Mystery Position

Mystery Position

Only Chess

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e

Joined
19 Nov 05
Moves
3112
17 Apr 07

White to move.

I won't say how this position was arrived at because this is one of my top-secret variations. 😀 However, I'm really interested in your analysis. How would you evaluate this position for Black?

i

Sydney

Joined
30 May 05
Moves
16100
17 Apr 07

I would say white can trade down to a reasonable endgame where he maintains a decent chance of winning and no chance of losing (barring gross errors)

1. Nxc6 bxc
[ 1. .. Bxc3+? 2. bxc bxc 3. Qd4! and blacks king looks very uncomfortable ]
2. Nxd5 Qxd5
[ 2. .. cxd? Bb5+ .. uh oh]
[ 2. .. Qa5+?? 3. Nc3 Bxc3+ 4. bxc Qxc3+ 5. Bd2 .. it's all over]
[ 2. .. Bxb2?? 3. Bd4 .. it's all over]
3. either Qxd5 or O-O look fine for white, either way he is playing against the isolated pawns.

1...c5!

Your Kingside

Joined
28 Sep 01
Moves
40665
17 Apr 07

An interesting variation is just simply 1. Nxc6 bxc 6. Nxd5 cxd5 Bb5+, forcing ..Kf8, since ..Bd7 loses the d-pawn.