1.

[Now we're ready to learn about a quirky long distance operator, the bishop. Bishops can move as far as their path is unblocked along the diagonal. So in this position, the bishop can move to any of these squares. The major drawback of a bishop is that it can only touch the squares in the color in which it travels. So a bishop that begins on dark squares can only touch the thirty-two dark squares on the chess board. Of course, a bishop that begins on a light square, can only touch the thirty-two light squares on the chess board. So we call our bishops a "dark squared bishop" or a "light squared bishop."

{B:rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/32/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR}{D:1000}{H:c1c8f1f8}{D:2000}{B:2b2b2/48/2B2B2}{D:6000}{B:64}{C}{R}{P:BBd5}{D:1500}{H:a2b3c4e6f7g8a8b7c6e4f3g2h1}{D:2000}{C}{D:2500}{B:56/2B2B2}{D:4000}{X:f1}{D:1000}{H:c1}{D:1000}{A:Tc1a3}{A:Tc1h6}{H:a1a3a5a7}{D:200}{H:b2b4b6b8}{D:200}{H:c3c5c7}{D:200}{H:d2d4d6d8}{D:200}{H:e1e3e5e7}{D:200}{H:f2f4f6f8}{D:200}{H:g1g3g5g7}{D:200}{H:h2h4h6h8}{D:600}{C}{R}{X:c1}{P:WBf1}{D:1000}{H2:f1}{D:1000}{H2:a2a4a6a8}{D:200}{H2:b1b3b5b7}{D:200}{H2:c2c4c6c8}{D:200}{H2:d1d3d5d7}{D:200}{H2:e2e4e6e8}{D:200}{H2:f1f3f5f7}{D:200}{H2:g2g4g6g8}{D:200}{H2:h1h3h5h7}{D:200}{D:600}{C}{R}{D:1300}{B:2b2b2/48/2B2B2}{D:1000}{H:c1f8}{D:1000}{N:f1c8}{W:j15e01}{C}

]

2.

[So while a bishop can go very far with one move, it's relegated to only half the squares on the chess board. This is why the bishop is worth only three pawns. In this type of position, the bishop can slice right through white's pawn structure; but it can never attack any of the white pawns, because they're all on dark squares. So here you can see both the pros and the cons of a light squared bishop.

{B:8/7b/16/3P4/2P1P3/3P4/8}{D:11000}{H2:b1c2d3e4f5g6h7}{A:Th7b1}{D:4000}{H:d2d4c3e3}{W:j15e02}{C}{W:sil1000}

]

3.

[Like every other piece except for the pawn, the bishop captures the way it moves. It cannot jump over other pieces; and if a bishop is blocked in by its own pawns, it's considered a bad bishop. You always want to maximize the mobility of your chess pieces.

  Here the white bishop is blocked in by its own pawns and can't do anything active. The black bishop on the other hand is free to roam and can attack the white pawns on dark squares. In this position, black is winning, because he has the better bishop.

{B:64}{P:WBc1}{P:BPh6}{P:BRb2}{P:BPf4}{D:2300}{A:Cc1f4}{D:200}{A:Cc1b2}{D:1000}{C}{R}{A:Dc1h6}{H:f4}{D:2000}{C}{R}{P:BBf8}{H:f8}{D:1000}{Y:0}{P:BPe7}{P:BPg7}{Y:1}{A:Tf8e7}{A:Tf8g7}{D:3000}{R}{S:e7e6}{H2:a3b4c5d6e7f8}{D:1000}{S:g7g5}{S:h6h5}{H2:g7h6}{D:1000}{W:j15e03}{W:sil1000}{B:8/7p/8/1p3k2/1Pp2b2/2Pp4/1B1P1K1P/8 w}{D:500}{H:b2}{D:1500}{H:d2c3b4}{H2:a1a3c1}{A:Tb2a3}{A:Tb2a1}{A:Tb2c1}{D:2000}{C}{R}{D:700}{H:f4}{D:1000}{H2:b8c7d6e5g3e3g5h6}{A:Tf4b8}{A:Tf4h6}{A:Tf4e3}{A:Tf4g3}{D:1300}{H:d2h2}{R:f4e3}{A:Cf4d2}{R:f4g3}{A:Cf4h2}{D:2500}{C}{R}{W:j15e04}

]

4.

