Welcome to my English Opening game (ECO A20) with J. Foote page!

On this page I have posted one my chess games in which I played the White side of the English Opening . The game includes analysis and diagrams. At the time that this game was played I had known Mr. Foote for a few years. I think that this is the only time that I actually beat him in a game. I won a couple of pawns and was able to take it home from there.

Third Brandon Action
Round 3, Board 3
Game Played 2 March 1990
White: Mike Serovey (1782) Black: J. Foote (1667)

1. c4 e5 2. g3 c6 3. Bg2 d5

English opening after 3... d5.

Black's strategy against the English Opening is one taught to both Mr. Foote and me by USCF Life Master Tom Stiers. It prevents me from playing the Botvinnik system that I wanted to play against him.

4. cxd5 cxd5 5. d4 Nc6?

English opening after 5... Nc6?

Black's last move develops a piece but loses the d pawn. Better was 5... e4 preventing Nf3 and clogging the diagonal that the Fianchettoed Bishop is on.

6. dxe5! Nxe5 7. Qxd5 Qxd5 8. Bxd5 Nf6 9. Bg2 Bc5

English opening after 9... Bc5.

Black has a lead in development but it is not enough compensation for the lost pawn. Now Black puts some pressure on f2.

10. Bf4 Nfg4 11. e3 Nd3+ 12. Ke2 Nxf4+ 13. gxf4 O-O

English opening after 13... 0-0.

Black is still down a pawn but White's extra pawn is now doubled. Black has a more solid position and the lead in development. The White King has moved and is now stuck in the Center.

14. Nc3 Nf6 15. Nf3 Bf5 16. Nh4 Bg6 17. Nxg6 fxg6

English opening after 17... fxg6.

Now both sides have doubled pawns and White's extra pawn is now a passed pawn in the Center.

18. Na4 Bb4 19. Rhd1 Rfe8 20. Bxb7 Rad8

English opening after 20... Rad8.

White is now up 2 pawns and is pretty well caught up in development. Trading rooks favors White. From here on out White is winning this game.

21. Bc6 Rf8 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rd1 Ba5 24. Rxd8+ Bxd8

English opening after 24... Bxd8.

We are now in a minor piece endgame that favors White. White has a passed pawn on the e file and a queenside pawn majority. It is just a matter of time before White queens one of his extra pawns.

25. Nc5 Ng4 26. h3 Nh6 27. Kd3 Nf5 28. e4 Nd6 29. Bd5+ Kf8 30. Ne6+ Ke7 31. Nxd8 Kxd8

English opening after 31... Kxd8.

Trading off pieces helps the side that is up material. Now White is going to continue to advance his passed pawn and also advance his extra pawns on the Queenside.

32. e5 Nf5 33. Bg8 h6 34. Ke4 Ne7 35. Bf7 Kd7 36. Kd4 Nf5+ 37. Kc5 Ne7 38. e6+ Kc7

English opening after 38... Kc7.

Black is pretty close to being in zugzwang. His King needs to stay on the Queenside in order to keep the White King away from his a pawn. The Knight is needed to stop the advance of the passed e pawn and to guard the pawn at g6. Black now decided to trade off the doubled pawns to get rid of his liability on the light square.

39. b4 g5 40. fxg5 hxg5 41. a4 Nc8 42. a5 a6 43. Bh5 Nd6 44. Kd5 Nf5 45. Be2 Ne7+ 46. Kc5 Kb7

English opening after 46... Kb7.

It is nearly over now. Black only had 2 choices, drop his a pawn or protect it and allow the White King to d6 where it supports the advance of the passed e pawn.

47. Kd6 Nf5+ 48. Kd7 1-0

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