Wednesday, January 23, 2008

...And the childeren shall lead


Probably the worst classic Star trek episode was the one titled like this post. The premise was the Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed each other but the children play without care. At the club last night, I felt like I was beamed down to that colony as the pairings had me in the middle of the kid section.
No one noticed I was using one of Reassembler's neurobics and writing three moves right handed and three moves left handed. My score sheet wasn't any less legible mind you but it was interesting to note I was much slower left handed.
I played one of the older kids rated in the 1800s and had a really good game with him except when we were BOTH down to 5 seconds left on the clock my processor wasn't as fast. Beam me up Scotty. I was about as fortunate as a red shirted ensign getting beamed down with the away party for the first time.
Here's the game with comments.

8 comments:

Sir Nemo said...

You actually did really well! Very impressive. I'm sorry you had to get so short on time though, that's always a bummer.

Anonymous said...

I think black should not exchange pawns on d4. He gains nothing by it - opening up whites' e file is bad.

Of course, he is going to have to protect his c pawn in that case - I am not sure what the best way to do that is.

Andy B.

Anonymous said...

On move 23, how's Qh4 grab ya?

Polly said...

LOL You should come join me some time on a Friday evening when I'm playing in the top section of the WCA Action Quads. I'm group with 3 kids whose ages don't even add up to mine.

Kids are very agile and have much quicker reflexes. However there have been many times that I've sused time pressure to my adavantage when playing lower rated kids. It doesn't work with 1500+ rated kids though.

Anonymous said...

LEP: 23.Qh4 is defended by 23...h5, as given by my Palm HIARCS. HIARCS considers White's position better, however.

Polly: As a stereotype, I believe that kids' weaknesses are in the endgame or in quiet positions. This is all relative, of course. It depends on how a particular kid's coach covers the endgame and strategy.

BP: After 5...Qb6 I think you're OK with 6. Qb3. Your pawn on b2 isn't so vulnerable, because Black spent some moves developing his K-side. (But what do I know?) One move that struck me as passive was Bc2; but then when I stuck the position into the computer, it kept finding defensive resources for Black if I tried aggressive moves other than Bc2. (Again, what do I know?)
--Howard

BlunderProne said...

Nemo: Thanks for the support.

Andy, I agree that the dx by black did nothing to support his position.

LEP: Yeah Qh4 showed up on Fritz too. My brain was not working. My thinking was locked in on h7 and didn't want to lock the queen before teh rook. But in hindsight that would have been stronger... Nf3 also showed up on fritz.

Polly: Likewise if you ever come to tournaments in Massachusetts.

Howard, I've played positions with Qb6 facing Qb3 and typically have a better game. I don't fear that and am prepared for that line. I agree that Bc2 was TOO passive and gave up the pawn and allowed black to come in on the c-file.

Polly said...

Anon: I have beaten many kids because I've been able to get them down to ending where they haven't known what to do. My most successful tactic with kids is to be in severe time trouble and playing an ending. I've seen more kids try to blitz me and hang pawns all over the place, allowing me to queen. I can do K&Q mates in my sleep.

Blunder: My first year of chess was played all around Massachusetts. 1972 UMass Open was my first tournament. Probably my most infamous meltdown was in Watertown at the Joe Sparks Open in the Armenian Center. Chess in Massachusetts is near and dear to my heart. One of these days I'll make it back up there.

takchess said...

Perhaps the child had help from Friendly Angel.

Did they keep motioning with their fists?

Jim

(note: a star trek reference which may or may not be correct. )