Category Archives: Opening Analysis

Playing the Semi-Slav: Nimzo Move Order

Posted on September 3, 2012 by James Mansson

The final move order for reaching the Semi-Slav I want to consider runs 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 Nc3 c6. I refer to this move order as the Nimzo move order, as it involves playing … Continue reading →

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Playing the Semi-Slav: Triangle Move Order

Posted on September 1, 2012 by James Mansson

The main alternative to the traditional move order for reaching the Semi-Slav is 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c6 4 Nf3 Nf6. The system where Black plays …d5, …e6 and …c6 prior to (or even without) …Nf6 … Continue reading →

Posted in Opening Analysis, Playing the Semi-Slav, The Semi-Slav Defence | 1 Comment

Playing the Semi-Slav: Traditional Move Order

Posted on August 31, 2012 by James Mansson

The traditional move order for reaching the Semi-Slav is 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6. In this order, Black initially keeps open the option of developing his queen’s bishop to f5 or g4. If … Continue reading →

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Playing the Semi-Slav: Overview

Posted on August 29, 2012 by James Mansson

The post is the first in a series in which I look at building a repertoire against 1 d4, 1 c4 and 1 Nf3 based on the Semi-Slav Defence. The basic starting position of the Semi-Slav can be reached via … Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Knockout 2011-12: Mansson – Stimpson

Posted on June 29, 2012 by James Mansson

Last Tuesday was the last official club night of the season. It was a chance to get the remaining games in the club competitions finished. I managed to play my Knockout Final game against Phil Stimpson, although I do still … Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Championship 2011-12: Stimpson – Mansson

Posted on May 30, 2012 by James Mansson

I finally finished my games in this year’s club championship last night, with a win over Phil Stimpson. Phil surprised me in the opening with an unusual 6th move, and initially has some uncomfortable pressure on my position. However, within … Continue reading →

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4NCL Division 3 2011-12: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Wessex

Posted on May 11, 2012 by James Mansson

Going into the last round, e2e4.org.uk 2 were tied for the lead in Division 3 with Wessex on 16 points. KJCA Kings, AMCA Rhinos and North East England were on 15, while Hackney and Cheddleton 2 were on 14. The … Continue reading →

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4NCL Division 3 2011-12: e2e4.org.uk 2 – North East England

Posted on May 10, 2012 by James Mansson

While our round 9 match had proved one-sided, the same could not be said of our round 10 encounter with the North East England team. The position at the start of the round was that KJCA Kings and North East … Continue reading →

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4NCL Division 3 2011-12: e2e4.org.uk 2 – AMCA Rhinos

Posted on May 9, 2012 by James Mansson

Going into the final weekend, the e2e4.org.uk second team had a chance of gaining promotion, but there was little room for error. KJCA Kings and North East England were leading the league on 14 match points, followed by AMCA Rhinos … Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Catalan Opening | 1 Comment

Horsham Club Championship 2011-12: Taylor – Mansson

Posted on April 25, 2012 by James Mansson

I played my penultimate game in the club championship last night, against Paul Taylor. Following a sharp opening, in which I missed a couple of chances, the game ended up in an interesting, unbalanced endgame. After a long period of … Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment