tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post6273242832474619374..comments2023-12-28T02:11:22.501+00:00Comments on The Streatham & Brixton Chess Blog: ISEs: From the BooksTom Chivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09850710685193416732noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-42102072478897739022014-06-09T15:12:24.360+01:002014-06-09T15:12:24.360+01:00I was looking at 1... Rxc3, and not really liking ...I was looking at 1... Rxc3, and not really liking 2 Bxg7 (maybe 2... Rxb3. [2... Rxf3 gives about 2-3 pawns for the exchange - I assume the 3rd pawn falls] 3. Bxf8 Kxf8 4. axb3 and I probably want knights on f4 and e5.). So from that I might have considered 1... Bh8, but seeing as I'm already aware of the idea, maybe not. But after that it's a case of working out if keeping the bishop is worth losing the exchange, but the only way an average (or me, probably below-average) player is going to be able to judge that is through playing it lots of times.<br /><br />Frankly, if 1... Bh8 just makes the variations easier to calculate, that's going to benefit an average player. I can't really judge between the exchange and two/three pawns ending versus having 3 minor pieces for the two rooks, except that I think I prefer the exchange. If I had the 2 bishops, I might change my mind.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-90101728111282761032014-06-09T12:32:31.589+01:002014-06-09T12:32:31.589+01:00I was going to say, the game is very impressive, p...I was going to say, the game is very impressive, particularly the combination after Nf3, but with hindsight White's 15. g5 looks wrong, forcing Black to do what he wants to do (open the long diagonal, move the Knight to the Q-side). Though it's tricky to suggest something much better as c3 is such a weakness - can White maybe consider taking on c4 and grovelling a bit eg something like Qf2 and Nb3?Matt Fletcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13885091955173203114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-72419638040938451472014-06-09T11:45:07.421+01:002014-06-09T11:45:07.421+01:00As no-one has gone near that variation since 1943,...As no-one has gone near that variation since 1943, it seemed necessary to ask a modern chess engine. Very possibly because it has been programmed that way, the engine much prefers the normal approach with Rxc3 rating that as an edge to Black, whilst considering the exchange sacrifice to give White the equivalent of a pawn's advantage. The subsequent complications remain about equal in the engine's opinion until a final mistake by White towards the end of the game.<br /><br />RdCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37675897.post-87374791859369448422014-06-09T10:11:47.416+01:002014-06-09T10:11:47.416+01:00I certainly don't think this average player (1...I certainly don't think this average player (184) would find 17...Ne5!! and 18...Nf3!!Jon Hnoreply@blogger.com