Tactics: You Gotta Take Turns

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Tue, 01/14/2014 - 23:05

This week's Tactic comes from the second round of the 4NCL team event. Canadian GM Eric Hansen was playing IM Richard Pert. 

White has three pawns for the piece... and a forced win. 

 

Hint 1: Not the obvious move...

Spoiler: Highlight to view

34. Nxh7? gives away the win. Black recaptures ...Qxh7 and has a near-fortress and possible counterplay with ...Qc2.

 

Hint 2:

 

Spoiler: Highlight to view

Create zugzwang.
 

 

Solution 

Spoiler: Highlight to view

 34. h4! The only move to win.

It's zugzwang:   

  • a K move hangs the B; 
  • a B move hangs the K;  
  • a N move allows the White Q to enter along the a8-h1 diagonal;   
  • a Q move allows the White Q to enter on f6;  
  • and R moves lose as in the game.
For example:

34... Bg7?? is an expensive way to save the Bishop: 35. Re8#.
34... Rh8? 35. Nxd5+ exd5 36. Qf6+ +- Wins an exchange.
34... Nxf6 35. exf6+ Kd6 36. Qb7 Rh8 37. Rg5 Qxf6 38. Rc5 is mating.

Unfortunately for Black, in chess you have to take turns. Black tried 34... Rg7, and Eric won as follows: 35. Nxd5+ exd5 36. Qf6+ Qxf6 37. exf6+ Kxf6 38. Rxf8 b4 39. Re8  b3 40. Kf3 Kg6 41. Re5 f6 42. Rxd5 Ra7 43. Rc5 Ra2 44. Rxc4 Rxb2 45. Rb4 Rb1 46. Rb5 b2 47. Kg4 f5+ 48. Kf4 Kh5 49. f3 Kg6 50. Rb6+ 1-0 

 

Eric Hansen -  Richard Pert
4NCL, 2013.11.17

Full game, with notes by GM Eric Hansen, appears in the December 2013 CCN.

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