Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #133"][Date "2010.09.17"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1br2k1/pp3ppp/2q1pP2/2P1P3/3B4/4Q1P1/P6P/R4RK1 b - - 0 26"]26...Kh8
Two young Canadians from Toronto, well known on the international stage, have been battling really hard in the above position. White has more space and an attacking position; however there aren't too many pieces left in play. Black is behind in development, but with his last move (see diagram) he believes he can weather the storm and based on the opposite colour Bishops plus better pawn structure, he could steer the game into an equal endgame. Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position
b) Propose the best possible plan for both sides
c) Execute the plan and indicate which side is most likely to succeed: White to win, or Black to draw?
Total available points for this puzzle is 30. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #134.
Puzzle #132 solution:
Game: Bauer - Golner, 1956. I got oly 3 responses this time, clear sign that all this trouble with changing the host has affected our habits. Well, let's hope this will not happen again for a long time now. Rick and Jeffrey had very nice answers, while Nathaniel brought his to the club last night. Here is the entertaining answer provided by Rick:
1) Eugen wrote It was like staring at a position, doing my best to figure out the solution; once I found it, everything looks so obvious!
Eugen may not have realized this, but those words were a vital clue that gave me the solution. I solved it in about 5 minutes! If the answer was so "obvious" (which it was after solving the puzzle), then the winning move must be some big sacrifice that is easily overlooked, a seemingly useless move, or something like that. Turns out my hunch was right!
2) See solution
[Event "Puzzle #132"][Date "2010.09.12"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r3n3/pp2q1pk/2p1BnRp/8/2p2P2/1P5P/PB4QK/8 w - - 0 1"]1.Rxh6+ {This was clearly the only way to destroy Black's defenses, so I went for this move first. There are two possible moves Black can make, but they both result in epic fail} 1...Kxh6 {This is the extremely boring line which all of you probably solved in 2 minutes, so don't expect anything amazing} (1...gxh6 {Here's the point where I relied on Eugen's words and did some "obvious" searching. Be prepared for a SHOCK!} 2.Qg8+!! Nxg8 3.Bf5# {I still can't believe this mate is possible with so many Black pieces close by! Next time, be sure to carefully read whatever Eugen posts. It might just contain some hints}) 2.Qg5+ Kh7 3.Qh4+ Kg6 4.f5#
Correct solutions:
Rick, Jeffrey, Nathaniel - 20 points
Standings:
Karl - 142 points
Rick - 141 points
Jeffrey - 120 points
Owen - 95 points
Frank - 85 points
Edwin - 72 points
Nathaniel - 20 points
Alex - 18 points
a) Analyse the position
b) Propose the best possible plan for both sides
c) Execute the plan and indicate which side is most likely to succeed: White to win, or Black to draw?
Total available points for this puzzle is 30. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #134.
Puzzle #132 solution:
Game: Bauer - Golner, 1956. I got oly 3 responses this time, clear sign that all this trouble with changing the host has affected our habits. Well, let's hope this will not happen again for a long time now. Rick and Jeffrey had very nice answers, while Nathaniel brought his to the club last night. Here is the entertaining answer provided by Rick:
1) Eugen wrote It was like staring at a position, doing my best to figure out the solution; once I found it, everything looks so obvious!
Eugen may not have realized this, but those words were a vital clue that gave me the solution. I solved it in about 5 minutes! If the answer was so "obvious" (which it was after solving the puzzle), then the winning move must be some big sacrifice that is easily overlooked, a seemingly useless move, or something like that. Turns out my hunch was right!
2) See solution
[Event "Puzzle #132"][Date "2010.09.12"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r3n3/pp2q1pk/2p1BnRp/8/2p2P2/1P5P/PB4QK/8 w - - 0 1"]1.Rxh6+ {This was clearly the only way to destroy Black's defenses, so I went for this move first. There are two possible moves Black can make, but they both result in epic fail} 1...Kxh6 {This is the extremely boring line which all of you probably solved in 2 minutes, so don't expect anything amazing} (1...gxh6 {Here's the point where I relied on Eugen's words and did some "obvious" searching. Be prepared for a SHOCK!} 2.Qg8+!! Nxg8 3.Bf5# {I still can't believe this mate is possible with so many Black pieces close by! Next time, be sure to carefully read whatever Eugen posts. It might just contain some hints}) 2.Qg5+ Kh7 3.Qh4+ Kg6 4.f5#
Correct solutions:
Rick, Jeffrey, Nathaniel - 20 points
Standings:
Karl - 142 points
Rick - 141 points
Jeffrey - 120 points
Owen - 95 points
Frank - 85 points
Edwin - 72 points
Nathaniel - 20 points
Alex - 18 points
Canadiana 2010 edition