Puzzle Worthy Position 52

Mikhail Tal famously stated: “You must take your opponent into a deep, dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.” If a chess game metaphorically becomes a forest, International Master Emory Tate was a tiger. Sometimes, his opponent would almost escape the forest only to be ambushed by a final attack in the endgame. Such was the fate of Michael Lee in Round 4 of the 2008 United States Chess League.

Born in 1993, Michael Lee was only fourteen at time of his first encounter with IM Emory Tate but already a chess master and well on his way toward earning FIDE titles. In fact, he was the number 1 ranked player for his age in the United States.  Also a concert pianist, Michael Lee would go on to earn the International Master title while in High School as well as becoming Washington State Champion in 2016. 

By the time of his encounter with Michael Lee, Emory Tate was already a legendary chess player. Tate was renowned for his extraordinary tactical vision and ability to find brilliant combinations on the board. His tactical prowess allowed him to achieve impressive victories against opponents of all skill levels including scores of Grandmasters. In the 21st century, Tate’s engaging personality and ability made him a star throughout the California chess tournament circuit. Unfortunately, Emory Tate passed away in 2015 before he was able to earn a GM title but not before he helped to inspire a new generation of chess warriors through chess classes in Silicon Valley offered by the Torres Chess and Music Academy. 

In Round 4 of the 2008 United States Chess League, Michael Lee had the white pieces against Emory Tate. The young Michael Lee had successfully survived the Opening which was an English with an early pawn advance to f5 by black. (It’s not a coincidence that Francisco Anchondo recently scored an impressive victory with a similar approach as E.T. was always sharing his ideas with close friends.) To his credit, Michael played the Middle Game on equal footing with Tate and by move 36 he had entered a bishop of same color endgame where both players had four pawns. Fast forward 9 moves and Michael Lee had just played 44. Be2. Emory Tate (black) has only one winning move here. Can you spot the game winning idea that Emory Tate found?