Letsplaychess.com: The Luzhin defence puzzle

[Callaz3]

'The Luzhin Defence' is a brilliant book - I would recommend anyone who likes literature (as well as chess) to give it a read. Nabokov himself loved composing chess problems - along with collecting butterflies, smoking a lot and writing incredible fiction!

[Mwuesse]

Great video KC as always, I can't believe I saw the move RH3! Would have never have spotted it though if I didn't know it was there. Beautiful move.

[Myself84]

100000 years to show what really happened...

[kingscrusher]

Please like this video if you got something out of it, or even better add it to your favourites. Help crush the Trolls! You could also subscribe to this channel to get notified of any new videos - subscribing is free and easy.Cheers, K.

[AdiOnlySports]

Thank you very much!!!

[EricSmyth14]

very nice, thank you very much

[TheGigsixstringAge]

...

[MyMgw]

hi Kingscrusher again:-) please dont give up doing this ever.really appreciated mate,this is quality of the highest order and for patzers like me who find chess instruction too expensive you are a godsend,many thnx

[OutlawzAKA]

unbelievable

thank for posting this video

[gunblade712]

My goodness that was a BRILLIANT combination.

[CurtisRoxYerSox]

That Was So Beautiful! im so mad at myself because i couldnt find that move, haha...i guess this shows that i need to work on my end game more

[theniceguy555]

i know this has nothing to do with the video, but may i ask what the intro song is? or was it made in garage band or something

[mauriciochess]

awesome this is what chess is all about

[TheChessPatzer]

... Kg7 threatens mate in one. There is no need to drive the King to h4.

Nd5 is the only defence to this threat.

[thespacialone]

@TheChessPatzer I think the point is that f5 gives the white king a critical escape square.

[TheChessPatzer]

@thespacialone

At 4.44 he says that ...Kg7 threatens mate in 2 starting with ...h6+. There is no need for ...h6+, as the immediate threat is ...Be7#. Nd5 is the only way to stop that mate in one. Of course ...Kg7 ALSO threatens a forced mate in 3 beginning with ...Rh3.

This means that white's initial Kg4 steps into a forced mate in 5 starting with ...f5+. The only move to avoid this forced mating attack is Kf2, which leads to catastrophic loss of material.

Nice puzzle by GM Jonathan Speelman.

[thespacialone]

@TheChessPatzer I'm sorry, my bad, I thought you meant the f5 check was unnecessary, with 1... Kg7, whereas, as I'm sure you're well aware, it's crucial in establishing the mating net by preventing f5 by white. Yes, a strange oversight by KC. I plan to do the analysis on the Kasparov-Shirov exchange sac supposed perpetual variation (next message), My initial thoughts were 1. Kg7 with the threats of f5 or h5 and Bf7# until I saw the f5 defence. I'm the patzer here, as usual :)

[Fleipetauet]

thanks. Its stuff like this that draws me deeper into chessworld ;)

[S3969]

Von Bar-de-leh-bahn is how I always pronounced it. Not that it is the main point of this video of course.

[speedproductions797]

That's pretty cool. Thanks!

[TICOMMECA]

what is the game that is in your entrance? i guess i saw that bfore, on someon else video.

[LuciaHwong]

I knew the movie already. I have seen it several times and for me it's the best movie about chess ( and love ) I know. The actors play excellent and the camerawork is fantastic. For example, look at the scene where Natalia, dressed in a bright red dress, reads a book while Aleksandr passes by in worn down clothes, not noticing this beautiful woman. As a chessplayer I enjoyed this video explanation. Well done! A brilliant chesscombination. I didn't know Marleen Gorres is Dutch, like me! Thanks.

[Kirkendra]

Good post. The last move is a bit tricky tio find, but the others are very obvious. Except maybe someone could go wrong with h5 check, instead of f5 check.

[kookoon]

Found Rh3, but I had to pause the video for 30 seconds like.

[Geronimo116]

I love how you butcher von Bardeleben's name about five times in this video

[kolivendetta]

I believe that the most important thing in this puzzle is the domination of the key square h6.This is the reason why the second move by black Kg7 is more difficult to guess than Rh3!!.

[Bulbapuck]

I found Rh3 ^^

... didn't find f5+ though...

Great video!

[BlindLemonJaffaCake]

A fairly good film, interesting that they used algebraic notation rather than descriptive which was more common in the era the film was set in. As in almost all cases of adapation, the book is much better than the film.

[mlcss90]

is this that film, when main charachter chess player is playing extremley good as a kid. and than he play some older man and comes to position when he can mate him, but takes another move because he tought that older man wont wanna play him anymore if he embarres him and win. but that older man than decides that he wont play him anymore because kid was leting him, and that offended him. is it that movie?

[contagiousyawns]

wow.

WOW.

this is incredible. these players are on such a different plane of thinking than any of us.

[zonalGman92]

Very nice. It's so much better to win with a really beautiful sacrifice. Thanks for posting.

