2r3k1/3n4/p2ppbPR/1p6/n4P2/2PBQ3/q1P5/2K4R w - - 0 1

Scary Variation #2 - The Frankenstein-Dracula Variation

This is a variatian of the Bishop's Opening (also reachable from the Vienna Game) and got its name from Tim Harding, who published a book on the Vienna Game in 1976, in which he said that the bloodthirstiness of the character of play was such that "a game between Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster would not seem out of place."

1.e4 e5
2.Nc3 Nf6
3.Bc4 Nxe4!?

And here the fun begins. Naturally, White can't win material in this position as 4.Nxe4 is met with 4...d5.

4.Qh5 Nd6

Meets the threat on f7 and pressures the bishop on c4.

5.Bb3

Also possible is 5.Qxe5+ Qe7 6.Qxe7+ Bxe7 7.Be2

5...Nc6
6.Nb5 g6
7.Qf3 f5
8.Qd5 Qe7
9.Nxc7+ Kd8
10.Nxa8 b6

Black is setting up for Bb7 to snag the knight. He'll still be down the exchange, but has attacking chances as compensation.

Here's another internet antique, an article on this variation by the aforementioned Tim Harding that belongs in a museum. Not that the analysis is antiquated, but the link is to a .txt file and I think it's from prior to 2000(!)

Endgame of the Week (ESD 2000 24)

They say it's not possible to checkmate with just a knight, but that's not strictly true. But if your opponent has a pawn, you can use that to your advantage. This is White needs to do to bring this game to a successful conclusion.

8/8/8/8/8/4N2p/5K1k/8 w - - 0 1

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Solutions Update

Problem 1 - White To Play

r6k/ppp4r/3pqNP1/6Q1/3P4/8/PPP3P1/2K5 w - - 0 1

There's no time to dawdle. White needs to get his butt in gear.

All of Black's moves are forced.

1.g7+ Rxg7
2.Qh6+ Rh7
3.Qxh7#

Problem 2 - White To Play

1r3rk1/1p1q1p1n/p1pP1Pp1/2P1P3/P5pQ/2N4P/5RK1/1R6 w - - 0 1

Black in horribly compromised on the dark squares around his king, which White sees he can take advantage of.

1.Qh6!

Threatening 2.Qg7#

1...gxh3+

Black tries to stave off the inevitable. He's hoping White will fall for 2.Qxh3 Qxh3+ 3.Kxh3, but White instead shuts the counterattack down with

2.Kf1!

Inferior is 2.Kh2 Nxf6 3.exf6 Qxd6+ 4.Kh1 Qxf6 5.Rxf6. It's a win for White but considerably messier

So Black tries

2...Nxf6
3.exf6

White is undeterred.

2...h2

Black is a move short.

4.Qg7#

Curtains.

Problem 3 - White To Play (53)

3r1r1k/pp2N1qp/3p2p1/2n1b3/8/4BR1Q/PPP4P/5R1K w - - 0 1

1.Rxf8+ Rxf8
2.Rxf8+ Qxf8

And now...

3.Nxg6+

Oh ho! Knight fork! And the knight can't be captured because the h7 pawn is pinned. So Black is forced to move his king out of check.

3...Kg7
4.Nxf8

And White should go on to win.

Problem 4 - White To Play (298)

2r3k1/3n4/p2ppbPR/1p6/n4P2/2PBQ3/q1P5/2K4R w - - 0 1

Given the nature of these problems, you probably could have guessed the first move:

1.Rh8+ Bxh8

Black is forced to take. Otherwise, if 1...Kg7, then 2.R1h7# cooks his goose.

2. Rxh8+ Kxh8

Actually, 2...Kg7 is probably Black's best hope, but I'll analyze this line separately.

3.Qh3+ Kg7 (if 3...Kg8, then 4.Qh7+ Kf8 5.Qf7#)
4.Qh7+ Kf6
5.Qf7#

So, getting back to 2...Kg7, White naturally replies

3.Rxc8

And now Black has to seriously consider whether he just shouldn't resign. His king is over there practically by itself and there's little hope he can bring his other pieces over to help out with the defense. One futile try is:

3...Qd5
4.Qh3 Nf6
5.Qh8#

(if instead 4...Kf6, then 5.Qh8+ Ke7 6.Re8#)

OK, that didn't work. Maybe Black can stop White from using that h-file to shove that queen down his throat:

3...Qa1+
4.Kd2 Qh1

There, now the h-file is secured. However...

5.Rg8+! Kxg8
6.Qxe6+ Kh8
7.Qe8+ Kg7
8.Qf7+ Kh8
9.g7#

So what can Black actually do after 2...Kg7? My chess app found this line:

2...Kg7
3.Rxc8 Qa3+
4.Kd2 5.Qc5!?

Forcing a queen-for-rook trade.

5.Rxc5 Naxc5
6.Qd4+ Nf6

And White should be able to win from this position.

Endgame of the Week

8/8/8/8/8/4N2p/5K1k/8 w - - 0 1

Nothing too complicated. Some might even say it's too easy. If so, don't worry, the one I have picked out for next time is more difficult. Fun, though.

1.Ng4+ Kh1
2.Kf1!

An important "waiting" move. Black cannot move his king, so the only legal move left is to advance the pawn. Which, coincidentally cuts off his king's only escape route.

2...h2
3.Nf2#

Hope to see you all next week!

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Note: that cryptic line of letters and numbers you see underneath each board diagram is a representation of the position in what is known as "Forsyth-Edwards Notation", or F.E.N. It's actually readable by humans. Most computer applications nowadays can read FEN, so those of you who may want to study the position, you can copy the line of FEN and paste into your chess app and it should automatically recreate the position on its display board. Or, Windows users can just "triple click" on it and the entire line will be highlighted so you can copy and past it into your chess app.

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So that about wraps it up for this week. Chess thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to my yahoo address: OregonMuse little-a-in-a-circle yahoo dott com.

posted by Open Blogger at 04:51 PM

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