I had correct answers submitted to the Ninth Chess Lesson Problem from two different readers in two different groups. In the first diagram, although 21. ... Kg7 is a reasonable alternative, the game continuation that worked out really well was 21. ... Rf7! The point was to have the R prepared to guard h7 and move there to challenge the file if necessary.
This proved opportunistic when a few moves later (second diagram), White blundered with 26. Nh4??, which was refuted by simply winning a Pawn: 26. ... Bxh4 27. Rh1 Rh7! 28. gxh4 Rxh4 29. Rxh4+ Qxh4, and with his material advantage and active K-side P majority, Black went on to win.
Congratulations to the successful puzzle-solvers.
Puzzle #10 comes from my fellow NESA Member aristarcos. This was a quick win as White with a very simple tactical coup that surprisingly Black overlooked, resigning on his 14th move.
The puzzle starts off at Black's 14th move. Evaluate 14. ... h6 (this is not necessarily Black's continuation). Is it a reasonable move, or a blunder?
Fellow NESA Chess Members,
I had correct answers submitted to the Ninth Chess Lesson Problem from two different readers in two different groups. In the first diagram, although 21. ... Kg7 is a reasonable alternative, the game continuation that worked out really well was 21. ... Rf7! The point was to have the R prepared to guard h7 and move there to challenge the file if necessary.
This proved opportunistic when a few moves later (second diagram), White blundered with 26. Nh4??, which was refuted by simply winning a Pawn: 26. ... Bxh4 27. Rh1 Rh7! 28. gxh4 Rxh4 29. Rxh4+ Qxh4, and with his material advantage and active K-side P majority, Black went on to win.
Congratulations to the successful puzzle-solvers.
Puzzle #10 comes from my fellow NESA Member aristarcos. This was a quick win as White with a very simple tactical coup that surprisingly Black overlooked, resigning on his 14th move.
The puzzle starts off at Black's 14th move. Evaluate 14. ... h6 (this is not necessarily Black's continuation). Is it a reasonable move, or a blunder?
Great job, aristarcos. And good luck!
xenophon98