[Now let's take a moment to talk about quality in chess. We say that each piece has a numerical value. Bishops are worth three pawns, rooks are worth five pawns; but, in fact, the values of pieces fluctuate with the board position, and it's important to learn about the principles which determine what makes the given kind of piece more or less powerful. It turns out, for instance, that bishops are much better in open games than in closed games. An open game, by the way, is when the central pawn structure is not blocked. In this position, the pawns are wide open, so the bishop can cut through the whole position. Here, on the other hand, the bishops are locked in by the pawns. Knights, on the other hand, while they're also worth roughly three pawns or better in closed games - we'll learn about the knights soon, but for now just remember that knights are the only pieces that can jump over other pieces. So in a closed game, a knight can leap into attack while other pieces are locked in. So if you have a bishop against a knight, you want to open up a game. With knowledge of these principles, as they'll be taught in this course, you'll be able to make long-term strategic decisions, even in your first weeks of play.

{B:7k/7p/3b4/1p6/1Pp5/2P1p3/4P1KP/1B6}{D:29000}{A:Cb1h7}{A:Cd6h2}{A:Cd6b4}{H:d6e5f4g3h2c5b4}{H2:b1c2d3e4f5g6h7}{D:2000}{C}{R}{B:k7/8/3p1b1p/p1pPp1p1/PpP1P1P1/1P1B1P2/8/7K}{D:2500}{H:a4b3c4d5e4f3g4}{H2:a5b4c5d6e5g5h6}{A:Td3c4}{A:Td3e4}{A:Tf6e5}{A:Tf6g5}{D:2000}{C}{R}{B:k7/8/3p1n1p/p1pPp1p1/PpP1P1P1/1P1B1P2/8/7K}{H:f6}{D:8000}{A:Cf6g4}{A:Cf6e4}{D:5000}{C}{R}{W:j15e05}

]

5.

[Just to show you the power of centralization in chess, and also to show you the power of the bishop, take a look at this position. Here, white's two bishops, on D5 and E5, cover all of these squares; but, of course, notice that the white bishop alone only covers these, and the black bishop covers the rest. So the power of two bishops is very important to understand. In chess, we refer to one side or another as having two bishops. So while a bishop is worth three pawns or a knight is worth three pawns, usually two bishops together are better than a bishop or a knight, because they complete each other.

{B:24/3BB3/32}{D:10000}{H:a2b3c4d5e6f7g8h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8}{D:300}{H:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8h2g3f4e5d6c7b8}{D:2500}{C}{X:e5}{D:1500}{H:a2b3c4d5e6f7g8h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8}{D:1500}{C}{X:d5}{P:WBe5}{D:1500}{H:a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8h2g3f4e5d6c7b8}{D:1500}{B:24/3BB3/32}{H:a2b3c4d5e6f7g8h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8h2g3f4e5d6c7b8}{D:2500}{C}{W:j15e06}

]

6.

[Let's try out some exercises. This we call Monster Bishop. Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively, capturing one piece per move.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WQd1}{P:WRe8}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNf1}{P:WNg8}{P:WPb5}{P:WPh3}{P:WPh5}{P:BBd7}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Let's try out some exercises. This we call Monster Bishop. Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively, capturing one piece per move.

