chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Mathias Womacka vs David Pruess
Gausdal Classics GMB (2008), Gausdal NOR, rd 8, Apr-15
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf. Opocensky Variation Traditional Line (B92)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 887 more games of M Womacka
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can get computer analysis by clicking the "ENGINE" button below the game.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Kibitzer's Corner
May-22-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  ChessCoachClark: This game is interesting for a few reasons. It has been played to the mating position; it shows a Bishop and Knight Mate against a lone King that was well-played by White; the comparison with Stockfish analysis from the lone King position (55. Nxg4) is instructional.

Womacka worked out the mate in only 22 moves from the lone King position, whereas Stockfish 9 takes 32 moves with best play. Apparently, Black made sub-par moves, then.

The mating pattern itself is aesthetically pleasing and piques my curiousity for similar games as well.

Although B+N+K vs K is one of the basic mates, it is challenging, so games like this gem are valuable. Thanks CG for including it!

Be well.
Be safe.

May-23-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: This was my finish: 73.Be7 Kh8 74.Nf5 Kg8 75.Nh6+ Kh8 76.Bf6#


click for larger view

I learned the "W" method (or "Triangle method") from I.A. Horowitz books years ago by repeating his exact explanation on the board straight from the book every evening. Bruce Pandolfini has a good explanation in algebraic notation in his misnamed intermediate book "The ABCs of Chess." Here's a video that shows the "W" method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWw...

Then when I practiced by myself (moving for both sides) without a book (we didn't have computer chess applications to practice against back then), I started the lone king trapped in the wrong color corner and gradually forced it along the edge into the bishop's mating corner.


click for larger view

Initial self-training position, Black to move. (This is slightly different than 5:20 on the video.)

First, I would practice against the lone king always attempting to return to the wrong color corner where it started. (The lone king always tries to move Left/Queenside or off-the-edge.) White must understand the role of the trailing bishop making a waiting move to pass the turn back to the lone king.

Next time, I would practice against the lone king racing in the other direction ahead of the knight, striving to get ahead and escape into the middle. (The lone king always tries to move Right/Kingside or off-the-edge.) The knight's leading role is more difficult to learn than the bishop, as the knight changes colors every time it moves.

There's more than one way to accomplish this forced mate, but it's not so easy as the example makes it look. In fact, I do not recommend teaching B+N+K vs K to beginners, for the time is better spent on drilling simpler, more common mates. Anything that takes 22-32 moves to accomplish is just not for beginners. Instead, beginners should read "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" 3-4 times until they're at least 95% accurate on their answers. BF makes it easy for beginners to succeed. It's far better to work on mates in 1-2-3 moves that are far more likely to occur.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]
Sicilian Def: Najdorf. Opocensky, Traditional (B92) 1-0 B+N+K
from EG Minors Excavating the Elements by fredthebear
Sicilian Def: Najdorf. Opocensky, Traditional (B92) 1-0 B+N+K
from White Be2 B-C Winked at Fredthebear by fredthebear
0ZeR0's collected games volume 38
by 0ZeR0
=M=
from Lonely Bishop and Knight Mate Examples by ChessCoachClark

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC