Following on from my match against Anthony Higgs, I took on Mick Harris in round 3.
Our first game saw Mick, as Black, manage to lose a pawn straight out of the opening, and he was never able to demonstrate enough compensation. I managed to consolidate my advantage and win.
The second game started in the same fashion, but with roles reversed, as I played some weak moves in the opening and lost a pawn. Fortunately, Mick lost his way, and I was able to regain the pawn eventually; soon after I won, as he gave up a piece for insufficient compensation, and resigned soon after.
The final score was therefore 2-0 in my favour, and I progressed to the semi-final, to be played early next year.
I give the games below with some brief notes.
James,
I would be interested to know the Engine’s analysis on game 2 at the point when I played N x f5 pawn — about move 10 or so.
No rush as I go away for 16 days on 24/12.
regards,
Mick
I presume you mean 10 Nxc5? After 10…Bc6, the engine’s evaluation is in the range +0.5 to +0.6 in your favour, i.e. it considers that Black has some compensation for the pawn, but not quite enough.