Greetings,
Bonsai In your 9...,d5 line, after 13. Rd1, I don't think 13...,Be6 is a good idea, as White has 14.Nd6+ winning the two bishops, and robbing Black of the right to castle - 14...,Bxd6 15.Rxd6, Rd8 16.Rxd8+, Kxd8 17.a3 with 18.Be2 and 19.0-0, I think White has the better chances. Better may be 13..., Nb4 - threatening to go to c2 (whether capturing the pawn or not after 14. c3) with check, winning the Be3 and robbing White of castling rights. 14.Rd2, and only now 14...,Be6 as 15.Nd6+ fails after 15...,Bxd6 16.Rxd6, Nxc2+ as before. White could also try for the white-squared bishop (after 14...,Nb4) with 15.Nb6, Rb8 16.Nxc8, Rxc8 17.c3, Nxc2+ 18.Ke2, Nxe3; 19.Kxe3(/fe?!), Bc5(+) 20.Ke2, 0-0/Ke7 and 21..., Rfd8/Rhd8 contesting the d-file - but I think that if he loses the right to castle and with opposite-coloured bishops, things may be slightly better for Black. Yes, 13...,Nb4 does allow 14.Nxe5, but Black does get the pawn back with 14...,Nxc2+, etc.
Perhaps 13...,b5 first, putting the question to the knight may be better - to retain the e-pawn - and let White decide what he wants to do!? 14.Nd6+, Bxd6 15.Rxd6, Nb4?! 16.Rd2, Be6 17.c3, Nc6 doesn't really work for Black then - 15...,Nd4? 16.Bxd4, ed 17.Rxd4, Be6 and it's uncertain if Black gaining the d-file with ...,Ke7 and ...,R(either)d8 is enough to compensate for the pawn.
Personally, I'd be prepared to let the e-pawn drop, with 13...,Nb4, in exchange for the c-pawn to gain the bishop pair, the d-file and active piece-play
Also, in the bishop exchange line on e6 after 9...,Ng4, I think Black should play 12.Bc4, b5 - to encourage the exchange - 13.Bxe6, fe 14.Qg4 - and have 14...,Qf6 in answer, to preserve the right to castle short (after ...,Be7) with pressure on f2. Note that all Black's weak points are secured and White hasn't got c4 for either knight, at present - he'll have to weaken his queen-side pawns to contest it.
Kindest regards,
Dragan Glas
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