Lets play a game of Chess

[Rolf Uhlhorn]

30. ... - Re8 seems to be ok, do I miss something? I look at it during daytime. Bg2+ has some funny effects, but won't work out.

[languagehasmeaning]

29.Rc1 essentially ended our attack and we are now headed for an endgame. Our winning chances are over but I think we have excellent chances to draw even after losing a pawn. Here is the best I can see for both sides. Most of the moves below look forced to me. After we play Qg6 our threat of Re8 followed by Re2 is pretty serious.  I cannot find any good options for our opponent besides 31.Rc6.

30.Qxe5 Qg6
31.Rc6 Re8
32.Qxe8+ Nxe8
33.Rxg6+ hxg6

Both 34.Bc4 and 34.g4 should give white a small advantage but I think we have excellent chances to draw. I cannot see any other options for us that do not lose on the spot.

I think we have better chances by keeping the queens on and therefore 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8 Bxc8.

Draw with the black pieces is never bad against strong opposition anyway.

Your 31..Rc8 idea is indeed another clever option taking advantage of the same back rank threats at  31..Re8.

Since 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33.Bc4 would also win a pawn for white I feel like we might be better off trading queens but maybe things are not so clear. I feel like our king is more vulnerable than his since we have a pawn on g5 with the queen on the board.  I should look at the position with the queens on the board more carefully. It sounds like we agree on our current move. If White plays 31.Rc6 as we suspect we can discuss this again.

[galdur]

I don´t like that endgame after g4. We have weak pawns and his king will soon be in the center. Not saying it´s lost, just think keeping the queen is safer.

[Rolf Uhlhorn]

Oh please, if I may: the move I decide to do, has nothing to do with the strenght of my opponent. I just try the best move I can find.

There is the most logical move, the most difficult move and the best move. I always prefer the best move. Some people go for the difficult move, underestemating their opponent. This only is an option when the position is lost.

[languagehasmeaning]

30. ... - Re8 seems to be ok, do I miss something? I look at it during daytime. Bg2+ has some funny effects, but won't work out.

31.Qxf6 Bg2+
32.Kg1 wins for white

You have a good idea but unfortunately white does not need to accept the bishop sacrifice on g2

If 32.Kxg2 we would win with Re2+
33.Kf1 Qh3+
34.Kg1 Qxh2+
35.Kf1 Qf2++

[galdur]

29.Rc1 essentially ended our attack and we are now headed for an endgame. Our winning chances are over but I think we have excellent chances to draw even after losing a pawn. Here is the best I can see for both sides. Most of the moves below look forced to me. After we play Qg6 our threat of Re8 followed by Re2 is pretty serious.  I cannot find any good options for our opponent besides 31.Rc6.

30.Qxe5 Qg6
31.Rc6 Re8
32.Qxe8+ Nxe8
33.Rxg6+ hxg6

Both 34.Bc4 and 34.g4 should give white a small advantage but I think we have excellent chances to draw. I cannot see any other options for us that do not lose on the spot.

I think we have better chances by keeping the queens on and therefore 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8 Bxc8.

Draw with the black pieces is never bad against strong opposition anyway.

Your 31..Rc8 idea is indeed another clever option taking advantage of the same back rank threats at  31..Re8.

Since 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33.Bc4 would also win a pawn for white I feel like we might be better off trading queens but maybe things are not so clear. I feel like our king is more vulnerable than his since we have a pawn on g5 with the queen on the board.  I should look at the position with the queens on the board more carefully. It sounds like we agree on our current move. If White plays 31.Rc6 as we suspect we can discuss this again.

Well, we´re a pawn up as it is so losing one may not be so horrible.

Here´s a line: 30. Qxe5 Qg6 31. Rc6 Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33. Bc4 Bd7 34. b3 g4 35. f4 Bf5 and if 36. Bxa6 Ne4 with excellent prospects for black.

[languagehasmeaning]

I don´t like that endgame after g4. We have weak pawns and his king will soon be in the center. Not saying it´s lost, just think keeping the queen is safer.

You and galdur may be right. We should look at the Rc8 variation more to keep the queens on the board. My original plan can be our backup. We have another move to think about it before we have to choose Rc8 or Re8

Oh please, if I may: the move I decide to do, has nothing to do with the strenght of my opponent. I just try the best move I can find.

There is the most logical move, the most difficult move and the best move. I always prefer the best move. Some people go for the difficult move, underestemating their opponent. This only is an option when the position is lost.

I agree with the philosophy of always trying to find the best move.

