Here is two of my tough losses from the recent Premium International Open. Games should also be reviewed but it is not such a fun task to relive the hard losses.

Nemeth,G and Csati,O eventually shared first place.

Nemeth,G-Yip,M

Caro-Kann 4..Nd7

rd4

Position 1

After 18.cxd4(Diagram)

White has a nice pawn centre and the f-file while Black is slightly behind in development. There are attacking ideas like e4-e5 with an attack on the b1-h7 diagonal or doubling on the f-file to build up an attack to deal with.

What do you recommend for Black?

After 18.cxd4

Position 2

After 40.Bd3+(Diagram)

The Nh5 is offside and the black queenside pawns are vulnerable to the bishop and also a knight landing on c5. The immediate problem is dealing with the check

What do you recommend for Black?

After 40.Bd3+

Position 3

After 41.Ke3(Diagram)

White is threatening simply to march the king to the queenside Kd4-c5-b6 and attack the queenside pawns

What do you recommend for Black?

After 41.Ke3

Position 4

44.Kd4(Diagram)

The immediate invasion idea Kd4-c5 has been prevented but Black must be on guard against attacks on the a-pawn

What do you recommend for Black?

After 44.Kd4

Position 5

After 45.Bf5(Diagram)

White is threatening Bc8 attacking and winning the a-pawn

What do you recommend for Black?

After 44.Bf5

Yip-Csati,O

Leningrad Dutch 7..c6

Rd1

After 29..cxb5(Diagram)

The situation looks rather bleak for White. Black has a nice passed d-pawn that is well supported by the bishop pair while the Rf2 is not in play and the Qc1 does nothing special. White has just lost a pawn and must make a concrete decision

What to you recommend for White?

After 29..cxb5