Black to move &
win
In this
position, Black would like to get his queen to h3. From h3 the
queen could then deliver mate at g2. Notice how the f3-pawn is an
essential part of this plan. Also notice e5. Imagine the force of
the black bishop, should it be able to get to e5. If the bishop were
at e5 it would strike dangerously at h2.
21...Nxg4
A
wonderful move! The knight tears into the pawn shield, strengthens
the black queen’s threat, and allows Black’s bishop access to e5.
Now, if White captures the knight he gets mated as follows:
22.hxg4 Qxg4+ 23.Kh2 Qg2#
0–1
In the actual game White
saw the mate, and so he played:
22.Kh1
And now Black continued
with 22...Nh6 and won easily, but better than his 22...Nh6 is:
22...Ne5
After this Black has
exposed h3 to his queen. The Nh6 move also exposed h3; but with the
text Black also threatens Nc4 and adds additional coverage to f3.
23.Kh2 Nc4
The threat of Be5+ is very
tough. White is completely busted.
But what if, after
21...Nxg4, White does not move his king? What if he tries another
move, like 22.Rfd1?
Analysis Diagram: after 22.Rd1
Here the surprising 22…Nh2!
does the trick. If the king captures at h2, then Be5+ wins. And if
White plays 23.Nxf3, then Black follows with Nxf3+. The black queen
still eyes the all-important h3 square.
Conclusion: There
will be many positions where your mate plan cannot be forced. This
does not mean they should be abandoned. If your opponent side-steps
the mate, can you continue and still obtain an advantage? That is
what this problem is all about.
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