Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #222"][Date "2013.03.31"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "rn1q1rk1/1bp1nppp/pp2p3/4P3/3P4/2NB1N2/PP3PPP/2RQ1RK1 w - - 0 1"]1.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+ Kg8 (2...Kg6) (2...Kh6 {as in the game})
The h7-square is a quiet place most of the game. However from time to time, in most cases completely unexpected like a spring rain, it becomes the hot spot in the game. We have discussed about the conditions needed for the sacrifice to work and about the possible lines we need to analyse in order to have faith and play it. This is a very nice example from a real game played long ago. [b]Your tasks:
a) Verify how many conditions are met for the h7-square sacrifice to work;
b) After 1.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+ ... prepare the best winning lines for White in response to the proposed King moves
Total available points for this puzzle is 40. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #223.
Puzzle #221 solution:
Study by Troitzky, Ceske Slovo 1924. Troitzky has created some beautiful chess studies with deeply thought solutions. In a lot of cases he was masterful in the art of deceiving the superficial solver when it comes to the real solution. This position is from that category! Answers:
a) The main threat is not Queening one of the double pawns, but to mate the Black King. Only Justin has recognized that!
b) The correct solution evolves around dragging the Black pieces on the King side to stop those pawns, while the White King traps the other Monarch on the Queen side
Solution:
[Event "Puzzle #221"][Date "2013.03.18"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/3b4/k2p3P/1p1K3P/1P4r1/8/3R4/8 w - - 0 1"]1.h7 Rg5+ 2.Kxd6 Rxh5 3.Kc7 Be6 4.Kb8 Bd5 5.Rxd5 Rxd5 {It looks like black is going to save a draw by stalemate, right?} (5...Rh6 6.Rf5) 6.h8=R!! (6.h8=Q Rd8+ 7.Qxd8 {Stalemate}) Rd6 7.Kc7 {White wins}
Correct solutions:
Justin - 16 points
Daniel, James - 10 points
Leo, Richard - 2 points
Jerry - 1 point
Standings:
Daniel - 117 points
James - 104 points
Derrick, Richard - 89 points
Justin - 71 points
Leo - 66 points
Aditya - 24 points
Jerry - 13 points
Alex - 7 points
a) Verify how many conditions are met for the h7-square sacrifice to work;
b) After 1.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Ng5+ ... prepare the best winning lines for White in response to the proposed King moves
Total available points for this puzzle is 40. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #223.
Puzzle #221 solution:
Study by Troitzky, Ceske Slovo 1924. Troitzky has created some beautiful chess studies with deeply thought solutions. In a lot of cases he was masterful in the art of deceiving the superficial solver when it comes to the real solution. This position is from that category! Answers:
a) The main threat is not Queening one of the double pawns, but to mate the Black King. Only Justin has recognized that!
b) The correct solution evolves around dragging the Black pieces on the King side to stop those pawns, while the White King traps the other Monarch on the Queen side
Solution:
[Event "Puzzle #221"][Date "2013.03.18"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "8/3b4/k2p3P/1p1K3P/1P4r1/8/3R4/8 w - - 0 1"]1.h7 Rg5+ 2.Kxd6 Rxh5 3.Kc7 Be6 4.Kb8 Bd5 5.Rxd5 Rxd5 {It looks like black is going to save a draw by stalemate, right?} (5...Rh6 6.Rf5) 6.h8=R!! (6.h8=Q Rd8+ 7.Qxd8 {Stalemate}) Rd6 7.Kc7 {White wins}
Correct solutions:
Justin - 16 points
Daniel, James - 10 points
Leo, Richard - 2 points
Jerry - 1 point
Standings:
Daniel - 117 points
James - 104 points
Derrick, Richard - 89 points
Justin - 71 points
Leo - 66 points
Aditya - 24 points
Jerry - 13 points
Alex - 7 points
The h7-square hot spot (1)