This is more time than we should be spending on these difficult considerations… especially when it turns out there’s no clear answer. The main reason was to limit the activity of White’s light square bishop for the rest of the contest.Ī bishop stationed on the same color of its own central pawns, whose influence is limited by those pawns.Īll this evaluation takes a great deal of time, and I spent about 20 minutes on this move. ![]() In this game, I decided to resolve the tension immediately. However, White will be able to play f4, which transforms his backward f pawn into a strong asset that controls key central squares. After Black captures on e4, White will have pressure down the half open e-file.Īt first glance, it appears that Black has compensating pressure on the half open f file. That’s a standard maneuver in this opening and typically leads to a long-term advantage for White. The play will be pushed further out to the flank, and I’ll need to continue with Na6-c7, then Rb8, and create a new lever with b5, to open the b file for my rook. If I advance my c pawn, it will lock up the Queen side. Option 2: Resolve the tension by advancing to c5. This is a classic example of tradeoff analysis at a high level, and the ability to make the right decisions is a key building block in the Making of a Master. ![]() White’s d pawn currently paralyzes Black’s center, and if White captures on c6, Black will gain a great deal of freedom in the center.Ī quick glance reveals that he will be able to freely advance his e pawn after dxc6 However… then Black’s queen pawn will end up backward, and White can apply pressure on the half open queen file. Since maintaining the tension is Black’s most popular choice at the highest levels, this clearly means that he has sufficient offsetting imbalances if he allows this activity. If I maintain the tension, White will have the option to capture anytime he wants on c6, and the h1-a8 diagonal will always ensure for his light square Bishop will be an active and powerful piece. However, during the game, I was not updated with this theory, and I reasoned through the position as follows: Option 1: Maintain the Tension The move 9.Na6 is played most frequently at high levels, which means it’s most consistent with the spirit of the opening.
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