Puzzle of the week #372

Submitted by eugen on Mon, 09/02/2019 - 22:21
Compensation
Level
4-Rook
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #372"][Date "2019.09.02"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r1b1k2r/pp2nppp/2pp1n2/4p3/2B1P3/2PPPN2/Pq1N2PP/R3QRK1 w kq - 0 1"]
The summer vacation is over and in preparation for the level 4 admission test and our first lesson, here is a practice puzzle. Black has decided not to castle at the last move, but capture the free b2-pawn instead. It is white to move. Your tasks:
a) Would you have captured the b2-pawn as well if playing black? Please explain your "Yes" or "No" answer
b) Obtain as much compensation for the sacrificed pawn as you can

Total available points for this puzzle is 15. The answers will be published next time together with puzzle #373.

Puzzle #371 solution:
Game Saemisch – Schifferdechev, 1953. This week's best answers are by the top scorers:
Glyn: "a) Black should check white all the time because white has mate in 1."
[Event "Puzzle #371"][Date "2019.05.12"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "1kqr3r/p1p4p/RpQP4/2P1p3/4B3/4Bp2/P4P1P/6K1 b - - 0 1"]1... Rdg8+ 2. Kh1 Rg1+ 3. Kxg1 Qg8+ 4. Kf1 Qc4+ 5. Kg1 (5. Ke1 Qe2#) 5... Rg8+ 6. Kh1 Qf1#

Correct solutions:
Glyn, Aiden, Matthew - 20 points
Joey - 19 points
Brian, Eric, Coby, Lucas - 12 points
Zhengyu - 11 points
Walter - 2 points

FINAL STANDINGS:
Matthew - 266 points
Aiden - 265 points
Eric - 238 points

Joey - 211 points
Coby - 189 points
Zhengyu - 188 points
Walter - 177 points
Glyn - 170 points
Brian - 139 points
Lucas - 137 points
Lyvia - 85 points
Mengbai - 73 points
Blake - 69 points