Two 15’+15’’ training games. The first was a short Nimzowitsch Defense gone wrong for my opponent, but the second one was an interesting Karpov Variation of the Caro-Kann.
My opponent blundered a piece early on in the first game and I should have won much sooner. I missed an easy tactic though which could have won on the spot (Bb5+ instead of Be2), and I even missed a check which forced me to trade queens off. But still, piece up, I converted easily.
The second game was way more interesting. It was a Nd7 Karpov in the main line of the Caro-Kann. My opponent misplayed the opening slightly, but played well after that and we got an equal position. I isolated his d4 pawn which gave me a structural edge, but the game was still far off from that being important. He had active pieces on the board and I had no real plan. He was the only one creating any threats but my position was solid.
I found a good plan of locking down the queenside structure (which he allowed without a fight) which then gave me much more time to play in the center and seize the initiative. My opponent’s reaction was pretty rash and bad. He decided to sacrifice his bishop for an imaginary attack. It didn’t work really. I took the piece and won a couple of moves later.
The tournament I’m playing starts in two days! Tomorrow morning I’m traveling to Slovakia and I’m arriving a whole day early. I usually come right before the first round so I’m always tired, but this time I’ll be rested! The first (out of seven) round is on Thursday afternoon, and then two rounds will be played per day until Sunday.
I can’t say if I’ll be able to record my games there because my connection might be bad and I doubt I’ll have too much time with all the preparation I’ll have to do. I will do my best though and I hope the games are interesting!
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