Move 26
 

Perhaps this is a quick move for us now, because it seems to me we have only one reasonable recapture: 26...Bxd4 and then after 27.Bxf5 Qf8 we have the pressure against f2 and b2 with opposite coloured bishops to compensate for the loss of our kingside pawns.

Neither of the alternative piece recaptures 26...cxd4 (when we don't have that compensating pressure against those weak spots f2 and b2), or 26...fxg4 (when after 27.Bxe5 dxe5 28.Qe4 it should be an easily winning heavy piece endgame for them with our weak pawns and draughty king), look worth considering.

But what do you both think?

I agree, it is the only move possible.

Deadline in just over 24 hours. Perhaps we'll just have to regard davar55 as absent for this move? We're not in much of a position to discuss things anymore if he happens to disagree with 26...Bxd4.

[QUOTE=Brian-E;410871]Deadline in just over 24 hours. Perhaps we'll just have to regard davar55 as absent for this move? We're not in much of a position to discuss things anymore if he happens to disagree with 26...Bxd4.[/QUOTE]

I don't disagree. But what do we do after 27. bxf5..Qf8 28. Bxh7+ ?

[QUOTE=davar55;410894]I don't disagree. But what do we do after 27. bxf5..Qf8 28. Bxh7+ ?[/QUOTE]
28...Kh8 I would suggest, then ...Rb8xb6xb2 forcing them to sit around protecting f2. That may be a bit optimistic, but we certainly have play to compensate for our kingside pawn losses. And we hope that if they start advancing their kingside pawns they expose their king to a perpetual check.

Oh I see. We have some play. But we really can't expect more than a draw, can we?

[QUOTE=davar55;410942]Oh I see. We have some play. But we really can't expect more than a draw, can we?[/QUOTE]
No, and we've been fighting for a draw for quite a while.