Curtains vs PoG

[StregaChess]

[ QUOTE ]
Note that for any move we consider here, we can interpose 30...hxg3 31.hxg3 if we desire. In some cases it might be preferable to exchange first, and in some cases not.

I was looking at 30...Qd5 31.Qxd5 Nxd5 32.Bxa7 Ra6 33.Re5

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Yes good point regarding the interpose but for now there are lines where the pawn protects are king if we are driven to h7. If we exchange and he forces us to h7 he can continue an attack with Qh3+....

I think we still have the better of the position (possibly not by much?) so I'm not in favor of exchanging queens as that releases pressure.
At this point I favor the ideas with Nd5

[dmk]

i haven't seen this mentioned yet

30...Qe7

maybe its really bad and i just don't see why? it protects our b pawn and we can hopefully play Re6 in a few moves to double up on the e file

[StregaChess]

Hey, my nose likes it!

If my memory is correct Q & N is in general a bit stronger than Q & B. Of course pawns on one side would be even better.

30. Re1 Qe7
31. Bd2 So what's your idea here?

31. ....Re6
Don't forget if he exchanges at e6 our pawn at b7 is still floating in the wind....



or 31. ....Ne2+ (at least here it might not lose a piece!)

30. Re1 Qe7
31. Bd2 Ne2+
32. Kf1 Re6
33. Qf3 Nd4

[dmk]

ya, i was thinking ur 2nd one

30. Re1 Qe7
31. Bd2 Ne2+
32. Kf1 Re6

i didn't look past this point

[TimM]

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i haven't seen this mentioned yet

30...Qe7

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This can be added to the list of moves that don't suck, along with:

30...Rc6
30...Nd5
30...Qd5

The others mentioned I think are lacking to various degrees.

So how do we choose between them?

Both 30...Nd5 and 30...Qd5 allow a R+B vs R+N ending that may prove worse for us.

30...Rc6 and 30...Qe7 look like they keep the right pieces on the board.

[dmk]

easy, we choose mine because its awesome and we get to say "CHECK!!!"

[StregaChess]

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This can be added to the list of moves that don't suck, along with:

[/ QUOTE ]
HEY!!! At least Rh6 was "cute" j/k

[ QUOTE ]
So how do we choose between them?

Both 30...Nd5 and 30...Qd5 allow a R+B vs R+N ending that may prove worse for us.

30...Rc6 and 30...Qe7 look like they keep the right pieces on the board.


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I think you sort of answered your own question. It's the type of ending we want to steer towards. For my vote I'm leaning towards Qe7 but I'll have to look at Rc6 again...

[BlackSails]

30... Qe7 runs into 31.Qh3, threatening Qc8+ (to win the Knight) and Qxh4. So we would probably have to play 31... Re6, then 32. Qxh4 Qxh4 33.gxh4 leaves us down a raggy pawn and the potential inferior minor piece (rook and bishop work better together then rook and Knight)

[dmk]

[ QUOTE ]
30... Qe7 runs into 31.Qh3, threatening Qc8+ (to win the Knight) and Qxh4. So we would probably have to play 31... Re6, then 32. Qxh4 Qxh4 33.gxh4 leaves us down a raggy pawn and the potential inferior minor piece (rook and bishop work better together then rook and Knight)

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??

30...Qe7
31. Qh3 Re6
32. Qxh4 Qxh4
33. gxh4 Nxa2

and we're even again

[BlackSails]

30...Qe7
31. Qh3 Re6
32. Qxh4 Qxh4
33. gxh4 Nxa2
34. Rd1 when a7 is hanging and Rd8+-Rd7 is in the air, hitting 2 pawns. Additionally, the Knight is now offside. White's pawns are pretty weak though, maybe we can hold this position as well.