Originally posted by WulebgrWhite exchanges his rook for black knight with check, then goes for the queen. Black queens first but white wins the black queen by skewering the king on the h8-a1 diagonal. Cool one, similar to Josh Waitzkin example from CM
White to move.
[fen]8/8/8/7P/3nk3/p5K1/8/3R4 w - - 0 1[/fen]
I think that this problem teaches an important tactical idea, bit should not be too difficult for the elementary kids I'm teaching. What do you think?
1. Rxd4+ Kxd4
2. h6 a2
3. h7 a1=Q
4. h8=Q+ K somwhere 🙂
5. Qxa1
I think that is not too difficult for kids. Cool examples like this discover much of the chess beauty so kids will love them and chess even more 🙂
Originally posted by WulebgrRXN+ and white Queens with check winning blacks Queen. Of course h6 along with a couple of R and K moves probably also win but what the heck the Rook sacrifice is the prettiest.
White to move.
[fen]8/8/8/7P/3nk3/p5K1/8/3R4 w - - 0 1[/fen]
I think that this problem teaches an important tactical idea, bit should not be too difficult for the elementary kids I'm teaching. What do you think?
Not hard to see but a useful sort of trap to point out to improving players.
Originally posted by vipiuYeah, you're right, a number of king or rook moves win for White. But as Dragon Fire stated, the rook sac is the prettiest. Interestingly, 1.h6 allows Black to draw, although I suspect there might be various ways for Black to lose the draw from imprecise play.
I do not like this problem...many moves are easily winning for white...a good problem is that one where there only one better than the rest move!
Originally posted by Fat LadyYeah, I think you're right. That scenario would force White to be careful.
I think this is quite tricky for White to win if Black doesn't allow the skewer and instead maneuvers his king to b1 (with the pawn still on a3). White has got a win, and perhaps this lesson could lead into when it is possible to win with king and queen against king and advanced pawn.
Originally posted by Fat LadySince the pawn is on the a file, it would be impossible for white to win if black played correctly, no?
I think this is quite tricky for White to win if Black doesn't allow the skewer and instead maneuvers his king to b1 (with the pawn still on a3). White has got a win, and perhaps this lesson could lead into when it is possible to win with king and queen against king and advanced pawn.
The most stubborn line towards a win seems to be
1. Rxd4+ Kxd4
2. h6 Kc3
3. h7 Kb2
4. h8=Q+ Kb1
5. Qh1+ Kb2
6. Qb7+ Kc2 [6. ... Ka2 7. Qb4]
7. Qa6 Kb2
8. Qb5+ Kc2
9. Qa4 Kb2
10. Qb4+ Ka2
11. Kf3 Ka1
12. Qxa3+ 1-0
Indeed if Black would have the pawn on a2 and the King on b2, there would be no way to force a win (Black hides the King in the corner)