3r3k/6qp/p3BR2/1p4R1/5B2/2pp4/P5PK/8 w - - 0 1

From Last Week

334 Another draw. OM, can you post a definite win for White in Problem 2? Because I can't find it.

Posted by: rickl at March 16, 2019 09:06 PM (sdi6R)

One of the lines in the solution to last week's challenging problem finished with a position that looked something like this:

8/6p1/p4p1p/1N2k3/8/5PP1/6KP/8 w - - 0 6
White To Move

So I said, yeah, that's a win for White and left it at that. But, as rickl found out, it's not so easy. He couldn't find it. I probably couldn't find it, either. I let the Stockfish engine analyze it and yes, it's a win, but it takes close to 50 moves to secure it. I'm thinking this is a position even a master might have problems with. I wish zombie would show up today. I would like to have his opinion on this position.

Stumbling upon complex difficulties in seemingly easy positions is one of the reasons I like chess so much.

Dress Pr0n For The 'Ettes:

New Years Resolutions: Post more on the blog/Post more images of historical garments/Read more books! Hope you are all having a lovely New Years Day. Here is a pelisse from the @metmuseum. This 1820 number is streamlined to allow for the fit of the wearer’s Empire line garments. pic.twitter.com/yC2EloAB05

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Solutions Update

Easier Problem - White To Play

7k/3rN1pn/p4q2/8/1p2Q2P/1B3P2/PPP5/1K6 w - - 0 1

1. Qa8+!

1...Qf8? results in the immediate 2.Ng6#

Now Black has a couple of ways to lose all of his pieces:

#1: 1...Rd8 2.Qxd8+ Nf8 3.Qxf8+ Qxf8 4.Ng6+ Kh7 5.Nxf8+ and wins

#2: 1...Nf8 2.Qxf8+ Qxf8 3.Ng6+ Kh7 4.Nxf8+ Kh6 5.Nxd7 and wins

More Challenging Problem - White To Play

3r3k/6qp/p3BR2/1p4R1/5B2/2pp4/P5PK/8 w - - 0 1

1.Be5! Rg8

Best. Other moves lose more quickly:

#1: 1...Qxg5 2.Rf8#

#2: 1...d2 2.Rf8+ Rxf8 3.Bxg7#

The main line loses in 6:

2.Rf4 h6
3.Rxg7 Rxg7
4.Rf8+ Kh7
5.Bf5+ Rg6
6.Rh8#

Hope to see you all next week!

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Note: that cryptic line of letters and numbers you see underneath each board diagram is a representation of the position in what is known as "Forsyth-Edwards Notation", or F.E.N. It's actually readable by humans. Most computer applications nowadays can read FEN, so those of you who may want to study the position, you can copy the line of FEN and paste into your chess app and it should automatically recreate the position on its display board. Or, Windows users can just "triple click" on it and the entire line will be highlighted so you can copy and paste it into your chess app.

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So that about wraps it up for this week. Chess thread tips, suggestions, bribes, rumors, threats, and insults may be sent to my yahoo address: OregonMuse little-a-in-a-circle yahoo dott com.

posted by OregonMuse at 05:18 PM

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