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Figured since my 2 favorite things (Lexx;Chess) came together Id have to put some time into analyzing "The Game"
First off its a famous game. Unfortunatly I do not remember where I've seen it. It's possible Karpov vs Kasparov, but I'm not sure.
Second, Im doing this all by hand with my own board and standard notation, Im sure some can argue that the opening isnt strictly this or that, but its from my point of view.
Round 1
w(We2-e4) -Kings Pawn opening
b(Be7-e5) -Kings Pawn Game
This is a common game. Queens Games and Kings games are the most common openings.
Round 2
W(Bf1-c4) -Bishop's opening
B(F8-c5) -bishop's Classical
Very interesting move. Personally I would have used the more modern Berlin Defense, by moving NG8-f6 thus giving Black an immediate center advantage. Instead Kai chose the Bishops Classical variation an extremely old outdated defense which is a mirror of the opponents for the moment.
By this move Kai changes nothing and loses the 1/2 move advantage he would have gained. However Prince may be a much more modern chess player. Either way, this is the *end* of Bishops Classical Opening. The game is now open since neither side continues this pre-set opening with a gambit or variation.
Round 3
w(Qd1-e2)
b(Ng8-f6)
Hmm. Prince obviously recognizes the classic opening and uses its end result to his advantage. Kai follows the classic opening as well with his own Gambit. While the pieces felt this was a bad move and Vlad claimed Xev was now blocked any other move would have created an Open Game, which at this point would be amatuerish. Instead both sides go defensive. And both players have an even hold on center at this point
Round 4
w(d2-d3) -(Brilliant)
b(Nb8-c6)
Princes move is brilliant. He gained a total of 38 possible moves to Kais 36 and has 3 more squares covered than Kai as well. While it's still early, Kai appears to be drawn into a clearly defensive posture having allowed Bishops Classical to continue to its natural conclusion.
Round5
w(c2-c3)
b(Nc6-e7)
Again this continues the defensive moves the boring Bishops game (Classical) induces. It's a foolish game for black to play and the opening's are almost over.
Round6
w(f2-f4)
Im your most powerful piece and I really want to kick some White Ass! -Xev
b(e5xf4)
Black kings pawn takes White kings bishop pawn. Normal move and consistant with the Bishops opening. At this point Prince would be wondering why Kai knows such a classic opening. He's given Kai many chances to make mistakes and he hasent yet. And even though Kai has been pulled into a very hard game he has now gotten past the hardest part of the opening. Most players would have broken into an open game by now not wishing to play such a transparant defense.
BTW the reason this is called the Bishops Game is due to the fact the bishops are dispensable for the purpose of this game and the most vulnerable and dangerous if someone makes a mistake. There are *many* variations, they chose the classical one which is the most basic and oldest.
Round 7
This game mirrors the larger game we have played since we have met -Prince
w(d3-d4)
b(Bc5-b6)
Interesting to continue this game in this way. It still is in line with the opening but Kai seems to lose 1/2 a move by this defense. But it is the only possible move he can make without losing a major or position.
Looks like you're coming in 2nd-Priest
And there's only 2 teams!-Prince
Round8
w(Bc1xf4)
b(d7-d6)
Interesting round. Black has a schizophrenic defense/attack and looks really uncoordinated. White has superior position and defense. Prince is up by 8 sqaures on mobility and coverage. Kai is really in trouble at this point. But even the best move for Prince could be a mistake against this type of play.
Round9
RESIGN! RESIGN! RESIGN!
w(Bc4-d3) It is an excellent move -Vlad
b(Ne7-g6)
Ok important round. Prince just gave up 1/2 a move to continue his defense. He also gave up 3 squares of coverage giving Kai a chance to defend properly. While some would argue this in line with this type of game I would've attacked Stanley Knight and sacrificed Vlad for superior center and gaining 1/2 move.
Round 10
w(Bf4-e3)
b(o-o)
End round to the opening. Kai Castles kingside, but more importantly Prince retreats his other Vlad bishop to the center. Its an ironclad defense, but he's white and white does not defend. He was 37 squares of mobility from which to attack from. In a bishops game Id have to wonder why Prince choose the protective route.
Round 11
Envy our Defense now Whiteys! -Stanley Knight
w(h2-h3)
b(Rf8-e8)
By Castle'ing Kai has gained a clear advantage of the center. By looking at it you might not think he does, but trust me he does. His Knights are in a protected position capable of capturing a pawn and a bishop for the cost of one knight. White is in a poor position at this point, but the potential of the position is good. By this move however Prince has lost a minor piece guarenteed. And since he still needs to castle he will later lose 1/2 a move. Arguably this move cost Prince the game.
