Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #211"][Date "2012.12.03"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "4rb1k/pp3p1p/4qP2/3R2Q1/2p5/B1P3P1/P6P/5K2 w - - 0 1"]
Playing at the WYCC requires a higher level of play, concentration and desire to win. It is afterall the gathering of the best players in the World of the new generation. Winning a game there does not happen by accident and each player has to fight hard to accumulate every point they can get. This position is from a WYCC 2012 game between a Canadian (White) and a Hungarian (Black) in the under 14 open section. It is not easy to decide which King is in more danger. It is White to play after the last move 28... Qe6. Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position and decides who stands better; this is very important here!
b) What do you suggest White do now:
- play aggressive with 29.Bxf8 ... trying to quickly mate Black
- play defensively by taking care of the White King first
- something else
Please provide the best line you can think of for your option.
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #212.
Puzzle #210 solution:
Game: IM Arthur Calugar - GM Milos Pavlovic, 2012 GM Invitational, Dallas. The best answer comes this time from Leo:
Analyze the position: it's a middle game as lots of heavy pieces for both are on board; both sides have castled and finished development.
a) Black is better because:
- Overall: Black is attacking while White is defending;
- Though material is equal, in view of King safety, Black is much better: King castled and into the corner, with its back rank protected by two Rooks, no direct treats. White Kg1's position is exposed, as it has no g2 pawn to cover its top or g-file. Worse than that, it is facing direct attack from Black Q.
- Space occupancy: White has a big advantage by controlling 2/3 of the board space;
- Black's Q is on the open d-file. Black has 2 better Rooks controlling c-file and f-file; Black also has a powerful passed e3-pawn, which is equal with a Bishop. Black's Bishop is more active and flexible, playing both defending and attacking roles.
b) The best line of Black:
Since both Black pieces Qd4 and Rf8 are under attack, the best way to get out of it is to keep checking the White King: either e2+ (Black loses its Q) or Rxf4. So, the best line should be begun with 34... Rxf4
[Event "Puzzle #210"][Date "2012.11.24"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2r2r1k/6pp/6b1/1p2P3/3q1P2/BQP1p3/7P/2R2RK1 b - - 0 34"]34...Rxf4! 35.h3 {In the game} (35.Rxf4 Qxf4 36.Rf1 (36.Rc2 Bxc2 37.Qxc2 Rxc3 38.Qxc3 Qf2+ 39.Kh1 Qf1#) (36.Qb2 Be4 37.Qe2 Qg5+ 38.Kf1 Qf4+ 39.Kg1 Re8 {Black wins}) 36...Qg4+ 37.Kh1 Be4+ 38.Rf3 Bxf3#) (35.cxd4 Rg4+ 36.Kh1 Be4+ 37.Rf3 Bxf3#) 35...Rg4+ 36.hxg4 Qxg4+ 37.Kh2 Be4 {Black wins}
Correct solutions:
Leo - 20 points
James - 19 points
Justin - 8 points
Derrick, Daniel - 5 points
Aditya - 1 point
Standings:
James - 117 points
Danny - 82 points
Daniel - 79 points
Derrick - 74 points
Justin - 54 points
Leo - 35 points
Ziyao - 15 points
Richard - 10 points
Aditya - 9 points
Raymond - 5 points
a) Analyse the position and decides who stands better; this is very important here!
b) What do you suggest White do now:
- play aggressive with 29.Bxf8 ... trying to quickly mate Black
- play defensively by taking care of the White King first
- something else
Please provide the best line you can think of for your option.
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #212.
Puzzle #210 solution:
Game: IM Arthur Calugar - GM Milos Pavlovic, 2012 GM Invitational, Dallas. The best answer comes this time from Leo:
Analyze the position: it's a middle game as lots of heavy pieces for both are on board; both sides have castled and finished development.
a) Black is better because:
- Overall: Black is attacking while White is defending;
- Though material is equal, in view of King safety, Black is much better: King castled and into the corner, with its back rank protected by two Rooks, no direct treats. White Kg1's position is exposed, as it has no g2 pawn to cover its top or g-file. Worse than that, it is facing direct attack from Black Q.
- Space occupancy: White has a big advantage by controlling 2/3 of the board space;
- Black's Q is on the open d-file. Black has 2 better Rooks controlling c-file and f-file; Black also has a powerful passed e3-pawn, which is equal with a Bishop. Black's Bishop is more active and flexible, playing both defending and attacking roles.
b) The best line of Black:
Since both Black pieces Qd4 and Rf8 are under attack, the best way to get out of it is to keep checking the White King: either e2+ (Black loses its Q) or Rxf4. So, the best line should be begun with 34... Rxf4
[Event "Puzzle #210"][Date "2012.11.24"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2r2r1k/6pp/6b1/1p2P3/3q1P2/BQP1p3/7P/2R2RK1 b - - 0 34"]34...Rxf4! 35.h3 {In the game} (35.Rxf4 Qxf4 36.Rf1 (36.Rc2 Bxc2 37.Qxc2 Rxc3 38.Qxc3 Qf2+ 39.Kh1 Qf1#) (36.Qb2 Be4 37.Qe2 Qg5+ 38.Kf1 Qf4+ 39.Kg1 Re8 {Black wins}) 36...Qg4+ 37.Kh1 Be4+ 38.Rf3 Bxf3#) (35.cxd4 Rg4+ 36.Kh1 Be4+ 37.Rf3 Bxf3#) 35...Rg4+ 36.hxg4 Qxg4+ 37.Kh2 Be4 {Black wins}
Correct solutions:
Leo - 20 points
James - 19 points
Justin - 8 points
Derrick, Daniel - 5 points
Aditya - 1 point
Standings:
James - 117 points
Danny - 82 points
Daniel - 79 points
Derrick - 74 points
Justin - 54 points
Leo - 35 points
Ziyao - 15 points
Richard - 10 points
Aditya - 9 points
Raymond - 5 points
King exposed