{W:j15e07};

${S:d7h3}{J}

$d7h3;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence}

]

7.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WQd1}{P:WRe8}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNf1}{P:WNg8}{P:WPb5}{P:WPh5}{P:BBh3}{Y:1}{D:1000}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:h3f1}{J}

$h3f1;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

8.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WQd1}{P:WRe8}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNg8}{P:WPb5}{P:WPh5}{P:BBf1}{Y:1}{D:1000}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:f1b5}{J}

$f1b5;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

9.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WQd1}{P:WRe8}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNg8}{P:WPh5}{P:BBb5}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:b5e8}{J}

$b5e8;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

10.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WQd1}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNg8}{P:WPh5}{P:BBe8}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:e8h5}{J}

$e8h5;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{retry};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

11.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WQd1}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNg8}{P:BBh5}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:h5d1}{J}

$h5d1;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{retry};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

12.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WRh7}{P:WBb3}{P:WNg8}{P:BBd1}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:d1b3}{J}

$d1b3;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{retry};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

13.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WRh7}{P:WNg8}{P:BBb3}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:b3g8}{J}

$b3g8;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{retry};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

14.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WRh7}{P:BBg8}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:g8h7}{J}

$g8h7;{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{retry};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

15.

[Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.

{B:64 b}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:BBh7}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Black to move and take all the white pieces consecutively.;

${S:h7b1}{J}

$h7b1;Good job. You found the right sequence to capture all the white pieces.

{W:j15e08}{J};

$c Incorrect. You cannot take every piece in sequence after moving to that square.{W:notquiteright}{retry};

Plan ahead. You need to look for a pattern of moves that will allow you to take all white pieces in sequence.

}

]

16.

[

{B:64}{Y:0}{P:WKc2}{P:WBc5}{P:WPh2}{P:BKa1}{P:BRe7}{P:BPa2}{P:BPa7}{P:BPb4}{Y:1}{IJ: Take a look at this position. First, click on all the black pieces that the white bishop can capture.

  {W:j15e09}; 

a7b4e7;Good! {W:j15e10}{R}{J};

Incorrect. You haven't selected all the captures.{W:theresmore};

Incorrect. This is not a capture.;

a2: Are you sure this pawn is attacked by the white bishop?;

a1: Are you sure the king is attacked by the white bishop?;

c2: You can't capture your own pieces.;

h2: You can't capture your own pieces.;

Remember, the bishop can only move and capture diagonally.

}

]

17.

[Now, what is white's best move?

{B:64 w}{Y:0}{P:WKc2}{P:WBc5}{P:WPh2}{P:BKa1}{P:BRe7}{P:BPa2}{P:BPa7}{P:BPb4}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Now, what is white's best move?{W:j15e11};

${W:j15e12}{W:sil500}{S:c5d4}

  {A:Cd4a1}{H:a1b1b2}

  {A:Tc2b1}{A:Tc2b2}

  {W:j15e13}{W:sil1000}{J}

$c5d4;Excellent work! Bishop D4 is check mate and ends the game right away.

  {W:excellent}{W:sil1000}

  {A:Cd4a1}{H:a1b1b2}{A:Tc2b1}{A:Tc2b2}

  {W:j15e13}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect. We are looking for the best possible move for white.

{W:notbest}{RETRY};

c5e7:$c Capturing pieces is very tempting, but always remember to look for the best move in chess.

  {W:j15e12}{RETRY};

Not all best moves are capture moves. Ask yourself what the main goal in chess is as you ponder this move...

}

]

18.

[Here white has two bishops for a rook. What is white's best move?

I'm sure you see that the black rook is attacking the H2 bishop.

{B:64 w}{Y:0}{P:WKb3}{P:WBf3}{P:WBh2}{P:BKc1}{P:BRh8}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Here white has two bishops for a rook. What is white's best move?

I'm sure you see that the black rook is attacking the H2 bishop.{W:j15e14}{D:2000}{A:Ch8h2}{W:j15e15}{R};

${H:a2b2c2d1}{A:Tb3c2}{A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Tf3d1}

  {S:h2f4}{A:Cf4c1}{H:c1d2}{W:j15e18b}{R}

  {S:c1b1}{W:j15e18d}{W:sil1000}{J}

$h2f4;Bf4+, very good!

