Black to move. How should Black proceed? This was shown by GM Fridman and IM Zatonskih yesterday at the SP All-Star Training for Girls at the NY Athletic Club.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
A cute puzzle
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hmm, I’m guessing Ne4 check, and whether K moves then Nx N or
Nxn check, then Ke3 and one of the knights falls. Then it’s a theoretical draw.
Indeed, Henry is correct. After Ke5 covering the 2 knights, Black is stalemated.
Very cute, with the three knight stalemate. But there is a cook: 1…Ke3 2.Nfe6 Ne4+ exchanges a pair of knights and draws. And if 2.Ke5 to protect the knights Nd3+ draws.
white is lost, so black should deny playing on. no no kidding. 1.Ne4+ NxN 2.Ke3 Ke5 stalemate. hihihi
Henry said…
“hmm, I’m guessing Ne4 check, and whether K moves then NxN or NxN check, then Ke3 and one of the knights falls. Then it’s a theoretical draw.”
I thought, no that doesn’t work, because 3 Ke5 protects all the knights, and then I realized black is stalemated. D’oh! So good job!
My move also works, which is 1…Ke3 2 Ke5 (all other moves white takes a knight), 2…Nd3+ forcing the exchange of the knight on f4. So there are two solutions.
Of course, were I black, it really wouldn’t matter, as I couldn’t find the forced 3 knight mate — not in 50 moves at least. Can anybody here (besides Susan, of course)?
whoops, that’s wrong as Ke5 saves all of them. Sorry
OK, how about Ke3 first???
Yeah not too hard but cute.
I’ll agree with Henry, except to add that after Ne4+, Nxe4, Ke3 White has to choose between Ke5, which is stalemate, or losing one of the knights. And if White doesn’t take the knight after Black’s initial check, Black takes the knight on f6. Since 2 knights v. a king is a known draw, the parties can split the point.
I’m not missing anything, am I?
henry,
I agree with your solution, except there’s one more (amusing) variation:
1. Nxe4+ Nxe4+
2. Ke3 Ke5 (protects all three knights)
3. Stalemate!
1.Ne4+ N:e4 2.Ke3 Ke5 stalemate. Easy but cute!
Hmm, looks like I picked the right first move, but I missed the stalemate!!! Yes, very cool Madame Polgar.
It’s a good example why we play chess!!!!
1…Ne4 2.Nxe4+ Ke3!!
or
1…Ke3 2.Ke5 Nd3!!
tvtom: “My move also works, which is 1…Ke3 2 Ke5 (all other moves white takes a knight), 2…Nd3+ forcing the exchange of the knight on f4.”
Either of the attacked knights could move to protect the other one, for example 2 Nfe6, but then 2…, Ne4+ forces the exchange of the knight on f6.
This reminds me of an old study:
White: Kg2, Nh3
Black: Kd2, Pe2, Nf1, Nh5
White to move and draw.