Showing posts with label blockade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blockade. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

How Not to Play Chess

In this game, White thoughtfully gives up his dark-squared bishop for a knight, weakening his dark squares and giving Black the bishop pair. He then allows Black to occupy e3, completely blockading White's position. A queen trade doesn't stop Black from developing a mating attack. White should have played 17.Bg2 Rhd8 18.Nf2 Rxc4, when he is busted but at least avoids immediate loss. Instead, he stumbled into mate.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

A position from the U.S. Game/30 championship

Black to play
Mark Robledo, Jr.-Bill Brock, Skokie 2010

It was a mutual time-scramble, but both players had more than one minute plus delay remaining when the above position was reached.  Black sees that White's king on c4 and pawn on d5 are both on the diagonal of the bishop on f7, and gets an idea.  Is it a bright one?

Evaluate the position: you are invited to use your computers!