Dublin 2010

[Igor]

Now I want to share with you the most interesting moments from my games in Dublin. I also asked other players to do the same here.
My report you can read in our forum:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2354&start=0
In my site you can also find many photos:
http://home.arcor.de/checkers64/english/gallery.html
and the cross-tables of two great tournaments:
http://home.arcor.de/checkers64/english ... ments.html

John Webster – Igor Martynov
IO 2010 (Rd.9, G2)



14. 1-5?
Loses, escape is maybe possible after 14.1-6* - etc.

(Mac Banks sent me his remark:
Looks like the 1115 pitch right away will draw-Continue: 1115 1910 2-6 14-9 6-15 3026 7-11
9-5 3-8 2623 1116 2318 1519 1814 1923 2218 1619 3228 1317 1410 1722 1814 2225 2117 2530 10-6
1-10 14-7 8-11 1713 1116 7-3 3025 5-1 2024 3-8 2016 8-11 2326 3122 2518 1116 1823 13-9 2427
etc. Drawn)

14…. 22-18 15. 2-6 19-15 16. 6-9 15x8 17. 3x12 30-26 18. 12-16 26-23 19. 13-17
Now white wins with a nice manoeuvre.
19…. 18-15* 20. 9x27 21x14 21. 20-24 32x23 22. 16-20 23-19 23. 24-27 31x24 24. 20x27 19-16 – WW

Colin Young – Igor Martynov
QT 2010 (Rd.7, G2)



10. 14-18 30-25 11. 10-14
Easier 11. 1-6 27-24 12. 7-11 – etc.
11…. 27-24 12. 1-6?
Now it loses, escape was possible after :12. 14-17 21x14 13. 7-11 16x7 14. 3x17 26-23 15. 17x26 31x22 16. 18x27 32x23 17. 2-6 – etc.
12…. 16-11* 13. 7x16 20x11 14. 3-8 32-28 15. 6-9 24-19 16. 15x24 22x15 17. 2-6 28x19 18. 6-10 15x6 19. 8x24 25-22 – WW

Igor Martynov – Filip Kareta
IO 2010 (Rd.3, G1)



8…. 17-13?
Give the initiative to red. It needed: 8…. 25-22 9.18x25 29x22 10.6-9 17-13 11. 1-5 – etc.
9. 14-17* 23x14 10. 17-22 25x18 11. 15x22 27-23 12.10x17 21x14 13. 6-10 14-9 14. 10-14 32-27 15. 14-17 9-5 16. 22-26 31x22 17. 17x26 19-15 18. 11x18 23x14 19. 26-30 14-9 20.12-16 9-6 21. 1x10 5-1?
Mistake, White had to move first: 21…. 24-20 – etc.
22. 16-20 1-6?
Loses, White had to try: 22…. 24-19 – etc.
23. 2x9 13x6 24. 10-15 6-2 25. 7-11 2-6 26. 30-26?
Let out a technical win after: 26.11-16 – etc.
26…. 6-10 27. 15-18 24-19 28. 11-15 10-14 29. 15x31 14x30 – Draw
In our second game Filip used his chance:

Filip Kareta – Igor Martynov
QT 2010 (Rd.3, G2)



Red are better, white have to defend.
9…. 26-23 10. 16-19 23x16 11. 12x19 30-26 12. 3-8 27-23 13. 8-12 23x16 14. 12x19 31-27
14…. 32-27 – is stronger
15. 5-9 27-23 16. 19-24 28x19 17. 15x24 23-19?
I think that it is a solving error , maybe draw was possible after : 17…. 23-18 18. 10-14 18-15 19. 14-18 22-17 20. 18-22 26-23 – etc.
18. 9-14 19-16 19. 10-15 16-11 20. 24-28 11-8 21. 14-18 22-17 22. 15-19 17-14 23. 1-5 8-3 24. 18-23
White surrendered after some moves - RW.

