- About Us
- Chess Improvement
- Chess Puzzles
- Chess Research
- College Chess
- General News
- Home
- Major Tournaments
- News
- Polgar Events
- Privacy Policy
- Scholastic Chess
- SPICE / Webster
- Susan’s Personal Blog
- Track your order
- USA Chess
- Videos
- Women’s Chess
- Contact Us
- Daily News
- My Account
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
Even without thinking about it, I would want to push h2 since the pawn itself takes g1 away from the white king. Now, at first I thought this was probably going be wrong because I thought white could put the rook at h7 to stop the queen, but it is not that simple a defense as it turns out:
1. …..h2!
2. Rd7 Kf8!
The key move. If black play Kf6, white can get a draw by repetition at the very least: [2. …Kf6? 3.Rh7! Bf5! 4.Rh5! Bg6 5.Rh3 Bf5 6.Rh5 etc]. With Kf8, black has the option of attacking the rook from g8. Continuing:
3. Rh7 Kg8!
And the rook has nowhere to hide on the h-file. I don’t see any real alternatives, either, for white after black’s second move. The h-pawn is unstoppable.
1…… h2
2. Rxd7+ Kf8!
3. Rh7 Kg8!
0-1
1… h2
2. Rxd7+ Kf8
3. Rh7 Kg8
and white has no square for the rook. 4. Rxh2, gxh2 and black queens nevertheless.
h2Rd7 Kf8Rh7 Kg8
1…h2 2.Rxd7+ Kf8 3.Ke1
(3.Rh7 Kg8)