In the ...b4 position I missed the critical 3.Bd3,Rxb3 4.bxc3,Rxc3 5.Qxh6,Kf8 so even if I found the correct move I didn't see if I could meet the renewed threat after Bd3 since obviously white had the tempo to move it back. 1...Kf8 was played in the game, and it's still quite a good move but allowed Rb4 shutting out ...b4, though ...b4 was played later in the actual game anyway.
How was my thought process?
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I know I didn't look at all the positions from this game but think I did okay at best. It's a random game I found in the Chessbase database.
The ...Nf8 bit seemed passive though I didn't see how white would be able to improve with it. Though the game was a Hedgehog and I'm familiar with such systems so that biased me. I also study the Berlin Defence, Petroff (recently), Najdorf, Scheviningen (via transposition from a Najdorf), Paulsen, Queen's Indian, Nimzo-Indian, and Leningrad Dutch as black so it's hard to find something totally unfamiliar.
Kakishev,Nazhmiden (1996) - Bazilov,Arman (2222)
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Imbalances:
Black has a nice hedgehog system setup and white played Kh1, handing the initiative to black. White has space and aiming to restrict black on the queenside. Semi open d-file and c-file typical of an open Sicilian. Position likely equal as black was handed the move with Kh1 and can immediately connect the rooks. Candidate moves are 1…d5 1…0-0 and 1…Rc8.
I’m not ready for a …d5 thrust and I need to connect my rooks so 0-0 is my move. Is it safe? 1…0-0 2.g4,Rad8 3.Bxf6,Nxf6 4.g5,Nd7 no danger. So 1...0-0 push clock.
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White potentially has weak dark squares and his darksquared bishop is critical for a kingside attack as well. Can I neutralize this piece? 1…Rfd8 with the idea of …Nf8 to defend the Be7 and prepare …d5 seems like a good plan. Wait, white surrendered the d-file with Qe1, he’s obviously planning a kingside attack, can I play …d5 now? No? The Be7 is en prise making 1…d5 2.exd5,Nxd5 impossible. 1…Rfd8 plans this best so far. My d6 is too weak, don’t want an isolated d-pawn or exchange bishop for knight so 1…d5 again is eliminated. 1…d5 2.e5,Qxe5 loses a pawn for him.
1…Rfd8 it is since I can’t see any chances down the c-file, a knight may need to go to f8 while the other rook may be more useful on the c-file.
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White wants to tie the queen to the defense of the b-pawn after moving the knight while preparing f4. Can I allow this plan and still be better off? 1…h6 is a candidate but don’t want to give white a lever to play against. My first candidate is …Nf8 1…Nf8 2.f4,Rad8 The Be7 is defended in case white plays e5, he’ll likely play f5 so e5 is forced therefore taking my planned …d5 off the table. Wait, 1…Nf8 2.f4,Nxe4 simply loses a pawn, a big uphill battle for white. 1…Nf8 2.Rad1,Rad8 so far the primary variation.
If I find nothing better then Nf8 is my move. I really want to activate my queen’s rook but don’t want to waste a move moving it elsewhere. 1…Rac8 can’t find a plan here 1…Qc5 2.f4 doesn’t help me. Wait 1…Qc5 2.f4,e5 3.Nf3,Qxf2 4.Rxf2 he doubles on the f-file and has good pressure against the e5 point and I can’t play …d5 anymore. I want better than this. 1…Nf8 with flexibility, defending the Be7, prepares Ng6 and Rad8 push clock.
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White made a mysterious rook move. Is there a solid justification for it or do I gain yet another free small tempo? 2000 rated FIDE is quite strong so obviously the move has at least a decent plan behind it. The Bg5 is loose but if it were exploitable white would have foreseen it and done something about it. I improved my position slightly earlier, though I still like Rad8 better than Rac8 the c8 square is still okay. Candidate moves are Qc5 and Ne5 with the idea of Nc4, b3 impossible since the Nc3 would hang. Black’s a little better off than before because the small tempi add up… or at least I think so! White just shuffled aimlessly, I think I like …Qc5 with the idea of supporting a …d5 break better since it’s forcing due to the Bg5 being loose. 1...Qc5 2.f4,Bf8 eliminates the pin and I seem okay here. 1…Qc5 push clock.
