2r1r2k/4P1p1/4R2p/1p2Q3/8/3p3P/p2q2PK/5R2 w – – 0 1
White to move. How can White stop Black’s passed pawns? How should white proceed?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Game saving tactic
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Rxh6?
Wish I could ignore the black queen, but it does cover h6. So, I am thinking Rg6 here:
1. Rg6 Re7
The only really different defense looks much worse to me: [1. …Rg8 2.Rf8 a1Q 3.Qa1 Kh7 4.Rc8 and black must lose a rook overall and I don’t see a way to keep the pawn from queening either]. Continuing:
2. Qe7 Qc3 (Rg8 3.Rg7! Rg7 4.Rf8)
3. Ra6
I see nothing better. I can argue that 3.Rd6 is nearly as good, but Ra6 is clearer to me- it wins the a-pawn outright with no complications since black must deal with the mate threat that starts with with Rf8+. Continuing:
3. …..Kh7
4. Ra2 d2 (what else?)
5. Rd1 and the d-pawn will fall too. Game over.
Now, if 1.Rg6 the best move? I don’t know. I got that nagging feeling I am overlooking something much more forcing in this position.
Not positive, but maybe something like…
Rf8+ Rxf8
exf8=Q Rxf8
Re8
Then the black rook is pinned, and if …Rxe8, Qxe8+ and white has a simple perpetual.
Ah, I just checked it and that doesn’t work at all.
Well, White plays 1. Rg6 seems a good move.
If 1…. Rg8; 2.Rg8 wins
If 1…. Qc3; 2.Rh6 Kg8 3.Qe6
I guess my comment didn’t go through. My idea was:
Rf8+ Rxf8
exf8=Q+ Rxf8
Re8
That pins the black rook, and if …Rxe8, Qxe8 starts a perpetual. Unfortunately, black is just winning after …Qf2.
1) f8, rxf8
2) pxf8+, rxf8
3) e8, f8xe8
4) then white has perpetual check
Is the idea for W to get one more piece on f-file to check on f8?
eg 1.Re6-f6
if 1….gxf6 2.Rxf6+(!)with
discovered check(s)
if say 1….Qc3 2.Rf8+ Rxf8
3.Rxf8+ Rxf8 4.exf8(Q)+
W has check on white squares.
if 1….Rxe7 2.Rf8+ Rxf8
3.Rxf8+ Kh7 4.Qf5+ g6
5.Rf7+ Rxf7 6.Qxf7+ draws
0-0-0
-0-0-
1. Rg6 threatening 2. Qxg7++
The most logical for Black (really forced) is
1. . . Rg8
2. Re8 again threatening 3. Qxg7++
2. . . R(c)xe8
3. dxe8(Q) with no way for Black to prevent mate.
. . Qxg2+ only delays the inevitable, with the loss of the Black Queen.
R(e)f6 sure looks strong it appears to be winning
1. Rg6 leads to a forced mate. 1. Ref6 also wins, but more slowly.
1. Rg6 Rg8 2. Rxg7 Rxg7
(2. .. a1=Q 3. Rh7+ Kxh7 4. Rf7+ Rg7 5. Qf5+ Kg8 (5. .. Kh8 6. Qxc8+ Kh7 7. Qf5+ Kh8 8. e8=Q+ Rg8 9. Rh7#) 6. Rf8+ Rxf8 7. exf8=Q#)
3. Rf8+ Kh7
(3. .. Rxf8 4. exf8=Q+ Kh7 5. Qfxg7#)
4. Qe4+ Rg6 5. Rf7+ Kh8 6. Qe5+ Kg8 7. e8=Q+ Rxe8 8. Qxe8#
1. Ref6 Qg5
(1. .. gxf6 2. Rxf6 Kg8 3. Rg6+ Kf7 4. Qe6#)
(1. .. Rxe7 2. Qxe7 Rg8 3. Rf8 Qe2 4. Rxg8+ Kxg8 5. Qf7+ Kh8 6. Qf8+ Kh7 7. Qf5+ Kg8 8. Ra1)
2. Rf8+ Rxf8 3. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 4. Rxf8+ Kh7 5. Qe8)