Critical endgame knowledge Difficult endgame, Puzzle Solving White to move. Is this a win, draw or loss for White? How should White proceed? Prokesh 1939, presented by Andreas 8/8/8/7K/2k5/3pp3/8/5R2 w – – 0 1 Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
1. Kg4 e2 2. Rc1+ Kd4 3. Kf3 d2 4. Rc4+ and 4… Kxc4 5. Kxe2 draws and if 4… Kd3, 5. Rd4+ draws
Well, if the rook is on e1 then white loses. Why? What is the difference of the rook being on e1 or f1?
If the rook was on e1 then, after
1.Kg4 the pawn that would attack the rook, that is, the d pawn (d3-d2) covers c1 preventing the check.
or
1. Kg4 d2
2. Kf3 Kd3
3. Ra1 e2
4. Ra3 Kc2
5. Ra2 Kb1
6. Kxe2 =
by Stulzer
Stulzer — Just for fun: if you’re feeling playful, you can also draw with 6.Ra1+.
Also, just to give my two cents:
1.Kg4 e2
2.Rc1 Kb3
3.Kf3 d2
4.Rb1+ Kc2
5.Kxe2 draws