[blind-chess] Answers to last week's end game problems
- From: "R Dinger" <rrdinger@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "chess" <blind-chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 07:47:17 -0700
Good Morning Puzzlers,
These problems are from Larry Evans' book "Chess: Beginner to Expert" available
on tape from your NLS library. Note the book uses descriptive notation not
algebraic.
Below are the problems once again along with my comments. If you have
additional comments or questions, post them here to our discussion list. And
keep track of your score.
Problem 16:
r1bk2nr/
p2p1pNp/
n2B4/
1p1NP2P/
6P1/
3P1Q2/
P1P1KP2/
q5b1
Points 3
White to mate in two.
Solution:
1. Qf6+ Nxf6
2. Be7#
Principle:
The Black King is not in check, but cannot move because the White Knights cover
all his flight squares. So if White can check him he is toast! Looking at all
available checks and captures, White notices that he can check Black along the
black diagonal leading away from the King along e7 and f6, but those squares
are garded by the Knight. The Black Knight is overworked and must be lured
away. If you try 1. Be7+ Black takes the Bishop, which you can pin with your
Queen. But if you play the Queen first the Knight is distracted and the Bishop
moves to e7 for the mate.
Problem 17:
1r1k3r/
2pb1pp1/
3p1P2/
p4PBp/
P2p2P1/
1qNP3P/
4Q3/
2KR3R
Points 3
Black mates in two.
Solution:
1... Qa3+
2. Kd2 Qxc3#
Principle:
Black has a strong position with both Rook and Queen on the open B-File, but
the White Queen gards b2 and the Knight gards b1, preventing mate on the move.
Further the Queen protects the Knight. So once again looking at checks Black
sees that checcking the White King at a3 forces him to move to the second rank
blocking the Queen's protection.
Problem 18:
R6R/
1r3pp1/
6k1/
3pPp1p/
1r1pq1P1/
7P/
1P1Q3K/
8
Points 3
White mates in two.
Solution:
1. Qh6+ gxh6
2. Rag8#
Principle:
The Black King is unable to move right or left and if the Pawn at g7 were gone
the White Rook at a8 could mate Black at g8. So how does White move the g7
Pawn? Again, we look at forcing moves like checks or captures, which limit
Black's responses. So if White checks with his Queen, Black is forced to
capture with the Pawn and the Rook finishes the game.
Problem 19:
r3r1k1/
ppp1bpp1/
2bp3p/
4Pp2/
3BnP2/
3B3P/
PPP4P/
R2Q1R1K
Points 3
Black to mate in two.
Solution:
1... Nf2+
2. Kg1 Nxh3#
Principle:
First, notice that the White King and the Black Bishop and Knight all sit along
the same diagonal. That is a good position for a discovered attack from the
Bishop. Second notice that the Black Knight, the White King and the White
Queen all sit on squares of the same color suggesting a Knight fork is
possible. So at the very least Black can fork the king and Queen winning the
queen. But if you look further, you see the King is restricted and after the
Knight fork, Black can win instead of taking the Queen.
Problem 20 revised:
1r3rk1/
pp4pp/
2p3n1/
3p2N1/
2P2PK1/
3B2P1/
PP5q/
R1BQ1R2
Points 4
Black mates in two.
Solution:
1... Ne5+
2. fxe5 h5#
Principle:
The White King is once again boxed in and mostly unable to move. If Black can
remove the Pawn at f4, the King would be even more restricted, but a Rook
protects that Pawn. So Black removes the Pawn by checking the King forcing the
Pawn to capture and once completely trapped the H-Pawn administers the Coup De
Grace.
Other related posts:
