Chess

[Sian]

missed that move and was only considering Nxc2... and its a mate in 3 from there

Qd1+ Bc1 (only move) Qxc2+, Ka1 (only move), Qxc1# ...

what i should have played instead of Nc2 was Bg7

[uberfish]

I claim the first draw! (with MJW)

[Cyneheard]

I claim the first draw! (with MJW)

Uberfish, are you sure that's a drawn position? I don't see how black can promote (40. ....c3 41. Kd3 guarantees that you can kill c and e safely: black's pawns aren't a threat outside of maybe a tempo, and I'm not sure even then), but is there 0 chance of white getting the b-pawn promoted?

[uberfish]

Yeah, it's dead drawn. Both our kings are stuck blocking each others' pawns, and while the kings are there the pawns can't move without being lost. I didn't realise black's c-pawn position would be impossible to capture when I exchanged the bishops. I think Be5 instead of Bxf6 wins for me.

[Cyneheard]

Yeah, it's dead drawn. Both our kings are stuck blocking each others' pawns, and while the kings are there the pawns can't move without being lost. I didn't realise black's c-pawn position would be impossible to capture when I exchanged the bishops. I think Be5 instead of Bxf6 wins for me.

Ah, I didn't look at "what happens if c3 never happens" - that move leads to Blake pawns dying.

[Rowain]

I claim the first draw! (with MJW)

Uberfish, are you sure that's a drawn position? I don't see how black can promote (40. ....c3 41. Kd3 guarantees that you can kill c and e safely: black's pawns aren't a threat outside of maybe a tempo, and I'm not sure even then), but is there 0 chance of white getting the b-pawn promoted?

I think it is a draw. As far as i see both kings can't really move. Black has todo Kc6-b7 and back to c6 and white Kc2-c3 and back.

Edit. clearly I took me far too long to reach that conclusion.

[waterbat]

Yep. Be5 stood out to me upon review. Might still be drawn, but you have better chances.

[Gustaran]

My game vs uberfish has reached move 21 (endgame rook vs 2 bishops) and we are still in the opening book.

[MJW (ya that one)]

Well I beat Sian by using a silly opening trap; winning a piece in around 10 moves. Don't feel so bad an 2000+ uscf rated player fell for that to. I don't understand why would people would self-pin the knight like that by playing ...e5 . Oh well, .

[Gustaran]

Well I beat Sian by using a silly opening trap; winning a piece in around 10 moves. Don't feel so bad an 2000+ uscf rated player fell for that to. I don't understand why would people would self-pin the knight like that by playing ...e5 . Oh well, .

Hm, according to my database his mistake was not playing e5 but 7...Nc6. The simple 7...h6 would have forced White into lines where he scores well below 50%, not exactly a very desirable opening outcome. The problem with these "traps" is that you score some easy wins against weaker players, but against stronger opponents who know their openings well you end up in a questionable position.

Then again, playing in a correspondence chess tournament without an opening book/database is just asking for trouble. Any player who doesn't use one yet should download ChessBase light and at least the Hiarcs book so you are not lost before move 10.