Level
4-Rook
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #186"][Date "2012.02.27"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "q1rr2k1/p4ppp/1p4n1/2pN1N1Q/3b1P2/1P4P1/P6P/3R1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
We have a tough one to crack here. What it boils down to is deciding if the centralized pieces will hold the fort against those killer diagonals. Is this a good conclusion to use for White here while contemplating how to defend against this check? Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position and see if you will reach the same conclusion or not
b) Can White hold the fort? Either way you answer, please provide the best line you can think of
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #187.
Puzzle #185 solution:
Ishchuk - Novokovsky, correspondence 1975. There was one best answer provided by Jeffrey:
a) Analysis: Black is up by a pawn, though in the current situation, this is insignificant. Both sides are fully developed and are prepared to attack in full force. Black has nearly all of his forces pointed at the Queenside with the lone Knight holding off the White forces. White, on the other hand, has only a few pieces attacking the Kingside, but they are meeting with little resistance. At this point in the game, material doesn't matter. It is a race to checkmate.
Eliminating the defender: Yes, it does seem to apply here. For White, the defender that must be eliminated is the Nh5. For Black, he must eliminate Nc3.
Attacking on opposite sides: Yes, this definitely applies here. Both sides are out attacking in full force, White on the Kingside and Black on the Queenside.
b) The fastest way for White to checkmate: see diagram
c) Opening: The Opening is the Sicilian Defense, Dragon variation
A special mention also goes to Daniel for his answer.
[Event "Puzzle #185"][Date "2012.02.19"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2r3k1/ppq1pp1p/3pb1pQ/6Pn/2rNP3/2N2P2/PPP5/2KR3R w - - 0 1"]1.Rxh5 gxh5 2.Nxe6 fxe6 3.g6 hxg6 4.Qxg6+ Kh8 (4...Kf8 5.Rg1 Rxc3 6.Qg8#) 5.Rg1 Rxc3 6.Qh6#
Correct solutions:
Jeffrey - 25 points
Daniel - 24 points
Ziyao, Philip, Derrick - 20 points
Harmony, Leo - 18 points
Leroy, Coco - 15 points
Kevin - 12 points
James, Alex - 10 points
Standings:
Philip - 134 points
Jeffrey - 111 points
Harmony - 102 points
Ziyao - 101 points
Daniel - 97 points
James - 94 points
Derrick - 71 points
Leroy - 70 points
Leo - 63 points
Alex - 57 points
Coco - 54 points
Kevin - 27 points
a) Analyse the position and see if you will reach the same conclusion or not
b) Can White hold the fort? Either way you answer, please provide the best line you can think of
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #187.
Puzzle #185 solution:
Ishchuk - Novokovsky, correspondence 1975. There was one best answer provided by Jeffrey:
a) Analysis: Black is up by a pawn, though in the current situation, this is insignificant. Both sides are fully developed and are prepared to attack in full force. Black has nearly all of his forces pointed at the Queenside with the lone Knight holding off the White forces. White, on the other hand, has only a few pieces attacking the Kingside, but they are meeting with little resistance. At this point in the game, material doesn't matter. It is a race to checkmate.
Eliminating the defender: Yes, it does seem to apply here. For White, the defender that must be eliminated is the Nh5. For Black, he must eliminate Nc3.
Attacking on opposite sides: Yes, this definitely applies here. Both sides are out attacking in full force, White on the Kingside and Black on the Queenside.
b) The fastest way for White to checkmate: see diagram
c) Opening: The Opening is the Sicilian Defense, Dragon variation
A special mention also goes to Daniel for his answer.
[Event "Puzzle #185"][Date "2012.02.19"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "2r3k1/ppq1pp1p/3pb1pQ/6Pn/2rNP3/2N2P2/PPP5/2KR3R w - - 0 1"]1.Rxh5 gxh5 2.Nxe6 fxe6 3.g6 hxg6 4.Qxg6+ Kh8 (4...Kf8 5.Rg1 Rxc3 6.Qg8#) 5.Rg1 Rxc3 6.Qh6#
Correct solutions:
Jeffrey - 25 points
Daniel - 24 points
Ziyao, Philip, Derrick - 20 points
Harmony, Leo - 18 points
Leroy, Coco - 15 points
Kevin - 12 points
James, Alex - 10 points
Standings:
Philip - 134 points
Jeffrey - 111 points
Harmony - 102 points
Ziyao - 101 points
Daniel - 97 points
James - 94 points
Derrick - 71 points
Leroy - 70 points
Leo - 63 points
Alex - 57 points
Coco - 54 points
Kevin - 27 points
Eliminating the defender (2)