All I did was pin some pieces. • page 1/1 • Game analysis • lichess.org

I had the white pieces in a french defense and it was a bit disappointing. I have a question about the inaccuracy on move 10. The computer evaluation suggests Ng5 over Bb5, a pin seems more direct to me. What idea am I missing in the position?

https://lichess.org/4oxVngRY/white#0

I had the white pieces in a french defense and it was a bit disappointing. I have a question about the inaccuracy on move 10. The computer evaluation suggests Ng5 over Bb5, a pin seems more direct to me. What idea am I missing in the position? https://lichess.org/4oxVngRY/white#0

biscuitfiend edited

#2

The engine prefers Ng5 because it values the initiative. Black's king is lounging around in the centre, while the white king is safe and white's pieces are out and looking for blood! So the white player should be looking for moves that stop black from castling. Ng5 is one such move, as it attacks the black queen. Then just keep attacking: if ...Qf5 then Bc4 attacks f7 (and if then ...Be6 then Re1 keeps the pressure high), while if ...Qd5 then Bf3, Qb3, Bd5, and so on.

In short: you are focused on basic tactics like pinning, which is not bad, because it wins pieces; the engine is focused on checkmate, which is better because it wins the game!

The engine prefers Ng5 because it values the initiative. Black's king is lounging around in the centre, while the white king is safe and white's pieces are out and looking for blood! So the white player should be looking for moves that stop black from castling. Ng5 is one such move, as it attacks the black queen. Then just keep attacking: if ...Qf5 then Bc4 attacks f7 (and if then ...Be6 then Re1 keeps the pressure high), while if ...Qd5 then Bf3, Qb3, Bd5, and so on. In short: you are focused on basic tactics like pinning, which is not bad, because it wins pieces; the engine is focused on checkmate, which is better because it wins the game!

HippieFromRome

#3

Thank you, that was a very helpful explanation!

NM MrPushwood

#4

As always with these sorts of questions: what variations does the computer give?

biscuitfiend

#5

@MrPushwood: Exactly.

bugcat2

#6

3...Qxd5?! looks dubious, it's strange to give out a free tempo for 4. Nc3. I always play 3...exd5, ie. a regular Exchange French.

4...Qe4+?! gives you free time to play 5. Be2, and Nc3/d2 is still going to be forcing next move.

5...Bb4+?! seems like it just gives you tempo for 6. c2, which you're happy to play.

Really, I think Black simply played a bad opening.

3...Qxd5?! looks dubious, it's strange to give out a free tempo for 4. Nc3. I always play 3...exd5, ie. a regular Exchange French. 4...Qe4+?! gives you free time to play 5. Be2, and Nc3/d2 is still going to be forcing next move. 5...Bb4+?! seems like it just gives you tempo for 6. c2, which you're happy to play. Really, I think Black simply played a bad opening.

tpr

#7

Nakamura has played some 3...Qxd5. There is no free tempo as Nc3 can be pinned with ...Bb4. Besides exd5 is also loss of tempo.
4...Qe4+ is wrong indeed

Nakamura has played some 3...Qxd5. There is no free tempo as Nc3 can be pinned with ...Bb4. Besides exd5 is also loss of tempo. 4...Qe4+ is wrong indeed

intro_bard_bot

#8

You played fine, your opponent made a lot of questionable moves, most notably Qe4+. but also not seeing the threat to his queen. i think c3 instead of blocking the check with Nd2 would have been slightly better. And yes, Ng4 plays for the initiative rather than hopefully. Bb5 in contrast forms a threat but once he (as he should've) moves his queen away your bishop is vulnerable to attack and doesn't need to trade for a knight -- the position is open, his king is in the center; you should be playing to keep your bishops and play aggressively. If it were Bxb5 immediately (even a pawn) it'd probably be better depending on the position.

hope this helps!

You played fine, your opponent made a lot of questionable moves, most notably Qe4+. but also not seeing the threat to his queen. i think c3 instead of blocking the check with Nd2 would have been slightly better. And yes, Ng4 plays for the initiative rather than hopefully. Bb5 in contrast forms a threat but once he (as he should've) moves his queen away your bishop is vulnerable to attack and doesn't need to trade for a knight -- the position is open, his king is in the center; you should be playing to keep your bishops and play aggressively. If it were Bxb5 immediately (even a pawn) it'd probably be better depending on the position. hope this helps!