[blind-chess] Spoiler Alert Problem WAC089
- From: "Paul Benson" <paul.benson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <blind-chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:36:16 -0000
Hello all,
This posting is divided into various parts. You can jump to the headings of the
sections by search/find for **, a pair of asterisks
.
** Positional evaluation of the problem
.
White: 2 pawn islands, and 2 pawns down. There is no realistic hope of white
saving this position by just sitting back, and hoping to defend by shuffling
the pieces. The queenside pawns are not in immediate danger, but could be
compromised should black choose to pursue them. The kingside pawns are poised
to start of an attack, though at this precise moment, the white pieces are not
ideally placed to push, pawn g5, the only sensible dynamic pawn move for white.
The king has wandered forward from g1 to h3. There are many white pieces
nearby, so black will not easily create danger for the king. There is however,
the fact that the white king has no legal move, and under such circumstances,
thoughts must be in mind for each move about a costly check from black. The
queen is aggressively placed on h4, though she is somewhat constrained by the
other white pieces on the kingside, and she also happens to be extremely
limited in her choice of safe moves. The f1 rook is waiting for the position to
open up, though perhaps the g1 square may be a better location, doubling on the
g-file, ready for that necessary dynamic white pawn g5 break. The g3 rook is
supporting the pawn g5 push. Both white rooks are also defending the light
squares in the white kingside. The c1 bishop has retreated to defend the b2
pawn, though is also offering support for a kingside attack. The e1 knight is
poorly placed, it is reduced to guarding the light squares, and will find no
easy way to assist in any kingside activity
.
Black: 2 pawn islands, and 2 pawns up. The a7 pawn is isolated, but should
never really become endangered, due to the control black has in the centre. The
chain of pawns from c4 to h6 control many squares, reducing the activity of the
white pieces. The d4 pawn is passed, and can quickly become a supported passed
pawn by advancing to d3, which then threatens to fork the white bishop and
knight. The king on h8 is not really under any threat, despite the white queen
sitting on h4. The rest of the white army are not positioned to mount an
attack, and all the black pieces, except the b8 rook, are offering defences to
the black king. The queen is excellently placed on d5. She is offering support
to the d-pawn advancing, and also fights for squares along the 5th rank. The b8
rook has moved to a semi-open file, and is tying the white c1 bishop to
defending the b2 pawn. The f7 rook is ready to defend the black 2nd rank,
should white manage to open up the kingside. The e4 bishop is totally
unchallenged for control of the light squares. Though this piece can not invade
into the white kingside, it does prevent the white rooks from utilising the
light squares. The f8 bishop has retreated to it's home square, and is again
ready to assist in the defence, should white open up the kingside
.
** Hints section, 5 hints
.
Hint 1, to find the key move
.
Isolated pieces and pawns can be considered as potential liabilities, but is
the opposite also true?
.
Hint 2, to find the key move
.
It is said, that there is safety in numbers. However, sometimes having a crowd
behind you can be the cause of a downfall
.
Hint 3, to find the key move
.
We all have a need for personal breathing space. Who in the white position,
looks seriously squeezed?
.
Hint 4, to find the key move
.
What can appear as a weakening positional move, can prove to be a severe
tactical blow
.
Final hint, to find the key move
.
This is the classic David against Goliath clash. Now, think of that story in a
chess scenario, and who is slaying who?
.
** Proposed solution to WAC089
.
The white kingside formation, is ready for a desperate attempt to find some
means of salvaging something from the game. The general rule for defending such
attacks, is not to make any unnecessary pawn moves on the side of the board,
where the opponent is attacking. Well, that is a good recommendation, and will
assist in avoiding self-inflicted defensive problems. Now, for every rule,
there are usually exceptions
.
Black can take advantage of the restricted mobility of the white queen with, 1.
... g5. There are 2 replies to be considered. Firstly, the white queen tries to
advance to the only safe square with, 2. Qh5. Note, the advance of the black
g-pawn did not lose control of the h6 square, the black f8 bishop now guards
that square. Now black simply retreats with, 2. ... Bg6, and the attacked white
queen is lost, for just a bishop
.
