Chess Improvement

Would anyone like to take White in this game at move 15?
1. e4 d5 2. d4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 exf3 5. Nxf3 g6
Bogoljubov Defense

6. Bc4 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qe1
Studier Attack

8. … Nc6 9. Qh4 Bg4 10. Be3 Bxf3 11. Rxf3 e5 12. d5 Nd4 13. Bxd4 exd4 14. Qxd4 c6 15. Rd1 Nxd5 **

16. Qf2 Bxc3 17. Bxd5 cxd5 18. Rxc3 Qa5 19. Ra3 Qb5 20. Rb3 Qc6 21. Rc3 Qa4 22. Ra3 Qc4 23. Rd4 Qc6

** The game ended in a draw because Black missed the sharp reply: 15. …b5!

I am wondering if Black has a win after the move 15. (Rd1) b5.

Is anyone interested in taking White here starting at move 16?

It is a critical line to deciding whether or not to give up on the Studier Attack [8.Qe1!?]

Blackmar Diemer Gambit Bogolujubov Defense Studier Attack.pgn

Tim Sawyer wrote:

Yes, the Studier Attack leads to very wild unbalanced positions. I usually do play it as White, with mixed success. I don’t really have a lot of time for a game with you, but I did analyze this position a while back where I wrote (after 15…b5) “16.Bf1!?

Equal although unbalanced Nxd5 17.Qf2… [I continued analysis with Fritz to move 39 which it evaluated as = 0.00.] The more difficult variation may be 14…Nd7! =+. If you solve that one (very possible), I’d like to see it. It’s always nice to have more options for White.

This year I have played 92 test games with 12.Rd1!? (the Rook comes in handy). White scored +33 =27 -32 with me switching sides after every game vs strong computers. I do a lot of BDG testing this way.

Best wishes in your BDG efforts!

James Howell wrote:

Thanks for the encouragement. Your investigation of the BDG years ago started me looking more objectively at it.

Bottom Line: The move 2. e4 just doesn’t work.

This is not a wing gambit; the e-pawn is far more important than the b-pawn. White has to struggle to make a draw — I love these great explorers – Blackmar, Diemer, Kampars, Purser — all heroes.

But the objective reality is that White just doesn’t get enough for the e-pawn.

So, No — I can find nothing for White after the clever 14. …Nd7! other than a reasonable chance to make a draw. I used to like the BDG because of a belief that I played better chess when I was behind in material. I used to give up pawns and even pieces, just to get behind.

One grows.

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