  {H:a2b2c2d1}{A:Tb3c2}{A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Tf3d1}

  {W:j15e18b}{A:Cf4c1}{H:c1d2}{W:j15e18c}{R}

  {S:c1b1}{W:j15e18d}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect. By moving to that square, you cannot force mate in two moves.

{W:notbest}{RETRY};

Think about how you used two rooks to trap a king earlier - can you see any way to something similar here using the two bishops instead?

}

]

19.

[...Kb1. What's the next move?

{B:64 w}{Y:0}{P:WKb3}{P:WBf3}{P:WBf4}{P:BKb1}{P:BRh8}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}... Kb1. What's the next move?{W:j15e18e};

${H:a2b2c2c1}{A:Tb3c2}{A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Tf4c1}

  {S:f3e4}{D:300}{A:Ce4b1}{H:b1}{W:j15e16}

  {D:2200}{R}{S:b1a1}{W:j15e18}{J}

$f3e4;Be4+, excellent work! ... driving the king all the way to the corner of the board. King A1.

  {H:a2b2c2c1}{A:Tb3c2}{A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Tf4c1}

  {D:300}{A:Ce4b1}{H:b1}{W:j15e16}{W:j15e17}

  {D:2200}{R}{S:b1a1}{W:j15e18}{J};

$c Incorrect. By moving to that square, you cannot force mate in two moves.

{W:notbest}{RETRY};

Think about how you used two rooks to trap a king earlier - can you see any way to something similar here?

}

]

20.

[... Ka1. What's mate in one here?

{B:64 w}{Y:0}{P:WKb3}{P:WBe4}{P:WBf4}{P:BKa1}{P:BRh8}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}... Ka1. What's mate in one here? {W:j15c46};

${Y:0}{H:a2b2c2b1}{A:Tb3c2}{A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Te4b1}{Y:1}

  {S:f4e5}{D:300}{A:Ce5a1}{H:a1b1a2b2}

  {A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Te4b1}

  {W:j15e19}{W:sil500}{W:j15e20}{W:sil1000}{J}

$f4e5;Excellent work! Be5# A critical pattern, similar to the way you used two rooks earlier to trap a king. Here you've used your two bishops in the same manner.

  {Y:0}{H:a2b2c2b1}{A:Tb3c2}{A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Te4b1}{Y:1}

  {W:excellent}{W:sil500}

  {D:300}{A:Ce5a1}{H:a1b1a2b2}

  {A:Tb3b2}{A:Tb3a2}{A:Te4b1}

  {W:j15e19}{W:sil500}{W:j15e20}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect. You have mate in 1.

{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

Similar to the way you used rooks earlier to trap a king, you have to use your bishops in the same manner ...

}

]

21.

[

{B:64}{Y:0}{P:WKd2}{P:WBb2}{P:WBe2}{P:WPa3}{P:WPb4}{P:WPc5}{P:BKc6}{P:BRh8}{P:BBg4}{P:BPa6}{P:BPc6}{Y:1}{IJ:It's white to move here. What's the best move? The first thing you should do is notice all of the black pieces that can be captured. Why don't you highlight them.{W:j15e21}; 

a6g4h8;Good job. {W:j15e22}{J};

You don't have them all yet{W:theresmore};

That's not a valid capture. Keep looking.

}

]

22.

[Now which is the most valuable piece that can be taken?

{B:64}{Y:0}{P:WKd2}{P:WBb2}{P:WBe2}{P:WPa3}{P:WPb4}{P:WPc5}{P:BKc6}{P:BRh8}{P:BBg4}{P:BPa6}{P:BPc6}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}Now which is the most valuable piece that can be taken?

  {W:j15e23};

${S:b2h8}{J}

$b2h8;White had three options and you found the best move. Way to go!

