Puzzle Problem Explained

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kaja1717

I was getting complicated in this chess puzzle solving with 1050 rating. If I could explain this, I confirmed that there must be two possible solutions to this problem.

In this puzzle problem, I played Qxg4 and after Nxg4, then Bxe7, which must be a true solution. Unfortunately, chess.com determined that Qxg4 is an incorrect solution, and the actual solution should be Bxf6, followed by Bxd1 for queen exchanges. I doubt that there is only one solution in this case, there must be absolute two possible solutions, right? Do anybody agree with my opinion? If not, please comment here below with any general ideas or explanations.

Arisktotle

.Qxg4 is a blunder for after ..Nxg4 .Bxe7 Bxe7 you have achieved nothing while .Bxf6 wins a piece. The difference between the two candidate moves is precisely what this puzzle intends to teach. And it is apparently just the lesson you needwink.png

Interestingly, black can save himself after .Bxf6 if you first remove Pf2 from the diagram. Can you see how? That's an advanced lesson.

kaja1717

I mean I hadn't had enough time to solve this puzzle, and realizing that Qxg4 is a possible correct move and played it quickly, as both sides will win a queen, instead of Bxf6 first of all. I doubt that Qxg4 is a blunder move though. Or maybe did I fail to understand this puzzle problem properly?

Arisktotle

.Qxg4 is a blunder because it loses you the opportunity to win the game by winning a piece . Every move that gives you a worse game result than you could have had  (draw instead of win) counts as a blunder.

kaja1717

Sorry? While I was solving this puzzle problem, I realized Qxg4 is a good move and played it quickly despite not noticing the time, and unfortunately, chess.com determined that it was incorrect though. So I continued to report this problem multiple times to chess.com, confirming that there must be two possible solutions, but hadn't got any responses yet. I guessed the move that I played should be in a correct solution, as well as Bxf6 first to gain an opportunity, huh? I mean did chess.com determine that my move will win or lose materials in these positions?

Arisktotle

I don't get what you are trying to say. 1.Bxf6 wins a piece and the game, 1.Qxg4 is a blunder which leads to an equal position (draw). Of course chess.com knows these things because it has a chess engine on board which analyzes these moves. If you disagree then you probably count the material incorrectly which is common in these types of exchanges. If you continue to disagree, enter the position in the Analysis module of chess.com or on a real chessboard so you can figure it out.

kaja1717

Oh are you sure? How did you exactly reply my problem using Analysis?

Arisktotle

Ah, I am a good chessplayer (much better than my rating) and I can see these things without needing Analysis. For your peace of mind I entered your diagram in the Analysis module. It gave  a +4 score for .Bxf6 (a certain win) and a 0.4 score for .Qxg4 (easily within drawing range). So it is me + the chess engine + the rest of the world versus you. Still don't want to give up?

kaja1717

Really? Unbelievable though. I thought my move Qxg4 was going to be a good move, and not forcing Bxf6 early, huh?

Arisktotle

You believe that because you either played a wrong move somewhere or you miscounted material. You should figure this out because these type of combinations happen a lot in practical chess games. In some positions .Qxg4 is better and in some .Bxf6. Quite often neither move wins because your opponents are not stupid and know these situations as well.

kaja1717

Oh! I was just miserable after failing to solve two consecutive regular puzzles today, and then lost rating of -25 in both. I knew I shouldn't have failed them. Thanks for your comments anyway.draw.pngdraw.pngdraw.png

EvinSung
Arisktotle wrote:

.Qxg4 is a blunder for after ..Nxg4 .Bxe7 Bxe7 you have achieved nothing while .Bxf6 wins a piece. The difference between the two candidate moves is precisely what this puzzle intends to teach. And it is apparently just the lesson you need

Interestingly, black can save himself after .Bxf6 if you first remove Pf2 from the diagram. Can you see how? That's an advanced lesson.

qd7 and no f3?

mrfreezyiceboy

let's do some counting:

1. qxg4, white wins bishop

1. ...nxg4, black wins queen

2. bxe7, white wins queen

2. ..bxe7, black wins bishop

white and black have both won a bishop and a queen, and material is just equal. but if bxf6..

1. bxf6, white wins knight

1. ..bxd1, black wins queen

2. bxe7, white wins queen

2. ..bxe7, black wins bishop

3. kxd1, white wins bishop

so if qxg4, material stays equal, but if bxf6, white has an extra knight