Black's move - what to do?

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rashidarvioreyhan

I didn't maintain the data about this game to evaluate step by step, but I was interested in the insights of more experienced forum members on the following position.  It showed up in a game I was playing yesterday and the complexity made certainty about the best move very challenging for me.

It's black's move, the question is, what is black's best move and why?

Obviously, both of black's rooks are being threatened and having white's queen get behind black's pieces seems problematic to me.

On the other hand, losing the more central rook will remove considerable pressure on white's king.

There are numerous variations that could emerge, if black knight takes white knight then white queen probably takes black's rook, and black's knight probably moves to c4 to avoid capture.

In another variation, black's rook takes white's knight and white's pawn probably takes black's rook, then either black's bishop takes white's pawn or black's knight takes white's pawn I'd argue the former to put pressure on C3, but I'd bow to the superior wisdom of someone else's assessment of the situation.

In another variation, black's bishop takes white's knight and white's queen will probably take black's rook, this doesn't seem as strong an outcome for black.

Black might try to avoid the conflict by moving H5 rook, probably to H6 to defend the G6 knight.  In this situation the white knight would probably take the C6 rook and black's knight would probably proceed to take the white knight.

Which of these leaves black in the strongest position?  Or is there another better option?

Nytik

Have you considered the move 1... Nxf4 ? At first glance, it seems like it could save both rooks! It defends your a4 rook and attacks white queen, making your other rook safe for at least a little while! If Bxf4, Rxe5 seems to save the rooks and leave you simply winning.

If you saw this move, and a refutation, then sorry! Embarassed

rashidarvioreyhan

Can you play it out for me? I see Nxf4, Bxf4 and then you're back to pretty much the same place, but down 2 points, am I not seeing something?

PrismaK

the Ne5-c4 variation gives you the possibility of a strong attack to white king

rashidarvioreyhan
PrismaK wrote:

the Ne5-c4 variation gives you the possibility of a strong attack to white king


 Yes, but is it the best option?  I see Qh3 or possible Qf7 causing hassles for black, how would it be likely to play out?

In terms of raw pieces and point values associated, Rxe5 gives only a 1 point loss, whereas most of the other options result in a 2 point loss and leaves white with precious little to work with except the queen, but is the position superior?

Tactchess

Nxf4 wins - have you seen the h pawn push? that's deadly.

I will make a simple pgn.

Tactchess

rashidarvioreyhan

Not quite so simple, though stronger than I thought, observe this counter.

Alternatively, if you allow it to progress 4. Qf3 makes little sense when you could go with something like Qh5, granted, it doesn't totally avoid the situation

Thanks for the insight though, it does seem that pretty much makes it the end for white, whether it drags on or not.