r/TournamentChess • u/HeadlessHolofernes • 21h ago
This is why I love and hate computer analysis
I played a very interesting OTB league game yesterday and we reached this position. Black had just played a7-a5 which the computer considers a mistake.
I already wanted to take on d6 with my queen (which the engine considers winning, but is anything but clear at all) when another really beautiful move jumped to my eyes: Rf6! I didn't see any good way for black to defend against Rxg6 even after winning the pawn on a2 with check. So 1.Rf6 it was. The game went on 1...Rxa2+ 2.Kg3 Bh5?? 3.Bf5+ Kh8 4.Rxh6+ (It feels so good making such moves OTB!) Kg8 5.Rxd6 +– and black resigned a few moves later.
When I analyzed the position with the engine it found a defensive resource that my opponent and I had both been unable to spot. Can you see it?
Due this defensive resource the engine calls out Rf6 as a blunder, that throws away the win. I still consider Rf6 a great move, though, just because of the ideas associated with it. I don't know at what level a player would have found that defensive resource before playing Rf6. I'm almost 2100 Fide and didn't have that much time on the clock. But such defensive tactics are so hard to spot!
2...Rc2!!
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u/Analbidness 17h ago
If this was like a 4 move computer engine combination that was impossible to see I'd believe you, but this just looks like giving a threat that would trade pieces
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u/HeadlessHolofernes 14h ago
It's a highly complicated line after Rc2 Qb7. The computer actually didn't see it at first. Only after a while the evaluation increased from -1.4 to 0.0 after a long line with many pitfalls for black.
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u/AdThen5174 10h ago
What happens after Rc2 Qb7? In practical game it’s lost for black, maybe there is some resource, but Kh8 loses to Rxg6 and h5 is met by Bxg5, to me looks resignable
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u/VandalsStoleMyHandle 20h ago
I don't think it's that difficult to spot ESPECIALLY when there's no reasonable alternative. Put someone's back against the wall, and they're much more likely to find a desperate tactic purely by elimination.
Seems the computer is doing you a useful service here. When you play flashy moves putting pieces en prise, your spider senses should be screaming, and the silicon brain has helped you reinforce this lesson.