13 ... Qa5
Game 643185
Forcing a queen trade. The only square to which his queen can go to escape being traded is b3, which would be a horrible blunder after I play Nd4. Hence, he hasta take the trade. The point being that I'm up a pawn, and I have a fairly solid pawn structure: once again, I want to get to the endgame on this sucker as quickly as possible.
14 Nb1
Game 643185
The trade seems unavoidable.
Nb1: Prepares to recapture with an attack on d5, getting my knight off of the wall. I think I should be able to trade a center pawn so Black doesn't have two connected pawns.
QxQa5: Loses a tempo? Why not have black make the move, so I can take back with a developing move?
Qe1: ...QxQe1, RfxQe1 brings a rook to the center, but it doesn't seem that this helps (e.g. after a e-pawn advance).
My general plan: After the Q-trade, Black has no dark square diagonal pieces, so trading my f-pawn for White's e-pawn looks good, as my King will not need to retreat.
Find a way to either trade my c-pawn for Black's d-pawn, or block it with my knight or bishop.
As we both have the same color bishops, I should choose the diagonal I want and get there soon. I think the two diagonals that aim at the King's defending pawns are the best.
I don't usually think of being pawn down as a big deal, but I realize that if all the pieces are off the board, I have tough endgame.
14 ... Qxc3
Game 643185
I like Zucc's last move. I expected him to just take the straightforward trade, on the theory that it would at least condemn my knight to a bad square for a bit. Getting his active, however, is probably better. A little bit of my positional advantage has faded.
However, without having to clear my knight out, I should be able to finally catch up on development. Nxc3 Be6, and then my rooks are connected and mobile, when needed I can push to d4 and chase his knight around, etc.
Originally posted by zucchini7.Bd2 is not a good move, as it gives up a pawn for nothing. The right move is 7.a3 forcing black to explain himself. He has nothing better than Bxc3+ if he doesn't want white to justify his Nb5 move with Nd6!.
[b]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.
[/b]
But after 7. ... Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3, white is OK, and the black hole on d5 will be a nice target.
No need to say that I am not in favour of 6. ... Bb4.
Originally posted by mateuloseNb5 is a good move in this position. The intention is to play Nd6+ if black doesn't prevent it. The most logical way for black to avoid that is to play d6, which in turn locks in the bishop of f8, adding to the weakness of d5. Black's chances are , as said before, in attacking white as fast as possible (typically with f5).
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...
Originally posted by zucchiniYes, Qg4 is better, because white can grab the pawn on g7 before capturing back on c3.
[b]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.
[/b]
Originally posted by paultopiaI didn't like Nb1. The reasoning was to let black exchange queens and lose a tempo. But Nb1 UN-develops (the knight although it is debatable, but surely the rook on a1). After Qxa5 Nax5, black's knight is also on the rim and white still has the backrow free for the rooks.
[b]14 ... Qxc3
Game 643185
I like Zucc's last move. I expected him to just take the straightforward trade, on the theory that it would at least condemn my knight to a bad square for a bit. Getting his active, however, is ...[text shortened]... , when needed I can push to d4 and chase his knight around, etc. [/b]
edit. a question: isn't this annoying for the readers when I (or anyone else) comes in with comments on previous moves? If so, let me know and I'll keep my comments for afterwards.
Originally posted by Mephisto2Thanks for the comments mephisto! After 6. Bb4 7. a3 Bxc3, what do you think about the following continuation:
7.Bd2 is not a good move, as it gives up a pawn for nothing. The right move is 7.a3 forcing black to explain himself. He has nothing better than Bxc3+ if he doesn't want white to justify his Nb5 move with Nd6!.
But after 7. ... Bxc3+ 8.Nxc3, white is OK, and the black hole on d5 will be a nice target.
No need to say that I am not in favour of 6. ... Bb4.
8. Nxc3 d5 9. exd5 Nd4
It looks like that would permit black to recapture the pawn, or, worst case scenario, come out of it with a strong knight and compensation after 10. Bh6 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6?
Any thoughts would be appreciated...
Originally posted by paultopiaTo be sure what you are saying: 6.... Bb4 7.a3 Bxc3 8.Nxc3 d5 9.exd5 Nd4 10.Bh6? I assume you mean 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6. Several comments:
Thanks for the comments mephisto! After 6. Bb4 7. a3 Bxc3, what do you think about the following continuation:
8. Nxc3 d5 9. exd5 Nd4
It looks like that would permit black to recapture the pawn, or, worst case scenario, come out of it with a strong knight and compensation after 10. Bh6 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6?
Any thoughts would be appreciated...
8. ... d5 looks very sharp to me. 8. ... d6 is more solid, although white still has a slightly better position
9. ... Nd4 is interesting indeed. But not sure that it is enough to equalize.
10.Bg5? If I were white, I would play the more solid 10.Be3 and probably end with a more or less healthy pluspawn.
But even 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Bd3 looks good for white.: or perhaps even 12.Bb5+ Nxb5 Nxb5
Originally posted by Mephisto2Good. I see it now. Again thanks for adding the explanation. I am green enough that such reasons aren't obvious to me.
Yes, 10 Qg4 is better, ...
I think I am too worried about my pawns, and too inexperienced to know what to do with them. I might be making poor choices in part because I don't want to double pawns and such.
Originally posted by Mephisto2As far as giving your opinion: No, I appreciate it, and I think that is the main point of making this all public.
isn't this annoying for the readers when I (or anyone else) comes in with comments on previous moves?
As far as the organization of the thread: Yes, it does make it a little hard to follow, but I think there are no alternatives. I already talked with a moderator about this, who said there is no way to insert a reply after a specific post.
Originally posted by zucchiniDon't think too negative about your moves after comments. Exposing your game and thoughts make them seem more vulnerable. I bet that improvements could be found for moves made by any of the top 100 if they did the same thing as you and Paul are doing. This is a great initiative and you deserve our full respect for that.
Good. I see it now. Again thanks for adding the explanation. I am green enough that such reasons aren't obvious to me.
I think I am too worried about my pawns, and too inexperienced to know what to do with them. I might be making poor choices in part because I don't want to double pawns and such.
Hmm... interesting thoughts. Thanks Mephisto.
The thing about that weird bishop move of mine is, it just really bugs me to entomb bishops, especially to sit one doing nothing except defending a pawn weakness all game. I'd rather just sac the pawn and have active pieces. I wonder... maybe this means the pelikan is not for me?
Maybe I'll switch to the dragon 😀 I wanna know some theory in SOME mainline open sicilian system, because I really don't have a functioning e4 defense as such. But I insist that my pieces be active.
What do you think? Dragon?