Unlock Your Genius 29 Jan 2008 (Problems)

by malcolm, Sunday, March 02, 2008, 12:42 (6496 days ago) @ giorgio

Black has the Bf5 threat, but white has a lead in development, so maybe he should be trying to do something before black completes his development ? At first sight there seem to be a lot of options.

Re3 with the idea of a kingside attack, because if Bf4,then Rxe6 - but black can just play Bf5. Also if Ne5, then Bf5. Qb3 and black can just play c6 and Bf5 is threatened again. If 1. Qc1 with the idea of sacrificing on h6, then still Bf5.

Maybe given whites lead in development he should look for something tactical against the king. Bh7+ with Bg5 or Ng5 - but nothing works. Nh4 g5 looks like black has created a weakness round his king - but there is no obvious way to take advantage immediately.

Maybe since white has a lead in development he should open the position with c4 ? - but after dc Bxc4 Bxc4 Qxc4 c6 white has an isolated d pawn and not much to show for it.

So how about b3, preparing c4 ? Black plays Bf5. c4 Bxd3 Qxd3 and now white is threatening c5 winning the bishop on d6 and if c6 still c5 and the Ne7 is undefended. If black plays Qf5, Qxf5 Nxf5 g4 Ne7 c5. So maybe b3 prevents Bf5, and black has to play c6, and then white plays c4 and Bf5 is still prevented. If Qd7, then Ne5. So I'd play 1. b3. Positionally this also has the benefit that after c4, the bishop d2 won't be bad anymore.