16 Feb 06
1 edit
Knights and bishops are equal despite immense difference. Either plus a pawn against the other constitutes a clear advantage, but is it sufficient to win?
The following position occurred last week in a game (now finished) at another site. It is black's move.
Can black win this with perfect play on both sides? How?
Note: I won, and I believe I found the correct plan. However, at a few critical moments, my opponent failed to offer the most stubborn defense. I'll post the game's conclusion after awhile, if there is interest.
16 Feb 06
Originally posted by WulebgrI'll check it out later, tommorrow maybe but black first move should be to retreat the bishop, say to f8 or e7. and Nc5 doesn't work for white because black chops the knights head off and the pawns cannot be stopped hence a black win.
Knights and bishops are equal despite immense difference. Either plus a pawn against the other constitutes a clear advantage, but is it sufficient to win?
The following position occurred last week in a game (now finished) at another site. It is black's move.
[fen]8/8/4p2p/pk1pP1pP/Nb1P2P1/1K6/8/8 w - - 0 49[/fen]
Can black win this with perfect play ...[text shortened]... he most stubborn defense. I'll post the game's conclusion after awhile, if there is interest.
17 Feb 06
Originally posted by Wibble WobbleI'm not certain how you can triangulate with the king when a knight covers a key square, but you can lose a tempo (or gain as the case may be) with the bishop, as I did in the game. From the diagram position, I saw that I might create some threats in my bishop could penetrate and threaten his backwards d-pawn, but if I tried 1...Bd2, 2.Nc5 gives white the advantage.
Trianglulate with the king to loose a tempo?
Instread I played 1...Be7, and after 2.Nb2 (white has very few moves) 2...Bf8 3.Na4 Bb4, we reach the position below.
This position is the same as in my original post in this thread, except that it is now white's move. White must play 4.Nb2, and now the black bishop may safely go to d2 because Nc5 is no longer a threat.
18 Feb 06
Originally posted by WulebgrWhat do you do if 1...Be7 2.Nc3+ ?
I'm not certain how you can triangulate with the king when a knight covers a key square, but you can lose a tempo (or gain as the case may be) with the bishop, as I did in the game. From the diagram position, I saw that I might create some threats in my bishop could penetrate and threaten his backwards d-pawn, but if I tried 1...Bd2, 2.Nc5 gives white the ad ...[text shortened]... st play 4.Nb2, and now the black bishop may safely go to d2 because Nc5 is no longer a threat.