NOTE:  I call this game,” the royal divorce” and of course, divorce is rarely a ‘good’ thing.

Game reviewed at the Dayton Chess Club on June 5th, 2013.  G/25 T/D 5 sec, names removed.  Game commentary and analysis by:  M. Kellie

1.  e4                    Nf6

2.  e5                    Nd5

Position look:  Alekhine’s Defence!  Black invites White ‘in’…

3.  d4                    d6

4.  c4                    Nb6       …what are the pros and cons here?

5.  f4                     dxe5      …Black does not want to allow White to build up a massive center here, hence, this exchange variation of the four pawns variation (Alekhine, four pawns attack)

6.  fxe5                 Nc6

7.  Be3                  Bf5

8.  Nc3                 e6

9.  Be2                  Be7

10.  Nf3                O-O

11.  O-O               f6

12.  exf6              Bxf6

13.  Qd2               Qe7

14. Rad1              Rad8

15.  Qc1

Position look:  All moves to this point are well known ‘book’ moves.  Concerning Whites Queen placement to the c1 square, what are the ideas behind this move?  or, if you will,…why do this?

15.                        e5!         …an amazing, very complex position with numerous branches…Black gets in a freeing move with e5 while also, creating a very…”complex” position.

16.  d5                  Nd4

17.  Nxd4             exd4

18.  Bxd4             Bg5!

Position look:  So, for the cost of only a pawn, Black has gained the tactical initiative and often, quite often, it is not material advantage which wins the game; rather, it is often different aspects of this game, such as initiative,…that win the ‘day’!  BTW, we’re still in ‘book’ however, White will deviate from this well traveled line at move 20…with tragic consequences…a divorce of the monarchs if you will…

19.  Qa1               Bc2

20.  Rde1?           Bd2

21.  Rxf8+            Rxf8

22.  Bd3?             Bxe1

23.  Bxc2              Bxc3

24.  Bxc3??

Position look:  White now compiles mistake upon mistake and this one, is fatal for now, the e3 square is no longer covered which lets Black ‘in’…

24.                        Qe3+

25.  Kh1               Qe2

Position look:  White’s queen is helpless and is also, quite “divorced” from her king…which at the very least, will cost her life (and eventually, the life of the king) and therefore, my opponent…

26.  Resigns