JOIN USA piece attacking two pieces simultaneously is dubbed ‘double attack’ in a game of chess. It is a lethal weapon as at times it becomes difficult to save both the pieces.
Of course depending on the position, it is possible to wriggle out of such positions with good tactics.
In the game which follows, an interesting position arises where White simultaneously manages to target both the King as well as the Queen side with his queen. Black’s King is vulnerable and his pawns lack support which makes things easier for White.
White: Sergei Tiviakov (2590) – Black: Jonathan Speelman (2630)
St Lee Cup, 1997
French Defence
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5
The French Defence which is a semi-closed opening
3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Bd3 c5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.0–0 0–0 10.Bg5 b6
The players have been strictly following the opening theory
11.Qe2 Bb7
An usual position occurring in this opening
12.Rad1 Qc7 13.Bxf6
White can also think about 13.Ne5 Rfd8 14.Rfe1 (14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qg4+ Kf8 16.Nf3 Ke7)
13...gxf6
Black’s castle is ruptured but the position is nothing new in the French Defence
14.Be4
Sensible play by White as he seeks to exchange the bishop
14...Rfd8
Interestingly Speelman decided to deviate from one of his previous games where he had played 14...Bxe4 15.Qxe4 Rfd8 16.c3 Rac8 17.g3 Rd7 and the game had ended in a draw.
15.g3 Bxe4
If 15...Rac8 16.c3 Kg7 17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Nd4 Qd5 19.Nb3 Qe5 20.Qg4+ Qg5
16.Qxe4 f5 17.Qe2 Be7 18.c3 Bf6
Changing diagonals!
19.Rxd8+ White has a better pawn structure and hence shows inclination to swap pieces
19...Rxd8 20.Rd1 Rxd1+ 21.Qxd1
Most of the pieces have been exchanged and it is a battle between the queen and knight versus the queen and bishop
21. .. Qc4 22.a3 b5 23.Ne1 a5 24.Nd3
Perhaps this answers a few queries on whether a bishop is better or a knight is better in endings.
24...e5. An interesting advance!
25.Qd2 Qd5. If 25...e4 26.Nf4
26.Qe2 Kg7 27.g4
A dangerous looking move!
27...Bg5.
At first glance it might appear a natural move but it is a mistake by Black as he opts for an active defence. Black could have tried 27...Kf8 28.gxf5 (28.g5 Bg7) 28...e4 And if 27...Qe6 28.g5 Bxg5 29.Qxe5+ Qxe5 30.Nxe5 Kf6 31.Nd3 Ke6
28.Nxe5 f6 29.Nf3 fxg4
30.Nd4
White is attacking on both flanks and it is difficult for Black to hold on to the position. Firstly his King is exposed and his pawns on the queen side will be difficult to defend.
30...f5 31.Nxb5 Bf6 32.b4 axb4 33.axb4 h5 34.c4 Qa8 35.Nd6
The knight is able to move at his own pace and liking.
35. ..f4 36.Qd1 Be5 37.c5 Qa2
The queen has infiltrated into the seventh rank but White’s passed pawns on the queen side will march merrily.
38.b5 f3 39.Nf5+ Kf6 40.Ng3 h4 41.Qd8+ Kf7 42.Qd7+ Kf8 43.Qf5+ Qf7 44.Qxe5 hxg3
White is winning
45.hxg3 Qb3 46.Qf4+ Ke7 47.Qe3+ and Black resigned as the queens are getting exchanged forcibly. 1–0
White to play and checkmate
1.Bh5+ Kf8 2.Re8 checkmate.