Monday Morning Brain Teaser
Yancey_Ward
5r2/8/1R6/ppk3p1/2N3P1/P4b2/1K6/5B2 w - - 0 1
Yancey_Ward
5r2/8/1R6/ppk3p1/2N3P1/P4b2/1K6/5B2 w - - 0 1
Editor
Really, how many people could imagine that position after 6.Ka2 and understand that the knight dominated the rook that way? How many people might well have gotten there and just figured it was no good for white?
Editor
It is harder in terms of imagination, Alena. The stalemate threat forces the solver to find the domination theme that arises after 5.Bb5. For example- you didn't find it until I told you to look for it, so it isn't easier, right?
V-2
1.Rxb5+ Kxb5
2.Ne5+ Be2
3.Bxe2+ Ka4
4.Nd7 Rb8+
5.Bb5+ Rxb5+
6.Ka2 Rb1
7.Kxb1 Kxa3
In my opinion the main line is simpler than V-1.
Editor
The main line is 1.Rb5 Kb5 2.Ne5 Be2!? This provides black the stingiest defense.
V-1
1.Rxb5+ Kxb5
2.Ne5+ Kc5
3.Nd7+ Kd4
4.Nxf8 Ke5
5.Ng6+ Kf6
6.Bd3 Bxg4
7.Kc3 Bf5
8.Bxf5 Kxf5
9.Ne7+ Ke4
10.Ng8 g4
11.Nf6+ Kf5
12.Nh5 Kg5
13.Ng3 Kf4
14.Nf1 Kf3
15.a4 Kf2
16.Nd2 Ke2
It's a winning position for white. White should exchange the knight for the black pawn and promote the white pawn. White mustn't let the black king control b7.