Friday’s tactics
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
The only real chance to save the game. If now 29…Kf8 then 30.NxN-ch fxg6 31.Rh8-ch Kf7 32.Qd7-ch and 33.Qd5-ch seems to hold. So Black must take the Knight :
EXAMPLE 1:
The Female Dutch Championship is taking place right now in Amsterdam, with some very interesting chess taking place. The game below is one such example. Enjoy!
GM Peng vs Middelveld Photo by Harry Gielen
POSITION AFTER 25 MOVES:
MIDDELVELD
gm PENG
A fascinating game so far, with the advantage changing hands more than once. The play is super-sharp, though it is clear that Black has won the battle on the Queenside. The Bishop on c2 and advanced pawns on b3 and d3 paralyze White’s forces close to home.
White for her part, has some chances on the Kingside, his Knight on f5 especially well posted. White needs to find a strong continuation in the next few moves if he is not to be over run….WHAT CAN WHITE DO TO GET BACK INTO THE DRIVER SEAT?
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EXAMPLE 2
BLUNDER OF THE WEEK ?
BLUNDER OF THE WEEK ?
The following is from the recently completed Paris Championship. Black is a higher rated player (by about 100 points) and has been trying to win since early on in the middlegame. He seems to be making progress, but White is not going down without a fight: he has conjured up some annoying Kingside play…
POSITION AFTER 28 MOVES:
im PAYEN
fm LAMORELLE
Black has just captured a pawn on c2 and is now 2 pawns up, which under normal circumstances should be enough to carry the day. HOWEVER, remarkably, it is not at all easy as White finds some interesting resources that frustrate Black:
29.Ne7-ch!
The only real chance to save the game. If now 29…Kf8 then 30.NxN-ch fxg6 31.Rh8-ch Kf7 32.Qd7-ch and 33.Qd5-ch seems to hold. So Black must take the Knight :
29…RxN 30.Qc8-ch
Here Black originally intended 30…Re8! 31.QxR-ch Nf8 32.Rf1 (what else? The f-pawn needs defending) 32…Qxc3, but then must have noticed–much to his frustration–that things are not so clear inspite of having 3 passed Queenside pawns (!): 33.Qxe4 b5!? 34.Qh4! Ng6 35.Qg4 Re6 36.Rd5! with threats that keep Black busy.
It is funny how frustration often works against you, even if you are in the better position…for Black now blundered:
30…Nf8??
Black must have overlooked or forgotten about White’s next move! No doubt he was now hoping for 31.Rh8-ch? KxR 32.QxN-ch and 33.QxR, which gets mated after 33…Qxf2-ch
WHITE TO PLAY AND MATE IN 2 MOVES!