Here is another example to show the importance of Rook Pawn exchange. In this case, Sente(black) will trade his Rook Pawn, too. Gote(white)'s moves are somewhat odd and not be the best again in order to clearly show the effect of Rook Pawn trade. However, if Gote is a novice and have knowledge of chess opening, he may play like this with the intention of trying to control the center field in the beginning. You can beat him easily learning this tip.
Diagram 1.
Lines to Diagram 1 - 1.P-2f 2. P-5d 3.P-2e 4. P-6d
Suppose you are Sente player. You advance your Rook Pawn from 2g to 2e quickly. Gote's 2. P-5d is not a very bad move if he intents to transfer his Rook to the 5th file. However, the next 4. P-6d is a bad move. He should have played 4. P-3d instead of 4. P-6d. You are going to exchange your Rook Pawn by 5. P-2d.
Diagram 2
Line to Diagram 2 from 1 - 5.P-2d 6. Px2d 7.Rx2d 8. P-3d
You succeed in trading your Rook Pawn. You have a pawn in hand now. If Gote play 8. G-3b instead of 8. P-3d to prevent you from get your Rook promoted by R-2c+, then you can drop a Pawn in Hand on 2c to kill Gote's Bishop. It will be a big material advantage to gain a Bishop for a pawn. This is why Gote opens his Bishop diagonal line by 8. P-3d to save his Bihsop. What do you think the best next move is at the diagram 2? Rook promotion by R-2c+? or any other means?
Diagram 3
Line to Diagram 3 from 2 - 9.R-2h(!) 10. G-3b
Amazing Rook retreat
It's amazing that Rook retreat from 2d to 2h is the best move instead of 9. R-2c+. Yes, you can lead the position by such Rook Promotion. The possible variation after 9. P-2c+ is the following; 10.G-3b 11. +Rx3d 12. B-4d 13. +R-2e 14. S-2b. You gain a Pawn advantage with Rook promotion which is clearly good for you, but it is not satisfactory development from Diagram 2 and there is more tactful line to break through the 2nd file. Please look at Diagram 3 and think about the next move by using your Pawn in hand as a result of Rook Pawn trade just before. P*2c to threat to take Gote's Bishop? It's too direct. Let's see the best move using your Pawn in hand.
Diagram 4
Line to Diagram 4 from 3 - 11. P*2d(!)
Tarefu(Dangling Pawn)
The best move at the Diagram 3 is 11. P*2d. P*2d is called Tarefu(Dangling Pawn) and it is Tesuji(one or one set of standard tactical moves). Tarefu is dropping a pawn on a square where it can be got promoted without taking opponent's piece in the next move. As you know, Pawn will be empowered to the equivalent of Gold after promotion. Since Gold can move by one square to the six direction, Promoted Pawn(Tokin) becomes as six times strong as raw Pawn. Furthermore, if your Promoted Pawn is captured, it lessens the power of the equivalent of Gold and becomes back to just raw Pawn. Look at Diagram 3 4 again. Please think about how many pieces of both Sente and Gote can reach the square of 2c. Two pieces for Sente(Pawn on 2d and Rook on 2h) and one for Gote(Gold on 3b). This means you have numerical superiority by 2-1 on the square of 2c. You can break through the 2nd file with it. Let's see how it is happening.
Diagram 5
Line to Diagram 5 from 4 - 12. S-4b 13.P-2c+
Now you succeed in breaking through the 2nd file with Pawn promotion. Gote cannot help losing material.
Diagram 6
Line to Diagram 6 - 14. Gx2c 15. Rx2c+
Now you can get your Rook promoted gaining a Gold for a Pawn which is big material advantage thanks to Tarefu(Dangling Pawn) of P*2d. Please consider why you can drop a Pawn on 2d. It is because you have exchanged your Rook Pawn and have a pawn in hand. Rook Pawn exchange brings you a substantial power of breaking through the Rook file as you see above.
You can see an example of variation for Gote's King to be mated by clicking the arrow in the right direction under any of the diagrams.
Related entries
I'm so glad I found this site...Keep up the good work
Posted by: Bill Bartmann Scam | September 07, 2009 at 05:50 AM