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White to Play

Pete Tamburro on

Published in Chess Puzzles

OK, our last one this week of miniature compositions is deceptive and tough. White’s lost, right? Well, according the the first prize winning composers, G. Popov and Z. Kadrev, White can salvage the draw. Now, if you look carefully at the diagram, you must realize that there’s only one way to manufacture a draw here. Can you figure out their idea, and does it work?


Solution:

This won first prize in a competition in 1959/60. For a composition to win first prize it has to be really scrutinized. Here’s the solution leading to stalemate that won:

1.Bc6+ b5 2.Be4 Qd1 3.Bb1 Qd5+ 4.Ka1 Qb3 5.Be4 Qc4 6.Bb1 Qf1 7.Ka2 Qf7+ 8.Ka1 Qc4 9.b3+ Qxb3 10.Bc2 Qxc2. Here’s a question for you, though. Where’s the draw if Black plays like this: 8...Qf2 9.Bh7 (9.Ka2 Qe2 10.Bh7 Qc4+ 11.Ka1 Kb3; 9.Ba2 Qf1+ 10.Bb1 Kb3 11.a4 Qc1) 9...Kb3 10.Bg8+ Kc2 11.Bh7+ Kc1 and Black wins. I can’t find a way for White to prevent the incursion of the Black king to b3. Would love to hear from someone who can!

 

Send questions and comments to PTamburro@aol.com.


 

 

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