Game 643185: Zucc. v. Paultopia: public comments

6 Nb5
Game 643185

I must move the knight.
[I have listed the moves in the order I found and considered them.]

NxNc6: (bad): Forces recapture by bxc6 (dxc6 allows a Q-trade that prevents Black from castling). I originally thought this a good move, after further analysis, I decided it is bad. The mistake in this move is it allows the b-pawn to move to the c-file to further support d4, creating a full pawn center.
Nf5: (poor): gets the knight to a protected position, but it can easily be forced to retreat by g6.
Nf3: (okay): Retreats with loss of tempo.
Nb5: (book): I didn't find this move on my own. I don't see the point of advancing the knight to a forward square if it threatens nothing, and only has a poor retreat square (a3). I would appreciate someone's explanation of this move.

6 ... Bb5
Game 643185

And now, finally, we leave book. This is one of several improvements that I've considered in this position, all dedicated to locking down the d5 weakness, but this one is tactically soundest.

An argument could also be made for a6, in fact, that was the move I was originally going to make in this position. That would go toward achieving my main short-term goal of keeping an enemy knight off that d5 outpost, because leaving the N on b5, as opposed to kicking it on the spot, could hypothetically permit Nd5 plus Nbc3 to back that knight up... and that's not acceptable. However, an immediate a6 would also leave a nasty hole on b6.

I also considered h6 in order to prevent the pin of my f6 knight. However, I think that loses time.

I also considered Qb6, but, well, that probably loses on the spot...

The instant move, of course, pins the c3 knight. If he responds with the Bg5 counterpin, I plan on a6 Na3 Bxc3 bxc3 Qa5! winning material. If he puts the question to it, I take my tempo and go home with the trade, and then, depending on the recapture, either plunk a pawn in d5 or develop normally. And now that I've disclosed my best tactical lines in advance, let me just say that I'm glad this is an unrated game :-)

Ordinary in this position is I believe d6, allowing for the development of the light-squared bishop and preparing to dump an attack down the c file.

7 Bd2
Game 643185

With the pin on White's c3-Knight, the e5 pawn is en prise. I see no other immediate threats.

Bd2: Develops a piece and breaks the pin, allowing capture in case of ...Nxe5
Bg5: Pins the f6-Knight to the Q, but this seems loose and too agressive.
Qf3: Also relieves the pin, but subjects White to forcing moves, especially with the two knights nearby.

7 ... a6
Game 643185

Sheer, unadulterated greed. Now I will accept the hole in my pawn structure because I think I can grab a pawn for it.

I believe the following is forced: 8. Na3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Nxe4 and I come out of it holding a spare pawn, plus a good grip on the center. I think I can even hold the pawn! 10. Qe2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 o-o.

Alternatively, I suppose he can sac a piece to murder my pawn structure, 8. Nd5 Bxd7+ 9. Qxd7 axb5, but I don't think he has compensation for the surrendered knight.

I don't see any other plausible lines, so I conclude that I've seized an advantage, at least temporarily.

I have studied the Sicilian extensively the past few weeks. IMHO, Nb5 is a weak move. A normal book continuation, IMHO, is Nb3, after the paulsen setup (ie: e5). As the game goes on, we can see how that b5 knight becomes a problem...

You had a chance to convert that Sicilian into a Narjdof/Boleslovsky, but instead you sent your bishop out for an attack, good development. An interesting choice however, usually the bishop dark bishop sits passively behind the d pawn, located at d6, to protect it. In the future, this pawn may become a problem, and white's counterplay will be there.

Already, though, black is attacking with the Sicilian. The mainline Sicilian is not something white can win off defense, he must do kingside attacks (the Keres attack is good), all hopes in pawn endgames rest with black when it comes to the Sicilian. White may get counterplay on the d pawn because black's peices, although active, are a little ackward, but by the time he (white) does, it may be too late and he may be overun.

That's my NOOB analysis, for what it's worth...

8 Na3
Game 643185

This appears to be required after the Nb5 advance earlier. I didn't understand why it's a good move then, and it will cost me a pawn here.

8... Bxc3
Game 643185

As analyzed above. Surrendering the bishop pair for (a) a pawn, and (b) positional gains viz. my d pawn not being quite so weak, and d5 not being quite such a desirable outpost for his knight.

The d pawn is usually supposed to be weak, but here, for black, with the gaining of the e pawn, the game takes a different shape. After the capture of the e pawn, black has a chance to create a super pawn duo in the center with the possibe powerful move of d5!. White is choking here.

There are many sicilian variations, but they all follow a similar principal, the only difference beteewn the variations IMHO is where black develops his bishops and or knights, other then that, everything is the same. The books have always told me that it is bad to leave your knight there for exchanges and or to attack/advance with it, Nb3 was a given according to most masters, although they have never explained why it is bad for white. It may seem awkward to nobody who has played the Sicilian before to have 2 knights glued on the queenside, but this game shows well why Nb3 must be played, this game is a good educational tool for those who wish to know why it's important to accept a slight tempo loss by retreating your knight back to b3.

Originally posted by mateulose
Nb3 was a given according to most masters, although they have never explained why it is bad for white. It may seem awkward to nobody who has played the Sicilian before to have 2 knights glued on the queenside, but this game shows well why ...[text shortened]... o accept a slight tempo loss by retreating your knight back to b3.

Well, most of my books and vedios are in the 1990's, when the Sicilian was an epic. And all of them include Nb3. Why would Nb5 be good? It's possibly a new kid on the block move to try and refute the Sicilian, personally I don't think it's good at all, but what do I know?

9 Bxc3
Game 643185

Recapture is forced. In both lines below White wins a pawn and a Bishop for a Knight

BxBb3: the most straightforward, keeps the pawn chain intact
...Nxe4, Qf3 ...NxBc3, QxNc3 White winning a pawn and a Bishop for a Knight
bxBc3: doubled pawns with no benefit that I can find
...Nxe4, Qe2 ...NxBd2, QxNd2

Both sides to castle soon afterwards.

9 ... Nxe4
Game 643185

See above.

10 Qf3
Game 643185

As per previous analysis. I don't see a better move here. Anyone else?

And please jump in with reminders of what this opening is about. So far the guidelines mentioned are:
White must attack K-side or Black will be stronger.
Black fights for control of the c-file.
White has counterattack chances targetting the backward d-pawn.

10 ... Nxc3
Game 643185

There are several strong moves in this position. Also playable would be 10. ... d5 and 10. ... Nf6. Nonetheless, I think this is obviously the most correct because it eliminates his bishop pair and simplifies to my advantage without loss of tempo. d5 was very tempting, but I don't know if I could hold that pawn center long-term, plus he would have all sorts of creepy tactical possiblities following 11. Rd1, and in such a wide open position, I'd like to get castled sooner rather than later, so I shall castle, then worry about making a d5 push if necessary.

Ng5 was also tempting, but I didn't really consider that fully -- there's no need to start a tactical fight, in the center, before castling, that may or may not rebound to my advantage, when I have an extra pawn.

At this point, my plan for this game is to force all the wood off and get into a highly advantageous endgame.

Originally posted by mateulose
I have studied the Sicilian extensively the past few weeks. IMHO, Nb5 is a weak move. A normal book continuation, IMHO, is Nb3, after the paulsen setup (ie: e5). As the game goes on, we can see how that b5 knight becomes a problem...

You had a chance to convert that Sicilian into a Narjdof/Boleslovsky, but instead you sent your bishop out for an attack, ...[text shortened]... s, it may be too late and he may be overun.

That's my NOOB analysis, for what it's worth...