It’s Your Move # 15
In the following position White has played 1.Kd2 with the terrible threat of Rg1 and Qh6+. Can Black save himself?
Black to move
Lev Gutman – Alvis Vitolinsh, 1979
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Updated 04.14.2022
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Dear TS,
After 1…Bd3 2. e4 Bxe4 3.Qxe4 White threatens Qh4+ followed by Rg1+.
Now Black has to find a good move to go on.
What should Black do after 2. e4?
What about 2…Bxe4?
Thanks everyone who participated! The solution is now posted. 🙂
Dear reader,
The pawn move to e4 interposes him between the Black bishop and the White queen.
So right now the bishop cannot take the queen.
2.e4 FAILS. The bishop on d3 easily captures the queen.
Dear TS,
The name is chessbibliophile.
After 1…fxe5 White mates in two different ways.
2.Qh6+ Kg8 3.Rg1+ Qg5+ 4.Rxg5+ Kf7 5 Rf5+ Ke8 6.Qxf8#
2.Qh6+ Kg8 3.Rg1+ Kf7 4.Rg7+ Ke8 5 Qg6+Rf7 6.Qxf7#
Dear Bibliophile.
Please clarify. Are you examining the line 1. Kd2, Bd3. 2. e4, fxe5. ? (I wasn’t.)
RSVP.
1. … Bd3!! 2.Kxd3 Qe7
It does seem to me impossible for Black to save the game.However waiting eagerly for solution.
Dear reader,
What will you play after 2.Kxd3?
Bd3 !!
Sorry. Missed something out. Try this.
After fxe5; Qh6+ Kg8; Rg1+ Qg5; Rxg5+ Kf7; Rg7+ or Qh7+ Ke8; Qh5+ Kd8; Qg4+ Kc8. What happens next? Black has 2 Rooks, Knight and Bishop against Queen and Rook. Still playable in my view and Black’s King has survived to live another day. Or at least a few more moves.
Dear TS,
Glad to see your effort.
Do give serial numbers to moves so that everyone can follow.
After 2.e4 fxe5 Black is mated in two different ways.
3.Qh6+ Kg8 4. Rg1+ Qg5+ 5.Rxg5+ Kf7 6. Rf5+ Ke8 7.Qxf8 #
3.Qh6+ Kg8 4. Rg1+ Kf7 5.Rg7 +Ke8 6.Qh5 + Rf7 7.Qxf7 #
So the question still remains, what should Black after 2. e4?
Sorry. Slight mistake. Final moves are Qg5+ (Not Qg4+) Kc8. (And White now has no more checks.)
1…Bd3!!2.Kxd3, Qe7; 3.Qh6+ Qh7ch thus Black saves the game.
Dear reader,
That’s nice. What would you play after 2.e4?
does Qe7 work?
Dear reader,
Good to see the try.
1…Qe7? is met by 2.Qh6+ Qh7 3. Qxf8+ Qg8 4.Qh6+ Kg8 5.Rg1+ and White mates in two moves.
Dear reader,
If 1…fxe5 2.Qh6+ Kg8 3.Rg1+ wins
Suggest: …exf5 (threat Rxf2+)
After fxe5; Qh6+ Kg8; Rg1+ Kf7; Rg7+ or Qh7+ Ke8; Qh5+ Kd8; Qg4+ Kc8. What happens next? Black has 2 Rooks, Knight and Bishop against Queen and Rook. Still playable in my view and Black’s King has survived to live another day. Or at least a few more moves.
Nope, I’m afraid they are doomed. Sorry.
Dear reader,
Nice to know that you are making an attempt.
Some times the “impossible” is possible.