philidor_position ,

I apologize to you and all my students, friends, and readers for neglecting my blog for 10 days.  First, I made a mistake as he does not drop a pawn !  He only thought that he did!  I believe that he thought that he dropped a pawn, but give the correct analysis below:

"14. Bf3 is featured in 5 of the 11 games with a 40% white win rate!" I use databases myself and understand that they are often useful, but I can't see what's so great about a 40% win rate in 5 games.

Sam, we're trying to give you advice here. A reply from your side would be appreciated.

I have read several of your columns and I have up until now restrained myself, but I must ask, why the emphasis on databases? You make it sound as though your searching for every position using a computer and simply doing what the computer tells you to. Is that really playing chess? Everyone uses database to get familiar and to analyze positions, but using them during a game to determine what your move should be cheapens the game.

If that's not the case than forgive my transgression, but you definately seem to imply such with statements like;

"I forgot to check the database" and " I accidently played (variation)".

How do you accidentally play a variation?

Resigning too soon; is a trend of masters and very irritating!

Playing black then why not resign in the first move; as technically white has a tempo advantage!

Dear Sam,

I agree with the previous replies that the position is far from lost for Black. This claim is supported by Rybka, whose evaluation says the position is very equal. Please enlighten us and explain why this position is resignable. Perhaps your opponent resigned for a different reason, one that does not have anything to do with this game.

A word of advice: I've noticed in your previous blogs that you intensively use databases in your analyses. These are a very valuable tool, certainly, but should be used with caution. Especially if the number of games from a certain position are limited. Of all people, someone with a technical background like yours should recognize 'measurements' can always be biased (such as both players not playing perfectly) and can only be trusted if the number of measurements is large and the influence of biases is sure to be small.

For even more accurate analyses I recommend using an engine, such as Rybka or Fritz. This would make you less dependent on the biases in databases and would no doubt add even more value to your analysis.

 

I enjoy reading your blogs, please keep on sharing your games!

Peter

I am absolutely an amator chess player and far from questoning a GM`s decision but this is beyond my understanding too.

In that position Black has two advanced pawns and an extra advantage of two tempi due to the good position of his rooks so why to resign?

Even though a bishop pair is indeed a very powerful weapon, Black could simply force the exchange of white square bishops any time, couldn`t he?

To me Black`s position seems to be clearly stronger and having good chances not even for a draw but for winning, too.

I must obviously miss something but therefore I would appreciate if You could show with further analysis the "clear domination" in white`s position as mentioned at the end of your article.

Thank you very much in advance.

Unless i blunder my queen away for nothing i wouldn't resign anytime before move 20, and i'm no master.

Let me get this right. He, a 2639 rated player, actually resigned in this position? He resigned ?

All you said in your comments was that 2 games in your database has ended with a white win. Yeah, but why would that cause him to resign? The position is completely equal. I'm truly amazed. It's very curious.

By the way, you've said "he slips and drops a pawn." I don't see how. after 16.Bxc6?! Bxc6 17.Bxa7 Bxg2 18.Re1, black has 18...Be4! and if 19.f3 either Bxc2 or Rxc2.

I would very much appreciate further analysis from you about why this position is losing for black, as I'm obviously missing something. A brick has fallen on someones head, it's either mine or Schmitz's.