1.d4 all the way.

Ummm.... we already voted for e4. Sorry!

I'm surprised that White brought out his king with so much material left on the board. Some of it is traded off soon thereafter, but I wouldn't dare bring my king out with 4 rooks, 2 knights and 2 bishops on the board.

If Black takes the knight, then White marches his b-pawn and eventually creates a winning endgame.

Don't feel bad GT4, GM Shulman (2639 FIDE) didn't see it either.

This is exactly what I was referring to a couple of months ago with regard to a 2600+ GM's horizon of awareness. A 23, or 2400 has no clue what is happening otb when playing someone of GM Akobian's strength. (This is why when a 21 or 2200 makes definitive blanket statements with regards to Tactics, one can only smile.)

This was all calculation imo. (Tactics.) Before GM Akobian played Ke4, he traded everything off for a won ending. His opponent was happy to oblige as he did not see what was coming. This combination (Or series of purposeful moves.)appears to me to have started at move 10. 0-0. (Instead of 10. axb)? This required calculating 30 plus moves ahead!

I really look forward to GM Akobian's analysis of this game!

When GM Akobian played #11 in the World GM Wang Yue recently in Beijing, a friend of mine who is 2400+ (FIDE) (My other trainer) and I looked at the game, he remarked that GM Yue (2736 FIDE) looked clueless in the game.

In 2008 GM Akobian had solid wins against both the current European Champion GM Tiviakov (2685 FIDE), and now the current U.S. Champion GM Shulman. (Noone accidentally beats the European and U.S. Champions )

This is a glimpse of how strong GM Akobian really is. Which is why it is such an honor for me to work with him, study under him, and bring his knowledge to our esteemed Forums.

One day, I believe we will look back on this time and reflect on what an amazing opportunity it was to have GM Akobian contributing to our Chess knowledge.

mts

GM Akobian did not hang his knight. If Black takes the knight he loses quicker.

GM Akobian plays: 1. ..e6.

To each their own

Announcements:

• As you can see in the game thread (here), black has moved 1. ... e6. Chessforums.org to move .
• Everyone please post their preferred second white move; for clarity's sake, include "I vote" followed by the move (or something similar).
  
• Whichever move gets 50% of the votes (or more) is selected as our move after 5 days at monday night december 29th. (all times are 'roughly' and CET)
• In any other case we will vote a second time (after 5 days), between the top (2-3 or so) choices. This would take place in a poll on the top of this thread rather than by posting the move; the poll would be open for only the two remaining days of our move as you can see at the top of both this and the game thread. Or more plainly, if a second round is necessary (I doubt it), the poll would open after I decide on the most significant candidate moves monday night; the poll would close wednesday night.

That is all.




I vote 2. d4. Let's grab the proverbial bull by its proverbial horns.

I vote for 2. d4

I vote for 2 d4.

Yes, I stopped playing 2 b3 about two months ago because 2 ... b6 would usually turn out unfavorably.

I vote for 2. d4.

I vote for 2. d4

I vote for 2. d4.

Nc3 is too passive and I've never played 2.Nf3