Losing Momentum

It's been only about 3 days since my last post. And already some people are getting worried of the "infrequent" postings here. That is the tragedy of active blogging—because once you start to lose your momentum, your loyal readers can immediately sense the change.

Today I received two emails and one text message from my fans, seeking to know what has happened to me. In one of those emails, I was asked if I had fallen ill; whereas in the other email, someone was jokingly complaining that I should start blogging again soon, as otherwise he would become "so bored with nothing else to read".

The text message was from another friend, and I find it more interesting than the emails. In it, the friend wonders if everything is OK with me. He said I sounded "agitated or frustrated lately." He was even planning to email me to cheer me up! I did not realise that I sounded "agitated or frustrated", but although my friend did not explain himself, I suspect it probably had something to do with my recent comments in Mike's blog and A Hunter's Tale. In the former, I was more or less told to stop commenting (smile). And in the latter, I commented against equating SHUT UP = TO CONFINE. I did so without consulting my dictionaries first, although I did say that I wouldn't be surprised if some dictionaries support that equation. Later, it turned out that it was indeed supported by the dictionaries, and I quickly added a comment in the same blog to admit that I was inaccurate. At first, I had said that we can only equate SHUT IN = TO CONFINE, but not SHUT UP = TO CONFINE.

I went on to comment against equating SHUT UP = PEN, because I thought it is more accurate for the PEN to be followed by UP too. I am still unsure about this up to now. It just doesn't sound right to me. I see it in the same light as equating STACK to PILE, and STACK UP to PILE UP, but not STACK UP to PILE (without UP). However, if I am wrong, I am willing to admit defeat. There is really no need to become agitated or frustrated about losing a debate. Life is just too short to become all stressed up about petty things like this. All I can say is, it takes a lot more to make me become agitated or frustrated.

But let me share with my readers what I've been up to over the last few days. Apart from my running at the gym and the jogging track, I've been busy sending text messages and emails to treasure hunters in the hope of attracting as many teams as possible for Alvin's (Kena Tembak) hunt in May.

The other reason which had kept me occupied was the amount of time I'd spent playing online chess. A treasure hunter friend of mine, Master Teck Koon, gave me the link to an online chess site some time ago. But I did not really look into it. Then last week, I suddenly thought that I'd just go check it out for a bit. And I ended up registering (for free), and soon started playing up to 5 games with 5 different players!

Needless to say, I also started playing chess with Teck Koon, and quickly realised that he is a very strong player! Within the first few moves, because I violated a basic opening principle, I was swiftly punished by Teck Koon with strong attack because I failed to castle when I had the opportunity to do so. Instead, I took the big risk by grabbing some pawns! But somehow I was lucky to have found a way out from an apparently hopeless position, forced some trade-offs and now arrived at a rook endgame. Material is equal again, but I like my pawn structure (I have 2 pawn islands, whereas he has 4, one of which is a doubled pawn). Still looks drawish to me though. I'll let you know what happens next as the game progresses.

In the mean time, I have also finished 2 other games, of which I was lucky enough to win. I can't believe how much I have forgotten about chess. The only other game which I find interesting is against another player of about 1300+ only, but he is really good! I opened with the Ruy Lopez (Spanish) as white, an opening which is very, very well analysed. It is interesting that we've made about 9 - 10 moves deep by now, and we're still within book opening of the Morphy's lines. But the trouble is that I'm not sure if I can remember very much more beyond this point, and I can sense that I will soon start to lose out to this guy!

So you see, folks, I've been very busy this lately. However, I have no intention to keep this going for too long. I will probably slow down to Teck Koon's rate of making only a few moves per week, and take months to finish a single game! I shall then be able to come back to my regular posting. So don't worry too much about me, OK? I am still very much alive, though probably not exactly kicking. Still need to deal with Alvin's hunt, and then I will start posting again soon.

French—Analysis

I haven't been playing for a very long time, but I occasionally visit chess websites to find interesting games to analyse. With so much time spent on treasure hunts (both hunting as well as setting questions) and running, I hardly have much time left for chess analysis. However, whenever I can find the time I'd spend hours hovering over a chess board to study positions. Chess analysis, just like treasure hunt questions, can be quite addictive.

I know there are some of you who love chess, and maybe still play the game on a regular basis. I'd like to share a very interesting game I found, which I spent quite a lot of time analysing. My personal favourite is the Dragon Sicilian, but I've also read widely on the French Defense. Unfortunately, I've lost most of my knowledge. Such a waste when I think of the amount of time I've spent to learn all those moves etc.

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5

A textbook approach in the French where Black challenges White for the central squares immediately.

3. e5 c5

White avoids an early exchange of pawns. Black in turn challenges White's pawn base at d4.

4. Nf3 Nc6

White defends his d pawn, and Black continues attacking it with his knight.

5. Bb5 Qb6

White develops his king's bishop by pinning the black knight. Black answers by developing his queen while attacking the white bishop.

6. Nc3 cxd4

White develops his queen's knight while defending his bishop. Black takes the d pawn while attacking the knight on c3.

7. Nxd4 Bd7
8. Bxc6 bxc6

After the exchange on d4, Black develops his bishop and thus breaking the pin on his knight. White takes the knight on c6, and Black takes back with his pawn—a strange-looking proceeding which limits the scope of his own bishop. But the reason Black takes back with the b pawn is because he plans to use it to support his central pawns. His central pawns will soon march down the board, thus cramping White's game.

9. 0-0 c5
10. Nf3 Ne7
11. Ne2 Nf5
12. c3 Be7

At this stage, White has developed 2 minor pieces and made the short castle. Black has developed 3 minor pieces and his queen. His last move also clears the way for the short castle. In terms of development, Black is slightly better. In terms of structure, I think Black is also more superior. White's pawn on e5 can quickly become a liability rather than an asset. Black can very quickly pile up on that e5 pawn and probably can win it soon. Perhaps White would like to develop his queen's bishop, but he can't develop it yet since the black queen is bearing on the b2 pawn. Therefore:

13. b3 a5
14. c4 d4

Black declines the exchange to maintain his advantage. As a general rule, the side which has the space advantage will try not to exchange, whereas the side suffering the limited space will try to trade down for the sake of piece mobility.

15. Bg5 f6
16. exf6 gxf6

White takes the f pawn with his e pawn, and Black takes back with his g pawn. It is now clear that black isn't going to castle after all. Instead he has opened up the g file to activate his king's rook while at the same time attacking the white bishop. A very strong and efficient move!

17. Bf4 Rg8

Not many choices for White, he can of course retreat to, say, d2 but that's a dubious move. The idea is for that bishop to retreat to the kingside for defensive purposes. On the other hand, Black begins his offensive mission with his rook.

18. h3 e5
19. Bh2

White creates an escape square for his poor bishop. Black builds up on his domination of the central squares while attacking the white bishop. The latter retreats to h2. It makes sense to be near to his king since it's obvious that the attack is coming very quickly.

Now how should Black continue at this point? Can you guess Black's next move?