence might have
gone like this. Someone with higher chess skills than
mine needs to check this variation. A K may have /
would have found stronger moves for Black.
-20- Bg5 f6
-21- Bh4 Nf5
-22- Rd1 to b1 N x B
-23- P x P R x B
-24- P x P check Kb8
-25- Ba6 Is White winning?
During the game, I saw none of this, and made a ?? move.
The chance to weaken Black pawn defense in front of Black King
is basically gone with Black's 20th move.
-21- Nd2 f5
-22- P x P B x P at c5
-23- R x R R x R
-24- Be6 check Kb8
-25- B x B Q x B
White Material value is 24 (Q R B N + 4 pawns).
Black Material value is 25 (Q R B N + 5 pawns)
The position is almost even, but I dramatically worsen things.
-26- Nf3 ?? Rd1 check
-27- Kh2 f4
Black's 27th move closes the coffin.
-28- h4 Rh1 mate
-26- a4 would have prevented immediate collapse.
This was an imperfectly played game that had promise. It certainly
is an imperfectly annotated game!
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posted Aug 8, 2010 7:56 AM by usapolres@aol.com
-Friends-
I have been in a chess slump during the last couple weeks. I have lost
most of my recent games with Ken Henkelman. Most of these losses
involve Ken defeating me in the endgame, bolstered by an advantage of
one or two pawns. Sometimes, I lost the game because of one
"spectacular mistake" move. It seems like the wind is not blowing right
for me at the chessboard, although Ken's superior talent is the primary
reason.
Last night brought more frustration . I played a memorable Alekhine
Defense game with Paul Hagelstein, who is "in training" for an upcoming
simul chess game with Chess World Champion Anand in India later this
month. Paul teaches Mathematics at Baylor, and has been a wonderful
addition to our chess club in recent weeks. Paul played Alekhine
Defense (-1- e4 Nf6) with Black. The game features two spectacular
goofs by me - the last howler move cost me a sure victory. Our game
ended in a draw. Still, the game is worthy of close review and
inclusion in the "Waco Chess Club Archives". It was very interesting,
because my other chess opponents never play Alekhine Defense when I open
with e4. I present this game for your consideration.
JOHN DEVRIES vs PAUL HAGELSTEIN
Casual Chess Game - August 7, 2010
Waco, Texas - Barnes & Noble
Alekhine Defense
WHITE (DeVries) BLACK (Hagelstein)
-1- e4 Nf6
-2- e5 Nd5
-3- c4 Nb6
-4- c5 Nd5
I chase Paul's Knight all around the chessboard.
-5- Bc4 e6
-6- d4 b6
-7- B x N P x B
I have a strong central pawn presence, but it can be challenged.
-8- b4 Be7
-9- Nf3 Ba6
Black's 9th move causes problems for me for the next ten moves.
It keeps me from castling (at least temporarily).
-10- Nc3 c6
-11- Be3 h6
-12- a4 P x P b6 x c5
-13- P x P b4 x c5 Bc4
-14- Qc2 a5
-15- Nd2 Ba6
-16- Rb1 0 - 0
-17- Rb6 Bg5
I'm not sure White 17th move is that good - it later turns into
disaster because of a spectacular oversight by White.
-18- Nd1 Re8
-19- Nb3 Bc4
-20- Qc3 B x N
-21- Q x B B x B
-22- N x B g6
The exchange of Black's light squared Bishop is very good for White.
White can castle. Black's 22nd move keeps White Knight off f5 and d6.
-23- 0 -0 Qc7
-24- Ng4 Kg7
-25- Rb7 Qc8
-26- f4 Na6
-27- Nf6 Rd8
-28- f5 Nb4
At this point, I go blind - all I need to do is -29- Rb6 to save the rook.
Instead, I make a ???! move.
-29- P x P ???! Q x R
To my credit, I do not give up. I keep putting pressure on Paul's Kingside.
-30- P x P K x P?
I think Black's 30th move was a mistake. It allows a discovered check.
Black had two rooks on the eighth rank - enough to stop the queening of the
White pawn. I don't think that Black should have captured the White pawn
on f7 with his King (move 30).
-31- N x P check Kg7
-32- Qg3 check Kh8
-33- Rf6 d6
Move 33 is a really nice move by White that threatens mate in 1 and
forces Black to trade Queen for Rook, thus destroying Black's
material advantage that was gained by the tremendous error by
White on Move 29.