Igor Martynov – John McElhone
IO 2010 (Rd.5, G2)



14. 11-15?
Solving error, red should choose 14. 3-7 19-15 - etc. with complications.
14…. 19x10 15. 6x15 25-21* 16. 17-22 23-18*
I did not notice such a nice manoeuvre
17. 15-19 18-15 18. 19-24 15-10 19. 3-8 9-6 20. 2x9 13x6 21. 8-11 6-2 22. 11-15 2-7 23. 15-19 30-26 24. 22-25 7-11 25. 25-30 11-15 26. 30x23 27x18 – WW

Bashim Durdyev – Igor Martynov
QT 2010 (Rd.6, G2)



11. 1-5
Red set a trap: 11…. 21-17? 12. 15-19 23x16 13. 9-14 – RW
Better: 11. 7-10 12. 18-14 9x18 19. 23x7 3x10 20. 21-17 15-18 – etc.
11…. 23-19 12. 15x24 18-14 13. 9x18 22x8 14. 3x12 32-28 15. 7-10?
Loses, red had to play : 15. 7-11 28x19 16. 11-16 – etc.
15…. 28x19 16. 2-7 25-22 17. 7-11 22-18 18. 11-16 27-23* 19. 20-24 21-17 20. 13x22 26x17 21. 24-27 31x24 22. 16-20 18-15 23. 20x27 15x6 24. 27-31 6-2?
When all job was done, suddenly there came a vision from Russian draughts to me, I really thought that on 25. 31-27 - I could win: 25…. 17-14? 26. 27x9 2x13?? - Russian King can jump so… Easy wins 24….. 17-14 – etc.
28. 31-27
– now I remembered the English rules, but it was too late and I had to agree with Draw

Igor Martynov – Thomas Wien
QT 2010 (Rd.1, G2)



10…. 27-24?
I was sure that red were good and started the calculations. To my dismay I could not find even a draw at first. For example: 12. 16-20 31-27 13. 11-16 18-15 14. 2-7? 22-18 15. 10-14 25-22 16. 7-10 29-25 – WW. Then I continued looking for the escape and found out the win(!): 14. 9-14* 22-18 15. 13-17* 18x9 16. 6x13 15x6 17. 2x9 21x14 18. 9x18 23x14 19. 16x30 – RW.
Red had to play here: 10…. 22-17 11. 13x22 26x17 12. 9-14 18x9 13. 5x14 25-22 14. 16-20 31-26 15. 11-15 19-16 – etc.
11. 16-20 31-27 12. 11-16 18-14 13.9x18 22x15 14. 13-17 – with an easy win – RW.

[Igor]

Now two games with comments of Shane McCosker (North Ireland) – the third best player of the World Qualifier 2010.

Black: Shane McCosker
White: Filip Kareta

11-15 22-18 15-22 25-18 9-13(A) 29-25 10-15(A) 18-11 8-15 24-19(B) 15-24 28-19 4-8 25-22 8-11 27-24 6-10 24-20 2-6 23-18 5-9 31-27(C) 10-15 19-10 6-15 32-28(D) 1-5(E) 27-24 7-10 24-19 15-24 28-19 9-14 18-9 5-14 21-17* 14-21 22-18! Draw

(A) A Secondary attack from the more usual 8-11 & 12-16 counterparts.
(B) 25-22 4-8 23-18 8-11 27-23 & 5-9 transposes into a CR Wagram.
(C) Now into one of Richard Pasks key landings the text move was taken in the Moiseyev V King 2003 WCM and may be slightly better than the more usual 26-23.
(D) 27-23 is the usual draw line here but my opponent finds another way to play this position.
(E) Red also has the unusual sacrifice in 12-16 cont: 27-24 7-10 26-23 10-14! 24-19 15-24 28-12 1-6 30-26 6-10 20-16 11-20 18-15 10-19 23-16 20-24 16-11 24-27 11-8 27-32 8-4 32-28 4-8 28-24 26-23 24-27 22-18 to a probable Draw

Black: Tom Watson
White: Shane McCosker

11-15 24-20 12-16 20-11 7-16 22-17 9-14(A) 25-22 16-20 23-19 15-24 28-19 8-11(B) 19-16 11-15 17-13 15-19 26-23 19-26 30-23 4-8 29-25 5-9 22-17 10-15(C) 17-10 15-19 16-11 8-15 23-16 15-19 10-7 2-11 16-7 3-10(D) 25-22 10-15(E) 21-17 19-24 27-23 24-27 31-24 20-27 23-18 27-31 18-11 31-26 11-8 26-30 8-3 30-25 3-8 25-18 17-14 18-15 14-5 6-10 32-28 10-14 28-24 14-17 24-20 17-22 20-16(F) 22-25(G) 8-3 15-10 13-9 10-14 3-7 White Win.

