- but why did vishy make his last move (e3) and not just resign - with his end so readily apparent??>

The maxim about examining all forcing moves is excellent advice, particularly for the inexperienced. I now believe, however, that an initial analysis to uncover distinguishing features of a position is the best way to direct later, deeper analysis.>

As mentioned in his 'Secrets of practical chess', this is John Nunn's approach and I agree. The essentials of a speech are the speaker's ideas, not whether he/she insists on using technical words like 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'.

<< <agb2002> wrote: [snip] The pawn on e6 seems to be the best defender of the black king. >

<whiteshark>, with his fondness for heavy pieces, once stated that Rs should cut off the opposing K's flight, rather than giving check. The Pe6 will fall with 25.Rf6+, but the immediate 25.Rxe6 prevents the K's flight to d7. This is the position's "distinguishing feature".>

I would say that the most important factor is the possibility of undermining the black king's shield, because it doesn't matter whether the king moves to d7 if the (remaining) white pieces can eventually deliver mate. Less important factors (but still important) are the defenseless bishops and there are other factors, more or less in between.

<< <CHESSTTCAMPS> wrote : [snip] Or to put it differently, in this case the check is actually not the most forcing move. It took me a bit of analysis to realize this. >

Then again, there are always other ways of looking at things...

:)>

Yes indeed. Probably you have noticed that I abandoned the typical approaches (candidate moves, forcing moves, direct pattern recognition, etc.) and use a deductive approach instead, which by the way is the only reasonable method to solve positions like K Berg vs G Jacoby, 2007:

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25 Rxe6 looks promising, e.g. (A) 25...Kxe6 26 Qxf5+ Ke7 (if Kd5 27 Qd7#) 27 Qf7+ Kd8 28 e6 (if 28 Qxg8+ immediately Kc7 29 Qxg7+ Kb8 Black has counter-attack possibilities) Bc6 and White should be winning - there may be improvements in this line; (B) 25...Qxb2 (or 25...e3) 26 Qg6+ Kf8 27 Rxf5#; (C) 25...Qg5 26 Rxf5+ etc (D) 25...f4 26 Qg6+ Kf8 27 Qf5#. Time to check:
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Seems OK. Crafty End Game trainer check of the puzzle position:

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<agb2002> as usual a very perceptive commentary. I couldnt see how BK could escape via d7 either.

I agree with your floccinaucinihilipilification of technical jargon.

< Probably you have noticed that I abandoned the typical approaches (candidate moves, forcing moves, direct pattern recognition, etc.) and use a deductive approach instead, which by the way is the only reasonable method to solve positions like K Berg vs G Jacoby, 2007 [snip] >

The solution is a capture, the second staple (after "check") of the <CG> school of Forcing Moves, so some might object that deduction is not the "only reasonable method" to solve the position.

I am continuing, I confess, the intent of my previous post, to wave a rojo flag in front of a bull ;>)

I was curious about the "deduction" that led you specifically to 25.Rxe6, rather than the tempting 25.Rf6+. Perhaps it can be explained by temporal economy: the ultimate target of the attack is Pe6, so why waste time by interpolating 25.Rf6+ before 26.Rxe6+, thereby permitting the Black K greater latitude?

< However (oh yes, there is always a 'however', sorry), this approach tends to be very energy demanding, or at least that's my impression. >

Probably, [initial analysis to determine the distinguishing features of a position] is more demanding of mental discipline than energy. In the long run, an initial analysis minimizes mental energy, otherwise you and I would not adhere to it.

Specifically, 28. e6! , instead of the over anxious and less accurate 28. Qxg8+ , gives White an overpowering attack.

White to play (25.?) "Medium"