New Archive of Monthly Articles (from July 2003)

Annotated games are generally grouped together under a particular theme. For some time now this site has moved from one to two annotated games a month. Occasionally there will be "bumper" months in which more games are provided up to and including as many as six annotated games.

Correspondence games are marked with "corr" otherwise the game is an over-the-board game. Annotations are my own (MJD) unless otherwise assigned.

July-August. 2003 The power of an opening innovation (Chmelik-Demetrio, corr. 2002) Game contributed and annotated by CCIM elect and Portuguese postal Champion Antonio Demetrio. 

August-September 2003 Breaching the ramparts of the Caro-Kann Defence (Loc-Dikmen, corr. 2003) Game contributed and annotated by CCIM Andrej Loc.

September-October 2003 Sacrificial attacking play (Ireland-Ben-Nathan, 2003) Game contributed by David Ireland (annotated by MJD).

October-November 2003 Defeating the Sicilian Defence with Bb5 (Baruch-Rich, 2003) Game contributed by Andy Baruch (annotated by MJD).

November-December.2003 The benefits of the Barry Attack System (Donnelly-Hern, 1992).

December 2003-January 2004 One more major upset in the Warwickshire Correspondence Championship (Carleton-Dawson, corr. 2003) Game contributed and annotated by Alastair Dawson.

January-February 2004 The perils of poor handling of the clock (Kolbusz-Kearns, 2003) Game contributed and annotated by George Kolbusz.

February-March 2004 Remembering Frank Parr (Page-Parr, 1980) Game contributed and annotated by Mark Page.

March-April 2004 Means to improve ones results Number 1: Play chess not just theory (Johansson-Nuoristo 2004) Game contributed and annotated by Thomas Johansson. Number 2: Annotate your own games to improve! (Kolbusz-Kirby 2004) Game contributed and annotated by George Kolbusz.

April-May 2004 Attack and defence in chess Number 1:Re-analysis of a beautiful Kings Gambit win (Paul-Salescu, corr 2000) Game contributed and annotated (with CC friends ) by CCIM Santhosh M.Paul. Number 2 : Tough defence can pay dividends (Taylor-Dawson, corr 2003) Game contributed and annotated by former Warwickshire correspondence chess champion Alastair Dawson.

May-June 2004 The hidden depths of openings plummed Number 1: Queen-side attacking play in the English Opening (Baruch-Wildig 2004) Game contributed by Andy Baruch (annotated by MJD). Number 2: Deciding the Joe Soesan Memorial Cup in a theoretical battle (Donnelly-Baruch 2004).

June-July 2004 Complex Chess examined in detail Number 1: A heavyweight theoretical battle in the Sicilian Najdorf (Thomsen-Loc, corr 2000) Game contributed and annotated by SIM Andrej Loc. Number 2: A long term queen sacrifice (Soderberg-Hansson, corr. 2003) Game contributed and annotated by SIM Per Soderberg.

July-August 2004 Practical play concepts Number 1: Successful tournament play (Ireland-Sung, 2003) Game contributed by David Ireland (annotated by MJD). Number 2: Playing speculative pawn sacrifices (Wilson-Donnelly, 2004).

August-September 2004 Opening concepts Number 1: Understanding an opening (Bird-Dawson, corr 2004) Game contributed and annotated by Alastair Dawson. Number 2: Defeating the Englund Gambit with a timely e6 (Stephenson-Beedle, 1996) Game contributed by many times Teesside champion and current British Veterans champion Norman Stephenson (annotated by MJD).

September-October 2004 Romantic chess lives on Number 1: The romantic style of W.H.Pratten (and a little bit of schoolboy mischief) (Pratten-Hall ca 1964). Number 2: The Kings Gambit continues to score victories (Donnelly-Johnson 1998).

October-November 2004 Taking on better players Number 1 Another high level success for Alastair Dawson (Dawson-Carleton corr 2004). Game contributed and annotated by Alastair Dawson Number 2: Handling the pressure when playing a much higher rated opponent (Kolbusz-Clarke 2004) Game contributed and annotated by George Kolbusz.

November-December 2004 Some rare openings examined Number 1 In praise of the Czech Benoni (Kneebone-Donnelly 1970). Number 2 Setting a trend with 1.Nc3 (Napoleon-Madame de Remusat, 1804).

December 2004-January 2005 Never give up hope Number 1 Hidden resources can save a lost game (Doney-Kolbusz 2004) Game contributed and annotated by George Kolbusz. Number 2 Another example of hidden resources (Pullan-Donnelly 1979).

January-February 2005 Opening Trends examined Number 1 Using the Kings Indian Attack as a means of battling opening theory changes (Baruch-Roberts 2004) Game contributed by Andy Baruch (annotated by MJD). Number 2 What happens when new opening trends are not studied (Donnelly-Cosham 2004).

February-March 2005 Grandmaster crushing Number 1 Beating a GM-example 1 ( Hillarp Persson-Johansson 2004). Number 2 Beating a GM-example 2 (Ernst-Johansson 2004). Games contributed and annotated by Thomas Johansson.

March-April 2005 Alekhines defence examined Number 1 Merits of Alekhines Defence-part 1 exchange var.(Dorrington-Baruch 2003) Game contributed and annotated by Regional Master Andy Baruch. Number 2 Merits of Alekhines Defence-part 2 four pawns attack (Donnelly-Ireland 2004).

April-May 2005 The power of opening innovations Number 1 Opening innovation in the Ruy Lopez (Almeida-Demetrio, corr 2000). Number 2 Opening innovation in the Benko declined (Demetrio-Azevedo, corr 2000) Games contributed and annotated by CCIM Antonio Demetrio.

May-June 2005 Beating top players Number 1 Showing a GM whats what (Brynell-Johansson 2004) Game contributed and annotated by Thomas Johansson. Number 2 The importance of opening play in correspondence games (Demetrio-Stankovic, corr 2000). Game contributed and annotated by CCIM Antonio Denetrio.

June-July 2005 (bumper article month) Various themes Number 1 Counter attacking with the French (Miletic-Conroy 1992), Number 2 Repulsing a Jeff Horner attack with the French (Horner-Conroy 1967) Games contributed and annotated by strong otb player (and CCIM) Mike Conroy. Number 3 Meeting an unusual opening sequence (Kolbusz-Sumner 2004), Number 4 Identifying the problem in an unlucky lost game (Soames-Kolbusz 2004) Games contributed and annotated by George Kolbusz. Number 5 A remarkable Alekhine Defence game (Ellison-Oakley corr 1960-61),Game annotated by both players, Number 6 Testing out the Alekhine at Master level in correspondence chess (Anderson-Donnelly corr 2004-5).

July-August 2005 (bumper article month) Various themes Number 1 Facing the might of Spassky's Kings Gambit Opening (Spassky-Gibbs 1960) Game contributed by England International Peter Gibbs (annotated by MJD), Number 2 Man and Kings Gambit versus Monster Computer (Donnelly-UMIST Mainframe 1980), Number 3 Facing the Sicilian Najdorf-game1 (Loc-Persson, corr 2003) , Number 4 Facing the Sicilian Najdorf-game 2 (Loc-Blanco Ganajo, corr 2003) Games contributed and annotated by SIM Andrej Loc, Number 5 Developments in the Dutch with Nc6 (Donnelly-Goodwin 2003), Number 6 Developments in the Dutch with Ne4 (Donnelly-Dobedoe 1992).

August-September 2005 (bumper article month) Various themes Number 1 Becoming Englands first ever Ladies CC-Grandmaster (Jones-Siewert, corr 2002), Number 2 Playing for the elite Russian correspondence team (Weber-Jones, corr 2004) Games contributed and annotated by CC-LGM Mary Jones, Number 3 Handling the sophisticated Kings Indian Defence: example1 (Parkkinen-Loc corr 2003), Number 4 Handling the sophisticated Kings Indian Defence:example 2 (Sosa Partino-Loc, corr 2003) Games contributed and annotated by CC-SIM Andrej Loc, Number 5 Attacking play on chess servers-the new mode of correspondence chess (P.Donnelly-Megreblian, corr 2004) Game contributed and annotated by Paul Donnelly, Number 6 An example of the "sharp" Caro-Kann Defence (Donnelly-Musson 2004).

