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Pogonina vs Chess.com Move 27.

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BalticKnight
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Done: 27.Be2 is a good move, what I would choose as White.

To the game:

http://www.chess.com/votechess/game.html?id=14051

To the Alliance:

http://www.chess.com/groups/forumview/move-27-the-conditional-move-thread

"I would say this position is a good example of how deep chess can be. It's really hard to say something for sure because the consequenses of one move stretches very, very far. Natalia is very Russian School, seeking space and pressure and if this had been a game under normal tournament/match conditions I believe Black would have cracked sooner or later. Black can still play on because the drawing line is not crossed yet, but it all has to be reasonably precise. I'm not sure that 26. ... Rb8 is the best, especially if it rests on a "must do move". If the position boils down to the opposite coloured bishop one that has been flashing here and there, there are good drawing chances for Black. That depends though on the king activity for both sides and the block possibilities of the white pawns. Given that, keeping at least one more piece in play would be a goal for White and that choice is totally depending on player will, which is hard to foresee. On the other side, a stubborn defence might be as trying for the first player as being under pressure for a long time." ( Comment on move 26 )

"26. ... Rb8 27.Be2 (Threat:Bxa6) Rc6  28.Rb4 Bd8  29.Qd5 (Threat:Qxe5)(29.Qa4 (Threat:Bxa6) Rbc8) and the Black Queen must move. Some interesting pressure play here. White is expanding her area of influence, so besides keeping Black busy on the queen wing something is slowly building up against the king side. Just think Bc4 and Rd1-d3-f3." ( Comment move 26 )

 
That was yesterday. In the above position with 29.Qd5 (Qa4 might be better, I do not know yet.) There are two ways of defending. The Black Queen can move or Be7 can prepare a counter attack on Rb4. Rc5 is met with the simple QxR and Qc7 is possible but White's king will be the more active: 30.Rb6 Rxb6  31.axb6 Qxb6 32.Bc4 (xf7) Qc7 33.Qxd6 Qxd6 34.Rxd6 The rook enters d7 so Black need a defence against Rd7/Bd5. 34. ... Kf8  35.Rd7 Be7  36.Bd5 b6  37.Ra7 a5  38.Kf1 and the white king is going to be much more active than the black. (29. ... Qc8  29. ... Qe8  29. ... Be7 )
 
On the other hand, If I were White, I would not like to stuff all my pieces into the clutter on the queen wing and possibly force a drawish endgame. Now that the white pieces are liberated It might be fun to turn to the other side of the board. So what if 27.Be2 Rc6   28.g3!? Bd8  29.Rd5 Bc7 and f4 doesn't work. What about, 27.Be2 Rc6  28.Rb8 Bd8  29.Rd5 Qc7  30.f4!? exf4  31.e5 dxe5  32.Rxb7 Rxb7  33.Qxb7! Rd6 (QxQ Rxd8#) 34.Qxc7 Bxc7  35.Rxd6 Bxd6  36.Bxa6 That was fun :) White has an edge here, maybe a winning one. Black can do better though. There must be a counter on the queen side earlier on.