-34- R x P on h6 check Qh7
-35- R x Q check K x Q
-36- Nf6 check Kh6
At this point, White has Queen & Knight + 6 pawns, while Black
has two Rooks, Knight and three pawns. White has 18-16
material advantage, but it is White's extra pawns that should
win for White, and Black has not yet moved his Queen Rook.
-37- P x P e5 x d6 Nd5
-38- h4 N x N
White's 38th move was artistic. I think it marginally increased
my chances of victory.
-39- Qg5 check Kh7
-40- Q x N R g8
-41- Qe7 check Rg7
-42- Qe4 check Kh8
-43- Q x P at c6 R on a8 to g8
-44- d7 Rd8
-45- Qh6 check Kg8
-46- c6 Rh7
-47- Qe6 check Kf8
-48- Qf6 check Rf7
-49- Q x R at d8 check Kg7
-50- Qg5 check Kh7
My well deserved victory, even with the unnecessary loss of my
rook on Move 29, is very close. I am cruising. I am asleep.
-51- d8 Queen ?? Rf1 check !!!
White's 51st move looks perfectly reasonable - who can argue
with getting another Queen? However, it was the completely wrong move.
(-51- Kh2 would have been totally decisive for White)
I did not carefully examine the board - I thought that Paul
was "giving up". The possibility of stalemate did not cross
my mind. So......I confidently played -52- K x R and.....
-52- K x R ?????
****STALEMATE - DRAW****
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posted Jul 31, 2010 9:11 PM by usapolres@aol.com
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For a brief moment, I believed that I was almost at chess parity with my good chess friend Ken Henkelman. I was winning almost 1/3 of our games, and I earned a significant number of draws. But matters have returned to normal in recent days. Ken has been playing some really excellent chess - my record in our last eleven games is something like 2-8-1, but I did achieve a draw in our last game! Many of Ken's victories involved a "grind it out" endgame victory, where Ken had a Bishop and pawns vs my Knight and pawns, or Ken enjoyed a one pawn advantage in some gambit game (either Blackmar Diemar Gambit or Albin Counter Gambit). We played two games today - the first game illustrates Ken's recent inexorably successful chess style.
The second game features a remarkable defensive tactic that sacrifices a rook pawn in the end game but leads to positional improvement for me and a solid draw. I present these two games for your consideration.
GAME 1 - JOHN DEVRIES vs KEN HENKELMAN
Casual Game - Barnes & Noble Bookstore
Blackmar Diemar Gambit vs French Defense
July 31, 2010
WHITE (DeVries) BLACK (Henkelman)
-1- e4 e6
-2- d4 d5
-3- Nc3 Bb4
This variation has not been working well for me
in recent games - after the game, I resolved to
try -3- P x P at my next opportunity.
-4- Be3 P x P
-5- a3 B x N
-6- P x B Bd7
I have a Bishop for Knight exchange, but Ken
has one pawn advantage and I have doubled
pawns.
-7- f3 Bc6
This position is characteristic of many recent
games with Ken Henkelman.
-8- Be2 Qh5 check
-9- g3 Qf6
-10- P x P B x P
-11- Bf3 B x B
-12- Q x B ? Nc6
I think N x B was a better move for White on Move 12.
I could later castle with Rook on f file, prepared to
put pressure on Black Queen.
-13- Rb1 Q x Q
-14- N x Q 0 - 0 - 0
-15- 0 - 0 Nf6
-16- Bg5 h6
When I made my 16th move, I thought it was strong.
It turned out to be of considerably less strength.
-17- B x N P x B
-18- Rf2 ? Rd5
This was likely my losing move - -18- c4 was necessary.
-19- c4 Ra5
My 19th move was one move too late.
-20- Rb3 Rd8
-21- Rd3 e5
Ken's 21st move forces a pawn exchange because of Black's pawn fork threat.
-22- P x P R x R
-23- P x R N x P on e5
-24- N x N P x N
-25- R x P R x P at a3
-26- Rf6 h5
-27- Rf5 R x P at d3
-28- R x P at e5 h4 !
Beware of Greek Gift sacrifices.
-29- P x P at h4 Rd4
-30- c5 R x P at h4
I keep putting up a gallant fight, but this game is over.
