Hi all,
My questions concern this game
Yes I gave away this game with a huge blunder (41. Bf4), but that's not what my questions are about. It's about some things that happened earlier on.
The first one: 11. h3
I really hesitated what to do here. I considered d4 for a long time but that really only would work if black's response would be exd4, which is not something you can build a tactic or strategy on. It would also limit my grip on e5 and my pawn structure would be ruined. On the other hand it does provide some nice tempo.
The second one: 15. Nxd6+
It splits open the defense and of course given a check is a good tempo. But the Knight was also really nice positioned on f5 and that's gone now. No guts no glory, so I did play this one in the end.
The third one: 21. Rg1
Should I play this for King safety (not letting black play Rh7 unchallenged)? Or should I save my Bishop by playing Be3? Chose the first on in the end because of the tempo on the Knight on g8 which was hanging.
Please tell me what you would have played and why. Thanks!
I think h3 was bad because it left your opponent with a wide open g file to your king. If he had any idea of how to attack, you would have been in big trouble. Rather than weaken your kingside you could have started your c3 knight towards the big hole on f5 or prepared a queenside advance with Rb1.
15 Nxd6+ was bad. Your knight was terrific. It was one of the only pieces available to protect your king. The bishop was basically a pawn. You got nothing from that.
21 Rg1 wasn't bad because you threatened the knight and it would have given you a fair trade.
41 Bf4 gave away your advantage but you still should have drawn.
Hi all,
My questions concern this game
Yes I gave away this game with a huge blunder (41. Bf4), but that's not what my questions are about. It's about some things that happened earlier on.
The first one: 11. h3
I really hesitated what to do here. I considered d4 for a long time but that really only would work if black's response would be exd4, which is not something you can build a tactic or strategy on. It would also limit my grip on e5 and my pawn structure would be ruined. On the other hand it does provide some nice tempo.
The second one: 15. Nxd6+
It splits open the defense and of course given a check is a good tempo. But the Knight was also really nice positioned on f5 and that's gone now. No guts no glory, so I did play this one in the end.
The third one: 21. Rg1
Should I play this for King safety (not letting black play Rh7 unchallenged)? Or should I save my Bishop by playing Be3? Chose the first on in the end because of the tempo on the Knight on g8 which was hanging.
Please tell me what you would have played and why. Thanks!