Team O Chess (1 Viewer)

[otello]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

 

[otello]

Up

 

[Psychopav]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

BlackI like Qb6

Then likely 18. Rb1 Qc5

They're still not able to commit to the castle at that point imo. I think they'd have to make a minor move to try to get us to open something up (is there a name for a move like that, which is more a stalling move?). If so, we can move our knight to c8 at that point.

 

[otello]

Any other thoughts?

 

[dancingbones]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

I like Bxb5 here. I think they respond with cxb5.

 

[otello]

O as white

They played Nc6

 

[otello]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

I like Bxb5 here. I think they respond with cxb5.

2 votes Qb6 and one for Bxb5.

 

[otello]

O as white

They played Nc6

Ne6 is one response we explored here.

 

[Psychopav]

O as white

They played Nc6

Ne6 is one response we explored here.

What were we thinking there?

 

[kutta]

Otello - Sand PM'd me and said he can't get updates on the game because his phone broke, so he would like for you to PM him when we move. He said he thinks your PM box is full.

I'm back from Vegas now so I'll look at things later tonight, but I think I like Bxn as black.

 

[kutta]

What if they play

17 ... , Qxe6

We take the bishop on b5? I think that's decent for us with the intention of playing e6.

What changes if they play nc6 instead if bb5?

Yeah, I think if it goes Qxe6 we take the bishop and at that point we're down a pawn and still have a decent attack & a castle in our future.

I think if they go nc6, we need to go be2 or nxc6. We'll find out soon whether we need to explore that option or not - from the little that I've checked, I think I like be2.

Does nxe6 still work since they played nc6? It looks good to me at first glance, and now they can't play kf8 as one of their escape options. But I have not looked at it long.

 

[otello]

Otello - Sand PM'd me and said he can't get updates on the game because his phone broke, so he would like for you to PM him when we move. He said he thinks your PM box is full.

I'm back from Vegas now so I'll look at things later tonight, but I think I like Bxn as black.

 

[otello]

I will pm him when we move.

 

[otello]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

I like Bxb5 here. I think they respond with cxb5.

2 votes Qb6 and one for Bxb5.

any other thoughts on this?

 

[otello]

What if they play

17 ... , Qxe6

We take the bishop on b5? I think that's decent for us with the intention of playing e6.

What changes if they play nc6 instead if bb5?

Yeah, I think if it goes Qxe6 we take the bishop and at that point we're down a pawn and still have a decent attack & a castle in our future. I think if they go nc6, we need to go be2 or nxc6. We'll find out soon whether we need to explore that option or not - from the little that I've checked, I think I like be2.

Does nxe6 still work since they played nc6? It looks good to me at first glance, and now they can't play kf8 as one of their escape options. But I have not looked at it long.

They have three choices after 16. Nxe6:17. Qxd3

17. Qxe6

17. fxe6

Do you see any other realistic responses for black?

 

[kutta]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

I like Bxb5 here. I think they respond with cxb5.

2 votes Qb6 and one for Bxb5.

any other thoughts on this?

I mentioned above that I like Bxb5 here also. I am hoping they take with the a pawn, but they might take with the c pawn.

 

[kutta]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. ..., Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

Edit to fix mixed up moves.

 

[Brownsfan]

Black

I like bxb5 here as well

 

[otello]

O as black

They played a4, protecting the knight.

Immediate thoughts: Qb6, b6 or Nc8

I like Bxb5 here. I think they respond with cxb5.

2 votes Qb6 and one for Bxb5.

any other thoughts on this?

I mentioned above that I like Bxb5 here also. I am hoping they take with the a pawn, but they might take with the c pawn.

I could live with bxb5, I think they would take with c pawn. If they take with the a pawn, we would have a passed a pawn. Either way, responses could be b6 or qb6. If they take with c pawn, we should also consider occupying the c file.

 

[otello]

Consensus around bxb5

 

[dancingbones]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Qxd3, Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5)

18. bxc6, Be2

19. Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. bxc6, Qf3? - we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots

18. Qa5+, c3

19. Bb5, Nf3+

20. Nxf3, exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I don't follow the move sequence above.

 

[dancingbones]

How about

17. Nd6+ Bxd6

18. exd6 Nxd4

19. Qxd4 Qxd4

20. Rxd4

Agreed that Be2 has it's flaws.

 

[otello]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Qxd3, Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5)

18. bxc6, Be2

19. Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. bxc6, Qf3? - we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots

18. Qa5+, c3

19. Bb5, Nf3+

20. Nxf3, exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I agree I don't like be2.

 

[otello]

Consensus around bxb5

Moving bxb5

 

[otello]

Consensus around bxb5

Moving bxb5

Moved

 

[otello]

White:

We should still consider Nxe6, even if we don't have the mate opportunity on the d file. What are the responses:

1. fxe6, Nf6+, Nxf6, Qg6+, we win the queen and they are in trouble.

2. Qxe6

3. Qxd3

Are there any others? I think we should explore these.

 

[kutta]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. ..., Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I don't follow the move sequence above.

Yeah, I screwed it up. I had the black and white moves mixed up.

I have fixed it in the quote above.

 

[kutta]

White:

We should still consider Nxe6, even if we don't have the mate opportunity on the d file. What are the responses:

1. fxe6, Nf6+, Nxf6, Qg6+, we win the queen and they are in trouble.

2. Qxe6

3. Qxd3

Are there any others? I think we should explore these.

I agree, but I am just not seeing anything after Qxe6. I think we are hurting a bit there. We can't check with our Knight because we lose it. I suppose we could play Be2 and plan to castle but then we lose the pawn on e5.

 

[dancingbones]

White:

We should still consider Nxe6, even if we don't have the mate opportunity on the d file. What are the responses:

1. fxe6, Nf6+, Nxf6, Qg6+, we win the queen and they are in trouble.

2. Qxe6

3. Qxd3

Are there any others? I think we should explore these.

I agree, but I am just not seeing anything after Qxe6. I think we are hurting a bit there. We can't check with our Knight because we lose it. I suppose we could play Be2 and plan to castle but then we lose the pawn on e5.

I agree, not much happening after Qxe6. We can no longer protect the e5 pawn without that threat of mate.

By playing the Nd6+ sequence I listed above, we move that pawn off of e5, move it one step closer to promotion, and develop some more pieces. I think that's our best move, and can then possibly pull our black bishop to the middle, work at lining up our rooks, etc.

 

[otello]

Ok, nxe6 is out. That leaves Nd6+ or Nxc6. Any other options?

 

[otello]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. ..., Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I don't follow the move sequence above.

Yeah, I screwed it up. I had the black and white moves mixed up.I have fixed it in the quote above.

is option 2 right?

 

[kutta]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. ..., Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I don't follow the move sequence above.

Yeah, I screwed it up. I had the black and white moves mixed up.I have fixed it in the quote above.

is option 2 right?

I think so. Is there something out of whack? Maybe you their move 18 of Qa5?

 

[kutta]

Black:

They played cxb5.

I am kind of liking Qb3 here. There is no way they are getting their black bishop over to force us off that diagonal anytime soon. It also opens up our first rank for our rooks, specifically to get to the c file.

 

[otello]

Black:

They played cxb5.

I am kind of liking Qb3 here. There is no way they are getting their black bishop over to force us off that diagonal anytime soon. It also opens up our first rank for our rooks, specifically to get to the c file.

do you mean qb6?

 

[otello]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. ..., Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I don't follow the move sequence above.

Yeah, I screwed it up. I had the black and white moves mixed up.I have fixed it in the quote above.

is option 2 right?

I think so. Is there something out of whack? Maybe you their move 18 of Qa5?

are you showing the coordinates on your board?

 

[kutta]

White:

I am not happy with their move. I think it really ties us up a bit.

1. I don't think Nxe6 works anymore for us because they are protected against the mate at d8 by the Knight on c6.

2. I don't really like Be2 for us because they play nxd4, qxd4, qxd4. rxd4, Bc5 and we are down 2 pawns approaching the end game with no real attack.

3. I kind of like Nxc6 for us, but I don't love it.

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

I think this is decent for us but stressful.

They can't play 17. ..., Qxc6 because we play Nf6+ with the threat of mate at d8.

So I guess I kind of like Nxc6 here. What do you guys think?

I don't follow the move sequence above.

Yeah, I screwed it up. I had the black and white moves mixed up.I have fixed it in the quote above.

is option 2 right?

I think so. Is there something out of whack? Maybe you their move 18 of Qa5?

are you showing the coordinates on your board?

Didn't see that as an option but I do now. I try to so this on my phone and switch back and forth and I'm getting old and my eyes are going and I sometimes just suck. So I see now why you don't get the moves.Yes, I meant qb6 earlier.

And their move with us as white was Bc5, not Bb5.

Sorry guys.

 

[kutta]

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

 

[otello]

Black:

They played cxb5.

I am kind of liking Qb6 here. There is no way they are getting their black bishop over to force us off that diagonal anytime soon. It also opens up our first rank for our rooks, specifically to get to the c file.

I think qb6 is a solid move. Any other thoughts here?

