https://brainking.com/dk/Board?bc=167191 The Knights (2. January 2015, 15:32:20) dk https://brainking.com/dk/print/Board?bc=167191&ngi=1170980 Some comments on the tournament's epic upset. Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) already at move 3 the position is interesting. By advancing this pawn, black can meet P-8d-8e with R-7h-7f and set up a position like this: Japanese Chess (bobowski74 vs. ughaibu) with the rook relieving the bishop from the task of defending the 8th file. But after the reply Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) if black insists on playing this strategy with R-5h planning K-4h and R-7h, white can get in P-8d-8e forcing B-g7. By replying G4-5h, black concentrates his generals on the left. As generals are slow movers, three of them are usually used to defend the king. Accordingly, this move indicates that black will probably move his king to the left and keep his rook on the 2nd file. With these considerations in mind, the move G-4b Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) isn't appropriate, the gold should be on 3b to protect the square 2c that the rook will attack. But more pressing than moving the gold, white needs to ensure that the bishop can be activated, so B-2b followed by P-3d looks best. Now: Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) after advancing the 3-pawn, black can answer B-2b with P-3e, so white will have problems activating the bishop. Skipping ahead to here: Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) black has made some unnecessary moves on the right, allowing white to undermine the pawn on 7e. In stead of pushing the 2-pawn and bringing up the right silver, the priority was to support the pawn with a silver on 7f and gold on 7h. Then if white exchanges pawns on the 8th file, black can follow by attacking the rook with G-8g and then drop a pawn on 8e with a big space advantage. As it went, Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) white was somewhat better on the left and black better on the right. But black's edge attack is very strong, notice that the bishop is in trouble if it retreats to 2b because black can push on the 2nd file and drop a pawn on 2c. However, despite the loss of material Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) white can continue with R-1b followed by dropping the second lance on 1d and advancing the 2-pawn. This looks like a sufficient counter-attack. The way things went was also interesting, but here: Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) you can see a problem with not moving the king to an unexposed position. White would like to continue with P-8f, but after the double exchange, black can drop his bishop on 9e forking the king and rook. The turning point of the game comes here: Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) if black played Bx3a, after white captures the silver on 1e, dropping a knight on 5e looks very strong. I think black should win quickly from there. By giving up the bishop, black falls foul of the very same problem of a bishop fork. It is important to hide the king away in the opening, preferably where it is not exposed to any checks. Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) now the tables are completely turned, once white's rook gets in, the advantage should be decisive, despite his generals being scattered. Japanese Chess (Ruroni vs. Roberto Silva) white already has two lances in hand, so doesn't need another, 48...N*6d followed by L*5d looks strong. The rest doesn't need any special comment. If you have any questions or corrections, feel free. Thu, 13 Aug 2015 17:26:09 CEST