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Last Updated: Nov 20th, 2011 - 15:59:52 |
On Saturday 6th February Grandmaster Keith Arkell played a simul at the Social Club in Waddington, home of the Waddington Vipers Chess Club. This was organised by Joe Petrie, who also plays for Clitheroe Chess Club.
Having already played International Master Malcolm Pein in a previous simul (going down all guns blazing with a King's Indian) I was looking forward to the chance of testing myself against the 2008 English Champion.
There were around 15 players taking on the Grandmaster, which included a few members from Clitheroe Chess Club.
Keith generously let all the players choose which colour they wanted to be.
Waddington Vipers Chess Club Simul
White: Brendan Brown
Black: Keith Arkell (GM)
1. f4
Having played the Bird's Opening (1. f4) almost exclusively for the past few years, with the odd Grob here and there, I was keen to try it against a Grandmaster.
1. .. d5
2. Nf3 c5
3. e3 e6
4. d3 Nf6
5. Be2 Nc6
A well known Dutch Classical position but with colours reversed.
6. 0-0 Bg7
7. Nc3 d4
This seems to me to be the crucial point in the opening. There isn't much theory on 7. .. d4 at the moment. After 7. .. 0-0 White can either play 8. e4 or 8. Ne5. For those interested in such lines, "Bird's Opening" by IM Timothy Taylor is well worth a read. The perfect Valentines' day treat. Or maybe not!
8. Ne4 de
Fritz 11 recommends 8. .. Nd5
9. NxNf6 ..
I thought about 9. Bxe3 straight away but was worried about the Bishop on g7 racing down.
9. .. BxNf6
10. c3 b6
11. Bxe3 0-0
The position is fairly level at this stage.
12. d4 ?!
Fritz prefers 12. Ng5 with the idea of building up on the King's side with g4, Qe1-h4. Throughout the game I got carried away with the aim of simplifying matters.
12. .. cd
13. Nxd4 NxNd4
14. BxNd4 BxBd4
15. QxBd4 QxQd4
16. cd
After the dust has settled we have reached an endgame where Black has a slightly superior pawn structure.
16. .. Bb7
17. Bf3 BxBf3
I felt the Bishop on b7 had to be challenged immediately.
18. RxBf3 Rfd8
19. Rd1 Rd5
20. Kf2 Rad8
21. Rd3 g5
The computer gives 21. .. Kg7 with a small advantage for Black. After the text, White is marginally better.
22. fg Rxg5
By forcing an exchange of Rooks I thought there would be less chances to go wrong.
23. Rg3 h6
24. RxRg5 hg
Black's pawns look better but my Rook is more active.
25. Ke3 e6
26. Rc1 Rd7
27. g4 Kf8
28. Rc8+ Ke7
29. a4 Kf6
30. b4 Rb7
31. Ke4 Kg7
Black can't make any progress. I felt the draw was in the bag here if I didn't botch it. Alas ..
32. h3 Rd7
33. b5 Kf6
34. Rc6 Ke7
35. Rc8 f6
36. Rc6 Kf7
37. Rc8 Re7
38. Kd3?!
Although it doesn't lose this can't be a good move. 38. Ra8 or 38. d5 is better.
39. .. Kg6
39. Rg8+ Rg7
40. RxRg7
I had thought about moving the Rook to e8. After the text move the position is still drawn but White does better to keep the Rook.
40. .. KxRg7
41. Ke4 ..
Still drawn but 41. d5 immediately is simpler. I was worried about 41. .. e5 in reply but White holds with 42. Ke4 Kf7 43. Ke3 Ke7 44. Kd3 Kd6 45. Kc4 etc.
41. .. Kf7
42. Kd3?
Again d5 was better.
42. .. Ke7
43. Ke4??
This loses the game. 43. Ke3 is just about good enough for the draw.
43. .. Kd6
44. Ke3 Kd5
45. Kd3 e5
White is lost. It was time to resign here but I couldn't resist playing a few more moves.
46. dxe5 fxe5
47. h4 gh
48. Ke3 Ke6
49. Kf3 Kf6
50. Ke4 h3
51. Kf3 Kg5
52. Kg3 h2
53. Kxh2 Kxg4
And White, not before time, resigned.
In the words of the late, great Tony Miles, "I leave you, gentle reader, to point out the mistakes in analysis!".
Keith said he would be interested in another simul so if anyone from the East Lancs League would be interested please let me know. Ideally we could do with around 30 players.
Many thanks to Joe and Waddington Social Club for organising the event.
Brendan Brown
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