22 Apr 09
2 edits
I thought it might be interesting to view some semi-simple positional puzzles
So in the following position, where would you move?
and why? - White to play
For those of you who think this game looks vaguely familiar...
Stop yourself. Don't cheat. 🙂
Boxes are not welcome here, "Why" wins the "prize".... not "What"
22 Apr 09
1 edit
Originally posted by NowakowskiAh,good idea this thread.I could do with some positional lessons.
I thought it might be interesting to view some semi-simple positional puzzles
So in the following position, where would you move?
and [b]why? - White to play
[fen]r3r1k1/qp3ppp/p3b1n1/3Bp3/1bN5/4P1B1/PP3PPP/1QRR2K1 w - - 1 23 [/fen]
For those of you who think this game looks vaguely familiar...
Stop yourself. Don't cheat. 🙂
Boxes are not welcome here, "Why" wins the "prize".... not "What"[/b]
I'd play Be4,setting up a queen-bishop battery,blocking black's e-pawn, which is twice attacked once defended.I think it practically forces Black to play Bxc4 giving me the bishop pair and activating a rook with attack on the b4 bishop.I can then get a rook to the 7th.
Yeah,that looks good to me.
edit: I don't recognise it,where's the game from?
23 Apr 09
I would play Nxe5. I tend to be materialistic and if I can grab a pawn I will if i don't see direct impending danger. Taking with the knight threatens to take blacks knight, doubling pawns and creating more weakness. I don't see much that black would have besides trading pieces which helps white and his extra pawn.
23 Apr 09
Yeah, I like Nxe5 too... besides the extra pawn, I'm attacking the knight which is parading around the king. If black exchanges, I'll have a very active bishop on e5, eying g7, as well as the option to move it to d4, harassing the queen. The black e-pawn also covered d4, which will now be unguarded if I want to utilise the rook in a king-side attack (given that the knight on g6 is gone.) ...but mostly, I'm a pawn up, which will favour white in the end-game. How's that?
23 Apr 09
14 edits
.If your finally through racking your brain
don't look if you havn't worked through it at all!
A master move in every respect, and a one-move lesson in position play! Where most of us think of an exchange in terms of what happens after 23. Bx B, the great master visualizes an exchange as an opportunity to substitute another piece for one that must come off the board. White is willing to exchange, but only if he can be assured of keeping control of Q5 by replacing the Bishop with another piece. Let me reword this, so that the message is unmistakable: Supporting a piece under attack (here the Bishop at Q5) puts more pressure on black, where a direct exchange or a retreat might relieve it. Note incidentally the full effect of the Queen's magnificent centralization, and her radiation of power in so many directions:
a) The Queen supports the Bishop at Q5
b) The Queen adds to the Bishop's attack on the Queen Knight pawn.
c) The Queen helps in the attack on the King Pawn.
d) The Queen threatens (indirectly) Black's King Bishop.
followed by 23...BxB 24. RxB QR-B1 25. Rb1-Q1.
Not really sure why I can't get the hidden element to work...
to read simply click "reply with quote" and it'll be in the quoted box.
If anybody can fix my formatting, please do.
-GIN
24 Apr 09
4 edits
special thanks for GP34s help
Solution Correctly posted:
A master move in every respect, and a one move lesson in position play! Where most of us think of an exchange in terms of what happens after 23. BxB the great master visualizes an exchange as an opportunity to substitute another piece for one that must come off the board. White is willing to exchange but only if he can be assured of keeping control of Q5 by replacing the Bishop with another piece. Let me reword this so that the message is unmistakable: Supporting a piece under attack !here the Bishop at Q5! puts more pressure on black, where a direct exchange or a retreat might relieve it. Note incidentally the full effect of the Queens magnificent centralization and her radiation of power in so many directions
a. The Queen supports the Bishop at Q5
b. The Queen adds to the Bishops attack on the Queen Knight pawn.
c. The Queen helps in the attack on the King Pawn.
d. The Queen threatens (indirectly) Blacks King Bishop.
followed by 23...BxB 24. RxB QR-B1 25. Rb1-Q1.
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24 Apr 09
Originally posted by NowakowskiMy immediate gut feel is that the Queen needs to become more active. Qe4 keeps the pressure on and controls the centre. Virtually forces the bishop exchange. And no, I haven't looked - still need to figure out how, but the feature seems cool.
I thought it might be interesting to view some semi-simple positional puzzles
So in the following position, where would you move?
and [b]why? - White to play
[fen]r3r1k1/qp3ppp/p3b1n1/3Bp3/1bN5/4P1B1/PP3PPP/1QRR2K1 w - - 1 23 [/fen]
For those of you who think this game looks vaguely familiar...
Stop yourself. Don't cheat. 🙂
Boxes are not welcome here, "Why" wins the "prize".... not "What"[/b]
25 Apr 09
Originally posted by NowakowskiMy immediate gut feel is that the Queen needs to become more active. Qe4 keeps the pressure on and controls the centre. Virtually forces the bishop exchange. And no, I haven't looked - still need to figure out how, but the feature seems cool.
I thought it might be interesting to view some semi-simple positional puzzles
So in the following position, where would you move?
and [b]why? - White to play
[fen]r3r1k1/qp3ppp/p3b1n1/3Bp3/1bN5/4P1B1/PP3PPP/1QRR2K1 w - - 1 23 [/fen]
For those of you who think this game looks vaguely familiar...
Stop yourself. Don't cheat. 🙂
Boxes are not welcome here, "Why" wins the "prize".... not "What"[/b]
25 Apr 09
Originally posted by buffalobillYou need ony hover over the small document icon in my post above yours labeled "Solution"
My immediate gut feel is that the Queen needs to become more active. Qe4 keeps the pressure on and controls the centre. Virtually forces the bishop exchange. And no, I haven't looked - still need to figure out how, but the feature seems cool.
You'll find your move fits into the description very well. 🙂
-GIN
25 Apr 09
Originally posted by NowakowskiI saw yours, but the desciption is not very good. I thought there might be something I missed.
You need ony hover over the small document icon in my post above yours labeled "Solution"
You'll find your move fits into the description very well. 🙂
-GIN
The key with this position is to be able to see how you can improve it. And activating the Queen is the obvious one. Then deciding which Queen move is good and whether it is good, also whether there's some interim move that may be better.
26 Apr 09
Originally posted by buffalobillThe description and analysis is provided by world renowned author
I saw yours, but the desciption is not very good. I thought there might be something I missed.
The key with this position is to be able to see how you can improve it. And activating the Queen is the obvious one. Then deciding which Queen move is good and whether it is good, also whether there's some interim move that may be better.
Irving Chernev from his popular book
Logical Chess move by move
the game is Rubenstein vs Maroczy 1930 and can be found as the last
game provided in the text.
-GIN