| |
Main
Date: 23 Nov 2005 20:32:16
From: Amarande
Subject: Bird/Analysis game ending - What result?
|
While doing some analysis into certain lines of the Bird, I went through
the following line -
1 f4 d5 2 Nc3 d4 3 Ne4 Qd5 4 d3 Nf6 5 Nxf6
Setting Black a Pawn formation dilemma not unlike the Ruy Exchange.
5 ... exf6 6 e4 Qb5
I would not here maintain the Black Queen's central position with 6 ...
dxe3. This would exchange off the cramping d-pawn and create a Pawn
formation reminiscent of the one that we see in the Ruy Exchange (except
for the Pawns being on different sides of the board); when we note that
Black doesn't even have the Bishop-pair advantage, this does not appear
good for Black.
7 Nf3 c5 8 c4 Qb6 9 Be2 Nc6 10 O-O Bd6 11 b3
In order to develop the Q's side pieces without trouble.
11 ... O-O 12 Bd2 f5 13 e5 Be7 14 Qe1 Be6
This position seems relatively even here. It does not seem as if White
can get a sufficiently strong K-side attack for a definitive advantage.
What remains here is to analyze the strategic and tactical ideas, which
I did by continuing as follows:
15 Qg3 h6
To keep the White Knight out of g5.
16 Qh3 Qc7 17 Nh4 Qd7 18 Rae1
Not now, nor on the next move 18 Rf3?, which is refuted by 18 ... Nxe5!
(19 fxe5 f4, with advantage)
18 ... a6 19 Bd1 b5 20 Rf3
The point of the last two moves, as the e-pawn is now protected by other
than the Pawn.
20 ... b4 21 Rg3 a5
Black did not open the b-file, because he did not want to allow White
additional degrees of freedom (20 ... bxc4 21 dxc4, and the white
squared Bishop can make things difficult for Black). He intends to open
the a-file.
22 Nf3
Also needing investigating here is the more aggressive 22 Nxf5. Here 23
Qxh6 is threatened with even greater force; the main line would be
something such as: 22 ... Bxf5 23 Qxh6 Bg6 24 Rxg6 fxg6 25 Qxg6
(threatening B-g4-e6+ and death) Ra6 26 Bg4 Nd8 (the Queen is an
essential guard of e6; it cannot be saved, so Black must counterattack
the White lady) 27 Qxg7+ Kxg7 28 Bxd7. This is a most interesting
ending, with White having four connected, but not particularly advanced
passed pawns, as well as the two Bishops, on the other hand Black has an
extra Rook in exchange. Who is superior here?
22 ... Kh7 23 Ng5+ Bxg5 24 Rxg5 Ne7
The Knight is headed for b6, to enable a4.
25 Bc1 Nc8 26 Bf3 Ra7 27 Bd1 Nb6 28 Rf1
Unclear is whether 28 a4 would help White's cause. The reply is
certainly 28 ... bxa3 (Black needs Q-side action) 29 Bxa3, after which
Black will defend his c5-pawn. It does not seem to me though that this
is good, as the b3 pawn is quite weak. OTOH White has the KB to guard
it, a piece which has relatively little in the way of an offensive future.
28 ... a4 29 Rf3
29 bxa4 would be strategically bad; White should not open the a-file for
Black, though it is not clear that there would be much difference as the
Pawn position ends up the same in the main line anyway.
29 ... axb3 30 Rfg3
Bad is 30 axb3, after which Black has at least a draw, for 30 ... Ra1
now would force White, in order to avoid immediate debacle, to take the
draw by 31 Rxg7+ Kxg7 32 Qxh6+ Kxh6 33 Rh3+ Kg7 34 Rg3+ etc.
After the text, mate in two is threatened; Black's reply is virtually
forced (30 ... f6? 31 Rxg7+, and wins the Queen), and White gets a
direct attack.
30 ... g6 31 Bxb3 Qb7 32 Qh4 Rh8 33 Rh3 Kg7
Insinuating that the White Rook should retreat, so that Black may enjoy
advantages on the Q wing. White has other ideas. :)
34 Rxg6+ fxg6
If 34 ... Kxg6 35 Qf6+ Kh7 36 Rxh6+ and mate at h8.
35 Qf6+ Kh7 36 Rxh6+ Kxh6 37 Qxh8+ Qh7 38 Qf8+ Qg7 39 Qd8
Threatening Qh4# and also the Knight.
39 ... Qb7 40 Qh4+
It does not appear that the check at f8 or h8 leads to anything but a
repeat of the previous few moves. This seems the only way to make real
progress, as exchanging Queens would just leave White with a lost game.
40 ... Kg7 41 Qf6+ Kh7 42 Qxe6 Na4 43 Qf6
This is as far as I carried the analysis.
In the end-game (if it can even yet be called an end-game), Black has
the Exchange for two Pawns; as against this, White has the two Bishops,
and his e5 pawn is passed, whereas Black does not yet have a passed Pawn.