{W:j15e24}{J};

$c That's not best.{W:notquiteit}{RETRY};

e2a6:$c That's good, but not best.{W:j15e25}{RETRY};

e2g4:$c That's good, but not best.{W:j15e25}{RETRY};

Think about the values of all the pieces that white can capture.

}

]

23.

[In this position, look for all of you're moves. White to play. What do you see? Remember, bishops can cover a lot of distance. Do you see mate in one?

{B:64}{Y:0}{P:WKb1}{P:WRh2}{P:WBb2}{P:BKg8}{P:BRa4}{P:BRa2}{P:BPf7}{Y:1}{V:{SAVE}In this position, look for all of you're moves. White to play. What do you see? Remember, bishops can cover a lot of distance. Do you see mate in one? {W:j15e26};

${S:h2h8}{A:Gb2h8}{A:Ch8g8}{H:h8h7g8g7f8}

  {W:j15e27}{W:sil500}{W:j15e29}{C}{R}{W:sil1000}{J}

$h2h8;Rook H8, mate. Great work. The rook is supported by the bishop on the opposite corner of the board.

  {A:Gb2h8}{A:Ch8g8}{H:h8h7g8g7f8}

  {W:j15e27}{W:sil500}{W:j15e28}

  {W:sil500}{W:j15e29}{C}{R}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c Incorrect. The goal here is to mate in one - remember that the bishop is a long distance operator.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

h2g2:$c Yes, that puts the King in check, but he can safely move to h7

  {D:500}{S:g8h7}{W:notbest}{RETRY};

Can you see a way to move any piece to threaten the Black king and have it 'protected' by another of your pieces?

}

]

24.

[Here it's white's move, but be careful to find the best move. What do you see?

{B:16/p4R2/pk1P1r1p/R5pP/1K4P1/8/6B1 w}{V:{SAVE}Here it's white's move, but be careful to find the best move. What do you see? {W:j15e30};

${S:f6b6}{A:Gg1b6}{A:Cb6b5}{A:Td5c6}{A:Gb3a4}{A:Ta4c4}

  {H:a4b4b5b6c4c5c6}

  {D:8000}{C}{R}

  {S:b6f6}

  {B:16/p4R2/pk1P1r1p/R5pP/1K4P1/8/6B1}

  {S:f6f5}

  {D:2000}{H:a4b4b6c4c5c6}

   {A:Tg1b6}{A:Td5c6}{A:Gb3a4}{A:Ta4c4}

  {W:j15e33}{W:sil1000}{W:sil1000}{J}

$f6b6;Excellent work! Rook B6 mate combines the rook and the bishop to win the game. Sometimes when we're closest to victory, we release the tension of the game and throw everything away. Notice how terrible a mistake rook takes F5 would have been. Here black is stale mated. There are no legal moves.

  {D:1000}{A:Gg1b6}{A:Cb6b5}{A:Td5c6}{A:Gb3a4}{A:Ta4c4}

  {H:a4b4b5b6c4c5c6}

  {W:j15e31}

  {D:8000}{C}{R}

  {S:b6f6}

  {B:16/p4R2/pk1P1r1p/R5pP/1K4P1/8/6B1}

  {S:f6f5}

  {D:2000}{H:a4b4b6c4c5c6}

   {A:Tg1b6}{A:Td5c6}{A:Gb3a4}{A:Ta4c4}

  {W:j15e33}{W:sil1000}{W:sil1000}{J};

$c That's not quite right. Try again. {W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

f6f5:$c Rook takes F5 is a big mistake. Notice that now black has absolutely no legal moves. The game is drawn by stale mate. Try again.

  {D:4000}{H:a4b4b6c4c5c6}

   {A:Tg1b6}{A:Td5c6}{A:Gb3a4}{A:Ta4c4}

  {W:j15e32}{RETRY};

In the last exercise, you learned how one piece can protect another while it threatens to capture. Keep this in mind as you ponder your move.   

