Tactics: Back Rank Tactics
This week's tactic comes from last month's WYCC in the UAE.
Canada's Aahil Noorali has just played 33... Ra1, pinning the Nb1 to White's King. White has two ways to defend the N: Rb3 or Rc1. Does either of them save the game?
Hint 1:
Spoiler: Highlight to view
Yes: there are back rank tactics.
Hint 2:
Spoiler: Highlight to view
What's less valuable than the Nb1?
Not this way:
Spoiler: Highlight to view
In the game, White chose:
34.Rc1? which loses because of Aahil's next accurate moves:
34... Ba6 (threatening ...Bd3, with a double-attack on the Nb1) 35. Rd1!? (sets a trap) Be2! The only move to win. Black could have given away the advantage with the careless 35... Bd3?? since 36. Nc3 unpins the N and defends the Rd1 with a big advantage for White.
36. Rc1 Bd3! 37. g3 Rxb1! (of course, Black avoids creating a self-pin with 37...Bxb1?) 38. Rxb1 Bxb1
0-1
This way:
Spoiler: Highlight to view
34. Rb3! Ba6 35. b5! The key defensive move: gives up a pawn in return for a piece-saving tempo.
35. h3? is too slow: 35...Bc4 36. Rb2 Bd3 and Black wins the N.
35... Bxb5 36. h3 Bc4 37. Rb8+ saves the R with tempo, 37... Kg7 38. Kh2 unpins before ...Bd3. Black is a bit better, but it's still a game.
Note: this defence works only because Black's back rank is weak too: if Black's K was on g7 and sheltered from a check by a pawn on f7, White would not have had the check and could not have gained time to save the Rook and Knight.
Game:
V Gadwal Vilok (IND) - Aahil Noorali (CAN)
WYCC U8 Open, rd.10
Al Ain, UAE
2013.12.27
For games, photos, and full report on Canadians at the WYCC, see the upcoming CCN.