-31- Re8 check Kd7
-32- Ra8 a6
-33- Rb8 Kc6
-34- Rc8 a5
-35- Ra8 a4
-36- Kg2 Rc4
-37- Ra5 b6
-38- P x P P x P
-39- Ra6 Kb5
-40- Ra8 Kb4
-41- Rb8 b5
-42- Kg3 a3
-43- Ra8 Kb3
-44- h4 a2
-45- h5 Ra4
Black's 45th move is totally decisive
-46- R x R K x R
-47- h6 a1 = Queen
Resigns
GAME 2 - JOHN DEVRIES vs KEN HENKELMAN
Casual Game - Barnes & Noble Bookstore
Gucco Piano vs Scicilian Two Knights Defense
July 31, 2010
WHITE (DeVries) BLACK (Henkelman)
-1- e4 c5
-2- Nf3 Nc6
-3- Bc4 Nf6
-4- d3 g6
-5- Bg5 Bg7
-6- c3 0-0
-7- 0 - 0 d6
-8- h3 a6
-9- QNd2 Be6
-10- Rc1 Qd7
-11- Kh2 h6
-12- B x N B x B
I think White's 12th move was a wise decision.
-13- Re1 d5
-14- P x P B x P
-15- Ne4 !? B x B
An interesting White move on Move 15
-16- N x B check P x N
-17- P x B QRd8
-18- b3 Qd3
-19- Q x Q R x Q
-20- Re3 KRd8
-21- R x R R x R
-22- Rc2 ? f5
( -22- Ne1 might have been better for White)
-23- Ne1 Rd1
-24- Nf3 f6
-25- Rd2 R x R
-26- N x R Ne5
-27- f4 Nd3
-28- g3 Kf7
-29- d3 Ke6
-30- b4 Kd6
Ken is getting his King in much better position (at least temporarily).
-31- Kg2 b5
-32- Kf3 Nb2
-33- P x P c4 x b5 P x P a6 x b5
-34- P x P check K x P
-35- Ke3 Nc4 check
-36- Kd3 !! N x RP
White gives up the rook pawn for positional improvement. The White Knight
later becomes a tremendous defensive piece. Black is one pawn ahead in
a Knight + pawns vs Knight + pawns endgame, but it does not help him.
-37- Nb3 check Kb6
-38- Kd4 Nc2 check
-39- Kd5 Ne3 check
-40- Ke6 g5
White moves his King deeper into Black territory, while the White Knight
provides great defense.
-41- K x P at f6 P x P
-42- P x P Nd5 check
-43- K x P N x P on c3
-44- Kg6 Nd5
-45- f5 Nf4 check
-46- K x RP N x RP
We are down to Knight + 1 pawn vs Knight + 1 pawn endgame, but
Black must accept draw to prevent White from queening his pawn.
-47- f6 Nf4
-48- f7 Ne6
-49- Kg6 b4
-50- Kf6 Nf8
-51- Ke7 Ng6 check
-52- Kf6 Nf8
*******************DRAW************************
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posted Jul 21, 2010 10:12 AM by usapolres@aol.com
Friends-
Ken Henkelman and I continued our long standing chess competition on Monday evening. We played a remarkable "textbook" Albin Counter Gambit game (Ken had White) where I was stuck with doubled pawns and Ken used this positional advantage to slowly grind me into dust, although the game lasted 82 moves. I present this game for your consideration.
WHITE (Henkelman) BLACK (DeVries)
Casual Chess Game, 07-19-2010
Waco, Tx Barnes & Noble Bookstore
Albin Counter Gambit
-1- d4 d5
-2- c4 e5
-3- P x P d4 x e5 d4
-4- Nf3 Nc6
-5- e3 Bb4 check ?
Move 5 is an innovation by Ken - I should have moved ....Bg4
I have played this variation in many other Albin games with
Glenn Gilbert, another Waco Chess Club member.
-6- Bd2 B x B check
-7- Q x B Bg4
In previous games, Ken would usually capture with the Knight.
Capturing with the Queen is better.
-8- Be2 P x P
-9- Q x P KNe7
-10- QNd2 0-0
-11- 0-0 Re8
-12- Qg5 B x N
Ken's 12th move is good - it practically forces me to take the White
Knight, which will put the White Bishop in good position on f3.