[Rolf Uhlhorn]

Thank you, but that is what I thought I said: "Bg2+ has some funny effects, but won't work out." 30. ... - Bg2+ is funny, but not ok.

After 30. .. - Re8 31. Qxf6 - Re2, not Bg2+. If Qd8+ - Kg7 / Qxd3 we win his queen with Rxh2+ etc. But I look at it during daytime, after 4 am here, my eyes are closed and my brain not working properly.

[languagehasmeaning]

29.Rc1 essentially ended our attack and we are now headed for an endgame. Our winning chances are over but I think we have excellent chances to draw even after losing a pawn. Here is the best I can see for both sides. Most of the moves below look forced to me. After we play Qg6 our threat of Re8 followed by Re2 is pretty serious.  I cannot find any good options for our opponent besides 31.Rc6.

30.Qxe5 Qg6
31.Rc6 Re8
32.Qxe8+ Nxe8
33.Rxg6+ hxg6

Both 34.Bc4 and 34.g4 should give white a small advantage but I think we have excellent chances to draw. I cannot see any other options for us that do not lose on the spot.

I think we have better chances by keeping the queens on and therefore 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8 Bxc8.

Draw with the black pieces is never bad against strong opposition anyway.

Your 31..Rc8 idea is indeed another clever option taking advantage of the same back rank threats at  31..Re8.

Since 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33.Bc4 would also win a pawn for white I feel like we might be better off trading queens but maybe things are not so clear. I feel like our king is more vulnerable than his since we have a pawn on g5 with the queen on the board.  I should look at the position with the queens on the board more carefully. It sounds like we agree on our current move. If White plays 31.Rc6 as we suspect we can discuss this again.

Well, we´re a pawn up as it is so losing one may not be so horrible.

Here´s a line: 30. Qxe5 Qg6 31. Rc6 Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33. Bc4 Bd7 34. b3 g4 35. f4 Bf5 and if 36. Bxa6 Ne4 with excellent prospects for black.

I like that for us too. However I think white may play 34.Qd4 instead of 34.b3 so that g4 can be met with Bxd3. I will think about this some more before we need to make a decision.

[Rolf Uhlhorn]

PS I forgot: white has Bxf7 as counter-sacrifice, g5 becomes weak then.

[languagehasmeaning]

Thank you, but that is what I thought I said: "Bg2+ has some funny effects, but won't work out." 30. ... - Bg2+ is funny, but not ok.

After 30. .. - Re8 31. Qxf6 - Re2, not Bg2+. If Qd8+ - Kg7 / Qxd3 we win his queen with Rxh2+ etc. But I look at it during daytime, after 4 am here, my eyes are closed and my brain not working properly.

30...Re8 31.Qxf6 Re2 32.Ne4 d2 fails to 33.Nxd2 Rxd2 34.Bxf7+ Qxf7 and Qxg5+ forking the rook.

I am trying to think of a good alternative to 34...d2 for us but I don't see anything.

[galdur]

29.Rc1 essentially ended our attack and we are now headed for an endgame. Our winning chances are over but I think we have excellent chances to draw even after losing a pawn. Here is the best I can see for both sides. Most of the moves below look forced to me. After we play Qg6 our threat of Re8 followed by Re2 is pretty serious.  I cannot find any good options for our opponent besides 31.Rc6.

30.Qxe5 Qg6
31.Rc6 Re8
32.Qxe8+ Nxe8
33.Rxg6+ hxg6

Both 34.Bc4 and 34.g4 should give white a small advantage but I think we have excellent chances to draw. I cannot see any other options for us that do not lose on the spot.

I think we have better chances by keeping the queens on and therefore 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8 Bxc8.

Draw with the black pieces is never bad against strong opposition anyway.

Your 31..Rc8 idea is indeed another clever option taking advantage of the same back rank threats at  31..Re8.

Since 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33.Bc4 would also win a pawn for white I feel like we might be better off trading queens but maybe things are not so clear. I feel like our king is more vulnerable than his since we have a pawn on g5 with the queen on the board.  I should look at the position with the queens on the board more carefully. It sounds like we agree on our current move. If White plays 31.Rc6 as we suspect we can discuss this again.

Well, we´re a pawn up as it is so losing one may not be so horrible.

Here´s a line: 30. Qxe5 Qg6 31. Rc6 Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33. Bc4 Bd7 34. b3 g4 35. f4 Bf5 and if 36. Bxa6 Ne4 with excellent prospects for black.

