To a modern GM's eyes maybe White's attack has already gone too far, I don't know. But White has created weaknesses in his position.
Position on the Board
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Jan 15, 2017
0
#2
It looks like White is playing aggressively with perhaps a Keres Attack against the counterattacking Najdorf Sicilian.
To a modern GM's eyes maybe White's attack has already gone too far, I don't know. But White has created weaknesses in his position.
To a modern GM's eyes maybe White's attack has already gone too far, I don't know. But White has created weaknesses in his position.
Jan 15, 2017
0
#3
I just put the position into the Chess.com engine (Stockfish).
It thinks White is about to play f6 and it prefers Black's chances (-0.15).
It thinks White is about to play f6 and it prefers Black's chances (-0.15).
Could be some variation of the Scheveningen. Maybe a transpositional following of something like:
with 11. Kh1 Bd7 12. g4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Bc6 14. g5 Nd7 15. f5 Ne5 seemingly like the photo.
Does seem an aggressive attack with white focusing on the dark squares kside or maybe b6 and trying to hold the light with Bf3, Rook and Knight. Black almost looks like some sort of hedgehog. If Black can survive the attack might more often come out better. At least Mr. Vano doesn't look too worried!
Here's a somewhat similar opening with maybe a similar theme:
Jan 16, 2017
0
#5
Thanks. I can see a resemblance. When I play, I love to get a position such as White has in the image. Apparently development and open lines aren't all they're cracked up to be.
It's probably OK to keep the faith in development and open lines. But might have to add a pinch of positional play and a dash of second weakness. This resulting recipe appears to deliver some delicious wins.
Here Romanishin transposes into a Maroczy Bind with some similar characteristics to the earlier Sheveningen positions. But spending some time for a more solid setup seemed to pay off. Keeping the pressure on through development and open lines plus no serious structural issues and getting a second threat appeared to provide a really pretty win v. a tough defender:
Jan 17, 2017
0
#7
Well, that about the misplaced value of development was a little tongue-in-cheek, but only a little. Even the hypermoderns showed us that development could take different forms. Still, White's position looks delicious to me and Black's looks distasteful. I would have no idea how to proceed as Black. Plus, Vano appears to be such a gentle man.
Jan 17, 2017
0
#8
Looks like a Sheveningen setup where White spent a tempo by trading knights at c6. (I don't know if that's the natural line, however.)
Whoa! awesome sac there @Nckchrls.
I think Petrosian may have overlooked that outstanding queen sac, who knows, he could be tired or something. Throwing the towell right after the sac is a strong sign of him missing the move, as well.
As for the topic, it really would be nice (though I don't think it is virtually code-possible) if there was some sort of website in which you could set up the board with those pieces and find THE or SIMILAR positions, based on some factors, ex. pawn structure, castlings, etc.
But what is similarity in chess, right? Patterns, maybe?
Maybe I just dream too much!
@Batgirl, being white here is a bit risky. Yes it has open lines, however, that king looks a lot exposed, and I don't know if white will prove himself able to get compensation for opening that g line. There are lots of pieces and Black didn't draw his cards yet, while White's really throwing it all up like mad.
Maybe if Black manages to put pressure in the long a8-h1 diagonal and if he manages to open up the center a bit (which White already helped him a bit to do so), the White king would need some pieces to defend himself in the long run, due to the absence of a g2 pawn (which is waaaaay up at g5). I don't see a potent pawn break for White on the kingside, so yeah, it's complicated, but maybe Black's solidness is a bit better.
Jan 17, 2017
0
#9
urk wrote:
I just put the position into the Chess.com engine (Stockfish).
It thinks White is about to play f6 and it prefers Black's chances (-0.15).
It thinks White is about to play f6 and it prefers Black's chances (-0.15).
Are you sure it isn't Black to move?
I mean, his hand touching the Queen and he is seemingly willing to adress the f5-e6 pawn tension.
I came across this photo of Ed Vano, the 1972 U.S. Amateur champion from Highland, Indiana who won 6-1 in a field of 225 players. What struck me was the position on the board in the photo. I don't know if it was staged or a game-in-progress. Our hero, Vano, seemingly has the Black pieces yet at a glance White appears decisively better with all his pieces deployed and actively poised while Black is cramped and defensive.
Are there positions such as this one, vague as it might be, where Black would indeed be better?