Okay I admit, I am posting this to brag a little. This is my first ever win against this guy and we've been playing for at least a year. At the same time, Fritz stopped working on my computer and I feel like I misplayed the opening. I would like to get some insight into how I did and what the proper way to play against this variation is. I just stuck with the basics of development, center control, and king safety but I think my opponent didn't properly take advantage of my inexperience. How can I improve? Thank you!
Can Anyone Help Me Out?
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The_Aggressive_Bee
Oct 25, 2017
0
#1
You could have had some fun with 7 Bxf7+ Kxf7 8 Ng5+ but that is probably not the type of excitement you like.
Oct 25, 2017
0
#3
Oh wow, that's interesting! I did not even consider this at that point in the game. I looked at it for the next move, but it didn't even cross my mind for that move. Thank you!
Oct 26, 2017
0
#4
Thank you DeidreSky! I was aware that 32.Ra5 was going to temporarily set me back, but my goal was to exchange into an endgame with an outside past pawn that I know is winning. That being said, I do like your suggestion of keeping the pieces on the board and improving my king's position with Kf2-Ke3 as you pointed out. Nd4 had caught me off guard during the game. After c3 I was confident that the outside past pawn would assure me the win but as you said, the time it gives him to improve his king makes my task a lot harder than it could have been. Thank you so much!
I don't know any endgame theory that explains why the heck you are sure that 32. Ra5 wins. My endgame book notes that outside passed pawns tend to be very strong in knight + pawns vs knight + pawns, but that the tactical possibilities inherent with the knights render the positions complex. In this one, with the kings so far back, black's king one square closer and with the move, I would be anything but excited about entering this if there are other strong choices. Stockfish doesn't seem to sure either, staying steady at around +1.0 as it goes deeper and deeper -- which often means the position is a draw. Maybe you can grind out the win even if white plays better than he did, but with strong positional advantages, Deidre is clearly right that you want to look for something better.