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 71.
January Exercise: Many players work with a routine. That way, even when they don’t know what to do, they know what to do. For example, after the opponent moves they ask something like: Why did the oppo- nent play that? They then try to answer that question and see where it leads. The answer may suggest either of two things: that they need to do something or they need to do nothing. In the event of the former, they find the best answer they can to thwart the opponent. In the event of the latter, they pursue their own plans. When they get really good at it, they always manage to do both.
Problem I Discovery
+ + + + + + + +
+ + q + + p + +
+ + + + +K+ + + Q + + +
Problem IV Simplification
k+ + +nr p + + Qp + + +p+
+ + + + + + + +
+ + + + R+ + q + KL+ + +
Add 1 bonus point if you had this in
mind on your previousmove. If youmoved 16. Rg1 (only 3 points part credit), Black takes at h2 and has three pawns for the piece.
16. … Qf2 Black avoids the queen trade at d5 on
the grounds that the ending, with less material for Black, will be lost in the long run. Add 1 bonus point if you so evaluated (yes, you should be thinking about Black’s moves, too).**
17. h4 Par Score 5 This is a good idea (1 bonus point),
planning h4-h5, with the subsequent opening of the h-file by h5xg6.
17. … Par Score 5 e6 Black takes control of d5, while remov-
ing one of his pawns from capture.** 18. Qd3
Whitemakes a good practical decision.
After 18. Qxb7, Black gets to use the open b-file for attack against the white king. A computer may say that it’s playable, but why create potential prob- lems for yourself?
18. …
pawn.** 19. Ng3
Par Score 5 White plans on playing Nge4 and Ng5
uschess.org h5 Black stops the advance of White’s h- + + + k
Problem II Pin
+ + +pp + + + p
+ + P + + + + +
+ + + + P N PPP + +Q+ K
Problem V Removing the guard
+ + +pl + + + +
+ + q + + + + Q
+ + + + PP+ + + +K+N+ +R
to attack f7 (1 bonus point). He could play 19. Ne4 directly, but he’s already decided to use the queen-knight to defend his king and the king-knight to attack the enemy king.
19. … 20. Kb1 Par Score 4 The right way to get out of check is to
move the king. Deduct 2 points for block- ing, 20. Qd2? Qxg3.
20. … b5 Black offers the pawn that was previ-
ously en prise again, this time on a new square (b5), still with the idea of opening the queen-knight file.**
21. Nge4 Par Score 5
White declines on the same grounds as previously. Why open lines against your own king?
21. … 22. Nd1
b4 Par Score 4 The knight moves out from under the
threat of the pawn in order to guard b2. Black can line up on the a1-h8 diagonal to his heart’s content, but there’s nomate on b2, so long as the knight stands guard.
22. … a5 Black is still looking to open attacking For scoring box, see page 71. Chess Life — January 2012 19 Qf4+
The queen relocates with tempo, in anticipation of N(either)e4.**
+ r +k+ + r qk+
Problem III Discovery
+ + +p+ + + + +
+ + + + Qn +q+ + + + + + P +L+ + R + K +
Problem VI Trapping
+pp + p q + + +
+ + + + + + + +
+ + +P+ P + +PP +K+ + NR
lines: ... a5-a4-a3 or ... b4-b3. It’s too slow, and White’s threats come first.**
23. Ng5 Par Score 5 The pressure is mounting against f7.
Add 1 bonus point if you noticed Black’s trick: 23. ... Bh6 24. Nxe6? Qc1mate. But 24. Rf1 (1 bonus point) ends the trick, skewering queen and king-bishop pawn down the file.
23. …
likely to ensue if 23. ... Rac8.** 24. Nxf7
Par Score 6 Deduct a lot of points if you moved the
other knight. 24. …
Rxf7 White threatens the queen and the g6-
pawn (1 bonus point), which doesn’t leave Blackmuch choice. If 24. ... Qf6, then 25. Rf1 (1 bonus point).**
25. Rxf7 25. …
Par Score 5 Kxf7
26. Qf3+ Par Score 6 White picks off the a8-rook leaving him
with an easy win ahead. So ... 26. …
Black resigned. . Qe5 Black anticipates 24. Rf1, which is k + + + + r +k+
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