3 edits
I've just been doing some training and came across this game by Bu, Xiangzhi where he achieves a position where he can deliver checkmate with one bishop. Seeing as this is really REALLY rare i thought i'd post it. A rather tidy game, it has to be said!! 😀
EDIT: Hold on he can't deliver mate actually. White maneuvers the bishop to d7 once the King has arrived to support the pawn. Anyway, a great ending!
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| 1. | Nf3 | Nf6 |
|---|---|---|
| 2. | c4 | c5 |
| 3. | Nc3 | g6 |
| 4. | e4 | Nc6 |
| 5. | d4 | cxd4 |
| 6. | Nxd4 | Nxd4 |
| 7. | Qxd4 | Bg7 |
| 8. | Bg5 | O-O |
| 9. | Qd2 | Qa5 |
| 10. | Be2 | d6 |
| 11. | Rc1 | Be6 |
| 12. | f3 | Rfc8 |
| 13. | b3 | a6 |
| 14. | Na4 | Qxd2 |
| 15. | Kxd2 | Rab8 |
| 16. | Nb6 | Rc7 |
| 17. | Nd5 | Bxd5 |
| 18. | cxd5 | Rbc8 |
| 19. | Rxc7 | Rxc7 |
| 20. | Rc1 | Rxc1 |
| 21. | Kxc1 | Kf8 |
| 22. | Kc2 | Ke8 |
| 23. | b4 | Nd7 |
| 24. | Be3 | Kd8 |
| 25. | a4 | Kc7 |
| 26. | Kb3 | Be5 |
| 27. | f4 | Bg7 |
| 28. | a5 | Bf6 |
| 29. | g3 | Bg7 |
| 30. | g4 | Bh6 |
| 31. | h4 | Bg7 |
| 32. | g5 | Ba1 |
| 33. | h5 | Bh8 |
| 34. | Bg4 | Ba1 |
| 35. | h6 | Bh8 |
| 36. | Kc4 | Ba1 |
| 37. | Bd4 | Bxd4 |
| 38. | Kxd4 | Nf8 |
| 39. | e5 | Kd8 |
| 40. | e6 | f5 |
| 41. | Be2 | Kc7 |
| 42. | b5 | axb5 |
| 43. | Bxb5 | Kb8 |
| 44. | Kc4 | Ka7 |
| 45. | Kb4 | Kb8 |
| 46. | Be8 | Kc7 |
| 47. | Kb5 | Kd8 |
| 48. | Bf7 | Kc7 |
| 49. | Bg8 | Kc8 |
| 50. | Kb6 | Kb8 |
| 51. | Bf7 | Kc8 |
| 52. | Be8 | Kb8 |
| 53. | Bb5 | Kc8 |
| 54. | a6 | bxa6 |
| 55. | Bxa6 | Kd8 |
| 56. | Kb7 |
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1 edit
Originally posted by MarinkatombDelivering mate with ONLY a King and Bishop on the board [for your side] is rare. If you've a few pawns to help out, that's commonplace.
I've just been doing some training and came across this game by Bu, Xiangzhi where he achieves a position where he can deliver checkmate with one bishop. Seeing as this is really REALLY rare i thought i'd post it. A rather tidy game, it has to be said!! 😀
EDIT: Hold on he can't deliver mate actually. White maneuvers the bishop to d7 once the King has ...[text shortened]... Bxa6+ Kd8 56.Kb7 {..Ke8 57.Kc8 ..Nxe6 58.dxe6 ..Kf8 59.Kd8, etc.. What a great ending! } [/pgn]
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemYes i had a brain freeze, i missed that black had ..Nxe6, but even without that move delivering mate with a lone bishop isn't possible. What a great ending though! White literally transposes into an ending right out of the opening and just wins! A very impressive game!!
Delivering mate with ONLY a King and Bishop on the board [for your side] is rare. If you've a few pawns to help out, that's commonplace.
Originally posted by MarinkatombSeems black was hoping to simply sit back and try not to make any needless weaknesses. Wonder if he could have held if he did not let white grab so much space at the end. That N was so miserable on f8; once it got stuck there you could just tell black was going to die.
Yes i had a brain freeze, i missed that black had ..Nxe6, but even without that move delivering mate with a lone bishop isn't possible. What a great ending though! White literally transposes into an ending right out of the opening and just wins! A very impressive game!!
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemYes i think black really messed up when he trapped in his knight, but it might be forced, it is hard to tell exactly where he went wrong. THIS is why GM's go so warm and fuzzy about the bishop pair.. 😉
Seems black was hoping to simply sit back and try not to make any needless weaknesses. Wonder if he could have held if he did not let white grab so much space at the end. That N was so miserable on f8; once it got stuck there you could just tell black was going to die.