I did the hanging pawns part of Chapter 1 this morning

Monster Planning Vol 1-Exercise 30

The solution did not answer all my questions and I made a change to the evaluation method/format to help myself a bit more when working with the book positions.

Vragoteris-Mourelatos

Queen’s Indian 4.e3

Thessaloniki 2017

After 17..Rfd8(Diagram)

After 17..Rfd8

The book offers three plans where you pick the best and get points for your selection. The exercise requirements have been modified here

(A) Make a systematic evaluation:
Consideration of the following should allow you to identify
(1)What is your worst piece?
(2)What are your opponent’s weaknesses?
(3)What is your opponent’s immediate threat? This could be a tactical blow or a strategic idea
.
The following can be considered(write N/A if not applicable)
King safety-
Structure(weaknesses)-
Minor piece matchup-
Lines(files/diagonals/ranks)-
Squares-outposts,weak squares, weak color complexes-
Worst piece-
Enemy ideas/threats-
Development differential-
Other-
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(B)Do you know any classical games that could give you a hint?
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(C)Preliminary Plan or Candidate moves-Make an intuitive guess
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(D)List analyze and evaluate a maximum of three plans and make a recommendation.
Plan A:
Plan B:
Plan C:
(ONLY NOW check the Grivas options and the recommended solution)
*****

My Solution: Exercise 30
Make a systematic evaluation:
Consideration of the following should allow you to identify
(1)What is your worst piece?
(2)What are your opponent’s weaknesses?
(3)What is your opponent’s immediate threat? This could be a tactical blow or a strategic idea
.
The following can be considered(write N/A if not applicable)
King safety-Both kings are safeStructure(weaknesses)-the a3-pawn is a counterplay target and the d4-pawn is under attack

Minor piece matchup-N/A The Bb7 seems passive as the Nc6 blocks the a8-h1 diagonal (as well as the c-file for the Rc8)

Lines(files/diagonals/ranks)-Black can use his rooks to press the hanging pawns but this does not seem like a major factor

Squares-outposts,weak squares, weak color complexes-Black has no structural weaknesses. The Qf4 could be vulnerable is some lines but seems to have enough room as ..Qh6 is always possible

Worst piece-There is congestion on the d-file making rook support of the d-pawn poor due to too many intervening pieces being on the file(Bd3/Nd2)

Enemy ideas/threats-Taking the d-pawn:
– ..Na5 to unmask the Bb7 and press c4. There might be ..Bxf3 ideas at some point.
-Another idea might be ..Nb8-d7 and if needed ..Nf8 to reinforce the kingside.
-..b5 sacrificing a pawn to gain the d5-outpost

Development differential-N/A

Other-The Qf4 is well placed, pressing the d-pawn and the kingside(especially Nf3 should Nc6 move to unmask Bb7). If White tries for a kingside attack, the queen can drop back to ..Qh6 to cover the queenside or sit on top of Kg1 with ..Qg4 for possible counterthreats
***
Do you know any classical games that could give you a hint?
There are many games with d4-d5 as a dynamic break but I cannot cite a precise game with ..Qf4
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Preliminary Plan or Candidate moves-Make an intuitive guess
18.Qe3 slightly improving the queen to challenge the active Qf4. White should not be afraid of endings after ..Qxe3 as the d4 pawn would be reinforced.
***
List analyze and evaluate a maximum of three plans and make a recommendation.
Plan A: 18.Qe3
Plan B: 18.Nf1 intending Ng3 or Ne3 to unblock the d-file
Plan C: 18.d4-d5 seem unlikely to work as ..Qh6 is possible but is concrete and should be checked
If there is enough time 18.a4 to stop ..b5 ideas can be considered but this idea would be better served with a rook on a1

I recommend Plan A but my analysis overall was not so great