 

[dancingbones]

Black:

They played cxb5.

I am kind of liking Qb6 here. There is no way they are getting their black bishop over to force us off that diagonal anytime soon. It also opens up our first rank for our rooks, specifically to get to the c file.

I think qb6 is a solid move. Any other thoughts here?

I'm down with Qb6 as black.

 

[otello]

Thanks, DB. We have to make a decision on white.

 

[dancingbones]

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

I think if we play c4, it plays out like this:

17. c4 Qxd4

18. Qxd4 Nxd4

19. Rxd4 Bg7 (and they win the pawn on e5)

 

[kutta]

I think I like nxc6 more than nd6+. I am assuming these are really our two main options. I'm just not seeing a good attack by playing nd6. I think Nxc6 results in a decent options - we can try getting the Bishop to h5 (after e2) and line up our rooks on the f file. I think that gives us chances.

DB, what do you see for us after your sequence above on Nd6?

 

[otello]

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

I think if we play c4, it plays out like this:17. c4 Qxd4

18. Qxd4 Nxd4

19. Rxd4 Bg7 (and they win the pawn on e5)

we would be down three pawns here, with less material on board. Not ideal.

 

[kutta]

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

White:

What about playing c4? We chase their queen off that file which is good for us. They get a check with Qa5, but after Ke2 (I don't think we can play Kf2 because of the bishop pin on out queen which would force a bunch of pieces being traded off).

I don't think this is great for us but I'm checking it out.

I think if we play c4, it plays out like this:17. c4 Qxd4

18. Qxd4 Nxd4

19. Rxd4 Bg7 (and they win the pawn on e5)

we would be down three pawns here, with less material on board. Not ideal.

Yeah, I'm good not playing c4.

 

[dancingbones]

Thanks, DB. We have to make a decision on white.

I think the following is our best option at the moment:

17. Nd6+ Bxd6

18. exd6 (this moves the pawn off of e5 & saves it at least for the time being)

From here they could either go:

........Nxd4

19. Qxd4 Qxd4

20. Rxd4 (we could then try to run our c pawn up to cover, line up rooks, try to centralize our black bishop)

Or

.............. Nc5

19. Qe3 (tough to predict what they could do here with those 2 centralized knights)

In general, I think we're fighting an uphill battle right now in this game, and I'm not too confident about it. We need to get more pieces in the game & soon if we are to have a shot at pulling it out. That last move was a strong one for them.

 

[dancingbones]

I think I like nxc6 more than nd6+. I am assuming these are really our two main options. I'm just not seeing a good attack by playing nd6. I think Nxc6 results in a decent options - we can try getting the Bishop to h5 (after e2) and line up our rooks on the f file. I think that gives us chances.

DB, what do you see for us after your sequence above on Nd6?

Outlined that above, don't really see a great path forward, just a way to protect the pawn on e5.

Looking at the two options you outlined about for Nxc6, I lose you when you have a black move to Bb5 (I assume you mean Bc5, but I don't know if they would make that move)

Option 1:

17. Nxc6 Qxd3

18. Rxd3 (maybe Bxd3, but I like the B on e2 so we can maybe get it to a5), bxc6

19. Be2, Bb5 (prevents us from castling), Ba5

we can now line up our rooks on the f file and maybe get a decent attack going.

Option 2:

17. Nxc6, bxc6

18. Qf3? - (we have a discovered attack on their queen. They only have 2 safe spots), Qa5+

19. c3, Bb5

20. Nf3+, Nxf3

21.exf3

At any rate, I like the idea of lining up the rooks and or parking the bishop in a5.

If you see a clear path forward with Nxc6, I say let's go for it & see what happens. At the very least I think we agree that they're going to have to take the N with the b pawn, and that is a good thing.

 

[dancingbones]

Another note for white - I don't think we're going to want to castle in this game anyway. I think we'll end up needing our K to work on isolated pawns queenside.

 

[otello]

Black:

They played cxb5.

I am kind of liking Qb6 here. There is no way they are getting their black bishop over to force us off that diagonal anytime soon. It also opens up our first rank for our rooks, specifically to get to the c file.

I think qb6 is a solid move. Any other thoughts here?

I'm down with Qb6 as black.

we have consensus here.

 

[kutta]

I am honestly torn on nxc6 or nd6+. I think I prefer nxc6, but I could go either way. I think nxc6 gives them more opportunities to mess up.

 

[Psychopav]

I am honestly torn on nxc6 or nd6+. I think I prefer nxc6, but I could go either way. I think nxc6 gives them more opportunities to mess up.

Has anyone looked at nc3?