areckx
(2019-02-16):
After 24. ... Rb6 all I needed to do what protect the pawns on c3 and b2, limiting black's rook development with a3 or something to defend the b4 square. White needs to get the bishop ti a moire active square.
I felt extremely confident about my position until I made the blunder at 25. b4?? which loses both pawns and a mate shortly after.
areckx
(2019-02-16):
I'm not sure why, but I decided against playing my prepared 4. Nxd4 which is the mainline in this type of Sicilian. I could blame my surroundings since I was not at home and a group of people were playing D&D but in a chess tournament it is all about being able to play well under pressure. Being able to focus even while a bunch of people are talking is a good skill to have. I felt extremely confident during this game, as well, so the only blame I have is my failure to blunder check. I must remember to always check for blunders before I submit my move. There is plenty of time on the clock and there is no excuse other than I felt too confident in my position and didn't take the time to think about the game logically.
areckx
(2019-02-16):
I really liked getting my opponent's king out and unable to castle, but honestly this is not losing for black. My opponent was able to secure comfort in the position after 8. ... Kxd7 and even without my blunder at the end this would have been an arduous game to finish. I am not sure if I wouldn't have blundered later on, so I was definitely upset after I saw the blunder too late.
areckx
(2019-02-16):
I had a plan with 23. Rf1 involving pushing f3 whenever I had the chance,. After f3 black can either play ... gxf3 or ignore it. After fxg3 white has two pawns on the side, which I have heard some IM/GM players say is as strong as a rook in the endgame. I could defend those pawns with both rooks if I had to and slowly strengthen my position while black has to deal with getting rid of my threats. By then I would most likely be able to find a powerful combination and gain the upper hand.
Sadly, blunders are a very real part of the game. My opponent swiftly punished my blunder, as he should have.
Thank you for a good game.
areckx
(2019-02-16):
after ... gxf3 1. gxf3 and white has a pawn break of sorts with a push to f4, which is defended by both the bishop and rook.
areckx
(2019-02-16):
Black would most likely want to double up the rooks on the c-file after 23. Rf1 which he did.
areckx
(2019-02-16):
I had actually calculated that I needed the king on c2 before I pushed the pawn, but I got too excited and submitted my move.
areckx (2019-02-16): After 24. ... Rb6 all I needed to do what protect the pawns on c3 and b2, limiting black's rook development with a3 or something to defend the b4 square. White needs to get the bishop ti a moire active square. I felt extremely confident about my position until I made the blunder at 25. b4?? which loses both pawns and a mate shortly after.
areckx (2019-02-16): I'm not sure why, but I decided against playing my prepared 4. Nxd4 which is the mainline in this type of Sicilian. I could blame my surroundings since I was not at home and a group of people were playing D&D but in a chess tournament it is all about being able to play well under pressure. Being able to focus even while a bunch of people are talking is a good skill to have. I felt extremely confident during this game, as well, so the only blame I have is my failure to blunder check. I must remember to always check for blunders before I submit my move. There is plenty of time on the clock and there is no excuse other than I felt too confident in my position and didn't take the time to think about the game logically.
areckx (2019-02-16): I really liked getting my opponent's king out and unable to castle, but honestly this is not losing for black. My opponent was able to secure comfort in the position after 8. ... Kxd7 and even without my blunder at the end this would have been an arduous game to finish. I am not sure if I wouldn't have blundered later on, so I was definitely upset after I saw the blunder too late.
areckx (2019-02-16): I had a plan with 23. Rf1 involving pushing f3 whenever I had the chance,. After f3 black can either play ... gxf3 or ignore it. After fxg3 white has two pawns on the side, which I have heard some IM/GM players say is as strong as a rook in the endgame. I could defend those pawns with both rooks if I had to and slowly strengthen my position while black has to deal with getting rid of my threats. By then I would most likely be able to find a powerful combination and gain the upper hand. Sadly, blunders are a very real part of the game. My opponent swiftly punished my blunder, as he should have. Thank you for a good game.
areckx (2019-02-16): after ... gxf3 1. gxf3 and white has a pawn break of sorts with a push to f4, which is defended by both the bishop and rook.
areckx (2019-02-16): Black would most likely want to double up the rooks on the c-file after 23. Rf1 which he did.
areckx (2019-02-16): I had actually calculated that I needed the king on c2 before I pushed the pawn, but I got too excited and submitted my move.