Tactics: Blockade or Attack?
This week's tactic comes from the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship:
Jeffrey Zhu (CAN) - Rowan Willathgamuwa (AUS)
WYCC U12, Al Ain, UAE
2013.12.20
White has an Isolated Queen's Pawn. What should Black do:
- blockade it with ...Nb5, or
- attack it with ...Rad8.
Hint:
Spoiler: Highlight to view
Pretend White has studied Alekhine, and after the game Black's friends are going to tell him to read Nimzowich.
Answer: Black should do this...
Spoiler: Highlight to view
23... Nb5! so the N restrains the pawn and prevents what happens in the game. After 24.Qb4 or 24.a4 it's +/=.
And here's what happened when he didn't...
Spoiler: Highlight to view
The game continued:
23... Rad8?
24. d6! This pawn sacrifice to get access to f6 is White's only move good move; and it's winning!
24...Rxd6! An awful move to have to make, but it is Black's best since the alternatives give up f6 and a crushing attack:
24... exd6? 25. Nf6+ Kh8 26. Qh4 h5 27. Nxh5 is mate in 6.
24... exd6? 25. Nf6+ Kg7 26. Qc3 Qc5 27. Ne8+! it's mate in 5.
25. Nxd6 Qxd6 26. Rc1 Ne6 27. Qc6 Qd3 28. Qc2 Qe3 29. Rce1 Qg3 30. Qc4 Qd6 31. Rd1 Qb6 32. b4 Ng7 33. Qc5 Qb7 34. Qd5 1-0
Jeffrey Zhu (CAN) - Rowan Willathgamuwa (AUS)
WYCC U12, Al Ain, UAE
2013.12.20
This game, and thirty more from the WYCC are in the January CCN.