Black to play.
What's the best way to defend the g-pawn?
What's the best way to defend the g-pawn?
The Kenilworth Chess Club team visited the West Orange Chess Club last night for a team match, which we won 6.5-3.5. My game with Victor Rosas was the only draw, but it was not a boring game and had some theoretical interest as it featured my new favorite opening, the Two Knights Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3). I will be posting some photographs and other games from the match in the coming days.
4 comments:
In the game, what about 13. e5? 13 ... dxe5 leads into a favorable variation in your notes, 13 ... d5 is obviously bad and 13 ... Rd8 allows White to punch a hole in Black's cneter. Or have I missed something obvious like hanging a Queen? I've been doing that a lor lately.....
Yes, 13.e5 is playable and quite trappy (with potential transpositions to my imagined winning line, as discussed in the notes). I did not look at this during the game, but it appears Black is fine if he finds 13....f5! 14.exd6 Bxd6 15.Qh4 e5 etc. with good control of the center.
Thanks for the note.
Hi Michael,
This is Victor.. Rosas from West Orange C.C. I see that you have analyzed our game and yes it was a very interesting one. I was wondering since I haven't really had a chance to analyze it in depth after exf5, Bxf5, what happens on Rxf5!? instead of Bxf5. Also, you are correct when you mention that Qa7 is dubious even though I create some minor threats against f2. After Qe3 I later realized I should have played Qc7!? maybe trying to keep queens on board. In any case, Thanks for the analysis.
Thanks for the comment. Obviously, White needs to improve earlier (with 10.Bg5 or 11.Na4 as I indicate in my notes) since I am worse by move 14 the way I played it. Perhaps 15...Rxf5 is slightly better for you than 15...Bxf5 (the natural move, developing the Bishop) since it does keep my Knight out of e4 (16. Ne4 d5 17.Nd2 Bd6 =+). Once Black's center gets mobile and the Bishops find targets, White is completely defenseless, and the Rook capture may speed things up. One trick might be 15...Rxf5 16.Rad1 d5?! 17.Nxd5! cxd5 20.Bxe5 giving up two pieces for the Rook and some pawns, after which it is really unclear. But you can avoid that by not advancing right away.
However, I don't think you can keep Queens on the board later without allowing me my f4 shot -- e.g.: 19.Qe3 Qc7?! 20.f4! looks good for White since I at least eliminate one of your center pawns and create some potential play for my Bishop on the long diagonal.
I think it is close to equal after 19.Qe3 and a draw is a natural result. But I was generally impressed with your play.
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