Martin vs The world Analysis thread

Yes.

My only issue with Bxc1 is that it removes the dark square Drunken Bishops, and if the other light square Drunken Bishops get traded off — one for one — then Martin may have a better endgame.

He controls the center with both pawns at their optimum ranks, he would have his Knights optimally placed as well, and if his Rook would have developed to c1 with the capture of our DB, everything would be going his way.

By keeping the Drunken Bishops on the board, the status quo is maintained.

Incidentally, I like the Drunken Bishops (for both sides) controlling those off center double lanes, where they just keep the Queens and Rooks out of play.

Anyway, it is getting close to ry posting our next move.

We have to see who will weigh in with an alternative to Nb6.

I'm changing my vote to Nf4. If Nce5, then Ba3! tacos the queen and forces Bd2, then we have f6.

*traps

JARP,

Can you lay out your ideas more persuasively?

I looked at Nf4 a lot, and it had merit for me.  I'm not averse to it, but it has gambit risks to it.

Why should we take the risk?  What do you see that pushes it over the edge as favorable?

When I gave it any look, it was always a footrace against opposing threats, and I wondered to myself if maybe I was overlooking something.  Where does your assuredness originate?  How can you be so sure?

Sorry I'm all questions, but I've already cast my vote.

I'm open minded, … just need convincing if there is a better move out there.

I would think that if you really believe in Nf4, you could argue its benefits 'till we turn blue.

Let me further add that in a Drunken Bishops game, which is what our game solely has become, their overreaching effect — all four of them on the game — is that they make advantages near impossible to induce.

Therefore, it could be argued that the first player to "blink," the one who tries a gambit by going far too much in one direction, will be the one who later wonders how they ever let things get so out of hand.

Martin may not have thought of this, and may think everything is "business as usual."  He may overplay his "hand" and find himself overextended because he underestimated the undercutting ability of the Drunken Bishops.

They really are unique…
… and my deepest fear is he's known this all along. (unbeknownst to us)

Bob

I'll take another look at Nf4.  Right now the vote is tied between Nf4 and Bb6.

Martin's time-stamp for his last move currently shows 3 days ago, meaning that it has to get to 4 days ago, and then he has to give us a warning on time, and we have 24 hours to agree on and make our move.

Let's look at the case for Nf4.

If you follow the light grey moves, we get to the point where our Knight is pinned on our King.  We can protect it with our Queen, and a double-check en prise is in the works, so his King moves off the file.

A check has not occurred here, really, so White's Queen takes the Knight back, and things can continue.

We now take his Drunken Bishop with our Drunken Bishop, preventing his Rook from pinning our Queen on our King, and then we get...

So, the question here would be, "Do you think we can win with a position like this?"

It's the end game, he has doubled pawns, and we have a possible attack to wage on his weak pawn structure on the right.

Maybe something can be made of it, but it looks like the game is headed to a Draw.

Yes, pardon me.

I'll tell ya, the more I'm analyzing Nf4, the more I'm liking it.

There are tremendous pitfalls for White at every turn.

In fact, White may have to play Nce5.

I'm changing my vote to…

Nf4!

Here's what it has going for it.

• Momentum
  • Our piece goes from being attacked to attacking an unprotected square
    • Martin has to parry that Nd3 threat square

• Combinations
  • They abound and he has no real direct threats on us
  • He'll be playing defense; one tempo in arrears of what he needs
  • Some of the tactics are truly beautiful
    • And the ones that work, work very deeply
    • There's very little slack for him to work with
• King Exposure
  • We're continuing with going after his exposed King
  • We're taking it to him
    • Error in judgment on his part?
      1. He'll pay dearly for it
      2. If he parries all threats we'll have the game I diagramed
         1. A Draw at worst

Still looking for problems with Nf4.

One problem would be Bc3.

That's the move for him.

It's a crushing move against us, and it ruins everything.

Have to study Nb6 and Bxc1.

At least Bxc1 is our saving-position move if we have nothing with Nb6.

ry, as of this moment, I'm withdrawing my vote for Nf4.

He'll steamroll us if we play it.

My vote is once again Nb6.

I was looking for one thing wrong with Nf4, I finally found it (Bc3), and all of you who are voting for Nf4 should seriously reconsider that move.

How do you get out of the jam he'll create with Bc3?

That's my vote, too.  We keep the DBs on the board to keep things complex.

Once they're gone, it's a normal game and he has control of the center. (not good for us)

Ry, let's look it over a little longer.  Yes, it has been a long time.  But we're still Ok on time.

Let me see if I can find an answer to Bc3.

On Bc3, we can play b5. If Nce5, then b4 is strong.

Oh wait.... Never mind. The N on f4 is protected.

JARP, I looked at a lot of ways against Bc3, and I couldn't find an answer.

We can't gamble on Martin not making the best move.

Anyway, it's moot now because ry played Nb6.

So, no harm, no foul.  We're still very much in this game.

Remember, Martin may easily overplay his position by bringing his pieces out.

So far, his whole game has been weak piece movements.

It needs a clear, unbroken path.  Think about your "argument" and let me know what you conclude.

Btw, I already know the answer, and I haven't even consulted a board to check my opinion.

Wait what? I still don't totally understand the DBs.

Current Position (Black to Move)

Apparently the urge for Martin to get his King castled long is very powerful for him.

Very dangerous bringing his Queen up.  Hope we find a chink in his armor.