E8: Alekhine-Naegeli, Bern 1932

 

I’d give a hint, but one doesn’t appear in the book this time. I’ll just say it took me about five minutes to find the win. But I’ve played a similar position in a tournament game.

1. I found it to be a lot easier than last weeks problem.

   1)....., Rg4+
   2)Qxg4, Qf2+
   3)Qg3, g5+
   4)Kg4, f5 mate

   Posted by Al_in_Ottawa       10/14/2012  at  09:21 AM  



2. The problem with 3… g5+ is that it is illegal. The g-pawn is pinned by the Rook on e6. Moving the g-pawn puts Black’s King in check. It isn’t THAT easy.

   Posted by Christopher       10/14/2012  at  12:42 PM  



3. Doh! Actually now that I look at it while fully awake, my first move was illegal as the rook is pinned by the queen. Black can’t take the white rook either because Qf8 mates. Back to the chess board.

   Posted by Al_in_Ottawa       10/14/2012  at  01:58 PM  



4. I don’t see a quick end game here. The best move I can see is

   1)....., Qg1 which threatens Qe1 mate
   2)Rf6, Qe1+ white rook moves to support the queen to prevent mate
   3)Qf2, Rh5+ you could trade queens here but the black rook is no longer pinned so I would attack
   4)Kg3, Qh1 threatening Qxh3 check
   5)Qf4+, Rg5+ whites check means the black rook is pinned again
   6)Kf2, Qg2+
   7)Ke1,....... the king is the open with the queen in pursuit. Most likely a draw?

   If
   4)Kg4, Qd1+
   5)Kf4, Qd8 to threaten the rook since the king is blocking the queens support?

   Posted by Al_in_Ottawa       10/14/2012  at  03:17 PM  



5. I believe I found the move.  Took some time though.

   1. ...  f7-f5 and white has nothing good. It could continue:
   2. e6xg6+ - h7xg6 extends the pain
   3. White any - Qg2-g3+
   4. f4xg3 - Rg5-h5 and mate

   Posted by Wes       10/15/2012  at  10:25 PM  



6. Exactly, Wes. In the actual game the Swiss master Naegeli missed this and ultimately the game was drawn.

   Posted by Christopher       10/16/2012  at  07:53 AM  

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