Der Tagesspiegel, 1994 (This was sent in by Gerson Berlinger from Germany)
White to move. What is the best continuation for White? Is this a win, draw or loss for White? No computer please 🙂
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Another very clever one
white can win
white can surely achieve a draw by playing Rf1 followed by Kc7 threatening mate with Ra1 – reaching a repeat of black king between a6 and a7 (a5 or a8 leads to mate).
Can white win…will need to think more.
I hate all endgames like this.
The idea is to reach a point where to take a Pawn (g or h) and to threaten mate at the same time, even if the other Pawn promotes.
1.Rf6 h2 [1…g3 2.Kxc7 g2 3.Rg6 h2 4.Rxg2 Threatening h2 and mate. 4…h1Q 5.Ra2#; 1…Ka6 2.Rf8 Threatens mate. 2…Ka7 Forced. 3.Rh8 Zugzwang! 3…g3 4.Rxh3 g2 5.Rg3 winning.] 2.Rh6 g3 3.Kxc7 Zugzwang! 3…h1Q [3…Ka8 4.Ra6#; 3…g2 4.Rxh2 threatening g2 and x-rayed mate on a2.]
Nice explanation, Pharaoh.
My head hurts, though.
White can win or draw …
Rf8 h2
Rh8 g3
Kxc7 g2
Rxc2 g1=Q
Ra2+ wins for white
Rf8 g3
Kxc7 g2
Rf2 Ka6
Kc6 Ka7 draws thru repetition
Rf8 g3
Kxc7 h2
Rh8 g2
Rxh2 g1=Q
Ra2+ wins for white
Rf8 g3
Kxc7 h2
Rh8 Ka6
Kc6 Ka7 draws thru repetition
I think the idea is to squeeze the black king either on the A file or on the 8th rank.
I would move the rook to f1-b1-b5-e5, trying to force the black king on c8.
Cueball –
1.Rf1?
… is only good for a draw:
1… g3 (1…h2 also draws)
2.Rb1 h2 (or 1…g2)
3.Kxc7 Ka6
4.Kc6 Ka7
5.Ra1+ Kb8
6.Rb1+ Ka7
… etc.
a draw
1.Rf7 Kb8 2.Rxc7 h2 3.Rh7 g3 4.Rh8+ draw