Puzzle of the week #177

Submitted by eugen on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 21:15

Back rank (3)

Level
4-Rook
Chess Diagram
[Event "Puzzle #177"][Date "2011.12.17"][Result "0-1"][SetUp "1"][FEN "r3r1k1/5pp1/2pq3p/p1b1n3/2PpB3/1P4QP/PB2RPP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 22"]
After an interesting opening duel in the French Tarrasch (with 3... a6 chosen by Black) we have reached this middlegame position. White last move has been 22.Rd1 ... with the idea of putting more pressure on the passed d4-pawn. It is an important point in the game, putting in balance the Bishop's pair on the White side and the Queen and Knight magic combo on the Black side. Which one could turn the game around for their side? Your tasks:
a) Analyse the position and decide who has a better chance to obtain an advantage
b) Black to move - find the best possible line

Total available points for this puzzle is 20. The answers will be published next week together with puzzle #178.

Puzzle #176 solution:
Game: Valer Eugen Demian - Ion Hatapuc, corr, ROM Semifinal 38, 1986. Philip continues to provide very good, well thought answers. You can see he takes his time and bit by bit this is going to have positive effects in his game and results as well. Congratulations Philip! Here is his answer, a perfect model for all solvers:
[Event "Puzzle #176"][Date "2011.12.06"][Result "1-0"][SetUp "1"][FEN "6n1/3b1r1k/p3p2p/Pp1pPn1B/2pP1N2/2P5/2PB3P/6RK b - - 0 30"]30...Rg7? (30...Rf8 {I think this is the best retreat for Black because when White does Bxf5, Black can do Rxf5 instead of exf5; exf5 would give Black one more isolated pawn and White would have a passed e-pawn} 31.Bg6+ Kh8 32.Bc1! {White is winning}) (30...Re7? 31.Bg6+ Kh8 32.Bxf5 exf5 33.Ng6+ {White is winning}) 31.Bg6+ Kh8 32.Bxf5 exf5 33.Ng6+ Kh7 34.Nf8+ Kh8 35.Rxg7 Kxg7 36.Nxd7 {As in the game. White won the game}

Correct solutions:
Philip, Ziyao - 20 points
Daniel, James - 15 points
Harmony, Derrick - 12 points
Leroy, Alex, Leo, Frank - 10 points

Standings:
Philip - 119 points
Ziyao - 111 points
Harmony - 101 points
James - 79 points
Leo - 78 points
Alex - 72 points
Daniel - 69 points
Derrick - 67 points
Leroy - 60 points
Frank - 24 points