Tactic #8

Tactics #8



The solution says: Bh3 Bxh3 f5

But this is not the best solution.
Black doesn't have to accept the piece sacrifice.

Instead black can shut the diagonal c8-h3 with ...f5, and the game goes on.

Yep. 1...f5, 2.fe5 is given in the course notes as better for white, although as you state there is still a lot of work to do...

Well... you got me thinking. Thanks MSilpola.

So, what is the purpose of this problem? The introduction to the section states that the pawn close to the queening square offers an opportunity to improve the quality of the pieces.

White's worst placed piece is the Bishop at g2. 1.Bf1 is more active but black equalizes without much difficulty. On the other hand 1.Bh3 is a much more active placement, and while it does not provide a knockout punch the initiative gained is decisive in the long run. I'd say that the problem is an excellent example of how to use an advanced pawn to improve your position.