Strategy + tricky knights;)
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Any genious strategy or move sequecnce anyone? 
28. Bc5 and in a move or three you will be able to play Qxb3.
A good game as always. But I didn't like the opening play. ...f5 was weak to my eyes since in the french the ...f6 break is a valuable resource. If he had not taken e.p. I would evaluate the position as having strong kingside initiative for white in a couple of moves. It also takes the f5 square away from a knight, which results in you having a harder time to develop in an opening that has space problems anyway. Referring to my French book (that's me, a book for every purpose!) the two mainlines are Bd7 or Qb6 - the point of Bd7 is to wait for white to commit to something, and since Bd7 is a part of almost all black setups it is a high-quality waiting move like the ..a6 in the Najdorf. The point of Qb6 is to pressure the centre right from the outset and play for more activity than Bd7.
I think you missed an opportunity on move 10: 10...Qb6 looks to me to win a pawn, even though it is late and I'm not really concentrating on calculation. The double attack looks like it wins material. e5 also swaps your connected pawns for his isolated pawn, giving you an isolated pawn and him no isolated pawns. More weaknesses for him, less for you.
In your comment to move 21, you say you can win the bishop pair. But you already have the bishop pair! Swapping off your strong knight for his rather passively placed bishop was a big mistake.
Kh8 was not worth it, I would have played Bc5 then Qf6 to pressure white into a queen swap.
I am black in this game...sorry about the confusion ;)
About the bishop pair comment...I just meant that I "earned the bishop pair" when my opponents bishops are off the board...making my bishop pair very strong. This is what I meant. Yes, I did miss the Qb6 move at 10. tottally over my head. Good analysis...keep it coming.
Maybe I could of played the isolated d-pawn structure better? comments anyone?
I have just started playing the french...so I am experimenting. This was the first time I played f5 so early in this opening. It was an adventure!
You mean white resignation, I hope.
Jan 8, 2011
0
#9
Given White will mate Black on his next move, I'm assuming White doesn't resign.
If black takes the knight with the pawn, white cannot take it with the knight or lose the queen to your queen. If he takes the pawn with the queen, he loses the other knight. Either way, a fiasco for white.
Jan 8, 2011
0
#12
A nice game, I hadn't seen an f5 that early before either. It's probably more a Dutch Defense at that point than a French if he hadn't taken.
After 16...Nf4 as white I wouldn't have taken that knight I would've tried for Bb5 to swap light squared bishops or maybe Bf3 but probably Bb5 if Bg4 then f3. If wehwas going to play g3 then even just play g3 but I wouldn't give up that darlk squared bishop. The sequence that follows thorugh move 23 is nice. I don't think it's equal black is better. Especially those weak light squares that you soon used.
After a4 Re4 he did have Nb5 threatening to fork the rook and pawn and in defending that black would've surrendered one bishop. Luckily he challenged with the wrong rook and you're up an exchange for a pawn.
Your king move Kh8 looks fine. But just as you're winning the blunder! Such is life. Rf6 first before Bc5 and if Qe8+ Kh7 and you should be doing fine.
I know...I felt stronger for most of the game. Then all of a sudden it was like a wave of dark, evil knight and queen threates...That I didn't even see coming. I think I was blinded by my own pieces...I dont know. Good analysis jlueke!
The bishop pair + a knight versus a bishop and 2 knights is the same advantage as the bishop pair versus two knights. Once you have 2 bishops and your opponent does not, you have the "bishop pair". Gaining his other bishop for your other knight isn't considered a strategic advantage, at least not in the same way the simple bishop pair is.
James, I watched you play this game. In my opinion you were aproximatively ok up to 27th move. Then, instead of the logical move 28. ...Bc5 challenging the knight at d4 and adding pressure to the f2 square, you played the losing 28...Kh8. And after ...28 Qg3 you underestimated the opponent's intentions, and played the bishop move that was recommended at the previous turn.
It was this sequence of two unfortunate moves that doomed you. Next time try to pay more attention to what the concrete situation on the chessboard requires, rather than focusing on your dreams and wishes.
Thank you for the advice Almundena, yes, I think I didn't evaluate his side of the board properly...really, I just totally missed a square that his knight could move 2. If I would of checked ALL of the knights squares, I would of moved differently.
Hey james. Why not 28. Bc5? That attacks the knight gives you an attacking angle on the king. when he moves his knight to e6. Attack. And that would even out your position. And because of the angle your rook has on that knight you might get a free piece!