Virtual Kasparov (GBA) - Bosses, Part 1 of 3

This is my first attempt at a run of the bosses in the Game Boy Advance game "Virtual Kasparov". This is the first part of a 3-part video. Here's a rundown of the game details:

Game 1
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Alright, America's boss first! Started as a Center Counter but, when Black tried to gambit the c6-pawn, I declined it and directed play into a Caro-Kann Panov Attack through transposition. I think Bf4 is a standard move in this line, but I didn't feel like it was at the time; I like how it eyes e5-c7, though. Moot point, really, since it gets traded shortly thereafter. h3 was to make space for the Bishop retreat, so Black was correct to trade it off and make h3 look like a waste of time. Ah, well... luft it is, then.

Was proud of the move Qd2, since I saw the pile-up coming on the isolated d-pawn. Qg5 was a flamboyant move, but I wanted to provoke h6 and get the Queen over there for when one of my Knights made it to the kingside.

Actually missed the fact that Ne5 protected the Bc4; just knew Ne5 had to be played. f4-f5 was a reckless lunge, but I needed something quick and active. Naturally, the exchange sac Rxf4 didn't take any thought at all; my active pieces were the reward.

At the end, I think he had to play Nf6, when I would have played d5! and Ne4 to bring pressure on f6. Still, would've lasted a bit longer than the actual game, even if it didn't work.

Game 2
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Africa next! Starts as a typical Alekhine Defense but, after Nxe5, I sac the d-pawn for activity. Soon after, I also leave the c-pawn for him to gobble as I activate my pieces quickly.

The position after Ne4 is beautiful and poetic, so I give it an artistic treatment by playing the explosive sacrifice Nf6+!!. Since White has both the dark-squared diagonal and a possible rook lift with Rc3-g3, there is no defense. Black squirms a bit before getting mated. Thus far, I'd have to say this is the most crushing game I've played on Virtual Kasparov to date.

Game 3
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Rounding it out with Europe! Another Center Counter, yet this one goes along more normal (but still a bit unusual) lines with the Portuguese variation. Generally, I don't dabble in the whole f3-mess, so I play my solid response of Qd3. Though I'm forced into playing f3 a bit down the line, it's a more positional scenario. Black queenside castles and puts the pressure on the center, so I lock it almost immediately. With Black's play all but gone, the queenside pawns start to roll and push Black's pieces into a corner.

Win material, keep the pressure on, finish developing, win. This would've been the formula, except that I screwed up at Qxb6; thankfully, Black's position was so far gone that Qe6+ fixed it and brought the point home.

Edit: As noted in the comments on the video, Qa6 mate (instead of Nxd8) in the last game would've been a much better move. It also would've avoided the whole Qxb6 mess! Credit to @MistirPinchin.

Be sure to check out parts 2 and 3! Guaranteed to be an exciting finish, considering how these have gone!

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

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

[TheGambler666]

as below but you're a good player, can only beat who's 'sat' infront of you, a bunny programme but i enjoyed it b/c of your nice natural style

[IsaacVanName]

@TheGambler666 Thanks, I think. :) For these YouTube videos, I was playing quite a bit quicker than I usually do in the interest of fitting as many games as I could into a single video. So, my actual strength is higher than this, but I am by no means a master (still have a long way to go there).

Basically, for the quick games, it makes sense to play natural moves that are reasonably sound. Kinda like how you would play in a simul. Regardless, I'm glad you enjoyed those moves!

[MistirPinchin]

game three: @9:00 Qa6+... why should you extend the time?

[IsaacVanName]

@MistirPinchin Wasn't trying to extend the time. Actually missed Qa6 mate. Nice catch! :)

[theAwsomBeaverrr]

at 9:12 you could've checkmated him with Ra8

[IsaacVanName]

@theAwsomBeaverrr Yes, that would've done it. At that point, anything would've done it, really. I think my reasoning behind playing Qxb6 was that I saw the lateral move to e6 w/check and saw it setting up the mate, and I took it immediately because I was moving quickly. Completely missed that I had the mate at that point, as you noted. :)

Now that I've looked at it again, I wish I had seen Rxg7+ Kf8 Qe8+ Kxe8 Rg8 mate at 9:12.

[MoPar7055]

Is that supposed to be Kasparov's mug on the right hand side? Did he decide to join a rock band and spike his hair? Hopefully it hasn't affected his chess strength much.

[TheGambler666]

@IsaacVanName kinda backhanded compliment - lol - yeah, didn't mean it that way man, checking out yr other uploads - yr a good player!

Kind regards