Markovich wrote on 05/21/09 at 01:35:01:
In the first place, please don't presume to use a familiar form of my handle. There is a whiff of deprecation in it.
No familiarity nor deprecation, just abbreviation. But right, butchering a name is evil.
Markovich wrote on 05/21/09 at 01:35:01:
"It's really a matter of rook pressure." Yes, and the Smith-Morra Gambit is really a matter of rook pressure, you know? No doubt that's why it's so feared.
I didn't get that. I was answering your claim that the light-squared bishop is White's best piece, saying that to me, the rooks are.
Markovich wrote on 05/21/09 at 01:35:01:
And White has very few pieces left to take advantage of them. What are we supposed to be in terror of, losing a pawn?
Precisely the heavy pieces are left, and they're quite active.
Markovich wrote on 05/21/09 at 01:35:01:
Instead of pontificating, would you please supply specific analysis, e.g., of the position after 13...Bb4 (probably best) or 13...Re8 14.g4 Bb4?
Further, have you looked at the 2N vs R+P ending discussed above? Is that an example of the alleged power of 6.Bd3?
See above, I offered the bind h4, Ng5 & Rd6 to follow your variation 13...Re8 (...) 17.de5 Qe7
Maybe that wasn't clear enough.
Sorry, didn't saw your 13...Bb4. It looks interesting, although 14.c3 Bc3 15.bc3 fe5 16.Qg4 looks like comp.
About the 2N vs R, I didn't really look at it but I suspect White can hold.
As it stands 6.Bd3 is White's best chance for equality at the moment.