Patience in attacking

Submitted by Loomis on Sun, 03/22/2009 at 7:10am.

Often when an attack is being mounted there is a tendency to look for decisive moves. And for good reason, forcing moves -- checks, captures, threats of checkmate -- are often the most effective. But sometimes there is no overpowering blow and the right idea requires a little more time, or a little more subtlety.

Below is a game where after opposite side castling I sensed that I had enough attacking force headed toward the enemy king and that the defense was lacking. At one key moment the opponent's queen was defending a few key squares and I had to pause the attack and push the queen to the other side of the board before resuming a successful attack.

» posted in Loomis's Blog
 

Comments:

by Loomis - 7 months ago
Durham, NC United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 2985

Instead of 15. Qd1 white can win with 15. Nb5.

For example, if black just takes the queen it is quickly checkmate: 15. ... Nxb3 16. Rxc7+ Kb8 17. Rb8+ Ka8 18. Nc7# or 17. ... Kc8 18. Na8#.

If black instead takes the knight on b5 15. ... axb5 16. Bxa5 material is even and white is threatening Rxc7+ as well as axb5 opening the a-file, all of a sudden there are 5 pieces attacking the black king and no defenders.

by Adamperfection - 7 months ago
Brantford Canada
Member Since: Oct 2008
Member Points: 356

can someone explain how Nb5 wins?

by Loomis - 7 months ago
Durham, NC United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 2985

White wins pretty easily after 29. ... Qf6. The simplest to see might be 30. Re7+ Kf8 31. Rxf7+ Kg8 32. Rxf6 gxf6. Here white has a queen and bishop for two rooks, and black's h8 rook isn't going anywhere soon, e.g. 33. Qf7 threatening the rook and eventually winning both the e and f pawns.

Another way to win is to take advantage of the fact that the black king is in a box. 29. Qxb6 and what is black going to do about Qc6+?

by Loomis - 7 months ago
Durham, NC United States
Member Since: Oct 2007
Member Points: 2985

Thanks to everyone for commenting. It was nice to finish the attack correctly unlike in my last post.

If black plays 21. ... Qf5 then 22. e4 forks the knight and queen.

by kabukiscrew - 7 months ago
Eugene, OR United States
Member Since: Nov 2008
Member Points: 283

Great game, I always watch each game twice, Just to make sure i did'nt miss anything. Nice lines on the attack. Sac a bishop to open him up was a nice move. Thanks for the post. Have many more games as that one.

by erik - 7 months ago
Mountain View, CA United States
Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 9875

great game! thanks or sharing

by BlackRodryg - 7 months ago
Bielsko-Biala Poland
Member Since: Jan 2009
Member Points: 5

Very good game. Congratulations!Smile

by burkester - 7 months ago
rochester,new york United States
Member Since: Nov 2008
Member Points: 4

I also need to be more aware ,I let me defensive pary of my game be compramized,I am way to stubborn when I start the attack process thanks for the reminder.

by PeterArt - 7 months ago
Luijk Belgium
Member Since: Feb 2009
Member Points: 559

nice to read your comments,  pawn move 13 can be okay, its against a short checkmate, if for example a queen or rook takes it and pushes trough while the king cant move away. .. but do it when fearing such attack, otherwise the move doesnt buildup in once game

by matzleeach - 7 months ago
Chicago IL United States
Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 801

great combinations

by The_Pitts - 7 months ago
Plainfield Vermont (GMT-4) International
Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 370

Nice game.

I've re-discovered that I'm an attacking player and often get into trouble.

Thaqnks for the reminder to take the time.Cool

 

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