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When this game started I was terrified because their rating was over 2000 but upon review of their stats after the game, I discovered that they are actually a very strong Class A player, averaging about 1975 over all stats.
I decided from the beginning to play for a draw and I got my chance on move 14 and established opposite color bishops! I bet my opponent was surprised because of the high value of the queenside fianchetto.
The most amusing thing is how I peppered him with draw requests even after his blunder on move #44 but after his second blunder on move #53 you can bet there were no more draw requests from me!
From there it was a slaughter. Very exciting game for me!
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Congrats. By the looks of your ratings graph your current rating is not yet where it should be.
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That is kind of amazing actually. I took a break from chess for probably 2 years; at that time my rating would of been 1600 achieved and 1700 within my capability.
I just came back maybe 3 months ago and initally put alot of effort into study (mostly opening study) but have now backed off on study completely.
Its almost as if the time away made me better.
PS It is the first time I ever actually decided to play for a draw from the beginning of a game. The idea to do such a thing was imprinted on my brain by reading a GM summary of tournament play where this or that GM "turned on their draw machine" and brought half a dozen draws in a row; I guess it gave me courage thinking I could do the same thing. I'm playing the same guy again as white this time -- hee hee I'm playing the Stonewall!
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Remember that a rating of 2000 on one site rarely corresponds to a rating of 2000 on another site or in USCF over-the-board play. You can't say that a guy is "Class A" unless you know that his USCF rating is 2000+; knowing that his rating on some site is 2000+ tells you nothing. So, congrats on the win but this is no Class-A player.
Draw or no draw, I don't understand why you gave up the advantage of the bishop pair on move 14. His 28.Kh2 was a waste of time and he should have played 28.a4 to protect the passed pawn he later blundered. 62... c4 wins faster for you.
By the way, once you've offered a draw, it's usually considered rude to offer again until you've declined an offer by your opponent. Once you've offered once, he knows you want a draw; once he's declined it, you know he doesn't want one until he offers it to you.
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Thanks for the excellent advice.
So you have experience playing Class A rated USCF players and can tell he's not right?
Also, Class A is -1999 and expert is 2000- ;)
I gave up the bishop pair because I wanted a draw and opposite color bishops will end as such with equal play (and because I was crapping myself thinking I was playing an Expert rated player).
62. c4 was strongly considered by me but it allows him to advance the a-pawn and so I rejected that move.
I didn't know the draw etiquette and I was using multiple draw requests along with various text entries as a psychological ploy (which I am allowed). I am not sure if the etiquette would now prevent me from using such a ploy in the future but I should definitely think about it. :-)
Thanks again.
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LOL ... Raeth, tell me you don't practice these methods regularly! If so, that deserves its own post to see what others think about psychological attacks. Somehow I don't think that goes along with 'friendly'. There is no prize money here, ya know.
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