White to move. Is this a win or draw? How should White proceed?
7r/7P/2p5/2P4R/8/3k1K2/8/8 w – – 0 1
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1.Rh4 Rf8+
2.Kg4 Rh8
3.Kf5
1-0
The black king is cut off from capturing the c-pawn.
OR…
1.Rh4 Kc3
2.Ke3 Kb3
3.Kd3 Ka3
4.Kc3 Ka2
5.Rh1!
1-0
1. Rh4 , the idea is to cross the 4th rank with the king without losing c5. If black checks the road is free (Kg4-g5-g6) because black has to return to (R)h8 first.
1.. Kc3
2. Ke3 Kb3
3. Kd3 Ka3
4. Kc3 Ka2
5. Kd4 etc.
1-0
Rh4 looks good I think… after Kc3, white can play Ke3 – Kb3, Kd3 – Ka3, Kc3 and after Ka2, white can simply go to g7 with his king without losing the c-pawn.
Another option for black is to give check at a certain point, but then again the white king can walk to g7 without losing the c-pawn.
I’d say Rh4
The first plan that comes to mind is something like 1. Rh4, eventually forcing the Black king further from the pawns, then I’d advance my king and take the c-pawn.
Rh4, keeping the black king off the 4th rank, keep pushing the king backwards with opposition, until finally it moves to the 2nd rank, then move white king to the 4th rank without the black king doing the same. Move white king towards f7 acheiving the promotion or capturing the rook. The black king has no chances for capturing the white pawn and promotion of the c pawn due to the 4th rank prison.
Isn’t this a theorical draw?
I would try Rh4 to cut the black king off from the c-pawns. After this, black has two moves, I think- either Kc3 or Rf8+:
1. Rh4 Rf8
2. Kg4 and black is in zugzwang already, the rook must return to h8
Continuing:
2. …..Rh8
3. Kg5 and it is over.
So, black must reply with a king move, and only Kc3 doesn’t lose immediately:
1. Rh4 Kc3
2. Ke3 now, here, rook checks fromt the back rank lose just like before- white’s king crosses in front of his rook and reaches the fifth rank since the black rook must return to h8. Continuing:
2. …..Kb3 (Kc2/b2 3. Kd4)
3. Kd3 Ka3 (again, Kb2/a2 4.Kc4)
4. Kc3 and now the black king must give way. Continuing:
4. …..Ka2
5. Kb4 and white’s king will now win the c-pawn and the game since black’s king is still stuck on the first three ranks.
White Wins.
The plan should be to create a zugzwang type of situation for black king and White king can take the charge either approaching the black Rook or taking the black pawn.
Then Black has to sacrifice the rook and it is all over for Black.
White should be able to win this by marching his king down the g-file.
1. Kg4
2. Kg5, etc
1. Rh4 Kc3
2. Ke3 Kb3
3. Kd3 Ka3
4. Kc3 Ka2
5. Kd4 wins
Rh4…if black rook ever moves off H8, it is history as the white king marches to the 7th rank and bullies the pawn to queen.
if …Kc3
kE3 and so forth to push black king past the white pawn and then the march to queen the pawn at H7.
in no scenario can I see black saving the situation.
EkaterinaVS
1Kg4 Ke4
2Kg5 Kf3
3Kg6 Kg4
4Rh6
LOL!
I missed the quicker win with the waiting rook move after black is forced to a2. Nicely seen About Me. I had only eyes for c6.
Hi Susan Polgar,
Well,lot of brilliant thinking minds are here,its very nice.
Already best moves were given by others,so nothing need to be added.
By
Venky [ Chennai – India ]