The Italian Game is one of the oldest openings in chess, dating back to the original rule changes that led to the invention of the "Mad Queen" back in the fifteenth century. Designed to put a tremendous amount of pressure on the "f7" square, it was feared weapon of attacking players up until the 20th century when improved defensive techniques led to a level game where both sides had chances. It has a number of side variations, such as the Evans Gambit that can make it a lot of fun to play. I encourage beginning players to take up the Italian Game because it teaches the open game, development, and at the same time allows for a lot of strategic maneuvering if White so chooses. Both players are able to stake a claim to the center and each is able to develop normally. White has a move in hand, so Black must play carefully to equalize. As with all openings, pawn structure is a key to long term level chances for Black in the opening. White attempts to mobilize his pieces and get an attacking formation.
Welcome to ChessCountry.com
Monday, June 28, 2010
R9 Otsuka vs Sol Cruz
[Event "Shell NCR"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Otsuka, Tetsuo"]
[Black "Sol Cruz, Rhal Jr"]
[ECO "C50"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Ng5 O-O 6. Nxf7 Rxf7 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17 8. O-O Kg8 9. d4 exd4 $19 10. Nd5 d6 $1 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Re1 Bd7 (12... Be6) 13. c3 dxc3 14. bxc3 Qf7 (14... Be6) 15. f3 Qc4 (15... Re8) (15... Ne5) 16. Bb2 Rd8 (16... Re8) 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 a6 (18... Be6) 19. c4 Kf7 (19... Re8) 20. Red1
0-1
[Round "9"]
[White "Otsuka, Tetsuo"]
[Black "Sol Cruz, Rhal Jr"]
[ECO "C50"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Ng5 O-O 6. Nxf7 Rxf7 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17 8. O-O Kg8 9. d4 exd4 $19 10. Nd5 d6 $1 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Re1 Bd7 (12... Be6) 13. c3 dxc3 14. bxc3 Qf7 (14... Be6) 15. f3 Qc4 (15... Re8) (15... Ne5) 16. Bb2 Rd8 (16... Re8) 17. Qb3 Qxb3 18. axb3 a6 (18... Be6) 19. c4 Kf7 (19... Re8) 20. Red1
0-1
Sunday, June 27, 2010
R8 Sol Cruz vs Dela Cruz
Shell NCR Leg
SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong City
R8 14-Under G/25
W: Rhal Sol Cruz, Jr.
B: Mico dela Cruz
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 Nxd4 5.Nxd4 exd4 6.Qxd4
White's Q stands on a central square, and is not developed too early since it cannot be chased away very effectively (5...c5? is a seriously weakening move that blocks Black's King's B). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_Game
6... Nf6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Bd3
Rybka recommends 8.Bc4.
8... O-O 9.O-O Be6
SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong City
R8 14-Under G/25
W: Rhal Sol Cruz, Jr.
B: Mico dela Cruz
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 Nxd4 5.Nxd4 exd4 6.Qxd4
White's Q stands on a central square, and is not developed too early since it cannot be chased away very effectively (5...c5? is a seriously weakening move that blocks Black's King's B). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_Game
6... Nf6 7.Bg5 Be7 8.Bd3
Rybka recommends 8.Bc4.
8... O-O 9.O-O Be6
10.Qe3
According to Rhal, this is to support the B at g5. Unknowingly, he has set a trap.
10... Ng4??
The trap was taken in hook, line and sinker.
11.Bxe7 Nxe3 12.Bxd8 Nxf1 13.Bg5! +-
The Black N is trapped.
Result: 1-0
R7: Pastor vs Sol Cruz
Shell NCR
SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong City
R7 Kiddies Division
W: Carlo Pastor
B: Rhal Sol Cruz
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
Among the popular openings, it is the Ruy Lopez where Rhal is ill-prepared. The only line he prepared was the Marshall Attack, with NM Gatus last October, for the ASEAN Primary School Sports Olympiad in Jakarta, Indonesia, his first international stint.
Though 3... a6 is the most popular reply by GM standard, maybe it would do Rhal good if he simply follow the basic principle of development of pieces, thus 3... Nf6 - Berlin Defense or 3... Bc5 - Classical Defense.
4.Bxc6
The Exchange Variation has the strategic idea of obtaining a K-side pawn majority after playing d4 and exchanging for the Black e-pawn. Modern Chess Openings
Here are some games from the World Champions:
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1132676
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1132718
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1241473
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1064762
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1012478
4... dxc6 5.Nxe5? Qd4! 6.f4? Qxe4+ 7.Qe2
7... Qxe2+
[7... Qxc2 8 Nc3 Be7 and if 8 Ng6+ Be7 -+]
8.Kxe2 f6
Do not let enemy pieces remain in your territory. Best Lessons of a Chess Coach
9.Nd3? Bd6
[9... Bf5 or 9... Bg4+]
10.g3 Ne7 11.Nf2 O-O
One of the most important guidelines in chess is to protect your K from harm. Mastering the Chess Openings
12.d3 Re8
The Rs are best placed on the four center files, particularly if any should be open. The Right Way to Play Chess
13.Kd1 Bd7
This counts as development and more importantly, it connects the Rs. Let the games begin!