Round12
w(Nb1-d2)
b(Qd8-e7)
Brilliant attacks being set up! Kai has a CLEAR hold on the center now. Prince is aiming towards a queen side castle which is also interesting and in line with the bishops classic opening. It seems here that Kai cannot lose barring a stupid move. Kai has a 3-kill lane in the center which Prince cannot defend. However if Kai were to take it he opens himself to a quick mate. Interesting game. Vlad Bishop King-side is out of place here and needs to be used. However Prince also needs to castle....
Round13
w(o-o-o)
the Game goes in our favor, Im finally free to kill and destroy -His Divine Shadow
b(c7-c5)
This is where I about went off. What a brilliant game!!! There are about 15 possible gambits to be played. The game is now totally open and its down to Kai vs Prince mono y mono. There is no help to be had here, no book or memory this is now a game filled with choices. Black clearly still has command of the center but neither side can attack and know what the other will do at this point. Brilliant opening and what a way to transition to midgame.
Round 14
w(Kc1-b1)
b(c5Xd4)
What a whopper! Im glad Kai cant feel at this point. Id be totally confused as to what Prince is attempting. Prince's move isnt that much of an enigma but its dangerous. It puts him in a severe counter-strike position which could possibly end the game if Kai were to make any mistake.
Round 15
w(c3xd4)
b(a7-a5)
White has a good defense at this point. But White isnt about defense, in games of chess with equal partners 1700ELO and above White should win. As Black you play to stalemate typically, thats a win for you. If you win as Black its an upset. Its a little like Tennis in that way, when you're on serve you're really not supposed to lose. But it happens even at the highest levels. Why Prince moved into defense isnt a mystery, I think he feels Kai is inexperienced and will make a mistake on the attack leaving Prince free to win. Just a guess though.
Round 16
I like being a Knight, especially in this Game! -Priest
w(Ng1-f3)
b(Bc8-d7)
Prince has to be worried, he needs to lose pieces. Its a tough spot to be in but he made some mistakes early. His biggest chance now is to hope Black takes a rook pawn or a bishop pawn to unblock his own attack. Kai however can use this to his advantage now that Princes game is predicatble for the time being. Prince cannot attack at this point with so many majors blocked.
Round 17
w(g2_g4)
b(h7-h6)
Positioning and defensive round. Kai-King is now much more well defended than Prince-King.
Round 18
w(Rd1-g1)
b(a5-a4)
Kai is feigning an attack with the pawn. At the very least he hopes to draw the King out since Prince cannot attack that pawn currently without losing 1/2 a move by moving Priest-Knight or his Queens Bishop pawn to defend.
Round 19
w(g4-g5) Thank you Prince, make space for me so I can destory the Black King - HDS
b(h6xg5)
Good round by Prince. He's clearly losing and makes a brilliant sacrifice to open his Rook attack. Were now heading into the endgame where kings are threatened. But we arent there yet, Kais king is in danger by Princes HDS-Rook/Queen support attack but Prince doesent appear to be in any danger at all, yet.
Round 20
w(Be3xg5) YES! -Vlad
b(a4-a3)
I would've been beaten here by both sides. Both sides make brilliant moves. Kai makes a really stupid move by locking his pawn but see it isnt stupid. I thought it was and so did Prince but it was a suckers move, forcing Prince to lose 1/2 a turn. This move was the end for Prince, he seemed to have chances later but it was truly over. From this moment on Kai had won. Its the great thing about Chess. What is a great move can turn out to be your defeat if your opponent has thought more moves ahead than you. A better oponnent probably should've realized that he was going to be faced with a Knight attack and therefore doesent need his pawn protection. Instead Kai tricks Prince into leaving his pawns in defense which defeats Prince later. Game over.
Round 21
w(b2-b3)
What a lame move -790
Listen to the conversation the pieces have here. It's actually quite accurate as it was the previous move that loses the game.
b(Bd7-c6)
Good move by Kai, he's suckering Prince in now by moving seemingly defensive. Instead Kai plans on a Bishop-Queen sacrifice if Prince takes the bait. Prince will seemingly have mate, but remember he just lost 1/2 a move...
Round 22
w(Rg1-g4)
b(Bb6-a5)Have you run out of ideas!?! -Prince; Or are you simply moving your pieces at random? -Priest
Good round, Endgame creeps closer. Kai-King is better defended than Prince-King but Prince has a more potent attack setup currently.
Round 23
Kai! Kai! Kai! Kai! -Black Team
w(h3-h4)
b(Ba5xd2)
Wow. All I could say when seeing this move. Instead of entering Princes gambit Kai instead chooses to delay a turn, sacraficing his TimeProphet-Bishop in a display of chess-genius and opening the way for his final counter strike. This also forces Prince to change his defense and reassess the entire game. Either his Priest-Knight or Bunny-Queen will now be totally out of position. With the 1/2 extra turn Prince's defeat is assured now barring any mistakes.
