What do you do when you can't see a win?

This happened to me just now(and although I figured it out over the course of a couple days from when I first saw where the situation was going, the game isn't over yet, so not going to link it or talk about specifics yet). So: You have some clear advantage that you can see should lead to a mate, but you just can't seem to figure the mate out. What do you do?

Originally posted by Vartiovuori
This happened to me just now(and although I figured it out over the course of a couple days from when I first saw where the situation was going, the game isn't over yet, so not going to link it or talk about specifics yet). So: You have some clear advantage that you can see should lead to a mate, but you just can't seem to figure the mate out. What do you do?

Originally posted by Vartiovuori
This happened to me just now(and although I figured it out over the course of a couple days from when I first saw where the situation was going, the game isn't over yet, so not going to link it or talk about specifics yet). So: You have some clear advantage that you can see should lead to a mate, but you just can't seem to figure the mate out. What do you do?

Originally posted by Vartiovuori
This happened to me just now(and although I figured it out over the course of a couple days from when I first saw where the situation was going, the game isn't over yet, so not going to link it or talk about specifics yet). So: You have some clear advantage that you can see should lead to a mate, but you just can't seem to figure the mate out. What do you do?

Originally posted by SwissGambit
Don't move until you see it.

Originally posted by Vartiovuori
This happened to me just now(and although I figured it out over the course of a couple days from when I first saw where the situation was going, the game isn't over yet, so not going to link it or talk about specifics yet). So: You have some clear advantage that you can see should lead to a mate, but you just can't seem to figure the mate out. What do you do?

Knowing common mating attacks (Bishop sac on h7) and mating patterns (backrank, epaulette, etc) may help you fit any specific position to one of these patterns. Look at the book "The Art of Attack" by Vladimir Vukovic.

Play what the position on the board gives you and not what you might want to play. Perhaps some general guidelines for other situations:

For a mating attack you need superior numbers in the area of the board where it is going to happen, some weakness in the defense as a target, and the ability to control the tempo by threats, attacks, and possible sacrifice.

For positional advantages think of how to use that positional factor. By example, say there is an open file. You seize the open file with a Rook, bring his brother Rook onto the file, penetrate the Rooks to the 7th rank, and start looking for pawn targets or the enemy King.

For material advantages, think about using your extra material to gain more material or perhaps liquidation by exchanges to head for the endgame where the effect of your extra material becomes even more pronounced

Do you have a very active piece (especially the Q)? Can you use it to gain more material?

And finally, do you have a passed pawn? Exchange off Bishops and Knights while retaining Rooks and the Queen. Put the heavy pieces behind the passer and push that pawn.

Oh yeah, I'm just an average woodpusher, so take all of this with a grain of salt. 🙂

I'd ask again when the game has actually ended, so I wouldn't be getting advice that might help me deciding how to continue the game, and thus risk getting myself and the 3rd party advisor banned for seeking outside assistance.

Originally posted by wormwood
I'd ask again when the game has actually ended...

Originally posted by wormwood
I'd ask again when the game has actually ended, so I wouldn't be getting advice that might help me deciding how to continue the game, and thus risk getting myself and the 3rd party advisor banned for seeking outside assistance.

Originally posted by wormwood
I'd ask again when the game has actually ended, so I wouldn't be getting advice that might help me deciding how to continue the game, and thus risk getting myself and the 3rd party advisor banned for seeking outside assistance.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
Gah, despite pretenses otherwise, this site allows outside assistance.

Case in point: Some guy posted and said he couldn't move in a game. It turned out that he was in check but didn't know it. Someone replied and told him he was in check. One of the site admins [Chris] said that it was OK to tell the guy he was in check.

I have seen more blatant cases of outside assistance. The threads don't get pulled and the advisers don't get banned.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
Gah, despite pretenses otherwise, this site allows outside assistance.

Case in point: Some guy posted and said he couldn't move in a game. It turned out that he was in check but didn't know it. Someone replied and told him he was in check. One of the site admins [Chris] said that it was OK to tell the guy he was in check.

I have seen more blatant cases of outside assistance. The threads don't get pulled and the advisers don't get banned.

3. YOUR REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS
In consideration of your use of the Service, you represent that you are of legal age to form a binding contract and are not a person barred from receiving services under the laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdiction. You also agree to :

(a) You will not create more than one account.

(b) While a game is in progress you may not refer to chess engines, chess computers or be assisted by a third party. Endgame tablebases may not be consulted during play but you may reference books, databases consisting of previously played games between human players, and other pre-existing research materials.

(c) You may not threaten or harass other users of this Service.


13. TERMINATION
You agree that RHP may, under certain circumstances and without prior notice, immediately terminate your RHP account,and access to the Service. Cause for such termination shall include, but not be limited to, (a) breaches or violations of the TOS or other incorporated agreements or guidelines,

Originally posted by wormwood
rule clarification is allowed. giving strategical advice in a position where the player 'doesn't know what to do' is obviously forbidden outside assistance.


why do you guys always fight this. every single time some newcomer does the same mistake, there's ten guys giving a variety of made-up rationalisations for 'why 3rd party help is okay. it's not a m ...[text shortened]... or violations of the TOS or other incorporated agreements or guidelines,

[/quote][/b]

Originally posted by adramforall
Because the TOS are a joke and should be rewritten.

For instance

Banned players being allowed back

People being allowed to create 2nd accounts

Third party assistance

All commonplace within the site yet all, per the TOS, are not allowed.

As such the TOS have as much weight as a feather.