Monday, June 8, 2009

What should White have played in the initial position?

Given the course of the game, I originally thought that White’s rook should have just stayed on the back rank, and White should have just played Kg2 and pushed the h-pawn in the initial position. I felt that White’s initial Kf2 let Black develop his ferocious activity, so it was mistaken; however, (a) the centralized king that White has in the game is not worthless either, and (b) Black has some activity anyway:



However, it turns out that Black can still respond with Nb4, and after Nd3 White will still have to play Re4 if he wants to keep the e-pawn (and he does want to keep the e-pawn, right?). Given the success of the exchange sac in the notes, I also thought that maybe just pushing the h-pawn here would be good, with
54.h4 Nf3+
55.Kf2 Nxe1
56.Kxe1 and then if Black tries to play as in the game,
56...Nb4
57.h5 Nd3+
58.Ke2 Nxb2
59.h6 and the pawns are ready to carry the day; but obviously Black doesn’t have to be so cluelessly persistent about winning the b-pawn. It is ironic that these accidental-looking exchange sacs can both be so dangerous.

1 comment:

  1. Perhaps 54 Kg2 is best. Then white can save a tempo and get his rook on h1, avoiding tempo losses from NxR threats. A fantasy variation is 54... Nb4 55 h4 Nd3 56 Rh1 Nxb2 57 h5 Nc6 (seems best) then white can try choosing between 58 h6 Nxe5 59 h7 Ng6 and 60 h8=Q Nxh8 61 Rxh8 or 60 Rh6 Nh8 61 g4 Nd3 62 g5. I am not sure if white can win, but both lines look difficult for black.

    After 54 h4, I would like to see a concrete analysis of what is happening, even if it isn;t a practical choice.

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