Chess tactic from 2011 Euwe Memorial
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
49…Qe5 Only real try to resist. 50. Rcc6 Rbd8 ( Is it really better to lose 2 pawns and suffer in a hopeless Rook ending after 50… Qe4 51. Rxg6 Kf7 52. Raf6 Ke7 53. Rxh6?) 51. Rxg6 Kf7 52. Qh5! [1:0]
The Max Euwe Memorial commemorating the former World Chess Champion and President of FIDE who died 26th November 1981 takes place in Amsterdam 13th-20th November 2011. This year a men’s and women’s 4 player double round robin is the principal attraction, though various events including simuls (one by chess legend Jan Timman) and a work shop with Jennifer Shahade are also part of the package.
Today’s chess tactic requires a sharp eye! The following position arose after 48 moves in the game between Z.Peng and F.Olafsson:
GM Olafsson
GM Peng
White has held the advantage for most of the game and after some rapid exchanges in the centre Peng is ready to break into the Black position. At first sight Black might not seem in such bad shape, but in endings with Queens and Rooks an open King position can be like gasoline to fire: instantly deadly!
Never the less, a sharp eye is required to pull this off!
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!
(Solution below. Good luck!)
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Zhaoqin Peng (China, b. 1968) moved to the Netherlands in 1996 and has been the strongest Dutch ladies chess player ever since. Between 1997 and 2010 Peng won the Dutch Ladies’ title twelve times. Since 1998 she has represented the Netherlands at the Chess Olympiad for Women. On her debut she scored 9 points from 12 games, earning a bronze medal. In 2004 Peng became the joint winner of the European Ladies’ Championship, but lost the tie-break to Alexandra Kosteniuk and finished 2nd. In 2004 she was the first Dutch woman to be awarded the international grandmaster title (she already had the women’s grandmaster title). Peng was the tenth woman worldwide to receive this title
GM F.Olafsson (left) and GM Z.Peng before play started
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SOLUTION
49. Rxa6!!
A killer. Taking the Rook ,surprisingly, gets mated almost immediately: 49… Qxa6 50. Rc7!! The point. 50… Kf8 ( Equally hopeless is 50… Rd7 51. Rxd7 Kf6 52. Qc3 Ke6 53. Qc7 etc) 51. Qc3! A beautiful move! Black must resign.
49…Qe5 Only real try to resist. 50. Rcc6 Rbd8 ( Is it really better to lose 2 pawns and suffer in a hopeless Rook ending after 50… Qe4 51. Rxg6 Kf7 52. Raf6 Ke7 53. Rxh6?) 51. Rxg6 Kf7 52. Qh5! [1:0]
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS