Mini 686 - Chess Mafia (Done)

[veerus]

As I said, I'm ok with Bd2 as long as we don't then castle queen-side.

[SensFan]

Sorry for absense.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

What does Bd2 do for us?

...?

[Indigo Heron]

The situation is a tight rope right now. I'd rather not reveal the entire plan and spoil Black with it. All I can say that Bd2 can still bring us victory. Anything else will just be a draw.

Look at the move from different perspectives and see if you can find it.

[SensFan]

Can someone point me to the current board?

[Lawrencelot]

If I'm correct, post 404 is the latest official one: http://www.mafiascum.net/forum/viewtopi ... 43#1391043

[Pesco47]

Unmove

for now. It's been a while since I've seen the real board too.

[sirdanilot]

mod: can we get the board please

[SensFan]

Looking at that board, Bd2 seems obvious. Is there anything else?

[Awesome Pants]

*chess tag removed*
1. e4 c5
2. Nc3 Nc6
3. f4 e6
4. Nf3 f5
5. exf5 exf5
6. Qe2 Be7
7. Nd5 Nb4
8. Nxb4 cxb4
9. d4 Nf6
10. Qc4 a6
*/chess tag removed*

[Awesome Pants]

Moves

d5(2)- The Central Scrutinizer,Lawrencelot
Bd2(2)-Goatrevolt,Indigo Heron
Be2(1)-Veerus

Not voting (8) - SensFan,sirdanilot, Gorrad, Doomsday, Pesco47

People

Veerus(1)-The Central Scrutinizer
The Central Scrutinizer(1)-Veerus

I'm sorry for being a lazy mod. I'll update a move count and vote count every time someone votes for a move/person.

[SensFan]

Be2 is completely dumb, accomplishes nothing.
d5 is actually counter-productive, crippling our Queen.

move: Bd2

[Awesome Pants]

Moves

Bd2(3)-Goatrevolt,Indigo Heron,SensFan
d5(2)- The Central Scrutinizer,Lawrencelot
Be2(1)-Veerus

Not voting (4) - SensFan,sirdanilot, Gorrad, Pesco47

People

Veerus(1)-The Central Scrutinizer
The Central Scrutinizer(1)-Veerus

[sirdanilot]

What does Bd2 do for us? Nothing, does it? Let me dig up a post of mine.

2. A better option is Bd2. It doesn't restrict our queen, (1)develops the other bishop, (2)threatens the b4 pawn, (3)and still allows us to castle, just via queenside. (4)Castling is also going to be more effective, since castling to the kingside would involve also having a bishop at e2, effectively keeping the rooks from getting into the game for a while.

1. How?
2. That's pretty nice indeed, but ...a5 would stop that
3. So does Be2?
4. Not following about the rooks part.

Could we continue this discussion?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Be2 is completely dumb, accomplishes nothing.
d5 is actually counter-productive, crippling our Queen.

move: Bd2

How doe d5 cripple the Queen?

[Lawrencelot]

What about moving the a or c pawn to attack the b4 pawn? If we do that with the a pawn, it could lead to getting our rook into play, though there's not much he can do after that and it prevents us from castling queenside.

[Pesco47]

Those pawn advances are sub-par moves.

Pre-emp notice to all: I am losing interest in this game and it is my top candidate to bail if Natirasha's MSG gets started soon. I won't need to drop if AitH finishes before that happens.

[SensFan]

Those pawn advances are sub-par moves.

Pre-emp notice to all: I am losing interest in this game and it is my top candidate to bail if Natirasha's MSG gets started soon. I won't need to drop if AitH finishes before that happens.

A warning, as a back-up to Nat's game, I will do everything in my power to make sure you do not get accepted in that game if you request replacement out of this one. Keep your commitments.

Bd2 devellops the Bishop, threatens the B-Pawn, and allows castling on the correct side. The b-Pawn cannot be easily defended (a5 is a large blunder).

d5 removes the powerful diagonal from the Queen, and allows them to castle. It also removes pressure from the crucial f7.

[Pesco47]

As I said, I'm hoping for AitH to end first. I hadn't realised Nat's game was so soon on the list. And I have been far more committed to all my games than your average player.

The b4 pawn is actually of very little consequence to the game right now. It can be considered a dead piece. Bringing out the bishop on Bd2 only frees up the castling option, but the move of castling should definitely be deferred until Black has been removed from the center.

[SensFan]

The b4 pawn is actually of very little consequence to the game right now.

Unless we win it, in which case we likely win the game...

It can be considered a dead piece.

How do you figure? It is dead if it is removed from the board, or there is a forced play to remove it from the board. Currently, neither is the case.

Bringing out the bishop on Bd2 only frees up the castling option

It devellops the Bishop, and allows us to devellop the Rook, and hides the King.

but the move of castling should definitely be deferred until Black has been removed from the center.

Are you insane? We have a lead in devellopment, we need to castle now, then capitalize on the fact their King is stuck in the center, before they can catch up!

[Pesco47]

I'm seeing a fork if we castle.

[SensFan]

I'm seeing a fork if we castle.

Mind explaining both the fork and why we are unable to avoid it?

If 11. Bd2, it basically forces 11...a5, which ruins the King's safety, and forces him to stay in the open. Their King in the open, ours tucked away, and a large lead in devellopment. Looks like a fairly straightforward win.

[Pesco47]

It's doable in 2 moves (after we've castled). The first step may be hidden as an attack on other pieces, springing the fork when we respond to the diversion threat.

I don't have that much of an issue with Bd2 being played. The followup is where I'm seeing things differently. If they do respond with a5 to Bd2, I'll suggest my line of thoughts.

[SensFan]

It's doable in 2 moves (after we've castled). The first step may be hidden as an attack on other pieces, springing the fork when we respond to the diversion threat.

I don't have that much of an issue with Bd2 being played. The followup is where I'm seeing things differently. If they do respond with a5 to Bd2, I'll suggest my line of thoughts.

How about you actually explain it. Give me specific lines. Exact details as to why this supposed fork is completely unstoppable. Otherwise, shut up about it.

[Pesco47]

They have a mobile knight. Knights are good at forking things. Work out the rest yourself.