Monday, 6 August 2012

Getting away from it all - the study solution

J Fritz, Ceske Slovo 1933
White to play and win

The solution runs as follows:

1. b7 Ra5+ 2. Kd6 ({Other king moves, eg. 2. Kf4? allow the defence Rb5 3. Bc6+ Kd8 4. Bxb5 Kc7 stopping the pawn.) 2... Rb5 (2... Ra6+ 3. Bc6+ wins.}) 3. Bc6+ Kd8 4. Bxb5 Bc8! The point of Black's defence. The major promotions both result in stalemate. However, after 5. b8=B! the terrible position of black's pieces means he cannot avoid mate or loss of the bishop,
eg. Bd7 6. Bc7+ $1 Ke8 7. Bxd7+ etc.