Fianchetto nonsense ?

[Henk]

I think in this position bishop is better on e2 than on g2. If so then it looks like fianchetto is only good if bishop is not blocked by an immobile pawn. But is it possible to prevent that in a closed/half open position ?

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/2PP1N2/PP1NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 7

[Ras]

If so then it looks like fianchetto is only good if bishop is not blocked by an immobile pawn.

Or if you can open the centre to make the pawn mobile.

But is it possible to prevent that in a closed/half open position ?

Of course, e.g. by not playing e2-e4 in the first place if the bishop shall land on g2. Not only that it would block the bishop, but the light squares become weak if the e-pawn has already moved, especially f3.

Same with black - systems that place the bishop on g7 are usually combined with leaving the e-pawn on e7. Once you played e7-e6, the bishop usually will either head for c5/b4 or end up on e7.

There are some systems with 1. d2-d4 where the bishop on g2 can make sense, as well as e.g. 1. c2-c4 with a reversed Sicilian dragon.

[BeyondCritics]

I think in this position bishop is better on e2 than on g2. If so then it looks like fianchetto is only good if bishop is not blocked by an immobile pawn. But is it possible to prevent that in a closed/half open position ?

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/2PP1N2/PP1NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 7

Is the sluggish Old Indian better than Kings Indian? Surely not.
It is a matter of style, i believe. The bishop is likely a meagre piece in any case. If you put it on g2, it is out the way and even helps to protect the king. It is on the long diagonal, restricting the opponents possibilities indirectly. Altogether hat gives a game with considerable more venom! Therefore Kings Indian is more attractice to most players than Old Indian.

[Henk]

In Kings Indian or Pirc/Modern one often sees an immobile pawn on e5 and a bishop on g7 with a blockade on e4. Bishop on g7 useless.

[Henk]

I think in this position bishop is better on e2 than on g2. If so then it looks like fianchetto is only good if bishop is not blocked by an immobile pawn. But is it possible to prevent that in a closed/half open position ?

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/2PP1N2/PP1NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 7

Is the sluggish Old Indian better than Kings Indian? Surely not.
It is a matter of style, i believe. The bishop is likely a meagre piece in any case. If you put it on g2, it is out the way and even helps to protect the king. It is on the long diagonal, restricting the opponents possibilities indirectly. Altogether hat gives a game with considerable more venom! Therefore Kings Indian is more attractice to most players than Old Indian.

If a black knight gets on c5 it gets dangerous when d-file is open. Black threatening Nd3. Also a bishop on a6 can be unpleasant while whites bishop is only waiting on g2. Actually Nc6 not right move in this position.

[velmarin]

It seems more a discussion "human chess".
To them engines, do not end up of see and value the fianchettos, although have "bonds and bonds", not them like.
Perhaps by that, are strategies to long term.

[Henk]

It seems more a discussion "human chess".
To them engines, do not end up of see and value the fianchettos, although have "bonds and bonds", not them like.
Perhaps by that, are strategies to long term.

Engines usually don't like fianchetti. Might be they are right.

[Karlo Bala]

I think in this position bishop is better on e2 than on g2. If so then it looks like fianchetto is only good if bishop is not blocked by an immobile pawn. But is it possible to prevent that in a closed/half open position ?

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/2PP1N2/PP1NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 7

As Oliver already said, it is a matter of taste. The bishop on g2 protects the king, supports counterattack in the center and provides the opportunity for an attack on the king-side (h3, g4, Ne2-g3, or Nf3-d2-f1-g3). Bishop on e2 is more defensive piece, while bishop on g2 is more offensive.

[Henk]

Stockfish 8 says this position is slightly better for black

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/3P1NP1/PPPN1PBP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 3 7


According to Stockfish 8 position below is equal.

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/2PP1N2/PP1NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 7


So according to Stockfish 8 fianchetto wrong decision in this position.

[Lyudmil Tsvetkov]

I think in this position bishop is better on e2 than on g2. If so then it looks like fianchetto is only good if bishop is not blocked by an immobile pawn. But is it possible to prevent that in a closed/half open position ?

[d] r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3pp3/4P3/2PP1N2/PP1NBPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 7

how did that position arise? black already has an advantage.

of course, bishop on g2 is always better than bishop on e2 (at least in 95% of cases), no matter if there is a blocked own central pawn or not.

with Bg2, after d5, white could simply have captured ed5.

engines do not understand fianchettoe, simply because:

- involves longer search
- they try to apply fianchettoe term, but their move ordering and search routines do not like that, they like some quick captures instead, some quick attacks, etc.
- when do you think SF will successfully apply a fianchettoe term, when they are testing with a 2-moves book, having a big portion of lines like: 1.h4 a5 2.g4 b5 ? ; of course, SF will never succeed with this, as fianchettoe is simply impossible/counterproductive above. if you have 30/40% of lines like that, the term will fail of course.