Tactics puzzle 1

Tactical combinations are the weapons of chess by which we "kill" our opponent. Tactical preparation is the most important training you can obtain to improve your game. Until you are a rated master, you should study tactics more than any other part of the game. Tactical ability is the most significant difference between the beginner and the advanced player.

- Logicalchess.com

When I started out as a beginner at chess, I did train tactics and I found it quite useful to my game of chess.


Here is a puzzle from logicalchess.com

Hartlaub-Anon, Berlin 1913

Black plays: 1... Bxb2 2. Bxb2 Nf4+ 3. Kh2 Nxd3. How does white refute this grievous loss of material?

Scroll down for a hint.
















Hint: Practically speaking, only a decisive attack can refute an otherwise unanswered loss of a queen.





I think I will post the solution next blog.

Hmm, I will probably post some more puzzles, from different sources. Stay tuned. Btw, endgames are still crucial to know as they are the basics of chess. (with only few pieces remaining on the board, nothing can be simpler, right? lol.)

Philidor's Position

Philidor's position can refer to two positions: One with Q + K vs. R + K and R + P + K vs. R + K. We will be looking at the rook endgame.

Black to move

A possible position of Philidor's position. This is a draw for white.
The strategy that white undertakes to draw works with flank pawns too.

Why is this a draw? Let us take a look. The black king is totally cut-off by the white rook, and an exchange of rooks leads to a draw due to white having the opposition.

The only chance is to push the pawn. Let us look at this.

1...e3

2.Ra8! Without the pawn on e3, Ra8 loses because 2...Ke3 threatens mate and forces the king to move. The lucena position will then be reached and it is a win for black.

2...Kf3

3.Rf8+ The continuous checks from the back forces a draw.

1/2 - 1/2

Lucena's position cont'd

There is an exception to the lucena's position, which is the pawn is at the flank.

White to play

The white king cannot come out. The only plan is to move the white rook to g8, but after 1.Ra2 this plan is easily stopped by Kf7. This position is a draw. However, there is an exception to this position.


White to move

This is a win for white. The black king is at c7, and gives ample time for the white rook to move to the g8 square.

1.Ra2 Kd7 2.Ra8 Ke7 3.Rg8 1-0

First post: Rook and pawn endgames

I'm not too good at blogging and editing, so here goes nothing.

My first post will be about something simple. It'll be about rook endgames.

Why rook endgames? Rook endgames are the most common endgame of chess, and it would be good to master it, either to get that draw or win.


The Lucena Position
In the lucena position, the pawn is at the 7th rank, one step to promotion, with it's own king blocking the promotion square.

White to play and win

1.Rc1+ This move is essential, as the black king needs to be 2 files away for white to win.
1...Kb6 Now what? If the white king moves out of e8, for example, 2.Kd7, he will then be rained checks from the black rook.

2.Rc4! The endgame idea behind this move is genius, which you will then see in the following moves. Note: The rook is 5 ranks away from the promotional square.

2...Re2 Black can actually do any rook move here.

3.Kd7

3...Rd2+ Black tries the plan of checking the white king till infinity.

4.Kd6

4...Re2+ Chase on.

5.Kd6 or Kf6

5...Kd2+ or Kf2+ respectively.

6. Ke5 6...Re2+

7.Re4! After exchanging rooks, black cannot get into the 'square' of the pawn (cannot catch up with the pawn). This shows the purpose of having the black king two files away.

1-0 White wins.

With this idea in mind, let us try some other variations that black might undertake.

Variation I
2...Kb5 Black attacks the rook

3.Re4 This protects the pawn, and also blocks the black rook from attacking it.

3...Kc6 4.Kd8 Rd2+ 5.Kc8 Ra2 threating mate 6.Kb8. The pawn will promote.
Variation II
1...Kd6 2.Kd8 the black king blocks its own rook from checking the white king.

Similar positions
What if the black king is on another square? let's say Kb5, controlling c4.

Now, white can safely play 1.Re1

1... Kc6 2.Kd8 Rd2+ Kc8

1-0


No matter where black's king is, make sure that it is 2 files away from the pawn. Also, you must be alert to other differences in the positions and other possible variations of black moves. But always note that with the lucena position, the side with the pawn always wins.

End of lesson

Applause please =p

Introduction

This blog is about chess, chess puzzles, chess endgames and other chess stuff that can improve your chess play.

Pre-requisites: Knowing the basics of chess (e.g. the moves, the pieces, the board)
Have a basic understanding of tactics (e.g. Forks, pins, skewers)
Know chess notation. basic algebraic chess notation will be heavily used in this blog.

I suppose that's all. Enjoy.