Sunday, 7 December 2025

Lessons From Benidorm

MY round-one game, where I had black against Samuel Salas Lerida (1669), reached a position after 10 moves that is not easy to judge.
I have just played 10...0-0
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The position is reminiscent of a Maróczy Bind for Black, except that the black d pawn has been swopped for White's e pawn, rather than for White's c pawn. Black has more space and is slightly more developed, while White has a slightly weakened king's position.
I cannot recall my exact thoughts, but I am fairly sure during the game I thought I had at least a slight edge.
However, Stockfish17.1 and Dragon1 reckon the game is equal (although Dragon1, if given plenty of time, comes to slightly favour Black), but with a big proviso - the 'equality' only applies if White quickly takes vigorous steps to break the bind.
Generally speaking, there are three ways to break a Maróczy Bind - by attacking it with the b pawn, the d pawn or the f pawn.
The first two options are not in play in the diagram, and are unlikely to be for quite some time, but White can instead play 11.g4!? Bg6 12.f4!, when Black has nothing better than 12...exf4, after which 13.Nxf4 gives a level game, according to Stockfish17.1, although Dragon1 slightly favours Black.
Note that 12...Nxg4!? runs into 13.f5 Bh5 14.Bxc6!? bxc6 15.Ng3, when the engines reckon White has the upper hand.
In the game White played a developing move, 11.Bg5, but after 11...h6 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Ne4 Be7 the bind was intact, Black had the bishop-pair, and the knight at e4 invited Black to play the aggressive ...f5.
LESSON: I do not claim the engines' line with 11.g4!? and 12.f4! is obvious, at least not below master level, but it is an example of playing to the specifics of a position - "Black has a bind - I should be looking for a way to break it" - rather than just developing.

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