This is dedicated to the late IM Mark Diesen, who recently passed away in December. This was his game in 1977 against Arthur Feuerstein, former participant of the US Championship with Bobby Fischer.
Black to move. How would you assess this position? Which side is better? White or Black?
r1b1r1k1/pppnqp1p/3p2pb/6N1/2PPPQn1/1P4P1/PB2P1BP/RN3RK1 b – – 0 1
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
I guess that simple 1. …Bg5 2.Qg4 Ne5 is not a solution?
I prefer 1.. Nde5,
keeping the active Ng4 and blocking both diagonals a1-g7 and h1-a8, and . Black looks superior.
If 2.h4 then 2.. f6, all black pieces work together.
second anon, I don’t think you know what you’re talking about–1…. Nde5? 2.dxe5 Nxe5 ( 2…Bxg5 3.pxp and white is on top; and 2…dxe5 3.Qxf7+ and white just won a piece)
the first anon gave the solution (the simplest by all means) 1….Bxg5 winning a piece since 2.QxN Ne5 (queen is trapped) 3. Qxg5 (probably white’s best continuation) QxQ 4.PxN Pxp 5.Nce but white is losing anyway.
Bxg5 wins but what exactly is the beauty of this “combination”?
Uly,
To answer 1.. Nde5 2. dxe5 with Nxe5 really is ridiculous. Of course this wins a piece, but that’s a very silly move to propose.
I disagree that white is on top after:
1.. Nde5
2. dxe5 Bxg5
3. exd6 cxd6
4. Qf3 Ne3
Black still plays for a win.
(e.g.)
5. h4 Bg4
6. Qf2 Bh6