Level
4-Rook
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #55"][Date "2009.01.23"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "rr6/4ppk1/3p1np1/q2Pn2p/7P/P4PPN/QP2N3/1K1R3R b - - 0 1"]
Our junior tournaments are showcasing a lot of very good games and the competition is very tough in any age group. Those who truly work hard become strong players and role models for everyone aspiring to be like them. Vlad Gaciu was a club member working really hard and rising in just 2 years (2003-2005) from the average club level, to playing at the World Youth Chess Championship from France 2005. He is still playing chess down in United States where he has moved with his family.
The above position is from Vlad's game against another strong junior at the time - Andrey Kostin - former Vancouver champion. As far as I remember this is from a junior tournament back in 2006, but can't remember which one: Andrey Kostin - Vlad Gaciu, Junior tmt 2006. Andrey is up a pawn and has 2 passed pawns on the Queen side. However that is the part of the board where Black has lined up his heavy artillery. How should Black use it? Your task:
a) Black to move and win
b) What are the reasons why Black's attack could be successful?
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #56.
Puzzle #54 solution:
Joanne:
I saw the potential of the g-pawn that was supported by the Rook, and the Bishop also pointing at the White King. Then when I tried it, the rest was easy, cause White only has one move for each of Black's moves.
Andy Yee:
White has won a piece, but at what expense? His King is under attack and poorly defended. Black inflicts a full penalty as shown below:
[Event "Puzzle #54"][Date "2009.01.15"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1r5k/5Rrp/3p4/1N1Bb3/P3p3/1QR3pq/1P3P2/6K1 b - - 0 1"]1...Qh1+ {Begins a forcing sequence of moves which terminates in checkmate} 2.Kxh1 g2+ 3.Kg1 Bh2+ 4.Kxh2 g1=Q+ 5.Kh3 Qh1#
Correct solutions:
Darren - 10 points
Joanne, Jacky, Andy Qian, Andy Yee, Mark, John, Jeremy, Marcus - 10 points
Joshua - 9 points
James, Humphrey, Karl, Nathaniel, Wilson - 1 point
Each wrong try gets a 1 point deduction in case of providing the correct solution.
Standings:
Darren, Mark, Andy Qian, John - 20 points
Joshua, Jeremy, Jacky - 19 points
Wilson, Andy Yee, Marcus - 11 points
Joanne, Katerina, James - 10 points
Karl, Nathaniel - 2 point
Humphrey - 1 point
The above position is from Vlad's game against another strong junior at the time - Andrey Kostin - former Vancouver champion. As far as I remember this is from a junior tournament back in 2006, but can't remember which one: Andrey Kostin - Vlad Gaciu, Junior tmt 2006. Andrey is up a pawn and has 2 passed pawns on the Queen side. However that is the part of the board where Black has lined up his heavy artillery. How should Black use it? Your task:
a) Black to move and win
b) What are the reasons why Black's attack could be successful?
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #56.
Puzzle #54 solution:
Joanne:
I saw the potential of the g-pawn that was supported by the Rook, and the Bishop also pointing at the White King. Then when I tried it, the rest was easy, cause White only has one move for each of Black's moves.
Andy Yee:
White has won a piece, but at what expense? His King is under attack and poorly defended. Black inflicts a full penalty as shown below:
[Event "Puzzle #54"][Date "2009.01.15"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1r5k/5Rrp/3p4/1N1Bb3/P3p3/1QR3pq/1P3P2/6K1 b - - 0 1"]1...Qh1+ {Begins a forcing sequence of moves which terminates in checkmate} 2.Kxh1 g2+ 3.Kg1 Bh2+ 4.Kxh2 g1=Q+ 5.Kh3 Qh1#
Correct solutions:
Darren - 10 points
Joanne, Jacky, Andy Qian, Andy Yee, Mark, John, Jeremy, Marcus - 10 points
Joshua - 9 points
James, Humphrey, Karl, Nathaniel, Wilson - 1 point
Each wrong try gets a 1 point deduction in case of providing the correct solution.
Standings:
Darren, Mark, Andy Qian, John - 20 points
Joshua, Jeremy, Jacky - 19 points
Wilson, Andy Yee, Marcus - 11 points
Joanne, Katerina, James - 10 points
Karl, Nathaniel - 2 point
Humphrey - 1 point
Storming the castle