GM Diamant – IM Robson (2009)
White to move. Is this a win, draw, or loss for White? What is the best continuation for White?
8/8/5k2/2P1N2R/3K4/pp6/8/r7 w – – 0 76
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Endgame improvement
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Since Susan has asked, “What is the best continuation for White” – obviously the answer to the first question cannot possibly be, “loss for white.”
This is pretty hard. I looked up the game on chessgames.com — white didn’t do anything spectacular, and lost.
Don’t really see a clear way for white to draw. This is one example where Susan or a GM needs to give their input.
What happens if White sacs the rook for the two pawns (assuming he can, of course)? Let’s say the black king is a little far away from the c file (e.g., on f5), can white block the black rook with the N on c4, and threaten to queen?
Looking forward to a solution from you all!
I think that 1. Rf5 is a good move. The idea is to promote the pawn with check.
after 1.Nc4 a2, 2.Rh6+ Kf5/e7, 3.Ra6 I can’t find any way for black to win. And 1… b2 2.Nxa3 Rxa3 3. Rh6+ Ke7 4. Ra2 also leads to a draw.
Seems to me the only way to hold this for white is:
1. Nc4, b2
2. Nxa3, Rxa3
3. Rh6+
followed by Rb6, with an even position
Why not:
1. Nc4 b2
2. Rh6+ Ke7
3. Rb6 b1Q
4. Rxb1 Rxb1
5. Nxa3 and it will draw