Secondly, in reply to, 1. ... g5, white can capture with, 2. fxg5. Black has 2
replies here, one wins material, and the other loses material. The win is
achieved with, 2. ... fxg5. This places another pawn attack on the white queen,
but much more importantly, the previously closed f-file, is now fully open, and
the 2 unprotected white and black rooks, on f1 and f7, now oppose each other.
By capturing on g5 with a pawn, black has created a double threat with just 1
move. If now, 3. Qh5, simply, 3. ... Rxf1, black wins a rook. If instead, 3.
Qxg5, again, 3. ... Rxf1, black wins a rook. Lastly, if, 3. Rxf7, the white
queen falls to, 3. ... gxh4, for the cost of a black rook
.
So, how can black lose after, 1. ... g5 2. fxg5? The loss is achieved with, 2.
... Qxg5. This actually forces the exchange of queens, and since black is 2
pawns ahead, surely this is deemed desirable. However, the f1 rook has an x-ray
attack through the black f6 pawn, and consequently after white captures with,
3. Qxg5, the black f6 pawn is pinned. If now, 3. ... fxg5, simply, 4. Rxf7, and
black is a rook down with insufficient compensation
.
** Condensed proposed solution
.
1. ... g5 2. Qh5 Bg6
.
** Other tactical variations considered, and rejected
.
Black has such an overwhelming advantage, in both material and position, that
there should be no hurry to open up the position. The simple, 1. ... d3, will
force white to find a way to avoid losing a piece to the threatened, d2 pawn
push. Whatever white tries, black can then activate the f8 bishop with, 2. ...
Bc5, and begin fighting on the dark squares. The f7 rook could relocate to the
d-file next move. In fact, playing, 1. ... Rd7, might be the most flexible
approach, and then either, Bc5, or, d3. White will just have to find moves
which do not result in immediate loss, and black can choose the right moment to
increase the pressure
.
Black should not make any pawn moves on the kingside, these will only offer
potential targets for the presently slumbering white army. The g-file should
not be opened either, since a doubling of white rooks there could create
tactics, which white does not deserve
.
** Alarm bells
.
1. The white queen has been placed aggressively on h4, however she had no
escape route, being restricted by her own army. A queen with no safe flight
squares, is always in danger of being snared
.
2. Pieces can be located on a square with the best of intentions. The white
king went to h3 to escape danger. The g3 rook was lifted off the back rank, to
guard the 3rd rank, and prepare for doubling down the g-file. Sadly, these
plans clash with the free mobility of the white queen, cutting off her 2
avenues of retreat. Be aware that a good plan for one piece, can interfere with
the safety of another
.
3. The 2 unprotected rooks, on f1 and f7, despite having 2 pawns in between
them, found themselves involved in a combination. Unprotected pieces, can
quickly find themselves unwittingly drawn into tactics. Loose pieces can cost
points
.
4. From a positional standpoint, advancing pawns on the side of the board where
the opponent is attacking, is often undesirable. Black however, was aware that
tactical considerations, which can quickly end a game, can overrule positional
generalisations, and correctly analysed the possibility of trapping the
mobility-restricted white queen
.
5. Black had a comfortable long-term win. Despite this big advantage, searching
for surprise tactics can save time and energy, as well as avoiding the
possibility of mistakes in a lengthy struggle
.
. Paul Benson.
-----Original Message-----
From: R Dinger - Email Address: rrdinger@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent On: 05/11/2011 15:55
Sent To: chess - Email Address: blind-chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-chess] Problem WAC089
Good Morning Puzzlers,
This problem is from Mario Lang's puzzle web page at
http://delysid.org/chess/epd.cgi
and is reported to be from Fred Reinfield's book "Win At Chess" 1958.
Problem WAC089
Black to move
FEN Problem Setup:
1r3b1k/
p4rpp/
4pp2/
3q4/
2ppbPPQ/
6RK/
PP5P/
2B1NR2
b - - 0 1
Short Algebraic Problem Setup:
White: Kh3, Qh4, Rf1, Rg3, Bc1, Ne1, Pa2, Pb2, Pf4, Pg4, Ph2
Black: Kh8, Qd5, Rb8, Rf7, Be4, Bf8, Pa7, Pc4, Pd4, Pe6, Pf6, Pg7, Ph7
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19:34:00
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