This line doesn’t work: 1. Nc4+ Kd4 now, there is not much white can do. if 2. Nxf2, e1(Q)+ 3. Kg2, Qxe7 0-1
of course, if black were to play 1… Kxe4 it loses to 2. e8(Q)+, Kd3 3. Qe3+ and 4. Qxe2 1-0
Also, 1. Nxf2, e1(Q)+ 0-1
How about 1. Kg2 now, 1… e1(Q)+ 2. Nf1 (to prevent … Qg1#), Kxe4 3. e8(Q)+ and then maneuver the queen with checks and take the f2 pawn. white gets at least a draw, potentially a win (depends on where black king is relative to the h-pawn).
1. Kg2 e1(Q) 2. Nf1 Ke2 3. e8(Q) Qf1 4. Kg3 Qg1 5. Kh4 f1(Q) 6. Ng3 Kd2 (if Kf3 7. Qf7) 7. Nf1 Qf1 8. Qd7 and this looks like a draw with proper play by black. There may be a forced exchange of the queens that allows white to win with his remaining pawn, but I need a board to find it.
Since we can’t allow Black to queen with check, the first move must be 1. Kg2. Black obviously can’t push his f-pawn, so 1…e1Q is forced. 2. Nf1 cuts off mate threats, and if Black takes the N white promotes with check and wins.
First, some of what doesn’t work:
1. e8(Q) loses quickly
1. e8(Q) e1(Q)
2. Kg2 Qg1#
Also, 1. Nf2 loses rapidly to the same reply
1. Nf2 e1(Q)
2. Kh2 Qf2
3. Kh1 Qe1
4. Kh2 Qd2
5. Kg3 Qd7 winning
Kg2
This line doesn’t work:
1. Nc4+ Kd4
now, there is not much white can do. if 2. Nxf2, e1(Q)+ 3. Kg2, Qxe7 0-1
of course, if black were to play 1… Kxe4 it loses to 2. e8(Q)+, Kd3 3. Qe3+ and 4. Qxe2 1-0
Also, 1. Nxf2, e1(Q)+ 0-1
How about 1. Kg2
now, 1… e1(Q)+
2. Nf1 (to prevent … Qg1#), Kxe4
3. e8(Q)+
and then maneuver the queen with checks and take the f2 pawn. white gets at least a draw, potentially a win (depends on where black king is relative to the h-pawn).
N-G3 ?
K-G2?
1. Kg2 e1(Q)
2. Nf1 Ke2
3. e8(Q) Qf1
4. Kg3 Qg1
5. Kh4 f1(Q)
6. Ng3 Kd2 (if Kf3 7. Qf7)
7. Nf1 Qf1
8. Qd7 and this looks like a draw with proper play by black. There may be a forced exchange of the queens that allows white to win with his remaining pawn, but I need a board to find it.
Another try is
1. Kg2, e1(Q)
2. Nf1 Ke2 (instead of Kxe4)
Now, if 3. N4g3+, Kd1 0-1
if 3. Nc3+ Kd3 and the white e pawn falls 0-1
how about
3. N1g3+ Ke3
4. Nf1 Ke2 1/2
if 3. N1g3+ Kd3 (or Kd1)
4. N4xf2+ followed by N3-e4 and white’s e-pawn is still in play 1-0.
So, it looks as if black must repeat and take the draw, i.e.,
1. Kg2 e1(Q)
2. Nf1 Ke2
3. N1g3+ Ke3
4. Nf1+ Ke2
repeat moves and draw.
Looking forward to seeing if anyone has a breakthrough solution.
Since we can’t allow Black to queen with check, the first move must be 1. Kg2. Black obviously can’t push his f-pawn, so 1…e1Q is forced. 2. Nf1 cuts off mate threats, and if Black takes the N white promotes with check and wins.
I think white wins after:
1.Kg2 e1Q
2.Nf1+ Kxe4
3.e8Q+
Now I think white will capture the f2 pawn, and with an extra pawn + a knight I think white is winning.
The critical line may be:
1. Kg2 e1(Q)
2. Nf1+ Ke2
Now I suspect that White should try 3 Kh2 threatening to queen. Then:
3 … Qxf1
4 Ng3+
or
3 … Kxf1
4 Ng3 mate
or
3… Kd3
4 e8 (Q) Qxf1
5 Qb5+
or
3 .. Kd1
4 e8 (Q) Qxf1
5 Qa4+ etc
Much enjoy your puzzles, though not always successful!
Stephen,
Ah! Kh2. I never considered that move in that line.