White to move. Is this a win or draw for white? How should white proceed?
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White to move. Is this a win or draw for white? How should white proceed?
rc6 check to stop black rook from interposing on d8
Almost works and 1.Rc6+ Kb8 2.Rh6 Rc2 3.Bc6 Rb2+ 4.Kc5 Rc2+ 5.Kd6 Rd2+ 6.Bd5 Rd1 7.Rh7 gets White back on the attack I think.
I messed up, 1.Rc6+ Kb8 2.Rh6 Rc2 3.Rh7 Rc1 4.Bc6 Rb1+ 5.Kc5 Rc1+ 6.Kd6 Rd1+ 7.Bd5 prevents the BK from escaping the back rank.
Rc6 kb8 and then?
1. Rd1!
If the black rook leaves the b-line, 2. Ba6+ and the black rook cannot cover the mate.
If .., Rb3, 2. Re1 Rd3 (only move to cover the mate), 3. BxR
if … Rb4, 2. Rc1+ Kd8, 3. Re1 and there’s no more possibility to cover the mate.
A brilliant classic zugzwang indeed. It is simple, every stupid chess program
calculates it in a fraction of a second but its beauty and logic are beyond simple
calculation:
White intends to checkmate on the 8th rank but
1. Re6 meets 1…. Rd2 2. Re8+ Rd8 3. Ba6+ Kd7 with no progress.
and
1. Rc6+ (with the intention 1… Kd8 2. Re6! and no blocking possible)
meets 1… Kb8 2. Re6 Rc2 3. Re8+ Rc8 and no progress again.
1. Rd1! disturbs these defensive possibilities. Rook is in a zugzwang:
it has to stay on b file to pin the B (otherwise Ba6+ and Rd8 mate)
but 2 possible moves (Rb3 or Rb4) cannot maintain both defences noted above.
1…. Rb3 loses the possibility to get to d file so here 2. Re1 and no defence
against Re8 mate.
1… Rb4 loses the possibility to get to c file so then first 2. Rc1+ Kb8 and 3. Re1
with no defence again.
An elegant illustration of chess harmony.
I would only add that 1.Rd1 isn’t the only winning move, but in this position, it is the shortest win by at least one move.
Awesome analysis! Missed it! Beautiful harmony in simple ending!
The really interesting thing about this is you will occasionally witness this exact problem, or its variations or possibilities in grandmaster games.