Chess Lesson #12

Originally posted by Bowmann
[fen]r1bqk2r/ppp2ppp/2n5/2bp1P2/4n3/2N2N1P/PPPP2P1/R1BQKB1R[/fen]

Black to move.

What would you play?

I would do Bf2+, Ke2, Nd4 (looks like Legall's mate, but with a few extra moves), Kd3, Nc5, and I think that's mate. Is that correct?

Edit: Mephisto beat me. Oh well.

Originally posted by rheymans
I would do Bf2+, Ke2, Nd4 (looks like Legall's mate, but with a few extra moves), Kd3, Nc5, and I think that's mate. Is that correct?

You are correct except that Nd4 can be capture Nxd4. That's why people are proposing Qh4+ first to deflect the knight.

Originally posted by ark13
You are correct except that Nd4 can be capture Nxd4. That's why people are proposing Qh4+ first to deflect the knight.

But the bishop would be defending that knight. Oh, he captures with the Knight. Nevermind. You are right.

Originally posted by ark13
You are correct except that Nd4 can be capture Nxd4. That's why people are proposing Qh4+ first to deflect the knight.

The queen sac is more elegant in the end anyway.

Originally posted by Bowmann
[fen]r1bqk2r/ppp2ppp/2n5/2bp1P2/4n3/2N2N1P/PPPP2P1/R1BQKB1R[/fen]

Black to move.

What would you play?

I'd probably just play 1... Ng3 and pick up the free pawn after the rook gets out of the way with 2. Rh2.

Although the sac with 1...Nd2 looks like it might be a good attacking move, I'd probably play it safe with that many pieces on the board.

[EDIT] Ah, I just read the solution. i found that line until the 4th move, but didn't spot Nc5++ =) 😞

D

Originally posted by zakkwylder
I believe Bowmann has made it very clear that Qh4+ loses the queen.
Bf2+, Ke2
Ne4g3+, Kxf2
Ng3xh1+.
The king can't block the knight's retreat and thus black wins the exchange. Black loses the bishop but gains a rook. Destroys castling possibility and leaves black poised for a kingside attack.

If you had bothered to play through the two short variations that I gave, you'd realize Black is winning a King.

Originally posted by BigDoggProblem
[b]1...Qh4+

a) 2.Ke2 Qf2+ 3.Kd3 Nb4#
b) 2.Nxh4 Bf2+ 3.Ke2 Nd4+ 4.Kd3 Nc5#

EDIT: I recognize this puzzle from my ChessMaster 2000 booklet.[/b]

Yes, after 1...Qh4+! White has no better option than to capture the black Queen with his Knight. But this merely delays the mate.


My source is different. This is not a 'puzzle', but the conclusion of an actual game (played in the thirties).

Originally posted by ark13
...Nd4 can be capture Nxd4. That's why people are proposing Qh4+ first to deflect the knight.

Correct.

A lesson in deflecting.