1. Standard memberWulebgr
    Angler
    River City
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    08 Dec '04
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    16907
    03 Feb '07 15:242 edits
    Hoping for a draw against a higher rated kid ( see Thread 61798 ), I played the Rubinstein French (an opening I first played in Tournament 1666). After some effort to complicate things (my opponent) and to simplify (me), I found myself in the following position:

    Black to move



    What should I have done?
  2. Joined
    12 Mar '03
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    44411
    03 Feb '07 15:591 edit
    Since you aimed at simplification, this was a good chance to do it: Bxh1 Bxf6 (Rxh1 looks like a Topalov move but is probably better for black after Qg5) Rxc2 Bxc2 (or Kxc2) and now either

    - Bxf6 Rxh1 leaving different colour bishops but with still some play
    - or Bf3 Bxg7 Rg8 Rd3 Be4

    and in both cases with at least equal for black
  3. Standard memberWulebgr
    Angler
    River City
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    04 Feb '07 01:06
    What about Qf3 after Bxh1 Rxh1
  4. Joined
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    44411
    04 Feb '07 09:53
    I guess that is just ok, but Be4 is a nasty reply by white. The black b-pawn hangs. Perhaps black should then give back the exchange (and not let the a-pawn get lost too) to complete development fast enough, for instance
    Qf3 Be4 Qh5 Bxb7 0-0 Bxc8 Rxc8 (Bxa6? Bxb4! looks better for black) Qe4 (to defend the b4-pawn), although I would rather have white in this position.
  5. Standard memberWulebgr
    Angler
    River City
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    04 Feb '07 13:29
    From the first diagram, play continued 22...Bxh1 23.Rxh1 Qf3? 24.Be4 Qh5 25.Bxb7 O-O

    Now white has a choice



    Should white win back the exchange, or eliminate black's last queenside pawn?
  6. Joined
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    44411
    04 Feb '07 14:01
    See my previous post. Taking the exchange is my preference.
  7. Standard memberWulebgr
    Angler
    River City
    Joined
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    16907
    04 Feb '07 14:35
    Originally posted by Mephisto2
    See my previous post. Taking the exchange is my preference.
    It's hard for me to find any concrete plans for either player after 26.Bxc8 Rxc8 27.Qe4 Qb5.



    White's extra pawn is the doubled b-pawn (which I had thought would be easy to pick up way back at 13...Nb4). Perhaps the 3 vs 1 on the queenside gives white a slight edge, but these pawns don't seem mobile enough for much.
  8. Edmonton, Alberta
    Joined
    25 Nov '04
    Moves
    2101
    04 Feb '07 19:21
    Originally posted by Wulebgr
    It's hard for me to find any concrete plans for either player after 26.Bxc8 Rxc8 27.Qe4 Qb5.

    [fen]2r3k1/4bpp1/p3p2p/1q6/1P2Q3/2B3P1/PP3P1P/1K5R w - - 0 28[/fen]

    White's extra pawn is the doubled b-pawn (which I had thought would be easy to pick up way back at 13...Nb4). Perhaps the 3 vs 1 on the queenside gives white a slight edge, but these pawns don't seem mobile enough for much.
    I like this position for black for some reason.

    It's pretty equal but there are chances for white to mess up if he isn't careful because of blacks attack on the king.

    1.Rd1 a5

    Trap: 2.bxa5 Rxc3

    Therefore,

    2.Qd3 Qxd3+ 3.Rxd3 axb4 4.Bd4 Kf8

    Pretty equal here. Probably I'd offer a draw here.

    That the only reasonable thing I found. Pushing the a5 pawn and trying to get at his king.
  9. Edmonton, Alberta
    Joined
    25 Nov '04
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    2101
    04 Feb '07 22:30
    What happen in the game then? Did you end up winning or was it a draw?
  10. Standard memberWulebgr
    Angler
    River City
    Joined
    08 Dec '04
    Moves
    16907
    05 Feb '07 14:39
    Originally posted by Wulebgr
    From the first diagram, play continued 22...Bxh1 23.Rxh1 Qf3? 24.Be4 Qh5 25.Bxb7 O-O

    Now white has a choice

    [fen]2r2rk1/1B2bpp1/p3p2p/7q/1P6/2B3P1/PPQ2P1P/1K5R w - - 0 26[/fen]

    Should white win back the exchange, or eliminate black's last queenside pawn?
    White chose 26.Bxa6 (apparently not the best move).

    At this point white had 10 minutes left on the clock to black's 49 minutes.

    A series of inaccurate moves followed: 26...Rc7 27.Qb3 (Fritz offers ?? for this move, recommending Qe2) 27...Qf5+ 28.Ka1 Qf3



    We have an interesting set of imbalances: bishop and two pawns versus rook; three passed pawns on the queenside for white; four against three on the kingside for black; white back-rank weakness (mate threats).
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