5

I had a game with a friend, I obviously lost, but now I don't understand why, while reviewing my game, the CPU suggest that at this point the best move is Bishop in b5.

If the Queen decides to take the Bishop, there is nothing taking the Queen back:

enter image description here

Even continuing the game from there against CPU, the CPU doesn't take Bishop in b5. I don't get why.

Improve this question
2
  • Even continuing the game from there against CPU, the CPU don't take Bishop in B5 :/. I don't get why
    – Exiltaran
    Commented Nov 6, 2018 at 19:32
  • 3
    I ran this position on my machine just now, and on depth 30 Stockfish thinks that dxc5 is the best move in the position (score=-0.09). Furthermore, Stockfish considers Bb5 to be slightly worse (score=-0.33). While Bb5 may not be a blunder (black's queen is the only thing defending the bishop on d6), it is not clear that it must be the best move.
    – Scounged
    Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 22:42

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
11

When ... Qxb5 is played, White can play Bxd6. This is a great spot for the bishop, because now your opponent can't castle and your bishop is controlling some nice squares. If Black doesn't capture on b5, then he pretty much needs to move his queen, since you're threatening it with that bishop. Once he retreats, you have another piece developed, while your opponent has wasted a move running away.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    True, but on the other hand, after Qxb5, Bxd6 white has weakened the light squares and cannot immediately castle either. Doesn't seem all that obvious to me that the position is better for white.
    – user1583209
    Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 17:29
2

Queen takes b5, Bishop takes d6

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    So I am getting a downvote for pointing out, without unnecessary verbosity, to the original poster that it is not a sacrifice. That's OK
    – A. N. Other
    Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 17:15
  • 1
    I did not downvote, but this might have been better as a (very useful) comment. It does not completely answer the question (Why tBb5 is the best move?) though. At least to me it is not at all obvious why I should play Bb5 here.
    – user1583209
    Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 17:21
2

The only immediate advantage of Bb5 is that it develops a piece with a tempo, which is usually a good idea. I would say that both whites light square bishop and blacks dark square bishop are probably worth around the same. At the moment it's going to take some tempos for the light square bishop to contest the diagonal with either moving the Nd2 away or Bb5 to a4 then c2.

Improve this answer
3
  • What's the point of Bb5 after Qc7?
    – A. N. Other
    Commented Nov 6, 2018 at 22:15
  • You've gained a tempo while developing a piece at the same time. Moving your pieces into a better position while gaining a tempo is always good.
    – Matthew Liu
    Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 17:41
  • Sure, but the position is semi-closed, considerations like these are - in my view - just a bit abstract... For example I don't see any big difference in the position, had White played simply Bxd6 and then Be2, rather than Bb5. White's advantage is, if any, just theoretical.
    – A. N. Other
    Commented Nov 7, 2018 at 19:59

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.