White to move. Is this a win for White or is it a draw? 
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I don’t know the exact moves. But Bf4+ followed with Kf3 gives a mate threat. The white rook takes very important place of holding the black king in h-file. The white bishop keeping the black king in h1 position and allows white king to move in f-file which is gaurded by black rook.
1. Bf4+ Kh3? 2. Kf3 followed with Rh8#
1. Bf4+ Kh1 2. Kf3 Rf5 3. Re8 followed by Re1#
Correct me if I miss some obvious strong move for black.
P. Anandh.
Another variation in line could be
1. Bf4+ Kh1
2. Kf3 Re7
3. Rd8 followed with Rd8
or
1. Bf4+ Kh3
2. Kf3 Rh7
3. Rg1 followed by Rh1
Wow it is really getting interesting for me.
P. Anandh
Oops I made a mistake
1. Bf4+ Kh1
2. Kf3 Re7
3. Rh8+ Kg1
4. Be3+ Kf1
5. Rh1#
It is one of the rare exceptions where RB-R is a win, like in the famous example analysed by Philidor.
1.Bf4+ Kh1 2.Kf3 Rf6 3.Rg4 [3.Ra8 (or Rb/c/d/e8) 3…Rg6 (3…Rxf4+ survives longer but makes no sense.) 4.Rh8+ (Not 4.Ra1+ Rg1, and the win is still possible, but suddenly very far ahead with many chances to fail…)) 4…Kg1 5.Be3+ Kf1 6.Rh1+ Rg1 7.Rxg1#] 3…Rf7 Some other moves may survive longer, but require a mate delay sacrifice of the Rook soon, and therefore make little sense. 4.Kf2 Rh7 5.Rg1# 1-0
If we solve this like a chess problem, it ends in a mate in 9 moves, i.e. 1.Bf4+ Kh1 2.Kf3 Rf6 3.Rd8 Rxf4+ 4.Kxf4 Kg2 5.Rd2+ Kf1 6.Kf3 Kg1 7.Rc2 Kh1 8.Kg3 Kg1 9.Rc1#
I wouldn’t respond anonymously if I could do all this analysis without a chess program. 🙂
Susan has requested that we not use a computer program to solve these.
therefore
I dont think you should give any analysis from a computer program either with a handle or anonymous. if you use a computer program then dont give any of the computer results.
Once you post the computer results you take away the opportunity for other people to work it out without a computer. that is not fair to them.
Sorry, I don’t know the rules here. I found this blog some days ago. I only saw a question, is it a win or a draw?
I wonder if you’d have known that I analysed with computer assistance, had I not mentioned it myself. Because I posted only moves and variations, my own text comments, but no other “computer results” whatsoever.
Actually, I did not say I used a program to “solve” I only said I used one to do the analysis with. Maybe I used it only to enter the moves and variations, instead of a real chess board? How do you know? 🙂
I didn’t take away any opportunity for anyone. Anyone can still analyse it, with or without computer. I only offered my results. Maybe they need to be cross checked, improved or even corrected.
If an IM or GM would reply with an analysis being done without computer, it would have at least the same quality or probably better (pointing to more details or whatever). So, why is it important HOW the analysis was done? I would guess it is important if it is correct and/or how complete it is…
I didn’t take it as a test for my own abilities, but in that case, the answer is simple: It must be a win, because otherwise it makes no sense, since RB-R is a draw most of the cases and it wouldn’t be anything special. Although, it would have been tricky to present a position which is indeed a draw to see how many “find” a win… 🙂
@penultimate anonym: a schoolmaster like charge about keeping some EXERCISE rules …
@last anonym: a novelistic exculpation for – nothing …
(personal improvement in chess is the same way to go, as improvement in any other field: cheaters win at a first glance, but won’t improve to a second level – e.g. a real board!)
by the way…
1.bf4+ kh3
2.kf3 rh7
will never result in a mate by 3… rh8…
:-)) Vohaul
I agree with anandh.
1. Bf4+ Kh3? 2. Kf3 followed with Rh8#
1. Bf4+ Kh1 2. Kf3 Rf5 3. Re8 followed by Re1#
I think the key move is that Bf4+ blocks Black’s rook from checking White’s King.
Vohaul, I didn’t write an exculpation and I don’t think that my reply with the analysis requires any exculpation 🙂 So far, I don’t see a better (comprehensive) attempt yet.
As explained, I saw a question and I answered that question. No more no less.
@last anonym – you may keep your opinion as long as yo may live – hopefully another 50 – 100 years
– but your computer analysis was and is – of course – insufficient – because it did not respect the move
1… kh3 (after 1.bf4+)
turn on your computer and do it again, fellow – please … (for sure, i know the answer, yet ..^^ by the way, without a “silicon friend”)
My computer analysis was – of course – NOT insufficient, because it did show quickly that Kf3 is totally inferior compared to Kh1, AND anandh had already given variations for it correctly, so I decided to skip it.
1.Bf4+ Kh3? 2.Kf3 simply threats Rh8# and after 2…Rh7, 3.Rg1 and 4.Rh1# (or Rg2/Rh2# is possible too because h2 is under white control).
Comps will prefer 2…Rxf4+ (and 3…Rxf4+ in another variation) which makes no sense, but it delays the mate longer than the alternatives. You see, my own brain was involved “a bit” when I wrote my reply. Yes, imagine: I use a chess program but still can think myself! Must be a big surprise for you. Wow.
Better, although also losing, is 1…Kh1 (see other reply above).
ahem…order in the court of obnoxious fools!
This is a blog, no more and no less!
Sure, some feel the need to flaunt their egos by posting their real names…but, this is like life where some never grow beyone the childish urge to flaunt their latest toy in front of other children.
Please cease this childish bickering!