White to move. How should White proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Find the best continuation
About Author
White to move. How should White proceed?
Source: ChessToday.net
Rb1
maybe Rb1
The only way to avoid immediate loss is 1. Rb1! Bxb1 2. Qxd6. Now, BR should remain on the last rank otherwise 3. Qf8 is mate. So, if, for example, 2… Re8, 3. Qd4+ Kg8 4. Kg1 (or 4. h3) followed by Qxb2, gives White a winning advantage.
Rb1 looks good
Maybe Rb1, then Qxd6, then pushing the a-pawn ?
1. Rb1! Bxb1 2. Qxc6 and white will pick up the b-pawn next move.
1. Rb1 Bxb1 2. Qxd6 seems impossible for black to save both the Rb8 and the pb2
1.Rb1
I think that 1. Rb1 is the only move that is both saving White’s position and winning. For ex: If 1…Bxb1 than 2. Qxd6. now Black has to deal with the threat of 3. Qxb8 and game over. So Black must move the Rook. But that’s a problem. Where to place it. Due to deadly forks of the White queen and also back rank mate on f8 threat
Game can continue: 2..Rc8 3. Qf6+ Kg8. 4. Qe6+ fork. Game over . Or: 2…Rg8 3. Qf6+ Rg7 and 4. Qxb2 Bf5 only move. and now with a passed pawn and Queen versus a Rook and a Bishop, Black has a rough time and I am not sure but I think he is practically lost.
1. Rf1 may be better than 1. Rg1.
1. Rf1, b1(Q)
2. Kg1
One strategy for W is to win control of the f8 square. e.g.,
2. … Qb4
3. Qe7
or 2… Qb7
3. Qxd6
or 2…. Qb2
3. Qxd6
I like the idea of 1. Rb1! which prevents black from queening a gives white enough extra tempi.
E.g.:
1. Rb1! Bxb1 2. Qxd6
and now the black rook must leave the b-file (2. .. Rb7? 3. Qf8 mate) and the b2 pawn is unprotected.
2. .. Re8 (!) 3. Qd4+ Kg8
and now 4. Qxb2?? fails to 4. Re1 mate. But after
4. h4! White will catch the b2 pawn with a decisive advantag .
If black tries to protect the pawn with the rook (b8 or e2) the white queen will capture rook after some checks..
1.Rb1 Bb1:
2.Qd6: Re8
3.Qd4+ Kg8
4.h4 and 5. or 6.Qb2:
Rb1
Rb1
1. Rb1 Bxb1
2. Qxd6 and white threatens perpetual?
1.Rb1 Bxb1 2.Qxd6 R~ 3.Qf6+ Kg8 4.Qxb2 +-