Letting her go

Hello!

Here's a neat game I've recently played against a skilled opponent with whom I engage in regular friendly matches. It's no brilliancy, but it's one of the finest games I've played and it features a queen sacrifice! 

Please add your comments and analysis 

Very cool display. Seems b-6 would lead to removel of the a-8 rook!

I was thining the same thing. 17. Qxa8! Bb7 18. Qxa7 Ra8 19. Qxa8 Bxa8 puts white a pawn ahead and black's light-square bishop in a pretty silly position.

It is just an even exchange of the queen for two rooks.

Good game. Instead of 38. ... Rd5, you had Rh2 with Rxh3 mate following.

NICE game!  The opponent sure lost it at the end lol!  Well played.

After 19. ... Bxa8, white won't be up a pawn for long. There's no way to protect the e5 pawn, and after 20. ... Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Bxe5, material is even and black has a tactical edge because the a3 and c3 pawns are weak and the white rooks cannot babysit them forever. At least that's what I thought 

If 38. ... Rh2, then white could play Qf4, and it would be mate in 5 starting with Rxf4. I believe my method was a move faster 

This is true, and this is exactly the line Rybka recommends, and you are correct that black is ahead here. However, black is not as far ahead as he would be if he didn't win the exchange.

Keep in mind, the exchange is a queen and a pawn for two rooks and a pawn, which still wins a pawn for white, even if it isn't good enough to completely catch up.

After 16. ... b6!? 17. Qxa8! Bb7 18. Qxa7 Ra8 19. Qxa8 Bxa8 20. Rc1 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Qxe5, Rybka puts white behind 1.20 pawns, but I think the opposite color bishops might increase white's draw chances. So I guess the conclusion is that this line isn't as good for white as I thought, but maybe not black's best choice. It's questionable. But considering the move set up a rather tricky trap, it was definitely worth it.

For what it's worth, Rybka prefers 16. ... Bd7, which also does not drop a pawn, although it looks like it might at first.

So, after 17. Qxa8 ... 21. ... Bxe5, we arrive at this position:

You're right about the exchange, it loses a pawn, but at the end material is even and I like the position: white will have to waste moves opening up the kingside (to protect against a back rank mate) and align the rooks on a file (because they are useless on the first rank). However, as white activates the rooks, the c3 and a3 pawns will eventually be captured and I'll be able to start pushing my own pawns. Notice that after I place the king on g7, the white bishop poses no threat and the rooks will have to navigate my pawn structure. Also, the queen has plenty of room to do some damage.

As for 16. ... Bd7, it's a sound move and certainly playable. The c4 pawn trap is still there and it allows me to keep the material advantage. However, I would prefer to arrive at the above position, with a clear plan of action.

Interesting how black keeps and edge even if the situation is reversed - black queen against 2 white rooks contrasting the white queen against 2 black rooks.

Also, thanks everyone for your input 

I have to disagree.  When I have the option, I usually prefer two rooks over a queen.  Often the rooks can work togethor to be much stronger than the queen alone.  For example, with two rooks and can attack/defend a square twice, while the queen is only one attacker/defender.  Also in terms of material, a queen is considered to be worth 9 points while two rooks are 10 points.

I agree with you, with some reserve - it depends strongly on the situation. Notice the position on post #10, where the situation is inverted after the variation 17. Qxa8.

But yes, generally I tend to favor the rooks over the queen.

Good game!