Skype coaching session, 11 December 2016. 

No sessions were held on the dates: 13 November, 20 November, 27 November, 04 December. 

Please note: Re-structuring of the sessions now offers the option for guests to bring their own games for group discussion. 

Recordings of some previous coaching sessions can be found at: 

http://www.open-aurec.com/Skype/PaulBenson/PaulBenson.htm 

The following game was examined: 
Guest game, 91 moves with brief notes and without notes. 

Paul Benson. 

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Annotated Guest Game. 

White: Jim Slagle, 1702 (FTP). 
Black: Ayran Joshi, 1697, (TS). 
Event: FTP-Chess, Oct. - Dec 2016. 
Result: 1/2-1/2 in 91 moves. 
Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, Quiet Variation, D12. 

1. Nf3 Nf6 
2. d4 d5 
3. e3 Bf5 
4. c4 e6 
5. Nc3 c6 
6. Bd3 

| The most popular move by far here is, 6. Nh4, intending to trade knight for bishop. Instead, 6. Be2, keeping a pair of minor pieces on the board was worth consideration. || 

6. ... Bxd3 
7. Qxd3 Be7 
8. O-O Nbd7 
9. e4 

| Heading for further simplifications, a consequence of choosing to oppose bishops with, 6. Bd3. The Quiet Variation is well-named, white is not aiming for tactical complexity. However do not let yourself be fooled. Quiet positions must be handled correctly or they can easily turn nasty very quickly. || 

9. ... dxe4 
10. Nxe4 Nxe4 
11. Qxe4 Nf6 

| More popular here is, 11. ... O-O. || 

12. Qe2 O-O 

| Perhaps, 12. ... h6, preventing the forthcoming white kingside activity was advisable. || 

13. Bg5 

| This move will probably lead to a third pair of minor pieces being traded off. More popular here is, 13. Rd1. || 

13. ... h6 
14. Bh4 Qc7 
15. Rad1 Rfd8 
16. Rfe1 

| Instead, 16. a3, preparing either a centralisation with, Rfe1, or doubling of rooks on the d-file with, Rd2, seems acceptable. || 

16. ... Bb4 
17. Rf1 Be7 
18. Rfe1 Re8 
19. a3 a5 
20. h3 

| This might appear to be aiming to prevent a black knight invading on the g4 square. Appearances can be deceptive. || 

20. ... Rad8 
21. g4 

| Risky. White embarks on a kingside attack when the centre is unsecured. 
Perhaps doubling of rooks on the d-file was a calmer way to continue, but such an idea would hardly test black in any way. || 

21. ... c5 

| Black makes the correct strategic response to the white kingside assault by challenging in the centre. || 

22. g5 

| Testing black with some complications. || 

22. ... Nh5 
23. gxh6 

| Avoiding, 23. Ne5 Nf4 24. Qg4 hxg5 25. Bxg5 Bxg5 26. Qxg5 Nxh3+, when black wins the white queen. || 

23. ... gxh6 

| The fully open g-file might seem to be a target for doubling of rooks, but if one player tries for this then the other must respond similarly, resulting in all rooks being removed from the game. Black might gain an advantage after, 23. ... Nf4 24. Qf1 Bxh4 25. Nxh4 cxd4, when the black knight on f4 will be very difficult to displace and the passed d-pawn will keep white tied down. || 

24. Bxe7 Qxe7 
25. Qe5 

| White exploits the unprotected black knight to win a pawn on the queenside. || 

25. ... Ng7 
26. dxc5 

| The white 4 pawns against 2 black pawns on the queenside will soon set black some problems. || 

26. ... f6 

| This pushes the white queen back but she manages to find weaknesses in the black kingside, which buys time for some solidification over on the queenside. || 

27. Qf4 Kh7 
28. Rxd8 

| White trades off a pair of rooks in order to reduce the possible pressure black can place on the queenside pawns. || 

28. ... Rxd8 
29. b4 axb4 
30. axb4 Rg8 

| Black is now threatening a powerful discovered check, 31. ... Nh5+, winning the white queen. || 

31. Kh2 b6 
32. Qd6 Qb7 
33. c6 Qa8 

| The black queen intends to invade into the white position up the a-file, hoping that active defence will prove more successful than trying to blockade the advancing white queenside pawns. || 

