Originally posted by tmetzlerThe threat of Bb3 is annoying. We could play b4 and avoid it, but I don't think it accomplishes much.
Ok, this is CM9, not 10. But having compared analysis. They aren't much different. Anyways: 10..Be6
[fen]r2r2k1/pp2bppp/1qn1bn2/4p3/8/P1NP1NP1/1PQ1PPBP/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0 2[/fen]
I say that we play Be3 in dragon style. This is a common move in the dragon (yes, even with the pawn still on its original square). It threatens the his queen, and develops a piece. However, I've noticed that Chessmaster has Nd4 in return, and I think that warrants calculation. If Be3 Nd4 then we can move the queen, or capture. If we move the queen, Qd2 loses to a fork, and Qd1 looks like trouble after Bb3. That leaves us with Qb1 and Qa4. Qb1 could be met by Nb3 in which case we're in quite a bit of trouble. Qa4 could be met by Bd7 which forces Qd1 and a questionable position. So I think the capture's forced. We can't play Nxd4 as exd4 and our pieces are forked. Actually, we do have Na4 getting us out of the fork but I don't like the position. So, after analysis, I don't like the move Be3 anymore.
I've come up with another possibility besides b4. We could play d3 to stop the knight move, and allow Bb3. I'm not sure if it's such a big deal, although it's an annoyance.
I don't have a vote yet, as I'm waiting to see what others think in this critical position.
Well, I think the question is, if you play e3, are you willing to give back the extra pawn? Because the d3 pawn is now all of a sudden pretty hard to defend. What happens after, say (I don't know what the current move number is) 1.e3 Bb3 2.Qb1 Qa6. There are no other defenders for that pawn, besides the King, and he'd have to step into a pin in order to do it. Putting the bishop back on f1 looks ridiculous.
I think b4 is the right move. It stops what I see as the real threat, which is not Bb3, but rather Na5 and Nb3. After Black plays Nd4 we can simply capture and at the very least, it's a pair of minor pieces off the board in a position in which we're up material. You're right that b4 doesn't do anything spectacular for our position, but anything else just gives us more problems to deal with.
So, in short, my vote is for b4.
The pawn on b2 should stay there for protection of Nc3. If we move b4, black can get advantage with Rac8! followed by Nd4. Our queen is in a tight position then. This can be very deadly.
I say 11. O-O, because 11. ... Bb3 is not a threat, as we don't lose directly because of it. we can play 12. Qd2 and 13. Qe3, to offer to exchange queens.
I don't see whats the threat of 11. ...Na5 and 12. ...Nb3, because we can win another pawn with 12. Nxe5, and Ra1 can go to b1 if necessary.
my vote is for O-O.
Originally posted by schakuhrI like this idea. It's not great, because he still has Rac8 threatening Nd4. But we can deal with it. It seems to be the only move that doesn't ruin us.
The pawn on b2 should stay there for protection of Nc3. If we move b4, black can get advantage with Rac8! followed by Nd4. Our queen is in a tight position then. This can be very deadly.
I say 11. O-O, because 11. ... Bb3 is not a threat, as we don't lose directly because of it. we can play 12. Qd2 and 13. Qe3, to offer to exchange queens.
I don't see ...[text shortened]... we can win another pawn with 12. Nxe5, and Ra1 can go to b1 if necessary.
my vote is for O-O.
Originally posted by schakuhrI had noted that Black moving the knight immediately would hang the e-pawn, and then forgotten about it. Now that I look at it again you're right, Na5-Nb3 doesn't seem so horrifying. I'll change my vote to O-O.
The pawn on b2 should stay there for protection of Nc3. If we move b4, black can get advantage with Rac8! followed by Nd4. Our queen is in a tight position then. This can be very deadly.
I say 11. O-O, because 11. ... Bb3 is not a threat, as we don't lose directly because of it. we can play 12. Qd2 and 13. Qe3, to offer to exchange queens.
I don't see ...[text shortened]... we can win another pawn with 12. Nxe5, and Ra1 can go to b1 if necessary.
my vote is for O-O.
I'm new and not so sure if I am allowed to participate in this game between RHP and Chessmaster since i'm not a subscribed member. If I am allowed to participate then I would castle. If I am not allowed to participate than treat this post as unposted.
White does look a little bit cramped. In my opinion blacks threat is Rac8 then followed by Nd5. Black will slowly increase the pressure and whites pieces are forced back and have less and less space to move.
As ark13 states castling seems the only move that doesn't ruin us immediately.
--SEVES