In the 33rd move of the game hutgovy – bagoysuragoy, which was a part of the weekly Horde Chess tournament on Lichess, the following position was reached:
Black to play
Let’s ponder that position. On one hand, black got his queen in a strategical position inside white’s pawn structure. On the other hand, the pawn front of e6, f6, and g6 starts to possess a threat. Back on the first hand, there are a rook, a knight and a bishop all set up to block them.
What can be the plan for black? There are possible pawn captures with the queen, but this will be rather slow. For example, Qf1-g1-h2-h5 requires 4 moves to reach the frontline, even if white does nothing. The other pieces can’t immediately do much.
White’s threats are more diverse. First of all, there is a threat to win a knight with f7+ and f:g8. This threat binds the rook to its position on h8, to recapture the promoted pawn. In addition, there is a slower threat of steady pawn advancement, with f5, g7, and f7+.
Next, let’s try some ideas for black to see what we can rule out. The greedy move 33… R:h5? is a huge mistake because of 34. f7+ with 35. f:g8=Q. The try 33… Be7 fails to 34. g7 which also leads to white promotion and win. Having those options cleared, we can now review the more interesting continuations.
Pawns shopping
Black can reach for the vulnerable white pawns with 33. Qf1, aiming to capture white’s, which is very natural in that kind of positions. However, if white will continue the pawn storm on the kingside with 44. f5, then after 44… Q:g1 45. f7+ Ke7 (or 45…Kd8 46.f6) 46.e5 white’s attack becomes lethal.
The threat of 47. f6+ followed by 48.g7 is unstoppable. Let’s try to find some better options.
Hold your horses
With 33… Ne7, black rescuing his knight from the vulnerable position g8, which enables him to threaten with 34… R:h5. It also prevents 34. f5, with the threat to double-capture any pawn that goes there. White’s best option is the simple 34. f:e7 (34. f5? N:f5 35. e:f5 Q:f5, or 34. g4? Q:f3 are worse) 34… K:e7 35. f5 R:h5 36. f6+ Kd8
Not much left from white’s attack, while black retained most of his pieces.
Bravely run away
Another good option for black is 33… Kd8!. Relocating the king eliminates white’s threat for f7+, and let the other pieces handle the pawns situation in the kingside. In particular, 34… R:h5 becomes a real threat. White’s options are limited; for example, 34. g7 B:g7 35.f:g7 R:h5, or 34. h6 B:h6, or 34. c4 R:h5 35. c5 Q:b3, in any case, white’s attack just fades away.
Key Takeaway
At first glance, it seems like black should play with the queen in order to capture white pawns as fast as possible. However, as it turns out, coordinating all of the pieces is required to achieve victory.
It is common on Horde Chess to have a sequence of queen moves, and the tendency is to move along with them. But you should stop for a moment, and think about the other options. Maybe it is a king move or a knight tactic, that will win the position.
