Originally posted by paultopiaDon't give up the Pelikan too soon, it may fit your style. The bishop on f8 can have a future. Often it is on g7 where it has both defensive and offensive roles, once the kingside will be opened up with f5. As an example, see the following game Game 419552 where I had nothing better than draw against Tejo playing this variation.
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 switc ...[text shortened]... ing e4 defense as such. But I insist that my pieces be active.
What do you think? Dragon?
Hmm...switching to the dragon? I don't know about that...you could give it a shot...but I'd suggest sticking to the Pelikan.
Here's my analysis of the game:
B33: Sicilian: Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variations
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 Bb4 (last book move) 7. Bd2
7. Bd2 seems like a mistake because it loses material. 7. Bg5 is a much better square for the bishop as it offers a pin.
7...a6 8. Na3 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Nxe4
[9...b5 10. Nb1 Nxe4]
10. Qf3
[10. Qg4!? Nxc3 11. Qxg7]
10...Nxc3
[10...d5 11. 0-0-0 -+]
11. Qxc3 0-0 12. Bd3 d5 13. 0-0 Qa5
[13...Be6 14. Qc5 -+]
14. Nb1
[14. Qxa5 Nxa5 15. c3 Rd8]
14...Qxc3
[] = suggestions for consideration
Originally posted by Mephisto2Good advice. Don't worry about me, I think this is all very helpful. I'm delighted to be getting all of this feedback.
Don't think too negative about your moves after comments.
The private annotated games I have played and these public games are the most fun of any of the games I have played here.
My sincere thanks to everyone who is participating, both posters and readers.
15 NxQc3
Game 643185
The point of the previous move. Gets my knight back into the game on a more active square, and connects my rooks. Black must protect or move his d5-pawn, and I think the best move is advancing that pawn.
I think the battle is over those center pawns. Black has to choose either to advance on light or dark squares. Dark squares seem much stronger for Black, and allow him to anchor his pawn chain with f6. I want to get rid of the e-pawn as this leaves an isolated d-pawn that cannot be supported by another pawn.
After: 15...d4 16 Nd5 Black must protect against the fork at b6, and worry about f4 or c3.
Next I want to activate my rooks, and find a way to get my pawns into the game.
15 ... Be6
Game 643185
Obviously, I'm not gonna drop my d pawn. The three choices are Rd1, Be6 and d4.
I have no intention of pushing the d pawn right now. I do not want to let his knight into d5. I do want to connect my rooks and activate my last piece and grab at least one of the light-squared diagonals.
Rd1 I think is just terrible. get my pieces all in each other's ways. Not gonna happen.
In accordance with previous analysis, hence, be6. I will reserve the d4 push for later. (Noting that now, a d4 push would also release some of the force of the bishop).
16 Re1
Game 643185
before the move:
Black has no loose pieces, White has undefended pawns on b2, c2. My bishop can only retreat. Sadly it looks like my knight is being denied play right now. Also, my knight has blocked my c-pawn which is a problem I must fix soon. My pawns are undefended because I have not advanced them.
a3: Keeps the knight out. If I allow the knight to b4, I see no way to prevent loss of either my bishop or my c2 pawn. If I allow the knight in and it takes my bishop, I recapture with a pawn in the center again. Perhaps this is a good trade for White. I think Black spoils his own plans by ...Nd4.
f3: Prevents the e-pawn from advancing.
Re1: Attacks e5, and ties the knight to its defense.
Ra*: Looses the a-pawn after ...d4.
b3: Protects b-pawn while shielding a-pawn freeing up the a-rook. Also supports either a4 or c4. But this weakens c3 which will likely be important later.
I would also like help with general pawn structure here. I'm at a loss of what to do with my pawns. But please comment after we have made sufficient moves so your comments don't become my play.
16 ... Rad8
Game 643185
This is onea them "planning" sort of moments. There are basically no tactics on the board.
So what's the plan. Keep my pawns, strengthen the center, continue reducing the activity of his pieces, and force trades or win of material. In that line, the following are candidate moves:
f6 creates a nice pawn chain. However, since the e pawn can be attacked with the f pawn anyway, I fail to see the point. The diagonal onto my king doesn't much worry me with the pawn there, but it's weakening, and later I may want to move the bishop and find that I want to move the d pawn, but can not do so.
e4 severely restricts the scope of the bishop. The basic line being e4 Be2 nd4 Bd1 -- I like this move a lot, because it injures both the bishop and the rooks. However, my knight isn't real secure there and it makes the d pawn backwards. Nonetheless, it may be the strongest positional move, insofar as it totally murders the coordination of his pieces.
d4 to chase the knight away. Now that I've got d5 in hand, there isn't the risk of that. Tactically sound, also keeps the pawn chain going right. The choices for that knight include basically bad squares all around. On the other hand, that rules out the e4 push basically for the next few moves, which I also like.
b5 to further restrict the scope of the knight. Good, if a little petrosian-esque. Loosens my knight, but there isn't going to be any piece brought to bear on it anytime soon. However, what would I do after a4? Cuss.
