White to move. Is this a win for white? How should white proceed?
This was an actual game that took place in Russia earlier. White decided to repeat moves a few moves later. Was it the correct decision?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Real game exercise
Definitely the wrong decision.
1. cb5! Bb5 (alternatives below)
2. Qa5 Ba6
If black plays Bc6, leaving the a-file open, white can play Re3 with a deadly attack. Black can play h4 here, but white can take the pawn with advantage since the h8 rook protects the one at d8, but white can do even better, I think, with 3.Rb4 with another deadly attack on the black king. Continuing:
3. Qc7 Ka8
4. Ne4 Rc8
5. Qa5 Qf5 (anything better?)
6. Qf5 ef5
7. Nf6 and white is up a pawn or more at the very least considering just how weak all of black’s remaining pawns are.
Back at move 1, I don’t see how black does better with the alternatives to taking at b5:
1. cb5 Bd5
2. Qa5 Rd6 (what else?)
3. b6!
And I think black has to take at b6 or lose the rook at h8 to a skewere eventually:
3. …..Qg5 (Qg7 4.Qa7 Kc8 5.Rc1+-)
4. Qa7 Kc1
5. Qa8+-
Or
1. cb5 Bd7
2. Qa5 with the same threats of b6 and Qa7+.
I have to assume white was low on time.
It’s a fix.