TL Chess match II - Page 33

cxd6 is the other option but if we play it then our knight has no purpose on that a square. We shouldn't attack a postion we have well defended imo.

Rather have him take us than have his bishop on d5.

Black wont take in the center thats just silly, given the power of our rooks.Rd4 is also interesting because it puts pressure on the black pawn on f4, but it feels like the piece is not doing much there right now. Looks a bit pointless for now. IMO this move will be much better played in a line like the one below

Im thinking 22..Bxd5 23.Nc3 e6 24.b4 Rb8. 25.Rd4 - defending with activity. This position looks good to me.

I don't see what black can do in this situation to change it for the better. So I want to take the break that we have to move the rook up into a position where it can move to b4.

Finally we get to the point where black's pawn structure deteriorates (we've been talking about this for a while now :D)

22. exd5. There were three moves I was considering, 22. exd5, 22. Rd4, and 22. Nc3.

I think 22. Rd4 is slightly incorrect. Seems good allowing black to take on e4, as our rook can take back and attack his knight. But Rd4 allows black simply to defend his center with Bf7/g8, e6, and Rd8, while we have little more to do that to try something like b3-b4-b5 to try to undermine c6. But after b4, black just takes on e4 and takes the a2 pawn right after.

22. Nc3 is playable, but I'd rather take the pawn immediately.

22. exd5 Bxd5 (cxd5 just loses a pawn after Nc3)
23. Nc3 Be6
24. Re1.

No matter what black responds, 25. Bf1. Pile up on the e-file leaving black with troubles on how to defend his minor pieces.

23. ... Bf7
24. Ne4 Rf5
25. Rd4! piling up for attacks on the f4 pawn. Threats like g4! undermine black's kingside and unleashes a powerful attack for us.

23. ... Bg8
24. Ba6 to go after that pawn while also clearing the e-file for our rooks to use.

Theres plenty of ways out of a draw here. We have a queenside pawn majority which I'm hoping we can convert to a passed pawn or two. Black just has to play very carefully if he wants the draw.