(A)8-11 is a great alternative here inviting the 17-14 dyke.
(B) 5-9 is given by Willie Ryan in his big league checkers to draw but recent improvements in published play would suggest that this move should be avoided for further play on this move see Wyllie Pro V A.Moiseyev or T.Canning V M.Banks.
(C) Red has a much simpler way here with 2-7 cont: 32-28 8-11 25-22 11-15 23-19 15-24 28-19 and the 10-15 exchange will draw
(D) After this series of exchanges white can force the win from here on.
(E) 9-14 22-18 14-23 27-18 1-5 21-17 5-9 & 31-27 WW
(F) This move allows a draw as red can advance his king to square 2 preventing white from ever crowning a third king.
(G) White can now force a win after this move

[Igor]

Now comments of Filip Kareta (Czech republic) who was the 4th in the Irish Open. As you can see, he also commented the games with me and Shane, just as we had done before. I found that it is very interesting to watch the games from both sides.

Kareta,F - Martynov,I
Irish Open 2010, 24.10.2010

1.11-15 23-18 2.09-14 18:11
In the first game, I jumped 18-9, so Igor wanted to play something different. I think he underestimated me a little bit. Diagram 1 after 18-11.


Diagram 1

3.08:15 22-17 4.04-08 25-22 5.08-11 17-13
Igor wanted to encircle me, but I had a possibility of making a strong dyke on my left wing.
6.11-16 24-20
24-19 with the jump on 11 was probably better at this point. Diagram 2 after 24-20.


Diagram 2

7.14-18
After the game, Igor said that he did not expect this move at all. I think it is stonger than 16-19.
20:11 8.18:25 29:22 9.07:16 26-23 10.16-19 23:16 11.12:19 30-26 12.03-08 27-23 13.08-12 23:16 14.12:19 31-27
Diagram 3. 31-27 probably looses, 32-27 draws.
[ 14...32-27 could draw. 15.02-07 27-24 16.05-09 31-27 17.10-14 27-23 18.01-05 23:16 19.14-17 21:14 20.09:25 ]


Diagram 3

15.05-09 27-23 16.19-24 28:19 17.15:24 23-19 18.09-14 19-16 19.10-15 16-11 20.24-28
And Igor did not expect this move too. 14-18, 32-28 draws.
11-08 21.14-18
Diagram 4. White is lost now.


Diagram 4

22-17 22.15-19 17-14 23.01-05 08-03 24.18-23 14-10 25.06:15 26-22 26.23-26 03-08 27.19-23 08-11 28.15-19 11-16 29.19-24 16-20 30.24-27 20-24 31.27-31
A cooperation of black pieces.
22-18 32.26-30 13-09 33.05:14 18:09 34.30-26 21-17 35.26-22 17-13 36.22-18 09-05 37.23-26 05-01 38.26-30 01-05 39.30-26 05-01 40.18-14 01-05 41.02-06 05-01 42.06-10 01-05 43.10-15
I wanted to put pieces on 14,18,23, make an exchange and get into kingsrow.
24-20
This move made the position much more simple for me.
44.31-27 32:23 45.26:19
4 against 4. White resigns. 1-0

Kareta,F - Hannigan,M
Irish Open 2010, 24.10.2010

1.12-16 21-17 2.09-13 24-20 3.08-12 23-18 4.03-08
I like this formation, which is also used for example in Alma opening. Diagram 1.


Diagram 1

28-24 5.16-19 24:15 6.10:19 18-15 7.11:18 22:15 8.13:22 25:18 9.07-10 26-22 10.10-14 18:09 11.05:14 22-18 12.14:23 27:18 13.19-23
This move was really good. See diagram 2.


Diagram 2

30-25
[ 13...18-14 Should draw. 2-6 or 6-10 give some chances to black, but I think it does not win.
14.06-10 15:06 15.01:10 32-28 16.02-06 25-22 17.06-09 28-24 18.10-15
9-13 ? leaves the pressure and leads into draw.
18:11 19.08:15 22-17 20.23-27 17-13 21.09-14 31-26 22.27-32 26-23 23.32-28 23-19 24.15-18 13-09 25.18-23 09-06 26.23-26 06-02 27.26-31 02-07 28.31-27 07-10 29.14-17 10-14 30.17-22 14-18 31.22-26 18-15 32.26-30 15-11 33.27-31?
My biggest weakness were the endings. I could win this game, but I did not see how to do it. Diagram 3 after 27-31.
[ 33.30-26 wins 11-07 34.26-23 07-10 35.23:16 20:11 36.27:20 ]


