So I need to defend c4 against the threat of ...c6, so I considered Qb3 or Qd3. I'm pretty sure I just decided on Qb3 intuitively, putting pressure on b7 and preparing to put a rook opposite his queen. I'm very willing to be convinced that my move was wrong, since it depends a lot on how I am going to resolve the tension in the centre, and I still don't know the right answer to this!

I was quite happy with 16.dxe5 when I played it, because I was visualising the sort of position that happened in the game after my 21st move, and it looked VERY promising- complete control of the d-file, better bishop, his pieces on the back rank. To be honest I thought I would win easily. Obviously the big problem is that Qd7 is always met my the queen exchange and Kf8-e8.

So 16.d5 c5 and what next next? Black is going ...f5 and I'm kinda lost on the white side of these KID structures. It is certain that my queen in not optimally placed on b3 here

As a sidenote, one thing I have been considering is getting a GM coach, but just to help me with one specific thing- analysing my games positionally, and only after I have done a full annotation myself. I have some 3400+ friends to check my tactics but positionally a strong GM seems much more useful. For example in this position the engine doesn't seem that useful since it appears to be thinking OMG SPACE ADVANTAGE, +1

I was thinking of 12.b3, is there something wrong with that? then Qd2 followed by other normal moves
You're probably right about 16.d5 c5. Getting Q-side counterplay organised seems like a lot of work. and Black might have some attacking chances (replying f5 with f3 and dropping the B back to f2 or g1 in case of f4 is positionally nice but seems like Black might get an attack with the Q-side initiative progressing so slowly). Maybe we could keep the tension at move 16, Qa3 maybe? The more I look at the position the more it seems Black is fine though, the N on e2 and the pawn on g3 are misplaced.

What advantage does 12.b3 have over 12.Qd3?

16.f4 looks quite interesting actually, trying to make some sense of the e2 knight.

regarding 12.b3: I just want to tidy up things to get some sort of Maroczy-like position, and then try to make something of the space advantage. At least c4 is protected rock solid and the Q looks a little awkward on d3. Can't really say whether it's better or worse than Qd3 but it's more harmonious to my eye at least.
I was also thinking of 16.f4 but was a little worried about it being too loosening. No movable pieces or an engine at my disposal now, so all these ideas are really hand-wavy and obviously could use some concrete lines to back them up

Qb3 seems alright to me. If anything I think the whole plan starting with Nd5 doesn't seem that effective, but I admit I don't have a great feel for these types of structures.

On move 16 I don't see how dxe5 can be right. Why not maintain the tension with a move like Qa3?

Yes 16.Qa3 is quite interesting. I think I agree about 16.dxe5, but at the time I was just so tempted by the complete control of the d-file.

Another interesting idea is 12.Bh6!? which I didn't really look at because it wasn't good 2 moves earlier (lol). Now the knight can retreat to e3, I exchange the dark squared bishops and go f4. I think I quite like that actually.

Dynamic Play

I didn't fall for it

Came joint first with an IM (he was top seed, I was second seed) with 4/5 in a weekender. I played pretty terribly, loads to analyse and improve on. Next week I'm going to France to play a FIDE rated 9 rounder!

Congrats on the joint first But why haven't you posted some games for us to see yet??? haha

An interesting position from the end of a puzzle involving a tactical theme I had never seen before:





Games will be here soon . I have 4 days until I leave so I'm going to analyse one each day then post it here (no computer analysis). Then perhaps we can discuss them/look for improvements over my analysis before finally allowing the monster loose on them when I get back from France.

Ok so I had a 1/2 point bye for the Friday evening round, and Saturday morning was upfloated for round 2.

http://chess.tuxtown.net/game-replay...272051658d782c

I haven't put too many punctuation marks on the moves yet or figured out where the evaluation changed in the endgame because I still need to figure that out. I've just put a bunch of variations out there for the moment. Feedback is always very welcome!

Pretty interesting ending.

On move 34 maybe Black should play 34..fxg3 with the idea or 35.fxg3 Rf8.

or 35.Kg2 Rc2 I think Black has better drawing chances there than in the game.

Does the pawn ending win if you play 27.Kg1 and only then trade down? Surprised you didn't even mention this and makes me doubt if I'm missing something really simple.

Yeah there are so many variation I haven't looked at them all or forgot about some of them. 27.Kg1 is certainly possible. I was kinda worried about 27...Bxc5 28.Rxd8 (28.Rxc5+ Kb6) f3 29.g4 h5 but now I think 30.R8d5 might win, e.g 30...Bd4 31.R1xd4 or 30...Bb6 31.Rxe5 hxg4 32.hxg4 Rxg4+ 33.Kf1 Rg2 34.Rd2 Rh2 35.Rg5 with the threat Rg3

Hm true that's a little hairy. How about 27.Bb4 angling for a better version of that line? My gut is telling me that position should be winning

34...fxg3 35.fxg3 Rf8 36.g4 perhaps? Idea Rf5.

Do you have an improvement for Black over the line I gave though? If not it does win even if it is a bit complicated.

I think Black can hold the King ending after 36...Ke6 37.a4 e3 38.Rf5 Rf5 39.gf Kf5 40.b4 Ke4 now either both players Queen or Black eliminates the Queenside pawns.

Also, in the game what happens after 38...f3+? I think that will probably also lead to a draw.

can you play 27. b4 to make all the Bxc5 ideas impossible, now that the rook on c5 will be defended, and then bring your king? How is he going to unpin?

I think you guys are right, the position with the pin should be examined very closely because it's so dangerous for Black. Against 27.b4 and 27.Kg1 I think Black will try 27...h5. The idea is to continue with h4 and then e4 so that the K+P endings will not be winning for White. If we allow all this I don't see how to make progress.

But how about this for a plan: 27.f3!? I want to go b4, R1d2 and then go with my king to a5 Is there any way for Black to stop this?

36...Ke6 37.Rxa6+ (After 37.Rf5 I calculated the pawn ending as drawing by 1 tempo for Black)

If you go back I will play Ra3, so 37...Kd5 38.Ra5+ Kd4 39.Rf5 Rc8! Yes, Black's e-pawn is very strong here.

I'm not sure I understand the point of 38...f3+. What is the idea after 39.Kg3?