Level
5-Queen
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #137"][Date "2010.10.18"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "3rr1k1/p3bppq/2p1p2p/3nN2P/2pP4/2B2R2/PP2QPP1/2K1R3 w - - 0 24"]24.Nxf7
We continue our Olympiad cycle with more games played by Grand Masters. One thing is for sure: nobody held back one bit. Each one of them did the best they could and took chances in order to collect wins for their countries. Today we see a wild position with opposite wing attacks. Both sides are optimistic, with White clearly able to break into the Black camp first. Last move was: 24.Nxf7 .... Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position and decide what to do for both sides
b) Choose the best continuation for Black
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #138.
Puzzle #136 solution:
This was indeed a very tough nut to crack for all of you. Most of you got the first move right (it was very nice to see your instincts working well) but what followed was not as good or as complete as it should be. However don't sell yourself short! Black is a well known double Grand Master with years of experience in international chess, both over the board and in correspondence chess! I was lucky enough to play him once in correspondence chess and win...
Game: Ahmed, Abdul Sattar (Irak) - GM McNab, Colin (Scotland), 39th Chess Olympiad 2010 Khanty Mansiysk, Russia
Rick's response:
a) Analysis:
Here are some things that weren't mentioned:
- The Black Queen is deep into enemy territory
- Black has 3 pieces attacking the pawn on c3
- both sides have an isolated pawn
- there are weak pawns all over the board
- White can play a quick Rhf1 and Bb3 to put massive pressure on f7
It looks as if both sides have good chances!
b) See solution
[Event "Puzzle #136"][Date "2010.10.10"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "5rk1/pp3pbp/2rp2p1/3Q4/4P3/2P2q1P/PPB5/1K1R3R b - - 0 1"]{Game line} 1...Rxc3 2.Rhf1 (2.bxc3? Qxc3 3.e5 Bxe5 4.Kc1 Qb2+ 5.Kd2 Bf4+ 6.Ke1 Qxc2 {Black wins}) 2...Rxc2 3.Kxc2 (3.Rxf3? Rxb2+ 4.Kc1 Rc8+ 5.Rc3 Bxc3 6.Rf1 Be5+ 7.Kd1 Rc7 {Black wins}) 3...Qe2+ 4.Qd2 Qxe4+ 5.Kb3 b5 6.Rf4 Qe6+ {White resigned}
Correct solutions:
Rick - 18 points
Karl - 15 points
Jeffrey, Alex - 12 points
Frank - 8 points
Standings:
Karl - 190 points
Jeffrey - 187 points
Rick - 174 points
Frank - 122 points
Owen - 95 points
Edwin - 72 points
Alex - 71 points
Nathaniel - 40 points
a) Analyse the position and decide what to do for both sides
b) Choose the best continuation for Black
Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #138.
Puzzle #136 solution:
This was indeed a very tough nut to crack for all of you. Most of you got the first move right (it was very nice to see your instincts working well) but what followed was not as good or as complete as it should be. However don't sell yourself short! Black is a well known double Grand Master with years of experience in international chess, both over the board and in correspondence chess! I was lucky enough to play him once in correspondence chess and win...
Game: Ahmed, Abdul Sattar (Irak) - GM McNab, Colin (Scotland), 39th Chess Olympiad 2010 Khanty Mansiysk, Russia
Rick's response:
a) Analysis:
Here are some things that weren't mentioned:
- The Black Queen is deep into enemy territory
- Black has 3 pieces attacking the pawn on c3
- both sides have an isolated pawn
- there are weak pawns all over the board
- White can play a quick Rhf1 and Bb3 to put massive pressure on f7
It looks as if both sides have good chances!
b) See solution
[Event "Puzzle #136"][Date "2010.10.10"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "5rk1/pp3pbp/2rp2p1/3Q4/4P3/2P2q1P/PPB5/1K1R3R b - - 0 1"]{Game line} 1...Rxc3 2.Rhf1 (2.bxc3? Qxc3 3.e5 Bxe5 4.Kc1 Qb2+ 5.Kd2 Bf4+ 6.Ke1 Qxc2 {Black wins}) 2...Rxc2 3.Kxc2 (3.Rxf3? Rxb2+ 4.Kc1 Rc8+ 5.Rc3 Bxc3 6.Rf1 Be5+ 7.Kd1 Rc7 {Black wins}) 3...Qe2+ 4.Qd2 Qxe4+ 5.Kb3 b5 6.Rf4 Qe6+ {White resigned}
Correct solutions:
Rick - 18 points
Karl - 15 points
Jeffrey, Alex - 12 points
Frank - 8 points
Standings:
Karl - 190 points
Jeffrey - 187 points
Rick - 174 points
Frank - 122 points
Owen - 95 points
Edwin - 72 points
Alex - 71 points
Nathaniel - 40 points
Wild, wild, West!