September-October 2005 (bumper article month) Brevities I: Number 1 The Enigmatic John Spedan Lewis (Vine-Lewis, pre 1962)-zip files includes a JSL 1953 letter and details of a special presentation and match at the National Chess Centre 1953), Number 2 A knock-out queen sac (Baruch-Garner 1998) Game contributed by Regional Master Andy Baruch (annotated by MJD, Number 3 Sacrifice on f2 (Dobedoe-Donnelly 1987), Number 4 Multiple pins and counter-pins (Donnelly-Fairclough, corr. 1997).

October-November 2005 The dynamic but forgotten Goring Gambit: Number 1 Nearly a brilliant attacking game (Bronstein-Fuderer 1959), Number 2 Attacking a centrally placed king (Donnelly-Ratcliffe 1971).

November-December 2005 A further look at the merits of Alekhines defence to 1.e4: Number 1 A shock defeat for Nigel Short (Short-Baruch 1978) Game contributed by Regional Master Andy Baruch (annotated by MJD) , Number 2 The resilience of the Alekhines Defence to attacking play (Holmes-Donnelly 1969).

December 2005-January 2006 (bumper article month)Brevities II: Number 1 Whipping the Kings Gambit with 6...Rh7?!? (Swenson-Damant,corr 1955), Number 2 Upping the ante with 5.Nc3 in the Cunningham Kings Gambit (Ridout-Mills 1964), Number 3 Still worth another try-Marshalls Defence to the QG? (Donnelly-McNally 1968), Number 4 A whirlwind KID counter-attack (Moore-Donnelly 1970).

January-February 2006 Animal Openings Number 1 The Hippopotamus Opening Rises (Tolush-Thompson 1954), Number 2 And then the Hippopotamus submerges somewhat (Donnelly-Higgins, corr 1984).

February-March 2006 The Modern Style of Joey Stewart: Number 1 The Dragon Bites Back (Prosinec-Stewart 2005) Game contributed and annotated by Joey Stewart, Number 2 A close call (Donnelly-Stewart 2005).

March-April 2006 Investigating the complexities of reversed openings: Number 1 Reversed Dragon (Donnelly-Chue 1995), Number 2 Reversed Gruenfeld (Donnelly-Stewart 2006).

April-May 2006 Marple Chess Club finally beats Stockport! : Number 1 Board 5 game (Murray-Kolbusz 2006) Game contributed and annotated by George Kolbusz, Number 2 Board 6 game (Jenkins-Daniel 2006) Game contributed by Andy Jenkins with notes based on Andy's comments.

May-June 2006 Adventures with the Trompovsky Opening: Number 1 (James-Dobrov 2005), Number 2 (James-Adams 2006), Number 3 (James-Jackson 2005), Number 4 (James-Bates 2006) Games contributed and annotated by BCF coach Russell James.

June-July 2006 Games from the 2006 Joe Soesan Memorial tournament: Number 1 (Eckloff-Daskevics 2006) Game contributed and annotated by Colin Eckloff, Number 2 (Page-Donnelly 2006).

July-August 2006 A remarkable story on emigrating to the land of Oz (Australian Masters 2005): Number 1 (Gorka-Depasquale), Number 2 (Froehlich-Gorka) Games contributed by former Warwickshire Champion and current Melbourne Chess Trainer Carl Gorka.

August-September 2006 (bumper article month) Revenging Cricket and Rugby-a pasting of 3 Aussie Champions: Number 1 (Page-Flatlow 1984), Number 2 (Page-Purdy 1984), Number 3 (Johansen-Page 1980) Games contributed and annotated by  Mark Page.

September-October 2006 In the style of the Great Masters Nimzovitch and Larsen: Number 1 (Baruch-James 2006), Number 2 (Goodwin-Baruch 2006) Games contributed and annotated by Andy Baruch.

October-November 2006 (bumper article month) The Grand-Prix Attack against the Sicilian continues onwards: Number 1 (Donnelly-Kamenets 2004 corr) , Number 2 (Donnelly-Glinton 2001); The legacy of Pakistan chess players Number 3 (Tolush-Ahmad corr 1962), Number 4 (Ahmad-Dubinin corr 1962).

November-December 2006 (bumper article month) A question of a players style: Number 1 (Goodwin-McSheeney 1976), Number 2 (Goodwin-Woodland 1976) Games contributed and annotated by Ed Goodwin; Beginners to mid-club players article ( incorrect exchanges) Number 3 (Donnelly-Whelan 2005).

