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  A.J.'s Site Chess Puzzles  
  (Solutions Page #4)  

  (All solutions for problems posted in 2007-2009.)  


This will be my page, (created in December, 2005); to permanently record all of my weekly chess problems. I will give the position, {a diagram}; a position check, {where all the pieces are} the participants in the game or who composed the problem, the source of the problem, etc. (All the pertinent and necessary information.)  

Plus I will at least give the solution - maybe with some light analysis and explanation as well.  

Don't expect me to give the solution before the next problem is posted ... it isn't going to happen!!  

The diagrams on this page were all created with either  Chess Captor 2.25  or  ChessBase. (8.0 or 9.0 or 10.0 or 11.0.

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Please ... DO NOT send me any e-mails about this feature. Solve the problem, do it on your own. HAVE FUN WITH IT!!! I have more than enough books and stuff to provide the material for this feature. Please don't - send me your games!! No, no, no! Don't bother, OK? 

If you are one of those individuals who used a computer to solve this, you need not ever tell me about it! (I especially don't want to hear from someone who used Fritz, and claims to have completed their analysis on their very own!!! Ugh! I would not believe you, anyway.)  


Want more puzzles?  Then try here.  Or here.  


  Puzzle Number # 47Thursday / January 11th, 2006.  

The problem for January, 2007. (ind-potm_Jan2007.gif, 10 KB)

     White to move.    

 Position in Forsythe: (top-to-bottom/left-to-right) -  
 r3b2r/3k1p2/2n1pRp1/pp1pP2p/2pP3P/q1P3QB/P1P1NPP1/R4K2 w 
 White: Kf1, Qg3, Ne2, Bh3, Ra1, f6, Pa2 ,c2, c3, d4, e5, f2, g2, h4 / Black: Kd7, Qa3, Nc6, Be8, Ra8, h8, Pa5, b5, c4, d5, e6, f7, g6, h5 

  *************************************************************************  

 White to play - from this position!  {Given above}  

  *********************  

White seems to be solidly better here, yet Black's Queen is all set to go on a raiding party on the Q-side. How does White proceed from this position? 

  **************************************************************************************  

P.O.T.M. for January, 2007. 

This position is derived from the contest: 

GM Thomas Ernst (2441) - NM Jorgen Eriksson (2234)[C12] 
ICT, The Rilton Cup 2006-7 / Stockholm, SWE; (R8) / 04,01,2007.  

   ****************************************   

25.Qf3!!,  
There are many ideas for White in this position, but this is the best. 
(The solution is many moves deep, some programs do not grasp the solution here.) 

White has many threats, both f7 and d5 are hanging. 

 

25...Kc7
Black tries to extricate his King.  

     [ Even worse would be: 
       </= 25...Qb2?!; ('?')  26.Rxf7+ Bxf7;  27.Qxf7+ Ne7!?;  28.Re1 Ra6;  29.Nf4, "--->"  
       when White's assault has reached alarming (and also winning) proportions. ]  

 

26.Rxf7+!! Bxf727.Qxf7+ Qe7;   
This appears to be virtually forced for Black.  

     [ After the moves: </=  27...Kb6?; 28.Bxe6 Rhf8;  29.Qxg6, "+/-"   
       Black's position is on the verge of falling apart. ]   

 

The next few moves are pretty much forced ... for both sides.   
28.Qxe6 Qxe629.Bxe6 Ne730.Nf4 Kc631.Bf7!,   
I like this best, White does not mess around, but immediately "gets busy" on the King-side.  

     [ The box seems to prefer: 31.Ke2!?,  with the idea of bringing the WK all the way over to d2. ]  

 

31...Rhf832.e6 b4;   
Black tries to pry open a file for his Rooks. (This is a good idea, at least in theory, as the Black heavy pieces currently have almost no scope at all. 

 

33.Nxg6 Nxg634.Bxg6 Kd635.Re1 Ra7!?;  (An error?)   
The advantage (for White) practically doubles after this move, its main drawback is that it was too materialistic.  

     [ Black should have played: 
        >/= 35...Rf6; which is an offer to return the material ... IF White pushes his KP after ...Rf6. ]  

 

36.Bxh5 bxc3;   
Black continues on as planned ...  

