playing chess on the web

Since my available time for study has become next to non-existent, my chess work has been primarily confined to the occasional online game. While I realize that much of the value of a playing chess as a way of learning diminishes when playing on the web, at least I have an opponent. I've concentrated on games via Playchess.com, since I am now convinced that the quality of opposition is higher than at other sites. There has been a slow and gradual increase in my rating there, now at 1549, which is near my peak rating of a few weeks ago. I need to get past some anxiety I have about playing others who are rated a fair amount higher than I am. I conquered that at Chesscube.com, so it can be done at Playchess, too.

I couple of nights ago I played one of the more intense games I've played online in a while. I was Black and got an inferior position out of a Morra Gambit Sicilian. I ended up having to sacrifice my queen for rook and knight just to stay in the game. We were playing at 15 minutes + 15 seconds per move, so the game lasted quite a while. I used up a lot of time defending myself as White intensified the pressure, but survived and got my king out of trouble. I've mentioned before how Yelena has urged me to fight, always to fight, and to make threats whenever possible. This was my strategy as the game progressed. I know that White missed a few clear wins (having seen them myself) and I was able to intimidate him into some inaccuracies, which became errors. My opponent overlooked a tactical threat that allowed me to win a piece for two pawns, so the "fight" became Queen and 4 pawns against Rook, Knight, Bishop, and three pawns.

I think that the maxim of "whenever possible, create a threat" was invaluable during this game. Even though my opponent had the all-powerful queen, he never really used its power to double attack. except to munch a couple of pawns during the middle game. I found various threats: using pins, possible discovered attacks on the Queen, and even a back rank mate to keep him off stride. At the end, I advanced my knight to the d4 square threatening one of his two queenside passed pawns. He defended the pawns, but overlooked the main threat: a forking check on f3. Even though I had less than 2 minutes left and he had almost 5, he resigned immediately - probably out of disgust with himself more than anything. Thus, my efforts garnered me a win when I would have been happy to eake out a draw.

I think about how in the past I would have "rolled over' and passively lost this kind of game. My mentality of "What's the use? I'm screwed now" would have undermined any reasonable attempts to hold the position. Granted, my opponent could have easily won the game, but he didn't - in part, I believe, because I made it difficult for him and maybe frustrated him. This attitudinal change is a huge tribute to good coaching and my willingess to try something different and new.