Which is why I also would've played this.

Fritz likes 12....e5

Fritz prefers 13. Bxg7

Alternative idea: 13...e5.

Fritz likes 13....e5. Bishop moves, queens come off, black contests the d file. Black is virtually a pawn up in that ending.

I think that he made the right choice here as it does prevent the nasty pin that you mentioned.

Yes, Fritz agrees too!

Qe2 is definitely better. First it leaves the pawn on c2 undefended and because of your next move.

In view of Black's reply, I reckon you're right, Charles. But why move the Queen at all? How about 15.Re1, instead?

I like 15.Re1 better as it also centralizes a R which is another aspect of controlling the center.

Fritz' first choice is 15. Re1 but it changes to 15. Qe2. It gives a slight advantage to black.

Fritz likes this move.

What does he want? I know that taking on c2 would lead to something nasty, but I don't know what it is. And, I'm saying this because I don't know what he has planned for you.

Well Joe at the moment his extra pawn on the c file is not worth very much, but if he can exchange his c2 pawn for my c6 pawn, then his c3 pawn becomes a passed pawn, and it balances out my extra pawn on the King-side.

As would I.

Fritz prefers 16. Qc5, and Fritz agrees with me about not grabbing the pawn, and contesting the open files, but prefers 16. Rab8.

This is unneeded. Just exchanging c-pawns favors white. He has a passed pawn and looks forward to a endgame.

I like the position for black after 17. Qxc6 Qxc6 18. Bxc6 Ra-c8 and 19....Rxc3. White may have a passed pawn on c2 but it is not going anywhere and is attacked by Rc3 and Bf5

I agree with Charles on this one. Grabbing the c6-pawn would be very dangerous. I don't like the text, either - the sort of move I would play very reluctantly. I now think White would have been better advised to move his Queen to c5 a move back, where it could keep an eye on the a-, c- and e-pawns, all three. Then 17.Rfe1 would be quite a good move. Even now it would probably be a good idea to play it.

I concur, I think that Charles made the right choice by not taking the c pawn. Thus, I like 17.Rfe1 for the reason that ION just mentioned.

Yes, an open file which I like.

Fritz doesn't like 17. Rac1.

This does nothing to help white. Rf-d1 was correct.

I take it as a rule of thumb, when defending an end game, try and avoid moving pawns off the second rank. White probably has nothing batter than 18.Qxc6, now, but I can't say I would be over-enamoured of the resulting end game for White.

Can't say it either.

Fritz agrees with The Archduke. 18.Qxc6 is best of a bad job, about a half pawn advantage to black.

18...Rd2!?

Fritz likes 18...Rd2 but also 18....c5

Fritz prefers other moves, such as taking on c6 or Rfe1

Instead 19...Rxd1ch 20.Bxd1 Qd6 21.Qe2 drives White into a passive position.

Although I agree with ION, as usual, this is what I would've played. That shows that I need to evaluate better, though.

Fritz prefers taking on d1.

Fritz likes this move.

Clearly the only move.