English Chess Forum

My game last night, which I have just posted at my blog, reached the following position in which Black has two spectacular draws, the more stunning of which involves what I reckon are three consecutive moves deserving double exclamation-marks.

I got a gold star

NigelDonovan wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 1:41 pm

I got a gold star

Well done! Did you get both solutions?

I found the more forcing line. It's a nice line, but when you know there's something there, it's not that difficult. Black's choices are limited. I would be disappointed if I didn't find that in a game.

For anyone who hasn't seen it Tim's blog is very entertaining and well worth a look. He must put a lot of work into it.

The other line has an arguably more "spectacular" first move.

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:45 pm

the more stunning of which involves what I reckon are three consecutive moves deserving double exclamation-marks.

If Black is going to play that line they also need to work out what happens if White plays 39.Nc2, to stop the pawn queening, instead of your suggested move.

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 8:25 pm

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:45 pm

the more stunning of which involves what I reckon are three consecutive moves deserving double exclamation-marks.

If Black is going to play that line they also need to work out what happens if White plays 39.Nc2, to stop the pawn queening, instead of your suggested move.

Maybe 39...Qf5 works?

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 10:07 pm

Ian Thompson wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 8:25 pm

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 12:45 pm

the more stunning of which involves what I reckon are three consecutive moves deserving double exclamation-marks.

If Black is going to play that line they also need to work out what happens if White plays 39.Nc2, to stop the pawn queening, instead of your suggested move.

Maybe 39...Qf5 works?

After 38...Bb5!! 39.Nc2 Stockfish17 and Dragon1 reckon several queen moves completely equalise, including 39...Qf5, although OTB I suspect the game would still be rather nerve-wracking

That's an outrageously "computery" looking combination - did it actually get played over the board or was it revealed in analysis?

Joey Stewart wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 12:41 am

That's an outrageously "computery" looking combination - did it actually get played over the board or was it revealed in analysis?

Tim analyses games comprehensively for his blog, using two engines rather than one. So it's a "didn't spot that" type of comment.

https://beauchess.blogspot.com/2024/10/ ... -five.html