Today’s Chess Problem

 

1. Check in one, mate in two if white responds poorly.

   Check in one, a short merry chase, then mate in six if white responds decently, or in about 9 if white is really smart and can avoid the rook squeeze. But if black gets an extra queen after that it’s a done deal.

   1. Pf3+ and I’ll leave the rest to someone else.

   Posted by Drew458       10/30/2011  at  12:23 PM  



2. First move is correct Drew.

   Christmas is coming up Drew, and I think I’ll have to send you an official USCF chess set. You keep telling me you don’t have a chess set. And don’t give me the ‘I’m unemployed’ crap. I am unemployed, but I’ve still got plenty of savings.

   Posted by Christopher       10/30/2011  at  12:31 PM  



3. Well played Drew!  White can’t even check on his next move.  Now I will look for a bit and try to find the second best move for black.

   Posted by Wes       10/30/2011  at  01:46 PM  



4. I’m still trying to figure how Black wins if White plays 2. Kh3.

   2.Kg1 or h1 loses immediately.

   What do you think Wes?

   Posted by Christopher       10/30/2011  at  02:09 PM  



5. I think after 2.Kh3 QxR+ White has nothing good. 2.K-g3 might be better but still no good.

   2.Kh3 QxR+
   If 3.K-g3 Q-g2+
   If 3.K-h4 Qxf2+
   If 3.K-g4 Qxf2 White has no good threat and the white King can be pressured in too many ways.  From this point on black can force trades with abandon and has a very dangerous pawn that must be stopped from queening.  The only hint of a chance for white would take too many moves to realize.

   I did look for a second best move if black does not play ... f4-f3 and do not see anything that stands out so I think Drew’s move which is the book move is the only move.

   Posted by Wes       10/30/2011  at  07:35 PM  



6. That was stupid. I forgot the R was hanging. White is busted no matter what he does after 1… f3. Drew nailed it!

   Posted by Christopher       10/30/2011  at  07:51 PM  



7. Yay me! However, I’m wondering if white’s 2nd move would be best to bust the pawn for safety.

   Assume 1. Pf3+ Kg2
   2. Qxf1 ( I think black will always hit that rook ) Kxf3 and the pawn is gone.
   3. Rd3+ Kf4 ( not sure what escape path is best for white king )
   4. Qxf2+ Kg4
   5. Qxh2 ...?

   Black has no eliminated all of white’s back rank, and the king is locked in square g4, but not in check. That’s not a win, is it? White’ move 5 could be to bring the queen into the mix and pressure black’s rook, Qc4.

   Like I said, a merry chase. But the white knight in place is the fly in the ointment, keeping black from the clean mate.

   Posted by Drew458       10/31/2011  at  09:35 AM  



8. Actually no Drew. At least not with the moves you list.  I think you mistyped your first white move and meant K-g3.  Using K-g3 and then your moves we get:
   1… P-f3
   2.K-g3 Qxf1
   3.Kxf3 R-d3+
   4.K-f4 Qxf2+ On this move white would be better off playing 4.N-e3 for the block
   5.K-g4 Qxh2
   6.Q-c4 Q-h3+ That 6.Q-c4 was your last suggested move and it is mate in 2.
   7.K-f4 Q-f3++ mate

   You are correct that there is no quick easy win for black here.  But the way these things work is with the point system. P=1 N=3 B=3 R=5 Q=9 (some use 10). Compare the total points on your side of the board with those of your opponent and If you can reach a position where you are points up (say 5 or so in a position like this, because it depends on how many pieces are still in play) and if there is no threat from your opponent, reasonable play with no big mistakes will get you a win in the vast majority of cases.

   Another good thing about being points up is you can give some of them back it you get into trouble. Even if you miss a quick mate, and I do not think this position holds one with best defense, capturing enough material without any threats to your pieces and then working to queen pawns and force trades should win the game.  A single extra pawn can sometimes be enough, and two extra pawns with equal level players will make a win very likely.

   Posted by Wes       10/31/2011  at  02:32 PM  

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