White to move. Is this a win or draw for White?
k7/1R6/K7/8/5b2/8/8/8 w – – 0 1
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Susan, I love your puzzles. Is it possible for you to categorize all these under one section so that we can access all the puzzles and also provide solutions after a week or so, so that we know how we did. kind of something like how they post daily puzzles on chessvideos.tv site….That will be immensely helpful to all your bloggers!!! THANK YOU!!!
This is drawn, I think. Black can just keep the bishop on the b8/h2 diagonal, and I don’t see that white can do a damned thing about it since any check on the 8th rank is simply blocked by Bb8 and stalemate follows if white doesn’t relieve the pin. Just translating the kinga and rook complex two squares each towards the right gives a won position as white would threaten mate and bishop capture, which is won because, when the bishop moves to block the check, white waits with a rook move keeping the pin, and the king is forced to move away from the bishop. In the other corner, but with the same bishop, the position is won.
It is very easy to find my puzzles. All you have to do is type the key word “Puzzle Solving” on the top left side and all of them will show up.
Unfortunately, I have no way of putting all of them in one section under the blogger program.
As for the answers, I do check all the answers. If no one gets it right, I will post the solution after a few days. However, if there are multiple correct answers, I will not. The idea is quality versus quantity. I want the blogger to work on the 1-2-3 puzzles I post daily instead of relying of the answers given like in various books.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Thank you Susan for your reply! That search for “Puzzle Solving” label is very helpful. You are amazing, this is just an awesome blog for budding chess enthusiasts like me. I have a problem with visualising variations in my mind. Trying to learn that aspect of it.
I think of a scheme for winning starting with 1. Rb1. There is a tremendous amount of alternatives, but the idea is to move the rook to whichever file the bishop is next and the threaten to either capture or checkmate. If the Bishop moves to a file where it can protect the eight rank, threaten it again, ultimately, as in the seventh rank, it cannot stop mate.
Its a draw,the king has got himself safe in the corner.White cannot win.Oh and I saw your documentry “My brilliant brain” its really good.My dad says to tell you im nine (nearly ten) and a girl. I wish i could play as good as you.
Yancey, your answer is a very good one.
White cannot get more than a draw. Black doesn’t need to do anything but hang around with the bishop in the b8-h2 diagonal and block any checks on the 8th rank with Bb8
Re must-know endgames, one featured on Susan’s blog would have come in handy for Varuzhan Akobian in today’s US Championship. See his game against Alex Yermolinksy http://saintlouischessclub.com/live
Specifically, see the position after move 51. Akobian goes astray with 52. Kf2. Instead all he had to do was put the b-pawn on b7, tying up Black’s rook and king and pawns, and then move his king up. Then, sac the b-pawn, exchange the rooks on e7, and it’s game over.
1Rf8 Bd6
2Rd7 Bb8
3Rd8#
1-0
I was wrong about the rook and pawn endgame between Akobian and Yermolinsky. Please ignore those remarks. Black can keep checking the White king from behind, so the Re8-e7 maneuver is not possible. My bad.
It should be a draw, the black king is in a corner of the right color. I don’t see a win, but there might be some trick to make this an exception (as is often the case).
Rf7 then win
i would try Kb6.. that cuts of any squares for the king to run to.. then just beat his ass down after that..
Hi Susan Polgar,
Well,as of this chess puzzle is concerned White can win by slightly applying the mind to the game.[ Draw is easy ]
[ Current Chess Piece position of the puzzle as visible to me :
White : Ka6/Rb7
Black : Ka8/Bf4
White to move ]
Solution : White to win.
1.Rf7 Bd6
2.Rg7 Kb8
3.Kb6 Bc7+
4.R*Bc7 Ka8
5.Rc8+ mate
White wins the game : 1 – 0
By
Venky [Chennai – India]
Hello
1)Rf7,Bd6
2)Rg7,Bb8
3)Kb6,Bd6
4)Ra7+,Kb8
5)Rd7 and White win this game
Tours regards
i think it’s drawn…
Susan, what is the correct answer for this? win or draw? no need to give the actual line, let us work it out. I don’t think the solution provided below for white win is correct
The point is that the black king doesn’t have to move! As long as the black bishop stays on the b8 to h2 diaganol,there is no way to force mate!
Not a ‘must know’ endgame – I have got through my entire life without knowing about it.
The position is a draw.
This is an example of a black and white rule.
There are no exceptions.
“To draw, the Bishop must move on squares of different color from the King’s corner.”
Bruce Pandolfini’s Endgame Course, page 58
Peter / chesstoplay
The position is a draw.
This is an example of a black and white rule.
There are no exceptions.
“To draw, the Bishop must move on squares of different color from the King’s corner.”
Bruce Pandolfini’s Endgame Course, page 58
Peter / chesstoplay