Round 24
w(Nf3xd2)
This game is finally starting to get Bloody! - Prince
b(Ra8-a5)
Kai could've taken HDS-Rook with Stanley Knight at this point, but Kai has other plans....
Round 25
w(h4-h5) -Strong, bold move.
b(Ra5xg5)
Kais plan becomes apparant here. We see the Bishops game fulfilled here as Kai seemingly takes an un-important piece for his powerful 790-Rook. But Kai isnt playing a Rooks game, he's playing a Knights-game, and setting it up brilliantly.
Round 26
Hello. And Goodbye -HDS
w(Rg4xg5)
b(Ng6-f4)
Prince has been setting up his Rook-Queen attack for a dozen or more moves and now Kai has finally made a mistake. He has given Prince a clear advantage here to mate. But remember that 1/2 move Prince lost? Bet he doesent.
Round 27
w(Qe2-f3)
I think you should apologize to Kai now. -Stanley-Knight
Never! -Vlad
b(Nf4xd3)
And the Endgame begins. It is apparant that this is now a race for mate. Kai has a slow Knight attack supported only by a blocked pawn vs Princes big Rook-Queen attack. Need I retell the "Tortose and the Hare"?
Round 28
w(d4-d5)
b(Nf6-d5)
The violence!!! Argggh the violence! -Prince-King
Kai moves appropriatly, he cant afford losing his extra move. If he does Prince *will* win. The next move is crutial.
Round 29
This board is no longer crowded, so have a rest, take a pill, and enjoy the action from the Sidelines -Priest-Knight
w(Rh1-g1)
b(Nd5-c3+)
Good move by Prince? Taking Stanley-Knight would've cost him 1/2 a move and he wouldent have been able to mate as fast. But this move was the final mistake before pawn to queen. Taking Stanley Knight would've ended the mate-threat that Prince clearly wasent afraid of. It would've lost him position and time but would've saved the game. Kai checks Prince-King.
Round 30
w(Kb1-a1)
b(Bc6xe4)
Interesting round. Both queens have potential attacks, dangerous. Certainly not the way I would've played but I would've lost several rounds ago.
Round 31
w(Rg5xg7+)
Check. -His Divine Shadow-Rook
b(Kg8-h8)
Kai has only one move, but Prince doesent realize he has already lost. Mate in 7, unpreventable. Prince has Mate in 8, unpreventable. Kai knows he has mate in 7 too which is why he now asks Prince if he will truly keep his promise.
Round 32
w(Qf3-g3)
b(Be4-g6)
Mate in 6 for Kai, Mate in 7 for Prince. This sacrifice was planned moves and moves ago. Brilliant he coulda gone Be4-g2 but chose g6, brilliant. Prince now believes he has mate assured. He doesent forsee the Queen sacrifice.
round 33
w(h5xg6)
Arent you going to get killed if you go there? Bunny-Queen
b(Qe7-e1+)
Fantastic sacrifice, giving Kai the time he needs to bring in the Knights.
Round 34
Then make your move -Kai
w(Rg1xe1)
b(Re8xe1+)
Round 35
w(Qg3xe1)
b(Nd3xe1)
Who was that just bragging about a Queen advantage? -Stanley-Knight
Round36
I remember once being under attack in a baloon where the only strategy available to me was to wait for the enemy to make a mistake, which eventually happened -Kai
w(Rg7-h7+)
b(Kh8-g8)
Round 37
w(g6xf7+)
And now, the King defends himself! -Kai-King
b(Kg8xh7)
With the King out of range and the Queen-advancement too good to pass up the game is done.
Round 38
w(f7-f8=Q)
b(Ne1-c2++) Checkmate
Round 39
w(Ka1-b1)
The Game is over, I have won, you have lost -Kai
Brilliant game, just wish I could remember where Ive seen it before.
A queens-gambit would've been a much more exciting game and it would've involved Xev much more. As it was I dont think she was used for a single kill, as Bishops games the queen is best used as a defense.
Edit: after playing a few scenarios on my board, Id have to say Kai's gambit which started in Move 3, was brilliant. When I first ran it through a few times it seemed transparant and obvious. But Prince being Prince would never worry about a Knight-Mate which is one of the most difficult mates to produce.
Im having so much fun playing out variations of this game, the middle game has so many options and variables, either side could've won or loss.
[ 16-03-2002: Message edited by: LexxLurker ]
[ 18-03-2002: Message edited by: LexxLurker ]
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