[Event ""] [White " ,Alexandra"] [Black " ,Walter"] [Site ""] [Round ""] [Annotator ""] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [Date "2023.01.05"] [PlyCount "53"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 {Excellent! This is the Scotch Game and and leads to a much more open game than Bc5 or Bb5 - which are both fine but lead to slower games} exd4 5. Nxd4 Nxd4 {There is a saying in chess "to take is a mistake" because it usually helps your opponent more than you. Here exchanging the knight on d4 develops the white Queen to a central square where it can't easily be challenged. Better is Bb4.} 6. Qxd4 d6 7. e5 {This leads to an interesting but equal position - which is fine as it suits Alexandra's style. Better, however, is either Bc4 or Bg5 , holding the thrust e5 back a few moves.} dxe5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Bc4 Bc5 {Walter goes for activity rather than rying to hold on to his extra pan with Ke8} 10. Bxf7 Bf5 {Great! Developing with a gain of time because of the attack on c2} 11. Nd5 Nxd5 ({remember "to take is often a mistake" - when there is a possible exchange of pieces it is usually better to let your opponent to start the exchsnges. Walter's move is not a blunder but ...} 11... Rf8 12. Nxf6 Rxf7 13. Nd5 Bxc2 {wins a pawn and black also has a threat against f2, better development and the two bishops.} )12. Bxd5 Bxc2 13. 0-0 {The right idea of bringing the rook into play but Bg5+ causes more problems} c6 {Excellent! Puttingthe question to the bishop which has few good squares while also creating a "luft" - a hideout for the king on c7} 14. Bf3 e4 {Great! Not only harrassing the bishop again but creating a strongpoint for the bishop on d3.} 15. Bg4 Rf8 {Great! Rooks belong on open files.} 16. Be3 Bxe3 17. fxe3 Rxf1+ {Once again "to take is often a mistake" and here it gives up the f-flle. 17...Kc7 connecting the rooks is much better} 18. Rxf1 Bd3 $2 {The first big mistake of the game. Ke7 preventing the white rook from entering down the file was necessary first.} 19. Rd1 $2 {Missing Rf8+ winning Walter's rook! Even if that wasn't the case the rook belongs on the 7th rank..} Kc7 20. Bf5 g6 21. Bg4 h5 22. Be6 Kd6 {Rf8 would be better taking over the f-file. Now Alexandra takes advantage of the pin on the d-file to equalise} 23. Bc4 $1 Kc5 24. Bxd3 exd3 25. Rxd3 Re8 26. Rd7 Rxe3 27. Rxb7 1/2-1/2