2 
[Title "White to move"]
[FEN "1r3rk1/1p4bp/p2p1q2/2pPn1p1/B1PnRp2/PPN2P1P/2QB2P1/3R2K1 w - - 5 27"]

This is a diagram from the game between Del Rey, Diego and Efimenko, Zahar on the Zalakaros Chess Festival after 26...Nd4. White answered with 27.Rxd4. I don't understand why white needed to sacrifice his rook for the knight in this position.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

Well, he has to because there is no other option. The black Knight threatens to capture the white Queen, but also a 'sacrifice' on f3 which will eventually win the white Knight on c3.

[Title "White to move"]
[FEN "1r3rk1/1p4bp/p2p1q2/2pPn1p1/B1PnRp2/PPN2P1P/2QB2P1/3R2K1 w - - 5 27"]

1. Qb2? Ndxf3+ 2. gxf3 Nexf3+ 3. Kg2 Nxd2 4. Qxd2 Qxc3

This might not even be the best variation for Black. In any case, even after the sacrifice, White is still lost.

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    Maybe ...b5 is strong after 1.Qb2 in the variation above. I'm not sure it's better than the given line, though.
    – Scounged
    Jun 1, 2016 at 21:28
  • Stockfish says Black is up by 3 points after 27.Rxd4 cxd4 28.Ne4 Qg6 29.b4 d3 30.Qb1 b5 31.cxb5 axb5 32.Bb3 h5 33.Kh1 g4 34.Rg1 Ra8 35.Qc1 Rf7 36.Ba2 Rfa7
    – Tony Ennis
    Jun 2, 2016 at 4:15
  • After 27. Qb2, Stockfish says, 27.... b5 28.cxb5 axb5 29.Bxb5 Nexf3+ 30.gxf3 Rxb5 31.Rf1 Rxb3 32.Qc1 Qh6 33.Kg2 Nf5 34.Kh2 Qh5 35.Qc2 Ng3 36.Ree1 Rfb8 37.Rf2 Bd4 with a 6.5 point advantage to Black.
    – Tony Ennis
    Jun 2, 2016 at 4:32
-1

I think it's an clearance sacrifice. Because the position is so jammed up,he would have sacrificed it to make it a bit open.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.