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I don’t like this move, Nxb3 encourages white to capture away from the center giving me structural superiority. 1…Nc5 didn’t do much compared to 1...Ne5 but seems like an acceptable enough move. Does Nxb3 contain a trap? It opens the c-file for white, but the Nc3 will need to move and it’s a horrible piece as it is, Nd1 would disconnect the rooks until Ne3 I may improve slightly if he moves back, after all is said and done can he make use of the file? 1…Nxb3 2.cxb3,Qc5 3.Qxc5,bxc5 with a superior structure, maybe 3…dxc5 instead? If …d5 after bxc5 then exd5 and the isolated pawn pair coordinates nicely for a potential passed pawn. 1…Nxb3 2.cxb3,Qc5 3.Be3 drops the pawn. 1…Nxb3 2.cxb3 what now? 2…d5 3.e5,Qxe5 4.Qxb6 no, I don’t like that either. 1…Nxb3 2.cxb3 any safe move? Back to …d5: 2…d5 3.e5,Nfd7 4.Bxe7,Rxe7 I can double rooks but I’m otherwise clumsily placed. I’m lower on space so recoordinating shouldn’t be an issue. 2…d5 3.Nd5 is nasty 1…Nxb3 2.cxb3,Qb8 with the idea of Qa8 is my primary variation so far. Still, the c-file and potential tactics seem useful for white. Anything else? So much pressure against e4:
1…Nfxe4 exposing the bishop to attack, this could work:
1…Nfxe4 2.fxe4,Bxg5 with a commanding advantage
1…Nfxe4 2.Nxe4 defends the bishop 2…Nxe4 removal of the guard, due to the threat against the queen Bxe7 isn’t possible thus simplifying the combination’s calculation. 1…Nfxe4 2.Nxe4,Nxe4 3.fxe4,Bxg5 is my new primary variation, white has an isolated e-pawn and weak dark squares whereas I maintain my darksquared bishop, initiative due to the threat against the Rc8, and central pawn superiorty and I can’t find a refutation so push clock.
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The isolated e-pawn, extra pawn, central pawn majority, central control, and coordination determine my advantage. I like 1…Bf6 2.Rb1,Qxc2 loses a pawn threatening the Nb3 while 2.c3 loosens the already out of play Nb3 pushes clock because Bxe5-Bxa6 exchanges pawns which is good for the defender and 2…Bb7 still a decent line but I want more.
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I like 1…d5 because it prevents Re4 when white can obtain some counterplay on the kingside while establishing a neat outpost over the c4 square. Re3 still possible however but Re4 also covers the a-pawn.
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1…Qd5 with a threat against the Nb3 gives me an initiative. 2.Nd4 possible 2.Nd4,Bc4 3.Bc2,Qc5 with a pin against the queen preparing simplifications. I really want to get out of the middlegame and cash in my pawn advantage. 1...Qd5 push clock.
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There are strong threats agains the king, Queen, rook, and Bishop coordinate in an attack and Qxh6 is threatened due to the pin against the g-pawn, but my bishop and queen seem to have everything under control. Can I sacrifice the bishop and pawn race my pawn using the threat against the knight?
1…b4 deflecting the Bd3 from the critical attacking and defending diagonal but is the pawn dash sound? 2.Bxa6,bxc3, 3.Nd2,cxb2 3.Rb1,Qc1+ 4.Rxc1,bxc1=Q+ or 4.Bf1,Qxd2 either way I’m winning.
3.bxc3,Rxb3 regaining the piece with a superior position and activity.
1…b4 pushes clock.
I ended the study here. I'm sure there are some thought process errors I need to weed out and did take up some time. I noticed I got a bit lazy on some later positions but got right back into it with the ...b4 position.