34. c5 

| Very dynamic. Instead patiently securing the queenside with, 34. b5, is an easier way to handle the position. || 

34. ... Qa2 

| Targetting the unprotected white f2 pawn which must be defended by white. || 

35. Qd2 

| Instead, 35. Qd3+ f5 36. Re2, pushes the black queen away. Perhaps black could try 36. ... Qa7, but after, 37. cxb6 Qxb6 38. b5, the white queenside pawns are connected and protected. The three white pieces can then re-group to support their further advance. Note that if, 35. Qd3+ Kh8, white can consider, 36. Re2 Qa7 37. Qg6, a powerful invasion which wins some pawns, for instance, 37. ... Nf5 38. Qxf6+ Kh7 39. Qxe6. || 

35. ... Qc4 
36. c7 
36. ... Qb5 

| Instead, 36. ... Rc8 37. cxb6, leaves white with an unstoppable queenside pawn roller. || 

37. Rc1 

| Instead, 37. Qd8, might appear to create some interesting tactical problems, but this also gives black some unnecessary chances. The safest reply for black seems to be, 37. ... Qc6, after which, 38. Re3 Nf5 39. Rd3 e5, and the black forces are pointing ominously into the white kingside. || 

37. ... Rc8 
38. Qc2+ 

| Instead, 38. Qd8 Qe2 39. Kg2, leaves black in trouble. If then, 39. ... Qa6 40. cxb6, and the white queenside pawns will prove decisive. || 

38. ... f5 
39. Qc4 

| Instead, 39. cxb6 Qxb6 40. Qc5 Qb7 41. Nd4, intending, pawn b5, and pawn b6, seems decisive. || 

39. ... Qc6 
40. Nd4 Qxc7+ 
41. Kg1 Qe7 

| Black might have removed the dangerous white c7 pawn but the white queenside pawn majority yet again begins to tie the black heavy pieces down. || 

42. c6 e5 
43. Nb5 Ne6 

| Black is about to find some rather unexpected activity over on the kingside. || 

44. c7 Qg5+ 
45. Kf1 Nf4 
46. h4 

| White will win material with, Na7, when convenient. The h3 pawn will be of little importance in the overall scheme, so perhaps king safety with, 46. Ke1, running into the queenside was worth considering. || 

46. ... Qg2+ 

| Instead, 46. ... Qxh4, threatening a back rank mate with, 47. Qh1+, was more dangerous. || 

47. Ke1 Qg1+ 
48. Qf1 Nd3+ 
49. Kd2 Qxf1 
50. Rxf1 Nxb4 

| Black is now a pawn up, but that advanced white c7 pawn is going to cost black material somewhere along the way. || 

51. Rc1 Kg7 

| The black king might find itself vulnerable on this dark square. Clue: the g7 and c7 squares are connected in some way, but how? Instead black had to try, 51. ... Nd5, tying down both the white rook and knight to defending the important c7 pawn. || 

52. Rc4 

| White has a simple win with, 52. Nd6, forcing black to give up the rook for the white c-pawn. || 

52. ... Nd5 
53. Rc6 

| White can gain a decisive material advantage with, 53. Nd6 Rxc7 54. Ne8+, forking the black king and rook. || 

53. ... Kf8 
54. Rxh6 Nxc7 
55. Rc6 

| Instead, 55. Rh8+ Ke7 56. Rxc8 Nxb5, transposes into the game. || 

55. ... Nxb5 

| Black misses a winning opportunity. Instead, 55. ... Rd8+, the black rook escapes the pin. White would then have to choose between: 
(A). 56. Rd6 Rxd6+ 57. Nxd6 f4, and the distant black passed b-pawn will deflect the white king and knight over to the queenside, allowing the black king to win the white h-pawn and then the f-pawn. 
(B). 56. Nd6 Ne8 57. Rxb6 Rxd6+ 58. Rxd6 Nxd6, black is a piece up. 
(C). 56. Kc2 Nxb5 57. Rxb6 Nd6, black is a piece up. || 

56. Rxc8+ Kf7 
57. Rb8 

| White is going to have an exchange advantage with an equal number of pawns. If all the pawns are traded off then it will be a draw, providing the black king and knight are not caught awkwardly placed on the edge of the board as the remaining pawns disappear. || 

