TL Chess match II - Page 21

12...Kxg7 13.Qd2 e5 14.Rfd1 with c5 and a knight invasion incoming. Looks really good for white

e5?

10.e5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Bxe5 12.Na4
Trade a bishop for a knight instead.

I don't think 10... Nxe5 is the most likely response from black to 10. e5. That said, if the line you propose did in fact somehow come to pass, it would leave black in a strong position, controlling a1-h8 diagonal. The 12. Na4 move would place our knight in a useless place, away from the action, putting us further behind. It would certainly be much worse than the 10. Bxg7 Kxg7.

14. ... Qa5 spoils c5. While I still think Bxg7 is best, white has no really clear attacking options and will have to probably settle for a slightly better endgame with black saddled with two isolated pawns. Doesn't seem like normal aggressive Sicilian position.

I'd like to play b4 right away but looks like Bxg7 will have to come first.

Thinking about after 12. ... Kxg7
13. b4
13. c5

I can see c5 being very useful, particularly since it opens up more attacking options for our white bishop. However, unless I am missing something, I think we have to play 13. b4 first to preempt 13... Qa5.