rules, tactics, strategies and history

Sacrifice Example IX

A sacrifice with the view to enabling a mating attack through the cooperation of Rooks and Bishop somewhat similar to the examples discussed in the previous chapter is possible in the position of Diagram 41 which occurred in a Tourna pieces t game in London in which the author conducted the black pieces .

Black's combination starts with the sacrifice of the Queen on f3. After (1) ..., Qxf3; (2) Pxf3, B-h3+; (3) K-g1 White's King is held in an immobile position by the Black Bishop and a check with one of Black's Rooks in the g-file would be deadly.

However, White can, for a while, protect himself against all mating attempts of Black. If Black continued (3 ) ..., R-e6, White would take the Pawn d3 with the Queen thereby defending the mate R-g6. After giving up its Queen for one of Black's Rooks White would still have an advantage in material.

The correct way to carry on the attack is (3) ..., Ra8-e8, as then White cannot take the Pawn d3 on account of R-e1+; Q-f1, Rxf1+; Rxf1, R-e6 and R-g6 mate.

								8
								7
								6
								5
								4
								3
								2
								1
a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

The main threat of Black's third move is R-e6-g6 mate. Another threat is P-d2 followed by R-e1+. The only way for White to defend himself is (4) P-f4. If now P-d2, then (5) P-f3, R-e1+; (6) K-f2 affords a sufficient protection. And if (4) ..., Re8-e6, then (5) P-f5 prevents the Rook from going to g6.

However, by repeating the mating threat with (5) ..., Re6-e4, which forces White to protect, g4 by (6) P-f3 Black opens the second rank for a combined assault of the Rooks similar to the one illustrated by Diagram 30. What makes matters worse for White is that with (6) ..., R-g2+ he is forced into the line of the Bishop h3 so that he is exposed to a discovered check. After (7) K-f1, Rxb2 discovered check; (8) K-g1, Re4-e2 White must give up its Queen for the Rook immediately, as otherwise Black would mate in four moves by R-g2+, K-f1, Rxh2+, K-g1, Rb2-g2+; K-f1, Rxh1+/-.

Although White is still ahead in material after (9) Qxe2, Rxe2 he cannot avoid the loss of the game on account of the continued threat which Black exerts by the cooperation of its Rook and its Bishop. The only move which would save the Rook a1 from getting lost through R-g2+, followed by a discovered check with simultaneous attack of the Rook by Black's Rook would be (10) R- d1 with the idea of protecting the Rook with the King thus (10) ..., R-g2+; (11) K-f1, R-d2; (12) K-e1; but this plan fails as Black checkmates with (12) ..., R-e2.