lichess.org
Donate

Beginner: Help with a simple position

My question concerns this position (viewed from black's perspective):

lichess.org/editor/r1bq1rk1/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/2b1p1B1/2B1P3/3P1N2/PPP2PPP/RN1Q1RK1_w_KQkq_-

Here, I am confused on how to deal with the pinned knight on f6. I could bring my bishop back to e2, but that would move a piece twice in the opening. I could play h6 followed by g5, but that would hinder my king safety. Also, I could move the queen, but because no other piece is defending it my king pawn structure would be ruined upon BxKf6. How should I deal with resolving this pin? It's probably as simple as, instead of developing my bishop to c5, bring it to e2 instead. Thanks.

Hello,

It may have been nice to know what was up in the last few moves, but I guess that the position speaks for itself. In fact, the best thing to do is ask someone like Stockfish what to do and see what is recommended (by playing it against itself manually).
This is my game as black: http://en.lichess.org/lJcK90T2/black#13
This is Stockfish's game as black (making a draw): http://en.lichess.org/nx2Cfm1cACNb

It seems that moving the bishop back to was the "best" move, so you were on the right track. Though, as Stockfish showed, it is fine to move the pawns in front of the king, maintaining safety is very important.
I disagree. That pin is a real positional problem. The way to play the spanish opening correctly is to wait with your castling. Without having castled this pin is good for black because you can push the pawns with tempo for a king side attack and castle queenside.
So if you have this position:

http://de.lichess.org/editor/r1bq1rk1/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/2b1p1B1/2B1P3/3P1N2/PPP2PPP/RN1Q1RK1_w_KQkq_-

I would play d6. After the standart move c3 just play a6. It's not only a waiting move but it also threatens Na5 to trade white best piece the bishop. Mainline is Bb3 for white Ba7 for black (so d4 is not with a tempo).
Still the pin with Bg5 wouldn't be in whites favour so you might see h3 after that you can play h6 followed by castle and you would be in an equal position.

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.