Solitaire Chess / Instruction 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.
November Exercise: One advantage a teacher has in spotting weak and strong points in a player’s game is perspective. The teacher can observe the student as he or she is thinking. The student, however, tends to be too involved in content to scope out the process. An excellent way to add dimension to one's study is to be filmed while engrossed in chess thinking. Valuable pointers can be picked up, such as noting one is moving too quickly, losing attention, or breaking form. The technique can’t address all problems, but it can flesh out areas of play that too often go overlooked or ignored.
Problem I Trapping
Problem II Double Threat
Problem III Mating net
Problem IV Fork
Problem V Fork/Pin
Problem VI Mating net
19.
…
g4
Deduct 1 point for 22. f3? Bxg1. The black bishop gets into play only if you let it.
22. 23.
23.
… f3
… Re8 Par Score: 5
White continues with the idea of playing along the g-file.
Qg5
Black is ready to abandon the g-pawn rather than allow 23. ... gxf3 24. Rxg6 (or even 24. Qxf3).**
The pawn is indefensible on g5. Marshall advances, figuring he can make a better stand on g4.**
20. Ba3 Par Score: 5
Receive 1 bonus point if you examined 20. Rxg4 Qh5 21. Ba3 and noticed 21. ... Bxf2!, threatening 22. ... Ng3+. The point of the text is to allow the queen-rook to come to g1 quickly after Rxg4.
20. … Nh6 Black yields the Exchange in order to
retain his g-pawn and keep the g-file closed.**
21. 21. 22.
Bxf8 …
Rg2
Par Score: 4 Rxf8
Par Score: 5 24. Re1 Par Score: 5
There’s no hurry. If 24. fxg4 (only 3 points part credit), then 24. ... Be3 and ... Be3-f4.
24. 25. 25.
26. …
fxg4 …
g5 Qe7
Par Score: 4 Qa3
This is a kind of desperation. The queen should not have abandoned the kingside.**
Par Score: 5
Accept only 2 points part credit for 26. Qc2. White should really press the attack on the kingside, which is what Sterk does.
26. 27.
… g6
Nf5 Par Score: 5
TOTAL YOUR SCORE TO DETERMINE YOUR APPROXIMATE RATING BELOW:
Total Score Approx. Rating 95+
2400+
81-94 66-80 51-65 36-50 21-35 06-20 0-05
2200-2399 2000-2199 1800-1999 1600-1799 1400-1599 1200-1399 under 1200
27.
White’s bishop rules the day. …
28. Qh5 28.
… 29. Qxh6!
Re7
On 27. ... Nh6, there follows 28. gxf7+ Nxf7 29. Rf1 Rf8 30. Qg4 (1 bonus point).**
Par Score: 5 Nh6
Black tries to stop 29. Qh7+ Kf8 30. Qh8 mate.**
Par Score: 6
Accept only 5 points part credit for 29. gxf7+ Nxf7 30. Rf1. The queen sac is even more convincing: 29. ... gxh6 30. gxf7+ Kh7 (30. ... Kf8 31. Rg8 mate) 31. f8=N+ Kh8 32. Rg8 mate (1 bonus point).
29. … Black resigned.
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