North County Open #48, round 1. Feb 23, 2023

It was an interesting game.  I'm curious how 15. Nb4 would have evaluated.  If the exchange is given up like in the game the a1-h8 diagnol stays closed so black doesn't get the same level of compensation as in the game with the dark squared bishop discovery.  If the exchange wasn't given up the knight can then land on c6 in a rather annoying spot.

Yes, 15.Nb4 sounds interesting, except that I think the N on b4 has no immediate threat, which is what I was striving for in the game.  SF confirms that Nb4 is not enough to bother Bk.  After 15.Nb4 the best line is 15...Rc8.  Then 16.Nc6 (16.Nd5 is now best +0.75/depth 40) is a mistake with Bk slightly better (-0.43/depth 40) after 16...Bg5. 

I'm surprised at this evaluation.  Looks like slight Wt advantage to me.  But SF line continues, showing that the Bk P-chain is not a serious weakness.  Heavy K-side activity ensues, with strong Bk Bpair, while the c6N is nearly out of play.