White to move. How should White proceed?
2r3k1/p4pp1/p1r1p3/2b1B2p/7P/P3P1P1/5P2/1RR3K1 w – – 0 1
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1 Rb8! leaves Black without a good response. 1…Rb8 2 Bb8 and there is no defense againt Ba7.
-Justin Daniel
I would definitely play Rb8 here. The idea is pretty simple- exchange out one pair of rooks in this position, and make use of the pin on the bishop to win it, or to force black to give up the exchange. The key features of this position are that rooks on c6 and c8 are on squares of a different color from their bishop, and the white bishop covers the key squares of b8 and c7:
1. Rb8 Rb8 (else see below)
2. Bb8 Rb6
On other moves like g5, white can wait and just take at g5 before playing Ba7. Note that black has no option for backing the rook up one square so that his bishop can unpin while protecting the rook- white’s bishop has control of c7. Continuing:
3. Ba7 Be3
4. Rc8 Kh7
5. Bb6 Bb6
6. Rc6 and white will win the exchange and have an outside passer to boot, more than enough to win.
In the line above, white played a key checking move at move 4. This suggests that black might do a bit better by getting the king to h7 on his first move. It does look better, but still losing:
1. Rb8 Kh7
2. Rc8 Rc8
3. Bd4
Not sure this is best for white. He has time to actually play a move like a4 getting his pawn on a white square, but Bd4 should win, too. Of course, Bd6 is not as good after black takes at a3 as black will eventually get a bishop protected by a passed a-pawn which will complicate matters. Continuing:
3. …..Bd4
4. Rc8 Bb6
5. Kg2 and white should win this fairly easily, though it can be mucked up with poor technique.
Rb8 Kh7
Rxc8 Rxc8
Bd6 Bxd6
Rxc8
nice easy one.. that last was straining
hard to believe, that white can actually gain something here, but it seems that after Rb8 the pin on black’s bishop becomes very effective, f. e.
1. … Rxb8
2. Bxb8 with Bxa7 and Bxc5 to follow.
greets, jan
1.Rb8!
I)1…. On a pawn or King move 2.Rxc8 Rxc8 3.Bd6! +-
II) 1….Rf8 2.Rxf8+ Kxf8 3.Rxc5!
III) So 1….Rxb8 2.Bxb8 threatening Bxa7 2…..Rb6 3.Bxa7 Bxa3 4.Rc8+ !
Rb8! and, after the b8 rook is exchanged for the c8 rook, there is no way for black to unpin his bishop. He will lose the exchange and the game
1.Rb8! and the game is over. White wins the bishop or an exchange, because the bishop cannot move (e.g. Bxa3 Rbxc8+ Rxc8 Rxc8+) this turn and is left pinned on c5, e.g.
1. … Rxb8
2. Bxb8 followed by Bxa7
The best answer seems
1. … Kh7 so white has no checks on c8.
2. Rxc8 Rxc8
3. Bd4 Bxd4
4. Rxc8 Bb6 and white should win.
I think about first move
1. Rd1
with the idea of taking 7th rank with rooks on b7 and d7.
Things I notice:
– Black rooks in c-line seem less dangerous than white ones in 7th rank. White king hides easily.
– a3 is dead, don’t bother to defend it.
– Bb8 interesting move to kill a7 and having bishops exchanged.
– Black a-pawns should be of little threat.
– Exchanging rooks must be avoided (black wants to exchange them).
– Black would never dear to play Ra8, I think.
– Black would rather play Rf8 to hold f7. And bishop holding f8 diagonal. This is my major problem here….