Diagram 3

33...11-15 34.31-26 15-11 35.30-25 29:22 36.26:17 11-15 37.17-14 20-16 38.14-09 24-20 39.09-06 16-11 40.06-02 15-18 41.28-24 18-15 draw ½-½

McCosker,S - Kareta,F
Irish Open 2010, 25.10.2010

1.11-15 22-18
How lucky was I ! Single corner opening gave me good chances to draw with experienced Shane.
2.15:22 25:18 3.09-13 29-25 4.10-15 18:11 5.08:15
This is the first time I played this variant. Diagram 1 shows the position after the jump.


Diagram 1

24-19 6.15:24 28:19 7.04-08 25-22 8.08-11
22-18 was also possible and maybe easier for white.
27-24 9.06-10 24-20 10.02-06 23-18
See diagram 2 after 23-18. Another possibilities were 19-16, but it is weak and 32-28, which leads into an even game.
[ 10...32-28 See T. Laverty - B. Lucas game from 2001 USA - UK match ]


Diagram 2

11.05-09 31-27 12.10-15 19:10 13.06:15
[ 13.07:23 This position colours reversed was played between A. Moiseyev and R.King in 2003 during their WC match and is part of Sixth book. ]
13...32-28 14.01-05 27-24 15.07-10 24-19 16.15:24 28:19 17.09-14 18:09 18.05:14 21-17
I had to sacrifice a man, the other moves are loosing.
19.14:21 22-18 Draws. ½-½

Kareta,F - Oliphant,D
Irish Open 2010, 26.10.2010

This game was played in the last round of Irish Open. I wanted to be in TOP 5, so I had to win.
1.10-14 23-19 2.14-18 22:15 3.11:18 25-22 4.18:25 29:22 5.08-11 27-23 6.06-10 22-18 7.04-08 26-22 8.02-06
Shane McCoscer played a similar formation against me (see the previous game) and I think it is quite sound here. 9-14 instead goes into a peaceful draw. Diagram 1.


Diagram 1

31-26
[ 8...24-20 9.09-13 32-27 10.06-09 27-24 This line was much better for white than the line after 31-26. ]
9.09-13 24-20 10.06-09 28-24 11.09-14 18:09 12.05:14 32-28 13.11-15
Black controls the centre.
30-25 14.01-06 20-16 15.13-17
8-11 gives some chances to white, but this defeats his army immediately. Diagram 2 after 13-17.


Diagram 2

22:13 16.15-18 1-0

[Igor]

Now the games with comments of Michael Shabshai (Israel)– the third best player of the Irish Open 2010.

M. Borghetti – M. Shabshai


White move
At first the position looks simple and does not represent any interest. Inthe calculations white were going to play 27-23, but refused because of the unwillingness to give a chance to the opponent of exchanging 3 to 3: 13-17 and 6-9 - etc. The game continued:
28-24 6-10 30-25?
And loses! It was necessary to play: 22-17 13-22 26-17 - etc.
10-17 25-21 2-6 21-14 6-9 22-18 13-17 26-22 17-26 31-22 8-11
In this position white realised that the situation was critical, and the only chance to continue the struggle – offering a man for the purpose of making a king.
24-19 7-10 14-7 3-10 32-28 4-8 27-24 10-14 24-20 22-18
does not escape, if 19-16, then 11-15 16-12 8-11 22-17 9-13 17-14 15-18 12-8 11-15 8-3 18-22 3-7 15-18, - etc.
9-14 18-9 5-14 19-16 11-15 16-12 8-11 12-8 15-19 8-3 23-27!
(if 23-26? - draw.)
3-7 11-15 7-11 14-18 11-16 19-23 28-24 27-32 16-19 32-28 19-10 28-19 10-14 19-15 20-16 18-22 16-12 22-26 - RW.
Evident demonstration of deepest theoretical knowledge and the high realisation techniques from the new challenger of the World title, Michele Borghetti!

