Quote from: tifozi on December 03, 2015, 01:33:46 AM

Ke7 & Offer a Draw

There is not much left, might be more exciting when Team XMR defends with black pieces Tongue

Lets play a few more moves but I agree a draw is likely.

Soon one side will likely open up some files by exchanging pawns. When that happens we want our rooks to be as well positioned as possible. I like Rc7 as it allows us to move to g7 or e7 and allows Rf8. If we advance our h pawn Rh7 or Rh8 are also possible. Currently we do not have easy access to the g file as g8 is covered by the bishop. Previously Rbc8 was not possible because of Bb7 winning our a6 pawn. For the above reasons Rc7 helps optimize the flexibility of both of our rooks.

Ke7 looks okay, but its only purpose seems to be defending d6 and clearing the f file for a rook. I would argue that we might to want to move our b8 rook to f8 (instead of our c8 rook), which is why I prefer Rc7 (which covers b7 and allows prevents both rooks from getting in the way of each other on the 8th rank).

If many pawns are exchanged or if the position becomes completely blockaded then a draw will become obvious. There are still chances for both sides to make mistakes. Both teams still seem to maneuvering pieces. Its not like either side is moving back and forth with no plan.

I am quoting the position from move 31 to illustrate my point:

Game PGN:

Code:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 a6 5.c4 Nc6 6.Qe3 g6 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Be2 Nf6 9.O-O O-O 10.h3 Nd7 11.b3 Nc5 12.Bb2 f5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Rad1 Qa5 15.Rd2 Rf6 16.Nd5 Re6 17.Qf4 Ne4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Rb2 Nc3 20.Nd4 Re5 21.Bf3 Nxd5 22.Bxd5 Qc3 23.Nxf5+ Rxf5 24.Qd2 Qxd2 25.Rxd2 Rb8 26.a3 e5 27.Be6 Rf6 28.Bd5 Nd4 29.b4 b6 30.Rb2 g5 31.a4

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I might have liked to play Rc8 (followed by Rc7), but 31...Rc8 would be met by 32.a5 b5 33.cxb5 axb5 creating a passed pawn for white (because 33.cxb5 Nxb5 would allow 34.Bb7 and 35.Bxa6). If our rook was on c7 instead of c8, then Bb7 is prevented allowing Nxb5 instead of axb5) It took several moves but our f6 rook going to f8, c8 and now (my vote for Rc7) has a point. Our b8 rook will be free to move to f8 (or another file depending on which pawn moves are made) without fear of Bb7. Our goal should be to maximize the mobility of our pieces while minimizing the mobility of our opponents pieces.

Ke7+ draw offer: tifozi
Rc7: languagehasmeaning