-13- B x B Ng6
-14- Q x Q QR x Q
-15- B x N P x B
This sticks me with doubled pawns.
-16- Nf3 N x P
The material is even, but I have doubled pawns
-17- N x N R x N
-18- KRe1 QRe8
-19- R x R R x R
-20- Kf1 f6
-21- Rd1 Kf7
-22- Rd8 Ke7
-23- Ra8 a5
(....Ra5 might have been better for Black on Move 23)
-24- Rc8 Kd6
-25- b3 Kd7
-26- Rg8 g6
-27- f4 Re7
-28- Ra8 f5
I cannot save my Rook Pawn.
-29- R x P on a5 Re4
-30- g3 Rd4
-31- Ke2 Re4 check
-32- Kd3 Re1
-33- Re5 Rh1
-34- Re2 c5
Ken makes several important Re2 moves during this game
for defensive purposes.
-35- Kc3 Rc1 check
-36- Kb2 Rh1
-37- a4 Rd1
The beginning of the end for Black. White has an unobstructed Rook Pawn.
-38- Kc2 Rd6
-39- Re5 Kc6
(-39- Rd2 forces a trade of rooks, and White has queenside pawn majority,
which means endgame win is highly probable - of course, Ken won
this game, so I can't really dispute his technique)
-40- Kc3 Rd1
-41- Re6 check Kd7
-42- Re2 Rd6
-43- b4 P x P check
-44- K x P at b4 Kc6
-45- a5 Kb7
-46- Re7 h5
-47- Re2 c6
The recurring defensive maneuver by White appears again
on Move 47.
-48- Kc5 Rf6
-49- Re5 Ka6
-50- Kb4 Rd6
-51- Re2 Rf6
-52- Ra2 Re6
-53- Kc5 Rf6
-54- Kd4 Re6
-55- c5 Re8
-56- Kc4 Rd8
-57- Kc3 Rd5
-58- Kc4 Rd8
-59- Re2 K x P
Material is even again, but Black's pawn capture is
a very temporary victory.
-60- Re6 Rd2
-61- R x P at c6 R x P at h2
-62- R x P at g6 Rc2 check
Ken again has one pawn advantage, which will soon expand.
-63- Kd5 Rd2 check
-64- Kc6 Rh2
-65- Rg5 h4
White's 65th move is a decisive move. Easy to see - but decisive.
-66- P x P R x P
-67- R x P Rh6 check
White has a two pawn advantage, and a gentleman might resign,
but I still have a rook, and a draw is still remotely possible. So
I play on.
-68- Kd5 Kb5
-69- Rf7 Rh5 check
-70- f5 Rh1
Ken will eventually have two unstoppable pawns on the "C"
and "F" files.
-71- Rb7 check Ka6
-72- c6 Rd1 check
-73- Ke6 Re1 check
-74- Kd7 Rd1 check
-75- Kc8 Rf1
Black just exhaled his last gasps of breath.
-76- Rf7 Kb6
-77- c7 Ra1
-78- Rf6 check Kc5
-79- Re6 Rf1
-80- f6 Kd5
-81- Kd7 Rc1
-82- Rd6 check Ke5
-83- f7 Resigns
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posted Jul 18, 2010 5:20 PM by usapolres@aol.com
KEN HENKELMAN vs JOHN DEVRIES
Casual Chess Game - July 7, 2010
Albin Counter Gambit
WHITE (Henkelman) BLACK (DeVries)
-1-
d4 d5
-2-
c4 e5
-3- P x P d4 x e5 d4
-4- Nf3
Nc6
-5- g3
Bf5
-6- Bg2
Bb4 check
-7- Bd2 B
x B check
-8- N x B
d3
-9-
e3 f6
In recent Albin Counter Gambit games with Ken,
Ken usually places his King Bishop on g2. I usually
advance my queen pawn deep into Ken's side of the
board, and Ken eventually moves his Queen to b3.
I'm not sure the placement of the White Bishop on g2
really helps Ken that much.
-10- P x P Q x
P
Because Ken's dark squared bishop is gone,
I can capture with the Queen.
