Hello,
Hoping to get some feedback on a move. I am often caught in a situation where I can take/trade with more than one piece but no obvious (to me) why I should pick one option over another.
On move 20 of this game
Game 3123684
I decided to take with the pawn because I thought that having 2 pawns in the center better against his lone pawn and at the time I couldn't see a big advantage on taking with queen or rook.
Would love to hear some feedback. FWIW, I'm sure there are a few errors in the game but right now trying to focus on this specific decision.
Thanks
Steve
Originally posted by SPDChessTough call. Your chosen move meant you had no isolated pawns, but created a weak backward e pawn. It also blocked the file for the rook, forcing it into passivity.
Hello,
Hoping to get some feedback on a move. I am often caught in a situation where I can take/trade with more than one piece but no obvious (to me) why I should pick one option over another.
On move 20 of this game
Game 3123684
I decided to take with the pawn because I thought that having 2 pawns in the center better against his lone pawn ...[text shortened]... w errors in the game but right now trying to focus on this specific decision.
Thanks
Steve
Taking with the Rook would have meant rooks on 2 open files, with the option of getting a rook battery on e file, but with a heavily pressurised d pawn.
I don't think that move was clear cut. But once you chose one over the other, you needed to play to the strengths/weaknesses of the position. In the game, doubling the rooks on the closed e file was very poor, as then both pieces were effectively taken out of the game.
You should work on your strategy: Silman's How to Reassess your chess is excellent. I hear Seirawan's Brilliant Chess series, including Strategy are good as well, especially for a novice.
D
20 ... fxe6 gives you a backward pawn on e6 which ties your pieces down defending it. I'd concur with the above that the rook capture would be more active for you when you can contest the e file. Looking a bit later on in the game aftwer white played 27. Nd1 you had the opportunity to play 27...e5. I reckon that would probably be the freeing move you would need to play with a plan to exchange some of the major pieces so it is safer for you king to help out.
Originally posted by tapestryThanks for the input. I have to admit it was right around there and from then on that I felt completely outa my league :-( I basically sat there starting at the board not knowing what to do or where to go. Felt like I was playing Jenga, afraid anything I did would bring it all tumbling down.
20 ... fxe6 gives you a backward pawn on e6 which ties your pieces down defending it. I'd concur with the above that the rook capture would be more active for you when you can contest the e file. Looking a bit later on in the game aftwer white played 27. Nd1 you had the opportunity to play 27...e5. I reckon that would probably be the freeing move you wou ...[text shortened]... play with a plan to exchange some of the major pieces so it is safer for you king to help out.
Steve
Originally posted by SPDChessInstead of being forced into passivity by trying to defend the backward e pawn, you needed to try to create counterplay and threats elsewhere.
Thanks for the input. I have to admit it was right around there and from then on that I felt completely outa my league :-( I basically sat there starting at the board not knowing what to do or where to go. Felt like I was playing Jenga, afraid anything I did would bring it all tumbling down.
Steve
D