}

]

25.

[Once again, in this position, you want to find the best move. White to play.

{B:7r/16/p3k3/P7/8/K2B4/2b5 w}{V:{SAVE}Once again, in this position, you want to find the best move. White to play. {W:j15e34};

${S:d2c3}{D:500}{A:Cc3e5}{A:De5h8}

  {D:500}{R}{S:e5d5}{S:c3h8}

  {W:j15e35a}{W:sil1000}{J}

$d2c3;Good job! Force the black king to move out of danger and win a rook for free.

  {W:j15e35}{W:sil500}

 {D:500}{A:Cc3e5}{A:De5h8}

  {D:500}{R}{S:e5d5}{S:c3h8}

  {W:j15e35a}{W:sil1000}{J};

Incorrect. We are looking for a skewer.{W:notquiteright}{RETRY};

d2a5:$c There definitely is a better move. {W:notbest}{RETRY};

d2c1:$c White can take either the bishop or the pawn. Clearly the bishop is the better option but remember skewers?

  {D:500}{S:c1d2}

  {B:7r/16/p3k3/P7/8/K2B4/2b5w}

  {A:Cd2c1}{D:1000}{A:Cd2a5}

  {D:4000}{R}

  {W:j15e36}{RETRY};

Remember skewers - how a stronger piece is attacked while a weaker piece is behind it?}

]

26.

[What is white's best move? This one is tricky, and it introduces a new idea, a tactic called "the fork."

{B:8/k3r3/8/2p5/8/1K4b1/5B2/1R5 w}{V:What is white's best move? This one is tricky, and it introduces a new idea, a tactic called "the fork." 

  {SAVE}{W:j15e37};

$Bxc5+, wins a pawn and a rook, because it forks the king and the rook. 

A fork of course is like a fork in the road. We'll discuss this tactical idea later on... but it's when one piece attacks two enemy pieces at once. Bxc5+ is very strong. Don't worry if you had trouble with this one. This was the first time forks were discussed, and you'll be learning more about these in the upcoming exercises. I just wanted to show you the idea.

  {A:Lf2c5}{D:3000}{R}{S:f2c5}{A:Cc5a7}{H:a7}

  {D:1500}{A:Cc5e7}

  {W:j15e38}

  {W:sil500}{C}{R}{S:a7b7}{S:c5e7}

  {W:sil1000}{W:j15e39}

  {W:sil500}{W:j15e41}{W:sil1000}

$f2c5; Good job! Bxc5+, wins a pawn and a rook, because it forks the king and the rook. 

A fork of course is like a fork in the road. We'll discuss this tactical idea later on... but it's when one piece attacks two enemy pieces at once. Bxc5+ is very strong. Don't worry if you had trouble with this one. This was the first time forks were discussed, and you'll be learning more about these in the upcoming exercises. I just wanted to show you the idea.

  {W:goodjob}{W:sil500}

  {D:3200}{A:Cc5a7}{H:a7}

  {D:1100}{A:Cc5e7}

  {W:j15e38}

  {W:sil500}{C}{R}{S:a7b7}{S:c5e7}

  {W:sil1000}{W:j15e39}

  {W:sil500}{W:j15e41}{W:sil1000};

$c Incorrect. We are looking for the best possible move     {W:notbest}{RETRY};

f2g3:$c No, that's not right! You can take the bishop, but you have better. Also, if the Bxg3, black has a good move. In this position, black can play Re3+, a fork. Black attacks the king and the bishop, and black will win the white bishop on G3. Go back to the original position and try again.

  {D:7700}{S:e7e3}{A:Ce3b3}{A:Ce3g3}{H:b3}

  {D:4300}{C}{R}{S:b3c4}{S:e3g3}

  {W:j15e40}{RETRY};

In chess you must often plan several moves ahead. What move could you make now that will leave you in the best position for your next move? Try to attack two pieces at once.

}

]