R. Tovagliaro – M. Shabshai


Red move

White has a winning position, but it is important to find the accurate plan in a short time. In the expectation of red - 25-29 white thought between two possibilities:
1st: 25-29 28-24 29-25 24-19 25-22 17-26 23-30 19-12 - etc.
2-nd: 25-29 28-24 29-25 17-22 23-26 22-15 26-30 15-18 – etc.
All of the sudden it followed:
18-22?
Red gives three (!) peaces at once!
27-18 - ???
Terribly, but from the unexpected last move white impulsively took a man 27. Touched and go! «Dura lex, sed lex» - «the law is severe, but it is the law» - as ancient Romans spoke, ancestors of Roberto Tovagliaro. It was necessary to go. Furthermore:
25-30 17-26 30-14,
And later red realised the advantage and won. So my crystal dreams of the big victories and medals in the tournament were broken.

Bashim Durdyev – M. Shabshai

10-14 24-20 14-18 22-15 11-18 23-14 9-18 21-17 8-11 28-24 11-15 17-14 4-8 26-23 8-11?
It loses, look the next diagram



Red falls into the placed web of traps. Instead of 8-11 it was necessary to play 6-10 25-21 10-17 21-14 1-6 – etc.
30-26!
Red noticed too late that on 6-10 follows 23-19! 10-17 19-10 7-14 26-22 17-26 31-8 – with big chance for a win.
6-9 26-22 11-16 20-11 7-16 23-19! 16-23 25-21 18-25 27-11 9-18 29-15 12-16 31-26 16-20 26-22 20-27 32-23,
And further white realised the material overweight.

I invite all other players to join this topic. It will be our general contribution to development of Checkers.

[Ingo_Zachos]

Dear Igor,

before I start with analytical comments, there is a mistake I spotted:

Surely the game Martynov-McElhone ended in a White win, not a Red win.
Typo

And Martynov - Kareta games are probably from the IO, not the QT.
Typo

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analytical remarks:

1. Webster- Martynov, IO 2010 (Rd.9, G2):

A)I think the position is already quite bad for red.
I think that 14. 1-6 might lose as well, and think that 14.11-15 19x10, 15.2-6 migth be better, but still worse for red.

B)Note that 14.1-5 is not a mistake, as after 14. ... 22-18 red may play 15. 13-17! with the idea of 15. ... 30-26??, 16. 11-15! and red might even win!!
But not so fast, as 15. ... 31-27!, 16.17-22 21-17, 17. 11-15! might give red a narrow escape, but at least the chance to ask for a long, technical difficut , but more likely still lost endgame.

2. C.Young - Martynov, QT (Rd.7, G2):
Note that your 12. ... 16-11 corrects an old Bryden-Searight game from the Scottish Ty. 1894, which ended drawn after 12. ... 31-27, 13. 7-11 etc.

3. Martynov-Kareta QT (Rd. 3, G1)

you wrote that 22. ... 1-6? loses, but your 22. ... 24-19 is not the right way, as 23.30-26! 1-5, 24. 26-22 5-9, 25. 22-18 9-5, 26. 10-15! still wins.

Best idea in my opinion is 22. ... 1-5!, but after 23.30-26 29-25 (denying the square 22) red is still very strong, might be even winning, but technical difficulties are still to solve.

4. Martynov-Wien, QT (Rd. 1, G2):

Note that this is a known theoretical position from Kear's encyclopedia, p. 422, v.12
The correct 10. ... 22-17 to draw is given there.
Monteiro - Rolander, US nationals 1980 is a further reference for that line.
Note that 10. ... 19-15? has been tried in Binsack - McRae, 1929 US nationals, Cedar Point, but lead to a dead loss.

5. Kareta - Martynov, Irish Open 2010, 24.10.2010:

5. ... 17-13 is indeed bad, and theory gives 5 ... 26-23 and 5. ... 24-20 to draw, but red is better in this line anyway.
Note , as Grover pointed out ("Let's Play Checkers"), the take 2. ... 18x11 must be followed up by 22-18 to secure an equal game.
I remember that the late Richard Fortman played the 3. ... 22-17 online on IYT against me for fun, and lost as well.
He later remarked to me that it might be close to a loss after the game, and certainly 3. ... 22-18 is stronger.

6. Kareta - Hannigan, Irish Open 2010, 24.10.2010:

Filip is right that 13. ... 18-14 draws.
It was played in a Hallett - Oldbury game in 1985 to a draw.
13. ... 30-25 is inferior and loses indeed.
But it's not 33. 27-31 giving away the win, but maybe 37. 17-22 20-16, 38. 22-26 15-18, 39. 28-32 18-15, 40.26-23 24-20, 41. 32-27 15-10, 42. 24-24 10-15, 43. 4-8 wins, even after the unnecessary exchange of the man on 29.

