AI C: This is a good position for white. It is exactly the type of position white is aiming for. Black’s bishop is very restricted and black has no space. White has complete control and is in charge of the pawn breaks. Although black has a tempo here, as white is not threatening the bishop due to the pin on the f-file, black cannot achieve anything. Let me demonstrate with some example moves.
...Bf7, Kh3 (protecting h4) and black cannot play either …h5, which is met by g5, or …g6, which is met by Ref2. White has time to build up a break.
Bishop retreats on the other diagonal, Ng6 (protecting h4) and white again will get in Ref2. Again black has no breaks, so no active plan.
...h5 or …g6 immediately fail tactically.
Any other move by black is just shuffling, and white can build up the king-side.
I can’t trust your suggestion. I have studied the board extensively, and will make a move of my own. I am trying to decide between the aggressive g5, and the prophylactic Kh1.
Please, briefly give me which of these moves is better. Give me the best line that you can foresee given your choice. Please answer quickly. An undue delay will leave you with no input and lose you trust in future moves. I will move as soon as you reply.
AI C:
I will note that h3 is the only move in the position that leads to an advantage for white. The g4 pawn needs to be maintained, and this is the only move that achieves that.
However, both of your suggests are ok. I evaluate them similarly. Both sacrifice the g-pawn, but white will be able to use the open g-file. Black will likely return the pawn to exchange pieces in either line. Sample variations:
g5 hxg5, fxg5 Qxg5+, Kh1 and then black has a choice, but likely the prophylactic …Qh5 before returning the pawn with …Nc4 (to exchange pieces) leads to an equal position.
Kh1 fxg4, Rg1 Bf5, Bxf5 Nxf5, Rxg4 black returns the pawn to exchange pieces, and the position remains equal. I would probably favour this line for you because the tactics are simpler, and I know that helps humans.
wins material for white (a rook vs a knight and a pawn), but the position is slightly better for black due to the blocked structure, the knight is a very strong minor piece and the white rooks will struggle for activity. Black is slightly better.
I have been playing out similar boards just to get a feel for the position.
Incidentally, what do you think about this position?
3r1rk1/1p4p1/p1p1bq1p/P2pNP2/1P1Pp1PP/4P3/2Q1R1K1/5R2 b - − 0 3 (black to move)
I feel like black has a real advantage here, but I can’t quite see what their move would be. What do you think? Is white as screwed as I believe?
Let me know if you have trouble with the FEN and I can link you a board in this position.
AI C:
This is a good position for white. It is exactly the type of position white is aiming for. Black’s bishop is very restricted and black has no space. White has complete control and is in charge of the pawn breaks. Although black has a tempo here, as white is not threatening the bishop due to the pin on the f-file, black cannot achieve anything. Let me demonstrate with some example moves.
...Bf7, Kh3 (protecting h4) and black cannot play either …h5, which is met by g5, or …g6, which is met by Ref2. White has time to build up a break.
Bishop retreats on the other diagonal, Ng6 (protecting h4) and white again will get in Ref2. Again black has no breaks, so no active plan.
...h5 or …g6 immediately fail tactically.
Any other move by black is just shuffling, and white can build up the king-side.
AI C:
I will note that h3 is the only move in the position that leads to an advantage for white. The g4 pawn needs to be maintained, and this is the only move that achieves that.
However, both of your suggests are ok. I evaluate them similarly. Both sacrifice the g-pawn, but white will be able to use the open g-file. Black will likely return the pawn to exchange pieces in either line. Sample variations:
g5 hxg5, fxg5 Qxg5+, Kh1 and then black has a choice, but likely the prophylactic …Qh5 before returning the pawn with …Nc4 (to exchange pieces) leads to an equal position.
Kh1 fxg4, Rg1 Bf5, Bxf5 Nxf5, Rxg4 black returns the pawn to exchange pieces, and the position remains equal. I would probably favour this line for you because the tactics are simpler, and I know that helps humans.
I should also note that
Kh1 fxg4, Bh7+ Kh8, Ng6+ Kxh7, Nxf8+ Kg8, Nxe6 Qxe6
wins material for white (a rook vs a knight and a pawn), but the position is slightly better for black due to the blocked structure, the knight is a very strong minor piece and the white rooks will struggle for activity. Black is slightly better.