Here is an interesting position from Karpov v Taimanov 1977. White has a dangerous passed pawn but Black has his pieces aggressively placed and has just played 1…Ra1 attacking the white queen. White must now choose between 2.Rb1 and 2.Qe2. Which would you play?
Karpov v Taimanov 1977 - White to play.
Answer:
Karpov chose 2.Rb1? and resigned after 2…Ng3+! as 3.hxg3 Ra8 threatens 3…Rh8#.
2.Qe2 was better although after 2…Qc5 (threatening 3…Nd4) Black is still on top.
why not take the rook
The rook is protected by Black’s queen on d4.
But after taking the rook and black queen takes white queen, what will black do after white pushes the b-pawn up?
Black can play Qxf1 mate. If you stop the mate I have time to stop the pawn.