This was sent in by Kirk Finkbeiner (This was an actual game of his) – Thanks Kirk
I will make this a double puzzle:
If it is White to move, what is the best way for White to proceed?
And if it is Black to move, what is the best way for Black to proceed?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
D6 for white, A4 for black. looks simple
1…Re7!!
I would suggest:
For White
1. d6 threatening d7 – cuts off Black king and forces rook to take on d7 after exd7, Black remains cut off and can’t cover the queening square. This sequence won’t allow Black to queen the a-pawn in time.
For Black
1…Rxf6 threatening Rxe6 – leaving White too far up the board to cover both Black passed pawns. It also draws the White king onto the a1-h8 diagonal so that Black will queen with check.
1…Rxf6
2. Kxf6 a3
3. d6 a2
4. d7 a1Q+
Hope this is right…
Not right:
1… Rxf6
2. Kxf6 a3
3. d6 a2
4. e7+ Ke8
5. d7+! Kxd7
6. Kf7 a1=Q
7. e8=Q+
and White has the draw…
Leroi,
Actually white has better in your line. After:
… Rxf6
Kxf6 a3
d6 a2
e7+ Ke8
Ke6 and mate is unavoidable.
d6 for White and … Re7 for black appear to be right.
first question
1.d6 rb7
2.e7+ ke8
3.kf5 a3
4.ke6 a2
5.f7#
second question
1…a3
2.d6 a2
3.e7+ ke8
4.kf5 a1=q
5.ke6 qe1+ -+
After 1. d6 there is no need for Rb7. I think each side has the same plan whoever is to move thus
1. d6 a3
2. Kf5 a2 etc wins for white and
1. … a3 wins for black
For white 1.d6 +-.
For black 1.-Re7 =.
Not 1.-a3? 2.d6 a2 3.d7 Rd7
4.ed7 a1Q 5.d8Q+ +-
Actually 1.-Re7 -+ not =
This is Kirk and I was black and I ended up winning the game after much stress. In the real game it was black to move. I missed Re7!! that would have been easier but my line worked too. I will leave the real line a mystery for awhile and see if anyone else has any other ideas besides Re7 for black. Re7 does work too and now makes me kick myself. I wish I seen that in the real game. My line was a lot more stressful 🙂
(q1) 1. d6 as was noted
(q2) black wins
1… h6+! 2. kf5 a3 3. d6 rf6 3. kf6 a2 -+
also 1… a3! is also possible: 2. d6 h6+ , same idea. very interesting puzzle (q2)
axel
btw
1… rxf6?? doesnt work 2. kf6 a3 3. e7+ ke8 4. ke6! a2 5. d6 a1q 6. d7#
axel