Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #229"][Date "2013.05.28"][Result "1/2-1/2"][SetUp "1"][FEN "7K/4k2P/8/8/8/8/8/3N4 b - - 0 1"]
The mastery of endgames is one important goal to achieve for anyone wishing to become a serious player. In the endgame the analysis need be deep and correct, the plans need be well prepared and adequate for the given positions and calculations need be precise. Half points, as well as full points can be gained at the slightest mistake of one player. Here we have the lone King still alive and kicking while facing the inevitable. Your tasks:
a) Black to move and draw
b) Can you find the correct idea to help Black save half a point?
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #230.
Puzzle #228 solution:
V. Panov – I. Bondarevski, Tbilisi 1937. Very good and complete answer by Leo; congratulations!
Material: equal
King safety and position: Black's King is much safer. The only threat is from Bd3 attacking the h7-pawn. However, Black has Nf6 protecting it. White's King is facing potential attacks from Black's Queen, Knight and 2 Bishops (4 pieces). The only shield for White is its three pawns in front of the King.
a) Decide who has better chance to win: Black has a better chance to win because White hasn't finished its development: one Rook and Bishop haven't been developed. Black is attacking White's King side and most of White heavy pieces are at Queen side.
b) The best line for Black to go: the plan is to break White's pawn shield, as well as attack the h3-hot spot
c) The most likely result playing on: Black will have extra 2 or 3 pawns in the end game and Black will make good use of them by either promoting them or making them as baits for White's sacrifice
[Event "Puzzle #228"][Date "2013.05.21"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "4rrk1/ppq2ppp/1b2bn2/3p4/2n5/1NPB3P/PP2NPP1/R1BQR1K1 b - - 0 1"]1...Bxh3 2.gxh3 ({In the game} 2.Bf4 Qd7 3.gxh3 Qxh3 4.Bxc4 Qg4+ 5.Kf1 (5.Kh1 Qf3+ 6.Kg1 Bxf2+ 7.Kf1 Bb6#) (5.Kh2 Qh4+ 6.Kg2 Qxf2+) (5.Bg3 Rxe2) (5.Ng3 Qxf4) 5...Bxf2 6.Kxf2 Ne4+ 7.Kf1 Qf3+ 8.Kg1 Qf2+ 9.Kh1 Re6 10.Bxd5 Qf3+ 11.Kh2 Rg6 12.Bxf7+ Rxf7 13.Qd8+ Rf8 14.Qd5+ Kh8 15.Ng3 {White resigned}) 2...Rxe2 3.Rxe2 (3.Qxe2 Qg3+ 4.Kh1 Qxh3+ 5.Kg1 Ng4 6.Bf4 Bxf2+ 7.Qxf2 Nxf2 8.Kxf2 Qxd3 {Black wins}) 3...Qg3+ 4.Kf1 Qxh3+ 5.Kg1 Qg3+ (5...Ng4 6.Bf4 g5 7.Qf1 Qxd3 8.Bh2 {Black still wins}) 6.Kh1 Qf3+ 7.Kg1 Bxf2+ 8.Rxf2 Qxd1+ {Black wins}
Correct solutions:
Leo - 25 points
Daniel, James - 20 points
Jerry - 15 points
Aditya - 5 points
Standings:
James - 291 points
Daniel - 279 points
Leo - 216 points
Justin - 116 points
Jerry - 92 points
Derrick, Richard - 89 points
Aditya - 53 points
Alex - 7 points
a) Black to move and draw
b) Can you find the correct idea to help Black save half a point?
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #230.
Puzzle #228 solution:
V. Panov – I. Bondarevski, Tbilisi 1937. Very good and complete answer by Leo; congratulations!
Material: equal
King safety and position: Black's King is much safer. The only threat is from Bd3 attacking the h7-pawn. However, Black has Nf6 protecting it. White's King is facing potential attacks from Black's Queen, Knight and 2 Bishops (4 pieces). The only shield for White is its three pawns in front of the King.
a) Decide who has better chance to win: Black has a better chance to win because White hasn't finished its development: one Rook and Bishop haven't been developed. Black is attacking White's King side and most of White heavy pieces are at Queen side.
b) The best line for Black to go: the plan is to break White's pawn shield, as well as attack the h3-hot spot
c) The most likely result playing on: Black will have extra 2 or 3 pawns in the end game and Black will make good use of them by either promoting them or making them as baits for White's sacrifice
[Event "Puzzle #228"][Date "2013.05.21"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "4rrk1/ppq2ppp/1b2bn2/3p4/2n5/1NPB3P/PP2NPP1/R1BQR1K1 b - - 0 1"]1...Bxh3 2.gxh3 ({In the game} 2.Bf4 Qd7 3.gxh3 Qxh3 4.Bxc4 Qg4+ 5.Kf1 (5.Kh1 Qf3+ 6.Kg1 Bxf2+ 7.Kf1 Bb6#) (5.Kh2 Qh4+ 6.Kg2 Qxf2+) (5.Bg3 Rxe2) (5.Ng3 Qxf4) 5...Bxf2 6.Kxf2 Ne4+ 7.Kf1 Qf3+ 8.Kg1 Qf2+ 9.Kh1 Re6 10.Bxd5 Qf3+ 11.Kh2 Rg6 12.Bxf7+ Rxf7 13.Qd8+ Rf8 14.Qd5+ Kh8 15.Ng3 {White resigned}) 2...Rxe2 3.Rxe2 (3.Qxe2 Qg3+ 4.Kh1 Qxh3+ 5.Kg1 Ng4 6.Bf4 Bxf2+ 7.Qxf2 Nxf2 8.Kxf2 Qxd3 {Black wins}) 3...Qg3+ 4.Kf1 Qxh3+ 5.Kg1 Qg3+ (5...Ng4 6.Bf4 g5 7.Qf1 Qxd3 8.Bh2 {Black still wins}) 6.Kh1 Qf3+ 7.Kg1 Bxf2+ 8.Rxf2 Qxd1+ {Black wins}
Correct solutions:
Leo - 25 points
Daniel, James - 20 points
Jerry - 15 points
Aditya - 5 points
Standings:
James - 291 points
Daniel - 279 points
Leo - 216 points
Justin - 116 points
Jerry - 92 points
Derrick, Richard - 89 points
Aditya - 53 points
Alex - 7 points
Corresponding squares