Unlock Your Genius 29 Jan 2008 (Problems)

by tapestry , Hampshire, Monday, February 11, 2008, 22:38 (6276 days ago) @ tapestry

My thoughts:
Initially, I was thinking 'Well it isn't very obvious to me what black's plan is'. I was thinking along the lines that black would be aiming to play on the queenside with ...c7-c5.

Looking at the position more closely, white has an active rook on e1, bishops pointing towards the black king and some control over the e5 square. The bishops on d3 and d6 are the active ones for their respective owners. Then it dawned on me that black's plan is to play ...Bf5 to exchange their bad bishop for white's better one. I am unable to see a way that white can prevent this as 1. Nh4 moves the N to a poorer square and encourages 1... g5 from black with ...Bf5 to follow.

Looking along similar lines for white, trying to play Bf4 springs to mind. The black N on e7 would be attacked by the white rook on e1 if the black B on e6 moves and the B on d6 were deflected. 1. Qc1 (aiming to play 2. Bf4) looks a good try.

Now, if after 1. Qc1 Bf5 2. Bf4. I see 2 options for black a) 2... Bxf4 and b) 2...Bxd3.
If a) 2...Bxf4 3. Qxf4 and the threat is 4. Rxe7.
If b) 2...Bxd3 3. Bxd6 I think that black needs to move their N, for example, 3...Ng6. White could then try 4. Qe3 to keep control of the e file.

Overall, it looks easier to play white's position but I don't know if white is indeed better.