Black to move. How should black proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
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Black to move. How should black proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
1. … Be7
2. QxB Qb4
3. KxQ stalemate
The idea is correct 1..Be7+ 2. Qxe7 but not 2..Qb4 because of 3.Qxb4 without stalemate but 2.Qb2+ and Qxb3 etc.
With multiple threats of mate on the move, B hseems to have nothing better than a draw. If the BB was not there, it would be an easy draw by stalemate for B, he just has to sacrifice the Q which cannot be captured by WK or WP. Eg., 1…….Qc1+. 2. Ka2. Qa1/b2+. 3. Kxa1/b2. Forced. Stalemate draw. (If 2. Kb4. Qc5+!!. 3. Kxc5. Forced stalemate draw.
Hence first 1….Be7+!!
2. Qxe7. Qc1+! 3. Kb2. Qa1/b2+. 4. Kxa1/b2 forced stalemate draw. If 3. Kb4. Qa3+!! Forcing. 4. Kxa3. Stalemate draw. Else B wins with 4. ….Qxe7.
2. b4 forced. Bxb4+. 3. Kb3. Qc3+. 4. Ka2. Qd2+.
5. Ka1??. Bc3+. 6. Kb1. Qb2#!!!
5. Kb3. Qc3+ a perpetual check draw.
5. Kb1. Qe1+!. 6. Kc2. Qd2+. 7. Kb1. Qe1+ a perpetual check draw.
Care is to be taken that WB does not move by interposition as the stalemate is no longer available with the Black d pawn free to move!
WK has to be careful not to move to a black square for then white can be mated or fall into a stalemate motif.
If 1…….Be7
2. QxB. Qb4
White plays 3.QxQ to prevent the stalemate
Scott,
Your move 2….Qb4+ does not work due to 3. Qxb4 winning for white. There is no stalemate.
3. QxQ is not stalemate. Instead, 2. … Qa2+ or 2. Qb2+ 3. Kb4 Qa3+ forces 4. KxQ stalemate or else White loses his Queen to a skewer.
Scott, I think forcing a stalemate is probably the right idea, but 2 … Qb4 is met with 3 QxQ and is losing.
1….Be7+!! 2. Qxe7. Qc1+! 3. Kb4. Qa3+!! Forcing. 4. Kxa3. Stalemate draw. Else B wins with 4. ….Qxe7.
It’s not totally clear this is a B win, more work needs to be done. It may be the W king and pawns can advance while the B king has to stay in the corner. I suppose one thing that might swing things in B’s favour is that he can threaten taking the white bishop and then there is a pawn on the way to queen.
Qd8
1….Be7+ 2.Qxe7 Qa2+ 3.Kb4 Qa3+ seems the simplest.