Endgame Lab - The Rule of Square

-


White to move and win!

Highlight to see solution: [1.f6! gxf6 2.Kxg2! Kg5 3.a4 bxa3 4.bxa3 Kf5 5.a4 Ke5 6.d6! cxd6 7.c6! dxc6 8.a5+-]



White has the seemingly impossible task in this position of queening a pawn. Show how he can do it!

Comments

Anonymous said…
i really enjoy your blog. this puzzle does not appear very difficult. i have not yet solved the last tactical one. will you please post the answer.
February 07, 2007 10:16 PM
Gravity said…
Hi,

The answer is in between the two brackets to the right of the puzzle. You'll need a mouse to highlight between the brackets to see it.

Here is the answer:

1.f6! gxf6 2.Kxg2! Kg5 3.a4 bxa3 4.bxa3 Kf5 5.a4 Ke5 6.d6! cxd6 7.c6! dxc6 8.a5+-

It seems simple but there are several tricks to it. For example,
1.a4? is a mistake, as black plays 1...Kg3! and mates white!

Goood Luck!
February 08, 2007 8:34 AM
Gravity said…
Hi Anonymous,

I think I misenterpreted your message and you meant the solution to the tactical puzzle presented on Jan 31st, 2007.

The first move to the solution is 1. c4!

I will post the entire solution tonight.

Regards,
Mark
February 08, 2007 1:53 PM
Anonymous said…
yes of course!! I missed the mating attack at first glance. Im glad i wasnt playing this in a blitz game. Anyway, keep up the great work and keep posting these great problems. -Luke
February 10, 2007 12:29 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Color Complexes and the Bangiev Method

-
Color Complexes and the Bangiev Method I've been interested for some time in Alexander Bangiev's "B-Method" of decomposing a chess position so that one can find reasonable candidate moves based on (what I find) his unique and innovative system called the Squares Strategy. Here I'll attempt to explain as much as I can how a run-of-the-mill player like myself views this method and if it is something that the average Joe chess player can take advantage of. Bangiev claims that this method targets players rated approximately 1800 in the german rating system, and that is just about where I sit today, give or take 100 points. I will leave out the "B-Notation" - the shorthand symbolic language he uses to discuss the specifics of a position - as that just tends to confuse the new learner. I'll attempt to explain it in laymans english. Hopefully I do not violate any copyrights. If I do, I apologize. First we must define what it is we are looking at: What is T...
Read more

Karpov's 7 timeless reference points for evaluating a position

-
Karpov's 7 timeless reference points for evaluating a position Stage one: Comparative analysis. Material relationship between the forces Presence of direct threats Position of the kings, their safety Possession of open lines Pawn Structure, weak and strong squares The centre and space Development and the position of pieces Stage two:  choosing a plan. The choice of an attacking or defensive plan in any situation is determined by an objective evaluation of the position. And although these positions are different in terms of their specific features, for each of them there are defined rules about the methods of battle in better (1), worse (2) and equal (3) positions. 1 In better positions – with an advantage in development – you should try to prevent your opponent from completing the mobilization of his forces. To achieve this you should choose, as the opportunity arises, moves that present concrete threats, forcing your opponent to waste time and energy deflecting ...
Read more

Generic Training Schedule

-
Putting together a training schedule for yourself sounds like an easy task. No problem! I'll just study openings on Monday, do some middlgame strategy on Tuesday, then perhaps some endgames on Wednesday, and sprinkle some online games here and there. But in reality, if you are like me, it's difficult to do because we, as chessplayers, are averse to doing anything that is not really fun. Half way through your opening sessions you find yourself suddenly emmersed in a bullet tournament on ICC or Playchess. Endings? Bah! I know Lucena's - good enough. It is a lack of discipline in our non-playing activities that keep us right were we settle in the rating scale. ANY player can steadily improve if they apply a basic schedule to their studies and become persistent in executing those studies. In fact, I would venture that outside of any extraordinary talent, any player can see improvement up to the 2100-2200 rating level using this study plan as a guide. This 4-day study plan encom...
Read more