I like that for us too. However I think white may play 34.Qd4 instead of 34.b3 so that g4 can be met with Bxd3. I will think about this some more before we need to make a decision.

34.Qd4 Bxa4 he´ll get the b and d pawns resulting in even material but it takes two tempos which should give us time for some counterplay. The position is becoming rather simplified at that point.

[Rolf Uhlhorn]

Thank you, but we won't play Rxd2, but Be6 for example. But I am just trying to make suggestions, I decide during daytime.

[languagehasmeaning]

Thank you, but we won't play Rxd2, but Be6 for example. But I am just trying to make suggestions, I decide during daytime.

No problem. I want to look at the position more too. Usually we get at least 24 hours (and often more) to decide on each move.

[languagehasmeaning]

29.Rc1 essentially ended our attack and we are now headed for an endgame. Our winning chances are over but I think we have excellent chances to draw even after losing a pawn. Here is the best I can see for both sides. Most of the moves below look forced to me. After we play Qg6 our threat of Re8 followed by Re2 is pretty serious.  I cannot find any good options for our opponent besides 31.Rc6.

30.Qxe5 Qg6
31.Rc6 Re8
32.Qxe8+ Nxe8
33.Rxg6+ hxg6

Both 34.Bc4 and 34.g4 should give white a small advantage but I think we have excellent chances to draw. I cannot see any other options for us that do not lose on the spot.

I think we have better chances by keeping the queens on and therefore 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8 Bxc8.

Draw with the black pieces is never bad against strong opposition anyway.

Your 31..Rc8 idea is indeed another clever option taking advantage of the same back rank threats at  31..Re8.

Since 31..Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33.Bc4 would also win a pawn for white I feel like we might be better off trading queens but maybe things are not so clear. I feel like our king is more vulnerable than his since we have a pawn on g5 with the queen on the board.  I should look at the position with the queens on the board more carefully. It sounds like we agree on our current move. If White plays 31.Rc6 as we suspect we can discuss this again.

Well, we´re a pawn up as it is so losing one may not be so horrible.

Here´s a line: 30. Qxe5 Qg6 31. Rc6 Rc8 32. Rxc8+ Bxc8 33. Bc4 Bd7 34. b3 g4 35. f4 Bf5 and if 36. Bxa6 Ne4 with excellent prospects for black.

I like that for us too. However I think white may play 34.Qd4 instead of 34.b3 so that g4 can be met with Bxd3. I will think about this some more before we need to make a decision.

34.Qd4 Bxa4 he´ll get the b and d pawns resulting in even material but it takes two tempos which should give us time for some counterplay. The position is becoming rather simplified at that point.

I think you are right that we have good chances in that position too. Tomorrow I will look at it more and try to compare that position to the one where we trade queens. My feeling is that we will have a slight disadvantage in both. I still have not decided which one I prefer.

[galdur]

It seems to me to be a situation where you only trade queens when the position is simple enough that you´re pretty sure that you´ll hold the draw with the minor pieces. The fewer pawns the better. I seem to remember it from my losses. In this current position black is a pawn up but that´s not free, white has got some play.

The first objective is always not to lose, needless to say.

[Rolf Uhlhorn]

Qg6: 2 votes (ING Bank, galdur)

Qg6: 3 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto)

If we play Nd7 or Ne8 instead then Qe7 looks really bad for us. Since we can't move our knight we must defend it.

Qg6: 4 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning)

Qg6: 4 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning)
Re8: 1 vote (Rolf Uhlhorn)

[jjacob]

I vote for Qg6

Qg6: 5 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning, jjacob)
Re8: 1 vote (Rolf Uhlhorn)

[XMRpromotions]

I vote for Qg6

Qg6: 5 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning, jjacob)
Re8: 1 vote (Rolf Uhlhorn)

Qg6: 6 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning, jjacob, XMRpromotions)
Re8: 1 vote (Rolf Uhlhorn)

[languagehasmeaning]

I vote for Qg6

Qg6: 5 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning, jjacob)
Re8: 1 vote (Rolf Uhlhorn)

Qg6: 6 votes (ING Bank, galdur, LucyLovesCrypto, languagehasmeaning, jjacob, XMRpromotions)
Re8: 1 vote (Rolf Uhlhorn)

I looked at the position some more and remain certain Qg6 is the best move. If our opponent plays Rc6 next move we need to have an important discussion. I still cant decide between Rc8 and Re8 (after Rc6). It is hard to determine if one option is much better than the other. Do we want to keep queens on the board or not?