14.Be3? Nd5!
Pieces placed in the center enjoy the greatest freedom of action and have the widest scope for their attacking powers. Logical Chess
15.Bd2 Ne3+ 16.Bxe3 Rxe3
For all general purposes, the B and N have to be considered as of the same value, though most masters regard the B slightly favorably compared to a N. Chess Fundamentals
17.Re1
17... Rxe1+
When you have thus gained possession of the file, should your opponent try to dispossess you of it by playing one of his Rs on the same file, it is frequently better to defend with your R than to take his or remove your own. The Chess Player's Handbook
18.Kxe1 Re8+ 19.Kd1? Bc5
Botvinnik's Law
20.Nc3?? Bxf2-+
Result: 0-1
SM Mega Mall, Mandaluyong City
R7 Kiddies Division
W: Carlo Pastor
B: Rhal Sol Cruz
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
Among the popular openings, it is the Ruy Lopez where Rhal is ill-prepared. The only line he prepared was the Marshall Attack, with NM Gatus last October, for the ASEAN Primary School Sports Olympiad in Jakarta, Indonesia, his first international stint.
Though 3... a6 is the most popular reply by GM standard, maybe it would do Rhal good if he simply follow the basic principle of development of pieces, thus 3... Nf6 - Berlin Defense or 3... Bc5 - Classical Defense.
4.Bxc6
The Exchange Variation has the strategic idea of obtaining a K-side pawn majority after playing d4 and exchanging for the Black e-pawn. Modern Chess Openings
Here are some games from the World Champions:
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1132676
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1132718
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1241473
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1064762
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1012478
4... dxc6 5.Nxe5? Qd4! 6.f4? Qxe4+ 7.Qe2
7... Qxe2+
[7... Qxc2 8 Nc3 Be7 and if 8 Ng6+ Be7 -+]
8.Kxe2 f6
Do not let enemy pieces remain in your territory. Best Lessons of a Chess Coach
9.Nd3? Bd6
[9... Bf5 or 9... Bg4+]
10.g3 Ne7 11.Nf2 O-O
One of the most important guidelines in chess is to protect your K from harm. Mastering the Chess Openings
12.d3 Re8
The Rs are best placed on the four center files, particularly if any should be open. The Right Way to Play Chess
13.Kd1 Bd7
This counts as development and more importantly, it connects the Rs. Let the games begin!
14.Be3? Nd5!
Pieces placed in the center enjoy the greatest freedom of action and have the widest scope for their attacking powers. Logical Chess
15.Bd2 Ne3+ 16.Bxe3 Rxe3
For all general purposes, the B and N have to be considered as of the same value, though most masters regard the B slightly favorably compared to a N. Chess Fundamentals
17.Re1
When you have thus gained possession of the file, should your opponent try to dispossess you of it by playing one of his Rs on the same file, it is frequently better to defend with your R than to take his or remove your own. The Chess Player's Handbook
18.Kxe1 Re8+ 19.Kd1? Bc5
Botvinnik's Law
20.Nc3?? Bxf2-+
Result: 0-1
R6 Monteza vs Sol Cruz
Shell NCR Leg
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
R6 Bd90 14-Under G/25
W: Monteza, Jomarie
B: Sol Cruz, Rhal Jr.
Result: 1/2-1/2
SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
R6 Bd90 14-Under G/25
W: Monteza, Jomarie
B: Sol Cruz, Rhal Jr.
Result: 1/2-1/2
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Angpin Cup Age Group
Rhal surprisingly scored 4.5 points, on 4 wins and 1 draw, in 7 games to finish in a tie for 8th to 11th place, and placed 10th after the tie breaks, in the Angpin Cup Age Group Tournament - 12 Under category.