[Ruxistico]

I got all the moves! First time my intuition has been right all the way through a puzzle

[davidptlx]

Arena 2.0 with the engine rykba2.2 it s is free to download

[xavielchico]

That was very insightful!!

[rolfch1p]

cool combination

[numbcore]

He resigned and committed suicide when he actually could have won the game?

[tubemaster6]

no he didnt resign, the game was adjourned

[ezox00]

after Kg7, you keep saying that the threat is h6 and then Be7#, but isn't it just Be7# at once?

[onewordafteranother]

yea i think he's right

[ShaayarAajnabee]

no...if u bring bishop to e7 and give check then white can simply take the bishop with knight on d5

[Ruxistico]

nope, it's not there yet. For some reason KC has got this one wrong - the threat is not h6 - but just Be7 mate.

[BlizzGMX]

@ezox00 No the N can capture the B in that position leading to being a piece down in the end game for black. The necessary continuation to force mate is in the correct order on this video. If black chooses any other continuation other than the one listed then black will simply be a piece down and could resign.

[intindse]

genius

[yared94]

Does anyone know of a good free chess game software?

[florin4steaua91]

try chessmaster grandmaster edition torrent on google

[xXxWilliExXx]

Wow, kingscrusher! Are you replying to every comment on this page? :P

[keppoch666]

GM Jon Speelman was the chess consultant for this movie. Whether he composed the finish for the movie, or it existed before, I dont know. Good movie BTW. But I found the book disjointed, as so much Russian literature translated into English seems to me.

[nibiruwillcome]

Amazing movie. I see films made by being based on all sorts of sports but i know only this one about chess and it's a great one. :)

[000057890000]

Pure Genius

[GinAndChess]

Awesome video. Fun and very entertaining.

[topshonuff]

good video

[noregrets215]

Thanks for the video! The film you are refering to is on german TV today (21.12) on Kabel1!

[dontwheynoeko]

saw it nice movie!!!

[familyguy1231]

final move is obvious if uve seen the movie because he shouts it before he is stranded

[bryson55]

That rook move was beautiful. I wish I could come up with moves like that. Thanks.

PS you do a great job at instruction.

[kingscrusher]

Thanks!

[KNIGHTSTALE22]

Wow Tryfon, I thought you had lost your marbles for a minute their. When I clicked back on this video all I can see is you saying thanks and good under each other lol. I thought the chess had finally got to you lol.

[PeterSodhi]

Well presented

[kingscrusher]

Thanks!

[Jughand]

wow beating your opponent in a world championship match after you've died.

thats amazing.

[kingscrusher]

Yes, his wife played out his written analysis!

[scribble127]

I got the quiet move, but I was way off with the "genius move". The best that I could come up with was Be6 to counter Rc7+ and the knight is pinned to protect the e7 square. I never saw it coming, what a brilliant combination.

[kingscrusher]

Thanks!

[drowsy267]

@kingscrusher kingscrusher from chesscube? Great movie btw

[familyguy1231]

oh my god! i was watching this last night what a coincidence

[kingscrusher]

Cool!

[vibovitold]

I recommend reading the novel. I haven't seen the film, but Nabokov's book is brilliant - thought by many to be the greatest chess novel ever written. Nabokov, by the way, was very keen on chess and composed numerous chess problems.

[kingscrusher]

Thanks for the background info :)

[moonlitekid]

Great vid as always Kingcrusher. What about this sequence ( I thought this would be the genius move and almost flattered myself for a second...lol).

Kn d5,Bd6

KnXe3,Be7# ?

I agree there are other options if the opponent realizes that he cant take the rook on e3. It does rely on the rook bait, so may be obvious for the advanced players, but not for the beginners like I.

[skreyer]

which move? if you mean at 5:32 so why should white play Knxe3 at your sequence? White could play Bf3 instead and thats it.

[DMK000]

You're forgetting about Be5#

[DMK000]

Be7 sorry typo

[stephang4g]

Wow! the exploitation of white's pawns in this video is unbelieveable!! Nice commentation kingcrusher!

[turlough06]

Great ending. I seen that film advertised but it was on at a ridiculous time like 1 in the morning and I had work at 7 so I missed it, will try and download it cos it looks interesting.

[dhwgrooves]

I was actually thinking white should have played pawn to g3 at some earlier point.

[equalite]

rook c3 would have worked out too with material up, but not winning that early

[johns9325]

Brilliant and at the same time tragic ending. I'd like to see this movie, if someone hadn't ruined the ending for me. *nudge, nudge, wink, wink* ...

[xclosertotheheartx]

sorry i meant h5 and f5.

[skreyer]

I don't think so, because when the rook has moved to h3, white can ignore this and the white bishop can take that pawn on h5 and the mate wouldn't work.

[skreyer]

But he probably win the game because then the knight is also lost.

[xclosertotheheartx]

in 3:29,i had thought h6+, what about h6 instead of f6 check?, does it lead to the same result?

