Virtual Kasparov (GBA) - Russia Run, Part 1 of 2

This is my first attempt at a run of Russia in the Game Boy Advance game "Virtual Kasparov". This is the first part of a 2-part video.

Here's a rundown of the game details:

Game #1
------------
A pretty normal Alekhine Exchange unfolds in this exciting game. I consider this game to be exciting since this is the first time in the game that I haven't just been handed a piece (or the Queen, no less) within the first 10 moves. Unfortunately, the move ...Na8 was a horrific blunder, but I was about to kick that Knight into a corner with a4-a5, anyways.

Game #2
-------------
Not knowing what to expect, I open with the Modern defense... and promptly get handed a piece. A move of particular interest is the gambit ...d5!, which removes the e4-pawn from covering d5/f5, puts a White piece in front of the White d-pawn, and opens the c-file by force. My development is natural after that gambit, since every piece must make haste to make it to the queenside. Also, it's important to note that natural development is much easier to play in a short time control than complex "wood-pushing". Even if White had not hung its Queen following ...Nd5, Black's activity would've been incredible.

Game #3
-------------
Another Modern unfolds. When I play ...e5, the position takes on the characteristics of an Averbakh, except that White hasn't had the chance to play d4 or d5 yet. At this point, I would actually love for White to play d4, since I could take and play ...f5 to open the center following my King's timely escape to the kingside. None of this matters, though, since my opponent hung a Knight on e5 for no reason. I should have played ...Nc4 instead of ...Nf3+, but that's a moot point as well. Could've mated a move earler. Moving on.

Game #4
-------------
Through transposition, the opening goes from the ...e6 family of Sicilians into the old way of playing the French KIA (Qe2! is preferred to Nbd2 at the point which I play it in the game). Obviously, Nb1-d2-b1-d2 (as in the game) was a time waster, but the development was too slow for Black to take advantage of it. Also of note was c4!, prying open the light-squared diagonal and freeing e4 for my Bishop. The two Bishops can be so menacing! Oh, and Rxh4 should've been completely natural for anyone, given that the followup g5! puts the clamp on the kingside and opens the way to h5 for the Queen. The exchange was a small (insignificant) price. Oh, and finally (yes, very interesting game!), the g-pawn got to clear the way for both colors of diagonal in the moves g5! and g6!.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• virtual kasparov
• game boy
• game boy advance
• africa
• chess
• blitz
• lightning
• video game