(323) Polgar 4683

We’ve seen this theme before, pieces that just sit there, and can’t be taken! What’s instructive is how the bishop on h6 can‘t be taken because of the threat of the queen transfering to c6 then g6. 1…Qe8! letting white have the rook is the only way to keep the position hard to figure out. 1… Rf3!? takes the knight out of the equation but can’t stop the attack. By examining this puzzle, we get a taste of global, whole board operations! White could have won by starting on either side of the board! 1.c1-h6! [1.c2-c6! c8-a6 2.c6-d5 g8-h8 3.d3-a6 a8-a6 4.f3-d4 f8-f1 5.g1-f1 d8-e8 6.d4-f5 a6-a7 7.c1–e3+-1…d7-c5?? This move send black into a 10 move mating net! [1…d8-e8! 2.c2-c6 d7-c5 3.c6-a8 c5xd3 4.a8-d5 e8-f7 5.d5-b5 f7-g6+- diagram

With no end in sight; 1…f8-f3?! It looks dramatic but it does not prevent the currrent theme of Bh7, Bg7, Qg6, Qh6, and win. The rook just sits there for 7 moves! 2.d3-h7+!! g8-h8 3.h6-g7 h8-g7 4.c2-g6 g7-h8 5.g6-h5 d7-e5 6.h7-e4 h8-g7 7.h5-h7 g7-f6 8.h7-h6 f6-f7 9.e4-f3 f7-g8 10.a1–e1 d8-d6 11.h6-h5 e7-f6 12.f3-d5 d6-d5 13.f1-f6 e5-f3 14.h5-f3 d5-f3 15.e1–e8 g8-h7 16.f6-f3 d4-d3 17.f3-d3 c8-f5+- With an easy win.] 2.d3-h7 g8-h8 3.h6-g7!!

The 2nd sacrifice. People always miss the 2nd sacrifice! Try to remember that for long combinations, sacrifices come in pairs. If it’s a check or a capture, you better have calculated it! 3…h8-g7 4.c2-g6+ g7-h8 5.g6-h6 f8-f7 6.h7-g6 h8-g8 7.f3-g5! f7-g7 8.g6-f7 g7-f7 9.f1-f7 e7-g5 10.h6-g7# 1–0