A Beautiful Combination

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30 Sep '10 09:27

paulbuchmanfromfics
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24 Aug '07
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48477
30 Sep '10 09:273 edits
I was playing through a games collection and came across this beauty:

Shestoperov-Serzhanov 1955

White To Move And Win

FEN r1r3k1/qb1N1ppp/p3p3/1pbn2B1/8/4P3/PP2QPPP/1B1R1RK1 w - - 2 20
Invert Board PGN Headers Comments
[FEN "r1r3k1/qb1N1ppp/p3p3/1pbn2B1/8/4P3/PP2QPPP/1B1R1RK1 w - - 2 20"] 1.Rxd5 {!!} Bxd5 {1. ... exd5 doesn't change the conclusion.} 2.Bxh7+ {!}
Kxh7 {Kh8 3.Qh5 wins} 3.Nf6+ {!! ... This is what makes the combination so beautiful. It seems as though white is just randomly tossing pieces, but black is in a mating net that must be played precisely. Black resigned in this position. On 3. ... Kg6 4.Qh5+ Kf5 5.Bh4+ g5 6.Qxg5 mate -- see reply to this post ... I'll give the other continuation in the pgn, even though it didn't really happen.} 3. ... gxf6 4.Qh5+ Kg7 {! ... Kg8 5.Bxf6 is easier.} 5.Qh6+ {!- forcing him into the previous pattern} 5. ... Kg8 6.Bxf6 {Mate on h8 is unavoidable. Again, note that black resigned on move 3. This is just analysis.}
paulbuchmanfromfics
Joined
24 Aug '07
Moves
48477
30 Sep '10 09:341 edit
This is an analysis of an alternate 3rd move for black from the above post.

FEN r1r5/q4ppk/p3pN2/1pbb2B1/8/4P3/PP2QPPP/5RK1 b - - 1 3
Invert Board PGN Headers
[FEN "r1r5/q4ppk/p3pN2/1pbb2B1/8/4P3/PP2QPPP/5RK1 b - - 1 3"] 1. ... Kg6 2.Qh5+ Kf5 3.Bh4+ g5 4.Qxg5
untergang
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25 Nov '06
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30 Sep '10 16:26
I came up with the slightly different (same moves in a different order) 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 2. Rxd5 Bxd5 3. Qh5+ Kg8 4. Nf6+ gxf6 5. Bxf6, again with mate on h8.

I can't see any defence from Black against that - am I wrong?
paulbuchmanfromfics
Joined
24 Aug '07
Moves
48477
30 Sep '10 17:31
Originally posted by untergang
I came up with the slightly different (same moves in a different order) 1. Bxh7+ Kxh7 2. Rxd5 Bxd5 3. Qh5+ Kg8 4. Nf6+ gxf6 5. Bxf6, again with mate on h8.

I can't see any defence from Black against that - am I wrong?
That was some nice analysis! Well Done.

The key differences in the two moves are what happens when black doesn't take on d5.

Admittedly, the two are practically the same.

1.Bxh7+ Kxh7 2.Rxd5 Kg8 3.Nf6+! gxf6 4.Bxf6 Kf8 5.Qh5 Ke8 6.Rd7 ! is a hard line to find, but it leaves white up 5.17 according to the engine.

1.Rxd5 is a lot simpler. 1.Rxd5 f5 2.Rd2 leaves white up 5.23, which is virtually the same, but it doesn't require such a precise handling of the attack.

These could be examined longer and more deeply, but I don't really see a point.
Both moves are great. One just requires a lot more accuracy.

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A Beautiful Combination