....contd
9...b6
H(-0.55) -0.21 9...e5, 10. dxe5...Ng4, 11. 0-0...Ngxe5, 12.Nxe5...Nxe5, 13 Be2
M(-0.35) -0.27 9...e5
L(0-0.42) -0.07 9...e5
Well if they capture with bxc5 and I recapture then I lose a pawn to Bxc5.
10.b4
H(+0.53) +0.55 10 Na4... Qe8, 11.b4...Bd7
M Agrees with the move
L Agrees with the move
the b4 solves the problem of the above note and advances my pawn. I notice the shape of my pawns sweeping down the queenside and remember the idea - I think from one of Slmans "Amateurs Mind" about attacking on the side your pawns are pointing too. I did think aboutthe line suggested by Hiracs (playing Na4) although the score is virtually the same for both lines and on principle I preffered keeping my knight more central without a good reason.
10....a5?
H(-1.32) -0.35 10..... bxc5, 11. bxc5...a5, 12. Qe2
M (-1.02) -0.61 10...bxc5
L (-1.03) 0.55 10....bxc5
This is my opponents first significant weakening move. A clear case of my opponent playing losing moves rather than me playing winning moves.
11.b5....bxc5?
And this was the turning point allowing me to win the knoight for a pawn which could have led to a win for white.
Originally posted by MahoutI wouldn't worry about that ... that's how the vast majority of games are won.
This is my opponents first significant weakening move. A clear case of my opponent playing losing moves rather than me playing winning moves.
As for the early e2-e3 ...
Just to clarify, I'm not saying it leads to disadvantage for White just that is doesn't lead to any advantage. If you'd delayed it, say with Nf3, if then Black had put the Bishop on d6 you could have played Bg5 pinning the knight - with more pressure on d5.
If he'd played ... Be7 as he should do then you can still play e2-e3 if you want to. You haven't lost anything by holding off and you gain the the possibility of being able to take advantage of your opponent misplacing his pieces.
Originally posted by JonathanB of LondonI had the point about the early e3 not being bad in itself and I like the suggestions and reasons for delaying it with Nf3.
I wouldn't worry about that ... that's how the vast majority of games are won.
As for the early e2-e3 ...
Just to clarify, I'm not saying it leads to disadvantage for White just that is doesn't lead to any advantage. If you'd delayed it, say with Nf3, if then Black had put the Bishop on d6 you could have played Bg5 pinning the knight - w e the possibility of being able to take advantage of your opponent misplacing his pieces.
I'm planning to have a good look around this stage of this opening, not so much learning the lines but getting to understand why the moves are working or not.
The knowledge acquired should help with other lines to. This is leading to learning by studying just one or two lines in detail as a way of developing general opening knowledge.
It seems the "knowledge" acquired from studying the position and calculation of variations within it is easier to retain and apply than the memorisation of lines. Memorisation of lines seems to need a lot of repetition to stick. Perhaps alright if you play a lot.
Knowledge gained by concentration and hard work to acquire, such as I'm going through with this e3 move now, must be useful than simply - seeing what Fritz or the database offers - and accepting this without getting underneath the reasons why.
A menomic has just come to mind for the move under discussion:
To e3 or not to e3 - that is the question
It also reminds me of the advice I picked up some time ago but have forgotten to apply:
Find a move then ask yourself "is there a better move"
Although understanding the meaning of "better" seems to be the challenge here.
Onwards!