     [ Another idea here was 36...Rh8; trying to activate the Black KR. ]  

 

37.Bf7 Rb838.g4 Rb239.g5 Rxc240.g6 Rd2?!; ('?')   
This loses rapidly, the box suggests (instead) that Black play 40...Ke7; with the idea of bringing the Black King over to help stops the advance of White's infantry. (However, even with correct play, Black will not be able to avert a loss from this position.) 

 

The rest is pretty simple. 
41.g7 Ra842.e7 c243.g8Q Rxg844.Bxg8 Rd1!?45.e8Q c1Q?;   
Too obvious - Black had to swap Rooks on e1, (with check); and then promote his Pawn, giving check. (I am not sure, but time might have been a factor here.)  

 

46.Qd8+ Kc647.Qxd5+ Kb648.Qc5+ Kb749.Bd5+,  "+/-"  
Black Resigns, its mate in just two more moves from here. 

 

  Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2007.  All rights reserved.   

 

   1 - 0   


  Puzzle Number # 48February 28th, 2007.  

ind-potm_mar-2007.gif, 09 KB

     Black to move.    

 Position in Forsythe: (top-to-bottom/left-to-right) -  
 
1br1k3/4qpQ1/2p1r3/Bp5p/1Pp3b1/4P1PP/3R1PB1/R5K1 b  
  White: Kg1, Qg7, Ba5, g2, Ra1, d2, Pb4, e3, f2, g3, h3; / Black: Ke8, Qe7, Bb8, g4, Rc8, e6, Pb5, c4, c6, f7, h5.  

  *************************************************************************  

Black to play - from this position!  {Given above}  

  *********************  

It has been an extremely complex struggle thus far, and right now the game looks close to being equal. Now the second player comes up with a series of ideas ... that not even the computer is able to grasp fully. 

  **************************************************************************************  

This is derived from the contest: 
GM Peter Leko (2749) - GM Viswanathan Anand (2779); XXIV SuperGM (Round # 07) 
Morelia/Linares, MEX/ESP; 25,02,2007[replay]   

 

26...Be5!;  
This is the best ... the Bishop is re-activated, and White's responses are pretty much forced ... in order to avoid losing material. 

 

27.Qg8+ Qf8;  28.Qxf8+ Kxf8;  29.Rc1 Bf5;  30.e4,   
Positionally speaking, this is forced, White cannot allow Black's Bishop access to the d3-square. 

 

30...Bh7;  31.Bb6 Bf6;  32.h4!?,   
Somewhat adventurous, but it is not so easy to play White's position from this point.  

     [ After the continuation: (>/=)  32.Re2 Be7;  33.Ba5 Ra8;  34.f4 c5;  "=/+"  
       Black is better, but perhaps this is an improvement over the game. ]  

 

Black's next move looks like an obvious capture, however, you have to (try) and understand ... the second player has already decided to sacrifice some material.   
32...Bxe4!!;  33.Bh3 Bd5!;  34.Bxe6 fxe6!;  35.Bc5+ Be7;  36.Bxe7+ Kxe7;   
Now it appears that all Black has managed to do is drop an exchange. (Don't change that channel!)  

 

37.Rb2 Kd6!;  38.Kf1 c5!;  39.Ke2 cxb4;  40.Rxb4 Kc5;  41.Rcb1 Bc6;  "/+"  Leko RESIGNS!! 
The talented Hungarian super-GM knows that once Black's connected passed Pawns start rolling on the Queen-side, the loss is certain, and only a matter of time. (All that is needed is for Anand's Rook to join the party.) 

  Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2007. All rights reserved.  

 

   0 - 1    


  Puzzle Number # 49; For the month of May, 2007.  

ind-potm_May-2007.gif, 09 KB

     Black to move.    

 Position in Forsythe: (top-to-bottom/left-to-right) -  
  2rbn1k1/7p/p2p2pP/3Ppr2/1qB5/4B1P1/5P2/1R1QR1K1 b - - 0 33  

White: Kg1, Qd1, Bc4 & e3, Rb1 & e1; Pawns - d5, f2, g3, and h6. / 
  Black: Kg8, Qb4, Ne8, Bd8, Rc8 & f5; Pawns - a6, d6, e5, g6, h7.  

