Saturday, May 21, 2005

The Pin is Mightier Than the Sword


(EyesOfBlue vs. NN)
(White to Play)

I missed a key pin here. The key is the d-file and the poor bishop stuck in front of the king. How can this be exploited?

1. Bxe5 is the answer. 1... fxe5 leads to 2. Nxe5 with the d7-bishop falling on the next move (It is now attacked twice by the rook and knight and only guarded by the king. Note how neither the rooks or the knight can help guard it.). 1... Rxa3 is met by 2. Bxf6 and still black finds itself a key pawn down.