his position comes from the game Carlos Santillan vs Jeffrey Baffo, Round 1, 2015 Boulder Open, March 28, 2015.

 

   In the position on the right it is White to move.

 

   Answer below.

   Yesterday I was listening to the Baseball Tonight podcast with Buster Olney.

   Buster was talking about how it was the 19 year anniversary of Barry Bonds getting intentionally walked with the bases loaded.

   You can see a clip of this here:  http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/05/28/127075262/barry-bonds-is-intentionally-walked-with-bases-loaded

   Now I thought this was brilliant!  Arizona had a two run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the bases loaded, 2 outs and the most dangerous hitter on the planet at the plate.

   So instead of trying to beat the best player on the planet, they simply avoided it all together, let the team have one more run, and then faced a much weaker batter (who flew out to right field ending the game).

   This was a great example of playing it safe when you are ahead. 

   This has actually been a huge problem in my own games.  I get a good lead (normally from tactics/cheapos), fail to play it safe, fail to avoid risks and fail to give stuff back if needed like Buck Showalter (the manager who called for the intentional walk) did, and lose.

   In fact, I had one of the worst defeats of my chess career this past weekend at Dean Brown's Bobbie Brown Memorial (a very nice tournament that he had in honor of his mother, who passed away last month).

   I was ahead by THREE PIECES against young Sara Herman, didn't play it safe, got my king chased all around the mulberry bush, and proceeded to lose.

   You can see this ridiculous game here: http://www.viewchess.com/cbreader/2015/5/28/Game1570982749.html

   This is also one area where you have to be careful about using the computer to look at your games and get feedback.  The computer LOVES to grab more material and be greedy.  The computer can also see 20 moves deep and play perfect defense.  For humans, it is very hard to play perfect defensive moves over and over.  One slip up and the game is over.

   So next time you are ahead, remember Buck Showalter and don't be afraid to think outside the box, give your opponent a little bit back, and play it safe, to make winning in the end easier!


   Here is the complete game:

   You can play through this game here: http://www.viewchess.com/cbreader/2015/5/28/Game1570169656.html
 

   Answer:
 

   Happy Tactics!

 

   Your Friend,

 

   P.S. The Millionaire Chess Open is having a discounted sale this weekend only, May 29-31.  If you missed the chance to sign up earlier in the year with the "Early Bird" discounts, you can sign up this weekend only for $1099 (after this weekend the price goes back up to $1250).  https://millionairechess.com/register?tap_a=1633-8752d1&tap_s=2330-bcbe1a  I played in this event last year, and will be playing again this year!