White to move. What should White do?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
How well can you calculate?
About Author
White to move. What should White do?
qxh7+ Kxh7
hxg6 + Rxg6
If fxg6 or Kh8, then Rh2 mate
Rh2 + Kg8 (Rh6, then Rxh6 mate)
Rh1
…. Kf8
Rh8+ Rg8
Bh6+ Ke8
Rxg8+ etc.
Qxh7+ Kxh7
hxg6+ Rxg6 (forced)
Rh1+ Kg8
Rh2 and there is no defence for Rh8
well, I suppose you could go for black after my previous line…
Rh2 Kf8
Rh8+ Rg8
Bh6+ Ng7 (or kf8 and the result is the same)
bxg7+ Kf8
Rxg8#
that should be Ke8, sorry for the typo. I think this is pretty good, right? I normally suck!
Speaking of calculating, Susan, could you please do a post on how people (and computer programs) come up with positional values for positions. For instance, as I make moves in my chess program, a “score” will move up and down, negative for black and positive for white. I understand piece value, but I get confused when position is somehow calculated into this “score”.
How is this calculated? Does it have to do with how many squares your pieces exert power upon? Anyway, a brief post explaining something along these lines would, I’m sure, be appreciated by all curious chess fans. Thanks!
It’s mate in 8!
1. Qxh7+ Kxh7
2. hxg6+ Rxg6
3. Rh2+ Kg8
4. Rgh1 Kf8
5. Rh8+ Rg8
6. Bh6+ Ke8
7. Rxg8+ Nf8
8. Rxf8# 0-1
I think easiest is
Qxh7+ Kxh7
Rh2
Threatening hxg6# against which there is no good response.
oops, nevermind of course after Rh2 black plays g5.
The question What should White do? is rather easy to answer. White should deliver mate 🙂
The question how to do it is a little bit more difficult, my bet is on Rxg6 fxg6 hxg6.
i thin u should start with
hxg
then black has only 2 replies
either fxg or Rxg
if fxg
Rh1 Be8
Qxh7+ QxQ
RxQ+ KxQ
Rh2++
if Rxg
Qxh7+ KxQ
Rh1+ Kg8
Rgh2
I dont think 1.hxg is a good idea.
1.hxg fxg
2.Rh1 Nf8
then there is no way white can deliver mate.
3. Rch2 is met with Bf5+
ah come on … hxg is only transposition…
1.hxg fxg??
2.Qxh7+!! Kxh7
3.Rh2#
1.hxg Rxg6 (forced)
2.Qxh7+ Kxh7+
and the line goes as outlined by a multitude of bloggers!
1. hxg
now if …fxg Qxh7+
KxQ Rh2 or Rh1 mate
if …Rxg6
then RxR fxR
Qxh7# Kxh7
Rh2 mate
1, hxg6 or 1. Qxh7+ give the same mate in 8, see peritezz’s variation. I checked with Fritz, so I’m correct!
hxg6
if ..Rxg6, Rh2
if ..fxg6, Qxh7
pretty easy
There is only one way that is dramatic, dynamic, and forcing!
1 Qh7+! Kh7
2 hg6+ Rg6(only move)…fg6 3 Rh2#
3 Rh2+ Kg8(only move)…Rh6 4 Rh6#
4 Rh1 Kf8(for rook block Rg8)
5 Rh8+ Rg8
6 Bh6+ Ke8
7 Rg8+ Nf8
8 Rf8#
Forcing checks 7 out of 8 moves. That seems best to me.
the second way is
1.hxg6 … :))
Vohaul said…
the second way is
1.hxg6 … :))
Yes, I believe you are correct in that analysis. I tried to think of a defense to 1 hg6…none found. I like the queen sac first as a matter of style and interest. Who doesn’t? While hg6 does the same thing, it lacks the exciting queen first approach.
PS. I don’t use any computer assistance while doing these. I like to do it in my head (it’s hard sometimes and impossible other times), then write it down. Finally, I check it at the board. Everyone usually has beaten me to the final solution, but I keep my mind fresh and I learn something new.
so – wellcome in the club – dear friend todd!
your Vohaul
truthfully, I didn’t even look at the pawn capture after analyzing the queen sac to a forced win… I guess everyone has their own tastes!
Henry