Position 101

How would you move for white?

Hi all,

I think as white my moves would be as follows

1. ab4 bc5 2. ed4 and black's options are; ca3 3. dh4 or ce3 3. bc5 db4 4. fb8 or ge3 3. dd8.

I believe black should lose with any of those moves.

Hi Agua, we have found the same lines ab4! Let me try the other one:D 

While 1.a3-b4 is the winning move there is also an interesting first move 1.e1-f2.
The name of this room is "Analyze This", it suggests looking at the position in multiple ways, see what's possible and where it leads to.
Looking at the plays does not tell the full story, one does not know WHY this or that move was made and not the other one, but comments showing other lines can greatly improve understanding.

Point taken Sir Jake, I comprehend now. I will expound on the other moves but not able to do so right now as I'm busy, just dropped in to keep active.

Hi Jake,

I can login to this forum using my small phone. After reading your words reminding us of the name of the topic, "Analyze this", I did not hesitate to revisit the diagrams and yes indeed, i have found some interesting moves.

1.ef2 bc5 2.cd4 ee1 3. gh4 ee5 4.hd8. What a nice shot ! What makes it more interesting is that a piece on ee5 is transported to ee1 and back to its origin so as to pave way for a shot

Hi Sacks,

I am so glad you discover this shot on your own, it is one of my favorite mechanisms, I like setting my opponent to fall for it :-)

But going a bit deeper you will discover that on ef2 black respond with ab4 and draw. So your and Agua's ab4 was a winning move while the ef2 would not be mentioned in the game recording, no one would have known if not for such comments.

Very good Sacks and I do agree with you and thank you Sir Jake .

Thanks for another view.

Its good to learn that after ef2 black survives with ab4 . I think we now have a comprehensive analysis on this one.