Graham Banks wrote:A possible alternative is18......Qe8 which covers any threats or shadow threats on the squares c6, e6 and g6. The queen could then come to f7 to either look at possibilities on the f-file or allow the f8 rook to move away.
If White plays 19.h4 we can play 19...Ra5 (20.Qb4, Rh5 and I think the rook is not only safe there, but plays a vital role in protecting against threats along that rank).
Qe8 does not make sense to me. You block both the rook and the queen in just to move it out of the way again?
I would prefer a direct Ra5 or even Qe7 to Qe8.
18....Ra5 at this point is not a wise choice in my humble opinion.
Both Qc7 and Qe7 "look" better, but after spending time analysing the position, I'm sticking with the "ugly" Qe8.
My indirect targets are the pawns on c2 and a2. Too cryptic logic ?
Matthias.
I think that it's important to have a plan against 19.h4 if you want to play 18.....Qc7.
If you're convinced that we're safe on the kingside, then Qc7 is okay.
Perhaps 18.....Qc7; 19.h4, Kh8 is okay.
My indirect targets are the pawns on c2 and a2. Too cryptic logic ?
Matthias.
I think that it's important to have a plan against 19.h4 if you want to play 18.....Qc7.
If you're convinced that we're safe on the kingside, then Qc7 is okay.
Perhaps 18.....Qc7; 19.h4, Kh8 is okay.
h4 would play right into our Ra5 plans' hands. If the computer tries to dislodge it we have Rh5 or we can even take the pawn....say b4 for example.
I really like our position at the moment. All our pieces can do many things. The computer seems to be stalling.
My indirect targets are the pawns on c2 and a2. Too cryptic logic ?
Matthias.
I think that it's important to have a plan against 19.h4 if you want to play 18.....Qc7.
If you're convinced that we're safe on the kingside, then Qc7 is okay.
Perhaps 18.....Qc7; 19.h4, Kh8 is okay.
Christopher Conkie wrote:Qc7 is my vote which leaves the board looking like this.....
[d]r4rk1/2qp3p/2b1pbp1/8/p5Q1/3BB3/PPP2PPP/1R1R2K1 w
Should we be worried about 18....Qc7; 19. Bc5?
Example 19....Rfc8; 20.Bxg6, hg; 21.Qxg6+, Bg7; 22.Bd6 with Be5 and Rd3 looming?
I think that 18....Qe7 would be safer. I'll look more and post my vote later.
18....Qc7 19. Bc5? Bf3 is nice for us.
True. Missed that.
18...Qe7 is a bit risky anyway because of 19.Bd2 planning Bb4 prefaced by a3 first if necessary.
I like Qe7. It gives the option to play Qg7 and play Rfb8 to increase the pressure on b2.
Rb8 may not be best because b4 axb3/ cxb3 (an the the two passed pawns look dangerous). If we play Rfb8, white will have to recapture with axb3. In addition, Qe7 is rather flexible.
vote = Qe7
Miguel
PS: In addition, at one point we may want to start moving our central pawns and Qe7 protects e6.
Qc7 is much more flexible than Qe7. It attacks more squares. It allows our rooks to work in tandem and gives them more freedom. It also gives the us the ability to defend both kingside and queenside. We will eventually move our central pawns so Qg7 is not an issue yet but will be possible when we do move them. Qc7 also allows our dark squared bishop more freedom to move. Qc7 allows us many more discovered attack options as well on the f and c files for example. I would rather protect/defend e6 with something lesser than the queen.
Qe7 is a claustrophobic move IMO. That is why I like Qc7 better.
One of the reasons to move the Q is to connect the rooks but I cannot see any advantage of Qc7 over Qe7. What useful squares Qc7 attack that Qe7 cannot go? You mention that you prefer to defend e6 with some other piece. Which one? The rooks are going to be busy in the Q side. If we play Re8 now the K side is really unprotected. White can play h4 and Ra5 does not work anymore because of Bxg6/hxg6 Qxg6+ Bg7 /Qxe8+
Qe7 avoids h4 and also keep the Q protecting the K side. I do not see how Qc7 protects both sides better than Qe7 as you say.
