Noir_Desir vs. Nikachu Malkovich game

[Nikachu]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1

Spoiler:

Kf1 runs into too many mate threats after either Bg3 or even Bg1. I don't like Kh2 because I'm afraid that i'll never be able to take the e5 pawn without running into future pins. If the black bishop goes to g3 then it will keep my king out of the game but I feel like the bishop is out of play.

[Noir_Desir]

sry for the delay

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1

Spoiler:

The main choice is between this and Nc6. Nc6 leads to a queen exchange or an unclear pawn sacrifice on e5, as outlined in a previous post. I also do think that the knight ultimately belongs on d4 and not on b4. So i'm exchanging rooks now, followed by Qc5. Then the pressure on c4 gives me enough time to reorganize my forces. For example, after 2. Rxb1 Qc5 3. Nb3 i can play Qxc4. Against other moves, the plan will be Nc6-d4 and bring the Rf8 into play. Ultimately, i might be able to exploit his weak dark squares on the K-side to generate an attack. Notice how his back rank can be terminally weak after Bg3 because he cannot create luft for his King. I think i have a significant edge here based on my active pieces and better structure but it's probably still way within the draw bounds.

[Nikachu]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1

[Noir_Desir]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1 Qc5

Spoiler:

I do have to move the Q and this does look like the best square. So not much to add here to what i wrote before. Real decision coming up after his next move. Not sure what i'm expecting, maybe Bd3 to free his knight.

[KyleJRM82]

Spoiler:

It's just embarrassing how many good squares black's bishop has to choose from. d4, f4 and g3 all have wonderful long-term influence. Black just has to find the right plan to win one of the weak pawns and then convert to a win. Easier said than done, I guess.

I kind of like Qd3 for white here. It pre-empts Rd8. If you allow Rd8, the threat of the rook penetrating down to weak squares on the d-file could be the straw that breaks white's position eventually.

[DiggertheDog]

Spoiler:

Official amateur opinion:
I feel like white is worse BUT I think that objectively Black will have a hard time converting.
I feel like Black's Knight will be required for a decisive breakthrough but that it might take some precise move to access white's isolated pawns.
My feeling is that white will come under pressure but might be able to force liquidation of some pieces and that Black might be extract a passed Apawn but that will be it with opposite coloured bishops. And A pawns are always a long way a way from Kings (obv).
But thats just my opinion.

[Sholar]

Spoiler:

Nb3 and I think White is close to establishing a draw. Qxc4 exchanges queens and frees the bishop; I don't think White will really mind the pawn deficit, especially given opposite colored bishops. Even if Black doesn't take the pawn, I think it's likely (after Nxb3) that White plays c5 anyway, just to be able to put the bishop on a decent square. And in that case, White will control the b-file and be able to target the a-pawn.

I have to say I'm surprised...when I look at this around the time Bxf2+ I thought Black would be able to get more.

[Nikachu]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1 Qc5
26. Qd3

Spoiler:

My position is gay. GAY GAY. Clearly very little chances for a win. I still have drawing chances but that means this correspondence game could go into a LOOOOOOOOONG grind. Maybe until 2013. anyway originally I wanted to play 26. Nf3 but I wasn't sure about this anymore because of just Qxc4 and my queen is put to the test and if I move it my bishop is attack and my pieces are just loose. Qd3 grabs an open file and maybe I can get to d5. I would like to think I have drawing chances because there are opposite color bishops on the board but the reality is that there are significant heavy pieces left and his bishop has a lot of space while mine is a big pawn. Even if the queens got exchange I wouldn't be surprised if the computer gave something like -0.80 for black.

[Noir_Desir]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1 Qc5
26. Qd3 Bd4

Spoiler:

Not really a move i wanted to make (i wanted the bishop to look after the weak dark K-side squares and reserve the d4-square for the knight) but i convinced myself that i can't allow Qd5 if i want to make anything of the position. Qd4 looks even more drawish, so i'll go with Bd4. Unfortunately, after Nb3 we can probably soon think about shaking hands anyway.
Either i overestimated my position quite a bit or i committed some inaccuracies along the way. Very curious to read the spoilers...still let's play some more moves and see if something turns up.

[Nikachu]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1 Qc5
26. Qd3 Bd4
27. Nb3

Spoiler:

My pawn cannot be taken on c4 because either his knight or queen will be hanging. If he takes the knight I will play Qxb3 to dominate the file and then plant my bishop on d3 like a big pawn and defend passively until I lose.

[jewbinson]

Spoiler:

I thought Nb3 ideas at moves 26 / 27 had some drawing chances for white, but just Nxb3 from black and white is lost. I'm gonna read the thread to see how white got so defensive and why he thought he'd be ok

[Noir_Desir]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1 Qc5
26. Qd3 Bd4
27. Nb3 Nxb3

Spoiler:

No other choice really.

[Nikachu]

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. a4 Bg4
9. c3 0-0
10. h3 Bxf3
11. Qxf3 Na5
12. Bc2 b4
13. d4 c5
14. dxe5 dxe5
15. Rd1 Qc7
16. Bg5 Rab8
17. Nd2 c4
18. cxb4 Rxb4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6
20. Qc3 Be7
21. b3 Bc5
22. bxc4 Qb6
23. Rab1 Bxf2+
24. Kh1 Rxb1
25. Rxb1 Qc5
26. Qd3 Bd4
27. Nb3 Nxb3
28. Qxb3

[TexAg06]

Originally Posted by jewbinson

Spoiler:

I thought Nb3 ideas at moves 26 / 27 had some drawing chances for white, but just Nxb3 from black and white is lost. I'm gonna read the thread to see how white got so defensive and why he thought he'd be ok

Spoiler:

I might be overlooking something major or mis-reading your analysis, but how is white lost here? The position looks very drawish to me. Given the lack of material on the board, static pawn structure, white's control of the b-file, and white's extra pawn (a pawn is a pawn) I don't see any winning chances for black. The only advantage black has right now is a more active bishop, but that's it.

[ganstaman]

Originally Posted by TexAg06

Spoiler:

and white's extra pawn (a pawn is a pawn)

Spoiler:

Count again. I think it's the missing f-pawn that gets you. Almost fooled me.