There is a rule in endgames for chess Filip:
take your time to exchange, make a few manouvers before, just to see if he makes a mistake, and to clariy who is the dominating force, and let the fish on the hook as long as possible, so the man on 29 did not have to be released from his prison that early

7. Kareta - Oliphant, Irish Open 2010, 26.10.2010:

Actually 7.4-8 seems to be new, 7. 9-14 has been played before, and after that your remarks are quite true.
8. ... 24-20 is indeed better.

8. M.Borghetti - M.Shabshai

The move 9. ... 30-25?
was also played before by Battersby against Henderson, Scottish Ty 1901, and Henderson went on to win,
see Dunne's "Modern Match Games".
It pays off to know the classics, and Michele knew.

[johnmcelhone]

[pdn][Event "Irish Open RD1 Game2"]
[Date "2010"]
[Black "Tom Kee"]
[White "John McElhone"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 11-15 23-18 2. 15-19 24x15 3. 10x19 22-17 4. 12-16 25-22 5. 8-12 18-15 6. 7-10 22-18 7.
9-14 18x9 8. 5x14 17-13 9. 4-8 29-25 10. 3-7 28-24 11. 19x28 25-22 12. 10x19 13-9 13. 6x13
22-17 14. 13x22 26x3 15. 1-6 21-17 16. 6-9 17-13 17. 9-14 13-9 18. 19-23 27x18 19. 14x23
31-27 20. 23-26 30x23 21. 8-11 23-18 22. 16-20 3-8 23. 11-16 8-11 24. 16-19 11-7 25. 2x11
27-24 26. 20x27 32x7 0-1[/pdn]


[Event "Irish Open RD1 Game2"]
[Date "2010"]
[Black "Tom Kee"]
[White "John McElhone"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 11-15 23-18 2. 15-19(Tough opener for Red, I had never played this before) 24x15 3. 10x19 22-17(varying from the powerful 27-24 played by Tom in game 1) 4. 12-16 25-22 5. 8-12 18-15 6. 7-10 22-18 7.
9-14 18x9 8. 5x14 17-13(I felt strong after getting control of this square) 9. 4-8 29-25 10. 3-7(losses 14-18 21-17 18-23 27x18 19-23 26x19 16x23 31-27 should draw) 28-24(I gave this shot a long look over before eventually playing it, with piece on 21 having freedom I felt this was a WW)11. 19x28 25-22 12. 10x19 13-9 13. 6x13
22-17 14. 13x22 26x3 15. 1-6 21-17 16. 6-9 17-13 17. 9-14 13-9 18. 19-23 27x18 19. 14x23
31-27 20. 23-26 30x23 21. 8-11 23-18 22. 16-20 3-8 23. 11-16 8-11 24. 16-19 11-7 25. 2x11
27-24 26. 20x27 32x7 0-1

[johnmcelhone]

[pdn][Event "Irish Open RD9 Game 2"]
[Black "John McElhone"]
[White "Michael Shabshai"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-16 22-17 2. 16-20 17-14 3. 9x18 23x14 4. 10x17 21x14 5. 8-11 25-22 6. 11-15 29-25 7.
4-8 26-23 8. 8-11 23-19 9. 11-16 19x10 10. 6x15 22-17 11. 15-18 31-26 12. 1-6 26-22 13.
18-23 27x18 14. 20x27 32x23 15. 16-19 23x16 16. 12x19 30-26 17. 7-11 14-10 18. 6x15 25-21
19. 2-7 18-14 20. 11-16 14-10 21. 7x14 17x10 22. 3-8 10-6 23. 8-12 6-2 24. 15-18 22x15 25.
19-24 28x19 26. 16x30 1/2-1/2[/pdn]


