CHESS40 العربية

Removing the defender

Capture the guard, and what it guarded falls

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Step 1

If one piece holds the defence together, capture it, even at a price. Here the rook on e8 is the only guard of Black's back rank.

White: King g1, Queen e2, Rook e1, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Queen d8, Rook e8, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7. Marked: e8.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Step 2

White to play: mate in two by removing the guard.

White: King g1, Queen e2, Rook e1, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Queen d8, Rook e8, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

White to move.

Show the answer

Solution: 1. Qxe8+ Qxe8 2. Rxe8#

Step 3

Why was giving up the queen worth it?

White: King g1, Queen e2, Rook e1, Pawn f2, Pawn g2, Pawn h2. Black: King g8, Queen d8, Rook e8, Pawn f7, Pawn g7, Pawn h7.a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
  1. It removed the only defender, and the rook mated
  2. A rook is worth more than a queen
  3. It was not worth it
Show the answer

Answer: It removed the only defender, and the rook mated

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