White to move. Can White hold this position?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Finding the optimal continuation
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White to move. Can White hold this position?
I think Nd6 wins, since Ne5 mates.
nd6 forks the rook and the mating square f5.
1. Nd6 Kd4
2. Nxb7 Rxh2
White has 2 pieces for Black’s extra 3 pawns. The question is: Due to Black’s passed pawn on the king side and his pawn majority on the queen side, can white overcome Black’s promotion threats? I am not sure. I suggest that white will sacrifice a piece for some of the pawns on the queen side, better be a knight, and control with the bishop, the a8-h1 diagonal.
3. Nxa5 Kc5
4. Nb3+ Kd6
5. Nd4 h4
6. Nf3 Rh3
7. Kb2 and it seems that white easily holds black and can gradually diminish his queen side pawn storm threat by playing 8. a4. After White had dealt with these threats, White will have clear advantage and win.