When I see moves like Na6 for no specific purpose, I go for it because it doubles the pawns. Stockfish says to play a3 or Qb3 instead. Why? lichess.org/pEsg2r3B#22
Praise the Bishop!
LOL, I understand this obsession with the bishop pair, but can someone explain to me why in this case it is a benefit?
Because you lose the bishop pair, because you open te b file for black and because the a6 pawn isn't a real weakness, it's really hard to attack. The black's plan is exactly to make you lose the bishop pair playing Nb4 Nxd3, so a3 is better because you want to keep on the board your bishop pair, and Qb3 is better because you attack the isolated d pawn, defending also b4
Bxa6 is simply unuseful
The bishop's pair is nearly always an advantage, there are some rare exceptions like very closed positions, but even these often can be opened.
Doubled pawns are not always weak, they are even strong at defending, but weak in advancing. The open file often compensated for the perceived weakness.
Doubled pawns are not always weak, they are even strong at defending, but weak in advancing. The open file often compensated for the perceived weakness.
Bishops are usually better than knights. Just like rooks are usually better than bishops.
Fischer actually used to call the bishop for knight trade "the minor exchange".
Also, yeah, after a3, the knight on a6 is simply terrible.
And your bishop's a good piece for covering some of the light squares in your camp, as well as exploiting black's weaknesses around his king later on. Imagine an exchange on e4 where black for some reason has to recapture with the d pawn!
Fischer actually used to call the bishop for knight trade "the minor exchange".
Also, yeah, after a3, the knight on a6 is simply terrible.
And your bishop's a good piece for covering some of the light squares in your camp, as well as exploiting black's weaknesses around his king later on. Imagine an exchange on e4 where black for some reason has to recapture with the d pawn!
The bishop on d3 costs more than the knight on a6 which after a3 can't go nowhere
When we trade our bishop for our opponent's knight we lose a lot control over those colors.
although we might double his pawns with Bxa6, that weak pawn is now on a light square, which is now more difficult to target.
I would probably play Qb3 (not a3) targeting the fat weakness on d5. (why do I fear Nb4 if I have double captures on e4.). I do not even see a comfortable response to save the pawn.
although we might double his pawns with Bxa6, that weak pawn is now on a light square, which is now more difficult to target.
I would probably play Qb3 (not a3) targeting the fat weakness on d5. (why do I fear Nb4 if I have double captures on e4.). I do not even see a comfortable response to save the pawn.
@HephaestusY Qb3 a comfortable response is i quess Nc7 and white is still better
This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.