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MemoryMaster
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Re: Why did white play like this?
Reply #6 - 12/11/09 at 12:07:40
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After the sequence that we have looked at above:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bd3 Qb6 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. O-O 

Instead 8...Bb7 appears to make a4 unattractice since now Bf8 will always guard if b5-b4 and Bb7 also defends Ra8 so that there is no threat of axb5.

Now the question is what white should play for. It appears he should develop his pieces slowly it seems 8...Bb7 9.Re1 and it almost as if he is waiting for black to play ...d6 when he can consider a4 again.

So is there a specific plan associated with Re1 or is white simply making the most logical developing moves because he cannot do anything else at the moment?

Have I understood this correctly or am I out on the rim?
  
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Vandros
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Re: Why did white play like this?
Reply #5 - 12/11/09 at 11:58:52
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On e2 the knight is well-placed and protected; no pawns can attack it.
White's pieces defend each other, so he can wait to see what black is going to do....
  
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MemoryMaster
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Re: Why did white play like this?
Reply #4 - 12/11/09 at 11:41:57
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chk wrote on 12/11/09 at 08:24:02:
Black's a- & b-pawns are a good team. Combined with pressure down the c-file, may allow Black to hold White's Q-side majority from creating any damage in the middlegame. On the other hand, as TN quotes above, an isolated a-pawn is a weakness.

Moreover, notice that White has the better development in the initial position (and a safer King), so the opening of the game (the b-file becomes semi-open, the c-file becomes open) is to his/her advantage.

The 2 drawbacks I see for White are the creation of a 'hole' in b4 and the loosening of the control over d5 (as Nc3 will have to move away), where usually Black tries to make a thematic pawn break. However, due to Black's lack of developed pieces and King in the centre, it is very risky to either move again Nc6 (usually Nc6-b4 helps for the d5 pawn break) and of course d5 looks like suicide now (even if Black manages to defend the King, he/she will still get an isolated d-pawn).

Final note: If you are curious why White prefers a4 over developing Bc1 or the Queen or Rf1, I think these pieces can be developed in many good posts so White is not in a hurry to decide that now. Of course a4 is not a move you would do if you are less developed and especially if you are less developed and also playing in an open position..


Great piece of explanation. I completely understand now.

In Ponomariov-Milov white plays Na2 to prepare b4 and gain a passed pawn on the queen side. The game illustrates nicely what you have already said about destroying blacks a- and b-pawns so that we can activate our majority.

Thats why I think after Ne2 black decided to play a5 in order to restrict whites pawn majority.

To me Na2 makes more sense considering what we've just said but that is mostly because Im not sure what the idea is with Ne2.
  
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MemoryMaster
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Re: Why did white play like this?
Reply #3 - 12/11/09 at 11:34:10
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Quote:

I don't have time to post in detail but here's my explanation:

1.a4! An important move, played to wrest a queenside initiative and gain space in that sector. Other moves are harmless, e.g. preparing e5 is too laborious with the knight on f3. 1...b4 (forced as 1...ba4 2.Ra4 gives White a clear advantage due to the isolated and weak a6-pawn) 2.Ne2 (the best square as the knight looks stupid on b1/a2, and the knight can reroute to g3 or d4 depending on Black's response). 2...Nc6 (developing the knight, which is important as Black is behind in development) 3.Bd2 (played to prepare c3 and complete development but 3.c3 may be better)...

Will edit later.


Thank you, it makes sense.

The moves in this game are 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 b5 6. Bd3 Qb6 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. O-O d6

In Ponomariov-Milov however white places the knight on a2 instead of e2.
  
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chk
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Re: Why did white play like this?
Reply #2 - 12/11/09 at 08:24:02
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Black's a- & b-pawns are a good team. Combined with pressure down the c-file, may allow Black to hold White's Q-side majority from creating any damage in the middlegame. On the other hand, as TN quotes above, an isolated a-pawn is a weakness.

Moreover, notice that White has the better development in the initial position (and a safer King), so the opening of the game (the b-file becomes semi-open, the c-file becomes open) is to his/her advantage.

The 2 drawbacks I see for White are the creation of a 'hole' in b4 and the loosening of the control over d5 (as Nc3 will have to move away), where usually Black tries to make a thematic pawn break. However, due to Black's lack of developed pieces and King in the centre, it is very risky to either move again Nc6 (usually Nc6-b4 helps for the d5 pawn break) and of course d5 looks like suicide now (even if Black manages to defend the King, he/she will still get an isolated d-pawn).

Final note: If you are curious why White prefers a4 over developing Bc1 or the Queen or Rf1, I think these pieces can be developed in many good posts so White is not in a hurry to decide that now. Of course a4 is not a move you would do if you are less developed and especially if you are less developed and also playing in an open position..
  
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TN
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Re: Why did white play like this?
Reply #1 - 12/11/09 at 07:18:16
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MemoryMaster wrote on 12/11/09 at 02:03:02:
Hello

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In the following position white playing the following sequence of moves: 1.a4 b4 2.Ne2 Nc6 3.Bd2 a5 4.c3 bxc3 5.Bxc3 Bd7

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What did he achieve with this? Besides, to me blacks moves do not seem to be forced e.g. 3...a5 or 4...bxc3

I understand the whole idea that a4 is a way to exploit b5 in these kinds of positions in the Kan and the Schevening but I have never really understand how or why that is.


I don't have time to post in detail but here's my explanation:

1.a4! An important move, played to wrest a queenside initiative and gain space in that sector. Other moves are harmless, e.g. preparing e5 is too laborious with the knight on f3. 1...b4 (forced as 1...ba4 2.Ra4 gives White a clear advantage due to the isolated and weak a6-pawn) 2.Ne2 (the best square as the knight looks stupid on b1/a2, and the knight can reroute to g3 or d4 depending on Black's response). 2...Nc6 (developing the knight, which is important as Black is behind in development) 3.Bd2 (played to prepare c3 and complete development but 3.c3 may be better. I assume White wanted to avoid 3...bc3 4.Nc3 Nb4 or something but I don't trust it)...

Will edit later.

3...a5 (Played to add further support to the b4-pawn and so that after c3 bc3 Bc3, Black can use the b4-outpost for his knight. I would have preferred 3...Nf6 as Black is still very far behind in development) 4.c3 (Played to open the c-file for the rook, enabling White to place pressure on Black's queenside conglomeration, and also securing a queenside pawn majority. The bishop will do a good job on c3 for preparing e5 and exerting kingside pressure). 4...bc3 (Played to secure an outpost for Black's knight. However, this is somewhat risky as it opens up the position further with Black miles behind in development) 5.Bc3 Bd7 (stopping any annoying Bb5+ lines and also preparing ...Nc6 to secure Black's queen and the isolated a5-pawn which fixes White's queenside for now.

In my opinion White should be slightly better in the final position. 
« Last Edit: 12/11/09 at 15:00:26 by TN »  
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MemoryMaster
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Why did white play like this?
12/11/09 at 02:03:02
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Hello

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In the following position white playing the following sequence of moves: 1.a4 b4 2.Ne2 Nc6 3.Bd2 a5 4.c3 bxc3 5.Bxc3 Bd7

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What did he achieve with this? Besides, to me blacks moves do not seem to be forced e.g. 3...a5 or 4...bxc3

I understand the whole idea that a4 is a way to exploit b5 in these kinds of positions in the Kan and the Schevening but I have never really understand how or why that is.
  
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