23 Dec 07
Originally posted by bassoI dunno; seems every one of the 6 games in chesslive's database that had this move sequence ended in a draw. My guess would be that it simply gets rid of white's light-squared bishop from the a2-g8 diagonal (by means of intending b5 followed by a4); white can push own a-pawn, but then black's night gives chase with Nc5? My 2 cents (zimbabwean currency)
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 Bd6 6.Nc3 dxe4 7.Ng5 O-O 8.Ncxe4 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 Bf5 10.Qf3 Bxe4 11.dxe4 Nd7 12.c3 a5
Why 12...a5?
23 Dec 07
Originally posted by bassoIt's a good gain of space, and Black will attempt take even more with ...a4 hitting the Bb3. And it isn't just driving the bishop off the a2-g8 diagonal, gaining that space also stops White's flexibility to play on all sectors of the board because Black's advanced a-pawn cramps the first player on that wing. My personal preference in these positions as White is to immediately counter ...a5 with a2-a4, and not let Black get one inch farther. I've played a few games with White from these positions (both the Bishop's Opening and the Four Knights Game) where I've allowed Black to play ...a5, ...a4, and I've regretted it every time as Black was able to generate counterplay and/or snuff White's play on the queenside.
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 Bd6 6.Nc3 dxe4 7.Ng5 O-O 8.Ncxe4 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 Bf5 10.Qf3 Bxe4 11.dxe4 Nd7 12.c3 a5
Why 12...a5?
IRNG 17
23 Dec 07
Originally posted by rijnsburgerIt's not so bad if Black chases the bishop with ...Nc5. White's bishop often finds useful work on the new b1-h7 diagonal (typical for the Ruy Lopez and many Bishop's Opening variations) where it protects the e-pawn, helps prevent the f5-break, and indirectly puts pressure against h7 and Black's kingside. With the bishop removed from the b-file, White will sometimes be able to prepare b2-b4 and play on the queen's wing.
I dunno; seems every one of the 6 games in chesslive's database that had this move sequence ended in a draw. My guess would be that it simply gets rid of white's light-squared bishop from the a2-g8 diagonal (by means of intending b5 followed by a4); white can push own a-pawn, but then black's night gives chase with Nc5? My 2 cents (zimbabwean currency)
IRNG 4