Thanks solskytz. And thanks Robert for some advice about the opening.
Martin0 vs Taulmaril minimatch
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Next game will start during the weekend.
Game 2 will start in about 15 minutes
Game 2 live: https://www.chess.com/live#g=1577842373
Congrats, Martin!
I won the second game. Now I need just 1 draw in 2 games in order to win the match. Comments to the game will come soon.
SmyslovFan wrote:
Congrats, Martin!
Thanks! I'm pretty happy with how I played this game. The only things I felt dissatisfied with was that I missed 27.Bxe4 and that I didn't look at 36.Qb7 before playing 35...b4. I'm pretty happy with how I handled the situation once 27.Bxe4 was made (I didn't panic and continued playing reasonable moves) and it turns out 36.Qb7 was not something to worry about (I thought I would lose a pawn there for a second).
Also I felt really satisfied with the move 33...Bd4. I thought it looked cute and really good at the same time.
The game with some analysis:
Some quick thoughts on the 18. Qxc3 line.
Thanks for the analysis CP6033. A small detail is that white should have a pawn on h3 and not on h2. I agree 18.Qxc3 looks better for white compared to 18.bxc3. I didn't consider the possibility for white to give back the exchange with Rxe4 and I guess I would go for the main line you mentioned. However I would probably expect white to not exchange queens with Qd8+, but just take the bishop with gxf3. Blacks rook is really inactive on h8, even if I believe black should be fine by playing e4, get the bishop out and get the king to g7.
Also, even though it is opposit colored bishops at the end of your line, I wouldn't just call it equal. I would definitely play on a bit to try to play for a win (even if I think it should be a draw with proper defence).
I think white will hold in the final position fairly easily. If Kb4 (the only try to win imo) c3+ Ka3 Kc2 and both the king and bishop are trapped. This a move like Bc2 c3 and the king will never get in. Black is better yes, but going to the kingside shouldn't win the game for him.
32...Kb4 33.c3+ Bxc3 looses a pawn and I'm not sure if that is your intention.
32...Kb4 33.Bf7 Be5 intending Ka3-Kb2 looks a bit scary and white might need to sacrifice a pawn with 34.c3 anyway.
Anything I'm missing? Do you really think it is easy to hold?
Oh yeah I forgot about the bishop being able to defend-still even in your 33. Bf7 Be5 line white has 34. f4! Bxf4 c3+ and if Ka3 Kc2 g5 Be6 and it is most likely a draw. If 35. c3+ Kc5 36. Bxg6 will suffice
One other thing. I think that going back 27. b3 is best. after 27. b3 exf3 you say it looks painful, however there is 28. a4 bxa4 29. bxa4 a5 30. Ba6 and white collects the f pawn, places his bishop on b3, and he can never lose. I think there is a clear draw at some point after Qd8+, and it is clearly far better then the game continuation. I don't think it is too difficult to draw it if you have a bit of time to work out the tough variations.
I guess the line should be 33.Bf7 g5 (preventing f4) 44.Kd2 Be5 instead. If 45.Kc1 Kc3 blacks king is very active and ready to get to the kingside and other moves can be responded by the Ka3-Kb2 idea.
Overall I agree though that there should be a draw. I think your correct about 27.b3, I didn't see that white was able to pick up the f3 pawn and that should be a relatively easy draw (I think). I guess one of my main points is that I would not be ready to agree to a draw after 26.gxf3 and I get the feeling it is a typical position some players would make a premature draw (something I would disagree with). Also I think I have learned a bit of endgame by analysing these lines after 27.fxe4, it was a lot richer than I first imagined and I think some of the winning lines I found was quite pretty.
Martin in your variation where you say blacks a pawn will decide after 33. Kc3 can white not sac a pawn to get rid of your f pawn? That would lead to a draw. Thanks for the analysis guys.
Indeed. A game down with 3 to play. You can expect a more ambitious game from me from now on. Lol