Position of the day- 11.9

Hi, in this forum I will post a daily position, asking you to write the evaluation of the position using the tools given in my article, and offer a plan and a move.

Then, together with me, we will discuss the quality of the evaluation, and different ideas from chess that reflect in the position.

Today's position is:

Give full evaluation of the position- opponent threats, space, development, quality of pieces, material.

Then, check possible tactical shots for the side you play for (here-black). As a part of this, I want you to tell my your opinion about the tactical move Nxd5- try to check the variations and evaluate them.

I hope you like it,

-Philip

Black has only two major pieces developed compared to white's three, with black to move.  However, black can't develop much other than putting the queen bishop or knight on d2.  Black's white square bishop would probably be best placed on b2 to cover the long white square diagonal to h1.  So moving the b pawn to b6 would protect the c pawn and open up the diagonal for the black squared bishop.  Blacks queen knight won't do much good on a6... so c6 or d2 make more sense, but white's d pawn is preventing black's knight from occupying c6.  Black is closer to castling than white.  There's a power struggle on the d file with the two queens.  Each side has lost a pawn, but all other pieces are still on the board.  Black's pawn on c5 is a bit precarious with only the black square bishop defending it, but it's not under immediate threat. 

White is a bit overextended with it's pawns on d5 and c4 with the d5 pawn about to fall.  Pushing the d pawn to d6 doesn't seem to accomplish much because black can just capture with the bishop on e2.  A queen exchange on the d file will leave white with a rook on the open d file. 

If an exchange occurs on f6, then white might want d5xe6, and then black might want to consider Bxe6.

If black Nxd5 then Bxg5, and white's pawn chain is down to one. 

If this were a real game, I might O-O which would probably end up having a rook on an open 3 file if the white pawn on d5xe6 and then fxe6 ending up with an isolated pawn, and then I'd be forced to start my 34 move forced mate. 

Hi Zingaringo,

Why at the end fxe6 and not Bxe6? Do you prefer the line with the isolated pawn here?

Would you believe I mistyped and would have played Bxe6 in a real game?  My other excuse would be that my fingers were tired from all that typing, and I was exhausted, weak minded, and missed an obvious move.

Castle. Take off the pressure of the minor and major messy middle and then you are free to control the middle while keeping pressure on the lines to prevent white from castling.

Hey Ponygirl,

Castling should indeed be seriously considered, however, what would be your opinion on Nxd5? don't we just win a pawn?

1...Nxd5  2. Bxe7... Qxe7 3.cxd5 ...exc5+ 4.Be2... leaves white +2 and a Queen on an open file. What am I missing? I am new at this. If I was Black I would castle and leave the tension and probably would be up at least half a tempo. Right? This will be a good learning experience for me. Thanks.

hey Dgross9,

what if instead 2..Qxe7 black takes on c3?

Attacking the white Queen... that would spread the tension around! 2. ...Nxc3  3. Bxd8... Nxd1 then 3...Kxd8 or 0-0 ? White still +2 right? If both give up the castle and take the piece White is still +2?  Remember I sometimes overlook the obvious... help me out. - Don