I was playing as black and expected white to place knight on f7 attacking both rooks (which my opponent did). However computer analysis suggests that ka3 to c4 or ke5 to c4 or rook a1 to c1 (in order of computer preference). I am confused as to why my opponent's move is not considered to be a good one? I ended up winning so maybe that goes in favour of computer.
Computer does not recommend taking the rook
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Black is solidly ahead in all those lines. He's got an extra bishop, an extra pawn, and more active pieces. It should be noted that the center is kind of a mess - black's d4 knight is unsupported and his d3 knight is under pressure. White isn't any better from that perspective: he has the marauding knight on e5, but it's unsupported. His other knight is currently in exile. But the big difference is that Black's king is safely castled, and white's is not. If black can increase the pressure on e2, white is in big trouble (note that a black bishop is already attacking e1).
Nf7 is an OK move - white wins material. But it's not enough material to tip the balance, and it doesn't help white with his urgent problems. It's a one-piece attack, once it peters out White is still in a losing position even though his material situation will be a bit better.
The other moves are losing as well, but white gets a fighting chance if he can defend the e-file. Trading away the a5 bishop helps him do that.
Honestly, I'd probably play Nf7 without hesitation. Anything that gets me closer to parity is an opportunity to be grasped with both hands. I can always play a move like Nac4 later. But that's why I'm a patzer.
I like your take on this position! thx!
My move after was puting the d8 rook on e8 putting pressure on e2 as you suggested.
The computer does not want to trade a centrally located knight for a rook, when Black can make some other move while waiting for the capture. Knights up close are powerful. White has two such knights, and a bishop aimed at the king, and a rook that can aim at it too. Meanwhile, Black spends a tempo to prevent the fork, which is still threatened after N3c4. I don't see a mate, but clearly the computer smells one strongly enough to forgo 2 points. You could let the computer play White and you Black and see what it does if you try to save the rook.
It may want to drive away the a5 bishop so it can 0-0-0.
Play Nf7 on the analysis board and see how much the position point value drops for Black's strongest reply compared to the point values of the other 3 moves.
Long shot, but if White can pin the c pawn to the king with a rook and then land a knight on d6 with check and trade it for b7 bishop, the knight on d5 can be taken for free by the g2 bishop. I would trade the e knight for the rook and then the other knight for this plot, or at least drive the dark square bishop off the a5-e1 diagonal.
Feb 5, 2018
0
#8
White is a piece and a pawn behind, his king is still in the middle, and his rooks are doing nothing. basically whites pieces are not cooperating, and not working well together. You DO NOT trade pieces when down material. By playing Nf7, white tradess of his most active piece, and is still down material.
Black also can play Nc3+ with a discovered attack on the White bishop, taking it with a threat on the rook, a good trade for the black knight.
Also, the white king is on a white square, indicating it can't castle.
Also, the g2 bishop is just as active as the e5 knight, maybe more so.
I plugged Nf7 into an engine, and it is scored about the same as the other moves. It is good to win points when you are down material. Nf7 is not a bad move.