The f7/f2 square sacrifice
Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #316"][Date "2017.04.24"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r3r1k1/1bq1bppp/p3nn2/1p2N1B1/2pP4/2N1P3/PPB1Q1PP/3R1RK1 w - - 0 1"]
We are in the middle game and there are pieces in good positions on both sides Black has an advanced pawn chain on the Queen side, while white has a passed d4-pawn. Your tasks:
a) List all white pieces in good positions
b) List all black pieces in good positions
c) Explain what should white do here and present the best line you can think of
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next time together with puzzle #317.
Puzzle #315 solution:
Game Glaser – Schmidt, correspondence 1935-36. The best answers were by Coco:
a) I think this opening is the Queen's Gambit because the missing c- and d- pawns
Eugen - it cannot be the French defence because white still has the e3-pawn
b) The six conditions black has to meet are:
1. The h2 square isn't defended. (check)
2. The g4/g5 square isn't defended. (check)
3. The queen-knight combination supported by the bishop can attack the castle directly. (check)
4. Pawn on e5. (unchecked)
5. The rook must be able to get into the attack quickly. (check, the rook is very directly aiming towards the castle)
6. The pawns in front of the king have not moved. (check)
One of the criteria is not met.
[Event "Puzzle #315"][Date "2017.04.10"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r2q1rk1/pp1n2pp/3bpn2/1N1p4/8/1Q1BP3/PP3PPP/R1B2RK1 b - - 0 1"]1... Bxh2+ 2. Kxh2 Ng4+ {Game line} 3. Kg3 (3. Kg1 Qh4 4. Rd1 Qxf2+ 5. Kh1 Qh4+ 6. Kg1 Qh2# {Coco, Cody, Deryk, Jalen}) (3. Kh3 Nxf2+ 4. Kh2 Qh4+ 5. Kg1 Qh1# {Coco, Cody, Deryk}) (3. Kh1 Qh4+ 4. Kg1 Qh2# {Dheera, Coco, Cody, Deryk, Jalen}) 3... Nxf2 4. e4 (4. Rxf2 Qg5+ 5. Kh2 Rxf2 {Black wins. Coco, Cody, Deryk, Jalen}) 4... Qb8 5. Kh4 Qh2+ 6. Kg5 Qh6#
Correct solutions:
Coco - 23 points
Cody - 21 points
Jalen - 15 points
Deryk - 14 points
Dheera - 5 points
Yakov - 2 points
Standings:
Jalen - 174 points
Coco - 161 points
Cody - 152 points
Bradley - 143 points
Deryk - 91 points
Benjamin - 84 points
Uros - 58 points
Dheera - 39 points
Yakov - 29 points
a) List all white pieces in good positions
b) List all black pieces in good positions
c) Explain what should white do here and present the best line you can think of
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next time together with puzzle #317.
Puzzle #315 solution:
Game Glaser – Schmidt, correspondence 1935-36. The best answers were by Coco:
a) I think this opening is the Queen's Gambit because the missing c- and d- pawns
Eugen - it cannot be the French defence because white still has the e3-pawn
b) The six conditions black has to meet are:
1. The h2 square isn't defended. (check)
2. The g4/g5 square isn't defended. (check)
3. The queen-knight combination supported by the bishop can attack the castle directly. (check)
4. Pawn on e5. (unchecked)
5. The rook must be able to get into the attack quickly. (check, the rook is very directly aiming towards the castle)
6. The pawns in front of the king have not moved. (check)
One of the criteria is not met.
[Event "Puzzle #315"][Date "2017.04.10"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r2q1rk1/pp1n2pp/3bpn2/1N1p4/8/1Q1BP3/PP3PPP/R1B2RK1 b - - 0 1"]1... Bxh2+ 2. Kxh2 Ng4+ {Game line} 3. Kg3 (3. Kg1 Qh4 4. Rd1 Qxf2+ 5. Kh1 Qh4+ 6. Kg1 Qh2# {Coco, Cody, Deryk, Jalen}) (3. Kh3 Nxf2+ 4. Kh2 Qh4+ 5. Kg1 Qh1# {Coco, Cody, Deryk}) (3. Kh1 Qh4+ 4. Kg1 Qh2# {Dheera, Coco, Cody, Deryk, Jalen}) 3... Nxf2 4. e4 (4. Rxf2 Qg5+ 5. Kh2 Rxf2 {Black wins. Coco, Cody, Deryk, Jalen}) 4... Qb8 5. Kh4 Qh2+ 6. Kg5 Qh6#
Correct solutions:
Coco - 23 points
Cody - 21 points
Jalen - 15 points
Deryk - 14 points
Dheera - 5 points
Yakov - 2 points
Standings:
Jalen - 174 points
Coco - 161 points
Cody - 152 points
Bradley - 143 points
Deryk - 91 points
Benjamin - 84 points
Uros - 58 points
Dheera - 39 points
Yakov - 29 points