ABCs of Chess These problems are all related to
key positions in this month’s game. In each case, Black is to move. The answers can be found in Solutions on page 79.
August Exercise: Examine a game one way and it produces certain results. Approach it from another perspective, with different aims in mind, and we get another take alto- gether. Combine the efforts and we produce the fullest picture of all. So after analyzing a game for your own needs, take a second look—this time, exploring it the way a teacher would who hopes to explain it to a class. In this manner, emphasis is placed more on what the group requires and less on personal needs. Sur- prisingly, for the improvement of chess understanding, it’s often the group viewpoint that has the greater instructional impact.
Problem I Removing the guard
+p+ +p+ p+ +p+ + + +p+ + l
P
P + + + + + K +
Problem IV Trapping
+ + +pp +p+ + p
+ +p+ + + P +l+
+ PQ+P+ + L +PP + + +RK
+q+r+k+ N + + P P+ + + +k+ +
Problem II Trapping
l +k+ pp +np + +
+ + + L + + N +
+ +K+ P + P + + + + + +
Problem V Removing the guard
+llp+pp + + + +
+ + + +q + + + +
+ + PN+ + + PP+ + +Q+LK
+ + +k+ + + + +
Problem III Mating net
+ p + + + q +p+
+ + + + + + + n
+ +Q+N+ +P+ PPP + + +RK
Problem VI Mating net
+ + + + + + + +
p + p + + + +l+
+ + + Pq + + P P R + QRK
+ + +k+ +k+ + r
13.
Rfe1 …
Par Score: 5 White’s superior development takes
command of the only open file. 13.
but it’s not going to be easy.** 14.
Re2 … Par Score: 5 Add 1 bonus point if your plan was to
double rooks on the e-file by Rae1. 14.
first to strike.** 15.
15.
Be7! …
Par Score: 6 Bxe7 If 15. ... Bxc3, then 16. Bxf8 wins the
Exchange (1 bonus point); while if the rook moves, say to e8, then 16. Bxb4 wins the bishop.**
16. Rxe7
bonus point). 16.
… 17.
This is the only defense.** Rxf7+ Par Score: 5
Accept only 2 points part credit for 17.
Rae1. Here doubling is inappropriate (too slow) as Black defends with 17. ... Raf8.
uschess.org Par Score: 4 White now threatens several mates (1 Rf7 Bd7 Now Black eyes ... Rae8, but White is Nb6 Black wants to develop the queenside,
The attacker has to strike home while he can.
17. …
both f7 and h7.** 18.
Qxh7+ Par Score: 5 White picks up a pawn, while forcing
the black king to assume an exposed position.
18. 19. …
Black attempts to guard g6.** Re1
Par Score: 5 Commanding development secures the
way. The threat is 20. Qe7mate (1 bonus point).
19. … Qd6 But Black shouldn’t play 19. ... Re8,
which loses to 20. Rxe8 Bxe8 21. Qxc7 (1 bonus point).**
20. g4! Par Score: 6 White looks to induce 20. ... fxg4 21.
Qxg6mate (1 bonus point). And there are other ideas, too.
20. …
becomes relevant in a few lines.** 21.
f4 Par Score: 6 White engulfs the enemy king in pawns. Chess Life — August 2011 17 Rd8 Black hopes to guard his queen, which
“Solitaire Chess” scores: Total your score to determine
your approximate rating below: Total Score
95+
81-94 66-80 51-65 36-50 21-35 06-20 0-05
Approx. Rating 2400+
2200-2399 2000-2199 1800-1999 1600-1799 1400-1599 1200-1399 under 1200
Kf6 Kxf7 The king is overloaded, having to guard
The threat is 22. g5mate (1 bonus point). 21.
… h4 Par Score: 5 g5 Desperation sets in, but if 21. ... Qxf4,
then 22. Qe7 mate (1 bonus point).** 22.
White overpowers Black on the g5-
square: 22. ... gxh4 23. g5mate. If 22. ... Qxf4, then 23. Qe7+ Kg6 24. h5+ Kh6 25. Qf6+ Kh7 26. Re7+, andmate nextmove (2 bonus points). There’s also full credit for 22. Qh6+ Kf7 23. Qxd6, winning the queen.
22. … Black resigned. .
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84