Can I beat stockfish level 8? Game 2: Day 7

Nbd2 is better than d5. The goal is to move the knight to f1 and then g3. We can afford to make slow moves because the position is closed. It doesn't matter that we are blocking the bishop and queen, the knight will move to f1 in due time. I vote for Nbd2.

I think Nbd2 planning to go to f1 and then g3 or e3

I was going to vote for Nbd2 because of the c4, knight post on c5 idea by #3 is annoying.

But I just noticed, if d5 c4, maybe b4!? Nb7 a4 Bd7 Bd3 h6 a5, don't know how to evaluate this

Hmm okay after looking at a bunch of positions, it seems like (ironically) there's more options with Nbd7, b4 closes the position.

In the sample Nbd2 line (still in book), after cxd4 cxd4 Bd7 Nf1 Rac8 Ne3 Nc6, d5 happens anyway, Nb4 almost traps the knight so a turn is wasted on both sides Bb1 a5 a3 Na6, then b4... Ra8 Bd2 Rfc8 (I'm so far into the book there's barely any meaning) Bd3 axb4 axb4, Qb7 is subtly better than Qb6 wow, ok let's stop.

Yeah I have no idea what to make of this position. It's both closed and open. Mostly closed

But the pawns for white are facing queenside, so that side should probably be the side white wants to open more. So nbd2

Sorry about my unrelated comment before, I didn't read.

d5.

d5.

White has developed Bc2 , which must be kept mobile => We need fluid center for our Bishop, so d5 is not recommended.
White is lagging on Queenside => Play N/B move (Nbd2 / Bg5 / Ne3)
Bg5 would mean committing the Bishop to king side, Black can force exchange with h6, and either block it with h6-g5 if white retreats it to h5.
Ne3 is bad because of black's Nc4 <> b2+Be3.
Only option remaining is Nbd2.

12. Nbd2

Theory tells nbd2

@anjumskhan_practice said in #16:

White has developed Bc2 , which must be kept mobile => We need fluid center for our Bishop, so d5 is not recommended.
White is lagging on Queenside => Play N/B move (Nbd2 / Bg5 / Ne3)
Bg5 would mean committing the Bishop to king side, Black can force exchange with h6, and either block it with h6-g5 if white retreats it to h5.
Ne3 is bad because of black's Nc4 <> b2+Be3.
Only option remaining is Nbd2.

12. Nbd2

Be3 instead of Ne3 . It's a typo.

Current vote count is 6-6, for confirmation.

In my opinion, in this position the best move is d5