Stinging like a bee and dancing like a butterfly...

[Julius Brenzaida]

I won’t be able to use the h-file. But I am glad to be rid of your bishop pair. It would have been both a strong offensive and defensive force. It took me some times to figure out it was one of the keys of the position.
Now I think I can play for 2 results : win or draw, unless I make a big mistake, of course. I now agree that white is better.
Watch out, this message contains a small amount of psychological warfare

[Julius Brenzaida]

My move was :
24 Bxc8
It's on page 4

[Carolus Rex]

20. Nxc4 ... Rfd8+
21. Kc2 ... Bc8
22. Bh3 ... Nxc4
23. bxc4 ... g5
24. Bxc8 ... Raxc8

Carolus

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by Julius Brenzaida
I won’t be able to use the h-file.

Yes, all the positions I had on my chess board after hxg6 ... hxg6 looked very dangerous for black. I'm relieved I don't have to worry about that (for now).

Originally posted by Julius Brenzaida
But I am glad to be rid of your bishop pair. It would have been both a strong offensive and defensive force. It took me some times to figure out it was one of the keys of the position.
Now I think I can play for 2 results : win or draw, unless I make a big mistake, of course. I now agree that white is better.

Yes, well I didn't have much choice. Going back to a6 was possible, but it felt like giving white the initiative and still risking an opening of the h-line. Are you saying that the bishop should have stayed in a6 (in the 21th move)?

Carolus

[Carolus Rex]

C'mon, Julius! Bring it on, I'm waiting...

Carolus

[Julius Brenzaida]

21 Kc2 ... Bc8
22 Bh3 ... Nxc4
23 bxc4 ... g5
24 Bxc8 ... Raxc8
25 f3 ...

[Julius Brenzaida]

Staying with the bishop on a6 and exchanging on c4 would have given the same type of ending. Because right now, I consider it is an ending ! And a good one for me !!!
I was thinking of 23 ... Ba6 (yes moving back) as the best, but I am afraid that 24 hxg6 ... hxg6, 25 e6! would have given me a very dangerous attack.
But maybe it was the best anyway as now you’re going to suffer without much hope of counterplay. Over the board it would be (almost) unbearable, but maybe that in postal chess you can manage a cool defense ...

[Julius Brenzaida]

Originally posted by Carolus Rex
C'mon, Julius! Bring it on, I'm waiting...
Carolus

Patience is the key
I like my little "prophylactic" 25 f3

[Carolus Rex]

Yes, but if the bishop would have stayed in a6 in the 21th move, then I suppose I wouldn't have made the exchange on c4. Maybe 21... Bb7 or 21 ... Nd5 (if it is possible in that position, no chessboard here) were better?

Still, you think this is a clear win for white?

BTW, I expected 25. f4 ... What's this new devilery?

Carolus

[Carolus Rex]

20. Nxc4 ... Rfd8+
21. Kc2 ... Bc8
22. Bh3 ... Nxc4
23. bxc4 ... g5
24. Bxc8 ... Raxc8
25. f3 ... Bc5

Carolus

[Julius Brenzaida]

21 Kc2 ... Bc8
22 Bh3 ... Nxc4
23 bxc4 ... g5
24 Bxc8 ... Raxc8
25 f3 ... Bc5
26 Rcd1

[Julius Brenzaida]

It’s still not a clear win for white. But in the course of the game , I am (almost) sure not to lose now. It’s a 2 results game ...

[Carolus Rex]

Finally! A move that I expected...

Carolus

[Carolus Rex]

...but that doesn't mean I don't have to carefully consider my next move!

Carolus

[Julius Brenzaida]

Then I hope you expected me to do well