The Grunfeld Defense – Set 6

GM Sam Shankland

Question 1.

How can White exploit the

misplacement of Black’s queen?

Question 2.

White threatens mate on f7 so

Black needs to find something
fast.

What would you play?

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Question 3.

Can you find a combination for

White here?

Question 4.

What can Black do about White’s

strong center?

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Question 5.

Black’s queen has greedily

grabbed the e4 pawn.

Can you make her pay?

Question 6.

White has some big threats

including Nxg6+ and Rxg7
followed by Nc6.

How can Black deal with this

situation?

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Question 7.

White will mate in a few moves

unless Black comes up with
something fast.

What would you do?

Question 8.

What is the best response to the

mate threat on g7?

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Question 9.

With 2 pieces en prise, can you find

a way out for Black?

Question 10.

How can Black take advantage of a

loose piece?

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Question 11.

Should White take the d6 knight?

Question 12.

There’s a lot going on here. Can

you find a winning combination
for Black?

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Question 13.

How can Black create a small but

decisive imbalance?

Question 14.

“If you have someone on the

ropes, never let them go”.

Find the correct follow up for Black

here.

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Question 15.

With knight and bishop under fire,

can you find a way to save the
day?

Question 16.

How would you handle this

position as Black?

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Question 17.

Seems like White has it all covered.

What is the best move for Black

here?

Question 18.

Can you find the strongest

continuation for Black here?

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Question 19.

Seems like White has managed to

centralize his pieces effectively.

But did he miss something?

Question 20.

We have a very important man on

d8 under fire.

Can you find a precise

continuation and save the game?

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 Solutions

1 1.Bxe6! wins the exchange as …fxe6?? 2.Bxb4+ wins the queen.

2 1…Bxf2+ 2.Kh2 (else Rc1+) Qd6+ 3.g3 Bxg3+ 4.Rxg3 Rc2+ 5.Kg1 Qd4+ 6.Kh1
Qh8+ 7.Rh3 Qa1+ wins.

3 1.Bxf7+ Kh8 2.Bxf8 winning the exchange and a pawn with a dominant position. If
1…Kxf7 2.Ng5+ Kg8 3.Qb3+ Kh8 4.Nf7+ Kg8 5.Nh6++ Kh8 6.Qg8+! Rxg8 7.Nf7#
the famous smothered mate combination.

4 1…Nfxd5! 2.Nxd7 Nxe3 3.Nxb6 Nxc2 4.Nxd8 Nxa1 clearly winning.

5 1.Bxf7+ Rxf7 2.Qxc8+ Rf8 3.Qc4+ e6 4.Ng4 wins the exchange and a pawn.

6 Black turns the tables with 1…Bb2+ 2.Kb1 Rd1#

7 1…Rd7 2.Qxd7 Bxd7 3.Rxd7 Rf8 regrouping to win!

8 1…Rc1+! 2.Qxc1 Qxe2 with a dominant position.

9 1…0-0-0+ 2.Bd2 Bh6 3.axb4 Rxd2+ 4.Ke1 Be6. Material is level but White has many
weaknesses.

10 1…Ne2+ 2.Kf2 Qxe3+ 3.Kxe3 Nxc1 wins the exchange with better chances in the
endgame.

11 Yes! 1.Qxd6 Bf8 2.Bxd7! Bxd6 3.Bxe8 Bxc7 4.Ba4 and White has 2 minor pieces for
the rook.

12 1…hxg3 2.hxg3 Qh8! 3.Nd4 Qh2+ 4.Kf1 Rxd4! and White cannot deal with …Nxe3+.

13 1…Bd3 2.Re1 Bxc4 with better endgame chances.

14 1…h5+ 2.Kxh5 Kg7! followed by …Rh8+.

15 1…Ne2+ 2.Kh2 Nc3 and White has to give up at least the exchange.

16 1…gxh4 2.a6 Ne4, 3.a7 Bxa7 4.Rxa7 Nxf2 favors Black.

17 1…Nxe4!! 2.Bxe4 Rxh2+! 3.Rxh2 Qxe4+ 4.Rg2 Rxh2+ 5.Kxh2 Qh7+ and mate on the
next move.

18 1…cxd4 2.cxd4 (or Rxd4) Qc6! pinning and winning.

19 1…Nc6! wins the exchange after 2.Bxg7 Nxb4 3.Rxd8 Rfxd8.

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20 1….. Rb2 2.Be3 Rb1, 3.Qd2 Qxd2 4.Bxd2 Bc5+ wins the rook. If 2.Bxd8?? Rg2+
3.Kh1 Qf2! mates.

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