Academy news + random thought and info.

Sunday training games

We had a small group this Sunday but a dedicated one. The topic was how to use a database, enter, analyse and annotate your games. The first one to finish was between  top Gold Coast junior, Martin Jack and a talented new arrival from New Zealand, Derek Zhong.


[Event "Elite squad training game"]
[Site "DCA"]
[Date "2012.06.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Jack, Martin"]
[Black "Zhong, Derek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "1643"]
[BlackElo "928"]
[ECO "B08g"]
[EventDate "2012.06.17"]

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bc4 O-O 6.h3 {a serious error
allowing black to gain the advantage immediately with 6...Ne4} 6...b6
$2 {missing the obvious} 7.O-O Ba6 $2 {7...Bb7 needed to be played,
Black needs his white squared bishop to defend his white squares.} 8.
Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Qe2 Nb8 10.Be3 {maybe Bg5(engine) would have been more
incisive} 10...Nbd7 $2 {10...e6 is much better to avoid what follows}
11.Rfd1 $2 {11.e5 immediately is better. Now black can play 11...e6}
11...Qc8 12.e5 $6 dxe5 $6 {better is 12...Ne8 without opening the d
file } 13.dxe5 Nh5 $4 {Losing a whole piece. After 13...Ne8 white is
better but nothing tragic has happened yet. Black sacrificed
deliberately hoping to weaken the white King's position.} 14.g4 Nxe5
15.Nxe5 Bxe5 $1 16.Nd5 $1 {a nice "zwischenzug" , meaning in-between
move. Activating another piece with a threat that must be met} 16...
Re8 $1 17.gxh5 Qxh3 18.Bf4 e6 $6 {Better was 18...Bf4 when black has
some compensation} 19.Ne7+ Rxe7 20.Bxe5 gxh5 $4 {20...Qf5 intending
f6 and e5 allows black to remain in the game.} 21.Qe4 $4 {21.Rd3
mates or wins the Queen} 21...Qg4+ 22.Qxg4+ hxg4 23.Bf6 Ree8 24.Kg2
$2 {allowing 24...e5} 24...h5 25.Rd7 {The rest should be technique}
25...c5 26.Rh1 Kh7 27.Bc3 Kg6 28.Rhd1 a5 29.a4 Rab8 30.Be5 Rbc8 31.
Bc7 Kf6 32.Bxb6 Re7 1-0


The game replayer didn't handle the annotated pgn and it looks like the Blog is not handling it either. Oh well, I'll edit it later.

The second game was between regulars Tony Zhong (no relation) and Tom Slater-Jones. These two have built up quite a rivalry and have played each other often recently. Tom won this see-sawing game in the ending. As usual it went down to the wire so we did not have the time to annotate it.

Alexander Zhong?

Someone pointed out to me that a lot of good Chessplayers are called Alexander. A few examples would be Alekhine, Morozevitch, Grishchuk Shirov etc. I have noticed that a lot of strong juniors are named Zhong. So I just checked if FIDE had an Alexander Zhong. Not yet. The combination should yield a super-strong Chess player :-)

Academy news

We are still experiencing some technical difficulties with the website and telephone system, meanwhile brochures with both advertised have gone out. Ooops, slightly embarrassing. If you are here via www.doubleroo.com.au , I profusely apologise for the delay and wish to assure you that our knowledge of Chess exceeds our technical abilities. If you wish to make an enquiry or a booking please send me a text on my mobile ( 0415 679290 ) or send an email to alexwohl@gmail.com.

Gold Coast Open 

Starts this Friday (or Saturday U1600+U1000). Info here. I will play my first tournament for many months so we will see how rusty I am. I have been to the venue (Emmanuel College) a few times and can reassure you that it is excellent. The tournament itself will be very strong and well organised. If you are a Chess player this event is not to be missed.

Have a nice day :-)