CryptoNote technical discussion and Chess Challenge

[ArticMine]

29. b4

[XMRpromotions]

29. b4

29.b4 (ArticMine, XMRpromotions)

[smooth]

b4 and offer draw

[tifozi]

Yah 1/2-1/2 is likely here.

In hindsight 14 Qa5 (Black) and 27. Be6 (white) were the big mistakes.

[ArticMine]

I am voting against the draw offer. I find it premature in this kind of position.

29. b4 (ArticMine, XMRpromotions, smooth)

Draw offer
For: smooth
Against: ArticMine

If tie the draw offer stands since the for preceeded the against.

[smooth]

I think we can consider the draw offer as part of the move which means it wasn't a tie (yet):

29. b4 (ArticMine, XMRpromotions)
29. b4, offer draw (smooth)

I'm willing to change my vote to just b4 without the offer of a draw if needed.

[ArticMine]

I think we can consider the draw offer as part of the move which means it wasn't a tie (yet):

29. b4 (ArticMine, XMRpromotions)
29. b4, offer draw (smooth)

I'm willing to change my vote to just b4 without the offer of a draw if needed.

I am fine with this.

[XMRpromotions]

I think we can consider the draw offer as part of the move which means it wasn't a tie (yet):

29. b4 (ArticMine, XMRpromotions)
29. b4, offer draw (smooth)

I'm willing to change my vote to just b4 without the offer of a draw if needed.

I agree with smooth that the draw offer should be part of the move.

There is actually a FIDE rule that kind of supports this: "If a player makes a draw offer before making their move, the opponent can ask them to make their move before deciding."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draw_by_agreement

With this requirement we also avoid the situation where a team silent on an draw offer discussion can might have one team member vote for the leading move at 23:58UTC and add a draw offer.

I do think the game is likely to end in a draw but there are still some chances for both sides in my opinion. I vote to keep playing for now but will reconsider offering a draw if it becomes clear that neither side can make progress.

[boolberry]

Current position
Based on the votes in this thread Team Monero has chosen to play b4. Now it is time for Team Boolberry to respond. I will plan to count votes again tomorrow at approximately 0:00 UTC.

Team Monero (white pieces) vs. Team Boolberry (black pieces)
black to move


Game PGN:

Code:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 a6 5.c4 Nc6 6.Qe3 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Be2 Nf6 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Nd7 11.b3 Nc5 12.Bb2 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Rad1 Qa5 15.Rd2 Rf6 16.Nd5 Re6 17.Qf4 Ne4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rb2 Nc3 20.Nd4 Re5 21.Bf3 Nxd5 22.Bxd5 Qc3 23.Nxf5+ Rxf5 24.Qd2 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Rb8 26.a3 e5 27.Be6 Rf6 28.Bd5 Nd4 29.b4

[boolberry]

I like b6 here. It both makes c5 more difficult for white and frees our rook from defending the pawn.

[languagehasmeaning]

b6: 2 votes (boolberry, languagehasmeaning)

[tifozi]

b5 leads to a quicker draw (exchange with no positional advantage or disadvantage, unless white gets experimental)

b5: 1 vote (tifozi)
b6: 2 votes (boolberry, languagehasmeaning)

[languagehasmeaning]

b5 leads to a quicker draw (exchange with no positional advantage or disadvantage, unless white gets experimental)

b5: 1 vote (tifozi)
b6: 2 votes (boolberry, languagehasmeaning)

I agree that b5 would be an easier way to attempt forcing a draw. That is precisely the reason why I chose b6. I hope we can keep the game interesting and avoid unnecessary simplifications. Based on some of the comments above I believe some of the Monero players feel the same way. The game may end in a draw but it won't be for a lack of effort from either side!

[newb4now]

b5 leads to a quicker draw (exchange with no positional advantage or disadvantage, unless white gets experimental)

b5: 1 vote (tifozi)
b6: 2 votes (boolberry, languagehasmeaning)

b5: 1 vote (tifozi)
b6: 3 votes (boolberry, languagehasmeaning, newb4now)

[boolberry]

Current position
Based on the votes in this thread Team Boolberry has chosen to play b6. Now it is time for Team Monero to respond. I will plan to count votes again tomorrow at approximately 0:00 UTC.

Team Monero (white pieces) vs. Team Boolberry (black pieces)
white to move


Game PGN:

Code:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 a6 5.c4 Nc6 6.Qe3 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Be2 Nf6 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Nd7 11.b3 Nc5 12.Bb2 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Rad1 Qa5 15.Rd2 Rf6 16.Nd5 Re6 17.Qf4 Ne4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rb2 Nc3 20.Nd4 Re5 21.Bf3 Nxd5 22.Bxd5 Qc3 23.Nxf5+ Rxf5 24.Qd2 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Rb8 26.a3 e5 27.Be6 Rf6 28.Bd5 Nd4 29.b4 b6

[XMRpromotions]

Re1

[ArticMine]

30. Rb2

Prevents a4 and leaves the option of Ra1 open. I do not like the idea of of Re1 where both rooks and the king are left on a potential knight fork.  The queen side is where I see the potential opportunity for us.

[smooth]

Re1 (XMRpromotions)
Rb2 (ArticMine, smooth)

[LucyLovesCrypto]

Re1 (XMRpromotions)
Rb2 (ArticMine, smooth, LucyLovesCrypto)

[boolberry]

Current position
Based on the votes in this thread Team Monero has chosen to play Rb2. Now it is time for Team Boolberry to respond. I will plan to count votes again tomorrow at approximately 0:00 UTC.

Team Monero (white pieces) vs. Team Boolberry (black pieces)
black to move


Game PGN:

Code:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 a6 5.c4 Nc6 6.Qe3 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Be2 Nf6 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Nd7 11.b3 Nc5 12.Bb2 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Rad1 Qa5 15.Rd2 Rf6 16.Nd5 Re6 17.Qf4 Ne4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rb2 Nc3 20.Nd4 Re5 21.Bf3 Nxd5 22.Bxd5 Qc3 23.Nxf5+ Rxf5 24.Qd2 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Rb8 26.a3 e5 27.Be6 Rf6 28.Bd5 Nd4 29.b4 b6 30.Rb2