-11- Qb3
Rb8
-12- 0 - 0
KNe7
-13- Nh4
0-0
-14- N x B Q x
N
Two heavy pieces on the f file for Black
-15- Be4
Qf6
-16- Q x P QRd8
-17- B x RP check Kh8
-18- Qc2 R x
N
-19- Q x R K x
B
Black trades his Rook for two minor pieces
-20- Qc2 check Kh8
-21- a3
Ne5
-22- f4
Ng4
-23- Qe2 Nh6
-24- e4
Qb6 check
-25- Qf2 Q x
Q check
- 26- K x Q Ng4
check
-27- Kg1 Ne3
-28- KRc1 Rd8
-29- Rc3 Nd1
-30- Rb3
b6
-31- Rb1 Rd2
-32- h3
Nc6
-33- Rb5 Nd4
-34- Rd5 ? Nf3
check
-35- Kf1 ***Ne3
checkmate***
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posted Jul 6, 2010 8:32 AM by usapolres@aol.com
An aged building with ancient stucco walls - could this building have been constructed 200+ years ago? - two or three stories high - but one small room (thirty feet by fifty feet) holds special significance for me. This is the meeting site of the Queretaro Chess Club, filled with 20+ young, middle aged, and aged weathered men either intently gazing at a chess game in progress, or playing their own chess game. Sarah brought me to the Queretaro Chess Club last night - I visited the place for one evening in December 2007, when I played five games against a man who resembled a sheepherder from Oaxaca - he spoke no English, but played great chess, as he occasionally sipped from a cup of steaming black coffee. I lost all five games that night, but it was still a wonderful experience. Most of the games were relatively close, and he even played my favorite Latvian Gambit opening with the Black pieces (and still beat me!
Last night produced similar experiences and memories. I played four games with the same player - an affable, polite gentleman who spoke no English but played chess on near expert or expert level. He was semi well dressed - to judge from their clothing, persons of all income classifications congregate at the Queretaro Chess Club. His wife joined him after we had played two games.
She was the only woman in the room, and seemed quite content and connected to her husband. She also knew how to play chess.. We played one game with a g/15 time control, using a sturdy wooden chess clock. Gradually, my opponent gained a small advantage that morphed into a substantial advantage, and I was forced to resign. We played a second game - I had Black pieces the first game - so I had White for the second game. I played well, but my time management skills are minimal when I face talented opposition, so I lost the game when my clock ran out in a slightly inferior position. We played a third game - I played Latvian Gambit - it was evident that my friend had not seen this opening very often....he chose a weaker response. I put some pressure on his King, but he eventually crushed me with a beautiful knight check that would have resulted in the loss of my Queen, and I resigned. Finally, game 4...with a slower time control...30 minutes for each player.
I played the Blackmar Diemar Gambit with the White Pieces. His early moves were somewhat mediocre. I gained a strong edge in development. As the game progressed, my opponent recovered, and erased most of his disadvantage. We moved to the endgame (few pieces left on the board) - I had a Bishop and six pawns...he had a Knight and six pawns I played the endgame well, and held the draw against someone who was a measurably better player than me. I celebrated - this was my first non loss at the Queretaro Chess Club - A DRAW! I felt like a chess player.
CASUAL GAME AT QUERETARO MEXICO CHESS CLUB
JOHN DEVRIES vs MEXICO CITIZEN OF UNKNOWN NAME
June 30, 2010
WHITE (DEVRIES) BLACK (MEXICO CITIZEN)
-1- d4 d5
-2- e4 e6
A surprising 2nd move by Black
-3- Nc3 P x P
I was expected -3- ....Bb4 I can't reply with -4- f3 because of -4- .....Qh4 check
-4- N x P e5
I can't take Black's pawn on e5 because of ....Q x Q, which ruins castling.
