An Instructive Moment

Technical questions regarding Openings, Middlegames, Endings etc.
Geoff Chandler
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Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:36 pm
Location: Under Cover

An Instructive Moment

Post by Geoff Chandler » Mon Jul 12, 2010 1:19 pm

Hi,

An interesting instructive position I happened upon in another forum.

Black to play.

Image

Yes 1...Qxh2+ 2.Kxh2 is stalemate. (well spotted) :)

However those of you teaching -1400 students may like to use this
as an example of always playing the best move, but if given a choice,
always leave room for your opponent to make an error.

Show them the postion. Most will (eventuall) find 1...Qxh2+

Then point out that 1...Qg2+ also works with the added bonus
that if White plays 2.Kh4 then 2....Qxh2 is mate.

If it's a class you teach show them the position one at a time.
This way you will spot the cunning ones.

In the actual game Black played 1...Qxh2+ (?)

Playing good moves is fine, but to win you need a blunder.