Hello rooooktaker!

Indeed, you did play the opening like it was a blitz games. You lost precious time by moving the bishop around, with no real purpose.
It doesn't matter that you do not know opening theory, it is way more important t get a strong grip on opening principles. I see that you might be aware of them, but you do not respect them

Apart from that, your play is pretty solid, but you miss some basic tactics (20.Qxf7) and some tougher ones (15.Nde7 loses on the spot, as white played so you missed 17.d5 . Instead, Nce7 is way better so you must improve your calculation)

All in all, if I were you, I would improve my tactics and my calculation and also study a basic strategy book like "My System" by Nimzowitsch. It's not that you lack basic strategy knowledge, but just going over these pricniples with examples again you will dramatically improve your piece play!

Good Luck !

Hi Posedaru,

Great thread! Have loved reading your feedback and insight and think it's really cool you are helping out fellow poker-chess fans

My biggest area I need help in is in my Sicililian Defense (Najdorf). I do well in it with exception of when white decides to castle Queenside and storms my kingside castle with pawns and eventually lining up Queen & Rook on g file to go for kill. Here is a blitz game I just played on chess.com.

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=1356047405

Specific feedback on the game itself as well as overall theory/concept on stopping that attack from white would be really helpful and much appreciated



Thanks!

Lilu

Hello, Lilu!

I'm not an expert in Najdorf Sicilian, as I never played it, but I am pretty sure that the lines you are talking about are sidelines, because the main line is with kingside castling. There's a good reason why castling queenside is a sideline: because it's not so dangerous as it looks!

Just a tip : you could've played 8...Ng4 or 9...Ng4 to capture white's attacking DSB. Otherwise, 9...b5 is a good move, but better is 9....a5! as a5-a4 is a bigger threat than b5-b4.

Also, as a general strategic hint: Do not advance pawns on the side of the table where you are worse! Especially in front of your king when your opponent is attacking! That being said, 11...h6 is a big strategical mistake as it creates weaknesses in that area and also allows white the opportunity to open files (g file, h file) to attack the king.
As you can see, after 12.h4 your position is clearly worse. Wht you should do in this type of positions is : try to find ways to counterattack on the queenside or in the center. In this case, 12...b4 is the best move.

Although I can't deduce your playing strength from this game, I feel that you know pretty much about chess, so my final 2 tips for you:

1. Do not advance pawns on the side of the table where you are worse
2. Try to speed up your counterattack by generating serious threats (see 9...a5 instead of 9...b5)

Good Luck !