I'm in kind of a happy zugzwang right now -- my position is beautiful, I don't really want to move the pawns around. All the pieces stay put as protecting pawns. Rad8 or Rfe8 is a possibility, just on sheer "centralize rooks" principles, and perhaps get a pawn roller going.
All things considered, I'm going with Rad8, because it frees up my bishop, and I want piece activity here big time.
17 f3
Game 643185
f3: as before, also takes away g4 from the bishop
a3: prevents knight entry
Na4: Gives my knight access to b6 and c5, both seem like good squares, but gives up support of the center, which seems much more important.
I see no other piece moves.
I would like to advance my c-pawn, but as Black has a light bishop, I must be careful to avoid positions that require a rook on a light square. For this game, I think the knights will be more important than the bishops in the middlegame. If Black advances ...e4, I think 18 Bxe4 ...dxe4, 19 Nxe4 would be to my advantage, trading a piece for the two center pawns.
17 ... f5
Game 643185
It's time to get a little more aggressive.
White's last move, f3, took away my option of pushing to e4 at some point in the future. I'd like to keep that option.
In part, this is informed by Zucc's prior analysis. I disagree with him -- I think getting a piece for my two center pawns would be advantageous to me. Hence, I am offering a chance, if he allows e4 next move, to debate that over the board.
This move weakens e5, but since there isn't anything else that will be attacking e5 at any point in the immediate future, that's immaterial. If he replies with f4, e4 will give me complete center dominance and more activity. This move also fits in with my current primary goal of getting the central pawn roller going, as well as generally grabs more territory to my advantage.
On the other hand, it does limit the scope of my bishop. However, I like my bishop where it is, and, if, as planned, the center pawns get traded, the bishop's scope will immediately increase.
I also disagree with Zucc's opinion that the knights will prove more important than the bishops in the coming pawns-on-both-sides endgame, and am happy to dispute this view via appropriate trades too.
The only other serious candidate moves are b5 and Rfe1. b5 restricts the scope of the enemy knight. However, based on the general principle that center play is more important than wing play, a higher priority would appear to attach to f5. Rfe1 is tempting as it avoids unnecessary pawn moves and further supports the center. However, it does not directly support the desired pawn push to e4 because the bishop's in the way, and I don't want to use a tempo to move the bishop. Too slow.
Originally posted by zucchiniWhat about 7 a3 forcing a decision right away?
[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 t ...[text shortened]... hite to forcing moves, especially with the two knights nearby.
[/b]
Edit: Saw all the posts about a3 as I worked through the thread. Apologies!
18 Na4
Game 643185
I've been very busy with work, but I have a breather now.
The only loose piece is White's b2-pawn.
I have to play very carefully here. Black has a fairly tight position, but must loosen his position soon.
a3: Keeps the knight from encroaching and threatening to fork at c3.
f4: blocks the f-pawn and forces the e-pawn to advance.
Na4: heading for c5, a nice square
I've played through each of these, and I think Black will have an increasingly difficult time defending his pieces.
18 ... e4
Game 643185
I was actually hoping that zucc would delay that last move of his for one more turn. Since he hasn't, I have to execute my plans in the center right now. Next will probably come 19. Nc5 (which he can do for free because of the pin on my bishop) Bc8. My bishop will relegated to defense for a bit, but my e pawn will become fully passed. I have a top secret plan to deal with that annoying knight, and I should retain my pawn plus.
19 Bf1
Game 643185
I am trying to separate Black's advanced pawns here. I think Black's rooks are already on good squares.
fxe4: leads to connected pawns, dxe5 keeps the possibility of supporting the f-pawn with g6
Bf1: saves the Bishop, f3 is still safe due to the pin on e4
Bf2: saves the Bishop, but ...e3 leads to a supported pawn on my third rank
19 ... Nd4
Game 643185
Played without hesitation. The threat to capture on c3 and fork rooks forces him to render at least one of his rooks horribly inactive.