Kenilworth Kibitzer

A blog for members of the Kenilworth Chess Club.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

 

Ziggy and Chess

One of the comments reads....

Newenglandah said, 10 days ago

"For this move, Ziggy will be ok if he stays on a black square."

Of course, Newenglandah means Ziggy will be ok if he goes on a light square. On White's next move, the knight can move to a light square only attacking the dark squares. So Ziggy is safe on light! An important feature to remember when looking at this similar position below.

Black to move and draw....

(Solution in comments)

Labels: , ,


Comments:
Kf8!! (Hey, you had a 50-50 shot-- if you thought something else besides Kf8 or Kf7, then go play in the streets.) Knowing the idea behind the move is more important then guessing the right move. This is the only drawing move. Why? Knowing that the knight attacks the opposite color it occupies (thanks Ziggy!) is only half the battle. We then have to come up with a plan using this. Black needs to maintain control over both f7 and f8. If White can use his knight to control either of those squares, then Black will be pushed out of the way and allow White to slide his King out and promote his h-pawn. So....the idea is Black's King WANTS to be in check. By being in check, the knight is not stopping him from entering one of the two key squares, f8 and f7. If Black is in check, the one of the two squares is ok to move in. The check isn't a bother! This keeps White's king and pawn locked in so the only moves are knight moves. And once the knight moves, we can go back to the other key square! We have the plan, so how do we figure out which square? Well, if the knight is on a dark square (a1), then we want our King to go to a dark square (f8)! The knight will move to a light square and attack the dark squares. Make sense? Probably not, but maybe showing some moves might shed some light.

1. ... Kf8!!
2. Nb3 Kf7
3. Nc5 Kf8
4. Nd7+ Kf7
5. Ne5+ Kf8
6. Ng6+ Kf7
7. Ne5+ Kf8
Draw please!

Is there even a knight on the board? Because it is doing nothing.

Let's see now if Black chose the other square...

1. ... Kf7??
2. Nb3 Kf8
3. Nc5 Kf7
4. Nd7 Ke7
5. Kg7 and White will promote.
 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]





<< Home

Archives

February 2009   March 2009   April 2009   May 2009   June 2009   July 2009   August 2009   September 2009   October 2009   November 2009   December 2009   January 2010   February 2010   March 2010   April 2010   May 2010   June 2010   July 2010   August 2010   September 2010   October 2010   November 2010   December 2010   January 2011   February 2011   March 2011   April 2011   May 2011   June 2011   January 2012   February 2012   March 2012   May 2012   July 2012   December 2012   January 2013   February 2013   July 2013   October 2013   March 2014  

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?

Subscribe to Posts [Atom]