Tactics: Development = Attack
This week's Canadian Tactic comes from the Zhao, Y. - Zhu, H., at the 2014 North American Junior Championship in Kitchener.
White has the ideal d4/e4 center and both Rooks already in play.
Should Back counter in the center with ...c5 or is something else better?
Hint:
(Answer at the end) Spoiler: Highlight to view
Q: Why is White better developed?
This is good:
Spoiler: Highlight to view
15...Nbd7 16.e5 Nd5 17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.Ne4, when White has a clear plus because of his control over the dark squares, but it's not over.
This is not good...
15...c5? 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 Capturing the other way doesn't solve Black's problems: 16...gxf6 17.Nh5 Kh8 18.Nxf6 Bxf6 19.Rxf6 Nd7 20.Rf3 when White is up a pawn with an attack against Black's busted kingside.Spoiler: Highlight to view
...because:
17.Rxf6! gxf6 18.Nh5 Kh8 18...Rd8 19.Qg3+ Kf8 20.Qg7+ and White wins too many pawns and keeps the initiative against Black's homeless K. 19.Qh4 Qd8 19...Nd7 20.Nxf6 Nxf6 21.Qxf6+ Kg8 22.Rd3 and White has a crushing attack. 20.Nxf6 Kg7 21.Qg5+ Kh8 22.Qh6 Qxf6 Only move to stop mate, but resigning would be perfectly reasonable too. 23.Qxf6+ Kg8 24.Rd3 Rfd8 25.Rg3+ Good enough, but White wins faster with 25.Qh6!, covering the exits. 25...Kf8 26.Rg7 Rd7 27.Rxh7 Q: Why is White better developed? White is "better developed" because both White Rooks already in play -- they can reach important squares quickly -- and the Black Rooks cannot. This attack worked because both of White's Rooks were able to contribute (Rxf6 and Rd3) while neither of Black's Rooks were mobile enough to help.Spoiler: Highlight to view
1-0
The Rf1 is obviously more mobile than the one on f8; and while the Ra8 seems to be almost as mobile as the Rd1, in fact, the Rd1 can go to the third rank and switch to the kingside or queenside, while the Ra8 cannot.
from:
Yuetong (Davy) Zhao - Harmony Zhu
2014 NA Junior Ch, Kitchener.
2014.08.01