Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #117"][Date "2010.05.14"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "q2r1b1k/3n2p1/7p/1p1QP2P/3P1N2/P5P1/1P3RK1/8 w - - 0 1"]
Stefan Trandafir is back in town for the summer vacation after finishing his 1st year at University of Waterloo. This gives us a nice opportunity to re-live old times: have him at the club for teaching and playing, as well as practicing at home whenever my schedule allows it. A few days ago we were looking at some interesting grandmasters games when we stumbled upon this week's position. It was not so much the position on the board to impress us, but what truly followed next. We were in awe! This we did not see it coming. Could you figure it out as well? Here is what you have to do: White's next move was 1.Ng6+ ... At this moment in the game Black chose one of the following options:
a) Resigned
b) Replied with 1... Kh7 and a draw was agreed later on
c) Played ahead and the 2 central passed pawns proved to be too powerful for the extra piece
Please explain your choice with an analysis and a short line of a few moves
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #118.
Puzzle #116 solution:
We had the pleasure of solving the end of the game between Narciso Dublan - Medvegy, 2001. Most of you have found the solution. The only aspect overlooked by everyone was the fact Kg5 is overloaded = has to defend 2 pieces; these 2 pieces are "f6" and "Nh4". Whenever you notice an opposing piece being overloaded, it could be a good target for your plans. The answer of the week belongs to Andy Yee:
a) In the diagrammed position, White is ahead materially by 1 point (Rook for Knight and pawn). Black, however, threatens to restore the material balance with "Nxg2". Black's King is protecting his pawns but is also blocking the advance of his g-pawn. White's King, attacking the pawn at f6 and preventing Black's King from accessing the center, is better placed than Black's. Black can create counterchances with his pawn majority, and if all pawns are traded from the board, then the game should be a draw (Rook vs. Knight). White needs to keep his pawns on the board to win.
b) See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #116"][Date "2010.05.07"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/8/4Kpp1/6kp/4R2n/8/6PP/8 w - - 0 1"]1.Rxh4 Kxh4 2.Kxf6 Kg4 {White now wins easily with} (2...g5 3.Kf5 g4 4.Kf4 g3 5.hxg3#) 3.Kxg6 h4 4.h3+ Kf4 5.Kh5 Kg3 6.Kg5 Kxg2 7.Kxh4
Correct solutions:
Edwin, Owen, Andy Y, Jeffrey, Karl, James - 19 points
Alex - 15 points
Nathaniel - 8 points
Frank - 5 points
Standings:
Owen - 322 points
Andy Y - 317 points
Karl - 300 points
Edwin - 275 points
Jeffrey - 222 points
Andy Q - 214 points
Alex - 197 points
James - 189 points
Humphrey - 180 points
Nathaniel - 136 points
Amir - 103 points
Rick - 18 points
Marko - 10 points
Frank - 5 points
a) Resigned
b) Replied with 1... Kh7 and a draw was agreed later on
c) Played ahead and the 2 central passed pawns proved to be too powerful for the extra piece
Please explain your choice with an analysis and a short line of a few moves
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #118.
Puzzle #116 solution:
We had the pleasure of solving the end of the game between Narciso Dublan - Medvegy, 2001. Most of you have found the solution. The only aspect overlooked by everyone was the fact Kg5 is overloaded = has to defend 2 pieces; these 2 pieces are "f6" and "Nh4". Whenever you notice an opposing piece being overloaded, it could be a good target for your plans. The answer of the week belongs to Andy Yee:
a) In the diagrammed position, White is ahead materially by 1 point (Rook for Knight and pawn). Black, however, threatens to restore the material balance with "Nxg2". Black's King is protecting his pawns but is also blocking the advance of his g-pawn. White's King, attacking the pawn at f6 and preventing Black's King from accessing the center, is better placed than Black's. Black can create counterchances with his pawn majority, and if all pawns are traded from the board, then the game should be a draw (Rook vs. Knight). White needs to keep his pawns on the board to win.
b) See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #116"][Date "2010.05.07"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/8/4Kpp1/6kp/4R2n/8/6PP/8 w - - 0 1"]1.Rxh4 Kxh4 2.Kxf6 Kg4 {White now wins easily with} (2...g5 3.Kf5 g4 4.Kf4 g3 5.hxg3#) 3.Kxg6 h4 4.h3+ Kf4 5.Kh5 Kg3 6.Kg5 Kxg2 7.Kxh4
Correct solutions:
Edwin, Owen, Andy Y, Jeffrey, Karl, James - 19 points
Alex - 15 points
Nathaniel - 8 points
Frank - 5 points
Standings:
Owen - 322 points
Andy Y - 317 points
Karl - 300 points
Edwin - 275 points
Jeffrey - 222 points
Andy Q - 214 points
Alex - 197 points
James - 189 points
Humphrey - 180 points
Nathaniel - 136 points
Amir - 103 points
Rick - 18 points
Marko - 10 points
Frank - 5 points
What say you: A, B or C? (part 1)