Is this Black's best move?

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thejackbauer

I'm posting this as a puzzle so if you don't want to play it out (just in case it really isn't black's best move: just click for the solution). I understand it being a great move against players as there is the psychological factor but against a computer or Super GM would this be the best?

This was from a game in 2004: Tejas Bakre vs Beata Kadziolka (black)

Blackadder

Rxc2+ Qxc2 Rc8 Qxc8+ Bxc8  = a queen+pawn for two rooks

and maybe white is ok?

thejackbauer
Blackadder wrote:

Rxc2+ Qxc2 Rc8 Qxc8+ Bxc8  = a queen+pawn for two rooks

and maybe white is ok?


Yes, I feel like that may be white's best move. I can't see of anything but could white have played better to end with a slight advantage? White probably had a chance to exchange Queen for bishop and rook at later stages but by that time white would be down more pawns and the King would be way too exposed.

As for the Queen for two rooks exchange, I typically prefer two rooks over a Queen but with the white King somewhat exposed I don't know how it would really play out.

Blackadder
RainbowRising wrote:

an exposed K is exactly the situation where the Q is better than the 2 Rs


After BxR though, White is toast (at least I couldn't find any improvement for white) so the choice seems to be: ethier we get toasted or we try our luck with a material imbalence.  

Rxc2+ Qxc2 Rc8 Qxc8+ Bxc8...

...Bxg7 Kxg7  (removing the minor peices, should help white here***)

And then maybe...

Kb1 Bf5+? Ka1 Qa6? (to be honest, I dont know how to play as black in this postion, my thought is that Qa6 prepares queen infiltration and light square control) Rhd1

and now what? It doesnt seem like the king is exposed nor does there seem to be an attack looming.  it seems to me that white has good chances here.

 

 

*** "Although many authors talk about queen and pawn equaling two rooks, this is only close to true with no minor pieces on the board; with two or more minors each, the queen needs no pawns to equal the rooks" http://home.comcast.net/~danheisman/Articles/evaluation_of_material_imbalance.htm

Blackadder

just checked my line with rykba: it suggests improvements for both sides, but its evaluation (best moves) does not exceed -0.30

After Rhe1 its +0.30 

thejackbauer
Blackadder wrote:

just checked my line with rykba: it suggests improvements for both sides, but its evaluation (best moves) does not exceed -0.30

After Rhe1 its +0.30 


Well if prior to this move black was in a +/- 0.30 position I guess this is a great move for black. Because of Qxc2 the move is not forcing a win, but if I ever come across this position I would most likely try it out. If Qxc2 gave white a larger advantage like +1 to +2 then it may not be worth the risk. Also against humans it could be hard for many to see the next rook exchange and other threats black has to prevent white's king from escaping and probably would go with the natural Bxc2.