Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
Black to play: choose from 1…Kf8 or 1…Kg7; 1…Kg7 was played in the game
Gelfand v Adams, Israel v England Batumi Round 8, 2/10/18
Solution
Mickey played 1…Kg7, the better move, and as I write this blog, the game goes on, with him having the worst of an ending, which I am hoping he can hold.
1..Kf8 would have been a blunder. 2 a5 and if 2…Bb5, 3 Bf7 and whichever way Black recaptures, the Bb5 falls to a check with fork. e.g. 3…Qf7 4 Qc5+, which is the difference between the two first moves: after 1…Kg7 there is no forking Qc5-+.
Note that the Ne4 guards f2, and the Qb5 guards b1, so there is no Qa2+-Qb1+ Q*e4. White consolidates.
After both 1…Kf8 or 1…Kg7, after 2 b5 Bb5 3 Bf7 Kf7? loses to 4 Qb3+. The difference between the moves is the Qc5+ after 1…Kf8.
FEN
4b1k1/p3qn2/6p1/1P1Bp2p/P3N3/4Q1PP/7K/8 b – – 0 38
wKh2,Qe3,Ne4,Bd5,Pa4,b5,g3,h3/bKg8,Qe7,Nf7,Be8,Pa7,e5,g6,h5
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
Caruana v Mamedyarov, ,Round 8, Batumi 2/10/18
Solution
Fabiano crowned a great game (worth playing through, especially near the end, as Fabiano outwitted Shak in piece play on the dark squares).
1 f4+! Kh5 (1…Kh6 2 Qh8+ Qh7[] 3 Qf6 with the idea of Rh8 1-0)
2 Rd2! Qg7
3 Rh2+ Kg4
4 Kg2! g5
5 Qe8! 1-0 mate next move on h5 or e2.
Fabulous. This game alone will give Fabiano great confidence for his forthcoming world championship match with Magnus Carlsen.
FEN
3R2Q1/2r1q3/p5p1/5pk1/2p5/2P3P1/1P3P2/5K2 w – – 0 60
wKf1,Qg8,Rd8,Pb2,c3,f2,g3/bKg5,Qe7,Rc7,Pa6,c4,f5,g6
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
McShane v Flores, England v Argentina , Round 7, Batumi 1/10/18
Solution
1 g4! and Black is in a mating net: Black resigned.
A fitting finale to a great game by Luke, where he took a big risk (seen in yesterday’s problem) and took his chances.
FEN
2r5/3R4/4k3/1PB1p2p/1P2qp1P/6P1/5P2/3R2K1 w – – 0 42
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play: evaluate 1 ed cd
McShane v Flores, England v Argentina , Round 7, Batumi 1/10/18
Solution
Luke played 1 ed cd 2 dc!?: great nerves!
2..de
3 cb Rb8 4 Ne5
The resultant position. My engine doesn’t like it, suggesting that Black is somewhat better, but maybe it is one of those positions in which engine evaluation will change at greater depths. (Although there is one very clear engine line which looks to give Black a decent plus).
Anyway, fine bold play by Luke against a very strong (2621) opponent.
FEN
r2qk2r/1b2bppp/ppn1pn2/3p4/2p1P3/N1PP1NP1/PP2QPBP/R1B1R1K1 w kq – 0 11
Today’s problem is from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
Radjabov v Sargissian, Ajerbaijan v Armenia, round 5 28/9/18
Solution
The pretty finale of yesterday’s game.
1 e7! and if 1…Re7, 2 Rd6+ picks up the Bishop. Black carried on for a few more moves.
FEN
3R4/ppr3p1/1np1P1k1/5bN1/7P/8/PPB5/6K1 w – – 0 35
wKg1,Ng5,Bc2,Rd8,Pa2,b2,e6,h4/bKg6,Nb6,Bf5,Rc7,Pa7,b7,c6,g7
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
Radjabov v Sargissian, Ajerbaijan v Armenia, round 5 28/9/18
Solution
1 f5! and if
1…ef 2 Bg8+ Kh8[] 3 gf!
Black loses his bishop.
So Black instead played 1…Bf7 and lost an important pawn and soon converted.
FEN
3R4/ppr3pk/1np1p1bp/8/5PP1/1BN4P/PP6/6K1 w – – 0 28
wKg1,Nc3,Bb3,Rd8,Pa2,b2,f4,g4,h3/bKh7,Nb6,Bg6,Rc7,Pa7,b7,c6,e6,g7,h6
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
Howell v Brunello, England v Italy, round 5; 28/9/18
Solution
1 f6+! gf[] 2 g7 Be6[] 3 Re2 1-0: either the pawn promotes, or the bishop is lost.
FEN
8/pp1bk1p1/3n2P1/2p2P2/5K2/2P5/PP1R4/8 w – – 0 40
wKf4,Rd2,Pa2,b2,c3,f5,g6/bKe7,Nd6,Bd7,Pa7,b7,c5,g7
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play
Anand v Ragger
Solution
I would never, ever, play the move Vishy played; because I wouldn’t think about it. It wouldn’t even be a candidate move.
Vishy played 1 g3!?, the point being 1…g5 2 Ng5 hg 3 Qh5 gh 4 gh and 1-0.
Ragger didn’t play 1…g5, and the game went on; White played (after 1…Nf6) 2 Bf6, followed up by h4, Nh2-g4, and an attack on the White squares.
The point of today’s puzzle is how I (and no doubt many players) “rule out” moves automatically.
(The whole game is lovely: Vishy makes it look simple, exploiting little weaknesses: worth playing through and admiring).
FEN
r1bq1rk1/ppp1bpp1/2np3p/4p2n/P1B1P2B/2PP1N2/1P1N1PPP/R2QK2R w KQ – 0 10
wKe1,Qd1,Nd2,f3,Bc4,h4,Ra1,h1,Pa4,b2,c3,d3,e4,f2,g2,h2/bKg8,Qd8,Nc6,h5,Bc8,e7,Ra8,f8,Pa7,b7,c7,d6,e5,f7,g7,h6
Today’s problem is from the 1972 book “Chess Combination as a Fine Art”, a book based on articles published in the 1950s-1960s by Kurt Richter.
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
White to play: where is Black’s mistake in the following moves: 1 Ra6 Rd8 2 Kf3 Rd7 3 Ke4 Ke6; and why?
Tiviakov v Abdulla, Batumi 25/9/18
Solution
I always enjoy playing through Tiviakov’s games, liking his positional style. This game was a smooth performance from his habitual 2 c3 Sicilian.
2…Rd7?? blundered the game away: 4 Rb6 and the Black rook can no longer play Rb8 defending the b5 pawn. 2…Rd7 is such a natural move, defending the seventh rank, but other moves would have given a chance to hold on: 2….Bc5!? is the engine move, if necessary dropping the Pe5 but maintaining the Pb5.
FEN
5r2/5kpp/3b4/1p1Np3/1P6/2P3P1/6KP/R7 w – – 0 39
wKg2,Nd5,Ra1,Pb4,c3,g3,h2/bKf7,Bd6,Rf8,Pb5,e5,g7,h7
Today’s problem is from the currently ongoing Batumi Olympiad. I am writing this message live as I watch the games, though it will be posted on my site in several days’ time, since I write my blogs some days in advance.
Since the start of 2018, I have decided to adopt the style of only saying which side is to play: and not giving an idea if the move wins or otherwise, unless on occasion I think signposting would be helpful. Instead, the problems are posed with the instruction to decide what you would play, as in a game.
White to play: analyse 1 f4, as played in the game
Docx v Howell, Belgium v England, 25/9/2018 Batumi
Solution
1 f4?? was a mistake, and David capitalised on it by 1…Ba3! and after the bishop moved, 2..Bc1+ picks up the f pawn.
FEN
4k3/8/4p3/2bbP1p1/3N2P1/4KP2/pB6/8 w – – 0 64
wKe3,Nd4,Bb2,Pe5,f3,g4/bKe8,Bc5,d5,Pa2,e6,g5
allanbeardsworth 