Seventh Chess Lesson Problem

Fellow NESA Chess Players,

      Congratulations to aristarcos for being the only one to solve the Sixth Chess Lesson Problem, a really tough puzzle (it baffled the head problem solvers in another group).   The actual game continuation (after 23. ... d5 trying to shield the weak e-P) was 24. Rc6! Qxa2? (although it's forlorn, 24. ... Qa5 is Black's best try) 25. Nxe6+ Kg8 26. Rc8+ Kf7 27. Ng5+ Ke7 1-0 in view of 28. Bc5+ Kd7 29. Qb7#.   The key is recognizing that 24. Rc6! not only sets up the winning N breakthrough on e6 but also induces Black to grab the a-P as a last try.  Black was lost in any case.

       Next problem (#7.)   This time you are asked to evaluate a given proposed move by White and explain why it works or does not work.   Although the board is shown from the White side, since White is moving first, I played and won the game as Black.

       The proposed move for White is 35. Nxb7.  In your answer, tell whether this was the best continuation, or what White should have done instead.

       Good luck!

xenophon98

NESA Memorial Chess Club, Super Admin

I feel like Nf5+ could be pretty good.

Hey AlexHiExist, Yes, Nf5+ is a decent option.  xenophon98

Nxb7 allows White to queen the a-pawn, b/c it loses an important tempo that could be used to advance the pawns:

1. Nxb7 Rb2

2. Nc5 a3

3. Nd3 a2!

4. Nxb2 a1=Q+

I think maybe 1.c5 could give some counter-play for White, but this might be losing already:

1.... a3 then 2.c6 bxc6 b7 3.Rb2 dxc6 4.a2 b8=Q 5.a1=Q# (4....c7?? 5.a1=Q#) or (3.dxc6 Ra1+ 4.Kf2 Rc1 5.c7 a2 6.c8=Q Rxc8 7.Nxc8 a1=Q 8.b7 Qb1  0-1)

I think this position is already losing for White, is it?

Hey aristarcos,

     It indeed is likely lost for White, but the point is that White grabbed a loose P without realizing that Black could simply ignore White's onslaught.

xenophon98