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Chess Lesson #3

Chess Lesson #3

Only Chess

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Your move, as Black.

What's best?

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Originally posted by Bowmann
[fen]8/3k4/R3pp2/1P6/2P5/1r3p2/2K5/8[/fen]

Your move, as Black.

What's best?
Rb1 ?

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Originally posted by ark13
Rb1 ?
Why?

1 edit
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Originally posted by Bowmann
Why?
Because if Kxb1 then the pawn's unstoppable. I don't think he can stop the pawn after Rb1 with any move. The rook clearly can't stop it on the 1st rank because black's rook occupies it. The rook also can't stop the pawn on the 2nd rank because white's king's in the way. Rb1 b6 f2 b7 f1=Q b8=N+ (b8=Q Qd1+ Kc3 Rb3# ) Kc8 and black will win. EDIT: Another try is Rb1 Ra7+ K moves Rh7 f2 Rh1 f1=Q Rxf1 Rxf1 and black's winning.

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Because it stops the white rook from defending the 1st rank, ensuring that the black pawn will promote.

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Originally posted by ark13
Because if Kxb1 then the pawn's unstoppable. I don't think he can stop the pawn after Rb1 with any move. The rook clearly can't stop it on the 1st rank because black's rook occupies it. The rook also can't stop the pawn on the 2nd rank because white's king's in the way. Rb1 b6 f2 b7 f1=Q b8=N+ (b8=Q Qd1+ Kc3 Rb3🙄 Kc8 and black will win.
You beat me to it, and you even included the moves😠

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Well done both.

Particularly BLReid, since you have apparently the lower rating (and assuming you realize that KxR blocks White's first rank).

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Originally posted by Bowmann
Well done both.

Particularly BLReid, since you have apparently the lower rating.
Thanks. I wouldn't call these chess lessons, but rather chess problems since these aren't the kind of things that are really likely to occur OTB. Very good puzzle though.

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Originally posted by ark13
Thanks. I wouldn't call these chess lessons, but rather chess problems since these aren't the kind of things that are really likely to occur OTB. Very good puzzle though.
I would say these are basic patterns which many players should practise if they want to improve. They don't feel contrived.

This was a lesson in obstruction.

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Originally posted by ark13
Thanks. I wouldn't call these chess lessons, but rather chess problems since these aren't the kind of things that are really likely to occur OTB. Very good puzzle though.
It seems like a pretty common endgame position to me.

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Originally posted by Bowmann
I would say these are basic patterns which many players should practise if they want to improve. They don't feel contrived.

This was a lesson in obstruction.
OK

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Originally posted by Bowmann
[fen]8/3k4/R3pp2/1P6/2P5/1r3p2/2K5/8[/fen]

Your move, as Black.

What's best?
Just a message for everyone. If these are real game situations then I heartily approve because I think that manufactured chess puzzles have limited value. I once knew a guy who could not play chess to save his life, but give him a puzzle and he would solve it on the spot. He was otherwise incapable of playing real chess. I think real chess situations with no open answers (but a few clues) are the way to really improve your game. Good for you, Mr B.

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Originally posted by buffalobill
I think real chess situations with no open answers (but a few clues) are the way to really improve your game.
Agreed. The average player misses so many opportunities for gaining advantages...