The Unbearable Lightness of Losing | Road to GM, Game 52

March 10, 2019 NHaselton Uncategorized

Hanging PawnsSun, March 10, 2019 2:52pmURL:
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I was defeated in the Exchange Caro-Kann in the first round of the Croatian League.

Fiamengo Joško (2054 ELO) vs Tomić Stjepan (1865 ELO), 4th A Croatian League Center, Round 1, 03/10/19

My team won 4-2, which is amazing! We were playing against a stronger team, but we managed to outplay them on 4 boards. I played board two and lost unfortunately.

We entered the Exchange Caro-Kann and I went for the setup with g6, Bg7, and went for the minority attack. Perhaps I should have chosen the more sensible Bf4, e6, which gives black an easier game but less counter play.

I was slightly worse out of the opening (but aware of it) and I managed to get a position in which I can play e5, equalizing with the typical central break. I played f6 instead, wanting to reinforce e5, but it was a poor decision as my opponent could’ve gone for Re6, a very tactical line in which I’m much worse.

After e5, which I managed to play in the end, I went for a dubious pawn sacrifice in exchange for activity. It worked, and I managed to activate all of my pieces and solve all of my problems. What happened afterwards was just bad. It was a tough position, much easier to play for my opponent, but still… I managed to blunder a piece in one move.

Life goes on! Round two is up next Sunday. Lets hope we do well again!

#chess

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