[Event "Irish Open RD9 Game 2"]
[Black "John McElhone"]
[White "Michael Shabshai"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 11-16 22-17 2. 16-20 17-14(I would have preferred pioneer lines instead of the cut up. I lost this line to Shane McCosker at Stonehaven last year) 3. 9x18 23x14 4. 10x17 21x14 5. 8-11 25-22 6. 11-15 29-25 7.
4-8 26-23 8. 8-11 23-19 (Not what I was expecting but a great move by Michael I used up a lot of time trying to find a solution) 9. 11-16 19x10
10. 6x15 22-17 11. 15-18 31-26 12. 1-6 26-22(Ron King told me afterwards that 26-23 was a much stronger move for white)13. 18-23 (no choice but to pitch and play a piece down) 27x18 14. 20x27 32x23 15. 16-19 23x16 16. 12x19 30-26 17. 7-11 14-10 18. 6x15 25-21(losses!! Michael was in time trouble) 19. 2-7 (gives back the draw, 3-8 is the correct winning move. I had 2mins on my clock and lots more moves to make!) 18-14 20. 11-16 14-10 21. 7x14 17x10 22. 3-8 10-6 23. 8-12 6-2 24. 15-18 22x15 25. 19-24 28x19 26. 16x30 1/2-1/2

I was very happy with two draws against Michael , he is a very talented player.

[Ingo_Zachos]

Dear John,

thx for your very god idea to publish the game animated.
Also thx for your fine blog.
It is appreciated by many checker friends.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for the game:

Kee, T. - McElhone, J., Irish Open 2010 (Rd. 1, G2):

A) Opening theory:
5. ... 18-15 is new, as 5. ... 17-13 had been played before.
18-15 is indeed a advance that is also essential in the 3. ... 27-24 line you mentioned.

After 6.7-10 you could have got back to games like MacCarrick, C. - Devlin, H., British Open 1986 ( a later white win) and McCarty, J. - Glennie, D., Home Internationals 1988 (a later red win)

your 6. ... 22-18 might be new play, and now there are many complicated lines like 7. 19-23 , but not 7. 9-14 , as in the game, after 8. ... 17-13 I also think white is strong, perhaps already winning.

As your suggestion 10.14-18 runs into the powerful 10. ... 13-9!, 11.6x13 15x6, 12.1x10 27-23!, 13.18x27 31x6, 14. 2x9, and as white is dominating in the centre and can advance to the kingsrow due to his minority on his "left wing", while red is blockaded on his majority wing (left wing) by the dominating white centre. I suggest it is a white win.

So if there is no improvement (note that 9.14-18 also runs into the 9. ... 13-9! idea.), I assume that 7.9-14 is the losing move, and 7.19-23 might be better.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B) Midgame:

10. ... 28-24! is indeed a very fine and strong idea.
Good positional judgement on your side to see that you would win on your left wing!
And this is how calculation and positional judgement should work:

Calculate to a promising postion, and then either find the shot or the winning "plan", as the concrete moves can be traced later, once you reach that position.
Many games have been lost by trying to "push further" with calculations, but note that deep time trouble is the dead of the perfectionist.
Only make sure that your judgement is correct!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C) Endgame:
Well, until the end when 3 vs. 2 is reached, there has been no endgame, but rather a transitorial phase that seems impressively easy, as you had the right plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Summary:
A very fine game, with a fine positional sacrifice being the icing on the cake.


Greetinx from Dortmund, Germany

Ingo Zachos

[johnmcelhone]

[pdn][Event "Irish Open 2010"]
[Date "2010"]
[Black "Ron King"]
[White "John McElhone"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 10-14 24-19 2. 11-16 22-18
3. 8-11 26-22 4. 7-10
22-17 5. 4-8 30-26 6. 9-13 18x9 7.
13x22 25x18 8. 5x14 18x9 9. 6x13 28-24 10. 16-20 32-28 11. 11-15
29-25 12. 2-7 25-22 13. 8-11 23-18 14.
11-16 18x2 15. 16x30 22-18 16. 30-25 24-19 17. 25-22
2-7
18. 22x24 7x14 19. 13-17 28x19 20. 17-22
14-18 21. 22-25 18-22 22. 25-30 27-24
23. 20x27 31x24 24. 3-7
21-17 25. 7-10
17-13 26. 1-5 1/2-1/2[/pdn]




