Tactics: Deep Water Fishing

John Upper's picture
Submitted by John Upper on Mon, 10/03/2016 - 18:38

This week's Canadian Tactic comes from the final round game between David Gordon and Armando Valdizon at the RA Fall Open in Ottawa, (Sept.2016). 

White has just played h2-h4, setting up a tactic nicknamed "the fishingpole" -- the Bg5 is the bait, the pawn that takes on g5 is the hook, and the open h-file is line to reel in the "fish"... Or is it?  

 

 

Anyone might go for this line in a blitz game, but David had upset GM Bator Sambuev in round 3, but lost to Kevin Pacey in round 4, so this game was for at least a share of first prize. Imagine there are hundreds of dollars at stake and try to figure out if the fishingpole tactic here is sound:

    • Can Black take on g5? 
    • If not, why not? 
    • If not now, when?

Solution in the notes below: 

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 Round:  Result:

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