-5- Nf3 P x P
-6- Q x P Q x Q
I take with right piece on move 6, if -6- ....Nc6, -7- Q x Q ...N x Q
-7- N x Q a6
-8- Bd3 Bd7
-9- 0 - 0 Nc6
I have a lead in development
-10- N x N at c6 B x N
-11- Re1 0 - 0 - 0
-12- Be3 B x N
-13- B x B Nf6
-14- Bf3 Bd6
I have parallel bishops
-15- QRd1 h6
-16- c4 KRe8
-17- c5 Be5
-18- b3 g5
-19- h3 Bc3
-20- R x R check R x R
-21- Rc1 Bd2
-22- Rd1 B x B
-23- R x R check K x R
-24- P x B c6
-25- e4 Ke7
I am trying to keep the Black Knight off d5
-26- g4 Ke6
-27- Kf2 Nd7
-28- b4 Ne5
-29- Ke3 a5
-30- P x P at a5 Nc4 check
-31- Kd4 N x RP
-32- Bh1 f6
-33- Bg2 b5
An interesting move by Black on Move 33
-34- P x P e p Nb7
-35- Kc4 Kd6
-36- a4 Ke5
-37- Kb4 Kd4
-38- a5 c5 check
-39- Ka3? Nx P
-40- Ka4 Nc4
-41- b7 Nb6 check
-42- Kb5 Nd7
-43- Kc6 Nb8
-44- Kc7 Na6 check
-45- Kb6 Nb8
-46- Kc7
****************DRAW******************
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posted Jun 23, 2010 5:48 PM by usapolres@aol.com
Duane Herrera is a chess friend from Temple who played in at least one Waco USCF tournament during 2009.
He offered some annotations on the opening moves from the "DeVries Heartbreak Game".
Duane's chess annotation skills surpass mine!
John DeVries
John,
Hope u dont mind me commenting on this game.It definitely got exciting but I think your gambit might have worked even with your crazy BF5?? on the 2nd move... IF you continue ur development. I mean the whole purpose for you giving up 2 pawns is time and development right?? so this is what i got, tell me what u think.
1.d4 d5
2.c4 bf5??
3.ne3 e6
4.qb3? qc8
5.pxp nf6???
nf6 is the wrong knight move.how about this exchange.
5.pxp pxp
6.nxd5 nc6!
hes problem is d4.how does he protect nxd4 then nf2
play these lines, tell me what u think.
7.nf3 be4!
7.e3 be6 8.bc4 na5!
7.be3?? be6
he has no good response how to defend his d4 pawn.either one he choses, your ahead in development and he cant castle for at least 4 moves which should give enough advantage to win or at least make a better game.
email me back, tell me what u think.i could be wrong about these lines.u never know.
Duane
-----Original Message----- From: usapolres@aol.comTo: redscarab2@hotmail.com; jeffspy2006@yahoo.com; kwhenk@att.net; korchboy@hotmail.com; ericguel@gmail.com; rburke805@cs.com; glen3624@cs.com; armychess@aol.com; dongillespieiii@gmail.comSent: Mon, Jun 21, 2010 9:02 am Subject: DeVries/Henkelman Heartbreak Game for DeVries, 06-18-10
Ken Henkelman and I continued our chess competition (mostly one sided, I will concede) last Friday at Barnes & Noble. We played a most interesting game that should have ended in a draw, but I threw away the draw by making a spectacularly inept move. I was a bit fatigued, because Ken had refused several draw offers in a seemingly dead drawn position, and waited for me to make a mistake.
KEN HENKELMAN vs JOHN DEVRIES
Casual Chess Game, Waco Tx
June 17, 2010
WHITE (Henkelman) BLACK (DeVries)
-1- d4 d5
-2- c4 Bf5 !?
Ken tries his usual Queen's Gambit, which typically
involves into an Albin Counter Gambit when I play -2- ...e5
However, in recent games, Ken has handled my Albin
Counter Gambit real easily, and has often won a two
pawn advantage or crushing positional advantage.
I decided to try something new.
-3- Nc3 e6
-4- Qb3 Qc8
I played in a Victoria Chess Club simul on June 7th,
and moved ...b6 in a similar early position. Ten moves
later, I lost a minor piece because of that weakness.
In a post mortem, one of the best players at the Victoria
Chess Club suggested that I move ...Qc8 I remembered
this advice in this game.
-5- P x P Nf6
-6- P x P P x P
-7- Nf3 Be7
-8- Ne5 0 - 0
-9- Bg5 Nc6
-10- N x N P x N
Ken likes my doubled pawns. I like the open file for my rook.
Ken also traded off his real strong Knight.
-11- g3 Rb8
-12- Qh5 R x P on b2
-13- Q x P on c6 Bb4
It might have been better for Ken to take the pawn on a7 with his Queen.
-14- B x N R x B
-15- Rc1 e5
-16- Qc4 check Be6
-17- d5 Bf7
-18- Bg2 B x N
-19- Q x B R x RP on a2
-20- 0 - 0 R x P
-21- Q x P at c7 Qf8
-22- Q x P at a7 Bg6
-23- Rc6 R x R
-24- P x R Bd3
-25- Bd5 check Kh8
-26- Rc1 Ba6!
