Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #228"][Date "2013.05.21"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "4rrk1/ppq2ppp/1b2bn2/3p4/2n5/1NPB3P/PP2NPP1/R1BQR1K1 b - - 0 1"]
We are in the middlegame and both sides have pieces more or less developed and pointing at the opponent's castle. Your tasks:
a) Decide who has a better chance to a successful attack
b) With Black to move choose the best line you can think of
c) What is the most likely result playing on?
Total available points for this puzzle is 25. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #229.
Puzzle #227 solution:
Schiffers – Harmonist, Frankfurth, 1887. Here is the best answer courtesy of James:
a) White should consider trading the isolated d-pawn as it won't be good in the endgame. He can take advantage of the undeveloped c8-Bishop which keeps the a8-Rook out of play as well. He should also distract one of the defenders away from defending the f7-pawn if necessary to attack and win. A back rank mate is also possible to achieve
b) Black should trade all the pieces into the endgame when he would have the upper hand against white's isolated d-pawn. The f4-Knight is a dangerous threat to White's Rooks as there is a possible fork going on to d3 and e2 when there are no defenders for those squares. He also has a chance of back rank mating, though not as likely as white's because there are 2 connected, defending Rooks on the back rank
c) Solution:
[Event "Puzzle #227"][Date "2013.05.06"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b2rk1/ppq2ppp/2p3n1/6N1/P1BP1n2/1Q6/1P1N1PPP/2R1R1K1 w - - 0 1"]1.Re8 Rxe8 (1...Be6 {The only move to give black a fighting chance}) 2.Bxf7+ Kh8 (2...Kf8 3.Nxh7+ Ke7 4.Re1+ {White wins}) 3.Bxe8 Ne2+ 4.Kh1 Nxc1 5.Nf7+ Kg8 6.Nh6+ Kf8 7.Qg8+ Ke7 8.Bxg6 hxg6 (8...gxh6 9.Qf7+ Kd6 10.Ne4#) 9.Qxg7+ Kd8 10.Qf8+ Kd7 11.Ne4 Qd8 12.Qd6+ Ke8 13.Nf6+
Correct solutions:
James - 30 points
Leo - 25 points
Daniel - 20 points
Jerry - 10 points
Standings:
James - 271 points
Daniel - 259 points
Leo - 191 points
Justin - 116 points
Derrick, Richard - 89 points
Jerry - 77 points
Aditya - 48 points
Alex - 7 points
a) Decide who has a better chance to a successful attack
b) With Black to move choose the best line you can think of
c) What is the most likely result playing on?
Total available points for this puzzle is 25. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #229.
Puzzle #227 solution:
Schiffers – Harmonist, Frankfurth, 1887. Here is the best answer courtesy of James:
a) White should consider trading the isolated d-pawn as it won't be good in the endgame. He can take advantage of the undeveloped c8-Bishop which keeps the a8-Rook out of play as well. He should also distract one of the defenders away from defending the f7-pawn if necessary to attack and win. A back rank mate is also possible to achieve
b) Black should trade all the pieces into the endgame when he would have the upper hand against white's isolated d-pawn. The f4-Knight is a dangerous threat to White's Rooks as there is a possible fork going on to d3 and e2 when there are no defenders for those squares. He also has a chance of back rank mating, though not as likely as white's because there are 2 connected, defending Rooks on the back rank
c) Solution:
[Event "Puzzle #227"][Date "2013.05.06"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b2rk1/ppq2ppp/2p3n1/6N1/P1BP1n2/1Q6/1P1N1PPP/2R1R1K1 w - - 0 1"]1.Re8 Rxe8 (1...Be6 {The only move to give black a fighting chance}) 2.Bxf7+ Kh8 (2...Kf8 3.Nxh7+ Ke7 4.Re1+ {White wins}) 3.Bxe8 Ne2+ 4.Kh1 Nxc1 5.Nf7+ Kg8 6.Nh6+ Kf8 7.Qg8+ Ke7 8.Bxg6 hxg6 (8...gxh6 9.Qf7+ Kd6 10.Ne4#) 9.Qxg7+ Kd8 10.Qf8+ Kd7 11.Ne4 Qd8 12.Qd6+ Ke8 13.Nf6+
Correct solutions:
James - 30 points
Leo - 25 points
Daniel - 20 points
Jerry - 10 points
Standings:
James - 271 points
Daniel - 259 points
Leo - 191 points
Justin - 116 points
Derrick, Richard - 89 points
Jerry - 77 points
Aditya - 48 points
Alex - 7 points
The h6-square hot spot (1)