Lessons From Torquay: Play Where You Are Stronger

THE following position was reached in my round-one game.

I have just captured on e4

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White is more-active and has more space in the centre, but Black has pressure against the white queenside.

Black played 21...Nf6?!, which looks natural as it gains a tempo on the white rook.

But the knight has few prospects on f6, and Stockfish16.1 and Dragon1 reckon White now has the upper hand.

Better is 21...Rb8, which develops a piece and adds to the queenside pressure.

But best of all, according to the engines, is 21...Nb6, putting pressure on the queenside, and intending to follow up with ...a5 and ...a4, which increases the pressure and develops the rook without moving it.

LESSON: as a general rule it makes sense to play where you are stronger. Sometimes you have no choice - a threat has to be countered. But if you concentrate on where you are weaker, you are in danger of becoming passive and slowly succumbing in the long run.