Chess to Enjoy: Kasparian |
By GM Andy Soltis
|
December 17, 2010 |
Kasparian
This year marks
the 100th anniversary of the birth of Genrikh Kasparian, best known as
one of the greatest of endgame composers. But he was also an
international master and ten-time champion of Armenia. In fact, he was
considered the best-ever Armenian player until he lost a 1946 match to a
17-year-old named Tigran Petrosian. This month’s quiz features six
positions from Kasparian’s career. In each diagram you are asked to find
the fastest winning line of play. This will typically mean the forced
win of a decisive amount of material. Solutions on page 69.
Problem I
Genrikh Kasparian
Vladimir Simagin
White to play
Show Solution Solution Parnu, 1947
1. Ra2 threatens to win the pinned bishop with 2. Rb4 or 2. Rba3. Black
resigned after 1. ... Rxg2 2. Raa3! R2g4 3. Be3 in view of 4. Rb4 and
Raxa4 mate. (Hide Solution)
Problem II
Genrikh Kasparian
Mikhail Yudovich
White to play
Show Solution Solution Leningrad, 1947
After 1. Bxg6+! both 1. ... Kxg6 or 1. ... Kg8 loses to 2. Qe6+. Black
resigned soon after 1. ... Kg7 2. Qe5+! Kxg6 3. Qe6+ Kxg5 4. Qxd7,
threatening 5. Qg7+ or 5. Qa4. (Hide Solution)
Problem III
Georgy Lisitsin
Genrikh Kasparian
Black to play
Show Solution Solution Moscow, 1931
1. ... g5 may win eventually but 1. ... Qf2! and ... g5-g4 does it quicker. (Hide Solution)
Problem IV
Grigory Levenfish
Genrikh Kasparian
Black to play
Show Solution Solution Leningrad, 1947
1. ... Kd3! threatens 2. ... Rh1+ and mates, e.g. 2. Ra3+ Bc3 3. Be3
Rh1+ 4. Bc1 f2 or 2. a4 Rh1+ 3. Ka2 Kc4! and ... Ra1 mate. (Hide Solution)
Problem V
Vitaly Chekhover
Genrikh Kasparian
Black to play
Show Solution Solution Erevan, 1936
One of the greatest games of the 20th century ended with 1. ... Qxg4+!
2. Kxe8 Qc8+ 3. Ke7 Qc7+ 4. Ke8 Ne6 and 5. ... Ng7 mate. Or 4. Kf6 h6!
and 5. ... Nh7 mate. (Hide Solution)
Problem VI
Genrikh Kasparian
David Bronstein
White to play
Show Solution Solution Moscow, 1952
1. Qe8+! Kg7 (1. ... Rf8 2. Bd5+ Kg7 3. Nh5+) 2. Ne6+ Kf6 3. d7! and
wins after 3. ... Rxd7 4. Qxd7 Bf2 5. Qd8+! Kxe6 6. Qxh4 Nxh4 7.
hxg4. (Hide Solution)
|