Only one puzzle solver got KUDOS this time, and he solved it as a Member of another Group.
In the actual game of Problem #21,I correctly played 16. Be4!The point here is that I can’t immediately play 16. g4? trying to trap the Black N because this leaves the N on f3 hanging to Black’s b7-B.So 16. Be4! cuts off the B’s access to f3 and now really threatens g4 (as well as Bxb7 - this is important).
Black’s best response is simply 16. … Bxe417. Nxe4 Qe8 putting pressure on the White e-P.Instead, however, Black erred with 16.… Rb8? failing to spot the threat against the N.Unfortunately, I forgot it myself and played the inaccurate 17. Rxb7?Simply 17. g4 now corrals the pony.
And why is 16. Be4! the right move instead of 16. Ne4? The N on e4 does block access to f3, but it does not threaten the B on b7.The B on e4, on the other hand, threatens its adversary on b7, so that Black is effectively dealing with two threats at once.That’s why only 16. … Bxe4 saves him by getting him out of both.
To my credit, after a silly back-and-forth of three more move pairs in which neither side did something about g4, on my 20th move I finally got in 20. g4 and won not only that N but a host of other materials.I lucked out and won.
KUDOS goes to BSAeagle for being the ONLY puzzle solver to get this right.Congratulations, BSAeagle!
Chess Lesson Problem #22 is another evaluation position in which I was playing Black and it is now Black’s move.White’s last move was 54. h5.Is this correct, or a mistake?If a mistake, what should White have played instead?
Fellow NESA Memorial Puzzle Solvers,
Only one puzzle solver got KUDOS this time, and he solved it as a Member of another Group.
In the actual game of Problem #21, I correctly played 16. Be4!The point here is that I can’t immediately play 16. g4? trying to trap the Black N because this leaves the N on f3 hanging to Black’s b7-B. So 16. Be4! cuts off the B’s access to f3 and now really threatens g4 (as well as Bxb7 - this is important).
Black’s best response is simply 16. … Bxe417. Nxe4 Qe8 putting pressure on the White e-P. Instead, however, Black erred with 16. … Rb8? failing to spot the threat against the N. Unfortunately, I forgot it myself and played the inaccurate 17. Rxb7? Simply 17. g4 now corrals the pony.
And why is 16. Be4! the right move instead of 16. Ne4? The N on e4 does block access to f3, but it does not threaten the B on b7. The B on e4, on the other hand, threatens its adversary on b7, so that Black is effectively dealing with two threats at once. That’s why only 16. … Bxe4 saves him by getting him out of both.
To my credit, after a silly back-and-forth of three more move pairs in which neither side did something about g4, on my 20th move I finally got in 20. g4 and won not only that N but a host of other materials. I lucked out and won.
KUDOS goes to BSAeagle for being the ONLY puzzle solver to get this right. Congratulations, BSAeagle!
Chess Lesson Problem #22 is another evaluation position in which I was playing Black and it is now Black’s move. White’s last move was 54. h5. Is this correct, or a mistake? If a mistake, what should White have played instead?
Good luck, solvers!
Xenophon98