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[Event "Puzzle #384"][Date "2021.03.16"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r2r3k/p3b3/q4NQp/5P2/3B4/1P6/5RPP/6K1 b - - 0 1"]
Playing bullet chess might be highly entertaining for some; however it is also highly detrimental for those who are still learning and do not have a chess title. The reason for that is quite simple: in bullet chess the one minute each side has does not allow much for thinking. Both sides barely have time to react and play on instinct. If your instinct is not yet where it should be, the play will suffer. This week's position is the end of a bullet game between top GMs. Black has resigned given the mate in 1 threats white has. Your task:
a) Find the winning combination black missed because of lack of time
b) Why was this combination possible?
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next time together with puzzle #385.
Puzzle #383 solution:
Game played online by Zhengyu in Jan 2021. This week's best answers are by the top scorers:
Zhengyu
"a) White's attack will succeed because:
1. He possesses a very strong pawn on h6, creating serious threats
2. He possesses a very strong rook on h1, ready to attack
3. The queen on d6 can easily be used for both offense and defense
4. The bishop on e2 can easily jump into action with Bc4
5. There is a very nice offensive and defensive outpost on d5, which can be home to knight on bishop
6. Black's attack is a minority attack
7. Ra8 and Bc8 are not developed
With these imbalances, it is clear that white's attack is stronger!"
[Event "Puzzle #383"][Date "2021.02.10"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b2rk1/3p1ppp/p2Q2nP/q3p3/1p2P3/2N5/PPP1BPP1/2KR3R w - - 2 18"]{Zhengyu} 18.Nd5 ({Joey} 18.hxg7 Kxg7 19.Nd5 Qxa2? (19...Qd8 {This is a better defence}) 20.Rxh7+ Kxh7 21.Rh1+ Kg7 22.Qf6+ Kg8 23.Ne7+ Nxe7 24.Rh8#) 18...Re8 {The best defence} (18...Qxa2 19.Nf6+!! ({Walter} 19.Ne7+ Kh8 (19...Nxe7 20.hxg7 Kxg7 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Qxh7#) 20.Nxg6+ hxg6 21.Qxf8+ Kh7 22.Qxg7#) (19...gxf6 20.Qxf6 Qa1+ 21.Kd2 Qxd1+ 22.Kxd1) 19... Kh8 20.hxg7+ Kxg7 21.Rxh7#) 19.Nf6+ gxf6 20.Qxf6 Kf8 21.Bc4 {Bringing a new piece into the attack} 21...Re7 22.Qg7+ Ke8 23.Qxh7 {with a passed h-pawn and ideas of Bxf7+ followed by Qxg6 when the h-pawn is going to promote}
Correct solutions:
Zhengyu, Walter - 15 points
Joey - 10 points
Standings:
Zhengyu, Walter - 15 points
Joey - 10 points
a) Find the winning combination black missed because of lack of time
b) Why was this combination possible?
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next time together with puzzle #385.
Puzzle #383 solution:
Game played online by Zhengyu in Jan 2021. This week's best answers are by the top scorers:
Zhengyu
"a) White's attack will succeed because:
1. He possesses a very strong pawn on h6, creating serious threats
2. He possesses a very strong rook on h1, ready to attack
3. The queen on d6 can easily be used for both offense and defense
4. The bishop on e2 can easily jump into action with Bc4
5. There is a very nice offensive and defensive outpost on d5, which can be home to knight on bishop
6. Black's attack is a minority attack
7. Ra8 and Bc8 are not developed
With these imbalances, it is clear that white's attack is stronger!"
[Event "Puzzle #383"][Date "2021.02.10"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b2rk1/3p1ppp/p2Q2nP/q3p3/1p2P3/2N5/PPP1BPP1/2KR3R w - - 2 18"]{Zhengyu} 18.Nd5 ({Joey} 18.hxg7 Kxg7 19.Nd5 Qxa2? (19...Qd8 {This is a better defence}) 20.Rxh7+ Kxh7 21.Rh1+ Kg7 22.Qf6+ Kg8 23.Ne7+ Nxe7 24.Rh8#) 18...Re8 {The best defence} (18...Qxa2 19.Nf6+!! ({Walter} 19.Ne7+ Kh8 (19...Nxe7 20.hxg7 Kxg7 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Qxh7#) 20.Nxg6+ hxg6 21.Qxf8+ Kh7 22.Qxg7#) (19...gxf6 20.Qxf6 Qa1+ 21.Kd2 Qxd1+ 22.Kxd1) 19... Kh8 20.hxg7+ Kxg7 21.Rxh7#) 19.Nf6+ gxf6 20.Qxf6 Kf8 21.Bc4 {Bringing a new piece into the attack} 21...Re7 22.Qg7+ Ke8 23.Qxh7 {with a passed h-pawn and ideas of Bxf7+ followed by Qxg6 when the h-pawn is going to promote}
Correct solutions:
Zhengyu, Walter - 15 points
Joey - 10 points
Standings:
Zhengyu, Walter - 15 points
Joey - 10 points