AboutLouis Lima Expertise I can answer questions on proper self-training and chess tactics, but feel free to ask me anything related to chess and if I cannot answer it I will tell you.
Experience I am a category A player with a FIDE rating of 1963, and a USCF rating of 1965. I have several instructional chess videos at http://www.youtube.com/chesslearning and author a review column for http://www.chesscafe.com and teach a Sunday chess class to kids at Tzu-Chi Foundation's Chinese School.
Organizations Nassau Chess Club, Queens Chess Club, Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR)
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Training and Development.
Awards and Honors 51st Nassau FIDE Futurity 2009 (3rd Place)
Queens July Open 2007 (1st Place)
North American Open 2005 (3rd Place in the U1600 Section)
2nd FCC Winter Swiss 2009 (3rd Place)
32nd Freeport Spring Swiss 2006 (3rd Place)
9th Queens Teams Champtionship 2009 (3rd Place)
Question QUESTION: I'm a beginner at chess and am trying to work out a problem as well as get practice on algebraic notation.(see attached image) In the picute white is set to checkmate in 3 moves. I have worked out the answer and wonder if you can let me know if I did it right.
Let me give you a hint: The knight on e5 plays a key role in the solution.
Also, this is a very good exercise in recognizing tactical indicators. In this case the rook on c8 is weak because it has one defender (the king) and one attacker. That means if we can add one more attacker, or drive away the King, we will then win the rook. If you would like to learn more about tactics feel free to visit my you tube videos http://www.youtube.com/user/chesslearning - in particular the videos on tactics.
Feel free to e-mail me at chesslearning@gmail.com if you would like the solution or more hints.
Warmly,
Louis
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Louis,
Thanks for the quick response. I would REALLY like the solution as I have been poring over this for days already. I just can't see the answer.
Thanks.
Dave
Answer Hello Dave,
No worries. OK, the answer lies in the weak rook on c8. As I said earlier, it is weak because it has the same number of attackers and defenders. The attacker can exploit this in two ways. One is to add another attacker to c8, and the other is to remove the defender of the rook (The King on b8 in this case.)
One should always consider "forcing moves" in chess. Forcing moves are moves that your opponent has no choice but to do something about them. The ultimate forcing move in chess is the "check" because your opponent has no choice but to reach to it. He must either move the King, capture the piece that is checking, or block the check. There are two checks in the position. One of them is the one you suggested 1.Qxc8+, but this one doesn't work. The one that works is 1.Nc6+. After 1.Nc6+ Black must play 1...bxc6 otherwise after 1...Ka8 White mates with 2.Qxc8. After 1...bxc6 we have created a positional advantage in our favor (the open the b-file). This allows for the tactical theme "Removal of the Guard" - swinging the rook over to the b-file to check 2.Rb1+. The King must move to a8 and then White can capture the rook and mate 3.Qxc8 mate. The entire move starting from 1.Nc6+ is called a "Combination" and the tactical theme in combination here is "Removal of the Guard" because we are removing the guard of the weak rook on c8. This tactic is also called "Anhitilation of Defense" in some books.
By the way, really kudos to you for making a big effort in trying to solve this problem. Real improvement in chess comes via two ways: One is by solving tactical problems, and the other is through analysing a position on your own. The effort you paid improves your analytical skills, in the same way that you develop biceps by doing push-ups. Many players was so much time studying the opening, but one can become a chess expert just by solving tactics, analyzing positions, and looking at your chess mistakes.
Self-awareness is very important in chess as well. You might want to look back at the effort you paid in solving this problem, and ask yourself why you didn't consider Nc6+. Or if you did, was it because you didn't see the line all the way through. In that way you understand how you can get it right the next time.
Thus, to conclude, always look at forcing moves like checks. Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to ask here or e-mail me at chesslearning@gmail.com
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