putoelquelolea

My question was: what would happen if black did not move his bishop to b4, but rather took the pawn at f4. So far, the answers I keep getting begin with b4

It looks like we are talking about two different things and will never reach a consensus

I see. You are planning on moving the king before the discovered check. That was not mentioned in the original solution, and also changes the play for:

1. ... Bb4

If we use your solution we can't use discovered check for the same reason, because:

2. Kh1 b1Q+

Also gives:

3. Rxb1

That is true. White doesn't have to play Rxb4 after Bb4 either.

Once white stops the discovered check with Ng2, black can either capture the rook at b7 or try for mate. White can't move to the king to g1 or h1 because the new queen is covering that row.

In either case, you are moving the bishop out of the way for a discovered check. My question is wouldn't it be better to get a pawn out of it?

My idea was:

... Bxf4

g3xf4 b1Q+

Ng2

The other way would be:

... Bb4

Rxb4 b1Q+

Ng2

I don't see a huge difference - black loses - or at least risks losing - the bishop either way, and also is able to promote the pawn either way. The white rook can't take the new queen because he is in check from the black rook.

My solution opens up the king's defenses a little and gains black a pawn

Here's a more detailed explanation:

... Bxf4

(There are a couple things white could do here, including taking the pawn at g6+, but nothing that really puts white ahead, because black is eventually looking to promote the pawn for discovered check. White can't take the pawn with his rook before it's promoted because he loses the rook. He can't take the promoted pawn either because he needs to get out of check from the black rook. Uncovering the king by taking the bishop with his pawn would work to white's disadvantage against a rook-queen attack.)

Then white's only move would be:

Nf2

Then black could either take the white rook with the new queen or try to maneuver into mate with the rook and queen.

Right, so moving the bishop allows black to discover check with the rook by promoting the pawn. It's not quite mate in two because white can delay the inevitable by covering its king with the knight.

My question is, why is it better to move the bishop to b4 than to take the pawn at f4?

Not arguing - I truly want to understand. Black risks the bishop either way, and white can also check the black king either way, n'est-ce pas?

I was thinking along the lines of Bxf4. Would that have the same result?

We were both supposed to be taking Halidol but hadn't for a few days.

We decided to change out our meds for some really potent weed with some PCP, LSD and meth mixed in.

Don't see how that's relevant to the story, though

The fact that you enjoyed playing with a ouija board and took metaphysics classes shows that you are open-minded and suggestible. These practices help you notice micro-expressions of the other participants and help you attune to the “vibe“ that other people are projecting.

The metaphysics teacher is also trained in these sensibilities, and noticed how you were all out of sorts when he arrived at your house

I put PrimeOS on one - it's an Android x86 fork. Runs pretty well