  *************************************************************************  

Black to play - from this position!  {Given above}  

  *********************  

Sometimes in high-level chess, what is required is not a brilliant win; but tough, stubborn and obdurate 
defense. Here, Black must try and save a position ... which many of my students find difficult to hold. 

  **************************************************************************************  

This is derived from the struggle: 
GM Peter Leko (2738) - GM Vladimir Kramnik (2772); [C88] 
Rapid Match / Miskolc, HUN; (R#2) / 25,04,2007[Replay ... the whole game.] 

  *************************************************  

GM V. Kramnik, who seems to be almost unbeatable as of late ... 
shows us how it is done. 

 33...Qxc4!;  34.Rc1 Qxc1!;   
Only with this move ... the positional sacrifice of the Queen ... 
does Black clearly demonstrate that he can hold the draw. 

     [ Instead, after the continuation of: </= 34...Qb535.Rxc8, '±'  (Maybe "+/-") 
       White looks close to having a won game here. ]  

 

 35.Bxc1 Bb6!;  36.Be3 Bxe3;  37.Rxe3 Nf6;  38.Qa4 e4!;   
Rather than tie his pieces down to defense, Kramnik jettisons a pawn. 

 39.Qxa6 Rc1+;  40.Kg2 Rc2;  41.Re2 Rxe2;  42.Qxe2 Rxd5;    
Materially speaking, the game is close to even. Normally, a Knight and a Rook are a poor substitute for the Queen, but here Black ... with all the material on only five files ... has something of a fortress, and manages to just cover all of his remaining weaknesses. 

 43.Qc4 Kf7;  44.Qc7+,   
The only other option was to play f2-f4, but I doubt if that would have made much of a difference. 

The remaining moves require no further comment from me. 
  44...Ke6;  45.Qc8+ Ke7;  46.Kf1 Rc5;  47.Qb7+ Ke6;  48.Ke2 Rf5;  49.Qc8+ Ke7;  
  50.Qc7+ Ke6;  51.Qc8+,  (Draw)   

Spirited defense from Kramnik, who managed to save a position that appeared perilous at one time in this contest. 

   Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2007. All rights reserved.   

 

  ½ - ½  


  Puzzle Number # 50;  For  ...  the month of  July, 2007.  

ind_potm-July2007.gif, 09 KB

    Black  to move.    

 Position in Forsythe: (top-to-bottom/left-to-right) -  
  r5k1/1br4p/p3p1p1/3pn3/P2R4/2N4P/1PP1BPP1/4R1K1 b  

  White: Kg1, Nc3, Be2, Rd4, Re1;  Pawns - a4, b2, c2, f2, g2, & h3. 
  Black: Kg8, Ne5, Bb7, Ra8, Rc7;  Pawns - a6, d5, e6, g6, & h7. 

  *************************************************************************  

Black to play - from this position!  {Given above}  

  *********************  

Play now proceeded:  30...Bc8?!31.Rb4! Kf7?;  
(I leave it to you to figure out why these moves are bad.)  

...  and now White wins with a nice combination ... and some accurate play in the ensuing endgame. 

  **************************************************************************************  

This is my "Problem of The Month" (Site Chess Problem) for July, 2007. 

 

This is all based on the game: GM Daniel Stellwagen (2600) - IM Manuel Bosboom (2423); [B08]  
National Championship Tourn. (ch-NED) / Hilversum, NED; (R#3) / 18,06,2007.   

Play now proceeded: 
30...Bc8?!; 31.Rb4! Kf7?;   
and now White wins with a nice combination ... and some accurate play in the ensuing endgame. 

32.Bxa6! Nf3+;  33.gxf3 Rxa6;  34.f4 Bd7;  35.Kg2 Kf6;  36.Kf3 Rac6;  
37.Rd1 Rxc3+; (A desperate bid for counterplay.)  38.bxc3 Rxc3+;  39.Rd3 Rxc2;    
40.Ra3 Bc6;  41.Ke3 e5;  42.fxe5+ Kxe5;  43.a5 g5;  44.a6 h5;  45.a7 Ba8;    
46.Ra5 Rc3+;  47.Kd2, "+/-"  Black Resigns.  

