Tough Rook and Pawn Endgame

6 comments

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  Pharaoh says:

  March 26, 2008 at 11:31 am

  First move is forced : 1.Rb6+ Ka3 2.Rb1! Rd2
  [If 2…axb1Q+ 3.Kxb1+- One of the two Pawns promotes. 3…Kb3 4.Kc1]
  3.e6 axb1B 4.Kxb1 Kb3 5.Kc1 (Promotion is inevitable.) 5…Kc3 6.e7+- Rxd7 7.e8Q

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  Anonymous says:

  March 26, 2008 at 12:09 pm

  pharaoh is right. Here is another importaint line:

  1.Rb6+ Ka3
  2.Rb1 axb1Q+
  3.Kxb1 Kb3
  4.Kc1 Kc3
  5.d8Q Re1+
  6.Qd1 Rxd1+
  7.Kxd1 and the e pawn cant be stopped.

  Tobe

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  Anonymous says:

  March 26, 2008 at 6:27 pm

  YES computer! Yes! I love my computer, even more than this blog. Pharaon is right, by the way, my compy baby agrees.

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  Anonymous says:

  March 26, 2008 at 10:08 pm

  Good puzzle. The key to this one is to remember that linked pawns on the sixth rank defeat a rook, provided the enemy king is far enough away.

  In this case, the one pawn is on the 7th rank, and one on the 5th which is equivalent in this case, as either the d pawn promotes, or the e pawn gets to protect its buddy via e6.

  So although white’s position looks precarious (mate threat) s/he can comfortably sac a rook to win the game.

  1.Rb6+ Ka3 (if Black moves to the c-file, then Rc6+ … Rc1) 2.Rb1 Rd2 (axb1Q+ 3.Kxb1 and a pawn promotes) 3.e6 … White’s pawns are secure.

  (jhiant)

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  Jochen says:

  March 26, 2008 at 11:50 pm

  “if Black moves to the c-file, then Rc6+ … Rc1)”
  Why not d8Q if black moves to the c file?
  After that there is no mate left…

  Regards
  Jochen

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  Anonymous says:

  March 27, 2008 at 3:42 am

  I agree:

  1. Rb6+! Ka3 is the only choice.

  1. … Kc3 leads to immediate d8=Q

  At least 1. … Ka3 is a fight.

  Many players lack Q versus R skills.

  This is still 30 + moves if

  best play versus best play.

  Thanks… excellent puzzle.

  Peter / chesstoplay