(January 12th, 2014, 19:58)MJW (ya that one) Wrote: After the move ...nf4 (which is the best move in the position) I was out of the chess365 database. The position was equal until the mistake of d4. When I traded queens, I allowed you to double rooks on the 7th assuming I would be able to trade one and then put my own rook on the 2nd rank. But that wasn't actually possible because of the rook check.
Did you see that back-rank checkmate?
I saw some possibilities of back-rank checkmate, but you eliminated them with Qf6. Was that what you meant?
(January 12th, 2014, 19:58)MJW (ya that one) Wrote: After the move ...nf4 (which is the best move in the position) I was out of the chess365 database. The position was equal until the mistake of d4. When I traded queens, I allowed you to double rooks on the 7th assuming I would be able to trade one and then put my own rook on the 2nd rank. But that wasn't actually possible because of the rook check.
Did you see that back-rank checkmate?
I saw some possibilities of back-rank checkmate, but you eliminated them with Qf6. Was that what you meant?
I don't remember exactly what I saw, but I do remember looking at Rd7 and not liking the continuations. I don't know if I saw that specific one that you listed, but Rc8 and Rd8 both were moves I had to keep in mind back there. Which was why I went for Rd3, to put another piece between your queen and my king on that diagonal.
Why are you offering me a draw Gustaran? You can of course decline to answer this but if you do please say so. (and explain after the game: note that this was his 14th move).
I played around in the position and have determined that there is no way that black is "-1.00" or better. And I feel a pawn is worth less than 250 ratings points so I accept. This could happen the other way where I'm 250 ratings points more than my opponent and drop the pawn at the start due to a trap.
So all you have to do Gustaran is to say that offering the draw was not an interface error or someone didn't hijack your account and impersonated you or something else silly.
I would be interested an unrated exhibition game with you because there's no way I could lose:
1. If I win I win.
2. If I lose I was right for accepting the draw.
3. If we draw we both saved time for it.
Obviously, I am not explaining the exact reasons for my draw offer while the game is still going, but I will put a lengthy explanation for my reasons in a spoiler which you can read once the game has ended.
I was following a recommended game line from the GM Ramirez Reti DVD with all the explanations for various middlegame plans. Unfortunately, this dude only discussed 8...Bd6 and completely ignored 8...Bb4+ (the main database move! ) which - as it turns out - leads to a shattered kingside pawn structure for White.
Obviously, since I am now stuck in a position I never wanted (including the massive change in pawn structure along with decreased king safety) all my middlegame plans are out of the window and I have serious doubts that White has any opening advantage left (in all honesty I suspect Black may already be a little bit better). Usually, I am all for playing games out, but I really don't see many positive imbalances in my position at the moment. I noticed I should have castled before playing d3, which would have left my pawn structure intact and in this case I would play on of course. I think if my opening plan fails, it can be a good strategy to bail out.
Given the tournament situation, I also can be satisfied with a draw from this position, scoring 1.5-0.5 total against MJW.
However, if MJW should decline, this would put a lot of additional psychological pressure on him, since declining a draw from someone rated higher when you have just suffered two losses in the tournament is usually considered not a wise thing to do and will stay in the back of your mind.
Should he later get in a slightly worse position - let's say - blunder a pawn - there is a chance he will become frustrated (since he could have had a draw earlier) and lose quickly.
The point is that after the sequence 19...Qh4+ 20.Kg1 Ndxe5 White can't take with 21.dxe5 because Bc5+ is mate in 4: 22.Nd4 Nxd4 23.cxd4 Bxd4+ 24.Kg2 Qh2#
GG Rowain. I must admit you played pretty well. I think 14.Ne2 was bad, why did you make this move? And the mass exchange while losing control of the c-file was not that great either. The problem is that at a certain level you don't need to make an obvious tactical mistake to lose, a couple of unneeded exchanges and suddenly you are in a passive position that turns into a losing one later on.
But I predict you will collect many points during the remaining games of the tournament.
but I will put a lengthy explanation for my reasons in a spoiler which you can read once the game has ended. 
) which - as it turns out - leads to a shattered kingside pawn structure for White. 
