My Road to Master, Part 10 - Puzzle time!
Hello there again! In my last 'brief' blog post I gave you folks a little glance into an opening project of my own making (which is still being analysed - not all too extensive of course!). This time, I figured it was high time for some more puzzles to be shared! Not only for others to practise, but also a handy manner of saving some rather nifty plays and ideas I frequently come across at my current level.
Unlike my previous puzzle blog (edition number 7!), I'm taking a different approach to these diagrams and the puzzles. This time, I'll try to add in some sort of pre-text to explain the nature of the position, instead of sharing what the key of the exercise is. Next to that, I'm trying a mix of computer analysis and human analysis. Some of the moves the computer suggests in these types of positions are really 'super-human' and would not occur to most players, so not all moves are by definition 'the best move' by default. My only piece of advice would be: try to find the flaw in your opponent's move and try to find the most crushing way to continue your attack.
Without further ado: let's get started!
Puzzle Time - 'A matter of technique!'
In the following two diagrams, we start with the same position. Black has compromised some space around his king, as is apparent due to the lack of an h- or f-pawn. On the other hand, he has little to worry about. His queen and rook seem to be well guarded and are both eyeing the White king hiding behind his pawns.
White is having a rough time throughout the game. Black's queen on b6 posed quite the trouble, since her majesty pins the Black bishop to the b2 pawn. Thus, to free his bishop and finally allow his lonely rook into the game, White decides to accept doubled pawns on the b-file by playing Qd3-Qb3.
Black, however, smells blood. How does Black take advantage of White's previous move?
Puzzle Time - 'Pinned up...?'
The following position clearly favours Black. Black enjoys being a piece up, but also having a knight outposted on f4 and a strong bishop on b7. White, on the other hand, is trying to regroup his pieces as best as he can. to try and salvage this whole mess.
Understand that Black does not have to close out the game with a flashy combination or killer move - on the contrary, Black could easily start placing his rooks upon the central squares, push his central pawns and play for a positional win. In the game however, Black could choose to immediately take matters into his own hands and prove that White is already hopeless and should resign. Which move crushes White's hopes of hanging on?
...but what happens if White tries a sneaky little trick at the end of the previous diagram?!
Puzzle Time - 'Taking some personal space!'
This puzzle exercise is sweet and short. Black's pieces surround White's fortress of solitude, but getting past the defending pawns looks harder than it is. White threatens to equalize pretty soon by either capturing the knight on f1 or the bishop on f3. How can Black quickly end this madness of hanging pieces?
Puzzle Time - 'Turning the tables!'
The situation looks grim for Black. He's down a whole rook with nothing to show for it. Both sides seem to have developed their pieces nicely - all that rests for both sides is to activate their rooks and place them on good squares. For the rest, it seems as if both sides have adequately defended each of their pieces, and at first glance it does not seem as if there are any weaknesses present.
Black must turn the tables on White if he wants to stay in the game. What hidden resource does Black have?
