Beating a Dead Horse

Again, I can't stress enough how important this chess lesson is:

http://blueeyedrook.blogspot.com/2006/03/important-chess-endgame-tactics.html

Learn it, live it, love it.

It's not that I am some brilliant chess scholar (far from it!), you can find this endgame analysis in any good chess book, but I am just absolutely amazed how many players don't know it.

Here is not one but two cases where opponents should have beaten me only to draw using the Dominant/Recessive Position moves. If they understood the basic principles, they would have won.

http://www.redhotpawn.com/core/playchess.php?gameid=1810921

http://www.redhotpawn.com/gameanalysis/boardhistory.php?gameid=1744110

Charity -- The Good Kind

BlueEyedRook vs. NN

www.redhotpawn.com

Black to move

Part of me is always kind of rooting for under ranked players to beat me. I mean don't get me wrong -- I much rather prefer winning, but it is kind of enjoyable to see a lower ranked player pull off a spectacular game. Even if I am the "big guy" getting beaten, it's hard not to cheer for the "little guy."

This game was such a situation. I boggled an entire piece and now black finds himself in a relatively easy draw situation. Black needs to simply keep his rook on the lower ranks to harass the king. White can't queen the pawn with the constant checks. It should have been an easy draw.

Then black does something absolutely inexplicable -- 1... Rg8??. This ultimately loses and produces a mate-in-two. 2. Ke6 with the inevitable 3. Ra8# to follow.

It feels a little guilty.

Charity -- The bad kind

Bartboxer vs. BlueEyedRook

April 3, 2007

www.redhotpawn.com

White to Move

I won't reveal Bartboxer's rating, but it is a solid 200+ higher than mine. So here I am slugging along only to find myself with a solid lead over my opponent.

Then, in true BlueEyedRook fashion, I inexplicably throw the game away. A present of sorts to Bartboxer. I had just played 1... Rc7?? instantly losing the game. The trick is all the white energy on the a1/h8 diagonal.

2. c4! instantly wins. The black queen risks capture and needs to flee, but it cannot. Any such movement results in 3. Qg7#. Thus, I soon find myself a whole queen down -- and losing what should be a won game!

Ughh.... there is nothing worse than throwing chess games away.

Easter

I have been busy. Real busy!

News Item 1#: I am engaged! Long story, but there will be a new Mrs. BlueEyedRook in the very near future!

News Item 2#: I am still playing chess! I have had some long dry spells (i.e., no postings!), but I am still playing (horribly!) and still maintaining this blog.

Here's an interesting game I played the other day.

BlueEyedRook vs. NN

April 2006

www.redhotpawn.com

White to Move

I think all commentators would agree -- I am solidly winning this game. 1. Bxf8? seems logical enough. A rook for a bishop is always a good trade. But in the process, I am missing a quick mate-in-two. Do you see it?

The key is the poor f7-pawn -- it is useless. The white d4 bishop keeps it locked there (i.e., the pawn is pinned by the bishop). Based on that one key, the winning move is easy. 1. Qxg6!+. Technically this brazen move isn't even a queen-sacrifice, because as mentioned the black f7 pawn can't recapture it. After 1... Kh8. 2. Qg7# to follow.

I pulled out the win here -- as I mentioned, I had a pretty solid lead. But I hate missing such beautiful mates like this.

Alive

I am indeed alive. I apologize for all the readers (58 last week!) who had to sit and load up an un-updated page of this blog. I am traveling a lot and not getting much time to log in and update the ol' blog. My chess is suffering too. I had a couple nightmare games today, that I will hopefully post soon (maybe somebody can learn from my poor playing!).

I am also looking for a new poll. Something fun and conversation-oriented. Thanks for everyone's patience!