Lessons From Bregenz II

IN round two of the Bodensee Seniors, in which I was Black against Olaf Hilbig (2026), the following position was reached after White's 18th move.

White has just captured on e5

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After 18...Bxc4 19.Qxc4 Qd5, the game is equal, but I played the active 18...Bc5??, only to realise with horror that White has 19.Ba6!?, after which Black's light-square bishop cannot be saved.

LESSON: when a  piece has left the back rank, but nevertheless has very few squares to which it can safely move, alarm bells should start ringing. Pieces, like people, need breathing room.