http://chess-results.com/tnr35344.aspx?art=1&lan=1&turdet=YES&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000
Still unrated, starting rank of #35, Rhal was able to draw with Jallorina who is rated at 1515 and won over Presente rated at 1783. He got a tournament performance rating of 1502 in the process. Below are his round by round opponents:
http://chess-results.com/tnr35344.aspx?art=9&lan=1&fed=phi&turdet=YES&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000&snr=35
| Rk. | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | Rp | n | w | ||||||||||||
| 1 |  | Bersamina Paulo | PHI | 1982 | 7,0 | 0,0 | 31,5 | 31,50 | 2257 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 2 |  | Maliam Elijah | phi | 1748 | 6,0 | 0,0 | 28,5 | 24,00 | 1858 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 3 | | Mendoza Shania Mae | phi | 0 | 5,5 | 0,0 | 28,0 | 20,50 | 1654 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 4 | | Samantila Daryl Unix | phi | 1638 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 35,0 | 22,00 | 1631 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 5 | | Donguines John Fleer | PHI | 1700 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 34,0 | 21,00 | 1548 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 6 | | Pangilinan Stephen Rome | PHI | 0 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 29,5 | 17,00 | 1635 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 7 | | San Diego Marie Antoinette | PHI | 1744 | 5,0 | 0,0 | 27,0 | 16,50 | 1358 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 8 | | Curioso Romulo | phi | 0 | 4,5 | 0,0 | 27,0 | 15,25 | 1508 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 9 | | Marce Jasper Gerald | phi | 0 | 4,5 | 0,0 | 26,0 | 13,50 | 1521 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 10 | | Sol Cruz Jr Raul | phi | 0 | 4,5 | 0,0 | 24,5 | 12,75 | 1502 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 11 | | Miranda Stephen Matthew | phi | 0 | 4,5 | 0,0 | 22,5 | 12,75 | 1430 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 12 | | Flores Keneth | phi | 0 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 31,0 | 14,50 | 1477 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 13 | | Viernes Tucker Howard Elsteine | phi | 0 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 29,0 | 14,50 | 1384 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 14 | | Geraldino Cyrey | phi | 0 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 29,0 | 11,25 | 1465 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 15 | | Gonzales Vladimir | phi | 0 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 27,5 | 13,00 | 1390 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 16 | | Caranyagan Carlo | phi | 1920 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 26,5 | 13,75 | 1328 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 17 | | Garcia Danrev | phi | 0 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 23,5 | 9,50 | 1428 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 18 | | Lim Samson Chiu Chin Iii | phi | 0 | 4,0 | 0,0 | 22,0 | 9,75 | 1321 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 19 | | Jallorina Alder Baldwin | phi | 1515 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 30,5 | 11,75 | 1312 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 20 | | Presente Juan Carlos | phi | 1783 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 30,0 | 12,75 | 1338 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 21 | | Docena Jesca | PHI | 0 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 26,5 | 11,00 | 1200 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 22 | | Limocon Mark Vincent | phi | 0 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 26,5 | 9,50 | 1278 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 23 | | Yap Eric Robert | phi | 0 | 3,5 | 0,0 | 20,0 | 8,75 | 1200 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 24 | | Limocon Marvin | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 26,5 | 6,00 | 1414 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 25 | | Polancos Anne Klein | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 25,5 | 8,50 | 1166 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 26 | | Berongoy Gilbert | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 25,0 | 6,50 | 1253 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 27 | | Tomines Christian Jake | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 24,5 | 7,50 | 1150 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 28 | | Abucejo Francis Albert | PHI | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 22,5 | 6,50 | 1308 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 29 | | Perez Daniel | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 22,5 | 5,50 | 1253 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 30 | | Pascua Jr. Anatoly | phi | 1725 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 21,5 | 7,00 | 1233 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 31 | | San Diego Jerlyn Mae | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 21,5 | 5,00 | 1128 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 32 | | Tan Joshua | phi | 0 | 3,0 | 0,0 | 21,0 | 8,75 | 1225 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 33 | | Villaflor Ralph | phi | 0 | 2,5 | 0,0 | 22,0 | 3,75 | 1007 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 34 | | Petalver Allen Lark | phi | 0 | 2,5 | 0,0 | 19,0 | 2,75 | 1143 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 35 | | Ablang Danica Alexis | phi | 0 | 2,0 | 0,0 | 22,5 | 3,75 | 927 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 36 | | Tinaza Earl Micael | phi | 0 | 2,0 | 0,0 | 21,5 | 2,50 | 927 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 37 | | Galan Colin Anand | phi | 0 | 2,0 | 0,0 | 21,5 | 2,00 | 400 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 38 | | Gonzales Mark Angelo | phi | 0 | 2,0 | 0,0 | 20,0 | 2,50 | 1015 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 39 | | Bricia Demarcus | phi | 0 | 1,0 | 0,0 | 16,0 | 1,00 | 400 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 40 | | Lumbera Galin Mak Kyhle | phi | 0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 25,5 | 0,00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| 41 | | Lumbera Galin Julian Mikheil | phi | 0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 22,0 | 0,00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Annotation:
Tie Break1: The results of the players in the same point group#results against
Tie Break2: Buchholz Tie-Breaks (variabel with parameter)
Tie Break3: Sonneborn-Berger-Tie-Break variable
Tie Break1: The results of the players in the same point group#results against
Tie Break2: Buchholz Tie-Breaks (variabel with parameter)
Tie Break3: Sonneborn-Berger-Tie-Break variable
http://chess-results.com/tnr35344.aspx?art=1&lan=1&turdet=YES&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000
Still unrated, starting rank of #35, Rhal was able to draw with Jallorina who is rated at 1515 and won over Presente rated at 1783. He got a tournament performance rating of 1502 in the process. Below are his round by round opponents:
http://chess-results.com/tnr35344.aspx?art=9&lan=1&fed=phi&turdet=YES&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000&snr=35
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