-27- c7 h6
-28- Bb7?? B x B
Be6 is best move for White on Move 28
-29- Pc8=Queen ? B x Q on c8
-30- Kf1 Ba6!
-31- Kg1 e4
-32- Rb1 e3?
-33- f4 Qa3?
-34- Qa8 check Kh7
-35- Qe4 check g6
-36- Qe6 Rb2 ?
-37- Qf7 check Kh8
-38- Qf6 check Kh7
-39- Q x R? Qf4
(-38- R x R was better for White)
-40-- Qb6 Qc2!
-41- Qa7 check Kg8
-42- Rb8 check Bc8
-43- Q x P on e3 Qd8 check
-44- Kg2 Qc2 check
It looks like I can get a draw because Black's pinned bishop
coveres the h3 square and White's kingside pawns prevent
easy White King escape from check!
-45- Qf2 Qc6 check
-46- Kg1 Qc1 check
-47- Kg2 Qc6 check
-48- Kf1 Qc4 check
-49- Qe2 Qc1 check
-50- Kf2 Qc6 check
By this time, I have made at least two draw offers,
and am becoming somewhat exasperated. Ken
remembers my endgame skills, and decides to
keep moving, waiting for me to make a mistake.
-51- Qe3 Qc2 check
-52- Kf3 Qc6 check
-53- Qe4 Qc3 check
-54- Kf2 Qc5 check ???
On move 54, I make a terrible error.
-54- ....Qd2 would have kept draw chances alive.
-55- Kg2! Qf8
The game is lost for Black, but I play until end.
-56- Qc4 check Kg7
-57- R x B Qa3
-58- Qd4 check Kf7
-59- Rc7 check Ke6
-60- Qe5 ***checkmate*** |
posted Jun 22, 2010 7:12 PM by usapolres@aol.com
On Thursday night at the Waco Chess Club meeting, Ken Henkelman and I struggled to a draw after 72 moves. Any result besides a loss is a great boost for me, since Ken usually wins 3/4 to 4/5 of our games. Weeks ago, Ken would play the Scicilian Defense as a response to my -1- e4. (-1- e4 c5) Recently, Ken has switched to the French Defense, and our French Defense games sometimes involve into a Blackmar Gambit for White.
The Waco Chess Club is awakening! The last couple of meetings have drawn 7+ people, and we have hopes for a similar turnout on June 24th. Rex Burke and Jeff Spyrison are conducting some intensive chess tutoring with a couple of middle school students that were connected to organized chess activity at University Middle School and Brazos Middle School in the spring. I try to play chess three or four times a week (usually with Ken), although I lost a game to Jeff Spyrison on Saturday (Jeff concluded the game with a beautiful queen sacrifice and a smothered checkmate with his knight - I seem to have misplaced the scoresheet - I hope I can locate it, because I want to put in the Waco Chess Club website. My level of play was somewhat mediocre, but Jeff's play was stellar.
In any case, here is the lengthy draw with Ken Henkelman....
JOHN DEVRIES vs KEN HENKELMAN
Casual Chess Game - Waco Chess Club
June 17, 2010
WHITE (DeVries) BLACK (Henkelman)
-1- e4 e6
-2- d4 d5
-3- Nc3 Bb4
I have tried -4- a3 which leads to -4- ...B x N, and the game often
evolves into a Blackmar/Ryder Gambit. I decide to try something different.
-4- Be2 B x N
-5- P x B P x P
Ken gains the extra pawn
-6- f3 Nf6
-7- Bg5 P x P
-8- B x P h6
I delay the development of my knight to give the bishop a possibly strong diagonal.
-9- Bf4 Nd5
-10- Ne2 Qf6
-11- Be5 Qg6
-12- 0 - 0 Nc6
-13- B x N N x B
-14- Bb3 Ng4
-15- Qd3 Q x Q
-16- P x Q 0 - 0
-17- Rf3 Bd7
-18- d5 P x P
-19- B x P c6
My 18th move temporarily stopped Black from Bc6
-20- Bb3 QRe8
-21- Ng3 Re3
-22- R x R N x R
-23- Ne4 Bf5
-24- Nd6 B x P
-25- N x P at b7 Bc4
-26- Nd6 B x B
-27- P x B Ra8
-28- c4 Nc2
-29- Ra6 Nd4
-30- b4 Rd8
-31- c5 Rd7
-32- Ra5 Rc7
-33- h3 Nb3
-34- Ra6 Nd4
-35- Ra5 Ne2 check
-36- Kf2 Nf4
-37- Kg3 Nd3
-38- Ra4 f6
-39- h4 Ne5
-40- Ra6 Nd7
-41- h5 Nb8
-42- Ra5 a6
-43- Kf3 Re7
I have an inactive rook - Ken has an inactive defensive knight
Ken has active rook - my knight is important.
