Any possible win for white?
No. Black was better for most of the game.
Moves 17-20 lead to a small advantage to black from the advanced pawns. Any possible opportunity would lie in 17-20 since it defines the pawn structure. After these moves, draw becomes quite certain.
18. Bg3/Bg5 is a possibility with the former still reeking of a draw. The latter can potentially open the f-file and so more opportunities.
18. Bg3/Bg5 is a possibility with the former still reeking of a draw. The latter can potentially open the f-file and so more opportunities.
I actually might take white at the end of move 16. White can try Bg5/Bg3 and then try to swing a rook onto the d file trying to push the d pawn and either lock up Black's fianchettoed bishop or gain space and undouble the c pawns.
4.Bf4?! =
4.Qc2 Lb4 e3 Ne4 Nge2 +=
4.e3 +=
4.Qc2 Lb4 e3 Ne4 Nge2 +=
4.e3 +=
I tried those variations but almost all lead to draws.
It is difficult to comment as early as move 4. 4 Bf4 seems weaker than 4 e3 or 4 Qc2 or 4 Nf3. More promising seems 3 g3 instead of 3 Nc3, so as to avoid the pin ...Bb4 and the resulting loss of control over the vital central square e4.
@tpr, yes, that is also a good move. All these try to solve the positional threat Bb4xc3 bxc3 (known from the Nimzo) in a different way. That is why Bf4 is not optimal, it allows black to do so.
While we are at it, 2.e4 prevents 2...f5 right away.
While we are at it, 2.e4 prevents 2...f5 right away.
The French defence 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 is usually held in higher esteem for black than the Dutch defence 1 d4 f5 2 c4 e6, so theoretically it does not make much sense to play 1 d4 e6 2 e4. Also from a practical point of view: a player who opens 1 d4 is not usually prepared to meet the French defence.
The issue was discussed at length during the Botvinnik-Bronstein match for the World Championship in 1951. The 1st 9th game went 1 d4 e6 2 c4 f5 3 g3. The 3rd game 1 d4 e6 2 e4 The 10th game 1 d4 e6 2 c4 f5 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Qc2 Nf6 5 e3 the 12th game 1 d4 e6 2 c4 f5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 d5
The issue was discussed at length during the Botvinnik-Bronstein match for the World Championship in 1951. The 1st 9th game went 1 d4 e6 2 c4 f5 3 g3. The 3rd game 1 d4 e6 2 e4 The 10th game 1 d4 e6 2 c4 f5 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Qc2 Nf6 5 e3 the 12th game 1 d4 e6 2 c4 f5 3 e3 Nf6 4 Nc3 d5
@tpr valid point. I am just suggesting this as the OP said in #6 that he tried all this but all 'lead to draw'.
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