57. ... Nd4 

| Threatening, Nf3+, and, Nxh4, which will be a draw. || 

58. Kd3 Kg6 

| The black king intends to eliminate the white h4 pawn. || 

59. f4 

| A tactic which fixes the kingside.. Clearly black will not fall for, 59. ... exf4 60. Kxd4, which loses a piece. || 

59. ... Nf3 
60. Rxb6+ 

| The move played to reach the time-control when both players will have been short of time. Instead, 60. fxe5 Nxe5+ 61. Ke3, would be a much sterner test of black's defensive resources. White will soon win the black b6 pawn, the black king will try to eliminate the white h4 pawn. However as it does so, it will be trapped on the h-file as the white rook moves to the g-file, meaning possible mating nets will emerge. The white king would be able to dodge around, aiming to attack both the black knight and f-pawn. The knight will almost certainly not be able to defend the f-pawn and itself, which will mean once the black f-pawn is eliminated, then the white king can attempt to find a safe opposition against the black king, and the potential mating net will close in. In essence, white would have all the winning chances and black would be under continual pressure to find defences. || 

60. ... Kh5 
61. Ke3 

| Again, white could give black headaches in trying to avoid those varying mating attempts beginning with with, 61. fxe5. || 

61. ... e4 

| The endgame is totally transformed. The kingside is fixed, black has a protected passed pawn, the only weakness for black is the f5 pawn. White is hoping to be advance with the king to win the f5 pawn, followed by the e4 pawn, and then promote the f4 pawn. Easier said than done. || 

62. Rb8 Kxh4 
63. Rh8+ Kg4 
64. Rg8+ Kh4 
65. Rh8+ Kg4 
66. Rg8+ Kh4 

| White has been quickly placing moves on the scoresheet to gain time on the clock, now there must be a change of plan. || 

67. Rg7 

| White is about to try to gain entry for his king via the kingside, but how can this happen if black just sits there? Clearly black must make a move, but the piece of least consequence to holding the position is the king. The f5 pawn guards the g4 square and the f3 knight guards the h4 square. Providing these units can remain at their posts, the white king has no entry up the kingside. || 

67. ... Kh5 
68. Kf2 Kh4 
69. Rg8 Kh5 

| Perhaps about here white could have given black a different test? Try putting the rook on the f8 square and await responses. Black has two answers to protect the f5 pawn. Either place the king on the g6 square or place the knight on either of the d4 / h4 squares. It is most likely black would probably find a mixture of both options, overprotecting the f5 pawn. Then it is up to the white king to gain an entry, the kingside route still looks unlikely, so it must march through the centre. There are two problems for white to anticipate with this idea. If the king wanders too far up the board, the black e4 pawn might start running for promotion. If the white king wanders too far away from protecting the f4 pawn, the black knight might be able to manoeuvre quickly and eliminate it. Lastly, if the black king is released from the h-file, and all the pawns somehow become removed, then there will be little chance of weaving a mate providing black plays sensibly. || 

70. Kg3 Kh6 
71. Kf2 Kh5 
72. Ke2 Kh4 
73. Kd1 Kh5 
74. Kc2 Kh4 
75. Kc3 Kh5 
76. Kc4 Kh4 
77. Kd5 

| The white king is approaching a point of commitment, it is time for some serious calculation. The plan is to move the rook to g7, vacating the g8 square for the wandering king, who is hoping to then retreat down the h-file and push the black king away. The downside of this is the insecurity of the f4 pawn, and also the possibility of the black e4 pawn advancing. The latter idea demands white transfer the rook to the e-file, which permits the black king to attack the white f4 pawn. || 

77. ... Kh5 
78. Rg2 Kh4 

| Calculations suggest that the potential advance of the black e-pawn will be rather dangerous, so the rook tries to guard the e2 square while still controlling the g-file. || 

78. ... Kh4 
79. Kd6 Kh3 

| Those best laid plans of mice and men? The white rook is not going to be allowed the luxury of guarding both the 2nd rank and the g-file. || 

80. Rg7 Kh4 
81. Kd7 Kh3 
82. Ke8 Nd4 

| A nice touch. If white tries, 83. Kf8 Ne6+, white loses both his rook and the game. Instead, 83. Kf7 e3, and the white rook must choose between taking the e-file or the white first rank. If white chooses the latter choice of, Rg1, then the black king runs to the h2 square, and will then at last be freed from his imprisonment on the h-file. || 

