Level
3-Bishop
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #161"][Date "2011.04.22"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "7k/pp4rp/2nQ1p2/3p4/4b2N/8/Pq3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]
In chess as in life we use past experiences to help us find the right way in front of a new challenge. This is the reason we learn how to "read" a position, meaning how to identify if a position is in our favour or not and what to do about it. This week's position offers you a good chance to see how much you have learned so far. Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position (White to move) and come up with an idea and plan
b) Prove the idea and plan right by coming up with the best possible line for White
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #162.
Puzzle #160 solution:
Lane - Flesch, 1983, Facebook chess puzzle. The majority of the answers were good and very good; small errors or omissions were the only ones to make a difference. This is the reason why I chose a couple of answers for the complete solution:
a) Derrick: Sicilian, Alapin variation
b) Daniel's analysis:
Material: tied, with only a pawn exchange.
Development: White is better than Black because White has developed one more knight than Black.
Castling: Both Kings have been castled.
Center: White has more pieces controlling the center.
Position: White is in better position. Black Queen came out too early and will get trapped easily.
What White should do is to trap the Black Queen.
(c) Daniel's solution:
The best line I can come with up for White is shown below
[Event "Puzzle #160"][Date "2011.04.16"][Result "1-0"]1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 e6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Be2 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 Qf5 9.Nc3 Rd8 {Solution} 10.Nh4 {Trapping the Black Queen} 10...Rxd4 11.Nxf5 Rxd1 12.Nxe7+ Kf8 13.Rxd1 Kxe7 {White has winning advantage}
Correct solutions:
Ziyao, Jeffrey - 25 points
Philip, Derrick, Harmony - 24 points
Alex, Leroy, Leo, Daniel - 22 points
James - 20 points
Standings:
Ziyao - 269 points
Harmony - 262 points
James - 228 points
Philip - 218 points
Alex - 203 points
Leo - 188 points
Derrick - 137 points
Leroy - 133 points
Jeffrey - 120 points
Daniel - 97 points
Kevin - 72 point
Frank - 64 points
Danny - 19 points
Karl - 13 points
Eric - 12 points
a) Analyse the position (White to move) and come up with an idea and plan
b) Prove the idea and plan right by coming up with the best possible line for White
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #162.
Puzzle #160 solution:
Lane - Flesch, 1983, Facebook chess puzzle. The majority of the answers were good and very good; small errors or omissions were the only ones to make a difference. This is the reason why I chose a couple of answers for the complete solution:
a) Derrick: Sicilian, Alapin variation
b) Daniel's analysis:
Material: tied, with only a pawn exchange.
Development: White is better than Black because White has developed one more knight than Black.
Castling: Both Kings have been castled.
Center: White has more pieces controlling the center.
Position: White is in better position. Black Queen came out too early and will get trapped easily.
What White should do is to trap the Black Queen.
(c) Daniel's solution:
The best line I can come with up for White is shown below
[Event "Puzzle #160"][Date "2011.04.16"][Result "1-0"]1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 e6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Be2 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 Qf5 9.Nc3 Rd8 {Solution} 10.Nh4 {Trapping the Black Queen} 10...Rxd4 11.Nxf5 Rxd1 12.Nxe7+ Kf8 13.Rxd1 Kxe7 {White has winning advantage}
Correct solutions:
Ziyao, Jeffrey - 25 points
Philip, Derrick, Harmony - 24 points
Alex, Leroy, Leo, Daniel - 22 points
James - 20 points
Standings:
Ziyao - 269 points
Harmony - 262 points
James - 228 points
Philip - 218 points
Alex - 203 points
Leo - 188 points
Derrick - 137 points
Leroy - 133 points
Jeffrey - 120 points
Daniel - 97 points
Kevin - 72 point
Frank - 64 points
Danny - 19 points
Karl - 13 points
Eric - 12 points
Back rank (2)