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Tactic problem

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1st December 2008, 05:54pm
#1
by shinrikyo
Leuven Belgium
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 81

Hey,

I was wondering if there is a particular reason why white does not take the a-pawn while he is windmilling?

http://www.chess.com/tactics/server.html?id=21863

 

Kind regards.

1st December 2008, 06:00pm
#2
by KillaBeez
Kansas United States
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 4250

Probably to avoid Rxa3 after Rh7+  Still gives White a lot of material, but why lose a bishop?

2nd December 2008, 04:33am
#3
by shinrikyo
Leuven Belgium
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 81

But the bishop is protected...

2nd December 2008, 05:02am
#4
by gardelin
Split Croatia
Member Since: May 2008
Member Points: 205

White must not take the a7 pawn because of:

1. Rc7 Qxh5 2. Re7+ Kf8 3. Rxb7+ Ke8 4. Re7+ Kf8 5. Rxa7+?? Ke8 6. Re7+ Kf8
7. Rxh7+ Rxa3 and Black actually wins (Black has a Knight against White's two doubled pawns...)

2nd December 2008, 09:14am
#5
by TheGrobe
Calgary Canada
Member Since: Nov 2007
Member Points: 14433

The bishop is protected, yes, but White will use the tempo it would otherwise have used to recapture the rook to take the Queen which gives the move back to Black for the retreat of his rook.  Taking the pawn amounts to a bishop for pawn exchange because of this.

2nd December 2008, 10:24am
#6
by shinrikyo
Leuven Belgium
Member Since: Jan 2008
Member Points: 81

gardelin & TheGrobe, thanks for the explanation!

 

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