Black throws in the towel, the position after 47...Rc8; 48.Rb8, offers Black no chance to save his game. 

 

   Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2007.   

   1 - 0   


  A.J.'s - Site Problem, index puzzle #51.  

White to move ... can you solve this without help? (ind_sp_jan-2009.gif, 08 KB)

     White  to move.    

 Position in Forsythe: (top-to-bottom/left-to-right) -  
  r2q1rnk/1p1bb1pp/p2p4/3NP1P1/P2Bp3/3Q3R/1PP1B2P/6RK w  

  White: Kh1, Qd3, Nd5, Bd4, e2, Rg1, h3; Pawns: a4, b2, c2, e5, g5, & h2
  Black: Kh8, Qd8, Ng8, Bd7, e7, Ra8, f8, Pawns: a6, b7, d6, e4, g7, & h7.

  *************************************************************************  

This is a "White to move" (and win?) problem.  

I won't tell you the players or the source, if I did that, it would make it too easy for you. Please, use ONLY your brain, no computers! 

  **************************************************************************************  

Any Player - A.O. Player
  Monthly Chess Problem  
  #51 Pensacola, FL (1) / 17,04,2014.  


White to move ...  

 

1.e6!! exd3!?;  (Hmmm.) 

Black may as well capture. 
(EVERYTHING loses for the second party ... Black is absolutely guaranteed to lose, no matter what move he chooses at this point. {Fire up any chess engine, and you will see what I mean.} So Black may as well have a momentary thrill of taking the White Queen.) 

 

          [ Some engines prefer: >/= 1...Rf5; however, after 2.Qxe4,  +- , (Decisive.)   
            when White has an easy win ... both in material, and also with the   
            position on the chess-board. ]   

 

2.Bxd3! Rf5[];  (Forced.)  

The severe and overwhelming threat of 3.RxP/h7# forces Black to start shedding material. 

 

3.Bxf5 Nf6; 4.gxf6 Bxf65.Rxh7+ Kg86.Nxf6+ Qxf67.Rgxg7+!,   
The best.   

 

          [ Not as accurate would be the following line:  </=  
            7.Bxf6 Bc6+;  8.Rg2 Bxg2+;  9.Kxg2 gxf6; 10.Rxb7, +-   
            White is winning, but Black can still resist for many   
            more moves, if he chooses to do so from here. ]   

 

7...Qxg78.Rxg7+ Kf89.e7+ Ke810.Bg6#.   

 

   1 - 0    


  Puzzle Number #52;  April 17th, 2014.  

  ********************************************************************************************  

ind_wcp52.png, 262 KB

     Black  to move.    

 Position in Forsythe: (top-to-bottom/left-to-right) -  
  2br1rk1/1p2bpp1/p1p1pn1p/q3NP2/PnBPP3/2N3B1/1P2Q1PP/R4RK1 b - 01

      White:  Kg1, Qe2, Nc3, Ne5, Bc4, Bg3, Ra1, Rf1 / WP's:  a4, b2, d4, e4, f5, g2, h2.   
  Black:  Kg8, Qa5, Nb4, Nf6, Bc8, Be7, Rd8, Rf8 / BP's:  a6, b7, c6, e6, f7, g7, h6. 

  ****************************************************************************  

Chess Problem / #52 
Pensacola, FL (1) / April 17th, 2014.  

   Black to move. (Analysis - White just played f4-f5.)   


#1.) What is Black's best move? 

#2.) If Black plays 18...e6xf5; what will White's response be? 

I won't tell you the players or the source, if I did that, it would make it too easy for you.   Please, use ONLY your brain, no computers!  

  AFTER I have posted the next problem, I will give the solution to this one!  


  Puzzle Number # __;  _______ ??, 20__.  

  ********************************************************************************************  

  AFTER I have posted the next problem, I will give the solution to this one!  


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  This page was created in December, 2006.   It was first posted {here} on Monday; January 01, 2007.  This page was last updated on:  April 17, 2014 10:52 PM .  


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