The Power of Underpromotions: A Chess Journey
Introduction:
In the world of chess, there are moments of brilliance that can surprise and captivate both players and spectators alike. One such aspect of the game that often leads to awe-inspiring moves is the concept of underpromotions. These are instances where a pawn, upon reaching the eighth rank, is promoted to a piece other than a queen. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of underpromotions and explore three intriguing examples from recent games. To fully appreciate the depth and beauty of these underpromotions, we highly recommend watching the video https://youtu.be/Qjcg11xDeUE for a more immersive experience.
Underpromotion 1: The Albin Countergambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5!?)
The Albin Countergambit is a bold opening choice for Black, seeking to undermine White's central pawn structure. In one particular variation, Black sacrifices a pawn and creates tactical opportunities. As we analyze the game, we encounter a critical moment where White's ill-advised move leads to a devastating underpromotion. Discover how Black seizes the initiative and uncovers a powerful threat that changes the course of the game.
Position after Black played 5…dxe3!
In this position, why is taking the “free piece” after 6. Bxb4 a bad idea for White? (Answers at the end)
Underpromotion 2: Unleashing Chaos with a Pawn
In this game (Daniel Fidlow - Albert Maier, 1959), we witness a daring move that involves sacrificing material in exchange for a tactical shot. After 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 [Tarrasch Defense] 4.cxd5 cxd4 White tried the creative 5.dxe6!?
Position after 5.dxe6!?
Black continued with 5…dxc3. Why is this bad for Black? (Answers at the end)
Black, caught off guard, misses the opportunity to defend effectively, leading to a cascade of tactical blows. Explore the sequence of moves that ultimately leaves White with an overwhelming material advantage and a clear path to victory.
Underpromotion 3: The Art of Sacrifice
Sometimes, in the pursuit of victory, sacrifices become the catalyst for triumph. In this enthralling encounter, White wanted to “play it safe” by keeping his material advantage but this allowed Black some counterplay. Discover the intricate beauty of this position, where an underpromotion to a bishop becomes the winning move, confounding expectations and showcasing the depth of chess tactics.
Position after 55…Kh7
Why is promoting to a queen bad here? (Answers at the end)
Underpromotion 4: Never Promote to a Queen Automatically
In the last position we have a seemingly “easy win” for White.
Black to play
Here Black tried the nice idea of 64…Kg5 65.g7 (otherwise Black will capture both pawns) Kh6!?
White to play
How would you continue here? (Answers at the end)
Conclusion:
The art of underpromotion in chess brings an element of surprise, creativity, and strategic brilliance to the game. As demonstrated in the examples above, these unconventional moves can lead to decisive advantages, unexpected checkmate threats, and thrilling endgame scenarios. While the blog post provides a glimpse into the world of underpromotions, we invite you to watch the video https://youtu.be/Qjcg11xDeUE to fully appreciate the intricacies and nuances of each game. So, venture forth into the realm of underpromotions and embrace the beauty of chess's hidden gems.
Chess never ceases to amaze us with its endless possibilities, and underpromotions serve as a testament to the game's profound depth and creativity.
Answers
Position 1
White should play 6.fxe3. After 6.Bxb4?? Black wins after 6...exf2+ 7.Ke2 fxg1N+!!
8.Rxg1 Bg4+ winning the queen.
Position 2
After 5...dxc3 White quickly won after 6.exf7+ Ke7 7.fxg8N+! Rxg8 [7...Ke8 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.bxc3 Rxg8 10.Nf3 leaves White with 2 extra pawns] 8.Bg5+ winning the queen.
Position 3
After 56.fxe8 (Q)?? Black reaches a beautiful stalemate after 56…Qh1+ or 56…Qg2+. White has nothing better than capturing the queen.
Instead, 56.fxe8 (B)! gives White a material advantage and a better position.
Position 4
White wins after 66.g8 (R) or 66.g8 (B).
However, after g8 (Q)? we reach a stalemate or after 66.g8 (N+)? Kg5! Black picks up the g-pawn and gets a draw.
