Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #132"][Date "2010.09.12"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r3n3/pp2q1pk/2p1BnRp/8/2p2P2/1P5P/PB4QK/8 w - - 0 1"]
Moving the website to a new host and starting the upgrade work took longer than expected. I am sorry for this, but it was something I had to do. Now we are back online and like in a puzzle situation things look so clear. It was like staring at a position, doing my best to figure out the solution; once I found it, everything looks so obvious! I feel good I solved my "position"; could you solve this one though? Your tasks:
1. White to move and win
2. Explain your solution
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #133.
Puzzle #131 solution:
Topalov – Lutz, Dortmund, 2002 game is the source of it. Karl sent a very nice answer (like the others), clear indication he has raised his chess understanding to a new level. However Rick's answer went directly to the point and found the real game solution. Congratulations Rick! Now you have the floor:
A) Analysis:
Material: White is up one pawn
King safety: The White King is under pressure, but at least his pieces are close by to defend. Black may look safe, but the back rank is feeble and most of his pieces are on the other side of the board.
Position:
- White has a passed pawn on the c-file
- White has a deadly battering ram going down the d-file, while black has one on the b-file
- If White sits around and does nothing, Black's attack will bring utter destruction
- Black has the better minor piece and can trade anytime
White's plan: the safe way out would be to focus on defense. A counterattack would be way too risky, right? ;-) It is up to you to decide!
Black's plan: With all his pretty pieces in place, Black should launch an all-out attack. He should try not to get distracted, for much time has been lost already.
B) See solution
[Event "Puzzle #131"][Date "2010.08.20"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r5k1/1q3pp1/r3b2p/p2N4/3R4/QP3P2/2P3PP/1K1R4 b - - 0 26"]26...Rb8? 27.Nf6+ {This move was my intuition from the start, and I just knew it would work! Special thanks to Eugen for saying that your intuition is right 90% of the time. Your words gave me a reason to not give up on this idea!} gxf6 (27...Kh8?? 28.Rd8+ Rxd8 29.Rxd8#) 28.Rd8+ Rxd8 29.Rxd8+ Kh7 30.Qf8 Kg6 31.Qg8+ Kh5 (31...Kf5 32.Qg4+ Ke5 33.f4+ Ke4 34.Qf3+ {White wins}) 32.Qg7! {A simple move that threatens 7.g4+ ... followed by mate} 32...f5 33.Rd4 {Once again, White is trying to play 8.g4+ ... which mates in two moves} 33...Bc8 34.g3 {Unless Black wishes to give up his Queen, 9.Rh4# is unstoppable. Yes! This tricky puzzle is finally over, and now I can get some sleep! ZzZz...}
Correct solutions:
Rick - 20 points
Edwin - 19 points
Karl - 18 points
Frank - 15 points
Jeffrey - 10 points
Frank - 20 points for puzzle #130
Standings:
Karl - 142 points
Rick - 121 points
Jeffrey - 100 points
Owen - 95 points
Frank - 85 points
Edwin - 72 points
Alex - 18 points
1. White to move and win
2. Explain your solution
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #133.
Puzzle #131 solution:
Topalov – Lutz, Dortmund, 2002 game is the source of it. Karl sent a very nice answer (like the others), clear indication he has raised his chess understanding to a new level. However Rick's answer went directly to the point and found the real game solution. Congratulations Rick! Now you have the floor:
A) Analysis:
Material: White is up one pawn
King safety: The White King is under pressure, but at least his pieces are close by to defend. Black may look safe, but the back rank is feeble and most of his pieces are on the other side of the board.
Position:
- White has a passed pawn on the c-file
- White has a deadly battering ram going down the d-file, while black has one on the b-file
- If White sits around and does nothing, Black's attack will bring utter destruction
- Black has the better minor piece and can trade anytime
White's plan: the safe way out would be to focus on defense. A counterattack would be way too risky, right? ;-) It is up to you to decide!
Black's plan: With all his pretty pieces in place, Black should launch an all-out attack. He should try not to get distracted, for much time has been lost already.
B) See solution
[Event "Puzzle #131"][Date "2010.08.20"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r5k1/1q3pp1/r3b2p/p2N4/3R4/QP3P2/2P3PP/1K1R4 b - - 0 26"]26...Rb8? 27.Nf6+ {This move was my intuition from the start, and I just knew it would work! Special thanks to Eugen for saying that your intuition is right 90% of the time. Your words gave me a reason to not give up on this idea!} gxf6 (27...Kh8?? 28.Rd8+ Rxd8 29.Rxd8#) 28.Rd8+ Rxd8 29.Rxd8+ Kh7 30.Qf8 Kg6 31.Qg8+ Kh5 (31...Kf5 32.Qg4+ Ke5 33.f4+ Ke4 34.Qf3+ {White wins}) 32.Qg7! {A simple move that threatens 7.g4+ ... followed by mate} 32...f5 33.Rd4 {Once again, White is trying to play 8.g4+ ... which mates in two moves} 33...Bc8 34.g3 {Unless Black wishes to give up his Queen, 9.Rh4# is unstoppable. Yes! This tricky puzzle is finally over, and now I can get some sleep! ZzZz...}
Correct solutions:
Rick - 20 points
Edwin - 19 points
Karl - 18 points
Frank - 15 points
Jeffrey - 10 points
Frank - 20 points for puzzle #130
Standings:
Karl - 142 points
Rick - 121 points
Jeffrey - 100 points
Owen - 95 points
Frank - 85 points
Edwin - 72 points
Alex - 18 points
How simple is a solved puzzle...