Author: Ricardo Gibert
Date: 13:39:50 06/21/03
Go up one level in this thread
On June 21, 2003 at 15:31:38, Ricardo Gibert wrote: >On June 21, 2003 at 14:30:48, Hans van der Zijden wrote: > >> >> >> >>>>[D]2Brr1k1/5ppp/8/8/6B1/8/5PP1/5RK1 w - - 0 1 >> >>>>The fact that _this_ position can't be won does not make 2 bishops on the same >>>>color stronger than a rook. >>> >>>I didn't say they were. I was merely disagreeing that the rooks were stronger. >>>There's a difference. >>> >>>I'm sure you'll find this position more interesting: >>>[D]2qrr1k1/2p2ppp/1p6/p4B2/P5B1/1P6/2P2PP1/5RK1 w - - >> >>Not really. >> >>>The point is I think you will find that the 2 same color bishops are as tough as >>>nails and there really is little reason to think that a rook is stronger. The >>>extra pawn gives Black some advantage, but my guess it is not enough. It's clear >>>with equal pawns, it's an equal position. >> >>I must admit I have overlooked the defensive strenght of the bishops. But that's >>just it, they only can defend. No attacking power. In the majority of the >>positions they will probably hold the draw. But I found a nice position where >>you would probably favor the rookside as well :). >> >>[D]8/4rk2/8/8/1p6/1Pp2K2/B1P5/1B6 w - - >> >>Hans > >:) Okay, that was a convincing illustration of the impotence of the Bishops. Now >here is an illustration of the impotence of the Rook. This one I hope you will >agree is more instructive: > >[D]8/1pBp4/1P1PpBp1/4P1P1/2r5/1k6/8/1K6 w - - > >It seems Black's dream has come true and he has a free hand at mating the White >King. Unfortunately, K+R vs K has to resort to zugzwang to mate. Unfortunatel, >in the above position White can avoid zugzwang with the pendulum move Bc7-d8-c7, >etc. Sac'ing a Rook for B+P doesn't help, because he will free the other B. >Finally, Black can set a trap with: 1...Ka3!? 2.Ka1? Rb4! and Black will Oops! 2...Rc1# is even better reason to not to play 2.Ka1. Not much trap...though it might work on me ;) >continue with Rb2 followed by Kb3 then Rh2-h1 mate. Of course, 2.Bd8 instead is >a draw.
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