Annotated Game #328: What to do in the Colle?

This first-round tournament game highlights the dilemma of what to do in the early middlegame in the Colle. The critical point is around moves 9-11, where I decide to pursue a too-aggressive attacking posture on the kingside. My opponent correctly counters using his pressure down the c-file, but then prematurely throws away his advantage. However, I maintain my too-aggressive attitude and give him too much play on the 2nd rank, falling prey to a skewer tactic. I then made him work for the win, but he finishes off the game in a technically sound manner.

The main takeaways for me from the analysis are: 1) a better understanding of the dynamics around the e4 square in the Colle, 2) need for a more objective strategic mindset, and 3) the danger of ignoring CCT (checks, captures, and threats) when considering my opponent's options (see move 22).

[Event "?"] [Site "?"] [Date "????.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "ChessAdmin"] [Black "Class A"] [Result "0-1"] [Annotator "ChessAdmin/Dragon 3.2"] [ECO "D05"] [WhiteFideId "-1"] [BlackFideId "-1"] [PlyCount "78"] [GameId "2252245588545674"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 c5 {the second most popular move in the database, after ...d5.} 4. Bd3 d5 {transposing to the main Colle line.} (4... cxd4 5. exd4 {and play continues, with White having the bishop freed on the c1-h6 diagonal.}) 5. b3 Nbd7 6. Bb2 Be7 {one of the particular Black knight/bishop combination setups in the main line Colle that needs to be understood by the White player.} 7. O-O O-O 8. Nbd2 b6 {quickest development for the Bc8.} 9. Ne5 {threatening to play Nc6 if Black delays playing} Bb7 10. f4 {first major think here. White has several worthy ideas to pursue and it's not clear which sequence is best (or simply preferable at the time). The text move is the most aggressive.} (10. Qe2 {is a useful waiting move, connecting the rooks and placing the queen on the e-file.}) (10. Qf3 $5 {is an alternative, directly controlling e4.}) 10... Rc8 {logical rook development.} 11. g4 $6 {either of the previous developing queen moves is better. This is too committal, too early.} Ne4 {taking advantage of the fact Black still controls e4.} 12. Qe2 $6 {this allows a forcing sequence that leaves White worse. The main problem is Black's play down the c-file, which I have not been used to seeing in other openings.} (12. Nxe4 {it is best to exchange off the strong knight.} dxe4 13. Bb5 {forcing a decision for the Nd7.} Nf6 14. g5 $5 {now would be a consistent, aggressive follow-up} Nd5 15. Ng4 $11 {with a sample continuation of} f6 16. gxf6 Nxf6 17. Bc4 $14 {looking positive for White.}) 12... Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Nxe5 14. fxe5 c4 $1 15. Be2 {the only move.} c3 $6 {however, this premature lunge throws away the advantage.} (15... Qc7 $17 {sequencing matters. The queen move allows Black to back up the threat of the c-pawn's advance, and exchanging it still leaves White significantly worse off.} 16. bxc4 dxc4 17. Bc3 f6 $17 {this break now undermines White's center effectively, as White has no pieces left to target Black's resulting weaknesses, unlike in the move 12 variation.}) 16. Bxc3 Qc7 17. Bb4 {although it was not too difficult to find this equalizing move, it was still a relief to be able to do it under pressure.} Bxb4 18. Qxb4 Qxc2 {Black enters on the 2nd rank, but now there is only one piece to protect.} 19. Qe1 $11 {Here I correctly thought things were even, after a bit of a scare.} Qc3 20. Qg3 $6 {after long think I pick the most ambitious, and less sound, choice. I was still being too aggressive, when the position did not warrant it - White does not have enough for an attack on the kingside.} (20. Qc1 $11 {is probably the simplest approach.}) (20. Qxc3 $5 Rxc3 21. Rfc1 {White can rely on superior rook activity here. If} Rxe3 22. Kf2 Re4 (22... Rh3 23. Rc7 Rxh2+ 24. Ke3 Rh3+ 25. Kd2 Rb8 26. Rac1 $14) 23. Rc7 $11) 20... Qb2 $15 {compare the scope of each of the queens and it's evident that Black has an edge, if not yet a winning one.} 21. Bd3 $6 (21. Bb5 $5 {I dismissed due to} a6 {but now this actually works out well for White, since Black no longer can play his bishop to a6, a factor which becomes crucial shortly.} 22. Bd3 Rc3 23. Rad1 $11) (21. Qf3 {would best leverage the queen with additional pressure on the f-file.}) 21... Rc3 22. Rad1 $4 {played after a long think, as I recognized this as a crucial point in the game. Unfortunately there is a tactical flaw, which my opponent finds.} (22. Rab1 {was my second choice and top engine one. I rejected it because it did not lead to anything after} Qa3 $15) 22... Rxd3 {I did not seriously consider this as a possible option for my opponent, so did not calculate it.} 23. Rxd3 Ba6 $1 {the tactical point, a skewer on the a6-f1 diagonal.} 24. Rdd1 {the best of the bad options, but now Black has a won game.} Bxf1 25. Rxf1 Qxa2 $19 26. Rc1 {I decided the only possible chance would be to play actively with my remaining pieces and try to create chances for Black to go wrong, rather than simply let him power a passed pawn through on the queenside.} Qxb3 27. Qe1 Qd3 28. h3 {played prophylactically to protect the g-pawn, but now my opponent correctly initiates the winning plan of marching the unopposd a/b pawns down the board. I do my best to create counter-threats, however.} a5 29. Rc3 Qb5 30. Qc1 h6 {prudently creating luft and avoiding back-rank issues.} 31. Qc2 {essentially a waiting move, while slightly improving the queen.} a4 32. h4 {desperately trying to start something on the kingside.} Qb4 33. Qc1 Ra8 34. Rc7 a3 35. Qf1 Qf8 {the best defense. The problem for White is that Black's a-pawn is too powerful with the rook behind it, so the queen moving away temporarily from the action does not slow things.} 36. Rc3 a2 37. Qa1 Qb4 {now the end is near, with ...Qb1+ threatened.} 38. Rc1 Qd2 39. Rc3 Qxc3 {the simplest way to end things, forcing the new queen through.} 0-1