Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

ETCETERA / Chess

Susan Arkell
Saturday 01 August 1992 23:02 BST
Comments

ENGLAND'S top board in the Women's Chess Olympiad indulges in a little self-criticism over a drastic defeat.

White: Susan Arkell

Black: Erica Sziva

Of all my games at the Olympiad in Manila, my best was, unfortunately, this loss against a former Hungarian who now plays for the Netherlands. Her inspired combination gave me such a jolt that I went on to score 41 2 points from my next five games.

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4

This made-in-England attacking line had been bringing me good results against women and eastern Europeans. This time, my opponent was well prepared.

3 . . . g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bb5 Nd4 6. 0-0 a6

I had never met this move before. Usually Black takes the bishop or waits for it to retreat of its own accord.

7. Bd3 e6 8. e5?

I should have resisted the temptation to threaten Ne4 and Nd6. The right plan is 8. Nxd4 cxd4 9. Ne2 followed by b3 and Bb2.

8 . . . f5] 9. b3 d6] 10. exd6 b5]

Black's 6 . . . a6 is justified by this move. Both her bishops work effectively on the long diagonals.

11. Bb2 Qxd6 12. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 13. Kh1 Bb7 14. Qe2

With Black's firm grip on the centre, I should have been trying to equalise. Instead, I had dreams of sacrifices on b5 and was looking at 14 . . . Nf6 15. Bxb5+ axb5 16. Nxb5 Qc6 17. Bxd4 cxd4 18. Nxd4. I seemed to be overestimating my dynamic possibilities and ignoring the positional features of the game.

14 . . . Kf7] 15. Rae1 Nf6 16. a4 (diagram)

By now, I realised that I was a little worse, but had great hopes for this move. After 16 . . . b4 17. Nd1, White threatens c3, and 17 . . . Bxb2 18. Nxb2 brings the knight to a fine square on c4. Perhaps I was overestimating positional factors and missing some tactics. Chess is a difficult game.

16 . . . h5]] 17. axb5 h4]

Even now I did not realise what my opponent was up to. My only idea was that she planned to meet 18. bxa6 with Bc6, then play for h3, but I was sure I could defend.

18. bxa6 Nh5]]

Too late, I understood. And I'm sure I have seen this idea before. 19. axb7 Ng3+ 20. hxg3 hxg3+ leads to mate.

19. Ne4 Ng3+]

Refusing to be bought off by the offer of a knight.

20. Nxg3 hxg3 21. Bxd4

Of course 21. h3 Rxh3 is mate, as the g-pawn is pinned.

21 . . . Rxh2+ 22. Kg1 Qxd4+ White resigns.

Apart from other horrors, 23. Qe3 Rxg2+ 24. Kh1 Rh8 is mate.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in