Chess Tie Review - September 28th
https://www.chess.com/game/live/184527765536?move=0
Opening: QG vs Semi-Slav
In this position I was very excited to play Ne5, but it is too early without castling. He played the best move:
I was concerned about the line Nxd7, Bxc3, bxc3, Qxc3 with the fork, losing the rook. However, I missed you can just move you King to f1 and somehow that is even.
Midgame:
That put in in this midgame, and I never considered Ne7 at all, which looks wild but works.
I will be honest, I've played over the trading lines here a few times and I still don't understand what I did wrong. The only thing I see is Rd6 lets you bottle up the open file and force an undoubling of your pawns.
Endgame: He had a completely winning advantage, but couldn't figure out how to kick out my king. So I was able to lure his king to my side, promote and draw.
Lessons:
- In QG positions Ne5 is powerful, but calculate to make sure it is safe if you are not castled
- Yes, taking the open file is important and waiting to be taken is great, but "bottling up" the open file to unstick pawns should be looked for.