Answers.Body: <p>Black has a completely winning position after 1...Rd2 2.Qb1 Rxb2+ 3.Qxb2 Bxb2</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-11-11T11:21:28.050Z
Answers.Text: Sorry, I am quite a newbie - can you add a bit more details, please? I reckon b2 to be protected by the bishop only. When captured, we ease it and get a piece. I don't see how this is worse than what we get on the last board.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Zhiltsoff Igor
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-11-11T10:58:21.180Z
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Answers.UserDisplayName: David
Answers.Body: <blockquote>
  <p>it still seems to me that White wins more material playing Qb1 instead
  of what appeared to be the solution</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p>No, if you compare the two final positions the only difference is that in the Nc4 line white has an extra knight and black has an extra bishop, so no difference if you are counting points.</p>
  <blockquote>
  <p>Why did White play Nc4, not Qb1? What am I missing?</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p>Good question!</p>
  <p>Both final positions are completely lost for white. The only practical difference is that in the Nc4 line the extra piece for either side creates more possibilities for white to try and create something. Black has more work to do to get the full point. In particular the knight can land on d6 where it is a very good piece.</p>
  <p>Another significant point is that in the Qb1 line in the final position Qxb5 comes with check and tempo whereas in the Nc4 line Qxb5 is not check.</p>
  <p>Small points perhaps but noting them helps you build your ability to fight on in lost positions.</p>
  
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Answers.CreationDate: 2020-11-11T11:31:30.920Z
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Brian Towers
Body: <p>I was solving some problems on <a href="https://chesstempo.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">chesstempo</a>. <a href="https://chesstempo.com/chess-tactics/62305" rel="nofollow noreferrer">This one</a> caught my eye (the White just played Ng2, we play as the Black):</p>
  <pre><code>[FEN &quot;1k5r/pp4p/5b1p/qPP/N2r1p/P4P/K1Q3PP/2R3R w - - 0 1&quot;]
  
  1. Nb2
  </code></pre>
  <p>I saw that the right move was Rd2, yet I failed to foresee White's play.</p>
  <p>I reckoned the best move for the White to be Qb1:</p>
  <pre><code>[FEN &quot;1k5r/pp4p/5b1p/qPP/N2r1p/P4P/K1Q3PP/2R3R w - - 0 1&quot;]
  
  1. Nb2 Rd2
  2. Qb1 Rb2
  3. Qb2 Bb2
  4. Kb2
  </code></pre>
  <p>I might be missing some moves playing as black, yet it still seems to me that White wins more material playing Qb1 instead of what appeared to be the solution:</p>
  <pre><code>[FEN &quot;1k5r/pp4p/5b1p/qPP/N2r1p/P4P/K1Q3PP/2R3R w - - 0 1&quot;]
  
  1. Nb2 Rd2
  2. Nc4 Rc2
  3. Rc2
  </code></pre>
  <p>Why did White play Nc4, not Qb1? What am I missing? I can't see any forks or something, which would justify the attack on the Queen.</p>
  
Tags: <check><puzzles><pins>
Title: Why does White play Nc4?
ThreadText: # Why does White play Nc4?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-11-11)
  
  I was solving some problems on [chesstempo](https://chesstempo.com/). [This one](https://chesstempo.com/chess-tactics/62305) caught my eye (the White just played Ng2, we play as the Black):
  
  ```
  [FEN "1k5r/pp4p/5b1p/qPP/N2r1p/P4P/K1Q3PP/2R3R w - - 0 1"]
  
  1. Nb2
  
  ```
  
  I saw that the right move was Rd2, yet I failed to foresee White's play.
  
  I reckoned the best move for the White to be Qb1:
  
  ```
  [FEN "1k5r/pp4p/5b1p/qPP/N2r1p/P4P/K1Q3PP/2R3R w - - 0 1"]
  
  1. Nb2 Rd2
  2. Qb1 Rb2
  3. Qb2 Bb2
  4. Kb2
  
  ```
  
  I might be missing some moves playing as black, yet it still seems to me that White wins more material playing Qb1 instead of what appeared to be the solution:
  
  ```
  [FEN "1k5r/pp4p/5b1p/qPP/N2r1p/P4P/K1Q3PP/2R3R w - - 0 1"]
  
  1. Nb2 Rd2
  2. Nc4 Rc2
  3. Rc2
  
  ```
  
  Why did White play Nc4, not Qb1? What am I missing? I can't see any forks or something, which would justify the attack on the Queen.
  
  **Tags:** check, puzzles, pins
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2020-11-11. Score: 7 | Accepted answer
  
  > it still seems to me that White wins more material playing Qb1 instead
  > of what appeared to be the solution
  
  No, if you compare the two final positions the only difference is that in the Nc4 line white has an extra knight and black has an extra bishop, so no difference if you are counting points.
  
  > Why did White play Nc4, not Qb1? What am I missing?
  
  Good question!
  
  Both final positions are completely lost for white. The only practical difference is that in the Nc4 line the extra piece for either side creates more possibilities for white to try and create something. Black has more work to do to get the full point. In particular the knight can land on d6 where it is a very good piece.
  
  Another significant point is that in the Qb1 line in the final position Qxb5 comes with check and tempo whereas in the Nc4 line Qxb5 is not check.
  
  Small points perhaps but noting them helps you build your ability to fight on in lost positions.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2020-11-11. Score: 0
  
  Black has a completely winning position after 1...Rd2 2.Qb1 Rxb2+ 3.Qxb2 Bxb2
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Sorry, I am quite a newbie - can you add a bit more details, please? I reckon b2 to be protected by the bishop only. When captured, we ease it and get a piece. I don't see how this is worse than what we get on the last board.  
  
  ---
  
  