Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #108"][Date "2010.03.12"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "rq1r2k1/pb3pp1/1p1bpn1p/8/3P4/1B1Q1N2/PP1B1PPP/2R1R1K1 w - - 0 1"]
Our club tournament games are of higher quality and better disputed, but still we are missing way too many opportunities to apply what we are doing in class. Will repeat over and over again: each move needs to be treated with seriosity. Analysing the position every time will help you find the solution in most cases. Instead of doing this some of you are either bored, or distracted, or simply going over a situation too fast and missing the important (and sometimes obvious) possibilities. You are given sufficient time to play your games and I would rather see you losing some on time, but playing correctly!
Today's puzzle is a good preparation for next week's test about the IQP. It also is a good opportunity to practice and improve your analysis. Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position and come up with plans for both sides
b) White to move and win
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #109.
Puzzle #107 solution:
Our game under microscope was Tolush - Flohr, Pernau 1947. This time I liked a lot Humphrey's work because he finally has put more effort into it compared with other times. He has the floor:
a) The opening's name is called Torre Attack, Classical Defense
b) Analysis:
MATERIAL
The material is even.
KING SAFETY
White has a safer king because Black didn't castle yet, so its King is still in the center and White could start an attack against it.
PLAN FOR WHITE
White could start by attacking the Black king that is still in the center (taking advantage of the King in the center). White could start attacking because it has already castled. White could open files to the Black King and attack it.
PLAN FOR BLACK
Black should first castle before attacking to keep its King safer, then attack the White King.
c) See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #107"][Date "2010.03.05"][Result "1-0"]1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Nbd2 c5 5.e3 Qb6 6.Bxf6 gxf6 7.c4 dxc4 8.Bxc4 cxd4 9.exd4 Bd7 10.O-O Nc6 11.d5 Na5 {Black has to move the Knight; if it does not move it and take the pawn instead, then White will continue with "Re1+" and attacking the Black King} (11...exd5 12.Re1+ Be6 13.Bxd5 O-O-O 14.Bxc6 (14.Bxe6+ fxe6 15.Rxe6 {White is better}) 14...bxc6 15.Rc1 {White is better}) 12.Rc1 e5 {To protect the f6 pawn that is not protected before and form a little pawn chain and close the e-file} 13.Qe2 Bg7 {Preparing for King side castle and developing the Bishop to give more protection for the f6 pawn} 14.Bd3 Qxb2 {Pawn grabbing} 15.Rc2 Qb6 16.Rb1 Qd6 {Running away from the Rook} 17.Ne4 Qe7 {White has achieved a very good position, while stopping Black from castling. White will go on to win the game}
Correct solutions:
Humphrey, Karl, Owen - 25 points
Jeffrey, Andy Q - 22 points
Andy Y, James, Nathaniel - 13 points
Edwin - 10 points
James - 8 points for puzzle #106
Standings:
Andy Q - 155 points
Karl - 152 points
Owen - 149 points
Andy Y - 144 points
Humphrey - 126 points
Alex, Edwin - 108 points
Amir - 103 points
Jeffrey - 100 points
James - 82 points
Nathaniel - 44 points
Rick, Marko - 10 points
Today's puzzle is a good preparation for next week's test about the IQP. It also is a good opportunity to practice and improve your analysis. Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position and come up with plans for both sides
b) White to move and win
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #109.
Puzzle #107 solution:
Our game under microscope was Tolush - Flohr, Pernau 1947. This time I liked a lot Humphrey's work because he finally has put more effort into it compared with other times. He has the floor:
a) The opening's name is called Torre Attack, Classical Defense
b) Analysis:
MATERIAL
The material is even.
KING SAFETY
White has a safer king because Black didn't castle yet, so its King is still in the center and White could start an attack against it.
PLAN FOR WHITE
White could start by attacking the Black king that is still in the center (taking advantage of the King in the center). White could start attacking because it has already castled. White could open files to the Black King and attack it.
PLAN FOR BLACK
Black should first castle before attacking to keep its King safer, then attack the White King.
c) See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #107"][Date "2010.03.05"][Result "1-0"]1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 d5 4.Nbd2 c5 5.e3 Qb6 6.Bxf6 gxf6 7.c4 dxc4 8.Bxc4 cxd4 9.exd4 Bd7 10.O-O Nc6 11.d5 Na5 {Black has to move the Knight; if it does not move it and take the pawn instead, then White will continue with "Re1+" and attacking the Black King} (11...exd5 12.Re1+ Be6 13.Bxd5 O-O-O 14.Bxc6 (14.Bxe6+ fxe6 15.Rxe6 {White is better}) 14...bxc6 15.Rc1 {White is better}) 12.Rc1 e5 {To protect the f6 pawn that is not protected before and form a little pawn chain and close the e-file} 13.Qe2 Bg7 {Preparing for King side castle and developing the Bishop to give more protection for the f6 pawn} 14.Bd3 Qxb2 {Pawn grabbing} 15.Rc2 Qb6 16.Rb1 Qd6 {Running away from the Rook} 17.Ne4 Qe7 {White has achieved a very good position, while stopping Black from castling. White will go on to win the game}
Correct solutions:
Humphrey, Karl, Owen - 25 points
Jeffrey, Andy Q - 22 points
Andy Y, James, Nathaniel - 13 points
Edwin - 10 points
James - 8 points for puzzle #106
Standings:
Andy Q - 155 points
Karl - 152 points
Owen - 149 points
Andy Y - 144 points
Humphrey - 126 points
Alex, Edwin - 108 points
Amir - 103 points
Jeffrey - 100 points
James - 82 points
Nathaniel - 44 points
Rick, Marko - 10 points
IQP (3)