Sunday, March 15, 2020

Battle of the LoA's

I have dived deeper in the position of februari 16th. The rationale behind the move 11. e4 seems to be piece activity. Compare the two diagrams before and after the skirmishes.

White to move
Diagram 1:  rn3rk1/pp2qpp1/2p2n2/3p1b1p/1b1P4/2N1PPP1/PP2N1BP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 2 11

Moves: 11. e4 dxe4 12. fxe4 Bxe4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. Nf4 Nf6 15. Nxh5 Nxh5 16. Qxh5 Nd7

Diagram 2:  r4rk1/pp1nqpp1/2p5/7Q/1b1P4/6P1/PP4BP/R1B2RK1 w - - 1 17

Look how the activity of the white pieces has improved in comparison to the black pieces. Especially the absence of the black light squared bishop is of importance. White has three (semi) open files for his rooks while black has only two. The position of the pawns determines the lines of attack. Which side can make use of the newly formed lines of attack?
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4 comments:

  1. Robert CobleSunday, March 15, 2020 at 9:32:00 PM GMT+1

    I note something else in Diagram 2:

    White's vulnerable point (d4) cannot be "attacked" by Bllack along the d-file in less than two moves. White's vulnerability along the a7-g1 diagonal is temporarily "protected" by the d4-Pawn and Bc1. The BQe7 and BBb4 apply no pressure at the moment on any PoP on WHite's side of the board. After one move by Bc1, White increases pressure on Black, using the (semi)-open files you noted; Black has no corresponding "ease" of getting his Rooks into atacking position against White. White's only long-term (endgame) structural weakness is the d4-Pawn. Whie has material equality, AND has the two Bishops in a relatively open position (lots of lines of attack).

    To answer your rhetorical question:

    Only White is poised to take advantage of the lines of attack.

    Have you settled on the opening(s) you intend to use in the tournaments?

    Off topic, but related: How is your country doing WRT the COVID-19 virus? Everything here locally (North Carolina, USA) is being shut down, at least for a couple of weeks. Please take care of yourself and especially Margriet!

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    Replies
    1. TemposchluckerSunday, March 15, 2020 at 10:49:00 PM GMT+1

      I intend to play the London System with white. With black I'm not totally sure yet. Probably the Caro Kann and the Classical Dutch defense.

      Everything here is shut down too. I don't shake hands not only because of the virus, but because the supermarkets have run out of toilet paper :D

      I'm a bit worried about Margriet, but so far so good.

      Delete
  2. AoxomoxoA wonderingMonday, March 16, 2020 at 9:43:00 AM GMT+1

    "I don't shake hands not only because of the virus, but because the supermarkets have run out of toilet paper"
    ^^

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  3. LinuxGuyThursday, April 23, 2020 at 11:48:00 PM GMT+2

    I like this diagram, it showed that I missed many things with blitz analysis. It also could be noted that after 14...g6, 15.Re1 f5, 16.Nxg6 forks.

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