Kamsky-Nakamura: the move of the tournament

Gata Kamsky played what I consider to be the move of the Thessaloniki Grand Prix tournament in his game against Nakamura.

If I were playing white, by candidate moves would be 12 ef ; 12 Re1; 12 Rc1; 12 a3. I would never even consider the stunning move that Kamsky played.

His 12 b4!! could be my move of the year.

When I put the position into Houdini, it wasn't his first choice for a few seconds, but then after not too long, the engine's preferences change, to make 12 b4 clear first choice. It is also interesting to see where the move I would principally look at as my reply as black, 12…Nb4, comes in its evaluation:

I.e. nowhere.

Of course I could see that 12…Nb4 13 Rb1 creates a nasty pin, forcing 13…Qa5, likely met by a further Qd2, but would start my thinking, if faced by 12 b4, that I should take the pawn and hope to survive.

The opening of the b file means that b7 is weak, and if the Rook gets there, it is likely to be curtains for black. So …b6, and hope next move to bring the knight back to c6. But a little time looking at this position with Houdini shows me that white's position is lovely.

I wish I could know what thought processes lead to a GM playing b4.

I am going to ponder this.

Posted with Blogsy