Computer analysis rates this as mostly even. What will the result
probably be, and what strategy is indicated in the later game?
|
|
| |
Date: 28 Nov 2005 03:29:12
From: Sanny
Subject: Re: Bird/Analysis game ending - What result?
|
I tried to play this game with Computer but it was playing some other
moves than d5.
http://www.softtanks.com/chessgame/Chess.html
It played
1. f4-Nf3
1. f4-d6
1. f4-e6
So I was unable to analyze this game
Bye
Sanjay
http://www.softtanks.com/chessgame/Chess.html
|
| |
Date: 25 Nov 2005 13:06:00
From: Dan Quigley
Subject: Re: Bird/Analysis game ending - What result?
|
"Aande" wrote:
> While doing some analysis into certain lines of the Bird, I went through
> the following line -
>
> 1 f4 d5 2 Nc3
This is certainly an unusual choice and I have no idea what the idea behind
it for White might be. Interestingly, Reuben Fine chose to play this move in
a game vs. Fink way back in 1932. So how bad can it be?
> 2...d4 3 Ne4 Qd5
Most players of Black, including Fink, seem to prefer 3...Nf6 here. But
Black's selection of 3...Qd5 looks fine to me.
>4 d3
Another interesting idea is 4.Nf2 planning Nd3-e5 and supporting this Knight
with Ngf3.
4...Nf6 5 Nxf6+
>Setting Black a Pawn formation dilemma not unlike the Ruy Exchange.
There are doubled pawns in the 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxf6+ exf6 line
of the Caro Kann too. The fact the pawns are doubled is not that big a deal.
>5...exf6 6 e4 Qb5
> I would not here maintain the Black Queen's central position with 6 ...
> dxe3. This would exchange off the cramping d-pawn and create a Pawn
> formation reminiscent of the one that we see in the Ruy Exchange (except
> for the Pawns being on different sides of the board); when we note that
> Black doesn't even have the Bishop-pair advantage, this does not appear
> good for Black.
I have to disagree here. I think Black's best is to play 6...dxe3 in order
to not allow White the central pawn duo on e4 and f4. After 7.Bxe3, I like
the ...Nc6, ...Bd6 (or g4), and ...0-0 plan for Black and see no advantage
for White whatsoever. After allowing White to play e4, I think Black has a
tougher defensive chore ahead.
I do not like Black's choice of the b5 square for the Queen at all. It just
gives White a free tempo when he plays a4 later, an often useful move in
positions like this.
> 7 Nf3 c5 8 c4
White may well regret leaving himself no way to later undermine Black's d4
outpost with c3. If he wants to kick the Bishop around, 8.a4 is okay
instead.
> 8...Qb6 9 Be2 Nc6 10 O-O Bd6 11 b3
> In order to develop the Q's side pieces without trouble.
Another idea is to play for a3 and b4 after bringing all White's pieces over
to the Queenside.
> 11 ... O-O 12 Bd2 f5 13 e5 Be7 14 Qe1 Be6
> This position seems relatively even here. It does not seem as if White can
> get a sufficiently strong K-side attack for a definitive advantage. What
> remains here is to analyze the strategic and tactical ideas, which I did
> by continuing as follows:
>
> 15 Qg3 h6
>
> To keep the White Knight out of g5.
Pawn formations around a castled king are strongest when the pawns are not
moved. 15...h6 violates this principle for insufficient cause. The knight's
arrival to g5 is not such a big deal. I would probably chop it with my bad
dark-squared Bishop on e7 the instant I could and thank you for the
opportunity. I think it much better for Black to proceed with his own plan,
namely 15...Nb4, heading for c2 and e3.
> 16 Qh3 Qc7
16...Nb4 is still the plan. It's the only productive thing I can see for
Black to try, other than just sitting around waiting.
>17 Nh4 Qd7
17...Bxh4 is a reasonable alternative too.
>18 Rae1
> Not now, nor on the next move 18 Rf3?, which is refuted by 18 ... Nxe5!
> (19 fxe5 f4, with advantage)
>
> 18 ... a6 19 Bd1 b5 20 Rf3
>
> The point of the last two moves, as the e-pawn is now protected by other
> than the Pawn.
>
> 20 ... b4
Closing the position on the Queenside, where Black aspires to create
counterplay, can in no way be beneficial. I would probably play some
Smyslovian defense here instead with ...Rfe8, and ...Bf8, as in some other
variations of the Ruy Lopez. Black needs to strengthen his kingside dark
squares now that he has played ...h6.
> 21 Rg3 a5
>
> Black did not open the b-file, because he did not want to allow White
> additional degrees of freedom (20 ... bxc4 21 dxc4, and the white squared
> Bishop can make things difficult for Black). He intends to open the
> a-file.
A very slow plan.
