Chess

[Gustaran]

Gustaran, Rowain:

I'm shocked a grandmaster could miss this. Unless he just had a mental block that his bishop couldn't move backwards somehow

It is true you're more likely to spot a tactic if you're told there is one. But what happened with doing tactics puzzles for me is they trained me to put my pieces on better squares, and then more combination opportunities started showing up

I think it is quite unusual that the king vacates the square that is then used by a bishop to block a checkmate one move later. I can't remember ever having seen something like this in one of my games. But that's why I think the books is great, it has some really unususal moves in it. Of course, once you spot the idea it is not that difficult, but if you miss the initial motif you are out of luck.

[Gustaran]

Since the forum is rather quiet today here is another invisible move problem: I won't claim it's incredibly difficult after everybody solved the last one immediately, but let's see if you guys can do it again!

It is White's turn, but the bishop on c4 is hanging - what is the best move?

[novice]

Bb4 traps black's queen. What's the invisible part?

[Zargon]

Bishop to b4 looks pretty good

[Gustaran]

@Novice & Zargon

Sorry, but that is not the correct solution.

[Sian]

went looking at Bb4, and Qf3 is very cheeky :D if gxf3, theres a mate in 2 with Nxf3+, Kf1, Bh3#

As for what the right move is ... can't see the major differnce between Qc2 and Qb3 ... both seems plausible in defending stuff well enough

[MJW (ya that one)]

I've seen this game on some Roman's Lab Chess DVD before. If there were a 'best move' Bb4 would be it so your problem is deceptive. What makes Qf3! hard to see is that two minor pieces almost never can force a checkmate against a developed opponent.

[uberfish]

I probably wouldn't have seen Bb4? Qf3!! if this wasn't a problem meaning there must be something wrong with the obvious move.

So I guess I'm just playing Bb3 here

[Gustaran]

@Sian & MJW

That is correct. After 1. Bb4 Qf3 2. gxf3 White gets mated and if he plays 2. 0-0 he loses a pawn after 2...Qxe4.
The two (relatively) best moves are 1.Qc2 or 1.Qb3.

@uberfish:

1.Bb3 is not great because of 1...Nd3+

[novice]

So there WAS an invisible part!