[Event "Irish Open 2010"]
[Date "2010"]
[Black "Ron King"]
[White "John McElhone"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
1. 10-14 24-19 2. 11-16 22-18
{I wanted standard line against Ron, 28-24 is very powerful} 3. 8-11 26-22 4. 7-10
22-17 5. 4-8 {Delighted with this move, now red is limited } 30-26 6. 9-13 18x9 7.
13x22 25x18 8. 5x14 18x9 9. 6x13 28-24 10. 16-20 32-28 11. 11-15
{Page 112 Kears Var 22, a popular landing} 29-25 12. 2-7 25-22 13. 8-11 23-18 14.
11-16 18x2 15. 16x30 22-18 16. 30-25 {This move is weak, 12-16 is PP} 24-19 17. 25-22
{Red has to play this as piece on 10 is threatened} 2-7
{Ron expected 2-6 which is probably stronger} 18. 22x24 7x14 19. 13-17 28x19 20. 17-22
14-18 21. 22-25 18-22 22. 25-30 27-24
{I thought white was strong but could not see clear win} 23. 20x27 31x24 24. 3-7
{This is the type of position that divides GM's from wannabes! I have no doubt Ron would have won this with white. } 21-17 {WRONG only draws..........24-20 7-10 22-25* 1-5 25-22 5-9 25-22* WW a simple tactic but one I couldnt find } 25. 7-10
17-13 26. 1-5 {agreed the draw} 1/2-1/2

[Danny_Alvarez]

Great idea for a thread and i have loved reading the analysis and comments provided.
How do you insert the animated game? i loved it and i thought it was very instructional, whats the name of the program etc.

regards
D. Alvarez

[Michael Holmes]

Although my drawn games are more interesting than my 4 wins I thought I would post the four wins.


[Event "2010 WQT 10-15 23-18 9-14"]
[Date ""]
[Black "Jim Morrison"]
[White "Michael Holmes"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 10-15 23-18 2. 9-14 18x9 3. 5x14 22-17 4. 7-10 25-22 5. 11-16 24-19 6. 15x24 28x19 7.
16x23 27x9 8. 6x13 17-14 9. 10x17 21x14 10. 8-11 22-18 11. 12-16 29-25 12. 4-8 26-23 13.
3-7 14-10 14. 7x14 18x9 15. 11-15 25-22 16. 8-11 9-5 17. 2-7 30-26 18. 7-10 22-17 19. 13x22
26x17 20. 16-20 31-26 21. 11-16 32-28 22. 1-6 26-22 23. 6-9 23-18 24. 15-19 5-1 25. 9-13
18-15 26. 19-23 15x6 27. 23-26 17-14 0-1


[Event "2010 WQT 10-15 22-18 15-22"]
[Date ""]
[Black "Michael Holmes"]
[White "Colin Young"]
[Result "1-0"]
1. 10-15 22-18 2. 15x22 25x18 3. 11-15 18x11 4. 8x15 29-25 5. 6-10 25-22 6. 1-6 22-17 7.
4-8 24-19 8. 15x24 28x19 9. 8-11 17-13 10. 11-15 32-28 11. 15x24 28x19 12. 9-14 26-22 13.
14-17 21x14 14. 10x26 31x22 15. 7-11 27-24 16. 3-7 24-20 17. 6-10 30-26 18. 11-15 19-16
19. 12x19 23x16 20. 10-14 16-12 21. 14-18 22-17 22. 7-10 12-8 23. 15-19 8-3 24. 18-22
20-16 25. 22x31 16-11 26. 19-23 1-0

[Event "2010 WQT 11-16 22-18 16-19"]
[Date ""]
[Black "Bagtiyar Durdyev"]
[White "Michael Holmes"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 11-16 22-18 2. 16-19 24x15 3. 10x19 23x16 4. 12x19 21-17 5. 7-10 17-14 6. 10x17 27-24
7. 19-23 26x19 8. 8-11 31-26 9. 4-8 25-22 10. 17-21 29-25 11. 9-14 18x9 12. 5x14 26-23 13.
6-10 22-17 14. 11-15 25-22 15. 8-11 24-20 16. 15x24 28x19 17. 11-15 32-28 18. 15x24 28x19
19. 3-7 19-15 20. 10x26 17x3 21. 26-31 3-8 22. 31-27 {loses. 1-6 draws.} 8-11 23. 27-23
20-16 24. 23-19 16-12 25. 1-6 11-16 26. 19-23 12-8 27. 6-10 16-11 28. 10-14 11-16
{Allows a draw. 22-17 and trading off the king wins easily} 29. 2-6 16-11 30. 23-19
22-17 31. 14-18 17-14 {And although this is a draw Bagtiyar resigned!} 0-1

[Event "2010 WQT 10-14 24-20 14-18"]
[Date ""]
[Black "Bashim Durdyev"]
[White "Michael Holmes"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. 10-14 24-20 2. 14-18 23x14 3. 9x18 22x15 4. 11x18 21-17 5. 5-9 0-1