Move 45
 

For the moment I think we have a good fortress position. Their move obviously prevents ...Kf7 and keeps our king from the f file if they play Rg7+. They might be intending Rg7+ Ke8 Rf7, but we can then defend our knight by moving the bishop to the a1-h8 diagonal. I don't see any serious direct threat against which we need to defend. Does anyone else see one?

If there is indeed no immediate danger, I suggest we play a waiting move, maintaining our defensive fortress. It's then up to them to show us how they will try to break through. (If I was them, I'd be bringing the king into play via the long route over the second rank to e2 and d3, and if they do that we'll have plenty of moves to hopefully sort out some other defensive structure.)

Any of the moves 45...Bc1, 45...Be3, 45...Bg5 look good to me.

Yeah, moving our Bishop seems best. White will most likely respond with Rg7+ :smile:

[QUOTE=paulunderwood;383009]Yeah, moving our Bishop seems best. White will most likely respond with Rg7+ :smile:[/QUOTE]
Yes. That's actually a good reason not to play the move 45...Bg5, because then 46.Rg7+ Ke8 47.Rf7 leaves us in some trouble. They are threatening Kg2 and h4, so we will need to move the knight at some point.

Therefore either 45...Bc1 or 45...Be3 get my vote at the moment, allowing our bishop to go to the long diagonal to protect the knight when required.

Be3 has the advantage of stopping Ra7 -- not that is a threat as our Bishop can defend our a-pawn. :smile:

[QUOTE=paulunderwood;383011]Be3 has the advantage of stopping Ra7 -- not that is a threat as our Bishop can defend our a-pawn. :smile:[/QUOTE]
With Bc1 I would expect Rg7+ as well.
My favorite is Be3 currently.

How do we respond to Rg7+?

[QUOTE=richs;383056]How do we respond to Rg7+?[/QUOTE]

I think Ke8. Would there be a problem with it? :unsure:

[QUOTE=paulunderwood;383059]I think Ke8. Would there be a problem with it? :unsure:[/QUOTE]
Agreed, and if (45...Be3 46.Rg7+ Ke8) 47.Rf7, then 47...Bd4 and White has got nowhere.

Do you agree with this, Rich?

EDIT: Perhaps 46...Kd6 is better, I didn't even consider that before.

If I've got it right - and please correct me if I'm wrong - last stated preferences were:

David: 45...Be3
Paul: 45...Be3
Brian: 45...Be3 or 45...Bc1 (I think it doesn't matter which of these two we play)
Rich: ?

Have you had a chance to study the position yet, Rich? If you've got a moment it would be great to hear your thoughts so that we can get any necessary discussion off the ground while we still have time to have one. In particular, are you, or anyone else for that matter, considering any move other than 45...Be3 at the moment?

I prefer Be3 after looking at the board in between packing for our trip and getting last minute stuff done at work. Plus the Air France pilots union strike cancelled our flight from Paris to Florence tomorrow which threw a wrench in the works!

[QUOTE=richs;383219]I prefer Be3 after looking at the board in between packing for our trip and getting last minute stuff done at work. Plus the Air France pilots union strike cancelled our flight from Paris to Florence tomorrow which threw a wrench in the works![/QUOTE]
That's really bad lack. I hope that by the time you finally read this, Rich, you will have managed to get a prompt alternative flight and will be having a really enjoyable Italian experience.

Well, I guess we're agreed on 45...Be3 then. I for one would be happy for us to play it now.