-44- Kf2 Re5
-45- g4 Rd5
-46- Ke3 Rd1
-47- Ra4 Re1 check
-48- Kf4 Re5
-49- Ra5 Rd5
-50- Ke4 Rd1
-51- Ra4 Re1 check
-52- Kf4 Rf1 check
-53- Ke4 Kf8
-54- Nf5 Re1 check
-55- Kf4 Kg8
-56- Ra2 Rb1
-57- Ra4 Kh7
-58- Ne7 Rf1 check
-59- Kg3 Re1
-60- Ng6 Rd1
-61- Kf3 Rd5
-62- Kf4 Rg5
-63- Nf8 check Kg8
-64- Ng6 Kf7
-65- Ra2 Rd5
-66- Ra4 Rg5
-67- Ra2 f5
-68- P x P R x RP at h5
-69- Rd2 Rh1
-70- Rd8 Rf1 check
White's 70th move threatens mate with Rf8
-71- Ke4 Re1 check
-72- Kf4 Rf1 check
****DRAW****
White should have refused the draw...
(73 Kg3 R x P
74 Rf8 check K x N
75 R x R)
OR
(73 Kg3 Rg1
74 Rh2 wins for White!)
I have my excuses - we were playing with a borrowed chess board.
The owner of the board was ready to go home. I was exhausted.
I didn't look for winning opportunities. I was thankful for a draw.
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posted Jun 22, 2010 7:10 PM by usapolres@aol.com
Jeff Spyrison and I battled to a draw at Barnes & Noble. Jeff is a notable local Scrabble player whose interest in chess has been recently rekindled. Jeff studies "mate in 3" and "mate in 4" puzzles every day, consults opening books, reviews Chessmaster material, and is showing great improvement. If this chess game was a baseball game, it might have been "called or drawn on account of darkness", since we had played for an hour and Jeff had to be somewhere in ten minutes, but the position was generally even. Jeff thought I had an advantage, but Jeff places too much confidence in my ability!
JOHN DEVRIES vs JEFF SPYRISON
Casual Chess Game, 06-21-2010
Waco Tx - Barnes & Noble
WHITE (DeVries) BLACK (Spyrison)
-1- e4 c5
-2- Nf3 g6
Black's second move is a novelty to me.
-3- Bc4 Bg7
-4- c3 d6
-5- h3 Nf6
-6- d3 0 - 0
-7- 0 - 0 Nc6
-8- Bg5 a6
-9- QNd2 b5
-10- Bb3 a5
-11- a4 Ne5
-12- N x N P x N
Black has a mostly open file for its Queen,
but the Bishop on g7 is obstructed.
-13- Qc2 Ba6
-14- Re1 Qb6
-15- P x P B x P
-16- c4 Bc6
-17- Ba4 KRc8
-18- B x B R x B
-19- Nf3 Rd8
-20- N x P R on c6 to d6
-21- QRd1 h6
-22- Bf4 Re6
-23- Nf3 Nh5
-24- Bc1 Qc7
-25- b3 Ra6
-26- Bb2 Nf4
-27- B x B K x B
-28- Qc3 check Kh7
-29- Qe5 Q x Q
-30- N x Q f6
I am happy that we exchanged queens.
-31- Nf3 R x P
-32- R x R N x R
-33- Rd1 Nf4
-34- Rd7 Re6
-35- Nd2 g6
-36- f3 h5
-37- Nf1 Ng6
-38- Ne3 Rb6
-39- Nf5 R x P
-40- N x P Nf4
-41- Nd5 Kg6
Jeff thought White should have moved Nf5 on Move 41.
-42- N x N P x N
-43- Ra7 Rc3
-44- R x P on a5 R x P on c4
-45- h4
**********DRAW***********
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