4

Look at this puzzle:

[FEN "r3q3/1pb1rbk1/2pn1p1p/p1Qp1Bp1/3P4/4P1NP/PP3PPB/3RR1K1 b - - 0 1"]

The aim of the puzzle is: Black to play and attain a good position. But I can't find a good position here. Then I looked at the solution, which was 1... Nc4!! . But I can't understand what happens after this move. I think both sides are equal. Can anyone help me?

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1
  • 2
    Then the queen is trapped
    – sharcashmo
    Mar 27 '16 at 9:23
6

Black will trap the queen on the next move, either with Bd6 or b6. For example:

[FEN "r3q3/1pb1rbk1/2pn1p1p/p1Qp1Bp1/3P4/4P1NP/PP3PPB/3RR1K1 b - - 0 1"]

1... Nc4 2. b3 Bd6 3. bxc4 Bxc5 4. dxc5 dxc4

and with a queen and a (passed) pawn for two minor pieces, Black will have no problems to win this game.

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2
  • b6 is still winning though it is not as good as Bd6.
    – Tony Ennis
    Mar 27 '16 at 15:04
  • 1
    I meant that ...b6 is necessary in a variation like 2. Nf1 Bxh2+ 3. Nxh2 b6.
    – Glorfindel ♦
    Mar 27 '16 at 16:19
2

Wait it is not over yet :)

The queen trap from ..Nc4 can be avoided. White can give a check 1. ..Nc4 2. Nh4 ..Bxh4 3. Bxc7.

You can also prevent the knight trapping the queen by giving that check beforehand. Thats another way around.

Apologies i am just a beginner, not good with chess notations, but he point is queen can be saved using Whites black bishop. I may be wrong.

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2
  • I think you're right, though I am not sure it is any better. Note, move 3 is Bxc7 not Bxc2
    – Tony Ennis
    Mar 28 '16 at 22:30
  • 2
    Stockfish weeps at the score 2. Nc4 causes. The problem is that after your variation, the White Q is still trapped and falls to b6.
    – Tony Ennis
    Mar 28 '16 at 22:33

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