> 22 Nf3
>
> Also needing investigating here is the more aggressive 22 Nxf5. Here 23
> Qxh6 is threatened with even greater force; the main line would be
> something such as: 22 ... Bxf5 23 Qxh6 Bg6 24 Rxg6 fxg6 25 Qxg6
> (threatening B-g4-e6+ and death) Ra6 26 Bg4 Nd8 (the Queen is an essential
> guard of e6; it cannot be saved, so Black must counterattack the White
> lady) 27 Qxg7+ Kxg7 28 Bxd7. This is a most interesting ending, with White
> having four connected, but not particularly advanced passed pawns, as well
> as the two Bishops, on the other hand Black has an extra Rook in exchange.
> Who is superior here?
Since there is no definite win here, I think you were right to eschew
22.Nxf5. After 22.Nf3 instead, there is a lot of pressure on Black's
position.
> 22 ... Kh7 23 Ng5+ Bxg5 24 Rxg5 Ne7
>
> The Knight is headed for b6, to enable a4.
Black is defending very resourcefully. A major alternative here is 24...f6!?
> 25 Bc1
The only way to make progress here is with pawns. For that reason, I would
look at 25.Rg3 here planning something like Rf3, Kh1, Rg1, and g4.
> 25...Nc8
Wrong way. There should be nothing doing on the queenside now. The knight is
needed on g6. It is not easy to see how White will be able to break through.
If Black prefers to look for winning chances he absolutely must begin to
prepare f6. He may even be able to play that break now with no preparation.
> 26 Bf3 Ra7 27 Bd1 Nb6 28 Rf1
>
> Unclear is whether 28 a4 would help White's cause.
I think it would eliminate Black's counterplay.
> 28 ... a4 29 Rf3
> 29 bxa4 would be strategically bad; White should not open the a-file for
> Black, though it is not clear that there would be much difference as the
> Pawn position ends up the same in the main line anyway.
>
> 29 ... axb3 30 Rfg3
Nice move.
> Bad is 30 axb3, after which Black has at least a draw, for 30 ... Ra1 now
> would force White, in order to avoid immediate debacle, to take the draw
> by 31 Rxg7+ Kxg7 32 Qxh6+ Kxh6 33 Rh3+ Kg7 34 Rg3+ etc.
>
> After the text, mate in two is threatened; Black's reply is virtually
> forced (30 ... f6? 31 Rxg7+, and wins the Queen), and White gets a direct
> attack.
>
> 30 ... g6 31 Bxb3 Qb7 32 Qh4 Rh8 33 Rh3 Kg7
>
> Insinuating that the White Rook should retreat, so that Black may enjoy
> advantages on the Q wing. White has other ideas. :)
>
> 34 Rxg6+ fxg6
>
> If 34 ... Kxg6 35 Qf6+ Kh7 36 Rxh6+ and mate at h8.
>
> 35 Qf6+ Kh7 36 Rxh6+ Kxh6 37 Qxh8+ Qh7 38 Qf8+ Qg7 39 Qd8
>
> Threatening Qh4# and also the Knight.
>
> 39 ... Qb7 40 Qh4+
>
> It does not appear that the check at f8 or h8 leads to anything but a
> repeat of the previous few moves. This seems the only way to make real
> progress, as exchanging Queens would just leave White with a lost game.
>
> 40 ... Kg7 41 Qf6+ Kh7 42 Qxe6 Na4 43 Qf6
>
> This is as far as I carried the analysis.
>
> In the end-game (if it can even yet be called an end-game), Black has the
> Exchange for two Pawns; as against this, White has the two Bishops, and
> his e5 pawn is passed, whereas Black does not yet have a passed Pawn.
>
> Computer analysis rates this as mostly even. What will the result probably
> be, and what strategy is indicated in the later game?
You're going to have to play the end of your correspondence game on your own
resources. Thanks for showing us the interesting game and good luck!
|
| |
Date: 24 Nov 2005 11:54:01
From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Claus-J=FCrgen_Heigl?=
Subject: Re: Bird/Analysis game ending - What result?
|
Aande wrote:
> While doing some analysis into certain lines of the Bird, I went through
> the following line -
Hello Aande,
if this is an analysis it runs a bit too deep for me. There are lots of
possibilities to deviate, for example
> 1 f4 d5 2 Nc3 d4
2...Nf6 with the plan d4 is a major alternative.
> 3 Ne4 Qd5
Again 3...Nf6 is major, after 4. Nxf6 exf6 5. d3? Bc5 White has a big
hole at e3, 4. d3 Nxe4 5. dxe4 e5!? looks also quite good for Black.
Claus-Juergen
|
| |
Date: 23 Nov 2005 19:15:38
From: gejimayu
Subject: Re: Bird/Analysis game ending - What result?
|
Hello,
I'd like to comment just few things here:
30 . ... g6 in my opinion is bad because it weakens the f6-square. We
see later that this is important. Black should simply defend by 30. ...
Rg8. Now g7 is safe and the pawn structure isn't weakened. How can
white improve his attack now? He can neither triple at the h-file nor
the g-file. Black on the other side has active play over the a-file.
Depending on white's answer at b3 he can invade with his rook or play
Nb6-a4-c3.
Conclusion: White should attack with g2-g4 instead of moving with his
rook to g3, maybe around move 18. Then Rg1, Raf1, g4.
Michael.
|
|
