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Originally posted by Restless Soul
White usually castles here...I'm curious to see how white does because black usually does very well in this line
I play the two Knights' var against the Caro-Kann so this is all new to me! I would prefer white here though but then I like attacking and most Caro-Kann players are good defenders.

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Originally posted by Varenka
Thanks for the replies. I won't drag this out by debating every move. People can judge for themselves whether they missed something or not, and whether or not the games moves are best.

So, what happened next was...

5. Bd3 Qxd4 6. Nf3 Qg4 7. h3 Qh5

[fen]rn2kbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3pPb1q/8/2NB1N1P/PPP2PP1/R1BQK2R[/fen]

Whether right or wrong, Black has grabbed the d4 pawn. Thoughts on White's next move?
Black is ahead in a pawn, but behind in development. However blacks position is very hard to attack.

g4, Bxg4 -+
0-0, Bxh3, gxh3, Qxh3 and black has three pawns for the piece and is threatening a 3 fold repetition if he wants it.

0-0, Bxd3, Qxd3, e6 seems more likely when white appears to have a hard time proving his sac was worthwhile. Nb5 looks worth investigating
i.e.
Nb5, cxb5, Qxb5+, when Nc6 is met by Qxb7
so
Nb5, Kd7, ??

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Originally posted by zebano
Nb5, Kd7, ??
Nb5 Kd7?

Whats wrong with Na6?

2 edits
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Originally posted by zebano
Black is ahead in a pawn, but behind in development. However blacks position is very hard to attack.

g4, Bxg4 -+
0-0, Bxh3, gxh3, Qxh3 and black has three pawns for the piece and is threatening a 3 fold repetition if he wants it.

0-0, Bxd3, Qxd3, e6 seems more likely when white appears to have a hard time proving his sac was worthwhile. Nb5 looks worth investigating
i.e.
Nb5, cxb5, Qxb5+, when Nc6 is met by Qxb7
so
Nb5, Kd7, ??
After 0-0 Bxh3
gxh3 Qxh3

White will play Ng5 attacking the queen who is in a restricted area and ruling out the possibility of a three fold repetition. That line is quite forcing:

Ng5 Qh4
Qf3 Nh6

and being a bit of a hack I would probably try e6!? here and I would have a go against anyone from that position!

Edit: As for the other line, I would play cxd3 after the bishop takes on d3. The queen needs to stay where she is because the principal advantage of white's position is the awkward placement of the black queen. My plan would involve redeploying the knight via e2.

Edit: was just thinking that Qc8 might be a better retreat square than Qh4 in the bishop sac line.

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Some interesting ideas so far. Any thoughts on Be2?

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Originally posted by Varenka
Some interesting ideas so far. Any thoughts on Be2?
Yes, Be2 seems even stronger and black must neutralize the threat. The only move I can see is the unusual looking Bg4 but I am not sure how white should proceed.

I am stuck!

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Originally posted by Leaadas
Nb5 Kd7?

Whats wrong with Na6?
Kd7 rules out any possibility of Nd6+ but Na6 is a valid option as the bishop covers d6

1 edit
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From: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Qb6 5. Bd3 Qxd4 6. Nf3 Qg4 7. h3 Qh5

Next moves are: 8. Be2 Bg4 9. Qd4 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Qf5



This is a common scenario where one player has gained material at the cost of their development. But can White take advantage of the lead in development?

As well as tactics and calculation, don't forget to consider how much imagination you're using. Sometimes we need to spot unusual factors in addition to using our "store" of standard patterns.

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Originally posted by Varenka
From: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Qb6 5. Bd3 Qxd4 6. Nf3 Qg4 7. h3 Qh5

Next moves are: [b]8. Be2 Bg4 9. Qd4 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Qf5


[fen]rn2kbnr/pp2pppp/2p5/3pPq2/3Q4/2N2B1P/PPP2PP1/R1B1K2R[/fen]

This is a common scenario where one player has gained material at the cost of their development. But can White take advantage of the lead in develo ...[text shortened]... times we need to spot unusual factors in addition to using our "store" of standard patterns.[/b]
I have nothing imaginative here, just Bg4 with a view to going to c8 and hitting the weakness on b7.

Please tell there isn't a sac, I hate to miss them!

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Bg4 warrants an ! here I think.

Wins a pawn at least with tempo.

1 edit
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Originally posted by demonseed
I have nothing imaginative here, just Bg4 with a view to going to c8 and hitting the weakness on b7.

Please tell there isn't a sac, I hate to miss them!
after Bg4 I see Qxc2... How about, Qa4, pinning the pawn, threatening Nxd5? If Qa4 b5 then Qa6, attacking the pawn again, threatening to fork the Rook and King.

Wait... no, doesn't work. Qa4 then Nd7 or Qxe5 works against it.

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I looked at Bg4, but for whatever reason didn't consider the follow up Bc8. I found it unusual to see the bishop going here... didn't consider "getting in behind". And of course, it threatens to win the rook; Black can't play e.g. b6 after Bc8.

So now: 11. Bg4 Qg6 12.Bc8 Nd7 13. Bxb7 Rb8 14. Qxa7 d4



Two questions:

- what if Black had played Qxg2 instead of d4 on the last move?

- after the played d4, what are White's candidate moves? I thought the chosen White reply was pretty spectacular. 🙂

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Originally posted by ChessJester
after Bg4 I see Qxc2... How about, Qa4, pinning the pawn, threatening Nxd5? If Qa4 b5 then Qa6, attacking the pawn again, threatening to fork the Rook and King.

Wait... no, doesn't work. Qa4 then Nd7 or Qxe5 works against it.
doesn't Nxa6 stop that?

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Originally posted by zebano
doesn't Nxa6 stop that?
yeah, it was a moment of mental blindness for me. 😵

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Originally posted by demonseed
After 0-0 Bxh3
gxh3 Qxh3

White will play Ng5 attacking the queen who is in a restricted area and ruling out the possibility of a three fold repetition. That line is quite forcing:

Ng5 Qh4
Qf3 Nh6

and being a bit of a hack I would probably try e6!? here and I would have a go against anyone from that position!

Edit: As for the other line, I wou ...[text shortened]... t: was just thinking that Qc8 might be a better retreat square than Qh4 in the bishop sac line.
The bishop sack line would be foolish for black, since he would be giving up his only developed minor piece..black is at least equal if not better in this position, he just has to play carefully. After Bxd3 black plays Nd7, threating the e5 pawn, white is ahead in development but can do nothing with his forces as of yet. I see no win for white unless black blunders