How to best continue this position?
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dxc6
After the tradeoffs, white ends up with his knight on d5 and black has a bad bishop. Seems like white has an edge.
Not so clear, since 12.dxc6 Rxc6 demands that the queen moves.
The hanging b pawn is more of an issue, but with opposite-colored bishops and no clear attacking possibilities, I am not sure the white advantage, if any, is very large;
ameya-kamat wrote:
I see 3 good continuations here. Difficult for me to say which one's better.
12. Nd5 - This attacks the Black Queen, puts the knight on a central outpost and with the knight on d5 square being attacked and defended twice (as f6 knight is pinned to the Queen), it won't be that easy to dislodge it.
OR
12. Bxf6 - Black can recapture either with the Queen or the Bishop. Then you can go for a Rook exchange on the d7 and then put the knight on d5.
12. Rxd7 Qxd7 13. Rd1. - Take control of the open d-file.
I like white's position but there is no clear advantage for any side here.
Your comments relate to the starting position. I think he was asking for advice on the ending position-- i.e., after move 11.
There is an absolutely gorgeous tactics at 6. for white....instead of the B retreating to f1....Can you find it ?....
....and you should see this at your level (unless it's blitz).
The_Ghostess_Lola wrote:
There is an absolutely gorgeous tactics at 6. for white....instead of the B retreating to f1....Can you find it ?........and you should see this at your level (unless it's blitz).
Huh ? Can't see it after five minutes of thought... 
Hint: Black's pawn at e5.
ameya-kamat wrote:
Dear notmtwain: My comments relate to the move after move 11. Hence, the moves have been labelled 12.
I don't see how 12 Nd5 is possible when there is a pawn already occupying d5 but maybe you have a magic knight.
Look at it again.
(Me very bad analyze)
ameya-kamat wrote:
I see 3 good continuations here. Difficult for me to say which one's better.
12. Nd5 - This attacks the Black Queen, puts the knight on a central outpost and with the knight on d5 square being attacked and defended twice (as f6 knight is pinned to the Queen), it won't be that easy to dislodge it.
OR
12. Bxf6 - Black can recapture either with the Queen or the Bishop. Then you can go for a Rook exchange on the d7 and then put the knight on d5.
12. Rxd7 Qxd7 13. Rd1. - Take control of the open d-file.
I like white's position but there is no clear advantage for any side here.
Are you sure you're looking at the correct position? None of these moves is possible. There is a pawn on d5, there is nothing on f6 and thre is nothing on d7 for white to capture.
In hindsight, i think after 11...Rfd8, 12. Rd3 followed by 13. Rc3 is a good practical and positional choice. ...cxd5 only helps white land his knight on its ideal outpost. Black's minor pieces are inferiorly positioned. I can't see any sufficient regrouping for black against White's very flexible position.
Think....It took me awhile too....It'd have taken Tal, ohh, probably 15-20 minutes here. You're looking for a violent, game-ending combo - it's not that...it's more petite....but decisive.
Would Tal have retreated (especially to f1) ?....He** no. That's for the timid.
Maybe, but Tal himself said
"There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones and mine."
I'll give you 48 more hours (correspondence chess ?). If not, I'll tell you 9:00am ast Sunday morning. 1st 1 2 get it ?....gets a gift from me !
To: IM phren....you're just the player who can find that hidden little combo in lieu of hoarsing out "Retreat !" w/ 6. Bf1.
@ Ghostess Lola... How about 6. Nxe5 Rxb5 7. Nxg7 fxg6 8. d6.
Or maybe 8.Qc4 instead of d6. Not sure which one is better. This is probably not the exact line you calculated but I think it might be something similar, with the same tactical idea?
Glad to have shared the same thoughts with a respected player as IM pfren. I remembered Anand-Morozovich,Olympiad 2004. In a position where there probably exist a mate, he instead chose a simple recapture of a piece in which his opponent instantly resigned. He couldn't be bothered, his move accomplished its mission all the same.
Stormstout wrote:
Maybe, but Tal himself said
"There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones and mine."
There are actually three kinds of sacrifices. Some were just plainly wrong.
Ur right...(but that hasn't stopped him from secretly looking........)