The computer effect in theory

[Uri Blass]

I remember that when I was a child I learned about the excahnge variation in the spanish defence(note that today I do not play this opening not with white and not with black)

I learned that white has 2 options after
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.0-0 Bg4 6.h3

They are 6...Bxf3 and 6...h5(6...Bh5 is losing a pawn because of 7.g4 Bg6 8.Nxe5)

Now I look at chess database and find that strong chess players like Shirov played 6...Bh5 and won with it and I wonder if the idea to play Bh5 with the strange idea to reply 9....f6 that does not develop pieces but the best move based on houdini is thanks to analysis of computers or if humans played f6 succesfully before computers showed them the right way.


[Event "European Rapid Championship"]
[Site "Warsaw POL"]
[Round "5"]
[Date "2010.12.18"]
[White "Wandzik, Wojciech"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "0-1"]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Nxe5 Qh4 9.Qf3 f6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Kg2 g5 12.d3 Ne7 13.Be3 Qh7 14.Rh1 Ng6 15.Qe2 Qg8 16.Nd2 Bd6 17.Nc4 Bf4 18.a4 Qe6 19.b4 Kf7 20.Na5 b6 21.Nb3 Be5 22.Rab1 Bc3 23.Nd2 Qa2 24.Nc4 Qxa4 25.Rb3 Bd4 26.Qd2 Rad8 27.Bxd4 Rxd4 28.Qc3 Nf4+ 29.Kf3 Ne6 30.b5 axb5 31.Ra3 b4 32.Rxa4 bxc3 33.Ra7 b5 34.Ne3 Rdd8 35.Ra6 Ra8 36.Rxa8 Rxa8 37.Rb1 Nd4+ 38.Kg2 Ra2 39.Rc1 b4 40.Rb1 c5 41.Rc1 Nxc2 42.Nxc2 b3 43.Na3 Rxa3 44.Rxc3 b2 0-1

[Kurt]

Hi Uri
I can't reply your question. But Shirov's pawn sacrifice seems to be sound to guarantee Black at least full compensation.
Regards
Kurt