stunning

White to move




from Somkin — Vinogradov, Chelyabinsk 2005

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Nb7

Originally posted by Coconut
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Nb7

Knights don't make an L that tall

Originally posted by Wulebgr
White to move

[fen]r3kb1r/p1B2ppp/P1p1p1n1/1p6/N7/8/1PP2PPP/R2R2K1 w - -[/fen]


from Somkin — Vinogradov, Chelyabinsk 2005

nb6 pxn a7 with the idea of Bb8

Originally posted by Grandmouster
nb6 pxn a7 with the idea of Bb8

What does Bb8 accomplish?

Originally posted by Wulebgr
What does Bb8 accomplish?

It looks like it blocks off the rook so it can't move anywhere.

Originally posted by Freddie2006
It looks like it blocks off the rook so it can't move anywhere.

Is that worth a knight?

Originally posted by Wulebgr
What does Bb8 accomplish?

maybe nothing, i was thinking of a long range plan of doubling the rooks, but that might be too slow.
Got me here. If its not a sac, then look for a way to double on the open file

simple
Nb6 axb6, Rd8ch Rxd8, Bxd8 Kxd8, a7 the pawn queens.

Originally posted by Grandmouster
maybe nothing, i was thinking of a long range plan of doubling the rooks, but that might be too slow.
Got me here. If its not a sac, then look for a way to double on the open file

i get it, nb6 pxn, a7, then rd8+ then queen

It's simple: 1. Nb6 axb6 2. Rd8+ Rxd8 3. Bxd8 and black has no way of stopping the pawn.

Hang on... Black can't stop the pawn queening, but doesn't moving the king off the back row mean Black can kill the queen immediately?

EDIT: No. Sorry. Can't move King AND Bishop in one move. Is it any wonder I'm making such pathetic mistakes in my own games at the moment?

Originally posted by Regicidal
simple
Nb6 axb6, Rd8ch Rxd8, Bxd8 Kxd8, a7 the pawn queens.

That's the given solution, but what if black does not grab the knight? For example, 1.Nb6 Bc5.

Originally posted by Wulebgr
That's the given solution, but what if black does not grab the knight? For example, 1.Nb6 Bc5.

Nxa8 wins the exchange comes first to mind.

Originally posted by Wulebgr
That's the given solution, but what if black does not grab the knight? For example, 1.Nb6 Bc5.

Nxa8

edit: drat, too slowagain...
edit 3: after Nxa8, 0-0 (what else?) white can play Rd8 to keep hold of the knight.
edit 4: although Be7 from black (rather than Bc5) cuts that out.