Easter

I have been busy. Real busy!

News Item 1#: I am engaged! Long story, but there will be a new Mrs. BlueEyedRook in the very near future!

News Item 2#: I am still playing chess! I have had some long dry spells (i.e., no postings!), but I am still playing (horribly!) and still maintaining this blog.

Here's an interesting game I played the other day.

BlueEyedRook vs. NN

April 2006

www.redhotpawn.com

White to Move

I think all commentators would agree -- I am solidly winning this game. 1. Bxf8? seems logical enough. A rook for a bishop is always a good trade. But in the process, I am missing a quick mate-in-two. Do you see it?

The key is the poor f7-pawn -- it is useless. The white d4 bishop keeps it locked there (i.e., the pawn is pinned by the bishop). Based on that one key, the winning move is easy. 1. Qxg6!+. Technically this brazen move isn't even a queen-sacrifice, because as mentioned the black f7 pawn can't recapture it. After 1... Kh8. 2. Qg7# to follow.

I pulled out the win here -- as I mentioned, I had a pretty solid lead. But I hate missing such beautiful mates like this.