December 2006-January 2007 (bumper article month) Queen sacrifices: Number 1 (Steinitz-Rock 1863), Number 2 (Donnelly-Gregory 1971); Beginners to mid-club players article (importance of open files) Number 3 (Sledge-Donnelly 1969).

January 2007-February 2007 (bumper article month) Brevities III (from Warwick University Students) : Number 1(Stewart-Kearney 2006; Game contributed and annotated by Joey Stewart), Number 2 (Buckley-Bergsson 2002; Game contributed by Joey Stewart and annotated by MJD), Number 3 (Donnelly-Killick 2004), Number 4 (Donnelly-Fletcher 2004). Download all 4 annotated games here.

February-March 2007 The importance of endings: Number 1 K+P ending (Marcussi-Donnelly 1967), Number 2 R+P ending (Donnelly-Salman 1984).

March-April 2007 (bumper article month) Keeping your "eye on the ball": Number 1 (Staples-Donnelly 2005), Number 2 (Booth-Donnelly 1998); Beginners to mid-club players article (the importance of a space advantage) Number 3 (Donnelly-Price 1987).

April-May 2007 (bumper article month) Selected games from the John Jordan Memorial International Invitational Postal Event: Number 1 (Donnelly-Serradimigni corr 2004 ), Number 2 (Donnelly-Pedersen corr 2004), Number 3 (Donnelly-Soderberg corr 2004).

May-June 2007 (bumper article month) Some more examples of different types of queen sacrifices: Number 1 (Ralston-Baruch 1975), Number 2 (McNab-Baruch 1969), Number 3 (Baruch-Maher 1974). Game contributed by Andy Baruch and annotated by MJD.

June-July 2007 (bumper article month) Some examples of attacking chess inspired by Edgard Colle's Opening: Number 1 (Donnelly-Burrows 1992), Number 2  (Donnelly-Oldakers 1992), Number 3 (Donnelly-Gray corr 1992).

July-August 2007 Amateur contributions to Chess opening theory and practice: Number 1 (Collins-Stephenson 1964), Number 2 (Donnelly-Siddall 1982).

August-September 2007 The reality of typical over-the-board games: Number 1 (Nadison-Goodwin 2007) Game contributed and notes based on some comments by Ed Goodwin, Number 2 (Donnelly-Sandrawich 1968).

September-October 2007 (bumper article month) Heralding the return of the Pirc into fashion at the top?: Number 1 (Davies-Donnelly 2004), Number 2 (Emery-Donnelly 2003); Beginners to mid-club players article (the power of a central pawn roller) Number 3 (Donnelly-Whelan 2004).

October-November 2007 (bumper article month) The Pros and Cons of an isolated queens pawn: Number 1 (Kogler-Lukas corr 2003) Game contributed and annotated by GM Klaus Kogler , Number 2 (Fischer-Donnelly 2004); Beginners to mid-club player article (incorrect combinations) Number 3 (Whelan-Donnelly 2004).

November-December 2007 (bumper article month) Brevities IV: Number 1(Kearney-Baruch 2007) Game contributed by Andy Baruch and annotated by MJD, Number 2 (Szabo-O'Kelly 1946), Number 3 (Lorch-Michelle 1903), Number 4 (Glinton-Donnelly 2003), Number 5 (Scott-Donnelly 1984). Download all 5 annotated games here.

December 2007-January 2008 The concept of good and bad bishops: Number 1 (Naylor-Donnelly 1993), Number 2 (Turvey-Donnelly 2006).

January 2008-February 2008 Long king walks of no return: Number 1 (Telboy 2-vipiu corr 2007), Number 2 (Donnelly-Horton corr 2007).

February-March 2008 Saving combinations: Number 1 (Geller-Golombek 1952), Number 2 (Donnelly-Davies 2005).

March-April 2008 Beware Yorkshiremen in kilts-two wins by the Scottish Correspondence Champion: Number 1 (Beecham-Goodwin corr 2007-8), Number 2 (Corada-Beecham corr 2007). Games contributed and annotated by CCIM Richard Beecham.

April-May 2008 King utilisation in an active role: Number 1 (Kidd-Donnelly corr 1967), Number 2 (Donnelly-Mason 1994).