Level
3-Bishop
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #162"][Date "2011.04.30"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "3n3k/2R5/2n1P3/3N2N1/8/1p6/2r3r1/K7 w - - 0 1"]
Controlling the 7th rank with Rooks is a proven advantage. Adding more pieces into the mix normally leads to brutal attacks and counterattacks since one cannot ignore what happens along this rank. Today's position is a special one offering you a situation where both 2nd and 7th rank are under control by the opposition. Here are your tasks:
a) Who has the advantage here? Explain
b) What is the most likely final result? Explain
c) White to move and save this game
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #163.
Puzzle #161 solution:
Mason - S. Clarke, 2002-03. This time I liked a lot Kevin's simple but correct answer. He has identified nicely the important points of the position and came out with the proper solution. Kevin wrote:
a) Material: White is up a Rook for a Bishop and Pawn. Advantage White.
Piece play: Black has a pretty strong Queen on the second rank. His Bishop is also placed in the centre which is good, but it is kind of cramped (does not have a lot of squares to go to). White has a well placed Queen as well, but his side Knight isn't that good. Advantage Black.
Centre: Black has a pawn and a bishop in the centre. Advantage Black.
Weak Points: Black has a weak back rank. White does too, but it is better defended and not really attacked. Advantage White.
b) See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #161"][Date "2011.04.22"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "7k/pp4rp/2nQ1p2/3p4/4b2N/8/Pq3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]1.Rxe4 {Getting rid of the pesky Bishop defending g6} 1...dxe4 {Black takes the Rook back or it will end up down a Rook for a pawn} 2.Qf8+ {Target - the back rank} 2...Rg8 3.Ng6+ {Now only defended by the pawn. Black must take it} 3...hxg6 4.Qh6#
Correct solutions:
Jeffrey, Ziyao, Derrick, Harmony, Philip, Kevin - 20 points
James, Daniel - 19 points
Alex - 16 points
Frank, Eric, Leo - 12 points
Leroy - 10 points
Frank - 10 points (puzzle #160)
Standings:
Ziyao - 289 points
Harmony - 282 points
James - 247 points
Philip - 238 points
Alex - 219 points
Leo - 200 points
Derrick - 157 points
Leroy - 143 points
Jeffrey - 140 points
Daniel - 126 points
Kevin - 92 points
Frank - 86 points
Eric - 24 points
Danny - 19 points
Karl - 13 points
a) Who has the advantage here? Explain
b) What is the most likely final result? Explain
c) White to move and save this game
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #163.
Puzzle #161 solution:
Mason - S. Clarke, 2002-03. This time I liked a lot Kevin's simple but correct answer. He has identified nicely the important points of the position and came out with the proper solution. Kevin wrote:
a) Material: White is up a Rook for a Bishop and Pawn. Advantage White.
Piece play: Black has a pretty strong Queen on the second rank. His Bishop is also placed in the centre which is good, but it is kind of cramped (does not have a lot of squares to go to). White has a well placed Queen as well, but his side Knight isn't that good. Advantage Black.
Centre: Black has a pawn and a bishop in the centre. Advantage Black.
Weak Points: Black has a weak back rank. White does too, but it is better defended and not really attacked. Advantage White.
b) See solution:
[Event "Puzzle #161"][Date "2011.04.22"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "7k/pp4rp/2nQ1p2/3p4/4b2N/8/Pq3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 1"]1.Rxe4 {Getting rid of the pesky Bishop defending g6} 1...dxe4 {Black takes the Rook back or it will end up down a Rook for a pawn} 2.Qf8+ {Target - the back rank} 2...Rg8 3.Ng6+ {Now only defended by the pawn. Black must take it} 3...hxg6 4.Qh6#
Correct solutions:
Jeffrey, Ziyao, Derrick, Harmony, Philip, Kevin - 20 points
James, Daniel - 19 points
Alex - 16 points
Frank, Eric, Leo - 12 points
Leroy - 10 points
Frank - 10 points (puzzle #160)
Standings:
Ziyao - 289 points
Harmony - 282 points
James - 247 points
Philip - 238 points
Alex - 219 points
Leo - 200 points
Derrick - 157 points
Leroy - 143 points
Jeffrey - 140 points
Daniel - 126 points
Kevin - 92 points
Frank - 86 points
Eric - 24 points
Danny - 19 points
Karl - 13 points
7th rank domination (2)