Need some Help analyzing this game (esp black d5)
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Thank you, @StubbyBind! That is very helpful. I understood the center control and even the likely exchanges, but I didn't see how that would hamper white's development (just how it would reduce the total material). I learned a lot...not just here, but what to look for down the road with moves like this. Thanks again!
Feb 14, 2025
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#5
The reason I see ...d5 as an option in the open is that the Bishop can go back to e7 if needed. Playing Bc5 lets us play the Traxler Variation but you have to commit to the f2 capture to make it mean anything. White should have opted for an attempt at the Four Knights Italian imho. There is a great series of articles in Chess Life that explains a lot of theory in the Petroff as Black that the author plays in Correspondence Chess. Look it up sometime at and good luck.
playchessordie19 wrote:
The reason I see ...d5 as an option in the open is that the Bishop can go back to e7 if needed. Playing Bc5 lets us play the Traxler Variation but you have to commit to the f2 capture to make it mean anything. White should have opted for an attempt at the Four Knights Italian imho. There is a great series of articles in Chess Life that explains a lot of theory in the Petroff as Black that the author plays in Correspondence Chess. Look it up sometime at and good luck.
I appreciate the explanation. And I will try to find those Chess Life articles. I've been working on the Petroff but am still learning. I started with A Vigorous Chess Opening Repertoire by Cohen but I think I need to go back and read something like Step by Step to understand some things that went unsaid in that other book. Thanks!
Think about general principles rather than specific move sequences.
your opponent’s 3. d3, 5. h3, and 6. a3 were all passive, doing nothing about controlling space in the center. So you should play actively. Playing . . . d5 grabs the center.
Then, your opponent played 7. g4 and 10. b4. These moves do nothing to further his development or safeguard his king. They also weaken the pawn structure so his king will never find a secure home.
At this point, you should be thinking about attacking his king. Complete your development and open the position. You do not want to exchange pieces—that would just make his defense easier. That is why you should retreat the bishop to b6.
the general principles will lead to specific moves.
@mikewier thank you. "General Principles"-- I should probably get that tattooed somewhere I can't miss it.
@Optimissed thanks. I appreciate the advice about engines and openings.
@chesster3145 thank you so much for the detailed notes. That's really a big help!
For the first time, I'm trying to earnestly analyze my games to figure out how to get better. This was the first game I played here. I won but probably only because the matching system didn't know where to pair me yet. With help of Game Review and the analysis board I found more than a few missed opportunities and poor moves (and an M1 that embarrassingly missed completely). But there were a few instances where the engine suggests moves/lines that I couldn't really fathom.
Also, from move 4 the engine had a persistent strategy that I should play d5. I see some advantages to it but what also appear to be some disadvantages. Can someone help me understand this?
Because I don't have the time (or maybe brain) to understand a lot of different openings in any depth, I'm trying to play the Petroff Defense against 1e4, so these opening moves come up a lot. I think it would really help my game (or at least understanding of the opening) if I could wrap my head around the importance of the d5 move.