Improve Your Chess: Following and not Following Principles

Improve Your Chess: Following and not Following Principles

Opening: B07: Benoni

Player(s):

The players transpose into a Benoni and then Black neglects to break with ...b7-b5 or ...e7-e6. Instead he volleys his knight between e5 and d7 several times. Finally White allows a 'overworked piece' tactic that costs him a key pawn. Later Black is able to use his superior position to win a second pawn but then, for some reason, gives it right back. As a final mis-step, Black allows his king to be cut off so that there is no chance of making progress. White, down a pawn, makes a fairly secure fortress and Black, shorter on time, not unreasonably gives the draw.