White to move. Players are often at a dilemma about if they should play aggressively or to play safe. Which one is correct in this situation? How should White proceed?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Take a chance or play safe?
Topalov, Shirov, Moro would take a chance on that for sure.
I don’t see the risk
1. Rxd6 Bxf3
(No way can black play Kxd6 would be painful)
2.Bxf3 Kxd6
3.Bxh8 for material equity and the black king in the center ready to be attacked
or more attack/ more fun would be
3. Bf4+ pe5
4. Qxf5
I’d play the sac Rd6. After Kd6, a line like the following is close to forced Bf4+ Kd7, Rd1+ (better than Ne5+) Kc8, Bc7 Kc7, Nb5+ Kb8, Nd6 Qe7, Nb7 Qb7, Ne5 Ne4, Rd7 Qc8, Qa4 white’s forces are circling the Black King and a Nc6 is looming.
The rule of thumb that says develop first, attack later can be modified a bit here since attacking now also allows White to complete development. Here’s a sample:
1. Rxd6 Kxd6
2. Bf4 Kd8
3. Qd1 Kc8
4. Bxc7 Ne4 (4. … Kxc7 5. Nb5+ Kc8 6. Nd6+)
Now Be5 or Nb5 are simple enough. The position offers more, but this is enough to steel one’s nerves and go for it.
jcheyne
Anon_1:09 said…
“I don’t see the risk
1. Rxd6 Bxf3
No way can black play Kxd6 would be painful)”
I agree. The Kxd6 lines look much worse.
“2.Bxf3 Kxd6
3.Bxh8 for material equity and the black king in the center ready to be attacked”
I wouldn’t give up my powerful bishop on the long diagonal just yet. Better 3 Bf4+ I think and now either:
3 (Bf4+) Kd7 (…Ke7 4 BxN)
4 Rd1+ Kc8 and now maybe
5 BxR NxB stuffing the knight into the corner
6 Nb5 threatening the royal fork and black’s king is exposed and he’s in trouble. Or…
3 (Bf4+) e5
4 Rd1+ Ke7
5 Bxe5 Qc8
6 Qe2 etc. and the bishop at f3 can capture the rook on a8 at any time, and white has a great game and the lead.