White to move. This is the LIVE game between GM Ehlvest and GM Nakamura. It is Ehlvest’s turn to move. He has an easy win on hand but blundered to give Nakamura chances to draw. Can you find the best move by White?
(White took a draw after the following sequence: 1.Ka2?? [1.Ka4 wins 1…c3+ 2.b4 Qd1 3.Kb3 Qb1+ 4.Kxc3 Qa1+ 5.Kc4 Qa2+ 6.Kb5 Qxc2 7.a7 Qd3+ 8.Kc6 Qxe4+ 9.Kc7 Qc4+ 10.Kd6 Qd4+ 11.Ke7 Qh4+ 12.Kf7 Qc4+ 13.Kf8 Qf4+ 14.Kg8 1-0] Qc5 2.c3 Qa5+ 3.Kb1 Qd8 4.Qd5 Qc7 draw!!! 5.Kc1 Qb6 6.Qxc4 h4 7.Qd3 Kg5 8.b4 and White still has excellent chances to win! I do not know why Ehlvest took a draw after Black played Qc7.)
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
White is under check, but its passed pawn at a6, protected by white Q is a big worry. Black c4 pawn can be stopped by c3, while b2 is protected by white queen. Basically, White King has to find a safe place to shelter from Q threats and push c2-c3 followed by c3 and move a6 to a8. Ka2 first move.
Uh…how can Qa4 win immediately when this move can’t be played? He’s in check.
I don’t know if the clocks were right in the chessbase broadcast, but they showed that Ehlvest was in serious time trouble.
If white wants to squeeze a win, he must not give the a pawn , and push it to promotion.
White has only 4 first moves.
1. Ka3
Black’s main tactical defense is the perpetual check, with which he can force a draw on white. Ka3 has the merit of escaping just in time from these nuisance checks by black.
1…Qd6 +
2. Ka3-a2 and black cannot stop in time, the advance of white’s a6 pawn.
1…c3
2. b3
2…Qf4 with the idea of Qf4-a4-a3-b2. This is not good for white.
1…c3
2. b4
This works.
elaboration might follow later.
With thanks
Abie Weiler