Once Upon a Time in Iceland

Actually it was played today.

Amin Bassem (GM )2632 - Andrew Muir (IM) 2313. White to play.


The tacical motif is a winning pin on the Black Queen.

The bones.


White can play Rxf5 answering ...Qxf5 with Be4.

So we go back to the original diagram.


And we see the plan opening up infront of our eyes with 1.Nxe5 and 2.Rxf5

Perhaps (I've added 'perhaps' but after years of studying blunders and their
causes, I'm sure I'm on the right course.)
The error has slipped in because there are three ways for Black to take back on e5.
1....Nxe5, 1....Bxe6 and 1....dxe5 and had to check each one before playing 1.Nxe5
and confirming the Rxf5 trick was still on.

At the moment the square f3 is covered twice and in two of the lines.
1...exe5 and 1...Bxe5 the square f3 is not hit.
if there was only one way to take back on e5, 1...Nxe5 then the GM's warning bells
may have would have kicked in.


(also White's mind is on Queen Winning Pins, not Queen Losing Forks.)

Here is what happened.

Originally posted by greenpawn34
Actually it was played today.

Amin Bassem (GM )2632 - Andrew Muir (IM) 2313. White to play.

[fen]2r2r2/pp1q1pbk/2np3p/2p1pb2/8/2PPBNP1/PP1Q2BP/R4RK1 w - - 0 1[/fen]
The tacical motif is a winning pin on the Black Queen.

The bones.

[fen]8/3q3k/8/5b2/8/3P4/6B1/5R2 w - - 0 1[/fen]
White can play Rxf5 answering ...Qxf5 with Be4.

So we go bac ...[text shortened]... . He missed.} 3. Be4 Qxe4 4. dxe4 Nf3+ 5. Kg2 Nxd2 6. Bxd2 {Black is a Rook up.} [/pgn]

GMs are supposed to be able to look deeper than IMs, so I suspect psychology was also involved in that one.

Originally posted by RJHinds
GMs are supposed to be able to look deeper than IMs, so I suspect psychology was also involved in that one.

you crack me up, no matter how many thumbs down you are still here will the same point "psychology" no what the thread is.. the place would be duller without you.. here have a thumbs up for a change... 🙂

Andrew has just knocked over another GM.

IM Andew Muir - GM Sebastian Maze (2556) Reykjavik Open 2013

This is a good exciting tussle.
The GM goes for him saccing a piece (not sure if it was forced or planned.)
followed up by an exchange sac.

Two interesting positions pop up where the GM appears (IMO) to shun a perpetual.

Of course my Forum stalker will no doubt post 'psychology' and for once
in a thousand posts he may be right.

But by whom? (answer that one Mr £5,000 brain) 😉

Was the GM using his title to intimidate White and refuse the draw or did White
use his lower grade as a lure.
"C'mon don't allow the perpetual...you can beat me. You are a Grandmaster"

Of course time trouble may have played it's part.

You decide. My brief notes may guide you but don't trust them.
I've messed about with the positions on Winboard.
No engine has had a peek, which is how it should be.

So I'm not 100% sure the perpetuals are there, Black can avoid them but is
material down. If there is a mate for Black, especially in the 2nd one
then I've let it slip through.
(To be honest I've no idea what is happening in that 2nd line after 45...Qxd4.
Usually if it's 'don't know' I don't even mention it.)

There is a neat White Queen sac & mate that never got played.
That one I'm sure about.
Always easy to assess a position after mate - the game is over.
My trouble has always been assessing a position after a combo has been played.

And always 10 times easier spotting them off board with no clock ticking
and when facing a GM who has been tossing bits at you.