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Why b4 is the best move here?

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Avatar of prism251
prism251
Feb 4, 2018
0
#1
 
White to Move
 
This position is from a live chess game. Like many of you I am trying to improve my chess. Usually i am analyzing my games after playing by myself, sometimes additonally with computer engine.
 
In this position i did not know what to play and played Ba3, which didn´t make much sense. Engine suggests b4, but i don´t understand why - even after following the line. Also in an OTB-Game i would never have considered to play b4, because it looks weird.
 
What am i missing?
 
 
 
 

 

Avatar of notmtwain
notmtwain
Feb 4, 2018
0
#2

I don't know what engine you are using but Stockfish comes up with completely different moves.null

Avatar of RubenHogenhout
RubenHogenhout
Feb 4, 2018
0
#3

A agree 1.b4 is good because the knight will find a nice square on c5.  For example   1.b4 e5 2.Nb3 exd4 3.Nc5 attacks the Bishop.  3...Bc8 4.Nxd4 and white is better.

 

Avatar of prism251
prism251
Feb 8, 2018
0
#4

Thank you very much for your responses.

Avatar of Michael-Holm
Michael-Holm
Feb 8, 2018
0
#5

b4 would also stop b4 from Black which would attack the pawn defending d4. If the c3 pawn falls then you could be stuck defending d4 for the rest of the game.

Avatar of Dale
NM Dale
Feb 9, 2018
0
#6

If black plays ...b4 it significantly weakens whites d pawn.

That is what you are missing.

On the one hand white might be able to somehow save his d4 pawn during the next hundred moves but if he does he will need to protect it with his own pieces.

That would mean those pieces are now occupied with protecting duty and not able to attack black.

If white does end up losing the d4 pawn it is also a disaster since that would be losing a centre pawn which is more valuable than a wing pawn.