Tactics Time Chess Newsletter: Chess Cruise

Published: Fri, 12/23/16

Newsletter Issue: Chess Cruise

Tactics Time

Chess Cruise

A master looks at every move he would like to make, especially the impossible ones. ~ Irving Chernev


T

his position comes from the lichess.org 2016 Summer Marathon 5/0 blitz game between destran (2081) and BackaPalanka (1985), played August 6, 2016.

In the position on the right it is White to move.

Answer below.

   Happy Festivus!

   Earlier this month, I mentioned the "Chess Train" (see newsletter here), and today I would like to tell you about another chess adventure in 2017 - a chess cruise!

   From New in Chess (publishers of my paper back Tactics Time books):

   In October 2017 New In Chess and leading chess travel organizer Schachreisen will organize the New In Chess Tournament at Sea.

   This 14-day Cruise in October 2017 with the world-class Norwegian Getaway will involve a 7-round ELO-rated tournament, organised by GM Jörg Hickl, CEO of Schachreisen, and author of the bestselling book The Power of Pawns. There will be a chess side program as well with training sessions and game analysis.

   Prices start at €1.499,- per person. The Premium All-Inclusive trip starts in Copenhagen and ends in Miami. Included are all meals, drinks (even beer, wine and cocktails) and a great entertainment and sports program.

   You can see more information at their website: http://newinchess-cup.com/en/

   I have never been on a cruise, but I think it would be a lot of fun (and it sounds especially nice with the freezing cold temperatures we have had in Colorado this month!)

   Here is the complete game:

[Event "2016 Summer Marathon"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/XVxAs2nk"]
[Date "2016.08.06"]
[Round "?"]
[White "destran"]
[Black "BackaPalanka"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B14"]
[WhiteElo "2081"]
[BlackElo "1985"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.??.??"]
1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. d4 Nf6 5. c4 e6 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. Bf4 Bd6 8. Ne5
Bxe5 9. dxe5 Nd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nxd5 Ndxe5 12. Bb5 Qa5+ 13. Nc3 O-O 14. O-O
Be6 15. Re1 Nc4 16. Rxe6 fxe6 17. Bxc4 Rxf4 18. Bxe6+ Kh8 19. Qd2 Raf8 20. f3
Qc5+ 21. Qf2 Qxf2+ 22. Kxf2 Nd4 23. Bc4 Nc2 24. Rc1 Rxc4 25. Rxc2 b5 26. Re2 b4
27. Nd5 Rd4 28. Nc7 a5 29. Ne6 Rdf4 30. Nxf4 g5 31. Ne6 Re8 32. Nxg5 1-0

You can play through this game here: https://en.lichess.org/XVxAs2nk

   Answer:

   White is in check from the Black Queen, and has 7 different ways to get out of check.

   The best way is with 13. b4! blocking the check. Joel Johnson calls this type of move an "active defensive".

   Black cannot take the bishop with 13...Qxb5 because of 14.Nc7+ family fork!

   Black's best response is to go back with 13...Qd8, but this allows 14. Bxe5, and white is up a piece (the knight on c6 is pinned).

   I thought this was a great example of playing an active defensive move, and not just playing an automatic retreating move like Nc3 or Be2 to block a check.

Happy Tactics!

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