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Originally posted by RahimKMaterial is even
White has just moved Qe2:
[fen]r1b1kb1r/1p2p2p/pq2Pnp1/2p5/2B2B2/2N2P2/PPP1Q2P/R3K2R b KQkq - 0 1[/fen]
Black to move. Tell me what you see: Hanging pieces/pawns, King safety, Imbalances, etc...
Then tell me what black should play and back it up with some lines.
Rahim K
The e6 pawn is giving white more space
White has better development
Blacks position is restricted by the e6 pawn
Isolated e pawn for black (semi important)
Isolated h pawn for white (not important yet)
Neither king castled, white will probably go long if given the chance, black short.
The e6 pawn is making the light squares around blacks king weak if an attack is to come it will probably use these squares in a direct or indirect way.
Whites pieces are controling squares in blacks area, black isnt returning the favour to the same extent
Whites queen in front of king
Both white bishops undefended
The b2 pawn hanging.
The game will most likely be based around the e6 pawn is it weak or strong, can black round it up.
First move to look at is Qxb2 since its most forcing, the clearest move.
1... Qxb2 2. O-O see if we can catch blacks king in the center Qxc3 3. Bb5+ axb5 4. Qxb5+ Bd7 5. exd7+ Nxd7
6. Rfd1 O-O-O 7. Rab1 Qxf3 -/+
1... Qxb2 2. O-O Qxc3 3. Rad1 (trying to keep blacks king in center before Bb5) Qa5 (covers the threat) -/+
1... Qxb2 2. Nb5 Qxa1+ 3. Kf2 Qxh1 4. Nc7+ Kd8 5. Qd2+ Bd7 6.
exd7 no way to cover the Ne6 mate. white would win.
1... Qxb2 2. Nb5 Qxa1+ 3. Kf2 Qc3 4. Nc7+ Kd8 5. Rd1+ +/-
1... Qxb2 2. Nb5 Rb8 3. Nc7+ Kd8 4. Rd1+ +/-
Qxb2 looks like it fails, the best developing move for me is Bg7 giving black the possibility of 0-0, the bishops hits b2 which could turn into a focal point if white plays 0-0-0. If black plays 0-0 hes going to have to be careful of the h being thrown up the board with possibly giving him more light square weaknesses, especially with his light square bishop locked out from the kingside.
The material count is even, but white's position is clearly superior. He has a huge advantage in mobility which is the by-product of his advanced pawn on e6 that holds black's army at bay. In addition, white is dominating the center with his pieces. Neither King has adequate shelter, and white really only has the queenside intact if he wishes to tuck the king away prior to carrying out the execution. I think that this is the key to the position. Without deep analysis, I would instinctively play Qxb2 followed by Qxc3. The idea being to create more avenues of attack for black and to remove a potential attacker which also helps influence the center (namely the c3 knight). It is true that black will have to expedite his Queen's escape, but once he gets her out he can entertain ideas like b5 kicking the Bishop on c4 and freeing his own bishop on c8 to activate on the long diagonal.
EDIT- I read Bedlam's analysis after I wrote my thoughts on the position, and it appears that he is right about Qxb2 being a loser. Unfortunately, I don't see anything better. Black needs a tactical shot to get any kind of a game here.
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It does look like that if black plays 0-0 white can just push the h pawn the knight could blockade but then its not doing a lot and a rook sac is on the cards somewhere. White will still be able to have more pieces kingside even after a sacrice. The e6 pawn is stopping blacks pieces from coordinating, totally splitting their position in half. If black goes 0-0 then the bishop needs to move before the rooks can be joined and the queen + pawn needs to move before the bishop can move, blacks position is just a mare. Might be best to leave the king in the center, at least the e pawns offer some protection........still not pleasant.
Originally posted by BedlamI'm not sure you have a lot of choice. That Nb5 shot looks dangerous even without Qxb2. Bg7 preparing 0-0 might be the best option to cover that. And you've got a chance to get the bishop involved. But it's still not pretty.
It does look like that if black plays 0-0 white can just push the h pawn the knight could blockade but then its not doing a lot and a rook sac is on the cards somewhere. White will still be able to have more pieces kingside even after a sacrice. The e6 pawn is stopping blacks pieces from coordinating, totally splitting their position in half. If black g ...[text shortened]... ve the king in the center, at least the e pawns offer some protection........still not pleasant.