[marticus42]

wonderful resources.

[kingscrusher]

Yes!

[Vonzi0000]

I spoted everything yeah!

[kingscrusher]

Good for you!

[fLowKnows]

ah, damn, i considered rook h3, but after h6+ where the king could then just take the rook. nice.

[kingscrusher]

Thanks!

[pbbdmedia]

Always a pleasure to wake up to wonderful annotation- I must say you put together the best series of chess videos, period. Beyond compare- thanks and I look forward to the next-

[kingscrusher]

Thanks!

[nightenglow]

I'll have to check out that movie, they should make a chess film about Fischer

[kingscrusher]

I think they are planning to

[savis99]

HI great video just wondering whether h5 could be played instead of f5 thanks

[behi667]

After Kg7 there is no need for the pawn move. You can simply mate with Be7. Or am I missing something? (I don't mean the combinations with the knight on d5, but the whole idea)

[kingscrusher]

You are right. Be7 is more concise as the main threat!

[behi667]

After

[enochdm]

nice so was there a movie made? care to tell me the name thx

[kingscrusher]

Sorry I accidentally removed the answer - "The Luzhin defence" - check on the IMDB

[gunj17]

simply genius

[kingscrusher]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[itskelvinkkc]

Absolutely Brilliant!!!!!

[kingscrusher]

Yes!

[elbay2]

Endgames... you gotta love 'em! So few pieces, so many beautiful possibilities!

[kingscrusher]

Yes, sometimes I love endgames!

[chessdawgz]

great movie, you don't even need to understand chess (but I helps)

[kingscrusher]

Yes, very nice film!

[19374628]

I actually got this one. This was the first time i ever got one of the puzzles that he has done.

[kingscrusher]

Good stuff!

[Benboswell57]

"Genius move" is no exaggeration

[kingscrusher]

Well, also I suppose it could be described as "tactical" move as well. But thanks :)

[xXxWilliExXx]

Very nice puzzle. I continue to be surprised at how even simple-looking endgames can contain so many hidden resources!

[kingscrusher]

Yes, not so many pieces but still very dramatic!

[waparker4]

I got the moves but in the wrong order!!! amazing rook sacrifice

[kingscrusher]

Unlucky, but good if you found Rh3 resource!

[Slatteryan]

Very cool tactic! I ordered the DVD you mentioned. It sounds very interesting!

[kingscrusher]

Wow! I've posted a little review of the film on the IMDB site!

[crackerjack113]

i think if i was playing the game i might have done rook h3

great analysis and background info!!

[kingscrusher]

Yes you need to look for sometimes the strangest moves. Sometimes they fit the needs of the position!

[buffguy86]

"he was put in the middle of nowhere" that is unspeakably hilarious

[kingscrusher]

Yes, good to be close to the venue. Also Fide will start defaulting people if they are late for the round soon!

[ciderniS]

Yup; superb. Nice to hear you giggling whilst describing the game. Similar to the e4 a6!? game I saw on CW by Canstein.

Keep 'em coming, Guv.

[kingscrusher]

Yes that is a classic game of Miles beating Karpov. Thanks!

[junkyjuice21]

great video, thanks kingscrusher!

[kingscrusher]

Thanks!

[MAfr3ak]

Rh3 was genius. Although it did seem to be for more lower rated players, but still good video

[kingscrusher]

Yeah but its good to do puzzles at Christmas time I think :) I do like puzzles myself, but it also had a very dramatic story behind it!

[o0masta0o]

Awesome game. Great analysis as always KC.

[kingscrusher]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[theoriginalanomaly]

It was a good movie...

[kingscrusher]

Yes very good. I liked also the very large demo boards they used in the tournament hall. Nice attention to detail!

[The34gl3]

Kings, you're the best!

[kingscrusher]

Thanks I enjoy doing these videos!

[lucy6M]

What channel was the film on? I'll look out for the repeat. For once, I got most of the moves but only with the help of your clues! Definitely one for the puzzle books.

[kingscrusher]

I'm not sure. But check it out on the IMDB for details. It was a very nicely done film.

[KNIGHTSTALE22]

A beautiful puzzle with a very sad story. I think the game he walked out on with Steinitz involved a constant rook check on the king which looked like it was going nowhere but in the end there was a killer combo which he didn't let Steinitz complete. It's very sad to think that such tortured minds roam the Earth. I have discoverd that it is important to take good breaks from chess and have a good social life. I would love a master title, but I think I like my sanity more lol.

[kingscrusher]

Yes, balance is needed in things. Dangerous to get too obsessed by anything.

[KNIGHTSTALE22]

I was doing a little research on Euwe as I have just bought a book of his, and on wiki it has little quotes about him from different players. Here is one that really made me smile, "There's something wrong with that man. He's too normal." Bobby Fischer

[dogma1316]

Rook H3 was a fantastic move!

[kingscrusher]

Thanks for checking the video out. Yes, Rh3 was beautiful!