The set of the positions in the previous week was rather hard. I am sorry for giving you a tough test, but the benefit is seeing what type of positions the masters look at. Those were positions that my coach has given me to solve! This week the test will be harder than the first one but easier than the last one. I am glad that many of you found the right solutions despite the high level of the test. I would advise setting up the positions on a real board and setting a fixed time to solve them. Write down your moves and ideas and then check against the solution. It is interesting to compare your thinking process with the others by reading the comments section. I found that there are plans that I would never look at if not suggested in the comments section, implying a great way to expand your chess horizons.
The first position was part of the test that my coach set up for me. Honestly, for me it was easier to solve, since I know his style and the positions that we usually look at. Namely, positions where the evaluation goes from +/= to = or =/+ to =, meaning white or black has a really minute edge. It is already master class to know how to hold that very small advantage for a long time and not let it slip. You have to think in terms of plans and structures and take into account all the positional aspects not forgetting about tactics. Here, white has a small edge, due to the passive Bb7 and slightly cramped black pieces. But it is not easy. Did you ask yourself what is black’s plan?
This is the position I had the most trouble with. I thought that black can build a fortress with b5 Nc5 N:c5, leaving only one weakness on c6. It is very hard to evaluate if in the resulting position white will have enough to win. One has to notice that the black king is open, having no pieces surrounding him, thus opening the game would be the right strategy of play for white.
The trick with this position is that it is hard to evaluate it. White has more space on the queenside, while black on the kingside. The only way for white to find some play is to undermine the black pawn structure in the centre with f3. But f5 will follow and I thought the resulting position is about equal. B5 is not a threat because white has two bishops and a knight participating on the queenside and more space. This makes him stronger on the queenside.
This is right, the last position was already here as a test in an article a couple of months ago! I was looking at it the other day and couldn’t find the solution, despite seeing it before. I am glad that the readers have a better memory than I do and some pointed out the right solution. Good job! The solution is rather strategically deep. Black just pushed e5 but he cannot do much after. D4 would lose a pawn after Ng5 and d:e will open a file for the white rook. Black is kind of paralyzed: the only piece that can move is the bishop on a5. It does not have a good square though. White is retreating with the bishop to make the life of Ba5 really hard. After Bc7 white will have tactics of Nb5 and Bb4 attacking the queen and the rook.
Fun Test for the next week. I really think you can solve all the positions! Good luck!