83. Kd7 

| The white king retreats while keeping all defensive options for the rook open. If this is the best plan available to white, then the plan of sending the king up the board was too optimistic. || 

83. ... e3 
84. Kd6 e2 
85. Re7 Kg3 

| White must now lose the f-pawn. || 

86. Kd5 Nb5 

| Positions of reduced material does not imply reduced threats. || 

87. Kc4 

| Avoiding the trap. If, 87. Rxe2 Nc3+, winning both the white rook and the game. || 

87. ... Nd6+ 
88. Kd3 Kxf4 
89. Kxe2 Ne4 
90. Re8 Nf6 
91. Rf8 
Draw, 1/2-1/2 

| Black has no winning chances here, white can quickly force the draw in a couple of ways. 
(A). If, 91. ... Ne4 92. Rxf5+ Kxf5, and black cannot force mate with a single knight against an opposing lone king. 
(B). If, 91. ... Kg5 92. Rxf6 Kxf6 93. Kf3, and white has a drawn king and pawn ending. || 

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## Unannotated Guest Game. 

White: Jim Slagle, 1702 (FTP). 
Black: Ayran Joshi, 1697, (TS). 
Event: FTP Oct. - Dec 2016. 
Result: 1/2-1/2 in 91 moves. 
Opening: Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, Quiet Variation, D12. 

1. Nf3 Nf6 
2. d4 d5 
3. e3 Bf5 
4. c4 e6 
5. Nc3 c6 
6. Bd3 Bxd3 
7. Qxd3 Be7 
8. O-O Nbd7 
9. e4 dxe4 
10. Nxe4 Nxe4 
11. Qxe4 Nf6 
12. Qe2 O-O 
13. Bg5 h6 
14. Bh4 Qc7 
15. Rad1 Rfd8 
16. Rfe1 Bb4 
17. Rf1 Be7 
18. Rfe1 Re8 
19. a3 a5 
20. h3 Rad8 
21. g4 c5 
22. g5 Nh5 
23. gxh6 gxh6 
24. Bxe7 Qxe7 
25. Qe5 Ng7 
26. dxc5 f6 
27. Qf4 Kh7 
28. Rxd8 Rxd8 
29. b4 axb4 
30. axb4 Rg8 
31. Kh2 b6 
32. Qd6 Qb7 
33. c6 Qa8 
34. c5 Qa2 
35. Qd2 Qc4 
36. c7 Qb5 
37. Rc1 Rc8 
38. Qc2+ f5 
39. Qc4 Qc6 
40. Nd4 Qxc7+ 
41. Kg1 Qe7 
42. c6 e5 
43. Nb5 Ne6 
44. c7 Qg5+ 
45. Kf1 Nf4 
46. h4 Qg2+ 
47. Ke1 Qg1+ 
48. Qf1 Nd3+ 
49. Kd2 Qxf1 
50. Rxf1 Nxb4 
51. Rc1 Kg7 
52. Rc4 Nd5 
53. Rc6 Kf8 
54. Rxh6 Nxc7 
55. Rc6 Nxb5 
56. Rxc8+ Kf7 
57. Rb8 Nd4 
58. Kd3 Kg6 
59. f4 Nf3 
60. Rxb6+ Kh5 
61. Ke3 e4 
62. Rb8 Kxh4 
63. Rh8+ Kg4 
64. Rg8+ Kh4 
65. Rh8+ Kg4 
66. Rg8+ Kh4 
67. Rg7 Kh5 
68. Kf2 Kh4 
69. Rg8 Kh5 
70. Kg3 Kh6 
71. Kf2 Kh5 
72. Ke2 Kh4 
73. Kd1 Kh5 
74. Kc2 Kh4 
75. Kc3 Kh5 
76. Kc4 Kh4 
77. Kd5 Kh5 
78. Rg2 Kh4 
79. Kd6 Kh3 
80. Rg7 Kh4 
81. Kd7 Kh3 
82. Ke8 Nd4 
83. Kd7 e3 
84. Kd6 e2 
85. Re7 Kg3 
86. Kd5 Nb5 
87. Kc4 Nd6+ 
88. Kd3 Kxf4 
89. Kxe2 Ne4 
90. Re8 Nf6 
91. Rf8 
Draw, 1/2-1/2 

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