Havel 1925
White to move. How can White save this game?
4K3/p5p1/8/2k5/5p2/8/p2Q4/qB6 w – – 0 1
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A challenging puzzle posted at least 4 times according to my notes in 2010, 2013, and twice this year. A very good study.
1. Qc1+!
If 1….K~ b5, d5, c6 to a white square…2. Bd3, e4+followed by Qxa1 winning.
As long as White Q checks from first rank, BK cannot move to a white square and is confined to a black square. And as long as WQ checks along a file BQ cannot interpose queen safely.
The BK cannot escape checks in c, d, e files. At e3 with Qe1+, Kd4 is forced as Kf3 allows Be4+ winning the queen and game. At e5, Qe1+ forces Kd4/d6 as Kf6 allows Qe7++!
Now let us see..a and b files. 1. Qc1+.Kb6. 2. Qg1+
If. 2….Kc7. 3. Qc5+. Kb7. 4. Be4+. Ka6. (If …Kb8. 5. Qd6+. Kc8. 6. Qd8#!) 5. Bd3+ draws with a perpetual.
If. 2….Ka5. 3. Qc5+. Ka6.(if 3…Ka4. 4. Bc2#!). 4. Bd3+ with a perpetual as above. Even 4. Qc6+ draws. Ka5. 5. Qc5+. Ka6 (…Ka4. 6. Bc2#!)
That leaves entry via 1…Kb4.2. Qxf4+!
If 2…Kc3. 3. Qe5+ picks up the Qa1 and the game.
If 2….Ka3/b3 3. Qe3+. Kb2. 4. Qd4/e5+!.Kxb1. 5. Qd1/e1+!. Kb2. 6. Qd4/e5+ a perpetual as the BK cannot leave the BQ. If it does then Qxa1 wins for white!
Harry
I think 1.Qa5+ fixes black.
(1)1.Qa5+ Kd4 2.Qb4+ Ke3 3.Qe1+ Kd4 4.Qg1+ Now black has to give way.
1.Qa5+ Kd6 2.Qb4+ Ke5 3.Qc5+ Ke6 4.Be4 followed by 5.Qe7#
If 2…Kc7 3.Qc5+ Kb8
(3…Kb7 4.Be4+ Ka6 5.Bd3+ Kb7 6.Qd5+ Kc7 7.Qd7+ Kb6 8.Qd6+ Ka5 9.Qc5+ Ka4 10.Bc2#)
4.Qd6+ Kb7 5.Be4+ Kc8 6.Qd8#