White to move. What is the best continuation for White?
k1b5/ppQ5/2P5/3B4/7b/7p/5r1K/8 w – – 0 3
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White to move. What is the best continuation for White?
k1b5/ppQ5/2P5/3B4/7b/7p/5r1K/8 w – – 0 3
Kh1…
1.Bg2 is better und the king hides to h1..
Kg1
Three posts and all three possible starting moves have been suggested. 😉
1. Kh1 leads to a direct repetition of moves after Rf1+ 2. Kh2 (forced), Rf2+
1. Bg2, Rxg2+ 2. Kh1, Rg8 defends against all mates as cxb7+ is no more a big threat without the bishop.
It must be the obvious 1. Kg1 but I am quite unconvinced of that solution in a tactical position (I would be totally convinced in a real game!).
After 1. Kg1 I do not see anything better for black than checking h2+ but now 2. Kh1 seems to win simply.
2. -, Rf1+ 3. Kxh2, Rf2+ 4. Kg1 and it’s over. If black doesn’t check once white can mate (cxb7+/Qxc8+, black can’t defend against both).
But that looks way to easy. 🙁
Have I overseen anything?
Best regards
Jochen
Looks right to me, Jochen.
You don’t say so explicitly, but after 1.Bg2 Rxg2+ 2.Kh1 Rg8 isn’t Black the one who wins?
Bg2 then …Bg3+ maybe
I am still looking at it…
Only Kg1 wins – and mate is inevitable. Jochen already mentioned all the right moves.
“You don’t say so explicitly, but after 1.Bg2 Rxg2+ 2.Kh1 Rg8 isn’t Black the one who wins?”
Black is the one who plays for the win here while white is just searching for eternal check.
After 1.Bg2??, Rxg2+ 2. Kh1, Rg8 3. Qh7! wins back some material and gives white some chances for a draw by perpetual check in the later game.
The game could continue with 3. -, Rd8 4. Qxh4 (4. c7, Rd7) bxc6 and it is a KQ vs KRBPPP endgame.
Black’s material doesn’t work together badly and the h pawn defended by the bishop looks quite strong. In some cases black may even push this pawn!?
White’s defending exercise is not allowing the rook to check on the second rank to keep h2 blocked and to give checks as soon as black opens his king position pushing his other pawns. If black pushes teh c pawn and fortifies his king with help of bishop, rook and a pawn white’s queen blocks the c pawn.
Summary: It’s a position in which black can play without risc of losing but never underestimate a queen. 🙂
Best regards
Jochen
PS:
“Bg2 then …Bg3+ maybe”
Looks like giving white an easier draw trying to eternally attack the rook on the 8th rank till he leaves this rank then threatening mates and forks.
1. Bg2??, Bg3+? 2. Kxg3, Rxg2+ 3. Kf4!, Rg8 4. Qf7, Rd8/h8 (after 3. Kf3 h2 would be possible here) 5. Qc7/g7
Because of the threat cxb7+ black’s rook mustn’t leave the eight rank without checking.
Checking on d4 (Rd8 Qe7 Rd4+) fails to Ke3.
So after (e.g. 5.) Qg7, Rh4+ 6. Ke3 (Kg3??) the white threat cxb7+ must be answered by bxc6 (Kb8? 7. Qg3+) but then Qf8! [threat is Qxc8#] and Kb8 [Kb7?? Qe7+] is answered by Qd6+ with (at least) repetition of the moves [Ka8, Qf8 and so on].