4NCL Division 1 2010-11: e2e4.org.uk 1 – Cheddleton 1

Posted on May 2, 2011 by James Mansson

I was promoted to the first team just for round 9, as part of Sean’s policy of playing all 2100+ players in the squad in the top division at least once during the season. The team was soundly beaten 6-2 by a strong Cheddleton 1 team. However, four of the team did achieve draws: Alexei Slavin against Danny Gormally, Ameet Ghasi against Elisabeth Paehtz, Alan Byron against Robert Bellin, and I against Paul Wallace. The match was most memorable for a member of the opposition, Jonathan Hawkins, who achieved a GM Norm by crushing Andy Talbot. Continue reading →

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2010-11: Horsham 1 – Brighton 2

Posted on April 29, 2011 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 played its last match in the Mid-Sussex League of the season yesterday, against Brighton 2 away. There were still a couple of games to resolve, but in the games that have finished, Gavin Lock drew with Nadya Somova, Anthony Higgs drew with Arthur der Silver, and I scored a win against Dona Strauss. Gavin was better for much of the game, but his advantage slipped away in the quickplay finish. In contrast, Anthony allowed his kingside to be smashed quite unnecessarily, and was happy to get a draw. Phil Stimpson’s position against Chris Lowe is completely winning, as far as we all can see, while although Dix Roberts is clearly better against Duncan Badham, the position may not be clear enough to win on adjudication. Continue reading →

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1 Nf3 repertoire: The Black Knights’ Tango

Posted on April 27, 2011 by James Mansson

While 2…g6, 2…d6, 2…e6 and 2…b6 are all quite orthodox choices for Black after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4, there are of course other possibilities. I shall be looking at the positions after 2…c5 in my series of posts on the Symmetrical English. The only other variation I think worthy of looking at in depth is 2…Nc6. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
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Mid-Sussex League Knockout 2010-11: Horsham 1 – Lewes

Posted on April 27, 2011 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 scored a narrow victory over Lewes in the semi-final of the Mid-Sussex League Knockout competition. Under the handicapping system, Horsham’s 138 point grading advantage meant that they had to win 4.5 – 1.5 to progress. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Mid-Sussex League, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | 1 Comment

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Anti-Queen’s Indian System

Posted on April 27, 2011 by James Mansson

After 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 the move 2…b6 offers a possible transposition to the Queen’s Indian Defence via 3 d4 e6. However, the fact that White has not yet played d4 gives him other opportunities, which are more promising than the rather solid lines of the Queen’s Indian proper. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
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Hastings are Mid-Sussex League 2010-11 Champions

Posted on April 26, 2011 by James Mansson

Following the latest series of results, Hastings 1 have been crowned Mid-Sussex League champions. Brighton 1 defeated Knoll Knights 4 – 1 to leave both teams, and Hastings 1, on 7 points. As both teams had completed their fixtures, it was then all down to the match between Hastings 1 and Horsham 2. If Horsham 2 had won, then Horsham 1 would have had a chance to snatch the title by defeating Brighton 2 in their last game. However, despite a valiant effort, the match was drawn 2.5 – 2.5, leaving Hastings 1 as winners of the top division this year. Full details can be found on the Mid-Sussex League website.

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1 Nf3 repertoire: The Anti-Nimzo-Indian System

Posted on April 26, 2011 by James Mansson

As discussed in previous posts, White’s choice of move after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 is driven by whether his repertoire is based on the Queen’s Gambit or Catalan. If it is based on the Queen’s Gambit, then he should continue with 3 Nc3, when 3…d5 4 d4 leads to the starting point for a number of Queen’s Gambit lines. If it is the Catalan, then he should continue with 3 g3, when 3…d5 4 d4 leads to the basic position of that opening. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The Anti-Nimzo-Indian System, The Romanishin System | 2 Comments

1 Nf3 repertoire: The Kings Indian Defence

Posted on April 21, 2011 by James Mansson

While after 1 Nf3, White can profitably avoid openings such as the Nimzo-Indian and Gruenfeld, I have always considered that there is no promising way to avoid the King’s Indian, and that White should take the opening on directly. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
Posted in 1 Nf3 Repertoire, Opening Analysis, The King's Indian Defence | 1 Comment

Horsham Club Championship 2010-11: Lock – Mansson

Posted on April 13, 2011 by James Mansson

Last night I started playing off my many remaining games in the Horsham Chess Club Championship. It turned out to be a rather dull draw against Gavin Lock with Black. Continue reading →

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1 Nf3 repertoire: The Anti-Gruenfeld System

Posted on April 13, 2011 by James Mansson

One of the merits of the 1 Nf3 move order is that it gives White a means of side-stepping some of Black’s most awkward defences to 1 d4. Among these defences is the Gruenfeld Defence, which normally arises after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5. Contrast this with the line after 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 (if 3…Bg7, then 4 e4 prevents the Gruenfeld outright). White has avoided playing d4 for the moment, which has several advantages:

  • White may not want to play d4 at all
  • White does not give Black an immediate target
  • White saves time which can be used otherwise

We shall see all these advantages in action in what follows. Continue reading →

Visit the Bibliography for recommended reading relating to the 1 Nf3 Repertoire.
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