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. Also occasionally I will provide articles for beginners-mid club players.
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 ICCF IM 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 ICCF IM 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-Salcedo, corr 2000) Game contributed and annotated (with CC friends ) by ICCF IM 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 ICCF IM) 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 ICCF 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 ICCF GM 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 ICCF 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-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 (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 (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 ICCF 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 (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-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 ICCF IM Richard Beecham.
April-May 2008 King utilisation in an active role: Number 1 (Kidd-Donnelly corr 1967), Number 2 (Donnelly-Mason 1994).
May-June 2008 The Kings Gambit continues!: Number 1 (Mista-Plachetka 2007), Number 2 (Mista-Mastrovasilis 2007). Games contributed by Thomas Johansson and annotated by MJD
June-July 2008 Winning the Joe Soesan Memorial with the Modern Defence: Number 1 (Bullivant-Baruch 2008), Number 2 (Eckloff-Baruch 2008). Games contributed by Regional Master Andy Baruch and annotated by MJD.
July-August 2008 The severe impact of poor chess psychology: Number 1 (Redden-Donnelly 2000), Number 2 (Rothbart-Donnelly 1969).
August-September 2008 Remembering David Janowski: Number 1 (Janowski-Alekhine 1914), Number 2 (Bogoljubov-Janowski 1924).
September-October 2008 The still potent Grand Prix Attack against the Sicilian: Number 1 (Donnelly-Mortimer 1998), Number 2 (Donnelly-Harris 1999).
October-December 2008 Examples of Match play: Number 1 (Donnelly-Ufodike 2006), Number 2 (Ufodike-Donnelly 2006).
December 2008-January 2009 The feasibility of classical sacrifices in modern correspondence play: Number 1 (Kogler-Matheis corr 2007) Game submitted and annotated by ICCF GM Klaus Kogler, Number 2 (Asquith-Donnelly corr 2007).
January-February 2009 Games from the GM section of the BCCA Centenary Event: Number 1 (Donnelly-Verducci 2006), Number 2 (Rinesi-Donnelly 2006).
February-March 2009 Counter-attacking openings as black: Number 1 (Greatorex-Donnelly 2003), Number 2 (Fowkes-Donnelly 2005).
March-April 2009 Intricate endings with 3 pawns for a piece: Number 1 (Plunkett-Stewart corr 2008) , Number 2 (Stewart-Rotella corr 2008). Games contributed by Joey Stewart (annotated by MJD).
April-May 2009 Opening Disasters : Number 1 (Booth-Donnelly 1998), Number 2 (Talbot-Donnelly 1999).
May-June 2009 Remembering Tom Wise: Number 1 (Wise-Donnelly 1968), Number 2 (Wise-Donnelly 1971).
June-September 2009 Highlighting County Chess: Number 1 (Baruch-Janooby 2009) Game contributed by Regional Master Andy Baruch (annotated by MJD), Number 2 (Donnelly-Coleman 2008).
September-October 2009 Games with the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit : Number 1 (Haugen-Bastos corr 1993) Notes in part by ICCF GM Arild Haugen, Number 2 (Haugen-Donnelly corr 2008).
October-November 2009 Some playing styles : Number 1 (Donnelly-Davies 2002), Number 2 (Donnelly-Crutchlow 2002).
November-December 2009 Games from board 3 of the England-Cuba e-mail match: Number 1 (Rodrigues-Donnelly corr 2005), Number 2 (Donnelly-Rodrigues corr 2005).
December 2009-January 2010 Brevities V: Number 1 (Linder-Joppen 1951), Number 2 (Dahl-Alexandrovich 1950), Number 3 (Lutikov-Korchnoi 1951), Number 4 Czerniakov-Beni 1950).
January-February 2010 Retreating to win!: Number 1 (Murray-Donnelly 1991), Number 2 (Booth-Donnelly 2000).
February-March 2010 For and against knights on the edge of the board: Number 1 (Donnelly-Coe 1984), Number 2 (Donnelly-Williams corr 2006).
March-April 2010 The power of the two bishops: Number 1 (Charnley-Donnelly 1990), Number 2 (Demetrio-Donnelly corr 2008).
April-May 2010 The Magic of Mikhail Tal: Number 1 (Tal-Letelier 1963), Number 2 Beginners to mid-club player article (Perils of a centrally placed king) (Glover-Donnelly 1970).
May-June 2010 Some games from the 4NCL (National Chess League): Number 1 (Ledger-Donnelly 1999), Number 2 (Horton-Donnelly 1999).
June-September 2010 (bumper articles months): Alekhine Defence games Number 1 (Tweedie-Baruch 2010) Number 2 (Day-Baruch 2010); Number 3 (Uddin-Baruch 2010); Games contributed and notes in part by Regional Master Andy Baruch; Number 4 (Asquith-Donnelly corr 2008); An interesting 4 NCL game Number 5 (Grant-Stewart 2010) Game contributed and annotated by Joey Stewart.