All black would have to do, after the Na4 combination, is to manage to get the knights off and there are strong chances of a drawn opposite bishop ending.
How do you best handle the b2 pawn as white?
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Yeah, it may end up as a draw. I have to agree with stockfish in this situation though. In my opinion, I would have an easier time playing white than black. White just looks to be doing somewhat better after that Na4 combination, as opposed to other variations.
What does the computer think of my suggestion, 10. c4, which I rather like??
going back to the original position, 10.c4 is a move I like. White makes use of slightly better development to hack at black's center pawn, creating a potential weakness. But I also have a thing for "when better developed, get even more better; when active, get even more active" I would look very hard at moves like 10.Nc3, trying to lure black into premature expansion in the centre
Optimissed wrote:
What does the computer think of my suggestion, 10. c4, which I rather like??
What I am finding is Nc3 is played and white castles long instead.
I'm in the same boat as @GarryCasperov and I'd love to hear tips on how to defend your b2 (or b7) pawn in the opening and middle game in general, especially after Qb3 (or Qb6). This thread went more in detail in the current position and that's great, but if someone qualified sees this, thoughts?
In general, good players don't start off the game worrying about how to defend their b-pawns! Particularly since no one is attacking them. There are times where the opponent can threaten the b-pawn, after you have developed your bishop, but often you can afford to simply sacrifice the pawn for superior development. You will have to make that judgement in each individual case, In any event, defending your b-pawn against some attack that may or may not ever happen seems like a waste of time
ziwuri wrote:
I'm in the same boat as @GarryCasperov and I'd love to hear tips on how to defend your b2 (or b7) pawn in the opening and middle game in general, especially after Qb3 (or Qb6). This thread went more in detail in the current position and that's great, but if someone qualified sees this, thoughts?
Surely in the same boat?
@GarryCasperov was one troll account out of many which a guy opened several months ago, and lasted less than a week.
Do any of you watch euphoria? I’m so Maddie vibes
@Optimissed Sorry for misunderstanding, there was no clarification on which move Be4 was. I just assumed it was after 16. Na4. My point was that Na4 is justified if you wanted to play 16. Be4. I also checked with stockfish, and the strongest move by far was 16. Na4. I only said it led to a better position, not winning a piece.
Also, white is not decentralizing pieces? Strong Knight on c5, with the rook, bishop, and queen in the center. I think white just has better piece activity and more space. I wouldn't say a move is "wrong" anyway. Just "poor".
I'm sure stockfish is wrong. Stockfish isn't thought of as a good middlegame player. Its strength is endings. It wouldn't evaluate opposite colour bishops as bad, either. Never go by engines, strategically.