Nerves! Nerves! Nerves!
In the final match of Millionaire Chess III, GM Gawain Jones had a completely winning position. He was also well ahead on time. But when you are on the verge of winning a lot of money, weird things happen to players’ brains. In this case, not only Gawain did not win, he walked into a checkmate!
In the diagram above, it was Gawain’s turn to move. This is a pretty simple tactic to clinch the win. Can you spot it?
1. Nf6ch Kh6 2. Rf7ch NxR 3. NxN KxN 4. pe7! … and the pawn cannot be stopped from being promoted.
I think this is not a win for white in your variation.
1. Nf6+!. Kh6. 2. Rh7+. Nxh7. 3. Nxh7. Now not Kxh7 but
3……Rd6!. Stopping the e paean.
4. e7?. Re6! Stops pawn for a black win!
4. Nf8!. Threatening e7 queening. Rd8!!. Followed by 5. e7. Re8 stopping the pawn. For a black win! Here 5. Nd7. Etc hoping for Nf6., Ng8, Nxe7 doesnot work because white is a move behind. 5. ……Re8. And the pawn is doomed. If white procrastinated with 6. Nc5. Kg7 and the BK will catch the pawn for an easy win.
Oh got it now!
1. Nf6+! Kh6. 2. Rh7+!. Nxh7. 3. Nxh7. Rd6!. 4. e7!. Re6!. 5. Nf6!!! And Black has to give up his Rook for the e pawn and white will be a piece up for a win!
5……Rxe7. 6. Ng8+. K any. 7. Nxe7.
5……Kg7. 6. e8=Q. Rxe8. 7. Nxe8.
So even if B refuses the N at h7 White wins! Black cannot go behind, in front or aside the e pawn. The same variation Nf6., e7. Ng8+ works.
Harry
Lots of exclamation marks for White but it seems that after 1. Nf6+ Kh6 2. Rh7+ Nxh7 3. Nxh7 Kg7
only Black can play for a win.
The simple variation 1. Rh7+ Nxh7 2. e7 seems to be winning easily.
Problem with your simple variation
Nf6+ Kh6
Rh7+ Nxh7
e7
Cant black play NxNf6 (covering promotion square and Black wins)
Please read carefully: the simple variation starts with 1. Rh7+, not 1. Nf6+
1. Rh7+ Nh7 2. e7 + –