Sunday, December 14, 2008

When not to castle

My old pal Pete Atzerpay, the well-known private detective and strong amateur chessplayer, has been fairly inactive for several years now, but today he sent me this little tidbit. "Proving only," Pete notes, "when not to castle." Atzerpay, Peter - NN unrated blitz, 14.Dec.2008 BDG, Teichmann Defense 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3 c6 8.g4
atzerpay_nn_1 
Among BDG zealots this line is known as the Seidel-Hall Attack. The idea is that absent any idea, offer another pawn.
8...Qxd4 9.Be3 Qb4 10.0-0-0 e6 11.Rd4 Qa5 12.Ra4 Qc7 13.Bd3 Be7 14.g5 Nd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Rf1
atzerpay_nn_2 
16...0-0??
Okay, when not to castle. Black could have played 16...Rf8 and White would still be looking for an idea.
17.Bxh7+ Kxh7 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Rh4
I knew there must be some reason for running that rook up to the fourth rank.
19...f5 20.g6 1-0
atzerpay_nn_3