Lessons From Magdeburg

THE following position was reached in round one, where I was Black against Klaus-Michael Hansch (1806).

I have just played 14...f7-f5

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Black has a bad bishop, but more space, and is ahead on development, leading Stockfish18 and Dragon1 to call the game equal.

Despite being behind on development, and having already moved his light-square bishop twice, K-MH played 15.Bb5!
The move threatens Bxc6, after which White would soon have an unchallengeable knight on e5.

I avoided this possibility with 15...Nb8!?, but White played 16.Ne5 anyway, with a slight edge, according to the engines (they reckon I should have allowed Bxc6).

LESSON: tempi in general, and development in particular, are important in open positions, but as my opponent realised, their significance is much reduced when all 16 pawns are on the board.