Black to play - what result?

Black to play - what result?

Posers and Puzzles

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.

s

Joined
12 Feb 05
Moves
47202
23 Apr 05
8 edits



M

Joined
12 Mar 03
Moves
44411
23 Apr 05

draw

s

Joined
12 Feb 05
Moves
47202
23 Apr 05

Originally posted by Mephisto2
draw
how?

M

Joined
12 Mar 03
Moves
44411
23 Apr 05

I don't see black making progress. The black rook is tied to the a-file (or has to go back to it after Rh8+ Kg3). Black's attempt to play Kg6 leads to Rxa3 Rax3 stalemate.

d

Joined
28 Sep 04
Moves
5721
23 Apr 05

Hiya,
how about 1... Kf7
2.Kg3 Ra5
3.Kf3 Kg6
4.Kf4 Ra4+
5.Kf3 Kxg5 etc
🙂

G
Mr. Shield

Joined
02 Sep 04
Moves
174290
23 Apr 05

Would Kg6 work? White has to move something and can only move his rook to a few places. After white moves the rook down (right?) black pushes the pawn and white has to move the king a way and the black bishop can penitrate a bit more.

Josh

e

Joined
21 Apr 05
Moves
54
24 Apr 05
1 edit

Black bishop? where's that? Am i missing something?

white should win as he is up 3 pawns...

G
Mr. Shield

Joined
02 Sep 04
Moves
174290
24 Apr 05

Originally posted by elopawn
Black bishop? where's that? Am i missing something?

white should win as he is up 3 pawns...
Oops, sorry, wrong piece. Meant black rook, I seem to be doing that a lot lately, usually catch my typos though 🙁.

Josh

d

Joined
28 Sep 04
Moves
5721
24 Apr 05
1 edit

Hiya,
this is a devilish problem, it's like something out of a Dvoretsky book. Not knowing the outcome gives it an edge.
If Black plays 1... Kg6 then I think the best he can do is draw, and if he's not careful he could lose.

1... Kg6 2.Rxa3 Rh8+(Rxa3 draws) 3.Kg3 Kxg5,

and then 4.Ra6 Rh4 5.Rxd6 Rxg4+ 6.Kf3 Kf5 7.Re8 Rf3+ 8.Kg3 Re4 draws.

Instead, 4.Ra7 gives Black a bigger headache, the rook's heading for e7 and Black's forced to choose between passive defence or counterattack.
He can't go for the g4 pawn right away,
4... Rh4? 5.Rg7+ Kh6 6.Kxh4 Kxg7 7.Kh5 wins, and trying to defend the pawn doesn't offer much hope either,
4... Rh6? 5.Rg7+ Rg6 6.Rxg6+ Kxg6 7.Kh5 wins, and
4... Re8?! 5.Rg7+ Kh6 6.Rf7 Kg6 7.Rf6+ Kg5 8.Kf3 Re7 9.Rf8 Rg7 10.Rh8 Rf7+ 11.Kg3 Rg7 12.Rh5+ Kg6 13.Kh4 Kf7 14.Rh6 wins.
I think the best try for Black is 4... Rc8(or a8/b8) and then
5.Rg7+ Kh6 6.Rf7 Kg6 7.Rf6+ Kg5 8.Rxe6 Rd3+ 9.Kf2 Kxg4 draws.

So if Black plays 1... Kg6 and White offers the draw with Rxa3, then Black saves himself a lot of bother accepting the draw.

I think that in the original position Black has the edge, only the white king is available to protect the white pawn islands...*ponders*
🙂

G
Mr. Shield

Joined
02 Sep 04
Moves
174290
24 Apr 05

In the original position would Kg6 work though? If the king moves it white give up the pawn for nothing, and if the rook moves, black pushes the A pawn which keeps the rook pinned there and the king has to move. The rook can also get in a bit more which could help.

Josh