1k4rr/p1p2b2/2p1qp2/3pPN1p/3P2p1/Q6P/P5P1/5R1K w – – 0 1
White to move. How should White proceed?
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1k4rr/p1p2b2/2p1qp2/3pPN1p/3P2p1/Q6P/P5P1/5R1K w – – 0 1
White to move. How should White proceed?
Qa6 wins ez
Qa6 with the idea of Nd6
my choice would be Ne7 followed by Qa6 threatening Rb1.
On the first glance 1. Qa6 looks “forced”. The other way to keep the black king off the ‘secure’ flight plan via c8 is Ne7 (or Nd6) seems to be to slow.
So 1. Qa6 with the main threat 2. Rb1+. There are three considerable defenses.
The first one, Qxf5, might live the longest time but it is the simplest for white. After 2. Rxf5 the black king is still in danger and there are several week pawns.
No defense is Qc8? because of the weekness of c6. 2. Rb1+, Ka8 3. Qxc6+ 1:0
The second (and most obvious) defense is Ka8 with the idea 2. Rb1, Rb8! but 2. Nd6!! spoil that plan. There are several threats (Qb7#, Qc6+ followed by Rb1#) that black can’t handle efficient.
cxd6 and Rb8 lose to the move 3. Qxc6+, while Qxd6 3. exd6 is a simple win – the threat 4. Qxc6+ gives black no time to execute d6 so white gets a strong passed pawn on c7…
The third defense is more hidden.
1. -, c5!? with the idea of 2. Rb1+, Qb6!
Again 2. Nd6!! spoils the party.
2. -, cxd6 is followed by the accurate move 3. Qxc6!! followed by mate.
I hope I haven’t overseen anything.
Greetings
Jochen
1.Qa6 … threat Rb1
1…. Qxf5 only way to Rb1
2.Rxf5 .. seems churlish not to
2…. Bg6 still working on b1
3.Rf2, now Black is chopped liver
Qa6 Ka8
Nd6
Qa6 and it is all over
Qa6!… The threat is Rb1+ followed by Nd6.
Here are some sample lines..
a)Qa6 Qc8 Rb1 Ka8 Qc6 Qb7 Qb7$
b)Qa6 Be8 Rb1 Ka8 Qb7
c)Qa6 c5 Nd6!(Rb1+? Qb6) pd6 Rb1 Kc7 Qa7 Kd8 Rb8
I’ll give it a try…
1. Ne7 Re8
2. Qa6 Ka8 (to allow a rook on the b8 square to defend b7)
3. Nxc6 threatening mate on a7 and black also has to worry about a later Rb1.
-Mike
Nice solution Jochen. I overlooked the possibility of the 1. … c5 defence.