Black to move. How should black proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
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Black to move. How should black proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
1 qa3 wins.
1. …Rcb7
2. Qc3 a3
3. axb3 Rxb3
4. Re8+ Kf7
5. Rxb8 Rxc3
6. Rb7+ Rc7
7. Rxc7+ Qxc7
8. Ka2 Qc4+ it’s a winning position for black
Anybody can have a bad day.
I was tempted by
1… Qa3
2 bxa3 b2 mate
But I failed to
1… Qa3
2 Re8+ Rxe8
3 bxa3
I’m Blind !
1… Qa3 !
2 Re8+ Kf7!
and nothing can save either 3… Qxa2 mate or 3… b2 mate
Not quite- white should eventually force the rook off the b-file by sacrificing the queen, too, but after bxa3, black pushes the pawn, checks from b8, and then doubles the rooks on the b-file- mate can’t be stopped at b1.
I think Qa3 is the sharpest and best move, but black wins with many moves here, and over the board, it takes guts to try Qa3.
1. ………..Qa3!!
2. Re8
If white plays 2.Qb3, ab3 followed by 3.Re8 Kf7 is obviously shorter than the line that follows 2.Re8:
2. ………..Kf7!
Black doesn’t have to take the rook- black is threatening Qxa2#, so white can’t take at b8 to save himself. All white has are the queen checks from f5 and g6- the only one that matter is the one from f5:
3. Qf5 Ke8
4. Qe6 Kf8!
5. Qf5 Kg8
6. Qe6 Kh8
7. Qe8 Re8 (forced now)
8. ba3 b2
9. Kb2 Rb8!
10.Ka1 Rcb7 and mate will follow in 2 more moves on b1. All of this is pretty forced the entire way.
I agree with you that it takes guts to try Qa3 over the board. I saw the move but I wasn’t sure it would lead to mate exactly. I couldn’t see 12 moves ahead. That’s why I decided not to take a risk. Thanks for your explanation very much. You are very good at it. I have been studying it. I have also been waiting for your comment about technique using the white king along with the queen to force both men back to the edges.
Alena,
Sorry, I have been a bit busier this week than expected, but have time today to finish that up.
I completely missed Re8+, although that’s probably the reason why Gleizerov’s rook was on the e file, but after 6.Qe6+ Rf7 7.Qe8+ Rf8 White can only delay the original threats another couple of moves.
I missed 8.Qxa4 although hopefully White would rather resign than play that.