What must I do for joining the Fun?

[A_Bashkuev]

OK. Ugh-h-h... I don't recognize him. (His photo wasn't very common in former USSR. Hell... There wasn't photo publications of Keres until late 80's at all, & in this time it was very late for younger generation of Russian chessplayers!)
I think him as some predecessor of Karpov's era by his playing style & praise him as very good player. Extremely good player. I saw previously only couple of his photo (usually with wife), but really big stack of his parties. (I thought that he had more lean face, by the way.)
I'm sorry for him that there was intentional move from Soviet chess Federation to put him second in most crooked way. I'm not sure that he could win from Botvinnik in that cycle, but I'm flabbergashed that it was done by Smyslov. It seems that some foul play was here. Most simple reason is - Keres was Baltic by blood & don't try to hide his attitude to... you know what.
I think it was really chivalrous & gentlemanly attitude & he have got all consequences from it. (I often wonder that Smyslov win was "some sort of lesson" - be more cooperative & you'll win as well.)
My Estonian friends showed me House (or rather some suburban cottage) of Keres when I was in Tallinn. It was really common & ordinary cottage with some plain flowers brought by unknown persons to its gate. I thought in that time that Keres didn't lose that blasted tournament in any way. Some David simply can't win from some Goliath (& Soviet system was really big, mean & foul-playing Goliath indeed!), but can simply try to do something (& be slain for that). It is very sad story...
I appreciated that you chose Paul Keres (his comparison with Morphy (or Murphy?) is especially striking for me.)

By the way - you made to make my next move - I've just not got any other choice.

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 ...

With brgds, Alex

 

[Smash]

I am quite happy to play this move...I think

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5


Yes, it is true Keres was not the favorite son of Soviet chess.There have been others.Tal comes to mind.Tal was never one to tow the line but Keres tryed and was still denied.I do believe he was not "Russian" enough for the old guard of the day.And its a shame because he is one of the all time greats despite being "held back".Our biggest tournament in Vancouver was the last one Mr Keres played before he died(he won ).Its now known as The Keres Memorial

 

[A_Bashkuev]

Well, I begin to wonder about you origin as soon as you tell me about this is photo of Keres with "Keres Memorial" popped in my mind. You are Canadian - then this way of thinking was obvious. Then I find that you name your place as Vancouver & fall into shame - stupid me it was stated by you in first place! There is strange slip of my view or example of shortseeing. Never mind.
We liked to discuss some weird development of Soviet chess when I play this game & found very interesting data: after Smyslov won, there was Tal & Petrosyan - both from "national borders" of our country. It was supported very big talk about "international friendship" of Chess players & other stupid talks. FIDE as you know forbid practice of Match-revance in that time, because it became very weird thing - Russian" player is champ - he was overcomed by some "latvian" but can cope, then he is "overcome" by some "armenian" but want to cope again & all thought that he was better from the beginning.
I think it was some "sweetening of medicine" from Soviet Federation after Keres story, but it wasn't good enough & this practice was simply abandoned.
Chess is weird game - any success of "national" player in Soviet Union was created very strong feelings - Nationalistic by their origin. (Tal's won don't give rising of Latvian dissent, but gave real burst for Jewish emigration & Jackson-Venick amendment . )
Well, - big sport is always near big politics, isn't it?

OK. What about our play? Do I need some pawn in the centre, or I need sone safe haven for my King & pawn on flank? Um-m-m... I need central pawn - indeed.

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5
11. Nxe5 ..

With brgds, Alex.

 

[Smash]

Couldn't resist eh?..I'm starting to like my position now


1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5
11. Nxe5 Be6

 

[A_Bashkuev]

OK.

Try to surprise me, please...

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5
11. Nxe5 Be6
12. Bg4 ...

Pawn is pawn & it is cost my safe haven & else...
When you will exhaust yourself, open verticals on king flank will tell us some surprising story about your king's haven .

With brgds, Alex.

 

[Smash]

ah, but with careful analysis there can be no surprise.My position is coming to life

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5
11. Nxe5 Be6
12. Bg4 Bd6

 

[A_Bashkuev]

OK.

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5
11. Nxe5 Be6
12. Bg4 Bd6
13. Bxe6

 

[Smash]

1.f4 e5
2.d3 d6
3.e4 Nc6
4.Nc3 Nf6
5.Nf3 Be7
6.Be2 O-O
7.h3 Nd4
8. g3 c6
9. a3 Qb6
10. fxe5 dxe5
11. Nxe5 Be6
12. Bg4 Bd6
13. Bxe6 fxe6

 

[A_Bashkuev]

OK.

I suppose I must appraise you as winner. (This 2.d3 was really stupid move in correspondence game of some sort - I had really little chances after it . I must to outlive my Blitz customs in local athmosphere, mustn't I?
Take my chewing e5 pawn as some form of bad overreaction: it's not good choice: to be hacked in direct assault (as in our case), or to be strangled in some form of domination game...
Well, I hoped to stabilize & couldn't be in time for that - my white bishop was simply stucked in wrong flank & take me down. Alas...

Well can I have some revanche? If yes, pls make your move, if - no then - that is that.

With brgds, Alex.

 

[Smash]

Certainly.I'll start another thread

I would have fought on.But I am a stubborn fool sometimes