More on imagination and removing defenders - and the centre

This game illustrates many of the ideas we have learnt about over the last few weeks.

This game was part of a Ladder Match between a 14-year old and myself at Ettalong Chess Club in 1987

Note that at the bottom of the diagram there are some notes to some moves


      Question

Can you find the mating idea

Answer


We've all learnt that pawns=1; Knights=3; Bishops=3; Rooks=5 and Queens=9 or 10, that is a good starting point.

Are all pawns worth one point ?? If you are unsure when you look at the diagram to the right then you are right, since they can promote when they get to the eighth rank then they are the most obvious value changers.

So I would say the b-pawn is worth more than the g-pawn; I would also say that the d and e-pawns are stronger than both the others since they are connected and the e-pawn is protecting the d-pawn. don't forget the d-pawn is the Queen pawn and the e-pawn is the one in front of the King so especially at the start of the game the d-pawn is a little easier to force up the board since protected by the Queen.


A pieces power or strength is directly related to its mobility.

The King is a strong fighting piece - sometimes stronger than a Bishop - by stronger we mean its mobility - except of course that the King cannot approach danger (move into check).

Is the pushing of the h-pawn a good idea ?

idea 1


idea 2

The Back Row Mate

Sometimes to avoid the Back Rank Mate the Rook-pawn is pushed to 'keep the gate open'
In the following two positions it is white to move and give Mate (the same move in both positions)
           answer



The Back Rank Mate is can be a successful tactic to at least threaten.