Next priority would be to shift the queen to prepare b5 and Bb7. Somehow.
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Originally posted by mtthwYes Bg7 to prepare 0-0 but it might be an idea to delay 0-0, if you can draw whites pieces to center squares or even queenside then play 0-0 black might stand a better chance. Just not an automatic 0-0 thats all 🙂
I'm not sure you have a lot of choice. That Nb5 shot looks dangerous even without Qxb2. Bg7 preparing 0-0 might be the best option to cover that. And you've got a chance to get the bishop involved. But it's still not pretty.
Next priority would be to shift the queen to prepare b5 and Bb7. Somehow.
In keeping with the idea of trading off attacing pieces for passive ones, how about this line?
1. ... Qxb2
2. Nb5 axb5
3. Bxb5+ Bd7 (blocking the check and giving the piece back instantly)
Now white is virtually forced to capture the Bishop due to the threat against his own Bishop, and the weakness on his back rank). Black recaptures with the Knight and is ready to castle long, putting a Rook on the d-file, at the same time relieving alot of his problems. His position still isn't ideal, but I believe it has improved somewhat as he has netted a pawn, and is less cramped.
EDIT, nevermind, as I look at the FEN board I see the Bishop on f4 laughing at me. :'(
Originally posted by RahimKI reckon it'd have to be 1...Qxb2. Resulting in a double attack on the hanging rook and knight. It also frees up blacks b pawn so that you can look to develop the currently trapped light bishop.
White has just moved Qe2:
[fen]r1b1kb1r/1p2p2p/pq2Pnp1/2p5/2B2B2/2N2P2/PPP1Q2P/R3K2R b KQkq - 0 1[/fen]
Black to move. Tell me what you see: Hanging pieces/pawns, King safety, Imbalances, etc...
Then tell me what black should play and back it up with some lines.
Rahim K
I've only looked at it for a minute, but that looks ok. I'm really not happy about the white pawn on e6, but I reckon with the counterplay above, I'd be able to gain a tempo to be able to develop my dark bishop and get my king safer, albeit only a little bit.
D
Qxb2 seems to lose. Next to the lines given earlier on, one more:
1. ... Qxb2? 2.Nb5! axb5 (instead of Qxa1+ or Rb8 as given) 3.Bxb5+ and now
- 3.... Bd7 4.exd7+ Kd8 5.Be5! Qa3 (or Qb4+ c3) 6.0-0 and white is much better
or
- 3..... Kd8 4.Be5 Qb4+ 5.c3 Qh4+ 6.Bg3 Qg5 7.Rd1+ with large advantage
Therefor, I would prefer 1. ... Bg7 for black, although I still prefer white after 2.0-0-0 0-0, but I see no forcing moves (3.Bg5 looks interesting).
I'm very impressed with Bedlam who found it first and others who found Nb5! It's a hard move to find and white is winning after that.
This puzzle was from Alekhine-Levenfish 1912
Best move from Black is 14...Bg7
But 14...Qxb2 is a natural move and comes to mind instantly.
This is Alekhines analyses:
14...Qxb2 15.Nb5!
The knight cannot be captured 15...axb5 16.Bxb5+ Kd8 17.Rd1+ decides the issue in a few moves. Black has nothing better then to accept the 2 rook sacrifice
15...Qxa1+ 16.Kf2 Qxh1 17.Nc7+ Kd8 18.Qd2+ Bd7 19.exd7 1-0.
The threat is 20.Ne6# and if 19...e5 (19...Nxd7 20.Be6), then 20.Ne6+ Ke7 21.d8Q+ Rxd8 21.Qxd8+ Kf7 23.Nxf8+ Kg7 24.Qe7#
What a game!
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Originally posted by RahimKIts a bit remenisant of the Imortal Game with the dual rook sacrifce.
I'm very impressed with Bedlam who found it first and others who found Nb5! It's a hard move to find and white is winning after that.
This puzzle was from Alekhine-Levenfish 1912
Best move from Black is 14...Bg7
But 14...Qxb2 is a natural move and comes to mind instantly.
This is Alekhines analyses:
14...Qxb2 15.Nb5!
The knight cannot be c ...[text shortened]... .Nxd7 20.Be6), then 20.Ne6+ Ke7 21.d8Q+ Rxd8 21.Qxd8+ Kf7 23.Nxf8+ Kg7 24.Qe7#
What a game!